UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM N-CSR

 

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED
MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

 

Investment Company Act file number

811-7362

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

620 Eighth Avenue, New York, NY

 

10018

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip code)

 

Robert I. Frenkel, Esq.

Legg Mason & Co., LLC

100 First Stamford Place

Stamford, CT 06902

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:

(888)777-0102

 

 

Date of fiscal year end:

November 30

 

 

Date of reporting period:

November 30, 2011

 

 



 

ITEM 1.          REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS.

 

The Annual Report to Stockholders is filed herewith.

 



 

November 30, 2011

 

 

 

Annual Report

 

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.
(MNP)

 

 

 

 

 

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED • NO BANK GUARANTEE • MAY LOSE VALUE

 

 

 


 

II

 

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.

 

 

 

Fund objectives

 

The Fund’s primary investment objective is to seek a high level of current income which is exempt from regular federal income taxes,* consistent with the preservation of capital. As a secondary investment objective, the Fund intends to enhance portfolio value by purchasing tax-exempt securities that, in the opinion of the investment manager, may appreciate in value relative to other similar obligations in the marketplace.

 

*       Certain investors may be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax (“AMT”), and state and local taxes will apply. Capital gains, if any, are fully taxable. Please consult your personal tax or legal adviser.

 

What’s inside

 

Letter from the chairman

II

 

 

Investment commentary

III

 

 

Fund overview

1

 

 

Fund at a glance

6

 

 

Spread duration

7

 

 

Effective duration

8

 

 

Schedule of investments

9

 

 

Statement of assets and liabilities

20

 

 

Statement of operations

21

 

 

Statement of changes in net assets

22

 

 

Financial highlights

23

 

 

Notes to financial statements

24

 

 

Report of independent registered public accounting firm

32

 

 

Board approval of management and subadvisory agreements

33

 

 

Additional information

39

 

 

Annual chief executive officer and principal officer certifications

45

 

 

Other shareholder communications regarding accounting matters

46

 

 

Dividend reinvestment plan

47

 

 

Important tax information

49

 

Letter from the chairman

 

Dear Shareholder,

 

We are pleased to provide the annual report of Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. for the twelve-month reporting period ended November 30, 2011. Please read on for a detailed look at prevailing economic and market conditions during the Fund’s reporting period and to learn how those conditions have affected Fund performance.

 

As always, we remain committed to providing you with excellent service and a full spectrum of investment choices. We also remain committed to supplementing the support you receive from your financial advisor. One way we accomplish this is through our website, www.leggmason.com/cef. Here you can gain immediate access to market and investment information, including:

 

·  Fund prices and performance,

 

·  Market insights and commentaries from our portfolio managers, and

 

·  A host of educational resources.

 

We look forward to helping you meet your financial goals.

 

Sincerely,

R. Jay Gerken, CFA

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

 

December 30, 2011

 


 

 

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.

 

III

 

 

Investment commentary

 

Economic review

 

Although the U.S. economy continued to grow over the twelve months ended November 30, 2011, the pace of the expansion was generally disappointing. U.S. gross domestic product (“GDP”)i growth, as reported by the U.S. Department of Commerce, has been less robust than during most other periods exiting a severe recession. GDP growth was 2.3% during the fourth quarter of 2010 and 3.0% for calendar 2010 as a whole. The Commerce Department then reported that first and second quarter 2011 GDP growth were 0.4% and 1.3%, respectively. This moderation in growth during the first half of the calendar year was due to a variety of factors, including less robust export activity and a deceleration in consumer spending given higher oil and food prices. Third quarter GDP growth then rose to 1.8%. Improving growth was attributed, in part, to higher consumer spending, which grew 1.7% in the third quarter, versus a modest 0.7% gain in the second quarter.

 

Two factors holding back the economy have been the weak job market and continued strains in the housing market. While there was some improvement in early 2011 and late in the reporting period, unemployment remained elevated. After dipping below 9.0% in February and March 2011 (to 8.9% and 8.8%, respectively), unemployment, as reported by the U.S. Department of Labor, moved back to 9.0% in April. Unemployment stayed above 9.0% over the next five months before falling to 9.0% in October. Unemployment then fell to 8.6% in November, its lowest rate since March 2009.

 

The housing market continued to experience challenges. Looking back, existing-home sales moved somewhat higher toward the end of 2010 and in January 2011, according to the National Association of Realtors (“NAR”). Existing-home sales then declined during five of the next ten months. Existing-home prices were weak versus a year ago, with the NAR reporting that the median existing-home price for all housing types was $164,200 in November 2011, down 3.5% from November 2010.

 

While the manufacturing sector continued to expand, it experienced a soft patch during a portion of the reporting period. Based on the Institute for Supply Management’s PMI (“PMI”)ii, in February 2011, the manufacturing sector expanded at its fastest pace since May 2004, with a reading of 61.4 (a reading below 50 indicates a contraction, whereas a reading above 50 indicates an expansion). The PMI then generally moderated over the next several months and was 50.6 in August 2011, its lowest reading in two years. However, the manufacturing sector gained some momentum late in the period and ended November at 52.7.

 

The Federal Reserve Board (“Fed”)iii took a number of actions as it sought to meet its dual mandate of fostering maximum employment and price stability. As has been the case since December 2008, the Fed kept the federal funds rateiv at a historically low range between zero and 0.25%. In addition, in August 2011, the Fed declared its intention to keep the federal funds rate on hold until mid-2013. In September 2011, the Fed announced its intention to purchase $400 billion of longer-term Treasury securities and to sell an equal amount of shorter-term Treasury securities by June 2012 (often referred to as “Operation Twist”). Finally, at its meeting in December (after the reporting period ended), the Fed potentially opened the door to another round of

 


 

IV

 

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.

 

 

 

Investment commentary (cont’d)

 

quantitative easing in 2012, saying it is “prepared to employ its tools to promote a stronger economic recovery in a context of price stability.”

 

As always, thank you for your confidence in our stewardship of your assets.

 

Sincerely,

R. Jay Gerken, CFA

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

 

December 30, 2011

 

All investments are subject to risk including the possible loss of principal. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

 

i                Gross domestic product (“GDP”) is the market value of all final goods and services produced within a country in a given period of time.

ii             The Institute for Supply Management’s PMI is based on a survey of purchasing executives who buy the raw materials for manufacturing at more than 350 companies. It offers an early reading on the health of the manufacturing sector.

iii          The Federal Reserve Board (“Fed”) is responsible for the formulation of policies designed to promote economic growth, full employment, stable prices and a sustainable pattern of international trade and payments.

iv           The federal funds rate is the rate charged by one depository institution on an overnight sale of immediately available funds (balances at the Federal Reserve) to another depository institution; the rate may vary from depository institution to depository institution and from day to day.

 


 

 

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2011 Annual Report

 

1

 

Fund overview

 

Q. What is the Fund’s investment strategy?

 

A. The Fund’s primary investment objective is to seek a high level of current income which is exempt from regular federal income taxes, consistent with the preservation of capital. As a secondary investment objective, the Fund intends to enhance portfolio value by purchasing tax-exempt securities that, in the opinion of the Fund’s investment manager, may appreciate in value relative to other similar obligations in the marketplace. Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests substantially all of its assets in a diversified portfolio of tax-exempt securities. The Fund invests primarily in tax-exempt securities that are rated investment grade at the time of purchase by at least one rating agency and that the investment manager believes do not involve undue risk to income or principal. The Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in securities rated below investment grade at the time of purchase. The Fund may use a variety of derivative instruments as part of its investment strategy, or for hedging or risk management purposes.

 

At Western Asset Management Company (“Western Asset”), the Fund’s subadviser, we utilize a fixed-income team approach, with decisions derived from interaction among various investment management sector specialists. The sector teams are comprised of Western Asset’s senior portfolio managers, research analysts and an in-house economist. Under this team approach, management of client fixed-income portfolios will reflect a consensus of interdisciplinary views within the Western Asset organization. The portfolio managers responsible for development of investment strategy, day-to-day portfolio management, oversight and coordination of the Fund are Stephen A. Walsh, Robert E. Amodeo and David T. Fare. Effective July 1, 2011, Joseph P. Deane no longer serves as a member of the portfolio management team for the Fund. Effective May 1, 2011, S. Kenneth Leech no longer serves as a portfolio manager for this Fund. While Mr. Leech continues to help shape Western Asset’s overall investment strategy, his day-to-day role is becoming more concentrated on global portfolios. To reflect this global focus, he will continue to serve as a portfolio manager of the global funds, but not of the non-global funds.

 

Q. What were the overall market conditions during the Fund’s reporting period?

 

A. Given changing perceptions for the economy and a number of macro issues, the performance of the spread sectors (non-Treasuries) fluctuated during the reporting period. Most spread sectors rallied during the first five months of the period as expectations for the economy were generally positive. While the spread sectors generally posted positive results in May, they underperformed equal-durationi Treasuries. Risk aversion then increased from June through September given a host of disappointing economic data, a further escalation of the European sovereign debt crisis and the Standard & Poor’s rating downgrade of U.S. sovereign debt. However, most spread sectors rallied in October given hopes of progress in Europe and some better-than-expected economic data. Risk aversion then returned in November as the European sovereign debt crisis escalated.

 

Both short- and long-term Treasury yields fluctuated but, overall, moved lower during the reporting period.

 


 

 

2

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2011 Annual Report

 

 

 

Fund overview (cont’d)

 

When the period began, two- and ten-year Treasury yields were 0.45% and 2.81%, respectively. Yields initially moved higher given expectations for stronger growth in 2011 and the potential for rising inflation. Two- and ten-year Treasury yields peaked at 0.87% and 3.75%, respectively, in February 2011. Yields then declined during much of the next seven months due to disappointing economic data and several flights to quality. Two-year Treasuries hit their low for the reporting period of 0.16% on September 19, 2011. Ten-year Treasuries reached their reporting period trough of 1.72% on September 22, 2011. Yields then moved higher in October as investor risk appetite increased. Two-year Treasury yields again moved higher in November, whereas ten-year Treasury yields declined during the month. When the reporting period ended on November 30, 2011, two-year Treasury yields were 0.25% and ten-year Treasury yields were 2.08%.

 

The municipal bond market also experienced periods of heightened volatility. The municipal market weakened during most of the first two months of the period as investor demand could not absorb a sharp increase in new issuance of Build America Bonds (“BABs”). This spike in new issuance occurred as the BAB program was expiring at the end of December 2010. Also pressuring the market were concerns regarding the financial health of some municipal bond issuers, fears of increasing defaults and investor redemptions from municipal bond mutual funds. The municipal market then strengthened over the majority of the remainder of the reporting period, as tax revenues rose, new issuance declined, investor demand increased, defaults remained low and numerous states took actions to reduce spending and get their financial houses in order. All told, the Barclays Capital Municipal Bond Indexii returned 6.53% for the twelve months ended November 30, 2011. Over the same period, the overall taxable bond market, as measured by the Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Indexiii, returned 5.52%.

 

Q. How did we respond to these changing market conditions?

 

A. We did not make any significant changes to the Fund during the reporting period. During the reporting period, we utilized leverage in the Fund. This contributed to results given the municipal market’s solid results. We ended the period with leverage from preferred shares as a percentage of gross assets of roughly 36%. The Fund employed short U.S. Treasury futures on several occasions during the reporting period to manage duration and to express our views that the municipal market would outperform the Treasury market. This strategy modestly contributed to the Fund’s performance during the period.

 

Performance review

 

For the twelve months ended November 30, 2011, Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. returned 11.42% based on its net asset value (“NAV”)iv and 13.54% based on its New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) market price per share. The Fund’s unmanaged benchmark, the Barclays Capital Municipal Bond Index, returned 6.53% for the same period. The Lipper General & Insured Municipal Debt (Leveraged) Closed-End Funds Category Averagev returned 10.14% over the same time frame. Please note that Lipper performance returns are based on each fund’s NAV.

 


 

 

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2011 Annual Report

 

3

 

Certain investors may be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax, and state and local taxes will apply. Capital gains, if any, are fully taxable. Please consult your personal tax or legal adviser.

 

During the twelve-month period, the Fund made distributions to common stock shareholders totaling $0.83 per share. The performance table shows the Fund’s twelve-month total return based on its NAV and market price as of November 30, 2011. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

 

Performance Snapshot as of November 30, 2011

 

Price Per Share

 

12-Month
Total Return*

 

$15.24 (NAV)

 

11.42

%†

 

$14.83 (Market Price)

 

13.54

%‡

 

 

All figures represent past performance and are not a guarantee of future results.

 

*       Total returns are based on changes in NAV or market price, respectively.

         Total return assumes the reinvestment of all distributions at NAV.

       Total return assumes the reinvestment of all distributions in additional shares in accordance with the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan.

 

Q. What were the leading contributors to performance?

 

A. The largest contributors to the Fund’s relative performance during the reporting period were its duration and yield curvevi positioning. Our longer duration than that of the benchmark was beneficial as rates moved lower. The same dynamic held true for the Fund’s yield curve positioning. Overall, the Fund’s overweight to the 15+ year portion of the municipal yield curve positively impacted performance as longer-term securities outperformed shorter-term securities.

 

Having a significant overweight to Health Care was beneficial for results as the sector outperformed the overall benchmark during the reporting period. Within the Health Care sector, we preferred securities from issuers that had solid balance sheets and strong management teams. In contrast, we avoided issuers that are disproportionately dependent on Medicaid reimbursements, given our concerns that federal government reimbursement levels would decline.

 

Also benefiting the Fund’s relative performance was its underweight to Pre-refundedvii securities. These shorter-term, high-quality securities underperformed the benchmark given investors’ preference for longer-term, lower-quality securities that offered higher yields.

 

Q. What were the leading detractors from performance?

 

A. The largest detractor from relative performance for the period was the Fund’s underweight to State General Obligation bonds. This underweight was based on our expectation of wider spreads given deteriorating balance sheets. However, State General Obligation bond spreads narrowed during the reporting period and they outperformed the benchmark.

 

The Fund’s overweight in the Industrial Revenue sector was negative for results as it underperformed the benchmark. Elsewhere, the Fund’s underweight to California municipal bonds was not rewarded as they outperformed the overall tax-exempt market.

 

Looking for additional information?

 

The Fund is traded under the symbol “MNP” and its closing market price is

 


 

4

 

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2011 Annual Report

 

 

 

Fund overview (cont’d)

 

available in most newspapers under the NYSE listings. The daily NAV is available on-line under the symbol “XMNPX” on most financial websites. Barron’s and the Wall Street Journal’s Monday edition both carry closed-end fund tables that provide additional information. In addition, the Fund issues a quarterly press release that can be found on most major financial websites as well as www.leggmason.com/cef.

 

In a continuing effort to provide information concerning the Fund, shareholders may call 1-888-777-0102 (toll free), Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time, for the Fund’s current NAV, market price and other information.

 

Thank you for your investment in Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. As always, we appreciate that you have chosen us to manage your assets and we remain focused on achieving the Fund’s investment goals.

 

Sincerely,

 

Western Asset Management Company

 

December 20, 2011

 

RISKS: An investment in the Fund is subject to risk, including the possible loss of the principal amount that you invest in the Fund. Diversification does not assure against market loss. As interest rates rise, bond prices fall, reducing the value of the Fund’s fixed-income securities. Lower-rated, higher-yielding bonds are subject to greater credit risk than higher-rated obligations. Municipal securities purchased by the Fund may be adversely affected by changes in the financial condition of municipal issuers and insurers, regulatory and political developments, uncertainties and public perceptions, and other factors. The Fund may use derivatives, such as options and futures, which can be illiquid, may disproportionately increase losses, and have a potentially large impact on Fund performance.

 

The mention of sector breakdowns is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell any securities. The information provided regarding such sectors is not a sufficient basis upon which to make an investment decision. Investors seeking financial advice regarding the appropriateness of investing in any securities or investment strategies discussed should consult their financial professional. Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time and may not be representative of the portfolio managers’ current or future investments. The Fund’s portfolio composition is subject to change at any time.

 

All investments are subject to risk including the possible loss of principal. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. All index performance reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes. Please note that an investor cannot invest directly in an index.

 

The information provided is not intended to be a forecast of future events, a guarantee of future results or investment advice. Views expressed may differ from those of the firm as a whole.

 


 

 

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2011 Annual Report

 

5

 

 

i           Duration is the measure of the price sensitivity of a fixed-income security to an interest rate change of 100 basis points. Calculation is based on the weighted average of the present values for all cash flows.

ii        The Barclays Capital Municipal Bond Index is a market value weighted index of investment grade municipal bonds with maturities of one year or more.

iii     The Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Index is a broad-based bond index comprised of government, corporate, mortgage- and asset-backed issues, rated investment grade or higher, and having at least one year to maturity.

iv      Net asset value (“NAV”) is calculated by subtracting total liabilities and outstanding preferred stock (if any) from the closing value of all securities held by the Fund (plus all other assets) and dividing the result (total investments) by the total number of the common shares outstanding. The NAV fluctuates with changes in the market prices of securities in which the Fund has invested. However, the price at which an investor may buy or sell shares of the Fund is the Fund’s market price as determined by supply of and demand for the Fund’s shares.

v         Lipper, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Reuters, provides independent insight on global collective investments. Returns are based on the twelve-month period ended November 30, 2011, including the reinvestment of all distributions, including returns of capital, if any, calculated among the 82 funds in the Fund’s Lipper category.

vi      The yield curve is the graphical depiction of the relationship between the yield on bonds of the same credit quality but different maturities.

vii   A pre-refunded bond is a bond in which the original security has been replaced by an escrow, usually consisting of treasuries or agencies, which has been structured to pay principal and interest and any call premium, either to a call date (in the case of a pre-refunded bond), or to maturity (in the case of an escrowed to maturity bond).

 



 

6

 

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2011 Annual Report

 

 

 

Fund at a glance (unaudited)

 

Investment breakdown (%) as a percent of total investments

 

 

        The bar graph above represents the composition of the Fund’s investments as of November 30, 2011 and November 30, 2010 and does not include derivatives such as futures contracts. The Fund is actively managed. As a result, the composition of the Fund’s investments is subject to change at any time.

 


 

 

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2011 Annual Report

 

7

 

 

 

Spread duration (unaudited)

 

Economic Exposure — November 30, 2011

 

 

Spread duration measures the sensitivity to changes in spreads. The spread over Treasuries is the annual risk-premium demanded by investors to hold non-Treasury securities. Spread duration is quantified as the % change in price resulting from a 100 basis points change in spreads. For a security with positive spread duration, an increase in spreads would result in a price decline and a decline in spreads would result in a price increase. This chart highlights the market sector exposure of the Fund’s sectors relative to the selected benchmark sectors as of the end of the reporting period.

 


MNP

— Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.

BC Muni Bond

— Barclays Capital Municipal Bond Index

 


 

8

 

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2011 Annual Report

 

 

 

Effective duration (unaudited)

 

Interest Rate Exposure — November 30, 2011

 

 

Effective duration measures the sensitivity to changes in relevant interest rates. Effective duration is quantified as the % change in price resulting from a 100 basis points change in interest rates. For a security with positive effective duration, an increase in interest rates would result in a price decline and a decline in interest rates would result in a price increase. This chart highlights the interest rate exposure of the Fund’s sectors relative to the selected benchmark sectors as of the end of the reporting period.

 


MNP

— Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.

BC Muni Bond

— Barclays Capital Municipal Bond Index

 


 

 

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2011 Annual Report

 

9

 

Schedule of investments

November 30, 2011

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.

 

Security

 

Rate

 

Maturity
Date

 

Face
Amount

 

Value

 

Municipal Bonds — 98.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alaska — 1.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Valdez, AK, Marine Terminal Revenue, BP Pipelines Inc. Project

 

5.000

%

1/1/21

 

$2,000,000

 

$   2,274,720

 

Arizona — 1.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Glendale, AZ, Transportation Excise Tax Revenue, NATL

 

5.000

%

7/1/28

 

2,855,000

 

2,994,809

 

Phoenix, AZ, Civic Improvement Corp., Water System Revenue

 

5.000

%

7/1/29

 

1,000,000

 

1,085,830

 

Total Arizona

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,080,639

 

California — 14.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

California Health Facilities Finance Authority Revenue, Catholic Healthcare West

 

5.625

%

7/1/32

 

5,000,000

 

5,173,500

 

California Health Facilities Financing Authority Revenue, Catholic Healthcare West

 

5.250

%

3/1/24

 

2,500,000

 

2,673,425

 

California State, GO, Unrefunded Balance

 

5.125

%

6/1/24

 

35,000

 

35,047

 

California Statewide CDA Revenue, Insured Health Facility L.A., Jewish Home, CA, Mortgage Insurance

 

5.000

%

11/15/28

 

1,500,000

 

1,512,285

 

Los Angeles, CA, Department of Water & Power Revenue, Power Systems, Subordinated, AGM

 

5.000

%

7/1/35

 

5,000,000

 

5,104,650

 

Lower Tule River, CA, Irrigation District Revenue, COP

 

5.000

%

8/1/40

 

1,000,000

 

928,220

 

M-S-R Energy Authority, CA, Gas Revenue

 

7.000

%

11/1/34

 

2,490,000

 

2,897,439

 

M-S-R Energy Authority, CA, Gas Revenue

 

6.500

%

11/1/39

 

3,000,000

 

3,310,650

 

Modesto, CA, Irrigation District Electric Revenue

 

5.000

%

7/1/19

 

3,000,000

 

3,480,750

 

Turlock, CA, Irrigation District Revenue

 

5.000

%

1/1/35

 

2,500,000

 

2,531,375

 

Turlock, CA, Public Financing Authority, Tax Allocation Revenue, AGM

 

5.000

%

9/1/30

 

2,500,000

 

2,434,550

 

University of California Revenues, AMBAC

 

5.000

%

5/15/36

 

2,620,000

 

2,681,517

 

Total California

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

32,763,408

 

Colorado — 5.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Colorado Health Facilities Authority Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Poudre Valley Health Care

 

5.000

%

3/1/25

 

2,850,000

 

2,879,469

 

Sisters of Charity Leavenworth Health System Inc.

 

5.250

%

1/1/25

 

3,500,000

 

3,776,640

 

Public Authority for Colorado Energy, Natural Gas Purchase Revenue

 

5.750

%

11/15/18

 

425,000

 

438,715

 

Public Authority for Colorado Energy, Natural Gas Purchase Revenue

 

6.500

%

11/15/38

 

4,000,000

 

4,287,760

 

Total Colorado

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11,382,584

 

Florida — 6.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Florida State Board of Education, GO

 

5.000

%

6/1/26

 

5,500,000

 

6,181,120

 

Miami-Dade County, FL, GO, Seaport

 

5.000

%

10/1/23

 

2,315,000

 

2,574,951

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.


 

10

 

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2011 Annual Report

 

 

 

Schedule of investments (cont’d)

November 30, 2011

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.

 

Security

 

Rate

 

Maturity
Date

 

Face
Amount

 

Value

 

Florida — continued

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Orlando & Orange County, FL, Expressway Authority Revenue

 

5.000

%

7/1/30

 

$2,000,000

 

$   2,115,600

 

Orlando, FL, Utilities Commission, Utility System Revenue

 

5.250

%

10/1/22

 

3,440,000

 

4,214,826

 

Seminole Tribe Florida Special Obligation Revenue

 

5.250

%

10/1/27

 

500,000

 

458,635

(a)

Total Florida

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15,545,132

 

Illinois — 11.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chicago, IL, Midway Airport Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NATL

 

5.500

%

1/1/29

 

2,000,000

 

2,000,920

 

NATL

 

5.625

%

1/1/29

 

3,750,000

 

3,750,412

(b)

Chicago, IL, Park District, GO, Refunding, FGIC

 

5.000

%

1/1/29

 

5,000,000

 

5,218,500

 

Chicago, IL, Public Building Commission, Building Revenue, Chicago School Reform, FGIC

 

5.250

%

12/1/18

 

1,000,000

 

1,144,980

 

Illinois EFA Revenue, Northwestern University

 

5.500

%

12/1/13

 

1,070,000

 

1,123,158

 

Illinois Health Facilities Authority Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Refunding, Lutheran General Health System

 

7.000

%

4/1/14

 

1,420,000

 

1,507,245

 

Refunding, SSM Health Care, NATL

 

6.550

%

6/1/13

 

1,850,000

 

2,012,633

(c)

Servantoor Project, AGM

 

6.000

%

8/15/12

 

705,000

 

732,855

(c)

South Suburban Hospital Project

 

7.000

%

2/15/18

 

500,000

 

565,730

(c)

Illinois Municipal Electric Agency Power Supply, FGIC

 

5.250

%

2/1/28

 

4,145,000

 

4,346,613

 

Illinois State, GO, First Series, AGM

 

5.500

%

5/1/16

 

1,500,000

 

1,702,005

 

Metropolitan Pier & Exposition Authority, IL, Dedicated State Tax Revenue, McCormick Place, AGM

 

5.000

%

6/15/50

 

3,000,000

 

2,919,990

(d)

Total Illinois

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

27,025,041

 

Indiana — 0.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Indianapolis, IN, Local Public Improvement Bond Bank

 

5.000

%

6/1/27

 

2,000,000

 

2,065,600

 

Maryland — 4.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maryland State EDC, EDR, Transportation Facilities Project

 

5.750

%

6/1/35

 

1,000,000

 

997,440

 

Maryland State Health & Higher EFA Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carroll County General Hospital Issue

 

6.000

%

7/1/37

 

3,000,000

 

3,014,550

 

Suburban Hospital

 

5.500

%

7/1/16

 

2,500,000

 

2,713,675

 

University of Maryland Medical Systems

 

6.000

%

7/1/32

 

1,000,000

 

1,032,860

(e)

Maryland State, GO

 

5.000

%

8/1/21

 

3,000,000

 

3,591,120

 

Total Maryland

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11,349,645

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.


 

 

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2011 Annual Report

 

11

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.

 

Security

 

Rate

 

Maturity
Date

 

Face
Amount

 

Value

 

Massachusetts — 0.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Massachusetts State HEFA Revenue, Partners Health, Unrefunded Balance

 

5.750

%

7/1/32

 

$    95,000

 

$        96,108

 

Massachusetts State Water Pollution Abatement Trust Revenue, MWRA Program, Unrefunded Balance

 

5.750

%

8/1/29

 

355,000

 

356,065

 

Massachusetts State Water Resources Authority, NATL

 

5.000

%

8/1/34

 

1,000,000

 

1,050,630

 

Total Massachusetts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,502,803

 

Michigan — 4.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Detroit, MI, GO, District State Aid

 

5.250

%

11/1/24

 

3,500,000

 

3,841,425

 

Michigan State Hospital Finance Authority Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

McLaren Health Care Corp.

 

5.750

%

5/15/38

 

2,000,000

 

2,086,180

 

Trinity Health Corp.

 

5.375

%

12/1/30

 

2,745,000

 

2,767,180

 

Trinity Health Corp.

 

5.375

%

12/1/30

 

255,000

 

267,768

(e)

Wayne County, MI, Airport Authority Revenue, Detroit Metropolitan Airport

 

5.000

%

12/1/18

 

1,170,000

 

1,263,658

(b)

Total Michigan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10,226,211

 

Missouri — 0.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Boone County, MO, Hospital Revenue, Boone Hospital Center

 

5.375

%

8/1/38

 

2,000,000

 

2,056,700

 

Nevada — 1.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clark County, NV, GO, AMBAC

 

5.000

%

11/1/21

 

2,000,000

 

2,197,440

 

New York — 19.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brooklyn Arena, NY, Local Development Corp., Barclays Center Project

 

6.250

%

7/15/40

 

1,000,000

 

1,043,160

 

Hudson, NY, Yards Infrastructure Corp. Revenue

 

5.750

%

2/15/47

 

2,500,000

 

2,640,425

 

Liberty, NY, Development Corporation Revenue, Goldman Sachs Headquarters

 

5.250

%

10/1/35

 

1,500,000

 

1,518,270

 

MTA, NY, Revenue

 

5.000

%

11/15/25

 

1,000,000

 

1,085,640

 

MTA, NY, Revenue

 

5.250

%

11/15/40

 

1,000,000

 

1,036,800

 

Nassau County, NY, Industrial Development Agency Revenue, Continuing Care Retirement, Amsterdam at Harborside

 

6.700

%

1/1/43

 

500,000

 

386,725

 

New York City, NY, Municipal Water Finance Authority, Water & Sewer System Revenue, Second General Resolution Fiscal 2011

 

5.000

%

6/15/31

 

4,850,000

 

5,226,554

 

New York City, NY, TFA Revenue, Unrefunded Balance, Future Tax Secured

 

5.500

%

11/15/17

 

15,000

 

15,728

 

New York City, NY\TFA Revenue, Future Tax Secured

 

5.500

%

11/15/17

 

4,100,000

 

4,302,909

(e)

New York Liberty Development Corp., Liberty Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4 World Trade Center LLC Project

 

5.750

%

11/15/51

 

2,000,000

 

2,117,960

 

Second Priority, Bank of America Tower

 

5.125

%

1/15/44

 

2,500,000

 

2,503,975

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.


 

12

 

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2011 Annual Report

 

 

 

Schedule of investments (cont’d)

November 30, 2011

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.

 

Security

 

Rate

 

Maturity
Date

 

Face
Amount

 

Value

 

New York — continued

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New York State Dormitory Authority Revenue, Court Facilities Lease, NYC Issue, Non State Supported Debt, AMBAC

 

5.500

%

5/15/30

 

$3,365,000

 

$   3,861,539

 

New York State Dormitory Authority Revenue, Non-State Supported Debt, Columbia University

 

5.000

%

7/1/38

 

2,000,000

 

2,143,180

 

New York State Thruway Authority, Second General Highway & Bridge Trust Fund, AMBAC

 

5.000

%

4/1/26

 

4,700,000

 

5,058,328

 

New York State Urban Development Corp. Revenue, State Personal Income Tax

 

5.000

%

3/15/26

 

5,000,000

 

5,415,950

 

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey

 

5.000

%

1/15/41

 

5,000,000

 

5,261,300

 

Total New York

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

43,618,443

 

North Carolina — 0.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

North Carolina Medical Care Commission Health Care Facilities Revenue, Novant Health Obligation Group

 

5.000

%

11/1/39

 

1,200,000

 

1,194,576

 

Ohio — 0.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ohio State Air Quality Development Authority Revenue, FirstEnergy Generation Corp.

 

5.700

%

8/1/20

 

1,000,000

 

1,097,200

 

Oklahoma — 0.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grand River Dam Authority, OK, Revenue

 

5.250

%

6/1/40

 

2,000,000

 

2,133,920

 

Oregon — 0.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Multnomah County, OR, Hospital Facilities Authority Revenue, Providence Health Systems

 

5.250

%

10/1/18

 

1,250,000

 

1,351,588

 

Pennsylvania — 4.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Central Bradford, PA, Progress Authority Revenue, Guthrie Healthcare Systems

 

5.000

%

12/1/26

 

5,130,000

 

5,363,928

 

Pennsylvania Economic Development Financing Authority, Sewer Sludge Disposal Revenue, Philadelphia Biosolids Facility

 

6.250

%

1/1/32

 

500,000

 

524,485

 

Philadelphia, PA, Gas Works Revenue, 7th General Ordinance, AMBAC

 

5.000

%

10/1/17

 

2,685,000

 

3,032,546

 

Philadelphia, PA, School District, GO, AGM

 

5.500

%

2/1/31

 

500,000

 

504,120

(e)

Total Pennsylvania

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9,425,079

 

Tennessee — 2.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tennessee Energy Acquisition Corp., Gas Revenue

 

5.000

%

2/1/20

 

3,555,000

 

3,491,792

 

Tennessee Energy Acquisition Corp., Gas Revenue

 

5.000

%

2/1/21

 

2,000,000

 

1,939,860

 

Total Tennessee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,431,652

 

Texas — 11.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Austin, TX, Water & Wastewater System Revenue

 

5.000

%

11/15/26

 

2,500,000

 

2,789,275

 

Austin, TX, Water & Wastewater System Revenue

 

5.125

%

11/15/28

 

2,210,000

 

2,455,531

 

Beaumont, TX, ISD, GO, School Building, PSF

 

5.000

%

2/15/33

 

1,100,000

 

1,164,823

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.


 

 

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2011 Annual Report

 

13

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.

 

Security

 

Rate

 

Maturity
Date

 

Face
Amount

 

Value

 

Texas — continued

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Harris County, TX, Health Facilities Development Corp., Hospital Revenue, Memorial Hermann Healthcare Systems

 

5.250

%

12/1/18

 

$2,960,000

 

$     3,151,660

 

Harris County, TX, Metropolitan Transit Authority Sales & Use Tax

 

5.000

%

11/1/36

 

2,500,000

 

2,652,275

 

Kemp, TX, ISD, GO, School Building

 

5.250

%

2/15/33

 

3,450,000

 

3,693,673

 

Mesquite, TX, ISD No. 1, GO, Capital Appreciation, PSFG

 

0.000

%

8/15/27

 

1,000,000

 

467,170

 

North Texas Tollway Authority Revenue

 

5.750

%

1/1/40

 

2,500,000

 

2,589,100

 

Texas State Turnpike Authority Revenue, First Tier, AMBAC

 

5.500

%

8/15/39

 

5,000,000

 

5,024,800

 

Texas State, GO, Water Financial Assistance

 

5.000

%

8/1/27

 

2,755,000

 

3,127,256

 

Total Texas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

27,115,563

 

Washington — 3.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chelan County, WA, Public Utility District, Chelan Hydro System No.1, Construction Revenue, AMBAC

 

5.450

%

7/1/37

 

2,900,000

 

2,979,373

(b)(e)

Port of Seattle, WA, Revenue, Refunding, Intermediate Lien, NATL

 

5.000

%

3/1/30

 

2,000,000

 

2,052,120

 

Washington State Health Care Facilities Authority Revenue, PeaceHealth

 

5.000

%

11/1/28

 

3,000,000

 

3,056,730

 

Total Washington

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,088,223

 

Wisconsin — 1.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wisconsin State HEFA Revenue, SSM Health Care Corp.

 

5.000

%

6/1/25

 

3,110,000

 

3,292,930

 

Total Investments before Short-Term Investments (Cost — $216,948,989)

 

 

 

225,219,097

 

Short-Term Investments — 1.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

California — 1.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

California PCFA, PCR, Pacific Gas & Electric, LOC-Bank One

 

0.070

%

11/1/26

 

600,000

 

600,000

(f)(g)

California Statewide CDA Revenue, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, LOC-Union Bank N.A.

 

0.070

%

12/1/37

 

2,900,000

 

2,900,000

(f)(g)

Total California

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,500,000

 

Louisiana — 0.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

St. James Parish, LA, PCR, Texaco Inc. Project

 

0.060

%

7/1/12

 

700,000

 

700,000

(f)(g)

Oregon — 0.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yamhill County, OR, Hospital Authority Revenue, Friendsview Community, LOC-US Bank N.A.

 

0.150

%

12/1/34

 

100,000

 

100,000

(f)(g)

Total Short-Term Investments (Cost — $4,300,000)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,300,000

 

Total Investments — 100.0% (Cost — $221,248,989#)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

229,519,097

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.


 

14

 

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2011 Annual Report

 

 

 

Schedule of investments (cont’d)

November 30, 2011

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.

 

(a)

Security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. This security may be resold in transactions that are exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. This security has been deemed liquid pursuant to guidelines approved by the Board of Directors, unless otherwise noted.

(b)

Income from this issue is considered a preference item for purposes of calculating the alternative minimum tax (“AMT”).

(c)

Bonds are escrowed to maturity by government securities and/or U.S. government agency securities and are considered by the manager to be triple-A rated even if issuer has not applied for new ratings.

(d)

All or a portion of this security is held at the broker as collateral for open futures contracts.

(e)

Pre-Refunded bonds are escrowed with U.S. government obligations and/or U.S. government agency securities and are considered by the manager to be triple-A rated even if issuer has not applied for new ratings.

(f)

Variable rate demand obligations have a demand feature under which the Fund can tender them back to the issuer or liquidity provider on no more than 7 days notice.

(g)

Maturity date shown is the final maturity date. The security may be sold back to the issuer before final maturity.

#

Aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes is $221,210,220.

 

 

 

Abbreviations used in this schedule:

 

 

 

AGM

— Assured Guaranty Municipal Corporation — Insured Bonds

 

AMBAC

— American Municipal Bond Assurance Corporation — Insured Bonds

 

CDA

— Communities Development Authority

 

COP

— Certificates of Participation

 

EDC

— Economic Development Corporation

 

EDR

— Economic Development Revenue

 

EFA

— Educational Facilities Authority

 

FGIC

— Financial Guaranty Insurance Company — Insured Bonds

 

GO

— General Obligation

 

HEFA

— Health & Educational Facilities Authority

 

ISD

— Independent School District

 

LOC

— Letter of Credit

 

MTA

— Metropolitan Transportation Authority

 

MWRA

— Massachusetts Water Resources Authority

 

NATL

— National Public Finance Guarantee Corporation — Insured Bonds

 

PCFA

— Pollution Control Financing Authority

 

PCR

— Pollution Control Revenue

 

PSF

— Permanent School Fund

 

PSFG

— Permanent School Fund Guaranty

 

TFA

— Transitional Finance Authority

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.


 

 

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2011 Annual Report

 

15

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.

 

Summary of Investments by Industry† (unaudited)

 

Health care

 

18.6

%

Local general obligation

 

14.9

 

Transportation

 

14.0

 

Power

 

11.3

 

Special tax obligation

 

9.8

 

Water & sewer

 

7.9

 

Industrial revenue

 

6.7

 

Pre-refunded/escrowed to maturity

 

5.4

 

Education

 

2.6

 

Leasing

 

2.6

 

State general obligation

 

2.1

 

Other

 

2.0

 

Solid waste/resource recovery

 

0.2

 

Short-term investments

 

1.9

 

 

 

100.0

%

 

As a percentage of total investments. Please note that Fund holdings are as of November 30, 2011 and are subject to change.

 

Ratings Table* (unaudited)

 

Standard & Poor’s/Moody’s/Fitch**

 

 

 

AAA/Aaa

 

17.8

%

AA/Aa

 

41.6

 

A

 

33.0

 

BBB/Baa

 

5.3

 

A-1/VMIG 1

 

1.9

 

NR

 

0.4

 

 

 

100.0

%

 

*

As a percentage of total investments.

**

The ratings shown are based on each portfolio security’s rating as determined by Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s or Fitch, each a Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization (“NRSRO”). These ratings are the opinions of the NRSRO and are not measures of quality or guarantees of performance. Securities may be rated by other NRSROs, and these ratings may be higher or lower. In the event that a security is rated by multiple NRSROs and receives different ratings, the Fund will treat the security as being rated in the highest rating category received from a NRSRO.

 

See pages 16 through 19 for definitions of ratings.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 


 

16

 

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2011 Annual Report

 

 

 

Bond ratings

 

The definitions of the applicable rating symbols are set forth below:

 

Long-term security ratings (unaudited)

 

Standard & Poor’s Ratings Service (“Standard & Poor’s”) Long-term Issue Credit Ratings – Ratings from “AA” to “CCC” may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (–) sign to show relative standings within the major rating categories.

 

AAA

An obligation rated “AAA” has the highest rating assigned by Standard & Poor’s. The obligor’s 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 obligor’s 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 obligor’s 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

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 obligor’s 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 obligor’s 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.

C

The “C” rating may be used to cover a situation where a bankruptcy petition has been filed or similar action has been taken, but payments on this obligation are being continued.

D

An obligation rated “D” is in payment default. The “D” rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless Standard & Poor’s believes that such payments will be made during such grace period. The “D” rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action if payments of an obligation are jeopardized.

 


 

 

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2011 Annual Report

 

17

 

Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”) Long-term Obligation Ratings – Numerical modifiers 1, 2 and 3 may be applied to each generic rating from “Aa” to “Caa,” where 1 is the highest and 3 the lowest ranking within its generic category.

 

Aaa

Obligations rated “Aaa” are judged to be of the highest quality, with minimal credit risk.

Aa

Obligations rated “Aa” are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk.

A

Obligations rated “A” are considered upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk.

Baa

Obligations rated “Baa” are subject to moderate credit risk. They are considered medium grade and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics.

Ba

Obligations rated “Ba” are judged to have speculative elements 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 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 for principal and interest.

C

Obligations rated “C” are the lowest rated class and are typically in default, with little prospect of recovery for principal and interest.

 

Fitch Ratings Service (“Fitch”) Structured, Project & Public Finance Obligations – Ratings from “AA” to “CCC” may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (–) sign to show relative standings within the major rating categories.

 

AAA

Obligations rated “AAA” by Fitch 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

Obligations rated “AA” 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

Obligations rated “A” 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

Obligations rated “BBB” 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

Obligations rated “BB” indicate an elevated vulnerability to default risk, particularly in the event of adverse changes in business or economic conditions over time; however, business or financial flexibility exists which supports the servicing of financial commitments.

B

Obligations rated “B” 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.

CCC

Default is a real possibility.

CC

Default of some kind appears probable.

C

Default is imminent or inevitable, or the issuer is in standstill.

NR

Indicates that the obligation is not rated by Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s or Fitch.

 


 

18

 

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2011 Annual Report

 

 

 

Short-term security ratings (unaudited)

 

Standard & Poor’s Municipal Short-Term Notes Ratings

 

SP-1

A short-term obligation rated “SP-1” is rated in the highest category by Standard & Poor’s. 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

A short-term obligation rated “SP-2” is a Standard & Poor’s rating indicating satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest, with some vulnerability to adverse financial and economic changes over the term of the notes.

SP-3

A short-term obligation rated “SP-3” is a Standard & Poor’s rating indicating speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.

 

Standard & Poor’s Short-Term Issues Credit Ratings

 

A-1

A short-term obligation rated “A-1” is rated in the highest category by Standard & Poor’s. The obligor’s 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 obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on these obligations is extremely strong.

A-2

A short-term obligation rated “A-2” by Standard & Poor’s is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher rating categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is satisfactory.

A-3

A short-term obligation rated “A-3” by Standard & Poor’s 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” by Standard & Poor’s is regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. Ratings of “B-1”, “B-2” and “B-3” may be assigned to indicate finer distinctions within the “B” category. The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

 

Moody’s Variable Rate Demand Obligations (VRDO) Ratings

 

VMIG 1

Moody’s highest rating for issues having a variable rate demand feature – VRDO. 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 on 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 on demand.

VMIG 3

This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Adequate 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 on 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.

 


 

 

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2011 Annual Report

 

19

 

Moody’s Short-Term Municipal Obligations Ratings

 

MIG 1

Moody’s highest rating for short-term municipal obligations. 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 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.

 

Moody’s Short-Term Obligations Ratings

 

P-1

Moody’s highest rating for commercial paper and for VRDO prior to the advent of the VMIG 1 rating. Have a superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

P-2

Have a strong ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

P-3

Have an acceptable ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

NP

Issuers do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories.

 

Fitch’s Short-Term Issuer or Obligations Ratings

 

F1

Fitch’s highest rating indicating the strongest intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; may have an added “+” to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature.

F2

Fitch rating indicating good intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments.

F3

Fitch rating indicating intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate.

B

Fitch rating indicating minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, plus heightened vulnerability to near term changes in financial and economic conditions.

C

Fitch rating indicating default is a real possibility.

NR

Indicates that the obligation is not rated by Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s or Fitch.

 


 

20

 

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2011 Annual Report

 

 

 

Statement of assets and liabilities

November 30, 2011

 

Assets:

 

 

 

Investments, at value (Cost — $221,248,989)

 

$229,519,097

 

Cash

 

59,358

 

Interest receivable

 

3,178,343

 

Receivable for securities sold

 

2,351,953

 

Receivable from broker — variation margin on open futures contracts

 

149,063

 

Prepaid expenses

 

22,812

 

Total Assets

 

235,280,626

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

Payable for securities purchased

 

1,978,753

 

Investment management fee payable

 

105,484

 

Distributions payable to Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stockholders

 

1,890

 

Directors’ fees payable

 

551

 

Accrued expenses

 

113,769

 

Total Liabilities

 

2,200,447

 

Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock (1,700 shares authorized and issued at $50,000 per share) (Note 5)

 

85,000,000

 

Total Net Assets

 

$148,080,179

 

 

 

 

 

Net Assets:

 

 

 

Par value ($0.001 par value; 9,719,063 shares issued and outstanding; 100,000,000 shares authorized)

 

$           9,719

 

Paid-in capital in excess of par value

 

135,567,168

 

Undistributed net investment income

 

4,169,137

 

Accumulated net realized loss on investments

 

(246,379)

 

Net unrealized appreciation on investments and futures contracts

 

8,580,534

 

Total Net Assets

 

$148,080,179

 

 

 

 

 

Shares Outstanding

 

9,719,063

 

 

 

 

 

Net Asset Value

 

$15.24

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 


 

 

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2011 Annual Report

 

21

 

Statement of operations

For the Year Ended November 30, 2011

 

Investment Income:

 

 

 

Interest

 

$10,562,380

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses:

 

 

 

Investment management fee (Note 2)

 

1,241,166

 

Auction Participation Fees (Note 5)

 

164,111

 

Audit and tax

 

110,844

 

Legal fees

 

53,057

 

Shareholder reports

 

39,468

 

Transfer agent fees

 

38,214

 

Directors’ fees

 

35,776

 

Stock exchange listing fees

 

21,235

 

Rating agency fees

 

16,292

 

Fund accounting fees

 

12,826

 

Auction agent fees

 

11,567

 

Custody fees

 

7,523

 

Insurance

 

5,324

 

Miscellaneous expenses

 

976

 

Total Expenses

 

1,758,379

 

Net Investment Income

 

8,804,001

 

 

 

 

 

Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments and Future Contracts (Notes 1, 3 and 4):

 

 

 

Net Realized Gain on Investments

 

1,217,998

 

Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) From:

 

 

 

Investments

 

5,300,073

 

Futures contracts

 

310,426

 

Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

 

5,610,499

 

Net Gain on Investments and Futures Contracts

 

6,828,497

 

Distributions Paid to Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stockholders from Net Investment Income (Notes 1 and 5)

 

(261,749)

 

Increase in Net Assets From Operations

 

$15,370,749

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 


 

22

 

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2011 Annual Report

 

 

 

Statements of changes in net assets

 

For the years ended November 30,

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operations:

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

$    8,804,001

 

$    9,214,918

 

Net realized gain

 

1,217,998

 

346,466

 

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

 

5,610,499

 

(699,516)

 

Distributions paid to Auction Rate Preferred Stockholders from net investment income

 

(261,749)

 

(344,248)

 

Increase in Net Assets From Operations

 

15,370,749

 

8,517,620

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Distributions to Shareholders From (Note 1):

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

(8,091,125)

 

(7,799,548)

 

Decrease in Net Assets From Distributions to Common Shareholders

 

(8,091,125)

 

(7,799,548)

 

Increase in Net Assets

 

7,279,624

 

718,072

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning of year

 

140,800,555

 

140,082,483

 

End of year*

 

$148,080,179

 

$140,800,555

 

* Includes undistributed net investment income of:

 

$4,169,137

 

$3,733,679

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 


 

 

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2011 Annual Report

 

23

 

Financial highlights

 

For a share of capital stock outstanding throughout each year ended November 30, unless otherwise noted:

 

 

 

20111

 

20101

 

20091,2

 

20081,3

 

20071,3

 

20061,3

 

Net asset value, beginning of year

 

$14.49

 

$14.41

 

$11.75

 

$14.55

 

$14.79

 

$14.89

 

Income (loss) from operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

0.91

 

0.95

 

0.90

 

0.93

 

0.89

 

0.90

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

 

0.70

 

(0.03)

 

2.45

 

(2.81)

 

(0.20)

 

(0.01)

 

Distributions paid to auction rate cumulative preferred stockholders from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

(0.03)

 

(0.04)

 

(0.05)

 

(0.29)

 

(0.31)

 

(0.25)

 

Net realized gains

 

 

 

 

(0.02)

 

(0.01)

 

(0.00)

4

Total income (loss) from operations

 

1.58

 

0.88

 

3.30

 

(2.19)

 

0.37

 

0.64

 

Distributions paid to common stock shareholders from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

(0.83)

 

(0.80)

 

(0.64)

 

(0.60)

 

(0.62)

 

(0.77)

 

Net realized gains

 

 

 

 

(0.04)

 

(0.01)

 

(0.00)

4

Total distributions

 

(0.83)

 

(0.80)

 

(0.64)

 

(0.64)

 

(0.63)

 

(0.77)

 

Increase in net asset value due to shares repurchased in tender offer

 

 

 

 

0.03

 

0.02

 

0.03

 

Net asset value, end of year

 

$15.24

 

$14.49

 

$14.41

 

$11.75

 

$14.55

 

$14.79

 

Market price, end of year

 

$14.83

 

$13.87

 

$12.86

 

$9.69

 

$13.24

 

$14.19

 

Total return, based on NAV5,6

 

11.42

%

6.16

%

28.54

%

(15.35)

%

2.74

%

4.68

%

Total return, based on Market Price7

 

13.54

%

14.19

%

39.80

%

(22.67)

%

(2.22)

%

10.22

%

Net assets, end of year (000s)

 

$148,080

 

$140,801

 

$140,082

 

$114,186

 

$156,670

 

$76,629

 

Ratios to average net assets based on common shares outstanding8:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross expenses

 

1.25

%

1.24

%

1.37%

9

1.48

%

1.48%

10

1.41

%

Net expenses11

 

1.25

 

1.24

 

1.37

9

1.48

 

1.48

10

1.41

12

Net investment income

 

6.26

 

6.40

 

7.23

9

6.67

 

6.15

 

6.09

 

Portfolio turnover rate

 

34

%

32

%

18

%

46

%

47

%

18

%

Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Amount Outstanding (000s)

 

$85,000

 

$85,000

 

$85,000

 

$85,000

 

$85,000

 

$40,000

 

Asset Coverage Per Share

 

137,106

 

132,824

 

132,401

 

117,169

 

142,159

 

145,786

 

Involuntary Liquidating Preference Per Share13

 

50,000

 

50,000

 

50,000

 

50,000

 

50,000

 

50,000

 

 

1

Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares method.

2

For the period January 1, 2009 through November 30, 2009.

3

For the year ended December 31.

4

Amount represents less than $0.01 per share.

5

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. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

6

The total return calculation assumes that distributions are reinvested at NAV. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

7

The total return calculation assumes that distributions are reinvested in accordance with the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

8

Calculated on the basis of average net assets of common stock shareholders. Ratios do not reflect the effect of dividend payments to preferred shareholders.

9

Annualized.

10

Included in the expense ratios are certain non-recurring restructuring (and reorganization, if applicable) fees that were incurred by the Fund during the period. Without these fees, the gross and net expense ratios would both have been 1.25%.

11

The impact of compensating balance arrangements, if any, was less than 0.01%.

12

Reflects fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements.

13

Excludes accumulated and unpaid distributions.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 


 

24

 

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2011 Annual Report

 

 

 

Notes to financial statements

 

1. Organization and significant accounting policies

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. (the “Fund”) was incorporated in Maryland on November 24, 1992 and is registered as a diversified, closed-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The Board of Directors authorized 100 million shares of $0.001 par value common stock. The Fund’s primary investment objective is to seek a high level of current income which is exempt from federal income taxes, consistent with the preservation of capital. As a secondary investment objective, the Fund intends to enhance portfolio value by purchasing tax exempt securities that, in the opinion of investment manager, may appreciate in value relative to other similar obligations in the marketplace.

 

The following are significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund and are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Estimates and assumptions are required to be made regarding assets, liabilities and changes in net assets resulting from operations when financial statements are prepared. Changes in the economic environment, financial markets and any other parameters used in determining these estimates could cause actual results to differ. Subsequent events have been evaluated through the date the financial statements were issued.

 

(a) Investment valuation. 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 investment’s fair value. Futures contracts are valued daily at the settlement price established by the board of trade or exchange on which they are traded. Equity securities for which market quotations are available are valued at the last reported sales price or official closing price on the primary market or exchange on which they trade. 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 reliable prices are not readily available, such as when the value of a security has been significantly affected by events after the close of the exchange or market on which the security is principally traded, but before the Fund calculates its net asset value, the Fund values these securities as determined in accordance with procedures approved by the Fund’s Board of Directors.

 

The Fund has adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Codification Topic 820 (“ASC Topic 820”). ASC Topic 820 establishes a single definition of fair value, creates a three-tier hierarchy as a framework for measuring fair value based on inputs used to value the Fund’s investments, and requires

 


 

 

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2011 Annual Report

 

25

 

additional disclosure about fair value. The hierarchy of inputs is summarized below.

 

·  Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

·  Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

·  Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

 

The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

 

The Fund uses valuation techniques to measure fair value that are consistent with the market approach and/or income approach, depending on the type of security and the particular circumstance. The market approach uses prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable securities. The income approach uses valuation techniques to discount estimated future cash flows to present value.

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used in valuing the Fund’s assets carried at fair value:

 

ASSETS

Description

 

Quoted Prices
(Level 1)

 

Other Significant
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)

 

Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)

 

Total

 

Municipal bonds†

 

 

$225,219,097

 

 

$225,219,097

 

Short-term investments†

 

 

4,300,000

 

 

4,300,000

 

Total investments

 

 

$229,519,097

 

 

$229,519,097

 

Other financial instruments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Futures contracts

 

$310,426

 

 

 

$310,426

 

Total

 

$310,426

 

$229,519,097

 

 

$229,829,523

 

 

†  See Schedule of Investments for additional detailed categorizations.

 

(b) Futures contracts. The Fund uses futures contracts generally to gain exposure to, or hedge against, changes in interest rates or gain exposure to, or hedge against, changes in certain asset classes. A futures contract represents a commitment for the future purchase or sale of an asset at a specified price on a specified date.

 

Upon entering into a futures contract, the Fund is required to deposit cash or cash equivalents with a broker in an amount equal to a certain percentage of the contract amount. This is known as the “initial margin” and subsequent payments (“variation margin”) are made or received by the Fund each day, depending on the daily fluctuation in the value of the contract. The daily changes in contract value are recorded as unrealized gains or losses in the Statement of Operations and the Fund recognizes a realized gain or loss when the contract is closed.

 


 

26

 

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2011 Annual Report

 

 

 

Notes to financial statements (cont’d)

 

Futures contracts involve, to varying degrees, risk of loss in excess of the amounts reflected in the financial statements. In addition, there is the risk that the Fund may not be able to enter into a closing transaction because of an illiquid secondary market.

 

(c) Security transactions and investment income. Security transactions are accounted for on a trade date basis. Interest income, adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion of discount, is recorded on the accrual basis. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. The cost of investments sold is determined by use of the specific identification method. To the extent any issuer defaults or a credit event occurs that impacts the issuer, the Fund may halt any additional interest income accruals and consider the realizability of interest accrued up to the date of default or credit event.

 

(d) Distributions to shareholders. Distributions from net investment income for the Fund, if any, are declared quarterly and paid on a monthly basis. The Fund intends to satisfy conditions that will enable interest from municipal securities, which is exempt from federal and certain state income taxes, to retain such tax-exempt status when distributed to the shareholders of the Fund. Distributions of net realized gains, if any, are taxable and are declared at least annually. Distributions to shareholders of the Fund are recorded on the ex-dividend date and are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP. Distributions to preferred shareholders are accrued and paid on a weekly basis and are determined as described in Note 5.

 

(e) Compensating balance arrangements. The Fund has an arrangement with its custodian bank whereby a portion of the custodian’s fees is paid indirectly by credits earned on the Fund’s cash on deposit with the bank.

 

(f) Federal and Other Taxes. It is the Fund’s policy to comply with the federal income and excise tax requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”), as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies. Accordingly, the Fund intends to distribute its taxable income and net realized gains, if any, to shareholders in accordance with timing requirements imposed by the Code. Therefore, no federal or state income tax provision is required in the Fund’s financial statements.

 

Management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions taken on income tax returns for all open tax years and has concluded that as of November 30, 2011, no provision for income tax is required in the Fund’s financial statements. The Fund’s federal and state income and federal excise tax returns for tax years for which the applicable statutes of limitations have not expired are subject to examination by Internal Revenue Service and state departments of revenue.

 

(g) Reclassification. GAAP requires that certain components of net assets be reclassified to reflect permanent differences between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset

 


 

 

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2011 Annual Report

 

27

 

values per share. During the current year, the following reclassifications have been made:

 

 

 

Undistributed Net
Investment Income

 

Accumulated Net
Realized Loss

 

(a)

 

$(15,669)

 

$15,669

 

 

(a)

Reclassifications are primarily due to differences between book and tax accretion of market discount on fixed income securities.

 

2. Investment management agreement and other transactions with affiliates

 

Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (“LMPFA”) is the Fund’s investment manager and Western Asset Management Company (“Western Asset”) is the Fund’s subadviser. LMPFA and Western Asset are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Legg Mason, Inc. (“Legg Mason”).

 

LMPFA provides administrative and certain oversight services to the Fund. The Fund pays LMPFA an investment management fee, calculated daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.55% of the Fund’s average weekly net assets. For purposes of calculating this fee, the liquidation value of any outstanding preferred stock of the Fund is not deducted in determining the Fund’s net assets.

 

LMPFA delegates to Western Asset the day-to-day portfolio management of the Fund. For its services, LMPFA pays Western Asset 70% of the net management fee it receives from the Fund.

 

All officers and one Director of the Fund are employees of Legg Mason or its affiliates and do not receive compensation from the Fund.

 

3. Investments

 

During the year ended November 30, 2011, the aggregate cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investments (excluding short-term investments) were as follows:

 

Purchases

 

$76,198,226

 

 

Sales

 

74,202,015

 

 

 

At November 30, 2011, the aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of investments for federal income tax purposes were as follows:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

 

$8,963,682

 

 

Gross unrealized depreciation

 

(654,805

)

 

Net unrealized appreciation

 

$8,308,877

 

 

 


 

28

 

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2011 Annual Report

 

 

 

Notes to financial statements (cont’d)

 

At November 30, 2011, the Fund had the following open futures contracts:

 

 

 

Number of
Contracts

 

Expiration
Date

 

Basis
Value

 

Market
Value

 

Unrealized
Gain

 

Contracts to Sell:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Treasury 30-Year Bonds

 

90

 

12/11

 

$13,056,676

 

$12,746,250

 

$310,426

 

 

4. Derivative instruments and hedging activities

 

Financial Accounting Standards Board Codification Topic 815 requires enhanced disclosure about an entity’s derivative and hedging activities.

 

Below is a table, grouped by derivative type, that provides information about the fair value and the location of derivatives within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities at November 30, 2011.

 

ASSET DERIVATIVES1

 

 

Interest Rate
Contracts Risk

 

Futures contracts2

 

$310,426

 

 

1

Generally, the balance sheet location for asset derivatives is receivables/net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and for liability derivatives is payables/net unrealized appreciation (depreciation).

2

Includes cumulative appreciation (depreciation) of futures contracts as reported in the footnotes. Only variation margin is reported within the receivables and/or payables of the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

 

The following table provides information about the effect of derivatives and hedging activities on the Fund’s Statement of Operations for the year ended November 30, 2011. The table provides additional information about the change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) resulting from the Fund’s derivatives and hedging activities during the period.

 

CHANGE IN UNREALIZED APPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) ON DERIVATIVES RECOGNIZED

 

 

Interest Rate
Contracts Risk

 

Futures contracts

 

$310,426

 

 

During the year ended November 30, 2011, the volume of derivative activity for the Fund was as follows:

 

 

 

Average
Market Value

 

Futures contracts (to sell)

 

$2,930,409

 

 

5. Auction rate preferred stock

 

On April 2, 1993, the Fund closed its public offering of 800 shares of $0.001 par value Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series M (“Preferred Stock”), at an offering price of $50,000 per share. On July 20, 2007, the Fund acquired the Preferred Stock of Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund II Inc. On October 1, 1993, Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund II Inc. closed its public offering of 900 shares of $0.001 par value Preferred Stock at an

 


 

 

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2011 Annual Report

 

29

 

 

offering price of $50,000 per share. Thus, the Fund now has 1,700 shares of Preferred Stock outstanding. The Preferred Stock has a liquidation preference of $50,000 per share plus an amount equal to accumulated but unpaid dividends (whether or not earned or declared) and subject to certain restrictions, are redeemable in whole or in part.

 

Dividend rates generally reset every 7 days and are determined by auction procedures. The dividend rate cannot exceed a certain maximum rate, including in the event of a failed auction. The maximum rate is calculated using the higher of 110% of the taxable equivalent of the short-term municipal bond rate and 110% of the prevailing 30 day AA commercial paper rate. The Fund may pay higher maximum rates if the rating of the Fund’s Preferred Stock were to be lowered by the rating agencies. To the extent capital gains and other taxable income are allocated to holders of Preferred Shares for tax purposes, the Fund will likely have to pay higher dividends to holders of Preferred Shares to compensate them for the increased tax liability to them resulting from such allocation. Due to failed auctions experienced by the Fund’s Preferred Stock starting on February 15, 2008, the Fund pays the applicable maximum rate. The dividend rates ranged from 0.107% to 0.503% during the year ended November 30, 2011. The weighted average dividend rate for the year ended November 30, 2011 was 0.308%. At November 30, 2011, the dividend rate was 0.213%.

 

After each auction, the auction agent will pay to each broker/dealer, from monies the Fund provides, a participation fee. For the period of the report and for all previous periods since the ARCPS have been outstanding, the participation fee has been paid at the annual rate of 0.25% of the purchase price of the ARCPS that the broker/dealer places at the auction. However, on August 3, 2009 and December 28, 2009, Citigroup Global Markets Inc. (“CGM”) and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc., respectively, reduced their participation fee to an annual rate of 0.05% of the purchase price of the ARCPS, in the case of a failed auction. For the year ended November 30, 2011, the Fund paid $164,111 to participating broker/dealers. Effective June 1, 2010, Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC reduced its participation fee to an annual rate of 0.10% of the purchase price of the ARCPS, in the case of a failed auction.

 

The Fund is subject to certain restrictions relating to the Preferred Stock. The Fund may not declare dividends or make other distributions on shares of common stock or purchase any such shares if, at the time of the declaration, distribution or purchase, asset coverage with respect to the outstanding Preferred Stock would be less than 200%. The Preferred Stock is also subject to mandatory redemption at $50,000 per share plus any accumulated or unpaid dividends, whether or not declared, if certain requirements relating to the composition of the assets and liabilities of the Fund as set forth in its Articles Supplementary are not satisfied.

 


 

30

 

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2011 Annual Report

 

 

 

Notes to financial statements (cont’d)

 

The Preferred Stock Shareholders are entitled to one vote per share and generally vote with the common stock shareholders but vote separately as a class to elect two directors and on certain matters affecting the rights of the Preferred Stock. The issuance of Preferred Stock poses certain risks to holders of common stock, including, among others, the possibility of greater market price volatility, and in certain market conditions, the yield to holders of common stock may be adversely affected. The Fund is required to maintain certain asset coverages with respect to the Preferred Stock. If the Fund fails to maintain these coverages and does not cure any such failure within the required time period, the Fund is required to redeem a requisite number of the Preferred Stock in order to meet the applicable requirement. The Preferred Stock is otherwise not redeemable by holders of the shares. Additionally, failure to meet the foregoing asset requirements would restrict the Fund’s ability to pay dividends to common shareholders.

 

6. Distributions subsequent to November 30, 2011

 

Common Stock Distributions. On November 10, 2011, the Fund’s Board of Directors declared three common share distributions from net investment income, each in the amount of $0.07 per share, payable on December 23, 2011, January 27, 2012 and February 24, 2012 to shareholders of record on December 16, 2011, January 20, 2012 and February 17, 2012, respectively.

 

7. Income tax information and distributions to shareholders

 

Subsequent to the fiscal year end, the Fund has made the following distributions:

 

Record Date
Payable Date

 

Ordinary
Income

 

Long-Term
Capital Gain

 

12/16/11

 

 

 

 

 

12/23/11

 

$0.070000

 

$0.007100

 

 

The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended November 30, was as follows:

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

Distributions Paid From:

 

 

 

 

Tax-exempt income to Common Shareholders

 

$8,091,125

 

 

$7,799,548

 

Tax-exempt income to Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stockholders

 

261,749

 

 

344,248

 

Total distributions paid

 

$8,352,874

 

 

$8,143,796

 

 


 

 

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2011 Annual Report

 

31

 

 

As of November 30, 2011, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed tax-exempt income — net

 

$  4,262,579

 

Undistributed ordinary income — net

 

2,816

 

Undistributed long-term capital gains — net

 

71,403

 

Total undistributed earnings

 

$  4,336,798

 

Other book/tax temporary differences(a)

 

(452,809

)

Unrealized appreciation (depreciation)(b)

 

8,619,303

 

Total accumulated earnings (losses) — net

 

$12,503,292

 

 

*            During the taxable year ended November 30, 2011, the Fund utilized all of its capital loss carryforward available from prior years.

(a)         Other book/tax temporary differences are attributable primarily to the the realization for tax purposes of unrealized gains on certain futures contracts, the deferral of post-October capital losses for tax purposes and and book/tax differences in the timing of the deductibility of various expenses.

(b)        The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales and the difference between book & tax accretion methods for market discount on fixed income securities.

 

8. Other tax information

 

On December 22, 2010, President Obama signed into law the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the “Act”). The Act updates certain tax rules applicable to regulated investment companies (“RICs”). The various provisions of the Act will generally be effective for RICs with taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010. Additional information regarding the impact of the Act on the Fund, if any, will be contained within the relevant sections of the notes to the financial statements for the fiscal year ending November 30, 2012.

 

9. Recent accounting pronouncement

 

In May 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standard Update No. 2011-04, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) – Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs (“ASU No. 2011-04”). ASU No. 2011-04 establishes common requirements for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements. ASU No. 2011-04 is effective during interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. Management is currently evaluating the impact the adoption of ASU No. 2011-04 will have on the Fund’s financial statements and related disclosures.

 


 

32

 

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. 2011 Annual Report

 

 

 

Report of independent registered public accounting firm

 

The Board of Directors and Shareholders
Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.:

 

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc., including the schedule of investments, as of November 30, 2011, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended and the financial highlights for the two-year period then ended, the period from January 1, 2009 to November 30, 2009 and each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2008. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of November 30, 2011, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers or by other appropriate auditing procedures. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. as of November 30, 2011, and the results of its operations, the changes in its net assets, and the financial highlights for the periods described above, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

 

New York, New York
January 18, 2012

 


 

 

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.

 

33

 

 

Board approval of management and subadvisory agreements (unaudited)

 

Background

 

The Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), requires that the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”), including a majority of its members that are not considered to be “interested persons” under the 1940 Act (the “Independent Directors”) voting separately, approve on an annual basis the continuation of the investment management contract (the “Management Agreement”) with the Fund’s manager, Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (the “Manager”), and the sub-advisory agreement (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement”) with the Manager’s affiliate, Western Asset Management Company (the “Sub-Adviser”). At a meeting (the “Contract Renewal Meeting”) held in-person on November 9 and 10, 2011, the Board, including the Independent Directors, considered and approved the continuation of each of the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement for an additional one-year term. To assist in its consideration of the renewals of the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement, the Board received and considered a variety of information (together with the information provided at the Contract Renewal Meeting, the “Contract Renewal Information”) about the Manager and Sub-Adviser, as well as the management and sub-advisory arrangements for the Fund and the other closed-end funds in the same complex under the Board’s supervision (collectively, the “Legg Mason Closed-end Funds”), certain portions of which are discussed below. A presentation made by the Manager and the Sub-Adviser to the Board at the Contract Renewal Meeting in connection with its evaluations of the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement encompassed the Fund and other Legg Mason Closed-end Funds. In addition to the Contract Renewal Information, the Board received performance and other information throughout the year related to the respective services rendered by the Manager and the Sub-Adviser to the Fund. The Board’s evaluation took into account the information received throughout the year and also reflected the knowledge and familiarity gained as members of the Board of the Fund and other Legg Mason Closed-end Funds with respect to the services provided to the Fund by the Manager and the Sub-Adviser.

 

The Manager provides the Fund with investment advisory and administrative services pursuant to the Management Agreement and the Sub-Adviser provides the Fund with certain investment sub-advisory services pursuant to the Sub-Advisory Agreement. The discussion below covers both the advisory and administrative functions being rendered by the Manager, each such function being encompassed by the Management Agreement, and the investment sub-advisory functions being rendered by the Sub-Adviser.

 


 

34

 

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.

 

 

 

Board approval of management and subadvisory agreements (unaudited) (cont’d)

 

Board approval of management agreement and sub-advisory agreement

 

In its deliberations regarding renewal of the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement, the Board, including the Independent Directors, considered the factors below.

 

Nature, extent and quality of the services under the management agreement and sub-advisory agreement

 

The Board received and considered Contract Renewal Information regarding the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund by the Manager and the Sub-Adviser under the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement, respectively, during the past year. The Board also reviewed Contract Renewal Information regarding the Fund’s compliance policies and procedures established pursuant to the 1940 Act.

 

The Board reviewed the qualifications, backgrounds and responsibilities of the Fund’s senior personnel and the portfolio management team primarily responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management of the Fund. The Board also considered, based on its knowledge of the Manager and its affiliates, the Contract Renewal Information and the Board’s discussions with the Manager and the Sub-Adviser at the Contract Renewal Meeting, the general reputation and investment performance records of the Manager and the Sub-Adviser and their affiliates and the financial resources available to the corporate parent of the Manager and the Sub-Adviser, Legg Mason, Inc. (“Legg Mason”), to support their activities in respect of the Fund and the other Legg Mason Closed-end Funds.

 

The Board considered the responsibilities of the Manager and the Sub-Adviser under the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement, respectively, including the Manager’s coordination and oversight of the services provided to the Fund by the Sub-Adviser and others. The Management Agreement permits the Manager to delegate certain of its responsibilities, including its investment advisory duties thereunder, provided that the Manager, in each case, will supervise the activities of the delegee. Pursuant to this provision of the Management Agreement, the Manager does not provide day-to-day portfolio management services to the Fund. Rather, portfolio management services for the Fund are provided by the Sub-Adviser pursuant to the Sub-Advisory Agreement.

 

In reaching its determinations regarding continuation of the Management Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreements, the Board took into account that Fund shareholders, in pursuing their investment goals and objectives, likely purchased their shares based upon the reputation and the investment style, philosophy and strategy of the Manager and the Sub-Adviser, as well as the resources available to the Manager and the Sub-Adviser.

 


 

 

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.

 

35

 

 

The Board concluded that, overall, the nature, extent and quality of the management and other services provided to the Fund under the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement have been satisfactory under the circumstances.

 

Fund performance

 

The Board received and considered performance information and analyses (the “Lipper Performance Information”) for the Fund, as well as for a group of funds (the “Performance Universe”) selected by Lipper, Inc. (“Lipper”), an independent provider of investment company data. The Board was provided with a description of the methodology Lipper used to determine the similarity of the Fund with the funds included in the Performance Universe. The Performance Universe consisted of the Fund and all leveraged general and insured municipal debt closed-end funds, as classified by Lipper, regardless of asset size. The Board noted that it had received and discussed with the Manager and the Sub-Adviser information throughout the year at periodic intervals comparing the Fund’s performance against its benchmarks and its peer funds as selected by Lipper.

 

The Lipper Performance Information comparing the Fund’s performance to that of the Performance Universe based on net asset value per share showed, among other things, that the Fund’s performance for the 1- and 5-year periods ended June 30, 2011 was ranked in the first quintile of the Performance Universe and was better than the Performance Universe median. Moreover, its performance was ranked in the second quintile of the Performance Universe for the 3- and 10-year periods ended June 30, 2011 and in each case was better than the median performance for the Performance Universe. In these rankings, the first quintile represents funds with the best performance among the funds in the Performance Universe and the fifth quintile represents funds with poorest performance among funds in the Performance Universe. The Board also considered the Fund’s performance relative to its benchmarks and in absolute terms.

 

Based on its review, which included consideration of all of the factors noted above, the Board concluded that, under the circumstances, the Fund’s performance supported continuation of the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement for an additional period not to exceed one year.

 

Management fees and expense ratios

 

The Board reviewed and considered the management fee (the “Management Fee”) payable by the Fund to the Manager under the Management Agreement and the sub-advisory fee (the “Sub-Advisory Fee”) payable to the Sub-Adviser under the Sub-Advisory Agreement in light of the nature, extent and overall quality of the management, investment advisory and other services provided by the Manager and the Sub-Adviser. The Board noted that the Sub-Advisory Fee is paid by the Manager, not the Fund, and, accordingly,

 


 

36

 

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.

 

 

 

Board approval of management and subadvisory agreements (unaudited) (cont’d)

 

that the retention of the Sub-Adviser does not increase the fees or expenses otherwise incurred by the Fund’s shareholders.

 

Additionally, the Board received and considered information and analyses prepared by Lipper (the “Lipper Expense Information”) comparing the Management Fee and the Fund’s overall expenses with those of funds in an expense group (the “Expense Group”) selected and provided by Lipper. The comparison was based upon the constituent funds’ latest fiscal years. The Expense Group consisted of the Fund and nine other leveraged general and insured municipal debt closed-end funds, as classified by Lipper, with net common share assets ranging from $79.9 million to $285.6 million. Three of the other funds in the Expense Group were larger than the Fund and six were smaller.

 

The Lipper Expense Information comparing the Management Fee as well as the Fund’s actual total expenses to the Fund’s Expense Group showed that the Management Fee, on a contractual basis, was ranked in the first quintile of the Expense Group – second among the funds in the Expense Group – and was better than the Expense Group median. The Fund’s actual Management Fee (i.e., giving effect to any voluntary fee waivers implemented by the Manager with respect to the Fund and by the managers of the other Expense Group funds) on a common share assets-only basis was ranked in the third quintile of the Expense Group and was better than the Expense Group median on the basis of common share assets only, and also was ranked in the third quintile of the Expense Group on the basis of common share and leveraged assets and was at the Expense Group median. The Lipper Expense Information showed that the Fund’s actual total expenses whether measured on the basis of common share assets or on the basis of common share and leveraged assets were ranked in the first quintile – second among the funds in the Expense Group. In both such cases, the Fund’s actual total expenses were better than the median for the Expense Group. In these rankings, the first quintile represents funds with the lowest fees or expenses, as the case may be, among the funds in the Expense Group, and the fifth quintile represents funds with the highest fees or expenses among the Expense Group funds. The Board noted that the small number of funds in the Expense Group made meaningful comparisons difficult.

 

The Board also reviewed Contract Renewal Information regarding fees charged by the Manager to other U.S. clients investing primarily in an asset class similar to that of the Fund, including, where applicable, institutional and separate accounts. The Board was advised that the fees paid by such institutional, separate account and other clients generally are lower, and may be significantly lower, than the Management Fee. The Contract Renewal Information discussed the significant differences in scope of services provided to the Fund and to these other clients, noting that the Fund is provided with administrative services, office facilities, Fund officers (including the

 


 

 

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.

 

37

 

 

Fund’s chief executive, chief financial and chief compliance officers), and that the Manager coordinates and oversees the provision of services to the Fund by other fund service providers. The Contract Renewal Information included included information regarding management fees paid by open-end mutual funds in the same complex (the “Legg Mason Open-end Funds”) and such information indicated that the management fees paid by the Legg Mason Closed-end Funds generally were higher than those paid by the Legg Mason Open-end Funds. The Manager, in response to an inquiry by the Board as to the reasons for the fee differential, provided information as to differences between the services provided to the Fund and the other Legg Mason Closed-end Funds and services provided to the Legg Mason Open-end Funds. The Board considered the fee comparisons in light of the different services provided in managing these other types of clients and funds.

 

Taking all of the above into consideration, the Board determined that the Management Fee and the Sub-Advisory Fee were reasonable in light of the nature, extent and overall quality of the management, investment advisory and other services provided to the Fund under the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement.

 

Manager profitability

 

The Board, as part of the Contract Renewal Information, received an analysis of the profitability to the Manager and its affiliates in providing services to the Fund for the Manager’s fiscal years ended March 31, 2011 and March 31, 2010. The Board also received profitability information with respect to the Legg Mason fund complex as a whole. In addition, the Board received Contract Renewal Information with respect to the Manager’s revenue and cost allocation methodologies used in preparing such profitability data. In 2007, the Board received a report from an outside consultant that had reviewed the Manager’s methodologies and the Board was assured by the Manager at the Contract Renewal Meeting that there had been no significant changes in those methodologies since the report was rendered. The profitability to the Sub-Adviser was not considered to be a material factor in the Board’s considerations since the Sub-Advisory Fee is paid by the Manager.

 

The profitability analysis presented to the Board as part of the Contract Renewal Information indicated that profitability to the Manager in providing services to the Fund had increased by 10 percent over the period covered by the analysis. Under the circumstances, the Board concluded that the Manager’s profitability remained at a reasonable level in light of the nature, extent and overall quality of the investment advisory and other services provided to the Fund.

 

Economies of scale

 

The Board received and discussed Contract Renewal Information concerning whether the Manager realizes economies of scale if the Fund’s assets grow.

 


 

38

 

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.

 

 

 

Board approval of management and subadvisory agreements (unaudited) (cont’d)

 

The Board noted that because the Fund is a closed-end fund with no current plans to seek additional assets beyond maintaining its dividend reinvestment plan, any significant growth in its assets generally will occur through appreciation in the value of the Fund’s investment portfolio, rather than sales of additional shares in the Fund. The Board determined that the Management Fee structure was appropriate under present circumstances.

 

Other benefits to the manager and the sub-adviser

 

The Board considered other benefits received by the Manager, the Sub-Adviser and their affiliates as a result of their relationship with the Fund and did not regard such benefits as excessive.

 

* * *

 

In light of all of the foregoing and other relevant factors, the Board determined that, under the circumstances, continuation of the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreements would be consistent with the interests of the Fund and its shareholders and unanimously voted to continue each Agreement for a period of one additional year.

 

No single factor reviewed by the Board was identified by the Board as the principal factor in determining whether to approve continuation of the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement, and each Board member attributed different weights to the various factors. The Independent Directors were advised by separate independent legal counsel throughout the process. Prior to the Contract Renewal Meeting, the Board received a memorandum prepared by the Manager discussing its responsibilities in connection with the proposed continuation of the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement as part of the Contract Renewal Information and the Independent Directors separately received a memorandum discussing such responsibilities from their independent counsel. Prior to voting, the Independent Directors also discussed the proposed continuation of the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement in private sessions with their independent legal counsel at which no representatives of the Manager were present.

 


 

 

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.

 

39

 

 

Additional information (unaudited)

 

Information about Directors and Officers

 

The business and affairs of Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. (the “Fund”) are conducted by management under the supervision and subject to the direction of its Board of Directors. The business address of each Director is c/o R. Jay Gerken, 620 Eighth Avenue, 49th Floor, New York, New York 10018. Information pertaining to the Directors and officers of the Fund is set forth below.

 

Independent Directors†:

 

Carol L. Colman

 

 

Year of birth

 

1946

Position(s) held with Fund1

 

Director and Member of the Nominating and Audit Committees, Class I

Term of office1 and length of time served

 

Since 2002

Principal occupation(s) during past five years

 

President, Colman Consulting Company (consulting)

Number of portfolios in fund complex overseen by Director (including the Fund)

 

25

Other board memberships held by Director

 

None

 

 

 

Daniel P. Cronin

 

 

Year of birth

 

1946

Position(s) held with Fund1

 

Director and Member of the Nominating and Audit Committees, Class II

Term of office1 and length of time served

 

Since 2002

Principal occupation(s) during past five years

 

Retired; formerly, Associate General Counsel, Pfizer Inc. (prior to and including 2004)

Number of portfolios in fund complex overseen by Director (including the Fund)

 

25

Other board memberships held by Director

 

None

 

 

 

Paolo M. Cucchi

 

 

Year of birth

 

1941

Position(s) held with Fund1

 

Director and Member of the Nominating and Audit Committees, Class II

Term of office1 and length of time served

 

Since 2007

Principal occupation(s) during past five years

 

Professor of French and Italian at Drew University; formerly, Vice President and Dean of College of Liberal Arts at Drew University (1984 to 2009)

Number of portfolios in fund complex overseen by Director (including the Fund)

 

25

Other board memberships held by Director

 

None

 


 

40

 

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.

 

 

 

Additional information (unaudited) (cont’d)

 

Information about Directors and Officers

 

Independent Directors cont’d

 

Leslie H. Gelb

 

 

Year of birth

 

1937

Position(s) held with Fund1

 

Director and Member of the Nominating and Audit Committees, Class I

Term of office1 and length of time served

 

Since 2001

Principal occupation(s) during past five years

 

President Emeritus and Senior Board Fellow (since 2003), The Council on Foreign Relations; formerly, President, (prior to 2003), the Council on Foreign Relations; formerly, Columnist, Deputy Editorial Page Editor and Editor, Op-Ed Page, The New York Times

Number of portfolios in fund complex overseen by Director (including the Fund)

 

25

Other board memberships held by Director

 

Director of two registered investment companies advised by Aberdeen Asset Management Asia Limited

 

 

 

William R. Hutchinson

 

 

Year of birth

 

1942

Position(s) held with Fund1

 

Director and Member of the Nominating and Audit Committees, Class III

Term of office1 and length of time served

 

Since 2003

Principal occupation(s) during past five years

 

President, W.R. Hutchinson & Associates Inc. (Consulting) (since 2001)

Number of portfolios in fund complex overseen by Director (including the Fund)

 

25

Other board memberships held by Director

 

Director (Non-Executive Chairman of the Board (since December 1, 2009)), Associated Banc Corp. (banking) (since 1994)

 

 

 

Riordan Roett

 

 

Year of birth

 

1938

Position(s) held with Fund1

 

Director and Member of the Nominating and Audit Committees, Class I

Term of office1 and length of time served

 

Since 1997

Principal occupation(s) during past five years

 

The Sarita and Don Johnston Professor of Political Science and Director of Western Hemisphere Studies, Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, The John Hopkins University (since 1973)

Number of portfolios in fund complex overseen by Director (including the Fund)

 

25

Other board memberships held by Director

 

None

 


 

 

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.

 

41

 

 

Independent Directors cont’d

 

Jeswald W. Salacuse

 

 

Year of birth

 

1938

Position(s) held with Fund1

 

Director and Member of the Nominating and Audit Committees, Class III

Term of office1 and length of time served

 

Since 2000

Principal occupation(s) during past five years

 

Henry J. Braker Professor of Commercial Law, The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University (since 1986); President and Member, Arbitration Tribunal, World Bank/ICSID (since 2004)

Number of portfolios in fund complex overseen by Director (including the Fund)

 

25

Other board memberships held by Director

 

Director of two registered investment companies advised by Aberdeen Asset Management Asia Limited

 

Interested Director and Officer:

 

R. Jay Gerken2

 

 

Year of birth

 

1951

Position(s) held with Fund1

 

Director, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Class II

Term of office1 and length of time served

 

Since 2002

Principal occupation(s) during past five years

 

Managing Director of Legg Mason & Co., LLC (“Legg Mason & Co.”) (since 2005); Officer and Trustee/Director of 160 funds associated with Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (“LMPFA”) or its affiliates (since 2006) and Legg Mason & Co. predecessors (prior to 2006); President and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) of LMPFA (since 2006); President and CEO of Smith Barney Fund Management LLC (“SBFM”) and Citi Fund Management Inc. (“CFM”) (formerly registered investment advisers) (since 2002); formerly, Chairman, President and CEO, Travelers Investment Adviser Inc. (prior to 2005)

Number of portfolios in fund complex overseen by Director (including the Fund)

 

160

Other board memberships held by Director

 

Former Trustee, Consulting Group Capital Markets Funds (11 funds) (prior to 2006)

 


 

42

 

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.

 

 

 

Additional information (unaudited) (cont’d)

 

Information about Directors and Officers

 

Additional Officers:

 

Ted P. Becker

 

 

Legg Mason

 

 

620 Eighth Avenue, New York, NY 10018

 

 

Year of birth

 

1951

Position(s) held with Fund1

 

Chief Compliance Officer

Term of office1 and length of time served

 

Since 2006

Principal occupation(s) during past five years

 

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) and Legg Mason & Co. predecessors (prior to 2006)

 

 

 

Vanessa A. Williams

 

 

Legg Mason

 

 

100 First Stamford Place, Stamford, CT 06902

 

 

Year of birth

 

1979

Position(s) with Fund1

 

Identity Theft Prevention Officer

Term of office1 and length of time served

 

Since 2011

Principal occupation(s) during past five years

 

Identity Theft Prevention Officer of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (since 2011); Chief Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (since 2011); formerly, Assistant Vice President and Senior Compliance Officer of Legg Mason & Co. (2008 to 2011); formerly, Compliance Analyst of Legg Mason & Co. (2006 to 2008) and Legg Mason & Co. predecessors (prior to 2006)

 

 

 

Robert I. Frenkel

 

 

Legg Mason

 

 

100 First Stamford Place, Stamford, CT 06902

 

 

Year of birth

 

1954

Position(s) held with Fund1

 

Secretary and Chief Legal Officer

Term of office1 and length of time served

 

Since 2003

Principal occupation(s) during past five years

 

Vice President and Deputy General Counsel of Legg Mason (since 2006); Managing Director and General Counsel of Global 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)

 


 

 

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.

 

43

 

 

Additional Officers cont’d

 

Thomas C. Mandia

 

 

Legg Mason

 

 

100 First Stamford Place, Stamford, CT 06902

 

 

Year of birth

 

1962

Position(s) held with Fund1

 

Assistant Secretary

Term of office1 and length of time served

 

Since 2006

Principal occupation(s) during past five years

 

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 SBFM and CFM (since 2002)

 

 

 

Richard F. Sennett

 

 

Legg Mason

 

 

55 Water Street, New York, NY 10041

 

 

Year of birth

 

1970

Position(s) held with Fund1

 

Chief Financial Officer

Term of office1 and length of time served

 

Since 2011

Principal occupation(s) during past five years

 

Principal Financial Officer of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (since 2011); 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 SEC’s Division of Investment Management (2007 to 2011); formerly, Assistant Chief Accountant within the SEC’s Division of Investment Management (2002 to 2007)

 

 

 

Steven Frank

 

 

Legg Mason

 

 

55 Water Street, New York, NY 10041

 

 

Year of birth

 

1967

Position(s) held with Fund1

 

Treasurer

Term of office1 and length of time served

 

Since 2010

Principal occupation(s) during past five years

 

Vice President of Legg Mason & Co. and Legg Mason & Co. predecessors (since 2002); Treasurer of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (since 2010); formerly, Controller of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (prior to 2010); formerly, Assistant Controller of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. predecessors (prior to 2005)

 


 

44

 

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.

 

 

 

Additional information (unaudited) (cont’d)

 

Information about Directors and Officers

 

Additional Officers cont’d

 

Jeanne M. Kelly

 

 

Legg Mason

 

 

620 Eighth Avenue, New York, NY 10018

 

 

Year of birth

 

1951

Position(s) with Fund1

 

Senior Vice President

Term of office1 and length of time served

 

Since 2007

Principal occupation(s) during past five years

 

Senior Vice President of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (since 2007); Senior Vice President of LMPFA (since 2006); Managing Director of Legg Mason & Co. (since 2005) and Legg Mason & Co. predecessors (prior to 2005)

 

             Directors who are not “interested persons” of the Fund within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act.

1              The Fund’s Board of Directors is divided into three classes: Class I, Class II and Class III. The terms of office of the Class I, II and III Directors expire at the Annual Meetings of Stockholders in the year 2012, year 2014 and year 2013, respectively, or thereafter in each case when their respective successors are duly elected and qualified. The Fund’s executive officers are chosen each year at the first meeting of the Fund’s Board of Directors following the Annual Meeting of Stockholders, to hold office until the meeting of the Board following the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualified.

2              Mr. Gerken is an “interested person” of the Fund as defined in the 1940 Act because Mr. Gerken is an officer of LMPFA and certain of its affiliates.

 


 

 

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.

 

45

 

 

Annual chief executive officer and principal financial officer certifications (unaudited)

 

The Fund’s Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) has submitted to the NYSE the required annual certification and the Fund also has included the certifications of the Fund’s CEO and Principal Financial Officer required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act in the Fund’s Form N-CSR filed with the SEC for the period of this report.

 


 

46

 

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.

 

 

 

Other shareholder communications regarding accounting matters (unaudited)

 

The Fund’s Audit Committee has established guidelines and procedures regarding the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters (collectively, “Accounting Matters”). Persons with complaints or concerns regarding Accounting Matters may submit their complaints to the Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”). Persons who are uncomfortable submitting complaints to the CCO, including complaints involving the CCO, may submit complaints directly to the Fund’s Audit Committee Chair (together with the CCO, “Complaint Officers”). Complaints may be submitted on an anonymous basis.

 

The CCO may be contacted at:
Legg Mason & Co., LLC
Compliance Department
620 Eighth Avenue, 49th Floor
New York, New York 10018

 

Complaints may also be submitted by telephone at 1-800-742-5274. Complaints submitted through this number will be received by the CCO.

 


 

 

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.

 

47

 

 

Dividend reinvestment plan (unaudited)

 

Pursuant to certain rules of the SEC, the following additional disclosure is provided.

 

Pursuant to the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan (“Plan”), holders of Common Stock whose shares of Common Stock are registered in their own names will be deemed to have elected to have all distributions automatically reinvested by American Stock Transfer & Trust Company (“Plan Agent”) in Fund shares pursuant to the Plan, unless they elect to receive distributions in cash. Holders of Common Stock who elect to receive distributions in cash will receive all distributions in cash by check in dollars mailed directly to the holder by the Plan Agent as dividend-paying agent. Holders of Common Stock who do not wish to have distributions automatically reinvested should notify the Plan Agent at the address below. Distributions with respect to Common Stock registered in the name of a bank, broker-dealer or other nominee (i.e., in “street name”) will be reinvested under the Plan unless the service is not provided by the bank, broker-dealer or other nominee or the holder elects to receive distributions in cash. Investors who own shares registered in the name of a bank, broker-dealer or other nominee should consult with such nominee as to participation in the Plan through such nominee, and may be required to have their shares registered in their own names in order to participate in the Plan.

 

The Plan Agent serves as agent for the holders of Common Stock in administering the Plan. After the Fund declares a distribution on the Common Stock or determines to make a capital gain distribution, the Plan Agent will, as agent for the participants, receive the cash payment and use it to buy the Fund’s Common Stock in the open market, on the NYSE or elsewhere, for the participants’ accounts. The Fund will not issue any new shares of Common Stock in connection with the Plan.

 

Participants have the option of making additional cash payments to the Plan Agent, monthly, in a minimum amount of $250, for investment in the Fund’s Common Stock. The Plan Agent will use all such funds received from participants to purchase shares of Common Stock in the open market on or about the first business day of each month. To avoid unnecessary cash accumulations, and also to allow ample time for receipt and processing by the Plan Agent, it is suggested that participants send in voluntary cash payments to be received by the Plan Agent approximately ten days before an applicable purchase date specified above. A participant may withdraw a voluntary cash payment by written notice, if the notice is received by the Plan Agent not less than 48 hours before such payment is to be invested.

 

The Plan Agent maintains all shareholder accounts in the Plan and furnishes written confirmations of all transactions in an account, including information needed by shareholders for personal and tax records. Shares of Common Stock in the account of each Plan participant will be held by the Plan Agent

 


 

48

 

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.

 

 

 

Dividend reinvestment plan (unaudited) (cont’d)

 

in the name of the participant, and each shareholder’s proxy will include those shares purchased pursuant to the Plan.

 

In the case of holders of Common Stock, such as banks, broker-dealers or other nominees, who hold shares for others who are beneficial owners, the Plan Agent will administer the Plan on the basis of the number of shares of Common Stock certified from time to time by the holders as representing the total amount registered in such holders’ names and held for the account of beneficial owners that have not elected to receive distributions in cash.

 

There is no charge to participants for reinvesting of distributions or voluntary cash payments. The Plan Agent’s fees for the reinvestment of distributions and voluntary cash payments will be paid by the Fund. However, each participant will pay a pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred with respect to the Plan Agent’s open market purchases in connection with the reinvestment of distributions and voluntary cash payments made by the participant. The receipt of distributions under the Plan will not relieve participants of any income tax which may be payable on such distributions.

 

Participants may terminate their accounts under the Plan by notifying the Plan Agent in writing. Such termination will be effective immediately if notice in writing is received by the Plan Agent not less than ten days prior to any distribution record date. Upon termination, the Plan Agent will send the participant a certificate for the full shares held in the account and a cash adjustment for any fractional shares or, upon written instruction from the participant, the Plan Agent will sell part or all of the participant’s shares and remit the proceeds to the participant, less a $2.50 fee plus brokerage commission for the transaction.

 

Experience under the Plan may indicate that changes in the Plan are desirable. Accordingly, the Fund and the Plan Agent reserve the right to terminate the Plan as applied to any voluntary cash payments made and any distributions paid subsequent to notice of the termination sent to all participants in the Plan at least 30 days before the record date for the distribution. The Plan also may be amended by the Fund or the Plan Agent upon at least 30 days’ written notice to participants in the Plan.

 

All correspondence concerning the Plan should be directed to the Plan Agent at 59 Maiden Lane, New York, New York 10038 or by telephone at 1-888-888-0151.

 


 

 

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.

 

49

 

 

Important tax information (unaudited)

 

All of the net investment income distributions paid monthly by the Fund during the taxable year ended November 30, 2011 qualify as tax-exempt interest dividends for Federal income tax purposes.

 

Additionally, all of the distributions paid weekly by the Fund to municipal auction rate cumulative preferred shareholders qualify as tax-exempt interest dividends for Federal income tax purposes.

 

Please retain this information for your records.

 


 

Western Asset

Municipal Partners Fund Inc.

 

Directors

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.

Independent registered public accounting firm

Carol L. Colman

620 Eighth Avenue

KPMG LLP

Daniel P. Cronin

49th Floor

345 Park Avenue

Paolo M. Cucchi

New York, NY 10018

New York, NY 10154

Leslie H. Gelb

 

 

R. Jay Gerken

Investment manager

Legal counsel

Chairman

Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

William R. Hutchinson

 

425 Lexington Avenue

Riordan Roett

Subadviser

New York, NY 10017

Jeswald W. Salacuse

Western Asset Management Company

 

 

 

New York Stock Exchange Symbol

Officers

Custodian

MNP

R. Jay Gerken

State Street Bank and Trust Company

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

1 Lincoln Street

 

Richard F. Sennett

Boston, MA 02111

 

Principal Financial Officer

 

 

Ted P. Becker

Transfer agent

 

Chief Compliance Officer

American Stock Transfer & Trust Company

 

Vanessa A. Williams

59 Maiden Lane

 

Identity Theft Prevention Officer

New York, NY 10038

 

Robert I. Frenkel

 

 

Secretary and Chief Legal Officer

Auction agent

 

Thomas C. Mandia

Deutsche Bank

 

Assistant Secretary

60 Wall Street

 

Steven Frank

New York, NY 10005

 

Treasurer

 

 

Jeanne M. Kelly

 

 

Senior Vice President

 

 

 


 

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 other 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:

 

·    Personal information included on applications or other forms;

·    Account balances, transactions, and mutual fund holdings and positions;

·    Online account access user IDs, passwords, security challenge question responses; and

·             Information received from consumer reporting agencies regarding credit history and creditworthiness (such as the amount of an individual’s 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:

 

·             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;

·             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;

·             The Funds’ representatives such as legal counsel, accountants and auditors; and

·             Fiduciaries or representatives acting on your behalf, such as an IRA custodian or trustee of a grantor trust.

 

 

 

NOT PART OF THE ANNUAL REPORT

 

 


 

Legg Mason Funds Privacy and Security Notice (cont’d)

 

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 Fund at 1-888-777-0102.

 

Revised April 2011

 

 

 

NOT PART OF THE ANNUAL REPORT

 

 


 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.
620 Eighth Avenue
49th Floor
New York, NY 10018

 

Notice is hereby given in accordance with Section 23(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, that from time to time the Fund may purchase at market prices shares of its common stock in the open market.

 

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The Funds Forms N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington D.C., and information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. To obtain information on Form N-Q from the Fund, shareholders can call 1-888-777-0102.

 

Information on how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the prior 12-month period ended June 30th of each year and a description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies related to portfolio transactions are available (1) without charge, upon request, by calling 1-888-777-0102, (2) on the Fund’s website at www.leggmason.com/cef and (3) on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

This report is transmitted to the shareholders of Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. for their information. This is not a prospectus, circular or representation intended for use in the purchase of shares ofthe Fund or any securities mentioned in this report.

 

American Stock
Transfer & Trust Company
59 Maiden Lane
New York, NY 10038

 

WASX010711 1/12 SR11-1554

 


 

ITEM 2.                  CODE OF ETHICS.

 

The registrant has adopted a code of ethics that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller.

 

ITEM 3.                  AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.

 

The Board of Directors of the registrant has determined that William R. Hutchinson, a member of the Board’s Audit Committee, possesses the technical attributes identified in Instruction 2(b) of Item 3 to Form N-CSR to qualify as an “audit committee financial expert,” and has designated Mr. Hutchinson as the Audit Committee’s financial expert. Mr. Hutchinson is an “independent” Director pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Item 3 to Form N-CSR.

 

ITEM 4.                  PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.

 

a) Audit Fees. The aggregate fees billed in the last two fiscal years ending November 30, 2010 and November 30, 2011 (the “Reporting Periods”) for professional services rendered by the Registrant’s principal accountant (the “Auditor”) for the audit of the Registrant’s annual financial statements, or services that are normally provided by the Auditor in connection with the statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for the Reporting Periods, were $47,200 in 2010 and $49,450 in 2011.

 

b) Audit-Related Fees. The aggregate fees billed in the Reporting Period for assurance and related services by the Auditor that are reasonably related to the performance of the Registrant’s financial statements were $56,800 in 2010 and $42,600 in 2011.

 

In addition, there were no Audit-Related Fees billed in the Reporting Period for assurance and related services by the Auditor to the Registrant’s investment adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. “service affiliates”), that were reasonably related to the performance of the annual audit of the service affiliates. Accordingly, there were no such fees that required pre-approval by the Audit Committee for the Reporting Periods (prior to August 6, 2003 services provided by the Auditor were not required to be pre-approved).

 

(c) Tax Fees. The aggregate fees billed in the Reporting Periods for professional services rendered by the Auditor for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning (“Tax Services”) were $3,100 in 2010 and $3,200 in 2011. These services consisted of (i) review or preparation of U.S. federal, state, local and excise tax returns; (ii) U.S. federal, state and local tax planning, advice and assistance regarding statutory, regulatory or administrative developments, and (iii) tax advice regarding tax qualification matters and/or treatment of various financial instruments held or proposed to be acquired or held.

 

There were no fees billed for tax services by the Auditors to service affiliates during the Reporting Periods that required pre-approval by the Audit Committee.

 

d) All Other Fees. There were no other fees billed in the Reporting Periods for products and services provided by the Auditor, other than the services reported in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this Item 4 for the Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.

 

All Other Fees. There were no other non-audit services rendered by the Auditor to Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisors, LLC (“LMPFA”), and any entity controlling, controlled by or under

 



 

common control with LMPFA that provided ongoing services to Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. requiring pre-approval by the Audit Committee in the Reporting Period.

 

(e) Audit Committee’s pre-approval policies and procedures described in paragraph (c) (7) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.

 

(1) The Charter for the Audit Committee (the “Committee”) of the Board of each registered investment company (the “Fund”) advised by LMPFA or one of their affiliates (each, an “Adviser”) requires that the Committee shall approve (a) all audit and permissible non-audit services to be provided to the Fund and (b) all permissible non-audit services to be provided by the Fund’s independent auditors to the Adviser and any Covered Service Providers if the engagement relates directly to the operations and financial reporting of the Fund.  The Committee may implement policies and procedures by which such services are approved other than by the full Committee.

 

The Committee shall not approve non-audit services that the Committee believes may impair the independence of the auditors.  As of the date of the approval of this Audit Committee Charter, permissible non-audit services include any professional services (including tax services), that are not prohibited services as described below, provided to the Fund by the independent auditors, other than those provided to the Fund in connection with an audit or a review of the financial statements of the Fund.  Permissible non-audit services may not include: (i) bookkeeping or other services related to the accounting records or financial statements of the Fund; (ii) financial information systems design and implementation; (iii) appraisal or valuation services, fairness opinions or contribution-in-kind reports; (iv) actuarial services; (v) internal audit outsourcing services; (vi) management functions or human resources; (vii) broker or dealer, investment adviser or investment banking services; (viii) legal services and expert services unrelated to the audit; and (ix) any other service the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board determines, by regulation, is impermissible.

 

Pre-approval by the Committee of any permissible non-audit services is not required so long as: (i) the aggregate amount of all such permissible non-audit services provided to the Fund, the Adviser and any service providers controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Adviser that provide ongoing services to the Fund (“Covered Service Providers”) constitutes not more than 5% of the total amount of revenues paid to the independent auditors during the fiscal year in which the permissible non-audit services are provided to (a) the Fund, (b) the Adviser and (c) any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Adviser that provides ongoing services to the Fund during the fiscal year in which the services are provided that would have to be approved by the Committee; (ii) the permissible non-audit services were not recognized by the Fund at the time of the engagement to be non-audit services; and (iii) such services are promptly brought to the attention of the Committee and approved by the Committee (or its delegate(s)) prior to the completion of the audit.

 

(2) For the Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc., the percentage of fees that were approved by the audit committee, with respect to: Audit-Related Fees were 100% and 100% for 2010 and 2011; Tax Fees were 100% and 100% for 2010 and 2011; and Other Fees were 100% and 100% for 2010 and 2011.

 

(f) N/A

 

(g) Non-audit fees billed by the Auditor for services rendered to Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc., LMPFA and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with LMPFA that provides ongoing services to Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. during the reporting period were $0 in 2011.

 



 

(h) Yes.  Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.’s Audit Committee has considered whether the provision of non-audit services that were rendered to Service Affiliates, which were not pre-approved (not requiring pre-approval), is compatible with maintaining the Accountant’s independence.  All services provided by the Auditor to the Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. or to Service Affiliates, which were required to be pre-approved, were pre-approved as required.

 

ITEM 5.                  AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS.

 

a) Registrant has a separately-designated standing Audit Committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)58(A) of the Exchange Act. The Audit Committee consists of the following Board members:

 

William R. Hutchinson

Paolo M. Cucchi

Daniel P. Cronin

Carol L. Colman

Leslie H. Gelb

Dr. Riordan Roett

Jeswald W. Salacuse

 

b) Not applicable

 

ITEM 6.                  SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS.

 

Included herein under Item 1.

 

ITEM 7.                  PROXY VOTING – LMPFA & Western Asset Management Company (and affiliates)

 

Proxy Voting Guidelines and Procedures

 

Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (“LMPFA”) delegates the responsibility for voting proxies for the fund to the subadviser through its contracts 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.

 

The subadviser’s Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures govern in determining how proxies relating to the fund’s portfolio securities are voted and are provided below.  Information regarding how each 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 888-777-0102, (2) on the fund’s website at http://www.leggmason.com/individualinvestors and (3) on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

 

Background

 

Western Asset Management Company (“WA” or “Western Asset”) have adopted and implemented policies and procedures that we believe are reasonably designed to ensure that proxies are voted in the best interest

 



 

of clients, in accordance with our fiduciary duties and SEC Rule 206(4)-6 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (“Advisers Act”). Our authority to vote the proxies of our clients is established through investment management agreements or comparable documents, and our proxy voting guidelines have been tailored to reflect these specific contractual obligations. In addition to SEC requirements governing advisers, our proxy voting policies reflect the long-standing fiduciary standards and responsibilities for ERISA accounts. Unless a manager of ERISA assets has been expressly precluded from voting proxies, the Department of Labor has determined that the responsibility for these votes lies with the Investment Manager.

 

In exercising its voting authority, Western Asset will not consult or enter into agreements with officers, directors or employees of Legg Mason Inc. or any of its affiliates (except that WA may so consult and agree with each other) regarding the voting of any securities owned by its clients.

 

Policy

 

Western Asset’s proxy voting procedures are designed and implemented in a way that is reasonably expected to ensure that proxy matters are handled in the best interest of our clients. While the guidelines included in the procedures are intended to provide a benchmark for voting standards, each vote is ultimately cast on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration Western Asset’s contractual obligations to our clients and all other relevant facts and circumstances at the time of the vote (such that these guidelines may be overridden to the extent Western Asset deems appropriate).

 

Procedures

 

Responsibility and Oversight

 

The Western Asset Compliance Department (“Compliance Department”) is responsible for administering and overseeing the proxy voting process. The gathering of proxies is coordinated through the Corporate Actions area of Investment Support (“Corporate Actions”). Research analysts and portfolio managers are responsible for determining appropriate voting positions on each proxy utilizing any applicable guidelines contained in these procedures.

 

Client Authority

 

Prior to August 1, 2003, all existing client investment management agreements (“IMAs”) will be reviewed to determine whether Western Asset has authority to vote client proxies. At account start-up, or upon amendment of an IMA, the applicable client IMA are similarly reviewed. If an agreement is silent on proxy voting, but contains an overall delegation of discretionary authority or if the account represents assets of an ERISA plan, Western Asset will assume responsibility for proxy voting. The Client Account Transition Team maintains a matrix of proxy voting authority.

 

Proxy Gathering

 

Registered owners of record, client custodians, client banks and trustees (“Proxy Recipients”) that receive proxy materials on behalf of clients should forward them to Corporate Actions. Prior to August 1, 2003, Proxy Recipients of existing clients will be reminded of the appropriate routing to Corporate Actions for proxy materials received and reminded of their responsibility to forward all proxy materials on a timely basis. Proxy Recipients for new clients (or, if Western Asset becomes aware that the applicable Proxy Recipient for an existing client has changed, the Proxy Recipient for the existing client) are notified at start-up of appropriate routing to Corporate Actions of proxy materials received and reminded of their responsibility to forward all proxy materials on a timely basis. If Western Asset personnel other than Corporate Actions receive proxy materials, they should promptly forward the materials to Corporate Actions.

 



 

Proxy Voting

 

Once proxy materials are received by Corporate Actions, they are forwarded to the Compliance Department for coordination and the following actions:

 

a. Proxies are reviewed to determine accounts impacted.

 

b. Impacted accounts are checked to confirm Western Asset voting authority.

 

c. Compliance Department staff reviews proxy issues to determine any material conflicts of interest. (See conflicts of interest section of these procedures for further information on determining material conflicts of interest.)

 

d. If a material conflict of interest exists, (i) to the extent reasonably practicable and permitted by applicable law, the client is promptly notified, the conflict is disclosed and Western Asset obtains the client’s proxy voting instructions, and (ii) to the extent that it is not reasonably practicable or permitted by applicable law to notify the client and obtain such instructions (e.g., the client is a mutual fund or other commingled vehicle or is an ERISA plan client), Western Asset seeks voting instructions from an independent third party.

 

e. Compliance Department staff provides proxy material to the appropriate research analyst or portfolio manager to obtain their recommended vote. Research analysts and portfolio managers determine votes on a case-by-case basis taking into account the voting guidelines contained in these procedures. For avoidance of doubt, depending on the best interest of each individual client, Western Asset may vote the same proxy differently for different clients. The analyst’s or portfolio manager’s basis for their decision is documented and maintained by the Compliance Department.

 

f. Compliance Department staff votes the proxy pursuant to the instructions received in (d) or (e) and returns the voted proxy as indicated in the proxy materials.

 

Timing

 

Western Asset personnel act in such a manner to ensure that, absent special circumstances, the proxy gathering and proxy voting steps noted above can be completed before the applicable deadline for returning proxy votes.

 

Recordkeeping

 

Western Asset maintains records of proxies voted pursuant to Section 204-2 of the Advisers Act and ERISA DOL Bulletin 94-2. These records include:

 

a. A copy of Western Asset’s policies and procedures.

 

b. Copies of proxy statements received regarding client securities.

 



 

c. A copy of any document created by Western Asset that was material to making a decision how to vote proxies.

 

d. Each written client request for proxy voting records and Western Asset’s written response to both verbal and written client requests.

 

e. A proxy log including:

 

1. Issuer name;

2. Exchange ticker symbol of the issuer’s shares to be voted;

3. Council on Uniform Securities Identification Procedures (“CUSIP”) number for the shares to be voted;

4. A brief identification of the matter voted on;

5. Whether the matter was proposed by the issuer or by a shareholder of the issuer;

6. Whether a vote was cast on the matter;

7. A record of how the vote was cast; and

8. Whether the vote was cast for or against the recommendation of the issuer’s management team.

 

Records are maintained in an easily accessible place for five years, the first two in Western Asset’s offices.

 

Disclosure

 

Part II of the WA Form ADV contains a description of Western Asset’s proxy policies. Prior to August 1, 2003, Western Asset will deliver Part II of its revised Form ADV to all existing clients, along with a letter identifying the new disclosure. Clients will be provided a copy of these policies and procedures upon request. In addition, upon request, clients may receive reports on how their proxies have been voted.

 

Conflicts of Interest

 

All proxies are reviewed by the Compliance Department for material conflicts of interest. Issues to be reviewed include, but are not limited to:

 

1. Whether Western Asset (or, to the extent required to be considered by applicable law, its affiliates) manages assets for the company or an employee group of the company or otherwise has an interest in the company;

 

2. Whether Western Asset or an officer or director of Western Asset or the applicable portfolio manager or analyst responsible for recommending the proxy vote (together, “Voting Persons”) is a close relative of or has a personal or business relationship with an executive, director or person who is a candidate for director of the company or is a participant in a proxy contest; and

 

3. Whether there is any other business or personal relationship where a Voting Person has a personal interest in the outcome of the matter before shareholders.

 

Voting Guidelines

 

Western Asset’s substantive voting decisions turn on the particular facts and circumstances of each proxy vote and are evaluated by the designated research analyst or portfolio manager. The examples outlined below are meant as guidelines to aid in the decision making process.

 

Guidelines are grouped according to the types of proposals generally presented to shareholders. Part I deals with proposals which have been approved and are recommended by a company’s board of directors; Part II

 



 

deals with proposals submitted by shareholders for inclusion in proxy statements; Part III addresses issues relating to voting shares of investment companies; and Part IV addresses unique considerations pertaining to foreign issuers.

 

I. Board Approved Proposals

 

The vast majority of matters presented to shareholders for a vote involve proposals made by a company itself that have been approved and recommended by its board of directors. In view of the enhanced corporate governance practices currently being implemented in public companies, Western Asset generally votes in support of decisions reached by independent boards of directors. More specific guidelines related to certain board-approved proposals are as follows:

 

1. Matters relating to the Board of Directors

 

Western Asset votes proxies for the election of the company’s nominees for directors and for board-approved proposals on other matters relating to the board of directors with the following exceptions:

 

a. Votes are withheld for the entire board of directors if the board does not have a majority of independent directors or the board does not have nominating, audit and compensation committees composed solely of independent directors.

 

b. Votes are withheld for any nominee for director who is considered an independent director by the company and who has received compensation from the company other than for service as a director.

 

c. Votes are withheld for any nominee for director who attends less than 75% of board and committee meetings without valid reasons for absences.

 

d. Votes are cast on a case-by-case basis in contested elections of directors.

 

2. Matters relating to Executive Compensation

 

Western Asset generally favors compensation programs that relate executive compensation to a company’s long-term performance. Votes are cast on a case-by-case basis on board-approved proposals relating to executive compensation, except as follows:

 

a. Except where the firm is otherwise withholding votes for the entire board of directors, Western Asset votes for stock option plans that will result in a minimal annual dilution.

 

b. Western Asset votes against stock option plans or proposals that permit replacing or repricing of underwater options.

 

c. Western Asset votes against stock option plans that permit issuance of options with an exercise price below the stock’s current market price.

 

d. Except where the firm is otherwise withholding votes for the entire board of directors, Western Asset votes for employee stock purchase plans that limit the discount for shares purchased under the plan to no more than 15% of their market value, have an offering period of 27 months or less and result in dilution of 10% or less.

 



 

3. Matters relating to Capitalization

 

The management of a company’s capital structure involves a number of important issues, including cash flows, financing needs and market conditions that are unique to the circumstances of each company. As a result, Western Asset votes on a case-by-case basis on board-approved proposals involving changes to a company’s capitalization except where Western Asset is otherwise withholding votes for the entire board of directors.

 

a. Western Asset votes for proposals relating to the authorization of additional common stock.

 

b. Western Asset votes for proposals to effect stock splits (excluding reverse stock splits).

 

c. Western Asset votes for proposals authorizing share repurchase programs.

 

4. Matters relating to Acquisitions, Mergers, Reorganizations and Other Transactions

 

Western Asset votes these issues on a case-by-case basis on board-approved transactions.

 

5. Matters relating to Anti-Takeover Measures

 

Western Asset votes against board-approved proposals to adopt anti-takeover measures except as follows:

 

a. Western Asset votes on a case-by-case basis on proposals to ratify or approve shareholder rights plans.

 

b. Western Asset votes on a case-by-case basis on proposals to adopt fair price provisions.

 

6. Other Business Matters

 

Western Asset votes for board-approved proposals approving such routine business matters such as changing the company’s name, ratifying the appointment of auditors and procedural matters relating to the shareholder meeting.

 

a. Western Asset votes on a case-by-case basis on proposals to amend a company’s charter or bylaws.

 

b. Western Asset votes against authorization to transact other unidentified, substantive business at the meeting.

 

II. Shareholder Proposals

 

SEC regulations permit shareholders to submit proposals for inclusion in a company’s proxy statement. These proposals generally seek to change some aspect of a company’s corporate governance structure or to change some aspect of its business operations. Western Asset votes in accordance with the recommendation of the company’s board of directors on all shareholder proposals, except as follows:

 

1. Western Asset votes for shareholder proposals to require shareholder approval of shareholder rights plans.

 



 

2. Western Asset votes for shareholder proposals that are consistent with Western Asset’s proxy voting guidelines for board-approved proposals.

 

3. Western Asset votes on a case-by-case basis on other shareholder proposals where the firm is otherwise withholding votes for the entire board of directors.

 

III. Voting Shares of Investment Companies

 

Western Asset may utilize shares of open or closed-end investment companies to implement its investment strategies. Shareholder votes for investment companies that fall within the categories listed in Parts I and II above are voted in accordance with those guidelines.

 

1. Western Asset votes on a case-by-case basis on proposals relating to changes in the investment objectives of an investment company taking into account the original intent of the fund and the role the fund plays in the clients’ portfolios.

 

2. Western Asset votes on a case-by-case basis all proposals that would result in increases in expenses (e.g., proposals to adopt 12b-1 plans, alter investment advisory arrangements or approve fund mergers) taking into account comparable expenses for similar funds and the services to be provided.

 

IV. Voting Shares of Foreign Issuers

 

In the event Western Asset is required to vote on securities held in foreign issuers — i.e. issuers that are incorporated under the laws of a foreign jurisdiction and that are not listed on a U.S. securities exchange or the NASDAQ stock market, the following guidelines are used, which are premised on the existence of a sound corporate governance and disclosure framework. These guidelines, however, may not be appropriate under some circumstances for foreign issuers and therefore apply only where applicable.

 

1. Western Asset votes for shareholder proposals calling for a majority of the directors to be independent of management.

 

2. Western Asset votes for shareholder proposals seeking to increase the independence of board nominating, audit and compensation committees.

 

3. Western Asset votes for shareholder proposals that implement corporate governance standards similar to those established under U.S. federal law and the listing requirements of U.S. stock exchanges, and that do not otherwise violate the laws of the jurisdiction under which the company is incorporated.

 

4. Western Asset votes on a case-by-case basis on proposals relating to (1) the issuance of common stock in excess of 20% of a company’s outstanding common stock where shareholders do not have preemptive rights, or (2) the issuance of common stock in excess of 100% of a company’s outstanding common stock where shareholders have preemptive rights.

 



 

ITEM 8.                  PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

 

(a)(1):

 

NAME AND

 

LENGTH OF

 

PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING

ADDRESS

 

TIME SERVED

 

PAST 5 YEARS

 

 

 

 

 

Stephen A. Walsh
Western Asset
385 East Colorado Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91101

 

Since 2006

 

Co-portfolio manager of the fund; Deputy Chief Investment Officer of Western Asset since 2000.

 

 

 

 

 

David Fare
Western Asset
385 East Colorado Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91101

 

Since 2007

 

Co-portfolio manager of the fund; portfolio manager at Western Asset since 2005; prior to that time, Mr. Fare was with Citigroup Asset Management or one of its affiliates since 1989.

 

 

 

 

 

Robert Amodeo
Western Asset
385 East Colorado Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91101

 

Since 1999

 

Co-portfolio manager of the fund; portfolio manager at Western Asset since 2005; prior to that time, Mr. Amodeo was a Managing Director and portfolio manager with Salomon Brothers Asset Management Inc from 1992 to 2005.

 



 

(a)(2): DATA TO BE PROVIDED BY FINANCIAL CONTROL

 

The following tables set forth certain additional information with respect to the fund’s portfolio managers for the fund. Unless noted otherwise, all information is provided as of November 30, 2011.

 

Other Accounts Managed by Portfolio Managers

 

The table below identifies the number of accounts (other than the fund) for which the fund’s portfolio managers have 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, and other accounts. For each category, the number of accounts and total assets in the accounts where fees are based on performance is also indicated.

 

 

 

Registered

 

Other Pooled

 

 

Portfolio

 

Investment

 

Investment

 

Other

Manager(s)

 

Companies

 

Vehicles

 

Accounts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stephen A. Walsh

 

101 registered investment companies with $157.1 billion in total assets under management

 

211 Other pooled investment vehicles with $105.5 billion in assets under management*

 

735 Other accounts with $170.8 billion in total assets under management**

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

David T. Fare

 

16 registered investment companies with $14.3 billion in total assets under management

 

0 Other pooled investment vehicles with $0.0 billion in assets under management

 

12 Other accounts with $1.8 billion in total assets under management

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robert Amodeo

 

25 registered investment companies with $19.3 billion in total assets under management

 

0 Other pooled investment vehicles with $0.0 billion in assets under management

 

12 Other accounts with $1.8 billion in total assets under management

 


*                          Includes 6 accounts managed, totaling $0.9 billion, for which advisory fee is performance based.

**                   Includes 76 accounts managed, totaling $18.8 billion, for which advisory fee is performance based.

 

‡ The numbers above reflect the overall number of portfolios managed by employees of Western Asset Management Company (“Western Asset”).  Mr. Walsh are involved in the management of all the Firm’s portfolios, but they are not solely responsible for particular portfolios.  Western Asset’s investment discipline emphasizes a team approach that combines the efforts of groups of specialists working in different market sectors. They are responsible for overseeing implementation of Western Asset’s overall investment ideas and coordinating the work of the various sector teams. This structure ensures that client portfolios benefit from a consensus that draws on the expertise of all team members.

 



 

(a)(3): Portfolio Manager Compensation

 

With respect to the compensation of the portfolio managers, Western Asset’s compensation system assigns each employee a total compensation range, which is derived from annual market surveys that benchmark each role with its job function and peer universe. This method is designed to reward employees with total compensation reflective of the external market value of their skills, experience, and ability to produce desired results. Standard compensation includes competitive base salaries, generous employee benefits, and a retirement plan.

 

In addition, the subadviser’s employees are eligible for bonuses. These are structured to closely align the interests of employees with those of the subadviser, and are determined by the professional’s job function and pre-tax performance as measured by a formal review process. All bonuses are completely discretionary. The principal factor considered is a portfolio manager’s investment performance versus appropriate peer groups and benchmarks (e.g., a securities index and with respect to a fund, the benchmark set forth in the fund’s Prospectus to which the fund’s average annual total returns are compared or, if none, the benchmark set forth in the fund’s annual report). Performance is reviewed on a 1, 3 and 5 year basis for compensation—with 3 years having the most emphasis. The subadviser may also measure a portfolio manager’s pre-tax investment performance against other benchmarks, as it determines appropriate. Because portfolio managers are generally responsible for multiple accounts (including the funds) with similar investment strategies, they are generally compensated on the performance of the aggregate group of similar accounts, rather than a specific account. Other factors that may be considered when making bonus decisions include client service, business development, length of service to the subadviser, management or supervisory responsibilities, contributions to developing business strategy and overall contributions to the subadviser’s business.

 

Finally, in order to attract and retain top talent, all professionals are eligible for additional incentives in recognition of outstanding performance. These are determined based upon the factors described above and include Legg Mason stock options and long-term incentives that vest over a set period of time past the award date.

 

Potential Conflicts of Interest

 

Conflicts of Interest

 

The manager, subadvisers and portfolio managers have interests which conflict with the interests of the fund. There is no guarantee that the policies and procedures adopted by the manager, the subadvisers and the fund will be able to identify or mitigate these conflicts of interest.

 

Some examples of material conflicts of interest include:

 

Allocation of Limited Time and Attention. A portfolio manager who is responsible for managing multiple funds and/or accounts may devote unequal time and attention to the management of those funds and/or accounts. A portfolio manager may not be able to formulate as complete a strategy or identify equally attractive investment opportunities for each of those funds and accounts as might be the case if he or she were to devote substantially more attention to the management of a single fund. Such a portfolio manager may make general determinations across multiple funds, rather than tailoring a unique approach for each fund. The effects of this conflict may be more pronounced where funds and/or accounts overseen by a particular portfolio manager have different investment strategies.

 

Allocation of Limited Investment Opportunities; Aggregation of Orders. If a portfolio manager identifies a limited investment opportunity that may be suitable for multiple funds and/or accounts, the opportunity may be allocated among these several funds or accounts, which may limit the fund’s ability to take full advantage of the investment opportunity. Additionally, a subadviser may aggregate transaction orders for multiple accounts for purpose of execution. Such aggregation may cause the price or brokerage

 



 

costs to be less favorable to a particular client than if similar transactions were not being executed concurrently for other accounts. In addition, a subadviser’s trade allocation policies may result in the fund’s orders not being fully executed or being delayed in execution.

 

Pursuit of Differing Strategies. At times, a portfolio manager may determine that an investment opportunity may be appropriate for only some of the funds and/or accounts for which he or she exercises investment responsibility, or may decide that certain of the funds and/or accounts should take differing positions with respect to a particular security. In these cases, the portfolio manager may place separate transactions for one or more funds or accounts which may affect the market price of the security or the execution of the transaction, or both, to the detriment or benefit of one or more other funds and/or accounts. For example, a portfolio manager may determine that it would be in the interest of another account to sell a security that the fund holds long, potentially resulting in a decrease in the market value of the security held by the fund.

 

Cross Trades. Portfolio managers may manage funds that engage in cross trades, where one of the manager’s funds or accounts sells a particular security to another fund or account managed by the same manager. Cross trades may pose conflicts of interest because of, for example, the possibility that one account sells a security to another account at a higher price than an independent third party would pay or otherwise enters into a transaction that it would not enter into with an independent party, such as the sale of a difficult-to-obtain security.

 

Selection of Broker/Dealers. Portfolio managers may select or influence the selection of the brokers and dealers that are used to execute securities transactions for the funds and/or accounts that they supervise. In addition to executing trades, some brokers and dealers provide subadvisers with brokerage and research services, These services may be taken into account in the selection of brokers and dealers whether a broker is being selected to effect a trade on an agency basis for a commission or (as is normally the case for the funds) whether a dealer is being selected to effect a trade on a principal basis. This may result in the payment of higher brokerage fees and/or execution at a less favorable price than might have otherwise been available. The services obtained may ultimately be more beneficial to certain of the manager’s funds or accounts than to others (but not necessarily to the funds that pay the increased commission or incur the less favorable execution). A decision as to the selection of brokers and dealers could therefore yield disproportionate costs and benefits among the funds and/or accounts managed.

 



 

Variation in Financial and Other Benefits. A conflict of interest arises where the financial or other benefits available to a portfolio manager differ among the funds and/or accounts that he or she manages. If the amount or structure of the investment manager’s management fee and/or a portfolio manager’s compensation differs among funds and/or accounts (such as where certain funds or accounts pay higher management fees or performance-based management fees), the portfolio manager might be motivated to help certain funds and/or accounts over others. Similarly, the desire to maintain assets under management or to enhance the portfolio manager’s performance record or to derive other rewards, financial or otherwise, could influence the portfolio manager in affording preferential treatment to those funds and/or accounts that could most significantly benefit the portfolio manager. A portfolio manager may, for example, have an incentive to allocate favorable or limited opportunity investments or structure the timing of investments to favor such funds and/or accounts. Also, a portfolio manager’s or the manager’s or a subadviser’s desire to increase assets under management could influence the portfolio manager to keep a fund open for new investors without regard to potential benefits of closing the fund to new investors. Additionally, the portfolio manager might be motivated to favor funds and/or accounts in which he or she has an ownership interest or in which the investment manager and/or its affiliates have ownership interests. Conversely, if a portfolio manager does not personally hold an investment in the fund, the portfolio manager’s conflicts of interest with respect to the fund may be more acute.

 

Related Business Opportunities. The investment manager or its affiliates may provide more services (such as distribution or recordkeeping) for some types of funds or accounts than for others. In such cases, a portfolio manager may benefit, either directly or indirectly, by devoting disproportionate attention to the management of funds and/or accounts that provide greater overall returns to the investment manager and its affiliates.

 

(a)(4): Portfolio Manager Securities Ownership

 

The table below identifies the dollar range of securities beneficially owned by each portfolio managers as of November 30, 2011.

 

Portfolio Manager(s)

 

Dollar Range of
Portfolio
Securities
Beneficially
Owned

 

 

 

Stephen A. Walsh

 

A

David T. Fare

 

A

Robert Amodeo

 

A

 

Dollar Range ownership is as follows:

A: none
B: $1 - $10,000
C: 10,001 - $50,000
D: $50,001 - $100,000
E: $100,001 - $500,000
F: $500,001 - $1 million
G: over $1 million

 



 

ITEM 9.                  PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS.

 

Not applicable

 

ITEM 10.                SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.

 

Not applicable

 

ITEM 11.                CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

 

(a)   The registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a- 3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”)) are effective as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report that includes the disclosure required by this paragraph, based on their evaluation of the disclosure controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act and 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

(b)   There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act) that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are likely to materially affect the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

ITEM 12.                EXHIBITS.

 

(a) (1) Code of Ethics attached hereto.

Exhibit 99.CODE ETH

 

(a) (2) Certifications pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 attached hereto.

Exhibit 99.CERT

 

(b) Certifications pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 attached hereto.

Exhibit 99.906CERT

 



 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, there unto duly authorized.

 

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.

 

 

 

By:

/s/ R. Jay Gerken

 

 

(R. Jay Gerken)

 

 

Chief Executive Officer of

 

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.

 

 

 

Date:

January 25, 2012

 

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

 

By:

/s/ R. Jay Gerken

 

 

(R. Jay Gerken)

 

 

Chief Executive Officer of

 

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.

 

 

 

Date:

January 25, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Richard F. Sennett

 

 

(Richard F. Sennett)

 

 

Principal Financial Officer of

 

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.

 

 

 

Date:

January 25, 2012