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 |
811-7686 |
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Western Asset Emerging Markets Income Fund II Inc. |
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter) |
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125 Broad Street, New York, NY |
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10004 |
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(Address of principal executive offices) |
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(Zip code) |
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Robert I.
Frenkel, Esq. |
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(Name and address of agent for service) |
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Registrants telephone number, including area code: |
(800) 451-2010 |
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Date of fiscal year end: |
May 31 |
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Date of reporting period: |
May 31, 2007 |
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ITEM 1. REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS.
The Annual Report to Stockholders is filed herewith.
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Western Asset |
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Emerging Markets |
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Income Fund II Inc. |
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(EDF) |
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ANNUAL REPORT |
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MAY 31, 2007 |
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INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED NO BANK GUARANTEE MAY LOSE VALUE |
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Western Asset |
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Emerging Markets |
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Income Fund II Inc. |
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Annual Report May 31, 2007 |
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Whats |
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Inside |
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Letter from the Chairman |
I |
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Fund Overview |
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Fund at a Glance |
4 |
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Schedule of Investments |
5 |
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Statement of Assets and Liabilities |
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Fund Objective |
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Statement of Operations |
12 |
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Statements of Changes in Net Assets |
13 |
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Statement of Cash Flows |
14 |
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Financial Highlights |
15 |
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Notes to Financial Statements |
16 |
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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm |
23 |
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Additional Information |
24 |
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Annual Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Certifications |
27 |
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Important Tax Information |
28 |
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Dividend Reinvestment Plan |
29 |
Letter from the Chairman |
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Dear Shareholder, |
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The U.S. economy expanded at a moderate pace during the 12-month reporting period ended May 31, 2007. After expanding 2.6% in the second quarter of 2006, U.S. gross domestic product (GDP)i increased 2.0% in the third quarter and 2.5% in the fourth quarter. The preliminary estimate for first quarter 2007 GDP growth was a tepid 0.6%. This is the lowest growth rate since the fourth quarter of 2002. While consumer spending remained fairly solid, the cooling housing market continued to negatively impact the economy. In addition, corporate spending was mixed during the reporting period. |
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After increasing the federal funds rateii to 5.25% in June 2006the 17th consecutive rate hikethe Federal Reserve Board (Fed)iii held rates steady at its last seven meetings. In its statement accompanying the May 2007 meeting, the Fed stated, Economic growth slowed in the first part of this year and the adjustment in the housing sector is ongoing. Nevertheless, the economy seems likely to expand at a moderate pace over coming quarters. Core inflation remains somewhat elevated. Although inflation pressures seem likely to moderate over time, the high level of resource utilization has the potential to sustain those pressures. |
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During the 12-month reporting period, both short- and long-term Treasury yields experienced periods of volatility. Yields fluctuated early in the period given mixed economic data and shifting expectations regarding the Feds future monetary policy. Then, at the end of February 2007, yields fell sharply, as economic data weakened and the U.S. stock market experienced its largest one-day decline in more than five years. Yields then moved gradually higher during the remainder of the period due, in part, to the belief that the Fed would not cut interest rates in the foreseeable future. Overall, during the 12 months ended May 31, 2007, |
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Western Asset Emerging Markets Income Fund II Inc. I |
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two-year Treasury yields moved from 5.04% to 4.92%. Over the same period, 10-year Treasury yields fell from 5.12% to 4.90%. Looking at the 12-month period as a whole, the overall bond market, as measured by the Lehman Brothers U.S. Aggregate Indexiv returned 6.66%. |
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The high yield bond market generated solid results over the 12-month period ended May 31, 2007. During that time, the Citigroup High Yield Market Indexv returned 13.32%. With interest rates relatively low, demand for higher yielding bonds remained strong. The high yield market was further aided by strong corporate profits and low default rates. |
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Despite periods of weakness, emerging markets debt generated positive results, as the JPMorgan Emerging Markets Bond Index Global (EMBI Global)vi gained 13.82% during the reporting period. Strong investor demand, an expanding global economy and solid domestic spending supported many emerging market countries. |
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Please read on for a more detailed look at prevailing economic and market conditions during the Funds fiscal year and to learn how those conditions have affected Fund performance. |
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Special Shareholder Notices |
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On May 17, 2007, the Board of Directors of the Fund approved changes to the non-fundamental investment policies relating to the Funds definition of emerging market country. |
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Effective June 1, 2007, the Fund changed its definition of emerging market country to include any country which is, at the time of investment, represented in the EMBI Global or categorized by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank), in its annual categorization, as middle-, or low-income. Under the Funds previous investment policy, the Fund defined an emerging market country as: any country which is considered to be an emerging country by the World Bank at the time of the Funds investment. The countries that will not be considered |
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II Western Asset Emerging Markets Income Fund II Inc. |
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emerging market countries include: Australia; Austria; Belgium; Canada; Denmark; Finland; France; Germany; Ireland; Italy; Japan; Luxembourg; the Netherlands; New Zealand; Norway; Spain; Sweden; Switzerland; the United Kingdom; and the United States. This revision to the definition of emerging market country is intended to allow Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (LMPFA), the Funds investment manager, and Western Asset Management Company (Western Asset), the Funds subadviser, greater flexibility and opportunity to achieve the Funds investment objectives and make consistent the range of countries available for investment by the Fund and the countries represented in its current benchmark. |
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Additionally, on December 21, 2006, the Funds Board of Directors approved a management recommendation to change the current, non-fundamental investment policy that limits investment in non-U.S. dollar-denominated securities to no more than 35% of total assets. Effective January 2, 2007, this investment restriction was removed, permitting the Fund greater flexibility by allowing unrestricted investment in non-U.S. dollar-denominated securities. Investing in non-U.S. dollar-denominated securities involves risks, including the risk that the Fund may be limited in its ability to hedge the value of its non-U.S. dollar-denominated investments against currency fluctuations. As a result, a decline in the value of currencies against the dollar will result in a corresponding decline in the dollar value of the Funds assets. These declines will, in turn, affect the Funds income and net asset value (NAV)vii. |
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Prior to October 9, 2006, this Fund operated under the name Salomon Brothers Emerging Markets Income Fund II Inc. |
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Information About Your Fund |
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Important information with regard to recent regulatory developments that may affect the Fund is contained in the Notes to Financial Statements included in this report. |
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Western Asset Emerging Markets Income Fund II Inc. III |
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As always, thank you for your confidence in our stewardship of your assets. We look forward to helping you meet your financial goals. |
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Sincerely, |
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R. Jay Gerken, CFA |
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Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer |
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June 11, 2007 |
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All index performance reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes. Please note that an investor cannot invest directly in an index.
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Gross domestic product (GDP) is the market value of all final goods and services produced within a country in a given period of time. |
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ii |
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. |
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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. |
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The Lehman Brothers 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. |
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The Citigroup High Yield Market Index is a broad-based unmanaged index of high yield securities.
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vi |
The JPMorgan Emerging Markets Bond Index Global (EMBI Global) tracks total returns for U.S. dollar denominated debt instruments issued by emerging market sovereign and quasi-sovereign entities: Brady bonds, loans, Eurobonds, and local market instruments. Countries covered are Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, China, Colombia, Cote dIvoire, Croatia, Ecuador, Greece, Hungary, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, Panama, Peru, the Philippines, Poland, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Thailand, Turkey and Venezuela. |
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vii |
NAV is calculated by subtracting total liabilities from the closing value of all securities held by the Fund (plus all other assets) and dividing the result (total net assets) 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 at the Funds market price, as determined by supply of and demand for the Funds shares. |
IV Western Asset Emerging Markets Income Fund II Inc. |
Fund Overview
Q. What were the overall market conditions during the Funds reporting period?
A. While the overall developed bond markets in the U.S. and overseas produced respectable returns during the one-year period ended May 31, 2007as evidenced by the 6.66% return of the Lehman Brothers U.S. Aggregate Indexi and the 4.77% return of the JPMorgan Global Government Bond Market Index (Hedged)iiemerging market debt generated superior results. Over the same period, the JPMorgan Emerging Markets Bond Index Global (EMBI Global)iii returned 13.82%.
Despite periods of elevated volatility, overall, investors embraced the emerging market asset class over the fiscal year. During this time, demand for emerging market debt was generally strong, as investors sought to generate incremental returns in a relatively low interest rate environment. The fundamentals in many emerging market countries also improved during the reporting period. Many emerging market countries have substantial oil and commodity reserves. Given continued high prices, these countries were able to strengthen their balance sheets. Additionally, increased domestic consumption in numerous emerging market countries was beneficial during periods of market unrest.
Performance Review
For the 12 months ended May 31, 2007, the Western Asset Emerging Markets Income Fund II Inc. returned 14.46% based on its net asset value (NAV)iv and 21.77% based on its New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) market price per share. In comparison, the Funds unmanaged benchmark, the EMBI Global, returned 13.82% and its Lipper Emerging Markets Debt Closed-End Funds Category Averagev increased 15.69% over the same time frame. Please note that Lipper performance returns are based on each funds NAV.
During the 12-month period, the Fund made distributions to shareholders totaling $1.33 per share. The performance table shows the Funds 12-month total return based on its NAV and market price as of May 31, 2007. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
Performance Snapshot as of May 31, 2007 (unaudited)
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12-Month |
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Price Per Share |
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Total Return |
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$15.00 (NAV) |
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14.46% |
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$13.82 (Market Price) |
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21.77% |
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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 returns assume the reinvestment of all distributions, in additional shares.
Western Asset Emerging Markets Income Fund II Inc. 2007 Annual Report 1 |
Q. What were the most significant factors affecting Fund performance? What were the leading contributors to performance?
A. During the reporting period, an underweight to Turkey, a higher risk country due to its vulnerability to international capital flows, contributed to performance, as it generated poor results. Diversifying the portfolio into local currency debt was also beneficial to performance, as many emerging market currencies appreciated versus the U.S. dollar. Elsewhere, local currency bonds, such as Brazil and Egypt, as well as our exposure to corporate bonds, enhanced the Funds results.
What were the leading detractors from performance?
A. An overweight to Russia, a lower risk country due to its massive currency reserves, detracted from performance relative to its benchmark, the EMBI Global. Elsewhere, an underweight to the Philippines hurt the Funds performance, as the country generated solid results, despite its relatively larger debt burden.
Q. Were there any significant changes to the Fund during the reporting period?
A. There were no significant changes during the reporting period.
Looking for Additional Information?
The Fund is traded under the symbol EDF and its closing market price is available in most newspapers under the NYSE listings. The daily NAV is available on-line under the symbol XEDFX on most financial websites. Barrons and The Wall Street Journals 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/InvestorServices.
In a continuing effort to provide information concerning the Fund, shareholders may call 1-888-777-0102, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time, for the Funds current net asset value, market price and other information.
Thank you for your investment in Western Asset Emerging Markets Income Fund II Inc. As always, we appreciate that you have chosen us to manage your assets, and we remain focused on achieving the Funds investment goals.
Sincerely,
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Western Asset Management Company |
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June 11, 2007 |
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2 Western Asset Emerging Markets Income Fund II Inc. 2007 Annual Report |
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.
RISKS: Foreign bonds are subject to certain risks of overseas investing including currency fluctuations and changes in political and economic conditions, which could result in significant market fluctuations. These risks are magnified in emerging or developing markets. High yield bonds are subject to additional risks such as increased risk of default and greater volatility because of the lower credit quality of the issues. Derivatives are subject to a number of risks such as liquidity risk, interest rate risk, credit risk, leveraging risk, management risk, and may disproportionately increase losses and could have a potentially large impact on Fund performance. Leverage may magnify gains and increase losses in the Funds portfolio.
All index performance reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes. Please note that an investor cannot invest directly in an index.
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The Lehman Brothers 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. |
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The JPMorgan Global Government Bond Market Index (Hedged) is a daily, market capitalization-weighted, international fixed-income index consisting of 13 countries. |
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The JPMorgan Emerging Markets Bond Index Global (EMBI Global) tracks total returns for U.S. dollar denominated debt instruments issued by emerging market sovereign and quasi-sovereign entities: Brady bonds, loans, Eurobonds, and local market instruments. Countries covered are Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, China, Colombia, Cote dIvoire, Croatia, Ecuador, Greece, Hungary, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, Panama, Peru, the Philippines, Poland, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Thailand, Turkey and Venezuela. |
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iv |
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NAV is calculated by subtracting total liabilities from the closing value of all securities held by the Fund (plus all other assets) and dividing the result (total net assets) 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 at the Funds market price, as determined by supply of and demand for the Funds shares. |
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v |
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Lipper, Inc. is a major independent mutual-fund tracking organization. Returns are based on the 12-month period ended May 31, 2007, including the reinvestment of all distributions, including returns of capital, if any, calculated among the 11 funds in the Funds Lipper category. |
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Western Asset Emerging Markets Income Fund II Inc. 2007 Annual Report 3 |
Fund at a Glance (unaudited)
Investment Breakdown (unaudited)
As a Percent of Total Investments
4 Western Asset Emerging Markets Income Fund II Inc. 2007 Annual Report |
Schedule of Investments (May 31, 2007)
WESTERN ASSET EMERGING MARKETS INCOME FUND II INC.
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SOVEREIGN BONDS 57.5% |
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Argentina 4.6% |
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Republic of Argentina: |
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2,000,000 |
DEM |
10.250% due 2/6/03 (a) |
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501,074 |
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1,000,000 |
DEM |
9.000% due 9/19/03 (a) |
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235,577 |
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3,000,000 |
DEM |
7.000% due 3/18/04 (a) |
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724,786 |
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3,875,000 |
DEM |
8.500% due 2/23/05 (a) |
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946,176 |
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5,400,000 |
DEM |
11.250% due 4/10/06 (a) |
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1,341,756 |
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1,000,000 |
DEM |
11.750% due 5/20/11 (a) |
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243,315 |
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8,800,000 |
DEM |
12.000% due 9/19/16 (a) |
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2,065,510 |
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3,767,011 |
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Bonds, 2.000% due 1/3/10 (b) |
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2,634,988 |
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591,000 |
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Bonds, Series VII, 7.000% due 9/12/13 |
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568,164 |
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3,396,971 |
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Discount Bonds, 5.830% due 12/31/33 (b) |
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1,496,022 |
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GDP Linked Securities: |
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2,705,000 |
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0.624% due 12/15/35 (b) |
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428,742 |
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57,059,503 |
ARS |
0.649% due 12/15/35 (b) |
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2,485,918 |
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3,200,000 |
EUR |
0.662% due 12/15/35 (b) |
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653,038 |
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Medium-Term Notes: |
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6,000,000,000 |
ITL |
7.000% due 3/18/04 (a) |
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1,426,033 |
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3,000,000,000 |
ITL |
5.002% due 7/13/05 (a) |
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666,989 |
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1,000,000,000 |
ITL |
7.625% due 8/11/07 (a)(c) |
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231,006 |
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625,000 |
DEM |
8.000% due 10/30/09 (a) |
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144,549 |
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Total Argentina |
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16,793,643 |
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Brazil 11.4% |
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Brazil Nota do Tesouro Nacional: |
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5,763,000 |
BRL |
Series B, 6.000% due 5/15/45 |
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4,968,478 |
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27,445,000 |
BRL |
Series F, 10.000% due 7/1/10 (d) |
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14,103,824 |
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Federative Republic of Brazil: |
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1,112,000 |
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11.000% due 8/17/40 |
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1,490,914 |
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Collective Action Securities: |
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3,980,000 |
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8.750% due 2/4/25 |
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5,146,140 |
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14,567,000 |
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Notes, 8.000% due 1/15/18 (d) |
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16,285,906 |
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Total Brazil |
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41,995,262 |
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Colombia 3.5% |
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Republic of Colombia: |
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4,029,000 |
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10.375% due 1/28/33 |
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6,043,500 |
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5,970,000 |
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7.375% due 9/18/37 |
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6,680,430 |
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Total Colombia |
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12,723,930 |
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Ecuador 1.2% |
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4,840,000 |
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Republic of Ecuador, 10.000% due 8/15/30 (e) |
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4,346,320 |
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El Salvador 0.9% |
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2,627,000 |
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Republic of El Salvador, 8.250% due 4/10/32 (e) |
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3,270,615 |
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See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Emerging Markets Income Fund II Inc. 2007 Annual Report 5 |
Schedule of Investments (May 31, 2007) (continued)
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Mexico 10.8% |
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United Mexican States: |
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1,185,000 |
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11.375% due 9/15/16 |
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$ |
1,684,922 |
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Medium-Term Notes: |
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13,360,000 |
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5.625% due 1/15/17 (d) |
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13,390,060 |
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2,395,000 |
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8.300% due 8/15/31 |
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3,133,857 |
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Series A: |
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4,090,000 |
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6.625% due 3/3/15 |
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4,390,615 |
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13,840,000 |
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8.000% due 9/24/22 (d) |
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17,085,480 |
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Total Mexico |
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39,684,934 |
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Panama 4.1% |
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Republic of Panama: |
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6,735,000 |
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9.375% due 4/1/29 (d) |
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9,184,856 |
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5,743,000 |
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6.700% due 1/26/36 |
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6,058,865 |
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Total Panama |
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15,243,721 |
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Peru 0.4% |
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Republic of Peru: |
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169,000 |
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8.750% due 11/21/33 |
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225,615 |
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1,073,000 |
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Bonds, 6.550% due 3/14/37 |
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1,120,212 |
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Total Peru |
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1,345,827 |
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Russia 3.9% |
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Russian Federation: |
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2,000,055 |
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8.250% due 3/31/10 (e) |
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2,084,058 |
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4,175,000 |
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11.000% due 7/24/18 (e) |
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5,938,937 |
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2,930,000 |
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12.750% due 6/24/28 (e) |
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5,314,287 |
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1,083,555 |
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7.500% due 3/31/30 (e) |
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1,216,616 |
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Total Russia |
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14,553,898 |
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Turkey 8.4% |
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Republic of Turkey: |
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5,206,000 |
TRY |
14.000% due 1/19/11 |
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3,640,399 |
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3,519,000 |
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11.875% due 1/15/30 (f) |
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5,489,640 |
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22,449,000 |
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Notes, 6.875% due 3/17/36 (d) |
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21,747,469 |
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Total Turkey |
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30,877,508 |
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Uruguay 1.3% |
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4,277,557 |
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Republic of Uruguay, Benchmark Bonds, 7.875% due 1/15/33 (g) |
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4,991,909 |
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Venezuela 7.0% |
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Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela: |
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|
|
|
7,751,000 |
|
8.500% due 10/8/14 |
|
8,264,504 |
|
|
|
5,713,000 |
|
5.750% due 2/26/16 |
|
5,127,417 |
|
|
|
716,000 |
|
7.650% due 4/21/25 |
|
719,222 |
|
|
|
See Notes to Financial Statements.
6 Western Asset Emerging Markets Income Fund II Inc. 2007 Annual Report |
Schedule of Investments (May 31, 2007) (continued)
Face |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Amount |
|
Security |
|
Value |
|
||
Venezuela 7.0% (continued) |
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Collective Action Securities: |
|
|
|
|
|
6,395,000 |
|
9.375% due 1/13/34 (f) |
|
$ |
7,458,169 |
|
|
3,500,000 |
|
Notes, 10.750% due 9/19/13 |
|
4,088,875 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total Venezuela |
|
25,658,187 |
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL SOVEREIGN BONDS |
|
211,485,754 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CORPORATE BONDS & NOTES 33.2% |
|
|
|
|
|||
Brazil 5.3% |
|
|
|
|
|||
2,136,000 |
|
Globo Communicacoes Participacao SA, Bonds, 7.250% due 4/26/22 (e) |
|
2,122,415 |
|
|
|
|
|
Vale Overseas Ltd., Notes: |
|
|
|
|
|
2,635,000 |
|
8.250% due 1/17/34 |
|
3,161,302 |
|
|
|
13,863,000 |
|
6.875% due 11/21/36 (d) |
|
14,234,334 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total Brazil |
|
19,518,051 |
|
|
|
Chile 1.3% |
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Enersis SA, Notes: |
|
|
|
|
|
3,932,000 |
|
7.375% due 1/15/14 |
|
4,203,918 |
|
|
|
337,000 |
|
7.400% due 12/1/16 |
|
365,503 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total Chile |
|
4,569,421 |
|
|
|
El Salvador 0.1% |
|
|
|
|
|||
371,000 |
|
MMG Fiduciary Trust Corp., 6.750% due 2/1/16 (e) |
|
369,418 |
|
|
|
India 0.2% |
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
ICICI Bank Ltd., Subordinated Bonds: |
|
|
|
|
|
570,000 |
|
6.375% due 4/30/22 (b)(e) |
|
557,389 |
|
|
|
340,000 |
|
6.375% due 4/30/22 (b)(e) |
|
332,139 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total India |
|
889,528 |
|
|
|
Kazakhstan 1.5% |
|
|
|
|
|||
2,270,000 |
|
ATF Capital BV, Senior Notes, 9.250% due 2/21/14 (e) |
|
2,287,025 |
|
|
|
1,720,000 |
|
HSBK Europe BV, 7.250% due 5/3/17 (e) |
|
1,703,471 |
|
|
|
1,400,000 |
|
TuranAlem Finance BV, Bonds, 8.250% due 1/22/37 (e) |
|
1,389,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total Kazakhstan |
|
5,379,996 |
|
|
|
Mexico 7.5% |
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Axtel SAB de CV: |
|
|
|
|
|
190,000 |
|
11.000% due 12/15/13 |
|
212,800 |
|
|
|
7,150,000 |
|
7.625% due 2/1/17 (e) |
|
7,239,375 |
|
|
|
1,410,000 |
|
Senior Notes, 7.625% due 2/1/17 (e) |
|
1,427,625 |
|
|
|
900,000 |
|
Banco Mercantil del Norte SA, Subordinated Bonds, 6.135% due 10/13/16 (b)(e) |
|
908,023 |
|
|
|
|
|
Grupo Transportacion Ferroviaria Mexicana SA de CV, Senior Notes: |
|
|
|
|
|
220,000 |
|
9.375% due 5/1/12 |
|
238,700 |
|
|
|
100,000 |
|
12.500% due 6/15/12 |
|
107,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
Pemex Project Funding Master Trust: |
|
|
|
|
|
8,705,000 |
|
7.375% due 12/15/14 (d) |
|
9,649,492 |
|
|
|
7,233,000 |
|
Bonds, 6.625% due 6/15/35 |
|
7,676,021 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total Mexico |
|
27,459,036 |
|
|
|
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Emerging Markets Income Fund II Inc. 2007 Annual Report 7 |
Schedule of Investments (May 31, 2007) (continued)
Face |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amount |
|
Security |
|
Value |
|
|
Netherlands 0.0% |
|
|
|
|||
103,000 |
|
TuranAlem Finance BV, 8.250% due 1/22/37 (e) |
|
$ |
102,712 |
|
Russia 12.1% |
|
|
|
|||
11,090,000 |
|
Gaz Capital SA, Notes, 8.625% due 4/28/34 (e) |
|
14,320,517 |
|
|
|
|
Gazprom: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bonds: |
|
|
|
|
217,870,000 |
RUB |
Series A7, 6.790% due 10/29/09 (d) |
|
8,483,849 |
|
|
72,620,000 |
RUB |
Series A8, 7.000% due 10/27/11 |
|
2,830,625 |
|
|
|
|
Loan Participation Notes: |
|
|
|
|
1,140,000 |
|
6.212% due 11/22/16 (e) |
|
1,142,850 |
|
|
470,000 |
|
6.510% due 3/7/22 (e) |
|
479,400 |
|
|
96,030,000 |
RUB |
Gazprom OAO, Series A6, 6.950% due 8/6/09 |
|
3,759,178 |
|
|
|
|
Russian Agricultural Bank: |
|
|
|
|
4,062,000 |
|
Bonds, 6.299% due 5/15/17 (e) |
|
4,084,341 |
|
|
3,936,000 |
|
Notes, 7.175% due 5/16/13 (e) |
|
4,177,080 |
|
|
|
|
TNK-BP Finance SA: |
|
|
|
|
3,340,000 |
|
7.500% due 7/18/16 (e) |
|
3,512,010 |
|
|
950,000 |
|
6.625% due 3/20/17 (e) |
|
936,225 |
|
|
840,000 |
|
UBS Luxembourg SA for OJSC Vimpel Communications,
Loan Participation Notes, |
|
904,344 |
|
|
|
|
Total Russia |
|
44,630,419 |
|
|
Thailand 1.0% |
|
|
|
|||
3,330,000 |
|
True Move Co., Ltd., 10.750% due 12/16/13 (e) |
|
3,571,425 |
|
|
United States 1.0% |
|
|
|
|||
3,330,000 |
|
Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc., Senior Notes, 8.375% due 4/1/17 |
|
3,646,350 |
|
|
Venezuela 3.2% |
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Petrozuata Finance Inc.: |
|
|
|
|
11,586,500 |
|
8.220% due 4/1/17 (d)(e) |
|
11,874,295 |
|
|
|
|
TOTAL CORPORATE BONDS & NOTES |
|
122,010,651 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LOAN PARTICIPATIONS 0.2% |
|
|
|
|||
United States 0.2% |
|
|
|
|||
107,901 |
|
Ashmore Energy International, Synthetic Revolving
Department, |
|
108,642 |
|
|
822,099 |
|
Ashmore Energy Term Loan, 8.350% due 3/30/14 (Credit Suisse) |
|
827,752 |
|
|
|
|
TOTAL LOAN PARTICIPATIONS |
|
936,394 |
|
|
See Notes to Financial Statements.
8 Western Asset Emerging Markets Income Fund II Inc. 2007 Annual Report |
Schedule of Investments (May 31, 2007) (continued)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Warrants |
|
Security |
|
Value |
|
|
WARRANT 0.1% |
|
|
|
|||
10,000 |
|
Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Oil-linked
payment obligations, |
|
$ |
375,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL INVESTMENTS BEFORE SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS |
|
334,807,799 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Face |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amount |
|
|
|
|
|
|
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS 9.0% |
|
|
|
|||
Credit Linked Note 1.0% |
|
|
|
|||
3,600,000 |
|
UBS AG Jersey Branch, Medium-Term Notes, 9.448% due
7/12/07 |
|
3,711,050 |
|
|
Sovereign Bonds 6.2% |
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Egypt Treasury Bills: |
|
|
|
|
85,400,000 |
EGP |
Zero coupon bond to yield 9.543% due 10/30/07 |
|
14,452,276 |
|
|
4,475,000 |
EGP |
Zero coupon bond to yield 9.491% due 11/6/07 |
|
756,169 |
|
|
|
|
Bank Negara Malaysia Monetary Notes: |
|
|
|
|
12,702,000 |
MYR |
Zero coupon bond to yield 3.200% due 8/9/07 |
|
3,715,063 |
|
|
12,593,000 |
MYR |
Zero coupon bond to yield 3.340% due 8/9/07 |
|
3,682,202 |
|
|
|
|
Total Sovereign Bonds |
|
22,605,710 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. Government Agencies 0.3% |
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA), Discount Notes: |
|
|
|
|
500,000 |
|
5.197% due 6/25/07 (f)(h) |
|
498,333 |
|
|
750,000 |
|
5.192% due 6/27/07 (f)(h) |
|
747,218 |
|
|
|
|
Total U.S. Government Agencies |
|
1,245,551 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Repurchase Agreement 1.5% |
|
|
|
|||
5,589,000 |
|
Nomura Securities International Inc. repurchase
agreement dated 5/31/07, 5.200% due 6/1/07; Proceeds at maturity
$5,589,807; (Fully collateralized by U.S. government agency
obligations, 9.375% due 10/15/20; Market value $5,701,124) |
|
5,589,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS |
|
33,151,311 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL INVESTMENTS 100.0% (Cost $347,104,127#) |
|
$ |
367,959,110 |
|
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Emerging Markets Income Fund II Inc. 2007 Annual Report 9 |
Schedule of Investments (May 31, 2007) (continued)
* |
|
Non-income producing security. |
|
|
|
Face amount denominated in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise noted. |
|
|
|
Participation interest was acquired through the financial institution indicated parenthetically. |
|
(a) |
|
Security is currently in default. |
|
(b) |
|
Variable rate security. Interest rate disclosed is that which is in effect at May 31, 2007. |
|
(c) |
|
Illiquid security. |
|
(d) |
|
All or a portion of this security is segregated for open futures contracts and reverse repurchase agreements. |
|
(e) |
|
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. |
|
(f) |
|
All or a portion of this security is held as collateral for open futures contracts and reverse repurchase agreements. |
|
(g) |
|
Payment-in-kind security for which part of the income earned may be paid as additional principal. |
|
(h) |
|
Rate shown represents yield-to-maturity. |
|
# |
|
Aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes is $348,301,304. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Abbreviations used in this schedule: |
|
|
|
ARS |
Argentine Peso |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
10 Western Asset Emerging Markets Income Fund II Inc. 2007 Annual Report |
Statement of Assets and Liabilities (May 31, 2007)
ASSETS: |
|
|
|
||
Investments, at value (Cost $347,104,127) |
|
$ |
367,959,110 |
|
|
Foreign currency, at value (Cost $342,219) |
|
346,157 |
|
||
Cash |
|
587 |
|
||
Receivable for securities sold |
|
8,209,425 |
|
||
Interest receivable |
|
6,106,694 |
|
||
Prepaid expenses |
|
15,260 |
|
||
Total Assets |
|
382,637,233 |
|
||
LIABILITIES: |
|
|
|
||
Payable for securities purchased |
|
9,184,428 |
|
||
Payable for open reverse repurchase agreement |
|
6,503,873 |
|
||
Investment management fee payable |
|
327,604 |
|
||
Payable to broker variation margin on open futures contracts |
|
49,351 |
|
||
Interest payable |
|
30,779 |
|
||
Directors fees payable |
|
3,832 |
|
||
Accrued expenses |
|
144,484 |
|
||
Total Liabilities |
|
16,244,351 |
|
||
Total Net Assets |
|
$ |
366,392,882 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
NET ASSETS: |
|
|
|
||
Par value ($0.001 par value; 24,432,561 shares issued and outstanding; 100,000,000 shares authorized) |
|
$ |
24,433 |
|
|
Paid-in capital in excess of par value |
|
330,296,901 |
|
||
Undistributed net investment income |
|
9,280,460 |
|
||
Accumulated net realized gain on investments, futures contracts and foreign currency transactions |
|
6,224,616 |
|
||
Net unrealized appreciation on investments, futures contracts and foreign currencies |
|
20,566,472 |
|
||
Total Net Assets |
|
$ |
366,392,882 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Shares Outstanding |
|
24,432,561 |
|
||
Net Asset Value |
|
$ |
15.00 |
|
|
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Emerging Markets Income Fund II Inc. 2007 Annual Report 11 |
Statement of Operations (For the year ended May 31, 2007)
INVESTMENT INCOME: |
|
|
|
Interest |
|
$ 24,274,488 |
|
EXPENSES: |
|
|
|
Investment management fee (Note 2) |
|
3,781,956 |
|
Interest expense (Notes 3 and 4) |
|
310,562 |
|
Commitment fees (Note 4) |
|
102,661 |
|
Shareholder reports |
|
81,779 |
|
Directors fees |
|
76,443 |
|
Legal fees |
|
58,520 |
|
Audit and tax |
|
56,319 |
|
Custody fees |
|
42,794 |
|
Transfer agent fees |
|
23,933 |
|
Stock exchange listing fees |
|
21,608 |
|
Insurance |
|
8,427 |
|
Loan fees |
|
5,944 |
|
Miscellaneous expenses |
|
3,355 |
|
Total Expenses |
|
4,574,301 |
|
Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements (Note 2) |
|
(2,338 |
) |
Net Expenses |
|
4,571,963 |
|
Net Investment Income |
|
19,702,525 |
|
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS, FUTURES CONTRACTS AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS (NOTES 1 AND 3): |
|
|
|
Net Realized Gain (Loss) From: |
|
|
|
Investment transactions |
|
12,965,994 |
|
Futures contracts |
|
(608,056 |
) |
Foreign currency transactions |
|
(74,284 |
) |
Net Realized Gain |
|
12,283,654 |
|
Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation/Depreciation From: |
|
|
|
Investments |
|
17,443,390 |
|
Futures contracts |
|
(1,081,561 |
) |
Foreign currencies |
|
41,247 |
|
Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation/Depreciation |
|
16,403,076 |
|
Net Gain on Investments, Futures Contracts and Foreign Currency Transactions |
|
28,686,730 |
|
Increase in Net Assets From Operations |
|
$ 48,389,255 |
|
See Notes to Financial Statements.
12 Western Asset Emerging Markets Income Fund II Inc. 2007 Annual Report |
Statements of Changes in Net Assets (For the years ended May 31,)
|
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
|
||||
OPERATIONS: |
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Net investment income |
|
$ |
19,702,525 |
|
$ |
22,166,136 |
|
||
Net realized gain |
|
12,283,654 |
|
26,271,870 |
|
||||
Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation |
|
16,403,076 |
|
(15,967,088 |
) |
||||
Increase in Net Assets From Operations |
|
48,389,255 |
|
32,470,918 |
|
||||
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM (NOTE 1): |
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Net investment income |
|
(16,557,947 |
) |
(19,057,398 |
) |
||||
Net realized gains |
|
(15,810,310 |
) |
(22,651,427 |
) |
||||
Decrease in Net Assets From Distributions to Shareholders |
|
(32,368,257 |
) |
(41,708,825 |
) |
||||
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets |
|
16,020,998 |
|
(9,237,907 |
) |
||||
NET ASSETS: |
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Beginning of year |
|
350,371,884 |
|
359,609,791 |
|
||||
End of year* |
|
$ |
366,392,882 |
|
$ |
350,371,884 |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
*Includes undistributed net investment income of: |
|
$ |
9,280,460 |
|
$ |
6,017,593 |
|
||
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Emerging Markets Income Fund II Inc. 2007 Annual Report 13 |
Statement of Cash Flows (For the year ended May 31, 2007)
CASH FLOWS PROVIDED (USED) BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES: |
|
|
|
|
Interest received |
|
$ |
25,142,412 |
|
Operating expenses paid |
|
(4,261,532 |
) |
|
Net purchases of short-term investments |
|
(8,181,562 |
) |
|
Realized loss on foreign currency transactions |
|
(74,284 |
) |
|
Realized loss on futures contracts |
|
(608,056 |
) |
|
Net change in unrealized depreciation on futures contracts |
|
(1,081,561 |
) |
|
Net change in unrealized appreciation on foreign currencies |
|
41,247 |
|
|
Purchases of long-term investments |
|
(290,842,837 |
) |
|
Proceeds from disposition of long-term investments |
|
336,145,985 |
|
|
Change in payable to broker variation margin |
|
204,316 |
|
|
Interest paid |
|
(573,983 |
) |
|
Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities |
|
55,910,145 |
|
|
CASH FLOWS PROVIDED (USED) BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES: |
|
|
|
|
Cash distributions paid on Common Stock |
|
(32,368,257 |
) |
|
Deposits with brokers for open futures |
|
300,000 |
|
|
Cash paid on loan |
|
(30,000,000 |
) |
|
Proceeds from reverse repurchase agreements |
|
6,503,873 |
|
|
Net Cash Flows Used By Financing Activities |
|
(55,564,384 |
) |
|
Net Increase In Cash |
|
345,761 |
|
|
Cash, Beginning of year |
|
983 |
|
|
Cash, End of year |
|
$ |
346,744 |
|
RECONCILIATION OF INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS TO NET CASH FLOWS PROVIDED (USED) BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES: |
|
|
|
|
Increase in Net Assets From Operations |
|
$ |
48,389,255 |
|
Accretion of discount on investments |
|
(1,201,169 |
) |
|
Amortization of premium on investments |
|
1,040,045 |
|
|
Decrease in investments, at value |
|
6,036,696 |
|
|
Increase in payable for securities purchased |
|
7,241,095 |
|
|
Decrease in interest receivable |
|
1,029,048 |
|
|
Increase in receivable for securities sold |
|
(6,565,589 |
) |
|
Increase in payable to broker variation margin |
|
204,316 |
|
|
Decrease in prepaid expenses |
|
357 |
|
|
Decrease in interest payable |
|
(263,421 |
) |
|
Decrease in accrued expenses |
|
(488 |
) |
|
Total Adjustments |
|
7,520,890 |
|
|
Net Cash Flows Provided By Operating Activities |
|
$ |
55,910,145 |
|
See Notes to Financial Statements.
14 Western Asset Emerging Markets Income Fund II Inc. 2007 Annual Report |
Financial Highlights
For a share of capital stock outstanding throughout each year ended May 31:
|
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
|
2005(1) |
|
2004(1) |
|
2003(1) |
|
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year |
|
$ 14.34 |
|
$ 14.72 |
|
$ 12.84 |
|
$ 13.88 |
|
$ 11.63 |
|
Income (Loss) From Operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income |
|
0.81 |
|
0.98 |
|
1.15 |
|
1.26 |
|
1.49 |
|
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) |
|
1.18 |
|
0.35 |
|
2.37 |
|
(0.65 |
) |
2.40 |
|
Total Income From Operations |
|
1.99 |
|
1.33 |
|
3.52 |
|
0.61 |
|
3.89 |
|
Less Distributions From: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income |
|
(0.68 |
) |
(0.78 |
) |
(1.41 |
) |
(1.06 |
) |
(1.65 |
) |
Net realized gains |
|
(0.65 |
) |
(0.93 |
) |
(0.24 |
) |
(0.59 |
) |
|
|
Total Distributions |
|
(1.33 |
) |
(1.71 |
) |
(1.65 |
) |
(1.65 |
) |
(1.65 |
) |
Increase in Net Asset Value Due to Shares Issued on Reinvestment of Distributions |
|
|
|
|
|
0.01 |
|
|
|
0.01 |
|
Net Asset Value, End of Year |
|
$15.00 |
|
$14.34 |
|
$14.72 |
|
$12.84 |
|
$13.88 |
|
Market Price, End of Year |
|
$13.82 |
|
$12.57 |
|
$13.57 |
|
$14.40 |
|
$15.53 |
|
Total Return, Based on Net Asset Value(2) |
|
14.46 |
% |
9.12 |
% |
29.20 |
% |
4.11 |
% |
39.24 |
% |
Total Return, Based on Market Price(3) |
|
21.77 |
% |
5.05 |
% |
5.27 |
% |
3.38 |
% |
28.76 |
% |
Net Assets, End of Year (000s) |
|
$366,393 |
|
$350,372 |
|
$359,610 |
|
$311,714 |
|
$334,576 |
|
Ratios to Average Net Assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross expenses |
|
1.27 |
% |
1.83 |
% |
2.22 |
% |
1.98 |
% |
2.37 |
% |
Gross expenses, excluding interest expense |
|
1.18 |
|
1.17 |
|
1.19 |
|
1.21 |
|
1.37 |
|
Net expenses |
|
1.27 |
(4) |
1.82 |
(4) |
2.22 |
|
1.98 |
|
2.37 |
|
Net expenses, excluding interest expense |
|
1.18 |
(4) |
1.17 |
(4) |
1.19 |
|
1.21 |
|
1.37 |
|
Net investment income |
|
5.47 |
|
6.06 |
|
8.29 |
|
9.19 |
|
13.59 |
|
Portfolio Turnover Rate |
|
87 |
% |
98 |
% |
75 |
% |
169 |
% |
237 |
% |
Supplemental Data: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loans Outstanding, End of Year (000s) |
|
|
(5) |
$30,000 |
|
$55,000 |
|
$100,000 |
|
$100,000 |
|
Asset Coverage (000s) |
|
|
(5) |
$380,372 |
|
$414,610 |
|
$411,714 |
|
$434,576 |
|
Asset Coverage for Loan Outstanding |
|
|
%(5) |
1,268 |
% |
754 |
% |
412 |
% |
435 |
% |
Weighted Average Loan (000s) |
|
$904 |
|
$38,767 |
|
$74,192 |
|
$100,000 |
|
$100,000 |
|
Weighted Average Interest Rate on Loans |
|
5.22 |
%(5) |
5.16 |
% |
3.34 |
% |
2.19 |
% |
2.60 |
% |
(1) |
|
Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares method. |
(2) |
|
Performance figures may reflect fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. In the absence of fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, the total return would have been lower. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. |
(3) |
|
The total return calculation assumes that distributions are reinvested in accordance with the Funds dividend reinvestment plan. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. |
(4) |
|
Reflects fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. |
(5) |
|
At May 31, 2007, the Fund did not have an outstanding loan. |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Emerging Markets Income Fund II Inc. 2007 Annual Report 15 |
Notes to Financial Statements
1. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies
Western Asset Emerging Markets Income Fund II Inc. (the Fund) (formerly known as Salomon Brothers Emerging Markets Income Fund II Inc.) was incorporated in Maryland and is registered as a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (the 1940 Act). The Funds primary investment objective is to seek high current income. As a secondary objective, the Fund seeks capital appreciation. In pursuit of these objectives, the Fund under normal conditions invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus any borrowings for investment purposes, in debt securities of government and government related issuers located in emerging market countries (including participations in loans between governments and financial institutions), and of entities organized to restructure the outstanding debt of such issuers, and in debt securities of corporate issuers located in emerging market countries.
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.
(a) Investment Valuation. Debt securities are valued at the mean between the last quoted bid and asked prices provided by an independent pricing service that are based on transactions in debt obligations, quotations from bond dealers, market transactions in comparable securities and various other relationships between securities. Equity securities for which market quotations are available are valued at the last sale price or official closing price on the primary market or exchange on which they trade. Publicly traded foreign government debt securities are typically traded internationally in the over-the-counter market, and are valued at the mean between the bid and asked prices as of the close of business of that market. When prices are not readily available, or are determined not to reflect fair value, 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 may value these investments at fair value as determined in accordance with the procedures approved by the Funds Board of Directors. Short-term obligations with maturities of 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value.
(b) Repurchase Agreements. When entering into repurchase agreements, it is the Funds policy that its custodian or a third party custodian take possession of the underlying collateral securities, the market value of which at least equals the principal amount of the repurchase transaction, including accrued interest. To the extent that any repurchase transaction exceeds one business day, the value of the collateral is marked-to-market to ensure the adequacy of the collateral. If the seller defaults, and the market value of the collateral declines or if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of the security, realization of the collateral by the Fund may be delayed or limited.
(c) Reverse Repurchase Agreements. The Fund may enter into a reverse repurchase agreement in which the Fund sells a portfolio security at a specified price with an agreement to purchase the same or substantially the same security from the same counterparty
16 Western Asset Emerging Markets Income Fund II Inc. 2007 Annual Report |
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
at a fixed or determinable price at a future date. When entering into reverse repurchase agreements, the Funds custodian delivers to the counterparty liquid assets, the market value of which, at the inception of the transaction, at least equals the repurchase price (including accrued interest). The Fund pays interest on amounts obtained pursuant to reverse repurchase agreements. Reverse repurchase agreements are considered to be borrowings, which may create leverage risk to the Fund.
(d) Financial Futures Contracts. The Fund may enter into financial futures contracts typically to hedge a portion of the portfolio. Upon entering into a financial futures contract, the Fund is required to deposit cash or securities as initial margin. Additional securities are also segregated up to the current market value of the financial futures contracts. Subsequent payments, known as variation margin, are made or received by the Fund each day, depending on the daily fluctuation in the value of the underlying financial instruments. The Fund recognizes an unrealized gain or loss equal to the daily variation margin. When the financial futures contracts are closed, a realized gain or loss is recognized equal to the difference between the proceeds from (or cost of) the closing transactions and the Funds basis in the contracts.
The risks associated with entering into financial futures contracts include the possibility that a change in the value of the contract may not correlate with the changes in the value of the underlying instruments. In addition, investing in financial futures contracts involves the risk that the Fund could lose more than the initial margin deposit and subsequent payments required for a futures transaction. Risks may also arise upon entering into these contracts from the potential inability of the counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts.
(e) Loan Participations. The Fund may invest in loans arranged through private negotiation between one or more financial institutions. The Funds investment in any such loan may be in the form of a participation in or an assignment of the loan. In connection with purchasing participations, the Fund generally will have no right to enforce compliance by the borrower with the terms of the loan agreement, nor any rights of set-off against the borrower and the Fund may not benefit directly from any collateral supporting the loan in which it has purchased the participation.
The Fund assumes the credit risk of the borrower, the lender that is selling the participation and any other persons interpositioned between the Fund and the borrower. In the event of the insolvency of the lender selling the participation, the Fund may be treated as a general creditor of the lender and may not benefit from any set-off between the lender and the borrower.
(f) Credit and Market Risk. The Fund invests in high yield and emerging market instruments that are subject to certain credit and market risks. The yields of high yield and emerging market debt obligations reflect, among other things, perceived credit and market risks. The Funds investment in securities rated below investment grade typically involves risks not associated with higher rated securities including, among others, greater risk related to timely and ultimate payment of interest and principal, greater market price volatility and less liquid secondary market trading. The consequences of political, social, economic or diplomatic changes may have disruptive effects on the market prices of investments held by the Fund. The Funds investment in non-U.S. dollar denominated securities may also result in foreign currency losses caused by devaluations and exchange rate fluctuations.
(g) Cash Flow Information. The Fund invests in securities and distributes dividends from net investment income and net realized gains, which are paid in cash and may be reinvested at the discretion of shareholders. These activities are reported in the Statements of Changes in Net Assets and additional information on cash receipts and cash payments is presented in the Statement of Cash Flows.
Western Asset Emerging Markets Income Fund II Inc. 2007 Annual Report 17 |
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
(h) 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. The cost of investments sold is determined by use of the specific identification method. To the extent any issuer defaults on an expected interest payment, the Funds policy is to generally halt any additional interest income accruals and consider the realizability of interest accrued up to the date of default.
(i) Foreign Currency Translation. Investment securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollar amounts based upon prevailing exchange rates on the date of valuation. Purchases and sales of investment securities and income and expense items denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollar amounts based upon prevailing exchange rates on the respective dates of such transactions.
The Fund does not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from the fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included with the net realized and unrealized gain or loss on investments.
Net realized foreign exchange gains or losses arise from sales of foreign currencies, including gains and losses on forward foreign currency contracts, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Funds books and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from changes in the fair values of assets and liabilities, other than investments in securities, at the date of valuation, resulting from changes in exchange rates.
Foreign security and currency transactions may involve certain considerations and risks not typically associated with those of U.S. dollar denominated transactions as a result of, among other factors, the possibility of lower levels of governmental supervision and regulation of foreign securities markets and the possibility of political or economic instability.
(j) Distributions to Shareholders. Distributions from net investment income for the Fund, if any, are declared and paid on a quarterly basis. Distributions of net realized gains, if any, are declared at least annually. Distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date and are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP.
(k) Federal and Other Taxes. It is the Funds policy to comply with the federal income and excise tax requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies. Accordingly, the Fund intends to distribute substantially all of its income and net realized gains on investments, if any, to shareholders each year. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required in the Funds financial statements.
(l) Reclassification. GAAP requires that certain components of net assets be adjusted to reflect permanent differences between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset values per share. During the current year, the following reclassifications have been made:
|
|
Undistributed Net |
|
Accumulated Net |
(a) |
|
$118,289 |
|
$(118,289) |
(a) Reclassifications are primarily due to foreign currency transactions treated as ordinary income for tax purposes and differences between book and tax amortization of premium on fixed income securities.
18 Western Asset Emerging Markets Income Fund II Inc. 2007 Annual Report |
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
2. Investment Management Agreement and Other Transactions with Affiliates
Prior to August 1, 2006, Salomon Brothers Asset Management Inc. (SBAM), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Legg Mason, Inc. (Legg Mason), acted as the investment manager of the Fund. Under the investment management agreement, the Fund paid an investment management fee calculated daily and paid monthly at an annual rate of 1.05% of the Funds average weekly net assets.
Effective August 1, 2006, Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (LMPFA) became the Funds investment manager and Western Asset Management Company (Western Asset) became the Funds subadviser. Effective November 30, 2006, Western Asset Management Company Limited (Western Asset Limited) became an additional subadviser to the Fund. The portfolio managers who are responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund remained the same immediately prior to and immediately after the date of these changes. LMPFA, Western Asset and Western Asset Limited are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Legg Mason.
LMPFA provides administrative and certain oversight services to the Fund. LMPFA has delegated to the subadviser the day-to-day portfolio management of the Fund. The Funds investment management fee remains unchanged. For its services, LMPFA pays Western Asset 70% of the net management fee it receives from the Fund.
Western Asset Limited provides certain advisory services to the Fund relating to currency transactions and investment in nondollar denominated securities. Western Asset Limited does not receive any compensation from the Fund and is compensated by Western Asset for its services to the Fund.
During the year end May 31, 2007, the Fund was reimbursed for expenses in the amount of $2,338.
Certain 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 May 31, 2007, the aggregate cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investments (excluding short-term investments) were as follows:
|
|
Investments |
|
U.S. Government & |
|
Purchases |
|
$244,177,799 |
|
$53,906,133 |
|
Sales |
|
289,675,411 |
|
53,948,079 |
|
At May 31, 2007, the aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of investments for federal income tax purposes were as follows:
Gross unrealized appreciation |
|
$20,934,225 |
|
Gross unrealized depreciation |
|
(1,276,419 |
) |
Net unrealized appreciation |
|
$19,657,806 |
|
Western Asset Emerging Markets Income Fund II Inc. 2007 Annual Report 19 |
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
Transactions in reverse repurchase agreements for the Fund during the year ended May 31, 2007 were as follows:
Average |
|
Weighted |
|
Maximum |
|
$8,214,416 |
|
3.083% |
|
$16,599,288 |
|
* Average based on the number of days that the Fund had reverse repurchase agreements outstanding.
Interest rates on reverse repurchase agreements ranged from 0.200% to 5.250% during the year ended May 31, 2007. Interest expense incurred on reverse repurchase agreements totaled $252,563.
At May 31, 2007, the Fund had the following open reverse repurchase agreements:
Face |
|
Security |
|
Value |
|
||
$ |
511,644 |
|
Reverse Repurchase Agreement with Credit Suisse First Boston, dated 5/31/07 bearing 3.900% to be repurchased at $512,420 on 6/14/07, collateralized by: $319,000 Republic of Turkey, 11.875% due 1/15/30; Market value (including accrued interest) $511,976. |
|
$ |
511,644 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
1,483,429 |
|
Reverse Repurchase Agreement with Credit Suisse First Boston, dated 5/31/07 bearing 4.750% to be repurchased at $1,484,995 on 6/8/07,collateralized by: $1,353,000 Republic of Venezuela, 9.375% due 1/13/34; Market value (including accrued interest) $1,626,760. |
|
1,483,429 |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
4,508,800 |
|
Reverse Repurchase Agreement with Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Dated 3/28/07 bearing 3.750% to be repurchased at a date and amount to be determined, collateralized by: $3,200,000 Republic of Turkey, 11.875% due 1/15/30; Market value (including accrued interest) $5,135,812. |
|
4,508,800 |
|
||
|
|
Total
Reverse Repurchase Agreements |
|
$ |
6,503,873 |
|
|
At May 31, 2007, the Fund had the following open futures contracts:
|
|
Number of |
|
Expiration |
|
Basis |
|
Market |
|
Unrealized |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contracts to Buy: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. Treasury 5 Year Notes |
|
925 |
|
9/07 |
|
$97,080,243 |
|
$96,604,688 |
|
$(475,555 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contracts to Sell: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. Treasury 10 Year Notes |
|
345 |
|
9/07 |
|
$36,848,502 |
|
$36,699,375 |
|
149,127 |
|
Net Unrealized Loss on Open Futures Contracts |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$(326,428 |
) |
20 Western Asset Emerging Markets Income Fund II Inc. 2007 Annual Report |
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
4. Loan
At May 31, 2007, the Fund had a $41,000,000 loan available pursuant to an amended and restated revolving credit and security agreement, dated as of November 20, 2006, with Panterra Funding, LLC (the Lender) and Citibank N.A. (Citibank) as a secondary lender, for which Citibank also acts as administrative agent. The loan generally bears interest at a variable rate based on the weighted average interest rates of the commercial paper or LIBOR, plus any applicable margin. In addition, the Fund pays a commitment fee on the total amount of the loan available, whether used or unused. For the year ended May 31, 2007, the Fund paid $102,661 in committment fees. Securities held by the Fund are subject to a lien, granted to the lenders, to the extent of the borrowing outstanding and any additional expenses. For the year ended May 31, 2007 based on the number of days during the reporting period that the Fund had a loan balance outstanding, the average daily loan balance was $30,000,000 and the weighted average interest rate was 5.22%. Total interest expense incurred on the loan for the period was $57,999.
At May 31, 2007, the Fund did not have an outstanding loan. On November 20, 2006, the total loan available was increased from $30,000,000 to $41,000,000.
5. Distributions Subsequent to May 31, 2007
On May 18, 2007, the Board of Directors of the Fund declared a dividend distribution in the amount of $0.2600 per share payable on June 29, 2007 to shareholders of record on June 22, 2007.
6. Income Tax Information and Distributions to Shareholders
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended May 31, was as follows:
|
|
2007 |
|
2006 |
|
Distributions paid from: |
|
|
|
|
|
Ordinary Income |
|
$22,111,468 |
|
$27,706,524 |
|
Net Long-Term Capital Gains |
|
10,256,789 |
|
14,002,301 |
|
Total Distributions Paid |
|
$32,368,257 |
|
$41,708,825 |
|
As of May 31, 2007, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows:
Undistributed ordinary income net |
|
$12,812,229 |
|
Undistributed long-term capital gains net |
|
3,563,595 |
|
Total undistributed earnings |
|
$16,375,824 |
|
Other book/tax temporary differences(a) |
|
326,429 |
|
Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)(b) |
|
19,369,295 |
|
Total accumulated earnings/(losses) net |
|
$36,071,548 |
|
(a) |
|
Other book/tax temporary differences are attributable primarily to the realization for tax purposes of unrealized losses on certain futures contracts. |
(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 amortization methods for premiums on fixed income securities. |
Western Asset Emerging Markets Income Fund II Inc. 2007 Annual Report 21 |
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
7. Other Matters
On September 16, 2005, the staff of the SEC informed SBFM and SBAM that the staff is considering recommending that the SEC institute administrative proceedings against SBAM for alleged violations of Sections 19(a) and 34(b) of the 1940 Act (and related Rule 19a-1). The notification is a result of an industry wide inspection undertaken by the SEC and is based upon alleged deficiencies in disclosures regarding dividends and distributions paid to shareholders of certain funds. Section 19(a) and related Rule 19a-1 of the 1940 Act generally require funds that are making dividend and distribution payments to provide shareholders with a written statement disclosing the source of the dividends and distributions, and, in particular, the portion of the payments made from each of net investment income, undistributed net profits and/or paid-in capital. In connection with the contemplated proceedings, the staff may seek a cease and desist order and/or monetary damages from SBFM or SBAM.
Although there can be no assurance, the Funds manager believes that this matter is not likely to have a material adverse effect on the Fund.
8. Recent Accounting Pronouncements
During June 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued FASB Interpretation 48 (FIN 48 or the Interpretation), Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes an interpretation of FASB Statement 109. FIN 48 supplements FASB Statement 109, Accounting for Income Taxes, by defining the confidence level that a tax position must meet in order to be recognized in the financial statements. FIN 48 prescribes a comprehensive model for how a fund should recognize, measure, present, and disclose in its financial statements uncertain tax positions that the fund has taken or expects to take on a tax return. FIN 48 requires that the tax effects of a position be recognized only if it is more likely than not to be sustained based solely on its technical merits. Management must be able to conclude that the tax law, regulations, case law, and other objective information regarding the technical merits sufficiently support the positions sustainability with a likelihood of more than 50 percent. FIN 48 is effective for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2006, which for this Fund will be June 1, 2007. At adoption, the financial statements must be adjusted to reflect only those tax positions that are more likely than not to be sustained as of the adoption date. Management of the Fund has determined that adopting FIN 48 will not have a material impact on the financial statements.
* * *
On September 20, 2006, FASB released Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (FAS 157). FAS 157 establishes an authoritative definition of fair value, sets out a framework for measuring fair value, and requires additional disclosures about fair-value measurements. The application of FAS 157 is required for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and interim periods within those fiscal years. At the time, management is evaluating the implications of FAS 157 and its impact on the financial statements has not yet been determined.
22 Western Asset Emerging Markets Income Fund II Inc. 2007 Annual Report |
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors and Shareholders
Western Asset Emerging Markets Income Fund II Inc.:
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, of Western Asset Emerging Markets Income Fund II Inc. (formerly Salomon Brothers Emerging Markets Income Fund II Inc.) as of May 31, 2007, 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, the statement of cash flows for the year then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the two-year period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Funds management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. The financial highlights for each of the years in the three-year period ended May 31, 2005 were audited by other independent registered public accountants whose report thereon, dated July 21, 2005, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial highlights.
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 May 31, 2007, 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 Emerging Markets Income Fund II Inc. as of May 31, 2007, and the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, its cash flows for the year then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
New
York, New York
July 27, 2007
Western Asset Emerging Markets Income Fund II Inc. 2007 Annual Report 23 |
Additional Information (unaudited)
Information about Directors and Officers
The business and affairs of Western Asset Emerging Markets Income Fund II Inc. (Fund) are managed under the direction of the Board of Directors. Information pertaining to the Directors and Officers of the Fund is set forth below.
Name, Address and Birth Year |
|
Position(s) |
|
Term of |
|
Principal |
|
Number of |
|
Other Board |
Non-Interested Directors: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Carol
L. Colman |
|
Director and Member of the Nominating and Audit Committees, Class III |
|
Since |
|
President, Colman Consulting Co. |
|
23 |
|
None |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Daniel
P. Cronin |
|
Director and Member of the Nominating and Audit Committees, Class I |
|
Since |
|
Formerly Associate General Counsel, Pfizer Inc. |
|
23 |
|
None |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Paolo
M. Cucchi |
|
Director and Member of the Nominating and Audit Committees, Class II |
|
Since |
|
Vice President and Dean of College of Liberal Arts at Drew University |
|
23 |
|
None |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Leslie
H. Gelb |
|
Director and Member of the Nominating and Audit Committees, Class II |
|
Since |
|
President, Emeritus and Senior Board Fellow, The Council on Foreign Relations; Formerly, Columnist, Deputy Editorial Page Editor and Editor, Op-Ed Page, The New York Times |
|
21 |
|
Director of two registered investment companies advised by Blackstone Asia Advisors LLC (Blackstone Advisors) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
William
R. Hutchinson |
|
Director and Member of the Nominating and Audit Committees, Class III |
|
Since |
|
President, W.R. Hutchinson & Associates Inc.; Formerly Group Vice President, Mergers and Acquisitions, BP Amoco p.l.c. |
|
23 |
|
Associated Banc-Corp. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dr.
Riordan Roett |
|
Director and Member of the Nominating and Audit Committees, Class II |
|
Since |
|
Professor and Director, Latin America Studies Program, Paul H. Nitze School of Avanced International Studies, The Johns Hopkins University |
|
21 |
|
None |
24 Western Asset Emerging Markets Income Fund II Inc. |
Additional Information (unaudited) (continued)
Name, Address and Birth Year |
|
Position(s) |
|
Term of |
|
Principal |
|
Number of |
|
Other Board |
Non-Interested Directors: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jeswald
W. Salacuse |
|
Director and Member of the Nominating and Audit Committees, Class I |
|
Since |
|
Henry J. Braker Professor of Commercial Law and formerly Dean, The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University |
|
19 |
|
Director of two registered investment companies advised by Blackstone Advisors |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interested Directors: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
R.
Jay Gerken, CFA(2) |
|
Director, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Class III |
|
Since |
|
Managing Director, Legg Mason; Chairman of the Board and Trustee/Director of 151 funds associated with Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC. (LMPFA) and its affiliates; President, LMPFA (since 2006); Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates; formerly, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Travelers Investment Advisers Inc. (2002 to 2005) |
|
134 |
|
Trustee, Consulting Group Capital Markets Funds (2002-2006). |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Officers: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kaprel
Ozsolak |
|
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer |
|
Since |
|
Director of Legg Mason; Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason; Formerly, Controller of certain mutual funds associated with certain predecessor firms of Legg Mason (from 2002 to 2004) |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
Western Asset Emerging Markets Income Fund II Inc. 25 |
Additional Information (unaudited) (continued)
Name, Address and Birth Year |
|
Position(s) |
|
Term of |
|
Principal |
|
Number of |
|
Other Board |
Ted
P. Becker |
|
Chief Compliance Officer |
|
Since |
|
Director of Global Compliance at Legg Mason (since 2006); Managing Director of Compliance at Legg Mason, (since 2005); Chief Compliance Officer with certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason (since 2006); Managing Director of Compliance at Legg Mason or its predecessors (from 2002 to 2005). Prior to 2002, Managing Director Internal Audit & Risk Review at Citigroup Inc. |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robert
I. Frenkel |
|
Secretary and Chief Legal Officer |
|
Since |
|
Managing Director and General Counsel of Global Mutual Funds for Legg Mason and its predecessor (since 1994); Secretary and Chief Legal Officer of mutual funds associated with Legg Mason (since 2003); formerly, Secretary of CFM (from 2001 to 2004) |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
(1) The Funds 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 2009, year 2008 and year 2007, respectively, or thereafter in each case when their respective successors are duly elected and qualified. The Funds executive officers are chosen each year at the first meeting of the Funds 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 Invesment Company Act of 1940, as amended, because Mr. Gerken is an officer of LMPFA and certain of its affiliates.
26 Western Asset Emerging Markets Income Fund II Inc. |
Annual Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Certifications (unaudited)
The Funds CEO has submitted to the NYSE the required annual certification, and the Fund also has included the certifications of the Funds CEO and CFO required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act in the Funds Form N-CSR filed with the SEC for the period of this report.
Western Asset Emerging Markets Income Fund II Inc. 27 |
Important Tax Information (unaudited)
The following information is provided with respect to the distributions paid during the taxable year ended May 31, 2007
Record Date: |
12/22/2006 |
|
Payable Date: |
12/29/2006 |
|
Long-Term Capital Gain Dividend |
$0.419800 |
|
Please retain this information for your records.
28 Western Asset Emerging Markets Income Fund II Inc. |
Terms and Conditions of Amended and Restated Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Purchase Plan (unaudited)
Pursuant to certain rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the following additional disclosure is provided.
Each shareholder holding shares of common stock (Shares) of the Western Asset Emerging Markets Income Fund II Inc., will be deemed to have elected to be a participant in the Amended and Restated Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Purchase Plan (Plan), unless the shareholder specifically elects in writing (addressed to the Agent at the address below or to any nominee who holds Shares for the shareholder in its name) to receive all distributions in cash, paid by check, mailed directly to the record holder by or under the direction of American Stock Transfer & Trust Company as the Funds dividend-paying agent (Agent). A shareholder whose Shares are held in the name of a broker or nominee who does not provide an automatic reinvestment service may be required to take such Shares out of street name and register such Shares in the shareholders name in order to participate, otherwise distributions will be paid in cash to such shareholder by the broker or nominee. Each participant in the Plan is referred to herein as a Participant. The Agent will act as agent for each Participant, and will open accounts for each Participant under the Plan in the same name as their Shares are registered.
Unless the Fund declares a distribution payable only in the form of cash, the Agent will apply all distributions in the manner set forth below.
If, on the determination date, the market price per Share equals or exceeds the net asset value per Share on that date (such condition, a market premium), the Agent will receive the distribution in newly issued Shares of the Fund on behalf of Participants. If, on the determination date, the net asset value per Share exceeds the market price per Share (such condition, a market discount), the Agent will purchase Shares in the open-market. The determination date will be the fourth New York Stock Exchange trading day (a New York Stock Exchange trading day being referred to herein as a Trading Day) preceding the payment date for the distribution. For purposes herein, market price will mean the average of the highest and lowest prices at which the Shares sell on the New York Stock Exchange on the particular date, or if there is no sale on that date, the average of the closing bid and asked quotations.
Purchases made by the Agent will be made as soon as practicable commencing on the Trading Day following the determination date and terminating no later than 30 days after the distribution payment date except where temporary curtailment or suspension of purchase is necessary to comply with applicable provisions of federal securities law; provided, however, that such purchases will, in any event, terminate on the earlier of (i) 60 days after the distribution payment date and (ii) the Trading Day prior to the ex-dividend date next succeeding the distribution payment date.
If (i) the Agent has not invested the full distribution amount in open-market purchases by the date specified in paragraph 4 above as the date on which such purchases must terminate or (ii) a market discount shifts to a market premium during the purchase period, then the Agent will cease making open-market purchases and will receive the uninvested portion of the distribution amount in newly issued Shares (x) in the case of (i) above, at the close
Western Asset Emerging Markets Income Fund II Inc. 29 |
Terms and Conditions of Amended and Restated Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Purchase Plan (unaudited) (continued)
of business on the date the Agent is required to terminate making open-market purchases as specified in paragraph 4 above or (y) in the case of (ii) above, at the close of business on the date such shift occurs; but in no event prior to the payment date for the distribution.
In the event that all or part of a distribution amount is to be paid in newly issued Shares, such Shares will be issued to Participants in accordance with the following formula: (i) if, on the valuation date, the net asset value per Share is less than or equal to the market price per Share, then the newly issued Shares will be valued at net asset value per Share on the valuation date; provided, however, that if the net asset value is less than 95% of the market price on the valuation date, then such Shares will be issued at 95% of the market price and (ii) if, on the valuation date, the net asset value per Share is greater than the market price per Share, then the newly issued Shares will be issued at the market price on the valuation date. The valuation date will be the distribution payment date, except that with respect to Shares issued pursuant to paragraph 5 above, the valuation date will be the date such Shares are issued. If a date that would otherwise be a valuation date is not a Trading Day, the valuation date will be the next preceding Trading Day.
Participants have the option of making additional cash payments to the Agent, monthly, in a minimum amount of $250, for investment in Shares. The Agent will use all such funds received from Participants to purchase Shares 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 Agent, Participants should send in voluntary cash payments to be received by the Agent approximately 10 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 Agent not less than 48 hours before such payment is to be invested.
Purchases by the Agent pursuant to paragraphs 4 and 7 above may be made on any securities exchange on which the Shares are traded, in the over-the-counter market or in negotiated transactions, and may be on such terms as to price, delivery and otherwise as the Agent shall determine. Funds held by the Agent uninvested will not bear interest, and it is understood that, in any event, the Agent shall have no liability in connection with any inability to purchase Shares within the time periods herein provided, or with the timing of any purchases effected. The Agent shall have no responsibility as to the value of the Shares acquired for the Participants account. The Agent may commingle amounts of all Participants to be used for open-market purchases of Shares and the price per Share allocable to each Participant in connection with such purchases shall be the average price (including brokerage commissions) of all Shares purchased by the Agent.
The Agent will maintain all Participants accounts in the Plan and will furnish written confirmations of all transactions in each account, including information needed by Participants for personal and tax records. The Agent will hold Shares acquired pursuant to the Plan in non-certificated form in the Participants name or that of its nominee, and each Participants proxy will include those Shares purchased pursuant to the Plan. The Agent will forward to Participants any proxy solicitation material and will vote any Shares
30 Western Asset Emerging Markets Income Fund II Inc. |
Terms and Conditions of Amended and Restated Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Purchase Plan (unaudited) (continued)
so held for Participants only in accordance with the proxy returned by Participants to the Fund. Upon written request, the Agent will deliver to Participants, without charge, a certificate or certificates for the full Shares.
The Agent will confirm to Participants each acquisition made for their respective accounts as soon as practicable but not later than 60 days after the date thereof. Although Participants may from time to time have an undivided fractional interest (computed to three decimal places) in a Share of the Fund, no certificates for fractional shares will be issued. Distributions on fractional shares will be credited to each Participants account. In the event of termination of a Participants account under the Plan, the Agent will adjust for any such undivided fractional interest in cash at the market value of the Funds Shares at the time of termination less the pro rata expense of any sale required to make such an adjustment.
Any share dividends or split shares distributed by the Fund on Shares held by the Agent for Participants will be credited to their respective accounts. In the event that the Fund makes available to Participants rights to purchase additional Shares or other securities, the Shares held for Participants under the Plan will be added to other Shares held by the Participants in calculating the number of rights to be issued to Participants.
The Agents service fee for handling distributions will be paid by the Fund. Participants will be charged a pro rata share of brokerage commissions on all open-market purchases.
Participants may terminate their accounts under the Plan by notifying the Agent in writing. Such termination will be effective immediately if notice is received by the Agent not less than 10 days prior to any distribution record date; otherwise such termination will be effective on the first Trading Day after the payment date for such distribution with respect to any subsequent distribution. The Plan may be amended or terminated by the Fund as applied to any voluntary cash payments made and any distribution paid subsequent to written notice of the change or termination sent to Participants at least 30 days prior to the record date for the distribution. The Plan may be amended or terminated by the Agent, with the Funds prior written consent, on at least 30 days written notice to Participants. Notwithstanding the preceding two sentences, the Agent or the Fund may amend or supplement the Plan at any time or times when necessary or appropriate to comply with applicable law or rules or policies of the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other regulatory authority. Upon any termination, the Agent will cause a certificate or certificates for the full Shares held by each Participant under the Plan and cash adjustment for any fraction to be delivered to each Participant without charge.
Any amendment or supplement shall be deemed to be accepted by each Participant unless, prior to the effective date thereof, the Agent receives written notice of the termination of the Participants account under the Plan. Any such amendment may include an appointment by the Agent in its place and stead of a successor Agent under these terms and conditions, with full power and authority to perform all or any of the acts to be performed by the Agent under these terms and conditions. Upon any such appointment of an Agent for the purpose of receiving distributions, the Fund will be authorized to pay to such successor Agent, for each Participants account, all distributions payable on Shares of
Western Asset Emerging Markets Income Fund II Inc. 31 |
Terms and Conditions of Amended and Restated Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Purchase Plan (unaudited) (continued)
the Fund held in each Participants name or under the Plan for retention or application by such successor Agent as provided in these terms and conditions.
In the case of Participants, such as banks, broker-dealers or other nominees, which hold Shares for others who are beneficial owners (Nominee Holders), the Agent will administer the Plan on the basis of the number of Shares certified from time to time by each Nominee Holder as representing the total amount registered in the Nominee Holders name and held for the account of beneficial owners who are to participate in the Plan.
The Agent shall at all times act in good faith and use its best efforts within reasonable limits to insure the accuracy of all services performed under this Agreement and to comply with applicable law, but assumes no responsibility and shall not be liable for loss or damage due to errors unless such error is caused by its negligence, bad faith, or willful misconduct or that of its employees.
All correspondence concerning the Plan should be directed to the Agent at 59 Maiden Lane, New York, New York 10038.
32 Western Asset Emerging Markets Income Fund II Inc. |
|
Western Asset |
|
|
Emerging Markets |
|
|
Income Fund II Inc. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DIRECTORS |
Western Asset |
|
Carol L. Colman |
EMERGING MARKETS |
|
Daniel P. Cronin |
INCOME FUND II INC. |
|
Paolo M. Cucchi |
125 Broad Street |
|
Leslie H. Gelb |
10th Floor, MF-2 |
|
R. Jay Gerken, CFA |
New York, New York 10004 |
|
Chairman |
|
|
William R. Hutchinson |
INVESTMENT MANAGER |
|
Riordan Roett |
Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC |
|
Jeswald W. Salacuse |
|
|
|
|
|
|
SUBADVISERS |
|
OFFICERS |
Western Asset Management Company |
|
R. Jay Gerken, CFA |
Western Asset Management Company Limited |
|
President and Chief |
|
|
Executive Officer |
|
|
|
|
|
Kaprel Ozsolak |
CUSTODIAN |
|
Chief Financial Officer |
State Street Bank and Trust Company |
|
and Treasurer |
225 Franklin Street |
|
|
Boston, Massachusetts 02110 |
|
Ted P. Becker |
|
|
Chief Compliance Officer |
|
|
|
TRANSFER AGENT |
|
Robert I. Frenkel |
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company |
|
Secretary and |
59 Maiden Lane |
|
Chief Legal Officer |
New York, New York 10038 |
|
|
|
|
|
INDEPENDENT |
|
|
REGISTERED PUBLIC |
|
|
ACCOUNTING FIRM |
|
|
KPMG LLP |
|
|
345 Park Avenue |
|
|
New York, New York 10154 |
|
|
|
|
|
LEGAL COUNSEL |
|
|
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP |
|
|
425 Lexington Avenue |
|
|
New York, New York 10017-3909 |
|
|
|
|
|
NEW YORK STOCK |
|
|
EXCHANGE SYMBOL |
|
|
EDF |
This
report is transmitted to the shareholders of Western Asset Emerging Markets
Income Fund II Inc. for their information. This is not a prospectus, circular
or representation intended for use in the purchase of the Fund or any
securities mentioned in this report.
|
|
Western Asset |
ITEM 2. CODE OF ETHICS.
The registrant has adopted a code of ethics that applies to the registrants 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 Boards 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 Committees 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 May 31, 2006 and May 31, 2007 (the Reporting Periods) for professional services rendered by the Registrants principal accountant (the Auditor) for the audit of the Registrants 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 $53,000 in 2006 performed by PwC and $51,000 in 2007 performed by KPMG.
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 Registrants financial statements were $12,255 in 2006 and $0 in 2007.
In addition, there were no Audit-Related Fees billed in the Reporting Period for assurance and related services by the Auditor to the Registrants 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 Emerging Markets Income Fund II 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 May 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 PwC or KPMG for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning (Tax Services) were $6,535 in 2006 and $2,650 in 2007. 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 for the Western Asset Emerging Markets Income Fund II Inc.
All Other Fees. There were no other non-audit services rendered by the Auditor to Smith Barney Fund Management LLC (SBFM), and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with SBFM that provided ongoing services to Western Asset Emerging Markets Income Fund II Inc. requiring pre-approval by the Audit Committee in the Reporting Period.
(e) Audit Committees preapproval 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 Smith Barney Fund Management LLC or Salomon Brothers Asset Management Inc. 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 Funds 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 Legg Mason Partners Investment Trust, the percentage of fees that were approved by the audit committee, with respect to: Audit-Related Fees were 100% and 0% for 2006 and 2007; Tax Fees were 100% and 0% for 2006 and 2007; and Other Fees were 100% and 0% for 2006 and 2007.
(f) N/A
(g) Non-audit fees billed by the Auditor for services rendered to Western Asset Emerging Markets Income Fund II Inc. and CAM and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with CAM that provides ongoing services to Western Asset Emerging Markets Income Fund II Inc. during the reporting period were $0 in 2007.
(h) Yes. Western Asset Emerging Markets Income Fund II 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 Accountants independence. All services provided by the Auditor to the Western Asset Emerging Markets Income Fund II 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. DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.
Although individual trustees may not agree with particular policies or votes by the manager or subadvisers, the Board has delegated proxy voting discretion to the manager and/or the subadvisers, believing that the manager and/or the subadvisers should be responsible for voting because it is a matter relating to the investment decision making process. LMPFA delegates the responsibility for voting proxies for the fund to the subadvisers through its contracts with the subadvisers. The subadvisers will use their 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 a subadviser to provide investment advisory services, LMPFA shall utilize the proxy voting guidelines established by the most recent subadviser to vote proxies until a new subadviser is retained. In the case of a material conflict between the interests of LMPFA (or its affiliates if such conflict is known to persons responsible for voting at LMPFA) and the fund, the board of trustees of LMPFA shall consider how to address the conflict and/or how to vote the proxies. LMPFA shall maintain records of all proxy votes in accordance with applicable securities laws and regulations, to the extent that LMPFA votes proxies. LMPFA shall be responsible for gathering relevant documents and records related to proxy voting from the subadvisers and providing them to the fund as required for the fund to comply with applicable rules under the 1940 Act. The subadvisers Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures govern in determining how proxies relating to the funds portfolio securities are voted and are attached as Appendix A to this SAI. 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 888-425-6432, (2) on the funds website at http://www.leggmason.com/ InvestorServices and (3) on the SECs website at http://www.sec.gov.
Background
An investment adviser is required to adopt and implement policies and procedures that we believe are reasonably designed to ensure that proxies are voted in the best interest of clients, in accordance with fiduciary duties and SEC Rule 206(4)-6 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (Advisers Act). The authority to vote the proxies of our clients is established through investment management agreements or comparable documents. In addition to SEC requirements governing advisers, long-standing fiduciary standards and responsibilities have been established 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.
Policy
As a fixed income only manager, the occasion to vote proxies is very rare. However, the Firm has 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). 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.
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 the Firms 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 the Firm deems appropriate).
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 (other than Western Asset Management Company Limited) regarding the voting of any securities owned by its clients.
Procedure
Responsibility and Oversight
The Western Asset Legal and 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
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. 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 Legal and 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. Legal and 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 clients 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. Legal and 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 analysts or portfolio managers basis for their decision is documented and maintained by the Legal and Compliance Department.
f. Legal and 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 Assets 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 Assets written response to both verbal and written client requests.
e. A proxy log including:
1. Issuer name;
2. Exchange ticker symbol of the issuers 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 issuers management team.
Records are maintained in an easily accessible place for five years, the first two in Western Assets offices.
Disclosure
Western Assets proxy policies are described in the firms Part II of Form ADV. 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 Legal and Compliance Department for material conflicts of interest. Issues to be reviewed include, but are not limited to:
1. Whether Western (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 or an officer or director of Western 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 Assets 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 companys 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 companys 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 companys 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 stocks 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 companys 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 companys 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 companys 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 companys 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 companys proxy statement. These proposals generally seek to change some aspect of a companys corporate governance structure or to change some aspect of its business operations. Western Asset votes in accordance with the recommendation of the companys 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 Assets 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 non-U.S. 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 companys outstanding common stock where shareholders do not have preemptive rights, or (2) the issuance of common stock in excess of 100% of a companys outstanding common stock where shareholders have preemptive rights.
ITEM 8. PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.
(a)(1):
NAME AND ADDRESS |
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LENGTH OF |
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PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING |
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S. Kenneth Leech |
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Since 2006 |
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Co-portfolio manager of the fund; employee of SBAM since 2006 and Chief Investment Officer of Western Asset since 1998. |
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Stephen A. Walsh |
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Since 2006 |
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Co-portfolio manager of the fund; employee of SBAM since 2006 and Deputy Chief Investment Officer of Western Asset since 2000. |
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Keith J. Gardner |
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Since 2006 |
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Co-portfolio manager of the fund; employee of SBAM since 2006 and portfolio manager and research analyst at Western Asset since 1994. |
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Matthew C. Duda |
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Since 2006 |
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Co-portfolio manager of the fund; Research Analyst at Western Asset Management since 2001; Vice President and Investment Strategist from 1997-2001 at Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation. |
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Michael C. Buchanan |
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Since 2006 |
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Co-portfolio manager of the fund; Managing Director and head of U.S. Credit Products from 2003-2005 at Credit Suisse Asset Management; Executive Vice President and portfolio manager for Janus Capital in 2003; Managing Director and head of High Yield Trading from 1998-2003 at Blackrock Financial Management. |
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Detlev Schlichter |
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Since 2006 |
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Co-portfolio manager of the fund; portfolio manager at Western Asset since 2001. |
(a)(2): DATA TO BE PROVIDED BY FINANCIAL CONTROL
The following tables set forth certain additional information with respect to the funds portfolio managers for the fund. Unless noted otherwise, all information is provided as of May 31 , 2007.
Other Accounts Managed by Portfolio Managers
The table below identifies the number of accounts (other than the fund) for which the funds 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.
Portfolio |
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Registered |
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Other Pooled |
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Other |
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|
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S. Kenneth Leech |
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115 registered investment companies with $107.7 billion in total assets under management |
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127 Other pooled investment vehicles with $188.9 billion in assets under management |
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983 Other accounts with $284.85 billion in total assets under management* |
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Stephen A. Walsh |
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115 registered investment companies with $107.7 billion in total assets under management |
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127 Other pooled investment vehicles with $188.9 billion in assets under management |
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983 Other accounts with $284.8 billion in total assets under management* |
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|
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|
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Keith J. Gardner |
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7 registered investment companies with $1.3 billion in total assets under management |
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0 Other pooled investment vehicles with $0 in assets under management |
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19 Other accounts with $3.8 billion in total assets under management** |
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Mathew C. Duda |
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6 registered investment Companies with $975 million in total assets Under management |
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6 Other pooled investment vehicles with $1.5 billion in assets under management |
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1 Other accounts with $14.7 million in total assets under management** |
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Michael C. Buchanan |
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14 registered investment companies with $8.1 billion in total assets under management |
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5 Other pooled investment vehicles with $3.8 billion in assets under management |
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11 Other accounts with $835 million in total assets under management |
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Detlev Schlichter |
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2 registered investment Companies with $205 million in total assets Under management |
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22 Other pooled investment vehicles with $4.1 billion in assets under management |
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64 Other accounts with $24 billion in total assets under management*** |
* |
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Includes 100 accounts managed, totaling $33.9 billion, for which advisory fee is performance based. |
** |
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Includes 1 account managed, totaling $14.7 million, for which advisory fee is performance based. |
*** |
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Includes 19 accounts managed, totaling $7.08 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. Leech and Mr. Walsh are involved in the management of all the Firms portfolios, but they are not solely responsible for particular portfolios. Western Assets 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 Assets 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, the Advisers compensation system assigns each employee a total compensation target and a respective cap, which are derived from annual market surveys that benchmark each role with their 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, employees are eligible for bonuses. These are structured to closely align the interests of employees with those of the Advisers, and are determined by the professionals job function and performance as measured by a formal review process. All bonuses are completely discretionary. One of the principal factors considered is a portfolio managers investment performance versus appropriate peer groups and benchmarks. Because portfolio managers are generally responsible for multiple accounts (including the Portfolio) with similar investment strategies, they are compensated on the performance of the aggregate group of similar accounts, rather than a specific account. A smaller portion of a bonus payment is derived from factors that include client service, business development, length of service to the Adviser, management or supervisory responsibilities, contributions to developing business strategy and overall contributions to the Advisers 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, Inc. stock options and long-term incentives that vest over a set period of time past the award date.
Potential Conflicts of Interest
Potential conflicts of interest may arise in connection with the management of multiple accounts (including accounts managed in a personal capacity). These could include potential conflicts of interest related to the knowledge and timing of a Portfolios trades, investment opportunities and broker selection. Portfolio managers may be privy to the size, timing and possible market impact of a Portfolios trades.
It is possible that an investment opportunity may be suitable for both a Portfolio and other accounts managed by a portfolio manager, but may not be available in sufficient quantities for both the Portfolio and the other accounts to participate fully. Similarly, there may be limited opportunity to sell an investment held by a Portfolio and another account. A conflict may arise where the portfolio manager may have an incentive to treat an account preferentially as compared to a Portfolio because the account pays a performance-based fee or the portfolio manager, the Advisers or an affiliate has an interest in the account. The Advisers have adopted procedures for allocation of portfolio transactions and investment opportunities across multiple client accounts on a fair and equitable basis over time. All eligible accounts that can participate in a trade share the same price on a pro-rata allocation basis in an attempt to mitigate any conflict of interest. Trades are allocated among similarly managed accounts to maintain consistency of portfolio strategy, taking into account cash availability, investment restrictions and guidelines, and portfolio composition versus strategy.
With respect to securities transactions for the Portfolios, the Advisers determine which broker or dealer to use to execute each order, consistent with their duty to seek best execution of the transaction. However, with respect to certain other accounts (such as pooled investment vehicles that are not registered investment companies and other accounts managed for organizations and individuals), the Advisers may be limited by the client with respect to the
selection of brokers or dealers or may be instructed to direct trades through a particular broker or dealer. In these cases, trades for a Portfolio in a particular security may be placed separately from, rather than aggregated with, such other accounts. Having separate transactions with respect to a security may temporarily affect the market price of the security or the execution of the transaction, or both, to the possible detriment of a Portfolio or the other account(s) involved. Additionally, the management of multiple Portfolios and/or other accounts may result in a portfolio manager devoting unequal time and attention to the management of each Portfolio and/or other account.
It is theoretically possible that portfolio managers could use information to the advantage of other accounts they manage and to the possible detriment of a Portfolio. For example, a portfolio manager could short sell a security for an account immediately prior to a Portfolios sale of that security. To address this conflict, the Advisers have adopted procedures for reviewing and comparing selected trades of alternative investment accounts (which may make directional trades such as short sales) with long only accounts (which include the Portfolios) for timing and pattern related issues. Trading decisions for alternative investment and long only accounts may not be identical even though the same Portfolio Manager may manage both types of accounts. Whether the Adviser allocates a particular investment opportunity to only alternative investment accounts or to alternative investment and long only accounts will depend on the investment strategy being implemented. If, under the circumstances, an investment opportunity is appropriate for both its alternative investment and long only accounts, then it will be allocated to both on a pro-rata basis.
A portfolio manager may also face other potential conflicts of interest in managing a Portfolio, and the description above is not a complete description of every conflict of interest that could be deemed to exist in managing both a Portfolio and the other accounts listed above.
(a)(4): Portfolio Manager Securities Ownership
The table below identifies the dollar range of securities beneficially owned by each portfolio managers as of May 31, 2007.
Portfolio Manager(s) |
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Dollar Range of |
|
|
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S. Kenneth Leech |
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None |
Stephen A. Walsh |
|
None |
Keith J. Gardner |
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None |
Matthew C. Duda |
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None |
Michael C. Buchanan |
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None |
Detlev Schlichter |
|
None |
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 registrants principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the registrants 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 registrants internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act) that occurred during the registrants last fiscal half-year (the registrants second fiscal half-year in the case of an annual report) that have materially affected, or are likely to materially affect the registrants 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 Emerging Markets Income Fund II Inc. |
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By: |
/s/ R. Jay Gerken |
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(R. Jay Gerken) |
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Chief Executive Officer of |
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Western Asset Emerging Markets Income Fund II Inc. |
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Date: |
August 3, 2007 |
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 |
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(R. Jay Gerken) |
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Chief Executive Officer of |
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Western Asset Emerging Markets Income Fund II Inc. |
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Date: |
August 3, 2007 |
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By: |
/s/ Kaprel Ozsolak |
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(Kaprel Ozsolak) |
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Chief Financial Officer of |
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Western Asset Emerging Markets Income Fund II Inc. |
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Date: |
August 3, 2007 |
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