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
811-06629
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
620 Eighth Avenue, 47th Floor, New York, NY 10018
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
Marc A. De Oliveira.
Franklin Templeton
100 First Stamford Place
Stamford, CT 06902
(Name and address of agent for service)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area
code:
1-888-777-0102
Date of fiscal year end: May 31
Date of reporting period: May 31, 2024
| ITEM
1. | REPORT
TO STOCKHOLDERS. |
The Annual Report to Stockholders is filed
herewith.
Annual Report
May 31, 2024
WESTERN ASSET
MANAGED MUNICIPALS
FUND INC. (MMU)
Fund objective
The Fund’s investment objective is to seek as high a level of current income exempt from federal income tax* as is consistent with preservation of capital.
When pursuing its investment objective, the Fund seeks to maximize current income
exempt from federal income tax as is consistent with preservation of principal.
The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing primarily in long-term investment
grade municipal debt securities issued by state and local governments, political subdivisions,
agencies and public authorities (municipal obligations). Under normal market conditions,
the Fund will invest at least 80% of its total assets in municipal obligations rated investment
grade at the time of investment.
* Certain investors may be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax (“AMT”), and state and local taxes will apply. Capital gains, if any, are fully taxable. Please consult your personal tax
or legal adviser.
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc.
Dear Shareholder,
We are pleased to provide the annual report of Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. for the twelve-month reporting period ended May 31, 2024. Please read on
for a detailed look at prevailing economic and market conditions during the Fund’s reporting period and to learn how those conditions have affected Fund performance.
Special shareholder notice
Effective March 1, 2024, Michael Buchanan and Ryan Brist joined the Fund’s portfolio management team and S. Kenneth Leech no longer serves as a portfolio manager.
As always, we remain committed to providing you with excellent service and a full
spectrum of investment choices. We also remain committed to supplementing the support
you receive from your financial advisor. One way we accomplish this is through our
website, www.franklintempleton.com. Here you can gain immediate access to market and investment information, including:
•
Fund prices and performance,
•
Market insights and commentaries from our portfolio managers, and
•
A host of educational resources.
We look forward to helping you meet your financial goals.
Jane Trust, CFA
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc.
(This page intentionally left blank.)
Q. What is the Fund’s investment strategy?
A. The Fund’s investment objective is to seek as high a level of current income exempt from federal income tax as is consistent with preservation of capital. When pursuing its
investment objective, the Fund seeks to maximize current income exempt from federal
income tax as is consistent with preservation of principal. We select securities primarily
by identifying undervalued sectors and individual securities, while also selecting securities
that we believe will benefit from changes in market conditions.
Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests primarily in investment grade municipal
bonds, but it can also invest up to 20% of its total assets in municipal bonds rated
below investment grade by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization or, if
unrated, determined to be of equivalent quality. The Fund may also use a variety of derivative
instruments for investment purposes, as well as for hedging or risk management purposes.
For credit ratings purposes, pre-refunded bonds are deemed to be unrated. The subadvisor
determines the credit quality of pre-refunded bonds based on the quality of the escrowed
collateral and such other factors as the subadvisor deems appropriate.
At Western Asset Management Company, LLC (Western Asset), the Fund’s subadviser, we utilize a fixed income team approach, with decisions derived from interaction among
various investment management sector specialists. The sector teams are comprised of
Western Asset’s senior portfolio management personnel, research analysts and an in-house economist. Under this team approach, management of client fixed income portfolios
will reflect a consensus of interdisciplinary views within the Western Asset organization.
The individuals responsible for development of investment strategy, day-to-day portfolio
management, oversight and coordination of the Fund are Michael Buchanan, Robert E.
Amodeo, Ryan Brist, David T. Fare and John Mooney.
Q. What were the overall market conditions during the Fund’s reporting period?
A. The fixed income market experienced periods of elevated volatility but modestly rose
during the twelve months ended May 31, 2024. The market was impacted by several factors, including initial fears of an economic recession, persistent inflation, and
shifting expectations in U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) monetary policy. The market ended 2023
on a positive note, as the Fed indicated it would likely pivot from raising rates to cutting
rates in 2024. However, since July 2023, the Fed has kept rates at a 22-year high and indicated
it would take a measured approach, which has pushed back expectations in terms of the
timing for rate cuts. Meanwhile, there were signs that the central bank would orchestrate
a “soft landing” for the economy.
Both short- and longer-term U.S. Treasury yields rose during the reporting period.
Two-year yields began the period at 4.40% and ended at 4.89%. Their low of 4.14% was on January 12, 2024, and their peak of 5.19% occurred on October 17 and 18, 2023. Ten-year
yields began at 3.64% (their low for the reporting period) and ended the reporting
period at 4.51%. Their peak of 4.98% occurred on October 19, 2023.
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. 2024 Annual Report
The municipal bond market outperformed its taxable bond counterpart during the twelve-month reporting period. Over that time, the Bloomberg Municipal Bond Indexi and the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Indexii returned 2.67% and 1.31%, respectively. Both the taxable and tax-free markets were negatively impacted by rising long-term interest
rates.
Q. How did we respond to these changing market conditions?
A. A number of adjustments were made to the Fund during the reporting period. We increased the Fund’s duration versus that of the Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index’s by increasing exposure to the long end of the yield curve. From a sector/industry perspective,
we increased our allocations to transportation and industrial revenue, while reducing
our exposure to power and water and sewer. In terms of quality positioning, we reduced
the Fund’s exposure to securities rated AAA and AA and increased exposure to securities rated BBB and high-yield securities, as we saw greater opportunity in those areas.
During the reporting period, we utilized leverage in the Fund. We ended the period
with leverage as a percentage of total assets of approximately 31%, versus roughly 30%
when the period began. The use of leverage contributed to results.
For the twelve months ended May 31, 2024, Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc.
returned 3.34% based on its net asset value (NAV)iii and 6.23% based on its New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) market price per share. The Fund’s unmanaged benchmark, the Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index, returned 2.67% for the same period.
The Fund has a practice of seeking to maintain a relatively stable level of distributions
to shareholders. This practice has no impact on the Fund’s investment strategy and may reduce the Fund’s NAV. The Fund’s manager believes the practice helps maintain the Fund’s competitiveness and may benefit the Fund’s market price and premium/discount to the Fund’s NAV.
Certain investors may be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax, and state
and local taxes will apply. Capital gains, if any, are fully taxable. Please consult your personal
tax or legal adviser.
During the twelve-month period, the Fund made distributions to shareholders totaling
$0.51 per share of which $0.14 will be treated as a return of capital for tax purposes.* The performance table shows the Fund’s twelve-month total return based on its NAV and market price as of May 31, 2024. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
*
For the tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2024,
please refer to page 55 of this report.
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. 2024 Annual Report
Performance Snapshot as of May 31, 2024
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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. Returns
reflect the deduction of all Fund expenses, including management fees, operating expenses, and
other Fund expenses. Returns do not reflect the deduction of brokerage commissions or taxes that
investors may pay on distributions or the sale of shares.
† Total return assumes the reinvestment of all distributions, including returns of capital,
at NAV.
‡ Total return assumes the reinvestment of all distributions, including returns of capital, in additional shares in accordance with the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan.
Q. What were the leading contributors to performance?
A. Among the largest contributors to the Fund’s relative performance during the reporting period was security selection within certain sectors. In particular, selections within
the special tax and industrial revenue sectors were additive to performance. Additionally,
security selection within the AA ratings cohort was beneficial. From an allocation
perspective, an overweight to lower investment-grade securities also helped results.
In addition, an overweight to the industrial revenue sector contributed to performance.
Q. What were the leading detractors from performance?
A. Among the largest detractors from the Fund’s relative performance during the reporting period was its duration positioning. Having a long duration was negative for performance,
as rates moved higher over the reporting period. Security selection within the power
sector was also a detractor. From a quality positioning perspective, exposure to high-yield
securities detracted from performance.
Looking for additional information?
The Fund is traded under the symbol “MMU” and its closing market price is available in most newspapers under the NYSE listings. The daily NAV is available online under the
symbol “XMMUX” on most financial websites. Barron’s and The Wall Street Journal’s Monday edition both carry closed-end fund tables that provide additional information.
In addition, the Fund issues a quarterly press release that can be found on most major
financial websites as well as www.franklintempleton.com.
In a continuing effort to provide information concerning the Fund, shareholders may
call 1-888-777-0102 (toll free), Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Eastern
Time, for the Fund’s current NAV, market price and other information.
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. 2024 Annual Report
Thank you for your investment in the Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. As
always, we appreciate that you have chosen us to manage your assets and we remain
focused on achieving the Fund’s investment goals.
Western Asset Management Company, LLC
RISKS: The Fund is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company designed primarily as a long-term investment and not as a trading vehicle. The Fund is not
intended to be a complete investment program and, due to the uncertainty inherent in all investments,
there can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. The Fund’s common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange. Similar to stocks, the Fund’s share price will fluctuate with market conditions and, at the time of sale, may be worth more or less than the
original investment. Shares of closed-end funds often trade at a discount to their net asset
value. Because the Fund is non-diversified, it may be more susceptible to economic, political
or regulatory events than a diversified fund. The Fund’s investments are subject to a number of risks, including interest rate risk, credit risk, leveraging risk and management risk.
As interest rates rise, the price of fixed income investments declines. Lower rated, higher-yielding
bonds, known as “high yield” or “junk” bonds, are subject to greater liquidity and credit risk than higher-rated investment grade securities. Municipal securities purchased by the Fund may be adversely
affected by changes in the financial condition of municipal issuers and insurers,
regulatory and political developments, uncertainties and public perceptions, and other factors. The
Fund may make significant investments in derivative instruments. Derivative instruments can
be illiquid, may disproportionately increase losses and could have a potentially large impact on
Fund performance. The Fund may enter into tender option bond (“TOB”) transactions, which expose the Fund to leverage and credit risk, and generally involve greater risk than investments
in fixed rate municipal bonds, including the risk of loss of principal. The interest payments
that the Fund would typically receive on inverse floaters acquired in such transactions vary inversely
with short-term interest rates and will be reduced (and potentially eliminated) when short-term
interest rates increase. Inverse floaters will generally underperform the market for
fixed rate municipal securities when interest rates rise. The value and market for inverse floaters
can be volatile, and inverse floaters can have limited liquidity. Investments in inverse
floaters issued in TOB transactions are derivative instruments and, therefore, are also subject to the
risks generally applicable to investments in derivatives. The Fund may invest in securities
of other investment companies. To the extent it does, Fund stockholders will indirectly pay
a portion of the operating costs of such companies, in addition to the expenses that the Fund bears
directly in connection with its own operations. Investing in securities issued by other investment
companies, including exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) that invest primarily in municipal securities, involves risks similar to those of investing directly in the securities
in which those investment companies invest. To the extent the Fund invests in securities of other
investment companies, Fund stockholders will indirectly pay a portion of the operating costs
of such companies, in addition to the expenses that the Fund bears directly in connection
with its own
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. 2024 Annual Report
operation. Leverage may result in greater volatility of NAV and market price of common
shares and increases a shareholder’s risk of loss. The market values of securities or other assets will fluctuate, sometimes sharply and unpredictably, due to changes in general market conditions,
overall economic trends or events, governmental actions or intervention, actions taken
by the U.S. Federal Reserve or foreign central banks, market disruptions caused by trade
disputes or other factors, political developments, armed conflicts, economic sanctions and countermeasures
in response to sanctions, major cybersecurity events, investor sentiment, the global
and domestic effects of a pandemic, and other factors that may or may not be related to
the issuer of the security or other asset. The Fund may also invest in money market funds, including
funds affiliated with the Fund’s manager and subadviser. For more information on Fund risks, see Summary of information regarding the Fund - Principal Risk Factors in this report.
The mention of sector breakdowns is for informational purposes only and should not
be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell any securities. The information provided regarding
such sectors is not a sufficient basis upon which to make an investment decision. Investors seeking
financial advice regarding the appropriateness of investing in any securities or investment strategies
discussed should consult their financial professional. Portfolio holdings are subject to change at
any time and may not be representative of the portfolio managers’ current or future investments. The Fund’s portfolio composition is subject to change at any time.
All investments are subject to risk including the possible loss of principal. Past
performance is no guarantee of future results. All index performance reflects no deduction for fees,
expenses or taxes. Please note that an investor cannot invest directly in an index.
The information provided is not intended to be a forecast of future events, a guarantee
of future results or investment advice. Views expressed may differ from those of the firm as
a whole.
i
The Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index is a market value weighted index of investment
grade municipal bonds with maturities of one year or more.
ii
The Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond 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.
iii
Net asset value (“NAV”) is calculated by subtracting total liabilities, including liabilities associated with financial leverage (if any), 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 the Fund’s market price as determined by supply of and demand for the Fund’s shares.
Important data provider notices and terms available at www.franklintempletondatasources.com.
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. 2024 Annual Report
Fund at a glance† (unaudited)
Investment breakdown (%) as a percent of total investments
†
The bar graph above represents the composition of the Fund’s investments as of May 31, 2024 and May 31, 2023 and does not include derivatives, such as futures contracts. The Fund is actively
managed. As a result, the composition of the Fund’s investments is subject to change at any time.
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. 2024 Annual Report
Fund performance (unaudited)
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Average annual total returns1
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Twelve Months Ended 5/31/24
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Cumulative total returns1
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Average annual total returns2
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Twelve Months Ended 5/31/24
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Cumulative total returns2
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All figures represent past performance and are not a guarantee of future results.
Returns reflect the deduction of all Fund expenses, including management fees, operating expenses, and other Fund expenses. Returns do not reflect the deduction of brokerage
commissions or taxes that investors may pay on distributions or the sale of shares.
|
Assumes the reinvestment of all distributions, including returns of capital, if any,
at net asset value.
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Assumes the reinvestment of all distributions, including returns of capital, if any,
in additional shares in
accordance with the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan.
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Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. 2024 Annual Report
Fund performance (unaudited) (cont’d)
Value of $10,000 invested in
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. vs. Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index† — May 2014 - May 2024
All figures represent past performance and are not a guarantee of future results.
Returns reflect the deduction of all Fund expenses, including management fees, operating expenses, and other Fund expenses. Returns do not reflect the deduction of brokerage
commissions or taxes that investors may pay on distributions or the sale of shares.
†
Hypothetical illustration of $10,000 invested in Western Asset Managed Municipals
Fund Inc. on May 31, 2014, assuming the reinvestment of all distributions, including returns of capital, if any,
at net asset value and also assuming the reinvestment of all distributions, including returns of capital, if any,
in additional shares in accordance with the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan through May 31, 2024. The hypothetical illustration also assumes a $10,000 investment in the Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index. The Bloomberg
Municipal Bond Index is a market value weighted index of investment grade municipal bonds with maturities
of one year or more. The Index is unmanaged. Please note that an investor cannot invest directly in an index.
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. 2024 Annual Report
Schedule of investments
May 31, 2024
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc.
(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)
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Black Belt Energy Gas District, AL, Gas Project
Revenue Bonds:
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Hoover, AL, IDA Revenue, United States Steel
Corp. Project, Series 2019
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Jefferson County, AL, Sewer Revenue:
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Warrants, Series 2024, Refunding
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Warrants, Series 2024, Refunding
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Warrants, Series 2024, Refunding
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Southeast Alabama Gas Supply District, Gas
Supply Revenue, Project No 1, Series A,
Refunding
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Alaska State Housing Finance Corp. Revenue,
State Capital Project II, Series B, Refunding
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Anchorage, AK, Port Revenue, Series A
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Northern Tobacco Securitization Corp., AK,
Tobacco Settlement Revenue:
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Asset Backed Senior Bonds, Class 1, Series
A, Refunding
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Asset Backed Senior Bonds, Series A, Class
1, Refunding
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Arizona State IDA, Education Revenue, Basis
School Project, Credit Enhanced, Series F,
Refunding, SD Credit Program
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Chandler, AZ, IDA Revenue:
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Navajo Nation, AZ, Revenue, Series A,
Refunding
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Queen Creek, AZ, Excise Tax & State Shared
Revenue, Series A
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See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. 2024 Annual Report
Schedule of investments (cont’d)
May 31, 2024
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc.
(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)
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Salt Verde, AZ, Financial Corp., Natural Gas
Revenue:
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Arkansas State Development Finance
Authority, Environmental Improvement
Revenue, United States Steel Corporation
Project, Green Bonds
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Alameda, CA, Corridor Transportation Authority
Revenue:
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Convertible CAB, Series C, Refunding, AGM
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Second Subordinated Lien, Series B,
Refunding
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California State Community Choice Financing
Authority Revenue:
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Clean Energy Project, Green Bonds, Series
A-1
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Clean Energy Project, Green Bonds, Series
B-1
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California State Health Facilities Financing
Authority Revenue, Lucile Salter Packard
Children’s Hospital at Stanford
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California State MFA Revenue, Senior Lien,
LINXS APM Project, Series A
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California State PCFA Water Furnishing
Revenue, Poseidon Resources Desalination
Project
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Chino Valley, CA, USD, GO, Series B
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Inland Valley, CA, Development Agency,
Successor Agency Tax Allocation Revenue,
Series A, Refunding
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Los Angeles, CA, Department of Airports
Revenue:
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Los Angeles International Airport,
Subordinated, Series C, Refunding
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Los Angeles International Airport,
Subordinated, Series C, Refunding
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See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. 2024 Annual Report
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc.
(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)
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Los Angeles International Airport,
Subordinated, Series D
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Los Angeles International Airport,
Subordinated, Series F
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Los Angeles, CA, Department of Water &
Power Waterworks Revenue, Series A
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Los Angeles, CA, Department of Water &
Power, Power System Revenue:
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Los Angeles, CA, Wastewater System
Revenue, Green Bonds, Subordinated, Series A
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M-S-R Energy Authority, CA, Natural Gas
Revenue:
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River Islands, CA, Public Financing Authority,
Special Tax Revenue:
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Community Facilities District No 2003-1
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Community Facilities District No 2003-1
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Community Facilities District No 2023-1
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Riverside County, CA, Transportation
Commission Sales Tax Revenue, Series B,
Refunding
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Riverside, CA, Electric Revenue, Series A,
Refunding
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San Diego County, CA, Regional Airport
Authority Revenue, Series B
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San Francisco, CA, City & County Airport
Commission, International Airport Revenue:
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Second Series A, Refunding
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SFO Fuel Company LLC, Series A, Refunding
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San Mateo County, CA, Joint Powers Financing
Authority, Lease Revenue, Capital Project,
Series A
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See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. 2024 Annual Report
Schedule of investments (cont’d)
May 31, 2024
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc.
(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)
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Tobacco Securitization Authority of Southern
California Revenue:
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Asset Backed Refunding, San Diego County
Tobacco Asset Securitization Corporation,
Class 1, Series A
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Asset Backed Refunding, San Diego County
Tobacco Asset Securitization Corporation,
Class 1, Series A
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Tulare, CA, Sewer Revenue, Refunding, AGM
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Base Village Metropolitan District No 2, CO,
GO, Series A, Refunding
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Colorado State Educational & Cultural Facilities
Authority Revenue, University of Denver
Project, Series A
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Colorado State Health Facilities Authority
Revenue:
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Commonspirit Health Initiatives, Series B-2
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Commonspirit Health Project, Series A-2,
Refunding
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Colorado State High Performance
Transportation Enterprise Revenue, C-470
Express Lanes
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Denver, CO, Airport System Revenue:
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Subordinated, Series B, Refunding
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Public Authority for Colorado Energy, Natural
Gas Purchase Revenue
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Connecticut State Special Tax Revenue,
Transportation Infrastructure, Series A
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See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. 2024 Annual Report
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc.
(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)
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Harbor Point, CT, Infrastructure Improvement
District, Special Obligation Revenue, Harbor
Point Project Ltd., Refunding
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University of Connecticut, Student Fee
Revenue, Series A
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Delaware State Health Facilities Authority
Revenue, Beebe Medical Center Project
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District of Columbia — 0.6%
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District of Columbia Revenue:
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KIPP DC Issue, Series A, Refunding
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KIPP DC Project, Series B, Refunding
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Total District of Columbia
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Broward County, FL, Airport System Revenue:
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Broward County, FL, Port Facilities Revenue,
Series 2022
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Florida State Development Finance Corp.,
Educational Facilities Revenue, Renaissance
Charter School Inc. Projects, Series A
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Florida State Development Finance Corp.,
Revenue:
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Brightline Passenger Rail Project, Refunding
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Brightline Passenger Rail Project, Refunding
|
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Brightline Passenger Rail Project, Refunding,
AGM
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|
|
Florida State Insurance Assistance Interlocal
Agency Inc., Revenue, Series A-1
|
|
|
|
|
Florida State Mid-Bay Bridge Authority
Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
First Senior Lien, Series A, Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fort Pierce, FL, Utilities Authority Revenue,
Series A, Refunding, AGM
|
|
|
|
|
Greater Orlando, FL, Aviation Authority, Airport
Facilities Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
Priority Subordinated, Series A
|
|
|
|
|
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. 2024 Annual Report
Schedule of investments (cont’d)
May 31, 2024
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc.
(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Priority Subordinated, Series A
|
|
|
|
|
Hillsborough County, FL, Aviation Authority
Revenue, Tampa International Airport, Series E
|
|
|
|
|
Miami-Dade County, FL, Aviation Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Miami-Dade County, FL, Expressway Authority,
Series A
|
|
|
|
|
Miami-Dade County, FL, Seaport Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
Senior Bonds, Series A, Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
Senior Bonds, Series A, Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
Orange County, FL, Health Facilities Authority
Revenue, Orlando Health Inc., Series A
|
|
|
|
|
Palm Beach County, FL, Health Facilities
Authority Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
Acts Retirement-Life Communities
|
|
|
|
|
Jupiter Medical Center Project, Series A
|
|
|
|
|
Toby & Leon Cooperman Sinai Residences of
Boca Raton Expansion, Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
Pasco County, FL, Capital Improvement,
Cigarette Tax Allocation Bonds, H. Lee Moffitt
Cancer Center Project, Series A, AGM
|
|
|
|
|
Volusia County, FL, EFA Revenue, Educational
Facilities Embry-Riddle Aeronautical
University Inc. Project, Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cobb County, GA, Kennestone Hospital
Authority Revenue, Wellstar Health System,
Inc. Project, Series A, Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
Georgia State Municipal Electric Authority,
Power Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
Plant Vogtle Units 3&4, Project M, Series A
|
|
|
|
|
Plant Vogtle Units 3&4, Project P, Series A
|
|
|
|
|
Plant Vogtle Units 3&4, Project P, Series A,
Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
Project One, Series A, Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. 2024 Annual Report
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc.
(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Main Street Natural Gas Inc., GA, Gas Project
Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Guam Government, Business Privilege Tax
Revenue, Series F, Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
|
Honolulu, HI, City & County Wastewater
System Revenue, First Senior Bond Resolution,
Series A
|
|
|
|
|
|
Idaho State Health Facilities Authority
Revenue, Trinity Health Credit Group, Series A
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chicago, IL, Board of Education, Dedicated
Capital Improvement, Special Tax Revenue,
Series 2018
|
|
|
|
|
Chicago, IL, Board of Education, GO:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dedicated, Series G, Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
Dedicated, Series G, Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chicago, IL, O’Hare International Airport
Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
General Senior Lien, Series B, Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
General Senior Lien, Series C, Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. 2024 Annual Report
Schedule of investments (cont’d)
May 31, 2024
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc.
(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chicago, IL, Transit Authority, Sales Tax
Receipts Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Second Lien, Series A, Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
Second Lien, Series A, Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
Chicago, IL, Wastewater Transmission
Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Second Lien, Series A, AGM
|
|
|
|
|
Second Lien, Series A, Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
Second Lien, Series B, Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
Chicago, IL, Waterworks Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Second Lien, Series 2017, Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
Second Lien, Series 2017-2, Refunding,
AGM
|
|
|
|
|
Second Lien, Series 2017-2, Refunding,
AGM
|
|
|
|
|
Second Lien, Series 2017-2, Refunding,
AGM
|
|
|
|
|
Cook County, IL, Sales Tax Revenue, Series A,
Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
Illinois State Finance Authority Revenue,
Northshore University Healthsystem, Series A,
Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
Illinois State Finance Authority, Student
Housing & Academic Facilities Revenue, CHF
Chicago LLC, University of Illinois Chicago
Project
|
|
|
|
|
Illinois State Sports Facilities Authority
Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
Sport Facilities Project, Series 2019,
Refunding, BAM
|
|
|
|
|
Sport Facilities Project, Series 2019,
Refunding, BAM
|
|
|
|
|
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. 2024 Annual Report
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc.
(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Illinois State Toll Highway Authority Revenue,
Series A
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Metropolitan Pier & Exposition Authority, IL,
Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
McCormick Place Expansion Project, Series
A, Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
McCormick Place Expansion Project, Series
A, Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
McCormick Place Expansion Project, Series
A, Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
McCormick Place Expansion Project, Series
B, Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
McCormick Place Expansion Project, Series
B-1, Refunding, AGM
|
|
|
|
|
Regional Transportation Authority, IL, GO,
Series A, Refunding, NATL
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Indiana State Finance Authority Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
BHI Senior Living Inc., Series A, Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
Marion General Hospital, Series A
|
|
|
|
|
Midwestern Disaster Relief, Ohio Valley
Electric Corp. Project, Series A
|
|
|
|
|
Indianapolis, IN, Local Public Improvement
Bond Bank:
|
|
|
|
|
Courthouse and Jail Project, Series A
|
|
|
|
|
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. 2024 Annual Report
Schedule of investments (cont’d)
May 31, 2024
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc.
(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Courthouse and Jail Project, Series A
|
|
|
|
|
Valparaiso, IN, Exempt Facilities Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pratt Paper LLC Project, Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Iowa State Finance Authority Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
Midwestern Disaster Area, Iowa Fertilizer
Co. Project, Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
Midwestern Disaster Area, Iowa Fertilizer
Co. Project, Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
Iowa State Tobacco Settlement Authority
Revenue, Asset Backed Senior Bonds, Class 1,
Series A-2, Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kentucky State Economic Development Finance
Authority Revenue, Louisville Arena, Louisville
Arena Authority Inc., Refunding, AGM
|
|
|
|
|
Kentucky State PEA, Gas Supply Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Port New Orleans, LA, Board of Commissioners
Revenue, Series B, Refunding, AGM
|
|
|
|
|
Shreveport, LA, Water & Sewer Revenue,
Refunding, AGM
|
|
|
|
|
St. John the Baptist Parish, LA, State Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
Marathon Oil Corp. Project, Series A-3,
Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
Marathon Oil Corp. Project, Series B-2,
Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Maryland State EDC, Senior Student Housing
Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
Morgan State University Project
|
|
|
|
|
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. 2024 Annual Report
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc.
(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Morgan State University Project
|
|
|
|
|
Maryland State Stadium Authority, Built to
Learn Revenue, Series 2021
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Massachusetts State DFA Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
Boston Medical Center, Sustainability
Bonds, Series G, Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
International Charter School, Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
Milford Regional Medical Center, Series F
|
|
|
|
|
Northeastern University Issue, Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
UMass Boston Student Housing Project
|
|
|
|
|
Massachusetts State Port Authority Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
Bosfuel Project, Series A, Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Detroit, MI, Downtown Development Authority
Revenue, Catalyst Development, Series A,
Refunding, AGM
|
|
|
|
|
Great Lakes, MI, Water Authority, Sewage
Disposal System Revenue, Senior Lien, Series
C
|
|
|
|
|
Great Lakes, MI, Water Authority, Water
Supply System Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Senior Lien, Series C, Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
Kent County, MI, Gerald R. Ford International
Airport, GO, Authority Revenue, County GTD
|
|
|
|
|
Michigan State Finance Authority Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
Local Government Loan Program, Detroit,
MI, Water & Sewer Department, Second
Lien Local Project, Series C, Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
Local Government Loan Program, Detroit,
MI, Water & Sewer Department, Series C-6,
Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. 2024 Annual Report
Schedule of investments (cont’d)
May 31, 2024
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc.
(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Local Government Loan Program, Detroit,
MI, Water & Sewer Department, Series D-2,
Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
The Henry Ford Health Detroit South
Campus Central Utility Plant Project, Act 38
Facilities, Senior Green Bonds
|
|
|
|
|
Tobacco Settlement Asset Backed Senior
Bonds, Series B-1, Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
Michigan State Hospital Finance Authority
Revenue, Ascension Health Senior Credit
Group, Series 2010F-4, Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
Michigan State Strategic Fund Limited
Obligation Revenue, I-75 Improvement Project
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Missouri State HEFA Revenue, Senior Living
Facilities:
|
|
|
|
|
Lutheran Senior Services Projects,
Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
Lutheran Senior Services Projects, Series A
|
|
|
|
|
St. Louis County, MO, IDA, Senior Living
Facilities Revenue, Friendship Village, St. Louis
Obligated Group, Series A
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Omaha, NE, Public Power District, Electric
System Revenue, Series B, Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
|
National Finance Authority, NH, Revenue,
Presbyterian Senior Living Project, Series A
|
|
|
|
|
|
Casino Reinvestment Development Authority,
NJ, Luxury Tax Revenue, Refunding, AGM
|
|
|
|
|
New Jersey State EDA Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
Private Activity-The Goethals Bridge
Replacement Project
|
|
|
|
|
Private Activity-The Goethals Bridge
Replacement Project, AGM
|
|
|
|
|
Provident Group - Rowan Properties LLC,
Rowan University Housing Project
|
|
|
|
|
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. 2024 Annual Report
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc.
(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Special Facility, Port Newark Container
Terminal LLC Project, Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
New Jersey State EDA, Lease Revenue, State
House Project, Series B
|
|
|
|
|
New Jersey State EDA, Special Facility
Revenue, Continental Airlines Inc. Project
|
|
|
|
|
New Jersey State EFA Revenue, Stevens
Institute of Technology, Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
New Jersey State Health Care Facilities
Financing Authority Revenue, RWJ Barnabas
Health Obligation Group, Series A, Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
New Jersey State Institute of Technology, GO,
Series A
|
|
|
|
|
New Jersey State Transportation Trust Fund
Authority Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
Transportation Program, Series AA
|
|
|
|
|
Transportation Program, Series AA
|
|
|
|
|
Transportation Program, Series AA
|
|
|
|
|
Transportation Program, Series AA,
Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
Transportation Program, Series AA,
Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
Transportation Program, Series BB
|
|
|
|
|
Transportation Program, Series BB
|
|
|
|
|
Transportation System, Series A, Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
Transportation System, Series A, Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
New Jersey State Turnpike Authority Revenue,
Series C, Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
Tobacco Settlement Financing Corp., NJ,
Revenue, Series A, Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Brookhaven, NY, Local Development Corp.
Revenue, Long Island Community Hospital
Project, Series A, Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
MTA, NY, Dedicated Tax Fund Revenue, Green
Bonds, Subseries A-2
|
|
|
|
|
MTA, NY, Transportation Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
Green Bonds, Series C-1, Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
Green Bonds, Series E, Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. 2024 Annual Report
Schedule of investments (cont’d)
May 31, 2024
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc.
(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Green Bonds, Series E, Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
New York City, NY, Industrial Development
Agency Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
Yankee Stadium Project, Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
Yankee Stadium Project, Refunding, AGM
|
|
|
|
|
New York City, NY, Municipal Water Finance
Authority, Water & Sewer System Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
Second General Resolution Fiscal 2022,
Series AA, Subseries AA-1
|
|
|
|
|
Second General Resolution Fiscal 2023,
Series AA, Subseries AA-1
|
|
|
|
|
Second General Resolution, Series CC
|
|
|
|
|
Second General Resolution, Series CC-1,
Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
New York City, NY, TFA, Future Tax Secured
Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
Subordinated, Series F, Subseries F-1
|
|
|
|
|
Subordinated, Subseries F-1
|
|
|
|
|
New York State Dormitory Authority Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
Non-State Supported Debt, Memorial Sloan-
Kettering Cancer Center, Series B-1
|
|
|
|
|
Non-State Supported Debt, New School
University, Series A, Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
Non-State Supported Debt, SD, Series A,
AGM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
New York State Dormitory Authority, Income
Tax Revenue, Series B, Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
New York State Dormitory Authority, Sales Tax
Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
Bidding Group 4, Series A, Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
Bidding Group 4, Series E, Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. 2024 Annual Report
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc.
(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
New York State Dormitory Authority, State
Personal Income Tax Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
Bidding Group 4, Series A, Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
Bidding Group 4, Series A, Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
Bidding Group 4, Series D, Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
New York State Liberty Development Corp.,
Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
3 World Trade Center Project, Class 1,
Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
7 World Trade Center Project, Class 2,
Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
Goldman Sachs Headquarters
|
|
|
|
|
New York State Thruway Authority General
Revenue, Junior Indebtedness Obligations,
Junior Lien, Series B
|
|
|
|
|
New York State Transportation Development
Corp., Special Facilities Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
Delta Air Lines Inc., LaGuardia Airport
Terminals C and D Redevelopment Project
|
|
|
|
|
Delta Air Lines Inc., LaGuardia Airport
Terminals C and D Redevelopment Project
|
|
|
|
|
Delta Air Lines Inc., LaGuardia Airport
Terminals C and D Redevelopment Project
|
|
|
|
|
Delta Air Lines Inc., LaGuardia Airport
Terminals C and D Redevelopment Project
|
|
|
|
|
Delta Air Lines Inc., LaGuardia Airport
Terminals C and D Redevelopment Project
|
|
|
|
|
Delta Air Lines Inc., LaGuardia Airport
Terminals C and D Redevelopment Project
|
|
|
|
|
John F. Kennedy International Airport New
Terminal One Project, Green Bonds
|
|
|
|
|
John F. Kennedy International Airport New
Terminal One Project, Green Bonds
|
|
|
|
|
John F. Kennedy International Airport New
Terminal One Project, Green Bonds, AGM
|
|
|
|
|
John F. Kennedy International Airport
Terminal 4 Project, Series C, Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
LaGuardia Airport Terminal B
Redevelopment Project, Series A
|
|
|
|
|
LaGuardia Airport Terminal B
Redevelopment Project, Series A
|
|
|
|
|
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. 2024 Annual Report
Schedule of investments (cont’d)
May 31, 2024
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc.
(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
New York State Urban Development Corp.,
Revenue, State Personal Income Tax, Series C,
Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
Port Authority of New York & New Jersey
Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated Series 194, Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Triborough Bridge & Tunnel Authority, NY,
Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
General-MTA Bridges & Tunnels, Series A
|
|
|
|
|
General-MTA Bridges & Tunnels, Series A
|
|
|
|
|
General-MTA Bridges & Tunnels, Series A
|
|
|
|
|
General-MTA Bridges & Tunnels, Series A
|
|
|
|
|
MTA Bridges & Tunnels, Senior Lien, Series
A-1, Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Charlotte, NC, Lease Revenue, COP, Convention
Facility Project, Series A, Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
North Carolina State Medical Care
Commission, Retirement Facilities Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
The Forest at Duke Project
|
|
|
|
|
The Forest at Duke Project
|
|
|
|
|
The Forest at Duke Project
|
|
|
|
|
North Carolina State Turnpike Authority,
Monroe Expressway Toll Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Grand Forks, ND, Health Care System Revenue,
Altru Health System, Refunding, AGM
|
|
|
|
|
|
Buckeye, OH, Tobacco Settlement Financing
Authority Revenue, Senior Bonds, Series B-2,
Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. 2024 Annual Report
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc.
(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ohio State Air Quality Development Authority
Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
American Electric Co. Project, Series B,
Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
AMG Vanadium Project, Series 2019
|
|
|
|
|
Duke Energy Corp. Project, Series B,
Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Oklahoma State Municipal Power Authority
Revenue, Series A, Refunding, AGM
|
|
|
|
|
|
Multnomah County, OR, School District No 7,
Reynolds, GO, Deferred Interest, Series B,
School Board Guaranty
|
|
|
|
|
Oregon State Business Development
Commission Revenue, Recovery Zone Facility
Bonds, Intel Corp. Project, Series 232
|
|
|
|
|
Oregon State Facilities Authority Revenue,
Legacy Health Project, Series A, Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Allegheny County, PA, HDA Revenue,
University Pittsburgh Medical Center, Series A,
Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
Commonwealth Financing Authority, PA,
Tobacco Master Settlement Payment Revenue
Bonds, Series 2018
|
|
|
|
|
Cumberland County, PA, Municipal Authority
Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
Diakon Lutheran Social Ministries,
Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
Diakon Lutheran Social Ministries,
Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
Diakon Lutheran Social Ministries,
Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
Lancaster County, PA, Convention Center
Authority Revenue, Hotel Room Rental Tax:
|
|
|
|
|
Series B, Refunding, County GTD
|
|
|
|
|
Series B, Refunding, County GTD
|
|
|
|
|
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. 2024 Annual Report
Schedule of investments (cont’d)
May 31, 2024
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc.
(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lancaster County, PA, Hospital Authority
Revenue, Penn State Health, Series 2021
|
|
|
|
|
Pennsylvania State Economic Development
Financing Authority Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
Tax-Exempt Private Activity, The Penndot
Major Bridges Package One Project
|
|
|
|
|
Tax-Exempt Private Activity, The Penndot
Major Bridges Package One Project
|
|
|
|
|
Pennsylvania State Turnpike Commission
Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Philadelphia, PA, Airport Revenue, Series A,
Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
Philadelphia, PA, Authority for IDR:
|
|
|
|
|
Charter School Revenue, A String Theory
Charter School Project, Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
City Service Agreement Revenue, Rebuild
Project
|
|
|
|
|
City Service Agreement Revenue, Rebuild
Project
|
|
|
|
|
Philadelphia, PA, SD, GO, Series A, State Aid
Withholding
|
|
|
|
|
State Public School Building Authority, PA,
Lease Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
Philadelphia SD Project, Series A,
Refunding, AGM, State Aid Withholding
|
|
|
|
|
Philadelphia SD Project, Series A,
Refunding, AGM, State Aid Withholding
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Puerto Rico Commonwealth Aqueduct & Sewer
Authority Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
Senior Lien, Series A, Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
Senior Lien, Series A, Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
Puerto Rico Commonwealth, GO:
|
|
|
|
|
CAB, Restructured, Series A-1
|
|
|
|
|
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. 2024 Annual Report
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc.
(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CAB, Restructured, Series A-1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corp., Sales
Tax Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
CAB, Restructured, Series A-1
|
|
|
|
|
CAB, Restructured, Series A-1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restructured, Series A-2A
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Patriots Energy Group Financing Agency, SC,
Gas Supply Revenue, Subseries B-2, Refunding
(SOFR x 0.670 + 1.900%)
|
|
|
|
|
South Carolina State Jobs-EDA Hospital
Facilities Revenue, Bon Secours Mercy
Health Inc., Series A, Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
South Carolina State Ports Authority Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
South Dakota State HEFA Revenue, Regional
Health
|
|
|
|
|
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. 2024 Annual Report
Schedule of investments (cont’d)
May 31, 2024
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc.
(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Clarksville, TN, Water, Sewer & Gas Revenue,
Series A
|
|
|
|
|
Knox County, TN, Health, Educational &
Housing Facility Board Revenue, University
Health System Inc., Series A
|
|
|
|
|
Metropolitan Government of Nashville &
Davidson County, TN, Sports Authority
Revenue, Series A, AGM
|
|
|
|
|
Metropolitan Government of Nashville &
Davidson County, TN, Water & Sewer Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
Subordinated, Green Bonds, Series A
|
|
|
|
|
Subordinated, Series B, Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
Tennessee State Energy Acquisition Corp.,
Natural Gas Revenue, Series 2018
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Arlington, TX, Higher Education Finance Corp.,
Education Revenue, Uplift Education, Series A,
Refunding, PSF - GTD
|
|
|
|
|
Arlington, TX, Special Tax Revenue, Senior
Lien, Series A, AGM
|
|
|
|
|
Austin, TX, Airport System Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority
Revenue, Senior Lien, Series B
|
|
|
|
|
Forney, TX, ISD, GO, Unlimited Tax School
Building Bonds, Series 2019, PSF - GTD
|
|
|
|
|
Grand Parkway Transportation Corp., TX,
System Toll Revenue, Convertible CAB, Series
A, B and C
|
|
|
|
|
Harris County, TX, Cultural Education Facilities
Finance Corp., Hospital Revenue, Texas
Children’s Hospital, Series B, Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
Hays, TX, ISD, GO, Unlimited Tax School
Building Bonds, PSF - GTD
|
|
|
|
|
Houston, TX, Airport System Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Special Facilities, United Airlines Inc.,
Terminal Improvement Project, Series B-1
|
|
|
|
|
Subordinated Lien, Series A, Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. 2024 Annual Report
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc.
(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subordinated Lien, Series A, Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
Houston, TX, Combined Utility System
Revenue, First Lien, Series D, Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
Love Field, TX, Airport Modernization Corp.,
General Airport Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
New Hope Cultural Education Facilities Finance
Corp., TX, Student Housing Revenue, Collegiate
Housing College Station, AGM
|
|
|
|
|
Newark, TX, Higher Education Finance Corp.,
Education Revenue, TLC Academy, Series A
|
|
|
|
|
North Texas Tollway Authority Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Port Beaumont, TX, Navigation District Dock
and Wharf Facility Revenue, Jefferson Gulf
Coast Energy Project, Series A
|
|
|
|
|
Tarrant County, TX, Cultural Education Facilities
Finance Corp., Hospital Revenue, Methodist
Hospitals of Dallas
|
|
|
|
|
Texas State Private Activity Bond Surface
Transportation Corp. Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
NTE Mobility Partners Segments 3 LLC,
Senior Lien, Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
Senior Lien, Blueridge Transportation
Group LLC
|
|
|
|
|
Senior Lien, Blueridge Transportation
Group LLC
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Salt Lake City, UT, Airport Revenue, Salt Lake
City International Airport, Series A
|
|
|
|
|
Utah State Charter School Finance Authority,
Charter School Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
Syracuse Arts Academy Project, UT CSCE
|
|
|
|
|
Syracuse Arts Academy Project, UT CSCE
|
|
|
|
|
Utah State Infrastructure Agency,
Telecommunications Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. 2024 Annual Report
Schedule of investments (cont’d)
May 31, 2024
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc.
(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Arlington County, VA, IDA, Hospital Revenue,
Virginia Hospital Center, Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
Isle of Wight County, VA, EDA Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
Riverside Health System, Series 2023, AGM
|
|
|
|
|
Riverside Health System, Series 2023, AGM
|
|
|
|
|
Virginia State Port Authority, Port Facilities
Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Virginia State Small Business Financing
Authority Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
National Senior Campuses, Inc., Series A,
Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
National Senior Campuses, Inc., Series A,
Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
Senior Lien, 95 Express Lanes LLC Project,
Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
Senior Lien, 95 Express Lanes LLC Project,
Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
Senior Lien, 95 Express Lanes LLC Project,
Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
Senior Lien, I-495 HOT Lanes Project,
Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Port of Seattle, WA, Intermediate Lien
Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Washington State Health Care Facilities
Authority Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
Seattle Cancer Care Alliance
|
|
|
|
|
Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. 2024 Annual Report
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc.
(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Public Finance Authority, WI, Airport Facilities
Revenue, Transportation Infrastructure
Properties LLC, Series B, Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
Public Finance Authority, WI, Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Carmelite System Inc. Obligated Group,
Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
Public Finance Authority, WI, Student Housing
Revenue, University of Hawai’i Foundation
Project, Green Bonds, Series A-1
|
|
|
|
|
Village of Mount Pleasant, WI, Tax Increment
Revenue, Series A, Moral Obligations
|
|
|
|
|
Wisconsin State HEFA Revenue, Bellin
Memorial Hospital Inc., Series A
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Municipal Bonds (Cost — $890,345,189)
|
|
Municipal Bonds Deposited in Tender Option Bond Trusts(k) — 4.3%
|
|
New York City, NY, Municipal Water Finance
Authority, Water & Sewer System Revenue,
Second General Resolution Fiscal 2023,
Subseries AA-1
|
|
|
|
|
New York State Dormitory Authority, State
Personal Income Tax Revenue, Series A
|
|
|
|
|
New York State Urban Development Corp.,
State Sales Tax Revenue, Series A
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Municipal Bonds Deposited in Tender Option Bond Trusts
(Cost — $26,061,658)
|
|
Total Investments before Short-Term Investments (Cost — $916,406,847)
|
|
|
Short-Term Investments — 0.1%
|
|
|
New York City, NY, Municipal Water Finance
Authority, Water & Sewer System Revenue,
Second General Resolution Fiscal 2016, Series
AA-1, Refunding, SPA - Bank of America N.A.
|
|
|
|
|
New York State HFA, 10 Liberty St. Housing
Revenue, Series A, LIQ - FHLMC, LOC - FHLMC
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. 2024 Annual Report
Schedule of investments (cont’d)
May 31, 2024
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc.
(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lower Neches Valley Authority, TX, Industrial
Development Corp. Revenue, ExxonMobil
Corp., Series A, Refunding
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Short-Term Investments (Cost — $565,000)
|
|
Total Investments — 147.3% (Cost — $916,971,847)
|
|
Variable Rate Demand Preferred Stock, at Liquidation Value — (45.7)%
|
|
TOB Floating Rate Notes — (2.2)%
|
|
Other Assets in Excess of Other Liabilities — 0.6%
|
|
Total Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders — 100.0%
|
|
|
Represents less than 0.1%.
|
|
Non-income producing security.
|
|
Maturity date shown represents the mandatory tender date.
|
|
Variable rate security. Interest rate disclosed is as of the most recent information
available. Certain variable rate
securities are not based on a published reference rate and spread but are determined
by the issuer or agent and
are based on current market conditions. These securities do not indicate a reference
rate and spread in their
description above.
|
|
Income from this issue is considered a preference item for purposes of calculating
the alternative minimum tax
(“AMT”).
|
|
Securities traded on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis.
|
|
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.
|
|
Bonds are generally escrowed to maturity by government securities and/or U.S. government
agency securities.
|
|
Pre-Refunded bonds are generally escrowed with U.S. government obligations and/or
U.S. government agency
securities.
|
|
All or a portion of this security is held at the broker as collateral for open futures
contracts.
|
|
The coupon payment on this security is currently in default as of May 31, 2024.
|
|
The maturity principal is currently in default as of May 31, 2024.
|
|
Represents securities deposited into a special purpose entity, referred to as a Tender
Option Bond (“TOB”) trust
(Note 1).
|
|
Variable rate demand obligations (“VRDOs”) have a demand feature under which the Fund can tender them back to
the issuer or liquidity provider on no more than 7 days notice. The interest rate
generally resets on a daily or
weekly basis and is determined on the specific interest rate reset date by the remarketing
agent, pursuant to a
formula specified in official documents for the VRDO, or set at the highest rate allowable
as specified in official
documents for the VRDO. VRDOs are benchmarked to the Securities Industry and Financial
Markets Association
(“SIFMA”) Municipal Swap Index. The SIFMA Municipal Swap Index is compiled from weekly interest rate resets
of tax-exempt VRDOs reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s Short-term Obligation Rate
Transparency System.
|
|
Maturity date shown is the final maturity date. The security may be sold back to the
issuer before final maturity.
|
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. 2024 Annual Report
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc.
Abbreviation(s) used in this schedule:
|
|
|
Assured Guaranty Municipal Corporation — Insured Bonds
|
|
|
Build America Mutual — Insured Bonds
|
|
|
Capital Appreciation Bonds
|
|
|
Certificates of Participation
|
|
|
Charter School Credit Enhancement
|
|
|
Development Finance Agency
|
|
|
Economic Development Authority
|
|
|
Economic Development Corporation
|
|
|
Educational Facilities Authority
|
|
|
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Housing Development Authority
|
|
|
Health & Educational Facilities Authority
|
|
|
|
|
|
Industrial Development Authority
|
|
|
Industrial Development Revenue
|
|
|
Independent School District
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Municipal Finance Authority
|
|
|
Metropolitan Transportation Authority
|
|
|
National Public Finance Guarantee Corporation — Insured Bonds
|
|
|
Pollution Control Financing Authority
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Secured Overnight Financing Rate
|
|
|
Standby Bond Purchase Agreement — Insured Bonds
|
|
|
Transitional Finance Authority
|
|
|
|
At May 31, 2024, the Fund had the following open futures contracts:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. Treasury Ultra Long-Term
Bonds
|
|
|
|
|
|
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. 2024 Annual Report
Statement of assets and liabilities
May 31, 2024
|
|
Investments, at value (Cost — $916,971,847)
|
|
|
|
Receivable from brokers — net variation margin on open futures contracts
|
|
Deposits with brokers for open futures contracts
|
|
Dividends receivable from affiliated investments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Variable Rate Demand Preferred Stock ($25,000 liquidation value per share; 11,363
shares
issued and outstanding) (net of deferred offering costs of $1,765,659) (Note 5)
|
|
TOB Floating Rate Notes (Note 1)
|
|
Payable for securities purchased
|
|
Distributions payable to Common Shareholders
|
|
Investment management fee payable
|
|
|
|
|
|
Payable for Fund shares repurchased
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders
|
|
Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders:
|
|
Common stock par value ($0.001 par value; 54,654,289 shares issued and outstanding;
500,000,000 common shares authorized)
|
|
Paid-in capital in excess of par value
|
|
Total distributable earnings (loss)
|
|
Total Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders
|
|
Common Shares Outstanding
|
|
Net Asset Value Per Common Share
|
|
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. 2024 Annual Report
Statement of operations
For the Year Ended May 31, 2024
|
|
|
|
Dividends from affiliated investments
|
|
|
|
|
|
Distributions to Variable Rate Demand Preferred Stockholders (Notes 1 and 5)
|
|
Investment management fee (Note 2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest expense (Note 1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Remarketing fees (Note 5)
|
|
Amortization of Variable Rate Demand Preferred Stock offering costs (Note 5)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock exchange listing fees
|
|
|
|
|
|
Auction participation fees (Note 6)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements (Note 2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments and Futures Contracts (Notes 1, 3 and 4):
|
|
|
Investment transactions in unaffiliated securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) From:
|
|
Investments in unaffiliated securities
|
|
|
|
Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)
|
|
Net Gain on Investments and Futures Contracts
|
|
Distributions Paid to Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stockholders From Net Investment
Income (Notes 1 and 6)
|
|
Increase in Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders From Operations
|
|
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. 2024 Annual Report
Statements of changes in net assets
For the Years Ended May 31,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
|
|
|
Distributions paid to Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stockholders from
net investment income
|
|
|
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Applicable to Common
Shareholders From Operations
|
|
|
Distributions to Common Shareholders From (Note 1):
|
|
|
Total distributable earnings
|
|
|
|
|
|
Decrease in Net Assets From Distributions to Common
Shareholders
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of shares repurchased (113,555 and 0 shares repurchased,
respectively) (Note 8)
|
|
|
Net assets of shares issued in connection with merger (11,400,072 and 0
shares issued, respectively) (Note 9)
|
|
|
Cost of aggregate fractional shares repurchased (79 and 0 aggregate
fractional shares repurchased, respectively) (Note 9)
|
|
|
Net increase from repurchase of Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred
Shares (Note 6)
|
|
|
Increase in Net Assets From Fund Share Transactions
|
|
|
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Applicable to Common
Shareholders
|
|
|
Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. 2024 Annual Report
Statement of cash flows
For the Year Ended May 31, 2024
Increase (Decrease) in Cash:
|
|
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
|
|
Net increase in net assets applicable to common shareholders resulting from operations*
|
|
Adjustments to reconcile net increase in net assets resulting from operations to net
cash
provided (used) by operating activities:
|
|
Purchases of portfolio securities
|
|
Sales of portfolio securities
|
|
Net purchases, sales and maturities of short-term investments
|
|
Net amortization of premium (accretion of discount)
|
|
Increase in interest receivable†
|
|
Increase in prepaid expenses†
|
|
Decrease in dividends receivable from affiliated investments†
|
|
Increase in receivable from brokers — net variation margin on open futures contracts
|
|
Increase in payable for securities purchased
|
|
Amortization of preferred stock offering costs†
|
|
Increase in investment management fee payable†
|
|
Decrease in Directors’ fees payable†
|
|
Increase in interest expense payable
|
|
Decrease in accrued expenses†
|
|
Decrease in distributions payable to Variable Rate Demand Preferred Stockholders†
|
|
Net realized loss on investments
|
|
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments
|
|
Net Cash Provided in Operating Activities**
|
|
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
|
|
Distributions paid on common stock (net of distributions payable)
|
|
Distributions paid on Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock (net of distributions
payable)†
|
|
Redemption of Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock
|
|
Increase in due to custodian
|
|
Payment for Fund shares repurchased (net of payable for Fund shares repurchased)
|
|
Proceeds from TOB Floating Rate Notes
|
|
Payment for fractional shares repurchased
|
|
Net Cash Used by Financing Activities
|
|
Net Decrease in Cash and Restricted Cash
|
|
Cash and restricted cash at beginning of year
|
|
Cash acquired in connection with the reorganization
|
|
Cash and restricted cash at end of year
|
|
|
Does not include distributions paid to Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stockholders.
|
|
Included in operating expenses is $456,322 paid for interest on borrowings and $9,420,506
paid for distributions to
Variable Rate Demand Preferred Stockholders.
|
|
Excludes cash flows prior to the reorganization (Note 9). Changes in assets and liabilities
includes the balances of
the acquired fund at the date of the reorganization and activity of the combined fund
from the date of the
reorganization through May 31, 2024.
|
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. 2024 Annual Report
Statement of cash flows (cont’d)
For the Year Ended May 31, 2024
The following table provides a reconciliation of cash and restricted cash reported
within the Statement of Assets
and Liabilities that sums to the total of such amounts shown on the Statement of Cash
Flows.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total cash and restricted cash shown in the Statement of Cash Flows
|
|
Restricted cash consists of cash that has been segregated to cover the Fund’s collateral or margin obligations under derivative contracts. It is separately reported on the Statement of Assets and
Liabilities as Deposits with brokers.
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. 2024 Annual Report
For a common share of capital stock outstanding throughout each year ended May 31:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net asset value, beginning of year
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) from operations:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Distributions paid to Auction Rate
Cumulative Preferred Stockholders from net
investment income
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total income (loss) from operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less distributions to common
shareholders from:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total distributions to common
shareholders
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anti-dilutive impact of repurchase plan
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net increase from repurchase of Auction
Rate Cumulative Preferred Shares
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net asset value, end of year
|
|
|
|
|
|
Market price, end of year
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total return, based on NAV4,5
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total return, based on Market Price9
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets applicable to common
shareholders, end of year (millions)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratios to average net assets:10
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. 2024 Annual Report
Financial highlights (cont’d)
For a common share of capital stock outstanding throughout each year ended May 31:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock at
Liquidation Value, End of Year (000s)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Variable Rate Demand Preferred Stock at
Liquidation Value, End of Year (000s)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Asset Coverage Ratio for Auction Rate
Cumulative Preferred Stock and Variable
Rate Demand Preferred Stock13
|
|
|
|
|
|
Asset Coverage, per $25,000 Liquidation
Value per Share of Auction Rate Cumulative
Preferred Stock and Variable Rate Demand
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares method.
|
|
Amount represents less than $0.005 or greater than $(0.005) per share.
|
|
The repurchase plan was completed at an average repurchase price of $10.21 for 113,555
shares and $1,159,604
for the year ended May 31, 2024.
|
|
Performance figures may reflect compensating balance arrangements, fee waivers and/or
expense reimbursements.
In the absence of compensating balance arrangements, fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements,
the total
return would have been lower. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
|
|
The total return calculation assumes that distributions are reinvested at NAV. Past
performance is no guarantee of
future results.
|
|
Ratios and total return for the year ended May 31, 2024, include certain non-recurring
fees incurred by the Fund
during the period. Without these fees, the gross and net expense ratios and the net
investment income ratio would
have been 3.09%, 3.04% and 3.23%, respectively, and total return based on NAV would
have been 3.43%.
|
|
The total return based on NAV reflects the impact of the repurchase by the Fund of
a portion of its Auction Rate
Cumulative Preferred Shares at 95% of the per share liquidation preference. Absent
this transaction, the total
return based on NAV would have been (2.04)%.
|
|
The total return based on NAV reflects the impact of the repurchase by the Fund of
a portion of its Auction Rate
Cumulative Preferred Shares at 85% of the per share liquidation preference. Absent
this transaction, the total
return based on NAV would have been the same.
|
|
The total return calculation assumes that distributions are reinvested in accordance with the Fund’s dividend
reinvestment plan. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
|
|
Calculated on the basis of average net assets of common stock shareholders. Ratios
do not reflect the effect of
dividend payments to auction rate cumulative preferred stockholders.
|
|
The manager has agreed to waive the Fund’s management fee to an extent sufficient to offset the net management
fee payable in connection with any investment in an affiliated money market fund.
|
|
Reflects fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements.
|
|
Represents value of net assets plus the liquidation value of the auction rate cumulative
preferred stock and
variable rate demand preferred stock, if any, at the end of the period divided by
the liquidation value of the auction
rate cumulative preferred stock and variable rate demand preferred stock, if any,
outstanding at the end of the
period.
|
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. 2024 Annual Report
Notes to financial statements
1. Organization and significant accounting policies
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. (the “Fund”) 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 Fund’s investment objective is to seek as high a level of current income exempt from federal income
tax as is consistent with preservation of capital. When pursuing its investment objective, the
Fund seeks to maximize current income exempt from federal income tax as is consistent with
preservation of principal.
The Fund follows the accounting and reporting guidance in Financial Accounting Standards
Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies (“ASC 946”). The following are significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund and are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted
accounting principles (“GAAP”), including, but not limited to, ASC 946. Estimates and assumptions are required to be made regarding assets, liabilities and changes in net
assets resulting from operations when financial statements are prepared. Changes in the economic
environment, financial markets and any other parameters used in determining these
estimates could cause actual results to differ. Subsequent events have been evaluated
through the date the financial statements were issued.
(a) Investment valuation. The valuations for fixed income securities (which may include, but are not limited to, corporate, government, municipal, mortgage-backed, collateralized
mortgage obligations and asset-backed securities) and certain derivative instruments
are typically the prices supplied by independent third party pricing services, which may
use market prices or broker/dealer quotations or a variety of valuation techniques and
methodologies. The independent third party pricing services typically use inputs that
are observable such as issuer details, interest rates, yield curves, prepayment speeds,
credit risks/spreads, default rates and quoted prices for similar securities. Investments
in open-end funds are valued at the closing net asset value per share of each fund on the day
of valuation. Futures contracts are valued daily at the settlement price established
by the board of trade or exchange on which they are traded. If independent third party pricing
services are unable to supply prices for a portfolio investment, or if the prices
supplied are deemed by the manager to be unreliable, the market price may be determined by the
manager using quotations from one or more broker/dealers or at the transaction price
if the security has recently been purchased and no value has yet been obtained from a pricing
service or pricing broker. When reliable prices are not readily available, such as
when the value of a security has been significantly affected by events after the close of the
exchange or market on which the security is principally traded, but before the Fund calculates
its net asset value, the Fund values these securities as determined in accordance with procedures
approved by the Fund’s Board of Directors.
Pursuant to policies adopted by the Board of Directors, the Fund’s manager has been designated as the valuation designee and is responsible for the oversight of the daily
valuation process. The Fund’s manager is assisted by the Global Fund Valuation Committee (the “Valuation Committee”). The Valuation Committee is responsible for making fair value determinations, evaluating the effectiveness of the Fund’s pricing policies, and reporting to the Fund’s manager and the Board of Directors. When determining the reliability of third
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. 2024 Annual Report
Notes to financial statements (cont’d)
party pricing information for investments owned by the Fund, the Valuation Committee,
among other things, conducts due diligence reviews of pricing vendors, monitors the
daily change in prices and reviews transactions among market participants.
The Valuation Committee will consider pricing methodologies it deems relevant and
appropriate when making fair value determinations. Examples of possible methodologies
include, but are not limited to, multiple of earnings; discount from market of a similar
freely traded security; discounted cash-flow analysis; book value or a multiple thereof;
risk premium/yield analysis; yield to maturity; and/or fundamental investment analysis.
The Valuation Committee will also consider factors it deems relevant and appropriate in
light of the facts and circumstances. Examples of possible factors include, but are not limited
to, the type of security; the issuer’s financial statements; the purchase price of the security; the discount from market value of unrestricted securities of the same class at the time
of purchase; analysts’ research and observations from financial institutions; information regarding any transactions or offers with respect to the security; the existence of
merger proposals or tender offers affecting the security; the price and extent of public
trading in similar securities of the issuer or comparable companies; and the existence of a shelf
registration for restricted securities.
For each portfolio security that has been fair valued pursuant to the policies adopted
by the Board of Directors, the fair value price is compared against the last available and
next available market quotations. The Valuation Committee reviews the results of such back
testing monthly and fair valuation occurrences are reported to the Board of Directors
quarterly.
The Fund uses valuation techniques to measure fair value that are consistent with
the market approach and/or income approach, depending on the type of security and the
particular circumstance. The market approach uses prices and other relevant information
generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable securities. The
income approach uses valuation techniques to discount estimated future cash flows to present
value.
GAAP establishes a disclosure hierarchy that categorizes the inputs to valuation techniques
used to value assets and liabilities at measurement date. These inputs are summarized
in the three broad levels listed below:
•
Level 1 — unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments
•
Level 2 — other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)
•
Level 3 — significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)
The inputs or methodologies used to value securities are not necessarily an indication
of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. 2024 Annual Report
The following is a summary of the inputs used in valuing the Fund’s assets and liabilities carried at fair value:
|
|
|
Other Significant
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
|
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Municipal Bonds Deposited in
Tender Option Bond Trusts
|
|
|
|
|
Total Long-Term Investments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other Significant
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
|
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
|
|
Other Financial Instruments:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See Schedule of Investments for additional detailed categorizations.
|
|
Reflects the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of the instruments.
|
(b) Tender option bonds. The Fund may enter into tender option bond (“TOB”) transactions and may invest in inverse floating rate instruments (“Inverse Floaters”) issued in TOB transactions. The Fund may participate either in structuring an Inverse Floater or
purchasing an Inverse Floater in the secondary market. When structuring an Inverse Floater, the
Fund deposits securities (typically municipal bonds or other municipal securities) (the “Underlying Bonds”) into a special purpose entity, referred to as a TOB trust. The TOB trust generally issues floating rate notes (“Floaters”) to third parties and residual interest, Inverse Floaters, to the Fund. The Floaters issued by the TOB trust have interest rates which reset
weekly and provide the holders of the Floaters the option to tender their notes back to the
TOB trust for redemption at par at each reset date. The net proceeds of the sale of the Floaters,
after expenses, are received by the Fund and may be invested in additional securities. The
Inverse Floaters are inverse floating rate debt instruments, as the return on those
bonds is inversely related to changes in a specified interest rate. Distributions on any Inverse
Floaters paid to the Fund will be reduced or, in the extreme, eliminated as short-term
interest rates rise and will increase when such interest rates fall. Floaters issued
by a TOB trust may be senior to the Inverse Floaters held by the Fund. The value and market
for Inverse Floaters can be volatile, and Inverse Floaters can have limited liquidity.
An investment in an Inverse Floater structured by the Fund is accounted for as a secured
borrowing. The Underlying Bonds deposited into the TOB trust are included in the Fund’s Schedule of Investments and a liability for Floaters (TOB floating rate notes) issued
by the TOB trust is recognized in the Fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The carrying
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. 2024 Annual Report
Notes to financial statements (cont’d)
amount of the TOB trust’s floating rate note obligations as reported on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities approximates its fair value. Interest income, including amortization,
on the Underlying Bonds is recognized in the Fund’s Statements of Operations. Interest paid to holders of the Floaters, as well as other expenses related to administration, liquidity,
remarketing and trustee services of the TOB trust, are recognized in Interest expense
in the Fund’s Statement of Operations. For the year ended May 31, 2024, the average daily amount of floating rate notes outstanding was $11,990,246 and weighted average interest rate
was 4.05%.
(c) Net asset value. The net asset value (“NAV”) of the Fund’s common stock is determined no less frequently than the close of business on the Fund’s last business day of each week (generally Friday) and on the last business day of the month. It is determined
by dividing the value of the net assets available to common stock by the total number
of shares of common stock outstanding. For the purpose of determining the NAV per share
of the common stock, the value of the Fund’s net assets shall be deemed to equal the value of the Fund’s assets less the Fund’s liabilities including the aggregate liquidation value (i.e., $25,000 per outstanding share) of the Variable Rate Demand Preferred Stock (“VRDPS”), net of deferred offering costs.
(d) Futures contracts. The Fund uses futures contracts generally to gain exposure to, or hedge against, changes in interest rates or gain exposure to, or hedge against, changes
in certain asset classes. A futures contract represents a commitment for the future purchase
or sale of an asset at a specified price on a specified date.
Upon entering into a futures contract, the Fund is required to deposit cash or securities
with a broker in an amount equal to a certain percentage of the contract amount. This is
known as the ‘‘initial margin’’ and subsequent payments (‘‘variation margin’’) are made or received by the Fund each day, depending on the daily fluctuation in the value of the contract.
For certain futures, including foreign denominated futures, variation margin is not settled
daily, but is recorded as a net variation margin payable or receivable. The daily changes
in contract value are recorded as unrealized appreciation or depreciation in the Statement
of Operations and the Fund recognizes a realized gain or loss when the contract is closed.
Futures contracts involve, to varying degrees, risk of loss in excess of the amounts
reflected in the financial statements. In addition, there is the risk that the Fund may not
be able to enter into a closing transaction because of an illiquid secondary market.
(e) Securities traded on a when-issued and delayed delivery basis. The Fund may trade securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis. In when-issued and delayed
delivery transactions, the securities are purchased or sold by the Fund with payment
and delivery taking place in the future in order to secure what is considered to be an
advantageous price and yield to the Fund at the time of entering into the transaction.
Purchasing such securities involves risk of loss if the value of the securities declines
prior to settlement. These securities are subject to market fluctuations and their current
value is determined in the same manner as for other securities.
(f) 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
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. 2024 Annual Report
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.
(g) Counterparty risk and credit-risk-related contingent features of derivative instruments. The Fund may invest in certain securities or engage in other transactions where the Fund is exposed to counterparty credit risk in addition to broader market
risks. The Fund may invest in securities of issuers, which may also be considered counterparties
as trading partners in other transactions. This may increase the risk of loss in the
event of default or bankruptcy by the counterparty or if the counterparty otherwise fails to
meet its contractual obligations. The Fund’s subadviser attempts to mitigate counterparty risk by (i) periodically assessing the creditworthiness of its trading partners, (ii) monitoring
and/or limiting the amount of its net exposure to each individual counterparty based on its
assessment and (iii) requiring collateral from the counterparty for certain transactions.
Market events and changes in overall economic conditions may impact the assessment
of such counterparty risk by the subadviser. In addition, declines in the values of underlying
collateral received may expose the Fund to increased risk of loss.
With exchange traded and centrally cleared derivatives, there is less counterparty
risk to the Fund since the exchange or clearinghouse, as counterparty to such instruments,
guarantees against a possible default. The clearinghouse stands between the buyer
and the seller of the contract; therefore, the credit risk is limited to failure of the clearinghouse.
While offset rights may exist under applicable law, the Fund does not have a contractual
right of offset against a clearing broker or clearinghouse in the event of a default
of the clearing broker or clearinghouse.
The Fund has entered into master agreements, such as an International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreement (“ISDA Master Agreement”) or similar agreement, with certain of its derivative counterparties that govern over-the-counter
(“OTC”) derivatives and provide for general obligations, representations, agreements, collateral posting terms, netting provisions in the event of default or termination
and credit related contingent features. The credit related contingent features include, but are
not limited to, a percentage decrease in the Fund’s net assets or net asset value per share over a specified period of time. If these credit related contingent features were triggered,
the derivatives counterparty could terminate the positions and demand payment or require
additional collateral.
Under an ISDA Master Agreement, the Fund may, under certain circumstances, offset
with the counterparty certain derivative financial instruments’ payables and/or receivables with collateral held and/or posted and create one single net payment. However, absent an
event of default by the counterparty or a termination of the agreement, the terms of the
ISDA Master Agreements do not result in an offset of reported amounts of financial assets
and financial liabilities in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities across transactions
between the Fund and the applicable counterparty. The enforceability of the right to offset
may vary by jurisdiction.
Collateral requirements differ by type of derivative. Collateral or margin requirements
are set by the broker or exchange clearinghouse for exchange traded derivatives while
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. 2024 Annual Report
Notes to financial statements (cont’d)
collateral terms are contract specific for OTC traded derivatives. Cash collateral
that has been pledged to cover obligations of the Fund under derivative contracts, if any,
will be reported separately in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Securities pledged
as collateral, if any, for the same purpose are noted in the Schedule of Investments.
As of May 31, 2024, the Fund did not have any open OTC derivative transactions with
credit related contingent features in a net liability position.
(h) Security transactions and investment income. Security transactions are accounted for on a trade date basis. Interest income (including interest income from payment-in-kind
securities) is recorded on the accrual basis. Amortization of premiums and accretion
of discounts on debt securities are recorded to interest income over the lives of the
respective securities, except for premiums on certain callable debt securities, which are amortized
to the earliest call date. The cost of investments sold is determined by use of the specific
identification method. To the extent any issuer defaults or a credit event occurs
that impacts the issuer, the Fund may halt any additional interest income accruals and consider
the realizability of interest accrued up to the date of default or credit event.
(i) Distributions to shareholders. Distributions to common shareholders from net investment income of the Fund, if any, are declared quarterly and paid on a monthly
basis. The Fund intends to satisfy conditions that will enable interest from municipal securities,
which is exempt from federal and certain state income taxes, to retain such tax-exempt
status when distributed to the common shareholders of the Fund. Distributions to common
shareholders of net realized gains, if any, are taxable and are declared at least
annually. Distributions to common shareholders of the Fund are recorded on the ex-dividend date
and are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP.
Distributions to holders of Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock (“ARCPS”) were accrued daily and paid on a weekly basis and were determined as described in Note
6. Distributions to holders of VRDPS are accrued on a daily basis and paid monthly as
described in Note 5 and are treated as an operating expense as required by GAAP. For
tax purposes, the payments made to the holders of the Fund’s VRDPS are treated as dividends or distributions.
(j) Compensating balance arrangements. The Fund has an arrangement with its custodian bank whereby a portion of the custodian’s fees is paid indirectly by credits earned on the Fund’s cash on deposit with the bank.
(k) Federal and other taxes. It is the Fund’s policy to comply with the federal income and excise tax requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”), as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies. Accordingly, the Fund intends to distribute
its taxable income and net realized gains, if any, to shareholders in accordance with
timing requirements imposed by the Code. Therefore, no federal or state income tax provision
is required in the Fund’s financial statements.
Management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions taken on income tax returns for all open tax years and has concluded that as of May 31, 2024, no provision for income tax is
required in the Fund’s financial statements. The Fund’s federal and state income and federal
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. 2024 Annual Report
excise tax returns for tax years for which the applicable statutes of limitations
have not expired are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and state departments
of revenue.
(l) Reclassification. GAAP requires that certain components of net assets be reclassified to reflect permanent differences between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset value per share. During
the current year, the following reclassifications have been made:
|
Total Distributable
Earnings (Loss)
|
|
|
|
|
(a)
Reclassifications are due to non-deductible offering costs for tax purposes and prior
year capital loss carryforward from acquired fund.
2. Investment management agreement and other transactions with affiliates
Franklin Templeton Fund Adviser, LLC (“FTFA”) (formerly known as Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (“LMPFA”) prior to November 30, 2023) is the Fund’s investment manager and Western Asset Management Company, LLC (“Western Asset”) is the Fund’s subadviser. FTFA and Western Asset are indirect, wholly-owned subsidiaries of Franklin Resources,
Inc. (“Franklin Resources”).
FTFA provides administrative and certain oversight services to the Fund. The Fund
pays FTFA an investment management fee, calculated daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate
of 0.55% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. FTFA has agreed to waive 0.05% of its investment management fee from October 16, 2023 through October 16, 2024. For the
purposes of calculating the investment management fee, the aggregate liquidation value
of the Preferred Stock is not deducted in determining the Fund’s average daily net assets.
FTFA delegates to Western Asset the day-to-day portfolio management of the Fund. For
its services, FTFA pays Western Asset monthly 70% of the net management fee it receives
from the Fund.
The manager has agreed to waive the Fund’s management fee to an extent sufficient to offset the net management fee payable in connection with any investment in an affiliated
money market fund (the “affiliated money market fund waiver”).
During the year ended May 31, 2024, fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed amounted
to $285,811, which included an affiliated money market fund waiver of $39.
All officers and one Director of the Fund are employees of Franklin Resources or its
affiliates and do not receive compensation from the Fund.
The Fund is permitted to purchase or sell short-term variable rate demand obligations
from or to certain other affiliated funds or portfolios under specified conditions outlined
in procedures adopted by the Board of Directors. The procedures have been designed to
provide assurance that any purchase or sale of securities by the Fund from or to another
fund or portfolio that is, or could be considered, an affiliate by virtue of having
a common investment manager or subadviser (or affiliated investment manager or subadviser),
common Directors and/or common officers complies with Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act.
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. 2024 Annual Report
Notes to financial statements (cont’d)
Further, as defined under the procedures, each transaction is effected at the current
market price. For the year ended May 31, 2024, such purchase and sale transactions (excluding
accrued interest) were $44,815,000 and $64,255,000, respectively.
During the year ended May 31, 2024, the aggregate cost of purchases and proceeds from
sales of investments (excluding short-term investments) were as follows:
At May 31, 2024, the aggregate cost of investments and the aggregate gross unrealized
appreciation and depreciation of investments for federal income tax purposes were
as follows:
|
|
Gross
Unrealized
Appreciation
|
Gross
Unrealized
Depreciation
|
Net
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of investments for federal income tax purposes includes the value of Inverse
Floaters issued in TOB
transactions (Note 1).
|
4. Derivative instruments and hedging activities
Below is a table, grouped by derivative type, that provides information about the
fair value and the location of derivatives within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities at
May 31, 2024.
|
Generally, the balance sheet location for asset derivatives is receivables/net unrealized
appreciation and for
liability derivatives is payables/net unrealized depreciation.
|
|
Includes cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of futures contracts as
reported in the Schedule of
Investments. Only net variation margin is reported within the receivables and/or payables
on the Statement of
Assets and Liabilities.
|
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. 2024 Annual Report
The following tables provide information about the effect of derivatives and hedging
activities on the Fund’s Statement of Operations for the year ended May 31, 2024. The first table provides additional detail about the amounts and sources of gains (losses) realized
on derivatives during the period. The second table provides additional information about
the change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) resulting from the Fund’s derivatives and hedging activities during the period.
AMOUNT OF NET REALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON DERIVATIVES RECOGNIZED
|
|
|
|
|
CHANGE IN NET UNREALIZED APPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) ON DERIVATIVES RECOGNIZED
|
|
|
|
|
During the year ended May 31, 2024, the volume of derivative activity for the Fund
was as follows:
|
|
Futures contracts (to buy)
|
|
5. Variable rate demand preferred stock
On March 4, 2015, the Fund completed a private offering of 8,703 shares of Series
1 VRDPS. Net proceeds from the offering were used by the Fund to repurchase outstanding shares
of Series M, Series T, Series W, Series TH and Series F ARCPS that had been accepted
for payment pursuant to the tender offer (see Note 6). Offering costs incurred by the
Fund in connection with the Series 1 VRDPS issuance are being amortized to expense over the
life of the VRDPS.
On October 16, 2023, the Fund issued and delivered for distribution to holders of
shares of Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. Series 1 VRDPS newly-issued shares of the
Fund’s Series 2 VRDPS. Offering costs incurred by the Fund in connection with the Series 2 VRDPS issuance are being amortized to expense over the life of the Series 2 VRDPS.
The table below summarizes the key terms of Series 1 and Series 2 of the VRDPS at
May 31, 2024.
|
Mandatory
Redemption Date
|
|
Liquidation
Preference
Per Share
|
Aggregate
Liquidation
Value
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The VRDPS shares are not listed on any securities exchange or automated quotation
system. For financial reporting purposes, the VRDPS shares are considered debt of
the Fund; therefore, the liquidation value, which approximates fair value of the VRDPS shares,
is recorded as a liability on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. 2024 Annual Report
Notes to financial statements (cont’d)
Holders of VRDPS have the right to tender their VRDPS shares for remarketing at a
price equal to the liquidation preference amount plus all accumulated but unpaid dividends
and at a date which is no earlier than the seventh day following delivery of the notice
to the tender and paying agent. The VRDPS shares include a liquidity feature that allows
VRDPS holders to have their shares purchased by the liquidity provider with whom the Fund
has contracted in the event of a failed remarketing where purchase orders are not sufficient
in number to be matched with the sale orders. The Fund is required to redeem the VRDPS
shares owned by the liquidity provider after six months of continuous, unsuccessful
remarketing. The Fund pays a monthly remarketing fee at the annual rate of 0.05% of
the liquidation value of each VRDPS share outstanding on the first calendar day of the
preceding calendar month. These fees are shown as remarketing fees on the Statement
of Operations.
Holders of VRDPS are entitled to receive monthly cumulative cash dividends, payable
on the first business day of each calendar month, at a variable rate set weekly by the remarketing
agent. The dividend rate is generally based upon a spread over a base rate and cannot
exceed a maximum rate. In the event of a failed remarketing, the dividend rate will
reset to the maximum rate. The maximum rate is determined, in part, based upon the long-term
rating assigned to the VRDPS. In the event the Fund fails to make a scheduled dividend
payment, all outstanding shares of the VRDPS are subject to mandatory tender.
Subject to certain conditions, the VRDPS shares may be redeemed, in whole or in part,
at any time at the option of the Fund. The redemption price per share is equal to the
liquidation value per share plus any accumulated but unpaid dividends. The Fund is
required to redeem its VRDPS on the mandatory redemption dates, March 4, 2045 and March 11,
2045, for Series 1 and Series 2, respectively. In addition, the Fund is required to
redeem certain of the VRDPS shares if the Fund fails to maintain certain asset coverage and
rating agency guidelines.
The Fund is a party to a fee agreement with the liquidity provider that requires monthly
payment of an annual liquidity fee. These fees are shown as liquidity fees on the
Statement of Operations. The fee agreement between the Fund and the liquidity provider is scheduled
to terminate on June 20, 2025. The Fund has the right, which is exercisable 120 to
90 days prior to the scheduled termination date, to request that the liquidity provider extend
the term of the agreement for an additional period. The Fund may also terminate the agreement
early. In the event the fee agreement is not renewed or is terminated in advance,
and the Fund does not enter into a fee agreement with an alternate liquidity provider, the
VRDPS will be subject to mandatory purchase by the liquidity provider prior to the termination
of the fee agreement. The Fund is required to redeem any VRDPS purchased by the liquidity
provider six months after the purchase date.
The VRDPS ranks senior to the Fund’s outstanding common stock and on parity with any other preferred stock. The Fund may not declare dividends or make other distributions
on shares of its common stock unless the Fund has declared and paid full cumulative dividends
on the VRDPS, due on or prior to the date of the common stock dividend or distribution,
and meets the VRDPS asset coverage and rating agency requirements.
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. 2024 Annual Report
The holders of the VRDPS have one vote per share and vote together with the holders
of common stock of the Fund as a single class except on matters affecting only the holders
of VRDPS or the holders of common stock. Pursuant to the 1940 Act, holders of the VRDPS
have the right to elect two Directors of the Fund, voting separately as a class.
The annualized dividend rate for the VRDPS shares for the year ended May 31, 2024
was 3.635%.
6. Auction rate cumulative preferred stock
During a portion of the year ended May 31, 2024, the Fund had 3 shares outstanding
of Series M, 18 shares outstanding of Series T, 2 shares outstanding of Series W, 17
shares outstanding of Series Th and 12 shares outstanding of Series F, each of ARCPS. As
described below, all of the Fund’s remaining outstanding ARCPS were redeemed by the Fund during the year ended May 31, 2024.
On January 22, 2015, the Fund announced that it had commenced an issuer tender offer
for up to 100% of its outstanding ARCPS at a price equal to 90% of the liquidation preference
of $25,000 per share (or $22,500 per share), plus any unpaid dividends accrued through
February 27, 2015, the expiration date of the tender offer.
The Fund’s tender offers were conditioned upon the Fund closing on the private offering of VRDPS with an aggregate liquidation preference at least equal to the aggregate liquidation
preference of ARCPS accepted for tender.
On March 4, 2015, the Fund announced the final results for its issuer tender offer
and all shares that were validly tendered and not withdrawn during the offering period were
accepted for payment. The Fund accepted for payment 1,871 Series M ARCPS, 1,717 Series
T ARCPS, 1,710 Series W ARCPS, 1,466 Series Th ARCPS and 1,939 Series F ARCPS, which
represented 93.55% of outstanding Series M ARCPS, 85.85% of outstanding Series T ARCPS, 85.50% of outstanding Series W ARCPS, 73.30% of outstanding Series Th ARCPS,
and 96.95% of outstanding Series F ARCPS. In aggregate, the Fund accepted for payment
8,703 ARCPS, which represented 87.03% of the outstanding ARCPS. The ARCPS that were
not tendered remained outstanding.
In September 2015, the Fund repurchased 14 Series W ARCPS in a private transaction
at a price equal to 90% of the liquidation preference of $25,000 per share (or $22,500
per share), plus any unpaid dividends.
On November 27, 2018, the Fund repurchased 80 Series M and 80 Series Th ARCPS in a
private transaction at a price equal to 85% of the liquidation preference of $25,000
per share (or $21,250 per share), plus any unpaid dividends.
On January 23, 2019, the Fund repurchased 1 Series M ARCPS in a private transaction
at a price equal to 85% of the liquidation preference of $25,000 per share (or $21,250
per share), plus any unpaid dividends.
On November 20, 2019, the Fund repurchased 16 Series Th ARCPS in a private transaction
at a price equal to 85% of the liquidation preference of $25,000 per share (or $21,250
per share), plus any unpaid dividends.
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. 2024 Annual Report
Notes to financial statements (cont’d)
On November 17, 2020, the Fund repurchased 1 Series M ARCPS in a private transaction
at a price equal to 85% of the liquidation preference of $25,000 per share (or $21,250
per share), plus any unpaid dividends.
On November 16, 2022, the Fund repurchased 2 Series M, 31 Series T, 17 Series W and
24 Series Th ARCPS in a private transaction at a price equal to 95% of the liquidation
preference of $25,000 per share (or $23,750 per share), plus any unpaid dividends.
On March 1, 2023, the Fund repurchased 42 Series M, 234 Series T, 257 Series W, 397
Series Th and 49 Series F ARCPS in a private transaction at a price equal to 95% of
the liquidation preference of $25,000 per share (or $23,750 per share), plus any unpaid
dividends.
On October 5, 2023, the Fund redeemed 3 Series M ARCPS at the liquidation preference
value of $25,000, plus any accrued but unpaid dividends.
On October 6, 2023, the Fund redeemed 18 Series T ARCPS at the liquidation preference
value of $25,000, plus any accrued but unpaid dividends.
On October 10, 2023, the Fund redeemed 2 Series W ARCPS at the liquidation preference
value of $25,000, plus any accrued but unpaid dividends.
On October 11, 2023, the Fund redeemed 17 Series Th ARCPS at the liquidation preference
value of $25,000, plus any accrued but unpaid dividends.
On October 12, 2023, the Fund redeemed 12 Series F ARCPS at the liquidation preference
value of $25,000, plus any accrued but unpaid dividends.
The difference between the liquidation preference of the ARCPS and the actual purchase
price of the tendered ARCPS was recognized by the Fund in the Statement of Changes
in Net Assets as an increase in net assets applicable to common shares resulting from
the tender and repurchase of the ARCPS by the Fund.
The ARCPS’ dividends were cumulative at a rate determined at an auction and the dividend period was typically seven days. The dividend rate could not exceed a certain maximum
rate, including in the event of a failed auction, unless the Board of Directors of
the Fund authorized an increased maximum rate. To the extent capital gains and other taxable
income were allocated to holders of ARCPS for tax purposes, the Fund would have likely
had to pay higher dividends to holders of ARCPS to compensate them for the increased
tax liability to them resulting from such allocation. Due to failed auctions experienced
by the Fund’s ARCPS starting February 14, 2008, the Fund paid the applicable maximum rate, which was calculated using the higher of 110% of the taxable equivalent of the short-term
municipal bond rate and 110% of the prevailing 30-days “AA” Financial Composite Commercial Paper Rate. The Fund may have paid higher maximum rates if the rating of
the Fund’s ARCPS were to be lowered by the rating agencies.
The dividend rates ranged from 5.623% to 7.118% during a portion of the year ended
May 31, 2024.
The holders of the ARCPS had one vote per share and voted together with the holders
of common stock of the Fund as a single class except on matters that affected only the
holders
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. 2024 Annual Report
of preferred stock or the holders of common stock. Pursuant to the 1940 Act, holders
of the preferred stock had the right to elect two Directors of the Fund, voting separately
as a class.
Citigroup Global Markets Inc. (“CGM”), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Citigroup, Inc., acted as a broker/dealer in connection with the auction of ARCPS. For all previous
periods since the ARCPS had been outstanding, the participation fee had been paid
at the annual rate of 0.25% of the purchase price of the ARCPS that the broker/dealer had
placed at the auction. However, on August 3, 2009, CGM reduced its participation fee to an
annual rate of 0.05% of the purchase price of the ARCPS, in the case of a failed auction.
For a portion of the year ended May 31, 2024, CGM earned $223 as a participating broker/dealer.
7. Distributions to common shareholders subsequent to May 31, 2024
The following distributions to common shareholders have been declared by the Fund’s Board of Directors and are payable subsequent to the period end of this report:
8. Stock repurchase program
On November 16, 2015, the Fund announced that the Fund’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) had authorized the Fund to repurchase in the open market up to approximately 10% of
the Fund’s outstanding common stock when the Fund’s shares are trading at a discount to net asset value. The Board has directed management of the Fund to repurchase shares of
common stock at such times and in such amounts as management reasonably believes may
enhance stockholder value. The Fund is under no obligation to purchase shares at any
specific discount levels or in any specific amounts.
During the year ended May 31, 2024, the Fund repurchased and retired 0.21% of its
common shares outstanding under the repurchase plan. The weighted average discount
per share on these repurchases was 12.13% for the year ended May 31, 2024. Shares repurchased and the corresponding dollar amount are included in the Statements of
Changes in Net Assets. The anti-dilutive impact of these share repurchases is included
in the Financial Highlights. During the year ended May 31, 2023, the Fund did not repurchase
any shares.
Since the commencement of the stock repurchase program through May 31, 2024, the Fund
repurchased 113,555 shares or 0.21% of its common shares outstanding for a total amount
of $1,159,604.
9. Transfer of net assets
On October 13, 2023, the Fund acquired the assets and certain liabilities of Western
Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. (the “Acquired Fund”), pursuant to a plan of reorganization approved by the Board of Directors of both the Acquired Fund and the Fund. Total shares
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. 2024 Annual Report
Notes to financial statements (cont’d)
issued by the Fund and the total net assets of the Acquired Fund and the Fund on the
date of the transfer were as follows:
|
Shares Issued
by the Fund
|
Total Net Assets
of the Acquired Fund
|
Total Net Assets
of the Fund
|
Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.
|
|
|
|
As part of the reorganization, for each common share they held, shareholders of the
Acquired Fund received 1.172960 common shares of the Fund. The Fund did not issue
any fractional shares to shareholders of the Acquired Fund. In lieu thereof, the Fund
purchased all fractional shares at the current net asset value of the shares and remitted the
cash proceeds to former shareholders of the Acquired Fund in proportion to their fractional
shares.
The total net assets of the Acquired Fund before the acquisition included unrealized
depreciation of $(8,619,540), accumulated net realized loss of $(8,527,192), overdistributed
net investment income of $(1,047,999) and distributions paid to auction rate cumulative
preferred stockholders of $(461,303). Total net assets of the Fund immediately after
the transfer were $594,862,632. The transaction was structured to qualify as a tax-free
reorganization under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Proforma results of operations of the combined entity for the entire year ended May
31, 2024, as though the acquisition had occurred as of the beginning of the year (rather
than on the actual acquisition date), are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change in net unrealized appreciation
|
|
Distributions paid to auction rate cumulative preferred stockholders
|
|
Increase in net assets from operations
|
|
Because the combined investment portfolios have been managed as a single portfolio
since the acquisition was completed, it is not practicable to separate the amounts of revenue
and earnings of the Acquired Fund that have been included in the Fund’s accompanying Statement of Operations since the close of business on October 13, 2023.
10. Transactions with affiliated company
As defined by the 1940 Act, an affiliated company is one in which the Fund owns 5%
or more of the outstanding voting securities, or a company which is under common ownership
or control with the Fund. The following company was considered an affiliated company
for
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. 2024 Annual Report
all or some portion of the year ended May 31, 2024. The following transactions were
effected in such company for the year ended May 31, 2024.
|
Affiliate
Value at
May 31,
2023
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Western Asset
Premier
Institutional
Government
Reserves, Premium
Shares
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Increase
(Decrease) in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
|
Affiliate
Value at
May 31,
2024
|
Western Asset Premier
Institutional
Government Reserves,
Premium Shares
|
|
|
|
|
11. Income tax information and distributions to shareholders
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended May 31, was
as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Auction rate cumulative preferred stockholders
|
|
|
Variable rate demand preferred stockholders
|
|
|
Total tax exempt distributions
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Auction rate cumulative preferred stockholders
|
|
|
Variable rate demand preferred stockholders
|
|
|
Total ordinary income distributions
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Auction rate cumulative preferred stockholders
|
|
|
Variable rate demand preferred stockholders
|
|
|
|
|
|
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. 2024 Annual Report
Notes to financial statements (cont’d)
As of May 31, 2024, the components of distributable earnings (loss) on a tax basis
were as follows:
|
|
Other book/tax temporary differences(a)
|
|
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation)(b)
|
|
Total distributable earnings (loss) — net
|
|
|
These capital losses have been deferred in the current year as either short-term or
long-term losses. The losses
will be deemed to occur on the first day of the next taxable year in the same character
as they were originally
deferred and will be available to offset future taxable capital gains.
|
|
Other book/tax temporary differences are attributable to the difference between cash
and accrual basis
distributions paid and book/tax differences in the timing of the deductibility of
various expenses.
|
|
The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
is attributable to the tax
deferral of losses on wash sales, the difference between book and tax accretion methods
for market discount on
fixed income securities and book/tax differences in the accrual of interest income
on securities in default.
|
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. 2024 Annual Report
Report of independent registered public accounting firm
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the
schedule of investments, of Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. (the “Fund”) as of May 31, 2024, the related statements of operations and cash flows for the year ended May 31, 2024, the
statement of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period ended May 31, 2024,
including the related notes, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period ended
May 31, 2024 (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of May 31,
2024, the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets
for each of the two years in the period ended May 31, 2024 and the financial highlights for each of the
five years in the period ended May 31, 2024 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted
in the United States of America.
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States)
(PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal
securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission
and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards
of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance
about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to
error or fraud.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement
of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond
to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and
disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles
used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the
financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of May 31,
2024 by correspondence with the custodian, the administrative agent for the tender option
bond trust and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Baltimore, Maryland
July 19, 2024
We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies in the Franklin
Templeton Group of Funds since 1948.
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. 2024 Annual Report
Board approval of management and
subadvisory agreements (unaudited)
Background
The Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), requires that the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. (the “Fund”), including a majority of its members who are not considered to be “interested persons” under the 1940 Act (the “Independent Directors”) voting separately, approve on an annual basis the continuation of the investment management agreement (the “Management Agreement”) between the Fund and the Fund’s manager, Franklin Templeton Fund Adviser, LLC (formerly, Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC) (the “Manager”), and the sub-advisory agreement (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement”) between the Manager and Western Asset Management Company, LLC (the “Sub-Adviser”), an affiliate of the Manager, with respect to the Fund.
At an in-person meeting (the “Contract Renewal Meeting”) held on May 20-21, 2024, the Board, including the Independent Directors, considered and approved the continuation
of each of the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement for an additional
one-year period. To assist in its consideration of the renewal of each of the Management
Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement, the Board received and considered extensive
information (together with the information provided at the Contract Renewal Meeting,
the “Contract Renewal Information”) about the Manager and the Sub-Adviser, as well as the management and sub-advisory arrangements for the Fund and the other closed-end funds
in the same complex under the Board’s purview (the “Franklin Templeton Closed-end Funds”), certain portions of which are discussed below.
A presentation made by the Manager and the Sub-Adviser to the Board at the Contract
Renewal Meeting in connection with the Board’s evaluation of each of the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement encompassed the Fund and other Franklin Templeton Closed-end Funds. In addition to the Contract Renewal Information, the Board
received performance and other information throughout the year related to the respective
services rendered by the Manager and the Sub-Adviser to the Fund. The Board’s evaluation took into account the information received throughout the year and also reflected
the knowledge and experience gained as members of the Boards of the Fund and other Franklin
Templeton Closed-end Funds with respect to the services provided to the Fund by the
Manager and the Sub-Adviser. The information received and considered by the Board
(including its various committees) in conjunction with both the Contract Renewal Meeting
and throughout the year was both written and oral. The contractual arrangements discussed
below are the product of multiple years of review and negotiation and information
received and considered by the Board during each of those years.
At a meeting held on April 26, 2024, the Independent Directors, in preparation for
the Contract Renewal Meeting, met in a private session with their independent legal counsel
to review the Contract Renewal Information regarding the Franklin Templeton Closed-end
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc.
Funds, including the Fund, received to date. No representatives of the Manager or
the Sub-Adviser participated in this meeting. Following the April 26, 2024 meeting, the Independent
Directors submitted certain questions and requests for additional information to Fund
management. The Independent Directors also met in private sessions with their independent legal counsel to consider the Contract Renewal Information and Fund management’s responses to the Independent Directors’ questions and requests for additional information in advance of and during the Contract Renewal Meeting. The
discussion below reflects all of these reviews.
The Manager provides the Fund with investment advisory and administrative services
pursuant to the Management Agreement and the Sub-Adviser provides the Fund with investment sub-advisory services pursuant to the Sub-Advisory Agreement. The discussion
below covers both the advisory and administrative functions being rendered by the
Manager, each such function being encompassed by the Management Agreement, and the
investment sub-advisory functions being rendered by the Sub-Adviser pursuant to the
Sub-Advisory Agreement.
Board Approval of Management Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreement
The Independent Directors were advised by separate independent legal counsel throughout
the process. Prior to voting, the Independent Directors received a memorandum discussing
the legal standards for their consideration of the proposed continuation of the Management
Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement. The Independent Directors considered the
Management Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreement separately during the course of their
review. In doing so, they noted the respective roles of the Manager and the Sub-Adviser
in providing services to the Fund.
In approving the continuation of the Management Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreement,
the Board, including the Independent Directors, considered a variety of factors, including
those factors discussed below. No single factor reviewed by the Board was identified
by the Board as the principal factor in determining whether to approve the continuation of
the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement. Each Director may have attributed different weight to the various factors in evaluating the Management Agreement
and the Sub-Advisory Agreement.
After considering all relevant factors and information, the Board, exercising its
reasonable business judgment, determined that the continuation of the Management Agreement and
Sub-Advisory Agreement were in the best interests of the Fund’s stockholders and approved the continuation of each such agreement for an additional one-year period.
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc.
Board approval of management and
subadvisory agreements (unaudited) (cont’d)
Nature, Extent and Quality of the Services under the Management Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreement
The Board received and considered Contract Renewal Information regarding the nature,
extent, and quality of services provided to the Fund by the Manager and the Sub-Adviser
under the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement, respectively, during
the past year. The Board noted information received at regular meetings throughout
the year related to the services provided by the Manager in its management of the Fund’s affairs and the Manager’s role in coordinating the activities of the Sub-Adviser and the Fund’s other service providers. The Board observed that the scope of services provided by the Manager
and the Sub-Adviser, and of the undertakings required of the Manager and Sub-Adviser
in connection with those services, including maintaining and monitoring their respective
compliance programs as well as the Fund’s compliance programs had expanded over time as a result of regulatory, market and other developments. The Board also noted that
on a regular basis it received and reviewed information from the Manager and the Sub-Adviser
regarding the Fund’s compliance policies and procedures established pursuant to Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act. The Board also considered the risks borne by the Manager, the
Sub-Adviser and their respective affiliates on behalf of the Fund, including entrepreneurial,
operational, reputational, litigation and regulatory risks, as well as the Manager’s and the Sub-Adviser’s risk management processes.
The Board reviewed the qualifications, backgrounds, and responsibilities of the Manager’s senior personnel and the Sub-Adviser’s portfolio management team primarily responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management of the Fund. The Board also considered, based
on its knowledge of the Manager and its affiliates, the financial resources of Franklin
Resources, Inc., the parent organization of the Manager and the Sub-Adviser. The Board
recognized the importance of having a fund manager with significant resources.
The Board considered the division of responsibilities between the Manager and the
Sub-Adviser under the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement, respectively, including the Manager’s coordination and oversight of the services provided to the Fund by the Sub-Adviser and other fund service providers. The Management Agreement permits
the Manager to delegate certain of its responsibilities, including its investment advisory
duties thereunder, provided that the Manager, in each case, will supervise the activities
of the delegee.
In reaching its determinations regarding continuation of the Management Agreement
and the Sub-Advisory Agreement, the Board took into account that Fund stockholders, in
pursuing their investment goals and objectives, may have purchased their shares of
the Fund based upon the reputation and the investment style, philosophy and strategy of
the Manager and the Sub-Adviser, as well as the resources available to the Manager and
the Sub-Adviser.
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc.
The Board concluded that, overall, the nature, extent, and quality of the management
and other services provided (and expected to be provided) to the Fund, under the Management
Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement were satisfactory.
The Board received and considered information regarding Fund performance, including
information and analyses (the “Broadridge Performance Information”) for the Fund, as well as for a group of comparable funds (the “Performance Universe”) selected by Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (“Broadridge”), an independent third-party provider of investment company data. The Board was provided with a description of the methodology Broadridge
used to determine the similarity of the Fund with the funds included in the Performance
Universe. It was noted that while the Board found the Broadridge Performance Information
generally useful, they recognized its limitations, including that the data may vary
depending on the end date selected, and that the results of the performance comparisons may
vary depending on the selection of the peer group and its composition over time. The Board
also noted that Board members had received and discussed with the Manager and the Sub-Adviser information throughout the year at periodic intervals comparing the Fund’s performance against its benchmark and against the Fund’s peers. In addition, the Board considered the Fund’s performance in view of overall financial market conditions.
The Broadridge Performance Information comparing the Fund’s performance to that of its Performance Universe, consisting of the Fund and all leveraged closed-end general
and insured municipal debt funds classified by Broadridge, regardless of asset size, showed,
among other data, that based on net asset value per share, the Fund’s performance was above the median for the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods ended December 31, 2023. The
Board noted the explanations from the Manager and the Sub-Adviser regarding the Fund’s relative performance versus the Performance Universe for the various periods.
Based on the reviews and discussions of Fund performance and considering other relevant
factors, including those noted above, the Board concluded, under the circumstances,
that continuation of the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement for an additional one-year period would be consistent with the interests of the Fund and
its stockholders.
Management and Sub-Advisory Fees and Expense Ratios
The Board reviewed and considered the contractual management fee (the “Contractual Management Fee”) and the actual management fee (the “Actual Management Fee”) payable by the Fund to the Manager under the Management Agreement and the sub-advisory fee (the “Sub-Advisory Fee”) payable by the Manager to the Sub-Adviser under the Sub-Advisory Agreement in view of the nature, extent and overall quality of the management, investment advisory and other services provided by the Manager and the
Sub-Adviser, respectively. The Board noted that the Sub-Advisory Fee is paid by the
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc.
Board approval of management and
subadvisory agreements (unaudited) (cont’d)
Manager, not the Fund, and, accordingly, that the retention of the Sub-Adviser does
not increase the fees or expenses otherwise incurred by the Fund’s stockholders.
In addition, the Board received and considered information and analyses prepared by
Broadridge (the “Broadridge Expense Information”) comparing the Contractual Management Fee and the Actual Management Fee and the Fund’s total actual expenses with those of funds in an expense group (the “Expense Group”), as well as a broader group of funds, each selected and provided by Broadridge. The comparison was based upon the constituent
funds’ latest fiscal years. It was noted that while the Board found the Broadridge Expense Information generally useful, they recognized its limitations, including that the
data may vary depending on the selection of the peer group.
The Broadridge Expense Information showed that the Fund’s Contractual Management Fee was below the median. The Broadridge Expense Information also showed that the Fund’s Actual Management Fee was below the median based on both common share assets and leveraged assets. The Broadridge Expense Information also showed that the Fund’s actual total expenses were above the median based on both common share assets and leveraged
assets. The Board took into account management’s discussion of the Fund’s expenses.
The Board also reviewed Contract Renewal Information regarding fees charged by the
Manager and/or the Sub-Adviser to other U.S. clients investing primarily in an asset
class similar to that of the Fund, including, where applicable, institutional and separate
accounts. The Manager reviewed with the Board the differences in services provided to these
different types of accounts, noting that the Fund is provided with certain administrative
services, office facilities, and Fund officers, and that the Fund is subject not only
to heightened regulatory requirements relative to institutional clients but also to requirements
for listing on the New York Stock Exchange, and that the Manager coordinates and oversees the provision of services to the Fund by other fund service providers. The
Board considered the fee comparisons in view of the different services provided in managing
these other types of clients and funds.
The Board considered the overall management fee, the fees of the Sub-Adviser and the
amount of the management fee retained by the Manager after payment of the subadvisory
fee in each case in view of the services rendered for those amounts. The Board also
received an analysis of complex-wide management fees provided by the Manager, which,
among other things, set out a framework of fees based on asset classes.
Taking all of the above into consideration, as well as the factors identified below,
the Board determined that the management fee and the Sub-Advisory Fee were reasonable in view
of the nature, extent and overall quality of the management, investment advisory and
other services provided by the Manager and the Sub-Adviser to the Fund under the Management
Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement, respectively.
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc.
Manager Profitability
The Board, as part of the Contract Renewal Information, received an analysis of the
profitability to the Manager and its affiliates in providing services to the Fund
for the Manager’s fiscal years ended September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022. The Board also received profitability information with respect to the Franklin Templeton fund complex
as a whole. In addition, the Board received Contract Renewal Information with respect to
the Manager’s revenue and cost allocation methodologies used in preparing such profitability data. It was noted that the allocation methodologies had been reviewed by an outside
consultant. The profitability to the Sub-Adviser was not considered to be a material
factor in the Board’s considerations since the Sub-Advisory Fee is paid by the Manager, not the Fund, although the Board noted the affiliation of the Manager with the Sub-Adviser.
The profitability of the Manager and its affiliates was considered by the Board to be
reasonable in view of the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund.
The Board received and discussed Contract Renewal Information concerning whether the
Manager realizes economies of scale if the Fund’s assets grow. The Board noted that because the Fund is a closed-end fund it has limited ability to increase its assets.
The Board determined that the management fee structure was appropriate under the circumstances.
For similar reasons as stated above with respect to the Sub-Adviser’s profitability and the costs of the Sub-Adviser’s provision of services, the Board did not consider the potential for economies of scale in the Sub-Adviser’s management of the Fund to be a material factor in the Board’s consideration of the Sub-Advisory Agreement.
Other Benefits to the Manager and the Sub-Adviser
The Board considered other benefits received by the Manager, the Sub-Adviser and their
affiliates as a result of their relationship with the Fund, including the opportunity
to offer additional products and services to the Fund’s stockholders. In view of the costs of providing investment management and other services to the Fund and the ongoing commitment of
the Manager and the Sub-Adviser to the Fund, the Board considered that the ancillary benefits
that the Manager and its affiliates, including the Sub-Adviser, were reasonable.
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc.
Additional information (unaudited)
Information about Directors and Officers
The business and affairs of Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. (the “Fund”) are conducted by management under the supervision and subject to the direction of its
Board of Directors. The business address of each Director is c/o Jane Trust, Franklin Templeton,
280 Park Avenue, 8th Floor, New York, New York 10017.
Information pertaining to the Directors and officers of the Fund is set forth below.
The Fund’s annual proxy statement includes additional information about Directors and is
available, without charge, upon request by calling the Fund at 1-888-777-0102.
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Position(s) held with Fund1
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Director and Member of Nominating, Audit, Compensation and
Pricing and Valuation Committees, and Compliance Liaison,
Class III
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Term of office1 and length of time served
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Principal occupation(s) during the past five years
|
Member of the Advisory Committee of the Dispute Resolution
Research Center at the Kellogg Graduate School of Business,
Northwestern University (2002 to 2016); formerly, Deputy
General Counsel responsible for western hemisphere matters
for BP PLC (1999 to 2001); Associate General Counsel at Amoco
Corporation responsible for corporate, chemical, and refining
and marketing matters and special assignments (1993 to 1998)
(Amoco merged with British Petroleum in 1998 forming BP PLC)
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Number of portfolios in fund complex overseen by Director
(including the Fund)
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Other board memberships held by Director during the past five
years
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Position(s) held with Fund1
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Director and Member of Nominating, Audit and Compensation
Committees, and Chair of Pricing and Valuation Committee,
Class I
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Term of office1 and length of time served
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Principal occupation(s) during the past five years
|
President, Colman Consulting Company (consulting)
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Number of portfolios in fund complex overseen by Director
(including the Fund)
|
|
Other board memberships held by Director during the past five
years
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Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc.
Independent Directors† (cont’d)
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Position(s) held with Fund1
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Director and Member of Audit, Compensation and Pricing and
Valuation Committees, and Chair of Nominating Committee,
Class II
|
Term of office1 and length of time served
|
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Principal occupation(s) during the past five years
|
Retired; formerly, Associate General Counsel, Pfizer Inc. (prior to
and including 2004)
|
Number of portfolios in fund complex overseen by Director
(including the Fund)
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Other board memberships held by Director during the past five
years
|
|
|
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Position(s) held with Fund1
|
Director and Member of Nominating, Audit, and Pricing and
Valuation Committees, and Chair of Compensation Committee,
Class I
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Term of office1 and length of time served
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Principal occupation(s) during the past five years
|
Emeritus Professor of French and Italian (since 2014) and
formerly, Vice President and Dean of The College of Liberal Arts
(1984 to 2009) and Professor of French and Italian (2009 to 2014)
at Drew University
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Number of portfolios in fund complex overseen by Director
(including the Fund)
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|
Other board memberships held by Director during the past five
years
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Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc.
Additional information (unaudited) (cont’d)
Information about Directors and Officers
Independent Directors† (cont’d)
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Position(s) held with Fund1
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Lead Independent Director and Member of Nominating,
Compensation, Pricing and Valuation and Audit Committees,
Class II
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Term of office1 and length of time served
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Principal occupation(s) during the past five years
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Chief Executive Officer, The Governance Partners, LLC
(consulting firm) (since 2015); National Association of Corporate
Directors Board Leadership Fellow (since 2016, with Directorship
Certification since 2019) and NACD 2022 Directorship 100
honoree; Adjunct Professor, Georgetown University Law Center
(since 2021); Adjunct Professor, The University of Chicago Law
School (since 2018); Adjunct Professor, University of Iowa
College of Law (since 2007); formerly, Chief Financial Officer,
Press Ganey Associates (health care informatics company) (2012
to 2014); Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer,
Houlihan Lokey (international investment bank) and President,
Houlihan Lokey Foundation (2010 to 2012)
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Number of portfolios in fund complex overseen by Director
(including the Fund)
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Other board memberships held by Director during the past five
years
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Director, VALIC Company I (since October 2022); Director of ACV
Auctions Inc. (since 2021); Director of Associated Banc-Corp
(financial services company) (since 2007); formerly, Director of
Hochschild Mining plc (precious metals company) (2016
to 2023); formerly Trustee of AIG Funds and Anchor Series Trust
(2018 to 2021)
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Position(s) held with Fund1
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Director and Member of Nominating, Compensation and Pricing
and Valuation Committees, and Chair of the Audit Committee,
Class II
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Term of office1 and length of time served
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Principal occupation(s) during the past five years
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Formerly, Managing Director and the Chief Financial Officer and
Chief Compliance Officer of Greenbriar Equity Group, LP (2011
to 2021); formerly, Chief Financial Officer and Chief
Administrative Officer of Rent the Runway, Inc. (2011); Executive
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of AOL LLC, a
subsidiary of Time Warner Inc. (2007 to 2009); Member of the
Council of Foreign Relations
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Number of portfolios in fund complex overseen by Director
(including the Fund)
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Other board memberships held by Director during the past five
years
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Director of Birkenstock Holding plc (since 2023); Director of The
India Fund, Inc. (since 2016); formerly, Director of Aberdeen
Income Credit Strategies Fund (2017 to 2018); and Director of
The Asia Tigers Fund, Inc. (2016 to 2018)
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Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc.
Interested Director and Officer
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Position(s) held with Fund1
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Director, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer,
Class III
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Term of office1 and length of time served
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Principal occupation(s) during the past five years
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Senior Vice President, Fund Board Management, Franklin
Templeton (since 2020); Officer and/or Trustee/Director of 121
funds associated with FTFA or its affiliates (since 2015);
President and Chief Executive Officer of FTFA (since 2015);
formerly, Senior Managing Director (2018 to 2020) and
Managing Director (2016 to 2018) of Legg Mason & Co., LLC
(“Legg Mason & Co.”); and Senior Vice President of FTFA (2015)
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Number of portfolios in fund complex overseen by Director
(including the Fund)
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Trustee/Director of Franklin Templeton funds consisting of 121
portfolios; Trustee of Putnam Family of Funds consisting of 105
portfolios
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Other board memberships held by Director during the past five
years
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Franklin Templeton
280 Park Avenue, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10017
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Position(s) held with Fund1
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Term of office1 and length of time served
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Principal occupation(s) during the past five years
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Director - Global Compliance of Franklin Templeton (since 2020);
Managing Director of Legg Mason & Co. (2006 to 2020); Director
of Compliance, Legg Mason Office of the Chief Compliance
Officer (2006 to 2020); formerly, Chief Compliance Officer of
Legg Mason Global Asset Allocation (prior to 2014); Chief
Compliance Officer of Legg Mason Private Portfolio Group (prior
to 2013); formerly, Chief Compliance Officer of The Reserve
Funds (investment adviser, funds and broker-dealer) (2004) and
Ambac Financial Group (investment adviser, funds and broker-
dealer) (2000 to 2003)
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Franklin Templeton
100 First Stamford Place, 6th Floor, Stamford, CT 06902
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Position(s) held with Fund1
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Secretary and Chief Legal Officer
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Term of office1 and length of time served
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Principal occupation(s) during the past five years
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Associate General Counsel of Franklin Templeton (since 2020);
Secretary and Chief Legal Officer of certain funds associated
with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates since 2020); Assistant
Secretary of certain funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or
its affiliates (since 2006); formerly, Managing Director (2016
to 2020) and Associate General Counsel of Legg Mason & Co.
(2005 to 2020)
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Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc.
Additional information (unaudited) (cont’d)
Information about Directors and Officers
Additional Officers (cont’d)
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Franklin Templeton
100 First Stamford Place, 6th Floor, Stamford, CT 06902
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Position(s) held with Fund1
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Term of office1 and length of time served
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Principal occupation(s) during the past five years
|
Senior Associate General Counsel of Franklin Templeton
(since 2020); Secretary of FTFA (since 2006); Assistant Secretary
of certain funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its
affiliates (since 2006); Secretary of LM Asset Services, LLC
(“LMAS”) (since 2002) and Legg Mason Fund Asset
Management, Inc. (“LMFAM”) (since 2013) (formerly registered
investment advisers); formerly, Managing Director and Deputy
General Counsel of Legg Mason & Co. (2005 to 2020) and
Assistant Secretary of certain funds in the fund complex (2006
to 2022)
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Franklin Templeton
280 Park Avenue, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10017
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Position(s) held with Fund1
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Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer
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Term of office1 and length of time served
|
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Principal occupation(s) during the past five years
|
Vice President, Fund Administration and Reporting, Franklin
Templeton (since 2020); Treasurer (since 2010) and Principal
Financial Officer (since 2019) of certain funds associated with
Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates; formerly, Managing
Director (2020), Director (2015 to 2020), and Vice President (2011
to 2015) of Legg Mason & Co.
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Franklin Templeton
280 Park Avenue, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10017
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Position(s) held with Fund1
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Term of office1 and length of time served
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Principal occupation(s) during the past five years
|
U.S. Fund Board Team Manager, Franklin Templeton (since 2020);
Senior Vice President of certain funds associated with Legg
Mason & Co. or its affiliates (since 2007); Senior Vice President
of FTFA (since 2006); President and Chief Executive Officer of
LMAS and LMFAM (since 2015); formerly, Managing Director of
Legg Mason & Co. (2005 to 2020); Senior Vice President of
LMFAM (2013 to 2015)
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FTFA, referenced above, was formerly known as LMPFA prior to November 30, 2023.
†
Directors who are not “interested persons” of the Fund within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”).
1
The Fund’s Board of Directors is divided into three classes: Class I, Class II and Class III. The terms of office of the Class I, II and III Directors expire at the Annual Meetings of Stockholders in
the year 2024, year 2025 and year 2026, respectively, or thereafter in each case when their respective successors
are duly elected and
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc.
qualified. The Fund’s executive officers are chosen each year, to hold office until their successors are duly elected and qualified.
2
Ms. Trust is an “interested person” of the Fund as defined in the 1940 Act because Ms. Trust is an officer of FTFA and certain of its affiliates.
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc.
Annual chief executive officer and
principal financial officer certifications (unaudited)
The Fund’s Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) has submitted to the NYSE the required annual certification and the Fund also has included the Certifications of the Fund’s CEO and Principal Financial Officer required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act in the Fund’s Form N-CSR filed with the SEC for the period of this report.
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc.
Other shareholder communications regarding accounting matters (unaudited)
The Fund’s Audit Committee has established guidelines and procedures regarding the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting
controls or auditing matters (collectively, “Accounting Matters”). Persons with complaints or concerns regarding Accounting Matters may submit their complaints to the Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”). Persons who are uncomfortable submitting complaints to the CCO, including complaints involving the CCO, may submit complaints directly to the Fund’s Audit Committee Chair. Complaints may be submitted on an anonymous basis.
The CCO may be contacted at:
Franklin Resources Inc.
Compliance Department
280 Park Ave, 8th Floor
New York, NY 10017
Complaints may also be submitted by telephone at 1-800-742-5274. Complaints submitted
through this number will be received by the CCO.
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc.
Summary of information regarding the Fund (unaudited)
Investment Objective
The Fund’s investment objective is to seek as high a level of current income exempt from federal income tax as is consistent with preservation of capital.
When pursuing its investment objective, the Fund seeks to maximize current income
exempt from federal income tax as is consistent with preservation of principal.
Principal Investment Policies and Strategies
The Fund invests primarily in long-term investment grade municipal debt securities
issued by state and local governments, political subdivisions, agencies and public authorities
(municipal obligations). The Fund’s policy under normal market conditions is to invest at least 80% of its total assets in investment grade municipal obligations. This policy
is fundamental. All other policies and percentage limitations of the Fund as described
below may be modified by the Fund’s board of directors if, in the reasonable exercise of its business judgment, it determines that modification is necessary or appropriate to
carry out the Fund’s investment objective.
The Fund defines municipal obligations to include bonds and notes such as:
• general obligation bonds issued for various public purposes and supported by the municipal issuer’s credit and taxing power;
• revenue bonds whose principal and interest is payable only from the revenues of a
particular project or facility. Industrial revenue bonds depend on the credit standing
of a private issuer and may be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax, or AMT;
and
• notes that are short-term obligations of municipalities or agencies sold in anticipation
of a bond sale, collection of taxes or receipt of other revenues.
Municipal obligations may have all types of interest rate payment and reset terms,
including fixed rate, floating and variable rate, zero coupon, payment in kind and
auction rate features.
Under normal market conditions, the Fund is obligated to invest at least 80% of its
total assets in municipal securities rated, at the time of investment, no lower than BBB,
SP-2 or A-1 by S&P or Baa, MIG3 or Prime-1 by Moody’s, or BBB or F1 by Fitch. The Fund may, under normal market conditions, invest up 20% of its total assets in municipal obligations
that are, at the time of investment, rated below investment grade (“high-yield”) by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (“NRSRO”) or, if unrated, of equivalent quality as determined by the investment manager. For credit ratings purposes, pre-refunded bonds
are deemed to be unrated. Western Asset determines the credit quality of pre-refunded
bonds based on the quality of the escrowed collateral and such other factors as Western
Asset deems appropriate.
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc.
The Fund’s policy on the credit quality of its investments apply only at the time of the purchase of a security, and the Fund is not required to dispose of securities in the
event that S&P or Moody’s or any other NRSRO downgrades its assessment of the credit characteristics of a particular issuer or in the event the manager reassesses its
view with respect to the credit quality of the issuer thereof.
In addition, the Fund has the ability to invest in participation interests in municipal
bonds, including industrial development bonds, private activity bonds and floating and variable
rate securities. The Fund may also invest in non-appropriation municipal lease obligations.
The Fund may enter into TOB transactions and may invest in inverse floating rate instruments issued in TOB transactions. In a TOB transaction, the Fund transfers securities
(typically municipal bonds or other municipal securities) into a special purpose entity,
referred to as a TOB trust. The TOB trust generally issues floating rate notes to
third parties and residual interest TOBs to the Fund. The net proceeds of the sale of the floating
rate notes, after expenses, are received by the Fund and may be invested in additional
securities. The residual interest TOBs are inverse floating rate debt instruments (“inverse floaters”), as the return on those bonds is inversely related to changes in a specified interest rate. Distributions on the inverse floaters paid to the Fund will be reduced
or, in the extreme, eliminated as short-term interest rates rise and will increase when such
interest rates fall. Floating rate notes issued by a TOB trust may be senior to the inverse
floaters held by the Fund. The Fund may enter into TOB transactions on either a non-recourse
or recourse basis. If the Fund invests in a TOB trust on a recourse basis, it will bear
the risk of loss with respect to any liquidation of the TOB trust. The Fund will look through
to the underlying securities held by a TOB trust for purposes of calculating compliance with
the Fund’s 80% policy. TOB transactions create leverage to the extent the Fund invests the net proceeds of the floating rate notes in additional securities. The Fund currently intends
to segregate or earmark liquid assets or otherwise cover its obligations with respect
to its investments in TOB trusts.
The Fund uses leverage from the offering of preferred stock in an effort to increase
the Fund’s income available for distribution to holders of its common stock. Under the 1940 Act, the Fund may use leverage through the issuance of preferred stock in an aggregate
amount of liquidation preference attributable to the preferred stock of up to approximately
50% of the Fund’s total assets less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities immediately after such issuance.
The Fund invests with the objective that dividends paid by the Fund may be excluded
by shareholders from their gross incomes for federal income tax purposes. A portion of
the Fund’s dividends may be taxable. The Fund may invest without limit in private activity bonds. Income from these bonds may be a special preference item for purposes of the
AMT. The Fund may not be a suitable investment if you are subject to the AMT.
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc.
Summary of information regarding the Fund (unaudited) (cont’d)
The Fund is classified as a non-diversified fund under the Investment Company Act,
which means that the Fund is not limited by the Investment Company Act in the proportion
of its assets that it may invest in the obligations of a single issuer. The Fund intends
to conduct its operations, however, so as to qualify as a “regulated investment company” for purposes of the Code, which will relieve the Fund of any liability for federal income tax to
the extent its earnings are distributed to shareholders. To qualify as a regulated investment
company, the Fund will, among other things, limit its investments so that, at the close of
each quarter of its taxable year (1) not more than 25% of the market value of the Fund’s total assets will be invested in the securities of a single issuer and (2) with respect to 50% of the
market value of its total assets, not more than 5% of the market value of its total assets
will be invested in the securities of a single issuer.
The Fund may not borrow money, except for temporary or emergency purposes, and then
not in amounts that are greater than 15% of total assets (including the amount borrowed).
The Fund also may not buy more securities if the Fund has borrowed money in amounts greater
than 5% of net assets.
The Fund generally will not invest more than 25% of its total assets in any single
industry. Governmental issuers of municipal obligations are not considered part of any “industry.” Municipal obligations backed only by the assets and revenues of non-governmental users
may be deemed to be issued by the non-governmental users, and would be subject to
the Fund’s 25% industry limitation. The Fund may invest more than 25% of its total assets in a broad segment of the municipal obligations market, if Western Asset determines that
the yields available from obligations in a particular segment of the market justify the
additional risks associated with a large investment in the segment. The Fund reserves the right
to invest more than 25% of its assets in industrial development bonds or in issuers located
in the same state. If the Fund was to invest more than 25% of its total assets in issuers
located in the same state, it would be more susceptible to adverse economic, business
or regulatory conditions in that state.
Municipal obligations are classified as general obligation bonds, revenue bonds and
notes. General obligation bonds are secured by the issuer’s pledge of its full faith, credit and taxing power for the payment of principal and interest. Revenue bonds are payable
from the revenue derived from a particular facility or class of facilities or, in some cases,
from the proceeds of a special excise tax or other specific revenue source, but not from the
general taxing power. Notes are short-term obligations of issuing municipalities or agencies
and are sold in anticipation of a bond sale, collection of taxes or receipt of other revenues.
Municipal obligations bear fixed, floating and variable rates of interest, and variations
exist in the security of municipal obligations, both within a particular classification
and between classifications.
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc.
The yields on, and values of, municipal obligations are dependent on a variety of
factors, including general economic and monetary conditions, money market factors, conditions
in the municipal obligations markets, size of a particular offering, maturity of the
obligation and rating of the issue. Consequently, municipal obligations with the same maturity,
coupon and rating may have different yields or values, whereas obligations of the same maturity
and coupon with different ratings may have the same yield or value.
Opinions relating to the validity of municipal obligations and to the exemption of
interest on them from federal income taxes are rendered by bond counsel to the respective issuers
at the time of issuance. Neither the Fund nor Western Asset will review the procedures
relating to the issuance of municipal obligations or the basis for opinions of counsel.
Issuers of municipal obligations may be subject to the provisions of bankruptcy, insolvency
and other laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors. In addition, the obligations
of those issuers may become subject to laws enacted in the future by Congress, state
legislatures or referenda extending the time for payment of principal and/or interest,
or imposing other constraints upon enforcement of the obligations or upon the ability
of municipalities to levy taxes. The possibility also exists that, as a result of litigation
or other conditions, the power or ability of any issuer to pay, when due, the principal of,
and interest on its obligations may be materially affected.
Under normal conditions, the Fund may hold up to 20% of its total assets in cash or
money market instruments, including taxable money market instruments (collectively, “taxable investments”). In addition, the Fund may take a temporary defensive posture and invest without limitation in short-term municipal obligations and taxable investments, upon
a determination by the manager that market conditions warrant such a posture. To the
extent the Fund holds taxable investments, the Fund may not be fully achieving its investment
objective.
The Fund may invest in securities of other investment companies. To the extent it
does, Fund shareholders will indirectly pay a portion of the operating costs of such companies,
in addition to the expenses that the Fund bears directly in connection with its own operation.
Investing in securities issued by other investment companies, including exchange-traded
funds that invest primarily in municipal securities, involves risks similar to those
of investing directly in the securities in which those investment companies invest.
There is no assurance that the Fund will meet its investment objectives. You may lose
money on your investment in the Fund. The value of the Fund’s shares may go up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably. Market conditions, financial conditions of issuers
represented in the Fund’s portfolio, investment strategies, portfolio management, and other factors affect the volatility of the Fund’s shares. An investment in the Fund is not insured or
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc.
Summary of information regarding the Fund (unaudited) (cont’d)
guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board
or any other government agency. The following summarizes the principal risks of investing
in the Fund.
Investment and Market Risk. An investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of the entire amount that you invest. Your investment
in the Common Stock represents an indirect investment in the fixed income securities and
other investments owned by the Fund, most of which could be purchased directly. The value
of the Fund’s portfolio securities may move up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably. At any point in time, your Common Stock may be worth less than your original investment,
even after taking into account the reinvestment of Fund dividends and distributions.
Interest Rate Risk. The Fund expects that under normal market circumstances at least 80% of its assets will consist of investment grade tax-exempt securities, the market value
of which generally varies inversely with changes in prevailing interest rates. The market
value of the Fund’s investments will change in response to changes in interest rates and other factors. During periods of declining interest rates, the values of fixed-income securities
generally rise. Conversely, during periods of rising interest rates, the values of
such securities generally decline. The magnitude of these fluctuations is generally greater
for securities with longer maturities. The subadviser’s judgment about interest rate trends may prove to be incorrect.
Tax-Exempt Securities Risks. In general, the secondary market for tax-exempt securities is less liquid than that for taxable fixed-income securities. Consequently, the ability
of the Fund to buy and sell tax-exempt securities may, at any particular time and with respect
to any particular securities, be limited. The amount of information about the financial
condition of an issuer of tax-exempt securities may not be as extensive as information
about corporations whose securities are publicly traded. Obligations of issuers of
tax-exempt securities may be subject to the provisions of bankruptcy, insolvency and the United States Bankruptcy Code and applicable state laws, which could limit the ability
of the Fund to recover payments of principal or interest on such securities.
Certain tax-exempt securities which may be held by the Fund may permit the issuer
at its option to “call,” or redeem, its securities. If an issuer were to redeem tax-exempt securities held by the Fund during a time of declining interest rates, the Fund may realize a
capital loss on its investment if the security was purchased at a premium and may not be able
to reinvest the proceeds in tax-exempt securities providing as high a level of investment
return as the securities redeemed.
Municipal Securities Risk. Liquidity in the municipal securities market may vary from time to time. At times of decreased liquidity, the ability of the Fund to buy and sell municipal
securities may, with respect to any particular securities, be limited. The amount
of
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc.
information about the financial condition of an issuer of municipal securities may
not be as extensive as information about corporations whose securities are publicly traded,
and the Fund’s performance may therefore be more dependent on the sub-adviser’s analytical abilities than if the Fund were to invest in stocks or taxable bonds. The secondary
market for municipal securities, particularly the below investment grade municipal securities
in which the Fund may invest, also tends to be less developed or liquid than many other
securities markets, which may adversely affect the Fund’s ability to sell its municipal securities at attractive prices.
Obligations of issuers of municipal securities may be subject to the provisions of
bankruptcy, insolvency and the United States Bankruptcy Code and applicable state
laws, which could limit the ability of the Fund to recover payments of principal or interest
on such securities.
Certain municipal securities which may be held by the Fund may permit the issuer at
its option to “call,” or redeem, its securities. If an issuer were to redeem municipal securities held by the Fund during a time of declining interest rates, the Fund may realize a
capital loss on its investment if the security was purchased at a premium and may not be able
to reinvest the proceeds in municipal securities providing as high a level of investment
return as the securities redeemed.
Inverse Floating Rate Securities and TOBs Risk. Subject to certain limitations, the Fund may invest in inverse floating rate securities. Typically, inverse floating rate securities
represent beneficial interests in a special purpose trust (sometimes called a “tender option bond trust”) formed by a third party sponsor for the purpose of holding municipal bonds purchased from the Fund or from another third party. An investment in an inverse floating
rate security may involve greater risk than an investment in a fixed-rate bond. Because
changes in the interest rate on the underlying security or index inversely affect
the residual interest paid on the inverse floating rate security, the value of an inverse floating
rate security is generally more volatile than that of a fixed-rate bond.
Inverse floating rate securities have interest rate adjustment formulas which generally
reduce or, in the extreme, eliminate the interest paid to the Fund when short-term
interest rates rise, and increase the interest paid to the Fund when short-term interest rates
fall. Inverse floating rate securities have varying degrees of liquidity, and the market
for these securities is relatively volatile. These securities tend to underperform the market
for fixed-rate bonds in a rising interest rate environment, but tend to outperform the market for
fixed-rate bonds when interest rates decline. Shifts in long-term interest rates may, however,
alter this tendency.
During times of reduced market liquidity, such as at the present, the Fund may not
be able to sell municipal securities readily at prices reflecting the values at which the
securities are
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc.
Summary of information regarding the Fund (unaudited) (cont’d)
carried on the Fund’s books. Sales of large blocks of municipal securities by market participants, such as the Fund, that are seeking liquidity can further reduce municipal
security prices in an illiquid market. The Fund may seek to make sales of large blocks
of municipal securities as part of its investment strategy or it may be required to raise
cash to re-collateralize, unwind or “collapse” tender option bond trusts that issued inverse floating rate securities to the Fund or to make payments to such trusts to enable them to pay
for tenders of the short-term securities they have issued if the remarketing agents for
those municipal securities are unable to sell the short-term securities in the marketplace
to other buyers (typically tax-exempt money market funds). The Fund’s potential exposure to losses related to or on inverse floating rate securities may increase beyond the value of the Fund’s inverse floater investments as the Fund may potentially be liable to fulfill all amounts
owed to holders of the floating rate certificates.
Although volatile, inverse floating rate securities typically offer the potential
for yields exceeding the yields available on fixed-rate bonds with comparable credit quality,
coupon, call provisions and maturity. These securities usually permit the investor to convert
the floating rate to a fixed rate (normally adjusted downward), and this optional conversion
feature may provide a partial hedge against rising rates if exercised at an opportune
time.
Investment in inverse floating rate securities may amplify the effects of the Fund’s use of leverage. Any economic effect of leverage through the Fund’s purchase of inverse floating rate securities will create an opportunity for increased Common Stock net income and
returns, but may also result in losses if the cost of leverage exceeds the return
on the inverse floating rate securities purchased by the Fund.
TOB transactions expose the Fund to leverage and credit risk, and generally involve
greater risk than investments in fixed rate municipal bonds, including the risk of loss of
principal. The interest payments that the Fund would typically receive on inverse floaters acquired
in such transactions vary inversely with short-term interest rates and will be reduced
(and potentially eliminated) when short-term interest rates increase. Inverse floaters
will generally underperform the market for fixed rate municipal securities when interest
rates rise. The value and market for inverse floaters can be volatile, and inverse floaters
can have limited liquidity. Investments in inverse floaters issued in TOB transactions are
derivative instruments and, therefore, are also subject to the risks generally applicable to
investments in derivatives.
Insurance Risk. The Fund may purchase municipal securities that are secured by insurance, bank credit agreements or escrow accounts. The credit quality of the companies that
provide such credit enhancements will affect the value of those securities. Certain
significant providers of insurance for municipal securities have recently incurred
significant losses as a result of exposure to sub-prime mortgages and other lower credit quality
investments that have experienced recent defaults or otherwise suffered extreme credit
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc.
deterioration. As a result, such losses have reduced the insurers’ capital and called into question their continued ability to perform their obligations under such insurance
if they are called upon to do so in the future. While an insured municipal security will typically
be deemed to have the rating of its insurer, if the insurer of a municipal security suffers
a downgrade in its credit rating or the market discounts the value of the insurance
provided by the insurer, the rating of the underlying municipal security will be more relevant
and the value of the municipal security would more closely, if not entirely, reflect such
rating. In such a case, the value of insurance associated with a municipal security would decline,
and the insurance may not add any value. The insurance feature of a municipal security
does not guarantee the full payment of principal and interest through the life of an insured
obligation, the market value of the insured obligation or the net asset value of the
Common Stock represented by such insured obligation.
Leverage Risk. The value of your investment may be more volatile due to the Fund’s leveraged capital structure and use of instruments that have a leveraging effect on
the Fund’s portfolio. The Fund may also have to sell assets at inopportune times to satisfy its obligations created by the use of leverage or derivatives. The use of leverage is
considered to be a speculative investment practice and may result in the loss of a substantial
amount, and possibly all, of the Fund’s assets.
Special Risks Related to Certain Municipal Securities. The Fund may invest in municipal leases and certificates of participation in such leases. Municipal leases and certificates
of participation involve special risks not normally associated with general obligations
or revenue bonds. Leases and installment purchase or conditional sale contracts (which
normally provide for title to the leased asset to pass eventually to the governmental
issuer) have evolved as a means for governmental issuers to acquire property and equipment
without meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements for the issuance of
debt. The debt issuance limitations are deemed to be inapplicable because of the inclusion in
many leases or contracts of “non-appropriation” clauses that relieve the governmental issuer of any obligation to make future payments under the lease or contract unless money is
appropriated for such purpose by the appropriate governmental body on a yearly or
other periodic basis. In addition, such leases or contracts may be subject to the temporary
abatement of payments in the event the governmental issuer is prevented from maintaining
occupancy of the leased premises or utilizing the leased equipment. Although the obligations may be secured by the leased equipment or facilities, the disposition
of the property in the event of non-appropriation or foreclosure might prove difficult, time
consuming and costly, and may result in a delay in recovering or the failure to fully
recover the Fund’s original investment. In the event of non-appropriation, the issuer would be in default and taking ownership of the assets may be a remedy available to the Fund,
although the Fund does not anticipate that such a remedy would normally be pursued. To the
extent that the Fund invests in unrated municipal leases or participates in such leases,
the credit
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc.
Summary of information regarding the Fund (unaudited) (cont’d)
quality rating and risk of cancellation of such unrated leases will be monitored on
an ongoing basis. Certificates of participation, which represent interests in unmanaged
pools of municipal leases or installment contracts, involve the same risks as the underlying
municipal leases. In addition, the Fund may be dependent upon the municipal authority
issuing the certificates of participation to exercise remedies with respect to the
underlying securities. Certificates of participation also entail a risk of default or bankruptcy,
both of the issuer of the municipal lease and also the municipal agency issuing the certificate
of participation.
Alternative Minimum Tax and Taxable Income Risk. The Fund will qualify to pay “exempt-interest dividends,” which are exempt from regular U.S. federal income tax, for any taxable year only if at least 50% of the value of its assets, as of the close of each quarter
of the taxable year, consists of state or local obligations described in Section 103(a) of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). Assuming that the Fund qualifies to pay exempt-interest dividends, it is anticipated that certain of the Fund’s distributions will nevertheless constitute taxable income. Moreover, a portion of the Fund’s exempt-interest dividends may be subject to federal alternative minimum tax, and all or a portion
of such dividends may be subject to state and local taxation.
A portion of the Fund’s distributions may be taxable to Common Stockholders. In particular, the Fund may use a variety of derivative instruments and may sell certain fixed-income
securities short including, but not limited to, U.S. Treasuries, for investment and/or
hedging purposes. To the extent that the Fund utilizes these strategies the Fund could generate
taxable income and gains. Distributions of any capital gain or other taxable income
(including gains and “market discount” realized by the Fund on the sale of municipal securities) will be taxable to Common Stockholders. The Fund may not be a suitable
investment for investors subject to the federal alternative minimum tax or who would
become subject to such tax by investing in the Fund. The suitability of an investment
in Common Stock will depend upon a comparison of the after tax yield likely to be provided
from the Fund with that from comparable tax-exempt investments not subject to the
alternative minimum tax, and from comparable fully taxable investments, in light of
each such investor’s tax position. Special considerations apply to corporate investors.
Certain provisions of the Code relating to the issuance of municipal obligations impose
restrictions on the volume of municipal obligations qualifying for federal tax exemption.
One effect of these provisions could be to increase the cost of the municipal securities
available for purchase by the Fund and thus reduce available yield. Legislative proposals that
may further restrict or eliminate the federal income tax exemption for interest on municipal
obligations may be introduced in the future. The value of the Fund’s investments and its net asset value may be adversely affected by changes in tax rates and policies. Because
interest income from municipal securities normally is not subject to regular federal
income
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc.
taxation, the attractiveness of municipal securities in relation to other investment
alternatives is affected by changes in federal income tax rates or changes in the
tax-exempt status of interest income from municipal securities. Any proposed or actual changes
in such rates or exempt status, therefore, can significantly affect the demand for and supply,
liquidity and marketability of municipal securities. This could in turn affect the Fund’s net asset value and ability to acquire and dispose of municipal securities at desirable
yield and price levels.
Below Investment Grade (High Yield or Junk Bond) Securities Risk. The Fund may invest up to 20% of its assets in municipal obligations of below investment grade quality. High
yield debt securities are generally subject to greater credit risks than higher-grade debt
securities, including the risk of default on the payment of interest or principal.
High yield debt securities are considered speculative, typically have lower liquidity and are
more difficult to value than higher grade bonds. High yield debt securities tend to be
volatile and more susceptible to adverse events, credit downgrades and negative sentiments and
may be difficult to sell at a desired price, or at all, during periods of uncertainty
or market turmoil.
Credit Crisis Liquidity and Volatility Risk. The markets for credit instruments, including fixed income securities, have experienced periods of extreme illiquidity and volatility.
General market uncertainty and consequent repricing risk have led to market imbalances of
sellers and buyers, which in turn have also resulted in significant valuation uncertainties
in a variety of debt securities, including certain fixed income securities. These conditions
resulted, and in many cases continue to result in greater volatility, less liquidity,
widening credit spreads and a lack of price transparency, with many debt securities remaining
illiquid and of uncertain value. During times of reduced market liquidity, the Fund may not
be able to sell securities readily at prices reflecting the values at which the securities
are carried on the Fund’s books. Sales of large blocks of securities by market participants, such as the Fund, that are seeking liquidity can further reduce security prices in an illiquid
market. These market conditions may make valuation of some of the Fund’s securities uncertain and/or result in sudden and significant valuation increases or decreases in its holdings.
Illiquidity and volatility in the credit markets may directly and adversely affect
the setting of dividend rates on the Common Stock.
Liquidity Risk. The Fund may invest, without limitation, in illiquid securities. Illiquid securities are securities that cannot be disposed of within seven days in the ordinary
course of business at approximately the value at which the Fund has valued the securities.
Liquidity risk exists when particular investments are difficult to sell. Securities
may become illiquid after purchase by the Fund, particularly during periods of market turmoil.
When the Fund holds illiquid investments, the portfolio may be harder to value, especially
in changing
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc.
Summary of information regarding the Fund (unaudited) (cont’d)
markets, and if the Fund is forced to sell these investments in order to segregate
assets or for other cash needs, the Fund may suffer a loss.
Government Intervention in Financial Markets Risk. U.S. federal and state governments and foreign governments, their regulatory agencies or self regulatory organizations may
take additional actions that affect the regulation of the securities in which the Fund
invests, or the issuers of such securities, in ways that are unforeseeable. Issuers of corporate
fixed income securities might seek protection under the bankruptcy laws. Legislation or
regulation may also change the way in which the Fund itself is regulated. Such legislation
or regulation could limit or preclude the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objectives. Western Asset will monitor developments and seek to manage the Fund’s portfolio in a manner consistent with achieving the Fund’s investment objectives, but there can be no assurance that it will be successful in doing so.
Derivatives Risk. The Fund may utilize a variety of derivative instruments for investment or risk management purposes, such as options, futures contracts, swap agreements and
credit default swaps. Using derivatives can increase Fund losses and reduce opportunities
for gains when market prices, interest rates, currencies, or the derivatives themselves
behave in a way not anticipated by the Fund. Using derivatives also can have a leveraging
effect and increase Fund volatility. Certain derivatives have the potential for unlimited
loss, regardless of the size of the initial investment. Derivatives may not be available
at the time or price desired, may be difficult to sell, unwind or value, and the counterparty
may default on its obligations to the Fund. Derivatives are generally subject to the risks applicable
to the assets, rates, indices or other indicators underlying the derivative. The value of
a derivative may fluctuate more than the underlying assets, rates, indices or other indicators
to which it relates. Use of derivatives may have different tax consequences for the Fund than
an investment in the underlying security, and those differences may affect the amount,
timing and character of income distributed to shareholders. The U.S. government and foreign
governments are in the process of adopting and implementing regulations governing
derivatives markets, including mandatory clearing of certain derivatives, margin and
reporting requirements. The ultimate impact of the regulations remains unclear. Additional
regulation of derivatives may make derivatives more costly, limit their availability
or utility, otherwise adversely affect their performance or disrupt markets.
Registered investment companies are subject to regulatory limitations on their use
of derivative investments and certain financing transactions (e.g. reverse repurchase
agreements) by registered investment companies. Among other things, Rule 18f-4 requires
funds that invest in derivative instruments beyond a specified limited amount to apply
a value at risk (VaR) based limit to their use of certain derivative instruments and
financing transactions and to adopt and implement a derivatives risk management program. A fund
that uses derivative instruments in a limited amount is not subject to the full requirements
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc.
of Rule 18f-4. Compliance with Rule 18f-4 by the Fund could, among other things, make
derivatives more costly, limit their availability or utility, or otherwise adversely
affect their performance. Rule 18f-4 may limit the Fund’s ability to use derivatives as part of its investment strategy and may not work as intended to limit losses from derivatives.
Lending Securities. The risks in lending portfolio securities, as with other extensions of credit, consist of possible delays in recovery of the securities or possible loss
of rights in the collateral should the borrower fail financially. Although voting rights, or rights
to consent, with respect to the loaned securities pass to the borrower, the Fund retains
the right to call the loans at any time on reasonable notice, and it will do so in order
that the securities may be voted by the Fund if the holders of such securities are asked to
vote upon or consent to matters materially affecting the investment. The Fund also may call
such loans in order to sell the securities involved.
Counterparty Risk. The Fund may enter into transactions with counterparties that become unable or unwilling to fulfill their contractual obligations. There can be no assurance
that any such counterparty will not default on its obligations to the Fund. In the event
of a counterparty default, the Fund may be hindered or delayed in exercising rights against
a counterparty and may experience significant losses. To the extent that the Fund enters
into multiple transactions with a single or small set of counterparties, the Fund will
be subject to increased counterparty risk.
Credit Risk. If an issuer or guarantor of a security held by the Fund or a counterparty to a
financial contract with the Fund defaults or its credit is downgraded, or is perceived
to be less creditworthy, or if the value of the assets underlying a security declines, the
value of your investment will typically decline. Changes in actual or perceived creditworthiness
may occur quickly. The Fund could be delayed or hindered in its enforcement of rights
against an issuer, guarantor or counterparty. Subordinated securities are more likely to suffer
a credit loss than non-subordinated securities of the same issuer and will be disproportionately
affected by a default, downgrade or perceived decline in creditworthiness.
Prepayment Risk. Prepayments may cause losses on securities purchased at a premium. At times, some of the securities in which the Fund may invest may have higher than market
interest rates and therefore may be purchased at a premium above their par value.
Unscheduled prepayments, which are made at par, may cause the Fund to experience a
loss equal to any unamortized premium. In addition, a reduction in prepayments may increase
the effective maturities of these securities, subjecting them to a greater risk of
decline in market value in response to rising interest rates than traditional debt securities,
and, therefore, potentially increasing the volatility of the Fund.
Inflation/Deflation Risk. Inflation risk is the risk that the value of certain assets or income from the Fund’s investments will be worth less in the future as inflation decreases the value
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc.
Summary of information regarding the Fund (unaudited) (cont’d)
of money. As inflation increases, the real value of the Common Stock and distributions
on the Common Stock can decline. In addition, during any periods of rising inflation,
the dividend rates or borrowing costs associated with the Fund’s use of leverage would likely increase, which would tend to further reduce returns to stockholders. Deflation risk
is the risk that prices throughout the economy decline over time—the opposite of inflation. Deflation may have an adverse affect on the creditworthiness of issuers and may make
issuer defaults more likely, which may result in a decline in the value of the Fund’s portfolio.
Market Events Risk. The market values of securities or other assets will fluctuate, sometimes sharply and unpredictably, due to factors such as economic events, governmental actions or intervention, actions taken by the U.S. Federal Reserve or
foreign central banks, market disruptions caused by trade disputes, labor strikes or other
factors, political developments, armed conflicts, economic sanctions and countermeasures in
response to sanctions, major cybersecurity events, the global and domestic effects
of widespread or local health, weather or climate events, and other factors that may
or may not be related to the issuer of the security or other asset. Economies and financial
markets throughout the world are increasingly interconnected. Economic, financial or political
events, trading and tariff arrangements, public health events, terrorism, wars, natural
disasters and other circumstances in one country or region could have profound impacts
on global economies or markets. As a result, whether or not the fund invests in securities
of issuers located in or with significant exposure to the countries or markets directly
affected, the value and liquidity of the fund’s investments may be negatively affected. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russian stocks lost all, or nearly all, of their market value. Other securities or markets could be similarly affected by past or future geopolitical
or other events or conditions. Furthermore, events involving limited liquidity, defaults,
non-performance or other adverse developments that affect one industry, such as the financial services industry, or concerns or rumors about any events of these kinds, have in
the past and may in the future lead to market-wide liquidity problems, may spread to other
industries, and could negatively affect the value and liquidity of the fund’s investments.
The long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and its subsequent variants on economies,
markets, industries and individual issuers is not known. Some sectors of the economy
and individual issuers have experienced or may experience particularly large losses. Periods
of extreme volatility in the financial markets, reduced liquidity of many instruments,
increased government debt, inflation, and disruptions to supply chains, consumer demand and
employee availability, may continue for some time. The U.S. government and the Federal
Reserve, as well as certain foreign governments and central banks, took extraordinary
actions to support local and global economies and the financial markets in response
to the COVID-19 pandemic. This and other government intervention into the economy and financial
markets may not work as intended, and have resulted in a large expansion of government
deficits and debt, the long term consequences of which are not known. In addition,
the
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc.
COVID-19 pandemic, and measures taken to mitigate its effects, could result in disruptions
to the services provided to the fund by its service providers.
Raising the ceiling on U.S. government debt has become increasingly politicized. Any
failure to increase the total amount that the U.S. government is authorized to borrow could
lead to a default on U.S. government obligations, with unpredictable consequences for economies
and markets in the U.S. and elsewhere. Recently, inflation and interest rates have
increased and may rise further. These circumstances could adversely affect the value and liquidity
of the fund’s investments, impair the fund’s ability to satisfy redemption requests, and negatively impact the fund’s performance.
The United States and other countries are periodically involved in disputes over trade
and other matters, which may result in tariffs, investment restrictions and adverse impacts
on affected companies and securities. For example, the United States has imposed tariffs
and other trade barriers on Chinese exports, has restricted sales of certain categories
of goods to China, and has established barriers to investments in China. Trade disputes may
adversely affect the economies of the United States and its trading partners, as well
as companies directly or indirectly affected and financial markets generally. The United
States government has prohibited U.S. persons from investing in Chinese companies designated
as related to the Chinese military. These and possible future restrictions could limit the fund’s opportunities for investment and require the sale of securities at a loss or make
them illiquid. Moreover, the Chinese government is involved in a longstanding dispute with
Taiwan that has included threats of invasion. If the political climate between the
United States and China does not improve or continues to deteriorate, if China were
to attempt unification of Taiwan by force, or if other geopolitical conflicts develop
or get worse, economies, markets and individual securities may be severely affected both
regionally and globally, and the value of the fund’s assets may go down.
Anti-Takeover Provisions Risk. The Fund’s Charter and Bylaws include provisions that are designed to limit the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the
Fund for short-term objectives, including by converting the Fund to open-end status or changing
the composition of the Board, that may be detrimental to the Fund’s ability to achieve its primary investment objective. The Fund’s Bylaws also contains a provision providing that the Fund is subject to the provisions of the Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act. There
can be no assurance, however, that such provisions will be sufficient to deter professional
arbitrageurs that seek to cause the Fund to take actions that may not be consistent
with its investment objective or aligned with the interests of long-term shareholders, such
as liquidating debt investments prior to maturity, triggering taxable events for shareholders
and decreasing the size of the Fund. Such provisions may limit the ability of shareholders
to sell their shares at a premium over prevailing market prices by discouraging a third
party from seeking to obtain control of the Fund. There can be no assurance, however, that
such
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc.
Summary of information regarding the Fund (unaudited) (cont’d)
provisions will be sufficient to deter activist investors that seek to cause the Fund
to take actions that may not be aligned with the interests of long-term shareholders.
Portfolio Turnover Risk. Changes to the investments of the Fund may be made regardless of the length of time particular investments have been held. A high portfolio turnover
rate may result in increased transaction costs for the Fund in the form of increased dealer
spreads and other transactional costs, which may have an adverse impact on performance. The
portfolio turnover rate of the Fund will vary from year to year, as well as within
a year.
Management Risk. The Fund is subject to management risk because it is an actively managed investment portfolio. The subadviser and each individual portfolio manager
will apply investment techniques and risk analyses in making investment decisions for the
Fund, but there can be no guarantee that these will produce the desired results.
Market Price Discount from Net Asset Value Risk. Shares of closed-end investment companies frequently trade at a discount from their net asset value. This risk is
separate and distinct from the risk that the Fund’s net asset value could decrease as a result of its investment activities and may be a greater risk to investors expecting to sell their
Common Stock in a relatively short period following completion of this offering. Whether
investors will realize gains or losses upon the sale of the Common Stock will depend not upon
the Fund’s net asset value but upon whether the market price of the Common Stock at the time of sale is above or below the investor’s purchase price for the Common Stock.
Because the market price of the Common Stock will be determined by factors such as
relative supply of and demand for the Common Stock in the market, general market and
economic conditions and other factors beyond the control of the Fund, the Fund cannot
predict whether the Common Stock will trade at, above or below net asset value or
at, above or below the initial public offering price. The Fund’s Common Stock is designed primarily for long term investors and you should not view the Fund as a vehicle for
trading purposes.
Temporary Defensive Strategies Risk. When the manager believes a temporary defensive posture in the market is warranted (e.g., times when, in the manager’s opinion, temporary imbalances of supply and demand or other temporary dislocations in the municipal obligations market adversely affect the price at which municipal obligations are available),
and in order to keep cash on hand fully invested, the Fund may temporarily invest
to a substantial degree in high quality, short-term municipal obligations. If these high-quality,
short-term municipal obligations are not available or, in the manager’s judgment, do not afford sufficient protection against adverse market conditions, the Fund may invest
in the following taxable securities: obligations of the U.S. Government and its agencies
or instrumentalities; other debt securities rated within the four highest categories
by an NRSRO; commercial paper rated in the highest category by an NRSRO; certificates of
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc.
deposit, time deposits and bankers’ acceptances; or repurchase agreements with respect to any of the foregoing investments or any other fixed-income securities that the manager
considers consistent with such strategy. To the extent the Fund invests in taxable
securities, the Fund will not at such times be able to achieve its investment objective of earning
income that is exempt from regular federal income taxes.
Operational Risk. The valuation of the Fund’s investments may be negatively impacted because of the operational risks arising from factors such as processing errors and
human errors, inadequate or failed internal or external processes, failures in systems and
technology, changes in personnel, and errors caused by third party service providers
or trading counterparties. It is not possible to identify all of the operational risks
that may affect the Fund or to develop processes and controls that completely eliminate or
mitigate the occurrence of such failures. The Fund and its shareholders could be negatively
impacted as a result.
Valuation Risk. The sales price the Fund could receive for any particular portfolio investment may differ from the Fund’s valuation of the investment, particularly for securities that trade in thin or volatile markets or that are valued using a fair value methodology. These
differences may increase significantly and affect Fund investments more broadly during
periods of market volatility. The Fund’s ability to value its investments may be impacted by technological issues and/or errors by pricing services or other third party service
providers. The valuation of the Fund’s investments involves subjective judgment.
Cybersecurity Risk. Like other funds and business enterprises, the fund, the manager, the subadvisers, Authorized Participants, the relevant listing exchange and their service
providers are subject to the risk of cyber incidents occurring from time to time.
Cybersecurity incidents, whether intentionally caused by third parties or otherwise,
may allow an unauthorized party to gain access to fund assets, fund or customer data (including
private shareholder information) or proprietary information, cause the fund, the manager,
the subadvisers, Authorized Participants, the relevant listing exchange and/or their
service providers (including, but not limited to, fund accountants, custodians, sub-custodians,
transfer agents and financial intermediaries) to suffer data breaches, data corruption
or loss of operational functionality, or prevent fund investors from purchasing, redeeming
or exchanging shares, receiving distributions or receiving timely information regarding
the fund or their investment in the fund. The fund, the manager, and the subadvisers have
limited ability to prevent or mitigate cybersecurity incidents affecting third party
service providers, and such third party service providers may have limited indemnification
obligations to the fund, the manager, and/or the subadvisers. Cybersecurity incidents
may result in financial losses to the fund and its shareholders, and substantial costs
may be incurred in order to prevent or mitigate any future cybersecurity incidents. Issuers
of
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc.
Summary of information regarding the Fund (unaudited) (cont’d)
securities in which the fund invests are also subject to cybersecurity risks, and
the value of these securities could decline if the issuers experience cybersecurity incidents.
New ways to carry out cyber attacks continue to develop. There is a chance that some
risks have not been identified or prepared for, or that an attack may not be detected, which
puts limitations on the fund’s ability to plan for or respond to a cyber attack.
For a complete list of the Fund’s fundamental investment restrictions and more detailed descriptions of the Fund’s investment policies, strategies and risks, see the Fund’s registration statement on Form N-14 that was declared effective by the SEC on May
25, 2023. The Fund’s fundamental investment restrictions may not be changed without the approval of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities, as defined
in the 1940 Act.
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc.
Dividend reinvestment plan (unaudited)
Unless you elect to receive distributions in cash (i.e., opt-out), all dividends,
including any capital gain dividends and return of capital distributions, on your Common Stock will
be automatically reinvested by Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as agent for the stock-
holders (the “Plan Agent”), in additional shares of Common Stock under the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the “Plan”). You may elect not to participate in the Plan by contacting the Plan Agent. If you do not participate, you will receive all cash distributions
paid by check mailed directly to you by Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as dividend paying
agent.
If you participate in the Plan, the number of shares of Common Stock you will receive
will be determined as follows:
(1) If the market price of the Common Stock (plus $0.03 per share commission) on the
payment date (or, if the payment date is not a NYSE trading day, the immediately preceding trading day) is equal to or exceeds the net asset value per share of the
Common Stock at the close of trading on the NYSE on the payment date, the Fund will
issue new Common Stock at a price equal to the greater of (a) the net asset value
per share at the close of trading on the NYSE on the payment date or (b) 95% of the market price per share of the Common Stock on the payment date.
(2) If the net asset value per share of the Common Stock exceeds the market price
of the Common Stock (plus $0.03 per share commission) at the close of trading on the
NYSE on the payment date, the Plan Agent will receive the dividend or distribution
in cash and will buy Common Stock in the open market, on the NYSE or elsewhere, for your account as soon as practicable commencing on the trading day following the payment date and terminating no later than the earlier of (a) 30 days after the dividend or distribution payment date, or (b) the payment date for the next succeeding
dividend or distribution to be made to the stockholders; except when necessary to
comply with applicable provisions of the federal securities laws. If during this period:
(i) the market price (plus $0.03 per share commission) rises so that it equals or
exceeds the net asset value per share of the Common Stock at the close of trading
on the NYSE on the payment date before the Plan Agent has completed the open market purchases or (ii) if the Plan Agent is unable to invest the full amount eligible to
be reinvested in open market purchases, the Plan Agent will cease purchasing Common Stock in the open market and the Fund shall issue the remaining Common Stock at a
price per share equal to the greater of (a) the net asset value per share at the close
of trading on the NYSE on the day prior to the issuance of shares for reinvestment or
(b) 95% of the then current market price per share.
Common Stock in your account will be held by the Plan Agent in non-certificated form.
Any proxy you receive will include all shares of Common Stock you have received under
the Plan. You may withdraw from the Plan (i.e., opt-out) by notifying the Plan Agent in
writing at P.O. Box 43006, Providence, RI 02940-3078 or by calling the Plan Agent at 1-888-888-0151.
Such withdrawal will be effective immediately if notice is received by the Plan Agent
not less than ten business days prior to any dividend or distribution record date; otherwise
such
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc.
Dividend reinvestment plan (unaudited) (cont’d)
withdrawal will be effective as soon as practicable after the Plan Agent’s investment of the most recently declared dividend or distribution on the Common Stock.
Plan participants who sell their shares will be charged a service charge (currently
$5.00 per transaction) and the Plan Agent is authorized to deduct brokerage charges actually
incurred from the proceeds (currently $0.05 per share commission). There is no service charge
for reinvestment of your dividends or distributions in Common Stock. However, all participants
will pay a pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred by the Plan Agent when
it makes open market purchases. Because all dividends and distributions will be automatically
reinvested in additional shares of Common Stock, this allows you to add to your investment
through dollar cost averaging, which may lower the average cost of your Common Stock
over time. Dollar cost averaging is a technique for lowering the average cost per
share over time if the Fund’s net asset value declines. While dollar cost averaging has definite advantages, it cannot assure profit or protect against loss in declining markets.
Automatically reinvesting dividends and distributions does not mean that you do not
have to pay income taxes due upon receiving dividends and distributions. Investors will be
subject to income tax on amounts reinvested under the Plan.
The Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate the Plan if, in the judgment of
the Board of Directors, the change is warranted. The Plan may be terminated, amended or supplemented by the Fund upon notice in writing mailed to stockholders at least 30
days prior to the record date for the payment of any dividend or distribution by the Fund
for which the termination or amendment is to be effective. Upon any termination, you will be
sent cash for any fractional share of Common Stock in your account. You may elect to notify
the Plan Agent in advance of such termination to have the Plan Agent sell part or all
of your Common Stock on your behalf. Additional information about the Plan and your account
may be obtained from the Plan Agent at P.O. Box 43006, Providence, RI 02940-3078 or by
calling the Plan Agent at 1-888-888-0151.
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc.
Important tax information (unaudited)
By mid-February, tax information related to a shareholder’s proportionate share of distributions paid during the preceding calendar year will be received, if applicable.
Please also refer to www.franklintempleton.com for per share tax information related to any
distributions paid during the preceding calendar year. Shareholders are advised to
consult with their tax advisors for further information on the treatment of these amounts
on their tax returns.
The following tax information for the Fund is required to be furnished to shareholders
with respect to income earned and distributions paid during its fiscal year.
The Fund hereby reports the following amounts, or if subsequently determined to be
different, the maximum allowable amounts, for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2024:
|
|
|
Qualified Net Interest Income (QII)
|
|
|
Section 163(j) Interest Earned
|
|
|
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc.
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Western Asset
Managed Municipals Fund Inc.
Directors
Jane Trust
Chairman
Jane Trust
President and Chief Executive
Officer
Christopher Berarducci
Treasurer and Principal Financial
Officer
Fred Jensen
Chief Compliance Officer
Marc A. De Oliveira*
Secretary and Chief Legal Officer
Thomas C. Mandia
Senior Vice President
Jeanne M. Kelly
Senior Vice President
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc.
620 Eighth Avenue
47th Floor
New York, NY 10018
Franklin Templeton Fund Adviser, LLC**
Western Asset Management Company, LLC
The Bank of New York Mellon
Computershare Inc.
P.O. Box 43006
Providence, RI 02940-3078
Independent registered
public accounting firm
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Baltimore, MD
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
900 G Street NW
Washington, DC 20001
New York Stock
Exchange Symbol
*
Effective September 7, 2023, Mr. De Oliveira became Secretary and Chief Legal Officer.
**
Formerly known as Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC.
Franklin Templeton Funds Privacy and Security Notice
Your Privacy and the Security of Your Personal Information is Very Important to Us
This Privacy and Security Notice (the “Privacy Notice”) addresses the Funds’ privacy and data protection practices with respect to nonpublic personal information the Fund receives.
The Legg Mason Funds include the Western Asset Money Market Funds (Funds) sold by the Funds’ distributor, Franklin Distributors, LLC, as well as Legg Mason-sponsored closed-end
funds. The provisions of this Privacy Notice apply to your information both while you are a shareholder
and after you are no longer invested with the Funds.
The Type of Nonpublic Personal Information the Funds Collect About You
The Funds collect and maintain nonpublic personal information about you in connection
with your shareholder account. Such information may include, but is not limited to:
•
Personal information included on applications or other forms;
•
Account balances, transactions, and mutual fund holdings and positions;
•
Bank account information, legal documents, and identity verification documentation;
and
•
Online account access user IDs, passwords, security challenge question responses.
How the Funds Use Nonpublic Personal Information About You
The Funds do not sell or share your nonpublic personal information with third parties
or with affiliates for their marketing purposes, unless you have authorized the Funds to do
so. The Funds do not disclose any nonpublic personal information about you except as may be
required to perform transactions or services you have authorized or as permitted or required
by law. The Funds may disclose information about you to:
•
Employees, agents, and affiliates on a “need to know” basis to enable the Funds to conduct ordinary business or to comply with obligations to government regulators;
•
Service providers, including the Funds’ affiliates, who assist the Funds as part of the ordinary course of business (such as printing, mailing services, or processing or
servicing your account with us) or otherwise perform services on the Funds’ behalf, including companies that may perform statistical analysis, market research and marketing services
solely for the Funds;
•
Permit access to transfer, whether in the United States or countries outside of the
United States to such Funds’ employees, agents and affiliates and service providers as required to enable the Funds to conduct ordinary business, or to comply with obligations
to government regulators;
•
The Funds’ representatives such as legal counsel, accountants and auditors to enable the Funds to conduct ordinary business, or to comply with obligations to government regulators;
•
Fiduciaries or representatives acting on your behalf, such as an IRA custodian or
trustee of a grantor trust.
NOT PART OF THE ANNUAL REPORT
Franklin Templeton Funds Privacy and Security Notice
(cont’d)
Except as otherwise permitted by applicable law, companies acting on the Funds’ behalf, including those outside the United States, are contractually obligated to keep nonpublic
personal information the Funds provide to them confidential and to use the information
the Funds share only to provide the services the Funds ask them to perform.
The Funds may disclose nonpublic personal information about you when necessary to
enforce their rights or protect against fraud, or as permitted or required by applicable law,
such as in connection with a law enforcement or regulatory request, subpoena, or similar legal
process. In the event of a corporate action or in the event a Fund service provider changes,
the Funds may be required to disclose your nonpublic personal information to third parties.
While it is the Funds’ practice to obtain protections for disclosed information in these types of transactions, the Funds cannot guarantee their privacy policy will remain unchanged.
Keeping You Informed of the Funds’ Privacy and Security Practices
The Funds will notify you annually of their privacy policy as required by federal
law. While the Funds reserve the right to modify this policy at any time, they will notify you promptly
if this privacy policy changes.
The Funds’ Security Practices
The Funds maintain appropriate physical, electronic and procedural safeguards designed
to guard your nonpublic personal information. The Funds’ internal data security policies restrict access to your nonpublic personal information to authorized employees, who may use
your nonpublic personal information for Fund business purposes only.
Although the Funds strive to protect your nonpublic personal information, they cannot
ensure or warrant the security of any information you provide or transmit to them, and you
do so at your own risk. In the event of a breach of the confidentiality or security of your
nonpublic personal information, the Funds will attempt to notify you as necessary so you can
take appropriate protective steps. If you have consented to the Funds using electronic
communications or electronic delivery of statements, they may notify you under such
circumstances using the most current email address you have on record with them.
In order for the Funds to provide effective service to you, keeping your account information
accurate is very important. If you believe that your account information is incomplete,
not accurate or not current, if you have questions about the Funds’ privacy practices, or our use of your nonpublic personal information, write the Funds using the contact information
on your account statements, email the Funds by clicking on the Contact Us section of the Funds’ website at www.franklintempleton.com, or contact the Funds at 1-877-721-1926 for the
Western Asset Money Market Funds or 1-888-777-0102 for the Legg Mason-sponsored closed-end funds. For additional information related to certain state privacy rights, please
visit https://www.franklintempleton.com/help/privacy-policy.
NOT PART OF THE ANNUAL REPORT
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc.
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc.
620 Eighth Avenue
47th Floor
New York, NY 10018
Notice is hereby given in accordance with Section 23(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, that from time to time the Fund may purchase, at market prices, shares of its stock.
The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. The Fund’s Forms N-PORT are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. To obtain information on Form N-PORT, shareholders can call the Fund at 1-888-777-0102.
Information on how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the prior 12-month period ended June 30th of each year and a description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies related to portfolio transactions are available (1) without charge, upon request, by calling 1-888-777-0102, (2) at www.franklintempleton.com and (3) on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
Quarterly performance, semi-annual and annual reports, current net asset value and other information regarding the Fund may be found on Franklin Templeton’s website, which can be accessed at www.franklintempleton.com. Any reference to Franklin Templeton’s website in this report is intended to allow investors public access to information regarding the Fund and does not, and is not intended to, incorporate Franklin Templeton’s website in this report.
This report is transmitted to the shareholders of Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. for their information. This is not a prospectus, circular or representation intended for use in the purchase of shares of the Fund or any securities mentioned in this report.
Computershare Inc.
P.O. Box 43006
Providence, RI 02940-3078
The registrant has adopted a code of ethics that applies to the
registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller.
| ITEM 3. | AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT. |
The Board of Directors of the registrant has determined that
Eileen A. Kamerick and Nisha Kumar, are the members of the Board’s Audit Committee, possesses the technical attributes identified
in Instruction 2(b) of Item 3 to Form N-CSR to qualify as an “audit committee financial experts”.
| Item
4. | Principal
Accountant Fees and Services. |
(a) Audit Fees. The aggregate fees billed in the previous
fiscal years ending May 31, 2023 and May 31, 2024 (the “Reporting Periods”) for professional services rendered by the Registrant’s
principal accountant (the “Auditor”) for the audit of the Registrant’s annual financial statements, or services that
are normally provided by the Auditor in connection with the statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for the Reporting Periods,
were $46,116 in May 31, 2023 and $46,116 in May 31, 2024.
(b) Audit-Related Fees. The aggregate fees billed in the
Reporting Period for assurance and related services by the Auditor that are reasonably related to the performance of the Registrant’s
financial statements were $0 in May 31, 2023 and $0 in May 31, 2024.
(c) Tax Fees. The aggregate fees billed in the Reporting
Periods for professional services rendered by the Auditor for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning (“Tax Services”)
were $9,750 in May 31, 2023 and $9,750 in May 31, 2024. 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. The aggregate fees for 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 Managed Municipals Fund Inc. were $0 in May 31, 2023 and $14,000 in May 31, 2024.
All Other Fees. There were no other non-audit services rendered
by the Auditor to Franklin Templeton Fund Advisor, LLC (“FTFA”), and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common
control with FTFA that provided ongoing services to Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. requiring pre-approval by the Audit Committee
in the Reporting Period.
(e) Audit Committee’s pre-approval policies and procedures
described in paragraph (c) (7) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.
(1) The Charter for the Audit Committee (the “Committee”)
of the Board of each registered investment company (the “Fund”) advised by FTFA or one of their affiliates (each, an “Adviser”)
requires that the Committee shall approve (a) all audit and permissible non-audit services to be provided to the Fund and (b) all permissible
non-audit services to be provided by the Fund’s independent auditors to the Adviser and any Covered Service Providers if the engagement
relates directly to the operations and financial reporting of the Fund. The Committee may
implement policies and procedures by which such services are approved
other than by the full Committee.
The Committee shall not approve non-audit services that the Committee
believes may impair the independence of the auditors. As of the date of the approval of this Audit Committee Charter, permissible non-audit
services include any professional services (including tax services), that are not prohibited services as described below, provided to
the Fund by the independent auditors, other than those provided to the Fund in connection with an audit or a review of the financial
statements of the Fund. Permissible non-audit services may not include: (i) bookkeeping or other services related to the accounting records
or financial statements of the Fund; (ii) financial information systems design and implementation; (iii) appraisal or valuation services,
fairness opinions or contribution-in-kind reports; (iv) actuarial services; (v) internal audit outsourcing services; (vi) management
functions or human resources; (vii) broker or dealer, investment adviser or investment banking services; (viii) legal services and expert
services unrelated to the audit; and (ix) any other service the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board determines, by regulation,
is impermissible.
Pre-approval by the Committee of any permissible non-audit services
is not required so long as: (i) the aggregate amount of all such permissible non-audit services provided to the Fund, the Adviser and
any service providers controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Adviser that provide ongoing services to the Fund (“Covered
Service Providers”) constitutes not more than 5% of the total amount of revenues paid to the independent auditors during the fiscal
year in which the permissible non-audit services are provided to (a) the Fund, (b) the Adviser and (c) any entity controlling, controlled
by or under common control with the Adviser that provides ongoing services to the Fund during the fiscal year in which the services are
provided that would have to be approved by the Committee; (ii) the permissible non-audit services were not recognized by the Fund at
the time of the engagement to be non-audit services; and (iii) such services are promptly brought to the attention of the Committee and
approved by the Committee (or its delegate(s)) prior to the completion of the audit.
(2) None of the services described in paragraphs (b) through (d)
of this Item were performed in reliance on paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.
(f) Not applicable.
(g) Non-audit fees billed by the Auditor for services rendered
to Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc., FTFA and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with FTFA that
provides ongoing services to Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. during the reporting period were $350,359 in May 31, 2023 and
$342,635 in May 31, 2024.
(h) Yes. Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc.’s Audit
Committee has considered whether the provision of non-audit services that were rendered to Service Affiliates, which were not pre-approved
(not requiring pre-approval), is compatible with maintaining the Accountant’s independence. All services provided by the Auditor
to the Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. or to Service Affiliates, which were required to be pre-approved, were pre-approved
as required.
(i) Not applicable.
(j) Not applicable.
| 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: |
Robert D. Agdern
Carol L. Colman
Daniel P. Cronin
Paolo M. Cucchi
Eileen A. Kamerick
Nisha Kumar
| ITEM 6. | SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS. |
Included herein under Item 1.
|
ITEM 7. |
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS FOR OPEN-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES. |
Not applicable.
|
ITEM 8. |
CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS FOR OPEN-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES. |
Not applicable.
|
ITEM 9. |
PROXY DISCLOSURES FOR OPEN-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES. |
Not applicable.
|
ITEM 10. |
REMUNERATION PAID TO DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, AND OTHERS OF OPEN-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES. |
Not applicable.
|
ITEM 11. |
STATEMENT REGARDING BASIS FOR APPROVAL OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY CONTRACT. |
Not applicable.
|
ITEM 12. |
DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES. |
Western Asset Management Company, LLC
Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures
NOTE
The policy below relating to proxy voting and
corporate actions is a global policy for Western Asset Management Company, LLC (“Western Asset” or the “Firm”)
and all Western Asset affiliates, including Western Asset Management Company Limited (“Western Asset Limited”), Western Asset
Management Company Ltd (“Western Asset Japan”) and Western Asset Management Company Pte. Ltd. (“Western Asset Singapore”),
as applicable. As compliance with the policy is monitored by Western Asset, the policy has been adopted from the US Compliance Manual
and all defined terms are those defined in the US Compliance Manual rather than the compliance manual of any other Western Asset affiliate.
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 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 Rule 206(4)-6 under the
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 Firm’s contractual obligations to our clients and all other relevant facts and circumstances at the time of the
vote (such that these guidelines may be overridden to the extent the Firm deems appropriate).
In exercising its voting authority, Western Asset
will not consult or enter into agreements with officers, directors or employees of Franklin Resources (Franklin Resources includes Franklin
Resources, Inc. and organizations operating as Franklin Resources) or any of its affiliates (other than Western Asset affiliated companies)
regarding the voting of any securities owned by its clients.
PROCEDURES
Responsibility and Oversight
The Regulatory Affairs Group is responsible for
administering and overseeing the proxy voting process. The gathering of proxies is coordinated through the Corporate Actions area of
Investment Operations Group (“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
The Investment Management Agreement for each client
is reviewed at account start-up for proxy voting instructions. 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 Regulatory Affairs Group 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 Regulatory Affairs Group for coordination and the following actions:
| • | Proxies
are reviewed to determine accounts impacted. |
| • | Impacted
accounts are checked to confirm Western Asset voting authority. |
| • | The
Regulatory Affairs Group 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.) |
| • | If
a material conflict of interest exists, (i) to the extent reasonably practicable and permitted
by applicable law, the client is promptly notified, the conflict is disclosed and Western
Asset obtains the client’s proxy voting instructions, and (ii) to the extent that it
is not reasonably practicable or permitted by applicable law to notify the client and obtain
such instructions (e.g., the client is a mutual fund or other commingled vehicle or is an
ERISA plan client), Western Asset seeks voting instructions from an independent third party. |
| • | The
Regulatory Affairs Group provides proxy material to the appropriate research analyst or portfolio
manager to obtain their recommended vote. Research analysts and portfolio managers determine
votes on a case-by-case basis taking into account the voting guidelines contained in these
procedures. For avoidance of doubt, depending on the best interest of each individual client,
Western Asset may vote the same proxy differently for different clients. The analyst’s
or portfolio manager’s basis for their decision is documented and maintained by the
Regulatory Affairs Group. |
| • | Portfolio
Compliance Group 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’s Legal and Compliance Department
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 Rule 204-2 of the Advisers Act and ERISA DOL Bulletin 94-2. These records include:
| • | A
copy of Western Asset’s proxy voting policies and procedures. |
| • | Copies
of proxy statements received with respect to securities in client accounts. |
| • | A
copy of any document created by Western Asset that was material to making a decision how
to vote proxies. |
| • | Each
written client request for proxy voting records and Western Asset’s written response
to both verbal and written client requests. |
| 2. | Exchange
ticker symbol of the issuer’s shares to be voted; |
| 3. | Committee
on Uniform Securities Identification Procedures (“CUSIP”) number for the shares
to be voted; |
| 4. | A
brief identification of the matter voted on; |
| 5. | Whether
the matter was proposed by the issuer or by a shareholder of the issuer; |
| 6. | Whether
a vote was cast on the matter; |
| 7. | A
record of how the vote was cast; and |
| 8. | Whether
the vote was cast for or against the recommendation of the issuer’s management team. |
Records are maintained in an easily accessible
place for a period of not less than five (5) years with the first two (2) years in Western Asset’s offices.
Disclosure
Western Asset’s proxy policies and procedures
are described in the Firm’s Form ADV Part 2A. Clients are provided with a copy of these policies and procedures upon request. In
addition, clients may receive reports on how their proxies have been voted, upon request.
Conflicts of Interest
All proxies are reviewed by the Regulatory Affairs
Group for material conflicts of interest. Issues to be reviewed include, but are not limited to:
| 1. | Whether
Western Asset (or, to the extent required to be considered by applicable law, its affiliates)
manages assets for the company or an employee group of the company or otherwise has an interest
in the company; |
| 2. | Whether
Western Asset or an officer or director of Western Asset or the applicable portfolio manager
or analyst responsible for recommending the proxy vote (together, “Voting Persons”)
is a close relative of or has a personal or business relationship with an executive, director
or person who is a candidate for director of the company or is a participant in a proxy contest;
and |
| 3. | Whether
there is any other business or personal relationship where a Voting Person has a personal
interest in the outcome of the matter before shareholders. |
Voting Guidelines
Western Asset’s substantive voting decisions
are based 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.
Situations can arise in which more
than one Western Asset client invests in instruments of the same issuer or in which a single client may invest in instruments of the
same issuer but in multiple accounts or strategies. Multiple clients or the same client in multiple accounts or strategies may have different
investment objectives, investment styles, or investment professionals involved in making decisions. While there may be differences, votes
are always cast in the best interests of the client and the investment objectives agreed with Western Asset. As a result, there may be
circumstances where Western Asset casts different votes on behalf of different clients or on behalf of the same client with multiple
accounts or strategies.
Guidelines are grouped according to the types of proposals generally
presented to shareholders. Part I deals with proposals which have been approved and are recommended by a company’s board of directors;
Part II deals with proposals submitted by shareholders for inclusion in proxy statements; Part III addresses issues relating to voting
shares of investment companies; and Part IV addresses unique considerations pertaining to foreign issuers.
| I. | Board
Approved Proposals |
The vast majority of matters presented to shareholders
for a vote involve proposals made by a company itself that have been approved and recommended by its board of directors. In view of the
enhanced corporate governance practices currently being implemented in public companies, Western Asset generally votes in support of
decisions reached by independent boards of directors. More specific guidelines related to certain board-approved proposals are as follows:
| 1. | Matters
relating to the Board of Directors |
Western Asset votes proxies for the election of the company’s
nominees for directors and for board-approved proposals on other matters relating to the board of directors with the following exceptions:
| a. | Votes
are withheld for the entire board of directors if the board does not have a majority of independent
directors or the board does not have nominating, audit and compensation committees composed
solely of independent directors. |
| b. | Votes
are withheld for any nominee for director who is considered an independent director by the
company and who has received compensation from the company other than for service as a director. |
| c. | Votes
are withheld for any nominee for director who attends less than 75% of board and committee
meetings without valid reasons for absences. |
| d. | Votes
are cast on a case-by-case basis in contested elections of directors. |
| 2. | Matters
relating to Executive Compensation |
Western Asset generally favors compensation programs that relate
executive compensation to a company’s long-term performance. Votes are cast on a case-by-case basis on board-approved proposals
relating to executive compensation, except as follows:
| a. | Except
where the firm is otherwise withholding votes for the entire board of directors, Western
Asset votes for stock option plans that will result in a minimal annual dilution. |
| b. | Western
Asset votes against stock option plans or proposals that permit replacing or repricing of
underwater options. |
| c. | Western
Asset votes against stock option plans that permit issuance of options with an exercise price
below the stock’s current market price. |
| d. | Except
where the firm is otherwise withholding votes for the entire board of directors, Western
Asset votes for employee stock purchase plans that limit the discount for shares purchased
under the plan to no more than 15% of their market value, have an offering period of 27 months
or less and result in dilution of 10% or less. |
| 3. | Matters
relating to Capitalization |
The Management of a company’s capital structure involves
a number of important issues, including cash flows, financing needs and market conditions that are unique to the circumstances of each
company. As a result, Western Asset votes on a case-by-case basis on board-approved proposals involving changes to a company’s
capitalization except where Western Asset is otherwise withholding votes for the entire board of directors.
| a. | Western
Asset votes for proposals relating to the authorization of additional common stock. |
| b. | Western
Asset votes for proposals to effect stock splits (excluding reverse stock splits). |
| c. | Western
Asset votes for proposals authorizing share repurchase programs. |
| 4. | Matters
relating to Acquisitions, Mergers, Reorganizations and Other Transactions |
Western Asset votes these issues on a case-by-case
basis on board-approved transactions.
| 5. | Matters
relating to Anti-Takeover Measures |
Western Asset votes against board-approved proposals to adopt
anti-takeover measures except as follows:
| a. | Western
Asset votes on a case-by-case basis on proposals to ratify or approve shareholder rights
plans. |
| b. | Western
Asset votes on a case-by-case basis on proposals to adopt fair price provisions. |
Western Asset votes for board-approved proposals approving such
routine business matters such as changing the company’s name, ratifying the appointment of auditors and procedural matters relating
to the shareholder meeting.
| a. | Western
Asset votes on a case-by-case basis on proposals to amend a company’s charter or bylaws. |
| b. | Western
Asset votes against authorization to transact other unidentified, substantive business at
the meeting. |
| 7. | Reporting
of Financially Material Information |
Western Asset generally believes issuers should disclose information
that is material to their business. This principle extends to Environmental, Social and Governance matters. What qualifies as “material”
can vary, so votes are cast on a case by case basis but consistent with the overarching principle.
SEC regulations permit shareholders to submit
proposals for inclusion in a company’s proxy statement. These proposals generally seek to change some aspect of a company’s
corporate governance structure or to change some aspect of its business operations. Western Asset votes in accordance with the recommendation
of the company’s board of directors on all shareholder proposals, except as follows:
| 1. | Western
Asset votes for shareholder proposals to require shareholder approval of shareholder rights
plans. |
| 2. | Western
Asset votes for shareholder proposals that are consistent with Western Asset’s proxy
voting guidelines for board-approved proposals. |
| 3. | Western
Asset votes on a case-by-case basis on other shareholder proposals where the firm is otherwise
withholding votes for the entire board of directors. |
Environmental or social issues that are the subject
of a proxy vote will be considered on a case by case basis. Constructive proposals that seek to advance the health of the issuer and
the prospect for risk-adjusted returns to Western Assets clients are viewed more favorably than proposals that advance a single issue
or limit the ability of management to meet its operating objectives.
| 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 company’s outstanding common stock where shareholders do not
have preemptive rights, or (2) the issuance of common stock in excess of 100% of a company’s
outstanding common stock where shareholders have preemptive rights. |
| V. | Environmental,
Social and Governance Matters |
Western Asset considers ESG matters as part of
the overall investment process where appropriate. The Firm seeks to identify and consider material risks to the investment thesis, including
material risks presented by ESG factors. While Western Asset is primarily a fixed income manager, opportunities to vote proxies are considered
on the investment merits of the instruments and strategies involved.
As a general proposition, Western Asset votes
to encourage disclosure of information material to their business. This principle extends to ESG matters. What qualifies as “material”
can vary, so votes are cast on a case by case basis but consistent with the overarching principle. Western Asset recognizes that objective
standards and criteria may not be available or universally agreed and that there may be different views and subjective analysis regarding
factors and their significance.
As a general matter, Western Asset votes to encourage
management and governance practices that enhance the strength of the issuer, build value for investors, and mitigate risks that might
threaten their ability to operate and navigate competitive pressures.
Targeted environmental or social issues that are
the subject of a proxy vote will be considered on a case by case basis. Constructive proposals that seek to advance the health of the
issuer and the prospect for risk-adjusted returns to Western Assets clients are viewed more favorably than proposals that advance a single
issue or limit the ability of management to meet its operating objectives.
Situations can arise in which different clients
and strategies have explicit ESG objectives beyond generally taking into account material ESG risks. Votes may be cast for such clients
with the ESG objectives in mind. Votes involving ESG proposals that are not otherwise addressed in this policy will be voted on a case-by-case
basis consistent with the Firm’s fiduciary duties to its clients, the potential consequences to the investment thesis for that
issuer, and the specific facts and circumstances of each proposal.
Retirement Accounts
For accounts subject to ERISA, as well as other
retirement accounts, Western Asset is presumed to have the responsibility to vote proxies for the client. The Department of Labor has
issued a bulletin that states that investment managers have the responsibility to vote proxies on behalf of Retirement Accounts unless
the authority to vote proxies has been specifically reserved to another named fiduciary. Furthermore, unless Western Asset is expressly
precluded from voting the proxies, the Department of Labor has determined that the responsibility remains with the investment manager.
In order to comply with the Department of Labor’s position,
Western Asset will be presumed to have the obligation to vote proxies for its retirement accounts unless Western Asset has obtained a
specific written instruction indicating that: (a) the right to vote proxies has been reserved to a named fiduciary of the client, and
(b) Western Asset is precluded from voting proxies on behalf of the client. If Western Asset does not receive such an instruction, Western
Asset will be responsible for voting proxies in the best interests of the retirement account client and in accordance with any proxy
voting guidelines provided by the client.
| ITEM
13. | PORTFOLIO
MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES. |
(a)(1): As of the date of filing this report:
NAME
AND
ADDRESS
|
|
LENGTH OF
TIME
SERVED |
|
PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING
PAST
5 YEARS |
Michael C. Buchanan
Western Asset
385 East Colorado
Blvd. Pasadena,
CA 91101 |
|
Since March 1, 2024 |
|
Responsible for the day-to-day management with other members of the
Fund’s portfolio management team; Became Co-Chief Investment Officer of Western Asset in September 2023 with S. Kenneth Leech,
with whom he leads the Global and US Strategy Committees; employed by Western Asset Management as an investment professional for
at least the past five years; Managing Director and head of U.S. Credit Products from 2003-2005 at Credit Suisse Asset Management |
David Fare
Western Asset
385 East Colorado
Blvd. Pasadena,
CA 91101 |
|
Since 2004 |
|
Responsible for the day-to-day management with other members of the Fund’s
portfolio management team; portfolio manager at Western Asset since 2005; prior to that time, Mr. Fare was with Citigroup Asset Management
or one of its affiliates since 1989. |
Robert Amodeo
Western Asset
385 East Colorado
Blvd. Pasadena,
CA 91101 |
|
Since 2007 |
|
Responsible for the day-to-day management with other members of the Fund’s
portfolio management team; portfolio manager at Western Asset since 2005; prior to that time, Mr. Amodeo was a Managing Director
and portfolio manager with Salomon Brothers Asset Management Inc from 1992 to 2005. |
John Mooney
Western Asset
385 East
Colorado Blvd.
Pasadena,
CA 91101 |
|
Since 2023 |
|
Responsible for the day-to-day management with other members of the Fund’s
portfolio management team; portfolio manager at Western Asset since 2005; prior to that time, Mr. Mooney was with Citigroup Asset
Management, AIG/SunAmerica, and First Investors Management Company. |
Ryan K. Brist
Western Asset
385 East
Colorado Blvd.
Pasadena,
CA 91101 |
Since March 1, 2024 |
Responsible
for the day-to-day management with other members of the Fund’s portfolio management team; Head of U.S. Investment Grade Credit
of Western Asset since 2009; Chief Investment Officer and Portfolio Manager at Logan Circle Partners, L.P. from 2007-2009; Co-Chief Investment
Officer and Senior Portfolio Manager at Delaware Investment Advisors from 2000-2007 |
(a)(2): DATA TO BE PROVIDED BY FINANCIAL CONTROL
The following tables set forth certain additional information with respect
to the fund’s portfolio managers for the fund. Unless noted otherwise, all information is provided as of May 31, 2024.
Other Accounts Managed by Portfolio Managers
The table below identifies the number of accounts (other than the fund)
for which the fund’s portfolio managers have day-to-day management responsibilities and the total assets in such accounts, within
each of the following categories: registered investment companies, other pooled investment vehicles, and other accounts. For each category,
the number of accounts and total assets in the accounts where fees are based on performance is also indicated.
Name
of PM |
Type
of Account |
Number
of Accounts Managed |
Total
Assets Managed |
Number
of Accounts Managed for which Advisory Fee is Performance-Based |
Assets
Managed for which Advisory Fee is Performance-Based |
Michael
C. Buchanan‡ |
Other
Registered Investment Companies |
75 |
$111.00
billion |
None |
None |
Other
Pooled Vehicles |
286 |
$68.00
billion |
22 |
$2.56
billion |
Other
Accounts |
574 |
$173.55
billion |
20 |
$11.26
billion |
Robert
E. Amodeo‡ |
Other
Registered Investment Companies |
18 |
$9.31
billion |
None |
None |
Other
Pooled Vehicles |
3 |
$2.48
billion |
None |
None |
Other
Accounts |
20 |
$7.42
billion |
None |
None |
David
T. Fare ‡ |
Other
Registered Investment Companies |
16 |
$8.85
billion |
None |
None |
Other
Pooled Vehicles |
3 |
$2.48
billion |
None |
None |
Other
Accounts |
16 |
$4.59
billion |
None |
None |
John Mooney‡ |
Other Registered Investment Companies |
17 |
$8.09 billion |
None |
None |
Other Pooled Vehicles |
3 |
$2.48 billion |
None |
None |
Other Accounts |
20 |
$7.42 billion |
None |
None |
Ryan K. Brist ‡ |
Other Registered Investment Companies |
29 |
$13.99 billion |
None |
None |
Other Pooled Vehicles |
29 |
$14.84 billion |
None |
None |
Other Accounts |
169 |
$72.46 billion |
5 |
$1.32 billion |
‡ The numbers above reflect the overall number of portfolios managed
by employees of Western Asset Management Company (“Western Asset”). They are is involved in the management of all the Firm’s
portfolios, but they are not solely responsible for particular portfolios. Western Asset’s investment discipline emphasizes a team
approach that combines the efforts of groups of specialists working in different market sectors. They are responsible for overseeing
implementation of Western Asset’s overall investment ideas and coordinating the work of the various sector teams. This structure
ensures that client portfolios benefit from a consensus that draws on the expertise of all team members.
(a)(3): As of May, 2024: Investment Professional Compensation
Conflicts of Interest
The Subadviser has adopted compliance policies
and procedures to address a wide range of potential conflicts of interest that could directly impact client portfolios. For example,
potential conflicts of interest may arise in connection with the management of multiple portfolios (including portfolios managed in a
personal capacity). These could include potential conflicts of interest related to the knowledge and timing of a portfolio’s trades,
investment opportunities and broker selection. Portfolio managers are privy to the size, timing, and possible market impact of a portfolio’s
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 Subadviser or an affiliate
has an interest in the account. The Subadviser has adopted procedures for allocation of portfolio transactions and investment opportunities
across multiple client accounts on a fair and equitable basis over time. Eligible accounts that can participate in a trade generally
share the same price on a pro-rata allocation basis, taking into account differences based on factors such as cash availability, investment
restrictions and guidelines, and portfolio composition versus strategy.
With respect to securities transactions, the Subadviser determines
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 Subadviser 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. The Subadviser’s
team approach to portfolio management and block trading approach seeks to limit this potential risk.
The Subadviser also maintains a gift and entertainment
policy to address the potential for a business contact to give gifts or host entertainment events that may influence the business judgment
of an employee. Employees are permitted to retain gifts of only a nominal value and are required to make reimbursement for entertainment
events above a certain value. All gifts (except those of a de minimis value) and entertainment events that are given or sponsored by
a business contact are required to be reported in a gift and entertainment log which is reviewed on a regular basis for possible issues.
Employees of the Subadviser have access to transactions
and holdings information regarding client accounts and the Subadviser’s overall trading activities. This information represents
a potential conflict of interest because employees may take advantage of this information as they trade in their personal accounts. Accordingly,
the Subadviser maintains a Code of Ethics that is compliant with Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act and Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act
to address personal trading. In addition, the Code of Ethics seeks to establish broader principles of good conduct and fiduciary responsibility
in all aspects of the Subadviser’s business. The Code of Ethics is administered by the Legal and Compliance Department and monitored
through the Subadviser’s compliance monitoring program.
The Subadviser may also face other potential conflicts
of interest with respect to managing client assets, and the description above is not a complete description of every conflict of interest
that could be deemed to exist. The Subadviser also maintains a compliance monitoring program and engages independent auditors to conduct
a SOC1/ISAE 3402 audit on an annual basis. These steps help to ensure that potential conflicts of interest have been addressed.
Investment Professional Compensation
With respect to the compensation of the Fund’s
investment professionals, the Subadviser’s compensation system assigns each employee a total compensation range, which is derived
from annual market surveys that benchmark each role with its job function and peer universe. This method is designed to reward employees
with total compensation reflective of the external market value of their skills, experience and ability to produce desired results. Standard
compensation includes competitive base salaries, generous employee benefits and a retirement plan.
In addition, the Subadviser’s employees
are eligible for bonuses. These are structured to closely align the interests of employees with those of the Subadviser, and are determined
by the professional’s job function and pre-tax performance as measured by a formal review process. All bonuses are completely discretionary.
The principal factor considered is an investment professional’s investment performance versus appropriate peer groups and benchmarks
(e.g., a securities index and with respect to the Fund, the benchmark set forth in the Fund’s Prospectus to which the Fund’s
average annual total returns are compared or, if none, the benchmark set forth in the Fund’s annual report). Performance is reviewed
on a 1, 3 and 5 year basis for compensation—with 3 and 5 years having a larger emphasis. The Subadviser may also measure an investment
professional’s pre-tax investment performance against other benchmarks, as it determines appropriate. Because investment professionals
are generally responsible for multiple accounts (including the Fund) with similar investment strategies, they are generally compensated
on the performance of the aggregate group of similar accounts, rather than a specific account. Other factors that may be considered when
making bonus decisions include client service, business development, length of service to the Subadviser, management or supervisory responsibilities,
contributions to developing business strategy and overall contributions to the Subadviser’s business.
Finally, in order to attract and retain top talent,
all investment professionals are eligible for additional incentives in recognition of outstanding performance. These are determined based
upon the factors described above and include long-term incentives that vest over a set period of time past the award date.
Investment Professional Securities Ownership
The table below identifies the dollar range of securities
beneficially owned by the named investment professional as of May 31, 2024.
Portfolio Manager(s)
| |
Dollar Range of
Portfolio Securities Beneficially Owned
|
Michael C. Buchanan |
|
A |
David T. Fare |
|
A |
Robert Amodeo
| |
B |
John Mooney |
|
A |
Ryan K. Brist |
|
A |
Dollar Range ownership is as follows:
A: none
B: $1 - $10,000
C: 10,001 - $50,000
D: $50,001 - $100,000
E: $100,001 - $500,000
F: $500,001 - $1 million
G: over $1 million
| ITEM
14. | PURCHASES
OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS |
|
(a) |
(b) |
(c) |
(d) |
Period |
Total
Number
of Shares Purchased |
Average
Price Paid
per Share |
Total
Number
of Shares Purchased
as Part of
Publicly
Announced
Plans or
Programs |
Maximum
Number of Shares that
May Yet Be
Purchased
Under the Plans or
Programs |
June 1 through June 30 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4,336,785 |
July 1 through July 31 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4,336,785 |
August 1 through August 31 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4,336,785 |
September 1 through September 30 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4,336,785 |
October 1 through October 31* |
0 |
0 |
0 |
5,476,784 |
November 1 through November 30 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
5,476,784 |
December 1 through December 31 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
5,476,784 |
January 1 through January 31 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
5,476,784 |
February 1 through February 28 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
5,476,784 |
March 1 through March 31 |
48,906 |
$10.35 |
48,906 |
5,427,878 |
April 1 through April 30 |
31,606 |
$10.03 |
31.606 |
5,396,272 |
May 1 through May 31 |
33,043 |
$10.14 |
33,043 |
5,363,229 |
Total |
113,555 |
$10.20 |
113,555 |
5,363,229 |
On November 16, 2015, the Fund announced that the Fund’s
Board of Directors (the “Board”) had authorized the Fund to repurchase in the open market up to approximately 10% of the
Fund’s outstanding common stock when the Fund’s shares are trading at a discount to net asset value. The Board has directed
management of the Fund to continue to repurchase shares of common stock at such times and in such amounts as management reasonably believes
may enhance stockholder value. The Fund is under no obligation to purchase shares at any specific discount levels or in any specific
amounts.
*On October 13, 2023, the Fund acquired the assets and certain liabilities
of Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. (the “Acquired Fund”), pursuant to a plan of reorganization approved by the
Board of Directors of both the Acquired Fund and the Fund.
| ITEM
15. | SUBMISSION
OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS. |
Not applicable.
| ITEM
16. | CONTROLS
AND PROCEDURES. |
| (a) | The
registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded
that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a- 3(c)
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”)) are effective
as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report that includes the disclosure
required by this paragraph, based on their evaluation of the disclosure controls and procedures
required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act and 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934. |
| (b) | There
were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined
in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act) that occurred during the period covered by this report
that have materially affected, or are likely to materially affect the registrant’s
internal control over financial reporting. |
| ITEM
17. | DISCLOSURE
OF SECURITIES LENDING ACTIVITIES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES. |
Not applicable
| ITEM
18. | RECOVERY
OF ERRONEOUSLY AWARDED COMPENSATION. |
(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 Managed Municipals Fund Inc.
By: |
/s/ Jane Trust |
|
|
Jane Trust |
|
|
Chief Executive Officer |
|
|
|
|
Date: |
July 25, 2024 |
|
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/ Jane Trust |
|
|
Jane Trust |
|
|
Chief Executive Officer |
|
|
|
|
Date: |
July 25, 2024 |
|
By: |
/s/ Christopher
Berarducci |
|
|
Christopher Berarducci |
|
|
Principal Financial Officer |
|
|
|
|
Date: |
July 25, 2024 |
|
Code of Conduct
for Principal Executive and Financial Officers (SOX)
Covered Officers and Purpose of the Code
The Funds’ code of ethics (the “Code”)
for investment companies within the Legg Mason family of mutual funds (each a “Fund,” and collectively, the “Funds”)
applies to each Fund’s Principal Executive Officer, Principal Financial Officer, and Controller (the “Covered Officers”)
for the purpose of promoting:
| • | honest and ethical conduct, including ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between
personal and professional relationships; |
| • | full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in reports and documents a registrant files
with, or submits to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and in other public communications made by the Funds; |
| • | compliance with applicable laws and governmental rules and regulations; |
| • | prompt internal reporting of Code violations to appropriate persons identified in the Code; and |
| • | accountability for adherence to the Code. |
Each Covered Officer should adhere to a high standard
of business ethics and should be sensitive to situations that may give rise to actual as well as apparent conflicts of interest.
Covered Officers Should Ethically Handle Actual
and Apparent Conflicts of Interest
A “conflict of interest” occurs when a
Covered Officer’s private interest interferes with the interests of, or his or her service to, a Fund. For example, a conflict of
interest would arise if a Covered Officer, or a member of his or her family, receives improper personal benefits as a result of his or
her position with a Fund.
Certain conflicts of interest arise out of the relationships
between Covered Officers and a Fund and already are subject to conflict of interest provisions in the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“Investment
Company Act”) and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (“Investment Advisers Act”). For example, Covered Officers may
not individually engage in certain transactions (such as the purchase or sale of securities or other property) with a Fund because of
their status as “affiliated persons” of the Fund. The Funds’ and the investment advisers’ compliance programs
and procedures are designed to prevent, or identify and correct, violations of these provisions. This Code does not, and is not intended
to, repeat or replace these programs and procedures, and such conflicts fall outside of the parameters of this Code.
Although typically not presenting an opportunity for
improper personal benefit, conflicts arise from, or as a result of, the contractual relationship between a Fund and an investment adviser
of which Covered Officers are also officers or employees. As a result, this Code recognizes Covered Officers will, in the normal course
of their duties (whether formally for a Fund or for the adviser, or for both), be involved in establishing policies and
implementing decisions that will have different effects
on the adviser and the Funds. The participation of Covered Officers in such activities is inherent in the contractual relationship between
a Fund and an adviser and is consistent with the performance by Covered Officers of their duties as officers of the Funds. Thus, if performed
in conformity with the provisions of the Investment Company Act and the Investment Advisers Act, such activities will be deemed to have
been handled ethically. In addition, it is recognized by the Funds’ Boards of Directors/Trustees (“Boards”) that Covered
Officers may also be officers or employees of one or more other investment companies covered by this or other codes and that such service,
by itself does not give rise to a conflict of interest.
Other conflicts of interest are covered by the Code,
even if such conflicts of interest are not subject to provisions in the Investment Company Act and the Investment Advisers Act. The following
list provides examples of conflicts of interest under the Code, but Covered Officers should keep in mind these examples are not exhaustive.
The overarching principle is that the personal interest of a Covered Officer should not be placed improperly before the interest of a
Fund.
Each Covered Officer must:
| • | not use his or her personal influence or personal relationships improperly to influence investment decisions
or financial reporting by a Fund; |
| • | not cause a Fund to take action, or fail to take action, for the individual personal benefit of the Covered
Officer rather than the benefit the Fund; and, |
| • | not use material non-public knowledge of portfolio transactions made or contemplated for the Trust to
trade personally or cause others to trade personally in contemplation of the market effect of such transactions. |
There are some actual or potential conflict of interest
situations that, if material, should always be discussed with the Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) or designate that has been
appointed by the Board of the Funds. Examples of these include:
| • | service as a director on the board of any public company (other than the Funds or their investment advisers
or any affiliated person thereof); |
| • | the receipt of any non-nominal gifts (i.e., in excess of $100); |
| • | the receipt of any entertainment from any company with which a Fund has current or prospective business
dealings unless such entertainment is business-related, reasonable in cost, appropriate as to time and place, and not so frequent as to
raise any question of impropriety; |
| • | any ownership interest in, or any consulting or employment relationship with, any of the Funds’
service providers (other than their investment advisers, or principal underwriter, or any affiliated person thereof); |
| • | a direct or indirect financial interest in commissions, transaction charges or spreads paid by a Fund
for effecting portfolio transactions or for selling or redeeming shares other than an interest arising from the Covered Officer’s
employment, such as compensation or equity ownership. |
Disclosure and Compliance
Each Covered Officer should:
| • | familiarize him or herself with the disclosure requirements generally applicable to the Funds; |
| • | not knowingly misrepresent, or cause others to misrepresent, facts about a Fund to others, whether within
or outside the Fund, including to the Fund’s Directors/Trustees and auditors, and to governmental regulators and self-regulatory
organizations; and |
| • | to the extent appropriate within his or her area of responsibility, consult with other officers and employees
of the Funds and the advisers with the goal of promoting full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in the reports and
documents the Funds file with, or submit to, the SEC and in other public communications made by the Funds. |
It is the responsibility of each Covered Officer to
promote compliance with the standards and restrictions imposed by applicable laws, rules and regulations.
Reporting and Accountability
Each Covered Officer must:
| • | upon adoption of the Code (or thereafter as applicable, upon becoming a Covered Officer), affirm in writing
to the Board that he or she has received, read, and understands the Code; |
| • | annually thereafter affirm to the Board that he or she has complied with the requirements of the Code; |
| • | not retaliate against any other Covered Officer or any employee of the Funds or their advisers or any
affiliated persons thereof or service providers of the Funds for reports of potential violations that are made in good faith; |
| • | notify the CCO promptly if he or she knows of any violation of this Code, of which failure to do so is
itself a violation; and |
| • | report at least annually, if necessary, any employment position, including officer or directorships, held
by the Covered Officer or any immediate family member of a Covered Officer with affiliated persons of or Service Providers to the Funds. |
The CCO is responsible for applying this Code to specific
situations in which questions are presented and has the authority to interpret this Code in any particular situation. However, approvals
or waivers sought by a Covered Officer will be considered by the Compliance Committee or Audit Committee, (the “Committee”)
responsible for oversight of the Fund’s code of ethics under Rule 17j-1 under the Investment Company Act. If a Covered Officer seeking
an approval or waiver sits on the Committee, the Covered Person shall recuse him or herself from any such deliberations. Any approval
or waiver granted by the Committee will be reported promptly to the Chair of the Audit Committees of the Funds.
The Funds will follow these procedures in investigating
and enforcing this Code:
| • | the CCO will take all appropriate action to investigate any potential violations reported to him, which
actions may include the use of internal or external counsel, accountants or other personnel; |
| • | if, after such investigation, the CCO believes that no violation has occurred, the CCO is not required
to take any further action; |
| • | any matter that the CCO believes is a violation will be reported to the Committee; |
| • | if the Committee concurs that a violation has occurred, it will inform the Board, which will consider
appropriate action, which may include review of, and appropriate modifications to, applicable policies and procedures; notification to
appropriate personnel of the investment adviser or its board; or a recommendation to dismiss the Covered Officer; |
| • | the Committee will be responsible for granting waivers, as appropriate; and, |
| • | any changes to or waivers of this Code will, to the extent required, be disclosed as provided by SEC rules. |
Other Policies and Procedures
This Code shall be the sole code of ethics
adopted by the Funds for purposes of Section 406 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the rules and forms applicable to registered
investment companies thereunder. Insofar as other policies or procedures of the Funds, the Funds’ advisers, principal
underwriter, or other service providers govern or purport to govern the behavior or activities of Covered Officers subject to this
Code, they are superseded by this Code to the extent they overlap or conflict with the provisions of this Code. The Funds’ and
their investment advisers’ and principal underwriter’s codes of ethics under Rule 17j-1 under the Investment Company Act
are separate requirements applying to Covered Officers and others, and are not part of this Code.
Confidentiality
All reports and records prepared or maintained pursuant
to this Code will be considered confidential and shall be maintained and protected accordingly. Except as otherwise required by law or
this Code, such matters shall not be disclosed to anyone other than the appropriate Board and Fund counsel, and the board of Directors/Trustees
and fund counsel of any other investment company for whom a Covered Officer serves in a similar capacity.
Annual Report
No less than annually, the CCO shall provide the Board
with a written report describing any issues having arisen since the prior year’s report.
Internal Use
This Code is intended solely for the internal use by
the Funds and does not constitute an admission by or on behalf of any Fund, as to any fact, circumstance or legal consideration.
CERTIFICATIONS PURSUANT TO SECTION 302
EX-99.CERT
CERTIFICATIONS
I, Jane Trust certify that:
| 1. | I
have reviewed this report on Form N-CSR of Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc.; |
| 2. | Based
on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or
omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances
under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered
by this report; |
| 3. | Based
on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this
report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations,
changes in net assets, and cash flows (if the financial statements are required to include
a statement of cash flows) of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this
report; |
| 4. | The
registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining
disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company
Act of 1940) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under
the Investment Company Act of 1940) for the registrant and have: |
| a) | Designed
such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures
to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the
registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within
those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; |
| b) | Designed
such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial
reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding
the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external
purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; |
| c) | Evaluated
the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented
in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures,
as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report based on such evaluation;
and |
| d) | Disclosed
in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting
that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is
reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial
reporting; and |
| 5. | The
registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed to the registrant’s
auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons
performing the equivalent functions): |
| a) | All
significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control
over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s
ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and |
| b) | Any
fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant
role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. |
Date: |
July 25, 2024 |
/s/ Jane Trust |
|
|
Jane Trust |
|
|
Chief Executive Officer |
CERTIFICATIONS
I, Christopher Berarducci, certify that:
| 1. | I
have reviewed this report on Form N-CSR of Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc.; |
| 2. | Based
on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or
omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances
under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered
by this report; |
| 3. | Based
on my knowledge, the financial information included in this report, and the financial statements
on which the financial information is based, fairly present in all material respects the
financial condition, results of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows (if the
financial statements are required to include a statement of cash flows) of the registrant
as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; |
| 4. | The
registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining
disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company
Act of 1940) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under
the Investment Company Act of 1940) for the registrant and have: |
| a) | Designed
such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures
to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the
registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within
those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; |
| b) | Designed
such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial
reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding
the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external
purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; |
| c) | Evaluated
the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented
in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures,
as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report based on such evaluation;
and |
| d) | Disclosed
in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting
that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is
reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial
reporting; and |
| 5. | The
registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed to the registrant’s
auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons
performing the equivalent functions): |
| a) | All
significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control
over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s
ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and |
| b) | Any
fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant
role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. |
Date: |
July 25, 2024 |
/s/ Christopher Berarducci |
|
|
Christopher Berarducci |
|
|
Principal Financial Officer |
CERTIFICATIONS PURSUANT TO SECTION 906
EX-99.906CERT
CERTIFICATION
Jane Trust, Chief Executive Officer, and Christopher Berarducci,
Principal Financial Officer of Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. (the “Registrant”), each certify to the best of
their knowledge that:
1. The Registrant’s
periodic report on Form N-CSR for the period ended May 31, 2024 the “Form N-CSR”) fully complies with the requirements
of Section 13(a) or 15(d), as applicable, of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and
2. The information
contained in the Form N-CSR fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Registrant.
Chief Executive Officer |
|
Principal Financial Officer |
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. |
|
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund Inc. |
|
|
|
/s/ Jane Trust |
|
/s/ Christopher Berarducci |
Jane Trust |
|
Christopher Berarducci |
Date: July 25, 2024 |
|
Date: July 25, 2024 |
This certification is being furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission
solely pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350 and is not being filed as part of the Form N-CSR with the Commission.
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