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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 811-21343

 

 

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt 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)

 

 

George P. Hoyt

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: December 31

Date of reporting period: June 30, 2023

 

 

 


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ITEM 1.

REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS.

The Semi-Annual Report to Stockholders is filed herewith.


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LOGO

 

Semi-Annual Report

 

 

June 30, 2023

 

WESTERN ASSET

EMERGING MARKETS

DEBT FUND INC. (EMD)

 

 

 

LOGO

 

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

 


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Managed Distribution Policy: The Fund’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) has authorized a managed distribution plan pursuant to which the Fund makes monthly distributions to shareholders at a fixed rate of $0.0700 per common share, which rate may be adjusted from time to time by the Fund’s Board (the “Plan”). The Plan is intended to provide shareholders with a constant, but not guaranteed, fixed minimum rate of distribution each month. The Fund is managed with a goal of generating as much of the distribution as possible from net ordinary income and short-term capital gains that is consistent with the Fund’s investment strategy and risk profile. To the extent that sufficient distributable income is not available on a monthly basis, the Fund will distribute long-term capital gains and/or return of capital in order to maintain its managed distribution rate. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of the money that was invested in the Fund is paid back to shareholders. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect the Fund’s investment performance and should not be confused with “yield” or “income”. Even though the Fund may realize current year capital gains, such gains may be offset, in whole or in part, by the Fund’s capital loss carryovers from prior years.

The Board may amend the terms of the Plan or terminate the Plan at any time without prior notice to the Fund’s shareholders, however, at this time there are no reasonably foreseeable circumstances that might cause the termination of the Plan. The amendment or termination of the Plan could have an adverse effect on the market price of the Fund’s common shares. The Plan is subject to the periodic review by the Board to determine if an adjustment should be made.

Shareholders should not draw any conclusions about the Fund’s investment performance from the amount of the current distribution or from the terms of the Fund’s Plan. The Fund will send a Form 1099-DIV to shareholders for the calendar year that will describe how to report the Fund’s distributions for federal income tax purposes.


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What’s inside      
Letter from the chairman     III  
Performance review     IV  
Fund at a glance     1  
Schedule of investments     2  
Statement of assets and liabilities     24  
Statement of operations     25  
Statements of changes in net assets     26  
Statement of cash flows     27  
Financial highlights     28  
Notes to financial statements     30  
Board approval of management and subadvisory agreements     46  
Dividend reinvestment plan     53  

Fund objectives

The Fund’s primary investment objective is to seek high current income. As a secondary objective, the Fund seeks capital appreciation.

The Fund invests primarily in U.S. dollar and non-U.S. dollar denominated debt securities of issuers in emerging market countries.

 

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc.  

 

II


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Letter from the chairman

 

LOGO

Dear Shareholder,

We are pleased to provide the semi-annual report of Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc. for the six-month reporting period ended June 30, 2023. Please read on for Fund performance information during the Fund’s reporting period.

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.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Jane Trust, CFA

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

July 31, 2023

 

 

III

   Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc.


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Performance review

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2023, Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc. returned 3.11% based on its net asset value (“NAV”)i and -0.61% based on its New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) market price per share. The Fund’s unmanaged benchmark, the JPMorgan Emerging Markets Bond Index Global Diversifiedii, returned 4.09% for the same period.

The Fund has adopted a managed distribution policy (the “Managed Distribution Policy”). Pursuant to this policy, the Fund intends to make regular monthly distributions to common shareholders at a fixed rate per common share, which rate may be adjusted from time to time by the Fund’s Board of Directors. This policy has no impact on the Fund’s investment strategy and may reduce the Fund’s NAV. The Fund’s manager believes the policy helps maintain the Fund’s competitiveness and may benefit the Fund’s market price and premium/discount to the Fund’s NAV.

During the six-month period, the Fund made distributions to shareholders totaling $0.44 per share. As of June 30, 2023, the Fund estimates that 73% of the distributions during the period were sourced from net investment income and 27% constituted a return of capital.* The performance table shows the Fund’s six-month total return based on its NAV and market price as of June 30, 2023. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

 

Performance Snapshot as of June 30, 2023 (unaudited)  
Price Per Share  

6-Month

Total Return**

 
$10.11 (NAV)     3.11 %† 
$8.62 (Market Price)     -0.61 %‡ 

All figures represent past performance and are not a guarantee of future results. Performance figures for periods shorter than one year represent cumulative figures and are not annualized.

** 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, if any, at NAV.

‡ Total return assumes the reinvestment of all distributions, including returns of capital, if any, in additional shares in accordance with the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan.

Looking for additional information?

The Fund is traded under the symbol “EMD” and its closing market price is available in most newspapers under the NYSE listings. The daily NAV is available online under the symbol

 

*

These estimates are not for tax purposes. The Fund will issue a Form 1099 with final composition of the distributions for tax purposes after year-end. A return of capital is not taxable and results in a reduction in the tax basis of a shareholder’s investment. For more information about a distribution’s composition, please refer to the Fund’s distribution press release or, if applicable, the Section 19 notice located in the press release section of our website, www.franklintempleton.com.

 

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc.  

 

IV


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Performance review (cont’d)

 

“XEMDX” 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.

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

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Jane Trust, CFA

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

July 31, 2023

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 credit risk, inflation risk and interest rate risk. As interest rates rise, bond prices fall, reducing the value of the Fund’s fixed income holdings. Investing in foreign securities is subject to certain risks not associated with domestic investing, such as currency fluctuations, and social, political, and economic uncertainties which could result in significant volatility. These risks are magnified in emerging or developing markets. Emerging market countries tend to have economic, political, and legal systems that are less developed and are less stable than those of more developed countries. High yield bonds (commonly known as “junk bonds”) involve greater credit and liquidity risks than investment grade bonds. The Fund may make significant investments in derivative instruments, such as options and futures, which can be illiquid, may disproportionately increase losses, and have a potentially large impact on Fund performance. Leverage may result in greater volatility of NAV and the 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,

 

 

V

   Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc.


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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 subadvisers.

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.

 

 

i 

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.

 

ii 

The JPMorgan Emerging Markets Bond Index Global Diversified is an unmanaged, market-capitalization weighted, total-return index tracking the traded market for U.S.-dollar-denominated Brady bonds, Eurobonds, traded loans, and local market debt instruments issued by sovereign and quasi-sovereign entities.

 

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc.  

 

VI


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Fund at a glance (unaudited)

 

Investment breakdown (%) as a percent of total investments

 

LOGO

 

The bar graph above represents the composition of the Fund’s investments as of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 and does not include derivatives, such as written options, futures contracts and forward foreign currency contracts. The Fund is actively managed. As a result, the composition of the Fund’s investments is subject to change at any time.

 

Represents less than 0.1%.

 

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc. 2023 Semi-Annual Report    

 

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Schedule of investments (unaudited)

June 30, 2023

 

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc.

(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)

 

Security   Rate     Maturity
Date
    Face
Amount†
    Value  
Sovereign Bonds — 82.9%                                

Angola — 1.9%

                               

Angolan Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    8.250     5/9/28       9,650,000     $ 8,586,281  (a) 

Angolan Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    8.750     4/14/32       1,000,000       844,075  (b)  

Angolan Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    9.125     11/26/49       3,000,000       2,321,250  (a)  

Total Angola

                            11,751,606  

Argentina — 4.6%

                               

Argentine Bonos del Tesoro, Bonds

    16.000     10/17/23       82,130,000  ARS      129,339  (c)  

Argentine Bonos del Tesoro, Bonds

    15.500     10/17/26       157,160,000  ARS      63,672  (c)  

Argentine Republic Government International Bond, Senior Notes, Step bond (1.500% to 7/9/23 then 3.625%)

    1.500     7/9/35       25,300,000       7,610,416  

Ciudad Autonoma De Buenos Aires, Senior Notes

    7.500     6/1/27       5,500,000       5,171,485  (b) 

Provincia de Buenos Aires, Senior Notes, Step bond (5.250% to 9/1/23, 6.375% to 9/1/24 then 6.625%)

    5.250     9/1/37       20,601,128       7,905,683  (b) 

Provincia de Cordoba, Senior Notes

    6.990     6/1/27       9,949,022       6,864,825  (b) 

Provincia de Cordoba, Senior Notes

    6.990     6/1/27       550,000       379,500  (a)  

Total Argentina

                            28,124,920  

Armenia — 0.9%

                               

Republic of Armenia International Bond, Senior Notes

    3.600     2/2/31       7,000,000       5,504,800  (b) 

Bahamas — 1.6%

                               

Bahamas Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    9.000     6/16/29       8,000,000       7,118,183  (b) 

Bahamas Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    6.950     11/20/29       3,000,000       2,392,841  (b)  

Total Bahamas

                            9,511,024  

Bahrain — 3.9%

                               

Bahrain Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    7.000     10/12/28       2,000,000       2,053,090  (a) 

Bahrain Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    5.625     9/30/31       10,000,000       9,273,700  (a)  

Bahrain Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    6.000     9/19/44       6,000,000       4,789,230  (b) 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

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    Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc. 2023 Semi-Annual Report


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Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc.

(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)

 

Security   Rate     Maturity
Date
    Face
Amount†
    Value  

Bahrain — continued

                               

Bahrain Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    7.500     9/20/47       7,400,000     $ 6,757,443  (b) 

Bahrain Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    6.250     1/25/51       1,000,000       790,629  (a)  

Total Bahrain

                            23,664,092  

Brazil — 0.9%

                               

Brazil Letras do Tesouro Nacional

    0.000     1/1/24       9,500,000  BRL       1,869,115  

Brazil Notas do Tesouro Nacional Serie F, Notes

    10.000     1/1/33       18,200,000  BRL      3,663,942  

Total Brazil

                            5,533,057  

Chile — 0.3%

                               

Bonos de la Tesoreria de la Republica en pesos, Bonds

    5.800     6/1/24       1,280,000,000  CLP      1,573,751  (a) 

Colombia — 1.7%

                               

Colombia Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    3.250     4/22/32       5,000,000       3,711,549  (d) 

Colombia Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    4.125     2/22/42       10,000,000       6,401,887  (d) 

Total Colombia

                            10,113,436  

Costa Rica — 1.1%

                               

Banco Nacional de Costa Rica

    6.250     11/1/23       1,220,000       1,216,114  (b)(d) 

Costa Rica Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    6.125     2/19/31       1,050,000       1,044,977  (a) 

Costa Rica Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    7.158     3/12/45       4,200,000       4,169,980  (b)(d) 

Total Costa Rica

                            6,431,071  

Dominican Republic — 3.7%

                               

Dominican Republic International Bond, Senior Notes

    9.750     6/5/26       136,500,000  DOP      2,527,732  (a) 

Dominican Republic International Bond, Senior Notes

    6.000     7/19/28       7,300,000       7,133,027  (b)(d) 

Dominican Republic International Bond, Senior Notes

    4.875     9/23/32       3,800,000       3,243,834  (a)(d) 

Dominican Republic International Bond, Senior Notes

    5.300     1/21/41       8,000,000       6,289,110  (a)(d) 

Dominican Republic International Bond, Senior Notes

    5.875     1/30/60       4,400,000       3,420,730  (a)(d) 

Total Dominican Republic

                            22,614,433  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc. 2023 Semi-Annual Report    

 

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Schedule of investments (unaudited) (cont’d)

June 30, 2023

 

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc.

(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)

 

Security   Rate     Maturity
Date
    Face
Amount†
    Value  

Ecuador — 0.9%

                               

Ecuador Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    0.000     7/31/30       1,010,709     $ 296,016  (b)  

Ecuador Government International Bond, Senior Notes, Step Bond (2.500% to 7/31/23 then 3.500%)

    2.500     7/31/35       2,920,000       1,020,625  (a)  

Ecuador Government International Bond, Senior Notes, Step bond (1.500% to 7/31/23 then 2.500%)

    1.500     7/31/40       12,680,000       3,975,180  (b)  

Total Ecuador

                            5,291,821  

Egypt — 2.3%

                               

Egypt Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    3.875     2/16/26       2,400,000       1,698,881  (a)  

Egypt Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    6.588     2/21/28       2,000,000       1,318,880  (a)  

Egypt Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    5.875     2/16/31       5,000,000       2,766,000  (a)  

Egypt Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    7.625     5/29/32       1,600,000       933,600  (b)  

Egypt Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    7.903     2/21/48       14,000,000       7,228,060  (a)  

Total Egypt

                            13,945,421  

Ethiopia — 0.4%

                               

Ethiopia International Bond, Senior Notes

    6.625     12/11/24       3,500,000       2,427,737  (a) 

Gabon — 1.0%

                               

Gabon Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    6.625     2/6/31       5,000,000       3,989,300  (a)  

Gabon Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    7.000     11/24/31       2,300,000       1,831,260  (b)  

Total Gabon

                            5,820,560  

Ghana — 1.2%

                               

Ghana Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    7.625     5/16/29       5,700,000       2,455,879  *(a)(e) 

Ghana Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    10.750     10/14/30       7,600,000       5,137,251  (b)  

Total Ghana

                            7,593,130  

Guatemala — 1.7%

                               

Guatemala Government Bond, Senior Notes

    5.375     4/24/32       6,800,000       6,472,839  (b)(d) 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

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Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc.

(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)

 

Security   Rate     Maturity
Date
   

Face

Amount†

    Value  

Guatemala — continued

                               

Guatemala Government Bond, Senior Notes

    6.600     6/13/36       3,000,000     $ 3,022,258  (b)(d) 

Guatemala Government Bond, Senior Notes

    4.650     10/7/41       1,000,000       802,125  (b)(d)  

Total Guatemala

                            10,297,222  

Hungary — 1.2%

                               

Hungary Government Bond

    1.000     11/26/25       1,449,570,000  HUF      3,548,236  

Hungary Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    5.750     11/22/23       2,098,000       2,098,845  

Magyar Export-Import Bank Zrt

    6.125     12/4/27       1,900,000       1,883,048  (b)(d) 

Total Hungary

                            7,530,129  

Indonesia — 5.8%

                               

Indonesia Government International

                               

Bond, Senior Notes

    6.625     2/17/37       3,210,000       3,670,551  (a)(d) 

Indonesia Government International

                               

Bond, Senior Notes

    5.250     1/17/42       14,000,000       14,003,129  (b)(d) 

Indonesia Treasury Bond

    8.375     9/15/26       131,422,000,000  IDR      9,397,009  

Indonesia Treasury Bond

    8.375     3/15/34       106,475,000,000  IDR      8,181,912  

Total Indonesia

                            35,252,601  

Ivory Coast — 1.8%

                               

Ivory Coast Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    5.375     7/23/24       1,350,000       1,322,257  (b)(d) 

Ivory Coast Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    5.250     3/22/30       4,800,000  EUR       4,441,359  (a)  

Ivory Coast Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    6.125     6/15/33       2,500,000       2,196,815  (a)  

Ivory Coast Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    6.125     6/15/33       3,540,000       3,110,690  (b)  

Total Ivory Coast

                            11,071,121  

Jamaica — 1.0%

                               

Jamaica Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    6.750     4/28/28       1,390,000       1,456,143  

Jamaica Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    8.000     3/15/39       1,760,000       2,105,013  

Jamaica Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    7.875     7/28/45       2,000,000       2,313,007  (d)  

Total Jamaica

                            5,874,163  

Jordan — 2.5%

                               

Jordan Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    6.125     1/29/26       440,000       432,579  (b)  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc. 2023 Semi-Annual Report    

 

5


Table of Contents

Schedule of investments (unaudited) (cont’d)

June 30, 2023

 

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc.

(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)

 

Security   Rate     Maturity
Date
    Face
Amount†
    Value  

Jordan — continued

                               

Jordan Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    7.750     1/15/28       3,120,000     $ 3,180,450  (b) 

Jordan Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    7.750     1/15/28       1,600,000       1,631,000  (a) 

Jordan Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    5.850     7/7/30       6,350,000       5,833,809  (a) 

Jordan Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    7.375     10/10/47       5,020,000       4,340,392  (b) 

Total Jordan

                            15,418,230  

Kazakhstan — 1.5%

                               

Kazakhstan Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    3.875     10/14/24       3,000,000       3,002,310  (a)  

Tengizchevroil Finance Co.

                               

International Ltd., Senior Secured Notes

    4.000     8/15/26       6,800,000       6,205,000  (a)  

Total Kazakhstan

                            9,207,310  

Kenya — 1.6%

                               

Republic of Kenya Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    6.875     6/24/24       2,000,000       1,907,340  (a)  

Republic of Kenya Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    7.250     2/28/28       4,400,000       3,828,035  (a)  

Republic of Kenya Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    8.000     5/22/32       4,400,000       3,728,191  (a)  

Republic of Kenya Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    6.300     1/23/34       200,000       151,565  (a)  

Total Kenya

                            9,615,131  

Mexico — 3.4%

                               

Mexican Bonos, Bonds

    8.000     9/5/24       115,300,000  MXN      6,519,316  

Mexican Bonos, Bonds

    5.000     3/6/25       258,260,000  MXN      13,940,186  

Total Mexico

                            20,459,502  

Nigeria — 2.5%

                               

Nigeria Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    6.125     9/28/28       6,700,000       5,597,280  (a)  

Nigeria Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    8.375     3/24/29       1,500,000       1,354,088  (a)  

Nigeria Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    7.875     2/16/32       2,600,000       2,187,006  (a)  

Nigeria Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    7.696     2/23/38       7,800,000       5,864,274  (a)  

Total Nigeria

                            15,002,648  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

6

    Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc. 2023 Semi-Annual Report


Table of Contents

 

 

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc.

(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)

 

Security   Rate     Maturity
Date
    Face
Amount†
    Value  

Oman — 4.8%

                               

Oman Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    4.750     6/15/26       3,200,000     $ 3,116,029  (a) 

Oman Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    4.750     6/15/26       5,270,000       5,131,710  (b)  

Oman Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    5.625     1/17/28       9,000,000       8,919,117  (b)  

Oman Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    6.000     8/1/29       6,000,000       6,013,782  (b)  

Oman Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    6.750     1/17/48       6,500,000       6,261,203  (a)  

Total Oman

                            29,441,841  

Panama — 1.4%

                               

Panama Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    9.375     4/1/29       910,000       1,098,319  (d)  

Panama Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    6.700     1/26/36       159,000       170,648  

Panama Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    4.500     5/15/47       5,000,000       3,989,170  

Panama Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    4.500     1/19/63       4,200,000       3,083,311  

Total Panama

                            8,341,448  

Paraguay — 1.2%

                               

Paraguay Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    5.000     4/15/26       2,110,000       2,096,795  (b)(d) 

Paraguay Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    4.950     4/28/31       3,950,000       3,804,290  (b)(d) 

Paraguay Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    5.400     3/30/50       1,910,000       1,636,434  (b)(d) 

Total Paraguay

                            7,537,519  

Peru — 3.6%

                               

Peruvian Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    7.350     7/21/25       10,300,000       10,689,206  (d) 

Peruvian Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    8.750     11/21/33       8,998,000       11,434,388  (d) 

Total Peru

                            22,123,594  

Poland — 0.5%

                               

Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego

    5.375     5/22/33       3,000,000       2,987,928   (b)(d) 

Qatar — 4.0%

                               

Qatar Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    5.103     4/23/48       7,920,000       7,907,059  (b)(d) 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc. 2023 Semi-Annual Report    

 

7


Table of Contents

Schedule of investments (unaudited) (cont’d)

June 30, 2023

 

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc.

(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)

 

Security   Rate     Maturity
Date
   

Face

Amount†

    Value  

Qatar — continued

                               

Qatar Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    4.817     3/14/49       14,100,000     $ 13,579,921  (b)(d) 

Qatar Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    4.400     4/16/50       2,900,000       2,644,217  (b)(d) 

Total Qatar

                            24,131,197  

Romania — 0.3%

                               

Romanian Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    4.875     1/22/24       1,570,000       1,563,057   (b)(d) 

Russia — 0.2%

                               

Russian Federal Bond — OFZ

    7.250     5/10/34       400,000,000  RUB      1,497,207   *(e)(f) 

Rwanda — 0.5%

                               

Rwanda International Government Bond, Senior Notes

    5.500     8/9/31       4,050,000       3,075,278  (b) 

Senegal — 1.3%

                               

Senegal Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    6.250     7/30/24       2,170,000       2,135,128  (a)  

Senegal Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    6.250     5/23/33       2,000,000       1,679,372  (a)  

Senegal Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    6.750     3/13/48       6,000,000       4,314,270  (b)  

Total Senegal

                            8,128,770  

South Africa — 1.3%

                               

Republic of South Africa Government Bond, Senior Notes

    8.500     1/31/37       81,280,000  ZAR       3,303,022  

Republic of South Africa Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    5.000     10/12/46       5,000,000       3,339,850  (d)  

Republic of South Africa Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    5.750     9/30/49       2,000,000       1,420,700  (d)  

Total South Africa

                            8,063,572  

South Korea — 1.2%

                               

Export-Import Bank of Korea, Senior Notes

    5.750     3/5/24       37,400,000,000  IDR      2,481,734  (a)  

Korea Housing Finance Corp., Senior Notes

    4.625     2/24/33       5,000,000       4,901,487  (b)(d) 

Total South Korea

                            7,383,221  

Supranational — 4.1%

                               

Africa Finance Corp., Senior Notes

    3.750     10/30/29       3,000,000       2,491,980  (a) 

African Export-Import Bank, Senior Notes

    3.798     5/17/31       3,000,000       2,418,285  (b)(d) 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

8

    Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc. 2023 Semi-Annual Report


Table of Contents

 

 

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc.

(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)

 

Security   Rate     Maturity
Date
   

Face

Amount†

    Value  

Supranational — continued

                               

European Bank for Reconstruction & Development, Senior Notes

    5.150     2/16/24       102,600,000  INR    $ 1,236,093  

European Investment Bank, Senior Notes

    10.000     12/6/23       40,900,000  EGP       1,185,588  (a)  

Inter-American Development Bank, Senior Notes

    7.900     3/2/25       900,000,000  CRC      1,634,104  

International Bank for Reconstruction & Development, Senior Notes

    8.500     9/15/23       1,492,000,000  KZT      3,268,696  

International Finance Corp., Senior Notes

    2.900     1/16/24       7,700,000,000  COP      1,744,826  

International Finance Corp., Senior Notes

    14.750     4/17/24       39,000,000,000  UZS      3,373,185  

International Finance Corp., Senior Notes

    6.280     5/27/24       304,000,000  UYU      7,829,067  

Total Supranational

                            25,181,824  

Tunisia — 0.4%

                               

Banque Centrale de Tunisie International Bond, Senior Notes

    5.750     1/30/25       3,760,000       2,515,628  (a) 

Turkey — 1.6%

                               

Turkey Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    5.125     2/17/28       4,000,000       3,488,400  

Turkey Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    9.375     3/14/29       3,000,000       3,014,370  

Turkey Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    4.875     4/16/43       5,160,000       3,325,104  

Total Turkey

                            9,827,874  

Ukraine — 1.0%

                               

Ukraine Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    6.750     6/20/28       1,700,000  EUR       400,911  *(a)(e) 

Ukraine Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    7.750     9/1/29       8,800,000       2,131,527  *(a)(e) 

Ukraine Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    9.750     11/1/30       15,080,000       3,775,806  *(a)(e) 

Total Ukraine

                            6,308,244  

United Arab Emirates — 0.8%

                               

Finance Department Government of Sharjah, Senior Notes

    4.000     7/28/50       3,000,000       1,927,776  (a)  

Finance Department Government of Sharjah, Senior Notes

    4.375     3/10/51       4,000,000       2,748,180  (a)  

Total United Arab Emirates

                            4,675,956  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc. 2023 Semi-Annual Report    

 

9


Table of Contents

Schedule of investments (unaudited) (cont’d)

June 30, 2023

 

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc.

(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)

 

Security   Rate     Maturity
Date
    Face
Amount†
    Value  

Uruguay — 2.7%

                               

Uruguay Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    5.750     10/28/34       10,408,526     $ 11,263,511  

Uruguay Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    5.100     6/18/50       4,341,000       4,336,429  

Uruguay Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    4.975     4/20/55       1,180,000       1,151,163  

Total Uruguay

                            16,751,103  

Uzbekistan — 0.8%

                               

Republic of Uzbekistan International Bond, Senior Notes

    3.700     11/25/30       4,000,000       3,242,080  (a)  

Republic of Uzbekistan International Bond, Senior Notes

    3.900     10/19/31       2,000,000       1,612,500  (b)  

Total Uzbekistan

                            4,854,580  

Venezuela — 0.4%

                               

Venezuela Government International Bond, Senior Notes

          10/13/19       22,130,000       1,327,800  *(a)(g) 

Venezuela Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    8.250     10/13/24       7,000,000       647,500  *(a)(e)  

Venezuela Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    9.250     9/15/27       4,205,000       378,450  *(e)  

Total Venezuela

                            2,353,750  

Vietnam — 1.1%

                               

Vietnam Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    4.800     11/19/24       6,700,000       6,592,728   (b)(d) 

Zambia — 0.3%

                               

Zambia Government International Bond, Senior Notes

    8.500     4/14/24       3,440,000       2,007,481   *(b)(e) 

Total Sovereign Bonds (Cost — $564,964,311)

 

                    504,972,716  
Corporate Bonds & Notes — 55.7%                                
Communication Services — 2.5%                                

Diversified Telecommunication Services — 0.7%

 

                       

Turk Telekomunikasyon AS, Senior Notes

    4.875     6/19/24       4,600,000       4,393,460  (a) 

Media — 0.7%

                               

Cable Onda SA, Senior Notes

    4.500     1/30/30       3,290,000       2,800,833  (b)(d) 

Grupo Televisa SAB, Senior Notes

    6.625     1/15/40       1,480,000       1,537,466  (d)  

Total Media

                            4,338,299  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

10

    Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc. 2023 Semi-Annual Report


Table of Contents

 

 

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc.

(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)

 

Security   Rate     Maturity
Date
    Face
Amount†
    Value  

Wireless Telecommunication Services — 1.1%

                               

Millicom International Cellular SA, Senior Notes

    6.250     3/25/29       6,624,000     $ 5,944,518  (b)(d) 

VTR Comunicaciones SpA, Senior Secured Notes

    5.125     1/15/28       1,713,000       894,250  (b)(d)  

Total Wireless Telecommunication Services

                            6,838,768  

Total Communication Services

                            15,570,527  
Consumer Discretionary — 2.3%                                

Broadline Retail — 0.5%

                               

Prosus NV, Senior Notes

    3.680     1/21/30       3,200,000       2,717,736   (a)(d) 

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 1.8%

                               

Gohl Capital Ltd., Senior Notes

    4.250     1/24/27       3,130,000       2,907,842  (a) 

Melco Resorts Finance Ltd., Senior Notes

    5.750     7/21/28       4,400,000       3,894,000  (b)(d) 

Sands China Ltd., Senior Notes

    5.900     8/8/28       1,700,000       1,622,055  

Wynn Macau Ltd., Senior Notes

    5.500     10/1/27       3,000,000       2,673,675  (b) 

Total Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

                            11,097,572  

Total Consumer Discretionary

                            13,815,308  
Consumer Staples — 0.6%                                

Beverages — 0.6%

                               

Central American Bottling Corp./CBC Bottling Holdco SL/Beliv Holdco SL, Senior Notes

    5.250     4/27/29       4,150,000       3,838,353   (b)(d) 
Energy — 17.6%                                

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 17.6%

                               

Ecopetrol SA, Senior Notes

    5.875     5/28/45       9,060,000       6,215,928  (d)  

Ecopetrol SA, Senior Notes

    5.875     11/2/51       3,000,000       1,988,167  (d)  

Empresa Generadora de Electricidad Haina SA, Senior Notes

    5.625     11/8/28       4,250,000       3,796,610  (b)(d) 

KazMunayGas National Co. JSC, Senior Notes

    3.500     4/14/33       11,000,000       8,545,460  (a) 

KazMunayGas National Co. JSC, Senior Notes

    6.375     10/24/48       5,300,000       4,543,097  (b)(d) 

KazTransGas JSC, Senior Notes

    4.375     9/26/27       3,200,000       2,987,312  (a) 

Oleoducto Central SA, Senior Notes

    4.000     7/14/27       2,400,000       2,104,598  (b)(d) 

Pertamina Persero PT, Senior Notes

    6.500     5/27/41       3,500,000       3,631,986  (b)(d) 

Pertamina Persero PT, Senior Notes

    4.150     2/25/60       2,000,000       1,494,778  (a)(d) 

Petrobras Global Finance BV, Senior Notes

    7.375     1/17/27       5,600,000       5,825,588  (d) 

Petrobras Global Finance BV, Senior Notes

    5.750     2/1/29       6,000,000       5,904,000  (d) 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc. 2023 Semi-Annual Report    

 

11


Table of Contents

Schedule of investments (unaudited) (cont’d)

June 30, 2023

 

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc.

(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)

 

Security   Rate     Maturity
Date
    Face
Amount†
    Value  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — continued

                               

Petrobras Global Finance BV, Senior Notes

    6.850     6/5/2115       13,800,000     $ 12,019,089  (d) 

Petroleos de Venezuela SA, Senior Notes

          11/17/21       16,630,000       644,413  *(a)(g) 

Petroleos de Venezuela SA, Senior Notes

    6.000     5/16/24       8,145,000       315,619  *(a)(e) 

Petroleos del Peru SA, Senior Notes

    5.625     6/19/47       6,800,000       4,392,343  (a)(d) 

Petroleos Mexicanos, Senior Notes

    6.500     3/13/27       2,000,000       1,780,954  (d) 

Petroleos Mexicanos, Senior Notes

    5.350     2/12/28       15,500,000       12,774,502  (d) 

Petroleos Mexicanos, Senior Notes

    6.500     6/2/41       8,200,000       5,214,548  (d) 

Petroleos Mexicanos, Senior Notes

    5.500     6/27/44       200,000       115,389  (d)  

Petronas Capital Ltd., Senior Notes

    4.800     4/21/60       7,000,000       6,597,589  (b)(d) 

QazaqGaz NC JSC, Senior Notes

    4.375     9/26/27       3,000,000       2,800,605  (b)(d) 

Transportadora de Gas del Peru SA, Senior Notes

    4.250     4/30/28       1,080,000       1,041,698  (a) 

Transportadora de Gas Internacional SA ESP, Senior Notes

    5.550     11/1/28       2,300,000       2,228,000  (b)(d) 

Ultrapar International SA, Senior Notes

    5.250     10/6/26       3,190,000       3,102,307  (b)(d) 

YPF SA, Senior Notes

    8.500     3/23/25       750,000       718,946  (a)  

YPF SA, Senior Notes

    8.500     7/28/25       5,430,000       4,999,625  (b)(d) 

YPF SA, Senior Notes

    8.500     7/28/25       500,000       460,371  (a)(d)  

YPF SA, Senior Notes

    6.950     7/21/27       1,320,000       1,084,915  (b)(d) 

Total Energy

                            107,328,437  
Financials — 6.1%                                

Banks — 3.8%

                               

Banco de Credito del Peru, Subordinated Notes (3.250% to 9/30/26 then 5 year Treasury Constant Maturity Rate + 2.450%)

    3.250     9/30/31       1,000,000       881,359  (b)(d)(h) 

Banco Mercantil del Norte SA, Junior Subordinated Notes (7.625% to 1/10/28 then 10 year Treasury Constant Maturity Rate + 5.353%)

    7.625     1/10/28       5,900,000       5,375,579  (b)(d)(h)(i) 

Banco Nacional de Comercio Exterior SNC, Subordinated Notes (2.720% to 8/11/26 then 5 year Treasury Constant Maturity Rate + 2.000%)

    2.720     8/11/31       2,300,000       1,937,750  (a)(d)(h) 

Banco Nacional de Panama, Senior Notes

    2.500     8/11/30       4,000,000       3,151,305  (a)(d) 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

12

    Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc. 2023 Semi-Annual Report


Table of Contents

 

 

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc.

(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)

 

Security   Rate     Maturity
Date
    Face
Amount†
    Value  

Banks — continued

                               

Bank Leumi Le-Israel BM, Senior Notes

    5.125     7/27/27       3,300,000     $ 3,281,467  (a) 

Bank of East Asia Ltd., Subordinated Notes (4.875% to 4/22/27 then 5 year Treasury Constant Maturity Rate + 2.300%)

    4.875     4/22/32       2,800,000       2,526,452  (a)(h) 

BBVA Bancomer SA, Subordinated Notes (5.350% to 11/12/24 then 5 year Treasury Constant Maturity Rate + 3.000%)

    5.350     11/12/29       1,350,000       1,301,205  (b)(d)(h) 

HSBC Holdings PLC, Junior Subordinated Notes (8.000% to 9/7/28 then 5 year Treasury Constant Maturity Rate + 3.858%)

    8.000     3/7/28       1,800,000       1,791,459  (d)(h)(i) 

UniCredit SpA, Subordinated Notes (7.296% to 4/2/29 then USD 5 year ICE Swap Rate + 4.914%)

    7.296     4/2/34       3,080,000       2,904,139  (b)(d)(h) 

Total Banks

                            23,150,715  

Capital Markets — 0.2%

                               

Credit Suisse Group AG, Junior Subordinated Notes

    9.750     6/23/27       2,000,000       84,660  *(a)(e)(i) 

UBS Group AG, Junior Subordinated Notes (7.000% to 1/31/24 then USD 5 year ICE Swap Rate + 4.344%)

    7.000     1/31/24       1,000,000       968,148  (b)(d)(h)(i) 

Total Capital Markets

                            1,052,808  

Financial Services — 1.5%

                               

Huarong Finance 2019 Co. Ltd., Senior Notes

    2.125     9/30/23       6,000,000       5,930,508  (a)  

Indian Railway Finance Corp. Ltd., Senior Notes

    2.800     2/10/31       1,800,000       1,488,146  (a)(d) 

Park Aerospace Holdings Ltd., Senior Notes

    5.500     2/15/24       1,980,000       1,957,956  (b)(d) 

Total Financial Services

                            9,376,610  

Insurance — 0.6%

                               

Sagicor Financial Co. Ltd., Senior Notes

    5.300     5/13/28       3,600,000       3,403,080   (b)(d) 

Total Financials

                            36,983,213  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc. 2023 Semi-Annual Report    

 

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Table of Contents

Schedule of investments (unaudited) (cont’d)

June 30, 2023

 

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc.

(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)

 

Security   Rate     Maturity
Date
    Face
Amount†
    Value  
Health Care — 1.4%                                

Pharmaceuticals — 1.4%

                               

Teva Pharmaceutical Finance Netherlands III BV, Senior Notes

    3.150     10/1/26       8,000,000     $ 7,178,446  

Teva Pharmaceutical Finance Netherlands III BV, Senior Notes

    8.125     9/15/31       1,630,000       1,710,410  

Total Health Care

                            8,888,856  
Industrials — 4.8%                                

Aerospace & Defense — 0.3%

                               

Avolon Holdings Funding Ltd., Senior Notes

    2.125     2/21/26       2,000,000       1,778,974   (b)(d) 

Air Freight & Logistics — 0.7%

                               

DP World Ltd., Senior Notes

    5.625     9/25/48       3,400,000       3,183,097  (b)(d) 

ENA Master Trust, Senior Secured Notes

    4.000     5/19/48       1,850,000       1,390,978  (b)(d) 

Total Air Freight & Logistics

                            4,574,075  

Construction & Engineering — 1.1%

                               

ATP Tower Holdings LLC/Andean Tower Partners Colombia SAS/Andean Telecom Par, Senior Secured Notes

    4.050     4/27/26       7,650,000       6,586,145   (b)(d) 

Ground Transportation — 1.5%

                               

Empresa de los Ferrocarriles del Estado, Senior Notes

    3.830     9/14/61       1,800,000       1,228,166  (b)(d) 

Empresa de Transporte de Pasajeros Metro SA, Senior Notes

    5.000     1/25/47       2,560,000       2,228,823  (b)(d) 

Lima Metro Line 2 Finance Ltd., Senior Secured Notes

    4.350     4/5/36       3,333,943       2,948,055  (b)(d) 

Transnet SOC Ltd., Senior Notes

    8.250     2/6/28       3,100,000       3,018,625  (b)(d) 

Total Ground Transportation

                            9,423,669  

Industrial Conglomerates — 0.2%

                               

Alfa SAB de CV, Senior Notes

    6.875     3/25/44       1,000,000       1,005,052   (b)(d) 

Passenger Airlines — 0.9%

                               

Mileage Plus Holdings LLC/Mileage Plus Intellectual Property Assets Ltd., Senior Secured Notes

    6.500     6/20/27       1,600,000       1,605,435  (b)(d) 

Singapore Airlines Ltd., Senior Notes

    3.375     1/19/29       4,000,000       3,677,220  (a) 

Total Passenger Airlines

                            5,282,655  

Transportation Infrastructure — 0.1%

                               

Adani Ports & Special Economic Zone Ltd., Senior Notes

    3.828     2/2/32       700,000       507,166  (a) 

Total Industrials

                            29,157,736  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

14

    Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc. 2023 Semi-Annual Report


Table of Contents

 

 

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc.

(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)

 

Security   Rate     Maturity
Date
    Face
Amount†
    Value  
Materials — 12.5%                                

Chemicals — 4.9%

                               

Braskem America Finance Co., Senior Notes

    7.125     7/22/41       210,000     $ 202,971  (a)(d) 

Braskem Netherlands Finance BV, Senior Notes

    7.250     2/13/33       4,680,000       4,602,217  (b)(d) 

GC Treasury Center Co. Ltd., Senior Notes

    4.400     3/30/32       1,193,000       1,078,719  (a) 

GC Treasury Center Co. Ltd., Senior Notes

    4.300     3/18/51       1,000,000       735,831  (b)  

MEGlobal BV, Senior Notes

    2.625     4/28/28       1,600,000       1,398,226  (b)(d) 

MEGlobal Canada ULC, Senior Notes

    5.875     5/18/30       4,100,000       4,151,516  (b)(d) 

OCP SA, Senior Notes

    3.750     6/23/31       7,000,000       5,806,710  (a)  

Orbia Advance Corp. SAB de CV, Senior Notes

    5.875     9/17/44       2,800,000       2,451,687  (a)(d) 

Orbia Advance Corp. SAB de CV, Senior Notes

    5.875     9/17/44       4,960,000       4,342,788  (b)(d) 

Sasol Financing USA LLC, Senior Notes

    5.500     3/18/31       5,900,000       4,651,423  (d)  

Total Chemicals

                            29,422,088  

Construction Materials — 1.0%

                               

Cemex SAB de CV, Senior Notes

    5.450     11/19/29       4,200,000       4,053,104  (a)(d) 

Cemex SAB de CV, Senior Subordinated Notes (9.125% to 6/14/28 then 5 year Treasury Constant Maturity Rate + 4.907%)

    9.125     3/14/28       2,000,000       2,027,994  (b)(d)(h)(i) 

Total Construction Materials

                            6,081,098  

Metals & Mining — 5.4%

                               

Antofagasta PLC, Senior Notes

    5.625     5/13/32       3,100,000       3,084,969  (b)(d) 

First Quantum Minerals Ltd., Senior Notes

    6.875     10/15/27       2,000,000       1,954,030  (b)(d) 

Freeport Indonesia PT, Senior Notes

    4.763     4/14/27       2,000,000       1,940,329  (b)(d) 

Fresnillo PLC, Senior Notes

    4.250     10/2/50       4,000,000       3,001,100  (b)(d) 

Indonesia Asahan Aluminium Persero PT, Senior Notes

    5.710     11/15/23       10,120,000       10,079,520  (b)(d) 

POSCO, Senior Notes

    5.750     1/17/28       5,000,000       5,074,428  (b)(d) 

Southern Copper Corp., Senior Notes

    7.500     7/27/35       310,000       360,291  (d)  

Southern Copper Corp., Senior Notes

    6.750     4/16/40       5,490,000       6,056,592  (d)  

Volcan Cia Minera SAA, Senior Notes

    4.375     2/11/26       2,000,000       1,489,674  (a)(d) 

Total Metals & Mining

                            33,040,933  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc. 2023 Semi-Annual Report    

 

15


Table of Contents

Schedule of investments (unaudited) (cont’d)

June 30, 2023

 

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc.

(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)

 

Security   Rate     Maturity
Date
    Face
Amount†
    Value  

Paper & Forest Products — 1.2%

                               

Suzano Austria GmbH, Senior Notes

    5.750     7/14/26       3,450,000     $ 3,452,587  (b)(d) 

Suzano Austria GmbH, Senior Notes

    6.000     1/15/29       3,940,000       3,918,527  (d) 

Total Paper & Forest Products

                            7,371,114  

Total Materials

                            75,915,233  
Real Estate — 0.8%                                

Diversified REITs — 0.6%

                               

Trust Fibra Uno, Senior Notes

    4.869     1/15/30       4,200,000       3,714,736   (b)(d) 

Real Estate Management & Development — 0.2%

 

                       

China Aoyuan Group Ltd., Senior Secured Notes

          1/23/22       4,050,000       214,635  *(a)(g) 

China Aoyuan Group Ltd., Senior Secured Notes

          2/19/23       2,400,000       127,819  *(a)(g) 

China Aoyuan Group Ltd., Senior Secured Notes

    6.350     2/8/24       2,400,000       138,000  *(a)(e) 

China Aoyuan Group Ltd., Senior Secured Notes

    7.950     6/21/24       2,000,000       110,993  *(a)(e) 

China Aoyuan Group Ltd., Senior Secured Notes

    5.880     3/1/27       700,000       37,097  *(a)(e) 

Times China Holdings Ltd., Senior Secured Notes

    6.750     7/8/25       2,000,000       151,985  *(a)(e) 

Yuzhou Group Holdings Co. Ltd., Senior Secured Notes

          2/4/23       2,850,000       133,048  *(a)(g) 

Yuzhou Group Holdings Co. Ltd., Senior Secured Notes

    8.375     10/30/24       2,000,000       93,367  *(a)(e) 

Yuzhou Group Holdings Co. Ltd., Senior Secured Notes

    7.375     1/13/26       1,000,000       46,683  *(a)(e)  

Total Real Estate Management & Development

 

                    1,053,627  

Total Real Estate

                            4,768,363  
Utilities — 7.1%                                

Electric Utilities — 5.4%

                               

Comision Federal de Electricidad, Senior Notes

    4.875     1/15/24       1,800,000       1,788,093  (a)(d) 

Comision Federal de Electricidad, Senior Notes

    4.677     2/9/51       1,000,000       677,810  (a)(d)  

Enel Chile SA, Senior Notes

    4.875     6/12/28       5,150,000       4,955,261  (d)  

Engie Energia Chile SA, Senior Notes

    4.500     1/29/25       4,000,000       3,862,176  (a)(d) 

Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd.

    4.314     7/23/27       9,600,000       8,508,557  (a)  

Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad, Senior Notes

    6.750     10/7/31       3,100,000       3,061,250  (b)(d) 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

16

    Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc. 2023 Semi-Annual Report


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Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc.

(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)

 

Security          Rate     Maturity
Date
    Face
Amount†
    Value  

Electric Utilities — continued

 

                               

Korea Electric Power Corp., Senior Notes

 

    5.375%       4/6/26       800,000     $ 797,623  (b)(d)  

Lamar Funding Ltd., Senior Notes

 

    3.958%       5/7/25       4,000,000       3,838,400  (a)  

Perusahaan Listrik Negara, Senior Notes

 

    5.250%       5/15/47       5,810,000       5,105,807  (a)(d)  

Total Electric Utilities

 

                            32,594,977  

Gas Utilities — 0.4%

                                       

Promigas SA ESP/Gases del Pacifico SAC, Senior Notes

 

    3.750%       10/16/29       3,000,000       2,545,377  (a)  

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers — 0.5%

 

               

Enel Generacion Chile SA, Senior Notes

 

    4.250%       4/15/24       500,000       490,150  (d)  

Minejesa Capital BV, Senior Secured Notes

 

    5.625%       8/10/37       3,100,000       2,437,025  (b)(d)  

Total Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers

 

            2,927,175  

Multi-Utilities — 0.8%

                                       

Abu Dhabi National Energy Co. PJSC, Senior Notes

 

    4.875%       4/23/30       5,100,000       5,150,669  (b)(d)  

Total Utilities

                                    43,218,198  

Total Corporate Bonds & Notes (Cost — $377,808,948)

 

            339,484,224  
     Counterparty     Expiration
Date
    Contracts     Notional
Amount†
        
Purchased Options — 0.1%

 

                               
OTC Purchased Options — 0.1%

 

                               

U.S. Dollar/Brazilian Real, Put @ 5.000BRL

   
BNP Paribas
SA
 
 
    11/9/23       6,000,000       6,000,000       267,514  

U.S. Dollar/Chilean Peso, Put @ 800.000CLP

   
JPMorgan
Chase & Co.
 
 
    8/4/23       9,050,000       9,050,000       119,963  

U.S. Dollar/Mexican Peso, Put @ 16.900MXN

   
Goldman Sachs
Group Inc.
 
 
    9/26/23       9,180,000       9,180,000       64,547  

U.S. Dollar/Mexican Peso, Put @ 18.000MXN

    Citibank N.A.       11/8/23       9,000,000       9,000,000       372,348  

Total Purchased Options (Cost — $666,307)

 

                    824,372  

Total Investments before Short-Term Investments (Cost — $943,439,566)

 

    845,281,312  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc. 2023 Semi-Annual Report    

 

17


Table of Contents

Schedule of investments (unaudited) (cont’d)

June 30, 2023

 

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc.

(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)

 

Security        Rate            Shares     Value  
Short-Term Investments — 0.9%                                    

Western Asset Premier Institutional Government Reserves, Premium Shares
(Cost — $5,207,760)

    5.044             5,207,760     $ 5,207,760  (j)(k) 

Total Investments — 139.6% (Cost — $948,647,326)

                                850,489,072  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (39.6)%

                                (241,177,809

Total Net Assets — 100.0%

                              $ 609,311,263  

 

Face amount/notional amount denominated in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise noted.

 

*

Non-income producing security.

 

(a) 

Security is exempt from registration under Regulation S of the Securities Act of 1933. Regulation S applies to securities offerings that are made outside of the United States and do not involve direct selling efforts in the United States. This security has been deemed liquid pursuant to guidelines approved by the Board of Directors.

 

(b) 

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.

 

(c) 

Security is valued in good faith in accordance with procedures approved by the Board of Directors (Note 1).

 

(d) 

All or a portion of this security is pledged as collateral pursuant to the loan agreement (Note 5).

 

(e)

The coupon payment on this security is currently in default as of June 30, 2023.

 

(f)

Security is valued using significant unobservable inputs (Note 1).

 

(g) 

The maturity principal is currently in default as of June 30, 2023.

 

(h)

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.

 

(i)

Security has no maturity date. The date shown represents the next call date.

 

(j) 

Rate shown is one-day yield as of the end of the reporting period.

 

(k) 

In this instance, as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, an “Affiliated Company” represents Fund ownership of at least 5% of the outstanding voting securities of an issuer, or a company which is under common ownership or control with the Fund. At June 30, 2023, the total market value of investments in Affiliated Companies was $5,207,760 and the cost was $5,207,760 (Note 8).

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

18

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Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc.

 

Abbreviation(s) used in this schedule:

ARS   — Argentine Peso
BRL   — Brazilian Real
CLP   — Chilean Peso
COP   — Colombian Peso
DOP   — Dominican Peso
EGP   — Egyptian Pound
EUR   — Euro
HUF   — Hungarian Forint
ICE   — Intercontinental Exchange
IDR   — Indonesian Rupiah
INR   — Indian Rupee
JSC   — Joint Stock Company
MXN   — Mexican Peso
OFZ   — Obligatsyi Federal’novo Zaima (Russian Federal Loan Obligation)
PJSC   — Private Joint Stock Company
RUB   — Russian Ruble
USD   — United States Dollar
UYU   — Uruguayan Peso
UZS   — Uzbekistani Som
ZAR   — South African Rand

At June 30, 2023, the Fund had the following written options contracts:

 

OTC Written Options

 

Security   Counterparty   Expiration
Date
    Strike
Price
    Contracts     Notional
Amount†
    Value  
U.S. Dollar/Brazilian Real, Call   BNP Paribas SA     11/9/23       5.600  BRL      6,000,000       6,000,000     $ (31,383)  
U.S. Dollar/Brazilian Real, Put   BNP Paribas SA     11/9/23       4.800  BRL      6,000,000       6,000,000       (130,711)  
U.S. Dollar/Chilean Peso, Call   JPMorgan
Chase & Co.
    8/4/23       855.000  CLP      9,050,000       9,050,000       (28,892)  
U.S. Dollar/Chilean Peso, Put   JPMorgan
Chase & Co.
    8/4/23       778.000  CLP      9,050,000       9,050,000       (36,809)  
U.S. Dollar/Mexican Peso, Call   Goldman Sachs
Group Inc.
    9/26/23       18.400  MXN      9,180,000       9,180,000       (57,958)  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc. 2023 Semi-Annual Report    

 

19


Table of Contents

Schedule of investments (unaudited) (cont’d)

June 30, 2023

 

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc.

 

Security   Counterparty     Expiration
Date
    Strike
Price
  Contracts     Notional
Amount†
    Value  
U.S. Dollar/Mexican Peso, Call     Citibank N.A.       11/8/23     19.500 MXN     9,000,000       9,000,000     $ (46,494)  
U.S. Dollar/Mexican Peso, Put     Citibank N.A.       11/8/23     16.945 MXN     9,000,000       9,000,000       (87,347)  
Total OTC Written Options (Premiums received — $675,300)                   $ (419,594)  

 

Notional amount denominated in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise noted.

 

Abbreviation(s) used in this schedule:

BRL   — Brazilian Real
CLP   — Chilean Peso
MXN   — Mexican Peso

At June 30, 2023, the Fund had the following open futures contracts:

 

      Number of
Contracts
     Expiration
Date
     Notional
Amount
     Market
Value
     Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
Contracts to Sell:                                             
U.S. Treasury 10-Year Notes      404        9/23      $ 46,306,893      $ 45,355,314      $ 951,579  
U.S. Treasury Long-Term Bonds      115        9/23        14,568,231        14,594,219        (25,988)  
Net unrealized appreciation on open futures contracts

 

            $ 925,591  

At June 30, 2023, the Fund had the following open forward foreign currency contracts:

 

Currency

Purchased

   

Currency

Sold

    Counterparty   Settlement
Date
   

Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

 
USD     3,485,030     ZAR     64,020,000     Bank of America N.A.     7/14/23     $ 88,397  
ZAR     64,020,000     USD     3,423,072     Bank of America N.A.     7/14/23       (26,439)  
BRL     10,214,000     USD     2,132,359     Citibank N.A.     7/14/23       (4,784)  
USD     1,988,707     BRL     10,214,000     Citibank N.A.     7/14/23       (138,868)  
USD     446,818     MXN     8,200,000     Citibank N.A.     7/14/23       (30,899)  
USD     11,738,496     MXN     219,306,799     Citibank N.A.     7/14/23       (1,037,913)  
SGD     8,144,433     USD     6,051,741     Deutsche Bank AG     7/14/23       (26,405)  
USD     6,138,866     SGD     8,144,433     Deutsche Bank AG     7/14/23       113,530  
COP     6,822,169,000     USD     1,440,796     JPMorgan Chase & Co.     7/14/23       186,884  
IDR     257,827,088,494     USD     17,236,735     JPMorgan Chase & Co.     7/14/23       (41,903)  
MXN     227,506,799     USD     13,298,288     JPMorgan Chase & Co.     7/14/23       (44,161)  
USD     3,089,298     COP     14,090,289,000     JPMorgan Chase & Co.     7/14/23       (272,460)  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

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Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc.

 

Currency

Purchased

   

Currency

Sold

    Counterparty   Settlement
Date
   

Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

 
USD     17,205,678     IDR     257,827,088,494     JPMorgan Chase & Co.     7/14/23     $ 10,846  
USD     3,432,759     CLP     2,776,071,900     JPMorgan Chase & Co.     8/8/23       (11,157)  
USD     1,604,211     CLP     1,291,710,404     Bank of America N.A.     9/15/23       8,029  
USD     399,096     HUF     140,641,378     Bank of America N.A.     9/15/23       (5,174)  
USD     5,849,160     CNY     41,458,850     JPMorgan Chase & Co.     9/15/23       91,946  
USD     8,200,100     EUR     7,574,230     JPMorgan Chase & Co.     9/15/23       (96,503)  
USD     3,391,770     ZAR     64,020,000     Bank of America N.A.     10/13/23       25,938  
USD     2,099,745     BRL     10,214,000     Citibank N.A.     10/13/23       4,547  
USD     6,073,403     SGD     8,144,433     Deutsche Bank AG     10/13/23       26,467  
USD     17,202,234     IDR     257,827,088,494     JPMorgan Chase & Co.     10/13/23       18,494  
USD     13,067,961     MXN     227,506,800     JPMorgan Chase & Co.     10/13/23       35,559  
USD     2,232,550     BRL     11,437,800     BNP Paribas SA     11/13/23       (104,816)  
Net unrealized depreciation on open forward foreign currency contracts           $ (1,230,845)  

 

Abbreviation(s) used in this table:

BRL   — Brazilian Real
CLP   — Chilean Peso
CNY   — Chinese Yuan Renminbi
COP   — Colombian Peso
EUR   — Euro
HUF   — Hungarian Forint
IDR   — Indonesian Rupiah
MXN   — Mexican Peso
SGD   — Singapore Dollar
USD   — United States Dollar
ZAR   — South African Rand

 

Summary of Investments by Country**       
Mexico      8.6
Indonesia      7.0  
Brazil      5.2  
Peru      4.6  
Argentina      4.2  
Oman      3.9  
Colombia      3.7  
Kazakhstan      3.3  
Dominican Republic      3.1  
Supranational      3.0  
Chile      2.9  
South Africa      2.9  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

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Schedule of investments (unaudited) (cont’d)

June 30, 2023

 

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc.

 

Summary of Investments by Country** (cont’d)       
Qatar      2.8
Bahrain      2.8  
Uruguay      2.0  
Panama      1.8  
Jordan      1.8  
Nigeria      1.8  
Turkey      1.7  
Guatemala      1.7  
Egypt      1.6  
South Korea      1.6  
United Arab Emirates      1.5  
Israel      1.4  
Angola      1.4  
Ivory Coast      1.3  
China      1.1  
Kenya      1.1  
Bahamas      1.1  
Malaysia      1.1  
Costa Rica      1.1  
Senegal      1.0  
Ghana      0.9  
Paraguay      0.9  
Hungary      0.9  
Vietnam      0.8  
Hong Kong      0.8  
Ukraine      0.7  
Jamaica      0.7  
Gabon      0.7  
Morocco      0.7  
Kuwait      0.7  
Armenia      0.6  
Ecuador      0.6  
United States      0.6  
Uzbekistan      0.6  
Macau      0.5  
Zambia      0.5  
Ireland      0.4  
Singapore      0.4  
Venezuela      0.4  
Rwanda      0.4  
Poland      0.4  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

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Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc.

 

Summary of Investments by Country** (cont’d)       
Italy      0.3
Tunisia      0.3  
Ethiopia      0.3  
India      0.2  
Thailand      0.2  
United Kingdom      0.2  
Romania      0.2  
Russia      0.2  
Switzerland      0.1  
Purchased Options      0.1  
Short-Term Investments      0.6  
       100.0

 

**

As a percentage of total investments. Please note that the Fund holdings are as of June 30, 2023 and are subject to change.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc. 2023 Semi-Annual Report    

 

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Statement of assets and liabilities (unaudited)

June 30, 2023

 

Assets:         

Investments in unaffiliated securities, at value (Cost — $943,439,566)

   $ 845,281,312  

Investments in affiliated securities, at value (Cost — $5,207,760)

     5,207,760  

Foreign currency, at value (Cost — $1,034,412)

     703,934  

Interest receivable

     14,855,479  

Receivable for securities sold

     8,828,444  

Deposits with brokers for open futures contracts

     1,494,681  

Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency contracts

     610,637  

Dividends receivable from affiliated investments

     13,490  

Prepaid expenses

     851  

Total Assets

     876,996,588  
Liabilities:         

Loan payable (Note 5)

     250,000,000  

Payable for securities purchased

     8,819,544  

Distributions payable

     4,217,221  

Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency contracts

     1,841,482  

Interest expense payable

     1,200,286  

Investment management fee payable

     595,775  

Written options, at value (premiums received — $675,300)

     419,594  

Payable to brokers — net variation margin on open futures contracts

     143,065  

Deposits from brokers for OTC derivatives

     120,000  

Accrued foreign capital gains tax

     41,847  

Directors’ fees payable

     33,302  

Accrued expenses

     253,209  

Total Liabilities

     267,685,325  
Total Net Assets    $ 609,311,263  
Net Assets:         

Par value ($0.001 par value; 60,246,012 shares issued and outstanding; 100,000,000 shares authorized)

   $ 60,246  

Paid-in capital in excess of par value

     1,016,516,506  

Total distributable earnings (loss)

     (407,265,489)  
Total Net Assets    $ 609,311,263  
Shares Outstanding      60,246,012  
Net Asset Value      $10.11  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

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Statement of operations (unaudited)

For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2023

 

Investment Income:         

Interest

   $ 32,324,452  

Dividends from affiliated investments

     112,716  

Less: Foreign taxes withheld

     (147,486)  

Total Investment Income

     32,289,682  
Expenses:         

Interest expense (Note 5)

     6,714,067  

Investment management fee (Note 2)

     3,605,784  

Legal fees

     155,787  

Transfer agent fees

     139,586  

Directors’ fees

     93,084  

Fund accounting fees

     37,305  

Commitment fees (Note 5)

     36,875  

Audit and tax fees

     33,541  

Stock exchange listing fees

     15,438  

Shareholder reports

     12,288  

Custody fees

     11,605  

Insurance

     2,796  

Miscellaneous expenses

     9,144  

Total Expenses

     10,867,300  

Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements (Note 2)

     (2,180)  

Net Expenses

     10,865,120  
Net Investment Income      21,424,562  
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments, Futures Contracts, Written Options, Forward Foreign Currency Contracts and Foreign Currency Transactions (Notes 1, 3 and 4):         

Net Realized Gain (Loss) From:

        

Investment transactions in unaffiliated securities

     (27,075,830)  

Futures contracts

     (573,869)  

Written options

     446,084  

Forward foreign currency contracts

     (493,144)  

Foreign currency transactions

     48,443  

Net Realized Loss

     (27,648,316)  

Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) From:

        

Investments in unaffiliated securities

     26,316,321 † 

Futures contracts

     169,470  

Written options

     190,613  

Forward foreign currency contracts

     (1,379,263)  

Foreign currencies

     (61,428)  

Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

     25,235,713  
Net Loss on Investments, Futures Contracts, Written Options, Forward Foreign Currency Contracts and Foreign Currency Transactions      (2,412,603)  
Increase in Net Assets From Operations    $ 19,011,959  

 

Net of change in accrued foreign capital gains tax of $23,860.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc. 2023 Semi-Annual Report    

 

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Table of Contents

Statements of changes in net assets

 

 

For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2023 (unaudited)
and the Year Ended December 31, 2022
   2023      2022  
Operations:                  

Net investment income

   $ 21,424,562      $ 45,477,649  

Net realized loss

     (27,648,316)        (66,261,223)  

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

     25,235,713        (128,825,392)  

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets From Operations

     19,011,959        (149,608,966)  
Distributions to Shareholders From (Note 1):                  

Total distributable earnings

     (26,508,245)        (43,737,196)  

Return of capital

            (17,206,640)  

Decrease in Net Assets From Distributions to Shareholders

     (26,508,245)        (60,943,836)  
Fund Share Transactions:                  

Cost of shares repurchased (0 and 500,000 shares repurchased, respectively) (Note 7)

            (5,175,727)  

Decrease in Net Assets From Fund Share Transactions

            (5,175,727)  

Decrease in Net Assets

     (7,496,286)        (215,728,529)  
Net Assets:                  

Beginning of period

     616,807,549        832,536,078  

End of period

   $ 609,311,263      $ 616,807,549  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

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Statement of cash flows (unaudited)

For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2023

 

Increase (Decrease) in Cash:         
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:         

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

   $ 19,011,959  

Adjustments to reconcile net increase in net assets resulting from operations
to net cash provided (used) by operating activities:

        

Purchases of portfolio securities

     (349,157,661)  

Sales of portfolio securities

     344,344,770  

Net purchases, sales and maturities of short-term investments

     (5,276,459)  

Net amortization of premium (accretion of discount)

     (5,067,760)  

Increase in receivable for securities sold

     (8,828,444)  

Increase in interest receivable

     (346,999)  

Decrease in prepaid expenses

     2,795  

Decrease in dividends receivable from affiliated investments

     7,271  

Decrease in receivable from brokers — net variation margin on open futures contracts

     101,498  

Decrease in deposits from brokers for OTC derivatives

     (20,000)  

Increase in payable for securities purchased

     6,347,132  

Decrease in investment management fee payable

     (22,234)  

Decrease in Directors’ fees payable

     (3,325)  

Increase in interest expense payable

     231,057  

Increase in accrued expenses

     76,060  

Increase in premiums received from written options

     508,007  

Increase in payable to brokers — net variation margin on open futures contracts

     143,065  

Net realized loss on investments

     27,075,830  

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments, written options and forward foreign currency contracts

     (25,127,671)  

Net Cash Provided in Operating Activities*

     3,998,891  
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:         

Distributions paid on common stock (net of distributions payable)

     (22,291,024)  

Proceeds from loan facility borrowings

     15,000,000  

Net Cash Used by Financing Activities

     (7,291,024)  
Net Decrease in Cash and Restricted Cash      (3,292,133)  

Cash and restricted cash at beginning of period

     5,490,748  

Cash and restricted cash at end of period

   $ 2,198,615  

 

*

Included in operating expenses is $6,564,885 paid for interest and commitment fees on borrowings.

 

 

The following table provides a reconciliation of cash (including foreign currency) 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.

 

      June 30, 2023  
Cash    $ 703,934  
Restricted cash      1,494,681  
Total cash and restricted cash shown in the Statement of Cash Flows    $ 2,198,615  

 

 

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.

 

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Financial highlights

For a share of capital stock outstanding throughout each year ended December 31,
unless otherwise noted:
 
      20231,2      20221      20211      20201      20191      20181  
Net asset value, beginning of period      $10.24        $13.71        $15.38        $15.78        $14.71        $17.59  
Income (loss) from operations:                  

Net investment income

     0.36        0.75        0.94        0.96        1.16        1.06  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     (0.05)        (3.22)        (1.53)        (0.18)        1.11        (2.74)  

Total income (loss) from operations

     0.31        (2.47)        (0.59)        0.78        2.27        (1.68)  
Less distributions from:                  

Net investment income

     (0.44) 3        (0.72)        (0.64)        (0.62)        (1.02)        (1.07)  

Return of capital

            (0.29)        (0.44)        (0.56)        (0.18)        (0.13)  

Total distributions

     (0.44)        (1.01)        (1.08)        (1.18)        (1.20)        (1.20)  

Anti-dilutive impact of repurchase plan

            0.01 4                              
Net asset value, end of period      $10.11        $10.24        $13.71        $15.38        $15.78        $14.71  
Market price, end of period      $8.62        $9.11        $12.80        $13.90        $14.27        $12.29  

Total return, based on NAV5,6

     3.11      (17.86)      (4.06)      5.86      15.76      (9.78)

Total return, based on Market Price7

     (0.61)      (20.96)      (0.34)      6.80      26.49      (13.68)
Net assets, end of period (millions)      $609        $617        $833        $934        $958        $893  
Ratios to average net assets:                  

Gross expenses

     3.59 %8        2.32      1.59      1.85      2.49      2.39

Net expenses9

     3.59 8,10        2.32 10        1.59 10        1.84 10        2.49        2.35 10  

Net investment income

     7.08 8        6.94        6.43        6.59        7.41        6.66  
Portfolio turnover rate      42      40      34      57      29      42
Supplemental data:                  

Loan Outstanding, End of Period (000s)

     $250,000        $235,000        $295,000        $295,000        $295,000        $295,000  

Asset Coverage Ratio for Loan Outstanding11

     344      362      382      417      425      403

Asset Coverage, per $1,000 Principal Amount of Loan Outstanding11

     $3,437        $3,625        $3,822        $4,167        $4,248        $4,028  

Weighted Average Loan (000s)

     $245,110        $266,562        $295,000        $295,000        $295,000        $295,000  

Weighted Average Interest Rate on Loan

     5.45      2.28      0.79      1.19      2.96      2.82

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

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1 

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

 

2 

For the six months ended June 30, 2023 (unaudited).

 

3 

The actual source of the Fund’s current fiscal year distributions may be from net investment income, return of capital or a combination of both. Shareholders will be informed of the tax characteristics of the distributions after the close of the fiscal year.

 

4 

The repurchase plan was completed at an average repurchase price of $10.35 for 500,000 shares and $5,175,727 for the year ended December 31, 2022.

 

5 

Performance figures may reflect compensating balance arrangements, fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. In the absence of compensating balance arrangements, fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, the total return would have been lower. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

6 

The total return calculation assumes that distributions are reinvested at NAV. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

7 

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

 

8 

Annualized.

 

9 

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.

 

10 

Reflects fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements.

 

11 

Represents value of net assets plus the loan outstanding at the end of the period divided by the loan outstanding at the end of the period.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc. 2023 Semi-Annual Report    

 

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Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

1. Organization and significant accounting policies

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc. (the “Fund”) was incorporated in Maryland on April 16, 2003 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 Board of Directors authorized 100 million shares of $0.001 par value common stock. The Fund’s primary investment objective is to seek high current income and the Fund’s secondary objective is to seek capital appreciation.

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. Equity securities for which market quotations are available are valued at the last reported sales price or official closing price on the primary market or exchange on which they trade. When the Fund holds securities or other assets that are denominated in a foreign currency, the Fund will normally use the currency exchange rates as of 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time). 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.

 

 

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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 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.

 

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc. 2023 Semi-Annual Report    

 

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Notes to financial statements (unaudited) (cont’d)

 

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.

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

 

ASSETS  
Description   Quoted Prices
(Level 1)
    Other Significant
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
   

Significant
Unobservable
Inputs

(Level 3)

    Total  
Long-Term Investments†:                                

Sovereign Bonds

        $ 503,475,509     $ 1,497,207     $ 504,972,716  

Corporate Bonds & Notes

          339,484,224             339,484,224  

Purchased Options

          824,372             824,372  
Total Long-Term Investments           843,784,105       1,497,207       845,281,312  
Short-Term Investments†   $ 5,207,760                   5,207,760  
Total Investments   $ 5,207,760     $ 843,784,105     $ 1,497,207     $ 850,489,072  
Other Financial Instruments:                                

Futures Contracts††

  $ 951,579                 $ 951,579  

Forward Foreign Currency Contracts††

        $ 610,637             610,637  
Total Other Financial Instruments   $ 951,579     $ 610,637           $ 1,562,216  
Total   $ 6,159,339     $ 844,394,742     $ 1,497,207     $ 852,051,288  
LIABILITIES  
Description   Quoted Prices
(Level 1)
    Other Significant
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
   

Significant
Unobservable
Inputs

(Level 3)

    Total  
Other Financial Instruments:                                

Written Options

        $ 419,594           $ 419,594  

Futures Contracts††

  $ 25,988                   25,988  

Forward Foreign Currency Contracts††

          1,841,482             1,841,482  
Total   $ 25,988     $ 2,261,076           $ 2,287,064  

 

 

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See Schedule of Investments for additional detailed categorizations.

 

††

Reflects the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of the instruments.

(b) Purchased options. When the Fund purchases an option, an amount equal to the premium paid by the Fund is recorded as an investment on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities, the value of which is marked-to-market to reflect the current market value of the option purchased. If the purchased option expires, the Fund realizes a loss equal to the amount of premium paid. When an instrument is purchased or sold through the exercise of an option, the related premium paid is added to the basis of the instrument acquired or deducted from the proceeds of the instrument sold. The risk associated with purchasing put and call options is limited to the premium paid.

(c) Written options. When the Fund writes an option, an amount equal to the premium received by the Fund is recorded as a liability, the value of which is marked-to-market daily to reflect the current market value of the option written. If the option expires, the premium received is recorded as a realized gain. When a written call option is exercised, the difference between the premium received plus the option exercise price and the Fund’s basis in the underlying security (in the case of a covered written call option), or the cost to purchase the underlying security (in the case of an uncovered written call option), including brokerage commission, is recognized as a realized gain or loss. When a written put option is exercised, the amount of the premium received is subtracted from the cost of the security purchased by the Fund from the exercise of the written put option to form the Fund’s basis in the underlying security purchased. The writer or buyer of an option traded on an exchange can liquidate the position before the exercise of the option by entering into a closing transaction. The cost of a closing transaction is deducted from the original premium received resulting in a realized gain or loss to the Fund.

The risk in writing a covered call option is that the Fund may forego the opportunity of profit if the market price of the underlying security increases and the option is exercised. The risk in writing a put option is that the Fund may incur a loss if the market price of the underlying security decreases and the option is exercised. The risk in writing an uncovered call option is that the Fund is exposed to the risk of loss if the market price of the underlying security increases. 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.

(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,

 

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Notes to financial statements (unaudited) (cont’d)

 

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) Forward foreign currency contracts. The Fund enters into a forward foreign currency contract to hedge against foreign currency exchange rate risk on its non-U.S. dollar denominated securities or to facilitate settlement of a foreign currency denominated portfolio transaction. A forward foreign currency contract is an agreement between two parties to buy and sell a currency at a set price with delivery and settlement at a future date. The contract is marked-to-market daily and the change in value is recorded by the Fund as an unrealized gain or loss. When a forward foreign currency contract is closed, through either delivery or offset by entering into another forward foreign currency contract, the Fund recognizes a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the value of the contract at the time it is closed.

Non-deliverable forward foreign currency exchange contracts are settled with the counterparty in cash without the delivery of foreign currency.

Forward foreign currency contracts involve elements of market risk in excess of the amounts reflected on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The Fund bears the risk of an unfavorable change in the foreign exchange rate underlying the forward foreign currency contract. Risks may also arise upon entering into these contracts from the potential inability of the counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts.

(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 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) Foreign currency translation. Investment securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollar amounts based upon prevailing exchange rates on the date of valuation. Purchases and sales of investment securities and income and expense items denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollar amounts based upon prevailing exchange rates on the respective dates of such transactions.

The Fund does not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from fluctuations in foreign exchange rates on investments from the fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included with the net realized and unrealized gain or loss on investments.

 

 

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Net realized foreign exchange gains or losses arise from sales of foreign currencies, including gains and losses on forward foreign currency contracts, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest, and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund’s books and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from changes in the values of assets and liabilities, other than investments in securities, on the date of valuation, resulting from changes in exchange rates.

Foreign security and currency transactions may involve certain considerations and risks not typically associated with those of U.S. dollar denominated transactions as a result of, among other factors, the possibility of lower levels of governmental supervision and regulation of foreign securities markets and the possibility of political or economic instability.

(h) Credit and market risk. The Fund invests in high-yield and emerging market instruments that are subject to certain credit and market risks. The yields of high-yield and emerging market debt obligations reflect, among other things, perceived credit and market risks. The Fund’s investments in securities rated below investment grade typically involve risks not associated with higher rated securities including, among others, greater risk related to timely and ultimate payment of interest and principal, greater market price volatility and less liquid secondary market trading. The consequences of political, social, economic or diplomatic changes may have disruptive effects on the market prices of investments held by the Fund. The Fund’s investments in non-U.S. dollar denominated securities may also result in foreign currency losses caused by devaluations and exchange rate fluctuations.

(i) Foreign investment risks. The Fund’s investments in foreign securities may involve risks not present in domestic investments. Since securities may be denominated in foreign currencies, may require settlement in foreign currencies or may pay interest or dividends in foreign currencies, changes in the relationship of these foreign currencies to the U.S. dollar can significantly affect the value of the investments and earnings of the Fund. Foreign investments may also subject the Fund to foreign government exchange restrictions, expropriation, taxation or other political, social or economic developments, all of which affect the market and/or credit risk of the investments.

(j) Other risks. Consistent with its objective to seek high current income, the Fund may invest in instruments whose values and interest rates are linked to foreign currencies, interest rates, indices or some other financial indicator. The value at maturity or interest rates for these instruments will increase or decrease according to the change in the indicator to which they are indexed, amongst other factors. These securities are generally more volatile in nature, and the risk of loss of principal may be greater.

(k) Counterparty risk and credit-risk-related contingent features of derivative instruments. The Fund may invest in certain securities or engage in other transactions

 

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Notes to financial statements (unaudited) (cont’d)

 

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 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 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

 

 

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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 June 30, 2023, the Fund held forward foreign currency contracts and OTC written options with credit related contingent features which had a liability position of $2,261,076. If a contingent feature in the master agreements would have been triggered, the Fund would have been required to pay this amount to its derivative counterparties.

At June 30, 2023, the Fund held cash collateral from Citibank N.A. in the amount of $120,000. This amount could be used to reduce the Fund’s exposure to the counterparty in the event of default.

(l) 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), adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion of discount, is recorded on the accrual basis. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date for dividends received in cash and/or securities. Foreign dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date or as soon as practicable after the Fund determines the existence of a dividend declaration after exercising reasonable due diligence. 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.

(m) Distributions to shareholders. Distributions from net investment income of the Fund, if any, are declared quarterly and paid on a monthly basis. Distributions of net realized gains, if any, are declared at least annually. Pursuant to its Managed Distribution Policy, the Fund intends to make regular monthly distributions to shareholders at a fixed rate per common share, which rate may be adjusted from time to time by the Fund’s Board of Directors. Under the Fund’s Managed Distribution Policy, if, for any monthly distribution, the value of the Fund’s net investment income and net realized capital gain is less than the amount of the distribution, the difference will be distributed from the Fund’s net assets (and may constitute a “return of capital”). The actual source of the Fund’s monthly distributions may be from net investment income, return of capital or a combination of both. Shareholders will be informed of the tax characteristics of the distributions after the close of the 2023 fiscal year. The Board of Directors may modify, terminate or suspend the Managed Distribution Policy at any time, including when certain events would make part of the return of capital taxable to shareholders. Any such modification, termination or suspension could have an adverse effect on the market price of the Fund’s shares. Distributions to shareholders of the Fund are recorded on the ex-dividend date and are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP.

(n) 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.

 

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Notes to financial statements (unaudited) (cont’d)

 

(o) 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 December 31, 2022, no provision for income tax is required in the Fund’s financial statements. The Fund’s federal and state income and federal excise tax returns for tax years for which the applicable statutes of limitations have not expired are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and state departments of revenue.

Under the applicable foreign tax laws, a withholding tax may be imposed on interest, dividends and capital gains at various rates. As of June 30, 2023, there were $41,847 of capital gains tax liabilities accrued on unrealized gains.

(p) 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.

2. Investment management agreement and other transactions with affiliates

Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (“LMPFA”) is the Fund’s investment manager. Western Asset Management Company, LLC (“Western Asset”), Western Asset Management Company Limited (“Western Asset London”) and Western Asset Management Company Pte. Ltd. (“Western Asset Singapore”) are the Fund’s subadvisers. LMPFA, Western Asset, Western Asset London and Western Asset Singapore are indirect, wholly-owned subsidiaries of Franklin Resources, Inc. (“Franklin Resources”).

Under the investment management agreement, the Fund pays an investment management fee, calculated daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.85% of the Fund’s average daily net assets plus the proceeds of any outstanding borrowings used for leverage and any proceeds from the issuance of preferred stock.

LMPFA provides administrative and certain oversight services to the Fund. LMPFA delegates to Western Asset the day-to-day portfolio management of the Fund. Western Asset London and Western Asset Singapore provide certain subadvisory services to the Fund relating to currency transactions and investments in non-U.S. dollar denominated debt securities. Western Asset London and Western Asset Singapore do not receive any compensation from the Fund and are compensated by Western Asset for their services to the Fund. For its services, LMPFA pays Western Asset a fee monthly, at an annual rate equal to 70% of the net management fee it receives from the Fund. In turn, Western Asset pays Western Asset London and Western Asset Singapore a monthly subadvisory fee in an amount equal to

 

 

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100% of the management fee paid to Western Asset on the assets that Western Asset allocates to each such non-U.S. subadviser to manage.

During periods in which the Fund utilizes financial leverage, the fees paid to LMPFA will be higher than if the Fund did not utilize leverage because the fees are calculated as a percentage of the Fund’s assets, including those investments purchased with leverage.

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 six months ended June 30, 2023, fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed amounted to $2,180, all of which was an affiliated money market fund waiver.

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

3. Investments

During the six months ended June 30, 2023, the aggregate cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investments (excluding short-term investments) were as follows:

 

Purchases      $ 349,157,661  
Sales        344,344,770  

At June 30, 2023, the aggregate cost of investments and the aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of investments for federal income tax purposes were substantially as follows:

 

      Cost/Premiums
Paid (Received)
     Gross
Unrealized
Appreciation
     Gross
Unrealized
Depreciation
     Net
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
Securities    $ 948,647,326      $ 22,042,991      $ (120,201,245)      $ (98,158,254)  
Written options      (675,300)        342,657        (86,951)        255,706  
Futures contracts             951,579        (25,988)        925,591  
Forward foreign currency contracts             610,637        (1,841,482)        (1,230,845)  

 

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Notes to financial statements (unaudited) (cont’d)

 

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 June 30, 2023.

 

ASSET DERIVATIVES1  
      Interest
Rate Risk
     Foreign
Exchange Risk
     Total  
Purchased options2           $ 824,372      $ 824,372  
Futures contracts3    $ 951,579               951,579  
Forward foreign currency contracts             610,637        610,637  
Total    $ 951,579      $ 1,435,009      $ 2,386,588  

 

LIABILITY DERIVATIVES1  
      Interest
Rate Risk
     Foreign
Exchange Risk
     Total  
Written options           $ 419,594      $ 419,594  
Futures contracts3    $ 25,988               25,988  
Forward foreign currency contracts             1,841,482        1,841,482  
Total    $ 25,988      $ 2,261,076      $ 2,287,064  

 

1 

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

 

2 

Market value of purchased options is reported in Investments in unaffiliated securities at value in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

 

3 

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.

The following tables provide information about the effect of derivatives and hedging activities on the Fund’s Statement of Operations for the six months ended June 30, 2023. 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  
      Interest
Rate Risk
     Foreign
Exchange Risk
     Total  
Purchased options1           $ (413,438)      $ (413,438)  
Futures contracts    $ (573,869)               (573,869)  
Written options             446,084        446,084  
Forward foreign currency contracts             (493,144)        (493,144)  
Total    $ (573,869)      $ (460,498)      $ (1,034,367)  

 

1 

Net realized gain (loss) from purchased options is reported in Net Realized Gain (Loss) From Investment transactions in unaffiliated securities in the Statement of Operations.

 

 

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CHANGE IN NET UNREALIZED APPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) ON DERIVATIVES RECOGNIZED  
      Interest
Rate Risk
     Foreign
Exchange Risk
     Total  
Purchased options1           $ 92,719      $ 92,719  
Futures contracts    $ 169,470               169,470  
Written options             190,613        190,613  
Forward foreign currency contracts             (1,379,263)        (1,379,263)  
Total    $ 169,470      $ (1,095,931)      $ (926,461)  

 

1 

The change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) from purchased options is reported in the Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) From Investments in unaffiliated securities in the Statement of Operations.

During the six months ended June 30, 2023, the volume of derivative activity for the Fund was as follows:

 

        Average Market
Value
 
Purchased options      $ 631,166  
Written options        297,674  
Futures contracts (to sell)        66,765,555  
Forward foreign currency contracts (to buy)        13,477,917  
Forward foreign currency contracts (to sell)        61,605,589  

The following table presents the Fund’s OTC derivative assets and liabilities by counterparty net of amounts available for offset under an ISDA Master Agreement and net of the related collateral pledged (received) by the Fund as of June 30, 2023.

 

Counterparty   Gross Assets
Subject to
Master
Agreements1
   

Gross

Liabilities
Subject to
Master
Agreements1

    Net Assets
(Liabilities)
Subject to
Master
Agreements
  Collateral
Pledged
(Received)2,3
    Net
Amount4,5
 
Bank of America N.A.   $ 122,364     $ (31,613)     $90,751         $ 90,751  
BNP Paribas SA     267,514       (266,910)     604           604  
Citibank N.A.     376,895       (1,346,305)     (969,410)   $ (120,000)       (1,089,410)  
Deutsche Bank AG     139,997       (26,405)     113,592           113,592  
Goldman Sachs Group Inc.     64,547       (57,958)     6,589           6,589  
JPMorgan Chase & Co.     463,692       (531,885)     (68,193)           (68,193)  
Total   $ 1,435,009     $ (2,261,076)     $(826,067)   $ (120,000)     $ (946,067)  

 

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Notes to financial statements (unaudited) (cont’d)

 

1 

Absent an event of default or early termination, derivative assets and liabilities are presented gross and not offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

 

2 

Gross amounts are not offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

 

3 

In some instances, the actual collateral received and/or pledged may be more than the amount shown here due to overcollateralization.

 

4 

Net amount may also include forward foreign currency exchange contracts that are not required to be collateralized.

 

5 

Represents the net amount receivable (payable) from (to) the counterparty in the event of default.

5. Loan

The Fund has a Master Margin Loan Agreement (the “BNYM Credit Agreement”) with The Bank of New York Mellon (“BNYM”) as lender. The BNYM Credit Agreement provides for borrowings in an aggregate principal amount of up to $325,000,000, subject to the terms and conditions therein. Each loan under the BNYM Credit Agreement constitutes an open commitment by BNYM terminable upon 180 days’ notice by the Fund or BNYM. The Fund pays interest on borrowings calculated based on the Overnight Bank Funding Rate plus applicable margin. The Overnight Bank Funding Rate is a volume weighted median measure of U.S. dollar funding costs for U.S. based banks calculated using both federal funds transactions and overnight eurodollar time deposits. The Fund pays a commitment fee on the unutilized portion of the loan commitment amount at an annual rate of 0.25% except that no commitment fee is accrued when the aggregate outstanding balance of the loan is equal to or greater than 75% of the margin loan commitment amount. To the extent of the borrowing outstanding, the Fund is required to maintain collateral in a special custody account at the Fund’s custodian on behalf of BNYM. The BNYM Credit Agreement contains certain covenants that, among other things, may limit the Fund’s ability to pay distributions in certain circumstances, incur additional debt, change its fundamental investment policies and engage in certain transactions, including mergers and consolidations, and require asset coverage ratios in addition to those required by the 1940 Act. In addition, the BNYM Credit Agreement may be subject to early termination under certain conditions and may contain other provisions that could limit the Fund’s ability to utilize borrowing under the agreement. Interest expense related to the BNYM Credit Agreement for the six months ended June 30, 2023 was $6,714,048. For the six months ended June 30, 2023, the Fund incurred commitment fees of $36,875. For the six months ended June 30, 2023, the average daily loan balance was $245,110,497 and the weighted average interest rate was 5.45%. At June 30, 2023, the Fund had $250,000,000 of borrowings outstanding.

6. Distributions subsequent to June 30, 2023

The following distributions have been declared by the Fund’s Board of Directors and are payable subsequent to the period end of this report:

 

Record Date      Payable Date        Amount  
6/23/2023        7/3/2023        $ 0.0700  
7/24/2023        8/1/2023        $ 0.0700  
8/24/2023        9/1/2023        $ 0.0700  

 

 

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Record Date      Payable Date        Amount  
9/22/2023        10/2/2023        $ 0.0845  
10/24/2023        11/1/2023        $ 0.0845  
11/22/2023        12/1/2023        $ 0.0845  

7. 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 six months ended June 30, 2023, the Fund did not repurchase any shares. During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Fund repurchased and retired 0.82% of its common shares outstanding under the repurchase plan. The weighted average discount per share on these repurchases was 11.99% for the year ended December 31, 2022. 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.

Since the commencement of the stock repurchase program through June 30, 2023, the Fund repurchased 500,000 shares or 0.82% of its common shares outstanding for a total amount of $5,175,727.

8. 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 all or some portion of the six months ended June 30, 2023. The following transactions were effected in such company for the six months ended June 30, 2023.

 

    Affiliate
Value at
December 31,

2022
   

 

Purchased

   

 

Sold

 
     Cost     Shares     Proceeds     Shares  
Western Asset Premier Institutional Government Reserves, Premium Shares   $ 6,840,780     $ 105,515,449       105,515,449     $ 107,148,469       107,148,469  

 

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Notes to financial statements (unaudited) (cont’d)

 

(cont’d)  

Realized

Gain (Loss)

   

Dividend

Income

    Net Increase
(Decrease) in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Affiliate
Value at
June 30,
2023
 
Western Asset Premier Institutional Government Reserves, Premium Shares         $ 112,716           $ 5,207,760  

9. Deferred capital losses

As of December 31, 2022, the Fund had deferred capital losses of $268,613,130, which have no expiration date, that will be available to offset future taxable capital gains.

10. Recent accounting pronouncement

In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) – Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. In January 2021 and December 2022, the FASB issued ASU No. 2021-01 and ASU No. 2022-06, with further amendments to Topic 848. The amendments in the ASUs provide optional temporary accounting recognition and financial reporting relief from the effect of certain types of contract modifications due to the planned discontinuation of the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) and other interbank-offered based reference rates as of the end of 2021 for certain LIBOR settings and 2023 for the remainder. The ASUs are effective for certain reference rate-related contract modifications that occur during the period March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2024. Management has reviewed the requirements and believes the adoption of these ASUs will not have a material impact on the financial statements.

11. Other matters

The Fund’s investments, payment obligations, and financing terms may be based on floating rates, such as the London Interbank Offered Rate, or “LIBOR,” which was the offered rate for short-term Eurodollar deposits between major international banks. In 2017, the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) announced its intention to cease compelling banks to provide the quotations needed to sustain LIBOR after 2021. In addition, global regulators have announced that, with limited exceptions, no new LIBOR-based contracts should be entered into after 2021. In connection with the global transition away from LIBOR led by regulators and market participants, LIBOR is no longer published on a representative basis. Alternative references rates have been established in most major currencies. In March 2022, the U.S. federal government enacted legislation to establish a process for replacing LIBOR in certain existing contracts that do not already provide for the use of a clearly defined or practicable replacement benchmark rate as described in the legislation. Generally speaking, for contracts that do not contain a fallback provision as described in the legislation, a benchmark replacement recommended by the Federal Reserve Board effectively automatically replaced the USD LIBOR benchmark in the contract upon LIBOR’s cessation at the end of June 2023. The recommended benchmark replacement is based on

 

 

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the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, including certain spread adjustments and benchmark replacement conforming changes. Various industry groups are in the process of facilitating the transition away from LIBOR, but there remains uncertainty regarding the impact of the transition from LIBOR on the Fund’s transactions and the financial markets generally.

*  *  *

Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the resulting responses by the United States and other countries, and the potential for wider conflict could increase volatility and uncertainty in the financial markets and adversely affect regional and global economies. The United States and other countries have imposed broad-ranging economic sanctions on Russia and certain Russian individuals, banking entities and corporations as a response to its invasion of Ukraine. The United States and other countries have also imposed economic sanctions on Belarus and may impose sanctions on other countries that support Russia’s military invasion. These sanctions, as well as any other economic consequences related to the invasion, such as additional sanctions, boycotts or changes in consumer or purchaser preferences or cyberattacks on governments, companies or individuals, may further decrease the value and liquidity of certain Russian securities and securities of issuers in other countries that are subject to economic sanctions related to the invasion. To the extent that the Fund has exposure to Russian investments or investments in countries affected by the invasion, the Fund’s ability to price, buy, sell, receive or deliver such investments was impaired. The Fund could determine at any time that certain of the most affected securities have little or no value. In addition, any exposure that the Fund may have to counterparties in Russia or in countries affected by the invasion could negatively impact the Fund’s portfolio. The extent and duration of Russia’s military actions and the repercussions of such actions (including any retaliatory actions or countermeasures that may be taken by those subject to sanctions) are impossible to predict, but could result in significant market disruptions, including in the oil and natural gas markets, and may negatively affect global supply chains, inflation and global growth. These and any related events could significantly impact the Fund’s performance and the value of an investment in the Fund, even beyond any direct exposure the Fund may have to Russian issuers or issuers in other countries affected by the invasion. At June 30, 2023, the Fund had 0.25% of its net assets invested in securities with significant economic risk or exposure to Russia.

 

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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 Emerging Markets Debt 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, Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (the “Manager”), and the sub-advisory agreements (individually, a “Sub-Advisory Agreement,” and collectively, the “Sub-Advisory Agreements”) with the Manager’s affiliates, Western Asset Management Company, LLC (“Western Asset”), Western Asset Management Company Limited (“Western Asset London”) and Western Asset Management Company Pte. Ltd. (“Western Asset Singapore,” and together with Western Asset and Western Asset London, collectively, the “Sub-Advisers”), with respect to the Fund.

At an in-person meeting (the “Contract Renewal Meeting”) held on May 9-10, 2023, the Board, including the Independent Directors, considered and approved the continuation of each of the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreements for an additional one-year period. To assist in its consideration of the renewal of each of the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreements, 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-Advisers, 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/Legg Mason Closed-end Funds”), certain portions of which are discussed below.

A presentation made by the Manager and the Sub-Advisers 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 Agreements encompassed the Fund and other Franklin Templeton/Legg Mason Closed-end Funds. In addition to the Contract Renewal Information, the Board received performance and other information throughout the year related to the respective services rendered by the Manager and the Sub-Advisers 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/Legg Mason Closed-end Funds with respect to the services provided to the Fund by the Manager and the Sub-Advisers. 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.

 

 

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At a meeting held on April 18, 2023, 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/Legg Mason Closed-end Funds, including the Fund, received to date. No representatives of the Manager or the Sub-Advisers participated in this meeting. Following the April 18, 2023 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-Advisers together provide the Fund with investment sub-advisory services pursuant to the Sub-Advisory Agreements. 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-Advisers pursuant to the Sub-Advisory Agreements.

Board Approval of Management Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreements

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 Agreements. The Independent Directors considered the Management Agreement and each Sub-Advisory Agreement separately during the course of their review. In doing so, they noted the respective roles of the Manager and the Sub-Advisers in providing services to the Fund.

In approving the continuation of the Management Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreements, 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 Agreements. Each Director may have attributed different weight to the various factors in evaluating the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreements.

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 Agreements were in the best interests of the Fund’s shareholders and approved the continuation of each such agreement for an additional one-year period.

 

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

 

Nature, Extent and Quality of the Services under the Management Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreements

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-Advisers under the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreements, 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-Advisers and the Fund’s other service providers. The Board observed that the scope of services provided by the Manager and the Sub-Advisers, and of the undertakings required of the Manager and Sub-Advisers 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-Advisers 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-Advisers 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-Advisers’ risk management processes.

The Board reviewed the qualifications, backgrounds, and responsibilities of the Manager’s senior personnel and the Sub-Advisers’ portfolio management teams 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-Advisers. 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-Advisers under the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreements, respectively, including the Manager’s coordination and oversight of the services provided to the Fund by the Sub-Advisers and other fund service providers and Western Asset’s coordination and oversight of the services provided to the Fund by Western Asset London and Western Asset Singapore. 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 Agreements, the Board took into account that Fund stockholders, in pursuing their investment goals and objectives, may have purchased their shares of the

 

 

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Fund based upon the reputation and the investment style, philosophy and strategy of the Manager and the Sub-Advisers, as well as the resources available to the Manager and the Sub-Advisers.

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 Agreements were satisfactory.

Fund Performance

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-Advisers 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 emerging markets hard currency debt funds, 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, 2022. The Board noted the explanations from the Manager and the Sub-Advisers regarding the Fund’s relative performance versus the Performance Universe for the various periods. The Board also noted the limited size of the Performance Universe.

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 Agreements 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”)

 

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

 

payable by the Fund to the Manager under the Management Agreement and the sub-advisory fees (the “Sub-Advisory Fees”) payable by the Manager to the Sub-Advisers under the Sub-Advisory Agreements in view of the nature, extent and overall quality of the management, investment advisory and other services provided by the Manager and the Sub-Advisers, respectively. The Board noted that the Sub-Advisory Fee payable to Western Asset under its Sub-Advisory Agreement with the Manager is paid by the Manager, not the Fund, and, accordingly, that the retention of Western Asset does not increase the fees or expenses otherwise incurred by the Fund’s stockholders. Similarly, the Board noted that the Sub-Advisory Fees payable to Western Asset London and Western Asset Singapore under their respective Sub-Advisory Agreements with Western Asset are paid by Western Asset, not the Fund, and, accordingly, that the retention of Western Asset London and Western Asset Singapore 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 universe (the “Expense Universe”) 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 compared on the basis of both common share assets and leveraged assets. The Broadridge Expense Information also showed that the Fund’s actual total expenses were below the median on the basis of both common share assets and leveraged assets. The Board took into account management’s discussion of the Fund’s expenses and noted the limited size of the Expense Universe.

The Board also reviewed Contract Renewal Information regarding fees charged by the Manager and/or the Sub-Advisers 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

 

 

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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-Advisers and the amount of the management fee retained by the Manager after payment of the subadvisory fees 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 Fees 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-Advisers to the Fund under the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreements, respectively.

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, 2022 and September 30, 2021. The Board also received profitability information with respect to the Franklin Templeton/Legg Mason fund complex as a whole. In addition, the Board received Contract Renewal Information with respect to the Manager’s revenue and cost allocation methodologies used in preparing such profitability data. It was noted that the allocation methodologies had been reviewed by an outside consultant. The profitability to each of the Sub-Advisers was not considered to be a material factor in the Board’s considerations since the Sub-Advisory Fee is paid by the Manager in the case of Western Asset and by Western Asset in the case of Western Asset London and Western Asset Singapore, not the Fund, although the Board noted the affiliation of the Manager with the Sub-Advisers. 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.

Economies of Scale

The Board received and discussed Contract Renewal Information concerning whether the Manager realizes economies of scale if the Fund’s assets grow. 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-Advisers’ profitability and the costs of the Sub-Advisers’ provision of services, the Board did not consider the potential for economies of scale in the Sub-Advisers’ management of the Fund to be a material factor in the Board’s consideration of the Sub-Advisory Agreements.

 

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

 

Other Benefits to the Manager and the Sub-Advisers

The Board considered other benefits received by the Manager, the Sub-Advisers 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 shareholders. 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-Advisers to the Fund, the Board considered that the ancillary benefits that the Manager and its affiliates, including the Sub-Advisers, were reasonable.

 

 

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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 stockholders (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

 

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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.

 

 

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Western Asset

Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc.

 

Directors

Robert D. Agdern

Carol L. Colman

Daniel P. Cronin

Paolo M. Cucchi

Eileen A. Kamerick

Nisha Kumar

Jane Trust

Chairman

Officers

Jane Trust

President and Chief Executive Officer

Christopher Berarducci

Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer

Fred Jensen

Chief Compliance Officer

George P. Hoyt

Secretary and Chief Legal Officer

Thomas C. Mandia

Senior Vice President

Jeanne M. Kelly

Senior Vice President

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc.

620 Eighth Avenue

47th Floor

New York, NY 10018

Investment manager

Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC

Subadvisers

Western Asset Management Company, LLC

Western Asset Management Company Limited

Western Asset Management Company Pte. Ltd.

Custodian

The Bank of New York Mellon

Transfer agent

Computershare Inc.

P.O. Box 43006

Providence, RI 02940-3078

Independent registered public accounting firm

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Baltimore, MD

Legal counsel

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

900 G Street NW

Washington, DC 20001

New York Stock Exchange Symbol

EMD


Table of Contents

Legg Mason Funds Privacy and Security Notice

 

Your Privacy and the Security of Your Personal Information is Very Important to the Legg Mason Funds

This Privacy and Security Notice (the “Privacy Notice”) addresses the Legg Mason Funds’ privacy and data protection practices with respect to nonpublic personal information the Funds receive. The Legg Mason Funds include the Western Asset Money Market 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 SEMI-ANNUAL  REPORT


Table of Contents

Legg Mason 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.

Revised October 2022

 

NOT PART OF THE SEMI-ANNUAL  REPORT


Table of Contents

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

 

Legg Mason California Consumer Privacy Act Policy

Although much of the personal information we collect is “nonpublic personal information” subject to federal law, residents of California may, in certain circumstances, have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (“CCPA”). For example, if you are a broker, dealer, agent, fiduciary, or representative acting by or on behalf of, or for, the account of any other person(s) or household, or a financial advisor, or if you have otherwise provided personal information to us separate from the relationship we have with personal investors, the provisions of this Privacy Policy apply to your personal information (as defined by the CCPA).

In addition to the provisions of the Legg Mason Funds Security and Privacy Notice, you may have the right to know the categories and specific pieces of personal information we have collected about you.

You also have the right to request the deletion of the personal information collected or maintained by the Funds.

If you wish to exercise any of the rights you have in respect of your personal information, you should advise the Funds by contacting them as set forth below. The rights noted above are subject to our other legal and regulatory obligations and any exemptions under the CCPA. You may designate an authorized agent to make a rights request on your behalf, subject to the identification process described below. We do not discriminate based on requests for information related to our use of your personal information, and you have the right not to receive discriminatory treatment related to the exercise of your privacy rights.

We may request information from you in order to verify your identity or authority in making such a request. If you have appointed an authorized agent to make a request on your behalf, or you are an authorized agent making such a request (such as a power of attorney or other written permission), this process may include providing a password/passcode, a copy of government issued identification, affidavit or other applicable documentation, i.e. written permission. We may require you to verify your identity directly even when using an authorized agent, unless a power of attorney has been provided. We reserve the right to deny a request submitted by an agent if suitable and appropriate proof is not provided.

For the 12-month period prior to the date of this Privacy Policy, the Legg Mason Funds have not sold any of your personal information; nor do we have any plans to do so in the future.

Contact Information

Address: Data Privacy Officer, 100 International Dr., Baltimore, MD 21202

Email: DataProtectionOfficer@franklintempleton.com

Phone: 1-800-396-4748

Revised October 2022

 

NOT PART OF THE SEMI-ANNUAL  REPORT


Table of Contents

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc.

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt 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 Emerging Markets Debt 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

 

WAS04052 08/23 SR23-4709


Table of Contents
ITEM 2.

CODE OF ETHICS.

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 3.

AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 4.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 5.

AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS.

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 6.

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS.

Included herein under Item 1.

 

ITEM 7.

DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 8.

INVESTMENT PROFESSIONALS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 9.

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

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 10.

SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 11.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

 

  (a)

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

 

  (b)

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


Table of Contents
ITEM 12.

DISCLOSURE OF SECURITIES LENDING ACTIVITIES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

Not applicable

 

ITEM 13.

EXHIBITS.

(a) (1) Not applicable.

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


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

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

Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc.

 

By:  

/s/ Jane Trust

  Jane Trust
  Chief Executive Officer
Date:   August 23, 2023

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:   August 23, 2023
By:  

/s/ Christopher Berarducci

  Christopher Berarducci
  Principal Financial Officer
Date:   August 23, 2023

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 Emerging Markets Debt 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: August 23, 2023      

/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 Emerging Markets Debt 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: August 23, 2023      

/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 Emerging Markets Debt 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 June 30, 2023 (the “Form N-CSR”) fully complies with the requirements of section 15(d) 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 Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc.      Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc.

/s/ Jane Trust

             

/s/ Christopher Berarducci

Jane Trust      Christopher Berarducci
Date: August 23, 2023      Date: August 23, 2023

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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