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 811-22265
Western Asset Municipal Defined Opportunity Trust Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
620 Eighth Avenue, 49th Floor, New York, NY 10018
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
Robert I. Frenkel, Esq.
Legg Mason & Co., LLC
100 First Stamford Place
Stamford, CT 06902
(Name and address of agent for service)
Registrants telephone number, including area code: (888) 777-0102
Date of fiscal year end: November 30
Date of reporting period: May 31, 2018
ITEM 1. | REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS. |
The Semi-Annual Report to Stockholders is filed herewith.
Semi-Annual Report | May 31, 2018 |
WESTERN ASSET
MUNICIPAL DEFINED OPPORTUNITY TRUST INC. (MTT)
INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED NO BANK GUARANTEE MAY LOSE VALUE |
Fund objectives
The Funds primary investment objective is to provide high current income exempt from federal income tax* and then to liquidate on or about April 30, 2021 and distribute all of the Funds net assets to shareholders. As a secondary investment objective, the Fund will seek total return. There can be no assurance the Funds investment objectives will be achieved.
As a fundamental policy, the Fund seeks to achieve its primary investment objective by investing, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its net assets in investment grade municipal securities, the interest on which is exempt from federal income tax.
Dear Shareholder,
We are pleased to provide the semi-annual report of Western Asset Municipal Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. for the six-month reporting period ended May 31, 2018. Please read on for Fund performance information and a detailed look at prevailing economic and market conditions during the Funds 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.lmcef.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,
Jane Trust, CFA
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
June 29, 2018
* | Certain investors may be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax (AMT), and state and local taxes will apply. Capital gains, if any, are fully taxable. Please consult your personal tax or legal adviser. |
II | Western Asset Municipal Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. |
Economic review
Economic activity in the U.S. was somewhat mixed during the six months ended May 31, 2018 (the reporting period). Looking back, the U.S. Department of Commerce reported that third and fourth quarter 2017 U.S. gross domestic product (GDP)i growth was 3.2% and 2.9%, respectively. Finally, the U.S. Department of Commerces final reading for first quarter 2018 GDP growth released after the reporting period ended was 2.0%. More modest GDP growth in the first quarter reflected decelerations in personal consumption expenditures (PCE), exports, state and local government spending, and federal government spending and a downturn in residential fixed investment. These movements were partly offset by a smaller decrease in private inventory investment and a larger increase in nonresidential fixed investment.
Job growth in the U.S. was solid overall and supported the economy during the reporting period. When the reporting period ended on May 31, 2018, the unemployment rate was 3.8%, as reported by the U.S. Department of Labor. This was the lowest unemployment rate since April 2000. The percentage of longer-term unemployed declined during the reporting period. In May 2018, 19.4% of Americans looking for a job had been out of work for more than six months, versus 22.9% when the period began.
Western Asset Municipal Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. | III |
Investment commentary (contd)
Market review
Q. How did the Federal Reserve Board (the Fed)ii respond to the economic environment?
A. The Fed increased the federal funds rateiii twice during the reporting period. Looking back, at its meeting that concluded on September 20, 2017 before the reporting period began the Fed kept rates on hold but reiterated its intention to begin reducing its balance sheet, saying, In October, the Committee will initiate the balance sheet normalization program . At its meeting that ended on December 13, 2017, the Fed raised rates to a range between 1.25% and 1.50%. As expected, the Fed kept rates on hold at its meeting that concluded on January 31, 2018. However, at its meeting that ended on March 21, 2018, the Fed again raised the federal funds rate, moving it to a range between 1.50% and 1.75%. Finally, at its meeting that concluded on June 13, 2018 after the reporting period ended the Fed raised the federal funds rate to a range between 1.75% and 2.00%.
Q. Did Treasury yields trend higher or lower during the reporting period?
A. Both short-term and longer-term Treasury yields moved higher during the six-month reporting period ended May 31, 2018. The yield for the two-year Treasury note began the reporting period at 1.78% equaling its low for the period and ended the period at 2.40%. Its peak for the period of 2.59% occurred on May 22, 2018. The yield for the ten-year Treasury began the reporting period at 2.42% and ended the period at 2.83%. The low for the period of 2.33% occurred on December 6, 2017 and the high for the period of 3.11% took place on May 17, 2018.
Q. How did the municipal bond market perform versus the taxable bond market over the reporting period?
A. The municipal bond market outperformed its taxable bond counterpart on a relative basis during the reporting period. For the six months ended May 31, 2018, the Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Indexiv and the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Indexv returned 0.71% and -1.04%, respectively. Both municipal and taxable bonds were negatively impacted by the rising interest rate environment. The municipal markets relative outperformance was partially due to overall solid fundamentals and periods of positive investor demand.
Performance review
For the six months ended May 31, 2018, Western Asset Municipal Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. returned 1.08% based on its net asset value (NAV)vi and 1.53% based on its New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) market price per share. The Funds unmanaged benchmark, the Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index, returned 0.71% for the same period. The Lipper General and Insured Municipal Debt (Unleveraged) Closed-End Funds Category Averagevii returned 0.77% over the same time frame. Please note that Lipper performance returns are based on each funds NAV.
Certain investors may be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax, and state and local taxes will apply. Capital gains, if any, are fully taxable. Please consult your personal tax or legal adviser.
IV | Western Asset Municipal Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. |
During the six-month period, the Fund made distributions to shareholders totaling $0.50 per share. As of May 31, 2018, the Fund estimates that all of the distributions were sourced from net investment income.* The performance table shows the Funds six-month total return based on its NAV and market price as of May 31, 2018. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
Performance Snapshot as of May 31, 2018 (unaudited) |
||||
Price Per Share | 6-Month Total Return** |
|||
$20.81 (NAV) | 1.08 | % | ||
$21.18 (Market Price) | 1.53 | % |
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 Funds Dividend Reinvestment Plan.
Looking for additional information?
The Fund is traded under the symbol MTT and its closing market price is available in most newspapers under the NYSE listings. The daily NAV is available on-line under the symbol XMTTX on most financial websites. Barrons and the Wall Street Journals Monday edition both carry closed-end fund tables that provide additional information. In addition, the Fund issues a quarterly press release that can be found on most major financial websites as well as www.lmcef.com (click on the name of the Fund).
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 Funds current NAV, market price and other information.
Thank you for your investment in Western Asset Municipal Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. As always, we appreciate that you have chosen us to manage your assets and we remain focused on achieving the Funds investment goals.
Sincerely,
Jane Trust, CFA
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
June 29, 2018
* | This estimate is 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 shareholders investment. For more information about a distributions composition, please refer to the Funds distribution press release or, if applicable, the Section 19 notice located in the press release section of our website, www.lmcef.com (click on the name of the Fund). |
Western Asset Municipal Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. | V |
Investment commentary (contd)
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 Funds common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange. Similar to stocks, the Funds 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 Funds 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 fixed-income securities held by the Fund. The Fund may invest in lower-rated high-yield bonds, known as junk bonds, which are subject to greater liquidity and credit risk (risk of default) than higher-rated obligations. Municipal securities purchased by the Fund may be adversely affected by changes in the financial condition of municipal issuers and insurers, regulatory and political developments, uncertainties and public perceptions, and other factors. The Fund may use derivatives, such as options and futures, which can be illiquid, may disproportionately increase losses, and have a potentially large impact on Fund performance. The Fund may invest in securities of other investment companies. To the extent it does, Fund stockholders will indirectly pay a portion of the operating costs of such companies, in addition to the expenses that the Fund bears directly in connection with its own operation. Investing in securities issued by other investment companies, including exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that invest primarily in municipal securities, involves risks similar to those of investing directly in the securities in which those investment companies invest. The Fund may invest up to 10% of its assets in securities that have the economic effects of leverage which can increase the risk and volatility of the Fund.
All investments are subject to risk including the possible loss of principal. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. All index performance reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes. Please note that an investor cannot invest directly in an index.
The information provided is not intended to be a forecast of future events, a guarantee of future results or investment advice. Views expressed may differ from those of the firm as a whole.
VI | Western Asset Municipal Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. |
i | Gross domestic product (GDP) is the market value of all final goods and services produced within a country in a given period of time. |
ii | The Federal Reserve Board (the Fed) is responsible for the formulation of U.S. policies designed to promote economic growth, full employment, stable prices and a sustainable pattern of international trade and payments. |
iii | The federal funds rate is the rate charged by one depository institution on an overnight sale of immediately available funds (balances at the Federal Reserve) to another depository institution; the rate may vary from depository institution to depository institution and from day to day. |
iv | The Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index is a market value weighted index of investment grade municipal bonds with maturities of one year or more. |
v | The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Index is a broad-based bond index comprised of government, corporate, mortgage- and asset-backed issues, rated investment grade or higher, and having at least one year to maturity. |
vi | 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 Funds market price as determined by supply of and demand for the Funds shares. |
vii | Lipper, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Reuters, provides independent insight on global collective investments. Returns are based on the six-month period ended May 31, 2018, including the reinvestment of all distributions, including returns of capital, if any, calculated among the 7 funds in the Funds Lipper category. |
Western Asset Municipal Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. | VII |
Investment breakdown (%) as a percent of total investments
| The bar graph above represents the composition of the Funds investments as of May 31, 2018 and November 30, 2017 and does not include derivatives such as futures contracts. The Fund is actively managed. As a result, the composition of the Funds investments is subject to change at any time. |
Western Asset Municipal Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. 2018 Semi-Annual Report | 1 |
Economic exposure May 31, 2018
Total Spread Duration | ||
MTT | 4.90 years | |
Benchmark | 5.87 years |
Spread duration measures the sensitivity to changes in spreads. The spread over Treasuries is the annual risk-premium demanded by investors to hold non-Treasury securities. Spread duration is quantified as the % change in price resulting from a 100 basis points change in spreads. For a security with positive spread duration, an increase in spreads would result in a price decline and a decline in spreads would result in a price increase. This chart highlights the market sector exposure of the Funds sectors relative to the selected benchmark sectors as of the end of the reporting period.
Benchmark | Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index | |
MTT | Western Asset Municipal Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. |
2 | Western Asset Municipal Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. 2018 Semi-Annual Report |
Effective duration (unaudited)
Interest rate exposure May 31, 2018
Total Effective Duration | ||
MTT | 4.92 years | |
Benchmark | 5.92 years |
Effective duration measures the sensitivity to changes in relevant interest rates. Effective duration is quantified as the % change in price resulting from a 100 basis points change in interest rates. For a security with positive effective duration, an increase in interest rates would result in a price decline and a decline in interest rates would result in a price increase. This chart highlights the interest rate exposure of the Funds sectors relative to the selected benchmark sectors as of the end of the reporting period.
Benchmark | Bloomberg Barclays Municipal Bond Index | |
MTT | Western Asset Municipal Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. |
Western Asset Municipal Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. 2018 Semi-Annual Report | 3 |
Schedule of investments (unaudited)
May 31, 2018
Western Asset Municipal Defined Opportunity Trust Inc.
Security | Rate | Maturity Date |
Face Amount |
Value | ||||||||||||
Municipal Bonds 99.5% | ||||||||||||||||
Alabama 4.0% |
||||||||||||||||
Jefferson County, AL, Sewer Revenue, Convertible CAB, Subordinated Lien, Step bond, 0.000% until 10/1/23, 7.900% |
0.000 | % | 10/1/50 | 9,470,000 | $ | 8,040,219 | ||||||||||
Lower Alabama Gas District, AL, Natural Gas Revenue |
5.000 | % | 9/1/46 | 300,000 | 369,774 | |||||||||||
Southeast Alabama Gas Supply District, AL, Gas Revenue |
4.000 | % | 4/1/24 | 1,500,000 | 1,608,570 | (a)(b) | ||||||||||
Total Alabama |
10,018,563 | |||||||||||||||
Arizona 3.5% |
||||||||||||||||
Navajo Nation, AZ, Revenue |
5.000 | % | 12/1/25 | 350,000 | 387,996 | (c) | ||||||||||
Salt Verde, AZ, Financial Corp. Senior Gas Revenue |
5.000 | % | 12/1/32 | 7,110,000 | 8,412,125 | |||||||||||
Total Arizona |
8,800,121 | |||||||||||||||
California 5.7% |
||||||||||||||||
California State PCFA, Water Furnishing Revenue |
5.000 | % | 11/21/45 | 3,500,000 | 3,733,310 | (c)(d) | ||||||||||
California State, GO, Various Purpose |
4.000 | % | 11/1/36 | 250,000 | 267,390 | |||||||||||
California Statewide CDA, Student Housing Revenue, Provident Group-Pomona Properties LLC |
5.600 | % | 1/15/36 | 780,000 | 836,480 | (c) | ||||||||||
Los Angeles, CA, Department of Water & Power Waterworks Revenue |
5.000 | % | 7/1/48 | 1,000,000 | 1,178,120 | |||||||||||
Lower Tule River, CA, Irrigation District Revenue, COP |
5.000 | % | 8/1/40 | 1,000,000 | 1,050,020 | |||||||||||
M-S-R Energy Authority, CA, Gas Revenue |
6.125 | % | 11/1/29 | 2,000,000 | 2,483,840 | |||||||||||
River Islands, CA, Public Financing Authority Special Tax, Community Facilities District No. 2003-1 |
5.000 | % | 9/1/27 | 725,000 | 762,787 | |||||||||||
University of California, CA, Revenue: |
||||||||||||||||
5.000 | % | 5/15/36 | 2,500,000 | 2,952,125 | ||||||||||||
4.000 | % | 5/15/46 | 1,000,000 | 1,048,570 | ||||||||||||
Total California |
14,312,642 | |||||||||||||||
Colorado 4.4% |
||||||||||||||||
Base Village Metropolitan District #2 Co., GO |
5.750 | % | 12/1/46 | 500,000 | 513,050 | |||||||||||
Colorado High Performance Transportation Enterprise Revenue, C-470 Express Lanes |
5.000 | % | 12/31/51 | 200,000 | 216,990 |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
4 | Western Asset Municipal Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. 2018 Semi-Annual Report |
Western Asset Municipal Defined Opportunity Trust Inc.
Security | Rate | Maturity Date |
Face Amount |
Value | ||||||||||||
Colorado continued |
||||||||||||||||
Colorado State Health Facilities Authority Revenue, Adventist Health System/Sunbelt Obligated Group |
5.000 | % | 11/15/23 | 3,000,000 | $ | 3,420,690 | (a)(b) | |||||||||
Public Authority for Colorado Energy, Natural Gas Purchase Revenue |
6.125 | % | 11/15/23 | 6,000,000 | 6,948,780 | |||||||||||
Total Colorado |
11,099,510 | |||||||||||||||
Connecticut 0.3% |
||||||||||||||||
Connecticut State Special Tax Obligation Revenue, Transportation Infrastructure Purpose |
5.000 | % | 1/1/37 | 500,000 | 560,990 | |||||||||||
Connecticut State, GO |
5.000 | % | 10/15/34 | 280,000 | 309,361 | |||||||||||
Total Connecticut |
870,351 | |||||||||||||||
District of Columbia 0.1% |
||||||||||||||||
District of Columbia Revenue, Ingleside Rock Creek Project |
4.125 | % | 7/1/27 | 250,000 | 253,423 | |||||||||||
Florida 1.0% |
||||||||||||||||
Central Florida Expressway Authority Revenue, Senior Lien |
5.000 | % | 7/1/42 | 250,000 | 287,318 | |||||||||||
Florida State Municipal Power Agency Revenue, All Requirements Power |
6.250 | % | 10/1/31 | 1,000,000 | 1,057,700 | (e) | ||||||||||
Greater Orlando, FL, Aviation Authority, Airport Facilities Revenue |
5.000 | % | 10/1/42 | 500,000 | 567,730 | (d) | ||||||||||
Miami-Dade County, FL, Health Facilities Authority Hospital Revenue, Nicklaus Childrens Hospital |
5.000 | % | 8/1/42 | 350,000 | 393,445 | |||||||||||
Orange County, FL, Health Facilities Authority Revenue, Presbyterian Retirement Communities |
5.000 | % | 8/1/47 | 250,000 | 273,318 | |||||||||||
Total Florida |
2,579,511 | |||||||||||||||
Georgia 8.0% |
||||||||||||||||
Atlanta, GA, Water & Wastewater Revenue: |
||||||||||||||||
6.000 | % | 11/1/23 | 5,000,000 | 5,295,700 | (e) | |||||||||||
6.250 | % | 11/1/34 | 3,260,000 | 3,464,076 | (e) | |||||||||||
DeKalb, Newton & Gwinnett Counties, GA, Joint Development Authority Revenue, GGC Foundation LLC Project |
6.125 | % | 7/1/40 | 9,000,000 | 9,414,360 | (e) | ||||||||||
Main Street Natural Gas Inc., GA, Natural Gas Revenue (SIFMA Municipal Swap Index Yield + 0.570%) |
1.630 | % | 12/1/23 | 2,000,000 | 2,000,980 | (a)(b) | ||||||||||
Total Georgia |
20,175,116 | |||||||||||||||
Idaho 0.1% |
||||||||||||||||
Idaho State Health Facilities Authority Hospital Revenue, Trinity Health Credit Group |
5.000 | % | 12/1/47 | 300,000 | 341,532 |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Municipal Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. 2018 Semi-Annual Report | 5 |
Schedule of investments (unaudited) (contd)
May 31, 2018
Western Asset Municipal Defined Opportunity Trust Inc.
Security | Rate | Maturity Date |
Face Amount |
Value | ||||||||||||
Illinois 7.0% |
||||||||||||||||
Chicago, IL, Board of Education, GO |
5.000 | % | 12/1/34 | 360,000 | $ | 369,857 | ||||||||||
Chicago, IL, GO: |
||||||||||||||||
5.000 | % | 1/1/25 | 250,000 | 268,053 | ||||||||||||
5.500 | % | 1/1/30 | 1,685,000 | 1,826,759 | ||||||||||||
6.000 | % | 1/1/38 | 500,000 | 564,230 | ||||||||||||
Chicago, IL, Motor Fuel Tax Revenue |
5.000 | % | 1/1/26 | 1,000,000 | 1,057,180 | |||||||||||
Chicago, IL, OHare International Airport Revenue: |
||||||||||||||||
5.000 | % | 1/1/46 | 2,000,000 | 2,215,640 | ||||||||||||
General Senior Lien |
5.000 | % | 1/1/35 | 250,000 | 282,385 | |||||||||||
Senior Lien |
5.000 | % | 1/1/47 | 500,000 | 562,225 | |||||||||||
Senior Lien |
5.000 | % | 1/1/52 | 500,000 | 560,245 | |||||||||||
Trips Obligation Group |
5.000 | % | 7/1/48 | 200,000 | 221,518 | (d) | ||||||||||
Chicago, IL, Transit Authority, Sales Tax Receipts Revenue, Second Lien |
5.000 | % | 12/1/51 | 250,000 | 269,342 | |||||||||||
Chicago, IL, Wastewater Transmission Revenue, Second Lien |
5.000 | % | 1/1/36 | 750,000 | 822,795 | |||||||||||
Chicago, IL, Waterworks Revenue: |
||||||||||||||||
Second Lien |
5.000 | % | 11/1/29 | 600,000 | 682,422 | |||||||||||
Second Lien, AGM |
5.000 | % | 11/1/32 | 2,050,000 | 2,336,959 | |||||||||||
Illinois State Finance Authority Revenue, Southern Illinois Healthcare Enterprises Inc. |
5.000 | % | 3/1/32 | 300,000 | 339,171 | |||||||||||
Illinois State Finance Authority Revenue, Southern Illinois Healthcare Enterprises Inc. |
5.000 | % | 3/1/31 | 600,000 | 680,292 | |||||||||||
Illinois State University Revenue, Auxiliary Facilities System, AGM |
5.000 | % | 4/1/37 | 100,000 | 109,586 | |||||||||||
Illinois State, GO: |
||||||||||||||||
5.000 | % | 2/1/26 | 1,000,000 | 1,070,800 | ||||||||||||
5.000 | % | 11/1/26 | 550,000 | 590,144 | ||||||||||||
5.000 | % | 2/1/27 | 250,000 | 267,753 | ||||||||||||
5.000 | % | 2/1/29 | 600,000 | 638,094 | ||||||||||||
5.000 | % | 12/1/42 | 500,000 | 521,885 | ||||||||||||
Metropolitan Pier & Exposition Authority, IL, Dedicated State Tax Revenue, McCormick Project, State Appropriations |
5.250 | % | 6/15/50 | 1,000,000 | 1,023,540 | |||||||||||
Metropolitan Pier & Exposition Authority, IL, Revenue, CAB-McCormick Place Expansion Project |
0.000 | % | 12/15/52 | 1,000,000 | 176,290 | |||||||||||
Sales Tax Securitization Corp., IL, Revenue |
5.000 | % | 1/1/27 | 200,000 | 231,352 | |||||||||||
Total Illinois |
17,688,517 |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
6 | Western Asset Municipal Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. 2018 Semi-Annual Report |
Western Asset Municipal Defined Opportunity Trust Inc.
Security | Rate | Maturity Date |
Face Amount |
Value | ||||||||||||
Indiana 6.8% |
||||||||||||||||
Indiana Finance Authority, IN, Wastewater Utility Revenue, CWA Authority Project |
5.000 | % | 10/1/41 | 675,000 | $ | 767,907 | ||||||||||
Indiana Municipal Power Agency, Power Supply System Revenue |
6.000 | % | 1/1/39 | 8,000,000 | 8,201,920 | (e) | ||||||||||
Richmond, IN, Hospital Authority Revenue, Reid Hospital & Health Care Services Inc. Project |
6.500 | % | 1/1/29 | 8,000,000 | 8,215,360 | (e) | ||||||||||
Total Indiana |
17,185,187 | |||||||||||||||
Louisiana 0.2% |
||||||||||||||||
Port New Orleans, LA, Board of Commissioners Port Facilities Revenue, AGM |
5.000 | % | 4/1/43 | 500,000 | 571,260 | (d) | ||||||||||
Maryland 0.6% |
||||||||||||||||
Howard County, MD, Housing Commission Revenue, Columbia Commons Apartments |
5.000 | % | 6/1/44 | 1,350,000 | 1,454,058 | |||||||||||
Massachusetts 0.1% |
||||||||||||||||
Massachusetts State DFA Revenue, UMass Boston Student Housing Project |
5.000 | % | 10/1/41 | 250,000 | 272,718 | |||||||||||
Michigan 6.3% |
||||||||||||||||
Detroit, MI, Water Supply System Revenue: |
||||||||||||||||
Second Lien, AGM |
6.250 | % | 7/1/36 | 2,995,000 | 3,136,873 | (e) | ||||||||||
Second Lien, AGM |
6.250 | % | 7/1/36 | 5,000 | 5,221 | |||||||||||
Michigan State Finance Authority Limited Obligation Revenue, Higher Education, Thomas M Cooley Law School Project |
6.000 | % | 7/1/24 | 1,500,000 | 1,574,535 | (c) | ||||||||||
Michigan State Finance Authority Revenue: |
||||||||||||||||
Local Government Loan Program, Detroit Water & Sewer Department |
5.000 | % | 7/1/33 | 350,000 | 387,961 | |||||||||||
Senior Lien, Detroit Water & Sewer Department |
5.000 | % | 7/1/33 | 410,000 | 453,304 | |||||||||||
Royal Oak, MI, Hospital Finance Authority Revenue: |
||||||||||||||||
William Beaumont Hospital |
5.000 | % | 9/1/39 | 2,000,000 | 2,188,460 | |||||||||||
William Beaumont Hospital |
8.250 | % | 9/1/39 | 8,000,000 | 8,128,000 | (e) | ||||||||||
Total Michigan |
15,874,354 | |||||||||||||||
Nebraska 2.0% |
||||||||||||||||
Central Plains Energy Project, NE, Gas Project Revenue, Project #3 |
5.000 | % | 9/1/42 | 4,250,000 | 5,144,412 | |||||||||||
New Jersey 6.3% |
||||||||||||||||
Gloucester County, NJ, PCFA Revenue, Keystone Urban Renewal, Logan Generating |
5.000 | % | 12/1/24 | 750,000 | 810,750 | (d) | ||||||||||
New Jersey State EDA Revenue: |
||||||||||||||||
5.000 | % | 6/15/34 | 1,500,000 | 1,621,005 |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Municipal Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. 2018 Semi-Annual Report | 7 |
Schedule of investments (unaudited) (contd)
May 31, 2018
Western Asset Municipal Defined Opportunity Trust Inc.
Security | Rate | Maturity Date |
Face Amount |
Value | ||||||||||||
New Jersey continued |
||||||||||||||||
Continental Airlines Inc. Project |
4.875 | % | 9/15/19 | 665,000 | $ | 679,384 | ||||||||||
New Jersey State EDA, Special Facility Revenue, Port Newark Container Terminal LLC Project |
5.000 | % | 10/1/37 | 200,000 | 218,358 | (d) | ||||||||||
New Jersey State EFA Revenue, University of Medicine & Dentistry |
7.500 | % | 12/1/32 | 10,000,000 | 10,566,900 | (e) | ||||||||||
New Jersey State Health Care Facilities Financing Authority Revenue, Hackensack Meridian Health |
5.000 | % | 7/1/38 | 125,000 | 143,872 | |||||||||||
New Jersey State Transportation Trust Fund Authority Revenue, CAB, Transportation System, NATL |
0.000 | % | 12/15/31 | 3,000,000 | 1,695,990 | |||||||||||
Tobacco Settlement Financing Corp., NJ, Revenue |
5.000 | % | 6/1/46 | 200,000 | 219,798 | |||||||||||
Total New Jersey |
15,956,057 | |||||||||||||||
New York 9.9% |
||||||||||||||||
Hudson Yards Infrastructure Corp. Revenue |
5.000 | % | 2/15/36 | 1,000,000 | 1,152,890 | |||||||||||
Liberty, NY, Development Corp. Revenue, Goldman Sachs Headquarters |
5.250 | % | 10/1/35 | 2,500,000 | 3,143,050 | |||||||||||
MTA Hudson Rail Yards Trust Obligations Revenue |
5.000 | % | 11/15/51 | 1,250,000 | 1,330,425 | |||||||||||
MTA, NY, Dedicated Tax Fund Revenue, Green Bonds |
5.000 | % | 11/15/47 | 500,000 | 577,105 | |||||||||||
New York State Convention Center Development Corp. Revenue, CAB, Subordinated Lien, Hotel Unit Fee Secured |
0.000 | % | 11/15/32 | 2,000,000 | 1,206,360 | |||||||||||
New York State Dormitory Authority Revenue, Non-State Supported Debt, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center |
5.000 | % | 7/1/28 | 1,500,000 | 1,796,025 | |||||||||||
New York State Dormitory Authority, State Personal Income Tax Revenue |
5.000 | % | 2/15/37 | 1,000,000 | 1,161,410 | |||||||||||
New York State Liberty Development Corp., Liberty Revenue, 3 World Trade Center LLC Project |
5.000 | % | 11/15/44 | 575,000 | 611,409 | (c) | ||||||||||
New York State Thruway Authority General Revenue, Junior Indebtedness Obligations, Junior Lien |
5.000 | % | 1/1/46 | 1,000,000 | 1,123,790 | |||||||||||
New York State Transportation Development Corp., Special Facilities Revenue: |
||||||||||||||||
Delta Airlines Inc., LaGuardia Airport |
5.000 | % | 1/1/32 | 1,100,000 | 1,249,523 | (d) |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
8 | Western Asset Municipal Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. 2018 Semi-Annual Report |
Western Asset Municipal Defined Opportunity Trust Inc.
Security | Rate | Maturity Date |
Face Amount |
Value | ||||||||||||
New York continued |
||||||||||||||||
LaGuardia Airport Terminal B Redevelopment Project |
5.000 | % | 7/1/46 | 3,000,000 | $ | 3,256,230 | (d) | |||||||||
Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, Special Obligation Revenue, JFK International Air Terminal LLC |
5.500 | % | 12/1/31 | 7,925,000 | 8,581,824 | |||||||||||
Total New York |
25,190,041 | |||||||||||||||
North Carolina 0.4% |
||||||||||||||||
North Carolina State Turnpike Authority Monroe Expressway Toll Revenue |
5.000 | % | 7/1/54 | 750,000 | 819,690 | |||||||||||
North Carolina State Turnpike Authority Revenue, Senior Lien |
5.000 | % | 1/1/30 | 100,000 | 114,370 | |||||||||||
Total North Carolina |
934,060 | |||||||||||||||
Oklahoma 0.1% |
||||||||||||||||
Oklahoma State Turnpike Authority Revenue |
5.000 | % | 1/1/47 | 40,000 | 45,943 | |||||||||||
Payne County, OK, EDA Revenue, Epworth Living at The Ranch |
6.250 | % | 11/1/31 | 170,000 | 85,000 | (f) | ||||||||||
Total Oklahoma |
130,943 | |||||||||||||||
Oregon 0.8% |
||||||||||||||||
Oregon State Facilities Authority Revenue, Legacy Health Project |
5.000 | % | 6/1/46 | 650,000 | 730,464 | |||||||||||
Washington Multnomah & Yamhill County, OR, School District No 1 West Union, GO, Hillsboro, School Board Guaranty |
5.000 | % | 6/15/35 | 1,000,000 | 1,175,340 | |||||||||||
Total Oregon |
1,905,804 | |||||||||||||||
Pennsylvania 5.0% |
||||||||||||||||
Commonwealth Financing Authority, PA, Tobacco Master Settlement Payment Revenue, Tobacco Master Settlement Payment Bonds |
5.000 | % | 6/1/30 | 250,000 | 286,610 | |||||||||||
Cumberland County, PA, Municipal Authority Revenue, Diakon Lutheran Social Ministries Project |
5.000 | % | 1/1/27 | 1,000,000 | 1,118,520 | |||||||||||
Pennsylvania Economic Development Financing Authority, Water Facility Revenue, Amerrican Water Co. Project |
6.200 | % | 4/1/39 | 10,000,000 | 10,337,400 | |||||||||||
State Public School Building Authority, PA, Lease Revenue: |
||||||||||||||||
Philadelphia School District Project, AGM |
5.000 | % | 6/1/31 | 200,000 | 227,220 | |||||||||||
Philadelphia School District Project, AGM |
5.000 | % | 6/1/33 | 550,000 | 620,488 | |||||||||||
Total Pennsylvania |
12,590,238 | |||||||||||||||
Rhode Island 4.1% |
||||||||||||||||
Rhode Island Health & Educational Building Corp. Revenue, Hospital Financing |
7.000 | % | 5/15/39 | 10,000,000 | 10,490,900 | (e) |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Municipal Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. 2018 Semi-Annual Report | 9 |
Schedule of investments (unaudited) (contd)
May 31, 2018
Western Asset Municipal Defined Opportunity Trust Inc.
Security | Rate | Maturity Date |
Face Amount |
Value | ||||||||||||
South Carolina 0.2% |
||||||||||||||||
South Carolina Ports Authority Revenue |
5.000 | % | 7/1/36 | 500,000 | $ | 572,770 | (g) | |||||||||
Texas 11.8% |
||||||||||||||||
Arlington TX, Special Tax Revenue, Subordinated Lien, BAM |
5.000 | % | 2/15/41 | 400,000 | 444,348 | |||||||||||
Arlington, TX, Higher Education Finance Corp., Education Revenue, Uplift Education, PSF-GTD |
5.000 | % | 12/1/35 | 300,000 | 347,235 | |||||||||||
Brazos River, TX, Harbor Navigation District Revenue, Brazoria County Environmental, Dow Chemical Co. Project |
5.950 | % | 5/15/33 | 10,000,000 | 10,234,200 | (d) | ||||||||||
City of Sugar Land, TX, GO |
5.000 | % | 2/15/28 | 100,000 | 119,085 | |||||||||||
Clifton, TX, Higher Education Finance Corp., Education Revenue, IDEA Public Schools, PSF-GTD |
5.000 | % | 8/15/35 | 2,400,000 | 2,748,312 | |||||||||||
Grand Parkway Transportation Corp., Highway Tolls Revenue |
5.000 | % | 10/1/48 | 2,500,000 | 2,885,825 | |||||||||||
Harris County, TX, Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp.,Thermal Utility Revenue, Teco Project |
5.000 | % | 11/15/33 | 250,000 | 293,785 | |||||||||||
Houston, TX, Airport Systems Revenue, Special Facilities, United Airlines Inc., Airport Improvement Project |
5.000 | % | 7/15/28 | 1,000,000 | 1,125,900 | (d) | ||||||||||
Love Field, TX, Airport Modernization Corp., General Airport Revenue |
5.000 | % | 11/1/31 | 120,000 | 137,333 | (d) | ||||||||||
Love Field, TX, Airport Modernization Corp., Special Facilities Revenue, Southwest Airlines Co. Project |
5.250 | % | 11/1/40 | 3,000,000 | 3,205,410 | |||||||||||
North Texas Tollway Authority Revenue, First Tier |
5.000 | % | 1/1/43 | 2,000,000 | 2,298,400 | |||||||||||
Socorro, TX, ISD, GO, School Building, PSF GTD |
5.000 | % | 8/15/40 | 800,000 | 924,304 | |||||||||||
Tarrant County, TX, Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp., Retirement Facility Revenue, Buckner Senior Living Ventana Project |
6.625 | % | 11/15/37 | 190,000 | 212,629 | |||||||||||
Texas State Municipal Gas Acquisition & Supply Corp. I, Gas Supply Revenue |
6.250 | % | 12/15/26 | 1,310,000 | 1,533,499 | |||||||||||
Texas State Private Activity Bond Surface Transportation Corp. Revenue, Senior Lien, Blueridge Transportation Group LLC |
5.000 | % | 12/31/40 | 500,000 | 546,385 | (d) | ||||||||||
Texas State Water Development Board Revenue: |
||||||||||||||||
5.000 | % | 10/15/42 | 1,500,000 | 1,749,945 | ||||||||||||
5.000 | % | 10/15/47 | 200,000 | 232,436 | ||||||||||||
Texas State, GO, Transport Commission, Mobility Fund |
5.000 | % | 10/1/34 | 500,000 | 590,160 |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
10 | Western Asset Municipal Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. 2018 Semi-Annual Report |
Western Asset Municipal Defined Opportunity Trust Inc.
Security | Rate | Maturity Date |
Face Amount |
Value | ||||||||||||
Texas continued |
||||||||||||||||
Woodloch Health Facilities Development Corp., TX, Senior Housing Revenue: |
||||||||||||||||
Inspired Living Lewsville Project |
6.750 | % | 12/1/51 | 300,000 | $ | 313,380 | (c) | |||||||||
Inspired Living Lewsville Project |
10.000 | % | 12/1/51 | 50,000 | 52,594 | |||||||||||
Total Texas |
29,995,165 | |||||||||||||||
U.S. Virgin Islands 1.3% |
||||||||||||||||
Virgin Islands Public Finance Authority Revenue, Matching Fund Loan |
6.625 | % | 10/1/29 | 4,000,000 | 3,350,000 | |||||||||||
Utah 0.3% |
||||||||||||||||
Utah State Charter School Finance Authority, Charter School Revenue: |
||||||||||||||||
Syracuse Arts Academy Project, UT CSCE |
5.000 | % | 10/15/38 | 500,000 | 563,645 | (g) | ||||||||||
UT CSCE |
5.000 | % | 4/15/47 | 250,000 | 275,575 | |||||||||||
Total Utah |
839,220 | |||||||||||||||
Virginia 1.9% |
||||||||||||||||
Virginia State College Building Authority, VA, Educational Facilities Revenue, 21st Century College & Equipment Programs |
5.000 | % | 2/1/32 | 1,000,000 | 1,190,610 | |||||||||||
Virginia State Port Authority Port Facility Revenue: |
||||||||||||||||
5.000 | % | 7/1/41 | 400,000 | 449,660 | (d) | |||||||||||
5.000 | % | 7/1/45 | 500,000 | 558,310 | (d) | |||||||||||
Virginia State Public Building Authority, Public Facilities Revenue |
5.000 | % | 8/1/29 | 250,000 | 299,963 | |||||||||||
Virginia State Small Business Financing Authority Revenue: |
||||||||||||||||
Elizabeth River Crossings OpCo LLC Project |
5.000 | % | 7/1/23 | 1,775,000 | 1,958,925 | |||||||||||
Senior Lien, 95 Express Lanes LLC |
5.000 | % | 1/1/40 | 400,000 | 426,080 | (d) | ||||||||||
Total Virginia |
4,883,548 | |||||||||||||||
Washington 2.4% |
||||||||||||||||
Washington Health Care Facilities Authority Revenue, Overlake Hospital Medical Center |
5.000 | % | 7/1/42 | 3,750,000 | 4,200,937 | |||||||||||
Washington State HFC Revenue, Herons Key |
6.000 | % | 7/1/25 | 675,000 | 713,543 | (c) | ||||||||||
Washington State, GO |
5.000 | % | 8/1/33 | 1,000,000 | 1,181,030 | |||||||||||
Total Washington |
6,095,510 | |||||||||||||||
Wisconsin 4.9% |
||||||||||||||||
Public Finance Authority, WI, Limited Obligation Pilot Revenue, American Dream @ Meadowlands Project |
5.000 | % | 12/1/27 | 1,500,000 | 1,618,725 | (c) |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Municipal Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. 2018 Semi-Annual Report | 11 |
Schedule of investments (unaudited) (contd)
May 31, 2018
Western Asset Municipal Defined Opportunity Trust Inc.
Security | Rate | Maturity Date |
Face Amount |
Value | ||||||||||||
Wisconsin continued |
||||||||||||||||
Public Finance Authority, WI, Revenue, Denver International Airport Great Hall Project |
5.000 | % | 9/30/49 | 300,000 | $ | 331,245 | (d) | |||||||||
Wisconsin State HEFA Revenue, Prohealth Care Inc. Obligation Group |
6.625 | % | 2/15/39 | 10,000,000 | 10,333,200 | (e) | ||||||||||
Total Wisconsin |
12,283,170 | |||||||||||||||
Total Investments before Short-Term Investments (Cost $234,031,385) |
|
251,858,701 | ||||||||||||||
Short-Term Investments 0.2% | ||||||||||||||||
Municipal Bonds 0.2% | ||||||||||||||||
Alabama 0.1% |
||||||||||||||||
Walker County Economic & Industrial Development Authority, AL Power Co. Plant Project |
1.150 | % | 12/1/36 | $ | 200,000 | 200,000 | (h)(i) | |||||||||
California 0.0% |
||||||||||||||||
University of California, CA, Revenue |
0.850 | % | 5/15/48 | 100,000 | 100,000 | (h)(i) | ||||||||||
Minnesota 0.1% |
||||||||||||||||
City of Minneapolis MN/St Paul Housing & Redevelopment Authority, LOC Wells Fargo Bank N.A. |
1.370 | % | 11/15/34 | 100,000 | 100,000 | (h)(i) | ||||||||||
North Carolina 0.0% |
||||||||||||||||
North Carolina State Medical Care Commission Revenue, Novant Health Group, SPA JPMorgan Chase |
1.100 | % | 11/1/34 | 100,000 | 100,000 | (h)(i) | ||||||||||
Total Municipal Bonds (Cost $500,000) |
|
500,000 | ||||||||||||||
Shares | ||||||||||||||||
Money Market Funds 0.0% |
||||||||||||||||
Dreyfus Government Cash Management, Institutional Shares (Cost $76,869) |
1.677 | % | 76,869 | 76,869 | ||||||||||||
Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $576,869) |
576,869 | |||||||||||||||
Total Investments 99.7% (Cost $234,608,254) |
252,435,570 | |||||||||||||||
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities 0.3% |
770,984 | |||||||||||||||
Total Net Assets 100.0% |
$ | 253,206,554 |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
12 | Western Asset Municipal Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. 2018 Semi-Annual Report |
Western Asset Municipal Defined Opportunity Trust Inc.
(a) | Maturity date shown represents the mandatory tender date. |
(b) | 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. |
(c) | 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. |
(d) | Income from this issue is considered a preference item for purposes of calculating the alternative minimum tax (AMT). |
(e) | Pre-Refunded bonds are escrowed with U.S. government obligations and/or U.S. government agency securities and are considered by the manager to be triple-A rated even if issuer has not applied for new ratings. |
(f) | The coupon payment on these securities is currently in default as of May 31, 2018. |
(g) | Securities traded on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis. |
(h) | Variable rate demand obligations (VRDOs) have a demand feature under which the Fund can tender them back to the issuer or liquidity provider on no more than 7 days notice. The interest rate generally resets on a daily or weekly basis and is determined on the specific interest rate reset date by the Remarketing Agent, pursuant to a formula specified in official documents for the VRDO, or set at the highest rate allowable as specified in official documents for the VRDO. VRDOs are benchmarked to the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) Municipal Swap Index. The SIFMA Municipal Swap Index is compiled from weekly interest rate resets of tax-exempt VRDOs reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Boards Short-term Obligation Rate Transparency System. |
(i) | Maturity date shown is the final maturity date. The security may be sold back to the issuer before final maturity. |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Municipal Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. 2018 Semi-Annual Report | 13 |
Schedule of investments (unaudited) (contd)
May 31, 2018
Western Asset Municipal Defined Opportunity Trust Inc.
Abbreviations used in this schedule: | ||
AGM | Assured Guaranty Municipal Corporation Insured Bonds | |
BAM | Build America Mutual Insured Bonds | |
CAB | Capital Appreciation Bonds | |
CDA | Communities Development Authority | |
COP | Certificates of Participation | |
CSCE | Charter School Credit Enhancement | |
CWA | Clean Water Act | |
DFA | Development Finance Agency | |
EDA | Economic Development Authority | |
EFA | Educational Facilities Authority | |
GO | General Obligation | |
GTD | Guaranteed | |
HEFA | Health & Educational Facilities Authority | |
HFC | Housing Finance Commission | |
ISD | Independent School District | |
LOC | Letter of Credit | |
MTA | Metropolitan Transportation Authority | |
NATL | National Public Finance Guarantee Corporation Insured Bonds | |
PCFA | Pollution Control Financing Authority | |
PSF | Permanent School Fund | |
SIFMA | Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association | |
SPA | Standby Bond Purchase Agreement Insured Bonds |
Ratings Table* | ||||
Standard & Poors/Moodys/Fitch** | ||||
AAA/Aaa | 3.3 | % | ||
AA/Aa | 16.9 | |||
A | 35.6 | |||
BBB/Baa | 27.3 | |||
BB/Ba | 1.7 | |||
CCC/Caa | 1.3 | |||
A-1/VMIG 1 | 0.2 | |||
NR*** | 13.7 | |||
100.0 | % |
* | As a percentage of total investments. |
** | The ratings shown are based on each portfolio securitys rating as determined by Standard & Poors, Moodys or Fitch, each a Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization (NRSRO). These ratings are the opinions of the NRSRO and are not measures of quality or guarantees of performance. Securities may be rated by other NRSROs, and these ratings may be higher or lower. In the event that a security is rated by multiple NRSROs and receives different ratings, the Fund will treat the security as being rated in the highest rating category received from a NRSRO. |
*** | The credit quality of unrated investments is evaluated based upon certain factors including, but not limited to, credit ratings for similar investments and financial analysis of sectors and individual investments. |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
14 | Western Asset Municipal Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. 2018 Semi-Annual Report |
Statement of assets and liabilities (unaudited)
May 31, 2018
Assets: | ||||
Investments, at value (Cost $234,608,254) |
$ | 252,435,570 | ||
Interest receivable |
3,618,719 | |||
Prepaid expenses |
10,542 | |||
Total Assets |
256,064,831 | |||
Liabilities: | ||||
Payable for securities purchased |
1,651,548 | |||
Income distribution payable |
1,022,318 | |||
Investment management fee payable |
128,490 | |||
Directors fees payable |
1,240 | |||
Accrued expenses |
54,681 | |||
Total Liabilities |
2,858,277 | |||
Total Net Assets | $ | 253,206,554 | ||
Net Assets: | ||||
Par value ($0.001 par value; 12,170,451 shares issued and outstanding; 100,000,000 shares authorized) |
$ | 12,170 | ||
Paid-in capital in excess of par value |
232,721,320 | |||
Undistributed net investment income |
1,148,993 | |||
Accumulated net realized gain on investments and futures contracts |
1,496,755 | |||
Net unrealized appreciation on investments |
17,827,316 | |||
Total Net Assets | $ | 253,206,554 | ||
Shares Outstanding | 12,170,451 | |||
Net Asset Value | $20.81 |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Municipal Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. 2018 Semi-Annual Report | 15 |
Statement of operations (unaudited)
For the Six Months Ended May 31, 2018
Investment Income: | ||||
Interest |
$ | 6,648,236 | ||
Expenses: | ||||
Investment management fee (Note 2) |
760,369 | |||
Directors fees |
34,218 | |||
Audit and tax fees |
22,683 | |||
Legal fees |
18,191 | |||
Transfer agent fees |
16,329 | |||
Fund accounting fees |
12,928 | |||
Shareholder reports |
12,128 | |||
Stock exchange listing fees |
6,281 | |||
Insurance |
2,228 | |||
Custody fees |
836 | |||
Interest expense |
30 | |||
Miscellaneous expenses |
5,815 | |||
Total Expenses |
892,036 | |||
Net Investment Income | 5,756,200 | |||
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments and Futures Contracts (Notes 1, 3 and 4): | ||||
Net Realized Gain From: |
||||
Investment transactions |
2,885,684 | |||
Futures contracts |
38,110 | |||
Net Realized Gain |
2,923,794 | |||
Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) From: |
||||
Investments |
(6,039,773) | |||
Futures contracts |
48,978 | |||
Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) |
(5,990,795) | |||
Net Loss on Investments and Futures Contracts | (3,067,001) | |||
Increase in Net Assets From Operations | $ | 2,689,199 |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
16 | Western Asset Municipal Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. 2018 Semi-Annual Report |
Statements of changes in net assets
For the Six Months Ended May 31, 2018 (unaudited) and the Year Ended November 30, 2017 |
2018 | 2017 | ||||||
Operations: | ||||||||
Net investment income |
$ | 5,756,200 | $ | 12,093,245 | ||||
Net realized gain (loss) |
2,923,794 | (370,356) | ||||||
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) |
(5,990,795) | (3,905,360) | ||||||
Increase in Net Assets From Operations |
2,689,199 | 7,817,529 | ||||||
Distributions to Shareholders From (Note 1): | ||||||||
Net investment income |
(6,131,674) | (13,216,728) | ||||||
Decrease in Net Assets From Distributions to Shareholders |
(6,131,674) | (13,216,728) | ||||||
Fund Share Transactions: | ||||||||
Reinvestment of distributions (8,847 and 25,427 shares issued, respectively) |
184,829 | 546,505 | ||||||
Increase in Net Assets From Fund Share Transactions |
184,829 | 546,505 | ||||||
Decrease in Net Assets |
(3,257,646) | (4,852,694) | ||||||
Net Assets: | ||||||||
Beginning of period |
256,464,200 | 261,316,894 | ||||||
End of period* |
$ | 253,206,554 | $ | 256,464,200 | ||||
*Includes undistributed net investment income of: |
$1,148,993 | $1,524,467 |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Municipal Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. 2018 Semi-Annual Report | 17 |
For a share of capital stock outstanding throughout each year ended November 30, unless otherwise noted: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
20181,2 | 20171 | 20161 | 20151 | 20141 | 20131 | |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period | $21.09 | $21.53 | $22.59 | $22.90 | $21.78 | $23.49 | ||||||||||||||||||
Income (loss) from operations: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income |
0.47 | 1.00 | 1.04 | 1.11 | 1.08 | 1.08 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) |
(0.25) | (0.35) | (1.05) | (0.41) | 1.05 | (1.78) | ||||||||||||||||||
Total income (loss) from operations |
0.22 | 0.65 | (0.01) | 0.70 | 2.13 | (0.70) | ||||||||||||||||||
Less distributions from: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income |
(0.50) | 3 | (1.09) | (1.05) | (1.01) | (1.01) | (1.01) | |||||||||||||||||
Total distributions |
(0.50) | (1.09) | (1.05) | (1.01) | (1.01) | (1.01) | ||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, end of period | $20.81 | $21.09 | $21.53 | $22.59 | $22.90 | $21.78 | ||||||||||||||||||
Market price, end of period | $21.18 | $21.37 | $22.08 | $23.87 | $23.07 | $20.86 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total return, based on NAV4,5 |
1.08 | % | 3.06 | % | (0.16) | % | 3.11 | % | 9.96 | % | (3.04) | % | ||||||||||||
Total return, based on Market Price6 |
1.53 | % | 1.81 | % | (3.10) | % | 8.15 | % | 15.72 | % | (11.77) | % | ||||||||||||
Net assets, end of period (millions) | $253 | $256 | $261 | $274 | $276 | $263 | ||||||||||||||||||
Ratios to average net assets: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross expenses |
0.70 | %7 | 0.70 | % | 0.70 | % | 0.70 | % | 0.70 | % | 0.69 | % | ||||||||||||
Net expenses |
0.70 | 7 | 0.70 | 0.70 | 0.70 | 0.70 | 0.69 | |||||||||||||||||
Net investment income |
4.54 | 7 | 4.65 | 4.60 | 4.87 | 4.79 | 4.79 | |||||||||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate | 16 | % | 10 | % | 15 | % | 2 | % | 6 | % | 3 | % |
1 | Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares method. |
2 | For the six months ended May 31, 2018 (unaudited). |
3 | The actual source of the Funds 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 | 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. |
5 | 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. |
6 | The total return calculation assumes that distributions are reinvested in accordance with the Funds dividend reinvestment plan. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized. |
7 | Annualized. |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
18 | Western Asset Municipal Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. 2018 Semi-Annual Report |
Notes to financial statements (unaudited)
1. Organization and significant accounting policies
Western Asset Municipal Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. (the Fund) was incorporated in Maryland on January 15, 2009 and is registered as a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act). The Funds primary investment objective is to provide high current income exempt from federal income tax and then to liquidate on or about April 30, 2021 and distribute all of the Funds net assets to shareholders. As a secondary investment objective, the Fund will seek total return. There can be no assurance the Funds investment objectives will be achieved.
The following are significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund and are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Estimates and assumptions are required to be made regarding assets, liabilities and changes in net assets resulting from operations when financial statements are prepared. Changes in the economic environment, financial markets and any other parameters used in determining these estimates could cause actual results to differ. Subsequent events have been evaluated through the date the financial statements were issued.
(a) Investment valuation. The valuations for fixed income securities (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 use inputs that are observable such as issuer details, interest rates, yield curves, prepayment speeds, credit risks/spreads, default rates and quoted prices for similar securities. Investments in open-end funds are valued at the closing net asset value per share of each fund on the day of valuation. Futures contracts are valued daily at the settlement price established by the board of trade or exchange on which they are traded. If independent third party pricing services are unable to supply prices for a portfolio investment, or if the prices supplied are deemed by the manager to be unreliable, the market price may be determined by the manager using quotations from one or more broker/dealers or at the transaction price if the security has recently been purchased and no value has yet been obtained from a pricing service or pricing broker. When reliable prices are not readily available, such as when the value of a security has been significantly affected by events after the close of the exchange or market on which the security is principally traded, but before the Fund calculates its net asset value, the Fund values these securities as determined in accordance with procedures approved by the Funds Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors is responsible for the valuation process and has delegated the supervision of the daily valuation process to the Legg Mason North Atlantic Fund Valuation Committee (the Valuation Committee). The Valuation Committee, pursuant to the policies adopted by the Board of Directors, is responsible for making fair value determinations,
Western Asset Municipal Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. 2018 Semi-Annual Report | 19 |
Notes to financial statements (unaudited) (contd)
evaluating the effectiveness of the Funds pricing policies, and reporting to 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 issuers financial statements; the purchase price of the security; the discount from market value of unrestricted securities of the same class at the time of purchase; analysts research and observations from financial institutions; information regarding any transactions or offers with respect to the security; the existence of merger proposals or tender offers affecting the security; the price and extent of public trading in similar securities of the issuer or comparable companies; and the existence of a shelf registration for restricted securities.
For each portfolio security that has been fair valued pursuant to the policies adopted by the Board of Directors, the fair value price is compared against the last available and next available market quotations. The Valuation Committee reviews the results of such back testing monthly and fair valuation occurrences are reported to the Board of Directors quarterly.
The Fund uses valuation techniques to measure fair value that are consistent with the market approach and/or income approach, depending on the type of security and the particular circumstance. The market approach uses prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable securities. The income approach uses valuation techniques to discount estimated future cash flows to present value.
GAAP establishes a disclosure hierarchy that categorizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to value assets and liabilities at measurement date. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:
| Level 1 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 Funds own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) |
20 | Western Asset Municipal Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. 2018 Semi-Annual Report |
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 Funds assets carried at fair value:
ASSETS | ||||||||||||||||
Description | Quoted Prices (Level 1) |
Other Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2) |
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) |
Total | ||||||||||||
Municipal Bonds | | $ | 251,858,701 | | $ | 251,858,701 | ||||||||||
Short-Term Investments: | ||||||||||||||||
Municipal Bonds |
| 500,000 | | 500,000 | ||||||||||||
Money Market Funds |
$ | 76,869 | | | 76,869 | |||||||||||
Total Short-Term Investments | 76,869 | 500,000 | | 576,869 | ||||||||||||
Total Investments | $ | 76,869 | $ | 252,358,701 | | $ | 252,435,570 |
| See Schedule of Investments for additional detailed categorizations. |
(b) Futures contracts. The Fund uses futures contracts generally to gain exposure to, or hedge against, changes in interest rates or gain exposure to, or hedge against, changes in certain asset classes. A futures contract represents a commitment for the future purchase or sale of an asset at a specified price on a specified date.
Upon entering into a futures contract, the Fund is required to deposit cash or cash equivalents with a broker in an amount equal to a certain percentage of the contract amount. This is known as the initial margin and subsequent payments (variation margin) are made or received by the Fund each day, depending on the daily fluctuation in the value of the contract. For certain futures, including foreign denominated futures, variation margin is not settled daily, but is recorded as a net variation margin payable or receivable. The daily changes in contract value are recorded as unrealized gains or losses 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.
(c) Securities traded on a when-issued and delayed delivery basis. The Fund may trade securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis. In when-issued and delayed delivery transactions, the securities are purchased or sold by the Fund with payment and delivery taking place in the future in order to secure what is considered to be an advantageous price and yield to the Fund at the time of entering into the transaction.
Purchasing such securities involves risk of loss if the value of the securities declines prior to settlement. These securities are subject to market fluctuations and their current value is determined in the same manner as for other securities.
Western Asset Municipal Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. 2018 Semi-Annual Report | 21 |
Notes to financial statements (unaudited) (contd)
(d) Counterparty risk and credit-risk-related contingent features of derivative instruments. The Fund may invest in certain securities or engage in other transactions, where the Fund is exposed to counterparty credit risk in addition to broader market risks. The Fund may invest in securities of issuers, which may also be considered counterparties as trading partners in other transactions. This may increase the risk of loss in the event of default or bankruptcy by the counterparty or if the counterparty otherwise fails to meet its contractual obligations. The Funds 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 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 Funds net assets or NAV 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 over-the-counter traded derivatives. Cash collateral that
22 | Western Asset Municipal Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. 2018 Semi-Annual Report |
has been pledged to cover obligations of the Fund under derivative contracts, if any, will be reported separately in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Securities pledged as collateral, if any, for the same purpose are noted in the Schedule of Investments.
As of May 31, 2018, the Fund did not have any open derivative transactions with credit related contingent features in a net liability position.
(e) 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. 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.
(f) Distributions to shareholders. Distributions from net investment income of the Fund, if any, are declared quarterly and paid on a monthly basis. The actual source of the Funds 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 fiscal year. The Fund intends to satisfy conditions that will enable interest from municipal securities, which is exempt from federal and certain state income taxes, to retain such tax-exempt status when distributed to the shareholders of the Fund. Distributions of net realized gains, if any, are taxable and are declared at least annually. Distributions to shareholders of the Fund are recorded on the ex-dividend date and are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP.
(g) Compensating balance arrangements. The Fund has an arrangement with its custodian bank whereby a portion of the custodians fees is paid indirectly by credits earned on the Funds cash on deposit with the bank.
(h) Federal and other taxes. It is the Funds policy to comply with the federal income and excise tax requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (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 Funds financial statements.
Management has analyzed the Funds tax positions taken on income tax returns for all open tax years and has concluded that as of November 30, 2017, no provision for income tax is required in the Funds financial statements. The Funds 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.
Western Asset Municipal Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. 2018 Semi-Annual Report | 23 |
Notes to financial statements (unaudited) (contd)
(i) 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 Funds investment manager and Western Asset Management Company, LLC (formerly known as Western Asset Management Company) (Western Asset) is the Funds subadviser. LMPFA and Western Asset are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Legg Mason, Inc. (Legg Mason).
LMPFA provides administrative and certain oversight services to the Fund. The Fund pays an investment management fee, calculated daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.60% of the Funds average daily Managed Assets. Managed Assets means the total assets of the Fund (including assets financed through the creation of tender option bond trusts) minus the sum of accrued liabilities (other than Fund liabilities representing financial leverage).
LMPFA delegates to Western Asset the day-to-day portfolio management of the Fund. For its services, LMPFA pays Western Asset monthly 70% of the net management fee it receives from the Fund.
All officers and one Director of the Fund are employees of Legg Mason or its affiliates and do not receive compensation from the Fund.
The Fund is permitted to purchase or sell securities, typically short-term variable rate demand obligations, from or to certain other affiliated funds or portfolios under specified conditions outlined in procedures adopted by the Board of Directors. The procedures have been designed to provide assurance that any purchase or sale of securities by the Fund from or to another fund or portfolio that is, or could be considered, an affiliate by virtue of having a common investment manager or subadviser (or affiliated investment manager or subadviser), common Directors and/or common officers complies with Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act. Further, as defined under the procedures, each transaction is effected at the current market price. For the six months ended May 31, 2018, such purchase and sale transactions (excluding accrued interest) were $22,925,000 and $22,115,000, respectively.
3. Investments
During the six months ended May 31, 2018, the aggregate cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investments (excluding short-term investments) were as follows:
Purchases | $ | 39,798,591 | ||
Sales | 41,558,660 |
24 | Western Asset Municipal Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. 2018 Semi-Annual Report |
At May 31, 2018, 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 | Gross Unrealized Appreciation |
Gross Unrealized Depreciation |
Net Unrealized Appreciation |
|||||||||||||
Securities | $ | 234,608,254 | $ | 19,480,398 | $ | (1,653,082) | $ | 17,827,316 |
4. Derivative instruments and hedging activities
At May 31, 2018, the Fund did not have any open derivative instruments outstanding.
The following tables provide information about the effect of derivatives and hedging activities on the Funds Statement of Operations for the six months ended May 31, 2018. 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 unrealized appreciation (depreciation) resulting from the Funds derivatives and hedging activities during the period.
AMOUNT OF REALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON DERIVATIVES RECOGNIZED | ||||
Interest Rate Risk |
||||
Futures contracts | $ | 38,110 |
CHANGE IN UNREALIZED APPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) ON DERIVATIVES RECOGNIZED | ||||
Interest Rate Risk |
||||
Futures contracts | $ | 48,978 |
During the six months ended May 31, 2018, the volume of derivative activity for the Fund was as follows:
Average Market Value |
||||
Futures contracts (to buy) | $ | 267,794 |
| At May 31, 2018, there were no open positions held in this derivative. |
5. Distributions subsequent to May 31, 2018
The following distributions have been declared by the Funds Board of Directors and are payable subsequent to the period end of this report:
Record Date | Payable Date | Amount | ||||||
5/25/2018 | 6/01/2018 | $ | 0.0840 | |||||
6/22/2018 | 7/02/2018 | $ | 0.0790 | |||||
7/20/2018 | 8/01/2018 | $ | 0.0790 | |||||
8/24/2018 | 9/04/2018 | $ | 0.0790 |
Western Asset Municipal Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. 2018 Semi-Annual Report | 25 |
Notes to financial statements (unaudited) (contd)
6. Stock repurchase program
On November 16, 2015, the Fund announced that the Funds Board of Directors (the Board) had authorized the Fund to repurchase in the open market up to approximately 10% of the Funds outstanding common stock when the Funds 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 May 31, 2018, the Fund did not repurchase any shares.
7. Capital loss carryforward
As of November 30, 2017, the Fund had the following net capital loss carryforward remaining:
Year of Expiration | Amount | |||
11/30/2018 | $ | (2,419,954 | ) |
This amount will be available to offset any future taxable capital gains, except that under applicable tax rules, deferred capital losses of $1,003,899, which have no expiration date, must be used first to offset any such gains.
8. Other
Tax reform legislation commonly known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the Tax Act) was enacted on December 22, 2017. Although the Tax Act does not amend any provisions that directly address qualification or taxation of a regulated investment company (RIC), the Tax Act does change the taxation of entities in which some RICs invest, the tax treatment of income derived from those entities and the taxation of RIC investors. The application of certain provisions in the Tax Act is uncertain so the effects on the funds and shareholders cannot be predicted. Legislative or administrative changes could be enacted at any time and could have prospective or retroactive effect.
Provisions under the Tax Act may cause RICs to increase the amount of or accelerate the recognition of taxable income and may eliminate the deductibility of certain expenses. Such consequences could lead to an increase in the amount of taxable income recognized by a RIC as well as an increase in the amount of taxable income distributed to RIC shareholders. Additionally, the new provisions under the Tax Act are expected to have a varying impact among funds with different investment objectives and strategies.
26 | Western Asset Municipal Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. 2018 Semi-Annual Report |
Additional shareholder information (unaudited)
Results of annual meeting of shareholders
The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Western Asset Municipal Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. was held on March 26, 2018 for the purpose of considering and voting upon the election of Directors. The following table provides information concerning the matter voted upon at the Meeting:
Election of directors
Nominees | Votes For | Votes Withheld |
||||||
Robert D. Agdern | 8,548,710 | 328,049 | ||||||
William R. Hutchinson | 8,533,329 | 343,430 | ||||||
Riordan Roett | 8,549,712 | 327,047 |
At May 31, 2018, in addition to Robert D. Agdern, William R. Hutchinson and Riordan Roett, the other Directors of the Fund were as follows:
Carol L.Colman
Daniel P. Cronin
Paolo M. Cucchi
Leslie H. Gelb
Eileen A. Kamerick
Jane Trust
Western Asset Municipal Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. | 27 |
Dividend reinvestment plan (unaudited)
On December 15, 2016, the Fund announced that the Board of Directors has authorized changes to the Funds Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the Plan) with respect to dividend reinvestment determinations and transaction fees for Plan participants selling their shares. A copy of the revised Plan is included below.
Effective July 1, 2017, the Fund uses the dividend payment date to determine if new shares are issued or shares are purchased in the open market for Plan participants reinvesting their distributions. If on the payment date the closing market price (plus $0.03 per share commission) is at or above the net asset value (NAV), the Fund will issue new shares of common stock. Newly issued shares of common stock will be issued at a price equal to the greater of (a) the NAV per share on the date prior to issuance or (b) 95% of the closing market price per share. If the closing market price (plus $0.03 per share commission) is lower than the NAV per share on the payment date, the Plan Agent will receive the distribution in cash and purchase common stock in the open market. In addition, effective July 1, 2017, fees paid by Plan participants to sell Fund shares decreased, with Plan participants paying a $5.00 transaction fee plus a $0.05 per share commission upon a sale of shares held pursuant to the Plan.
Revised dividend reinvestment plan:
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 Funds 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
28 | Western Asset Municipal Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. |
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 462 South 4th Street, Suite 1600, Louisville, KY 40202 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 withdrawal will be effective as soon as practicable after the Plan Agents 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 Funds 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 462 South 4th Street, Suite 1600, Louisville, KY 40202 or by calling the Plan Agent at 1-888-888-0151.
Western Asset Municipal Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. | 29 |
Western Asset
Municipal Defined Opportunity Trust Inc.
Directors
Robert D. Agdern
Carol L. Colman
Daniel P. Cronin
Paolo M. Cucchi
Leslie H. Gelb
William R. Hutchinson
Eileen A. Kamerick
Riordan Roett
Jane Trust
Chairman
Officers
Jane Trust
President and Chief Executive Officer
Richard F. Sennett
Principal Financial Officer
Todd F. Kuehl
Chief Compliance Officer
Jenna Bailey
Identity Theft Prevention Officer
Robert I. Frenkel
Secretary and Chief Legal Officer
Thomas C. Mandia
Assistant Secretary
Jennifer S. Berg
Treasurer
Jeanne M. Kelly
Senior Vice President
Western Asset Municipal Defined Opportunity Trust Inc.
620 Eighth Avenue
49th Floor
New York, NY 10018
Investment manager
Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC
Subadviser
Western Asset Management Company, LLC*
Custodian
The Bank of New York Mellon (BNY)**
Transfer agent
Computershare Inc.
462 South 4th Street, Suite 1600
Louisville, KY 40202
Independent registered public accounting firm
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Baltimore, MD
Legal counsel
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
425 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10017
New York Stock Exchange Symbol
MTT
* | Prior to May 2, 2018, known as Western Asset Management Company. |
** | Effective April 9, 2018, BNY became custodian. |
Legg Mason Funds Privacy and Security Notice
Your Privacy and the Security of Your Personal Information is Very Important to the Legg Mason Funds
This Privacy and Security Notice (the Privacy Notice) addresses the Legg Mason Funds privacy and data protection practices with respect to nonpublic personal information the Funds receive. The Legg Mason Funds include any funds sold by the Funds distributor, Legg Mason Investor Services, LLC, as well as Legg Mason-sponsored closed-end funds. 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 identify verification documentation; |
| Online account access user IDs, passwords, security challenge question responses; and |
| Information received from consumer reporting agencies regarding credit history and creditworthiness (such as the amount of an individuals total debt, payment history, etc.). |
How the Funds Use Nonpublic Personal Information About You
The Funds do not sell or share your nonpublic personal information with third parties or with affiliates for their marketing purposes, or with other financial institutions or affiliates for joint marketing purposes, unless you have authorized the Funds to do so. The Funds do not disclose any nonpublic personal information about you except as may be required to perform transactions or services you have authorized or as permitted or required by law. The Funds may disclose information about you to:
| Employees, agents, and affiliates on a need to know basis to enable the Funds to conduct ordinary business or 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 |
Legg Mason Funds Privacy and Security Notice (contd)
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.leggmason.com, or contact the Funds at 1-888-777-0102.
Revised April 2018
NOT PART OF THE SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT |
Western Asset Municipal Defined Opportunity Trust Inc.
Western Asset Municipal Defined Opportunity Trust Inc.
620 Eighth Avenue
49th Floor
New York, NY 10018
Notice is hereby given in accordance with Section 23(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, that from time to time the Fund may purchase, at market prices, shares of its 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 on Form N-Q. The Funds Forms N-Q are available on the SECs website at www.sec.gov. The Funds Forms N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SECs Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C., and information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. To obtain information on Form N-Q from the Fund, shareholders can call 1-888-777-0102.
Information on how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the prior 12-month period ended June 30th of each year and a description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies related to portfolio transactions are available (1) without charge, upon request, by calling 1-888-777-0102, (2) at www.lmcef.com and (3) on the SECs website at www.sec.gov.
This report is transmitted to the shareholders of Western Asset Municipal Defined Opportunity Trust 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.
462 South 4th Street, Suite 1600
Louisville, KY 40202
WASX011870 7/18 SR18-3380
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 registrants principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the registrants disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a- 3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act)) are effective as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report that includes the disclosure required by this paragraph, based on their evaluation of the disclosure controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act and 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. |
(b) | There were no changes in the registrants internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act) that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are likely to materially affect the registrants internal control over financial reporting. |
ITEM 12. | 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
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, there unto duly authorized.
Western Asset Municipal Defined Opportunity Trust Inc.
By: | /s/ Jane Trust | |
Jane Trust | ||
Chief Executive Officer | ||
Date: | July 25, 2018 |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
By: | /s/ Jane Trust | |
Jane Trust | ||
Chief Executive Officer | ||
Date: | July 25, 2018 | |
By: | /s/ Richard F. Sennett | |
Richard F. Sennett | ||
Principal Financial Officer | ||
Date: | July 25, 2018 |