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 811-05497
Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund 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: October 31
Date of reporting period: April 30, 2015
ITEM 1. | REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS. |
The Semi-Annual Report to Stockholders is filed herewith.
Semi-Annual Report | April 30, 2015 |
WESTERN ASSET
MUNICIPAL HIGH
INCOME FUND INC.
(MHF)
INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED NO BANK GUARANTEE MAY LOSE VALUE |
Fund objective
The Fund seeks high current income exempt from federal income taxes.
Dear Shareholder,
We are pleased to provide the semi-annual report of Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund Inc. for the six-month reporting period ended April 30, 2015. 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,
Kenneth D. Fuller
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
May 29, 2015
II | Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund Inc. |
Economic review
The U.S. economy expanded moderately during the six months ended April 30, 2015 (the reporting period). The U.S. Department of Commerce reported that third quarter 2014 U.S. gross domestic product (GDP)i growth was 5.0%, its strongest reading since the third quarter of 2003. However, fourth quarter 2014 GDP growth slowed to a modest 2.2%. The deceleration in growth primarily reflected an upturn in imports, a downturn in federal government spending and moderating nonresidential fixed investment. After the reporting period ended, the U.S. Department of Commerce reported that its second estimate for first quarter 2015 GDP was -0.7%. This downturn was attributed to a number of factors, including negative contributions from exports, nonresidential fixed investment, and state and local government spending.
Activity in the U.S. manufacturing sector also moderated during the reporting period. Based on the Institute for Supply Managements Purchasing Managers Index (PMI)ii, U.S. manufacturing expanded during all six months of the reporting period (a reading below 50 indicates a contraction, whereas a reading above 50 indicates an expansion). After a reading of 57.6 in November 2014, the PMI generally decelerated over much of the reporting period and the PMI was 51.5 in April 2015.
The labor market was largely a tailwind for the economy during the reporting period. When the period began, unemployment was 5.8%, as reported by the U.S. Department of Labor. Unemployment generally declined during the reporting period and was 5.4% in April 2015, its lowest level since May 2008.
Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund Inc. | III |
Investment commentary (contd)
Market review
Q. How did the Federal Reserve Board (Fed)iii respond to the economic environment?
A. The Fed took a number of actions as it sought to meet its dual mandate of fostering maximum employment and price stability. As it has since December 2008, the Fed kept the federal funds rateiv at a historically low range between zero and 0.25%. The Fed ended its asset purchase program that was announced in December 2012. In December 2014, the Fed said that it can be patient in beginning to normalize the stance of monetary policy. Finally, at its meeting that ended on April 29, 2015, the Fed said, economic growth slowed during the winter months, in part reflecting transitory factors The Committee currently anticipates that, even after employment and inflation are near mandate-consistent levels, economic conditions may, for some time, warrant keeping the target federal funds rate below levels the Committee views as normal in the longer run.
Q. Did Treasury yields trend higher or lower during the six months ended April 30, 2015?
A. Short-term Treasury yields moved higher, whereas long-term Treasury yields declined during the reporting period. When the reporting period began, the yield on the two-year Treasury was 0.50%. It was as high as 0.73% towards the end of December 2014 and again on March 6, 2015, and fell as low as 0.44% on January 15, 2015, before ending the period at 0.58%. The yield on the ten-year Treasury began the period at 2.35% and its peak of 2.39% occurred on November 6, 2014. The yield on the ten-year Treasury was as low as 1.68% in late January/early February 2015 and concluded the period at 2.05%.
Q. How did the municipal bond market perform versus the taxable bond market over the reporting period?
A. The municipal bond market lagged its taxable bond counterpart during the six months ended April 30, 2015, as the Barclays Municipal Bond Indexv and the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Indexvi gained 1.17% and 2.06%, respectively. The overall municipal market was supported by overall positive investor demand, largely improving fundamentals and declining longer-term rates. Its underperformance versus the taxable bond market was partially due to an increase in new issuance thus far in 2015.
Performance review
For the six months ended April 30, 2015, Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund Inc. returned 1.79% based on its net asset value (NAV)vii and 7.77% based on its New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) market price per share. The Funds unmanaged benchmark, the Barclays Municipal Bond Index, returned 1.17% for the same period. The Lipper High Yield Municipal Debt Closed-End Funds Category Averageviii returned 2.94% 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.
During this six-month period, the Fund made distributions to shareholders totaling $0.17 per share. As of April 30, 2015, 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
IV | Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund Inc. |
market price as of April 30, 2015. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
Performance
Snapshot as of April 30,
2015 (unaudited) |
||||
Price Per Share | 6-Month Total Return** |
|||
$8.08 (NAV) | 1.79 | % | ||
$7.87 (Market Price) | 7.77 | % |
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 MHF and its closing market price is available in most newspapers under the NYSE listings. The daily NAV is available on-line under the symbol XMHFX 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.
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 High Income Fund 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,
Kenneth D. Fuller
Chairman, President and
Chief Executive Officer
May 29, 2015
* | These estimates are not for tax purposes. The Fund will issue a Form 1099 with final composition of the distributions for tax purposes after year-end. A return of capital is not taxable and results in a reduction in the tax basis of a 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. |
Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund Inc. | V |
Investment commentary (contd)
RISKS: The Funds investments are subject to credit risk, inflation risk and interest rate risk. High-yield bonds involve greater credit and liquidity risks than investment grade bonds. As interest rates rise, bond prices fall, reducing the value of the Funds holdings. 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.
All investments are subject to risk including the possible loss of principal. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. All index performance reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes. Please note that an investor cannot invest directly in an index.
The information provided is not intended to be a forecast of future events, a guarantee of future results or investment advice. Views expressed may differ from those of the firm as a whole.
i | Gross domestic product (GDP) is the market value of all final goods and services produced within a country in a given period of time. |
ii | The Institute for Supply Managements PMI is based on a survey of purchasing executives who buy the raw materials for manufacturing at more than 350 companies. It offers an early reading on the health of the U.S. manufacturing sector. |
iii | The Federal Reserve Board (Fed) is responsible for the formulation of policies designed to promote economic growth, full employment, stable prices and a sustainable pattern of international trade and payments. |
iv | The federal funds rate is the rate charged by one depository institution on an overnight sale of immediately available funds (balances at the Federal Reserve) to another depository institution; the rate may vary from depository institution to depository institution and from day to day. |
v | The Barclays Municipal Bond Index is a market value weighted index of investment grade municipal bonds with maturities of one year or more. |
vi | The 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. |
vii | 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. |
viii | Lipper, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Reuters, provides independent insight on global collective investments. Returns are based on the six-month period ended April 30, 2015, including the reinvestment of all distributions, including returns of capital, if any, calculated among the 11 funds in the Funds Lipper category. |
VI | Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund Inc. |
Investment breakdown (%) as a percent of total investments
| The bar graph above represents the composition of the Funds investments as of April 30, 2015 and October 31, 2014 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 High Income Fund Inc. 2015 Semi-Annual Report | 1 |
Economic exposure April 30, 2015
Total Spread Duration | ||
MHF | 7.33 years | |
Benchmark | 5.66 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 | Barclays Municipal Bond Index | |
MHF | Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund Inc. |
2 | Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund Inc. 2015 Semi-Annual Report |
Effective duration (unaudited)
Interest rate exposure April 30, 2015
Total Effective Duration | ||
MHF | 7.28 years | |
Benchmark | 5.81 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 | Barclays Municipal Bond Index | |
MHF | Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund Inc. |
Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund Inc. 2015 Semi-Annual Report | 3 |
Schedule of investments (unaudited)
April 30, 2015
Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund Inc.
Security | Rate | Maturity Date |
Face Amount |
Value | ||||||||||||
Municipal Bonds 98.9% | ||||||||||||||||
Alabama 4.1% |
||||||||||||||||
Jefferson County, AL, Sewer Revenue |
6.000 | % | 10/1/42 | $ | 1,120,000 | $ | 1,258,824 | |||||||||
Jefferson County, AL, Sewer Revenue: |
||||||||||||||||
AGM |
5.500 | % | 10/1/53 | 400,000 | 439,436 | (a) | ||||||||||
Convertible CAB, Subordinated Lien |
0.000 | % | 10/1/50 | 3,020,000 | 1,956,205 | (b) | ||||||||||
Subordinated Lien Warrants |
6.500 | % | 10/1/53 | 3,000,000 | 3,491,220 | |||||||||||
Total Alabama |
7,145,685 | |||||||||||||||
Arizona 1.9% |
||||||||||||||||
Phoenix, AZ, IDA, Education Revenue, Basis School Inc. |
5.000 | % | 7/1/35 | 1,000,000 | 1,024,760 | (c) | ||||||||||
Salt Verde, AZ, Financial Corp. Gas Revenue |
5.000 | % | 12/1/37 | 1,500,000 | 1,716,720 | |||||||||||
University Medical Center Corp., AZ, Hospital Revenue |
6.250 | % | 7/1/29 | 500,000 | 596,660 | (d) | ||||||||||
Total Arizona |
3,338,140 | |||||||||||||||
California 9.5% |
||||||||||||||||
Anaheim, CA, Public Financing Authority Lease Revenue |
5.000 | % | 5/1/46 | 2,000,000 | 2,223,140 | |||||||||||
California State PCFA, Water Furnishing Revenue |
5.000 | % | 11/21/45 | 3,000,000 | 3,116,580 | (c) | ||||||||||
California State Public Works Board, Lease Revenue, Various Capital Project |
5.125 | % | 10/1/31 | 1,500,000 | 1,703,175 | |||||||||||
California Statewide CDA, Student Housing Revenue: |
||||||||||||||||
Provident Group-Pomona Properties LLC |
5.600 | % | 1/15/36 | 505,000 | 510,298 | |||||||||||
Provident Group-Pomona Properties LLC |
5.750 | % | 1/15/45 | 360,000 | 355,921 | |||||||||||
Inland Valley, CA, Development Agency, Successor Agency Tax Allocation Revenue |
5.000 | % | 9/1/44 | 500,000 | 549,705 | |||||||||||
M-S-R Energy Authority, CA, Gas Revenue |
7.000 | % | 11/1/34 | 2,000,000 | 2,806,760 | |||||||||||
M-S-R Energy Authority, CA, Gas Revenue |
6.500 | % | 11/1/39 | 3,000,000 | 4,083,180 | |||||||||||
Redding, CA, Redevelopment Agency, Tax Allocation, Shastec Redevelopment Project |
5.000 | % | 9/1/29 | 600,000 | 600,228 | |||||||||||
River Islands, CA, Public Financing Authority Special Tax, Community Facilities District No. 2003-1 |
5.500 | % | 9/1/45 | 620,000 | 640,962 | |||||||||||
Total California |
16,589,949 | |||||||||||||||
Colorado 4.5% |
||||||||||||||||
Colorado Educational & Cultural Facilities Authority Revenue: |
||||||||||||||||
Cheyenne Mountain Charter Academy |
5.250 | % | 6/15/25 | 680,000 | 710,763 | |||||||||||
Cheyenne Mountain Charter Academy |
5.125 | % | 6/15/32 | 510,000 | 529,661 | |||||||||||
Elbert County Charter |
7.375 | % | 3/1/35 | 785,000 | 785,345 | |||||||||||
Public Authority for Colorado Energy, Natural Gas Purchase Revenue |
6.125 | % | 11/15/23 | 4,000,000 | 4,914,080 | |||||||||||
Reata South Metropolitan District, CO, GO |
7.250 | % | 6/1/37 | 1,000,000 | 957,750 | |||||||||||
Total Colorado |
7,897,599 |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
4 | Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund Inc. 2015 Semi-Annual Report |
Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund Inc.
Security | Rate | Maturity Date |
Face Amount |
Value | ||||||||||||
Delaware 3.2% |
||||||||||||||||
Delaware State EDA Revenue, Indian River Power LLC |
5.375 | % | 10/1/45 | $ | 2,000,000 | $ | 2,191,420 | |||||||||
Sussex County, DE, Recovery Zone Facility Revenue, NRG Energy Inc., Indian River Power LLC |
6.000 | % | 10/1/40 | 3,000,000 | 3,453,780 | |||||||||||
Total Delaware |
5,645,200 | |||||||||||||||
District of Columbia 1.5% |
||||||||||||||||
District of Columbia Revenue: |
||||||||||||||||
Friendship Public Charter School Inc. |
5.000 | % | 6/1/42 | 2,000,000 | 2,093,560 | |||||||||||
KIPP Charter School |
6.000 | % | 7/1/33 | 200,000 | 233,190 | |||||||||||
KIPP Charter School |
6.000 | % | 7/1/43 | 250,000 | 286,360 | |||||||||||
Total District of Columbia |
2,613,110 | |||||||||||||||
Florida 3.7% |
||||||||||||||||
Bonnet Creek Resort Community Development District, Special Assessment |
7.500 | % | 5/1/34 | 835,000 | 835,284 | |||||||||||
Martin County, FL, IDA Revenue, Indiantown Cogeneration LP Project |
4.200 | % | 12/15/25 | 1,500,000 | 1,531,785 | (f) | ||||||||||
Palm Beach County, FL, Health Facilities Authority Revenue: |
||||||||||||||||
Sinai Residences Boca Raton Project |
7.500 | % | 6/1/49 | 400,000 | 456,080 | |||||||||||
Sinai Residences Boca Raton Project, Entrance Fee |
6.000 | % | 6/1/21 | 300,000 | 325,989 | |||||||||||
Reunion, FL, East Community Development District, Special Assessment |
7.375 | % | 5/1/33 | 1,385,000 | 1,388,518 | |||||||||||
Reunion, FL, East Community Development District, Special Assessment |
7.375 | % | 5/1/33 | 615,000 | 430,500 | (e) | ||||||||||
Santa Rosa, FL, Bay Bridge Authority Revenue |
6.250 | % | 7/1/28 | 876,300 | 394,335 | (e) | ||||||||||
University of Central Florida, COP, FGIC |
5.000 | % | 10/1/25 | 1,000,000 | 1,014,000 | |||||||||||
Total Florida |
6,376,491 | |||||||||||||||
Georgia 3.7% |
||||||||||||||||
Atlanta, GA, Development Authority Educational Facilities Revenue, Science Park LLC Project |
5.000 | % | 7/1/32 | 2,000,000 | 2,147,900 | |||||||||||
Atlanta, GA, Water & Wastewater Revenue |
6.250 | % | 11/1/39 | 2,000,000 | 2,436,180 | (d) | ||||||||||
DeKalb, Newton & Gwinnett Counties, GA, Joint Development Authority Revenue, GGC Foundation LLC Project |
6.125 | % | 7/1/40 | 1,000,000 | 1,131,220 | |||||||||||
Franklin County, GA, Industrial Building Authority Revenue, Emmanuel College Inc. |
6.000 | % | 11/1/32 | 1,000,000 | 697,830 | |||||||||||
Total Georgia |
6,413,130 | |||||||||||||||
Hawaii 1.3% |
||||||||||||||||
Hawaii State Department of Budget & Finance Special Purpose Revenue, Hawaiian Electric Co. |
6.500 | % | 7/1/39 | 2,000,000 | 2,318,960 | |||||||||||
Illinois 1.8% |
||||||||||||||||
Chicago, IL, Motor Fuel Tax Revenue, AGM |
5.000 | % | 1/1/32 | 1,000,000 | 1,098,590 | |||||||||||
Illinois Finance Authority Revenue, Refunding, Chicago Charter School Project |
5.000 | % | 12/1/26 | 1,000,000 | 1,014,450 |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund Inc. 2015 Semi-Annual Report | 5 |
Schedule of investments (unaudited) (contd)
April 30, 2015
Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund Inc.
Security | Rate | Maturity Date |
Face Amount |
Value | ||||||||||||
Illinois continued |
||||||||||||||||
Illinois State Finance Authority Revenue, Franciscan Communities Inc. |
5.250 | % | 5/15/47 | $ | 1,000,000 | $ | 1,028,330 | |||||||||
Total Illinois |
3,141,370 | |||||||||||||||
Indiana 2.1% |
||||||||||||||||
County of St. Joseph, IN, EDR: |
||||||||||||||||
Holy Cross Village Notre Dame Project |
6.000 | % | 5/15/26 | 285,000 | 292,245 | |||||||||||
Holy Cross Village Notre Dame Project |
6.000 | % | 5/15/38 | 550,000 | 557,304 | |||||||||||
Indiana State Finance Authority Revenue, Private Activity Ohio River Bridges East End Crossing Project |
5.000 | % | 7/1/48 | 2,000,000 | 2,135,040 | (f) | ||||||||||
Valparaiso, IN, Exempt Facilities Revenue, Pratt Paper LLC Project |
7.000 | % | 1/1/44 | 500,000 | 611,670 | (f) | ||||||||||
Total Indiana |
3,596,259 | |||||||||||||||
Iowa 3.2% |
||||||||||||||||
Iowa State Finance Authority Midwestern Disaster Area Revenue: |
| |||||||||||||||
Iowa Fertilizer Co. Project |
5.000 | % | 12/1/19 | 500,000 | 541,750 | |||||||||||
Iowa Fertilizer Co. Project |
5.250 | % | 12/1/25 | 4,540,000 | 5,095,287 | |||||||||||
Total Iowa |
5,637,037 | |||||||||||||||
Kansas 0.7% |
||||||||||||||||
Salina, KS, Hospital Revenue, Refunding & Improvement Salina Regional Health |
5.000 | % | 10/1/22 | 1,150,000 | 1,195,299 | |||||||||||
Kentucky 1.3% |
||||||||||||||||
Owen County, KY, Waterworks System Revenue, Kentucky American Water Co. Project |
6.250 | % | 6/1/39 | 2,000,000 | 2,303,700 | |||||||||||
Louisiana 0.1% |
||||||||||||||||
Epps, LA, COP |
8.000 | % | 6/1/18 | 775,000 | 155,000 | (e) | ||||||||||
Maryland 2.0% |
||||||||||||||||
Maryland State Health & Higher EFA Revenue, Mercy Medical Center |
6.250 | % | 7/1/31 | 3,000,000 | 3,419,280 | |||||||||||
Massachusetts 0.7% |
||||||||||||||||
Massachusetts State DFA Revenue, Tufts Medical Center Inc. |
6.875 | % | 1/1/41 | 1,000,000 | 1,185,840 | |||||||||||
Michigan 3.1% |
||||||||||||||||
Gaudior Academy, COP |
7.250 | % | 4/1/34 | 1,000,000 | 235,700 | (g)(h) | ||||||||||
Michigan State Finance Authority Limited Obligation Revenue: |
||||||||||||||||
Higher Education, Thomas M Cooley Law School Project |
6.000 | % | 7/1/24 | 310,000 | 319,347 | (c) | ||||||||||
Higher Education, Thomas M Cooley Law School Project |
6.750 | % | 7/1/44 | 430,000 | 458,973 | (c) | ||||||||||
Michigan State Finance Authority Revenue: |
||||||||||||||||
Senior Lien Detroit Water & Sewer |
5.000 | % | 7/1/33 | 260,000 | 282,248 | |||||||||||
Senior Lien Detroit Water & Sewer |
5.000 | % | 7/1/44 | 270,000 | 284,067 | |||||||||||
Michigan State Strategic Fund Limited Obligation Revenue: |
||||||||||||||||
Evangelical Homes of Michigan |
5.250 | % | 6/1/32 | 500,000 | 527,125 | |||||||||||
Evangelical Homes of Michigan |
5.500 | % | 6/1/47 | 750,000 | 774,330 |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
6 | Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund Inc. 2015 Semi-Annual Report |
Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund Inc.
Security | Rate | Maturity Date |
Face Amount |
Value | ||||||||||||
Michigan continued |
||||||||||||||||
Royal Oak, MI, Hospital Finance Authority Revenue, William Beaumont Hospital |
8.250 | % | 9/1/39 | $ | 2,000,000 | $ | 2,471,860 | (d) | ||||||||
Total Michigan |
5,353,650 | |||||||||||||||
Missouri 2.9% |
||||||||||||||||
Missouri State HEFA Revenue: |
||||||||||||||||
Lutheran Senior Services |
6.000 | % | 2/1/41 | 500,000 | 571,430 | |||||||||||
Lutheran Senior Services |
5.000 | % | 2/1/44 | 750,000 | 803,662 | |||||||||||
Refunding, St. Lukes Episcopal |
5.000 | % | 12/1/21 | 1,300,000 | 1,387,243 | |||||||||||
St. Louis County, MO, IDA, Senior Living Facilities Revenue, Friendship Village of Sunset Hills |
5.875 | % | 9/1/43 | 2,000,000 | 2,362,440 | |||||||||||
Total Missouri |
5,124,775 | |||||||||||||||
Nebraska 2.1% |
||||||||||||||||
Central Plains Energy Project, NE, Gas Project Revenue, Project #3 |
5.000 | % | 9/1/42 | 3,340,000 | 3,633,987 | |||||||||||
Nevada 0.5% |
||||||||||||||||
Director of the State of Nevada Department of Business & Industry Revenue: |
||||||||||||||||
Somerset Academy of Las Vegas |
5.000 | % | 12/15/35 | 300,000 | 300,474 | |||||||||||
Somerset Academy of Las Vegas |
5.125 | % | 12/15/45 | 500,000 | 498,820 | |||||||||||
Total Nevada |
799,294 | |||||||||||||||
New Jersey 6.4% |
||||||||||||||||
Gloucester County, NJ, PCFA Revenue, Keystone Urban Renewal, Logan Generating |
5.000 | % | 12/1/24 | 450,000 | 508,793 | (f) | ||||||||||
New Jersey State EDA Revenue: |
||||||||||||||||
Private Activity-The Goethals Bridge Replacement Project |
5.375 | % | 1/1/43 | 1,500,000 | 1,661,130 | (f) | ||||||||||
Refunding |
6.875 | % | 1/1/37 | 4,985,000 | 5,035,747 | (f) | ||||||||||
New Jersey State Higher Education Assistance Authority, Student Loan Revenue |
5.000 | % | 12/1/44 | 640,000 | 650,822 | (f) | ||||||||||
Salem County, NJ, PCFA Revenue, Chambers Project |
5.000 | % | 12/1/23 | 3,000,000 | 3,401,010 | (f) | ||||||||||
Total New Jersey |
11,257,502 | |||||||||||||||
New York 3.2% |
||||||||||||||||
Brooklyn Arena, NY, Local Development Corp., Barclays Center Project |
6.250 | % | 7/15/40 | 2,000,000 | 2,339,840 | |||||||||||
New York City, NY, IDA, Civic Facilities Revenue, Special Needs Facilities Pooled Program |
8.125 | % | 7/1/19 | 55,000 | 55,012 | |||||||||||
New York State Liberty Development Corp., Liberty Revenue: |
||||||||||||||||
3 World Trade Center LLC Project |
5.375 | % | 11/15/40 | 1,500,000 | 1,647,090 | (c) | ||||||||||
3 World Trade Center LLC Project |
5.000 | % | 11/15/44 | 1,500,000 | 1,561,110 | (c) | ||||||||||
Total New York |
5,603,052 |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund Inc. 2015 Semi-Annual Report | 7 |
Schedule of investments (unaudited) (contd)
April 30, 2015
Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund Inc.
Security | Rate | Maturity Date |
Face Amount |
Value | ||||||||||||
Ohio 2.1% |
||||||||||||||||
Cuyahoga County, OH, Hospital Facilities Revenue, Canton Inc. Project |
7.500 | % | 1/1/30 | $ | 1,295,000 | $ | 1,297,214 | |||||||||
Miami County, OH, Hospital Facilities Revenue, Refunding and Improvement Upper Valley Medical Center |
5.250 | % | 5/15/21 | 1,500,000 | 1,569,765 | |||||||||||
Ohio State Private Activity Revenue, Portsmouth Bypass Project |
5.000 | % | 6/30/53 | 700,000 | 745,864 | (f) | ||||||||||
Total Ohio |
3,612,843 | |||||||||||||||
Oklahoma 1.4% |
||||||||||||||||
Tulsa County, OK, Industrial Authority, Senior Living Community Revenue: |
||||||||||||||||
Montereau Inc. Project |
6.875 | % | 11/1/23 | 1,300,000 | 1,300,000 | |||||||||||
Montereau Inc. Project |
7.125 | % | 11/1/30 | 1,000,000 | 1,103,460 | |||||||||||
Total Oklahoma |
2,403,460 | |||||||||||||||
Pennsylvania 4.0% |
||||||||||||||||
Erie County, PA, Convention Center Authority Gtd. Hotel Revenue, County GTD |
5.000 | % | 1/15/36 | 750,000 | 836,550 | |||||||||||
Monroe County, PA, Hospital Authority Revenue, Pocono Medical Center |
5.000 | % | 1/1/27 | 1,000,000 | 1,057,510 | |||||||||||
Montgomery County, PA, IDA Revenue: |
||||||||||||||||
Acts Retirement-Life Communities |
5.000 | % | 11/15/28 | 1,400,000 | 1,524,362 | |||||||||||
Acts Retirement-Life Communities |
5.000 | % | 11/15/29 | 1,350,000 | 1,468,165 | |||||||||||
Pennsylvania State Economic Development Financing Authority Revenue, Rapid Bridge Replacement Project |
5.000 | % | 6/30/42 | 1,000,000 | 1,078,000 | (f) | ||||||||||
Philadelphia, PA, Authority for IDR: |
||||||||||||||||
Discovery Charter School Inc. Project |
6.250 | % | 4/1/37 | 500,000 | 525,080 | |||||||||||
Performing Arts Charter School Project |
6.000 | % | 6/15/23 | 500,000 | 521,590 | (c) | ||||||||||
Total Pennsylvania |
7,011,257 | |||||||||||||||
Puerto Rico 0.9% |
||||||||||||||||
Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corp., Sales Tax Revenue |
5.250 | % | 8/1/41 | 1,500,000 | 820,905 | |||||||||||
Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corp., Sales Tax Revenue |
5.000 | % | 8/1/43 | 1,500,000 | 791,265 | |||||||||||
Total Puerto Rico |
1,612,170 | |||||||||||||||
Tennessee 1.4% |
||||||||||||||||
Shelby County, TN, Health Educational & Housing Facilities Board Revenue, Trezevant Manor Project |
5.750 | % | 9/1/37 | 2,500,000 | 2,530,200 | |||||||||||
Texas 20.4% |
||||||||||||||||
Brazos River, TX, Harbor Industrial Development Corp., Environmental Facilities Revenue, Dow Chemical Co. |
5.900 | % | 5/1/28 | 1,500,000 | 1,639,650 | (b)(f)(i) | ||||||||||
Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority Revenue |
5.000 | % | 1/1/42 | 2,000,000 | 2,151,160 | |||||||||||
Dallas-Fort Worth, TX, International Airport Revenue, Joint Improvement |
5.000 | % | 11/1/42 | 4,000,000 | 4,280,840 | (f) |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
8 | Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund Inc. 2015 Semi-Annual Report |
Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund Inc.
Security | Rate | Maturity Date |
Face Amount |
Value | ||||||||||||
Texas continued |
||||||||||||||||
Grand Parkway Transportation Corp., TX, System Toll Revenue, Convertible CABs |
0.000 | % | 10/1/35 | $ | 1,500,000 | $ | 1,166,685 | (b) | ||||||||
Gulf Coast, TX, IDA Revenue, Citgo Petroleum Corp. Project |
4.875 | % | 5/1/25 | 1,000,000 | 1,050,340 | (f) | ||||||||||
Harris County, TX, Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp., Medical Facilities Revenue, Baylor College of Medicine |
5.625 | % | 11/15/32 | 2,000,000 | 2,277,260 | |||||||||||
Love Field Airport Modernization Corp., TX, Special Facilities Revenue, Southwest Airlines Co. Project |
5.250 | % | 11/1/40 | 6,000,000 | 6,554,640 | |||||||||||
New Hope Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp., TX, Student Housing Revenue, Collegiate Housing Stephenville II LLC, Tarleton State University Project |
5.000 | % | 4/1/39 | 1,165,000 | 1,245,210 | |||||||||||
North Texas Tollway Authority Revenue |
5.750 | % | 1/1/40 | 2,500,000 | 2,757,625 | |||||||||||
Texas Midwest Public Facility Corp. Revenue, Secure Treatment Facility Project |
9.000 | % | 10/1/30 | 2,000,000 | 360,000 | (e) | ||||||||||
Texas Private Activity Bond Surface Transportation Corp., Senior Lien, NTE Mobility Partners LLC |
6.875 | % | 12/31/39 | 2,000,000 | 2,385,120 | |||||||||||
Texas Private Activity Bond Surface Transportation Corp. Revenue, LBJ Infrastructure Group LLC |
7.000 | % | 6/30/40 | 4,000,000 | 4,832,720 | |||||||||||
Texas State Municipal Gas Acquisition & Supply Corp. III, Gas Supply Revenue |
5.000 | % | 12/15/28 | 1,500,000 | 1,676,760 | |||||||||||
Texas State Public Finance Authority: |
||||||||||||||||
Charter School Finance Corp. Revenue, Cosmos Foundation Inc. |
6.200 | % | 2/15/40 | 1,000,000 | 1,151,490 | |||||||||||
Uplift Education |
5.750 | % | 12/1/27 | 1,500,000 | 1,642,305 | |||||||||||
Willacy County, TX, PFC Project Revenue, County Jail |
7.500 | % | 11/1/25 | 445,000 | 428,313 | |||||||||||
Total Texas |
35,600,118 | |||||||||||||||
U.S. Virgin Islands 1.7% |
||||||||||||||||
Virgin Islands Public Finance Authority Revenue, Matching Fund Loan |
6.750 | % | 10/1/37 | 2,500,000 | 2,884,675 | |||||||||||
Virginia 1.9% |
||||||||||||||||
Virginia State Small Business Financing Authority Revenue: |
||||||||||||||||
Elizabeth River Crossings OpCo LLC Project |
5.250 | % | 1/1/32 | 1,000,000 | 1,101,230 | (f) | ||||||||||
Elizabeth River Crossings OpCo LLC Project |
5.500 | % | 1/1/42 | 2,000,000 | 2,182,360 | (f) | ||||||||||
Total Virginia |
3,283,590 | |||||||||||||||
West Virginia 1.5% |
||||||||||||||||
Pleasants County, WV, PCR, Refunding, County Commission, Allegheny Energy Supply Co., LLC |
5.250 | % | 10/15/37 | 2,500,000 | 2,645,525 |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund Inc. 2015 Semi-Annual Report | 9 |
Schedule of investments (unaudited) (contd)
April 30, 2015
Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund Inc.
Security | Rate | Maturity Date |
Face Amount |
Value | ||||||||||||
Wisconsin 0.1% |
||||||||||||||||
Public Finance Authority, WI, Revenue, Church Home of Hartford Inc. |
5.000 | % | 9/1/38 | $ | 250,000 | $ | 250,538 | (c) | ||||||||
Total Municipal Bonds (Cost $160,191,051) |
172,578,685 | |||||||||||||||
Total Investments 98.9% (Cost $160,191,051#) |
172,578,685 | |||||||||||||||
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities 1.1% |
1,951,844 | |||||||||||||||
Total Net Assets 100.0% |
$ | 174,530,529 |
(a) | All or a portion of this security is held at the broker as collateral for open futures contracts. |
(b) | Variable rate security. Interest rate disclosed is as of the most recent information available. |
(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, unless otherwise noted. |
(d) | 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. |
(e) | The coupon payment on these securities is currently in default as of April 30, 2015. |
(f) | Income from this issue is considered a preference item for purposes of calculating the alternative minimum tax (AMT). |
(g) | Illiquid security. |
(h) | Security is valued in good faith in accordance with procedures approved by the Board of Directors (See Note 1). |
(i) | Maturity date shown represents the mandatory tender date. |
# | Aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes is substantially the same. |
Abbreviations used in this schedule: | ||
AGM | Assured Guaranty Municipal Corporation Insured Bonds | |
CAB | Capital Appreciation Bonds | |
CDA | Communities Development Authority | |
COP | Certificates of Participation | |
DFA | Development Finance Agency | |
EDA | Economic Development Authority | |
EDR | Economic Development Revenue | |
EFA | Educational Facilities Authority | |
FGIC | Financial Guaranty Insurance Company Insured Bonds | |
GO | General Obligation | |
GTD | Guaranteed | |
HEFA | Health & Educational Facilities Authority | |
IDA | Industrial Development Authority | |
IDR | Industrial Development Revenue | |
PCFA | Pollution Control Financing Authority | |
PCR | Pollution Control Revenue | |
PFC | Public Facilities Corporation |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
10 | Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund Inc. 2015 Semi-Annual Report |
Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund Inc.
Ratings Table* (unaudited) | ||||
Standard & Poors/Moodys/Fitch** | ||||
AA/Aa | 3.7 | % | ||
A | 20.3 | |||
BBB/Baa | 47.8 | |||
BB/Ba | 12.7 | |||
B/B | 0.6 | |||
CCC/Caa | 0.9 | |||
NR*** | 14.0 | |||
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 lowest 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.
Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund Inc. 2015 Semi-Annual Report | 11 |
Statement of assets and liabilities (unaudited)
April 30, 2015
Assets: | ||||
Investments, at value (Cost $160,191,051) |
$ | 172,578,685 | ||
Interest receivable |
2,969,782 | |||
Receivable for securities sold |
20,000 | |||
Receivable from broker variation margin on open futures contracts |
6,188 | |||
Prepaid expenses |
18,980 | |||
Total Assets |
175,593,635 | |||
Liabilities: | ||||
Due to custodian |
926,075 | |||
Investment management fee payable |
79,358 | |||
Directors fees payable |
307 | |||
Accrued expenses |
57,366 | |||
Total Liabilities |
1,063,106 | |||
Total Net Assets | $ | 174,530,529 | ||
Net Assets: | ||||
Par value ($0.01 par value; 21,600,403 shares issued and outstanding; 500,000,000 shares authorized) |
$ | 216,004 | ||
Paid-in capital in excess of par value |
173,973,592 | |||
Overdistributed net investment income |
(55,840) | |||
Accumulated net realized loss on investments and futures contracts |
(12,034,727) | |||
Net unrealized appreciation on investments and futures contracts |
12,431,500 | |||
Total Net Assets | $ | 174,530,529 | ||
Shares Outstanding | 21,600,403 | |||
Net Asset Value | $8.08 |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
12 | Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund Inc. 2015 Semi-Annual Report |
Statement of operations (unaudited)
For the Six Months Ended April 30, 2015
Investment Income: | ||||
Interest |
$ | 4,541,003 | ||
Expenses: | ||||
Investment management fee (Note 2) |
478,830 | |||
Transfer agent fees |
39,976 | |||
Audit and tax fees |
24,409 | |||
Shareholder reports |
14,244 | |||
Directors fees |
13,931 | |||
Legal fees |
13,018 | |||
Stock exchange listing fees |
10,544 | |||
Fund accounting fees |
8,695 | |||
Insurance |
1,872 | |||
Custody fees |
602 | |||
Miscellaneous expenses |
5,626 | |||
Total Expenses |
611,747 | |||
Net Investment Income | 3,929,256 | |||
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments and Futures Contracts (Notes 1, 3 and 4): | ||||
Net Realized Gain (Loss) From: |
||||
Investment transactions |
21,807 | |||
Futures contracts |
(380,358) | |||
Net Realized Loss |
(358,551) | |||
Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) From: |
||||
Investments |
(662,940) | |||
Futures contracts |
148,757 | |||
Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) |
(514,183) | |||
Net Loss on Investments and Futures Contracts | (872,734) | |||
Increase in Net Assets From Operations | $ | 3,056,522 |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund Inc. 2015 Semi-Annual Report | 13 |
Statements of changes in net assets
For the Six Months Ended April 30, 2015 (unaudited) and the Year Ended October 31, 2014 |
2015 | 2014 | ||||||
Operations: | ||||||||
Net investment income |
$ | 3,929,256 | $ | 7,729,741 | ||||
Net realized loss |
(358,551) | (993,475) | ||||||
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) |
(514,183) | 13,447,130 | ||||||
Increase in Net Assets from Operations |
3,056,522 | 20,183,396 | ||||||
Distributions To Shareholders From (Note 1): | ||||||||
Net investment income |
(3,758,470) | (7,948,949) | ||||||
Decrease in Net Assets from Distributions to Shareholders |
(3,758,470) | (7,948,949) | ||||||
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets |
(701,948) | 12,234,447 | ||||||
Net Assets: | ||||||||
Beginning of period |
175,232,477 | 162,998,030 | ||||||
End of period* |
$ | 174,530,529 | $ | 175,232,477 | ||||
*Includesoverdistributed net investment income of: |
$(55,840) | $(226,626) |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
14 | Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund Inc. 2015 Semi-Annual Report |
For a share of capital stock outstanding throughout each year ended October 31, unless otherwise noted: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
20151,2 | 20141 | 20131 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period | $8.11 | $7.55 | $8.20 | $7.63 | $7.84 | $7.45 | ||||||||||||||||||
Income (loss) from operations: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income |
0.18 | 0.36 | 0.38 | 0.40 | 0.42 | 0.43 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) |
(0.04) | 0.57 | (0.65) | 0.58 | (0.19) | 0.40 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total income (loss) from operations |
0.14 | 0.93 | (0.27) | 0.98 | 0.23 | 0.83 | ||||||||||||||||||
Less distributions from: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income |
(0.17) | 3 | (0.37) | (0.38) | (0.41) | (0.44) | (0.44) | |||||||||||||||||
Total distributions |
(0.17) | (0.37) | (0.38) | (0.41) | (0.44) | (0.44) | ||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, end of period | $8.08 | $8.11 | $7.55 | $8.20 | $7.63 | $7.84 | ||||||||||||||||||
Market price, end of period | $7.87 | $7.47 | $6.85 | $8.47 | $7.52 | $7.93 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total return, based on NAV4,5 |
1.79 | % | 12.60 | % | (3.41) | % | 13.17 | % | 3.39 | % | 11.69 | % | ||||||||||||
Total return, based on Market Price6 |
7.77 | % | 14.76 | % | (14.91) | % | 18.65 | % | 0.74 | % | 16.09 | % | ||||||||||||
Net assets, end of period (millions) | $175 | $175 | $163 | $177 | $164 | $168 | ||||||||||||||||||
Ratios to average net assets: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross expenses |
0.70 | %7 | 0.71 | % | 0.69 | % | 0.69 | % | 0.68 | % | 0.70 | % | ||||||||||||
Net expenses8 |
0.70 | 7 | 0.71 | 0.69 | 0.69 | 0.68 | 0.70 | |||||||||||||||||
Net investment income |
4.51 | 7 | 4.58 | 4.81 | 5.09 | 5.63 | 5.70 | |||||||||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate | 3 | % | 16 | % | 15 | % | 13 | % | 10 | % | 17 | % |
1 | Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares method. |
2 | For the six months ended April 30, 2015 (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. Prior to January 1, 2012, the total return calculation assumed the reinvestment of all distributions 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. |
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. |
8 | The impact of compensating balance arrangements, if any, was less than 0.01%. |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund Inc. 2015 Semi-Annual Report | 15 |
Notes to financial statements (unaudited)
1. Organization and significant accounting policies
Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund Inc. (the Fund) was incorporated in Maryland and is registered as a diversified, closed-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act). The Fund seeks high current income exempt from federal income taxes.
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. Short-term fixed income securities that will mature in 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, unless it is determined that using this method would not reflect an investments fair value. 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 (formerly, Legg Mason North American 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, 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.
16 | Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund Inc. 2015 Semi-Annual Report |
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) |
The inputs or methodologies used to value securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund Inc. 2015 Semi-Annual Report | 17 |
Notes to financial statements (unaudited) (contd)
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: | ||||||||||||||||
Michigan |
| $ | 5,117,950 | $ | 235,700 | $ | 5,353,650 | |||||||||
Other municipal bonds |
| 167,225,035 | | 167,225,035 | ||||||||||||
Total investments | | $ | 172,342,985 | $ | 235,700 | $ | 172,578,685 | |||||||||
Other financial instruments: | ||||||||||||||||
Futures contracts |
$ | 43,866 | | | $ | 43,866 | ||||||||||
Total | $ | 43,866 | $ | 172,342,985 | $ | 235,700 | $ | 172,622,551 |
| 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. Futures contracts are valued daily at the settlement price established by the board of trade or exchange on which they are traded. 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) Credit and market risk. The Fund invests in high-yield instruments that are subject to certain credit and market risks. The yields of high-yield obligations reflect, among other things, perceived credit and market risks. The Funds investments in securities rated below investment grade typically involve risks not associated with higher rated securities including, among others, greater risk related to timely and ultimate payment of interest and principal, greater market price volatility and less liquid secondary market trading.
(d) Security transactions and investment income. Security transactions are accounted for on a trade date basis. Interest income, adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion of discount, is recorded on the accrual basis. The cost of investments sold is
18 | Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund Inc. 2015 Semi-Annual Report |
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.
(e) 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.
(f) 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.
(g) 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 April 30, 2015, 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.
(h) 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 (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 0.55% of the Funds average daily net assets.
Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund Inc. 2015 Semi-Annual Report | 19 |
Notes to financial statements (unaudited) (contd)
LMPFA delegates to Western Asset the day-to-day portfolio management of the Fund. For its services, LMPFA pays Western Asset 70% of the net management fee it receives from the Fund.
All officers and one Director of the Trust are employees of Legg Mason or its affiliates and do not receive compensation from the Trust.
3. Investments
During the six months ended April 30, 2015, the aggregate cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investments (excluding short-term investments) were as follows:
Purchases | $ | 7,491,426 | ||
Sales | 4,276,449 |
At April 30, 2015, the aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of investments for federal income tax purposes were substantially as follows:
Gross unrealized appreciation | $ | 17,397,873 | ||
Gross unrealized depreciation | (5,010,239) | |||
Net unrealized appreciation | $ | 12,387,634 |
At April 30, 2015, the Fund had the following open futures contracts:
Number of Contracts |
Expiration Date |
Basis Value |
Market Value |
Unrealized Appreciation |
||||||||||||||||
Contracts to Sell: | ||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Treasury Long-Term Bonds | 22 | 6/15 | $ | 3,554,929 | $ | 3,511,063 | $ | 43,866 |
4. Derivative instruments and hedging activities
Below is a table, grouped by derivative type that provides information about the fair value and the location of derivatives within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities at April 30, 2015.
ASSET DERIVATIVES1 | ||||
Interest Rate Risk |
||||
Futures contracts2 | $ | 43,866 |
1 | Generally, the balance sheet location for asset derivatives is receivables/net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and for liability derivatives is payables/net unrealized appreciation (depreciation). |
2 | Includes cumulative appreciation (depreciation) of futures contracts as reported in the footnotes. Only variation margin is reported within the receivables and/or payables on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. |
The following tables provide information about the effect of derivatives and hedging activities on the Funds Statement of Operations for the six months ended April 30, 2015. 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 | $ | (380,358) |
20 | Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund Inc. 2015 Semi-Annual Report |
CHANGE IN UNREALIZED APPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) ON DERIVATIVES RECOGNIZED | ||||
Interest Rate Risk |
||||
Futures contracts | $ | 148,757 |
During the six months ended April 30, 2015, the volume of derivative activity for the Fund was as follows:
Average Market Value |
||||
Futures contracts (to sell) | $ | 6,474,045 |
The following table presents by financial instrument, the Funds derivative assets net of the related collateral received by the Fund at April 30, 2015:
Gross Amount of Derivative Assets in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities1 |
Collateral Received |
Net Amount |
||||||||||
Futures contracts2 | $ | 6,188 | | $ | 6,188 |
1 | Absent an event of default or early termination, derivative assets and liabilities are presented gross and not offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. |
2 | Amount represents the current days variation margin as reported in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. It differs from the cumulative appreciation (depreciation) presented in the previous table. |
5. Distributions subsequent to April 30, 2015
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 | ||||||
5/22/2015 | 5/29/2015 | $ | 0.029 | |||||
6/19/2015 | 6/26/2015 | $ | 0.029 | |||||
7/24/2015 | 7/31/2015 | $ | 0.029 | |||||
8/21/2015 | 8/28/2015 | $ | 0.029 |
6. Capital loss carryforward
As of October 31, 2014, the Fund had the following net capital loss carryforwards remaining:
Year of Expiration | Amount | |||
10/31/2015 | $ | (1,928,255) | ||
10/31/2016 | (2,673,203) | |||
10/31/2017 | (6,176,348) | |||
$ | (10,777,806) |
These amounts will be available to offset any future taxable capital gains, except that under applicable tax rules, deferred capital losses of $1,080,174, which have no expiration date, must be used first to offset any such gains.
Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund Inc. 2015 Semi-Annual Report | 21 |
Board approval of management and
subadvisory agreements (unaudited)
Background
The Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), requires that the Board of Directors (the Board) of Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund Inc. (the Fund), including a majority of its members who are not considered to be interested persons under the 1940 Act (the Independent Directors) voting separately, approve on an annual basis the continuation of the investment management contract (the Management Agreement) with the Funds manager, Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (the Manager), and the sub-advisory agreement (the Sub-Advisory Agreement) with the Managers affiliate, Western Asset Management Company (Western Asset). At a meeting (the Contract Renewal Meeting) held in-person on November 12 and 13, 2014, the Board, including the Independent Directors, considered and approved the continuation of each of the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement for an additional one-year term. To assist in its consideration of the renewals of the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement, the Board received and considered a variety of information (together with the information provided at the Contract Renewal Meeting, the Contract Renewal Information) about the Manager and Western Asset, as well as the management and sub-advisory arrangements for the Fund and the other closed-end funds in the same complex under the Boards supervision (collectively, the Legg Mason Closed-end Funds), certain portions of which are discussed below. A presentation made by the Manager and Western Asset to the Board at the Contract Renewal Meeting in connection with its evaluations of the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement encompassed the Fund and other Legg Mason Closed-end Funds. In addition to the Contract Renewal Information, the Board received performance and other information throughout the year related to the respective services rendered by the Manager and Western Asset to the Fund. The Boards evaluation took into account the information received throughout the year and also reflected the knowledge and familiarity gained as members of the Boards of the Fund and other Legg Mason Closed-end Funds with respect to the services provided to the Fund by the Manager and Western Asset.
The Manager provides the Fund with investment advisory and administrative services pursuant to the Management Agreement and Western Asset provides the Fund with certain investment sub-advisory services pursuant to the Sub-Advisory Agreement. The discussion below covers both the advisory and administrative functions being rendered by the Manager, each such function being encompassed by the Management Agreement, and the investment sub-advisory functions being rendered by Western Asset.
Board approval of management agreement and sub-advisory agreement
In its deliberations regarding renewal of the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement, the Board, including the Independent Directors, considered the factors below.
22 | Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund Inc. |
Nature, extent and quality of the services under the management agreement and sub-advisory agreement
The Board received and considered Contract Renewal Information regarding the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund by the Manager and Western Asset under the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement, respectively, during the past year. The Board also reviewed Contract Renewal Information regarding the Funds compliance policies and procedures established pursuant to the 1940 Act.
The Board considered the qualifications, backgrounds and responsibilities of the Funds senior personnel and the portfolio management team primarily responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management of the Fund. The Board also considered, based on its knowledge of the Manager and its affiliates, the Contract Renewal Information and the Boards discussions with the Manager and Western Asset at the Contract Renewal Meeting, the general reputation and investment performance records of the Manager, Western Asset and their affiliates and the financial resources available to the corporate parent of the Manager and Western Asset, Legg Mason, Inc. (Legg Mason), to support their activities in respect of the Fund and the other Legg Mason Closed-end Funds.
The Board considered the responsibilities of the Manager and Western Asset under the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement, respectively, including the Managers coordination and oversight of the services provided to the Fund by Western Asset and others. The Management Agreement permits the Manager to delegate certain of its responsibilities, including its investment advisory duties thereunder, provided that the Manager, in each case, will supervise the activities of the delegee. Pursuant to this provision of the Management Agreement, the Manager does not provide day-to-day portfolio management services to the Fund. Rather, portfolio management services for the Fund are provided by Western Asset pursuant to the Sub-Advisory Agreement.
In reaching its determinations regarding continuation of the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement, the Board took into account that Fund shareholders, in pursuing their investment goals and objectives, likely purchased their shares based upon the reputation and the particular investment style, philosophy and strategy of the Manager and Western Asset, as well as the resources available to the Manager and Western Asset.
The Board concluded that, overall, the nature, extent and quality of the management and other services provided to the Fund under the Management Agreement and the Sub- Advisory Agreement have been satisfactory under the circumstances.
Fund performance
The Board received and considered performance information and analyses (the Lipper Performance Information) for the Fund, as well as for a group of funds (the Performance Universe) selected by Lipper, Inc. (Lipper), an independent provider of investment company data. The Board was provided with a description of the methodology Lipper used to determine the similarity of the Fund with the funds included in the Performance Universe.
Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund Inc. | 23 |
Board approval of management and
subadvisory agreements (unaudited) (contd)
The Performance Universe included the Fund and all leveraged and non-leveraged high yield municipal debt closed-end funds, as classified by Lipper, regardless of asset size. The Performance Universe consisted of the Fund and ten other funds for each of the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods ended June 30, 2014. The Board noted that it had received and discussed with the Manager and Western Asset information throughout the year at periodic intervals comparing the Funds performance against its benchmark and its peer funds as selected by Lipper.
The Lipper Performance Information comparing the Funds performance to that of the Performance Universe based on net asset value per share showed, among other things, that the Funds performance was ranked ninth among the funds in the Performance Universe for the 1-year period ended June 30, 2014 (first being best in these performance rankings); the Funds performance was ranked eleventh (i.e., worst) among the funds in the Performance Universe for both of the 3-and 5-year periods ended such date; and the Funds performance was ranked ninth among the funds in the Performance Universe for the 10-year period ended such date. The Funds performance for each of the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods ended June 30, 2014 was worse than the median performance for the funds in the Performance Universe for that period. The Board gave considerable weight to the Managers explanation of the Funds underperformance relative to the Performance Universe. In this regard, the Manager advised the Board that both leveraged and non-leveraged funds have been included by Lipper in the Performance Universe. Because it does not use leverage, the Fund, according to the Manager, was at a relative disadvantage to leveraged funds included in the Performance Universe during the performance measurement periods. The Manager also noted its belief that the Fund, as part of its continuing investment program, generally has maintained a smaller allocation to lower-rated, higher risk securities than other Performance Universe funds and no allocation to the tobacco-backed sector and that these long-term strategies have had a negative impact on Fund performance relative to its Performance Universe. The Board noted that the small number of funds in the Performance Universe as well as Lippers inclusion of both leveraged and non-leveraged funds in the Performance Universe made meaningful performance comparisons difficult. In addition to the Funds performance relative to the Performance Universe, the Board considered the Funds performance in absolute terms and relative to its benchmark. On a net asset value basis, the Fund outperformed its benchmark for each of the 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year periods ended June 30, 2014.
Based on the reviews and discussions of Fund performance and considering other relevant factors, including those noted above, the Board concluded that, under the circumstances, continuation of the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement for an additional one-year period would be consistent with the interests of the Fund and its shareholders.
24 | Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund Inc. |
Management fees and expense ratios
The Board reviewed and considered the management fee (the Management Fee) payable by the Fund to the Manager under the Management Agreement and the sub-advisory fee (the Sub-Advisory Fee) payable to Western Asset under the Sub-Advisory Agreement in light of the nature, extent and overall quality of the management, investment advisory and other services provided by the Manager and Western Asset. The Board noted that the Sub-Advisory Fee is paid by the Manager, not the Fund, and, accordingly, that the retention of Western Asset does not increase the fees or expenses otherwise incurred by the Funds shareholders.
Additionally, the Board received and considered information and analyses prepared by Lipper (the Lipper Expense Information) comparing the Management Fee and the Funds overall expenses with those of funds in an expense universe (the Expense Universe) selected and provided by Lipper. The comparison was based upon the constituent funds latest fiscal years. The Expense Universe consisted of the Fund and seven other leveraged and non-leveraged high yield municipal debt closed-end funds, as classified by Lipper. The eight funds in the Expense Universe had average net common share assets ranging from $149.6 million to $475.6 million. Five of the Expense Universe funds were larger than the Fund and two were smaller.
The Lipper Expense Information, comparing the Management Fee as well as the Funds actual total expenses to the Funds Expense Universe, showed, among other things, that the Funds Management Fee was ranked first among the funds in the Expense Universe (first being lowest and, therefore, best in these expense component rankings) on both a contractual basis and on an actual basis (i.e., giving effect to any voluntary fee waivers implemented by the Manager with respect to the Fund and by the managers of the other Expense Universe funds). The Lipper Expense Information also showed that the Funds actual total expenses ranked first among the funds in the Expense Universe. The Board considered that the small number of funds in the Expense Universe and Lippers inclusion of both leveraged and non-leveraged funds in the Expense Universe made meaningful expense comparisons difficult.
The Board also reviewed Contract Renewal Information regarding fees charged by the Manager to other U.S. clients investing primarily in an asset class similar to that of the Fund, including, where applicable, institutional and separate accounts. The Board was advised that the fees paid by such institutional, separate account and other clients (collectively, institutional clients) generally are lower, and may be significantly lower, than the Management Fee. The Contract Renewal Information discussed the significant differences in scope of services provided to the Fund and to institutional clients. Among other things, institutional clients have fewer compliance, administration and other needs than the Fund and the Fund is subject not only to heightened regulatory requirements relative to institutional clients but also to requirements for listing on the New York Stock Exchange. The Contract Renewal Information noted further that the Fund is provided with
Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund Inc. | 25 |
Board approval of management and
subadvisory agreements (unaudited) (contd)
administrative services, office facilities, Fund officers (including the Funds chief executive, chief financial and chief compliance officers), and that the Manager coordinates and oversees the provision of services to the Fund by other fund service providers. The Contract Renewal Information included information regarding management fees paid by open-end mutual funds in the same complex (the Legg Mason Open-end Funds) and such information indicated that the management fees paid by the Legg Mason Closed-end Funds generally were higher than those paid by the Legg Mason Open-end Funds. The Manager, in response to an inquiry from the Board as to the reasons for the fee differential, provided information as to differences between the services provided to the Fund and the other Legg Mason Closed-end Funds and the services provided to the Legg Mason Open-end Funds. The Board considered the fee comparisons in light of the different services provided in managing these other types of clients and funds.
Taking all of the above into consideration, the Board determined that the Management Fee and the Sub-Advisory Fee were reasonable in light of the nature, extent and overall quality of the management, investment advisory and other services provided to the Fund under the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement.
Manager profitability
The Board, as part of the Contract Renewal Information, received an analysis of the profitability to the Manager and its affiliates in providing services to the Fund for the Managers fiscal years ended March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2013. The Board also received profitability information with respect to the Legg Mason fund complex as a whole. In addition, the Board received Contract Renewal Information with respect to the Managers revenue and cost allocation methodologies used in preparing such profitability data. The Board received a report from an outside consultant engaged by the Manager that had reviewed the Managers revenue and cost allocation methodologies. The profitability to Western Asset was not considered to be a material factor in the Boards considerations since the Sub-Advisory Fee is paid by the Manager, not the Fund. The profitability analysis presented to the Board as part of the Contract Renewal Information indicated that profitability to the Manager had decreased by 6 percent during the period covered by the analysis and remained at a level that the Board did not consider such as to support a determination against continuation of the Management Agreement in light of judicial guidance and the nature, extent and overall quality of the investment advisory and other services provided to the Fund.
Economies of scale
The Board received and discussed Contract Renewal Information concerning whether the Manager realizes economies of scale if the Funds assets grow. The Board noted that because the Fund is a closed-end fund with no current plans to seek additional assets beyond maintaining its dividend reinvestment plan, any significant growth in its assets generally will occur through appreciation in the value of the Funds investment portfolio, rather than sales of additional shares in the Fund. The Board determined that the
26 | Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund Inc. |
Management Fee structure, which incorporates no breakpoints reducing the Management Fee at specified increased asset levels, was appropriate under present circumstances.
Other benefits to the manager and Western Asset
The Board considered other benefits received by the Manager, Western Asset and their affiliates as a result of their relationship with the Fund and did not regard such benefits as excessive.
* * *
In light of all of the foregoing and other relevant factors, the Board determined that, under the circumstances, continuation of the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement would be consistent with the interests of the Fund and its shareholders and unanimously voted to continue each Agreement for a period of one additional year. No single factor reviewed by the Board was identified by the Board as the principal factor in determining whether to approve continuation of the Management Agreement and the Sub- Advisory Agreement, and each Board member attributed different weights to the various factors. The Independent Directors were advised by separate independent legal counsel throughout the process. Prior to the Contract Renewal Meeting, the Board received a memorandum prepared by the Manager discussing its responsibilities in connection with the proposed continuation of the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement as part of the Contract Renewal Information and the Independent Directors separately received a memorandum discussing such responsibilities from their independent counsel. Prior to voting, the Independent Directors also discussed the proposed continuation of the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement in private sessions with their independent legal counsel at which no representatives of the Manager or Western Asset were present.
Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund Inc. | 27 |
Additional shareholder information (unaudited)
Result of annual meeting of shareholders
The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund Inc. was held on February 27, 2015, 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 | 19,616,353 | 352,292 | ||||||
Carol L. Colman | 19,539,328 | 429,317 | ||||||
Kenneth D. Fuller | 19,611,182 | 357,463 | ||||||
Riordan Roett | 19,563,211 | 405,434 |
At April 30, 2015, in addition to Robert D. Agdern, Carol L. Colman, Kenneth D. Fuller and Riordan Roett, the other Directors of the Fund were as follows:
Daniel P. Cronin
Paolo M. Cucchi
Leslie H. Gelb
William R. Hutchinson
Eileen A. Kamerick
28 | Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund Inc. |
Dividend reinvestment plan (unaudited)
The Funds policy, which may be changed by the Funds Board of Directors, is generally to make monthly distributions of substantially all its net investment income (i.e., income other than net realized capital gains) to the holders of the Funds capital shares. From time to time, when the Fund makes a substantial capital gains distribution, it may do so in lieu of paying its regular monthly dividend. Net income of the Fund consists of all income accrued on portfolio assets less all expenses of the Fund. Expenses of the Fund are accrued each day. Net realized capital gains, if any, will be distributed to shareholders at least once a year.
Under the Funds Dividend Reinvestment Plan (Plan), a shareholder whose capital shares are registered in his or her own name will have all distributions reinvested automatically by American Stock Transfer & Trust Company (AST), as purchasing agent under the Plan, unless the shareholder elects to receive cash. Distributions with respect to shares registered in the name of a broker-dealer or other nominee (that is, in street name) will be reinvested by the broker or nominee in additional capital shares under the Plan, unless the service is not provided by the broker or nominee or the shareholder elects to receive distributions in cash. Investors who own capital shares registered in street name should consult their broker-dealers for details regarding reinvestment. All distributions to shareholders who do not participate in the Plan will be paid by check mailed directly to the record holder by or under the direction of AST, as dividend-paying agent.
The number of capital shares distributed to participants in the Plan in lieu of a cash dividend is determined in the following manner. Whenever the market price of the capital shares is equal to or exceeds 98% of net asset value (NAV) per share on the determination date (generally, the record date for the distribution), participants will be issued capital shares valued at the greater of (1) 98% of the NAV or (2) 95% of the market price. To the extent that the Fund issues shares to participants in the Plan at a discount to NAV, the interests of remaining shareholders (i.e., those who do not participate in the Plan) in the Funds net assets will be proportionately diluted.
If 98% of the NAV per share of the capital shares at the time of valuation (which is the close of business on the determination date) exceeds the market price of capital shares, AST will buy capital shares in the open market, on the NYSE or elsewhere, for the participants accounts. If, following the commencement of the purchases and before AST has completed its purchases, the market price exceeds 98% of what the NAV per share of the capital shares was at the valuation time, AST will attempt to terminate purchases in the open market and cause the Fund to issue the remaining portion of the dividend or distribution by issuing shares at a price equal to the greater of (1) 98% of the NAV per share as of the valuation time, or (2) 95% of the then current market price. In this case, the number of shares of capital shares received by a Plan participant will be based on the weighted average of prices paid for shares purchased in the open market and the price at which the Fund issues the remaining shares. To the extent AST is unable to stop open market purchases and cause the Fund to issue the remaining shares, the average per share price paid by AST may exceed 98% of the NAV per share of the capital shares. AST will begin to purchase capital shares on the open market as soon as practicable after the payment date of
Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund Inc. | 29 |
Dividend reinvestment plan (unaudited) (contd)
the dividend or capital gains distribution, but in no event shall such purchases continue later than 30 days after that date, except when necessary to comply with applicable provisions of the Federal securities laws.
AST maintains all shareholder accounts in the Plan and furnishes written confirmations of all transactions in each account, including information needed by a shareholder for personal and tax records. The automatic reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions will not relieve Plan participants of any income tax that may be payable on the dividends or capital gains distributions. Capital shares in the account of each Plan participant will be held by AST in uncertificated form in the name of the Plan participant.
Plan participants are subject to no charge for reinvesting dividends and capital gains distributions under the Plan. ASTs fees for handling the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions will be paid by the Fund. No brokerage charges shall apply with respect to its capital shares issued directly by the Fund under the Plan. Each Plan participant will, however, bear a pro-rata share of brokerage commissions actually incurred with respect to any open market purchases made under the Plan.
Experience under the Plan may indicate that changes to it are desirable. The Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate the Plan as applied to any dividend or capital gains distribution paid subsequent to written notice of the change sent to participants at least 30 days before the record date for the dividend or capital gains distribution. The Plan also may be amended or terminated by AST or the Fund on at least 30 days written notice to Plan participants. All correspondence concerning the Plan should be directed by mail to American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, 6201 15th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11219 or by telephone at 1-888-888-0151.
30 | Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund Inc. |
Western Asset
Municipal High Income Fund Inc.
Directors
Robert D. Agdern*
Carol L. Colman
Daniel P. Cronin
Paolo M. Cucchi
Kenneth D. Fuller
Chairman
Leslie H. Gelb
William R. Hutchinson
Eileen A. Kamerick
Riordan Roett
Officers
Kenneth D. Fuller
President and
Chief Executive Officer
Richard F. Sennett
Principal Financial Officer
Ted P. Becker
Chief Compliance Officer
Vanessa A. Williams
Identity Theft Prevention Officer
Robert I. Frenkel
Secretary and Chief Legal Officer
Thomas C. Mandia
Assistant Secretary
Steven Frank
Treasurer
Jeanne M. Kelly
Senior Vice President
* | Effective January 1, 2015, Mr. Agdern became a Director. |
Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund Inc.
620 Eighth Avenue
49th Floor
New York, NY 10018
Investment manager
Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC
Subadviser
Western Asset Management Company
Custodian
State Street Bank and Trust Company
1 Lincoln Street
Boston, MA 02111
Transfer agent
American Stock Transfer &Trust Company
6201 15th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11219
Independent registered public accounting firm
KPMG LLP
345 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10154
Legal counsel
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
425 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10017-3909
New York Stock Exchange Symbol
MHF
Legg Mason Funds Privacy and Security Notice
Your Privacy and the Security of Your Personal Information is Very Important to the Legg Mason Funds
This Privacy and Security Notice (the Privacy Notice) addresses the Legg Mason Funds privacy and data protection practices with respect to nonpublic personal information the Funds receive. The Legg Mason Funds include any funds sold by the Funds distributor, Legg Mason Investor Services, LLC, as well as Legg Mason-sponsored closed-end funds and certain closed-end funds managed or sub-advised by Legg Mason or its affiliates. The provisions of this Privacy Notice apply to your information both while you are a shareholder and after you are no longer invested with the Funds.
The Type of Nonpublic Personal Information the Funds Collect About You
The Funds collect and maintain nonpublic personal information about you in connection with your shareholder account. Such information may include, but is not limited to:
| Personal information included on applications or other forms; |
| Account balances, transactions, and mutual fund holdings and positions; |
| Online account access user IDs, passwords, security challenge question responses; and |
| Information received from consumer reporting agencies regarding credit history and creditworthiness (such as the amount of an 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 comply with obligations to government regulators; |
| Service providers, including the Funds affiliates, who assist the Funds as part of the ordinary course of business (such as printing, mailing services, or processing or servicing your account with us) or otherwise perform services on the Funds behalf, including companies that may perform marketing services solely for the Funds; |
| The Funds representatives such as legal counsel, accountants and auditors; and |
| Fiduciaries or representatives acting on your behalf, such as an IRA custodian or trustee of a grantor trust. |
NOT PART OF THE SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT |
Legg Mason Funds Privacy and Security Notice (contd)
Except as otherwise permitted by applicable law, companies acting on the Funds behalf are contractually obligated to keep nonpublic personal information the Funds provide to them confidential and to use the information the Funds share only to provide the services the Funds ask them to perform.
The Funds may disclose nonpublic personal information about you when necessary to enforce their rights or protect against fraud, or as permitted or required by applicable law, such as in connection with a law enforcement or regulatory request, subpoena, or similar legal process. In the event of a corporate action or in the event a Fund service provider changes, the Funds may be required to disclose your nonpublic personal information to third parties. While it is the Funds practice to obtain protections for disclosed information in these types of transactions, the Funds cannot guarantee their privacy policy will remain unchanged.
Keeping You Informed of the Funds Privacy and Security Practices
The Funds will notify you annually of their privacy policy as required by federal law. While the Funds reserve the right to modify this policy at any time they will notify you promptly if this privacy policy changes.
The Funds Security Practices
The Funds maintain appropriate physical, electronic and procedural safeguards designed to guard your nonpublic personal information. The Funds internal data security policies restrict access to your nonpublic personal information to authorized employees, who may use your nonpublic personal information for Fund business purposes only.
Although the Funds strive to protect your nonpublic personal information, they cannot ensure or warrant the security of any information you provide or transmit to them, and you do so at your own risk. In the event of a breach of the confidentiality or security of your nonpublic personal information, the Funds will attempt to notify you as necessary so you can take appropriate protective steps. If you have consented to the Funds using electronic communications or electronic delivery of statements, they may notify you under such circumstances using the most current email address you have on record with them.
In order for the Funds to provide effective service to you, keeping your account information accurate is very important. If you believe that your account information is incomplete, not accurate or not current, or if you have questions about the Funds privacy practices, write the Funds using the contact information on your account statements, email the Funds by clicking on the Contact Us section of the Funds website at www.leggmason.com, or contact the Fund at 1-888-777-0102.
NOT PART OF THE SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT |
Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund Inc.
Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund Inc.
620 Eighth Avenue
49th Floor
New York, NY 10018
Notice is hereby given in accordance with Section 23(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, that from time to time, the Fund may purchase, at market prices, shares of its common stock in the open market.
The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The 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 relating to portfolio securities are available (1) without charge, upon request, by calling 1-888-777-0102, (2) on the Funds website at www.lmcef.com and (3) on the SECs website at www.sec.gov.
This report is transmitted to the shareholders of the Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund Inc. for their information. This is not a prospectus, circular or representation intended for use in the purchase of shares of the Fund or any securities mentioned in this report.
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company
6201 15th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11219
WAS04050 6/15 SR15-2510
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 POLOCIES 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 High Income Fund Inc.
By: | /s/ Kenneth D. Fuller | |
Kenneth D. Fuller | ||
Chief Executive Officer | ||
Date: | June 23, 2015 |
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/ Kenneth D. Fuller | |
Kenneth D. Fuller | ||
Chief Executive Officer | ||
Date: | June 23, 2015 | |
By: | /s/ Richard F. Sennett | |
Richard F. Sennett | ||
Principal Financial Officer | ||
Date: | June 23, 2015 |