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 811-6506
Western Asset Intermediate Muni 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: November 30
Date of reporting period: May 31, 2016
ITEM 1. | REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS. |
The Semi-Annual Report to Stockholders is filed herewith.
Semi-Annual Report | May 31, 2016 |
WESTERN ASSET
INTERMEDIATE MUNI
FUND INC. (SBI)
INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED NO BANK GUARANTEE MAY LOSE VALUE |
Fund objective
The Funds investment objective is to provide common shareholders a high level of current income exempt from regular federal income taxes* consistent with prudent investing.
Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its total assets in municipal obligations that are, at the time of investment, rated investment grade by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization or, if unrated, of equivalent quality as determined by the investment manager. The Fund also maintains a dollar-weighted average effective maturity of between three and ten years.
Dear Shareholder,
We are pleased to provide the semi-annual report of Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. for the six-month reporting period ended May 31, 2016. Please read on for Fund performance information and a detailed look at prevailing economic and market conditions during the Funds reporting period.
As always, we remain committed to providing you with excellent service and a full spectrum of investment choices. We also remain committed to supplementing the support you receive from your financial advisor. One way we accomplish this is through our website, www.lmcef.com. Here you can gain immediate access to market and investment information, including:
| Fund prices and performance, |
| Market insights and commentaries from our portfolio managers, and |
| A host of educational resources. |
We look forward to helping you meet your financial goals.
Sincerely,
Jane Trust, CFA
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
June 30, 2016
* | Certain investors may be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax (AMT), and state and local taxes will apply. Capital gains, if any, are fully taxable. Please consult your personal tax or legal adviser. |
II | Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. |
Economic review
The pace of U.S. economic activity moderated during the six months ended May 31, 2016 (the reporting period). Looking back, the U.S. Department of Commerce reported that third quarter 2015 U.S. gross domestic product (GDP)i growth was 2.0%. The U.S. Department of Commerce then reported that fourth quarter 2015 GDP growth was 1.4%. Slower growth was attributed to downturns in nonresidential fixed investment and state and local government spending, along with a deceleration in personal consumption expenditures (PCE) and less export activity. The U.S. Department of Commerces final reading for first quarter 2016 GDP growth released after the reporting period ended was 1.1%. This further slowdown was attributed to a number of factors, including a deceleration in PCE, a larger decrease in nonresidential fixed investment and a downturn in federal government spending.
Job growth in the U.S. was generally solid and was a tailwind for the economy during the reporting period. When the period began, unemployment was 5.0%, as reported by the U.S. Department of Labor. By May 2016, unemployment was 4.7%, its lowest level since December 2007.
Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. | III |
Investment commentary (contd)
Market review
Q. How did the Federal Reserve Board (Fed)ii respond to the economic environment?
A. After an extended period of maintaining the federal funds rateiii at a historically low range between zero and 0.25%, the Fed increased the rate at its meeting on December 16, 2015. This marked the first rate hike since 2006. In particular, the U.S. central bank raised the federal funds rate to a range between 0.25% and 0.50%. In its official statement after the December 2015 meeting, the Fed said, The stance of monetary policy remains accommodative after this increase, thereby supporting further improvement in labor market conditions and a return to 2 percent inflation .The Committee expects that economic conditions will evolve in a manner that will warrant only gradual increases in the federal funds rate; the federal funds rate is likely to remain, for some time, below levels that are expected to prevail in the longer run. At its meetings that concluded on January 27, 2016, March 16, 2016, April 27, 2016, and June 15, 2016 (after the reporting period ended), the Fed kept rates on hold.
Q. Did Treasury yields trend higher or lower during the six months ended May 31, 2016?
A. Both short-term and long-term Treasury yields declined during the reporting period. When the period began, the yield on the two-year Treasury note was 0.94%. Its low for the period was 0.64% on February 11, 2016, and it peaked at 1.09% on December 29, 2015. The yield on the two-year Treasury note ended the period at 0.87%. The yield on the ten-year Treasury note began the period at 2.21%. Its peak of 2.32% occurred on December 29, 2015, and its low of 1.63% was on February 11, 2016. The yield on the ten-year Treasury note ended the period at 1.84%.
Q. How did the municipal bond market perform versus the taxable bond market over the reporting period?
A. The municipal bond market outperformed its taxable bond counterpart during the six months ended May 31, 2016, as the Barclays Municipal Bond Indexiv and the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Indexv returned 3.42% and 3.12%, respectively. The municipal bond market was supported by overall positive investor demand and largely improving fundamentals.
Performance review
For the six months ended May 31, 2016, Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. returned 3.66% based on its net asset value (NAV)vi and 4.88% based on its New York Stock Exchange Amex (NYSE Amex) market price per share. The Funds unmanaged benchmark, the Barclays Municipal 1-15 Year Bond Indexvii, returned 2.65% for the same period. The Lipper Intermediate Municipal Debt Closed-End Funds Category Averageviii returned 4.49% 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 $0.24 per share. As of May 31, 2016, the Fund estimates that all of the distributions were
IV | Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. |
sourced from net investment income.* The performance table shows the Funds six-month total return based on its NAV and market price as of May 31, 2016. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
Performance Snapshot
as of May 31,
2016 (unaudited) |
||||
Price Per Share | 6-Month Total Return** |
|||
$10.61 (NAV) | 3.66 | % | ||
$10.31 (Market Price) | 4.88 | % |
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 SBI and its closing market price is available in most newspapers under the NYSE Amex listings. The daily NAV is available on-line under the symbol XSBIX on most financial websites. Barrons and the Wall Street Journals Monday edition both carry closed-end fund tables that provide additional information. In addition, the Fund issues a quarterly press release that can be found on most major financial websites as well as www.lmcef.com (click on the name of the Fund).
In a continuing effort to provide information concerning the Fund, shareholders may call 1-888-777-0102 (toll free), Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time, for the Funds current NAV, market price and other information.
Thank you for your investment in Western Asset Intermediate Muni 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,
Jane Trust, CFA
Chairman, President and
Chief Executive Officer
June 30, 2016
* | This estimate is not for tax purposes. The Fund will issue a Form 1099 with final composition of the distributions for tax purposes after year-end. A return of capital is not taxable and results in a reduction in the tax basis of a shareholders investment. For more information about a distributions composition, please refer to the Funds distribution press release or, if applicable, the Section 19 notice located in the press release section of our website, www.lmcef.com (click on the name of the Fund). |
Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. | V |
Investment commentary (contd)
RISKS: The Funds investments are subject to interest rate and credit risks. As interest rates rise, bond prices fall, reducing the value of the fixed-income securities held by the Fund. Lower-rated, higher-yielding bonds, known as junk bonds, are subject to greater credit risk, including the risk of default, than higher-rated obligations. Municipal securities purchased by the Fund may be adversely affected by changes in the financial condition of municipal issuers and insurers, regulatory and political developments, uncertainties and public perceptions, and other factors. The Fund may use derivatives, such as options and futures, which can be illiquid, may disproportionately increase losses, and have a potentially large impact on Fund performance.
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 Federal Reserve Board (Fed) is responsible for the formulation of U.S. policies designed to promote economic growth, full employment, stable prices and a sustainable pattern of international trade and payments. |
iii | The federal funds rate is the rate charged by one depository institution on an overnight sale of immediately available funds (balances at the Fed) to another depository institution; the rate may vary from depository institution to depository institution and from day to day. |
iv | The Barclays Municipal Bond Index is a market value weighted index of investment grade municipal bonds with maturities of one year or more. |
v | 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. |
vi | Net asset value (NAV) is calculated by subtracting total liabilities, including liabilities associated with financial leverage (if any), from the closing value of all securities held by the Fund (plus all other assets) and dividing the result (total net assets) by the total number of the common shares outstanding. The NAV fluctuates with changes in the market prices of securities in which the Fund has invested. However, the price at which an investor may buy or sell shares of the Fund is the Funds market price as determined by supply of and demand for the Funds shares. |
vii | The Barclays Municipal 1-15 Year Bond Index is a market value weighted index of investment grade (Baa3/BBB- or higher) fixed-rate municipal bonds with maturities of one to fifteen years. |
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 May 31, 2016, including the reinvestment of all distributions, including returns of capital, if any, calculated among the 10 funds in the Funds Lipper category. |
VI | Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. |
Investment breakdown (%) as a percent of total investments
| The bar graph above represents the composition of the Funds investments as of May 31, 2016 and November 30, 2015 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 Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. 2016 Semi-Annual Report | 1 |
Economic exposure May 31, 2016
Total Spread Duration | ||
SBI | 4.86 years | |
Benchmark | 4.65 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 1-15 Year Bond Index | |
SBI | Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. |
2 | Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. 2016 Semi-Annual Report |
Effective duration (unaudited)
Interest rate exposure May 31, 2016
Total Effective Duration | ||
SBI | 4.67 years | |
Benchmark | 4.70 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 1-15 Year Bond Index | |
SBI | Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. |
Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. 2016 Semi-Annual Report | 3 |
Schedule of investments (unaudited)
May 31, 2016
Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc.
Security | Rate | Maturity Date |
Face Amount |
Value | ||||||||||||
Municipal Bonds 132.4% | ||||||||||||||||
Alabama 1.1% |
||||||||||||||||
Jefferson County, AL, Sewer Revenue, Subordinated Lien Warrants |
5.000 | % | 10/1/21 | $ | 1,500,000 | $ | 1,697,115 | |||||||||
Arizona 4.1% |
||||||||||||||||
Navajo Nation, AZ, Revenue |
5.000 | % | 12/1/25 | 250,000 | 278,787 | (a) | ||||||||||
Phoenix, AZ, Civic Improvement Corp., Wastewater System Revenue, Junior Lien |
5.000 | % | 7/1/27 | 1,000,000 | 1,223,570 | |||||||||||
Pinal County, AZ, Electric District No. 3 Revenue |
4.000 | % | 7/1/23 | 1,000,000 | 1,102,710 | |||||||||||
Pinal County, AZ, Electric District No. 3 Revenue |
5.000 | % | 7/1/24 | 1,760,000 | 2,037,658 | |||||||||||
Pinal County, AZ, Electric District No. 3 Revenue |
5.000 | % | 7/1/25 | 1,280,000 | 1,481,267 | |||||||||||
Total Arizona |
6,123,992 | |||||||||||||||
California 18.4% |
||||||||||||||||
Anaheim, CA, Public Financing Authority Lease Revenue |
5.000 | % | 5/1/26 | 2,000,000 | 2,486,580 | |||||||||||
Bay Area Toll Authority, CA, Toll Bridge Revenue, San Francisco Bay Area |
1.500 | % | 4/1/24 | 2,000,000 | 1,988,480 | (b)(c) | ||||||||||
California State PCFA, Water Furnishing Revenue |
5.000 | % | 7/1/27 | 2,000,000 | 2,280,260 | (a)(d) | ||||||||||
California State, GO |
1.005 | % | 12/1/17 | 1,500,000 | 1,500,540 | (b)(c) | ||||||||||
California Statewide CDA Revenue, Lodi Memorial Hospital, CMI |
5.000 | % | 12/1/22 | 2,000,000 | 2,124,840 | |||||||||||
California Statewide CDA, Student Housing Revenue, Provident Group-Pomona Properties LLC |
5.600 | % | 1/15/36 | 565,000 | 623,980 | |||||||||||
Long Beach, CA, Bond Finance Authority Lease Revenue |
5.000 | % | 8/1/31 | 1,855,000 | 2,167,827 | |||||||||||
Los Angeles County, CA, Public Works Financing Authority, Lease Revenue: |
||||||||||||||||
Multiple Capital Project II |
5.000 | % | 8/1/21 | 1,000,000 | 1,186,850 | |||||||||||
Multiple Capital Project II |
5.000 | % | 8/1/22 | 1,000,000 | 1,212,430 | |||||||||||
M-S-R Energy Authority, CA, Gas Revenue |
6.125 | % | 11/1/29 | 3,000,000 | 3,970,020 | |||||||||||
Modesto, CA, Irrigation District Electric Revenue |
5.000 | % | 7/1/24 | 4,130,000 | 4,799,019 | |||||||||||
Modesto, CA, Irrigation District Electric Revenue |
5.000 | % | 7/1/25 | 2,000,000 | 2,322,920 | |||||||||||
River Islands, CA, Public Financing Authority Special Tax, Community Facilities District No. 2003-1 |
5.250 | % | 9/1/34 | 430,000 | 469,633 | |||||||||||
Riverside County, CA, Transportation Commission Sales Tax Revenue, Limited Tax |
5.250 | % | 6/1/26 | 300,000 | 370,398 | |||||||||||
Total California |
27,503,777 | |||||||||||||||
Colorado 5.3% |
||||||||||||||||
E-470 Public Highway Authority Revenue, CO |
5.250 | % | 9/1/25 | 2,000,000 | 2,235,500 | |||||||||||
Public Authority for Colorado Energy, Natural Gas Purchase Revenue |
6.125 | % | 11/15/23 | 3,940,000 | 4,935,717 | |||||||||||
SBC Metropolitan District, CO, GO, ACA |
5.000 | % | 12/1/25 | 750,000 | 750,945 | |||||||||||
Total Colorado |
7,922,162 |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
4 | Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. 2016 Semi-Annual Report |
Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc.
Security | Rate | Maturity Date |
Face Amount |
Value | ||||||||||||
Connecticut 0.8% |
||||||||||||||||
Connecticut State HEFA Revenue, Bristol Hospital, AGC |
5.500 | % | 7/1/21 | $ | 1,125,000 | $ | 1,128,780 | |||||||||
Florida 11.3% |
||||||||||||||||
Citizens Property Insurance Corp., FL, Revenue |
5.000 | % | 6/1/16 | 4,500,000 | 4,500,000 | |||||||||||
Florida State Development Finance Corp., Educational Facilities Revenue, Renaissance Charter School Inc. Project |
6.000 | % | 6/15/35 | 150,000 | 155,929 | (a) | ||||||||||
Florida State Development Finance Corp., Senior Living Revenue, Tuscan Isle Champions Gate Project |
6.000 | % | 6/1/30 | 125,000 | 126,686 | (a) | ||||||||||
Florida State Mid-Bay Bridge Authority Revenue |
5.000 | % | 10/1/27 | 545,000 | 642,321 | |||||||||||
Jacksonville, FL, Sales Tax Revenue, Better Jacksonville |
5.000 | % | 10/1/30 | 1,500,000 | 1,767,150 | |||||||||||
Miami-Dade County, FL, Aviation Revenue |
5.000 | % | 10/1/31 | 4,000,000 | 4,534,200 | (d) | ||||||||||
Miami-Dade County, FL, Aviation Revenue |
5.000 | % | 10/1/32 | 1,000,000 | 1,130,440 | (d) | ||||||||||
Miami-Dade County, FL, Expressway Authority Toll System Revenue |
5.000 | % | 7/1/26 | 1,500,000 | 1,824,105 | |||||||||||
Miami-Dade County, FL, School Board, COP, AGC |
5.000 | % | 2/1/24 | 2,000,000 | 2,214,560 | (e) | ||||||||||
Total Florida |
16,895,391 | |||||||||||||||
Georgia 4.9% |
||||||||||||||||
Atlanta, GA, Water & Wastewater Revenue |
6.000 | % | 11/1/23 | 2,000,000 | 2,335,240 | (e) | ||||||||||
Burke County, GA, Development Authority Revenue, Oglethorpe Power Corp. Vogtle Project |
2.400 | % | 4/1/20 | 1,000,000 | 1,026,950 | (b)(c) | ||||||||||
DeKalb Private Hospital Authority Revenue, GA, Anticipation CTFS, Childrens Health Care of Atlanta Inc. |
5.000 | % | 11/15/29 | 2,000,000 | 2,238,060 | |||||||||||
DeKalb, Newton & Gwinnett Counties, GA, Joint Development Authority Revenue, GGC Foundation LLC Project |
6.000 | % | 7/1/29 | 1,000,000 | 1,141,660 | |||||||||||
Private Colleges & Universities Authority, GA, Revenue, Savannah College of Art & Design Inc. Project |
5.000 | % | 4/1/28 | 500,000 | 592,645 | |||||||||||
Total Georgia |
7,334,555 | |||||||||||||||
Illinois 6.3% |
||||||||||||||||
Chicago, IL, GO |
5.500 | % | 1/1/30 | 1,000,000 | 1,019,810 | |||||||||||
Chicago, IL, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Greater Chicago, GO, Green Bond |
5.000 | % | 12/1/29 | 850,000 | 1,029,818 | |||||||||||
Chicago, IL, OHare International Airport Revenue |
5.000 | % | 1/1/31 | 1,750,000 | 2,030,157 | (d) | ||||||||||
Illinois State Finance Authority Revenue, Memorial Health System |
5.250 | % | 4/1/29 | 1,670,000 | 1,846,636 | |||||||||||
Illinois State Sports Facilities Authority Revenue, State Tax Supported, AGM |
5.250 | % | 6/15/30 | 3,000,000 | 3,441,750 | |||||||||||
Total Illinois |
9,368,171 | |||||||||||||||
Indiana 7.2% |
||||||||||||||||
Indiana State Finance Authority, Environmental Revenue, U.S. Steel Corp. |
6.000 | % | 12/1/19 | 1,000,000 | 997,910 | |||||||||||
Indianapolis, IN, Gas Utility Revenue, Second Lien |
5.250 | % | 8/15/29 | 4,000,000 | 4,793,400 |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. 2016 Semi-Annual Report | 5 |
Schedule of investments (unaudited) (contd)
May 31, 2016
Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc.
Security | Rate | Maturity Date |
Face Amount |
Value | ||||||||||||
Indiana continued |
||||||||||||||||
Indianapolis, IN, Thermal Energy System Revenue, Multi-Mode, AGC |
5.000 | % | 10/1/23 | $ | 4,000,000 | $ | 4,347,840 | |||||||||
Valparaiso, IN, Exempt Facilities Revenue, Pratt Paper LLC Project |
5.875 | % | 1/1/24 | 475,000 | 562,343 | (d) | ||||||||||
Total Indiana |
10,701,493 | |||||||||||||||
Louisiana 3.1% |
||||||||||||||||
New Orleans, LA, Aviation Board Revenue |
5.000 | % | 1/1/29 | 2,000,000 | 2,348,400 | (d) | ||||||||||
New Orleans, LA, Aviation Board Revenue |
5.000 | % | 1/1/30 | 2,000,000 | 2,336,740 | (d) | ||||||||||
Total Louisiana |
4,685,140 | |||||||||||||||
Massachusetts 2.0% |
||||||||||||||||
Massachusetts State Water Resources Authority Revenue, Green Bond |
5.000 | % | 8/1/35 | 1,350,000 | 1,679,940 | |||||||||||
Massachusetts State, GO |
5.000 | % | 7/1/26 | 1,000,000 | 1,290,510 | |||||||||||
Total Massachusetts |
2,970,450 | |||||||||||||||
Michigan 6.7% |
||||||||||||||||
Michigan State Finance Authority Limited Obligation Revenue, Higher Education, Thomas M Cooley Law School Project |
6.250 | % | 7/1/29 | 600,000 | 648,072 | (a) | ||||||||||
Michigan State Finance Authority Revenue: |
||||||||||||||||
Local Government Loan Program, Detroit Water & Sewer Department |
5.000 | % | 7/1/33 | 275,000 | 319,842 | |||||||||||
Local Government Loan Program, Detroit Water & Sewer, AGM |
5.000 | % | 7/1/24 | 1,000,000 | 1,214,420 | |||||||||||
Michigan State Housing Development Authority, Rental Housing Revenue |
5.250 | % | 10/1/24 | 2,640,000 | 2,799,086 | |||||||||||
Wayne County, MI, Airport Authority Revenue, Detroit Metropolitan Airport |
5.000 | % | 12/1/16 | 5,000,000 | 5,098,900 | (d) | ||||||||||
Total Michigan |
10,080,320 | |||||||||||||||
Nevada 2.9% |
||||||||||||||||
Humboldt County, NV, PCR, Idaho Power Co. Project |
5.150 | % | 12/1/24 | 4,000,000 | 4,383,640 | |||||||||||
New Hampshire 4.6% |
||||||||||||||||
New Hampshire HEFA Revenue, Healthcare Systems Covenant Health |
5.000 | % | 7/1/28 | 6,400,000 | 6,878,336 | |||||||||||
New Jersey 11.9% |
||||||||||||||||
Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, NJ, Luxury Tax Revenue, AGM |
5.000 | % | 11/1/28 | 1,000,000 | 1,115,390 | |||||||||||
New Jersey State EDA Revenue: |
||||||||||||||||
Continental Airlines Inc. Project |
4.875 | % | 9/15/19 | 1,250,000 | 1,322,313 | (d) | ||||||||||
School Facilities Construction, State Appropriations |
5.000 | % | 3/1/29 | 5,000,000 | 5,409,350 | |||||||||||
New Jersey State EFA Revenue, University of Medicine & Dentistry |
7.125 | % | 12/1/23 | 2,000,000 | 2,357,900 | (e) |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
6 | Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. 2016 Semi-Annual Report |
Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc.
Security | Rate | Maturity Date |
Face Amount |
Value | ||||||||||||
New Jersey continued |
||||||||||||||||
New Jersey State Higher Education Assistance Authority, Student Loan Revenue |
5.375 | % | 6/1/24 | $ | 2,980,000 | $ | 3,243,700 | |||||||||
New Jersey State Transportation Trust Fund Authority Revenue |
5.250 | % | 6/15/23 | 4,000,000 | 4,390,080 | |||||||||||
Total New Jersey |
17,838,733 | |||||||||||||||
New Mexico 1.8% |
||||||||||||||||
Bernalillo County, NM, Gross Receipts Tax Revenue, AMBAC |
5.250 | % | 10/1/18 | 1,100,000 | 1,212,651 | |||||||||||
New Mexico Finance Authority Revenue, Subordinated Lien, Public Project Revolving Fund, NATL |
5.000 | % | 6/15/19 | 1,415,000 | 1,420,023 | |||||||||||
Total New Mexico |
2,632,674 | |||||||||||||||
New York 8.0% |
||||||||||||||||
New York City, NY, Industrial Development Agency, Special Facility Revenue, JFK International Airport Project, American Airlines Group |
2.000 | % | 8/1/16 | 750,000 | 751,177 | (b)(c)(d) | ||||||||||
New York State Thruway Authority General Revenue, Junior Indebtedness Obligations, Junior Lien |
5.000 | % | 1/1/36 | 1,000,000 | 1,197,620 | |||||||||||
New York State Thruway Authority, State Personal Income Tax Revenue, Transportation |
5.000 | % | 3/15/26 | 200,000 | 243,686 | |||||||||||
New York State Transportation Development Corp. Special Facilities Revenue: |
||||||||||||||||
Laguardia Airport Terminal B Redevelopment Project |
5.000 | % | 7/1/30 | 1,225,000 | 1,439,853 | (d)(f) | ||||||||||
Laguardia Airport Terminal B Redevelopment Project |
4.000 | % | 7/1/31 | 500,000 | 534,880 | (d)(f) | ||||||||||
New York, NY, GO |
5.000 | % | 8/1/21 | 4,000,000 | 4,729,800 | |||||||||||
Port Authority of New York & New Jersey Revenue |
5.000 | % | 10/15/30 | 1,500,000 | 1,825,365 | (d) | ||||||||||
Utility Debt Securitization Authority, NY, Revenue, Restructuring |
5.000 | % | 12/15/27 | 1,000,000 | 1,244,400 | (g) | ||||||||||
Total New York |
11,966,781 | |||||||||||||||
North Carolina 1.3% |
||||||||||||||||
North Carolina Eastern Municipal Power Agency, Power System Revenue |
5.000 | % | 1/1/26 | 1,750,000 | 1,932,403 | (e) | ||||||||||
Ohio 0.7% |
||||||||||||||||
Ohio State Air Quality Development Authority Revenue, FirstEnergy Generation Corp. |
5.625 | % | 6/1/18 | 1,000,000 | 1,059,630 | |||||||||||
Oklahoma 1.9% |
||||||||||||||||
Grand River Dam Authority, OK, Revenue |
5.000 | % | 6/1/30 | 2,500,000 | 2,839,050 | |||||||||||
Oregon 0.4% |
||||||||||||||||
Portland, OR, River District Urban Renewal & Redevelopment |
5.000 | % | 6/15/28 | 570,000 | 669,915 | |||||||||||
Pennsylvania 3.5% |
||||||||||||||||
Cumberland County, PA, Municipal Authority Revenue, Diakon Lutheran Social Ministries Project |
5.000 | % | 1/1/27 | 500,000 | 593,835 |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. 2016 Semi-Annual Report | 7 |
Schedule of investments (unaudited) (contd)
May 31, 2016
Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc.
Security | Rate | Maturity Date |
Face Amount |
Value | ||||||||||||
Pennsylvania continued |
||||||||||||||||
Montgomery County, PA, IDA Revenue, New Regional Medical Center Project, FHA |
5.000 | % | 8/1/24 | $ | 1,925,000 | $ | 2,228,649 | (e) | ||||||||
Philadelphia, PA, Gas Works Revenue, 7th General Ordinance, AMBAC |
5.000 | % | 10/1/17 | 1,000,000 | 1,054,390 | |||||||||||
Pittsburgh, PA, School District GO, AGM |
5.375 | % | 9/1/16 | 1,350,000 | 1,365,633 | |||||||||||
Total Pennsylvania |
5,242,507 | |||||||||||||||
Tennessee 5.6% |
||||||||||||||||
Tennessee Energy Acquisition Corp., Gas Revenue |
5.250 | % | 9/1/20 | 2,030,000 | 2,337,342 | |||||||||||
Tennessee Energy Acquisition Corp., Gas Revenue |
5.250 | % | 9/1/23 | 4,940,000 | 5,991,627 | |||||||||||
Total Tennessee |
8,328,969 | |||||||||||||||
Texas 9.3% |
||||||||||||||||
Austin, TX, Airport Systems Revenue |
5.000 | % | 11/15/27 | 1,000,000 | 1,185,170 | (d) | ||||||||||
Harris County, TX, Houston Sports Authority Revenue, Senior Lien, AGM |
5.000 | % | 11/15/25 | 1,000,000 | 1,226,930 | |||||||||||
Mission, TX, Economic Development Corp. Revenue, Senior Lien, Natgasoline Project |
5.750 | % | 10/1/31 | 250,000 | 264,610 | (a)(d) | ||||||||||
New Hope Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp., TX, Student Housing Revenue, NCCD-College Station Properties LLC |
5.000 | % | 7/1/30 | 500,000 | 564,520 | |||||||||||
North Texas Tollway Authority Revenue |
5.000 | % | 1/1/33 | 300,000 | 361,257 | (f) | ||||||||||
North Texas Tollway Authority Revenue |
5.000 | % | 1/1/34 | 1,300,000 | 1,538,472 | |||||||||||
North Texas Tollway Authority Revenue, NATL |
5.125 | % | 1/1/28 | 2,000,000 | 2,120,680 | |||||||||||
Sabine River Authority, Texas PCR, Southwestern Electric Power Co., NATL |
4.950 | % | 3/1/18 | 3,000,000 | 3,170,010 | |||||||||||
Tarrant, TX, Regional Water District Revenue |
5.000 | % | 3/1/32 | 750,000 | 928,808 | |||||||||||
Texas State Department Housing Community Affairs Home Mortgage Revenue, RIBS / GNMA / FNMA / FHLMC Collateralized |
13.145 | % | 7/2/24 | 125,000 | 125,551 | (b)(d) | ||||||||||
Texas State Municipal Gas Acquisition & Supply Corp. III, Gas Supply Revenue |
5.000 | % | 12/15/22 | 2,000,000 | 2,363,060 | |||||||||||
Total Texas |
13,849,068 | |||||||||||||||
Virginia 4.6% |
||||||||||||||||
Pittsylvania County, VA, GO |
5.500 | % | 2/1/22 | 540,000 | 605,772 | (e) | ||||||||||
Pittsylvania County, VA, GO |
5.500 | % | 2/1/23 | 1,030,000 | 1,155,454 | (e) | ||||||||||
Pittsylvania County, VA, GO |
5.600 | % | 2/1/24 | 2,490,000 | 2,799,831 | (e) | ||||||||||
Virginia State Small Business Financing Authority Revenue, Elizabeth River Crossings OpCo LLC Project |
5.000 | % | 1/1/27 | 2,000,000 | 2,291,200 | (d) | ||||||||||
Total Virginia |
6,852,257 | |||||||||||||||
Washington 1.4% |
||||||||||||||||
Washington State Health Care Facilities Authority Revenue, Multicare Health System, AGC |
5.750 | % | 8/15/29 | 1,000,000 | 1,148,870 | (e) |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
8 | Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. 2016 Semi-Annual Report |
Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc.
Security | Rate | Maturity Date |
Face Amount |
Value | ||||||||||||
Washington continued |
||||||||||||||||
Washington State HFC Revenue, Herons Key |
5.500 | % | 1/1/24 | $ | 875,000 | $ | 889,613 | (a) | ||||||||
Total Washington |
2,038,483 | |||||||||||||||
Wisconsin 3.3% |
||||||||||||||||
Central Brown County, WI, Water Authority System Revenue |
5.000 | % | 11/1/35 | 2,105,000 | 2,465,334 | |||||||||||
La Crosse, WI, Resource Recovery Revenue, Refunding Bonds, Northern States Power Co. Project |
6.000 | % | 11/1/21 | 2,000,000 | 2,404,900 | (d) | ||||||||||
Total Wisconsin |
4,870,234 | |||||||||||||||
Total Investments before Short-Term Investments (Cost $182,178,895) |
|
197,794,026 | ||||||||||||||
Short-Term Investments 0.2% | ||||||||||||||||
Municipal Bonds 0.2% | ||||||||||||||||
Texas 0.2% |
||||||||||||||||
Rockwall, TX, ISD, GO, School Building, PSF-GTD, SPA-Wells Fargo Bank N.A. (Cost $200,000) |
0.370 | % | 8/1/37 | 200,000 | 200,000 | (h)(i) | ||||||||||
Shares | ||||||||||||||||
Money Market Funds 0.0% | ||||||||||||||||
State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund, Premier Class (Cost $10,938) |
0.239 | % | 10,938 | 10,938 | ||||||||||||
Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $210,938) |
210,938 | |||||||||||||||
Total Investments 132.6% (Cost $182,389,833#) |
198,004,964 | |||||||||||||||
Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock, at Liquidation Value (1.7)% |
|
(2,600,000 | ) | |||||||||||||
Variable Rate Demand Preferred Stock, at Liquidation Value (31.7)% |
|
(47,400,000 | ) | |||||||||||||
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities 0.8% |
1,342,485 | |||||||||||||||
Total Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders 100.0% |
|
$ | 149,347,449 |
(a) | 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. |
(b) | Variable rate security. Interest rate disclosed is as of the most recent information available. |
(c) | Maturity date shown represents the mandatory tender date. |
(d) | Income from this issue is considered a preference item for purposes of calculating the alternative minimum tax (AMT). |
(e) | Pre-Refunded bonds are escrowed with U.S. government obligations and/or U.S. government agency securities and are considered by the manager to be triple-A rated even if issuer has not applied for new ratings. |
(f) | Security is purchased on a when-issued basis. |
(g) | All or a portion of this security is held at the broker as collateral for open futures contracts. |
(h) | Variable rate demand obligations have a demand feature under which the Fund can tender them back to the issuer or liquidity provider on no more than 7 days notice. |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. 2016 Semi-Annual Report | 9 |
Schedule of investments (unaudited) (contd)
May 31, 2016
Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc.
(i) | Maturity date shown is the final maturity date. The security may be sold back to the issuer before final maturity. |
# | Aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes is substantially the same. |
Abbreviations used in this schedule: | ||
ACA | American Capital Assurance Insured Bonds | |
AGC | Assured Guaranty Corporation Insured Bonds | |
AGM | Assured Guaranty Municipal Corporation Insured Bonds | |
AMBAC | American Municipal Bond Assurance Corporation Insured Bonds | |
CDA | Communities Development Authority | |
CMI | California Mortgage Insurance Program Insured Bonds | |
COP | Certificates of Participation | |
CTFS | Certificates | |
EDA | Economic Development Authority | |
EFA | Educational Facilities Authority | |
FHA | Federal Housing Administration | |
FHLMC | Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation | |
FNMA | Federal National Mortgage Association | |
GNMA | Government National Mortgage Association | |
GO | General Obligation | |
GTD | Guaranteed | |
HEFA | Health & Educational Facilities Authority | |
HFC | Housing Finance Commission | |
IDA | Industrial Development Authority | |
ISD | Independent School District | |
NATL | National Public Finance Guarantee Corporation Insured Bonds | |
PCFA | Pollution Control Financing Authority | |
PCR | Pollution Control Revenue | |
PSF | Permanent School Fund | |
RIBS | Residual Interest Bonds | |
SPA | Standby Bond Purchase Agreement Insured Bonds |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
10 | Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. 2016 Semi-Annual Report |
Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc.
Ratings Table* (unaudited) | ||||
Standard & Poors/Moodys/Fitch** | ||||
AAA/Aaa | 3.3 | % | ||
AA/Aa | 36.4 | |||
A | 46.2 | |||
BBB/Baa | 8.3 | |||
BB/Ba | 1.1 | |||
B/B | 0.5 | |||
A-1/VMIG 1 | 0.1 | |||
NR*** | 4.1 | |||
100.0 | % |
* | As a percentage of total investments. |
** | The ratings shown are based on each portfolio securitys rating as determined by Standard & Poors, Moodys or Fitch, each a Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization (NRSRO). These ratings are the opinions of the NRSRO and are not measures of quality or guarantees of performance. Securities may be rated by other NRSROs, and these ratings may be higher or lower. In the event that a security is rated by multiple NRSROs and receives different ratings, the Fund will treat the security as being rated in the highest rating category received from a NRSRO. |
*** | The credit quality of unrated investments is evaluated based upon certain factors including, but not limited to, credit ratings for similar investments and financial analysis of sectors and individual investments. |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. 2016 Semi-Annual Report | 11 |
Statement of assets and liabilities (unaudited)
May 31, 2016
Assets: | ||||
Investments, at value (Cost $182,389,833) |
$ | 198,004,964 | ||
Interest receivable |
2,765,154 | |||
Receivable for securities sold |
230,000 | |||
Prepaid expenses |
37,047 | |||
Total Assets |
201,037,165 | |||
Liabilities: | ||||
Variable Rate Demand Preferred Stock ($25,000 liquidation value per share; 1,896 shares |
46,605,745 | |||
Payable for securities purchased |
2,322,791 | |||
Investment management fee payable |
93,096 | |||
Payable to broker variation margin on open futures contracts |
5,250 | |||
Directors fees payable |
2,145 | |||
Distributions payable to Variable Rate Demand Preferred Stockholders |
538 | |||
Accrued expenses |
60,151 | |||
Total Liabilities |
49,089,716 | |||
Series M Municipal Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock (104 shares authorized |
2,600,000 | |||
Total Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders | $ | 149,347,449 | ||
Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders: | ||||
Common stock par value ($0.001 par value; 14,078,483 shares issued and outstanding; 100,000,000 shares authorized) |
$ | 14,077 | ||
Paid-in capital in excess of par value |
138,132,783 | |||
Undistributed net investment income |
1,554,904 | |||
Accumulated net realized loss on investments and futures contracts |
(5,965,065) | |||
Net unrealized appreciation on investments and futures contracts |
15,610,750 | |||
Total Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders | $ | 149,347,449 | ||
Common Shares Outstanding | 14,078,483 | |||
Net Asset Value Per Common Share | $10.61 |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
12 | Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. 2016 Semi-Annual Report |
Statement of operations (unaudited)
For the Six Months Ended May 31, 2016
Investment Income: | ||||
Interest |
$ | 3,912,975 | ||
Expenses: | ||||
Investment management fee (Note 2) |
547,738 | |||
Liquidity fees (Note 5) |
184,056 | |||
Distributions to Variable Rate Demand Preferred Stock (Notes 1 and 5) |
59,256 | |||
Remarketing fees (Note 5) |
24,096 | |||
Audit and tax fees |
22,185 | |||
Transfer agent fees |
20,897 | |||
Directors fees |
20,179 | |||
Legal fees |
17,219 | |||
Amortization of Variable Rate Demand Preferred Stock offering costs (Note 5) |
13,848 | |||
Shareholder reports |
12,318 | |||
Auction agent fees |
11,149 | |||
Rating agency fees |
11,125 | |||
Stock exchange listing fees |
9,031 | |||
Fund accounting fees |
7,377 | |||
Custody fees |
3,606 | |||
Insurance |
1,548 | |||
Auction participation fees (Note 6) |
653 | |||
Miscellaneous expenses |
10,468 | |||
Total Expenses |
976,749 | |||
Net Investment Income | 2,936,226 | |||
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments and Futures Contracts (Notes 1, 3 and 4): | ||||
Net Realized Gain (Loss) From: |
| |||
Investment transactions |
145,069 | |||
Futures contracts |
(109,609) | |||
Net Realized Gain |
35,460 | |||
Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) From: |
| |||
Investments |
2,295,729 | |||
Futures contracts |
2,860 | |||
Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) |
2,298,589 | |||
Net Gain on Investments and Futures Contracts | 2,334,049 | |||
Distributions Paid to Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stockholders |
(5,365) | |||
Increase in Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders From Operations | $ | 5,264,910 |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. 2016 Semi-Annual Report | 13 |
Statements of changes in net assets
For the Six Months Ended May 31, 2016 (unaudited) and the Year Ended November 30, 2015 |
2016 | 2015 | ||||||
Operations: | ||||||||
Net investment income |
$ | 2,936,226 | $ | 5,928,173 | ||||
Net realized gain (loss) |
35,460 | (218,447) | ||||||
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) |
2,298,589 | (1,112,961) | ||||||
Distributions paid to Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stockholders from net investment income |
(5,365) | (16,141) | ||||||
Increase in Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders |
5,264,910 | 4,580,624 | ||||||
Distributions to Common Shareholders From (Note 1): | ||||||||
Net investment income |
(3,378,522) | (6,756,919) | ||||||
Decrease in Net Assets From Distributions to |
(3,378,522) | (6,756,919) | ||||||
Fund Share Transactions: | ||||||||
Net increase from tender and repurchase of Auction Rate Cumulative |
| 4,740,000 | ||||||
Reinvestment of distributions (1,569 and 0 shares issued, respectively) |
16,678 | | ||||||
Increase in Net Assets From Fund Share Transactions |
16,678 | 4,740,000 | ||||||
Increase in Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders |
1,903,066 | 2,563,705 | ||||||
Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders: | ||||||||
Beginning of period |
147,444,383 | 144,880,678 | ||||||
End of period* |
$ | 149,347,449 | $ | 147,444,383 | ||||
*Includes undistributed net investment income of: |
$1,554,904 | $2,002,565 |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
14 | Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. 2016 Semi-Annual Report |
Statement of cash flows (unaudited)
For the Six Months Ended May 31, 2016
Increase (Decrease) in Cash: | ||||
Cash Provided (Used) by Operating Activities: | ||||
Net increase in net assets applicable to common shareholders resulting from operations |
$ | 5,270,275 | ||
Adjustments to reconcile net increase in net assets resulting from operations |
||||
Purchases of portfolio securities |
(7,231,840) | |||
Sales of portfolio securities |
5,861,285 | |||
Net purchases, sales and maturities of short-term investments |
(210,938) | |||
Net amortization of premium (accretion of discount) |
478,488 | |||
Increase in receivable for securities sold |
(230,000) | |||
Increase in interest receivable |
(2,196) | |||
Increase in prepaid expenses |
(7,706) | |||
Increase in payable for securities purchased |
2,322,791 | |||
Increase in investment management fee payable |
3,950 | |||
Increase in Directors fees payable |
448 | |||
Decrease in accrued expenses |
(26,525) | |||
Increase in distributions payable to Variable Rate Demand Preferred Stockholders |
150 | |||
Increase in payable to broker variation margin on open futures contracts |
3,062 | |||
Net realized gain on investments |
(145,069) | |||
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments |
(2,295,729) | |||
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities |
3,790,446 | |||
Cash Flows From Financing Activities: | ||||
Distributions paid on Common Stock |
(3,361,844) | |||
Distributions paid on Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock |
(5,467) | |||
Deferred preferred stock offering costs |
13,848 | |||
Decrease in due to custodian |
(436,983) | |||
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities |
(3,790,446) | |||
Cash at Beginning of Period | | |||
Cash at End of Period | | |||
Non-Cash Financing Activities: | ||||
Proceeds from reinvestment of distributions |
$16,678 |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. 2016 Semi-Annual Report | 15 |
For a common share of capital stock
outstanding throughout each year ended November 30, unless otherwise noted: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
20161,2 | 20151 | 20141 | 20131 | 2012 | 2011 | |||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period | $10.47 | $10.29 | $9.77 | $10.68 | $9.90 | $9.71 | ||||||||||||||||||
Income (loss) from operations: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income |
0.21 | 0.42 | 0.46 | 0.47 | 0.51 | 0.52 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) |
0.17 | (0.10) | 0.54 | (0.89) | 0.76 | 0.16 | ||||||||||||||||||
Distributions paid to Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stockholders from net investment income |
(0.00) | 3 | (0.00) | 3 | (0.00) | 3 | (0.01) | (0.01) | (0.01) | |||||||||||||||
Total income (loss) from operations |
0.38 | 0.32 | 1.00 | (0.43) | 1.26 | 0.67 | ||||||||||||||||||
Less distributions to common shareholders from: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income |
(0.24) | 4 | (0.48) | (0.48) | (0.48) | (0.48) | (0.48) | |||||||||||||||||
Total distributions to common shareholders |
(0.24) | (0.48) | (0.48) | (0.48) | (0.48) | (0.48) | ||||||||||||||||||
Net increase from tender and repurchase of Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Shares | | 0.34 | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, end of period | $10.61 | $10.47 | $10.29 | $9.77 | $10.68 | $9.90 | ||||||||||||||||||
Market price, end of period | $10.31 | $10.06 | $9.80 | $8.89 | $10.99 | $9.67 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total return, based on NAV5,6 |
3.66 | % | 6.52 | %7 | 10.44 | % | (4.08) | % | 13.02 | % | 7.26 | % | ||||||||||||
Total return, based on Market Price8 |
4.88 | % | 7.73 | % | 15.85 | % | (14.98) | % | 19.09 | % | 7.65 | % | ||||||||||||
Net assets applicable to common shareholders, end of period (millions) | $149 | $147 | $145 | $138 | $150 | $139 | ||||||||||||||||||
Ratios to average net assets:9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross expenses |
1.31 | %10 | 1.26 | % | 0.94 | % | 0.93 | % | 0.92 | % | 0.91 | % | ||||||||||||
Net expenses |
1.31 | 10 | 1.26 | 0.94 | 0.93 | 0.92 | 0.91 | |||||||||||||||||
Net investment income |
3.94 | 10 | 4.02 | 4.54 | 4.65 | 5.00 | 5.48 | |||||||||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate | 3 | % | 6 | % | 11 | % | 15 | % | 14 | % | 16 | % | ||||||||||||
Supplemental data: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock at Liquidation Value, End of Period (000s) |
$2,600 | $2,600 | $50,000 | $50,000 | $50,000 | $50,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
Variable Rate Demand Preferred Stock at Liquidation Value, End of Period (000s) |
$47,400 | $47,400 | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||
Asset Coverage Ratio for Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock and Variable Rate Demand Preferred Stock11 |
399 | % | 395 | % | 390 | %12 | 375 | %12 | 401 | %12 | 378 | %12 | ||||||||||||
Asset Coverage, per $25,000 Liquidation Value per Share of Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock and Variable Rate Demand Preferred Stock11 |
$99,674 | $98,722 | $97,440 | $93,782 | $100,156 | $94,531 |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
16 | Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. 2016 Semi-Annual Report |
1 | Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares method. |
2 | For the six months ended May 31, 2016 (unaudited). |
3 | Amount represents less than $0.005 per share. |
4 | 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. |
5 | Performance figures may reflect compensating balance arrangements, fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. In the absence of compensating balance arrangements, fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, the total return would have been lower. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized. |
6 | The total return calculation assumes that distributions are reinvested at NAV. 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. |
7 | The total return based on NAV reflects the impact of the tender and repurchase by the Fund of a portion of its Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Shares at 90% of the per share liquidation preference. Absent this transaction, the total return based on NAV would have been 3.17%. |
8 | 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. |
9 | Calculated on the basis of average net assets of common stock shareholders. Ratios do not reflect the effect of dividend payments to auction rate cumulative preferred stockholders. |
10 | Annualized. |
11 | Represents value of net assets plus the auction rate cumulative preferred stock and variable rate demand preferred stock, if any, at the end of the period divided by the auction rate cumulative preferred stock and variable rate demand preferred stock, if any, outstanding at the end of the period. |
12 | Added to conform to current period presentation. |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. 2016 Semi-Annual Report | 17 |
Notes to financial statements (unaudited)
1. Organization and significant accounting policies
Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. (the Fund) was incorporated in Maryland on December 19, 1991 and is registered as a diversified, closed-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act). The Board of Directors authorized 100 million shares of $0.001 par value common stock. The Funds investment objective is to provide common shareholders a high level of current income exempt from regular federal income taxes consistent with prudent investing. Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its total assets in municipal obligations.
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. Investments in open-end funds are valued at the closing net asset value per share of each fund on the day of valuation. Futures contracts are valued daily at the settlement price established by the board of trade or exchange on which they are traded. If independent third party pricing services are unable to supply prices for a portfolio investment, or if the prices supplied are deemed by the manager to be unreliable, the market price may be determined by the manager using quotations from one or more broker/dealers or at the transaction price if the security has recently been purchased and no value has yet been obtained from a pricing service or pricing broker. When reliable prices are not readily available, such as when the value of a security has been significantly affected by events after the close of the exchange or market on which the security is principally traded, but before the Fund calculates its net asset value, the Fund values these securities as determined in accordance with procedures approved by the Funds Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors is responsible for the valuation process and has delegated the supervision of the daily valuation process to the Legg Mason North Atlantic Fund Valuation Committee (the Valuation Committee). The Valuation Committee, pursuant to the policies
18 | Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. 2016 Semi-Annual Report |
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.
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) |
Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. 2016 Semi-Annual Report | 19 |
Notes to financial statements (unaudited) (contd)
The inputs or methodologies used to value securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
The following is a summary of the inputs used in valuing the Funds assets and liabilities carried at fair value:
ASSETS | ||||||||||||||||
Description | Quoted Prices (Level 1) |
Other Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2) |
Significant (Level 3) |
Total | ||||||||||||
Municipal bonds | | $ | 197,794,026 | | $ | 197,794,026 | ||||||||||
Short-term investments: | ||||||||||||||||
Municipal bonds |
| 200,000 | | 200,000 | ||||||||||||
Money market funds |
$ | 10,938 | | | 10,938 | |||||||||||
Total short-term investments | $ | 10,938 | $ | 200,000 | | $ | 210,938 | |||||||||
Total investments | $ | 10,938 | $ | 197,994,026 | | $ | 198,004,964 | |||||||||
LIABILITIES | ||||||||||||||||
Description | Quoted Prices (Level 1) |
Other Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2) |
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) |
Total | ||||||||||||
Other financial instruments: | ||||||||||||||||
Futures contracts |
$ | 4,381 | | | $ | 4,381 |
| See Schedule of Investments for additional detailed categorizations. |
(b) Futures contracts. The Fund uses futures contracts generally to gain exposure to, or hedge against, changes in interest rates or gain exposure to, or hedge against, changes in certain asset classes. A futures contract represents a commitment for the future purchase or sale of an asset at a specified price on a specified date.
Upon entering into a futures contract, the Fund is required to deposit cash or cash equivalents with a broker in an amount equal to a certain percentage of the contract amount. This is known as the initial margin and subsequent payments (variation margin) are made or received by the Fund each day, depending on the daily fluctuation in the value of the contract. For certain futures, including foreign denominated futures, variation margin is not settled daily, but is recorded as a net variation margin payable or receivable. The daily changes in contract value are recorded as unrealized gains or losses in the Statement of Operations and the Fund recognizes a realized gain or loss when the contract is closed.
Futures contracts involve, to varying degrees, risk of loss in excess of the amounts reflected in the financial statements. In addition, there is the risk that the Fund may not be able to enter into a closing transaction because of an illiquid secondary market.
(c) Net asset value. The net asset value (NAV) of the Funds common stock is determined no less frequently than the close of business on the Funds last business day of each week (generally Friday) and on the last business day of the month. It is determined by
20 | Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. 2016 Semi-Annual Report |
dividing the value of the net assets available to common stock by the total number of shares of common stock outstanding. For the purpose of determining the NAV per share of the common stock, the value of the Funds net assets shall be deemed to equal the value of the Funds assets less (1) the Funds liabilities, including the aggregate liquidation value (i.e., $25,000 per outstanding share) of the Variable Rate Demand Preferred Stock, and (2) the aggregate liquidation value (i.e., $25,000 per outstanding share) of the Municipal Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock.
(d) Securities traded on a when-issued basis. The Fund may trade securities on a when-issued basis. In a when-issued transaction, the securities are purchased or sold by the Fund with payment and delivery taking place in the future in order to secure what is considered to be an advantageous price and yield to the Fund at the time of entering into the transaction.
Purchasing such securities involves risk of loss if the value of the securities declines prior to settlement. These securities are subject to market fluctuations and their current value is determined in the same manner as for other securities.
(e) Security transactions and investment income. Security transactions are accounted for on a trade date basis. Interest income, adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion of discount, is recorded on the accrual basis. The cost of investments sold is determined by use of the specific identification method. To the extent any issuer defaults or a credit event occurs that impacts the issuer, the Fund may halt any additional interest income accruals and consider the realizability of interest accrued up to the date of default or credit event.
(f) Distributions to shareholders. Distributions to common shareholders 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 distribution may be from net investment income, return of capital or a combination of both. The Fund intends to satisfy conditions that will enable interest from municipal securities, which is exempt from federal and certain state income taxes, to retain such tax-exempt status when distributed to the common shareholders of the Fund. Distributions to common shareholders of net realized gains, if any, are taxable and are declared at least annually. Distributions to common shareholders of the Fund are recorded on the ex-dividend date and are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP.
Distributions to holders of Municipal Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock are accrued daily and paid on a weekly basis and are determined as described in Note 6. Distributions to holders of Variable Rate Demand Preferred Stock are accrued on a daily basis and paid monthly as described in Note 5 and are treated as an operating expense as required by GAAP. For tax purposes, the payments made to the holders of the Funds Variable Rate Demand Preferred Stock are treated as dividend or distributions.
Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. 2016 Semi-Annual Report | 21 |
Notes to financial statements (unaudited) (contd)
(g) Compensating balance arrangements. The Fund has an arrangement with its custodian bank whereby a portion of the custodians fees is paid indirectly by credits earned on the Funds cash on deposit with the bank.
(h) Cash flow information. The Fund invests in securities and distributes dividends from net investment income and net realized gains, which are paid in cash and may be reinvested at the discretion of shareholders. These activities are reported in the Statement of Changes in Net Assets and additional information on cash receipts and cash payments are presented in the Statement of Cash Flows.
(i) Federal and other taxes. It is the Funds policy to comply with the federal income and excise tax requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the Code), as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies. Accordingly, the Fund intends to distribute its taxable income and net realized gains, if any, to shareholders in accordance with timing requirements imposed by the Code. Therefore, no federal or state income tax provision is required in the Funds financial statements.
Management has analyzed the Funds tax positions taken on income tax returns for all open tax years and has concluded that as of November 30, 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.
(j) 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 LMPFA an investment management fee, calculated daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.55% of the Funds average daily net assets. For the purposes of calculating the investment management fee, the aggregate liquidation value of the Preferred Stock is not deducted in determining the Funds average daily net assets.
LMPFA has delegated 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.
The Fund had adopted an unfunded, non-qualified deferred compensation plan (the Plan) which allowed non-interested directors (Independent Directors) to defer the receipt of all or a portion of their fees earned until a later date specified by the Independent Directors.
22 | Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. 2016 Semi-Annual Report |
The deferred balances are reported in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities under Directors fees payable and are considered a general obligation of the Fund and any payments made pursuant to the Plan will be made from the Funds general assets. The Plan was terminated effective January 1, 2007. This change had no effect on fees previously deferred. As of May 31, 2016, the Fund had accrued $279 as deferred compensation payable.
All officers and one Director of the Fund are employees of Legg Mason or its affiliates and do not receive compensation from the Fund.
The Fund is permitted to purchase or sell securities from or to certain other affiliated funds or portfolios under specified conditions outlined in procedures adopted by the Board of Directors. The procedures have been designed to provide assurance that any purchase or sale of securities by the Fund from or to another fund or portfolio that is, or could be considered, an affiliate by virtue of having a common investment manager or subadviser (or affiliated investment manager or subadviser), common Directors and/or common officers complies with Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act. Further, as defined under the procedures, each transaction is effected at the current market price. For the six months ended May 31, 2016, such purchase and sale transactions were $8,500,518 and $7,601,154, respectively.
3. Investments
During the six months ended May 31, 2016, the aggregate cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investments (excluding short-term investments) were as follows:
Purchases | $ | 7,231,840 | ||
Sales | 5,861,285 |
At May 31, 2016, the aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of investments for federal income tax purposes were substantially as follows:
Gross unrealized appreciation | $ | 16,014,718 | ||
Gross unrealized depreciation | (399,587) | |||
Net unrealized appreciation | $ | 15,615,131 |
At May 31, 2016, the Fund had the following open futures contracts:
Number of Contracts |
Expiration Date |
Basis Value |
Market Value |
Unrealized Depreciation |
||||||||||||||||
Contracts to Sell: | ||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Treasury Long-Term Bonds | 14 | 9/16 | $ | 2,281,994 | $ | 2,286,375 | $ | (4,381) |
4. Derivative instruments and hedging activities
Below is a table, grouped by derivative type, that provides information about the fair value and the location of derivatives within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities at May 31, 2016.
Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. 2016 Semi-Annual Report | 23 |
Notes to financial statements (unaudited) (contd)
LIABILITY DERIVATIVES1 | ||||
Interest Rate Risk |
||||
Futures contracts2 | $ | 4,381 |
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 May 31, 2016. 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 | $ | (109,609) |
CHANGE IN UNREALIZED APPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) ON DERIVATIVES RECOGNIZED | ||||
Interest Rate Risk |
||||
Futures contracts | $ | 2,860 |
During the six months ended May 31, 2016, the volume of derivative activity for the Fund was as follows:
Average Market Value |
||||
Futures contracts (to sell) | $ | 1,941,250 |
The following table presents by financial instrument, the Funds derivative liabilities net of the related collateral pledged by the Fund at May 31, 2016:
Gross Amount of Derivative Liabilities in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities1 |
Collateral Pledged2,3,4 |
Net Amount |
||||||||||
Futures contracts5 | $ | 5,250 | $ | (5,250) | |
1 | Absent an event of default or early termination, derivative assets and liabilities are presented gross and not offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. |
2 | Gross amounts are not offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. |
3 | In some instances, the actual collateral received and/or pledged may be more than the amount shown here due to overcollateralization. |
4 | See the Schedule of Investments for securities pledged as collateral. |
5 | 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. |
24 | Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. 2016 Semi-Annual Report |
5. Variable rate demand preferred stock
On February 25, 2015, the Fund completed a private offering of 1,896 shares of Series 1 Variable Rate Demand Preferred Stock (VRDPS). Net proceeds from the offering were used by the Fund to repurchase outstanding shares of Series M Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock (ARCPS) that had been accepted for payment pursuant to the tender offer (see Note 6). Offering costs incurred by the Fund in connection with the VRDPS issuance are being amortized to expense over the life of the VRDPS.
The table below summarizes the key terms of Series 1 of the VRDPS at May 31, 2016.
Series | Mandatory Redemption Date |
Shares | Liquidation Preference Per Share |
Aggregate Liquidation Value |
||||||||||||
Series 1 | 2/25/2045 | 1,896 | $ | 25,000 | $ | 47,400,000 |
The VRDPS shares are not listed on any securities exchange or automated quotation system. For financial reporting purposes, the VRDPS shares are considered debt of the Fund; therefore, the liquidation value, which approximates fair value of the VRDPS shares, is recorded as a liability on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
Holders of VRDPS have the right to tender their VRDPS shares for remarketing at a price equal to the liquidation preference amount plus all accumulated but unpaid dividends and at a date which is no earlier than the seventh day following delivery of the notice to the tender and paying agent. The VRDPS shares include a liquidity feature that allows VRDPS holders to have their shares purchased by the liquidity provider with whom the Fund has contracted in the event of a failed remarketing where purchase orders are not sufficient in number to be matched with the sale orders. The Fund is required to redeem the VRDPS shares owned by the liquidity provider after six months of continuous, unsuccessful remarketing. The Fund pays a monthly remarketing fee at the annual rate of 0.10% of the liquidation value of each VRDPS share outstanding on the first calendar day of the preceding calendar month. These fees are shown as remarketing fees on the Statement of Operations.
Holders of VRDPS are entitled to receive monthly cumulative cash dividends, payable on the first business day of each calendar month, at a variable rate set weekly by the remarketing agent. The dividend rate is generally based upon a spread over a base rate and cannot exceed a maximum rate. In the event of a failed remarketing, the dividend rate will reset to the maximum rate. The maximum rate is determined, in part, based upon the long-term rating assigned to the VRDPS. In the event the Fund fails to make a scheduled dividend payment, all outstanding shares of the VRDPS are subject to mandatory tender.
Subject to certain conditions, the VRDPS shares may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at any time at the option of the Fund. The redemption price per share is equal to the liquidation value per share plus any accumulated but unpaid dividends. The Fund is required to redeem its VRDPS on the mandatory redemption date, February 25, 2045. In addition, the Fund is required to redeem certain of the VRDPS shares if the Fund fails to maintain certain asset coverage and rating agency guidelines.
Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. 2016 Semi-Annual Report | 25 |
Notes to financial statements (unaudited) (contd)
The Fund has entered into a fee agreement with the liquidity provider that requires monthly payment of an annual liquidity fee. These fees are shown as liquidity fees on the Statement of Operations. The fee agreement between the Fund and the liquidity provider is scheduled to terminate on February 22, 2017. The Fund has the right, which is exercisable 120 to 90 days prior to the scheduled termination date, to request that the liquidity provider extend the term of the agreement for an additional period. The Fund may also terminate the agreement early. In the event the fee agreement is not renewed or is terminated in advance, and the Fund does not enter into a fee agreement with an alternate liquidity provider, the VRDPS will be subject to mandatory purchase by the liquidity provider prior to the termination of the fee agreement. The Fund is required to redeem any VRDPS purchased by the liquidity provider six months after the purchase date.
The VRDPS ranks senior to the Funds outstanding common stock and on parity with any other preferred stock. The Fund may not declare dividends or make other distributions on shares of its common stock unless the Fund has declared and paid full cumulative dividends on the VRDPS, due on or prior to the date of the common stock dividend or distribution, and meets the VRDPS asset coverage and rating agency requirements.
The holders of the VRDPS have one vote per share and vote together with the holders of common stock of the Fund as a single class except on matters affecting only the holders of VRDPS or the holders of common stock. Pursuant to the 1940 Act, holders of the VRDPS have the right to elect two Directors of the Fund, voting separately as a class.
The annualized dividend rate for the VRDPS shares for the six months ended May 31, 2016 was 0.250%. VRDPS shares issued and outstanding remained constant during the six months ended May 31, 2016.
6. Municipal auction rate cumulative preferred stock
On January 28, 2002, the Fund issued 2,000 shares of Series M Municipal Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock (ARCPS).
On January 22, 2015, the Fund announced that it had commenced an issuer tender offer for up to 100% of its outstanding ARCPS at a price equal to 90% of the liquidation preference of $25,000 per share (or $22,500 per share), plus any unpaid dividends accrued through February 20, 2015, the expiration date of the tender offer.
The Funds tender offer was conditioned upon the Fund closing on the private offering of VRDPS with an aggregate liquidation preference at least equal to the aggregate liquidation preference of ARCPS accepted for tender.
On February 25, 2015, the Fund announced the final results for its issuer tender offer and all shares that were validly tendered and not withdrawn during the offering period were accepted for payment. The Fund accepted for payment 1,896 Series M ARCPS, which represented 94.8% of outstanding Series M ARCPS. The ARCPS that were not tendered will remain outstanding. The difference between the liquidation preference of the ARCPS and the actual purchase price of the tendered ARCPS was recognized by the Fund in the Statement
26 | Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. 2016 Semi-Annual Report |
of Changes in Net Assets as an increase in net assets applicable to common shares resulting from the tender and repurchase of the ARCPS by the Fund.
At May 31, 2016, the Fund had 104 shares of ARCPS outstanding with a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share plus an amount equal to accumulated but unpaid dividends (whether or not earned or declared) and subject to certain restrictions, are redeemable in whole or in part.
The ARCPS dividends are cumulative at a rate determined at an auction and the dividend period is typically 7 days. The dividend rate cannot exceed a certain maximum rate, including in the event of a failed auction, unless the Board of Directors of the Fund authorizes an increased maximum rate. To the extent capital gains and other taxable income are allocated to holders of Preferred Shares for tax purposes, the Fund will likely have to pay higher dividends to holders of Preferred Shares to compensate them for the increased tax liability to them resulting from such allocation. Due to failed auctions experienced by the Funds ARCPS starting on February 14, 2008, the Fund pays the applicable maximum rate, which was calculated as 110% of the prevailing, 30-day AA Financial Composite Commercial Paper Rate. The Fund may pay higher maximum rates if the rating of the Funds ARCPS were to be lowered by the rating agencies. The dividend rates ranged from 0.166% to 0.474% during the six months ended May 31, 2016. At May 31, 2016, the dividend rate was 0.474%.
The ARCPS are redeemable under certain conditions by the Fund, or subject to mandatory redemption (if the Fund is in default of certain coverage requirements) at a redemption price equal to the liquidation preference, which is the sum of $25,000 per share plus accumulated and unpaid dividends.
The Fund is required to maintain certain asset coverages with respect to the ARCPS. If the Fund fails to maintain these coverages and does not cure any such failure within the required time period, the Fund is required to redeem a requisite number of the ARCPS in order to meet the applicable requirement. Additionally, failure to meet the foregoing asset coverage requirements would restrict the Funds ability to pay dividends to common shareholders.
Citigroup Global Markets Inc. (CGM) an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Citigroup, acts as a broker/dealer in connection with the auction of ARCPS. For all previous periods since the ARCPS have been outstanding, the participation fee has been paid at the annual rate of 0.25% of the purchase price of the ARPCS that the broker/dealer places at the auction however, on August 3, 2009, CGM reduced its participation fee to an annual rate of 0.05% of the purchase price of the ARCPS, in the case of a failed auction. For the six months ended May 31, 2016, CGM earned $653 as a participating broker/dealer.
7. Distributions to common shareholders subsequent to May 31, 2016
The following distributions to common shareholders 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 | ||||||
6/17/2016 | 6/24/2016 | $ | 0.04000 | |||||
7/22/2016 | 7/29/2016 | $ | 0.04000 | |||||
8/19/2016 | 8/26/2016 | $ | 0.04000 |
Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. 2016 Semi-Annual Report | 27 |
Notes to financial statements (unaudited) (contd)
8. Stock repurchase program
On November 16, 2015, the Fund announced that the Funds Board of Directors (the Board) had authorized the Fund to repurchase in the open market up to approximately 10% of the Funds outstanding common stock when the Funds shares are trading at a discount to net asset value. The Board has directed management of the Fund to repurchase shares of common stock at such times and in such amounts as management reasonably believes may enhance stockholder value. The Fund is under no obligation to purchase shares at any specific discount levels or in any specific amounts. During the six months ended May 31, 2016, the Fund did not repurchase any shares.
9. Capital loss carryforward
As of November 30, 2015, the Fund had the following net capital loss carryforward remaining:
Year of Expiration | Amount | |||
11/30/2017 | $ | (4,622,724) | ||
11/30/2018 | (514,801) | |||
$ | (5,137,525) |
These amounts will be available to offset any future taxable capital gains, except that under applicable tax rules, deferred capital losses of $1,021,082, which have no expiration date, must be used first to offset any such gains.
28 | Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. 2016 Semi-Annual Report |
Additional shareholder information (unaudited)
Results of annual meeting of shareholders
The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. was held on April 1, 2016 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 | Common Shares and Preferred Shares (together, as a single class) Votes For |
Common Shares and Preferred Shares (together, as a single class) Votes Withheld |
Preferred Shares Votes For |
Preferred Shares Votes Withheld |
||||||||||||
Robert D. Agdern | 12,804,320 | 280,869 | |
0 |
|
0 | ||||||||||
Carol L. Colman | 0 | |
0 |
|
|
1,920 |
|
0 | ||||||||
Paolo M. Cucchi | 12,791,636 | 293,553 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||
Jane Trust | 12,809,836 | 275,353 | 0 | 0 |
At May 31, 2016, in addition to Robert D. Agdern, Carol L. Colman, Paolo M. Cucchi and Jane Trust, the other Directors of the Fund were as follows:
Daniel P. Cronin
Leslie H. Gelb
William R. Hutchinson
Eileen A. Kamerick
Riordan Roett
Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. | 29 |
Dividend reinvestment plan (unaudited)
Under the Funds Dividend Reinvestment Plan (Plan), a shareholder whose shares of common stock are registered in his own name will have all distributions from the Fund reinvested automatically by Computershare Inc. (Computershare), 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 shares under the Plan, unless the service is not provided by the broker-dealer or nominee or the shareholder elects to receive distributions in cash. Investors who own common stock 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 Computershare as dividend paying agent.
The number of shares of common stock distributed to participants in the Plan in lieu of a cash dividend is determined in the following manner. When the market price of the common stock is equal to or exceeds the net asset value (NAV) per share of the common stock on the determination date (generally, the record date for the distribution), Plan participants will be issued shares of common stock by the Fund at a price equal to the greater of NAV determined or 95% of the market price of the common stock.
If the market price of the common stock is less than the NAV of the common stock at the time of valuation (which is the close of business on the determination date), Computershare will buy common stock in the open market, on the AMEX or elsewhere, for the participants accounts. If following the commencement of the purchases and before Computershare has completed its purchases, the market price exceeds the NAV of the common stock as of the valuation time, Computershare will attempt to terminate purchases in the open market and cause the Fund to issue the remaining portion of the dividend or distribution in shares at a price equal to the greater of (a) NAV as of the valuation time or (b) 95% of the then current market price. In this case, the number of 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 Computershare is unable to stop open market purchases and cause the Fund to issue the remaining shares, the average per share purchase price paid by Computershare may exceed the NAV of the common stock as of the valuation time, resulting in the acquisition of fewer shares than if the distribution had been paid in common stock issued by the Fund at such NAV. Computershare will begin to purchase common stock on the open market as soon as practicable after the determination date for distributions, but in no event shall such purchases continue later than 30 days after the payment date for such distribution, or the record date for a succeeding distribution, except when necessary to comply with applicable provisions of the federal securities laws.
Computershare 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 distributions will not relieve plan
30 | Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. |
participants of any income tax that may be payable on the distributions. Common stock in the account of each Plan participant will be held by Computershare in uncertificated form in the name of the Plan participant.
Plan participants are subject to no charge for reinvesting distributions under the Plan. Computershares fees for handling the reinvestment of distributions will be paid by the Fund. No brokerage charges apply with respect to shares of common stock issued directly by the Fund under the Plan. Each Plan participant will, however, bear a proportionate share of any 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 distribution paid subsequent to written notice of the change sent to participants at least 30 days before the record date for the distribution. The Plan also may be amended or terminated by Computershare, with the Funds prior written consent, on at least 30 days written notice to Plan participants. All correspondence concerning the Plan should be directed by mail to Computershare Inc., 211 Quality Circle, Suite 210, College Station, TX 77845-4470 or by telephone at 1-888-888-0151.
Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. | 31 |
Western Asset
Intermediate Muni Fund Inc.
Directors
Robert D. Agdern
Carol L. Colman
Daniel P. Cronin
Paolo M. Cucchi
Leslie H. Gelb
William R. Hutchinson
Eileen A. Kamerick
Riordan Roett
Jane Trust
Chairman
Officers
Jane Trust
President and Chief Executive Officer
Richard F. Sennett
Principal Financial Officer
Ted P. Becker
Chief Compliance Officer
Jenna Bailey
Identity Theft Prevention Officer
Robert I. Frenkel
Secretary and Chief Legal Officer
Thomas C. Mandia
Assistant Secretary
Steven Frank
Treasurer
Jeanne M. Kelley
Senior Vice President
Western Asset Intermediate Muni 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
Computershare Inc.*
211 Quality Circle, Suite 210
College Station, TX 77845-4470
Auction agent
Deutsche Bank
60 Wall Street
New York, NY 10005
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 AMEX
Symbol
SBI
* | Effective March 14, 2016, Computershare Inc. serves as the Funds transfer agent. |
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 Intermediate Muni Fund Inc.
Western Asset Intermediate Muni 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 and preferred stock.
The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Funds Forms N-Q are available on the SECs website at www.sec.gov. The Funds Forms N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SECs Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C., and information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. To obtain information on Form N-Q from the Fund, shareholders can call 1-888-777-0102.
Information on how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the prior 12-month period ended June 30th of each year and a description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio transactions are available (1) without charge, upon request, by calling 1-888-777-0102, (2) at www.lmcef.com and (3) on the SECs website at www.sec.gov.
This report is transmitted to the shareholders of Western Asset Intermediate Muni Fund Inc. for their information. This is not a prospectus, circular or representation intended for use in the purchase or sale of shares of the Fund or any securities mentioned in the report.
Computershare Inc.
211 Quality Circle, Suite 210
College Station, TX 77845-4470
WASX010074 7/16 SR16-2812
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. |
(a) | Not applicable. |
(b) | Effective August 1, 2016, the individuals responsible for day-to-day portfolio management, development of investment strategy, oversight and coordination of the Fund are S. Kenneth Leech, Robert E. Amodeo and David T. Fare. These investment professionals, all of whom are employed by Western Asset Management Company work together with a broader investment management team. |
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 Intermediate Muni Fund Inc.
By: | /s/ Jane Trust | |
Jane Trust | ||
Chief Executive Officer | ||
Date: | July 22, 2016 |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
By: | /s/ Jane Trust | |
Jane Trust | ||
Chief Executive Officer | ||
Date: | July 22, 2016 |
By: | /s/ Richard F. Sennett | |
Richard F. Sennett | ||
Principal Financial Officer | ||
Date: | July 22, 2016 |