As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 16, 2011

Securities Act Registration No. 333-173338

Investment Company Registration No. 811-22546

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM N-2

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933  x

 

 

Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1

Post-Effective Amendment No. [    ]

and/or

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER

THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940  x

Amendment No. 1

 

 

ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

 

55 Water Street

New York, New York 10041

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(888) 777-0102

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

 

 

R. Jay Gerken

Legg Mason & Co., LLC

620 Eighth Avenue, 49^th Floor

New York, New York 10018

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

 

 

Copies to:

 

Sarah E. Cogan, Esq. Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP 425 Lexington Avenue New York, New York 10017		Robert I. Frenkel, Esq. Legg Mason & Co., LLC 300 First Stamford Place Stamford, Connecticut 06902		David Wohl, Esq. Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP 767 Fifth Avenue New York, New York 10153

 

 

Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering: As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

If any of the securities being registered on this form are offered on a delayed or continuous basis in reliance on Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered in connection with a dividend reinvestment plan, check the following box.  ¨

It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box)  ¨ when declared effective pursuant to section 8(c)

 

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

Title of Securities Being Registered		Amount Being Registered(1)		Proposed Maximum Offering Price per Unit		Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price		Amount of Registration Fee
Common Stock, $0.001 par value		50,000 shares		$20.00		$1,000,000		$116.10(2)

(1)	Estimated solely for purpose of calculating the registration fee.

(2)	Previously paid.

 

 

The registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that the Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such dates as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 

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The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

Subject To Completion

Preliminary Prospectus Dated May     , 2011

PROSPECTUS

        Shares

ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc.

Common Stock

$20.00 per Share

 

 

The Fund.    ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc. (the “Fund”) is a newly organized, non-diversified, closed-end management investment company.

Investment Objective.    The Fund’s investment objective is to provide long-term investors a high level of total return with an emphasis on cash distributions. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective or earn a return on its assets, and you could lose some or all of your investment.

Investment Strategies.    The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing primarily in master limited partnerships (“MLPs”) in the energy sector.

(continued on following page)

 

No Prior Trading History.    Because the Fund is newly organized, its shares of common stock (“Common Stock”) have no history of public trading. The shares of closed-end investment companies frequently trade at a discount from their net asset value which may increase investor risk of loss. This risk may be greater for investors expecting to sell their shares in a relatively short period after completion of the initial public offering.

It is anticipated that the Fund’s Common Stock will be approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”), subject to notice of issuance. The trading or “ticker” symbol is expected to be “EMO.”

Investing in the Fund’s Common Stock involves certain risks. You could lose some or all of your investment. See “Risks” beginning on page 45 of this Prospectus.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this Prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

 

		Per Share				Total(1)
Public offering price		$	20.00			$
Sales load(2)		$	0.90			$
Proceeds, after expenses, to the Fund(3)		$	19.06			$

(1)

The Fund has granted the underwriters an option to purchase up to     additional shares at the public offering price, less the sales load within 45 days of the date of this Prospectus, solely to cover overallotments, if any. If this option is exercised in full, the total public offering price, sales load and proceeds, after expenses, to the Fund will be approximately $        , $         and $            , respectively.

 

(2)

Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (“LMPFA”) (and not the Fund) has agreed to pay, from its own assets, upfront structuring and syndication fees to                     , an upfront structuring fee to                     , an upfront structuring fee to                      and an upfront structuring fee to                     . These fees are not reflected under sales load in the table above. LMPFA intends to pay compensation to employees of its affiliates who participate in the marketing of the Common Stock as described in footnote 3 below. See “Underwriters—Additional Compensation to be Paid by LMPFA.” The total compensation received by the underwriters (including the sales load and additional compensation) will not exceed 9.0% of the total public offering price of the Common Stock sold in this offering.

 

(3)

Total offering expenses to be paid by the Fund (other than the sales load) are estimated to be approximately $            , which represents $0.04 per share. These offering expenses include $         as payment to Legg Mason Investor Services, LLC (“LMIS”) for distribution assistance, which represents the compensation paid to wholesalers registered through LMIS. After payment of such expenses, proceeds to the Fund will be $19.06 per share. LMPFA has agreed to pay (i) all of the Fund’s organizational expenses and (ii) the Fund’s offering expenses (other than the sales load) in excess of $0.04 per share.

The underwriters expect to deliver the shares to purchasers on or about             , 2011.

 

 

The date of this Prospectus is                     , 2011.

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Portfolio contents.    Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its Managed Assets (as defined in this Prospectus) in MLPs in the energy sector (the “80% policy”). For purposes of the 80% policy, the Fund considers investments in MLPs to include investments that offer economic exposure to public and private MLPs in the form of equity securities of MLPs, securities of entities holding primarily general partner or managing member interests in MLPs, indirect interests in MLPs (such as I-Shares), and debt securities of MLPs. The Fund considers an entity to be within the energy sector if it derives at least 50% of its revenues from the business of exploring, developing, producing, gathering, transporting, processing, storing, refining, distributing, mining or marketing natural gas, natural gas liquids (including propane), crude oil, refined petroleum products or coal. Please see “The Fund’s Investments” for a more detailed discussion of the Fund’s potential investments.

Currently and as the Fund makes its initial investments, the Fund intends to focus its investments in MLPs with operations in crude oil, natural gas liquids and refined products. This reflects the subadviser’s belief that the combination of structurally higher global oil prices and the increased supply of domestic oil and natural gas liquids — due primarily to recent shale gas discoveries — makes MLPs focused on these liquid products well positioned for long-term growth. While the subadviser currently anticipates that liquid product-related MLPs will be the Fund’s primary focus, the dynamic nature of the energy markets may create new and potentially more attractive opportunities over time. Should macro energy political, regulatory or tax considerations evolve, and other types of MLPs become more attractive, the subadviser may look to invest in these new opportunities.

Tax Matters.    Entities commonly referred to as “MLPs” are generally organized under state law as limited partnerships or limited liability companies. If publicly traded, MLPs must derive at least 90% of their gross income from qualifying sources as described in Section 7704 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), in order to be taxed as partnerships for United States federal income tax purposes.

The Fund intends to invest in MLPs only if such MLPs are taxed as partnerships for United States federal income tax purposes, and, except for purposes of the 80% policy, references in this Prospectus to MLPs include only MLPs that are so taxed.

The Fund will be treated as a regular corporation, or a “C” corporation, for United States federal income tax purposes and, as a result, unlike most investment companies, is subject to corporate income tax to the extent the Fund recognizes taxable income. Due to the corporate income tax payable by the Fund, holders may receive fewer cash distributions from the Fund compared to the cash distributions they would receive from directly investing in the MLP’s in which the Fund invests. Given the Fund’s concentration in MLPs, the Fund is not eligible to be treated as a “regulated investment company” under the Code. The types of MLPs in which the Fund intends to invest historically have made cash distributions to limited partners or members that exceed the amount of taxable income allocable to limited partners or members, due to a variety of factors, including significant non-cash deductions such as depreciation and depletion. If the cash distributions exceed the taxable income reported in a particular tax year, the excess cash distributions would not be taxed as income to the Fund in that tax year but rather would be treated as a return of capital for United States federal income tax purposes to the extent of the Fund’s basis in its MLP units. Similarly, the Fund expects to distribute cash in excess of its earnings and profits to holders of Common Stock (the “Common Stockholders”) which may be treated as a return of capital to the extent of the Common Stockholders’ cost basis in the Fund’s Common Stock. As a result, the Fund’s Common Stockholders should expect to receive distributions that are generally tax-deferred and represent a return of capital although no assurance can be given in this regard. For tax purposes, a return of capital generally represents a return of a Common Stockholder’s initial investment in the Fund rather than a distribution of the Fund’s earnings. Any distribution received by Common Stockholders that is treated as a return of capital generally will result in a reduction in basis in their shares, which may increase the capital gain, or reduce capital loss, realized upon sale of such shares. As a result, Common Stockholders that receive a return of capital distribution may be subject to increased taxes upon the future disposition of their shares in a taxable transaction. In addition, the Fund may have more corporate income tax expense than expected, which will result in less cash available to distribute to Common Stockholders.

 

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Leverage.    The Fund may seek to enhance the level of its cash distributions to holders of Common Stock through the use of leverage. The Fund may use leverage through borrowing, including loans from certain financial institutions and/or the issuance of debt securities (collectively, “Borrowings”) in an aggregate amount of up to 33 ¹/3% of the Fund’s total assets immediately after such Borrowings. Furthermore, the Fund may use leverage through the issuance of preferred stock in an aggregate amount of up to 50% of the Fund’s total assets immediately after such issuance. Under current market conditions, the Fund intends to utilize leverage principally through Borrowings from certain financial institutions in an amount up to 20-25% of its Managed Assets (defined below). Currently, the Fund has no intention to issue preferred stock, but circumstances may arise such that the Fund may choose to issue preferred stock. In addition, the Fund may enter into investment management techniques that have similar effects as leverage, but which are not subject to the foregoing 33 ¹/3% limitation so long as the Fund has covered its commitment with respect to such techniques by segregating liquid assets, entering into offsetting transactions or owning positions covering its obligations. See “Use of Leverage,” “Risks—Leverage Risk” and “Description of Shares—Preferred Stock.”

For more information on the Fund’s investment strategies, see “The Fund’s Investments” and “Risks.”

Investment Manager and Subadviser.    LMPFA, the Fund’s investment manager, supervises the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio by ClearBridge Advisors, LLC (“ClearBridge”) and provides administrative and management services to the Fund. As of March 31, 2011, LMPFA’s total assets under management were approximately $195.6 billion.

ClearBridge, the Fund’s subadviser, will be responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management of the Fund, subject to the supervision of the Fund’s Board of Directors and LMPFA. As of March 31, 2011, ClearBridge’s total assets under management were approximately $58.9 billion, including $9.7 billion in energy- related assets.

You should read this Prospectus, which contains important information about the Fund that you should know, before deciding whether to invest, and retain it for future reference. A Statement of Additional Information, dated                     , 2011, as it may be amended (the “SAI”), containing additional information about the Fund, has been filed with the SEC and is incorporated by reference in its entirety into this Prospectus. You may request a free copy of the SAI (the table of contents of which is on page 85 of this Prospectus), annual and semi-annual reports to stockholders (when available), and additional information about the Fund by calling (888) 777-0102, by writing to the Fund at 55 Water Street, New York, New York 10041 or visiting the Fund’s website (http://www.leggmason.com/cef). The information contained in, or accessed through, the Fund’s website is not part of this Prospectus. You may also obtain a copy of the SAI (and other information regarding the Fund) from the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information relating to the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at (202) 551-8090. Such materials, as well as the Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports (when available) and other information regarding the Fund, are also available on the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov). You may also e-mail requests for these documents to publicinfo@sec.gov or make a request in writing to the SEC’s Public Reference Room, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549-0102.

The Fund’s Common Stock does not represent a deposit or obligation of, and is not guaranteed or endorsed by, any bank or other insured depository institution, and is not federally insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board or any other governmental agency.

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

			Page
Prospectus Summary			1
Summary of Fund Expenses			33
The Fund			35
Use of Proceeds			35
The Fund’s Investments			35
Use of Leverage			43
Risks			47
Management of the Fund			61
Net Asset Value			64
Distributions			66
Dividend Reinvestment Plan			66
Description of Shares			67
Certain Provisions in the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws			69
Repurchase of Fund Shares			72
Certain United States Federal Income Tax Considerations			72
Underwriters			79
Custodian and Transfer Agent			83
Fiscal Year and Tax Year			84
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm			84
Legal Opinions			84
Table of Contents of the Statement of Additional Information			85

You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this Prospectus. The Fund has not, and the underwriters have not, authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. The Fund is not, and the underwriters are not, making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

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SUMMARY OF FUND EXPENSES

The purpose of the following table and example is to help you understand all fees and expenses that you, as a holder of Common Stock, would bear directly or indirectly. The expenses shown in the table and related footnotes are based on estimated amounts for the Fund’s first full year of operations and assume that the Fund issues approximately            shares of Common Stock. If the Fund issues fewer than            shares of Common Stock, “Other Expenses” may be higher. The table also assumes the use of leverage in the form of Borrowings in an amount equal to 25% of the Fund’s Managed Assets (after their use), and shows Fund expenses as a percentage of net assets attributable to Common Stock.

 

STOCKHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES		Percentage of Offering Price
Sales Load			4.50	%
Offering Expenses of Offering Borne by the Fund’s Common Stockholders			0.20	%(1)
Dividend Reinvestment Plan Fees			None	(2)
ANNUAL EXPENSES		Percentage of Net Assets Attributable to Common Stock (Assumes  Borrowings are Used)
Management Fees(3)			1.33	%
Interest Expense(4)			0.67	%
Current Income Tax Expenses			0.00	%
Deferred Income Tax Expenses(5)			0.00	%
Other Expenses			0.20	%
TOTAL ANNUAL EXPENSES(6)			2.20	%

 

(1)	LMPFA has agreed to pay (i) all of the Fund’s organizational expenses and (ii) the Fund’s offering expenses (other than the sales load) in excess of $0.04 per share.

(2)	You will pay brokerage charges if you direct the Plan Agent (defined below) to sell your Common Stock held in a dividend reinvestment account. See “Dividend Reinvestment Plan.”

(3)

LMPFA will receive an annual fee, payable monthly, in an amount equal to 1.00% of the Fund’s average daily Managed Assets. “Managed Assets” means net assets plus the amount of any Borrowings and assets attributable to any Preferred Stock that may be outstanding. For the purposes of this table, we have assumed that the Fund has utilized Borrowings in an aggregate amount of 25% of its Managed Assets (after their use). Assuming no Borrowings or other leverage is used, the Fund expenses would be as set forth in footnote 6 below.

(4)	Assumes the annual interest rate on the amount borrowed is 2.00%.

(5)	As of the date of this Prospectus, we have not commenced investment operations. Because it cannot be predicted whether we will incur a benefit or liability in the future, a deferred tax expense of 0.00% has been assumed.

(6)

The table presented below estimates what the Fund’s Annual Expenses would be, stated as percentages of the Fund’s net assets attributable to Common Stock, assuming no Borrowings or other leverage is used. This will be the case, for instance, prior to the Fund’s expected entry into a bank loan facility or the use of other leverage. In accordance with these assumptions, the Fund’s expenses are estimated to be as follows:

 

ANNUAL EXPENSES		Percentage of Net Assets Attributable to Common Stock (Assumes No Leverage Is Used)
Management Fees			1.00	%
Current Income Tax Expenses			0.00	%
Deferred Income Tax Expenses(5)			0.00	%
Other Expenses			0.20	%
TOTAL ANNUAL EXPENSES			1.20	%

 

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Example

The following example illustrates the hypothetical expenses (including the sales load of $45 and estimated expense of this offering of $2.00) that you would pay on a $1,000 investment in Common Stock, assuming (i) “Total Annual Expenses” of % of net assets attributable to Common Stock in years one through ten (which assumes the Fund’s use of leverage through Borrowings in an aggregate amount equal to 25% of the Fund’s Managed Assets) and (ii) a 5% annual return:⁽¹⁾

 

1 Year		3 Years				5 Years				10 Years
$68		$	112			$	159			$	288

 

(1)

The example above should not be considered a representation of future expenses. Actual expenses may be higher or lower than those shown. The example assumes that all dividends and distributions are reinvested at net asset value. Actual expenses may be greater or less than those assumed. Moreover, the Fund’s actual rate of return may be greater or less than the hypothetical 5% return shown in the example. In the event that the Fund does not utilize any leverage, an investor would pay the following expenses based on the assumptions in the example: one year, $59 ; three years, $84 ; five years, $111 ; and ten years, $187.

 

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THE FUND

The Fund is a newly organized, non-diversified, closed-end management investment company registered under the 1940 Act. The Fund was incorporated as a Maryland corporation on April 5, 2011, pursuant to the Articles. As a newly organized entity, the Fund has no operating history. The Fund’s principal executive office is located at 55 Water Street, New York, New York 10041, and its telephone number is (888) 777-0102.

USE OF PROCEEDS

The net proceeds of the offering of Common Stock will be approximately $         ($             if the underwriters exercise the over-allotment option in full) after payment of the estimated offering expenses. The Fund will pay all of its offering expenses, up to $0.04 per share of Common Stock, and LMPFA has agreed to pay all of the Fund’s organizational expenses, which are estimated to be $                , and all offering expenses in excess of $0.04 per share of Common Stock.

The Fund will invest the net proceeds of the offering in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective and policies as stated below. It is currently anticipated that the Fund will be able to invest substantially all of the net proceeds in accordance with its investment objective and policies within three months after the completion of the offering. Pending such investment, it is anticipated that the proceeds will be primarily invested in short-term money market instruments. The Fund may also invest in U.S. government securities.

THE FUND’S INVESTMENTS

Investment Objective

The Fund’s investment objective is to provide long-term investors a high level of total return with an emphasis on cash distributions. There can be no assurance the Fund will achieve its investment objective or earn a return on its assets, and you could lose some or all of your investment.

This section provides additional information about the Fund’s investments and certain portfolio management techniques the Fund may use. More information about the Fund’s investments and portfolio management techniques and the associated risks is included in the SAI.

Investment Strategies

Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its Managed Assets in securities of MLPs in the energy sector. For purposes of the 80% policy, the Fund considers investments in MLPs to include investments that offer economic exposure to public and private MLPs in the form of equity securities of MLPs, securities of entities holding primarily general partner or managing member interests in MLPs, indirect interests in MLPs (such as I-Shares) and debt securities of MLPs. The Fund considers an entity to be within the energy sector if it derives at least 50% of its revenues from the business of exploring, developing, producing, gathering, transporting, processing, storing, refining, distributing, mining or marketing natural gas, natural gas liquids (including propane), crude oil, refined petroleum products or coal.

Currently and as the Fund makes its initial investments, the Fund intends to focus its investments in MLPs with operations in crude oil, natural gas liquids and refined products. This reflects ClearBridge’s current belief that the combination of structurally higher global oil prices and the increased supply of domestic oil and natural gas liquids — due primarily to recent shale gas discoveries — makes MLPs focused on these liquid products well positioned for long term growth. While ClearBridge anticipates that liquid product-related MLPs will be the Fund’s primary focus, the dynamic nature of the energy markets may create new and potentially more attractive opportunities over time. Should macro energy political, regulatory or tax considerations evolve, and other types of MLPs become more attractive, ClearBridge may look to invest in these new opportunities. For as long as “Energy MLP Opportunity” is in the name of the Fund, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its Managed Assets in the MLPs in the energy sector. The Fund may not change its policy to invest at least 80% of its Managed Assets in MLPs in the energy sector unless it provides stockholders with at least 60 days’ written notice of such change.

The Fund may invest up to 20% of its Managed Assets in securities of issuers that are not MLPs. This 20% allocation may be in any of the securities described in this Prospectus and the SAI, including securities of

 

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non-MLP companies engaged primarily in the energy sector. Such issuers may be treated as corporations for United States federal income tax purposes and, therefore, may not offer the tax benefits of investing in MLPs described in this Prospectus.

Selection of Investments

ClearBridge employs a rigorous, bottom-up research process focused on seeking to find MLPs with attractive, sustainable and predictable distributions. ClearBridge also evaluates growth opportunities for MLPs in determining the desirability of a potential investment. In conducting this analysis, particular attention is paid to the stability of the business, the quality of the balance sheet, the talent and track record of the general partner or managing member, and the valuation of the security. ClearBridge’s primary valuation metric in analyzing MLPs is distributable cash flow yield.

ClearBridge places strong emphasis on risk management around its investment process. Risk management considerations are contemplated at both the level of the individual investment and the portfolio as a whole. At the level of the individual investment, the prime risk consideration revolves around the sustainability of the cash distribution and position size. In evaluating the distribution sustainability, the portfolio managers utilize balance sheet analysis and financial modeling. At the portfolio level, ClearBridge pays close attention to individual security weightings, sector weightings and allocations, and the amount of leverage employed, as well as macro-economic and broader market considerations.

Portfolio Composition

The Fund’s portfolio will be composed principally of the following investments. Additional information regarding the Fund’s investment policies, restrictions and portfolio investments are contained in the SAI.

Master Limited Partnerships

Entities commonly referred to as “MLPs” are generally organized under state law as limited partnerships or limited liability companies. The securities issued by many MLPs are listed and traded on a securities exchange. An MLP typically issues general partner and limited partner interests, or managing member and member interests. The general partner or managing member manages and often controls, has an ownership stake in, and is normally eligible to receive incentive distribution payments from, the MLP. If publicly traded, MLPs must derive at least 90% of their gross income from qualifying sources as described in Section 7704 of the Code in order to be treated as partnerships for United States federal income tax purposes.

These qualifying sources include interest, dividends, real estate rents, gain from the sale or disposition of real property, income and gain from mineral or natural resources activities, income and gain from the transportation or storage of certain fuels, and, in certain circumstances, income and gain from commodities or futures, forwards and options with respect to commodities. Mineral or natural resources activities include exploration, development, production, processing, mining, refining, marketing and transportation (including pipelines) of oil and gas, minerals, geothermal energy, fertilizer, timber or industrial source carbon dioxide. The general partner or managing member may be structured as a private or publicly traded corporation or other entity. The general partner or managing member typically controls the operations and management of the entity through an up to 2% general partner or managing member interest in the entity plus, in many cases, ownership of some percentage of the outstanding limited partner or member interests. The limited partners or members, through their ownership of limited partner or member interests, provide capital to the entity, are intended to have no role in the operation and management of the entity and receive cash distributions. Due to their structure as partnerships for United States federal income tax purposes and the expected character of their income, MLPs generally do not pay United States federal income taxes. Thus, unlike investors in corporate securities, direct MLP investors are generally not subject to double taxation (i.e., corporate level tax and tax on corporate dividends). Currently, most MLPs operate in the energy and natural resources sectors.

MLPs are typically structured such that common units and general partner or managing member interests have first priority to receive the MQD. Common and general partner or managing member interests also accrue arrearages in distributions to the extent the MQD is not paid. Once common units and general partner or

 

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managing member interests have been paid, subordinated units generally receive distributions; however, subordinated units generally do not accrue arrearages. The subordinated units are normally owned by the owners or affiliates of the general partner or managing member and convert on a one for one basis into common units, generally in three to five years after the MLP’s initial public offering or after certain distribution levels have been exceeded. Distributable cash in excess of the MQD is distributed to both common and subordinated units generally on a pro rata basis The general partner or managing member is also normally eligible to receive incentive distributions if the general partner or managing member operates the business in a manner which results in payment of per unit distributions that exceed threshold levels above the MQD. As the general partner or managing member increases cash distributions to the limited partners or members, the general partner or managing member receives an increasingly higher percentage of the incremental cash distributions. A common arrangement provides that the general partner or managing member can reach a tier where it receives 50% of every incremental dollar distributed by the MLP. These incentive distributions encourage the general partner or managing member to increase the partnership’s cash flow and raise the quarterly cash distribution by pursuing steady cash flow investment opportunities, streamlining costs and acquiring assets. Such results benefit all security holders of the MLP.

MLP Equity Securities

Equity securities issued by MLPs currently consist of common units, subordinated units and preferred units.

MLP Common Units. The common units of many MLPs are listed and traded on national securities exchanges, including the NYSE and the NASDAQ. The Fund will typically purchase such common units through open market transactions and underwritten offerings, but may also acquire common units through direct placements and privately negotiated transactions. Holders of MLP common units typically have very limited control and voting rights. Holders of such common units are typically entitled to receive the MQD, including arrearage rights, from the issuer. Generally, an MLP must pay (or set aside for payment) the MQD to holders of common units before any distributions may be paid to subordinated unit holders. In addition, incentive distributions are typically not paid to the general partner or managing member unless the quarterly distributions on the common units exceed specified threshold levels above the MQD. In the event of a liquidation, common unit holders are intended to have a preference to the remaining assets of the issuer over holders of subordinated units. MLPs also issue different classes of common units that may have different voting, trading, and distribution rights. The Fund may invest in different classes of common units.

MLP Subordinated Units. Subordinated units, which, like common units, represent limited partner or member interests, are not typically listed on an exchange or publicly traded. The Fund will typically purchase outstanding subordinated units through negotiated transactions directly with holders of such units or newly issued subordinated units directly from the issuer. Holders of such subordinated units are generally entitled to receive a distribution only after the MQD and any arrearages from prior quarters have been paid to holders of common units. Holders of subordinated units typically have the right to receive distributions before any incentive distributions are payable to the general partner or managing member. Subordinated units generally do not provide arrearage rights. Most MLP subordinated units are convertible into common units after the passage of a specified period of time or upon the achievement by the issuer of specified financial goals. MLPs also issue different classes of subordinated units that may have different voting, trading, and distribution rights. The Fund may invest in different classes of subordinated units.

MLP Preferred Units. MLP preferred units are not typically listed on an exchange or publicly traded. The Fund will typically purchase MLP preferred units through negotiated transactions directly with MLPs, affiliates of MLPs and institutional holders of such units. Holders of MLP preferred units can be entitled to a wide range of voting and other rights, depending on the structure of each separate security.

Other Equity Securities

The Fund may invest in equity securities issued by affiliates of MLPs, including the general partners or managing members of MLPs. Such issuers may be organized and/or taxed as corporations and therefore may not

 

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offer the advantageous tax characteristics of MLP units. The Fund intends to purchase equity securities through market transactions, but may also acquire equity securities through direct placements.

I-Shares. I-Shares represent an ownership interest issued by an MLP affiliate. The MLP affiliate uses the proceeds from the sale of I-Shares to purchase limited partnership interests in the MLP in the form of I-units. Thus, I-Shares represent an indirect interest in a MLP limited partnership interest. I-units have similar features as MLP common units in terms of voting rights, liquidation preference and distribution. I-Shares themselves have limited voting rights and are similar in that respect to MLP common units. I-Shares differ from MLP common units primarily in that instead of receiving cash distributions, holders of I-Shares will receive distributions of additional I-Shares in an amount equal to the cash distributions received by common unit holders. I-Shares are traded on the NYSE. For purposes of the Fund’s 80% policy, securities that are derivatives of interests in MLPs include I-Shares and other derivative securities that have economic characteristics of MLP securities.

MLP General Partner or Managing Member Interests. The general partner or managing member interest in MLPs is typically retained by the original sponsors of an MLP, such as its founders, corporate partners and entities that sell assets to the MLP. The holder of the general partner or managing member interest can be liable in certain circumstances for amounts greater than the amount of the holder’s investment in the general partner or managing member. General partner or managing member interests often confer direct board participation rights in, and in many cases control over the operations of, the MLP. General partner or managing member interests can be privately held or owned by publicly traded entities. General partner or managing member interests receive cash distributions, typically in an amount of up to 2% of available cash, which is contractually defined in the partnership or limited liability company agreement. In addition, holders of general partner or managing member interests typically receive IDRs, which provide them with an increasing share of the entity’s aggregate cash distributions upon the payment of per common unit distributions that exceed specified threshold levels above the MQD. Due to the IDRs, General partner MLPs have higher distribution growth prospects than their underlying MLPs, but quarterly incentive distribution payments would also decline at a greater rate than the decline rate in quarterly distributions to common and subordinated unit holders in the event of a reduction in the MLP’s quarterly distribution. The ability of the limited partners or members to remove the general partner or managing member without cause is typically very limited. In addition, some MLPs permit the holder of IDRs to reset, under specified circumstances, the incentive distribution levels and receive compensation in exchange for the distribution rights given up in the reset.

MLP Industries

MLPs in the energy sector can generally be classified into the following industries:

Pipeline MLPs. Pipeline MLPs are common carrier transporters of natural gas, natural gas liquids (primarily propane, ethane, butane and natural gasoline), crude oil or refined petroleum products (gasoline, diesel fuel and jet fuel). Pipeline MLPs also may operate ancillary businesses such as storage and marketing of such products. Pipeline MLPs derive revenue from capacity and transportation fees. Historically, pipeline output has been less exposed to cyclical economic forces due to its low cost structure and government-regulated nature. In addition, most pipeline MLPs have limited direct commodity price exposure because they do not own the product being shipped.

Processing MLPs. Processing MLPs are gatherers and processors of natural gas as well as providers of transportation, fractionation and storage of natural gas liquids (“NGLs”). Processing MLPs derive revenue from providing services to natural gas producers, which require treatment or processing before their natural gas commodity can be marketed to utilities and other end user markets. Revenue for the processor is fee based, although it is not uncommon to have some participation in the prices of the natural gas and NGL commodities for a portion of revenue.

Gathering and Processing MLPs. Gathering and processing companies are subject to natural declines in the production of oil and natural gas fields, which utilize their gathering and processing facilities as a way to market their production, prolonged declines in the price of natural gas or crude oil, which curtails drilling activity and therefore production, and declines in the prices of natural gas liquids and refined petroleum products, which

 

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cause lower processing margins. In addition, some gathering and processing contracts subject the gathering or processing company to direct commodities price risk.

Midstream MLPs. Midstream MLPs and energy companies that provide crude oil, refined product and natural gas services are subject to supply and demand fluctuations in the markets they serve which will be impacted by a wide range of factors including fluctuating commodity prices, weather, increased conservation or use of alternative fuel sources, increased governmental or environmental regulation, depletion, rising interest rates, declines in domestic or foreign production, accidents or catastrophic events, and economic conditions, among others.

Propane MLPs. Propane MLPs are distributors of propane to homeowners for space and water heating. Propane MLPs derive revenue from the resale of the commodity on a margin over wholesale cost. The ability to maintain margin is a key to profitability. Propane serves a small portion of the household energy needs in the United States, largely for homes beyond the geographic reach of natural gas distribution pipelines. A majority of annual cash flow is earned during the winter heating season (October through March). Accordingly, volumes are weather dependent, but have utility type functions similar to electricity and natural gas.

Exploration and Production MLPs (“E&P MLPs”). E&P MLPs include MLPs that are engaged in the exploration, development, production and acquisition of crude oil and natural gas properties. E&P MLP cash flows generally depend on the volume of crude oil and natural gas produced and the realized prices received for crude oil and natural gas sales.

Coal MLPs. Coal MLPs own, lease and manage coal reserves. Coal MLPs derive revenue from production and sale of coal, or from royalty payments related to leases to coal producers. Electricity generation is the primary use of coal in the United States. Demand for electricity and supply of alternative fuels to generators are the primary drivers of coal demand. Coal MLPs are subject to operating and production risks, such as: the MLP or a lessee meeting necessary production volumes; federal, state and local laws and regulations which may limit the ability to produce coal; the MLP’s ability to manage production costs and pay mining reclamation costs; and the effect on demand that the Environmental Protection Agency’s standards set in the 1990 Clean Air Act or other laws, regulations or trends have on coal-end users.

Marine Shipping MLPs. Marine shipping MLPs are primarily marine transporters of natural gas, crude oil or refined petroleum products. Marine shipping MLPs derive revenue from charging customers for the transportation of these products utilizing the MLPs’ vessels. Transportation services are typically provided pursuant to a charter or contract, the terms of which vary depending on, for example, the length of use of a particular vessel, the amount of cargo transported, the number of voyages made, the parties operating a vessel or other factors.

MLPs are subject to various federal, state and local environmental laws and health and safety laws as well as laws and regulations specific to their particular activities. These laws and regulations address: health and safety standards for the operation of facilities, transportation systems and the handling of materials; air and water pollution requirements and standards; solid waste disposal requirements; land reclamation requirements; and requirements relating to the handling and disposition of hazardous materials. MLPs are subject to the costs of compliance with such laws applicable to them, and changes in such laws and regulations may adversely affect their results of operations.

Non-MLP Equity Securities

The Fund also may invest in common and preferred stock, convertible securities, warrants and depository receipts of companies that are organized as corporations, limited liability companies or limited partnerships.

Common Stock. Common stock generally represents an equity ownership interest in an issuer. Although common stocks have historically generated higher average total returns than fixed-income securities over the long term, common stocks also have experienced significantly more volatility in those returns and may under-perform relative to fixed-income securities during certain periods. An adverse event, such as an unfavorable earnings report, may depress the value of a particular common stock held by the Fund. Also, prices of common

 

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stocks are sensitive to general movements in the stock market and a drop in the stock market may depress the price of common stocks to which the Fund has exposure. Common stock prices fluctuate for several reasons including changes in investors’ perceptions of the financial condition of an issuer or the general condition of the relevant stock market, or the occurrence of political or economic events which effect the issuers. In addition, common stock prices may be particularly sensitive to rising interest rates, which increases borrowing costs and the costs of capital.

Preferred Stock. Preferred stock has a preference over common stock in liquidation (and generally as to dividends as well) but is subordinated to the liabilities of the issuer in all respects. As a general rule, the market value of preferred stock with a fixed dividend rate and no conversion element varies inversely with interest rates and perceived credit risk, while the market price of convertible preferred stock generally also reflects some element of conversion value. Because preferred stock is junior to debt securities and other obligations of the issuer, deterioration in the credit quality of the issuer will cause greater changes in the value of a preferred stock than in a more senior debt security with similarly stated yield characteristics. The market value of preferred stock will also generally reflect whether (and if so when) the issuer may force holders to sell their preferred shares back to the issuer and whether (and if so when) the holders may force the issuer to buy back their preferred shares. Generally, the right of the issuer to repurchase the preferred stock tends to reduce any premium that the preferred stock might otherwise trade at due to interest rate or credit factors, while the right of the holders to require the issuer to repurchase the preferred stock tends to reduce any discount that the preferred stock might otherwise trade at due to interest rate or credit factors. In addition, some preferred stocks are non-cumulative, meaning that the dividends do not accumulate and need not ever be paid. A portion of the Fund’s portfolio may include investments in non-cumulative preferred securities, whereby the issuer does not have an obligation to make up any arrearages to its shareholders. There is no assurance that dividends or distributions on non-cumulative preferred stocks in which the Fund invests will be declared or otherwise paid. Preferred stock of certain companies offers the opportunity for capital appreciation as well as periodic income. This may be particularly true in the case of companies that have performed below expectations. If a company’s performance has been poor enough, its preferred stock may trade more like common stock than like other fixed income securities, which may result in above average appreciation if the company’s performance improves.

Convertible Securities. A convertible security is a preferred stock, warrant or other security that may be converted into or exchanged for a prescribed amount of common stock or other security of the same or a different issuer or into cash within a particular period of time at a specified price or formula. A convertible security generally entitles the holder to receive the dividend paid on preferred stock until the convertible security matures or is redeemed, converted or exchanged. Before conversion, convertible securities generally have characteristics similar to both fixed income and equity securities. The value of convertible securities tends to decline as interest rates rise and, because of the conversion feature, tends to vary with fluctuations in the market value of the underlying securities. Convertible securities ordinarily provide a stream of income with generally higher yields than those of common stock of the same or similar issuers. Convertible securities generally rank senior to common stock in a corporation’s capital structure but are usually subordinated to comparable non-convertible securities. Convertible securities generally do not participate directly in any dividend increases or decreases of the underlying securities although the market prices of convertible securities may be affected by any dividend changes or other changes in the underlying securities.

Warrants and Rights. The Fund may invest in warrants or rights (including those acquired in units or attached to other securities) that entitle the holder to buy equity securities at a specific price for a specific period of time but will do so only if such equity securities are deemed appropriate by ClearBridge for inclusion in the Fund’s portfolio.

Restricted Securities and Securities with Limited Trading Markets

The Fund may invest up to 30% of its Managed Assets in unregistered or otherwise restricted securities, and up to 15% of its Managed Assets in restricted securities issued by non-public companies. If the Fund were to assume substantial positions in securities with limited trading markets, the activities of the Fund could have an adverse effect upon the liquidity and marketability of such securities and the Fund might not be able to dispose of

 

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its holdings in those securities at then current market prices. Circumstances could also exist when portfolio securities might have to be sold by the Fund at times which otherwise might be considered to be disadvantageous so that the Fund might receive lower proceeds from such sales than it had expected to realize. Investments in securities which are “restricted” (i.e. unregistered or subject to contractual or other legal restrictions on resale) may involve added expenses to the Fund should the Fund be required to bear registration costs with respect to such securities. The Fund could also be delayed in disposing of such securities which might have an adverse effect upon the price and timing of sales and the liquidity of the Fund. Restricted securities and securities for which there is a limited trading market may be significantly more difficult to value due to the unavailability of reliable market quotations for such securities, and investment in such securities may have an adverse impact on the Fund’s net asset value. The Fund may purchase Rule 144A securities for which there may be a secondary market of qualified institutional buyers as contemplated by Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”).

Debt Securities

The Fund may invest up to 20% of its Managed Assets in debt securities of MLPs and other issuers. Debt securities may have fixed or variable principal payments and all types of interest rate and dividend payment and reset terms, including fixed rate, adjustable rate, zero coupon, contingent, deferred, payment in kind and auction rate features. The Fund has the flexibility to invest in debt securities that are below investment grade quality (that is, rated Ba or lower by Moody’s, BB+ or lower by S&P or Fitch, comparably rated by another NRSRO, or, if unrated, determined by ClearBridge to be of comparable credit quality). These debt securities are commonly referred to as “high yield” securities or “junk” bonds. The Fund may invest in debt securities without regard for their maturity. Issuers of securities rated Ba/BB+ are regarded as having current capacity to make principal and interest payments but are subject to business, financial or economic conditions which could adversely affect such payment capacity. Debt securities rated Baa3 or BBB- or above are considered “investment grade” securities. Debt securities rated below investment grade quality are obligations of issuers that are considered predominately speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal according to the terms of the obligation and, therefore, carry greater investment risk, including the possibility of issuer default and bankruptcy and increased market price volatility. Debt securities rated below investment grade tend to be less marketable than higher-quality securities because the market for them is less broad.

A general description of Moody’s, S&P’s and Fitch’s ratings of bonds is set forth in Appendix A to the SAI. The ratings of Moody’s, S&P and Fitch generally represent their opinions as to the quality of the bonds they rate. It should be emphasized, however, that such ratings are relative and subjective, are not absolute standards of quality, are subject to change and do not evaluate the market risk and liquidity of the securities. Consequently, bonds with the same maturity, coupon and rating may have different yields while obligations of the same maturity and coupon with different ratings may have the same yield. See “Risks—Below Investment Grade (High Yield or Junk Bond) Securities Risk.”

Royalty Trusts

The Fund may invest in royalty trusts. However, such investments do not count towards the Fund’s 80% policy. Royalty trusts are publicly traded investment vehicles that gather income on royalties and pay out almost all cash flows to stockholders as distributions. Royalty trusts typically have no physical operations and no management or employees. Typically royalty trusts own the rights to royalties on the production and sales of a natural resource, including oil, gas, minerals and timber. As these deplete, production and cash flows steadily decline, which may decrease distributions. Royalty trusts are, in some respects, similar to certain MLPs and include risks similar to those MLPs.

Other Sector Investments

The Fund may invest in MLPs or MLP affiliates in other sectors of the economy. For instance, the Fund may invest in entities operating in the natural resources sector including companies principally engaged in owning or developing non-energy natural resources (including timber and minerals) and industrial materials, or supplying goods or services to such companies.

 

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Foreign Securities and Emerging Markets

The Fund may invest in securities of foreign issuers including securities trading on non-U.S. exchanges and emerging markets. A fund that invests in foreign (non-U.S.) securities may experience more rapid and extreme changes in value than a fund that invests exclusively in securities of U.S. companies. The securities markets of many foreign countries are relatively small, with a limited number of companies representing a small number of industries. Investments in foreign securities (including those denominated in U.S. dollars) are subject to economic and political developments in the countries and regions where the issuers operate or are domiciled, or where the securities are traded, such as changes in economic or monetary policies. Values may also be affected by restrictions on receiving the investment proceeds from a foreign country. Less information may be publicly available about foreign companies than about U.S. companies. Foreign companies are generally not subject to the same accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards as are U.S. companies. In addition, the Fund’s investments in foreign securities may be subject to the risk of nationalization or expropriation of assets, imposition of currency exchange controls or restrictions on the repatriation of foreign currency, confiscatory taxation, political or financial instability and adverse diplomatic developments. In addition, there may be difficulty in obtaining or enforcing a court judgment abroad. Dividends or interest on, or proceeds from the sale of, foreign securities may be subject to non-US. withholding taxes, and special U.S. tax considerations may apply.

The risks of foreign investment are greater for investments in emerging markets. The Fund considers a country to be an emerging market country if, at the time of investment, it is represented in the J.P. Morgan Emerging Markets Bond Index Global or categorized by the World Bank in its annual categorization as middle or low-income. Emerging market countries typically have economic and political systems that are less fully developed, and that can be expected to be less stable, than those of more advanced countries. Low trading volumes may result in a lack of liquidity and in price volatility. Emerging market countries may have policies that restrict investment by foreigners, that require governmental approval prior to investments by foreign persons, or that prevent foreign investors from withdrawing their money at will. An investment in emerging market securities should be considered speculative.

Additional Investment Activities

Derivatives

Generally, derivatives are financial contracts whose value depends upon, or is derived from, the value of an underlying asset, reference rate or index, and may relate to individual debt or equity instruments, interest rates, currencies or currency exchange rates and related indexes. The Fund may invest in derivative instruments, such as options contracts, futures contracts, forward contracts, options on futures contracts and indexed securities for investment, hedging and risk management purposes; provided that the Fund’s exposure to derivative instruments, as measured by the total notional amount of all such instruments, will not exceed 20% of its Managed Assets. With respect to this limitation, the Fund may net derivatives with opposite exposure to the same underlying instrument. The Fund may sell certain equity securities short for investment and/or hedging purposes. See “Risks—Derivatives Risk.” The Fund may use any or all of these techniques at any time, and the use of any particular derivative transaction will depend on market conditions. Additional information on the derivative transactions that the Fund may use is included in the SAI. The Fund’s ability to pursue certain of these strategies may be limited by applicable regulations of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

The Fund’s use of derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investment directly in securities and other more traditional investments.

Other Investment Companies

The Fund may invest in securities of other closed-end or open-end investment companies that invest primarily in MLP entities in which the Fund may invest directly to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act. The Fund may invest in other investment companies during periods when it has large amounts of uninvested cash, such as the period shortly after the Fund receives the proceeds of the offering of its Common Stock, during periods when there is a shortage of attractive MLP securities available in the market, or when ClearBridge believes share prices of other investment companies offer attractive values. The Fund may invest in investment

 

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companies that are advised by ClearBridge or its affiliates to the extent permitted by applicable law and/or pursuant to exemptive relief from the SEC. As a stockholder in an investment company, the Fund will bear its ratable share of that investment company’s expenses, and would remain subject to payment of the Fund’s management fees and other expenses with respect to assets so invested. Stockholders would therefore be subject to duplicative expenses to the extent the Fund invests in other investment companies. ClearBridge will take expenses into account when evaluating the investment merits of an investment in an investment company relative to available investments. In addition, the securities of other investment companies may also be leveraged and will therefore be subject to the same leverage risks described herein. As described in the section entitled “Risks— Leverage Risk,” the net asset value and market value of leveraged shares will be more volatile and the yield to stockholders will tend to fluctuate more than the yield generated by unleveraged shares. Other investment companies may have investment policies that differ from those of the Fund. In addition, to the extent the Fund invests in other investment companies, the Fund will be dependent upon the investment and research abilities of persons other than ClearBridge.

New Securities and Other Investment Techniques

New types of securities and other investment and hedging practices are developed from time to time. ClearBridge expects, consistent with the Fund’s investment objective and policies, to invest in such new types of securities and to engage in such new types of investment practices if ClearBridge believes that these investments and investment techniques may assist the Fund in achieving its investment objective. In addition, ClearBridge may use investment techniques and instruments that are not specifically described herein.

Temporary Defensive Strategies

At times ClearBridge may judge that conditions in the markets for securities of MLP entities make pursuing the Fund’s primary investment strategy inconsistent with the best interests of its stockholders. At such times ClearBridge may, temporarily, use alternative strategies primarily designed to reduce fluctuations in the value of the Fund’s assets. If the Fund takes a temporary defensive position, it may be unable to achieve its investment objective.

In implementing these “defensive” strategies, the Fund may invest all or a portion of its assets in obligations of the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities; other investment grade debt securities; investment grade commercial paper; certificates of deposit and bankers’ acceptances; or any other fixed income securities that ClearBridge considers consistent with this strategy. It is impossible to predict if, when or for how long the Fund will use these alternative strategies. There can be no assurance that such strategies will be successful.

Portfolio Turnover

It is not the Fund’s policy to engage in transactions with the objective of seeking profits from short-term trading. However, the Fund may engage in active and frequent trading when ClearBridge believes such trading is, in light of prevailing economic and market conditions, in the best interests of the Fund’s stockholders. Frequent trading also increases transaction costs, which could detract from the Fund’s performance.

Fundamental Investment Policies

The Fund’s investment objective, and the investment restrictions listed in the SAI, are considered fundamental and may not be changed without the approval of the holders of a majority of the outstanding Common Stock (and Preferred Stock, if any). A “majority of the outstanding” shares means (i) 67% or more of the shares present at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the shares outstanding are present or represented by proxy or (ii) more than 50% of the shares outstanding, whichever of (i) or (ii) is less. See “Investment Restrictions” in the SAI for a complete list of the fundamental and non-fundamental investment policies of the Fund.

USE OF LEVERAGE

The Fund may seek to enhance the level of its cash distributions to holders of Common Stock through the use of leverage. The Fund may use leverage through Borrowings in an aggregate amount of up to 33 ¹/3% of the

 

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Fund’s total assets immediately after such Borrowings. Furthermore, the Fund may use leverage through the issuance of Preferred Stock in an aggregate amount of up to 50% of the Fund’s total assets immediately after such issuance. The Fund may not use leverage at all times, and the amount of leverage may vary depending upon a number of factors, including LMPFA’s and ClearBridge’s outlook for the market and the costs that the Fund would incur as a result of such leverage. Under current market conditions, the Fund intends to utilize leverage principally through Borrowings from certain financial institutions in an amount up to 20-25% of its Managed Assets. Currently, the Fund has no intention to issue Preferred Stock, but circumstances may arise such that the Fund may choose to issue Preferred Stock. In addition, the Fund may enter into investment management techniques that have similar effects as leverage, but which are not subject to the foregoing 33 ¹/3% limitation so long as the Fund has covered its commitment with respect to such techniques by segregating liquid assets, entering into offsetting transactions or owning positions covering its obligations. Any Borrowings and Preferred Stock would have seniority over the Common Stock. There is no assurance that the Fund’s leveraging strategy will be successful.

Any Borrowings and Preferred Stock (if issued) will leverage your investment in Common Stock. Common Stockholders will bear the costs associated with any Borrowings, and if the Fund issues Preferred Stock, Common Stockholders will bear the offering costs of the Preferred Stock issuance. The Board of Directors of the Fund may authorize the use of leverage through Borrowings and Preferred Stock without the approval of the Common Stockholders.

The Fund may negotiate with several large commercial banks to arrange either a floating or fixed-rate credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) pursuant to which the Fund would be entitled to borrow an amount equal to approximately 33 ¹/3% of the Fund’s Managed Assets less any amounts of existing leverage, including from the issuance of Preferred Shares. Any such Borrowings would constitute financial leverage.

Under the 1940 Act, the Fund is not permitted to incur indebtedness, including through the issuance of debt securities, unless immediately thereafter the total asset value of the Fund’s portfolio is at least 300% of the aggregate amount of outstanding indebtedness (i.e., the aggregate amount of outstanding debt may not exceed 33 ¹/3% of the Fund’s Managed Assets). In addition, the Fund is not permitted to declare any cash distribution on its Common Stock unless, at the time of such declaration, the net asset value of the Fund’s portfolio (determined deducting the amount of such distribution) is at least 300% of the aggregate amount of such outstanding indebtedness. If the Fund borrows money, the Fund intends, to the extent possible, to retire outstanding debt from time to time to maintain coverage of any outstanding indebtedness of at least 300%.

Under the Credit Facility, the Fund may be required to prepay outstanding amounts or incur a penalty rate of interest upon the occurrence of certain events of default. The Fund expects that any such Credit Facility would have customary covenant, negative covenant and default provisions that, among other things, likely would limit the Fund’s ability to pay distributions in certain circumstances, incur additional debt, change its fundamental investment policies and engage in certain transactions, including mergers and consolidations, and require asset coverage ratios in addition to those required by the 1940 Act. The Fund may be required to pledge some or all of its assets and to maintain a portion of its assets in cash or high-grade securities as a reserve against interest or principal payments and expenses. The Fund’s custodian will retain all assets, including those that are pledged. The Fund’s custodian is not an affiliate of the Fund, as such term is defined in the 1940 Act. There can be no assurance that the Fund will enter into an agreement for the Credit Facility on terms and conditions representative of the foregoing, or that additional material terms will not apply. In addition, if entered into, the Credit Facility may in the future be replaced or refinanced by one or more credit facilities having substantially different terms or by the issuance of preferred shares or debt securities.

Changes in the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities, including costs attributable to Borrowings or Preferred Stock, will be borne entirely by the holders of the Common Stock. If there is a net decrease (or increase) in the value of the Fund’s investment portfolio, the leverage will decrease (or increase) the net asset value per share of Common Stock to a greater extent than if the Fund were not leveraged. During periods when the Fund is using leverage through Borrowings or the issuance of Preferred Stock, the fees paid to LMPFA and ClearBridge for advisory services will be higher than if the Fund did not use leverage because the fees paid will

 

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be calculated on the basis of the Fund’s Managed Assets, which includes the principal amount of the Borrowings and any assets attributable to the issuance of Preferred Stock. This means that LMPFA and ClearBridge may have a financial incentive to increase the Fund’s use of leverage.

Utilization of leverage is a speculative investment technique and involves certain risks to the Common Stockholders. These include the possibility of higher volatility of the net asset value of the Common Stock and potentially more volatility in the market value of the Common Stock. So long as the Fund is able to realize a higher net return on its investment portfolio than the then-current cost of any leverage together with other related expenses, the effect of the leverage will be to cause Common Stockholders to realize a higher rate of return than if the Fund were not so leveraged. On the other hand, to the extent that the then-current cost of any leverage, together with other related expenses, approaches the net return on the Fund’s investment portfolio, the benefit of leverage to Common Stockholders will be reduced, and if the then-current cost of any leverage together with related expenses were to exceed the net return on the Fund’s portfolio, the Fund’s leveraged capital structure would result in a lower rate of return to Common Stockholders than if the Fund were not so leveraged.

Under the 1940 Act, the Fund is not permitted to issue Preferred Stock unless immediately after such issuance the value of the Fund’s asset coverage is at least 200% of the liquidation value of the outstanding Preferred Stock (i.e., such liquidation value may not exceed 50% of the Fund’s assets less all liabilities other than Borrowings and outstanding Preferred Stock).

In addition, the Fund is not permitted to declare any cash dividend or other distribution on its Common Stock unless, at the time of such declaration, the value of the Fund’s assets less liabilities other than Borrowings and outstanding Preferred Stock satisfies the above-referenced 200% coverage requirement. If Preferred Stock is issued, the Fund intends, to the extent possible, to purchase or redeem Preferred Stock from time to time to the extent necessary in order to maintain coverage of at least 200%.

If Preferred Stock is outstanding, two of the Fund’s Directors will be elected by the holders of Preferred Stock, voting separately as a class. The remaining Directors of the Fund will be elected by holders of Common Stock and Preferred Stock voting together as a single class. In the unlikely event that the Fund fails to pay dividends on the Preferred Stock for two years, holders of Preferred Stock would be entitled to elect a majority of the Directors of the Fund.

The Fund may be subject to certain restrictions imposed either by guidelines of a lender, if the Fund borrows from a lender, or by one or more rating agencies which may issue ratings for Preferred Stock. These guidelines may impose asset coverage or portfolio composition requirements that are more stringent than those imposed on the Fund by the 1940 Act. It is not anticipated that these covenants or guidelines will impede LMPFA and ClearBridge from managing the Fund’s portfolio in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective and policies. In addition to other considerations, to the extent that the Fund believes that the covenants and guidelines required by the rating agencies would impede its ability to meet its investment objective, or if the Fund is unable to obtain its desired rating on Preferred Stock, the Fund will not issue Preferred Stock.

Effects of Leverage

The following table is furnished in response to requirements of the SEC. It is designed to illustrate the effect of leverage on Common Stock total return, assuming investment portfolio total returns (comprised of income and changes in the value of securities held in the Fund’s portfolio) of -10%, -5%, 0%, 5% and 10%. These assumed investment portfolio returns are hypothetical figures and are not necessarily indicative of the investment portfolio returns experienced or expected to be experienced by the Fund. See “Risks.”

The table further reflects the issuance of leverage representing 25% of the Fund’s Managed Assets, net of expenses, the Fund’s currently projected annual dividend and interest on its leverage of %.

 

Assumed Portfolio Total Return (Net of Expenses)			(10	)%			(5	)%			0	%			5	%			10	%
Common Stock Total Return			(14	)%			(17.33	)%			(0.67	)%			6.00	%			12.67	%

 

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Common Stock Total Return is composed of two elements: the Common Stock dividends paid by the Fund (the amount of which is largely determined by the net investment income of the Fund after paying dividends or interest on its leverage) and gains or losses on the value of the securities the Fund owns. As required by SEC rules, the table above assumes that the Fund is more likely to suffer capital losses than to enjoy capital appreciation. For example, to assume a total return of 0% the Fund must assume that the distributions it receives from its MLP investments is entirely offset by losses in the value of those investments.

 

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RISKS

The Fund is a newly organized, non-diversified, closed-end management investment company designed primarily as a long-term investment and not as a trading vehicle. The Fund is not intended to be a complete investment program and, due to the uncertainty inherent in all investments, there can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. Your Common Stock at any point in time may be worth less than you invested, even after taking into account the reinvestment of Fund dividends and distributions.

No History of Operations

The Fund is a newly organized, non-diversified, closed-end management investment company with no history of operations or public trading.

Investment and Market Risk

An investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of the entire amount that you invest. Your investment in Common Stock represents an indirect investment in MLPs and other securities owned by the Fund, most of which could be purchased directly. The value of the Fund’s portfolio securities may move up or down, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably. At any point in time, your Common Stock may be worth less than your original investment and may even be worth zero.

Risks of Investing in MLP Units

An investment in MLP units involves risks that differ from a similar investment in equity securities, such as common stock, of a corporation. Holders of MLP units have the rights typically afforded to limited partners in a limited partnership. As compared to common stockholders of a corporation, holders of MLP units have more limited control and limited rights to vote on matters affecting the partnership. There are certain tax risks associated with an investment in MLP units (described further below). Additionally, conflicts of interest may exist among common unit holders, subordinated unit holders and the general partner or managing member of an MLP; for example a conflict may arise as a result of incentive distribution payments.

Tax Risks of Investing in Equity Securities of MLPs

Much of the benefit the Fund derives from its investment in equity securities of MLPs is a result of MLPs generally being treated as partnerships for United States federal income tax purposes. Partnerships do not pay United States federal income tax at the partnership level. Rather, each partner of a partnership, in computing its United States federal income tax liability, will include its allocable share of the partnership’s income, gains, losses, deductions and expenses. A change in current tax law, a change in the business of a given MLP or a change in the types of income earned by a given MLP, could result in an MLP being treated as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes, which would result in such MLP being required to pay United States federal income tax on its taxable income. The classification of an MLP as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes would have the effect of reducing the amount of cash available for distribution by the MLP and causing any such distributions received by the Fund to be taxed as dividend income to the extent of the MLP’s current or accumulated earnings and profits. Thus, if any of the MLPs owned by the Fund were treated as corporations for United States federal income tax purposes, the after-tax return to the Fund with respect to its investment in such MLPs would be materially reduced, which could cause a substantial decline in the value of the Common Stock.

The Fund will be treated as a regular corporation, or a “C” corporation, for United States federal income tax purposes and, as a result, unlike most investment companies, is subject to corporate income tax to the extent the Fund recognizes taxable income. Any taxes paid by the Fund will reduce the amount available to pay distributions to you, and therefore investors in the Fund will likely receive lower distributions than if they invested directly in MLPs.

To the extent that the Fund invests in the equity securities of an MLP, the Fund will be a partner in such MLP. Accordingly, the Fund will be required to include in its taxable income the Fund’s allocable share of the income, gains, losses, deductions and expenses recognized by each such MLP, regardless of whether the MLP

 

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distributes cash to the Fund. Historically, MLPs have been able to offset a significant portion of their income with tax deductions. The Fund will incur a current tax liability on its allocable share of an MLP’s income and gains that is not offset by the MLP’s tax deductions, losses and credits, or its net operating loss carryforwards, if any. The portion, if any, of a distribution received by the Fund from an MLP that is offset by the MLP’s tax deductions, losses or credits is essentially treated as a return of capital. However, those distributions will reduce the Fund’s adjusted tax basis in the equity securities of the MLP, which will result in an increase in the amount of gain (or decrease in the amount of loss) that will be recognized by the Fund for United States federal income tax purposes upon the sale of any such equity securities or upon subsequent distributions in respect of such equity securities. The percentage of an MLP’s income and gains that is offset by tax deductions, losses and credits will fluctuate over time for various reasons. A significant slowdown in acquisition activity or capital spending by MLPs held in the Fund’s portfolio could result in a reduction of accelerated depreciation generated by new acquisitions, which may result in increased current tax liability for the Fund.

The Fund will accrue deferred income taxes for its future tax liability associated with the difference between the Fund’s tax basis in an MLP security and the fair market value of the MLP security. Upon the Fund’s sale of an MLP security, the Fund may be liable for previously deferred taxes. The Fund will rely to some extent on information provided by MLPs, which may not necessarily be timely, to estimate deferred tax liability for purposes of financial statement reporting and determining its net asset value. From time to time, the Fund will modify its estimates or assumptions regarding its deferred tax liability as new information becomes available.

Because of the Fund’s status as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes and its investments in equity securities of MLPs, the Fund’s earnings and profits may be calculated using accounting methods that are different from those used for calculating taxable income. Because of these differences, the Fund may make distributions out of its current or accumulated earnings and profits, which will be treated as dividends, in excess of its taxable income. See “Certain United States Federal Income Tax Considerations.”

In addition, changes in tax laws or regulations, or future interpretations of such laws or regulations, could adversely affect the Fund or the MLP investments in which the Fund invests. In particular, certain recent proposals have called for the elimination of tax incentives widely used by oil, gas and coal companies and the imposition of new fees on certain energy producers. The elimination of such tax incentives and imposition of such fees could adversely affect MLPs in which the Fund invests and the energy sector generally.

Affiliated Party Risk

Certain MLPs in which the Fund may invest depend upon their parent or sponsor entities for the majority of their revenues. If their parent or sponsor entities fail to make such payments or satisfy their obligations, the revenues and cash flows of such MLPs and ability of such MLPs to make distributions to unit holders, such as the Fund, would be adversely affected.

Equity Securities Risk

A substantial percentage of the Fund’s assets will be invested in equity securities, including MLP common units, MLP subordinated units, MLP preferred units, equity securities of MLP affiliates, including I-Shares, and common stocks of other issuers. Equity risk is the risk that MLP units or other equity securities held by the Fund will fall due to general market or economic conditions, perceptions regarding the industries in which the issuers of securities held by the Fund participate, changes in interest rates, and the particular circumstances and performance of particular companies whose securities the Fund holds. The price of an equity security of an issuer may be particularly sensitive to general movements in the stock market, or a drop in the stock market may depress the price of most or all of the equity securities held by the Fund. In addition, MLP units or other equity securities held by the Fund may decline in price if the issuer fails to make anticipated distributions or dividend payments because, among other reasons, the issuer experiences a decline in its financial condition.

MLP subordinated units typically are convertible to MLP common units at a one-to-one ratio. The price of MLP subordinated units is typically tied to the price of the corresponding MLP common unit, less a discount. The size of the discount depends upon a variety of factors, including the likelihood of conversion, the length of time remaining until conversion and the size of the block of subordinated units being purchased or sold.

 

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I-Shares represent an indirect investment in MLP I-units. Prices and volatilities of I-Shares tend to correlate to the price of common units. Holders of I-Shares are subject to the same risks as holders of MLP common units.

Energy Sector Risks

Because the Fund will invest at least 80% of its Managed Assets in MLPs in the energy sector, concentration in the energy sector may present more risks than if the Fund were broadly diversified over numerous sectors of the economy. A downturn in the energy sector of the economy, adverse political, legislative or regulatory developments or other events could have a larger impact on the Fund than on an investment company that does not concentrate in the sector. At times, the performance of securities of companies in the sector may lag the performance of other sectors or the broader market as a whole. In addition, there are several specific risks associated with investments in the energy sector, including the following.

Commodity Price Risk. MLPs and other entities operating in the energy sector may be affected by fluctuations in the prices of energy commodities, including, for example, natural gas, natural gas liquids, crude oil and coal, in the short- and long-term. Fluctuations in energy commodity prices would impact directly companies that own such energy commodities and could impact indirectly companies that engage in transportation, storage, processing, distribution or marketing of such energy commodities. Fluctuations in energy commodity prices can result from changes in general economic conditions or political circumstances (especially of key energy producing and consuming countries); market conditions; weather patterns; domestic production levels; volume of imports; energy conservation; domestic and foreign governmental regulation; international politics; policies of OPEC; taxation; tariffs; and the availability and costs of local, intrastate and interstate transportation methods. The energy sector as a whole may also be impacted by the perception that the performance of energy sector companies is directly linked to commodity prices. High commodity prices may drive further energy conservation efforts, and a slowing economy may adversely impact energy consumption, which may adversely affect the performance of MLPs and other companies operating in the energy sector. Recent economic and market events have fueled concerns regarding potential liquidations of commodity futures and options positions.

Depletion Risk. MLPs and other entities engaged in the exploration, development, management or production of energy commodities face the risk that commodity reserves are depleted over time. Such companies seek to increase their reserves through expansion of their current businesses, acquisitions, further development of their existing sources of energy commodities, exploration of new sources of energy commodities or by entering into long-term contracts for additional reserves; however, there are risks associated with each of these potential strategies. If such companies fail to acquire additional reserves in a cost-effective manner and at a rate at least equal to the rate at which their existing reserves decline, their financial performance may suffer. Additionally, failure to replenish reserves could reduce the amount and affect the tax characterization of the distributions paid by such companies.

Supply and Demand Risk. MLPs and other entities operating in the energy sector could be adversely affected by reductions in the supply of or demand for energy commodities. The volume of production of energy commodities and the volume of energy commodities available for transportation, storage, processing or distribution could be affected by a variety of factors, including depletion of resources; depressed commodity prices; catastrophic events; labor relations; increased environmental or other governmental regulation; equipment malfunctions and maintenance difficulties; import volumes; international politics, policies of OPEC; and increased competition from alternative energy sources. Alternatively, a decline in demand for energy commodities could result from factors such as adverse economic conditions (especially in key energy-consuming countries); increased taxation; increased environmental or other governmental regulation; increased fuel economy; increased energy conservation or use of alternative energy sources; legislation intended to promote the use of alternative energy sources; or increased commodity prices.

Regulatory Risk. The energy sector is highly regulated. MLPs and other entities operating in the energy sector are subject to significant regulation of nearly every aspect of their operations by federal, state and local governmental agencies. Such regulation can change rapidly or over time in both scope and intensity. For example, a particular by-product or process may be declared hazardous—sometimes retroactively—by a regulatory agency and unexpectedly increase production costs. Various governmental authorities have the power

 

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to enforce compliance with these regulations and the permits issued under them, and violators are subject to administrative, civil and criminal penalties, including civil fines, injunctions or both. Stricter laws, regulations or enforcement policies could be enacted in the future which would likely increase compliance costs and may materially adversely affect the financial performance of MLPs.

Specifically, the operations of wells, gathering systems, pipelines, refineries and other facilities are subject to stringent and complex federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations. These include, for example:

 

•

the federal Clean Air Act and comparable state laws and regulations that impose obligations related to air emissions;

 

•

the federal Clean Water Act and comparable state laws and regulations that impose obligations related to discharges of pollutants into regulated bodies of water;

 

•

RCRA and comparable state laws and regulations that impose requirements for the handling and disposal of waste from facilities; and

 

•

CERCLA, also known as “Superfund,” and comparable state laws and regulations that regulate the cleanup of hazardous substances that may have been released at properties currently or previously owned or operated by MLPs or at locations to which they have sent waste for disposal.

Failure to comply with these laws and regulations may trigger a variety of administrative, civil and criminal enforcement measures, including the assessment of monetary penalties, the imposition of remedial requirements, and the issuance of orders enjoining future operations. Certain environmental statutes, including RCRA, CERCLA, the federal Oil Pollution Act and analogous state laws and regulations, impose strict, joint and several liability for costs required to clean up and restore sites where hazardous substances have been disposed of or otherwise released. Moreover, it is not uncommon for neighboring landowners and other third parties to file claims for personal injury and property damage allegedly caused by the release of hazardous substances or other waste products into the environment.

There is an inherent risk that MLPs may incur material environmental costs and liabilities due to the nature of their businesses and the substances they handle. For example, an accidental release from wells or gathering pipelines could subject them to substantial liabilities for environmental cleanup and restoration costs, claims made by neighboring landowners and other third parties for personal injury and property damage, and fines or penalties for related violations of environmental laws or regulations. Moreover, the possibility exists that stricter laws, regulations or enforcement policies could significantly increase the compliance costs of MLPs, and the cost of any remediation that may become necessary. MLPs may not be able to recover these costs from insurance.

Voluntary initiatives and mandatory controls have been adopted or are being discussed both in the United States and worldwide to reduce emissions of “greenhouse gases” such as carbon dioxide, a by-product of burning fossil fuels, and methane, the major constituent of natural gas, which many scientists and policymakers believe contribute to global climate change. These measures and future measures could result in increased costs to certain companies in which the Fund may invest to operate and maintain facilities and administer and manage a greenhouse gas emissions program and may reduce demand for fuels that generate greenhouse gases and that are managed or produced by companies in which the Fund may invest.

In the wake of a Supreme Court decision holding that the EPA has some legal authority to deal with climate change under the Clean Air Act, the EPA and the Department of Transportation jointly wrote regulations to cut gasoline use and control greenhouse gas emissions from cars and trucks. These measures, and other programs addressing greenhouse gas emissions, could reduce demand for energy or raise prices, which may adversely affect the total return of certain of the Fund’s investments.

Acquisition Risk. MLP investments owned by the Fund may depend on their ability to make acquisitions that increase adjusted operating surplus per unit in order to increase distributions to unit holders. The ability of such MLPs to make future acquisitions is dependent on their ability to identify suitable targets, negotiate favorable purchase contracts, obtain acceptable financing and outbid competing potential acquirers. To the extent that such MLPs are unable to make future acquisitions, or such future acquisitions fail to increase the adjusted

 

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operating surplus per unit, their growth and ability to make distributions to unit holders will be limited. There are risks inherent in any acquisition, including erroneous assumptions regarding revenues, acquisition expenses, operating expenses, cost savings and synergies; assumption of liabilities; indemnification; customer losses; key employee defections; distraction from other business operations; and unanticipated difficulties in operating or integrating new product areas and geographic regions.

Weather Risks. Weather plays a role in the seasonality of some MLPs’ cash flows. MLPs in the propane industry, for example, rely on the winter season to generate almost all of their earnings. In an unusually warm winter season, propane MLPs experience decreased demand for their product. Although most MLPs can reasonably predict seasonal weather demand based on normal weather patterns, extreme weather conditions, such as the hurricanes that severely damaged cities along the U.S. Gulf Coast in recent years, demonstrate that no amount of preparation can protect an MLP from the unpredictability of the weather or possible climate change. The damage done by extreme weather also may serve to increase many MLPs’ insurance premiums and could adversely affect such companies’ financial condition and ability to pay distributions to shareholders.

Catastrophic Event Risk. MLPs and other entities operating in the energy sector are subject to many dangers inherent in the production, exploration, management, transportation, processing and distribution of natural gas, natural gas liquids, crude oil, refined petroleum and petroleum products and other hydrocarbons. These dangers include leaks, fires, explosions, damage to facilities and equipment resulting from natural disasters, inadvertent damage to facilities and equipment (such as those suffered by BP’s Deepwater Horizon drilling platform in 2010) and terrorist acts. Since the September 11th terrorist attacks, the U.S. government has issued warnings that energy assets, specifically U.S. pipeline infrastructure, may be targeted in future terrorist attacks. These dangers give rise to risks of substantial losses as a result of loss or destruction of commodity reserves; damage to or destruction of property, facilities and equipment; pollution and environmental damage; and personal injury or loss of life. Any occurrence of such catastrophic events could bring about a limitation, suspension or discontinuation of the operations of MLPs and other entities operating in the energy sector. MLPs and other entities operating in the energy sector may not be fully insured against all risks inherent in their business operations and therefore accidents and catastrophic events could adversely affect such companies’ financial condition and ability to pay distributions to shareholders.

Industry Specific Risks

MLPs and other entities operating in the energy sector are also subject to risks that are specific to the industry they serve.

Pipelines. Pipeline companies are subject to the demand for natural gas, natural gas liquids, crude oil or refined products in the markets they serve, changes in the availability of products for gathering, transportation, processing or sale due to natural declines in reserves and production in the supply areas serviced by the companies’ facilities, sharp decreases in crude oil or natural gas prices that cause producers to curtail production or reduce capital spending for exploration activities, and environmental regulation. Demand for gasoline, which accounts for a substantial portion of refined product transportation, depends on price, prevailing economic conditions in the markets served, and demographic and seasonal factors. Companies that own interstate pipelines that transport natural gas, natural gas liquids, crude oil or refined petroleum products are subject to regulation by FERC with respect to the tariff rates they may charge for transportation services. An adverse determination by FERC with respect to the tariff rates of such companies could have a material adverse effect on their business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows and their ability to pay cash distributions or dividends. In addition, FERC has a tax allowance policy, which permits such companies to include in their cost of service an income tax allowance to the extent that their owners have an actual or potential tax liability on the income generated by them. If FERC’s income tax allowance policy were to change in the future to disallow a material portion of the income tax allowance taken by such interstate pipeline companies, it would adversely impact the maximum tariff rates that such companies are permitted to charge for their transportation services, which would in turn could adversely affect such companies’ financial condition and ability to pay distributions to shareholders.

Gathering and processing. Gathering and processing companies are subject to natural declines in the production of oil and natural gas fields, which utilize their gathering and processing facilities as a way to market

 

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their production, prolonged declines in the price of natural gas or crude oil, which curtails drilling activity and therefore production, and declines in the prices of natural gas liquids and refined petroleum products, which cause lower processing margins. In addition, some gathering and processing contracts subject the gathering or processing company to direct commodities price risk.

Midstream. Midstream MLPs and other entities that provide crude oil, refined product and natural gas services are subject to supply and demand fluctuations in the markets they serve which may be impacted by a wide range of factors including fluctuating commodity prices, weather, increased conservation or use of alternative fuel sources, increased governmental or environmental regulation, depletion, rising interest rates, declines in domestic or foreign production, accidents or catastrophic events, and economic conditions, among others.

Exploration and production. Exploration, development and production companies are particularly vulnerable to declines in the demand for and prices of crude oil and natural gas. Reductions in prices for crude oil and natural gas can cause a given reservoir to become uneconomic for continued production earlier than it would if prices were higher, resulting in the plugging and abandonment of, and cessation of production from, that reservoir. In addition, lower commodity prices not only reduce revenues but also can result in substantial downward adjustments in reserve estimates. The accuracy of any reserve estimate is a function of the quality of available data, the accuracy of assumptions regarding future commodity prices and future exploration and development costs and engineering and geological interpretations and judgments. Different reserve engineers may make different estimates of reserve quantities and related revenue based on the same data. Actual oil and gas prices, development expenditures and operating expenses will vary from those assumed in reserve estimates, and these variances may be significant. Any significant variance from the assumptions used could result in the actual quantity of reserves and future net cash flow being materially different from those estimated in reserve reports. In addition, results of drilling, testing and production and changes in prices after the date of reserve estimates may result in downward revisions to such estimates. Substantial downward adjustments in reserve estimates could have a material adverse effect on a given exploration and production company’s financial position and results of operations. In addition, due to natural declines in reserves and production, exploration and production companies must economically find or acquire and develop additional reserves in order to maintain and grow their revenues and distributions.

Propane. Propane MLPs are subject to earnings variability based upon weather conditions in the markets they serve, fluctuating commodity prices, increased use of alternative fuels, increased governmental or environmental regulation, and accidents or catastrophic events, among others.

Coal. MLP entities and other entities with coal assets are subject to supply and demand fluctuations in the markets they serve, which may be impacted by a wide range of factors including fluctuating commodity prices, the level of their customers’ coal stockpiles, weather, increased conservation or use of alternative fuel sources, increased governmental or environmental regulation, depletion, rising interest rates, declines in domestic or foreign production, mining accidents or catastrophic events, health claims and economic conditions, among others.

Marine shipping. Marine shipping (or “tanker” companies) are exposed to many of the same risks as other energy companies. In addition, the highly cyclical nature of the tanker industry may lead to volatile changes in charter rates and vessel values, which may adversely affect the earnings of tanker companies in our portfolio. Fluctuations in charter rates and vessel values result from changes in the supply and demand for tanker capacity and changes in the supply and demand for oil and oil products. Historically, the tanker markets have been volatile because many conditions and factors can affect the supply and demand for tanker capacity. Changes in demand for transportation of oil over longer distances and supply of tankers to carry that oil may materially affect revenues, profitability and cash flows of tanker companies. The successful operation of vessels in the charter market depends upon, among other things, obtaining profitable spot charters and minimizing time spent waiting for charters and traveling unladen to pick up cargo. The value of tanker vessels may fluctuate and could adversely affect the value of tanker company securities in our portfolio. Declining tanker values could affect the ability of tanker companies to raise cash by limiting their ability to refinance their vessels, thereby adversely

 

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impacting tanker company liquidity. Tanker company vessels are at risk of damage or loss because of events such as mechanical failure, collision, human error, war, terrorism, piracy, cargo loss and bad weather. In addition, changing economic, regulatory and political conditions in some countries, including political and military conflicts, have from time to time resulted in attacks on vessels, mining of waterways, piracy, terrorism, labor strikes, boycotts and government requisitioning of vessels. These sorts of events could interfere with shipping lanes and result in market disruptions and a significant loss of tanker company earnings.

Delay in Use of Proceeds Risk

Although the Fund currently intends to invest the proceeds from any sale of the Common Stock offered hereby as soon as practicable following the completion of this offering, such investments may be delayed if suitable investments are unavailable at the time The trading market and volumes for securities of MLPs and energy companies may at times be less liquid than the market for other securities. Prior to the time the proceeds of this offering are invested, such proceeds may be invested in short-term money market instruments and U.S. government securities, pending investment in securities of MLPs or energy companies. Income received by the Fund from these securities would subject the Fund to corporate tax before any distributions to Common Stockholders. As a result, the return and yield on the Common Stock for the period immediately following any offering pursuant to this Prospectus may be lower than when the Fund is fully invested in accordance with its investment objective and policies. See “Use of Proceeds.”

Interest Rate Risk

Rising interest rates could increase the costs of capital thereby increasing operating costs and reducing the ability of MLPs and other entities operating in the energy sector to carry out acquisitions or expansions in a cost- effective manner. As a result, rising interest rates could negatively affect the financial performance of MLPs and other entities operating in the energy sector. Rising interest rates may also impact the price of the securities of MLPs and other entities operating in the energy sector as the yields on alternative investments increase. During periods of declining interest rates, the market price of fixed income securities generally rises. Conversely, during periods of rising interest rates, the market price of such securities generally declines.

Inflation/Deflation Risk

Inflation risk is the risk that the value of certain assets or income from the Fund’s investments will be worth less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money As inflation increases, the real value of the Common Stock and distributions on the Common Stock can decline. In addition, during any periods of rising inflation, the dividend rates or borrowing costs associated with the Fund’s use of leverage would likely increase, which would tend to further reduce returns to Common Stockholders. Deflation risk is the risk that prices throughout the economy decline over time—the opposite of inflation. Deflation may have an adverse affect on the creditworthiness of issuers and may make issuer defaults more likely, which may result in a decline in the value of the Fund’s portfolio.

Liquidity Risk

Although the equity securities of the MLPs in which the Fund invests generally trade on major stock exchanges, certain securities owned by the Fund may trade less frequently, particularly those of MLPs and other issuers with smaller capitalizations. Securities with limited trading volumes may display volatile or erratic price movements. Also, the Fund may be one of the largest investors in certain sub-sectors of the energy or natural resource sectors. Thus, it may be more difficult for the Fund to buy and sell significant amounts of such securities without an unfavorable impact on prevailing market prices. Larger purchases or sales of these securities by the Fund in a short period of time may cause abnormal movements in the market price of these securities. As a result, these securities may be difficult to dispose of at a fair price at the times when ClearBridge believe it is desirable to do so.

Natural Resources Sector Risks

The natural resources sector includes companies principally engaged in owning or developing non-energy natural resources (including timber and minerals) and industrial materials, or supplying goods or services to such

 

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companies. The Fund’s investments in MLPs and other entities operating in the natural resources sector will be subject to the risk that prices of these securities may fluctuate widely in response to the level and volatility of commodity prices; exchange rates; import controls; domestic and global competition; environmental regulation and liability for environmental damage; mandated expenditures for safety or pollution control; the success of exploration projects; depletion of resources; tax policies; and other governmental regulation. Investments in the natural resources sector can be significantly affected by changes in the supply of or demand for various natural resources. The value of investments in the natural resources sector may be adversely affected by a change in inflation.

Small Capitalization Risk

The Fund may invest in securities of MLPs and other issuers that have comparatively smaller capitalizations relative to issuers whose securities are included in major benchmark indexes, which presents unique investment risks. These companies often have limited product lines, markets, distribution channels or financial resources, and the management of such companies may be dependent upon one or a few key people. The market movements of equity securities issued by MLPs with smaller capitalizations may be more abrupt or erratic than the market movements of equity securities of larger, more established companies or the stock market in general. Historically, smaller capitalization companies have sometimes gone through extended periods when they did not perform as well as larger companies. In addition, equity securities of smaller capitalization companies generally are less liquid than those of larger companies. This means that the Fund could have greater difficulty selling such securities at the time and price that the Fund would like.

Competition Risk

A number of alternatives to us as vehicles for investment in a portfolio of energy MLPs and their affiliates currently exist, including other publicly traded investment companies, structured notes and private funds. In addition, recent tax law changes have increased the ability of regulated investment companies or other institutions to invest in MLPs. These competitive conditions may adversely impact our ability to meet our investment objective, which in turn could adversely impact our ability to make distributions.

Restricted Securities Risk

The Fund may invest up to 30% of its Managed Assets in unregistered or otherwise restricted securities. The term “restricted securities” refers to securities that are unregistered, held by control persons of the issuer or are subject to contractual restrictions on their resale. Restricted securities are often purchased at a discount from the market price of unrestricted securities of the same issuer reflecting the fact that such securities may not be readily marketable without some time delay. Such securities are often more difficult to value and the sale of such securities often requires more time and results in higher brokerage charges or dealer discounts and other selling expenses than does the sale of liquid securities trading on national securities exchanges or in the over-the-counter markets. Contractual restrictions on the resale of securities result from negotiations between the issuer and purchaser of such securities and therefore vary substantially in length and scope. To dispose of a restricted security that the Fund has a contractual right to sell, the Fund may first be required to cause the security to be registered. A considerable period may elapse between a decision to sell the securities and the time when the Fund would be permitted to sell, during which time the Fund would bear market risks.

Cash Flow Risk

The Fund expects that a substantial portion of the cash flow it receives will be derived from its investments in equity securities of MLPs. The amount and tax characterization of cash available for distribution by an MLP depends upon the amount of cash generated by such entity’s operations. Cash available for distribution by MLPs will vary widely from quarter to quarter and is affected by various factors affecting the entity’s operations. In addition to the risks described herein, operating costs, capital expenditures, acquisition costs, construction costs, exploration costs and borrowing costs may reduce the amount of cash that an MLP has available for distribution in a given period.

 

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Capital Market Risk

Global financial markets and economic conditions have been, and continue to be, volatile due to a variety of factors, including significant write-offs in the financial services sector. As a result, the cost of raising capital in the debt and equity capital markets has increased substantially while the ability to raise capital from those markets has diminished significantly. In particular, as a result of concerns about the general stability of financial markets and specifically the solvency of lending counterparties, the cost of raising capital from the credit markets generally has increased as many lenders and institutional investors have increased interest rates, enacted tighter lending standards, refused to refinance debt on existing terms or at all and reduced, or in some cases ceased to provide, funding to borrowers. In addition, lending counterparties under existing revolving credit facilities and other debt instruments may be unwilling or unable to meet their funding obligations. Due to these factors, MLPs may be unable to obtain new debt or equity financing on acceptable terms or at all. If funding is not available when needed, or is available only on unfavorable terms, MLPs may not be able to meet their obligations as they come due. Moreover, without adequate funding, MLPs may be unable to execute their growth strategies, complete future acquisitions, take advantage of other business opportunities or respond to competitive pressures, any of which could have a material adverse effect on their revenues and results of operations.

Valuation Risk

Market prices generally will be unavailable for some of the Fund’s investments, including MLP subordinated units, direct ownership of general partner or managing member interests and restricted or unregistered securities of certain MLPs and private companies. The value of such securities will be determined by fair valuations determined by the Board of Directors or its designee in accordance with procedures governing the valuation of portfolio securities adopted by the Board of Directors. Proper valuation of such securities may require more reliance on the judgment of ClearBridge than valuation of securities for which an active trading market exists. As a limited partner in the MLPs, the Fund includes its allocable share of the MLP’s taxable income in computing its own taxable income. Deferred income taxes in the financial statements of the Fund reflect (i) taxes on unrealized gains/losses, which are attributable to the temporary difference between fair market value and the tax basis of the Fund’s assets, (ii) the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of such assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes and (iii) the net tax benefit of accumulated net operating losses. To the extent the Fund has a deferred tax asset, consideration is given as to whether or not a valuation allowance is required. The need to establish a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets is assessed periodically by the Fund based on the criterion established by ASC Topic 740 that it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. In the assessment for a valuation allowance, consideration is given to all positive and negative evidence related to the realization of the deferred tax asset. This assessment considers, among other matters, the nature, frequency and severity of current and cumulative losses, forecasts of future profitability (which are highly dependent on future MLP cash distributions), the duration of statutory carryforward periods and the associated risk that operating loss carryforwards may expire unused.

The Fund may rely to some extent on information provided by the MLPs, which may not necessarily be timely, to estimate taxable income allocable to the MLP units held in the portfolio and to estimate the associated deferred tax asset or liability. Such estimates are made in good faith. From time to time, as new information becomes available, the Fund will modify its estimates or assumptions regarding the deferred tax asset or liability.

Deferred tax assets may constitute a relatively high percentage of the Fund’s net asset value. Any valuation allowance required against such deferred tax assets or future adjustments to a valuation allowance may reduce the Fund’s deferred tax assets and could have a material impact on the Fund’s net asset value and results of operations in the period the valuation allowance is recorded or adjusted.

Royalty Trust Risk

Royalty trusts are exposed to many of the same risks as other MLPs. In addition, the value of the equity securities of the royalty trusts in which the Fund invests may fluctuate in accordance with changes in the financial condition of those royalty trusts, the condition of equity markets generally, commodity prices, and other

 

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factors. Distributions on royalty trusts in which the Fund may invest will depend upon the declaration of distributions from the constituent royalty trusts, but there can be no assurance that those royalty trusts will pay distributions on their securities. Typically royalty trusts own the rights to royalties on the production and sales of a natural resource, including oil, gas, minerals and timber As these deplete, production and cash flows steadily decline, which may decrease distributions. The declaration of such distributions generally depends upon various factors, including the operating performance and financial condition of the royalty trust and general economic conditions.

In many circumstances, the royalty trusts in which the Fund may invest may have limited operating histories. The value of royalty trust securities in which the Fund invests will be influenced by factors that are not within the Fund’s control, including the financial performance of the respective issuers, interest rates, exchange rates and commodity prices (which will vary and are determined by supply and demand factors including weather and general economic and political conditions), the hedging policies employed by such issuers, issues relating to the regulation of the energy industry and operational risks relating to the energy industry.

Below Investment Grade (High Yield or Junk Bond) Securities Risk

The Fund may invest up to 20% of its Managed Assets in fixed income securities of below investment grade quality. Fixed income securities rated below investment grade are commonly referred to as “high yield” securities or “junk bonds” and are regarded as having predominantly speculative characteristics with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal in accordance with the terms of the obligations and involve major risk exposure to adverse conditions. Fixed income securities rated as low as C by Moody’s, CCC or lower by S&P or CC or lower by Fitch are considered to have extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any real investment standing, to have a current identifiable vulnerability to default, to be unlikely to have the capacity to pay interest and repay principal when due in the event of adverse business, financial or economic conditions and/or to be in default or not current in the payment of interest or principal. Ratings may not accurately reflect the actual credit risk associated with a corporate security.

Fixed income securities rated below investment grade generally offer a higher current yield than that available from higher grade issues, but typically involve greater risk. These securities are especially sensitive to adverse changes in general economic conditions, to changes in the financial condition of their issuers and to price fluctuation in response to changes in interest rates. During periods of economic downturn or rising interest rates, issuers of below investment grade instruments may experience financial stress that could adversely affect their ability to make payments of principal and interest and increase the possibility of default. The secondary market for high yield securities may not be as liquid as the secondary market for more highly rated securities, a factor which may have an adverse effect on the Fund’s ability to dispose of a particular security. There are fewer dealers in the market for high yield securities than for investment grade obligations. The prices quoted by different dealers may vary significantly, and the spread between the bid and ask price is generally much larger for high yield securities than for higher quality instruments. Under adverse market or economic conditions, the secondary market for high yield securities could contract further, independent of any specific adverse changes in the condition of a particular issuer, and these securities may become illiquid. In addition, adverse publicity and investor perceptions, whether or not based on fundamental analysis, may also decrease the values and liquidity of below investment grade securities, especially in a market characterized by a low volume of trading.

Default, or the market’s perception that an issuer is likely to default, could reduce the value and liquidity of securities held by the Fund, thereby reducing the value of your investment in the Fund’s Common Stock. In addition, default may cause the Fund to incur expenses in seeking recovery of principal or interest on its portfolio holdings. In any reorganization or liquidation proceeding relating to a portfolio company, the Fund may lose its entire investment or may be required to accept cash or securities with a value less than its original investment. Among the risks inherent in investments in a troubled entity is the fact that it frequently may be difficult to obtain information as to the true financial condition of such issuer. ClearBridge’s judgment about the credit quality of an issuer and the relative value of its securities may prove to be wrong. Investments in below investment grade securities may present special tax issues for the Fund to the extent that the issuers of these securities default on their obligations pertaining thereto, and the federal income tax consequences to the Fund as a holder of such distressed securities may not be clear.

 

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Foreign Securities and Emerging Markets Risk

A fund that invests in foreign (non-U.S.) securities may experience more rapid and extreme changes in value than a fund that invests exclusively in securities of U.S. companies. The securities markets of many foreign countries are relatively small, with a limited number of companies representing a small number of industries. Investments in foreign securities (including those denominated in U.S. dollars) are subject to economic and political developments in the countries and regions where the issuers operate or are domiciled, or where the securities are traded, such as changes in economic or monetary policies. Values may also be affected by restrictions on receiving the investment proceeds from a foreign country. Less information may be publicly available about foreign companies than about U.S. companies. Foreign companies are generally not subject to the same accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards as are U.S. companies. In addition, the Fund’s investments in foreign securities may be subject to the risk of nationalization or expropriation of assets, imposition of currency exchange controls or restrictions on the repatriation of foreign currency, confiscatory taxation, political or financial instability and adverse diplomatic developments. In addition, there may be difficulty in obtaining or enforcing a court judgment abroad. Dividends or interest on, or proceeds from the sale of, foreign securities may be subject to non-U.S. withholding taxes, and special U.S. tax considerations may apply.

The risks of foreign investment are greater for investments in emerging markets. The Fund considers a country to be an emerging market country if, at the time of investment, it is represented in the J.P. Morgan Emerging Markets Bond Index Global or categorized by the World Bank in its annual categorization as middle or low-income Emerging market countries typically have economic and political systems that are less fully developed, and that can be expected to be less stable, than those of more advanced countries. Low trading volumes may result in a lack of liquidity and in price volatility. Emerging market countries may have policies that restrict investment by foreigners, that require governmental approval prior to investments by foreign persons, or that prevent foreign investors from withdrawing their money at will. An investment in emerging market securities should be considered speculative.

Currency Risk

If the Fund invests directly in securities that trade in, and receive revenues in, foreign (non-U.S.) currencies, it will be subject to the risk that those currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar. Currency rates in foreign countries may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time for a number of reasons, including changes in interest rates, intervention (or the failure to intervene) by U.S. or foreign governments, central banks or supranational entities such as the International Monetary Fund, or the imposition of currency controls or other political developments in the United States or abroad. As a result, the Fund’s investments in foreign currency denominated securities may reduce the returns of the Fund.

Leverage Risk

Under current market conditions, the Fund intends to utilize leverage principally through Borrowings from certain financial institutions in an amount up to 20-25% of its Managed Assets. In the future the Fund may elect to utilize leverage in an amount up to 33 ¹/3% of the Fund’s total assets through Borrowings and 50% of the Fund’s total assets through the issuance of Preferred Stock. Leverage may result in greater volatility of the net asset value and market price of the Common Stock because changes in the value of the Fund’s portfolio investments, including investments purchased with the proceeds from Borrowings or the issuance of Preferred Stock, if any, are borne entirely by the holders of Common Stock. Common Stock income may fall if the interest rate on Borrowings or the dividend rate on Preferred Stock rises, and may fluctuate as the interest rate on Borrowings or the dividend rate on Preferred Stock varies. So long as the Fund is able to realize a higher net return on its investment portfolio than the then-current cost of any leverage together with other related expenses, the effect of the leverage will be to cause holders of Common Stock to realize higher current net investment income than if the Fund were not so leveraged. On the other hand, the Fund’s use of leverage will result in increased operating costs. Thus, to the extent that the then-current cost of any leverage, together with other related expenses, approaches the net return on the Fund’s investment portfolio, the benefit of leverage to holders of Common Stock will be reduced, and if the then-current cost of any leverage together with related expenses

 

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were to exceed the net return on the Fund’s portfolio, the Fund’s leveraged capital structure would result in a lower rate of return to holders of Common Stock than if the Fund were not so leveraged. There can be no assurance that the Fund’s leveraging strategy will be successful.

During periods when the Fund is using leverage through Borrowings or the issuance of Preferred Stock, the fees paid to LMPFA and ClearBridge for advisory services will be higher than if the Fund did not use leverage because the fees paid will be calculated on the basis of the Fund’s Managed Assets, which includes the amount of Borrowings and any assets attributable to the issuance of Preferred Stock. This means that LMPFA and ClearBridge may have a financial incentive to increase the Fund’s use of leverage.

Any decline in the net asset value of the Fund will be borne entirely by the holders of Common Stock. Therefore, if the market value of the Fund’s portfolio declines, the Fund’s use of leverage will result in a greater decrease in net asset value to holders of Common Stock than if the Fund were not leveraged. Such greater net asset value decrease will also tend to cause a greater decline in the market price for the Common Stock.

Certain types of Borrowings may result in the Fund being subject to covenants in credit agreements relating to asset coverage or portfolio composition or otherwise. In addition, the Fund may be subject to certain restrictions imposed by guidelines of one or more rating agencies which may issue ratings for commercial paper or notes issued by the Fund. Such restrictions may be more stringent than those imposed by the 1940 Act. In addition, the terms of the credit agreements may also require that the Fund pledge some or all of its assets as collateral.

Derivatives Risk

The Fund may utilize a variety of derivative instruments such as options contracts, futures contracts, forward contracts, options on futures contracts and indexed securities. Generally, derivatives are financial contracts whose value depends on, or is derived from, the value of an underlying asset, reference rates or index, and may relate to individual debt or equity instruments, interest rates, currencies or currency exchange rates and related indexes. Derivatives are subject to a number of risks described elsewhere in this Prospectus, such as liquidity risk, interest rate risk, credit risk and management risk. Derivatives are also subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the other party in the transaction will not fulfill its contractual obligation. Changes in the credit quality of the companies that serve as the Fund’s counterparties with respect to its derivative transactions will affect the value of those instruments. By using derivatives that expose the Fund to counterparties, the Fund assumes the risk that its counterparties could experience financial hardships that could call into question their continued ability to perform their obligations. In addition, in the event of the insolvency of a counterparty to a derivative transaction, the derivative transaction would typically be terminated at its fair market value. If the Fund is owed this fair market value in the termination of the derivative transaction and its claim is unsecured, the Fund will be treated as a general creditor of such counterparty, and will not have any claim with respect to the underlying security. As a result, concentrations of such derivatives in any one counterparty would subject the Fund to an additional degree of risk with respect to defaults by such counterparty. Derivatives also involve the risk of mispricing or improper valuation and the risk that changes in the value of a derivative may not correlate perfectly with an underlying asset, interest rate or index. Suitable derivative transactions may not be available in all circumstances and there can be no assurance that the Fund will engage in these transactions to reduce exposure to other risks when that would be beneficial. If the Fund invests in a derivative instrument, it could lose more than the principal amount invested. Changes to the derivatives markets as a result of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street and Consumer Protection Act and other government regulation may have an adverse effect on the Fund’s ability to make use of derivative transactions.

Derivative instruments can be illiquid, may disproportionately increase losses and may have a potentially large impact on Fund performance. See “The Fund’s Investments—Additional Investment Activities— Derivatives” and “Investment Policies and Techniques—Securities—Derivatives” in the SAI.

Management Risk and Reliance on Key Personnel

The Fund is subject to management risk because it is an actively managed investment portfolio. ClearBridge and each individual portfolio manager may not be successful in selecting the best performing securities or

 

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investment techniques, and the Fund’s performance may lag behind that of similar funds. While ClearBridge has experience analyzing investments in MLPs and the energy sector generally, the Fund will be ClearBridge’s second portfolio comprised substantially of MLPs. The Fund will depend upon the diligence and skill of ClearBridge’s portfolio managers, who will evaluate, negotiate, structure and monitor its investments. These individuals do not have long-term employment contracts with ClearBridge, although they do have equity interests and other financial incentives to remain with ClearBridge. The Fund will also depend on the senior management of LMPFA, and the departure of any of the senior management of LMPFA could have a material adverse effect on the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Potential Conflicts of Interest Risk

LMPFA, ClearBridge and the portfolio managers have interests which may conflict with the interests of the Fund. In particular, LMPFA also manages, and ClearBridge serves as subadviser to, another closed-end investment company listed on the NYSE that has investment objectives and investment strategies that are substantially similar to the Fund. Further, LMPFA and ClearBridge may at some time in the future manage and/or advise other investment funds with the same investment objective as the Fund. Some examples of material conflicts of interest that may arise with respect to the Fund and other investment funds or accounts managed by LMPFA and/or ClearBridge include: (i) the allocation of limited time and attention; (ii) the allocation of limited investment opportunities and aggregation of orders; (iii) pursuit of differing strategies; (iv) cross trades; (v) selection of broker/dealers; (vi) variation in financial and other benefits; and (vii) related business opportunities. There is no guarantee that the policies and procedures adopted by LMPFA, ClearBridge and the Fund will be able to identify or mitigate the conflicts of interest that arise between the Fund and any other investment funds or accounts that LMPFA and/or ClearBridge may manage or advise from time to time. For further information on potential conflicts of interest see “Potential Conflicts of Interest” in the SAI.

Government Intervention in Financial Markets Risk

The recent instability in the financial markets has led the U.S. government and foreign governments to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility, and in some cases a lack of liquidity. U.S. federal and state governments and foreign governments, their regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations may take additional actions that affect the regulation of the securities in which the Fund invests, or the issuers of such securities, in ways that are unforeseeable Issuers of corporate fixed income securities might seek protection under the bankruptcy laws. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the Fund itself is regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective. ClearBridge will monitor developments and seek to manage the Fund’s portfolio in a manner consistent with achieving the Fund’s investment objective, but there can be no assurance that it will be successful in doing so.

Market Price Discount from Net Asset Value Risk

Shares of closed-end investment companies frequently trade at a discount from their net asset value. This risk is separate and distinct from the risk that the Fund’s net asset value could decrease as a result of its investment activities and may be a greater risk to investors expecting to sell their Common Stock in a relatively short period following completion of this offering. Whether investors will realize gains or losses upon the sale of the Common Stock will not depend only upon the Fund’s net asset value but also upon whether the market price of the Common Stock at the time of sale is above or below the investor’s purchase price for the Common Stock. Because the market price of the Common Stock will be determined by factors such as relative supply of and demand for the Common Stock in the market, general market and economic conditions and other factors beyond the control of the Fund, the Fund cannot predict whether the Common Stock will trade at, above or below net asset value or at, above or below the initial public offering price. The Fund’s Common Stock is designed primarily for long-term investors and you should not view the Fund as a vehicle for trading purposes.

Temporary Defensive Strategies Risk

When ClearBridge anticipates unusual market or other conditions, the Fund may temporarily depart from its primary investment strategy as a defensive measure and invest all or a portion of its assets in obligations of the

 

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U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities; other investment grade debt securities; investment grade commercial paper; certificates of deposit and bankers’ acceptances; or any other fixed income securities that ClearBridge considers consistent with this strategy. To the extent that the Fund invests defensively, it may not achieve its investment objective.

Non-Diversification Risk

The Fund is classified as “non-diversified” under the 1940 Act. As a result, it can invest a greater portion of its assets in obligations of a single issuer than a “diversified” fund. The Fund may therefore be more susceptible than a diversified fund to being adversely affected by any single corporate, economic, political or regulatory occurrence.

Anti-Takeover Provisions

The Fund’s Articles and By-Laws include provisions that could limit the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund or convert the Fund to an open-end fund These provisions could have the effect of depriving Common Stockholders of opportunities to sell their Common Stock at a premium over the then-current market price of the Common Stock.

 

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MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

Directors and Officers

The overall management of the business and affairs of the Fund is vested in the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors approves all significant agreements between the Fund and persons or companies furnishing services to the Fund. The day-to-day operation of the Fund is delegated to the officers of the Fund, LMPFA and ClearBridge, subject always to the investment objective, restrictions and policies of the Fund and to the general supervision of the Board of Directors. Certain Directors and officers of the Fund are affiliated with Legg Mason, the parent corporation of LMPFA and ClearBridge. All of the Fund’s executive officers hold similar offices with some or all of the other funds advised by LMPFA.

Investment Manager

Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC, located at 620 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 10018, serves as the Fund’s investment manager. LMPFA is a registered investment adviser and will provide administrative and management services to the Fund. As of March 31, 2011, LMPFA’s total assets under management were approximately $195.6 billion. LMPFA is a wholly owned subsidiary of Legg Mason. Legg Mason is a global asset management firm. As of March 31, 2011, Legg Mason’s asset management operation had aggregate assets under management of approximately $677.6 billion.

Subadviser

ClearBridge Advisors, LLC, located at 620 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 10018, serves as the Fund’s subadviser. ClearBridge, a wholly owned subsidiary of Legg Mason, is a registered investment adviser and will be responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management of the Fund, subject to the supervision and direction of the Fund’s Board of Directors and LMPFA. As of March 31, 2011, ClearBridge’s total assets under management were approximately $58.9 billion, including $9.7 billion in energy-related assets.

Investors should be aware that the investments made by the Fund and the results achieved by the Fund at any given time are not expected to be the same as those made by other funds for which LMPFA and ClearBridge acts as investment adviser and subadviser, respectively, including funds with names, investment objectives and policies similar to the Fund.

Investment Management Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreement

Investment Management Agreement

Under the Fund’s investment management agreement with LMPFA, subject to the supervision and direction of the Fund’s Board of Directors, LMPFA is delegated the responsibility of managing the Fund’s portfolio in accordance with the Fund’s stated investment objective and policies, making investment decisions for the Fund and placing orders to purchase and sell securities. LMPFA supervises the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio by ClearBridge and provides administrative and management services necessary for the operation of the Fund, such as (1) supervising the overall administration of the Fund, including negotiation of contracts and fees with and the monitoring of performance and billings of the Fund’s transfer agent, stockholder servicing agents, custodian and other independent contractors or agents; (2) providing certain compliance, Fund accounting, regulatory reporting and tax reporting services; (3) preparing or participating in the preparation of Board materials, registration statements, proxy statements and reports and other communications to stockholders; (4) maintaining the Fund’s existence; and (5) maintaining the registration and qualification of the Fund’s shares under federal and (if required) state laws.

LMPFA also provides the office space, facilities, equipment and personnel necessary to perform the following services for the Fund: SEC compliance, including record keeping, reporting requirements and registration statements and proxies; supervision of Fund operations, including coordination of functions of the transfer agent, custodian, accountants, counsel and other parties performing services or operational functions for the Fund; and certain administrative and clerical services, including certain accounting services and maintenance of certain books and records.

 

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The Fund’s investment management agreement will continue in effect, unless otherwise terminated, until                 , 2013 and then will continue from year to year provided such continuance is specifically approved at least annually (a) by the Fund’s Board or by a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund (as defined in the 1940 Act) and (b) in either event, by a majority of the Directors of the Fund who are not “interested persons” of the Fund within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act (the “Independent Directors”) with such Independent Directors casting votes in person at a meeting called for such purpose. The Fund’s management agreement provides that LMPFA may render services to others. The Fund’s management agreement is terminable without penalty on not more than 60 days’ nor less than 30 days’ written notice by the Fund when authorized either by a vote of holders of shares representing a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund (as defined in the 1940 Act) or by a vote of a majority of the Fund’s Directors, or by LMPFA on not less than 90 days’ written notice, and will automatically terminate in the event of its assignment. The Fund’s management agreement provides that neither LMPFA nor its personnel or affiliates shall be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss arising out of any investment or for any act or omission in the execution of security transactions for the Fund, except for willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence or reckless disregard of its or their obligations and duties.

Other than the cash management services it provides for certain equity funds, LMPFA does not provide day-to-day portfolio management services. Rather, portfolio management for the Fund is provided by ClearBridge.

ClearBridge Sub-Advisory Agreement

ClearBridge provides services to the Fund pursuant to a sub-advisory agreement between LMPFA and ClearBridge. Under the sub-advisory agreement, subject to the supervision and direction of the Fund’s Board and LMPFA, ClearBridge will manage the Fund’s portfolio in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective and policies, make investment decisions for the Fund, place orders to purchase and sell securities, and employ professional portfolio managers and securities analysts who provide research services to the Fund.

The sub-advisory agreement between LMPFA and ClearBridge for the Fund will continue in effect, unless otherwise terminated, until , 2013 and then will continue from year to year provided such continuance is specifically approved at least annually (a) by the Board or by a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund (as defined in the 1940 Act), and (b) in either event, by a majority of the Independent Directors with such Independent Directors casting votes in person at a meeting called for such purpose. The Board or a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund (as defined in the 1940 Act) may terminate the Fund’s sub-advisory agreement without penalty, in each case on not more than 60 days’ nor less than 30 days’ written notice to ClearBridge. ClearBridge may terminate the sub-advisory agreement on 90 days’ written notice to the Fund and LMPFA. LMPFA and ClearBridge may terminate the sub-advisory agreement upon their mutual written consent. The sub-advisory agreement will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment.

Advisory Fees

For its services, the Fund has agreed to pay LMPFA an annual fee, payable monthly, in an amount equal to 1.00% of the Fund’s average daily Managed Assets. The Fund’s management fee and other expenses are borne by the Common Stockholders.

ClearBridge will receive an annual subadvisory fee from LMPFA, payable monthly, in an amount equal to 0.70% of the management fee paid to LMPFA. No advisory fee will be paid by the Fund directly to ClearBridge.

The basis for the Board of Directors’ initial approval of the Fund’s investment management and sub-advisory agreements will be provided in the Fund’s initial stockholder report. The basis for subsequent continuations of the Fund’s investment management and sub-advisory agreements will be provided in annual or semi-annual reports to stockholders for the periods during which such continuations occur.

Subadviser Philosophy

The Fund’s portfolio managers believe that MLPs present a compelling opportunity for total return given both their attractive cash distributions and the potential for capital appreciation. As tax-efficient partnerships, the

 

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types of MLPs in which the Fund intends to invest historically have made high levels of tax-deferred cash distributions to their limited partners and members. In addition, ClearBridge believes that MLPs have demonstrated the ability to grow substantially through organic expansion as well as acquisitions; and that this growth has resulted in rising cash distributions which have also been a driver of capital appreciation. ClearBridge also believes that the yields on MLP units are attractive on both an absolute and relative basis; and further, that MLPs will be able to continue delivering meaningful growth for the foreseeable future.

In choosing MLP investments, the portfolio managers will focus primarily on energy-related MLPs with long lived assets and predictable cash flows, using a bottom-up process to find MLPs that the portfolio managers believe offer sustainable and predictable distributions, as well as relatively low direct commodity exposure. The Fund will also seek out companies with long-term contracts (that often include inflation-adjustment clauses) and with the potential to grow their businesses, and thereby their distributions, over time, evaluating MLPs based on their geographic footprints, the markets and types of assets they invest in, their balance sheet strength and their ability to make accretive acquisitions. For example, an MLP may own a natural gas pipeline; the MLP in essence rents out the pipeline to natural gas producers for the next 10 years, getting paid regardless of whether or not the pipeline is actually used. The Fund will also seek out MLPs with low commodity price exposure, meaning revenues are not tied directly to the underlying energy asset. Using the example, this means the MLP would get paid whether natural gas is priced at $2.00 or $10.00.

Subadviser Investment Process

ClearBridge employs a rigorous, bottom-up research process focused on seeking to find MLPs with attractive, sustainable and predictable distributions. ClearBridge also evaluates growth opportunities for MLPs in determining the desirability of a potential investment. In conducting this analysis, particular attention is paid to the stability of the business, the quality of the balance sheet, the talent and track record of the general partner or managing member and the valuation of the security. ClearBridge’s primary valuation metric in analyzing MLPs is distributable cash flow yield.

ClearBridge places strong emphasis on risk management around its investment process. Risk management considerations are contemplated at both the level of the individual investment and the portfolio as a whole. At the level of the individual investment, the prime risk consideration revolves around the sustainability of the cash distribution and position size. In evaluating the distribution sustainability, the portfolio managers utilize balance sheet analysis and financial modeling. At the portfolio level, ClearBridge pays close attention to individual security weightings, sector weightings and allocations, and the amount of leverage employed, as well as macro-economic and broader market considerations.

Investment Management Team

Set forth below is information regarding the team of professionals at ClearBridge primarily responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Fund.

 

Name		Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
Richard A. Freeman		Senior Portfolio Manager and Managing Director of ClearBridge, was appointed to those positions in 2005 in connection with the Legg Mason/ Citigroup transaction. Previously, Mr. Freeman was a Managing Director of Citigroup Asset Management and served as a Senior Portfolio Manager of Smith Barney Asset Management. He joined the predecessor of Citigroup Global Markets Inc. (“CGM”) in 1983.

 

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Name		Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
Michael Clarfeld, CFA		Managing Director and Portfolio Manager of ClearBridge, has been with ClearBridge since 2006. Prior to joining ClearBridge, Mr. Clarfeld was an equity analyst with Hygrove Partners, LLC and a financial analyst with Goldman Sachs.
Chris Eades		Managing Director, Co-Director of Research, Senior Research Analyst for Energy joined ClearBridge in 2006 as a senior research analyst for energy and was named co-director of research in 2009. Prior to joining ClearBridge, Mr. Eades served as an energy analyst and portfolio manager at Saranac Capital from 2002 to 2006. Prior to that, Chris served as an analyst covering energy exploration and production companies for Simmons & Company from 2001 to 2002, and was an energy analyst at both UBS Warburg from 1995 to 2001 and at NatWest Securities from 1992 to 1995.
Peter Vanderlee, CFA		Managing Director and Portfolio Manager with ClearBridge. He has 11 years of investment management experience and 12 years of related investment experience. He is a member of the CFA Institute and the New York Society of Security Analysts.

Additional information about the portfolio managers’ compensation, other accounts managed by them and other information is provided in the SAI.

Control Persons

A control person is a person who beneficially owns more than 25% of the voting securities of a company. Legg Mason has provided the initial capitalization of the Fund and therefore is a control person because it is the sole stockholder of the Fund as of the date of this Prospectus. However, it is anticipated that Legg Mason will no longer be a control person once the offering is completed.

NET ASSET VALUE

The Fund determines the net asset value of its Common Stock on each day the NYSE is open for business, as of the close of the customary trading session (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time), or any earlier closing time that day. The Fund determines the net asset value per share of Common Stock by dividing the value of the Fund’s securities, cash and other assets (including interest accrued but not collected) less all its liabilities (including accrued expenses, borrowings and interest payables) by the total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding.

The Fund’s securities are valued in accordance with procedures approved by the Board. Under the procedures, equity securities and certain derivative instruments that are traded on an exchange are valued at the closing price or, if that price is unavailable or deemed not representative of market value, the last sale price. Where a security is traded on more than one exchange (as is often the case overseas), the security is generally valued at the price on the exchange considered to be the primary exchange. In the case of securities not traded on an exchange, or if exchange prices are not otherwise available, the prices are typically determined by independent third party pricing services that use a variety of techniques and methodologies.

The valuations for fixed income 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

 

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a variety of fair valuation techniques and methodologies. 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 investment’s fair value.

The valuations of securities traded on foreign markets and certain fixed income securities will generally be based on prices determined as of the earlier closing time of the markets on which they primarily trade, unless a significant event has occurred. When the Fund holds securities or other assets that are denominated in a foreign currency, the Fund will normally use the currency exchange rates as of 4:00 p.m. (Eastern time) The Fund uses a fair value model developed by an independent third party pricing service to value foreign equity securities on days when a certain percentage change in the value of a domestic equity security index suggests that the closing prices on foreign exchanges may no longer represent the value of those securities at the time of closing of the NYSE. Foreign markets are open for trading on weekends and other days when the Fund does not price its shares.

If independent third party pricing services are unable to supply prices for a portfolio investment, or if the prices supplied are deemed to be unreliable, the market price may be determined by using quotations from one or more broker/dealers. When such prices or quotations are not available, or when believed to be unreliable, securities may be priced using fair value procedures approved by the Board of Directors. These procedures permit, among other things, the use of a matrix, formula or other method that takes into consideration market indexes, yield curves and other specific adjustments to determine fair value. The Fund may also use fair value procedures if it is determined that a significant event has occurred between the time at which a market price is determined and the time at which the fund’s net asset value is calculated. The effect of using fair value pricing is that the Common Stock’s net asset value will be subject to the judgment of the Board of Directors or its designee instead of being determined by the market.

As a limited partner in the MLPs, the Fund includes its allocable share of the MLP’s taxable income in computing its own taxable income. Deferred income taxes in the financial statements of the Fund will reflect (i) taxes on unrealized gains/(losses), which are attributable to the temporary difference between the fair market value and the tax basis of the Fund’s assets, (ii) the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of such assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes and (iii) the net tax benefit of accumulated net operating losses. To the extent the Fund has a deferred tax asset, consideration is given as to whether or not a valuation allowance is required. The need to establish a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets is assessed periodically by the Fund based on the criterion established by ASC Topic 740 that it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. In the assessment for a valuation allowance, consideration is given to all positive and negative evidence related to the realization of the deferred tax asset. This assessment considers, among other matters, the nature, frequency and severity of current and cumulative losses, forecasts of future profitability (which are highly dependent on future MLP cash distributions), the duration of statutory carryforward periods and the associated risk that operating loss carryforwards may expire unused.

The Fund may rely to some extent on information provided by the MLPs, which may not necessarily be timely, to estimate taxable income allocable to the MLP units held in the portfolio and to estimate the associated deferred tax asset or liability. Such estimates are made in good faith. From time to time, as new information becomes available, the Fund will modify its estimates or assumptions regarding the deferred tax asset or liability.

Deferred tax assets may constitute a relatively high percentage of the Fund’s net asset value. Any valuation allowance required against such deferred tax assets or future adjustments to a valuation allowance may reduce the Fund’s deferred tax assets and could have a material impact on the Fund’s net asset value and results of operations in the period the valuation allowance is recorded or adjusted.

 

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DISTRIBUTIONS

Under normal market conditions, the Fund intends to distribute substantially all of the Fund’s distributable cash flow received as cash distributions from MLPs, interest payments received on debt securities owned by the Fund and other payments on securities owned by the Fund, less Fund expenses.

The Fund intends to make distributions quarterly. Your initial distribution is expected to be declared approximately 45 days, and paid approximately 60 days, from the completion of this offering, depending upon market conditions.

Unless you elect to receive distributions in cash (i.e., opt out), all of your distributions, including any capital gains distributions on your Common Stock, will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of Common Stock under the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan. See “Dividend Reinvestment Plan.”

DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN

Unless you elect to receive distributions in cash (i.e., opt-out), all dividends, including any capital gain distributions, on your Common Stock will be automatically reinvested by American Stock Transfer & Trust Company LLC, as agent for the stockholders (the “Plan Agent”), in additional shares of Common Stock under the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the “Plan”). You may elect not to participate in the Plan by contacting the Plan Agent. If you do not participate, you will receive all cash distributions paid by check mailed directly to you by American Stock Transfer & Trust Company LLC, as dividend paying agent.

If you participate in the Plan, the number of shares of Common Stock you will receive will be determined as follows:

(1) If the market price of the Common Stock on the record date (or, if the record date is not a NYSE trading day, the immediately preceding trading day) for determining stockholders eligible to receive the relevant dividend or distribution (the “determination date”) is equal to or exceeds 98% of the net asset value per share of the Common Stock, the Fund will issue new Common Stock at a price equal to the greater of (a) 98% of the net asset value per share at the close of trading on the NYSE on the determination date or (b) 95% of the market price per share of the Common Stock on the determination date.

(2) If 98% of the net asset value per share of the Common Stock exceeds the market price of the Common Stock on the determination date, the Plan Agent will receive the dividend or distribution in cash and will buy Common Stock in the open market, on the NYSE or elsewhere, for your account as soon as practicable commencing on the trading day following the determination date and terminating no later than the earlier of (a) 30 days after the dividend or distribution payment date, or (b) the record date for the next succeeding dividend or distribution to be made to the stockholders; except when necessary to comply with applicable provisions of the federal securities laws. If during this period: (i) the market price rises so that it equals or exceeds 98% of the net asset value per share of the Common Stock at the close of trading on the NYSE on the determination date before the Plan Agent has completed the open market purchases or (ii) if the Plan Agent is unable to invest the full amount eligible to be reinvested in open market purchases, the Plan Agent will cease purchasing Common Stock in the open market and the Fund shall issue the remaining Common Stock at a price per share equal to the greater of (a) 98% of the net asset value per share at the close of trading on the NYSE on the determination date or (b) 95% of the then current market price per share.

Common Stock in your account will be held by the Plan Agent in non-certificated form. Any proxy you receive will include all shares of Common Stock you have received under the Plan.

You may withdraw from the Plan (i.e., opt-out) by notifying the Plan Agent in writing at P.O. Box 922, Wall Street Station, New York, New York 10269-0560 or by calling the Plan Agent at 877-366-6441. Such withdrawal will be effective immediately if notice is received by the Plan Agent not less than ten business days prior to any dividend or distribution record date; otherwise such withdrawal will be effective as soon as practicable after the Plan Agent’s investment of the most recently declared dividend or distribution on the Common Stock. The Plan

 

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may be terminated, amended or supplemented by the Fund upon notice in writing mailed to stockholders at least 30 days prior to the record date for the payment of any dividend or distribution by the Fund for which the termination or amendment is to be effective.

Upon any termination, you will be sent cash for any fractional share of Common Stock in your account. You may elect to notify the Plan Agent in advance of such termination to have the Plan Agent sell part or all of your Common Stock on your behalf. You will be charged a service charge and the Plan Agent is authorized to deduct brokerage charges actually incurred for this transaction from the proceeds.

There is no service charge for reinvestment of your dividends or distributions in Common Stock. However, all participants will pay a pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred by the Plan Agent when it makes open market purchases. Because all dividends and distributions will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of Common Stock, this allows you to add to your investment through dollar cost averaging, which may lower the average cost of your Common Stock over time. Dollar cost averaging is a technique for lowering the average cost per share over time if the Fund’s net asset value declines. While dollar cost averaging has definite advantages, it cannot assure profit or protect against loss in declining markets.

Automatically reinvesting dividends and distributions does not mean that you do not have to pay income taxes due upon receiving dividends and distributions. Investors will be subject to income tax on amounts reinvested under the Plan. See “Certain United States Federal Income Tax Considerations” in this Prospectus and the SAI.

The Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate the Plan if, in the judgment of the Board of Directors, the change is warranted. There is no direct service charge to participants in the Plan; however, the Fund reserves the right to amend the Plan to include a service charge payable by the participants. Additional information about the Plan and your account may be obtained from the Plan Agent at 6201 15th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11219 or by calling the Plan Agent at 877-366-6441.

DESCRIPTION OF SHARES

Common Stock

The Articles authorize the issuance of 100,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share. All shares of Common Stock have equal rights to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon liquidation. Common Stock will, when issued, be fully paid and non-assessable, and will have no pre-emptive or conversion rights or rights to cumulative voting. The Board of Directors, without stockholder vote, can increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock outstanding and can reclassify any authorized but unissued shares.

It is anticipated that the Fund’s Common Stock will be approved for listing on the NYSE, subject to notice of issuance. The trading or “ticker” symbol is expected to be “EMO.” The Fund intends to hold annual meetings of stockholders so long as the Common Stock is listed on a national securities exchange and such meetings are required as a condition to such listing. The Fund must continue to meet the NYSE requirements in order for the Common Stock to remain listed.

Unlike open-end funds, closed-end funds, like the Fund, do not continuously offer shares and do not provide daily redemptions. Rather, if a stockholder determines to buy additional shares of Common Stock or sell shares of Common Stock already held, the stockholder may do so by trading on the NYSE through a broker or otherwise. Shares of closed-end funds may frequently trade on an exchange at prices lower than net asset value.

The market value of the Common Stock may be influenced by such factors as dividend levels (which are in turn affected by expenses), call protection, dividend stability, portfolio credit quality, net asset value, relative demand for and supply of such Common Stock in the market, general market and economic conditions, and other factors beyond the control of the Fund. The Fund cannot assure you that Common Stock will trade at a price

 

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equal to or higher than net asset value in the future. The Fund’s Common Stock is designed primarily for long-term investors, and investors in Common Stock should not view the Fund as a vehicle for trading purposes. See “Repurchase of Fund Shares.”

Each outstanding share of Common Stock entitles the holder to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of Common Stockholders, including the election of Directors. Except as provided with respect to any other class or series, the Common Stockholders will possess the exclusive voting power. There is no cumulative voting in the election of Directors, which means that the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock can elect all of the Directors then standing for election, and the holders of the remaining shares of Common Stock will not be able to elect any Directors.

Preferred Stock

The Articles provide that the Fund’s Board of Directors may classify and issue Preferred Stock with rights as determined by the Board of Directors, by action of the Board of Directors without the approval of the Common Stockholders. Common Stockholders have no preemptive right to purchase any Preferred Stock that might be issued.

The Fund may elect to issue Preferred Stock as part of its leveraging strategy. The Fund currently has the ability to issue leverage through the issuance of Preferred Stock, representing up to 50% of the Fund’s total assets less liabilities and indebtedness of the Fund (other than leverage consisting of Preferred Stock and other senior securities) immediately after the leverage is issued. However, under current conditions it is unlikely that the Fund will issue Preferred Stock. Although the terms of any Preferred Stock, including dividend rate, liquidation preference and redemption provisions, will be set forth in the certificate of designation, the Fund believes that it is likely that the liquidation preference, voting rights and redemption provisions of the Preferred Stock may be similar to those stated below.

Liquidation Preference

In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Fund, the holders of Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive a preferential liquidating distribution, which is expected to equal the original purchase price per Preferred Stock plus accrued and unpaid dividends, whether or not declared, before any distribution of assets is made to Common Stockholders. After payment of the full amount of the liquidating distribution to which they are entitled, the holders of Preferred Stock will not be entitled to any further participation in any distribution of assets by the Fund.

Voting Rights

The 1940 Act requires that the holders of any Preferred Stock, voting separately as a single class, have the right to elect at least two Directors at all times. The remaining Directors will be elected by holders of Common Stock and Preferred Stock, voting together as a single class. In addition, subject to the prior rights, if any, of the holders of any other class of senior securities outstanding, the holders of any Preferred Stock have the right to elect a majority of the directors of the Fund at any time that two years of dividends on any Preferred Stock are unpaid. The 1940 Act also requires that, in addition to any approval by the stockholders that might otherwise be required, the approval of the holders of a majority of any outstanding Preferred Stock, voting separately as a class, would be required to: (i) adopt any plan of reorganization that would adversely affect the Preferred Stock and (ii) take any action requiring a vote of security holders under Section 13(a) of the 1940 Act, including, among other things, changes in the Fund’s subclassification as a closed-end investment company or changes in its fundamental investment restrictions. See “Certain Provisions in the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws.” As a result of these voting rights, the Fund’s ability to take any such actions may be impeded to the extent that there are any shares of Preferred Stock outstanding. The Board of Directors presently intends that, except as otherwise indicated in this Prospectus and except as otherwise required by applicable law or the Articles, holders of Preferred Stock will have equal voting rights with Common Stockholders (one vote per share, unless otherwise required by the 1940 Act) and will vote together with Common Stockholders as a single class.

The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding Preferred Stock, voting as a separate class, will be required to amend, alter or repeal any of the preferences, rights or powers of holders of Preferred

 

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Stock so as to affect materially and adversely such preferences, rights or powers, or to increase or decrease the authorized number of Preferred Stock. The class vote of holders of Preferred Stock described above will in each case be in addition to any other vote required to authorize the action in question.

Redemption, Purchase and Sale of Preferred Stock by the Fund

The terms of any Preferred Stock issued are expected to provide that: (i) shares are redeemable by the Fund in whole or in part at the original purchase price per share plus accrued dividends per share; (ii) the Fund may tender for or purchase Preferred Stock; and (iii) the Fund may subsequently resell any shares so tendered for or purchased. Any redemption or purchase of Preferred Stock by the Fund will reduce any leverage applicable to the Common Stock, while any resale of shares by the Fund will increase that leverage.

The discussion above describes the possible offering of Preferred Stock by the Fund. If the Board of Directors determines to proceed with such an offering, the terms of the Preferred Stock may be the same as, or different from, the terms described above, subject to applicable law and the Fund’s Articles. The Board of Directors, without the approval of the Common Stockholders, may authorize an offering of Preferred Stock or may determine not to authorize such an offering, and may fix the terms of the Preferred Stock to be offered.

CERTAIN PROVISIONS IN THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION AND BY-LAWS

The Fund has provisions in its Articles and By-Laws that could have the effect of limiting the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund, to cause it to engage in certain transactions or to modify its structure. Commencing with the first annual meeting of stockholders, if there are three or more Directors at that time, the Board of Directors will be divided into three classes, having initial terms of one, two and three years, respectively. At the annual meeting of stockholders in each year thereafter, the term of one class will expire and Directors will be elected to serve in that class for terms of three years. This provision could delay for up to two years the replacement of a majority of the Board of Directors. A Director may be removed from office only for cause and then only by a vote of the holders of at least 75% of the votes entitled to be cast for the election of Directors.

The Fund’s By-Laws provide that with respect to any annual or special meeting of the stockholders, only such business shall be conducted as shall have been properly brought before the meeting To be properly brought before an annual meeting, the business must be specified in the notice of meeting, brought by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or brought by a stockholder who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who complied with the advance notice procedures of the By-Laws, and it must be a proper subject under applicable law for stockholder action. To be properly brought before a special meeting, the business must be specified in the notice of meeting, brought by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, and it must be a proper subject under applicable law for stockholder action.

The affirmative vote of at least 75% of the entire Board of Directors is required to authorize the conversion of the Fund from a closed-end to an open-end investment company. Such conversion also requires the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 75% of the votes entitled to be cast thereon by the stockholders of the Fund unless it is approved by a vote of at least 75% of the Continuing Directors (as defined below), in which event such conversion requires the approval of the holders of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast thereon by the stockholders of the Fund. A “Continuing Director” is any member of the Board of Directors of the Fund who (i) is not a person or affiliate of a person, other than an investment company advised by LMPFA, who enters or proposes to enter into a Business Combination (as defined below) with the Fund (an “Interested Party”) and (ii) who has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Fund for a period of at least 12 months, or has been a member of the Board of Directors since         , 2011, or is a successor of a Continuing Director who is unaffiliated with an Interested Party and is recommended to succeed a Continuing Director by a majority of the Continuing Directors then on the Board of Directors of the Fund. To amend the Articles to change any of the provisions of the first paragraph under this heading, this paragraph or the following paragraph, the Articles require either (i) the affirmative vote of at least 75% of the entire Board of Directors and at least 75% of the votes entitled to be cast by stockholders or (ii) the affirmative vote of 75% of the Continuing Directors and the approval of the holders of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast thereon by stockholders.

 

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The affirmative votes of at least 75% of the entire Board of Directors and the holders of at least (i) 80% of the votes entitled to be cast thereon by the stockholders of the Fund and (ii) in the case of a Business Combination (as defined below), 66 ²/3% of the votes entitled to be cast thereon by the stockholders of the Fund other than votes held by an Interested Party who is (or whose affiliate is) a party to a Business Combination (as defined below) or an affiliate or associate of the Interested Party, are required to authorize any of the following transactions:

(i) a merger, consolidation or statutory share exchange of the Fund with or into any other person;

(ii) issuance or transfer by the Fund (in one or a series of transactions in any 12-month period) of any securities of the Fund to any person or entity for cash, securities or other property (or combination thereof) having an aggregate fair market value of $1,000,000 or more, excluding issuances or transfers of debt securities of the Fund, sales of securities of the Fund in connection with a public offering, issuances of securities of the Fund pursuant to a dividend reinvestment plan adopted by the Fund, issuance of securities of the Fund upon the exercise of any stock subscription rights distributed by the Fund and portfolio transactions effected by the Fund in the ordinary course of business;

(iii) sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition by the Fund (in one or a series of transactions in any 12-month period) to or with any person or entity of any assets of the Fund having an aggregate fair market value of $1,000,000 or more except for portfolio transactions (including pledges of portfolio securities in connection with borrowings) effected by the Fund in the ordinary course of its business (transactions within clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) above being known individually as a “Business Combination”);

(iv) the voluntary liquidation or dissolution of the Fund or an amendment to the Articles to terminate the Fund’s existence; or

(v) unless the 1940 Act or federal law requires a lesser vote, any stockholder proposal as to specific investment decisions made or to be made with respect to the Fund’s assets as to which stockholder approval is required under federal or Maryland law.

However, the stockholder vote described above will not be required with respect to the foregoing transactions (other than those set forth in (v) above) if they are approved by a vote of at least 75% of the Continuing Directors. In that case, if Maryland law requires stockholder approval, the affirmative vote of a majority of votes entitled to be cast thereon shall be required.

The Articles and By-Laws contain provisions the effect of which is to prevent matters, including nominations of Directors, from being considered at a stockholders’ meeting where the Fund has not received notice of the matters generally at least 60 but no more than 90 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting.

The Fund has provisions in its Articles and By-Laws that authorize the Fund, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law, to indemnify any present or former Director or officer from and against any claim or liability to which that person may become subject or which that person may incur by reason of his or her status as a present or former Director or officer of the Fund and to pay or reimburse their reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding. Pursuant to the By-Laws, absent a court determination that an officer or Director seeking indemnification was not liable on the merits or guilty of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office, the decision by the Fund to indemnify such person will be based upon the reasonable determination of independent counsel or nonparty Independent Directors, after review of the facts, that such officer or director is not guilty of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office.

Reference is made to the Articles and By-Laws of the Fund, on file with the SEC, for the full text of these provisions. These provisions could have the effect of depriving stockholders of an opportunity to sell their Common Stock at a premium over prevailing market prices by discouraging a third party from seeking to obtain control of the Fund in a tender offer or similar transaction. These provisions, however, offer several possible advantages. They may require persons seeking control of the Fund to negotiate with its management regarding

 

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the price to be paid for the Common Stock required to obtain such control, they promote continuity and stability and they enhance the Fund’s ability to pursue long-term strategies that are consistent with its investment objective.

Under Maryland law, “business combinations” between a Maryland corporation and an interested stockholder or an affiliate of an interested stockholder are prohibited for five years after the most recent date on which the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. These business combinations include a merger, consolidation, share exchange, or, in circumstances specified in the statute, an asset transfer or issuance or reclassification of equity securities. An interested stockholder is defined as:

 

•

any person who beneficially owns ten percent or more of the voting power of the corporation’s shares; or

 

•

an affiliate or associate of the corporation who, at any time within the two-year period prior to the date in question, was the beneficial owner of ten percent or more of the voting power of the then outstanding voting stock of the corporation.

A person is not an interested stockholder under the statute if the board of directors approved in advance the transaction by which he otherwise would have become an interested stockholder.

After the five-year prohibition, any business combination between the Maryland corporation and an interested stockholder generally must be recommended by the board of directors of the corporation and approved by the affirmative vote of at least:

 

•

80% of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding shares of voting stock of the corporation; and

 

•

66 2/3% of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of voting stock of the corporation other than shares held by the interested stockholder with whom or with whose affiliate the business combination is to be effected or held by an affiliate or associate of the interested stockholder.

These super-majority vote requirements do not apply if the corporation’s common stockholders receive a minimum price, as defined under Maryland law, for their shares in the form of cash or other consideration in the same form as previously paid by the interested stockholder for its shares. The statute permits various exemptions from its provisions, including business combinations that are exempted by the board of directors prior to the time that the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder.

The business combination statute may discourage others from trying to acquire control of the Fund and increase the difficulty of consummating any offer.

Maryland law provides that control shares of a Maryland corporation acquired in a control share acquisition have no voting rights except to the extent approved by a vote of two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Shares owned by the acquiror, by officers or by directors who are employees of the corporation are excluded from shares entitled to vote on the matter. Control shares are voting shares of stock which, if aggregated with all other shares of stock owned by the acquiror or in respect of which the acquiror is able to exercise or direct the exercise of voting power (except solely by virtue of a revocable proxy), would entitle the acquiror to exercise voting power in electing directors within one of the following ranges of voting power:

 

•

one-tenth or more but less than one-third,

 

•

one-third or more but less than a majority, or

 

•

a majority or more of all voting power.

Control shares do not include shares the acquiring person is then entitled to vote as a result of having previously obtained stockholder approval. A control share acquisition means the acquisition of control shares, subject to certain exceptions.

A person who has made or proposes to make a control share acquisition may compel the board of directors of the corporation to call a special meeting of stockholders to be held within 50 days of demand to consider the

 

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voting rights of the shares. The right to compel the calling of a special meeting is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including an undertaking to pay the expenses of the meeting. If no request for a meeting is made, the corporation may itself present the question at any stockholders meeting.

If voting rights are not approved at the meeting or if the acquiring person does not deliver an acquiring person statement as required by the statute, then the corporation may redeem for fair value any or all of the control shares, except those for which voting rights have previously been approved. The right of the corporation to redeem control shares is subject to certain conditions and limitations. Fair value is determined, without regard to the absence of voting rights for the control shares, as of the date of the last control share acquisition by the acquiror or of any meeting of stockholders at which the voting rights of the shares are considered and not approved. If voting rights for control shares are approved at a stockholders meeting and the acquiror becomes entitled to vote a majority of the shares entitled to vote, all other stockholders may exercise appraisal rights. The fair value of the shares as determined for purposes of appraisal rights may not be less than the highest price per share paid by the acquiror in the control share acquisition.

The control share acquisition statute does not apply (a) to shares acquired in a merger, consolidation or share exchange if the corporation is a party to the transaction, or (b) to acquisitions approved or exempted by the charter or by-laws of the corporation.

The control share acquisition statute may discourage others from trying to acquire control of the Fund and increase the difficulty of consummating any offer.

REPURCHASE OF FUND SHARES

The Fund is a closed-end investment company, and as such its stockholders will not have the right to cause the Fund to redeem their Common Stock. Instead, liquidity will be provided through trading in the open market. Notice is hereby given in accordance with Section 23(c) of the 1940 Act that the Fund may purchase at market prices from time to time shares of its Common Stock in the open market but is under no obligation to do so.

CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

The discussion below and disclosure in the SAI provide a summary of certain United States federal income tax considerations relating to the Fund and the purchase, ownership and disposition of Common Stock as of the date hereof. Except where noted, this summary deals only with Common Stock purchased in this offering and held as a capital asset. This summary does not represent a detailed description of the United States federal income tax consequences applicable to a Common Stockholder if such holder is subject to special treatment under the United States federal income tax laws, including if the holder is:

 

•

a dealer in securities or currencies;

 

•

a financial institution;

 

•

a regulated investment company;

 

•

a real estate investment trust;

 

•

an insurance company;

 

•

a tax-exempt organization;

 

•

a person holding Common Stock as part of a hedging, integrated or conversion transaction, a constructive sale or a straddle;

 

•

a trader in securities that has elected the mark-to-market method of accounting for its securities;

 

•

a person liable for alternative minimum tax;

 

•

a partnership or other pass-through entity for United States federal income tax purposes; or

 

•

a U.S. Holder (as defined below) whose “functional currency” is not the United States dollar.

 

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As used herein, the term “U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of Common Stock that is for United States federal income tax purposes:

 

•

an individual citizen or resident of the United States;

 

•

a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;

 

•

an estate the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source; or

 

•

a trust if it (1) is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and one or more United States persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (2) has a valid election in effect under applicable United States Treasury regulations to be treated as a United States person.

As used herein, the term “non-U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of Common Stock that is neither a U.S. Holder nor a partnership (or other entity treated as a partnership for United States federal income tax purpose).

The discussion below is based upon the provisions of the Code, and regulations, rulings and judicial decisions thereunder as of the date hereof, and such authorities may be replaced, revoked or modified, possibly with retroactive effect, so as to result in United States federal income tax consequences different from those discussed below.

If a partnership holds Common Stock, the tax treatment of a partner will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Investors that are partners in a partnership holding Common Stock should consult their tax advisors.

This summary does not contain a detailed description of all the United States federal income tax consequences applicable to the Fund or to investors in light of their particular circumstances, and does not address the effects of any state, local or non-United States tax laws. Investors considering the purchase, ownership or disposition of Common Stock should consult their own tax advisors concerning the United States federal income tax consequences to them in light of their particular situations as well as any consequences arising under the laws of any other taxing jurisdiction.

Taxation of the Fund

The Fund will be treated as a regular corporation, or a “C” corporation, for United States federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, the Fund generally will be subject to United States federal income tax on its taxable income at the graduated rates applicable to corporations (currently at a maximum rate of 35%). Such taxable income would generally include, among other items, all of the Fund’s net income from its investments in the equity securities of MLPs, other types of equity securities, derivatives, debt securities, royalty trusts and foreign securities less Fund expenses. The Fund may be subject to a 20% alternative minimum tax on its alternative minimum taxable income to the extent that the alternative minimum tax exceeds the Fund’s regular income tax liability. The Fund’s payment of corporate income tax or alternative minimum tax could materially reduce the amount of cash available for the Fund to make distributions on the Common Stock. In addition, distributions to Common Stockholders of the Fund will be taxed under United States federal income tax laws applicable to corporate distributions, and thus the Fund’s taxable income will be subject to a double layer of taxation. As a regular corporation, the Fund may also be subject to state income tax or foreign tax by reason of its investments in equity securities of MLPs.

MLP Equity Securities

MLPs are generally characterized as “publicly traded partnerships” for United States federal income tax purposes because MLPs are typically organized as limited partnerships or limited liability companies that are publicly traded. The Code generally requires all publicly traded partnerships to be treated as corporations for

 

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United States federal income tax purposes. If, however, a publicly traded partnership derives at least 90% of its gross income from qualifying sources as described in Section 7704 of the Code, the publicly traded partnership will be treated as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes. These qualifying sources include interest, dividends, real estate rents, gain from the sale or disposition of real property, income and gain from mineral or natural resources activities, income and gain from the transportation or storage of certain fuels, and, in certain circumstances, income and gain from commodities or futures, forwards and options with respect to commodities. Mineral or natural resources activities include exploration, development, production, processing, mining, refining, marketing and transportation (including pipelines) of oil and gas, minerals, geothermal energy, fertilizer, timber or industrial source carbon dioxide. The Fund intends to invest in MLPs only if such MLPs are taxed as partnerships for United States federal income tax purposes, and references in this discussion to MLPs include only MLPs that are so taxed.

When the Fund invests in the equity securities of an MLP, the Fund will be a partner in such MLP. Accordingly, the Fund will be required to include in its taxable income the Fund’s allocable share of the income, gains, losses and deductions recognized by each such MLP, whether or not the MLP distributes cash to the Fund. A distribution from an MLP is treated as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of the Fund’s tax basis in its MLP interest and as gain from the sale or exchange of the MLP interest to the extent the distribution exceeds the Fund’s tax basis in its MLP interest. Based upon a review of the historic results of the type of MLPs in which the Fund intends to invest, the Fund expects that the cash distributions it will receive with respect its investments in equity securities of MLPs will exceed the taxable income allocated to the Fund from such MLPs No assurance, however, can be given in this regard. If this expectation is not realized, the Fund will have a larger corporate income tax expense than expected, which will result in less cash available to distribute to Common Stockholders.

In addition, for purposes of calculating the Fund’s alternative minimum taxable income, the Fund’s allocable share of certain percentage-depletion deductions and intangible drilling costs of the MLPs in which the Fund invests may be treated as items of tax preference. Such items will increase the Fund’s alternative minimum taxable income and increase the likelihood that the Fund may be subject to the alternative minimum tax.

U.S. Holders

Taxation of Dividends

The gross amount of distributions by the Fund in respect of Common Stock will be taxable to a U.S. Holder as dividend income to the extent the distributions are paid out of the Fund’s current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under United States federal income tax principles. Such income will be included in a U.S. Holder’s gross income on the day actually or constructively received by such holder. Subject to certain holding period and other requirements, such dividend income will generally be eligible for the dividends received deduction in the case of corporate U.S. Holders and, in the case of dividends paid in taxable years beginning on or before December 31, 2013, will generally be treated as “qualified dividend income” for non-corporate U.S. Holders (including individuals) and will be eligible for reduced rates of taxation.

To the extent that the amount of any distribution exceeds the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits for a taxable year, as determined under United States federal income tax principles, the distribution will first be treated as a tax-free return of capital, causing a reduction in the adjusted basis of Common Stock (thereby increasing the amount of gain, or decreasing the amount of loss, to be recognized by a U.S. Holder on a subsequent disposition of the Common Stock), and the balance in excess of adjusted basis will be taxed as capital gain. Any such capital gain will be long-term capital gain if such U.S. Holder has held the applicable Common Stock for more than one year.

A corporation’s earnings and profits are generally calculated by making certain adjustments to the corporation’s reported taxable income. Based upon the historic performance of similar MLPs in which the Fund intends to invest, the Fund anticipates that the distributed cash from the MLPs in its portfolio will exceed its earnings and profits. Thus, the Fund anticipates that only a portion of its distributions will be treated as dividends to its Common Stockholders for United States federal income tax purposes, although no assurance can be given in this regard.

 

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Because of the Fund’s status as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes and its investments in equity securities of MLPs, the Fund’s earnings and profits may be calculated using accounting methods that are different from those used for calculating taxable income. For instance, the Fund may use a less accelerated method of depreciation and depletion for purposes of computing its earnings and profits than the method used for purposes of calculating the taxable income of the MLP. In that case, the Fund’s earnings and profits would not be increased solely by its allocable share of the MLP’s taxable income, but would also have to be increased for the amount by which the more accelerated depreciation and depletion methods used for purposes of computing taxable income exceed the less accelerated methods used for purposes of computing earnings and profits. Because of these differences, the Fund may make distributions out of its current or accumulated earnings and profits, treated as dividends, in excess of its taxable income.

Taxation of Capital Gains

A U.S. Holder will recognize taxable gain or loss on any sale, exchange or other disposition of Common Stock in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized for the Common Stock and the holder’s adjusted tax basis in such Common Stock. Generally, a U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the Common Stock will be equal to the cost of the holder’s Common Stock, reduced by adjustments for distributions paid by the Fund in excess of its earnings and profits (i.e., returns of capital). Such gain or loss will generally be capital gain or loss. Capital gains of non-corporate U.S. Holders (including individuals) derived with respect to capital assets held for more than one year are eligible for reduced rates of taxation. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

In general, information reporting will apply to distributions in respect of Common Stock and the proceeds from the sale, exchange or other disposition of Common Stock that are paid to a U.S. Holder within the United States (and in certain cases, outside the United States), unless the holder is an exempt recipient. A backup withholding tax (currently at a maximum rate of 28%) may apply to such payments if the holder fails to provide a taxpayer identification number (generally on an Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) Form W-9) or certification of other exempt status or fails to report in full dividend and interest income. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a refund or as a credit against a U.S. Holder’s United States federal income tax liability provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

Non-U.S. Holders

The following discussion is a summary of certain United States federal income tax consequences that will apply to non-U.S. Holders. Special rules may apply to certain non-U.S Holders, such as “controlled foreign corporations,” “passive foreign investment companies” and certain expatriates, among others, that are subject to special treatment under the Code. Such non-U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors to determine the United States federal, state, local and other tax consequences that may be relevant to them.

Taxation of Dividends

The gross amount of distributions by the Fund in respect of Common Stock will be treated as dividends to the extent paid out of the Fund’s current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under United States federal income tax principles. Dividends paid to a non-U.S. Holder generally will be subject to withholding of United States federal income tax at a 30% rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty. However, dividends that are effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business by a non-U.S. Holder within the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, are attributable to a United States permanent establishment) are not subject to the withholding tax, provided certain certification and disclosure requirements (generally on an IRS Form W-8ECI) are satisfied. Instead, such dividends are subject to United States federal income tax on a net income basis in the same manner as if the non-U.S. Holder were a United States person as defined under the Code. Any such effectively connected dividends received by a foreign corporation may be subject to an additional “branch profits tax” at a 30% rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty.

 

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A non-U.S. Holder who wishes to claim the benefits of an applicable income tax treaty (and avoid backup withholding, as discussed below) for dividends will be required (a) to complete IRS Form W-8BEN (or other applicable form) and certify under penalty of perjury that such holder is not a United States person as defined under the Code and is eligible for treaty benefits or (b) if Common Stock is held through certain foreign intermediaries, to satisfy the relevant certification requirements of applicable United States Treasury regulations. Special certification and other requirements apply to certain non-U.S. Holders that are pass-through entities rather than corporations or individuals.

A non-U.S. Holder eligible for a reduced rate of United States withholding tax pursuant to an income tax treaty may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by timely filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS.

If the amount of a distribution to a non-U.S. Holder exceeds the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, such excess will be treated first as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of the non-U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the Common Stock, and then as capital gain. As discussed above under the caption “—U.S. Holders—Taxation of Dividends,” the Fund expects that only a portion of its distributions to its Common Stockholders with respect to the Common Stock will be treated as dividends for United States federal income tax purposes, although no assurance can be given in this regard. Capital gain recognized by a non-U.S. Holder as a consequence of a distribution by the Fund in excess of its current and accumulated earnings and profits will generally not be subject to United States federal income tax, except as described below under the caption “—Taxation of Capital Gains.”

Taxation of Capital Gains

A non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to United States federal income tax on any gain realized on the disposition of Common Stock unless:

 

•

the gain is effectively connected with a trade or business of the non-U.S. Holder in the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a United States permanent establishment of the non-U.S. Holder);

 

•

the non-U.S. Holder is an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of that disposition, and certain other conditions are met; or

 

•

the Fund is or has been a “United States real property holding corporation” for United States federal income tax purposes.

An individual non-U.S. Holder described in the first bullet point immediately above will be subject to tax on the net gain derived from the sale under regular graduated United States federal income tax rates. An individual non-U.S. Holder described in the second bullet point immediately above will be subject to a flat 30% tax on the gain derived from the sale, which may be offset by United States source capital losses, even though the individual is not considered a resident of the United States. If a non-U.S. Holder that is a foreign corporation falls under the first bullet point immediately above, the holder will be subject to tax on its net gain in the same manner as if the holder were a United States person as defined under the Code and, in addition, may be subject to the branch profits tax equal to 30% of its effectively connected earnings and profits or at such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty.

The Fund may be a “United States real property holding corporation” for United States federal income tax purposes. With respect to the third bullet point above, if the Fund is or becomes a “United States real property holding corporation,” so long as the Fund’s Common Stock is regularly traded on an established securities market (such as the NYSE), only a non-U.S. holder who holds or held (at any time during the shorter of the five year period preceding the date of disposition or the holder’s holding period) more than 5% (directly or indirectly as determined under applicable attribution rules of the Code) of the Fund’s Common Stock will be subject to United States federal income tax on the disposition of Common Stock.

 

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Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

The Fund must report annually to the IRS and to each non-U.S. Holder the amount of distributions paid to such holder (whether treated as dividends or a return of capital) and the tax withheld with respect to such distributions. Copies of the information returns reporting such distributions and withholding may also be made available to the tax authorities in the country in which the non-U.S. Holder resides under the provisions of an applicable income tax treaty.

A non-U.S. Holder will be subject to backup withholding for dividends paid to such holder unless such holder certifies under penalty of perjury that it is a non-U.S. Holder (and the payor does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that such holder is a United States person as defined under the Code), or such holder otherwise establishes an exemption. Dividends subject to withholding of United States federal income tax as described under the caption “—Non-U.S. Holders—Taxation of Dividends” above will not be subject to backup withholding.

Information reporting and, depending on the circumstances, backup withholding will apply to the proceeds of a sale of Common Stock within the United States or conducted through certain United States-related financial intermediaries, unless the beneficial owner certifies under penalty of perjury that it is a non-U.S. Holder (and the payor does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that the beneficial owner is a United States person as defined under the Code), or such owner otherwise establishes an exemption.

Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a refund or as a credit against a non-U.S. Holder’s United States federal income tax liability provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

Non-U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisor regarding the application of the information reporting and backup withholding rules to them.

Additional Withholding Requirements

Under recently enacted legislation, the relevant withholding agent may be required to withhold 30% of any dividends and the proceeds of a sale of Common Stock paid after December 31, 2012 to (i) a foreign financial institution unless such foreign financial institution agrees to verify, report and disclose its United States accountholders and meets certain other specified requirements or (ii) a non-financial foreign entity that is the beneficial owner of the payment unless such entity certifies that it does not have any substantial United States owners or provides the name, address and taxpayer identification number of each substantial United States owner and such entity meets certain other specified requirements.

Medicare Tax on Net Investment Income

For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012, recently enacted legislation will generally impose a tax on the net investment income of certain individuals and on the undistributed net investment income of certain estates and trusts. For these purposes, “net investment income” will generally include interest, dividends (including dividends paid with respect to our Common Stock), annuities, royalties, rent, net gain attributable to the disposition of property not held in a trade or business (including net gain from the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of shares of our Common Stock) and certain other income, but will be reduced by any deductions properly allocable to such income or net gain. Common Stockholders are advised to consult their own tax advisors regarding additional taxation of net investment income.

Investment by Tax-Exempt Investors

Employee benefit plans and most other organizations exempt from United States federal income tax, including individual retirement accounts and other retirement plans, are subject to United States federal income tax on UBTI. Because the Fund is a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes, an owner of Common Stock will not report on its federal income tax return any of the Fund’s items of income, gain, loss and deduction. Therefore, a tax-exempt investor generally will not have UBTI attributable to its ownership or sale of Common Stock unless its ownership of Common Stock is debt-financed. In general, Common Stock would be

 

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debt-financed if the tax-exempt owner of Common Stock incurs debt to acquire Common Stock or otherwise incurs or maintains a debt that would not have been incurred or maintained if that Common Stock had not been acquired.

Other Taxation

The Fund’s Common Stockholders may be subject to state, local and foreign taxes on its distributions. Common Stockholders are advised to consult their own tax advisors with respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in the Fund.

 

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UNDERWRITERS

Under the terms and subject to the conditions contained in the underwriting agreement, dated the date of this Prospectus, the underwriters named below, for whom             ,             ,             and              are acting as representatives (the “Representatives”), have severally agreed to purchase, and the Fund has agreed to sell to them, the number of shares of Common Stock indicated below.

 

Underwriter		Number of Shares
Total

The underwriters are offering the shares of Common Stock subject to their acceptance of the shares from the Fund and subject to prior sale. The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the several underwriters to pay for and accept delivery of the shares of Common Stock offered by this Prospectus are subject to the approval of legal matters by their counsel and to certain other conditions. The underwriters are obligated to take and pay for all of the shares of Common Stock offered by this Prospectus if any such shares are taken. However, the underwriters are not required to take or pay for the shares of Common Stock covered by the underwriters’ over-allotment option described below.

The underwriters initially propose to offer part of the shares of Common Stock directly to the public at the initial offering price listed on the cover page of this Prospectus and part to certain dealers at a price that represents a concession not in excess of $             per share of Common Stock under the initial offering price. After the initial offering of the Common Stock, the offering price and other selling terms may from time to time be varied by the Representatives. The underwriting discounts and commissions (sales load) of $0.90 per share of Common Stock are equal to 4.50% of the initial offering price. Investors must pay for any shares of Common Stock purchased on or before                          , 2011.

The Fund has granted to the underwriters an option, exercisable for 45 days from the date of this Prospectus, to purchase up to an aggregate of              shares of Common Stock at the initial offering price per share of Common Stock listed on the cover page of this Prospectus, less underwriting discounts and commissions. The underwriters may exercise this option solely for the purpose of covering over-allotments, if any, made in connection with the offering of the shares of Common Stock offered by this Prospectus. To the extent the option is exercised, each underwriter will become obligated, subject to limited conditions, to purchase approximately the same percentage of the additional shares of Common Stock as the number listed next to the underwriter’s name in the preceding table bears to the total number of shares of Common Stock listed next to the names of all underwriters in the preceding table. If the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full, the total price to the public would be $            , the total underwriters’ discounts and commissions (sales load) would be $             and the total proceeds to the Fund would be $            .

The following table summarizes the estimated expenses (assuming the Fund issues shares of Common Stock) and compensation that the Fund will pay:

 

		Per Share of Common Stock								Total
		Without Over-allotment				With Over-allotment				Without Over-allotment				With Over-allotment
Public offering price		$	20.00			$	20.00			$				$
Sales load		$	0.90			$	0.90			$				$
Estimated offering expenses		$	0.04			$	0.04			$				$
Proceeds, after expenses, to the Fund		$	19.06			$	19.06			$				$

The fees described below under “—Additional Compensation to Be Paid by LMPFA” are not reimbursable to LPMFA by the Fund, and are therefore not reflected in expenses payable by the Fund in the table above.

Offering expenses paid by the Fund (other than sales load) will not exceed $0.04 per share of Common Stock sold by the Fund in this offering. If the offering expenses referred to in the preceding sentence exceed this

 

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amount, LPMFA will pay the excess. The aggregate offering expenses (excluding sales load) are estimated to be $             in total, $             of which will be borne by the Fund (or $             if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full). See “Summary of Fund Expenses.”

The underwriters have informed the Fund that they do not intend sales to discretionary accounts to exceed five percent of the total number of shares of Common Stock offered by them.

In order to meet requirements for listing the Common Stock on the NYSE, the underwriters have undertaken to sell lots of 100 or more shares to a minimum of 400 beneficial owners in the United States. The minimum investment requirement is 100 shares of Common Stock ($2,000).

It is anticipated that the shares of Common Stock will be approved for listing on the NYSE, subject to notice of issuance. The trading or “ticker” symbol of the Common Stock is expected to be “EMO.”

The Fund has agreed that, without the prior written consent of the Representatives on behalf of the underwriters, it will not, during the period ending 180 days after the date of this Prospectus:

 

•

offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock; or

 

•

enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of Common Stock, whether any such transaction described above is to be settled by delivery of shares of Common Stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise; or file any registration statement with the SEC relating to the offering of any Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if: (i) during the last 17 days of the 180-day restricted period, the Fund issues an earnings release or announces material news or a material event relating to the Fund; or (ii) prior to the expiration of the 180-day restricted period, the Fund announces that it will release earnings results during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the 180-day restricted period, the restrictions described above shall continue to apply until the expiration of the 18-day period beginning on the date of the earnings release or the announcement of the material news or material event. This lock-up agreement will not apply to the shares of Common Stock to be sold pursuant to the underwriting agreement or any shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to the Plan.

In order to facilitate the offering of Common Stock, the underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the Common Stock. The underwriters currently expect to sell more shares of Common Stock than they are obligated to purchase under the underwriting agreement, creating a short position in the Common Stock for their own account. A short sale is covered if the short position is no greater than the number of shares of Common Stock available for purchase by the underwriters under the over-allotment option (exercisable for 45 days from the date of this Prospectus). The underwriters can close out a covered short sale by exercising the over-allotment option or purchasing shares of Common Stock in the open market. In determining the source of shares of Common Stock to close out a covered short sale, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the open market price of the Common Stock compared to the price available under the over-allotment option. The underwriters may also sell shares of Common Stock in excess of the over-allotment option, creating a naked short position. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing shares of Common Stock in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the Common Stock in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering. As an additional means of facilitating the offering, the underwriters may bid for, and purchase, shares of Common Stock in the open market to stabilize the price of the Common Stock. Finally, the underwriting syndicate may also reclaim selling concessions allowed to an underwriter or a dealer for distributing the Common Stock in the offering, if the syndicate repurchases previously distributed shares of Common Stock in transactions to cover syndicate short positions or to stabilize the price of the Common Stock. Any of these activities may raise or maintain the market

 

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price of the Common Stock above independent market levels or prevent or retard a decline in the market price of the Common Stock. The underwriters are not required to engage in these activities, and may end any of these activities at any time.

Prior to this offering, there has been no public or private market for the Common Stock or any other securities of the Fund. Consequently, the offering price for the Common Stock was determined by negotiation among the Fund, LPMFA and the Representatives. There can be no assurance, however, that the price at which the shares of Common Stock trade after this offering will not be lower than the price at which they are sold by the underwriters or that an active trading market in the Common Stock will develop and continue after this offering.

The Fund anticipates that the Representatives and certain other underwriters may from time to time act as brokers and dealers in connection with the execution of its portfolio transactions after they have ceased to act as underwriters and, subject to certain restrictions, may act as such brokers while they act as underwriters.

In connection with this offering, certain of the underwriters or selected dealers may distribute Prospectuses electronically. The Fund, LPMFA, ClearBridge and the underwriters have agreed to indemnify each other against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the 1933 Act.

Prior to the public offering of Common Stock,             purchased Common Stock from the Fund in an amount satisfying the net worth requirements of Section 14(a) of the 1940 Act. As of the date of this Prospectus,              owned 100% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock.              may be deemed to control the Fund until such time as it owns less than 25% of the outstanding Common Stock, which is expected to occur as of the completion of the offering of Common Stock.

The underwriters and their respective affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, investment management, principal investment, hedging, financing and brokerage activities. Certain of the underwriters or their respective affiliates from time to time have provided in the past, and may provide in the future, investment banking, securities trading, hedging, brokerage activities, commercial lending and financial advisory services to the Fund, certain of its executive officers and affiliates and LPMFA, ClearBridge and their affiliates in the ordinary course of business, for which they have received, and may receive, customary fees and expenses.

No action has been taken in any jurisdiction (except in the United States) that would permit a public offering of the Common Stock, or the possession, circulation or distribution of this Prospectus or any other material relating to the Fund or the Common Stock in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. Accordingly, the Common Stock may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, and neither this Prospectus nor any other offering material or advertisements in connection with the Common Stock may be distributed or published, in or from any country or jurisdiction except in compliance with the applicable rules and regulations of any such country or jurisdiction.

The principal business address of                      is                     . The principal business address of                      is                     . The principal business address of                      is                     .

Additional Compensation to Be Paid by LMPFA

LMPFA (and not the Fund) has agreed to pay                                                       from its own assets, upfront structuring and syndication fees in the amount of $             for advice relating to the structure, design and organization of the Fund, including without limitation, views from an investor market, distribution and syndication perspective on (i) diversification, proportion and concentration approaches for the Fund’s investments in light of current market conditions, (ii) marketing issues with respect to the Fund’s investment policies and proposed investments, (iii) the proportion of the Fund’s assets to invest in the Fund’s strategies, (iv) the overall marketing and positioning thesis for the offering of the Fund’s Common Stock, (v) securing participants in the Fund’s initial public offering, (vi) preparation of marketing and diligence materials for underwriters, (vii) conveying information and market updates to the underwriters, and (viii) coordinating

 

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syndicate orders in this offering. The upfront structuring and syndication fees paid to                                                               will not exceed     % of the total public offering price of the Common Stock. These services provided by                                                               to LMPFA are unrelated to LMPFA’s function of advising the Fund as to its investments in securities or use of investment strategies and investment techniques.

LMPFA (and not the Fund) has agreed to pay                                                              from its own assets, an upfront structuring fee in the amount of $             for advice relating to the structure, design and organization of the Fund, including without limitation, views from an investor market and distribution perspective on (i) diversification, proportion and concentration approaches for the Fund’s investments in light of current market conditions, (ii) marketing issues with respect to the Fund’s investment policies and proposed investments, (iii) the proportion of the Fund’s assets to invest in the Fund’s strategies and (iv) the overall marketing and positioning thesis for the offering of the Fund’s Common Stock. The upfront structuring fee paid to                                                               will not exceed     % of the total public offering price of the Common Stock. These services provided by                                                               to LMPFA are unrelated to LMPFA’s function of advising the Fund as to its investments in securities or use of investment strategies and investment techniques.

LMPFA (and not the Fund) has agreed to pay                                                               from its own assets, an upfront structuring fee in the amount of $             for advice relating to the structure, design and organization of the Fund as well as services related to the sale and distribution of the Common Stock. The upfront structuring fee paid to                                                               will not exceed     % of the total public offering price of the Common Stock. These services provided by                                                               to LMPFA are unrelated to LMPFA’s function of advising the Fund as to its investments in securities or use of investment strategies and investment techniques.

LMPFA (and not the Fund) has also agreed to pay from its own assets a commission to certain registered personnel of Legg Mason Investor Services, LLC (a broker-dealer affiliate of LMPFA and ClearBridge), who participate as wholesalers in the marketing of the Common Stock, in an amount which will not exceed $            . These commissions, in the aggregate, will not exceed will not exceed     % of the total public offering price of the Common Stock.

As part of the Fund’s payment of its offering expenses, the Fund has agreed to pay expenses related to the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to the underwriters in connection with the review by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) of the terms of the sale of the Common Stock, the filing fees incident to the filing of marketing materials with FINRA, and the transportation and other expenses incurred by the underwriters in connection with presentations to prospective purchasers of the Common Stock. Such expenses will not exceed $             in the aggregate.

Total underwriting compensation determined in accordance with FINRA rules is summarized as follows. The sales load the Fund will pay of $0.90 per share is equal to 4.5% of gross proceeds. The Fund has agreed to reimburse the underwriters the expenses related to the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to the underwriters in connection with the review by FINRA of the terms of the sale of the Common Stock, the filing fees incident to the filing of marketing materials with FINRA, and the transportation and other expenses incurred by the underwriters in connection with presentations to prospective purchasers of the Common Stock, in an amount not to exceed $             in the aggregate, which amount will not exceed     % of gross proceeds. LMPFA (and not the Fund) will pay upfront structuring and/or syndication fees to                     ,                     , and                     , as described above, which will not exceed $            . Total compensation to the underwriters will not exceed     % of gross proceeds.

 

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CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AGENT

The custodian of the assets of the Fund is State Street Bank and Trust Company LLC, Lafayette Corporate Center, 2 Avenue de Lafayette, Boston, Massachusetts 02111. The Custodian performs custodial, fund accounting and portfolio accounting services. The Fund’s transfer, stockholder services and dividend paying agent is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company LLC, 6201 15th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11219.

 

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FISCAL YEAR AND TAX YEAR

For accounting purposes, the Fund’s fiscal year is the 12-month period ending on November 30. The 12-month period ending November 30 of each year will be the taxable year of the Fund.

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board has selected                     , located at                     , to serve as the independent registered public accountants of the Fund.

LEGAL OPINIONS

Certain legal matters in connection with the Common Stock will be passed upon for the Fund by Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, New York, New York and for the underwriters by Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, New York, New York. Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP may rely as to certain matters of Maryland law on the opinion of DLA Piper US LLP.

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS OF THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

Investment Objective			1
Investment Restrictions			1
Investment Policies and Techniques			4
Management of the Fund			23
Investment Manager			31
Portfolio Managers			33
Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage			36
Net Asset Value			37
General Information			39
Repurchase of Fund Shares; Conversion to an Open-End Fund			39
Certain United States Federal Income Tax Considerations			39
Control Persons and Principal Holders of Securities			46
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm			46
Custodian			46
Additional Information			46
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm			47
Financial Statements			48
Appendix A—Description of S&P, Moody’s and Fitch Ratings			A-1
Appendix B—Proxy Voting Policy of Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC			B-1
Appendix C—Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures of ClearBridge Advisors, LLC			C-1

 

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                    Shares

ClearBridge Energy MLP

Opportunity Fund Inc.

Common Stock

$20.00 per share

 

 

PROSPECTUS

                    , 2011

 

Until                     , 2011 (25 days after the date of this Prospectus) all dealers that buy, sell or trade the Common Stock, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a Prospectus. This delivery requirement is in addition to the dealers’ obligation to deliver a Prospectus when acting as underwriters and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.

 

 

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The information in this Statement of Additional Information is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This Statement of Additional Information is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED                     , 2011

CLEARBRIDGE ENERGY MLP OPPORTUNITY FUND INC.

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

ClearBridge Energy MLP Opportunity Fund Inc. (the “Fund”) is a newly organized, non-diversified, closed-end management investment company.

This Statement of Additional Information relating to common stock of the Fund (“Common Stock”) does not constitute a prospectus, but should be read in conjunction with the Fund’s prospectus relating thereto dated                      2011, and as it may be supplemented (the “Prospectus”). This Statement of Additional Information does not include all information that a prospective investor should consider before purchasing Common Stock, and investors should obtain and read the Fund’s Prospectus prior to purchasing such shares. A copy of the Fund’s Prospectus, annual and semi-annual reports (when available) and additional information about the Fund may be obtained without charge by calling (888) 777-0102, by writing to the Fund at 55 Water Street, New York, New York 10041 or by visiting the Fund’s website (http://www.leggmason.com/cef). The information contained in, or accessed through, the Fund’s website is not part of the Fund’s Prospectus or this Statement of Additional Information. Prospective investors may also obtain a copy of the Fund’s Prospectus on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website (http://www.sec.gov). Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Statement of Additional Information have the meanings ascribed to them in the Prospectus.

This Statement of Additional Information is dated                     , 2011.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS OF THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

Investment Objective			1
Investment Restrictions			1
Investment Policies and Techniques			4
Management of the Fund			23
Investment Manager			31
Portfolio Managers			33
Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage			36
Net Asset Value			37
General Information			39
Repurchase of Fund Shares; Conversion to an Open-End Fund			39
Certain United States Federal Income Tax Considerations			39
Control Persons and Principal Holders of Securities			46
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm			46
Custodian			46
Additional Information			46
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm			47
Financial Statements			48
Appendix A—Description of S&P, Moody’s and Fitch Ratings			A-1
Appendix B—Proxy Voting Policy of Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC			B-1
Appendix C—Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures of ClearBridge Advisors, LLC			C-1

 

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INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The Fund’s investment objective is to provide long-term investors a high level of total return with an emphasis on cash distributions. The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing primarily in master limited partnerships (“MLPs”) in the energy sector. Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its Managed Assets in MLPs in the energy sector (the “80% policy”). For purposes of the 80% policy, the Fund considers investments in MLPs to include investments that offer economic exposure to public and private MLPs in the form of equity securities of MLPs, securities of entities holding primarily general partner or managing member interests in MLPs, indirect interests in MLPs (such as I-Shares), and debt securities of MLPs. The Fund considers an entity to be within the energy sector if it derives at least 50% of its revenues from the business of exploring, developing, producing, gathering, transporting, processing, storing, refining, distributing, mining or marketing natural gas, natural gas liquids (including propane), crude oil, refined petroleum products or coal.

Currently and as the Fund makes its initial investments, the Fund intends to focus its investments in MLPs with operations in crude oil, natural gas liquids and refined products. This reflects ClearBridge’s current belief that the combination of structurally higher global oil prices and the increased supply of domestic oil and natural gas liquids — due primarily to recent shale gas discoveries — makes MLPs focused on these liquid products well positioned for long term growth. While ClearBridge anticipates that liquid product-related MLPs will be the Fund’s primary focus, the dynamic nature of the energy markets may create new and potentially more attractive opportunities over time. Should macro energy political, regulatory or tax considerations evolve, and other types of MLPs become more attractive, ClearBridge may look to invest in these new opportunities. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective or earn a return on its assets, and you could lose some or all of your investment .

INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS

The following restrictions, along with the Fund’s investment objective, are the Fund’s only fundamental policies—that is, policies that cannot be changed without the approval of the holders of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities. For the purposes of the foregoing, a “majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities” means the lesser of (i) 67% of the shares represented at a meeting at which more than 50% of the outstanding shares are represented or (ii) more than 50% of the outstanding shares. The other policies and investment restrictions are not fundamental polices of the Fund and may be changed by the Fund’s Board without stockholder approval. Except with respect to the Fund’s ability to borrow under subparagraph (1) below, if a percentage restriction set forth below is adhered to at the time a transaction is effected, later changes in percentage resulting from any cause other than actions by the Fund will not be considered a violation. Under its fundamental restrictions, the Fund may not:

(1) issue senior securities, except to the extent permitted by (i) the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), or interpretations or modifications by the SEC, the SEC staff or other authority with appropriate jurisdiction, or (ii) exemptive or other relief or permission from the SEC, SEC staff or other authority;

(2) make loans to other persons, except as permitted by (i) the 1940 Act, or interpretations or modifications by the SEC, SEC staff or other authority with appropriate jurisdiction, or (ii) exemptive or other relief or permission from the SEC, SEC staff or other authority;

(3) underwrite the securities of other issuers, except insofar as the Fund may be deemed to be an underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), in connection with the sale and purchase of portfolio securities;

(4) invest 25% or more of the value of its total assets in any one industry provided that such limitation shall not be applicable to industries in the energy sector and obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities;

(5) purchase or sell real estate or interests therein other than corporate securities secured by real estate or interests therein; and

 

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(6) purchase or sell commodities, commodity futures contracts or commodity options except as permitted by (i) the 1940 Act, or interpretations or modifications by the SEC, SEC staff or other authority with appropriate jurisdiction, or (ii) exemptive or other relief or permission from the SEC, SEC staff or other authority.

With respect to the limitation regarding the issuance of senior securities set forth in subparagraph (1) above, “senior securities” are defined as any bond, debenture, note, or similar obligation or instrument constituting a security and evidencing indebtedness, and any stock of a class having priority over any other class as to distribution of assets or payment of dividends.

The ability of a closed-end fund to issue senior securities is severely circumscribed by complex regulatory constraints under the 1940 Act that restrict, for instance, the amount, timing and form of senior securities that may be issued. Certain portfolio management techniques, such as credit default swaps, the purchase of securities on margin, short sales or the writing of puts on portfolio securities, may be considered senior securities unless appropriate steps are taken to segregate the Fund’s assets or otherwise cover its obligations. To the extent the Fund covers its commitment under these transactions, including by the segregation of liquid assets, equal in value to the amount of the Fund’s commitment, such instrument will not be considered a “senior security” by the Fund and therefore will not be subject to the 300% asset coverage requirement otherwise applicable to borrowings by the Fund.

Under the 1940 Act, a “senior security” does not include any promissory note or evidence of indebtedness where such loan is for temporary purposes only and in an amount not exceeding 5% of the value of the total assets of the issuer at the time the loan is made. A loan is presumed to be for temporary purposes if it is repaid within sixty days and is not extended or renewed.

With respect to the limitation regarding making loans to other persons set forth in subparagraph (2) above, the 1940 Act does not prohibit a fund from making loans; however, SEC staff interpretations currently prohibit funds from lending more than one-third of their total assets, except through the purchase of debt obligations or the use of repurchase agreements. A repurchase agreement is an agreement to purchase a security, coupled with an agreement to sell that security back to the original seller on an agreed-upon date at a price that reflects current interest rates. The SEC frequently treats repurchase agreements as loans.

With respect to the limitation regarding underwriting the securities of other issuers set forth in subparagraph (3) above, a technical provision of the 1933 Act deems certain persons to be “underwriters” if they purchase a security from an issuer and later sell it to the public. Although it is not believed that the application of this 1933 Act provision would cause a fund to be engaged in the business of underwriting, the policy set forth in subparagraph (3) will be interpreted not to prevent the Fund from engaging in transactions involving the acquisition or disposition of portfolio securities, regardless of whether the Fund may be considered to be an underwriter under the 1933 Act. Under the 1933 Act, an underwriter may be liable for material omissions or misstatements in an issuer’s registration statement or prospectus.

For purposes of applying the limitation set forth in subparagraph (4) above, securities of the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities and securities backed by the credit of a U.S. governmental entity are not considered to represent industries. If the Fund were to “concentrate” its investments in a particular industry, investors would be exposed to greater risks because the Fund’s performance would be largely dependent on that industry’s performance. The Fund’s industry concentration policy does not preclude it from focusing investments in issuers in a group of related industrial sectors (such as different types of energy issuers).

With respect to the limitation regarding the purchase or sale of commodities, commodity futures contracts or commodity options set forth in subparagraph (6) above, the 1940 Act does not prohibit a fund from owning commodities, whether physical commodities and contracts related to physical commodities (such as oil or grains and related futures contracts), or financial commodities and contracts related to financial commodities (such as currencies and, possibly, currency futures). The value of commodities and commodity-related instruments may be extremely volatile and may be affected either directly or indirectly by a variety of factors. There also may be storage charges and risks of loss associated with physical commodities.

 

 

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With respect to the limitation regarding the Fund’s ability to borrow set forth in subparagraph (1) above, the 1940 Act requires the Fund to maintain at all times an asset coverage of at least 300% of the amount of its borrowings. For the purpose of borrowing money, “asset coverage” means the ratio that the value of the Fund’s total assets, minus liabilities other than borrowings, bears to the aggregate amount of all borrowings. Certain trading practices and investments may be considered to be borrowings and thus subject to the 1940 Act restrictions. On the other hand, certain practices and investments may involve leverage but are not considered to be borrowings under the 1940 Act, such as the purchasing of securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis, entering credit default swaps or futures contracts, engaging in short sales and writing options on portfolio securities, so long as the Fund covers its obligations by segregating liquid assets, entering into offsetting transactions or owning positions covering its obligations.

Except with respect to the Fund’s ability to borrow under subparagraph (1) above, all limitations applicable to the Fund’s investments (as stated above and elsewhere in this Statement of Additional Information) apply only at the time a transaction is entered into. Any subsequent change in a rating assigned by any rating service to a security (or, if unrated, deemed by ClearBridge Advisors, LLC (“ClearBridge”) to be of comparable quality), or change in the percentage of the Fund’s assets invested in certain securities or other instruments, or change in the average maturity or duration of the Fund’s investment portfolio, resulting from market fluctuations or other changes in the Fund’s total assets, will not require the Fund to dispose of an investment until ClearBridge determines that it is practicable to sell or close out the investment without adverse market or tax consequences to the Fund. In the event that rating agencies assign different ratings to the same security, ClearBridge will treat the security as being in the highest rating category.

The Fund may not change its policy to invest at least 80% of its Managed Assets in MLPs in the energy sector unless it provides stockholders with at least 60 days’ written notice of such change.

 

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INVESTMENT POLICIES AND TECHNIQUES

The following information supplements the discussion of the Fund’s investment objective, policies, and techniques that are described in the Prospectus.

The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing primarily in MLPs in the energy sector. Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its Managed Assets in securities of MLPs in the energy sector. For purposes of the 80% policy, the Fund considers investments in MLPs to include investments that offer economic exposure to public and private MLPs in the form of equity securities of MLPs, securities of entities holding primarily general partner or managing member interests in MLPs, indirect interests in MLPs (such as I-Shares), and debt securities of MLPs. The Fund considers an entity to be within the energy sector if it derives at least 50% of its revenues from the business of exploring, developing, producing, gathering, transporting, processing, storing, refining, distributing, mining or marketing natural gas, natural gas liquids (including propane), crude oil, refined petroleum products or coal.

Currently and as the Fund makes its initial investments, the Fund intends to focus its investments in MLPs with operations in crude oil, natural gas liquids and refined products. This reflects ClearBridge’s current belief that the combination of structurally higher global oil prices and the increased supply of domestic oil and natural gas liquids — due primarily to recent shale gas discoveries — make MLPs focused on these liquid products well positioned for long term growth. While ClearBridge anticipates that liquid product-related MLPs will be the Fund’s primary focus, the dynamic nature of the energy markets may create new and potentially more attractive opportunities over time. Should macro energy political, regulatory or tax considerations evolve, and other types of MLPs become more attractive, ClearBridge may look to invest in these new opportunities. For as long as “Energy MLP Opportunity” is in the name of the Fund, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its Managed Assets in the MLPs in the energy sector.

The Fund may invest up to 20% of its Managed Assets in securities of issuers that are not MLPs. This 20% allocation may be in any of the securities described in the Prospectus and the SAI, including securities of non-MLP companies engaged primarily in the energy sector. Such issuers may be treated as corporations for United States federal income tax purposes and, therefore, may not offer the tax benefits of investing in MLPs described in the Prospectus.

Portfolio Composition

Master Limited Partnerships

Entities commonly referred to as “MLPs” are generally organized under state law as limited partnerships or limited liability companies. The securities issued by many MLPs are listed and traded on a securities exchange. An MLP typically issues general partner and limited partner interests, or managing member and member interests. The general partner or managing member manages and often controls, has an ownership stake in, and is normally eligible to receive incentive distribution payments from, the MLP. If publicly traded, to be treated as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes, an MLP must derive at least 90% of its gross income for each taxable year from specified qualifying sources as described in Section 7704 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).

These qualifying sources include interest, dividends, real estate rents, gain from the sale or disposition of real property, income and gain from mineral or natural resources activities, income and gain from the transportation or storage of certain fuels, and, in certain circumstances, income and gain from commodities or futures, forwards and options with respect to commodities. Mineral or natural resources activities include exploration, development, production, processing, mining, refining, marketing and transportation (including pipelines), of oil and gas, minerals, geothermal energy, fertilizer, timber or industrial source carbon dioxides. The general partner or managing member may be structured as a private or publicly traded corporation or other entity. The general partner or managing member typically control the operations and management of the entity through an up to 2% general partner or managing member interest in the entity plus, in many cases, ownership of some percentage of the outstanding limited partner or member interests. The limited partners or members, through their ownership of limited partner or member interests, provide capital to the entity, are intended to have no role in the

 

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operation and management of the entity and receive cash distributions. Due to their structure as partnerships for United States federal income tax purposes and the expected character of their income, MLPs generally do not pay United States federal income taxes. Thus, unlike investors in corporate securities, direct MLP investors are generally not subject to double taxation (i.e., corporate level tax and tax on corporate dividends). Currently, most MLPs operate in the energy, natural resources or real estate sectors. For a further discussion of the United States federal income tax consequences relating to the MLPs, see “Certain United States Federal Income Tax Considerations.”

MLPs are typically structured such that common units and general partner or managing member interests have first priority to receive the minimum quarterly distributions (“MQD”). Common and general partner or managing member interests also accrue arrearages in distributions to the extent the MQD is not paid. Once common units and general partner or managing member interests have been paid, subordinated units generally receive distributions; however, subordinated units generally do not accrue arrearages. The subordinated units are normally owned by the owners or affiliates of the general partner or managing member and convert on a one for one basis into common units, generally in three to five years after the MLP’s initial public offering or after certain distribution levels have been exceeded. Distributable cash in excess of the MQD is distributed to both common and subordinated units generally on a pro rata basis. The general partner or managing member is also normally eligible to receive incentive distributions if the general partner or managing member operates the business in a manner which results in payment of per unit distributions that exceed threshold levels above the MQD. As the general partner or managing member increases cash distributions to the limited partners or members, the general partner or managing member receives an increasingly higher percentage of the incremental cash distributions. A common arrangement provides that the general partner or managing member can reach a tier where it receives 50% of every incremental dollar distributed by the MLP. These incentive distributions encourage the general partner or managing member to increase the partnership’s cash flow and raise the quarterly cash distribution by pursuing steady cash flow investment opportunities, streamlining costs and acquiring assets. Such results benefit all security holders of the MLP.

MLPs in the energy sector can generally be classified into the following categories:

Pipeline MLPs. Pipeline MLPs are common carrier transporters of natural gas, natural gas liquids (primarily propane, ethane, butane and natural gasoline), crude oil or refined petroleum products (gasoline, diesel fuel and jet fuel). Pipeline MLPs also may operate ancillary businesses such as storage and marketing of such products. Pipeline MLPs derive revenue from capacity and transportation fees. Historically, pipeline output has been less exposed to cyclical economic forces due to its contract structure and government-regulated nature. In addition, most pipeline MLPs have limited direct commodity price exposure because they do not own the product being shipped.

Processing MLPs. Processing MLPs are gatherers and processors of natural gas as well as providers of transportation, fractionation and storage of natural gas liquids (“NGLs”). Processing MLPs derive revenue from providing services to natural gas producers, which require treatment or processing before their natural gas commodity can be marketed to utilities and other end user markets. Revenue for the processor is fee based, although it is not uncommon to have some participation in the prices of the natural gas and NGL commodities for a portion of revenue.

Gathering and Processing MLPs. Gathering and processing companies are subject to natural declines in the production of oil and natural gas fields, which utilize their gathering and processing facilities as a way to market their production, prolonged declines in the price of natural gas or crude oil, which curtails drilling activity and therefore production, and declines in the prices of natural gas liquids and refined petroleum products, which cause lower processing margins. In addition, some gathering and processing contracts subject the gathering or processing company to direct commodities price risk.

Midstream MLPs. Midstream MLPs and energy companies that provide crude oil, refined product and natural gas services are subject to supply and demand fluctuations in the markets they serve which will be impacted by a wide range of factors including, fluctuating commodity prices, weather, increased conservation or use of alternative fuel sources, increased governmental or environmental regulation, depletion, rising interest rates, declines in domestic or foreign production, accidents or catastrophic events, and economic conditions, among others.

 

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Exploration and Production MLPs (“E&P MLPs”). E&P MLPs include MLPs that are engaged in the exploration, development, production and acquisition of crude oil and natural gas properties. E&P MLP cash flows generally depend on the volume of crude oil and natural gas produced and the realized prices received for crude oil and natural gas sales.

Propane MLPs. Propane MLPs are distributors of propane to homeowners for space and water heating. Propane MLPs derive revenue from the resale of the commodity on a margin over wholesale cost. The ability to maintain margin is a key to profitability. Propane serves a small portion of the household energy needs in the United States, largely for homes beyond the geographic reach of natural gas distribution pipelines. A majority of annual cash flow is earned during the winter heating season (October through March). Accordingly, volumes are weather dependent, but have utility type functions similar to electricity and natural gas.

Coal MLPs. Coal MLPs own, lease and manage coal reserves. Coal MLPs derive revenue from production and sale of coal, or from royalty payments related to leases to coal producers. Electricity generation is the primary use of coal in the United States. Demand for electricity and supply of alternative fuels to generators are the primary drivers of coal demand. Coal MLPs are subject to operating and production risks, such as: the MLP or a lessee meeting necessary production volumes; federal, state and local laws and regulations which may limit the ability to produce coal; the MLP’s ability to manage production costs and pay mining reclamation costs; and the effect on demand that the Environmental Protection Agency’s standards set in the Clean Air Act or other laws, regulations or trends have on coal end-users.

Marine Shipping MLPs. Marine shipping MLPs are primarily marine transporters of natural gas, crude oil or refined petroleum products. Marine shipping MLPs derive revenue from charging customers for the transportation of these products utilizing the MLPs’ vessels. Transportation services are typically provided pursuant to a charter or contract, the terms of which vary depending on, for example, the length of use of a particular vessel, the amount of cargo transported, the number of voyages made, the parties operating a vessel or other factors.

MLPs typically achieve distribution growth by internal and external means. MLPs achieve growth internally by experiencing higher commodity volume driven by the economy and population, and through the expansion of existing operations including increasing the use of underutilized capacity, pursuing projects that can leverage and gain synergies with existing infrastructure and pursuing so called “greenfield projects.” External growth is achieved by making accretive acquisitions. MLPs also may achieve external growth due to higher commodity prices.

MLPs are subject to various federal, state and local environmental laws and health and safety laws as well as laws and regulations specific to their particular activities. These laws and regulations address: health and safety standards for the operation of facilities, transportation systems and the handling of materials; air and water pollution requirements and standards; solid waste disposal requirements; land reclamation requirements; and requirements relating to the handling and disposition of hazardous materials. MLPs are subject to the costs of compliance with such laws applicable to them, and changes in such laws and regulations may adversely affect their results of operations.

MLPs operating interstate pipelines and storage facilities are subject to substantial regulation by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”), which regulates interstate transportation rates, services and other matters regarding natural gas pipelines including: the establishment of rates for service; regulation of pipeline storage and liquified natural gas facility construction; issuing certificates of need for companies intending to provide energy services or constructing and operating interstate pipeline and storage facilities; and certain other matters. FERC also regulates the interstate transportation of crude oil, including: regulation of rates and practices of oil pipeline companies; establishing equal service conditions to provide shippers with equal access to pipeline transportation; and establishment of reasonable rates for transporting petroleum and petroleum products by pipeline.

MLPs may be subject to liability relating to the release of substances into the environment, including liability under federal “Superfund” and similar state laws for investigation and remediation of releases and threatened releases of hazardous materials, as well as liability for injury and property damage for accidental events, such as

 

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explosions or discharges of materials causing personal injury and damage to property. Such potential liabilities could have a material adverse effect upon the financial condition and results of operations of MLPs.

MLPs are subject to numerous business related risks, including: deterioration of business fundamentals reducing profitability due to development of alternative energy sources, consumer sentiment with respect to global warming, changing demographics in the markets served, unexpectedly prolonged and precipitous changes in commodity prices and increased competition that reduces the MLP’s market share; the lack of growth of markets requiring growth through acquisitions; disruptions in transportation systems; the dependence of certain MLPs upon the energy exploration and development activities of unrelated third parties; availability of capital for expansion and construction of needed facilities; a significant decrease in natural gas production due to depressed commodity prices or otherwise; the inability of MLPs to successfully integrate recent or future acquisitions; and the general level of the economy.

Non-MLPs

The Fund may also invest in companies that are not organized as MLPs. Non-MLP companies may include companies that operate energy assets but which are organized as corporations or limited liability companies rather than in partnership form. Generally, the partnership form is more suitable for companies that operate assets which generate more stable cash flows. Companies that operate “midstream” assets (e.g., transporting, processing, storing, distributing and marketing) tend to generate more stable cash flows than those that engage in exploration and development or delivery of products to the end consumer. Non-MLP companies also may include companies that provide services directly related to the generation of income from energy-related assets, such as oil drilling services, pipeline construction and maintenance, and compression services.

The energy industry and particular energy infrastructure companies may be adversely affected by possible terrorist attacks, such as the attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001. It is possible that facilities of energy infrastructure companies, due to the critical nature of their energy businesses to the United States, could be direct targets of terrorist attacks or be indirectly affected by attacks on others. They may have to incur significant additional costs in the future to safeguard their assets. In addition, changes in the insurance markets after September 11, 2001 may make certain types of insurance more difficult to obtain or obtainable only at significant additional cost. To the extent terrorism results in a lower level of economic activity, energy consumption could be adversely affected, which would reduce revenues and impede growth. Terrorist or war related disruption of the capital markets could also affect the ability of energy infrastructure companies to raise needed capital.

Securities

MLP Equity Securities

Equity securities issued by MLPs currently consist of common units, subordinated units and preferred units.

MLP Common Units. The common units of many MLPs are listed and traded on national securities exchanges, including the NYSE and the NASDAQ Stock Market (the “NASDAQ”). The Fund will typically purchase such common units through open market transactions and underwritten offerings, but may also acquire common units through direct placements and privately negotiated transactions. Holders of MLP common units typically have very limited control and voting rights. Holders of such common units are typically entitled to receive the MQD, including arrearage rights, from the issuer. Generally, an MLP must pay (or set aside for payment) the MQD to holders of common units before any distributions may be paid to subordinated unit holders. In addition, incentive distributions are typically not paid to the general partner or managing member unless the quarterly distributions on the common units exceed specified threshold levels above the MQD. In the event of a liquidation, common unit holders are intended to have a preference to the remaining assets of the issuer over holders of subordinated units. Master limited partnerships also issue different classes of common units that may have different voting, trading, and distribution rights. The Fund may invest in different classes of common units.

MLP Subordinated Units. Subordinated units, which, like common units, represent limited partner or member interests, are not typically listed on an exchange or publicly traded. The Fund will typically purchase outstanding subordinated units through negotiated transactions directly with holders of such units or newly-issued subordinated units directly from the issuer. Holders of such subordinated units are generally entitled to receive a distribution only after the MQD and any arrearages from prior quarters have been paid to holders of

 

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common units. Holders of subordinated units typically have the right to receive distributions before any incentive distributions are payable to the general partner or managing member. Subordinated units generally do not provide arrearage rights. Most MLP subordinated units are convertible into common units after the passage of a specified period of time or upon the achievement by the issuer of specified financial goals. Master limited partnerships also issue different classes of subordinated units that may have different voting, trading, and distribution rights. The Fund may invest in different classes of subordinated units.

MLP Preferred Units. MLP preferred units are not typically listed on an exchange or publicly traded. The Fund will typically purchase MLP preferred units through negotiated transactions directly with MLPs, affiliates of MLPs and institutional holders of such units. Holders of MLP preferred units can be entitled to a wide range of voting and other rights, depending on the structure of each separate security.

Other Equity Securities

The Fund may invest in equity securities issued by affiliates of MLPs, including the general partners or managing members of MLPs. Such issuers may be organized and/or taxed as corporations and therefore may not offer the advantageous tax characteristics of MLP units. The Fund intends to purchase equity securities through market transactions, but may also acquire equity securities through direct placements.

I-Shares. I-Shares represent an ownership interest issued by an MLP affiliate. The MLP affiliate uses the proceeds from the sale of I-Shares to purchase limited partnership interests in the MLP in the form of I-units. Thus, I-Shares represent an indirect interest in a MLP limited partnership interest. I-units have similar features as MLP common units in terms of voting rights, liquidation preference and distribution. I-Shares themselves have limited voting rights and are similar in that respect to MLP common units. I-Shares differ from MLP common units primarily in that instead of receiving cash distributions, holders of I-Shares will receive distributions of additional I-Shares in an amount equal to the cash distributions received by common unit holders. I-Shares are traded on the NYSE. For purposes of the Fund’s 80% policy, securities that are derivatives of interests in MLPs include I-Shares and other derivative securities that have economic characteristics of MLP securities.

MLP General Partner or Managing Member Interests. The general partner or managing member interest in MLPs is typically retained by the original sponsors of an MLP, such as its founders, corporate partners and entities that sell assets to the MLP. The holder of the general partner or managing member interest can be liable in certain circumstances for amounts greater than the amount of the holder’s investment in the general partner or managing member. General partner or managing member interests often confer direct board participation rights in, and in many cases control over the operations of, the MLP. General partner or managing member interests can be privately held or owned by publicly traded entities. General partner or managing member interests receive cash distributions, typically in an amount of up to 2% of available cash, which is contractually defined in the partnership or limited liability company agreement. In addition, holders of general partner or managing member interests typically receive incentive distribution rights, which provide them with an increasing share of the entity’s aggregate cash distributions upon the payment of per common unit distributions that exceed specified threshold levels above the MQD. Due to the incentive distribution rights, GP MLPs have higher distribution growth prospects than their underlying MLPs, but quarterly incentive distribution payments would also decline at a greater rate than the decline rate in quarterly distributions to common and subordinated unit holders in the event of a reduction in the MLP’s quarterly distribution. The ability of the limited partners or members to remove the general partner or managing member without cause is typically very limited. In addition, some MLPs permit the holder of incentive distribution rights to reset, under specified circumstances, the incentive distribution levels and receive compensation in exchange for the distribution rights given up in the reset.

Non-MLP Equity Securities

The Fund also may invest in common and preferred stock, convertible securities, warrants and depository receipts of companies that are organized as corporations, limited liability companies or limited partnerships.

Common Stock. Common stock generally represents an equity ownership interest in an issuer. Although common stocks have historically generated higher average total returns than fixed-income securities over the long term, common stocks also have experienced significantly more volatility in those returns and may

 

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under-perform relative to fixed-income securities during certain periods. An adverse event, such as an unfavorable earnings report, may depress the value of a particular common stock held by us. Also, prices of common stocks are sensitive to general movements in the stock market and a drop in the stock market may depress the price of common stocks to which the Fund has exposure. Common stock prices fluctuate for several reasons including changes in investors’ perceptions of the financial condition of an issuer or the general condition of the relevant stock market, or the occurrence of political or economic events which effect the issuers. In addition, common stock prices may be particularly sensitive to rising interest rates, which increases borrowing costs and the costs of capital.

Preferred Stock. Preferred stock has a preference over common stock in liquidation (and generally as to dividends as well) but is subordinated to the liabilities of the issuer in all respects. As a general rule, the market value of preferred stock with a fixed dividend rate and no conversion element varies inversely with interest rates and perceived credit risk, while the market price of convertible preferred stock generally also reflects some element of conversion value. Because preferred stock is junior to debt securities and other obligations of the issuer, deterioration in the credit quality of the issuer will cause greater changes in the value of a preferred stock than in a more senior debt security with similarly stated yield characteristics. The market value of preferred stock will also generally reflect whether (and if so when) the issuer may force holders to sell their preferred shares back to the issuer and whether (and if so when) the holders may force the issuer to buy back their preferred shares. Generally, the right of the issuer to repurchase the preferred stock tends to reduce any premium that the preferred stock might otherwise trade at due to interest rate or credit factors, while the right of the holders to require the issuer to repurchase the preferred stock tends to reduce any discount that the preferred stock might otherwise trade at due to interest rate or credit factors. In addition, some preferred stocks are non-cumulative, meaning that the dividends do not accumulate and need not ever be paid. A portion of the portfolio may include investments in non-cumulative preferred securities, whereby the issuer does not have an obligation to make up any arrearages to its shareholders. There is no assurance that dividends or distributions on non-cumulative preferred stocks in which the Fund invests will be declared or otherwise paid. Preferred stock of certain companies offers the opportunity for capital appreciation as well as periodic income. This may be particularly true in the case of companies that have performed below expectations. If a company’s performance has been poor enough, its preferred stock may trade more like common stock than like other fixed income securities, which may result in above average appreciation if the company’s performance improves.

Convertible Securities. A convertible security is a preferred stock, warrant or other security that may be converted into or exchanged for a prescribed amount of common stock or other security of the same or a different issuer or into cash within a particular period of time at a specified price or formula. A convertible security generally entitles the holder to receive the dividend paid on preferred stock until the convertible security matures or is redeemed, converted or exchanged. Before conversion, convertible securities generally have characteristics similar to both fixed income and equity securities. The value of convertible securities tends to decline as interest rates rise and, because of the conversion feature, tends to vary with fluctuations in the market value of the underlying securities. Convertible securities ordinarily provide a stream of income with generally higher yields than those of common stock of the same or similar issuers. Convertible securities generally rank senior to common stock in a corporation’s capital structure but are usually subordinated to comparable non-convertible securities. Convertible securities generally do not participate directly in any dividend increases or decreases of the underlying securities although the market prices of convertible securities may be affected by any dividend changes or other changes in the underlying securities.

Warrants and Rights. The Fund may invest in warrants or rights (including those acquired in units or attached to other securities) that entitle the holder to buy equity securities at a specific price for a specific period of time but will do so only if such equity securities are deemed appropriate by the ClearBridge for inclusion in the Fund’s portfolio.

Restricted Securities and Securities with Limited Trading Markets

The Fund may purchase securities for which there is a limited trading market or which are subject to restrictions on resale to the public. If the Fund were to assume substantial positions in securities with limited trading markets, the activities of the Fund could have an adverse effect upon the liquidity and marketability of

 

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such securities and the Fund might not be able to dispose of its holdings in those securities at then current market prices. Circumstances could also exist when portfolio securities might have to be sold by the Fund at times which otherwise might be considered to be disadvantageous so that the Fund might receive lower proceeds from such sales than it had expected to realize. Investments in securities which are “restricted” may involve added expenses to the Fund should the Fund be required to bear registration costs with respect to such securities. The Fund could also be delayed in disposing of such securities which might have an adverse effect upon the price and timing of sales and the liquidity of the Fund. Restricted securities and securities for which there is a limited trading market may be significantly more difficult to value due to the unavailability of reliable market quotations for such securities, and investment in such securities may have an adverse impact on net asset value. As more fully described below, the Fund may purchase Rule 144A securities for which there may be a secondary market of qualified institutional buyers as contemplated by Rule 144A under the 1933 Act.

Royalty Trusts

The Fund may invest in royalty trusts. However, such investments do not count towards the Fund’s 80% policy. Royalty trusts are publicly traded investment vehicles that gather income on royalties and pay out almost all cash flows to stockholders as distributions. Royalty trusts typically have no physical operations and no management or employees. Typically royalty trusts own the rights to royalties on the production and sales of a natural resource, including oil, gas, minerals and timber. As these deplete, production and cash flows steadily decline, which may decrease distributions. Royalty trusts are, in some respects, similar to certain MLPs and include risks similar to those MLPs.

Debt Securities

The Fund may invest in debt securities. Debt securities may have fixed or variable principal payments and all types of interest rate and dividend payment and reset terms, including fixed rate, adjustable rate, zero coupon, contingent, deferred, payment in kind and auction rate features. To the extent the Fund invests in auction rate securities, the Fund will be subject to certain risks associated with participating in an auction, including the risk that an auction may fail and the Fund may lose its investment. The Fund has the flexibility to invest in debt securities that are below investment grade quality (that is, rated Ba1 or lower by Moody’s or BB+ or lower by S&P or Fitch), commonly referred to as “high yield” securities or “junk bonds.” Issuers of securities rated Ba1/BB+ are regarded as having current capacity to make principal and interest payments but are subject to business, financial or economic conditions which could adversely affect such payment capacity. Debt securities rated Baa3 or BBB- or above are considered “investment grade” securities. Debt securities rated below investment grade quality are obligations of issuers that are considered predominately speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal according to the terms of the obligation and, therefore, carry greater investment risk, including the possibility of issuer default and bankruptcy and increased market price volatility. Debt securities rated below investment grade tend to be less marketable than higher-quality securities because the market for them is less broad.

A general description of Moody’s, S&P’s and Fitch’s ratings of bonds is set forth in Appendix A hereto. The ratings of Moody’s, S&P and Fitch generally represent their opinions as to the quality of the bonds they rate. It should be emphasized, however, that such ratings are relative and subjective, are not absolute standards of quality, are subject to change and do not evaluate the market risk and liquidity of the securities. Consequently, bonds with the same maturity, coupon and rating may have different yields while obligations of the same maturity and coupon with different ratings may have the same yield.

If a security satisfies the Fund’s minimum rating criteria at the time of purchase and is subsequently downgraded below such rating, the Fund will not be required to dispose of such security. If a downgrade occurs, ClearBridge will consider what action, including the sale of such security, is in the best interest of the Fund and its stockholders.

Securities Rated Below Investment Grade (High Yield or Junk Bonds)

Under rating agency guidelines, medium- and lower-rated securities and comparable unrated securities will likely have some quality and protective characteristics that are outweighed by large uncertainties or major risk

 

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exposures to adverse conditions. Medium- and lower-rated securities may have poor prospects of ever attaining any real investment standing, may have a current identifiable vulnerability to default or be in default, may be unlikely to have the capacity to pay interest and repay principal when due in the event of adverse business, financial or economic conditions, and/or may be likely to be in default or not current in the payment of interest or principal. Such securities are considered speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal in accordance with the terms of the obligations. Accordingly, it is possible that these types of factors could reduce the value of securities held by the Fund with a commensurate effect on the value of the Fund’s shares.

The secondary markets for high yield securities are generally not as liquid as the secondary markets for higher rated securities. The secondary markets for high yield securities are concentrated in relatively few market makers and participants in the market are mostly institutional investors, including insurance companies, banks, other financial institutions and mutual funds. In addition, the trading volume for high yield securities is generally lower than that for higher-rated securities, and the secondary markets could contract under adverse market or economic conditions independent of any specific adverse changes in the condition of a particular issuer. These factors may have an adverse effect on the ability of the Fund to dispose of particular portfolio investments, may adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value per share and may limit the ability of the Fund to obtain accurate market quotations for purposes of valuing securities and calculating net asset value. If the Fund is not able to obtain precise or accurate market quotations for a particular security, it will become more difficult to value the Fund’s portfolio securities, and a greater degree of judgment may be necessary in making such valuations. Less liquid secondary markets may also affect the ability of the Fund to sell securities at their fair value. If the secondary markets for high yield securities contract due to adverse economic conditions or for other reasons, certain liquid securities in the Fund’s portfolio may become illiquid and the proportion of the Fund’s assets invested in illiquid securities may significantly increase.

Prices for high yield securities may be affected by legislative and regulatory developments. These laws could adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value and investment practices, the secondary market for high yield securities, the financial condition of issuers of these securities and the value of outstanding high yield securities. For example, federal legislation requiring the divestiture by federally insured savings and loan associations of their investments in high yield bonds and limiting the deductibility of interest by certain corporate issuers of high yield bonds adversely affected the market in the past. See “Risks—Below Investment Grade (High Yield) Securities Risk” in the Prospectus.

Zero Coupon Securities and Payment-In-Kind Securities

The Fund may invest in zero coupon securities and payment-in-kind securities. Zero coupon securities are debt securities that pay no cash income and are sold at substantial discounts from their value at maturity. When a zero coupon security is held to maturity, its entire return, which consists of the amortization discount, comes from the difference between its purchase price and its maturity value. This difference is known at the time of purchase, so that investors holding zero coupon securities until maturity know at the time of their investment what the expected return on their investment will be, assuming full repayment of the bond. The Fund also may purchase payment-in-kind securities. Payment-in-kind securities pay all or a portion of their interest in the form of debt or equity securities rather than cash.

Zero coupon securities and payment-in-kind securities tend to be subject to greater price fluctuations in response to changes in interest rates than are ordinary interest-paying debt securities with similar maturities. The value of zero coupon securities appreciates more during periods of declining interest rates and depreciates more during periods of rising interest rates than ordinary interest-paying debt securities with similar maturities. Zero coupon securities and payment-in-kind securities may be issued by a wide variety of corporate and governmental issuers.

Current United States federal income tax law requires the holder of a zero coupon security, certain payment-in-kind securities, and certain other securities acquired at a discount to accrue income with respect to these securities prior to the receipt of cash payments.

 

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Variable Rate Obligations

The Fund may invest in variable rate obligations. Variable rate obligations bear interest at rates that are not fixed, but vary with changes in specified market rates or indexes, such as the prime rate, and at specified intervals. Such obligations include, but are not limited to, variable rate master demand notes, which are unsecured instruments issued pursuant to an agreement between the issuer and the holder that permit the indebtedness thereunder to vary and provide for periodic adjustments in the interest rate.

Certain of the variable rate obligations that may be purchased by the Fund may carry a demand feature that would permit the holder to tender them back to the issuer of the instrument or to a third party at par value prior to maturity. Some of the demand instruments that may be purchased by the Fund may not trade in a secondary market and would derive their liquidity solely from the ability of the holder to demand repayment from the issuer or third party providing credit support. If a demand instrument is not traded in a secondary market, the Fund will nonetheless treat the instrument as “readily marketable” for the purposes of determining whether the instrument is an illiquid security unless the demand feature has a notice period of more than seven days in which case the instrument will be characterized as “not readily marketable” and therefore illiquid. ClearBridge will monitor on an ongoing basis the ability of an issuer of a demand instrument to pay principal and interest on demand.

The Fund’s right to obtain payment at par on a demand instrument could be affected by events occurring between the date the Fund elects to demand payment and the date payment is due that may affect the ability of the issuer of the instrument or the third party providing credit support to make payment when due, except when such demand instruments permit same day settlement. To facilitate settlement, these same day demand instruments may be held in book entry form at a bank other than the Fund’s custodian subject to a sub-custodian agreement approved by the Fund between that bank and the Fund’s custodian.

U.S. Government Obligations

Securities issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government agencies and instrumentalities include obligations that are supported by: (a) the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury (e.g., direct pass-through certificates of the Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Maes”)); (b) the limited authority of the issuer or guarantor to borrow from the U.S. Treasury (e.g., obligations of Federal Home Loan Banks); or (c) only the credit of the issuer or guarantor (e.g., obligations of the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Macs”)). In the case of obligations not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury, the agency issuing or guaranteeing the obligation is principally responsible for ultimate repayment.

Agencies and instrumentalities that issue or guarantee debt securities and that have been established or sponsored by the U.S. Government include, in addition to those identified above, the Bank for Cooperatives, the Export-Import Bank, the Federal Farm Credit System, the Federal Intermediate Credit Banks, the Federal Land Banks, the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Student Loan Marketing Association.

Loans of Portfolio Securities

The Fund may lend portfolio securities to brokers or dealers or other financial institutions although it has no current intention to do so. The procedure for the lending of securities will include the following features and conditions. The borrower of the securities will deposit cash or liquid securities with the Fund in an amount equal to a minimum of 100% of the market value of the securities lent. The Fund will invest the cash collateral in short-term debt securities or cash equivalents and earn the interest thereon. A negotiated portion of the income so earned may be paid to the borrower and/or the broker who arranged the loan. If the Fund receives securities as collateral, the Fund will receive a fee from the borrower. If the value of the collateral drops below the required minimum at any time, the borrower may be called upon to post additional collateral. If the additional collateral is not paid, the loan will be immediately due and the Fund may use the collateral or its own cash to replace the securities by purchase in the open market charging any loss to the borrower. These will be “demand” loans and may be terminated by the Fund at any time. The Fund will receive any dividends and interest paid on the securities lent and the loans will be structured to assure that the Fund will be able to exercise its voting rights on the securities.

 

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Rule 144A Securities

The Fund may purchase Rule 144A securities for which there is a secondary market of qualified institutional buyers, as defined in Rule 144A promulgated under the 1933 Act. Rule 144A provides an exemption from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act for the resale of certain restricted securities to qualified institutional buyers.

The Board of Directors of the Fund has determined that Rule 144A securities may be considered liquid securities if so determined by ClearBridge. ClearBridge has adopted policies and procedures for the purpose of determining whether securities that are eligible for resales under Rule 144A are liquid or illiquid. Pursuant to those policies and procedures, ClearBridge may make the determination as to whether a particular security is liquid or illiquid with consideration to be given to, among other things, the frequency of trades and quotes for the security, the number of dealers willing to sell the security, the number of potential purchasers, dealer undertakings to make a market in the security, the nature of the security and the time needed to dispose of the security.

To the extent that liquid Rule 144A securities that the Fund holds become illiquid, due to the lack of sufficient qualified institutional buyers or market or other conditions, the percentage of the Fund’s assets invested in illiquid assets would increase. ClearBridge will monitor Fund investments in Rule 144A securities and will consider appropriate measures to enable the Fund to meet any investment limitations and to maintain sufficient liquidity for operating purposes.

Derivatives

The Fund may use various investment strategies described below to hedge market risks (such as broad or specific market movements), to manage the effective maturity or duration of debt instruments held by the Fund, or to seek to increase the Fund’s income or gain.

The Fund may purchase and sell stock or bond index futures contracts; purchase and sell (or write) exchange listed and over-the-counter (“OTC”) put and call options on securities, futures contracts, indexes and other financial instruments; enter into forward transactions, equity or debt swaps and related transactions; and invest in indexed securities and other similar transactions, which may be developed to the extent that ClearBridge determines that they are consistent with the Fund’s investment objective and policies and applicable regulatory requirements (collectively, these transactions are referred to as “Derivatives”). The Fund may also enter into interest rate transactions, which may take the form of swaps, caps, floors, collars and other combinations of options, forwards, swaps and/or futures.

The Fund is not a “commodity pool” (i.e., a pooled investment vehicle which trades in commodity futures contracts and options thereon and the operator of which is registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”)), and Derivatives involving futures contracts and options on futures contracts will be purchased, sold or entered into only for bona fide hedging purposes, provided that the Fund may enter into such transactions for purposes other than bona fide hedging if, immediately thereafter,

(i) its pro rata share of the sum of the amount of initial margin deposits on futures contracts entered into by the Fund and premiums paid for unexpired options with respect to such contracts does not exceed 5% of the liquidation value of the Fund’s net assets, after taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on such contracts and options (in the case of an option that is in-the-money at the time of purchase, the in-the-money amount may be excluded in calculating the 5% limitation); or

(ii) the aggregate “notional value” (i.e., the size of the contract, in contract units, times the current market price (futures position) or strike price (options position) of each such unit) of the contract, does not exceed the liquidation value of the Fund, after taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on such contracts and options.

Derivatives involve special risks, including possible default by the other party to the transaction, illiquidity and, to the extent ClearBridge’s view as to certain market movements is incorrect, the risk that the use of Derivatives could result in significantly greater losses than if they had not been used.

 

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Futures Contracts. The Fund may trade futures contracts: (1) on domestic and foreign exchanges on bond indexes; and (2) on domestic and, to the extent permitted by the CFTC, foreign exchanges on single stocks and stock indexes. Futures contracts are generally bought and sold on the commodities exchanges on which they are listed with payment of initial and variation margin as described below. The sale of a futures contract creates a firm obligation by the Fund, as seller, to deliver to the buyer the specific type of financial instrument called for in the contract at a specific future time for a specified price (or with respect to certain instruments, the net cash amount). The Fund is not a commodity pool, and the Fund, where permitted, will use futures contracts and options thereon solely: (i) for bona fide hedging purposes; and (ii) for other purposes in amounts permitted by the rules and regulations promulgated by the CFTC. The Fund’s use of financial futures contracts and options thereon will in all cases be consistent with applicable regulatory requirements and in particular the rules and regulations of the CFTC. Maintaining a futures contract or selling an option on a futures contract will typically require the Fund to deposit with a financial intermediary, as security for its obligations, an amount of cash or other specified assets (“initial margin”) that initially is from 1% to 10% of the face amount of the contract (but may be higher in some circumstances). Additional cash or assets (“variation margin”) may be required to be deposited thereafter daily as the mark-to-market value of the futures contract fluctuates. In addition, the value of all futures contracts sold by the Fund (adjusted for the historical volatility relationship between the Fund and the contracts) will not exceed the total market value of the Fund’s securities. In addition, the value of the Fund’s long futures and options positions (futures contracts on stock or bond indexes, and call options on such futures contracts) will not exceed the sum of: (a) liquid assets segregated for this purpose; (b) cash proceeds on existing investments due within thirty days; and (c) accrued profits on the particular futures or options positions.

Options. In order to hedge against adverse market shifts or to increase income or gain, the Fund may purchase put and call options or write “covered” put and call options on securities or fixed income instruments or on futures contracts on securities or stock indexes. A call option is “covered” if, so long as the Fund is obligated as the writer of the option, it will: (i) own the underlying investment subject to the option; (ii) own securities convertible or exchangeable without the payment of any consideration into the securities subject to the option; (iii) own a call option on the relevant security with an exercise price no higher than the exercise price on the call option written or (iv) deposit with its custodian in a segregated account liquid assets having a value equal to the excess of the value of the security or index that is the subject of the call over the exercise price. A put option is “covered” if, to support its obligation to purchase the underlying investment if a put option that the Fund writes is exercised, the Fund will either (a) deposit with its custodian in a segregated account liquid assets having a value at least equal to the exercise price of the underlying investment or (b) continue to own an equivalent number of puts of the same “series” (that is, puts on the same underlying investment having the same exercise prices and expiration dates as those written by the Fund), or an equivalent number of puts of the same “class” (that is, puts on the same underlying investment) with exercise prices greater than those that it has written (or, if the exercise prices of the puts it holds are less than the exercise prices of those it has written, it will deposit the difference with its custodian in a segregated account). Parties to options transactions must make certain payments and/or set aside certain amounts of assets in connection with each transaction, as described below.

In all cases, except for certain options on interest rate futures contracts, by writing a call, the Fund will limit its opportunity to profit from an increase in the market value of the underlying investment above the exercise price of the option for as long as the Fund’s obligation as writer of the option continues. By writing a put, the Fund will limit its opportunity to profit from a decrease in the market value of the underlying investment below the exercise price of the option for as long as the Fund’s obligation as writer of the option continues. Upon the exercise of a put option written by the Fund, the Fund may suffer an economic loss equal to the difference between the price at which the Fund is required to purchase the underlying investment and its market value at the time of the option exercise, less the premium received for writing the option. Upon the exercise of a call option written by the Fund, the Fund may suffer an economic loss equal to an amount not less than the excess of the investment’s market value at the time of the option exercise over the Fund’s acquisition cost of the investment, less the sum of the premium received for writing the option and the positive difference, if any, between the call price paid to the Fund and the Fund’s acquisition cost of the investment.

 

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In all cases except for certain options on interest rate futures contracts, in purchasing a put option, the Fund will seek to benefit from a decline in the market price of the underlying investment, while in purchasing a call option, the Fund will seek to benefit from an increase in the market price of the underlying investment. If an option purchased is not sold or exercised when it has remaining value, or if the market price of the underlying investment remains equal to or greater than the exercise price, in the case of a put, or remains equal to or below the exercise price, in the case of a call, during the life of the option, the Fund will lose its investment in the option. For the purchase of an option to be profitable, the market price of the underlying investment must decline sufficiently below the exercise price, in the case of a put, and must increase sufficiently above the exercise price, in the case of a call, to cover the premium and transaction costs.

In the case of certain options on interest rate futures contracts, the Fund may purchase a put option in anticipation of a rise in interest rates, and purchase a call option in anticipation of a fall in interest rates. By writing a covered call option on interest rate futures contracts, the Fund will limit its opportunity to profit from a fall in interest rates. By writing a covered put option on interest rate futures contracts, the Fund will limit its opportunity to profit from a rise in interest rates.

The Fund may choose to exercise the options it holds, permit them to expire or terminate them prior to their expiration by entering into closing transactions. The Fund may enter into a closing purchase transaction in which the Fund purchases an option having the same terms as the option it had written or a closing sale transaction in which the Fund sells an option having the same terms as the option it had purchased. A covered option writer unable to effect a closing purchase transaction will not be able to sell the underlying security until the option expires or the underlying security is delivered upon exercise, with the result that the writer will be subject to the risk of market decline in the underlying security during such period. Should the Fund choose to exercise an option, the Fund will purchase in the open market the securities, commodities or commodity futures contracts underlying the exercised option.

Exchange-listed options on securities and currencies, with certain exceptions, generally settle by physical delivery of the underlying security or currency, although in the future, cash settlement may become available. Frequently, rather than taking or making delivery of the underlying instrument through the process of exercising the option, listed options are closed by entering into offsetting purchase or sale transactions that do not result in ownership of the new option. Index options are cash settled for the net amount, if any, by which the option is “in-the-money” (that is, the amount by which the value of the underlying instrument exceeds, in the case of a call option, or is less than, in the case of a put option, the exercise price of the option) at the time the option is exercised.

Put options and call options typically have similar structural characteristics and operational mechanics regardless of the underlying instrument on which they are purchased or sold. Thus, the following general discussion relates to each of the particular types of options discussed in greater detail below. In addition, many Derivatives involving options require segregation of Fund assets in special accounts.

A put option gives the purchaser of the option, upon payment of a premium, the right to sell, and the writer of the option the obligation to buy, the underlying security, index, currency or other instrument at the exercise price. The Fund’s purchase of a put option on a security, for example, might be designed to protect its holdings in the underlying instrument (or, in some cases, a similar instrument) against a substantial decline in the market value of such instrument by giving the Fund the right to sell the instrument at the option exercise price. A call option, upon payment of a premium, gives the purchaser of the option the right to buy, and the seller the obligation to sell, the underlying instrument at the exercise price. The Fund’s purchase of a call option on a security, financial futures contract, index, currency or other instrument might be intended to protect the Fund against an increase in the price of the underlying instrument that it intends to purchase in the future by fixing the price at which it may purchase the instrument. An “American” style put or call option may be exercised at any time during the option exercised period. A “European” style put or call option may be exercised only upon expiration. A “Bermudan” style put or call option may be exercised at any time on fixed dates occurring during the term of the option. Exchange-listed options are issued by a regulated intermediary such as the Options Clearing Corporation (the “OCC”), which guarantees the performance of the obligations of the parties to the options. The discussion below uses the OCC as an example, but is also applicable to other similar financial intermediaries.

 

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Index options are cash settled for the net amount, if any, by which the option is “in-the-money” (that is, the amount by which the value of the underlying instrument exceeds, in the case of a call option, or is less than, in the case of a put option, the exercise price of the option) at the time the option is exercised. Frequently, rather than taking or making delivery of the underlying instrument through the process of exercising the option, listed options are closed by entering into offsetting purchase or sale transactions that do not result in ownership of the new option.

The Fund’s ability to close out its position as a purchaser or seller of an OCC-issued or exchange-listed put or call option is dependent, in part, upon the liquidity of the particular option market. Among the possible reasons for the absence of a liquid option market on an exchange are: (1) insufficient trading interest in certain options, (2) restrictions on transactions imposed by an exchange, (3) trading halts, suspensions or other restrictions imposed with respect to particular classes or series of options or underlying securities, including reaching daily price limits, (4) interruption of the normal operations of the OCC or an exchange, (5) inadequacy of the facilities of an exchange or the OCC to handle current trading volume, or (6) a decision by one or more exchanges to discontinue the trading of options (or a particular class or series of options), in which event the relevant market for that option on that exchange would cease to exist, although any such outstanding options on that exchange would continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms.

The hours of trading for listed options may not coincide with the hours during which the underlying financial instruments are traded. To the extent that the option markets close before the markets for the underlying financial instruments, significant price and rate movements can take place in the underlying markets that would not be reflected in the corresponding option markets.

OTC options are purchased from or sold to securities dealers, financial institutions or other parties (collectively referred to as “Counterparties” and individually referred to as a “Counterparty”) through a direct bilateral agreement with the Counterparty. In contrast to exchange-listed options, which generally have standardized terms and performance mechanics, all of the terms of an OTC option, including such terms as method of settlement, term, exercise price, premium, guaranties and security, are determined by negotiation of the parties. It is anticipated that the Fund will generally only enter into OTC options that have cash settlement provisions, although it will not be required to do so.

Unless the parties provide for it, no central clearing or guaranty function is currently expected to be involved in an OTC option. As a result, if a Counterparty fails to make or take delivery of the security, currency or other instrument underlying an OTC option it has entered into with the Fund or fails to make a cash settlement payment due in accordance with the terms of that option, the Fund will lose any premium it paid for the option as well as any anticipated benefit of the transaction. Thus, ClearBridge must assess the creditworthiness of each such Counterparty or any guarantor or credit enhancement of the Counterparty’s credit to determine the likelihood that the terms of the OTC option will be met. The Fund will enter into OTC option transactions only with U.S. government securities dealers recognized by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as “primary dealers,” or broker-dealers, domestic or foreign banks, or other financial institutions that ClearBridge deems to be creditworthy. In the absence of a change in the current position of the SEC, OTC options purchased by the Fund and the amount of the Fund’s obligation pursuant to an OTC option sold by the Fund (the cost of the sell-back plus the in-the-money amount, if any) or the value of the assets held to cover such options will be deemed illiquid.

If the Fund sells a call option, it is foregoing its participation in the appreciation in the value of the underlying asset; however, the premium that it receives may serve as a partial hedge, to the extent of the option premium, against an increase in the value of the underlying securities or instruments held by the Fund and may increase the Fund’s income. Similarly, the sale of put options can also provide gains for the Fund.

The Fund may purchase and sell call options on securities that are traded on U.S. and foreign securities exchanges and in the OTC markets, and on securities indexes, currencies and futures contracts. All calls sold by the Fund must be “covered” (that is, the Fund must own the securities or futures contract subject to the call), or must otherwise meet the asset segregation requirements described below for so long as the call is outstanding. Even though the Fund will receive the option premium to help protect it against loss, a call sold by the Fund will

 

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expose the Fund during the term of the option to possible loss of opportunity to realize appreciation in the market price of the underlying security or instrument and may require the Fund to hold a security or instrument that it might otherwise have sold.

The Fund reserves the right to purchase or sell options on instruments and indexes which may be developed in the future to the extent consistent with applicable law and the Fund’s investment objective and the restrictions set forth herein.

The Fund may purchase and sell put options on securities (whether or not it holds the securities in its portfolio) and on securities indexes, currencies and futures contracts. In selling put options, the Fund faces the risk that it may be required to buy the underlying security at a disadvantageous price above the market price.

Options on Futures Contracts. The Fund may purchase put and call options and write covered put and call options on futures contracts on stock indexes traded on domestic and, to the extent permitted by the CFTC, foreign exchanges, in order to hedge all or a portion of its investments or to increase income or gain and may enter into closing transactions in order to terminate existing positions. There is no guarantee that such closing transactions can be effected. An option on a stock index futures contract, as contrasted with the direct investment in such a contract, gives the purchaser the right, in return for the premium paid, to assume a position in the underlying contract at a specified exercise price at any time on or before the expiration date of the option. Upon exercise of an option, the delivery of the futures position by the writer of the option to the holder of the option will be accompanied by delivery of the accumulated balance in the writer’s futures margin account. The potential loss related to the purchase of an option on a futures contract is limited to the premium paid for the option (plus transaction costs). While the price of the option is fixed at the point of sale, the value of the option does change daily and the change would be reflected in the net asset value of the Fund.

The purchase of an option on a financial futures contract involves payment of a premium for the option without any further obligation on the part of the Fund. If the Fund exercises an option on a futures contract it will be obligated to post initial margin (and potentially variation margin) for the resulting futures position just as it would for any futures position. Futures contracts and options thereon are generally settled by entering into an offsetting transaction, but no assurance can be given that a position can be offset prior to settlement or that delivery will occur.

Risk Factors. Derivatives have special risks associated with them, including possible default by the counterparty to the transaction, illiquidity and, to the extent ClearBridge’s view as to certain market movements is incorrect, the risk that the use of the Derivatives could result in losses greater than if they had not been used. Use of put and call options could result in losses to the Fund, force the purchase or sale, as the case may be, of written portfolio securities at inopportune times or for prices higher than (in the case of written put options) or lower than (in the case of written call options) current market values, or cause the Fund to hold a security it might otherwise sell.

The use of futures and options transactions entails certain special risks. In particular, the variable degree of correlation between price movements of futures contracts and price movements in the related securities position of the Fund could create the possibility that losses on the hedging instrument are greater than gains in the value of the Fund’s position. In addition, futures and options markets could be illiquid in some circumstances and certain OTC options could have no markets. As a result, in certain markets, the Fund might not be able to close out a transaction without incurring substantial losses. Although the Fund’s use of futures and options transactions for hedging should tend to minimize the risk of loss due to a decline in the value of the hedged position, at the same time it will tend to limit any potential gain to the Fund that might result from an increase in value of the position. There is also the risk of loss by the Fund of margin deposits in the event of bankruptcy of a broker with whom the Fund has an open position in a futures contract or option thereon. Finally, the daily variation margin requirements for futures contracts create a greater ongoing potential financial risk than would purchases of options, in which case the exposure is limited to the cost of the initial premium. However, because option premiums paid by the Fund are small in relation to the market value of the investments underlying the options, buying options can result in large amounts of leverage. This leverage offered by trading in options could cause the Fund’s net asset value to be subject to more frequent and wider fluctuation than would be the case if the Fund did not invest in options. See “Use of Leverage” in the Prospectus.

 

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As is the case with futures and options strategies, the effective use of swaps and related transactions by the Fund may depend, among other things, on the Fund’s ability to terminate the transactions at times when ClearBridge deems it desirable to do so. To the extent the Fund does not, or cannot, terminate such a transaction in a timely manner, the Fund may suffer a loss in excess of any amounts that it may have received, or expected to receive, as a result of entering into the transaction.

Because the amount of interest and/or principal payments which the issuer of indexed securities is obligated to make is linked to the prices of other securities, securities indexes, currencies, or other financial indicators, such payments may be significantly greater or less than payment obligations in respect of other types of debt securities. As a result, an investment in indexed securities may be considered speculative. Moreover, the performance of indexed securities depends to a great extent on the performance of, and may be more volatile than, the security, currency, or other instrument to which they are indexed, and may also be influenced by interest rate changes in the United States and abroad. At the same time, indexed securities are subject to the credit risks associated with the issuer of the security, and their values may decline substantially if the issuer’s creditworthiness deteriorates.

Losses resulting from the use of Derivatives will reduce the Fund’s net asset value, and possibly income, and the losses can be greater than if Derivatives had not been used. See “Risks—Derivatives Risk” in the Prospectus.

When conducted outside the United States, Derivatives transactions may not be regulated as rigorously as in the United States, may not involve a clearing mechanism and related guarantees, and will be subject to the risk of governmental actions affecting trading in, or the prices of, foreign securities, currencies and other instruments. In addition, the price of any foreign futures or foreign options contract and, therefore, the potential profit and loss thereon, may be affected by any variance in the foreign exchange rate between the time an order is placed and the time it is liquidated, offset or exercised. The value of positions taken as part of non-U.S. Derivatives also could be adversely affected by: (1) other complex foreign political, legal and economic factors, (2) lesser availability of data on which to make trading decisions than in the United States, (3) delays in the Fund’s ability to act upon economic events occurring in foreign markets during non-business hours in the United States, (4) the imposition of different exercise and settlement terms and procedures and margin requirements than in the United States and (5) lower trading volume and liquidity.

Use of Segregated and Other Special Accounts. Use of many Derivatives by the Fund will require, among other things, that the Fund segregate liquid assets with its custodian, or a designated sub-custodian, to the extent the Fund’s obligations are not otherwise “covered” through ownership of the underlying security or financial instrument. In general, either the full amount of any obligation by the Fund to pay or deliver securities or assets must be covered at all times by the securities or instruments required to be delivered, or, subject to any regulatory restrictions, an amount of liquid assets at least equal to the current amount of the obligation must be segregated with the custodian or subcustodian in accordance with established procedures. The segregated assets cannot be sold or transferred unless equivalent assets are substituted in their place or it is no longer necessary to segregate them. A call option on securities written by the Fund, for example, will require the Fund to hold the securities subject to the call (or securities convertible into the needed securities without additional consideration) or to segregate liquid high grade debt obligations sufficient to purchase and deliver the securities if the call is exercised. A call option sold by the Fund on an index will require the Fund to own portfolio securities that correlate with the index or to segregate liquid high grade debt obligations equal to the excess of the index value over the exercise price on a current basis. A put option on securities written by the Fund will require the Fund to segregate liquid high grade debt obligations equal to the exercise price.

OTC options entered into by the Fund, including those on securities, financial instruments or indexes, and OCC-issued and exchange-listed index options will generally provide for cash settlement, although the Fund will not be required to do so. As a result, when the Fund sells these instruments it will segregate an amount of assets equal to its obligations under the options. OCC-issued and exchange-listed options sold by the Fund other than those described above generally settle with physical delivery, and the Fund will segregate an amount of assets equal to the full value of the option. OTC options settling with physical delivery or with an election of either physical delivery or cash settlement will be treated the same as other options settling with physical delivery.

 

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In the case of a futures contract or an option on a futures contract, the Fund must deposit the initial margin and, in some instances, the daily variation margin in addition to segregating liquid assets sufficient to meet its obligations to purchase or provide securities or currencies, or to pay the amount owed at the expiration of an index-based futures contract. The Fund will accrue the net amount of the excess, if any, of its obligations relating to swaps over its entitlements with respect to each swap on a daily basis and will segregate with its custodian, or designated sub-custodian, an amount of liquid assets having an aggregate value equal to at least the accrued excess. Caps, floors and collars require segregation of liquid assets with a value equal to the Fund’s net obligation, if any.

Derivatives may be covered by means other than those described above when consistent with applicable regulatory policies. The Fund may also enter into offsetting transactions so that its combined position, coupled with any segregated assets, equals its net outstanding obligation in related Derivatives. The Fund could purchase a put option, for example, if the strike price of that option is the same or higher than the strike price of a put option sold by the Fund. Moreover, instead of segregating assets if it holds a futures contract or forward contract, the Fund could purchase a put option on the same futures contract or forward contract with a strike price as high or higher than the price of the contract held. Other derivatives may also be offset in combinations. If the offsetting transaction terminates at the time of or after the primary transaction, no segregation is required, but if it terminates prior to that time, assets equal to any remaining obligation would need to be segregated.

Foreign Securities

Investors should recognize that investing in the securities of foreign issuers involves special considerations which are not typically associated with investing in the securities of U.S. issuers. Investments in securities of foreign issuers may involve risks arising from differences between U.S. and foreign securities markets, including less volume, much greater price volatility in and illiquidity of certain foreign securities markets, different trading and settlement practices and less governmental supervision and regulation, from changes in currency exchange rates, from high and volatile rates of inflation, from economic, social and political conditions such as wars, terrorism, civil unrest and uprisings, and, as with domestic multinational corporations, from fluctuating interest rates.

There may be less publicly-available information about a foreign issuer than about a U.S. issuer, and foreign issuers may not be subject to the same accounting, auditing and financial record-keeping standards and requirements as U.S. issuers. In particular, the assets and profits appearing on the financial statements of an emerging market country issuer may not reflect its financial position or results of operations in the way they would be reflected had the financial statements been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. In addition, for an issuer that keeps accounting records in local currency, inflation accounting rules may require, for both tax and accounting purposes, that certain assets and liabilities be restated on the issuer’s balance sheet in order to express items in terms of currency of constant purchasing power. Inflation accounting may indirectly generate losses or profits. Consequently, financial data may be materially affected by restatements for inflation and may not accurately reflect the real condition of those issuers and securities markets. Finally, in the event of a default in any such foreign obligations, it may be more difficult for the Fund to obtain or enforce a judgment against the issuers of such obligations.

Other investment risks include the possible imposition of foreign withholding taxes on certain amounts of the Fund’s income, the possible seizure or nationalization of foreign assets and the possible establishment of exchange controls, expropriation, confiscatory taxation, other foreign governmental laws or restrictions which might affect adversely payments due on securities held by the Fund, the lack of extensive operating experience of eligible foreign subcustodians and legal limitations on the ability of the Fund to recover assets held in custody by a foreign subcustodian in the event of the subcustodian’s bankruptcy.

There generally is less governmental supervision and regulation of exchanges, brokers and issuers in foreign countries than there is in the United States. For example, there may be no comparable provisions under certain foreign laws to insider trading and similar investor protection securities laws that apply with respect to securities transactions consummated in the United States. Further, brokerage commissions and other transaction costs on foreign securities exchanges generally are higher than in the United States.

 

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In some countries, banks or other financial institutions may constitute a substantial number of the leading companies or companies with the most actively traded securities. The 1940 Act limits the Fund’s ability to invest in any equity security of an issuer which, in its most recent fiscal year, derived more than 15% of its revenues from “securities related activities,” as defined by the rules thereunder. These provisions may also restrict the Fund’s investments in certain foreign banks and other financial institutions.

Foreign markets have different clearance and settlement procedures, and in certain markets there have been times when settlements have failed to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions, making it difficult to conduct such transactions. Further, satisfactory custodial services for investment securities may not be available in some countries having smaller, emerging capital markets, which may result in the Fund incurring additional costs and delays in transporting such securities outside such countries. Delays in settlement or other problems could result in periods when assets of the Fund are uninvested and no return is earned thereon. The inability of the Fund to make intended security purchases due to settlement problems or the risk of intermediary counterparty failures could cause the Fund to forego attractive investment opportunities. The inability to dispose of a portfolio security due to settlement problems could result either in losses to the Fund due to subsequent declines in the value of such portfolio security or, if the Fund has entered into a contract to sell the security, could result in possible liability to the purchaser.

Rules adopted under the 1940 Act permit the Fund to maintain its foreign securities and cash in the custody of certain eligible non-U.S. banks and securities depositories. Certain banks in foreign countries may not be “eligible sub-custodians,” as defined in the 1940 Act, for the Fund, in which event the Fund may be precluded from purchasing securities in certain foreign countries in which it otherwise would invest or which may result in the Fund’s incurring additional costs and delays in providing transportation and custody services for such securities outside of such countries. The Fund may encounter difficulties in effecting on a timely basis portfolio transactions with respect to any securities of issuers held outside their countries. Other banks that are eligible foreign sub-custodians may be recently organized or otherwise lack extensive operating experience. In addition, in certain countries there may be legal restrictions or limitations on the ability of the Fund to recover assets held in custody by foreign sub-custodians in the event of the bankruptcy of the sub-custodian.

Certain of the risks associated with international investments and investing in smaller capital markets are heightened for investments in emerging market countries. For example, some of the currencies of emerging market countries have experienced devaluation relative to the U.S. dollar, and major adjustments have been made periodically in certain of such currencies. Certain of such countries face serious exchange constraints. In addition, governments of many emerging market countries have exercised and continue to exercise substantial influence over many aspects of the private sector. In certain cases, the government owns or controls many companies. Accordingly, government actions in the future could have a significant effect on economic conditions in developing countries which could affect private sector companies and consequently, the value of certain securities held in the Fund’s portfolio.

Investment in certain emerging market securities is restricted or controlled to varying degrees which may at times limit or preclude investment in certain emerging market securities and increase the costs and expenses of the Fund. Certain emerging market countries require governmental approval prior to investments by foreign persons, limit the amount of investment by foreign persons in a particular issuer, limit the investment by foreign persons only to a specific class of securities of an issuer that may have less advantageous rights than other classes, restrict investment opportunities in issuers in industries deemed important to national interests and/or impose additional taxes on foreign investors. For a discussion of the United States federal income tax consequences applicable to foreign investors, see “Certain United States Federal Income Tax Considerations—Non-U.S. Holders.”

The manner in which foreign investors may invest in companies in certain emerging market countries, as well as limitations on such investments, also may have an adverse impact on the operations of the Fund. For example, the Fund may be required in some countries to invest initially through a local broker or other entity and then have the shares purchased re-registered in the name of the Fund. Re-registration may in some instances not occur on a timely basis, resulting in a delay during which the Fund may be denied certain of its rights as an investor.

 

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Certain emerging market countries may require governmental approval for the repatriation of investment income, capital or the proceeds of sales of securities by foreign investors which could adversely affect the Fund. In addition, if a deterioration occurs in the country’s balance of payments, it could impose temporary restrictions on foreign capital remittances. Investing in local markets in emerging market countries may require the Fund to adopt special procedures, seek local government approvals or take other actions, each of which may involve additional costs to the Fund.

With respect to investments in certain emerging market countries, different legal standards may have an adverse impact on the Fund. For example, while the potential liability of a shareholder in a U.S. corporation with respect to acts of the corporation is generally limited to the amount of the shareholder’s investment, the notion of limited liability is less clear in certain emerging market countries. Similarly, the rights of investors in emerging market companies may be more limited than those of shareholders of U.S. corporations.

Certain markets are in only the earliest stages of development. There is also a high concentration of market capitalization and trading volume in a small number of issuers representing a limited number of industries, as well as a high concentration of investors and financial intermediaries. Many of such markets also may be affected by developments with respect to more established markets in the region. Brokers in emerging market countries typically are fewer in number and less capitalized than brokers in the United States. These factors, combined with the U.S. regulatory requirements for investment companies and the restrictions on foreign investment, result in potentially fewer investment opportunities for the Fund and may have an adverse impact on the investment performance of the Fund.

Other Investment Companies

The Fund may invest in securities of other open- or closed-end investment companies to the extent that such investments are consistent with the Fund’s investment objective and policies and are permissible under the 1940 Act. The 1940 Act imposes the following restrictions on investments in other investment companies: (i) the Fund may not purchase more than 3% of the total outstanding voting stock of another investment company; (ii) the Fund may not invest more than 5% of its total assets in securities issued by another investment company; and (iii) the Fund may not invest more than 10% of its total assets in securities issued by other investment companies. These limitations do not apply to the purchase of shares of any investment company (i) in connection with a merger, consolidation, reorganization or acquisition of substantially all the assets of another investment company or (ii) pursuant to any exemption granted under the 1940 Act.

The Fund may invest in other investment companies either during periods when it has large amounts of uninvested cash, such as the period shortly after the Fund receives the proceeds of the offering of its Common Stock, during periods when there is a shortage of attractive securities available in the market, or when ClearBridge believes share prices of other investment companies offer attractive values. The Fund may invest in investment companies that are advised by ClearBridge or its affiliates to the extent permitted by applicable law and/or pursuant to exemptive relief from the SEC. As a stockholder in an investment company, the Fund would indirectly bear its proportionate share of the advisory fees and other operating expenses of such investment company, and would remain subject to payment of the Fund’s management fees and other expenses with respect to assets so invested. Stockholders would therefore be subject to duplicative expenses to the extent the Fund invests in other investment companies. ClearBridge will take expenses into account when evaluating the investment merits of an investment in an investment company relative to available investments in other securities. In addition, the securities of other investment companies may also be leveraged and will therefore be subject to the same leverage risks described in the Prospectus and herein. The net asset value and market value of leveraged shares will be more volatile and the yield to stockholders will tend to fluctuate more than the yield generated by unleveraged shares.

Short-Term Debt Securities; Temporary Defensive Position; Invest-Up Period.

During the period in which the net proceeds of the offering of Common Stock are being invested, the proceeds from the issuance of Preferred Stock, if any, commercial paper or notes and/or other borrowings are being invested, or during periods in which LMPFA or ClearBridge determines that it is temporarily unable to follow the Fund’s investment strategy or that it is impractical to do so, the Fund may deviate from its investment

 

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strategy and invest all or any portion of its Managed Assets in cash and cash equivalents. LMPFA’s or ClearBridge’s determination that it is temporarily unable to follow the Fund’s investment strategy or that it is impracticable to do so will generally occur only in situations in which a market disruption event has occurred and where trading in the securities selected through application of the Fund’s investment strategy is extremely limited or absent. In such a case, the Fund may not pursue or achieve its investment objective.

Cash and cash equivalents are defined to include, without limitation, the following:

(1) Non-U.S. government securities which have received the highest investment-grade credit rating and U.S. government securities, including bills, notes and bonds differing as to maturity and rates of interest that are either issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury or by U.S. Government agencies or instrumentalities. U.S. government agency securities include securities issued by (a) the Federal Housing Administration, Farmers Home Administration, Export-Import Bank of the United States, Small Business Administration and the Government National Mortgage Association, whose securities are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States; (b) the Federal Home Loan Banks, Federal Intermediate Credit Banks, and the Tennessee Valley Authority, whose securities are supported by the right of the agency to borrow from the U.S. Treasury; (c) the Federal National Mortgage Association, whose securities are supported by the discretionary authority of the U.S. Government to purchase certain obligations of the agency or instrumentality; and (d) the Student Loan Marketing Association, whose securities are supported only by its credit. While the U.S. Government provides financial support to such U.S. Government-sponsored agencies or instrumentalities, no assurance can be given that it always will do so since it is not so obligated by law. The U.S. Government, its agencies and instrumentalities do not guarantee the market value of their securities. Consequently, the value of such securities may fluctuate.

(2) Certificates of deposit issued against funds deposited in a bank or a savings and loan association. Such certificates are for a definite period of time, earn a specified rate of return, and are normally negotiable. The issuer of a certificate of deposit agrees to pay the amount deposited plus interest to the bearer of the certificate on the date specified thereon. Under current Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation regulations, the maximum insurance payable as to any one certificate of deposit is $250,000; therefore, certificates of deposit purchased by the Fund may not be fully insured.

(3) Commercial paper, which consists of short-term unsecured promissory notes, including variable rate master demand notes issued by corporations to finance their current operations. Investments in commercial paper will be limited to commercial paper rated in the highest categories by an NRSRO and which mature within one year of the date of purchase or carry a variable rate of interest. Master demand notes are direct lending arrangements between the Fund and a corporation. There is no secondary market for such notes. However, they are redeemable by the Fund at any time. ClearBridge will consider the financial condition of the corporation (e.g., earning power, cash flow, and other liquidity measures) and will continuously monitor the corporation’s ability to meet all of its financial obligations, because the Fund’s liquidity might be impaired if the corporation were unable to pay principal and interest on demand.

(4) The Fund may invest in bankers’ acceptances, which are short-term credit instruments used to finance commercial transactions. Generally, an acceptance is a time draft drawn on a bank by an exporter or an importer to obtain a stated amount of funds to pay for specific merchandise. The draft is then “accepted” by a bank that, in effect, unconditionally guarantees to pay the face value of the instrument on its maturity date. The acceptance may then be held by the accepting bank as an asset or it may be sold in the secondary market at the going rate of interest for a specific maturity.

(5) The Fund may invest in bank time deposits, which are monies kept on deposit with banks or savings and loan associations for a stated period of time at a fixed rate of interest. There may be penalties for the early withdrawal of such time deposits, in which case the yields of these investments will be reduced.

(6) The Fund may invest in shares of money market funds in accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act, the rules thereunder and interpretations thereof.

 

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MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

Board of Directors

The overall management of the business and affairs of the Fund is vested in the Board of Directors. Starting with the first annual meeting of stockholders, the Board of Directors will be classified, with respect to the time for which Directors severally hold office, into three classes—Class I, Class II and Class III—as nearly equal in number as reasonably possible, with the Directors in each Class to hold office until their successors are elected and qualified. At each succeeding annual meeting of stockholders, the successors to the Class of Directors whose terms expire at that meeting shall be elected to hold office for terms expiring at the later of the annual meeting of stockholders held in the third year following the year of their election or the election and qualification of their successors.

The Directors of the Fund, their ages, their principal occupations during the past five years (their titles may have varied during that period), the number of investment companies or portfolios in the Fund Complex that each Director oversees, and the other board memberships held by each Director is set forth below.

 

Name, Address and Age

Position(s) with Fund

Term of Office(1) and Length of Time Served

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

Number of Investment Companies in Fund Complex(2) Overseen by Director

Other Directorships Held by Director During Past Five Years

INTERESTED DIRECTORS*

R. Jay Gerken, CFA Legg Mason Inc. 620 Eighth Avenue, 49th Floor New York, New York 10018 Birth Year: 1951

Chairman, CEO, President and Director

Since Inception

Managing Director, Legg Mason & Co., LLC (“Legg Mason & Co.”); Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of LMPFA; Chairman of the Board and Trustee/Director of 149 funds associated with LMPFA and its affiliates; President, LMPFA (since 2006); Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates; formerly, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Travelers Investment Advisers Inc. (2002 to 2005).

136

Trustee, Consulting Group Capital Markets Fund (2002-2006)

 

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Name, Address and Age

Position(s) with Fund

Term  of Office(1) and Length of Time Served

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

Number of Investment Companies in Fund Complex(2) Overseen by Director

Other Directorships Held by Director During Past Five Years

NON-INTERESTED DIRECTORS:

Carol L. Colman c/o Chairman of the Fund Legg Mason, Inc. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, New York 10018 Birth Year: 1946

Director and Member of Audit and Nominating Committees

Since May 2011

President, Colman Consulting Co.

24

None

Daniel P. Cronin c/o Chairman of the Fund Legg Mason, Inc. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, New York 10018 Birth Year: 1946

Director and Member of Audit and Nominating Committees

Since May 2011

Retired; formerly, Associate General Counsel, Pfizer, Inc.

24

None

Paolo M. Cucchi c/o Chairman of the Fund Legg Mason, Inc. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, New York 10018 Birth Year: 1941

Director and Member of Audit and Nominating Committees

Since May 2011

Vice President and Dean of College of Liberal Arts at Drew University; Professor of Italian & French languages, Drew University (since 1984)

24

None

Leslie H. Gelb c/o Chairman of the Fund Legg Mason, Inc. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, New York 10018 Birth Year: 1937

Director and Member of Audit and Nominating Committees

Since May 2011

President Emeritus and Senior Board Fellow, The Council on Foreign Relations; formerly, Columnist, Deputy Editorial Page Editor and Editor, Op-Ed Page, The New York Times

24

Director of two registered investment companies advised by Blackstone Asia Advisors L.L.C. (“Blackstone Advisors”)

William R. Hutchinson c/o Chairman of the Fund Legg Mason, Inc. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, New York 10018 Birth Year: 1942

Director and Member of Audit and Nominating Committees

Since May 2011

President, W.R. Hutchinson & Associates Inc. (oil industry consulting); formerly Group Vice President, Mergers and Acquisitions, BP Amoco p.l.c.

24

Director of Associated Banc-Corp.

Dr. Riordan Roett c/o Chairman of the Fund Legg Mason, Inc. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, New York 10018 Birth Year: 1938

Director and Member of Audit and Nominating Committees

Since May 2011

Professor and Director, Latin American Studies Program, Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, The Johns Hopkins University

24

None

 

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Name, Address and Age		Position(s) with Fund		Term of Office(1) and Length of Time Served		Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years		Number of Investment Companies in Fund Complex(2) Overseen by Director		Other Directorships Held by Director During Past Five Years
Jeswald W. Salacuse c/o Chairman of the Fund Legg Mason, Inc. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, New York 10018 Birth Year: 1938		Director and Member of Audit and Nominating Committees		Since May 2011		Henry J. Braker Professor of Commercial Law; formerly Dean, The Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy, Tufts University		24		Director of two registered investment companies advised by Blackstone Advisors

 

*	Mr. Gerken is an “interested person” as defined in the 1940 Act because he is an officer of LMPFA and certain of its affiliates.

(1)

Beginning with the first annual meeting of stockholders of the Fund (the “first annual meeting”) and if at such time, the number of directors shall be three (3) or more, the Board of Directors of the Fund shall be divided into three classes: Class I, Class II and Class III. At the first annual meeting, directors of Class I shall be elected to the Board of Directors for a term expiring at the next succeeding annual meeting of stockholders, directors of Class II shall be elected to the Board of Directors for a term expiring at the second succeeding annual meeting of stockholders and directors of Class III shall be elected to the Board of Directors for a term expiring at the third succeeding annual meeting of stockholders. At each subsequent annual meeting of stockholders, the directors chosen to succeed those whose terms are expiring shall be identified as being of the same class as the directors whom they succeed and shall be elected for a term expiring at the time of the third succeeding annual meeting of stockholders subsequent to their election, or thereafter in each case when their respective successors are elected and qualified. The Fund’s executive officers are chosen each year at the first meeting of the Fund’s Board of Directors following the first annual meeting, to hold office until the meeting of the Board following the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualified.

(2)	The term “Fund Complex” means two or more registered investment companies that:

 

(a)

hold themselves out to investors as related companies for purposes of investment and investor services; or

 

(b)

have a common investment adviser or that have an investment adviser that is an affiliated person of the investment adviser of any of the other registered investment companies.

The Directors were selected to join the Board based upon the following as to each Board Member: his or her character and integrity; such person’s service as a board member of other funds in the Legg Mason fund complex; such person’s willingness to serve and willingness and ability to commit the time necessary to perform the duties of a Director; as to each Director other than Mr. Gerken, his or her status as not being an “interested person” as defined in the 1940 Act; and, as to Mr. Gerken, his role with Legg Mason. No factor, by itself, was controlling.

In addition to the information provided in the table included above, each Director possesses the following attributes: Ms. Colman, experience as a consultant and investment professional; Mr. Cronin, legal and managerial experience; Mr. Cucchi, experience as a college professor and leadership experience as an academic dean; Mr. Gelb, academic and world affairs and foreign relations experience and service as a board member of other registered investment companies; Mr. Hutchinson, experience in accounting and working with auditors, consulting, business and finance and service as a board member of another financial services company; Dr. Roett, expertise in Latin and South American societies and economies and academic leadership experience; Mr. Salacuse, academic leadership and managerial experience, world affairs and foreign relations experience and service as a board member of other registered investment companies; and Mr. Gerken, possesses the following attributes: investment management experience as an executive and portfolio manager and leadership roles within Legg Mason and affiliated entities. References to the qualifications, attributes and skills of the Directors are

 

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pursuant to requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, do not constitute holding out of the Board or any Director as having any special expertise or experience, and shall not impose any greater responsibility or liability on any such person or on the Board by reason thereof.

Responsibilities of the Board of Directors

The Board of Directors is responsible under applicable state law for overseeing generally the management and operations of the Fund. The Directors oversee the Fund’s operations by, among other things, meeting at its regularly scheduled meetings and as otherwise needed with the Fund’s management and evaluating the performance of the Fund’s service providers including LMPFA, ClearBridge, the custodian and the transfer agent. As part of this process, the Directors consult with the Fund’s independent auditors and with their own separate independent counsel.

The Directors review the Fund’s financial statements, performance, net asset value and market price and the relationship between them, as well as the quality of the services being provided to the Fund. As part of this process, the Directors review the Fund’s fees and expenses in light of the nature, quality and scope of the services being received while also seeking to ensure that the Fund continues to have access to high quality services in the future.

The Board of Directors has four regularly scheduled meetings each year, and additional meetings may be scheduled as needed. In addition, the Board has a standing Audit Committee and Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee (the “Nominating Committee”) that meet periodically and whose responsibilities are described below.

Because the Fund recently commenced operations, the Board of Directors did not hold any meetings during the fiscal period ended March 31, 2011. Each Director expects to attend at least 75% of the aggregate number of meetings of the Board and the committees for which he or she was eligible. The Fund does not have a formal policy regarding attendance by Directors at annual meetings of stockholders.

The standing committees of the Board are the Audit Committee, the Nominating Committee and the Pricing Committee.

Each of the Audit Committee and the Nominating Committee is composed of all Directors who have been determined not to be “interested persons” of the Fund, LMPFA, ClearBridge or their affiliates within the meaning of the 1940 Act, and who are “independent” as defined in the New York Stock Exchange listing standards (“Independent Directors”), and is chaired by an Independent Director. The Board in its discretion from time to time may establish ad hoc committees.

The Board of Directors is currently comprised of a single director. R. Jay Gerken serves as Chairman of the Board. Mr. Gerken is an “interested person” of the Fund. The appointment of Mr. Gerken as Chairman reflects the Board’s belief that his experience, familiarity with the Fund’s day-to-day operations and access to individuals with responsibility for the Fund’s management and operations provides the Board with insight into the Fund’s business and activities and, with his access to appropriate administrative support, facilitates the efficient development of meeting agendas that address the Fund’s business, legal and other needs and the orderly conduct of board meetings.                      serves as Lead Independent Director. The Chairman develops agendas for Board meetings in consultation with the Lead Independent Director and presides at all meetings of the Board. The Lead Independent Director, among other things, chairs executive sessions of the Independent Directors, serves as a spokesperson for the Independent Directors and serves as a liaison between the Independent Directors and the Fund’s management between Board meetings. The Independent Directors regularly meet outside the presence of management and are advised by independent legal counsel. The Board also has determined that its leadership structure, as described above, is appropriate in light of the size and complexity of the Fund, the number of Independent Directors (who constitute a super-majority of the Board’s membership) and the Board’s general oversight responsibility. The Board also believes that its leadership structure not only facilitates the orderly and efficient flow of information to the Independent Directors from management, including ClearBridge, the Fund’s subadviser, but also enhances the independent and orderly exercise of its responsibilities.

 

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Audit Committee

The Fund’s Audit Committee is composed entirely of all of the Independent Directors. The members of the Audit Committee are Ms. Colman and Messrs. Cronin, Cucchi, Gelb, Hutchinson, Roett and Salacuse. Mr. Hutchinson serves as the Chair of the Audit Committee and has been determined by the Board to be an “audit committee financial expert.” The principal functions of the Audit Committee are: to (a) oversee the scope of the Fund’s audit, the Fund’s accounting and financial reporting policies and practices and its internal controls and enhance the quality and objectivity of the audit function; (b) approve, and recommend to the Independent Board Members (as such term is defined in the Audit Committee Charter) for their ratification, the selection, appointment, retention or termination of the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm, as well as approving the compensation thereof; and (c) approve all audit and permissible non-audit services provided to the Fund and certain other persons by the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm. Because the Fund recently commenced operations, the Audit Committee did not hold any meetings during the fiscal period ended                     . The Fund’s Board of Directors will review and adopt an Audit Committee Charter at its organizational meeting, a copy of which will be attached to the Fund’s first proxy statement.

Nominating Committee

The Fund’s Nominating Committee, the principal function of which is to select and nominate candidates for election as Directors of the Fund, will be composed of all of the Independent Directors. Mr. Cronin serves as the Chair of the Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee may consider nominees recommended by the stockholder as it deems appropriate. Stockholders who wish to recommend a nominee should send recommendations to the Fund’s Secretary that include all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for the election of Directors. A recommendation must be accompanied by a written consent of the individual to stand for election if nominated by the Board of Directors and to serve if elected by the stockholders. Because the Fund recently commenced operations, the Nominating Committee did not hold any meetings during the fiscal period ended                     . The Fund’s Board of Directors will review and adopt a Nominating Committee Charter at its organizational meeting, a copy of which will be attached to the Fund’s first proxy statement.

The Nominating Committee identifies potential nominees through its network of contacts, and in its discretion may also engage a professional search firm. The Nominating Committee meets to discuss and consider such candidates’ qualifications and then chooses a candidate by majority vote. The Nominating Committee does not have specific, minimum qualifications for nominees and has not established specific qualities or skills that it regards as necessary for one or more of the Fund’s Directors to possess (other than any qualities or skills that may be required by applicable law, regulation or listing standard). However, as set forth in the Nominating Committee Charter, in evaluating a person as a potential nominee to serve as a Director of the Fund, the Nominee Committee may consider the following factors, among any others it may deem relevant:

 

•

whether or not the person is an “interested person” as defined in the 1940 Act and whether the person is otherwise qualified under applicable laws and regulations to serve as a Director of the Fund;

 

•

whether or not the person has any relationships that might impair his or her independence, such as any business, financial or family relationships with Fund management, the investment manager of the Fund, Fund service providers or their affiliates;

 

•

whether or not the person serves on boards of, or is otherwise affiliated with, competing financial service organizations or their related mutual fund complexes;

 

•

whether or not the person is willing to serve, and willing and able to commit the time necessary for the performance of the duties of a Director of the Fund;

 

•

the contribution which the person can make to the Board and the Fund (or, if the person has previously served as a Director of the Fund, the contribution which the person made to the Board during his or her previous term of service), with consideration being given to the person’s business and professional experience, education and such other factors as the Committee may consider relevant;

 

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•

the character and integrity of the person; and

 

•

whether or not the selection and nomination of the person would be consistent with the requirements of the Fund’s retirement policies.

The Nominating Committee does not have a formal diversity policy with regard to the consideration of diversity in identifying potential director nominees but may consider diversity of professional experience, education and skills when evaluating potential nominees for Board membership.

Pricing Committee

The members of the Pricing Committee are any one “interested” and any one “disinterested” director of the Fund. The members of the Pricing Committee are R. Jay Gerken and any of the non-interested directors listed above. The Pricing Committee is responsible for designating the amount, price and certain other terms of the Common Stock sold by the Fund.

Risk Oversight

The Board’s role in risk oversight of the Fund reflects its responsibility under applicable state law to oversee generally, rather than to manage, the operations of the Fund. In line with this oversight responsibility, the Board receives reports and makes inquiry at its regular meetings and as needed regarding the nature and extent of significant Fund risks (including investment, compliance and valuation risks) that potentially could have a materially adverse impact on the business operations, investment performance or reputation of the Fund, but relies upon the Fund’s management (including the Fund’s portfolio managers) and Chief Compliance Officer, who reports directly to the Board, and the Manager to assist it in identifying and understanding the nature and extent of such risks and determining whether, and to what extent, such risks may be eliminated or mitigated. In addition to reports and other information received from Fund management and the Manager regarding the Fund’s investment program and activities, the Board as part of its risk oversight efforts meets at its regular meetings and as needed with the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer to discuss, among other things, risk issues and issues regarding the policies, procedures and controls of the Fund. The Board may be assisted in performing aspects of its role in risk oversight by the Audit Committee and such other standing or special committees as may be established from time to time by the Board. For example, the Audit Committee of the Board regularly meets with the Fund’s independent public accounting firm to review, among other things, reports on the Fund’s internal controls for financial reporting.

The Board believes that not all risks that may affect the Fund can be identified, that it may not be practical or cost-effective to eliminate or mitigate certain risks, that it may be necessary to bear certain risks (such as investment-related risks) to achieve the Fund’s goals, and that the processes, procedures and controls employed to address certain risks may be limited in their effectiveness. Moreover, reports received by the Directors as to risk management matters are typically summaries of relevant information and may be inaccurate or incomplete. As a result of the foregoing and other factors, the Board’s risk management oversight is subject to substantial limitations.

Security Ownership of Management

The following table shows the dollar range of equity securities owned by the Directors in the Fund and in other investment companies overseen by the Directors within the same family of investment companies as of March 31, 2011. Investment companies are considered to be in the same family if they share the same investment adviser or principal underwriter and hold themselves out to investors as related companies for purposes of investment and investor services.

 

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Name of Director		Dollar Range of Equity Securities in the Fund				Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities in All Registered Investment Companies Overseen by the Director in the Family of Investment Companies(1)
Non-Interested Directors:
Carol L. Colman			None
Daniel P. Cronin			None
Paolo M. Cucchi			None
Leslie H. Gelb			None
William R. Hutchinson			None
Dr. Riordan Roett			None
Jeswald W. Salacuse			None
Interested Director:
R. Jay Gerken			None			Over $	100,000

 

(1)	The term “family of investment companies” means any two or more registered investment companies that share the same investment adviser or principal underwriter or hold themselves out to investors as related companies for purposes of investment and investor services.

None of the disinterested Directors nor their family members owned beneficially or of record securities issued by LMPFA, ClearBridge, or any person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with LMPFA or ClearBridge as of March 31, 2011.

The members of the Board who are not “interested persons,” as defined in the 1940 Act, receive an annual fee, a fee for each meeting of the Fund’s Board and committee meetings attended and are reimbursed for all out-of-pocket expenses relating to attendance at such meetings. The Directors who are “interested persons,” as defined in the 1940 Act, and the Fund’s officers do not receive compensation from the Fund or any other fund in the Fund Complex of which the Fund is a part that is a U.S. registered investment company, but are reimbursed for all out-of-pocket expenses relating to attendance at such meetings.

Director Compensation

The following table sets forth estimated compensation to be paid by the Fund projected during the Fund’s first full fiscal year after commencement of operation.

 

Director		Aggregate Compensation From the Fund(1)				Total Compensation From the Fund and Fund Complex Paid to Directors
Non-Interested Directors:
Carol L. Colman		$				$
Daniel P. Cronin		$				$
Paolo M. Cucchi		$				$
Leslie H. Gelb		$				$
William R. Hutchinson		$				$
Dr. Riordan Roett		$				$
Jeswald W. Salacuse		$				$
Interested Directors:
R. Jay Gerken		$	0			$	0

 

(1)	Based on the estimated compensation to be earned by the independent directors for the 12-month period ending December 31, 2010, representing the Fund’s first full fiscal year, for services to the Fund.

Independent directors receive $100,000 per annum plus (a) a fee of $20,000 for attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors in person and (b) a fee of $1,000 for each telephonic meeting of the Board of Directors. In addition to the payments described above, the independent Chairman of the Board of Directors receives $25,000 and the chairperson of the Audit Committee receives $20,000. The annual compensation, fees and expenses are allocated among all the funds in the fund complex, including the Fund, on the basis of average net assets.

 

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Officers of the Fund

The Fund’s executive officers are chosen each year at a regular meeting of the Board to hold office until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified. In addition to Mr. Gerken, the Fund’s Chairman, CEO and President, the executive officers of the Fund currently are:

 

Name, Address and Age		Position(s) with Fund		Term of Office and Length of Time Served		Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
Kaprel Ozsolak Legg Mason & Co. 55 Water Street New York, New York 10041 Birth Year: 1965		Chief Financial Officer		Since Inception		Director of Legg Mason & Co.; Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of certain funds associated with Legg Mason; formerly, Controller of certain mutual funds associated with certain predecessor firms of Legg Mason (from 2002 to 2004).
Robert I. Frenkel Legg Mason & Co. 100 First Stamford Place Stamford, Connecticut 06902 Birth Year: 1954		Secretary and Chief Legal Officer		Since Inception		Managing Director and General Counsel of Global Mutual Funds for Legg Mason & Co. and its predecessor (since 1994); Secretary and Chief Legal Officer of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason (since 2003); formerly, Secretary of Citi Fund Management (from 2001 to 2004).
Ted P. Becker Legg Mason & Co. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, New York 10018 Birth Year: 1951		Chief Compliance Officer		Since Inception		Director of Global Compliance at Legg Mason & Co. (since 2006); Managing Director of Compliance at Legg Mason & Co. (since 2005); Chief Compliance Officer with certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason (since 2006); Managing Director of Compliance at Legg Mason & Co. or its predecessors (2002-2005); prior to 2002, Managing Director—Internal Audit & Risk Review at Citigroup Inc.
Thomas S. Mandia Legg Mason & Co. 100 First Stamford Place Stamford, Connecticut 06902 Birth year: 1962		Assistant Secretary		Since Inception		Managing Director and Deputy General Counsel of Legg Mason & Co. (since 2005); Managing Director and Deputy General Counsel for Citigroup Asset Management (since 1992); Assistant Secretary of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason.
Steven Frank Legg Mason & Co. 55 Water Street New York, New York 10041 Birth year: 1967		Treasurer		Since Inception		Vice President of Legg Mason (since 2002); Controller of certain funds associated with Legg Mason or its predecessors (since 2005); formerly, Assistant Controller of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason predecessors (from 2001 to 2005).
Albert Laskaj Legg Mason & Co. 55 Water Street New York, New York 10041 Birth year: 1977		Assistant Treasurer		Since Inception		Vice President of Legg Mason (since 2008); Controller of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason (Since 2007); formerly, Assistant Controller of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason (from 2005 to 2007); formerly, Accounting Manager of certain mutual funds associated with certain predecessor firms of Legg Mason (from 2003 to 2005)

 

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INVESTMENT MANAGER

Investment Manager and Subadviser

The Fund retains Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (“LMPFA”) to act as its investment manager. LMPFA is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Legg Mason. LMPFA serves as the investment manager to numerous individuals and institutions and other investment companies. The investment management agreement (the “Management Agreement”) between LMPFA and the Fund provides that LMPFA will manage the operations of the Fund, subject to the supervision, direction and approval of the Fund’s Board and the objective and the policies stated in the Prospectus and this Statement of Additional Information.

Pursuant to the Management Agreement, LMPFA supervises the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio by ClearBridge. In addition, LMPFA performs administrative and management services necessary for the operation of the Fund, such as (1) supervising the overall administration of the Fund, including negotiation of contracts and fees with and the monitoring of performance and billings of the Fund’s transfer agent, stockholder servicing agents, custodian and other independent contractors or agents; (2) providing certain compliance, Fund accounting, regulatory reporting and tax reporting services; (3) preparing or participating in the preparation of Board materials, registration statements, proxy statements and reports and other communications to stockholders; (4) maintaining the Fund’s existence and (5) during such times as shares are publicly offered, maintaining the registration and qualification of the Fund’s shares under federal and state laws.

Pursuant to a sub-advisory agreement, LMPFA has delegated the day-to-day portfolio management of the Fund to ClearBridge (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement”). ClearBridge is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Legg Mason. Investment decisions for the Fund are made independently from those of other funds or accounts managed by ClearBridge. Such other funds or accounts may also invest in the same securities as the Fund. If those funds or accounts are prepared to invest in, or desire to dispose of, the same security at the same time as the Fund, however, transactions in such securities will be made, insofar as feasible, for the respective funds and accounts in a manner deemed equitable to all. In some cases, this procedure may adversely affect the size of the position obtained for or disposed of by the Fund or the price paid or received by the Fund. In addition, because of different investment objective, a particular security may be purchased for one or more funds or accounts when one or more funds or accounts are selling the same security.

Each of the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement has an initial term of two years and continue in effect from year to year thereafter if such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by the Fund’s Board or by a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, and in either event, by a majority of the disinterested Directors of the Board with such disinterested Directors casting votes in person at a meeting called for such purpose. The Board or the holders of a majority of the Fund’s shares may terminate the Management Agreement on sixty days’ written notice without penalty and LMPFA may terminate the agreement on ninety days’ written notice without penalty. The Management Agreement terminates automatically in the event of an assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act). The Sub-Advisory Agreement may be terminated without penalty by the Board or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, in each case on not more than 60 days’ nor less than 30 days’ written notice to ClearBridge, or by ClearBridge upon not less than 90 days’ written notice to the Fund and LMPFA, and will be terminated upon the mutual written consent of LMPFA and ClearBridge. The Sub-Advisory Agreement terminates automatically in the event of an assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act).

Under the terms of the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement, neither LMPFA nor ClearBridge, will be liable for losses or damages incurred by the Fund, unless such losses or damages are attributable to the wilful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of LMPFA or ClearBridge, as the case may be, or from reckless disregard by them of their obligations and duties under the relevant agreement.

Codes of Ethics

Pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act, the Fund, LMPFA and ClearBridge have each adopted codes of ethics that permit their respective personnel to invest in securities for their own accounts, including securities that may be purchased or held by a Fund. All personnel must place the interests of clients first and avoid activities,

 

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interests and relationships that might interfere with the duty to make decisions in the best interests of the clients. All personal securities transactions by employees must adhere to the requirements of the codes and must be conducted in such a manner as to avoid any actual or potential conflict of interest, the appearance of such a conflict, or the abuse of an employee’s position of trust and responsibility.

When personnel covered by the Fund’s Code of Ethics are employed by more than one of the managers affiliated with Legg Mason, those employees may be subject to such affiliate’s Code of Ethics adopted pursuant to Rule 17j-1, rather than the Fund’s Code of Ethics.

Copies of the Codes of Ethics of the Fund, LMPFA, and ClearBridge are on file with the SEC. These Codes of Ethics can be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information relating to the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at (202) 551-8090. Such materials are also available on EDGAR on the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov). You may also e-mail requests for these documents to publicinfo@sec.gov, or make a request in writing to the SEC’s Public Reference Section, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549-0102.

Proxy Voting Policies

Although individual Directors may not agree with particular policies or votes by LMPFA or ClearBridge, the Fund’s Board has delegated proxy voting discretion to LMPFA and/or ClearBridge, believing that LMPFA, and/or ClearBridge should be responsible for voting because it is a matter relating to the investment decision making process.

LMPFA delegates the responsibility for voting proxies for the Fund to ClearBridge through the Sub-Advisory Agreement. ClearBridge will use its own proxy voting policies and procedures to vote proxies. Accordingly, LMPFA does not expect to have proxy voting responsibility for the Fund. Should LMPFA become responsible for voting proxies for any reason, such as the inability of ClearBridge to provide investment advisory services, LMPFA shall utilize the proxy voting guidelines established by ClearBridge to vote proxies until a new subadviser is retained. In the case of a material conflict between the interests of ClearBridge (or its affiliates if such conflict is known to persons responsible for voting at ClearBridge) and the Fund, the Board of Directors of ClearBridge shall consider how to address the conflict and/or how to vote the proxies. LMPFA shall maintain records of all proxy votes in accordance with applicable securities laws and regulations, to the extent that ClearBridge votes proxies. ClearBridge shall be responsible for gathering relevant documents and records related to proxy voting from ClearBridge and providing them to the Fund as required for the Fund to comply with applicable rules under the 1940 Act.

LMPFA’s proxy voting policy is attached as Appendix B hereto. ClearBridge’s proxy voting policy is attached as Appendix C hereto. Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies (if any) relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 will be available without charge (1) by calling 888-425-6432, (2) on the Fund’s website at http://www.leggmason.com/cef and (3) on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov on Form N-PX.

 

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PORTFOLIO MANAGERS

Unless otherwise indicated, the information below is provided as of the date of this SAI.

The table below identifies the number of accounts (other than the Fund) for which the Fund’s portfolio managers have day-to-day management responsibilities and the total assets in such accounts, within each of the following categories: registered investment companies, other pooled investment vehicles and other accounts. For each category, the number of accounts and total assets in the accounts where fees are based on performance is also indicated as of March 31, 2011.

 

Portfolio Manager		Registered Investment Companies		Other Pooled Investment Vehicles		Other Accounts
Richard A. Freeman		registered investment companies with $             billion in total assets under management		other pooled investment vehicles with $             billion in assets under management		other accounts with $             billion in total assets under management
Michael Clarfeld		registered investment companies with $             billion in total assets under management		0 other pooled investment vehicles		other accounts with $             billion in total assets under management
Chris Eades		registered investment companies with $             billion in total assets under management		0 other pooled investment vehicles		other accounts with $             billion in total assets under management
Peter Vanderlee		registered investment companies with $             billion in total assets under management		0 other pooled investment vehicles		other accounts with $             billion in total assets under management

Portfolio Manager Compensation

ClearBridge has incentive and deferred compensation plans (the “Plans”) for its investment professionals, including the Fund’s portfolio managers and research analysts. The Plans are designed to align the objectives of ClearBridge investment professionals with those of fund shareholders and other ClearBridge clients. Additionally, the deferred plans are designed to retain its investment professionals and reward long-term performance.

Incentive Compensation

Investment performance is the key component in determining the final incentive award for all of ClearBridge’s investment professionals. A portfolio manager’s initial incentive award is based on the investment professional’s ongoing contribution to ClearBridge’s investment and business results and externally measured competitive pay practices for the portfolio manager’s position/experience within the firm. This award is then adjusted upward or downward based on investment performance during the most recent year over a rolling 1, 3 and 5 year time period. Product performance is ranked among a “peer group” of non-ClearBridge investment managers and the applicable product benchmark (e.g., a securities index and, with respect to a fund, the benchmark set forth in the fund’s Prospectus to which the fund’s average annual total returns are compared).

The peer group of non-ClearBridge investment managers is defined by product style/type, vehicle type and geography and selected by independent vendors that track and provide (for a fee paid by ClearBridge) relevant peer group performance and ranking data (e.g., primarily Lipper or Callan).

The 1, 3 and 5 year performance versus benchmark and peer group approximate effective weightings are 35% for trailing 1 year performance, 50% for trailing 3 year performance and 15% for trailing 5 year performance.

 

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Lastly, the incentive award for an investment professional may also be adjusted by ClearBridge’s Chief Investment Officer and Chief Operating Officer based on other qualitative factors such as contribution to the firm and the development of investment staff.

For ClearBridge’s centralized research professionals, there is an annual incentive compensation plan with a combined scorecard based on portfolio manager questionnaires/surveys, stock picking performance and contribution to the firm. The analyst’s stock picks are tracked on a formal basis through FactSet and make up a portion of the analyst’s overall scorecard performance. These stock picks are measured versus their respective sector indexes.

Deferred Award

Up to 20% of an investment professional’s annual incentive compensation is subject to deferral. For portfolio managers, one-quarter of this deferral is invested in their primary managed product, one-quarter in a composite portfolio of the firm’s new products and one-quarter in up to 14 elected proprietary ClearBridge managed funds. Consequently, portfolio managers potentially could have 50% of their deferred award amount tracking the performance of their primary managed product. The final one-quarter of the deferral is received in the form of Legg Mason restricted stock shares.

For centralized research analysts, one-half of their deferral is invested in up to 14 elected proprietary funds, while one-quarter is invested in the new product composite and the remaining one-quarter is received in the form of Legg Mason restricted stock shares.

Legg Mason then makes a company investment in the proprietary ClearBridge-managed funds equal to the deferral amounts by fund. This investment is a company asset held on the Legg Mason balance sheet and paid out to the employees in shares upon vesting over a four year deferral period.

Potential Conflicts of Interest

LMPFA, ClearBridge and the portfolio managers have interests which may conflict with the interests of the Fund. There is no guarantee that the policies and procedures adopted by LMPFA, ClearBridge and the Fund will be able to identify or mitigate these conflicts of interest.

Some examples of material conflicts of interest include:

Allocation of Limited Time and Attention. A portfolio manager who is responsible for managing multiple funds and/or accounts may devote unequal time and attention to the management of those funds and/or accounts. A portfolio manager may not be able to formulate as complete a strategy or identify equally attractive investment opportunities for each of those funds and accounts as might be the case if he or she were to devote substantially more attention to the management of a single fund. Such a portfolio manager may make general determinations across multiple funds, rather than tailoring a unique approach for each fund. The effects of this conflict may be more pronounced where funds and/or accounts overseen by a particular portfolio manager have different investment strategies.

Allocation of Limited Investment Opportunities; Aggregation of Orders. If a portfolio manager identifies a limited investment opportunity that may be suitable for multiple funds and/or accounts, the opportunity may be allocated among these several funds or accounts, which may limit the Fund’s ability to take full advantage of the investment opportunity. Additionally, ClearBridge may aggregate transaction orders for multiple accounts for purpose of execution. Such aggregation may cause the price or brokerage costs to be less favorable to a particular client than if similar transactions were not being executed concurrently for other accounts. In addition, ClearBridge’s trade allocation policies may result in the Fund’s orders not being fully executed or being delayed in execution.

Pursuit of Differing Strategies. At times, a portfolio manager may determine that an investment opportunity may be appropriate for only some of the funds and/or accounts for which he or she exercises investment responsibility, or may decide that certain of the funds and/or accounts should take differing positions with respect to a particular security. In these cases, the portfolio manager may place separate transactions for one or more funds or accounts which may affect the market price of the security or the execution of the transaction, or both, to the detriment or benefit of one or more other funds and/or accounts. For example, a portfolio manager may

 

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determine that it would be in the interest of another account to sell a security that the Fund holds long, potentially resulting in a decrease in the market value of the security held by the Fund.

Cross Trades. Portfolio managers may manage funds that engage in cross trades, where one of the manager’s funds or accounts sells a particular security to another fund or account managed by the same manager. Cross trades may pose conflicts of interest because of, for example, the possibility that one account sells a security to another account at a higher price than an independent third party would pay or otherwise enters into a transaction that it would not enter into with an independent party, such as the sale of a difficult-to-obtain security.

Selection of Broker/Dealers. Portfolio managers may select or influence the selection of the brokers and dealers that are used to execute securities transactions for the funds and/or accounts that they supervise. In addition to executing trades, some brokers and dealers provide ClearBridge with brokerage and research services, These services may be taken into account in the selection of brokers and dealers whether a broker is being selected to effect a trade on an agency basis for a commission or whether a dealer is being selected to effect a trade on a principal basis. This may result in the payment of higher brokerage fees and/or execution at a less favorable price than might have otherwise been available. The services obtained may ultimately be more beneficial to certain of the manager’s funds or accounts than to others (but not necessarily to the funds that pay the increased commission or incur the less favorable execution). A decision as to the selection of brokers and dealers could therefore yield disproportionate costs and benefits among the funds and/or accounts managed.

Variation in Financial and Other Benefits. A conflict of interest arises where the financial or other benefits available to a portfolio manager differ among the funds and/or accounts that he or she manages. If the amount or structure of the investment manager’s management fee and/or a portfolio manager’s compensation differs among funds and/or accounts (such as where certain funds or accounts pay higher management fees or performance-based management fees), the portfolio manager might be motivated to help certain funds and/or accounts over others. Similarly, the desire to maintain assets under management or to enhance the portfolio manager’s performance record or to derive other rewards, financial or otherwise, could influence the portfolio manager in affording preferential treatment to those funds and/or accounts that could most significantly benefit the portfolio manager. A portfolio manager may, for example, have an incentive to allocate favorable or limited opportunity investments or structure the timing of investments to favor such funds and/or accounts. Also, a portfolio manager’s or LMPFA’s or ClearBridge’s desire to increase assets under management could influence the portfolio manager to keep a fund open for new investors without regard to potential benefits of closing the fund to new investors. Additionally, the portfolio manager might be motivated to favor funds and/or accounts in which he or she has an ownership interest or in which the investment manager and/or its affiliates have ownership interests. Conversely, if a portfolio manager does not personally hold an investment in the fund, the portfolio manager’s conflicts of interest with respect to the Fund may be more acute.

Related Business Opportunities. LMPFA or its affiliates may provide more services (such as distribution or recordkeeping) for some types of funds or accounts than for others. In such cases, a portfolio manager may benefit, either directly or indirectly, by devoting disproportionate attention to the management of funds and/or accounts that provide greater overall returns to the investment manager and its affiliates.

A portfolio manager may also face other potential conflicts of interest in managing the Fund, and the description above is not a complete description of every conflict of interest that could be deemed to exist in managing both a Fund and the other accounts listed above.

Portfolio Manager Securities Ownership

Because the Fund recently commenced operations, the portfolio managers did not own any securities of the Fund as of December 31, 2010 nor as of the date of this SAI.

 

Portfolio Manager		Dollar Range of Securities Beneficially Owned
Richard A. Freeman			None
Michael Clarfeld			None
Chris Eades			None
Peter Vanderlee			None

 

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PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE

Subject to policies as may be established by the Board from time to time, ClearBridge is primarily responsible for the Fund’s portfolio decisions and the placing of the Fund’s portfolio transactions. Commissions are negotiated with broker/dealers on all transactions.

Pursuant to the Management Agreement and the Subadvisory Agreement, each of LMPFA and ClearBridge is authorized to place orders pursuant to its investment determinations for the Fund either directly with the issuer or with any broker or dealer, foreign currency dealer, futures commission merchant or others selected by it. The general policy of LMPFA and ClearBridge in selecting brokers and dealers is to obtain the best results achievable in the context of a number of factors which are considered both in relation to individual trades and broader trading patterns, including the reliability of the broker/dealer, the competitiveness of the price and the commission, the research services received and whether the broker/dealer commits its own capital.

In connection with the selection of such brokers or dealers and the placing of such orders, subject to applicable law, brokers or dealers may be selected who also provide brokerage and research services (as those terms are defined in Section 28(e) of the 1934 Act) to the Fund and/or the other accounts over which LMPFA, ClearBridge or their affiliates exercise investment discretion. LMPFA and ClearBridge are authorized to pay a broker or dealer who provides such brokerage and research services a commission for executing a portfolio transaction for the Fund which is in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction if LMPFA or ClearBridge, as applicable, determines in good faith that such amount of commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by such broker or dealer. Investment research services include information and analysis on particular companies and industries as well as market or economic trends and portfolio strategy, market quotations for portfolio evaluations, analytical software and similar products and services. If a research service also assists LMPFA or ClearBridge in a non-research capacity (such as bookkeeping or other administrative functions), then only the percentage or component that provides assistance to LMPFA or ClearBridge in the investment decision making process may be paid in commission dollars. This determination may be viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or the overall responsibilities that LMPFA or ClearBridge, as applicable, and its affiliates have with respect to accounts over which they exercise investment discretion. LMPFA and ClearBridge may also have arrangements with brokers pursuant to which such brokers provide research services to LMPFA or ClearBridge, as applicable, in exchange for a certain volume of brokerage transactions to be executed by such brokers. While the payment of higher commissions increases the Fund’s costs, LMPFA and ClearBridge do not believe that the receipt of such brokerage and research services significantly reduces its expenses as LMPFA or ClearBridge, as applicable. Arrangements for the receipt of research services from brokers may create conflicts of interest.

Research services furnished to LMPFA or ClearBridge by brokers that effect securities transactions for the fund may be used by LMPFA or ClearBridge, as applicable, in servicing other investment companies and accounts which it manages. Similarly, research services furnished to LMPFA or ClearBridge by brokers who effect securities transactions for other investment companies and accounts which LMPFA or ClearBridge manages may be used by LMPFA or ClearBridge, as applicable, in servicing the Fund. Not all of these research services are used by the LMPFA or ClearBridge in managing any particular account, including the Fund.

The Fund contemplates that, consistent with the policy of obtaining the best net results, brokerage transactions may be conducted through “affiliated broker/dealers,” as defined in the 1940 Act. The Board has adopted procedures in accordance with Rule 17e-1 under the 1940 Act to ensure that all brokerage commissions paid to such affiliates are reasonable and fair in the context of the market in which such affiliates operate.

In certain instances there may be securities that are suitable as an investment for the Fund as well as for one or more of the LMPFA’s or ClearBridge’s other clients. Investment decisions for the Fund and for LMPFA’s or ClearBridge’s other clients are made with a view to achieving their respective investment objectives. It may develop that a particular security is bought or sold for only one client even though it might be held by, or bought or sold for, other clients. Likewise, a particular security may be bought for one or more clients when one or more clients are selling the same security. Some simultaneous transactions are inevitable when several clients receive investment advice from the same investment adviser, particularly when the same security is suitable for the

 

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investment objectives of more than one client. When two or more clients are simultaneously engaged in the purchase or sale of the same security, the securities are allocated among clients in a manner believed to be equitable to each. It is recognized that in some cases this system could adversely affect the price of or the size of the position obtainable in a security for the fund. When purchases or sales of the same security for the Fund and for other portfolios managed by LMPFA or ClearBridge, as applicable, occur contemporaneously, the purchase or sale orders may be aggregated in order to obtain any price advantages available to large volume purchases or sales.

Although the Fund does not have any restrictions on portfolio turnover, it is not the Fund’s policy to engage in transactions with the objective of seeking profits from short-term trading. It is expected that the annual portfolio turnover rate of the Fund will not exceed 100%. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated by dividing the lesser of sales or purchases of portfolio securities by the average monthly value of the Fund’s portfolio securities. For purposes of this calculation, portfolio securities exclude all securities having a maturity when purchased of one year or less. A high rate of portfolio turnover involves correspondingly greater transaction costs than a lower rate, which costs are borne by the Fund and their stockholders.

NET ASSET VALUE

The Fund determines the net asset value of its Common Stock on each day the NYSE is open for business, as of the close of the customary trading session (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time), or any earlier closing time that day. The Fund determines the net asset value per share of Common Stock by dividing the value of the Fund’s securities, cash and other assets (including interest accrued but not collected) less all its liabilities (including accrued expenses, borrowings and interest payables) by the total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding.

The Fund’s securities are valued in accordance with procedures approved by the Board. Under the procedures, equity securities and certain derivative instruments that are traded on an exchange are valued at the closing price or, if that price is unavailable or deemed not representative of market value, the last sale price. Where a security is traded on more than one exchange (as is often the case overseas), the security is generally valued at the price on the exchange considered to be the primary exchange. In the case of securities not traded on an exchange, or if exchange prices are not otherwise available, the prices are typically determined by independent third party pricing services that use a variety of techniques and methodologies.

The valuations for fixed income 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 fair valuation techniques and methodologies. 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 investment’s fair value.

The valuations of securities traded on foreign markets and certain fixed income securities will generally be based on prices determined as of the earlier closing time of the markets on which they primarily trade, unless a significant event has occurred. When the Fund holds securities or other assets that are denominated in a foreign currency, the Fund will normally use the currency exchange rates as of 4:00 p.m. (Eastern time). The Fund uses a fair value model developed by an independent third party pricing service to value foreign equity securities on days when a certain percentage change in the value of a domestic equity security index suggests that the closing prices on foreign exchanges may no longer represent the value of those securities at the time of closing of the NYSE. Foreign markets are open for trading on weekends and other days when the Fund does not price its shares.

If independent third party pricing services are unable to supply prices for a portfolio investment, or if the prices supplied are deemed to be unreliable, the market price may be determined by using quotations from one or more broker/dealers. When such prices or quotations are not available, or when believed to be unreliable, securities may be priced using fair value procedures approved by the Board of Directors. These procedures permit, among other things, the use of a matrix, formula or other method that takes into consideration market indexes, yield curves and other specific adjustments to determine fair value. The Fund may also use fair value

 

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procedures if it is determined that a significant event has occurred between the time at which a market price is determined and the time at which the fund’s net asset value is calculated. The effect of using fair value pricing is that the Common Stock’s net asset value will be subject to the judgment of the Board of Directors or its designee instead of being determined by the market.

Deferred tax assets may constitute a relatively high percentage of the Fund’s net asset value. Any valuation allowance required against such deferred tax assets or future adjustments to it may reduce the Fund’s deferred tax assets and could have a material impact on the Fund’s net asset value and results of operations in the period it is recorded.

 

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GENERAL INFORMATION

Certain Provisions in the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws

The Articles include provisions that could limit the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund. These provisions could have the effect of depriving stockholders of opportunities to sell their Common Stock at a premium over the then-current market price of the Common Stock. As described more completely in the Prospectus, starting with the first annual meeting of stockholders, the Articles divide the Directors into three classes of approximately equal size. As a result of this staggered Board structure, it would take a minimum of two years for other entities or groups of persons to gain a majority of seats on the Board. In addition, the By-Laws require that stockholders provide advance notice to the Fund in order to nominate candidates for election to the Board or to bring proposals before the annual meeting of stockholders. This prevents other entities or groups of persons from nominating Directors or raising proposals during an annual meeting of stockholders unless they have provided such advance notice to the Fund.

REPURCHASE OF FUND SHARES; CONVERSION TO AN OPEN-END FUND

Although it is under no obligation to do so, the Fund reserves the right to repurchase its shares on the open market in accordance with the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder. Subject to its investment limitations, the Fund may borrow to finance the repurchase of stock or to make a tender offer. Interest on any borrowings to finance share repurchase transactions or the accumulation of cash by the Fund in anticipation of share repurchases or tenders will reduce the Fund’s net income. Any share repurchase, tender offer or borrowing that might be approved by the Board of Directors would also have to comply with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.

The repurchase by the Fund of its shares at prices below net asset value may result in an increase in the net asset value of those shares that remain outstanding. However, there can be no assurance that share repurchases or tenders at or below net asset value will result in the Fund’s shares trading at a price equal to their net asset value. In addition, a purchase by the Fund of its Common Stock will decrease the Fund’s total assets, which would likely have the effect of increasing the Fund’s expense ratio.

If the Fund converted to an open-end investment company, the Common Stock would no longer be listed on the NYSE. In contrast to a closed-end investment company, stockholders of an open-end investment company may require the company to redeem their shares at any time (except in certain circumstances as authorized by the 1940 Act or the rules thereunder) at their net asset value, less any redemption charge that is in effect at the time of redemption. In order to avoid maintaining large cash positions or liquidating favorable investments to meet redemptions, open-end investment companies typically engage in a continuous offering of their shares. Open-end investment companies are thus subject to periodic asset in-flows and out-flows that can complicate portfolio management.

CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

The following is a summary of certain United States federal income tax considerations relating to the Fund and the purchase, ownership and disposition of Common Stock as of the date hereof. Except where noted, this summary deals only with Common Stock purchased in this offering and held as a capital asset. This summary does not represent a detailed description of the United States federal income tax consequences applicable to a Common Stockholder if such holder is subject to special treatment under the United States federal income tax laws, including if the holder is:

 

•

a dealer in securities or currencies;

 

•

a financial institution;

 

•

a regulated investment company;

 

•

a real estate investment trust;

 

•

an insurance company;

 

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•

a tax-exempt organization;

 

•

a person holding Common Stock as part of a hedging, integrated or conversion transaction, a constructive sale or a straddle;

 

•

a trader in securities that has elected the mark-to-market method of accounting for its securities;

 

•

a person liable for alternative minimum tax;

 

•

a partnership or other pass-through entity for United States federal income tax purposes; or

 

•

a U.S. Holder (as defined below) whose “functional currency” is not the United States dollar.

As used herein, the term “U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of Common Stock that is for United States federal income tax purposes:

 

•

an individual citizen or resident of the United States;

 

•

a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;

 

•

an estate the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source; or

 

•

a trust if it (1) is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and one or more United States persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (2) has a valid election in effect under applicable United States Treasury regulations to be treated as a United States person.

As used herein, the term “non-U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of Common Stock that is neither a U.S. Holder nor a partnership (or other entity treated as a partnership for United States federal income tax purpose).

The discussion below is based upon the provisions of the Code and regulations, rulings and judicial decisions thereunder as of the date hereof, and such authorities may be replaced, revoked or modified, possibly with retroactive effect, so as to result in United States federal income tax consequences different from those discussed below.

If a partnership holds Common Stock, the tax treatment of a partner will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Investors that are partners in a partnership holding Common Stock should consult their tax advisors.

This summary does not contain a detailed description of all the United States federal income tax consequences applicable to the Fund or to investors in light of their particular circumstances, and does not address the effects of any state, local or non-United States tax laws. Investors considering the purchase, ownership or disposition of Common Stock should consult their own tax advisors concerning the United States federal income tax consequences to them in light of their particular situations as well as any consequences arising under the laws of any other taxing jurisdiction.

Taxation of the Fund

The Fund will be treated as a regular corporation, or a “C” corporation, for United States federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, the Fund generally will be subject to United States federal income tax on its taxable income at the graduated rates applicable to corporations (currently at a maximum rate of 35%). Such taxable income would generally include, among other items, all of the Fund’s net income from its investments in the equity securities of MLPs, other types of equity securities, derivatives, debt securities, royalty trusts and foreign securities less Fund expenses. The Fund may be subject to a 20% alternative minimum tax on its alternative minimum taxable income to the extent that the alternative minimum tax exceeds the Fund’s regular income tax liability. The Fund’s payment of corporate income tax or alternative minimum tax could materially reduce the

 

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amount of cash available for the Fund to make distributions on the Common Stock. In addition, distributions to Common Stockholders of the Fund will be taxed under United States federal income tax laws applicable to corporate distributions, and thus the Fund’s taxable income will be subject to a double layer of taxation. As a regular corporation, the Fund may also be subject to state income tax or foreign tax by reason of its investments in equity securities of MLPs.

The income from equity securities of certain MLPs is treated as qualifying income for purposes of qualifying as a regulated investment company under the Code. However, a regulated investment company may not invest more than 25% of its assets in the equity securities of MLPs. Thus, the Fund does not expect that it will be eligible to elect to be treated as a regulated investment company because the Fund intends to invest more than 25% of its assets in the equity securities of MLPs.

Certain of the Fund’s Investments

MLP Equity Securities

MLPs are generally characterized as “publicly traded partnerships” for United States federal income tax purposes because MLPs are typically organized as limited partnerships or limited liability companies that are publicly traded. The Code generally requires all publicly traded partnerships to be treated as corporations for United States federal income tax purposes. If, however, a publicly traded partnership satisfies specific requirements, the publicly traded partnership will be treated as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes. The Fund intends to invest in MLPs that satisfy (and references in this discussion to MLPs include only those MLPs that satisfy) these requirements. Under these requirements, an MLP is required to derive at least 90% of its gross income for each taxable year from specified sources of qualifying income, such as interest, dividends, real property rents, gain from the sale or disposition of real property, gains on sales of certain capital assets, and in certain limited circumstances, income and gain from commodities or futures, forwards and options with respect to commodities. Qualifying income also includes income and gains derived from mineral or natural resources (including energy related) activities, including the exploration, development, mining or production, processing, refining, transportation (including pipelines transporting gas, oil, or products thereof), or the marketing of any mineral or natural resource (including fertilizer, geothermal energy, and timber), industrial source carbon dioxide, or the transportation or storage of certain fuels (including alcohol, biodiesel and alternative fuels).

If the MLPs are taxed as partnerships, the MLPs will be taxed differently from corporations for United States federal income tax purposes. A corporation is required to pay United States federal income tax on its income, and, to the extent the corporation makes distributions to its stockholders in the form of dividends from current or accumulated earnings and profits, its stockholders are required to pay United States federal income tax on such dividends. For this reason, it is said that corporate income is taxed at two levels. MLPs, in contrast, are generally taxed as partnerships for United States federal income tax purposes if they meet the income requirements discussed above. In such case, no United States federal income tax would be imposed at the MLP entity level. A partnership’s items of taxable income, gain, loss and deductions are generally allocated among all the partners in proportion to their interests in the partnership. Each partner is required to include in income its allocable shares of these tax items. Partnership income is thus said to be taxed only at one level—at the partner level.

Although distributions from MLPs resemble corporate dividends, they are treated differently for United States federal income tax purposes. A distribution from an MLP is treated as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of the partner’s tax basis in its MLP interest and as gain from the sale or exchange of the MLP interest to the extent the distribution exceeds the partner’s tax basis in its MLP interest. When the Fund invests in the equity securities of an MLP, the Fund will be a partner in such MLP. Accordingly, the Fund will be required to include in its taxable income the Fund’s allocable share of the income, gains, losses and deductions recognized by each such MLP, whether or not the MLP distributes cash to the Fund. Based upon a review of the historic results of the type of MLPs in which the Fund intends to invest, the Fund expects that the cash distributions it will receive with respect its investments in equity securities of MLPs will exceed the taxable income allocated to the Fund from such MLPs. No assurance, however, can be given in this regard. If this expectation is not realized, the Fund will have more corporate income tax expense than expected, which will result in less cash available to distribute to Common Stockholders.

 

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The Fund will recognize gain or loss on the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of an equity security of an MLP equal to the difference between the amount realized by the Fund on the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition and the Fund’s adjusted tax basis in such equity security. Any such gain will be subject to United States federal income tax at the regular graduated corporate rates (currently at a maximum rate of 35%). Because the Fund will be taxed as a regular corporation it will not be eligible for reduced rates of taxation with respect to such gain, even if such gain is long-term capital gain. The amount realized by the Fund generally will be the amount paid by the purchaser of the equity security plus the portion of the Fund’s allocable share, if any, of the MLP’s debt that will be allocated to the purchaser as a result of the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition. The Fund’s adjusted tax basis in its equity securities in an MLP is generally equal to the amount the Fund paid for the equity securities, (x) increased by the Fund’s allocable share of the MLP’s net taxable income and the Fund’s allocable share of the MLP’s debt, if any, and (y) decreased by the Fund’s allocable share of the MLP’s net losses, reductions in the Fund’s allocable share of the MLP’s debt, if any, and any distributions received by the Fund from the MLP. Although any distribution by an MLP to the Fund in excess of the Fund’s allocable share of such MLP’s net taxable income generally will not be taxable to the extent the distribution does not exceed the Fund’s tax basis in the MLP, such distribution will reduce the Fund’s tax basis and thus increase the amount of gain (or decrease the amount of loss) that will be recognized on the sale of an equity security in the MLP by the Fund or on a subsequent distribution by the MLP to the Fund.

The Fund’s allocable share of certain percentage-depletion deductions and intangible drilling costs of the MLPs in which the Fund invests may be treated as items of tax preference for purposes of calculating the Fund’s alternative minimum taxable income. Such items will increase the Fund’s alternative minimum taxable income and increase the likelihood that the Fund may be subject to the alternative minimum tax.

Other Investments

The Fund’s transactions in foreign currencies, forward contracts, options and futures contracts (including options and futures contracts on foreign currencies), to the extent permitted, will be subject to special provisions of the Code (including provisions relating to “hedging transactions” and “straddles”) that, among other things, may affect the character of gains and losses realized by the Fund ( i.e., may affect whether gains or losses are ordinary or capital or short-term versus long-term), accelerate recognition of income to the Fund and defer Fund losses. These provisions also (a) will require the Fund to mark-to-market certain types of the positions in its portfolio (i.e., treat them as if they were closed out at the end of each year) and (b) may cause the Fund to recognize income without receiving a corresponding amount cash. If the Fund invests in debt obligations having original issue discount, the Fund may recognize taxable income from such investments in excess of any cash received from the investments.

Foreign Investments

Dividends or other income (including, in some cases, capital gains) received by the Fund from investments in non-U.S. securities may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by foreign countries. Tax conventions between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate such taxes in some cases. Foreign taxes paid by the Fund will reduce the return from the Fund’s investments. Common Stockholders will not be entitled to claim credits or deductions on their own tax returns for foreign taxes paid by the Fund.

U.S. Holders

Taxation of Dividends

The gross amount of distributions by the Fund in respect of Common Stock will be taxable to a U.S. Holder as dividend income to the extent the distributions are paid out of the Fund’s current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under United States federal income tax principles. Such income will be included in a U.S. Holder’s gross income on the day actually or constructively received by such holder. Subject to certain holding period and other requirements, such dividend income will generally be eligible for the dividends received deduction in the case of corporate U.S. Holders and, in the case of dividends paid in taxable years beginning on or before December 31, 2013, will generally be treated as “qualified dividend income” for non-corporate U.S. Holders (including individuals) and will be eligible for reduced rates of taxation.

 

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To the extent that the amount of any distribution exceeds the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits for a taxable year, as determined under United States federal income tax principles, the distribution will first be treated as a tax-free return of capital, causing a reduction in the adjusted basis of Common Stock (thereby increasing the amount of gain, or decreasing the amount of loss, to be recognized by a U.S. Holder on a subsequent disposition of the Common Stock), and the balance in excess of adjusted basis will be taxed as capital gain. Any such capital gain will be long-term capital gain if such U.S. Holder has held the applicable Common Stock for more than one year.

A corporation’s earnings and profits are generally calculated by making certain adjustments to the corporation’s reported taxable income. Based upon the historic performance of similar MLPs, the Fund anticipates that the distributed cash from the MLPs in its portfolio will exceed its earnings and profits. Thus, the Fund anticipates that only a portion of its distributions will be treated as dividends to its Common Stockholders for United States federal income tax purposes, although no assurance can be given in this regard.

Because of the Fund’s status as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes and its investments in equity securities of MLPs, the Fund’s earnings and profits may be calculated using accounting methods that are different from those used for calculating taxable income. For instance, the Fund may use a less accelerated method of depreciation and depletion for purposes of computing its earnings and profits than the method used for purposes of calculating the taxable income of the MLP. In that case, the Fund’s earnings and profits would not be increased solely by its allocable share of the MLP’s taxable income, but would also have to be increased for the amount by which the more accelerated depreciation and depletion methods used for purposes of computing taxable income exceed the less accelerated methods used for purposes of computing earnings and profits. Because of these differences, the Fund may make distributions out of its current or accumulated earnings and profits, treated as dividends, in years in which the Fund’s distributions exceeds its taxable income.

Distributions will be treated in the manner described above regardless of whether such distributions are paid in cash or invested in additional Common Stock of the Fund.

Taxation of Capital Gains

A U.S. Holder will recognize taxable gain or loss on any sale, exchange or other disposition of Common Stock in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized for the Common Stock and the holder’s adjusted tax basis in such Common Stock. Generally, a U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the Common Stock will be equal to the cost of the holder’s Common Stock, reduced by adjustments for distributions paid by the Fund in excess of its earnings and profits (i.e., returns of capital). Such gain or loss will generally be capital gain or loss. Capital gains of non-corporate U.S. Holders (including individuals) derived with respect to capital assets held for more than one year are eligible for reduced rates of taxation. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.

Non-U.S. Holders

The following discussion is a summary of certain United States federal income tax consequences that will apply to non-U.S. Holders. Special rules may apply to certain non-U.S. Holders, such as “controlled foreign corporations,” “passive foreign investment companies” and certain expatriates, among others, that are subject to special treatment under the Code. Such non-U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors to determine the United States federal, state, local and other tax consequences that may be relevant to them.

Taxation of Dividends

The gross amount of distributions by the Fund in respect of Common Stock will be treated as dividends to the extent paid out of the Fund’s current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under United States federal income tax principles. Dividends paid to a non-U.S. Holder (including any distributions of Common Stock taxable as a dividend, as described above under “—U.S. Holders—Taxation of Dividends”) generally will be subject to withholding of United States federal income tax at a 30% rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty. However, dividends that are effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business by a non-U.S. Holder within the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax

 

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treaty, are attributable to a United States permanent establishment) are not subject to the withholding tax, provided certain certification and disclosure requirements (generally on an IRS Form W-8ECI) are satisfied. Instead, such dividends are subject to United States federal income tax on a net income basis in the same manner as if the non-U.S. Holder were a United States person as defined under the Code. Any such effectively connected dividends received by a foreign corporation may be subject to an additional “branch profits tax” at a 30% rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty.

A non-U.S. Holder who wishes to claim the benefits of an applicable income tax treaty (and avoid backup withholding, as discussed below) for dividends will be required (a) to complete IRS Form W-8BEN (or other applicable form) and certify under penalty of perjury that such holder is not a United States person as defined under the Code and is eligible for treaty benefits or (b) if Common Stock is held through certain foreign intermediaries, to satisfy the relevant certification requirements of applicable United States Treasury regulations. Special certification and other requirements apply to certain non-U.S. Holders that are pass-through entities rather than corporations or individuals.

A non-U.S. Holder eligible for a reduced rate of United States withholding tax pursuant to an income tax treaty may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by timely filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS.

If the amount of a distribution to a non-U.S. Holder exceeds the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, such excess will be treated first as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of the non-U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the Common Stock, and then as capital gain. As discussed above under the caption “—U.S. Holders—Taxation of Dividends,” the Fund expects that only a portion of its distributions to its Common Stockholders with respect to the Common Stock will be treated as dividends for United States federal income tax purposes, although no assurance can be given in this regard. Capital gain recognized by a non-U.S. Holder as a consequence of a distribution by the Fund in excess of its current and accumulated earnings and profits will generally not be subject to United States federal income tax, except as described below under the caption “— Taxation of Capital Gains.”

Taxation of Capital Gains

A non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to United States federal income tax on any gain realized on the disposition of Common Stock unless:

 

•

the gain is effectively connected with a trade or business of the non-U.S. Holder in the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a United States permanent establishment of the non-U.S. Holder);

 

•

the non-U.S. Holder is an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of that disposition, and certain other conditions are met; or

 

•

the Fund is or has been a “United States real property holding corporation” for United States federal income tax purposes.

An individual non-U.S. Holder described in the first bullet point immediately above will be subject to tax on the net gain derived from the sale under regular graduated United States federal income tax rates. An individual non-U.S. Holder described in the second bullet point immediately above will be subject to a flat 30% tax on the gain derived from the sale, which may be offset by United States source capital losses, even though the individual is not considered a resident of the United States. If a non-U.S. Holder that is a foreign corporation falls under the first bullet point immediately above, the holder will be subject to tax on its net gain in the same manner as if the holder were a United States person as defined under the Code and, in addition, may be subject to the branch profits tax equal to 30% of its effectively connected earnings and profits or at such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty.

The Fund may be a “United States real property holding corporation” for United States federal income tax purposes. With respect to the third bullet point above, if the Fund is or becomes a “United States real property holding corporation,” so long as the Fund’s Common Stock is regularly traded on an established securities market (such as the NYSE), only a non-U.S. holder who holds or held (at any time during the shorter of the five

 

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year period preceding the date of disposition or the holder’s holding period) more than 5% (directly or indirectly as determined under applicable attribution rules of the Code) of the Fund’s Common Stock will be subject to United States federal income tax on the disposition of Common Stock.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

U.S. Holders

In general, information reporting will apply to distributions in respect of Common Stock and the proceeds from the sale, exchange or other disposition of Common Stock that are paid to a U.S. Holder within the United States (and in certain cases, outside the United States), unless the holder is an exempt recipient. A backup withholding tax (currently at a maximum rate of 28%) may apply to such payments if the holder fails to provide a taxpayer identification number (generally on an IRS Form W-9) or certification of other exempt status or fails to report in full dividend and interest income.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a refund or as a credit against a U.S. Holder’s United States federal income tax liability provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

Non-U.S. Holders

The Fund must report annually to the IRS and to each non-U.S. Holder the amount of distributions paid to such holder (whether treated as dividends or a return of capital) and the tax withheld with respect to such distributions. Copies of the information returns reporting such distributions and withholding may also be made available to the tax authorities in the country in which the non-U.S. Holder resides under the provisions of an applicable income tax treaty.

A non-U.S. Holder will be subject to backup withholding for dividends paid to such holder unless such holder certifies under penalty of perjury that it is a non-U.S. Holder (and the payor does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that such holder is a United States person as defined under the Code), or such holder otherwise establishes an exemption. Dividends subject to withholding of United States federal income tax as described under the caption “—Non-U.S. Holders—Taxation of Dividends” above will not be subject to backup withholding.

Information reporting and, depending on the circumstances, backup withholding will apply to the proceeds of a sale of Common Stock within the United States or conducted through certain United States-related financial intermediaries, unless the beneficial owner certifies under penalty of perjury that it is a non-U.S. Holder (and the payor does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that the beneficial owner is a United States person as defined under the Code), or such owner otherwise establishes an exemption.

Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a refund or as a credit against a non-U.S. Holder’s United States federal income tax liability provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

Non-U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisor regarding the application of the information reporting and backup withholding rules to them.

Additional Withholding Requirements

Under recently enacted legislation, the relevant withholding agent may be required to withhold 30% of any dividends and the proceeds of a sale of Common Stock paid after December 31, 2012 to (i) a foreign financial institution unless such foreign financial institution agrees to verify, report and disclose its United States accountholders and meets certain other specified requirements or (ii) a non-financial foreign entity that is the beneficial owner of the payment unless such entity certifies that it does not have any substantial United States owners or provides the name, address and taxpayer identification number of each substantial United States owner and such entity meets certain other specified requirements.

Medicare Tax on Net Investment Income

For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012, recently enacted legislation will generally impose a tax on the net investment income of certain individuals and on the undistributed net investment income of certain

 

45

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estates and trusts. For these purposes, “net investment income” will generally include interest, dividends (including dividends paid with respect to our Common Stock), annuities, royalties, rent, net gain attributable to the disposition of property not held in a trade or business (including net gain from the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of shares of our Common Stock) and certain other income, but will be reduced by any deductions properly allocable to such income or net gain. Common Stockholders are advised to consult their own tax advisors regarding additional taxation of net investment income.

Investment by Tax-Exempt Investors

Employee benefit plans and most other organizations exempt from United States federal income tax, including individual retirement accounts and other retirement plans, are subject to United States federal income tax on unrelated business taxable income (“UBTI”). Because the Fund is a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes, an owner of Common Stock will not report on its federal income tax return any of the Fund’s items of income, gain, loss and deduction. Therefore, a tax-exempt investor generally will not have UBTI attributable to its ownership or sale of Common Stock unless its ownership of Common Stock is debt-financed. In general, Common Stock would be debt-financed if the tax-exempt owner of Common Stock incurs debt to acquire Common Stock or otherwise incurs or maintains a debt that would not have been incurred or maintained if that Common Stock had not been acquired.

Other Taxation

The Fund’s Common Stockholders may be subject to state, local and foreign taxes on its distributions. Common Stockholders are advised to consult their own tax advisors with respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in the Fund.

CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

A control person is a person who beneficially owns more than 25% of the voting securities of a company.                              is currently the sole stockholder of the Fund, and therefore a control person. However, it is anticipated that                              will no longer be a control person once the offering is completed.

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

                             , an independent registered public accounting firm, provides auditing and limited tax services to the Fund.                              is located at                                                                  .

CUSTODIAN

The custodian of the assets of the Fund is State Street Bank and Trust Company LLC, located at Lafayette Corporate Center, 2 Avenue de Lafayette, Boston, Massachusetts 02111. The custodian performs custodial, fund accounting and portfolio accounting services.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

A Registration Statement on Form N-2, including amendments thereto, relating to the shares of the Fund offered hereby, has been filed by the Fund with the SEC in Washington, D.C. The Fund’s Prospectus and this Statement of Additional Information do not contain all of the information set forth in the Registration Statement, including any exhibits and schedules thereto. For further information with respect to the Fund and the shares offered hereby, reference is made to the Fund’s Registration Statement. Statements contained in the Fund’s Prospectus and this Statement of Additional Information as to the contents of any contract or other document referred to are not necessarily complete and in each instance reference is made to the copy of such contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, each such statement being qualified in all respects by such reference. Copies of the Registration Statement may be inspected without charge at the SEC’s principal office in Washington, D.C., and copies of all or any part thereof may be obtained from the SEC upon the payment of certain fees prescribed by the SEC or on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

 

46

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

(To Come)

 

47

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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(To Come)

 

 

 

 

48

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APPENDIX A

DESCRIPTION OF S&P, MOODY’S AND FITCH RATINGS†

The definitions of the applicable rating symbols are set forth below:

Standard & Poor’s Ratings Service (“Standard & Poor’s”)—Ratings from “AA” to “CCC” may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standings within the major rating categories.

 

AAA		Bonds rated “AAA” have the highest rating assigned by Standard & Poor’s. Capacity to pay interest and repay principal is extremely strong.
AA		Bonds rated “AA” have a very strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal and differ from the highest rated issues only in a small degree.
A		Bonds rated “A” have a strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal although they are somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than debt in higher rated categories.
BBB		Bonds rated “BBB” are regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay interest and repay principal. Whereas they normally exhibit adequate protection parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay interest and repay principal for debt in this category than in higher rated categories.
BB		Bonds rated “BB” have less near-term vulnerability to default than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions which could lead to inadequate capacity to meet timely interest and principal payments. The BB rating category is also used for bonds subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied BBB- rating.
B		Bonds rated “B” have a greater vulnerability to default but currently has the capacity to meet interest payments and principal repayments. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair capacity or willingness to pay interest and repay principal. The B rating category is also used for bonds subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied BB or BB- rating.
CCC		Bonds rated “CCC” have a currently identifiable vulnerability to default, and are dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions to meet timely payment of interest and repayment of principal. In the event of adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, it is not likely to have the capacity to pay interest and repay principal. The “CCC” rating category is also used for bonds subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied B or B- rating.
CC		Bonds rated “CC” are typically subordinated to senior debt which is assigned an actual or implied CCC debt rating.
C		Bonds rated “C” are typically subordinated to senior debt which is assigned an actual or implied CC debt rating. The rating may be used to cover a situation where a bankruptcy petition has been filed, but debt service payments are continuing.
C1		reserved for income bonds on which no interest is being paid.
D		Bonds rated “D” are in default and payment of interest and/or repayment of principal is in arrears. The D rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition if debt service payments are jeopardized.

 

†

The ratings indicated herein are believed to be the most recent ratings available at the date of this SAI for the securities listed. Ratings are generally given to securities at the time of issuance. While the rating agencies may from time to time revise such ratings, they undertake no obligation to do so, and the ratings indicated do not necessarily represent ratings which would be given to these securities on the date of the Fund’s fiscal year end.

 

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P		indicates that the rating is provisional. A provisional rating assumes the successful completion of the project being financed by the debt being rated and indicates that payment of debt service requirements is largely or entirely dependent upon the successful and timely completion of the project. This rating, however, while addressing credit quality subsequent to completion of the project, makes no comment on the likelihood of, or the risk of default upon failure of such completion. The investor should exercise his own judgment with respect to such likelihood and risk.
L		indicates that the rating pertains to the principal amount of those bonds to the extent that the underlying deposit collateral is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. and interest is adequately collateralized. In the case of certificates of deposit, the letter “L” indicates that the deposit, combined with other deposits being held in the same right and capacity, will be honored for principal and accrued pre-default interest up to the federal insurance limits within 30 days after closing of the insured institution or, in the event that the deposit is assumed by a successor insured institution, upon maturity.
NR		indicates no rating has been requested, that there is insufficient information on which to base a rating, or that S&P does not rate a particular type of obligation as a matter of policy.
Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”)—Numerical modifiers 1, 2 and 3 may be applied to each generic rating from “Aa” to “Caa,” where 1 is the highest and 3 the lowest ranking within its generic category.
Aaa		Bonds rated “Aaa” are judged to be of the best quality. They carry the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as “gilt edge.” Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally stable margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are likely to change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair the fundamentally strong position of such issues.
Aa		Bonds rated “Aa” are judged to be of high quality by all standards. Together with the “Aaa” group they comprise what are generally known as high grade bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of protection may not be as large as in “Aaa” securities or fluctuation of protective elements may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements present which make the long-term risks appear somewhat larger than in “Aaa” securities.
A		Bonds rated “A” possess many favorable investment attributes and are to be considered as upper medium grade obligations. Factors giving security to principal and interest are considered adequate but elements may be present which suggest a susceptibility to impairment some time in the future.
Baa		Bonds rated “Baa” are considered as medium grade obligations, i.e., they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured. Interest payments and principal security appear adequate for the present but certain protective elements may be lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in fact have speculative characteristics as well.
Ba		Bonds rated “Ba” are judged to have speculative elements; their future cannot be considered as well assured. Often the protection of interest and principal payments may be very moderate and therefore not well safeguarded during both good and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position characterizes bonds in this class.
B		Bonds rated “B” generally lack characteristics of desirable investments. Assurance of interest and principal payments or of maintenance of other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be small.
Caa		Bonds rated “Caa” are of poor standing. These may be in default, or present elements of danger may exist with respect to principal or interest.
Ca		Bonds rated “Ca” represent obligations which are speculative in a high degree. Such issues are often in default or have other marked short-comings.
C		Bonds rated “C” are the lowest class of bonds and issues so rated can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any real investment standing.

 

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Absence of Rating: Where no rating has been assigned or where a rating has been suspended or withdrawn, it may be for reasons unrelated to the quality of the issue.

Should no rating be assigned, the reason may be one of the following:

 

1.

An application for rating was not received or accepted.

 

2.

The issue or issuer belongs to a group of securities or companies that are not rated as a matter of policy.

 

3.

There is a lack of essential data pertaining to the issue or issuer.

 

4.

The issue was privately placed, in which case the rating is not published in Moody’s publications.

Suspension or withdrawal may occur if new and material circumstances arise, the effects of which preclude satisfactory analysis; if there is no longer available reasonable up-to-date data to permit a judgment to be formed; if a bond is called for redemption; or for other reasons.

Short-Term Debt Security Ratings:

Moody’s short-term debt ratings are opinions of the ability of issuers to repay punctually senior debt obligations. These obligations have an original maturity not exceeding one year, unless explicitly noted.

Moody’s employs the following three designations, all judged to be investment grade, to indicate the relative repayment ability of rated issuers:

PRIME-1: Issuers rated Prime-1 (or supporting institutions) have a superior ability for repayment of senior short-term debt obligations. Prime-1 repayment ability will often be evidenced by many of the following characteristics: leading market positions in well-established industries; high rates of return on funds employed; conservative capitalization structure with moderate reliance on debt and ample asset protection; broad margins in earnings coverage of fixed financial charges and high internal cash generation; and well-established access to a range of financial markets and assured sources of alternate liquidity.

PRIME-2: Issuers rated Prime-2 (or supporting institutions) have a strong ability for repayment of senior short-term debt obligations. This will normally be evidenced by many of the characteristics cited above but to a lesser degree. Earnings trends and coverage ratios, while sound, may be more subject to variation. Capitalization characteristics, while still appropriate, may be more affected by external conditions. Ample alternate liquidity is maintained.

PRIME-3: Issuers rated Prime-3 (or supporting institutions) have an acceptable ability for repayment of senior short-term obligations. The effect of industry characteristics and market compositions may be more pronounced. Variability in earnings and profitability may result in changes in the level of debt protection measurements and may require relatively high financial leverage. Adequate alternate liquidity is maintained.

NOT PRIME: Issuers rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories.

Fitch Ratings, Inc.—A brief description of the applicable Fitch Ratings, Inc. (“Fitch”) ratings symbols and meanings (as published by Fitch) follows ( “+” or “–” may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories. Such suffixes are not added to the ‘AAA’ Long-term rating category, to categories below ‘CCC’, or to Short-term ratings other than ‘F1’):

Investment Grade Long-Term Credit Ratings:

AAA		Highest credit quality. ‘AAA’ ratings denote the lowest expectation of credit risk. They are assigned only in case of exceptionally strong capacity for timely payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.
AA		Very high credit quality. ‘AA’ ratings denote a very low expectation of credit risk. They indicate very strong capacity for timely payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.

 

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A		High credit quality. ‘A’ ratings denote a low expectation of credit risk. The capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to changes in circumstances or in economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.
BBB		Good credit quality. ‘BBB’ ratings indicate that there is currently a low expectation of credit risk. The capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is considered adequate, but adverse changes in circumstances and in economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity. This is the lowest investment grade category.
Speculative Grade Long-Term Credit Ratings:
BB		Speculative. ‘BB’ ratings indicate that there is a possibility of credit risk developing, particularly as the result of adverse economic change over time; however, business or financial alternatives may be available to allow financial commitments to be met. Securities rated in this category are not investment grade.
B		Highly speculative. ‘B’ ratings indicate that significant credit risk is present, but a limited margin of safety remains. Financial commitments are currently being met; however, capacity for continued payment is contingent upon a sustained, favorable business and economic environment.
CCC, CC, C		High default risk. Default is a real possibility. Capacity for meeting financial commitments is solely reliant upon sustained, favorable business or economic developments. A ‘CCC’ rating indicates that default is a real possibility. A ‘CC’ rating indicates that default of some kind appears probable. ‘C’ ratings signal imminent default.
DDD, DD, and D Default		The ratings of obligations in this category are based on their prospects for achieving partial or full and recovery in a reorganization or liquidation of the obligor. While expected recovery values are highly speculative and cannot be estimated with any precision, the following serve as general guidelines. ‘DDD’ obligations have the highest potential for recovery, around 90%-100% of outstanding amounts and accrued interest. ‘DD’ indicates potential recoveries in the range of 50%-90%, and ‘D’ the lowest recovery potential, i.e., below 50%. Entities rated in this category have defaulted on some or all of their obligations. Entities rated ‘DDD’ have the highest prospect for resumption of performance or continued operation with or without a formal reorganization process. Entities rated ‘DD’ and ‘D’ are generally undergoing a formal reorganization or liquidation process; those rated ‘DD’ are likely to satisfy a higher portion of their outstanding obligations, while entities rated ‘D’ have a poor prospect for repaying all obligations.
Short-Term Credit Ratings:
A short-term rating has a time horizon of less than 12 months for most obligations, or up to three years for U.S. public finance securities, and thus places greater emphasis on the liquidity necessary to meet financial commitments in a timely manner.
F1		Highest credit quality. Indicates the strongest capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; may have an added “+” to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature.
F2		Good credit quality. A satisfactory capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, but the margin of safety is not as great as in the case of the higher ratings.
F3		Fair credit quality. The capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate; however, near-term adverse changes could result in a reduction to non-investment grade. B Speculative. Minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, plus vulnerability to near-term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.
B		Speculative Minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, plus vulnerability to near-term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.

 

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C	High default risk. Default is a real possibility. Capacity for meeting financial commitments is solely reliant upon a sustained, favorable business and economic environment.

 

D	Default. Denotes actual or imminent payment default.

Notes to Long-term and Short-term ratings for Fitch:

‘NR’ indicates that Fitch Ratings does not rate the issuer or issue in question.

‘Withdrawn’: A rating is withdrawn when Fitch Ratings deems the amount of information available to be inadequate for rating purposes, or when an obligation matures, is called, or refinanced.

Rating Watch: Ratings are placed on Rating Watch to notify investors that there is a reasonable probability of a rating change and the likely direction of such change. These are designated as “Positive”, indicating a potential upgrade, “Negative”, for a potential downgrade, or “Evolving”, if ratings may be raised, lowered or maintained. Rating Watch is typically resolved over a relatively short period.

A Rating Outlook indicates the direction a rating is likely to move over a one to two year period. Outlooks may be positive, stable, or negative. A positive or negative Rating Outlook does not imply a rating change is inevitable. Similarly, ratings for which outlooks are ‘stable’ could be downgraded before an outlook moves to positive or negative if circumstances warrant such an action. Occasionally, Fitch Ratings may be unable to identify the fundamental trend. In these cases, the Rating Outlook may be described as evolving.

 

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APPENDIX B

LEGG MASON PARTNERS FUND ADVISOR, LLC

Proxy Voting Policy

LMPFA delegates to each sub-adviser the responsibility for voting proxies for its funds, as applicable, through its contracts with each sub-adviser. Each sub-adviser may use its own proxy voting policies and procedures to vote proxies of the funds if the funds’ Board reviews and approves the use of those policies and procedures. Accordingly, LMPFA does not expect to have proxy-voting responsibility for any of the funds.

Should LMPFA become responsible for voting proxies for any reason, such as the inability of a sub-adviser to provide investment advisory services, LMPFA shall utilize the proxy voting guidelines established by the most recent sub-adviser to vote proxies until a new sub-adviser is retained and the use of its proxy voting policies and procedures is authorized by the Board. In the case of a material conflict between the interests of LMPFA (or its affiliates if such conflict is known to persons responsible for voting at LMPFA) and any fund, the Board of Directors of LMPFA shall consider how to address the conflict and/or how to vote the proxies. LMPFA shall maintain records of all proxy votes in accordance with applicable securities laws and regulations.

LMPFA shall be responsible for gathering relevant documents and records related to proxy voting from each sub-adviser and providing them to the funds as required for the funds to comply with applicable rules under the Investment Company Act of 1940. LMPFA shall also be responsible for coordinating the provision of information to the Board with regard to the proxy voting policies and procedures of each sub-adviser, including the actual proxy voting policies and procedures of each sub-adviser, changes to such policies and procedures, and reports on the administration of such policies and procedures.

 

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APPENDIX C

CLEARBRIDGE ADVISORS, LLC PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

 

I.	TYPES OF ACCOUNTS FOR WHICH CLEARBRIDGE VOTES PROXIES

ClearBridge votes proxies for each client that has specifically authorized us to vote them in the investment management contract or otherwise and votes proxies for each ERISA account unless the plan document or investment advisory agreement specifically reserves the responsibility to vote proxies to the plan trustees or other named fiduciary. These policies and procedures are intended to fulfill applicable requirements imposed on ClearBridge by the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the rules and regulations adopted under these laws.

 

II.	GENERAL GUIDELINES

In voting proxies, we are guided by general fiduciary principles. Our goal is to act prudently, solely in the best interest of the beneficial owners of the accounts we manage and, in the case of ERISA accounts, for the exclusive purpose of providing economic benefits to such persons. We attempt to provide for the consideration of all factors that could affect the value of the investment and will vote proxies in the manner that we believe will be consistent with efforts to maximize shareholder values.

 

III.	HOW CLEARBRIDGE VOTES

Section V of these policies and procedures sets forth certain stated positions. In the case of a proxy issue for which there is a stated position, we generally vote in accordance with the stated position. In the case of a proxy issue for which there is a list of factors set forth in Section V that we consider in voting on such issue, we consider those factors and vote on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the general principles set forth above. In the case of a proxy issue for which there is no stated position or list of factors that we consider in voting on such issue, we vote on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the general principles set forth above. We may utilize an external service provider to provide us with information and/or a recommendation with regard to proxy votes but we are not required to follow any such recommendations. The use of an external service provider does not relieve us of our responsibility for the proxy vote.

For routine matters, we usually vote according to our policy or the external service provider’s recommendation, although we are not obligated to do so and an individual portfolio manager may vote contrary to our policy or the recommendation of the external service provider. If a matter is non-routine, e.g., management’s recommendation is different than that of the external service provider and ClearBridge is a significant holder or it is a significant holding for ClearBridge, the issues will be highlighted to the appropriate investment teams and their views solicited by members of the Proxy Committee. Different investment teams may vote differently on the same issue, depending upon their assessment of clients’ best interests.

ClearBridge’s proxy voting process is overseen and coordinated by its Proxy Committee.

 

IV.	CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

In furtherance of ClearBridge’s goal to vote proxies in the best interests of clients, ClearBridge follows procedures designed to identify and address material conflicts that may arise between ClearBridge’s interests and those of its clients before voting proxies on behalf of such clients.

 

(1)	Procedures for Identifying Conflicts of Interest

ClearBridge relies on the following to seek to identify conflicts of interest with respect to proxy voting:

 

A.

ClearBridge’s employees are periodically reminded of their obligation (i) to be aware of the potential for conflicts of interest on the part of ClearBridge with respect to voting proxies on behalf of client

 

 

1	These policies and procedures pertain to ClearBridge Advisors, LLC and ClearBridge Asset Management Inc (collectively, “ClearBridge”).

 

C-1

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accounts both as a result of their personal relationships or personal or business relationships relating to another Legg Mason business unit , and (ii) to bring conflicts of interest of which they become aware to the attention of ClearBridge’s General Counsel/Chief Compliance Officer.

 

B.

ClearBridge’s finance area maintains and provides to ClearBridge Compliance and proxy voting personnel an up-to-date list of all client relationships that have historically accounted for or are projected to account for greater than 1% of ClearBridge’s annual revenues.

 

C.

As a general matter, ClearBridge takes the position that relationships between a non-ClearBridge Legg Mason unit and an issuer (e.g., investment management relationship between an issuer and a non-ClearBridge Legg Mason affiliate) do not present a conflict of interest for ClearBridge in voting proxies with respect to such issuer because ClearBridge operates as an independent business unit from other Legg Mason business units and because of the existence of informational barriers between ClearBridge and certain other Legg Mason business units. As noted above, ClearBridge employees are under an obligation to bring such conflicts of interest, including conflicts of interest which may arise because of an attempt by another Legg Mason business unit or non-ClearBridge Legg Mason officer or employee to influence proxy voting by ClearBridge to the attention of ClearBridge Compliance.

 

D.

A list of issuers with respect to which ClearBridge has a potential conflict of interest in voting proxies on behalf of client accounts will be maintained by ClearBridge proxy voting personnel. ClearBridge will not vote proxies relating to such issuers until it has been determined that the conflict of interest is not material or a method for resolving the conflict of interest has been agreed upon and implemented, as described in Section IV below.

 

(2)	Procedures for Assessing Materiality of Conflicts of Interest and for Addressing Material Conflicts of Interest

 

A.

ClearBridge maintains a Proxy Committee which, among other things, reviews and addresses conflicts of interest brought to its attention. The Proxy Committee is comprised of such ClearBridge personnel (and others, at ClearBridge’s request), as are designated from time to time. The current members of the Proxy Committee are set forth in the Proxy Committee’s Terms of Reference.

 

B.

All conflicts of interest identified pursuant to the procedures outlined in Section IV. (1) must be brought to the attention of the Proxy Committee for resolution. A proxy issue that will be voted in accordance with a stated ClearBridge position on such issue or in accordance with the recommendation of an independent third party generally is not brought to the attention of the Proxy Committee for a conflict of interest review because ClearBridge’s position is that any conflict of interest issues are resolved by voting in accordance with a pre-determined policy or in accordance with the recommendation of an independent third party.

 

C.

The Proxy Committee will determine whether a conflict of interest is material. A conflict of interest will be considered material to the extent that it is determined that such conflict is likely to influence, or appear to influence, ClearBridge’s decision-making in voting the proxy. All materiality determinations will be based on an assessment of the particular facts and circumstances. A written record of all materiality determinations made by the Proxy Committee will be maintained.

 

D.

If it is determined by the Proxy Committee that a conflict of interest is not material, ClearBridge may vote proxies notwithstanding the existence of the conflict.

 

E.

If it is determined by the Proxy Committee that a conflict of interest is material, the Proxy Committee will determine an appropriate method to resolve such conflict of interest before the proxy affected by the conflict of interest is voted. Such determination shall be based on the particular facts and circumstances, including the importance of the proxy issue, the nature of the conflict of interest, etc. Such methods may include:

 

i.

disclosing the conflict to clients and obtaining their consent before voting;

 

ii.

suggesting to clients that they engage another party to vote the proxy on their behalf;

 

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iii.

in the case of a conflict of interest resulting from a particular employee’s personal relationships, removing such employee from the decision-making process with respect to such proxy vote; or

 

iv.

such other method as is deemed appropriate given the particular facts and circumstances, including the importance of the proxy issue, the nature of the conflict of interest, etc.1*

A written record of the method used to resolve a material conflict of interest shall be maintained. (3) Third Party Proxy Voting Firm—Conflicts of Interest

With respect to a third party proxy voting firm described herein, the Proxy Committee will periodically review and assess such firm’s policies, procedures and practices with respect to the disclosure and handling of conflicts of interest.

 

V.	VOTING POLICY

These are policy guidelines that can always be superseded, subject to the duty to act solely in the best interest of the beneficial owners of accounts, by the investment management professionals responsible for the account holding the shares being voted. There may be occasions when different investment teams vote differently on the same issue. A ClearBridge investment team (e.g., ClearBridge’s Social Awareness Investment team) may adopt proxy voting policies that supplement these policies and procedures. In addition, in the case of Taft-Hartley clients, ClearBridge will comply with a client direction to vote proxies in accordance with Institutional Shareholder Services’ (ISS) PVS Proxy Voting Guidelines, which ISS represents to be fully consistent with AFL-CIO guidelines.

 

(1)	Election of Directors

 

A.

Voting on Director Nominees in Uncontested Elections.

 

1.

We withhold our vote from a director nominee who:

 

a)

attended less than 75 percent of the company’s board and committee meetings without a valid excuse (illness, service to the nation/local government, work on behalf of the company);

 

b)

were members of the company’s board when such board failed to act on a shareholder proposal that received approval of a majority of shares cast for the previous two consecutive years;

 

c)

received more than 50 percent withheld votes of the shares cast at the previous board election, and the company has failed to address the issue as to why;

 

d)

is an insider where: (1) such person serves on any of the audit, compensation or nominating committees of the company’s board, (2) the company’s board performs the functions typically performed by a company’s audit, compensation and nominating committees, or (3) the full board is less than a majority independent (unless the director nominee is also the company CEO, in which case we will vote FOR);

 

e)

is a member of the company’s audit committee, when excessive non-audit fees were paid to the auditor, or there are chronic control issues and an absence of established effective control mechanisms.

 

 

*

Especially in the case of an apparent, as opposed to actual, conflict of interest, the Proxy Committee may resolve such conflict of interest by satisfying itself that ClearBridge’s proposed vote on a proxy issue is in the best interest of client accounts and is not being influenced by the conflict of interest.

 

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2.

We vote for all other director nominees.

 

B.

Chairman and CEO is the Same Person.

We vote on a case-by-case basis on shareholder proposals that would require the positions of the Chairman and CEO to be held by different persons. We would generally vote FOR such a proposal unless there are compelling reasons to vote against the proposal, including:

 

•

Designation of a lead director

 

•

Majority of independent directors (supermajority)

 

•

All independent key committees

 

•

Size of the company (based on market capitalization)

 

•

Established governance guidelines

 

•

Company performance

 

C.

Majority of Independent Directors

 

1.

We vote for shareholder proposals that request that the board be comprised of a majority of independent directors. Generally that would require that the director have no connection to the company other than the board seat. In determining whether an independent director is truly independent (e.g. when voting on a slate of director candidates), we consider certain factors including, but not necessarily limited to, the following: whether the director or his/her company provided professional services to the company or its affiliates either currently or in the past year; whether the director has any transactional relationship with the company; whether the director is a significant customer or supplier of the company; whether the director is employed by a foundation or university that received significant grants or endowments from the company or its affiliates; and whether there are interlocking directorships.

 

2.

We vote for shareholder proposals that request that the board audit, compensation and/or nominating committees include independent directors exclusively.

 

D.

Stock Ownership Requirements

We vote against shareholder proposals requiring directors to own a minimum amount of company stock in order to qualify as a director, or to remain on the board.

 

E.

Term of Office

We vote against shareholder proposals to limit the tenure of independent directors.

 

F.

Director and Officer Indemnification and Liability Protection

 

1.

Subject to subparagraphs 2, 3, and 4 below, we vote for proposals concerning director and officer indemnification and liability protection.

 

2.

We vote for proposals to limit and against proposals to eliminate entirely director and officer liability for monetary damages for violating the duty of care.

 

3.

We vote against indemnification proposals that would expand coverage beyond just legal expenses to acts, such as negligence, that are more serious violations of fiduciary obligations than mere carelessness.

 

4.

We vote for only those proposals that provide such expanded coverage noted in subparagraph 3 above in cases when a director’s or officer’s legal defense was unsuccessful if: (1) the director was found to have acted in good faith and in a manner that he reasonably believed was in the best interests of the company, and (2) if only the director’s legal expenses would be covered.

 

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G.

Director Qualifications

 

1.

We vote case-by-case on proposals that establish or amend director qualifications. Considerations include how reasonable the criteria are and to what degree they may preclude dissident nominees from joining the board.

 

2.

We vote against shareholder proposals requiring two candidates per board seat.

 

(2)	Proxy Contests

 

A.

Voting for Director Nominees in Contested Elections

We vote on a case-by-case basis in contested elections of directors. Considerations include: chronology of events leading up to the proxy contest; qualifications of director nominees (incumbents and dissidents); for incumbents, whether the board is comprised of a majority of outside directors; whether key committees (ie: nominating, audit, compensation) comprise solely of independent outsiders; discussion with the respective portfolio manager(s).

 

B.

Reimburse Proxy Solicitation Expenses

We vote on a case-by-case basis on proposals to provide full reimbursement for dissidents waging a proxy contest. Considerations include: identity of persons who will pay solicitation expenses; cost of solicitation; percentage that will be paid to proxy solicitation firms.

 

(3)

Auditors

 

A.

Ratifying Auditors

We vote for proposals to ratify auditors, unless an auditor has a financial interest in or association with the company, and is therefore not independent; or there is reason to believe that the independent auditor has rendered an opinion that is neither accurate nor indicative of the company’s financial position or there is reason to believe the independent auditor has not followed the highest level of ethical conduct. Specifically, we will vote to ratify auditors if the auditors only provide the company audit services and such other audit-related and non-audit services the provision of which will not cause such auditors to lose their independence under applicable laws, rules and regulations.

 

B.

Financial Statements and Director and Auditor Reports

We generally vote for management proposals seeking approval of financial accounts and reports and the discharge of management and supervisory board members, unless there is concern about the past actions of the company’s auditors or directors.

 

C.

Remuneration of Auditors

We vote for proposals to authorize the board or an audit committee of the board to determine the remuneration of auditors, unless there is evidence of excessive compensation relative to the size and nature of the company.

 

D.

Indemnification of Auditors

We vote against proposals to indemnify auditors.

 

(4)	Proxy Contest Defenses

 

A.

Board Structure: Staggered vs. Annual Elections

 

1.

We vote against proposals to classify the board.

 

2.

We vote for proposals to repeal classified boards and to elect all directors annually.

 

B.

Shareholder Ability to Remove Directors

 

1.

We vote against proposals that provide that directors may be removed only for cause.

 

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2.

We vote for proposals to restore shareholder ability to remove directors with or without cause.

 

3.

We vote against proposals that provide that only continuing directors may elect replacements to fill board vacancies.

 

4.

We vote for proposals that permit shareholders to elect directors to fill board vacancies.

 

C.

Cumulative Voting

 

1.

If plurality voting is in place for uncontested director elections, we vote for proposals to permit or restore cumulative voting.

 

2.

If majority voting is in place for uncontested director elections, we vote against cumulative voting.

 

3.

If plurality voting is in place for uncontested director elections, and proposals to adopt both cumulative voting and majority voting are on the same slate, we vote for majority voting and against cumulative voting.

 

D.

Majority Voting

 

1.

We vote for non-binding and/or binding resolutions requesting that the board amend a company’s by-laws to stipulate that directors need to be elected with an affirmative majority of the votes cast, provided that it does not conflict with the state law where the company is incorporated. In addition, all resolutions need to provide for a carve-out for a plurality vote standard when there are more nominees than board seats (i.e. contested election). In addition, ClearBridge strongly encourages companies to adopt a post-election director resignation policy setting guidelines for the company to follow to promptly address situations involving holdover directors.

 

E.

Shareholder Ability to Call Special Meetings

 

1.

We vote against proposals to restrict or prohibit shareholder ability to call special meetings.

 

2.

We vote for proposals that remove restrictions on the right of shareholders to act independently of management.

 

F.

Shareholder Ability to Act by Written Consent

 

1.

We vote against proposals to restrict or prohibit shareholder ability to take action by written consent.

 

2.

We vote for proposals to allow or make easier shareholder action by written consent.

 

G.

G. Shareholder Ability to Alter the Size of the Board

 

1.

We vote for proposals that seek to fix the size of the board.

 

2.

We vote against proposals that give management the ability to alter the size of the board without shareholder approval.

 

H.

Advance Notice Proposals

We vote on advance notice proposals on a case-by-case basis, giving support to those proposals which allow shareholders to submit proposals as close to the meeting date as reasonably possible and within the broadest window possible.

 

I.

Amendment of By-Laws

 

1.

We vote against proposals giving the board exclusive authority to amend the by-laws.

 

2.

We vote for proposals giving the board the ability to amend the by-laws in addition to shareholders.

 

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J.

Article Amendments (not otherwise covered by ClearBridge Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures).

We review on a case-by-case basis all proposals seeking amendments to the articles of association. We vote for article amendments if:

 

•

shareholder rights are protected;

 

•

there is negligible or positive impact on shareholder value;

 

•

management provides adequate reasons for the amendments; and

 

•

the company is required to do so by law (if applicable).

 

(5)	Tender Offer Defenses

 

A.

Poison Pills

 

1.

We vote for shareholder proposals that ask a company to submit its poison pill for shareholder ratification.

 

2.

We vote on a case-by-case basis on shareholder proposals to redeem a company’s poison pill. Considerations include: when the plan was originally adopted; financial condition of the company; terms of the poison pill.

 

3.

We vote on a case-by-case basis on management proposals to ratify a poison pill. Considerations include: sunset provision—poison pill is submitted to shareholders for ratification or rejection every 2 to 3 years; shareholder redemption feature—10% of the shares may call a special meeting or seek a written consent to vote on rescinding the rights plan.

 

B.

Fair Price Provisions

 

1.

We vote for fair price proposals, as long as the shareholder vote requirement embedded in the provision is no more than a majority of disinterested shares.

 

2.

We vote for shareholder proposals to lower the shareholder vote requirement in existing fair price provisions.

 

C.

Greenmail

 

1.

We vote for proposals to adopt anti-greenmail charter or bylaw amendments or otherwise restrict a company’s ability to make greenmail payments.

 

2.

We vote on a case-by-case basis on anti-greenmail proposals when they are bundled with other charter or bylaw amendments.

 

D.

Unequal Voting Rights

 

1.

We vote against dual class exchange offers.

 

2.

We vote against dual class re-capitalization.

 

E.

Supermajority Shareholder Vote Requirement to Amend the Charter or Bylaws

 

1.

We vote against management proposals to require a supermajority shareholder vote to approve charter and bylaw amendments.

 

2.

We vote for shareholder proposals to lower supermajority shareholder vote requirements for charter and bylaw amendments.

 

F.

Supermajority Shareholder Vote Requirement to Approve Mergers

 

1.

We vote against management proposals to require a supermajority shareholder vote to approve mergers and other significant business combinations.

 

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2.

We vote for shareholder proposals to lower supermajority shareholder vote requirements for mergers and other significant business combinations.

 

G.

White Squire Placements

We vote for shareholder proposals to require approval of blank check preferred stock issues.

 

(6)	Miscellaneous Governance Provisions

 

A.

Confidential Voting

 

1.

We vote for shareholder proposals that request corporations to adopt confidential voting, use independent tabulators and use independent inspectors of election as long as the proposals include clauses for proxy contests as follows: in the case of a contested election, management is permitted to request that the dissident group honor its confidential voting policy. If the dissidents agree, the policy remains in place. If the dissidents do not agree, the confidential voting policy is waived.

 

2.

We vote for management proposals to adopt confidential voting subject to the proviso for contested elections set forth in sub-paragraph A.1 above.

 

B.

Equal Access

We vote for shareholder proposals that would allow significant company shareholders equal access to management’s proxy material in order to evaluate and propose voting recommendations on proxy proposals and director nominees, and in order to nominate their own candidates to the board.

 

C.

Bundled Proposals

We vote on a case-by-case basis on bundled or “conditioned” proxy proposals. In the case of items that are conditioned upon each other, we examine the benefits and costs of the packaged items. In instances when the joint effect of the conditioned items is not in shareholders’ best interests and therefore not in the best interests of the beneficial owners of accounts, we vote against the proposals. If the combined effect is positive, we support such proposals.

 

D.

Shareholder Advisory Committees

We vote on a case-by-case basis on proposals to establish a shareholder advisory committee. Considerations include: rationale and cost to the firm to form such a committee. We generally vote against such proposals if the board and key nominating committees are comprised solely of independent/outside directors.

 

E.

Other Business

We vote for proposals that seek to bring forth other business matters.

 

F.

Adjourn Meeting

We vote on a case-by-case basis on proposals that seek to adjourn a shareholder meeting in order to solicit additional votes.

 

G.

Lack of Information

We vote against proposals if a company fails to provide shareholders with adequate information upon which to base their voting decision.

 

(7)	Capital Structure

 

A.

A. Common Stock Authorization

 

1.

We vote on a case-by-case basis on proposals to increase the number of shares of common stock authorized for issue, except as described in paragraph 2 below.

 

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2.

Subject to paragraph 3, below we vote for the approval requesting increases in authorized shares if the company meets certain criteria:

 

a)

Company has already issued a certain percentage (i.e. greater than 50%) of the company’s allotment.

 

b)

The proposed increase is reasonable (i.e. less than 150% of current inventory) based on an analysis of the company’s historical stock management or future growth outlook of the company.

 

3.

We vote on a case-by-case basis, based on the input of affected portfolio managers, if holding is greater than 1% of an account.

 

B.

Stock Distributions: Splits and Dividends

We vote on a case-by-case basis on management proposals to increase common share authorization for a stock split, provided that the split does not result in an increase of authorized but unissued shares of more than 100% after giving effect to the shares needed for the split.

 

C.

Reverse Stock Splits

We vote for management proposals to implement a reverse stock split, provided that the reverse split does not result in an increase of authorized but unissued shares of more than 100% after giving effect to the shares needed for the reverse split.

 

D.

Blank Check Preferred Stock

 

1.

We vote against proposals to create, authorize or increase the number of shares with regard to blank check preferred stock with unspecified voting, conversion, dividend distribution and other rights.

 

2.

We vote for proposals to create “declawed” blank check preferred stock (stock that cannot be used as a takeover defense).

 

3.

We vote for proposals to authorize preferred stock in cases where the company specifies the voting, dividend, conversion, and other rights of such stock and the terms of the preferred stock appear reasonable.

 

4.

We vote for proposals requiring a shareholder vote for blank check preferred stock issues.

 

E.

Adjust Par Value of Common Stock

We vote for management proposals to reduce the par value of common stock.

 

F.

Preemptive Rights

 

1.

We vote on a case-by-case basis for shareholder proposals seeking to establish them and consider the following factors:

 

a)

Size of the Company.

 

b)

Characteristics of the size of the holding (holder owning more than 1% of the outstanding shares).

 

c)

Percentage of the rights offering (rule of thumb less than 5%).

 

2.

We vote on a case-by-case basis for shareholder proposals seeking the elimination of pre-emptive rights.

 

G.

Debt Restructuring

We vote on a case-by-case basis for proposals to increase common and/or preferred shares and to issue shares as part of a debt-restructuring plan. Generally, we approve proposals that facilitate debt restructuring.

 

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H.

Share Repurchase Programs

We vote for management proposals to institute open-market share repurchase plans in which all shareholders may participate on equal terms.

 

I.

Dual-Class Stock

We vote for proposals to create a new class of nonvoting or subvoting common stock if:

 

•

It is intended for financing purposes with minimal or no dilution to current shareholders

 

•

It is not designed to preserve the voting power of an insider or significant shareholder

 

J.

Issue Stock for Use with Rights Plan

We vote against proposals that increase authorized common stock for the explicit purpose of implementing a shareholder rights plan (poison pill).

 

K.

Debt Issuance Requests

When evaluating a debt issuance request, the issuing company’s present financial situation is examined. The main factor for analysis is the company’s current debt-to-equity ratio, or gearing level. A high gearing level may incline markets and financial analysts to downgrade the company’s bond rating, increasing its investment risk factor in the process. A gearing level up to 100 percent is considered acceptable.

We vote for debt issuances for companies when the gearing level is between zero and 100 percent.

We view on a case-by-case basis proposals where the issuance of debt will result in the gearing level being greater than 100 percent. Any proposed debt issuance is compared to industry and market standards.

 

L.

Financing Plans

We generally vote for the adopting of financing plans if we believe they are in the best economic interests of shareholders.

 

(8)	Executive and Director Compensation

In general, we vote for executive and director compensation plans, with the view that viable compensation programs reward the creation of stockholder wealth by having high payout sensitivity to increases in shareholder value. Certain factors, however, such as repricing underwater stock options without shareholder approval, would cause us to vote against a plan. Additionally, in some cases we would vote against a plan deemed unnecessary.

 

A.

OBRA-Related Compensation Proposals

 

1.

Amendments that Place a Cap on Annual Grant or Amend Administrative Features

We vote for plans that simply amend shareholder-approved plans to include administrative features or place a cap on the annual grants any one participant may receive to comply with the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

2.

Amendments to Added Performance-Based Goals

We vote for amendments to add performance goals to existing compensation plans to comply with the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

3.

Amendments to Increase Shares and Retain Tax Deductions Under OBRA

We vote for amendments to existing plans to increase shares reserved and to qualify the plan for favorable tax treatment under the provisions of Section 162(m) the Internal Revenue Code.

 

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4.

Approval of Cash or Cash-and-Stock Bonus Plans

We vote for cash or cash-and-stock bonus plans to exempt the compensation from taxes under the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

B.

Expensing of Options

We vote for proposals to expense stock options on financial statements.

 

C.

Index Stock Options

We vote on a case by case basis with respect to proposals seeking to index stock options. Considerations include whether the issuer expenses stock options on its financial statements and whether the issuer’s compensation committee is comprised solely of independent directors.

 

D.

Shareholder Proposals to Limit Executive and Director Pay

 

1.

We vote on a case-by-case basis on all shareholder proposals that seek additional disclosure of executive and director pay information. Considerations include: cost and form of disclosure. We vote for such proposals if additional disclosure is relevant to shareholder’s needs and would not put the company at a competitive disadvantage relative to its industry.

 

2.

We vote on a case-by-case basis on all other shareholder proposals that seek to limit executive and director pay.

We have a policy of voting to reasonably limit the level of options and other equity-based compensation arrangements available to management to reasonably limit shareholder dilution and management compensation. For options and equity-based compensation arrangements, we vote FOR proposals or amendments that would result in the available awards being less than 10% of fully diluted outstanding shares (i.e. if the combined total of shares, common share equivalents and options available to be awarded under all current and proposed compensation plans is less than 10% of fully diluted shares). In the event the available awards exceed the 10% threshold, we would also consider the % relative to the common practice of its specific industry (e.g. technology firms). Other considerations would include, without limitation, the following:

 

•

Compensation committee comprised of independent outside directors

 

•

Maximum award limits

 

•

Repricing without shareholder approval prohibited

 

E.

Golden Parachutes

 

1.

We vote for shareholder proposals to have golden parachutes submitted for shareholder ratification.

 

2.

We vote on a case-by-case basis on all proposals to ratify or cancel golden parachutes. Considerations include: the amount should not exceed 3 times average base salary plus guaranteed benefits; golden parachute should be less attractive than an ongoing employment opportunity with the firm.

 

F.

Golden Coffins

 

1.

We vote for shareholder proposals that request a company not to make any death benefit payments to senior executives’ estates or beneficiaries, or pay premiums in respect to any life insurance policy covering a senior executive’s life (“golden coffin”). We carve out benefits provided under a plan, policy or arrangement applicable to a broader group of employees, such as offering group universal life insurance.

 

2.

We vote for shareholder proposals that request shareholder approval of survivor benefits for future agreements that, following the death of a senior executive, would obligate the company to make payments or awards not earned.

 

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G.

Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs)

We vote for proposals that request shareholder approval in order to implement an ESOP or to increase authorized shares for existing ESOPs, except in cases when the number of shares allocated to the ESOP is “excessive” (i.e., generally greater than five percent of outstanding shares).

 

H.

401(k) Employee Benefit Plans

We vote for proposals to implement a 401(k) savings plan for employees.

 

I.

Stock Compensation Plans

 

1.

We vote for stock compensation plans which provide a dollar-for-dollar cash for stock exchange.

 

2.

We vote on a case-by-case basis for stock compensation plans which do not provide a dollar-for-dollar cash for stock exchange using a quantitative model.

 

J.

Directors Retirement Plans

 

1.

We vote against retirement plans for non-employee directors.

 

2.

We vote for shareholder proposals to eliminate retirement plans for non-employee directors.

 

K.

Management Proposals to Reprice Options

We vote on a case-by-case basis on management proposals seeking approval to reprice options. Considerations include the following:

 

•

Historic trading patterns

 

•

Rationale for the repricing

 

•

Value-for-value exchange

 

•

Option vesting

 

•

Term of the option

 

•

Exercise price

 

•

Participation

 

L.

Shareholder Proposals Recording Executive and Director Pay

 

1.

We vote against shareholder proposals seeking to set absolute levels on compensation or otherwise dictate the amount or form of compensation.

 

2.

We vote against shareholder proposals requiring director fees be paid in stock only.

 

3.

We vote for shareholder proposals to put option repricing to a shareholder vote.

 

4.

We vote for shareholder proposals that call for a non-binding advisory vote on executive pay (“say-on-pay”). Company boards would adopt a policy giving shareholders the opportunity at each annual meeting to vote on an advisory resolution to ratify the compensation of the named executive officers set forth in the proxy statement’s summary compensation table.

 

5.

We vote on a case-by-case basis for all other shareholder proposals regarding executive and director pay, taking unto account company performance, pay level versus peers, pay level versus industry, and long term corporate outlook.

 

(9)	State/Country of Incorporation

 

A.

Voting on State Takeover Statutes

 

1.

We vote for proposals to opt out of state freeze-out provisions.

 

2.

We vote for proposals to opt out of state disgorgement provisions.

 

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B.

Voting on Re-incorporation Proposals

We vote on a case-by-case basis on proposals to change a company’s state or country of incorporation. Considerations include: reasons for re-incorporation (i.e. financial, restructuring, etc); advantages/benefits for change (i.e. lower taxes); compare the differences in state/country laws governing the corporation.

 

C.

Control Share Acquisition Provisions

 

1.

We vote against proposals to amend the charter to include control share acquisition provisions.

 

2.

We vote for proposals to opt out of control share acquisition statutes unless doing so would enable the completion of a takeover that would be detrimental to shareholders.

 

3.

We vote for proposals to restore voting rights to the control shares.

 

4.

We vote for proposals to opt out of control share cashout statutes.

 

(10)	Mergers and Corporate Restructuring

 

A.

Mergers and Acquisitions

We vote on a case-by-case basis on mergers and acquisitions. Considerations include: benefits/ advantages of the combined companies (i.e. economies of scale, operating synergies, increase in market power/share, etc. .); offer price (premium or discount); change in the capital structure; impact on shareholder rights.

 

B.

Corporate Restructuring

We vote on a case-by-case basis on corporate restructuring proposals involving minority squeeze outs and leveraged buyouts. Considerations include: offer price, other alternatives/offers considered and review of fairness opinions.

 

C.

Spin-offs

We vote on a case-by-case basis on spin-offs. Considerations include the tax and regulatory advantages, planned use of sale proceeds, market focus, and managerial incentives.

 

D.

Asset Sales

We vote on a case-by-case basis on asset sales. Considerations include the impact on the balance sheet/ working capital, value received for the asset, and potential elimination of diseconomies.

 

E.

Liquidations

We vote on a case-by-case basis on liquidations after reviewing management’s efforts to pursue other alternatives, appraisal value of assets, and the compensation plan for executives managing the liquidation.

 

F.

Appraisal Rights

We vote for proposals to restore, or provide shareholders with, rights of appraisal.

 

G.

Changing Corporate Name

We vote for proposals to change the “corporate name”, unless the proposed name change bears a negative connotation.

 

H.

Conversion of Securities

We vote on a case-by-case basis on proposals regarding conversion of securities. Considerations include the dilution to existing shareholders, the conversion price relative to market value, financial issues, control issues, termination penalties, and conflicts of interest.

 

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I.

Stakeholder Provisions

We vote against proposals that ask the board to consider non-shareholder constituencies or other non-financial effects when evaluating a merger or business combination.

 

(11)	Social and Environmental Issues

 

A.

A. In general we vote on a case-by-case basis on shareholder social and environmental proposals, on the basis that their impact on share value can rarely be anticipated with any high degree of confidence. In most cases, however, we vote for disclosure reports that seek additional information, particularly when it appears the company has not adequately addressed shareholders’ social and environmental concerns. In determining our vote on shareholder social and environmental proposals, we also analyze the following factors:

 

1.

whether adoption of the proposal would have either a positive or negative impact on the company’s short-term or long-term share value;

 

2.

the percentage of sales, assets and earnings affected;

 

3.

the degree to which the company’s stated position on the issues could affect its reputation or sales, or leave it vulnerable to boycott or selective purchasing;

 

4.

whether the issues presented should be dealt with through government or company-specific action;

 

5.

whether the company has already responded in some appropriate manner to the request embodied in a proposal;

 

6.

whether the company’s analysis and voting recommendation to shareholders is persuasive;

 

7.

what other companies have done in response to the issue;

 

8.

whether the proposal itself is well framed and reasonable;

 

9.

whether implementation of the proposal would achieve the objectives sought in the proposal; and

 

10.

whether the subject of the proposal is best left to the discretion of the board.

 

B.

Among the social and environmental issues to which we apply this analysis are the following:

 

1.

Energy and Environment

 

2.

Equal Employment Opportunity and Discrimination

 

3.

Product Integrity and Marketing

 

4.

Human Resources Issues

 

(12)	Miscellaneous

 

A.

Charitable Contributions

We vote against proposals to eliminate, direct or otherwise restrict charitable contributions.

 

B.

Operational Items

 

1.

We vote against proposals to provide management with the authority to adjourn an annual or special meeting absent compelling reasons to support the proposal.

 

2.

We vote against proposals to reduce quorum requirements for shareholder meetings below a majority of the shares outstanding unless there are compelling reasons to support the proposal.

 

3.

We vote for by-law or charter changes that are of a housekeeping nature (updates or corrections).

 

4.

We vote for management proposals to change the date/time/location of the annual meeting unless the proposed change is unreasonable.

 

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5.

We vote against shareholder proposals to change the date/time/location of the annual meeting unless the current scheduling or location is unreasonable.

 

6.

We vote against proposals to approve other business when it appears as voting item.

 

C.

Routine Agenda Items

In some markets, shareholders are routinely asked to approve:

 

•

the opening of the shareholder meeting

 

•

that the meeting has been convened under local regulatory requirements

 

•

the presence of a quorum

 

•

the agenda for the shareholder meeting

 

•

the election of the chair of the meeting

 

•

regulatory filings

 

•

the allowance of questions

 

•

the publication of minutes

 

•

the closing of the shareholder meeting

We generally vote for these and similar routine management proposals.

 

D.

Allocation of Income and Dividends

We generally vote for management proposals concerning allocation of income and the distribution of dividends, unless the amount of the distribution is consistently and unusually small or large.

 

E.

Stock (Scrip) Dividend Alternatives

 

1.

We vote for most stock (scrip) dividend proposals.

 

2.

We vote against proposals that do not allow for a cash option unless management demonstrates that the cash option is harmful to shareholder value.

ClearBridge has determined that registered investment companies, particularly closed end investment companies, raise special policy issues making specific voting guidelines frequently inapplicable. To the extent that ClearBridge has proxy voting authority with respect to shares of registered investment companies, ClearBridge shall vote such shares in the best interest of client accounts and subject to the general fiduciary principles set forth herein without regard to the specific voting guidelines set forth in Section V. (1) through (12).

The voting policy guidelines set forth in Section V may be changed from time to time by ClearBridge in its sole discretion.

 

VI.	OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

In certain situations, ClearBridge may determine not to vote proxies on behalf of a client because ClearBridge believes that the expected benefit to the client of voting shares is outweighed by countervailing considerations. Examples of situations in which ClearBridge may determine not to vote proxies on behalf of a client include:

 

(1)	Share Blocking

Proxy voting in certain countries requires “share blocking.” This means that shareholders wishing to vote their proxies must deposit their shares shortly before the date of the meeting (e.g. one week) with a designated depositary. During the blocking period, shares that will be voted at the meeting cannot be sold until the meeting has taken place and the shares have been returned to client accounts by the designated depositary. In deciding whether to vote shares subject to share blocking, ClearBridge will consider and weigh, based on the particular facts and circumstances, the expected benefit to clients of voting in relation to the detriment to clients of not being able to sell such shares during the applicable period.

 

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(2)	Securities on Loan

Certain clients of ClearBridge, such as an institutional client or a mutual fund for which ClearBridge acts as a sub-adviser, may engage in securities lending with respect to the securities in their accounts. ClearBridge typically does not direct or oversee such securities lending activities. To the extent feasible and practical under the circumstances, ClearBridge will request that the client recall shares that are on loan so that such shares can be voted if ClearBridge believes that the expected benefit to the client of voting such shares outweighs the detriment to the client of recalling such shares (e.g., foregone income). The ability to timely recall shares for proxy voting purposes typically is not entirely within the control of ClearBridge and requires the cooperation of the client and its other service providers. Under certain circumstances, the recall of shares in time for such shares to be voted may not be possible due to applicable proxy voting record dates and administrative considerations.

 

VII.	DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING

ClearBridge employees may not disclose to others outside of ClearBridge (including employees of other Legg Mason business units) how ClearBridge intends to vote a proxy absent prior approval from ClearBridge’s General Counsel/Chief Compliance Officer, except that a ClearBridge investment professional may disclose to a third party (other than an employee of another Legg Mason business unit) how s/he intends to vote without obtaining prior approval from ClearBridge’s General Counsel/Chief Compliance Officer if (1) the disclosure is intended to facilitate a discussion of publicly available information by ClearBridge personnel with a representative of a company whose securities are the subject of the proxy, (2) the company’s market capitalization exceeds $1 billion and (3) ClearBridge has voting power with respect to less than 5% of the outstanding common stock of the company.

If a ClearBridge employee receives a request to disclose ClearBridge’s proxy voting intentions to, or is otherwise contacted by, another person outside of ClearBridge (including an employee of another Legg Mason business unit) in connection with an upcoming proxy voting matter, he/she should immediately notify ClearBridge’s General Counsel/Chief Compliance Officer.

If a portfolio manager wants to take a public stance with regards to a proxy, s/he must consult with ClearBridge’s General Counsel/Chief Compliance Officer before making or issuing a public statement.

ClearBridge shall maintain the following records relating to proxy voting:

 

–

a copy of these policies and procedures;

–

a copy of each proxy form (as voted);

–

a copy of each proxy solicitation (including proxy statements) and related materials with regard to each vote;

–

documentation relating to the identification and resolution of conflicts of interest;

–

any documents created by ClearBridge that were material to a proxy voting decision or that memorialized the basis for that decision; and

–

a copy of each written client request for information on how ClearBridge voted proxies on behalf of the client, and a copy of any written response by ClearBridge to any (written or oral) client request for information on how ClearBridge voted proxies on behalf of the requesting client.

Such records shall be maintained and preserved in an easily accessible place for a period of not less than six years from the end of the fiscal year during which the last entry was made on such record, the first two years in an appropriate office of the ClearBridge adviser.

To the extent that ClearBridge is authorized to vote proxies for a United States Registered Investment Company, ClearBridge shall maintain such records as are necessary to allow such fund to comply with its recordkeeping, reporting and disclosure obligations under applicable laws, rules and regulations.

In lieu of keeping copies of proxy statements, ClearBridge may rely on proxy statements filed on the EDGAR system as well as on third party records of proxy statements and votes cast if the third party provides an undertaking to provide the documents promptly upon request.

 

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PART C

OTHER INFORMATION

Item 25. Financial Statements and Exhibits

 

(1)		Financial Statements
		Part A		None
		Part B		Financial Statements(2)
(2)		Exhibits
		(a)		Articles of Incorporation, dated April 5, 2011(3)
		(b)		By-Laws(3)
		(c)		Not Applicable
		(d)		Articles V and VIII of Registrant’s Articles of Incorporation are incorporated herein by reference.
		(e)		Form of Dividend Reinvestment Plan(2)
		(f)		Not Applicable
		(g) (1)		Form of Investment Management Agreement(2)
		(g) (2)		Form of Sub-advisory Agreement(2)
		(h) (1)		Form of Underwriters Agreement(2)
		(h) (2)		Form of Master Agreement Among Underwriters(2)
		(h) (3)		Form of Standard Dealer Agreement(2)
		(i)		Not Applicable
		(j)		Form of Custodian Services Agreement with State Street Bank and Trust Company(2)
		(k)		Form of Transfer Agency and Services Agreement with American Stock Transfer & Trust Company LLC(2)
		(l) (1)		Opinion and Consent of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP(2)
		(l) (2)		Opinion and Consent of DLA Piper US LLP(2)
		(m)		Not Applicable
		(n)		Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm(2)
		(o)		Not Applicable
		(p)		Subscription Agreement(2)
		(q)		Not Applicable
		(r)		Code of Ethics of the Fund and LMPFA(2)
		(s)		Power of Attorney(1)

 

(1)	Filed herewith.

(2)	To be filed by amendment.

(3)	Filed on April 6, 2011 with Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333-173328 and 811-22546) and incorporated by reference herein.

 

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Item 26. Marketing Arrangements

None.

Item 27. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

The following table sets forth the estimated expenses to be incurred in connection with the offering described in this Registration Statement:

 

SEC registration fees		$		*
Listing fees				*
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority fees				*
Printing and engraving expenses				*
Accounting fees and expenses				*
Legal fees and expenses				*
Total		$		*

Item 28. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with Registrant

None.

Item 29. Number of Holders of Securities

 

Title of Class		Number of Record Holders
Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share			None

Item 30. Indemnification

Sections 1-3 of Article VII of the Registrant’s Articles of Incorporation, filed as Exhibit (a) to this Registration Statement, provide that:

To the maximum extent permitted by Maryland statutory or decisional law, as amended or interpreted, no current or former director or officer of the Registrant shall have any liability to the Registrant or its stockholders for money damages. This limitation on liability applies to events occurring at the time a person serves as a director or officer of the Registrant whether or not such person is a director or officer at the time of any proceeding in which liability is asserted.

The Registrant shall indemnify and advance expenses to its currently acting and its former directors to the fullest extent that indemnification of directors is permitted by Maryland law. The Registrant shall indemnify and advance expenses to its officers to the same extent as its directors and may do so to such further extent as is consistent with law. The foregoing rights of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification may be entitled. The Board may take such action as is necessary to carry out these indemnification provisions and is expressly empowered to adopt, approve and amend from time to time such By-Laws, resolutions or contracts implementing such provisions or such further indemnification arrangements as may be permitted by law. This indemnification applies to events occurring at the time a person serves as a director or officer of the Registrant whether or not such person is a director or officer at the time of any proceeding in which liability is asserted.

No provision of the Registrant’s Articles of Incorporation shall be effective to protect or purport to protect any director or officer of the Registrant against any liability to the Registrant or its security holders to which he would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office.

Item 31. Business and Other Connections of Adviser

The descriptions of LMPFA and ClearBridge under the caption “Management of the Fund” in the Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information of this registration statement are incorporated by reference herein. Information as to the directors and officers of LMPFA and ClearBridge, together with information as to

 

C-2

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any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature engaged in by the directors and officers of LMPFA and ClearBridge in the last two years, is included in their respective applications for registration as an investment adviser on Form ADV (File Nos. 801-66785, 801-64710, respectively) filed under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 32. Location of Accounts and Records

The accounts and records of the Registrant are maintained at the office of the Registrant at 55 Water Street, New York, New York 10041.

Item 33. Management Services

Not applicable.

Item 34. Undertakings

(1) Registrant undertakes to suspend the offering of shares until the prospectus is amended, if subsequent to the effective date of this registration statement, its net asset value declines more than ten percent from its net asset value as of the effective date of the registration statement or its net asset value increases to an amount greater than its net proceeds as stated in the prospectus.

(2) Not applicable.

(3) Not applicable.

(4) Not applicable.

(5) Registrant undertakes that, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of the Registration Statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in the form of prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant Rule 497(h) shall be deemed to be a part of the Registration Statement as of the time it was declared effective.

Registrant undertakes that, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus will be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of the securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(6) Registrant undertakes to send by first class mail or other means designed to ensure equally prompt delivery within two business days of receipt of a written or oral request, any Statement of Additional Information.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”) and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this Amendment to the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York, State of New York on the 16^th day of May 2011.

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the 1933 Act, this Amendment to the Registration Statement has been signed by the following person in the capacity and on the date indicated.

 

Signature		Title		Date
/s/    R. Jay Gerken         R. Jay Gerken		Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President and Director (Principal Executive Officer)		May 16, 2011
/s/    Kaprel Ozsolak         Kaprel Ozsolak		Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)		May 16, 2011
/s/    Carol L. Colman*         Carol L. Colman		Director		May 16, 2011
/s/    Daniel P. Cronin*         Daniel P. Cronin		Director		May 16, 2011
/s/    Paolo M. Cucchi*         Paolo M. Cucchi		Director		May 16, 2011
/s/    Leslie H. Gelb*         Leslie H. Gelb		Director		May 16, 2011
/s/    William R. Hutchinson*         William R. Hutchinson		Director		May 16, 2011
/s/    Dr. Riordan Roett*         Dr. Riordan Roett		Director		May 16, 2011
/s/    Jeswald W. Salacuse*         Jeswald W. Salacuse		Director		May 16, 2011

By:		/s/ R. Jay Gerken
		R. Jay Gerken
		As Agent or Attorney-in-fact
		May 16, 2011

The original power of attorney authorizing R. Jay Gerken, Kaprel Ozsolak, Robert I. Frenkel and William J. Renahan to execute this Registration Statement, and any amendments thereto, for the directors of the Registrant on whose behalf this Registration Statement is filed have been executed and are filed herewith as Exhibit (s).

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Schedule of Exhibits to Form N-2

 

Exhibit No.		Exhibit
(s)		Power of Attorney