UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-CSR
CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED
MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES
Investment Company Act file number
811-22294
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
620 Eighth Avenue, 47th Floor, New York, NY 10018
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
Marc A. De Oliveira
Franklin Templeton
100 First Stamford Place
Stamford, CT 06902
(Name and address of agent for service)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:
1-888-777-0102
Date of fiscal year end: November 30
Date of reporting period: May 31, 2024
| ITEM 1. | REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS. |
The Semi-Annual Report to Stockholders is filed herewith.
Semi-Annual ReportMay 31, 2024
WESTERN ASSET
INVESTMENT GRADE
DEFINED OPPORTUNITY
TRUST INC. (IGI)
Fund objectives
The Fund’s primary investment objective is to provide current income and then to liquidate and distribute substantially all of the Fund’s net assets to stockholders on or about December 2, 2024. As a secondary investment objective, the Fund will seek capital appreciation. There can be no assurance the Fund will achieve its investment objectives.
The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objectives by investing, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its net assets in investment grade corporate fixed income securities of varying maturities.
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc.
Dear Shareholder,
We are pleased to provide the semi-annual report of Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. for the six-month reporting period ended May 31, 2024. Please read on for Fund performance information during the Fund’s reporting period.
Special shareholder notice
Effective March 1, 2024, the named portfolio management team responsible for the day-to-day oversight of the Fund became as follows: Michael Buchanan, Daniel Alexander, Ryan Brist, Kurt Halvorson, Blanton Keh and Molly Schwartz.
During a Special Meeting of Stockholders held on June 7, 2024, stockholders approved the proposal to convert the Fund to a perpetual fund by eliminating the Fund’s term, which was scheduled to end at the close of business on December 2, 2024, and eliminating the Fund’s fundamental policy to liquidate on or about December 2, 2024.
As a result of the proposal’s approval, the following will occur:
•
The Fund will conduct a tender offer beginning in September 2024 for up to 100% of the Fund’s Common Stock at a price per share equal to net asset value (“Tender Offer”);
•
If the Fund maintains at least $50 million of net assets following the Tender Offer, the Fund will change its name from “Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc.” to “Western Asset Investment Grade Opportunity Trust Inc.” The Fund’s ticker symbol will remain “IGI”. The Fund’s CUSIP, 95790A101, will not change. If less than $50 million of net assets remain in the Fund following the Tender Offer, the Tender Offer will be cancelled and the Fund will proceed to liquidate on or about December 2, 2024, without further action by stockholders; and
•
The Fund’s investment manager has agreed to waive 10 basis points of its annual management fee (the “Fee Waiver”) for a period of two years following the proposal’s approval. The Fee Waiver will terminate on June 7, 2026.
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc.
Letter from the chairman (cont’d)
As always, we remain committed to providing you with excellent service and a full spectrum of investment choices. We also remain committed to supplementing the support you receive from your financial advisor. One way we accomplish this is through our website, www.franklintempleton.com. Here you can gain immediate access to market and investment information, including:
•
Fund prices and performance,
•
Market insights and commentaries from our portfolio managers, and
•
A host of educational resources.
We look forward to helping you meet your financial goals.
Jane Trust, CFA
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc.
For the six months ended May 31, 2024, Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. returned 3.87% based on its net asset value (NAV)i and 5.59% based on its New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) market price per share. The Fund’s unmanaged benchmark, the Bloomberg U.S. Credit Indexii, returned 3.03% for the same period.
The Fund has a practice of seeking to maintain a relatively stable level of distributions to shareholders. This practice has no impact on the Fund’s investment strategy and may reduce the Fund’s NAV. The Fund’s manager believes the practice helps maintain the Fund’s competitiveness and may benefit the Fund’s market price and premium/discount to the Fund’s NAV.
During the six-month period, the Fund made distributions to shareholders totaling $0.42 per share. As of May 31, 2024, the Fund estimates that all of the distributions were sourced from net investment income.* The performance table shows the Fund’s six-month total return based on its NAV and market price as of May 31, 2024. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
Performance Snapshot as of May 31, 2024 (unaudited) |
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All figures represent past performance and are not a guarantee of future results. Performance figures for periods shorter than one year represent cumulative figures and are not annualized.
** Total returns are based on changes in NAV or market price, respectively. Returns reflect the deduction of all Fund expenses, including management fees, operating expenses, and other Fund expenses. Returns do not reflect the deduction of brokerage commissions or taxes that investors may pay on distributions or the sale of shares.
† Total return assumes the reinvestment of all distributions, including returns of capital, if any, at NAV.
‡ Total return assumes the reinvestment of all distributions, including returns of capital, if any, in additional shares in accordance with the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan.
Looking for additional information?
The Fund is traded under the symbol “IGI” and its closing market price is available in most newspapers under the NYSE listings. The daily NAV is available online under the symbol “XIGIX” on most financial websites. Barron’s and The Wall Street Journal’s Monday edition both carry closed-end fund tables that provide additional information. In addition, the Fund
*
These estimates are not for tax purposes. The Fund will issue a Form 1099 with final composition of the distributions for tax purposes after year-end. A return of capital is not taxable and results in a reduction in the tax basis of a shareholder’s investment. For more information about a distribution’s composition, please refer to the Fund’s distribution press release or, if applicable, the Section 19 notice located in the press release section of our website, www.franklintempleton.com.
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc.
Performance review (cont’d)
issues a quarterly press release that can be found on most major financial websites as well as www.fraklintempleton.com.
In a continuing effort to provide information concerning the Fund, shareholders may call 1-888-777-0102 (toll free), Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time, for the Fund’s current NAV, market price and other information.
Thank you for your investment in the Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. As always, we appreciate that you have chosen us to manage your assets and we remain focused on achieving the Fund’s investment goals.
Sincerely, Jane Trust, CFA
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
RISKS: The Fund is a non-diversified, limited term, 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 objectives. The Fund’s common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange. Similar to stocks, the Fund’s share price will fluctuate with market conditions and, at the time of sale, may be worth more or less than the original investment. Shares of closed-end funds often trade at a discount to their net asset value. Because the Fund is non-diversified, it may be more susceptible to economic, political or regulatory events than a diversified fund. The Fund’s investments are subject to a number of risks, including credit risk, inflation risk and interest rate risk. As interest rates rise, bond prices fall, reducing the value of the Fund’s holdings. The Fund may invest in lower-rated high-yield bonds or “junk bonds”, which are subject to greater liquidity and credit risk (risk of default) than higher-rated obligations. The Fund may use derivatives, such as options and futures, which can be illiquid, may disproportionately increase losses and have a potentially large impact on Fund performance. The Fund may invest in securities or engage in transactions that have the economic effects of leverage which can increase the risk and volatility of the Fund. The market values of securities or other assets will fluctuate, sometimes sharply and unpredictably, due to changes in general market conditions, overall economic trends or events, governmental actions or intervention, actions taken by the U.S. Federal Reserve or foreign central banks, market disruptions caused by trade disputes or other factors, political developments, armed conflicts, economic sanctions and countermeasures in response to sanctions, major cybersecurity events, investor sentiment, the global and domestic effects of a pandemic, and other factors that may or may not be related to the issuer of the security or other
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc.
asset. The Fund may also invest in money market funds, including funds affiliated with the Fund’s manager and subadvisers.
All investments are subject to risk including the possible loss of principal. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. All index performance reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes. Please note that an investor cannot invest directly in an index.
i
Net asset value (NAV) is calculated by subtracting total liabilities, including liabilities associated with financial leverage (if any), from the closing value of all securities held by the Fund (plus all other assets) and dividing the result (total net assets) by the total number of the common shares outstanding. The NAV fluctuates with changes in the market prices of securities in which the Fund has invested. However, the price at which an investor may buy or sell shares of the Fund is the Fund’s market price as determined by supply of and demand for the Fund’s shares.
ii
The Bloomberg U.S. Credit Index is an index composed of corporate and non-corporate debt issues that are investment grade (rated Baa3/BBB or higher).
Important data provider notices and terms available at www.franklintempletondatasources.com.
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc.
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Fund at a glance† (unaudited)
Investment breakdown (%) as a percent of total investments
†
The bar graph above represents the composition of the Fund’s investments as of May 31, 2024 and November 30, 2023 and does not include derivatives, such as futures contracts, forward foreign currency contracts and swap contracts. The Fund is actively managed. As a result, the composition of the Fund’s investments is subject to change at any time.
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. 2024 Semi-Annual Report
Schedule of investments (unaudited)May 31, 2024 Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc.
(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)
| | | | | |
Corporate Bonds & Notes — 94.9% |
Communication Services — 10.4% |
Diversified Telecommunication Services — 3.0% |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
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| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
British Telecommunications PLC, Senior Notes | | | | |
Telefonica Emisiones SA, Senior Notes | | | | |
Telefonica Europe BV, Senior Notes | | | | |
Verizon Communications Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Verizon Communications Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Verizon Communications Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Total Diversified Telecommunication Services | |
|
Walt Disney Co., Senior Notes | | | | |
Warnermedia Holdings Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
| |
|
CCO Holdings LLC/CCO Holdings Capital Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
Charter Communications Operating LLC/Charter Communications Operating Capital Corp., Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Charter Communications Operating LLC/Charter Communications Operating Capital Corp., Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Charter Communications Operating LLC/Charter Communications Operating Capital Corp., Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Charter Communications Operating LLC/Charter Communications Operating Capital Corp., Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Charter Communications Operating LLC/Charter Communications Operating Capital Corp., Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. 2024 Semi-Annual Report
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc.
(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)
| | | | | |
|
Charter Communications Operating LLC/Charter Communications Operating Capital Corp., Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Charter Communications Operating LLC/Charter Communications Operating Capital Corp., Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Charter Communications Operating LLC/Charter Communications Operating Capital Corp., Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Comcast Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
DISH DBS Corp., Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
| | | | |
Paramount Global, Senior Notes | | | | |
Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC, Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Time Warner Cable LLC, Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Time Warner Cable LLC, Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Time Warner Cable LLC, Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Time Warner Cable LLC, Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
| |
Wireless Telecommunication Services — 0.9% |
| | | | |
T-Mobile USA Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
T-Mobile USA Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
T-Mobile USA Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
T-Mobile USA Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Vodafone Group PLC, Senior Notes | | | | |
Vodafone Group PLC, Senior Notes | | | | |
Total Wireless Telecommunication Services | |
|
Total Communication Services | |
Consumer Discretionary — 6.3% |
Automobile Components — 0.8% |
ZF North America Capital Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
ZF North America Capital Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Total Automobile Components | |
|
Ford Motor Co., Senior Notes | | | | |
Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC, Senior Notes | | | | |
General Motors Co., Senior Notes | | | | |
General Motors Co., Senior Notes | | | | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. 2024 Semi-Annual Report
Schedule of investments (unaudited) (cont’d)May 31, 2024 Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc.
(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)
| | | | | |
|
|
General Motors Co., Senior Notes | | | | |
Hyundai Capital America, Senior Notes | | | | |
Volkswagen Group of America Finance LLC, Senior Notes | | | | |
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Amazon.com Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Amazon.com Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
| |
Diversified Consumer Services — 0.2% |
California Institute of Technology, Senior Notes | | | | |
Washington University, Senior Notes | | | | |
Washington University, Senior Notes | | | | |
Total Diversified Consumer Services | |
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 2.1% |
Genting New York LLC/GENNY Capital Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
McDonald’s Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
McDonald’s Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
Melco Resorts Finance Ltd., Senior Notes | | | | |
Melco Resorts Finance Ltd., Senior Notes | | | | |
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., Senior Notes | | | | |
Sands China Ltd., Senior Notes | | | | |
Sands China Ltd., Senior Notes | | | | |
Sands China Ltd., Senior Notes | | | | |
Wynn Macau Ltd., Senior Notes | | | | |
Total Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure | |
Household Durables — 0.4% |
Lennar Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
MDC Holdings Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
MDC Holdings Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
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Home Depot Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Home Depot Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Home Depot Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. 2024 Semi-Annual Report
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc.
(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)
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Specialty Retail — continued |
Lithia Motors Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Lowe’s Cos. Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
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Total Consumer Discretionary | |
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Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Coca-Cola Co., Senior Notes | | | | |
Coca-Cola Co., Senior Notes | | | | |
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J M Smucker Co., Senior Notes | | | | |
Kraft Heinz Foods Co., Senior Notes | | | | |
| | | | |
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Altria Group Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Altria Group Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Altria Group Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Imperial Brands Finance PLC, Senior Notes | | | | |
Reynolds American Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Reynolds American Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
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Energy Equipment & Services — 0.5% |
Halliburton Co., Senior Notes | | | | |
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 13.1% |
Apache Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
Apache Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
Apache Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
Cameron LNG LLC, Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Cameron LNG LLC, Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Cheniere Energy Partners LP, Senior Notes | | | | |
Chesapeake Energy Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
Columbia Pipelines Operating Co. LLC, Senior Notes | | | | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. 2024 Semi-Annual Report
Schedule of investments (unaudited) (cont’d)May 31, 2024 Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc.
(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)
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Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — continued |
Columbia Pipelines Operating Co. LLC, Senior Notes | | | | |
ConocoPhillips, Senior Notes | | | | |
Continental Resources Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Continental Resources Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Continental Resources Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Continental Resources Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Devon Energy Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
Devon Energy Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
Devon Energy Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
Devon Energy Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
Diamondback Energy Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Ecopetrol SA, Senior Notes | | | | |
Ecopetrol SA, Senior Notes | | | | |
Energy Transfer LP, Junior Subordinated Notes (6.750% to 5/15/25 then 5 year Treasury Constant Maturity Rate + 5.134%) | | | | |
Energy Transfer LP, Junior Subordinated Notes (7.125% to 5/15/30 then 5 year Treasury Constant Maturity Rate + 5.306%) | | | | |
Energy Transfer LP, Senior Notes | | | | |
Energy Transfer LP, Senior Notes | | | | |
Energy Transfer LP, Senior Notes | | | | |
Energy Transfer LP, Senior Notes | | | | |
Energy Transfer LP, Senior Notes | | | | |
Enterprise Products Operating LLC, Senior Notes | | | | |
Enterprise Products Operating LLC, Senior Notes | | | | |
Enterprise Products Operating LLC, Senior Notes | | | | |
Enterprise Products Operating LLC, Senior Notes (5.375% to 2/15/28 then 3 mo. Term SOFR + 2.832%) | | | | |
EOG Resources Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Exxon Mobil Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
KazMunayGas National Co. JSC, Senior Notes | | | | |
Kinder Morgan Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
| | | | |
Occidental Petroleum Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
Occidental Petroleum Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. 2024 Semi-Annual Report
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc.
(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)
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|
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — continued |
Parsley Energy LLC/Parsley Finance Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
Petrobras Global Finance BV, Senior Notes | | | | |
Petrobras Global Finance BV, Senior Notes | | | | |
Southern Natural Gas Co. LLC, Senior Notes | | | | |
Southwestern Energy Co., Senior Notes | | | | |
Targa Resources Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
Targa Resources Partners LP/Targa Resources Partners Finance Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Co. LLC, Senior Notes | | | | |
Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Co. LLC, Senior Notes | | | | |
Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Co. LLC, Senior Notes | | | | |
Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Co. LLC, Senior Notes | | | | |
Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Co. LLC, Senior Notes | | | | |
Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Co. LLC, Senior Notes | | | | |
Western Midstream Operating LP, Senior Notes | | | | |
Western Midstream Operating LP, Senior Notes | | | | |
Western Midstream Operating LP, Senior Notes | | | | |
Western Midstream Operating LP, Senior Notes | | | | |
Western Midstream Operating LP, Senior Notes | | | | |
Williams Cos. Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Williams Cos. Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Williams Cos. Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Williams Cos. Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Total Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels | |
|
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Banco Mercantil del Norte SA, Junior Subordinated Notes (7.500% to 6/27/29 then 10 year Treasury Constant Maturity Rate + 5.470%) | | | | |
Banco Mercantil del Norte SA, Junior Subordinated Notes (7.625% to 1/10/28 then 10 year Treasury Constant Maturity Rate + 5.353%) | | | | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. 2024 Semi-Annual Report
Schedule of investments (unaudited) (cont’d)May 31, 2024 Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc.
(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)
| | | | | |
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Banco Mercantil del Norte SA, Junior Subordinated Notes (8.375% to 10/14/30 then 10 year Treasury Constant Maturity Rate + 7.760%) | | | | |
Bank of America Corp., Junior Subordinated Notes (6.100% to 3/17/25 then 3 mo. Term SOFR + 4.160%) | | | | |
Bank of America Corp., Junior Subordinated Notes (6.250% to 9/5/24 then 3 mo. Term SOFR + 3.967%) | | | | |
Bank of America Corp., Junior Subordinated Notes (6.500% to 10/23/24 then 3 mo. Term SOFR + 4.436%) | | | | |
Bank of America Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
Bank of America Corp., Senior Notes (4.083% to 3/20/50 then 3 mo. Term SOFR + 3.412%) | | | | |
Bank of America Corp., Senior Notes (4.271% to 7/23/28 then 3 mo. Term SOFR + 1.572%) | | | | |
Bank of America Corp., Subordinated Notes | | | | |
Bank of Nova Scotia, Junior Subordinated Notes (8.000% to 1/27/29 then 5 year Treasury Constant Maturity Rate + 4.017%) | | | | |
Bank of Nova Scotia, Subordinated Notes (4.588% to 5/4/32 then 5 year Treasury Constant Maturity Rate + 2.050%) | | | | |
Barclays PLC, Junior Subordinated Notes (6.125% to 6/15/26 then 5 year Treasury Constant Maturity Rate + 5.867%) | | | | |
Barclays PLC, Subordinated Notes (5.088% to 6/20/29 then 3 mo. USD LIBOR + 3.054%) | | | | |
BNP Paribas SA, Junior Subordinated Notes (7.375% to 8/19/25 then USD 5 year ICE Swap Rate + 5.150%) | | | | |
BNP Paribas SA, Junior Subordinated Notes (8.500% to 8/14/28 then 5 year Treasury Constant Maturity Rate + 4.354%) | | | | |
BPCE SA, Senior Notes (5.936% to 5/30/34 then SOFR + 1.850%) | | | | |
BPCE SA, Senior Notes (6.714% to 10/19/28 then SOFR + 2.270%) | | | | |
Citigroup Inc., Junior Subordinated Notes (3 mo. Term SOFR + 3.685%) | | | | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. 2024 Semi-Annual Report
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc.
(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)
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|
Citigroup Inc., Junior Subordinated Notes (6.250% to 8/15/26 then 3 mo. Term SOFR + 4.779%) | | | | |
Citigroup Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Citigroup Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Citigroup Inc., Senior Notes (3.785% to 3/17/32 then SOFR + 1.939%) | | | | |
Citigroup Inc., Subordinated Notes | | | | |
Citigroup Inc., Subordinated Notes | | | | |
Citigroup Inc., Subordinated Notes | | | | |
Citigroup Inc., Subordinated Notes (6.174% to 5/25/33 then SOFR + 2.661%) | | | | |
Cooperatieve Rabobank UA, Senior Notes | | | | |
Credit Agricole SA, Junior Subordinated Notes (8.125% to 12/23/25 then USD 5 year ICE Swap Rate + 6.185%) | | | | |
Credit Agricole SA, Senior Notes (6.316% to 10/3/28 then SOFR + 1.860%) | | | | |
HSBC Holdings PLC, Junior Subordinated Notes (6.375% to 9/17/24 then USD 5 year ICE Swap Rate + 3.705%) | | | | |
HSBC Holdings PLC, Junior Subordinated Notes (6.500% to 3/23/28 then USD 5 year ICE Swap Rate + 3.606%) | | | | |
HSBC Holdings PLC, Senior Notes | | | | |
HSBC Holdings PLC, Senior Notes (5.546% to 3/4/29 then SOFR + 1.460%) | | | | |
HSBC Holdings PLC, Senior Notes (6.254% to 3/9/33 then SOFR + 2.390%) | | | | |
Intesa Sanpaolo SpA, Senior Notes | | | | |
Intesa Sanpaolo SpA, Senior Notes | | | | |
Intesa Sanpaolo SpA, Senior Notes (7.778% to 6/20/53 then 1 year Treasury Constant Maturity Rate + 3.900%) | | | | |
Intesa Sanpaolo SpA, Subordinated Notes (4.198% to 6/1/31 then 1 year Treasury Constant Maturity Rate + 2.600%) | | | | |
Intesa Sanpaolo SpA, Subordinated Notes (4.950% to 6/1/41 then 1 year Treasury Constant Maturity Rate + 2.750%) | | | | |
JPMorgan Chase & Co., Senior Notes | | | | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. 2024 Semi-Annual Report
Schedule of investments (unaudited) (cont’d)May 31, 2024 Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc.
(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)
| | | | | |
|
|
JPMorgan Chase & Co., Subordinated Notes | | | | |
Lloyds Banking Group PLC, Junior Subordinated Notes (6.750% to 6/27/26 then 5 year Treasury Constant Maturity Rate + 4.815%) | | | | |
Lloyds Banking Group PLC, Junior Subordinated Notes (7.500% to 6/27/24 then USD 5 year ICE Swap Rate + 4.760%) | | | | |
Lloyds Banking Group PLC, Junior Subordinated Notes (7.500% to 9/27/25 then USD 5 year ICE Swap Rate + 4.496%) | | | | |
Lloyds Banking Group PLC, Junior Subordinated Notes (8.000% to 3/27/30 then 5 year Treasury Constant Maturity Rate + 3.913%) | | | | |
PNC Bank NA, Subordinated Notes | | | | |
Swedbank AB, Senior Notes | | | | |
Truist Financial Corp., Senior Notes (5.867% to 6/8/33 then SOFR + 2.361%) | | | | |
Truist Financial Corp., Senior Notes (7.161% to 10/30/28 then SOFR + 2.446%) | | | | |
UniCredit SpA, Subordinated Notes (7.296% to 4/2/29 then USD 5 year ICE Swap Rate + 4.914%) | | | | |
US Bancorp, Senior Notes (5.836% to 6/10/33 then SOFR + 2.260%) | | | | |
Wells Fargo & Co., Senior Notes (4.611% to 4/25/52 then SOFR + 2.130%) | | | | |
Wells Fargo & Co., Senior Notes (5.013% to 4/4/50 then 3 mo. Term SOFR + 4.502%) | | | | |
Wells Fargo & Co., Senior Notes (5.557% to 7/25/33 then SOFR + 1.990%) | | | | |
Wells Fargo & Co., Subordinated Notes | | | | |
Wells Fargo & Co., Subordinated Notes | | | | |
Westpac Banking Corp., Subordinated Notes | | | | |
| |
|
Charles Schwab Corp., Junior Subordinated Notes (4.000% to 12/1/30 then 10 year Treasury Constant Maturity Rate + 3.079%) | | | | |
Charles Schwab Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
Charles Schwab Corp., Senior Notes (5.853% to 5/19/33 then SOFR + 2.500%) | | | | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. 2024 Semi-Annual Report
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc.
(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)
| | | | | |
|
Capital Markets — continued |
Charles Schwab Corp., Senior Notes (6.136% to 8/24/33 then SOFR + 2.010%) | | | | |
CI Financial Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
CI Financial Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
CME Group Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Credit Suisse AG AT1 Claim | | | | |
Credit Suisse USA LLC, Senior Notes | | | | |
Goldman Sachs Group Inc., Junior Subordinated Notes (7.500% to 2/10/29 then 5 year Treasury Constant Maturity Rate + 3.156%) | | | | |
Goldman Sachs Group Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Goldman Sachs Group Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Goldman Sachs Group Inc., Senior Notes (3.615% to 3/15/27 then SOFR + 1.846%) | | | | |
Goldman Sachs Group Inc., Subordinated Notes | | | | |
Intercontinental Exchange Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Intercontinental Exchange Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
KKR Group Finance Co. III LLC, Senior Notes | | | | |
KKR Group Finance Co. VI LLC, Senior Notes | | | | |
KKR Group Finance Co. X LLC, Senior Notes | | | | |
Morgan Stanley, Senior Notes | | | | |
Morgan Stanley, Senior Notes (1.928% to 4/28/31 then SOFR + 1.020%) | | | | |
Morgan Stanley, Subordinated Notes | | | | |
Morgan Stanley, Subordinated Notes (5.297% to 4/20/32 then SOFR + 2.620%) | | | | |
Morgan Stanley, Subordinated Notes (5.948% to 1/19/33 then 5 year Treasury Constant Maturity Rate + 2.430%) | | | | |
Raymond James Financial Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Raymond James Financial Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
S&P Global Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
State Street Corp., Junior Subordinated Notes (6.700% to 3/15/29 then 5 year Treasury Constant Maturity Rate + 2.613%) | | | | |
UBS Group AG, Junior Subordinated Notes (7.750% to 4/12/31 then USD 5 year SOFR ICE Swap Rate + 4.160%) | | | | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. 2024 Semi-Annual Report
Schedule of investments (unaudited) (cont’d)May 31, 2024 Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc.
(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)
| | | | | |
|
Capital Markets — continued |
UBS Group AG, Junior Subordinated Notes (9.250% to 11/13/33 then 5 year Treasury Constant Maturity Rate + 4.758%) | | | | |
UBS Group AG, Senior Notes (4.194% to 4/1/30 then SOFR + 3.730%) | | | | |
UBS Group AG, Senior Notes (6.301% to 9/22/33 then 1 year Treasury Constant Maturity Rate + 2.000%) | | | | |
| |
|
Capital One Financial Corp., Senior Notes (5.817% to 2/1/33 then SOFR + 2.600%) | | | | |
Financial Services — 1.8% |
AerCap Ireland Capital DAC/AerCap Global Aviation Trust, Senior Notes | | | | |
Berkshire Hathaway Energy Co., Senior Notes | | | | |
Carlyle Finance LLC, Senior Notes | | | | |
Carlyle Finance Subsidiary LLC, Senior Notes | | | | |
Carlyle Holdings II Finance LLC, Senior Notes | | | | |
Everest Reinsurance Holdings Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
ILFC E-Capital Trust I, Ltd. GTD (3 mo. Term SOFR + 1.812%) | | | | |
ILFC E-Capital Trust II, Ltd. GTD (3 mo. Term SOFR + 2.062%) | | | | |
Rocket Mortgage LLC/Rocket Mortgage Co-Issuer Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Rocket Mortgage LLC/Rocket Mortgage Co-Issuer Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
| |
|
Allianz SE, Junior Subordinated Notes (3.500% to 4/30/26 then 5 year Treasury Constant Maturity Rate + 2.973%) | | | | |
American International Group Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Americo Life Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Athene Holding Ltd., Senior Notes | | | | |
Fidelity & Guaranty Life Holdings Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Liberty Mutual Insurance Co., Subordinated Notes | | | | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. 2024 Semi-Annual Report
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc.
(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)
| | | | | |
|
|
Marsh & McLennan Cos. Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co., Subordinated Notes | | | | |
Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co., Subordinated Notes | | | | |
MetLife Inc., Junior Subordinated Notes | | | | |
MetLife Inc., Junior Subordinated Notes | | | | |
Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co., Subordinated Notes | | | | |
New York Life Insurance Co., Subordinated Notes | | | | |
Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co., Subordinated Notes | | | | |
Prudential Financial Inc., Junior Subordinated Notes (6.500% to 3/15/34 then 5 year Treasury Constant Maturity Rate + 2.404%) | | | | |
Prudential Financial Inc., Junior Subordinated Notes (6.750% to 3/1/33 then 5 year Treasury Constant Maturity Rate + 2.848%) | | | | |
RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd., Senior Notes | | | | |
Teachers Insurance & Annuity Association of America, Subordinated Notes | | | | |
Teachers Insurance & Annuity Association of America, Subordinated Notes | | | | |
Teachers Insurance & Annuity Association of America, Subordinated Notes | | | | |
Travelers Cos. Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
| |
Mortgage Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 0.4% |
Blackstone Holdings Finance Co. LLC, Senior Notes | | | | |
|
| |
|
|
AbbVie Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
AbbVie Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Gilead Sciences Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. 2024 Semi-Annual Report
Schedule of investments (unaudited) (cont’d)May 31, 2024 Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc.
(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)
| | | | | |
|
Biotechnology — continued |
Gilead Sciences Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Gilead Sciences Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
| |
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 0.7% |
Abbott Laboratories, Senior Notes | | | | |
Becton Dickinson & Co., Senior Notes | | | | |
Becton Dickinson & Co., Senior Notes | | | | |
Total Health Care Equipment & Supplies | |
Health Care Providers & Services — 6.1% |
Centene Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
Centene Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
Centene Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
Centene Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
Cigna Group, Senior Notes | | | | |
Cigna Group, Senior Notes | | | | |
CommonSpirit Health, Secured Notes | | | | |
CVS Health Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
CVS Health Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
CVS Health Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
CVS Health Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
CVS Health Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health, Secured Bonds | | | | |
Elevance Health Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Elevance Health Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Humana Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Inova Health System Foundation, Senior Notes | | | | |
Orlando Health Obligated Group, Senior Notes | | | | |
UnitedHealth Group Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
UnitedHealth Group Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Total Health Care Providers & Services | |
|
Bausch Health Cos. Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., Senior Notes | | | | |
Pfizer Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. 2024 Semi-Annual Report
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc.
(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)
| | | | | |
|
Pharmaceuticals — continued |
Pfizer Investment Enterprises Pte Ltd., Senior Notes | | | | |
Pfizer Investment Enterprises Pte Ltd., Senior Notes | | | | |
Pfizer Investment Enterprises Pte Ltd., Senior Notes | | | | |
Pfizer Investment Enterprises Pte Ltd., Senior Notes | | | | |
Teva Pharmaceutical Finance Netherlands III BV, Senior Notes | | | | |
Teva Pharmaceutical Finance Netherlands III BV, Senior Notes | | | | |
| | | | |
Zoetis Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
| |
|
| |
|
Aerospace & Defense — 3.2% |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
HEICO Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
Hexcel Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
L3Harris Technologies Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
L3Harris Technologies Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Lockheed Martin Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
Lockheed Martin Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
| | | | |
Total Aerospace & Defense | |
Air Freight & Logistics — 0.4% |
United Parcel Service Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
|
Carrier Global Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
Ground Transportation — 0.2% |
Union Pacific Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
Union Pacific Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
Total Ground Transportation | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. 2024 Semi-Annual Report
Schedule of investments (unaudited) (cont’d)May 31, 2024 Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc.
(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)
| | | | | |
|
Industrial Conglomerates — 0.6% |
General Electric Co., Senior Notes | | | | |
Honeywell International Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Honeywell International Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Total Industrial Conglomerates | |
|
Caterpillar Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Passenger Airlines — 0.8% |
American Airlines Inc./AAdvantage Loyalty IP Ltd., Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
American Airlines Inc./AAdvantage Loyalty IP Ltd., Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Delta Air Lines Inc., Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Delta Air Lines Inc./SkyMiles IP Ltd., Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Delta Air Lines Inc./SkyMiles IP Ltd., Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Southwest Airlines Co., Senior Notes | | | | |
United Airlines Pass-Through Trust | | | | |
| |
Trading Companies & Distributors — 1.8% |
Air Lease Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
Air Lease Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
Air Lease Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
Aircastle Ltd., Senior Notes | | | | |
Aviation Capital Group LLC, Senior Notes | | | | |
Aviation Capital Group LLC, Senior Notes | | | | |
Total Trading Companies & Distributors | |
|
| |
Information Technology — 3.8% |
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 0.2% |
TD SYNNEX Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
|
International Business Machines Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
Kyndryl Holdings Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
| |
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 2.0% |
Broadcom Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Broadcom Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. 2024 Semi-Annual Report
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc.
(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)
| | | | | |
|
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — continued |
Broadcom Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Broadcom Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Foundry JV Holdco LLC, Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Foundry JV Holdco LLC, Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
Intel Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
Intel Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
Intel Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
Intel Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
Micron Technology Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
NVIDIA Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
NVIDIA Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
NVIDIA Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
QUALCOMM Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Texas Instruments Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Texas Instruments Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
Total Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment | |
|
Microsoft Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
Oracle Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
Oracle Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
| |
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals — 0.2% |
Dell International LLC/EMC Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
Dell International LLC/EMC Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
Total Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals | |
|
Total Information Technology | |
|
|
Celanese US Holdings LLC, Senior Notes | | | | |
Ecolab Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| |
|
ArcelorMittal SA, Senior Notes | | | | |
Freeport-McMoRan Inc., Senior Notes | | | | |
| |
|
| |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. 2024 Semi-Annual Report
Schedule of investments (unaudited) (cont’d)May 31, 2024 Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc.
(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)
| | | | | |
|
|
|
VICI Properties LP, Senior Notes | | | | |
Vornado Realty LP, Senior Notes | | | | |
| |
|
Ventas Realty LP, Senior Notes | | | | |
Welltower OP LLC, Senior Notes | | | | |
| |
|
Prologis Euro Finance LLC, Senior Notes | | | | |
|
Invitation Homes Operating Partnership LP, Senior Notes | | | | |
|
WEA Finance LLC/Westfield UK & Europe Finance PLC, Senior Notes | | | | |
Specialized REITs — 0.0%†† |
Extra Space Storage LP, Senior Notes | | | | |
|
| |
|
Electric Utilities — 2.6% |
CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric LLC, Senior Secured Bonds | | | | |
Comision Federal de Electricidad, Senior Notes | | | | |
Commonwealth Edison Co., First Mortgage Bonds | | | | |
Edison International, Junior Subordinated Notes (5.000% to 3/15/27 then 5 year Treasury Constant Maturity Rate + 3.901%) | | | | |
Edison International, Junior Subordinated Notes (5.375% to 3/15/26 then 5 year Treasury Constant Maturity Rate + 4.698%) | | | | |
Enel Finance International NV, Senior Notes | | | | |
Exelon Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
FirstEnergy Corp., Senior Notes | | | | |
MidAmerican Energy Co., First Mortgage Bonds | | | | |
Ohio Edison Co., Senior Notes | | | | |
Pacific Gas and Electric Co., First Mortgage Bonds | | | | |
Pacific Gas and Electric Co., First Mortgage Bonds | | | | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. 2024 Semi-Annual Report
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc.
(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)
| | | | | |
|
Electric Utilities — continued |
Pacific Gas and Electric Co., First Mortgage Bonds | | | | |
Pacific Gas and Electric Co., First Mortgage Bonds | | | | |
Southern California Edison Co., First Mortgage Bonds | | | | |
Virginia Electric & Power Co., Senior Notes | | | | |
Vistra Operations Co. LLC, Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
| |
Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers — 0.2% |
Calpine Corp., Senior Secured Notes | | | | |
|
| |
Total Corporate Bonds & Notes (Cost — $186,527,746) | |
|
|
Argentine Republic Government International Bond, Senior Notes | | | | |
Argentine Republic Government International Bond, Senior Notes, Step bond (3.625% to 7/9/24 then 4.125%) | | | | |
Provincia de Buenos Aires, Senior Notes, Step bond (6.375% to 9/1/24 then 6.625%) | | | | |
| |
|
Brazilian Government International Bond, Senior Notes | | | | |
|
Ivory Coast Government International Bond, Senior Notes | | | | |
|
Mexican Bonos, Senior Notes | | | | |
Mexico Government International Bond, Senior Notes | | | | |
| |
|
Total Sovereign Bonds (Cost — $3,043,301) | |
U.S. Government & Agency Obligations — 1.3% |
U.S. Government Obligations — 1.3% |
| | | | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. 2024 Semi-Annual Report
Schedule of investments (unaudited) (cont’d)May 31, 2024 Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc.
(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)
| | | | | |
|
U.S. Government Obligations — continued |
| | | | |
| | | | |
|
Total U.S. Government & Agency Obligations (Cost — $2,487,383) | |
|
|
Morongo Band of Mission Indians, CA, Revenue, Tribal Economic Development, Series A | | | | |
Regents of the University of California Medical Center Pooled Revenue, Series Q | | | | |
| |
|
Sumter Landing, FL, Community Development District Recreational Revenue, Taxable Community Development District | | | | |
|
Illinois State, GO, Taxable, Build America Bonds, Series 2010-3 | | | | |
|
Total Municipal Bonds (Cost — $1,410,555) | |
|
|
Passenger Airlines — 0.1% |
Delta Air Lines Inc., Initial Term Loan (3 mo. Term SOFR + 3.750%) | | | | |
|
|
Paper & Forest Products — 0.0%†† |
Schweitzer-Mauduit International Inc., Term Loan B (1 mo. Term SOFR + 3.864%) | | | | |
|
|
Electric Utilities — 0.2% |
NRG Energy Inc., Term Loan (3 mo. Term SOFR + 2.000%) | | | | |
|
Total Senior Loans (Cost — $527,260) | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. 2024 Semi-Annual Report
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc.
(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)
| | | | | |
|
|
|
Delphi Financial Group Inc. (3 mo. Term SOFR + 3.452%) (Cost — $233,032) | | | | |
Total Investments before Short-Term Investments (Cost — $194,229,277) | |
|
Short-Term Investments — 0.1% |
Western Asset Premier Institutional Government Reserves, Premium Shares (Cost — $186,101) | | | | |
Total Investments — 99.0% (Cost — $194,415,378) | |
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities — 1.0% | |
Total Net Assets — 100.0% | |
| Face amount denominated in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise noted. |
| Represents less than 0.1%. |
| Non-income producing security. |
| Security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. This security may be resold in transactions that are exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. This security has been deemed liquid pursuant to guidelines approved by the Board of Directors. |
| Security has no maturity date. The date shown represents the next call date. |
| Variable rate security. Interest rate disclosed is as of the most recent information available. Certain variable rate securities are not based on a published reference rate and spread but are determined by the issuer or agent and are based on current market conditions. These securities do not indicate a reference rate and spread in their description above. |
| Security is fair valued in accordance with procedures approved by the Board of Directors (Note 1). |
| Security is valued using significant unobservable inputs (Note 1). |
| Interest rates disclosed represent the effective rates on senior loans. Ranges in interest rates are attributable to multiple contracts under the same loan. |
| Senior loans may be considered restricted in that the Fund ordinarily is contractually obligated to receive approval from the agent bank and/or borrower prior to the disposition of a senior loan. |
| Rate shown is one-day yield as of the end of the reporting period. |
| In this instance, as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, an “Affiliated Company” represents Fund ownership of at least 5% of the outstanding voting securities of an issuer, or a company which is under common ownership or control with the Fund. At May 31, 2024, the total market value of investments in Affiliated Companies was $186,101 and the cost was $186,101 (Note 7). |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. 2024 Semi-Annual Report
Schedule of investments (unaudited) (cont’d)May 31, 2024 Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc.
Abbreviation(s) used in this schedule: |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | Intercontinental Exchange |
| | |
| | London Interbank Offered Rate |
| | |
| | Secured Overnight Financing Rate |
| | |
At May 31, 2024, the Fund had the following open futures contracts:
| | | | | Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) |
| | | | | |
U.S. Treasury 2-Year Notes | | | | | |
U.S. Treasury 5-Year Notes | | | | | |
U.S. Treasury Ultra Long-Term Bonds | | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
U.S. Treasury 10-Year Notes | | | | | |
U.S. Treasury Long-Term Bonds | | | | | |
U.S. Treasury Ultra 10-Year Notes | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Net unrealized depreciation on open futures contracts | |
At May 31, 2024, the Fund had the following open forward foreign currency contracts:
| | | | Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Net unrealized depreciation on open forward foreign currency contracts | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. 2024 Semi-Annual Report
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc.
Abbreviation(s) used in this table: |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. 2024 Semi-Annual Report
Statement of assets and liabilities (unaudited)May 31, 2024
| |
Investments in unaffiliated securities, at value (Cost — $194,229,277) | |
Investments in affiliated securities, at value (Cost — $186,101) | |
Foreign currency, at value (Cost — $119,614) | |
| |
Deposits with brokers for open futures contracts | |
Foreign currency collateral for open futures contracts, at value (Cost — $34,295) | |
Dividends receivable from affiliated investments | |
Receivable from brokers — net variation margin on open futures contracts | |
Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency contracts | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Investment management fee payable | |
Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency contracts | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Par value ($0.001 par value; 10,848,022 shares issued and outstanding; 100,000,000 shares authorized) | |
Paid-in capital in excess of par value | |
Total distributable earnings (loss) | |
| |
| |
| |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. 2024 Semi-Annual Report
Statement of operations (unaudited)For the Six Months Ended May 31, 2024
| |
| |
Dividends from affiliated investments | |
Dividends from unaffiliated investments | |
| |
| |
Investment management fee (Note 2) | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Stock exchange listing fees | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements (Note 2) | |
| |
| |
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments, Futures Contracts, Swap Contracts, Forward Foreign Currency Contracts and Foreign Currency Transactions (Notes 1, 3 and 4): |
Net Realized Gain (Loss) From: | |
Investment transactions in unaffiliated securities | |
| |
| |
Forward foreign currency contracts | |
Foreign currency transactions | |
| |
Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) From: | |
Investments in unaffiliated securities | |
| |
| |
Forward foreign currency contracts | |
| |
Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) | |
Net Gain on Investments, Futures Contracts, Swap Contracts, Forward Foreign Currency Contracts and Foreign Currency Transactions | |
Increase in Net Assets From Operations | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. 2024 Semi-Annual Report
Statements of changes in net assets
For the Six Months Ended May 31, 2024 (unaudited)
and the Year Ended November 30, 2023 | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | | |
Increase in Net Assets From Operations | | |
Distributions to Shareholders From (Note 1): | | |
Total distributable earnings | | |
Decrease in Net Assets From Distributions to Shareholders | | |
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. 2024 Semi-Annual Report
For a share of capital stock outstanding throughout each year ended November 30,
unless otherwise noted: |
| | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | | | | |
Income (loss) from operations: |
| | | | | | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | | | | | | |
Total income (loss) from operations | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | | | | | |
Market price, end of period | | | | | | |
Total return, based on NAV4,5 | | | | | | |
Total return, based on Market Price6 | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (millions) | | | | | | |
Ratios to average net assets: |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares method. |
| For the six months ended May 31, 2024 (unaudited). |
| The actual source of the Fund’s current fiscal year distributions may be from net investment income, return of capital or a combination of both. Shareholders will be informed of the tax characteristics of the distributions after the close of the fiscal year. |
| Performance figures may reflect compensating balance arrangements, fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. In the absence of compensating balance arrangements, fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, the total return would have been lower. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized. |
| The total return calculation assumes that distributions are reinvested at NAV. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized. |
| The total return calculation assumes that distributions are reinvested in accordance with the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized. |
| |
| The manager has agreed to waive the Fund’s management fee to an extent sufficient to offset the net management fee payable in connection with any investment in an affiliated money market fund. |
| Reflects fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. 2024 Semi-Annual Report
Notes to financial statements (unaudited)
1. Organization and significant accounting policies
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. (the “Fund”) was incorporated in Maryland on April 24, 2009 and is registered as a non-diversified, limited-term, closed-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The Fund’s primary investment objective is to provide current income and then to liquidate and distribute substantially all of the Fund’s net assets to stockholders on or about December 2, 2024. As a secondary investment objective, the Fund will seek capital appreciation. There can be no assurance the Fund will achieve its investment objectives. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objectives by investing, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its net assets in investment grade corporate fixed income securities of varying maturities.
The Fund follows the accounting and reporting guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies (“ASC 946”). The following are significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund and are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), including, but not limited to, ASC 946. Estimates and assumptions are required to be made regarding assets, liabilities and changes in net assets resulting from operations when financial statements are prepared. Changes in the economic environment, financial markets and any other parameters used in determining these estimates could cause actual results to differ. Subsequent events have been evaluated through the date the financial statements were issued.
(a) Investment valuation. The valuations for fixed income securities (which may include, but are not limited to, corporate, government, municipal, mortgage-backed, collateralized mortgage obligations and asset-backed securities) and certain derivative instruments are typically the prices supplied by independent third party pricing services, which may use market prices or broker/dealer quotations or a variety of valuation techniques and methodologies. The independent third party pricing services typically use inputs that are observable such as issuer details, interest rates, yield curves, prepayment speeds, credit risks/spreads, default rates and quoted prices for similar securities. Investments in open-end funds are valued at the closing net asset value per share of each fund on the day of valuation. Futures contracts are valued daily at the settlement price established by the board of trade or exchange on which they are traded. Equity securities for which market quotations are available are valued at the last reported sales price or official closing price on the primary market or exchange on which they trade. When the Fund holds securities or other assets that are denominated in a foreign currency, the Fund will normally use the currency exchange rates as of 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time). If independent third party pricing services are unable to supply prices for a portfolio investment, or if the prices supplied are deemed by the manager to be unreliable, the market price may be determined by the manager using quotations from one or more broker/dealers or at the transaction price if the security has recently been purchased and no value has yet been obtained from a pricing service or pricing broker. When reliable prices are not readily available, such as when the value of a security has been significantly affected by events after the close of the exchange or market on which the security is principally traded, but before the Fund calculates its net
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. 2024 Semi-Annual Report
asset value, the Fund values these securities as determined in accordance with procedures approved by the Fund’s Board of Directors.
Pursuant to policies adopted by the Board of Directors, the Fund’s manager has been designated as the valuation designee and is responsible for the oversight of the daily valuation process. The Fund’s manager is assisted by the Global Fund Valuation Committee (the “Valuation Committee”). The Valuation Committee is responsible for making fair value determinations, evaluating the effectiveness of the Fund’s pricing policies, and reporting to the Fund’s manager and the Board of Directors. When determining the reliability of third party pricing information for investments owned by the Fund, the Valuation Committee, among other things, conducts due diligence reviews of pricing vendors, monitors the daily change in prices and reviews transactions among market participants.
The Valuation Committee will consider pricing methodologies it deems relevant and appropriate when making fair value determinations. Examples of possible methodologies include, but are not limited to, multiple of earnings; discount from market of a similar freely traded security; discounted cash-flow analysis; book value or a multiple thereof; risk premium/yield analysis; yield to maturity; and/or fundamental investment analysis. The Valuation Committee will also consider factors it deems relevant and appropriate in light of the facts and circumstances. Examples of possible factors include, but are not limited to, the type of security; the issuer’s financial statements; the purchase price of the security; the discount from market value of unrestricted securities of the same class at the time of purchase; analysts’ research and observations from financial institutions; information regarding any transactions or offers with respect to the security; the existence of merger proposals or tender offers affecting the security; the price and extent of public trading in similar securities of the issuer or comparable companies; and the existence of a shelf registration for restricted securities.
For each portfolio security that has been fair valued pursuant to the policies adopted by the Board of Directors, the fair value price is compared against the last available and next available market quotations. The Valuation Committee reviews the results of such back testing monthly and fair valuation occurrences are reported to the Board of Directors quarterly.
The Fund uses valuation techniques to measure fair value that are consistent with the market approach and/or income approach, depending on the type of security and the particular circumstance. The market approach uses prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable securities. The income approach uses valuation techniques to discount estimated future cash flows to present value.
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. 2024 Semi-Annual Report
Notes to financial statements (unaudited) (cont’d)
GAAP establishes a disclosure hierarchy that categorizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to value assets and liabilities at measurement date. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:
•
Level 1 — unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments
•
Level 2 — other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)
•
Level 3 — significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)
The inputs or methodologies used to value securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
The following is a summary of the inputs used in valuing the Fund’s assets and liabilities carried at fair value:
|
| | Other Significant
Observable Inputs
(Level 2) | Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3) | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Other Corporate Bonds & Notes | | | | |
| | | | |
U.S. Government & Agency Obligations | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Total Long-Term Investments | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Other Financial Instruments: | | | | |
| | | | |
Forward Foreign Currency Contracts†† | | | | |
Total Other Financial Instruments | | | | |
| | | | |
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. 2024 Semi-Annual Report
|
| | Other Significant
Observable Inputs
(Level 2) | Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3) | |
Other Financial Instruments: | | | | |
| | | | |
Forward Foreign Currency Contracts†† | | | | |
| | | | |
| See Schedule of Investments for additional detailed categorizations. |
| Reflects the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of the instruments. |
(b) Futures contracts. The Fund uses futures contracts generally to gain exposure to, or hedge against, changes in interest rates or gain exposure to, or hedge against, changes in certain asset classes. A futures contract represents a commitment for the future purchase or sale of an asset at a specified price on a specified date.
Upon entering into a futures contract, the Fund is required to deposit cash or securities with a broker in an amount equal to a certain percentage of the contract amount. This is known as the ‘‘initial margin’’ and subsequent payments (‘‘variation margin’’) are made or received by the Fund each day, depending on the daily fluctuation in the value of the contract. For certain futures, including foreign denominated futures, variation margin is not settled daily, but is recorded as a net variation margin payable or receivable. The daily changes in contract value are recorded as unrealized appreciation or depreciation in the Statement of Operations and the Fund recognizes a realized gain or loss when the contract is closed.
Futures contracts involve, to varying degrees, risk of loss in excess of the amounts reflected in the financial statements. In addition, there is the risk that the Fund may not be able to enter into a closing transaction because of an illiquid secondary market.
(c) Forward foreign currency contracts. The Fund enters into a forward foreign currency contract to hedge against, or manage exposure to, foreign issuers or markets. The Fund may also enter into a forward foreign currency contract to hedge against foreign currency exchange rate risk on its non-U.S. dollar denominated securities or to facilitate settlement of a foreign currency denominated portfolio transaction. A forward foreign currency contract is an agreement between two parties to buy and sell a currency at a set price with delivery and settlement at a future date. The contract is marked-to-market daily and the change in value is recorded by the Fund as an unrealized gain or loss. When a forward foreign currency contract is closed, through either delivery or offset by entering into another forward foreign currency contract, the Fund recognizes a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the value of the contract at the time it is closed.
Non-deliverable forward foreign currency exchange contracts are settled with the counterparty in cash without the delivery of foreign currency.
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. 2024 Semi-Annual Report
Notes to financial statements (unaudited) (cont’d)
Forward foreign currency contracts involve elements of market risk in excess of the amounts reflected on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The Fund bears the risk of an unfavorable change in the foreign exchange rate underlying the forward foreign currency contract. Risks may also arise upon entering into these contracts from the potential inability of the counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts.
(d) Swap agreements. The Fund invests in swaps for the purpose of managing its exposure to interest rate, credit or market risk, or for other purposes. The use of swaps involves risks that are different from those associated with other portfolio transactions. Swap agreements are privately negotiated in the over-the-counter market and may be entered into as a bilateral contract (“OTC Swaps”) or centrally cleared (“Centrally Cleared Swaps”). Unlike Centrally Cleared Swaps, the Fund has credit exposure to the counterparties of OTC Swaps.
In a Centrally Cleared Swap, immediately following execution of the swap, the swap agreement is submitted to a clearinghouse or central counterparty (the “CCP”) and the CCP becomes the ultimate counterparty of the swap agreement. The Fund is required to interface with the CCP through a broker, acting in an agency capacity. All payments are settled with the CCP through the broker. Upon entering into a Centrally Cleared Swap, the Fund is required to deposit initial margin with the broker in the form of cash or securities.
Swap contracts are marked-to-market daily and changes in value are recorded as unrealized appreciation (depreciation). The daily change in valuation of Centrally Cleared Swaps, if any, is recorded as a net receivable or payable for variation margin on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Gains or losses are realized upon termination of the swap agreement. Collateral, in the form of restricted cash or securities, may be required to be held in segregated accounts with the Fund’s custodian in compliance with the terms of the swap contracts. Securities posted as collateral for swap contracts are identified in the Schedule of Investments and restricted cash, if any, is identified on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Risks may exceed amounts recorded in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. These risks include changes in the returns of the underlying instruments, failure of the counterparties to perform under the contracts’ terms, and the possible lack of liquidity with respect to the swap agreements.
OTC Swap payments received or made at the beginning of the measurement period are reflected as a premium or deposit, respectively, on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. These upfront payments are amortized over the life of the swap and are recognized as realized gain or loss in the Statement of Operations. Net periodic payments received or paid by the Fund are recognized as a realized gain or loss in the Statement of Operations.
The Fund’s maximum exposure in the event of a defined credit event on a credit default swap to sell protection is the notional amount. As of May 31, 2024, the Fund did not hold any credit default swaps to sell protection.
For average notional amounts of swaps held during the six months ended May 31, 2024, see Note 4.
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. 2024 Semi-Annual Report
Credit default swaps
The Fund enters into credit default swap (“CDS”) contracts for investment purposes, to manage its credit risk or to add leverage. CDS agreements involve one party making a stream of payments to another party in exchange for the right to receive a specified return in the event of a default by a third party, typically corporate or sovereign issuers, on a specified obligation, or in the event of a write-down, principal shortfall, interest shortfall or default of all or part of the referenced entities comprising a credit index. The Fund may use a CDS to provide protection against defaults of the issuers (i.e., to reduce risk where the Fund has exposure to an issuer) or to take an active long or short position with respect to the likelihood of a particular issuer’s default. As a seller of protection, the Fund generally receives an upfront payment or a stream of payments throughout the term of the swap provided that there is no credit event. If the Fund is a seller of protection and a credit event occurs, as defined under the terms of that particular swap agreement, the maximum potential amount of future payments (undiscounted) that the Fund could be required to make under a CDS agreement would be an amount equal to the notional amount of the agreement. These amounts of potential payments will be partially offset by any recovery of values from the respective referenced obligations. As a seller of protection, the Fund effectively adds leverage to its portfolio because, in addition to its total net assets, the Fund is subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap. As a buyer of protection, the Fund generally receives an amount up to the notional value of the swap if a credit event occurs.
Implied spreads are the theoretical prices a lender receives for credit default protection. When spreads rise, market perceived credit risk rises and when spreads fall, market perceived credit risk falls. The implied credit spread of a particular referenced entity reflects the cost of buying/selling protection and may include upfront payments required to enter into the agreement. Wider credit spreads and decreasing market values, when compared to the notional amount of the swap, represent a deterioration of the referenced entity’s credit soundness and a greater likelihood or risk of default or other credit event occurring as defined under the terms of the agreement. Credit spreads utilized in determining the period end market value of CDS agreements on corporate or sovereign issues are disclosed in the Schedule of Investments and serve as an indicator of the current status of the payment/performance risk and represent the likelihood or risk of default for credit derivatives. For CDS agreements on asset-backed securities and credit indices, the quoted market prices and resulting values, particularly in relation to the notional amount of the contract as well as the annual payment rate, serve as an indication of the current status of the payment/performance risk.
The Fund’s maximum risk of loss from counterparty risk, as the protection buyer, is the fair value of the contract (this risk is mitigated by the posting of collateral by the counterparty to the Fund to cover the Fund’s exposure to the counterparty). As the protection seller, the Fund’s maximum risk is the notional amount of the contract. CDS are considered to have credit risk-related contingent features since they require payment by the protection seller to the protection buyer upon the occurrence of a defined credit event.
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. 2024 Semi-Annual Report
Notes to financial statements (unaudited) (cont’d)
Entering into a CDS agreement involves, to varying degrees, elements of credit, market and documentation risk in excess of the related amounts recognized on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Such risks involve the possibility that there will be no liquid market for these agreements, that the counterparty to the agreement may default on its obligation to perform or disagree as to the meaning of the contractual terms in the agreement, and that there will be unfavorable changes in net interest rates.
(e) Loan participations. The Fund may invest in loans arranged through private negotiation between one or more financial institutions. The Fund’s investment in any such loan may be in the form of a participation in or an assignment of the loan. In connection with purchasing participations, the Fund generally will have no right to enforce compliance by the borrower with the terms of the loan agreement related to the loan, or any rights of offset against the borrower and the Fund may not benefit directly from any collateral supporting the loan in which it has purchased the participation.
The Fund assumes the credit risk of the borrower, the lender that is selling the participation and any other persons interpositioned between the Fund and the borrower. In the event of the insolvency of the lender selling the participation, the Fund may be treated as a general creditor of the lender and may not benefit from any offset between the lender and the borrower.
(f) Foreign currency translation. Investment securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollar amounts based upon prevailing exchange rates on the date of valuation. Purchases and sales of investment securities and income and expense items denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollar amounts based upon prevailing exchange rates on the respective dates of such transactions.
The Fund does not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from fluctuations in foreign exchange rates on investments from the fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included with the net realized and unrealized gain or loss on investments.
Net realized foreign exchange gains or losses arise from sales of foreign currencies, including gains and losses on forward foreign currency contracts, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest, and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund’s books and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from changes in the values of assets and liabilities, other than investments in securities, on the date of valuation, resulting from changes in exchange rates.
Foreign security and currency transactions may involve certain considerations and risks not typically associated with those of U.S. dollar denominated transactions as a result of,
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. 2024 Semi-Annual Report
among other factors, the possibility of lower levels of governmental supervision and regulation of foreign securities markets and the possibility of political or economic instability.
(g) Credit and market risk. The Fund invests in high-yield instruments that are subject to certain credit and market risks. The yields of high-yield obligations reflect, among other things, perceived credit and market risks. The Fund’s investments in securities rated below investment grade typically involve risks not associated with higher rated securities including, among others, greater risk related to timely and ultimate payment of interest and principal, greater market price volatility and less liquid secondary market trading.
(h) Foreign investment risks. The Fund’s investments in foreign securities may involve risks not present in domestic investments. Since securities may be denominated in foreign currencies, may require settlement in foreign currencies or may pay interest or dividends in foreign currencies, changes in the relationship of these foreign currencies to the U.S. dollar can significantly affect the value of the investments and earnings of the Fund. Foreign investments may also subject the Fund to foreign government exchange restrictions, expropriation, taxation or other political, social or economic developments, all of which affect the market and/or credit risk of the investments.
(i) Counterparty risk and credit-risk-related contingent features of derivative instruments. The Fund may invest in certain securities or engage in other transactions where the Fund is exposed to counterparty credit risk in addition to broader market risks. The Fund may invest in securities of issuers, which may also be considered counterparties as trading partners in other transactions. This may increase the risk of loss in the event of default or bankruptcy by the counterparty or if the counterparty otherwise fails to meet its contractual obligations. The Fund’s subadviser attempts to mitigate counterparty risk by (i) periodically assessing the creditworthiness of its trading partners, (ii) monitoring and/or limiting the amount of its net exposure to each individual counterparty based on its assessment and (iii) requiring collateral from the counterparty for certain transactions. Market events and changes in overall economic conditions may impact the assessment of such counterparty risk by the subadviser. In addition, declines in the values of underlying collateral received may expose the Fund to increased risk of loss.
With exchange traded and centrally cleared derivatives, there is less counterparty risk to the Fund since the exchange or clearinghouse, as counterparty to such instruments, guarantees against a possible default. The clearinghouse stands between the buyer and the seller of the contract; therefore, the credit risk is limited to failure of the clearinghouse. While offset rights may exist under applicable law, the Fund does not have a contractual right of offset against a clearing broker or clearinghouse in the event of a default of the clearing broker or clearinghouse.
The Fund has entered into master agreements, such as an International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreement (“ISDA Master Agreement”) or similar agreement, with certain of its derivative counterparties that govern over-the-counter
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. 2024 Semi-Annual Report
Notes to financial statements (unaudited) (cont’d)
(“OTC”) derivatives and provide for general obligations, representations, agreements, collateral posting terms, netting provisions in the event of default or termination and credit related contingent features. The credit related contingent features include, but are not limited to, a percentage decrease in the Fund’s net assets or net asset value per share over a specified period of time. If these credit related contingent features were triggered, the derivatives counterparty could terminate the positions and demand payment or require additional collateral.
Under an ISDA Master Agreement, the Fund may, under certain circumstances, offset with the counterparty certain derivative financial instruments’ payables and/or receivables with collateral held and/or posted and create one single net payment. However, absent an event of default by the counterparty or a termination of the agreement, the terms of the ISDA Master Agreements do not result in an offset of reported amounts of financial assets and financial liabilities in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities across transactions between the Fund and the applicable counterparty. The enforceability of the right to offset may vary by jurisdiction.
Collateral requirements differ by type of derivative. Collateral or margin requirements are set by the broker or exchange clearinghouse for exchange traded derivatives while collateral terms are contract specific for OTC traded derivatives. Cash collateral that has been pledged to cover obligations of the Fund under derivative contracts, if any, will be reported separately in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Securities pledged as collateral, if any, for the same purpose are noted in the Schedule of Investments.
As of May 31, 2024, the Fund held forward foreign currency contracts with credit related contingent features which had a liability position of $84,549. If a contingent feature in the master agreements would have been triggered, the Fund would have been required to pay this amount to its derivatives counterparties.
(j) Security transactions and investment income. Security transactions are accounted for on a trade date basis. Interest income (including interest income from payment-in-kind securities) is recorded on the accrual basis. Amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts on debt securities are recorded to interest income over the lives of the respective securities, except for premiums on certain callable debt securities, which are amortized to the earliest call date. Paydown gains and losses on mortgage- and asset-backed securities are recorded as adjustments to interest income. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Foreign dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date or as soon as practicable after the Fund determines the existence of a dividend declaration after exercising reasonable due diligence. The cost of investments sold is determined by use of the specific identification method. To the extent any issuer defaults or a credit event occurs that impacts the issuer, the Fund may halt any additional interest income accruals and consider the realizability of interest accrued up to the date of default or credit event.
(k) Distributions to shareholders. Distributions from net investment income of the Fund, if any, are declared quarterly and paid on a monthly basis. The actual source of the Fund’s
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. 2024 Semi-Annual Report
monthly distributions may be from net investment income, realized capital gains, return of capital or a combination thereof. Distributions of net realized gains, if any, are declared at least annually. Distributions to shareholders of the Fund are recorded on the ex-dividend date and are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP.
(l) Compensating balance arrangements. The Fund has an arrangement with its custodian bank whereby a portion of the custodian’s fees is paid indirectly by credits earned on the Fund’s cash on deposit with the bank.
(m) Federal and other taxes. It is the Fund’s policy to comply with the federal income and excise tax requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”), as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies. Accordingly, the Fund intends to distribute its taxable income and net realized gains, if any, to shareholders in accordance with timing requirements imposed by the Code. Therefore, no federal or state income tax provision is required in the Fund’s financial statements.
Management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions taken on income tax returns for all open tax years and has concluded that as of November 30, 2023, no provision for income tax is required in the Fund’s financial statements. The Fund’s federal and state income and federal excise tax returns for tax years for which the applicable statutes of limitations have not expired are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and state departments of revenue.
(n) Reclassification. GAAP requires that certain components of net assets be reclassified to reflect permanent differences between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset value per share.
2. Investment management agreement and other transactions with affiliates
Franklin Templeton Fund Adviser, LLC (“FTFA”) is the Fund’s investment manager. Western Asset Management Company, LLC (“Western Asset”), Western Asset Management Company Pte. Ltd. (“Western Asset Singapore”), Western Asset Management Company Ltd (“Western Asset Japan”) and Western Asset Management Company Limited (“Western Asset London”) are the Fund’s subadvisers. FTFA, Western Asset, Western Asset Singapore, Western Asset Japan and Western Asset London are indirect, wholly-owned subsidiaries of Franklin Resources, Inc. (“Franklin Resources”).
FTFA provides administrative and certain oversight services to the Fund. The Fund pays FTFA an investment management fee, calculated daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.65% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.
FTFA delegates to Western Asset the day-to-day portfolio management of the Fund. Western Asset Singapore, Western Asset Japan and Western Asset London provide certain subadvisory services to the Fund relating to currency transactions and investments in non-U.S. dollar denominated debt securities. For its services, FTFA pays Western Asset a fee monthly, at an annual rate equal to 70% of the net management fee it receives from the
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. 2024 Semi-Annual Report
Notes to financial statements (unaudited) (cont’d)
Fund. In turn, Western Asset pays Western Asset Singapore, Western Asset Japan and Western Asset London a monthly subadvisory fee in an amount equal to 100% of the management fee paid to Western Asset on the assets that Western Asset allocates to each such non-U.S. subadviser to manage.
The manager has agreed to waive the Fund’s management fee to an extent sufficient to offset the net management fee payable in connection with any investment in an affiliated money market fund (the “affiliated money market fund waiver”).
Effective June 1, 2022, FTFA implemented a voluntary investment management fee waiver of 0.05% that continued until May 31, 2024.
During the six months ended May 31, 2024, fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed amounted to $48,040, which included an affiliated money market fund waiver of $726.
All officers and one Director of the Fund are employees of Franklin Resources or its affiliates and do not receive compensation from the Fund.
During the six months ended May 31, 2024, the aggregate cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investments (excluding short-term investments) and U.S. Government & Agency Obligations were as follows:
| | U.S. Government &
Agency Obligations |
| | |
| | |
At May 31, 2024, the aggregate cost of investments and the aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of investments for federal income tax purposes were substantially as follows:
| | Gross
Unrealized
Appreciation | Gross
Unrealized
Depreciation | Net
Unrealized
Depreciation |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Forward foreign currency contracts | | | | |
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. 2024 Semi-Annual Report
4. Derivative instruments and hedging activities
Below is a table, grouped by derivative type, that provides information about the fair value and the location of derivatives within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities at May 31, 2024.
|
| | | |
| | | |
Forward foreign currency contracts | | | |
| | | |
|
| | | |
| | | |
Forward foreign currency contracts | | | |
| | | |
| Generally, the balance sheet location for asset derivatives is receivables/net unrealized appreciation and for liability derivatives is payables/net unrealized depreciation. |
| Includes cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of futures contracts as reported in the Schedule of Investments. Only net variation margin is reported within the receivables and/or payables on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. |
The following tables provide information about the effect of derivatives and hedging activities on the Fund’s Statement of Operations for the six months ended May 31, 2024. The first table provides additional detail about the amounts and sources of gains (losses) realized on derivatives during the period. The second table provides additional information about the change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) resulting from the Fund’s derivatives and hedging activities during the period.
AMOUNT OF NET REALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON DERIVATIVES RECOGNIZED |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Forward foreign currency contracts | | | | |
| | | | |
CHANGE IN NET UNREALIZED APPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) ON DERIVATIVES RECOGNIZED |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Forward foreign currency contracts | | | | |
| | | | |
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. 2024 Semi-Annual Report
Notes to financial statements (unaudited) (cont’d)
During the six months ended May 31, 2024, the volume of derivative activity for the Fund was as follows:
| |
Futures contracts (to buy) | |
Futures contracts (to sell) | |
Forward foreign currency contracts (to buy) | |
Forward foreign currency contracts (to sell) | |
| |
Credit default swap contracts (buy protection)† | |
| At May 31, 2024, there were no open positions held in this derivative. |
The following table presents the Fund’s OTC derivative assets and liabilities by counterparty net of amounts available for offset under an ISDA Master Agreement and net of the related collateral pledged (received) by the Fund as of May 31, 2024.
| Gross Assets
Subject to
Master
| Gross
Liabilities
Subject to
Master
| Net Assets
(Liabilities)
Subject to
Master
Agreements | Collateral
Pledged
(Received) | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| Absent an event of default or early termination, derivative assets and liabilities are presented gross and not offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. |
| Represents the net amount receivable (payable) from (to) the counterparty in the event of default. |
5. Distributions subsequent to May 31, 2024
The following distributions have been declared by the Fund’s Board of Directors and are payable subsequent to the period end of this report:
6. Stock repurchase program
On November 16, 2015, the Fund announced that the Fund’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) had authorized the Fund to repurchase in the open market up to approximately 10% of the Fund’s outstanding common stock when the Fund’s shares are trading at a discount to net asset value. The Board has directed management of the Fund to repurchase shares of
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. 2024 Semi-Annual Report
common stock at such times and in such amounts as management reasonably believes may enhance stockholder value. The Fund is under no obligation to purchase shares at any specific discount levels or in any specific amounts. During the six months ended May 31, 2024, and the year ended November 30, 2023, the Fund did not repurchase any shares.
7. Transactions with affiliated company
As defined by the 1940 Act, an affiliated company is one in which the Fund owns 5% or more of the outstanding voting securities, or a company which is under common ownership or control with the Fund. The following company was considered an affiliated company for all or some portion of the six months ended May 31, 2024. The following transactions were effected in such company for the six months ended May 31, 2024.
| Affiliate
Value at
November 30,
2023 | | |
| | | |
Western Asset Premier Institutional Government Reserves, Premium Shares | | | | | |
| | | Net Increase
(Decrease) in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) | Affiliate
Value at
May 31,
2024 |
Western Asset Premier Institutional Government Reserves, Premium Shares | | | | |
8. Deferred capital losses
As of November 30, 2023, the Fund had deferred capital losses of $6,762,116, which have no expiration date, that will be available to offset future taxable capital gains.
9. Recent accounting pronouncement
In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) – Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. In January 2021 and December 2022, the FASB issued ASU No. 2021-01 and ASU No. 2022-06, with further amendments to Topic 848. The amendments in the ASUs provide optional temporary accounting recognition and financial reporting relief from the effect of certain types of contract modifications due to the planned discontinuation of the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) and other interbank-offered based reference rates as of the end of 2021 for certain LIBOR settings and 2023 for the remainder. The ASUs are effective for certain reference rate-related contract modifications that occur during the period March 12, 2020
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. 2024 Semi-Annual Report
Notes to financial statements (unaudited) (cont’d)
through December 31, 2024. Management has reviewed the requirements and believes the adoption of these ASUs will not have a material impact on the financial statements.
On June 11, 2024, Fund announced the results of the Fund’s Special Meeting of Stockholders held on June 7, 2024. Stockholders approved the proposal to convert the Fund to a perpetual fund by eliminating the Fund’s term, which was scheduled to end at the close of business on December 2, 2024, and eliminating the Fund’s fundamental policy to liquidate on or about December 2, 2024.
As a result of the proposal’s approval,
•
The Fund will conduct a tender offer beginning in September 2024 for up to 100% of the Fund’s Common Stock at a price per share equal to net asset value (“Tender Offer”);
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If the Fund maintains at least $50 million of net assets following the Tender Offer, the Fund will change its name from “Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc.” to “Western Asset Investment Grade Opportunity Trust Inc.” The Fund’s ticker symbol will remain “IGI”. The Fund’s CUSIP, 95790A101, will not change. If less than $50 million of net assets remain in the Fund following the Tender Offer, the Tender Offer will be cancelled and the Fund will proceed to liquidate on or about December 2, 2024 without further action by stockholders; and
•
The Fund’s investment manager has agreed to waive 10 basis points of its annual management fee (the “Fee Waiver”) for a period of two years following the proposal’s approval. The Fee Waiver will terminate on June 7, 2026.
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. 2024 Semi-Annual Report
Board approval of management andsubadvisory agreements (unaudited) Background
The Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), requires that the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. (the “Fund”), including a majority of its members who are not considered to be “interested persons” under the 1940 Act (the “Independent Directors”) voting separately, approve on an annual basis the continuation of the investment management agreement (the “Management Agreement”) between the Fund and the Fund’s manager, Franklin Templeton Fund Adviser, LLC (formerly, Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC) (the “Manager”), and the sub-advisory agreements (individually, a “Sub-Advisory Agreement,” and collectively, the “Sub-Advisory Agreements”) with the Manager’s affiliates, Western Asset Management Company, LLC (“Western Asset”), Western Asset Management Company Limited (“Western Asset London”), Western Asset Management Company Pte. Ltd. (“Western Asset Singapore”) and Western Asset Management Company Ltd (“Western Asset Japan,” and with Western Asset, Western Asset London and Western Asset Singapore, collectively, the “Sub-Advisers”), with respect to the Fund.
At an in-person meeting (the “Contract Renewal Meeting”) held on May 20-21, 2024, the Board, including the Independent Directors, considered and approved the continuation of each of the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreements for an additional one-year period. To assist in its consideration of the renewal of each of the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreements, the Board received and considered extensive information (together with the information provided at the Contract Renewal Meeting, the “Contract Renewal Information”) about the Manager and the Sub-Advisers, as well as the management and sub-advisory arrangements for the Fund and the other closed-end funds in the same complex under the Board’s purview (the “Franklin Templeton Closed-end Funds”), certain portions of which are discussed below.
A presentation made by the Manager and the Sub-Advisers to the Board at the Contract Renewal Meeting in connection with the Board’s evaluation of each of the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreements encompassed the Fund and other Franklin Templeton Closed-end Funds. In addition to the Contract Renewal Information, the Board received performance and other information throughout the year related to the respective services rendered by the Manager and the Sub-Advisers to the Fund. The Board’s evaluation took into account the information received throughout the year and also reflected the knowledge and experience gained as members of the Boards of the Fund and other Franklin Templeton Closed-end Funds with respect to the services provided to the Fund by the Manager and the Sub-Advisers. The information received and considered by the Board (including its various committees) in conjunction with both the Contract Renewal Meeting and throughout the year was both written and oral. The contractual arrangements discussed below are the product of multiple years of review and negotiation and information received and considered by the Board during each of those years.
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc.
Board approval of management andsubadvisory agreements (unaudited) (cont’d) At a meeting held on April 26, 2024, the Independent Directors, in preparation for the Contract Renewal Meeting, met in a private session with their independent legal counsel to review the Contract Renewal Information regarding the Franklin Templeton Closed-end Funds, including the Fund, received to date. No representatives of the Manager or the Sub-Advisers participated in this meeting. Following the April 26, 2024 meeting, the Independent Directors submitted certain questions and requests for additional information to Fund management. The Independent Directors also met in private sessions with their independent legal counsel to consider the Contract Renewal Information and Fund management’s responses to the Independent Directors’ questions and requests for additional information in advance of and during the Contract Renewal Meeting. The discussion below reflects all of these reviews.
The Manager provides the Fund with investment advisory and administrative services pursuant to the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisers together provide the Fund with investment sub-advisory services pursuant to the Sub-Advisory Agreements. The discussion below covers both the advisory and administrative functions being rendered by the Manager, each such function being encompassed by the Management Agreement, and the investment sub-advisory functions being rendered by the Sub-Advisers pursuant to the Sub-Advisory Agreements.
Board Approval of Management Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreements
The Independent Directors were advised by separate independent legal counsel throughout the process. Prior to voting, the Independent Directors received a memorandum discussing the legal standards for their consideration of the proposed continuation of the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreements. The Independent Directors considered the Management Agreement and each Sub-Advisory Agreement separately during the course of their review. In doing so, they noted the respective roles of the Manager and the Sub-Advisers in providing services to the Fund.
In approving the continuation of the Management Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreements, the Board, including the Independent Directors, considered a variety of factors, including those factors discussed below. No single factor reviewed by the Board was identified by the Board as the principal factor in determining whether to approve the continuation of the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreements. Each Director may have attributed different weight to the various factors in evaluating the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreements.
After considering all relevant factors and information, the Board, exercising its reasonable business judgment, determined that the continuation of the Management Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreements were in the best interests of the Fund’s stockholders and approved the continuation of each such agreement for an additional one-year period.
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc.
Nature, Extent and Quality of the Services under the Management Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreements
The Board received and considered Contract Renewal Information regarding the nature, extent, and quality of services provided to the Fund by the Manager and the Sub-Advisers under the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreements, respectively, during the past year. The Board noted information received at regular meetings throughout the year related to the services provided by the Manager in its management of the Fund’s affairs and the Manager’s role in coordinating the activities of the Sub-Advisers and the Fund’s other service providers. The Board observed that the scope of services provided by the Manager and the Sub-Advisers, and of the undertakings required of the Manager and Sub-Advisers in connection with those services, including maintaining and monitoring their respective compliance programs as well as the Fund’s compliance programs had expanded over time as a result of regulatory, market and other developments. The Board also noted that on a regular basis it received and reviewed information from the Manager and the Sub-Advisers regarding the Fund’s compliance policies and procedures established pursuant to Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act. The Board also considered the risks borne by the Manager, the Sub-Advisers and their respective affiliates on behalf of the Fund, including entrepreneurial, operational, reputational, litigation and regulatory risks, as well as the Manager’s and the Sub-Advisers’ risk management processes.
The Board reviewed the qualifications, backgrounds, and responsibilities of the Manager’s senior personnel and the Sub-Advisers’ portfolio management teams primarily responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management of the Fund. The Board also considered, based on its knowledge of the Manager and its affiliates, the financial resources of Franklin Resources, Inc., the parent organization of the Manager and the Sub-Advisers. The Board recognized the importance of having a fund manager with significant resources.
The Board considered the division of responsibilities between the Manager and the Sub-Advisers under the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreements, respectively, including the Manager’s coordination and oversight of the services provided to the Fund by the Sub-Advisers and other fund service providers and Western Asset’s coordination and oversight of the services provided to the Fund by Western Asset London, Western Asset Singapore and Western Asset Japan. The Management Agreement permits the Manager to delegate certain of its responsibilities, including its investment advisory duties thereunder, provided that the Manager, in each case, will supervise the activities of the delegee.
In reaching its determinations regarding continuation of the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreements, the Board took into account that Fund stockholders, in pursuing their investment goals and objectives, may have purchased their shares of the
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc.
Board approval of management andsubadvisory agreements (unaudited) (cont’d) Fund based upon the reputation and the investment style, philosophy and strategy of the Manager and the Sub-Advisers, as well as the resources available to the Manager and the Sub-Advisers.
The Board concluded that, overall, the nature, extent, and quality of the management and other services provided (and expected to be provided) to the Fund, under the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreements were satisfactory.
The Board received and considered information regarding Fund performance, including information and analyses (the “Broadridge Performance Information”) for the Fund, as well as for a group of comparable funds (the “Performance Universe”) selected by Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (“Broadridge”), an independent third-party provider of investment company data. The Board was provided with a description of the methodology Broadridge used to determine the similarity of the Fund with the funds included in the Performance Universe. It was noted that while the Board found the Broadridge Performance Information generally useful, they recognized its limitations, including that the data may vary depending on the end date selected, and that the results of the performance comparisons may vary depending on the selection of the peer group and its composition over time. The Board also noted that Board members had received and discussed with the Manager and the Sub-Advisers information throughout the year at periodic intervals comparing the Fund’s performance against its benchmark and against the Fund’s peers. In addition, the Board considered the Fund’s performance in view of overall financial market conditions.
The Broadridge Performance Information comparing the Fund’s performance to that of its Performance Universe, consisting of the Fund and all closed-end non-leveraged BBB-rated corporate debt funds, regardless of asset size, showed, among other data, that based on net asset value per share, the Fund’s performance was above the median for the 1-year period ended December 31, 2023, and was below the median for the 3-, 5- and 10-year periods ended December 31, 2023. The Board noted the explanations from the Manager and the Sub-Advisers regarding the Fund’s relative performance versus the Performance Universe for the various periods. The Board also noted the limited size of the Performance Universe.
Based on the reviews and discussions of Fund performance and considering other relevant factors, including those noted above, the Board concluded, under the circumstances, that continuation of the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreements for an additional one-year period would be consistent with the interests of the Fund and its stockholders.
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc.
Management and Sub-Advisory Fees and Expense Ratios
The Board reviewed and considered the contractual management fee (the “Contractual Management Fee”) and the actual management fee (the “Actual Management Fee”) payable by the Fund to the Manager under the Management Agreement and the sub-advisory fees (the “Sub-Advisory Fees”) payable by the Manager to the Sub-Advisers under the Sub-Advisory Agreements in view of the nature, extent and overall quality of the management, investment advisory and other services provided by the Manager and the Sub-Advisers, respectively. The Board noted that the Sub-Advisory Fee payable to Western Asset under its Sub-Advisory Agreement with the Manager is paid by the Manager, not the Fund, and, accordingly, that the retention of Western Asset does not increase the fees or expenses otherwise incurred by the Fund’s stockholders. Similarly, the Board noted that the Sub-Advisory Fees payable to Western Asset London, Western Asset Singapore and Western Asset Japan under their Sub-Advisory Agreements with Western Asset are paid by Western Asset, not the Fund, and, accordingly, that the retention of Western Asset London, Western Asset Singapore and Western Asset Japan does not increase the fees or expenses otherwise incurred by the Fund’s stockholders.
In addition, the Board received and considered information and analyses prepared by Broadridge (the “Broadridge Expense Information”) comparing the Contractual Management Fee and the Actual Management Fee and the Fund’s total actual expenses with those of funds in an expense universe (the “Expense Universe”) selected and provided by Broadridge. The comparison was based upon the constituent funds’ latest fiscal years. It was noted that while the Board found the Broadridge Expense Information generally useful, they recognized its limitations, including that the data may vary depending on the selection of the peer group.
The Broadridge Expense Information showed that the Fund’s Contractual Management Fee was above the median. The Broadridge Expense Information also showed that the Fund’s Actual Management Fee was above the median. The Broadridge Expense Information also showed that the Fund’s actual total expenses were above the median. The Board took into account management’s discussion of the Fund’s expenses and noted the limited size of the Expense Universe.
The Board also reviewed Contract Renewal Information regarding fees charged by the Manager and/or the Sub-Advisers to other U.S. clients investing primarily in an asset class similar to that of the Fund, including, where applicable, institutional and separate accounts. The Manager reviewed with the Board the differences in services provided to these different types of accounts, noting that the Fund is provided with certain administrative services, office facilities, and Fund officers, and that the Fund is subject not only to heightened regulatory requirements relative to institutional clients but also to requirements for listing on the New York Stock Exchange, and that the Manager
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc.
Board approval of management andsubadvisory agreements (unaudited) (cont’d) coordinates and oversees the provision of services to the Fund by other fund service providers. The Board considered the fee comparisons in view of the different services provided in managing these other types of clients and funds.
The Board considered the overall management fee, the fees of the Sub-Advisers and the amount of the management fee retained by the Manager after payment of the subadvisory fees in each case in view of the services rendered for those amounts. The Board also received an analysis of complex-wide management fees provided by the Manager, which, among other things, set out a framework of fees based on asset classes.
Taking all of the above into consideration, as well as the factors identified below, the Board determined that the management fee and the Sub-Advisory Fees were reasonable in view of the nature, extent and overall quality of the management, investment advisory and other services provided by the Manager and the Sub-Advisers to the Fund under the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreements, respectively.
The Board, as part of the Contract Renewal Information, received an analysis of the profitability to the Manager and its affiliates in providing services to the Fund for the Manager’s fiscal years ended September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022. The Board also received profitability information with respect to the Franklin Templeton fund complex as a whole. In addition, the Board received Contract Renewal Information with respect to the Manager’s revenue and cost allocation methodologies used in preparing such profitability data. It was noted that the allocation methodologies had been reviewed by an outside consultant. The profitability to each of the Sub-Advisers was not considered to be a material factor in the Board’s considerations since the Sub-Advisory Fee is paid by the Manager in the case of Western Asset and by Western Asset in the case of Western Asset London, Western Asset Singapore and Western Asset Japan, not the Fund, although the Board noted the affiliation of the Manager with the Sub-Advisers. The profitability of the Manager and its affiliates was considered by the Board to be reasonable in view of the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund.
The Board received and discussed Contract Renewal Information concerning whether the Manager realizes economies of scale if the Fund’s assets grow. The Board noted that because the Fund is a closed-end fund it has limited ability to increase its assets. The Board determined that the management fee structure was appropriate under the circumstances. For similar reasons as stated above with respect to the Sub-Advisers’ profitability and the costs of the Sub-Advisers’ provision of services, the Board did not consider the potential for economies of scale in the Sub-Advisers’ management of the Fund to be a material factor in the Board’s consideration of the Sub-Advisory Agreements.
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc.
Other Benefits to the Manager and the Sub-Advisers
The Board considered other benefits received by the Manager, the Sub-Advisers and their affiliates as a result of their relationship with the Fund, including the opportunity to offer additional products and services to the Fund’s stockholders. In view of the costs of providing investment management and other services to the Fund and the ongoing commitment of the Manager and the Sub-Advisers to the Fund, the Board considered that the ancillary benefits that the Manager and its affiliates, including the Sub-Advisers, were reasonable.
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc.
Additional shareholder information (unaudited)
Results of annual meeting of shareholders
The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. was held on April 12, 2024, for the purpose of considering and voting upon the proposals presented at the Meeting. The following table provides information concerning the matters voted upon at the Meeting:
At the Meeting, Mr. Agdern and Ms. Kamerick, were each duly elected by the shareholders to serve as Class III Directors of the Fund until the 2027 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, or until their successors have been duly elected and qualified or until their resignation or are otherwise removed.
At May 31, 2024, in addition to Mr. Agdern and Ms. Kamerick, the other Directors of the Fund were as follows:
Carol L. Colman
Daniel P. Cronin
Paolo M. Cucchi
Nisha Kumar
Jane Trust
Ratification of Selection of Independent Registered Public Accountants
To ratify the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”) as independent registered public accountants of the Fund for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2024.
Results of special meeting of shareholders
A Special Meeting of Shareholders of Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. was held on June 7, 2024, for the purpose of considering and voting upon the proposal presented at the Meeting. The following table provides information concerning the matters voted upon at the Meeting:
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc.
Proposal to Convert Fund to a Perpetual Fund
To convert the Fund to a perpetual fund by (1) amending the Fund’s articles of incorporation (the “Charter”) to eliminate the Fund’s term, which is currently scheduled to end at the close of business on December 2, 2024 (the “Term Date”), and (2) eliminating the Fund’s fundamental policy to liquidate on or about December 2, 2024 (the “Proposal”), each of which will only be effective upon at least $50 million of net assets remaining in the Fund following the completion of a tender offer.
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc.
Dividend reinvestment plan (unaudited)
Unless you elect to receive distributions in cash (i.e., opt-out), all dividends, including any capital gain dividends and return of capital distributions, on your Common Stock will be automatically reinvested by Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as agent for the stock- holders (the “Plan Agent”), in additional shares of Common Stock under the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the “Plan”). You may elect not to participate in the Plan by contacting the Plan Agent. If you do not participate, you will receive all cash distributions paid by check mailed directly to you by Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as dividend paying agent.
If you participate in the Plan, the number of shares of Common Stock you will receive will be determined as follows:
(1) If the market price of the Common Stock (plus $0.03 per share commission) on the payment date (or, if the payment date is not a NYSE trading day, the immediately preceding trading day) is equal to or exceeds the net asset value per share of the Common Stock at the close of trading on the NYSE on the payment date, the Fund will issue new Common Stock at a price equal to the greater of (a) the net asset value per share at the close of trading on the NYSE on the payment date or (b) 95% of the market price per share of the Common Stock on the payment date.
(2) If the net asset value per share of the Common Stock exceeds the market price of the Common Stock (plus $0.03 per share commission) at the close of trading on the NYSE on the payment date, the Plan Agent will receive the dividend or distribution in cash and will buy Common Stock in the open market, on the NYSE or elsewhere, for your account as soon as practicable commencing on the trading day following the payment date and terminating no later than the earlier of (a) 30 days after the dividend or distribution payment date, or (b) the payment date for the next succeeding dividend or distribution to be made to the stockholders; except when necessary to comply with applicable provisions of the federal securities laws. If during this period: (i) the market price (plus $0.03 per share commission) rises so that it equals or exceeds the net asset value per share of the Common Stock at the close of trading on the NYSE on the payment date before the Plan Agent has completed the open market purchases or (ii) if the Plan Agent is unable to invest the full amount eligible to be reinvested in open market purchases, the Plan Agent will cease purchasing Common Stock in the open market and the Fund shall issue the remaining Common Stock at a price per share equal to the greater of (a) the net asset value per share at the close of trading on the NYSE on the day prior to the issuance of shares for reinvestment or (b) 95% of the then current market price per share.
Common Stock in your account will be held by the Plan Agent in non-certificated form. Any proxy you receive will include all shares of Common Stock you have received under the Plan. You may withdraw from the Plan (i.e., opt-out) by notifying the Plan Agent in writing at P.O. Box 43006, Providence, RI 02940-3078 or by calling the Plan Agent at 1-888-888-0151. Such withdrawal will be effective immediately if notice is received by the Plan Agent not less than ten business days prior to any dividend or distribution record date; otherwise such 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.
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc.
Plan participants who sell their shares will be charged a service charge (currently $5.00 per transaction) and the Plan Agent is authorized to deduct brokerage charges actually incurred from the proceeds (currently $0.05 per share commission). There is no service charge for reinvestment of your dividends or distributions in Common Stock. However, all participants will pay a pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred by the Plan Agent when it makes open market purchases. Because all dividends and distributions will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of Common Stock, this allows you to add to your investment through dollar cost averaging, which may lower the average cost of your Common Stock over time. Dollar cost averaging is a technique for lowering the average cost per share over time if the Fund’s net asset value declines. While dollar cost averaging has definite advantages, it cannot assure profit or protect against loss in declining markets.
Automatically reinvesting dividends and distributions does not mean that you do not have to pay income taxes due upon receiving dividends and distributions. Investors will be subject to income tax on amounts reinvested under the Plan.
The Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate the Plan if, in the judgment of the Board of Directors, the change is warranted. The Plan may be terminated, amended or supplemented by the Fund upon notice in writing mailed to stockholders at least 30 days prior to the record date for the payment of any dividend or distribution by the Fund for which the termination or amendment is to be effective. Upon any termination, you will be sent cash for any fractional share of Common Stock in your account. You may elect to notify the Plan Agent in advance of such termination to have the Plan Agent sell part or all of your Common Stock on your behalf. Additional information about the Plan and your account may be obtained from the Plan Agent at P.O. Box 43006, Providence, RI 02940-3078 or by calling the Plan Agent at 1-888-888-0151.
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc.
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Western Asset
Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc.
Directors
Jane Trust
Chairman
Jane Trust
President and Chief Executive
Officer
Christopher Berarducci
Treasurer and Principal Financial
Officer
Fred Jensen
Chief Compliance Officer
Marc A. De Oliveira
Secretary and Chief Legal Officer
Thomas C. Mandia
Senior Vice President
Jeanne M. Kelly
Senior Vice President
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc.
620 Eighth Avenue
47th Floor
New York, NY 10018
Franklin Templeton Fund Adviser, LLC
Western Asset Management Company, LLC
Western Asset Management Company Limited
Western Asset Management Company Ltd
Western Asset Management Company Pte. Ltd.
The Bank of New York Mellon
Computershare Inc.
P.O. Box 43006
Providence, RI 02940-3078
Independent registered
public accounting firm
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Baltimore, MD
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
900 G Street NW
Washington, DC 20001
New York Stock
Exchange Symbol
Franklin Templeton Funds Privacy and Security Notice
Your Privacy and the Security of Your Personal Information is Very Important to Us
This Privacy and Security Notice (the “Privacy Notice”) addresses the Funds’ privacy and data protection practices with respect to nonpublic personal information the Fund receives. The Legg Mason Funds include the Western Asset Money Market Funds (Funds) sold by the Funds’ distributor, Franklin Distributors, LLC, as well as Legg Mason-sponsored closed-end funds. The provisions of this Privacy Notice apply to your information both while you are a shareholder and after you are no longer invested with the Funds.
The Type of Nonpublic Personal Information the Funds Collect About You
The Funds collect and maintain nonpublic personal information about you in connection with your shareholder account. Such information may include, but is not limited to:
•
Personal information included on applications or other forms;
•
Account balances, transactions, and mutual fund holdings and positions;
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Bank account information, legal documents, and identity verification documentation; and
•
Online account access user IDs, passwords, security challenge question responses.
How the Funds Use Nonpublic Personal Information About You
The Funds do not sell or share your nonpublic personal information with third parties or with affiliates for their marketing purposes, unless you have authorized the Funds to do so. The Funds do not disclose any nonpublic personal information about you except as may be required to perform transactions or services you have authorized or as permitted or required by law. The Funds may disclose information about you to:
•
Employees, agents, and affiliates on a “need to know” basis to enable the Funds to conduct ordinary business or to comply with obligations to government regulators;
•
Service providers, including the Funds’ affiliates, who assist the Funds as part of the ordinary course of business (such as printing, mailing services, or processing or servicing your account with us) or otherwise perform services on the Funds’ behalf, including companies that may perform statistical analysis, market research and marketing services solely for the Funds;
•
Permit access to transfer, whether in the United States or countries outside of the United States to such Funds’ employees, agents and affiliates and service providers as required to enable the Funds to conduct ordinary business, or to comply with obligations to government regulators;
•
The Funds’ representatives such as legal counsel, accountants and auditors to enable the Funds to conduct ordinary business, or to comply with obligations to government regulators;
•
Fiduciaries or representatives acting on your behalf, such as an IRA custodian or trustee of a grantor trust.
NOT PART OF THE SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
Franklin Templeton Funds Privacy and Security Notice (cont’d) Except as otherwise permitted by applicable law, companies acting on the Funds’ behalf, including those outside the United States, are contractually obligated to keep nonpublic personal information the Funds provide to them confidential and to use the information the Funds share only to provide the services the Funds ask them to perform.
The Funds may disclose nonpublic personal information about you when necessary to enforce their rights or protect against fraud, or as permitted or required by applicable law, such as in connection with a law enforcement or regulatory request, subpoena, or similar legal process. In the event of a corporate action or in the event a Fund service provider changes, the Funds may be required to disclose your nonpublic personal information to third parties. While it is the Funds’ practice to obtain protections for disclosed information in these types of transactions, the Funds cannot guarantee their privacy policy will remain unchanged.
Keeping You Informed of the Funds’ Privacy and Security Practices
The Funds will notify you annually of their privacy policy as required by federal law. While the Funds reserve the right to modify this policy at any time, they will notify you promptly if this privacy policy changes.
The Funds’ Security Practices
The Funds maintain appropriate physical, electronic and procedural safeguards designed to guard your nonpublic personal information. The Funds’ internal data security policies restrict access to your nonpublic personal information to authorized employees, who may use your nonpublic personal information for Fund business purposes only.
Although the Funds strive to protect your nonpublic personal information, they cannot ensure or warrant the security of any information you provide or transmit to them, and you do so at your own risk. In the event of a breach of the confidentiality or security of your nonpublic personal information, the Funds will attempt to notify you as necessary so you can take appropriate protective steps. If you have consented to the Funds using electronic communications or electronic delivery of statements, they may notify you under such circumstances using the most current email address you have on record with them.
In order for the Funds to provide effective service to you, keeping your account information accurate is very important. If you believe that your account information is incomplete, not accurate or not current, if you have questions about the Funds’ privacy practices, or our use of your nonpublic personal information, write the Funds using the contact information on your account statements, email the Funds by clicking on the Contact Us section of the Funds’ website at www.franklintempleton.com, or contact the Funds at 1-877-721-1926 for the Western Asset Money Market Funds or 1-888-777-0102 for the Legg Mason-sponsored closed-end funds. For additional information related to certain state privacy rights, please visit https://www.franklintempleton.com/help/privacy-policy.
NOT PART OF THE SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc.
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc.
620 Eighth Avenue
47th Floor
New York, NY 10018
Notice is hereby given in accordance with Section 23(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, that from time to time the Fund may purchase, at market prices, shares of its stock.
The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. The Fund’s Forms N-PORT are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. To obtain information on Form N-PORT, shareholders can call the Fund at 1-888-777-0102.
Information on how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the prior 12-month period ended June 30th of each year and a description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies related to portfolio transactions are available (1) without charge, upon request, by calling 1-888-777-0102, (2) at www.franklintempleton.com and (3) on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
Quarterly performance, semi-annual and annual reports, current net asset value and other information regarding the Fund may be found on Franklin Templeton’s website, which can be accessed at www.franklintempleton.com. Any reference to Franklin Templeton’s website in this report is intended to allow investors public access to information regarding the Fund and does not, and is not intended to, incorporate Franklin Templeton’s website in this report.
This report is transmitted to the shareholders of Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc. for their information. This is not a prospectus, circular or representation intended for use in the purchase of shares of the Fund or any securities mentioned in this report.
Computershare Inc.
P.O. Box 43006
Providence, RI 02940-3078
Not applicable.
| ITEM 3. | AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT. |
Not applicable.
| ITEM 4. | PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES. |
Not applicable.
| ITEM 5. | AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS. |
Not applicable.
| ITEM 6. | SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS. |
Included herein under Item 1.
| ITEM 7. | FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS FOR OPEN-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES. |
Not applicable.
| ITEM 8. | CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS FOR OPEN-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES. |
Not applicable.
| ITEM 9. | PROXY DISCLOSURES FOR OPEN-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES. |
Not applicable.
| ITEM 10. | REMUNERATION PAID TO DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, AND OTHERS OF OPEN-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES. |
Not applicable.
| ITEM 11. | STATEMENT REGARDING BASIS FOR APPROVAL OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY CONTRACT. |
Not applicable.
| ITEM 12. | DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES. |
Not applicable.
| ITEM 13. | PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES. |
On March 1, 2024, Molly Schwartz became part of the portfolio management team of the Fund.
NAME AND ADDRESS | | LENGTH OF TIME SERVED | | PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST 5 YEARS |
Molly Schwartz Western Asset 385 East Colorado Blvd. Pasadena, CA 91101 | | Since March 1, 2024 | | Responsible for the day-to-day management with other members of the Fund’s portfolio management team; employed by Western Asset Management as an investment professional for at least the past five years. |
The following tables set forth certain additional information with respect to the above named fund’s investment professional responsible for the day-to-day management with other members of the Fund’s portfolio management team for the fund. Unless noted otherwise, all information is provided as of May 31, 2024.
Other Accounts Managed by Investment Professional
The table below identifies the number of accounts (other than the fund) for which the below named fund’s investment professional has 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.
Name of PM | Type of Account | Number of Accounts Managed | Total Assets Managed | Number of Accounts Managed for which Advisory Fee is Performance- Based | Assets Managed for which Advisory Fee is Performance- Based |
Molly Schwartz‡ | Other Registered Investment Companies | 4 | $1.41 billion | None | None |
Other Pooled Vehicles | 11 | $3.76 billion | None | None |
Other Accounts | 127 | $52.53 billion | 5 | $1.32 billion |
‡ | The numbers above reflect the overall number of portfolios managed by employees of Western Asset Management Company (“Western Asset”). Western Asset’s investment discipline emphasizes a team approach that combines the efforts of groups of specialists working in different market sectors. They are responsible for overseeing implementation of Western Asset’s overall investment ideas and coordinating the work of the various sector teams. This structure ensures that client portfolios benefit from a consensus that draws on the expertise of all team members. |
(a)(3): As of May 31, 2024 : Investment Professional Compensation
Conflicts of Interest
The Subadviser has adopted compliance policies and procedures to address a wide range of potential conflicts of interest that could directly impact client portfolios. For example, potential conflicts of interest may arise in connection with the management of multiple portfolios (including portfolios managed in a personal capacity). These could include potential conflicts of interest related to the knowledge and timing of a portfolio’s trades, investment opportunities and broker selection. Portfolio managers are privy to the size, timing, and possible market impact of a portfolio’s trades.
It is possible that an investment opportunity may be suitable for both a portfolio and other accounts managed by a portfolio manager, but may not be available in sufficient quantities for both the portfolio and the other accounts to participate fully. Similarly, there may be limited opportunity to sell an investment held by a portfolio and another account. A conflict may arise where the portfolio manager may have an incentive to treat an account preferentially as compared to a portfolio because the account pays a performance-based fee or the portfolio manager, the Subadviser or an affiliate has an interest in the account. The Subadviser has adopted procedures for allocation of portfolio transactions and investment opportunities across multiple client accounts on a fair and equitable basis over time. Eligible accounts that can participate in a trade generally share the same price on a pro-rata allocation basis, taking into account differences based on factors such as cash availability, investment restrictions and guidelines, and portfolio composition versus strategy.
With respect to securities transactions, the Subadviser determines which broker or dealer to use to execute each order, consistent with their duty to seek best execution of the transaction. However, with respect to certain other accounts (such as pooled investment vehicles that are not registered investment companies and other accounts managed for organizations and individuals), the Subadviser may be limited by the client with respect to the selection of brokers or dealers or may be instructed to direct trades through a particular broker or dealer. In these cases, trades for a portfolio in a particular security may be placed separately from, rather than aggregated with, such other accounts. Having separate transactions with respect to a security may temporarily affect the market price of the security or the execution of the transaction, or both, to the possible detriment of a portfolio or the other account(s) involved. Additionally, the management of multiple portfolios and/or other accounts may result in a portfolio manager devoting unequal time and attention to the management of each portfolio and/or other account. The Subadviser’s team approach to portfolio management and block trading approach seeks to limit this potential risk.
The Subadviser also maintains a gift and entertainment policy to address the potential for a business contact to give gifts or host entertainment events that may influence the business judgment of an employee. Employees are permitted to retain gifts of only a nominal value and are required to make reimbursement for entertainment events above a certain value. All gifts (except those of a de minimis value) and entertainment events that are given or sponsored by a business contact are required to be reported in a gift and entertainment log which is reviewed on a regular basis for possible issues.
Employees of the Subadviser have access to transactions and holdings information regarding client accounts and the Subadviser’s overall trading activities. This information represents a potential conflict of interest because employees may take advantage of this information as they trade in their personal accounts. Accordingly, the Subadviser maintains a Code of Ethics that is compliant with Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act and Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act to address personal trading. In addition, the Code of Ethics seeks to establish broader principles of good conduct and fiduciary responsibility in all aspects of the Subadviser’s business. The Code of Ethics is administered by the Legal and Compliance Department and monitored through the Subadviser’s compliance monitoring program.
The Subadviser may also face other potential conflicts of interest with respect to managing client assets, and the description above is not a complete description of every conflict of interest that could be deemed to exist. The Subadviser also maintains a compliance monitoring program and engages independent auditors to conduct a SOC1/ISAE 3402 audit on an annual basis. These steps help to ensure that potential conflicts of interest have been addressed.
Investment Professional Compensation
With respect to the compensation of the Fund’s investment professionals, the Subadviser’s compensation system assigns each employee a total compensation range, which is derived from annual market surveys that benchmark each role with its job function and peer universe. This method is designed to reward employees with total compensation reflective of the external market value of their skills, experience and ability to produce desired results. Standard compensation includes competitive base salaries, generous employee benefits and a retirement plan.
In addition, the Subadviser’s employees are eligible for bonuses. These are structured to closely align the interests of employees with those of the Subadviser, and are determined by the professional’s job function and pre-tax performance as measured by a formal review process. All bonuses are completely discretionary. The principal factor considered is an investment professional’s investment performance versus appropriate peer groups and benchmarks (e.g., a securities index and with respect to the Fund, the benchmark set forth in the Fund’s Prospectus to which the Fund’s average annual total returns are compared or, if none, the benchmark set forth in the Fund’s annual report). Performance is reviewed on a 1, 3 and 5 year basis for compensation—with 3 and 5 years having a larger emphasis. The Subadviser may also measure an investment professional’s pre-tax investment performance against other benchmarks, as it determines appropriate. Because investment professionals are generally responsible for multiple accounts (including the Fund) with similar investment strategies, they are generally compensated on the performance of the aggregate group of similar accounts, rather than a specific account. Other factors that may be considered when making bonus decisions include client service, business development, length of service to the Subadviser, management or supervisory responsibilities, contributions to developing business strategy and overall contributions to the Subadviser’s business.
Finally, in order to attract and retain top talent, all investment professionals are eligible for additional incentives in recognition of outstanding performance. These are determined based upon the factors described above and include long-term incentives that vest over a set period of time past the award date.
Investment Professional Securities Ownership
The table below identifies the dollar range of securities beneficially owned by the named investment professional as of May 31, 2024.
Investment Professional | | Dollar Range of Portfolio Securities Beneficially Owned |
Molly Schwartz | | A |
Dollar Range ownership is as follows:
A: none
B: $1 - $10,000
C: 10,001 - $50,000
D: $50,001 - $100,000
E: $100,001 - $500,000
F: $500,001 - $1 million
G: over $1 million
| ITEM 14. | PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS. |
Not applicable.
| ITEM 15. | SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS. |
Not applicable.
| ITEM 16. | CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES. |
| (a) | The registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a- 3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”)) are effective as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report that includes the disclosure required by this paragraph, based on their evaluation of the disclosure controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act and 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. |
| (b) | There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act) that occurred during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are likely to materially affect the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. |
| ITEM 17. | DISCLOSURE OF SECURITIES LENDING ACTIVITIES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES. |
Not applicable.
| ITEM 18. | RECOVERY OF ERRONEOUSLY AWARDED COMPENSATION. |
| (a) (1) | Not applicable. |
| Exhibit 99.CODE ETH |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, there unto duly authorized.
Western Asset Investment Grade Defined Opportunity Trust Inc.
By: | /s/ Jane Trust | |
| Jane Trust | |
| Chief Executive Officer | |
| | |
Date: | July 25, 2024 | |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
By: | /s/ Jane Trust | |
| Jane Trust | |
| Chief Executive Officer | |
| | |
Date: | July 25, 2024 | |
By: | /s/ Christopher Berarducci | |
| Christopher Berarducci | |
| Principal Financial Officer | |
| | |
Date: | July 25, 2024 | |