Western Asset Income Fund

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: 811-02351

Name of Fund: Western Asset Income Fund

Address of Principal Executive Offices:

385 East Colorado Boulevard

Pasadena, CA 91101

Name and address of agent for service:

Charles A. Ruys de Perez

385 East Colorado Boulevard

Pasadena, CA 91101

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (626) 844-9400

Date of fiscal year end: December 31, 2007

Date of reporting period: December 31, 2007

 


Item 1 – Report to Shareholders

 


 


 

Western Asset Income Fund

 

Annual Report to Shareholders

 

December 31, 2007

 



Annual Report to Shareholders

Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance

 

Fund Performance

Total return on market value measures investment performance in terms of appreciation or depreciation in market value per share, plus dividends and any capital gain distributions. Total return on net asset value measures investment performance in terms of appreciation or depreciation in net asset value per share, plus dividends and any capital gain distributions. Average annual returns for Western Asset Income Fund (“Fund”) and three comparative indices for various periods ended December 31, 2007, are presented below:

 

    Average Annual Total Returns
     One
Year
     Five
Years
     Ten
Years

Total Fund Investment Return Based on:

           

Market Value

  -6.16%      6.36%      5.96%

Net Asset Value

  2.17%      7.29%      6.82%

Lehman High Yield IndexA

  2.13%      10.07%      3.96%

Lehman US Credit IndexB

  5.11%      4.84%      6.05%

Lipper Corporate Debt Funds BBB Rated AverageC

  4.37%      5.39%      5.35%

 

The performance data quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. The performance stated may have been due to extraordinary market conditions, which may not be duplicated in the future. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. The investment return and principal value of the fund will fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than the original cost. Calculations assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions. Performance would have been lower if fees had not been waived in various periods.

 

2007 was a tale of two markets. The first six months were reasonably benign. Then came the crisis in the fixed-income markets in the second half. The TEDD spread, a measure of systemic risk, rose four-fold during the period. The yield on the two-year Treasury declined 181 basis points (“bps”)E from its June 30th level, driving a powerful rally in the Treasury market. Investors began to suspect that the Federal Reserve Board (“Fed”)F had reached the end of its tightening cycle and would need to begin easing. These expectations were subsequently validated by the Fed’s decision to cut the federal funds rate by a total of 100 bps at the final three Federal Open Market Committee meetings of the year. Short-term interest rates fell sharply, partly a result of the flight to quality. Long-term rates declined as well. Core inflation measures were tame but the Fed showed signs of hesitation in the use of monetary stimulus as headline measures remained uncomfortably high. Home prices declined and housing market indicators deteriorated markedly as the year progressed. Despite the ongoing weakness in residential construction and the collapse of the subprime lending market, economic growth picked up in the second and third quarters, largely due to a boom in nonresidential construction and net exports. Credit spreads widened significantly versus similar duration U.S. Treasuries with most of the losses arising in the second half of the year. Increasing uncertainty over the degree of subprime losses forced swap spreads sharply higher, negatively affecting mortgage-backed securities. The price of oil approached $100 per barrel while gold prices reached new record highs. The dollar lost substantial value against a trade-weighted basket of currencies. Equity markets managed to produce small gains despite large losses in the final two months of the period.

 

 

A

 

Lehman High Yield Index—A market value-weighted index that tracks the daily price, coupon, and total return performance of non-investment grade, fixed rate, publicly placed, dollar-denominated, and non-convertible debt registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

B

 

Lehman US Credit Index—This index consists of publicly issued U.S. corporate and specified foreign debentures and secured notes that meet the specified maturity, liquidity, and quality requirements. To qualify, bonds must be SEC-registered. The index includes both corporate (industrial, utility, and finance) and non-corporate (sovereign, supranational, foreign agency, and foreign local government) sectors.

C

 

Lipper Corporate Debt Funds BBB Rated Average—Average of the 153 funds comprising the Lipper universe of closed-end funds that invest at least 65% of assets in corporate and government debt issues rated in the top four grades.

D

 

Ted Spread (Ted)—The price difference between three-month futures contracts for U.S. Treasuries and three-month contracts for euros having identical expiration months.

E

 

100 basis points = 1.00%.

F

 

The Federal Reserve Board (“Fed”) is charged with, among other things, managing the nation’s monetary policy by influencing the monetary and credit conditions in the economy in pursuit of maximum employment, stable prices, and moderate long-term interest rates.

 

1


Annual Report to Shareholders

Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance—Continued

 

The total return of the Fund including reinvestment of dividends for the annual period ending December 31, 2007 was -6.16% based on market price. Based on net asset value (“NAV”), the annual return for the Fund was 2.17%. The Fund underperformed the Lehman U.S. Credit Index, which returned 5.11%. The Fund’s discount to NAV rose to 10.77% by December 31, 2007. Returns were negatively impacted by a bias towards lower quality credit, industry allocation and issue selection. The Fund’s exposure to high yield securities hurt performance as the Lehman High Yield Index returned 2.13%. An overweight to financials, and specifically capital securities within the financial arena, which returned 0.03%, hurt relative performance. Finally, issue selection detracted from performance due largely to exposure to Residential Capital, Countrywide Financial and GMAC, which returned -31.98%, -23.22% and -11.65%, respectively.

 

Western Asset Management Company

 

February 19, 2008

 

2


Annual Report to Shareholders

Fund Highlights

(Amounts in Thousands, except per share amounts)

 

       December 31,
        2007      2006

Net Asset Value

     $142,029      $149,406

Per Share

     $15.13      $15.91

Market Value Per Share

     $13.50      $15.52

Net Investment Income

     $8,930      $8,528

Per Share

     $0.95      $0.91

Dividends Paid:

         

Ordinary Income

     $8,985      $8,100

Per Share

     $0.96      $0.86

Long-Term Capital Gains

     $1,505      $726

Per Share

     $0.16      $0.08

 

The Fund

Western Asset Income Fund (the “Fund”) is a closed-end, diversified management investment company which seeks for its shareholders a high level of current income through investment in a diversified portfolio of debt securities. Substantially all of the Fund’s net investment to use income is distributed to its shareholders. A Dividend Reinvestment Plan is available to those shareholders of record desiring it. The Fund’s common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) where they trade under the symbol PAI, and price quotations can be found in publications under the abbreviation WstAssetIncoFd.

 

Investment Policies

The Fund’s investment policies provide that its portfolio must be invested as follows:

 

   

At least 75% in debt securities rated within the four highest grades, and in government securities, bank debt, commercial paper, cash or cash equivalents.

 

   

Up to 25% in other fixed income securities, convertible bonds, convertible preferred and preferred stock.

 

   

Not more than 25% in securities restricted as to resale.

 

Dividend Reinvestment Plan and Optional Cash Investment Service

The Fund and Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (“Computershare” or the “Agent”), as the Transfer Agent and Registrar of the Fund, offer two convenient ways to add shares of the Fund to your account. First, the Fund offers to all shareholders a Dividend Reinvestment Plan (“Plan”). Under the Plan, cash distributions (e.g., dividends and capital gains) are automatically invested in shares of the Fund unless the shareholder elects otherwise. Second, the Fund offers to registered shareholders (those who own shares in their own name on the Fund’s records) the option to purchase additional whole and partial shares of the Fund through the Optional Cash Investment Service (“Optional Cash Investment Service”).

 

Dividend Reinvestment Plan

As a participant in the Dividend Reinvestment Plan, you will automatically receive your dividend or net capital gains distribution in newly issued shares of the Fund if the market price of a share on the date of the distribution is at or above the net asset value (“NAV”) of a Fund share, minus estimated brokerage commissions that would be incurred upon the purchase of Fund shares on the open market. The number of shares to be issued to you will be determined by dividing the amount of the cash distribution to which you are entitled (net of any applicable withholding taxes) by the greater of the NAV per share on such date or 95% of the market price of a share on such date. If the market price of a share on such distribution date is below the NAV, minus estimated brokerage commissions that would be incurred upon the purchase of Fund shares on the open market, the Agent will, as agent for the participants, buy shares of the Fund’s stock through a broker on the open market. The price per share of shares purchased for each participant’s account with respect to a particular dividend or other distribution will be the average price (including brokerage commissions, transfer taxes and any other costs of purchase) of all shares purchased with respect to that dividend or other distribution. All shares of common stock acquired on your behalf through the Plan will be automatically credited to an account maintained on the books of the Agent. Full and fractional shares will be voted by Computershare in accordance with your instructions.

 

3


Annual Report to Shareholders

Fund Highlights—Continued

 

Optional Cash Investment Service

Under the Optional Cash Investment Service (offered to registered shareholders only), funds received from shareholders for stock purchases will be pooled once per month. The Agent will then purchase shares of the Fund’s stock through a broker on the open market. For the purposes of making purchases, the Agent will commingle each participant’s funds with those of all other participants in the Plan. The Agent will hold the total shares purchased for all participants in its name or the name of its nominee and will have no responsibility for the value of such shares after their purchase.

 

Beneficial shareholders (those who own shares held in a brokerage, bank or other financial institution account) are not eligible to participate in this option because there is no way to make payments through a broker, bank or nominee. A beneficial shareholder may, however, have his or her shares taken out of “street name” and re-register such shares in his or her own name, becoming a registered shareholder in order to participate. If you wish to do so, please contact your broker, bank or nominee.

 

Additional Information Regarding the Plan and the Optional Cash Investment Service

The Fund will pay all costs applicable to the Plan and Optional Cash Investment Service, with the exceptions noted below. Brokerage commissions, transfer taxes and any other costs of purchase or sale by the Agent under the Plan or Optional Cash Investment Service will be charged to participants. In the event the Fund determines to no longer pay such costs, the Agent will terminate the Plan and Optional Cash Investment Service and may, but is not obligated to, offer a new plan under which it would impose a direct service charge on participants.

 

All shares acquired through the Plan or the Optional Cash Investment Service receive voting rights and are eligible for any stock split, stock dividend, or other rights accruing to shareholders that the Board of Directors may declare.

 

You may terminate participation in the Plan or the Optional Cash Investment Service at any time by giving written notice to the Agent. Such termination will be effective prior to the record date next succeeding the receipt of such instructions or by a later date of termination specified in such instructions. Upon termination, a participant may request a certificate for the full shares credited to his or her account or may request the sale of all or part of such shares. If the participant instructs the Agent to sell the shares credited to the participant’s account, the Agent may accumulate such shares and those of any other terminating participants for purposes of such sale. Brokerage charges, transfer taxes, and any other costs of sale will be allocated pro rata among the selling participants. Any such sale may be made on any securities exchange where such shares are traded, in the over-the-counter market or in negotiated transactions, and may be subject to such terms of price, delivery, etc., as the Agent may agree to. Fractional shares credited to a terminating account will be paid for in cash at the current market price at the time of termination.

 

Dividends and other distributions invested in additional shares under the Plan are subject to income tax just as if they had been received in cash. After year end, dividends paid on the accumulated shares will be included in the Form 1099-DIV information return to the Internal Revenue Service and only one Form 1099-DIV will be sent to each participant each year.

 

Inquiries regarding the Plan and the Optional Cash Investment Service, as well as notices of termination, should be directed to Computershare Trust Company, N.A., P.O. Box 43010, Providence, RI 02940-3010—Investor Relations, telephone number 1-866-290-4386.

 

Schedule of Portfolio Holdings

The Fund files a complete schedule of its portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. You may obtain a free copy of the Fund’s Form N-Q by calling 1-800-799-4932 or by writing to the Fund, or you may obtain a copy of this report (and other information relating to the Fund) from the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) website (http://www.sec.gov). Additionally, the Fund’s Form N-Q can be viewed or copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington D.C. Information about the operation of the Public Reference Room can be obtained by calling 1-202-551-8090.

 

Annual Certifications

In May 2007, the Fund submitted its annual CEO certification to the NYSE in which the Fund’s principal executive officer certified that he was not aware, as of the date of the certification, of any violation by the Fund of the NYSE’s Corporate Governance listing standards. In addition, as required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and related SEC rules, the

 

4


Annual Report to Shareholders

 

Fund’s principal executive and principal financial officers have made quarterly certifications, included in filings with the SEC on Forms N-CSR and N-Q, relating to, among other things, the Fund’s disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting.

 

Proxy Voting

You may request a free description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how proxies relating to the Fund’s portfolio securities are voted by calling 1-800-799-4932 or by writing to the Fund, or you may obtain a copy of these policies and procedures (and other information regarding the Fund) from the SEC’s web site (http://www.sec.gov). You may request a free report regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30 by calling 1-800-799-4932 or by writing to the Fund, or you may obtain a copy of this report (and other information relating to the Fund) from the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov).

 

Quarterly Comparison of Market Price and Net Asset Value (“NAV”), Discount or Premium to NAV and Average Daily Volume of Shares Traded

 

        Market
Price
     Net Asset
Value
     Premium/
(Discount)
    Average
Daily Volume
(Shares)
A

March 31, 2007

     $ 14.91      $ 15.92      (6.34 )%   10,671

June 30, 2007

       14.76        15.52      (4.90 )%   12,238

September 30, 2007

       14.72        15.47      (4.85 )%   16,141

December 31, 2007

       13.50        15.13      (10.77 )%   18,245

 

 

A

 

Amounts not in thousands.

 

5


Annual Report to Shareholders

Portfolio Diversification

December 31, 2007A

 

LOGO

 

The pie and bar charts above represent the composition of the Fund’s portfolio as of December 31, 2007.

 

 

A

 

The Fund is actively managed. As a result, the composition of its portfolio holdings and sectors is subject to change at any time.

B

 

Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services provide capital markets with credit ratings for the evaluation and assessment of credit risk.

 

6


Annual Report to Shareholders

Portfolio of Investments

December 31, 2007

(Amounts in Thousands)

 

Western Asset Income Fund

 

 

 

     % OF
NET ASSETS
   RATE    MATURITY
DATE
   PAR/
SHARES
   VALUE  
              

Long-Term Securities

   98.6%            

Corporate Bonds and Notes

   71.9%            

Aerospace and Defense

   0.2%            

L-3 Communications Corp.

      7.625%    6/15/12    $ 275    $ 282  
                    

Airlines

   0.6%            

Continental Airlines Inc.

      6.545%    2/2/19      170      171  

Continental Airlines Inc.

      7.256%    3/15/20      201      208  

Delta Air Lines Inc.

      7.111%    9/18/11      400      400  
                    
                 779  
                    

Automobiles

   6.3%            

DaimlerChrysler NA Holding Corp.

      7.300%    1/15/12      245      261  

Ford Motor Co.

      7.450%    7/16/31      8,050      5,977 A

General Motors Corp.

      8.250%    7/15/23      3,450      2,743 A
                    
                 8,981  
                    

Beverages

   0.2%            

PepsiAmericas Inc.

      5.750%    7/31/12      290      303  
                    

Building Products

   0.5%            

American Standard Inc.

      8.250%    6/1/09      500      525  

Nortek Inc.

      8.500%    9/1/14      225      180  
                    
                 705  
                    

Capital Markets

   5.1%            

BankAmerica Capital III

      5.813%    1/15/27      215      184 B

Deutsche Bank AG

      5.375%    10/12/12      330      338  

Goldman Sachs Capital II

      5.793%    12/29/49      920      819 C

Lehman Brothers Holdings Capital Trust VII

      5.857%    11/29/49      1,590      1,417 C

Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc.

      6.500%    7/19/17      110      111  

Merrill Lynch and Co. Inc.

      6.050%    8/15/12      400      408  

Merrill Lynch and Co. Inc.

      5.700%    5/2/17      1,000      953 A

Merrill Lynch and Co. Inc.

      6.400%    8/28/17      300      305  

Merrill Lynch and Co. Inc.

      6.110%    1/29/37      320      283  

Morgan Stanley

      5.050%    1/21/11      1,180      1,180  

Morgan Stanley

      4.750%    4/1/14      60      56  

Morgan Stanley

      6.250%    8/28/17      100      102  

The Bear Stearns Cos. Inc.

      5.550%    1/22/17      720      645 A

The Goldman Sachs Group Inc.

      6.345%    2/15/34      555      501  
                    
                 7,302  
                    

 

7


Annual Report to Shareholders

Portfolio of Investments—Continued

 

Western Asset Income Fund—Continued

 

 

 

     % OF
NET ASSETS
   RATE    MATURITY
DATE
   PAR/
SHARES
   VALUE  
              

Corporate Bonds and Notes—Continued

              

Chemicals

   0.6%            

The Dow Chemical Co.

      7.375%    11/1/29    $ 800    $ 880  
                    

Commercial Banks

   3.3%            

Comerica Capital Trust II

      6.576%    2/20/37      360      288 C

Rabobank Capital Funding Trust II

      5.260%    12/31/49      115      107 C,D

Rabobank Capital Funding Trust III

      5.254%    12/31/16      1,145      1,025 C,D

RBS Capital Trust III

      5.512%    9/29/49      1,460      1,342 C

SunTrust Capital VIII

      6.100%    12/15/36      560      466 C

Wachovia Capital Trust III

      5.800%    3/15/42      200      179 C

Wells Fargo and Co.

      5.250%    10/23/12      790      803  

Wells Fargo Capital X

      5.950%    12/15/36      450      420 C
                    
                 4,630  
                    

Commercial Services and Supplies

   0.3%            

Waste Management Inc.

      7.375%    5/15/29      415      454  
                    

Communications Equipment

   N.M.            

Motorola Inc.

      7.625%    11/15/10      56      60  
                    

Consumer Finance

   2.9%            

American Express Co.

      6.800%    9/1/66      1,120      1,136 C

Capital One Financial Corp.

      6.750%    9/15/17      230      221  

GMAC LLC

      8.000%    11/1/31      1,610      1,351 A

Nelnet Inc.

      7.400%    9/29/36      460      442 C

SLM Corp.

      5.000%    10/1/13      30      26  

SLM Corp.

      5.375%    5/15/14      780      693  

SLM Corp.

      5.050%    11/14/14      130      112  

SLM Corp.

      5.625%    8/1/33      180      139  
                    
                 4,120  
                    

Containers and Packaging

   0.1%            

Graphic Packaging International Corp.

      9.500%    8/15/13      200      198  
                    

Diversified Financial Services

   9.3%            

AGFC Capital Trust I

      6.000%    1/15/67      300      272 C,D

AIG SunAmerica Global Financing VI

      6.300%    5/10/11      1,880      1,953 D

BAC Capital Trust XIV

      5.630%    12/31/49      170      151 C

Bank of America Corp.

      7.800%    9/15/16      250      283  

Beaver Valley II Funding

      9.000%    6/1/17      294      331  

Capital One Bank

      6.500%    6/13/13      330      324  

 

8


Annual Report to Shareholders

 

 

 

 

     % OF
NET ASSETS
   RATE    MATURITY
DATE
   PAR/
SHARES
   VALUE  
              

Corporate Bonds and Notes—Continued

              

Diversified Financial Services—Continued

              

Capital One Capital IV

      6.745%    2/17/37    $ 390    $ 290 A,C

Capmark Financial Group Inc.

      5.875%    5/10/12      350      277 D,E

Chase Capital II

      5.411%    2/1/27      725      579 B

Citigroup Capital XXI

      8.300%    12/21/57      320      334 C

Citigroup Inc.

      6.125%    8/25/36      550      521  

Deutsche Bank Capital Funding Trust

      5.628%    1/19/49      670      609 C,D

General Electric Capital Corp.

      6.375%    11/15/67      600      620 C

Glen Meadow Pass-Through Certificates

      6.505%    2/12/67      310      292 C,D

HSBC Finance Capital Trust IX

      5.911%    11/30/35      1,350      1,249 C

HSBC Finance Corp.

      5.700%    6/1/11      1,730      1,740  

ILFC E-Capital Trust II

      6.250%    12/21/65      790      755 C,D

Mizuho Preferred Capital Co. LLC

      8.790%    12/29/49      110      111 C,D

TNK-BP Finance SA

      7.875%    3/13/18      100      99 D

UBS Preferred Funding Trust V

      6.243%    5/12/49      1,120      1,078 C

ZFS Finance USA Trust II

      6.450%    12/15/65      1,440      1,342 C,D
                    
                 13,210  
                    

Diversified Telecommunication Services

   1.7%            

AT&T Corp.

      8.000%    11/15/31      440      540  

Embarq Corp.

      7.082%    6/1/16      330      340  

Qwest Corp.

      6.875%    9/15/33      1,000      922  

Verizon Global Funding Corp.

      5.850%    9/15/35      570      558  
                    
                 2,360  
                    

Electric Utilities

   4.4%            

Exelon Corp.

      6.750%    5/1/11      550      575  

FirstEnergy Corp.

      6.450%    11/15/11      60      62  

FirstEnergy Corp.

      7.375%    11/15/31      395      433  

Pacific Gas and Electric Co.

      6.050%    3/1/34      800      799  

PNPP II Funding Corp.

      9.120%    5/30/16      2,186      2,580 A

Sithe/Independence Funding Corp.

      9.000%    12/30/13      1,500      1,620  

Tampa Electric Co.

      6.375%    8/15/12      145      152  
                    
                 6,221  
                    

Energy Equipment and Services

   0.2%            

EEB International Ltd.

      8.750%    10/31/14      260      265 A,D
                    

Food and Staples Retailing

   0.3%            

Wal-Mart Stores Inc.

      6.500%    8/15/37      380      400  
                    

 

9


Annual Report to Shareholders

Portfolio of Investments—Continued

 

Western Asset Income Fund—Continued

 

 

 

     % OF
NET ASSETS
   RATE    MATURITY
DATE
   PAR/
SHARES
   VALUE  
              

Corporate Bonds and Notes—Continued

              

Food Products

   0.2%            

Tyson Foods Inc.

      6.850%    4/1/16    $ 340    $ 349 E
                    

Gas Utilities

   0.1%            

Southern Natural Gas Co.

      5.900%    4/1/17      170      167 D
                    

Health Care Equipment and Supplies

   0.2%            

Hospira Inc.

      6.050%    3/30/17      290      291  
                    

Health Care Providers and Services

   4.4%            

Cardinal Health Inc.

      6.300%    10/15/16      410      420 D

Coventry Health Care Inc.

      5.950%    3/15/17      440      431  

HCA Inc.

      7.875%    2/1/11      250      244  

HCA Inc.

      6.300%    10/1/12      180      160 A

HCA Inc.

      6.250%    2/15/13      930      814  

HCA Inc.

      5.750%    3/15/14      65      54  

HCA Inc.

      9.125%    11/15/14      400      416 D

HCA Inc.

      9.250%    11/15/16      500      525  

Humana Inc.

      6.450%    6/1/16      220      222  

Tenet Healthcare Corp.

      6.375%    12/1/11      1,465      1,333 A

UnitedHealth Group Inc.

      6.000%    11/15/17      520      527 A,D

Universal Health Services Inc.

      7.125%    6/30/16      520      553  

WellPoint Inc.

      5.875%    6/15/17      540      544  
                    
                 6,243  
                    

Hotels, Restaurants and Leisure

   0.2%            

Caesars Entertainment Inc.

      8.125%    5/15/11      250      232 A
                    

Household Durables

   0.5%            

DR Horton Inc.

      5.250%    2/15/15      410      326  

Pulte Homes Inc.

      6.250%    2/15/13      145      129  

The Black and Decker Corp.

      5.750%    11/15/16      290      289  
                    
                 744  
                    

Independent Power Producers and Energy Traders

   2.5%            

Dynegy Holdings Inc.

      6.875%    4/1/11      1,300      1,255  

Dynegy Holdings Inc.

      8.750%    2/15/12      735      742  

The AES Corp.

      9.500%    6/1/09      39      41  

TXU Corp.

      5.550%    11/15/14      1,500      1,197  

 

10


Annual Report to Shareholders

 

 

 

 

     % OF
NET ASSETS
   RATE    MATURITY
DATE
   PAR/
SHARES
   VALUE  
              

Corporate Bonds and Notes—Continued

              

Independent Power Producers and Energy Traders—Continued

              

TXU Corp.

      6.500%    11/15/24    $ 520    $ 379  
                    
                 3,614  
                    

Insurance

   3.4%            

Ace Ina Holdings Inc.

      5.700%    2/15/17      240      238  

Allstate Corp.

      6.500%    5/15/37      480      447 A,C

American International Group Inc.

      5.450%    5/18/17      180      176  

American International Group Inc.

      6.250%    3/15/37      80      72 C

ASIF Global Financing XIX

      4.900%    1/17/13      30      29 D

Everest Reinsurance Holdings Inc.

      6.600%    5/15/37      260      230 C

Liberty Mutual Group

      5.750%    3/15/14      270      275 D

Liberty Mutual Group

      7.800%    3/15/37      300      267 D

MetLife Inc.

      6.400%    12/15/36      1,160      1,063 C

Prudential Financial Inc.

      5.700%    12/14/36      340      302  

The Chubb Corp.

      6.375%    3/29/67      320      312 C

The Travelers Cos. Inc.

      6.250%    3/15/37      620      581 C

The Travelers Cos. Inc.

      6.250%    6/15/37      280      271  

Willis North America Inc.

      5.125%    7/15/10      280      274  

Willis North America Inc.

      5.625%    7/15/15      230      224  
                    
                 4,761  
                    

IT Services

   0.7%            

Electronic Data Systems Corp.

      7.125%    10/15/09      600      619  

Electronic Data Systems Corp.

      7.450%    10/15/29      420      431  
                    
                 1,050  
                    

Leisure Equipment and Products

   0.2%            

Hasbro Inc.

      6.300%    9/15/17      320      327 E
                    

Media

   3.2%            

AMFM Inc.

      8.000%    11/1/08      210      217  

Clear Channel Communications Inc.

      5.500%    9/15/14      365      278  

Comcast Cable Holdings LLC

      9.800%    2/1/12      375      433  

Comcast Corp.

      6.450%    3/15/37      380      387  

Comcast Corp.

      6.950%    8/15/37      160      173  

Liberty Media LLC

      8.500%    7/15/29      130      127  

Liberty Media LLC

      8.250%    2/1/30      65      62  

News America Inc.

      6.550%    3/15/33      545      544 A

TCI Communications Inc.

      8.750%    8/1/15      160      186  

Time Warner Entertainment Co. LP

      8.375%    7/15/33      530      639  

 

11


Annual Report to Shareholders

Portfolio of Investments—Continued

 

Western Asset Income Fund—Continued

 

 

 

     % OF
NET ASSETS
   RATE    MATURITY
DATE
   PAR/
SHARES
   VALUE  
                            

Corporate Bonds and Notes—Continued

              

Media—Continued

              

Time Warner Inc.

      9.125%    1/15/13    $ 240    $ 273  

Time Warner Inc.

      7.700%    5/1/32      595      661  

Viacom Inc.

      5.625%    8/15/12      520      519  
                    
                 4,499  
                    

Metals and Mining

   1.8%            

Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc.

      8.375%    4/1/17      1,730      1,855  

GTL Trade Finance Inc.

      7.250%    10/20/17      737      748 D
                    
                 2,603  
                    

Multi-Utilities

   1.1%            

Centerpoint Energy Inc.

      6.850%    6/1/15      1,150      1,205  

DTE Energy Co.

      6.375%    4/15/33      330      332 A
                    
                 1,537  
                    

Multiline Retail

   0.8%            

Federated Retail Holdings Inc.

      5.350%    3/15/12      270      263  

Macy’s Retail Holdings Inc.

      5.875%    1/15/13      330      324  

May Department Stores Co.

      5.750%    7/15/14      400      383 A

May Department Stores Co.

      6.650%    7/15/24      180      166  
                    
                 1,136  
                    

Oil, Gas and Consumable Fuels

   9.2%            

Apache Corp.

      6.000%    1/15/37      230      228  

DCP Midstream LLC

      6.750%    9/15/37      420      425 D

Devon Financing Corp. ULC

      7.875%    9/30/31      350      423  

Duke Capital LLC

      6.250%    2/15/13      1,200      1,244  

El Paso Corp.

      7.800%    8/1/31      2,000      2,030  

EOG Resources Inc.

      5.875%    9/15/17      540      554  

Hess Corp.

      7.875%    10/1/29      1,450      1,716  

Kerr-McGee Corp.

      6.950%    7/1/24      300      320  

Kerr-McGee Corp.

      7.875%    9/15/31      1,225      1,461  

Kinder Morgan Energy Partners LP

      7.125%    3/15/12      530      566  

Occidental Petroleum Corp.

      6.750%    1/15/12      200      216  

Peabody Energy Corp.

      6.875%    3/15/13      285      286  

Pemex Project Funding Master Trust

      6.625%    6/15/35      1,455      1,534  

The Williams Cos. Inc.

      7.500%    1/15/31      102      110  

The Williams Cos. Inc.

      8.750%    3/15/32      1,250      1,528  

XTO Energy Inc.

      6.100%    4/1/36      440      430  
                    
                 13,071  
                    

 

12


Annual Report to Shareholders

 

 

 

 

     % OF
NET ASSETS
   RATE    MATURITY
DATE
   PAR/
SHARES
   VALUE  
                            

Corporate Bonds and Notes—Continued

              

Paper and Forest Products

   0.6%            

Georgia-Pacific Corp.

      9.500%    12/1/11    $ 325    $ 341  

Georgia-Pacific Corp.

      7.375%    12/1/25      250      220  

Weyerhaeuser Co.

      6.750%    3/15/12      235      247  
                    
                 808  
                    

Pharmaceuticals

   0.1%            

Wyeth

      5.950%    4/1/37      170      170  
                    

Real Estate Investment Trusts

   0.5%            

Health Care REIT Inc.

      5.875%    5/15/15      130      124  

iStar Financial Inc.

      5.950%    10/15/13      590      514  
                    
                 638  
                    

Real Estate Management and Development

   0.2%            

Forest City Enterprises Inc.

      7.625%    6/1/15      225      217  
                    

Thrifts and Mortgage Finance

   3.8%            

BB&T Capital Trust II

      6.750%    6/7/36      640      623  

Countrywide Financial Corp.

      5.800%    6/7/12      950      694  

Residential Capital LLC

      8.544%    4/17/09      4,420      2,177 A,B,D

Residential Capital LLC

      7.500%    2/22/11      1,680      1,046 E

Residential Capital LLC

      8.000%    6/1/12      90      55 E

Washington Mutual Inc.

      7.250%    11/1/17      950      837 A
                    
                 5,432  
                    

Tobacco

   1.0%            

Reynolds American Inc.

      7.250%    6/1/12      1,360      1,436  
                    

Wireless Telecommunication Services

   1.2%            

New Cingular Wireless Services Inc.

      8.750%    3/1/31      475      615  

Nextel Communications Inc.

      5.950%    3/15/14      88      83  

Nextel Communications Inc.

      7.375%    8/1/15      285      281  

Sprint Capital Corp.

      6.900%    5/1/19      330      328  

Sprint Capital Corp.

      8.750%    3/15/32      340      383  
                    
                 1,690  
                    

Total Corporate Bonds and Notes
(Cost—$103,582)

                           102,165  

 

13


Annual Report to Shareholders

Portfolio of Investments—Continued

 

Western Asset Income Fund—Continued

 

 

 

     % OF
NET ASSETS
   RATE    MATURITY
DATE
   PAR/
SHARES
   VALUE  
              

Mortgage-Backed Securities

   0.8%            

Variable Rate SecuritiesF

   0.8%            

Thornburg Mortgage Securities Trust 2007-4 2A1

      6.231%    9/25/37    $ 573    $ 575  

Thornburg Mortgage Securities Trust 2007-4 3A1

      6.220%    9/25/37      531      526  
                    

Total Mortgage-Backed Securities
(Cost—$1,094)

                           1,101  

U.S. Government Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities

   N.M.            

Fixed Rate Securities

   N.M.            

Freddie Mac

      10.250%    5/1/09      4      4  
                    

Total U.S. Government Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities (Cost—$4)

                           4  

Yankee BondsG

   25.3%            

Aerospace and Defense

   0.3%            

Systems 2001 Asset Trust

      6.664%    9/15/13      396      407 D
                    

Commercial Banks

   10.6%            

AES El Salvador Trust

      6.750%    2/1/16      750      744 D

ATF Capital BV

      9.250%    2/21/14      810      818 A,D

Banco Mercantil del Norte SA

      6.135%    10/13/16      750      742 C,D

Barclays Bank PLC

      7.434%    9/29/49      910      946 C,D

Glitnir Banki Hf

      6.330%    7/28/11      400      391 D

Glitnir Banki Hf

      6.693%    6/15/16      680      685 C,D

Glitnir Banki Hf

      7.451%    12/14/49      210      193 C,D

HBOS Capital Funding LP

      6.071%    6/30/49      560      524 C,D

HSBK Europe BV

      7.250%    5/3/17      490      426 A,D

ICICI Bank Ltd.

      6.375%    4/30/22      200      181 C,D

ICICI Bank Ltd.

      6.375%    4/30/22      100      89 A,C,D

Kaupthing Bank Hf

      5.938%    4/12/11      540      527 B,D

Kaupthing Bank Hf

      5.750%    10/4/11      480      451 D

Kaupthing Bank Hf

      7.125%    5/19/16      1,250      1,146 D

Landsbanki Islands Hf

      7.431%    12/31/49      730      701 C,D

Mizuho Financial Group

      5.790%    4/15/14      1,100      1,151 D

Resona Preferred Global Securities

      7.191%    12/29/49      1,095      1,087 C,D

Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC

      7.640%    3/17/49      100      103 C

RSHB Capital SA

      7.175%    5/16/13      1,340      1,375 D

RSHB Capital SA

      6.299%    5/15/17      380      360 D

Shinsei Finance Cayman Ltd.

      6.418%    1/29/49      1,210      1,027 C,D

Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp.

      5.625%    12/31/49      270      252 C,D

 

14


Annual Report to Shareholders

 

 

 

 

     % OF
NET ASSETS
   RATE    MATURITY
DATE
   PAR/
SHARES
   VALUE  
              

Yankee Bonds—Continued

              

Commercial Banks—Continued

              

TuranAlem Finance BV

      8.250%    1/22/37    $ 740    $ 633 D

VTB Capital SA for Vneshtorgbank

      5.494%    8/1/08      560      554 B,D
                    
                 15,106  
                    

Consumer Finance

   0.7%            

Aiful Corp.

      6.000%    12/12/11      1,095      1,049 D
                    

Diversified Financial Services

   1.4%            

Lukoil International Finance BV

      6.356%    6/7/17      310      293 D

Petroplus Finance Ltd.

      7.000%    5/1/17      600      549 D

SMFG Preferred Capital

      6.078%    1/29/49      380      350 C,D

TNK-BP Finance SA

      7.500%    7/18/16      360      349 D

UFJ Finance Aruba AEC

      6.750%    7/15/13      355      386  
                    
                 1,927  
                    

Diversified Telecommunication Services

   2.6%            

British Telecommunications PLC

      9.125%    12/15/30      330      437 E

Deutsche Telekom International Finance BV

      5.750%    3/23/16      160      160 A,E

Deutsche Telekom International Finance BV

      8.250%    6/15/30      500      624 E

France Telecom SA

      8.500%    3/1/31      560      726  

Koninklijke (Royal) KPN NV

      8.375%    10/1/30      240      288  

Telecom Italia Capital

      7.200%    7/18/36      760      838  

Telefonica Emisiones S.A.U.

      7.045%    6/20/36      600      670  
                    
                 3,743  
                    

Electric Utilities

   0.6%            

Enersis SA

      7.375%    1/15/14      317      339  

Enersis SA/Cayman Island

      7.400%    12/1/16      452      490  
                    
                 829  
                    

Food and Staples Retailing

   0.2%            

Delhaize Group

      6.500%    6/15/17      290      297  
                    

Foreign Governments

   1.9%            

Quebec Province

      7.970%    7/22/36      650      931  

Russian Federation

      7.500%    3/31/30      269      309 D

United Mexican States

      6.750%    9/27/34      1,325      1,463  
                    
                 2,703  
                    

Gas Utilities

   0.2%            

Intergas Finance BV

      6.375%    5/14/17      270      242 D
                    

 

15


Annual Report to Shareholders

Portfolio of Investments—Continued

 

Western Asset Income Fund—Continued

 

 

 

     % OF
NET ASSETS
   RATE    MATURITY
DATE
   PAR/
SHARES
    VALUE  
             

Yankee Bonds—Continued

             

Industrial Conglomerates

   1.1%           

Tyco International Group SA

      6.375%    10/15/11    $ 1,450     $ 1,501  
                   

Insurance

   0.5%           

Axa

      8.600%    12/15/30      550       674  
                   

Media

   0.2%           

Rogers Cable Inc.

      6.250%    6/15/13      250       257  
                   

Metals and Mining

   0.8%           

Vale Overseas Ltd.

      6.875%    11/21/36      1,148       1,161  
                   

Oil, Gas and Consumable Fuels

   3.6%           

Anadarko Finance Co.

      7.500%    5/1/31      130       146  

Gazprom

      9.625%    3/1/13      50       57 D

Gazprom

      9.625%    3/1/13      20       23 D

Gazprom

      6.212%    11/22/16      450       432 D

Gazprom

      6.510%    3/7/22      400       380 D

Petrobras International Finance Co.

      6.125%    10/6/16      825       841  

Petrozuata Finance Inc.

      8.220%    4/1/17      3,205       3,301 D
                   
                5,180  
                   

Wireless Telecommunication Services

   0.6%           

America Movil SA de CV

      5.625%    11/15/17      520       508  

Rogers Wireless Inc.

      6.375%    3/1/14      300       309  
                   
                817  
                   

Total Yankee Bonds (Cost—$35,491)

                            35,893  

Preferred Stocks

   0.6%           

Fannie Mae

      8.250%         13  shs     335 C

Freddie Mac

      8.375%         19       497 C
                   

Total Preferred Stocks
(Cost—$800)

                            832  

Total Long-Term Securities
(Cost—$140,971)

                            139,995  

 

16


Annual Report to Shareholders

 

 

 

 

     % OF
NET ASSETS
     PAR/
SHARES
     VALUE  
                      

Investment of Collateral From Securities Lending

   10.0%        

State Street Navigator Securities Lending Prime Portfolio

        14,260  shs    $ 14,260  
                

Total Investment of Collateral From Securities Lending
(Cost—$14,260)

                   14,260  

Total Investments
(Cost—$155,231)H

   108.6%           154,255  

Obligation to Return Collateral For Securities Loaned

   (10.0)%           (14,260 )

Other Assets Less Liabilities

   1.4%           2,034  
                

Net Assets

   100.0%         $ 142,029  
                
                        

N.M.—Not Meaningful.

A

 

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

B

 

Indexed Security – The rates of interest earned on these securities are tied to the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), the Consumer Price Index (“CPI”) or the one-year Treasury Bill Rate. The coupon rates are the rates as of December 31, 2007.

C

 

Stepped Coupon Security – A security with a predetermined schedule of interest or dividend rate changes at which time it begins to accrue interest or pay dividends according to the predetermined schedule.

D

 

Rule 144a Security – A security purchased pursuant to Rule 144a under the Securities Act of 1933, which may not be resold subject to that rule except to qualified institutional buyers. These securities, which the Fund’s investment adviser has determined to be liquid, represent 24.9% of net assets.

E

 

Credit Linked Security – The rates of interest earned on these securities are tied to the credit ratings assigned by Standard & Poor’s Rating Service and/or Moody’s Investors Services.

F

 

The coupon rates shown on variable rate securities are the rates at December 31, 2007. These rates vary with the weighted average coupon of the underlying loans.

G

 

Yankee Bond – A dollar-denominated bond issued in the U.S. by foreign entities.

H

 

At December 31, 2007, the aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of investments for federal income tax purposes was substantially as follows:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation    $ 4,573  
Gross unrealized depreciation      (5,551 )
        
Net unrealized depreciation    $ (978 )
        

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

17


Annual Report to Shareholders

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

December 31, 2007

(Amounts in Thousands)

 

Western Asset Income Fund

 

 

 

Assets:

     

Investment securities at market value (Cost—$155,231)

      $ 154,255 A

Interest receivable

        2,403  

Other assets

        14  
           

Total Assets

        156,672  
           

Liabilities:

     

Obligation to return collateral for securities loaned

   $ 14,260   

Income distribution payable

     167   

Cash overdraft

     63   

Accrued management fee

     61   

Accrued expenses

     92   
         

Total Liabilities

        14,643  
           

Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders

      $ 142,029  
           

Summary of Stockholders’ Equity:

     

Common stock, par value $.01 per share: authorized 20,000 shares;
9,389 issued and outstanding shares

      $ 94  

Additional paid-in-capital

        141,896  

Undistributed net investment income

        594  

Accumulated net realized gain on investments

        421  

Net unrealized depreciation on investments

        (976 )
           

Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders

      $ 142,029  
           

Net asset value per share: ($142,029÷9,389 common shares issued and outstanding)

      $ 15.13  
           
                 

A

 

The market value of securities on loan is $13,967.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

18


Annual Report to Shareholders

Statement of Operations

For the Year Ended December 31, 2007

(Amounts in Thousands)

 

Western Asset Income Fund

 

      FOR THE
YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 2007
 

Investment Income:

     

Interest

   $ 10,082     

Income from securities loaned

     30     
           

Total income

      $ 10,112  

Expenses:

     

Management fees

     768     

Audit and legal fees

     199     

Custodian fees

     37     

Directors’ fees and expenses

     12     

Registration fees

     21     

Reports to shareholders

     43     

Proxy expense

     24     

Transfer agent and shareholder servicing expense

     36     

Taxes, other than federal income taxes

     39     

Other expenses

     29     
           
     1,208     

Less: Fees waived

     (24 )   

         Compensating balance credits

     (2 )   
           

Net expenses

        1,182  
           

Net Investment Income

        8,930  

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on Investments:

     

Net realized gain on investments

     1,240     

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments

     (7,057 )   
           

Net Realized and Unrealized Loss on Investments

        (5,817 )
           

Change in Net Assets Resulting From Operations

      $ 3,113  
           
                   

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

19


Annual Report to Shareholders

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

(Amounts in Thousands)

 

Western Asset Income Fund

 

     FOR THE
YEARS ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 
 
      2007     2006  
Change in Net Assets:               

Net investment income

   $ 8,930     $ 8,528  

Net realized gain

     1,240       763  

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation

     (7,057 )     1,204  
                

Change in net assets resulting from operations

     3,113       10,495  
                

Distributions to shareholders from:

    

Net investment income

     (8,985 )     (8,100 )

Net realized gain on investments

     (1,505 )     (726 )
                

Change in net assets applicable to common shareholders

     (7,377 )     1,669  
                

Net Assets:

    

Beginning of year

     149,406       147,737  
                

End of year

   $ 142,029     $ 149,406  
                

Undistributed net investment income

   $ 594     $ 649  
                
                  

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

20


Annual Report to Shareholders

Financial Highlights

 

Contained below is per share operating performance data for a share of common stock outstanding throughout each period shown, total investment return, ratios to average net assets and other supplemental data. This information has been derived from information in the financial statements.

 

     YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,  
      2007     2006     2005     2004     2003  

Net asset value, beginning of year

   $ 15.91     $ 15.73     $ 16.33     $ 16.52     $ 15.04  
                                        

Investment operations:

          

Net investment income

     .95 A     .91 A     .88       .94       .92  

Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss)

     (.61 )     .21       (.41 )     .32       1.54  
                                        

Total from investment operations

     .34       1.12       .47       1.26       2.46  
                                        

Distributions from:

          

Net investment income

     (.96 )     (.86 )     (.87 )     (.93 )     (.98 )

Net realized gain on investments

     (.16 )     (.08 )     (.20 )     (.52 )      
                                        

Total distributions

     (1.12 )     (.94 )     (1.07 )     (1.45 )     (.98 )
                                        

Net asset value, end of year

   $ 15.13     $ 15.91     $ 15.73     $ 16.33     $ 16.52  
                                        

Market value, end of year

   $ 13.50     $ 15.52     $ 14.14     $ 15.44     $ 15.35  
                                        

Total return:

          

Based on net asset value per share

     2.17 %     7.38 %     3.00 %     8.50 %     17.13 %

Based on market value per share

     (6.16 )%     17.02 %     (1.49 )%     10.41 %     14.07 %

Ratios to Average Net Assets:B

          

Total expenses

     .83 %     .84 %     .81 %     .78 %     .95 %

Expenses net of waivers, if any

     .81 %     .82 %     .79 %     .76 %     .94 %

Expenses net of all reductions

     .81 %     .82 %     .79 %     .76 %     .94 %

Net investment income

     6.10 %     5.81 %     5.48 %     5.71 %     5.78 %

Supplemental Data:

          

Portfolio turnover rate

     46 %     51 %     80 %     81 %     47 %

Net assets, end of year (in thousands)

   $ 142,029     $ 149,406     $ 147,737     $ 153,289     $ 155,139  
                                          

A

 

Computed using average daily shares outstanding.

B

 

Total expenses reflects operating expenses prior to any voluntary expense waivers and/or compensating balance credits. Expenses net of waivers reflects total expenses before compensating balance credits but net of any voluntary expense waivers. Expenses net of all reductions reflects expenses less any compensating balance credits and/or voluntary expense waivers.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

21


Annual Report to Shareholders

Notes to Financial Statements

(Amounts in Thousands)

 

1. Significant Accounting Policies:

Western Asset Income Fund (the “Fund”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”), as a closed-end diversified investment company.

 

The Fund’s primary investment objective is to provide current income for its shareholders. Capital appreciation, when consistent with current income, is a secondary investment objective.

 

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements:

 

Security Valuation

The Fund’s securities are valued on the basis of readily available market quotations or, lacking such quotations, at fair value as determined under policies approved by and under the general oversight of the Board of Directors. In determining fair value, all relevant qualitative and quantitative factors available are considered. These factors are subject to change over time and are reviewed periodically. The Fund may use fair value pricing instead of market quotations to value one or more securities if the Fund believes that, because of special circumstances, doing so would more accurately reflect the prices the Fund expects to realize on the current sale of those securities. Because of the inherent uncertainty of valuation, those estimated values may differ significantly from quoted or published values or from the values that would have been used had a ready market for the investments existed, and the differences could be material.

 

With respect to the Fund, when a security is traded on more than one market, which may include foreign markets, the securities are generally valued on the market considered by the Fund’s adviser to be the primary market. The Fund values its foreign securities in U.S. dollars on the basis of the then-prevailing exchange rates.

 

Security Transactions

Security transactions are accounted for as of the trade date. Realized gains and losses from security transactions are reported on an identified cost basis for both financial reporting and federal income tax purposes.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2007, security transactions (excluding short-term investments) were as follows:

 

Purchases   Proceeds From Sales
U.S. Gov’t. Securities   Other   U.S. Gov’t. Securities   Other
$12,270   $ 54,141   $ 14,251   $ 51,748

 

Foreign Currency Translation

Assets and liabilities initially expressed in non-U.S. currencies are translated into U.S. dollars using currency exchange rates determined prior to the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange, usually at 2:00 p.m. Eastern time. Purchases and sales of securities and income and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at the prevailing market rates on the dates of such transactions. The effects of changes in non-U.S. currency exchange rates on investment securities and other assets and liabilities are included with the net realized and unrealized gain or loss on investment securities.

 

Repurchase Agreements

The Fund may engage in repurchase agreement transactions. Under the terms of a typical repurchase agreement, a fund takes possession of an underlying debt obligation subject to an obligation of the seller to repurchase, and the fund to resell, the obligation at an agreed-upon price and time, thereby determining the yield during the fund’s holding period. This arrangement results in a fixed rate of return that is not subject to market fluctuations during the fund’s holding period. The value of the collateral is at all times at least equal to the total amount of the repurchase obligation, including interest. In the event of counterparty default, a fund has the right to use the collateral to satisfy the terms of the repurchase agreement. However, there could be potential loss to the fund in the event the fund is delayed or prevented from exercising its right to dispose of the collateral securities, including the risk of a possible decline in the value of the collateral securities during the period in which the fund seeks to assert its rights. The Fund’s investment adviser reviews the value of the collateral and the creditworthiness of those banks and dealers with which the Fund enters into repurchase agreements to evaluate potential risks.

 

22


Annual Report to Shareholders

 

Distributions to Common Shareholders

Investment income and distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Dividends from net investment income are declared and paid monthly. Net capital gain distributions are declared and paid after the end of the tax year in which the gain is realized. An additional distribution may be made in December to the extent necessary in order to comply with federal excise tax requirements. Distributions are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from those determined in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America; accordingly, periodic reclassifications are made within the Fund’s capital accounts to reflect income and gains available for distribution under federal income tax regulations. Interest income and expenses are recorded on the accrual basis. Bond discounts and premiums are amortized and included in interest income for financial reporting and federal income tax purposes.

 

Compensating Balance Credits

The Fund has an arrangement with its custodian bank whereby a portion of the custodian’s fee is paid indirectly by credits earned on the Fund’s cash on deposit with the bank. This deposit arrangement is an alternative to purchasing overnight investments.

 

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

 

Credit and Market Risk

Investments in structured securities collateralized by residential real estate mortgages are subject to certain credit and liquidity risks. When market conditions result in an increase in default rates of the underlying mortgages and the foreclosure values of underlying real estate properties are materially below the outstanding amount of these underlying mortgages, collection of accrued interest and principal on these investments may be doubtful. Such market conditions may significantly impair the value of these investments resulting in a lack of correlation between their credit ratings and values.

 

Other

In the normal course of business, the Fund enters into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent upon claims that may be made against the Fund in the future and, therefore, cannot be estimated; however, based on experience, the risk of material loss from such claims is considered remote.

 

2. Federal Income Taxes:

It is the Fund’s policy to comply with the federal income and excise tax requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies. Accordingly, the Fund intends to distribute substantially all of its income and net realized gains on investments, if any, to shareholders each year. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required in the Fund’s financial statements.

Management has analyzed the fund’s tax positions taken on federal income tax returns for all open tax years and has concluded that as of December 31, 2007, no provision for income tax would be 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.

 

Reclassifications

Generally accepted accounting principles requires that certain components of net assets be adjusted to reflect permanent differences between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset values per share. During the current year the Fund had no reclassifications.

 

23


Annual Report to Shareholders

Notes to Financial Statements—Continued

 

Distributions to Shareholders:

The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended December 31 was as follows:

 

       2007      2006

Distributions paid from:

         

Ordinary income

     $ 9,077      $ 8,100

Net long-term capital gains

       1,413        726
                 

Total Distributions Paid

     $ 10,490      $ 8,826
                 

 

Accumulated Earnings on a Tax Basis:

As of December 31, 2007, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis was as follows:

 

Undistributed ordinary income—net

     $ 611  

Undistributed long-term capital gains—net

       387  
          

Total undistributed earnings

     $ 998  

Other book/tax temporary differences

       19 (a)

Unrealized appreciation/depreciation

       (978 )(b)
          

Total accumulated earnings/(losses)—net

     $ 39  
          

 

(a)

 

Other book/tax temporary differences are attributable primarily to differences in the book/tax treatment of various items.

(b)

 

The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) is attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales.

 

Tax Cost of Investments:

As of December 31, 2007, the aggregate cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was $155,233.

 

3. Forward Currency Exchange Contracts

Forward foreign currency contracts are marked-to-market daily using forward foreign currency exchange rates supplied by an independent pricing service. The change in a contract’s market value is recorded by the Fund as an unrealized gain or loss. When the contract is closed or delivery is taken, the Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed.

 

The use of forward foreign currency contracts does not eliminate fluctuations in the underlying prices of the Fund’s securities, but it does establish a rate of exchange that can be achieved in the future. These forward foreign currency contracts involve market risk in excess of amounts reflected in the financial statements. Although forward foreign currency contracts used for hedging purposes limit the risk of loss due to a decline in the value of the hedged currency, they also limit any potential gain that might result should the value of the currency increase. In addition, the Fund could be exposed to risks if the counterparties to the contracts are unable to meet the terms of their contracts.

 

At December 31, 2007, the Fund had no open forward foreign currency exchange contracts.

 

4. Common Shares (share amounts not in thousands):

Of the 9,389,431 shares of common stock outstanding at December 31, 2007, the Adviser owns 213,100 shares.

 

5. Securities Lending

The Fund lends its securities to approved brokers to earn additional income and receives cash and U.S. government securities as collateral against the loans. Cash collateral received is invested in a money market pooled account by the Fund’s lending agent. Collateral is maintained over the life of the loan in an amount not less than 100% of the value of loaned securities. Such collateral is in the possession of the Fund’s custodian. Cash is invested in the State Street Navigator Securities Lending Prime Portfolio and is

 

24


Annual Report to Shareholders

 

included in the Fund’s Portfolio of Investments. As with other extensions of credit, the Fund may bear the risk of delay in recovery or even loss of rights to the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially. At December 31, 2007 there were no securities on loan.

 

6. Transactions with Affiliates and Certain Other Parties:

The Fund has entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement with Western Asset Management Company (“Adviser”), which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Legg Mason, Inc., pursuant to which the Adviser provides investment advice and administrative services to the Fund. In return for its services, the Fund pays the Adviser a monthly fee at an annual rate of 0.70% of the average monthly net assets of the Fund up to $60,000 and 0.40% of such net assets in excess of $60,000. If expenses (including the Adviser’s fee but excluding interest, taxes, brokerage fees, the expenses of any offering by the Fund of its securities, and extraordinary expenses beyond the control of the Fund) borne by the Fund in any fiscal year exceed 1.5% of average net assets up to $30,000 and 1% of average net assets over $30,000, the Adviser has contractually agreed to reimburse the Fund for any excess. No expense reimbursement is due for the year ended December 31, 2007.

 

The Adviser voluntarily waived expenses amounting to $24 for the year ended December 31, 2007.

 

Western Asset Management Company Limited (“WAML”) provides the Fund with investment research, advice, management and supervision and a continuous investment program for the Fund’s portfolio of non-dollar securities consistent with the Fund’s investment objectives and policies. As compensation, the Adviser pays WAML a monthly fee based on the pro rata assets of the Fund managed by WAML during the month.

 

Under the terms of an Administrative Services Agreement among the Fund, the Adviser, and Legg Mason Fund Adviser, Inc. (“Administrator”), the Adviser (not the Fund) pays the Administrator a monthly fee of $3, an annual rate of $36.

 

7. Director Compensation (amounts are not in thousands):

Each Director of the Fund who is not an “interested person” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund, Western Asset or WAML receives an aggregate fee of $60,000 annually for serving on the combined Board of Directors/Trustees of the Fund, Western Asset Funds, Inc. and Western Asset Premier Bond Fund. Each Director also receives a fee of $7,500 and related expenses for each meeting of the Board attended in-person and a fee of $2,500 for participating in each telephonic meeting. The Chairman of the Board and the Chairman of the Audit Committee each receive an additional $25,000 per year for serving in such capacities. Each member of the Audit Committee receives a fee of $5,000 for serving as a member of the Audit Committee. Other committee members receive a fee of $2,500 for serving as a member of each committee upon which they serve. Committee members also receive a fee of $2,500 for participating in each telephonic committee meeting. All such fees are allocated among the Fund, Western Asset Funds, Inc. and Western Asset Premier Bond Fund according to each such investment company’s average annual net assets. Mr. Olson receives from Western Asset an aggregate fee of $60,000 annually for serving on the combined Board of Directors/Trustees of the Fund, Western Asset Funds, Inc. and Western Asset Premier Bond Fund, as well as a fee of $7,500 and related expenses for each meeting of the Board attended in person and a fee of $2,500 for participating in each telephonic meeting.

 

8. Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Interpretation 48 (“FIN 48” or the “Interpretation”), Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes—an interpretation of FASB Statement 109. FIN 48 supplements FASB Statement 109, Accounting for Income Taxes and establishes financial reporting rules regarding recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure in its financial statements of tax positions that a fund has taken or expects to take on a tax return. Fin 48 became effective for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2006. Effective January 1, 2007, the Fund adopted Fin 48. There was no material impact to the financial statements or disclosure there to as a result of this adoption.

 

On September 20, 2006, the FASB released Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157 “Fair Value Measurements” (“FAS 157”). FAS 157 establishes an authoritative definition of fair value, sets out a framework for measuring fair value, and requires additional disclosures about fair-value measurements. The application of FAS 157 is required for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and interim periods within those fiscal years. Management has evaluated the implications of FAS 157 and does not believe the adoption of FAS 157 will materially impact the amounts recorded in the financial statements, however, additional disclosure will be required in subsequent reports.

 

25


Annual Report to Shareholders

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Western Asset Income Fund:

 

In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the portfolio of investments, and the related statement of operations and of changes in net assets and the financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Western Asset Income Fund (the “Fund”) at December 31, 2007, the results of its operations, the changes in its net assets, and the financial highlights for each of the fiscal periods presented, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements and financial highlights (hereafter referred to as “financial statements”) are the responsibility of the Fund’s management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits, which included confirmation of securities at December 31, 2007 by correspondence with the custodian, provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

 

Baltimore, Maryland

February 22, 2008

 

26


Annual Report to Shareholders

Important Tax Information (Unaudited)

 

 

The following information is provided with respect to the distributions paid during the taxable year ended December 31, 2007:

 

Interest from Federal Obligations

  1.24%

 

The law varies in each state as to whether and what percentage of dividend income attributable to Federal obligations is exempt from state income tax. We recommend that you consult with your tax adviser to determine if any portion of the dividends you received is exempt from state income taxes.

 

Additionally, the following summarizes the per share long-term capital gain distributions paid by the Fund during the taxable year ended December 31, 2007:

 

Record Date:

  5/18/2007    12/14/2007

Payable Date:

  5/31/2007    12/31/2007

Long-term capital gain Dividend

  $0.063500    $ 0.087000
        

 

Please retain this information for your records.

 

27


Annual Report to Shareholders

DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

 

The Directors and officers of the Fund, their year of birth and a description of their principal occupations during the past five years are listed below. Except as shown, each Director’s and officer’s principal occupation and business experience for the last five years has been with the employer(s) indicated, although in some cases the Director or officer may have held different positions with such employer(s). Unless otherwise indicated, the business address of the persons listed below is c/o Western Asset Management Company, 385 East Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, California 91101.

 

Name and Year of Birth   Position(s)
With the
Fund
  Term of
Office and
Length of
Time Served(A)
  Number of
Portfolios in Fund
Complex Overseen
by Director(B)
  Other
Directorships
Held by Director
  Principal Occupation(s)
During the Past Five Years
Independent Directors                    
Ronald J. Arnault
1943
  Director   Served since 1997   15   None   Retired.
Anita L. DeFrantz
1952
  Director   Served since 1998   15   OBN
Holdings, Inc.
  President, since 1987, and Director, since 1990, Amateur Athletic Foundation of Los Angeles. President and Director, Kids in Sports, since 1994. Member, International Olympic Committee, since 1986.
Avedick B. Poladian(C) 1951   Trustee   Served since 2007   15   California Pizza
Kitchen, Inc.
  Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Lowe Enterprises, Inc. (2003-present); Partner, Arthur Andersen, LLP
William E.B. Siart
1946
  Director and Chairman of the Directors   Served since 1997   15   None   Chairman, Walt Disney Concert Hall, Inc., since 1998. Chairman, Excellent Education Development, since 2000.
Jaynie Miller Studenmund
1954
  Director   Served since 2004   15   AQNT, Inc.   Chief Operating Officer, Overture Services, Inc., 2001-2004; President and Chief Operating Officer, Paymybills.com, 2000-2001. Orbitz World Wide’s Board, since July 2007.
Interested Directors                    
Ronald L. Olson(D)
1941
  Director   Served since 2005   15   Edison International, City National Corporation (financial services company), The Washington Post Company and Berkshire Hathaway, Inc.   Senior Partner, Munger, Tolles & Olson, LLP (a law partnership), since 1968.
R. Jay Gerken(E)
1951
  Director   Served since 2006   177   None  

Managing Director of Legg Mason & Co., LLC, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co., LLC or its affiliates (2005-present); President of Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (“LMPFA”) (2006-present); Chairman of Smith Barney Fund Management LLC and Citi Fund Management Inc. (2002-2005); Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Travelers Investment Adviser, Inc. (2002-2005).

 

28


Annual Report to Shareholders

 

Name and Year of Birth   Position(s)
With the
Fund
  Term of
Office and
Length of
Time Served(A)
  Number of
Portfolios in Fund
Complex Overseen
by Director(B)
  Other
Directorships
Held by Director
  Principal Occupation(s)
During the Past Five Years
Officers:                    
D. Daniel Fleet
1957
  Vice President   Served since 2006   N/A   N/A   President of Western Asset (2006-present); Vice President of Western Asset Income Fund and Western Asset Premier Bond Fund (2006-present); Director of Risk Management of Western Asset (1999-2006).
Gavin L. James
1960
  Vice President   Served since 2001   N/A   N/A   Director of Global Client Services and Marketing of Western Asset (1998-present).
S. Kenneth Leech
1954
  Vice President   Served since 1998   N/A   N/A   Chief Investment Officer of Western Asset- (1998-present); Vice President, Western Asset Funds, Inc., (1990-present) and Western Asset Premier Bond Fund (2001-present).

Stephen A. Walsh
1958

  Vice President   Served since 1994   N/A   N/A  

Deputy Chief Investment Officer of Western Asset (2000-present);

Lisa G. Mrozek
1962
  Secretary   Served since 1999   N/A   N/A  

Senior Compliance Officer, Western Asset, 1999 to present; Secretary, Western Asset Funds, Inc., 1999 to present and Western Asset Premier Bond Fund, 2001 to present.

Marie K. Karpinski
1949
100 Light Street Baltimore, MD 21202
  Principal Financial and Accounting Officer   Served since 2001   N/A   N/A   Vice President, Legg Mason & Co., LLC (2005-present); Vice President, Legg Mason Wood Walker, Incorporated (1992-2005); Vice President (1986-present), Treasurer (1986-2006) and Chief Financial Officer (2006-present) of all Legg Mason open-end investment companies; Treasurer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer of Western Asset Premier Bond Fund (2001-2006 and 2001-present, respectively), Western Asset Funds, Inc. (1999-2006 and 1990-present, respectively), Western Asset/Claymore Inflation-Linked Opportunities & Income Fund (2004-present) and Western Asset/Claymore Inflation-Linked Securities & Income Fund, (2003-present); Treasurer of the Corporation (2001-2006).

 

29


Annual Report to Shareholders

DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS—Continued

 

Name and Year of Birth   Position(s)
With the
Fund
  Term of
Office and
Length of
Time Served(A)
  Number of
Portfolios in Fund
Complex Overseen
by Director(B)
  Other
Directorships
Held by Director
  Principal Occupation(s)
During the Past Five Years

Todd Kuehl

1969

100 Light Street

Baltimore, MD 21202

 

Chief Compliance Officer

 

Served since 2007

  N/A  

N/A

 

Vice President, Legg Mason & Co., LLC (2006-present); Chief Compliance Officer of Western Asset/Claymore Inflation-Linked Securities & Income Fund, Western Asset/Claymore Inflation-Linked Opportunities & Income Fund. Western Asset Income Fund, Western Asset Premier Bond Fund (2007-present) and Barrett Growth Fund and Barrett Opportunity Fund (2006-present); Branch Chief, Division of Investment Management, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (2002-2006).

Erin K. Morris
1966
100 Light Street Baltimore, MD 21202
  Treasurer   Served since 2001   N/A   N/A   Assistant Vice President and Manager, Funds Accounting, Legg Mason & Co., LLC (2005-present); Assistant Vice President (2002-2005) and Manager, Funds Accounting (2000-2005), of Legg Mason Wood Walker, Incorporated; Treasurer (2006-present) of Legg Mason Income Trust, Inc., Legg Mason Tax-Free Income Fund, Western Asset Funds, Inc. and Western Asset Premier Bond Fund; Western Asset/Claymore Inflation-Linked Opportunities & Income Fund (2004-present) and Western Asset/Claymore Inflation-Linked Securities & Income Fund (2003-present), Assistant Treasurer of the Western Asset Funds, Inc. (2001-2006), the Corporation (2001-2006), Western Asset Premier Bond Fund (2001-2006), Legg Mason Income Trust, Inc. (2001-2006) and Legg Mason Tax-Free Income Fund (2001-2006).

(A)

 

Each of the Directors of the Fund holds office until the next annual meeting of shareholders at which Directors are elected as required by applicable law or the rules of any exchange on which the Fund’s shares are listed and until his or her respective successor is elected and qualified, or until he or she sooner dies, resigns, retires, or is disqualified or removed from office. Each officer holds office until his or her respective successor is chosen and qualified, or in each case until he or she sooner dies, resigns, is removed with or without cause or becomes disqualified.

(B)

 

Each Director also serves as a Trustee of Western Asset Premier Bond Fund (closed-end investment company) and as a Director of Western Asset Funds, Inc. (open-end investment company), which are considered part of the same Fund Complex as the Fund.

(C)

 

On February 13, 2007, the Board of Directors elected Avedick B. Poladian as an independent Director of the Fund. Mr. Poladian is currently Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Officer of Lowe Enterprises, Inc., which invests in, develops and manages real estate and hospitality assets. Mr. Poladian also serves on the Board of Directors of California Pizza Kitchen, Inc. He was previously a senior partner in the public accounting firm of Arthur Andersen LLP.

(D)

 

Mr. Olson is considered to be an “interested person” (as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) of the Fund because his law firm provides legal services to the Fund’s investment adviser, Western Asset Management Company.

(E)

 

Mr. Gerken is considered to be an “interested person” of the Fund (as defined above) because he is employed by Legg Mason & Co.

 

30


Annual Report to Shareholders

Board Consideration of the Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements

 

The Executive and Contracts Committee of the Board of Directors considered the Investment Advisory Agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”) between the Fund and Western Asset Management Company (“Western Asset”) and the Investment Subadvisory Agreement (together with the Advisory Agreement, the “Agreements”) between Western Asset Management Company and Western Asset Management Company Limited (“WAML”) with respect to the Fund at meetings held on September 11, 2007, October 11, 2007 and October 27, 2007. At a meeting held on November 6, 2007, the Executive and Contracts Committee reported to the full Board of Directors its considerations with respect to the Agreements, and the Board of Directors, including a majority of the Independent Directors, considered and approved renewal of the Agreements.

 

In arriving at their decision to renew the Agreements, the Directors met with representatives of Western Asset and WAML (together, the “Advisers”), including relevant investment advisory personnel; reviewed a variety of information prepared by the Advisers and materials provided by Lipper Inc. (“Lipper”) and counsel to the Independent Directors; and reviewed performance and expense information for peer groups of comparable funds, selected and prepared by Lipper. These reviews were in addition to information obtained by the Directors at their regular quarterly meetings with respect to the Fund’s performance and other relevant matters, such as information on differences between the Fund’s share price and net asset value per share, and related discussions with the Advisers’ personnel.

 

As part of their review, the Directors examined the Advisers’ ability to provide high quality investment management services to the Fund. The Directors considered the investment philosophy and research and decision-making processes of the Advisers; the experience of their key advisory personnel responsible for management of the Fund; the ability of the Advisers to attract and retain capable research and advisory personnel; the capability and integrity of the Advisers’ senior management and staff; and the level of skill required to manage the Fund. In addition, the Directors reviewed the quality of the Advisers’ services with respect to regulatory compliance and compliance with the investment policies of the Fund and conditions that might affect the Advisers’ ability to provide high quality services to the Fund in the future under the Agreements, including the Advisers’ business reputation, financial condition and operational stability. Based on the foregoing, the Directors concluded that the Advisers’ investment process, research capabilities and philosophy were well suited to the Fund given its investment objectives and policies, and that the Advisers would be able to meet any reasonably foreseeable obligations under the Agreements.

 

In reviewing the quality of the services provided to the Fund, the Directors also reviewed comparisons of the performance of the Fund to the performance of certain comparable funds in two peer groups of funds that invest at least 65% of their assets in corporate and government debt issues rated in the top four grades. The Directors noted that although the performance of the Fund was below the average of each peer group for the one-year period ended August 31, 2007, it was above average for the three-, five- and ten-year periods ended on that date.

 

The Directors also considered the management fee and total expenses payable by the Fund. They reviewed information concerning management fees paid to investment advisers of similarly-managed funds, as well as fees paid by the Advisers’ other clients, including separate accounts managed by the Advisers. The Directors observed that although the management fee paid by the Fund to Western Asset was slightly above the median of the funds in its Lipper peer group, the Fund’s performance was generally well above the average of this peer group, and that Western Asset was responsible for payment of the management fee to WAML. They noted that the management fee paid by the Fund was generally higher than the fees paid by other clients of the Advisers with similar investment strategies, but that the administrative and operational responsibilities for the Advisers with respect to the Fund were also relatively higher. In light of these differences, the Directors concluded that the differences in management fees from those paid by the Advisers’ other clients were reasonable. The Directors also noted that the Fund’s total expenses were above the median of the funds in its Lipper peer group, but that the difference was primarily attributable to Delaware state taxes (which could not economically be avoided by incurring the expense of redomiciling the Fund to another state) and custodian fees (which management was working to reduce).

 

The Directors further evaluated the benefits of the advisory relationship to the Advisers, including, among others, the profitability of the relationship to the Advisers; the direct and indirect benefits that the Advisers may receive from their relationship with the Fund, including any “fallout benefits,” such as reputational value derived from serving as investment adviser; and the affiliation between the Advisers and Legg Mason Fund Adviser, Inc., the Fund’s administrator. In that connection, the Directors concluded that the Advisers’ profitability was consistent with levels of profitability that had been determined by courts not to be excessive.

 

31


Annual Report to Shareholders

Board Consideration of the Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements—Continued

 

Finally, the Directors considered, in light of the profitability information provided by the Advisers, the extent to which economies of scale would be realized by the Advisers as the assets of the Fund grow. The Directors concluded that, because the Fund is a closed-end fund and does not make a continuous offer of its securities, the Fund’s size was relatively fixed and it would be unlikely that the Advisers would realize economies of scale from the Fund’s growth.

 

In their deliberations with respect to these matters, the Independent Directors were advised by their independent counsel, who are independent of the Advisers within the meaning of the SEC rules regarding the independence of counsel. The Independent Directors weighed the foregoing matters in light of the advice given to them by their independent counsel as to the law applicable to the review of investment advisory contracts. In arriving at a decision, the Directors, including the Independent Directors, did not identify any single matter as all-important or controlling, and the foregoing summary does not detail all the matters considered. The Directors judged the terms and conditions of the Agreements, including the investment advisory fees, in light of all of the surrounding circumstances.

 

Based upon their review, the Directors, including all of the Independent Directors, determined, in the exercise of their business judgment, that they were satisfied with the quality of investment advisory services being provided by the Advisers; that the fees to be paid to the Advisers under the Agreements were fair and reasonable, given the scope and quality of the services rendered by the Advisers; and that approval of the Agreements was in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders.

 

32


Annual Report to Shareholders

PRIVACY POLICY

 

The Fund is committed to keeping nonpublic personal information secure and confidential. This notice is intended to help a shareholder understand how the Fund fulfills this commitment.

 

From time to time, the Fund, through its Service Providers, may collect a variety of personal information, including:

 

   

Information received on applications and forms, via the telephone, and through websites;

 

   

Information about transactions with the Fund, affiliates, or others (such as purchases, sales, or account balances); and

 

   

Information about shareholders received from consumer reporting agencies.

 

The Fund does not disclose shareholder nonpublic personal information, except as permitted by applicable law or regulation. For example, the Fund may share this information with others in order to process transactions. Any information provided to companies that perform services on behalf of the Fund, such as printing and mailing, or to other financial institutions with which the Fund has joint marketing agreements are required to protect the confidentiality of shareholders’ information and to use it only to perform the services for which the companies are hired.

 

The Fund, through its Service Providers, maintains physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards to protect shareholder non-public personal information. Access to this information is restricted.

 

If a shareholder decides at some point either to close his/her account(s) or become an inactive customer, the Fund will continue to adhere to these privacy policies and practices with respect to shareholder nonpublic personal information.

 

This notice is being provided on behalf of:

 

Western Asset Income Fund


Western Asset Income Fund

 

The Board of Directors

William E. B. Siart, Chairman

R. Jay Gerken

Ronald J. Arnault

Anita L. DeFrantz

Ronald L. Olson

Avedick B. Poladian

Jaynie Miller Studenmund

 

Officers

R. Jay Gerken, President

D. Daniel Fleet, Vice President

Gavin L. James, Vice President

S. Kenneth Leech, Vice President

Stephen A. Walsh, Vice President

Marie K. Karpinski, Principal Financial and Accounting Officer

Todd F. Kuehl, Chief Compliance Officer

Erin K. Morris, Treasurer

Susan C. Curry, Assistant Treasurer

Lisa G. Mrozek, Secretary

 

Investment Advisers

Western Asset Management Company

385 East Colorado Boulevard

Pasadena, CA 91101

 

Western Asset Management Company Limited

10 Exchange Place

London, England EC2A2EN

 

Custodian

State Street Bank & Trust Company

P.O. Box 1031

Boston, MA 02103

 

Counsel

Ropes & Gray LLP

1211 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10036

 

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

100 East Pratt Street

Baltimore, MD 21202

 

Transfer Agent

Computershare Trust Company, N.A.

P.O. Box 43010

Providence, RI 02940-3010

Western Asset Income Fund

P.O. Box 983

Pasadena, California 91105

 

This report is transmitted to the shareholders of Western Asset Income Fund 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.

 

In accordance with Section 23(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Fund hereby gives notice that it may, from time to time, repurchase its shares in the open market at the option of the Board of Directors, and on such terms as the Board of Directors shall determine.

 

PACAM-AR-(02/08) TN08-1536


Item 2 – Code of Ethics

 

  (a) Western Asset Income Fund (“Registrant”) has adopted a Code of Ethics, as defined in the instructions to Item 2 of Form N-CSR, that applies to the Registrant’s principal executive, financial and accounting officers, a copy of which is attached as an exhibit to this Form N-CSR.

 

  (b) Omitted.

 

  (c) Not applicable.

 

  (d) Not applicable.

 

  (e) Not applicable.

 


Item 3 – Audit Committee Financial Expert

The Audit Committee of the Registrant’s Board of Directors is comprised solely of Directors who are “independent” (as such term has been defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) in regulations implementing Section 407 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Regulations”)). In addition, the Board of Directors of the Registrant has determined that Mr. Ronald J. Arnault qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” (as such term has been defined in the Regulations) based on its review of his pertinent experience, knowledge and education. The SEC has stated that the designation or identification of a person as an audit committee financial expert pursuant to this Item 3 of Form N-CSR does not impose on such person any duties, obligations or liability that are greater than the duties, obligations and liabilities imposed on such person as a member of the Audit Committee and the Board of Directors in absence of such designation or identification

Item 4 – Principal Accounting Fees and Services

 

  (a) Audit Fees

Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2006 - $33,800

Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2007 - $33,000

 

  (b) Audit-Related Fees

Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2006 - $2,600

Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2007 - $2,800

Services include interim audit security pricing.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP billed fees in the amount of $145,000 and $208,000 for non-audit services that required preapproval by the Audit Committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X during the Registrant’s fiscal years ended December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2007, respectively.

During each of the years ended December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2007, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP conducted a SAS 70 audit to review and test operating effectiveness of controls placed in operation for Western Asset Management Company. During the year ended December 31, 2007, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP reviewed the Australian Superannuation Circular.


  (c) Tax Fees

Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2006 - $1,100

Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2007 - $2,400

Services include preparation of federal and state income tax returns and preparation of excise tax returns.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP did not bill fees for tax services that required pre-approval by the Audit Committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X during the Registrant’s last two fiscal years.

 

  (d) All Other Fees

There were no fees billed to the Registrant during each of the last two fiscal years by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP that were not disclosed in Items 4(a), (b) or (c).

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP did not bill fees for services not included in Items 4(a), (b) or (c) above that required preapproval by the Audit Committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X during the Registrant’s last two fiscal years.

 

  (e)    (1) The Audit Committee has determined that all work performed for the Registrant by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP will be preapproved by the full Audit Committee and, therefore, has not adopted preapproval policies and procedures.

 

  (2) None.

 

  (f) Not applicable.

 

  (g) Non-Audit Fees

Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2006 - $348,454

Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2007- $472,000

 

  (h) The Audit Committee of the Registrant has considered whether the non-audit services that were rendered by the Registrant’s principal accountant to the Registrant’s investment adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser) and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the investment adviser and that were not preapproved by the Audit Committee are compatible with maintaining the principal accountant’s independence.


Item 5 – Audit Committee of Listed Registrants

The Registrant has a separately designated standing audit committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Audit Committee of the Registrant is comprised of Ronald J. Arnault, William E.B. Siart, Louis A. Simpson and Jaynie Miller Studenmund.

Item 6 – Schedule of Investments

The schedule of investments in securities of unaffiliated issuers as of the close of the reporting period is included as part of the annual report to shareholders filed under Item 1 hereto.

Item 7 – Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies

The Registrant has delegated the voting of proxies relating to its portfolio securities to its investment advisers, Western Asset Management Company and Western Asset Management Company Limited (together, the “Advisers”). The Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures of the Advisers are attached as an exhibit to this Form N-CSR.

Item 8 – Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies

As of December 31, 2007, a team of investment professionals at the Advisers, led by Chief Investment Officer S. Kenneth Leech, Deputy Chief Investment Officer Stephen A. Walsh and Portfolio Manager Jeffrey D. Van Schaick, manages the Western Asset Income Fund (the “Fund”).

Messrs. Leech, Walsh and Van Schaick have each served as portfolio managers for the Advisers for over five years.

The Fund is managed by a team of portfolio managers, sector specialists and other investment professionals. Messrs. Leech, Walsh and Van Schaick serve as co-team leaders responsible for day-to-day strategic oversight of the Fund’s investments and for supervising the day-to-day operations of the various sector specialist teams dedicated to the specific asset classes in which the Fund invests.

Other Accounts

As of December 31, 2007, in addition to the Fund, the portfolio managers were responsible for the day-to-day management of certain other accounts, as follows:


S. Kenneth Leech:

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

Registered Investment Companies

   114    $ 121,656,712,297    0      0

Other pooled investment vehicles

   239    $ 211,995,391,168    0      0

Other accounts

   1069    $ 300,567,840,634    95    $ 32,730,534,560
Jeffrey D. Van Schaick:            

Registered Investment Companies

   3    $ 1,189,168,148    0      0

Other pooled investment vehicles

   2    $ 372,274,094    0      0

Other accounts

   23    $ 5,003,051,373.68    3    $ 581,491,591
Stephen A. Walsh:            

Registered Investment Companies

   114    $ 121,656,712,297    0      0

Other pooled investment vehicles

   239    $ 211,995,391,168    0      0

Other accounts

   1069    $ 300,567,840,634    95    $ 32,730,534,560

Note: With respect to Mr. Leech and Mr. Walsh, the numbers above reflect the overall number of portfolios managed by the Advisers. Mr. Leech and Mr. Walsh are involved in the management of all the Advisers’ portfolios, but they are not solely responsible for particular portfolios. The Advisers’ investment discipline emphasizes a team approach that combines the efforts of groups of specialists working in different market sectors.


The individuals that have been identified are responsible for overseeing implementation of the Advisers’ 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.

Potential Conflicts of Interest (as of December 31, 2007)

Potential conflicts of interest may arise in connection with the management of multiple accounts (including accounts managed in a personal capacity). These could include potential conflicts of interest related to the knowledge and timing of the Fund’s trades, investment opportunities and broker selection. Portfolio managers may be privy to the size, timing and possible market impact of the Fund’s trades.

It is possible that an investment opportunity may be suitable for both the Fund and other accounts managed by a portfolio manager, but may not be available in sufficient quantities for both the Fund and the other accounts to participate fully. Similarly, there may be limited opportunity to sell an investment held by the Fund and another account. A conflict may arise where the portfolio manager may have an incentive to treat an account preferentially as compared to the Fund because the account pays a performance-based fee or the portfolio manager, the Advisers or an affiliate has an interest in the account. The Advisers have adopted procedures for allocation of portfolio transactions and investment opportunities across multiple client accounts on a fair and equitable basis over time. All eligible accounts that can participate in a trade share the same price on a pro-rata allocation basis in an attempt to mitigate any conflict of interest. Trades are allocated among similarly managed accounts to maintain consistency of portfolio strategy, taking into account cash availability, investment restrictions and guidelines, and portfolio composition versus strategy.

With respect to securities transactions for the Fund, the Advisers 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 Advisers 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 the Fund 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 the Fund or the other account(s) involved. Additionally, the management of multiple accounts may result in a portfolio manager devoting unequal time and attention to the management of the Fund and/or other account.

It is theoretically possible that portfolio managers could use information to the advantage of other accounts they manage and to the possible detriment of the Fund. For example, a portfolio manager could short sell a security for an account immediately prior to the Fund’s sale of that security. To address this conflict, the Advisers have adopted procedures for reviewing and comparing selected trades of alternative


investment accounts (which may make directional trades such as short sells) with long- only accounts (which includes the Fund) for timing and pattern related issues. Trading decisions for alternative investment and long-only accounts may not be identical even though the same portfolio manager may manage both types of accounts. Whether an Adviser allocates a particular investment opportunity to only alternative investment accounts or to alternative investment and long-only accounts will depend on the investment strategy being implemented. If, under the circumstances, an investment opportunity is appropriate for both its alternative investment and long only accounts, then it will be allocated to both on a pro-rata basis.

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

Compensation of Portfolio Managers (as of December 31, 2007)

With respect to the compensation of the portfolio managers, the Advisers’ compensation system assigns each employee a total compensation “target” and a respective cap, which are derived from annual market surveys that benchmark each role with their 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, employees are eligible for bonuses. These are structured to closely align the interests of employees with those of the Advisers, and are determined by the professional’s job function and performance as measured by a formal review process. All bonuses are completely discretionary. One of the principal factors considered is a portfolio manager’s investment performance versus appropriate peer groups and benchmarks. Because portfolio managers are generally responsible for multiple accounts (including the Fund) with similar investment strategies, they are compensated on the performance of the aggregate group of similar accounts, rather than a specific account. A smaller portion of a bonus payment is derived from factors that include client service, business development, length of service to the Advisers, management or supervisory responsibilities, contributions to developing business strategy and overall contributions to the Advisers’ business.

Finally, in order to attract and retain top talent, all professionals are eligible for additional incentives in recognition of outstanding performance. These are determined based upon the factors described above and include Legg Mason, Inc. stock options and long-term incentives that vest over a set period of time past the award date.


Portfolio Manager Ownership of Fund Securities

The following table provides the dollar range of securities beneficially owned by each portfolio manager as of December 31, 2007:

 

Portfolio Manager

   Dollar Range of Fund
Securities Beneficially Owned
S. Kenneth Leech    $ 100,001 – $500,000

Jeffrey D. Van Schaick

     None

Stephen A. Walsh

     None

Item 9 – Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment

Companies and Affiliated Purchasers

Not applicable.

Item 10 – Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

There have been no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the Registrant’s Board of Directors that have been implemented since the Registrant last provided disclosure in response to the requirements of this Item 10.

Item 11 – Controls and Procedures

 

  (a) The Registrant’s principal executive and principal financial officers have concluded, based on their evaluation of the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report, that the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures are reasonably designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Registrant on Form N-CSR is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the required time periods in the SEC’s rules and forms and that information required to be disclosed by the Registrant in the reports that it files or submits on Form N-CSR is accumulated and communicated to the Registrant’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

  (b) There were no changes in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting during the Registrant’s second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Item 12 – Exhibits

(a)(1)  Code of Ethics subject to the disclosure required by Item 2 – filed as an exhibit hereto.


(a)(2) Certifications pursuant to Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 – filed as an exhibit hereto.

(a)(3) Not applicable.

 

  (b) Certifications pursuant to Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 – filed as an exhibit hereto.

 

  (c) Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures pursuant to the disclosure required by Item 7 – filed as an exhibit hereto.


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, thereunto duly authorized.

 

Western Asset Income Fund
By:   /s/ R. Jay Gerken
 

R. Jay Gerken

President

Western Asset Income Fund

Date: February 27, 2008

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/ R. Jay Gerken
 

R. Jay Gerken

President

Western Asset Income Fund

Date: February 27, 2008

 

By:   /s/ Marie K. Karpinski
 

Marie K. Karpinski

Principal Financial and Accounting Officer

Western Asset Income Fund

Date: February 21, 2008