N-CSRS 1 y78461nvcsrs.htm FORM N-CSRS nvcsrs
 
 
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 811-21128
Legg Mason Partners Variable Equity Trust
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
55 Water Street, New York, NY 10041
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
Robert I. Frenkel, Esq.
Legg Mason & Co., LLC
100 First Stamford Place,
Stamford, CT 06902
(Name and address of agent for service)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:
Funds Investor Services at 1-800-822-5544
or
Institutional Shareholder Services at 1-888-425-6432
Date of fiscal year end: December 31
Date of reporting period: June 30, 2009
 
 

 


 

ITEM 1. REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS.
The Semi-Annual Report to Stockholders is filed herewith.

 


 

(Legg Mason Logo)
 
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT / JUNE 30, 2009
 
Legg Mason Partners
Variable Global Equity
Portfolio
 
Managed by BATTERYMARCH
 
 
 
INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED • NO BANK GUARANTEE • MAY LOSE VALUE
 
 


 

 


Portfolio objective
 
The Portfolio’s investment objective is long-term capital growth. Dividend income, if any, is a secondary consideration.
 

Portfolio name change
 
During the fourth quarter of 2009, it is expected that the Portfolio’s name will change to Legg Mason Batterymarch Variable Global Equity Portfolio. There will be no change in the Portfolio’s investment objective or investment policies as a result of the name change.
 

What’s inside
 
     
     
Letter from the chairman
  I
     
Portfolio at a glance
  1
     
Portfolio expenses
  2
     
Schedule of investments
  4
     
Statement of assets and liabilities
  15
     
Statement of operations
  16
     
Statements of changes in net assets
  17
     
Financial highlights
  18
     
Notes to financial statements
  19
 
Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (“LMPFA”) is the Portfolio’s investment manager and Batterymarch Financial Management, Inc. (“Batterymarch”) is the Portfolio’s subadviser. LMPFA and Batterymarch are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Legg Mason, Inc.
 


 

 
 

Letter from the chairman
 

Dear Shareholder,
 
The U.S. economy remained weak during the six-month reporting period ended June 30, 2009. Looking back, the U.S. Department of Commerce reported that third and fourth quarter 2008 U.S. gross domestic product (“GDP”)i contracted 2.7% and 5.4%, respectively. Economic contraction has continued in 2009 as GDP fell 6.4% during the first quarter and the advance estimate for the second quarter is a 1.0% decline. The economy’s more modest contraction in the second quarter was due, in part, to smaller declines in exports and business spending.
 
The U.S. recession, which began in December 2007, now has the dubious distinction of being the lengthiest since the Great Depression. Contributing to the economy’s troubles has been extreme weakness in the labor market. Since December 2007, approximately six and a half million jobs have been shed and we have experienced eighteen consecutive months of job losses. In addition, the unemployment rate continued to move steadily higher, rising from 9.4% in May to 9.5% in June 2009, to reach its highest rate since August 1983.
 
Another strain on the economy, the housing market, may finally be getting closer to reaching a bottom. After plunging late in 2008, new single-family home starts have been fairly stable in recent months and, while home prices have continued to fall, the pace of the decline has moderated somewhat. Other recent economic news also seemed to be “less negative.” Inflation remained low, manufacturing contracted at a slower pace and inventory levels were drawn down.
 
Ongoing issues related to the housing and subprime mortgage markets and seizing credit markets prompted the Federal Reserve Board (“Fed”)ii to take aggressive and, in some cases, unprecedented actions. After reducing the federal funds rateiii from 5.25% in August 2007 to a range of 0 to 1/4 percent in December 2008—a historic low—the Fed has maintained this stance thus far in 2009. In conjunction with its June meeting, the Fed stated that it “will maintain the target range for the federal funds rate at 0 to 1/4 percent and continues to anticipate that economic conditions are likely to warrant exceptionally low levels of the federal funds rate for an extended period.”
 
 
Legg Mason Partners Variable Global Equity Portfolio   I


 

Letter from the chairman continued
 
 
In addition to maintaining extremely low short-term interest rates, the Fed took several actions to improve liquidity in the credit markets. Back in September 2008, it announced an $85 billion rescue plan for ailing AIG and pumped $70 billion into the financial system as Lehman Brothers’ bankruptcy and mounting troubles at other financial firms roiled the markets. More recently, the Fed has taken additional measures to thaw the frozen credit markets, including the purchase of debt issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, as well as introducing the Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility (“TALF”). In March 2009, the Fed continued to pursue aggressive measures as it announced its intentions to:
 
•  Purchase up to an additional $750 billion of agency mortgage-backed securities, bringing its total purchases of these securities to up to $1.25 trillion in 2009.
 
•  Increase its purchases of agency debt this year by up to $100 billion to a total of up to $200 billion.
 
•  Buy up to $300 billion of longer-term Treasury securities over the next six months.
 
The U.S. Department of the Treasury has also taken an active role in attempting to stabilize the financial system, as it orchestrated the government’s takeover of mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in September 2008. In October, the Treasury’s $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program (“TARP”) was approved by Congress and signed into law by former President Bush. Then, in March 2009, Treasury Secretary Geithner introduced the Public-Private Partnership Investment Program (“PPIP”), which is intended to facilitate the purchase of troubled mortgage assets from bank balance sheets. President Obama has also made reviving the economy a priority in his administration, the cornerstone thus far being the $787 billion stimulus package that was signed into law in February 2009.
 
Despite an extremely poor start, the U.S. stock market, as measured by the S&P 500 Indexiv (the “Index”), generated a positive return for the six months ended June 30, 2009. Continued fallout from the financial crisis and a rapidly weakening economy caused the market to fall sharply in January and February 2009, with the Index returning -8.43% and -10.65%, respectively. Stock prices continued to plunge in early March, reaching a twelve-year low on March 9th. Stocks then rallied sharply, rising approximately 36% from their March low through the end of June 2009. This rebound was due to a variety of factors, including optimism that the economy was bottoming and that corporate profits would improve as the year progressed. All told, the Index gained 3.16% over the six-month reporting period.
 
 
II   Legg Mason Partners Variable Global Equity Portfolio


 


 
 
The international developed equity markets, as measured by the MSCI EAFE Indexv, also posted positive results during the six-month reporting period and outperformed the Index. During the six-month period ended June 30, 2009, the MSCI EAFE Index returned 7.95%. This was due, in part, to international stocks generating better returns in April and May 2009. During this time, international stocks rose sharply given certain economic data that triggered hopes that the global economy was beginning to show signs of modest improvement.
 
Performance review
For the six months ended June 30, 2009, Legg Mason Partners Variable Global Equity Portfolio1 returned 0.16%. The Portfolio’s unmanaged benchmark, the MSCI World Indexvi, returned 6.35% for the same period. The Lipper Variable Global Core Funds Category Average2 returned 7.04% over the same time frame.
 
    PERFORMANCE SNAPSHOT as of June 30, 2009 (unaudited)
         
    6 MONTHS
    (not annualized)
Variable Global Equity Portfolio1
    0.16%  
         
MSCI World Index
    6.35%  
         
Lipper Variable Global Core Funds Category Average2
    7.04%  
         
The performance shown represents past performance. Past performance is no guarantee of future results and current performance may be higher or lower than the performance shown above. Principal value and investment returns will fluctuate and investors’ shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost.
 
Portfolio returns assume the reinvestment of all distributions, including returns of capital, if any, at net asset value and the deduction of all Portfolio expenses.
 
Performance figures reflect expense reimbursements and/or fee waivers, without which the performance would have been lower.
 
    TOTAL ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES (unaudited)
As of the Portfolio’s most current prospectus dated April 30, 2009, the gross total operating expense ratio was 1.33%.
 
As a result of an expense limitation, the ratio of expenses, other than interest, brokerage, taxes and extraordinary expenses, to average net assets will not exceed 1.00%. This expense limitation may be reduced or terminated at any time.
 
Actual expenses may be higher. For example, expenses may be higher than those shown if average net assets decrease. Net assets are more likely to decrease and Portfolio expense ratios are more likely to increase when markets are volatile.

1 The Portfolio is an underlying investment option of various variable annuity and variable life insurance products. The Portfolio’s performance returns do not reflect the deduction of expenses imposed in connection with investing in variable annuity or variable life insurance contracts, such as administrative fees, account charges and surrender charges, which, if reflected, would reduce the performance of the Portfolio. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
2 Lipper, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Reuters, provides independent insight on global collective investments. Returns are based on the six-month period ended June 30, 2009, including the reinvestment of all distributions, including returns of capital, if any, calculated among the 50 funds in the Portfolio’s Lipper Category.
 
 
Legg Mason Partners Variable Global Equity Portfolio   III


 

Letter from the chairman continued
 
 
A special note regarding increased market volatility
Dramatically higher volatility in the financial markets has been very challenging for many investors. Market movements have been rapid—sometimes in reaction to economic news, and sometimes creating the news. In the midst of this evolving market environment, we at Legg Mason want to do everything we can to help you reach your financial goals. Now, as always, we remain committed to providing you with excellent service and a full spectrum of investment choices. Rest assured, we will continue to work hard to ensure that our investment managers make every effort to deliver strong long-term results.
 
We also remain committed to supplementing the support you receive from your financial advisor. One way we accomplish this is through our enhanced website, www.leggmason.com/individualinvestors. Here you can gain immediate access to many special features to help guide you through difficult times, including:
 
•  Market insights and commentaries from our portfolio managers and
 
•  A host of educational resources.
 
During periods of market unrest, it is especially important to work closely with your financial advisor and remember that reaching one’s investment goals unfolds over time and through multiple market cycles. Time and again, history has shown that, over the long run, the markets have eventually recovered and grown.
 
Information about your portfolio
Important information with regard to certain regulatory developments that may affect the Portfolio is contained in the Notes to Financial Statements included in this report.
 
As always, thank you for your continued confidence in our stewardship of your assets. We look forward to helping you meet your financial goals.
 
Sincerely,
 
-s- R. JAY GERKEN
R. Jay Gerken, CFA
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
 
July 31, 2009
 
 
IV   Legg Mason Partners Variable Global Equity Portfolio


 


 
The information provided is not intended to be a forecast of future events, a guarantee of future results or investment advice. Views expressed may differ from those of the firm as a whole.
 
RISKS: Keep in mind, investments in stocks are subject to market fluctuations. Diversification does not assure against loss. The Portfolio may invest in small- and mid-cap companies that may involve a higher degree of risk and volatility than investments in large-cap companies. The Portfolio may use derivatives, such as options and futures, which can be illiquid, may disproportionately increase losses, and have a potentially large impact on Portfolio performance. Foreign stocks are subject to certain risks of overseas investing not associated with domestic investing, such as currency fluctuations and changes in political and economic conditions, which could result in significant market fluctuations. These risks are magnified in emerging markets. Please see the Portfolio’s prospectus for more information on these and other risks.
 
All index performance reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes. Please note that an investor cannot invest directly in an index.
 
i Gross domestic product (“GDP”) is the market value of all final goods and services produced within a country in a given period of time.
 
ii The Federal Reserve Board (“Fed”) is responsible for the formulation of policies designed to promote economic growth, full employment, stable prices, and a sustainable pattern of international trade and payments.
 
iii The federal funds rate is the rate charged by one depository institution on an overnight sale of immediately available funds (balances at the Federal Reserve) to another depository institution; the rate may vary from depository institution to depository institution and from day to day.
 
iv The S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index of 500 stocks and is generally representative of the performance of larger companies in the U.S.
 
v The MSCI EAFE Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index designed to measure developed market equity performance, excluding the U.S. and Canada.
 
vi The MSCI World Index is an unmanaged index considered representative of growth stocks of developed countries. Index performance is calculated with net dividends.
 
 
Legg Mason Partners Variable Global Equity Portfolio   V


 

 
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Portfolio at a glance (unaudited)
 
    INVESTMENT BREAKDOWN (%) As a percent of total investments
 
(Bar Chart)
 
 
Legg Mason Partners Variable Global Equity Portfolio 2009 Semi-Annual Report   1


 


Portfolio expenses (unaudited)
 
 
Example
As a shareholder of the Portfolio, you may incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees; and other Portfolio expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Portfolio and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.
 
This example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested on January 1, 2009 and held for the six months ended June 30, 2009.
 
Actual expenses
The table below titled “Based on Actual Total Return” provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information provided in this table, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. To estimate the expenses you paid on your account, divide your ending account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 ending account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During the Period”.
 
    BASED ON ACTUAL TOTAL RETURN1
                                 
    BEGINNING
  ENDING
  ANNUALIZED
  EXPENSES
ACTUAL TOTAL
  ACCOUNT
  ACCOUNT
  EXPENSE
  PAID DURING
RETURN2   VALUE   VALUE   RATIO   THE PERIOD3
0.16%
  $ 1,000.00     $ 1,001.60       1.00%     $ 4.96  
                                 
1 For the six months ended June 30, 2009.
 
2 Assumes the reinvestment of all distributions, including returns of capital, if any, at net asset value. Total return is not annualized, as it may not be representative of the total return for the year. Total return does not reflect expenses associated with the separate account such as administrative fees, account charges and surrender charges, which, if reflected, would reduce the total return. Performance figures may reflect fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. In the absence of fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, the total return would have been lower. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
 
3 Expenses (net of fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements) are equal to the Portfolio’s annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year, then divided by 365.
 
 
2   Legg Mason Partners Variable Global Equity Portfolio 2009 Semi-Annual Report


 

 

 
Hypothetical example for comparison purposes
The table below titled “Based on Hypothetical Total Return” provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5.00% per year before expenses, which is not the Portfolio’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use the information provided in this table to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Portfolio and other funds. To do so, compare the 5.00% hypothetical example relating to the Portfolio with the 5.00% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.
 
Please note that the expenses shown in the table below are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs. Therefore, the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transaction costs were included, your costs would have been higher.
 
    BASED ON HYPOTHETICAL TOTAL RETURN1
                                     
HYPOTHETICAL
  BEGINNING
  ENDING
  ANNUALIZED
  EXPENSES
ANNUALIZED
  ACCOUNT
  ACCOUNT
  EXPENSE
  PAID DURING
TOTAL RETURN   VALUE   VALUE   RATIO   THE PERIOD2
  5.00%     $ 1,000.00     $ 1,019.84       1.00%     $ 5.01  
                                     
1 For the six months ended June 30, 2009.
 
2 Expenses (net of fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements) are equal to the Portfolio’s annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year, then divided by 365.
 
 
Legg Mason Partners Variable Global Equity Portfolio 2009 Semi-Annual Report   3


 


Schedule of investments (unaudited)
June 30, 2009
 
 
    LEGG MASON PARTNERS VARIABLE GLOBAL EQUITY PORTFOLIO
                 
SHARES     SECURITY   VALUE  
 
COMMON STOCKS — 98.6%
                 
 
CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY — 9.0%
                 
       
Automobiles — 1.3%
       
  3,800    
Honda Motor Co., Ltd.(a)
  $ 104,032  
                 
  10,500    
Toyota Motor Corp.(a)
    396,883  
                 
       
 Total Automobiles
    500,915  
                 
       
Diversified Consumer Services — 0.8%
       
  3,000    
Apollo Group Inc., Class A Shares*
    213,360  
                 
  5,700    
H&R Block Inc.
    98,211  
                 
       
 Total Diversified Consumer Services
    311,571  
                 
       
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 1.1%
       
  37,800    
Compass Group PLC(a)
    212,918  
                 
  8,630    
OPAP S.A.(a)
    229,164  
                 
       
 Total Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure
    442,082  
                 
       
Household Durables — 0.6%
       
  13,300    
D.R. Horton Inc.
    124,488  
                 
  4,500    
Sony Corp.(a)
    116,228  
                 
       
 Total Household Durables
    240,716  
                 
       
Leisure Equipment & Products — 0.1%
       
  3,400    
Namco Bandai Holdings Inc.(a)
    37,288  
                 
       
Media — 1.7%
       
  16,700    
Comcast Corp., Class A Shares
    241,983  
                 
  5,610    
DIRECTV Group Inc.*
    138,623  
                 
  3,200    
McGraw-Hill Cos. Inc.
    96,352  
                 
  3,113    
Publicis Groupe SA(a)
    95,033  
                 
  2,700    
Time Warner Cable Inc.
    85,509  
                 
       
 Total Media
    657,500  
                 
       
Multiline Retail — 1.5%
       
  4,300    
Big Lots Inc.*
    90,429  
                 
  1,900    
Dollar Tree Inc.*
    79,990  
                 
  2,900    
Family Dollar Stores Inc.
    82,070  
                 
  4,100    
J.C. Penney Co. Inc.
    117,711  
                 
  18,033    
Marks & Spencer Group PLC(a)
    90,979  
                 
  3,100    
Target Corp.
    122,357  
                 
       
 Total Multiline Retail
    583,536  
                 
 
 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
4   Legg Mason Partners Variable Global Equity Portfolio 2009 Semi-Annual Report


 

 



    LEGG MASON PARTNERS VARIABLE GLOBAL EQUITY PORTFOLIO
 
                 
SHARES     SECURITY   VALUE  
       
Specialty Retail — 1.2%
       
  3,700    
Aeropostale Inc.*
  $ 126,799  
                 
  8,700    
Gap Inc.
    142,680  
                 
  2,700    
Ross Stores Inc.
    104,220  
                 
  2,900    
TJX Cos. Inc.
    91,234  
                 
       
 Total Specialty Retail
    464,933  
                 
       
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 0.7%
       
  4,400    
Coach Inc.
    118,272  
                 
  2,800    
Polo Ralph Lauren Corp.
    149,912  
                 
       
 Total Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods
    268,184  
                 
       
TOTAL CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY
    3,506,725  
 
CONSUMER STAPLES — 10.7%
                 
       
Beverages — 1.7%
       
  2,900    
Coca-Cola Co.
    139,171  
                 
  8,400    
Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc.
    139,860  
                 
  14,312    
Diageo PLC(a)
    205,453  
                 
  3,400    
PepsiCo Inc.
    186,864  
                 
       
 Total Beverages
    671,348  
                 
       
Food & Staples Retailing — 2.7%
       
  3,300    
CVS Caremark Corp.
    105,171  
                 
  11,800    
Koninklijke Ahold NV(a)
    135,574  
                 
  8,500    
Kroger Co.
    187,425  
                 
  4,800    
Lawson Inc.(a)
    210,903  
                 
  4,600    
Sysco Corp.
    103,408  
                 
  6,630    
Wal-Mart Stores Inc.
    321,157  
                 
       
 Total Food & Staples Retailing
    1,063,638  
                 
       
Food Products — 2.7%
       
  3,600    
Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.
    96,372  
                 
  5,100    
Dean Foods Co.*
    97,869  
                 
  3,200    
H.J. Heinz Co.
    114,240  
                 
  12,400    
Nestle SA, Registered Shares(a)
    467,990  
                 
  11,500    
Sara Lee Corp.
    112,240  
                 
  6,317    
Unilever NV, CVA(a)
    152,431  
                 
       
 Total Food Products
    1,041,142  
                 
       
Household Products — 1.2%
       
  8,823    
Procter & Gamble Co.
    450,855  
                 
 
 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
Legg Mason Partners Variable Global Equity Portfolio 2009 Semi-Annual Report   5


 

 

Schedule of investments (unaudited) continued
June 30, 2009
    LEGG MASON PARTNERS VARIABLE GLOBAL EQUITY PORTFOLIO
 
                 
SHARES     SECURITY   VALUE  
       
Tobacco — 2.4%
       
  17,590    
Altria Group Inc.
  $ 288,300  
                 
  7,047    
British American Tobacco PLC(a)
    194,599  
                 
  1,200    
Lorillard Inc.
    81,324  
                 
  8,830    
Philip Morris International Inc.
    385,165  
                 
       
 Total Tobacco
    949,388  
                 
       
TOTAL CONSUMER STAPLES
    4,176,371  
 
ENERGY — 11.4%
                 
       
Energy Equipment & Services — 0.8%
       
  3,200    
Dresser-Rand Group Inc.*
    83,520  
                 
  9,100    
Nabors Industries Ltd.*
    141,778  
                 
  3,700    
Noble Corp.
    111,925  
                 
       
 Total Energy Equipment & Services
    337,223  
                 
       
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 10.6%
       
  55,281    
BP PLC(a)
    437,274  
                 
  5,900    
Chevron Corp.
    390,875  
                 
  3,885    
ConocoPhillips
    163,403  
                 
  4,400    
EnCana Corp.
    218,250  
                 
  13,200    
Eni SpA(a)
    313,097  
                 
  9,450    
Exxon Mobil Corp.
    660,650  
                 
  3,400    
LUKOIL, ADR(a)
    151,906  
                 
  3,800    
Marathon Oil Corp.
    114,494  
                 
  3,600    
Petroleo Brasileiro SA, ADR
    147,528  
                 
  18,060    
Rosneft Oil Co., GDR*(b)
    98,427  
                 
  20,300    
Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Class A Shares
    506,834  
                 
  9,450    
StatoilHydro ASA(a)
    186,467  
                 
  9,500    
Talisman Energy Inc.
    136,537  
                 
  8,290    
Total SA(a)
    448,941  
                 
  10,600    
Williams Cos. Inc.
    165,466  
                 
       
 Total Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels
    4,140,149  
                 
       
TOTAL ENERGY
    4,477,372  
 
FINANCIALS — 17.5%
                 
       
Capital Markets — 1.4%
       
  6,700    
Charles Schwab Corp.
    117,518  
                 
  900    
Goldman Sachs Group Inc.
    132,696  
                 
 
 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
6   Legg Mason Partners Variable Global Equity Portfolio 2009 Semi-Annual Report


 

 



    LEGG MASON PARTNERS VARIABLE GLOBAL EQUITY PORTFOLIO
 
                 
SHARES     SECURITY   VALUE  
       
Capital Markets — 1.4% continued
       
                 
  4,800    
Morgan Stanley
  $ 136,848  
                 
  3,300    
State Street Corp.
    155,760  
                 
       
 Total Capital Markets
    542,822  
       
Commercial Banks — 8.7%
       
  19,509    
Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA(a)
    245,807  
                 
  39,818    
Banco Santander Central Hispano SA(a)
    480,455  
                 
  5,010    
Bank of Hawaii Corp.
    179,508  
                 
  28,654    
Barclays PLC(a)
    133,410  
                 
  1,600    
BNP Paribas SA(a)
    103,815  
                 
  56,000    
BOC Hong Kong Holdings Ltd.(a)
    99,126  
                 
  19,950    
HSBC Holdings PLC(a)
    165,552  
                 
  23,000    
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc.(a)
    141,363  
                 
  6,712    
National Australia Bank Ltd.(a)
    120,896  
                 
  4,521    
National Bank of Greece SA(a)*
    123,850  
                 
  24,000    
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp. Ltd.(a)
    110,391  
                 
  6,350    
Royal Bank of Canada
    259,811  
                 
  74,000    
Shinsei Bank Ltd.(a)*
    118,118  
                 
  12,700    
Standard Chartered PLC(a)
    239,105  
                 
  2,700    
State Bank of India, GDR(a)(b)
    191,720  
                 
  4,200    
Toronto-Dominion Bank
    217,071  
                 
  6,500    
Wells Fargo & Co.
    157,690  
                 
  20,213    
Westpac Banking Corp.(a)
    327,560  
                 
       
 Total Commercial Banks
    3,415,248  
                 
       
Consumer Finance — 0.3%
       
  4,800    
American Express Co.
    111,552  
                 
       
Diversified Financial Services — 1.8%
       
  3,943    
Bolsas y Mercados Espanoles(a)
    116,913  
                 
  11,300    
Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing Ltd.(a)
    175,457  
                 
  11,978    
ING Groep NV, CVA(a)
    120,543  
                 
  5,685    
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
    193,916  
                 
  19,000    
Singapore Exchange Ltd.(a)
    92,847  
                 
       
 Total Diversified Financial Services
    699,676  
                 
       
Insurance — 3.3%
       
  500    
CNP Assurances(a)
    47,732  
                 
  3,900    
First American Corp.
    101,049  
                 
  2,700    
MetLife Inc.
    81,027  
                 
 
 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
Legg Mason Partners Variable Global Equity Portfolio 2009 Semi-Annual Report   7


 

 

Schedule of investments (unaudited) continued
June 30, 2009
    LEGG MASON PARTNERS VARIABLE GLOBAL EQUITY PORTFOLIO
 
                 
SHARES     SECURITY   VALUE  
       
Insurance — 3.3% continued
       
                 
  1,587    
Muenchener Rueckversicherungs-Gesellschaft AG (MunichRe)(a)
  $ 214,603  
                 
  9,086    
QBE Insurance Group Ltd.(a)
    145,037  
                 
  28,000    
Sompo Japan Insurance Inc.(a)
    185,866  
                 
  3,750    
T&D Holdings Inc.(a)
    106,912  
                 
  5,600    
Tokio Marine Holdings Inc.(a)
    153,778  
                 
  4,100    
Torchmark Corp.
    151,864  
                 
  3,150    
Travelers Cos. Inc.
    129,276  
                 
       
 Total Insurance
    1,317,144  
                 
       
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 0.8%
       
  2,300    
Digital Realty Trust Inc.
    82,455  
                 
  4,300    
Liberty Property Trust
    99,072  
                 
  2,300    
Simon Property Group Inc.
    118,289  
                 
       
 Total Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)
    299,816  
                 
       
Real Estate Management & Development — 1.2%
       
  4,600    
Daito Trust Construction Co., Ltd.(a)
    215,889  
                 
  7,000    
Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd.(a)
    121,255  
                 
  8,000    
Sumitomo Realty & Development Co., Ltd.(a)
    145,499  
                 
       
 Total Real Estate Management & Development
    482,643  
                 
       
TOTAL FINANCIALS
    6,868,901  
 
HEALTH CARE — 10.7%
                 
       
Biotechnology — 0.8%
       
  3,800    
Amgen Inc.*
    201,172  
                 
  2,850    
Gilead Sciences Inc.*
    133,494  
                 
       
 Total Biotechnology
    334,666  
                 
       
Health Care Providers & Services — 1.1%
       
  3,600    
Medco Health Solutions Inc.*
    164,196  
                 
  5,100    
UnitedHealth Group Inc.
    127,398  
                 
  2,800    
WellPoint Inc.*
    142,492  
                 
       
 Total Health Care Providers & Services
    434,086  
                 
       
Pharmaceuticals — 8.8%
       
  6,400    
Abbott Laboratories
    301,056  
                 
  9,100    
AstraZeneca PLC(a)
    400,582  
                 
  10,500    
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.
    213,255  
                 
  4,200    
Eli Lilly & Co.
    145,488  
                 
  21,600    
GlaxoSmithKline PLC(a)
    380,217  
                 
  8,900    
H. Lundbeck A/S(a)
    169,514  
                 
 
 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
8   Legg Mason Partners Variable Global Equity Portfolio 2009 Semi-Annual Report


 

 



    LEGG MASON PARTNERS VARIABLE GLOBAL EQUITY PORTFOLIO
 
                 
SHARES     SECURITY   VALUE  
       
Pharmaceuticals — 8.8% continued
       
                 
  4,500    
Johnson & Johnson
  $ 255,600  
                 
  6,200    
Merck & Co. Inc.
    173,352  
                 
  6,600    
Novartis AG, Registered Shares(a)
    268,148  
                 
  25,650    
Pfizer Inc.
    384,750  
                 
  1,300    
Roche Holding AG(a)
    176,863  
                 
  5,800    
Sanofi-Aventis(a)
    341,057  
                 
  5,800    
Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.(a)
    225,333  
                 
       
 Total Pharmaceuticals
    3,435,215  
                 
       
TOTAL HEALTH CARE
    4,203,967  
 
INDUSTRIALS — 10.3%
                 
       
Aerospace & Defense — 3.1%
       
  1,500    
Alliant Techsystems Inc.*
    123,540  
                 
  23,500    
BAE Systems PLC(a)
    131,126  
                 
  1,800    
General Dynamics Corp.
    99,702  
                 
  2,500    
Goodrich Corp.
    124,925  
                 
  4,100    
Honeywell International Inc.
    128,740  
                 
  1,600    
L-3 Communications Holdings Inc.
    111,008  
                 
  2,200    
Lockheed Martin Corp.
    177,430  
                 
  2,700    
Northrop Grumman Corp.
    123,336  
                 
  4,300    
Raytheon Co.
    191,049  
                 
       
 Total Aerospace & Defense
    1,210,856  
                 
       
Building Products — 0.3%
       
  2,900    
Compagnie de Saint-Gobain(a)
    96,952  
                 
       
Commercial Services & Supplies — 0.8%
       
  29,087    
Brambles Ltd.(a)
    139,213  
                 
  21,800    
Securitas AB, Class B Shares(a)
    185,396  
                 
       
 Total Commercial Services & Supplies
    324,609  
                 
       
Construction & Engineering — 1.2%
       
  8,550    
KBR Inc.
    157,662  
                 
  3,300    
URS Corp.*
    163,416  
                 
  3,100    
Vinci SA(a)
    139,109  
                 
       
 Total Construction & Engineering
    460,187  
                 
       
Electrical Equipment — 0.3%
       
  1,522    
Schneider Electric SA(a)
    116,385  
                 
 
 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
Legg Mason Partners Variable Global Equity Portfolio 2009 Semi-Annual Report   9


 

 

Schedule of investments (unaudited) continued
June 30, 2009
    LEGG MASON PARTNERS VARIABLE GLOBAL EQUITY PORTFOLIO
 
                 
SHARES     SECURITY   VALUE  
       
Industrial Conglomerates — 2.0%
       
  15,175    
General Electric Co.
  $ 177,851  
                 
  2,400    
Jardine Matheson Holdings Ltd.
    65,661  
                 
  5,050    
Siemens AG, Registered Shares(a)
    349,564  
                 
  3,700    
United Technologies Corp.
    192,252  
                 
       
 Total Industrial Conglomerates
    785,328  
       
Machinery — 1.1%
       
  2,500    
Flowserve Corp.
    174,525  
                 
  2,800    
Navistar International Corp.*
    122,080  
                 
  2,300    
Schindler Holding AG(a)
    142,941  
                 
       
 Total Machinery
    439,546  
                 
       
Road & Rail — 0.2%
       
  1,400    
East Japan Railway Co.(a)
    84,290  
                 
       
Trading Companies & Distributors — 1.3%
       
  39,000    
Marubeni Corp.(a)
    172,271  
                 
  9,800    
Mitsui & Co., Ltd.(a)
    115,431  
                 
  173,000    
Noble Group Ltd.(a)
    216,647  
                 
       
 Total Trading Companies & Distributors
    504,349  
                 
       
TOTAL INDUSTRIALS
    4,022,502  
 
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY — 13.2%
                 
       
Communications Equipment — 1.8%
       
  26,500    
Cisco Systems Inc.*
    493,960  
                 
  6,700    
Corning Inc.
    107,602  
                 
  12,000    
Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson, Class B Shares(a)
    117,282  
                 
       
 Total Communications Equipment
    718,844  
                 
       
Computers & Peripherals — 5.2%
       
  3,350    
Apple Inc.*
    477,141  
                 
  14,600    
Dell Inc.*
    200,458  
                 
  6,200    
EMC Corp.*
    81,220  
                 
  13,650    
Hewlett-Packard Co.
    527,572  
                 
  5,650    
International Business Machines Corp.
    589,973  
                 
  14,000    
NCR Corp.*
    165,620  
                 
       
 Total Computers & Peripherals
    2,041,984  
                 
       
Internet Software & Services — 0.6%
       
  9,000    
eBay Inc.*
    154,170  
                 
  200    
Google Inc., Class A Shares*
    84,318  
                 
       
 Total Internet Software & Services
    238,488  
                 
 
 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
10   Legg Mason Partners Variable Global Equity Portfolio 2009 Semi-Annual Report


 

 



    LEGG MASON PARTNERS VARIABLE GLOBAL EQUITY PORTFOLIO
 
                 
SHARES     SECURITY   VALUE  
       
IT Services — 1.7%
       
  2,050    
Affiliated Computer Services Inc., Class A Shares*
  $ 91,061  
                 
  2,700    
Automatic Data Processing Inc.
    95,688  
                 
  3,322    
Cap Gemini SA(a)
    122,685  
                 
  3,700    
Computer Sciences Corp.*
    163,910  
                 
  2,800    
Hewitt Associates Inc., Class A Shares*
    83,384  
                 
  6,900    
Western Union Co.
    113,160  
                 
       
 Total IT Services
    669,888  
                 
       
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 0.7%
       
  9,700    
Altera Corp.
    157,916  
                 
  11,600    
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd., ADR
    109,156  
                 
       
 Total Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment
    267,072  
                 
       
Software — 3.2%
       
  6,500    
CA Inc.
    113,295  
                 
  16,870    
Microsoft Corp.
    401,000  
                 
  300    
Nintendo Co., Ltd.(a)
    82,548  
                 
  18,700    
Oracle Corp.
    400,554  
                 
  3,900    
Sybase Inc.*
    122,226  
                 
  5,700    
Synopsys Inc.*
    111,207  
                 
       
 Total Software
    1,230,830  
                 
       
TOTAL INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
    5,167,106  
 
MATERIALS — 5.3%
                 
       
Chemicals — 1.8%
       
  5,320    
BASF SE(a)
    212,165  
                 
  1,200    
CF Industries Holdings Inc.
    88,968  
                 
  4,800    
Dow Chemical Co.
    77,472  
                 
  3,400    
Koninklijke DSM NV(a)
    106,514  
                 
  1,301    
Solvay SA(a)
    109,751  
                 
  472    
Syngenta AG(a)
    109,605  
                 
       
 Total Chemicals
    704,475  
                 
       
Construction Materials — 0.3%
       
  4,563    
CRH PLC(a)
    104,597  
                 
       
Containers & Packaging — 0.4%
       
  6,500    
Pactiv Corp.*
    141,050  
                 
       
Metals & Mining — 2.5%
       
  4,005    
Anglo American PLC(a)
    116,823  
                 
  23,300    
BHP Billiton PLC(a)
    526,093  
                 
 
 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
Legg Mason Partners Variable Global Equity Portfolio 2009 Semi-Annual Report   11


 

 

Schedule of investments (unaudited) continued
June 30, 2009
    LEGG MASON PARTNERS VARIABLE GLOBAL EQUITY PORTFOLIO
 
                 
SHARES     SECURITY   VALUE  
       
Metals & Mining — 2.5% continued
       
                 
  6,620    
Rio Tinto PLC(a)
  $ 230,372  
                 
  11,057    
Xstrata PLC(a)
    121,899  
                 
       
 Total Metals & Mining
    995,187  
       
Paper & Forest Products — 0.3%
       
  9,100    
International Paper Co.
    137,683  
                 
       
TOTAL MATERIALS
    2,082,992  
 
TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES — 5.1%
                 
       
Diversified Telecommunication Services — 3.4%
       
  9,300    
AT&T Inc.
    231,012  
                 
  5,700    
Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp.(a)
    231,885  
                 
  12,658    
Portugal Telecom, SGPS, SA(a)
    123,941  
                 
  18,106    
Telefonica SA(a)
    410,495  
                 
  10,600    
Verizon Communications Inc.
    325,752  
                 
       
 Total Diversified Telecommunication Services
    1,323,085  
                 
       
Wireless Telecommunication Services — 1.7%
       
  7,000    
America Movil SAB de CV, Series L Shares, ADR
    271,040  
                 
  25    
KDDI Corp.(a)
    132,523  
                 
  134,438    
Vodafone Group PLC(a)
    259,763  
                 
       
 Total Wireless Telecommunication Services
    663,326  
                 
       
TOTAL TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES
    1,986,411  
 
UTILITIES — 5.4%
                 
       
Electric Utilities — 1.7%
       
  3,460    
E.ON AG(a)
    122,793  
                 
  4,100    
Electric Power Development Co.(a)
    116,172  
                 
  23,200    
Enel SpA(a)
    113,007  
                 
  3,300    
FPL Group Inc.
    187,638  
                 
  5,800    
Kansai Electric Power Co. Inc.(a)
    127,975  
                 
       
 Total Electric Utilities
    667,585  
                 
       
Gas Utilities — 0.6%
       
  40,000    
Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd.(a)
    142,979  
                 
  3,500    
UGI Corp.
    89,215  
                 
       
 Total Gas Utilities
    232,194  
                 
       
Independent Power Producers & Energy Traders — 0.5%
       
  17,700    
AES Corp.*
    205,497  
       
Multi-Utilities — 2.6%
       
  3,200    
DTE Energy Co.
    102,400  
                 
 
 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
12   Legg Mason Partners Variable Global Equity Portfolio 2009 Semi-Annual Report


 

 



    LEGG MASON PARTNERS VARIABLE GLOBAL EQUITY PORTFOLIO
 
                 
SHARES     SECURITY   VALUE  
       
Multi-Utilities — 2.6% continued
       
                 
  7,400    
GDF Suez(a)
  $ 276,408  
                 
  2,700    
PG&E Corp.
    103,788  
                 
  3,874    
RWE AG(a)
    305,788  
                 
  4,400    
Sempra Energy
    218,372  
                 
       
 Total Multi-Utilities
    1,006,756  
                 
       
TOTAL UTILITIES
    2,112,032  
                 
       
TOTAL INVESTMENTS BEFORE SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT
(Cost — $40,105,325)
    38,604,379  
                 
FACE
           
AMOUNT            
 
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT† — 1.8%
                 
       
Repurchase Agreement — 1.8%
       
$ 713,000    
State Street Bank & Trust Co. repurchase agreement dated 6/30/09, 0.000% due 7/1/09; Proceeds at maturity — $713,000; (Fully collateralized by U.S. Treasury Bills, 0.000% due 11/27/09; Market value — $729,124) (Cost — $713,000)
    713,000  
                 
       
TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 100.4% (Cost — $40,818,325#)
    39,317,379  
                 
       
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (0.4)%
    (138,057 )
                 
       
TOTAL NET ASSETS — 100.0%
  $ 39,179,322  
                 
* Non-income producing security.
 
(a) Security is valued in good faith at fair value by or under the direction of the Board of Trustees (See Note 1).
 
(b) Security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. This security may be resold in transactions that are exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. This security has been deemed liquid pursuant to guidelines approved by the Board of Trustees, unless otherwise noted.
 
† Under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, all securities are deemed Level 2. Please refer to Note 1 of the Notes to Financial Statements.
 
# Aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes is substantially the same.
 
 
Abbreviations used in this schedule:
 
ADR — American Depositary Receipt
CVA — Certificaaten van aandelen (Share Certificates)
GDR — Global Depositary Receipt
 
 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
Legg Mason Partners Variable Global Equity Portfolio 2009 Semi-Annual Report   13


 

 

Schedule of investments (unaudited) continued
June 30, 2009
    LEGG MASON PARTNERS VARIABLE GLOBAL EQUITY PORTFOLIO
 
    SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS BY COUNTRY† (unaudited)
         
United States
    49.6 %
         
United Kingdom
    9.8  
         
Japan
    8.9  
         
France
    4.5  
         
Switzerland
    3.2  
         
Spain
    3.2  
         
Germany
    3.1  
         
Netherlands
    2.6  
         
Canada
    2.1  
         
Australia
    1.8  
         
Italy
    1.1  
         
Bermuda
    0.9  
         
Greece
    0.9  
         
Hong Kong
    0.9  
         
Sweden
    0.8  
         
Mexico
    0.7  
         
Russia
    0.6  
         
Singapore
    0.5  
         
India
    0.5  
         
Norway
    0.5  
         
Denmark
    0.4  
         
Brazil
    0.4  
         
Portugal
    0.3  
         
Belgium
    0.3  
         
Taiwan
    0.3  
         
Ireland
    0.3  
         
Short-term investment
    1.8  
         
      100.0 %
         
† As a percentage of total investments. Please note that Portfolio holdings are as of June, 30, 2009 and are subject to change.
 
 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
14   Legg Mason Partners Variable Global Equity Portfolio 2009 Semi-Annual Report


 


Statement of assets and liabilities (unaudited)
June 30, 2009
 
         
ASSETS:
       
         
Investments, at value (Cost — $40,818,325)
  $ 39,317,379  
         
Foreign currency, at value (Cost — $52,616)
    52,611  
         
Cash
    869  
         
Receivable for securities sold
    225,250  
         
Dividends receivable
    128,508  
         
Prepaid expenses
    436  
         
 Total Assets
    39,725,053  
         
LIABILITIES:
       
         
Payable for securities purchased
    446,341  
         
Investment management fee payable
    21,382  
         
Payable for Portfolio shares repurchased
    1,521  
         
Trustees’ fees payable
    275  
         
Accrued expenses
    76,212  
         
 Total Liabilities
    545,731  
         
TOTAL NET ASSETS
  $ 39,179,322  
         
NET ASSETS:
       
         
Par value (Note 5)
  $ 44  
         
Paid-in capital in excess of par value
    65,593,276  
         
Undistributed net investment income
    462,272  
         
Accumulated net realized loss on investments and foreign currency transactions
    (25,376,012 )
         
Net unrealized depreciation on investments and foreign currencies
    (1,500,258 )
         
TOTAL NET ASSETS
  $ 39,179,322  
         
Shares Outstanding:
    4,394,873  
         
Net Asset Value:
    $8.91  
         
 
 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
Legg Mason Partners Variable Global Equity Portfolio 2009 Semi-Annual Report   15


 


Statement of operations (unaudited)
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2009
 
         
INVESTMENT INCOME:
       
         
Dividends
  $ 780,552  
         
Less: Foreign taxes withheld
    (54,978 )
         
 Total Investment Income
    725,574  
         
EXPENSES:
       
         
Investment management fee (Note 2)
    139,693  
         
Distribution fees (Note 2)
    46,564  
         
Shareholder reports
    32,814  
         
Custody fees
    18,832  
         
Audit and tax
    15,180  
         
Legal fees
    13,230  
         
Trustees’ fees
    2,111  
         
Insurance
    1,361  
         
Transfer agent fees
    59  
         
Miscellaneous expenses
    3,466  
         
 Total Expenses
    273,310  
         
Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements (Note 2)
    (87,052 )
         
 Net Expenses
    186,258  
         
NET INVESTMENT INCOME
    539,316  
         
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS AND
FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS (NOTES 1 AND 3):
       
         
Net Realized Gain (Loss) From:
       
         
Investment transactions
    (6,337,324 )
         
Foreign currency transactions
    2,874  
         
Net Realized Loss
    (6,334,450 )
         
Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation/Depreciation From:
       
         
Investments
    5,623,126  
         
Foreign currencies
    1,928  
         
Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation/Depreciation
    5,625,054  
         
NET LOSS ON INVESTMENTS AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS
    (709,396 )
         
DECREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS
  $ (170,080 )
         
 
 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
16   Legg Mason Partners Variable Global Equity Portfolio 2009 Semi-Annual Report


 


Statements of changes in net assets
 
                 
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2009 (unaudited)
           
AND THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008   2009     2008  
OPERATIONS:
               
                 
Net investment income
  $ 539,316     $ 1,220,397  
                 
Net realized loss
    (6,334,450 )     (18,917,115 )
                 
Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation
    5,625,054       (15,541,492 )
                 
 Decrease in Net Assets From Operations
    (170,080 )     (33,238,210 )
                 
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM (NOTE 1):
               
                 
Net investment income
    (1,250,002 )     (50,008 )
                 
Net realized gains
    —       (9,079,587 )
                 
 Decrease in Net Assets From Distributions to Shareholders
    (1,250,002 )     (9,129,595 )
                 
PORTFOLIO SHARE TRANSACTIONS (NOTE 5):
               
                 
Net proceeds from sale of shares
    299,412       2,975,975  
                 
Reinvestment of distributions
    1,250,002       9,129,595  
                 
Cost of shares repurchased
    (3,070,265 )     (19,619,738 )
                 
 Decrease in Net Assets From Portfolio Share Transactions
    (1,520,851 )     (7,514,168 )
                 
DECREASE IN NET ASSETS
    (2,940,933 )     (49,881,973 )
                 
NET ASSETS:
               
                 
Beginning of period
    42,120,255       92,002,228  
                 
End of period*
  $ 39,179,322     $ 42,120,255  
                 
* Includes undistributed net investment income of:
    $462,272       $1,172,958  
                 
 
 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
Legg Mason Partners Variable Global Equity Portfolio 2009 Semi-Annual Report   17


 


Financial highlights
 
 
    FOR A SHARE OF EACH CLASS OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED:
 
                                                 
    20091,2     20082     20072     20062     2005     2004  
NET ASSET VALUE,
BEGINNING OF PERIOD
    $9.19       $17.82       $17.95       $16.17       $15.44       $14.11  
                                                 
INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS:
                                               
                                                 
Net investment income
    0.12       0.25       0.15       0.15       0.10       0.07  
                                                 
Net realized and unrealized
                                               
gain (loss)
    (0.11 )     (6.89 )     0.74       2.31       0.91       1.38  
                                                 
Total income (loss) from operations
    0.01       (6.64 )     0.89       2.46       1.01       1.45  
                                                 
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM:
                                               
                                                 
Net investment income
    (0.29 )     (0.01 )     (0.11 )     (0.21 )     (0.11 )     (0.07 )
                                                 
Net realized gains
    —       (1.98 )     (0.91 )     (0.47 )     (0.17 )     (0.05 )
                                                 
Total distributions
    (0.29 )     (1.99 )     (1.02 )     (0.68 )     (0.28 )     (0.12 )
                                                 
NET ASSET VALUE,
END OF PERIOD
    $8.91       $9.19       $17.82       $17.95       $16.17       $15.44  
                                                 
Total return3
    0.16 %     (41.32 )%     4.91 %     15.20 %     6.54 %     10.25 %
                                                 
NET ASSETS,
END OF PERIOD (000s)
    $39,179       $42,120       $92,002       $95,437       $82,564       $49,381  
                                                 
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS:
                                               
                                                 
Gross expenses
    1.47 %4     1.36 %     1.16 %     1.15 %5     1.15 %     1.28 %
                                                 
Net expenses6,7
    1.00 4     1.00       0.88       0.87 5     0.90       1.00  
                                                 
Net investment income
    2.90 4     1.81       0.80       0.88       0.64       0.75  
                                                 
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE
    69 %     157 %     81 %     18 %     18 %     10 %
                                                 
1 For the six months ended June 30, 2009 (unaudited).
 
2 Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares method.
 
3 Performance figures may reflect fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. In the absence of fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, the total return would have been lower. Total returns do not reflect expenses associated with the separate accounts such as administrative fees, account charges and surrender charges which, if reflected, would reduce the total return for all periods shown. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.
 
4 Annualized.
 
5 Included in the expense ratios are certain non-recurring restructuring (and reorganization, if applicable) fees that were incurred by the Portfolio during the period. Without these fees, the gross and net expense ratios would have been 1.09% and 0.84%, respectively.
 
6 As a result of a voluntary expense limitation, the ratio of expenses, other than interest, brokerage, taxes and extraordinary expenses, to average net assets will not exceed 1.00%.
 
7 Reflects fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements.
 
 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
18   Legg Mason Partners Variable Global Equity Portfolio 2009 Semi-Annual Report


 


Notes to financial statements (unaudited)
 
 
1.  Organization and significant accounting policies
Legg Mason Partners Variable Global Equity Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) is a separate diversified series of Legg Mason Partners Variable Equity Trust (the “Trust”). The Trust, a Maryland business trust, is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company.
 
Shares of the Portfolio may only be purchased or redeemed through variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies offered by the separate accounts of participating insurance companies or through eligible pension or other qualified plans.
 
The following are significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Portfolio and are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Estimates and assumptions are required to be made regarding assets, liabilities and changes in net assets resulting from operations when financial statements are prepared. Changes in the economic environment, financial markets and any other parameters used in determining these estimates could cause actual results to differ. Subsequent events have been evaluated through August 19, 2009, the issuance date of the financial statements.
 
(a) Investment valuation. Equity securities for which market quotations are available are valued at the last reported sales price or official closing price on the primary market or exchange on which they trade. Debt securities are valued at the mean between the last quoted bid and asked prices provided by an independent pricing service that are based on transactions in debt obligations, quotations from bond dealers, market transactions in comparable securities and various other relationships between securities. When prices are not readily available, or are determined not to reflect fair value, such as when the value of a security has been significantly affected by events after the close of the exchange or market on which the security is principally traded, but before the Portfolio calculates its net asset value, the Portfolio may value these securities at fair value as determined in accordance with the procedures approved by the Portfolio’s Board of Trustees. Fair valuing of securities may be also determined with the assistance of a pricing service using calculations based on indices of domestic securities and the appropriate indicators, such as prices of relevant American depository receipts (ADRs) and future contracts. Short-term obligations with maturities of 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value.
 
The Portfolio adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157 (“FAS 157”). FAS 157 establishes a single definition of fair value, creates a three-tier hierarchy as a framework for measuring fair value based on inputs
 
 
Legg Mason Partners Variable Global Equity Portfolio 2009 Semi-Annual Report   19


 

 

Notes to financial statements (unaudited) continued
 
used to value the Portfolio’s investments, and requires additional disclosure about fair value. The hierarchy of inputs is summarized below.
 
  •  Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical investments
 
  •  Level 2 — other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)
 
  •  Level 3 — significant unobservable inputs (including the Portfolio’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)
 
The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
 
The following is a summary of the inputs used in valuing the Portfolio’s assets carried at fair value:
 
                                 
        OTHER
       
        SIGNIFICANT
  SIGNIFICANT
   
        OBSERVABLE
  UNOBSERVABLE
   
    QUOTED PRICES
  INPUTS
  INPUTS
   
DESCRIPTION   (LEVEL 1)   (LEVEL 2)   (LEVEL 3)   TOTAL
Common stocks:
                               
                                 
Consumer discretionary
  $ 2,224,200     $ 1,282,525       —     $ 3,506,725  
                                 
Consumer staples
    2,809,421       1,366,950       —       4,176,371  
                                 
Energy
    2,939,687       1,537,685       —       4,477,372  
                                 
Financials
    2,425,402       4,443,499       —       6,868,901  
                                 
Health care
    2,242,253       1,961,714       —       4,203,967  
                                 
Industrials
    2,133,177       1,889,325       —       4,022,502  
                                 
Information technology
    4,844,591       322,515       —       5,167,106  
                                 
Materials
    445,173       1,637,819       —       2,082,992  
                                 
Telecommunication services
    827,804       1,158,607       —       1,986,411  
                                 
Utilities
    906,910       1,205,122               2,112,032  
                                 
Total common stocks
    21,798,618       16,805,761       —       38,604,379  
                                 
Short-term investment†
    —       713,000       —       713,000  
                                 
Total investments
  $ 21,798,618     $ 17,518,761       —     $ 39,317,379  
                                 
† See Schedule of Investments for additional detailed categorizations.
 
 
20   Legg Mason Partners Variable Global Equity Portfolio 2009 Semi-Annual Report


 

 

 
Following is a reconciliation of investments in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value:
 
                         
    COMMON STOCKS
        TELECOMMUNICATION
   
    FINANCIALS   SERVICES   TOTAL
Balance as of December 31, 2008
  $ 113,326     $ 398,862     $ 512,188  
                         
Accrued premiums/discounts
    —       —       —  
                         
Realized gain (loss)
    —       9,914       9,914 1
                         
Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
    (14,291 )     (55,718 )     (70,009 )2
                         
Net purchases (sales)
    —       (78,234 )     (78,234 )
                         
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3
    (99,035 )     (274,824 )     (373,859 )
                         
Balance as of June 30, 2009
    —       —       —  
                         
1  This amount is included in net realized gain (loss) from investment transactions in the accompanying Statement of Operations.
 
2  This amount is included in the change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) in the accompanying Statement of Operations. Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) includes net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) resulting from changes in investment values during the reporting period and the reversal of previously recorded unrealized appreciation (depreciation) when gains or losses are realized.
 
(b) Repurchase agreements. When entering into repurchase agreements, it is the Portfolio’s policy that its custodian or a third party custodian take possession of the underlying collateral securities, the market value of which, at all times, at least equals the principal amount of the repurchase transaction, including accrued interest. To the extent that any repurchase transaction exceeds one business day, the value of the collateral is marked-to-market daily to ensure the adequacy of the collateral. If the seller defaults, and the market value of the collateral declines or if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of the security, realization of the collateral by the Portfolio may be delayed or limited.
 
(c) Foreign currency translation. Investment securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollar amounts based upon prevailing exchange rates at the date of valuation. Purchases and sales of investment securities and income and expense items denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollar amounts based upon prevailing exchange rates on the respective dates of such transactions.
 
The Portfolio does not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from the fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included with the net realized and unrealized gain or loss on investments.
 
 
Legg Mason Partners Variable Global Equity Portfolio 2009 Semi-Annual Report   21


 

 

Notes to financial statements (unaudited) continued
 
Net realized foreign exchange gains or losses arise from sales of foreign currencies, including gains and losses on forward foreign currency contracts, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest, and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Portfolio’s books and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from changes in the fair values of assets and liabilities, other than investments in securities, at the date of valuation, resulting from changes in exchange rates.
 
Foreign security and currency transactions may involve certain considerations and risks not typically associated with those of U.S. dollar denominated transactions as a result of, among other factors, the possibility of lower levels of governmental supervision and regulation of foreign securities markets and the possibility of political or economic instability.
 
(d) Foreign risk. The Portfolio’s investments in foreign securities may involve risks not present in domestic investments. Since securities may be denominated in foreign currencies, may require settlement in foreign currencies or pay interest or dividends in foreign currencies, changes in the relationship of these foreign currencies to the U.S. dollar can significantly affect the value of the investments and earnings of the Portfolio. Foreign investments may also subject the Portfolio to foreign government exchange restrictions, expropriation, taxation or other political, social or economic developments, all of which affect the market and/or credit risk of the investments.
 
(e) Security transactions and investment income. Security transactions are accounted for on a trade date basis. Interest income, adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion of discount, is recorded on the accrual basis. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Foreign dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date or as soon as practicable after the Portfolio determines the existence of a dividend declaration after exercising reasonable due diligence. The cost of investments sold is determined by use of the specific identification method. To the extent any issuer defaults on an expected interest payment, the Portfolio’s policy is to generally halt any additional interest income accruals and consider the realizability of interest accrued up to the date of default.
 
(f) REIT distributions. The character of distributions received from Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”) held by the Portfolio is generally comprised of net investment income, capital gains, and return of capital. It is the policy of the Portfolio to estimate the character of distributions received from underlying REITs based on historical data provided by the REITs. After each calendar year end, REITs report the actual tax character of these distributions. Differences between the estimated and actual amounts reported by the REITs are reflected in the Portfolio’s records in the year in which they are reported by the REITs.
 
 
22   Legg Mason Partners Variable Global Equity Portfolio 2009 Semi-Annual Report


 

 

 
(g) Distributions to shareholders. Distributions from net investment income and distributions of net realized gains, if any, are declared at least annually. Distributions to shareholders of the Portfolio are recorded on the ex-dividend date and are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP.
 
(h) Federal and other taxes. It is the Portfolio’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 Portfolio intends to distribute substantially all of its taxable income and net realized gains, if any, to shareholders each year. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required in the Portfolio’s financial statements.
 
Management has analyzed the Portfolio’s tax positions taken on federal income tax returns for all open tax years and has concluded that as of June 30, 2009, no provision for income tax would be required in the Portfolio’s financial statements. The Portfolio’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.
 
Under the applicable foreign tax laws, a withholding tax may be imposed on interest, dividends and capital gains at various rates.
 
(i) Reclassification. GAAP 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.
 
2. Investment management agreement and other transactions with affiliates
Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (“LMPFA”) is the Portfolio’s investment manager and Batterymarch Financial Management, Inc. (“Batterymarch”) is the Portfolio’s subadviser. LMPFA and Batterymarch are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Legg Mason, Inc. (“Legg Mason”).
 
Under the investment management agreement, the Portfolio pays an investment management fee, calculated daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.75% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets.
 
LMPFA provides administrative and certain oversight services to the Portfolio. LMPFA delegates to Batterymarch the day-to-day portfolio management of the Portfolio, except for the management of cash and short-term instruments. For its services, LMPFA pays Batterymarch 70% of the net management fee it receives from the Portfolio.
 
 
Legg Mason Partners Variable Global Equity Portfolio 2009 Semi-Annual Report   23


 

 

Notes to financial statements (unaudited) continued
 
During the six months ended June 30, 2009, the Portfolio had a voluntary expense limitation in place of 1.00%.
 
During the six months ended June 30, 2009, LMPFA waived a portion of its fee in the amount of $40,488.
 
The manager is permitted to recapture amounts previously voluntarily forgone or reimbursed by the manager to the Portfolio during the same fiscal year if the Portfolio’s total annual operating expenses have fallen to a level below the voluntary fee waiver/reimbursement (“expense cap”) shown in the fee table of the Portfolio’s prospectus. In no case will the manager recapture any amount that would result, on any particular business day of the Portfolio, in the Portfolio’s total annual operating expenses exceeding the expense cap.
 
Legg Mason Investor Services, LLC (“LMIS”), a wholly-owned broker-dealer subsidiary of Legg Mason, serves as the Portfolio’s sole and exclusive distributor.
 
The Portfolio has adopted a Rule 12b-1 distribution plan and under that plan, the Portfolio pays a distribution fee calculated at the annual rate of 0.25% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. Distribution fees are accrued daily and paid monthly.
 
During the six months ended June 30, 2009, LMIS waived all of its distribution fees for the Portfolio, resulting in a waiver of $46,564. The distribution plan fee waiver can be terminated at any time.
 
Certain officers and one Trustee of the Trust are employees of Legg Mason or its affiliates and do not receive compensation from the Trust.
 
3.  Investments
During the six months ended June 30, 2009, the aggregate cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investments (excluding short-term investments) were as follows:
 
         
Purchases
  $ 25,769,531  
         
Sales
    28,174,512  
         
 
At June 30, 2009, the aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of investments for federal income tax purposes were substantially as follows:
 
         
Gross unrealized appreciation
  $ 2,540,282  
         
Gross unrealized depreciation
    (4,041,228 )
         
Net unrealized depreciation
  $ (1,500,946 )
         
 
 
24   Legg Mason Partners Variable Global Equity Portfolio 2009 Semi-Annual Report


 

 

 
4.  Derivative instruments and hedging activities
Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” requires enhanced disclosure about an entity’s derivative and hedging activities.
 
During the six months ended June 30, 2009, the Portfolio did not invest in any derivative instruments.
 
5.  Shares of beneficial interest
At June 30, 2009, the Trust had an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest authorized with a par value of $0.00001 per share.
 
Transactions in shares of the Portfolio were as follows:
 
                 
    SIX MONTHS ENDED
  YEAR ENDED
    JUNE 30, 2009   DECEMBER 31, 2008
Shares sold
    35,931       221,372  
                 
Shares issued on reinvestment
    141,243       631,806  
                 
Shares repurchased
    (363,569 )     (1,434,942 )
                 
Net decrease
    (186,395 )     (581,764 )
                 
 
6.  Capital loss carryforward
As of December 31, 2008, the Portfolio had a net capital loss carryforward of approximately $9,782,967, all of which expires in 2016. This amount will be available to offset any future taxable capital gains.
 
7.  Regulatory matters
On May 31, 2005, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) issued an order in connection with the settlement of an administrative proceeding against Smith Barney Fund Management LLC (“SBFM”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Legg Mason and the then investment adviser or manager to the Portfolio, and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. (“CGM”), a former distributor of the Portfolio, relating to the appointment of an affiliated transfer agent for the Smith Barney family of mutual funds, including the Portfolio (the “Affected Funds”).
 
The SEC order found that SBFM and CGM willfully violated Section 206(1) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules promulgated there under (the “Advisers Act”). Specifically, the order found that SBFM and CGM knowingly or recklessly failed to disclose to the boards of the Affected Funds in 1999 when proposing a new transfer agent arrangement with an affiliated transfer agent that: First Data Investors Services Group (“First Data”), the Affected Funds’ then-existing transfer agent, had offered to continue as
 
 
Legg Mason Partners Variable Global Equity Portfolio 2009 Semi-Annual Report   25


 

 

Notes to financial statements (unaudited) continued
 
transfer agent and do the same work for substantially less money than before; and that Citigroup Asset Management (“CAM”), the Citigroup business unit that, at the time, included the Affected Funds’ investment manager and other investment advisory companies, had entered into a side letter with First Data under which CAM agreed to recommend the appointment of First Data as sub-transfer agent to the affiliated transfer agent in exchange, among other things, for a guarantee by First Data of specified amounts of asset management and investment banking fees to CAM and CGM. The order also found that SBFM and CGM willfully violated Section 206(2) of the Advisers Act by virtue of the omissions discussed above and other misrepresentations and omissions in the materials provided to the Affected Funds’ boards, including the failure to make clear that the affiliated transfer agent would earn a high profit for performing limited functions while First Data continued to perform almost all of the transfer agent functions, and the suggestion that the proposed arrangement was in the Affected Funds’ best interests and that no viable alternatives existed.
 
SBFM and CGM do not admit or deny any wrongdoing or liability. The settlement does not establish wrongdoing or liability for purposes of any other proceeding. The SEC censured SBFM and CGM and ordered them to cease and desist from violations of Sections 206(1) and 206(2) of the Advisers Act. The order required Citigroup to pay $208.1 million, including $109 million in disgorgement of profits, $19.1 million in interest, and a civil money penalty of $80 million. Approximately $24.4 million has already been paid to the Affected Funds, primarily through fee waivers. The remaining $183.7 million, including the penalty, has been paid to the U.S. Treasury and will be distributed pursuant to a plan submitted for the approval of the SEC. At this time, there is no certainty as to how the above-described proceeds of the settlement will be distributed, to whom such distributions will be made, the methodology by which such distributions will be allocated, and when such distributions will be made. The order also required that transfer agency fees received from the Affected Funds since December 1, 2004, less certain expenses, be placed in escrow and provided that a portion of such fees might be subsequently distributed in accordance with the terms of the order. On April 3, 2006, an aggregate amount of approximately $9 million held in escrow was distributed to the Affected Funds.
 
The order required SBFM to recommend a new transfer agent contract to the Affected Funds’ boards within 180 days of the entry of the order; if a Citigroup affiliate submitted a proposal to serve as transfer agent or sub-transfer agent, SBFM and CGM would have been required, at their expense, to engage an independent monitor to oversee a competitive bidding process. On November 21, 2005, and within the specified timeframe, the Affected Funds’ boards selected a new transfer agent for the Affected Funds. No Citigroup affiliate submitted a proposal to serve as transfer agent. Under the order,
 
 
26   Legg Mason Partners Variable Global Equity Portfolio 2009 Semi-Annual Report


 

 

 
SBFM also must comply with an amended version of a vendor policy that Citigroup instituted in August 2004.
 
Although there can be no assurance, the manager does not believe that this matter will have a material adverse effect on the Affected Funds.
 
On December 1, 2005, Citigroup completed the sale of substantially all of its global asset management business, including SBFM, to Legg Mason.
 
8.  Legal matters
Beginning in May 2004, class action lawsuits alleging violations of the federal securities laws were filed against CGM, a former distributor of the Portfolio, and other affiliated funds (collectively, the “Funds”) and a number of its then affiliates, including SBFM and Salomon Brothers Asset Management Inc. (“SBAM”), which were then investment adviser or manager to certain of the Funds (the “Managers”), substantially all of the mutual funds then managed by the Managers (the “Defendant Funds”), and Board members of the Defendant Funds (collectively, the “Defendants”). The complaints alleged, among other things, that CGM created various undisclosed incentives for its brokers to sell Smith Barney and Salomon Brothers funds. In addition, according to the complaints, the Managers caused the Defendant Funds to pay excessive brokerage commissions to CGM for steering clients towards proprietary funds. The complaints also alleged that the Defendants breached their fiduciary duty to the Defendant Funds by improperly charging Rule 12b-1 fees and by drawing on fund assets to make undisclosed payments of soft dollars and excessive brokerage commissions. The complaints also alleged that the Defendant Funds failed to adequately disclose certain of the allegedly wrongful conduct. The complaints sought injunctive relief and compensatory and punitive damages, rescission of the Defendant Funds’ contracts with the Managers, recovery of all fees paid to the Managers pursuant to such contracts and an award of attorneys’ fees and litigation expenses.
 
On December 15, 2004, a consolidated amended complaint (the “Complaint”) was filed alleging substantially similar causes of action. On May 27, 2005, all of the Defendants filed motions to dismiss the Complaint. On July 26, 2006, the court issued a decision and order (1) finding that plaintiffs lacked standing to sue on behalf of the shareholders of the Funds in which none of the plaintiffs had invested and dismissing those Funds from the case (although stating that they could be brought back into the case if standing as to them could be established), and (2) other than one stayed claim, dismissing all of the causes of action against the remaining Defendants, with prejudice, except for the cause of action under Section 36(b) of the 1940 Act, which the court granted plaintiffs leave to replead as a derivative claim.
 
On October 16, 2006, plaintiffs filed their Second Consolidated Amended Complaint (“Second Amended Complaint”) which alleges derivative claims on
 
 
Legg Mason Partners Variable Global Equity Portfolio 2009 Semi-Annual Report   27


 

 

Notes to financial statements (unaudited) continued
 
behalf of nine funds identified in the Second Amended Complaint, under Section 36(b) of the 1940 Act, against CAM, SBAM and SBFM as investment advisers to the identified funds, as well as CGM as a distributor for the identified funds [collectively, the “Second Amended Complaint Defendants”). The Fund was not identified in the Second Amended Complaint. The Second Amended Complaint alleges no claims against any of the funds or any of their Board Members. Under Section 36(b), the Second Amended Complaint alleges similar facts and seeks similar relief against the Second Amended Complaint Defendants as the Complaint.
 
On December 3, 2007, the court granted the Defendants’ motion to dismiss, with prejudice. On January 2, 2008, the plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. The appeal was fully briefed and oral argument before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit took place on March 5, 2009. The parties currently are awaiting a decision from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
 
Additional lawsuits arising out of these circumstances and presenting similar allegations and requests for relief may be filed in the future.
 
* * *
 
Beginning in August 2005, five class action lawsuits alleging violations of federal securities laws and state law were filed against CGM and SBFM, (collectively, the “Defendants”) based on the May 31, 2005 settlement order issued against the Defendants by the SEC as described in Note 7. The complaints seek injunctive relief and compensatory and punitive damages, removal of SBFM as the investment manager for the Smith Barney family of funds, rescission of the funds’ management and other contracts with SBFM, recovery of all fees paid to SBFM pursuant to such contracts, and an award of attorneys’ fees and litigation expenses. The five actions were subsequently consolidated, and a consolidated complaint was filed.
 
On September 26, 2007, the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York issued an order dismissing the consolidated complaint, and judgment was later entered. An appeal was filed with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. After full briefing, oral argument before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit took place on March 4, 2009. The parties currently are awaiting a decision from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
 
 
28   Legg Mason Partners Variable Global Equity Portfolio 2009 Semi-Annual Report


 

 
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Legg Mason Partners
Variable Global Equity Portfolio
 
 
Trustees
 
Paul R. Ades
Andrew L. Breech
Dwight B. Crane
Robert M. Frayn, Jr.
R. Jay Gerken, CFA
  Chairman
Frank G. Hubbard
Howard J. Johnson
David E. Maryatt
Jerome H. Miller
Ken Miller
John J. Murphy
Thomas F. Schlafly
Jerry A. Viscione
 
Investment manager
 
Legg Mason Partners Fund
Advisor, LLC
 
Subadviser
 
Batterymarch Financial Management, Inc.
 
Distributor
 
Legg Mason Investor Services, LLC
 
Custodian
 
State Street Bank and Trust
Company
 
Transfer agent
 
Boston Financial Data Servicing, Inc.
2 Heritage Drive
Quincy, Massachusetts 02171
 
Independent registered public
accounting firm
 
KPMG LLP
345 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10154


 

 
Legg Mason Partners Variable Global Equity Portfolio
The Portfolio is a separate investment series of Legg Mason Partners Variable Equity Trust, a Maryland business trust.
 
LEGG MASON PARTNERS VARIABLE GLOBAL EQUITY PORTFOLIO
Legg Mason Funds
55 Water Street
New York, New York 10041
 
The Portfolio files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Portfolio’s Forms N-Q are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The Portfolio’s Forms N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C., and information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. To obtain information on Form N-Q from the Portfolio, shareholders can call Funds Investor Services at 1-800-822-5544 or Institutional Shareholder Services at 1-888-425-6432.
 
Information on how the Portfolio voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the prior 12-month period ended June 30th of each year and a description of the policies and procedures that the Portfolio uses to determine how to vote proxies related to portfolio transactions are available (1) without charge, upon request, by calling Funds Investor Services at 1-800-822-5544 or Institutional Shareholder Services at 1-888-425-6432, (2) on the Portfolio’s website at www.leggmason.com/individualinvestors and (3) on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
 
This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholders of Legg Mason Partners Variable Global Equity Portfolio. This report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the Portfolio unless preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus.
 
Investors should consider the Portfolio’s investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. The prospectus contains this and other important information about the Portfolio. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing.
 
 
www.leggmason.com/individualinvestors
 
 
©2009 Legg Mason Investor Services, LLC
Member FINRA, SIPC
 

 


 

     
BUILT TO WINSM
  (Legg Mason Logo)
 
At Legg Mason, we’ve assembled a collection of experienced investment management firms and empowered each of them with the tools, the resources and, most importantly, the independence to pursue the strategies they know best.
 
• Each was purposefully chosen for their commitment to investment excellence.
 
• Each is focused on specific investment styles and asset classes.
 
• Each exhibits thought leadership in their chosen area of focus.
 
Together, we’ve built a powerful portfolio of solutions for financial advisors and their clients. And it has made us a world leader in money management.*
 
 
  *  Ranked eleventh-largest money manager in the world, according to Pensions & Investments, May 18, 2009, based on 12/31/08 worldwide assets under management.  
 
www.leggmason.com/individualinvestors
 
©2009 Legg Mason Investor Services, LLC Member FINRA, SIPC
 
FDXX011193 8/09 SR09-862
 
NOT PART OF THE SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT


 

ITEM 2. CODE OF ETHICS.
Not applicable.
ITEM 3. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.
Not applicable.
ITEM 4. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.
Not applicable.
ITEM 5. AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS.
Not applicable.
ITEM 6. SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS.
Included herein under Item 1.
ITEM 7. DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.
Not applicable.
ITEM 8. PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.
Not applicable.
ITEM 9. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS.
Not applicable.
ITEM 10. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.
Not applicable.
ITEM 11. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
  (a)   The registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a- 3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”)) are effective as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report that includes the disclosure required by this paragraph, based on their evaluation of the disclosure controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act and 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
 
  (b)   There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act) that occurred during the registrant’s last fiscal half-year (the registrant’s second fiscal half-year in the case of an annual report) that have materially affected, or are likely to materially affect the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 12. EXHIBITS.
(a) (1) Not applicable.
Exhibit 99.CODE ETH
(a) (2) Certifications pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 attached hereto.
Exhibit 99.CERT
(b) Certifications pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 attached hereto.
Exhibit 99.906CERT

 


 

SIGNATURES
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, there unto duly authorized.
Legg Mason Partners Variable Equity Trust
         
 
By:
  /s/ R. Jay Gerken
 
(R. Jay Gerken)
   
 
  Chief Executive Officer of    
 
  Legg Mason Partners Variable Equity Trust    
Date: August 27, 2009
     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)
   
 
  Chief Executive Officer of    
 
  Legg Mason Partners Variable Equity Trust    
Date: August 27, 2009
         
 
By:
  /s/ Kaprel Ozsolak
 
(Kaprel Ozsolak)
   
 
  Chief Financial Officer of    
 
  Legg Mason Partners Variable Equity Trust    
Date: August 27, 2009