485APOS 1 d286993d485apos.htm CLEARBRIDGE LARGE CAP GROWTH ESG ETF ClearBridge Large Cap Growth ESG ETF
Table of Contents

As filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on March 1, 2017

Securities Act File No. 333-206784

Investment Company Act File No. 811-23096

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM N-1A

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

   THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933  
   Pre-Effective Amendment No.      
   Post-Effective Amendment No. 13  

and/or

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

   THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940  

Amendment No. 15

(Check appropriate box or boxes)

 

 

Legg Mason ETF Investment Trust

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

 

 

620 Eighth Avenue, 49th Floor, New York, New York   10018
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code (877) 721-1926

 

 

Robert I. Frenkel

Legg Mason ETF Investment Trust

100 First Stamford Place

Stamford, Connecticut 06902

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

 

 

COPY TO:

Dianne E. O’Donnell, Esq.

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP

787 7th Avenue

New York, New York 10019

 

 

Continuous

(Approximate Date of Proposed Offering)

 

 

It is proposed that this filing will become effective:

 

  immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
  on            pursuant to paragraph (b)
  60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
  on            pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
  75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)
  on            pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485.

If appropriate, check the following box:

 

  This post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment.

This filing relates solely to ClearBridge Large Cap Growth ESG ETF.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

LOGO

 

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

Subject to completion, March 1, 2017

Prospectus   LOGO   [                     ], 2017

 

LEGG MASON EQUITY

ETFs

 

 

CLEARBRIDGE LARGE CAP GROWTH ESG ETF

NASDAQ (Ticker Symbol): [            ]

The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these securities or determined whether this Prospectus is accurate or complete. Any statement to the contrary is a crime.

 

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED • NO BANK GUARANTEE • MAY LOSE VALUE


Table of Contents
Contents       
ClearBridge Large Cap Growth ESG ETF      2  
More on the fund’s investment strategies, investments and risks      8  
Tax advantaged product structure      14  
More on fund management      15  
Shareholder information      17  
Dividends, other distributions and taxes      20  
Creations and redemptions      22  
Financial highlights      24  
Prior performance of similar accounts      25  

Investment objective

ClearBridge Large Cap Growth ESG ETF (the “fund”) seeks long-term capital appreciation through investing in large-capitalization companies with the potential for high future earnings growth.

 

Fees and expenses of the fund

The accompanying table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund. The management agreement between Legg Mason ETF Investment Trust (the “Trust”) and Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (“LMPFA” or the “manager”) (the “Management Agreement”) provides that LMPFA will pay all operating expenses of the fund, except interest expenses, taxes, brokerage expenses, future Rule 12b-1 fees (if any), acquired fund fees and expenses, extraordinary expenses and the management fee payable to LMPFA under the Management Agreement.

 

Shareholder fees     
(fees paid directly from your investment)     
     None
  
Annual fund operating expenses (%)     
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)     
Management fees    0.59
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees    0.00
Other expenses1    None
Total annual fund operating expenses    0.59

 

1 

Other expenses are estimated for the current fiscal year. Actual expenses may differ from estimates.

Example:

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other funds. The example assumes:

 

 

You invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated

 

 

Your investment has a 5% return each year and the fund’s operating expenses remain the same

You may also incur usual and customary brokerage commissions and other charges when buying or selling shares of the fund, which are not reflected in the example.

Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

 

Number of years you own shares ($)              
       1 year ($)      3 years ($)
ClearBridge Large Cap Growth ESG ETF      60      189

Portfolio turnover. The fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the fund’s performance. The fund is newly offered; therefore, it does not have a turnover rate to report for the most recent fiscal year.

Principal investment strategies

Under normal circumstances, the fund seeks to meet its investment objective by investing at least 80% of its net assets, plus borrowings for investment purposes, if any, in equity securities or other instruments with similar economic characteristics of U.S. companies with large market capitalizations that meet its financial and environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) criteria. The fund may also invest in companies that the subadviser believes are making substantial progress toward becoming a leader in ESG policies. The fund’s investment strategy focuses on consistent growth of capital while managing volatility.

 

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Determination of a company’s ESG standards is based on the subadviser’s proprietary research approach. The subadviser will exercise judgment to determine ESG best practices based on its twenty-five year history of managing ESG investment strategies through an established proprietary process. The subadviser utilizes a fundamental, bottom-up research approach that emphasizes company analysis, management and stock selection.

The ESG evaluation is integrated into a thorough assessment of investment worthiness based on financial criteria as well as ESG considerations including innovative workplace policies, employee benefits and programs; environmental management system strength, eco-efficiency and life-cycle analysis; community involvement, strategic philanthropy and reputation management; and strong corporate governance and independence of the board. The ESG analysis is conducted by the fundamental analyst platform on a sector-specific basis, and a proprietary ESG rating is assigned to each company. The subadviser seeks to invest over the long term in large-capitalization companies that are considered to be of high quality with sustainable competitive advantages as evidenced by high returns on capital, strong balance sheets, and capable management teams that allocate capital in an efficient manner. The subadviser seeks to invest in leadership companies where the portfolio managers believe the market price underestimates the magnitude of future growth. Leadership may be assessed both quantitatively and qualitatively. The subadviser seeks to select securities of companies that are category leaders with characteristics to sustain that position and grow market share consistently. The subadviser performs rigorous analysis to understand company fundamentals, key competitive dynamics and industry structure with the belief that the best business models win over time. The subadviser seeks to identify social or economic trends that will have an impact on the economy as a whole to support multi-year investment opportunities, allowing for compounding of earnings and cash flow. The subadviser seeks companies with self-funding business models with significant recurring revenue and businesses with the ability to generate superior free cash flow over time. In addition, the subadviser takes a disciplined approach to valuation and stress tests the sustainability of profitability and growth. The subadviser will also consider emerging companies with promising future prospects that may not yet have demonstrated substantial profitability.

The subadviser will utilize fundamental analysis to identify investment candidates with these attributes, and evaluate industry dynamics, the strength of the business model and management skill. Valuation will be carefully examined using a variety of techniques that depend on the type of company being researched. Methods typically used are discounted cash flow analysis, market implied growth and returns relative to the subadviser’s expectations, multiple comparisons and scenario analysis.

It is also the subadviser’s intention to engage and encourage management to improve in certain ESG areas identified by the subadviser through the sector analysts lead engagements.

The subadviser will sell a security if the issuer no longer meets its financial or ESG criteria. In addition, the subadviser will seek to replace securities when the company’s risk/reward profile is no longer favorable due to price appreciation or if the company’s investment fundamentals have deteriorated meaningfully relative to original expectations. Securities may also be sold to permit investment in an issuer considered by the subadviser to be a more attractive alternative.

The fund emphasizes investments in equity securities or related instruments of U.S. large-capitalization companies; however, it may invest in equity securities of foreign issuers with similar characteristics.

Principal risks

Risk is inherent in all investing. The value of your investment in the fund, as well as the amount of return you receive on your investment, may fluctuate significantly. You may lose part or all of your investment in the fund or your investment may not perform as well as other similar investments. The following is an alphabetical list of the principal risks of investing in the fund.

Asset class risk. Securities or other assets in the fund’s portfolio may underperform in comparison to the general financial markets, a particular financial market or other asset classes.

Authorized Participant concentration risk. Only an Authorized Participant may engage in creation or redemption transactions directly with the fund. The fund has a limited number of institutions that act as Authorized Participants. To the extent that these institutions exit the business, elect not to transact with the fund, or are unable to proceed with creation and/or redemption orders with respect to the fund and no other Authorized Participant is able to step forward to create or redeem, fund shares may trade at a discount to net asset value (“NAV”) and possibly face trading halts and/or delisting.

Cybersecurity risk. Cybersecurity incidents may allow an unauthorized party to gain access to fund assets, customer data (including private shareholder information), or proprietary information, or cause the fund, the manager, the subadviser, Authorized Participants, the relevant listing exchange and/or the fund’s service providers (including, but not limited to, fund accountants, custodians, sub-custodians, transfer agents and financial intermediaries) to suffer data breaches, data corruption or lose operational functionality.

ESG investment strategy risk. The fund’s ESG investment strategy may limit the types and number of investment opportunities available to the fund and, as a result, may underperform funds that are not subject to such criteria. The fund’s ESG investment strategy may result in the fund investing in

 

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Principal risks cont’d

 

securities or industry sectors that underperform the market as a whole, or forgoing opportunities to invest in securities that might otherwise be advantageous to buy. The fund may also underperform other funds screened for different ESG standards. In addition, the subadviser may be unsuccessful in creating a portfolio composed of companies that exhibit positive ESG characteristics.

Growth investing risk. The fund’s growth-oriented investment style may increase the risks of investing in the fund. Growth securities typically are very sensitive to market movements because their market prices tend to reflect future expectations. When it appears those expectations will not be met, the prices of growth securities typically fall. Growth stocks as a group may be out of favor and underperform the overall equity market while the market concentrates on value stocks. Although the fund will not concentrate its investments in any one industry or industry group, it may, like many growth funds, weight its investments toward certain industries, thus increasing its exposure to factors adversely affecting issuers within those industries.

Issuer risk. The value of a security can go up or down more than the market as a whole and can perform differently from the value of the market as a whole, often due to disappointing earnings reports by the issuer, unsuccessful products or services, loss of major customers, major litigation against the issuer or changes in government regulations affecting the issuer or the competitive environment. The fund may experience a substantial or complete loss on an individual security. Historically, the prices of securities of small and medium capitalization companies have generally gone up or down more than those of large capitalization companies, although even large capitalization companies may fall out of favor with investors.

Large capitalization company risk. Large capitalization companies may fall out of favor with investors based on market and economic conditions. In return for the relative stability and low volatility of large capitalization companies, the fund’s value may not rise as much as the value of funds that have a greater focus on companies with smaller market capitalizations.

Liquidity risk. Some assets held by the fund may be impossible or difficult to sell, particularly during times of market turmoil. These illiquid assets may also be difficult to value. Markets may become illiquid when, for instance, there are few, if any, interested buyers or sellers or when dealers are unwilling or unable to make a market for certain securities. As a general matter, dealers recently have been less willing to make markets for fixed income securities. If the fund is forced to sell an illiquid asset to meet redemption requests or other cash needs, the fund may be forced to sell at a loss.

Market events risk. In the past several years financial markets, such as those in the United States, Europe, Asia and elsewhere, have experienced increased volatility, depressed valuations, decreased liquidity and heightened uncertainty. Governmental and non-governmental issuers have defaulted on, or been forced to restructure, their debts. These conditions may continue, recur, worsen or spread. Events that have contributed to these market conditions include, but are not limited to major cybersecurity events; measures to address U.S. federal and state budget deficits; downgrading of U.S. long-term sovereign debt; declines in oil and commodity prices; dramatic changes in currency exchange rates; and public sentiment.

The U.S. government and the Federal Reserve, as well as certain foreign governments and central banks, have taken steps to support financial markets, including by keeping interest rates at historically low levels. This and other government intervention may not work as intended, particularly if the efforts are perceived by investors as being unlikely to achieve the desired results. The Federal Reserve has reduced its market support activities and recently has begun raising interest rates. Certain foreign governments and central banks are implementing or discussing so-called negative interest rates (e.g., charging depositors who keep their cash at a bank) to spur economic growth. Further Federal Reserve or other U.S. or non-U.S. governmental or central bank actions, including interest rate increases or contrary actions by different governments, could negatively affect financial markets generally, increase market volatility and reduce the value and liquidity of securities in which the fund invests.

Policy and legislative changes in the United States and in other countries are affecting many aspects of financial regulation, and may in some instances contribute to decreased liquidity and increased volatility in the financial markets. The impact of these changes on the markets, and the practical implications for market participants, may not be fully known for some time.

Economies and financial markets throughout the world are increasingly interconnected. Economic, financial or political events, trading and tariff arrangements, terrorism, natural disasters and other circumstances in one country or region could have profound impacts on global economies or markets. As a result, whether or not the fund invests in securities of issuers located in or with significant exposure to the countries directly affected, the value and liquidity of the fund’s investments may be negatively affected.

Market trading risk. The fund faces numerous market trading risks, including the potential lack of an active market for fund shares, losses from trading in secondary markets, periods of high volatility and disruptions in the creation/redemption process. ANY OF THESE FACTORS, AMONG OTHERS, MAY LEAD TO THE FUND’S SHARES TRADING AT A PREMIUM OR DISCOUNT TO NAV.

Portfolio management risk. The value of your investment may decrease if the subadviser’s judgment about the attractiveness or value of, or market trends affecting a particular security, industry, sector or region, or about market movements is incorrect, or if there are imperfections, errors or limitations in the tools and data used by the subadviser. In addition, the fund’s investment strategies or policies may change from time to time. Those changes may not lead to the results intended by the subadviser and could have an adverse effect on the value or performance of the fund.

 

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Stock market and equity securities risk. The securities markets are volatile and the market prices of the fund’s securities may decline generally. Securities fluctuate in price based on changes in a company’s financial condition and overall market and economic conditions. If the market prices of the securities owned by the fund fall, the value of your investment in the fund will decline.

Trading issues risk. Trading in shares on NASDAQ may be halted in certain circumstances. There can be no assurance that the requirements of NASDAQ necessary to maintain the listing of the fund will continue to be met.

Valuation risk. The sales price the fund could receive for any particular portfolio investment may differ from the fund’s valuation of the investment, particularly for securities that trade in thin or volatile markets or that are valued using a fair value methodology. Investors who purchase or redeem fund shares on days when the fund is holding fair-valued securities may receive fewer or more shares or lower or higher redemption proceeds than they would have received if the fund had not fair-valued the security or had used a different valuation methodology. The fund’s ability to value its investments may be impacted by technological issues and/or errors by pricing services or other third party service providers.

These risks are discussed in more detail later in this Prospectus or in the Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”).

 

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Performance

 

The fund has not yet operated for a full calendar year. Once the fund has a performance record of at least one calendar year, a bar chart and performance table will be included in this Prospectus. The performance information will provide some indication of the risks of investing in the fund by showing changes in the fund’s performance from year to year and by showing how the fund’s average annual returns compare with those of a broad measure of market performance.

 

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Management

 

Investment manager: Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (“LMPFA” or the “manager”)

Subadviser: ClearBridge Investments, LLC (“ClearBridge” or the “subadviser”)

Portfolio managers: Peter Bourbeau, Mary Jane McQuillen and Margaret Vitrano. Mr. Bourbeau, Ms. McQuillen and Ms. Vitrano have been portfolio managers for the fund since             2017.

Purchase and sale of fund shares

The fund is an actively managed exchange-traded fund (commonly referred to as an “ETF”). Individual shares of the fund are listed on a national securities exchange. Most investors will buy and sell shares of the fund through a broker-dealer. The price of fund shares is based on market price, and because ETF shares trade at market prices rather than at NAV, shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (a premium) or less than NAV (a discount). The fund will only issue or redeem shares that have been aggregated into blocks of 50,000 shares or multiples thereof (“Creation Units”) to Authorized Participants who have entered into agreements with the fund’s distributor. The fund generally will issue or redeem Creation Units in return for a designated portfolio of securities (and an amount of cash) that the fund specifies each day.

Tax information

The fund’s distributions are taxable, and will be taxed as ordinary income and/or capital gains, unless you are investing through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or individual retirement account. Withdrawals from such tax-deferred arrangements may be subject to tax at a later date.

Payments to broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries

If you purchase shares of the fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), LMPFA or other related companies may pay the intermediary for marketing activities and presentations, educational training programs, conferences, the development of technology platforms and reporting systems or other services related to the sale or promotion of the fund. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.

 

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More on the fund’s investment strategies, investments and risks

 

Introduction

The fund is an actively managed exchange-traded fund (“ETF”). Shares of the fund are listed for trading on NASDAQ. The market price for a share of the fund may be different from the fund’s most recent NAV.

ETFs are funds that trade like other publicly traded securities. Unlike shares of a mutual fund, which can be bought and redeemed from the issuing fund by all shareholders at a price based on NAV, shares of the fund may be purchased or redeemed directly from the fund at NAV solely by Authorized Participants (as defined in the “Creations and redemptions” section of this Prospectus). Also unlike shares of a mutual fund, shares of the fund are listed on a national securities exchange and trade in the secondary market at market prices that change throughout the day.

Investment objective

The fund seeks long-term capital appreciation through investing in large-capitalization companies with the potential for high future earnings growth.

Principal investment strategies and investments

Under normal circumstances, the fund seeks to meet its investment objective by investing at least 80% of its net assets, plus borrowings for investment purposes, if any, in equity securities or other instruments with similar economic characteristics of U.S. companies with large market capitalizations that meet its financial and environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) criteria. The fund may also invest in companies that the subadviser believes are making substantial progress toward becoming a leader in ESG policies. The fund’s investment strategy focuses on consistent growth of capital while managing volatility.

Large capitalization companies are those companies with market capitalizations similar to companies in the Russell 1000 Growth Index (the “Index”). The size of the companies in the Index changes with market conditions and the composition of the Index. As of [                    ], 2017, the largest market capitalization of a company in the Index was approximately $[    ] billion and the median market capitalization of a company in the Index was approximately $[    ] billion. Securities of companies whose market capitalizations no longer meet this definition after purchase by the fund still will be considered securities of large capitalization companies for purposes of the fund’s 80% investment policy.

Determination of a company’s ESG standards is based on the subadviser’s proprietary research approach. The subadviser will exercise judgment to determine ESG best practices based on its twenty-five year history of managing ESG investment strategies through an established proprietary process. The subadviser utilizes a fundamental, bottom-up research approach that emphasizes company analysis, management and stock selection.

The ESG evaluation is integrated into a thorough assessment of investment worthiness based on financial criteria as well as ESG considerations including innovative workplace policies, employee benefits and programs; environmental management system strength, eco-efficiency and life-cycle analysis; community involvement, strategic philanthropy and reputation management; and strong corporate governance and independence of the board. The ESG analysis is conducted by the fundamental analyst platform on a sector-specific basis, and a proprietary ESG rating is assigned to each company. The subadviser seeks to invest over the long term in large-capitalization companies that are considered to be of high quality with sustainable competitive advantages as evidenced by high returns on capital, strong balance sheets, and capable management teams that allocate capital in an efficient manner. The subadviser seeks to invest in leadership companies where the portfolio managers believe the market price underestimates the magnitude of future growth. Leadership may be assessed both quantitatively and qualitatively. The subadviser seeks to select securities of companies that are category leaders with characteristics to sustain that position and grow market share consistently. The subadviser performs rigorous analysis to understand company fundamentals, key competitive dynamics and industry structure with the belief that the best business models win over time. The subadviser seeks to identify social or economic trends that will have an impact on the economy as a whole to support multi-year investment opportunities, allowing for compounding of earnings and cash flow. The subadviser seeks companies with self-funding business models with significant recurring revenue and businesses with the ability to generate superior free cash flow over time. In addition, the subadviser takes a disciplined approach to valuation and stress tests the sustainability of profitability and growth. The subadviser will also consider emerging companies with promising future prospects that may not yet have demonstrated substantial profitability.

The subadviser will utilize fundamental analysis to identify investment candidates with these attributes, and evaluate industry dynamics, the strength of the business model and management skill. Valuation will be carefully examined using a variety of techniques that depend on the type of company being researched. Methods typically used are discounted cash flow analysis, market implied growth and returns relative to the subadviser’s expectations, multiple comparisons and scenario analysis.

It is also the subadviser’s intention to engage and encourage management to improve in certain ESG areas identified by the subadviser through the sector analysts lead engagements.

ESG characteristics and weightings are determined by sector, but also share common traits such as transparency, management involvement, innovation, long-term view, and willingness to engage investors on sustainability matters. The subadviser may also identify potential investments in

 

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companies that have attractive qualities based on proprietary research. The portfolio managers will exercise their judgment in applying the ESG ratings system.

The portfolio managers construct a portfolio of companies along the spectrum of growth rates and valuations, assigning weights accordingly to the team’s highest-conviction ideas, and adjusting position sizes to manage portfolio risk. Individual position weights are limited to +/-5% of their active weight, while portfolio weights for the largest sectors of the Russell 1000 Growth Index are collared at +/-50%. On average, the fund will hold 40 to 50 securities. All companies are assigned a proprietary ClearBridge ESG rating (A, AA, AAA). Companies that score a rating of “B” are considered un-investable. A unique aspect of the investment process is the distribution of stocks across the entire growth spectrum (cyclical, stable, and select), providing balanced and diversified exposure while maintaining high active share.

Proxy voting is a vital part of the management role. The portfolio managers are guided by the ClearBridge Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures, which include proxy guidelines for traditional governance, environmental and social proposals. In addition, the portfolio managers generally support shareholder proposals that promote good governance, greater corporate transparency, accountability and ethical practices.

The subadviser will sell a security if the issuer no longer meets its financial or ESG criteria. In addition, the subadviser will seek to replace securities when the company’s risk/reward profile is no longer favorable due to price appreciation or if the company’s investment fundamentals have deteriorated meaningfully relative to original expectations. Securities may also be sold to permit investment in an issuer considered by the subadviser to be a more attractive alternative.

The fund emphasizes investments in equity securities or related instruments of U.S. large-capitalization companies; however, it may invest in equity securities of foreign issuers with similar characteristics.

Important Information

The fund’s investment objective may be changed by the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) without shareholder approval and on notice to shareholders. There is no assurance that the fund will meet its investment objective.

The fund’s compliance with its investment limitations and requirements described in this Prospectus is usually determined at the time of investment. If such a percentage limitation is complied with at the time of an investment, any subsequent change resulting from a change in values or assets will not constitute a violation of that limitation.

The fund’s 80% investment policy may be changed by the Board without shareholder approval upon 60 days’ prior notice to shareholders.

The fund’s other investment strategies and policies may be changed from time to time without shareholder approval, unless specifically stated otherwise in this Prospectus or in the SAI.

More on the fund’s investments

Equity investments

Equity securities include exchange-traded and over-the-counter (“OTC”) common and preferred stocks, warrants and rights, securities convertible into common stocks, and securities of other investment companies and of real estate investment trusts (“REITs”).

Foreign investments

The fund may invest in equity securities of foreign issuers, either directly or through depositary receipts.

Small and medium capitalization companies

As a non-principal investment strategy, the fund may invest up to 20% of its assets in equity securities of companies other than those with market capitalizations similar to companies in the Index (i.e., medium or small capitalization companies).

Cash management

The fund may hold cash pending investment, and may invest in money market instruments for cash management purposes. The amount of assets the fund may hold for cash management purposes will depend on market conditions and the need to meet expected redemption requests.

Defensive investing

The fund may depart from its principal investment strategies in response to adverse market, economic or political conditions by taking temporary defensive positions, including by investing in any type of money market instruments and short-term debt securities or cash without regard to any

 

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More on the fund’s investment strategies, investments and risks cont’d

 

percentage limitations. Although the subadviser has the ability to take defensive positions, it may choose not to do so for a variety of reasons, even during volatile market conditions.

Investments by other funds

The fund may be an investment option for other funds, including affiliated funds.

Other investments

The fund may also use other strategies and invest in other securities that are described, along with their risks, in the SAI. However, the fund might not use all of the strategies and techniques or invest in all of the types of securities described in this Prospectus or in the SAI.

Selection process

The portfolio managers emphasize individual security selection while diversifying the fund’s investments across industries, which may help to reduce risk. The portfolio managers attempt to identify established large capitalization companies with the highest growth potential. The portfolio managers then analyze each company in detail, ranking its management, strategy and competitive market position. Finally, the portfolio managers attempt to identify the best values available among the growth companies identified.

In selecting individual companies for investment, the portfolio managers consider:

 

 

Favorable earnings prospects

 

 

Technological innovation

 

 

Industry dominance

 

 

Competitive products and services

 

 

Global scope

 

 

Long-term operating history

 

 

Consistent and sustainable long-term growth in dividends and earnings per share

 

 

Strong cash flow

 

 

High return on equity

 

 

Strong financial condition

 

 

Experienced and effective management

The portfolio managers also consider various ESG factors, including but not limited to:

 

 

Supply chain monitoring and standards

 

 

Environmental management systems

 

 

Greenhouse gas emissions targets and achievements

 

 

Waste minimization and natural resource scarcity policies

 

 

The regulatory framework to which the company is subject

 

 

Workplace safety standards

 

 

Labor relations

 

 

Community impact

 

 

Employee training and retention programs

 

 

Green products and services

 

 

Continuous improvements in energy efficiency in products and operations

 

 

Executive compensation, independence and diversity of the board

 

 

Capital allocation policy

 

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More on risks of investing in the fund

Below are descriptions of the main factors that may play a role in shaping the fund’s overall risk profile. The descriptions appear in alphabetical order, not in order of importance.

Asset class risk. Securities or other assets in the fund’s portfolio may underperform in comparison to the general financial markets, a particular securities market or other asset classes. This may cause the fund to underperform in comparison to other investment vehicles that invest in different asset classes.

Assets under management (AUM) Risk. From time to time a third party, LMPFA and/or affiliates of LMPFA or the fund may invest in the fund and hold its investment for a specific period of time in order for the fund to achieve size or scale. There can be no assurance that any such entity would not redeem its investment or that the size of the fund would be maintained at such levels.

Authorized Participant concentration risk. Only an Authorized Participant may engage in creation or redemption transactions directly with the fund. The fund has a limited number of institutions that act as Authorized Participants. To the extent that these institutions exit the business, elect not to transact with the fund, or are unable to proceed with creation and/or redemption orders with respect to the fund and no other Authorized Participant is able to step forward to create or redeem, fund shares may trade at a discount to NAV and possibly face trading halts and/or delisting.

Cash management and defensive investing risk. The value of the investments held by the fund for cash management or defensive investing purposes can fluctuate. Like other fixed income securities, money market instruments and short-term debt securities are subject to risk, including market, interest rate and credit risk. If the fund holds cash uninvested it will be subject to the credit risk of the depository institution holding the cash. If the fund holds cash uninvested, the fund will not earn income on the cash. If a significant amount of the fund’s assets are used for cash management or defensive investing purposes, it may not achieve its investment objective.

Currency risk. The value of investments in securities either denominated in or tied to foreign currencies increases or decreases as the rates of exchange between those currencies and the U.S. dollar change. Currency conversion costs and currency fluctuations could erase investment gains or add to investment losses. Currency exchange rates can be volatile, and are affected by factors such as general economic conditions, the actions of the U.S. and foreign governments or central banks, the imposition of currency controls and speculation.

Cybersecurity risk. Cybersecurity incidents may allow an unauthorized party to gain access to fund assets, customer data (including private shareholder information), or proprietary information, or cause the fund, the manager, the subadviser, Authorized Participants, the relevant listing exchange and/or the fund’s service providers (including, but not limited to, fund accountants, custodians, sub-custodians, transfer agents and financial intermediaries) to suffer data breaches, data corruption or lose operational functionality.

ESG investment strategy risk. The fund’s ESG investment strategy limits the types and number of investment opportunities available to the fund and, as a result, may underperform other funds that do not have an ESG focus. The fund’s ESG investment strategy may limit the types and number of investment opportunities available to the fund and, as a result, may underperform funds that are not subject to such criteria. The fund’s ESG investment strategy may result in the fund investing in securities or industry sectors that underperform the market as a whole, or forgoing opportunities to invest in securities that might otherwise be advantageous to buy. The fund may also underperform other funds screened for different ESG standards. In addition, the subadviser may be unsuccessful in creating a portfolio composed of companies that exhibit positive ESG characteristics.

Foreign investments risk. The fund’s investments in securities of foreign issuers or issuers with significant exposure to foreign markets involve additional risk. Foreign countries in which the fund may invest may have markets that are less liquid, less regulated and more volatile than U.S. markets. The value of the fund’s investments may decline because of factors affecting the particular issuer as well as foreign markets and issuers generally, such as unfavorable or unsuccessful government actions, reduction of government or central bank support and political or financial instability. Lack of information may also affect the value of these securities.

The value of the fund’s foreign investments may also be affected by foreign tax laws, special U.S. tax considerations and restrictions on receiving the investment proceeds from a foreign country. Dividends or interest on, or proceeds from the sale or disposition of, foreign securities may be subject to non-U.S. withholding or other taxes.

In some foreign countries, less information is available about issuers and markets because of less rigorous accounting and regulatory standards than in the United States. It may be difficult for the fund to pursue claims against a foreign issuer in the courts of a foreign country. Some securities issued by non-U.S. governments or their subdivisions, agencies and instrumentalities may not be backed by the full faith and credit of such governments. Even where a security is backed by the full faith and credit of a government, it may be difficult for the fund to pursue its rights against the government. Some non-U.S. governments have defaulted on principal and interest payments, and more may do so. In certain foreign markets,

 

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settlement and clearance procedures may result in delays in payment for or delivery of securities not typically associated with settlement and clearance of U.S. investments. The risks of foreign investments are heightened when investing in issuers in emerging market countries.

Growth investing risk. The fund’s growth-oriented investment style may increase the risks of investing in the fund. Growth securities typically are quite sensitive to market movements because their market prices tend to reflect future expectations. When it appears those expectations will not be met, the prices of growth securities typically fall. Growth securities may also be more volatile than other investments because they often do not pay dividends.

Growth stocks as a group may be out of favor and underperform the overall equity market while the market concentrates on value stocks. Although the fund will not concentrate its investments in any one industry or industry group, it may, like many growth funds, weight its investments toward certain industries, thus increasing its exposure to factors adversely affecting issuers within those industries.

Issuer risk. The value of a security can be more volatile than the market as a whole and can perform differently from the value of the market as a whole. The value of a company’s securities may deteriorate because of a variety of factors, including disappointing earnings reports by the issuer, unsuccessful products or services, loss of major customers, major litigation against the issuer or changes in government regulations affecting the issuer or the competitive environment.

Large capitalization company risk. Large capitalization companies may fall out of favor with investors based on market and economic conditions. In return for the relative stability and low volatility of large capitalization companies, the fund’s value may not rise as much as the value of funds that have a greater focus on companies with smaller market capitalizations.

Liquidity risk. Liquidity risk exists when particular investments are impossible or difficult to sell. Although most of the fund’s investments must be liquid at the time of investment, investments may become illiquid after purchase by the fund, particularly during periods of market turmoil. Markets may become illiquid when, for instance, there are few, if any, interested buyers or sellers or when dealers are unwilling or unable to make a market for certain securities. As a general matter, dealers recently have been less willing to make markets for fixed income securities. When the fund holds illiquid investments, the portfolio may be harder to value, especially in changing markets, and if the fund is forced to sell these investments to meet redemption requests or for other cash needs, the fund may suffer a loss. The fund may experience heavy redemptions that could cause the fund to liquidate its assets at inopportune times or at a loss or depressed value, which could cause the value of your investment to decline. In addition, when there is illiquidity in the market for certain investments, the fund, due to limitations on illiquid investments, may be unable to achieve its desired level of exposure to a certain sector.

Market events risk. In the past several years financial markets, such as those in the United States, Europe, Asia and elsewhere, have experienced increased volatility, depressed valuations, decreased liquidity and heightened uncertainty. Governmental and non-governmental issuers have defaulted on, or been forced to restructure, their debts. These conditions may continue, recur, worsen or spread. Events that have contributed to these market conditions include, but are not limited to major cybersecurity events; measures to address U.S. federal and state budget deficits; downgrading of U.S. long-term sovereign debt; declines in oil and commodity prices; dramatic changes in currency exchange rates; and public sentiment.

The U.S. government and the Federal Reserve, as well as certain foreign governments and central banks, have taken steps to support financial markets, including by keeping interest rates at historically low levels. This and other government intervention may not work as intended, particularly if the efforts are perceived by investors as being unlikely to achieve the desired results. The Federal Reserve has reduced its market support activities and recently has begun raising interest rates. Certain foreign governments and central banks are implementing or discussing so-called negative interest rates (e.g., charging depositors who keep their cash at a bank) to spur economic growth. Further Federal Reserve or other U.S. or non-U.S. governmental or central bank actions, including interest rate increases or contrary actions by different governments, could negatively affect financial markets generally, increase market volatility and reduce the value and liquidity of securities in which the fund invests.

Policy and legislative changes in the United States and in other countries are affecting many aspects of financial regulation, and may in some instances contribute to decreased liquidity and increased volatility in the financial markets. The impact of these changes on the markets, and the practical implications for market participants, may not be fully known for some time.

Economies and financial markets throughout the world are increasingly interconnected. Economic, financial or political events, trading and tariff arrangements, terrorism, natural disasters and other circumstances in one country or region could have profound impacts on global economies or markets. As a result, whether or not the fund invests in securities of issuers located in or with significant exposure to the countries directly affected, the value and liquidity of the fund’s investments may be negatively affected.

Market sector risk. The fund may be significantly overweight or underweight in certain companies, industries or market sectors, which may cause the fund’s performance to be more sensitive to developments affecting those companies, industries or market sectors.

 

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Market trading risk.

Absence of active market. Although shares of the fund are listed for trading on one or more stock exchanges, there can be no assurance that an active trading market for such shares will develop or be maintained by market makers or Authorized Participants.

Risk of secondary listings. The fund’s shares may be listed or traded on U.S. and non-U.S. stock exchanges other than the U.S. stock exchange where the fund’s primary listing is maintained, and may otherwise be made available to non-U.S. investors through funds or structured investment vehicles similar to depositary receipts. There can be no assurance that the fund’s shares will continue to trade on any such stock exchange or in any market or that the fund’s shares will continue to meet the requirements for listing or trading on any exchange or in any market. The fund’s shares may be less actively traded in certain markets than in others, and investors are subject to the execution and settlement risks and market standards of the market where they or their broker direct their trades for execution. Certain information available to investors who trade fund shares on a U.S. stock exchange during regular U.S. market hours may not be available to investors who trade in other markets, which may result in secondary market prices in such markets being less efficient.

Secondary market trading risk. Shares of the fund may trade in the secondary market at times when the fund does not accept orders to purchase or redeem shares. At such times, shares may trade in the secondary market with more significant premiums or discounts than might be experienced at times when the fund accepts purchase and redemption orders.

Secondary market trading in fund shares may be halted by a stock exchange because of market conditions or for other reasons. In addition, trading in fund shares on a stock exchange or in any market may be subject to trading halts caused by extraordinary market volatility pursuant to “circuit breaker” rules on the stock exchange or market.

Shares of the fund, similar to shares of other issuers listed on a stock exchange, may be sold short and are therefore subject to the risk of increased volatility and price decreases associated with being sold short.

Shares of the fund may trade at prices other than NAV. Shares of the fund trade on stock exchanges at prices at, above or below the fund’s most recent NAV. The NAV of the fund is calculated at the end of each business day and fluctuates with changes in the market value of the fund’s holdings. The trading price of the fund’s shares fluctuates continuously throughout trading hours based on both market supply of and demand for fund shares and the underlying value of the fund’s portfolio holdings or NAV. As a result, the trading prices of the fund’s shares may deviate significantly from NAV during periods of market volatility, including during periods of significant redemption requests or other unusual market conditions. ANY OF THESE FACTORS, AMONG OTHERS, MAY LEAD TO THE FUND’S SHARES TRADING AT A PREMIUM OR DISCOUNT TO NAV. However, because shares can be created and redeemed in Creation Units at NAV, the subadviser believes that large discounts or premiums to the NAV of the fund are not likely to be sustained over the long term (unlike shares of many closed-end funds, which frequently trade at appreciable discounts from, and sometimes at premiums to, their NAVs). While the creation/redemption feature is designed to make it more likely that the fund’s shares normally will trade on stock exchanges at prices close to the fund’s next calculated NAV, exchange prices are not expected to correlate exactly with the fund’s NAV due to timing reasons, supply and demand imbalances and other factors. In addition, disruptions to creations and redemptions, including disruptions at market makers, Authorized Participants, or other market participants, and during periods of significant market volatility, may result in trading prices for shares of the fund that differ significantly from its NAV. Authorized Participants may be less willing to create or redeem fund shares if there is a lack of an active market for such shares or its underlying investments, which may contribute to the fund’s shares trading at a discount to NAV.

Costs of buying or selling fund shares. Buying or selling fund shares on an exchange involves two types of costs that apply to all securities transactions. When buying or selling shares of the fund through a broker, you will likely incur a brokerage commission and other charges. In addition, you may incur the cost of the “spread”; that is, the difference between what investors are willing to pay for fund shares (the “bid” price) and the price at which they are willing to sell fund shares (the “ask” price). There may also be regulatory and other charges that are incurred as a result of trading activity. The spread varies over time for shares of the fund based on trading volume and market liquidity, and is generally narrower if the fund has more trading volume and market liquidity and wider if the fund has less trading volume and market liquidity. In addition, increased market volatility may cause wider spreads. Because of the costs inherent in buying or selling fund shares, frequent trading may detract significantly from investment results and an investment in fund shares may not be advisable for investors who anticipate regularly making small investments through a brokerage account.

Operational risk. Your ability to transact with the fund or the valuation of your investment may be negatively impacted because of the operational risks arising from factors such as processing errors and human errors, inadequate or failed internal or external processes, failures in systems and technology, changes in personnel, and errors caused by third party service providers or trading counterparties. Although the fund attempts to minimize such failures through controls and oversight, it is not possible to identify all of the operational risks that may affect the fund or to develop processes and controls that completely eliminate or mitigate the occurrence of such failures. The fund and its shareholders could be negatively impacted as a result.

 

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Portfolio management risk. The value of your investment may decrease if the subadviser’s judgment about the attractiveness or value of, or market trends affecting a particular security, industry, sector or region, or about market movements is incorrect, or if there are imperfections, errors or limitations in the tools and data used by the subadviser. In addition, the fund’s investment strategies or policies may change from time to time. Those changes may not lead to the results intended by the subadviser and could have an adverse effect on the value or performance of the fund.

Small and medium capitalization company risk. The fund will be exposed to additional risks as a result of its investments in the securities of small and medium capitalization companies. Small and medium capitalization companies may fall out of favor with investors; may have limited product lines, operating histories, markets or financial resources; or may be dependent upon a limited management group. The prices of securities of small and medium capitalization companies generally are more volatile than those of large capitalization companies and are more likely to be adversely affected than large capitalization companies by changes in earnings results and investor expectations or poor economic or market conditions, including those experienced during a recession. Securities of small and medium capitalization companies may underperform large capitalization companies, may be harder to sell at times and at prices the portfolio managers believe appropriate and may offer greater potential for losses.

Stock market and equity securities risk. The securities markets are volatile and the market prices of the fund’s securities may decline generally. Securities fluctuate in price based on changes in a company’s financial condition and overall market and economic conditions. The value of a particular security may decline due to factors that affect a particular industry or industries, such as an increase in production costs, competitive conditions or labor shortages; or due to general market conditions, such as real or perceived adverse economic conditions, changes in the general outlook for corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency rates or generally adverse investor sentiment. If the market prices of the securities owned by the fund fall, the value of your investment in the fund will decline.

Trading issues risk. Trading in shares of the fund on NASDAQ (the “Exchange”) may be halted due to market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the Exchange, make trading in shares inadvisable. In addition, trading in shares on the Exchange is subject to trading halts caused by extraordinary market volatility pursuant to the Exchange’s “circuit breaker” rules. There can be no assurance that the requirements of the Exchange necessary to maintain the listing of the fund will continue to be met or will remain unchanged.

Valuation risk. Many factors may influence the price at which the fund could sell any particular portfolio investment. The sales price may well differ—higher or lower—from the fund’s last valuation, and such differences could be significant, particularly for illiquid securities and securities that trade in relatively thin markets and/or markets that experience extreme volatility. If market conditions make it difficult to value some investments, the fund may value these investments using more subjective methods, such as fair value methodologies. Valuation methodologies may be further impacted by technological issues and/or errors by pricing vendors or their personnel. Investors who purchase or redeem fund shares on days when the fund is holding fair-valued securities may receive fewer or more shares, or lower or higher redemption proceeds, than they would have received if the fund had not fair-valued the security or had used a different valuation methodology. The value of foreign securities, certain fixed income securities and currencies, as applicable, may be materially affected by events after the close of the markets on which they are traded, but before the fund determines its NAV. The fund’s ability to value its investments may also be impacted by technological issues and/or errors by pricing services or other third party service providers.

Please note that there are other factors that could adversely affect your investment and that could prevent the fund from achieving its investment objective. More information about risks appears in the SAI. Before investing, you should carefully consider the risks that you will assume.

Portfolio holdings

On each business day, the fund will disclose on www.leggmason.com/etf the identities and quantities of the fund’s portfolio holdings and other assets held by the fund that will form the basis for the fund’s calculation of its net asset value per share at the end of the business day. A description of the fund’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of its portfolio holdings is available in the SAI.

Tax advantaged product structure

Unlike many conventional mutual funds which are only bought and sold at closing NAVs, the shares of the fund have been designed to be created and redeemed principally in-kind (although under some circumstances its shares are created and redeemed partially for cash) in Creation Units at each day’s market close. These in-kind arrangements are designed to mitigate adverse effects on the fund’s portfolio that could arise from frequent cash purchase and redemption transactions that affect the NAV of the fund. Moreover, in contrast to conventional mutual funds, where frequent redemptions can have an adverse tax impact on taxable shareholders because of the need to sell portfolio securities—which, in turn, may generate taxable gain—the in-kind redemption mechanism of the fund, to the extent used, generally is not expected to lead to a tax event for shareholders whose shares are not being redeemed.

 

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More on fund management

 

Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (“LMPFA” or the “manager”) is the fund’s investment manager. LMPFA, with offices at 620 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 10018, also serves as the investment manager of other Legg Mason-sponsored funds. LMPFA provides administrative and certain oversight services to the fund. As of December 31, 2016, LMPFA’s total assets under management were approximately $189.9 billion.

ClearBridge Investments, LLC (“ClearBridge” or the “subadviser”) provides the day-to-day portfolio management of the fund, except for any portion of the fund’s cash and short-term instruments that is allocated to Western Asset Management Company (“Western Asset”). ClearBridge has offices at 620 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 10018 and is an investment adviser that manages U.S. and international equity investment strategies for institutional and individual investors. ClearBridge has been committed to delivering long-term results through active management for more than 50 years, and bases its investment decisions on fundamental research and the insights of seasoned portfolio management teams. As of December 31, 2016, ClearBridge’s total assets under management were approximately $112.4 billion, including $10.6 billion for which ClearBridge provides investment models to managed account sponsors.

Western Asset manages the portion of the fund’s cash and short-term instruments allocated to it. Western Asset, established in 1971, has offices at 385 East Colorado Boulevard, Pasadena, California 91101 and 620 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 10018. Western Asset acts as investment adviser to institutional accounts, such as corporate pension plans, mutual funds and endowment funds. As of December 31, 2016, the total assets under management of Western Asset and its supervised affiliates were approximately $420 billion.

LMPFA, ClearBridge and Western Asset are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Legg Mason, Inc. (“Legg Mason”). Legg Mason, whose principal executive offices are at 100 International Drive, Baltimore, Maryland 21202, is a global asset management company. As of December 31, 2016, Legg Mason’s asset management operations had aggregate assets under management of approximately $710.4 billion.

Portfolio managers

Peter Bourbeau, Mary Jane McQuillen and Margaret Vitrano are the portfolio managers of the fund. Mr. Bourbeau, Ms. McQuillen and Ms. Vitrano have been portfolio managers for the fund since its inception. Mr. Bourbeau and Ms. Vitrano are primarily responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operation of the fund and have the ultimate authority to make portfolio decisions.

Mr. Bourbeau is a Managing Director and Portfolio Manager of ClearBridge. He joined ClearBridge in December 2005 in connection with the Legg Mason/Citigroup transaction. Previously, Mr. Bourbeau was a Director of Citigroup Global Markets Inc. (“CGMI”) and served as a Portfolio Manager at Smith Barney Asset Management. He joined CGMI’s predecessor in 1991. Mr. Bourbeau has 25 years of investment industry experience.

Ms. McQuillen is a Managing Director, Portfolio Manager, Head of Environmental, Social and Governance Investment and a Managing Director of ClearBridge. Ms. McQuillen joined a ClearBridge predecessor organization in 1996 and has since focused on the ESG strategies at the subadviser. Ms. McQuillen has 20 years of investment industry experience.

Ms. Vitrano is a Managing Director and Portfolio Manager of ClearBridge. Previously, she was a Senior Research Analyst for Information Technology and Communications at ClearBridge from 2007 to 2012. Ms. Vitrano joined ClearBridge in 2005 in connection with the Legg Mason/Citigroup transaction. Prior to that, she was a Director of CGMI and a research analyst at Citigroup. She joined a ClearBridge predecessor organization in 2003. Ms. Vitrano has 20 years of investment industry experience.

The SAI provides information about the compensation of the portfolio managers, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers and any fund shares held by the portfolio managers.

Management fees

Pursuant to the Management Agreement and subject to the general supervision of the Board, LMPFA provides or causes to be furnished all investment management, supervisory, administrative and other services reasonably necessary for the operation of the fund, including certain distribution services (provided pursuant to a separate distribution agreement) and investment advisory services (provided pursuant to separate subadvisory agreements) under a unitary fee structure. The fund is responsible for paying interest expenses, taxes, brokerage expenses, future 12b-1 fees (if any), acquired fund fees and expenses, extraordinary expenses and the management fee payable to LMPFA under the Management Agreement.

The fund pays management fees as follows:

 

Name of Fund   Management Fee
ClearBridge Large Cap Growth ESG ETF   0.59% of average daily net assets

A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approval of the fund’s management agreement and subadvisory agreements will be available in the fund’s first shareholder report.

 

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Additional information

The fund enters into contractual arrangements with various parties, including, among others, the fund’s investment manager and the subadvisers, who provide services to the fund. Shareholders are not parties to, or intended (or “third-party”) beneficiaries of, those contractual arrangements.

This Prospectus and the SAI provide information concerning the fund that you should consider in determining whether to purchase shares of the fund. The fund may make changes to this information from time to time. Neither this Prospectus nor the SAI is intended to give rise to any contract rights or other rights in any shareholder, other than any rights conferred explicitly by federal or state securities laws that may not be waived.

Distribution

Legg Mason Investor Services, LLC (“LMIS”), 100 International Drive, Baltimore, Maryland 21202, serves as the distributor of Creation Units for the fund on an agency basis. LMIS does not maintain a secondary market in the fund’s shares. LMIS has no role in determining the fund’s policies or the securities that are purchased or sold by the fund.

The Board has adopted a distribution and service plan (“Plan”) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Under the Plan, the fund is authorized to pay distribution fees in connection with the sale and distribution of its shares and pay service fees in connection with the provision of ongoing services to shareholders of the fund and the maintenance of shareholder accounts in an amount up to 0.25% of its average daily net assets each year. No Rule 12b-1 fees are currently paid by the fund, and there are no current plans to impose these fees.

Additional payments

Legg Mason or its affiliates make payments to broker-dealers, registered investment advisers, banks or other intermediaries (together, “intermediaries”) related to marketing activities and presentations, educational training programs, conferences, the development of technology platforms and reporting systems, or their making shares of the fund available to their customers generally and in certain investment programs. Such payments, which may be significant to the intermediary, are not made by the fund. Rather, such payments are made by Legg Mason or its affiliates from their own resources, which come directly or indirectly in part from fees paid by the fund. A financial intermediary may make decisions about which investment options it recommends or makes available, or the level of services provided, to its customers based on the payments it is eligible to receive. Therefore, such payments to an intermediary create conflicts of interest between the intermediary and its customers and may cause the intermediary to recommend the fund over another investment. More information regarding these payments is contained in the fund’s SAI. Please contact your salesperson or other investment professional for more information regarding any such payments his or her firm may receive from Legg Mason or its affiliates.

 

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Shareholder information

 

Additional shareholder information, including how to buy and sell shares of the fund, is available free of charge by calling toll-free: 888-386-5535 or visiting our website at www.leggmason.com/etf.

Purchasing and selling shares

Shares of the fund may be acquired or redeemed directly from the fund only in Creation Units or multiples thereof, as discussed in the “Creations and redemptions” section of this Prospectus. Only an Authorized Participant (as defined in the “Creations and redemptions” section) may engage in creation or redemption transactions directly with the fund. Once created, shares of the fund generally trade in the secondary market in amounts less than a Creation Unit.

Shares of the fund are listed for trading on the secondary market on NASDAQ. Shares can be bought and sold throughout the trading day like other publicly traded shares. There is no minimum investment. Although shares are generally purchased and sold in “round lots” of 100 shares, brokerage firms typically permit investors to purchase or sell shares in smaller “odd lots” at no per-share price differential. The fund’s shares trade on NASDAQ as follows:

 

Name of Fund   Ticker Symbol
ClearBridge Large Cap Growth ESG ETF   [                ]

Share prices are reported in dollars and cents per share.

Buying or selling fund shares on an exchange or other secondary market involves two types of costs that may apply to all securities transactions. When buying or selling shares of the fund through a broker, you may incur a brokerage commission and other charges. The commission is frequently a fixed amount and may be a significant proportional cost for investors seeking to buy or sell small amounts of shares. In addition, you may incur the cost of the “spread,” that is, any difference between the bid price and the ask price. The spread varies over time for shares of the fund based on the fund’s trading volume and market liquidity, and is generally lower if the fund has high trading volume and market liquidity, and higher if the fund has little trading volume and market liquidity (which is often the case for funds that are newly launched or small in size). The fund’s spread may also be impacted by the liquidity of the underlying securities held by the fund, particularly for newly launched or smaller funds or in instances of significant volatility of the underlying securities.

Authorized Participants may acquire shares directly from the fund and may tender their shares for redemption directly to the fund, at NAV per share only in Creation Units.

The fund’s primary listing exchange is NASDAQ. NASDAQ is open for trading Monday through Friday and is closed on weekends and the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act restricts investments by investment companies in the securities of other investment companies. Registered investment companies are permitted to invest in the fund beyond the limits set forth in Section 12(d)(1), subject to certain terms and conditions set forth in SEC rules or in an SEC exemptive order issued to the fund. In order for a registered investment company to invest in shares of the fund beyond the limitations of Section 12(d)(1) pursuant to the exemptive relief obtained by the fund, the registered investment company must enter into an agreement with the fund.

Frequent purchases and redemptions of fund shares

The Board has evaluated the risks of frequent purchases and redemptions of fund shares (“market timing”) activities by the fund’s shareholders. The Board noted that the fund’s shares can only be purchased and redeemed directly from the fund in Creation Units by Authorized Participants and that the vast majority of trading in the fund’s shares occurs on the secondary market. Because the secondary market trades do not involve the fund directly, it is unlikely those trades would cause many of the harmful effects of market timing, including dilution, disruption of portfolio management, increases in the fund’s trading costs and the realization of capital gains.

With respect to trades directly with the fund, to the extent effected in-kind, those trades do not cause any of the harmful effects (as previously noted) that may result from frequent cash trades. To the extent that the fund permits or requires trades to be effected in whole or in part in cash, the Board noted that those trades could result in dilution to the fund and increased transaction costs, which could negatively impact the fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective. However, the Board noted that direct trading by Authorized Participants is critical to ensuring that the fund’s shares trade at or close to NAV. The fund also employs fair valuation pricing to minimize potential dilution from market timing. The fund imposes transaction fees on in-kind purchases and redemptions of fund shares to cover the custodial and other costs incurred by the fund in effecting in-kind trades. These fees may increase if an investor substitutes cash in part or in whole for securities, reflecting the fact that the fund’s trading costs increase in those circumstances. Given this structure, the Board determined that it is not necessary to apply policies and procedures to the fund to detect and deter market timing.

 

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Book entry

Shares are held in book-entry form, which means that no stock certificates are issued. The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) or its nominee is the record owner of all outstanding shares of the fund and is recognized as the owner of all shares for all purposes.

Investors owning shares are beneficial owners as shown on the records of DTC or its participants. DTC serves as the securities depository for all shares. Participants in DTC include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and other institutions that directly or indirectly maintain a custodial relationship with DTC. As a beneficial owner of shares, you are not entitled to receive physical delivery of stock certificates or to have shares registered in your name, and you are not considered a registered owner of shares. Therefore, to exercise any right as an owner of shares, you must rely upon the procedures of DTC and its participants. These procedures are the same as those that apply to any other stocks that you hold in book entry or “street name” form.

Fund share trading prices

The trading prices of the fund’s shares in the secondary market generally differ from the fund’s daily NAV and are affected by market forces such as the supply of and demand for ETF shares and underlying securities held by the fund, economic conditions and other factors. Information regarding the intraday value of shares of the fund, also known as the “intra-day indicative value” (“IIV”), is disseminated every 15 seconds throughout each trading day by the national securities exchange on which the fund’s shares are listed or by market data vendors or other information providers. The IIV is based on the current market value of the securities and/or cash required to be deposited in exchange for a Creation Unit. The IIV does not necessarily reflect the precise composition of the current portfolio of securities held by the fund at a particular point in time or the best possible valuation of the current portfolio. Therefore, the IIV should not be viewed as a “real-time” update of the fund’s NAV, which is computed only once a day. The IIV is generally determined by using both current market quotations and/or price quotations obtained from broker-dealers and other market intermediaries that may trade in the portfolio securities held by the fund. The quotations of certain fund holdings may not be updated during U.S. trading hours if such holdings do not trade in the United States. The fund is not involved in, or responsible for, the calculation or dissemination of the IIV or make any representation or warranty as to its accuracy.

Calculation of net asset value

The fund’s NAV per share is the value of its assets minus its liabilities divided by the number of shares outstanding.

The fund calculates its NAV every day the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) is open. The fund generally values its securities and other assets and calculates its NAV as of the scheduled close of regular trading on the NYSE, normally at 4:00 p.m. (Eastern time). If the NYSE closes at another time, the fund will calculate its NAV as of the scheduled closing time. The NYSE is closed on certain holidays listed in the SAI.

Valuation of the fund’s securities and other assets is performed in accordance with procedures approved by the Board. These procedures delegate most valuation functions to the manager, which, in turn, uses independent third party pricing services approved by the Board. Under the procedures, assets are valued as follows:

 

 

Equity securities are valued at the closing price (which may be reported at a different time than the time at which the fund’s NAV is calculated) or, if that price is unavailable or deemed by the manager not representative of market value, the last sale price. Where a security is traded on more than one exchange (as is often the case overseas), the security is generally valued at the price on the exchange considered by the manager to be the primary exchange. In the case of securities not traded on an exchange, or if exchange prices are not otherwise available, the prices are typically determined by independent third party pricing services that use a variety of techniques and methodologies.

 

 

The valuations for fixed income securities are typically the prices supplied by independent third party pricing services, which may use market prices or broker/dealer quotations or a variety of fair valuation techniques and methodologies. Short-term fixed income securities that will mature in 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, unless it is determined that using this method would not reflect an investment’s fair value.

 

 

The valuations of securities traded on foreign markets and certain fixed income securities will generally be based on prices determined as of the earlier closing time of the markets on which they primarily trade, unless a significant event has occurred. When the fund holds securities or other assets that are denominated in a foreign currency, the fund will normally use the currency exchange rates as of 4:00 p.m. (Eastern time). Foreign markets are open for trading on weekends and other days when the fund does not price its shares. Therefore, the value of the fund’s shares may change on days when you will not be able to purchase or sell the fund’s shares.

 

 

For investments in ETFs, the market price is usually the closing sale or official closing price on that exchange. Investments in funds other than ETFs are valued at the NAV per share of the class of the underlying fund held by the fund as determined on each business day.

 

 

If independent third party pricing services are unable to supply prices for a portfolio investment, or if the prices supplied are deemed by the manager to be unreliable, the market price may be determined by the manager using quotations from one or more broker/dealers. When such prices or quotations are not available, or when the manager believes that they are unreliable, the manager may price securities using fair value procedures approved by the Board. These procedures permit, among other things, the use of a formula or other method that takes into consideration market indices, yield curves and other specific adjustments to determine fair value. Fair value of a security is the amount, as

 

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determined by the manager in good faith, that the fund might reasonably expect to receive upon a current sale of the security. The fund may also use fair value procedures if the manager determines that a significant event has occurred between the time at which a market price is determined and the time at which the fund’s NAV is calculated.

Many factors may influence the price at which the fund could sell any particular portfolio investment. The sales price may well differ—higher or lower—from the fund’s last valuation, and such differences could be significant, particularly for securities that trade in relatively thin markets and/or markets that experience extreme volatility. Moreover, valuing securities using fair value methodologies involves greater reliance on judgment than valuing securities based on market quotations. A fund that uses fair value methodologies may value those securities higher or lower than another fund using market quotations or its own fair value methodologies to price the same securities. There can be no assurance that the fund could obtain the value assigned to a security if it were to sell the security at approximately the time at which the fund determines its NAV.

 

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Dividends, other distributions and taxes

 

Dividends and other distributions

The fund generally pays dividends and distributes capital gain, if any, once in December and at such other times as are necessary. The fund may pay additional distributions and dividends in order to avoid a federal tax.

Dividends and other distributions on shares of the fund are distributed on a pro rata basis to beneficial owners of such shares. Dividend payments are made through DTC participants and indirect participants to beneficial owners then of record with proceeds received from the fund.

The Board reserves the right to revise the dividend policy or postpone the payment of dividends if warranted in the Board’s judgment due to unusual circumstances.

Reinvestment of distributions

Distributions are paid by the fund in cash. No dividend reinvestment service is provided by the fund. Broker-dealers may make available the DTC book-entry Dividend Reinvestment Service for use by beneficial owners of the fund for reinvestment of their dividend distributions. Beneficial owners should contact their broker to determine the availability and costs of the service and the details of participation therein. Brokers may require beneficial owners to adhere to specific procedures and timetables. If this service is available and used, dividend distributions of both income and realized gains will be automatically reinvested in additional whole shares of the fund purchased in the secondary market.

Taxes

The following discussion is very general, applies only to shareholders who are U.S. persons, and does not address shareholders subject to special rules, such as those who hold fund shares through an IRA, 401(k) plan or other tax-advantaged account. Except as specifically noted, the discussion is limited to federal income tax matters, and does not address state, local, foreign or non-income taxes. Further information regarding taxes, including certain federal income tax considerations relevant to non-U.S. persons, is included in the SAI. Because each shareholder’s circumstances are different and special tax rules may apply, you should consult your tax adviser about federal, state, local and/or foreign tax considerations that may be relevant to your particular situation.

Taxes on distributions

In general, dividends and distributions are all taxable events. Distributions of investment income that the fund reports as “qualified dividend income” may be eligible to be taxed to noncorporate shareholders at the reduced rates applicable to long-term capital gain if certain requirements are satisfied. Distributions of net capital gain reported by the fund as capital gain dividends are taxable to you as long-term capital gain regardless of how long you have owned your shares. Noncorporate shareholders ordinarily pay tax at reduced rates on long-term capital gain. Substitute payments received on fund shares that are lent out will be ineligible for being reported as qualified dividend income and for other potentially beneficial tax treatment.

You may want to avoid buying shares when the fund is about to declare a dividend or capital gain distribution because it will be taxable to you even though it may economically represent a return of a portion of your investment.

A Medicare contribution tax is imposed at the rate of 3.8% on the net investment income of U.S. individuals with income exceeding specified thresholds, and on undistributed net investment income of certain estates and trusts. Net investment income generally includes for this purpose dividends and capital gain distributions paid by the fund and gain on the redemption or exchange of fund shares.

A dividend declared by the fund in October, November or December and paid during January of the following year will, in certain circumstances, be treated as paid in December for tax purposes.

Interest received by the fund with respect to non-U.S. securities may give rise to withholding and other taxes imposed by non-U.S. countries. Tax conventions between certain countries and the U.S. may reduce or eliminate such taxes. If more than 50% of the total assets of the fund at the close of a year consists of securities of non-U.S. corporations, the fund may “pass through” to you certain non-U.S. income taxes (including withholding taxes) paid by the fund. This means that you would be considered to have received as an additional dividend your share of such non-U.S. taxes, but you may be entitled to either a corresponding tax deduction in calculating your U.S. federal taxable income, or, subject to certain limitations, a credit in calculating your U.S. federal income tax.

If you are neither a resident nor a citizen of the United States or if you are a non-U.S. entity, the fund’s ordinary income dividends (which include distributions of net short-term capital gains) will generally be subject to a 30% U.S. federal withholding tax, unless a lower treaty rate applies.

A 30% withholding tax is currently imposed on U.S.-source dividends, interest and other income items and will be imposed on proceeds from the sale of property producing U.S.-source dividends and interest paid after December 31, 2018, to (i) foreign financial institutions, including non-U.S. investment funds, unless they agree to collect and disclose to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) information regarding their direct and indirect U.S. account holders and (ii) certain other foreign entities, unless they certify certain information regarding their direct and indirect U.S.

 

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owners. To avoid withholding, foreign financial institutions will need to (i) enter into agreements with the IRS that state that they will provide the IRS information, including the names, addresses and taxpayer identification numbers of direct and indirect U.S. account holders; comply with due diligence procedures with respect to the identification of U.S. accounts; report to the IRS certain information with respect to U.S. accounts maintained, agree to withhold tax on certain payments made to non-compliant foreign financial institutions or to account holders who fail to provide the required information; and determine certain other information concerning their account holders, or (ii) in the event that an applicable intergovernmental agreement and implementing legislation are adopted, provide local revenue authorities with similar account holder information. Other foreign entities may need to report the name, address, and taxpayer identification number of each substantial U.S. owner or provide certifications of no substantial U.S. ownership, unless certain exceptions apply.

If you are a resident or a citizen of the United States, by law, back-up withholding at a 28% rate will apply to your distributions and proceeds if you have not provided a taxpayer identification number or social security number and made other required certifications.

Taxes when shares are sold

Capital gain or loss realized upon a sale of fund shares is generally treated as a long-term gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than one year. Any capital gain or loss realized upon a sale of fund shares held for one year or less is generally treated as short-term gain or loss, except that any capital loss on the sale of shares held for six months or less is treated as long-term capital loss to the extent that capital gain dividends were paid with respect to such shares. Any such capital gains, including from sales of fund shares or from capital gain dividends, are included in “net investment income” for purposes of the 3.8% U.S. federal Medicare contribution tax mentioned above.

 

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Creations and redemptions

 

Prior to trading in the secondary market, shares of the fund are “created” at NAV by market makers, large investors and institutions only in block-size Creation Units or multiples thereof. The following table sets forth the number of shares of the fund that constitute a Creation Unit:

 

Fund   Creation unit size
ClearBridge Large Cap Growth ESG ETF   50,000

Each “creator” or “Authorized Participant” enters into an authorized participant agreement with LMIS, the fund’s distributor. Only an Authorized Participant may create or redeem Creation Units directly with the fund.

A creation transaction, which is subject to acceptance by LMIS, generally takes place when an Authorized Participant deposits into the fund a designated portfolio of securities (including any portion of such securities for which cash may be substituted) and a specified amount of cash approximating the holdings of the fund in exchange for a specified number of Creation Units (a “Creation Basket”). Except in limited circumstances, the composition of such portfolio will correspond pro rata to the positions in the fund’s portfolio.

Similarly, shares can be redeemed only in Creation Units, generally for a designated portfolio of securities (including any portion of such securities for which cash may be substituted) held by the fund (“Fund Securities”) and a specified amount of cash. Except in limited circumstances, the composition of such portfolio will correspond pro rata to the positions in the fund’s portfolio. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, shares are not redeemable by the fund.

The prices at which creations and redemptions occur are based on the next calculation of NAV after a creation or redemption order is received in an acceptable form under the authorized participant agreement.

In the event of a system failure or other interruption, including disruptions at market makers or Authorized Participants, orders to purchase or redeem Creation Units either may not be executed according to the fund’s instructions or may not be executed at all, or the fund may not be able to place or change orders.

To the extent the fund engages in in-kind transactions, the fund intends to comply with the U.S. federal securities laws in accepting securities for deposit and satisfying redemptions with redemption securities by, among other means, assuring that any securities accepted for deposit and any securities used to satisfy redemption requests will be sold in transactions that would be exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “1933 Act”). Further, an Authorized Participant that is not a “qualified institutional buyer,” as such term is defined in Rule 144A under the 1933 Act, will not be able to receive restricted securities eligible for resale under Rule 144A.

Information about the procedures regarding creation and redemption of Creation Units (including the cut-off times for receipt of creation and redemption orders) is included in the fund’s SAI.

Because new shares may be created and issued on an ongoing basis, at any point during the life of the fund a “distribution,” as such term is used in the 1933 Act, may be occurring. Broker-dealers and other persons are cautioned that some activities on their part may, depending on the circumstances, result in their being deemed participants in a distribution in a manner that could render them statutory underwriters subject to the prospectus delivery and liability provisions of the 1933 Act. Any determination of whether one is an underwriter must take into account all the relevant facts and circumstances of each particular case.

Broker-dealers should also note that dealers who are not “underwriters” but are participating in a distribution (as contrasted to ordinary secondary transactions), and thus dealing with shares that are part of an “unsold allotment” within the meaning of Section 4(a)(3)(C) of the 1933 Act, would be unable to take advantage of the prospectus delivery exemption provided by Section 4(a)(3) of the 1933 Act. For delivery of prospectuses to exchange members, the prospectus delivery mechanism of Rule 153 under the 1933 Act is available only with respect to transactions on a national securities exchange.

Costs associated with creations and redemptions. Authorized Participants are charged standard creation and redemption transaction fees to offset transfer and other transaction costs associated with the issuance and redemption of Creation Units. The standard creation and redemption transaction fees are set forth in the table below. The standard creation transaction fee is charged to the Authorized Participant on the day such Authorized Participant creates a Creation Unit, and is the same regardless of the number of Creation Units purchased by the Authorized Participant on the applicable business day. Similarly, the standard redemption transaction fee is charged to the Authorized Participant on the day such Authorized Participant redeems a Creation Unit, and is the same regardless of the number of Creation Units redeemed by the Authorized Participant on the applicable business day. Creations and redemptions for cash (when cash creations and redemptions (in whole or in part) are available or specified) are also subject to an additional charge (up to the maximum amounts shown in the table below). This charge is intended to compensate for brokerage, tax, foreign exchange, execution, market impact and other costs and expenses related to cash transactions. Investors who use the services of a broker or other financial intermediary to acquire or dispose of fund shares may pay fees for such services.

 

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The following table shows, as of [                    ], 2017, the approximate value of one Creation Unit of the fund, standard fees and maximum additional charges for creations and redemptions (as described above):

 

      Approximate
Value of a
Creation Unit ($)
   Creation
Unit Size
   Estimated
Standard
Creation/
Redemption
Transaction
Fee ($)
   Maximum
Additional
Charge for
Creations* (%)
   Maximum
Additional Charge
for
Redemptions* (%)
ClearBridge Large Cap Growth ESG ETF    1,250,000.00    50,000    250.00    2.0    2.0

 

* As a percentage of the NAV per Creation Unit, inclusive, in the case of redemptions, of the standard redemption transaction fee.

 

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Financial highlights

 

As the fund has not commenced operations as of the date of this Prospectus, no financial information is available. The Prospectus will include financial information for the fund once it has issued its first annual report to shareholders that contain audited financial statements.

 

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Prior performance of similar accounts

 

The fund is newly offered. Once the fund has a performance record of at least one calendar year, the fund’s performance will be included in the Prospectus. The performance set forth below does not represent the performance of the fund.

The subadviser has managed a series of accounts with an investment objective, strategy and policies substantially similar to the investment objective, strategy and policies of the fund since January 2006 (the ClearBridge Large Cap Growth ESG SMA or the “Composite”). The Composite consists of discretionary wrap accounts with an account minimum of $25,000 (prior to June 2008, the minimum was $5,000). The portfolio managers actively integrate criteria inclusive of environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues into the portfolio construction of the strategy. Accounts within the Composite seek consistent growth of capital while minimizing volatility. Investments are primarily made in U.S. companies, with an objective of outperforming the Russell 1000® Growth Index.

The investment performance of the Composite is summarized below. Peter Bourbeau and Mary Jane McQuillen have been portfolio managers of each account in the Composite since its inception. Margaret Vitrano has been a portfolio manager of each account in the Composite since 2012. The accounts in the Composite are not registered investment companies and as such are not subject to certain limitations, diversification requirements and other restrictions imposed under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, to which the fund, as a registered investment company, is subject. If such accounts were subject to all the requirements and limitations applicable to the fund, the Composite’s performance might have been adversely affected.

The performance of the Composite is compared against the Russell 1000 Growth Index, the Composite’s and the fund’s benchmark. The Russell 1000 Growth Index measures the performance of those Russell 1000 companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values.

Prior to January 2012, the monthly calculation of the Composite’s performance excluded accounts that had a positive or negative cash flow of 10% or more in such month. As of January 2012, this limitation was eliminated. As of March 2013, new accounts entered the Composite during their first full month under management. For prior periods, new accounts entered the Composite during their third full month under management. The returns shown below reflect reinvestment of dividends and other earnings.

 

The Composite
Calendar Year Returns    Performance
“Pure” Gross of
Fees (%)
   Performance
Net of
Fees (%)*
   Russell  1000®
Growth
Index (%)
2016    9.11%    5.95%    7.08%
2015    11.19%    7.97%    5.67%
2014    14.43%    11.12%    13.05%
2013    37.60%    33.69%    33.48%
2012    20.08%    16.63%    15.26%
2011    1.50%    (1.46)%    2.64%
2010    10.43%    7.23%    16.71%
2009    33.94%    30.12%    37.21%
2008    (35.14)%    (37.10)%    (38.44)%
2007    3.06%    0.06%    11.81%
2006    8.84%    5.69%    9.07%
Annualized Returns as of 12/31/16               
1 Year    9.11%    5.95%    7.08%
3 Year    11.55%    8.33%    8.55%
5 Year    18.06%    14.66%    14.50%
Since Inception (01/2006)    8.71%    5.56%    8.40%

 

   

“Pure” Gross of fee performance does not reflect deductions of any expenses, including transaction costs.

 

*   Net of fees Composite returns are calculated by reducing each monthly composite “pure” gross rate of return by the highest “bundled” fee charged (3.00%) annually, prorated to a monthly ratio. The “bundled” fee includes transaction costs, investment management, custodial, and other administrative fees. As of January 2014, the internal dispersion of annual returns is measured by the asset-weighted standard deviation of portfolio returns included in the composite for the entire year. For prior years, the equal-weighted standard deviation was used. Total firm assets for years ending 2006 and 2007 represent the CBI-Retail firm. Effective January 1, 2013, the number of portfolios reflects a change from prior periods due to an aggregation of accounts as reported by one sponsor.

The performance of the fund may be better or worse than the performance of the Composite shown above due to, among other things, differences in portfolio holdings, sales charges, expenses, asset sizes and cash flows between the fund and the accounts illustrated above. If the performance had been so adjusted, returns would have been lower than those shown. Investors should not rely on the performance of the Composite as an indication of future performance of the fund. The performance set forth above does not represent the performance of the fund.

 

Legg Mason Equity ETFs   25


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Prior performance of similar accounts cont’d

 

Performance for the Composite has been calculated in a manner that differs from the performance calculations the SEC requires for registered funds. The returns shown above are calculated in compliance with the Global Investment Performance Standards (“GIPS®”) on a trade date basis, and include accrued income and capital gains. The above performance data are provided solely to illustrate the subadviser’s experience in managing an investment strategy substantially similar to that of the fund. Investors should not rely on this information as an indication of actual or future performance of the fund. The data presented above represent past performance and do not guarantee future results. Performance results fluctuate, and there can be no assurance that objectives will always be achieved. Other methods of computing returns may produce different results, and the results for different periods will vary. Investors’ principal may be at risk under market conditions. The value of an investment upon withdrawal may be worth more or less than its original cost.

 

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Legg Mason Equity

ETFs

 

ClearBridge Large Cap Growth ESG ETF

You may visit the fund’s website, www.leggmason.com/etf, for a free copy of a Prospectus, Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) or an Annual or Semi-Annual Report.

Shareholder reports Additional information about the fund’s investments will be available in the fund’s Annual and Semi-Annual Reports to shareholders. In the fund’s Annual Report, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the fund’s performance during its last fiscal year.

The fund sends only one report to a household if more than one account has the same last name and same address. Contact the broker-dealer through which you hold your shares if you do not want this policy to apply to you.

Statement of additional information The SAI provides more detailed information about the fund and is incorporated by reference into (is legally a part of) this Prospectus.

You can make inquiries about the fund or obtain shareholder reports or the SAI (without charge) by calling the fund at 888-386-5535 or by writing to the fund at www.leggmason.com/etf.

Information about the fund (including the SAI) can be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-202-551-8090. Reports and other information about the fund are available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s Internet site at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of this information may be obtained for a duplicating fee by electronic request at the following E-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the SEC’s Public Reference Room, Washington, D.C. 20549-1520.

If someone makes a statement about the fund that is not in this Prospectus, you should not rely upon that information. Neither the fund nor the distributor is offering to sell shares of the fund to any person to whom the fund may not lawfully sell its shares.

 

(Investment Company Act

file no. 811-23096)

[        ] [        ]/17


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

Subject to Completion, March 1, 2017

[                    ], 2017

LEGG MASON ETF INVESTMENT TRUST

CLEARBRIDGE LARGE CAP GROWTH ESG ETF

NASDAQ (Ticker Symbol): [            ]

620 Eighth Avenue

New York, New York 10018

1-888-386-5535

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This Statement of Additional Information (this “SAI”) is not a prospectus and is meant to be read in conjunction with the Prospectus of ClearBridge Large Cap Growth ESG ETF (the “fund”), dated [                    ], 2017, as amended or supplemented from time to time, and is incorporated by reference in its entirety into the Prospectus.

The fund is a series of Legg Mason ETF Investment Trust (the “Trust”), a Maryland statutory trust. As of the date of this SAI, the Trust has seven other series: Legg Mason Developed ex-US Diversified Core ETF, Legg Mason Emerging Markets Diversified Core ETF, Legg Mason US Diversified Core ETF, Legg Mason Low Volatility High Dividend ETF, Legg Mason International Low Volatility High Dividend ETF, Legg Mason Emerging Markets Low Volatility High Dividend ETF and Legg Mason Global Infrastructure ETF, shares of which are offered pursuant to separate Prospectuses and separate SAIs.

Additional information about the fund’s investments will be available in the fund’s annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders. The fund’s Prospectus and copies of the annual and semi-annual reports, when available, may be obtained free of charge by writing the Trust at 100 First Stamford Place, Attn: Shareholder Services—5th Floor, Stamford, Connecticut 06902, by calling the telephone number set forth above, by sending an e-mail request to prospectus@leggmason.com or by visiting the fund’s website at http://www.leggmason.com/etf. Legg Mason Investor Services, LLC (“LMIS” or the “distributor”), a wholly-owned broker/dealer subsidiary of Legg Mason, Inc. (“Legg Mason”), serves as the fund’s sole and exclusive distributor. The fund will only issue or redeem shares that have been aggregated into blocks of shares, called Creation Units, to authorized participants who have entered into agreements with the fund’s distributor. A Creation Unit for the fund is comprised of 50,000 shares.


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ORGANIZATION OF LEGG MASON ETF INVESTMENT TRUST

     1   

MANAGEMENT POLICIES

     2   

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

     2   

INVESTMENT PRACTICES AND RISK FACTORS

     4   

INVESTMENT POLICIES

     15   

MANAGEMENT

     20   

INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AND OTHER SERVICES

     29   

CONTINUOUS OFFERING

     38   

BOOK ENTRY ONLY SYSTEM

     38   

CREATIONS AND REDEMPTIONS

     39   

DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE

     49   

PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

     49   

DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

     51   

THE TRUST

     51   

TAXES

     54   

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     62   

APPENDIX A—CLEARBRIDGE INVESTMENTS, LLC PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

     A-1   

THIS SAI IS NOT A PROSPECTUS AND IS AUTHORIZED FOR DISTRIBUTION TO PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS ONLY IF PRECEDED OR ACCOMPANIED BY AN EFFECTIVE PROSPECTUS.

No person has been authorized to give any information or to make any representations not contained in the Prospectus or this SAI in connection with the offering made by the Prospectus and, if given or made, such information or representations must not be relied upon as having been authorized by the fund or its distributor. The Prospectus and this SAI do not constitute an offering by the fund or by the distributor in any jurisdiction in which such offering may not lawfully be made.


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ORGANIZATION OF LEGG MASON ETF INVESTMENT TRUST

The Trust was organized on June 8, 2015 as a Maryland statutory trust under the laws of the State of Maryland and is an open-end management investment company registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The Trust’s name was changed from Legg Mason ETF Equity Trust to Legg Mason ETF Investment Trust effective February 15, 2017. The fund is a diversified series of the Trust.

Exchange Listing and Trading

A discussion of exchange listing and trading matters associated with an investment in the fund is contained in the “Shareholder information” section of the Prospectus. The discussion below supplements, and should be read in conjunction with, such section of the Prospectus.

Shares of the fund are listed for trading on NASDAQ (the “Exchange”). The shares trade on the Exchange at prices that may differ to some degree from their net asset value (“NAV”). There can be no assurance that the requirements of the Exchange necessary to maintain the listing of shares of the fund will continue to be met.

The Exchange may, but is not required to, remove the shares of the fund from listing if: (1) following the initial twelve-month period beginning upon the commencement of trading of the fund, there are fewer than 50 beneficial holders of the shares for 30 or more consecutive trading days; (2) the “intra-day indicative value” (“IIV”) of the fund is no longer calculated or available or the fund’s disclosed portfolio is not made available to all market participants at the same time; (3) the Trust has failed to file any filings required by the SEC or the Exchange is aware that the Trust is not in compliance with the conditions of any exemptive order or no-action relief granted by the SEC to the Trust with respect to the fund; or (4) such other event shall occur or condition exists that, in the opinion of the Exchange, makes further dealings on the Exchange inadvisable. In addition, the Exchange will remove the shares of the fund from listing and trading upon termination of the Trust or the fund.

As in the case of other publicly-traded securities, when you buy or sell shares through a broker, you will incur a brokerage commission determined by that broker.

In order to provide additional information regarding the indicative value of shares of the fund, the Exchange or a market data vendor disseminates every 15 seconds through the facilities of the Consolidated Tape Association, or through other widely disseminated means, an updated IIV for the fund as calculated by an information provider or market data vendor. The Trust is not involved in or responsible for any aspect of the calculation or dissemination of the IIV and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the IIV.

The fund’s IIV is based on a securities component and a cash component which comprises that day’s Fund Deposit (as defined below), as disseminated prior to that Business Day’s (as defined below) commencement of trading. The IIV does not necessarily reflect the precise composition of the current portfolio of securities held by the fund at a particular point in time or the best possible valuation of the current portfolio. Therefore, the IIV should not be viewed as a “real-time” update of the fund’s NAV, which is computed only once a day. The IIV is generally determined by using both current market quotations and/or price quotations obtained from broker-dealers that may trade in the portfolio securities held by the fund. The quotations of fund holdings may not be updated during U.S. trading hours if such holdings do not trade in the United States.

The cash component included in the IIV consists of estimated accrued interest, dividends and other income, less expenses. The fund’s IIV reflects changes in currency exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and the applicable currency.

The Trust reserves the right to adjust the share prices of the fund in the future to maintain convenient trading ranges for investors. Any adjustments would be accomplished through stock splits or reverse stock splits, which would have no effect on the net assets of the fund or an investor’s equity interest in the fund.

 

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The base and trading currencies of the fund are the U.S. dollar. The base currency is the currency in which the fund’s NAV per share is calculated and the trading currency is the currency in which shares of the fund are listed and traded on the Exchange.

MANAGEMENT POLICIES

The fund offers and issues shares at its NAV per share only in aggregations of a specified number of shares (“Creation Units”), in exchange for a basket of securities and/or instruments (the “Deposit Securities”) together with a deposit of a specified cash payment (the “Cash Component”). Shares are redeemable by the fund only in Creation Units and in exchange for securities and instruments. Shares trade in the secondary market and elsewhere at market prices that may be at, above or below NAV. Creation Units typically are a specified number of shares.

The fund may charge creation/redemption transaction fees for each creation and redemption. In all cases, transaction fees will be limited in accordance with the requirements of the SEC applicable to management investment companies offering redeemable securities. See the “Creations and Redemptions” section below.

The principal strategies and risks of investing in the fund are described in the Prospectus. Unless otherwise indicated in the Prospectus or this SAI, the investment objective and policies of the fund may be changed without shareholder approval. The fund may invest in the types of instruments described below, unless otherwise indicated in the Prospectus or this SAI.

The fund is an actively managed exchange-traded fund (“ETF”). Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (“LMPFA” or the “manager”) serves as investment manager to the fund. ClearBridge Investments, LLC (“ClearBridge” or the “subadviser”) serves as the subadviser to the fund and provides the day-to-day portfolio management of the fund.

ETFs are funds that trade like other publicly traded securities. Unlike shares of a mutual fund, which can be bought and redeemed from the issuing fund by all shareholders at a price based on NAV, shares of the fund may be purchased or redeemed directly from the fund at NAV solely by Authorized Participants. Also unlike shares of a mutual fund, shares of the fund are listed on a national securities exchange and trade in the secondary market at market prices that change throughout the day.

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

The fund seeks long-term capital appreciation through investing in large-capitalization companies with the potential for high future earnings growth.

The fund’s investment objective may be changed by the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) without shareholder approval upon notice to shareholders. There is no assurance that the fund will meet its investment objective. The fund’s investment strategies may be changed without shareholder approval.

Under normal circumstances, the fund seeks to meet its investment objective by investing at least 80% of its net assets, plus borrowings for investment purposes, if any, in equity securities or other instruments with similar economic characteristics of U.S. companies with large market capitalizations that meet its financial and environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) criteria. The fund’s 80% investment policy may be changed by the Board without shareholder approval upon 60 days’ prior notice to shareholders. The fund may also invest in companies that the subadviser believes are making substantial progress toward becoming a leader in ESG policies. The fund’s investment strategy focuses on consistent growth of capital while managing volatility.

 

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Large capitalization companies are those companies with market capitalizations similar to companies in the Russell 1000 Growth Index (the “Index”). The size of the companies in the Index changes with market conditions and the composition of the Index. As of [                    ], 2017, the largest market capitalization of a company in the Index was approximately $[    ] billion and the median market capitalization of a company in the Index was approximately $[    ] billion. Securities of companies whose market capitalizations no longer meet this definition after purchase by the fund still will be considered securities of large capitalization companies for purposes of the fund’s 80% investment policy.

Determination of a company’s ESG standards is based on the subadviser’s proprietary research approach. The subadviser will exercise judgment to determine ESG best practices based on its twenty-five year history of managing ESG investment strategies through an established proprietary process. The subadviser utilizes a fundamental, bottom-up research approach that emphasizes company analysis, management and stock selection.

The subadviser will utilize fundamental analysis to identify investment candidates with these attributes, and evaluate industry dynamics, the strength of the business model and management skill. Valuation will be carefully examined using a variety of techniques that depend on the type of company being researched. Methods typically used are discounted cash flow analysis, market implied growth and returns relative to the subadviser’s expectations, multiple comparisons and scenario analysis.

It is also the subadviser’s intention to engage and encourage management to improve in certain ESG areas identified by the subadviser through the sector analysts lead engagements.

ESG characteristics and weightings are determined by sector, but also share common traits such as transparency, management involvement, innovation, long-term view, and willingness to engage investors on sustainability matters. The subadviser may also identify potential investments in companies that have attractive qualities based on proprietary research. The portfolio managers will exercise their judgment in applying the ESG ratings system.

The portfolio managers construct a portfolio of companies along the spectrum of growth rates and valuations, assigning weights accordingly to the team’s highest-conviction ideas, and adjusting position sizes to manage portfolio risk. Individual position weights are limited to +/-5% of their active weight, while portfolio weights for the largest sectors of the Russell 1000 Growth Index are collared at +/-50%. On average, the ClearBridge Large Cap Growth ESG strategy holds 40-50 securities. All companies are assigned a proprietary ClearBridge ESG rating (A, AA, AAA). Companies that score a rating of “B” are considered un-investable. A unique aspect of the investment process is the distribution of stocks across the entire growth spectrum (cyclical, stable, and select), providing balanced and diversified exposure while maintaining high active share.

Proxy voting is a vital part of the management role. The portfolio managers are guided by the ClearBridge Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures, which include proxy guidelines for traditional governance, environmental and social proposals. In addition, the portfolio managers generally support shareholder proposals that promote good governance, greater corporate transparency, accountability and ethical practices.

The subadviser will sell a security if the issuer no longer meets its financial or ESG criteria. In addition, the subadviser will seek to replace securities when the company’s risk/reward profile is no longer favorable due to price appreciation or if the company’s investment fundamentals have deteriorated meaningfully relative to original expectations. Securities may also be sold to permit investment in an issuer considered by the subadviser to be a more attractive alternative.

The fund emphasizes investments in equity securities or related instruments of U.S. large-capitalization companies; however, it may invest in equity securities of foreign issuers with similar characteristics.

The fund’s other investment strategies and policies may be changed from time to time without shareholder approval, unless specifically stated otherwise in the Prospectus or in this SAI.

 

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INVESTMENT PRACTICES AND RISK FACTORS

In addition to the principal investment strategies and the principal risks described above and in the Prospectus, the fund may employ other investment practices and may be subject to other risks, some of which are described below. The following provides additional information about these principal strategies and describes other investment strategies and practices that may be used by the fund, which all involve risks of varying degrees. Unless a strategy or policy described below is specifically prohibited by applicable law or by the investment restrictions explained in the fund’s Prospectus or elsewhere in this SAI, the fund may engage in each of the practices listed below.

ESG Criteria. The ESG evaluation is integrated into a thorough assessment of investment worthiness based on financial criteria as well as ESG considerations including innovative workplace policies, employee benefits and programs; environmental management system strength, eco-efficiency and life-cycle analysis; community involvement, strategic philanthropy and reputation management; and strong corporate governance and independence of the board. The ESG analysis is conducted by the fundamental analyst platform on a sector-specific basis, and a proprietary ESG rating is assigned to each company. The subadviser seeks to invest over the long term in large-capitalization companies that are considered to be of high quality with sustainable competitive advantages as evidenced by high returns on capital, strong balance sheets, and capable management teams that allocate capital in an efficient manner. The subadviser seeks to invest in leadership companies where the portfolio managers believe the market price underestimates the magnitude of future growth. Leadership may be assessed both quantitatively and qualitatively. The subadviser seeks to select securities of companies that are category leaders with characteristics to sustain that position and grow market share consistently. The subadviser performs rigorous analysis to understand company fundamentals, key competitive dynamics and industry structure with the belief that the best business models win over time. The subadviser seeks to identify social or economic trends that will have an impact on the economy as a whole to support multi-year investment opportunities, allowing for compounding of earnings and cash flow. The subadviser seeks companies with self-funding business models with significant recurring revenue and businesses with the ability to generate superior free cash flow over time. In addition, the subadviser takes a disciplined approach to valuation and stress tests the sustainability of profitability and growth. The subadviser will also consider emerging companies with promising future prospects that may not yet have demonstrated substantial profitability.

The subadviser will utilize fundamental analysis to identify investment candidates with these attributes, and evaluate industry dynamics, the strength of the business model and management skill. Valuation will be carefully examined using a variety of techniques that depend on the type of company being researched. Methods typically used are discounted cash flow analysis, market implied growth and returns relative to the subadviser’s expectations, multiple comparisons and scenario analysis.

The ESG factors by sector include, but are not limited to: supply chain monitoring and standards; environmental management systems; greenhouse gas emissions targets and achievements; waste minimization and natural resource scarcity policies; the regulatory framework to which the company is subject; workplace safety standards; labor relations; community impact; employee training and retention programs; green products and services; continuous improvements in energy efficiency in products and operations; executive compensation, independence and diversity of the board; and capital allocation policy. Factor weightings (i.e., allocations to the environmental, social or governance factors) will vary by sector (e.g., higher emphasis on the “environmental” factor for the materials sector, higher emphasis on the “governance” factor for the financial sector, or higher emphasis on “social” for the consumer discretionary sector).

Each sector analyst is responsible for the financial research on the companies under coverage, which is inclusive of the ESG factors that are deemed material and relevant. The analysts are measured on their ESG research contributions in their semi-annual performance reviews, and their ESG research responsibility is an equal-weighted component of analyst incentive compensation.

 

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The shareowner engagement process is an integral part of the sustainability leadership review. The fund managers and analysts may (1) meet with and engage the management and external stakeholders of an issuer held by the fund to discuss environmental, social and governance matters and (2) track the progress of the ESG leadership of the issuer through direct engagements. The analysts will establish an initial ESG rating of an issuer held by the fund and, after engagements each year, will assess that rating based on company improvements (if any) relating to any given ESG issues (e.g., reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, increased use of cleaner raw ingredients based on natural sources, improved corporate reporting on sustainability practices and higher worker safety goals). This process of engagement and assessment is intended to help the fund, as an equity owner, determine the sustainability “impact” of an issuer.

The fund’s ESG investment strategy limits the types and number of investment opportunities available to the fund and, as a result, may underperform other funds that do not have an ESG focus. The fund’s ESG investment strategy may limit the types and number of investment opportunities available to the fund and, as a result, may underperform funds that are not subject to such criteria. The fund’s ESG investment strategy may result in the fund investing in securities or industry sectors that underperform the market as a whole, or forgoing opportunities to invest in securities that might otherwise be advantageous to buy. The fund may also underperform other funds screened for different ESG standards. In addition, the subadviser may be unsuccessful in creating a portfolio composed of companies that exhibit positive ESG characteristics.

The subadviser has adopted ESG Proxy Voting Guidelines which supplement the subadviser’s Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures. Those guidelines appear in Appendix A to this SAI.

Defensive Investing. Under normal market conditions, the majority of the fund’s portfolio will consist of equity securities, but it also may contain money market instruments for cash management purposes. The fund reserves the right, as a defensive measure, to hold money market securities, including repurchase agreements or cash, in such proportions as, in the opinion of management, prevailing market or economic conditions warrant. The 80% investment policy (as described above) will not apply during periods when the fund pursues a temporary defensive strategy.

Equity Securities. The fund invests in equity securities, including primarily U.S. exchange-traded and over-the-counter (“OTC”) common stocks and, to a lesser extent, debt securities convertible into equity securities, and warrants and rights relating to equity securities. Common stocks represent an equity (ownership) interest in a corporation. Although equity securities have a history of long-term growth in value, their prices fluctuate based on changes in a company’s financial condition and on overall market and economic conditions.

Convertible Securities. The fund may invest in convertible securities. A convertible security is a bond, debenture, note, preferred stock or other security that may be converted into or exchanged for a prescribed amount of common stock of the same or a different issuer within a particular period of time at a specified price or formula. A convertible security entitles the holder to receive interest paid or accrued on debt or the dividend paid on preferred stock until the convertible security matures or is redeemed, converted or exchanged. Before conversion or exchange, convertible securities ordinarily provide a stream of income with generally higher yields than those of common stocks of the same or similar issuers, but lower than the yield of nonconvertible debt. Convertible securities are usually subordinated to comparable-tier nonconvertible securities but rank senior to common stock in a corporation’s capital structure.

The value of a convertible security is a function of (1) its yield in comparison with the yields of other securities of comparable maturity and quality that do not have a conversion privilege and (2) its worth, at market value, if converted or exchanged into the underlying common stock. A convertible security may be subject to redemption at the option of the issuer at a price established in the convertible security’s governing instrument, which may be less than the ultimate conversion or exchange value.

Convertible securities are subject both to the stock market risk associated with equity securities and to the credit and interest rate risks associated with fixed income securities. As the market price of the equity security

 

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underlying a convertible security falls, the convertible security tends to trade on the basis of its yield and other fixed income characteristics. As the market price of such equity security rises, the convertible security tends to trade on the basis of its equity conversion features.

Warrants or Rights. Warrants or rights may be acquired by the fund in connection with other securities or separately. They provide the fund with the right to purchase other securities of the issuer at a later date. Since a warrant does not carry with it the right to dividends or voting rights with respect to securities that the warrant holder is entitled to purchase, and because it does not represent any rights to the assets of the issuer, a warrant may be considered more speculative than certain other types of investments. In addition, the value of a warrant does not necessarily change with the value of the underlying securities and a warrant ceases to have value if it is not exercised prior to its expiration date. Warrants acquired by the fund in units or attached to securities may be deemed to be without value.

When-Issued Securities, Delayed-Delivery and Forward Commitment Transactions. The fund may purchase securities on a “when-issued” basis, for delayed delivery (i.e., payment or delivery occur beyond the normal settlement date at a stated price and yield) or on a forward commitment basis. The fund does not intend to engage in these transactions for speculative purposes, but only in furtherance of its investment goal. These transactions occur when securities are purchased or sold by the fund with payment and delivery taking place in the future to secure what is considered an advantageous yield and price to the fund at the time of entering into the transaction. The payment obligation and the interest rate that will be received on when-issued securities are fixed at the time the buyer enters into the commitment. Because of fluctuations in the value of securities purchased or sold on a when-issued, delayed-delivery or forward commitment basis, the prices obtained on such securities may be higher or lower than the prices available in the market on the dates when the investments are actually delivered to the buyers. Delivery of the securities in such cases occurs beyond the normal settlement periods, but no payment or delivery is made by the fund prior to the reciprocal delivery or payment by the other party to the transaction. In entering into a when-issued or delayed-delivery transaction, the fund relies on the other party to consummate the transaction and may be disadvantaged if the other party fails to do so.

The fund will at times maintain in a segregated account at its custodian cash or liquid securities equal to the amount of the fund’s when-issued or delayed-delivery commitments. For the purpose of determining the adequacy of the securities in the account, the deposited securities will be valued at market or fair value. If the market or fair value of such securities declines, additional cash or securities will be placed in the account on a daily basis so that the value of the account will equal the amount of such commitments by the fund. Placing securities rather than cash in the account may have a leveraging effect on the fund’s assets. That is, to the extent that the fund remains substantially fully invested in securities at the time that it has committed to purchase securities on a when-issued basis, there will be greater fluctuation in its net asset value (“NAV”) than if it had set aside cash to satisfy its purchase commitments. On the settlement date, the fund will meet its obligations from then available cash flow, the sale of securities held in the separate account, the sale of other securities or, although it normally would not expect to do so, from the sale of the when-issued or delayed-delivery securities themselves (which may have a greater or lesser value than the fund’s payment obligations).

Foreign Securities. The fund may invest up to     % of its net assets (at the time of investment) in equity securities of foreign issuers, either directly or through depositary receipts. The returns of the fund may be adversely affected by fluctuations in value of one or more currencies relative to the U.S. dollar. Investing in the securities of foreign companies involves special risks and considerations not typically associated with investing in U.S. companies. These include risks resulting from revaluation of currencies; future adverse political and economic developments; possible imposition of currency exchange blockages or other foreign governmental laws or restrictions; reduced availability of public information concerning issuers; differences in accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards; generally higher commission rates on foreign portfolio transactions; possible expropriation, nationalization or confiscatory taxation; possible withholding taxes and limitations on the use or removal of funds or other assets, including the withholding of dividends; adverse changes in investment or exchange control regulations; political instability, which could affect U.S. investments in foreign countries; and

 

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potential restrictions on the flow of international capital. Additionally, foreign securities often trade with less frequency and volume than domestic securities and, therefore, may exhibit greater price volatility and be less liquid. Foreign securities may not be registered with, nor the issuers thereof be subject to the reporting requirements of, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Accordingly, there may be less publicly available information about the securities and about the foreign company issuing them than is available about a U.S. company and its securities. Moreover, individual foreign economies may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross domestic product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency and balance of payment positions. These risks are intensified when investing in countries with developing economies and securities markets, also known as “emerging markets.”

The costs associated with investment in the securities of foreign issuers, including withholding taxes, brokerage commissions and custodial fees, may be higher than those associated with investment in domestic issuers. In addition, foreign investment transactions may be subject to difficulties associated with the settlement of such transactions. Transactions in securities of foreign issuers may be subject to less efficient settlement practices, including extended clearance and settlement periods. Delays in settlement could result in temporary periods when assets of the fund are uninvested and no return can be earned on them. The inability of the fund to make intended investments due to settlement problems could cause the fund to miss attractive investment opportunities. The inability to dispose of a portfolio security due to settlement problems could result in losses to the fund due to subsequent declines in value of the portfolio security or, if the fund has entered into a contract to sell the security, could result in liability to the purchaser.

Since the fund may invest in securities denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, it may be affected favorably or unfavorably by exchange control regulations or changes in the exchange rates between such currencies and the U.S. dollar. Changes in currency exchange rates may influence the value of the fund’s shares and may also affect the value of dividends and interest earned by the fund and gains and losses realized by the fund. Exchange rates are determined by the forces of supply and demand in the foreign exchange markets. These forces are affected by the international balance of payments, other economic and financial conditions, government intervention, speculation and other factors.

Generally, American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), in registered form, are denominated in U.S. dollars and are designed for use in the domestic market. Usually issued by a U.S. bank or trust company, ADRs are receipts that demonstrate ownership of underlying foreign securities. For purposes of the fund’s investment policies and limitations, ADRs are considered to have the same characteristics as the securities underlying them. ADRs may be sponsored or unsponsored; issuers of securities underlying unsponsored ADRs are not contractually obligated to disclose material information in the United States. Accordingly, there may be less information available about such issuers than there is with respect to domestic companies and issuers of securities underlying sponsored ADRs. The fund may also invest in Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”), European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”) and other similar instruments, which are receipts that are often denominated in U.S. dollars and are issued by either a U.S. or non-U.S. bank evidencing ownership of underlying foreign securities. Even where they are denominated in U.S. dollars, depositary receipts are subject to currency risk if the underlying security is denominated in a foreign currency. EDRs are issued in bearer form and are designed for use in European securities markets. GDRs are tradable both in the United States and Europe and are designed for use throughout the world.

Economic, Political and Social Factors. Certain non-U.S. countries, including emerging markets, may be subject to a greater degree of economic, political and social instability. Such instability may result from, among other things: (i) authoritarian governments or military involvement in political and economic decision making; (ii) popular unrest associated with demands for improved economic, political and social conditions; (iii) internal insurgencies; (iv) hostile relations with neighboring countries; and (v) ethnic, religious and racial disaffection and conflict. Such economic, political and social instability could significantly disrupt the financial markets in such countries and the ability of the issuers in such countries to repay their obligations. In addition, it may be difficult for the fund to pursue claims against a foreign issuer in the courts of a foreign country. Investing in

 

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emerging countries also involves the risk of expropriation, nationalization, confiscation of assets and property or the imposition of restrictions on foreign investments and on repatriation of capital invested. In the event of such expropriation, nationalization or other confiscation in any emerging country, the fund could lose its entire investment in that country. Certain emerging market countries restrict or control foreign investment in their securities markets to varying degrees. These restrictions may limit the fund’s investment in those markets and may increase the expenses of the fund. In addition, the repatriation of both investment income and capital from certain markets in the region is subject to restrictions such as the need for certain governmental consents. Even where there is no outright restriction on repatriation of capital, the mechanics of repatriation may affect certain aspects of the fund’s operation. Economies in individual non-U.S. countries may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross domestic product, rates of inflation, currency valuation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency and balance of payments positions. Many non-U.S. countries have experienced substantial, and in some cases extremely high, rates of inflation for many years. Inflation, deflation and rapid fluctuations in such rates have had, and may continue to have, very negative effects on the economies and securities markets of certain emerging countries. Economies in emerging markets generally are heavily dependent upon international trade and, accordingly, have been and may continue to be affected adversely by economic conditions, trade barriers, exchange controls, managed adjustments in relative currency values and other protectionist measures imposed or negotiated by the countries with which they trade. These economies also have been, and may continue to be, affected adversely and significantly by economic conditions in the countries with which they trade. Whether or not the fund invests in securities of issuers located in or with significant exposure to countries experiencing economic, financial and other difficulties, the value and liquidity of the fund’s investments may be negatively affected by the conditions in the countries experiencing the difficulties.

Europe-Recent Events. A number of countries in Europe have experienced severe economic and financial difficulties. Many non-governmental issuers, and even certain governments, have defaulted on, or been forced to restructure, their debts; many other issuers have faced difficulties obtaining credit or refinancing existing obligations; financial institutions have in many cases required government or central bank support, have needed to raise capital, and/or have been impaired in their ability to extend credit; and financial markets in Europe and elsewhere have experienced extreme volatility and declines in asset values and liquidity. These difficulties may continue, worsen or spread within and without Europe. Responses to the financial problems by European governments, central banks and others, including austerity measures and reforms, may not work, may result in social unrest and may limit future growth and economic recovery or have other unintended consequences. Further defaults or restructurings by governments and others of their debt could have additional adverse effects on economies, financial markets and asset valuations around the world. In addition, one or more countries may abandon the euro, the common currency of the European Union and/or withdraw from the European Union. In addition, voters in the United Kingdom have approved withdrawal from the European Union. Other countries may seek to withdraw from the European Union and/or abandon the euro, the common currency of the European Union. A number of countries in Europe have suffered terror attacks, and additional attacks may occur in the future. Ukraine has experienced ongoing military conflict; this conflict may expand and military attacks could occur elsewhere in Europe. Europe has also been struggling with mass migration from the Middle East and Africa. The ultimate effects of these events and other socio-political or geopolitical issues are not known but could profoundly affect global economies and markets. Whether or not the fund invests in securities of issuers located in Europe or with significant exposure to European issuers or countries, these events could negatively affect the value and liquidity of the fund’s investments.

Securities of Emerging Markets Issuers. Investors are strongly advised to consider carefully the special risks involved in emerging markets, which are in addition to the usual risks of investing in developed foreign markets around the world.

The risks of investing in securities in emerging countries include: (i) less social, political and economic stability; (ii) the smaller size of the markets for such securities and lower volume of trading, which result in a lack of liquidity and in greater price volatility; (iii) certain national policies that may restrict the fund’s

 

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investment opportunities, including restrictions on investment in issuers or industries deemed sensitive to national interests; (iv) foreign taxation; and (v) the absence of developed structures governing private or foreign investment or allowing for judicial redress for injury to private property.

Investors should note that upon the accession to power of authoritarian regimes, the governments of a number of emerging market countries previously expropriated large quantities of real and personal property similar to the property which may be represented by the securities purchased by the fund. The claims of property owners against those governments were never finally settled. There can be no assurance that any property represented by securities purchased by the fund will not also be expropriated, nationalized, or otherwise confiscated at some time in the future. If such confiscation were to occur, the fund could lose a substantial portion or all of its investments in such countries. The fund’s investments would similarly be adversely affected by exchange control regulation in any of those countries.

Certain countries in which the fund may invest may have vocal minorities that advocate radical religious or revolutionary philosophies or support ethnic independence. Any disturbance on the part of such individuals could carry the potential for widespread destruction or confiscation of property owned by individuals and entities foreign to such country and could cause the loss of the fund’s investment in those countries.

Settlement mechanisms in emerging market securities may be less efficient and reliable than in more developed markets. In such emerging securities markets there may be delays and failures in share registration and delivery.

Investing in emerging markets involves risks relating to potential political and economic instability within such markets and the risks of expropriation, nationalization, confiscation of assets and property, the imposition of restrictions on foreign investments and the repatriation of capital invested.

Inflation, deflation and rapid fluctuations in such rates have had, and may continue to have, very negative effects on the economies and securities markets of certain emerging market countries. Economies in emerging markets generally are heavily dependent upon international trade and, accordingly, have been and may continue to be affected adversely by economic conditions, trade barriers, exchange controls, managed adjustments in relative currency values and other protectionist measures imposed or negotiated by the countries with which they trade.

While some emerging market countries have sought to develop a number of corrective mechanisms to reduce inflation or deflation or mitigate their effects, inflation and deflation may continue to have significant effects both on emerging market countries and their securities markets. In addition, many of the currencies of emerging market countries have experienced steady devaluations relative to the U.S. dollar, and major devaluations have occurred in certain countries.

Because of the high levels of foreign-denominated debt owed by many emerging market countries, fluctuating exchange rates can significantly affect the debt service obligations of those countries. This could, in turn, affect local interest rates, profit margins and exports, which are a major source of foreign exchange earnings.

To the extent an emerging market country faces a liquidity crisis with respect to its foreign exchange reserves, it may increase restrictions on the outflow of any foreign exchange. Repatriation is ultimately dependent on the ability of the fund to liquidate its investments and convert the local currency proceeds obtained from such liquidation into U.S. dollars. Where this conversion must be done through official channels (usually the central bank or certain authorized commercial banks), the ability to obtain U.S. dollars is dependent on the availability of such U.S. dollars through those channels and, if available, upon the willingness of those channels to allocate those U.S. dollars to the fund. The fund’s ability to obtain U.S. dollars may be adversely affected by any increased restrictions imposed on the outflow of foreign exchange. If the fund is unable to repatriate any

 

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amounts due to exchange controls, it may be required to accept an obligation payable at some future date by the central bank or other governmental entity of the jurisdiction involved. If such conversion can legally be done outside official channels, either directly or indirectly, the fund’s ability to obtain U.S. dollars may not be affected as much by any increased restrictions except to the extent of the price which may be required to be paid for in U.S. dollars.

Many emerging market countries have little experience with the corporate form of business organization and may not have well-developed corporation and business laws or concepts of fiduciary duty in the business context.

The securities markets of emerging markets are substantially smaller, less developed, less liquid and more volatile than the securities markets of the United States and other more developed countries. Disclosure and regulatory standards in many respects are less stringent than in the United States and other major markets. There also may be a lower level of monitoring and regulation of emerging markets and the activities of investors in such markets; enforcement of existing regulations has been extremely limited. Investing in the securities of companies in emerging markets may entail special risks relating to the potential political and economic instability and the risks of expropriation, nationalization, confiscation or the imposition of restrictions on foreign investment, convertibility of currencies into U.S. dollars and on repatriation of capital invested. In the event of such expropriation, nationalization or other confiscation by any country, the fund could lose its entire investment in any such country.

Some emerging markets have different settlement and clearance procedures. In certain markets there have been times when settlements have been unable to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions, making it difficult to conduct such transactions. The inability of the fund to make intended securities purchases due to settlement problems could cause the fund to miss attractive investment opportunities. Inability to dispose of a portfolio security caused by settlement problems could result either in losses to the fund due to subsequent declines in the value of the portfolio security or, if the fund has entered into a contract to sell the security, in possible liability to the purchaser.

The risk also exists that an emergency situation may arise in one or more emerging markets as a result of which trading of securities may cease or may be substantially curtailed and prices for the fund’s portfolio securities in such markets may not be readily available. Section 22(e) of the 1940 Act permits a registered investment company to suspend redemption of its shares for any period during which an emergency exists, as determined by the SEC. Accordingly, if the fund believes that appropriate circumstances warrant, it will promptly apply to the SEC for a determination that an emergency exists within the meaning of Section 22(a) of the 1940 Act. During the period commencing from the fund’s identification of such conditions until the date of SEC action, the portfolio securities in the affected markets will be valued at fair value as determined in good faith by or under the direction of the Board.

Although it might be theoretically possible to hedge for anticipated income and gains, the ongoing and indeterminate nature of the risks associated with emerging market investing (and the costs associated with hedging transactions) makes it very difficult to hedge effectively against such risks.

Money Market Instruments. The fund may invest in money market funds managed by LMPFA or its affiliates and money market funds managed by unaffiliated advisers.

Money market funds invest in high-quality, U.S. dollar-denominated short-term debt securities and must follow strict rules as to the credit quality, liquidity, diversification and maturity of their investments. The fund may lose money on its investment in money market funds. If the fund invests in money market funds it will indirectly bear its proportionate share of the management fees and other expenses that are charged by the money market fund in addition to the management fees and other expenses paid by the fund. If the fund invests in money market funds that are managed by LMPFA or its affiliates, it is possible that a conflict of interest among the fund and the affiliated funds could affect how the fund’s manager and its affiliates fulfill their fiduciary duty to the

 

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fund and the affiliated funds. The fund may invest for temporary defensive purposes in corporate and government money market instruments. Money market instruments in which the fund may invest include: U.S. government securities; certificates of deposit (“CDs”), time deposits (“TDs”) and bankers’ acceptances issued by domestic banks (including their branches located outside the United States and subsidiaries located in Canada), domestic branches of foreign banks, savings and loan associations and similar institutions; high grade commercial paper; and repurchase agreements with respect to the foregoing types of instruments. The following is a more detailed description of such money market instruments.

CDs are short-term negotiable obligations of commercial banks. TDs are non-negotiable deposits maintained in banking institutions for specified periods of time at stated interest rates. Bankers’ acceptances are time drafts drawn on commercial banks by borrowers usually in connection with international transactions. Bank obligations may be general obligations of the parent bank or may be limited to the issuing branch by the terms of the specific obligations or by government regulation.

Recently enacted legislation will affect virtually every area of banking and financial regulation. The extent and impact of the regulations are not yet fully known and may not be for some time. In addition, new regulations to be promulgated pursuant to the legislation could adversely affect the fund’s investments in money market instruments.

Domestic commercial banks organized under federal law are supervised and examined by the Comptroller of the Currency (the “COTC”) and are required to be members of the Federal Reserve System and to be insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”). Domestic banks organized under state law are supervised and examined by state banking authorities but are members of the Federal Reserve System only if they elect to join. Most state banks are insured by the FDIC (although such insurance may not be of material benefit to the fund, depending upon the principal amount of CDs of each bank held by the fund) and are subject to federal examination and to a substantial body of federal law and regulation. As a result of governmental regulations, domestic branches of domestic banks are, among other things, generally required to maintain specified levels of reserves, and are subject to other supervision and regulation.

Obligations of foreign branches of domestic banks, such as CDs and TDs, may be general obligations of the parent bank in addition to the issuing branch, or may be limited by the terms of a specific obligation and government regulation. Such obligations are subject to different risks than are those of domestic banks or domestic branches of foreign banks. These risks include foreign economic and political developments, foreign governmental restrictions that may adversely affect payment of principal and interest on the obligations, foreign exchange controls and foreign withholding and other taxes on interest income. Foreign branches of domestic banks are not necessarily subject to the same or similar regulatory requirements that apply to domestic banks, such as mandatory reserve requirements, loan limitations, and accounting, auditing and financial recordkeeping requirements. In addition, less information may be publicly available about a foreign branch of a domestic bank than about a domestic bank.

Obligations of domestic branches of foreign banks may be general obligations of the parent bank in addition to the issuing branch, or may be limited by the terms of a specific obligation and by governmental regulation as well as governmental action in the country in which the foreign bank has its head office. A domestic branch of a foreign bank with assets in excess of $1 billion may or may not be subject to reserve requirements imposed by the Federal Reserve System or by the state in which the branch is located if the branch is licensed in that state. In addition, branches licensed by the COTC and branches licensed by certain states (“State Branches”) may or may not be required to: (a) pledge to the regulator by depositing assets with a designated bank within the state, an amount of its assets equal to 5% of its total liabilities; and (b) maintain assets within the state in an amount equal to a specified percentage of the aggregate amount of liabilities of the foreign bank payable at or through all of its agencies or branches within the state. The deposits of State Branches may not necessarily be insured by the FDIC. In addition, there may be less publicly available information about a domestic branch of a foreign bank than about a domestic bank.

 

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In view of the foregoing factors associated with the purchase of CDs and TDs issued by foreign branches of domestic banks or by domestic branches of foreign banks, the subadviser or Western Asset Management Company (“Western Asset”), as applicable, will carefully evaluate such investments on a case-by-case basis.

Repurchase Agreements. Under the terms of a typical repurchase agreement, the fund would acquire one or more underlying debt obligations, frequently obligations issued by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities, for a relatively short period (typically overnight, although the term of an agreement may be many months), subject to an obligation of the seller to repurchase, and the fund to resell, the obligation at an agreed-upon time and price. The repurchase price is typically greater than the purchase price paid by the fund, thereby determining the fund’s yield. A repurchase agreement is similar to, and may be treated as, a secured loan, where the fund loans cash to the counterparty and the loan is secured by the purchased securities as collateral. All repurchase agreements entered into by the fund are required to be collateralized so that at all times during the term of a repurchase agreement, the value of the underlying securities is at least equal to the amount of the repurchase price. Also, the fund or its custodian is required to have control of the collateral, which the subadviser or Western Asset, as applicable, believes will give the fund a valid, perfected security interest in the collateral.

Repurchase agreements could involve certain risks in the event of default or insolvency of the other party, including possible delays or restrictions upon the fund’s ability to dispose of the underlying securities, the risk of a possible decline in the value of the underlying securities during the period in which the fund seeks to assert its right to them, the risk of incurring expenses associated with asserting those rights and the risk of losing all or part of the income from the agreement. If the fund enters into a repurchase agreement involving securities the fund could not purchase directly, and the counterparty defaults, the fund may become the holder of securities that it could not purchase. These repurchase agreements may be subject to greater risks. In addition, these repurchase agreements may be more likely to have a term to maturity of longer than seven days.

Repurchase agreements maturing in more than seven days are considered to be illiquid.

Pursuant to an exemptive order issued by the SEC, the fund, along with other affiliated entities managed by the manager, may transfer uninvested cash balances into one or more joint accounts for the purpose of entering into repurchase agreements secured by cash and U.S. government securities, subject to certain conditions.

Securities Lending. Consistent with applicable regulatory requirements and for cash management purposes, the fund may lend portfolio securities to brokers, dealers and other financial organizations meeting capital and other credit requirements or other criteria established by the Board. The fund will not lend portfolio securities to affiliates of Legg Mason unless it has applied for and received specific authority to do so from the SEC. From time to time, the fund may pay to the borrower and/or a third party which is unaffiliated with the fund or Legg Mason and is acting as a “finder” a part of the interest earned from the investment of collateral received for securities loaned. Although the borrower will generally be required to make payments to the fund in lieu of any dividends the fund would have otherwise received had it not loaned the shares to the borrower, such payments will not be treated as “qualified dividend income” for purposes of determining what portion of the fund’s regular dividends (as defined below) received by individuals may be taxed at the rates generally applicable to long-term capital gains (see “Taxes” below).

Requirements of the SEC, which may be subject to future modification, currently provide that the following conditions must be met whenever the fund lends its portfolio securities: (a) the fund must receive at least 100% cash collateral or equivalent securities from the borrower; (b) the borrower must increase such collateral whenever the market value of the securities rises above the level of such collateral; (c) the fund must be able to terminate the loan at any time; (d) the fund must receive reasonable interest on the loan, as well as any dividends, interest or other distributions on the loaned securities, and any increase in market value; (e) the fund may pay only reasonable custodian fees in connection with the loan; and (f) voting rights on the loaned securities may pass to the borrower. However, if a material event adversely affecting the investment in the loaned securities occurs, the fund must terminate the loan and regain the right to vote the securities.

 

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The risks in lending portfolio securities, as with other extensions of secured credit, consist of possible delay in receiving additional collateral or in the recovery of the securities or possible loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower fail financially. The fund could also lose money if its short-term investment of the cash collateral declines in value over the period of the loan. Loans will be made to firms deemed by the subadviser to be of good standing and will not be made unless, in the judgment of the subadviser, the consideration to be earned from such loans would justify the risk.

Restricted and Illiquid Securities. Up to 15% of the net assets of the fund may be invested in illiquid securities. An illiquid security is any security which may not be sold or disposed of in the ordinary course of business within seven days at approximately the value at which the fund has valued the security. Illiquid securities may include (a) repurchase agreements with maturities greater than seven days; (b) futures contracts and options thereon for which a liquid secondary market does not exist; (c) TDs maturing in more than seven calendar days; (d) securities subject to contractual or other restrictions on resale and other instruments that lack readily available markets; and (e) securities of new and early stage companies whose securities are not publicly traded.

Under SEC regulations, certain securities acquired through private placements can be traded freely among qualified purchasers. The SEC has stated that an investment company’s board of directors, or its investment adviser acting under authority delegated by the board, may determine that a security eligible for trading under these regulations is “liquid.” The fund intends to rely on these regulations, to the extent appropriate, to deem specific securities acquired through private placements as “liquid.” The Board has delegated to the subadviser or Western Asset, as applicable, the responsibility for determining whether a particular security eligible for trading under these regulations is “liquid.” Investing in these restricted securities could have the effect of increasing the fund’s illiquidity if qualified purchasers become, for a time, uninterested in buying these securities.

Restricted securities are securities subject to legal or contractual restrictions on their resale, such as private placements. Such restrictions might prevent the sale of restricted securities at a time when the sale would otherwise be desirable. Restricted securities may be sold only (1) pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”) (such securities are referred to herein as “Rule 144A securities”), or another exemption; (2) in privately negotiated transactions; or (3) in public offerings with respect to which a registration statement is in effect under the 1933 Act. Rule 144A securities, although not registered in the United States, may be sold to qualified institutional buyers in accordance with Rule 144A under the 1933 Act. As noted above, the subadviser or Western Asset, as applicable, acting pursuant to guidelines established by the Board, may determine that some Rule 144A securities are liquid for purposes of limitations on the amount of illiquid investments the fund may own. Where registration is required, the fund may be obligated to pay all or part of the registration expenses and a considerable period may elapse between the time of the decision to sell and the time the fund is able to sell a security under an effective registration statement. If, during such a period, adverse market conditions were to develop, the fund might obtain a less favorable price than expected when it decided to sell.

Illiquid securities may be difficult to value and the fund may have difficulty disposing of such securities promptly. Judgment plays a greater role in valuing illiquid investments than those securities for which a more active market exists. The fund does not consider non-U.S. securities to be restricted if they can be freely sold in the principal markets in which they are traded, even if they are not registered for sale in the United States.

To the extent required by applicable law and SEC guidance, no securities for which there is not a readily available market will be acquired by the fund if immediately after the acquisition the value of illiquid securities held by the fund would exceed 15% of the fund’s net assets.

Investment in Other Investment Companies. Subject to applicable statutory and regulatory limitations, the fund may invest in shares of other investment companies, including shares of other mutual funds, closed-end funds and unregistered investment companies. Investments in other investment companies are subject to the risk of the securities in which those investment companies invest. In addition, to the extent the fund invests in

 

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securities of other investment companies, fund shareholders would indirectly pay a portion of the operating costs of such companies in addition to the expenses of the fund’s own operation. These costs include management, brokerage, shareholder servicing and other operational expenses.

The fund may invest in shares of mutual funds or unit investment trusts that are traded on a stock exchange, called exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”). Typically an ETF seeks to track the performance of an index, such as the S&P 500 Index, the NASDAQ-100 Index, the Bloomberg Barclays Treasury Bond Index or more narrow sector or foreign indexes, by holding in its portfolio either the same securities that comprise the index, or a representative sample of the index. Investing in an ETF will give the fund exposure to the securities comprising the index on which the ETF is based.

Unlike shares of typical mutual funds or unit investment trusts, shares of ETFs are designed to be traded throughout the trading day, bought and sold based on market prices rather than NAV. Shares can trade at either a premium or discount to NAV. However, the portfolios held by index-based ETFs are publicly disclosed on each trading day and an approximation of actual NAV is disseminated throughout the trading day. Because of this transparency, the trading prices of index-based ETFs tend to closely track the actual NAV of the underlying portfolios and the fund will generally gain or lose value depending on the performance of the index. However, gains or losses on the fund’s investment in ETFs will ultimately depend on the purchase and sale price of the ETF. In the future, as new products become available, the fund may invest in ETFs that are actively managed. Actively managed ETFs will likely not have the transparency of index-based ETFs and, therefore, may be more likely to trade at a larger discount or premium to actual NAVs.

The fund may invest in closed-end funds, which hold securities of U.S. and/or non-U.S. issuers. Because shares of closed-end funds trade on an exchange, investments in closed-end funds may entail the additional risk that the discount from NAV could increase while the fund holds the shares.

Commodity Exchange Act Regulation. The fund is operated by persons who have claimed an exclusion, granted to operators of registered investment companies like the fund, from registration as a “commodity pool operator” with respect to the fund under the Commodity Exchange Act (the “CEA”), and, therefore, are not subject to registration or regulation with respect to the fund under the CEA.

Cybersecurity Risk. With the increased use of technologies such as mobile devices and Web-based or “cloud” applications, and the dependence on the Internet and computer systems to conduct business, the fund is susceptible to operational, information security and related risks. In general, cybersecurity incidents can result from deliberate attacks or unintentional events (arising from external or internal sources) that may cause the fund to lose proprietary information, suffer data corruption, physical damage to a computer or network system or lose operational capacity. Cybersecurity attacks include, but are not limited to, infection by malicious software, such as malware or computer viruses or gaining unauthorized access to digital systems, networks or devices that are used to service the fund’s operations (e.g., through “hacking,” “phishing” or malicious software coding) or other means for purposes of misappropriating assets or sensitive information, corrupting data, or causing operational disruption. Cybersecurity attacks may also be carried out in a manner that does not require gaining unauthorized access, such as causing denial-of-service attacks on the fund’s website (i.e., efforts to make network services unavailable to intended users). In addition, authorized persons could inadvertently or intentionally release confidential or proprietary information stored on the fund’s systems.

Cybersecurity incidents affecting the manager, the subadviser, other service providers to the fund or its shareholders (including, but not limited to, fund accountants, custodians, sub-custodians, transfer agents and financial intermediaries), Authorized Participants and/or the Exchange have the ability to cause disruptions and impact business operations, potentially resulting in financial losses to both the fund and its shareholders, interference with the fund’s ability to calculate its NAV, impediments to trading, the inability of fund shareholders to transact business and the fund to process transactions (including fulfillment of fund share purchases and redemptions), violations of applicable privacy and other laws (including the release of private

 

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shareholder information) and attendant breach notification and credit monitoring costs, regulatory fines, penalties, litigation costs, reputational damage, reimbursement or other compensation costs, forensic investigation and remediation costs, and/or additional compliance costs. Similar adverse consequences could result from cybersecurity incidents affecting issuers of securities in which the fund invests, counterparties with which the fund engages in transactions, governmental and other regulatory authorities, exchange and other financial market operators, banks, brokers, dealers, insurance companies and other financial institutions (including financial intermediaries and other service providers ) and other parties. In addition, substantial costs may be incurred in order to safeguard against and reduce the risk of any cybersecurity incidents in the future. In addition to administrative, technological and procedural safeguards, the manager and the subadviser have established business continuity plans in the event of, and risk management systems to prevent or reduce the impact of, such cybersecurity incidents. However, there are inherent limitations in such plans and systems, including the possibility that certain risks have not been identified, as well as the rapid development of new threats. Furthermore, the fund cannot control the cybersecurity plans and systems put in place by its service providers or any other third parties whose operations may affect the fund or its shareholders. The fund and its shareholders could be negatively impacted as a result.

INVESTMENT POLICIES

The fund has adopted the fundamental and non-fundamental investment policies below for the protection of shareholders. Fundamental investment policies of the fund may not be changed without the vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the fund, defined under the 1940 Act as the lesser of (a) 67% of the shares of the fund present at a shareholder meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the fund are present in person or represented by proxy, or (b) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the fund. The Board may change non-fundamental investment policies at any time without shareholder approval.

If any percentage restriction described below is complied with at the time of an investment, a later increase or decrease in the percentage resulting from a change in values or assets will not constitute a violation of such restriction, unless otherwise noted below.

Fundamental Investment Policies

The fund’s fundamental investment policies are as follows:

(1) The fund may not borrow money except as permitted by (i) the 1940 Act or interpretations or modifications by the SEC, SEC staff or other authority with appropriate jurisdiction, or (ii) exemptive or other relief or permission from the SEC, SEC staff or other authority.

(2) The fund may not engage in the business of underwriting the securities of other issuers except as permitted by (i) the 1940 Act or interpretations or modifications by the SEC, SEC staff or other authority with appropriate jurisdiction, or (ii) exemptive or other relief or permission from the SEC, SEC staff or other authority.

(3) The fund may lend money or other assets to the extent permitted by (i) the 1940 Act or interpretations or modifications by the SEC, SEC staff or other authority with appropriate jurisdiction, or (ii) exemptive or other relief or permission from the SEC, SEC staff or other authority.

(4) The fund may not issue senior securities except as permitted by (i) the 1940 Act or interpretations or modifications by the SEC, SEC staff or other authority with appropriate jurisdiction, or (ii) exemptive or other relief or permission from the SEC, SEC staff or other authority.

(5) The fund may not purchase or sell real estate except as permitted by (i) the 1940 Act or interpretations or modifications by the SEC, SEC staff or other authority with appropriate jurisdiction, or (ii) exemptive or other relief or permission from the SEC, SEC staff or other authority.

 

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(6) The fund may purchase or sell commodities or contracts related to commodities to the extent permitted by (i) the 1940 Act or interpretations or modifications by the SEC, SEC staff or other authority with appropriate jurisdiction, or (ii) exemptive or other relief or permission from the SEC, SEC staff or other authority.

(7) The fund will not invest more than 25% of its total assets in the securities of one or more issuers conducting their principal business activities in the same industry, except as permitted by exemptive relief or other relief or permission from the SEC, SEC staff or other authority with appropriate jurisdiction.

With respect to the fundamental policy relating to borrowing money set forth in (1) above, the 1940 Act permits the fund to borrow money in amounts of up to one-third of the fund’s total assets from banks for any purpose, and to borrow up to 5% of the fund’s total assets from banks or other lenders for temporary purposes. (The fund’s total assets include the amounts being borrowed.) To limit the risks attendant to borrowing, the 1940 Act requires the fund to maintain an “asset coverage” of at least 300% of the amount of its borrowings, provided that in the event that the fund’s asset coverage falls below 300%, the fund is required to reduce the amount of its borrowings so that it meets the 300% asset coverage threshold within three days (not including Sundays and holidays). Asset coverage means the ratio that the value of the fund’s total assets (including amounts borrowed), minus liabilities other than borrowings, bears to the aggregate amount of all borrowings. Certain trading practices and investments, such as reverse repurchase agreements, may be considered to be borrowings and thus subject to the 1940 Act restrictions. Borrowing money to increase portfolio holdings is known as “leveraging.” Borrowing, especially when used for leverage, may cause the value of the fund’s shares to be more volatile than if the fund did not borrow. This is because borrowing tends to magnify the effect of any increase or decrease in the value of the fund’s portfolio holdings. Borrowed money thus creates an opportunity for greater gains, but also greater losses. To repay borrowings, the fund may have to sell securities at a time and at a price that is unfavorable to the fund. There also are costs associated with borrowing money, and these costs would offset and could eliminate the fund’s net investment income in any given period. Currently, the fund does not have any intention of borrowing money for leverage. The policy in (1) above will be interpreted to permit the fund to engage in trading practices and investments that may be considered to be borrowing to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act. Short-term credits necessary for the settlement of securities transactions and arrangements with respect to securities lending will not be considered to be borrowings under the policy. Practices and investments that may involve leverage but are not considered to be borrowings are not subject to the policy.

With respect to the fundamental policy relating to underwriting set forth in (2) above, the 1940 Act does not prohibit the fund from engaging in the underwriting business or from underwriting the securities of other issuers; in fact, the 1940 Act permits the fund to have underwriting commitments of up to 25% of its assets under certain circumstances. Those circumstances currently are that the amount of the fund’s underwriting commitments, when added to the value of the fund’s investments in issuers where the fund owns more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of those issuers, cannot exceed the 25% cap. A fund engaging in transactions involving the acquisition or disposition of portfolio securities may be considered to be an underwriter under the 1933 Act. Under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), an underwriter may be liable for material omissions or misstatements in an issuer’s registration statement or prospectus. Securities purchased from an issuer and not registered for sale under the 1933 Act are considered restricted securities. There may be a limited market for these securities. If these securities are registered under the 1933 Act, they may then be eligible for sale but participating in the sale may subject the seller to underwriter liability. These risks could apply to a fund investing in restricted securities. Although it is not believed that the application of the 1933 Act provisions described above would cause the fund to be engaged in the business of underwriting, the policy in (2) above will be interpreted not to prevent the fund from engaging in transactions involving the acquisition or disposition of portfolio securities, regardless of whether the fund may be considered to be an underwriter under the 1933 Act.

With respect to the fundamental policy relating to lending set forth in (3) above, the 1940 Act does not prohibit the fund from making loans; however, SEC staff interpretations currently prohibit funds from lending more than one-third of their total assets, except through the purchase of debt obligations or the use of repurchase

 

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agreements. (A repurchase agreement is an agreement to purchase a security, coupled with an agreement to sell that security back to the original seller on an agreed-upon date at a price that reflects current interest rates. The SEC frequently treats repurchase agreements as loans.) While lending securities may be a source of income to the fund, as with other extensions of credit, there are risks of delay in recovery or even loss of rights in the underlying securities should the borrower fail financially. However, loans would be made only when the fund’s subadviser believes the income justifies the attendant risks. The fund also will be permitted by this policy to make loans of money, including to other funds. The fund would have to obtain exemptive relief from the SEC to make loans to other funds. The policy in (3) above will be interpreted not to prevent the fund from purchasing or investing in debt obligations and loans. In addition, collateral arrangements with respect to options, forward currency and futures transactions and other derivative instruments, as well as delays in the settlement of securities transactions, will not be considered loans.

With respect to the fundamental policy relating to issuing senior securities set forth in (4) above, “senior securities” are defined as fund obligations that have a priority over the fund’s shares with respect to the payment of dividends or the distribution of fund assets. The 1940 Act prohibits the fund from issuing senior securities except that the fund may borrow money in amounts of up to one-third of the fund’s total assets from banks for any purpose. The fund may also borrow up to 5% of the fund’s total assets from banks or other lenders for temporary purposes, and these borrowings are not considered senior securities. The issuance of senior securities by the fund can increase the speculative character of the fund’s outstanding shares through leveraging. Leveraging of the fund’s portfolio through the issuance of senior securities magnifies the potential for gain or loss on monies, because even though the fund’s net assets remain the same, the total risk to investors is increased to the extent of the fund’s gross assets. The policy in (4) above will be interpreted not to prevent collateral arrangements with respect to swaps, options, forward or futures contracts or other derivatives, or the posting of initial or variation margin.

With respect to the fundamental policy relating to real estate set forth in (5) above, the 1940 Act does not prohibit the fund from owning real estate; however, the fund is limited in the amount of illiquid assets it may purchase. Investing in real estate may involve risks, including that real estate is generally considered illiquid and may be difficult to value and sell. Owners of real estate may be subject to various liabilities, including environmental liabilities. To the extent that investments in real estate are considered illiquid, the current SEC staff position generally limits the fund’s purchases of illiquid securities to 15% of net assets. The policy in (5) above will be interpreted not to prevent the fund from investing in real estate-related companies, companies whose businesses consist in whole or in part of investing in real estate, instruments (like mortgages) that are secured by real estate or interests therein, or real estate investment trust securities.

With respect to the fundamental policy relating to commodities set forth in (6) above, the 1940 Act does not prohibit the fund from owning commodities, whether physical commodities and contracts related to physical commodities (such as oil or grains and related futures contracts), or financial commodities and contracts related to financial commodities (such as currencies and, possibly, currency futures). However, the fund is limited in the amount of illiquid assets it may purchase. To the extent that investments in commodities are considered illiquid, the current SEC staff position generally limits the fund’s purchases of illiquid securities to 15% of net assets. If the fund were to invest in a physical commodity or a physical commodity-related instrument, the fund would be subject to the additional risks of the particular physical commodity and its related market. The value of commodities and commodity-related instruments may be extremely volatile and may be affected either directly or indirectly by a variety of factors. There may also be storage charges and risks of loss associated with physical commodities. The policy in (6) above will be interpreted to permit investments in ETFs that invest in physical and/or financial commodities.

With respect to the fundamental policy relating to concentration set forth in (7) above, the 1940 Act does not define what constitutes “concentration” in an industry. The SEC staff has taken the position that investment of 25% or more of a fund’s total assets in one or more issuers conducting their principal activities in the same industry or group of industries constitutes concentration. It is possible that interpretations of concentration could

 

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change in the future. A fund that invests a significant percentage of its total assets in a single industry may be particularly susceptible to adverse events affecting that industry and may be more risky than a fund that does not concentrate in an industry. The policy in (7) above will be interpreted to refer to concentration as that term may be interpreted from time to time. The policy also will be interpreted to permit investment without limit in the following: securities of the U.S. government and its agencies or instrumentalities; securities of state, territory, possession or municipal governments and their authorities, agencies, instrumentalities or political subdivisions; securities of foreign governments; and repurchase agreements collateralized by any such obligations. Accordingly, issuers of the foregoing securities will not be considered to be members of any industry. There also will be no limit on investment in issuers domiciled in a single jurisdiction or country. The policy also will be interpreted to give broad authority to the fund as to how to classify issuers within or among industries.

The fund’s fundamental policies will be interpreted broadly. For example, the policies will be interpreted to refer to the 1940 Act and the related rules as they are in effect from time to time, and to interpretations and modifications of or relating to the 1940 Act by the SEC and others as they are given from time to time. When a policy provides that an investment practice may be conducted as permitted by the 1940 Act, the policy will be interpreted to mean either that the 1940 Act expressly permits the practice or that the 1940 Act does not prohibit the practice.

Non-Fundamental Investment Policies

The fund’s non-fundamental investment policies are as follows:

1. The fund may not invest in other registered open-end management investment companies and registered unit investment trusts in reliance upon the provisions of subparagraphs (G) or (F) of Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act. The foregoing investment policy does not restrict the fund from (i) acquiring securities of other registered investment companies in connection with a merger, consolidation, reorganization, or acquisition of assets, or (ii) purchasing the securities of registered investment companies, to the extent otherwise permissible under Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act.

2. The fund may not purchase or otherwise acquire any security if immediately after the acquisition the value of illiquid securities held by the fund would exceed 15% of the fund’s net assets. The fund monitors the portion of the fund’s total assets that is invested in illiquid securities on an ongoing basis, not only at the time of investment in such securities.

Diversification

The fund is currently classified as a diversified fund, as “diversified” is defined under the 1940 Act. In general, this means that the fund may not purchase securities of an issuer (other than obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities) if, with respect to 75% of its total assets, (a) more than 5% of the fund’s total assets would be invested in securities of that issuer or (b) the fund would hold more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of that issuer. With respect to the remaining 25% of its total assets, the fund can invest more than 5% of its assets in one issuer. Under the 1940 Act, the fund cannot change its classification from diversified to non-diversified without shareholder approval.

Portfolio Turnover

For reporting purposes, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate is calculated by dividing the lesser of purchases or sales of portfolio securities for the fiscal year by the monthly average of the value of the portfolio securities owned by the fund during the fiscal year. In determining such portfolio turnover, all securities whose maturities at the time of acquisition were one year or less are excluded. A 100% portfolio turnover rate would occur, for example, if all of the securities in the fund’s investment portfolio (other than short-term money market securities) were replaced once during the fiscal year.

 

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In the event that portfolio turnover increases, this increase necessarily results in correspondingly greater transaction costs which must be paid by the fund. To the extent the portfolio trading results in realization of net short-term capital gains, shareholders will be taxed on such gains at ordinary tax rates (except shareholders who invest through individual retirement accounts (“IRAs”) and other retirement plans which are not taxed currently on accumulations in their accounts).

Portfolio turnover will not be a limiting factor should the subadviser or Western Asset, as applicable, deem it advisable to purchase or sell securities.

 

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MANAGEMENT

The business and affairs of the fund are conducted by management under the supervision and subject to the direction of its Board. The business address of each Trustee (including each Trustee of the fund who is not an “interested person” of the fund (an “Independent Trustee”)) is c/o Jane Trust, Legg Mason, 100 International Drive, 11th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21202. Information pertaining to the Trustees and officers of the fund is set forth below.

 

Name and
Year of Birth

  Position(s)
with Trust
  Term of
Office* and
Length of
Time
Served**
 

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years

  Number of
Funds in
Fund
Complex
Overseen
by Trustee
   

Other Board
Memberships
Held by Trustee During
Past 5 Years

Independent Trustees#:

   

Paul R. Ades

Born 1940

  Trustee   Since 1983   Paul R. Ades, PLLC (law firm) (since 2000)     48      None

Andrew L. Breech

Born 1952

  Trustee   Since 1991   President, Dealer Operating Control Service, Inc. (automotive retail management) (since 1985)     48      None

Dwight B. Crane

Born 1937

  Trustee   Since 1981   Professor Emeritus, Harvard Business School (since 2007); formerly, Professor, Harvard Business School (1969 to 2007); Independent Consultant (since 1969)     48      None

Althea L. Duersten

Born 1951

  Trustee   Since 2014   Retired (since 2011); formerly, Chief Investment Officer, North America, JP Morgan Chase (investment bank) and member of JP Morgan Executive Committee (2007 to 2011)     48      None

Frank G. Hubbard

Born 1937

  Trustee   Since 1993   President, Fealds, Inc. (business development) (since 2016); formerly, President, Avatar International Inc. (business development) (1998 to 2015)     48      None

Howard J. Johnson

Born 1938

  Chairman
and
Trustee
  From 1981
to 1998
and since
2000
(Chairman
since 2013)
  Chief Executive Officer, Genesis Imaging LLC (technology company) (since 2003)     48      None

 

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Name and
Year of Birth

  Position(s)
with Trust
  Term of
Office* and
Length of
Time
Served**
 

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years

  Number of
Funds in
Fund
Complex
Overseen
by Trustee
 

Other Board
Memberships
Held by Trustee During
Past 5 Years

Jerome H. Miller

Born 1938

  Trustee   Since 1995   Retired   48   None

Ken Miller

Born 1942

  Trustee   Since 1983   Retired; formerly, President, Young Stuff Apparel Group, Inc. (apparel manufacturer), division of Li & Fung (1963 to 2012)   48   None

John J. Murphy

Born 1944

  Trustee   Since 2002   Founder and Senior Principal, Murphy Capital Management (investment management) (since 1983)   48   Trustee, UBS Funds (24 funds) (since 2008); Trustee, Consulting Group Capital Markets Funds (10 funds) (since 2002); Director, Fort Dearborn Income Securities, Inc. (since 2013); formerly, Director, Nicholas Applegate Institutional Funds (12 funds) (2005 to 2010)

Thomas F. Schlafly

Born 1948

  Trustee   Since 1983   Chairman, The Saint Louis Brewery, LLC (brewery) (since 2012); formerly, President, The Saint Louis Brewery, Inc. (1989 to 2012); Senior Counsel (since 2017) and formerly, Partner (2009 to 2016), Thompson Coburn LLP (law firm)   48   Director, Citizens National Bank of Greater St. Louis (since 2006)

 

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Name and
Year of Birth

  Position(s)
with Trust
  Term of
Office* and
Length of
Time
Served**
 

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years

  Number of
Funds in
Fund
Complex
Overseen
by Trustee
   

Other Board
Memberships
Held by Trustee During
Past 5 Years

Interested Trustee and Officer:

   

Jane Trust, CFA

Born 1962

  Trustee,
President
and Chief
Executive
Officer
  Since 2015   Managing Director of Legg Mason & Co., LLC (“Legg Mason & Co.”) (since 2016); Officer and/or Trustee/Director of 156 funds associated with LMPFA or its affiliates (since 2015); President and Chief Executive Officer of LMPFA (since 2015); Director of ClearBridge, LLC (formerly, Legg Mason Capital Management, LLC) (2007 to 2014); Managing Director of Legg Mason Investment Counsel & Trust Co. (2000 to 2007)     149      None

 

 

# Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the fund within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act.
* Each Trustee serves until his or her respective successor has been duly elected and qualifies or until his or her earlier death, resignation, retirement or removal.
** Indicates the earliest year in which the Trustee became a board member for a fund in the Legg Mason fund complex.

 

Name, Year of Birth and Address

  

Position(s)
with Trust

  

Term of Office*
and Length of
Time Served**

 

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years

Additional Officers:  

Ted P. Becker

Born 1951

Legg Mason

620 Eighth Avenue

49th Floor

New York, NY 10018

   Chief Compliance Officer    Since 2007   Director of Global Compliance at Legg Mason (since 2006); Chief Compliance Officer of LMPFA (since 2006); Managing Director of Compliance of Legg Mason & Co. (since 2005); Chief Compliance Officer of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (since 2006)

 

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Name, Year of Birth and Address

  

Position(s)
with Trust

  

Term of Office*
and Length of
Time Served**

 

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years

Susan Kerr

Born 1949

Legg Mason

620 Eighth Avenue

49th Floor

New York, NY 10018

   Chief Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer    Since 2013   Assistant Vice President of Legg Mason & Co. and LMIS (since 2010); Chief Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (since 2013) and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer of LMIS (since 2012); Senior Compliance Officer of LMIS (since 2011); formerly, AML Consultant, DTCC (2010); formerly, AML Consultant, Rabobank Netherlands (2009); First Vice President, Director of Marketing & Advertising Compliance and Manager of Communications Review Group at Citigroup Inc. (1996 to 2008)

Jenna Bailey

Born 1978

Legg Mason

100 First Stamford Place

6th Floor

Stamford, CT 06902

   Identity Theft Prevention
Officer
   Since 2015   Identity Theft Prevention Officer of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (since 2015); Compliance Officer of Legg Mason & Co. (since 2013); Assistant Vice President of Legg Mason & Co. (since 2011); formerly, Associate Compliance Officer of Legg Mason & Co. (2011 to 2013); Risk Manager of U.S. Distribution of Legg Mason & Co. (2007 to 2011)

Robert I. Frenkel

Born 1954

Legg Mason

100 First Stamford Place

6th Floor

Stamford, CT 06902

   Secretary and Chief Legal Officer    Since 2007   Vice President and Deputy General Counsel of Legg Mason (since 2006); Managing Director and General Counsel of U.S. Mutual Funds for Legg Mason & Co. (since 2006) and Legg Mason & Co. predecessors (since 1994); Secretary and Chief Legal Officer of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (since 2006) and Legg Mason & Co. predecessors (prior to 2006)

Thomas C. Mandia

Born 1962

Legg Mason

100 First Stamford Place

6th Floor

Stamford, CT 06902

   Assistant Secretary    Since 2007   Managing Director and Deputy General Counsel of Legg Mason & Co. (since 2005) and Legg Mason & Co. predecessors (prior to 2005); Secretary of LMPFA (since 2006); Assistant Secretary of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (since 2006) and Legg Mason & Co. predecessors (prior to 2006); Secretary of LM Asset Services, LLC (“LMAS”) (since 2002) and Legg Mason Fund Asset Management, Inc. (“LMFAM”) (formerly registered investment advisers) (since 2013)

 

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Name, Year of Birth and Address

  

Position(s)
with Trust

  

Term of Office*
and Length of
Time Served**

 

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years

Richard F. Sennett

Born 1970

Legg Mason

100 International Drive

7th Floor

Baltimore, MD 21202

   Principal Financial Officer    Since 2011   Principal Financial Officer and Treasurer of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (since 2011 and since 2013); Managing Director of Legg Mason & Co. and Senior Manager of the Treasury Policy group for Legg Mason & Co.’s Global Fiduciary Platform (since 2011); formerly, Chief Accountant within the SEC’s Division of Investment Management (2007 to 2011); formerly, Assistant Chief Accountant within the SEC’s Division of Investment Management (2002 to 2007)

Christopher Berarducci

Born 1974

Legg Mason

620 Eighth Avenue

49th Floor

New York, NY 10018

   Treasurer    Since 2014   Director of Legg Mason & Co. (since 2015); Treasurer of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (since 2010); formerly, Vice President of Legg Mason & Co. (2011 to 2015); Assistant Controller of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (prior to 2010)

Jeanne M. Kelly

Born 1951

Legg Mason

620 Eighth Avenue

49th Floor

New York, NY 10018

   Senior Vice President    Since 2007   Senior Vice President of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (since 2007); Senior Vice President of LMPFA (since 2006); President and Chief Executive Officer of LMAS and LMFAM (since 2015); Managing Director of Legg Mason & Co. (since 2005) and Legg Mason & Co. predecessors (prior to 2005); formerly, Senior Vice President of LMFAM (2013 to 2015)

 

* Each officer serves until his or her respective successor has been duly elected and qualifies or until his or her earlier death, resignation, retirement or removal.
** Indicates the earliest year in which the officer took such office for a fund in the Legg Mason fund complex.

Each of the Independent Trustees were selected to join the Board based upon the following as to each Trustee: character and integrity; service as a board member of mutual funds in the fund complex; willingness to serve and willingness and ability to commit the time necessary to perform the duties of a Trustee; the fact that service as a Trustee would be consistent with the requirements of the Trust’s retirement policies and the Trustee’s status as not being an “interested person” of the fund, as defined in the 1940 Act. Ms. Trust was selected to join the Board based upon her investment management and risk oversight experience as an executive and portfolio manager and leadership roles with Legg Mason and affiliated entities. The Board also considered her character and integrity, her willingness to serve and willingness and ability to commit the time necessary to perform the duties of a Trustee, the fact that service as a Trustee would be consistent with requirements of the Trust’s retirement policies, and her status as a representative of Legg Mason.

Independent Trustees constitute more than 75% of the Board. Mr. Johnson serves as Chairman of the Board and is an Independent Trustee. Ms. Trust is an interested person of the fund.

 

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The Board believes that each Trustee’s experience, qualifications, attributes or skills on an individual basis and in combination with those of the other Trustees lead to the conclusion that the Board possesses the requisite attributes and skills. The Board believes that the Trustees’ ability to review critically, evaluate, question and discuss information provided to them, to interact effectively with the manager, the subadviser and Western Asset, other service providers, counsel and the independent registered public accounting firm, and to exercise effective business judgment in the performance of their duties support this conclusion. In addition, the following specific experience, qualifications, attributes and/or skills apply to each Trustee.

Each Trustee, except for Ms. Trust and Ms. Duersten, has served as a board member of the mutual funds in the fund complex for at least eight years. Mr. Ades has substantial experience practicing law and advising clients with respect to various business transactions. Mr. Breech has substantial experience as the chief executive of a private corporation. Mr. Crane has substantial experience as an economist, academic and business consultant. Ms. Duersten has substantial experience as a global investment and trading manager in capital markets across multiple asset classes, including as the chief investment officer for the North American region of a major investment bank and service on its executive committee. Mr. Hubbard has substantial experience in business development and was a senior executive of an operating company. Mr. Johnson has substantial experience as the chief executive of an operating company and in the financial services industry, including as an actuary and pension consultant. Mr. Jerome Miller had substantial experience as an executive in the asset management group of a major broker/dealer. Mr. Ken Miller has substantial experience as a senior executive of an operating company. Mr. Murphy has substantial experience in the asset management business and has current and prior service on the boards of other funds and corporations. Mr. Schlafly has substantial experience practicing law and also serves as the non-executive Chairman of a private corporation and as director of a bank. Ms. Trust has been the Chief Executive Officer of the Trust and other funds in the fund complex since 2015 and has investment management and risk oversight experience as an executive and portfolio manager and in leadership roles with Legg Mason and affiliated entities. References to the experience, qualifications, attributes and skills of Trustees are pursuant to requirements of the SEC, do not constitute holding out of the Board or any Trustee as having any special expertise, and shall not impose any greater responsibility or liability on any such person or on the Board.

The Board has five standing Committees: the Audit Committee, the Contract Committee, the Performance Committee, the Governance Committee, and the Compensation and Nominating Committee (which is a sub-committee of the Governance Committee). Each Committee is chaired by an Independent Trustee. The Audit Committee and the Governance Committee are composed of all of the Independent Trustees. The Contract Committee is composed of three Independent Trustees. The Performance Committee is composed of four Independent Trustees and the Chairman of the Board. The Compensation and Nominating Committee is composed of two Independent Trustees. Where deemed appropriate, the Board may constitute ad hoc committees.

The Chairman of the Board and the chairs of the Audit and Performance Committees work with the Chief Executive Officer of the Trust to set the agendas for Board and committee meetings. The Chairman of the Board also serves as a key point person for interaction between management and the other Independent Trustees. Through the committees the Independent Trustees consider and address important matters involving the fund, including those presenting conflicts or potential conflicts of interest for management. The Independent Trustees also regularly meet outside the presence of management and are advised by independent legal counsel. The Board has determined that its committees help ensure that the fund has effective and independent governance and oversight. The Board also has determined that its leadership structure, in which the Chairman of the Board is not affiliated with Legg Mason, is appropriate. The Board also believes that its leadership structure facilitates the orderly and efficient flow of information between the Independent Trustees and management, including the fund’s subadviser and Western Asset.

The Audit Committee oversees the scope of the fund’s audit, the fund’s accounting and financial reporting policies and practices and its internal controls. The Audit Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its responsibility for oversight of the integrity of the fund’s accounting, auditing and financial reporting practices,

 

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the qualifications and independence of the fund’s independent registered public accounting firm and the fund’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. The Audit Committee approves, and recommends to the Board for ratification, the selection, appointment, retention or termination of the fund’s independent registered public accounting firm and approves the compensation of the independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee also approves all audit and permissible non-audit services provided to the fund by the independent registered public accounting firm and all permissible non-audit services provided by the fund’s independent registered public accounting firm to its manager and any affiliated service providers if the engagement relates directly to the fund’s operations and financial reporting.

The Contract Committee is charged with assisting the Board in requesting and evaluating such information from the manager, the subadviser and Western Asset as may reasonably be necessary to evaluate the terms of the fund’s investment management agreement, subadvisory arrangements and distribution arrangements.

The Performance Committee is charged with assisting the Board in carrying out its oversight responsibilities over the fund and fund management with respect to investment management, objectives, strategies, policies and procedures, performance and performance benchmarks, and the applicable risk management process.

The Governance Committee is charged with overseeing Board governance and related Trustee practices, including selecting and nominating persons for election or appointment by the Board as Trustees of the Trust. The Governance Committee has formed the Compensation and Nominating Committee, the function of which is to recommend to the Board the appropriate compensation for serving as a Trustee on the Board. In addition, the Compensation and Nominating Committee is responsible for, among other things, selecting and recommending candidates to fill vacancies on the Board. The Committee may consider nominees recommended by a shareholder. In evaluating potential nominees, including any nominees recommended by shareholders, the Committee takes into consideration various factors, including, among any others it may deem relevant, character and integrity, business and professional experience, and whether the committee believes the person has the ability to apply sound and independent business judgment and would act in the interest of the fund and its shareholders. Shareholders who wish to recommend a nominee should send recommendations to the Trust’s Secretary that include all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for the election of Trustees. A recommendation must be accompanied by a written consent of the individual to stand for election if nominated by the Board and to serve if elected by the shareholders.

Service providers to the fund, primarily the manager, the subadviser and Western Asset, and, as appropriate, their affiliates, have responsibility for the day-to-day management of the fund, which includes responsibility for risk management. As an integral part of its responsibility for oversight of the fund, the Board oversees risk management of the fund’s investment program and business affairs. Oversight of the risk management process is part of the Board’s general oversight of the fund and its service providers. The Board has emphasized to the manager, the subadviser and Western Asset the importance of maintaining vigorous risk management. The Board exercises oversight of the risk management process primarily through the Audit Committee and the Performance Committee, and through oversight by the Board itself.

The fund is subject to a number of risks, including investment risk, counterparty risk, valuation risk, reputational risk, risk of operational failure or lack of business continuity, and legal, compliance and regulatory risk. Risk management seeks to identify and address risks, i.e., events or circumstances that could have material adverse effects on the business, operations, shareholder services, investment performance or reputation of the fund. The manager, the subadviser and Western Asset, the affiliates of the manager, the subadviser and Western Asset, or various service providers to the fund employ a variety of processes, procedures and controls to identify various of those possible events or circumstances, to lessen the probability of their occurrence and/or to mitigate the effects of such events or circumstances if they do occur. Different processes, procedures and controls are employed with respect to different types of risks. Various personnel, including the fund’s and the manager’s Chief Compliance Officer and the manager’s chief risk officer, as well as personnel of the subadviser and Western Asset and other service providers, such as the fund’s independent registered public accounting firm,

 

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make periodic reports to the Audit Committee, the Performance Committee or to the Board with respect to various aspects of risk management, as well as events and circumstances that have arisen and responses thereto.

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

[The Board met [    ] times during the fiscal year ended November 30, 2016. The Audit Committee, the Governance Committee and the Performance Committee each met [    ] times during the fiscal year ended November 30, 2016. The Contract Committee and the Compensation and Nominating Committee each met [    ] during the fiscal year ended November 30, 2016.]

The following table shows the amount of equity securities owned by the Trustees in the fund and other investment companies in the fund complex overseen by the Trustees as of [December 31, 2016].

 

Name of Trustee

   Dollar Range of
Equity Securities in
the Fund ($)
     Aggregate Dollar Range of
Equity Securities In
Registered  Investment
Companies Overseen by
Trustee ($)
 

Independent Trustees

     

Paul R. Ades

     None         Over 100,000   

Andrew L. Breech

     None         Over 100,000   

Dwight B. Crane

     None         Over 100,000   

Althea L. Duersten

     None         Over 100,000   

Frank G. Hubbard

     None         Over 100,000   

Howard J. Johnson

     None         Over 100,000   

Jerome H. Miller

     None         Over 100,000   

Ken Miller

     None         Over 100,000   

John J. Murphy

     None         Over 100,000   

Thomas F. Schlafly

     None         Over 100,000   

Interested Trustee

     

Jane Trust

     None         Over 100,000   

As of December 31, 2016, none of the Independent Trustees or their immediate family members owned beneficially or of record any securities of the manager, the subadviser, Western Asset or the distributor of the fund, or of a person (other than a registered investment company) directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with the manager, the subadviser, Western Asset or the distributor of the fund.

The fund pays a pro rata share of the Trustees’ fees based upon asset size. For serving as a trustee of the fund, each Independent Trustee receives an annual retainer plus fees for attending each regularly scheduled meeting and any special Board meeting they attend in person or by telephone. Those Independent Trustees who serve in leadership positions receive additional compensation. The Board reviews the level of trustee compensation annually, and trustee compensation may change from time to time. The Independent Trustees are reimbursed for all out-of-pocket expenses relating to attendance at such meetings. Ms. Trust, an “interested person” of the fund, as defined in the 1940 Act, does not receive compensation from the fund for her service as Trustee.

Officers of the Trust receive no compensation from the fund.

 

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Information regarding compensation paid to the Trustees is shown below.

 

Name of Trustee

   Aggregate
Compensation
From the
Fund(1) ($)
     Total Pension
or Retirement
Benefits Paid
as Part of  Fund
Expenses ($)
     Total
Compensation
from Fund
Complex Paid
to Trustee(3) ($)
     Number of
Portfolios in
Fund
Complex
Overseen by
Trustee(2)
 

Independent Trustees

           

Paul R. Ades

     91         None         300,000         46   

Andrew L. Breech

     93         None         305,000         46   

Dwight B. Crane

     96         None         317,500         46   

Althea L. Duersten

     92         None         302,500         46   

Frank G. Hubbard

     89         None         292,500         46   

Howard J. Johnson

     102         None         335,000         46   

Jerome H. Miller

     93         None         305,000         46   

Ken Miller

     92         None         302,500         46   

John J. Murphy

     91         None         300,000         46   

Thomas F. Schlafly

     88         None         290,000         46   

Interested Trustee

           

Jane Trust(3)

     None         None         None         152   

 

(1) As the fund has not commenced operations as of the date of this SAI, information is estimated for the fiscal year ending November 30, 2017.
(2) Information is for the calendar year ended December 31, 2016.
(3) Ms. Trust is not compensated for her services as a Trustee because of her affiliations with the manager.

[As of [                    ], 2017, the Trustees and officers of the Trust, as a group, owned less than 1% of the outstanding shares of the fund.]

As of the date of this SAI, Legg Mason or an affiliate owned of record and beneficially 100% of the outstanding shares of the fund, and thus, until the public offering of the shares of the fund commences, will control the fund. Once a public offering of the shares of the fund has commenced, the Trust will not have information concerning the beneficial ownership of shares.

 

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INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AND OTHER SERVICES

Manager

LMPFA serves as investment manager to the fund pursuant to an investment management agreement between the Trust and LMPFA with respect to the fund (the “Management Agreement”). LMPFA provides administrative and certain oversight services to the fund. LMPFA, with offices at 620 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 10018, also serves as the investment manager of other Legg Mason-sponsored funds. LMPFA is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Legg Mason. Legg Mason, whose principal executive offices are at 100 International Drive, Baltimore, Maryland 21202, is a global asset management company.

LMPFA is responsible for managing the fund consistent with the 1940 Act, the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), the fund’s investment objective, policies and restrictions described in the Prospectus and this SAI and in accordance with any exemptive orders issued by the SEC applicable to the fund and any SEC staff no-action letters applicable to the fund. Pursuant to the Management Agreement and subject to the general supervision of the fund’s Board, LMPFA provides or causes to be furnished all investment management, supervisory, administrative and other services reasonably necessary for the operation of the fund, including: custodians; audit; portfolio accounting; legal; transfer agency and registrar; securities lending; depository; accounting services; indicative optimized portfolio value calculation; printing costs; insurance; certain distribution services (provided pursuant to a separate distribution agreement); and investment advisory services. The fund bears other expenses which are not covered under the Management Agreement that may vary and will affect the total level of expenses paid by the fund, such as taxes and governmental fees, transaction expenses, costs of borrowing money (including interest expenses), future 12b-1 fees (if any), acquired fund fees and expenses and extraordinary expenses (such as litigation and indemnification expenses). LMPFA may earn a profit on the fees charged under the Management Agreement and would benefit from any price decreases in third-party services covered by the Management Agreement, including decreases resulting from an increase in net assets.

LMPFA is permitted to enter into contracts with subadvisers or subadministrators, subject to the Board’s approval and to the extent permitted by any exemptive orders or SEC staff no action letters applicable to the fund. The manager has entered into subadvisory arrangements, as described below.

Pursuant to the Management Agreement, the fund pays LMPFA a management fee calculated daily and paid monthly at the rate of 0.59% of the fund’s average daily net assets.

The Management Agreement provides that LMPFA, its affiliates performing services contemplated by the Management Agreement, and the partners, shareholders, directors, officers and employees of LMPFA and such affiliates, will not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law, for any loss arising out of any investment, or for any act or omission in the execution of securities transactions for the fund, but LMPFA is not protected against any liability to the fund to which LMPFA would be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under the Management Agreement.

After the initial term of two years, the Management Agreement will continue in effect from year to year, provided its continuance is specifically approved at least annually with respect to the fund (a) by the Board or by a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the fund (as defined in the 1940 Act), and (b) in either event, by a majority of the Independent Trustees with such Independent Trustees casting votes in person at a meeting called for such purpose.

The Board or a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the fund (as defined in the 1940 Act) may terminate the Management Agreement, without penalty, on not more than 60 days’ nor less than 30 days’ written notice to LMPFA. LMPFA may terminate the Management Agreement, without penalty, upon not less than 90

 

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days’ written notice to the fund. The Management Agreement may be terminated immediately upon the mutual written consent of all parties to the Agreement. In addition, the Management Agreement terminates automatically upon its assignment.

As the fund has not commenced operations as of the date of this SAI, the fund paid no management fees to LMPFA as of the date of this SAI.

Subadvisory Arrangements

ClearBridge Investments, LLC (“ClearBridge” or the “subadviser”) serves as the subadviser to the fund pursuant to a subadvisory agreement between the manager and ClearBridge (the “Subadvisory Agreement”). ClearBridge has offices at 620 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 10018.

Western Asset manages the portion of the fund’s cash and short-term instruments allocated to it pursuant to an agreement between the manager and Western Asset (the “Western Asset Agreement”). Western Asset, established in 1971, has offices at 385 East Colorado Boulevard, Pasadena, California 91101 and 620 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 10018.

ClearBridge and Western Asset are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Legg Mason.

Under the Subadvisory Agreement and the Western Asset Agreement, subject to the supervision and direction of the Board and the manager, the subadviser and Western Asset will manage the fund’s portfolio in accordance with the fund’s stated investment objective and policies, assist in supervising all aspects of the fund’s operations, make investment decisions for the fund, place orders to purchase and sell securities and employ professional portfolio managers and securities analysts who provide research services to the fund.

Each of the Subadvisory Agreement and the Western Asset Agreement will continue in effect for its initial term and thereafter from year to year provided such continuance is specifically approved at least annually (a) by the Board or by a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the fund (as defined in the 1940 Act), and (b) in either event, by a majority of the Independent Trustees with such Independent Trustees casting votes in person at a meeting called for such purpose. The Board or a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the fund (as defined in the 1940 Act) may terminate the Subadvisory Agreement or the Western Asset Agreement without penalty, in each case on not more than 60 days’ nor less than 30 days’ written notice to the subadviser or Western Asset. Each of the subadviser and Western Asset may terminate the Subadvisory Agreement or the Western Asset Agreement, as applicable, on 90 days’ written notice to the fund and the manager. Each of the Subadvisory Agreement and the Western Asset Agreement may be terminated upon the mutual written consent of the manager and the subadviser or Western Asset, as applicable. Each of the Subadvisory Agreement and the Western Asset Agreement will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act).

As compensation for its subadvisory services, the manager pays the subadviser a fee equal to 70% of the management fee paid to the manager, net of (i) all fees and expenses incurred by the manager under the Management Agreement (including without limitation any subadvisory fee paid to another subadviser to the fund) and (ii) expense waivers and reimbursements.

As compensation for its subadvisory services, the manager pays Western Asset a fee equal to 0.02% of the portion of the fund’s average daily net assets allocated to Western Asset for the management of cash and other short-term instruments, net of expense waivers and reimbursements.

Additional Information

The fund enters into contractual arrangements with various parties, including, among others, the manager, ClearBridge and Western Asset, who provide services to the fund. Shareholders are not parties to, or intended (or “third-party”) beneficiaries of, those contractual arrangements.

 

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The Prospectus and this SAI provide information concerning the fund that you should consider in determining whether to purchase shares of the fund. The fund may make changes to this information from time to time. Neither the Prospectus nor this SAI is intended to give rise to any contract rights or other rights in any shareholder, other than any rights conferred explicitly by federal or state securities laws that may not be waived.

Portfolio Managers

The following sets forth certain additional information with respect to the portfolio managers for the fund. Unless noted otherwise, all information is provided as of [November 30, 2016].

Other Accounts Managed by the Portfolio Managers

The table below identifies the portfolio managers, the number of accounts (other than the fund) for which each portfolio manager has day-to-day management responsibilities and the total assets in such accounts, within each of the following categories: registered investment companies, other pooled investment vehicles, other accounts and, if applicable, the number of accounts and total assets in the accounts where fees are based on performance.

Data for other investment companies is shown based on the specific investment professionals that are named in the disclosure documents for other investment companies. Data for private pooled investment vehicles and other separate accounts is reported based on Western Asset’s practice of naming a particular individual to maintain oversight responsibility for each account. Where the named individual has been assigned primary responsibility for oversight of a private pooled investment vehicle or separate account, that account has been allocated to that individual for disclosure purposes, but not other investment professionals that may be involved in managing that account. Unless noted otherwise, all information is reported as of [            ].

 

Type of Account

   Number of
Accounts
Managed
    Total Assets
Managed ($)
    Number of Accounts
Managed for which
Advisory Fee is
Performance-Based
     Assets Managed
for which
Advisory Fee  is
Performance-Based ($)
 

Peter Bourbeau

         

Registered investment companies

     [         [         

Other pooled investment vehicles

     [         [         

Other accounts

     [         [         

Mary Jane McQuillen

         

Registered investment companies

     [         [         

Other pooled investment vehicles

     [         [         

Other accounts

     [         [         

Margaret Vitrano

         

Registered investment companies

     [         [         

Other pooled investment vehicles

     [         [         

Other accounts

     [         [         

Portfolio Manager Compensation Structure

ClearBridge’s portfolio managers participate in a competitive compensation program that is designed to attract and retain outstanding investment professionals and closely align the interests of its investment professionals with those of its clients and overall firm results. The total compensation program includes a significant incentive component that rewards high performance standards, integrity, and collaboration consistent with the firm’s values. Portfolio manager compensation is reviewed and modified each year as appropriate to reflect changes in the market and to ensure the continued alignment with the goals stated above. ClearBridge’s portfolio managers and other investment professionals receive a combination of base compensation and discretionary compensation, comprising a cash incentive award and deferred incentive plans described below.

 

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Base salary compensation. Base salary is fixed and primarily determined based on market factors and the experience and responsibilities of the investment professional within the firm.

Discretionary compensation. In addition to base compensation managers may receive discretionary compensation.

Discretionary compensation can include:

 

   

Cash Incentive Award

 

   

ClearBridge’s Deferred Incentive Plan (CDIP)—a mandatory program that typically defers 15% of discretionary year-end compensation into ClearBridge managed products. For portfolio managers, one third of this deferral tracks the performance of their primary managed product, one-third tracks the performance of a composite portfolio of the firm’s new products and one-third can be elected to track the performance of one or more of ClearBridge managed funds. Consequently, portfolio managers can have two-thirds of their CDIP award tracking the performance of their primary managed product.

For centralized research analysts, two-thirds of their deferral is elected to track the performance of one of more of ClearBridge managed funds, while one-third tracks the performance of the new product composite.

ClearBridge then makes a company investment in the proprietary managed funds equal to the deferral amounts by fund. This investment is a company asset held on the balance sheet and paid out to the employees in shares subject to vesting requirements.

 

   

Legg Mason Restricted Stock Deferral—a mandatory program that typically defers 5% of discretionary year-end compensation into Legg Mason restricted stock. The award is paid out to employees in shares subject to vesting requirements.

 

   

Legg Mason Restricted Stock and Stock Option Grants—a discretionary program that may be utilized as part of the total compensation program. These special grants reward and recognize significant contributions to our clients, shareholders and the firm and aid in retaining key talent.

Several factors are considered by ClearBridge Senior Management when determining discretionary compensation for portfolio managers. These include but are not limited to:

 

   

Investment performance. A portfolio manager’s compensation is linked to the pre-tax investment performance of the fund/accounts managed by the portfolio manager. Investment performance is calculated for 1-, 3-, and 5-year periods measured against the applicable product benchmark (e.g., a securities index and, with respect to a fund, the benchmark set forth in the fund’s Prospectus) and relative to applicable industry peer groups. The greatest weight is generally placed on 3- and 5-year performance.

 

   

Appropriate risk positioning that is consistent with ClearBridge’s investment philosophy and the Investment Committee/CIO approach to generation of alpha.

 

   

Overall firm profitability and performance.

 

   

Amount and nature of assets managed by the portfolio manager.

 

   

Contributions for asset retention, gathering and client satisfaction.

 

   

Contribution to mentoring, coaching and/or supervising.

 

   

Contribution and communication of investment ideas in ClearBridge’s Investment Committee meetings and on a day to day basis.

 

   

Market compensation survey research by independent third parties.

 

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Potential Conflicts of Interest

Potential conflicts of interest may arise when the fund’s portfolio managers also have day-to-day management responsibilities with respect to one or more other funds or other accounts, as is the case for the fund’s portfolio managers.

The subadviser and the fund have adopted compliance policies and procedures that are designed to address various conflicts of interest that may arise for the subadviser and the individuals that each employs. For example, the subadviser seeks to minimize the effects of competing interests for the time and attention of portfolio managers by assigning portfolio managers to manage funds and accounts that share a similar investment style. The subadviser has also adopted trade allocation procedures that are designed to facilitate the fair allocation of investment opportunities among multiple funds and accounts. There is no guarantee, however, that the policies and procedures adopted by the subadviser and the fund will be able to detect and/or prevent every situation in which an actual or potential conflict may appear. These potential conflicts include:

Allocation of Limited Time and Attention. A portfolio manager who is responsible for managing multiple funds and/or accounts may devote unequal time and attention to the management of those funds and/or accounts. The effects of this potential conflict may be more pronounced where funds and/or accounts overseen by a particular portfolio manager have different investment strategies.

Allocation of Investment Opportunities. If a portfolio manager identifies an investment opportunity that may be suitable for multiple funds and/or accounts, the opportunity may be allocated among these several funds or accounts, which may limit a fund’s ability to take full advantage of the investment opportunity. The subadviser has adopted policies and procedures to ensure that all accounts, including the fund, are treated equitably.

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

Selection of Broker/Dealers. In addition to executing trades, some broker/dealers provide brokerage and research services (as those terms are defined in Section 28(e) of the 1934 Act), which may result in the payment of higher brokerage fees than might have otherwise been available. These services may be more beneficial to certain funds or accounts than to others. For this reason, the subadviser has formed a brokerage committee that reviews, among other things, the allocation of brokerage to broker/dealers, best execution and soft dollar usage.

Variation in Compensation. A conflict of interest may arise where the financial or other benefits available to the portfolio manager differ among the funds and/or accounts that he or she manages. If the structure of the manager’s management fee (and the percentage paid to the subadviser) differs among funds and/or accounts (such as where certain funds or accounts pay higher management fees or performance-based management fees), the portfolio manager might be motivated to help certain funds and/or accounts over others. The portfolio manager might be motivated to favor funds and/or accounts in which he or she has an interest or in which the manager and/or its affiliates have interests. Similarly, the desire to maintain assets under management or to enhance the portfolio manager’s performance record or to derive other rewards, financial or otherwise, could influence the portfolio manager in affording preferential treatment to those funds and/or accounts that could most significantly benefit the portfolio manager.

 

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Portfolio Manager Securities Ownership

The table below identifies ownership of equity securities of the fund by the portfolio managers responsible for the day-to-day management of the fund as of [                    , 2017].

 

Portfolio Manager

   Dollar Range of
Ownership of
Securities ($)
 

Peter Bourbeau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

     [    

Mary Jane McQuillen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

     [    

Margaret Vitrano . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

     [    

Expenses

In addition to amounts payable under the Management Agreement, the fund is responsible for the following expenses: taxes and governmental fees; costs (including brokerage commissions, transaction fees or charges, if any, or Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses as such term is defined in Form N-1A as the same may be amended from time to time) in connection with the creation and redemption transactions of the fund’s shares and purchases and sales of the fund’s securities and other investments and losses in connection therewith; costs of borrowing money, including interest expenses; and litigation expenses and any non-recurring or extraordinary expenses as may arise, including, without limitation, those relating to actions, suits or proceedings to which the fund is a party and any legal obligation which the fund may have to indemnify the fund’s Trustees and officers with respect thereto.

Management may agree to implement an expense cap, waive fees and/or reimburse operating expenses. Any such waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses are described in the fund’s Prospectus. The expense caps and waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses do not cover extraordinary expenses, such as (a) any expenses or charges related to litigation, derivative actions, demand related to litigation, regulatory or other government investigations and proceedings, “for cause” regulatory inspections and indemnification or advancement of related expenses or costs, to the extent any such expenses are considered extraordinary expenses for the purposes of fee disclosure in Form N-1A as the same may be amended from time to time; (b) transaction costs (such as brokerage commissions and dealer and underwriter spreads) and taxes; and (c) other extraordinary expenses as determined for the purposes of fee disclosure in Form N-1A, as the same may be amended from time to time. Without limiting the foregoing, extraordinary expenses are generally those that are unusual or expected to recur only infrequently, and may include such expenses, by way of illustration, as (i) expenses of the reorganization, restructuring, redomiciling or merger of the fund or the acquisition of all or substantially all of the assets of another fund; (ii) expenses of holding, and soliciting proxies for, a meeting of shareholders of the fund (except to the extent relating to routine items such as the election of Trustees or the approval of the independent registered public accounting firm); and (iii) expenses of converting to a new custodian, transfer agent or other service provider, in each case to the extent any such expenses are considered extraordinary expenses for the purposes of fee disclosure in Form N-1A as the same may be amended from time to time.

In order to implement an expense limitation, the manager will, as necessary, waive management fees or reimburse operating expenses. However, the manager is permitted to recapture amounts waived or reimbursed to the fund during the same fiscal year if the fund’s total annual fund operating expenses have fallen to a level below the fund’s expense limitation. In no case will the manager recapture any amount that would result, on any particular business day of the fund, in the fund’s total annual fund operating expenses exceeding such expense limitation or any lower limit then in effect.

Distributor

LMIS, a wholly-owned broker/dealer subsidiary of Legg Mason, located at 100 International Drive, Baltimore, Maryland 21202, serves as the sole and exclusive distributor of the fund pursuant to a written agreement (the “Distribution Agreement”).

 

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Shares of the fund are continuously offered by the distributor only in Creation Units, as described in the fund’s Prospectus and below in the “Creations and Redemptions” section of this SAI. Fund shares in amounts less than Creation Units are generally not distributed by the distributor or its agent. The distributor or its agent will arrange for the delivery of the fund’s Prospectus and, upon request, this SAI to persons purchasing Creation Units and will maintain records of both orders placed with it or its agents and confirmations of acceptance furnished by it or its agents. The distributor is a broker-dealer registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”), and a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”). The distributor is also licensed as a broker-dealer in all fifty U.S. states as well as in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia.

The Distribution Agreement is renewable from year to year with respect to the fund if approved (a) by the Board or by a vote of a majority of the fund’s outstanding voting securities, and (b) by the affirmative vote of a majority of Trustees who are not parties to such agreement or interested persons of any party by votes cast in person at a meeting called for such purpose.

The Distribution Agreement is terminable with respect to the fund without penalty by the Board or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the fund, or by the distributor, on not less than 60 days’ written notice to the other party (unless the notice period is waived by mutual consent). The Distribution Agreement will automatically and immediately terminate in the event of its assignment.

Legg Mason or its affiliates may, from time to time and from their own resources, pay, defray or absorb costs relating to distribution, including payments out of their own resources to the distributor, or to otherwise promote the sale of shares.

Legg Mason and/or its affiliates pay certain broker-dealers, registered investment advisers, banks and other financial intermediaries (“Intermediaries”) for certain activities related to the fund or exchange-traded products in general. Legg Mason and/or its affiliates make these payments from their own assets and not from the assets of the fund. Although a portion of Legg Mason’s revenue comes directly or indirectly in part from fees paid by the fund, these payments do not increase the price paid by investors for the purchase of shares of, or the cost of owning, the fund. Legg Mason and/or its affiliates make payments for Intermediaries’ participation in activities that are designed to make registered representatives, other professionals and individual investors more knowledgeable about exchange-traded products, including the fund, or for other activities, such as participation in marketing activities and presentations, educational training programs, conferences, the development of technology platforms and reporting systems (“Education Costs”). Legg Mason and/or its affiliates also make payments to Intermediaries for certain printing, publishing and mailing costs associated with the fund or materials relating to exchange-traded products in general (“Publishing Costs”). In addition, Legg Mason and/or its affiliates make payments to Intermediaries that make shares of the fund available to their clients, develop new products that feature the fund or otherwise promote the fund. Legg Mason and/or its affiliates may also reimburse expenses or make payments from their own assets to Intermediaries or other persons in consideration of services or other activities that Legg Mason and/or its affiliates believe may benefit the exchange-traded products business or facilitate investment in the fund.

Payments to an Intermediary may be significant to the Intermediary, and amounts that Intermediaries pay to your salesperson or other investment professional may also be significant for your salesperson or other investment professional. Because an Intermediary may make decisions about which investment options it will recommend or make available to its clients or what services to provide for various products based on payments it receives or is eligible to receive, such payments may create conflicts of interest between the Intermediary and its clients and these financial incentives may cause the Intermediary to recommend the fund over other investments. The same conflicts of interest and financial incentives exist with respect to your salesperson or other investment professional if he or she receives similar payments from his or her Intermediary firm. In addition, Legg Mason and/or its affiliates may enter into other contractual arrangements with Intermediaries that Legg Mason and/or its affiliates believe may benefit the ETF business or facilitate investment in Legg Mason-sponsored ETFs. Such

 

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agreements may include payments by Legg Mason and/or its affiliates to such Intermediaries for data collection and provision, technology support, platform enhancement, or co-marketing and cross-promotional efforts. Payments made pursuant to such arrangements may vary in any year and may be different for different Intermediaries. In certain cases, the payments described in the preceding sentence may be subject to certain minimum payment levels. Such payments will not be asset- or revenue-based. [As of the date of this SAI, the Intermediaries receiving such contractual payments included: [names of firms receiving such payments]].

Legg Mason and/or its affiliates make Education Costs and Publishing Costs payments to other Intermediaries based on any number of metrics. For example, Legg Mason and/or its affiliates may make payments at year-end or other intervals in a fixed amount, an amount based upon an Intermediary’s services at defined levels or an amount based on the Intermediary’s net sales of one or more funds in a year or other period, any of which arrangements may include an agreed-upon minimum or maximum payment, or any combination of the foregoing. Please contact your salesperson or other investment professional for more information regarding any such payments his or her Intermediary firm may receive. Any payments made by Legg Mason and/or its affiliates to an Intermediary may create the incentive for an Intermediary to encourage customers to buy shares of the fund.

The fund may participate in certain market maker incentive programs of a national securities exchange in which an affiliate of the fund would pay a fee to the exchange used for the purpose of incentivizing one or more market makers in the securities of the fund to enhance the liquidity and quality of the secondary market of securities of the fund. The fee would then be credited by the exchange to one or more market makers that meet or exceed liquidity and market quality standards with respect to the securities of the fund. Each market maker incentive program is subject to approval from the SEC. Any such fee payments made to an exchange will be made by an affiliate of the fund solely for the benefit of the fund and will not be paid from any fund assets. Other funds managed by Legg Mason participate in such programs.

Distribution and Service Plan

The Board has adopted a distribution and service plan (“Plan”) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Under the Plan, the fund is authorized to pay distribution fees in connection with the sale and distribution of its shares and pay service fees in connection with the provision of ongoing services to shareholders and the maintenance of shareholder accounts in an amount up to 0.25% of its average daily net assets each year.

No Rule 12b-1 fees are currently paid by the fund, and there are no current plans to impose these fees. However, in the event Rule 12b-1 fees are charged in the future, because these fees would be paid out of the fund’s assets on an ongoing basis, these fees would increase the cost of your investment in the fund. By purchasing shares subject to distribution fees and service fees, you might pay more over time than you would by purchasing shares with other types of sales charge arrangements. Long-term shareholders may pay more than the economic equivalent of the maximum front-end sales charge permitted by the rules of FINRA. The net income attributable to shares will be reduced by the amount of distribution fees and service fees and other expenses of the fund.

Custodian and Transfer Agent

State Street Bank and Trust Company (the “Custodian”), One Lincoln Street Boston, Massachusetts 02111, serves as the custodian of the fund. The Custodian, among other things, maintains custody accounts in the name of the fund, receives and delivers all assets for the fund upon purchase and upon sale or maturity, collects and receives all income and other payments and distributions on account of the assets of the fund in custody and makes disbursements on behalf of the fund. The Custodian neither determines the fund’s investment policies nor decides which securities the fund will buy or sell. The fund may also periodically enter into arrangements with other qualified custodians with respect to certain types of securities or other transactions such as repurchase agreements or derivatives transactions.

 

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State Street Bank and Trust Company (the “Transfer Agent”) serves as the fund’s transfer agent. Under its transfer agency agreement with the Trust, the Transfer Agent provides the following services with respect to the fund: (i) performing and facilitating the performance of purchases and redemptions of Creation Units, (ii) preparing and transmitting by means of DTC’s book-entry system payments for dividends and distributions declared by the fund on or with respect to fund shares, (iii) preparing and delivering reports, information and documents as specified in the agreement, (iv) performing the customary services of a transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent, and (v) rendering certain other miscellaneous services as specified in the transfer agency agreement or as otherwise agreed upon.

Counsel

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, 787 Seventh Avenue, New York, New York 10019, serves as counsel to the Trust and the fund.

Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP, 180 Maiden Lane, New York, New York 10038, serves as counsel to the Independent Trustees.

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, located at 345 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10154, has been selected to audit and report upon the fund’s financial statements and financial highlights.

Code of Ethics

Pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act, the fund, the manager, the subadviser, Western Asset and the distributor have adopted codes of ethics that permit personnel to invest in securities for their own accounts, including securities that may be purchased or held by the fund. All personnel must place the interests of clients first and avoid activities, interests and relationships that might interfere with the duty to make decisions in the best interests of the clients. All personal securities transactions by employees must adhere to the requirements of the codes and must be conducted in such a manner as to avoid any actual or potential conflict of interest, the appearance of such a conflict or the abuse of an employee’s position of trust and responsibility. Copies of the codes of ethics applicable to personnel of the fund, the manager, the subadviser, Western Asset and the distributor and to the Independent Trustees of the Trust are on file with the SEC.

Proxy Voting Guidelines and Procedures

Although individual Trustees may not agree with particular policies or votes by the manager, the Board has delegated proxy voting discretion to the manager, believing that the manager should be responsible for voting because it is a matter relating to the investment decision making process.

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

 

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The subadviser’s proxy voting policies and procedures govern in determining how proxies relating to the fund’s portfolio securities are voted, a copy of which is attached as Appendix A to this SAI. Information regarding how the fund voted proxies (if any) relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available without charge (1) by calling 1-877-721-1926, (2) on the fund’s website at http://www.leggmason.com/individualinvestors and (3) on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

CONTINUOUS OFFERING

The method by which Creation Units are created and traded may raise certain issues under applicable securities laws. Because new Creation Units are issued and sold by the fund on an ongoing basis, at any point a “distribution,” as such term is used in the 1933 Act, may occur. Broker-dealers and other persons are cautioned that some activities on their part may, depending on the circumstances, result in their being deemed participants in a distribution in a manner that could render them statutory underwriters and subject them to the prospectus delivery requirement and liability provisions of the 1933 Act.

For example, a broker-dealer firm or its client may be deemed a statutory underwriter if it takes Creation Units after placing an order with the distributor, breaks them down into constituent shares and sells such shares directly to customers or if it chooses to couple the creation of new shares with an active selling effort involving solicitation of secondary market demand for shares. A determination of whether one is an underwriter for purposes of the 1933 Act must take into account all of the facts and circumstances pertaining to the activities of the broker-dealer or its client in the particular case and the examples mentioned above should not be considered a complete description of all the activities that could lead to a categorization as an underwriter.

Broker-dealer firms should also note that dealers who are not “underwriters” but are effecting transactions in shares, whether or not participating in the distribution of shares, generally are required to deliver a prospectus. This is because the prospectus delivery exemption in Section 4(a)(3) of the 1933 Act is not available in respect of such transactions as a result of Section 24(d) of the 1940 Act. Firms that incur a prospectus delivery obligation with respect to shares of the fund are reminded that, pursuant to Rule 153 under the 1933 Act, a prospectus delivery obligation under Section 5(b)(2) of the 1933 Act owed to an exchange member in connection with a sale on the Exchange generally is satisfied by the fact that the prospectus is available at the Exchange upon request. The prospectus delivery mechanism provided in Rule 153 is available only with respect to transactions on an exchange.

BOOK ENTRY ONLY SYSTEM

DTC acts as securities depositary for the shares. Shares of the fund are represented by securities registered in the name of DTC or its nominee and deposited with, or on behalf of, DTC. Certificates will not be issued for shares.

DTC, a limited-purpose trust company, was created to hold securities of participants of DTC (the “DTC Participants”) and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions among the DTC Participants in such securities through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of the DTC Participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. DTC Participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations, some of whom (and/or their representatives) own DTC. More specifically, DTC is owned by a number of its DTC Participants and by the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) and FINRA. Access to the DTC system is also available to others such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a DTC Participant, either directly or indirectly (the “Indirect Participants”).

Beneficial ownership of shares is limited to DTC Participants, Indirect Participants and persons holding interests through DTC Participants and Indirect Participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in shares (owners

 

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of such beneficial interests are referred to herein as “beneficial owners”) is shown on, and the transfer of ownership is effected only through, records maintained by DTC (with respect to DTC Participants) and on the records of DTC Participants (with respect to Indirect Participants and beneficial owners that are not DTC Participants). Beneficial owners will receive from or through the DTC Participant a written confirmation relating to their purchase of shares.

Conveyance of all notices, statements and other communications to beneficial owners is effected as follows. Pursuant to the Depositary Agreement between the Trust and DTC, DTC is required to make available to the Trust upon request and for a fee to be charged to the Trust a listing of the shares holdings of each DTC Participant. The Trust shall inquire of each such DTC Participant as to the number of beneficial owners holding shares, directly or indirectly, through such DTC Participant. The Trust shall provide each such DTC Participant with copies of such notice, statement or other communication, in such form, number and at such place as such DTC Participant may reasonably request, in order that such notice, statement or communication may be transmitted by such DTC Participant, directly or indirectly, to such beneficial owners. In addition, the Trust shall pay to each such DTC Participant a fair and reasonable amount as reimbursement for the expenses attendant to such transmittal, all subject to applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.

Share distributions shall be made to DTC or its nominee, Cede & Co., as the registered holder of all shares. DTC or its nominee, upon receipt of any such distributions, shall credit immediately DTC Participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in shares as shown on the records of DTC or its nominee. Payments by DTC Participants to Indirect Participants and beneficial owners of shares held through such DTC Participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in a “street name,” and will be the responsibility of such DTC Participants.

The Trust has no responsibility or liability for any aspects of the records relating to or notices to beneficial owners, or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in such shares, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests or for any other aspect of the relationship between DTC and the DTC Participants or the relationship between such DTC Participants and the Indirect Participants and beneficial owners owning through such DTC Participants.

DTC may determine to discontinue providing its service with respect to the shares at any time by giving reasonable notice to the Trust and discharging its responsibilities with respect thereto under applicable law.

Under such circumstances, the Trust shall take action either to find a replacement for DTC to perform its functions at a comparable cost or, if such a replacement is unavailable, to issue and deliver printed certificates representing ownership of shares, unless the Trust makes other arrangements with respect thereto satisfactory to the Exchange.

CREATIONS AND REDEMPTIONS

The Trust issues and sells shares of the fund only in Creation Units on a continuous basis through the distributor, without a sales load, at the NAV next determined after receipt of an order in proper form as described in the Participant Agreement (as defined below), on any Business Day (as defined below). A Creation Unit for the fund is comprised of 50,000 shares.

In its discretion, the manager reserves the right to increase or decrease the number of the fund’s shares that constitutes a Creation Unit. The Board reserves the right to declare a split or a consolidation in the number of shares outstanding of the fund, and to make a corresponding change in the number of shares constituting a Creation Unit, in the event that the per share price in the secondary market rises (or declines) to an amount that falls outside the range deemed desirable by the Board.

 

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A “Business Day” with respect to the fund is each day the Trust is open, including any day that the fund is required to be open under Section 22(e) of the 1940 Act, which excludes weekends and the following holidays (or the days on which they are observed): New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Orders from large institutional investors who have entered into agreements with the fund’s distributor (“Authorized Participants”) to create or redeem Creation Units will only be accepted on a Business Day.

Fund Deposit

The consideration for purchase of Creation Units consists of Deposit Securities and cash under limited circumstances. The Deposit Securities will correspond pro rata to the positions in the fund’s portfolio (including cash positions) except (a) in the case of bonds, for minor differences when it is impossible to break up bonds beyond certain minimum sizes needed for transfer and settlement; (b) for minor differences when rounding is necessary to eliminate fractional shares or lots that are not tradeable round lots; or (c) To Be Announced (“TBA”) transactions, short positions, derivatives and other positions that cannot be transferred in kind. If there is a difference between the NAV attributable to a Creation Unit and the aggregate market value of the Deposit Securities or Redemption Securities (as defined below) exchanged for the Creation Unit, the party conveying the instruments with the lower value will pay to the other an amount in cash equal to that difference (the “Cash Component”). Together, the Deposit Securities and Cash Component constitute the “Fund Deposit,” which represents the minimum initial and subsequent investment amount for a Creation Unit of the fund. The Deposit Securities and the securities that will be delivered in an in-kind transfer in a redemption (“Redemption Securities”) will be identical.

Purchases and redemptions of Creation Units may be made in whole or in part on a cash basis, rather than in kind, solely under the following circumstances: (a) to the extent there is a Cash Component, as described above; (b) if, on a given Business Day, the fund announces before the open of trading that all purchases, all redemptions or all purchases and redemptions on that day will be made entirely in cash; (c) if, upon receiving a purchase or redemption order from an Authorized Participant, the fund determines to require the purchase or redemption, as applicable, to be made entirely in cash; (d) if, on a given Business Day, the fund requires all Authorized Participants purchasing or redeeming shares on that day to deposit or receive (as applicable) cash in lieu of some or all of the Deposit Securities or Redemption Securities, respectively, solely because: (i) such instruments are not eligible for transfer either through the NSCC process or DTC process; or (ii) such instruments are not eligible for trading due to local trading restrictions, local restrictions on securities transfers or other similar circumstances; or (e) if the fund permits an Authorized Participant to deposit or receive (as applicable) cash in lieu of some or all of the Deposit Securities or Redemption Securities, respectively, solely because: (i) such instruments are, in the case of the purchase of a Creation Unit, not available in sufficient quantity; (ii) such instruments are not eligible for trading by an Authorized Participant or the investor on whose behalf the Authorized Participant is acting; or (iii) a holder of shares of the fund would be subject to unfavorable income tax treatment if the holder receives redemption proceeds in kind. A purchase or redemption of shares made in whole or in part on a cash basis in reliance on (e)(i) or (e)(ii) is known as a “Custom Order.”

The fund will cause to be published through the National Securities Clearing Corporation (“NSCC”), on each Business Day, prior to the opening of trading on the Exchange (currently 9:30 a.m., Eastern time), the identity and the required number of each Deposit Security and the amount of the Cash Component (if any) to be included in the current Fund Deposit (based on information at the end of the previous Business Day).

Procedures for Creating Creation Units

To be eligible to place orders with the distributor and to create a Creation Unit of the fund, an entity must have executed an agreement with the distributor, subject to acceptance by the Transfer Agent, with respect to creations and redemptions of Creation Units (“Participant Agreement”) (discussed below). Each such entity must be either (i) a broker-dealer or other participant in the clearing process through the Continuous Net Settlement System (the “Clearing Process”) of the NSCC, a clearing agency that is registered with the SEC; or (ii) a DTC

 

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Participant. Any entity that has executed a Participant Agreement is referred to as an “Authorized Participant.” All shares of the fund, however created, will be entered on the records of DTC in the name of its nominee for the account of a DTC Participant.

The date on which an order to create Creation Units (or an order to redeem Creation Units, as discussed below) is placed is referred to as the “Transmittal Date.” Subject to the terms of the applicable Participant Agreement, all orders to create Creation Units of the fund must be received by the distributor no later than the closing time of the regular trading session of the NYSE (“Closing Time”) (ordinarily 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) on the Transmittal Date to be effected based on the NAV of shares as next determined after receipt of an order in proper form on the Transmittal Date.

Orders must be transmitted by an Authorized Participant by telephone or other transmission method acceptable to the distributor pursuant to procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement. Economic or market disruptions or changes, or telephone or other communication failure may impede the ability to reach the distributor or an Authorized Participant. The fund reserves the absolute right to reject a purchase order (see “Acceptance of Creation Orders”).

All investor orders to create Creation Units shall be placed with an Authorized Participant in the form required by such Authorized Participant. In addition, an Authorized Participant may request that an investor make certain representations or enter into agreements with respect to an order (to provide for payments of cash). Investors should be aware that their particular broker may not have executed a Participant Agreement and, therefore, orders to create Creation Units of the fund will have to be placed by the investor’s broker through an Authorized Participant. In such cases, there may be additional charges to such investor.

Creation Units may be created in advance of the receipt by the fund of all or a portion of the Fund Deposit. In such cases, the Authorized Participant will remain liable for the full deposit of the missing portion(s) of the Fund Deposit and will be required to post collateral with the fund consisting of cash in an amount not less than 105% of the marked-to-market value of such missing portion(s). The fund may use such collateral to buy the missing portion(s) of the Fund Deposit at any time and will subject such Authorized Participant to liability for any shortfall between the cost to the fund of purchasing such securities and the value of such collateral. The fund will have no liability for any such shortfall. The fund will return any unused portion of the collateral to the Authorized Participant once the entire Fund Deposit has been properly received by the distributor and deposited into the fund. The Participant Agreement will permit the fund to use such collateral to buy the missing Deposit Securities at any time and will subject the Authorized Participant to liability for any shortfall between the cost to the fund of purchasing such securities and the value of the collateral.

Orders for creation that are effected outside the Clearing Process are likely to require transmittal by the DTC Participant earlier on the Transmittal Date than orders effected using the Clearing Process. Those persons placing orders outside the Clearing Process should ascertain the deadlines applicable to DTC and the Federal Reserve Bank wire system by contacting the operations department of the broker or depository institution effectuating such transfer of Deposit Securities and Cash Component.

Subject to the conditions that (i) a properly completed irrevocable purchase order has been submitted by the Authorized Participant (either on its own or another investor’s behalf) not later than the Closing Time on the Transmittal Date and (ii) arrangements satisfactory to the fund are in place for payment of the Cash Component and any other cash amounts which may be due, the fund will accept the order, subject to its right (and the right of the distributor and the manager) to reject any order not submitted in proper form. A Creation Unit of the fund will not be issued until the transfer of good title to the fund of the Deposit Securities and the payment of the Cash Component have been completed. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent contemplated by a Participant Agreement, Creation Units will be issued to an Authorized Participant notwithstanding the fact that the corresponding Fund Deposits have not been received in part or in whole, in reliance on the undertaking of such Authorized Participant to deliver the missing Deposit Securities as soon as possible, which undertaking shall be secured by such Authorized Participant’s delivery and maintenance of collateral (as discussed above).

 

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Placement of Creation Orders Outside Clearing Process

Authorized Participants making payment for orders of Creation Units of shares of the fund must have international trading capabilities and must effect such transactions “outside” the NSCC Clearing Process. Once the Custodian has been notified of an order to purchase, it will provide such information to the relevant sub-custodian(s) of the fund. The Custodian shall cause the sub-custodian(s) of the fund to maintain an account into which the Authorized Participant shall deliver, on behalf of itself or the party on whose behalf it is acting, the Fund Deposit. Deposit Securities must be maintained by the applicable local sub-custodian(s). Following the notice of intention, an irrevocable order to purchase Creation Units, in the form required by the fund, must be received by the distributor, as principal underwriter, from an Authorized Participant on its own or another investor’s behalf by the Closing Time on the Transmittal Date.

The Trust must also receive, on or before the contractual settlement date, immediately available or same day funds estimated by the Custodian to be sufficient to pay the Cash Component next determined after receipt in proper form of the purchase order, together with the creation transaction fee described below.

Acceptance of Creation Orders

The fund and the distributor reserve the absolute right to reject or revoke acceptance of a creation order transmitted to it in respect to the fund, for example, if: (i) the order is not in proper form; (ii) the investor(s), upon obtaining the shares ordered, would own 80% or more of the currently outstanding shares of the fund; (iii) acceptance of the Fund Deposit would have certain adverse tax consequences to the fund; (iv) acceptance of the Fund Deposit would, in the opinion of the fund, be unlawful; (v) acceptance of the Fund Deposit would otherwise, in the discretion of the fund or the manager, have an adverse effect on the fund or the rights of beneficial owners of the fund; or (vi) in the event that circumstances outside the control of the fund make it for all practical purposes impossible to process creation orders. Examples of such circumstances include acts of God; public service or utility problems such as fires, floods, extreme weather conditions and power outages resulting in telephone, facsimile and computer failures; market conditions or activities causing trading halts; systems failures involving computer or other information systems affecting the fund, the manager, the subadviser, the Custodian, the distributor, DTC, NSCC’s Continuous Net Settlement System, Federal Reserve, the Transfer Agent or any other participant in the creation process, and other extraordinary events. The distributor shall notify the Authorized Participant acting on behalf of the creator of a Creation Unit of its rejection of the order of such person. The fund, the Transfer Agent and the distributor are under no duty, however, to give notification of any defects or irregularities in the delivery of Fund Deposits nor shall any of them incur any liability for the failure to give any such notification.

All questions as to the number of shares of Deposit Securities and the validity, form, eligibility, and acceptance for deposit of any securities to be delivered and the amount and form of the Cash Component, as applicable, shall be determined by the fund, and the fund’s determination shall be final and binding.

Creation Transaction Fee

The fund imposes an estimated creation transaction fee of $250.00 on each creation transaction regardless of the number of Creation Units purchased in the transaction.

In the case of cash creations or where the fund permits a creator to substitute cash in lieu of depositing a portion of the Deposit Securities, the creator may be assessed an additional variable charge of up to 2.0% of the value of a Creation Unit to compensate the fund for the costs associated with purchasing the applicable securities.

As a result, in order to seek to replicate the in-kind creation order process, the fund expects to purchase, in the secondary market or otherwise gain exposure to, the portfolio securities that could have been delivered as a result of an in-kind creation order pursuant to local law or market convention, or for other reasons (“Market Purchases”). In such cases where the fund makes Market Purchases, the Authorized Participant will reimburse the fund for, among other things, any difference between the market value at which the securities and/or financial

 

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instruments were purchased by the fund and the cash in lieu amount (which amount, at the manager’s discretion, may be capped), applicable registration fees, brokerage commissions and certain taxes. The manager may adjust the transaction fee to the extent the composition of the Deposit Securities changes or cash in lieu is added to the Cash Component to protect ongoing shareholders. Creators of Creation Units are responsible for the costs of transferring the securities constituting the Deposit Securities to the account of the fund.

Redemption of Creation Units

Shares may be redeemed only in Creation Units at their NAV next determined after receipt of a redemption request in proper form on a Business Day and only through an Authorized Participant. Redemption orders for Creation Units in the fund must be received by the distributor no later than the Closing Time on the Transmittal Date to receive the NAV determined on the same Transmittal Date.

The fund will not redeem shares in amounts less than Creation Units (except the fund may redeem shares in amounts less than a Creation Unit in the event the fund is being liquidated or for other extraordinary purposes, such as a merger). Beneficial owners must accumulate enough shares in the secondary market to constitute a Creation Unit in order to have such shares redeemed by the Trust. However, only Authorized Participants can trade directly with the fund. There can be no assurance that there will be sufficient liquidity in the public trading market at any time to permit assembly of a Creation Unit. Authorized Participants should expect to incur brokerage and other costs in connection with assembling a sufficient number of shares to constitute a redeemable Creation Unit. All redemptions are subject to the procedures contained in the applicable Participant Agreement.

The fund is responsible for making available, through the NSCC, immediately prior to the opening of business on the Exchange (currently 9:30 a.m., Eastern time) on each Business Day, the identity of the fund’s Redemption Securities and/or an amount of cash that will be applicable to redemption requests received in proper form (as described below) on that day. The Redemption Securities will be identical to the Deposit Securities.

Redemptions of Creation Units may be made in whole or in part on a cash basis, rather than in kind, solely under the following circumstances: (a) to the extent there is a Cash Component; (b) if, on a given Business Day, the fund announces before the open of trading that all purchases, all redemptions or all purchases and redemptions on that day will be made entirely in cash; (c) if, upon receiving a redemption order from an Authorized Participant, the fund determines to require the redemption to be made entirely in cash; (d) if, on a given Business Day, the fund requires all Authorized Participants redeeming shares on that day to receive cash in lieu of some or all of the Redemption Securities, solely because: (i) such instruments are not eligible for transfer either through the NSCC or DTC; or (ii) such instruments are not eligible for trading due to local trading restrictions, local restrictions on securities transfers or other similar circumstances; or (e) if the fund permits an Authorized Participant to receive cash in lieu of some or all of the Redemption Securities solely because: (i) such instruments are not eligible for trading by an Authorized Participant or the investor on whose behalf the Authorized Participant is acting; or (ii) a holder of shares of the fund would be subject to unfavorable income tax treatment if the holder receives redemption proceeds in kind.

An Authorized Participant, or a beneficial owner of shares for which it is acting, subject to a legal restriction with respect to a particular security included in the redemption of a Creation Unit may be paid an equivalent amount of cash. This would specifically prohibit delivery of Redemption Securities that are not registered in reliance upon Rule 144A under the 1933 Act to a redeeming beneficial owner of shares that is not a “qualified institutional buyer,” as such term is defined under Rule 144A of the 1933 Act. The Authorized Participant may request the redeeming beneficial owner of the shares to complete an order form or to enter into agreements with respect to such matters as compensating cash payment.

The right of redemption may be suspended or the date of payment postponed with respect to the fund: (i) for any period during which the Exchange is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings); (ii) for any period during which trading on the Exchange is suspended or restricted; (iii) for any period during which an

 

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emergency exists as a result of which disposal of the shares of the fund or determination of the fund’s NAV is not reasonably practicable; or (iv) in such other circumstances as permitted by the SEC.

Redemption Transaction Fee

The fund imposes an estimated redemption transaction fee of $250.00 on each redemption transaction regardless of the number of Creation Units being redeemed in the transaction.

An additional variable charge of up to 2.0% of the value of a Creation Unit for cash redemptions or partial cash redemptions (when cash redemptions are permitted or required for the fund) may also be imposed to compensate the fund for the costs associated with selling the applicable securities.

In order to seek to replicate the in-kind redemption order process, the fund expects to sell, in the secondary market, the portfolio securities or settle any financial instruments that may not be permitted to be re-registered in the name of the Authorized Participant as a result of an in-kind redemption order pursuant to local law or market convention, or for other reasons (“Market Sales”). In such cases where the fund makes Market Sales, the Authorized Participant will reimburse the fund for, among other things, any difference between the market value at which the securities and/or financial instruments were sold or settled by the fund and the cash in lieu amount (which amount, at the manager’s discretion, may be capped), applicable registration fees, brokerage commissions and certain taxes (“Transaction Costs”). The manager may adjust the transaction fee to the extent the composition of the Redemption Securities changes or cash in lieu is added to the Cash Component to protect ongoing shareholders. In no event will fees charged by the fund in connection with a redemption exceed 2% of the value of each Creation Unit. Investors who use the services of a broker or other such intermediary may be charged a fee for such services. To the extent the fund cannot recoup the amount of Transaction Costs incurred in connection with a redemption from the redeeming shareholder because of the 2% cap or otherwise, those Transaction Costs will be borne by the fund’s remaining shareholders and negatively affect the fund’s performance.

Placement of Redemption Orders Outside Clearing Process

Redemption orders for Creation Units must be received by the distributor no later than the Closing Time on the Transmittal Date to receive the NAV next determined after receipt of the order in proper form on the Transmittal Date.

Arrangements satisfactory to the fund must be in place for the Authorized Participant to transfer the Creation Units through DTC on or before the settlement date. Redemptions of shares for Redemption Securities will be subject to compliance with applicable U.S. federal and state securities laws and the fund (whether or not it otherwise permits or requires cash redemptions) reserves the right to redeem Creation Units for cash to the extent that the fund could not lawfully deliver specific Redemption Securities upon redemptions or could not do so without first registering the Deposit Securities under such laws.

In connection with taking delivery of shares for Redemption Securities upon redemption of Creation Units, a redeeming shareholder or entity acting on behalf of a redeeming shareholder must maintain appropriate custody arrangements with a qualified broker-dealer, bank or other custody providers in each jurisdiction in which any of the Redemption Securities are customarily traded, to which account such Redemption Securities will be delivered. If neither the redeeming shareholder nor the entity acting on behalf of a redeeming shareholder has appropriate arrangements to take delivery of the Redemption Securities in the applicable foreign jurisdiction and it is not possible to make other such arrangements, or if it is not possible to effect deliveries of the Redemption Securities in such jurisdictions, the fund may, in its discretion, exercise its option to redeem such shares in cash, and the redeeming shareholder will be required to receive its redemption proceeds in cash.

Regular Foreign Holidays. The fund generally intends to effect deliveries of Creation Units and portfolio securities on a basis of “T” plus three Business Days (“T+3”). The fund may effect deliveries of Creation Units

 

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and portfolio securities on a basis other than T + 3 in order to accommodate local holiday schedules, to account for different treatment among foreign and U.S. markets of dividend record dates and ex-dividend dates or under certain other circumstances. The ability of the Trust to effect in-kind creations and redemptions within three Business Days of receipt of an order in good form is subject, among other things, to the condition that, within the time period from the date of the order to the date of delivery of the securities, there are no days that are holidays in the applicable foreign market. For every occurrence of one or more intervening holidays in the applicable foreign market that are not holidays observed in the U.S. equity market, the redemption settlement cycle may be extended by the number of such intervening holidays. In addition to holidays, other unforeseeable closings in a foreign market due to emergencies may also prevent the Trust from delivering securities within normal settlement periods. The securities delivery cycles currently practicable for transferring portfolio securities to redeeming Authorized Participants, coupled with foreign market holiday schedules, will require a delivery process longer than seven calendar days for the fund, in certain circumstances. The holidays applicable to the fund during such periods are listed below, as are instances where more than seven days will be needed to deliver redemption proceeds. Although certain holidays may occur on different dates in subsequent years, the number of days required to deliver redemption proceeds in any given year is not expected to exceed the maximum number of days listed below for the fund. The proclamation of new holidays, the treatment by market participants of certain days as “informal holidays” (e.g., days on which no or limited securities transactions occur, as a result of substantially shortened trading hours), the elimination of existing holidays, or changes in local securities delivery practices, could affect the information set forth herein at some time in the future. Because the portfolio securities of the fund may trade on days that the Exchange is closed or on days that are not Business Days for the fund, Authorized Participants may not be able to redeem their shares of the fund, or to purchase and sell shares of the fund on the Exchange, on days when the NAV of the fund could be significantly affected by events in the relevant non-U.S. markets.

Calendar Year 2017 [2018 to be inserted]

 

BRAZIL

           

January 25

   April 21      October 12         December 25      

February 27

   May 1      November 2         December 29      

February 28

   June 15      November 15         

April 14

   September 7      November 20         

CHILE

           

April 14

   September 18      November 1         

May 1

   September 19      December 8         

June 26

   October 9      December 25         

August 15

   October 27         

CHINA

           

January 2

   February 1      April 4         October 2         October 6   

January 27

   February 2      April 5         October 3      

January 30

   February 3      May 1         October 4      

January 31

   April 3      May 30         October 5      

COLOMBIA

           

January 9

   May 29      August 7         December 8      

March 20

   June 19      August 21         December 25      

April 13

   June 26      October 16         December 29      

April 14

   July 3      November 6         

May 1

   July 20      November 13         

CZECH REPUBLIC

           

April 17

   July 5      November 17         

May 1

   July 6      December 25         

May 8

   September 28      December 26         

 

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EGYPT

           

January 25

   June 26         

April 17

   August 31         

April 25

   September 21         

May 1

           

The Egyptian market is closed every Friday.

 

GREECE

        

January 6

   May 1      December 26      

February 27

   June 5      

April 14

   August 15      

April 17

   December 25      

HUNGARY

        

March 15

   May 1      November 1      

April 14

   June 5      December 25      

April 17

   October 23      December 26      

INDIA

        

January 26

   August 15      

March 29

   October 2      

April 14

   October 20      

May 1

   December 1      

May 10

   December 25      

INDONESIA

        

March 28

   May 11      August 17      

April 14

   May 25      September 22      

April 24

   June 26      December 1      

May 1

   June 27      December 25      

MALAYSIA

        

January 2

   May 30      September 1         December 25   

February 1

   May 31      September 21      

May 1

   June 26      October 20      

May 10

   August 31      December 1      

MEXICO

        

February 6

   April 14      November 20      

March 20

   May 1      December 12      

April 13

   November 2      December 25      

PERU

        

April 13

   June 29      November 1      

April 14

   July 28      December 8      

May 1

   August 30      December 25      

PHILIPPINES

        

April 13

   June 12      September 1         December 25   

April 14

   August 21      November 1      

May 1

   August 28      November 30      

POLAND

        

January 6

   May 1      August 15         December 26   

April 14

   May 3      November 1      

April 17

   June 15      December 25      

 

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QATAR

        

June 26

        

June 27

        

September 4

        

December 18

        

The Qatari Market is closed every Friday.

 

RUSSIA

              

January 2

   January 6    March 8    May 29    October 9   

January 3

   January 16    April 14    June 12    November 6   

January 4

   February 20    May 1    July 4    November 23   

January 5

   February 23    May 9    September 4    December 25   

SOUTH AFRICA

           

January 2

   April 27    September 25    December 29      

March 21

   May 1    December 22         

April 14

   June 16    December 25         

April 17

   August 9    December 26         

SOUTH KOREA

           

January 27

   May 1    June 6    October 4    October 9    December 29

January 30

   May 3    August 15    October 5    December 20   

March 1

   May 5    October 3    October 6    December 25   

TAIWAN

           

January 27

   April 4    May 30         

January 30

   April 5    October 4         

February 28

   May 1    October 10         

THAILAND

           

January 2

   May 1    August 14         

April 6

   May 5    October 23         

April 13

   May 10    December 5         

April 14

   July 10    December 11         

TURKEY

           

May 1

   June 27    September 1         

May 19

   August 30    September 4         

June 26

   August 31            

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

           

January 2

   April 24    June 27    September 4    November 23   

January 16

   May 29    July 4    September 21    December 25   

February 20

   June 26    August 31    October 9      

The United Arab Emirates market is closed every Friday.

Redemptions. The longest redemption cycle for the fund is a function of the longest redemption cycle among the countries whose securities comprise the fund. In the calendar year 2017 and 2018, the dates of regular holidays affecting the following securities markets present the worst-case (longest) redemption cycle* for the fund as follows:

 

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SETTLEMENT PERIODS GREATER THAN SEVEN DAYS FOR YEAR 2017 [2018 to be inserted]

 

     Beginning of
Settlement Period
     End of
Settlement Period
     Number of Days in
Settlement Period
 

China

     1/24/2017        2/6/2017        13  
     1/25/2017        2/7/2017        13  
     1/26/2017        2/8/2017        13  
     3/29/2017        4/6/2017        8  
     3/30/2017        4/7/2017        8  
     3/31/2017        4/10/2017        10  
     9/27/2017        10/9/2017        12  
     9/28/2017        10/10/2017        12  
     9/29/2017        10/11/2017        12  
     12/28/2016        1/9/2017        12  
     12/29/2016        1/10/2017        12  
     12/30/2016        1/11/2017        12  

Qatar

     6/21/2017        6/29/2017        8  
     6/22/2017        7/3/2017        11  

Russia

     12/27/2017        1/9/2018        13  
     12/28/2017        1/10/2018        13  

South Africa

     3/14/2017        3/22/2017        8  
     3/15/2017        3/23/2017        8  
     3/16/2017        3/24/2017        8  
     3/17/2017        3/27/2017        10  
     3/20/2017        3/28/2017        8  
     4/7/2017        4/18/2017        11  
     4/10/2017        4/19/2017        9  
     4/11/2017        4/20/2017        9  
     4/12/2017        4/21/2017        9  
     4/13/2017        4/24/2017        11  
     4/20/2017        4/28/2017        8  
     4/21/2017        5/2/2017        11  
     4/24/2017        5/3/2017        9  
     4/25/2017        5/4/2017        9  
     4/26/2017        5/5/2017        9  
     4/28/2017        5/8/2017        10  
     6/9/2017        6/19/2017        10  
     6/12/2017        6/20/2017        8  
     6/13/2017        6/21/2017        8  
     6/14/2017        6/22/2017        8  
     6/15/2017        6/23/2017        8  
     8/2/2017        8/10/2017        8  
     8/3/2017        8/11/2017        8  
     8/4/2017        8/14/2017        10  
     8/7/2017        8/15/2017        8  
     8/8/2017        8/16/2017        8  
     9/19/2017        9/27/2017        8  
     9/20/2017        9/28/2017        8  
     9/21/2017        9/29/2017        8  
     9/22/2017        10/2/2017        10  
     12/15/2017        12/27/2017        12  

 

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     Beginning of
Settlement Period
     End of
Settlement Period
     Number of Days in
Settlement Period
 

South Africa (continued)

     12/18/2017        12/28/2017        10  
     12/19/2017        1/2/2018        14  
     12/20/2017        1/3/2018        14  
     12/21/2017        1/4/2018        14  
     12/27/2017        1/5/2018        9  
     12/28/2017        1/8/2018        11  

South Korea

     4/28/2017        5/8/2017        10  
     9/28/2017        10/10/2017        12  
     9/29/2017        10/11/2017        12  
     10/2/2017        10/12/2017        10  

United Arab Emirates

     6/20/2017        6/28/2017        8  
     6/21/2017        6/29/2017        8  
     6/22/2017        7/3/2017        11  
     8/28/2017        9/5/2017        8  
     8/29/2017        9/6/2017        8  
     8/30/2017        9/7/2017        8  

 

* These worst-case redemption cycles are based on information regarding regular holidays, which may be out of date. Based on changes in holidays, longer (worse) redemption cycles are possible.

DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE

The NAV per share of the fund is calculated on each day, Monday through Friday, except days on which the NYSE is closed. As of the date of this SAI, the NYSE is normally open for trading every weekday except in the event of an emergency or for the following holidays (or the days on which they are observed): New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Please see the Prospectus for a description of the procedures used by the fund in valuing its assets.

PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

Subject to such policies as may be established by the Board from time to time, the subadviser is primarily responsible for the fund’s portfolio decisions and the placing of the fund’s portfolio transactions and Western Asset manages the portion of the fund’s cash and short-term instruments allocated to it.

The cost of securities purchased from underwriters includes an underwriting commission, concession or a net price. Debt securities purchased and sold by the fund generally are traded on a net basis (i.e., without a commission) through dealers acting for their own account and not as brokers, or otherwise involve transactions directly with the issuer of the instrument. This means that a dealer makes a market for securities by offering to buy at one price and selling the security at a slightly higher price. The difference between the prices is known as a “spread.” Other portfolio transactions may be executed through brokers acting as agents. The fund will pay a spread or commission in connection with such transactions. Commissions are negotiated with brokers on such transactions.

Pursuant to the Subadvisory Agreement, the subadviser is authorized to place orders pursuant to its investment determinations for the fund either directly with the issuer or with any broker or dealer, foreign currency dealer, futures commission merchant or others selected by it. The general policy of the subadviser in selecting brokers and dealers is to obtain the best results achievable in the context of a number of factors which are considered both in relation to individual trades and broader trading patterns, including the reliability of the

 

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broker/dealer, the competitiveness of the price and the commission, the research services received and whether the broker/dealer commits its own capital.

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

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

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

Aggregate Brokerage Commissions Paid

As the fund has not commenced operations as of the date of this SAI, the fund paid no commissions for brokerage transactions as of the date of this SAI.

In certain instances there may be securities that are suitable as an investment for the fund as well as for one or more of the other clients of the subadviser. Investment decisions for the fund and for the subadviser’s other clients are made with a view to achieving their respective investment objectives. It may develop that a particular security is bought or sold for only one client even though it might be held by, or bought or sold for, other clients. Likewise, a particular security may be bought for one or more clients when one or more clients are selling the same security. Some simultaneous transactions are inevitable when several clients receive investment advice from the same investment adviser, particularly when the same security is suitable for the investment objectives of more than one client. When two or more clients are simultaneously engaged in the purchase or sale of the same security, the securities are allocated among clients in a manner believed to be equitable to each. It is recognized that in some cases this system could adversely affect the price of or the size of the position obtainable in a

 

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security for the fund. When purchases or sales of the same security for the fund and for other portfolios managed by the subadviser occur contemporaneously, the purchase or sale orders may be aggregated in order to obtain any price advantages available to large volume purchases or sales.

As the fund has not commenced operations as of the date of this SAI, the fund did not hold securities issued by its regular broker/dealers as of the date of this SAI.

DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

On each Business Day, before the commencement of trading in its shares on the Exchange, the fund will disclose on www.leggmason.com/etf the identities and quantities of the fund’s portfolio holdings that will form the basis for the fund’s calculation of NAV per share at the end of the Business Day. The manager, the subadviser, Western Asset and the fund will not disclose information concerning the identities and quantities of the portfolio securities held by the fund before such information is publicly disclosed and is available to the entire investing public. Personnel of such entities with knowledge about the composition of a Fund Deposit will be prohibited from disclosing such information to any other person, except as authorized in the course of their employment, until such information is made public. The Trust has executed confidentiality agreements with its service providers who are provided information about the Fund Deposit.

THE TRUST

The certificate of trust to establish Legg Mason ETF Investment Trust (referred to in this section as the “Trust”) was filed with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland on June 8, 2015. The Trust’s name was changed from Legg Mason ETF Equity Trust to Legg Mason ETF Investment Trust effective on February 15, 2017.

The Trust is a Maryland statutory trust. A Maryland statutory trust is an unincorporated business association that is established under, and governed by, Maryland law. Maryland law provides a statutory framework for the powers, duties, rights and obligations of the trustees and shareholders of the statutory trust, while the more specific powers, duties, rights and obligations of the trustees and the shareholders are determined by the trustees as set forth in the trust’s declaration of trust. Some of the more significant provisions of the Trust’s declaration of trust (the “Declaration”) are described below.

Shareholder Voting

The Declaration provides for shareholder voting as required by the 1940 Act or other applicable laws, but otherwise permits, consistent with Maryland law, actions by the trustees of the Trust (the “Trustees”) without seeking the consent of shareholders. The Trustees may, without shareholder approval, amend the Declaration or authorize the merger or consolidation of the Trust into another trust or entity, reorganize the Trust or any series or class into another trust or entity or a series or class of another entity, sell all or substantially all of the assets of the Trust or any series or class to another entity, or a series or class of another entity, or terminate the Trust or any series or class.

A fund is not required to hold an annual meeting of shareholders, but a fund will call special meetings of shareholders whenever required by the 1940 Act or by the terms of the Declaration. The Declaration provides for “dollar-weighted voting” which means that a shareholder’s voting power is determined, not by the number of shares he or she owns, but by the dollar value of those shares determined on the record date. All shareholders of record of all series and classes of the Trust vote together, except where required by the 1940 Act to vote separately by series or by class, or when the Trustees have determined that a matter affects only the interests of one or more series or classes of shares. There is no cumulative voting on any matter submitted to a vote of the shareholders.

 

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Election and Removal of Trustees

The Declaration provides that the Trustees may establish the number of Trustees and that vacancies on the Board may be filled by the remaining Trustees, except when election of Trustees by the shareholders is required under the 1940 Act. Trustees are then elected by a plurality of votes cast by shareholders at a meeting at which a quorum is present. The Declaration also provides that a mandatory retirement age may be set by action of two-thirds of the Trustees and that Trustees may be removed, with or without cause, by a vote of shareholders holding two-thirds of the voting power of the Trust, or by a vote of two-thirds of the remaining Trustees. The provisions of the Declaration relating to the election and removal of Trustees may not be amended without the approval of two-thirds of the Trustees.

Amendments to the Declaration

The Trustees are authorized to amend the Declaration without the vote of shareholders, but no amendment may be made that impairs the exemption from personal liability granted in the Declaration to persons who are or have been shareholders, Trustees, officers or employees of the Trust or that limits the rights to indemnification, advancement of expenses or insurance provided in the Declaration with respect to actions or omissions of persons entitled to indemnification, advancement of expenses or insurance under the Declaration prior to the amendment.

Issuance and Redemption of Shares

A fund may issue an unlimited number of shares for such consideration and on such terms as the Trustees may determine. All shares offered pursuant to the Prospectus of the fund, when issued, will be fully paid and nonassessable. Shareholders are not entitled to any appraisal, preemptive, conversion, exchange or similar rights, except as the Trustees may determine. A fund may involuntarily redeem a shareholder’s shares upon certain conditions as may be determined by the Trustees, including, for example, if the shareholder fails to provide a fund with identification required by law, or if the fund is unable to verify the information received from the shareholder. Additionally, as discussed below, shares may be redeemed in connection with the closing of small accounts.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the Trustees may in their sole discretion determine that shares of any series or class shall be issued and redeemed only in aggregations of such number of shares and at such time as may be determined by, or determined pursuant to procedures or methods prescribed or approved by, the Trustees from time to time with respect to any series or class. The number of shares comprising an aggregation for purposes of issuance or redemption with respect to any series or class are referred to as a “Creation Unit” and, collectively, as “Creation Units” (or such other term as the Trustees shall determine). The Trustees shall have the power, in connection with the issuance of any Creation Unit, to charge such transaction fees or other fees as the Trustees shall determine. In addition, the Trustees may, from time to time in their sole discretion, determine to change the number of shares constituting a Creation Unit. If the Trustees determine to issue shares of any series or class in Creation Units, then only shares of such series or class comprising a Creation Unit shall be redeemable by the Trust with respect to any applicable series or class. Unless the Trustees otherwise shall determine, there shall be no redemption of any partial or fractional Creation Unit.

Disclosure of Shareholder Holdings

The Declaration specifically requires shareholders, upon demand, to disclose to a fund information with respect to the direct and indirect ownership of shares in order to comply with various laws or regulations, and a fund may disclose such ownership if required by law or regulation, or as the Trustees otherwise decide.

 

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Small Accounts

The Declaration provides that a fund may close out a shareholder’s account by redeeming all of the shares in the account if the account falls below a minimum account size (which may vary by class) that may be set by the Trustees from time to time. Alternately, the Declaration permits a fund to assess a fee for small accounts (which may vary by class) and redeem shares in the account to cover such fees, or convert the shares into another share class that is geared to smaller accounts.

Series and Classes

The Declaration provides that the Trustees may establish series and classes in addition to those currently established and that the Trustees may determine the rights and preferences, limitations and restrictions, including qualifications for ownership, conversion and exchange features, minimum purchase and account size, expenses and charges, and other features of the series and classes. The Trustees may change any of those features, terminate any series or class, combine series with other series in the Trust, combine one or more classes of a series with another class in that series or convert the shares of one class into shares of another class. Each share of a fund, as a series of the Trust, represents an interest in the fund only and not in the assets of any other series of the Trust.

Shareholder, Trustee and Officer Liability

The Declaration provides that shareholders are not personally liable for the obligations of a fund and requires the fund to indemnify a shareholder against any loss or expense arising from any such liability. The fund will assume the defense of any claim against a shareholder for personal liability at the request of the shareholder. The Declaration further provides that a Trustee acting in his or her capacity as a Trustee is not personally liable to any person, other than the Trust or its shareholders, in connection with the affairs of the Trust. Each Trustee is required to perform his or her duties in good faith and in a manner he or she believes to be in the best interests of the Trust. All actions and omissions of Trustees are presumed to be in accordance with the foregoing standard of performance, and any person alleging the contrary has the burden of proving that allegation.

The Declaration limits a Trustee’s liability to the Trust or any shareholder to the fullest extent permitted under current Maryland law by providing that a Trustee is liable to the Trust or its shareholders for monetary damages only (a) to the extent that it is proved that he or she actually received an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services or (b) to the extent that a judgment or other final adjudication adverse to the Trustee is entered in a proceeding based on a finding in the proceeding that the Trustee’s action, or failure to act, was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty and was material to the cause of action adjudicated in the proceeding. The Declaration requires the Trust to indemnify any persons who are or who have been Trustees, officers or employees of the Trust to the fullest extent permitted by law against liability and expenses in connection with any claim or proceeding in which he or she is involved by virtue of having been a Trustee, officer or employee. In making any determination as to whether any person is entitled to the advancement of expenses in connection with a claim for which indemnification is sought, such person is entitled to a rebuttable presumption that he or she did not engage in conduct for which indemnification is not available.

The Declaration provides that any Trustee who serves as chair of the Board, a member or chair of a committee of the Board, lead independent Trustee, audit committee financial expert, or in any other similar capacity will not be subject to any greater standard of care or liability because of such position.

Derivative Actions

The Declaration provides a detailed process for the bringing of derivative actions by shareholders in order to permit legitimate inquiries and claims while avoiding the time, expense, distraction, and other harm that can be caused to a fund or its shareholders as a result of spurious shareholder demands and derivative actions. Prior to

 

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bringing a derivative action, a demand by no fewer than three unrelated shareholders must be made on the Trustees. The Declaration details information, certifications, undertakings and acknowledgements that must be included in the demand. The Trustees are not required to consider a demand that is not submitted in accordance with the requirements contained in the Declaration. The Declaration also requires that in order to bring a derivative action, the complaining shareholders must be joined in the action by shareholders owning, at the time of the alleged wrongdoing, at the time of demand, and at the time the action is commenced, shares representing at least 5% of the voting power of the affected funds. The Trustees have a period of 90 days, which may be extended by an additional 60 days, to consider the demand. If a majority of the Trustees who are considered independent for the purposes of considering the demand determine that a suit should be maintained, then the Trust will commence the suit and the suit will proceed directly and not derivatively. If a majority of the independent Trustees determines that maintaining the suit would not be in the best interests of the funds, the Trustees are required to reject the demand and the complaining shareholders may not proceed with the derivative action unless the shareholders are able to sustain the burden of proof to a court that the decision of the Trustees not to pursue the requested action was not consistent with the standard of performance required of the Trustees in performing their duties. If a demand is rejected, the complaining shareholders will be responsible for the costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by the Trust in connection with the consideration of the demand if, in the judgment of the independent Trustees, the demand was made without reasonable cause or for an improper purpose. If a derivative action is brought in violation of the Declaration, the shareholders bringing the action may be responsible for the funds’ costs, including attorneys’ fees.

The Declaration further provides that a fund shall be responsible for payment of attorneys’ fees and legal expenses incurred by a complaining shareholder only if required by law, and any attorneys’ fees that the fund is obligated to pay shall be calculated using reasonable hourly rates. The Declaration also requires that actions by shareholders against the Trust or a fund be brought only in federal court in Baltimore, Maryland, or if not permitted to be brought in federal court, then in state court in Baltimore, Maryland, and that the right to jury trial be waived to the fullest extent permitted by law.

TAXES

The following is a summary of certain material U.S. federal income tax considerations regarding the purchase, ownership and disposition of shares of the fund by U.S. persons. This summary does not address all of the potential U.S. federal income tax consequences that may be applicable to the fund or to all categories of investors, some of which may be subject to special tax rules. Current and prospective shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the specific federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of investing in the fund. The summary is based on the laws in effect on the date of this SAI and existing judicial and administrative interpretations thereof, all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect.

Taxation on Creations and Redemptions of Creation Units

An Authorized Participant generally will recognize either gain or loss upon the exchange of Deposit Securities for Creation Units. This gain or loss is calculated by taking the market value of the Creation Units purchased over the Authorized Participant’s aggregate basis in the Deposit Securities exchanged therefor. However, the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) may apply the wash sales rules to determine that any loss realized upon the exchange of Deposit Securities for Creation Units is not currently deductible. Authorized Participants should consult their own tax advisers. Current U.S. federal income tax laws dictate that capital gain or loss realized from the redemption of Creation Units will generally create long-term capital gain or loss if the Authorized Participant holds the Creation Units for more than one year, or short-term capital gain or loss if the Creation Units were held for one year or less, if the Creation Units are held as capital assets.

 

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The Fund and Its Investments

The fund intends to qualify to be treated as a regulated investment company under the Code each taxable year. To so qualify, the fund must, among other things: (a) derive at least 90% of its gross income in each taxable year from dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies, other income (including, but not limited to, gains from options, futures or forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities or currencies and net income derived from interests in QPTPs (i.e., partnerships that are traded on an established securities market or tradable on a secondary market, other than partnerships that derive 90% of their income from interest, dividends, capital gains and other traditionally permitted mutual fund income); and (b) diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of the fund’s taxable year, (i) at least 50% of the market value of the fund’s assets is represented by cash, securities of other regulated investment companies, U.S. government securities and other securities, with such other securities limited, in respect of any one issuer, to an amount not greater than 5% of the fund’s assets and not greater than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of its assets is invested in the securities (other than U.S. government securities or securities of other regulated investment companies) of any one issuer, any two or more issuers of which 20% or more of the voting stock is held by the fund and that are determined to be engaged in the same or similar trades or businesses or related trades or businesses or in the securities of one or more QPTPs.

Although in general the passive loss rules of the Code do not apply to regulated investment companies, such rules do apply to a regulated investment company with respect to items attributable to interests in QPTPs. Fund investments in partnerships, including in QPTPs, may result in the fund being subject to state, local or foreign income, franchise or withholding tax liabilities.

As a regulated investment company, the fund will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on its net investment income (i.e., income other than its net realized long-term and short-term capital gains) and its net realized long-term and short-term capital gains, if any, that it distributes to its shareholders, provided an amount equal to at least (i) 90% of the sum of its investment company taxable income (i.e., its taxable income minus the excess, if any, of its net realized long-term capital gains over its net realized short-term capital losses (including any capital loss carryovers), plus or minus certain other adjustments as specified in the Code) and (ii) 90% of its net tax-exempt income for the taxable year is distributed to its shareholders in compliance with the Code’s timing and other requirements. However, any taxable income or gain the fund does not distribute will be subject to tax at regular corporate rates.

The Code imposes a 4% nondeductible excise tax on the fund to the extent it does not distribute by the end of any calendar year at least 98% of its ordinary income for that year and at least 98.2% of its capital gain net income (both long-term and short-term) for the one-year period ending, as a general rule, on October 31 of that year. For this purpose, however, any ordinary income or capital gain net income retained by the fund that is subject to corporate income tax will be considered to have been distributed by year-end. In addition, the minimum amounts that must be distributed in any year to avoid the excise tax will be increased or decreased to reflect any underdistribution or overdistribution, as the case may be, from the previous year. The fund anticipates that it will pay such dividends and will make such distributions as are necessary in order to avoid the application of this excise tax.

If, in any taxable year, the fund fails to qualify as a regulated investment company under the Code or fails to meet the distribution requirement, it will be taxed in the same manner as an ordinary corporation and distributions to its shareholders will not be deductible by the fund in computing its taxable income. In addition, in the event of a failure to qualify, the fund’s distributions, to the extent derived from the fund’s current or accumulated earnings and profits, will constitute dividends that are taxable to shareholders as ordinary income, even though those distributions might otherwise (at least in part) have been treated in the shareholders’ hands as long-term capital gains. However, such dividends will be eligible (i) to be treated as qualified dividend income in the case of shareholders taxed as individuals and (ii) for the dividends received deduction in the case of corporate shareholders. Moreover, if the fund

 

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fails to qualify as a regulated investment company in any year, it must pay out its earnings and profits accumulated in that year in order to qualify again as a regulated investment company. If the fund fails to qualify as a regulated investment company for a period greater than two taxable years, the fund may be required to recognize any net built-in gains with respect to certain of its assets (i.e., the excess of the aggregate gains, including items of income, over aggregate losses that would have been realized with respect to such assets if the fund had been liquidated) in order to qualify as a regulated investment company in a subsequent year.

The fund’s transactions in foreign currencies, forward contracts, options and futures contracts (including options and futures contracts on foreign currencies) will be subject to special provisions of the Code (including provisions relating to “hedging transactions” and “straddles”) that, among other things, may affect the character of gains and losses realized by the fund (i.e., may affect whether gains or losses are ordinary or capital), accelerate recognition of income to the fund and defer fund losses. These rules could therefore affect the character, amount and timing of distributions to shareholders. These provisions also (a) will require the fund to mark-to-market certain types of the positions in its portfolio (i.e., treat them as if they were closed out at the end of each year) and (b) may cause the fund to recognize income without receiving cash with which to pay dividends or make distributions in amounts necessary to satisfy the distribution requirements for avoiding income and excise taxes. The fund will monitor its transactions, will make the appropriate tax elections and will make the appropriate entries in its books and records when it acquires any foreign currency, forward contract, option, futures contract or hedged investment in order to mitigate the effect of these rules and prevent disqualification of the fund as a regulated investment company.

The fund’s investments in so-called “section 1256 contracts,” such as regulated futures contracts, most foreign currency forward contracts traded in the interbank market and options on most stock indexes, are subject to special tax rules. All section 1256 contracts held by the fund at the end of its taxable year are required to be marked to their market value, and any unrealized gain or loss on those positions will be included in the fund’s income as if each position had been sold for its fair market value at the end of the taxable year. The resulting gain or loss will be combined with any gain or loss realized by the fund from positions in section 1256 contracts closed during the taxable year. Provided such positions were held as capital assets and were not part of a “hedging transaction” nor part of a “straddle,” 60% of the resulting net gain or loss will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss, and 40% of such net gain or loss will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss, regardless of the period of time the positions were actually held by the fund.

As a result of entering into swap contracts, the fund may make or receive periodic net payments. The fund may also make or receive a payment when a swap is terminated prior to maturity through an assignment of the swap or other closing transaction. Periodic net payments will generally constitute ordinary income or deductions, while termination of a swap will generally result in capital gain or loss (which will be a long-term capital gain or loss if the fund has been a party to the swap for more than one year). With respect to certain types of swaps, the fund may be required to currently recognize income or loss with respect to future payments on such swaps or may elect under certain circumstances to mark such swaps to market annually for tax purposes as ordinary income or loss. The tax treatment of many types of credit default swaps is uncertain.

The fund may be required to treat amounts as taxable income or gain, subject to the distribution requirements referred to above, even though no corresponding amounts of cash are received concurrently, as a result of (a) mark-to-market, constructive sale or rules applicable to PFICs (as defined below) or partnerships or trusts in which the fund invests or to certain options, futures or forward contracts, or “appreciated financial positions” or (b) the inability to obtain cash distributions or other amounts due to currency controls or restrictions on repatriation imposed by a foreign country with respect to the fund’s investments (including through depositary receipts) in issuers in such country or (c) tax rules applicable to debt obligations acquired with “original issue discount,” including zero-coupon or deferred payment bonds and pay-in-kind debt obligations, or to market discount if an election is made with respect to such market discount. The fund may therefore be required to obtain cash to be used to satisfy these distribution requirements by selling securities at times that it might not otherwise be desirable to do so or borrowing the necessary cash, thereby incurring interest expenses.

 

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In certain situations, the fund may, for a taxable year, defer all or a portion of its capital losses and currency losses realized after October (or if there is no net capital loss, then any net long-term or short-term capital loss) and its late-year ordinary losses (defined as the sum of the excess of post-October foreign currency and PFIC losses over post-October foreign currency and PFIC gains plus the excess of post-December ordinary losses over post-December ordinary income) realized after December until the next taxable year in computing its investment company taxable income and net capital gain, which will defer the recognition of such realized losses. Such deferrals and other rules regarding gains and losses realized after October (or December) may affect the tax character of shareholder distributions.

In general, gain or loss on a short sale is recognized when the fund closes the sale by delivering the borrowed property to the lender, not when the borrowed property is sold. Gain or loss from a short sale is generally considered as capital gain or loss to the extent that the property used to close the short sale constitutes a capital asset in the fund’s hands. Except with respect to certain situations where the property used by the fund to close a short sale has a long-term holding period on the date of the short sale, special rules would generally treat the gains on short sales as short-term capital gains. These rules may also terminate the running of the holding period of “substantially identical property” held by the fund. Moreover, a loss on a short sale will be treated as a long-term capital loss if, on the date of the short sale, “substantially identical property” has been held by the fund for more than one year. In general, the fund will not be permitted to deduct payments made to reimburse the lender of securities for dividends paid on borrowed stock if the short sale is closed on or before the 45th day after the short sale is entered into. In the event that the fund were to experience an ownership change as defined under the Code, the fund’s loss carryforwards, if any, may be subject to limitation.

Foreign Investments. Dividends, interest and proceeds from the sale of foreign securities may be subject to non-U.S. withholding income and other taxes, including financial transaction taxes. Even if the fund is entitled to seek a refund in respect of such taxes, it may choose not to. Tax conventions between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate such taxes in some cases. Foreign taxes paid by the fund will reduce the return from the fund’s investments.

Under Section 988 of the Code, gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates between the time the fund accrues income or receivables or expenses or other liabilities denominated in a foreign currency and the time the fund actually collects such income or pays such liabilities are generally treated as ordinary income or ordinary loss. In general, gains (and losses) realized on debt instruments will be treated as Section 988 gain (or loss) to the extent attributable to changes in exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and the currencies in which the instruments are denominated. Similarly, gains or losses on foreign currency, foreign currency forward contracts, certain foreign currency options or futures contracts and the disposition of debt securities denominated in foreign currency, to the extent attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates between the acquisition and disposition dates, are also treated as ordinary income or loss unless the fund were to elect otherwise.

Passive Foreign Investment Companies. If the fund purchases shares in certain foreign investment entities, called “passive foreign investment companies” (“PFICs”), it may be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a portion of any “excess distribution” or gain from the disposition of such shares even if such income is distributed as a taxable dividend by the fund to its shareholders. Additional charges in the nature of interest may be imposed on the fund in respect of deferred taxes arising from such distributions or gains.

If the fund were to invest in a PFIC and elect to treat the PFIC as a “qualified electing fund” under the Code, in lieu of the foregoing requirements, the fund might be required to include in income each year a portion of the ordinary earnings and net capital gains of the qualified electing fund, even if not distributed to the fund, and such amounts would be subject to the 90% and excise tax distribution requirements described above. In order to make this election, the fund would be required to obtain certain annual information from the PFICs in which it invests, which may be difficult or impossible to obtain.

Alternatively, the fund may, in certain cases, make a mark-to-market election that will result in the fund being treated as if it had sold and repurchased its PFIC stock at the end of each year. In such case, the fund would report

 

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any such gains as ordinary income and would deduct any such losses as ordinary losses to the extent of previously recognized gains. The election must be made separately for each PFIC owned by the fund and, once made, would be effective for all subsequent taxable years, unless revoked with the consent of the IRS. By making the election, the fund could potentially ameliorate the adverse tax consequences with respect to its ownership of shares in a PFIC, but in any particular year may be required to recognize income in excess of the distributions it receives from PFICs and its proceeds from dispositions of PFIC stock. The fund may have to distribute this “phantom” income and gain to satisfy the 90% distribution requirement and to avoid imposition of the 4% excise tax.

The fund will make the appropriate tax elections, if possible, and take any additional steps that are necessary to mitigate the effect of these rules.

Taxation of U.S. Shareholders

Dividends and Distributions. Dividends and other distributions by the fund are generally treated under the Code as received by the shareholders at the time the dividend or distribution is made. However, any dividend declared by the fund in October, November or December of any calendar year and payable to shareholders of record on a specified date in such a month shall be deemed to have been received by each shareholder on December 31 of such calendar year and to have been paid by the fund not later than such December 31, provided such dividend is actually paid by the fund during January of the following calendar year. The fund intends to distribute annually to its shareholders substantially all of its investment company taxable income, and any net realized long-term capital gains in excess of net realized short-term capital losses (including any capital loss carryovers). However, if the fund retains for investment an amount equal to all or a portion of its net long-term capital gains in excess of its net short-term capital losses (including any capital loss carryovers), it will be subject to a corporate tax (at a maximum rate of 35%) on the amount retained. In that event, the fund will designate such retained amounts as undistributed capital gains in a notice to its shareholders who (a) will be required to include in income for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as long-term capital gains, their proportionate shares of the undistributed amount, (b) will be entitled to credit their proportionate shares of the 35% tax paid by the fund on the undistributed amount against their U.S. federal income tax liabilities, if any, and to claim refunds to the extent their credits exceed their liabilities, if any, and (c) will be entitled to increase their tax basis, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, in their shares by an amount equal to 65% of the amount of undistributed capital gains included in the shareholder’s income. Organizations or persons not subject to federal income tax on such capital gains will be entitled to a refund of their pro rata share of such taxes paid by the fund upon filing appropriate returns or claims for refund with the IRS.

Dividends of net investment income and distributions of net realized short-term capital gains are taxable to a U.S. shareholder as ordinary income, whether paid in cash or in shares. Distributions of net realized long-term capital gains, if any, that the fund reports as capital gains dividends are taxable as long-term capital gains, whether paid in cash or in shares and regardless of how long a shareholder has held shares of the fund. Such dividends will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction. Dividends and distributions paid by the fund attributable to dividends on stock of U.S. corporations received by the fund, with respect to which the fund meets certain holding period requirements, will be eligible for the deduction for dividends received by corporations. Special rules apply, however, to regular dividends paid to individuals. Such a dividend may be subject to tax at the rates generally applicable to long-term capital gains for individuals (15% for individuals with incomes below approximately $415,000 ($465,000 if married filing jointly), 20% for individuals with any income above those amounts that is long-term capital gain and 0% at certain income levels; the above threshold amounts will be adjusted annually for inflation), provided that the individual receiving the dividend satisfies certain holding period and other requirements. Dividends subject to these special rules are not actually treated as capital gains, however, and thus are not included in the computation of an individual’s net capital gain and generally cannot be used to offset capital losses. The long-term capital gains rates will apply to: (a) 100% of the regular dividends paid by the fund to an individual in a particular taxable year if 95% or more of the fund’s gross income (ignoring gains attributable to the sale of stocks and securities except to the extent net short-term capital gain from such sales exceeds net long-term capital loss from such sales) in that taxable year is attributable to qualified dividend income received by the fund; or

 

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(b) the portion of the regular dividends paid by the fund to an individual in a particular taxable year that is attributable to qualified dividend income received by the fund in that taxable year if such qualified dividend income accounts for less than 95% of the fund’s gross income (ignoring gains attributable to the sale of stocks and securities except to the extent net short-term capital gain from such sales exceeds net long-term capital loss from such sales) for that taxable year. For this purpose, “qualified dividend income” generally means income from dividends received by the fund from U.S. corporations and qualified foreign corporations, provided that the fund satisfies certain holding period requirements in respect of the stock of such corporations and has not hedged its position in the stock in certain ways. Also, dividends received by the fund from a REIT or another regulated investment company generally are qualified dividend income only to the extent the dividend distributions are made out of qualified dividend income received by such REIT or other regulated investment company. In the case of securities lending transactions, payments in lieu of dividends are not qualified dividend income. If a shareholder elects to treat fund dividends as investment income for purposes of the limitation on the deductibility of investment interest, such dividends would not be qualified dividend income.

If an individual receives a regular dividend qualifying for the long-term capital gains rates and such dividend constitutes an “extraordinary dividend,” and the individual subsequently recognizes a loss on the sale or exchange of stock in respect of which the extraordinary dividend was paid, then the loss will be long-term capital loss to the extent of such extraordinary dividend. An “extraordinary dividend” on common stock for this purpose is generally a dividend (a) in an amount greater than or equal to 10% of the taxpayer’s tax basis (or trading value) in a share of stock, aggregating dividends with ex-dividend dates within an 85-day period or (b) in an amount greater than 20% of the taxpayer’s tax basis (or trading value) in a share of stock, aggregating dividends with ex-dividend dates within a 365-day period. Distributions in excess of the fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits will, as to each shareholder, be treated as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of a shareholder’s basis in his shares of the fund, and as a capital gain thereafter (if the shareholder holds his shares of the fund as capital assets).

Investors considering buying shares just prior to the record date for a taxable dividend or capital gain distribution should be aware that, although the price of shares just purchased at that time may reflect the amount of the forthcoming distribution, such dividend or distribution may nevertheless be taxable to them. If the fund is the holder of record of any stock on the record date for any dividends payable with respect to such stock, such dividends are included in the fund’s gross income not as of the date received but as of the later of (a) the date such stock became ex-dividend with respect to such dividends (i.e., the date on which a buyer of the stock would not be entitled to receive the declared, but unpaid, dividends) or (b) the date the fund acquired such stock. Accordingly, in order to satisfy its income distribution requirements, the fund may be required to pay dividends based on anticipated earnings, and shareholders may receive dividends in an earlier year than would otherwise be the case.

Under current law, the fund serves to block unrelated business taxable income (“UBTI”) from being realized by its tax-exempt shareholders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a tax-exempt shareholder could realize UBTI by virtue of its investment in the fund if shares in the fund constitute debt-financed property in the hands of the tax-exempt shareholder within the meaning of Code Section 514(b). Certain types of income received by the fund from REITs, real estate mortgage investment conduits, taxable mortgage pools or other investments may cause the fund to designate some or all of its distributions as “excess inclusion income.” To fund shareholders such excess inclusion income may (a) constitute taxable income, as UBTI for those shareholders who would otherwise be tax-exempt such as individual retirement accounts, 401(k) accounts, Keogh plans, pension plans and certain charitable entities; (b) not be offset by otherwise allowable deductions for tax purposes; (c) not be eligible for reduced U.S. withholding for non-U.S. shareholders even from tax treaty countries; and (d) cause the fund to be subject to tax if certain “disqualified organizations” as defined by the Code are fund shareholders. If a charitable remainder annuity trust or charitable remainder unitrust (each as defined in Code Section 664) has UBTI for a tax year, a 100% excise tax on the UBTI is imposed on the trust.

Sales of Shares. Upon the sale or exchange of his shares, a shareholder will realize a taxable gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized and his or her basis in the shares. Such gain or loss will be

 

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treated as capital gain or loss if the shares are capital assets in the shareholder’s hands, and will be long-term capital gain or loss if the shares are held for more than one year and short-term capital gain or loss if the shares are held for one year or less. Any loss realized on a sale or exchange will be disallowed to the extent the shares disposed of are replaced, including replacement through the reinvesting of dividends and capital gains distributions in the fund, within a 61-day period beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the disposition of the shares. In such a case, the basis of the shares acquired will be increased to reflect the disallowed loss. Any loss realized by a shareholder on the sale of a fund share held by the shareholder for six months or less will be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any distributions or deemed distributions of long-term capital gains received by the shareholder with respect to such share during such six month period.

Backup Withholding. The fund may be required to withhold, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, 28% of the dividends, distributions and redemption proceeds payable to shareholders who fail to provide the fund with their correct taxpayer identification number or to make required certifications, or who have been notified by the IRS that they are subject to backup withholding. Certain shareholders are exempt from backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax and any amount withheld may be credited against a shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability.

If the fund is held through a qualified retirement plan entitled to tax exempt treatment for federal income tax purposes, distributions will generally not be taxable currently. Special tax rules apply to such retirement plans. You should consult your tax adviser regarding the tax treatment of distributions (which may include amounts attributable to fund distributions) which may be taxable when distributed from the retirement plan.

Other Taxes

Dividends, distributions and redemption proceeds may also be subject to additional state, local and foreign taxes depending on each shareholder’s particular situation.

If a shareholder recognizes a loss with respect to the fund’s shares of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder, the shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on Form 8886. Direct shareholders of portfolio securities are in many cases excepted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, shareholders of a regulated investment company are not excepted. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayer’s treatment of the loss is proper. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.

Taxation of Non-U.S. Shareholders

Dividends paid by the fund to non-U.S. shareholders are generally subject to withholding tax at a 30% rate or a reduced rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty to the extent derived from investment income and short-term capital gains. In order to obtain a reduced rate of withholding, a non-U.S. shareholder will be required to provide an IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E certifying its entitlement to benefits under a treaty. The withholding tax does not apply to regular dividends paid to a non-U.S. shareholder who provides a Form W-8ECI, certifying that the dividends are effectively connected with the non-U.S. shareholder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States. Instead, the effectively connected dividends will be subject to regular U.S. income tax as if the non-U.S. shareholder were a U.S. shareholder. A non-U.S. corporation receiving effectively connected dividends may also be subject to additional “branch profits tax” imposed at a rate of 30% (or lower treaty rate). A non-U.S. shareholder who fails to provide an IRS Form W-8BEN, IRS Form W-8BEN-E or other applicable form may be subject to backup withholding at the appropriate rate.

In general, U.S. federal withholding tax will not apply to any gain or income realized by a non-U.S. shareholder in respect of any distributions of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses, exempt-interest dividends, or upon the sale or other disposition of shares of the fund.

 

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Properly reported dividends are generally exempt from U.S. federal withholding tax where they (a) are paid in respect of the fund’s “qualified net interest income” (generally, the fund’s U.S. source interest income, other than certain contingent interest and interest from obligations of a corporation or partnership in which the fund is at least a 10% shareholder, reduced by expenses that are allocable to such income) or (b) are paid in respect of the fund’s “qualified short-term capital gains” (generally, the excess of the fund’s net short-term capital gain over the fund’s long-term capital loss for such taxable year). However, depending on its circumstances, the fund may report all, some or none of its potentially eligible dividends as such qualified net interest income or as qualified short-term capital gains and/or treat such dividends, in whole or in part, as ineligible for this exemption from withholding. In order to qualify for this exemption from withholding, a non-U.S. shareholder will need to comply with applicable certification requirements relating to its non-U.S. status (including, in general, furnishing an applicable IRS Form W-8 or substitute Form). In the case of shares held through an intermediary, the intermediary may withhold even if the fund reports the payment as qualified net interest income or qualified short-term capital gain. Non-U.S. shareholders should contact their intermediaries with respect to the application of these rules to their accounts.

Distributions that the fund reports as “short-term capital gain dividends” or “long-term capital gain dividends” will not be treated as such to a recipient non-U.S. shareholder if the distribution is attributable to gain received from the sale or exchange of U.S. real property or an interest in a U.S. real property holding corporation and the fund’s direct or indirect interests in U.S. real property exceed certain levels. Instead, if the non-U.S. shareholder has not owned more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the fund at any time during the one year period ending on the date of distribution, such distributions will be subject to 30% withholding by the fund and will be treated as ordinary dividends to the non-U.S. shareholder; if the non-U.S. shareholder owned more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the fund at any time during the one year period ending on the date of the distribution, such distribution will be treated as real property gain subject to 35% withholding tax and could subject the non-U.S. shareholder to U.S. filing requirements. Additionally, if the fund’s direct or indirect interests in U.S. real property were to exceed certain levels, a non-U.S. shareholder realizing gains upon redemption from the fund could be subject to the 35% withholding tax and U.S. filing requirements unless more than 50% of the fund’s shares were owned by U.S. persons at such time or unless the non-U.S. person had not held more than 5% of the fund’s outstanding shares throughout either such person’s holding period for the redeemed shares or, if shorter, the previous five years.

In addition, the same rules apply with respect to distributions to a non-U.S. shareholder from the fund and redemptions of a non-U.S. shareholder’s interest in the fund attributable to a REIT’s distribution to the fund of gain from the sale or exchange of U.S. real property or an interest in a U.S. real property holding corporation, if the fund’s direct or indirect interests in U.S. real property were to exceed certain levels.

The rules laid out in the previous two paragraphs, other than the withholding rules, will apply notwithstanding the fund’s participation in a wash sale transaction or its payment of a substitute dividend.

Under legislation known as “FATCA” (the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act), the fund will be required to withhold 30% of certain ordinary dividends it pays and 30% of the gross proceeds of share redemptions and certain capital gain dividends it pays after December 31, 2018, to shareholders that fail to meet prescribed information reporting or certification requirements. In general, no such withholding will be required with respect to a U.S. person or non-U.S. individual that timely provides the certifications required by the fund or its agent on a valid IRS Form W-9 or W-8, respectively. Shareholders potentially subject to withholding include foreign financial institutions (“FFIs”), such as non-U.S. investment funds, and non-financial foreign entities (“NFFEs”). To avoid withholding under FATCA, an FFI generally must enter into an information sharing agreement with the IRS in which it agrees to report certain identifying information (including name, address, and taxpayer identification number) with respect to its U.S. account holders (which, in the case of an entity shareholder, may include its direct and indirect U.S. owners), and an NFFE generally must identify and provide other required information to the fund or other withholding agent regarding its U.S. owners, if any. Such non-U.S. shareholders also may fall into certain exempt, excepted or deemed compliant categories as established by regulations and

 

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other guidance. A non-U.S. shareholder resident or doing business in a country that has entered into an intergovernmental agreement with the U.S. to implement FATCA will be exempt from FATCA withholding provided that the shareholder and the applicable foreign government comply with the terms of such agreement.

Non-U.S. investors should consult their own tax advisers regarding the impact of these requirements on their investment in the fund. The tax consequences to a non-U.S. shareholder entitled to claim the benefits of an applicable tax treaty may be different from those described here. Foreign shareholders should consult their own tax advisers with respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in the fund, including the applicability of non-U.S. taxes.

Shares of the fund held by a non-U.S. shareholder at death will be considered situated in the United States and subject to the U.S. estate tax.

The foregoing is only a summary of certain material U.S. federal income tax consequences affecting the fund and its shareholders. Current and prospective shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in the fund.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

As the fund has not commenced operations as of the date of this SAI, no financial information is available as of the date of this SAI.

 

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APPENDIX A

ClearBridge Investments, LLC

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

ESG Proxy Voting Guidelines

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

 

I. TYPES OF ACCOUNTS FOR WHICH CLEARBRIDGE VOTES PROXIES

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

 

II. GENERAL GUIDELINES

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

 

III. HOW CLEARBRIDGE VOTES

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

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

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

 

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IV. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

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

 

  A. Procedures for Identifying Conflicts of Interest

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

 

  1. ClearBridge’s employees are periodically reminded of their obligation (i) to be aware of the potential for conflicts of interest on the part of ClearBridge with respect to voting proxies on behalf of client accounts both as a result of their personal relationships or personal or business relationships relating to another Legg Mason business unit, and (ii) to bring conflicts of interest of which they become aware to the attention of ClearBridge’s General Counsel/Chief Compliance Officer.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

  B. Procedures for Assessing Materiality of Conflicts of Interest and for Addressing Material Conflicts of Interest

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

   

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

 

   

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

 

   

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

 

   

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

A written record of the method used to resolve a material conflict of interest shall be maintained.

 

  C. Third Party Proxy Voting Firm - Conflicts of Interest

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

 

V. VOTING POLICY

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

 

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

 

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  A. Election of Directors

 

  1. Voting on Director Nominees in Uncontested Elections.

 

  a. We withhold our vote from a director nominee who:

 

   

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

 

   

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

 

   

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

 

   

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

 

   

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

 

  b. We vote for all other director nominees.

 

  2. Chairman and CEO is the Same Person.

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

 

   

Designation of a lead director

 

   

Majority of independent directors (supermajority)

 

   

All independent key committees

 

   

Size of the company (based on market capitalization)

 

   

Established governance guidelines

 

   

Company performance

 

  3. Majority of Independent Directors

 

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

 

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

 

  4. Stock Ownership Requirements

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

 

  5. Term of Office

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

 

  6. Director and Officer Indemnification and Liability Protection

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

  7. Director Qualifications

 

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

 

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

 

  B. Proxy Contests

 

  1. Voting for Director Nominees in Contested Elections

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

 

  2. Reimburse Proxy Solicitation Expenses

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

 

  C. Auditors

 

  1. Ratifying Auditors

We vote for proposals to ratify auditors, unless an auditor has a financial interest in or association with the company, and is therefore not independent; or there is reason to believe that the independent

 

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

 

  2. Financial Statements and Director and Auditor Reports

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

 

  3. Remuneration of Auditors

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

 

  4. Indemnification of Auditors

We vote against proposals to indemnify auditors.

 

  D. Proxy Contest Defenses

 

  1. Board Structure: Staggered vs. Annual Elections

 

  a. We vote against proposals to classify the board.

 

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

 

  2. Shareholder Ability to Remove Directors

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

  3. Cumulative Voting

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

  4. Majority Voting

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

 

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adopt a post-election director resignation policy setting guidelines for the company to follow to promptly address situations involving holdover directors.

 

  5. Shareholder Ability to Call Special Meetings

 

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

 

  b. We vote for proposals that provide shareholders with the ability to call special meetings, taking into account a minimum ownership threshold of 10 percent (and investor ownership structure, depending on bylaws).

 

  6. Shareholder Ability to Act by Written Consent

 

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

 

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

 

  7. Shareholder Ability to Alter the Size of the Board

 

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

 

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

 

  8. Advance Notice Proposals

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

 

  9. Amendment of By-Laws

 

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

 

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

 

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

We review on a case-by-case basis all proposals seeking amendments to the articles of association.

We vote for article amendments if:

 

   

shareholder rights are protected;

 

   

there is negligible or positive impact on shareholder value;

 

   

management provides adequate reasons for the amendments; and

 

   

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

 

  E. Tender Offer Defenses

 

  1. Poison Pills

 

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

 

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

 

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  c. We vote on a case-by-case basis on management proposals to ratify a poison pill. Considerations include: sunset provision - poison pill is submitted to shareholders for ratification or rejection every 2 to 3 years; shareholder redemption feature -10% of the shares may call a special meeting or seek a written consent to vote on rescinding the rights plan.

 

  2. Fair Price Provisions

 

  a. We vote for fair price proposals, as long as the shareholder vote requirement embedded in the provision is no more than a majority of disinterested shares.

 

  b. We vote for shareholder proposals to lower the shareholder vote requirement in existing fair price provisions.

 

  3. Greenmail

 

  a. We vote for proposals to adopt anti-greenmail charter or bylaw amendments or otherwise restrict a company’s ability to make greenmail payments.

 

  b. We vote on a case-by-case basis on anti-greenmail proposals when they are bundled with other charter or bylaw amendments.

 

  4. Unequal Voting Rights

 

  a. We vote against dual class exchange offers.

 

  b. We vote against dual class re-capitalization.

 

  5. Supermajority Shareholder Vote Requirement to Amend the Charter or Bylaws

 

  a. We vote against management proposals to require a supermajority shareholder vote to approve charter and bylaw amendments.

 

  b. We vote for shareholder proposals to lower supermajority shareholder vote requirements for charter and bylaw amendments.

 

  6. Supermajority Shareholder Vote Requirement to Approve Mergers

 

  a. We vote against management proposals to require a supermajority shareholder vote to approve mergers and other significant business combinations.

 

  b. We vote for shareholder proposals to lower supermajority shareholder vote requirements for mergers and other significant business combinations.

 

  7. White Squire Placements

We vote for shareholder proposals to require approval of blank check preferred stock issues.

 

  F. Miscellaneous Governance Provisions

 

  1. Confidential Voting

 

  a. We vote for shareholder proposals that request corporations to adopt confidential voting, use independent tabulators and use independent inspectors of election as long as the proposals include clauses for proxy contests as follows: in the case of a contested election, management is permitted to request that the dissident group honor its confidential voting policy. If the dissidents agree, the policy remains in place. If the dissidents do not agree, the confidential voting policy is waived.

 

  b. We vote for management proposals to adopt confidential voting subject to the proviso for contested elections set forth in sub-paragraph A.1 above.

 

 

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  2. Equal Access

We vote for shareholder proposals that would allow significant company shareholders equal access to management’s proxy material in order to evaluate and propose voting recommendations on proxy proposals and director nominees, and in order to nominate their own candidates to the board.

 

  3. Bundled Proposals

We vote on a case-by-case basis on bundled or “conditioned” proxy proposals. In the case of items that are conditioned upon each other, we examine the benefits and costs of the packaged items. In instances when the joint effect of the conditioned items is not in shareholders’ best interests and therefore not in the best interests of the beneficial owners of accounts, we vote against the proposals. If the combined effect is positive, we support such proposals.

 

  4. Shareholder Advisory Committees

We vote on a case-by-case basis on proposals to establish a shareholder advisory committee. Considerations include: rationale and cost to the firm to form such a committee. We generally vote against such proposals if the board and key nominating committees are comprised solely of independent/outside directors.

 

  5. Other Business

We vote for proposals that seek to bring forth other business matters.

 

  6. Adjourn Meeting

We vote on a case-by-case basis on proposals that seek to adjourn a shareholder meeting in order to solicit additional votes.

 

  7. Lack of Information

We vote against proposals if a company fails to provide shareholders with adequate information upon which to base their voting decision.

 

  G. Capital Structure

 

  1. Common Stock Authorization

 

  a. We vote on a case-by-case basis on proposals to increase the number of shares of common stock authorized for issue, except as described in paragraph 2 below.

 

  b. Subject to paragraph 3, below we vote for the approval requesting increases in authorized shares if the company meets certain criteria:

 

   

Company has already issued a certain percentage (i.e. greater than 50%) of the company’s allotment.

 

   

The proposed increase is reasonable (i.e. less than 150% of current inventory) based on an analysis of the company’s historical stock management or future growth outlook of the company.

 

  c. We vote on a case-by-case basis, based on the input of affected portfolio managers, if holding is greater than 1% of an account.

 

  2. Stock Distributions: Splits and Dividends

We vote on a case-by-case basis on management proposals to increase common share authorization for a stock split, provided that the split does not result in an increase of authorized but unissued shares of more than 100% after giving effect to the shares needed for the split.

 

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  3. Reverse Stock Splits

We vote for management proposals to implement a reverse stock split, provided that the reverse split does not result in an increase of authorized but unissued shares of more than 100% after giving effect to the shares needed for the reverse split.

 

  4. Blank Check Preferred Stock

 

  a. We vote against proposals to create, authorize or increase the number of shares with regard to blank check preferred stock with unspecified voting, conversion, dividend distribution and other rights.

 

  b. We vote for proposals to create “declawed” blank check preferred stock (stock that cannot be used as a takeover defense).

 

  c. We vote for proposals to authorize preferred stock in cases where the company specifies the voting, dividend, conversion, and other rights of such stock and the terms of the preferred stock appear reasonable.

 

  d. We vote for proposals requiring a shareholder vote for blank check preferred stock issues.

 

  5. Adjust Par Value of Common Stock

We vote for management proposals to reduce the par value of common stock.

 

  6. Preemptive Rights

 

  a. We vote on a case-by-case basis for shareholder proposals seeking to establish them and consider the following factors:

 

   

Size of the Company.

 

   

Characteristics of the size of the holding (holder owning more than 1% of the outstanding shares).

 

   

Percentage of the rights offering (rule of thumb less than 5%).

 

  b. We vote on a case-by-case basis for shareholder proposals seeking the elimination of pre-emptive rights.

 

  7. Debt Restructuring

We vote on a case-by-case basis for proposals to increase common and/or preferred shares and to issue shares as part of a debt-restructuring plan. Generally, we approve proposals that facilitate debt restructuring.

 

  8. Share Repurchase Programs

We vote for management proposals to institute open-market share repurchase plans in which all shareholders may participate on equal terms.

 

  9. Dual-Class Stock

We vote for proposals to create a new class of nonvoting or sub voting common stock if:

 

   

It is intended for financing purposes with minimal or no dilution to current shareholders

 

   

It is not designed to preserve the voting power of an insider or significant shareholder

 

  10. Issue Stock for Use with Rights Plan

We vote against proposals that increase authorized common stock for the explicit purpose of implementing a shareholder rights plan (poison pill).

 

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  11. Debt Issuance Requests

When evaluating a debt issuance request, the issuing company’s present financial situation is examined. The main factor for analysis is the company’s current debt-to- equity ratio, or gearing level. A high gearing level may incline markets and financial analysts to downgrade the company’s bond rating, increasing its investment risk factor in the process. A gearing level up to 100 percent is considered acceptable.

We vote for debt issuances for companies when the gearing level is between zero and 100 percent.

We view on a case-by-case basis proposals where the issuance of debt will result in the gearing level being greater than 100 percent. Any proposed debt issuance is compared to industry and market standards.

 

  12. Financing Plans

We generally vote for the adopting of financing plans if we believe they are in the best economic interests of shareholders.

 

  H. Executive and Director Compensation

In general, we vote for executive and director compensation plans, with the view that viable compensation programs reward the creation of stockholder wealth by having high payout sensitivity to increases in shareholder value. Certain factors, however, such as repricing underwater stock options without shareholder approval, would cause us to vote against a plan. Additionally, in some cases we would vote against a plan deemed unnecessary.

 

  1. OBRA-Related Compensation Proposals

 

  a. Amendments that Place a Cap on Annual Grant or Amend Administrative Features

We vote for plans that simply amend shareholder-approved plans to include administrative features or place a cap on the annual grants any one participant may receive to comply with the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

  b. Amendments to Added Performance-Based Goals

We vote for amendments to add performance goals to existing compensation plans to comply with the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

  c. Amendments to Increase Shares and Retain Tax Deductions Under OBRA

We vote for amendments to existing plans to increase shares reserved and to qualify the plan for favorable tax treatment under the provisions of Section 162(m) the Internal Revenue Code.

 

  d. Approval of Cash or Cash-and-Stock Bonus Plans

We vote for cash or cash-and-stock bonus plans to exempt the compensation from taxes under the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

  2. Expensing of Options

We vote for proposals to expense stock options on financial statements.

 

  3. Index Stock Options

We vote on a case by case basis with respect to proposals seeking to index stock options. Considerations include whether the issuer expenses stock options on its financial statements and whether the issuer’s compensation committee is comprised solely of independent directors.

 

  4. Shareholder Proposals to Limit Executive and Director Pay

 

  a.

We vote on a case-by-case basis on all shareholder proposals that seek additional disclosure of executive and director pay information. Considerations include: cost and form of

 

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  disclosure. We vote for such proposals if additional disclosure is relevant to shareholder’s needs and would not put the company at a competitive disadvantage relative to its industry.

 

  b. We vote on a case-by-case basis on all other shareholder proposals that seek to limit executive and director pay.

We have a policy of voting to reasonably limit the level of options and other equity- based compensation arrangements available to management to reasonably limit shareholder dilution and management compensation. For options and equity-based compensation arrangements, we vote FOR proposals or amendments that would result in the available awards being less than 10% of fully diluted outstanding shares (i.e. if the combined total of shares, common share equivalents and options available to be awarded under all current and proposed compensation plans is less than 10% of fully diluted shares). In the event the available awards exceed the 10% threshold, we would also consider the % relative to the common practice of its specific industry (e.g. technology firms). Other considerations would include, without limitation, the following:

 

   

Compensation committee comprised of independent outside directors

 

   

Maximum award limits

 

   

Repricing without shareholder approval prohibited

 

   

3-year average burn rate for company

 

   

Plan administrator has authority to accelerate the vesting of awards

 

   

Shares under the plan subject to performance criteria

 

  5. Golden Parachutes

 

  a. We vote for shareholder proposals to have golden parachutes submitted for shareholder ratification.

 

  b. We vote on a case-by-case basis on all proposals to ratify or cancel golden parachutes. Considerations include: the amount should not exceed 3 times average base salary plus guaranteed benefits; golden parachute should be less attractive than an ongoing employment opportunity with the firm.

 

  6. Golden Coffins

 

  a. We vote for shareholder proposals that request a company not to make any death benefit payments to senior executives’ estates or beneficiaries, or pay premiums in respect to any life insurance policy covering a senior executive’s life (“golden coffin”). We carve out benefits provided under a plan, policy or arrangement applicable to a broader group of employees, such as offering group universal life insurance.

 

  b. We vote for shareholder proposals that request shareholder approval of survivor benefits for future agreements that, following the death of a senior executive, would obligate the company to make payments or awards not earned.

 

  7. Anti Tax Gross-up Policy

 

  a. We vote for proposals that ask a company to adopt a policy whereby it will not make, or promise to make, any tax gross-up payment to its senior executives, except for tax gross-ups provided pursuant to a plan, policy, or arrangement applicable to management employees of the company generally, such as relocation or expatriate tax equalization policy; we also vote for proposals that ask management to put gross-up payments to a shareholder vote.

 

  b.

We vote against proposals where a company will make, or promise to make, any tax gross-up payment to its senior executives without a shareholder vote, except for tax gross-ups

 

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  provided pursuant to a plan, policy, or arrangement applicable to management employees of the company generally, such as relocation or expatriate tax equalization policy.

 

  8. Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs)

We vote for proposals that request shareholder approval in order to implement an ESOP or to increase authorized shares for existing ESOPs, except in cases when the number of shares allocated to the ESOP is “excessive” (i.e., generally greater than five percent of outstanding shares).

 

  9. Employee Stock Purchase Plans

 

  a. We vote for qualified plans where all of the following apply:

 

   

The purchase price is at least 85 percent of fair market value

 

   

The offering period is 27 months or less

 

   

The number of shares allocated to the plan is five percent or less of outstanding shares

If the above do not apply, we vote on a case-by-case basis.

 

  b. We vote for non-qualified plans where all of the following apply:

 

   

All employees of the company are eligible to participate (excluding 5 percent or more beneficial owners)

 

   

There are limits on employee contribution (ex: fixed dollar amount)

 

   

There is a company matching contribution with a maximum of 25 percent of an employee’s contribution

 

   

There is no discount on the stock price on purchase date (since there is a company match)

If the above do not apply, we vote against the non-qualified employee stock purchase plan.

 

  10. 401(k) Employee Benefit Plans

We vote for proposals to implement a 401(k) savings plan for employees.

 

  11. Stock Compensation Plans

 

  a. We vote for stock compensation plans which provide a dollar-for-dollar cash for stock exchange.

 

  b. We vote on a case-by-case basis for stock compensation plans which do not provide a dollar-for-dollar cash for stock exchange using a quantitative model.

 

  12. Directors Retirement Plans

 

  a. We vote against retirement plans for non-employee directors.

 

  b. We vote for shareholder proposals to eliminate retirement plans for non-employee directors.

 

  13. Management Proposals to Reprice Options

We vote on a case-by-case basis on management proposals seeking approval to reprice options. Considerations include the following:

 

   

Historic trading patterns

 

   

Rationale for the repricing

 

   

Value-for-value exchange

 

   

Option vesting

 

   

Term of the option

 

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Exercise price

 

   

Participation

 

  14. Shareholder Proposals Recording Executive and Director Pay

 

  a. We vote against shareholder proposals seeking to set absolute levels on compensation or otherwise dictate the amount or form of compensation.

 

  b. We vote against shareholder proposals requiring director fees be paid in stock only.

 

  c. We vote for shareholder proposals to put option repricing to a shareholder vote.

 

  d. We vote for shareholder proposals that call for a non-binding advisory vote on executive pay (“say-on-pay”). Company boards would adopt a policy giving shareholders the opportunity at each annual meeting to vote on an advisory resolution to ratify the compensation of the named executive officers set forth in the proxy statement’s summary compensation table.

 

  e. We vote “annual” for the frequency of say-on-pay proposals rather than once every two or three years.

 

  f. We vote on a case-by-case basis for all other shareholder proposals regarding executive and director pay, taking into account company performance, pay level versus peers, pay level versus industry, and long term corporate outlook.

 

  15. Management Proposals On Executive Compensation

 

  a. For non-binding advisory votes on executive officer compensation, when management and the external service provider agree, we vote for the proposal. When management and the external service provider disagree, the proposal becomes a refer item. In the case of a Refer item, the factors under consideration will include the following:

 

   

Company performance over the last 1-, 3- and 5-year periods on a total shareholder return basis

 

   

Performance metrics for short- and long-term incentive programs

 

   

CEO pay relative to company performance (is there a misalignment)

 

   

Tax gross-ups to senior executives

 

   

Change-in-control arrangements

 

   

Presence of a clawback provision, ownership guidelines, or stock holding requirements for senior executives

 

  b. We vote “annual” for the frequency of say-on-pay proposals rather than once every two or three years.

 

  16. Stock Retention / Holding Period of Equity Awards

We vote on a case-by-case basis on shareholder proposals asking companies to adopt policies requiring senior executives to retain all or a significant (>50 percent) portion of their shares acquired through equity compensation plans, either:

 

   

While employed and/or for one to two years following the termination of their employment; or

 

   

For a substantial period following the lapse of all other vesting requirements for the award, with ratable release of a portion of the shares annually during the lock-up period

 

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The following factors will be taken into consideration:

 

   

Whether the company has any holding period, retention ratio, or named executive officer ownership requirements currently in place

 

   

Actual stock ownership of the company’s named executive officers

 

   

Policies aimed at mitigating risk taking by senior executives

 

   

Pay practices at the company that we deem problematic

 

  I. State/Country of Incorporation

 

  1. Voting on State Takeover Statutes

 

  a. We vote for proposals to opt out of state freeze-out provisions

 

  b. We vote for proposals to opt out of state disgorgement provisions.

 

  2. Voting on Re-incorporation Proposals

We vote on a case-by-case basis on proposals to change a company’s state or country of incorporation. Considerations include: reasons for re-incorporation (i.e. financial, restructuring, etc); advantages/benefits for change (i.e. lower taxes); compare the differences in state/country laws governing the corporation.

 

  3. Control Share Acquisition Provisions

 

  a. We vote against proposals to amend the charter to include control share acquisition provisions.

 

  b. We vote for proposals to opt out of control share acquisition statutes unless doing so would enable the completion of a takeover that would be detrimental to shareholders.

 

  c. We vote for proposals to restore voting rights to the control shares.

 

  d. We vote for proposals to opt out of control share cashout statutes.

 

  J. Mergers and Corporate Restructuring

 

  1. Mergers and Acquisitions

We vote on a case-by-case basis on mergers and acquisitions. Considerations include: benefits/advantages of the combined companies (i.e. economies of scale, operating synergies, increase in market power/share, etc…); offer price (premium or discount); change in the capital structure; impact on shareholder rights.

 

  2. Corporate Restructuring

We vote on a case-by-case basis on corporate restructuring proposals involving minority squeeze outs and leveraged buyouts. Considerations include: offer price, other alternatives/offers considered and review of fairness opinions.

 

  3. Spin-offs

We vote on a case-by-case basis on spin-offs. Considerations include the tax and regulatory advantages, planned use of sale proceeds, market focus, and managerial incentives.

 

  4. Asset Sales

We vote on a case-by-case basis on asset sales. Considerations include the impact on the balance sheet/working capital, value received for the asset, and potential elimination of diseconomies.

 

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  5. Liquidations

We vote on a case-by-case basis on liquidations after reviewing management’s efforts to pursue other alternatives, appraisal value of assets, and the compensation plan for executives managing the liquidation.

 

  6. Appraisal Rights

We vote for proposals to restore, or provide shareholders with, rights of appraisal.

 

  7. Changing Corporate Name

We vote for proposals to change the “corporate name”, unless the proposed name change bears a negative connotation.

 

  8. Conversion of Securities

We vote on a case-by-case basis on proposals regarding conversion of securities. Considerations include the dilution to existing shareholders, the conversion price relative to market value, financial issues, control issues, termination penalties, and conflicts of interest.

 

  9. Stakeholder Provisions

We vote against proposals that ask the board to consider non-shareholder constituencies or other non-financial effects when evaluating a merger or business combination.

 

  K. Social and Environmental Issues

 

  1. In general we vote on a case-by-case basis on shareholder social and environmental proposals, on the basis that their impact on share value may be difficult to quantify. In most cases, however, we vote for disclosure reports that seek additional information, particularly when it appears the company has not adequately addressed shareholders’ social and environmental concerns. In determining our vote on shareholder social and environmental proposals, we also analyze the following factors:

 

  a. whether adoption of the proposal would have either a positive or negative impact on the company’s short-term or long-term share value;

 

  b. the percentage of sales, assets and earnings affected;

 

  c. the degree to which the company’s stated position on the issues could affect its reputation or sales, or leave it vulnerable to boycott or selective purchasing;

 

  d. whether the issues presented should be dealt with through government or company-specific action;

 

  e. whether the company has already responded in some appropriate manner to the request embodied in a proposal;

 

  f. whether the company’s analysis and voting recommendation to shareholders is persuasive;

 

  g. what other companies have done in response to the issue;

 

  h. whether the proposal itself is well framed and reasonable;

 

  i. whether implementation of the proposal would achieve the objectives sought in the proposal; and

 

  j. whether the subject of the proposal is best left to the discretion of the board.

 

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  2. Among the social and environmental issues to which we apply this analysis are the following:

a. Energy Efficiency and Resource Utilization

 

  b. Environmental Impact and Climate Change

 

  c. Human Rights and Impact on Communities of Corporate Activities

 

  d. Equal Employment Opportunity and Non Discrimination

 

  e. ILO Standards and Child/Slave Labor

 

  f. Product Integrity and Marketing

 

  g. Sustainability Reporting

 

  h. Board Representation

 

  i. Animal Welfare

 

  L. Miscellaneous

 

  1. Charitable Contributions

We vote against proposals to eliminate, direct or otherwise restrict charitable contributions.

 

  2. Political Contributions

In general, we vote on a case-by-case basis on shareholder proposals pertaining to political contributions. In determining our vote on political contribution proposals we consider, among other things, the following:

 

   

Does the company have a political contributions policy publicly available

 

   

How extensive is the disclosure on these documents

 

   

What oversight mechanisms the company has in place for approving/reviewing political contributions and expenditures

 

   

Does the company provide information on its trade association expenditures

 

   

Total amount of political expenditure by the company in recent history

 

  3. Operational Items

 

  a. We vote against proposals to provide management with the authority to adjourn an annual or special meeting absent compelling reasons to support the proposal.

 

  b. We vote against proposals to reduce quorum requirements for shareholder meetings below a majority of the shares outstanding unless there are compelling reasons to support the proposal.

 

  c. We vote for by-law or charter changes that are of a housekeeping nature (updates or corrections).

 

  d. We vote for management proposals to change the date/time/location of the annual meeting unless the proposed change is unreasonable.

 

  e. We vote against shareholder proposals to change the date/time/location of the annual meeting unless the current scheduling or location is unreasonable.

 

  f. We vote against proposals to approve other business when it appears as voting item.

 

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  4. Routine Agenda Items

In some markets, shareholders are routinely asked to approve:

 

   

the opening of the shareholder meeting

 

   

that the meeting has been convened under local regulatory requirements

 

   

the presence of a quorum

 

   

the agenda for the shareholder meeting

 

   

the election of the chair of the meeting

 

   

regulatory filings

 

   

the allowance of questions

 

   

the publication of minutes

 

   

the closing of the shareholder meeting

We generally vote for these and similar routine management proposals.

 

  5. Allocation of Income and Dividends

We generally vote for management proposals concerning allocation of income and the distribution of dividends, unless the amount of the distribution is consistently and unusually small or large.

 

  6. Stock (Scrip) Dividend Alternatives

 

  a. We vote for most stock (scrip) dividend proposals.

 

  b. We vote against proposals that do not allow for a cash option unless management demonstrates that the cash option is harmful to shareholder value.

ClearBridge has determined that registered investment companies, particularly closed end investment companies, raise special policy issues making specific voting guidelines frequently inapplicable. To the extent that ClearBridge has proxy voting authority with respect to shares of registered investment companies, ClearBridge shall vote such shares in the best interest of client accounts and subject to the general fiduciary principles set forth herein without regard to the specific voting guidelines set forth in Section V. A. through L.

The voting policy guidelines set forth in Section V may be changed from time to time by ClearBridge in its sole discretion.

 

VI. OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

In certain situations, ClearBridge may determine not to vote proxies on behalf of a client because ClearBridge believes that the expected benefit to the client of voting shares is outweighed by countervailing considerations. Examples of situations in which ClearBridge may determine not to vote proxies on behalf of a client include:

 

  A. Share Blocking

Proxy voting in certain countries requires “share blocking.” This means that shareholders wishing to vote their proxies must deposit their shares shortly before the date of the meeting (e.g. one week) with a designated depositary. During the blocking period, shares that will be voted at the meeting cannot be sold until the meeting has taken place and the shares have been returned to client accounts by the designated depositary. In deciding whether to vote shares subject to share blocking, ClearBridge will consider and weigh, based on the particular facts and circumstances, the expected benefit to clients of voting in relation to the detriment to clients of not being able to sell such shares during the applicable period.

 

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  B. Securities on Loan

Certain clients of ClearBridge, such as an institutional client or a mutual fund for which ClearBridge acts as a sub-adviser, may engage in securities lending with respect to the securities in their accounts. ClearBridge typically does not direct or oversee such securities lending activities. To the extent feasible and practical under the circumstances, ClearBridge will request that the client recall shares that are on loan so that such shares can be voted if ClearBridge believes that the expected benefit to the client of voting such shares outweighs the detriment to the client of recalling such shares (e.g., foregone income). The ability to timely recall shares for proxy voting purposes typically is not entirely within the control of ClearBridge and requires the cooperation of the client and its other service providers. Under certain circumstances, the recall of shares in time for such shares to be voted may not be possible due to applicable proxy voting record dates and administrative considerations.

 

VII. DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING

ClearBridge employees may not disclose to others outside of ClearBridge (including employees of other Legg Mason business units) how ClearBridge intends to vote a proxy absent prior approval from ClearBridge’s General Counsel/Chief Compliance Officer, except that a ClearBridge investment professional may disclose to a third party (other than an employee of another Legg Mason business unit) how s/he intends to vote without obtaining prior approval from ClearBridge’s General Counsel/Chief Compliance Officer if (1) the disclosure is intended to facilitate a discussion of publicly available information by ClearBridge personnel with a representative of a company whose securities are the subject of the proxy, (2) the company’s market capitalization exceeds $1 billion and (3) ClearBridge has voting power with respect to less than 5% of the outstanding common stock of the company.

If a ClearBridge employee receives a request to disclose ClearBridge’s proxy voting intentions to, or is otherwise contacted by, another person outside of ClearBridge (including an employee of another Legg Mason business unit) in connection with an upcoming proxy voting matter, he/she should immediately notify ClearBridge’s General Counsel/Chief Compliance Officer.

If a portfolio manager wants to take a public stance with regards to a proxy, s/he must consult with ClearBridge’s General Counsel/Chief Compliance Officer before making or issuing a public statement.

 

VIII. RECORDKEEPING AND OVERSIGHT

ClearBridge shall maintain the following records relating to proxy voting:

 

   

a copy of these policies and procedures;

 

   

a copy of each proxy form (as voted);

 

   

a copy of each proxy solicitation (including proxy statements) and related materials with regard to each vote;

 

   

documentation relating to the identification and resolution of conflicts of interest;

 

   

any documents created by ClearBridge that were material to a proxy voting decision or that memorialized the basis for that decision; and

 

   

a copy of each written client request for information on how ClearBridge voted proxies on behalf of the client, and a copy of any written response by ClearBridge to any (written or oral) client request for information on how ClearBridge voted proxies on behalf of the requesting client.

Such records shall be maintained and preserved in an easily accessible place for a period of not less than six years from the end of the fiscal year during which the last entry was made on such record, the first two years in an appropriate office of the ClearBridge adviser.

 

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To the extent that ClearBridge is authorized to vote proxies for a United States Registered Investment Company, ClearBridge shall maintain such records as are necessary to allow such fund to comply with its recordkeeping, reporting and disclosure obligations under applicable laws, rules and regulations.

In lieu of keeping copies of proxy statements, ClearBridge may rely on proxy statements filed on the EDGAR system as well as on third party records of proxy statements and votes cast if the third party provides an undertaking to provide the documents promptly upon request.

ClearBridge Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”)

Proxy Voting Guidelines

As an investment manager, ClearBridge has an obligation to vote proxies in the best interest of clients, considering their financial interests as well as their values and beliefs. When making a decision, ClearBridge will examine each resolution offered and the context in which it applies. For this reason, there may be certain instances in which shares may not be voted in strict adherence to these guidelines. The ESG Proxy Voting Guidelines are a supplement to ClearBridge Investments’ Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures. In the event of a conflict, the ESG policy will take precedence.

Following are the categories most frequently addressed in proxies and ClearBridge’s ESG positions.

Corporate Governance

The ESG Investment program’s guidelines for corporate governance proposals are the same as those of ClearBridge Investments’ Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures.

Corporate Political Activity

ClearBridge will typically support resolutions that ask a company to:

 

   

Disclose political contributions to intermediary groups that disburse funds to political campaigns, lobbying and/or trade associations

Environment, Health and Safety

ClearBridge will support resolutions that ask a company to:

 

   

Set targets and goals to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and other toxic emissions, increasing recycling efforts, and expanding the use of recycled materials in products and packaging.

 

   

Examine the impact of climate change policy-making on current positions and future strategic position, and report to shareholders on steps to manage climate-related risks.

 

   

Adopt an environmental, health and safety policy and to issue reports on its policies, practices, and performance.

 

   

Participate in public policy dialogues on strategic environmental, health and safety issues in their operating arena.

 

   

Incorporate life-cycle design in their business processes, addressing issues such as energy efficiency, renewable fuels, pollution prevention, waste minimization, and recycling and reuse.

 

   

Adopt environmentally friendly purchasing practices (e.g., pulp or lumber from sustainably managed forests).

 

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Increase transparency on sustainability reporting from the firm’s own operations. Disclose more information about environmental liabilities.

 

   

ClearBridge will vote on resolutions on industry-specific issues, such as genetically engineered products, on a case-by-case basis.

Human Rights

ClearBridge will typically support resolutions that ask corporations to:

 

   

Adopt a formal corporate-wide human rights policy.

 

   

Issue periodic reports on its human rights policies, practices, and performance.

 

   

Participate in public policy dialogue on critical human rights issues with grass-roots and other human rights groups, government, and other stakeholders, as appropriate.

 

   

Develop guidelines for their operations in countries associated with repressive regimes and report on those operations and their relationship with the governments in those countries.

 

   

Develop policies to ensure that they, as well as their vendors and other subcontractors, are not using forced or child labor.

 

   

Adhere to policies that conform to the International Labor Organization’s Core Conventions and the United Nations Universal Declaration on Human Rights.

 

   

ClearBridge will review on a case-by-case basis resolutions pertaining to a company’s operations in specific countries associated with repressive regimes.

Standards of Conduct

ClearBridge will support resolutions that ask corporations to:

 

   

Consider social, environmental, and human rights factors in site selection and other business decisions.

 

   

Develop codes of conduct to guide company policies, programs and operations across all their regions.

 

   

Develop standards for their vendors, suppliers and other business partners, with a particular focus on sweatshop labor, child labor, penal labor, and working conditions.

 

   

Engage independent parties to monitor company and vendor compliance with established codes and policies.

 

   

Publicly report on their progress towards implementing established codes and monitoring results.

 

   

ClearBridge will consider resolutions that ask companies to endorse specific external codes of conduct on a case-by-case basis.

Workplace and Workforce Diversity

ClearBridge will support resolutions that ask corporations to: