497 1 d497.htm LEGG MASON PARTNERS EQUITY TRUST LEGG MASON PARTNERS EQUITY TRUST

LEGG MASON INVESTORS TRUST, INC.

Legg Mason U.S. Small-Capitalization Value Trust

100 International Drive

Baltimore, Maryland 21202

Special Meeting of Shareholders to be held on November 24, 2009

 

September 30, 2009

 

Dear Shareholder:

 

You are being asked to vote on a proposed reorganization transaction related to your fund, Legg Mason U.S. Small-Capitalization Value Trust, a series of Legg Mason Investors Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation. Detailed information about the proposal is contained in the enclosed materials.

 

The Board of Directors of your fund has called a special meeting of shareholders (“Meeting”) for your fund to be held on November 24, 2009, at the offices of Legg Mason, Inc., 100 International Drive, 7th Floor, Baltimore, Maryland 21202, at 10:00 a.m., Eastern time, in order to consider and vote on the proposed transaction regarding your fund. The transaction involves a proposal to reorganize your fund into another fund (the “Reorganization”). The attached Proxy Statement/Prospectus asks for your approval of the proposed Reorganization for your fund. After careful consideration, the Board of your fund recommends that you vote “FOR” the proposed Reorganization.

 

Your vote is very important to us regardless of the number of shares you own. Whether or not you plan to attend the Meeting in person, please read the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and authorize a proxy to vote promptly. To authorize a proxy to cast your vote, simply complete, sign and return the Proxy Card in the enclosed postage-paid envelope or follow the instructions on the Proxy Card for voting by touch-tone telephone or on the Internet.

 

It is important that your vote be received no later than the time of the Meeting.

 

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

David R. Odenath, President

Legg Mason Investors Trust, Inc.


LEGG MASON INVESTORS TRUST, INC.

Legg Mason U.S. Small-Capitalization Value Trust

 

 

 

IMPORTANT NEWS FOR SHAREHOLDERS

 

 

 

The enclosed combined Proxy Statement/Prospectus describes a proposal to reorganize your fund into a compatible fund. While we encourage you to read the full text of the enclosed combined Proxy Statement/Prospectus, here is a brief overview of the proposed fund reorganization. Please refer to the more complete information about the reorganization contained elsewhere in the combined Proxy Statement/Prospectus.

 

 

 

COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PROPOSED REORGANIZATION

 

  Q. WHY IS A SHAREHOLDER MEETING BEING HELD?

 

A. The Board of your fund (the “Board”) has approved a reorganization, subject to shareholder approval, under which your fund would be combined with another Legg Mason-affiliated fund that has investment objectives and policies similar to your fund. If shareholders of your fund approve the reorganization, you would become a shareholder of Legg Mason Partners Small Cap Value Fund (the “acquiring fund”), a series of Legg Mason Partners Equity Trust.

 

  Q. HOW WILL THE REORGANIZATION AFFECT ME?

 

A. If the reorganization of your fund is approved, your fund’s assets and liabilities will be combined with the assets and liabilities of the acquiring fund and you will become a shareholder of the acquiring fund. You will receive shares of the acquiring fund having an aggregate net asset value equal to the aggregate net asset value of the shares of your fund that you own on the date of the reorganization.

 

If you own Class A or Class C shares, you will receive the same class of shares of the acquiring fund. If you own Institutional Class shares, you will receive Class I shares of the acquiring fund.

 

  Q. WHY IS THE REORGANIZATION BEING RECOMMENDED?

 

A. Your fund’s Board and management believe that the reorganization is in the best interests of shareholders. The reorganization is a part of management’s ongoing initiative to rationalize the funds in the Legg Mason family into a more cohesive product set, leverage management’s expertise within each style and eliminate overlapping funds. The Board believes that these factors are likely to result in efficiencies and economies of scale that will be beneficial to shareholders. The Board notes that the acquiring fund has had better average annual performance than your fund over the one- and five-year periods ended May 31, 2009, for the share classes outstanding during those periods. In addition, the Board believes that your fund has not attained a long-term viable size and is not likely to do so. The Board also believes that the proposed reorganization is preferable to liquidating your fund, as it will provide shareholders with the option of remaining in the acquiring fund.

 

  Q. ARE MY FUND’S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES SIMILAR TO THOSE OF THE ACQUIRING FUND?

 

A. Yes. There are, however, certain differences in investment objectives, principal investment policies and strategies, and principal risks between your fund and the acquiring fund. Please see “Summary—Comparison of Investment Objectives, Strategies and Principal Risks of Investing in the Funds” in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus. The following chart provides a brief summary of some of the more significant of these differences, as considered by the Board.


Reorganization

  

Significant Differences in Objectives and Strategies

•       Legg Mason U.S. Small-Capitalization Value Trust into Legg Mason Partners Small Cap Value Fund

   The funds have similar investment objectives. The acquiring fund seeks long-term capital growth and your fund’s investment objective is to seek long-term capital appreciation.
  

The principal investment policies of the funds differ as follows:

 

•     Investment Selection Process. The acquiring fund uses both quantitative and fundamental methods to make investment decisions. Your fund makes its investment decisions utilizing a stock exclusion process that eliminates stocks of companies based on certain price and earnings criteria and company-specific fundamentals.

 

•     Value Discipline. The acquiring fund looks for certain “value” attributes such as low stock price relative to earnings, book value, cash flow and high return on invested capital, while your fund considers value companies to be those in the lowest quartile of price/earnings or price-to-book valuation.

 

•     Size of Portfolio Companies. The acquiring fund defines small capitalization companies as those companies whose market capitalizations at the time of investment do not exceed (i) $3 billion or (ii) the highest month-end market capitalization value of any stock in the Russell 2000 Index for the previous 12 months, whichever is greater. Your fund defines small capitalization companies as those whose market capitalizations at the time of investment range between $50 million and the largest capitalization stock of either the Russell 2000 Small Cap Index or the S&P 600 Small Cap Index.

 

•     Equity Securities. The acquiring fund may invest in types of equity securities in which your fund does not currently intend to invest, such as warrants and rights.

 

•     Foreign Securities. While your fund does not intend to invest more than 5% of its net assets in foreign securities, the acquiring fund may invest up to 10% of its assets in foreign securities. Your fund may not invest in securities of issuers based in emerging markets, while the acquiring fund may invest in such securities.

 

•     Derivatives. The acquiring fund may use derivatives as a means of enhancing returns as well as for hedging purposes. Your fund does not currently intend to use futures and options and may only use forward currency contracts for hedging purposes.

 

•     Short Sales. The acquiring fund may engage in short sales if no more than 25% of its net assets are required for collateral. Your fund may only sell securities short “against the box” (i.e., the fund owns or has the right to obtain securities equivalent in kind and amount to the securities sold short).

 

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  Q. HOW WILL THE REORGANIZATION AFFECT FUND FEES AND EXPENSES?

 

A. The reorganization will have the following effects on the fees and expenses of the corresponding classes of your fund:

 

   

Gross total annual fund operating expenses of Class A, Class C and Class I shares of the acquiring fund are expected to be lower than gross total operating expenses of Class A, Class C and Institutional Class shares of your fund, respectively.

 

   

Your fund currently has voluntary expense caps in place for Class A, Class C and Institutional Class shares. The acquiring fund does not have such caps, and net total annual fund operating expenses are expected to be higher than your fund’s current net total operating expenses.

 

   

The effective management fee of the acquiring fund is lower than your fund’s current management fee.

 

Please see “Summary—Comparison of Fees and Expenses” in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus for a detailed breakdown of the fees and expenses paid by your fund in comparison with those paid by the acquiring fund.

 

  Q. WILL I HAVE TO PAY ANY SALES LOAD, CHARGE OR OTHER COMMISSION IN CONNECTION WITH THE REORGANIZATION?

 

A. No. No sales load, contingent deferred sales charge, commission, redemption fee or other transactional fee will be charged as a result of the reorganization. You will receive shares of the acquiring fund having an aggregate net asset value equal to the aggregate net asset value of the shares of your fund that you own on the date of the reorganization. The Board will adopt the valuation procedures of the acquiring fund before the closing date of the reorganization, so that you will receive full value for your shares upon completion of the reorganization.

 

  Q. WHAT IF I REDEEM OR EXCHANGE MY SHARES BEFORE THE CLOSING OF THE REORGANIZATION?

 

A. Redemptions or exchanges of fund shares that occur before the closing of the reorganization will be processed according to your fund’s policies and procedures in effect at the time of the redemption or exchange.

 

  Q. WILL MY SHAREHOLDER PRIVILEGES CHANGE AS A RESULT OF THE REORGANIZATION?

 

A. Generally, no. If you own Class A or Class C shares of your fund, you will receive the same class of shares of the acquiring fund. If you own Institutional Class shares of your fund, you will receive Class I shares of the acquiring fund.

 

Your current privilege to exchange shares of your fund for shares of other funds distributed by Legg Mason Investor Services, LLC will not change.

 

Please see “Summary—Comparison of Sales Loads, Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Arrangements and Purchase, Redemption and Exchange Policies and Procedures” and “Purchases, Redemptions and Exchanges of Fund Shares; Other Shareholder Information” in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus for a description of the differences among fund classes.

 

  Q. CAN I PURCHASE ADDITIONAL SHARES IN MY FUND PRIOR TO THE REORGANIZATION?

 

A. Yes. However, if the shareholders of your fund approve the reorganization, your fund will close to new purchases and exchanges five business days prior to the closing of the reorganization.

 

  Q. WILL I HAVE TO PAY ANY TAXES AS A RESULT OF THE REORGANIZATION?

 

A. The reorganization is intended to qualify as a tax-free transaction for federal income tax purposes. Assuming the reorganization of your fund qualifies for such treatment, you will not recognize a gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a direct result of the reorganization. As a condition to the closing of the reorganization, your fund will receive an opinion of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP to the effect that the reorganization will qualify for such treatment. Opinions of counsel are not binding on the Internal Revenue Service or the courts. You should talk to your tax adviser about any state, local and other tax consequences of your fund’s reorganization.

 

  Q. WHO WILL PAY FOR THE REORGANIZATION?

 

A. Your fund’s manager will be responsible for 100% of the fees, costs and expenses allocated to your fund in connection with the reorganization. The acquiring fund’s manager and the acquiring fund will each be responsible for 50% of

 

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the fees, costs and expenses allocated to the acquiring fund in connection with the reorganization. Transaction costs, if any, associated with repositioning a fund’s portfolio in connection with the reorganization will largely be borne by the acquiring fund after the reorganization.

 

Estimated costs of the reorganization have been allocated between your fund and the acquiring fund as follows: Legal—your fund: $70,000, the acquiring fund: $70,000; Audit—your fund: $5,000, the acquiring fund: $5,000; and Printing, postage, proxy out-of-pocket costs and proxy solicitation, mailing, reporting and tabulation costs (approximately $32,544)—all allocated to your fund.

 

Legg Mason, Inc., on behalf of your fund, has retained Computershare Fund Services, a proxy solicitation firm, to assist in the solicitation of proxies. It is anticipated that Computershare Fund Services will be paid approximately $29,500 for such solicitation services, to be borne by your fund’s manager as described above.

 

  Q. HOW DOES THE BOARD RECOMMEND THAT I VOTE?

 

A. The Board, including all of the independent Board members, unanimously recommends that you vote FOR the reorganization of your fund.

 

  Q. WHAT HAPPENS IF THE REORGANIZATION IS NOT APPROVED?

 

A. If the shareholders of your fund do not approve the reorganization of your fund, then you will remain a shareholder of your fund.

 

  Q. I AM AN INVESTOR WHO HOLDS A SMALL NUMBER OF SHARES. WHY SHOULD I VOTE?

 

A. Your vote makes a difference. If many shareholders like you fail to vote their proxies, your fund may not receive enough votes to go forward with the shareholder meeting, and additional costs will be incurred to solicit additional proxies.

 

  Q. WHEN IS THE REORGANIZATION OF MY FUND EXPECTED TO HAPPEN?

 

A. If shareholders approve the reorganization of your fund, the reorganization of your fund is expected to occur on or about December 4, 2009.

 

  Q. HOW CAN I VOTE?

 

A. In addition to voting in person at the Meeting or authorizing a proxy to vote by mail by returning the enclosed proxy card, you also may authorize a proxy to vote by either touch-tone telephone or online via the Internet, as follows:

 

To authorize a proxy to vote by touch-tone telephone:

  

To authorize a proxy to vote by Internet:

 

(1)    Read the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and have your Proxy Card at hand.

  

(1)    Read the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and have your Proxy Card at hand.

(2)    Call the toll-free number that appears on your Proxy Card.

  

(2)    Go to the website that appears on your Proxy Card.

(3)    Enter the control number set out on the Proxy Card and follow the simple instructions.

  

(3)    Enter the control number set out on the Proxy Card and follow the simple instructions.

 

  Q. WHO GETS TO VOTE?

 

A. If you owned shares of your fund at the close of business on September 14, 2009, you are entitled to vote those shares, even if you are no longer a shareholder of the fund.

 

  Q. WHOM DO I CALL IF I HAVE QUESTIONS?

 

A. If you need more information or have any questions about how to authorize a proxy to cast your vote, please call Computershare Fund Services, your fund’s proxy solicitor, at 1-888-985-2050.

 

Your vote is important. Please authorize a proxy to vote promptly to avoid the additional expense of another solicitation.

 

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LEGG MASON INVESTORS TRUST, INC.

a Maryland corporation

Legg Mason U.S. Small-Capitalization Value Trust

 

NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

To Be Held on November 24, 2009

 

Please take notice that a Special Meeting of Shareholders (the “Meeting”) of the above-referenced fund (the “Acquired Fund”), will be held at the offices of Legg Mason, Inc., 100 International Drive, 7th Floor, Baltimore, Maryland 21202, on November 24, 2009, at 10:00 a.m., Eastern time, for the following purposes:

 

PROPOSAL 1:    To consider and vote upon the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, providing for (i) the acquisition of all of the assets of the Acquired Fund, in exchange for the assumption of all of the liabilities of the Acquired Fund and for shares of Legg Mason Partners Small Cap Value Fund (the “Acquiring Fund”), a series of Legg Mason Partners Equity Trust, to be distributed to the shareholders of the Acquired Fund and (ii) the subsequent termination of the Acquired Fund:
PROPOSAL 2:    To transact such other business as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.

 

The appointed proxies will vote in their discretion on any other business as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.

 

Shareholders of record of the Acquired Fund at the close of business on September 14, 2009 are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Meeting and at any adjournments or postponements thereof.

 

YOUR VOTE ON THIS MATTER IS IMPORTANT. PLEASE AUTHORIZE A PROXY TO VOTE YOUR SHARES PROMPTLY BY SIGNING AND DATING THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD AND RETURNING IT IN THE ACCOMPANYING POSTAGE-PAID RETURN ENVELOPE OR BY FOLLOWING THE ENCLOSED INSTRUCTIONS TO AUTHORIZE A PROXY TO VOTE YOUR SHARES BY TELEPHONE OR OVER THE INTERNET.

 

By order of the Board of Directors,
LOGO
Richard M. Wachterman
Assistant Secretary
Legg Mason Investors Trust, Inc.

 

September 30, 2009


PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS

 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2009

 

PROSPECTUS FOR:

 

LEGG MASON PARTNERS EQUITY TRUST

Legg Mason Partners Small Cap Value Fund

(the “Acquiring Fund”)

 

55 Water Street

New York, New York 10041

1-800-822-5544

1-888-425-6432

 

PROXY STATEMENT FOR:

 

LEGG MASON INVESTORS TRUST, INC.

Legg Mason U.S. Small-Capitalization Value Trust

(the “Acquired Fund”)

 

(each a “Fund” and, collectively, the “Funds”)

 

100 International Drive

Baltimore, Maryland 21202

1-800-822-5544

1-888-425-6432

 

Until October 4, 2009, the Acquiring Fund’s name will remain Legg Mason Partners Small Cap Value Fund. Effective October 5, 2009, the Acquiring Fund’s name will change to Legg Mason ClearBridge Small Cap Value Fund. There will be no change in the Acquiring Fund’s investment objective or investment policies as a result of the name change.

 

This combined Proxy Statement and Prospectus (the “Proxy Statement/Prospectus”) is being furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of the Acquired Fund for a Special Meeting of Shareholders of the Acquired Fund (the “Meeting”). The Meeting will be held on November 24, 2009, at 10:00 a.m., Eastern time, at the offices of Legg Mason, Inc., 100 International Drive, 7th Floor, Baltimore, Maryland 21202. At the Meeting, shareholders of the Acquired Fund as of September 14, 2009 (the “Record Date”) will be asked to consider and act upon the following:

 

PROPOSAL 1:

     To approve the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization (the “Reorganization Agreement”), providing for (i) the acquisition of all of the assets of the Acquired Fund, in exchange for the assumption of all of the liabilities of the Acquired Fund and for shares of the Acquiring Fund to be distributed to the shareholders of the Acquired Fund (the “Reorganization”) and (ii) the subsequent termination of the Acquired Fund:

PROPOSAL 2:

     To transact such other business as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.


The Reorganization Agreement contemplates the transfer of all of the assets of the Acquired Fund to the Acquiring Fund, in exchange for the assumption of all of the liabilities of the Acquired Fund by the Acquiring Fund and for shares of the Acquiring Fund having an aggregate net asset value equal to the aggregate net asset value of the Acquired Fund. The Acquired Fund would then distribute to its shareholders the portion of the shares of the Acquiring Fund to which each such shareholder is entitled, with each shareholder receiving shares of the Acquiring Fund having an aggregate net asset value equal to the aggregate net asset value of the shares of the Acquired Fund held by that shareholder as of the close of business on the day of the closing of the Reorganization. Thereafter, the Acquired Fund would be terminated.

 

As a shareholder of the Acquired Fund, you are being asked to consider and vote upon the approval of the Reorganization Agreement pursuant to which the Reorganization of the Acquired Fund would be accomplished. Because the Reorganization will result in shareholders of the Acquired Fund holding shares of the Acquiring Fund, this Proxy Statement also serves as a Prospectus for the Acquiring Fund.

 

If the Reorganization of the Acquired Fund is approved, the shareholders of the Acquired Fund will receive shares of the Acquiring Fund according to the following chart:

 

Acquired Fund—Share Class Exchanged

  

Acquiring Fund—Share Class Received

Class A

Class C

Institutional Class

  

Class A

Class C

Class I

 

No sales charge will be imposed on the shares of the Acquiring Fund received by Acquired Fund shareholders in connection with the Reorganization. For more information about the classes of shares offered by each of the Funds, see “Summary—Comparison of Sales Loads, Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Arrangements and Purchase, Redemption and Exchange Policies and Procedures” and “Purchases, Redemptions and Exchanges of Fund Shares; Other Shareholder Information” in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus.

 

The Reorganization is being structured as a tax-free reorganization for federal income tax purposes. See “Information about the Proposed Reorganization—Federal Income Tax Consequences” below. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers to determine the actual impact of the Reorganization in light of their individual tax circumstances.

 

Each Fund is a series of an open-end management investment company. The investment objectives and principal investment strategies of the Acquired Fund are generally similar to those of the Acquiring Fund. There are certain differences, however, in investment objectives, policies, strategies and principal risks. Please see “Comparison of Investment Objectives, Strategies and Principal Risks of Investing in the Funds” in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus.

 

This Proxy Statement/Prospectus, which you should retain for future reference, sets forth concisely the information about the Acquiring Fund that a prospective investor should know before investing. A Statement of Additional Information (the “Reorganization SAI”) dated September 30, 2009, relating to this Proxy Statement/Prospectus and the Reorganization has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and is incorporated by reference into this Proxy Statement/Prospectus. A copy of the Reorganization SAI is available upon request and without charge by writing to the Acquiring Fund at the address listed above or calling Funds Investor Services at 1-800-822-5544 or Institutional Shareholder Services at 1-888-425-6432.

 

For more information regarding the Funds, see the current prospectuses and statements of additional information of the Funds (the “Fund SAIs”), filed with the SEC on the dates listed in “Additional Information about the Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund,” below. The prospectus of the Acquired Fund and each Fund SAI are incorporated into this Proxy Statement/Prospectus by reference. The prospectus of the Acquiring Fund is not being incorporated by reference.

 

The most recent annual report and the semi-annual report next succeeding such annual report, if any, for each Fund, which highlight certain important information such as investment performance and expense and financial information, have been filed with the SEC. You may request a copy of the prospectus, Fund SAI, annual report and semi-annual report for each Fund by calling 1-800-822-5544 or 1-888-425-6432, by writing to the Funds at the addresses listed above or by visiting the Funds’ website at www.leggmason.com/individualinvestors.

 

In addition, you can copy and review this Proxy Statement/Prospectus and the complete filing on Form N-14 containing the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and any of the above-referenced documents at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in

 

ii


Washington, DC. You may obtain information about the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-202-551-8090. Reports and other information about each Fund are available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s Internet site at www.sec.gov. You may also obtain copies of this information, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following
e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the SEC’s Public Reference Section, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20549.

 

A copy of the form of Reorganization Agreement pertaining to the Reorganization accompanies this Proxy Statement/Prospectus as Appendix A.

 

The information contained herein concerning the Acquired Fund has been provided by, and is included herein in reliance upon, the Acquired Fund. The information contained herein concerning the Acquiring Fund has been provided by, and is included herein in reliance upon, the Acquiring Fund.

 

THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION HAS NOT APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THESE SECURITIES NOR PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

 

iii


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page

SUMMARY

   1

Proposed Reorganization

   1

Certain Defined Terms Used in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus

   2

Comparison of Investment Objectives and Principal Investment Strategies

   2

Effect on Expenses

   3

Comparison of Fees and Expenses

   3

Comparison of Sales Loads, Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Arrangements and Purchase, Redemption and Exchange Policies and Procedures

   6

COMPARISON OF INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES, STRATEGIES AND PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUNDS

   7

Investment Objectives

   7

Primary Investment Policies and Strategies

   7

Risk Factors

   8

Fundamental Investment Restrictions

   10

Side-by-Side Comparison

   13

PURCHASES, REDEMPTIONS AND EXCHANGES OF FUND SHARES; OTHER SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

   16

INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED REORGANIZATION

   31

The Reorganization Agreement

   31

Description of the Acquiring Fund’s Shares

   32

Reasons for the Reorganization and Board Considerations

   32

Federal Income Tax Consequences

   33

Information Regarding Tax Capital Loss Carryovers

   33

TERMINATION OF THE ACQUIRED FUND

   34

PORTFOLIO SECURITIES

   35

INFORMATION ABOUT MANAGEMENT OF THE ACQUIRING FUND

   36

Investment Manager and Subadviser

   36

Certain Legal Proceedings

   36

Portfolio Managers of the Acquiring Fund

   38

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE ACQUIRED FUND AND THE ACQUIRING FUND

   41

Performance of the Funds

   41

Financial Highlights

   41

Distribution Arrangements

   41

FORM OF ORGANIZATION

   43

CAPITALIZATION

   47

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

   48

OTHER BUSINESS

   48

SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE BOARDS

   48

VOTING INFORMATION

   48

Proxy Solicitation

   49

Quorum

   49

Vote Required

   50

Effect of Abstentions and Broker “Non-Votes”

   50

Adjournments

   50

Future Shareholder Proposals

   50

Record Date and Outstanding Shares

   50

INDEX OF APPENDICES

   53

APPENDIX A: Form of Agreement and Plan of Reorganization

   A-1

APPENDIX B: Financial Highlights of Legg Mason Partners Small Cap Value Fund

   B-1

APPENDIX C: Historical Performance for Each Fund

   C-1

APPENDIX D: Instructions for Signing the Proxy Card

   D-1

 

I


SUMMARY

 

This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the additional information contained elsewhere in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus and the Reorganization Agreement, the form of which is attached to this Proxy Statement/Prospectus as Appendix A.

 

Proposed Reorganization

 

At meetings held on August 4-5 and August 5-6, 2009, respectively, the Board of the Acquiring Fund and the Board of the Acquired Fund, including all of the Board members who are not “interested persons” of the Funds under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) (“Independent Board Members”), unanimously approved the Reorganization Agreement. The Reorganization Agreement provides for:

 

1. the transfer of all of the assets of the Acquired Fund, in exchange for the assumption of all of the liabilities of the Acquired Fund and for shares of the Acquiring Fund having an aggregate net asset value equal to the aggregate net asset value of the shares of the Acquired Fund;

 

2. the distribution of shares of the Acquiring Fund to the shareholders of the Acquired Fund; and

 

3. the termination of the Acquired Fund.

 

The Reorganization Agreement is subject to approval by the shareholders of the Acquired Fund. The Reorganization, if approved by shareholders of the Acquired Fund, is scheduled to be effective as of the close of business on December 4, 2009, or on such later date as the parties may agree (“Closing Date”). As a result of the Reorganization of the Acquired Fund, each shareholder of the Acquired Fund will become the owner of the number of full and fractional shares of the Acquiring Fund having an aggregate net asset value equal to the aggregate net asset value of the shareholder’s Acquired Fund shares as of the close of business on the Closing Date. Class A and Class C shareholders of the Acquired Fund will receive the same class of shares of the Acquiring Fund. Institutional Class shareholders of the Acquired Fund will receive Class I shares of the Acquiring Fund. See “Information about the Proposed Reorganization” below. For more information about the classes of shares offered by the Funds, see “Summary—Comparison of Sales Loads, Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Arrangements and Purchase, Redemption and Exchange Policies and Procedures” below and “Purchases, Redemptions and Exchanges of Fund Shares; Other Shareholder Information” below.

 

For the reasons set forth below in “Information about the Proposed Reorganization—Reasons for the Reorganization and Board Considerations,” the Board of the Acquired Fund, including all of the Independent Board Members, has concluded that participation in the Reorganization of the Acquired Fund is in the best interests of the Acquired Fund and that the interests of the Acquired Fund’s existing shareholders would not be diluted as a result of the Reorganization. The Board, therefore, is hereby submitting the Reorganization Agreement to the shareholders of the Acquired Fund and recommending that shareholders of the Acquired Fund vote “FOR” the Reorganization Agreement effecting the Reorganization. The Board of the Acquiring Fund has also approved the Reorganization on behalf of the Acquiring Fund.

 

Approval of the Reorganization of the Acquired Fund will require the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Acquired Fund, as defined in the 1940 Act. A “majority of the outstanding voting securities” is defined in the 1940 Act as the lesser of (a) 67% or more of the voting securities present at the Meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Acquired Fund are present at the Meeting or represented by proxy, or (b) more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Acquired Fund. See “Voting Information” below.

 

As a condition to the closing of the Reorganization, each party to the Reorganization Agreement (other than Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (“LMPFA”)) must receive an opinion of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP to the effect that the Reorganization will be treated as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). Accordingly, subject to the limited exceptions described below under the heading “Information about the Proposed Reorganization—Federal Income Tax Consequences,” it is expected that neither the Acquired Fund nor its shareholders will recognize gain or loss as a result of the Reorganization, and that the aggregate tax basis of the Acquiring Fund shares received by each Acquired Fund shareholder will be the same as the aggregate tax basis of the shareholder’s Acquired Fund shares. For more information about the federal income tax consequences of the Reorganization, see “Information about the Proposed Reorganization—Federal Income Tax Consequences” below.

 

1


Some of the portfolio assets of the Acquired Fund may be sold in connection with the Reorganization. The tax impact of such sales will depend on the difference between the price at which such portfolio assets are sold and the Acquired Fund’s tax basis in such assets. Any net capital gains recognized on these sales, after the application of any available capital loss carryovers, will be distributed to the Acquired Fund shareholders as capital gain dividends (to the extent of net capital gain, i.e., the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss) and/or ordinary dividends (to the extent of the excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss) during or with respect to the Acquired Fund’s taxable year that ends on the Closing Date, and any such distributions will be taxable to shareholders. In addition, the Acquired Fund will distribute to its shareholders, in one or more taxable distributions, all of the net investment income and net capital gain realized in the normal course of its operations and not previously distributed for taxable years ending on or prior to the Closing Date. The transaction costs associated with repositioning the Acquired Fund’s portfolio in connection with the Reorganization, if necessary, will largely be borne by the Acquiring Fund after the Reorganization. As of the date hereof, the Acquiring Fund is not expected to recognize significant capital gains or incur significant transaction costs as a result of repositioning the portfolio in connection with the Reorganization.

 

Certain Defined Terms Used in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus

 

The Acquired Fund is a series of a Maryland corporation. The Acquiring Fund is a series of a Maryland business trust. For ease of reference and clarity of presentation, shares of common stock of the Acquired Fund and shares of beneficial interest of the Acquiring Fund are hereinafter referred to as “shares,” and holders of shares are hereinafter referred to as “shareholders”; the Board of Trustees overseeing the Acquiring Fund and the Board of Directors overseeing the Acquired Fund are each referred to herein as a “Board” and collectively as the “Boards”; the Declaration of Trust governing the Acquiring Fund and the Articles of Incorporation governing the Acquired Fund, each as amended and supplemented, are referred to herein as a “charter”; and the term “termination” refers to the termination and redemption for purposes of a series of a Maryland corporation.

 

Comparison of Investment Objectives and Principal Investment Strategies

 

This section will help you compare the investment objectives and principal investment strategies of the Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund. Please be aware that this is only a brief discussion. More detailed comparisons of the Funds, including risks, and a chart providing a side-by-side comparison of the Funds and their investment objectives, principal investment strategies and management, appear below in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus. These discussions include material differences in each Fund’s “fundamental” investment policies, meaning those that can be changed only by shareholder vote. The investment objectives and principal investment strategies of the Acquiring Fund will apply to the combined Fund following the Reorganization. More information can be found in each Fund’s prospectus and Fund SAI.

 

The Funds have similar investment objectives. The Acquiring Fund seeks long-term capital growth. The Acquired Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

 

Under normal conditions, each Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in equity securities of U.S. small capitalization value companies. Both Funds follow a value discipline in selecting securities. Each Fund may invest in debt securities. For temporary defensive purposes, each Fund may invest without limit in money market instruments and repurchase agreements. Each Fund is diversified.

 

Primary differences between the Funds include:

 

   

Investment Selection Process. The Acquiring Fund uses both quantitative and fundamental methods to make investment decisions. The Acquired Fund makes its investment decisions utilizing a stock exclusion process that eliminates stocks of companies based on certain price and earnings criteria and company-specific fundamentals.

 

   

Value Discipline. The Acquiring Fund looks for certain “value” attributes such as low stock price relative to earnings, book value, cash flow and high return on invested capital, while the Acquired Fund considers value companies to be those in the lowest quartile of price/earnings or price-to-book valuation.

 

   

Size of Portfolio Companies. The Acquiring Fund defines small capitalization companies as those companies whose market capitalizations at the time of investment do not exceed (i) $3 billion or (ii) the highest month-end market capitalization value of any stock in the Russell 2000 Index for the previous 12 months, whichever is greater. The Acquired Fund defines small capitalization companies as those whose market capitalizations at the time of investment range between $50 million and the largest capitalization stock of either the Russell 2000 Small Cap Index or the S&P 600 Small Cap Index.

 

2


   

Equity Securities. The Acquiring Fund may invest in types of equity securities in which the Acquired Fund does not currently intend to invest, such as warrants and rights.

 

   

Foreign Securities. While the Acquired Fund does not intend to invest more than 5% of its net assets in foreign securities, the Acquiring Fund may invest up to 10% of its assets in foreign securities. The Acquired Fund may not invest in securities of issuers based in emerging markets, while the Acquiring Fund may invest in such securities.

 

   

Derivatives. The Acquiring Fund may use derivatives as a means of enhancing returns as well as for hedging purposes. The Acquired Fund does not currently intend to use futures and options and may only use forward currency contracts for hedging purposes.

 

   

Short Sales. The Acquiring Fund may engage in short sales if no more than 25% of its net assets are required for collateral. The Acquired Fund may only sell securities short “against the box” (i.e., the Fund owns or has the right to obtain securities equivalent in kind and amount to the securities sold short).

 

Effect on Expenses

 

This section summarizes the effect of the Reorganization on the fees and expenses of the Acquired Fund.

 

Class A and Class C shareholders of the Acquired Fund will receive the same class of shares of the Acquiring Fund. Institutional Class shareholders of the Acquired Fund will receive Class I shares of the Acquiring Fund.

 

As a result of the Reorganization, gross total annual fund operating expenses for the Acquired Fund shareholders are expected to decrease as follows: for Class A shares from 1.71% to 1.34%, for Class C shares from 2.40% to 2.18% and for Institutional Class shares from 1.37% to 1.11%. As a result of the Reorganization the voluntary caps currently in place for the Acquired Fund would be discontinued and the net total annual fund operating expenses for the Acquired Fund shareholders are expected to increase as follows: for Class A shares from 1.25% to 1.34%, for Class C shares from 2.00% to 2.18% and for Institutional Class shares from 1.00% to 1.11%.

 

Comparison of Fees and Expenses

 

The tables below compare the fees and expenses of Class A, Class C and Institutional Class shares of the Acquired Fund as of May 31, 2009, and Class A, Class C and Class I shares of the Acquiring Fund as of May 31, 2009. The tables also show the estimated fees and expenses of the Class A, Class C and Class I shares of the combined Fund, on a pro forma basis, as if the Reorganization occurred on May 31, 2009. The estimates are based on contracts and agreements in effect as of May 31, 2009 and reflect the operating expense accrual rates on that date, which are based on each Fund’s net assets as of May 31, 2009. Accordingly, the actual fees and expenses of the Funds and the combined Fund as of the Closing Date may differ from those reflected in the tables below due to changes in net assets from those at May 31, 2009.

 

Expense ratios may be higher than those shown below—for example, if average net assets decrease. Net assets are more likely to decrease and Fund expense ratios are more likely to increase when markets are volatile.

 

Changes in net assets may result from purchases and redemptions of Fund shares, market appreciation or depreciation, and other factors occurring between May 31, 2009 and the Closing Date. As a general matter, changes (positive or negative) in a Fund’s expense ratio resulting from fluctuations in the Acquired Fund’s or Acquiring Fund’s net assets will be borne by the shareholders of the applicable Fund and the combined Fund. For information concerning the net assets of each Fund and class as of August 12, 2009, please see “Capitalization.”

 

3


 

     Pre-Reorganization     Legg Mason
Partners
Small Cap
Value Fund
Pro Forma
Combined
Fund
 
     Legg Mason
U.S. Small-
Capitalization
Value
Trust
    Legg Mason
Partners
Small Cap
Value
Fund
   
     Class A*     Class A     Class A  

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from a shareholder’s investment):

      

Maximum Sales Charge (Load) imposed on purchases (as a % of the offering price)

   5.75 %(a)    5.75 %(a)    5.75 %(a) 

Maximum Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a % of the lower of net asset value at purchase or redemption)

   None (a)    None (a)    None (a) 

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that are deducted from Fund assets):

      

Management Fees

   0.85 %(b)    0.75   0.75

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

   0.25   0.25   0.25

Other Expenses

   0.61   0.34   0.34
                  

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

   1.71 %(c)    1.34   1.34
                  

 

* Holders of Class A shares of the Acquired Fund will receive Class A shares of the Acquiring Fund.

 

(a)

You may buy Class A shares in amounts of $1,000,000 or more at net asset value (without an initial sales charge) but if you redeem those shares within 12 months of their purchase, you will pay a contingent deferred sales charge of 1.00%.

 

(b)

The Acquired Fund has a management fee schedule that reduces the management fee rate as assets increase as follows: 0.850% on net assets up to and including $100 million; 0.750% on net assets over $100 million and up to and including $1 billion; and 0.650% on net assets over $1 billion.

 

(c)

The Acquired Fund’s manager currently intends to voluntarily waive fees and/or reimburse expenses so that total annual operating expenses (exclusive of interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, and extraordinary expenses) for Class A shares do not exceed 1.25% of average daily net assets. This voluntary waiver is expected to continue until the Closing Date of the Reorganization, but may be terminated at any time.

 

The following examples help you compare the costs of investing in Class A shares of the Acquired Fund, the Acquiring Fund and the combined Fund with the costs of investing in other mutual funds. The examples assume that you invest $10,000 for the periods shown, that your investment has a 5% return each year, that you reinvest all distributions and dividends and that each Fund’s operating expenses (before voluntary fee waivers or expense reimbursements, if any) remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

 

WITH OR WITHOUT REDEMPTION OF SHARES:

 

     1 Year    3 Years    5 Years    10 Years

Legg Mason U.S. Small-Capitalization Value Trust—Class A*

   $ 739    $ 1,083    $ 1,450    $ 2,478

Legg Mason Partners Small Cap Value Fund—Class A*

   $ 704    $ 975    $ 1,266    $ 2,094

Legg Mason Partners Small Cap Value Fund Pro Forma Combined Fund—Class A*

   $ 704    $ 975    $ 1,266    $ 2,094

 

* Reflects the maximum initial sales charge in the first year and assumes the contingent deferred sales charge will not apply.

 

4


     Pre-Reorganization     Legg Mason
Partners
Small Cap
Value Fund
Pro Forma
Combined
Fund
 
     Legg Mason
U.S. Small-
Capitalization
Value
Trust
    Legg Mason
Partners
Small Cap
Value
Fund
   
     Class C*     Class C     Class C  

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from a shareholder’s investment):

      

Maximum Sales Charge (Load) imposed on purchases (as a % of the offering price)

   None      None      None   

Maximum Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a % of the lower of net asset value at purchase or redemption)

   1.00 %(a)    1.00 %(a)    1.00 %(a) 

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that are deducted from Fund assets):

      

Management Fees

   0.85 %(b)    0.75   0.75

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

   1.00   1.00   1.00

Other Expenses

   0.55   0.54   0.43
                  

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

   2.40 %(c)    2.29   2.18
                  

 

* Holders of Class C shares of the Acquired Fund will receive Class C shares of the Acquiring Fund.

 

(a)

The contingent deferred sales charge of 1.00% is eliminated one year after purchase.

 

(b)

The Acquired Fund has a management fee schedule that reduces the management fee rate as assets increase as follows: 0.850% on net assets up to and including $100 million; 0.750% on net assets over $100 million and up to and including $1 billion; and 0.650% on net assets over $1 billion.

 

(c)

The Acquired Fund’s manager currently intends to voluntarily waive fees and/or reimburse expenses so that total annual operating expenses (exclusive of interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, and extraordinary expenses) for Class C shares do not exceed 2.00% of average daily net assets. This voluntary waiver is expected to continue until the Closing Date of the Reorganization, but may be terminated at any time.

 

The following examples help you compare the costs of investing in Class C shares of the Acquired Fund, the Acquiring Fund and the combined Fund with the costs of investing in other mutual funds. The examples assume that you invest $10,000 for the periods shown, that your investment has a 5% return each year, that you reinvest all distributions and dividends and that each Fund’s operating expenses (before voluntary fee waivers or expense reimbursements, if any) remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

 

WITH REDEMPTION OF SHARES AT END OF PERIOD:

 

     1 Year    3 Years    5 Years    10 Years

Legg Mason U.S. Small-Capitalization Value Trust—Class C*

   $ 343    $ 748    $ 1,280    $ 2,736

Legg Mason Partners Small Cap Value Fund—Class C*

   $ 332    $ 715    $ 1,224    $ 2,623

Legg Mason Partners Small Cap Value Fund Pro Forma Combined Fund—Class C*

   $ 321    $ 682    $ 1,169    $ 2,513

 

WITHOUT REDEMPTION OF SHARES AT END OF PERIOD:

 

     1 Year    3 Years    5 Years    10 Years

Legg Mason U.S. Small-Capitalization Value Trust—Class C

   $ 243    $ 748    $ 1,280    $ 2,736

Legg Mason Partners Small Cap Value Fund—Class C

   $ 232    $ 715    $ 1,224    $ 2,623

Legg Mason Partners Small Cap Value Fund Pro Forma Combined Fund—Class C

   $ 221    $ 682    $ 1,169    $ 2,513

 

* Reflects a contingent deferred sales charge in the first year.

 

 

5


     Pre-Reorganization     Legg Mason
Partners
Small Cap
Value Fund
Pro Forma
Combined
Fund
 
     Legg Mason
U.S. Small-
Capitalization
Value
Trust
    Legg Mason
Partners
Small Cap
Value
Fund
   
     Institutional Class*     Class I     Class I  

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from a shareholder’s investment):

      

Maximum Sales Charge (Load) imposed on purchases (as a % of the offering price)

   None      None      None   

Maximum Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a % of the lower of net asset value at purchase or redemption)

   None      None      None   

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that are deducted from Fund assets):

      

Management Fees

   0.85 %(a)    0.75   0.75

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

   None      None      None   

Other Expenses

   0.52   0.44   0.36
                  

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

   1.37 %(b)    1.19   1.11
                  

 

* Holders of Institutional Class shares of the Acquired Fund will receive Class I shares of the Acquiring Fund.

 

(a)

The Acquired Fund has a management fee schedule that reduces the management fee rate as assets increase as follows: 0.850% on net assets up to and including $100 million; 0.750% on net assets over $100 million and up to and including $1 billion; and 0.650% on net assets over $1 billion.

 

(b)

The Acquired Fund’s manager currently intends to voluntarily waive fees and/or reimburse expenses so that total annual operating expenses (exclusive of interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, and extraordinary expenses) for Institutional Class shares do not exceed 1.00% of average daily net assets. This voluntary waiver is expected to continue until the Closing Date of the Reorganization, but may be terminated at any time.

 

The following examples help you compare the costs of investing in Institutional Class shares of the Acquired Fund, Class I shares of the Acquiring Fund and Class I shares of the combined Fund with the costs of investing in other mutual funds. The examples assume that you invest $10,000 for the periods shown, that your investment has a 5% return each year, that you reinvest all distributions and dividends and that each Fund’s operating expenses (before voluntary fee waivers or expense reimbursements, if any) remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

 

WITH OR WITHOUT REDEMPTION OF SHARES:

 

     1 Year    3 Years    5 Years    10 Years

Legg Mason U.S. Small-Capitalization Value Trust—Institutional Class

   $ 139    $ 434    $ 750    $ 1,647

Legg Mason Partners Small Cap Value Fund—Class I

   $ 121    $ 378    $ 655    $ 1,445

Legg Mason Partners Small Cap Value Fund Pro Forma Combined Fund—Class I

   $ 113    $ 353    $ 612    $ 1,353

 

Comparison of Sales Loads, Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Arrangements and Purchase, Redemption and Exchange Policies and Procedures

 

No sales loads or deferred sales charges will be incurred by Acquired Fund shareholders as a result of the Reorganization.

 

The exchange privileges that shareholders of the Acquired Fund currently have with the other funds distributed by Legg Mason Investor Services, LLC will not change.

 

More information about the sales load, distribution and shareholder servicing arrangements for the shares of the Acquiring Fund and the procedures for making purchases, redemptions and exchanges of shares are set forth in “Purchases, Redemptions and Exchanges of Fund Shares; Other Shareholder Information” below.

 

6


COMPARISON OF INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES, STRATEGIES AND PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUNDS

 

The following discussion comparing the investment objectives, strategies and principal risks of the Acquired Fund with the Acquiring Fund is based upon and qualified in its entirety by the disclosure appearing in the prospectuses (as supplemented) of the Funds under the captions “Investments, risks and performance” (for the Acquiring Fund) or “Investment Objectives and Policies” (for the Acquired Fund) and “More on the fund’s investments” (for the Acquiring Fund) or “Principal Risks” (for the Acquired Fund). The prospectuses (as supplemented from time to time) are dated as follows:

 

Acquired Fund

    

Prospectus Dated

Legg Mason U.S. Small-Capitalization Value Trust

     August 1, 2009

Acquiring Fund

    

Prospectus Dated

Legg Mason Partners Small Cap Value Fund

     January 28, 2009

 

The investment objective and principal investment strategies and principal risks of the Acquiring Fund will apply to the combined Fund following the Reorganization with the Acquired Fund.

 

Investment Objectives

 

The Acquiring Fund seeks long-term capital growth. The Acquired Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

 

Primary Investment Policies and Strategies

 

The Acquired Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in equity securities of domestic small capitalization value companies. The Acquired Fund’s adviser regards small capitalization companies as those whose market capitalizations at the time of investment range between $50 million and the largest capitalization stock of either the Russell 2000 Small Cap Index or the S&P 600 Small Cap Index. The Acquired Fund’s adviser considers value companies to be those in the lowest quartile of price/earnings or price-to-book valuation. The portfolio managers of the Acquired Fund start with a universe of small capitalization value companies and from this universe follow a disciplined security exclusion process, focusing on eliminating companies with characteristics that they have found to detract from long-term portfolio returns.

 

The Acquiring Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the value of its net assets, plus any borrowings for investment purposes, in common stocks and other equity securities of small capitalization U.S. companies or in other investments with similar economic characteristics. Small capitalization companies are those companies whose market capitalizations at the time of investment do not exceed (i) $3 billion or (ii) the highest month-end market capitalization value of any stock in the Russell 2000 Index for the previous 12 months, whichever is greater. Equity securities include exchange-traded and over-the-counter common stocks and preferred shares, debt securities convertible into equity securities and warrants and rights relating to equity securities. The portfolio managers of the Acquiring Fund use both quantitative and fundamental methods to identify stocks of smaller capitalization companies that they believe have a higher probability of outperforming other stocks in the same industry or sector.

 

Under normal conditions, each Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in equity securities of U.S. small capitalization value companies. Both Funds follow a value discipline in selecting securities. Each Fund may invest in debt securities. For temporary defensive purposes, each Fund may invest without limit in money market instruments and repurchase agreements. Each Fund is diversified.

 

There are several differences between the Funds:

 

   

Investment Selection Process. The Acquiring Fund uses both quantitative and fundamental methods to make investment decisions. The Acquired Fund makes its investment decisions utilizing a stock exclusion process that eliminates stocks of companies based on certain price and earnings criteria and company-specific fundamentals.

 

   

Value Discipline. The Acquiring Fund looks for certain “value” attributes such as low stock price relative to earnings, book value, cash flow and high return on invested capital, while the Acquired Fund considers value companies to be those in the lowest quartile of price/earnings or price-to-book valuation.

 

7


   

Size of Portfolio Companies. The Acquiring Fund defines small capitalization companies as those companies whose market capitalizations at the time of investment do not exceed (i) $3 billion or (ii) the highest month-end market capitalization value of any stock in the Russell 2000 Index for the previous 12 months, whichever is greater. The Acquired Fund defines small capitalization companies as those whose market capitalizations at the time of investment range between $50 million and the largest capitalization stock of either the Russell 2000 Small Cap Index or the S&P 600 Small Cap Index.

 

   

Equity Securities. The Acquiring Fund may invest in types of equity securities in which the Acquired Fund does not currently intend to invest, such as warrants and rights.

 

   

Foreign Securities. While the Acquired Fund does not intend to invest more than 5% of its net assets in foreign securities, the Acquiring Fund may invest up to 10% of its assets in foreign securities. The Acquired Fund may not invest in securities of issuers based in emerging markets, while the Acquiring Fund may invest in such securities.

 

   

Derivatives. The Acquiring Fund may use derivatives as a means of enhancing returns as well as for hedging purposes. The Acquired Fund does not currently intend to use futures and options and may only use forward currency contracts for hedging purposes.

 

   

Short Sales. The Acquiring Fund may engage in short sales if no more than 25% of its net assets are required for collateral. The Acquired Fund may only sell securities short “against the box” (i.e., the Fund owns or has the right to obtain securities equivalent in kind and amount to the securities sold short).

 

Risk Factors

 

Because the Funds have similar investment objectives and principal investment policies and strategies, the Funds share many of the same risks, but each Fund characterizes its principal risks differently. You could lose money on your investment in either Fund and either Fund may not perform as well as other investments.

 

The following summarizes the principal risks of investing in either of the Funds:

 

   

Equities securities risk. Equity securities include common and preferred stocks, which represent equity ownership in a company. Stocks fluctuate in price based on changes in a company’s financial condition and overall market and economic conditions. The value of a particular stock may decline due to factors that affect a particular industry or industries, such as an increase in production costs and competitive conditions or labor shortages within an industry; 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.

 

   

Small-sized company risk. The Fund will be exposed to additional risks as a result of its investments in the securities of small capitalization companies. Small capitalization companies may fall out of favor with investors, may have limited product lines, operating histories, markets or financial resources, or they may be dependent upon a limited management group. The prices of small capitalization companies generally are more volatile than those of larger companies and are more likely to be adversely affected by poor economic or market conditions. Securities of small capitalization companies may be harder to sell at times and at prices the portfolio managers believe appropriate and may offer greater potential for losses.

 

   

Convertible securities risk. Convertible securities are debt or preferred equity securities convertible into, or exchangeable for, equity securities, which 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 underlying a convertible security falls, the convertible security tends to trade on the basis of its yield and other fixed income characteristics.

 

   

Stock market risk. Stock markets are volatile and stock prices may decline generally. Prices of equity securities generally fluctuate more than those of other securities, such as debt securities. The interplay of market forces may affect a single issuer, industry or sector of the economy or may affect the market as a whole. The Fund may experience a substantial or complete loss on an individual stock.

 

The prices of securities held by the Fund may decline in response to certain events, including those directly involving the companies whose securities are owned by the Fund; conditions affecting the general economy; overall market changes; local, regional or global political, social or economic instability; and currency and interest rate fluctuations.

 

8


   

Value investing risk. The value approach to investing involves the risk that value stocks may remain undervalued. Value stocks as a group may be out of favor and underperform the overall equity market for a long period of time, while the market concentrates on growth stocks. Although the Fund will not concentrate its investments in any one industry or industry group, it may, like many value funds, weight its investments toward certain industries, and thus will be more susceptible to factors adversely affecting issuers within a particular industry than would a more diversified portfolio of securities.

 

   

Portfolio selection risk. The portfolio managers’ judgment about the attractiveness, value or potential appreciation of a particular security may prove to be incorrect.

 

   

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 stock may deteriorate because of a variety of factors, including disappointing earnings reports by the issuer, loss of major customers, major litigation against the issuer or changes in government regulations affecting the issuer or the competitive environment.

 

   

Recent market events risk. The equity and debt capital markets in the United States and internationally have experienced unprecedented volatility. This financial crisis has caused a significant decline in the value and liquidity of many securities. This environment could make identifying investment risks and opportunities especially difficult for the Fund’s portfolio managers. These market conditions may continue or get worse.

 

The Acquiring Fund characterizes the following as an additional principal risk:

 

   

Warrants and rights risk. Warrants and rights are options to buy, directly from the issuer, a stated number of shares of the issuer’s securities at a specified price during the life of the warrant. Such investments can provide a greater potential for profit or loss than an equivalent investment in the underlying security. Prices of warrants and rights do not necessarily move in tandem with the prices of the underlying securities, and, therefore, are highly volatile and speculative investments. They have no voting rights, pay no dividends and have no rights with respect to the assets of the issuer other than a purchase option. If a warrant or right held by the Fund is not exercised by the date of its expiration, the Fund would lose the entire purchase price of the warrant or right.

 

The Acquired Fund characterizes the following as additional principal risks:

 

   

Exposure to foreign markets risk. Securities of foreign issuers (including those denominated in U.S. dollars, foreign currencies and securities issued by U.S. entities with substantial foreign operations) are subject to economic and political developments in the countries and regions where the issuers operate or are domiciled, or where the securities are traded, such as changes in economic or monetary policies. Values may also be affected by restrictions on receiving the investment proceeds from a foreign country. Less information may be publicly available about foreign companies than about U.S. companies. Foreign companies are generally not subject to the same accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards as are U.S. companies. In addition, the Fund’s investments in foreign securities may be subject to the risk of nationalization or expropriation of assets, imposition of currency exchange controls or restrictions on the repatriation of foreign currency, confiscatory taxation, political or financial instability and other adverse economic and political developments. Dividends or interest on, or proceeds from the sale of, foreign securities may be subject to non-U.S. withholding taxes, and special U.S. tax considerations may apply. The risks of foreign investment are greater for investments in emerging markets. Emerging market countries tend to have economic, political and legal systems that are less fully developed and are less stable than those of more advanced countries. Low trading volumes may result in a lack of liquidity and in extreme price volatility. The effect of recent, worldwide economic instability on specific foreign markets or issuers may be difficult to predict or evaluate.

 

   

Debt securities risk. The value of fixed income securities generally falls when interest rates rise. A change in interest rates will not have the same impact on all fixed income securities. Generally, the longer the maturity or duration of a fixed income security, the greater the impact of a rise in interest rates on the security’s value. In addition, different interest rate measures (such as short- and long-term interest rates and U.S. and foreign interest rates), or interest rates on different types of securities or securities of different issuers, may not necessarily change in the same amount or in the same direction. Certain fixed income securities pay interest at variable or floating rates. Variable rate securities tend to reset at specified intervals, while floating rate securities may reset whenever there is a change in a specified index rate. In most cases, these reset provisions reduce the impact of changes in market interest rates on the value of the security.

 

   

Credit risk. If an obligor for a security held by the Fund fails to pay, otherwise defaults or is perceived to be less creditworthy, the security’s credit rating is downgraded or the credit quality or value of any underlying assets

 

9


 

declines, the value of your investment in the Fund could decline. In addition, the Fund may incur expenses to protect its interest in securities experiencing these events. Credit risk is broadly gauged by the credit ratings of the securities in which the Fund invests. However, ratings are only the opinions of the companies issuing them and are not guarantees as to quality. The Fund is subject to greater levels of credit risk to the extent it invests in securities rated below BBB/Baa and unrated securities considered by the Fund’s adviser to be of equivalent quality, commonly known as “junk bonds.” These securities have a higher risk of issuer default and are considered speculative. Changes in economic conditions or developments regarding the individual issuer are more likely to cause price volatility and weaken the capacity of such securities to make principal and interest payments than is the case for higher grade debt securities. Securities rated below BBB/Baa and unrated securities considered by the Fund’s adviser to be of equivalent quality may be less liquid than higher-rated securities, which means the Fund may have difficulty selling them at times, and may have to apply a greater degree of judgment in establishing a price for purposes of valuing shares of the Fund.

 

   

Call risk. Many fixed income securities, especially those issued at high interest rates and with longer maturities, provide that the issuer may repay them early. Issuers often exercise this right when prevailing interest rates are lower than the interest rate of the security. Accordingly, holders of callable securities may not benefit fully from the increase in value that other fixed income securities experience when rates decline. Furthermore, the Fund most likely would have to reinvest the proceeds of the payoff at current yields, which would be lower than those paid by the security that was paid off.

 

Fundamental Investment Restrictions

 

The following table lists (1) the fundamental investment restrictions for the Acquired Fund and (2) the fundamental investment restrictions for the Acquiring Fund. Following the table is an explanation of material differences between the Acquired Fund’s fundamental investment restrictions and the Acquiring Fund’s fundamental investment restrictions.

 

Subject

  

Legg Mason U.S. Small-Capitalization Value Trust

(Acquired Fund)

Restrictions

  

Legg Mason Partners Small Cap Value Fund

(Acquiring Fund)

Restrictions and Brief Discussion

Borrowing:

   The Fund may not borrow money, except (1) in an amount not exceeding 33 1/3% of the Fund’s total assets (including the amount borrowed) less liabilities (other than borrowings) or (2) by entering into reverse repurchase agreements or dollar rolls.   

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.

 

The 1940 Act generally permits a 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. Certain trading practices and investments, such as reverse repurchase agreements, dollar rolls and certain derivatives, may be considered to be borrowing and thus subject to 1940 Act restrictions. On the other hand, certain practices and investments may involve leverage but are not considered to be borrowing.

Underwriting:

   The Fund may not engage in the business of underwriting the securities of other issuers, except as permitted by the 1940 Act, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as such statute, rules, and regulations are amended from time to time or are interpreted from time to time by the SEC or SEC staff or to the extent that the Fund may be permitted to do so by exemptive order or other relief from the SEC or SEC staff (collectively, “1940 Act    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.

 

10


Subject

  

Legg Mason U.S. Small-Capitalization Value Trust

(Acquired Fund)

Restrictions

  

Legg Mason Partners Small Cap Value Fund

(Acquiring Fund)

Restrictions and Brief Discussion

   Laws, Interpretations and Exemptions”). This restriction does not prevent the Fund from engaging in transactions involving the acquisition, disposition or resale of portfolio securities, regardless of whether the Fund may be considered to be an underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”).   

The 1940 Act generally permits a fund to have underwriting commitments of up to 25% of its assets in certain circumstances.

Lending:

   The Fund may not lend money or other assets, except to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act Laws, Interpretations and Exemptions. This restriction does not prevent the Fund from purchasing debt obligations in pursuit of its investment program, or for defensive or cash management purposes, entering into repurchase agreements, loaning its portfolio securities to financial intermediaries, institutions or institutional investors, or investing in loans, including assignments and participation interests.   

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.

 

The 1940 Act does not prohibit a fund from making loans; however, SEC staff interpretations currently prohibit funds from lending more that one-third of their total assets, except through the purchase of debt obligations or the use of repurchase agreements. (A repurchase agreement is an agreement to purchase a security, coupled with an agreement to sell that security back to the original seller on an agreed-upon date at a price that generally reflects current interest rates. The SEC and the SEC staff frequently treat repurchase agreements as loans.)

Senior

Securities:

   The Fund may not issue senior securities, except as permitted under the 1940 Act Laws, Interpretations and Exemptions.   

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.

 

Senior securities are generally defined as fund obligations that have a priority over the fund’s shares with respect to the payment of dividends or distribution of fund assets. The 1940 Act prohibits a fund from issuing senior securities except that it generally permits a fund to borrow from banks for any purpose in amounts up to one-third of the fund’s total assets and to borrow up to 5% of its total assets from any source for temporary purposes. A fund’s temporary borrowings not exceeding 5% of its total assets are not considered senior securities.

Real Estate:

   The Fund may not purchase or sell real estate unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments. This restriction does not prevent the Fund from investing in issuers that invest, deal, or otherwise engage in transactions in or hold real estate or interests therein, investing in instruments that are secured by real estate or interests therein, or exercising rights under agreements relating to such securities, including the right to enforce security interests.   

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.

 

The 1940 Act does not prohibit a fund from owning real estate; however, a mutual fund is limited in the amount of illiquid assets it may purchase (real estate is generally considered illiquid).

 

11


Subject

  

Legg Mason U.S. Small-Capitalization Value Trust

(Acquired Fund)

Restrictions

  

Legg Mason Partners Small Cap Value Fund

(Acquiring Fund)

Restrictions and Brief Discussion

Commodities:

   The Fund may not purchase or sell physical commodities unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments. This restriction does not prevent the Fund from engaging in transactions involving foreign currency, futures contracts and options, forward contracts, swaps, caps, floors, collars, securities purchased or sold on a forward-commitment or delayed-delivery basis or other similar financial instruments, or investing in securities or other instruments that are secured by physical commodities.   

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.

 

The 1940 Act does not prohibit a fund from owning commodities, whether physical commodities or 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, a mutual fund is limited in the amount of illiquid assets it may purchase (certain commodities (especially physical commodities) may be considered to be illiquid).

Concentration:

   The Fund may not make any investment if, as a result, the Fund’s investments will be concentrated (as that term may be defined or interpreted by the 1940 Act Laws, Interpretations and Exemptions) in any one industry. This restriction does not limit the Fund’s investment in securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities and repurchase agreements with respect thereto, or securities of municipal issuers.   

Except as permitted by exemptive or other relief or permission from the SEC, SEC staff or other authority with appropriate jurisdiction, the Fund may not make any investment if, as a result, the Fund’s investments will be concentrated in any one industry.

 

While the 1940 Act does not define what constitutes “concentration” in an industry, the SEC 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 constitutes concentration. It is possible that interpretations of concentration could change in the future.

 

Comparison between the Acquired Fund’s Fundamental Investment Restrictions and the Acquiring Fund’s Fundamental Investment Restrictions

 

There are no material differences between each Fund’s fundamental investment restrictions. Note that the Acquired Fund’s restriction on real estate prohibits the purchase or sale of real estate, while the Acquiring Fund may purchase or sell real estate, though it is limited in the amount of illiquid assets it may purchase. In addition, the Acquired Fund may not purchase or sell physical commodities unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments, while the Acquiring Fund may purchase or sell commodities or contracts related to commodities, though it is limited in the amount of illiquid assets it may purchase. Certain commodities and real estate may be considered illiquid.

 

For purposes of the foregoing restrictions, references to the 1940 Act and the related rules will be interpreted to mean the 1940 Act and related rules as they are in effect from time to time, and references to interpretations and modifications of or relating to the 1940 Act by the SEC and others will be interpreted to mean as they are given from time to time. When a restriction provides that an investment practice may be conducted as permitted by the 1940 Act, the restriction will be interpreted to mean either that the 1940 Act expressly permits the practice or that the 1940 Act does not prohibit the practice.

 

12


Side-by-Side Comparison

 

The following chart shows a side-by-side comparison of the investment objective, principal investment policies and strategies, manager and portfolio managers of the Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund.

 

   

Legg Mason U.S. Small-Capitalization Value Trust
(Acquired Fund)

  

Legg Mason Partners Small Cap Value Fund

(Acquiring Fund)

Investment Objective

  Long-term capital appreciation.    The Fund seeks as long-term capital growth.

Investment Selection Process

 

The Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in equity securities of domestic small capitalization value companies. The adviser’s security selection process starts with a universe of small capitalization value companies. From this universe, the adviser follows a disciplined security exclusion process focusing on eliminating companies with characteristics that the adviser has found to detract from long-term portfolio returns.

 

First, the adviser adjusts stated earnings for any unusual and non-recurring gains or losses to reach true operating earnings and eliminates companies which no longer meet the adviser’s low price/earnings criteria. Second, the adviser eliminates companies that have pre-announced earnings declines. Third, the adviser excludes companies which have experienced excessive price appreciation over and above the market. Fourth, the adviser reviews company-specific fundamentals to eliminate stocks that the adviser regards as having minimal potential to increase in value or that the adviser believes have substantial risk of decline.

 

Portfolios are constructed from the companies that have passed through the adviser’s stock exclusion process. Positions are purchased with attention to low cost transactions.

 

The adviser considers value companies to be those in the lowest quartile of price/earnings or price-to-book valuation.

  

Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of the value of its net assets, plus any borrowings for investment purposes, in common stocks and other equity securities of small capitalization U.S. companies or in other investments with similar economic characteristics.

 

The portfolio managers emphasize individual security selection while spreading the Fund’s investments among industries and sectors.

 

The portfolio managers use both quantitative and fundamental methods to identify stocks of smaller capitalization companies the portfolio managers believe have a high probability of outperforming other stocks in the same industry or sector.

 

The portfolio managers use quantitative parameters to select a universe of smaller capitalized companies that fit the Fund’s general investment criteria. In selecting individual securities from within this range, the portfolio managers look for “value” attributes, such as: low stock price relative to earnings, book value and cash flow, and high return on invested capital.

 

The portfolio managers also use quantitative methods to identify catalysts and trends that might influence the Fund’s industry or sector focus, or the portfolio managers’ individual security selection.

Principal Investment Policies and Strategies

  Size of Portfolio Companies. The adviser regards small capitalization companies as those whose market capitalizations at the time of investment range between $50 million and the largest capitalization stock of either the Russell 2000 Small Cap Index or the S&P 600 Small Cap Index.    Size of Portfolio Companies. The Fund defines small capitalization companies as those companies whose market capitalizations at the time of investment do not exceed (i) $3 billion or (ii) the highest month-end market capitalization value of any stock in the Russell 2000 Index (the “Index”) for the previous 12 months, whichever is greater.

 

13


   

Legg Mason U.S. Small-Capitalization Value Trust
(Acquired Fund)

  

Legg Mason Partners Small Cap Value Fund

(Acquiring Fund)

     The Fund may invest up to 20% of the value of its net assets in shares of companies with larger market capitalizations.
  Equity Securities. The Fund invests primarily in equity securities of domestic companies. The Fund may purchase preferred stock and convertible securities.    Equity Securities. Equity securities include exchange-traded and over-the-counter common stocks and preferred shares, debt securities convertible into equity securities and warrants and rights relating to equity securities.
  Foreign Securities. The Fund may invest in the securities of foreign issuers, foreign currencies, and securities of issuers with substantial foreign operations. The Fund may invest in American Depositary Receipts and in Global Depositary Receipts. The Fund does not currently intend to invest more than 5% of its net assets in foreign securities. The Fund may not invest in securities of issuers based in emerging markets.    Foreign Securities. The Fund may invest up to 10% of its assets (at the time of investment) in foreign securities. The Fund may invest directly in foreign issuers or invest in depositary receipts. The Fund may invest in securities of issuers based in emerging markets.
  Debt Obligations. Although not a part of its principal investment strategy, the Fund may invest in debt securities within the limits of its investment policies.    Debt Obligations. The Fund’s policy is to be as fully invested in equity securities as practicable at all times. The Fund may, however, maintain a portion of its assets (normally not more than 10%) in U.S. government securities, money market obligations and cash to pay expenses and meet redemption requests.
 

Derivatives. The Fund may invest in certain options, futures contracts, options on futures contracts, forward currency contracts, swaps, caps, floors, collars, indexed securities and other derivative instruments to attempt to enhance its income or yield or to attempt to hedge its investments. The Fund may enter into futures contracts and related options provided that not more than 5% of its net assets are required as a futures contract deposit and/or premium; in addition, the Fund may not enter into futures contracts or related options if, as a result, more than 20% of the Fund’s total assets would be so invested. The Fund does not currently intend to invest in futures and options.

 

The Fund may use forward currency contracts for hedging purposes.

  

Derivatives. The Fund may, but need not, use derivative contracts. The Fund may engage in a variety of transactions using derivatives, such as futures and options on securities, securities indexes, interest rates or currencies, or options on these futures. Derivatives may be used by the Fund for any of the following purposes:

 

•        As a hedging technique in an attempt to manage risk in the Fund’s portfolio

 

•        As a substitute for buying or selling securities

 

•        As a means of enhancing returns

 

•        As a cash flow management technique.

 

14


   

Legg Mason U.S. Small-Capitalization Value Trust
(Acquired Fund)

  

Legg Mason Partners Small Cap Value Fund

(Acquiring Fund)

  Temporary Defensive Measures. For temporary defensive purposes, or when cash is temporarily available, the Fund may invest in repurchase agreements and money market instruments.    Temporary Defensive Measures. The Fund may depart from its principal investment strategies in response to adverse market, economic or political conditions by taking temporary defensive positions in any type of money market instruments and short-term debt securities or cash without regard to any percentage limitations.
  Selling Discipline. The adviser typically sells securities of companies when the adviser believes they are no longer small capitalization value companies or if their fundamentals deteriorate, but may retain securities of companies that no longer meet the Fund’s initial purchase criteria.    Selling Discipline. Securities of companies whose market capitalizations no longer meet the Fund’s definition of small capitalization after purchase by the Fund still will be considered to be securities of small capitalization companies for purposes of the Fund’s 80% investment policy.
  Short Sales. As a non-fundamental investment restriction, the Fund may not sell securities short (unless it owns or has the right to obtain securities equivalent in kind and amount to the securities sold short).    Short Sales. The Fund may sell securities short from time to time. The Fund may hold no more than 25% of the Fund’s net assets (taken at the then-current market value) as required collateral for such sales at any one time.
  Diversification. The Fund is diversified.    Diversification. The Fund is diversified.

Investment Manager/Subadviser

  Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (manager); Brandywine Global Investment Management, LLC (investment adviser)    Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (investment manager); ClearBridge Advisors, LLC (subadviser)

Portfolio Managers

  Henry F. Otto and Steven M. Tonkovich    Peter Hable (lead portfolio manager), Mark Bourguignon, Marina Chinn, Mark Feasey and Michael Kang

 

15


PURCHASES, REDEMPTIONS AND EXCHANGES OF FUND SHARES; OTHER SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

 

This section describes some of the classes of shares that the Acquiring Fund will make available after the Reorganization and how shareholders may buy and sell those Fund shares. It also describes how the Acquiring Fund values its securities and the Fund’s policies on frequent trading of Fund shares. This Proxy Statement/Prospectus offers only Class A, Class C and Class I shares of the Acquiring Fund; all other share classes of the Acquiring Fund are offered through the Acquiring Fund’s January 28, 2009 prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time.

 

Choosing a class of shares to buy

 

Individual investors can generally invest in three classes of shares, two of which are being offered through this Proxy Statement/Prospectus: Class A and C shares. Institutional and retirement plan investors and clients of eligible financial intermediaries should refer to “Retirement and institutional investors-Eligible investors” below for a description of the classes available to them. Each class has different sales charges and expenses, allowing you to choose a class that may be appropriate for you.

 

When choosing which class of shares to buy, you should consider:

 

   

How much you plan to invest

 

   

How long you expect to own the shares

 

   

The expenses paid by each class detailed in the fee table and example at the front of this Proxy Statement/Prospectus

 

   

Whether you qualify for any reduction or waiver of sales charges

 

   

Availability of share classes

 

If you plan to invest a large amount and/or your investment horizon is five years or more, Class C shares might not be as advantageous as Class A shares. The annual distribution/service fees on Class C shares may cost you more over the longer term than the front-end sales charge you would have paid for larger purchases of Class A shares.

 

You may buy shares:

 

   

Through banks, brokers, dealers, insurance companies, investment advisers, financial consultants or advisers, mutual fund supermarkets and other financial intermediaries that have entered into an agreement with the distributor to sell shares of the Fund (each called a “Service Agent”)

 

   

Directly from the Fund

 

Your Service Agent may provide shareholder services that differ from the services provided by other Service Agents. Services provided by your Service Agent may vary by class. You should ask your Service Agent to explain the shareholder services it provides for each class and the compensation it receives in connection with each class. Remember that your Service Agent may receive different compensation depending on the share class in which you invest.

 

Each class of shares is authorized to pay fees for recordkeeping services to Service Agents. As a result, operating expenses of classes that incur new or additional recordkeeping fees may increase over time.

 

Your Service Agent may not offer all classes of shares. You should contact your Service Agent for further information.

 

Investment minimums

 

Minimum initial and additional investment amounts vary depending on the class of shares you buy and the nature of your investment.

 

16


      Investment Minimum
Initial/Additional Investment1
     Class A   Class C    Class I

General

   $1,000/$50   $1,000/$50    n/a

Uniform Gifts or Transfers to Minor Accounts

   $1,000/$50   $1,000/$50    n/a

IRAs

   $250/$50   n/a    n/a

SIMPLE IRAs

   None/None   None/None    n/a

Systematic Investment Plans

   $50/$50   $50/$50    n/a

Clients of Eligible Financial Intermediaries

   None/None   n/a    None/None

Retirement Plans with Omnibus Accounts held on the Books of the Fund

   None/None2   None/None    None/None

Other Retirement Plans

   None/None   n/a    n/a

Institutional Investors

   $1,000/$50   $1,000/$50    $1 million/None

 

1

Different minimums may apply to clients of certain Service Agents. Contact your Service Agent for more information. Refer to the section entitled “Retirement and institutional investors-Eligible investors” for additional information regarding the investment minimum and eligibility requirements for Retirement Plans, Institutional Investors and Clients of Eligible Financial Intermediaries.

 

2

Class A shares are not available to new Retirement Plan investors through a Service Agent if the Service Agent makes Class FI shares available.

 

More information about the Fund’s classes of shares is available through the Legg Mason funds’ website. You’ll find detailed information about sales charges and ways you can qualify for reduced or waived sales charges, including:

 

   

The front-end sales charges that apply to the purchase of Class A shares

 

   

The contingent deferred sales charges that apply to the redemption of Class C shares and certain Class A shares (redeemed within one year)

 

   

Who qualifies for lower sales charges on Class A shares

 

   

Who qualifies for a sales load waiver

 

To visit the website, go to http://www.leggmason.com/individualinvestors, select “Equity” and click on the name of the Fund in the dropdown menu.

 

Comparing the Fund’s classes

 

The following table compares key features of the Acquiring Fund’s classes that are offered in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus. You should review the fee table and example at the front of this Proxy Statement/Prospectus carefully before choosing your share class. Your Service Agent can help you choose a class that may be appropriate for you. Your Service Agent may receive different compensation depending upon which class you choose.

 

    

Class A

  

Class C

  

Class I

Key features

  

• Initial sales charge

• You may qualify for reduction or waiver of initial sales charge

• Generally, lower annual expenses than Class C

  

• No initial sales charge

• Contingent deferred sales charge for only 1 year

• Does not convert to Class A

• Generally, higher annual expenses than Class A

  

• No initial or contingent deferred sales charge

• Only offered to institutional and other eligible investors

• Generally, lower annual expenses than the other classes

Initial sales charge

  

    Up to 5.75%; reduced or waived for large purchases and certain investors. No charge for purchases of $1 million or more

  

    None

  

    None

 

17


    

Class A

  

Class C

  

Class I

Contingent deferred
sales charge

   1.00% on purchases of $1 million or more if you redeem within 1 year of purchase; waived for certain investors    1.00% if you redeem within 1 year of purchase; waived for certain investors    None

Annual distribution and/or service fees

   0.25% of average daily net assets    1.00% of average daily net assets    None

Exchange Privilege1

   Class A shares of funds sold by the Fund’s distributor    Class C shares of funds sold by the Fund’s distributor    Class I shares of funds sold by the Fund’s distributor

 

1

Ask your Service Agent about the funds available for exchange.

 

Sales charges

 

Class A shares

 

You buy Class A shares at the offering price, which is the net asset value plus a sales charge. You pay a lower rate as the size of your investment increases to certain levels called breakpoints. You do not pay a sales charge on the Fund’s distributions or dividends that you reinvest in additional Class A shares.

 

The table below shows the rate of sales charge you pay, depending on the amount you purchase. It also shows the amount of broker/dealer compensation that will be paid out of the sales charge if you buy shares from a Service Agent. For Class A shares sold by the Fund’s distributor, Legg Mason Investor Services, LLC (“LMIS” or the “distributor”), LMIS will receive the sales charge imposed on purchases of Class A shares (or any contingent deferred sales charge paid on redemptions) and will retain the full amount of such sales charge. Service Agents will receive a distribution and/or service fee payable on Class A shares at an annual rate of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets represented by the Class A shares serviced by them.

 

Amount of investment

   Sales Charge
as a % of
offering price
   Sales Charge
as a % of
net amount
invested
   Broker/Dealer
Commission
as a % of
offering price

Less than $25,000

   5.75    6.10    5.00

$25,000 but less than $50,000

   5.00    5.26    4.25

$50,000 but less than $100,000

   4.50    4.71    3.75

$100,000 but less than $250,000

   3.50    3.63    2.75

$250,000 but less than $500,000

   2.50    2.56    2.00

$500,000 but less than $750,000

   2.00    2.04    1.60

$750,000 but less than $1 million

   1.50    1.52    1.20

$1 million or more1

   -0-    -0-    up to 1.00

 

1

The distributor may pay a commission of up to 1.00% to a Service Agent for purchase amounts of $1 million or more. In such cases, starting in the thirteenth month after purchase, the Service Agent will also receive an annual distribution and/or service fee of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets represented by the Class A shares held by its clients. Prior to the thirteenth month, the distributor will retain this fee. Where the Service Agent does not receive the payment of this commission, the Service Agent will instead receive the annual distribution/service fee starting immediately after purchase. Please contact your Service Agent for more information.

 

Investments of $1,000,000 or more

 

You do not pay an initial sales charge when you buy $1,000,000 or more of Class A shares. However, if you redeem these Class A shares within one year of purchase, you will pay a contingent deferred sales charge of 1.00%.

 

18


Qualifying for a reduced Class A sales charge

 

There are several ways you can combine multiple purchases of Class A shares of funds sold by the distributor to take advantage of the breakpoints in the sales charge schedule. In order to take advantage of reductions in sales charges that may be available to you when you purchase Fund shares, you must inform your Service Agent, Funds Investor Services or Institutional Shareholder Services if you are eligible for a letter of intent or a right of accumulation and if you own shares of other funds that are eligible to be aggregated with your purchases. Certain records, such as account statements, may be necessary in order to verify your eligibility for a reduced sales charge.

 

   

Accumulation privilege – allows you to combine the current value of Class A shares of the Fund with other shares of funds sold by the distributor that are owned by:

 

   

you or

 

   

your spouse, and children under the age of 21

 

with the dollar amount of your next purchase of Class A shares for purposes of calculating the initial sales charges.

 

Shares of money market funds sold by the distributor acquired by exchange from other funds offered with a sales charge may be combined. Please contact your Service Agent for additional information.

 

If you hold Fund shares in accounts at two or more Service Agents, please contact your Service Agents to determine which shares may be combined.

 

Certain trustees and fiduciaries may be entitled to combine accounts in determining their sales charge.

 

   

Letter of intent – allows you to purchase Class A shares of funds sold by the distributor over a 13-month period and pay the same sales charge, if any, as if all shares had been purchased at once. At the time you enter into the letter of intent, you select your asset goal amount. Generally, purchases of shares of funds sold by the distributor that are purchased during the 13-month period by:

 

   

you or

 

   

your spouse, and children under the age of 21

 

are eligible for inclusion under the letter, based on the public offering price at the time of the purchase and any capital appreciation on those shares. In addition, you can include towards your asset goal amount the current value of any eligible holdings.

 

If you hold shares of funds sold by the distributor in accounts at two or more Service Agents, please contact your Service Agents to determine which shares may be credited toward your letter of intent asset goal.

 

Shares of money market funds sold by the distributor acquired by exchange from other funds offered with a sales charge may be credited toward your letter of intent asset goal. Please contact your Service Agent for additional information.

 

If you do not meet your asset goal amount, shares in the amount of any sales charges due, based on the amount of your actual purchases, will be redeemed from your account.

 

Waivers for certain Class A investors

 

Class A initial sales charges are waived for certain types of investors, including:

 

   

Employees of Service Agents

 

   

Investors who redeemed Class A shares of a fund sold by the distributor in the past 60 days, if the investor’s Service Agent is notified

 

   

Directors and officers of any Legg Mason-sponsored fund

 

   

Employees of Legg Mason and its subsidiaries

 

   

Investors investing through certain retirement plans

 

19


If you qualify for a waiver of the Class A initial sales charge, you must notify your Service Agent, Funds Investor Services at 1-800-822-5544 or Institutional Shareholder Services at 1-888-425-6432 at the time of purchase and provide sufficient information at the time of purchase to permit verification that the purchase qualifies for the initial sales charge waiver.

 

If you want to learn about additional waivers of Class A initial sales charges, contact your Service Agent, consult the Fund’s SAI or visit the Legg Mason funds’ website, http://www.leggmason.com/individualinvestors, select “Equity” and click on the name of the Fund in the dropdown menu.

 

Class C shares

 

You buy Class C shares at net asset value with no initial sales charge. However, if you redeem your Class C shares within one year of your purchase payment, you will pay a contingent deferred sales charge of 1.00%.

 

LMIS will generally pay Service Agents selling Class C shares a commission of up to 1.00% of the purchase price of the Class C shares they sell. LMIS will retain the contingent deferred sales charges and an annual distribution and/or service fee of up to 1.00% of the average daily net assets represented by the Class C shares serviced by these Service Agents until the thirteenth month after purchase. Starting in the thirteenth month after purchase, these Service Agents will receive an annual distribution/service fee of up to 1.00% of the average daily net assets represented by the Class C shares serviced by them.

 

Class I shares

 

You buy Class I shares at net asset value with no initial sales charge and no contingent deferred sales charge when redeemed. Class I shares are not subject to any distribution/service fees.

 

More about contingent deferred sales charges

 

The contingent deferred sales charge is based on the net asset value at the time of purchase or redemption, whichever is less, and therefore you do not pay a sales charge on amounts representing appreciation or depreciation.

 

In addition, you do not pay a contingent deferred sales charge:

 

   

When you exchange shares for shares of another fund sold by the distributor

 

   

On shares representing reinvested distributions and dividends

 

   

On shares no longer subject to the contingent deferred sales charge

 

Each time you place a request to redeem shares, the Fund will first redeem any shares in your account that are not subject to a contingent deferred sales charge and then redeem the shares in your account that have been held the longest.

 

If you redeem shares of a fund sold by the distributor and pay a contingent deferred sales charge, you may, under certain circumstances, reinvest all or part of the redemption proceeds within 60 days and receive pro rata credit for any contingent deferred sales charge imposed on the prior redemption. Please contact your Service Agent for additional information.

 

The distributor receives contingent deferred sales charges as partial compensation for its expenses in selling shares, including the payment of compensation to your Service Agent.

 

Contingent deferred sales charge waivers

 

The contingent deferred sales charge for each share class will generally be waived:

 

   

On payments made through certain systematic withdrawal plans

 

   

On certain distributions from a retirement plan

 

   

For retirement plans with omnibus accounts held on the books of the Fund

 

   

For involuntary redemptions of small account balances

 

   

For 12 months following the death or disability of a shareholder

 

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If you want to learn more about additional waivers of contingent deferred sales charges, contact your Service Agent, consult the Fund’s SAI or visit the Legg Mason funds’ website, http://www.leggmason.com/individualinvestors, select “Equity” and click on the name of the Fund in the dropdown menu.

 

Retirement and institutional investors—Eligible investors

 

Retirement Plans

 

“Retirement Plans” include 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit-sharing plans, non-qualified deferred compensation plans and other similar employer-sponsored retirement plans. Retirement Plans do not include individual retirement vehicles, such as traditional and Roth individual retirement accounts, Coverdell education savings accounts, individual 403(b)(7) custodial accounts, Keogh plans, SEPs, SARSEPs, SIMPLE IRAs or similar accounts.

 

Retirement Plans with omnibus accounts held on the books of the Fund can generally choose among four classes of shares, two of which are being offered through this Proxy Statement/Prospectus: Class C and Class I shares.

 

Although Retirement Plans with omnibus accounts held on the books of the Fund are not subject to minimum initial investment requirements for any of these share classes, certain investment minimums may be imposed by a financial intermediary. The distributor may impose certain additional requirements. Please contact your Service Agent for more information.

 

Class A shares are no longer offered through Service Agents for Retirement Plans with omnibus accounts held on the books of the Fund, with limited exceptions. Class A shares will cease to be available to new Retirement Plan investors through a Service Agent if the Service Agent makes Class FI shares available. Please see below for additional information.

 

Other Retirement Plans

 

Other Retirement Plan investors can generally choose among three classes of shares, two of which are being offered through this Proxy Statement/Prospectus: Class A and Class C shares. “Other Retirement Plans” include Retirement Plans investing through brokerage accounts and also include certain Retirement Plans with direct relationships to the Fund that are neither Institutional Investors nor investing through omnibus accounts. Individual retirement vehicles, such as IRAs, may also choose among these share classes. Other Retirement Plans and individual retirement vehicles are treated like individual investors for purposes of determining sales charges and any applicable sales charge reductions or waivers.

 

Clients of Eligible Financial Intermediaries

 

Clients of Eligible Financial Intermediaries may invest in three classes of shares, two of which are being offered through this Proxy Statement/Prospectus: Class A and Class I shares. “Clients of Eligible Financial Intermediaries” are investors who invest in the Fund through financial intermediaries that offer their clients Fund shares through investment programs authorized by LMIS. Such investment programs may include fee-based advisory account programs and college savings vehicles such as Section 529 plans. The financial intermediary may impose separate investment minimums.

 

Institutional Investors

 

Institutional Investors may invest in Class I shares if they meet the $1,000,000 minimum initial investment requirement. Institutional Investors may also invest in Class A and Class C shares, which have different investment minimums, fees and expenses. “Institutional Investors” generally include corporations, banks, trust companies, insurance companies, investment companies, foundations, endowments, defined benefit plans and other similar entities with direct relationships to the Fund.

 

Class A—Retirement Plans

 

Class A shares are no longer offered through Service Agents to Retirement Plans with omnibus accounts held on the books of the Fund. Certain existing programs for current and prospective Retirement Plan investors sponsored by financial intermediaries remain eligible to purchase Class A shares. Under these programs, the initial sales charge and contingent deferred sales charge for Class A shares are waived where:

 

   

Such Retirement Plan’s record keeper offers only load-waived shares

 

   

Fund shares are held on the books of the Fund through an omnibus account

 

   

The Retirement Plan has more than 100 participants or has total assets exceeding $1 million

 

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LMIS does not pay Service Agents selling Class A shares to Retirement Plans with a direct omnibus relationship with the Fund a commission on the purchase price of Class A shares sold by them. However, for certain Retirement Plans that are permitted to purchase shares at net asset value, LMIS may pay Service Agents commissions of up to 1.00% of the purchase price of the Class A shares that are purchased with regular ongoing plan contributions. Please contact your Service Agent for more information.

 

Class C—Retirement Plans

 

Retirement Plans with omnibus accounts held on the books of the Fund may buy Class C shares at net asset value without paying a contingent deferred sales charge. LMIS does not pay Service Agents selling Class C shares to Retirement Plans with omnibus accounts held on the books of the Fund a commission on the purchase price of Class C shares sold by them. Instead, immediately after purchase, LMIS may pay these Service Agents an annual distribution and/or service fee of up to 1.00% of the average daily net assets represented by the Class C shares serviced by them.

 

Certain Retirement Plan programs with exchange features in effect prior to November 20, 2006, as approved by LMIS, will remain eligible for exchange from Class C shares to Class A shares in accordance with the program terms. Please see the Fund’s SAI for more details.

 

Class I

 

Class I shares are offered only to Institutional Investors who meet the $1,000,000 minimum initial investment requirement, Clients of Eligible Financial Intermediaries, and other investors authorized by LMIS. However, any investor that held Class I shares prior to November 20, 2006 is permitted to make additional investments in Class I shares.

 

Certain waivers of these requirements for individuals associated with the Fund, Legg Mason or its affiliates are described in the Fund’s SAI.

 

Other Considerations

 

Plan sponsors, plan fiduciaries and other financial intermediaries may choose to impose qualification requirements for plans that differ from the Fund’s share class eligibility standards. In certain cases this could result in the selection of a share class with higher distribution and/or service-related fees than otherwise would have been charged. The Fund is not responsible for, and has no control over, the decision of any plan sponsor, plan fiduciary or financial intermediary to impose such differing requirements. Please consult with your plan sponsor, plan fiduciary or financial intermediary for more information about available share classes.

 

Your Service Agent may not offer all share classes. Please contact your Service Agent for additional details.

 

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Buying shares

 

Generally

  

You may buy shares at their net asset value next determined after receipt by your Service Agent or the transfer agent of your purchase request in good order, plus any applicable sales charge. You must provide the following information for your order to be processed:

•        Name of fund being bought

•        Class of shares being bought

•        Dollar amount or number of shares being bought

•        Account number (if existing account)

Through a
Service Agent

  

You should contact your Service Agent to open a brokerage account and make arrangements to buy shares.

Your Service Agent may charge an annual account maintenance fee.

Through the
Fund

  

Investors should contact Funds Investor Services at 1-800-822-5544 or Institutional Shareholder Services at 1-888-425-6432 to open an account and make arrangements to buy shares.

For initial purchases, complete and send your account application to the Fund at the following address:

         Legg Mason Funds

         P.O. Box 55214

         Boston, Massachusetts 02205-8504

Subsequent purchases should be sent to the same address. Enclose a check to pay for the shares.

 

For more information, please call Funds Investor Services at 1-800-822-5544 or Institutional Shareholder Services at 1-888-425-6432 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. (Eastern time).

Through a systematic investment plan

  

You may authorize your Service Agent or the transfer agent to transfer funds automatically from (i) a regular bank account, (ii) cash held in a brokerage account with a Service Agent or (iii) certain money market funds, in order to buy shares on a regular basis.

•        Amounts transferred must meet the applicable minimums (see “Choosing a class of shares to buy- Investment minimums”)

•        Amounts may be transferred monthly, every alternate month, quarterly, semi-annually or annually

•        If you do not have sufficient funds in your account on a transfer date, your Service Agent, Funds Investor Services or Institutional Shareholder Services may charge you a fee

 

For more information, contact your Service Agent, Funds Investor Services or Institutional Shareholder Services or consult the Fund’s SAI.

 

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Exchanging shares

 

Generally

   You may exchange shares of the Fund for the same class of shares of certain other funds sold by the distributor on any day that both the Fund and the fund into which you are exchanging are open for business.

Legg Mason offers a distinctive family of funds tailored to help meet the varying needs of large and small investors

  

You may exchange shares at their net asset value next determined after receipt by your Service Agent or the transfer agent of your exchange request in good order.

•        If you bought shares through a Service Agent, contact your Service Agent to learn which funds your Service Agent makes available to you for exchanges

•        If you bought shares directly from the Fund, call Funds Investor Services at 1-800-822-5544 or Institutional Shareholder Services at 1-888-425-6432 to learn which funds are available to you for exchanges

•        Not all funds offer all classes

•        Some funds are offered only in a limited number of states. Your Service Agent, Funds Investor Services or Institutional Shareholder Services will provide information about the funds offered in your state

•        Remember that an exchange is a taxable transaction unless you are investing through a tax-qualified savings plan or account

•        Always be sure to read the prospectus of the fund into which you are exchanging shares

Investment minimums, sales charges and other requirements

  

•        In most instances, your shares will not be subject to an initial sales charge or a contingent deferred sales charge at the time of the exchange

•        Your contingent deferred sales charge (if any) will continue to be measured from the date of your original purchase of shares subject to a contingent deferred sales charge, and you will be subject to the contingent deferred sales charge of the fund that you originally purchased

•        For Class A and Class C exchanges, you will generally be required to meet the minimum investment requirement for the class of shares of the fund into which your exchange is made (except in the case of systematic exchange plans)

•        Your exchange will also be subject to any other requirements of the fund into which you are exchanging shares

•        The Fund may suspend or terminate your exchange privilege if you engage in a pattern of excessive exchanges

By telephone

  

Contact your Service Agent or, if you hold shares directly with the Fund, call Funds Investor Services at 1-800-822-5544 or Institutional Shareholder Services at 1-888-425-6432 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. (Eastern time) for information. Exchanges are priced at the net asset value next determined.

Telephone exchanges may be made only between accounts that have identical registrations and may be made on any day the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) is open.

By mail

  

Contact your Service Agent or, if you hold shares directly with the Fund, write to the Fund at the following address:

         Legg Mason Funds

         P.O. Box 55214

         Boston, Massachusetts 02205-8504

Through a systematic exchange plan

  

You may be permitted to schedule automatic exchanges of shares of the Fund for shares of other funds available for exchange. All requirements for exchanging shares described above apply to these exchanges. In addition:

•        Exchanges may be made monthly, every alternate month, quarterly, semi-annually or annually

•        Each exchange must meet the applicable investment minimums for systematic investment plans (see “Investment minimums”)

 

For more information, please contact your Service Agent, Funds Investor Services or Institutional Shareholder Services or consult the Fund’s SAI.

 

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Redeeming shares

 

Generally

  

Contact your Service Agent or, if you hold shares directly with the Fund, Funds Investor Services at 1-800-822-5544 or Institutional Shareholder Services at 1-888-425-6432 to redeem shares of the Fund.

You may redeem shares at their net asset value next determined after receipt by your Service Agent or the transfer agent of your redemption request in good order, less any applicable contingent deferred sales charge.

If the shares are held by a fiduciary or corporation, partnership or similar entity, other documents may be required.

Redemption

proceeds

  

Your redemption proceeds normally will be sent within 3 business days after your request is received in good order, but in any event within 7 days, except that your proceeds may be delayed for up to 10 days if your share purchase was made by check.

Your redemption proceeds may be delayed, or your right to receive redemption proceeds suspended, if the NYSE is closed (other than on weekends or holidays), trading is restricted, an emergency exists or otherwise as permitted by order of the SEC.

If you have a brokerage account with a Service Agent, your redemption proceeds will be sent to your Service Agent. Your redemption proceeds can be sent by check to your address of record or by wire or electronic transfer (ACH) to a bank account designated by you. To change the bank account designated to receive wire or electronic transfers, you will be required to deliver a new written authorization and may be asked to provide other documents. You may be charged a fee on a wire or an electronic transfer (ACH).

In other cases, unless you direct otherwise, your proceeds will be paid by check mailed to your address of record.

The Fund reserves the right to pay redemption proceeds by giving you securities. You may pay transaction costs to dispose of the securities.

By mail

  

Contact your Service Agent or, if you hold shares directly with the Fund, write to the Fund at the following address:

         Legg Mason Funds

         P.O. Box 55214

         Boston, Massachusetts 02205-8504

Your written request must provide the following:

•        The fund name, the class of shares being redeemed and your account number

•        The dollar amount or number of shares being redeemed

•        Signature of each owner exactly as the account is registered

•        Signature guarantees, as applicable (see “Other things to know about transactions”)

By telephone

  

If your account application permits, you may be eligible to redeem shares by telephone. Contact your Service Agent or, if you hold shares directly with the Fund, call Funds Investor Services at 1-800-822-5544 or Institutional Shareholder Services at 1-888-425-6432 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. (Eastern time) for more information.

Please have the following information ready when you call:

•        Name of fund being redeemed

•        Class of shares being redeemed

•        Account number

If you hold shares directly with the fund, redemptions of shares may be made by telephone on any day the NYSE is open for business.

Automatic cash withdrawal plans

  

You may be permitted to schedule automatic redemptions of a portion of your shares. To qualify, you must own shares of the Fund with a value of at least $10,000 ($5,000 for Retirement Plan accounts) and each automatic redemption must be at least $50.

The following conditions apply:

•        Redemptions may be made monthly, every alternate month, quarterly, semi-annually or annually

•        If your shares are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge, the charge will be required to be paid upon redemption. However, the charge will be waived if your automatic redemptions are equal to or less than 2% per month of your account balance on the date the redemptions commence, up to a maximum of 12% in one year

•        You must elect to have all dividends and distributions reinvested

 

For more information, please contact your Service Agent, Funds Investor Services or Institutional Shareholder Services, or consult the Fund’s SAI.

 

25


Other things to know about transactions

 

When you buy, exchange or redeem shares, your request must be in good order. This means you have provided the following information, without which your request may not be processed:

 

   

Name of the Fund

 

   

Your account number

 

   

In the case of a purchase (including a purchase as part of an exchange transaction), the class of shares being bought

 

   

In the case of an exchange or redemption, the class of shares being exchanged or redeemed (if you own more than one class)

 

   

Dollar amount or number of shares being bought, exchanged or redeemed

 

   

In certain circumstances, signature of each owner exactly as the account is registered (See “Redeeming shares”)

 

The Fund generally will not permit non-resident aliens with a non-U.S. address to establish an account. U.S. citizens with an APO/FPO address or an address in the United States (including its territories) and resident aliens with a U.S. address are permitted to establish an account with the Fund. Subject to the requirements of local law, U.S. citizens residing in foreign countries are permitted to establish an account with the Fund.

 

In certain circumstances, such as during periods of market volatility, severe weather and emergencies, shareholders may experience difficulties placing redemption or exchange orders by telephone. In that case, shareholders should consider using the Fund’s other redemption and exchange procedures described above under “Exchanging shares” and “Redeeming shares.”

 

The transfer agent, Funds Investor Services or Institutional Shareholder Services will employ reasonable procedures to confirm that any telephone exchange or redemption request is genuine, which may include recording calls, asking the caller to provide certain personal identification information, sending you a written confirmation or requiring other confirmation procedures from time to time. If these procedures are followed, neither the Fund nor its agents will bear any liability for these transactions.

 

The Fund has the right to:

 

   

Suspend the offering of shares

 

   

Waive or change minimum initial and additional investment amounts

 

   

Reject any purchase or exchange order

 

   

Change, revoke or suspend the exchange privilege

 

   

Suspend telephone transactions

 

   

Suspend or postpone redemptions of shares on any day when trading on the NYSE is restricted or as otherwise permitted by the SEC

 

Signature guarantees

 

To be in good order, your redemption request must include a signature guarantee if you:

 

   

Are redeeming over $50,000

 

   

Instruct the transfer agent to mail the check to an address different from the one on your account registration

 

   

Changed your account registration or your address within 30 days

 

   

Want the check paid to someone other than the account owner(s)

 

   

Are transferring the redemption proceeds to an account with a different registration

 

You can obtain a signature guarantee from most banks, dealers, brokers, credit unions and federal savings and loan institutions, but not from a notary public.

 

26


Anti-money laundering

 

Federal anti-money laundering regulations require all financial institutions to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. When you sign your account application, you may be asked to provide additional information in order for the Fund to verify your identity in accordance with these regulations. Accounts may be restricted and/or closed, and the monies withheld, pending verification of this information or as otherwise required under these and other federal regulations.

 

Small account balances/mandatory redemptions

 

The Fund reserves the right to ask you to bring your account up to the minimum investment amount as determined by your Service Agent if the aggregate value of the Fund shares in your account is less than $500 for any reason (including solely due to declines in net asset value and/or failure to invest at least $500 within a reasonable period). You will be notified in writing and will have 60 days to make an additional investment to bring your account value up to the required level. If you choose not to do so within this 60-day period, the Fund may close your account and send you the redemption proceeds. If your account is closed, you will not be eligible to have your account subsequently reinstated without imposition of any sales charges that may apply to your new purchase. The Fund may, with prior notice, change the minimum size of accounts subject to mandatory redemption, which may vary by class, or implement fees for small accounts.

 

Subject to applicable law, the Fund may, with prior notice, adopt other policies from time to time requiring mandatory redemption of shares in certain circumstances.

 

For more information, please contact your Service Agent, Funds Investor Services or Institutional Shareholder Services or consult the Fund’s SAI.

 

Frequent trading of Fund shares

 

Frequent trading in the Fund’s shares increases the Fund’s administrative costs associated with processing shareholder transactions. In addition, frequent trading may potentially interfere with the efficient management of the Fund’s portfolio and increase the Fund’s costs associated with trading the Fund’s portfolio securities. Under certain circumstances, frequent trading may also dilute the returns earned on shares held by the Fund’s other shareholders. The Fund therefore discourages frequent purchases and redemptions by shareholders.

 

The Fund reserves the right to refuse any client or reject any purchase order for shares (including exchanges) for any reason. In particular, the Board has determined that the Fund is not designed to serve as a vehicle for frequent trading in response to short-term fluctuations in the securities markets.

 

Under the Fund’s frequent trading policy, the Fund reserves the right to restrict or reject purchases of shares (including exchanges) without prior notice whenever the Fund detects a pattern of excessive trading. The policy currently provides that the Fund will use its best efforts to restrict a shareholder’s trading privileges in the Fund if that shareholder has engaged in three or more “Round Trips” (defined below) during any rolling 12-month period. The restriction on the number of Round Trips may change from time to time by amendment of the frequent trading policy. The Fund may determine to restrict a shareholder from making additional purchases prior to engaging in three Round Trips. However, the Fund has the discretion to determine that restricting a shareholder’s trading privileges is not necessary (or that a new limit on Round Trips should be established for the shareholder) if it is determined that the pattern of trading is not abusive or harmful to the Fund. In making such a determination, the Fund will consider, among other things, the nature of the shareholder’s account, the reason for the frequent trading and the amount of trading. Additionally, the Fund has the discretion to make inquiries or to take action against any shareholder whose trading appears inconsistent with the frequent trading policy. Examples of the types of actions the Fund may take to deter excessive trading in a shareholder account include restricting the shareholder from purchasing additional shares in the Fund altogether or imposing other restrictions (such as requiring purchase orders to be submitted by mail) that would deter the shareholder from trading frequently in the Fund.

 

A “Round Trip” is defined as a purchase (including subscriptions and exchanges) into the Fund followed by a sale (including redemptions and exchanges) of the same or a similar number of shares out of the Fund within 30 days of such purchase. Purchases and sales of Fund shares pursuant to an automatic investment plan or similar program for periodic transactions are not considered in determining Round Trips.

 

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With respect to accounts where shareholder transactions are processed or records are kept by third-party intermediaries, the Fund uses reasonable efforts to monitor such accounts to detect suspicious trading patterns. For any such account that is so identified, the Fund will make such further inquiries and take such other actions as shall be considered necessary or appropriate to enforce the Fund’s frequent trading policy against the shareholder(s) trading through such account and, if necessary, the third-party intermediary (retirement plan administrators, securities broker/dealers and mutual fund marketplaces) maintaining such account. The Fund may accept undertakings from intermediaries to enforce frequent trading policies on behalf of the Fund that provide a substantially similar level of protection against excessive trading. Shareholders who own shares of the Fund through financial intermediaries should examine any disclosures provided by the intermediaries to determine what restrictions apply to the shareholders.

 

Although the Fund will monitor shareholder transactions for certain patterns of frequent trading activity, there can be no assurance that all such trading activity can be identified, prevented or terminated.

 

Share certificates

 

The Fund does not issue share certificates.

 

Record ownership

 

If you hold shares through a Service Agent, your Service Agent may establish and maintain your account and be the shareholder of record. In the event that the Fund holds a shareholder meeting, your Service Agent, as record holder, will vote your shares in accordance with your instructions. If you do not give your Service Agent voting instructions, your Service Agent, under certain circumstances, may nonetheless be entitled to vote your shares.

 

Dividends, distributions and taxes

 

Dividends and distributions

 

The Fund generally pays dividends and makes capital gain distributions, if any, typically once or twice a year. The Fund may pay additional distributions and dividends at other times if necessary for the Fund to avoid a federal tax. Long-term capital gain distributions and dividends are reinvested in additional Fund shares of the same class you hold. The Fund expects distributions to be primarily from capital gains. You do not pay a sales charge on reinvested distributions or dividends. Alternatively, you can instruct your Service Agent, Funds Investor Services or Institutional Shareholder Services to have your distributions and/or dividends paid in cash. You can change your choice at any time to be effective as of the next distribution or dividend.

 

Taxes

 

The following discussion is very general. Because each shareholder’s circumstances are different and special tax rules may apply, you should consult your tax adviser about your investment in the Fund.

 

In general, redeeming shares, exchanging shares and receiving dividends and distributions (whether in cash or additional shares) are all taxable events, unless your shares are held in a qualified retirement plan, IRA or other tax-deferred arrangement. The following table summarizes the tax status to you of certain transactions related to the Fund.

 

Transaction

 

Federal tax status

Redemptions or exchange of shares

  Usually capital gain or loss; long-term only if shares owned more than one year

Long-term capital gain distributions

  Long-term capital gain

Dividends

  Ordinary income, potentially taxable for individuals at long-term capital gains rates

 

Distributions attributable to short-term capital gains are treated as dividends, taxable as ordinary income. Dividends and long-term capital gain distributions are taxable whether received in cash or reinvested in additional Fund shares. Although dividends (including dividends from short-term capital gains) are generally taxable as ordinary income, individual shareholders who satisfy certain holding period and other requirements are taxed on such dividends at long-term capital gain

 

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rates to the extent the dividends are attributable to “qualified dividend income” received by the Fund for taxable years beginning before January 1, 2011. “Qualified dividend income” generally consists of dividends received from U.S. corporations (other than certain dividends from real estate investment trusts) and certain foreign corporations. Long-term capital gain distributions are taxable to you as long-term capital gain regardless of how long you have owned your shares. You may want to avoid buying shares when the Fund is about to declare a long-term capital gain distribution or a dividend because it will be taxable to you even though it may actually be a return of a portion of your investment.

 

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.

 

After the end of each year, your Service Agent or the Fund will provide you with information about the distributions and dividends you received and any redemptions of shares during the previous year. If you do not provide the Fund with your correct taxpayer identification number and any required certifications, you may be subject to back-up withholding at the rate of 28% on your distributions, dividends and redemption proceeds. Because each shareholder’s circumstances are different and special tax rules may apply, you should consult your tax adviser about your investment in the Fund.

 

The above discussion is applicable to shareholders who are U.S. persons. If you are a non-U.S. person, please consult your own tax adviser with respect to the tax consequences to you of an investment in the Fund.

 

Share price

 

You may buy, exchange or redeem shares at their net asset value next determined after receipt of your request in good order, adjusted for any applicable sales charge. The Fund’s net asset value per share is the value of its assets minus its liabilities divided by the number of shares outstanding. Net asset value is calculated separately for each class of shares.

 

The Fund calculates its net asset value every day the NYSE is open. The Fund generally values its securities and other assets and calculates its net asset value as of the 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 net asset value as of the actual closing time. The NYSE is closed on certain holidays listed in the SAI.

 

In order to buy, redeem or exchange shares at a certain day’s price, you must place your order with your Service Agent or the transfer agent before the NYSE closes on that day. If the NYSE closes early on that day, you must place your order prior to the actual closing time. It is the responsibility of the Service Agents to transmit all orders to buy, exchange or redeem shares to the transfer agent on a timely basis.

 

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 Fund’s manager, which, in turn, uses independent third party pricing services approved by the Fund’s Board. Under the procedures, assets are valued as follows:

 

   

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

 

   

The valuations of securities traded on foreign markets and certain fixed income securities will generally be based on prices determined as of the earlier closing time of the markets on which they primarily trade, unless a significant event has occurred. When the Fund holds securities or other assets that are denominated in a foreign currency, the Fund will normally use the currency exchange rates as of 2:00 p.m., Eastern time. The Fund uses a fair value model developed by an independent third party pricing service to value foreign equity securities on days when a certain percentage change in the value of a domestic equity security index suggests that the closing prices on foreign exchanges may no longer represent the value of those securities at the time of closing of the NYSE. Foreign markets

 

29


 

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 redeem the Fund’s shares.

 

   

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 matrix, 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 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 net asset value 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 net asset value. Investors who purchase or redeem Fund shares on days when the Fund is holding fair-valued securities may receive a greater or lesser number of shares, or higher or lower redemption proceeds, than they would have received if the Fund had not fair-valued the security or had used a different methodology.

 

30


INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED REORGANIZATION

 

The Reorganization Agreement

 

The following summary of the Reorganization Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the form of Reorganization Agreement attached as Appendix A to this Proxy Statement/Prospectus. The Reorganization Agreement provides for (1) the transfer of all of the assets of the Acquired Fund to the Acquiring Fund, in exchange for the assumption of all of the liabilities of the Acquired Fund and for shares of the Acquiring Fund having an aggregate net asset value equal to the aggregate net asset value of the shares of the Acquired Fund, (2) the distribution of Class A, Class C and Class I shares of the Acquiring Fund to the shareholders of the Acquired Fund and (3) the subsequent redemption of the Acquired Fund shares and termination of the Acquired Fund. Subject to the satisfaction of the conditions described below, the Reorganization is scheduled to occur as of the close of business on December 4, 2009, or on such later date as the parties may agree (“Closing Date”).

 

If the Reorganization is approved, shareholders of Class A shares of the Acquired Fund will receive Class A shares of the Acquiring Fund, shareholders of Class C shares of the Acquired Fund will receive Class C shares of the Acquiring Fund and shareholders of Institutional Class shares of the Acquired Fund will receive Class I shares of the Acquiring Fund. The net asset value of the Acquired Fund shall be computed using the valuation procedures established by the Acquired Fund’s Board.

 

To facilitate the Reorganization, the Acquired Fund’s Board approved the adoption of the Acquiring Fund’s valuation practices. The Acquiring Fund’s valuation practices are the same as the Acquired Fund’s in every respect, with the exception of valuing fixed income securities. The new valuation practices will value fixed income securities at the mean of the last closing bid and asked prices. The change is intended to ensure that shareholders of the Acquired Fund receive full value for their Fund shares upon completion of the Reorganization. The change in valuation procedures is scheduled to take effect immediately prior to the consummation of the Reorganization.

 

The net asset value per share of the Acquiring Fund will be determined using the valuation procedures established by the Acquiring Fund’s Board.

 

The number of full and fractional shares of the Acquiring Fund to be received by the Acquired Fund shareholder in the Reorganization will be equal in aggregate net asset value to the aggregate net asset value of the shares of the Acquired Fund held by that shareholder as of the close of regularly scheduled trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) on the Closing Date or such later time as the Acquired Fund’s net asset value is calculated. As promptly as practicable after the Closing Date, the Acquired Fund will distribute pro rata to its shareholders of record, as of the close of regularly scheduled trading on the NYSE on the Closing Date, the shares of the Acquiring Fund received by the Acquired Fund in the Reorganization, and will terminate. The distribution of the Acquiring Fund’s shares will be accomplished by the transfer of the Acquiring Fund shares then credited to the account of the Acquired Fund on the books of the Acquiring Fund to open accounts on the share records of the Acquiring Fund in the names of the Acquired Fund’s shareholders.

 

All issued and outstanding shares of the Acquired Fund will thereafter be canceled on the books of the Acquired Fund and any share certificates representing shares of the Acquired Fund will be null and void.

 

After such distribution, the Acquired Fund will take all necessary steps under Maryland law, its charter and any other applicable law to effect its termination.

 

The Board of the Acquired Fund and the Board of the Acquiring Fund have determined with respect to each of its respective Fund that the interests of its Fund’s shareholders will not be diluted as a result of the Reorganization and that participation in the Reorganization is in the best interests of the Fund.

 

The Reorganization Agreement may be terminated and the Reorganization abandoned at any time prior to the Closing Date if circumstances develop that, in the opinion of the Board of the Acquired Fund or the Board of the Acquiring Fund, make proceeding with the Reorganization inadvisable. The Reorganization Agreement provides that the Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund may waive compliance with any of the covenants or conditions made therein for the benefit of either Fund, other than the requirements that: (a) the Reorganization Agreement be approved by shareholders of the Acquired Fund; and (b) the Funds receive the opinion of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP that the transaction contemplated by the

 

31


Reorganization Agreement will constitute a tax-free reorganization for federal income tax purposes. The Reorganization Agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented in such manner as may be deemed necessary or advisable by the authorized officers of the Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund, provided, however, that following the Meeting, no such amendment shall have the effect of changing the provisions for determining the number of Acquiring Fund shares to be issued to Acquired Fund shareholders to the detriment of such shareholders without their further approval.

 

Approval of the Reorganization Agreement will require the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Acquired Fund as defined in the 1940 Act. See “Voting Information” below.

 

Description of the Acquiring Fund’s Shares

 

Class A, Class C and Institutional Class shareholders of the Acquired Fund will receive Class A, Class C and Class I shares of the Acquiring Fund, respectively. Each such share will be fully paid and non-assessable when issued and will have no preemptive or conversion rights. The Acquiring Fund will not issue share certificates.

 

Reasons for the Reorganization and Board Considerations

 

The proposed Reorganization was presented to the Acquired Fund’s Board for consideration at a Board meeting held in August 2009, and was approved at that meeting. Following extensive discussions of the advantages and disadvantages to the Acquired Fund, based on its evaluation of all material factors, including those described below, the Acquired Fund’s Board, including all of the Independent Board Members, determined that: (1) participation in the proposed Reorganization is in the best interests of the Acquired Fund; and (2) the Reorganization would not result in the dilution of the interests of the Acquired Fund’s shareholders. In considering the proposal, the Board did not identify any single factor or piece of information as all-important or controlling.

 

The Acquired Fund’s Board considered a number of factors in recommending the Reorganization, including the following:

 

   

the recommendations of Legg Mason Fund Adviser, Inc. (“LMFA”), the predecessor manager to LMPFA, with respect to the Reorganization;1

 

   

the potential efficiencies and economies of scale that are expected to result from the Reorganization;

 

   

the benefits to shareholders of the Acquired Fund expected to result from the Reorganization;

 

   

that the Acquired Fund’s manager will reimburse the Acquired Fund for the costs and expenses allocated to it in connection with the Reorganization;

 

   

the relative performance histories of the two Funds;

 

   

the annual fund operating expenses and shareholder fees and services that Acquired Fund shareholders are expected to pay as shareholders of the Acquiring Fund after the Reorganization;

 

   

the fact that the Acquired Fund has not achieved a sufficient size to allow for efficient operation;

 

   

the fact that the Reorganization would constitute a tax-free reorganization; and

 

   

the similarities and differences in the investment objectives, strategies, policies and risks of the Acquiring Fund and the Acquired Fund.

 

The Board considered the benefits to Legg Mason. If the Reorganization of the Acquired Fund is approved by its shareholders and is consummated, Legg Mason is expected to achieve higher profitability due to decreased costs. Legg Mason is expected to reduce the level of its operational expenses for administrative, compliance and portfolio management services as the number of separate funds declines and will reduce its waivers of fees and expenses.

 

Among its considerations, the Acquiring Fund’s Board considered the intangible and tangible benefits to the Acquiring Fund, including the opportunity for the Acquiring Fund to acquire investment assets without the obligation to pay commissions or other transaction costs that a fund normally incurs when purchasing securities.

 

 

1

At the time of the Acquired Fund’s Board meeting, LMFA served as the Acquired Fund’s manager. LMFA transferred its duties and obligations under the Management Agreement with the Acquired Fund to LMPFA, effective as of September 30, 2009.

 

32


Federal Income Tax Consequences

 

The Reorganization is conditioned upon the receipt by the parties to the Reorganization Agreement (other than LMPFA) of an opinion from Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, substantially to the effect that, based upon certain facts, assumptions and representations of the parties, for federal income tax purposes:

 

(i) The acquisition by the Acquiring Fund of all of the assets of the Acquired Fund solely in exchange for shares of the Acquiring Fund and the assumption by the Acquiring Fund of all of the liabilities of the Acquired Fund, followed by the distribution by the Acquired Fund to its shareholders of shares of the Acquiring Fund and the termination of the Acquired Fund, all pursuant to the Reorganization Agreement, will constitute a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, and the Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund will each be a “party to a reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(b) of the Code;

 

(ii) The Acquired Fund will not recognize gain or loss upon the transfer of its assets to the Acquiring Fund solely in exchange for shares of the Acquiring Fund and the assumption of all of the liabilities of the Acquired Fund by the Acquiring Fund, or upon the distribution by the Acquired Fund to the Acquired Fund’s shareholders of shares of the Acquiring Fund in liquidation of Acquired Fund;

 

(iii) Shareholders of the Acquired Fund will not recognize gain or loss on the receipt of shares of the Acquiring Fund solely in exchange for shares of the Acquired Fund pursuant to the Reorganization;

 

(iv) The aggregate basis of the shares of the Acquiring Fund received by each Acquired Fund shareholder pursuant to the Reorganization will be the same as the aggregate basis of the shares of the Acquired Fund exchanged therefor;

 

(v) The holding period of the shares of the Acquiring Fund received by each Acquired Fund shareholder pursuant to the Reorganization will include the holding period of the shares of the Acquired Fund exchanged therefor, provided that the Acquired Fund shareholder held the shares of the Acquired Fund as capital assets at the time of the Reorganization;

 

(vi) The Acquiring Fund will not recognize gain or loss upon the receipt of the assets of the Acquired Fund in exchange for shares of the Acquiring Fund and the assumption by the Acquiring Fund of all of the liabilities of the Acquired Fund;

 

(vii) The basis of each asset of the Acquired Fund transferred to the Acquiring Fund in the Reorganization will be the same in the hands of the Acquiring Fund as the basis of such asset in the hands of the Acquired Fund immediately prior to the transfer, increased by the amount of gain (or decreased by the amount of loss), if any, recognized by the Acquired Fund upon the transfer; and

 

(viii) The holding period of each asset of the Acquired Fund transferred to the Acquiring Fund in the Reorganization in the hands of the Acquiring Fund will include the period during which such asset was held by the Acquired Fund (except to the extent that the investment activities of the Acquiring Fund reduce or eliminate such holding period).

 

The opinion will not express an opinion as to the tax effects to the Acquired Fund, the Acquiring Fund or the respective shareholders of each from the marking to market of certain categories of assets as of the closing of the taxable year of the Acquired Fund at the time of the Reorganization.

 

While neither of the Funds is aware of any adverse state or local tax consequences of the proposed Reorganization, they have not requested any ruling or opinion with respect to such consequences and shareholders should consult their own tax adviser with respect to such matters.

 

Immediately prior to its Reorganization, the Acquired Fund will pay a dividend or dividends, which together with all previous dividends are intended to have the effect of distributing to its shareholders all of its investment company taxable income for taxable years ending on or prior to the Closing Date (computed without regard to any deduction for dividends paid) and all of its net capital gain, if any, realized in taxable years ending on or prior to the Closing Date (after reduction for any available capital loss carryover). Such dividends will be included in the taxable income of the Acquired Fund’s shareholders.

 

Information Regarding Tax Capital Loss Carryovers

 

Federal income tax law permits a regulated investment company to carry forward its net capital losses for a period of up to eight taxable years. The Acquired Fund is presently entitled to capital loss carryovers for federal income tax purposes in the amounts set forth below. The Reorganization will cause the taxable year of the Acquired Fund to close, which will

 

33


accelerate the schedule for expiration of its capital loss carryovers, and could also result in a net capital loss for the taxable year ending on the Closing Date. In addition, the Reorganization is expected to result in a limitation on the Acquiring Fund’s abilities to use carryovers of the Acquired Fund and, potentially, to use unrealized capital losses inherent in the tax bases of the assets acquired, once realized. That limitation, imposed by Section 382 of the Code, will apply if, as expected, the shareholders of the Acquired Fund own less than 50% of the Acquiring Fund immediately after the Reorganization, and will be imposed on an annual basis. The annual Section 382 limitation for periods following the Reorganization generally will equal the product of the net asset value of the Acquired Fund immediately prior to the Reorganization and the “long-term tax-exempt rate,” published by the Internal Revenue Service, in effect at the time of the Reorganization. The Acquiring Fund may also be prohibited, under Section 384 of the Code, from using the Acquired Fund’s capital loss carryovers and unrealized losses against the unrealized gains of the Acquiring Fund at the time of the Reorganization to the extent such gains are realized within five years following the Reorganization.

 

As of the date of this Proxy Statement/Prospectus, the sum of the current capital loss carryovers and unrealized losses exceeds the product of the current long-term tax-exempt rate and the net asset value of the Acquired Fund. No assurance can be given as to the net asset value of the Acquired Fund or the long-term tax-exempt rate that will be in effect at the time of the Reorganization. Even if the Acquiring Fund were able to fully utilize the capital loss carryovers and unrealized losses of the Acquired Fund, the tax benefit resulting from those losses would be shared by both the Acquired Fund and Acquiring Fund shareholders following the Reorganization. Therefore, an Acquired Fund shareholder may pay more taxes, or pay taxes sooner, than such shareholder otherwise would if the Reorganization did not occur.

 

As of its prior fiscal year end, the Acquired Fund had the following unused capital loss carryovers:

 

     Acquired Fund
     Amount of carryover     Fiscal Year of Expiration
Assuming No Reorganization
   $ (9,157,674   March 31, 2017
          

Total

   $ (9,157,674  
          

 

Acquired Fund

 

The Reorganization would impact the use of the Acquired Fund’s capital loss carryovers in the following manner: (1) the expiration date of the carryovers would move up one year and realign itself to that of the Acquiring Fund; for example, the carryovers due to expire on March 31, 2017 would expire on September 30, 2016; (2) the carryovers would benefit the shareholders of the combined Fund, rather than only the shareholders of the Acquired Fund; (3) the amount of the carryovers that could be utilized in any taxable year would equal the long-term tax-exempt rate at such time, multiplied by the aggregate net asset value of the Acquired Fund at the time of Reorganization (approximately $2,581,407 per year based on data as of a recent date); and (4) any losses recognized after the Reorganization that are attributable to depreciation in the Acquired Fund’s portfolio at the time of the Reorganization would be subject to these same limitations.

 

Acquiring Fund

 

The Reorganization would impact the use of the Acquiring Fund’s capital loss carryovers by benefiting the shareholders of the combined Fund, rather than only the shareholders of the Acquiring Fund.

 

Information Applicable to both Funds

 

The capital loss carryovers and limitations described above may change significantly between now and the Closing Date, expected to be approximately December 4, 2009. Further, the ability of each Fund to use these losses (even in the absence of the Reorganization) depends on factors other than loss limitations, such as the future realization of capital gains or losses. The combination of these factors on the use of loss carryovers may result in some portion of the loss carryovers of either or both of the Funds expiring unused.

 

TERMINATION OF THE ACQUIRED FUND

 

If the Reorganization of the Acquired Fund is effected, the Acquired Fund will be terminated.

 

34


PORTFOLIO SECURITIES

 

If the Reorganization of the Acquired Fund is effected, management will analyze and evaluate the portfolio securities of the Acquired Fund being transferred to the Acquiring Fund. Consistent with the Acquiring Fund’s investment objective and policies, any restrictions imposed by the Code and in the best interests of the Acquiring Fund’s shareholders (including former shareholders of the Acquired Fund), management will determine the extent and duration to which the portfolio securities of the Acquired Fund will be maintained by the Acquiring Fund. It is possible that there may be some dispositions of the portfolio securities of the Acquired Fund in connection with the Reorganization. Subject to market conditions at the time of any such disposition, the disposition of the portfolio securities of the Acquired Fund may result in a capital gain or loss. The actual tax consequences of any disposition of portfolio securities will vary depending upon the specific security(ies) being sold and the Acquiring Fund’s ability to use any available capital loss carryovers. The transaction costs associated with repositioning the Acquired Fund’s portfolio in connection with the Reorganization will largely be borne by the Acquiring Fund after the Reorganization. As of the date hereof, the Acquiring Fund is not expected to recognize material capital gains or incur significant transaction costs as a result of repositioning the portfolio in connection with the Reorganization.

 

35


INFORMATION ABOUT MANAGEMENT OF THE ACQUIRING FUND

 

Investment Manager and Subadviser

 

LMPFA is the Acquiring 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 June 30, 2009, LMPFA’s total assets under management were approximately $173 billion.

 

ClearBridge Advisors, LLC (“ClearBridge” or the “subadviser”) provides the day-to-day portfolio management of the Acquiring Fund. ClearBridge has offices at 620 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 10018 and is an investment adviser that was formed to succeed to the equity securities portfolio management business of Citigroup Asset Management, which was acquired by Legg Mason, Inc. (“Legg Mason”) in December 2005. As of June 30, 2009, ClearBridge’s total assets under management were approximately $47.1 billion.

 

LMPFA and ClearBridge are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Legg Mason. Legg Mason, whose principal executive offices are at 100 International Drive, Baltimore, Maryland 21202, is a global asset management company. As of June 30, 2009, Legg Mason’s asset management operations had aggregate assets under management of approximately $657 billion.

 

Management and sub-advisory fees paid to LMPFA and ClearBridge prior to the Reorganization are as follows:

 

Legg Mason Partners Small Cap Value Fund

 

Investment Manager

  

Fee Rate (percentage of
average daily net assets)

  

Subadviser

  

Rate Received by
Subadviser

LMPFA

   0.75%    ClearBridge    The sub-advisory fee is 70% of the management fee paid to LMPFA, net of expense waivers and reimbursements

 

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008, the Acquiring Fund paid management fees, after waivers and reimbursements, if any, of 0.75% of its average daily net assets for management services.

 

Information about the factors considered by the Board of the Acquiring Fund in approving the investment management agreement with LMPFA and the subadvisory agreement with ClearBridge is contained in the Semi-Annual Report for the Acquiring Fund for the fiscal period ended March 31, 2009.

 

Certain Legal Proceedings

 

Beginning in May 2004, class action lawsuits alleging violations of the federal securities laws were filed against Citigroup Global Markets Inc. (“CGMI”) and a number of its then affiliates, including Smith Barney Fund Management LLC (“SBFM”) and Salomon Brothers Asset Management Inc. (“SBAM”), which were then investment adviser or manager to the Acquiring Fund and certain other funds (the “Managers”), substantially all of the mutual funds then managed by the Managers, including the Acquiring Fund (the “Defendant Funds”) and Board Members of the Defendant Funds (collectively, the “Defendants”). The complaints alleged, among other things, that CGMI created various undisclosed incentives for its brokers to sell Smith Barney and Salomon Brothers funds. In addition, according to the complaints, the Managers caused the Defendant Funds to pay excessive brokerage commissions to CGMI for steering clients towards proprietary funds. The complaints also alleged that the Defendants breached their fiduciary duty to the Defendant Funds by improperly charging Rule 12b-1 fees and by drawing on fund assets to make undisclosed payments of soft dollars and excessive brokerage commissions. The complaints also alleged that the Defendant Funds failed to adequately disclose certain of the allegedly wrongful conduct. The complaints sought injunctive relief and compensatory and punitive damages, rescission of the Defendant Funds’ contracts with the Managers, recovery of all fees paid to the Managers pursuant to such contracts and an award of attorneys’ fees and litigation expenses.

 

On December 15, 2004, a consolidated amended complaint (the “Complaint”) was filed alleging substantially similar causes of action. On July 26, 2006, the court issued a decision and order (1) finding that plaintiffs lacked standing to sue on

 

36


behalf of the shareholders of the Defendant Funds in which none of the plaintiffs had invested, including the Acquiring Fund, and dismissing those Defendant Funds from the case (although stating that they could be brought back into the case if standing as to them could be established), and (2) other than one stayed claim, dismissing all of the causes of action against the remaining Defendants, with prejudice, except for the cause of action under Section 36(b) of the 1940 Act, which the court granted plaintiffs leave to replead as a derivative claim.

 

On October 16, 2006, plaintiffs filed their Second Consolidated Amended Complaint (“Second Amended Complaint”) which alleges derivative claims on behalf of nine funds identified in the Second Amended Complaint under Section 36(b) of the 1940 Act, and against Citigroup Asset Management (“CAM”), SBAM and SBFM as investment advisers to the identified funds, as well as CGMI as a distributor for the identified funds, (collectively, the “Second Amended Complaint Defendants”). The Second Amended Complaint alleges no claims against any of the Defendant Funds or any of their Board Members. Under Section 36(b), the Second Amended Complaint alleges similar facts and seeks similar relief against the Second Amended Complaint Defendants as the Complaint.

 

On December 3, 2007, the court granted Defendants’ motion to dismiss, with prejudice. On January 2, 2008, the plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. The appeal was fully briefed and oral argument before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit took place on March 5, 2009. The parties currently are awaiting a decision from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

 

Additional lawsuits arising out of these circumstances and presenting similar allegations and requests for relief may be filed in the future.

 

* * *

 

On May 31, 2005, the SEC issued an order in connection with the settlement of an administrative proceeding against SBFM, the then-investment adviser or manager to the Acquiring Fund, and CGMI, a former distributor of the Acquiring Fund, relating to the appointment of an affiliated transfer agent for the Smith Barney family of mutual funds, including the Acquiring Fund (the “Affected Funds”).

 

The SEC order found that SBFM and CGMI willfully violated Section 206(1) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules promulgated thereunder (the “Advisers Act”). Specifically, the order found that SBFM and CGMI knowingly or recklessly failed to disclose to the boards of the Affected Funds in 1999 when proposing a new transfer agent arrangement with an affiliated transfer agent that: First Data Investors Services Group (“First Data”), the Affected Funds’ then-existing transfer agent, had offered to continue as transfer agent and do the same work for substantially less money than before; and that CAM, the Citigroup business unit that, at the time, included the Affected Funds’ investment manager and other investment advisory companies, had entered into a side letter with First Data under which CAM agreed to recommend the appointment of First Data as sub-transfer agent to the affiliated transfer agent in exchange for, among other things, a guarantee by First Data of specified amounts of asset management and investment banking fees to CAM and CGMI. The order also found that SBFM and CGMI willfully violated Section 206(2) of the Advisers Act by virtue of the omissions discussed above and other misrepresentations and omissions in the materials provided to the Affected Funds’ boards, including the failure to make clear that the affiliated transfer agent would earn a high profit for performing limited functions while First Data continued to perform almost all of the transfer agent functions, and the suggestion that the proposed arrangement was in the Affected Funds’ best interests and that no viable alternatives existed. SBFM and CGMI do not admit or deny any wrongdoing or liability. The settlement does not establish wrongdoing or liability for purposes of any other proceeding.

 

The SEC censured SBFM and CGMI and ordered them to cease and desist from violations of Sections 206(1) and 206(2) of the Advisers Act. The order required Citigroup to pay $208.1 million, including $109 million in disgorgement of profits, $19.1 million in interest and a civil money penalty of $80 million. Approximately $24.4 million has already been paid to the Affected Funds, primarily through fee waivers. The remaining $183.7 million, including the penalty, has been paid to the U.S. Treasury and will be distributed pursuant to a plan submitted for the approval of the SEC. At this time, there is no certainty as to how the above-described proceeds of the settlement will be distributed, to whom such distributions will be made, the methodology by which such distributions will be allocated, and when such distributions will be made. The order also required that transfer agency fees received from the Affected Funds since December 1, 2004, less certain expenses, be placed in escrow and provided that a portion of such fees might be subsequently distributed in accordance with the terms of the order. On April 3, 2006, an aggregate amount of approximately $9 million held in escrow was distributed to the Affected Funds.

 

37


The order required SBFM to recommend a new transfer agent contract to the Affected Funds’ boards within 180 days of the entry of the order; if a Citigroup affiliate submitted a proposal to serve as transfer agent or sub-transfer agent, SBFM and CGMI would have been required, at their expense, to engage an independent monitor to oversee a competitive bidding process. On November 21, 2005, and within the specified timeframe, the Affected Funds’ boards selected a new transfer agent for the Affected Funds. No Citigroup affiliate submitted a proposal to serve as transfer agent. Under the order, SBFM also must comply with an amended version of a vendor policy that Citigroup instituted in August 2004.

 

Although there can be no assurance, the manager does not believe that this matter will have a material adverse effect on the Affected Funds.

 

On December 1, 2005, Citigroup completed the sale of substantially all of its global asset management business, including SBFM, to Legg Mason.

 

The Acquired Fund was not part of the Smith Barney family of funds, and, therefore, is not an Affected Fund. The Acquired Fund has not received and will not receive any portion of the distributions.

 

* * *

 

Beginning in August 2005, five putative class action lawsuits alleging violations of federal securities laws and state law were filed against CGMI, a former distributor of the Acquiring Fund and other funds (the “Funds”), and SBFM, based on the May 31, 2005 settlement order issued against CGMI and SBFM by the SEC. The complaints seek injunctive relief and compensatory and punitive damages, removal of SBFM as the adviser for the Smith Barney family of funds, rescission of the Funds’ management and other contracts with SBFM, recovery of all fees paid to SBFM pursuant to such contracts and an award of attorneys’ fees and litigation expenses.

 

The five actions were subsequently consolidated, and a consolidated complaint was filed. On September 26, 2007, the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York issued an order dismissing the consolidated complaint, and judgment was entered. An appeal was filed with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. After full briefing, oral argument before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit took place on March 4, 2009. The parties currently are awaiting a decision from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

 

As of the date of this Proxy Statement/Prospectus, the Acquiring Fund’s investment manager believes that resolution of the pending lawsuit will not have a material effect on the financial position or results of operations of the Acquiring Fund or the ability of the Acquiring Fund’s investment manager and its affiliates to continue to render services to the Acquiring Fund under their respective contracts.

 

* * *

 

The foregoing speaks only as of the date of this Proxy Statement/Prospectus. Additional lawsuits presenting allegations and requests for relief arising out of or in connection with any of the foregoing matters may be filed against these and related parties in the future.

 

Portfolio Managers of the Acquiring Fund

 

Information about the portfolio managers of the Acquiring Fund is listed below. The Fund SAI for the Acquiring Fund provides information about each portfolio manager’s compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers and each portfolio manager’s ownership of securities in the Acquiring Fund.

 

Portfolio Manager Compensation

 

ClearBridge investment professionals receive base salary, other employee benefits and are eligible to receive incentive compensation. Base salary is fixed and typically determined based on market factors and the skill and experience of individual investment personnel.

 

ClearBridge has incentive and deferred compensation plans (the “Plans”) for its investment professionals, including the Acquiring Fund’s portfolio managers and research analysts. The Plans are designed to align the objectives of ClearBridge

 

38


investment professionals with those of Fund shareholders and other ClearBridge clients. Additionally, the deferred plans are designed to retain its investment professionals and reward long-term performance.

 

Incentive Compensation

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Deferred Award

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Legg Mason Partners Small Cap Value Fund

 

Peter Hable is the lead portfolio manager and is assisted by a team of portfolio managers that includes Mark Bourguignon, Marina Chinn, Mark Feasey and Michael Kang, each of whom is a director and portfolio analyst of the subadviser. Mr. Hable is ultimately responsible for all buy and sell decisions and sector allocations.

 

Mr. Hable, investment officer of the subadviser, has been responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio since inception. He has been with the subadviser or its predecessor companies since 1983 and has 25 years of investment management experience.

 

39


Mr. Bourguignon joined the subadviser or its predecessor companies in 2003 and has 11 years of investment industry experience. From 2001 to 2002, he was a research analyst at Option Advantage Partners, LP. Mr. Bourguignon has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since January 2009.

 

Ms. Chinn, CFA, joined the subadviser or its predecessor companies in 2005 and has 7 years of investment industry experience. From 2001 to 2005, she was an investment banker at Citigroup Global Corporate and Investment Bank. Ms. Chinn has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since January 2009.

 

Mr. Feasey, CFA, joined the subadviser or its predecessor companies in 2005 and has 12 years of investment industry experience. From 2002 to 2005, he was an equity analyst at Hotchkis and Wiley Capital Management. Mr. Feasey has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since January 2009.

 

Mr. Kang joined the subadviser or its predecessor companies in 2004 and has 10 years of investment industry experience. In January 2003, Mr. Kang joined Carlin Financial Group as a proprietary trader and prior to that, he was a global technology analyst at Montgomery Asset Management. Mr. Kang has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since January 2009.

 

40


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE ACQUIRED FUND AND THE ACQUIRING FUND

 

Legg Mason and certain of the Acquiring Fund’s service providers, which include Legg Mason-affiliated service providers, have a financial interest in the Reorganization because their respective fees under agreements with the Acquiring Fund generally increase as the amount of the assets of the Acquiring Fund increases, and the amount of those assets will increase as a result of the Reorganization. However, the increase in assets of the Acquiring Fund is expected to be offset by the concomitant loss of the Acquired Fund’s assets, resulting in decreases of fees of certain Legg Mason-affiliated service providers to the Acquired Fund.

 

Information about the Funds is included in the Prospectuses, Fund SAIs and shareholder reports filed with the SEC and dated as listed below:

 

Fund

  

Prospectus and Fund SAI Date

  

Shareholder Reports

Legg Mason U.S.
Small-Capitalization Value Trust

  

August 1, 2009

(filed on July 29, 2009), as amended or supplemented

  

Annual Report:

March 31, 2009

(filed on June 4, 2009)

Legg Mason Partners Small Cap Value Fund

  

January 28, 2009

(filed on January 28, 2009), as amended or supplemented

  

Annual Report:

September 30, 2008

(filed on December 2, 2008)

Semi-Annual Report:

March 31, 2009

(filed on June 3, 2009)

 

Copies of these documents, the Reorganization SAI and any subsequently released shareholder reports are available upon request and without charge by calling 1-800-822-5544 or 1-888-425-6432, by writing to the Acquired Fund at 100 International Drive, Baltimore, Maryland 21202 or the Acquiring Fund at 55 Water Street, New York, New York 10041, or by visiting Legg Mason’s website at www.leggmason.com/individualinvestors.

 

Both Funds are subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and in accordance therewith file reports and other information including proxy materials, reports and charter documents with the SEC. These reports and other information can be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. Reports and other information about each Fund are available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Copies of such material can also be obtained from the Public Reference Branch, Office of Consumer Affairs and Information Services, SEC, 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549 at prescribed rates.

 

Performance of the Funds

 

Historical performance of each Fund is detailed in Appendix C of this Proxy Statement/Prospectus.

 

Financial Highlights

 

The most recent fiscal year end of the Acquired Fund is March 31, 2009 and the most recent fiscal year end of the Acquiring Fund is September 30, 2008.

 

The financial highlights of the Acquiring Fund contained in Appendix B have been derived from financial statements audited by KPMG LLP, the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm, except as to the financial highlights for the period ended March 31, 2009, which are unaudited.

 

Distribution Arrangements

 

LMIS, a wholly-owned broker/dealer subsidiary of Legg Mason, located at 100 International Drive, Baltimore, Maryland 21202, serves as the Acquiring Fund’s sole and exclusive distributor.

 

The Acquiring Fund has adopted a shareholder services and distribution plan for its Class A and Class C shares. Under the plan, the Acquiring Fund pays distribution and/or service fees, based on annualized percentages of average daily net assets, of up to 0.25% for Class A shares and up to 1.00% for Class C shares. Class I shares of the Acquiring Fund are not

 

41


subject to any distribution and/or service fees under the plan. These fees are an ongoing expense and, over time, will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than other types of sales charges.

 

In addition, the distributor, the manager and/or their affiliates make payments for distribution, shareholder servicing, marketing and promotional activities and related expenses out of their profits and other available sources, including profits from their relationships with the Acquiring Fund. These payments are not reflected as additional expenses in the fee tables contained in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus. The recipients of these payments may include the Acquiring Fund’s distributor and affiliates of the manager, as well as non-affiliated broker/dealers, insurance companies, financial institutions and other financial intermediaries through which investors may purchase shares of the Acquiring Fund, including your financial intermediary. The total amount of these payments is substantial, may be substantial to any given recipient and may exceed the costs and expenses incurred by the recipient for any fund related marketing or shareholder servicing activities. The payments described in this paragraph are often referred to as “revenue sharing payments.” Revenue sharing arrangements are separately negotiated.

 

Revenue sharing payments create an incentive for an intermediary or its employees or associated persons to recommend or sell shares of the Acquiring Fund to you. Contact your financial intermediary for details about revenue sharing payments it receives or may receive. Revenue sharing payments, as well as the payments under the shareholder services and distribution plan (where applicable), also benefit the manager, the distributor and their affiliates to the extent the payments result in more assets being invested in the Acquiring Fund on which fees are being charged.

 

42


FORM OF ORGANIZATION

 

The Acquired Fund is a series of a Maryland corporation. The Acquiring Fund is a series of a Maryland business trust. Following is a comparison of Maryland corporations and Maryland business trusts:

 

In General

 

The Acquired Fund is organized as a series of a Maryland corporation (the “Corporation”). A Maryland corporation is governed both by Maryland corporate law and its charter and Bylaws. The Maryland General Corporation Law (the “MGCL”) prescribes many aspects of corporate governance.

 

The Acquiring Fund is organized as a series of a Maryland business trust (the “Trust”). A Maryland business 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 business trust, while the more specific powers, duties, rights and obligations of the trustees and the shareholders are determined by the trustees and set forth in the trust’s declaration of trust.

 

The Declaration of Trust (the “Declaration”) for the Trust provides flexibility to the trustees in the conduct of the Trust’s business and in the governance of the Trust and broad authority consistent with Maryland law. Many of the provisions of the Declaration are designed to permit the Trust to operate efficiently and in a cost effective manner.

 

The Corporation

 

The Corporation is governed by the MGCL and the charter and Bylaws of the Corporation. Some of the key provisions of the MGCL, the charter and Bylaws are summarized below. The following summary of the MGCL and the charter and Bylaws of the Corporation is qualified in its entirety by reference to the MGCL and the charter and Bylaws of the Corporation.

 

Shareholder Voting

 

Under the MGCL, a Maryland corporation generally cannot dissolve, amend its charter, or engage in a statutory share exchange, merger or consolidation unless approved by a vote of shareholders. Depending on the circumstances and the charter of the corporation, there may be various exceptions to these votes. Shareholders of Maryland corporations are generally entitled to one vote per share and fractional votes for fractional shares held. For the Corporation, shareholders of all series and classes vote together as a single class, except as otherwise required by the 1940 Act or required or permitted by its charter.

 

Election and Removal of Directors

 

Shareholders of a Maryland corporation may vote on the election and removal of directors. If the charter and Bylaws so provide, as is the case for the Corporation, a Maryland corporation registered as an open-end investment company is not required to hold annual meetings in any year that the election of directors is not required under the 1940 Act. The Corporation will call a meeting of shareholders whenever required by the 1940 Act to elect directors.

 

The Bylaws of the Corporation generally provide that the Board has the power to set the number of directors and, in most circumstances, to fill vacancies except when the 1940 Act requires that a vacancy be filled by the shareholders. Directors are elected by a plurality vote and serve until their successors are elected and qualify.

 

Amendments to the Charter

 

Under the MGCL, shareholders of corporations registered as open-end investment companies are entitled to vote on amendments to the charter. However, the board of directors of an open-end investment company is authorized, without a vote of the shareholders, to amend the charter to change the name of the corporation, to change the name or designation of any class or series of stock and to change the par value of the authorized shares. The board of directors is also authorized to supplement the charter to increase the number of authorized shares or the number of shares in any class or series.

 

43


Issuance and Redemption of Shares

 

The board of directors of a Maryland corporation has the power to authorize the issuance of stock and, prior to issuance of shares of each class or series, the board of directors is required by Maryland law to set the terms, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms or conditions of redemption for each class or series. A Maryland corporation registered as an open-end investment company may involuntarily redeem a shareholder’s shares under certain circumstances, unless prohibited by the charter.

 

Series and Classes

 

The 1940 Act provides that an investment company may have multiple series and classes and provides rules for the equitable treatment of holders and series and classes, including for the separate voting rights of series and classes, and for the differential fees that may be charged to different classes. The charter of the Corporation generally does not restrict the authority of directors within this statutory framework to establish series and classes in addition to those currently established and to determine the rights and preferences of the shares of the series and classes.

 

Shareholder, Director and Officer Liability

 

Under Maryland law, shareholders generally are not personally liable for debts or obligations of a corporation. With respect to directors, the MGCL provides that a director who has met his or her statutory standard of conduct has no liability for reason of having been a director. The MGCL permits a Maryland corporation to include in its charter a provision limiting the liability of its directors and officers to the corporation and its shareholders for money damages except for liability resulting from (a) actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services or (b) active and deliberate dishonesty established by a final judgment as being material to the cause of action. The charter of the Corporation contains a provision which eliminates directors’ and officers’ liability to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law and the 1940 Act. The charter of the Corporation obligates the Corporation to indemnify its past and present directors, officers, employees and agents to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law and the 1940 Act. The indemnification provisions and the limitation on liability are both subject to any limitations of the 1940 Act, which generally provides that no director or officer shall be protected from liability to the corporation or its shareholders by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office. The provisions governing the advance of expenses are subject to applicable requirements of the 1940 Act or rules thereunder.

 

Derivative Actions

 

There are no provisions relating to shareholder derivative actions in the charter of the Corporation. Under Maryland law, applicable case law at the time of a particular derivative action and the MGCL will establish any requirements or limitations with respect to shareholder derivative actions.

 

The Trust

 

The Trust is governed by the Maryland Business Trust Act, the Declaration and its Bylaws. Some of the key provisions of the Maryland Business Trust Act, the Declaration and the Bylaws are summarized below. The following summary of the Maryland Business Trust Act, the Declaration and the Bylaws is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Maryland Business Trust Act, the Declaration and the Bylaws.

 

Shareholder Voting

 

The 1940 Act requires a vote of shareholders on matters that Congress has determined might have a material effect on shareholders and their investments. For example, shareholder consent is required under the 1940 Act to approve new investment advisory agreements in most cases, an increase in an advisory fee or a 12b-1 fee, changes to fundamental policies, the election of directors or trustees in certain circumstances, and the merger or reorganization of a fund in certain circumstances, particularly where the merger or consolidation involves an affiliated party. 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 without seeking the consent of shareholders. For example, the trustees may amend the Declaration without shareholder approval. This provision permits the trustees to act quickly in response to competitive or regulatory conditions without the cost and delay of a shareholder meeting when the trustees believe that the amendment is in the interests of shareholders. Similarly, the trustees have broad authority to provide for the merger or consolidation of the trust into another trust or entity, to reorganize the trust, or any series or class into another trust or entity or a series or class of another entity, to 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 to terminate the trust or any series or class.

 

44


The 1940 Act does not require funds to hold an annual meeting of shareholders, and the Trust does not hold such meetings. The Trust 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. The Declaration provides that shareholders of all series and classes 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.

 

Election and Removal of Trustees

 

The Declaration provides that the trustees establish the number of trustees. The Declaration also provides 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 vote of shareholders holding two-thirds of the voting power of the trust, or by 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 of the Trust are authorized to amend the Declaration without the vote of shareholders except in certain circumstances. The Declaration prohibits amendments that impair 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 limit the rights to indemnification or insurance provided in the Declaration with respect to actions or omissions of persons entitled to indemnification under the Declaration prior to the amendment.

 

Issuance and Redemption of Shares

 

The trustees of the Trust are permitted to cause the Trust to issue an unlimited number of shares for such consideration and on such terms as the trustees may determine. Shareholders are not entitled to any appraisal, preemptive, conversion, exchange or similar rights, except as the trustees may determine. The Declaration provides that a shareholder may redeem his or her shares at the price determined in accordance with the Declaration. The Declaration also provides that the Trust may involuntarily redeem a shareholder’s shares upon such conditions as may be determined by the trustees. For example, a shareholder’s shares may be redeemed if the shareholder fails to provide the Trust with identification or if the Maryland Trust is unable to verify the information received from the shareholder.

 

Disclosure of Shareholder Holdings

 

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

 

Small Accounts

 

The Declaration gives the trustees the authority to deal with small accounts in a number of ways. For example, the shareholder’s account can be closed by redeeming all of the shares in the account, even if the shareholder would like to continue his or her investment in the Acquiring Fund. The Trust also could assess a fee for small accounts 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 1940 Act provides that an investment company may have multiple series and classes and provides rules for the fair and equitable treatment of holders of series and classes, including for the separate voting rights of series and classes, and for the differential fees that may be charged to different classes. The Declaration gives broad authority to the trustees within this statutory framework, and consistent with Maryland law, to establish series and classes in addition to those currently established and to 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

 

45


series and classes. The Declaration also gives authority to the trustees to change any of those features, to terminate any series or class, and to combine series with other series in the Trust, or to combine one or more classes of a series with another class in that series. For example, if the Acquiring Fund has one or more classes with few shares outstanding, the Acquiring Fund may combine one or more of its classes with another of its classes, or convert shares of one class into shares of another class, thus permitting the closure of small classes and decreasing both costs and administrative burdens.

 

Each share of the Acquiring Fund represents an interest in the Acquiring Fund only, and not in the assets of any other fund generally.

 

Shareholder, Trustee and Officer Liability

 

The Declaration provides that shareholders are not personally liable for the obligations of the Trust and requires the Trust to indemnify a shareholder against any loss or expense arising from any such liability. In addition, the Trust will assume the defense of any claim against a shareholder for personal liability at the request of the shareholder. Similarly, the Declaration provides that a trustee acting in his or her capacity of trustee is not personally liable to any person other than the Trust or its shareholders, for any act, omission, or obligation of the Trust. Further, a trustee is held to the same standard of conduct as a director of a Maryland corporation. This requires that a trustee perform his or her duties in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believes to be in the best interests of the Trust, and with the care that an ordinarily prudent person in a like position would use under similar circumstances. The Declaration also permits the limitation of a trustee’s liability to the full extent provided under Maryland law. Under Maryland law, a trustee is liable to the Trust or its shareholders for monetary damages only (i) to the extent that it is proved that he or she actually received an improper benefit or profit in money, property, or services or (ii) 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 for any liability for actions or failures to act except to the extent prohibited by applicable federal law. Under the 1940 Act, a trustee or officer may not be indemnified by the Trust for his or her own willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of his or her duties. 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 sought.

 

The Declaration also clarifies that any trustee who serves as chair of the board or of a committee of the board, lead independent trustee, or 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 the Trust or its shareholders as a result of spurious shareholder demands and derivative actions. Prior to bringing a derivative action, a demand by three unrelated shareholders must first be made on the trustees. The Declaration details various information, certifications, undertakings and acknowledgements that must be included in the demand. Following receipt of the demand, 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 maintaining the suit would not be in the best interests of the Trust, 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 a good faith exercise of their business judgment on behalf of the Trust. The Declaration further provides that shareholders owning shares representing at least 5% of the voting power of the affected fund must join in bringing the derivative action. 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 Trust’s costs, including attorneys’ fees.

 

The Declaration also requires that actions by shareholders against the Trust 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 full extent permitted by law.

 

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The Acquired Fund is a series of a Maryland corporation and operates under a charter that covers many of the same provisions discussed above. However, in most cases it is expected that the Declaration for the Trust will provide broader authority to the trustees of the Trust than the existing charter for the Corporation provides the directors of the Corporation.

 

Fund Boards

 

Following is a comparison of the composition of the Boards of the Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund:

 

Acquired Fund Board

  

Acquiring Fund Board

Ruby P. Hearn

Arnold L. Lehman

Robin J.W. Masters

Jill E. McGovern

Arthur S. Mehlman

G. Peter O’Brien

S. Ford Rowan

Robert M. Tarola

  

Paul R. Ades

Andrew L. Breech

Dwight B. Crane

Robert M. Frayn, Jr.

Frank G. Hubbard

Howard J. Johnson

David E. Maryatt

Jerome H. Miller

Ken Miller

John J. Murphy

Thomas F. Schlafly

Jerry A. Viscione

Acquired Fund Board

  

Acquiring Fund Board

Interested Directors:

Mark R. Fetting

David R. Odenath

  

Interested Trustee:

R. Jay Gerken

 

CAPITALIZATION

 

The following tables set forth the unaudited capitalization of the Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund as of the date set out below, and on a pro forma basis as of that date, giving effect to the proposed acquisition of assets at net asset value. The pro forma capitalization information is for informational purposes only. No assurance can be given as to how many shares of the Acquiring Fund shareholders of the Acquired Fund will receive on the Closing Date, and the information below should not be relied upon to reflect the number of shares of the Acquiring Fund that actually will be received.

 

Pro Forma Combined Capitalization Table

Legg Mason U.S. Small-Capitalization Value Trust and

Legg Mason Partners Small Cap Value Fund

As of August 12, 2009 (Unaudited)

 

     Legg Mason
U.S. Small-
Capitalization
Value Trust
   Legg Mason
Partners Small
Cap Value
Fund
   Pro Forma
Adjustments
    Pro Forma Combined
Legg Mason
Partners
Small Cap
Value Fund

Class A:

          

Net Assets

   $ 2,766,823    $ 116,230,443    $ (19,787 )(a)    $ 118,977,479

Shares Outstanding

     371,524      9,001,750      (158,785     9,214,489

Net Asset Value Per Share

   $ 7.45    $ 12.91      —        $ 12.91

Class B:

          

Net Assets

     —      $ 20,836,994    $ (3,547 )(a)    $ 20,833,447

Shares Outstanding

     —        1,742,479      —          1,742,479

Net Asset Value Per Share

     —      $ 11.96      —        $ 11.96

Class C:

          

Net Assets

   $ 47,136,660    $ 69,401,043    $ (11,814 )(a)    $ 116,525,889

Shares Outstanding

     6,351,212      5,852,270      (2,377,371     9,826,111

Net Asset Value Per Share

   $ 7.42    $ 11.86      —        $ 11.86

Class I/Institutional Class:

          

Net Assets

   $ 11,648,289    $ 13,818,425    $ (2,352 )(a)    $ 25,464,362

Shares Outstanding

     1,352,684      1,043,028      (473,641     1,922,071

Net Asset Value Per Share

   $ 8.61    $ 13.25      —        $ 13.25

 

(a)

Reflects adjustments for estimated reorganization expenses of $37,500 related to the Acquiring Fund.

 

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DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

 

The Acquired Fund declares and pays dividends from any net investment income annually and typically makes capital gain distributions, if any, after the end of the taxable year in which the gain is realized. The Acquiring Fund generally pays dividends and makes capital gain distributions, if any, typically once or twice a year.

 

Each Fund pays dividends and distributions on a per-share basis. This means that the value of your shares will be reduced by the amount of the payment. If you purchase shares shortly before the record date for a dividend or a distribution of capital gains, you will pay the full price for the shares and receive some portion of the price back as a taxable dividend or distribution.

 

For more information on the distribution policies of the Acquiring Fund, see “Purchases, Redemptions and Exchanges of Fund Shares; Other Shareholder Information” in this Proxy Statement/Prospectus, above.

 

OTHER BUSINESS

 

The Board of the Acquired Fund does not intend to present any other business at the Meeting. If, however, any other matters are properly brought before the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, the persons named as proxies will vote thereon in accordance with their discretion.

 

Under Maryland law, the only matters that may be acted on at a special meeting of shareholders are those stated in the notice of the special meeting. Accordingly, other than procedural matters relating to Proposal 1, no other business may properly come before the Meeting. If any such procedural matter requiring a vote of shareholders should arise, or any question as to adjournment of the Meeting is submitted to shareholders, the persons named as proxies will vote on such procedural matters in accordance with their discretion.

 

SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE BOARDS

 

A shareholder who wants to communicate with the Boards or any individual Board member should write to his or her Fund to the attention of Richard M. Wachterman, Assistant Secretary, 100 International Drive, Baltimore, Maryland 21202 (with respect to the Acquired Fund), or Robert I. Frenkel, Secretary, 100 First Stamford Place, Stamford, Connecticut 06902 (with respect to the Acquiring Fund). The letter should indicate that you are a Fund shareholder. If the communication is intended for a specific Board member and so indicates, it will be sent only to that Board member. If a communication does not indicate a specific Board member it will be sent to the chair of the nominating committee (with respect to the Acquired Fund) or the governance committee (with respect to the Acquiring Fund) of the Board and the outside counsel to the Independent Board Members for further distribution as deemed appropriate by such persons.

 

VOTING INFORMATION

 

This Proxy Statement/Prospectus is furnished in connection with a solicitation of proxies by the Acquired Fund’s Board to be used at the Meeting. This Proxy Statement/Prospectus, along with the Notice of Special Meeting and a proxy card, are first being mailed to shareholders of the Acquired Fund on or about October 5, 2009 or as soon as practicable thereafter. Only shareholders of record as of the close of business on the Record Date will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Meeting, and at any adjournments or postponements thereof. If the enclosed proxy card is properly completed, signed and dated and returned in time to be voted at the Meeting, the proxies named thereon will vote the shares represented by the proxy card in accordance with the instructions marked thereon. Unmarked but properly signed and dated proxy cards will be voted “FOR” approval of the Reorganization Agreement and “FOR” any other matters the proxies deem appropriate. Please see Appendix D to this Proxy Statement/Prospectus for instructions on how to sign your proxy card.

 

A shareholder may revoke a proxy at any time prior to its exercise at the Meeting by (1) submitting to the Acquired Fund a subsequently executed proxy, (2) delivering to the Acquired Fund a written notice of revocation (addressed to the Assistant Secretary at the principal executive office of the Acquired Fund at the address shown at the beginning of this Proxy Statement/Prospectus) or (3) otherwise giving notice of revocation at the Meeting. Merely attending the Meeting, however, will not revoke any previously executed proxy. Unless revoked, all valid and executed proxies will be voted in accordance with the specifications thereon or, in the absence of such specifications, for approval of the Reorganization Agreement and the Reorganization contemplated thereby.

 

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Even if you plan to attend the Meeting, we ask that you sign, date and return the enclosed proxy card or authorize your vote by telephone or through the Internet. This will help us ensure that an adequate number of shares are present for the Meeting to be held. Votes cast by proxy or in person at the Meeting will be tabulated by the inspectors of election appointed for the Meeting. The inspectors of election will determine whether or not a quorum is present at the Meeting. The inspectors of election will treat abstentions and “broker non-votes” as present for purposes of determining a quorum.

 

Broker/dealer firms holding shares of the Acquired Fund in “street name” for the benefit of their customers and clients will request the instructions of such customers and clients on how to vote their shares with respect to approval of the Reorganization Agreement before the Meeting. The NYSE takes the position that a broker/dealer that is a member of the NYSE and that has not received instructions from a customer or client prior to the date specified in the broker/dealer firm’s request for voting instructions may not vote such customer’s or client’s shares with respect to approval of the Reorganization Agreement. A signed proxy card or other authorization by a beneficial owner of Acquired Fund shares that does not specify how the beneficial owner’s shares should be voted on the proposal may be deemed an instruction to vote such shares in favor of the proposal.

 

If you hold shares of the Acquired Fund through a bank or other financial institution or intermediary (called a service agent) that has entered into a service agreement with the Acquired Fund or the distributor of the Acquired Fund, the service agent may be the record holder of your shares. At the Meeting, a service agent will vote shares for which it receives instructions from its customers in accordance with those instructions. A signed proxy card or other authorization by a shareholder that does not specify how the shareholder’s shares should be voted on the proposal may be deemed an instruction to vote such shares in favor of the proposal. Depending on its policies, applicable law or contractual or other restrictions, a service agent may be permitted to vote shares with respect to which it has not received specific voting instructions from its customers. In those cases, the service agent may, but may not be required to, vote such shares in the same proportion as those shares for which the service agent has received voting instructions.

 

If you beneficially own shares that are held in “street name” through a broker/dealer or that are held of record by a service agent, and if you do not give specific voting instructions for your shares, they may not be voted at all or, as described above, they may be voted in a manner that you may not intend. Therefore, you are strongly encouraged to give your broker/dealer or service agent specific instructions as to how you want your shares to be voted.

 

Photographic identification will be required for admission to the Meeting.

 

Proxy Solicitation

 

LMPFA will pay all of the costs of the Reorganization, including any proxy solicitation costs, allocated to the Acquired Fund, and LMPFA and the Acquiring Fund will each pay 50% of the costs of the Reorganization allocated to the Acquiring Fund, except that any transaction costs associated with repositioning a Fund’s portfolio in connection with the Reorganization will be borne by the Acquiring Fund after the Reorganization.

 

Estimated costs of the Reorganization have been allocated between the Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund as follows: Legal—the Acquired Fund: $70,000, the Acquiring Fund: $70,000; Audit—the Acquired Fund: $5,000, the Acquiring Fund: $5,000; and Printing, postage, proxy out-of-pocket costs and proxy solicitation, mailing, reporting and tabulation costs (approximately $32,544)—all allocated to the Acquired Fund.

 

Solicitation may be made by letter or telephone by officers or employees of Legg Mason, or by dealers and their representatives. Brokerage houses, banks and other fiduciaries may be requested to forward proxy solicitation material to the beneficial owners of shares of the Acquired Fund to obtain authorization for the execution of proxies. The Acquired Fund will reimburse brokerage firms, custodians, banks and fiduciaries for their expenses in forwarding the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and proxy materials to the beneficial owners of the Acquired Fund’s shares. Legg Mason, on behalf of the Acquired Fund, has retained Computershare Fund Services, a proxy solicitation firm, to assist in the solicitation of proxies. It is anticipated that Computershare Fund Services will be paid approximately $29,500 for such solicitation services, to be borne by LMPFA as described above. Computershare Fund Services may solicit proxies personally and by telephone.

 

Quorum

 

The quorum requirement for the Acquired Fund is one-third of shares entitled to vote.

 

49


Vote Required

 

The affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Acquired Fund is required to approve the Reorganization Agreement, which under applicable law means the vote of the lesser of (a) 67% or more of the voting securities present at the Meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Acquired Fund are present at the Meeting or represented by proxy, or (b) more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Acquired Fund. Shareholders of the Acquired Fund are entitled to one vote for each share and fractional shares are entitled to proportional voting rights.

 

Effect of Abstentions and Broker “Non-Votes”

 

For purposes of determining the presence of a quorum for transacting business at the Meeting, executed proxies marked as abstentions and “broker non-votes” (i.e., proxies from brokers or nominees indicating that such persons have not received instructions from the beneficial owner or other persons entitled to vote shares on a particular matter with respect to which the brokers or nominees do not have discretionary power) will be treated as shares that are present for quorum purposes but which have not been voted. Accordingly, abstentions and broker non-votes will have the effect of a vote against approval of the Reorganization. As a result, shareholders are urged to sign and date their proxy card and forward their voting instructions promptly.

 

Adjournments

 

If a quorum is not present or upon a motion by the person presiding over the Meeting, the holders of shares representing a majority of the shares present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote thereat, may adjourn the Meeting. In the event of an adjournment, no further notice is needed. Unless a proxy provides otherwise, the persons named as proxies will vote upon such adjournment in their discretion. In addition, the person presiding over the Meeting may adjourn the Meeting without a vote of shareholders. The Meeting may be adjourned up to 120 days after the Record Date for the Meeting without further notice other than announcement at the Meeting.

 

Future Shareholder Proposals

 

The Acquired Fund does not hold annual meetings of shareholders. A shareholder proposal intended to be presented at a future special meeting of shareholders of the Acquired Fund must be received at the offices of the Acquired Fund, 100 International Drive, Baltimore, Maryland 21202, in accordance with the time periods set forth for advance notice in the bylaws applicable to the Acquired Fund or, if no such time period is specified, at a reasonable time before the Acquired Fund begins to print and mail its proxy materials. Timely submission of a proposal does not guarantee that such proposal will be included in a proxy statement.

 

Record Date and Outstanding Shares

 

Only shareholders of record of the Acquired Fund at the close of business on the Record Date are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meeting and at any postponements or adjournments thereof. The chart below lists the number of Class A, Class C and Institutional Class shares of the Acquired Fund that were outstanding and entitled to vote as of the close of business on the Record Date.

 

Fund

   Class    Total Shares Outstanding

Legg Mason U.S. Small-Capitalization Value Trust

   A    372,649.8500

Legg Mason U.S. Small-Capitalization Value Trust

   C    6,246,089.6130

Legg Mason U.S. Small-Capitalization Value Trust

   Institutional    1,355,409.3870

Total

     

 

To the knowledge of the Funds, as of the Record Date, except as set forth below, no person owned beneficially or of record 5% or more of any class of the Acquired Fund’s or the Acquiring Fund’s outstanding shares.

 

50


Fund and Class

  

Shareholder

   Percentage Ownership  

Legg Mason U.S. Small-Capitalization Value Trust (Acquired Fund)

  

Class A

  

Citigroup Global Markets

House Account

700 Red Brook Blvd.

Owings Mills, MD 21117-5184

   83.47

Class C

  

Citigroup Global Markets

House Account

700 Red Brook Blvd.

Owings Mills, MD 21117-5184

   68.44

Institutional Class

  

National Financial Services Corp

200 Liberty St. - 5th Fl.

1 World Financial Ctr.

New York, NY 10281-1003

   36.90
  

Charles Schwab Trust Co TTEE for Legg Mason Profit Sharing and 401k Plan

98 San Jacinto Blvd., Ste. 1100

Austin, TX 78701-4255

   31.20
  

JPMorgan Chase Bank TTEE TIAA-CREF as Agent for JPMorgan Chase Bank Retirement Plan Program TR

3 Metrotech Center - 5th Fl.

Brooklyn, NY 11201-0001

   15.23
  

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

333 West 34th Street

New York, NY 10001-2402

   7.12

Legg Mason Partners Small Cap Value Fund (Acquiring Fund)

  

Class A

  

Citigroup Global Markets

House Account

700 Red Brook Blvd.

Owings Mills, MD 21117-5184

   43.16
  

ING

K-Choice

Trustee: Reliance Trust Company

400 Atrium Drive

Somerset, NJ 08873-4162

   13.52
  

Hartford Life Separate Account

Attn UIT Operations

PO Box 2999

Hartford, CT 06104-2999

   8.89
  

PFPC Brokerage Services

Main Office

FBO Primerica Financial Services

760 Moore Road

King Of Prussia, PA 19406-1212

   6.54
  

MetLife Insurance Co of Connecticut

Attn Shareholder Accounting Dept

PO Box 990027

Hartford, CT 06199-0027

   5.37

 

51


Fund and Class

  

Shareholder

   Percentage Ownership  

Class B

  

Citigroup Global Markets

House Account

700 Red Brook Blvd.

Owings Mills, MD 21117-5184

   64.75
  

PFPC Brokerage Services

Main Office

FBO Primerica Financial Services

760 Moore Road

King Of Prussia, PA 19406-1212

   5.80

Class C

  

Citigroup Global Markets

House Account

700 Red Brook Blvd.

Owings Mills, MD 21117-5184

   48.84

Class I

  

State Street Bank & Trust

Nestle 401k Savings Plan

U/A Dated 09/01/03

CitiStreet LLC Record Keeper

105 Rosemont Ave

Westwood, MA 02090-2318

   90.46
  

Citigroup Global Markets

House Account

700 Red Brook Blvd.

Owings Mills, MD 21117-5184

   7.71

 

To the knowledge of the Funds, as of September 14, 2009, less than 1% of the outstanding shares of the Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund were owned directly or beneficially in the aggregate by the Board members and officers of the Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund.

 

THE BOARD OF THE ACQUIRED FUND, INCLUDING THE INDEPENDENT BOARD MEMBERS, RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF THE REORGANIZATION AGREEMENT. ANY SIGNED AND DATED, BUT UNMARKED, PROXIES WITHOUT INSTRUCTIONS TO THE CONTRARY WILL BE VOTED IN FAVOR OF APPROVAL OF THE REORGANIZATION AGREEMENT.

 

By order of the Board of Directors,
LOGO
Richard M. Wachterman
Assistant Secretary

Legg Mason Investors Trust, Inc.

 

52


INDEX OF APPENDICES

 

Appendix A:

  Form of Agreement and Plan of Reorganization—Legg Mason U.S. Small-Capitalization Value Trust and Legg Mason Partners Small Cap Value Fund

Appendix B:

  Financial Highlights of Legg Mason Partners Small Cap Value Fund

Appendix C:

  Historical Performance for Each Fund

Appendix D:

  Instructions for Signing the Proxy Card

 

53


APPENDIX A

 

FORM OF AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION

Legg Mason U.S. Small-Capitalization Value Trust and Legg Mason Partners Small Cap Value Fund

 

This AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION (“Agreement”) is made as of this [            ] day of [                                ], 2009, by and among Legg Mason Partners Equity Trust, a Maryland business trust (the “Acquiring Entity”), with its principal place of business at 55 Water Street, New York, New York 10041, on behalf of its series Legg Mason Partners Small Cap Value Fund (the “Acquiring Fund”), and Legg Mason Investors Trust, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Acquired Entity”), with its principal place of business at 100 International Drive, Baltimore, Maryland 21202, on behalf of its series Legg Mason U.S. Small-Capitalization Value Trust (the “Acquired Fund”), and, solely for purposes of paragraph 10.2 hereof, Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (“LMPFA”).

 

WHEREAS, each of the Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund is a series of an open-end management investment company registered pursuant to the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”);

 

WHEREAS, it is intended that, for United States federal income tax purposes (i) the transactions contemplated by this Agreement constitute a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and (ii) this Agreement constitutes a plan of reorganization within the meaning of Section 368 of the Code and Treasury Regulations Section 1.368-2(g);

 

WHEREAS, the reorganization will consist of (1) the sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer and delivery of all of the property and assets of the Acquired Fund to the Acquiring Fund in exchange solely for classes of outstanding shares of beneficial interest of the Acquiring Fund (the “Acquiring Fund Shares”) corresponding to the classes of outstanding shares of common stock of the Acquired Fund (the “Acquired Fund Shares”), as described herein, and the assumption by the Acquiring Fund of all liabilities of the Acquired Fund, and (2) the distribution of the Acquiring Fund Shares to the shareholders of the Acquired Fund and the subsequent redemption of the Acquired Fund Shares and termination of the Acquired Fund as a series of the Acquired Entity, as provided herein (the “Reorganization”), all upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth in this Agreement;

 

WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees of the Acquiring Entity (the “Acquiring Entity Board”), including a majority of its members who are not “interested persons” (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act), has determined, with respect to the Acquiring Fund, that the sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer and delivery of all of the property and assets of the Acquired Fund for Acquiring Fund Shares and the assumption of all liabilities of the Acquired Fund by the Acquiring Fund is in the best interests of the Acquiring Fund and that the interests of the existing shareholders of the Acquiring Fund will not be diluted as a result of the Reorganization;

 

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Acquired Entity (the “Acquired Entity Board”), including a majority of its members who are not “interested persons” (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act), has determined, with respect to the Acquired Fund, that the sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer and delivery of all of the property and assets of the Acquired Fund for Acquiring Fund Shares and the assumption of all liabilities of the Acquired Fund by the Acquiring Fund is in the best interests of the Acquired Fund and that the interests of the existing shareholders of the Acquired Fund will not be diluted as a result of the Reorganization; and

 

WHEREAS, in this Agreement, any references to a Fund taking action shall mean and include all necessary actions of the Acquiring Entity or Acquired Entity, as applicable, on behalf of a Fund, unless the context of this Agreement or the 1940 Act requires otherwise;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the covenants and agreements hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto covenant and agree as follows:

 

1. TRANSFER OF ASSETS OF THE ACQUIRED FUND TO THE ACQUIRING FUND IN EXCHANGE FOR ACQUIRING FUND SHARES, ASSUMPTION OF ALL ACQUIRED FUND LIABILITIES AND TERMINATION OF THE ACQUIRED FUND

 

1.1 Subject to requisite approvals and the other terms and conditions herein set forth and on the basis of the representations and warranties contained herein, the Acquired Entity, on behalf of the Acquired Fund, agrees to sell, assign,

 

A-1


convey, transfer and deliver all of its property and assets, as set forth in paragraph 1.2, to the Acquiring Fund, and the Acquiring Entity, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, agrees in exchange therefor: (a) to deliver to the Acquired Fund the number of full and fractional shares of each class of Acquiring Fund Shares corresponding to each class of the Acquired Fund Shares as of the time and date set forth in paragraph 3.1, determined by dividing the value of the Acquired Fund’s net assets attributable to a class of its shares (computed in the manner and as of the time and date set forth in paragraph 2.1) by the net asset value of one share of the corresponding class of Acquiring Fund Shares (computed in the manner and as of the time and date set forth in paragraph 2.2); and (b) to assume all liabilities of the Acquired Fund. Such transactions shall take place on a closing date as provided for in paragraph 3.1 (the “Closing Date”). For purposes of this Agreement, the Class A, Class C, and Institutional Class shares of the Acquired Fund correspond to the Class A, Class C and Class I shares, respectively, of the Acquiring Fund, the term “Acquired Fund Shares” shall be read to mean only such classes of shares of the Acquired Fund, and the term “Acquiring Fund Shares” shall be read to mean only such classes of shares of the Acquiring Fund.

 

1.2 The property and assets of the Acquired Entity attributable to the Acquired Fund to be sold, assigned, conveyed, transferred and delivered to and acquired by the Acquiring Entity, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, shall consist of all assets and property of every kind and nature of the Acquired Fund, including, without limitation, all rights, receivables (including dividend, interest and other receivables), cash, cash equivalents, claims (whether absolute or contingent, known or unknown), securities, commodities and futures interests, good will and other intangible property, any deferred or prepaid expenses and all interests, rights, privileges and powers, the Acquired Fund owns at the Valuation Date (as defined in paragraph 2.1) (collectively, “Assets”). The Acquiring Entity, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, shall assume all of the liabilities and obligations of the Acquired Fund, including, without limitation, all indemnification obligations of the Acquired Fund with respect to the current and former members of the Acquired Entity Board and officers of the Acquired Entity, whether accrued or contingent, known or unknown, existing at the Valuation Date, except for all expenses that are solely and directly related to the Reorganization (determined in accordance with the guidelines set forth in Rev. Rul. 73-54, 1973-1 C.B. 187) borne by LMPFA and the Acquiring Fund pursuant to paragraph 10.2 (collectively, “Liabilities”). The Acquired Entity, on behalf of the Acquired Fund, will sell, assign, convey, transfer and deliver to the Acquiring Entity, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, any rights, stock dividends, or other securities received by the Acquired Fund after the Closing Date as stock dividends or other distributions on or with respect to the property and assets transferred, which rights, stock dividends, and other securities shall be deemed included in the property and assets transferred to the Acquiring Entity, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, at the Closing Date and shall not be separately valued, in which case any such distribution that remains unpaid as of the Closing Date shall be included in the determination of the value of the assets of the Acquired Fund acquired by the Acquiring Entity on behalf of the Acquiring Fund.

 

1.3 The Acquired Fund will make reasonable efforts to discharge all of its known Liabilities prior to the Valuation Date.

 

1.4 On or as soon as practicable prior to the Closing Date, the Acquired Fund will declare and pay to its shareholders of record one or more dividends and/or other distributions so that it will have distributed substantially all of its investment company taxable income (as defined in the Code) (computed without regard to any deduction for dividends paid) and realized net capital gain (as defined in the Code) (after deduction for any available capital loss carryover), if any, for all tax periods ending on or before the Closing Date (and treating the current taxable year as ending on the Closing Date) such that the Acquired Fund will have no tax liability under Section 852 or Section 4982 for the current and any prior tax periods.

 

1.5 Immediately following the actions contemplated by paragraph 1.1, the Acquired Entity shall take such actions as may be necessary or appropriate to complete the liquidation of the Acquired Fund. To complete the liquidation, the Acquired Entity, on behalf of the Acquired Fund, shall (a) distribute to the shareholders of record of the Acquired Fund Shares as of the Closing Date (“Acquired Fund Shareholders”), by class, on a pro rata basis within each class, the Acquiring Fund Shares received by the Acquired Entity, on behalf of the Acquired Fund, pursuant to paragraph 1.1, (b) redeem shares of the Acquired Fund and (c) terminate the Acquired Fund as a series of the Acquired Entity in accordance with Maryland law as soon as reasonably practicable after that distribution, but in all event within six months after the Closing Date. Such distribution and redemption shall be accomplished, with respect to each class of Acquired Fund Shares, by the transfer of the corresponding class of Acquiring Fund Shares then credited to the account of the Acquired Fund on the books of the Acquiring Fund to open accounts on the share records of the Acquiring Fund in the names of the Acquired Fund Shareholders. The aggregate net asset value of the Acquiring Fund Shares to be so credited to the Acquired Fund Shareholders shall be equal to the aggregate net asset value of the Acquired Fund Shares owned by Acquired Fund Shareholders on the Closing Date. All issued and outstanding Acquired Fund Shares will be cancelled on the books of the Acquired Fund. The Acquiring Fund shall not issue certificates representing any class of Acquiring Fund Shares in connection with such exchange.

 

A-2


1.6 Ownership of Acquiring Fund Shares will be shown on the books of the Acquiring Fund’s transfer agent.

 

1.7 Any reporting responsibility of the Acquired Fund, including, but not limited to, the responsibility for filing regulatory reports, tax returns, or other documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”), any state securities commission, and any federal, state or local tax authorities or any other relevant regulatory authority, is and shall remain the responsibility of the Acquired Entity, on behalf of the Acquired Fund. The Acquiring Entity shall fully cooperate to the extent necessary or desirable for these responsibilities to be discharged.

 

2. VALUATION

 

2.1 The value of the Assets and the amount of the Liabilities shall be determined as of the time for calculation of net asset value as set forth in the then-current prospectus for the Acquired Fund, and after the declaration of any dividends and/or other distributions by the Acquired Fund, on the Closing Date (such time and date being hereinafter called the “Valuation Date”), computed using the valuation procedures established by the Acquired Entity Board. All computations of value and amounts shall be made by (a) State Street Bank and Trust Company, in its capacity as accounting agent for the Acquired Fund, or (b) in the case of securities subject to fair valuation, in accordance with the valuation procedures of the Acquired Entity adopted in good faith by the Acquired Entity Board. All computations of value and amounts pursuant to this paragraph 2.1 shall be subject to confirmation by the Acquiring Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm.

 

2.2. The net asset value per share of each class of Acquiring Fund Shares shall be determined to the nearest full cent on the Valuation Date, using the valuation procedures established by the Acquiring Entity Board. All computations of value shall be made by (a) State Street Bank and Trust Company, in its capacity as accounting agent for the Acquiring Fund, or (b) in the case of securities subject to fair valuation, in accordance with the valuation procedures of the Acquiring Entity adopted in good faith by the Acquiring Entity Board. All computations of value and amounts pursuant to this paragraph 2.2 shall be subject to confirmation by the Acquired Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm.

 

3. CLOSING AND CLOSING DATE

 

3.1 Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Closing Date shall be December 4, 2009, or such other date as the parties may agree. All acts taking place at the closing of the transactions provided for in this Agreement (“Closing”) shall be deemed to take place simultaneously as of the “close of business” on the Closing Date unless otherwise agreed to by the parties. The close of business on the Closing Date shall be as of 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time, or such later time on that date as the Acquired Fund’s net asset value is calculated in accordance with paragraph 2.1 and after the declaration of any dividends and/or other distributions. The Closing shall be held at the offices of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, 787 Seventh Avenue, New York, New York 10019, or at such other place as the parties may agree.

 

3.2 The Acquired Entity shall direct State Street Bank and Trust Company (the “Custodian”) to transfer ownership of the Assets, at the time of the Closing, from the accounts of the Acquired Fund that the Custodian maintains as custodian for the Acquired Fund to the accounts of the Acquiring Fund that the Custodian maintains as custodian for the Acquiring Fund and to deliver to the Acquiring Entity, at the Closing, a certificate of an authorized officer stating that the Assets have been so transferred as of the Closing Date. The Acquired Entity shall deliver to the Acquiring Entity, at the Closing, a certificate of an authorized officer stating that all necessary taxes in connection with the delivery of the Assets, including all applicable federal and state stock transfer stamps, if any, have been paid or provision for payment has been made.

 

3.3 The Acquired Entity shall direct Boston Financial Data Services, Inc., in its capacity as transfer agent for the Acquired Fund (“Transfer Agent”), to deliver to the Acquiring Entity at the Closing a certificate of an authorized officer stating that its records contain the name and address of each Acquired Fund Shareholder and the number and percentage ownership of the outstanding class of Acquired Fund Shares owned by each such shareholder immediately prior to the Closing. The Acquiring Entity, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, shall deliver to the Secretary of the Acquired Entity, on behalf of the Acquired Fund, a confirmation evidencing that (a) the appropriate number of Acquiring Fund Shares have been credited to the Acquired Fund’s account on the books of the Acquiring Fund pursuant to paragraph 1.1 prior to the actions contemplated by paragraph 1.5 and (b) the appropriate number of Acquiring Fund Shares have been credited to the respective accounts of the Acquired Fund Shareholders on the books of the Acquiring Fund pursuant to paragraph 1.5. At the Closing, each party shall deliver to the other party such bills of sale, checks, assignments, share certificates, if any, receipts or other documents as the other party or its counsel may reasonably request.

 

A-3


3.4 In the event that on the Valuation Date (a) the New York Stock Exchange or another primary trading market for portfolio securities of the Acquiring Fund or the Acquired Fund (each, an “Exchange”) shall be closed to trading or trading thereupon shall be restricted, or (b) trading or the reporting of trading on such Exchange or elsewhere shall be disrupted so that accurate appraisal of the value of the net assets of the Acquired Fund or the Acquiring Fund is impracticable (in the judgment of the Acquiring Entity Board with respect to the Acquiring Fund and the Acquired Entity Board with respect to the Acquired Fund), the Closing Date shall be postponed until the first Friday (that is also a business day) after the day when trading shall have been fully resumed and reporting shall have been restored.

 

4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

4.1 Except as has been fully disclosed to the Acquiring Entity in Schedule 4.1 of this Agreement, the Acquired Entity, on behalf of the Acquired Fund, represents and warrants to the Acquiring Entity and the Acquiring Fund as follows:

 

(a) The Acquired Fund is duly established as a series of the Acquired Entity, which is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Maryland, with power under its Articles of Incorporation, as amended or supplemented (the “Acquired Entity Charter”), to own all of its assets and to carry on its business as it is being conducted as of the date hereof. The Acquired Entity is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation in each jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business makes such qualification necessary except where the failure to so qualify would not have a material adverse effect on the condition (financial or otherwise), business, properties, net assets or results of operations of the Acquired Entity. The Acquired Entity has all necessary federal, state and local authorizations to carry on its business as now being conducted and to fulfill the terms of this Agreement, except as described in paragraph 4.1(c).

 

(b) The Acquired Entity is a registered open-end management investment company, and its registration with the Commission as an investment company under the 1940 Act, and the registration of each class of Acquired Fund Shares under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“1933 Act”), are in full force and effect.

 

(c) No consent, approval, authorization, or order of any court or governmental authority is required for the consummation by the Acquired Fund of the transactions contemplated herein, except such as may be required under the 1933 Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“1934 Act”), the 1940 Act, state securities laws and the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act.

 

(d) The current prospectus and statement of additional information of the Acquired Fund (true and correct copies of which have been delivered to the Acquiring Entity) and each prospectus and statement of additional information of the Acquired Fund used during the three (3) years prior to the date of this Agreement conform or conformed at the time of its use in all material respects to the applicable requirements of the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and do not or did not at the time of its use include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not materially misleading.

 

(e) On the Closing Date, the Acquired Entity, on behalf of the Acquired Fund, will have good and marketable title to the Assets and full right, power and authority to sell, assign, convey, transfer and deliver such Assets hereunder free of any liens or other encumbrances, and upon delivery and payment for the Assets, the Acquiring Entity, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, will acquire good and marketable title thereto, subject to no restrictions on the full transfer thereof, excluding such restrictions as might arise under the 1933 Act.

 

(f) The Acquired Fund is not engaged currently, and the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Acquired Entity, on behalf of the Acquired Fund, will not result, in a material violation of Maryland law or of the Acquired Entity Charter or the bylaws of the Acquired Entity, or of any agreement, indenture, instrument, contract, lease or other undertaking to which the Acquired Entity, on behalf of the Acquired Fund, is a party or by which it is bound, and the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Acquired Entity, on behalf of the Acquired Fund, will not result in the acceleration of any material obligation, or the imposition of any material penalty, under any agreement, indenture, instrument, contract, lease, other undertaking, judgment or decree to which the Acquired Entity, on behalf of the Acquired Fund, is a party or by which it is bound.

 

(g) All material contracts or other commitments of the Acquired Fund (other than this Agreement, certain investment contracts, including options, futures, swaps and forward contracts, the indemnification agreements of the current and former members of the Acquired Entity Board, and those contracts listed in Schedule 4.1) will terminate without liability to the Acquired Fund on or prior to the Closing Date. Each contract listed in Schedule 4.1 is a valid, binding and enforceable obligation of the Acquired Fund and, to the Acquired Entity’s knowledge, the other parties

 

A-4


thereto (assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by the other parties thereto) and the assignment by the Acquired Fund to the Acquiring Fund of each such contract will not result in the termination of such contract, any breach or default thereunder by the Acquired Fund or the imposition of any penalty thereunder.

 

(h) No litigation or administrative proceeding or investigation of or before any court or governmental body is pending or, to the Acquired Entity’s knowledge, threatened against the Acquired Entity, with respect to the Acquired Fund or any of its properties or assets, that, if adversely determined, would materially and adversely affect its financial condition or the conduct of the Acquired Fund’s business. The Acquired Entity, on behalf of the Acquired Fund, is not a party to or subject to the provisions of any order, decree or judgment of any court or governmental body that materially and adversely affects the Acquired Fund’s business or the Acquired Entity’s ability to consummate the transactions herein contemplated on behalf of the Acquired Fund.

 

(i) The Statement of Assets and Liabilities, Statements of Operations and Changes in Net Assets and Schedule of Investments of the Acquired Fund as of the last day of and for the most recently completed fiscal year (two fiscal years in the case of the Statement of Changes in Net Assets) of the Acquired Fund prior to the date of this Agreement have been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, and are in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) consistently applied, and such statements (true and correct copies of which have been furnished to the Acquiring Entity) present fairly, in all material respects, the financial condition of the Acquired Fund as of such date and for such period(s) in accordance with GAAP, and there are no known contingent, accrued or other liabilities of the Acquired Fund required to be reflected on a balance sheet (including the notes thereto) in accordance with GAAP as of such date that are not disclosed therein. The Statement of Assets and Liabilities, Statements of Operations and Changes in Net Assets and Schedule of Investments (unaudited) of the Acquired Fund as of the last day of and for the most recently completed fiscal half year(s) of the Acquired Fund following the date of the audited annual statements referenced above are in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, and such statements (true and correct copies of which have been furnished to the Acquiring Entity) present fairly, in all material respects, the financial condition of the Acquired Fund, and all known contingent, accrued or other liabilities of the Acquired Fund required to be reflected on a balance sheet (including the notes thereto) in accordance with GAAP as of such date are disclosed therein.

 

(j) Since the last day of the most recently completed fiscal year of the Acquired Fund prior to the date of this Agreement, there has not been any material adverse change in the Acquired Fund’s financial condition, assets, liabilities or business, other than changes occurring in the ordinary course of business, or any incurrence by the Acquired Fund of indebtedness for money borrowed maturing more than one year from the date such indebtedness was incurred. For the purposes of this subparagraph (j), a decline in net asset value per share of Acquired Fund Shares due to declines in market values of securities held by the Acquired Fund, the discharge of Acquired Fund liabilities, or the redemption of Acquired Fund Shares by shareholders of the Acquired Fund shall not constitute a material adverse change.

 

(k) On the Closing Date, all federal and other tax returns, dividend reporting forms and other tax-related reports of the Acquired Fund required by law to have been filed by such date (including any extensions) shall have been filed and are or will be correct in all material respects, and all federal and other taxes shown as due or required to be shown as due on said returns and reports shall have been paid or provision shall have been made for the payment thereof and, to the best of the Acquired Entity’s knowledge, no such return is currently under audit and no assessment has been asserted with respect to such returns.

 

(l) The Acquired Fund is a separate segregated portfolio of assets (“series”) of the Acquired Entity that is treated as a corporation separate from any and all other series of the Acquired Entity under Section 851(g) of the Code. For each taxable year of its operation (including the taxable year ending on the Closing Date), the Acquired Fund has met (or for that year will meet) the requirements of Subchapter M of Chapter 1 of the Code for qualification and treatment as a “regulated investment company,” has elected to be such, has been (or for that year will be) eligible to compute and has computed (or for that year will compute) its federal income tax under Section 852 of the Code, and, on or before the Closing Date, will have distributed or will have declared dividends intended to be sufficient to distribute substantially all of (i) the excess of (x) its investment income excludible from gross income under Section 103 of the Code over (y) its deductions disallowed under Sections 265 and 171 of the Code (“net tax-exempt income”), (ii) its investment company taxable income (as defined in the Code) (computed without regard to any deduction for dividends paid) and (iii) any net capital gain (as defined in the Code) (after reduction for any allowable capital loss carryover) that has accrued or been recognized, respectively, through the Closing Date such that for all tax periods ending on or before the Closing Date (and treating the current tax year as ending on the Closing Date) the Acquired Fund will not have any tax liability under Section 852 or Section 4982.

 

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(m) All issued and outstanding Acquired Fund Shares are, and on the Closing Date will be, duly authorized and validly and legally issued and outstanding, fully paid and non-assessable by the Acquired Entity and have been offered and sold in any state, territory or the District of Columbia in compliance in all material respects with applicable registration requirements of all applicable federal and state securities laws. All of the issued and outstanding Acquired Fund Shares will, at the time of Closing, be held by the persons and in the amounts set forth in the records of the Transfer Agent, on behalf of the Acquired Fund, as provided in paragraph 3.3. The Acquired Fund does not have outstanding any options, warrants or other rights to subscribe for or purchase any of the Acquired Fund Shares, nor is there outstanding any security convertible into any of the Acquired Fund Shares.

 

(n) The Acquired Fund will review its assets to ensure that at any time after its shareholders have approved this Agreement and prior to the Closing Date its assets do not include any assets that the Acquiring Fund is not permitted, or reasonably believes to be unsuitable for it, to acquire, including without limitation any security that, prior to its acquisition by the Acquired Fund, is unsuitable for the Acquiring Fund to acquire.

 

(o) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, and the transactions contemplated herein, have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of the Acquired Entity Board, on behalf of the Acquired Fund, and this Agreement constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Acquired Entity, on behalf of the Acquired Fund, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject, as to enforcement, to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and to general equity principles.

 

(p) The combined proxy statement and prospectus (“Proxy Statement”) to be included in the Registration Statement (as defined in paragraph 5.6), insofar as it relates to the Acquired Fund, from the effective date of the Registration Statement through the date of the meeting of shareholders of the Acquired Fund contemplated therein and on the Closing Date, will (i) not contain any statement which, at the time and in light of the circumstances under which it is made, is false or misleading with respect to any material fact, or which omits to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein not false or misleading (provided that this representation and warranty shall not apply to statements in or omissions from the Proxy Statement made in reliance upon and in conformity with information that was furnished by the Acquiring Entity for use therein) and (ii) comply in all material respects with the provisions of the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act and the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder. The information to be furnished by the Acquired Entity for use in registration statements and other documents filed or to be filed with any federal, state or local regulatory authority, which may be necessary in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, shall be accurate and complete in all material respects and shall comply in all material respects with federal securities and other laws and regulations thereunder applicable thereto.

 

(q) The Acquired Fund and the Acquired Entity have satisfied all applicable provisions of Rule 17a-8 under the 1940 Act with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

4.2 Except as has been fully disclosed to the Acquired Entity in Schedule 4.2 to this Agreement, the Acquiring Entity, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, represents and warrants to the Acquired Entity and the Acquired Fund as follows:

 

(a) The Acquiring Fund is duly established as a series of the Acquiring Entity, which is a business trust duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Maryland, with the power under its Declaration of Trust, as amended and/or supplemented (the “Acquiring Entity Charter”), to own all of its assets and to carry on its business as it is being conducted as of the date hereof. The Acquiring Entity is duly qualified to do business as a foreign trust in each jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business makes such qualification necessary except where the failure to so qualify would not have a material adverse effect on the condition (financial or otherwise), business, properties, net assets or results of operations of the Acquiring Entity. The Acquiring Entity has all necessary federal, state and local authorizations to carry on its business as now being conducted and to fulfill the terms of this Agreement except as described in paragraph 4.2(c).

 

(b) The Acquiring Entity is a registered open-end management investment company, and its registration with the Commission as an investment company under the 1940 Act, and the registration of each class of Acquiring Fund Shares under the 1933 Act, are in full force and effect or will be in full force and effect as of the Closing Date.

 

(c) No consent, approval, authorization, or order of any court or governmental authority is required for the consummation by the Acquiring Fund of the transactions contemplated herein, except such as may be required under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, the 1940 Act, state securities laws and the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act.

 

(d) The current prospectus and statement of additional information of the Acquiring Fund (true and correct copies of which have been delivered to the Acquired Entity) and each prospectus and statement of additional information of the

 

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Acquiring Fund used during the three (3) years prior to the date of this Agreement conform or conformed at the time of its use in all material respects to the applicable requirements of the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and do not or did not at the time of its use include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not materially misleading.

 

(e) The Acquiring Fund is not engaged currently, and the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Acquiring Entity, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, will not result, in a material violation of Maryland law or the Acquiring Entity Charter or the bylaws of the Acquiring Entity, or of any agreement, indenture, instrument, contract, lease or other undertaking to which the Acquiring Entity, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, is a party or by which it is bound, and the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Acquiring Entity, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, will not result in the acceleration of any material obligation, or the imposition of any material penalty, under any agreement, indenture, instrument, contract, lease, other undertaking, judgment or decree to which the Acquiring Entity, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, is a party or by which it is bound.

 

(f) No litigation or administrative proceeding or investigation of or before any court or governmental body is pending or, to the Acquiring Entity’s knowledge, threatened against the Acquiring Entity, with respect to the Acquiring Fund, or any of its properties or assets, that, if adversely determined, would materially and adversely affect its financial condition or the conduct of the Acquiring Fund’s business. The Acquiring Entity, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, is not a party to or subject to the provisions of any order, decree or judgment of any court or governmental body that materially and adversely affects the Acquiring Fund’s business or the Acquiring Entity’s ability to consummate the transactions herein contemplated on behalf of the Acquiring Fund.

 

(g) The Statement of Assets and Liabilities, Statements of Operations and Changes in Net Assets and Schedule of Investments of the Acquiring Fund as of the last day of and for the most recently completed fiscal year (two fiscal years in the case of the Statement of Changes in Net Assets) of the Acquiring Fund prior to the date of this Agreement have been audited by KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, and are in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, and such statements (true and correct copies of which have been furnished to the Acquired Entity) present fairly, in all material respects, the financial condition of the Acquiring Fund as of such date and for such period(s) in accordance with GAAP, and there are no known contingent, accrued or other liabilities of the Acquiring Fund required to be reflected on a balance sheet (including the notes thereto) in accordance with GAAP as of such date that are not disclosed therein. The Statement of Assets and Liabilities, Statements of Operations and Changes in Net Assets and Schedule of Investments (unaudited) of the Acquiring Fund as of the last day of and for the most recently completed fiscal half year(s) of the Acquiring Fund following the date of the audited annual statements referenced above are in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, and such statements (true and correct copies of which have been furnished to the Acquired Entity) present fairly, in all material respects, the financial condition of the Acquiring Fund, and all known contingent, accrued or other liabilities of the Acquiring Fund required to be reflected on a balance sheet (including the notes thereto) in accordance with GAAP as of such date are disclosed therein.

 

(h) Since the last day of the most recently completed fiscal year of the Acquiring Fund prior to the date of this Agreement, there has not been any material adverse change in the Acquiring Fund’s financial condition, assets, liabilities or business, other than changes occurring in the ordinary course of business, or any incurrence by the Acquiring Fund of indebtedness for money borrowed maturing more than one year from the date such indebtedness was incurred. For the purposes of this subparagraph (h), a decline in net asset value per share of Acquiring Fund Shares due to declines in market values of securities held by the Acquiring Fund, the discharge of Acquiring Fund liabilities, or the redemption of Acquiring Fund Shares by shareholders of the Acquiring Fund shall not constitute a material adverse change.

 

(i) On the Closing Date, all federal and other tax returns, dividend reporting forms and other tax-related reports of the Acquiring Fund required by law to have been filed by such date (including any extensions) shall have been filed and are or will be correct in all material respects, and all federal and other taxes shown as due or required to be shown as due on said returns and reports shall have been paid or provision shall have been made for the payment thereof and, to the best of the Acquiring Entity’s knowledge, no such return is currently under audit and no assessment has been asserted with respect to such returns.

 

(j) The Acquiring Fund is a separate series of the Acquiring Entity that is treated as a corporation separate from any and all other series of the Acquiring Entity under Section 851(g) of the Code. For each taxable year of its operation (including the taxable year that includes the Closing Date), the Acquiring Fund has met (or for that year will meet) the requirements of Subchapter M of Chapter 1 of the Code for qualification and treatment as a “regulated investment

 

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company,” has elected to be such, has been (or for that year will be) eligible to compute and has computed (or for that year will compute) its federal income tax under Section 852 of the Code, and will have distributed (or will distribute pursuant to the provisions of Section 855 of the Code) substantially all of (i) its net tax-exempt income, (ii) its investment company taxable income (as defined in the Code) (computed without regard to any deduction for dividends paid) and (iii) any net capital gain (as defined in the Code) (after reduction for any allowable capital loss carryover) for taxable years ending prior to the Closing Date such that for all those years the Acquiring Fund will have no tax liability under Section 852 or Section 4982.

 

(k) All issued and outstanding Acquiring Fund Shares are, and on the Closing Date will be, duly authorized and validly and legally issued and outstanding, fully paid and non-assessable by the Acquiring Entity and will have been offered and sold in any state, territory or the District of Columbia in compliance in all material respects with applicable registration requirements of all applicable federal and state securities laws. The Acquiring Fund does not have outstanding any options, warrants or other rights to subscribe for or purchase any Acquiring Fund Shares, nor is there outstanding any security convertible into any Acquiring Fund Shares. All of the Acquiring Fund Shares to be issued and delivered to the Acquired Entity, for the account of the Acquired Fund Shareholders, pursuant to this Agreement, will on the Closing Date have been duly authorized and, when so issued and delivered, will be duly and validly and legally issued Acquiring Fund Shares and be fully paid and non-assessable by the Acquiring Entity.

 

(l) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, and the transactions contemplated herein, have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of the Acquiring Entity Board, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, and this Agreement constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Acquiring Entity, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject, as to enforcement, to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and to general equity principles.

 

(m) The Proxy Statement to be included in the Registration Statement, insofar as it relates to the Acquiring Fund and the Acquiring Fund Shares, from the effective date of the Registration Statement through the date of the meeting of shareholders of the Acquired Fund contemplated therein and on the Closing Date, will (i) not contain any statement which, at the time and in the light of the circumstances under which it is made, is false or misleading with respect to any material fact, or which omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein not false or misleading (provided that this representation and warranty shall not apply to statements in or omissions from the Proxy Statement made in reliance upon and in conformity with information that was furnished by the Acquired Entity for use therein) and (ii) comply in all material respects with the provisions of the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act and the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder. The information to be furnished by the Acquiring Entity for use in registration statements and other documents filed or to be filed with any federal, state or local regulatory authority, which may be necessary in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, shall be accurate and complete in all material respects and shall comply in all material respects with federal securities and other laws and regulations applicable thereto.

 

(n) The Acquiring Fund and the Acquiring Entity has satisfied all applicable provisions of Rule 17a-8 under the 1940 Act with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

5. COVENANTS

 

The Acquired Entity, on behalf of the Acquired Fund, and the Acquiring Entity, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, respectively, hereby further covenant as follows:

 

5.1 The Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund each will operate its business in the ordinary course and shall comply in all material respects with all applicable laws, rules and regulations between the date hereof and the Closing Date, it being understood that such ordinary course of business will include the declaration and payment of customary dividends and other distributions, and any other distribution that may be advisable.

 

5.2 The Acquired Entity will call and hold a meeting of the shareholders of the Acquired Fund to consider and act upon this Agreement and to take all other action necessary to obtain approval of the transactions contemplated herein.

 

5.3 The Acquiring Fund Shares to be acquired by the Acquired Fund hereunder are not being acquired for the purpose of making any distribution thereof, other than in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

5.4 The Acquired Entity, on behalf of the Acquired Fund, will assist the Acquiring Entity in obtaining such information as the Acquiring Entity reasonably requests concerning the beneficial ownership of the Acquired Fund Shares.

 

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5.5 Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, the Acquiring Entity, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, and the Acquired Entity, on behalf of the Acquired Fund, each will take, or cause to be taken, all action, and do or cause to be done, all things reasonably necessary, proper or advisable to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

5.6 The Acquiring Entity, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, shall prepare and file a Registration Statement on Form N-14 in compliance with the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act and the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the Reorganization (the “Registration Statement”). The Acquired Entity, on behalf of the Acquired Fund, will provide to the Acquiring Entity such information regarding the Acquired Fund as may be reasonably necessary for the preparation of the Registration Statement.

 

5.7 The Acquiring Entity, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, and the Acquired Entity, on behalf of the Acquired Fund, each will use all reasonable efforts to fulfill or obtain the fulfillment of the conditions precedent to effect the transactions contemplated by this Agreement as promptly as practicable.

 

5.8 The Acquired Entity, on behalf of the Acquired Fund, will, from time to time, as and when reasonably requested by the Acquiring Entity, execute and deliver or cause to be executed and delivered all such assignments and other instruments and will take or cause to be taken such further action as the Acquiring Entity, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, may reasonably deem necessary or desirable in order to vest in and confirm (a) the Acquired Entity’s title to and possession of the Acquiring Fund Shares to be delivered hereunder and (b) the Acquiring Entity’s title to and possession of all the Assets, and to otherwise carry out the intent and purpose of this Agreement.

 

5.9 The Acquiring Entity, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, will use all reasonable efforts to obtain the approvals and authorizations required by the 1933 Act, the 1940 Act and such of the state blue sky or securities laws as may be necessary in order to continue its operations after the Closing Date.

 

5.10 Prior to the Closing, the Acquiring Entity shall not change the Acquiring Entity Charter or the Acquiring Fund’s prospectus or statement of additional information so as to restrict permitted investments for the Acquiring Fund, except as required by the Commission.

 

5.11 Prior to the Valuation Date, the Acquired Entity Board shall adopt the valuation procedures of the Acquiring Entity with respect to the Acquired Fund.

 

5.12 The Acquired Fund and the Acquiring Fund will each report the Reorganization as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code on its federal income tax return for its respective taxable year in which the Reorganization occurs, including filing any and all statements required by Treas. Reg. § 1.368-3.

 

5.13 In accordance with Rule 17a-8 under the 1940 Act, the Acquiring Fund will preserve written records that describe the transactions contemplated hereby and their terms for six years after the Closing Date (and for the first two years in an easily accessible place).

 

6. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF ACQUIRED ENTITY

 

The obligations of the Acquired Entity, on behalf of the Acquired Fund, to consummate the transactions provided for herein shall be subject, at the Acquired Entity’s election, to the following conditions:

 

6.1 All representations and warranties of the Acquiring Entity, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the date hereof and, except as they may be affected by the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, as of the Closing Date, with the same force and effect as if made on and as of the Closing Date.

 

6.2 The Acquiring Entity, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, shall have performed all of the covenants and complied with all of the provisions required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by the Acquiring Entity, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, on or before the Closing Date.

 

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6.3 The Acquiring Entity, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, shall have executed and delivered an assumption of the Liabilities and all such other agreements and instruments as the Acquired Entity may reasonably deem necessary or desirable in order to vest in and confirm (a) the Acquired Fund’s title to and possession of the Acquiring Fund Shares to be delivered hereunder and (b) the Acquiring Entity’s assumption of all of the Liabilities, and to otherwise carry out the intent and purpose of this Agreement.

 

6.4 The Acquiring Entity, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, shall have delivered to the Acquired Fund a certificate executed in the name of the Acquiring Entity, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, by the Acquiring Entity’s President or Vice President and its Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Acquired Entity and dated as of the Closing Date, as to the matters set forth in paragraphs 6.1 and 6.2 and as to such other matters as the Acquired Entity shall reasonably request.

 

6.5 The Acquiring Entity, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, and the Acquired Entity, on behalf of the Acquired Fund, shall have agreed on the number of full and fractional Acquiring Fund Shares of each class to be issued in connection with the Reorganization after such number has been calculated in accordance with paragraph 1.1.

 

7. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF ACQUIRING ENTITY

 

The obligations of the Acquiring Entity, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, to consummate the transactions provided for herein shall be subject, at the Acquiring Entity’s election, to the following conditions:

 

7.1 All representations and warranties of the Acquired Entity, on behalf of the Acquired Fund, contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the date hereof and, except as they may be affected by the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, as of the Closing Date, with the same force and effect as if made on and as of the Closing Date.

 

7.2 The Acquired Entity, on behalf of the Acquired Fund, shall have performed all of the covenants and complied with all of the provisions required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by the Acquired Entity, on behalf of the Acquired Fund, on or before the Closing Date.

 

7.3 The Acquired Entity, on behalf of the Acquired Fund, shall have delivered to the Acquiring Entity, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, a Statement of Assets and Liabilities of the Acquired Fund as of the Closing Date, including a schedule of investments, certified by the Treasurer of the Acquired Entity on behalf of the Acquired Fund. The Acquired Entity, on behalf of the Acquired Fund, shall have executed and delivered all such assignments and other instruments of transfer as the Acquiring Entity may reasonably deem necessary or desirable in order to vest in and confirm (a) the Acquired Fund’s title to and possession of the Acquiring Fund Shares to be delivered hereunder and (b) the Acquiring Fund’s title to and possession of all the Assets and to otherwise carry out the intent and purpose of this Agreement.

 

7.4 The Acquired Entity, on behalf of the Acquired Fund, shall have delivered to the Acquiring Entity a certificate executed in the name of the Acquired Entity, on behalf of the Acquired Fund, by the Acquired Entity’s President or Vice President and its Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Acquiring Entity and dated as of the Closing Date, as to the matters set forth in paragraphs 7.1 and 7.2 and as to such other matters as the Acquiring Entity shall reasonably request.

 

7.5 The Acquired Entity, on behalf of the Acquired Fund, and the Acquiring Entity, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, shall have agreed on the number of full and fractional Acquiring Fund Shares of each class to be issued in connection with the Reorganization after such number has been calculated in accordance with paragraph 1.1.

 

8. FURTHER CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF ACQUIRING ENTITY AND ACQUIRED ENTITY

 

If any of the conditions set forth in paragraphs 8.1 or 8.5 have not been satisfied on or before the Closing Date, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall not be consummated. If any of the other conditions set forth below has not been satisfied on or before the Closing Date with respect to the Acquired Entity, on behalf of the Acquired Fund, or the Acquiring Entity, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, the other entity to this Agreement shall be entitled on behalf of the Acquired Fund or Acquiring Fund, as applicable, at its option, to refuse to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement:

 

8.1 This Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall have been approved by the requisite vote of the holders of the outstanding shares of the Acquired Fund, in accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act and the

 

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Acquired Entity Charter, the bylaws of the Acquired Entity, and Maryland law, as applicable, and certified copies of the report of the inspector of elections evidencing such approval, if any such approval is required, shall have been delivered to the Acquiring Entity. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, neither the Acquiring Entity nor the Acquired Entity may waive the condition set forth in this paragraph 8.1.

 

8.2 On the Closing Date, no court or governmental agency of competent jurisdiction shall have issued any order that remains in effect and that restrains or enjoins the Acquired Entity, with respect to the Acquired Fund, or the Acquiring Entity, with respect to the Acquiring Fund, from completing the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

8.3 All consents of other parties and all other consents, orders and permits of federal, state and local regulatory authorities deemed necessary by the Acquiring Entity or the Acquired Entity to permit consummation, in all material respects, of the transactions contemplated hereby shall have been obtained, except where failure to obtain any such consent, order or permit would not involve a risk of a material adverse effect on the assets or properties of the Acquiring Fund or the Acquired Fund.

 

8.4 The Registration Statement shall have become effective under the 1933 Act and no stop orders suspending the effectiveness thereof shall have been issued and, to the best knowledge of the parties hereto, no investigation or proceeding for that purpose shall have been instituted or be pending.

 

8.5 The parties (other than LMPFA) shall have received the opinion of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, dated the Closing Date, substantially to the effect that, based upon certain facts, assumptions and representations and upon certifications made by the Acquired Entity, on behalf of the Acquired Fund, the Acquiring Entity, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, and their respective authorized officers, for U.S. federal income tax purposes: (i) the acquisition by the Acquiring Fund of all of the Assets solely in exchange for Acquiring Fund Shares and the assumption by the Acquiring Fund of all of the Liabilities, followed by the distribution by the Acquired Fund to the Acquired Fund Shareholders of Acquiring Fund Shares in complete liquidation of the Acquired Fund, all pursuant to this Agreement, will constitute a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, and the Acquiring Fund and the Acquired Fund will each be a “party to a reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(b) of the Code; (ii) under Sections 361 and 357(a) of the Code, the Acquired Fund will not recognize gain or loss upon the transfer of the Assets to the Acquiring Fund in exchange for Acquiring Fund Shares and the assumption of the Liabilities by the Acquiring Fund, and the Acquired Fund will not recognize gain or loss upon the distribution to the Acquired Fund Shareholders of the Acquiring Fund Shares in liquidation of the Acquired Fund except for any gain or loss that may be required to be recognized solely as a result of the close of the Acquired Fund’s taxable year due to the Reorganization; (iii) under Section 354 of the Code, Acquired Fund Shareholders will not recognize gain or loss on the receipt of Acquiring Fund Shares solely in exchange for Acquired Fund Shares; (iv) under Section 358 of the Code, the aggregate basis of the Acquiring Fund Shares received by each Acquired Fund Shareholder will be the same as the aggregate basis of Acquired Fund Shares exchanged therefor; (v) under Section 1223(1) of the Code, the holding period of the Acquiring Fund Shares received by each Acquired Fund Shareholder will include the holding period of Acquired Fund Shares exchanged therefor, provided that the Acquired Fund Shareholder held the Acquired Fund Shares at the time of the reorganization as capital assets; (vi) under Section 1032 of the Code, the Acquiring Fund will not recognize gain or loss upon the receipt of the Assets in exchange for Acquiring Fund Shares and the assumption by the Acquiring Fund of all of the Liabilities; (vii) under Section 362(b) of the Code, the basis of each Asset transferred to the Acquiring Fund in the reorganization will be the same in the hands of the Acquiring Fund as the basis of such Asset in the hands of the Acquired Fund immediately prior to the transfer, increased by the amount of gain (or decreased by the amount of loss), if any, recognized by the Acquired Fund upon the transfer; and (viii) under Section 1223(2) of the Code, the holding period of each Asset transferred to the Acquiring Fund in the reorganization in the hands of the Acquiring Fund will include the period during which such Asset was held by the Acquired Fund (except to the extent that the investment activities of the Acquiring Fund reduce or eliminate such holding period). The delivery of such opinion is conditioned upon the receipt by Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP of representations it shall reasonably request of the Acquiring Entity and the Acquired Entity. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no party hereto may waive the condition set forth in this paragraph 8.5.

 

8.6 The Acquiring Entity, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, shall have received on the Closing Date an opinion of K&L Gates LLP, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Acquiring Entity, and dated as of the Closing Date, substantially to the effect that, based upon certain facts and certifications made by the Acquired Entity, on behalf of the Acquired Fund, and its authorized officers: (a) the Acquired Entity is a corporation validly existing under the laws of the State of Maryland; (b) the Acquired Entity, with respect to the Acquired Fund, has the corporate power to carry on its business as an open-end investment company registered under the 1940 Act as described in the Acquired Entity’s registration statement; (c) this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and, so far as known to such counsel, delivered by the Acquired Entity, on

 

A-11


behalf of the Acquired Fund, and assuming due authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Acquiring Entity, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of the Acquired Entity, on behalf of the Acquired Fund, enforceable against the Acquired Entity in accordance with its terms, subject to the effect of applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and other laws affecting creditors’ or secured parties’ rights generally and to general equity principles (whether in a proceeding under equity or at law); provided that such counsel shall be entitled to state that it expresses no opinion with respect to the validity, binding effect or enforceability of any contractual provisions purporting to provide indemnification of any person for any claims, damages, liabilities or expenses; (d) the execution and delivery of this Agreement did not, and the transfer of the Assets for Acquiring Fund Shares and the assumption by the Acquiring Fund of the Liabilities pursuant to this Agreement will not, violate the Acquired Entity Charter or the bylaws of the Acquired Entity; and (e) to the knowledge of such counsel, all regulatory or court consents, authorizations, approvals, orders or filings required to be obtained or made by the Acquired Entity, on behalf of the Acquired Fund, under the federal laws of the United States or the laws of the State of Maryland for the transfer of the Assets for Acquiring Fund Shares and the assumption by the Acquiring Fund of the Liabilities pursuant to this Agreement have been obtained or made, except such as may be required under state securities or blue sky laws as to which such counsel need express no opinion. Such opinion may state that it is solely for the benefit of the Acquiring Entity and the Acquiring Entity Board. Such opinion may contain such assumptions and limitations as shall be in the opinion of K&L Gates LLP appropriate to render the opinions expressed therein.

 

8.7 The Acquired Entity, on behalf of the Acquired Fund, shall have received on the Closing Date an opinion of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Acquired Entity, and dated as of the Closing Date, substantially to the effect that, based upon certain facts and certifications made by the Acquiring Entity, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, and its authorized officers: (a) the Acquiring Entity is a business trust validly existing under the laws of the State of Maryland; (b) the Acquiring Entity, with respect to the Acquiring Fund, has the power as a business trust to carry on its business as presently conducted in accordance with the description thereof in the Acquiring Entity’s registration statement as an open-end investment company registered under the 1940 Act; (c) this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and, so far as is known to such counsel, delivered by the Acquiring Entity, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, and assuming due authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Acquired Entity, on behalf of the Acquired Fund, constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of the Acquiring Entity, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, enforceable against the Acquiring Entity in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and to general equity principles (whether in a proceeding under equity or at law); provided that such counsel shall be entitled to state that it expresses no opinion with respect to the validity, binding effect or enforceability of any contractual provisions purporting to provide indemnification of any person for any claims, damages, liabilities or expenses; (d) the execution and delivery of this Agreement did not, and the issuance of the Acquiring Fund Shares and the assumption of the Liabilities in exchange for the transfer of the Assets pursuant to this Agreement will not, violate the Acquiring Entity Charter or the bylaws of the Acquiring Entity; and (e) to the knowledge of such counsel, all regulatory or court consents, authorizations, approvals, orders or filings required to be obtained or made by the Acquiring Entity, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, under the federal laws of the United States or the laws of the State of Maryland with respect to the issuance of the Acquiring Fund Shares, the receipt of the Assets and the assumption of the Liabilities pursuant to this Agreement have been obtained or made, except such as may be required under state securities or blue sky laws, as to which such counsel need express no opinion. Such opinion may state that it is solely for the benefit of the Acquired Entity and the Acquired Entity Board. Such opinion may contain such assumptions and limitations as shall be in the opinion of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP appropriate to render the opinions expressed therein. With respect to all matters of Maryland law, such counsel shall be entitled to state that, with the approval of the Acquired Entity, it has relied on the opinion of Venable LLP and that its opinion is subject to the same assumptions, qualifications and limitations with respect to such matters as are contained in the opinion of Venable LLP.

 

8.8 The Assets will include no assets which the Acquiring Fund, by reason of limitations contained in the Acquiring Entity Charter or in investment restrictions in effect on the Closing Date, may not properly acquire.

 

9. INDEMNIFICATION

 

9.1 The Acquiring Entity, out of the Acquiring Fund’s assets and property (including any amounts paid to the Acquiring Fund pursuant to any applicable liability insurance policies or indemnification agreements), agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Acquired Entity and the members of the Acquired Entity Board and its officers from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (including, without limitation, the payment of reasonable legal fees and

 

A-12


reasonable costs of investigation) to which the Acquired Entity and those members of the Acquired Entity Board and officers may become subject, insofar as such loss, claim, damage, liability or expense (or actions with respect thereto) arises out of or is based on (a) any breach by the Acquiring Entity, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, of any of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements set forth in this Agreement or (b) any act, error, omission, neglect, misstatement, materially misleading statement, breach of duty or other act wrongfully done or attempted to be committed by the Acquiring Entity or the members of the Acquiring Entity Board or its officers prior to the Closing Date, provided that such indemnification by the Acquiring Entity is not (i) in violation of any applicable law or (ii) otherwise prohibited as a result of any applicable order or decree issued by any governing regulatory authority or court of competent jurisdiction.

 

9.2 The Acquired Entity, out of the Acquired Fund’s assets and property (including any amounts paid to the Acquired Fund pursuant to any applicable liability insurance policies or indemnification agreements), agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Acquiring Entity and the members of the Acquiring Entity Board and its officers from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (including, without limitation, the payment of reasonable legal fees and reasonable costs of investigation) to which the Acquiring Entity and those members of the Acquiring Entity Board and officers may become subject, insofar as such loss, claim, damage, liability or expense (or actions with respect thereto) arises out of or is based on (a) any breach by the Acquired Entity, on behalf of the Acquired Fund, of any of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements set forth in this Agreement or (b) any act, error, omission, neglect, misstatement, materially misleading statement, breach of duty or other act wrongfully done or attempted to be committed by the Acquired Entity or the members of the Acquired Entity Board or its officers prior to the Closing Date, provided that such indemnification by the Acquired Entity is not (i) in violation of any applicable law or (ii) otherwise prohibited as a result of any applicable order or decree issued by any governing regulatory authority or court of competent jurisdiction.

 

10. BROKER FEES AND EXPENSES

 

10.1 The Acquiring Entity, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, and the Acquired Entity, on behalf of the Acquired Fund, represent and warrant to each other that there are no brokers or finders entitled to receive any payments in connection with the transactions provided for herein.

 

10.2 The Acquiring Fund and LMPFA will each pay 50% of the direct and indirect expenses and the out-of-pocket costs and expenses of the Reorganization incurred by the Acquiring Fund, except that any transaction costs associated with repositioning the Acquiring Fund’s portfolio in connection with the Reorganization will be borne by the Acquiring Fund after the Reorganization. LMPFA will pay all of the direct and indirect expenses and out-of-pocket costs and expenses of the Reorganization incurred by the Acquired Fund (including the cost of printing and mailing the Proxy Statement, accompanying notice of special meeting and proxy card, along with postage and proxy solicitation costs), except that any transaction costs associated with repositioning the Acquired Fund’s portfolio, if any, in connection with the Reorganization will largely be borne by the Acquiring Fund after the Reorganization. Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, expenses will in any event be paid by the party directly incurring such expenses if and to the extent that the payment by another person of such expenses would result in the disqualification of such party as a “regulated investment company” within the meaning of Section 851 of the Code or would prevent the Reorganization from qualifying as a tax-free reorganization.

 

11. ENTIRE AGREEMENT; SURVIVAL OF WARRANTIES

 

11.1 The Acquiring Entity and the Acquired Entity agree that neither party has made any representation, warranty or covenant, on behalf of either the Acquiring Fund or the Acquired Fund, respectively, not set forth herein and that this Agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the parties.

 

11.2 The covenants to be performed after the Closing by both the Acquiring Entity and the Acquired Entity, and the obligations of the Acquiring Entity, on behalf of the Acquiring Fund, in Article 9, shall survive the Closing. All other representations, warranties and covenants contained in this Agreement or in any document delivered pursuant hereto or in connection herewith shall not survive the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereunder and shall terminate on the Closing.

 

12. TERMINATION

 

This Agreement may be terminated and the transactions contemplated hereby may be abandoned at any time prior to the Closing Date by resolution of either the Acquiring Entity Board or the Acquired Entity Board, if circumstances should

 

A-13


develop that, in the opinion of that Board, make proceeding with the Agreement inadvisable with respect to the Acquiring Fund or the Acquired Fund, respectively. Any such termination resolution will be effective when communicated to the other party. The obligations of LMPFA set forth in paragraph 10.2 shall survive termination of this Agreement.

 

13. AMENDMENTS

 

This Agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented in such manner as may be deemed necessary or advisable by the authorized officers of the Acquired Entity and the Acquiring Entity; provided, however, that following the meeting of the Acquired Fund Shareholders called by the Acquired Fund pursuant to paragraph 5.2 of this Agreement, no such amendment may have the effect of changing the provisions for determining the number of Acquiring Fund Shares to be issued to Acquired Fund Shareholders under this Agreement to the detriment of such shareholders without their further approval.

 

14. NOTICES

 

Any notice, report, statement or demand required or permitted by any provisions of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be given by facsimile, electronic delivery (i.e., e-mail), personal service or prepaid or certified mail addressed to the Acquiring Entity or the Acquired Entity, at its address set forth in the preamble to this Agreement, in each case to the attention of its President.

 

15. HEADINGS; COUNTERPARTS; GOVERNING LAW; SEVERABILITY; ASSIGNMENT; LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

 

15.1 The Article headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

 

15.2 This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original.

 

15.3 This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and interpreted in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Maryland; provided that, in the case of any conflict between these laws and the federal securities laws, the latter shall govern.

 

15.4 This Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns, but no assignment or transfer hereof or of any rights or obligations hereunder shall be made by any party without the written consent of the other parties. Nothing herein expressed or implied is intended or shall be construed to confer upon or give any person, firm or corporation, other than the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns, any rights or remedies under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

15.5 Consistent with the Acquiring Entity Charter, the obligations of the Acquiring Entity with respect to the Acquiring Fund entered into in the name or on behalf of the Acquiring Entity by any of its Trustees, officers, employees or agents are made not individually, but in such capacities, and are not binding upon any of the Trustees, officers, employees, agents or shareholders of the Acquiring Entity, personally, but bind only the assets of the Acquiring Entity belonging to the Acquiring Fund, and all persons dealing with any series or funds of the Acquiring Entity must look solely to the assets of the Acquiring Entity belonging to such series or fund for the enforcement of any claims against the Acquiring Entity.

 

A-14


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Agreement to be executed by its duly authorized officer.

 

LEGG MASON PARTNERS EQUITY TRUST,

on behalf of its series LEGG MASON PARTNERS SMALL CAP VALUE FUND

By:

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

LEGG MASON INVESTORS TRUST, INC.,

on behalf of its series LEGG MASON U.S. SMALL-CAPITALIZATION VALUE TRUST

By:

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

Solely for purposes of paragraph 10.2 of the Agreement:

 

LEGG MASON PARTNERS FUND ADVISOR, LLC

By:

 

 

Name:

 

Title:

 

 

A-15


SCHEDULE 4.1

 

A-16


SCHEDULE 4.2

 

A-17


APPENDIX B

 

Financial Highlights of Legg Mason Partners Small Cap Value Fund

 

The financial highlights tables are intended to help you understand the performance of each class for the past five years. Certain information reflects financial results for a single share. Total return represents the rate that a shareholder would have earned (or lost) on a Fund share assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions. The information in the following tables has been derived from the Fund’s and the predecessor fund’s financial statements, which have been audited by KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, is included in the annual report (available upon request). The financial information shown below for periods prior to April 16, 2007 is that of the Fund’s predecessor. The financial highlights for the six month period ended March 31, 2009 are unaudited.

 

For a share of each class of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each year ended September 30, unless otherwise noted:

 

Class A Shares1

   20092     2008     20073     20063     20053     20043  

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

   $ 17.02      $ 24.66      $ 23.77      $ 24.02      $ 21.19      $ 18.24   
                                                

Income (Loss) From Operations:

            

Net investment income (loss)

     0.02        0.06        (0.03     0.07        0.13        0.00 4 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     (6.49     (3.96     2.88        1.24        3.50        4.01   
                                                

Total Income (Loss) From Operations

     (6.47     (3.90     2.85        1.31        3.63        4.01   
                                                

Less Distributions From:

            

Net investment income

     —          —          —          —          (0.12     —     

Net realized gains

     (1.25     (3.74     (1.96     (1.56     (0.68     (1.06
                                                

Total Distributions

     (1.25     (3.74     (1.96     (1.56     (0.80     (1.06
                                                

Net Asset Value, End of Period

   $ 9.30      $ 17.02      $ 24.66      $ 23.77      $ 24.02      $ 21.19   
                                                

Total Return5

     (38.79 )%      (17.70 )%      12.36     5.62     17.37     22.35
                                                

Net Assets, End of Period (000s)

   $ 87,928      $ 161,478      $ 309,292      $ 262,334      $ 291,923      $ 205,357   
                                                

Ratios to Average Net Assets:

            

Gross expenses

     1.33 %6      1.24     1.19 %7      1.13     1.18     1.16

Net expenses

     1.33 6      1.24        1.19 7,8      1.12 8      1.18        1.14 8 

Net investment income (loss)

     0.41 6      0.33        (0.05     0.30        0.58        0.02   
                                                

Portfolio Turnover Rate

     19     16     36     27     18     31
                                                

 

1

Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares method.

2

For the six months ended March 31, 2009 (unaudited).

3

For a share of capital stock outstanding prior to April 16, 2007.

4

Amount represents less than $0.01 per share.

5

Performance figures, exclusive of sales charge, may reflect fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. In the absence of fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, the total return would have been lower. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

6

Annualized.

7

Included in the expense ratios are certain non-recurring restructuring (and reorganization, if applicable) fees that were incurred by the Fund during the period. Without these fees, the gross and net expense ratios would both have been 1.18%.

8

Reflects fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements.

 

B-1


For a share of each class of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each year ended September 30, unless otherwise noted:

 

Class B Shares1

   20092     2008     20073     20063     20053     20043  

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

   $ 15.99      $ 23.56      $ 22.96      $ 23.41      $ 20.71      $ 17.99   
                                                

Income (Loss) From Operations:

            

Net investment loss

     (0.02     (0.07     (0.19     (0.10     (0.03     (0.15

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     (6.08     (3.76     2.75        1.21        3.41        3.93   
                                                

Total Income (Loss) From Operations

     (6.10     (3.83     2.56        1.11        3.38        3.78   
                                                

Less Distributions From:

            

Net realized gains

     (1.25     (3.74     (1.96     (1.56     (0.68     (1.06
                                                

Total Distributions

     (1.25     (3.74     (1.96     (1.56     (0.68     (1.06
                                                

Net Asset Value, End of Period

   $ 8.64      $ 15.99      $ 23.56      $ 22.96      $ 23.41      $ 20.71   
                                                

Total Return4

     (38.99 )%      (18.32 )%      11.48     4.88     16.49     21.35
                                                

Net Assets, End of Period (000s)

   $ 17,697      $ 37,973      $ 77,760      $ 126,577      $ 151,555      $ 142,896   
                                                

Ratios to Average Net Assets:

            

Gross expenses

     2.05 %5      1.97     1.93 %6      1.87     1.93     1.93

Net expenses

     2.05 5      1.97        1.93 6,7      1.85 7      1.93        1.91 7 

Net investment loss

     (0.32 )5      (0.41     (0.71     (0.43     (0.13     (0.77
                                                

Portfolio Turnover Rate

     19     16     36     27     18     31
                                                

 

1

Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares method.

2

For the six months ended March 31, 2009 (unaudited).

3

For a share of capital stock outstanding prior to April 16, 2007.

4

Performance figures may reflect fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. In the absence of fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, the total return would have been lower. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

5

Annualized.

6

Included in the expense ratios are certain non-recurring restructuring (and reorganization, if applicable) fees that were incurred by the Fund during the period. Without these fees, the gross and net expense ratios both would have been 1.92%.

7

Reflects fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements.

 

B-2


For a share of each class of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each year ended September 30, unless otherwise noted:

 

Class C Shares1

   20092     2008     20073     20063     20053     20043  

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

   $ 15.90      $ 23.48      $ 22.90      $ 23.38      $ 20.70      $ 17.98   
                                                

Income (Loss) From Operations:

            

Net investment loss

     (0.03     (0.09     (0.22     (0.13     (0.05     (0.16

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     (6.04     (3.75     2.76        1.21        3.41        3.94   
                                                

Total Income (Loss) From Operations

     (6.07     (3.84     2.54        1.08        3.36        3.78   
                                                

Less Distributions From:

            

Net realized gains

     (1.25     (3.74     (1.96     (1.56     (0.68     (1.06
                                                

Total Distributions

     (1.25     (3.74     (1.96     (1.56     (0.68     (1.06
                                                

Net Asset Value, End of Period

   $ 8.58      $ 15.90      $ 23.48      $ 22.90      $ 23.38      $ 20.70   
                                                

Total Return4

     (39.02 )%      (18.43 )%      11.42     4.75     16.40     21.36
                                                

Net Assets, End of Period (000s)

   $ 52,507      $ 100,575      $ 166,400      $ 176,117      $ 179,762      $ 142,272   
                                                

Ratios to Average Net Assets:

            

Gross expenses

     2.27 %5      2.09     2.02 %6      1.99     2.01     1.96

Net expenses

     2.27 5      2.09        2.02 6,7      1.97 7      2.01        1.94 7 

Net investment loss

     (0.53 )5      (0.51     (0.85     (0.55     (0.23     (0.80
                                                

Portfolio Turnover Rate

     19     16     36     27     18     31
                                                

 

1

Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares method.

2

For the six months ended March 31, 2009 (unaudited).

3

For a share of capital stock outstanding prior to April 16, 2007.

4

Performance figures may reflect fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. In the absence of fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, the total return would have been lower. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

5

Annualized.

6

Included in the expense ratios are certain non-recurring restructuring (and reorganization, if applicable) fees that were incurred by the Fund during the period. Without these fees, the gross and net expense ratios both would have been 2.01%.

7

Reflects fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements.

 

B-3


For a share of each class of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each year ended September 30, unless otherwise noted:

 

Class I Shares1

   20092     2008     20073     20063     20053     20043  

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

   $ 17.37      $ 25.02      $ 24.01      $ 24.16      $ 21.29      $ 18.27   
                                                

Income (Loss) From Operations:

            

Net investment income

     0.04        0.13        0.09        0.16        0.19        0.07   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     (6.62     (4.04     2.88        1.25        3.55        4.01   
                                                

Total Income (Loss) From Operations

     (6.58     (3.91     2.97        1.41        3.74        4.08   
                                                

Less Distributions From:

            

Net investment income

     —          —          —          —          (0.19     —     

Net realized gains

     (1.25     (3.74     (1.96     (1.56     (0.68     (1.06
                                                

Total Distributions

     (1.25     (3.74     (1.96     (1.56     (0.87     (1.06
                                                

Net Asset Value, End of Period

   $ 9.54      $ 17.37      $ 25.02      $ 24.01      $ 24.16      $ 21.29   
                                                

Total Return4

     (38.62 )%      (17.46 )%      12.77     6.02     17.81     22.71
                                                

Net Assets, End of Period (000s)

   $ 9,454      $ 15,554      $ 22,192      $ 105,703      $ 161,667      $ 60,684   
                                                

Ratios to Average Net Assets:

            

Gross expenses

     0.99 %5      0.94     0.79 %6      0.77     0.81     0.86

Net expenses

     0.99 5      0.94        0.79 6,7      0.77 7      0.81        0.84 7 

Net investment income

     0.74 5      0.66        0.44        0.64        0.84        0.32   
                                                

Portfolio Turnover Rate

     19     16     36     27     18     31
                                                

 

1

Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares method.

2

For the six months ended March 31, 2009 (unaudited).

3

For a share of capital stock outstanding prior to April 16, 2007.

4

Performance figures may reflect fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. In the absence of fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, the total return would have been lower. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

5

Annualized.

6

Included in the expense ratios are certain non-recurring restructuring (and reorganization, if applicable) fees that were incurred by the Fund during the period. Without these fees, the gross and net expense ratios would both have been 0.78%.

7

Reflects fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements.

 

B-4


APPENDIX C

 

Historical Performance for Each Fund

 

Legg Mason U.S. Small-Capitalization Value Trust

 

The information below provides an indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in its performance from year to year and by showing how the Fund’s average annual total returns for various periods compare with those of a broad measure of market performance. The bar chart and the quarter return information show the total return of the Fund’s Class C shares but do not reflect the impact of sales charges (loads) on Class C shares. If they did, the returns would be lower than those shown for certain periods. Annual returns assume reinvestment of all distributions, if any. Past performance below (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of future performance.

 

Class C Shares*

 

LOGO

 

 

* On February 1, 2009, Primary Class shares were renamed Class C shares. In addition, on February 1, 2009, the class began to charge a contingent deferred sales charge for shares bought by investors on and after that date and redeemed within one year of purchase.

 

During the past ten calendar years:

 

   

Quarter Ended

 

Total Return

Best quarter:

  June 30, 2003   24.30%

Worst quarter:

  December 31, 2008   (24.58)%

 

The Fund’s year-to-date total return as of June 30, 2009 was (5.14)%.

 

Average Annual Total Returns

 

The table below shows the Fund’s average annual total returns before taxes for all classes being offered that have been in operation for a full calendar year. In addition, returns after taxes are shown for Class C shares to illustrate the effect of federal taxes on Fund returns. The table also shows returns for the Russell 2000 Index. Unlike the returns in the bar chart, the returns in the table reflect the impact of the contingent deferred sales charge on Class C shares in the first year.

 

For the periods ended December 31, 2008:

 

Small-Cap Value Trust1

     1 Year     5 Years     10 Years  

Class C Shares2

        

Return before taxes

     (31.74 )%    (3.42 )%    3.15

Return after taxes on distributions3

     (31.82 )%    (5.09 )%    2.10

Return after taxes on distributions and sale of fund shares3

     (20.57 )%    (2.55 )%    2.81

Institutional Class Shares—

        

Return before taxes

     (30.39 )%    (2.40 )%    4.20

Russell 2000 Index

(reflects no deduction for fees expenses or taxes)

     (33.79 )%    (0.93 )%    3.02

 

C-1


During periods of Fund losses, the return after taxes on distributions and sale of Fund shares may exceed the Fund’s returns after taxes on distributions because the loss generates a tax benefit that is factored into the result.

 

1

Class A shares commenced operations on February 3, 2009. Accordingly, Class A shares do not have a full calendar year of performance information to report. Each share class is invested in the same portfolio of securities. Therefore, annual total returns for Class A shares would differ from those of Class C shares only to the extent that it would pay different expenses than Class C shares.

2

On February 1, 2009, Primary Class shares were renamed Class C shares. In addition, on February 1, 2009, the class began to charge a contingent deferred sales charge for shares bought by investors on and after that date and redeemed within one year of purchase.

3

After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns for the Fund’s other classes will differ from those shown above for Class C shares. The after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or IRAs.

 

Legg Mason Partners Small Cap Value Fund

 

The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing the Fund’s performance over time. The bar chart and the information following show the total return of the Fund’s Class A shares for the calendar years indicated and for the best and worst calendar quarters during the years covered, but do not reflect the impact of sales charges (loads). If they did, the returns would be lower than those shown.

 

The table shows the average annual total returns of each class of the Fund that has been in operation for at least one full calendar year and also compares the Fund’s performance with the average annual total returns of a broad-based securities market index or other benchmark. Unlike the bar chart, the table reflects the impact of the maximum sales charge (load) applicable to the respective classes, and, where indicated, the performance for Class A shares reflects the impact of taxes paid on distributions and the redemption of shares at the end of the period. The performance of a share class with higher expenses than Class A expenses would have been lower than that shown, and the performance of a share class with expenses lower than Class A expenses would have been higher than that shown.

 

The Fund’s past performance, before and after taxes, is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.

 

Class A Shares

 

LOGO

 

During the periods shown in the bar chart:

 

   

Quarter Ended

 

Total Return

Best quarter:

  December 31, 2001   19.39%

Worst quarter:

  December 31, 2008   (27.47)%

 

The Fund’s year-to-date total return as of June 30, 2009 was 2.38%.

 

C-2


Average Annual Total Returns (for periods ended December 31, 2008)1

 

       1 Year     5 Years     Since
Inception
    Inception
Date

Class A

          

Return before taxes2

     (39.63 )%    (3.34 )%    5.90   02/26/99

Return after taxes on distributions2,3

     (40.72 )%    (5.41 )%    4.23  

Return after taxes on distributions and sale of fund shares2,3

     (24.68 )%    (3.19 )%    4.69  

Other Classes (Return before taxes only)

          

Class C

     (37.11 )%    (3.01 )%    5.69   02/26/99

Class I

     (35.82 )%    (1.86 )%    4.67   04/14/03

Russell 2000 Value Index4

     (28.92 )%    0.27   7.21   02/26/99

 

1

As part of a number of initiatives launched in 2006 to restructure and streamline the Legg Mason Partners fund complex, the Fund assumed the assets of a predecessor Fund effective April 16, 2007. The performance information shown includes that of the Fund’s predecessor.

2

The maximum initial sales charge on Class A shares was increased for sales made on and after November 20, 2006. The average annual returns for Class A shares in the table have been calculated as if the increased maximum initial sales charge had been in effect for the entire period.

3

After-tax returns are calculated using the highest historical individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend upon an individual investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown, and the after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. In some cases the return after taxes may exceed the return before taxes due to an assumed tax benefit from any losses on a sale of Fund shares at the end of the measurement period. After-tax returns for other share classes will vary.

4

The Russell 2000 Value Index is an unmanaged index that measures the performance of those Russell 2000 companies with lower price-to-book ratios and lower forecasted growth values. (Price-to-book ratio is the price of a stock divided by its net asset value.) An investor cannot invest directly in the Index. The performance of the Index does not reflect deductions for fees, expenses or taxes.

 

C-3


APPENDIX D

 

Instructions for Signing the Proxy Card

 

The following general rules for signing the voting instruction card may be of assistance to you and avoid the time and expense involved in validating your vote if you fail to sign your voting instruction card properly.

 

1. Individual Accounts: Sign your name exactly as it appears in the registration on the voting instruction card.

 

2. Joint Accounts: Either party may sign, but the name of the party signing should conform exactly to the name shown in the registration on the voting instruction card.

 

3. All Other Accounts: The capacity of the individual signing the voting instruction card should be indicated unless it is reflected in the form of registration. For example:

 

Registration    Valid Signature
Corporate Accounts     

(1) ABC Corp.

   ABC Corp.

(2) ABC Corp.

   John Doe, Treasurer

(3) ABC Corp., c/o John Doe, Treasurer

   John Doe

(4) ABC Corp. Profit Sharing Plan

   John Doe, Trustee
Trust Accounts     

(1) ABC Trust

   Jane B. Doe, Trustee

(2) Jane B. Doe, Trustee, u/t/d 12/28/78

   Jane B. Doe
Custodial or Estate Accounts     

(1) John B. Smith, Cust., f/b/o John B. Smith, Jr. UGMA

   John B. Smith

(2) Estate of John B. Smith

   John B. Smith Jr., Executor

 

D-1


LEGG MASON PARTNERS EQUITY TRUST

Legg Mason Partners Small Cap Value Fund

 

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

September 30, 2009

 

Acquisition of the Assets and Liabilities of:

  

By and in Exchange for Shares of:

Legg Mason U.S. Small-Capitalization Value Trust

   Legg Mason Partners Small Cap Value Fund

100 International Drive

Baltimore,

Maryland 21202

1-800-822-5544

1-888-425-6432

  

55 Water Street

New York,

New York 10041

1-800-822-5544

1-888-425-6432

 

This Statement of Additional Information, which is not a prospectus, supplements and should be read in conjunction with the Proxy Statement/Prospectus dated September 30, 2009, relating specifically to the proposed transfer of all of the assets of Legg Mason U.S. Small-Capitalization Value Trust (the “Acquired Fund”), a series of Legg Mason Investors Trust, Inc., in exchange for the assumption of all of the Acquired Fund’s liabilities and for shares of Legg Mason Partners Small Cap Value Fund (the “Acquiring Fund”), a series of Legg Mason Partners Equity Trust, having an aggregate net asset value equal to the aggregate net asset value of the shares of the Acquired Fund. To obtain a copy of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, please write to the Acquiring Fund at the address set forth above or call 1-800-822-5544 or 1-888-425-6432. The transfer is to occur pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization. Unless otherwise indicated, capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined have the same meanings as are given to them in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus.

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

1. General Information

   S-2

2. Financial Statements and Other Incorporated Documents

   S-2

2. Pro Forma Financial Statements

   S-3

 

S-1


GENERAL INFORMATION

 

A Special Meeting of Shareholders of the Acquired Fund to consider the Reorganization will be held at the offices of Legg Mason, Inc., 100 International Drive, 7th Floor, Baltimore, Maryland 21202, on November 24, 2009, at 10:00 a.m., Eastern time. For further information about the Reorganization, see the Proxy Statement/Prospectus.

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND OTHER INCORPORATED DOCUMENTS

 

The Statement of Additional Information related to the Proxy Statement/Prospectus dated September 30, 2009, consists of this cover page, the accompanying pro forma financial statements and the following documents, each of which was filed electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission and is incorporated by reference herein:

 

The Statement of Additional Information of the Acquiring Fund:

 

Fund

  

Date and Filing Date

   Accession Number

Legg Mason Partners Small Cap Value Fund

  

January 28, 2009

Filed on January 28, 2009

   0001193125-09-013074
The Statement of Additional Information of the Acquired Fund:

Fund

  

Date and Filing Date

   Accession Number

Legg Mason U.S. Small-Capitalization Value Trust

  

August 1, 2009

Filed on July 29, 2009

   0001104659-09-045573
The financial statements of the Acquired Fund as included in the Fund’s Annual Report filed for the year ended March 31, 2009:

Fund

  

Year Ended/Filing Date

   Accession Number

Legg Mason U.S. Small-Capitalization Value Trust

  

March 31, 2009

Filed on June 4, 2009

   0001193125-09-125215
The financial statements of the Acquiring Fund as included in the Fund’s Annual Report filed for the year ended September 30, 2008:

Fund

  

Year Ended/Filing Date

   Accession Number

Legg Mason Partners Small Cap Value Fund

  

September 30, 2008

Filed on December 2, 2008

   0001193125-08-246608
The financial statements of the Acquiring Fund as included in the Fund’s Semi-Annual Report filed for the period ended March 31, 2009:

Fund

  

Year Ended/Filing Date

   Accession Number

Legg Mason Partners Small Cap Value Fund

  

March 31, 2009

Filed on June 3, 2009

   0001193125-09-124118

 

S-2


PRO FORMA FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Shown below are the financial statements for each Fund and pro forma financial statements for the combined Funds assuming the Reorganization is consummated as of April 1, 2009. The first table presents the Schedule of Investments for each Fund and pro forma figures for the combined Fund. The second table presents the Statements of Assets and Liabilities for each Fund and estimated pro forma figures for the combined Fund. The third table presents the Statements of Operations for each Fund and estimated pro forma figures for the combined Fund. These tables are followed by the Notes to the Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements.

 

The pro forma financial statements are unaudited and based on financial statements as of and for the period ended March 31, 2009.

 

Pro Forma Combined Schedule of Investments

Legg Mason Partners Small Cap Value Fund and Legg Mason U.S. Small-Capitalization Value Trust

As of March 31, 2009 (unaudited)

 

Legg Mason
U.S Small-
Capitalization
Value Trust
  Legg Mason
Partners
Small Cap
Value Fund
  Pro Forma
Combined
Legg Mason
Partners
Small Cap
Value Fund
      Legg Mason
U.S Small-
Capitalization
Value Trust
  Legg Mason
Partners
Small Cap
Value Fund
  Pro Forma
Adjustments
  Pro Forma
Combined
Legg Mason
Partners
Small Cap
Value Fund
Shares   Shares   Shares  

Security

  Value   Value   Value   Value

COMMON STOCKS — 99.4%

       

CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY — 11.2%

       

Auto Components — 0.8%

         
  182,270   182,270   Cooper Tire & Rubber Co.     $ 736,371     $ 736,371
3,680     3,680   Dorman Products Inc.*   $ 34,333         34,333
4,900     4,900   Hawk Corp.*     56,595         56,595
13,995     13,995   Superior Industries International Inc.     165,841         165,841
  64,470   64,470   WABCO Holdings Inc.       793,626       793,626
                         
      Total Auto Components     256,769     1,529,997       1,786,766
                         

Distributors — 0.1%

       
3,150     3,150   Audiovox Corp.*     10,805         10,805
5,770     5,770   Core-Mark Holding Co. Inc.*     105,129         105,129
                     
      Total Distributors     115,934         115,934
                     

Diversified Consumer Services — 1.0%

       
11,100     11,100   Pre-Paid Legal Services Inc.*     322,233         322,233
  73,768   73,768   Steiner Leisure Ltd.*       1,800,677       1,800,677
                         
      Total Diversified Consumer Services     322,233     1,800,677       2,122,910
                         

Hotels, Restaurants and Leisure — 1.3%

       
  39,310   39,310   Brinker International Inc.       593,581       593,581
  49,030   49,030   California Pizza Kitchen Inc.*       641,312       641,312
8,400     8,400   Carrols Restaurant Group Inc.*     29,484         29,484
24,910     24,910   Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Inc.     713,422         713,422
6,490     6,490   Domino’s Pizza Inc.*     42,510         42,510
5,390     5,390   Dover Downs Gaming and Entertainment Inc.     16,547         16,547
5,200     5,200   Einstein Noah Restaurant Group Inc.*     30,316         30,316
2,500     2,500   Frisch’s Restaurants Inc.     50,625         50,625
12,366     12,366   Luby’s Inc.*     60,717         60,717
25,000     25,000   Pinnacle Entertainment Inc.*     176,000         176,000
20,350     20,350   Speedway Motorsports Inc.     240,537         240,537
16,100     16,100   The Steak n Shake Co.*     121,877         121,877
                         
      Total Hotels, Restaurants and Leisure     1,482,035     1,234,893       2,716,928
                         

 

S-3


Legg Mason
U.S Small-
Capitalization
Value Trust
  Legg Mason
Partners
Small Cap
Value Fund
  Pro Forma
Combined
Legg Mason
Partners
Small Cap
Value Fund
      Legg Mason
U.S Small-
Capitalization
Value Trust
  Legg Mason
Partners
Small Cap
Value Fund
  Pro Forma
Adjustments
  Pro Forma
Combined
Legg Mason
Partners
Small Cap
Value Fund
Shares   Shares   Shares  

Security

  Value   Value   Value   Value

Household Durables — 2.0%

         
15,880     15,880   CSS Industries Inc.   $ 269,960       $ 269,960
22,970     22,970   Ethan Allen Interiors Inc.     258,643         258,643
16,900     16,900   Helen of Troy Ltd.*     232,375         232,375
2,780     2,780   Hooker Furniture Corp.     23,463         23,463
17,100     17,100   Jarden Corp.*     216,657         216,657
  58,933   58,933   Snap-on Inc.     $ 1,479,218       1,479,218
7,370     7,370   Tempur-Pedic International Inc.     53,801         53,801
  110,840   110,840   Tupperware Brands Corp.       1,883,172       1,883,172
                         
      Total Household Durables     1,054,899     3,362,390       4,417,289
                         

Internet and Catalog Retail — 0.1%

       
10,500     10,500   dELiA*s Inc.*     17,640         17,640
12,600     12,600   NutriSystem Inc.     179,802         179,802
                     
      Total Internet and Catalog Retail     197,442         197,442
                     

Leisure Equipment and Products — 0.7%

       
5,400     5,400   Arctic Cat Inc.     20,682         20,682
28,000   109,160   137,160   Callaway Golf Co.     201,040     783,769       984,809
31,140     31,140   JAKKS Pacific Inc.*     384,579         384,579
7,760     7,760   Polaris Industries Inc.     166,374         166,374
                         
      Total Leisure Equipment and Products     772,675     783,769       1,556,444
                         

Media — 0.1%

       
7,400     7,400   Alloy Inc.*     31,080         31,080
3,350     3,350   Cox Radio Inc.*     13,735         13,735
1,400     1,400   Fisher Communications Inc.     13,664         13,664
10,200     10,200   Lakes Entertainment Inc.*     20,910         20,910
10,190     10,190   Scholastic Corp.     153,563         153,563
                     
      Total Media     232,952         232,952
                     

Specialty Retail — 3.5%

       
6,350     6,350   America’s Car-Mart Inc.*     86,297         86,297
6,600     6,600   Big 5 Sporting Goods Corp.     38,742         38,742
  24,364   24,364   Buckle Inc.       777,943       777,943
8,000     8,000   Build-A-Bear Workshop Inc.*     48,560         48,560
23,575     23,575   Cabela’s Inc.*     214,768         214,768
  157,254   157,254   Cato Corp., Class A Shares       2,874,603       2,874,603
24,590     24,590   Conn’s Inc.*     345,244         345,244
10,700     10,700   Genesco Inc.*     201,481         201,481
3,260     3,260   Group 1 Automotive Inc.     45,542         45,542
8,700     8,700   Gymboree Corp.*     185,745         185,745
7,600     7,600   Haverty Furniture Cos. Inc.     80,028         80,028
5,300     5,300   hhgregg Inc.*     74,995         74,995
5,948     5,948   Jos. A Bank Clothiers Inc.*     165,414         165,414
13,830   64,350   78,180   Penske Automotive Group Inc.     129,034     600,385       729,419
5,420     5,420   Rent-A-Center Inc.*     104,985         104,985
3,195     3,195   REX Stores Corp.*     34,250         34,250
6,910     6,910   Shoe Carnival Inc.*     71,519         71,519
20,685     20,685   Stage Stores Inc.     208,505         208,505
4,500     4,500   Syms Corp.*     27,540         27,540
19,900     19,900   Systemax Inc.*     257,108         257,108
5,190     5,190   The Dress Barn Inc.*     63,785         63,785
28,250     28,250   The Finish Line Inc.     187,015         187,015
52,600     52,600   The Wet Seal Inc.*     176,736         176,736
9,600     9,600   West Marine Inc.*     51,360         51,360
  66,100   66,100   Williams-Sonoma Inc.       666,288       666,288
                         
      Total Specialty Retail     2,798,653     4,919,219       7,717,872
                         

 

S-4


Legg Mason
U.S Small-
Capitalization
Value Trust
  Legg Mason
Partners
Small Cap
Value Fund
  Pro Forma
Combined
Legg Mason
Partners
Small Cap
Value Fund
      Legg Mason
U.S Small-
Capitalization
Value Trust
  Legg Mason
Partners
Small Cap
Value Fund
  Pro Forma
Adjustments
  Pro Forma
Combined
Legg Mason
Partners
Small Cap
Value Fund
Shares   Shares   Shares  

Security

  Value   Value   Value   Value

Textiles, Apparel and Luxury Goods — 1.6%

       
  45,310   45,310   Carter’s Inc.*     $ 852,281     $ 852,281
2,940     2,940   Columbia Sportswear Co.   $ 87,965         87,965
6,030     6,030   K-Swiss Inc.     51,496         51,496
16,540     16,540   Maidenform Brands Inc.*     151,507         151,507
  57,350   57,350   Movado Group Inc.       432,419       432,419
3,200     3,200   R.G. Barry Corp.*     19,168         19,168
2,860     2,860   Skechers U.S.A. Inc.*     19,076         19,076
  154,677   154,677   Timberland Co., Class A Shares*       1,846,843       1,846,843
                         
      Total Textiles, Apparel and Luxury Goods     329,212     3,131,543       3,460,755
                         
      TOTAL CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY     7,562,804     16,762,488       24,325,292
                         

CONSUMER STAPLES — 4.3%

       

Food and Staples Retailing — 2.0%

       
  100,660   100,660   Casey’s General Stores Inc.       2,683,596       2,683,596
7,100     7,100   Ingles Markets Inc.     106,003         106,003
5,510     5,510   The Andersons Inc.     77,912         77,912
  43,460   43,460   Weis Markets Inc.       1,348,998       1,348,998
19,800     19,800   Winn-Dixie Stores Inc.*     189,288         189,288
                         
      Total Food and Staples Retailing     373,203     4,032,594       4,405,797
                         

Food Products — 1.2%

       
11,600     11,600   Cal-Maine Foods Inc.     259,724         259,724
17,080   196,955   214,035   Del Monte Foods Co.     124,513     1,435,802       1,560,315
5,000     5,000   Imperial Sugar Co.     35,950         35,950
4,400     4,400   John B. Sanfilippo and Son Inc.*     23,496         23,496
6,700     6,700   Overhill Farms Inc.*     25,594         25,594
  71,380   71,380   Smithfield Foods Inc.*       675,255       675,255
                         
      Total Food Products     469,277     2,111,057       2,580,334
                         

Household Products — 0.7%

       
5,700   209,070   214,770   Central Garden and Pet Co., Class A Shares*     42,864     1,572,206       1,615,070
                         
      Total Household Products     42,864     1,572,206       1,615,070
                         

Personal Products — 0.2%

       
2,740     2,740   Elizabeth Arden Inc.*     15,974         15,974
13,120     13,120   NBTY Inc.*     184,730         184,730
9,390     9,390   Nutraceutical International Corp.*     62,913         62,913
27,200     27,200   Prestige Brands Holdings Inc.*     140,896         140,896
3,140     3,140   Schiff Nutrition International Inc.*     14,130         14,130
                     
      Total Personal Products     418,643         418,643
                     

Tobacco — 0.2%

       
20,100     20,100   Alliance One International Inc.*     77,184         77,184
10,360     10,360   Universal Corp.     309,971         309,971
                     
      Total Tobacco     387,155         387,155
                         
      TOTAL CONSUMER STAPLES     1,691,142     7,715,857       9,406,999
                         

 

S-5


Legg Mason
U.S Small-
Capitalization
Value Trust
  Legg Mason
Partners
Small Cap
Value Fund
  Pro Forma
Combined
Legg Mason
Partners
Small Cap
Value Fund
      Legg Mason
U.S Small-
Capitalization
Value Trust
  Legg Mason
Partners
Small Cap
Value Fund
  Pro Forma
Adjustments
  Pro Forma
Combined
Legg Mason
Partners
Small Cap
Value Fund
Shares   Shares   Shares  

Security

  Value   Value   Value   Value

ENERGY — 3.0%

       

Energy Equipment and Services — 1.1%

       
7,840     7,840   Bristow Group Inc.*   $ 168,011       $ 168,011
38,295     38,295   Cal Dive International Inc.*     259,257         259,257
12,090     12,090   Gulfmark Offshore Inc.*     288,468         288,468
  213,820   213,820   ION Geophysical Corp.*     $ 333,559       333,559
  41,760   41,760   National-Oilwell Varco Inc.*       1,198,929       1,198,929
  43,313   43,313   Superior Well Services Inc.*       222,196       222,196
                         
      Total Energy Equipment and Services     715,736     1,754,684       2,470,420
                         

Oil, Gas and Consumable Fuels — 1.9%

       
1,300     1,300   Adams Resources and Energy Inc.     18,213         18,213
  107,122   107,122   Denbury Resources Inc.*       1,591,833       1,591,833
2,700     2,700   GeoResources Inc.*     18,144         18,144
2,400     2,400   Overseas Shipholding Group Inc.     54,408         54,408
  24,320   24,320   St. Mary Land & Exploration Co.       321,754       321,754
60,700     60,700   USEC Inc.*     291,360         291,360
4,700     4,700   World Fuel Services Corp.     148,661         148,661
  54,962   54,962   XTO Energy Inc.       1,682,936       1,682,936
                         
      Total Oil, Gas and Consumable Fuels     530,786     3,596,523       4,127,309
                         
      TOTAL ENERGY     1,246,522     5,351,207       6,597,729
                         

FINANCIALS — 30.5%

       

Capital Markets — 3.4%

       
  25,070   25,070   Affiliated Managers Group Inc.*       1,045,670       1,045,670
  74,410   74,410   Cohen & Steers Inc.       830,416       830,416
5,500     5,500   Cowen Group Inc.*     26,785         26,785
6,500     6,500   Evercore Partners Inc.     100,425         100,425
33,500     33,500   FBR Capital Markets Corp.*     110,215         110,215
  73,310   73,310   GAMCO Investors Inc., Series A       2,393,571       2,393,571
1,600     1,600   JMP Group Inc.     7,696         7,696
23,600     23,600   LaBranche Co. Inc.*     88,264         88,264
10,700     10,700   Penson Worldwide Inc.*     68,801         68,801
10,300     10,300   Piper Jaffray Cos. Inc.*     265,637         265,637
  115,960   115,960   Raymond James Financial Inc.       2,284,412       2,284,412
15,260     15,260   Sanders Morris Harris Group Inc.     59,514         59,514
  1,095   1,095   Teton Advisors Inc.*(a)(b)       0       0
12,180     12,180   TradeStation Group Inc.*     80,388         80,388
                         
      Total Capital Markets     807,725     6,554,069       7,361,794
                         

Commercial Banks — 9.8%

       
1,600     1,600   American National Bankshares Inc.     24,960         24,960
4,840     4,840   Ameris Bancorp     22,796         22,796
9,500     9,500   BancTrust Financial Group Inc.     60,135         60,135
10,740     10,740   Camden National Corp.     245,409         245,409
  239,375   239,375   Cascade Financial Corp.       598,437       598,437
13,800     13,800   Cathay General Bancorp     143,934         143,934
6,500     6,500   Center Financial Corp.     18,330         18,330
10,400   136,158   146,558   Central Pacific Financial Corp.     58,240     762,485       820,725
  31,000   31,000   City National Corp.       1,046,870       1,046,870
9,700   215,160   224,860   CoBiz Financial Inc.     50,925     1,129,590       1,180,515
  60,968   60,968   Cullen/Frost Bankers Inc.       2,861,838       2,861,838
30,000   50,295   80,295   East West Bancorp Inc.     137,100     229,848       366,948
12,700     12,700   F.N.B. Corp.     97,409         97,409
9,766     9,766   First M&F Corp.     59,768         59,768
6,850     6,850   First Merchants Corp.     73,912         73,912

 

S-6


Legg Mason
U.S Small-
Capitalization
Value Trust
  Legg Mason
Partners
Small Cap
Value Fund
  Pro Forma
Combined
Legg Mason
Partners
Small Cap
Value Fund
      Legg Mason
U.S Small-
Capitalization
Value Trust
  Legg Mason
Partners
Small Cap
Value Fund
  Pro Forma
Adjustments
  Pro Forma
Combined
Legg Mason
Partners
Small Cap
Value Fund
Shares   Shares   Shares  

Security

  Value   Value   Value   Value
8,090     8,090   First Midwest Bancorp Inc.   $ 69,493       $ 69,493
  402,921   402,921   First Security Group Inc.     $ 1,357,844       1,357,844
7,386     7,386   First United Corp.     61,895         61,895
1,091     1,091   Firstbank Corp.     5,466         5,466
3,325     3,325   German American Bancorp Inc.     39,734         39,734
5,143     5,143   Greene Bancshares Inc.     45,258         45,258
  43,599   43,599   IBERIABANK Corp.       2,002,938       2,002,938
200     200   International Bancshares Corp.     1,560         1,560
4,900     4,900   MB Financial Inc.     66,640         66,640
1,940     1,940   Merchants Bancshares Inc.     35,890         35,890
20,743     20,743   National Penn Bancshares Inc.     172,167         172,167
8,060     8,060   Northrim BanCorp Inc.     80,358         80,358
  38,602   38,602   PAB Bankshares Inc.*       144,757       144,757
7,910     7,910   Pacific Capital Bancorp     53,551         53,551
10,568     10,568   Peoples Bancorp Inc.     137,173         137,173
5,400     5,400   Preferred Bank     28,296         28,296
11,400     11,400   Provident Bankshares Corp.     80,370         80,370
11,422     11,422   Renasant Corp.     143,460         143,460
5,340     5,340   Sierra Bancorp     51,958         51,958
  23,720   23,720   Signature Bank*       669,616       669,616
9,560     9,560   Southwest Bancorp Inc.     89,673         89,673
5,400     5,400   StellarOne Corp.     64,314         64,314
8,576     8,576   Sun Bancorp Inc.*     44,509         44,509
21,840     21,840   Susquehanna Bancshares Inc.     203,767         203,767
  58,500   58,500   SVB Financial Group*       1,170,585       1,170,585
  385,100   385,100   Synovus Financial Corp.       1,251,575       1,251,575
  23,760   23,760   Tompkins Trustco Inc.       1,021,680       1,021,680
19,700     19,700   UCBH Holdings Inc.     29,747         29,747
32,800   195,725   228,525   Umpqua Holdings Corp.     297,168     1,773,268       2,070,436
8,355     8,355   United Community Banks Inc.     34,756         34,756
  23,470   23,470   Webster Financial Corp.       99,748       99,748
3,470     3,470   WesBanco Inc.     79,220         79,220
33,670     33,670   Whitney Holding Corp.     385,521         385,521
5,000     5,000   Wilshire Bancorp Inc.     25,800         25,800
7,390   139,390   146,780   Wintrust Financial Corp.     90,897     1,714,497       1,805,394
                         
      Total Commercial Banks     3,411,559     17,835,576       21,247,135
                         

Consumer Finance — 0.4%

       
40,170     40,170   AmeriCredit Corp.*     235,396         235,396
5,800     5,800   Cash America International Inc.     90,828         90,828
12,460     12,460   Credit Acceptance Corp.*     267,766         267,766
6,760     6,760   Dollar Financial Corp.*     64,355         64,355
15,770     15,770   Nelnet Inc.*     139,407         139,407
6,340     6,340   World Acceptance Corp.*     108,414         108,414
                     
      Total Consumer Finance     906,166         906,166
                     

Diversified Financial Services — 1.2%

       
11,010     11,010   Asset Acceptance Capital Corp.*     58,463         58,463
11,300     11,300   Encore Capital Group Inc.*     51,189         51,189
  90,786   90,786   Financial Federal Corp.       1,922,847       1,922,847
9,520     9,520   Medallion Financial Corp.     70,543         70,543
12,700     12,700   PHH Corp.*     178,435         178,435
14,000   49,820   63,820   Thomas Weisel Partners Group Inc.*     50,120     178,356       228,476
                         
      Total Diversified Financial Services     408,750     2,101,203       2,509,953
                         

 

S-7


Legg Mason
U.S Small-
Capitalization
Value Trust
  Legg Mason
Partners
Small Cap
Value Fund
  Pro Forma
Combined
Legg Mason
Partners
Small Cap
Value Fund
      Legg Mason
U.S Small-
Capitalization
Value Trust
  Legg Mason
Partners
Small Cap
Value Fund
  Pro Forma
Adjustments
  Pro Forma
Combined
Legg Mason
Partners
Small Cap
Value Fund
Shares   Shares   Shares  

Security

  Value   Value   Value   Value

Insurance — 10.4%

       
  111,110   111,110   Allied World Assurance Holdings Ltd.     $ 4,225,513     $ 4,225,513
49,380     49,380   American Equity Investment Life Holding Co.   $ 205,421         205,421
2,890     2,890   American Physicians Capital Inc.     118,259         118,259
3,924     3,924   American Physicians Service Group Inc.     75,223         75,223
5,600     5,600   American Safety Insurance Holdings Ltd.*     64,456         64,456
10,200     10,200   Amerisafe Inc.*     156,264         156,264
32,700     32,700   Amtrust Financial Services Inc.     312,285         312,285
  22,600   22,600   Arch Capital Group Ltd.*       1,217,236       1,217,236
16,792     16,792   Argo Group International Holdings Ltd.*     505,943         505,943
3,830     3,830   Baldwin and Lyons Inc.     72,464         72,464
40,170   158,144   198,314   CNA Surety Corp.*     740,735     2,916,175       3,656,910
39,155     39,155   Delphi Financial Group Inc.     527,026         527,026
572     572   Donegal Group Inc.     8,666         8,666
2,680     2,680   Eastern Insurance Holdings Inc.     20,824         20,824
3,852   78,950   82,802   EMC Insurance Group Inc.     81,162     1,663,477       1,744,639
26,600     26,600   Employers Holdings Inc.     253,764         253,764
21,200     21,200   First Acceptance Corp.*     51,304         51,304
7,700     7,700   First Mercury Financial Corp.*     111,188         111,188
43,500     43,500   Flagstone Reinsurance Holdings Ltd.     338,865         338,865
2,410     2,410   FPIC Insurance Group Inc.*     89,242         89,242
11,350     11,350   Hallmark Financial Services Inc.*     78,655         78,655
5,000     5,000   Hilltop Holdings Inc.*     57,000         57,000
15,670     15,670   Horace Mann Educators Corp.     131,158         131,158
9,240     9,240   Infinity Property and Casualty Corp.     313,513         313,513
9,190     9,190   IPC Holdings Ltd.     248,498         248,498
18,240     18,240   Max Capital Group Ltd.     314,458         314,458
43,060   422,900   465,960   Meadowbrook Insurance Group Inc.     262,666     2,579,690       2,842,356
1,730     1,730   Mercer Insurance Group Inc.     24,722         24,722
14,270     14,270   Montpelier Re Holdings Ltd.     184,939         184,939
2,920     2,920   National Western Life Insurance Co.     329,960         329,960
6,670     6,670   Navigators Group Inc.*     314,690         314,690
7,480     7,480   Nymagic Inc.     91,256         91,256
6,500     6,500   OneBeacon Insurance Group Ltd.     62,790         62,790
17,410     17,410   PMA Capital Corp.*     72,600         72,600
29,960     29,960   Presidential Life Corp.     233,388         233,388
20,305     20,305   Safety Insurance Group Inc.     631,079         631,079
11,680     11,680   SeaBright Insurance Holdings*     122,173         122,173
2,410     2,410   Selective Insurance Group Inc.     29,306         29,306
5,850     5,850   Specialty Underwriters’ Alliance Inc.*     21,235         21,235
9,900     9,900   Stewart Information Services Corp.     193,050         193,050
7,000     7,000   Tower Group Inc.     172,410         172,410
4,750     4,750   Unico American Corp.*     35,625         35,625
10,360     10,360   United America Indemnity Ltd.*     41,647         41,647
13,176     13,176   United Fire and Casualty Co.     289,345         289,345
16,925     16,925   Universal Insurance Holdings Inc.     63,638         63,638
10,380   66,940   77,320   Zenith National Insurance Corp.     250,262     1,613,924       1,864,186
                         
      Total Insurance     8,303,154     14,216,015       22,519,169
                         

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 4.2%

       
  151,690   151,690   BioMed Realty Trust Inc.       1,026,941       1,026,941
  149,900   149,900   CB Richard Ellis Group Inc., Class A Shares*       604,097       604,097
  55,500   55,500   Cogdell Spencer Inc.       283,050       283,050
  16,930   16,930   Corporate Office Properties Trust       420,372       420,372
  104,827   104,827   Cousins Properties Inc.       675,086       675,086
  15,950   15,950   EastGroup Properties Inc.       447,716       447,716
  5,950   5,950   Essex Property Trust Inc.       341,173       341,173
  55,220   55,220   Jones Lang LaSalle Inc.       1,284,417       1,284,417
  238,464   238,464   LaSalle Hotel Properties       1,392,630       1,392,630

 

S-8


Legg Mason
U.S Small-
Capitalization
Value Trust
  Legg Mason
Partners
Small Cap
Value Fund
  Pro Forma
Combined
Legg Mason
Partners
Small Cap
Value Fund
      Legg Mason
U.S Small-
Capitalization
Value Trust
  Legg Mason
Partners
Small Cap
Value Fund
  Pro Forma
Adjustments
  Pro Forma
Combined
Legg Mason
Partners
Small Cap
Value Fund
Shares   Shares   Shares  

Security

  Value   Value   Value   Value
  47,930   47,930   Mid-America Apartment Communities Inc.     $ 1,477,682     $ 1,477,682
  15,310   15,310   Saul Centers Inc.       351,671       351,671
  37,190   37,190   Senior Housing Properties Trust       521,404       521,404
  20,550   20,550  

Washington Real Estate Investment Trust

      355,515       355,515
                     
     

Total Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)

      9,181,754       9,181,754
                     

Real Estate Management and Development — 0.0%

       
7,400     7,400  

Market Leader Inc.*

  $ 10,878         10,878
                     
     

Total Real Estate Management and Development

    10,878         10,878
                     

Thrifts and Mortgage Finance — 1.1%

       
9,970     9,970  

Abington Bancorp Inc.

    82,551         82,551
5,300     5,300  

BankFinancial Corp.

    52,841         52,841
6,670     6,670  

Berkshire Hills Bancorp Inc.

    152,876         152,876
3,740     3,740  

First Financial Holdings Inc.

    28,611         28,611
4,830     4,830  

Home Federal Bancorp Inc

    42,166         42,166
2,500     2,500  

Legacy Bancorp Inc.

    23,925         23,925
17,420     17,420  

NewAlliance Bancshares Inc.

    204,511         204,511
7,850     7,850  

Parkvale Financial Corp.

    86,193         86,193
32,500     32,500  

Provident Financial Services Inc.

    351,325         351,325
16,837     16,837  

Washington Federal Inc.

    223,764         223,764
  143,520   143,520  

Westfield Financial Inc.

      1,262,976       1,262,976
                         
     

Total Thrifts and Mortgage Finance

    1,248,763     1,262,976       2,511,739
                         
     

TOTAL FINANCIALS

    15,096,995     51,151,593       66,248,588
                         

HEALTH CARE — 6.2%

       

Biotechnology — 1.8%

       
  60,332   60,332  

iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology Index Fund*

      4,003,028       4,003,028
                     
     

Total Biotechnology

      4,003,028       4,003,028
                     

Health Care Equipment and Supplies — 0.4%

       
6,600     6,600  

AngioDynamics Inc.*

    74,184         74,184
9,810     9,810  

Cardiac Science Corp.*

    29,528         29,528
11,810     11,810  

HealthTronics Inc.*

    16,062         16,062
2,700     2,700  

Invacare Corp.

    43,281         43,281
  159,173   159,173  

National Dentex Corp.*

      619,183       619,183
                         
     

Total Health Care Equipment and Supplies

    163,055     619,183       782,238
                         

Health Care Providers and Services — 3.5%

       
5,900     5,900  

Allion Healthcare Inc.*

    27,140         27,140
16,800   165,401   182,201  

Cross Country Healthcare Inc.*

    110,040     1,083,377       1,193,417
31,900     31,900  

Healthspring Inc.*

    267,003         267,003
12,100     12,100  

Kindred Healthcare Inc.*

    180,895         180,895
24,830   100,960   125,790  

LifePoint Hospitals Inc.*

    517,954     2,106,026       2,623,980
5,500     5,500  

Molina Healthcare Inc.*

    104,610         104,610
7,690     7,690  

PDI Inc.*

    23,377         23,377
  154,780   154,780  

RehabCare Group Inc.*

      2,699,363       2,699,363
44,200     44,200  

Universal American Financial Corp.*

    374,374         374,374
                         
     

Total Health Care Providers and Services

    1,605,393     5,888,766       7,494,159
                         

 

S-9


Legg Mason
U.S Small-
Capitalization
Value Trust
  Legg Mason
Partners
Small Cap
Value Fund
  Pro Forma
Combined
Legg Mason
Partners
Small Cap
Value Fund
      Legg Mason
U.S Small-
Capitalization
Value Trust
  Legg Mason
Partners
Small Cap
Value Fund
  Pro Forma
Adjustments
  Pro Forma
Combined
Legg Mason
Partners
Small Cap
Value Fund
Shares   Shares   Shares  

Security

  Value   Value   Value   Value

Health Care Technology — 0.2%

       
6,400     6,400   AMICAS Inc.*   $ 12,992       $ 12,992
  200,511   200,511   MedQuist Inc.     $ 511,303       511,303
                         
      Total Health Care Technology     12,992     511,303       524,295
                         

Life Sciences Tools & Services — 0.2%

         
  121,960   121,960   Enzo Biochem Inc.*       490,279       490,279
                     
      Total Life Sciences Tools & Services       490,279       490,279
                     

Pharmaceuticals — 0.1%

         
2,200     2,200   Hi-Tech Pharmacal Co. Inc.*     12,540         12,540
23,400     23,400   ViroPharma Inc.*     122,850         122,850
                     
      Total Pharmaceuticals     135,390         135,390
                         
      TOTAL HEALTH CARE     1,916,830     11,512,559       13,429,389
                         

INDUSTRIALS — 18.0%

       

Aerospace and Defense — 1.4%

       
12,700     12,700   AAR Corp.*     159,258         159,258
3,800     3,800   Astronics Corp.*     41,800         41,800
10,300     10,300   Ceradyne Inc. *     186,739         186,739
4,500     4,500   Esterline Technologies Corp.*     90,855         90,855
3,380     3,380   Herley Industries Inc.*     40,425         40,425
11,100     11,100   Kratos Defense and Security Solutions Inc.*     8,658         8,658
  138,259   138,259   Limco-Piedmont Inc.*       317,996       317,996
  100,984   100,984   Orbital Sciences Corp.*       1,200,700       1,200,700
  62,910   62,910   Spirit AeroSystems Holdings Inc.*       627,212       627,212
6,900     6,900   Triumph Group Inc.     263,580         263,580
                         
      Total Aerospace and Defense     791,315     2,145,908       2,937,223
                         

Airlines — 0.3%

         
18,570     18,570   Republic Airways Holdings Inc.*     120,334         120,334
40,550     40,550   SkyWest Inc.     504,442         504,442
                     
      Total Airlines     624,776         624,776
                     

Building Products — 1.7%

         
11,900     11,900   Apogee Enterprises Inc.     130,662         130,662
15,500     15,500   Armstrong World Industries Inc.*     170,655         170,655
  211,412   211,412   Gibraltar Industries Inc.       997,864       997,864
33,434     33,434   Griffon Corp.*     250,755         250,755
7,700     7,700   Insteel Industries Inc.     53,592         53,592
  216,216   216,216   Patrick Industries Inc.*       105,946       105,946
  87,990   87,990   Simpson Manufacturing Co. Inc.       1,585,580       1,585,580
15,710     15,710   Universal Forest Products Inc.     418,043         418,043
                         
      Total Building Products     1,023,707     2,689,390       3,713,097
                         

Commercial Services and Supplies — 1.4%

       
6,575     6,575   ATC Technology Corp.*     73,640         73,640
13,400     13,400   Comfort Systems USA Inc.     138,958         138,958
15,100     15,100   Deluxe Corp.     145,413         145,413
16,510     16,510   Ennis Inc.     146,279         146,279
3,711     3,711  

G & K Services Inc.

    70,175         70,175
5,090     5,090  

GeoEye Inc.*

    100,527         100,527
16,710     16,710  

Herman Miller Inc.

    178,129         178,129
4,300     4,300  

ICT Group Inc.*

    23,951         23,951

 

S-10


Legg Mason
U.S Small-
Capitalization
Value Trust
  Legg Mason
Partners
Small Cap
Value Fund
  Pro Forma
Combined
Legg Mason
Partners
Small Cap
Value Fund
      Legg Mason
U.S Small-
Capitalization
Value Trust
  Legg Mason
Partners
Small Cap
Value Fund
  Pro Forma
Adjustments
  Pro Forma
Combined
Legg Mason
Partners
Small Cap
Value Fund
Shares   Shares   Shares  

Security

  Value   Value   Value   Value
14,607     14,607  

Kimball International Inc.

  $ 95,822       $ 95,822
20,100     20,100  

Knoll Inc.

    123,213         123,213
9,099     9,099  

North American Galvanizing and Coating Inc.*

    27,479         27,479
56,400     56,400  

RSC Holdings Inc.*

    296,664         296,664
12,770   44,481   57,251  

United Stationers Inc.*

    358,581   $ 1,249,027       1,607,608
1,000     1,000  

WCA Waste Corp.*

    1,650         1,650
                         
     

Total Commercial Services and Supplies

    1,780,481     1,249,027       3,029,508
                         

Construction and Engineering — 1.2%

         
10,200     10,200  

Dycom Industries Inc.*

    59,058         59,058
8,700   92,032   100,732  

EMCOR Group Inc.*

    149,379     1,580,189       1,729,568
  64,050   64,050  

Perini Corp.*

      787,815       787,815
                         
     

Total Construction and Engineering

    208,437     2,368,004       2,576,441
                         

Electrical Equipment — 1.9%

         
14,800     14,800  

A.O. Smith Corp.

    372,664         372,664
10,580     10,580  

Acuity Brands Inc.

    238,473         238,473
7,000     7,000  

AZZ Inc.*

    184,730         184,730
5,400     5,400  

Baldor Electric Co.

    78,246         78,246
4,000     4,000  

Belden CDT Inc.

    50,040         50,040
  80,100   80,100  

GrafTech International Ltd.*

      493,416       493,416
  5,470   5,470  

Hubbell Inc., Class B Shares

      147,471       147,471
6,600     6,600  

LaBarge Inc.*

    55,242         55,242
5,500     5,500  

Ocean Power Technologies Inc.*

    36,300         36,300
16,880   67,030   83,910  

Regal-Beloit Corp.

    517,203     2,053,799       2,571,002
                         
     

Total Electrical Equipment

    1,532,898     2,694,686       4,227,584
                         

Machinery — 5.4%

         
4,900     4,900  

Actuant Corp.

    50,617         50,617
5,470     5,470  

Alamo Group Inc.

    58,310         58,310
  111,646   111,646  

Albany International Corp., Class A Shares

      1,010,396       1,010,396
5,280     5,280  

American Railcar Industries Inc.

    40,286         40,286
7,000     7,000  

Astec Industries Inc.*

    183,610         183,610
10,900     10,900  

Barnes Group Inc.

    116,521         116,521
4,000     4,000  

Cascade Corp.

    70,520         70,520
3,500     3,500  

CIRCOR International Inc.

    78,820         78,820
5,820     5,820  

Columbus McKinnon Corp.*

    50,750         50,750
560     560  

Hurco Cos. Inc.*

    5,953         5,953
  53,731   53,731  

IDEX Corp.

      1,175,097       1,175,097
  65,639   65,639  

Kaydon Corp.

      1,793,914       1,793,914
  106,956   106,956  

Kennametal Inc.

      1,733,757       1,733,757
2,100     2,100  

Middleby Corp.*

    68,103         68,103
6,500     6,500  

Miller Industries Inc.*

    42,250         42,250
23,920   54,880   78,800  

Mueller Industries Inc.

    518,825     1,190,347       1,709,172
600     600  

NACCO Industries Inc.

    16,308         16,308
  98,340   98,340  

RBC Bearings Inc.*

      1,502,635       1,502,635
  74,768   74,768  

Wabtec Corp.

      1,972,380       1,972,380
7,500     7,500  

Watts Water Technologies Inc.

    146,700         146,700
                         
     

Total Machinery

    1,447,573     10,378,526       11,826,099
                         

Marine — 1.0%

         
4,000     4,000  

International Shipholding Corp.

    78,680         78,680
  75,420   75,420  

Kirby Corp.*

      2,009,189       2,009,189
                         
     

Total Marine

    78,680     2,009,189       2,087,869
                         

 

S-11


Legg Mason
U.S Small-
Capitalization
Value Trust
  Legg Mason
Partners
Small Cap
Value Fund
  Pro Forma
Combined
Legg Mason
Partners
Small Cap
Value Fund
      Legg Mason
U.S Small-
Capitalization
Value Trust
  Legg Mason
Partners
Small Cap
Value Fund
  Pro Forma
Adjustments
  Pro Forma
Combined
Legg Mason
Partners
Small Cap
Value Fund
Shares   Shares   Shares  

Security

  Value   Value   Value   Value

Professional Services — 2.1%

       
2,100     2,100  

Barrett Business Services Inc.

  $ 20,202       $ 20,202
6,920     6,920  

Heidrick and Struggles International Inc.

    122,761         122,761
11,640     11,640  

Kelly Services Inc.

    93,702         93,702
19,100   41,540   60,640  

Korn/Ferry International*

    173,046   $ 376,352       549,398
37,610     37,610  

MPS Group Inc.*

    223,780         223,780
7,960     7,960  

School Specialty Inc.*

    140,016         140,016
27,350   150,826   178,176  

TrueBlue Inc.*

    225,637     1,244,315       1,469,952
11,310     11,310  

Volt Information Sciences Inc.*

    75,212         75,212
2,100     2,100  

VSE Corp.

    56,070         56,070
  34,445   34,445  

Watson Wyatt Worldwide Inc., Class A Shares

      1,700,550       1,700,550
                         
     

Total Professional Services

    1,130,426     3,321,217       4,451,643
                         

Road and Rail — 1.2%

         
4,310     4,310  

Arkansas Best Corp.

    81,976         81,976
23,650     23,650  

Con-way Inc.

    424,044         424,044
9,320     9,320  

Frozen Food Express Industries Inc.

    27,960         27,960
  79,950   79,950  

J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc.

      1,927,595       1,927,595
3,380     3,380  

P.A.M. Transportation Services Inc.*

    18,556         18,556
10,330     10,330  

Saia Inc.*

    123,444         123,444
444     444  

USA Truck Inc.*

    5,741         5,741
                         
     

Total Road and Rail

    681,721     1,927,595       2,609,316
                         

Trading Companies and Distributors — 0.4%

       
11,820     11,820  

Applied Industrial Technologies Inc.

    199,403         199,403
8,200     8,200  

BlueLinx Holdings Inc.*

    21,402         21,402
7,000     7,000  

DXP Enterprises Inc.*

    72,310         72,310
11,430     11,430  

GATX Corp.

    231,229         231,229
3,040     3,040  

Houston Wire & Cable Co.

    23,560         23,560
3,650     3,650  

Interline Brands Inc.*

    30,770         30,770
6,290     6,290  

Rush Enterprises Inc.*

    56,107         56,107
2,620     2,620  

TAL International Group Inc.

    19,178         19,178
11,100     11,100  

WESCO International Inc.*

    201,132         201,132
2,320     2,320  

Willis Lease Finance Corp.*

    24,546         24,546
                     
     

Total Trading Companies and Distributors

    879,637         879,637
                         
     

TOTAL INDUSTRIALS

    10,179,651     28,783,542       38,963,193
                         

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY — 17.0%

       

Communications Equipment — 3.0%

         
8,700     8,700  

Avocent Corp.*

    105,618         105,618
2,500   35,291   37,791  

Bel Fuse Inc., Class B Shares

    33,600     474,311       507,911
9,800   77,902   87,702  

Black Box Corp.

    231,378     1,839,267       2,070,645
2,400     2,400  

Communications Systems Inc.

    18,384         18,384
  143,030   143,030  

Digi International Inc.*

      1,097,040       1,097,040
8,800     8,800  

Globecomm Systems Inc.*

    50,952         50,952
11,100     11,100  

Harris Stratex Networks Inc.*

    42,735         42,735
2,400     2,400  

Loral Space and Communications Inc.*

    51,264         51,264
11,100     11,100  

Oplink Communications Inc.*

    85,470         85,470
9,900     9,900  

PC-Tel Inc.

    42,570         42,570
  159,630   159,630  

Plantronics Inc.

      1,926,734       1,926,734
121,460     121,460  

Sycamore Networks Inc.*

    324,298         324,298
22,724     22,724  

Symmetricom Inc.*

    79,534         79,534
5,100     5,100  

Tollgrade Communications Inc.*

    29,580         29,580
                         
     

Total Communications Equipment

    1,095,383     5,337,352       6,432,735
                         

 

S-12


Legg Mason
U.S Small-
Capitalization
Value Trust
  Legg Mason
Partners
Small Cap
Value Fund
  Pro Forma
Combined
Legg Mason
Partners
Small Cap
Value Fund
      Legg Mason
U.S Small-
Capitalization
Value Trust
  Legg Mason
Partners
Small Cap
Value Fund
  Pro Forma
Adjustments
  Pro Forma
Combined
Legg Mason
Partners
Small Cap
Value Fund
Shares   Shares   Shares  

Security

  Value   Value   Value   Value

Computers and Peripherals — 0.6%

         
68,300     68,300  

Adaptec Inc.*

  $ 163,920       $ 163,920
20,200     20,200  

Electronics for Imaging Inc.*

    197,960         197,960
14,700     14,700  

Imation Corp.

    112,455         112,455
4,960     4,960  

Rackable Systems Inc.*

    20,138         20,138
  52,587   52,587  

Rimage Corp.*

    $ 702,036       702,036
18,900     18,900  

Super Micro Computer Inc.*

    92,988         92,988
                         
     

Total Computers and Peripherals

    587,461     702,036       1,289,497
                         

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 1.2%

       
49,290     49,290  

Benchmark Electronics Inc.*

    552,048         552,048
2,560     2,560  

Coherent Inc.*

    44,160         44,160
8,980     8,980  

CPI International Inc.*

    84,412         84,412
5,290     5,290  

CTS Corp.

    19,097         19,097
7,020     7,020  

DDi Corp.*

    21,622         21,622
7,710     7,710  

Electro Scientific Industries Inc.*

    45,643         45,643
4,300     4,300  

Methode Electronics Inc.

    15,394         15,394
7,900     7,900  

Multi-Fineline Electronix Inc.*

    133,036         133,036
5,400     5,400  

Newport Corp.*

    23,868         23,868
8,800     8,800  

PC Connection Inc.*

    33,440         33,440
12,000     12,000  

Plexus Corp.*

    165,840         165,840
8,920     8,920  

RadiSys Corp.*

    54,055         54,055
8,300     8,300  

Richardson Electronics Ltd.

    28,054         28,054
5,000     5,000  

Spectrum Control Inc.*

    35,150         35,150
34,480     34,480  

SYNNEX Corp.*

    678,222         678,222
27,260     27,260  

Tech Data Corp.*

    593,723         593,723
13,400     13,400  

TTM Technologies Inc.*

    77,720         77,720
14,715     14,715  

Vishay Intertechnology Inc.*

    51,208         51,208
6,000     6,000  

Zygo Corp.*

    27,540         27,540
                     
     

Total Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components

    2,684,232         2,684,232
                     

Internet Software and Services — 0.4%

       
45,400     45,400  

Earthlink Inc.*

    298,278         298,278
27,400     27,400  

Internap Network Services Corp.*

    73,706         73,706
4,600     4,600  

Keynote Systems Inc.*

    36,478         36,478
10,320     10,320  

RealNetworks Inc.*

    24,045         24,045
9,100     9,100  

Spark Networks Inc.*

    20,475         20,475
61,580     61,580  

United Online Inc.

    274,647         274,647
12,900     12,900  

Vignette Corp.*

    86,172         86,172
                     
     

Total Internet Software and Services

    813,801         813,801
                     

IT Services — 1.5%

         
26,600     26,600  

Ciber Inc.*

    72,618         72,618
2,890     2,890  

Computer Task Group Inc.*

    9,971         9,971
3,800     3,800  

Convergys Corp.*

    30,704         30,704
10,700     10,700  

CSG Systems International Inc.*

    152,796         152,796
2,700     2,700  

infoGROUP Inc.*

    11,232         11,232
6,440     6,440  

Ness Technologies Inc.*

    18,998         18,998
  223,467   223,467  

Perot Systems Corp., Class A Shares*

      2,878,255       2,878,255
3,700     3,700  

TechTeam Global Inc.*

    18,056         18,056
17,400     17,400  

The Hackett Group Inc.*

    35,148         35,148
3,180     3,180  

Tier Technologies Inc.*

    14,723         14,723
                         
     

Total IT Services

    364,246     2,878,255       3,242,501
                         

 

S-13


Legg Mason
U.S Small-
Capitalization
Value Trust
  Legg Mason
Partners
Small Cap
Value Fund
  Pro Forma
Combined
Legg Mason
Partners
Small Cap
Value Fund
      Legg Mason
U.S Small-
Capitalization
Value Trust
  Legg Mason
Partners
Small Cap
Value Fund
  Pro Forma
Adjustments
  Pro Forma
Combined
Legg Mason
Partners
Small Cap
Value Fund
Shares   Shares   Shares  

Security

  Value   Value   Value   Value

Semiconductors and Semiconductor Equipment — 5.5%

       
2,000     2,000  

Applied Micro Circuits Corp.*

  $ 9,720       $ 9,720
19,400     19,400  

Brooks Automation Inc.*

    89,434         89,434
3,800     3,800  

California Micro Devices Corp.*

    9,234         9,234
8,500     8,500  

DSP Group Inc.*

    36,720         36,720
  494,030   494,030  

Entegris Inc.

    $ 424,866       424,866
13,100   409,870   422,970  

Exar Corp.*

    81,744     2,557,589       2,639,333
  262,420   262,420  

Fairchild Semiconductor International Inc.*

      978,826       978,826
10,960     10,960  

GSI Technology Inc.*

    27,181         27,181
68,800     68,800  

Integrated Device Technology Inc.*

    313,040         313,040
6,400     6,400  

International Rectifier Corp.*

    86,464         86,464
38,360     38,360  

MKS Instruments Inc.*

    562,741         562,741
2,600   172,010   174,610  

OmniVision Technologies Inc.*

    17,472     1,155,907       1,173,379
  381,330   381,330  

ON Semiconductor Corp.*

      1,487,187       1,487,187
31,100     31,100  

Silicon Storage Technology Inc.*

    51,315         51,315
  93,650   93,650  

Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates Inc.*

      2,028,459       2,028,459
  244,340   244,340   Verigy Ltd.*       2,015,805       2,015,805
8,920     8,920  

White Electronic Designs Corp.*

    35,769         35,769
                         
     

Total Semiconductors and Semiconductor Equipment

    1,320,834     10,648,639       11,969,473
                         

Software — 4.8%

       
4,200     4,200  

Catapult Communications Corp.*

    29,274         29,274
  120,920   120,920  

Citrix Systems Inc.*

      2,737,629       2,737,629
2,580     2,580  

Dynamics Research Corp.*

    18,679         18,679
  115,993   115,993  

EPIQ Systems Inc.*

      2,091,354       2,091,354
  651,910   651,910  

Lawson Software Inc.*

      2,770,617       2,770,617
  77,752   77,752  

McAfee Inc.*

      2,604,692       2,604,692
3,080     3,080  

Pervasive Software Inc.*

    12,012         12,012
1,989     1,989  

Versant Corp.*

    34,191         34,191
                         
     

Total Software

    94,156     10,204,292       10,298,448
                         
     

TOTAL INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

    6,960,113     29,770,574       36,730,687
                         

MATERIALS — 4.2%

       

Chemicals — 0.9%

       
  72,110   72,110  

Ferro Corp.

      103,117       103,117
5,481     5,481  

GenTek Inc.*

    95,863         95,863
2,400     2,400  

Innophos Holdings Inc.

    27,072         27,072
2,400   27,400   29,800  

Koppers Holdings Inc.

    34,848     397,848       432,696
3,400     3,400  

NewMarket Corp.

    150,620         150,620
43,030     43,030  

Olin Corp.

    614,038         614,038
  92,330   92,330  

PolyOne Corp.*

      213,283       213,283
19,380     19,380  

Westlake Chemical Corp.

    283,529         283,529
                         
     

Total Chemicals

    1,205,970     714,248       1,920,218
                         

Containers & Packaging — 0.8%

       
  54,102   54,102  

AptarGroup Inc.

      1,684,736       1,684,736
                     
     

Total Containers & Packaging

      1,684,736       1,684,736
                     

Metals and Mining — 2.3%

       
  45,300   45,300  

Carpenter Technology Corp.

      639,636       639,636
  21,410   21,410  

Cliffs Natural Resources Inc.

      388,806       388,806
2,252     2,252  

Gibraltar Industries Inc.

    10,629         10,629
  95,970   95,970  

Haynes International Inc.*

      1,710,185       1,710,185
  109,370   109,370  

Horsehead Holding Corp.*

      601,535       601,535

 

S-14


Legg Mason
U.S Small-
Capitalization
Value Trust
  Legg Mason
Partners
Small Cap
Value Fund
  Pro Forma
Combined
Legg Mason
Partners
Small Cap
Value Fund
      Legg Mason
U.S Small-
Capitalization
Value Trust
  Legg Mason
Partners
Small Cap
Value Fund
  Pro Forma
Adjustments
  Pro Forma
Combined
Legg Mason
Partners
Small Cap
Value Fund
Shares   Shares   Shares  

Security

  Value   Value   Value   Value
  22,380   22,380  

Kaiser Aluminum Corp.

    $ 517,425     $ 517,425
  26,830   26,830  

Olympic Steel Inc.

      407,011       407,011
3,300   13,120   16,420  

Schnitzer Steel Industries Inc., Class A Shares

  $ 103,587     411,837       515,424
33,750     33,750  

Worthington Industries Inc.

    293,963         293,963
                         
     

Total Metals and Mining

    408,179     4,676,435       5,084,614
                         

Paper and Forest Products — 0.2%

       
10,500     10,500  

Glatfelter

    65,520         65,520
  140,460   140,460  

Louisiana-Pacific Corp.*

      313,226       313,226
3,360     3,360  

Schweitzer-Mauduit International Inc.

    62,026         62,026
                         
     

Total Paper and Forest Products

    127,546     313,226       440,772
                         
     

TOTAL MATERIALS

    1,741,695     7,388,645       9,130,340
                         

TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES — 0.1%

       

Diversified Telecommunication Services — 0.1%

       
19,270     19,270  

Cincinnati Bell Inc.*

    44,321         44,321
7,800     7,800  

D&E Communications Inc.

    41,886         41,886
7,600     7,600  

SureWest Communications

    59,280         59,280
                     
     

Total Diversified Telecommunication Services

    145,487         145,487
                     
     

TOTAL TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES

    145,487         145,487
                     

UTILITIES — 4.9%

       

Electric Utilities — 2.4%

       
8,300     8,300  

El Paso Electric Co.*

    116,947         116,947
19,370     19,370  

IDACORP Inc.

    452,483         452,483
  24,597   24,597  

MGE Energy Inc.

      771,608       771,608
  255,700   255,700  

NV Energy Inc.

      2,401,023       2,401,023
25,510   51,640   77,150  

Portland General Electric Co.

    448,721     908,348       1,357,069
                         
     

Total Electric Utilities

    1,018,151     4,080,979       5,099,130
                         

Gas Utilities — 1.8%

       
  32,354   32,354  

New Jersey Resources Corp.

      1,099,389       1,099,389
  63,414   63,414  

Northwest Natural Gas Co.

      2,753,436       2,753,436
2,130     2,130  

Southwest Gas Corp.

    44,879         44,879
                         
     

Total Gas Utilities

    44,879     3,852,825       3,897,704
                         

Multi-Utilities — 0.7%

       
12,250     12,250  

Avista Corp.

    168,805         168,805
10,020     10,020  

Black Hills Corp.

    179,258         179,258
  57,180   57,180  

CMS Energy Corp.

      677,011       677,011
47,200     47,200  

PNM Resources Inc.

    389,872         389,872
                         
     

Total Multi-Utilities

    737,935     677,011       1,414,946
                         
     

TOTAL UTILITIES

    1,800,965     8,610,815       10,411,780
                         
     

TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
(Cost — $306,183,653)

    48,342,204     167,047,280       215,389,484
                         

 

S-15


Legg Mason
U.S Small-
Capitalization
Value Trust
  Legg Mason
Partners
Small Cap
Value Fund
  Pro Forma
Combined
Legg Mason
Partners
Small Cap
Value Fund
      Legg Mason
U.S Small-
Capitalization
Value Trust
  Legg Mason
Partners
Small Cap
Value Fund
    Pro Forma
Adjustments
    Pro Forma
Combined
Legg Mason
Partners
Small Cap
Value Fund
Shares   Shares   Shares  

Security

  Value   Value     Value     Value

RIGHTS — 0.0%

       

FINANCIALS — 0.0%

       

Insurance — 0.0%

       
10,360       10,360  

United America Indemnity Ltd.*
(Cost — $0)

  $ 4,855       $ 4,855
                     
     

TOTAL INVESTMENTS BEFORE SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT
(Cost — $306,183,653)

    48,347,059   $ 167,047,280          215,394,339
                           

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT — 0.4%

       

Repurchase Agreement — 0.4%

       
    Face
Amount
  Face
Amount
                       
  $ 806,000   $ 806,000  

Interest in $536,223,000 joint tri-party repurchase agreement dated 3/31/09 with Greenwich Capital Markets Inc. 0.200% due 4/1/09; Proceeds at maturity — $806,004; (Fully collateralized by various U.S. government agency obligations, 3.200% to 7.125% due 11/3/09 to 11/17/17; Market value — $822,122)

      806,000          806,000
                       
     

TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
(Cost — $806,000)

      806,000          806,000
                       
     

TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 99.8%
(Cost — $306,989,653#)

    48,347,059     167,853,280          216,200,339
                                 
     

Other Assets Less Liabilities — 0.2%

    695,017     (266,798     (37,500 )(c)      390,719
                                 
     

TOTAL NET ASSETS — 100.0%

  $ 49,042,076   $ 167,586,482      $ (37,500 )(c)    $ 216,591,058
                                 

 

* Non-income producing.
(a) Illiquid Security.
(b) Security is valued in good faith by or under the direction of the Board of Trustees.
(c) Reflects adjustment for estimated reorganization costs of $37,500 related to the Acquiring Fund.
# Aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes is substantially the same.

 

See Notes to Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements

 

S-16


Pro Forma Combined Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 

Legg Mason Partners Small Cap Value Fund and Legg Mason U.S. Small-Capitalization Value Trust

As of March 31, 2009 (unaudited)

 

      Legg Mason
U.S. Small-
Capitalization
Value Trust
    Legg Mason
Partners
Small Cap
Value Fund
    Pro Forma
Adjustments
    Pro Forma
Combined
Legg Mason
Partners
Small Cap
Value Fund
 

ASSETS:

        

Investment, at cost

   $ 69,003,619      $ 237,986,034        $ 306,989,653   
                          

Investments, at value

     48,347,059        167,853,280          216,200,339   

Cash

     1,081,522        824          1,082,346   

Receivable for securities sold

     51,199        1,783,212          1,834,411   

Receivable for Fund shares sold

     86,778        144,787          231,565   

Dividends and interest receivable

     32,105        262,402          294,507   

Prepaid expenses

       32,682          32,682   
                                

Total Assets

     49,598,663        170,077,187        —          219,675,850   
                                

LIABILITIES:

        

Payable for securities purchased

     260,692        1,432,634          1,693,326   

Payable for Fund shares repurchased

     140,995        662,590          803,585   

Investment Management fee payable

     11,343        100,600          111,943   

Distribution fees payable

     31,067        73,982          105,049   

Trustees’ fees payable

     12,946        10,608          23,554   

Accrued expenses

     99,544        210,291        37,500 (a)      347,335   
                                

Total Liabilities

     556,587        2,490,705        37,500 (a)      3,084,792   
                                

Total Net Assets

   $ 49,042,076      $ 167,586,482      $ (37,500 )(a)    $ 216,591,058   
                                

NET ASSETS:

        

Par value

       186        56        242   

Paid-in capital in excess of par value

     96,769,155        284,713,609        (56     381,482,708   

Accumulated net investment loss

       (12,985     (37,500 )(a)      (50,485

Overdistributed net investment income

     (76,982         (76,982

Accumulated net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions

     (26,993,537     (46,981,574       (73,975,111

Net unrealized depreciation on investments

     (20,656,560     (70,132,754       (90,789,314
                                

Total Net Assets

   $ 49,042,076      $ 167,586,482      $ (37,500 )(a)    $ 216,591,058   
                                

 

S-17


      Legg Mason
U.S. Small-
Capitalization
Value Trust
   Legg Mason
Partners
Small Cap
Value Fund
   Pro Forma
Adjustments
    Pro Forma
Combined
Legg Mason
Partners
Small Cap
Value Fund

Net Assets:

          

Class A

   $ 2,090,776    $ 87,928,203    $ (19,675 )(a)    $ 89,999,304

Class B

        17,696,799      (3,960 )(a)      17,692,839

Class C

     38,306,137      52,507,402      (11,749 )(a)      90,801,790

Institutional Class/Class I

     8,645,163      9,454,078      (2,116 )(a)      18,097,125

Shares Outstanding:

          

Class A

     379,025      9,452,337      (156,410 )(b)      9,674,952

Class B

        2,047,547        2,047,547

Class C

     6,948,579      6,122,058      (2,483,729 )(b)      10,586,908

Institutional Class/Class I

     1,356,529      991,452      (450,132 )(b)      1,897,849

Net Asset Value:

          

Class A (and redemption price)

   $ 5.52    $ 9.30      $ 9.30

Class B*

      $ 8.64      $ 8.64

Class C*

   $ 5.51    $ 8.58      $ 8.58

Institutional Class/Class I (offering price and redemption price per share)

   $ 6.37    $ 9.54      $ 9.54

Maximum Public Offering Price:

          

Class A (based upon maximum initial sales charge of 5.75%)

   $ 5.86    $ 9.87      $ 9.87

 

* Redemption price per share is NAV of Class B and C shares reduced by a 5.00% and 1.00% CDSC, respectively, if shares are redeemed within one year from Purchase payment.
(a)

Reflects adjustment for estimated reorganization costs of $37,500 related to the Acquiring Fund.

(b)

Reflects adjustments to the number of shares outstanding due to the Reorganization.

 

See Notes to Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements

 

S-18


Pro Forma Combined Statement of Operations

 

Legg Mason Partners Small Cap Value Fund and Legg Mason U.S. Small-Capitalization Value Trust

For the Twelve Months Ended March 31, 2009 (unaudited)

 

     Legg Mason
U.S. Small-
Capitalization
Value Trust
    Legg Mason
Partners
Small Cap
Value Fund
    Pro Forma
Adjustments
    Pro Forma
Combined
Legg Mason
Partners
Small Cap
Value Fund
 

INVESTMENT INCOME:

        

Dividends

   $ 1,603,946      $ 4,545,422        $ 6,149,368   

Interest

     22,215        178,541          200,756   

Less: Foreign taxes withheld

     (140         (140
                                

Total Investment Income

     1,626,021        4,723,963        —          6,349,984   
                                

EXPENSES:

        

Investment management fee

     722,679        2,074,516        (68,053 )(a)      2,729,142   

Distribution fees

     714,799        1,575,978          2,290,777   

Transfer agent fees

     89,345        619,918          709,263   

Shareholder reports

     88,291        68,166        (17,658 )(b)      138,799   

Custody fees

     42,004        4,617        (15,700 )(b)      30,921   

Registration fees

     39,385        66,365        (29,539 )(b)      76,211   

Legal fees

     12,894        77,419        (5,152 )(b)      85,161   

Insurance

     32,165        8,252        (29,633 )(b)      10,784   

Audit and tax

     29,278        29,058        (25,036 )(b)      33,300   

Trustees’ fees

     43,771        25,676        (35,893 )(b)      33,554   

Miscellaneous expenses

     6,191        7,332        (5,572 )(b)      7,951   
                                

Total Expenses

     1,820,802        4,557,297        (232,236     6,145,863   
                                

Less: Fee waivers and/or expenses reimbursements (Note 2)

     (255,439       255,439     

Fees paid indirectly

     (281         (281
                                

Net Expenses

     1,565,082        4,557,297        23,203        6,145,582   
                                

Net Investment Income

     60,939        166,666        (23,203     204,402   
                                

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS AND FOREIGN CURRENCIES (NOTES 1 AND 3):

        

Net Realized Gain (Loss) From:

        

Investment transactions

     (26,990,899     (36,085,409       (63,076,308

Foreign currency transactions

     (51         (51
                                

Net Realized Gain

     (26,990,950     (36,085,409     —          (63,076,359
                                

Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation/
Depreciation From:

        

Investments

     (12,916,768     (96,290,763       (109,207,531
                                

Change in Net Unrealized
Appreciation/Depreciation

     (12,916,768     (96,290,763     —          (109,207,531
                                

Net Gain on Investments and Foreign Currencies

     (39,907,718     (132,376,172       (172,283,890
                                

Increase in Net Assets From Operations

   $ (39,846,779   $ (132,209,506   $ (23,203   $ (172,079,488
                                

 

(a)

To adjust expenses to reflect the Combined Fund’s estimated fees and expenses based upon contractual rates in effect for the Legg Mason Partners Small Cap Value Fund.

(b)

Reflects elimination of duplicative expenses and economies of scale achieved as a result of the proposed Reorganization.

 

See Notes to Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements

 

S-19


Legg Mason Partners Small Cap Value Fund and Legg Mason U.S. Small-Capitalization Value Trust

 

Notes to Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements

(unaudited)

 

1. Basis of Combination:

 

The accompanying unaudited Pro Forma Combined Statement of Assets and Liabilities, including the Pro Forma Combined Schedule of Investments at March 31, 2009 and the related Pro Forma Combined Statement of Operations (“Pro Forma Statements”) for the twelve months ended March 31, 2009, reflect the accounts of Legg Mason U.S. Small-Capitalization Value Trust (“Acquired Fund”) and Legg Mason Partners Small Cap Value Fund (“Acquiring Fund”), each a “Fund.” Following the combination, Legg Mason Partners Small Cap Value Fund will be the accounting survivor.

 

Under the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, the exchange of assets of the Acquired Fund for shares of the Acquiring Fund will be treated as a tax-free reorganization and accordingly, the tax-free reorganization will be accounted for in an “as-if” pooling of interests. The combination would be accomplished by an acquisition of the net assets of the Acquired Fund in exchange for shares of the Acquiring Fund at net asset value. The unaudited Pro Forma Combined Schedule of Investments and the unaudited Pro Forma Combined Statement of Assets and Liabilities have been prepared as though the combination had been effective on March 31, 2009. The unaudited Pro Forma Combined Statement of Operations reflects the results of the Funds for the twelve months ended March 31, 2009 as if the reorganization occurred on April 1, 2008. These pro forma statements have been derived from the books and records of the Funds utilized in calculating daily net asset values at the dates indicated above in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The historical cost of investment securities will be carried forward to the surviving entity. The fiscal year-ends are March 31 for the Acquired Fund and September 30 for the Acquiring Fund.

 

The Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the historical financial statements of each Fund, which are incorporated by reference in the Statement of Additional Information.

 

The unaudited Pro Forma Combined Schedule of Investments does not reflect any adjustments for portfolio transactions because, upon consummation of the reorganization, no securities of the Acquired Fund would need to be sold in order for the Acquiring Fund to comply with its investment restrictions or policies. Because the Funds may buy and sell securities in the normal course of their operations, the schedule of investments at the time of reorganization may differ from that shown in the Pro Forma Combined Schedule of Investments.

 

2. Use of Estimates:

 

Management has made certain estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of assets, liabilities, income, and expenses to prepare these Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for investment companies. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

 

3. Investment Valuation:

 

The Funds’ securities are valued under policies approved by and under the general oversight of the Board of Trustees/Directors. Effective October 1, 2008, the Funds adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157 (“FAS 157”). FAS 157 establishes a single definition of fair value, creates a three-tier hierarchy as a framework for measuring fair value based on inputs used to value the Funds’ investments, and requires additional disclosure about fair value. The hierarchy of inputs is summarized below.

 

   

Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

   

Level 2 — other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

   

Level 3 — significant unobservable inputs (including the Funds’ own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

 

Equity securities for which market quotations are available are valued at the last sale price or official closing price on the primary market or exchange on which they trade. Debt securities are valued at the last quoted bid prices provided by an independent pricing service that are based on transactions in debt obligations, quotations from bond dealers, market transactions in comparable securities and various other relationships between securities. Publicly traded foreign government

 

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debt securities are typically traded internationally in the over-the-counter market and are valued at the bid price as of the close of business of that market. When prices are not readily available, or are determined not to reflect fair value, such as when the value of a security has been significantly affected by events after the close of the exchange or market on which the security is principally traded, but before a Fund calculates its net asset value, the Fund may value these securities at fair value as determined in accordance with the procedures approved by the Fund’s Board of Directors/Trustees.

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used in valuing the Funds’ assets carried at fair value:

 

        March 31, 2009      Quoted Prices
(Level 1)
     Other Significant
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
     Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)

Investments in Securities

     $ 216,200,339      $ 215,389,484      $ 810,855      $ —  

 

4. Shares of Beneficial Interest:

 

The unaudited pro forma net asset values per share assumes additional shares of beneficial interest of the Acquiring Fund were issued in connection with the proposed acquisition of the Acquired Fund as of March 31, 2009. The number of additional shares issued was calculated by dividing the net asset value of each class of the Acquired Fund by the respective class net asset value per share of the Acquiring Fund.

 

Estimated reorganization expenses of $37,500 have been reflected in the Pro Forma Combined Statement of Assets and Liabilities and the Pro Forma Combined Capitalization Tables.

 

5. Pro Forma Operations:

 

In the Pro Forma Combined Statement of Operations certain expenses have been adjusted to reflect the expected expenses of the combined entity. The pro forma investment management fees and plan of distribution fees of the combined entity are based on the fee schedules in effect for the Acquiring Fund’s combined level of average net assets for the twelve months ended March 31, 2009.

 

6. Federal Income Taxes:

 

It is the policy of the Funds to comply with the federal income and excise tax requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies. Accordingly, the Funds intend to distribute substantially all of their net investment income and net realized gains on investments, if any, to their shareholders. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required.

 

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