N-CSR 1 dncsr.htm LEGG MASON GLOBAL CURRENTS INTERNATIONAL ALL CAP OPPORTUNITY FUND Legg Mason Global Currents International All Cap Opportunity Fund

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-CSR

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED

MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Investment Company Act file number 811-06444

Legg Mason Partners Equity Trust

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

55 Water Street, New York, NY 10041

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

Robert I. Frenkel, Esq.

Legg Mason & Co., LLC

100 First Stamford Place

Stamford, CT 06902

(Name and address of agent for service)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 1-877-721-1926

Date of fiscal year end: October 31

Date of reporting period: October 31, 2010

 

 

 


 

ITEM 1. REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS.

The Annual Report to Stockholders is filed herewith.


October 31, 2010

 

LOGO

 

 Annual Repor t

Legg Mason

Global Currents

International All Cap

Opportunity Fund

 

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


 

II   Legg Mason Global Currents International All Cap Opportunity Fund

Fund objective

The Fund seeks total return on its assets from growth of capital and income.

 

What’s inside     
Letter from the chairman    II
Investment commentary    III
Fund overview    1
Fund at a glance    5
Fund expenses    6
Fund performance    7
Schedule of investments    8
Statement of assets and liabilities    13
Statement of operations    14
Statements of changes in net assets    15
Financial highlights    16
Notes to financial statements    21
Report of independent registered public accounting firm    29
Additional information    30
Important tax information    35
Letter from the chairman        LOGO    

Dear Shareholder,

We are pleased to provide the annual report of Legg Mason Global Currents International All Cap Opportunity Fund for the twelve-month reporting period ended October 31, 2010. Please read on for a detailed look at prevailing economic and market conditions during the Fund’s reporting period and to learn how those conditions have affected Fund performance.

As always, we remain committed to providing you with excellent service and a full spectrum of investment choices. We also remain committed to supplementing the support you receive from your financial advisor. One way we accomplish this is through our website, www.leggmason.com/individualinvestors. Here you can gain immediate access to market and investment information, including:

 

Ÿ  

Fund prices and performance,

 

Ÿ  

Market insights and commentaries from our portfolio managers, and

 

Ÿ  

A host of educational resources.

We look forward to helping you meet your financial goals.

Sincerely,

LOGO

R. Jay Gerken, CFA

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

November 26, 2010



 

Legg Mason Global Currents International All Cap Opportunity Fund     III   

Investment commentary

 

Economic review

While the U.S. economy continued to expand over the twelve months ended October 31, 2010, overall growth moderated as the period progressed and unemployment remained elevated. The Federal Reserve Board (“Fed”)i expressed concerns regarding the direction of the economy and indicated that it was prepared to take additional actions if necessary to spur growth. This, in turn, caused investor sentiment to improve and had significant implications for the financial markets.

In September 2010, the National Bureau of Economic Research (“NBER”), the organization charged with determining when recessions start and end, announced that the downturn that began in December 2007 had concluded in June 2009. However, the NBER said, “In determining that a trough occurred in June 2009, the committee did not conclude that economic conditions since that month have been favorable or that the economy has returned to operating at normal capacity.” The NBER’s point is well-taken given continued areas of weakness in the U.S. economy.

Although the U.S. Department of Commerce continued to report positive U.S. gross domestic product (“GDP”)ii growth, the expansion has moderated since peaking at 5.0% in the fourth quarter of 2009. A slower drawdown in business inventories and renewed consumer spending were contributing factors spurring the economy’s solid growth at the end of 2009. However, the economy has grown at a more modest pace thus far in 2010. According to the Commerce Department, GDP growth was 3.7% and 1.7% during the first and second quarters of 2010, respectively. Its second estimate for third quarter GDP growth was 2.5%.

Turning to the job market, after experiencing sharp job losses in 2009, the U.S. Department of Labor reported that over one million new positions were added during the first five months of 2010. Included in that number, however, were 700,000 temporary government jobs tied to the 2010 Census. From June through October, more than 525,000 of these temporary positions were eliminated. This more than offset private sector growth and resulted in a total net loss of 283,000 jobs from June through September. The employment picture then brightened somewhat in October, as 151,000 new jobs were created. However, the unemployment rate held steady and ended the period at an elevated 9.6%.

There was mixed news in the housing market during the period. According to the National Association of

Realtors (“NAR”), existing-home sales increased 7.0% and 8.0% in March and April, respectively, after sales had fallen for the period from December 2009 through February 2010. The rebound was largely attributed to people rushing to take advantage of the government’s $8,000 tax credit for first-time home buyers that expired at the end of April. However, with the end of the tax credit, existing-home sales then declined from May through July. After a steep 27.0% decline in sales in July, sales then rose 7.3% and 10.0% in August and September, respectively. Sales then dipped 2.2% in October, yet the inventory of unsold homes was a 10.5 month supply in October at the current sales level, versus a 10.6 month supply in September. Looking at home prices, the NAR reported that the median existing-home price for all housing types was $170,500 in October 2010, which was 0.9% lower than in October 2009.

One overall bright spot for the economy has been the manufacturing sector. Based on the Institute for Supply Management’s PMIiii, the manufacturing sector has grown fifteen consecutive months since it began expanding in August 2009. After reaching a six-year peak of 60.4 in April 2010, PMI data indicated somewhat more modest growth from May through July (a reading below 50 indicates a contraction, whereas a reading above 50 indicates an expansion). The manufacturing sector then expanded at a faster pace in August, before moderating somewhat in September. However, manufacturing then grew in October at its fastest pace since May with a reading of 56.9 for the month. In addition, fourteen of the eighteen industries tracked by the Institute for Supply Management grew during the month, whereas only eleven and thirteen industries expanded in August and September, respectively.

Outside of the U.S., economic news was largely dominated by the sovereign debt crisis in Europe. In May, the European Union and International Monetary Fund (“IMF”) announced a 750 billion ($955 billion) plan to aid fiscally troubled Eurozone countries. Despite this, investors were skeptical that the bailout plan would be sufficient to stem the contagion of the debt crisis to other peripheral European countries. Given the economic strains in the Eurozone, the IMF projects that growth in the region will be a modest 1.7% in 2010. Expectations for Japan’s economy are better but still relatively tepid, as the IMF’s forecast for the country’s economy is a 2.8% expansion in 2010. In contrast, many emerging market countries are experiencing strong economic growth. The IMF projects that China’s economy will expand 10.5% in 2010 and that India’s economy will grow 9.7% during the year.



 

IV   Legg Mason Global Currents International All Cap Opportunity Fund

Investment commentary (cont’d)

 

Financial market overview

During most of the first half of the reporting period, the financial markets were largely characterized by healthy investor risk appetite and solid results by stocks and lower-quality bonds. The market then experienced a sharp sell-off in late April and in May, during which risk aversion returned and investors flocked to the relative safety of U.S. Treasury securities. Demand for riskier assets had resumed by July, before another “flight to quality” occurred in August. This proved to be a temporary situation, however, as risk appetite returned in September and October.

Due to signs that economic growth was slowing toward the end of the reporting period, the Fed took further actions to spur the economy. At its August 10th meeting, the Fed announced that it would begin to use the proceeds from expiring agency debt and agency mortgage-backed securities to purchase longer-dated Treasury securities.

In addition, the Fed remained cautious throughout the reporting period given pockets of weakness in the economy. At its meeting in September 2010, the Fed said, “The Committee will continue to monitor the economic outlook and financial developments and is prepared to provide additional accommodation if needed to support the economic recovery. . . .” This led to speculation that the Fed may again move to purchase large amounts of agency and Treasury securities in an attempt to avoid a double-dip recession and ward off deflation.

The Fed then took additional action in early November (after the reporting period ended). Citing that “the pace of recovery in output and employment continues to be slow,” the Fed announced another round of quantitative easing to help stimulate the economy, entailing the purchase of $600 billion of long-term U.S. Treasury securities by the end of the second quarter of 2011.

Given the economic challenges in the Eurozone, the European Central Bank (“ECB”) kept interest rates at 1.0% during the reporting period. The ECB has kept rates at this historic low since the middle of 2009. A similar stance was taken by the Bank of England as it kept rates on hold at 0.5% during the period. Japan, however, cut rates in October 2010 from 0.1% to a range of zero to 0.1%, the lowest level since 2006. In contrast, a number of emerging market countries, including China, India and Brazil, raised interest rates during the reporting period in an effort to ward off inflation.

Equity market review

U.S. stock prices, as measured by the S&P 500 Indexiv (the “Index”), moved higher during five of the first six months covered by this report. The market’s ascent was the result of a number of factors, including optimism regarding the economy, better-than-expected corporate profits and increased investor risk appetite. However, robust investor appetite was replaced with heightened risk aversion in May and June. This was due to the escalating sovereign debt crisis in Europe, uncertainties regarding new financial reforms in the U.S. and some worse-than-expected economic data.

After reaching a nineteen-month high on April 23, 2010, the market, as measured by the Index, fell into “correction territory” in May and plunged more than 10%. This marked the first correction since November 2007. Despite continued disappointing economic data, strong second quarter corporate profits helped the market rally in July. The market then declined again in August, triggered by fears that the economy might slip back into recession. With the Fed indicating the possibility of another round of quantitative easing, stock prices then moved sharply higher in September and October. All told, the Index returned 16.52% over the twelve months ended October 31, 2010.

The international developed equity market also posted a positive return but lagged its U.S. counterpart during the twelve months ended October 31, 2010. This relative underperformance was the result of a number of factors, including concerns regarding the debt crisis in Greece and fears that it could spread to other European countries. In addition, more subdued economic growth and the strengthening U.S. dollar negatively impacted the international developed equity market. All told, the international developed equity market, as measured by the MSCI EAFE Indexv, returned 8.36% during the reporting period. Emerging market equities generated strong results during the reporting period, posting positive returns during eight of the twelve months covered by this report. This was largely due to stronger economic growth in many developing countries and generally robust investor demand. During the twelve months ended October 31, 2010, the MSCI Emerging Markets Indexvi returned 23.56%.



 

Legg Mason Global Currents International All Cap Opportunity Fund     V   

As always, thank you for your confidence in our stewardship of your assets.

Sincerely,

LOGO

R. Jay Gerken, CFA

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

November 26, 2010

All investments are subject to risk including the possible loss of principal. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. All index performance reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes. Please note that an investor cannot invest directly in an index. Forecasts and predictions are inherently limited and should not be relied upon as an indication of actual or future performance.


 

i

The Federal Reserve Board (“Fed”) is responsible for the formulation of policies designed to promote economic growth, full employment, stable prices and a sustainable pattern of international trade and payments.

 

ii

Gross domestic product (“GDP”) is the market value of all final goods and services produced within a country in a given period of time.

 

iii

The Institute for Supply Management’s PMI is based on a survey of purchasing executives who buy the raw materials for manufacturing at more than 350 companies. It offers an early reading on the health of the manufacturing sector.

 

 

iv

The S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged index of 500 stocks and is generally representative of the performance of larger companies in the U.S.

 

v

The MSCI EAFE Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index designed to measure developed market equity performance, excluding the U.S. and Canada.

 

vi

The MSCI Emerging Markets Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure equity market performance in the global emerging markets.



 

Legg Mason Global Currents International All Cap Opportunity Fund 2010 Annual Report     1   

Fund overview

 

Q. What is the Fund’s investment strategy?

A. The Fund seeks total return on its assets from growth of capital and income. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in a diversified portfolio of equity securities of foreign companies. The Fund may invest up to 20% of the value of its net assets in debt securities of U.S. and foreign corporate and governmental issuers. We leverage an integrated global research approach that seeks stocks in companies that we believe offer the best potential for capital appreciation. While we select investments primarily for their capital appreciation potential, some investments have an income component as well. The Fund may also invest in emerging markets on an opportunistic basis.

Q. What were the overall market conditions during the Fund’s reporting period?

A. During the reporting period, equity markets generated solid gains across varied investment styles, market capitalization and geography as the global economy slowly emerged from the recession that followed the financial crisis of 2008. Overall, stocks cemented solid gains in late 2009 and early 2010 following a sustained recovery that began in March of 2009. One exception to the rally occurred during the second quarter of 2010, when a global market correction caused many stocks to decline significantly. Multiple fears about the economy — including China’s growth prospects and the solvency of European banks — motivated investors to move away from risk assets, driving equities in both developed and emerging markets downward during the quarter. That period notwithstanding, equity markets over the twelve-month reporting period have done well, although stock performance has been dominated by macroeconomic events and less so by individual company criteria. Markets and economies around the world have responded favorably to unprecedented stimulus by governments — both fiscal and monetary. These

actions by governments and central banks, both in the U.S. and many other developed economies, have resulted in slow but sustained growth. Despite evidence of economic growth, investors remain concerned with high unemployment, rising government debt, continued deleveraging by consumers, contraction of credit, and the specter of rising interest rates. The international developed equity market, as measured by the MSCI EAFE Indexi, posted a gain of 8.36% during the twelve months ended October 31, 2010.

Despite the global equity rally, there have been some worrisome signs of earnings volatility on the horizon. Also a concern, the Producer Price Index (“PPI”)ii and Consumer Price Index (“CPI”)iii gap currently stands at 1970’s levels. The economic uncertainty has been exacerbated as the U.S. central bank explicitly moves to print money and drive up asset prices. At the end of the reporting period, this has primarily driven up emerging market asset prices and commodities, and the Quantitative Easing 2 program of the Federal Reserve Board (“Fed”)iv increases the odds of creating a dangerous bubble in these areas. Rising inflation, higher commodity prices and the transfer of wealth to hard asset owners could potentially backfire as it puts negative pressure on profits and consumer disposable incomes. Currently, the risk trade is on and it remains to be seen if other central banks join in the debasement process or instead keep the U.S. acting alone in pumping air into the bubble. We believe that in times of volatility, both on the upside and the downside, prudent active management can be very beneficial in navigating global equity markets.

Q. How did we respond to these changing market conditions?

A. Resilience is a main theme characterizing our current portfolio positioning. We have positioned the portfolio by investing in companies characterized by sustainable cash flows and high-quality internal growth drivers that we believe provide a competitive edge in their respective industry.



 

2   Legg Mason Global Currents International All Cap Opportunity Fund 2010 Annual Report

Fund overview (cont’d)

 

During the reporting period, the Fund benefited by investments in areas such as Materials, Industrials and Telecommunication Services. Notably, the market was more driven by growth and momentum factors, and alternatively, the value factors that our investment team focuses on lagged in performance. Our view of a range bound scenario for markets continues, as evidenced by a tug of war between myriad headwinds and positive economic forces that result in both up and down markets with no clear trend. This year, the markets have been influenced more so by macroeconomic factors with less emphasis on the fundamental, stock specific factors that our strategy focuses on. We believe that several underpinnings in the markets are likely to fall into place going forward as the macro focus of investors diminishes. First, market participants need to accept the concept of a slow to moderate growth economic environment. Second, market participants need to accept that there is not enough growth to go around and that earnings are likely to disappoint for many companies. Finally, as these shifts in the marketplace take hold, the impetus for increased focus on company fundamentals will predominate. Accordingly, as an active fundamental manager, we believe these developments enhance our potential to deliver outperformance via our core competency: active, bottom-up stock picking.

Nevertheless, we are confident that our active, bottom-up stock picking approach will be rewarded over time, when the impact of policy shifts and politics abates, and once again the market focuses on company fundamentals and the prospects of individual companies to grow their businesses and profits over time.

Performance review

For the twelve months ended October 31, 2010, Class A shares of Legg Mason Global Currents International All Cap Opportunity Fund, excluding sales charges, returned 12.28%. The Fund’s unmanaged benchmark, the MSCI EAFE Index, returned 8.36% over the same time frame. The Lipper International Multi-Cap Value Funds Category Average1 returned 10.49% for the same period.

PERFORMANCE SNAPSHOT as of October 31, 2010        
(excluding sales charges) (unaudited)    6 months     12 months  
Legg Mason Global Currents International All Cap Opportunity Fund:     

Class A

     -0.59     12.28

Class B

     2.68     15.31

Class C

     -0.42     12.04

Class I

     -0.84     12.23

Class IS

     -0.94     12.24
MSCI EAFE Index      5.74     8.36
Lipper International Multi-Cap Value Funds Category Average1      5.46     10.49

The performance shown represents past performance. Past performance is no guarantee of future results and current performance may be higher or lower than the performance shown above. Principal value and investment returns will fluctuate and investors’ shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. To obtain performance data current to the most recent month-end, please visit our website at www.leggmason.com/individualinvestors.

All share class returns assume the reinvestment of all distributions, including returns of capital, if any, at net asset value and the deduction of all Fund expenses. Returns have not been adjusted to include sales charges that may apply or the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions. If sales charges were reflected, the performance quoted would be lower. Performance figures for periods shorter than one year represent cumulative figures and are not annualized.

Performance figures reflect expense reimbursements and/or fee waivers, without which the performance would have been lower.

Performance reflects payments received due to the settlement of two regulatory matters. Absent these payments, the returns for the six months ended October 31, 2010 for Class A, Class B, Class C and Class I shares would have been -1.06%, -1.61%, -1.54% and -0.96%, respectively; the returns for the twelve months ended October 31, 2010 for Class A, Class B, Class C and Class I shares would have been 3.61%, 2.38%, 2.73% and 3.96%, respectively.

Performance for Class IS shares also reflects a payment received due to the settlement of a regulatory matter. Absent this payment, the return for the twelve months ended October 31, 2010 would have been 4.10%.

 

TOTAL ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES (unaudited)

As of the Fund’s most current prospectus dated February 26, 2010, the gross total operating expense ratios for Class A, Class B, Class C, Class I and Class IS shares were 1.52%, 2.84%, 2.46%, 1.20% and 0.99%, respectively.

Actual expenses may be higher. For example, expenses may be higher than those shown if average net assets decrease. Net assets are more likely to decrease and Fund expense ratios are more likely to increase when markets are volatile.

As a result of an expense limitation arrangement, the ratio of expenses, other than brokerage, interest, taxes, extraordinary expenses and acquired fund fees and expenses, to average net assets will not exceed 1.15% for Class I shares. In addition, the total annual operating expenses for Class IS shares will not exceed those of Class I shares. This expense limitation arrangement cannot be terminated prior to December 31, 2012 without the Board of Trustees’ consent.


 

 

1

Lipper, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Reuters, provides independent insight on global collective investments. Returns are based on the period ended October 31, 2010, including the reinvestment of all distributions, including returns of capital, if any, calculated among the 97 funds for the six-month period and among the 94 funds for the twelve-month period in the Fund’s Lipper category, and excluding sales charges.


 

Legg Mason Global Currents International All Cap Opportunity Fund 2010 Annual Report     3   

The manager is permitted to recapture amounts previously forgone or reimbursed to a class during the same fiscal year if the class’ total annual operating expenses have fallen to a level below the expense limitation in effect at the time the fees were earned or the expense incurred.

Q. What were the leading contributors to performance?

A. Stock selection in the Materials and Information Technology (“IT”) sectors significantly enhanced the Fund’s results during the period. An overweight to the IT sector also contributed positively to relative performance. On a country basis, return benefited through stock selection in Australia, Hong Kong and Belgium. Over the reporting period, individual stocks that made a significant positive contribution to performance included BASF SE and Symrise AG, both in the Materials sector, Ingenico SA in the IT sector and Siemens AG (Registered Shares) in the Industrials sector.

Q. What were the leading detractors from performance?

A. Stock selection in the Health Care, Financials, Consumer Discretionary and Consumer Staples sectors negatively impacted performance during the reporting period. On a country basis, performance declined through stock selection in Singapore, South Africa, France and Switzerland. Individual holdings that detracted from performance during the period included AXA in the Financials sector, Roche Holding AG in the Health Care sector and Toyota Motor Corp. in the Consumer Discretionary sector.

Thank you for your investment in Legg Mason Global Currents International All Cap Opportunity Fund. As always, we appreciate that you have

chosen us to manage your assets and we remain focused on achieving the Fund’s investment goals.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO
Paul D. Ehrlichman  
Head of Global Equity and Portfolio Manager  
Global Currents Investment Management, LLC
LOGO
Sean M. Bogda, CFA
Portfolio Manager
Global Currents Investment Management, LLC
LOGO
Elisa Mazen
Portfolio Manager
Global Currents Investment Management, LLC
LOGO
Safa R. Muhtaseb, CFA
Portfolio Manager
Global Currents Investment Management, LLC
LOGO
George Foley
Portfolio Manager
Global Currents Investment Management, LLC

November 16, 2010



 

4   Legg Mason Global Currents International All Cap Opportunity Fund 2010 Annual Report

Fund overview (cont’d)

 

RISKS: The Fund is subject to certain risks of overseas investing not associated with domestic investing, including currency fluctuations, changes in political and economic conditions, differing securities regulations and periods of illiquidity, which could result in significant market fluctuations. These risks are magnified in emerging or developing markets. Fixed-income securities involve interest rate, credit, inflation and reinvestment risks. As interest rates rise, the value of fixed-income securities falls. Diversification does not assure against market loss. The Fund may use derivatives, such as options and futures, which can be illiquid, may disproportionately increase losses, and have a potentially large impact on Fund performance. Please see the Fund’s prospectus for more information on these and other risks, and the Fund’s investment strategies.

Portfolio holdings and breakdowns are as of October 31, 2010 and are subject to change and may not be representative of the portfolio managers’ current or future investments. The Fund’s top ten holdings (as a percentage of net assets) as of this date were: Siemens AG, Registered Shares (2.7%), Vodafone Group PLC (2.3%), Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Class A Shares (2.2%), Unilever NV, CVA (2.2%), Myer Holdings Ltd. (2.1%), BCE Inc. (2.1%), Sumitomo Mitsui Financial

Group Inc. (2.1%), AXA (2.0%), Carnival PLC (2.0%) and Reed Elsevier NV (2.0%). Please refer to pages 8 through 12 for a list and percentage breakdown of the Fund’s holdings.

The mention of sector breakdowns is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell any securities. The information provided regarding such sectors is not a sufficient basis upon which to make an investment decision. Investors seeking financial advice regarding the appropriateness of investing in any securities or investment strategies discussed should consult their financial professional. The Fund’s top five sector holdings (as a percentage of net assets) as of October 31, 2010 were: Consumer Discretionary (19.7%), Financials (15.2%), Industrials (13.2%), Information Technology (11.7%) and Consumer Staples (10.5%). The Fund’s portfolio composition is subject to change at any time.

All investments are subject to risk including the possible loss of principal. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. All index performance reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes. Please note that an investor cannot invest directly in an index.

The information provided is not intended to be a forecast of future events, a guarantee of future results or investment advice. Views expressed may differ from those of the firm as a whole.


 

 

 

 

i

The MSCI EAFE Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index designed to measure developed market equity performance, excluding the U.S. and Canada.

 

ii

The Producer Price Index (“PPI”) is a family of indices that measures the average change over time in the selling prices received by domestic producers of goods and services. PPIs measure price change from the perspective of the seller.

 

iii

The Consumer Price Index (“CPI”) measures the average change in U.S. consumer prices over time in a fixed market basket of goods and services determined by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

 

iv

The Federal Reserve Board (“Fed”) is responsible for the formulation of policies designed to promote economic growth, full employment, stable prices and a sustainable pattern of international trade and payments.



 

Legg Mason Global Currents International All Cap Opportunity Fund 2010 Annual Report     5   

Fund at a glance (unaudited)

 

Investment breakdown (%) as a percent of total investments

LOGO

The bar graph above represents the composition of the Fund’s investments as of October 31, 2010 and October 31, 2009. The Fund is actively managed. As a result, the composition of the Fund’s investments is subject to change at any time.


 

6   Legg Mason Global Currents International All Cap Opportunity Fund 2010 Annual Report

Fund expenses (unaudited)

 

Example

As a shareholder of the Fund, you may incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including front-end and back-end sales charges (loads) on purchase payments and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees; and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

This example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested on May 1, 2010 and held for the six months ended October 31, 2010.

Actual expenses

The table below titled “Based on Actual Total Return” provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information provided in this table, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. To estimate the expenses you paid on your account, divide your ending account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 ending account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During the Period”.

 

Hypothetical example for comparison purposes

The table below titled “Based on Hypothetical Total Return” provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5.00% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use the information provided in this table to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare the 5.00% hypothetical example relating to the Fund with the 5.00% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table below are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as front-end or back-end sales charges (loads). Therefore, the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transaction costs were included, your costs would have been higher.


 

Based on actual total return1                       Based on hypothetical total return1        
     Actual Total
Return
Without
Sales
Charges2
    Beginning
Account
Value
    Ending
Account
Value
    Annualized
Expense
Ratio
    Expenses
Paid
During
the
Period3
               Hypothetical
Annualized
Total Return
    Beginning
Account
Value
    Ending
Account
Value
    Annualized
Expense
Ratio
    Expenses
Paid
During
the
Period3
 
Class  A4     -0.59   $ 1,000.00      $ 994.10        1.50   $ 7.54        Class A     5.00   $ 1,000.00      $ 1,017.64        1.50   $ 7.63   
Class B4     2.68        1,000.00        1,026.80        2.71        13.84        Class B     5.00        1,000.00        1,011.54        2.71        13.74   
Class C4     -0.42        1,000.00        995.80        2.33        11.72        Class C     5.00        1,000.00        1,013.46        2.33        11.82   
Class I4     -0.84        1,000.00        991.60        1.14        5.72        Class I     5.00        1,000.00        1,019.46        1.14        5.80   
Class IS     -0.94        1,000.00        990.60        1.01        5.07        Class  IS     5.00        1,000.00        1,020.11        1.01        5.14   

 

1

For the six months ended October 31, 2010.

 

2

Assumes the reinvestment of all distributions, including returns of capital, if any, at net asset value and does not reflect the deduction of the applicable initial sales charge with respect to Class A shares or the applicable contingent deferred sales charges (“CDSC”) with respect to Class B and C shares. Total return is not annualized, as it may not be representative of the total return for the year. Performance figures may reflect compensating balance arrangements, fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. In the absence of compensating balance arrangements, fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, the total return would have been lower. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

 

3

Expenses (net of fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements) are equal to each class’ respective annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year (184), then divided by 365.

 

4

The total returns reflect a payment received due to the settlement of a regulatory matter during the six months ended October 31, 2010. Absent this payment, the total returns would have been -1.06%, -1.61%, -1.54% and -0.96% for Class A, B, C and I shares, respectively.


 

Legg Mason Global Currents International All Cap Opportunity Fund 2010 Annual Report     7   

 

Fund performance (unaudited)

 

Average annual total returns        
Without sales charges1    Class A‡     Class B‡     Class C‡     Class I‡     Class IS**  
Twelve Months Ended 10/31/10      12.28     15.31     12.04     12.23     12.24
Five Years Ended 10/31/10      2.04        1.78        1.27        N/A        N/A   
Ten Years Ended 10/31/10      -1.35        -2.00        -2.16        N/A        N/A   
Inception* through 10/31/10      5.78        1.16        2.90        -4.85        -2.01   
With sales charges2    Class A‡     Class B‡     Class C‡     Class I‡     Class IS**  
Twelve Months Ended 10/31/10      5.86     10.31     11.04     12.23     12.24
Five Years Ended 10/31/10      0.85        1.68        1.27        N/A        N/A   
Ten Years Ended 10/31/10      -1.93        -2.00        -2.16        N/A        N/A   
Inception* through 10/31/10      5.53        1.16        2.90        -4.85        -2.01   

 

Cumulative total returns       
Without sales charges1        
Class A (10/31/00 through 10/31/10)      -12.70
Class B (10/31/00 through 10/31/10)      -18.29   
Class C (10/31/00 through 10/31/10)      -19.59   
Class I (Inception date of 12/29/06 through 10/31/10)      -17.38   
Class IS (Inception date of 8/4/08 through 10/31/10)      -4.44   

Historical performance

Value of $10,000 invested in

Class A, B and C Shares of Legg Mason Global Currents International All Cap Opportunity Fund vs. MSCI EAFE Index† — October 2000 - October 2010

LOGO

All figures represent past performance and are not a guarantee of future results. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. The returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Performance figures may reflect compensating balance arrangements, fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. In the absence of compensating balance arrangements, fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, the total return would have been lower.

 

1

Assumes the reinvestment of all distributions, including returns of capital, if any, at net asset value and does not reflect the deduction of the applicable sales charge with respect to Class A shares or the applicable CDSC with respect to Class B and C shares.

 

2

Assumes the reinvestment of all distributions, including returns of capital, if any, at net asset value. In addition, Class A shares reflect the deduction of the maximum initial sales charge of 5.75%; Class B shares reflect the deduction of a 5.00% CDSC, which applies if shares are redeemed within one year from purchase payment and declines thereafter by 1.00% per year until no CDSC is incurred. Class C shares reflect the deduction of a 1.00% CDSC, which applies if shares are redeemed within one year from purchase payment.

 

* Inception dates for Class A, B, C, I and IS shares are February 18, 1986 (including predecessor fund), November 7, 1994, January 4, 1993, December 29, 2006 and August 4, 2008, respectively.

 

Hypothetical illustration of $10,000 invested in Class A, B and C shares of Legg Mason Global Currents International All Cap Opportunity Fund on October 31, 2000, assuming the deduction of the maximum initial sales charge of 5.75% at the time of investment for Class A shares and the reinvestment of all distributions, including returns of capital, if any, at net asset value through October 31, 2010. The hypothetical illustration also assumes a $10,000 investment, as applicable, in the MSCI EAFE Index. The MSCI EAFE Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index designed to measure developed market equity performance, excluding the U.S. and Canada. The Index is unmanaged and is not subject to the same management and trading expenses as a mutual fund. Please note that an investor cannot invest directly in an index. The performance of the Fund’s other classes may be greater or less than the Class A, B and C shares’ performance indicated on this chart, depending on whether greater or lesser sales charges and fees were incurred by shareholders investing in the other classes.

 

The total return reflects payments received due to the settlement of two regulatory matters. Absent these payments, the total return would have been lower.
** The total return reflects a payment received due to the settlement of a regulatory matter. Absent this payment, the total return would have been lower.


 

8   Legg Mason Global Currents International All Cap Opportunity Fund 2010 Annual Report

Schedule of investments

October 31, 2010

 

Legg Mason Global Currents International All Cap Opportunity Fund

 

Security                    Shares      Value  
Common Stocks — 98.4%                                    
Consumer Discretionary — 19.7%                                    

Automobiles — 2.7%

                                   

DaimlerChrysler AG, Registered Shares

                       47,000       $ 3,102,614  * 

Toyota Motor Corp.

                       90,300         3,208,248   

Total Automobiles

                                6,310,862   

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 5.0%

                                   

Carnival PLC

                       108,900         4,693,943   

Greene King PLC

                       365,223         2,447,371   

Marston’s PLC

                       1,540,620         2,485,894   

William Hill PLC

                       836,410         2,153,737   

Total Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

                                11,780,945   

Internet & Catalog Retail — 0.9%

                                   

Home Retail Group PLC

                       599,300         2,103,033   

Media — 6.6%

                                   

Asatsu-DK Inc.

                       127,700         2,942,162   

Grupo Televisa SA, ADR

                       179,760         4,035,612   

Publicis Groupe SA

                       76,800         3,825,602   

Reed Elsevier NV

                       357,360         4,656,413   

Total Media

                                15,459,789   

Multiline Retail — 2.1%

                                   

Myer Holdings Ltd.

                       1,290,178         4,852,968   

Specialty Retail — 2.4%

                                   

SHIMAMURA Co., Ltd.

                       24,640         2,363,872   

Yamada Denki Co., Ltd.

                       50,550         3,285,405   

Total Specialty Retail

                                5,649,277   

Total Consumer Discretionary

                                46,156,874   
Consumer Staples — 10.5%                                    

Beverages — 1.5%

                                   

Anheuser-Busch InBev NV

                       72,800         304  * 

C&C Group PLC

                       753,847         3,462,374   

Total Beverages

                                3,462,678   

Food & Staples Retailing — 1.1%

                                   

Aeon Co., Ltd.

                       223,500         2,633,006   

Food Products — 5.5%

                                   

Danisco A/S

                       22,471         1,937,553   

Greencore Group PLC

                       2,034,880         3,087,039   

Unilever NV, CVA

                       170,806         5,064,791   

Viterra Inc.

                       289,160         2,769,971  * 

Total Food Products

                                12,859,354   

Tobacco — 2.4%

                                   

Japan Tobacco Inc.

                       943         2,933,179   

KT&G Corp.

                       43,511         2,671,948   

Total Tobacco

                                5,605,127   

Total Consumer Staples

                                24,560,165   
Energy — 5.2%                                    

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 5.2%

                                   

BG Group PLC

                       169,500         3,301,280   

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.


 

Legg Mason Global Currents International All Cap Opportunity Fund 2010 Annual Report     9   

 

Legg Mason Global Currents International All Cap Opportunity Fund

 

Security                    Shares      Value  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — continued

                                   

Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.

                       100,200       $ 3,647,834   

Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Class A Shares

                       161,271         5,230,970   

Total SA

                       4         217   

Total Energy

                                12,180,301   
Financials — 15.2%                                    

Capital Markets — 4.1%

                                   

Credit Suisse Group AG, Registered Shares

                       56,800         2,346,344   

Deutsche Bank AG, Registered Shares

                       49,597         2,859,186   

F&C Asset Management PLC

                       4,126,384         4,429,983   

UBS AG, Registered Shares

                       31         525  * 

Total Capital Markets

                                9,636,038   

Commercial Banks — 5.3%

                                   

Barclays PLC

                       499,348         2,197,159   

DBS Group Holdings Ltd.

                       258,100         2,771,838   

HSBC Holdings PLC

                       258,541         2,689,049   

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc.

                       160,700         4,816,806   

Total Commercial Banks

                                12,474,852   

Insurance — 4.6%

                                   

AXA

                       262,796         4,784,134   

MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings Inc.

                       159,958         3,842,411   

PartnerRe Ltd.

                       28,570         2,266,173   

Total Insurance

                                10,892,718   

Real Estate Management & Development — 1.2%

                                   

Cheung Kong Holdings Ltd.

                       184,000         2,808,218   

Total Financials

                                35,811,826   
Health Care — 9.1%                                    

Health Care Providers & Services — 2.0%

                                   

Rhoen-Klinikum AG

                       198,690         4,645,818   

Life Sciences Tools & Services — 1.5%

                                   

Lonza Group AG, Registered Shares

                       39,670         3,472,964   

Pharmaceuticals — 5.6%

                                   

Astellas Pharma Inc.

                       59,722         2,222,041   

Meda AB, Class A Shares

                       277,450         2,280,360   

Seikagaku Corp.

                       216,300         2,257,885   

Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

                       58,594         2,745,115   

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., ADR

                       70,350         3,651,165   

Total Pharmaceuticals

                                13,156,566   

Total Health Care

                                21,275,348   
Industrials — 13.2%                                    

Airlines — 1.4%

                                   

easyJet PLC

                       469,240         3,428,606  * 

Commercial Services & Supplies — 5.5%

                                   

Loomis AB, Class B Shares

                       222,420         2,780,396   

Newalta Corp.

                       251,500         2,276,052   

Shanks Group PLC

                       2,005,880         3,574,106   

Séché Environnement

                       35,420         2,856,300   

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.


 

10   Legg Mason Global Currents International All Cap Opportunity Fund 2010 Annual Report

Schedule of investments (cont’d)

October 31, 2010

 

Legg Mason Global Currents International All Cap Opportunity Fund

 

Security                    Shares      Value  

Commercial Services & Supplies — continued

                                   

Tomra Systems ASA

                       255,313       $ 1,556,308   

Total Commercial Services & Supplies

                                13,043,162   

Construction & Engineering — 1.0%

                                   

Foster Wheeler AG

                       96,560         2,261,435  * 

Industrial Conglomerates — 2.7%

                                   

Siemens AG, Registered Shares

                       56,510         6,455,643   

Professional Services — 1.6%

                                   

Teleperformance

                       116,640         3,678,614   

Trading Companies & Distributors — 1.0%

                                   

Mitsubishi Corp.

                       93,762         2,254,622   

Total Industrials

                                31,122,082   
Information Technology — 11.7%                                    

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 2.7%

                                   

5N Plus Inc.

                       220,700         1,460,658  

Hosiden Corp.

                       184,600         1,830,630   

Ingenico SA

                       103,425         3,120,769   

Total Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components

                                6,412,057   

Internet Software & Services — 1.3%

                                   

RADVision Ltd.

                       415,310         3,102,366  * 

IT Services — 1.9%

                                   

Cielo SA

                       241,100         2,074,512   

ITOCHU Techno-Solutions Corp.

                       71,900         2,452,659   

Total IT Services

                                4,527,171   

Office Electronics — 2.1%

                                   

Neopost SA

                       29,407         2,443,032   

Ricoh Co., Ltd.

                       170,000         2,378,775   

Total Office Electronics

                                4,821,807   

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 1.9%

                                   

Advantest Corp.

                       138,800         2,640,770   

Sumco Corp.

                       119,993         1,859,467  

Total Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

                                4,500,237   

Software — 1.8%

                                   

Amdocs Ltd.

                       97,300         2,985,164  

DTS Corp.

                       114,984         1,223,143   

Total Software

                                4,208,307   

Total Information Technology

                                27,571,945   
Materials — 6.7%                                    

Chemicals — 3.8%

                                   

Akzo Nobel NV

                       51,270         3,044,115   

BASF SE

                       63,060         4,588,454   

Symrise AG

                       41,600         1,263,643   

Total Chemicals

                                8,896,212   

Metals & Mining — 1.7%

                                   

Barrick Gold Corp.

                       84,020         4,040,522   

Paper & Forest Products — 1.2%

                                   

Sappi Ltd.

                       566,871         2,809,673  * 

Total Materials

                                15,746,407   

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.


 

Legg Mason Global Currents International All Cap Opportunity Fund 2010 Annual Report     11   

 

Legg Mason Global Currents International All Cap Opportunity Fund

 

Security                    Shares      Value  
Telecommunication Services — 6.0%                                    

Diversified Telecommunication Services — 3.7%

                                   

BCE Inc.

                       144,120       $ 4,834,146   

Swisscom AG, Registered Shares

                       9,448         3,947,028   

Total Diversified Telecommunication Services

                                8,781,174   

Wireless Telecommunication Services — 2.3%

                                   

Vodafone Group PLC

                       1,956,352         5,324,394   

Total Telecommunication Services

                                14,105,568   
Utilities — 1.1%                                    

Multi-Utilities — 1.1%

                                   

Veolia Environnement

                       86,750         2,548,189   

Total Investments before Short-Term Investments (Cost — $214,327,840)

                                231,078,705   
      Rate      Maturity
Date
     Face
Amount
         
Short-Term Investments — 1.4%                                    

Repurchase Agreements — 1.4%

                                   

Interest in $79,929,000 joint tri-party repurchase agreement dated 10/29/10 with Barclays Capital Inc.; Proceeds at maturity — $3,268,060; (Fully collateralized by U.S. government obligations, 1.375% due 01/15/13; Market value — $3,333,363)
(Cost — $3,268,000)

     0.220      11/1/10       $ 3,268,000         3,268,000   

Total Investments — 99.8% (Cost — $217,595,840#)

                                234,346,705   

Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities — 0.2%

                                546,070   

Total Net Assets — 100.0%

                              $ 234,892,775   

 

* Non-income producing security.

 

# Aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes is $218,137,764.

 

Abbreviations used in this schedule:

ADR   — American Depositary Receipt
CVA   — Certificaaten van aandelen (Share Certificates)

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.


 

12   Legg Mason Global Currents International All Cap Opportunity Fund 2010 Annual Report

Schedule of investments (cont’d)

October 31, 2010

 

Legg Mason Global Currents International All Cap Opportunity Fund

 

 

Summary of Investments by Country**       
Japan      20.4
United Kingdom      17.8   
France      9.9   
Germany      9.8   
Canada      8.1   
Netherlands      7.7   
Switzerland      5.1   
Israel      2.9   
Ireland      2.8   
Sweden      2.2   
Australia      2.1   
Mexico      1.7   
Hong Kong      1.2   
Singapore      1.2   
South Africa      1.2   
South Korea      1.1   
Bermuda      1.0   
Brazil      0.9   
Denmark      0.8   
Norway      0.7   
Short-term investments      1.4   
       100.0

 

** As a percentage of total investments. Please note that Fund holdings are as of October 31, 2010 and are subject to change.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.


 

Legg Mason Global Currents International All Cap Opportunity Fund 2010 Annual Report     13   

Statement of assets and liabilities

October 31, 2010

 

Assets:         

Investments, at value (Cost — $217,595,840)

   $ 234,346,705   

Foreign currency, at value (Cost — $173,869)

     175,981   

Cash

     256   

Dividends and interest receivable

     858,627   

Receivable for Fund shares sold

     230,215   

Prepaid expenses

     40,270   

Total Assets

     235,652,054   
Liabilities:         

Payable for Fund shares repurchased

     414,752   

Investment management fee payable

     169,609   

Distribution fees payable

     37,241   

Trustees’ fees payable

     2,252   

Accrued expenses

     135,425   

Total Liabilities

     759,279   
Total Net Assets    $ 234,892,775   
Net Assets:         

Par value (Note 7)

   $ 284   

Paid-in capital in excess of par value

     289,539,068   

Undistributed net investment income

     2,619,852   

Accumulated net realized loss on investments and foreign currency transactions

     (74,053,025)   

Net unrealized appreciation on investments and foreign currencies

     16,786,596   
Total Net Assets    $ 234,892,775   
Shares Outstanding:         

Class A

     8,652,298   

Class B

     637,549   

Class C

     2,876,156   

Class I

     125,919   

Class IS

     16,109,424   
Net Asset Value:         

Class A (and redemption price)

     $8.42   

Class B*

     $7.67   

Class C*

     $7.10   

Class I (and redemption price)

     $8.28   

Class IS (and redemption price)

     $8.42   
Maximum Public Offering Price Per Share:         

Class A (based on maximum initial sales charge of 5.75%)

     $8.93   

 

* 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 (See Note 2).

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.


 

14   Legg Mason Global Currents International All Cap Opportunity Fund 2010 Annual Report

Statement of operations

For the Year Ended October 31, 2010

 

Investment Income:         

Dividends

   $ 5,820,415   

Interest

     15,400   

Less: Foreign taxes withheld

     (529,227)   

Total Investment Income

     5,306,588   
Expenses:         

Investment management fee (Note 2)

     1,946,884   

Distribution fees (Notes 2 and 5)

     452,369   

Transfer agent fees (Note 5)

     271,511   

Legal fees

     79,547   

Custody fees

     77,046   

Registration fees

     72,386   

Audit and tax

     33,100   

Shareholder reports

     28,444   

Trustees’ fees

     21,213   

Insurance

     5,124   

Miscellaneous expenses

     5,061   

Total Expenses

     2,992,685   

Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements (Notes 2 and 5)

     (776)   

Net Expenses

     2,991,909   
Net Investment Income      2,314,679   
Realized and Unrealized Gain (loss) on Investments and Foreign Currency Transactions (Notes 1 and 3):         

Net Realized Gain (Loss) From:

        

Investment transactions

     8,694,901   

Foreign currency transactions

     (142,424)   

Net Realized Gain

     8,552,477   

Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) From:

        

Investments

     (1,637,021)   

Foreign currencies

     23,586   

Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

     (1,613,435)   
Net Gain on Investments and Foreign Currency Transactions      6,939,042   
Proceeds from Settlement of a Regulatory Matter (Note 9)      17,676,412   
Proceeds from Settlement of a Regulatory Matter (Note 10)      853,592   
Increase in Net Assets from Operations    $ 27,783,725   

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.


 

Legg Mason Global Currents International All Cap Opportunity Fund 2010 Annual Report     15   

Statements of changes in net assets

 

For the years ended October 31,    2010     2009  
Operations:                 

Net investment income

   $ 2,314,679      $ 2,706,468   

Net realized gain (loss)

     8,552,477        (79,776,354)   

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

     (1,613,435)        121,283,088   

Proceeds from settlement of a regulatory matter (Note 9)

     17,676,412          

Proceeds from settlement of a regulatory matter (Note 10)

     853,592          

Increase in Net Assets From Operations

     27,783,725        44,213,202   
Distributions to Shareholders From (Notes 1 and 6):                 

Net investment income

     (3,221,635)        (3,403,775)   

Decrease in Net Assets from Distributions to Shareholders

     (3,221,635)        (3,403,775)   
Fund Share Transactions (Note 7):                 

Net proceeds from sale of shares

     36,211,626        31,712,900   

Reinvestment of distributions

     3,201,731        3,374,844   

Cost of shares repurchased

     (51,931,542)        (40,033,420)   

Decrease in Net Assets From Fund Share Transactions

     (12,518,185)        (4,945,676)   

Increase in Net Assets

     12,043,905        35,863,751   
Net Assets:                 

Beginning of year

     222,848,870        186,985,119   

End of year*

   $ 234,892,775      $ 222,848,870   

* Includes undistributed net investment income of:

     $2,619,852        $3,079,300   

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.


 

16   Legg Mason Global Currents International All Cap Opportunity Fund 2010 Annual Report

Financial highlights

 

For a share of each class of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each year ended October 31, unless otherwise noted:  

Class A Shares1

   2010      2009      2008      2007      20062  
Net asset value, beginning of year      $7.59         $6.19         $16.12         $14.84         $14.31   
Income (loss) from operations:               

Net investment income

     0.07         0.08         0.11         0.18         0.08   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     0.82 †       1.42         (5.74)         2.38         3.00   

Proceeds from settlement of a regulatory matter

     0.04                                   

Total income (loss) from operations

     0.93         1.50         (5.63)         2.56         3.08   
Less distributions from:               

Net investment income

     (0.10)         (0.10)         (0.13)         (0.20)         (0.18)   

Net realized gains

                     (4.17)         (1.08)         (2.37)   

Total distributions

     (0.10)         (0.10)         (4.30)         (1.28)         (2.55)   
Net asset value, end of year      $8.42         $7.59         $6.19         $16.12         $14.84   

Total return3

     12.28 %4       24.68      (46.51)      18.44      24.75
Net assets, end of year (000s)      $72,855         $70,674         $64,767         $146,658         $133,978   
Ratios to average net assets:               

Gross expenses

     1.46      1.50      1.36      1.36 %5       1.38

Net expenses

     1.46         1.50         1.36         1.36 5,6       1.36 6 

Net investment income

     0.85         1.25         1.12         1.20         0.55   
Portfolio turnover rate      76      82      63      103      8

 

1

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

 

2

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

 

3

Performance figures, exclusive of sales charges, may reflect compensating balance arrangements, fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. In the absence of compensating balance arrangements, fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, the total return would have been lower. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

 

4

The total return reflects payments received due to the settlement of two regulatory matters. Absent these payments, the total return would have been 3.61% (Notes 9 and 10).

 

5

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 1.35%.

 

6

Reflects fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements.

 

The amount includes a payment of $0.61 per share received due to the settlement of a regulatory matter (Note 9).

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.


 

Legg Mason Global Currents International All Cap Opportunity Fund 2010 Annual Report     17   

 

For a share of each class of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each year ended October 31, unless otherwise noted:  

Class B Shares1

   2010      2009      2008      2007      20062  
Net asset value, beginning of year      $6.66         $5.46         $14.77         $13.70         $13.39   
Income (loss) from operations:               

Net investment income (loss)

     (0.02)         (0.00) 3       0.01         0.04         (0.04)   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     0.72 †       1.25         (5.10)         2.19         2.79   

Proceeds from settlement of a regulatory matter

     0.32                                   

Total income (loss) from operations

     1.02         1.25         (5.09)         2.23         2.75   
Less distributions from:               

Net investment income

     (0.01)         (0.05)         (0.05)         (0.08)         (0.07)   

Net realized gains

                     (4.17)         (1.08)         (2.37)   

Total distributions

     (0.01)         (0.05)         (4.22)         (1.16)         (2.44)   
Net asset value, end of year      $7.67         $6.66         $5.46         $14.77         $13.70   

Total return4

     15.31 %5       23.09      (47.02)      17.41      23.72
Net assets, end of year (000s)      $4,892         $5,575         $6,334         $19,665         $21,429   
Ratios to average net assets:               

Gross expenses

     2.58      2.77      2.30      2.22 %6       2.23

Net expenses

     2.58         2.77         2.30         2.21 6,7       2.22 7 

Net investment income (loss)

     (0.29)         (0.04)         0.13         0.31         (0.32)   
Portfolio turnover rate      76      82      63      103      8

 

1

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

 

2

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

 

3

Amount represents less than $0.01 per share.

 

4

Performance figures, exclusive of CDSC, may reflect compensating balance arrangements, fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. In the absence of compensating balance arrangements, fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, the total return would have been lower. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

 

5

The total return reflects payments received due to the settlement of two regulatory matters. Absent these payments, the total return would have been 2.38% (Notes 9 and 10).

 

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 2.20%.

 

7

Reflects fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements.

 

The amount includes a payment of $0.54 per share received due to the settlement of a regulatory matter (Note 9).

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.


 

18   Legg Mason Global Currents International All Cap Opportunity Fund 2010 Annual Report

Financial highlights (cont’d)

 

 

For a share of each class of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each year ended October 31, unless otherwise noted:  

Class C Shares1

   2010      2009      2008      2007      20062  
Net asset value, beginning of year      $6.37         $5.21         $14.30         $13.31         $13.07   
Income (loss) from operations:               

Net investment income (loss)

     (0.00) 3       0.02         0.02         0.04         (0.04)   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     0.69 †       1.20         (4.89)         2.11         2.72   

Proceeds from settlement of a regulatory matter

     0.08                                   

Total income (loss) from operations

     0.77         1.22         (4.87)         2.15         2.68   
Less distributions from:               

Net investment income

     (0.04)         (0.06)         (0.05)         (0.08)         (0.07)   

Net realized gains

                     (4.17)         (1.08)         (2.37)   

Total distributions

     (0.04)         (0.06)         (4.22)         (1.16)         (2.44)   
Net asset value, end of year      $7.10         $6.37         $5.21         $14.30         $13.31   

Total return4

     12.04 %5       23.59      (47.02)      17.35      23.76
Net assets, end of year (000s)      $20,432         $23,743         $23,535         $60,392         $57,596   
Ratios to average net assets:               

Gross expenses

     2.31      2.44      2.23      2.23 %6       2.26

Net expenses

     2.31         2.44         2.23         2.23 6,7       2.23 7 

Net investment income (loss)

     (0.01)         0.32         0.24         0.33         (0.32)   
Portfolio turnover rate      76      82      63      103      8

 

1

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

 

2

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

 

3

Amount represents less than $0.01 per share.

 

4

Performance figures, exclusive of CDSC, may reflect compensating balance arrangements, fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. In the absence of compensating balance arrangements, fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, the total return would have been lower. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

 

5

The total return reflects payments received due to the settlement of two regulatory matters. Absent these payments, the total return would have been 2.73% (Notes 9 and 10).

 

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 2.22%.

 

7

Reflects fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements.

 

The amount includes a payment of $0.51 per share received due to the settlement of a regulatory matter (Note 9).

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.


 

Legg Mason Global Currents International All Cap Opportunity Fund 2010 Annual Report     19   
For a share of each class of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each year ended October 31, unless otherwise noted:  

Class I Shares1

   2010      2009      2008      20072  
Net asset value, beginning of year      $7.50         $6.12         $16.16         $14.53   
Income (loss) from operations:            

Net investment income

     0.10         0.12         0.19         0.25   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     0.80 †       1.39         (5.88)         1.38   

Proceeds from settlement of a regulatory matter

     0.01                           

Total income (loss) from operations

     0.91         1.51         (5.69)         1.63   
Less distributions from:            

Net investment income

     (0.13)         (0.13)         (0.18)           

Net realized gains

                     (4.17)           

Total distributions

     (0.13)         (0.13)         (4.35)           
Net asset value, end of year      $8.28         $7.50         $6.12         $16.16   

Total return3

     12.23 %4       25.16      (47.11)      11.22
Net assets, end of year (000s)      $1,043         $79         $36         $172,508   
Ratios to average net assets:            

Gross expenses

     1.29      1.09      0.93      1.19 %5,6 

Net expenses

     1.14 7,8       1.03 7,8       0.93         1.19 5,6,8 

Net investment income

     1.23         1.91         1.73         2.46 5 
Portfolio turnover rate      76      82      63      103

 

1

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

 

2

For the period December 29, 2006 (inception date) to October 31, 2007.

 

3

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

 

4

The total return reflects payments received due to the settlement of two regulatory matters. Absent these payments, the total return would have been 3.96% (Notes 9 and 10).

 

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 1.19%.

 

7

As a result of an expense limitation arrangement, effective September 18, 2009 through December 31, 2012, the ratio of expenses, other than brokerage, interest, taxes, extraordinary expenses and acquired fund fees and expenses, to average net assets of Class I shares will not exceed 1.15%. This expense limitation arrangement cannot be terminated prior to December 31, 2012 without the Board of Trustees’ consent.

 

8

Reflects fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements.

 

The amount includes a payment of $0.60 per share received due to the settlement of a regulatory matter (Note 9).

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.


 

20   Legg Mason Global Currents International All Cap Opportunity Fund 2010 Annual Report

Financial highlights (cont’d)

 

For a share of each class of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each year ended October 31, unless otherwise noted:  

Class IS Shares1

   2010      2009      20082  
Net asset value, beginning of year      $ 7.63         $ 6.22         $ 9.15   
Income (loss) from operations:         

Net investment income

     0.11         0.11         0.02   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     0.82 †       1.43         (2.95)   

Total income (loss) from operations

     0.93         1.54         (2.93)   
Less distributions from:         

Net investment income

     (0.14)         (0.13)           

Total distributions

     (0.14)         (0.13)           
Net asset value, end of year      $8.42         $7.63         $6.22   

Total return3

     12.24 %4       25.25      (32.02)
Net assets, end of year (000s)      $135,671         $122,778         $92,313   
Ratios to average net assets:         

Gross expenses

     1.00      0.99      0.94 %5 

Net expenses

     1.00 6       0.99 6       0.94 5 

Net investment income

     1.32         1.78         0.87 5 
Portfolio turnover rate      76      82      63

 

1

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

 

2

For the period August 4, 2008 (inception date) to October 31, 2008.

 

3

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

 

4

The total return reflects a payment received due to the settlement of a regulatory matter. Absent this payment, the total return would have been 4.10% (Note 9).

 

5

Annualized.

 

6

As a result of an expense limitation arrangement, effective September 18, 2009 through December 31, 2012, the total annual operating expenses for Class IS shares will not exceed those of Class I shares. This expense limitation arrangement cannot be terminated prior to December 31, 2012 without the Board of Trustees’ consent.

 

The amount includes a payment of $0.61 per share received due to the settlement of a regulatory matter (Note 9).

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.


 

Legg Mason Global Currents International All Cap Opportunity Fund 2010 Annual Report     21   

Notes to financial statements

 

1. Organization and significant accounting policies

Legg Mason Global Currents International All Cap Opportunity Fund (the “Fund”) is a separate diversified investment series of Legg Mason Partners Equity Trust (the “Trust”). The Trust, a Maryland statutory trust, is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company.

The following are significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund and are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Estimates and assumptions are required to be made regarding assets, liabilities and changes in net assets resulting from operations when financial statements are prepared. Changes in the economic environment, financial markets and any other parameters used in determining these estimates could cause actual results to differ. Subsequent events have been evaluated through the date the financial statements were issued.

(a) Investment valuation. Equity securities for which market quotations are available are valued at the last reported sales price or official closing price on the primary market or exchange on which they trade. Debt securities are valued at the mean between the last quoted bid and asked prices provided by an independent pricing service, which are based on transactions in debt obligations, quotations from bond dealers, market transactions in comparable securities and various other relationships between securities. When prices are not readily available, or are determined not to reflect fair value, such as when the value of a security has been significantly affected by events after the close of the exchange or market on which the security is principally traded, but before the Fund calculates its net asset value, the Fund values these securities at fair value as determined in accordance with procedures approved by the Fund’s Board of Trustees. Short-term obligations with maturities of 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value.

The Fund has adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Codification Topic 820 (“ASC Topic 820”). ASC Topic 820 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 Fund’s investments, and requires additional disclosure about fair value. The hierarchy of inputs is summarized below.

 

Ÿ  

Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

 

Ÿ  

Level 2 — other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

 

Ÿ  

Level 3 — significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

The Fund uses valuation techniques to measure fair value that are consistent with the market approach and/or income approach, depending on the type of security and the particular circumstance. The market approach uses prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable securities. The income approach uses valuation techniques to discount estimated future cash flows to present value.

The following is a summary of the inputs used in valuing the Fund’s assets carried at fair value:

 

Description      Quoted Prices
(Level 1)
       Other Significant
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
      

Significant
Unobservable
Inputs

(Level 3)

       Total  
Common stocks†      $ 231,078,705                             $ 231,078,705   
Short-term investments†                $ 3,268,000                     3,268,000   
Total investments      $ 231,078,705         $ 3,268,000                   $ 234,346,705   

 

See Schedule of Investments for additional detailed categorizations.


 

22   Legg Mason Global Currents International All Cap Opportunity Fund 2010 Annual Report

Notes to financial statements (cont’d)

 

The following is a reconciliation of investments in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value:

 

Investments in Securities      Rights  
Balance as of October 31, 2009      $ 0
Accrued premium/discounts          
Realized gain (loss)          
Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)1        (0)
Net purchases (sales)          
Transfers into Level 3          
Transfers out of Level 3          
Balance as of October 31, 2010          
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) for investments in securities still held at October 31, 2010          

 

* Value is less than $1.

 

1

The amount is included in the change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) in the accompanying Statement of Operations. Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) includes net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) resulting from changes in investment values during the reporting period and the reversal of previously recorded unrealized appreciation (depreciation) when gain or losses are realized.

(b) Repurchase agreements. The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with institutions that its investment adviser has determined are creditworthy. Each repurchase agreement is recorded at cost. Under the terms of a typical repurchase agreement, the Fund acquires a debt security subject to an obligation of the seller to repurchase, and of the Fund to resell, the security at an agreed-upon price and time, thereby determining the yield during the Fund’s holding period. When entering into repurchase agreements, it is the Fund’s policy that its custodian or a third party custodian, acting on the Fund’s behalf, take possession of the underlying collateral securities, the market value of which, at all times, at least equals the principal amount of the repurchase transaction, including accrued interest. To the extent that any repurchase transaction maturity exceeds one business day, the value of the collateral is marked-to-market and measured against the value of the agreement in an effort to ensure the adequacy of the collateral. If the counterparty defaults, the Fund generally has the right to use the collateral to satisfy the terms of the repurchase transaction. However, if the market value of the collateral declines during the period in which the Fund seeks to assert its rights or if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of the security, realization of the collateral by the Fund may be delayed or limited.

(c) Foreign currency translation. Investment securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollar amounts based upon prevailing exchange rates on the date of valuation. Purchases and sales of investment securities and income and expense items denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollar amounts based upon prevailing exchange rates on the respective dates of such transactions.

The Fund does not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from fluctuations in foreign exchange rates on investments from the fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included with the net realized and unrealized gain or loss on investments.

Net realized foreign exchange gains or losses arise from sales of foreign currencies, including gains and losses on forward foreign currency contracts, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest, and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund’s books and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from changes in the values of assets and liabilities, other than investments in securities, on the date of valuation, resulting from changes in exchange rates.

Foreign security and currency transactions may involve certain considerations and risks not typically associated with those of U.S. dollar denominated transactions as a result of, among other factors, the possibility of lower levels of governmental supervision and regulation of foreign securities markets and the possibility of political or economic instability.

(d) Foreign investment risks. The Fund’s investments in foreign securities may involve risks not present in domestic investments. Since securities may be denominated in foreign currencies, may require settlement in foreign currencies or pay interest or dividends in foreign currencies, changes in the relationship of these


 

Legg Mason Global Currents International All Cap Opportunity Fund 2010 Annual Report     23   

foreign currencies to the U.S. dollar can significantly affect the value of the investments and earnings of the Fund. Foreign investments may also subject the Fund to foreign government exchange restrictions, expropriation, taxation or other political, social or economic developments, all of which affect the market and/or credit risk of the investments.

(e) Security transactions and investment income. Security transactions are accounted for on a trade date basis. Interest income, adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion of discount, is recorded on the accrual basis. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Foreign dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date or as soon as practicable after the Fund determines the existence of a dividend declaration after exercising reasonable due diligence. The cost of investments sold is determined by use of the specific identification method. To the extent any issuer defaults or a credit event occurs that impacts the issuer, the Fund may halt any additional interest income accruals and consider the realizability of interest accrued up to the date of default or credit event.

(f) Distributions to shareholders. Distributions from net investment income and distributions of net realized gains, if any, are declared at least annually. Distributions to shareholders of the Fund are recorded on the ex-dividend date and are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP.

(g) Share class accounting. Investment income, common expenses and realized/unrealized gains (losses) on investments are allocated to the various classes of the Fund on the basis of daily net assets of each class. Fees relating to a specific class are charged directly to that share class.

(h) Federal and other taxes. It is the Fund’s policy to comply with the federal income and excise tax requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”), as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies. Accordingly, the Fund intends to distribute its taxable income and net realized gains, if any, to shareholders in accordance with timing requirements imposed by the Code. Therefore, no federal or state income tax provision is required in the Fund’s financial statements.

Management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions taken on income tax returns for all open tax years and has concluded that as of October 31, 2010, no provision for income tax is required in the Fund’s financial statements. The Fund’s federal and state income and federal excise tax returns for tax years for which the applicable statutes of limitations have not expired are subject to examination by Internal Revenue Service and state departments of revenue.

Under the applicable foreign tax laws, a withholding tax may be imposed on interest, dividends and capital gains at various rates.

(i) Reclassification. GAAP requires that certain components of net assets be reclassified to reflect permanent differences between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset values per share. During the current year, the following reclassifications have been made:

 

       

Undistributed Net

Investment Income

      

Accumulated Net

Realized Loss

 
(a)      $ (406,084)         $ 406,084   

 

(a)

Reclassifications are primarily due to foreign currency transactions treated as ordinary income for tax purposes, book/tax differences in the treatment of passive foreign investment companies and book/tax differences in the treatment of various items.

2. Investment management agreement and other transactions with affiliates

Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (“LMPFA”) is the Fund’s investment manager and Global Currents Investment Management, LLC (“Global Currents”) is the Fund’s subadviser. LMPFA and Global Currents are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Legg Mason, Inc. (“Legg Mason”).


 

24   Legg Mason Global Currents International All Cap Opportunity Fund 2010 Annual Report

Notes to financial statements (cont’d)

 

Under the investment management agreement, the Fund pays an investment management fee calculated daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of the Fund’s average daily net assets, in accordance with the following breakpoint schedule:

 

Average Daily Net Assets      Annual Rate  
First $1 billion        0.850
Next $1 billion        0.825   
Next $3 billion        0.800   
Next $5 billion        0.775   
Over $10 billion        0.750   

LMPFA provides administrative and certain oversight services to the Fund. LMPFA delegates to the subadviser the day-to-day portfolio management of the Fund, except for the management of cash and short-term instruments. For its services, LMPFA pays Global Currents 70% of the net management fee it receives from the Fund.

As a result of an expense limitation arrangement between the Fund and LMPFA, the ratio of expenses, other than brokerage, interest, taxes, extraordinary expenses and acquired fund fees and expenses, to average net assets of Class I shares did not exceed 1.15%. In addition, the total annual operating expenses for Class IS shares did not exceed those of Class I shares. This expense limitation arrangement cannot be terminated prior to December 31, 2012 without the Board of Trustees’ consent.

During the year ended October 31, 2010, fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed amounted to $776.

The manager is permitted to recapture amounts previously forgone or reimbursed to a class during the same fiscal year if the class’ total annual operating expenses have fallen to a level below the expense limitation (“expense cap”) in effect at the time the fees were earned or the expense incurred. In no case will the manager recapture any amount that would result, on any particular business day of the Fund, in the class’ total annual operating expenses exceeding the expense cap or any other lower limit then in effect.

Legg Mason Investor Services, LLC (“LMIS”), a wholly-owned broker-dealer subsidiary of Legg Mason, serves as the Fund’s sole and exclusive distributor.

There is a maximum initial sales charge of 5.75% for Class A shares. There is a contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 5.00% on Class B shares, which applies if redemption occurs within one year from purchase payment.

This CDSC declines by 1.00% per year until no CDSC is incurred. Class C shares have a 1.00% CDSC, which applies if redemption occurs within one year from purchase payment. In certain cases, Class A shares have a 1.00% CDSC, which applies if redemption occurs within one year from purchase payment. This CDSC only applies to those purchases of Class A shares, which, when combined with current holdings of Class A shares, equal or exceed $1,000,000 in the aggregate. These purchases do not incur an initial sales charge.

For the year ended October 31, 2010, LMIS and its affiliates received sales charges of approximately $21,000 on sales of the Fund’s Class A shares. In addition, for the year ended October 31, 2010, CDSCs paid to LMIS and its affiliates were approximately:

 

        Class A        Class B        Class C  
CDSCs      $ 0      $ 10,000         $ 0

 

* Amount represents less than $1,000.

All officers and one Trustee of the Trust are employees of Legg Mason or its affiliates and do not receive compensation from the Trust.

3. Investments

During the year ended October 31, 2010, the aggregate cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investments (excluding short-term investments) were as follows:

 

Purchases      $ 166,922,358   
Sales        164,787,131   


 

Legg Mason Global Currents International All Cap Opportunity Fund 2010 Annual Report     25   

At October 31, 2010, the aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of investments for federal income tax purposes were substantially as follows:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation      $ 28,626,582   
Gross unrealized depreciation        (12,417,641)   
Net unrealized appreciation      $ 16,208,941   

4. Derivative instruments and hedging activities

Financial Accounting Standards Board Codification Topic 815 requires enhanced disclosure about an entity’s derivative and hedging activities.

During the year ended October 31, 2010, the Fund did not invest in any derivative instruments.

5. Class specific expenses, waivers and/or reimbursements

The Fund has adopted a Rule 12b-1 distribution plan and under that plan the Fund pays a service fee with respect to its Class A, B and C shares calculated at the annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of each respective class. The Fund also pays a distribution fee with respect to its Class B and C shares calculated at the annual rate of 0.75% of the average daily net assets of each respective class. Distribution fees are accrued daily and paid monthly.

For the year ended October 31, 2010, class specific expenses were as follows:

 

      Distribution
Fees
     Transfer Agent
Fees
 
Class A    $ 178,504       $ 155,767   
Class B      52,998         31,573   
Class C      220,867         71,613   
Class I              1,447   
Class IS              11,111   
Total    $ 452,369       $ 271,511   

For the year ended October 31, 2010, waivers and/or reimbursements by class were as follows:

 

       

Waivers/

Reimbursements

 
Class A          
Class B          
Class C          
Class I      $ 776   
Class IS          
Total      $ 776   

6. Distributions to shareholders by class

 

       

Year Ended

October 31, 2010

      

Year Ended

October 31, 2009

 
Net Investment Income:                      
Class A      $ 892,845         $ 1,040,793   
Class B        7,206           52,754   
Class C        126,858           238,140   
Class I        2,561           557   
Class IS        2,192,165           2,071,531   
Total      $ 3,221,635         $ 3,403,775   

7. Shares of beneficial interest

At October 31, 2010, the Trust had an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest authorized with a par value of 0.00001 per share. The Fund has the ability to issue multiple classes of shares. Each class of shares


 

26   Legg Mason Global Currents International All Cap Opportunity Fund 2010 Annual Report

Notes to financial statements (cont’d)

 

represents an identical interest and has the same rights, except that each class bears certain direct expenses, including those specifically related to the distribution of its shares.

Transactions in shares of each class were as follows:

 

       Year Ended
October 31, 2010
       Year Ended
October 31, 2009
 
        Shares        Amount        Shares        Amount  
Class A                                            
Shares sold        1,363,075         $ 10,789,705           1,374,309         $ 8,959,070   
Shares issued on reinvestment        109,123           876,256           170,080           1,025,580   
Shares repurchased        (2,132,189)           (16,952,905)           (2,698,585)           (16,616,875)   
Net decrease        (659,991)         $ (5,286,944)           (1,154,196)         $ (6,632,225)   
Class B                                            
Shares sold        122,372         $ 871,128           98,896         $ 578,925   
Shares issued on reinvestment        993           7,061           9,619           51,465   
Shares repurchased        (323,202)           (2,302,944)           (431,779)           (2,323,046)   
Net decrease        (199,837)         $ (1,424,755)           (323,264)         $ (1,692,656)   
Class C                                            
Shares sold        271,946         $ 1,829,105           595,142         $ 3,063,340   
Shares issued on reinvestment        18,243           123,688           46,049           235,311   
Shares repurchased        (1,139,477)           (7,614,999)           (1,428,863)           (7,383,485)   
Net decrease        (849,288)         $ (5,662,206)           (787,672)         $ (4,084,834)   
Class I                                            
Shares sold        144,439         $ 1,123,127           9,964         $ 58,743   
Shares issued on reinvestment        324           2,561           94           557   
Shares repurchased        (29,327)           (233,868)           (5,442)           (37,303)   
Net increase        115,436         $ 891,820           4,616         $ 21,997   
Class IS                                            
Shares sold        2,799,209         $ 21,598,561           3,095,383         $ 19,052,822   
Shares issued on reinvestment        272,657           2,192,165           341,379           2,061,931   
Shares repurchased        (3,050,768)           (24,826,826)           (2,198,722)           (13,672,711)   
Net increase (decrease)        21,098         $ (1,036,100)           1,238,040         $ 7,442,042   

8. Income tax information and distributions to shareholders

The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended October 31, were as follows:

 

        2010        2009  
Distributions Paid From:                      
Ordinary income      $ 3,221,635         $ 3,403,775   

As of October 31, 2010, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed ordinary income — net      $ 3,194,701   
Capital loss carryforward*        (74,033,395)   
Other book/tax temporary differences(a)        (52,555)   
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation)(b)        16,244,672   
Total accumulated earnings (losses) — net      $ (54,646,577)   

 

* During the taxable year ended October 31, 2010, the Fund utilized $26,282,780 of its capital loss carryover available from prior years. As of October 31, 2010, the Fund had the following net capital loss carryforwards remaining:
Year of Expiration      Amount  
10/31/2017      $ (74,033,395

This amount will be available to offset any future taxable capital gains.

 

(a)

Other book/tax temporary differences are attributable primarily to book/tax differences in the timing of the deductibility of various expenses.

 

(b)

The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales and the realization for tax purposes of unrealized gains on investments in passive foreign investment companies.


 

Legg Mason Global Currents International All Cap Opportunity Fund 2010 Annual Report     27   

9. Other matters

On March 30, 2010, the Fund received a payment of $17,676,412 as a part of the settlement of an administrative proceeding brought by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) against a certain broker-dealer. The proceeding related to deceptive market timing practices found in mutual funds facilitated by the broker-dealer.

10. Regulatory matters

On May 31, 2005, the SEC issued an order in connection with the settlement of an administrative proceeding against Smith Barney Fund Management LLC (“SBFM”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Legg Mason and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. (“CGM”), a former distributor of the Fund, relating to the appointment of an affiliated transfer agent for the Smith Barney family of mutual funds, including the Fund (the “Affected Funds”).

The SEC order found that SBFM and CGM willfully violated Section 206(1) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules promulgated thereunder (the “Advisers Act”). Specifically, the order found that SBFM and CGM knowingly or recklessly failed to disclose to the boards of the Affected Funds in 1999 when proposing a new transfer agent arrangement with an affiliated transfer agent that: First Data Investors Services Group (“First Data”), the Affected Funds’ then-existing transfer agent, had offered to continue as transfer agent and do the same work for substantially less money than before; and that Citigroup Asset Management (“CAM”), the Citigroup business unit that, at the time, included the Affected Funds’ investment manager and other investment advisory companies, had entered into a side letter with First Data under which CAM agreed to recommend the appointment of First Data as subtransfer 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 CGM. The order also found that SBFM and CGM willfully violated Section 206(2) of the Advisers Act by virtue of the omissions discussed above and other misrepresentations and omissions in the materials provided to the Affected Funds’ boards, including the failure to make clear that the affiliated transfer agent would earn a high profit for performing limited functions while First Data continued to perform almost all of the transfer agent functions, and the suggestion that the proposed arrangement was in the Affected Funds’ best interests and that no viable alternatives existed.

SBFM and CGM do not admit or deny any wrongdoing or liability. The settlement does not establish wrongdoing or liability for purposes of any other proceeding. The SEC censured SBFM and CGM and ordered them to cease and desist from violations of Sections 206(1) and 206(2) of the Advisers Act. The order required Citigroup to pay $208.1 million, including $109 million in disgorgement of profits, $19.1 million in interest, and a civil money penalty of $80 million. Approximately $24.4 million has already been paid to the Affected Funds, primarily through fee waivers. The remaining $183.7 million, including the penalty, has been paid to the U.S. Treasury and will be distributed pursuant to a plan submitted for the approval of the SEC. The order also required that transfer agency fees received from the Affected Funds since December 1, 2004, less certain expenses, be placed in escrow and provided that a portion of such fees might be subsequently distributed in accordance with the terms of the order. On April 3, 2006, an aggregate amount of approximately $9 million held in escrow was distributed to the Affected Funds.

The order required SBFM to recommend a new transfer agent contract to the Affected Funds’ Fund boards within 180 days of the entry of the order; if a Citigroup affiliate submitted a proposal to serve as transfer agent or subtransfer agent, SBFM and CGM would have been required, at their expense, to engage an independent monitor to oversee a competitive bidding process. On November 21, 2005, and within the specified timeframe, the Affected Funds’ Boards selected a new transfer agent for the Affected Funds. No Citigroup affiliate submitted a proposal to serve as transfer agent. Under the order, 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.


 

28   Legg Mason Global Currents International All Cap Opportunity Fund 2010 Annual Report

Notes to financial statements (cont’d)

 

On May 12, 2010, the SEC approved the disbursement of approximately $108.6 million previously paid to the U.S. Treasury, reflecting the disgorgement of Citigroup’s profits, plus interest. On May 26, 2010, these amounts were disbursed to the Affected Funds pursuant to a Plan of Distribution approved by the SEC. The Fund has received $368,065, $230,071, $255,093 and $363 for Classes A, B, C, and I, respectively, related to this distribution. All other amounts not previously distributed were retained by the U.S. Treasury.

11. Legal matters

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

On December 15, 2004, a consolidated amended complaint (the “Complaint”) was filed alleging substantially similar causes of action. On May 27, 2005, all of the Defendants filed motions to dismiss the Complaint. On July 26, 2006, the court issued a decision and order (1) finding that plaintiffs lacked standing to sue on behalf of the shareholders of the Funds in which none of the plaintiffs had invested and dismissing those Funds from the case (although stating that they could be brought back into the case if standing as to them could be established), and (2) other than one stayed claim, dismissing all of the causes of action against the remaining Defendants, with prejudice, except for the cause of action under Section 36(b) of the 1940 Act, which the court granted plaintiffs leave to repeal 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, against CAM, SBAM and SBFM as investment advisers to the identified funds, as well as CGM as a distributor for the identified funds (collectively, the “Second Amended Complaint Defendants”). The Fund was not identified in the Second Amended Complaint. The Second Amended Complaint alleges no claims against any of the funds or any of their Board Members. Under Section 36(b), the Second Amended Complaint alleges similar facts and seeks similar relief against the Second Amended Complaint Defendants as the Complaint.

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

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


 

Legg Mason Global Currents International All Cap Opportunity Fund 2010 Annual Report     29   

 

Report of independent registered public

accounting firm

 

The Board of Trustees and Shareholders

Legg Mason Partners Equity Trust:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Legg Mason Global Currents International All Cap Opportunity Fund, a series of Legg Mason Partners Equity Trust, including the schedule of investments, as of October 31, 2010, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years or periods in the five-year period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of October 31, 2010, by correspondence with the custodian and broker. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Legg Mason Global Currents International All Cap Opportunity Fund as of October 31, 2010, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years or periods in the five-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

LOGO

New York, New York

December 14, 2010


 

30   Legg Mason Global Currents International All Cap Opportunity Fund

 

Additional information (unaudited)

Information about Trustees and Officers

 

The business and affairs of Legg Mason Global Currents International All Cap Opportunity Fund (the “Fund”) are conducted by management under the supervision and subject to the direction of its Board of Trustees. The business address of each Trustee is c/o R. Jay Gerken, 620 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 10018. Information pertaining to the Trustees and officers of the Fund is set forth below.

The Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about Trustees and is available, without charge, upon request by calling the Fund at 1-877-721-1926.

 

Independent Trustees†:
Paul R. Ades
Year of birth    1940
Position(s) with Trust    Trustee
Term of office1 and length of time served2    Since 1983
Principal occupation(s) during past five years    Paul R. Ades, PLLC (law firm) (since 2000)
Number of funds in fund complex overseen
by Trustee
   53
Other board memberships held by Trustee during past five years    None
Andrew L. Breech
Year of birth    1952
Position(s) with Trust    Trustee
Term of office1 and length of time served2    Since 1991
Principal occupation(s) during past five years    President, Dealer Operating Control Service, Inc. (automotive retail management) (since 1985)
Number of funds in fund complex overseen
by Trustee
   53
Other board memberships held by Trustee during past five years    None
Dwight B. Crane
Year of birth    1937
Position(s) with Trust    Trustee
Term of office1 and length of time served2    Since 1981
Principal occupation(s) during past five years    Professor Emeritus, Harvard Business School (since 2007); formerly, Professor, Harvard Business School (1969 to 2007); Independent Consultant (since 1969)
Number of funds in fund complex overseen
by Trustee
   53
Other board memberships held by Trustee during past five years    None
Frank G. Hubbard
Year of birth    1937
Position(s) with Trust    Trustee
Term of office1 and length of time served2    Since 1993
Principal occupation(s) during past five years    President, Avatar International Inc. (business development) (since 1998)
Number of funds in fund complex overseen
by Trustee
   53
Other board memberships held by Trustee during past five years    None


 

Legg Mason Global Currents International All Cap Opportunity Fund     31   

 

Independent Trustees cont’d
Howard J. Johnson
Year of birth    1938
Position(s) with Trust    Trustee
Term of office1 and length of time served2    From 1981 to 1998 and since 2000
Principal occupation(s) during past five years    Chief Executive Officer, Genesis Imaging LLC (technology company) (since 2003)
Number of funds in fund complex overseen
by Trustee
   53
Other board memberships held by Trustee during past five years    None
David E. Maryatt
Year of birth    1936
Position(s) with Trust    Trustee
Term of office1 and length of time served2    Since 1983
Principal occupation(s) during past five years    Private Investor; President and Director, ALS Co. (real estate management and development firm) (since 1992)
Number of funds in fund complex overseen
by Trustee
   53
Other board memberships held by Trustee during past five years    None
Jerome H. Miller
Year of birth    1938
Position(s) with Trust    Trustee
Term of office1 and length of time served2    Since 1995
Principal occupation(s) during past five years    Retired
Number of funds in fund complex overseen
by Trustee
   53
Other board memberships held by Trustee during past five years    None
Ken Miller
Year of birth    1942
Position(s) with Trust    Trustee
Term of office1 and length of time served2    Since 1983
Principal occupation(s) during past five years    President, Young Stuff Apparel Group, Inc. (apparel manufacturer), division of Li & Fung (since 1963)
Number of funds in fund complex overseen
by Trustee
   53
Other board memberships held by Trustee during past five years    None


 

32   Legg Mason Global Currents International All Cap Opportunity Fund

Additional information (unaudited) (cont’d)

Information about Trustees and Officers

 

Independent Trustees cont’d
John J. Murphy
Year of birth    1944
Position(s) with Trust    Trustee
Term of office1 and length of time served2    Since 2002
Principal occupation(s) during past five years    Founder and Senior Principal, Murphy Capital Management (investment management) (since 1983)
Number of funds in fund complex overseen
by Trustee
   53
Other board memberships held by Trustee during past five years    Trustee, UBS Funds (52 funds) (since 2008); Director, Nicholas Applegate Institutional Funds (12 funds) (since 2005); Trustee, Consulting Group Capital Markets Funds (11 funds) (since 2002); formerly, Director, Atlantic Stewardship Bank (2004 to 2005); formerly, Director, Barclays International Funds Group Ltd. and affiliated companies (1983 to 2003)
Thomas F. Schlafly
Year of birth    1948
Position(s) with Trust    Trustee
Term of office1 and length of time served2    Since 1983
Principal occupation(s) during past five years    President, The Saint Louis Brewery, Inc. (brewery) (since 1989); Partner, Thompson Coburn LLP (law firm) (since 2009); formerly, Of Counsel, Husch Blackwell Sanders LLP (law firm) and its predecessor firms (1984 to 2009)
Number of funds in fund complex overseen
by Trustee
   53
Other board memberships held by Trustee during past five years    Director, Citizens National Bank of Greater St. Louis (since 2006)
Jerry A. Viscione
Year of birth    1944
Position(s) with Trust    Trustee
Term of office1 and length of time served2    Since 1993
Principal occupation(s) during past five years    Retired
Number of funds in fund complex overseen
by Trustee
   53
Other board memberships held by Trustee during past five years    None
Interested Trustee and Officer:     
R. Jay Gerken, CFA3   
Year of birth    1951
Position(s) with Trust    Trustee, President, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Term of office1 and length of time served2    Since 2002
Principal occupation(s) during past five years    Managing Director of Legg Mason & Co., LLC (“Legg Mason & Co.”) (since 2005); Officer and Trustee/Director of 149 funds associated with Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (“LMPFA”) or its affiliates (since 2006) and Legg Mason & Co. predecessors (prior to 2006); President and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) of LMPFA (since 2006); President and CEO of Smith Barney Fund Management LLC (“SBFM”) and Citi Fund Management, Inc. (“CFM”) (formerly registered investment advisers) (since 2002); formerly, Chairman, President and CEO, Travelers Investment Adviser Inc. (prior to 2005)
Number of funds in fund complex overseen
by Trustee
   136
Other board memberships held by Trustee during past five years    Former Trustee, Consulting Group Capital Markets Funds (11 funds) (prior to 2006)


 

Legg Mason Global Currents International All Cap Opportunity Fund     33   

 

Additional Officers     

Ted P. Becker

Legg Mason

620 Eighth Avenue, New York, NY 10018

  
Year of birth    1951
Position(s) with Trust    Chief Compliance Officer
Term of office1 and length of time served2    Since 2007
Principal occupation(s) during past five years    Director of Global Compliance at Legg Mason (since 2006); Chief Compliance Officer of LMPFA (since 2006); Managing Director of Compliance of Legg Mason & Co. (since 2005); Chief Compliance Officer of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (since 2006) and Legg Mason & Co. predecessors (prior to 2006)

John Chiota

Legg Mason

100 First Stamford Place, Stamford, CT 06902

  
Year of birth    1968
Position(s) with Trust    Chief Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer and Identity Theft Prevention Officer
Term of office1 and length of time served2    Since 2007 and 2008
Principal occupation(s) during past five years    Identity Theft Prevention Officer of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (since 2008); Chief Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (since 2006); Vice President of Legg Mason & Co. (since 2006) and Legg Mason & Co. predecessors (prior to 2006); formerly, Chief Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer of TD Waterhouse (prior to 2004)

Robert I. Frenkel

Legg Mason

100 First Stamford Place, Stamford, CT 06902

  
Year of birth    1954
Position(s) with Trust    Secretary and Chief Legal Officer
Term of office1 and length of time served2    Since 2007
Principal occupation(s) during past five years    Vice President and Deputy General Counsel of Legg Mason (since 2006); Managing Director and General Counsel of Global Mutual Funds for Legg Mason & Co. (since 2006) and Legg Mason & Co. predecessors (since 1994); Secretary and Chief Legal Officer of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (since 2006) and Legg Mason & Co. predecessors (prior to 2006)

Thomas C. Mandia

Legg Mason

100 First Stamford Place, Stamford, CT 06902

  
Year of birth    1962
Position(s) with Trust    Assistant Secretary
Term of office1 and length of time served2    Since 2007
Principal occupation(s) during past five years    Managing Director and Deputy General Counsel of Legg Mason & Co. (since 2005) and Legg Mason & Co. predecessors (prior to 2005); Secretary of LMPFA (since 2006); Assistant Secretary of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (since 2006) and Legg Mason & Co. predecessors (prior to 2006); Secretary to SBFM and CFM (since 2002)


 

34   Legg Mason Global Currents International All Cap Opportunity Fund

Additional information (unaudited) (cont’d)

Information about Trustees and Officers

 

Additional Officers cont’d     

Kaprel Ozsolak

Legg Mason

55 Water Street, New York, NY 10041

  
Year of birth    1965
Position(s) with Trust    Chief Financial Officer
Term of office1 and length of time served2    Since 2007
Principal occupation(s) during past five years    Director of Legg Mason & Co. (since 2005); Chief Financial Officer of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (since 2007) and Legg Mason & Co. predecessors (prior to 2007); formerly, Treasurer of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (prior to 2010) and Legg Mason & Co. predecessors (prior to 2005); formerly, Controller of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. predecessors (prior to 2004)

Albert Laskaj

Legg Mason

55 Water Street, New York, NY 10041

  
Year of birth    1977
Position(s) with Trust    Treasurer
Term of office1 and length of time served2    Since 2010
Principal occupation(s) during past five years    Vice President of Legg Mason & Co. (since 2008); Treasurer of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (since 2010); formerly, Controller of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (prior to 2010); formerly, Assistant Controller of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (prior to 2007); formerly, Accounting Manager of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. predecessors (prior to 2005)

Jeanne M. Kelly

Legg Mason

620 Eighth Avenue, New York, NY 10018

  
Year of birth    1951
Position(s) with Trust    Senior Vice President
Term of office1 and length of time served2    Since 2007
Principal occupation(s) during past five years    Senior Vice President of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (since 2007); Senior Vice President of LMPFA (since 2006); Managing Director of Legg Mason & Co. (since 2005) and Legg Mason & Co. predecessors (prior to 2005)

 

Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Fund within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act.

 

1

Each Trustee and officer serves until his or her respective successor has been duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation, retirement or removal.

 

2

Indicates the earliest year in which the Trustee became a board member for a fund in the Legg Mason fund complex or the officer took such office.

 

3

Mr. Gerken is an “interested person” of the Fund, as defined in the 1940 Act, because of his position with LMPFA and/or certain of its affiliates.


 

Legg Mason Global Currents International All Cap Opportunity Fund     35   

Important tax information (unaudited)

 

The following information is provided with respect to the distributions paid during the taxable year ended October 31, 2010:

 

Record date:        12/28/2009   
Payable date:        12/29/2009   
Ordinary income:           

Qualified dividend income for individuals

       100.00
Foreign source income        88.46 %* 
Foreign taxes paid per share        $0.016302   

 

* Expressed as a percentage of the cash distribution grossed-up for foreign taxes.

The foreign taxes paid represent taxes incurred by the Fund on income received by the Fund from foreign sources. Foreign taxes paid may be included in taxable income with an offsetting deduction from gross income or may be taken as a credit for taxes paid to foreign governments. You should consult your tax adviser regarding the appropriate treatment of foreign taxes paid.

Please retain this information for your records.


Legg Mason Global Currents

International All Cap Opportunity Fund

 

Trustees

Paul R. Ades

Andrew L. Breech

Dwight B. Crane

R. Jay Gerken, CFA

Chairman

Frank G. Hubbard

Howard J. Johnson

David E. Maryatt

Jerome H. Miller

Ken Miller

John J. Murphy

Thomas F. Schlafly

Jerry A. Viscione

Investment manager

Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC

Subadviser

Global Currents Investment Management, LLC

Distributor

Legg Mason Investor Services, LLC

Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Company

Co-transfer agents

Boston Financial Data Services, Inc.

2000 Crown Colony Drive

Quincy, MA 02169

BNY Mellon Asset Servicing

4400 Computer Drive

Westborough, MA 01581

Independent registered public accounting firm

KPMG LLP

345 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10154


Legg Mason Global Currents International All Cap Opportunity Fund

The Fund is a separate investment series of Legg Mason Partners Equity Trust, a Maryland statutory trust.

Legg Mason Global Currents International All Cap Opportunity Fund

Legg Mason Funds

55 Water Street

New York, NY 10041

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington D.C., and information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. To obtain information on Form N-Q, shareholders can call the Fund at 1-877-721-1926.

Information on how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the prior 12-month period ended June 30th of each year and a description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio transactions are available (1) without charge, upon request, by calling the Fund at 1-877-721-1926, (2) on the Fund’s website at www.leggmason.com/individualinvestors and (3) on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.


This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholders of Legg Mason Global Currents International All Cap Opportunity Fund. This report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the Fund unless preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus.

Investors should consider the Fund’s investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. The prospectus contains this and other important information about the Fund. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing.

www.leggmason.com/individualinvestors

© 2010 Legg Mason Investors Services, LLC

Member FINRA, SIPC


Privacy policy

 

We are committed to keeping nonpublic personal information about you secure and confidential. This notice is intended to help you understand how we fulfill this commitment. From time to time, we may collect a variety of personal information about you, including:

 

Ÿ  

Information we receive from you on applications and forms, via the telephone, and through our websites;

 

Ÿ  

Information about your transactions with us, our affiliates, or others (such as your purchases, sales, or account balances); and

 

Ÿ  

Information we receive from consumer reporting agencies.

We do not disclose nonpublic personal information about our customers or former customers, except to our affiliates (such as broker-dealers or investment advisers within the Legg Mason family of companies) or as is otherwise permitted by applicable law or regulation. For example, we may share this information with others in order to process your transactions or service an account. We may also provide this information to companies that perform marketing services on our behalf, such as printing and mailing, or to other financial institutions with whom we have joint marketing agreements. When we enter into such agreements, we will require these companies to protect the confidentiality of this information and to use it only to perform the services for which we hired them.

With respect to our internal security procedures, we maintain physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards to protect your nonpublic personal information, and we restrict access to this information.

If you decide at some point either to close your account(s) or become an inactive customer, we will continue to adhere to our privacy policies and practices with respect to your nonpublic personal information.

 

NOT PART OF THE ANNUAL REPORT



 

www.leggmason.com/individualinvestors

©2010 Legg Mason Investor Services, LLC Member FINRA, SIPC

FD01936 12/10 SR10-1249


 

ITEM 2. CODE OF ETHICS.

The registrant has adopted a code of ethics that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller.

 

ITEM 3. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.

The Board of Trustees of the registrant has determined that Jerry A. Viscione possesses the technical attributes identified in Instruction 2(b) of Item 3 to Form N-CSR to qualify as an “audit committee financial expert,” and has designated Mr. Viscione as the Audit Committee’s financial expert. Mr. Viscione is an “independent” Trustees pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Item 3 to Form N-CSR.

 

ITEM 4. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.

a) Audit Fees. The aggregate fees billed in the last two fiscal years ending October 31, 2009 and October 31, 2010 (the “Reporting Periods”) for professional services rendered by the Registrant’s principal accountant (the “Auditor”) for the audit of the Registrant’s annual financial statements, or services that are normally provided by the Auditor in connection with the statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for the Reporting Periods, were $325,445 in 2009 and $342,771 in 2010.

b) Audit-Related Fees. The aggregate fees billed in the Reporting Period for assurance and related services by the Auditor that are reasonably related to the performance of the Registrant’s financial statements were $285 in 2009 and $20,629 in 2010. These services consisted of procedures performed in connection with the Re-domiciliation of the various reviews of Prospectus supplements, and consent issuances related to the N-1A filings for the Legg Mason Partners Equity Trust.

In addition, there were no Audit-Related Fees billed in the Reporting Period for assurance and related services by the Auditor to the Registrant’s investment adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the Legg Mason Partners Equity Trust (“service affiliates”), that were reasonably related to the performance of the annual audit of the service affiliates. Accordingly, there were no such fees that required pre-approval by the Audit Committee for the Reporting Period.

(c) Tax Fees. The aggregate fees billed in the Reporting Periods for professional services rendered by the Auditor for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning (“Tax Services”) were $41,200 in 2009 and $23,079 in 2010. These services consisted of (i) review or preparation of U.S. federal, state, local and excise tax returns; (ii) U.S. federal, state and local tax planning, advice and assistance regarding statutory, regulatory or administrative developments, and (iii) tax advice regarding tax qualification matters and/or treatment of various financial instruments held or proposed to be acquired or held.

There were no fees billed for tax services by the Auditors to service affiliates during the Reporting Periods that required pre-approval by the Audit Committee.

d) All Other Fees. There were no other fees billed in the Reporting Periods for products and services provided by the Auditor, other than the services reported in paragraphs (a) through (c) for the Item 4 for the Legg Mason Partners Equity Trust.

All Other Fees. There were no other non-audit services rendered by the Auditor to Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisors, LLC (“LMPFA”), and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with LMPFA that provided ongoing services to Legg Mason Partners Equity Trust requiring pre-approval by the Audit Committee in the Reporting Period.


(e) Audit Committee’s pre–approval policies and procedures described in paragraph (c) (7) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.

(1) The Charter for the Audit Committee (the “Committee”) of the Board of each registered investment company (the “Fund”) advised by LMPFA or one of their affiliates (each, an “Adviser”) requires that the Committee shall approve (a) all audit and permissible non-audit services to be provided to the Fund and (b) all permissible non-audit services to be provided by the Fund’s independent auditors to the Adviser and any Covered Service Providers if the engagement relates directly to the operations and financial reporting of the Fund. The Committee may implement policies and procedures by which such services are approved other than by the full Committee.

The Committee shall not approve non-audit services that the Committee believes may impair the independence of the auditors. As of the date of the approval of this Audit Committee Charter, permissible non-audit services include any professional services (including tax services), that are not prohibited services as described below, provided to the Fund by the independent auditors, other than those provided to the Fund in connection with an audit or a review of the financial statements of the Fund. Permissible non-audit services may not include: (i) bookkeeping or other services related to the accounting records or financial statements of the Fund; (ii) financial information systems design and implementation; (iii) appraisal or valuation services, fairness opinions or contribution-in-kind reports; (iv) actuarial services; (v) internal audit outsourcing services; (vi) management functions or human resources; (vii) broker or dealer, investment adviser or investment banking services; (viii) legal services and expert services unrelated to the audit; and (ix) any other service the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board determines, by regulation, is impermissible.

Pre-approval by the Committee of any permissible non-audit services is not required so long as: (i) the aggregate amount of all such permissible non-audit services provided to the Fund, the Adviser and any service providers controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Adviser that provide ongoing services to the Fund (“Covered Service Providers”) constitutes not more than 5% of the total amount of revenues paid to the independent auditors during the fiscal year in which the permissible non-audit services are provided to (a) the Fund, (b) the Adviser and (c) any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Adviser that provides ongoing services to the Fund during the fiscal year in which the services are provided that would have to be approved by the Committee; (ii) the permissible non-audit services were not recognized by the Fund at the time of the engagement to be non-audit services; and (iii) such services are promptly brought to the attention of the Committee and approved by the Committee (or its delegate(s)) prior to the completion of the audit.

(2) For the Legg Mason Partners Equity Trust, the percentage of fees that were approved by the audit committee, with respect to: Audit-Related Fees were 100% and 100% for 2009 and 2010; Tax Fees were 100% and 100% for 2009 and 2010; and Other Fees were 100% and 100% for 2009 and 2010.

(f) N/A

(g) Non-audit fees billed by the Auditor for services rendered to Legg Mason Partners Equity Trust, LMPFA and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with LMPFA that provides ongoing services to Legg Mason Partners Equity Trust during the reporting period were $0 in 2010.

(h) Yes. Legg Mason Partners Equity Trust’s Audit Committee has considered whether the provision of non-audit services that were rendered to Service Affiliates, which were not pre-approved (not requiring pre-approval), is compatible with maintaining the Accountant’s independence. All services provided by the Auditor to the Legg Mason Partners Equity Trust or to Service Affiliates, which were required to be pre-approved, were pre-approved as required.


 

ITEM 5. AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS.

 

  a) The independent board members are acting as the registrant’s audit committee as specified in Section 3(a)(58)(B) of the Exchange Act. The Audit Committee consists of the following Board members:

Paul R. Ades

Andrew L. Breech

Dwight B. Crane

Frank G. Hubbard

Howard J. Johnson

David E. Maryatt

Jerome H. Miller

Ken Miller

John J. Murphy

Thomas F. Schlafly

Jerry A. Viscione

 

  b) Not applicable.

 

ITEM 6. SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS.

Included herein under Item 1.

 

ITEM 7. DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 8. PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 9. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS.

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 10. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 11. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

 

  (a) The registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a- 3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”)) are effective as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report that includes the disclosure required by this paragraph, based on their evaluation of the disclosure controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act and 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

  (b) There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act) that occurred during the registrant’s last fiscal half-year (the registrant’s second fiscal half-year in the case of an annual report) that have materially affected, or are likely to materially affect the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.


 

ITEM 12. EXHIBITS.

(a) (1) Code of Ethics attached hereto.

Exhibit 99.CODE ETH

(a) (2) Certifications pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 attached hereto.

Exhibit 99.CERT

(b) Certifications pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 attached hereto.

Exhibit 99.906CERT


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, there unto duly authorized.

Legg Mason Partners Equity Trust

 

By:

 

/S/    R. JAY GERKEN        

  (R. Jay Gerken)
  Chief Executive Officer of
  Legg Mason Partners Equity Trust

Date:

  December 21, 2010

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

By:  

/S/    R. JAY GERKEN        

  (R. Jay Gerken)
  Chief Executive Officer of
  Legg Mason Partners Equity Trust
Date:   December 21, 2010

 

By:  

/S/    KAPREL OZSOLAK        

  (Kaprel Ozsolak)
  Chief Financial Officer of
  Legg Mason Partners Equity Trust
Date:   December 21, 2010