ClearBridge Energy Midstream (NYSE: EMO) details 2025 return and payout
ClearBridge Energy Midstream Opportunity Fund Inc. reports a twelve-month total return of -4.83% based on net asset value and -1.28% based on its New York Stock Exchange market price for the period ended November 30, 2025, while the Alerian MLP Index gained 3.55%.
The Fund, which invests primarily in energy midstream entities, maintained its focus on fee-based infrastructure businesses with long-term contracts and limited direct commodity price exposure. It paid total distributions of $4.23 per share during the year, of which $3.42 is expected to be treated as return of capital for tax purposes, and ended the period with net assets applicable to common shareholders of about $978.4 million and a net asset value of $48.88 per share.
Positive
- None.
Negative
- None.
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED
MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES
Investment Company Act file number 811-22546
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
One Madison Avenue, 17th Floor, New York, NY 10010
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
Marc A. De Oliveira
Franklin Templeton
100 First Stamford Place
Stamford, CT 06902
(Name and address of agent for service)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 1-888-777-0102
Date of fiscal year end: November 30
Date of reporting period:
| ITEM 1. | REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS |
(a) The Report to Shareholders is filed herewith

ENERGY MIDSTREAM OPPORTUNITY FUND
INC. (EMO)

The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing primarily in energy midstream entities.
|
Letter
from the president |
III
|
|
Fund
overview |
1
|
|
Fund
at a glance |
6
|
|
Fund
performance |
7
|
|
Schedule
of investments |
9
|
|
Statement
of assets and liabilities |
11
|
|
Statement
of operations |
12
|
|
Statements
of changes in net assets |
13
|
|
Statement
of cash flows |
14
|
|
Financial
highlights |
16
|
|
Notes
to financial statements |
21
|
|
Report
of independent registered public accounting firm
|
38
|
|
Additional
information |
39
|
|
Annual
chief executive officer and principal financial officer certifications |
45
|
|
Other
shareholder communications regarding accounting matters |
46
|
|
Important
information to shareholders |
47
|
|
Summary
of information regarding the Fund |
54
|
|
Dividend
reinvestment plan |
85
|
II

President and Chief Executive Officer
III
1
|
Performance
Snapshot as of November 30, 2025
| |
|
Price
Per Share |
12-Month
Total
Return* |
|
$48.88
(NAV) |
-4.83
%† |
|
$45.55
(Market Price) |
-1.28
%‡ |
2
Portfolio Manager
ClearBridge Investments, LLC
3
Portfolio Manager
ClearBridge Investments, LLC
4
5
6
|
Net
Asset Value | |
|
Average
annual total returns1
|
|
|
Twelve
Months Ended 11/30/25 |
-4.83
% |
|
Five
Years Ended 11/30/25 |
31.73
|
|
Ten
Years Ended 11/30/25 |
3.80
|
|
Cumulative
total returns1
|
|
|
11/30/15
through 11/30/25 |
45.23
% |
|
Market
Price | |
|
Average
annual total returns2
|
|
|
Twelve
Months Ended 11/30/25 |
-1.28
% |
|
Five
Years Ended 11/30/25 |
39.11
|
|
Ten
Years Ended 11/30/25 |
4.51
|
|
Cumulative
total returns2
|
|
|
11/30/15
through 11/30/25 |
55.39
% |
|
1
|
Assumes
the reinvestment of all distributions, including returns of capital, if any, at net asset value. |
|
2
|
Assumes
the reinvestment of all distributions, including returns of capital, if any, in additional shares in
accordance
with the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan. |
7
8
|
Security
|
|
|
|
Shares/Units
|
Value
|
|
Master
Limited Partnerships — 63.9% | |||||
|
Diversified
Energy Infrastructure — 34.2% | |||||
|
Energy
Transfer LP |
6,973,259
|
$116,523,158
| |||
|
Enterprise
Products Partners LP |
2,378,260
|
77,864,232
| |||
|
Genesis
Energy LP |
2,897,883
|
45,177,996
| |||
|
Plains
All American Pipeline LP |
2,670,671
|
46,496,382
| |||
|
Plains
GP Holdings LP, Class A Shares |
2,614,816
|
48,478,689
*
| |||
|
Total
Diversified Energy Infrastructure |
334,540,457
| ||||
|
Gathering/Processing
— 14.4% | |||||
|
Hess
Midstream LP, Class A Shares |
1,465,985
|
49,374,375
| |||
|
Western
Midstream Partners LP |
2,332,943
|
91,754,648
| |||
|
Total
Gathering/Processing |
141,129,023
| ||||
|
Liquids
Transportation & Storage — 1.3% | |||||
|
Delek
Logistics Partners LP |
279,818
|
12,826,857
| |||
|
Natural
Gas Transportation & Storage — 3.2% | |||||
|
Cheniere
Energy Partners LP |
561,873
|
30,622,079
| |||
|
Oil/Refined
Products — 10.8% | |||||
|
MPLX
LP |
1,946,431
|
105,749,596
| |||
|
| |||||
|
Total
Master Limited Partnerships (Cost — $531,641,888) |
624,868,012
| ||||
|
|
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Common
Stocks — 61.1% | |||||
|
Energy
— 61.1% | |||||
|
Oil,
Gas & Consumable Fuels — 61.1% | |||||
|
Antero
Midstream Corp. |
3,305,098
|
59,524,815
| |||
|
DT
Midstream Inc. |
195,705
|
23,770,329
| |||
|
Enbridge
Inc. |
1,276,573
|
62,271,231
| |||
|
Kinder
Morgan Inc. |
2,669,954
|
72,943,143
| |||
|
ONEOK
Inc. |
1,173,728
|
85,470,873
| |||
|
SunocoCorp
LLC |
409,772
|
21,619,571
*
| |||
|
Targa
Resources Corp. |
710,170
|
124,499,903
| |||
|
TC
Energy Corp. |
994,172
|
54,401,092
| |||
|
Williams
Cos. Inc. |
1,536,493
|
93,618,518
| |||
|
| |||||
|
Total
Common Stocks (Cost — $489,000,080) |
598,119,475
| ||||
|
Total
Investments before Short-Term Investments (Cost — $1,020,641,968) |
1,222,987,487
| ||||
9
|
Security
|
|
Rate
|
|
Shares
|
Value
|
|
Short-Term
Investments — 3.4% | |||||
|
JPMorgan
100% U.S. Treasury Securities
Money
Market Fund, Institutional Class
(Cost
— $32,822,946) |
|
3.762%
|
|
32,822,946
|
$32,822,946
(a)
|
|
Total
Investments** — 128.4% (Cost — $1,053,464,914) |
1,255,810,433
| ||||
|
Mandatory
Redeemable Preferred Stock, at Liquidation Value — (7.0)% |
(68,200,265
) | ||||
|
Other
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (21.4)% |
(209,217,174
) | ||||
|
Total
Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders — 100.0% |
$978,392,994
| ||||
|
*
|
Non-income
producing security. |
|
**
|
The
entire portfolio is subject to a lien, granted to the lender and Senior Note holders, to the extent of the
borrowings
outstanding and any additional expenses. |
|
(a)
|
Rate
shown is one-day yield as of the end of the reporting period.
|
10
|
Assets:
|
|
|
Investments,
at value (Cost — $1,053,464,914) |
$1,255,810,433
|
|
Cash
|
11,366
|
|
Income
tax receivable |
8,284,348
|
|
Dividends
and distributions receivable |
731,829
|
|
Money
market fund distributions receivable |
115,235
|
|
Prepaid
expenses |
81,022
|
|
Total
Assets |
1,265,034,233
|
|
Liabilities:
|
|
|
Loan
payable (Note
5) |
134,000,000
|
|
Mandatory
Redeemable Preferred Stock ($35 liquidation value per share; 1,948,579 shares
issued
and outstanding) (net of deferred offering costs of $896,171) (Note
7) |
67,304,094
|
|
Deferred
tax liability (Note
14) |
58,344,440
|
|
Senior
Secured Notes (net of deferred debt issuance and offering costs of
$45,699) (Note
6) |
17,445,095
|
|
Distributions
payable |
7,205,266
|
|
Investment
management fee payable |
915,950
|
|
Interest
and commitment fees payable |
440,786
|
|
Distributions
payable to Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Stockholders |
188,440
|
|
Payable
for securities purchased |
99,460
|
|
Directors’
fees payable |
9,295
|
|
Accrued
expenses |
688,413
|
|
Total
Liabilities |
286,641,239
|
|
Total
Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders |
$978,392,994
|
|
Net
Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders: |
|
|
Common
stock par value ($0.001 par value; 20,014,627 shares issued and outstanding;
98,051,421
common shares authorized)
|
$20,015
|
|
Paid-in
capital in excess of par value |
866,250,357
|
|
Total
distributable earnings (loss), net of income taxes |
112,122,622
|
|
Total
Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders |
$978,392,994
|
|
Common
Shares Outstanding |
20,014,627
|
|
Net
Asset Value Per Common Share |
$48.88
|
11
|
Investment
Income: |
|
|
Dividends
and distributions |
$71,083,977
|
|
Return
of capital (Note
1(h)) |
(47,435,046
) |
|
Net
Dividends and Distributions |
23,648,931
|
|
Money
market fund distributions |
1,891,509
|
|
Less:
Foreign taxes withheld |
(745,965
) |
|
Total
Investment Income |
24,794,475
|
|
Expenses:
|
|
|
Investment
management fee (Note
2) |
12,088,244
|
|
Interest
expense (Notes
5 and 6) |
9,789,191
|
|
Distributions
to Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Stockholders (Notes
1 and 7) |
5,015,783
|
|
Legal
fees |
1,290,374
|
|
Commitment
fees (Note
5) |
392,605
|
|
Directors’
fees |
335,724
|
|
Audit
and tax fees |
305,758
|
|
Shareholder
reports |
260,961
|
|
Amortization
of preferred stock offering costs (Note
7) |
217,393
|
|
Transfer
agent fees |
144,209
|
|
Fund
accounting fees |
76,792
|
|
Amortization
of debt issuance and offering costs (Note
6) |
64,615
|
|
Rating
agency fees |
22,990
|
|
Stock
exchange listing fees |
12,497
|
|
Franchise
taxes |
8,754
|
|
Insurance
|
7,101
|
|
Custody
fees |
5,368
|
|
Miscellaneous
expenses |
122,771
|
|
Total
Expenses |
30,161,130
|
|
Less:
Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements (Note
2) |
(920,499
) |
|
Net
Expenses |
29,240,631
|
|
Net
Investment Loss, before income taxes |
(4,446,156
)
|
|
Net current and deferred tax benefit (Note
14) |
2,135,754
|
|
Net
Investment Loss, net of income taxes |
(2,310,402
)
|
|
Realized
and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments and Foreign Currency Transactions
(Notes
1, 3 and 14): | |
|
Net
Realized Gain (Loss) From: |
|
|
Investment
transactions |
29,188,162
|
|
Foreign
currency transactions |
(4,927
) |
|
Net
Realized Gain, before income taxes |
29,183,235
|
|
Current
and deferred tax expense (Note
14) |
(7,476,636
) |
|
Net
Realized Gain, net of income taxes |
21,706,599
|
|
Change
in Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) From: |
|
|
Investments
|
(70,531,353
) |
|
Foreign
currencies |
3,348
|
|
Change
in Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation), before income taxes |
(70,528,005
)
|
|
Deferred
tax benefit (Note
14) |
15,647,980
|
|
Change
in Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation), net of income taxes |
(54,880,025
)
|
|
Net
Loss on Investments and Foreign Currency Transactions, net of income taxes |
(33,173,426
)
|
|
Decrease
in Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders From Operations |
$(35,483,828
)
|
12
|
For
the Years Ended November 30, |
2025
|
2024
|
|
Operations:
|
|
|
|
Net
investment loss, net of income taxes |
$(2,310,402
) |
$(6,432,741
) |
|
Net
realized gain, net of income taxes |
21,706,599
|
118,777,372
|
|
Change
in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation), net of income taxes |
(54,880,025
) |
182,916,209
|
|
Increase
(Decrease) in Net Assets Applicable to Common
Shareholders
From Operations |
(35,483,828
)
|
295,260,840
|
|
Distributions
to Common Shareholders From (Note
1): |
|
|
|
Dividends
|
(15,169,627
) |
(39,427,037
) |
|
Return
of capital |
(63,088,598
) |
—
|
|
Decrease
in Net Assets From Distributions to Common
Shareholders
|
(78,258,225
)
|
(39,427,037
)
|
|
Fund
Share Transactions: |
|
|
|
Net
proceeds from sale of shares from rights offering (1,824,401 and 0
shares
issued, respectively) (Note 13)
|
76,724,669
†
|
—
|
|
Cost
of shares repurchased through tender offer (0 and 6,393,645 shares
repurchased,
respectively) (Notes 1(l) and 12)
|
—
|
(286,776,077
)‡
|
|
Net
assets of shares issued in connection with merger (0 and 11,796,650
shares
issued, respectively) (Note
11) |
—
|
550,856,335
|
|
Cost
of aggregate fractional shares repurchased (0 and 70 aggregate
fractional
shares repurchased, respectively) (Note
11) |
—
|
(3,261
) |
|
Increase
in Net Assets From Fund Share Transactions |
76,724,669
|
264,076,997
|
|
Increase
(Decrease) in Net Assets Applicable to Common
Shareholders
|
(37,017,384
)
|
519,910,800
|
|
Net
Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders: |
|
|
|
Beginning
of year |
1,015,410,378
|
495,499,578
|
|
End
of year |
$978,392,994
|
$1,015,410,378
|
|
†
|
Net
of rights offering costs of $100,857. |
|
‡
|
Including
the excise tax of $2,578,557 on shares repurchased. |
13
|
Increase
(Decrease) in Cash: |
|
|
Cash
Flows from Operating Activities: |
|
|
Net
decrease in net assets applicable to common shareholders resulting from operations |
$(35,483,828
) |
|
Adjustments
to reconcile net decrease in net assets resulting from operations to net cash
provided
(used) by operating activities: |
|
|
Purchases
of portfolio securities |
(168,411,999
) |
|
Sales
of portfolio securities |
238,467,470
|
|
Net
purchases, sales and maturities of short-term investments |
8,341,921
|
|
Return
of capital |
47,435,046
|
|
Securities
litigation proceeds |
2,384
|
|
Decrease
in dividends and distributions receivable |
298,044
|
|
Decrease
in money market fund distributions receivable |
31,977
|
|
Increase
in prepaid expenses |
(51,218
) |
|
Increase
in income tax receivable |
(7,206,899
) |
|
Increase
in payable for securities purchased |
99,460
|
|
Amortization
of preferred stock offering costs |
217,393
|
|
Amortization
of debt issuance and offering costs |
64,615
|
|
Decrease
in investment management fee payable |
(18,119
) |
|
Increase
in Directors’ fees payable |
4,978
|
|
Decrease
in interest and commitment fees payable |
(799,085
) |
|
Decrease
in income tax payable |
(5,184,775
) |
|
Decrease
in distributions payable to Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Stockholders |
(44,926
) |
|
Decrease
in deferred tax liability |
(11,497,584
) |
|
Decrease
in excise tax payable (Notes
1(l) and 7) |
(364,000
) |
|
Decrease
in accrued expenses |
(71,706
) |
|
Net
realized gain on investments |
(29,188,162
) |
|
Change
in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments |
70,531,353
|
|
Net
Cash Provided in Operating Activities* |
107,172,340
|
|
Cash
Flows from Financing Activities: |
|
|
Distributions
paid on common stock (net of distributions payable) |
(77,055,734
) |
|
Proceeds
from loan facility borrowings |
10,000,000
|
|
Repayment
of Senior Secured Notes at maturity |
(46,027,220
) |
|
Repayment
of loan facility borrowings |
(40,000,000
) |
|
Proceeds from sale of shares
from rights offering |
76,724,669
|
|
Redemption
of Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Stock |
(24,200,155
) |
|
Payment
for excise tax on shares repurchased |
(6,602,534
) |
|
Net
Cash Used by Financing Activities |
(107,160,974
)
|
|
Net
Increase in Cash and Restricted Cash |
11,366
|
|
Cash
and restricted cash at beginning of year |
—
|
14
|
Cash
and restricted cash at end of year |
$11,366
|
|
*
|
Included
in operating expenses is $10,980,881 paid for interest and commitment fees on borrowings, $5,060,709
paid
for distributions to Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Stockholders and $13,582,160 paid for income taxes, net
of
refunds, if any. |
|
|
November
30, 2025 |
|
Cash
|
$11,366
|
|
Restricted
cash |
—
|
|
Total
cash and restricted cash shown in the Statement of Cash Flows |
$11,366
|
15
|
For
a common share of capital stock outstanding throughout each year ended November 30: | |||||
|
|
20251
|
20241
|
20231
|
20221
|
20211
|
|
Net
asset value, beginning of year |
$55.82
|
$38.75
|
$35.97
|
$26.53
|
$17.13
|
|
Income
(loss) from operations: | |||||
|
Net
investment loss |
(0.13
) |
(0.51
) |
(0.69
) |
(0.43
) |
(0.36
) |
|
Net
realized and unrealized gain (loss) |
(2.12
) |
20.58
|
5.80
|
11.65
|
11.01
|
|
Total
income (loss) from operations |
(2.25)
|
20.07
|
5.11
|
11.22
|
10.65
|
|
Less
distributions to common
shareholders
from: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dividends
|
(0.81
) |
(3.00
) |
(2.37
) |
(1.92
) |
(0.54
) |
|
Return
of capital |
(3.42
) |
—
|
—
|
—
|
(0.93
) |
|
Total
distributions to common
shareholders
|
(4.23
)
|
(3.00
)
|
(2.37
)
|
(1.92
)
|
(1.47
)
|
|
Anti-dilutive
impact of repurchase plan |
—
|
—
|
0.04
4
|
0.14
4
|
0.22
4
|
|
Dilutive impact of rights offering
|
(0.46
)5
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
|
Anti-dilutive
impact of tender offer |
—
|
0.00
6,7
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
|
Net
asset value, end of year |
$48.88
|
$55.82
|
$38.75
|
$35.97
|
$26.53
|
|
Market
price, end of year |
$45.55
|
$50.49
|
$34.50
|
$30.43
|
$21.65
|
|
Total
return, based on NAV8,9
|
(4.83
)%10
|
53.78
%11
|
15.15
%
|
43.33
%
|
64.18
%
|
|
Total
return, based on Market Price12
|
(1.28
)%
|
57.31
%
|
22.27
%
|
50.20
%
|
82.70
%
|
|
Net
assets applicable to common
shareholders,
end of year (millions)
|
$978
|
$1,015
|
$495
|
$465
|
$350
|
|
Ratios
to average net assets: | |||||
|
Management
fees |
1.29
% |
1.34
% |
1.47
% |
1.44
% |
1.41
% |
|
Other
expenses |
1.93
|
2.57
|
3.24
|
1.70
|
1.68
|
|
Subtotal
|
3.22
|
3.91
|
4.71
|
3.14
|
3.09
|
|
Income
tax expenses |
—
15
|
9.99
|
0.04
|
0.11
|
—
15
|
|
Total
gross expenses |
3.22
10
|
13.90
11
|
4.75
16
|
3.25
|
3.09
|
|
Total
net expenses |
3.12
10,17
|
13.81
11,17
|
4.68
16,17
|
3.18
17
|
3.03
17
|
|
Net
investment income (loss), net of income
taxes
|
(0.25
)10
|
(1.13
)11
|
(2.00
) |
(1.31
) |
(1.43
) |
|
Portfolio
turnover rate |
14
%
|
158
%
|
91
%
|
60
%
|
37
%
|
16
|
For
a common share of capital stock outstanding throughout each year ended November 30: | |||||
|
|
20251
|
20241
|
20231
|
20221
|
20211
|
|
Supplemental
data: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loan
and Debt Issuance Outstanding, End of
Year
(000s) |
$151,491
|
$227,518
|
$165,327
|
$152,302
|
$124,104
|
|
Asset
Coverage Ratio for Loan and Debt
Issuance
Outstanding18
|
791
% |
587
% |
431
% |
439
% |
417
% |
|
Asset
Coverage, per $1,000 Principal Amount
of
Loan and Debt Issuance Outstanding18
|
$7,909
|
$5,869
|
$4,311
|
$4,391
|
$4,170
|
|
Weighted
Average Loan and Debt Issuance
(000s)
|
$189,422
|
$144,089
|
$158,676
|
$148,414
|
$95,983
|
|
Weighted
Average Interest Rate on Loan and
Debt
Issuance |
5.10
% |
5.82
% |
5.67
% |
2.87
% |
2.48
% |
|
Mandatory
Redeemable Preferred Stock at
Liquidation
Value, End of Year (000s) |
$68,200
|
$92,400
|
$51,900
|
$51,900
|
$43,100
|
|
Asset
Coverage Ratio for Mandatory
Redeemable
Preferred Stock20
|
545
% |
417
% |
328
% |
328
% |
309
% |
|
Asset
Coverage, per $100,000 Liquidation
Value
per Share of Mandatory Redeemable
Preferred
Stock20
|
—
|
—
|
$328,102
|
$327,511
|
$309,498
|
|
Asset
Coverage, per $35 Liquidation Value
per
Share of Mandatory Redeemable
Preferred
Stock20
|
$191
|
$146
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
|
Asset
Coverage, per $30 Liquidation Value
per
Share of Mandatory Redeemable
Preferred
Stock20
|
—
|
—
|
$98
|
$98
|
—
|
17
|
For
a common share of capital stock outstanding throughout each year ended November 30: | |||||
|
|
20201,2,3
|
20191,2,3
|
20181,2,3
|
20171,2,3
|
20161,2,3
|
|
Net
asset value, beginning of year |
$43.75
|
$51.35
|
$56.85
|
$69.20
|
$76.25
|
|
Income
(loss) from operations: | |||||
|
Net
investment income (loss) |
(1.07
) |
(0.70
) |
0.30
|
(1.00
) |
(2.00
) |
|
Net
realized and unrealized gain (loss) |
(23.54
) |
(2.30
) |
0.60
†
|
(4.95
) |
1.35
|
|
Total
income (loss) from operations |
(24.61)
|
(3.00)
|
0.90
|
(5.95)
|
(0.65)
|
|
Less
distributions to common
shareholders
from: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dividends
|
—
|
(1.70
) |
(1.60
) |
—
|
—
|
|
Return
of capital |
(2.13
) |
(2.90
) |
(4.80
) |
(6.40
) |
(6.40
) |
|
Total
distributions to common
shareholders
|
(2.13
)
|
(4.60
)
|
(6.40
)
|
(6.40
)
|
(6.40
)
|
|
Anti-dilutive
impact of repurchase plan |
0.12
4
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
|
Dilutive impact of rights offering
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
|
Anti-dilutive
impact of tender offer |
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
|
Net
asset value, end of year |
$17.13
|
$43.75
|
$51.35
|
$56.85
|
$69.20
|
|
Market
price, end of year |
$12.70
|
$38.10
|
$46.15
|
$52.35
|
$64.15
|
|
Total
return, based on NAV8,9
|
(57.35
)%
|
(6.57
)%
|
0.67
%
|
(9.34
)%
|
0.68
%
|
|
Total
return, based on Market Price12
|
(62.74
)%
|
(8.15
)%
|
(0.87
)%
|
(9.54
)%
|
(2.83
)%
|
|
Net
assets applicable to common
shareholders,
end of year (millions)
|
$238
|
$628
|
$736
|
$355
|
$432
|
|
Ratios
to average net assets: | |||||
|
Management
fees |
1.52
% |
1.50
% |
1.49
% |
1.43
% |
1.43
% |
|
Other
expenses |
3.65
13
|
2.16
|
2.12
|
1.72
|
2.65
14
|
|
Subtotal
|
5.17
13
|
3.66
|
3.61
|
3.15
|
4.08
14
|
|
Income
tax expenses |
1.32
|
—
15
|
—
15
|
—
15
|
0.10
|
|
Total
gross expenses |
6.49
13
|
3.66
|
3.61
|
3.15
|
4.18
14
|
|
Total
net expenses |
6.42
13,17
|
3.59
17
|
3.60
17
|
3.15
|
4.18
14
|
|
Net
investment income (loss), net of income
taxes
|
(4.71
)13
|
(1.37
) |
0.52
|
(1.45
) |
(3.12
)14
|
|
Portfolio
turnover rate |
19
%
|
29
%
|
14
%
|
16
%
|
23
%
|
18
|
For
a common share of capital stock outstanding throughout each year ended November 30: | |||||
|
|
20201,2,3
|
20191,2,3
|
20181,2,3
|
20171,2,3
|
20161,2,3
|
|
Supplemental
data: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loan
and Debt Issuance Outstanding, End of
Year
(000s) |
$55,104
|
$278,500
|
$343,000
|
$158,000
|
$147,000
|
|
Asset
Coverage Ratio for Loan and Debt
Issuance
Outstanding18
|
609
% |
343
% |
329
% |
339
% |
409
% |
|
Asset
Coverage, per $1,000 Principal Amount
of
Loan and Debt Issuance Outstanding18
|
$6,094
|
$3,426
|
$3,286
|
$3,390
|
$4,093
|
|
Weighted
Average Loan and Debt Issuance
(000s)
|
$122,617
|
$318,462
|
$163,197
|
$157,819
|
$137,883
|
|
Weighted
Average Interest Rate on Loan and
Debt
Issuance |
6.14
%19
|
3.83
% |
3.51
% |
3.32
% |
4.38
%19
|
|
Mandatory
Redeemable Preferred Stock at
Liquidation
Value, End of Year (000s) |
$43,100
|
$48,000
|
$48,000
|
$23,000
|
$23,000
|
|
Asset
Coverage Ratio for Mandatory
Redeemable
Preferred Stock20
|
342
% |
292
% |
288
% |
296
% |
354
% |
|
Asset
Coverage, per $100,000 Liquidation
Value
per Share of Mandatory Redeemable
Preferred
Stock20
|
$341,958
|
$292,258
|
$288,277
|
$295,913
|
$353,918
|
|
Asset
Coverage, per $35 Liquidation Value
per
Share of Mandatory Redeemable
Preferred
Stock20
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
|
Asset
Coverage, per $30 Liquidation Value
per
Share of Mandatory Redeemable
Preferred
Stock20
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
19
|
†
|
Calculation
of the net gain per share (both realized and unrealized) does not correlate to the aggregate realized and
unrealized
losses presented in the Statement of Operations due to the timing of the sales and repurchases of Fund
shares
in relation to fluctuating market values of the investments of the Fund. |
|
1
|
Per
share amounts have been calculated using the average shares method. |
|
2
|
Audited,
but not covered by the current report of the independent registered public accounting firm. |
|
3
|
On
July 28, 2020, the Fund completed a 1-for-5 reverse stock split. Prior year per share amounts have been
restated
to reflect the impact of the reverse stock split. |
|
4
|
The
repurchase plan was completed at an average repurchase price of $28.70 for 130,000 shares and $3,730,554
for
the year ended November 30, 2023, $25.30 for 284,640 shares and $7,201,095 for the year ended November 30,
2022,
$17.25 for 665,383 shares and $11,481,173 for the year ended November 30, 2021 and $9.32 for 579,300
shares
and $5,398,982 for the year ended November 30, 2020. |
|
5
|
The
rights offering was completed at a price of $42.11 for 1,824,401 shares and $76,825,526 for the year ended
November
30, 2025. |
|
6
|
Amount
represents less than $0.005 or greater than $(0.005) per share. |
|
7
|
The
tender offer was completed at a price of $44.45 for 6,393,645 shares and $284,197,520 for the year ended
November
30, 2024. |
|
8
|
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.
|
|
9
|
The
total return calculation assumes that distributions are reinvested at NAV. Past performance is no guarantee of
future
results. |
|
10
|
Ratios
and total return for the year ended November 30, 2025, include certain non-recurring fees incurred by the
Fund
during the period. Without these items, the gross and net expense ratios and the net investment loss ratio
would
have been 3.17%, 3.07% and (0.19)%, respectively, and total return based on NAV would have been
(4.77)%.
|
|
11
|
Ratios
and total return for the year ended November 30, 2024, include certain non-recurring fees incurred by the
Fund
during the period. Without these items, the gross and net expense ratios and the net investment loss ratio
would
have been 13.69%, 13.60% and (0.98)%, respectively, and total return based on NAV would have been
53.92%.
|
|
12
|
The
total return calculation assumes that distributions are reinvested in accordance with the Fund’s dividend
reinvestment
plan. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
|
|
13
|
Includes
non-recurring prepayment penalties, the write-off of debt issuance and offering costs and the write-off of
preferred
stock offering costs recognized during the period totaling 0.92% of average net assets. |
|
14
|
Includes
non-recurring prepayment penalties and the write-off of debt issuance and offering costs recognized
during
the period totaling 0.66% of average net assets. |
|
15
|
For
the years ended November 30, 2025, 2021, 2019, 2018 and 2017, the net income tax benefit was 1.10%,
0.19%,
0.88%, 3.08% and 4.20%, respectively. The net income tax benefit is not reflected in the Fund’s expense ratios.
|
|
16
|
Included
in the expense ratios are certain non-recurring legal and transfer agent fees that were incurred by the
Fund
during the period. Without these fees, the gross and net expense ratios would have been 4.57% and 4.49%,
respectively.
|
|
17
|
Reflects
fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. |
|
18
|
Represents
value of net assets plus the loan outstanding, debt issuance outstanding and mandatory redeemable
preferred
stock at the end of the period divided by the loan and debt issuance outstanding at the end of the period. |
|
19
|
Includes
prepayment penalties recognized during the period. |
|
20
|
Represents
value of net assets plus the loan outstanding, debt issuance outstanding and mandatory redeemable
preferred
stock at the end of the period divided by the loan, debt issuance and mandatory redeemable preferred
stock
outstanding at the end of the period. |
20
21
22
|
ASSETS
| ||||
|
Description
|
Quoted
Prices
(Level
1) |
Other
Significant
Observable
Inputs
(Level
2) |
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level
3) |
Total
|
|
Long-Term
Investments†: |
|
|
|
|
|
Master
Limited Partnerships |
$624,868,012
|
—
|
—
|
$624,868,012
|
|
Common
Stocks |
598,119,475
|
—
|
—
|
598,119,475
|
|
Total
Long-Term Investments |
1,222,987,487
|
—
|
—
|
1,222,987,487
|
|
Short-Term
Investments† |
32,822,946
|
—
|
—
|
32,822,946
|
|
Total
Investments |
$1,255,810,433
|
—
|
—
|
$1,255,810,433
|
|
†
|
See
Schedule of Investments for additional detailed categorizations. |
23
24
25
26
|
|
Total
Distributable
Earnings
(Loss),
Net
of
Income
Taxes |
Paid-in
Capital
in
Excess of
Par
Value |
|
(a)
|
$108,411,262
|
$(108,411,262)
|
27
|
Purchases
|
$168,411,999
|
|
Sales
|
238,467,470
|
28
|
Security
|
Amount
|
Rate
|
Maturity
|
Estimated
Fair
Value |
|
Senior
secured notes: | ||||
|
Series
E |
$950,483
|
3.76%
|
August
26, 2026 |
$939,783
|
|
Series
J |
2,363,520
|
3.76%
|
August
26, 2026 |
2,336,912
|
|
Series
L |
2,984,588
|
4.20%
|
April
30, 2026 |
2,958,349
|
|
Series
N |
4,663,418
|
3.56%
|
June
11, 2027 |
4,552,234
|
|
Series
O |
6,528,785
|
3.76%
|
June
11, 2030 |
6,152,040
|
|
|
$17,490,794
|
|
|
$16,939,318
|
29
|
Series
|
Term
Redemption
Date
|
Rate
|
Shares
|
Liquidation
Preference
Per
Share |
Aggregate
Liquidation
Value
|
Estimated
Fair
Value |
|
Series
J |
7/23/2026
|
4.55%
|
200,001
|
$35
|
$7,000,035
|
$6,940,857
|
|
Series
L |
11/17/2032
|
7.28%
|
485,719
|
35
|
17,000,165
|
18,281,238
|
|
Series
M |
11/17/2029
|
7.12%
|
314,286
|
35
|
11,000,010
|
11,648,279
|
|
Series
P |
6/11/2027
|
4.26%
|
234,286
|
35
|
8,200,010
|
8,036,235
|
|
Series
Q |
11/17/2029
|
7.12%
|
428,572
|
35
|
15,000,020
|
15,884,023
|
|
Series
R |
11/17/2032
|
7.28%
|
285,715
|
35
|
10,000,025
|
10,753,592
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$68,200,265
|
$71,544,224
|
30
|
Record
Date |
Payable
Date |
Amount
|
|
11/20/2025
|
12/1/2025
|
$0.3600
|
|
12/23/2025
|
12/31/2025
|
$0.3600
|
|
1/23/2026
|
1/30/2026
|
$0.3600
|
|
2/20/2026
|
2/27/2026
|
$0.3600
|
Since the commencement of the stock repurchase program through November 30, 2025, the Fund repurchased 1,659,323 shares or 10.85% of its common shares outstanding for a total amount of $27,811,805.
31
|
Acquired
Funds |
Shares
Issued
by
the Fund |
Total
Net Assets of the
Acquired
Funds |
Total
Net Assets
of
the Fund |
|
ClearBridge
MLP and Midstream Fund Inc. |
8,329,384
|
$388,949,064
|
$298,557,641
|
|
ClearBridge
MLP and Midstream Total
Return
Fund Inc. |
3,467,266
|
$161,907,271
|
|
|
Unaudited
|
|
Net
investment loss, net of income taxes |
$(11,774,894)
|
|
Net
realized gain, net of income taxes |
322,337,023
|
|
Change
in net unrealized appreciation, net of income taxes |
153,306,589
|
|
Increase in net assets from operations
|
$463,868,718
|
32
33
|
|
Net
Investment
Loss
|
Net
Realized
Gain
|
Change
in Net
Unrealized
Depreciation
|
Total
|
|
Current
tax expense (benefit) |
$388,029
|
$802,457
|
—
|
$1,190,486
|
|
Deferred
tax expense (benefit) |
(2,523,783)
|
6,674,179
|
$(15,647,980)
|
(11,497,584)
|
|
Total
tax expense (benefit) |
$(2,135,754)
|
$7,476,636
|
$(15,647,980)
|
$(10,307,098)
|
|
|
Federal
|
State
|
Total
|
|
Current
tax expense (benefit) |
$1,830,910
|
$(640,424)
|
$1,190,486
|
|
Deferred
tax expense (benefit) |
(11,008,411)
|
(489,173)
|
(11,497,584)
|
|
Total
tax expense (benefit) |
$(9,177,501)
|
$(1,129,597)
|
$(10,307,098)
|
34
|
Provision
at statutory rates |
21.00%
|
$(9,616,094)
|
|
State
taxes, net of federal tax benefit |
0.80%
|
(366,327)
|
|
Non-deductible
distributions on MRPS |
(2.49)%
|
1,140,832
|
|
Dividends
received deduction |
3.69%
|
(1,687,761)
|
|
Change
in valuation allowance |
57.13%
|
(26,162,580)
|
|
Change
in blended state tax rate from 0.9% to 0.8% |
0.45%
|
(204,397)
|
|
Expiration
of capital loss carryforward |
(59.28)%
|
27,144,736
|
|
Other,
net (federal and state) |
1.21%
|
(555,507)
|
|
Total
tax expense (benefit) |
22.51%
|
$(10,307,098)
|
|
Deferred
tax assets |
|
|
State
net operating loss carryforwards |
$1,882,716
|
|
Wash
sale loss deferrals |
1,381,469
|
|
Disallowed
business interest expense deduction |
799,610
|
|
Deferred
tax liabilities |
|
|
Unrealized
gains on investment securities |
(44,111,733)
|
|
Basis
reduction resulting from differences in the book vs. taxable income received from MLPs |
(18,119,044)
|
|
Net
deferred tax asset (liability) before valuation allowance |
(58,166,982)
|
|
Less:
Valuation allowance |
(177,458)
|
|
Total
net deferred tax asset (liability) |
$(58,344,440)
|
35
|
Gross
unrealized appreciation |
$312,388,513
|
|
Gross
unrealized depreciation |
(15,221,096)
|
|
Net
unrealized appreciation (depreciation) before tax |
$297,167,417
|
|
Net
unrealized appreciation (depreciation) after tax |
$232,384,920
|
36
37
January 21, 2026
38
|
Independent
Directors†
| |
|
Robert
D. Agdern | |
|
Year
of birth |
1950
|
|
Position(s)
held with Fund1
|
Director
and Member of Nominating, Audit, Compensation and
Pricing
and Valuation Committees, and Compliance Liaison,
Class
III |
|
Term
of office1
and year service began |
Since
2015 |
|
Principal
occupation(s) during the past five years |
Member
of the Advisory Committee of the Dispute Resolution
Research
Center at the Kellogg Graduate School of Business,
Northwestern
University (2002 to 2016); formerly, Deputy
General
Counsel responsible for western hemisphere matters
for
BP PLC (1999 to 2001); Associate General Counsel at Amoco
Corporation
responsible for corporate, chemical, and refining
and
marketing matters and special assignments (1993 to 1998)
(Amoco
merged with British Petroleum in 1998 forming BP PLC) |
|
Number
of portfolios in fund complex2
overseen by Director
(including
the Fund) |
21
|
|
Other
board memberships held by Director during the past five
years
|
None
|
|
Carol
L. Colman | |
|
Year
of birth |
1946
|
|
Position(s)
held with Fund1
|
Director
and Member of Nominating, Audit and Compensation
Committees,
and Chair of Pricing and Valuation Committee,
Class
I |
|
Term
of office1
and year service began |
Since
2011 |
|
Principal
occupation(s) during the past five years |
President,
Colman Consulting Company (consulting) |
|
Number
of portfolios in fund complex2
overseen by Director
(including
the Fund) |
21
|
|
Other
board memberships held by Director during the past five
years
|
None
|
39
|
Independent
Directors† (cont’d)
| |
|
Anthony
Grillo | |
|
Year
of birth
|
1955
|
|
Position(s)
held with Fund1
|
Director
and Member of Nominating, Audit, Compensation and
Pricing
and Valuation Committees, Class I
|
|
Term
of office1
and year service began |
Since
2024 |
|
Principal
occupation(s) during the past five years |
Retired;
Founder, Managing Director and Partner of American
Securities
Opportunity Funds (private equity and credit firm)
(2006
to 2018); formerly, Senior Managing Director of Evercore
Partners
Inc. (investment banking) (2001 to 2004); Senior
Managing
Director of Joseph Littlejohn & Levy, Inc. (private
equity
firm) (1999 to 2001); Senior Managing Director of The
Blackstone
Group L.P. (private equity and credit firm) (1991 to
1999)
|
|
Number
of portfolios in fund complex2
overseen by Director
(including
the Fund) |
21
|
|
Other
board memberships held by Director during the past five
years
|
Director
of Littelfuse, Inc. (electronics manufacturing) (since
1991);
formerly, Director of Oaktree Acquisition Corp. II (2020
to
2022); Director of Oaktree Acquisition Corp. (2019 to 2021)
|
|
Eileen
A. Kamerick | |
|
Year
of birth |
1958
|
|
Position(s)
held with Fund1
|
Chair
(since November 15, 2024) and Member of Nominating,
Compensation,
Pricing and Valuation and Audit Committees,
Class
III |
|
Term
of office1
and year service began |
Since
2013 |
|
Principal
occupation(s) during the past five years |
Chief
Executive Officer, The Governance Partners, LLC
(consulting
firm) (since 2015); National Association of Corporate
Directors
Board Leadership Fellow (since 2016, with Directorship
Certification
since 2019) and NACD 2022 Directorship 100
honoree;
Adjunct Professor, Georgetown University Law Center
(since
2021); Adjunct Professor, The University of Chicago Law
School
(since 2018); Adjunct Professor, University of Iowa
College
of Law (since 2007); formerly, Chief Financial Officer,
Press
Ganey Associates (health care informatics company) (2012
to
2014); Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer,
Houlihan
Lokey (international investment bank) and President,
Houlihan
Lokey Foundation (2010 to 2012) |
|
Number
of portfolios in fund complex2
overseen by Director
(including
the Fund) |
21
|
|
Other
board memberships held by Director during the past five
years
|
Director,
VALIC Company I (since October 2022); Director of ACV
Auctions
Inc. (since 2021); Director of Associated Banc-Corp
(financial
services company) (since 2007); formerly, Director of
Hochschild
Mining plc (precious metals company) (2016
to
2023); formerly Trustee of AIG Funds and Anchor Series Trust
(2018
to 2021) |
40
|
Independent
Directors† (cont’d)
| |
|
Nisha
Kumar | |
|
Year
of birth |
1970
|
|
Position(s)
held with Fund1
|
Director
and Member of Nominating, Compensation and Pricing
and
Valuation Committees, and Chair of Audit Committee,
Class
II |
|
Term
of office1
and year service began |
Since
2019 |
|
Principal
occupation(s) during the past five years |
Formerly,
Managing Director and the Chief Financial Officer and
Chief
Compliance Officer of Greenbriar Equity Group, LP (2011
to
2021); formerly, Chief Financial Officer and Chief
Administrative
Officer of Rent the Runway, Inc. (2011); Executive
Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer of AOL LLC, a
subsidiary
of Time Warner Inc. (2007 to 2009); Member of the
Council
on Foreign Relations |
|
Number
of portfolios in fund complex2
overseen by Director
(including
the Fund) |
21
|
|
Other
board memberships held by Director during the past five
years
|
Director
of Stonepeak-Plus Infrastructure Fund LP (since 2025);
Director
of Birkenstock Holding plc (since 2023); Director of The
India
Fund, Inc. (since 2016); formerly, Director of Aberdeen
Income
Credit Strategies Fund (2017 to 2018); and Director of
The
Asia Tigers Fund, Inc. (2016 to 2018) |
|
Peter
Mason | |
|
Year
of birth
|
1959
|
|
Position(s)
held with Fund1
|
Director
and Member of Audit, Nominating and Pricing and
Valuation
Committees, and Chair of Compensation Committee,
Class
III |
|
Term
of office1
and year service began |
Since
2024 |
|
Principal
occupation(s) during the past five years |
Arbitrator
and Mediator (self-employed) (since 2021); formerly,
Global
General Counsel of UNICEF (intergovernmental
organization)
(1998 to 2021) |
|
Number
of portfolios in fund complex2
overseen by Director
(including
the Fund) |
21
|
|
Other
board memberships held by Director during the past five
years
|
Chairman
of University of Sydney USA Foundation (since 2020);
Director
of the Radio Workshop US, Inc. (since 2023) |
41
|
Independent
Directors† (cont’d)
| |
|
Hillary
A. Sale | |
|
Year
of birth
|
1961
|
|
Position(s)
held with Fund1
|
Director
and Member of Audit, Compensation and Pricing and
Valuation
Committees, and Chair of Nominating Committee,
Class
I |
|
Term
of office1
and year service began |
Since
2024 |
|
Principal
occupation(s) during the past five years
|
Agnes
Williams Sesquicentennial Professor of Leadership and
Corporate
Governance, Georgetown Law; and Professor of
Management,
McDonough School of Business (since 2018);
formerly,
Associate Dean for Strategy, Georgetown Law (2020
to
2023); National Association of Corporate Directors Board
Faculty
Member (since 2021); formerly, a Member of the Board
of
Governors of FINRA (2016 to 2022) |
|
Number
of portfolios in fund complex2
overseen by Director
(including
the Fund) |
21
|
|
Other
board memberships held by Director during the past five
years
|
Director
of CBOE U.S. Securities Exchanges, CBOE Futures
Exchange,
and CBOE SEF, Director (since 2022); Advisory Board
Member
of Foundation Press (academic book publisher)
(since
2019); Chair of DirectWomen Board Institute (since 2019);
formerly,
Member of DirectWomen Board (nonprofit) (2007
to
2022) |
|
Interested
Director and Officer
| |
|
Jane
Trust, CFA3
| |
|
Year
of birth |
1962
|
|
Position(s)
held with Fund1
|
Director,
President and Chief Executive Officer, Class II |
|
Term
of office1
and year service began |
Since
2015 |
|
Principal
occupation(s) during the past five years |
Senior
Vice President, Fund Board Management, Franklin
Templeton
(since 2020); Officer and/or Trustee/Director of 118
funds
associated with FTFA or its affiliates (since 2015); Trustee
of
Putnam Family of Funds consisting of 105 portfolios; President
and
Chief Executive Officer of FTFA (since 2015); formerly, Senior
Managing
Director (2018 to 2020) and Managing Director (2016
to
2018) of Legg Mason & Co., LLC (“Legg Mason & Co.”); and
Senior
Vice President of FTFA (2015) |
|
Number
of portfolios in fund complex2
overseen by Director
(including
the Fund) |
Trustee/Director
of Franklin Templeton funds consisting of 118
portfolios;
Trustee of Putnam Family of Funds consisting of 105
portfolios
|
|
Other
board memberships held by Director during the past five
years
|
None
|
42
|
Additional
Officers
| |
|
Fred
Jensen |
|
|
Franklin
Templeton
One
Madison Avenue, 17th Floor, New York, NY 10010 |
|
|
Year
of birth |
1963
|
|
Position(s)
held with Fund1
|
Chief
Compliance Officer |
|
Term
of office1
and year service began |
Since
2020 |
|
Principal
occupation(s) during the past five years |
Director
- Global Compliance of Franklin Templeton (since 2020);
Managing
Director of Legg Mason & Co. (2006 to 2020); Director
of
Compliance, Legg Mason Office of the Chief Compliance
Officer
(2006 to 2020); formerly, Chief Compliance Officer of
Legg
Mason Global Asset Allocation (prior to 2014); Chief
Compliance
Officer of Legg Mason Private Portfolio Group (prior
to
2013); formerly, Chief Compliance Officer of The Reserve
Funds
(investment adviser, funds and broker-dealer) (2004) and
Ambac
Financial Group (investment adviser, funds and broker-
dealer)
(2000 to 2003) |
|
Marc
A. De Oliveira |
|
|
Franklin
Templeton
100
First Stamford Place, 6th Floor, Stamford, CT 06902 |
|
|
Year
of birth |
1971
|
|
Position(s)
held with Fund1
|
Secretary
and Chief Legal Officer |
|
Term
of office1
and year service began |
Since
2023 |
|
Principal
occupation(s) during the past five years |
Associate
General Counsel of Franklin Templeton (since 2020);
Secretary
and Chief Legal Officer (since 2020) and Assistant
Secretary
of certain funds in the Franklin Templeton fund
complex
(since 2006); formerly, Managing Director (2016
to
2020) and Associate General Counsel of Legg Mason & Co.
(2005
to 2020) |
|
Thomas
C. Mandia |
|
|
Franklin
Templeton
100
First Stamford Place, 6th Floor, Stamford, CT 06902 |
|
|
Year
of birth |
1962
|
|
Position(s)
held with Fund1
|
Senior
Vice President |
|
Term
of office1
and year service began |
Since
2022 |
|
Principal
occupation(s) during the past five years |
Senior
Associate General Counsel to Franklin Templeton
(since
2020); Senior Vice President (since 2020) and Assistant
Secretary
of certain funds in the Franklin Templeton fund
complex
(since 2006); Secretary of FTFA (since 2006); Secretary
of
LMAS (since 2002) and LMFAM (formerly registered
investment
advisers) (since 2013); formerly, Managing Director
and
Deputy General Counsel of Legg Mason & Co. (2005
to
2020) |
43
|
Additional
Officers (cont’d)
| |
|
Christopher
Berarducci |
|
|
Franklin
Templeton
One
Madison Avenue, 17th Floor, New York, NY 10010 |
|
|
Year
of birth |
1974
|
|
Position(s)
held with Fund1
|
Treasurer
and Principal Financial Officer |
|
Term
of office1
and year service began |
Since
2019 |
|
Principal
occupation(s) during the past five years |
Vice
President, Fund Administration and Reporting, Franklin
Templeton
(since 2020); Treasurer (since 2010) and Principal
Financial
Officer (since 2019) of certain funds associated with
Legg
Mason & Co. or its affiliates; formerly, Managing
Director
(2020), Director (2015 to 2020), and Vice President (2011
to
2015) of Legg Mason & Co. |
|
Jeanne
M. Kelly |
|
|
Franklin
Templeton
One
Madison Avenue, 17th Floor, New York, NY 10010 |
|
|
Year
of birth |
1951
|
|
Position(s)
held with Fund1
|
Senior
Vice President |
|
Term
of office1
and year service began |
Since
2011 |
|
Principal
occupation(s) during the past five years |
U.S.
Fund Board Team Manager, Franklin Templeton (since 2020);
Senior
Vice President of certain funds associated with Legg
Mason
& Co. or its affiliates (since 2007); Senior Vice President
of
FTFA (since 2006); President and Chief Executive Officer of
LMAS
and LMFAM (since 2015); formerly, Managing Director of
Legg
Mason & Co. (2005 to 2020); and Senior Vice President of
LMFAM
(2013 to 2015) |
44
45
Franklin Resources Inc.
Compliance Department
One Madison Avenue, 17th Floor
New York, NY 10010
46
|
Sales
Load (
|
% |
|
Offering
Expenses (
|
% |
|
Dividend
Reinvestment Plan Per Transaction Fee to Sell Shares Obtained Pursuant to the Plan(3)
|
$
|
|
|
to
Common Shares |
|
Management
Fees(4)
|
|
|
Interest
Payments on Borrowed Funds and Dividends on Preferred
Stock(5)
|
|
|
Other
Expenses(6)
|
|
|
Total
Annual Fund Operating Expenses |
|
47
|
One
Year |
Three
Years |
Five
Years |
Ten
Years |
|
$
|
$
|
$
|
$
|
|
|
Quarterly
Closing
Market Price
|
Quarterly
Closing
NAV
Price
on
Date of Market Price |
Quarterly
Closing
Premium/(Discount)
on Date
of Market Price | |||
|
|
High
|
Low
|
High
|
Low
|
High
|
Low
|
|
Fiscal
Year 2025: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
November
30, 2025 |
$
|
$
|
$
|
$
|
(
|
(
|
|
August
31, 2025 |
$
|
$
|
$
|
$
|
(
|
(
|
|
May
31, 2025 |
$
|
$
|
$
|
$
|
(
|
(
|
|
February
28, 2025 |
$
|
$
|
$
|
$
|
(
|
(
|
|
Fiscal
Year 2024: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
November
30, 2024 |
$
|
$
|
$
|
$
|
(
|
(
|
|
August
31, 2024 |
$
|
$
|
$
|
$
|
(
|
(
|
|
May
31, 2024 |
$
|
$
|
$
|
$
|
(
|
(
|
|
February
29, 2024 |
$
|
$
|
$
|
$
|
(
|
(
|
48
|
Fiscal
Year Ended |
|
Total
Amount
Outstanding(1)
|
Asset Coverage
per
$1,000 of
Indebtedness(2)
|
Average
Market
Value
Per Unit(3)
|
|
November
30, 2025 |
Revolving
Credit Facility |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
E Senior Notes (2025) |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
J Senior Notes (2025) |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
L Senior Notes (2025) |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
N Senior Notes (2025) |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
Senior
O Senior Notes (2025) |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
J MRPS |
$
|
—
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
L MRPS |
$
|
—
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
M MRPS |
$
|
—
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
P MRPS |
$
|
—
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
Q MRPS |
$
|
—
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
R MRPS |
$
|
—
|
N/A
|
|
November
30, 2024 |
Revolving
Credit Facility |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
C Senior Notes (2024) |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
E Senior Notes (2024) |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
H Senior Notes (2024) |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
I Senior Notes (2024) |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
J Senior Notes (2024) |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
K Senior Notes (2024) |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
49
|
Fiscal
Year Ended |
|
Total
Amount
Outstanding(1)
|
Asset Coverage
per
$1,000 of
Indebtedness(2)
|
Average
Market
Value
Per Unit(3)
|
|
|
Series
L Senior Notes (2024) |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
M Senior Notes (2024) |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
N Senior Notes (2024) |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
O Senior Notes (2024) |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
J MRPS |
$
|
—
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
L MRPS |
$
|
—
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
M MRPS |
$
|
—
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
N MRPS |
$
|
—
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
O MRPS |
$
|
—
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
P MRPS |
$
|
—
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
Q MRPS |
$
|
—
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
R MRPS |
$
|
—
|
N/A
|
|
November
30, 2023 |
Revolving
Credit Facility |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
C Senior Notes (2023) |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
E Senior Notes (2023) |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
H Senior Notes (2023) |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
H MRPS |
$
|
—
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
I MRPS |
$
|
—
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
J MRPS |
$
|
—
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
K MRPS |
$
|
—
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
L MRPS |
$
|
—
|
N/A
|
|
November
30, 2022 |
Revolving
Credit Facility |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
B Senior Notes (2022) |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
C Senior Notes (2022) |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
E Senior Notes (2022) |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
G Senior Notes (2022) |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
H Senior Notes (2022) |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
H MRPS |
$
|
—
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
I MRPS |
$
|
—
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
J MRPS |
$
|
—
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
K MRPS |
$
|
—
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
L MRPS |
$
|
—
|
N/A
|
|
November
30, 2021 |
Revolving
Credit Facility |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
B Senior Notes (2021) |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
C Senior Notes (2021) |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
D Senior Notes (2021) |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
E Senior Notes (2021) |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
G Senior Notes (2021) |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
H Senior Notes (2021) |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
50
|
Fiscal
Year Ended |
|
Total
Amount
Outstanding(1)
|
Asset Coverage
per
$1,000 of
Indebtedness(2)
|
Average
Market
Value
Per Unit(3)
|
|
|
Series
B MRPS |
$
|
—
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
C MRPS |
$
|
—
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
D MRPS |
$
|
—
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
E MRPS |
$
|
—
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
F MRPS |
$
|
—
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
G MRPS |
$
|
—
|
N/A
|
|
November
30, 2020 |
Revolving
Credit Facility |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
B Senior Notes (2020) |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
C Senior Notes (2020) |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
D Senior Notes (2020) |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
E Senior Notes (2020) |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
G Senior Notes (2020) |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
H Senior Notes (2020) |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
B MRPS |
$
|
—
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
C MRPS |
$
|
—
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
D MRPS |
$
|
—
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
E MRPS |
$
|
—
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
F MRPS |
$
|
—
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
G MRPS |
$
|
—
|
N/A
|
|
November
30, 2019 |
Revolving
Credit Facility |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
A Senior Notes (2019) |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
B Senior Notes (2019) |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
C Senior Notes (2019) |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
D Senior Notes (2019) |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
E Senior Notes (2019) |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
F Senior Notes (2019) |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
G Senior Notes (2019) |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
H Senior Notes (2019) |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
A MRPS |
$
|
—
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
B MRPS |
$
|
—
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
C MRPS |
$
|
—
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
D MRPS |
$
|
—
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
E MRPS |
$
|
—
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
F MRPS |
$
|
—
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
G MRPS |
$
|
—
|
N/A
|
|
November
30, 2018 |
Revolving
Credit Facility |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
A Senior Notes (2018) |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
B Senior Notes (2018) |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
C Senior Notes (2018) |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
51
|
Fiscal
Year Ended |
|
Total
Amount
Outstanding(1)
|
Asset Coverage
per
$1,000 of
Indebtedness(2)
|
Average
Market
Value
Per Unit(3)
|
|
|
Series
D Senior Notes (2018) |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
E Senior Notes (2018) |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
F Senior Notes (2018) |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
G Senior Notes (2018) |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
H Senior Notes (2018) |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
A MRPS |
$
|
—
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
B MRPS |
$
|
—
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
C MRPS |
$
|
—
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
D MRPS |
$
|
—
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
E MRPS |
$
|
—
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
F MRPS |
$
|
—
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
G MRPS |
$
|
—
|
N/A
|
|
November
30, 2017 |
Revolving
Credit Facility |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
A Senior Notes (2017) |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
B Senior Notes (2017) |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
C Senior Notes (2017) |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
D Senior Notes (2017) |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
E Senior Notes (2017) |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
A MRPS |
$
|
—
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
B MRPS |
$
|
—
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
C MRPS |
$
|
—
|
N/A
|
|
November
30, 2016 |
Revolving
Credit Facility |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
A Senior Notes (2016) |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
B Senior Notes (2016) |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
C Senior Notes (2016) |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
D Senior Notes (2016) |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
E Senior Notes (2016) |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
A MRPS |
$
|
—
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
B MRPS |
$
|
—
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
C MRPS |
$
|
—
|
N/A
|
|
November
30, 2015 |
Revolving
Credit Facility |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
A Senior Notes (2015) |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
B Senior Notes (2015) |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
C Senior Notes (2015) |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
D Senior Notes (2015) |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
E Senior Notes (2015) |
$
|
$
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
A MRPS |
$
|
—
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
B MRPS |
$
|
—
|
N/A
|
|
|
Series
C MRPS |
$
|
—
|
N/A
|
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
President and Chief Executive
Officer
Treasurer and Principal Financial
Officer
Chief Compliance Officer
Secretary and Chief Legal Officer
Senior Vice President
Senior Vice President
17th Floor
New York, NY 10010
P.O. Box 43006
Providence, RI 02940-3078
public accounting firm
Baltimore, MD
900 G Street NW
Washington, DC 20001
Exchange Symbol
One Madison Avenue
17th Floor
New York, NY 10010
P.O. Box 43006
Providence, RI 02940-3078
(b) Not applicable
| Item 2. | CODE OF ETHICS. |
a) The Registrant has adopted a code of ethics that applies to its principal executive officers and principal financial and accounting officer.
(c) N/A
(d) N/A
(f) Pursuant to Item 19(a) (1), the Registrant is attaching as an exhibit a copy of its code of ethics that applies to its principal executive officers and principal financial and accounting officer.
| Item 3. | AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT. |
The Board of Directors of the Registrant has determined that Eileen A. Kamerick and Nisha Kumar, possesses the technical attributes identified in Item 3 to Form N-CSR to qualify as an “audit committee financial experts,” and has designated Eileen A. Kamerick and Nisha Kumar, as the Audit Committee’s financial experts. Eileen A. Kamerick and Nisha Kumar are an “independent” Trustee pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Item 3 to Form N-CSR.
Under applicable securities laws, a person determined to be an audit committee financial expert will not be deemed an “expert” for any purpose, including without limitation for the purposes of Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933, as a result of being designated or identified as an audit committee financial expert. The designation or identification of a person as an audit committee financial expert does not impose on such person any duties, obligations, or liabilities greater than the duties, obligations, and liabilities imposed on such person as a member of the audit committee and board of directors in the absence of such designation or identification. The designation or identification of a person as an audit committee financial expert does not affect the duties, obligations, or liability of any other member of the audit committee or board of directors.
| Item 4. | Principal Accountant Fees and Services. |
(a) Audit Fees. The aggregate fees billed in the previous fiscal years ending November 30, 2024 and November 30, 2025 (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 $111,300 in November 30, 2024 and $112,413 in November 30, 2025.
(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 $0 in November 30, 2024 and $0 in November 30, 2025.
(c) Tax Fees. The aggregate fees billed by PwC for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning services, which include the filing and amendment of federal, state and local income tax returns and tax distribution and analysis planning to the Fund and Acquired Funds, where applicable, for the fiscal years ended November 30, 2024 and November 30, 2025 were $235,853 and $301,185, respectively. These services consisted of (i) review or preparation of U.S. federal, state, local and excise tax returns and refund claims ($199,242 and $301,185 for the fiscal years ended November 30, 2024 and November 30, 2025, respectively) and (ii) U.S. federal, state and local tax planning, advice and assistance regarding statutory, regulatory or administrative developments and other tax advice ($36,611 and $0 for the fiscal years ended November 30, 2024 and November 30, 2025, respectively).
There were no fees billed for tax services by the Auditors to the Registrant’s investment manager and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the investment manager that provides ongoing services to the Registrant (“Service Affiliates”) during the Reporting Periods that required pre-approval by the Audit Committee.
(d) All Other Fees. The aggregate fees billed in the Reporting Periods for products and services provided by the Auditor to the Registrant, other than the services reported in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this item, were $0 in November 30, 2024 and $0 in November 30, 2025.
There were no other non-audit services rendered by the Auditor to the Service Affiliates requiring pre-approval by the Audit Committee in the Reporting Periods.
(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 the Registrant’s investment manager 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 service providers controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Adviser that provide ongoing services to the Fund (“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 the 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) None of the services described in paragraphs (b) through (d) of this Item were performed in reliance on paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.
(f) Not applicable.
(g) Non-audit fees billed by the Auditor for services rendered to the Registrant and the Service Affiliates during the reporting period were $278,251 in November 30, 2024 and $948,087 in November 30, 2025.
h) Yes. The Registrant’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 Auditor’s independence. All services provided by the Auditor to the Registrant or to the Service Affiliates, which were required to be pre-approved, were pre-approved as required.
(i) Not applicable.
(j) Not applicable.
| Item 5. | AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS. |
a) Registrant has a separately-designated standing Audit Committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)58(A) of the Exchange Act. The Audit Committee consists of the following Board members:
Robert D. Agdern
Carol L. Colman
Anthony Grillo
Eileen A. Kamerick
Nisha Kumar
Peter Mason
Hillary A. Sale
b) Not applicable
| ITEM 6. | SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS. |
| (a) | Please see schedule of investments contained in the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights included under Item 1 of this Form N-CSR. |
| (b) | Not applicable. |
| ITEM 7. | FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS FOR OPEN-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES. |
Not applicable.
| ITEM 8. | CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS FOR OPEN-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES. |
Not applicable.
| ITEM 9. | PROXY DISCLOSURES FOR OPEN-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES. |
Not applicable.
| ITEM 10. | REMUNERATION PAID TO DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, AND OTHERS OF OPEN-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES. |
Not applicable.
| ITEM 11. | STATEMENT REGARDING BASIS FOR APPROVAL OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY CONTRACT. |
The information is disclosed as part of the Financial Statements included in Item 1 of this Form N-CSR, as applicable.
| ITEM 12. | DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES |
CLEARBRIDGE INVESTMENTS
PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
AMENDED AS OF SEPTEMBER 19, 2025
| I. | Types of Accounts for Which ClearBridge Votes Proxies |
| II. | General Guidelines |
| III. | How ClearBridge Votes |
| IV. | Conflicts of Interest |
| A. | Procedures for Identifying Conflicts of Interest |
| B. | Procedures for Assessing Materiality of Conflicts of Interest and for Addressing Material Conflicts of Interest |
| C. | Third Party Proxy Voting Firm - Conflicts of Interest |
| V. | Other Considerations |
| A. | When Votes May Not be Cast |
| B. | Split Voting in Sub-Custodial Accounts (Non-US Markets) |
| VI. | Disclosure of Proxy Voting |
| VII. | Recordkeeping and Oversight |
APPENDIX A Voting Policy
| A. | Election of Directors |
| B. | Proxy Contests |
| C. | Auditors |
| D. | Proxy Contest Defenses |
| E. | Tender Offer Defenses |
| F. | Miscellaneous Governance Provisions |
| G. | Capital Structure |
| H. | Executive and Director Compensation |
| I. | State/Country of Incorporation |
| J. | Mergers and Corporate Restructuring |
| K. | Social and Environmental Issues |
| L. | Miscellaneous |
CLEARBRIDGE INVESTMENTS
Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures
| I. | TYPES OF ACCOUNTS FOR WHICH CLEARBRIDGE VOTES PROXIES |
ClearBridge votes proxies for each client for which it has investment discretion unless the investment management agreement provides that the client or other authorized party (e.g., a trustee or named fiduciary of a plan) is responsible for voting proxies.
| II. | GENERAL GUIDELINES |
In voting proxies, we are guided by general fiduciary principles. Our goal is to act prudently, solely in the best interest of the beneficial owners of the accounts we manage. We attempt to provide for the consideration of all factors that could affect the value of the investment and will vote proxies in the manner that we believe will be consistent with efforts to maximize shareholder values.
| III. | HOW CLEARBRIDGE VOTES |
Appendix A attached hereto sets forth certain stated positions. In the case of a proxy issue for which there is a stated position, we generally vote in accordance with the stated position. In the case of a proxy issue for which there is a list of factors set forth in Appendix A that we consider in voting on such issue, we consider those factors and vote on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the general principles set forth above. In the case of a proxy issue for which there is no stated position or list of factors that we consider in voting on such issue, we vote on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the general principles set forth above. We may utilize an external service provider to provide us with information and/or a recommendation with regard to proxy votes but we are not required to follow any such recommendations. The use of an external service provider does not relieve us of our responsibility for the proxy vote.
For routine matters, we usually vote according to our policy or the external service provider’s recommendation, although we are not obligated to do so and each individual portfolio management team may vote contrary to our policy or the recommendation of the external service provider. If a matter is non-routine, e.g., management’s recommendation is different than that of the external service provider and ClearBridge is a significant holder or it is a significant holding for ClearBridge, the issues will be highlighted to the appropriate investment teams. Different investment teams may vote differently on the same issue, depending upon their assessment of clients’ best interests.
ClearBridge’s policies are reviewed annually and its proxy voting process is overseen and coordinated by its Proxy Committee.
| IV. | CONFLICTS OF INTEREST |
In furtherance of ClearBridge’s goal to vote proxies in the best interests of clients, ClearBridge follows procedures designed to identify and address material conflicts that may arise between ClearBridge’s interests and those of its clients before voting proxies on behalf of such clients.
| A. | Procedures for Identifying Conflicts of Interest |
ClearBridge relies on the following to seek to identify conflicts of interest with respect to proxy voting:
| 1. | ClearBridge’s employees are periodically reminded of their obligation (i) to be aware of the potential for conflicts of interest on the part of ClearBridge with respect to voting of proxies on behalf of client accounts both as a result of their personal relationships or personal or business relationships relating to another Franklin Resources, Inc. (“Franklin”) business unit, and (ii) to bring conflicts of interest of which they become aware to the attention of ClearBridge’s Chief Compliance Officer. |
| 2. | ClearBridge’s finance area maintains and provides to ClearBridge Compliance and proxy voting personnel an up- to-date list of all client relationships that have historically accounted for or are projected to account for greater than 1% of ClearBridge’s net revenues. | |
| 3. | As a general matter, ClearBridge takes the position that relationships between a non-ClearBridge Franklin unit and an issuer (e.g., investment management relationship between an issuer and a non-ClearBridge Franklin affiliate) do not present a conflict of interest for ClearBridge in voting proxies with respect to such issuer because ClearBridge operates as an independent business unit from other Franklin business units and because of the existence of informational barriers between ClearBridge and certain other Franklin business units. As noted above, ClearBridge employees are under an obligation to bring such conflicts of interest, including conflicts of interest which may arise because of an attempt by another Franklin business unit or non-ClearBridge Franklin officer or employee to influence proxy voting by ClearBridge to the attention of ClearBridge Compliance. | |
| 4. | A list of issuers with respect to which ClearBridge has a potential conflict of interest in voting proxies on behalf of client accounts will be maintained by ClearBridge proxy voting personnel. ClearBridge will not vote proxies relating to such issuers until it has been determined that the conflict of interest is not material or a method for resolving the conflict of interest has been agreed upon and implemented, as described below. | |
| B. | Procedures for Assessing Materiality of Conflicts of Interest and for Addressing Material Conflicts of Interest |
| 1. | ClearBridge maintains a Proxy Committee which, among other things, reviews and addresses conflicts of interest brought to its attention. The Proxy Committee is comprised of such ClearBridge personnel (and others, at ClearBridge’s request), as are designated from time to time. The current members of the Proxy Committee are set forth in the Proxy Committee’s Terms of Reference. | |
| 2. | All conflicts of interest identified pursuant to the procedures outlined in Section IV. A. must be brought to the attention of the Proxy Committee for resolution. A proxy issue that will be voted in accordance with a stated ClearBridge position on such issue or in accordance with the recommendation of an independent third party generally is not brought to the attention of the Proxy Committee for a conflict of interest review because ClearBridge’s position is that any conflict of interest issues are resolved by voting in accordance with a pre-determined policy or in accordance with the recommendation of an independent third party. | |
| 3. | The Proxy Committee will determine whether a conflict of interest is material. A conflict of interest will be considered material to the extent that it is determined that such conflict is likely to influence, or appear to influence, ClearBridge’s decision-making in voting the proxy. All materiality determinations will be based on an assessment of the particular facts and circumstances. A written record of all materiality determinations made by the Proxy Committee will be maintained. | |
| 4. | If it is determined by the Proxy Committee that a conflict of interest is not material, ClearBridge may vote proxies notwithstanding the existence of the conflict. | |
| 5. | If it is determined by the Proxy Committee that a conflict of interest is material, the Proxy Committee will determine an appropriate method to resolve such conflict of interest before the proxy affected by the conflict of interest is voted. Such determination shall be based on the particular facts and circumstances, including the importance of the proxy issue, the nature of the conflict of interest, etc. Such methods may include: | |
| • | disclosing the conflict to clients and obtaining their consent before voting; | |
| • | suggesting to clients that they engage another party to vote the proxy on their behalf; |
| • | in the case of a conflict of interest resulting from a particular employee’s personal relationships, removing such employee from the decision-making process with respect to such proxy vote; or | |
| • | such other method as is deemed appropriate given the particular facts and circumstances, including the importance of the proxy issue, the nature of the conflict of interest, etc.* | |
A written record of the method used to resolve a material conflict of interest shall be maintained.
| C. | Third Party Proxy Voting Firm - Conflicts of Interest |
With respect to a third-party proxy voting firm described herein, the Proxy Committee will periodically review and assess such firm’s policies, procedures and practices with respect to the disclosure and handling of conflicts of interest.
| V. | OTHER CONSIDERATIONS |
| A. | When Votes May Not be Cast |
In certain situations, ClearBridge may determine not to vote proxies on behalf of a client because ClearBridge believes that the expected benefit to the client of voting shares is outweighed by countervailing considerations. Examples of situations in which ClearBridge may determine not to vote proxies on behalf of a client include:
Share Blocking
Proxy voting in certain countries requires “share blocking.” This means that shareholders wishing to vote their proxies must deposit their shares shortly before the date of the meeting (e.g. one week) with a designated depositary. During the blocking period, shares that will be voted at the meeting cannot be sold until the meeting has taken place and the shares have been returned to client accounts by the designated depositary. In deciding whether to vote shares subject to share blocking, ClearBridge will consider and weigh, based on the particular facts and circumstances, the expected benefit to clients of voting in relation to the detriment to clients of not being able to sell such shares during the applicable period.
Securities on Loan
Certain clients of ClearBridge, such as an institutional client or a mutual fund for which ClearBridge acts as a sub-adviser, may engage in securities lending with respect to the securities in their accounts. ClearBridge typically does not direct or oversee such securities lending activities. To the extent feasible and practical under the circumstances, ClearBridge will request that the client recall shares that are on loan so that such shares can be voted if ClearBridge believes that the expected benefit to the client of voting such shares outweighs the detriment to the client of recalling such shares (e.g., foregone income). The ability to timely recall shares for proxy voting purposes typically is not entirely within the control of ClearBridge and requires the cooperation of the client and its other service providers. Under certain circumstances, the recall of shares in time for such shares to be voted may not be possible due to applicable proxy voting record dates and administrative considerations.
| B. | Split Votes in Sub-Custodial Accounts (Non-US Markets) |
In some non-US markets, where shares across multiple client accounts maybe he held in a joint sub-custodial account, split voting by a manager in such sub-custodial account may not be allowed. In those instances, ClearBridge will vote all shares in accordance with the pre-determined proxy
* Especially in the case of an apparent, as opposed to actual, conflict of interest, the Proxy Committee may resolve such conflict of interest by satisfying itself that ClearBridge’s proposed vote on a proxy issue is in the best interest of client accounts and is not being influenced by the conflict of interest.
voting guidelines, or if there is no voting policy established in this policy on the particular topic or issue, in accordance with the recommendations of the portfolio manager responsible for the client accounts holding the greatest number of shares of the relevant issuer.
| VI. | DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING |
ClearBridge employees may not disclose to others outside of ClearBridge (including employees of other Franklin business units) how ClearBridge intends to vote a proxy absent prior approval from ClearBridge’s Chief Compliance Officer, except that a ClearBridge investment professional may disclose to a third party (other than an employee of another Franklin business unit) how s/he intends to vote without obtaining prior approval from ClearBridge’s Chief Compliance Officer if (1) the disclosure is intended to facilitate a discussion of publicly available information by ClearBridge personnel with a representative of a company whose securities are the subject of the proxy, and (2) ClearBridge has voting power with respect to less than 5% of the outstanding common stock of the company.
If a ClearBridge employee receives a request to disclose ClearBridge’s proxy voting intentions to, or is otherwise contacted by, another person outside of ClearBridge (including an employee of another Franklin business unit or an existing ClearBridge client or its designated agent or representative) in connection with an upcoming proxy voting matter, he/she should immediately notify ClearBridge’s Chief Compliance Officer and not share any information regarding proxy voting intentions with such persons without obtaining the Chief Compliance Officer’s prior approval.
If a portfolio manager wants to take a public stance with regards to a proxy, s/he must consult with ClearBridge’s Chief Compliance Officer before making or issuing a public statement.
| VII. | RECORDKEEPING AND OVERSIGHT |
ClearBridge shall maintain the following records relating to proxy voting:
| • | a copy of these policies and procedures; | |
| • | a copy of each proxy form (as voted); | |
| • | a copy of each proxy solicitation (including proxy statements) and related materials with regard to each vote; | |
| • | documentation relating to the identification and resolution of conflicts of interest; | |
| • | any documents created by ClearBridge that were material to a proxy voting decision or that memorialized the basis for that decision; and | |
| • | a copy of each written client request for information on how ClearBridge voted proxies on behalf of the client, and a copy of any written response by ClearBridge to any (written or oral) client request for information on how ClearBridge voted proxies on behalf of the requesting client. | |
Such records shall be maintained and preserved in an easily accessible place for a period of not less than six years from the end of the fiscal year during which the last entry was made on such record, the first two years in an appropriate office of the ClearBridge adviser.
To the extent that ClearBridge is authorized to vote proxies for a United States Registered Investment Company, ClearBridge shall maintain such records as are necessary to allow such fund to comply with its recordkeeping, reporting and disclosure obligations under applicable laws, rules and regulations.
In lieu of keeping copies of proxy statements, ClearBridge may rely on proxy statements filed on the EDGAR system as well as on third party records of proxy statements and votes cast if the third party provides an undertaking to provide the documents promptly upon request.
APPENDIX A
VOTING POLICY
These are policy guidelines that can always be superseded, subject to the duty to act solely in the best interest of the beneficial owners of accounts, by the investment management professionals responsible for the account holding the shares being voted. There may be occasions when different investment teams vote differently on the same issue. In addition, in the case of Taft-Hartley clients, ClearBridge will comply with a client direction to vote proxies in accordance with Institutional Shareholder Services’ (ISS) PVS Proxy Voting Guidelines, which ISS represents to be fully consistent with AFL-CIO guidelines.
| A. | Election of Directors |
| 1. | Voting on Director Nominees in Uncontested Elections. | |
| a. | We withhold our vote from a director nominee who: | |
| • | attended less than 75 percent of the company’s board and committee meetings without a valid excuse (illness, service to the nation/local government, work on behalf of the company); | |
| • | received more than 50 percent withheld votes of the shares cast at the previous board election, and the company has failed to address the issue as to why; | |
| • | is a member of the company’s audit committee, when excessive non-audit fees were paid to the auditor, or there are chronic control issues and an absence of established effective control mechanisms; | |
| • | is a member of the company’s compensation committee if the compensation committee ignore a say on pay proposal that a majority of shareholders opposed; | |
| b. | We vote on a case-by-case basis in the following circumstances: | |
| i. | Significant Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emitters. We will vote on a case-by-case basis with respect to the Chair of the board and the Chair of the responsible committee in the case of companies that are significant GHG emitters but are not taking the minimum steps needed to understand, assess, and mitigate risks related to climate change to the company and the larger economy. Minimum steps include detailed disclosure of climate-related risks, such as the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD); and, at this time, “appropriate” GHG emissions reductions targets (i.e., short-term and medium-term GHG reduction targets). | |
| ii. | Nominating Committee Members. We will vote on a case-by-case basis with respect to director nominees who are members of the company’s nominating committee and there is no gender diversity or ethnic/racial diversity on the board (or those currently proposed for election to the board do not meet that criteria). | |
| iii. | Board Independence. We will vote on a case-by-case basis with respect to non-independent members of the board who are up for re-election and the chair of the board’s nominating committee if the board is not comprised of a majority of independent directors. This also applies to situations where board independence is not in line with local market regulations or best practices. |
| iv. | Director Independence. We will vote on a case-by-case basis with respect to an independent member of the board whose independence is not in line with local best practices and market-specific governance frameworks (e.g., listing standards, governance codes, laws and regulations). |
| v. | Overboarding. We will vote on a case-by-case basis with respect to a member of the board who is up for re-election and sits on five or more unaffiliated public company boards. | |
| c. | We vote for all other director nominees. | |
| 2. | Chairman and CEO is the Same Person. | |
We vote on a case-by-case basis on shareholder proposals that would require the positions of the Chairman and CEO to be held by different persons. We would generally vote FOR such a proposal unless there are compelling reasons to vote against the proposal, including:
| • | Designation of a lead director | |
| • | Majority of independent directors (supermajority) | |
| • | All independent key committees | |
| • | Size of the company (based on market capitalization) | |
| • | Established governance guidelines | |
| • | Company performance | |
| 3. | Majority of Independent Directors | |
| a. | We vote for shareholder proposals that request that the board be comprised of a majority of independent directors. Generally, that would require that the director have no connection to the company other than the board seat. In determining whether an independent director is truly independent (e.g. when voting on a slate of director candidates), we consider certain factors including, but not necessarily limited to, the following: whether the director or his/her company provided professional services to the company or its affiliates either currently or in the past year; whether the director has any transactional relationship with the company; whether the director is a significant customer or supplier of the company; whether the director is employed by a foundation or university that received significant grants or endowments from the company or its affiliates; and whether there are interlocking directorships. | |
| b. | We vote for shareholder proposals that request that the board audit, compensation and/or nominating committees include independent directors exclusively. | |
| 4. | Stock Ownership Requirements | |
We vote against shareholder proposals requiring directors to own a minimum amount of company stock in order to qualify as a director, or to remain on the board.
| 5. | Term of Office | |
We vote against shareholder proposals to limit the tenure of independent directors.
| 6. | Director and Officer Indemnification and Liability Protection |
| a. | Subject to subparagraphs b., c., and d. below, we vote for proposals concerning director and officer indemnification and liability protection. | |
| b. | We vote for proposals to limit and against proposals to eliminate entirely director and officer liability for monetary damages for violating the duty of care. |
| c. | We vote against indemnification proposals that would expand coverage beyond just legal expenses to acts, such as negligence, that are more serious violations of fiduciary obligations than mere carelessness. | |
| d. | We vote for only those proposals that provide such expanded coverage noted in subparagraph c. above in cases when a director’s or officer’s legal defense was unsuccessful if: (1) the director was found to have acted in good faith and in a manner that he reasonably believed was in the best interests of the company, and (2) if only the director’s legal expenses would be covered. | |
| 7. | Director Qualifications | |
| a. | We vote case-by-case on proposals that establish or amend director qualifications. Considerations include how reasonable the criteria are and to what degree they may preclude dissident nominees from joining the board. | |
| b. | We vote against shareholder proposals requiring two candidates per board seat. | |
B. Proxy Contests
| 1. | Voting for Director Nominees in Contested Elections | |
We vote on a case-by-case basis in contested elections of directors. Considerations include: chronology of events leading up to the proxy contest; qualifications of director nominees (incumbents and dissidents); for incumbents, whether the board is comprised of a majority of outside directors; whether key committees (i.e.: nominating, audit, compensation) comprise solely of independent outsiders; discussion with the respective portfolio manager(s).
| 2. | Reimburse Proxy Solicitation Expenses | |
We vote on a case-by-case basis on proposals to provide full reimbursement for dissidents waging a proxy contest. Considerations include: identity of persons who will pay solicitation expenses; cost of solicitation; percentage that will be paid to proxy solicitation firms.
| C. | Auditors |
| 1. | Ratifying Auditors | |
We vote for proposals to ratify auditors, unless an auditor has a financial interest in or association with the company, and is therefore not independent; or there is reason to believe that the independent auditor has rendered an opinion that is neither accurate nor indicative of the company’s financial position or there is reason to believe the independent auditor has not followed the highest level of ethical conduct. Specifically, we will vote to ratify auditors if the auditors only provide the company audit services and such other audit-related and non-audit services the provision of which will not cause such auditors to lose their independence under applicable laws, rules and regulations.
| 2. | Financial Statements and Director and Auditor Reports | |
We generally vote for management proposals seeking approval of financial accounts and reports and the discharge of management and supervisory board members, unless there is concern about the past actions of the company’s auditors or directors.
| 3. | Remuneration of Auditors | |
We vote for proposals to authorize the board or an audit committee of the board to determine the remuneration of auditors, unless there is evidence of excessive compensation relative to the size and nature of the company.
| 4. | Indemnification of Auditors |
We vote against proposals to indemnify auditors.
| D. | Proxy Contest Defenses |
| 1. | Board Structure: Staggered vs. Annual Elections | |
| a. | We vote against proposals to classify the board. | |
| b. | We vote for proposals to repeal classified boards and to elect all directors annually. | |
| 2. | Shareholder Ability to Remove Directors | |
| a. | We vote against proposals that provide that directors may be removed only for cause. | |
| b. | We vote for proposals to restore shareholder ability to remove directors with or without cause. | |
| c. | We vote against proposals that provide that only continuing directors may elect replacements to fill board vacancies. | |
| d. | We vote for proposals that permit shareholders to elect directors to fill board vacancies. | |
| 3. | Cumulative Voting | |
| a. | If plurality voting is in place for uncontested director elections, we vote for proposals to permit or restore cumulative voting. | |
| b. | If majority voting is in place for uncontested director elections, we vote against cumulative voting. | |
| c. | If plurality voting is in place for uncontested director elections, and proposals to adopt both cumulative voting and majority voting are on the same slate, we vote for majority voting and against cumulative voting. | |
| 4. | Majority Voting | |
We vote for non-binding and/or binding resolutions requesting that the board amend a company’s by-laws to stipulate that directors need to be elected with an affirmative majority of the votes cast, provided that it does not conflict with the state law where the company is incorporated. In addition, all resolutions need to provide for a carve-out for a plurality vote standard when there are more nominees than board seats (i.e. contested election). In addition, ClearBridge strongly encourages companies to adopt a post-election director resignation policy setting guidelines for the company to follow to promptly address situations involving holdover directors.
| 5. | Shareholder Ability to Call Special Meetings | |
| a. | We vote against proposals to restrict or prohibit shareholder ability to call special meetings. | |
| b. | We vote for proposals that provide shareholders with the ability to call special meetings, taking into account a minimum ownership threshold of 10 percent (and investor ownership structure, depending on bylaws). | |
| 6. | Shareholder Ability to Act by Written Consent | |
| a. | We vote against proposals to restrict or prohibit shareholder ability to take action by written consent. | |
| b. | We vote for proposals to allow or make easier shareholder action by written consent. | |
| 7. | Shareholder Ability to Alter the Size of the Board | |
| a. | We vote for proposals that seek to fix the size of the board. |
| b. | We vote against proposals that give management the ability to alter the size of the board without shareholder approval. | |
| 8. | Advance Notice Proposals | |
We vote on advance notice proposals on a case-by-case basis, giving support to those proposals which allow shareholders to submit proposals as close to the meeting date as reasonably possible and within the broadest window possible.
| 9. | Amendment of By-Laws | |
| a. | We vote against proposals giving the board exclusive authority to amend the by-laws. | |
| b. | We vote for proposals giving the board the ability to amend the by-laws in addition to shareholders. | |
| 10. | Article Amendments (not otherwise covered by ClearBridge Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures). | |
We review on a case-by-case basis all proposals seeking amendments to the articles of association.
We vote for article amendments if:
| • | shareholder rights are protected; | |
| • | there is negligible or positive impact on shareholder value; | |
| • | management provides adequate reasons for the amendments; and | |
| • | the company is required to do so by law (if applicable). | |
| E. | Tender Offer Defenses |
| 1. | Poison Pills | |
| a. | We vote for shareholder proposals that ask a company to submit its poison pill for shareholder ratification. | |
| b. | We vote on a case-by-case basis on shareholder proposals to redeem a company’s poison pill. Considerations include: when the plan was originally adopted; financial condition of the company; terms of the poison pill. | |
| c. | We vote on a case-by-case basis on management proposals to ratify a poison pill. Considerations include: sunset provision - poison pill is submitted to shareholders for ratification or rejection every 2 to 3 years; shareholder redemption feature -10% of the shares may call a special meeting or seek a written consent to vote on rescinding the rights plan. | |
| 2. | Fair Price Provisions | |
| a. | We vote for fair price proposals, as long as the shareholder vote requirement embedded in the provision is no more than a majority of disinterested shares. | |
| b. | We vote for shareholder proposals to lower the shareholder vote requirement in existing fair price provisions. | |
| 3. | Greenmail | |
| a. | We vote for proposals to adopt anti-greenmail charter or bylaw amendments or otherwise restrict a company’s ability to make greenmail payments. | |
| b. | We vote on a case-by-case basis on anti-greenmail proposals when they are bundled with other charter or bylaw amendments. |
| 4. | Unequal Voting Rights |
| a. | We vote against dual class exchange offers. |
| b. | We vote against dual class re-capitalization. |
| 5. | Supermajority Shareholder Vote Requirement to Amend the Charter or Bylaws |
| a. | We vote against management proposals to require a supermajority shareholder vote to approve charter and bylaw amendments. |
| b. | We vote for shareholder proposals to lower supermajority shareholder vote requirements for charter and bylaw amendments. |
| 6. | Supermajority Shareholder Vote Requirement to Approve Mergers |
| a. | We vote against management proposals to require a supermajority shareholder vote to approve mergers and other significant business combinations. |
| b. | We vote for shareholder proposals to lower supermajority shareholder vote requirements for mergers and other significant business combinations. |
| 7. | White Knight/Squire Placements |
We vote for shareholder proposals to require approval of blank check preferred stock issues.
| F. | Miscellaneous Governance Provisions |
| 1. | Confidential Voting |
| a. | We vote for shareholder proposals that request corporations to adopt confidential voting, use independent tabulators and use independent inspectors of election as long as the proposals include clauses for proxy contests as follows: in the case of a contested election, management is permitted to request that the dissident group honor its confidential voting policy. If the dissidents agree, the policy remains in place. If the dissidents do not agree, the confidential voting policy is waived. |
| b. | We vote for management proposals to adopt confidential voting subject to the proviso for contested elections set forth in sub-paragraph B.1. above. |
| 2. | Equal Access |
We vote for shareholder proposals that would allow significant company shareholders equal access to management’s proxy material in order to evaluate and propose voting recommendations on proxy proposals and director nominees, and in order to nominate their own candidates to the board.
| 3. | Bundled Proposals |
We vote on a case-by-case basis on bundled or “conditioned” proxy proposals. In the case of items that are conditioned upon each other, we examine the benefits and costs of the packaged items. In instances when the joint effect of the conditioned items is not in shareholders’ best interests and therefore not in the best interests of the beneficial owners of accounts, we vote against the proposals. If the combined effect is positive, we support such proposals.
| 4. | Shareholder Advisory Committees |
We vote on a case-by-case basis on proposals to establish a shareholder advisory committee. Considerations include: rationale and cost to the firm to form such a committee. We generally vote against such proposals if the board and key nominating committees are comprised solely of independent/outside directors.
| 5. | Other Business |
We vote for proposals that seek to bring forth other business matters.
| 6. | Adjourn Meeting |
We vote on a case-by-case basis on proposals that seek to adjourn a shareholder meeting in order to solicit additional votes.
| 7. | Lack of Information |
We vote against proposals if a company fails to provide shareholders with adequate information upon which to base their voting decision.
| G. | Capital Structure |
| 1. | Common Stock Authorization |
| a. | We vote on a case-by-case basis on proposals to increase the number of shares of common stock authorized for issue, except as described in paragraph 2 below. |
| b. | Subject to paragraph 3, below we vote for the approval requesting increases in authorized shares if the company meets certain criteria: |
| • | Company has already issued a certain percentage (i.e. greater than 50%) of the company’s allotment. |
| • | The proposed increase is reasonable (i.e. less than 150% of current inventory) based on an analysis of the company’s historical stock management or future growth outlook of the company. |
| c. | We vote on a case-by-case basis, based on the input of affected portfolio managers, if holding is greater than 1% of an account. |
| 2. | Stock Distributions: Splits and Dividends |
We vote on a case-by-case basis on management proposals to increase common share authorization for a stock split, provided that the split does not result in an increase of authorized but unissued shares of more than 100% after giving effect to the shares needed for the split.
| 3. | Reverse Stock Splits |
We vote for management proposals to implement a reverse stock split, provided that the reverse split does not result in an increase of authorized but unissued shares of more than 100% after giving effect to the shares needed for the reverse split.
| 4. | Blank Check Preferred Stock |
| a. | We vote against proposals to create, authorize or increase the number of shares with regard to blank check preferred stock with unspecified voting, conversion, dividend distribution and other rights. |
| b. | We vote for proposals to create “declawed” blank check preferred stock (stock that cannot be used as a takeover defense). |
| c. | We vote for proposals to authorize preferred stock in cases where the company specifies the voting, dividend, conversion, and other rights of such stock and the terms of the preferred stock appear reasonable. |
| d. | We vote for proposals requiring a shareholder vote for blank check preferred stock issues. |
| 5. | Adjust Par Value of Common Stock |
We vote for management proposals to reduce the par value of common stock.
| 6. | Preemptive Rights |
| a. | We vote on a case-by-case basis for shareholder proposals seeking to establish them and consider the following factors: |
| • | Size of the Company. |
| • | Characteristics of the size of the holding (holder owning more than 1% of the outstanding shares). |
| • | Percentage of the rights offering (rule of thumb less than 5%). |
| b. | We vote on a case-by-case basis for shareholder proposals seeking the elimination of pre-emptive rights. |
| 7. | Debt Restructuring |
We vote on a case-by-case basis for proposals to increase common and/or preferred shares and to issue shares as part of a debt-restructuring plan. Generally, we approve proposals that facilitate debt restructuring.
| 8. | Share Repurchase Programs |
We vote for management proposals to institute open-market share repurchase plans in which all shareholders may participate on equal terms.
| 9. | Dual-Class Stock |
We vote for proposals to eliminate dual-class structures, unless a company has a stated policy that stipulates that the dual class structure will be eliminated in a period not to exceed 5 years from its initial public offering.
| 10. | Issue Stock for Use with Rights Plan |
We vote against proposals that increase authorized common stock for the explicit purpose of implementing a shareholder rights plan (poison pill).
| 11. | Debt Issuance Requests |
When evaluating a debt issuance request, the issuing company’s present financial situation is examined. The main factor for analysis is the company’s current debt-to-equity ratio, or gearing level. A high gearing level may incline markets and financial analysts to downgrade the company’s bond rating, increasing its investment risk factor in the process. A gearing level up to 100 percent is considered acceptable.
We vote for debt issuances for companies when the gearing level is between zero and 100 percent.
We view on a case-by-case basis proposals where the issuance of debt will result in the gearing level being greater than 100 percent. Any proposed debt issuance is compared to industry and market standards.
| 12. | Financing Plans |
We generally vote for the adopting of financing plans if we believe they are in the best economic interests of shareholders.
| H. | Executive and Director Compensation |
In general, we vote for executive and director compensation plans, with the view that viable compensation programs reward the creation of stockholder wealth by having high payout sensitivity to increases in shareholder value. Certain factors, however, such as repricing
underwater stock options without shareholder approval, would cause us to vote against a plan. Additionally, in some cases we would vote against a plan deemed unnecessary.
| 1. | OBRA-Related Compensation Proposals |
| a. | Amendments that Place a Cap on Annual Grant or Amend Administrative Features |
We vote for plans that simply amend shareholder-approved plans to include administrative features or place a cap on the annual grants any one participant may receive to comply with the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code.
| b. | Amendments to Added Performance-Based Goals |
We vote for amendments to add performance goals to existing compensation plans to comply with the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code.
| c. | Amendments to Increase Shares and Retain Tax Deductions Under OBRA |
We vote for amendments to existing plans to increase shares reserved and to qualify the plan for favorable tax treatment under the provisions of Section 162(m) the Internal Revenue Code.
| d. | Approval of Cash or Cash-and-Stock Bonus Plans |
We vote for cash or cash-and-stock bonus plans to exempt the compensation from taxes under the provisions of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code.
| 2. | Expensing of Options |
We vote for proposals to expense stock options on financial statements.
| 3. | Shareholder Proposals to Limit Executive and Director Pay |
| a. | We vote on a case-by-case basis on all shareholder proposals that seek additional disclosure of executive and director pay information. Considerations include: cost and form of disclosure. We vote for such proposals if additional disclosure is relevant to shareholder’s needs and would not put the company at a competitive disadvantage relative to its industry. |
| b. | We vote on a case-by-case basis on all other shareholder proposals that seek to limit executive and director pay. |
We have a policy of voting to reasonably limit the level of options and other equity-based compensation arrangements available to management to reasonably limit shareholder dilution and management compensation. For options and equity-based compensation arrangements, we vote FOR proposals or amendments that would result in the available awards being less than 10% of fully diluted outstanding shares (i.e. if the combined total of shares, common share equivalents and options available to be awarded under all current and proposed compensation plans is less than 10% of fully diluted shares). In the event the available awards exceed the 10% threshold, we would also consider the % relative to the common practice of its specific industry (e.g. technology firms). Other considerations would include, without limitation, the following:
| • | Compensation committee comprised of independent outside directors |
| • | Maximum award limits |
| • | Repricing without shareholder approval prohibited |
| • | 3-year average burn rate for company |
| • | Plan administrator has authority to accelerate the vesting of awards |
| • | Shares under the plan subject to performance criteria |
| 4. | Golden Parachutes |
| a. | We vote for shareholder proposals to have golden parachutes submitted for shareholder ratification. |
| b. | We vote on a case-by-case basis on all proposals to ratify or cancel golden parachutes. Considerations include: the amount should not exceed 3 times average base salary plus guaranteed benefits; golden parachute should be less attractive than an ongoing employment opportunity with the firm. |
| 5. | Golden Coffins |
| a. | We vote for shareholder proposals that request a company not to make any death benefit payments to senior executives’ estates or beneficiaries, or pay premiums in respect to any life insurance policy covering a senior executive’s life (“golden coffin”). We carve out benefits provided under a plan, policy or arrangement applicable to a broader group of employees, such as offering group universal life insurance. |
| b. | We vote for shareholder proposals that request shareholder approval of survivor benefits for future agreements that, following the death of a senior executive, would obligate the company to make payments or awards not earned. |
| 6. | Anti-Tax Gross-up Policy |
| a. | We vote for proposals that ask a company to adopt a policy whereby it will not make, or promise to make, any tax gross-up payment to its senior executives, except for tax gross-ups provided pursuant to a plan, policy, or arrangement applicable to management employees of the company generally, such as relocation or expatriate tax equalization policy; we also vote for proposals that ask management to put gross-up payments to a shareholder vote. |
| b. | We vote against proposals where a company will make, or promise to make, any tax gross-up payment to its senior executives without a shareholder vote, except for tax gross-ups provided pursuant to a plan, policy, or arrangement applicable to management employees of the company generally, such as relocation or expatriate tax equalization policy. |
| 7. | Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) |
We vote for proposals that request shareholder approval in order to implement an ESOP or to increase authorized shares for existing ESOPs, except in cases when the number of shares allocated to the ESOP is “excessive” (i.e., generally greater than five percent of outstanding shares).
| 8. | Employee Stock Purchase Plans |
| a. | We vote for qualified plans where all of the following apply: |
| • | The purchase price is at least 85 percent of fair market value |
| • | The offering period is 27 months or less |
| • | The number of shares allocated to the plan is five percent or less of outstanding shares |
If the above do not apply, we vote on a case-by-case basis.
| b. | We vote for non-qualified plans where all of the following apply: |
| • | All employees of the company are eligible to participate (excluding 5 percent or more beneficial owners) |
| • | There are limits on employee contribution (ex: fixed dollar amount) |
| • | There is a company matching contribution with a maximum of 25 percent of an employee’s contribution |
| • | There is no discount on the stock price on purchase date (since there is a company match) |
If the above do not apply, we vote against the non-qualified employee stock purchase plan.
| 9. | 401(k) Employee Benefit Plans |
We vote for proposals to implement a 401(k) savings plan for employees.
| 10. | Stock Compensation Plans |
| a. | We vote for stock compensation plans which provide a dollar-for-dollar cash for stock exchange. |
| b. | We vote on a case-by-case basis for stock compensation plans which do not provide a dollar-for-dollar cash for stock exchange using a quantitative model. |
| 11. | Directors Retirement Plans |
| a. | We vote against retirement plans for non-employee directors. |
| b. | We vote for shareholder proposals to eliminate retirement plans for non-employee directors. |
| 12. | Management Proposals to Reprice Options |
We vote against management proposals seeking approval to reprice options.
| 13. | Shareholder Proposals Regarding Executive and Director Pay |
| a. | We vote against shareholder proposals seeking to set absolute levels on compensation or otherwise dictate the amount or form of compensation. |
| b. | We vote against shareholder proposals requiring director fees be paid in stock only. |
| c. | We vote against shareholder proposals to eliminate vesting of options and restricted stock on change of control. |
| d. | We vote for shareholder proposals to put option repricing to a shareholder vote. |
| e. | We vote for shareholder proposals that call for a non-binding advisory vote on executive pay (“say-on-pay”). Company boards would adopt a policy giving shareholders the opportunity at each annual meeting to vote on an advisory resolution to ratify the compensation of the named executive officers set forth in the proxy statement’s summary compensation table. |
| f. | We vote “annual” for the frequency of say-on-pay proposals rather than once every two or three years. |
| g. | We vote on a case-by-case basis for all other shareholder proposals regarding executive and director pay, taking into account company performance, pay level versus peers, pay level versus industry, and long term corporate outlook. |
| 14. | Management Proposals on Executive Compensation |
For non-binding advisory votes on executive officer compensation, when management and the external service provider agree, we vote for the proposal. When management and the external service provider disagree, the proposal becomes a refer item. In the case of a Refer item, the factors under consideration will include the following:
| • | Company performance over the last 1, 3, and 5-year periods on a total shareholder return basis |
| • | Performance metrics for short- and long-term incentive programs |
| • | CEO pay relative to company performance (is there a misalignment) |
| • | Tax gross-ups to senior executives |
| • | Change-in-control arrangements |
| • | Presence of a clawback provision, ownership guidelines, or stock holding requirements for senior executives |
| 15. | Stock Retention / Holding Period of Equity Awards |
We vote on a case-by-case basis on shareholder proposals asking companies to adopt policies requiring senior executives to retain all or a significant (>50 percent) portion of their shares acquired through equity compensation plans, either:
| • | While employed and/or for one to two years following the termination of their employment; or |
| • | For a substantial period following the lapse of all other vesting requirements for the award, with ratable release of a portion of the shares annually during the lock-up period |
The following factors will be taken into consideration:
| • | Whether the company has any holding period, retention ratio, or named executive officer ownership requirements currently in place |
| • | Actual stock ownership of the company’s named executive officers |
| • | Policies aimed at mitigating risk taking by senior executives |
| • | Pay practices at the company that we deem problematic |
| I. | State/Country of Incorporation |
| 1. | Voting on State Takeover Statutes |
| a. | We vote for proposals to opt out of state freeze-out provisions. |
| b. | We vote for proposals to opt out of state disgorgement provisions. |
| 2. | Voting on Re-incorporation Proposals |
We vote on a case-by-case basis on proposals to change a company’s state or country of incorporation. Considerations include: reasons for re-incorporation (i.e. financial, restructuring, etc); advantages/benefits for change (i.e. lower taxes); compare the differences in state/country laws governing the corporation.
| 3. | Control Share Acquisition Provisions |
| a. | We vote against proposals to amend the charter to include control share acquisition provisions. |
| b. | We vote for proposals to opt out of control share acquisition statutes unless doing so would enable the completion of a takeover that would be detrimental to shareholders. |
| c. | We vote for proposals to restore voting rights to the control shares. |
| d. | We vote for proposals to opt out of control share cashout statutes. |
| J. | Mergers and Corporate Restructuring |
| 1. | Mergers and Acquisitions |
| a. | We vote on a case-by-case basis on mergers and acquisitions. Considerations include: benefits/advantages of the combined companies (i.e. economies of scale, operating synergies, increase in market power/share, etc.); offer price (premium or discount); change in the capital structure; impact on shareholder rights. |
| 2. | Corporate Restructuring |
| a. | We vote on a case-by-case basis on corporate restructuring proposals involving minority squeeze outs and leveraged buyouts. Considerations include: offer price, other alternatives/offers considered and review of fairness opinions. |
| 3. | Spin-offs |
| a. | We vote on a case-by-case basis on spin-offs. Considerations include the tax and regulatory advantages, planned use of sale proceeds, market focus, and managerial incentives. |
| 4. | Asset Sales |
| a. | We vote on a case-by-case basis on asset sales. Considerations include the impact on the balance sheet/working capital, value received for the asset, and potential elimination of diseconomies. |
| 5. | Liquidations |
| a. | We vote on a case-by-case basis on liquidations after reviewing management’s efforts to pursue other alternatives, appraisal value of assets, and the compensation plan for executives managing the liquidation. |
| 6. | Appraisal Rights |
| a. | We vote for proposals to restore, or provide shareholders with, rights of appraisal. |
| 7. | Changing Corporate Name |
| a. | We vote for proposals to change the “corporate name”, unless the proposed name change bears a negative connotation. |
| 8. | Conversion of Securities |
| a. | We vote on a case-by-case basis on proposals regarding conversion of securities. Considerations include the dilution to existing shareholders, the conversion price relative to market value, financial issues, control issues, termination penalties, and conflicts of interest. |
| 9. | Stakeholder Provisions |
| a. | We vote against proposals that ask the board to consider non-shareholder constituencies or other non-financial effects when evaluating a merger or business combination. |
| K. | Social and Environmental Issues |
When considering environmental and social (E&S) proposals, we have an obligation to vote proxies in the best interest of our clients, considering both shareholder value as well as societal impact.
| 1. | Sustainability Reporting |
| a. | We vote for proposals seeking greater disclosure on the company’s environmental, social & governance policies and practices; |
| b. | We vote for proposals that would require companies whose annual revenues are at least $5 billion to prepare a sustainability report. All others will be decided on a case-by-case basis. |
| 2. | Diversity |
| a. | We vote for proposals supporting nomination of most qualified candidates, inclusive of a diverse pool of women and people of color, to the Board of Directors and senior management levels; |
| b. | We vote for proposals requesting comprehensive disclosure on board diversity; |
| c. | We vote for proposals requesting comprehensive disclosure on employee diversity; |
| d. | We vote for proposals requesting comprehensive reports on gender and racial pay disparity; |
| 3. | Climate Risk Disclosure |
| a. | We vote for climate proposals that are not overly prescriptive seeking more disclosure on financial, physical or regulatory risks related to climate change and/or how the company measures and manages such risks; |
| b. | We vote for climate proposals that are not overly prescriptive requesting a report/disclosure of goals on GHG emissions reduction targets from company operations and/or products; |
| 4. | Case-by-case E&S proposals (examples): |
| a. | Animal welfare policies; |
| b. | Human rights and related company policies; |
| c. | Talent acquisition and retention policies; we generally support proposals that enable a company to recruit, support and retain talent in a globally competitive world; |
| d. | Operations in high-risk or sensitive areas; |
| e. | Product integrity and marketing; and |
| f. | Proposals asking a company to conduct an independent racial equity and/or civil rights audit. |
| L. | Miscellaneous |
| 1. | Charitable Contributions |
We vote against proposals to eliminate, direct or otherwise restrict charitable contributions.
| 2. | Political Contributions |
We will vote in favor of non-binding proposals for reports on corporate lobbying and political contributions.
In general, we vote on a case-by-case basis on other shareholder proposals pertaining to political contributions. In determining our vote on political contribution proposals we consider, among other things, the following:
| • | Does the company have a political contributions policy publicly available |
| • | How extensive is the disclosure on these documents |
| • | What oversight mechanisms the company has in place for approving/reviewing political contributions and expenditures |
| • | Does the company provide information on its trade association expenditures |
| • | Total amount of political expenditure by the company in recent history |
| 3. | Operational Items |
| a. | We vote against proposals to provide management with the authority to adjourn an annual or special meeting absent compelling reasons to support the proposal. |
| b. | We vote against proposals to reduce quorum requirements for shareholder meetings below a majority of the shares outstanding unless there are compelling reasons to support the proposal. |
| c. | We vote for by-law or charter changes that are of a housekeeping nature (updates or corrections). |
| d. | We vote for management proposals to change the date/time/location of the annual meeting unless the proposed change is unreasonable. |
| e. | We vote against shareholder proposals to change the date/time/location of the annual meeting unless the current scheduling or location is unreasonable. |
| f. | We vote against proposals to approve other business when it appears as voting item. |
| 4. | Routine Agenda Items |
In some markets, shareholders are routinely asked to approve:
| • | the opening of the shareholder meeting |
| • | that the meeting has been convened under local regulatory requirements |
| • | the presence of a quorum |
| • | the agenda for the shareholder meeting |
| • | the election of the chair of the meeting |
| • | regulatory filings |
| • | the allowance of questions |
| • | the publication of minutes |
| • | the closing of the shareholder meeting |
We generally vote for these and similar routine management proposals.
| 5. | Allocation of Income and Dividends |
We generally vote for management proposals concerning allocation of income and the distribution of dividends, unless the amount of the distribution is consistently and unusually small or large.
| 6. | Stock (Scrip) Dividend Alternatives |
| a. | We vote for most stock (scrip) dividend proposals. |
| b. | We vote against proposals that do not allow for a cash option unless management demonstrates that the cash option is harmful to shareholder value. |
ClearBridge has determined that portfolio holdings that are registered investment companies, particularly closed end investment companies, raise special policy issues making specific voting guidelines frequently inapplicable. To the extent that ClearBridge has proxy voting authority with respect to shares of registered investment companies, ClearBridge shall vote such shares in the best interest of client accounts and subject to the general fiduciary principles set forth herein without regard to the specific voting guidelines set forth in Appendix A, A. through L.
The voting policy guidelines set forth herein will be reviewed annually and may be changed by ClearBridge’s Proxy Committee in its sole discretion.
| ITEM 13. | PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES. |
(a)(1): As of the date of filing this report:
|
Patrick McElroy Clearbridge One Madison Avenue New York, NY 10010 |
Since 2023 |
Co-portfolio manager of the fund; Mr. McElroy is a Director and a Portfolio Manager of ClearBridge. Mr. McElroy joined the subadviser in 2007 and was previously a Convertible Securities Research Analyst for Palisade Capital Management, a Convertible Securities and Equities Research Analyst at Jefferies & Co., a Research Associate for Fixed Income at Standard & Poor’s and prior to that, worked in Fixed Income Division Sales at Donaldson, Lufkin and Jenrette Securities. He has 33 years of investment industry experience. |
|
Peter Vanderlee Clearbridge One Madison Avenue New York, NY 10010 |
Since 2011 |
Co-portfolio manager of the fund; Managing Director and Portfolio Manager with ClearBridge Advisors. Mr. Vanderlee has 25 years of investment management experience and thirteen years of related investment experience.
|
(a)(2): DATA TO BE PROVIDED BY FINANCIAL CONTROL
The following tables set forth certain additional information with respect to the fund’s investment professionals for the fund. Unless noted otherwise, all information is provided as of November 30, 2025.
Other Accounts Managed by Investment Professionals
The table below identifies the number of accounts (other than the fund) for which the fund’s investment professionals have day-to-day management responsibilities and the total assets in such accounts, within each of the following categories: registered investment companies, other pooled investment vehicles, and other accounts. For each category, the number of accounts and total assets in the accounts where fees are based on performance is also indicated.
| Name of PM | Type of Account | Number of Accounts Managed | Total Assets Managed | Number of Accounts Managed for which Advisory Fee is Performance-Based | Assets Managed for which Advisory Fee is Performance-Based |
| Peter Vanderlee | Other Registered Investment Companies | 2 | $800 million | None | None |
| Other Pooled Vehicles | 3 | $1.60 billion | None | None | |
| Other Accounts | 1,424 | $500 million | None | None | |
| Patrick McElroy | Other Registered Investment Companies | 2 | $800 million | None | None |
| Other Pooled Vehicles | 3 | $1.60 billion | None | None | |
| Other Accounts | 1,509 | $550 million | None | None |
(a)(3): Portfolio Manager Compensation (As of November 30, 2025):
Conflicts of Interest
In this subsection and the next subsection titled “Portfolio Manager Compensation Structure”, “Subadviser” refers to ClearBridge Investments, LLC.
Potential conflicts of interest may arise when the Fund’s portfolio managers also have day-to-day management responsibilities with respect to one or more other funds or other accounts, as is the case for the Fund’s portfolio managers.
The Subadviser and the Fund have adopted compliance policies and procedures that are designed to address various conflicts of interest that may arise for the Subadviser and the individuals that each employs. For example, the Subadviser seeks to minimize the effects of competing interests for the time and attention of portfolio managers by assigning portfolio managers to manage funds and accounts that share a similar investment style. The Subadviser has also adopted trade allocation procedures that are designed to facilitate the fair allocation of investment opportunities among multiple funds and accounts. There is no guarantee, however, that the policies and procedures adopted by the Subadviser and the Fund will be able to detect and/or prevent every situation in which an actual or potential conflict may appear. These potential conflicts include:
Allocation of Limited Time and Attention. A portfolio manager who is responsible for managing multiple funds and/or accounts may devote unequal time and attention to the management of those funds and/or accounts. The effects of this potential conflict may be more pronounced where funds and/or accounts overseen by a particular portfolio manager have different investment strategies.
Allocation of Investment Opportunities. If a portfolio manager identifies an investment opportunity that may be suitable for multiple funds and/or accounts, the opportunity may be allocated among these several funds or accounts, which may limit a fund’s ability to take full advantage of the investment opportunity. The Subadviser has adopted policies and procedures to ensure that all accounts, including the Fund, are treated equitably.
Pursuit of Differing Strategies. At times, a portfolio manager may determine that an investment opportunity may be appropriate for only some of the funds and/or accounts for which he or she exercises investment responsibility, or may decide that certain of the funds and/or accounts should take differing positions with respect to a particular security. In these cases, the portfolio manager may place separate transactions for one or more funds or accounts which may affect the market price of the security or the execution of the transaction, or both, to the detriment or benefit of one or more other funds and/or accounts.
Selection of Broker/Dealers. In addition to executing trades, some broker/dealers provide brokerage and research services (as those terms are defined in Section 28(e) of the 1934 Act), which may result in the payment of higher brokerage fees than might have otherwise been available. These services may be more beneficial to certain funds or accounts than to others. For this reason, the Subadviser has formed a brokerage committee that reviews, among other things, the allocation of brokerage to broker/dealers, best execution and soft dollar usage.
Variation in Compensation. A conflict of interest may arise where the financial or other benefits available to the portfolio manager differ among the funds and/or accounts that he or she manages. If the structure of the manager’s management fee (and the percentage paid to the Subadviser) differs among funds and/or accounts (such as where certain funds or accounts pay higher management fees or performance-based management fees), the portfolio manager might be motivated to help certain funds and/or accounts over others.
The portfolio manager might be motivated to favor funds and/or accounts in which he or she has an interest or in which the manager and/or its affiliates have interests. Similarly, the desire to maintain assets under management or to enhance the portfolio manager’s performance record or to derive other rewards, financial or otherwise, could influence the portfolio manager in affording preferential treatment to those funds and/or accounts that could most significantly benefit the portfolio manager.
Portfolio Manager Compensation Structure
The Subadviser’s portfolio managers participate in a competitive compensation program that is designed to attract and retain outstanding investment professionals and closely align the interests of its investment professionals with those of its clients and overall firm results. The total compensation program includes a significant incentive component that rewards high performance standards, integrity, and collaboration consistent with the firm’s values. Portfolio manager compensation is reviewed and modified each year as appropriate to reflect changes in the market and to ensure the continued alignment with the goals stated above. The Subadviser’s portfolio managers and other investment professionals receive a combination of base compensation and discretionary compensation, comprising a cash incentive award and deferred incentive plans described below.
Base salary compensation. Base salary is fixed and primarily determined based on market factors and the experience and responsibilities of the investment professional within the firm.
Discretionary compensation. In addition to base compensation managers may receive discretionary compensation.
Discretionary compensation can include:
| • | Cash Incentive Award | |
| • | The Subadviser’s Deferred Incentive Plan (CDIP)—a mandatory program that typically defers 15% of discretionary year-end compensation into the Subadviser’s managed products. For portfolio managers, one-third of this deferral tracks the performance of their primary managed product, one-third tracks the performance of a composite portfolio of the firm’s new product and one-third can be elected to track the performance of one or more of the Subadviser’s managed funds. Consequently, portfolio managers can have two-thirds of their CDIP award tracking the performance of their primary managed products. For centralized research analysts, two-thirds of their deferral is elected to track the performance of one of more of Subadviser’s managed funds, while one-third tracks the performance of the new product composite. The Subadviser then makes a company investment in the proprietary managed funds equal to the deferral amounts by fund. This investment is a company asset held on the balance sheet and paid out to the employees in the shares subject to vesting requirements. | |
| • | Franklin Resources Restricted Stock Deferral—a mandatory program that typically defers 5% of discretionary year-end compensation into Franklin Resources restricted stock. The award is paid out to employees in shares subject to vesting requirements. | |
Several factors are considered by the Subadviser’s Senior Management when determining discretionary compensation for portfolio managers. These include but are not limited to:
| • | Investment performance. A portfolio manager’s compensation is linked to the pre-tax investment performance of the fund/accounts managed by the portfolio manager. Investment performance is calculated for 1-, 3-, and 5-year periods measured against the applicable product benchmark (e.g., a securities index and, with respect to a fund, the benchmark set forth in the Fund’s Prospectus) and relative to applicable industry peer groups. The greatest weight is generally placed on 3- and 5-year performance. | |
| • | Appropriate risk positioning that is consistent with the Subadviser’s investment philosophy and the Investment Committee/CIO approach to generation of alpha. | |
• Overall firm profitability and performance.
• Amount and nature of assets managed by the portfolio manager.
• Contributions for asset retention, gathering and client satisfaction.
• Contribution to mentoring, coaching and/or supervising.
| • | Contribution and communication of investment ideas in the Subadviser’s Investment Committee meetings and on a day to day basis. | |
• Market compensation survey research by independent third parties.
Investment Professional Securities Ownership
The table below identifies the dollar range of securities beneficially owned by the named investment professional as of November 30, 2025.
|
Investment Professional(s) |
Dollar Range of | |
| Peter Vanderlee | D | |
| Patrick McElroy | A |
Dollar Range ownership is as follows:
A: none
B: $1 - $10,000
C: 10,001 - $50,000
D: $50,001 - $100,000
E: $100,001 - $500,000
F: $500,001 - $1 million
G: over $1 million
| ITEM 14. | PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS |
Not applicable.
| ITEM 15. | SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS. |
There have been no changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the Registrant’s Board of Trustees that would require disclosure herein.
| ITEM 16. | 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 period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are likely to materially affect the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. |
| ITEM 17. | DISCLOSURE OF SECURITIES LENDING ACTIVITIES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES. |
Not applicable.
| ITEM 18. | RECOVERY OF ERRONEOUSLY AWARDED COMPENSATION. |
| (a) | Not applicable. |
| (b) | Not applicable. |
| ITEM 19. | EXHIBITS. |
(a) (1) Code of Ethics attached hereto.
Exhibit 99.CODE ETH
(a) (3) 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.
ClearBridge Energy Midstream Opportunity Fund Inc.
| By: | /s/ Jane Trust | |
| Jane Trust | ||
| Chief Executive Officer |
| Date: | January 27, 2026 |
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/ Jane Trust | |
| Jane Trust | ||
| Chief Executive Officer |
| Date: | January 27, 2026 |
| By: | /s/ Christopher Berarducci | |
| Christopher Berarducci | ||
| Principal Financial Officer |
| Date: | January 27, 2026 |
FAQ
How did ClearBridge Energy Midstream Opportunity Fund (EMO) perform for the year ended November 30, 2025?
For the twelve months ended November 30, 2025, EMO returned -4.83% based on net asset value and -1.28% based on its New York Stock Exchange market price. Over the same period, the Alerian MLP Index returned 3.55%.
What distributions did EMO pay in 2025 and how were they characterized?
During the twelve-month period, the Fund paid total distributions of $4.23 per share, of which $3.42 per share is expected to be treated as a return of capital for tax purposes. The Fund seeks to maintain a relatively stable level of distributions to shareholders.
What is the investment objective and strategy of EMO?
The Fund’s objective is to provide long-term investors a high level of total return with an emphasis on cash distributions. Under normal market conditions it invests at least 80% of its managed assets in energy midstream entities involved in gathering, transporting, processing, storing, refining and distributing oil, natural gas liquids and natural gas.
Who manages ClearBridge Energy Midstream Opportunity Fund and were there any team changes?
ClearBridge Investments, LLC is the subadviser. The portfolio managers primarily responsible are Peter Vanderlee, CFA and Patrick J McElroy, CFA. Effective December 31, 2024, Chris Eades retired and stepped down from the portfolio management team.
What are EMO’s largest holdings as of November 30, 2025?
As a percentage of total net assets, the Fund’s top ten holdings include Targa Resources Corp. (12.7%), Energy Transfer LP (11.9%), MPLX LP (10.8%), Williams Cos. Inc. (9.6%), Western Midstream Partners LP (9.4%), ONEOK Inc. (8.7%), Enterprise Products Partners LP (8.0%), Kinder Morgan Inc. (7.4%), Enbridge Inc. (6.4%) and Antero Midstream Corp. (6.1%).
How much leverage does EMO use and what instruments are outstanding?
As of November 30, 2025, the Fund had a $134,000,000 loan outstanding under a revolving credit agreement and $17,490,794 in senior secured notes. It also had $68,200,265 in mandatory redeemable preferred stock at aggregate liquidation value.
Did EMO undertake any capital actions like a rights offering in 2025?
Yes. A transferable rights offering that expired on October 10, 2025 resulted in the issuance of 1,824,401 new common shares at a subscription price of $42.11, raising gross proceeds of $76,825,526.