UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM N-CSR

 

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED
MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

 

Investment Company Act file number

811-21098

 

LMP Real Estate Income Fund Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

55 Water Street, New York, NY

 

10041

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip code)

 

Robert I. Frenkel, Esq.

Legg Mason & Co., LLC

300 First Stamford Place, 4th Floor

Stamford, CT 06902

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:

(800) 451-2010

 

 

Date of fiscal year end:

December 31,

 

 

Date of reporting period:

June 30, 2008

 

 



 

ITEM 1.          REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS.

 

The Semi-Annual Report to Stockholders is filed herewith.

 



 

 

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT / JUNE 30, 2008

 

 

LMP Real Estate

Income Fund Inc.

(RIT)

 

 

Managed by  AEW Management and Advisors

 

 

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

 

 


 

Fund objective

 

The Fund’s primary investment objective is high current income and the Fund’s secondary investment objective is capital appreciation.

 

 

What’s inside

 

Letter from the chairman

 

I

 

 

 

 

 

Fund at a glance

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

Schedule of investments

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

Statement of assets and liabilities

 

6

 

 

 

 

 

Statement of operations

 

7

 

 

 

 

 

Statements of changes in net assets

 

8

 

 

 

 

 

Financial highlights

 

9

 

 

 

 

 

Notes to financial statements

 

11

 

 

 

 

 

Additional shareholder information

 

18

 

 

 

 

 

Dividend reinvestment plan

 

19

 

 

 

Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (“LMPFA”) is the Fund’s investment manager. AEW Management and Advisors, L.P. (“AEW”) is the Fund’s subadviser. LMPFA is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Legg Mason, Inc.

 


 

Letter from the chairman

 

 

Dear Shareholder,

 

The U.S. economy was lackluster during the six-month reporting period ended June 30, 2008. Looking back, third quarter 2007 U.S. gross domestic product (“GDP”)i growth was 4.8%, its strongest showing in four years. However, continued weakness in the housing market, an ongoing credit crunch and soaring oil and food prices then took their toll on the economy. During the fourth quarter of 2007, GDP growth was -0.2%. First quarter 2008 GDP growth was a modest 0.9%. The advance estimate for second quarter 2008 GDP growth was 1.9%.

 

The debate continues as to whether or not the U.S. will fall into a recession. However, it is a moot point for many people, as the job market continues to weaken and soaring energy and food prices are tempering consumer spending. In terms of the employment picture, the U.S. Department of Labor reported that payroll employment declined in each of the first six months of 2008, and the unemployment rate rose to 5.5% in May, its highest level since October 2004. Oil prices surpassed $140 a barrel in June 2008, with the average price for a gallon of gas exceeding $4 for the first time ever.ii These factors, coupled with a sputtering housing market, contributed to the Consumer Confidence Index falling for the sixth consecutive month in June 2008, reaching its lowest level since 1992.iii

 

Ongoing issues related to the housing and subprime mortgage markets and seizing credit markets prompted the Federal Reserve Board (“Fed”)iv to take aggressive and, in some cases, unprecedented actions. Beginning in September 2007, the Fed reduced the federal funds ratev from 5.25% to 4.75%. This marked the first such reduction since June 2003. The Fed then reduced the federal funds rate on six additional occasions through April 2008, bringing the federal funds rate to 2.00%. However, the Fed then shifted gears in the face of mounting inflationary prices and a weakening U.S. dollar. At its meeting in June, the Fed held rates steady and stated: “Recent information indicates that overall economic activity continues to expand, partly reflecting some firming in household spending. However, labor markets have softened further and financial markets remain under considerable stress. Tight credit conditions, the ongoing housing

 

LMP Real Estate Income Fund Inc.

 

I


 

Letter from the chairman continued

 

contraction, and the rise in energy prices are likely to weigh on economic growth over the next few quarters.”

 

In addition to the interest rate cuts, the Fed took several actions to improve liquidity in the credit markets. In March 2008, the Fed established a new lending program allowing certain brokerage firms, known as primary dealers, to also borrow from its discount window. The Fed also increased the maximum term for discount window loans from 30 to 90 days. Then, in mid-March, the Fed played a major role in facilitating the purchase of Bear Stearns by JPMorgan Chase.

 

The U.S. stock market was not for the faint of heart during the reporting period. Stock prices fell during the first three months of the reporting period due, in part, to the severe credit crunch, weakening corporate profits, rising inflation and fears of an impending recession. The market then reversed course and posted positive returns in April and May 2008. The market’s rebound was largely attributed to hopes that the U.S. would skirt a recession and that corporate profits would rebound as the year progressed. Stock prices then moved sharply lower in June, with the S&P 500 Indexvi falling 8.43% for the month. This represented its worst monthly performance since September 2002 and its weakest month of June since the Great Depression in 1930. All told, the S&P 500 Index returned -11.91% during the six-month reporting period ended June 30, 2008, and as of that date was almost 20% lower than its peak in October 2007.

 

Looking at the U.S. stock market more closely, mid-cap stocks outperformed their small- and large-cap counterparts, as the Russell Midcapvii, Russell 2000viii and Russell 1000ix Indexes returned -7.57%, -9.37% and -11.20%, respectively, during the six-month period ended June 30, 2008. From an investment style perspective, growth stocks outperformed value stocks on a relative basis, with the Russell 3000 Growthx and Russell 3000 Valuexi Indexes returning -9.04% and -13.28%, respectively.

 

II

 

LMP Real Estate Income Fund Inc.

 


 

Performance review

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2008, LMP Real Estate Income Fund Inc. returned -5.01% based on its net asset value (“NAV”)xii and 13.47% based on its New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) market price per share. The Fund’s unmanaged benchmark, the MSCI U.S. REIT Indexxiii, returned -3.45% over the same time frame. The Lipper Real Estate Closed-End Funds Category Averagexiv returned -11.58% for the same period. Please note that Lipper performance returns are based on each fund’s NAV.

 

During this six-month period, the Fund made distributions to shareholders totaling $1.14 per share, which may have included a return of capital. The performance table shows the Fund’s six-month total return based on its NAV and market price as of June 30, 2008. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

 

PERFORMANCE SNAPSHOT as of June 30, 2008 (unaudited)

 

PRICE PER SHARE

 

6-MONTH
TOTAL RETURN*
(not annualized)

 

$14.15 (NAV)

 

-5.01%

 

$15.30 (Market Price)

 

13.47%

 

 

All figures represent past performance and are not a guarantee of future results.

 

*

Total returns are based on changes in NAV or market price, respectively. Total returns assume the reinvestment of all distributions, including returns of capital, if any, in additional shares in accordance with the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan.

 

Special shareholder notice

 

On May 9, 2008, the Fund announced its intention to redeem all of its currently outstanding $95 million Series M Taxable Auction Rate Preferred Shares (“ARPS”), using a combination of bank borrowings under a committed, secured 364-day revolving credit facility entered into with a major domestic bank and proceeds generated from the sale of a portion of the Fund’s portfolio securities.

 

The Fund announced the redemption date for its ARPS, which is August 26, 2008. The Fund will redeem all of the $95 million ARPS outstanding at a redemption price equal to the required liquidation preference of $25,000 per share plus accrued and unpaid dividends thereon. Sales of portfolio securities will result in a reduction in the Fund’s amount of leverage and may occur under adverse market conditions. It is also possible that the credit facility may become more expensive or unavailable in the future. On balance, however, it is believed that the potential benefits of the restructured financing will outweigh these risks. More detailed and current information can be found by visiting www.leggmason.com/cef or by contacting the Fund at 1-888-777-0102.

 

LMP Real Estate Income Fund Inc.

 

III


 

Letter from the chairman continued

 

Information about your fund

 

Important information with regard to recent regulatory developments that may affect the Fund is contained in the “Notes to financial statements” included in this report.

 

Looking for additional information?

 

The Fund is traded under the symbol “RIT” and its closing market price is available in most newspapers under the NYSE listings. The daily NAV is available on-line under the symbol “XRITX” on most financial websites. Barron’s and The Wall Street Journal’s Monday edition both carry closed-end fund tables that provide additional information. In addition, the Fund issues a quarterly press release that can be found on most major financial websites, as well as www.leggmason.com/cef.

 

In a continuing effort to provide information concerning the Fund, shareholders may call 1-888-777-0102 (toll free), Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time, for the Fund’s current NAV, market price and other information.

 

As always, thank you for your confidence in our stewardship of your assets. We look forward to helping you meet your financial goals.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

R. Jay Gerken, CFA

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

 

July 31, 2008

 

IV

 

LMP Real Estate Income Fund Inc.


 

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

 

RISKS: Funds that invest in securities related to the real estate industry are subject to the risks of real estate markets, including fluctuating property values, changes in interest rates and other mortgage-related risks. In addition, investment in funds that concentrate their investments in one sector or industry may involve greater risk than investments in more broadly diversified funds.

 

All index performance reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes. Please note that an investor cannot invest directly in an index.

 

i

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

ii

Source: Bloomberg, 7/08.

iii

Source: The Conference Board, 7/08.

iv

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

v

The federal funds rate is the rate charged by one depository institution on an overnight sale of immediately available funds (balances at the Federal Reserve) to another depository institution; the rate may vary from depository institution to depository institution and from day to day.

vi

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

vii

The Russell Midcap Index measures the performance of the 800 smallest companies in the Russell 1000 Index, which represents approximately 25% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 1000 Index.

viii

The Russell 2000 Index measures the performance of the 2,000 smallest companies in the Russell 3000 Index, which represents approximately 8% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 3000 Index. The Russell 3000 Index measures the performance of the 3,000 largest U.S. companies based on total market capitalization, which represents approximately 98% of the U.S. equity market.

ix

The Russell 1000 Index measures the performance of the 1,000 largest companies in the Russell 3000 Index, which represents approximately 92% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 3000 Index.

x

The Russell 3000 Growth Index measures the performance of those Russell 3000 Index companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values. (A price-to-book ratio is the price of a stock compared to the difference between a company’s assets and liabilities.)

xi

The Russell 3000 Value Index measures the performance of those Russell 3000 Index companies with lower price-to-book ratios and lower forecasted growth values.

xii

Net asset value (“NAV”) is calculated by subtracting total liabilities and outstanding preferred stock (if any) from the closing value of all securities held by the Fund (plus all other assets) and dividing the result (total net assets) by the total number of the common shares outstanding. The NAV fluctuates with changes in the market prices of securities in which the Fund has invested. However, the price at which an investor may buy or sell shares of the Fund is at the Fund’s market price as determined by supply of and demand for the Fund’s shares.

xiii

The MSCI U.S. REIT Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index that is comprised of equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (“REITs”) that are included in the MSCI U.S. Investable Market 2500 Index, with the exception of specialty equity REITs that do not generate a majority of their revenue and income from real estate rental and leasing operations. The Index represents approximately 85% of the U.S. REIT universe.

xiv

Lipper, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Reuters, provides independent insight on global collective investments. Returns are based on the six-month period ended June 30, 2008, including the reinvestment of all distributions, including returns of capital, if any, calculated among the 29 funds in the Fund’s Lipper category.

 

LMP Real Estate Income Fund Inc.

 

V


 

(This page intentionally left blank.)

 


 

Fund at a glance (unaudited)

 

INVESTMENT BREAKDOWN (%) As a percent of total investments — June 30, 2008

 

 

LMP Real Estate Income Fund Inc. 2008 Semi-Annual Report

 

1

 


 

Schedule of investments (unaudited)

June 30, 2008

 

LMP REAL ESTATE INCOME FUND INC.

 

SHARES

 

SECURITY

 

VALUE

 

COMMON STOCKS — 65.2%

 

 

 

 

 

Apartments — 7.0%

 

 

 

224,000

 

Camden Property Trust

 

$

9,914,240

 

95,000

 

Mid-America Apartment Communities Inc.

 

4,848,800

 

140,000

 

UDR Inc.

 

3,133,200

 

 

 

Total Apartments

 

17,896,240

 

 

 

Diversified — 2.7%

 

 

 

345,000

 

iStar Financial Inc.

 

4,557,450

 

170,000

 

Lexington Corporate Properties Trust

 

2,317,100

 

 

 

Total Diversified

 

6,874,550

 

 

 

Health Care — 13.4%

 

 

 

204,700

 

HCP Inc.

 

6,511,508

 

245,000

 

Healthcare Realty Trust Inc.

 

5,823,650

 

150,000

 

Nationwide Health Properties Inc.

 

4,723,500

 

440,000

 

OMEGA Healthcare Investors Inc.

 

7,326,000

 

500,000

 

Senior Housing Properties Trust

 

9,765,000

 

 

 

Total Health Care

 

34,149,658

 

 

 

Industrial — 2.7%

 

 

 

400,000

 

DCT Industrial Trust Inc.

 

3,312,000

 

240,000

 

First Potomac Realty Trust

 

3,657,600

 

 

 

Total Industrial

 

6,969,600

 

 

 

Industrial/Office - Mixed — 3.3%

 

 

 

254,000

 

Liberty Property Trust

 

8,420,100

 

 

 

Lodging/Resorts — 2.5%

 

 

 

585,000

 

Ashford Hospitality Trust

 

2,702,700

 

146,000

 

Hospitality Properties Trust

 

3,571,160

 

 

 

Total Lodging/Resorts

 

6,273,860

 

 

 

Office — 11.8%

 

 

 

305,000

 

Brandywine Realty Trust

 

4,806,800

 

82,000

 

Highwoods Properties Inc.

 

2,576,440

 

830,000

 

HRPT Properties Trust

 

5,619,100

 

135,000

 

Kilroy Realty Corp.

 

6,349,050

 

183,000

 

Mack-Cali Realty Corp.

 

6,253,110

 

134,500

 

Parkway Properties Inc.

 

4,536,685

 

 

 

Total Office

 

30,141,185

 

 

 

Regional Malls — 5.9%

 

 

 

170,000

 

CBL & Associates Properties Inc.

 

3,882,800

 

196,000

 

Glimcher Realty Trust

 

2,191,280

 

142,000

 

Macerich Co.

 

8,822,460

 

 

 

Total Regional Malls

 

14,896,540

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

2

 

LMP Real Estate Income Fund Inc. 2008 Semi-Annual Report


 

LMP REAL ESTATE INCOME FUND INC.

 

SHARES

 

SECURITY

 

VALUE

 

 

 

Retail - Free Standing — 4.3%

 

 

 

225,000

 

National Retail Properties Inc.

 

$

4,702,500

 

270,000

 

Realty Income Corp.

 

6,145,200

 

 

 

Total Retail - Free Standing

 

10,847,700

 

 

 

Self Storage — 1.5%

 

 

 

250,000

 

Extra Space Storage Inc.

 

3,840,000

 

 

 

Shopping Centers — 6.5%

 

 

 

425,000

 

Cedar Shopping Centers Inc.

 

4,981,000

 

137,000

 

Developers Diversified Realty Corp.

 

4,755,270

 

250,000

 

Primaris Retail Real Estate Investment Trust

 

4,493,693

 

62,000

 

Tanger Factory Outlet Centers Inc.

 

2,227,660

 

 

 

Total Shopping Centers

 

16,457,623

 

 

 

Specialty — 3.6%

 

 

 

185,000

 

Entertainment Properties Trust

 

9,146,400

 

 

 

TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (Cost — $148,690,538)

 

165,913,456

 

PREFERRED STOCKS — 34.5%

 

 

 

 

 

Apartments — 5.3%

 

 

 

 

 

Apartment Investment & Management Co., Cumulative:

 

 

 

72,400

 

Series G, 9.375%

 

1,795,520

 

113,000

 

Series U, 7.750%

 

2,627,250

 

120,000

 

Series Y, 7.875%

 

2,709,600

 

195,000

 

BRE Properties Inc., Series C, 6.750%

 

4,036,500

 

105,000

 

UDR Inc., 6.750%

 

2,292,150

 

 

 

Total Apartments

 

13,461,020

 

 

 

Diversified — 8.6%

 

 

 

175,000

 

Duke Realty Corp., 6.950%

 

3,503,500

 

90,000

 

LBA Realty Fund LP, 8.750% (a)

 

3,690,000

 

125,000

 

Cumulative Redeemable, Series O, 7.375%

 

2,561,250

 

108,400

 

Series M, 7.200%

 

2,305,668

 

200,000

 

Public Storage Inc., Cumulative Redeemable, Series L, 6.750%

 

4,030,000

 

 

 

Vornado Realty Trust:

 

 

 

150,000

 

Cumulative Redeemable, Series G, 6.625%

 

2,962,500

 

142,400

 

Series H, 6.750%

 

2,815,248

 

 

 

Total Diversified

 

21,868,166

 

 

 

Health Care — 2.3%

 

 

 

150,000

 

HCP Inc., Series F, 7.100%

 

3,022,500

 

120,400

 

OMEGA Healthcare Investors Inc., Cumulative
Redeemable, Series D, 8.375%

 

2,889,600

 

 

 

Total Health Care

 

5,912,100

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

LMP Real Estate Income Fund Inc. 2008 Semi-Annual Report

 

3


 

Schedule of investments (unaudited) continued

June 30, 2008

 

LMP REAL ESTATE INCOME FUND INC.

 

SHARES

 

SECURITY

 

VALUE

 

 

 

Lodging/Resorts — 4.2%

 

 

 

150,000

 

Ashford Hospitality Trust, Series D, 8.450% (b)

 

$

2,658,000

 

71,100

 

Hospitality Properties Trust, Cumulative Redeemable, Series B, 8.875%

 

1,631,745

 

90,000

 

LaSalle Hotel Properties, Cumulative Redeemable, Series G, 7.250%

 

1,690,317

 

160,000

 

Strategic Hotels Capital Inc., 8.250%

 

2,870,000

 

100,100

 

Sunstone Hotel Investors Inc., Cumulative Redeemable, Series A, 8.000%

 

1,895,643

 

 

 

Total Lodging/Resorts

 

10,745,705

 

 

 

Office — 3.6%

 

 

 

196,000

 

BioMed Realty Trust Inc., Series A, 7.375%

 

3,920,000

 

50,000

 

Brandywine Realty Trust, Series D, 7.375%

 

1,021,000

 

110,000

 

Corporate Office Properties Trust, Cumulative Redeemable, Series J, 7.625%

 

2,387,000

 

76,183

 

HRPT Properties Trust, Cumulative Redeemable, Series B, 8.750%

 

1,838,296

 

 

 

Total Office

 

9,166,296

 

 

 

Regional Malls — 2.2%

 

 

 

85,000

 

Glimcher Realty Trust, Cumulative Redeemable, Series F, 8.750%

 

1,699,150

 

169,600

 

Taubman Centers Inc., Cumulative Redeemable, Series H, 7.625%

 

3,908,008

 

 

 

Total Regional Malls

 

5,607,158

 

 

 

Retail - Free Standing — 2.2%

 

 

 

96,000

 

National Retail Properties Inc., Cumulative Redeemable, Series C, 7.375%

 

2,173,680

 

 

 

Realty Income Corp.:

 

 

 

25,200

 

Cumulative Redeemable, Series D, 7.375%

 

602,280

 

129,600

 

Cumulative Redeemable, Series E, 6.750%

 

2,838,240

 

 

 

Total Retail - Free Standing

 

5,614,200

 

 

 

Shopping Centers — 6.1%

 

 

 

73,000

 

Cedar Shopping Centers Inc., Cumulative Redeemable, Series A, 8.875%

 

1,781,200

 

23,300

 

Developers Diversified Realty Corp., Cumulative Redeemable, Class G, 8.000%

 

535,200

 

209,100

 

Kimco Realty Corp., 7.750%

 

4,970,307

 

80,000

 

Urstadt Biddle Properties Inc., Cumulative, Series C, 8.500%

 

8,052,000

 

 

 

Total Shopping Centers

 

15,338,707

 

 

 

TOTAL PREFERRED STOCKS (Cost — $102,041,721)

 

87,713,352

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS BEFORE SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT
(Cost — $250,732,259)

 

253,626,808

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

4

 

LMP Real Estate Income Fund Inc. 2008 Semi-Annual Report


 

LMP REAL ESTATE INCOME FUND INC.

 

FACE AMOUNT

 

SECURITY

 

VALUE

 

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT — 0.3%

 

 

 

 

 

Repurchase Agreement — 0.3%

 

 

 

$

788,000

 

Interest in $1,000,000,000 joint tri-party repurchase agreement dated 6/30/08 with Greenwich Capital Markets Inc., 2.500% due 7/1/08; Proceeds at maturity — $788,055; (Fully collateralized by various U.S. government agency obligations, 2.465% to 7.250% due 10/15/08 to 1/15/30; Market value — $803,761)(b) 
(Cost — $788,000)

 

$

788,000

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 100.0% (Cost — $251,520,259#)

 

$

254,414,808

 

 

(a)  Security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. This security may be resold in transactions that are exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. This security has been deemed liquid pursuant to guidelines approved by the Board of Directors, unless otherwise noted.

(b) All or a portion of this security is segregated for swap contracts.

#  Aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes is substantially the same.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

LMP Real Estate Income Fund Inc. 2008 Semi-Annual Report

 

5


 

Statement of assets and liabilities (unaudited)

June 30, 2008

 

ASSETS:

 

 

 

Investments, at value (Cost — $251,520,259)

 

$

254,414,808

 

Cash

 

944

 

Dividends and interest receivable

 

1,941,009

 

Prepaid expenses

 

14,265

 

Total Assets

 

256,371,026

 

LIABILITIES:

 

 

 

Swap contracts, at value

 

997,791

 

Investment management fee payable

 

155,867

 

Distributions payable to auction rate preferred stockholders

 

56,780

 

Interest payable for open swap contracts

 

39,488

 

Directors’ fees payable

 

6,056

 

Accrued expenses

 

173,472

 

Total Liabilities

 

1,429,454

 

Series M Taxable Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock (3,800 shares authorized and issued at $25,000 per share (Note 5)

 

95,000,000

 

TOTAL NET ASSETS

 

$

159,941,572

 

NET ASSETS:

 

 

 

Par value ($0.001 par value; 11,300,161 shares issued and outstanding; 100,000,000 shares authorized)

 

$

11,300

 

Paid-in capital in excess of par value

 

155,628,810

 

Overdistributed net investment income

 

(7,645,693

)

Accumulated net realized gain on investments, swap contracts and foreign currency transactions

 

10,050,532

 

Net unrealized appreciation on investments, swap contracts and foreign currencies

 

1,896,623

 

TOTAL NET ASSETS

 

$

159,941,572

 

Shares Outstanding

 

11,300,161

 

Net Asset Value

 

$14.15

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

6

 

LMP Real Estate Income Fund Inc. 2008 Semi-Annual Report

 


 

Statement of operations (unaudited)

For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2008

 

INVESTMENT INCOME:

 

 

 

Dividends

 

$

7,248,535

 

Interest

 

13,404

 

Less: Foreign taxes withheld

 

(22,827

)

Total Investment Income

 

7,239,112

 

EXPENSES:

 

 

 

Investment management fee (Note 3)

 

1,223,865

 

Auction participation fees (Note 5)

 

118,560

 

Shareholder reports

 

72,702

 

Audit and tax

 

48,326

 

Directors’ fees

 

37,372

 

Legal fees

 

28,875

 

Transfer agent fees

 

10,206

 

Stock exchange listing fees

 

9,928

 

Rating agency fees

 

6,217

 

Custody fees

 

4,557

 

Insurance

 

4,106

 

Miscellaneous expenses

 

10,240

 

Total Expenses

 

1,574,954

 

Less:

Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements (Note 3)

 

(271,970

)

 

Fees paid indirectly (Note 1)

 

(144

)

Net Expenses

 

1,302,840

 

NET INVESTMENT INCOME

 

5,936,272

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS, SWAP CONTRACTS AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS (NOTES 1 AND 4):

 

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) From:

 

 

 

Investment transactions

 

4,632,918

 

REIT distributions

 

1,925,715

 

Swap contracts

 

(349,464

)

Foreign currency transactions

 

(2,168

)

Net Realized Gain

 

6,207,001

 

Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation/Depreciation From:

 

 

 

Investments

 

(18,366,755

)

Swap contracts

 

(266,809

)

Foreign currencies

 

(3

)

Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation/Depreciation

 

(18,633,567

)

Net Loss on Investments, Swap Contracts and Foreign Currency Transactions

 

(12,426,566

)

Distributions Paid to Auction Rate Preferred Stockholders

 

(1,881,825

)

DECREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

 

$

(8,372,119

)

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

LMP Real Estate Income Fund Inc. 2008 Semi-Annual Report

 

7


 

Statements of changes in net assets

 

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2008 (unaudited)
AND THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2007

 

2008

 

2007

 

OPERATIONS:

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

$   5,936,272

 

$   12,556,116

 

Net realized gain

 

6,207,001

 

18,751,646

 

Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation

 

(18,633,567

)

(97,381,882

)

Distributions paid to auction rate preferred stockholders

 

(1,881,825

)

(5,111,054

)

Decrease in Net Assets From Operations

 

(8,372,119

)

(71,185,174

)

DISTRIBUTIONS TO COMMON STOCK SHAREHOLDERS FROM (NOTE 1):

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

(12,823,631

)

(10,801,134

)

Net realized gains

 

 

(12,789,760

)

Decrease in Net Assets From Distributions to Common Stock Shareholders

 

(12,823,631

)

(23,590,894

)

FUND SHARE TRANSACTIONS:

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from shares issued on reinvestments of distributions (90,506 and 140,413 shares issued, respectively)

 

1,373,693

 

2,997,057

 

Increase in Net Assets From Fund Share Transactions

 

1,373,693

 

2,997,057

 

DECREASE IN NET ASSETS

 

(19,822,057

)

(91,779,011

)

NET ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning of period

 

179,763,629

 

271,542,640

 

End of period*

 

$159,941,572

 

$179,763,629

 

* Includes (overdistributed) undistributed net investment income of:

 

$(7,645,693

)

$1,123,491

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

8

 

LMP Real Estate Income Fund Inc. 2008 Semi-Annual Report


 

Financial highlights

 

FOR A SHARE OF CAPITAL STOCK OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED:

 

 

 

20081,2

 

20072

 

20062

 

20052

 

20042

 

2003

 

NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD

 

$16.04

 

$24.53

 

$20.58

 

$21.05

 

$18.21

 

$13.95

 

INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

0.53

 

1.13

 

0.99

 

0.89

 

0.94

 

1.04

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

 

(1.11

)

(7.04

)

5.92

 

0.63

 

3.30

 

4.96

 

Distributions paid to auction rate preferred stockholders

 

(0.17

)

(0.46

)

(0.42

)

(0.24

)

(0.09

)

(0.08

)

Total income (loss) from operations

 

(0.75

)

(6.37

)

6.49

 

1.28

 

4.15

 

5.92

 

Underwriting Commissions and Offering Expenses for the Issuance of Taxable Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock

 

 

 

 

(0.04

)

 

0.00

3

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS PAID TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS FROM:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

(1.14

)

(0.97

)

(0.92

)

(0.77

)

(0.75

)

(0.80

)

Net realized gains

 

 

(1.15

)

(1.62

)

(0.94

)

(0.32

)

(0.62

)

Return of capital

 

 

 

 

 

(0.24

)

(0.24

)

Total distributions

 

(1.14

)

(2.12

)

(2.54

)

(1.71

)

(1.31

)

(1.66

)

NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD

 

$14.15

 

$16.04

 

$24.53

 

$20.58

 

$21.05

 

$18.21

 

MARKET PRICE, END OF PERIOD

 

$15.30

 

$14.52

 

$21.64

 

$18.62

 

$18.47

 

$17.57

 

Total return, based on NAV4,5

 

(5.01

)%

(27.44

)%

34.39

%

7.35

%

24.75

%

45.12

%

Total return, based on Market Price5

 

13.47

%

(25.54

)%

31.04

%

10.69

%

13.45

%

39.42

%

NET ASSETS,
END OF PERIOD (millions)

 

$160

 

$180

 

$272

 

$228

 

$233

 

$202

 

RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS:6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross expenses

 

1.77

%7

1.55

%

1.57

%8

1.49

%

1.44

%

1.55

%

Net expenses9

 

1.47

7,10

1.17

 

1.09

8

1.06

 

1.02

 

1.11

 

Net investment income

 

6.69

7

5.18

 

4.31

 

4.27

 

5.00

 

6.60

 

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE

 

4

%

13

%

18

%

12

%

6

%

27

%

AUCTION RATE PREFERRED STOCK:11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Amount Outstanding (000s)

 

$95,000

 

$95,000

 

$95,000

 

$95,000

 

$65,000

 

$65,000

 

Asset Coverage Per Share

 

67,090

 

72,306

 

96,459

 

84,957

 

114,636

 

102,509

 

Involuntary Liquidating Preference Per Share12

 

25,000

 

25,000

 

25,000

 

25,000

 

25,000

 

25,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2008 (unaudited).

2

 

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

3

 

Amount represents less than $0.01 per share.

4

 

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

5

 

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. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

LMP Real Estate Income Fund Inc. 2008 Semi-Annual Report

 

9


 

Financial highlights continued

 

6

 

Calculated on the basis of average net assets of common stock shareholders. Ratios do not reflect the effect of dividend payments to preferred stockholders.

7

 

Annualized.

8

 

Included in the expense ratios are certain non-recurring restructuring (and reorganization, if applicable) fees that were incurred by the Fund during the period. Without these fees, the gross and net expense ratios would have been 1.49% and 1.05%, respectively.

9

 

Reflects fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements.

10

 

The impact to the expense ratio was less than 0.01% as a result of fees paid indirectly.

11

 

On September 30, 2002 and July 18, 2005, the Fund issued 2,600 and 1,200 shares, respectively, of Taxable Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock at $25,000 per share.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

10

 

LMP Real Estate Income Fund Inc. 2008 Semi-Annual Report

 


 

Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

1. Organization and significant accounting policies

 

LMP Real Estate Income Fund Inc. (the “Fund”) was incorporated in Maryland and is registered as a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The Fund’s primary investment objective is high current income and the Fund’s secondary objective is capital appreciation.

 

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

 

(a) Repurchase agreements. When entering into repurchase agreements, it is the Fund’s policy that its custodian or a third party custodian take possession of the underlying collateral securities, the market value of which, at all times, at least equals the principal amount of the repurchase transaction, including accrued interest. To the extent that any repurchase transaction exceeds one business day, the value of the collateral is marked-to-market to ensure the adequacy of the collateral. If the seller defaults, and the market value of the collateral declines or if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of the security, realization of the collateral by the Fund may be delayed or limited.

 

(b) Concentration risk. The Fund invests in securities related to the real estate industry and is subject to the risks of real estate markets, including fluctuating property values, changes in interest rates and other mortgage-related risks.

 

(c) Swap contracts. Swaps involve the exchange by the Fund with another party of the respective amounts payable with respect to a notional principal amount related to one or more indices. The Fund may enter into these transactions to preserve a return or spread on a particular investment or portion of its assets, as a duration management technique, or to protect against any increase in the price of securities the Fund anticipates purchasing at a later date. The Fund may also use these transactions for speculative purposes, such as to obtain the price performance of a security without actually purchasing the security in circumstances where, for example, the subject security is illiquid, is unavailable for direct investment or available only on less attractive terms.

 

Swaps are marked-to-market daily based upon quotations from market makers and the change in value, if any, is recorded as an unrealized gain or loss in the Statement of Operations. Net receipts or payments of interest are recorded as realized gains or losses, respectively.

 

Swaps have risks associated with them, including possible default by the counterparty to the transaction, illiquidity and, where swaps are used as

 

LMP Real Estate Income Fund Inc. 2008 Semi-Annual Report

 

11

 


 

Notes to financial statements (unaudited) continued

 

hedges, the risk that the use of a swap could result in losses greater than if the swap had not been employed.

 

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

 

(e) Net asset value. The net asset value (“NAV”) of the Fund’s Common Stock is determined on each day the exchange is open for business. It is determined by dividing the value of the net assets available to Common Stock by the total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding. For the purpose of determining the NAV per share of the Common Stock, the value of the Fund’s net assets shall be deemed to equal the value of the Fund’s assets less (1) the Fund’s liabilities and (2) the aggregate liquidation value (i.e., $25,000 per outstanding share) of the Taxable Auction Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock (“TARPS”).

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

12 

 LMP Real Estate Income Fund Inc. 2008 Semi-Annual Report

 


 

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

 

(g) Fees paid indirectly. The Fund’s custody fees are reduced according to a fee arrangement, which provides for a reduction based on the level of cash deposited with the custodian by the Fund. The amount is shown as a reduction of expenses on the Statement of Operations.

 

(h) Distributions to shareholders. Distributions to shareholders are recorded monthly by the Fund on the ex-dividend date for the shareholders of common stock. The holders of the TARPS shall be entitled to receive dividends in accordance with an auction that will normally be held weekly and out of funds legally available to shareholders. The Fund’s policy is to pass through to its shareholders substantially all Real Estate Investment Trust (“REIT”) distributions and other income it receives, less operating expenses. The character of REIT distributions received from portfolio securities held by the Fund is generally comprised of investment income, long-term capital gains, and return of capital. The Fund reclassifies amounts within the Statement of Operations primarily based on information provided by REITs after the Fund’s fiscal year end. In those instances where such information is not available, the Fund estimates the amounts based on amounts reported by the REITs in the prior year. After all remaining REITs report the actual character of distributions paid during the year, the Fund adjusts estimates previously recorded to actual. The character of distributions paid to shareholders disclosed within the Statements of Changes in Net Assets is based on these reclassifications.

 

Pursuant to its Managed Distribution Policy, the Fund intends to make regular monthly distributions to shareholders at a fixed rate per common share, which rate may be adjusted from time to time by the Fund’s Board of Directors. Under the Fund’s Managed Distribution Policy, if, for any monthly distribution, the value of the Fund’s net investment income and net realized capital gain is less than the amount of the distribution, the difference will be distributed from the Fund’s assets (and constitute a “return of capital”). The Board of Directors may terminate the Managed Distribution Policy at any time, including when certain events would make part of the return of capital taxable to shareholders. Any such termination could have an adverse effect on the market price for the Fund’s shares.

 

(i) Federal and other taxes. It is the Fund’s policy to comply with the federal income and excise tax requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies. Accordingly, the Fund intends to distribute substantially all of its taxable income and net realized gains, if any, to shareholders each year. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required in the Fund’s financial statements.

 

LMP Real Estate Income Fund Inc. 2008 Semi-Annual Report  

13

 


 

Notes to financial statements (unaudited) continued

 

Management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions taken on federal income tax returns for all open tax years and has concluded that as of June 30, 2008, no provision for income tax would be required in the Fund’s financial statements. The Fund’s federal and state income and federal excise tax returns for tax years for which the applicable statutes of limitations have not expired are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and state departments of revenue.

 

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

 

(j) Reclassification. GAAP requires that certain components of net assets be adjusted to reflect permanent differences between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset values per share.

 

2. Investment valuation

 

Effective January 1, 2008, the Fund adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157 (“FAS 157”). FAS 157 establishes a single definition of fair value, creates a three-tier hierarchy as a framework for measuring fair value based on inputs used to value the Fund’s investments, and requires additional disclosure about fair value. The hierarchy of inputs is summarized below.

 

·  Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

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

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

 

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

 

14 

 LMP Real Estate Income Fund Inc. 2008 Semi-Annual Report

 


 

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

 

 

 

June 30, 2008

 

QUOTED PRICES
(LEVEL 1)

 

OTHER
SIGNIFICANT
OBSERVABLE
INPUTS
(LEVEL 2)

 

SIGNIFICANT
UNOBSERVABLE
INPUTS
(LEVEL 3)

 

Investments in Securities

 

$254,414,808

 

$253,626,808

 

$ 788,000

 

 

Other Financial Instruments*

 

(997,791

)

 

(997,791

)

 

Total

 

$253,417,017

 

$253,626,808

 

$(209,791

)

 

*  Other financial instruments include swaps.

 

3. Investment management agreement and other transactions with affiliates

 

Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (“LMPFA”) is the Fund’s investment manager and AEW Management and Advisors, L.P. (“AEW”) is the Fund’s subadviser. LMPFA is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Legg Mason, Inc. (“Legg Mason”).

 

LMPFA provides administrative and certain oversight services to the Fund. The Fund pays LMPFA an investment management fee, calculated daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.90% of the Fund’s average daily net assets plus assets attributable to the liquidation value of the Fund’s outstanding TARPS plus any borrowings used for leverage (“Managed Assets”).

 

In addition, LMPFA has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its management fee in the amount of 0.20% of the Fund’s average daily Managed Assets through July 31, 2008, and 0.10% of the average daily Managed Assets for the 12-month period ended July 31, 2009. The waiver will be eliminated August 1, 2009.

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2008, LMPFA waived a portion of its management fee in the amount of $271,970.

 

LMPFA has delegated to AEW the day-to-day portfolio management of the Fund, except for the management of cash and short-term investments. For its services, LMPFA pays AEW a fee at an annual rate equal to: (a) for the first 5 years of the Fund’s operation, 0.40% of the first $100 million of the Fund’s average daily Managed Assets, 0.35% of the next $100 million of the Fund’s average daily Managed Asset and 0.30% of the Fund’s average daily Managed Assets in excess of $200 million; and (b) starting 5 years after the commencement of the Funds operations, 50% of the management fee paid by the Fund to LMPFA, net of waivers.

 

Certain officers and one Director of the Fund are employees of Legg Mason or its affiliates and do not receive compensation from the Fund.

 

LMP Real Estate Income Fund Inc. 2008 Semi-Annual Report  

15

 


 

Notes to financial statements (unaudited) continued

 

4. Investments

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2008, the aggregate cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investments (excluding short-term investments) were as follows:

 

Purchases

 

$11,484,845

 

Sales

 

16,525,731

 

 

At June 30, 2008, the aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of investments for federal income tax purposes were substantially as follows:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

 

$ 37,494,993

 

Gross unrealized depreciation

 

(34,600,444

)

Net unrealized appreciation

 

$   2,894,549

 

 

At June 30, 2008, the Fund was invested in the following interest rate swap contracts with the intent to reduce or eliminate the risk that an increase in short-term interest rates could affect the dividend rate payable on TARPS and thereby could have an adverse effect on the Fund’s net earnings as a result of leverage:

 

Swap Counterparty:

 

Merrill Lynch Capital Services, Inc.

Notional Amount:

 

$30,000,000

Payments Made by Fund:

 

Fixed Rate, 4.440%

Payments Received by Fund:

 

Floating Rate (One-Month LIBOR)

Termination Date:

 

7/22/12

Unrealized Depreciation

 

$(580,255)

Swap Counterparty:

 

Merrill Lynch Capital Services, Inc.

Notional Amount:

 

$19,500,000

Payments Made by Fund:

 

Fixed Rate, 4.117%

Payments Received by Fund:

 

Floating Rate (One-Month LIBOR)

Termination Date:

 

11/25/09

Unrealized Depreciation

 

$(282,440)

Swap Counterparty:

 

Merrill Lynch Capital Services, Inc.

Notional Amount:

 

$20,000,000

Payments Made by Fund:

 

Fixed Rate, 3.780%

Payments Received by Fund:

 

Floating Rate (One-Month LIBOR)

Termination Date:

 

12/05/10

Unrealized Depreciation

 

$(135,096)

 

At June 30, 2008, the Fund had total unrealized depreciation of $997,791 from swap contracts.

 

16 

 LMP Real Estate Income Fund Inc. 2008 Semi-Annual Report

 


 

5. Taxable auction rate cumulative preferred stock

 

As of June 30, 2008, the Fund had 3,800 outstanding shares of TARPS. The TARPS’ dividends are cumulative at a rate determined at an auction and the dividend period is typically seven days. The dividend rate cannot exceed a certain maximum rate, including in the event of a failed auction, unless the Board of Directors of the Fund authorizes an increased maximum rate. Due to the failed auctions experienced by the Fund’s TARPS starting on February 15, 2008, the Fund paid the applicable maximum rate which is calculated as 150% of the prevailing 30-day “AA” Financial Composite Commercial Paper Rate, subject to upward but not downward adjustment in the discretion of the Board of Directors after consultation with the Broker Dealers. The Fund may pay higher maximum rates if the rating of the Fund’s TARPS were to be lowered by the rating agencies. The dividend rates ranged from 2.912% to 6.000% for the six months ended June 30, 2008. At June 30, 2008, the dividend rate was 3.002%.

 

The Fund is required to maintain certain asset coverages with respect to the TARPS. If the Fund fails to maintain these coverages and does not cure any such failure within the required time period, the Fund is required to redeem a requisite number of the TARPS at a redemption price equal to $25,000 per share plus accumulated and unpaid dividends in order to meet the applicable requirement. The TARPS have a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share plus accumulated and unpaid dividends. The TARPS are otherwise not redeemable by holders of the shares. Additionally, failure to meet the foregoing asset coverage requirements would restrict the Fund’s ability to pay dividends to common shareholders.

 

Citigroup Global Markets Inc. (“CGM”) currently acts as the broker/dealer in connection with the auction of TARPS. After each auction, the auction agent will pay to the participating broker/dealer, from monies the Fund provides, a participation fee at the annual rate of 0.25% of the purchase price of the TARPS that the broker/dealer places at the auction. For the six months ended June 30, 2008, the Fund incurred auction participation fees of $118,560 for CGM’s services as a participating broker/dealer.

 

6. Common stock

 

Common stock transactions were as follows:

 

 

 

SIX MONTHS ENDED
JUNE 30, 2008

 

YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 2007

 

 

 

SHARES

 

AMOUNT

 

SHARES

 

AMOUNT

 

Shares issued on reinvestment

 

90,506

 

 

1,373,693

 

140,413

 

 

2,997,057

 

 

7. Recent accounting pronouncement

 

In March 2008, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued the Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (“FAS 161”). FAS 161 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008. FAS 161 requires enhanced disclosures about the Fund’s derivative and hedging activities, including how such activities are accounted for and their effect on the Fund’s financial position, performance and cash flows. Management is currently evaluating the impact the adoption of FAS 161 will have on the Fund’s financial statements and related disclosures.

 

LMP Real Estate Income Fund Inc. 2008 Semi-Annual Report  

17


 

Additional shareholder information (unaudited)

 

Result of annual meeting of shareholders

 

The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of LMP Real Estate Income Fund Inc. was held on April 28, 2008, for the purpose of considering and voting upon the election of Directors. The following table provides information concerning the matter voted upon at the meeting:

 

Election of directors

 

NOMINEE

 

COMMON SHARES
VOTES FOR

 

COMMON
SHARES
VOTES WITHHELD

 

PREFERRED
SHARES
VOTES FOR

 

PREFERRED
SHARES
VOTES
WITHHELD

 

Daniel P. Cronin

 

10,120,073

 

194,091

 

3,722

 

26

 

Paolo M. Cucchi

 

10,120,643

 

193,521

 

3,712

 

36

 

Riordan Roett

 

10,130,162

 

184,002

 

3,722

 

26

 

 

At June 30, 2008, in addition to Daniel P. Cronin, Paolo M. Cucchi and Riordan Roett, the other Directors of the Fund were as follows:

 

Carol L. Coleman

Leslie H. Gelb

R. Jay Gerken

William R. Hutchinson

Jeswald W. Salacuse

 

18 

 LMP Real Estate Income Fund Inc.


 

Dividend reinvestment plan (unaudited)

 

Under the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan (“Plan”), a shareholder whose shares of Common Stock are registered in his own name will have all distributions from the Fund reinvested automatically by American Stock Transfer & Trust Company (“AST”), as agent under the Plan, unless the shareholder elects to receive cash. Distributions with respect to shares registered in the name of a broker-dealer or other nominee (that is, in “street name”) will be reinvested by the broker or nominee in additional shares under the Plan, unless the service is not provided by the broker or nominee or the shareholder elects to receive distributions in cash. Investors who own Common Stock registered in street name should consult their broker-dealers for details regarding reinvestment. All distributions to Fund shareholders who do not participate in the Plan will be paid by check mailed directly to the record holder by or under the direction of AST as dividend-paying agent.

 

If the Fund declares a dividend or capital gains distribution payable either in Common Shares or in cash, shareholders who are not Plan participants will receive cash, and Plan participants will receive the equivalent amount in Common Shares. When the market price of the Common Shares is equal to or exceeds 98% of the net asset value per share of the Common Shares on the Determination Date (as defined below), Plan participants will be issued Common Shares valued at a price equal to the greater of (a) 98% of the net asset value per share at the close of trading on the Determination Date or (b) 95% of the market price per share of the common stock on the Determination Date. The Determination Date is the dividend or capital gains distribution record date or, if that date is not a New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) trading day, the immediately preceding trading day.

 

If 98% of the net asset value per share of the Common Shares exceeds the market price of the Common Shares on the Determination Date, the Plan Agent will receive the dividend or distribution in cash and will buy Common Shares in the open market, on the Exchange or elsewhere, for your account as soon as practicable commencing on the trading day following the Determination Date and terminating no later than the earlier of (a) 30 days after the dividend or distribution payment date, or (b) the record date for the next succeeding dividend or distribution to be made to the Common Shareholders, except when necessary to comply with applicable provisions of the federal securities laws. If during this period: (i) the market price rises so that it equals or exceeds 98% of the net asset value per share of the Common Shares at the close of trading on the Exchange on the Determination date before the Plan Agent has completed the open market purchases or (ii) if the Plan Agent is unable to invest the full amount eligible to be reinvested in open market purchases, the Plan agent will cease purchasing Common Shares in the open market and the Fund shall issue the remaining Common Shares at a price per share equal to the greater of (a) 98% of the net asset value per share at the close of trading on the Exchange on the Determination date or (b) 95% of the then current market price per share. You may withdraw from the Plan by notifying the Plan Agent in writing at P.O. Box 922, Wall Street Station, New York, New York 10269-0560, by logging

 

LMP Real Estate Income Fund Inc. 

19


 

Dividend reinvestment plan (unaudited) continued

 

onto your account and following the directions at www.Investpower.com or by calling the Plan Agent at 1-877-366-6441. Such withdrawal will be effective immediately if notice is received by the Plan Agent not less than ten business days prior to any dividend or distribution record date; otherwise such withdrawal will be effective as soon as practicable after the Plan Agent’s investment of the most recently declared dividend or distribution on the Common Shares.

 

AST will maintain all shareholder accounts in the Plan and will furnish written confirmations of all transactions in each account, including information needed by a shareholder for personal and tax records. The automatic reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions will not relieve Plan participants of any income tax that may be payable on the dividends or capital gains distributions. Common Shares in the account of each Plan participant will be held by AST on behalf of the Plan participant, and each shareholder’s proxy will include those shares purchased pursuant to the Plan.

 

Plan participants are subject to no charge for reinvesting dividends and capital gains distributions. AST’s fees for handling the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions will be paid by the Fund. No brokerage charges apply with respect to Common Shares issued directly by the Fund as a result of dividends or capital gains distributions payable either in Common Shares or in cash. Each Plan participant will, however, bear a proportionate share of brokerage commissions incurred with respect to open market purchases made in connection with the reinvestment of dividends or capital gains distributions.

 

Experience under the Plan may indicate that changes to it are desirable. The Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate the Plan as applied to any dividend or capital gains distribution paid subsequent to written notice of the change sent to participants at least 30 days before the record date for the dividend or capital gains distribution. The Plan also may be amended or terminated by AST, with the Fund’s prior written consent, on at least 30 days’ written notice to Plan participants. Upon any termination, you will be sent a certificate or certificates for the full Common Shares held for you under the Plan and cash for any fractional Common Shares. You may elect to notify the Plan Agent in advance of such termination to have the Plan Agent sell part or all of your shares on your behalf. The Plan Agent is authorized to deduct brokerage commissions actually incurred for this transaction from the proceeds. All correspondence concerning the Plan should be directed by mail to American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, 59 Maiden Lane, New York, New York 10038, by logging onto your account and following the directions at www.Investpower.com or by telephone at 1-877-366-6441.

 

20 

 LMP Real Estate Income Fund Inc.


 

 

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(This page intentionally left blank.)

 

 


 

LMP Real Estate Income Fund Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

Directors

Investment manager

Carol L. Colman

Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC

Daniel P. Cronin

 

Paolo M. Cucchi

Subadviser

Leslie H. Gelb

AEW Management and Advisors, L.P.

R. Jay Gerken, CFA

 

Chairman

Auction agent

William R. Hutchinson

Deutsche Bank

Dr. Riordan Roett

60 Wall Street

Jeswald W. Salacuse

New York, New York 10005

 

 

Officers

Custodian

R. Jay Gerken, CFA

State Street Bank and Trust Company

President and Chief Executive Officer

225 Franklin Street

 

Boston, Massachusetts 02110

Kaprel Ozsolak

 

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

Transfer agent

 

American Stock Transfer & Trust Company

Ted P. Becker

59 Maiden Lane

Chief Compliance Officer

New York, New York 10038

 

 

Robert I. Frenkel

Independent registered public accounting firm

Secretary and Chief Legal Officer

KPMG LLP

 

345 Park Avenue

Thomas C. Mandia

New York, New York 10154

Assistant Secretary

 

 

Legal counsel

Albert Laskaj

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

Controller

425 Lexington Avenue

 

New York, New York 10017

Steven Frank

 

Controller

New York Stock Exchange Symbol

 

RIT

LMP Real Estate Income Fund Inc.

 

55 Water Street

 

New York, New York 10041

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

LMP Real Estate Income Fund Inc.

 

 

 

LMP REAL ESTATE INCOME FUND INC.

 

55 Water Street

 

New York, New York 10041

 

 

 

Notice is hereby given in accordance with Section 23(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, that from time to time the Fund may purchase at market prices, shares of its common stock in the open market.

 

 

 

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C., and information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. To obtain information on Form N-Q from the Fund, shareholders can call 1-800-451-2010.

 

 

 

Information on how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the prior 12-month period ended June 30th of each year and a description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio transactions are available (1) without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-451-2010, (2) on the Fund’s website at www.leggmason.com/cef and (3) on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

 

 

This report is transmitted to the shareholders of LMP Real Estate Income Fund Inc. for their information. This is not a prospectus, circular or representation intended for use in the purchase of shares of the Fund or any securities mentioned in this report.

 

 

 

American Stock

 

Transfer & Trust Company

 

59 Maiden Lane

 

New York, New York 10038

 

 

 

 

 

FD02814 8/08 SR08-616

 

 


 

ITEM 2.

CODE OF ETHICS.

 

 

 

Not Applicable.

 

 

ITEM 3.

AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.

 

 

 

Not Applicable.

 

 

ITEM 4.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.

 

 

 

Not Applicable.

 

 

ITEM 5.

AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS.

 

 

 

Not Applicable.

 

 

ITEM 6.

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS.

 

 

 

Included herein under Item 1.

 

 

ITEM 7.

DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLOCIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

 

 

 

Not Applicable.

 

 

ITEM 8.

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

 

 

 

Not Applicable.

 

 

ITEM 9.

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

 

 

 

Not Applicable.

 

 

ITEM 10.

SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.

 

 

 

Not Applicable.

 

 

ITEM 11.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

 

 

 

(a)

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

 

 

 

 

(b)

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

 

 

 

ITEM 12.

EXHIBITS.

 

 

 

 

(a)  (1)  Not Applicable.

 

Exhibit 99.CODE ETH

 

 

 

(a) (2)  Certifications pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxle 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.

 

LMP Real Estate Income Fund Inc.

 

 

By:

/s/ R. Jay Gerken

 

 

(R. Jay Gerken)

 

 

Chief Executive Officer of

 

 

LMP Real Estate Income Fund Inc.

 

 

 

 

Date:

August 28, 2008

 

 

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

 

By:

/s/ R. Jay Gerken

 

 

(R. Jay Gerken)

 

 

Chief Executive Officer of

 

 

LMP Real Estate Income Fund Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

August 28, 2008

 

 

By:

/s/ Kaprel Ozsolak

 

 

(Kaprel Ozsolak)

 

 

Chief Financial Officer of

 

 

LMP Real Estate Income Fund Inc.

 

 

 

 

Date:

August 28, 2008