Western Asset Premier Bond Fund

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM N-CSR

 


 

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED

MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

 

Investment Company Act file number: 811-10603

 


 

Name of Fund: Western Asset Premier Bond Fund

 


 

Address of Principal Executive Offices:

385 East Colorado Boulevard

Pasadena, CA 91101

 

Name and address of agent for service:

Richard M. Wachterman, Esq.

Legg Mason Wood Walker, Incorporated

100 Light Street

Baltimore, MD 21202

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (410) 539-0000

 

Date of fiscal year end: December 31, 2004

 

Date of reporting period: June 30, 2004

 



Item 1 – Report to Shareholders


 

 

 


Western Asset

Premier Bond Fund

 

Semi-Annual Report to Shareholders

 

June 30, 2004


 

 


Semi-Annual Report to Shareholders

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

June 30, 2004 (Unaudited)

(Amounts in Thousands)

 

Western Asset Premier Bond Fund

 


 

     % OF
NET ASSETS
   RATE    MATURITY
DATE
   PAR    VALUE  

Long-Term Securities

   143.9%                          

Corporate Bonds and Notes

   91.4%                          

Advertising

   0.2%                          

Vertis Inc.

        10.875%    06/15/09    $ 250    $ 269  
                          


Aerospace/Defense

   3.0%                          

Armor Holdings, Inc.

        8.250%    08/15/13      220      235  

Esterline Technologies Corporation

        7.750%    06/15/13      250      257  

Northrop Grumman Corporation

        7.750%    02/15/31      1,000      1,163  

Raytheon Company

        6.750%    08/15/07      1,000      1,083 N

Raytheon Company

        7.200%    08/15/27      1,000      1,088  

Systems 2001 Asset Trust

        6.664%    09/15/13      295      318 A

TD Funding Corp.

        8.375%    07/15/11      200      203  

The Boeing Company

        6.125%    02/15/33      600      585  
                          


                             4,932  
                          


Apparel

   0.6%                          

Oxford Industries, Inc.

        8.875%    06/01/11      500      527 A

Russell Corporation

        9.250%    05/01/10      500      531  
                          


                             1,058  
                          


Auto Parts and Equipment

   0.7%                          

Keystone Automotive Operations Inc.

        9.750%    11/01/13      380      407 A

TRW Automotive

        11.000%    02/15/13      101      119  

TRW Automotive

        9.375%    02/15/13      285      321  

Tenneco Automotive Inc.

        10.250%    07/15/13      230      260  
                          


                             1,107  
                          


Automotive

   3.9%                          

Asbury Automotive Group Inc.

        9.000%    06/15/12      405      413  

DaimlerChrysler NA Holdings Corporation

        7.300%    01/15/12      1,000      1,091  

DaimlerChrysler NA Holdings Corporation

        8.500%    01/18/31      1,000      1,149  

Ford Motor Company

        7.450%    07/16/31      2,700      2,574  

General Motors Corporation

        8.375%    07/15/33      1,175      1,244  
                          


                             6,471  
                          


Banking and Finance

   5.0%                          

Boeing Capital Corporation

        6.500%    02/15/12      1,000      1,078  

Boeing Capital Corporation

        5.800%    01/15/13      400      412  

Ford Motor Credit Company

        6.875%    02/01/06      500      524  

Ford Motor Credit Company

        7.250%    10/25/11      1,700      1,775  

Fuji JGB Inv LLC

        9.870%    06/30/08      790      894 A,B

 

1


Semi-Annual Report to Shareholders

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS—Continued

 

Western Asset Premier Bond Fund—Continued

 


 

     % OF
NET ASSETS
   RATE    MATURITY
DATE
   PAR    VALUE  

Corporate Bonds and Notes—Continued

                              

Banking and Finance—Continued

                              

General Motors Acceptance Corporation

        6.125%    02/01/07    $ 500    $ 522  

General Motors Acceptance Corporation

        7.000%    02/01/12      1,500      1,542  

Household Finance Corporation

        4.750%    07/15/13      1,670      1,575  
                          


                             8,322  
                          


Banks

   1.0%                          

Bank One Corporation

        5.250%    01/30/13      1,300      1,279  

Washington Mutual Bank FA

        5.500%    01/15/13      440      440  
                          


                             1,719  
                          


Building Materials

   0.8%                          

Associated Materials Inc.

        11.250%    03/01/14      490      328 A,B

MMI Products, Inc.

        11.250%    04/15/07      160      154  

Nortek Holdings, Inc.

        10.000%    05/15/11      370      296 A,B

Nortek Holdings, Inc.

        9.875%    06/15/11      500      570  
                          


                             1,348  
                          


Cable

   2.4%                          

Charter Communication Holdings, Inc.

        10.250%    09/15/10      432      436  

Charter Communication Holdings, LLC

        9.625%    11/15/09      440      356  

Charter Communication Holdings, LLC

        8.000%    04/30/12      370      358 A

Comcast Cable Communications, Inc.

        6.750%    01/30/11      500      540  

Comcast Corporation

        6.500%    01/15/15      400      415  

Comcast Corporation

        7.050%    03/15/33      1,000      1,036  

CSC Holdings Inc.

        6.750%    04/15/12      250      240 A

CSC Holdings Inc.

        7.625%    07/15/18      253      236  

LodgeNet Entertainment Corporation

        9.500%    06/15/13      321      350  
                          


                             3,967  
                          


Chemicals

   2.5%                          

Equistar Chemicals LP

        10.125%    09/01/08      108      118  

Equistar Chemicals LP

        10.625%    05/01/11      174      193  

FMC Corporation

        10.250%    11/01/09      203      233  

Huntsman International LLC

        9.875%    03/01/09      80      87  

Huntsman International LLC

        10.125%    07/01/09      250      255  

IMC Global Inc.

        11.250%    06/01/11      142      164  

Nalco Company

        8.875%    11/15/13      160      168 A

The Dow Chemical Company

        6.000%    10/01/12      2,500      2,583  

Westlake Chemical Corporation

        8.750%    07/15/11      298      323  
                          


                             4,124  
                          


 

2


 

 


 

     % OF
NET ASSETS
   RATE    MATURITY
DATE
   PAR    VALUE  

Corporate Bonds and Notes—Continued

                              

Coal

   0.3%                          

Alpha Natural Resources Corp.

        10.000%    06/01/12    $ 320    $ 334 A

Peabody Energy Corporation

        5.875%    04/15/16      130      118  
                          


                             452  
                          


Computer Services and Systems

   1.0%                          

Electronic Data Systems Corporation

        7.125%    10/15/09      700      733  

Electronic Data Systems Corporation

        7.450%    10/15/29      500      491  

International Business Machines Corporation

        4.750%    11/29/12      240      235  

Viasystems, Inc.

        10.500%    01/15/11      260      273 A
                          


                             1,732  
                          


Consumer Cyclical

   0.2%                          

Equinox Holdings Inc.

        9.000%    12/15/09      250      249 A
                          


Containers and Packaging

   0.1%                          

Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.

        8.750%    11/15/12      220      238  
                          


Construction Machinery

   0.2%                          

H&E Equipment Services LLC

        11.125%    06/15/12      360      365  
                          


Diversified Financial Services

   2.8%                          

CIT Group Inc.

        7.750%    04/02/12      1,600      1,825  

Citigroup Inc.

        6.625%    06/15/32      1,000      1,036  

General Electric Capital Corporation

        4.250%    01/15/08      740      749  

General Electric Capital Corporation

        6.000%    06/15/12      700      739  

General Electric Capital Corporation

        5.450%    01/15/13      250      253  
                          


                             4,602  
                          


Diversified Services

   1.4%                          

Loews Corporation

        3.125%    09/15/07      2,500      2,391 C
                          


Drug & Grocery Store Chains

   0.3%                          

Safeway Inc.

        5.800%    08/15/12      500      504  
                          


Electric

   7.9%                          

American Electric Power Company, Inc.

        6.125%    05/15/06      750      787  

Dominion Resources, Inc.

        5.700%    09/17/12      770      783  

Duke Energy Corporation

        6.250%    01/15/12      250      260  

Exelon Generation Company LLC

        6.950%    06/15/11      2,000      2,190  

FirstEnergy Corp.

        5.500%    11/15/06      750      776  

FirstEnergy Corp.

        6.450%    11/15/11      610      632  

 

3


Semi-Annual Report to Shareholders

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS—Continued

 

Western Asset Premier Bond Fund—Continued

 


 

     % OF
NET ASSETS
   RATE    MATURITY
DATE
   PAR    VALUE  

Corporate Bonds and Notes—Continued

                              

Electric—Continued

                              

FirstEnergy Corp.

        7.375%    11/15/31    $ 1,790    $ 1,866  

MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company

        5.875%    10/01/12      250      254  

Niagra Mohawk Power Corporation

        7.750%    10/01/08      1,500      1,688  

Oncor Electric Delivery Company

        7.000%    09/01/22      250      268  

Orion Power Holdings, Inc.

        12.000%    05/01/10      500      610  

Progress Energy, Inc.

        7.100%    03/01/11      250      274  

Progress Energy, Inc.

        6.850%    04/15/12      750      811  

The AES Corporation

        9.500%    06/01/09      97      104  

The AES Corporation

        9.000%    05/15/15      500      535 A

The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company

        5.650%    12/15/13      1,250      1,216 A
                          


                             13,054  
                          


Energy

   0.7%                          

Calpine Corporation

        8.500%    02/15/11      422      275  

Calpine Generation Co.

        11.500%    04/01/11      380      334 A

Midwest Generation LLC

        8.750%    05/01/34      255      258 A

Nevada Power Company

        6.500%    04/15/12      290      276 A
                          


                             1,143  
                          


Entertainment

   0.1%                          

Cinemark, Inc.

        9.750%    03/15/14      330      215 A,B
                          


Environmental Services

   1.4%                          

Allied Waste North America Incorporated

        7.375%    04/15/14      140      136 A

Waste Management, Inc.

        7.375%    05/15/29      2,000      2,167  

Waste Management, Inc.

        7.750%    05/15/32      40      46  
                          


                             2,349  
                          


Food, Beverage and Tobacco

   3.3%                          

Altria Group, Inc.

        7.000%    11/04/13      250      255  

Altria Group, Inc.

        7.750%    01/15/27      1,000      1,022 N

Kraft Foods Inc.

        5.250%    10/01/13      400      390  

Nabisco Incorporated

        7.550%    06/15/15      1,500      1,723  

R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Holdings, Inc.

        7.750%    05/15/06      2,000      2,080  
                          


                             5,470  
                          


Funeral Services

   0.1%                          

Alderwoods Group, Inc.

        12.250%    01/02/09      120      132  
                          


 

4


 

 


 

     % OF
NET ASSETS
   RATE    MATURITY
DATE
   PAR    VALUE  

Corporate Bonds and Notes—Continued

                              

Gaming

   1.7%                          

Ameristar Casinos, Inc.

        10.750%    02/15/09    $ 500    $ 570  

Herbst Gaming, Inc.

        8.125%    06/01/12      180      183 A

Inn of The Mountain Gods

        12.000%    11/15/10      400      444 A

Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc.

        9.000%    03/15/12      250      269  

MGM MIRAGE

        8.500%    09/15/10      280      302  

Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.

        9.250%    02/15/07      250      256  

Premier Entertainment Biloxi LLC

        10.750%    02/01/12      187      196 A

Station Casinos, Inc.

        6.875%    03/01/16      120      116  

Wynn Las Vegas, LLC

        12.000%    11/01/10      335      401  
                          


                             2,737  
                          


Gas and Pipeline Utilities

   4.4%                          

Duke Energy Field Services Corporation LLC

        7.875%    08/16/10      750      855  

Dynegy Holdings Inc.

        8.750%    02/15/12      1,500      1,425  

Kinder Morgan, Inc.

        6.650%    03/01/05      1,000      1,028  

Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, L.P.

        7.125%    03/15/12      500      550  

Pacific Energy Partners LP/Pacific Energy Finance Corp.

        7.125%    06/15/14      140      142 A

Panhandle Eastern Pipe Line Company

        4.800%    08/15/08      400      399  

Texas Eastern Transmission

        5.250%    07/15/07      750      774  

The Williams Companies, Inc.

        7.500%    01/15/31      902      816  

The Williams Companies, Inc.

        8.750%    03/15/32      1,200      1,200  
                          


                             7,189  
                          


Healthcare

   0.5%                          

Fresenius Medical Care Capital Trust II

        7.875%    02/01/08      250      264  

Tenet Healthcare Corporation

        9.875%    07/01/14      503      512 A
                          


                             776  
                          


Home Building

   0.6%                          

Atrium Companies, Inc.

        10.500%    05/01/09      500      524  

Schuler Homes, Inc.

        9.375%    07/15/09      500      549  
                          


                             1,073  
                          


Investment Banking/Brokerage

   3.6%                          

Credit Suisse First Boston, USA

        6.500%    01/15/12      1,125      1,209  

J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.

        6.625%    03/15/12      1,750      1,892  

Morgan Stanley Dean Witter & Co.

        6.600%    04/01/12      1,500      1,615  

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

        6.600%    01/15/12      1,200      1,291  
                          


                             6,007  
                          


 

5


Semi-Annual Report to Shareholders

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS—Continued

 

Western Asset Premier Bond Fund—Continued

 


 

     % OF
NET ASSETS
   RATE    MATURITY
DATE
   PAR    VALUE  

Corporate Bonds and Notes—Continued

                              

Machinery

   1.0%                          

Case New Holland Incorporated

        9.250%    08/01/11    $ 380    $ 399 A

Joy Global Inc.

        8.750%    03/15/12      330      370  

NMHG Holdings Co.

        10.000%    05/15/09      295      324  

Terex Corporation

        10.375%    04/01/11      500      557  
                          


                             1,650  
                          


Manufacturing (Diversified)

   2.2%                          

American Achievement Corp.

        8.250%    04/01/12      200      203 A

Ames True Temper Inc.

        10.000%    07/15/12      370      371 A

Eastman Kodak Co.

        7.250%    11/15/13      850      864  

Interface, Inc.

        10.375%    02/01/10      250      279  

Jacuzzi Brands, Incorporated

        9.625%    07/01/10      395      423  

Koppers Inc.

        9.875%    10/15/13      380      416  

Leiner Health Products Inc.

        11.000%    06/01/12      210      217 A

Norcraft Companies, L.P.

        9.000%    11/01/11      320      338 A

Rayovac Corporation

        8.500%    10/01/13      220      231  

Samsonite Corporation

        8.875%    06/01/11      210      217 A
                          


                             3,559  
                          


Materials and Basic Industry

   0.1%                          

Hexcel Corporation

        9.875%    10/01/08      169      185  
                          


Media

   3.5%                          

AOL Time Warner Inc.

        6.150%    05/01/07      250      265  

AOL Time Warner Inc.

        6.875%    05/01/12      1,400      1,513  

AOL Time Warner Inc.

        7.700%    05/01/32      1,150      1,256  

Liberty Media Corporation

        3.020%    09/17/06      200      204 H

Liberty Media Corporation

        3.750%    02/15/30      1,860      1,216 C

News America Holdings Incorporated

        6.625%    01/09/08      300      324  

News America Holdings Incorporated

        8.875%    04/26/23      400      500  

Paxson Communications Corporation

        10.750%    07/15/08      500      507  
                          


                             5,785  
                          


Medical Care Facilities

   2.0%                          

AmeriPath, Inc.

        10.500%    04/01/13      250      253  

Ardent Health Services

        10.000%    08/15/13      280      300  

Extendicare Health Services, Inc.

        9.500%    07/01/10      500      555  

Extendicare Health Services, Inc.

        6.875%    05/01/14      260      244 A

HCA Inc.

        5.750%    03/15/14      1,675      1,592  

Vanguard Health Systems, Inc.

        9.750%    08/01/11      250      271  
                          


                             3,215  
                          


 

6


 

 


 

     % OF
NET ASSETS
   RATE    MATURITY
DATE
   PAR    VALUE  

Corporate Bonds and Notes—Continued

                              

Metals and Mining

   0.5%                          

Alcoa Inc.

        5.375%    01/15/13    $ 750    $ 757  
                          


Office Equipment

   0.1%                          

Xerox Corporation

        7.625%    06/15/13      130      133  
                          


Oil and Gas

   7.8%                          

Amerada Hess Corporation

        7.300%    08/15/31      1,700      1,726  

Anadarko Finance Company

        6.750%    05/01/11      750      825  

Anadarko Finance Company

        7.500%    05/01/31      1,000      1,139  

ConocoPhillips

        4.750%    10/15/12      1,000      977  

Devon Energy Corporation

        7.950%    04/15/32      1,000      1,155  

Devon Finance Corp. ULC

        6.875%    09/30/11      2,000      2,177  

El Paso CPG Co.

        6.375%    02/01/09      333      291  

El Paso CPG Co.

        7.750%    06/15/10      1,496      1,350  

El Paso Corporation

        7.625%    07/15/11      500      446  

Evergreen Resources, Inc.

        5.875%    03/15/12      270      273 A

Ferrellgas Partners LP

        8.750%    06/15/12      40      43  

Ferrellgas Partners LP

        6.750%    05/01/14      130      125 A

Hanover Compressor Company

        8.625%    12/15/10      170      176  

Occidental Petroleum Corporation

        6.750%    01/15/12      500      551  

Parker Drilling Company

        10.125%    11/15/09      250      264  

Plains Exploration & Production Company

        7.125%    06/15/14      190      193 A

Suburban Propane Partners LP

        6.875%    12/15/13      200      193  

Valero Energy Corporation

        7.500%    04/15/32      400      445  

Vintage Petroleum, Inc.

        7.875%    05/15/11      500      512  
                          


                             12,861  
                          


Paper and Forest Products

   3.1%                          

Georgia-Pacific Corp.

        9.500%    12/01/11      240      282  

Georgia-Pacific Corp.

        9.375%    02/01/13      240      275  

Georgia-Pacific Corp.

        8.875%    05/15/31      262      280  

MeadWestvaco Corporation

        6.850%    04/01/12      500      536  

Potlatch Corporation

        10.000%    07/15/11      500      555  

Weyerhaeuser Company

        6.750%    03/15/12      1,900      2,058  

Weyerhaeuser Company

        7.375%    03/15/32      1,000      1,087  
                          


                             5,073  
                          


 

7


Semi-Annual Report to Shareholders

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS—Continued

 

Western Asset Premier Bond Fund—Continued

 


 

     % OF
NET ASSETS
   RATE    MATURITY
DATE
   PAR    VALUE  

Corporate Bonds and Notes—Continued

                              

Publishing

   0.4%                          

Dex Media East LLC

        9.875%    11/15/09    $ 250    $ 281  

Dex Media East LLC

        12.125%    11/15/12      187      218  

PRIMEDIA Inc.

        6.615%    05/15/10      150      152 A,H
                          


                             651  
                          


Rental Auto/Equipment

   0.2%                          

NationsRent Inc.

        9.500%    10/15/10      110      117 A

United Rentals North America Inc.

        7.000%    02/15/14      159      142  
                          


                             259  
                          


Retail

   0.6%                          

Hollywood Entertainment Corporation

        9.625%    03/15/11      375      431  

JC Penney Company Inc.

        7.125%    11/15/23      260      266  

Stater Bros. Holdings Inc.

        5.060%    06/15/10      170      173 A,H

Toys “R” Us, Inc.

        7.875%    04/15/13      140      141  
                          


                             1,011  
                          


Retail (Food Chains)

   0.2%                          

Domino’s Inc.

        8.250%    07/01/11      381      404  
                          


Special Purpose

   1.3%                          

Air 2 U.S. Series A

        8.027%    10/01/19      305      265 A

Huntsman Advanced Materials LLC

        11.000%    07/15/10      90      101 A

Milacron Escrow Corp.

        11.500%    05/15/11      290      289 A

River Rock Entertainment

        9.750%    11/01/11      230      251 A

Sensus Metering Systems

        8.625%    12/15/13      240      230 A

UGS Corp.

        10.000%    06/01/12      240      256 A

UCAR Finance Inc.

        10.250%    02/15/12      500      556  

WII Components, Inc.

        10.000%    02/15/12      250      245 A
                          


                             2,193  
                          


Storage Facilities

   0.2%                          

Mobile Mini, Inc.

        9.500%    07/01/13      319      349  
                          


Telecommunications

   7.6%                          

Alamosa Delaware Inc.

        11.000%    07/31/10      319      348  

AT&T Corp.

        8.050%    11/15/11      2,000      2,053  

BellSouth Corporation

        6.000%    10/15/11      1,000      1,051  

Cincinnati Bell Inc.

        7.250%    07/15/13      129      121  

Cincinnati Bell Inc.

        8.375%    01/15/14      150      134  

Citizens Communications Company

        8.500%    05/15/06      250      266  

 

8


 

 


 

     % OF
NET ASSETS
   RATE    MATURITY
DATE
   PAR    VALUE  

Corporate Bonds and Notes—Continued

                              

Telecommunications—Continued

                              

EchoStar DBS Corporation

        10.375%    10/01/07    $ 210    $ 224  

EchoStar DBS Corporation

        9.125%    01/15/09      110      121  

GTE Hawaiian Telephone Company, Incorporated

        7.000%    02/01/06      80      82  

GTE Hawaiian Telephone Company, Incorporated

        7.375%    09/01/06      60      61  

Insight Midwest LP/Insight Capital Inc.

        10.500%    11/01/10      470      512 A

PanAmSat Corporation

        8.500%    02/01/12      131      149  

Qwest Capital Funding, Inc.

        7.750%    02/15/31      1,000      785  

Qwest Communications International Inc.

        7.250%    02/15/11      500      466 A

Qwest Corporation

        9.125%    03/15/12      490      529 A

Qwest Services Corp.

        13.500%    12/15/10      650      756 A

SBC Communications Inc.

        6.250%    03/15/11      1,000      1,064 N

Sprint Capital Corporation

        6.000%    01/15/07      1,500      1,571  

Sprint Capital Corporation

        8.375%    03/15/12      1,450      1,667  

TCI Communications, Inc.

        9.650%    03/31/27      500      588  
                          


                             12,548  
                          


Telecommunications (Cellular/Wireless)

   2.3%                          

AT&T Wireless Services, Inc.

        7.500%    05/01/07      500      548  

AT&T Wireless Services, Inc.

        8.125%    05/01/12      500      578  

Centennial Communications Corporation

        8.125%    02/01/14      390      362 A

Cingular Wireless LLC

        6.500%    12/15/11      250      267  

Motorola, Inc.

        7.625%    11/15/10      400      450  

Nextel Communications, Inc.

        5.250%    01/15/10      290      282 C

Nextel Communications, Inc.

        7.375%    08/01/15      260      263  

Rural Cellular Corporation

        8.250%    03/15/12      200      204 A

SBA Communications Corp.

        9.750%    12/15/11      420      311 B

US Unwired Inc.

        10.000%    06/15/12      210      212 A

Verizon Wireless Capital LLC

        5.375%    12/15/06      250      261  
                          


                             3,738  
                          


Transportation

   7.6%                          

Continental Airlines, Inc.

        7.373%    12/15/15      111      89  

Continental Airlines, Inc.

        8.048%    11/01/20      810      792  

Delta Airlines, Inc.

        6.718%    01/02/23      3,328      3,428  

Horizon Lines, LLC

        9.000%    11/01/12      190      190 A

Kansas City Southern Railway

        9.500%    10/01/08      275      299  

Union Pacific Corporation

        6.125%    01/15/12      2,000      2,106 N

United Air Lines, Inc.

        7.783%    01/01/14      643      530  

US Airways, Inc. Escrow

        0.000%    01/01/07      1,900      0 D

US Airways, Inc. Series 89A2

        9.820%    01/01/13      470      138 K

 

9


Semi-Annual Report to Shareholders

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS—Continued

 

Western Asset Premier Bond Fund—Continued

 


 

     % OF
NET ASSETS
   RATE    MATURITY
DATE
   PAR    VALUE  

Corporate Bonds and Notes—Continued

                              

Transportation—Continued

                              

US Airways, Inc. Series 93A3

        10.375%    03/01/13    $ 236    $ 69 K

US Airways, Inc. Series 98-1

        6.850%    01/30/18      656      594  

US Airways, Inc. Series 99-1

        8.360%    01/20/19      4,583      4,339  
                          


                             12,574  
                          


Total Corporate Bonds and Notes
(Identified Cost—$145,093)

                           150,940  

Asset-Backed Securities

   9.3%                          

Fixed Rate Securities

   9.2%                          

ACE 2002-M Trust

        0.000%    10/13/17      312      6 D

Banagricola DPR Funding

        2.289%    03/15/10      2,397      2,391 A,H

Captiva CBO 1997-1 Ltd.

        6.860%    11/30/09      583      583 A

Conseco Finance Securitizations Corp. 2002-1

        6.681%    12/01/32      1,855      1,901  

Conseco Recreational Enthusiast Consumer Trust 2000-A

        8.480%    11/15/20      1,500      1,537  

Contimortgage Home Equity Loan Trust 1997-4

        7.330%    10/15/28      797      438  

Contimortgage Home Equity Loan Trust 1998-3

        8.250%    10/15/29      2,000      1,240  

Green Tree Financial Corporation 1992-2

        9.150%    01/15/18      1,140      1,023  

Green Tree Financial Corporation 1993-1

        8.450%    04/15/18      1,250      1,199  

Green Tree Financial Corporation 1999-4

        6.970%    05/01/31      1,176      1,217  

Pegasus Aviation Lease Securitization 2000-1

        8.370%    03/25/30      1,300      820 A

Saxson Asset Securities Trust 2000-2

        8.370%    07/25/30      2,000      2,056  

Vanderbilt Mortgage Finance 1997-B

        8.155%    10/07/26      750      759  
                          


                             15,170  
                          


Floating Rate Securities

   N.M.                          

Korea Asset Funding Ltd. 2000-1A

        3.200%    02/10/09      52      52 A,G,H
                          


Stripped Securities

   0.1%                          

Bayview Financial Acquisition Trust 2002-FA

        5.500%    06/25/05      6,000      210 A,E
                          


Total Asset-Backed Securities
(Identified Cost—$15,769)

                           15,432  

Mortgage-Backed Securities

   4.6%                          

Fixed Rate Securities

   3.8%                          

Asset Securization Corporation 1996-D2

        6.920%    02/14/29      545      567  

Commercial Mortgage Acceptance Corporation 1997-ML1

        6.570%    12/15/30      1,250      1,339  

Commercial Mortgage Acceptance Corporation 1997-ML1

        6.735%    12/15/30      1,690      1,808  

 

10


 

 


 

     % OF
NET ASSETS
   RATE    MATURITY
DATE
   PAR    VALUE  

Mortgage-Backed Securities—Continued

                              

Fixed Rate Securities—Continued

                              

Enterprise Mortgage Acceptance Company 1998-1

        6.110%    01/15/25    $ 184    $ 182 A

Enterprise Mortgage Acceptance Company 1999-1

        6.420%    10/15/25      449      193 A

GMAC Commercial Mortgage Security Inc. 1998-C1

        6.700%    05/15/30      631      684  

GMAC Commercial Mortgage Security Inc. 1998-C1

        6.974%    05/15/30      1,000      1,052  

Nomura Asset Securities Corporation 1996-MD5

        7.120%    04/13/39      520      550  
                          


                             6,375  
                          


Floating Rate Securities

   0.7%                          

Blackrock Capital Finance LP 1997-R2

        5.875%    12/25/35      1,587      1,091 A
                          


Stripped Securities

   0.1%                          

LB-UBS Commercial Mortgage Trust 2001-C3

        1.214%    06/15/36      3,213      167 A,E
                          


Total Mortgage-Backed Securities
(Identified Cost—$7,659)

                           7,633  

U.S. Government Securities

   6.5%                          

Indexed Securities

   6.1%                          

United States Treasury Inflation-Protected Security

        1.875%    07/15/13      10,000      10,111 F,I,O
                          


Fixed Rate Securities

   0.4%                          

United States Treasury Notes

        4.250%    08/15/13      550      537  
                          


Total U.S. Government Securities
(Identified Cost—$10,571)

                           10,648  

Yankee BondsG

   32.0%                          

Cable

   0.1%                          

Kabel Deutschland GmbH

        10.625%    07/01/14      220      226A  
                          


Chemicals

   0.3%                          

Rhodia SA

        10.250%    06/01/10      150      151 A

Rhodia SA

        8.875%    06/01/11      494      417 A
                          


                             568  
                          


Electric

   1.1%                          

Hydro-Quebec

        6.300%    05/11/11      1,700      1,851 N
                          


Energy

   1.3%                          

Calpine Canada Power Ltd.

        8.500%    05/01/08      500      330  

North America Energy Partners

        8.750%    12/01/11      240      238 A

Petroliam Nasional Berhad

        7.750%    08/15/15      1,410      1,600 A
                          


                             2,168  
                          


 

11


Semi-Annual Report to Shareholders

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS—Continued

 

Western Asset Premier Bond Fund—Continued

 


 

     % OF
NET ASSETS
   RATE    MATURITY
DATE
   PAR    VALUE  

Yankee BondsG—Continued

                              

Environmental Services

   0.2%                          

Capital Environmental Resource, Inc.

        9.500%    04/15/14    $ 270    $ 277 A
                          


Food, Beverage and Tobacco

   1.0%                          

Bavaria S.A.

        8.875%    11/01/10      1,550      1,596 A
                          


Foreign Governments

   18.1%                          

Dominican Republic

        9.500%    09/27/06      370      259 A

Federative Republic of Brazil

        14.500%    10/15/09      2,120      2,470  

Federative Republic of Brazil

        12.000%    04/15/10      800      852  

Federative Republic of Brazil

        2.125%    04/15/12      565      472 H

Federative Republic of Brazil

        8.000%    04/15/14      1,794      1,637  

Federative Republic of Brazil

        12.750%    01/15/20      280      298  

Federative Republic of Brazil

        11.000%    08/17/40      750      707  

Morocco A Loan Participation Note

        2.031%    01/01/09      286      280 H

Republic of Bulgaria

        8.250%    01/15/15      2,823      3,282 A

Republic of Colombia

        11.750%    02/25/20      2,090      2,283  

Republic of Ecuador

        12.000%    11/15/12      265      235 A

Republic of Ecuador

        7.000%    08/15/30      360      247 A,B

Republic of Honduras

        1.124%    10/01/11      250      243 H

Republic of Panama

        9.625%    02/08/11      1,420      1,573  

Republic of Panama

        10.750%    05/15/20      1,020      1,142  

Republic of Panama

        9.375%    01/16/23      340      347  

Republic of Peru

        9.125%    02/21/12      200      205  

Republic of Peru

        5.000%    03/07/17      3,003      2,598 B

Republic of Peru

        8.750%    11/21/33      520      457  

Republic of Philippines

        9.875%    01/15/19      560      557  

Russian Federation

        8.250%    03/31/10      330      358  

Russian Federation

        5.000%    03/31/30      6,170      5,638 B

Russian Ministry of Finance

        3.000%    05/14/06      10      10  

United Mexican States

        11.500%    05/15/26      2,700      3,785  
                          


                             29,935  
                          


Insurance

   0.8%                          

Residential Reinsurance LTD

        6.210%    06/01/05      300      303 A,H

XL Capital Finance (Europe) plc

        6.500%    01/15/12      1,000      1,070  
                          


                             1,373  
                          


Manufacturing (Diversified)

   2.3%                          

Tyco International Group SA

        6.375%    10/15/11      1,000      1,064  

Tyco International Group SA

        6.875%    01/15/29      2,615      2,738  
                          


                             3,802  
                          


 

12


 

 


 

     % OF
NET ASSETS
   RATE    MATURITY
DATE
   PAR    VALUE  

Yankee Bonds—Continued

                              

Oil and Gas

   0.3%                          

Gaz Capital SA

        8.625%    04/28/34    $ 290    $ 281 A

Western Oil Sands Inc.

        8.375%    05/01/12      130      141  
                          


                             422  
                          


Paper and Forest Products

   0.1%                          

Abitibi-Consolidated Inc.

        8.550%    08/01/10      130      137  

Abitibi-Consolidated Inc.

        5.020%    06/15/11      90      90 A,H
                          


                             227  
                          


Services

   0.3%                          

Compagnie Generale de Geophysique SA

        10.625%    11/15/07      500      532  
                          


Special Purpose

   4.0%                          

Arcel Finance Limited

        5.984%    02/01/09      1,121      1,162 A

Burlington Resources Finance

        7.400%    12/01/31      450      512  

Deutsche Telekom International Finance

        5.250%    07/22/13      600      584  

Eircom Funding

        8.250%    08/15/13      80      83  

Inmarsat Finance PLC

        7.625%    06/30/12      250      242 A

MDP Acquisitions PLC

        9.625%    10/01/12      220      241  

Petrozuata Finance, Inc.

        8.220%    04/01/17      3,380      3,177 A

UFJ Finance Aruba AEC

        6.750%    07/15/13      500      517  
                          


                             6,518  
                          


Telecommunications

   0.9%                          

Axtel SA

        11.000%    12/15/13      340      322 A

France Telecom SA

        9.500%    03/01/31      600      753  

Innova S. de R.L.

        9.375%    09/19/13      320      335  

Nortel Networks LTD

        6.125%    02/15/06      120      121  
                          


                             1,531  
                          


Telecommunications (Cellular/Wireless)

   0.2%                          

Vodaphone Group PLC

        7.750%    02/15/10      250      287  
                          


Transportation

   1.0%                          

Canadian Pacific Railway

        6.250%    10/15/11      1,000      1,074  

Grupo Transportacion Ferroviaria
Mexicana, S.A de C.V

        11.750%    06/15/09      350      341 B

OMI Corporation

        7.625%    12/01/13      190      186  
                          


                             1,601  
                          


Total Yankee Bonds
(Identified Cost—$50,283)

                           52,914  

 

13


Semi-Annual Report to Shareholders

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS—Continued

 

Western Asset Premier Bond Fund—Continued

 


 

     % OF
NET ASSETS
     PAR      VALUE  

Preferred Stocks

   0.1%                  

Rural Cellular Corporation

          0.111 shs      $ 94  L
                  


Total Preferred Stocks
(Identified Cost—$104)

                   94  

Common Stocks

   N.M.                  

US Airways, Inc.

          1 shs        2M  
                  


Total Common Stocks
(Identified Cost—$2)

                   2  

Warrants

   N.M.                  

American Tower

          0.251 wts        47  
                  


Total Warrants
(Identified Cost—$16)

                   47  

Total Investments
(Identified Cost—$229,497)

   143.9%               237,710  

Other Assets Less Liabilities

   (0.3%)               (554 )

Liquidation Value of Preferred Shares

   (43.6%)               (72,000 )
                  


Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders

   100.0%             $ 165,156  
                  


 

     EXPIRATION      ACTUAL
CONTRACTS
     APPRECIATION

Futures Contracts PurchasedJ

                    

U.S. Treasury Bond Futures

   Sept 2004      50      $   99

U.S. Treasury Bond Futures

   Sept 2004      25        51
                  

                     $150
                  

                      
A   Rule 144a Security – A security purchased pursuant to Rule 144a under the Securities Act of 1933 which may not be resold subject to that rule except to qualified institutional buyers. These securities represent 22.1% of net assets applicable to common shareholders.
B   Stepped-coupon Security – A security with a predetermined schedule of interest or dividend rate changes at which time it begins to accrue interest or pay dividends.
C   Convertible Bond – Bond may be converted into the issuer’s common stock.
D   Zero-coupon Bond – A bond with no periodic interest payments which is sold at such a discount as to produce a current yield to maturity.
E   Stripped Security – Security with interest-only payment streams. For interest-only securities, the amount shown as principal is the notional balance used to calculate the amount of the interest due.
F   Treasury Inflation Protected Security – Treasury security whose principal value is adjusted daily in accordance with changes to the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Interest is calculated on the basis of the current adjusted principal value.
G   Yankee Bond – A dollar-denominated bond issued in the U.S. by foreign entities.
H   Floating Rate Security – The rate of interest on this type of security is tied to the London Interbank Offer Rate (LIBOR). The coupon rate is as of June 30, 2004.
I   Securities, or portions thereof, held as collateral for reverse repurchase agreements.
J   Futures are described in more detail in the Notes to Financial Statements.
K   Bond in default as of June 30, 2004.
L   Pay-in-kind Security – Dividend income is paid with additional shares instead of receiving cash.
M   Non-income producing security.
N   Collateral to cover futures.
O   Securities, or portion thereof, held as collateral for reverse repurchase agreements.

N.M.—Not meaningful

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

14


STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

June 30, 2004 (Unaudited)

(Amounts in Thousands)

 

Western Asset Premier Bond Fund

 


 

Assets:

      

Investments, at value (cost—$229,497)

   $237,710  

Cash

   718  

Interest and dividends receivable

   4,328  

Receivable for securities sold

   364  

Variation margin receivable for futures contracts

   54  
    

Total assets

   243,174  
    

Liabilities:

      

Reverse repurchase agreements and interest payable

   5,044  

Payable for securities purchased

   476  

Dividends to shareholders

   219  

Investment management and administrative fees payable

   106  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

   173  
    

Total liabilities

   6,018  
    

Preferred shares:

      

$25 liquidation value per share applicable to 3 shares authorized and outstanding,
including dividends payable (Note 5)

   72,000  
    

Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders

   $165,156  
    

Composition of Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders:

      

Common shares, no par value, unlimited number of shares authorized, 11,386 shares
issued and outstanding (Note 4)

   161,349  

Under/(over) distributed net investment income

   448  

Accumulated net realized gain/(loss) on investments, options and futures

   (5,004 )

Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments, options and futures

   8,363  
    

Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders

   $165,156  
    

Net asset value per common share:

      

($165,156 ÷ 11,386 common shares issued and outstanding)

   $14.51  
    

        

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

15


Semi-Annual Report to Shareholders

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2004 (Unaudited)

(Amounts in Thousands)

 

Western Asset Premier Bond Fund

 


 

Investment Income:

        

Interest

   $ 8,219  

Dividends

     13  
    


Total investment income

     8,232  
    


Expenses:

        

Advisory and administration fees

     655  

Preferred shares auction agent fees

     95  

Audit and legal fees

     63  

Custodian fees

     42  

Reports to shareholders

     35  

Registration fees

     20  

Transfer agent and shareholder servicing fee

     13  

Preferred shares rating agency fees

     10  

Trustees’ fees

     10  

Other expenses

     17  
    


Total expenses

     960  
    


Net Investment Income

     7,272  
    


Net Realized and Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on Investments:

        

Realized gain/(loss) on:

        

Investments

     1,912  

Futures

     570  
    


       2,482  
    


Change in unrealized gain/(loss) on investments, options and futures

     (8,882 )
    


Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments, options and futures

     (6,400 )
    


Change in net assets resulting from operations

     872  
    


Dividends to Preferred Shareholders from Net Investment Income

     (442 )
    


Net Increase in Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders Resulting from Operations

   $ 430  
    


          

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

16


STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS

(Amounts in Thousands)

 

Western Asset Premier Bond Fund

 


 

     FOR THE
SIX MONTHS ENDED
JUNE 30, 2004
    FOR THE YEAR
ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 2003
 
     (UNAUDITED)         

Change in Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders:

                

Net investment income

   $ 7,272     $ 14,794  

Net realized gain/(loss) on investments, options and futures

     2,482       (3,109 )

Change in unrealized gain/(loss) on investments, options and futures

     (8,882 )     20,102  
    


 


Change in net assets resulting from operations

     872       31,787  
    


 


Dividends to Preferred Shareholders from net investment income

     (442 )     (906 )
    


 


Change in Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders Resulting from Operations

     430       30,881  
    


 


Distributions to Common Shareholders:

                

From net investment income

     (6,036 )     (14,716 )
    


 


Capital Transactions:

                

Offering costs from preferred shares issuance

           (166 )

Reinvestment of dividends resulting in the issuance of common shares

     990       3,159  
    


 


       990       2,993  
    


 


Net change in net assets applicable to common shareholders

     (4,616 )     19,158  
    


 


Net Assets:

                

Beginning of period

     169,772       150,614  
    


 


End of period

   $ 165,156     $ 169,772  
    


 


                  

Under/(over) distributed net investment income

   $ 448     $ (346 )
    


 


                  

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

17


Semi-Annual Report to Shareholders

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

Contained below is per share operating performance data for a common share outstanding throughout each period shown, total investment return, ratios to average net assets and other supplemental data. This information has been derived from information in the financial statements.

 


 

     FOR THE
SIX MONTHS ENDED
JUNE 30, 2004
    FOR THE YEAR
ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 2003
    FOR THE PERIOD
ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 2002*
 
     (UNAUDITED)                

Investment Operations:

                        

Net asset value per common share, beginning of period

   $ 15.00     $ 13.57     $ 14.32 (1)
    


 


 


Net investment income(2)

     0.64       1.32       1.02  

Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments, options and futures

     (0.56 )     1.51       (0.63 )

Dividends to Preferred Shareholders

     (0.04 )     (0.08 )     (0.03 )
    


 


 


Total from investment operations applicable to Common Shareholders

     0.04       2.75       0.36  
    


 


 


Dividends to Common Shareholders:

                        

From net investment income

     (0.53 )     (1.31 )     (0.97 )
    


 


 


Offering costs charged to paid in capital

     0.00       (0.01 )     (0.14 )
    


 


 


Net asset value per common share, end of period(3)

   $ 14.51     $ 15.00     $ 13.57  
    


 


 


Market value, end of period(3)

   $ 13.86     $ 15.85     $ 14.45  
    


 


 


Total Investment Return Based on:(4)

                        

Market Value

     (9.36 )%(7)     21.56 %     1.98 %(7)

Net Asset Value

     0.26 %(7)     20.81 %     1.87 %(7)

Ratio to Average Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders /Supplementary Data:

                        

Net assets applicable to common shareholders, end of period (in thousands)

   $ 165,156     $ 169,772     $ 150,614  

Expenses

     1.15 %(6)     1.24 %     1.55 %(6)

Expenses, excluding interest expense

     1.15 %(6)     1.24 %     1.07 %(6)

Net investment income(5)

     8.17 %(6)     8.55 %     9.37 %(6)

Portfolio turnover rate

     18 %(7)     38 %     111 %

Asset Coverage on preferred shares per $1,000, end of period

   $ 3,377     $ 3,384     $ 3,141  
                          
(1)   Net sales load of $0.68 on initial shares issued.
(2)   Based on average shares outstanding.
(3)   Net asset value and market value are published in The Wall Street Journal each Monday.
(4)   Total investment return is calculated assuming a purchase of common shares on the opening of the first day and a sale on the closing of the last day of each period reported. Dividends and distributions are assumed, for purposes of this calculation, to be reinvested at prices obtained under the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan. Total investment return is not annualized for periods of less than one year. Brokerage commissions are not reflected.
(5)   Ratios are calculated on the basis of income and expenses applicable to both the common and preferred shares relative to the average net assets of common shareholders. Ratios of net investment income before preferred share dividends to average net assets of common shareholders is 8.70%, 9.11% and 9.66%, respectively.
(6)   Annualized.
(7)   Not annualized.
*   March 28, 2002 (commencement of operations).

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

18


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in Thousands) (Unaudited)

 

1. Significant Accounting Policies:

Western Asset Premier Bond Fund (the “Fund”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as a diversified, closed-end management investment company. The Fund commenced investment operations on March 28, 2002.

 

The Fund’s investment objective is to provide current income and capital appreciation by investing primarily in a diversified portfolio of investment grade bonds. The Fund currently seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing substantially all of its assets in bonds, including corporate bonds, U.S. government and agency securities and mortgage-related securities. The ability of the issuers of the securities held by the Fund to meet their obligations might be affected by economic developments in a specific state, industry or region.

 

Preparation of the financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

 

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements.

 

Security Valuation

Securities owned by the Fund for which market quotations are readily available are valued at current market value. Securities for which market quotations are not readily available are fair valued by the Board of Trustees or the Fund’s Valuation Committee pursuant to procedures adopted by the Board. In determining fair value, the Board of Trustees or the Fund’s Valuation Committee consider all relevant qualitative and quantitative information available. The factors are subject to change over time and are reviewed periodically. The values assigned to fair value investments are based on available information and do not necessarily represent amounts that might ultimately be realized, since such amounts depend on future developments inherent in long-term investments. Further, because of the inherent uncertainty of valuation, those estimated values may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had a ready market for the investments existed, and the differences could be material.

 

Where a security is traded on more than one market, which may include foreign markets, the securities are generally valued on the market considered by the Fund’s adviser to be the primary market. The Fund will value its foreign securities in U.S. dollars on the basis of the then-prevailing exchange rates.

 

Security Transactions

Security transactions are recorded on the trade date. Realized gains and losses from security transactions are reported on an identified cost basis for both financial reporting and federal income tax purposes.

 

Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments, U.S. government and U.S. government agency securities) aggregated $58,598 and $40,921, respectively for the six months ended June 30, 2004. There were purchases of $586 and sales of $587 of U.S. government and government agency obligations for the six months ended June 30, 2004.

 

Foreign Currency Transactions

Assets and liabilities initially expressed in terms of non-U.S. currencies are translated into U.S. dollars using currency exchange rates determined at the close of the London Exchange, generally 11:00 AM EST. Purchases and sales of securities and income and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at the prevailing market rates on the dates of such transactions. The effects of changes in non-U.S. currency exchange rates on investment securities and other assets and liabilities are included with the net realized and unrealized gain or loss on investment securities.

 

Repurchase Agreements

The Fund may engage in repurchase agreements. Under the terms of a typical repurchase agreement, the Fund takes possession of an underlying debt obligation subject to an obligation of the seller to repurchase, and the Fund to resell, the obligation at an agreed-upon price and time, thereby determining the yield during the Fund’s holding period. This arrangement results in a fixed rate of return that is not subject to market fluctuations during the Fund’s holding period. The value of the collateral is at all times equal to at least the total amount of the repurchase obligation, including interest. In the event of a counterparty default, the

 

19


Semi-Annual Report to Shareholders

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Continued

 

Fund has the right to use the collateral to satisfy the terms of the repurchase agreement. However, there could be a potential loss to the Fund in the event the Fund is delayed or prevented from exercising its right to dispose of the collateral securities, including the risk of a possible decline in the value of the collateral securities during the period while the Fund seeks to assert its rights. The Fund’s investment adviser reviews the value of the collateral and the creditworthiness of those banks and dealers with which the Fund enters into repurchase agreements to evaluate potential risks.

 

Reverse Repurchase Agreements

The Fund may engage in reverse repurchase agreements. Under the terms of a typical reverse repurchase agreement, the Fund sells an underlying debt obligation subject to an obligation to repurchase the security from the buyer at an agreed-upon price and time, thereby determining the yield during the buyer’s holding period. A reverse repurchase agreement involves the risk, among others, that the market value of the securities the Fund has sold and is obligated to repurchase exceed the cash collateral retained by the Fund. In the event the buyer of the securities under a repurchase agreement files for bankruptcy or becomes insolvent, the Fund’s use of the proceeds of the agreement may be restricted pending a determination by the party, or its trustee or receiver, whether to enforce the Fund’s obligation to repurchase the securities. At the time the Fund enters into a reverse repurchase agreement, it will segregate, on it books, liquid assets having a value at least equal to the repurchase price or take other actions permitted by law to cover its obligations. For the six months ended June 30, 2004, the average amount of the reverse repurchase agreements outstanding was $5,044 and the daily weighted interest was 1.25%.

 

Options, Futures and Swap Agreements

The current market value of a traded option is the last sale price or, in the absence of a sale, the mean between the closing bid and asked price. Futures contracts are valued daily at the settlement price established by the board of trade or exchange on which they are traded. Futures contracts are marked-to-market on a daily basis. As a contract’s value fluctuates, payments known as variation margin are made or received by the Fund each day, depending on the daily fluctuation in the value of the contract. The daily changes in contract value are recorded as unrealized gains or losses, and the Fund recognizes a gain or loss when the contract is closed. Swap agreements are priced daily based upon quotations from brokers and the change, if any, is recorded as unrealized appreciation or depreciation.

 

Investment Income and Distributions to Common Shareholders

Dividend income and distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Dividends from net investment income are declared and paid monthly to common shareholders. Net capital gain distributions are declared and paid after the end of the tax year in which the gain is realized. Distributions are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from those determined in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America; accordingly, periodic reclassifications are made within the Fund’s capital accounts to reflect income and gains available for distribution under federal income tax regulations. Interest income and expenses are recorded on the accrual basis. Bond discounts and premiums are amortized and included in interest income for financial reporting purposes and federal income tax purposes.

 

Short Sales

The Fund may sell a security it does not own in anticipation of a decline in the market price of that security. The Fund must then borrow the security sold short and deliver it to the dealer that brokered the short sale. A gain, limited to the price at which the security was sold short, or a loss, potentially unlimited in size, will be recognized upon the termination of the short sale. With respect to each short sale, the Fund must segregate collateral consisting of cash or liquid securities with a value at least equal to the current market value of the shorted securities, marked-to-market daily or take other actions permitted by law to cover its obligations. Dividend expenses and fees paid to brokers to borrow securities in connection with short sales are considered part of the cost of short sale transactions. The Fund had no open short sales at June 30, 2004.

 

2. Federal Income Taxes:

No provision for federal income or excise taxes is required since the Fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company and distribute all of its taxable income and capital gains to its shareholders. Because federal income tax regulations differ from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, income and capital gains distributions determined in accordance with tax regulations may differ from net investment income and realized gains recognized for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, the character of the distributions and composition of net assets for tax purposes differ from those reflected in the accompanying financial statements.

 

20


 

The Fund intends to retain realized capital gains that may be offset against available capital loss carryforwards for federal income tax purposes. As of June 30, 2004, the Fund had a net capital loss carryforward of $7,204, of which $5,139 expires in the year 2010 and $2,065 expires in the year 2011.

 

3. Financial Instruments:

 

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

As part of its investment program, the Fund may utilize forward currency exchange contracts. Forward foreign exchange contracts are marked-to-market daily using forward foreign currency exchange rates supplied by an independent pricing service. The change in the contract’s market value is recorded by the Fund as an unrealized gain or loss. When a contract is closed or delivery is taken, the Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed.

 

The use of forward foreign currency exchange contracts does not eliminate fluctuations in the underlying prices of the Fund’s securities, but it does establish a rate of exchange that can be achieved in the future. These forward foreign currency exchange contracts involve market risk in excess of amounts reflected in the financial statements. Although forward foreign currency exchange contracts used for hedging purposes limit the risk of loss due to the decline in the value of the hedged currency, they also limit any potential gain that might result should the value of the currency increase. In addition, the Fund could be exposed to risks if the counterparties to the contracts are unable to meet the terms of their contracts. The Fund had no outstanding forward foreign exchange contracts as of June 30, 2004.

 

Options and Futures

As part of its investment program, the Fund may utilize options and futures. Options may be written (sold) or purchased by the Fund. When the Fund purchases a put or call option, the premium paid is recorded as an investment and its value is marked-to-market daily. When the Fund writes a put or call option, an amount equal to the premium received by the fund is recorded as a liability and its value is marked-to-market daily.

 

When options, whether written or purchased, expire, are exercised or are closed (by entering into a closing purchase or sale transaction), the Fund realizes a gain or loss as described in the chart below:

 

Purchased option:    Impact on the Fund:
The option expires    Realize a loss in the amount of the cost of the option.
The option is closed through a closing sale transaction    Realize a gain or loss depending on whether the proceeds from the closing sale transaction are greater or less than the cost of the option.
The Fund exercises a call option    The cost of the security purchased through the exercise of the option will be increased by the premium originally paid to purchase the option.
The Fund exercises a put option    Realize a gain or loss from the sale of the underlying security. The proceeds of that sale will be reduced by the premium originally paid to purchase the put option.
Written option:    Impact on the Fund:
The option expires    Realize a gain equal to the amount of the premium received.
The option is closed through a closing purchase transaction    Realize a gain or loss without regard to any unrealized gain or loss on the underlying security and eliminate the option liability. The Fund will realize a loss in this transaction if the cost of the closing purchase exceeds the premium received when the option was written.
A written call option is exercised by the option purchaser.    Realize a gain or loss from the sale of the underlying security. The proceeds of that sale will be increased by the premium originally received when the option was written.
A written put option is exercised by the option purchaser    The amount of the premium originally received will reduce the cost of the security that the Fund purchased when the option was exercised.

 

21


Semi-Annual Report to Shareholders

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Continued

 

The risk associated with purchasing options is limited to the premium originally paid. Options written by the Fund involve, to varying degrees, risk of loss in excess of the option value reflected in the schedule of investments. The risk in writing a covered call option is that the Fund may forgo the opportunity of profit if the market price of the underlying security increases and the option is exercised. The risk in writing a put option is that the Fund may incur a loss if the market price of the underlying security decreases and the option is exercised. In addition, there is a risk the Fund may not be able to enter into a closing transaction because of an illiquid secondary market, or, for over-the-counter options, because of the counterparty’s inability or unwillingness to perform.

 

Upon entering into a futures contract, the Fund is required to deposit with the broker cash or cash equivalents equal to a certain percentage of the contract amount. This is known as the “initial margin”. Subsequent payments (“variation margin”) are made or received by the Fund each day, depending on the daily fluctuation in the value of the contract. The daily changes in contract value are recorded as unrealized gains or losses and the Fund recognizes a realized gain or loss when the contract is closed. Futures contracts are valued daily at the settlement price established by the board of trade or exchange on which they are traded.

 

The Fund enters into futures contracts in connection with its interest rate management strategy, or for other purposes. Futures contracts involve, to varying degrees, risk of loss in excess of the amounts reflected in the financial statements. The change in the value of the futures contract primarily corresponds with the value of their underlying instruments, which may not correlate with changes in interest rates (if applicable). In addition, there is a risk that the Fund may not be able to enter into a closing transaction because of an illiquid secondary market.

 

The open long futures positions and related appreciation or depreciation at June 30, 2004, are listed at the end of the Fund’s schedule of investments.

 

Swap Agreements

The use of swaps involves risks that are different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. Swap agreements may be considered to be illiquid. Although the Fund will not enter into any swap agreements unless the adviser believes that the other party to the transaction is creditworthy, the Fund does bear the risk of loss of the amount expected to be received under a swap agreement in the event of default or bankruptcy of the agreement counterparty. The Fund may invest in different types of swap agreements. The Fund had no open swap agreements at June 30, 2004.

 

4. Common Shares:

Of the shares of common stock outstanding at June 30, 2004, Western Asset Management Co. owned 8,489 shares (share amounts are not in thousands).

 

5. Preferred Shares (amounts are not in thousands):

There are 2,880 shares of Auction Market Preferred Shares (“Preferred Shares”) authorized. The Preferred Shares have rights as set forth in the Fund’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust, as amended to date, and its Bylaws, as amended to date (the “Bylaws”), or as otherwise determined by the Trustees. The 2,880 Preferred Shares outstanding consist of two series, 1,440 shares of Series M and 1,440 shares of Series W. The Preferred Shares have a liquidation value of $25,000 per share, plus any accumulated but unpaid dividends whether or not earned or declared.

 

Dividends on the Series M and Series W Preferred Shares are cumulative and are paid at a rate typically reset every seven and twenty-eight days, respectively, based on the results of an auction. Dividend rates ranged from 1.05% to 1.40% from December 31, 2003 to June 30, 2004. Under the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Fund may not declare dividends or make other distributions on common shares or purchase any such shares if, at the time of the declaration, distribution or purchase, asset coverage with respect to the outstanding Preferred Shares would be less than 200%.

 

The Preferred Shares are redeemable at the option of the Fund, in whole or in part, on the second business day preceding any dividend payment date at $25,000 per share plus any accumulated but unpaid dividends. The Preferred Shares are also subject to mandatory redemption at $25,000 per share plus any accumulated but unpaid dividends, whether or not earned or declared, if certain requirements relating to the composition of the assets and liabilities of the Fund as set forth in the Bylaws are not satisfied.

 

22


 

Preferred shareholders, who are entitled to one vote per Preferred Share, generally vote as a single class with the common shareholders, but will vote separately as a class (and, in certain circumstances, vote separately by series) with respect to certain matters set forth in the Bylaws. The preferred shareholders are entitled to elect two Trustees of the Fund.

 

6. Securities Loaned:

The Fund may lend its securities to approved brokers to earn additional income and will receive cash and U.S. government securities as collateral against the loans. Cash collateral received is invested in a money market pooled account by the Fund’s lending agent. Collateral is maintained over the life of the loan in an amount not less than 100% of the value of the loaned securities. As of June 30, 2004, there were no securities on loan.

 

7. Transactions with Affiliates and Certain Other Parties:

The Fund has an Investment Management Agreement with Western Asset Management Company (“Western Asset”). Pursuant to the terms of the management agreement, the Fund pays Western Asset an annual fee, payable monthly, in an amount equal to 0.55% of the average weekly value of the Fund’s total managed assets. Pursuant to a portfolio management agreement between Western Asset and Western Asset Management Company Limited (“WAML”), Western Asset pays a portion of the fees it receives from the Fund to WAML at an annual rate of 0.425% of the average weekly value of the Fund’s total managed assets that WAML manages. Western Asset and WAML are wholly owned subsidiaries of Legg Mason, Inc.

 

Under the terms of the Administration Agreement among the Fund, Western Asset and Princeton Administrators, L.P. (the “Administrator”), Western Asset pays the Administrator, a monthly fee at an annual rate of 0.125% of the Fund’s average weekly total managed assets, subject to a monthly minimum fee of $12,500 (not in thousands).

 

8. Trustee Compensation (dollar amounts are not in thousands):

Each Independent Trustee receives an aggregate fee of $40,000 annually for serving on the combined Board of Directors/Trustees of the Fund, Western Asset Funds, Inc. and Pacific American Income Shares, Inc. (the “Combined Board”). Each Trustee also receives a fee of $5,000 and related expenses for each meeting of the Board attended in-person and a fee of $2,500 for participating in each telephonic meeting. The Chairman of the Board and the Chairman of the Audit Committee each receive an additional $10,000 per year for serving in such capacities. Audit Committee members receive a fee of $5,000. Other committee members receive $2,500. Committee members also receive a fee of $2,500 for participating in each telephonic committee meeting. All such fees are allocated among the Fund, Western Asset Funds, Inc. and Pacific American Income Shares, Inc. according to each such investment company’s average net assets.

 

9. Shareholder Meeting Results:

The Fund’s annual meeting of shareholders was held on May 4, 2004. Of the 11,355 common shares outstanding, the following shares were voted in the meeting:

 

       For

     Against

     Withheld

Election of Class I Trustee:    Anita L. DeFrantz

     10,545           4

 

Of the 3 preferred shares outstanding, the following shares were voted in the meeting:

 

       For

     Against

      

Election of Class I Trustee:    Anita L. DeFrantz

     2            

                                                   William G. McGogh

     2            

 

Of both the common and preferred shares outstanding, the following shares were voted in the meeting:

 

       For

     Against

     Withheld

Amendment to the Fund’s Amended and Restated Agreement And Declaration of Trust in order to Declassify the Board of Trustees

     10,544      3      5

 

       For

     Against

     Withheld

Amendment to the Fund’s Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust Relating to a Trustee’s standard of care and right to indemnification in connection with his or her service to the Fund

     10,544      3      5

 

23


Semi-Annual Report to Shareholders

 

Dividend Reinvestment Plan

Western Asset Premier Bond Fund (“WEA” or “Fund”) and EquiServe Trust Company N.A. (“Agent”), as the Transfer Agent and Registrar of WEA, offer a convenient way to add shares of WEA to your account. WEA offers to all common shareholders a Dividend Reinvestment Plan (“Plan”). Under the Plan, cash distributions (e.g., dividends and capital gains) on the common shares are automatically invested in shares of WEA unless the shareholder elects otherwise.

 

As a participant in the Dividend Reinvestment Plan, you will automatically receive your dividend or net capital gains distribution in newly issued shares of WEA, if the market price of the shares on the date of the distribution is at or above the net asset value (“NAV”) of the shares, minus estimated brokerage commissions that would be incurred upon the purchase of common shares on the open market. The number of shares to be issued to you will be determined by dividing the amount of the cash distribution to which you are entitled (net of any applicable withholding taxes) by the greater of the NAV per share on such date or 95% of the market price of a share on such date. If the market price of a share on such distribution date is below the NAV, minus estimated brokerage commissions that would be incurred upon the purchase of common shares on the open market, the Agent will, as agent for the participants, buy shares of WEA through a broker on the open market. All common shares acquired on your behalf through the Plan will be automatically credited to an account maintained on the books of the Agent.

 

Additional Information Regarding the Plan

WEA will pay all costs applicable to the Plan, with the exceptions noted below. Brokerage commissions for open market purchases by the Agent under the Plan will be charged to participants. All shares acquired through the Plan receive voting rights and are eligible for any stock split, stock dividend, or other rights accruing to shareholders that the Board of Trustees may declare.

 

You may terminate participation in the Plan at any time by giving written notice to the Agent. Such termination shall be effective prior to the record date next succeeding the receipt of such instructions or by a later date of termination specified in such instructions. Upon termination, a participant may request a certificate for the full shares credited to his or her account or may request the sale of all or part of such shares. Fractional shares credited to a terminating account will be paid for in cash at the current market price at the time of termination.

 

Dividends and other distributions invested in additional shares under the Plan are subject to income tax just as if they had been received in cash. After year end, dividends paid on the accumulated shares will be included in the Form 1099-DIV information return to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and only one Form 1099-DIV will be sent to participants each year.

 

Inquiries regarding the Plan, as well as notices of termination, should be directed to EquiServe Trust Company, N.A., P.O. Box 43011, Providence, Rhode Island 02940-3011—Investor Relations telephone number (866) 290-4386.

 

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

You may request a free description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how proxies relating to the Fund’s portfolio securities are voted by calling 1-626-844-9528 or by writing to the Fund, or obtain a copy of these policies and procedures (and other information relating to the Fund) from the Securities and Exchange Commission’s web site (http://www.sec.gov).

 

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Western Asset Premier Bond Fund

Board of Trustees

William C. McGagh, * Chairman

Ronald J. Arnault †

John E. Bryson *

Anita L. DeFrantz †

William E. B. Siart *†

Louis A. Simpson †

 

* Member of Executive Committee

† Member of Audit Committee

 

Investment Advisers

Western Asset Management Company

385 East Colorado Boulevard

Pasadena, California 91101

 

Western Asset Management Company Limited

155 Bishopgate

London, England EC2N3TY

 

Custodian

State Street Bank & Trust Company

P.O. Box 1031

Boston, Massachusetts 02103

Officers

James W. Hirschmann III

President

Ilene S. Harker

Vice President

S. Kenneth Leech

Vice President

Marie K. Karpinski

Treasurer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer

Erin K. Morris

Assistant Treasurer

Lisa G. Mrozek

Secretary

 

Transfer and Shareholder Servicing Agent

EquiServe Trust Company, N.A.

P.O. Box 43011

Providence, RI 02940-3011

 

Counsel

Ropes & Gray LLP

45 Rockefeller Plaza

New York, New York 10111

 

Independent Accountants

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

250 West Pratt Street

Baltimore, Maryland 21201

 

In accordance with Section 23(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Fund hereby gives notice that it may, from time to time, repurchase its shares in the open market at the option of the Board of Trustees and on such terms as the Board of Trustees shall determine.


Item 2 – Code of Ethics

 

Not applicable for semi-annual reports.

 

Item 3 – Audit Committee Financial Expert

 

Not applicable for semi-annual reports.

 

Item 4 – Principal Accountant Fees and Services

 

Not applicable for semi-annual reports.

 

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Item 5 – Audit Committee of Listed Registrants

 

Not applicable for semi-annual reports.

 

Item 6 – Schedule of Investments

 

The schedule of investments in securities of unaffiliated issuers is included in the semi-annual report.

 

Item 7 – Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

 

Not applicable for semi-annual reports.

 

Item 8 – Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Companies and Affiliated Purchasers

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 9 – Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

The Governance and Nominating Committee will accept recommendations for nominees to the Registrant’s Board of Directors from shareholders. Shareholders may forward recommendations the Registrant’s Secretary at 385 East Colorado Boulevard, Pasadena, California 91101, Attn: Secretary. The Governance and Nominating Committee has approved the following procedures for shareholders to submit nominees to the Registrant,s Board of Directors:

 

Procedures for Shareholders to Submit Nominee Candidates

 

(As of February 10, 2004)

 

A Fund shareholder must follow the following procedures in order to properly submit a nominee recommendation for the Committee’s consideration.

 

1. The shareholder must submit any such recommendation (a “Shareholder Recommendation”) in writing to the Fund, to the attention of the Secretary, at the address of the principal executive offices of the Fund.

 

2. The Shareholder Recommendation must be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the Fund not less than one hundred and twenty (120) calendar days nor more than one hundred and thirty-five (135) calendar days prior to the date of the Board or shareholder meeting at which the nominee would be elected.

 

3. The Shareholder Recommendation must include: (i) a statement in writing setting forth (A) the name, age, date of birth, business address, residence address and nationality of the person recommended by the shareholder (the “candidate”); (B) the class or series and number of all shares of the Fund owned of record or beneficially by the candidate, as reported to such shareholder by the candidate; (C) any other information regarding the candidate called for with respect to director/trustee nominees by paragraphs (a), (d), (e) and (f) of Item 401 of Regulation S-K or paragraph (b) of Item 22 of Rule 14a-101 (Schedule 14A) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (or the corresponding provisions of any regulation or rule subsequently adopted by

 

2


the Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor agency applicable to the Fund); (D) any other information regarding the candidate that would be required to be disclosed if the candidate were a nominee in a proxy statement or other filing required to be made in connection with solicitation of proxies for election of trustees or directors pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; and (E) whether the recommending shareholder believes that the candidate is or will be an “interested person” of the Fund (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) and, if not an “interested person,” information regarding the candidate that will be sufficient for the Fund to make such determination; (ii) the written and signed consent of the candidate to be named as a nominee and to serve as a director/trustee if elected; (iii) the recommending shareholder’s name as it appears on the Fund’s books; (iv) the class or series and number of all shares of the Fund owned beneficially and of record by the recommending shareholder; and (v) a description of all arrangements or understandings between the recommending shareholder and the candidate and any other person or persons (including their names) pursuant to which the recommendation is being made by the recommending shareholder. In addition, the Committee may require the candidate to furnish such other information as it may reasonably require or deem necessary to determine the eligibility of such candidate to serve on the Board.

 

Item 10 – Controls and Procedures

 

  (a) The registrant’s principal executive and principal financial officers have concluded, based on their evaluation of the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report, that the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures are reasonably designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Registrant on Form N-CSR is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the required time periods and that information required to be disclosed by the Registrant in the reports that it files or submits on Form N-CSR is accumulated and communicated to the Registrant’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

  (b) There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting during the registrant’s last fiscal half-year that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the internal control over financial reporting.

 

Item 11 – Exhibits

 

(a) File the exhibits listed below as part of this Form.
(a)(1) Not applicable for semi-annual reports.
(a)(2) Certifications pursuant to Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 is attached hereto.
(a)(3) Not applicable.
(b) Certifications pursuant to Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 is attached hereto.

 

3


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, thereunto duly authorized.

 

Western Asset Premier Bond Fund

 

By:

 

/s/ James W. Hirschmann


   

James W. Hirschmann

   

President

   

Western Asset Premier Bond Fund

 

Date: 8/24/04

 

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/ James W. Hirschmann


   

James W. Hirschmann

   

President

   

Western Asset Premier Bond Fund

 

Date: 8/24/04

 

By:

 

/s/ Marie K. Karpinski


   

Marie K. Karpinski

    Treasurer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer
   

Western Asset Premier Bond Fund

 

Date: 8/24/04

 

4