Western Asset Income Fund (Formerly Pacific American Income Shares)

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:   811-02351
  Name of Fund:   Western Asset Income Fund
  Address of Principal Executive Offices:  

385 East Colorado Boulevard

Pasadena, CA 91101

  Name and address of agent for service:  

Gregory B. McShea

385 East Colorado Boulevard

Pasadena, CA 91101

  Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:   (626) 844-9400
  Date of fiscal year end:   December 31, 2005
  Date of reporting period:   December 31, 2005


Item 1 – Report to Shareholders


 


 

Western Asset Income Fund

 

Annual Report to Shareholders

 

December 31, 2005

 



Annual Report to Shareholders

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE

 

Fund Performance

Total return on market value measures investment performance in terms of appreciation or depreciation in market value per share, plus dividends and any capital gain distributions. Total return on net asset value measures investment performance in terms of appreciation or depreciation in net asset value per share, plus dividends and any capital gain distributions. Average annual returns for Western Asset Income Fund (“WAIF” or the “Fund”) and two comparative indices for various periods ended December 31, 2005, are presented below:

 

             

Average Annual

Total Return

       One
Year
     Five
Years
     Ten
Years

Total Fund Investment Return Based on:

                    

Market Value

     -1.49%      +8.83%      +8.10%

Net Asset Value

     +3.00%      +8.55%      +7.78%

Lehman Credit IndexA

     +1.96%      +7.11%      +6.46%

Lehman U.S. Treasury IndexB

     +2.79%      +5.36%      +5.93%

 

Past performance does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of the Fund will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than the original cost. Calculations are based on net asset value or market values and assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions. Returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the sale of Fund shares.

 

Over the past 12 months the U.S. economy grew approximately 3.1%, a rate which is equal to its long-term potential growth rate. Headline inflation was somewhat elevated however, due primarily to soaring energy costs, as the consumer price index rose 3.4% for the year. Core measures of inflation remained relatively subdued, but we believe they were near the upper end of the Federal Reserve System’s (“Fed”) 1% to 2% comfort zone. Short-term interest rates moved sharply higher, and by more than expected, led by the Fed’s eight 25 basis points (bps)C rate hikes, while the yield on 10-year Treasuries rose by roughly 25 bps and the 30-year bond yield fell by 15 bps, resulting in a dramatic flattening of the yield curve. The spread between the 2- and 10-year Treasury notes narrowed by over 100 bps to close the year at a less than 10 bps difference in yields between the two. Job growth was moderate but relatively steady, and the negative impact of the Katrina crisis in the South was relatively short-lived. The unemployment rate declined from 5.4% to 4.9%. Thanks to very strong growth in corporate profits, personal income, and capital gains realizations, tax receipts at the federal and state levels were substantially higher than expected, resulting in a 15% decline in the federal budget deficit.

 

Yields on corporate bonds rose relative to comparable-maturity Treasury yields, which we believe were sparked initially by news that General Motors Corp. (“GM”) and Ford debt was downgraded to junk status. As the year progressed, we believe the market began to speculate that GM was an eventual candidate for bankruptcy in the wake of Delphi’s unexpected bankruptcy. Emerging market debt was the star performer for the year as strong fundamentals—easy money, rising commodity prices, ongoing global growth—led to spreads narrowing by over 70 bps. Treasury Inflation Protected Securities (“TIPS”) generally underperformed Treasuries which we believe was caused by reduced inflation anxiety caused breakeven spreads to decline, with the result that TIPS’ real yields rose relative to nominal Treasury yields. Mortgage-backed securities generally outperformed Treasuries as interest rates rose only marginally and volatility declined.

 


A   This index consists of publicly issued U.S. corporate and specified foreign debentures and secured notes that meet the specified maturity, liquidity, and quality requirements. To qualify, bonds must be SEC-registered. The index includes both corporate (industrial, utility and finance) and non-corporate (sovereign, supranational, foreign agency, and foreign local government) sectors.
B   This index is the U.S. Treasury component of the Lehman U.S. Government Index, and excludes Treasury bills and certain special issues such as targeted investor notes and state and local government series. Coupon issues that have been stripped are reflected in the index based on the underlying coupon issue rather than in stripped form.
C   100 basis points = 1%.

 

1


Annual Report to Shareholders

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION OF FUND PERFORMANCE—Continued

 

The dollar was stronger on balance for the year, but commodity prices were generally higher, and gold spiked to $540 per oz., setting a new 24-year high. Oil prices surged almost 50% for the period, briefly reaching the $70 per barrel threshold before finishing the period just below $60 per barrel. Equity markets were generally higher. The S&P 500 Index gained 6% while the Japanese Nikkei 225 Index gained an impressive 40%, with most gains coming late in the period.

 

With its traditional emphasis on the attractive yields available in the BBB sector of the corporate bond market, and a moderate exposure to high yield and emerging market bonds, the portfolio experienced mixed results in this market environment. The Fund’s portfolio recorded a total return on NAV (price gains/losses plus interest income, net of expenses) of 3.00% for the year ended December 31, 2005, outpacing the returns on the Lehman Brother’s Credit Index of 1.96%. The Fund’s performance for the period also exceeded the average return of 2.88% for the 16 funds in the portfolio’s BBB Corporate Debt peer group as reported by Lipper Analytical Services. The Fund’s long-term performance has remained excellent, ranking #2 for 5 years, #1 for 10 years, and #1 for 15 years among the 10 funds in its Lipper peer group.D

 

As investors grew more cautious on the outlook for corporate bonds over the course of the year and for other reasons, the Fund’s share price fell from $15.44 to $14.14, and the Fund’s discount to net asset value increased from -5.4% to -10.2%. In an environment where money market funds were yielding 3% to 4%,E the Fund’s dividends paid to its shareholders represented an annualized yield of 6.1% based on the December 31, 2005, closing share price, in addition to the long-term capital gains distribution of .115 per share paid on 3/15/05 and .025 per share paid on 12/15/05 to shareholders of record dates 3/11/05 and 12/15/05, respectively.

 

Western Asset Management Company

February 24, 2006

 


D   Source: Lipper Analytical Services.
E   Money market funds are subject to less risk than the Fund because money market funds generally invest only in the highest-grade short-term financial instruments while the Fund invests in debt instruments with longer maturities and generally lower credit quality.

 

2


Annual Report to Shareholders

FUND HIGHLIGHTS

(Amounts in Thousands, except per share amounts)

 

       December 31,

       2005      2004

Net Asset Value

     $147,737      $153,289

Per Share

     $15.73      $16.33

Net Investment Income

     $8,217      $8,805

Per Share

     $0.88      $0.94

Dividends Paid:

             

Ordinary Income

     $8,169      $8,756

Per Share

     $0.87      $0.93

Long-Term Capital Gains

     $1,887      $4,882

Per Share

     $0.20      $0.52

 

The Fund

Western Asset Income Fund (“WAIF” or the “Fund”) is a closed-end, diversified management investment company which seeks for its shareholders a high level of current income through investment in a diversified portfolio of debt securities. Substantially all of the net investment income is distributed to the shareholders. A Dividend Reinvestment Plan is available to those shareholders of record desiring it. The Fund’s common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) where they are traded under the symbol PAI, and price quotations can be found in publications under the abbreviation WstAssetIncoFd.

 

Investment Policies

The Fund’s investment policies provide that its portfolio must be invested as follows:

 

    At least 75% in debt securities rated within the four highest grades, and in government securities, bank debt, commercial paper, cash or cash equivalents.

 

    Up to 25% in other fixed income securities, convertible bonds, convertible preferred and preferred stock.

 

    Not more than 25% in securities restricted as to resale.

 

Dividend Reinvestment Plan and Optional Cash Investment Service

WAIF and Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (“Computershare” or the “Agent”), as the Transfer Agent and Registrar of the Fund, offer two convenient ways to add shares of the Fund to your account. First, WAIF offers to all shareholders a Dividend Reinvestment Plan (“Plan”). Under the Plan, cash distributions (e.g., dividends and capital gains) are automatically invested in shares of WAIF unless the shareholder elects otherwise. Second, the Fund offers to registered shareholders (those who own shares in their own name on the Fund’s records) the option to purchase additional whole and partial shares of WAIF—the Optional Cash Investment Service (“Optional Cash Investment Service”).

 

Dividend Reinvestment Plan

As a participant in the Dividend Reinvestment Plan, you will automatically receive your dividend or net capital gains distribution in newly issued shares of WAIF, 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. 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, the Agent will, as agent for the participants, buy shares of WAIF stock through a broker on the open market. The price per share of shares purchased for each participant’s account with respect to a particular dividend or other distribution will be the average price (including brokerage commissions, transfer taxes and any other costs of purchase) of all shares purchased with respect to that dividend or other distribution. All shares of common stock acquired on your behalf through the Plan will be automatically credited to an account maintained on the books of the Agent. Full and fractional shares will be voted by Computershare in accordance with your instructions.

 

3


Annual Report to Shareholders

FUND HIGHLIGHTS—Continued

 

Optional Cash Investment Service

Under the Optional Cash Investment Service (offered to registered shareholders only), funds received from shareholders for stock purchases will be pooled once per month. The Agent will then purchase shares of WAIF stock through a broker on the open market. For the purposes of making purchases, the Agent will commingle each participant’s funds with those of all participants in the Plan. The Agent will hold the total shares purchased for all participants in its name or the name of its nominee and will have no responsibility for the value of such shares after their purchase.

 

Beneficial shareholders (those who own shares held in a brokerage, bank or other financial institution account) are not eligible to participate in this option because there is no way to make payments through a broker, bank or nominee. A beneficial shareholder may, however, have his or her shares taken out of “street name” and re-register such shares in his or her own name, becoming a registered shareholder in order to participate. If you wish to do so, please contact your broker, bank or nominee.

 

Additional Information Regarding the Plan and the Optional Cash Investment Service

WAIF will pay all costs applicable to the Plan and Optional Cash Investment Service, with the exceptions noted below. Brokerage commissions, transfer taxes and any other costs of purchase or sale by the Agent under the Plan or Optional Cash Investment Service will be charged to participants. In the event WAIF determines to no longer pay such costs, the Agent will terminate the Plan and Optional Cash Investment Service and may, but is not obligated to, offer a new plan under which it would impose a direct service charge on participants.

 

All shares acquired through the Plan or the Optional Cash Investment Service receive voting rights and are eligible for any stock split, stock dividend, or other rights accruing to shareholders that the Board of Directors may declare.

 

You may terminate participation in the Plan or the Optional Cash Investment Service at any time by giving written notice to the Agent. Such termination will 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. If the participant instructs the Agent to sell the shares credited to the participant’s account, the Agent may accumulate such shares and those of any other terminating participants for purposes of such sale. Brokerage charges, transfer taxes, and any other costs of sale will be allocated pro rata among the selling participants. Any such sale may be made on any securities exchange where such shares are traded, in the over-the-counter market or in negotiated transactions, and may be subject to such terms of price, delivery, etc., as the Agent may agree to. 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 and only one Form 1099-DIV will be sent to each participant each year.

 

Inquiries regarding the Plan and the Optional Cash Investment Service, as well as notices of termination, should be directed to Computershare Trust Company, N.A., P.O. Box 43010, Providence, RI 02940-3010—Investor Relations telephone number 1-866-290-4386.

 

Schedule of Portfolio Holdings

The Fund files a complete schedule of its portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. You may obtain a free copy of the Fund’s Form N-Q by calling 1-800-799-4932 or by writing to the Fund, or you may obtain a copy of this report (and other information relating to the Fund) from the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) website (http://www.sec.gov). Additionally, the Fund’s Form N-Q can be viewed or copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington D.C. Information about the operation of the Public Reference Room can be obtained by calling 1-202-551-8090.

 

Annual Certifications

In May 2005, the Fund submitted a CEO annual certification to the NYSE in which the Fund’s principal executive officer certified that he was not aware, as of the date of the certification, of any violation by the Fund of the NYSE’s Corporate Governance listing standards. In addition, as required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and related SEC rules, the Fund’s principal executive and principal financial officers have made quarterly certifications, included in filings with the SEC on Forms N-CSR and N-Q, relating to, among other things, the Fund’s disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting.

 

4


Annual Report to Shareholders

 

Proxy Voting

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 1-800-799-4932 or by writing to the Fund, or you may obtain a copy of these policies and procedures (and other information regarding the Fund) from the SEC’s web site (http://www.sec.gov). You may request a free report regarding the Fund’s voting of proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30 by calling 1-800-799-4932 or by writing to the Fund, or you may obtain a copy of this report (and other information relating to the Fund) from the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov).

 


 

Quarterly Comparison of Market Price and Net Asset Value (“NAV”),

Discount or Premium to NAV and Average Daily Volume of Shares Traded

 

    Market
Price
   Net Asset
Value
   Premium/
(Discount)
    Average
Daily Volume
(Shares)

March 31, 2005

  $ 14.38    $ 15.75    (8.70 )%   9,125

June 30, 2005

    15.00      16.16    (7.18 )%   8,938

September 30, 2005

    14.81      15.93    (7.03 )%   9,734

December 31, 2005

    14.14      15.73    (10.11 )%   12,448

 

IMPORTANT TAX INFORMATION 2005

 

The portion of dividends attributable to interest earned on direct obligations of the U.S. government is exempt from state income tax in many states. The percentage of such interest earned by the Fund for each quarter and for the year ended December 31, 2005, is as follows:

 

First
Quarter

2005

 

Second
Quarter

2005

 

Third

Quarter
2005

 

Fourth

Quarter
2005

 

Year Ended

December 31,
2005

4.43%   5.64%   2.35%   4.46%   4.23%

 

5


Annual Report to Shareholders

FUND HIGHLIGHTS—Continued

 


 

PORTFOLIO DIVERSIFICATION

December 31, 2005

 

LOGO

 

The pie chart and bar chart above represent the Fund’s assets as of December 31, 2005. The Fund’s portfolio is actively managed, and its portfolio composition, credit quality breakdown, and other portfolio characteristics will vary from time to time.

 


A   Ratings shown are expressed as a percentage of the portfolio. Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services provides capital markets with credit ratings for the evaluation and assessment of credit risk.
B   Expressed as a percentage of the portfolio.

 

6


Annual Report to Shareholders

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS

December 31, 2005

(Amounts in Thousands)

 

Western Asset Income Fund

 


 

     % OF
NET ASSETS
   RATE    MATURITY
DATE
   PAR/
SHARES
   VALUE  

Long-Term Securities

   98.5%                          

Corporate Bonds and Notes

   69.6%                          

Aerospace/Defense

   0.2%                          

L-3 Communications Corp.

        7.625%    6/15/12    $ 275    $ 289  
                          


Auto Parts and Equipment

   0.2%                          

American Axle & Manufacturing Inc.

        5.250%    2/11/14      300      236 A
                          


Automotive

   3.1%                          

Ford Motor Company

        7.450%    7/16/31      3,550      2,414 A

General Motors Corporation

        8.250%    7/15/23      3,450      2,217 A
                          


                             4,631  
                          


Banking and Finance

   7.2%                          

Ford Motor Credit Company

        7.375%    10/28/09      4,425      3,924  

General Motors Acceptance Corporation

        6.150%    4/5/07      570      538  

General Motors Acceptance Corporation

        6.125%    8/28/07      1,090      1,011  

General Motors Acceptance Corporation

        6.311%    11/30/07      110      100  

General Motors Acceptance Corporation

        5.625%    5/15/09      1,610      1,432  

HSBC Finance Corporation

        4.750%    4/15/10      1,790      1,763 A

International Lease Finance Corporation

        6.375%    3/15/09      330      343 A

Residential Capital Corporation

        6.375%    6/30/10      1,480      1,504  
                          


                             10,615  
                          


Banks

   2.4%                          

Bank of America Corporation

        7.400%    1/15/11      990      1,090  

Bank of America Corporation

        7.800%    9/15/16      250      300  

BankAmerica Capital III

        4.720%    1/15/27      215      208 B

BB&T Capital Trust I

        5.850%    8/18/35      640      639  

Chase Capital II

        4.750%    2/1/27      725      684 B

RBS Capital Trust III

        5.512%    9/29/49      570      567  
                          


                             3,488  
                          


Building Materials

   0.5%                          

American Standard, Inc.

        8.250%    6/1/09      500      544  

Nortek, Inc.

        8.500%    9/1/14      225      217  
                          


                             761  
                          


 

7


Annual Report to Shareholders

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS—Continued

 

Western Asset Income Fund—Continued

 


 

     % OF
NET ASSETS
   RATE    MATURITY
DATE
   PAR/
SHARES
   VALUE  

Corporate Bonds and Notes—Continued

                              

Cable

   1.4%                          

Comcast Corporation

        7.050%    3/15/33    $ 160    $ 173  

Cox Communications, Inc.

        4.625%    1/15/10      510      494  

CSC Holdings Inc.

        7.250%    7/15/08      700      698  

TCI Communications, Inc.

        8.750%    8/1/15      160      194  

Tele-Communications, Inc.

        9.800%    2/1/12      375      452  
                          


                             2,011  
                          


Casino Resorts

   0.7%                          

Caesars Entertainment Inc.

        8.125%    5/15/11      250      276 A

Harrah’s Operating Company, Inc.

        5.500%    7/1/10      340      340  

Harrah’s Operating Company, Inc.

        5.750%    10/1/17      480      467  
                          


                             1,083  
                          


Chemicals

   0.7%                          

The Dow Chemical Company

        7.375%    11/1/29      800      964  
                          


Computer Services and Systems

   0.7%                          

Electronic Data Systems Corporation

        7.125%    10/15/09      600      637  

Electronic Data Systems Corporation

        7.450%    10/15/29      420      447 A
                          


                             1,084  
                          


Containers and Packaging

   0.1%                          

Graphic Packaging International Corp.

        9.500%    8/15/13      200      191  
                          


Diversified Financial Services

   3.0%                          

AIG SunAmerica Global Financing VI

        6.300%    5/10/11      1,880      1,997 C

Beaver Valley Funding Corp.

        9.000%    6/1/17      300      344  

Capital One Bank

        5.750%    9/15/10      310      317  

Capital One Bank

        6.500%    6/13/13      330      351  

Capital One Financial Corporation

        8.750%    2/1/07      350      364  

Capital One Financial Corporation

        7.125%    8/1/08      90      94  

iStar Financial Inc.

        5.375%    4/15/10      230      228  

iStar Financial Inc.

        6.000%    12/15/10      230      234  

Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc.

        5.150%    9/15/10      90      89 A

Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc.

        5.875%    8/1/33      330      316  

Mizuho Preferred Capital Corp. LLC

        8.790%    12/29/49      110      119 C
                          


                             4,453  
                          


Drug and Grocery Store Chains

   0.4%                          

Safeway Inc.

        7.500%    9/15/09      500      534  
                          


 

8


Annual Report to Shareholders

 

 


 

     % OF
NET ASSETS
   RATE    MATURITY
DATE
   PAR/
SHARES
   VALUE  

Corporate Bonds and Notes—Continued

                              

Electric

   2.2%                          

AEP Texas Central Company

        5.500%    2/15/13    $ 420    $ 425  

American Electric Power Company, Inc.

        5.250%    6/1/15      490      488 A

Dominion Resources, Inc.

        5.125%    12/15/09      210      210  

Dominion Resources, Inc.

        5.150%    7/15/15      350      339  

FirstEnergy Corp.

        6.450%    11/15/11      60      63  

FirstEnergy Corp.

        7.375%    11/15/31      710      838  

System Energy Resources, Inc.

        4.875%    10/1/07      380      377  

Tampa Electric Company

        6.375%    8/15/12      145      155  

The AES Corporation

        9.500%    6/1/09      39      42 A

The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company

        5.650%    12/15/13      300      306  
                          


                             3,243  
                          


Energy

   6.2%                          

CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

        6.850%    6/1/15      1,150      1,247 A

DTE Energy Company

        6.375%    4/15/33      330      338  

Exelon Corporation

        6.750%    5/1/11      1,500      1,597  

MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company

        5.875%    10/1/12      500      516  

Pacific Gas and Electric Company

        6.050%    3/1/34      1,890      1,956  

Peabody Energy Corporation

        6.875%    3/15/13      285      296  

Sempra Energy

        4.840%    5/21/08      635      636 B

TXU Corp.

        6.375%    6/15/06      750      754  

TXU Corp.

        6.550%    11/15/34      520      491  

TXU Energy Co.

        6.125%    3/15/08      500      508  

TXU Energy Co.

        7.000%    3/15/13      370      395  

Xcel Energy, Inc.

        7.000%    12/1/10      350      377  
                          


                             9,111  
                          


Environmental Services

   0.3%                          

Waste Management, Inc.

        7.375%    5/15/29      415      485  
                          


Food, Beverage and Tobacco

   1.9%                          

Altria Group, Inc.

        7.000%    11/4/13      305      334  

Altria Group, Inc.

        7.750%    1/15/27      340      404  

Domino’s, Inc.

        8.250%    7/1/11      200      209  

R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Holdings, Inc.

        7.250%    6/1/12      1,360      1,387 A

Tyson Foods, Inc.

        7.000%    1/15/28      500      526  
                          


                             2,860  
                          


 

9


Annual Report to Shareholders

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS—Continued

 

Western Asset Income Fund—Continued

 


 

     % OF
NET ASSETS
   RATE    MATURITY
DATE
   PAR/
SHARES
   VALUE  

Corporate Bonds and Notes—Continued

                              

Gas and Pipeline Utilities

   2.5%                          

Dynegy Holdings Inc.

        6.875%    4/1/11    $ 1,300    $ 1,280 A

Dynegy Holdings Inc.

        8.750%    2/15/12      735      794  

The Williams Companies, Inc.

        7.500%    1/15/31      102      106  

The Williams Companies, Inc.

        8.750%    3/15/32      1,250      1,450  
                          


                             3,630  
                          


Health Care

   1.0%                          

Tenet Healthcare Corporation

        6.375%    12/1/11      1,465      1,337 A

Tenet Healthcare Corporation

        6.875%    11/15/31      250      201  
                          


                             1,538  
                          


Homebuilding

   0.4%                          

D.R. Horton, Inc.

        5.250%    2/15/15      410      384 A

Pulte Homes, Inc.

        6.250%    2/15/13      145      148  
                          


                             532  
                          


Insurance

   0.8%                          

American International Group, Inc.

        5.050%    10/1/15      180      177 C

Liberty Mutual Group

        5.750%    3/15/14      270      266 C

St. Paul Travelers Companies, Inc.

        5.500%    12/1/15      430      433  

Willis Group North America

        5.125%    7/15/10      280      279  
                          


                             1,155  
                          


Investment Banking/Brokerage

   3.3%                          

J.P. Morgan Capital Trust II

        7.950%    2/1/27      150      160 A

J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.

        5.125%    9/15/14      1,140      1,128  

J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.

        5.150%    10/1/15      670      661  

Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

        5.000%    1/15/15      60      59  

Morgan Stanley

        5.050%    1/21/11      1,780      1,780  

Morgan Stanley

        4.750%    4/1/14      500      480  

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

        6.345%    2/15/34      555      583  
                          


                             4,851  
                          


Lodging/Hotels

   0.3%                          

Hilton Hotels Corporation

        7.625%    12/1/12      450      485 A
                          


Machinery

   0.3%                          

Case New Holland Incorporated

        9.250%    8/1/11      475      508  
                          


 

10


Annual Report to Shareholders

 

 


 

     % OF
NET ASSETS
   RATE    MATURITY
DATE
   PAR/
SHARES
   VALUE  

Corporate Bonds and Notes—Continued

                              

Media

   3.9%                          

Clear Channel Communications, Inc.

        8.000%    11/1/08    $ 210    $ 223  

Clear Channel Communications, Inc.

        5.500%    9/15/14      915      876  

Liberty Media Corporation

        7.875%    7/15/09      750      790 A

Liberty Media Corporation

        8.500%    7/15/29      130      129  

Liberty Media Corporation

        8.250%    2/1/30      65      64 A

News America, Inc.

        6.550%    3/15/33      545      560  

News America, Inc.

        6.200%    12/15/34      35      35  

Readers Digest Association, Inc.

        6.500%    3/1/11      300      293  

Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc.

        8.750%    12/15/11      210      221  

Time Warner Entertainment Company, L.P.

        8.375%    7/15/33      680      803  

Time Warner Inc.

        9.125%    1/15/13      240      284  

Time Warner Inc.

        7.700%    5/1/32      885      996  

Viacom Inc.

        5.625%    8/15/12      520      516  
                          


                             5,790  
                          


Medical Care Facilities

   1.7%                          

Coventry Health Care, Inc.

        5.875%    1/15/12      400      404  

HCA Inc.

        5.250%    11/6/08      105      104  

HCA, Inc.

        7.875%    2/1/11      250      269  

HCA, Inc.

        6.300%    10/1/12      180      181  

HCA, Inc.

        6.250%    2/15/13      930      930  

HCA, Inc.

        5.750%    3/15/14      65      63  

Health Care REIT, Inc.

        8.000%    9/12/12      370      413  

Health Care REIT, Inc.

        5.875%    5/15/15      130      129  
                          


                             2,493  
                          


Oil and Gas

   6.3%                          

Amerada Hess Corporation

        7.300%    8/15/31      1,440      1,667  

Conoco Inc.

        6.950%    4/15/29      90      109 A

ConocoPhillips

        4.750%    10/15/12      200      199  

Devon Energy Corporation

        7.950%    4/15/32      350      451  

El Paso Corporation

        7.625%    8/16/07      300      305  

El Paso Corporation

        7.800%    8/1/31      2,000      1,995  

Kerr-McGee Corporation

        7.875%    9/15/31      1,315      1,560  

Occidental Petroleum Corporation

        6.750%    1/15/12      1,000      1,098  

Ocean Energy Inc.

        4.375%    10/1/07      430      425  

Panhandle Eastern Pipe Line Company

        4.800%    8/15/08      445      440  

Valero Energy Corporation

        6.875%    4/15/12      215      234  

Vintage Petroleum, Inc.

        7.875%    5/15/11      250      261  

XTO Energy, Inc.

        6.250%    4/15/13      560      594  
                          


                             9,338  
                          


 

11


Annual Report to Shareholders

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS—Continued

 

Western Asset Income Fund—Continued

 


 

     % OF
NET ASSETS
   RATE    MATURITY
DATE
   PAR/
SHARES
   VALUE  

Corporate Bonds and Notes—Continued

                              

Paper and Forest Products

   1.7%                          

Georgia-Pacific Corp.

        9.500%    12/1/11    $ 325    $ 343  

Georgia-Pacific Corp.

        7.375%    12/1/25      250      225  

International Paper Company

        5.500%    1/15/14      330      324  

Weyerhaeuser Company

        6.750%    3/15/12      995      1,056  

Weyerhaeuser Company

        7.375%    3/15/32      540      600  
                          


                             2,548  
                          


Photo Equipment and Supplies

   0.5%                          

Eastman Kodak Company

        3.625%    5/15/08      375      344  

Eastman Kodak Company

        7.250%    11/15/13      345      330  
                          


                             674  
                          


Real Estate

   0.2%                          

Forest City Enterprises, Inc.

        7.625%    6/1/15      225      239  

Socgen Real Estate Co. LLC

        7.640%    12/29/49      80      83 C
                          


                             322  
                          


Special Purpose

   11.6%                          

Ahold Finance USA, Inc.

        8.250%    7/15/10      355      384  

ASIF Global Financing XIX

        4.900%    1/17/13      410      408A  

DaimlerChrysler NA Holding Corporation

        4.960%    9/10/07      1,570      1,573 B

DaimlerChrysler NA Holding Corporation

        7.300%    1/15/12      415      448  

DaimlerChrysler NA Holding Corporation

        6.500%    11/15/13      160      167  

Duke Capital Corporation

        6.250%    2/15/13      1,200      1,250 A

PNPP II Funding Corporation

        9.120%    5/30/16      2,424      2,831 A

Qwest Capital Funding, Inc.

        7.250%    2/15/11      1,150      1,164 A

Rabobank Capital Funding Trust II

        5.260%    12/31/49      115      114 C,D

Rabobank Capital Funding Trust III

        5.254%    12/29/49      1,145      1,123 C,D

Reed Elsevier Capital Inc.

        4.625%    6/15/12      900      872  

Sithe Independence Funding Corporation

        9.000%    12/30/13      1,500      1,621  

Sprint Capital Corporation

        8.750%    3/15/32      1,420      1,884  

TCI Communications Financing III

        9.650%    3/31/27      3,000      3,246  
                          


                             17,085  
                          


Telecommunications

   1.8%                          

BellSouth Corporation

        4.750%    11/15/12      320      312  

Emmis Operating Company

        6.875%    5/15/12      250      249 A

Qwest Communications International Inc.

        7.500%    2/15/14      850      873 C

 

12


Annual Report to Shareholders

 

 


 

     % OF
NET ASSETS
   RATE    MATURITY
DATE
   PAR/
SHARES
   VALUE  

Corporate Bonds and Notes—Continued

                              

Telecommunications—Continued

                              

Qwest Corporation

        6.875%    9/15/33    $ 1,000    $ 940  

Verizon New York Inc.

        6.875%    4/1/12      340      354  
                          


                             2,728  
                          


Telecommunications (Cellular/Wireless)

   1.2%                          

Motorola, Inc.

        7.625%    11/15/10      56      63 A

New Cingular Wireless Services Inc.

        7.500%    5/1/07      500      517  

New Cingular Wireless Services Inc.

        8.125%    5/1/12      155      179  

New Cingular Wireless Services Inc.

        8.750%    3/1/31      475      629  

Nextel Communications, Inc.

        5.950%    3/15/14      88      88  

Nextel Communications, Inc.

        7.375%    8/1/15      285      301  
                          


                             1,777  
                          


Transportation

   0.9%                          

Continental Airlines, Inc.

        7.256%    3/15/20      234      238  

Continental Airlines, Inc.

        6.545%    2/2/19      181      181  

Delta Air Lines, Inc.

        7.570%    11/18/10      40      39  

Delta Air Lines, Inc.

        6.417%    7/2/12      400      405  

Delta Air Lines, Inc.

        6.718%    1/2/23      282      287  

Northwest Airlines Corporation

        7.575%    3/1/19      83      83  

United Airlines, Inc.

        7.783%    1/1/14      102      101  
                          


                             1,334  
                          


Total Corporate Bonds and Notes
(Identified Cost—$100,747)

                           102,827  

Mortgage-Backed Securities

   0.8%                          

Glendale Federal Savings Bank 1978-A

        9.125%    1/25/08      6      6  

Nomura Asset Securities Corporation 1996-MD5

        7.120%    4/13/39      1,170      1,176  
                          


Total Mortgage-Backed Securities
(Identified Cost—$1,175)

                           1,182  

U.S. Government and Agency Obligations

   5.9%                          

Fixed Rate Securities

   3.7%                          

United States Treasury Bonds

        5.375%    2/15/31      220      249  

United States Treasury Notes

        3.875%    9/15/10      600      588 A

United States Treasury Notes

        4.500%    11/15/10      260      261 A

United States Treasury Notes

        4.375%    12/15/10      4,270      4,273 A
                          


                             5,371  
                          


Indexed Securities

   2.2%                          

United States Treasury Inflation-Protected Security

        1.875%    7/15/15      3,328      3,273 A,E
                          


Total U.S. Government and Agency Obligations
(Identified Cost—$8,667)

                           8,644  

 

13


Annual Report to Shareholders

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS—Continued

 

Western Asset Income Fund—Continued

 


 

     % OF
NET ASSETS
   RATE    MATURITY
DATE
   PAR/
SHARES
   VALUE  

U.S. Government Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities

   N.M.                          

Fannie Mae

        8.000%    4/25/06    $ 4    $ 4  

Fannie Mae

        11.500%    11/1/17      9      10  

Fannie Mae

        14.000%    2/1/18      22      25  

Freddie Mac

        10.250%    5/1/09      17      18  
                          


Total U.S. Government Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities (Identified Cost—$53)

                           57  

Yankee BondsF

   22.2%                          

Aerospace/Defense

   0.3%                          

Systems 2001 Asset Trust

        6.664%    9/15/13      447      476 c
                          


Banking and Finance

   2.3%                          

AIFUL CORPORATION

        5.000%    8/10/10      775      765 C

Corporacion Andina de Fomento

        4.556%    1/26/07      470      470 B

HBOS Capital Funding LP

        6.071%    6/30/49      560      579 C

HBOS Treasury Services plc

        4.000%    9/15/09      420      409 C

Mizuho Financial Group, Inc.

        5.790%    4/15/14      1,100      1,136 C
                          


                             3,359  
                          


Banks

   0.2%                          

Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation

        5.625%    7/29/49      270      269 C
                          


Cable

   0.2%                          

British Sky Broadcasting Group plc

        6.875%    2/23/09      330      346  
                          


Diversified Financial Services

   0.5%                          

Encana Holdings Finance Corp

        5.800%    5/1/14      770      803 A
                          


Electric

   0.5%                          

Empresa Nacional de Electricidad S.A.

        8.500%    4/1/09      670      731 A
                          


Foreign Governments

   8.1%                          

Federative Republic of Brazil

        14.500%    10/15/09      180      231  

Federative Republic of Brazil

        12.000%    4/15/10      210      255  

Federative Republic of Brazil

        5.250%    4/15/12      138      136B  

Federative Republic of Brazil

        5.250%    4/15/12      214      212B  

Federative Republic of Brazil

        12.250%    3/6/30      760      1,096 A

Federative Republic of Brazil

        11.000%    8/17/40      340      438 A

Quebec Province

        7.220%    7/22/36      650      931  

Republic of Chile

        4.630%    1/28/08      150      150 B

Republic of Colombia

        11.750%    2/25/20      290      401 A

Republic of Panama

        9.375%    1/16/23      130      163  

 

14


Annual Report to Shareholders

 

 


 

     % OF
NET ASSETS
   RATE    MATURITY
DATE
   PAR/
SHARES
   VALUE  

Yankee Bonds—Continued

                              

Foreign Governments—Continued

                              

Republic of Panama

        7.125%    1/29/26    $ 400    $ 405  

Republic of Peru

        5.000%    3/7/17      284      272 D

Republic of Peru

        8.750%    11/21/33      230      259  

Republic of South Africa

        7.375%    4/25/12      250      278 A

Republic of South Africa

        6.500%    6/2/14      260      281  

Russian Federation

        5.000%    3/31/30      1,950      2,201 D

United Mexican States

        8.375%    1/14/11      180      205  

United Mexican States

        11.500%    5/15/26      960      1,570 A

United Mexican States

        8.300%    8/15/31      340      437  

United Mexican States

        7.500%    4/8/33      1,660      1,965  
                          


                             11,886  
                          


Insurance

   0.8%                          

Axa

        8.600%    12/15/30      550      735  

Oil Insurance Ltd

        5.150%    8/15/33      220      218 C

XL Capital Ltd.

        5.250%    9/15/14      250      244  
                          


                             1,197  
                          


Manufacturing (Diversified)

   1.0%                          

Tyco International Group SA

        6.375%    10/15/11      1,450      1,506  
                          


Oil and Gas

   1.4%                          

Gazprom

        9.625%    3/1/13      50      60 C

Gazprom

        9.625%    3/1/13      20      24  

Petrobras International Finance Company (PIFCO)

        9.750%    7/6/11      345      405  

Petroliam Nasional Berhad

        7.625%    10/15/26      1,260      1,563 C
                          


                             2,052  
                          


Special Purpose

   3.9%                          

Conoco Funding Company

        6.350%    10/15/11      470      504  

Deutsche Telekom International Finance BV

        8.250%    6/15/30      500      636  

Molson Coors Capital Finance ULC

        4.850%    9/22/10      480      473  

Petrozuata Finance, Inc.

        8.220%    4/1/17      3,205      3,013 C

Resona Preferred Global Securities

        7.191%    12/29/49      765      812 C

UFJ Finance Aruba AEC

        6.750%    7/15/13      355      388  
                          


                             5,826  
                          


Telecommunications

   2.4%                          

British Telecommunications plc

        8.875%    12/15/30      330      441  

France Telecom SA

        8.500%    3/1/31      560      747  

Koninklijke (Royal) KPN NV

        8.375%    10/1/30      240      284  

Tele Norte Leste Participacoes S.A.

        8.000%    12/18/13      410      435  

Telecom Italia Capital S.p.A.

        5.250%    11/15/13      750      736  

 

15


Annual Report to Shareholders

PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS—Continued

 

Western Asset Income Fund—Continued

 


 

    % OF
NET ASSETS
  RATE   MATURITY
DATE
  PAR/
SHARES
    VALUE  

Yankee Bonds—Continued

                           

Telecommunications—Continued

                           

Telecom Italia Capital S.p.A.

      4.950%   9/30/14   $ 695     $ 664  

Telus Corporation

      7.500%   6/1/07     250       258  
                       


                          3,565  
                       


Telecommunications (Cellular/Wireless)

  0.2%                        

Rogers Wireless Communications Inc.

      6.375%   3/1/14     300       301  
                       


Utilities

  0.4%                        

United Utilities plc

      5.375%   2/1/19     580       568  
                       


Total Yankee Bonds (Identified Cost—$30,076)

                        32,885  

Total Long-Term Securities
(Identified Cost—$140,718)

                        145,595  

Investment of Collateral from Securities Lending

                           

State Street Navigator Securities Lending Prime Portfolio

  18.9%             27,897  shs     27,897  
                       


Total Investment of Collateral from Securities Lending (Identified Cost—$27,897)

                        27,897  

Short-Term Securities

  0.2%                        

Repurchase Agreements

  0.2%                        

Merrill Lynch Government Securities, Inc.
4.24%, dated 12/30/05, to be repurchased at $266 on 1/3/06 (Collateral: $270 Federal Farm Credit Bank bonds, 5.3% due 8/11/15, value $272)

              $ 266       266  
                       


Total Short-Term Securities
(Identified Cost—$266)

                        266  

Total Investments
(Identified Cost—$168,881)

  117.6%                     173,758  

Obligation to Return Collateral For Securities Loaned

  (18.9)%                     (27,897 )

Other Assets Less Liabilities

  1.3%                     1,876  
                       


Net Assets

  100.0%                   $ 147,737  
                       


                             
A   All or a portion of this security is on loan. See Note 3 to the financial statements.
B   Indexed Security – The rate of interest earned on this security is tied to the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”). The coupon rate is the rate as of December 31, 2005.
C   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, which the Fund’s investment adviser has determined to be liquid, represent 9.8% of net assets.
D   Stepped Coupon Security – A security with a predetermined schedule of interest or dividend rate changes.
E   Treasury Inflation-Protected Security – Treasury security whose principal value is adjusted daily in accordance with changes to the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers. Interest is calculated on the basis of the current adjusted principal value.
F   Yankee Bond – A dollar-denominated bond issued in the U.S. by foreign entities.

N.M. Not meaningful

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

16


Annual Report to Shareholders

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

December 31, 2005

(Amounts in Thousands)

 

Western Asset Income Fund

 


 

Assets:

             

Investment securities at market value (Identified Cost—$168,615)A

          $ 173,492

Short-term securities at market value (Identified Cost—$266)

            266

Interest receivable

            2,540

Other assets

            14
           

Total Assets

            176,312
           

Liabilities:

             

Obligation to return collateral for securities loaned

   $ 27,897       

Payable for securities purchased

     253       

Advisory fee payable

     62       

Cash overdraft

     235       

Accrued expenses

     128       
    

      

Total Liabilities

            28,575
           

Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders

          $ 147,737
           

Summary of Stockholders’ Equity:

             

Common stock, par value $.01 per share: authorized 20,000 shares; 9,389 issued and outstanding shares

          $ 94

Additional paid-in capital

            141,896

Undistributed investment income

            223

Accumulated net realized gain on investments

            647

Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) of investments

            4,877
           

Net assets applicable to outstanding common stock

          $ 147,737
           

Net asset value per common share ($147,737÷9,389 common shares issued and outstanding)

          $ 15.73
           

               
A   Market value of securities on loan is $27,325.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

17


Annual Report to Shareholders

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

(Amounts in Thousands)

 

Western Asset Income Fund

 

     FOR THE
YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 2005
 

Investment Income:

        

Interest income

   $ 9,405  
    


Expenses:

        

Advisory fees

     779  

Custodian fees

     56  

Audit and legal fees

     165  

Directors’ fees and expenses

     11  

Registration fees

     25  

Reports to shareholders

     91  

Taxes, other than federal income taxes

     24  

Transfer agent and shareholder serving expense

     40  

Other

     21  
    


       1,212  

Less: Fees waived

     (24 )
    


Total expenses, net of waivers

     1,188  
    


Net Investment Income

     8,217  
    


Realized and Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on Investments:

        

Net realized gain on investments

     907  

Unrealized depreciation of investments

     (4,620 )
    


Net Realized and Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on Investments

     (3,713)  
    


Change in Net Assets Resulting From Operations

   $ 4,504  
    


          

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

18


Annual Report to Shareholders

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

(Amounts in Thousands)

 

Western Asset Income Fund

 

     FOR THE YEARS ENDED
DECEMBER 31,


 
     2005     2004  

Operations:

                

Net investment income

   $ 8,217     $ 8,805  

Net realized gain on investments

     907       6,443  

Increase/(decrease) in unrealized appreciation of investments

     (4,620 )     (3,460 )
    


 


Change in net assets resulting from operations

     4,504       11,788  
    


 


Distributions to shareholders from:

                

Net investment income

     (8,169 )     (8,756 )

Net realized gain on investments

     (1,887 )     (4,882 )
    


 


Total increase/(decrease)

     (5,552 )     (1,850 )
    


 


Net Assets:

                

Beginning of year

     153,289       155,139  
    


 


End of year

   $ 147,737     $ 153,289  
    


 


Undistributed net investment income

   $ 223     $ 175  
    


 


                  

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

19


Annual Report to Shareholders

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

Contained below is per share operating performance data for a share of common stock 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 YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,

 
     2005     2004     2003     2002     2001  

Per Share Operating Performance:

                                        

Net asset value, beginning of year

   $ 16.33     $ 16.52     $ 15.04     $ 15.12     $ 14.84  
    


 


 


 


 


Net investment income

     .88       .94       .92       1.00       1.03  

Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments

     (.41 )     .32       1.54       (.08 )     .31  
    


 


 


 


 


Total from investment operations

     .47       1.26       2.46       .92       1.34  
    


 


 


 


 


Distributions paid from:

                                        

Net investment income

     (.87 )     (.93 )     (.98 )     (1.00 )     (1.06 )

Net realized gain on investments

     (.20 )     (.52 )                  
    


 


 


 


 


Total distributions

     (1.07 )     (1.45 )     (.98 )     (1.00 )     (1.06 )
    


 


 


 


 


Net asset value, end of year

   $ 15.73     $ 16.33     $ 16.52     $ 15.04     $ 15.12  
    


 


 


 


 


Market value per share, end of year

   $ 14.14     $ 15.44     $ 15.35     $ 14.35     $ 14.56  
    


 


 


 


 


Total Return:

                                        

Based on net asset value per share

     3.00 %     8.50 %     17.13 %     6.35 %     9.45 %

Based on market value per share

     (1.49 )%     10.41 %     14.07 %     5.38 %     15.86 %

Ratios To Average Net Assets:

                                        

Total expenses

     .81 %     .78 %     .95 %     .81 %     .79 %

Net expensesA

     .79 %     .76 %     .94 %     .80 %     .77 %

Net investment income

     5.48 %     5.71 %     5.78 %     6.75 %     6.66 %

Supplemental Data:

                                        

Portfolio turnover rate

     80 %     81 %     47 %     43 %     116 %

Net assets at end of year (in thousands)

   $ 147,737     $ 153,289     $ 155,139     $ 141,238     $ 141,932  
                                          
A   This ratio reflects expenses net of voluntary expense waivers.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

20


Annual Report to Shareholders

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Amounts in Thousands)

 

Note 1—Organization and Significant Accounting Policies:

Western Asset Income Fund (the “Fund”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”), as a closed-end diversified investment company. The significant accounting policies of the Fund which are in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, include the following:

 

(a) Cash—Cash includes demand deposits held with the Fund’s custodian and does not include short-term investments.

 

(b) Security Valuation—The Fund’s securities are valued on the basis of readily available market quotations or, lacking such quotations, at fair value as determined under policies approved by and under the general oversight of the Board of Trustees. In determining fair value, all relevant qualitative and quantitative factors available are considered. These factors are subject to change over time and are reviewed periodically. The Fund may use fair value pricing instead of market quotations to value one or more securities if the Fund believes that, because of special circumstances, doing so would more accurately reflect the prices the Fund expects to realize on the current sale of those securities. Further, because of the inherent uncertainty of valuation, those estimated values may differ significantly from quoted or published values or from the values that would have been used had a ready market for the investments existed, and the differences could be material.

 

(c) Investments—Security transactions are recorded on the trade date. Investment securities owned at December 31, 2005, are reflected in the accompanying Portfolio of Investments at their value on December 31, 2005. In valuing portfolio securities, securities listed or traded on a national securities exchange are valued at the last sales price. Each security traded in the over-the-counter market, including listed debt securities whose primary market is believed to be over-the-counter, is generally valued at the mean of the bid and asked prices at the time of computation. Prices are obtained from at least two dealers regularly making a market in the security, unless such prices can be obtained only from a single market maker. Securities for which market quotations are not readily available are fair valued as described above. The difference between cost and market value is reflected separately as unrealized appreciation or depreciation of investments. Short-term securities are generally stated at cost plus interest earned, which approximates market value.

 

The net realized gain or loss on investment transactions is determined for federal income tax and financial reporting purposes on the basis of identified cost. Purchases and sales of securities other than short-term and U.S. government securities for the year ended December 31, 2005, aggregated $63,259 and $57,370, respectively. Purchases and sales of U.S. government securities for the year ended December 31, 2005, were $57,717 and $59,697, respectively.

 

(d) Repurchase Agreements—The Fund may engage in repurchase agreement transactions. Under the terms of a typical repurchase agreement, a fund takes possession of an underlying debt obligation subject to an obligation of the seller to repurchase, and a fund to resell, the obligation at an agreed-upon price and time, thereby determining the yield during a 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 at least equal to the total amount of the repurchase obligation, including interest. In the event of counterparty default, a fund has the right to use the collateral to satisfy the terms of the repurchase agreement. However, there could be 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 in which 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.

 

(e) Compensating Balance Credits—The Fund has an arrangement with its custodian bank, whereby a portion of the custodian’s fee is paid indirectly by credits earned on the Fund’s cash on deposit with the bank. This deposit arrangement is an alternative to purchasing overnight investments. For the year ended December 31, 2005, the Fund earned compensating balance credits of less than $1.

 

(f) Recognition of income, expenses and distributions to shareholders—The Fund accrues interest income and expenses on a daily basis. Dividend income and distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date.

 

(g) 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 substantially 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 of America, income and capital gains distributions determined in accordance with tax regulations may differ from net invest -

 

21


Annual Report to Shareholders

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Continued

 

ment income and realized gains recognized for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, the character of distributions and composition of net assets for tax purposes differ from those reflected in the accompanying financial statements.

 

Distributions during the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004, were characterized as follows for tax purposes:

 

       2005

     2004

Ordinary income

     $ 8,742      $ 8,756

Long-term capital gains

       1,314        4,882
      

    

Total distributions

     $ 10,056      $ 13,638
      

    

 

The tax basis components of net assets at December 31, 2005, were:

 

Unrealized appreciation

     $ 6,812  

Unrealized depreciation

       (1,936 )
      


Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

       4,876  

Undistributed ordinary income

       223  

Undistributed long-term capital gains

       648  

Paid-in capital

       141,990  
      


Net assets

     $ 147,737  
      


 

Pursuant to federal income tax regulations applicable to investment companies, the Fund has elected to treat net capital losses realized between November 1 and December 31 of each year as occurring on the first day of the following tax year. For the year ended December 31, 2005, there were no such realized capital losses. The Fund intends to retain realized capital gains that may be offset against available capital loss carryforwards for federal income tax purposes. As of December 31, 2005, the Fund has no capital loss carryforwards.

 

At December 31, 2005, the cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was $168,882.

 

(h) Use of estimates—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 those estimates.

 

(i) Foreign currency translation—Assets and liabilities initially expressed in non-U.S. currencies are translated into U.S. dollars using currency exchange rates determined prior to the close of trading on the Exchange, usually at 2:00 p.m. Eastern time. 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.

 

(j) Other—In the normal course of business, the Fund enters into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on claims that may be made against the Fund in the future and, therefore, cannot be estimated; however, based on experience, the risk of material loss from such claims is considered remote.

 

Note 2—Investment Advisory Agreement and Affiliated Persons:

The Fund has entered into an investment advisory agreement with the Adviser, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Legg Mason, Inc., pursuant to which the Adviser provides investment advice and administrative services to the Fund. In return for its services, the Fund pays the Adviser a monthly fee at an annual rate of 0.70% of the average monthly net assets of the Fund up to $60,000 and 0.40% of such net assets in excess of $60,000. If expenses (including the Adviser’s fee but excluding interest, taxes, brokerage fees, the expenses of any offering by the Fund of its securities, and extraordinary expenses beyond the control of the Fund) borne by the Fund in any fiscal year exceed 1.5% of average net assets up to $30,000 and 1% of average net assets over $30,000, the Adviser has contractually agreed to reimburse the Fund for any excess. No expense reimbursement is due for the year ended December 31, 2005.

 

22


Annual Report to Shareholders

 

Western Asset Management Company Limited (“WAML”) provides the Fund with investment research, advice, management and supervision and a continuous investment program for the Fund’s portfolio of non-dollar securities consistent with the Fund’s investment objectives and policies. As compensation, the Adviser pays WAML a fee based on the pro rata assets of the Fund managed by WAML during the month.

 

Under the terms of an Administrative Services Agreement among the Fund, the Adviser, and Legg Mason Fund Adviser, Inc. (“Administrator”), the Adviser (not the Fund) pays the Administrator a monthly fee of $3, an annual rate of $36.

 

Note 3—Securities Loaned:

The Fund lends its securities to approved brokers to earn additional income and receives 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 loaned securities. At December 31, 2005, the market value of the securities on loan to broker-dealers was $27,325, for which the Fund received collateral of $27,897 in cash. Such collateral is in the possession of the Fund’s custodian. The cash was invested in the State Street Navigator Securities Lending Prime Portfolio and is included in the Fund’s Portfolio of Investments. As with other extensions of credit, the Fund may bear the risk of delay in recovery or even loss of rights to the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially.

 

Note 4—Forward Currency Exchange Contracts:

Forward foreign currency contracts are marked-to-market daily using foreign currency exchange rates supplied by an independent pricing service. The change in a contract’s market value is recorded by the Fund as an unrealized gain or loss. When the 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 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 contracts involve market risk in excess of amounts reflected in the financial statements. Although forward foreign currency contracts used for hedging purposes limit the risk of loss due to a 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.

 

At December 31, 2005, there were no open forward foreign currency exchange contracts.

 

Note 5—Director Compensation (dollar amounts are not in thousands):

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, each Independent Director received an aggregate fee of $50,000 annually for serving on the combined Board of Directors/Trustees of the Fund, Western Asset Funds, Inc. and Western Asset Premier Bond Fund. Each Director also received 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 received an additional $20,000 per year for serving in such capacities. Audit Committee members received an annual fee of $5,000 for serving as a member of the Audit Committee. Other committee members received an annual fee of $2,500 for serving as a member of each committee upon which they serve. Committee members also received 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 Western Asset Premier Bond Fund according to each such investment company’s average net assets.

 

Note 6—Common Shares (share amounts not in thousands)

Of the 9,389,431 shares of common stock outstanding at December 31, 2005, the Adviser owns 208,100 shares.

 

23


Annual Report to Shareholders

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the Stockholders and Directors of Western Asset Income Fund:

 

In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the portfolio of investments, and the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets and the financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Western Asset Income Fund (the “Fund”) at December 31, 2005, and the results of its operations, the changes in its net assets, and the financial highlights for each of the fiscal periods presented, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements and financial highlights (hereafter referred to as “financial statements”) are the responsibility of the Fund’s management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits, which included confirmation of securities at December 31, 2005 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers, provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

 

Baltimore, Maryland

February 20, 2006

 

24


Annual Report to Shareholders

DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

 

The Directors and officers of the Fund, their year of birth and a description of their principal occupations during the past five years are listed below. Except as shown, each Director’s and officer’s principal occupation and business experience for the last five years have been with the employer(s) indicated, although in some cases the Director or officer may have held different positions with such employer(s). Unless otherwise indicated, the business address of the persons listed below is c/o Western Asset Management Company, 385 East Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, California 91105.

 

Name and Year of Birth   Position(s)
With the Fund
  Term of
Office and
Length of
Time Served(1)
  Number of
Portfolios in Fund
Complex Overseen
by Director(2)
  Other
Directorships Held
by Director
  Principal Occupation(s)
During the Past Five Years
Independent Directors                    
Ronald J. Arnault
1943
  Director   Served since 1997   14   None   Retired.
John E. Bryson
1943
  Director   Served since 1987   14   Director of The Boeing Company and The Walt Disney Company.   Chairman and CEO, Edison International (electric power generator, distributor and structured finance provider), since 1990. Chairman of Southern California Edison Company since 2003.
Anita L. DeFrantz
1952
  Director   Served since 1998   14   None   President, since 1987, and Director, since 1990, Amateur Athletic Foundation of Los Angeles. President and Director, Kids in Sports, since 1994. Vice President and Director, International Rowing Federation, since 1997. Member International Olympic Committee (“IOC”), since 1986. Member IOC Executive Board, 1992-2001. Member U.S. Olympic Committee (“USOC”), 1976-present, Member USOC Executive Board, 1977-present.
William E.B. Siart
1946
  Director and Chairman of the Directors   Served since 1997   14   None   Chairman, Walt Disney Concert Hall, Inc., since 1998. Chairman, Excellent Education Development, since 2000.
Louis A. Simpson
1936
  Director   Served since 1994   14   VeriSign, Inc.   President and Chief Executive Officer, Capital Operations GEICO Corporation, since 1993.
Jaynie Miller Studenmund
1954
  Director   Served since 2004   14   aQuantive Inc.   Chief Operating Officer, Overture Services, Inc., 2001-2004; President and Chief Operating Officer, Paymybills.com, 2000-2001.
Interested Director                    
Ronald L. Olson(3)
1941
  Director   Served since 2005   14   Edison International, City National Corporation (financial services company), The Washington Post Company, RAND Corporation (nonprofit institution) and Berkshire Hathaway, Inc.   Senior Partner, Munger, Tolles & Olson, LLP, since 1968.

 

25


Annual Report to Shareholders

DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS—Continued

 

Name and Year of Birth   Position(s)
With the Fund
  Term of
Office and
Length of
Time Served(1)
  Number of
Portfolios in Fund
Complex Overseen
by Director(2)
  Other
Directorships Held
by Director
  Principal Occupation(s)
During the Past Five Years
Officers:                    
James W. Hirschmann III
1960
  President   Served since 1999   N/A   N/A   Director, President, and Chief Executive Officer, Western Asset, 1999 to present; Director, WAML, 1999 to present; President, Western Asset Funds, Inc. and Western Asset Premier Bond Fund, 1999 to present.

Scott F. Grannis
1940

  Vice President   Since 1990   N/A   N/A   Chief Economist, Western Asset Management Company, 1989 to present; Vice President, Western Asset Funds, Inc., 1990 to present.
Ilene S. Harker
1955
  Vice President   Served since 1993   N/A   N/A   Head of Enterprise Risk Management, Western Asset, 2003 to present; Vice President, Western Asset Premier Bond Fund, since 2001; Vice President, Western Asset Funds, Inc., since November 1990. Formerly: Director of Compliance and Controls, Western Asset Management Company, 1978 to 2003.
S. Kenneth Leech
1954
  Vice President   Served since 1998   N/A   N/A   Chief Investment Officer, Western Asset, 1998 to present; Vice President, Western Asset Funds, Inc., 1990 to present and Western Asset Premier Bond Fund, 2001 to present.
Stephen A. Walsh
1950
  Vice President   Since 1999   N/A   N/A   Deputy Chief Investment Officer, Western Asset Management Company, 2000 to present; Vice President, Western Asset Funds, Inc., 1994 to present.
Lisa G. Mrozek
1962
  Secretary   Served since 1999   N/A   N/A   Senior Compliance Officer, Western Asset, 1999 to present; Secretary, Western Asset Funds, Inc., 1999 to present and Western Asset Premier Bond Fund, 2001 to present.
Marie K. Karpinski
1949
100 Light Street Baltimore, MD 21202
  Treasurer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer   Served since 2001   N/A   N/A   Vice President, Legg Mason & Co., LLC, 1992 to present; Vice President and Treasurer of all Legg Mason retail funds (open-end investment companies), 1986 to present; Vice President and Treasurer of Legg Mason Charles Street Trust, Inc. (open-end investment company) and Western Asset Funds, Inc.; Treasurer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer of Western Asset Premier Bond Fund, 2001 to present, Western Asset Funds, Inc., 1990 to present, Western Asset/Claymore U.S. Treasury Inflation Protected Securities Fund, 2003 to present and Western Asset/Claymore U.S. Treasury Inflation Protected Securities Fund 2, 2004 to present. Formerly: Assistant Treasurer of the Fund, 1988 to 2001.

 

26


Annual Report to Shareholders

 

Name and Year of Birth   Position(s)
With the Fund
  Term of
Office and
Length of
Time Served(1)
  Number of
Portfolios in Fund
Complex Overseen
by Director(2)
  Other
Directorships Held
by Director
  Principal Occupation(s)
During the Past Five Years
Amy M. Olmert
1963
100 Light Street Baltimore, MD 21202
  Chief Compliance Officer   Served since 2004   N/A   N/A   Senior Vice President of Legg Mason, Inc. since 2004. Chief Compliance Officer of Western Asset Funds, Inc., Western Asset Premier Bond Fund, Western Asset/Claymore U.S. Treasury Inflation Protected Securities Fund and Western Asset/Claymore U.S. Treasury Inflation Protected Securities Fund 2 since 2004. Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer of all Legg Mason retail open-end investment companies, 2004 to present, and Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer of Legg Mason Charles Street Trust, Inc., an open-end investment company, 2004 to present. Formerly: Managing Director, Deutsche Asset Management, 1997 to 2004.
Erin K. Morris
1966
100 Light Street Baltimore, MD 21202
  Assistant Treasurer   Served since 2001   N/A   N/A   Assistant Vice President of Legg Mason & Co., LLC, 2002 to present; Assistant Treasurer, 2001 to present, of: Legg Mason Income Trust, Legg Mason Cash Reserve Trust, Legg Mason Tax Exempt Trust, Legg Mason Tax-Free Income Fund, Western Asset Premier Bond Fund, Western Asset Funds, Inc., Western Asset/Claymore U.S. Treasury Inflation Protected Securities Fund (2003 to present) and Western Asset/Claymore U.S. Treasury Inflation Protected Securities Fund 2 (2004 to present); Manager, Funds Accounting, Legg Mason & Co., LLC, 2000 to present.
(1)   Each of the Directors of the Fund shall hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders at which Directors are elected as required by applicable law or the rules of any exchange on which the Fund’s shares are listed and until his or her respective successor is elected and qualified, or until he or she sooner dies, resigns, retires, or is disqualified or removed from office. Each officer shall hold office until his or her respective successor is chosen and qualified, or in each case until he or she sooner dies, resigns, is removed with or without cause or becomes disqualified.
(2)   Each Director also serves as a Trustee of Western Asset Premier Bond Fund (closed-end investment company) and as a Director of Western Asset Funds, Inc. (open-end investment company), which are considered part of the same Fund Complex as the Fund.
(3)   Mr. Olson is considered to be an “interested person” (as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) of the Fund on the basis of his law firm providing legal services to the Fund’s investment adviser, Western Asset Management Company.

 

27


Annual Report to Shareholders

BOARD CONSIDERATION OF THE ADVISORY AND SUBADVISORY AGREEMENTS

 

The Executive and Contracts Committee of the Board of Directors considered the Investment Advisory Agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”) between the Fund and Western Asset Management Company (“Western Asset”) and the Investment Subadvisory Agreement (together with the Advisory Agreement, the “Agreements”) between Western Asset Management Company and Western Asset Management Company Limited (“WAML”) with respect to the Fund at meetings held on September 13, 2005, October 24, 2005 and November 8, 2005. At a subsequent meeting held on November 8, 2005, the Executive and Contracts Committee reported to the full Board of Directors their considerations with respect to the Agreements, and the Board of Directors, including a majority of the Independent Directors, considered and approved renewal of the Agreements.

 

In arriving at their decision to renew the Agreements, the Directors met with representatives of Western Asset and WAML (together, the “Advisers”), including relevant investment advisory personnel; reviewed a variety of information prepared by the Advisers and materials provided by Lipper Inc. (“Lipper”) and counsel to the Independent Directors; and reviewed performance and expense information for peer groups of comparable funds, selected and prepared by Lipper. These reviews were in addition to information obtained by the Directors at their regular quarterly meetings with respect to the Fund’s performance and other relevant matters, such as information on differences between the Fund’s share price and net asset value per share, and related discussions with the Advisers’ personnel.

 

As part of their review, the Directors examined the Advisers’ ability to provide high quality investment management services to the Fund. The Directors considered the investment philosophy and research and decision-making processes of the Advisers; the experience of their key advisory personnel responsible for management of the Fund; the ability of the Advisers to attract and retain capable research and advisory personnel; the capability and integrity of the Advisers’ senior management and staff; and the level of skill required to manage the Fund. In addition, the Directors reviewed the quality of the Advisers’ services with respect to regulatory compliance and compliance with the investment policies of the Fund; the pending acquisition of Citigroup Asset Management by Legg Mason, Inc., the Advisers’ parent company, and the impact such acquisition may have on the Advisers; and conditions that might affect the Advisers’ ability to provide high quality services to the Fund in the future under the Agreements, including the Advisers’ business reputation, financial condition and operational stability. Based on the foregoing, the Directors concluded that the Advisers’ investment process, research capabilities and philosophy were well suited to the Fund given its investment objectives and policies, and that the Advisers would be able to meet any reasonably foreseeable obligations under the Agreements.

 

In reviewing the quality of the services provided to the Fund, the Directors also reviewed comparisons of the performance of the Fund to the performance of certain comparable unleveraged funds in peer groups investing primarily in corporate debt. The Directors discussed the factors involved in the Fund’s performance relative to the performance of its peer groups. In that connection, the Directors noted that the performance of the Fund over all but one of the periods reviewed was above the average of each peer group.

 

The Directors also gave substantial consideration to the management fee and total expenses payable by the Fund. They reviewed information concerning management fees paid to investment advisers of similarly-managed funds, as well as fees paid by the Advisers’ other clients, including separate accounts managed by the Advisers. The Directors observed that the management fee paid by the Fund was below the average of its Lipper peer group. They noted that the management fee paid by the Fund was generally higher than the fees paid by clients of the Advisers, but that the administrative and operational responsibilities for the Advisers with respect to the Fund were also relatively higher. In light of these differences, the Directors concluded that the differences in management fees were reasonable. The Directors noted that the Fund’s total expenses were above the average of its Lipper peer group, and that the difference tended to be attributable to the fees of the Fund’s service providers other than the Advisers. Management indicated that efforts had been made to reduce these expenses and they would be expected to be lower on a going forward basis.

 

The Directors further evaluated the benefits of the advisory relationship to the Advisers, including, among others, the profitability of the Fund to the Advisers; the direct and indirect benefits that the Advisers may receive from their relationship with the Fund, including any so-called “fallout benefits” to the Advisers, such as reputational value derived from serving as investment adviser; and the affiliation between the Advisers and Legg Mason Fund Adviser, Inc., the Fund’s administrator. In that connection, the Directors concluded that the Advisers’ profitability was consistent with levels of profitability that had been determined by courts not to be “excessive.”

 

28


Annual Report to Shareholders

 

Finally, the Directors considered, in light of the profitability information provided by the Advisers, the extent to which economies of scale would be realized by the Advisers as the assets of the Fund grow. The Directors concluded that, because the Fund is a closed-end fund and does not make a continuous offer of its securities, the Fund’s size was relatively fixed and it would be unlikely that the Advisers would realize economies of scale from the Fund’s growth. The Directors further concluded that, because the Advisers’ profitability was consistent with levels of profitability that had been determined by courts not to be “excessive,” any economies of scale that may currently exist need not be shared with shareholders at this time.

 

In their deliberations with respect to these matters, the Independent Directors were advised by their independent counsel, who are independent of the Advisers within the meaning of the SEC rules regarding the independence of counsel. The Independent Directors weighed the foregoing matters in light of the advice given to them by their independent counsel as to the law applicable to the review of investment advisory contracts. In arriving at a decision, the Directors, including the Independent Directors, did not identify any single matter as all-important or controlling, and the foregoing summary does not detail all the matters considered. The Directors judged the terms and conditions of the Agreements, including the investment advisory fees, in light of all of the surrounding circumstances.

 

Based upon their review, the Directors, including all of the Independent Directors, determined, in the exercise of their business judgment, that they were satisfied with the quality of investment advisory services being provided by the Advisers; that the fees to be paid to the Advisers under the Agreements were fair and reasonable, given the scope and quality of the services rendered by the Advisers; and that approval of the Agreements was in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders.

 

29


Annual Report to Shareholders

PRIVACY POLICY

 

The Fund is committed to keeping nonpublic personal information secure and confidential. This notice is intended to help a shareholder understand how the Fund fulfills this commitment.

 

From time to time, the Fund, through its Service Providers, may collect a variety of personal information, including:

 

    Information received on applications and forms, via the telephone, and through websites;

 

    Information about transactions with the Fund, affiliates, or others (such as purchases, sales, or account balances); and

 

    Information about shareholders received from consumer reporting agencies.

 

The Fund does not disclose shareholder nonpublic personal information, except as permitted by applicable law or regulation. For example, the Fund may share this information with others in order to process transactions. Any information provided to companies that perform services on behalf of the Fund, such as printing and mailing, or to other financial institutions with which the Fund has joint marketing agreements are required to protect the confidentiality of shareholders information and to use it only to perform the services for which the companies hired.

 

The Fund, through its Service Providers, maintains physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards to protect shareholder non-public personal information. Access to this information is restricted.

 

If a shareholder decides at some point either to close his/her account(s) or become an inactive customer, the Fund will continue to adhere to these privacy policies and practices with respect to shareholder nonpublic personal information.

 

This notice is being provided on behalf of:

 

Western Asset Income Fund

 

30


Western Asset Income Fund

 

The Board of Directors

William E. B. Siart, Chairman

Ronald J. Arnault

John E. Bryson

Anita L. DeFrantz

Ronald L. Olson

Louis A. Simpson

Jaynie Miller Studenmund

 

Officers

James W. Hirschmann, President

Scott F. Grannis, Vice President

Ilene S. Harker, Vice President

S. Kenneth Leech, Vice President

Stephen A. Walsh, Vice President

Marie K. Karpinski, Treasurer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer

Amy M. Olmert, Chief Compliance Officer

Erin K. Morris, Assistant Treasurer

Lisa G. Mrozek, Secretary

 

Investment Advisers

Western Asset Management Company

385 East Colorado Boulevard

Pasadena, CA 91101

 

Western Asset Management Company Limited

155 Bishopsgate

London, England EC2N3TY

 

Custodian

State Street Bank & Trust Company

P.O. Box 1031

Boston, MA 02103

 

Counsel

Ropes & Gray LLP

45 Rockefeller Plaza

New York, NY 10111

 

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

250 West Pratt Street

Baltimore, MD 21201

 

Transfer Agent

Computershare Trust Company, N.A.

P.O. Box 43010

Providence, RI 02940-3010

 

Western Asset Income Fund

P.O. Box 983

Pasadena, California 91105

 

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 Directors, and on such terms as the Board of Directors shall determine.

 

PACAM-AR-05


Item 2 – Code of Ethics

 

  (a) Western Asset Income Fund (“Registrant”) has adopted a Code of Ethics, as defined in the instructions to Item 2 of Form N-CSR, that applies to the Registrant’s principal executive, financial and accounting officers, a copy of which is attached as an exhibit to this Form N-CSR.

 

  (b) Omitted.

 

  (c) Not applicable.

 

  (d) Not applicable.

 

  (e) Not applicable.

Item 3 – Audit Committee Financial Expert

The Audit Committee of the Registrant’s Board of Directors is comprised solely of Directors who are “independent” (as such term has been defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) in regulations implementing Section 407 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Regulations”)). In addition, the Board of Directors of the Registrant has determined that Mr. Ronald J. Arnault qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” (as such term has been defined in the Regulations) based on its review of his pertinent experience, knowledge and education. The SEC has stated that the designation or identification of a person as an audit committee financial expert pursuant to this Item 3 of Form N-CSR does not impose on such person any duties, obligations or liability that are greater than the duties, obligations and liabilities imposed on such person as a member of the Audit Committee and the Board of Directors in absence of such designation or identification

Item 4 – Principal Accounting Fees and Services

 

  (a) Audit Fees

Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2004 - $36,000

Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2005 - $32,200

 

  (b) Audit-Related Fees

Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2004 - $2,500

Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2005 - $2,500

Services include interim audit security pricing.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP billed fees in the amount of $127,460 for non-audit services that required preapproval by the Audit Committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X during the Registrant’s fiscal year ended December 31, 2005.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP conducted a SAS 70 audit to review and test operating effectiveness of controls placed in operation for Western Asset Management Company.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP did not bill any such fees during the Registrant’s fiscal year ended December 31, 2004.


  (c) Tax Fees

Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2004 - $950

Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2005 - $1,050

Services include preparation of federal and state income tax returns and preparation of excise tax returns.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP did not bill fees for tax services that required pre-approval by the Audit Committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X during the Registrant’s last two fiscal years.

 

  (d) All Other Fees

There were no fees billed to the Registrant during each of the last two fiscal years by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP that were not disclosed in Items 4(a), (b) or (c).

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP did not bill fees for services not included in Items 4(a), (b) or (c) above that required preapproval by the Audit Committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X during the Registrant’s last two fiscal years.

 

  (e)      (1)       The Audit Committee has determined that all work performed for the Registrant by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP will be preapproved by the full Audit Committee and, therefore, has not adopted preapproval policies and procedures.

 

  (2) None.

 

  (f) Not applicable.

 

  (g) Non-Audit Fees

Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2004 - $372,631

Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2005 - $202,047

 

  (h) The Audit Committee of the Registrant has considered whether the non-audit services that were rendered by the Registrant’s principal accountant to the Registrant’s investment adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser) and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the investment adviser and that were not preapproved by the Audit Committee are compatible with maintaining the principal accountant’s independence.


Item 5 – Audit Committee of Listed Registrants

The Registrant has a separately designated standing audit committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Audit Committee of the Registrant is comprised of Ronald J. Arnault, William E.B. Siart, Louis A. Simpson and Jaynie Miller Studenmund.

Item 6 – Schedule of Investments

The schedule of investments in securities of unaffiliated issuers as of the close of the reporting period is included as part of the annual report to shareholders filed under Item 1 hereto.

Item 7 – Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies

The Registrant has delegated the voting of proxies relating to its portfolio securities to its investment advisers, Western Asset Management Company and Western Asset Management Company Limited (together, the “Advisers”). The Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures of the Advisers are attached as an exhibit to this Form N-CSR.

Item 8 – Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies

A team of investment professionals at the Advisers, led by Chief Investment Officer S. Kenneth Leech, and Deputy Chief Investment Officer Stephen A. Walsh, manages the Western Asset Income Fund (the “Fund”).

Messrs. Leech and Walsh have each served as portfolio managers for the Advisers for over 10 years.

The Fund is managed by a team of portfolio managers, sector specialists and other investment professionals. Mr. Leech and Mr. Walsh serve as co-team leaders responsible for day-to-day strategic oversight of the Fund’s investments and for supervising the day-to-day operations of the various sector specialist teams dedicated to the specific asset classes in which the Fund invests.


Other Accounts

As of February 28, 2006, in addition to the Fund, the portfolio managers were responsible for the day-to-day management of certain other accounts, as follows:

S. Kenneth Leech:

 

Type of Account

   Number of
Accounts Managed
   Total Assets Managed   

Number of
Accounts Managed for

which Advisory Fee is
Performance-Based

   Assets Managed for
which Advisory Fee is
Performance-Based

Registered Investment Companies

   36    $ 23,661,545,735    0      0

Other pooled investment vehicles

   19    $ 19,795,303,572    0      0

Other accounts

   740    $ 205,776,184,176    77    $ 20,675,562,028
Stephen A. Walsh:            

Registered Investment Companies

   36    $ 23,661,545,735    0      0

Other pooled investment vehicles

   19    $ 19,795,303,572    0      0

Other accounts

   740    $ 205,776,184,176    77    $ 20,675,562,028

Note: The numbers above reflect the overall number of portfolios managed by the Advisers. Mr. Leech and Mr. Walsh are involved in the management of all the Advisers’ portfolios, but they are not solely responsible for particular portfolios. The Advisers’ investment discipline emphasizes a team approach that combines the efforts of groups of specialists working in different market sectors. The individuals that have been identified are responsible for overseeing implementation of the Advisers’ overall investment ideas and coordinating the work of the various sector teams. This structure ensures that client portfolios benefit from a consensus that draws on the expertise of all team members.

Potential Conflicts of Interest

Potential conflicts of interest may arise in connection with the management of multiple accounts (including accounts managed in a personal capacity). These could include potential conflicts of interest related to the knowledge and timing of the Fund’s trades, investment opportunities and broker selection. Portfolio managers may be privy to the size, timing and possible market impact of the Fund’s trades.


It is possible that an investment opportunity may be suitable for both the Fund and other accounts managed by a portfolio manager, but may not be available in sufficient quantities for both the Fund and the other accounts to participate fully. Similarly, there may be limited opportunity to sell an investment held by the Fund and another account. A conflict may arise where the portfolio manager may have an incentive to treat an account preferentially as compared to the Fund because the account pays a performance-based fee or the portfolio manager, the Advisers or an affiliate has an interest in the account. The Advisers have adopted procedures for allocation of portfolio transactions and investment opportunities across multiple client accounts on a fair and equitable basis over time. All eligible accounts that can participate in a trade share the same price on a pro-rata allocation basis in an attempt to mitigate any conflict of interest. Trades are allocated among similarly managed accounts to maintain consistency of portfolio strategy, taking into account cash availability, investment restrictions and guidelines, and portfolio composition versus strategy.

With respect to securities transactions for the Fund, the Advisers determines which broker or dealer to use to execute each order, consistent with their duty to seek best execution of the transaction. However, with respect to certain other accounts (such as pooled investment vehicles that are not registered investment companies and other accounts managed for organizations and individuals), the Advisers may be limited by the client with respect to the selection of brokers or dealers or may be instructed to direct trades through a particular broker or dealer. In these cases, trades for the Fund in a particular security may be placed separately from, rather than aggregated with, such other accounts. Having separate transactions with respect to a security may temporarily affect the market price of the security or the execution of the transaction, or both, to the possible detriment of the Fund or the other account(s) involved. Additionally, the management of multiple accounts may result in a portfolio manager devoting unequal time and attention to the management of the Fund and/or other account.

It is theoretically possible that portfolio managers could use information to the advantage of other accounts they manage and to the possible detriment of the Fund. For example, a portfolio manager could short sell a security for an account immediately prior to the Fund’s sale of that security. To address this conflict, the Advisers have adopted procedures for reviewing and comparing selected trades of alternative investment accounts (which may make directional trades such as short sells) with long- only accounts (which includes the Fund) for timing and pattern related issues. Trading decisions for alternative investment and long-only accounts may not be identical even though the same portfolio manager may manage both types of accounts. Whether an Adviser allocates a particular investment opportunity to only alternative investment accounts or to alternative investment and long-only accounts will depend on the investment strategy being implemented. If, under the circumstances, an investment opportunity is appropriate for both its alternative investment and long only accounts, then it will be allocated to both on a pro-rata basis.

A portfolio manager may also face other potential conflicts of interest in managing the Fund, and the description above is not a complete description of every conflict of interest that could be deemed to exist in managing both the Fund and the other accounts listed above.


Compensation of Portfolio Managers

With respect to the compensation of the portfolio managers, the Advisers’ compensation system assigns each employee a total compensation “target” and a respective cap, which are derived from annual market surveys that benchmark each role with their job function and peer universe. This method is designed to reward employees with total compensation reflective of the external market value of their skills, experience, and ability to produce desired results.

Standard compensation includes competitive base salaries, generous employee benefits, and a retirement plan.

In addition, employees are eligible for bonuses. These are structured to closely align the interests of employees with those of the Advisers, and are determined by the professional’s job function and performance as measured by a formal review process. All bonuses are completely discretionary. One of the principal factors considered is a portfolio manager’s investment performance versus appropriate peer groups and benchmarks. Because portfolio managers are generally responsible for multiple accounts (including the Fund) with similar investment strategies, they are compensated on the performance of the aggregate group of similar accounts, rather than a specific account. A smaller portion of a bonus payment is derived from factors that include client service, business development, length of service to the Advisers, management or supervisory responsibilities, contributions to developing business strategy and overall contributions to the Advisers’ business.

Finally, in order to attract and retain top talent, all professionals are eligible for additional incentives in recognition of outstanding performance. These are determined based upon the factors described above and include Legg Mason, Inc. stock options and long-term incentives that vest over a set period of time past the award date.

Portfolio Manager Ownership of Fund Securities

The following table provides the dollar range of securities beneficially owned by each portfolio manager as of December 31, 2005:

 

Portfolio Manager

  

Dollar Range of Fund Securities Beneficially Owned

S. Kenneth Leech

   None

Stephen A. Walsh

   None


Item 9 – Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Companies and Affiliated Purchasers

Not applicable.

Item 10 – Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

There have been no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the Registrant’s Board of Directors that have been implemented since the Registrant last provided disclosure in response to the requirements of this Item 10.

Item 11 – 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 in the SEC’s rules and forms 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 second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Item 12 – Exhibits

 

  (a)(1) Code of Ethics subject to the disclosure required by Item 2 – filed as an exhibit hereto.

 

  (a)(2) Certifications pursuant to Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 – filed as an exhibit hereto.

 

  (a)(3) Not applicable.

 

  (b) Certifications pursuant to Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 – filed as an exhibit hereto.

 

  (c) Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures pursuant to the disclosure required by Item 7 – filed as an exhibit hereto.


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 Income Fund
By:  

/s/ James W. Hirschmann

  James W. Hirschmann
  President
  Western Asset Income Fund
Date:    March 6, 2006

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 Income Fund
Date:    March 6, 2006
By:  

/s/ Marie K. Karpinski

  Marie K. Karpinski
  Treasurer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer
  Western Asset Income Fund

Date: March 2, 2006