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 811-22491
BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc.
Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
620 Eighth Avenue, 49th Floor, New York, NY 10018
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
Robert I. Frenkel, Esq.
Legg Mason & Co., LLC
100 First Stamford Place
Stamford, CT 06902
(Name and address of agent for service)
Registrants telephone number, including area code: (888) 777-0102
Date of fiscal year end: October 31
Date of reporting period: October 31, 2018
ITEM 1. | REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS. |
The Annual Report to Stockholders is filed herewith.
Annual Report | October 31, 2018 |
BrandywineGLOBAL
GLOBAL INCOME OPPORTUNITIES FUND INC. (BWG)
INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED NO BANK GUARANTEE MAY LOSE VALUE |
Fund objectives
The Funds primary investment objective is to provide current income. As a secondary investment objective, the Fund will seek capital appreciation.
The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objectives by investing, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its assets in global fixed income securities.
Dear Shareholder,
We are pleased to provide the annual report of
BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc. for the twelve-month reporting period ended October 31, 2018. Please read on for a detailed look at prevailing economic and market conditions during the Funds reporting period and to learn how those conditions have affected Fund performance.
As always, we remain committed to providing you with excellent service and a full spectrum of investment choices. We also remain committed to supplementing the support you receive from your financial advisor. One way we accomplish this is through our website, www.lmcef.com. Here you can gain immediate access to market and investment information, including:
| Fund prices and performance, |
| Market insights and commentaries from our portfolio managers, and |
| A host of educational resources. |
We look forward to helping you meet your financial goals.
Sincerely,
Jane Trust, CFA
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
November 30, 2018
II | BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc. |
Economic review
Economic activity in the U.S. was mixed during the twelve months ended October 31, 2018 (the reporting period). Looking back, the U.S. Department of Commerce reported that fourth quarter 2017 and first quarter 2018 U.S. gross domestic product (GDP)i growth was 2.3% and 2.2%, respectively. GDP growth then accelerated to 4.2% during the second quarter of 2018 the strongest reading since the third quarter of 2014. Finally, the U.S. Department of Commerces second reading for third quarter 2018 GDP growth released after the reporting period ended was 3.5%. The deceleration in GDP growth in the third quarter of 2018 reflected a downturn in exports and decelerations in nonresidential fixed investment and personal consumption expenditures. Imports increased in the third quarter after decreasing in the second. These movements were partly offset by an upturn in private inventory investment.
Job growth in the U.S. was solid overall and supported the economy during the reporting period. As reported by the U.S. Department of Labor, when the reporting period ended on October 31, 2018, the unemployment rate was 3.7%, versus 4.1% when the period began. October 2018s reading equaled the lowest unemployment rate since 1969. The percentage of longer-term unemployed also declined during the reporting period. In October 2018, 22.5% of Americans looking for a job had been out of work for more than six months, versus 23.8% when the period began.
Turning to the global economy, in its October 2018 World Economic Outlook, the International Monetary Fund (IMF)ii said, Global growth for 201819 is projected to remain steady at its 2017 level, but its pace is less vigorous than projected in April [2018] and it has become less balanced. Downside risks to global growth have risen in the past six months and the potential for upside surprises has receded. From a regional perspective, the IMF projects 2018 growth in the Eurozone will be 2.0%, versus 2.4% in 2017. Japans economy is expected to expand 1.1% in 2018, compared to 1.7% in 2017. Elsewhere, the IMF projects that overall growth in emerging market countries will be 4.7% in 2018, the same as in 2017.
Looking back, at its meeting that concluded on September 20, 2017, the Federal Reserve Board (the Fed)iii kept the federal funds rateiv on hold, but reiterated its intention to begin reducing its balance sheet, saying, In October, the Committee will initiate the balance sheet normalization program . At its meeting that ended on December 13, 2017, the Fed raised rates to a range between 1.25% and 1.50%. As expected, the Fed kept rates on hold at its meeting that concluded on January 31, 2018. However, at its meeting that ended on March 21, 2018, the Fed again raised the federal funds rate, moving it to a range between 1.50% and 1.75%. At its meeting that concluded on June 13, 2018, the Fed raised the federal funds rate to a range between 1.75% and 2.00%. Finally, at its meeting that ended on September 26, 2018, the Fed raised the federal funds rate to a range between 2.00% and 2.25%.
Central banks outside the U.S. took different approaches to monetary policy during the reporting period. Looking back, in December 2016, the European Central Bank (ECB)v extended its bond buying program until December 2017. From April 2017 through December 2017, the ECB purchased 60 billion-per-month of bonds. In October
BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc. | III |
Investment commentary (contd)
2017, the ECB announced that it would continue to buy bonds through September 2018, but after December 2017 it would pare its purchases to 30 billion-per-month. In June 2018, the ECB announced it would end its bond buying program by the end of the year, but it did not anticipate raising interest rates at least through the summer of 2019. In other developed countries, on November 2, 2017, the Bank of Englandvi raised rates from 0.25% to 0.50% the first increase since July 2007. It then raised rates to 0.75% at its meeting on August 2, 2018. After holding rates steady at 0.10% for more than five years, in January 2016, the Bank of Japanvii announced that it cut the rate on current accounts that commercial banks hold with it to -0.10% and kept rates on hold during the reporting period. Elsewhere, the Peoples Bank of Chinaviii kept rates steady at 4.35% during the reporting period.
As always, thank you for your confidence in our stewardship of your assets.
Sincerely,
Jane Trust, CFA
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
November 30, 2018
All investments are subject to risk including the possible loss of principal. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Forecasts and predictions are inherently limited and should not be relied upon as an indication of actual or future performance.
i | Gross domestic product (GDP) is the market value of all final goods and services produced within a country in a given period of time. |
ii | The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is an organization of 189 countries, working to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty around the world. |
iii | The Federal Reserve Board (the Fed) is responsible for the formulation of U.S. policies designed to promote economic growth, full employment, stable prices, and a sustainable pattern of international trade and payments. |
iv | The federal funds rate is the rate charged by one depository institution on an overnight sale of immediately available funds (balances at the Federal Reserve) to another depository institution; the rate may vary from depository institution to depository institution and from day to day. |
v | The European Central Bank (ECB) is responsible for the monetary system of the European Union and the euro currency. |
vi | The Bank of England (BoE), formally the Governor and Company of the BoE, is the central bank of the United Kingdom. The BoEs purpose is to maintain monetary and financial stability. |
vii | The Bank of Japan is the central bank of Japan. The bank is responsible for issuing and handling currency and treasury securities, implementing monetary policy, maintaining the stability of the Japanese financial system and the yen currency. |
viii | The Peoples Bank of China is the central bank of the Peoples Republic of China with the power to carry out monetary policy and regulate financial institutions in mainland China. |
IV | BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc. |
Q. What is the Funds investment strategy?
A. The Fund seeks to provide current income as a primary objective. Capital appreciation is a secondary objective. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objectives by investing, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its assets in global fixed-income securities. These may include, but are not limited to, sovereign debt of developed and emerging market countries, U.S. and non-U.S. corporate debt, mortgage-backed securities (MBS) and currency exposure. The Fund may manage its currency exposure through the use of futures, forwards and other derivative instruments, for hedging and investment purposes. The Funds specific investments will shift as the Fund rotates among countries, credits and currencies to find the most attractive values over time. Under normal market conditions, no more than 55% of the Funds managed assets may be rated below investment grade (commonly known as high yield or junk bonds) by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization or, if unrated, that we determined to be of comparable quality; provided however, that the quality of a security will be based on the highest rating it receives. In addition, under normal market conditions, at least 40% of the Funds managed assets will be invested in non-U.S. countries or currencies. The Fund may use leverage to enhance current income.
In making investment decisions on behalf of the Fund, we apply a top-down, macro driven investment process and invest where we believe opportunities exist with respect to interest rate levels and currency valuations. We consider secular trends, political and monetary conditions and business cycle risks when making investment decisions. We also take into account the relative risk and return characteristics of prospective investments when determining how to achieve desired exposures.
Brandywine Global Investment Management, LLC (Brandywine Global), the Funds subadviser, is responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management of the Fund. Brandywine Global uses an active, team-based approach to manage its fixed income portfolios. The investment professionals at Brandywine Global who are primarily responsible for development of investment strategy, day-to-day portfolio management and oversight and coordination of the Fund are David F. Hoffman, CFA, Stephen S. Smith, Jack P. McIntyre, CFA, Anujeet Sareen, CFA, Gerhardt (Gary) P. Herbert, CFA, Brian L. Kloss, JD, CFA and Tracy Chen, CFA, CAIA.
Q. What were the overall market conditions during the Funds reporting period?
A. The global fixed income market experienced periods of volatility and generated weak results during the twelve-month reporting period ended October 31, 2018. Global yields generally moved higher over the reporting period, which was a headwind for fixed income assets.
To a great extent, monetary policy continued to diverge during the Funds fiscal year. The Federal Reserve Board (the Fed)i raised the federal funds ratesii four times during the reporting period, with the latest increase bringing the federal funds rate to a target range between 2.00% and 2.25%. The Fed also anticipates one additional rate hike in 2018, and expects to continue paring of its balance sheet. Other developed country central banks, including the European Central Bank (ECB)iii and the Bank of Japan
BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc. 2018 Annual Report | 1 |
Fund overview (contd)
(BoJ)iv, maintained their accommodative polices. While the ECB announced that it would end its bond buying program by the end of 2018, it does not expect to raise interest rates at least through the summer of 2019. The BoJ and the Peoples Bank of Chinav also kept rates on hold during the reporting period. Elsewhere, the Bank of England (BoE)vi raised rates twice during the reporting period, with its last increase pushing rates to 0.75%.
All told, the Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate Indexvii returned -2.04% during the twelve months ended October 31, 2018. Investors who took on additional risk also experienced weak results over the reporting period. Global high-yield corporate bonds, as measured by the Bloomberg Barclays Global High Yield Index (USD hedged)viii returned -0.95%. Meanwhile, the JPMorgan Emerging Markets Bond Index Global (EMBI Global)ix returned -5.27%. Within the currency markets, the U.S. dollar appreciated against most other currencies. The U.S. dollar was supported by several interest rate hikes by the Fed and indications that it would continue to tighten monetary policy in 2019.
Q. How did we respond to these changing market conditions?
A. Given uncertain global macro conditions, we made several adjustments to the Funds portfolio during the reporting period. We reduced the Funds emerging markets exposures. From a foreign exchange (FX) perspective, we pared our allocations to currencies such as the Brazilian real, Indian rupee and Peruvian sol. In terms of emerging markets bonds, we reduced the Funds exposures in Mexico, Peru and Turkey, to name a few. Elsewhere, we increased the Funds U.S. dollar exposure given moderating growth abroad. Meanwhile, while the Fund maintained a meaningful exposure to U.S. Treasuries, we pared this allocation during the reporting period.
The Fund used U.S. Treasury futures to manage its bond exposure. The use of these instruments detracted from performance. Currency forwards, which were used to manage the Funds currency exposures, slightly contributed to results. The Fund tactically used credit default swaps and CDX to manage its high-yield credit exposure. Both detracted from performance over the reporting period.
Performance review
For the twelve months ended October 31, 2018, BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc. returned -11.30% based on its net asset value (NAV)x and -14.46% based on its New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) market price per share. The Funds unmanaged benchmark, the Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate Indexxi, returned -2.04% for the same period. The Lipper Global Income Closed-End Funds Category Averagexii returned -1.60% over the same time frame. Please note that Lipper performance returns are based on each funds NAV.
During the twelve-month period, the Fund made distributions to shareholders totaling $0.93 per share, of which $0.60 will be treated as a return of capital for tax purposes*. The performance table shows the Funds twelve-month total return based
* | For the tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018, please refer to page 40 of this report. |
2 | BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc. 2018 Annual Report |
on its NAV and market price as of October 31, 2018. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
Performance Snapshot as of October 31, 2018 | ||||
Price Per Share | 12-month Total Return** |
|||
$12.34 (NAV) | -11.30 | % | ||
$10.29 (Market Price) | -14.46 | % |
All figures represent past performance and are not a guarantee of future results.
** Total returns are based on changes in NAV or market price, respectively. Returns reflect the deduction of all Fund expenses, including management fees, operating expenses, and other Fund expenses. Returns do not reflect the deduction of brokerage commissions or taxes that investors may pay on distributions or the sale of shares.
Total return assumes the reinvestment of all distributions, including returns of capital at NAV.
Total return assumes the reinvestment of all distributions, including returns of capital in additional shares in accordance with the Funds Dividend Reinvestment Plan.
Q. What were the leading contributors to performance?
A. The largest contributor to the Funds relative performance during the reporting period was its exposure to the European housing market. This was accomplished through our allocation to residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS). European RMBS were supported by solid fundamentals, credit rating upgrades and a lack of new supply.
The Funds exposure to the U.S. housing market, also through investments in RMBS, was also beneficial. Investor sentiment for U.S. RMBS was buoyed by the strengthening economy, a robust labor market and deleveraging in legacy securities. In particular, we favored floating rate RMBS as a hedge against rising interest rates.
Our tactical exposure to the Japanese yen also contributed to returns. The yen is often viewed as a safe haven currency as it tends to do well during periods of market volatility and risk-off environments. The currency performed well in early 2018 given the uncertain global macro environment and signs of strength in Japans economy.
Q. What were the leading detractors from performance?
A. The largest detractors from the Funds relative performance over the reporting period were its exposures to longer durationxiii bonds and currencies in Indonesia, Mexico and Turkey. In all three cases, these bonds and currencies were negatively impacted by macro issues, Fed rate hikes and a slowdown in Chinese growth. Indonesia was also hurt by the countrys high external debt burden, as well as several rate hikes by the Bank of Indonesia. Mexico has been experiencing lackluster growth and relatively high inflation. In addition, there were concerns over President-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obradors political agenda in the wake of him canceling the development of a new airport in Mexico City. In terms of Turkey, political concerns, including the Presidents appointees to his administration and his attempts to influence the countrys central bank negatively impacted investor sentiment. In addition, Turkey has a high external debt burden.
Looking for additional information?
The Fund is traded under the symbol BWG and its closing market price is available in most newspapers under the NYSE listings. The daily NAV is available on-line under the symbol XBWGX on most financial websites. Barrons and the Wall Street Journals
BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc. 2018 Annual Report | 3 |
Fund overview (contd)
Monday edition both carry closed-end fund tables that provide additional information. In addition, the Fund issues a quarterly press release that can be found on most major financial websites as well as www.lmcef.com (click on the name of the Fund).
In a continuing effort to provide information concerning the Fund, shareholders may call 1-888-777-0102 (toll free), Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Eastern time, for the Funds current NAV, market price and other information.
Thank you for your investment in
BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc. As always, we appreciate that you have chosen us to manage your assets and we remain focused on achieving the Funds investment goals.
Sincerely,
David F. Hoffman, CFA
Portfolio Manager
Brandywine Global Investment Management, LLC
Stephen S. Smith
Portfolio Manager
Brandywine Global Investment Management, LLC
November 20, 2018
RISKS: The Fund is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company designed primarily as a long-term investment and not as a trading vehicle. The Fund is not intended to be a complete investment program and, due to the uncertainty inherent in all investments, there can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. The Funds common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange. Similar to stocks, the Funds share price will fluctuate with market conditions and, at the time of sale, may be worth more or less than the original investment. Shares of closed-end funds often trade at a discount to their net asset value. Because the Fund is non-diversified, it may be more susceptible to economic, political or regulatory events than a diversified fund.
The Funds investments are subject to various risks, including but not limited to, credit, inflation, income, prepayment and interest rate risks. As interest rates increase, the value of fixed income securities decrease. Fixed income securities rated below investment grade are commonly referred to as high yield securities or junk bonds and are subject to greater liquidity and credit risks (risk of default) than higher-rated securities. Fixed income securities rated C or lower by Moodys Investor Service, Inc., CCC or lower by Standard & Poors Corporation Ratings Group or CC or lower by Fitch Ratings, Inc. or comparably rated by another NRSRO or, if unrated, determined by Brandywine Global to be of comparable quality are considered to have extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any real investment standing, to have a current identifiable vulnerability to default, to be unlikely to have the capacity to pay interest and repay principal when due in the event of adverse business, financial or economic conditions and/or to be in default or not current in the payment of interest or principal. Ratings may not accurately reflect the actual credit risk associated with a corporate security. International investments involve certain risks not associated with domestic investing, such as currency fluctuations, and changes in political, social and economic conditions which
4 | BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc. 2018 Annual Report |
could increase volatility. These risks are magnified in emerging or developing markets. Mortgage-backed securities are subject to additional risks, including prepayment risk, which can limit the potential gains in a declining interest rate environment. The Fund may invest in foreign currencies or currency derivatives which may increase the risk and volatility of the Fund.
The Fund may invest in illiquid securities and securities/investments that have a leveraging effect on the portfolio which will increase the risks of the Fund. The Funds use of leverage may result in greater volatility of NAV and the market price of common shares and increases a shareholders risk of loss. The Fund may make significant investments in derivative instruments. Derivative instruments can be illiquid, may disproportionately increase losses and have a potentially large impact on Fund performance. The use by the Fund of derivatives such as options, forwards or futures contracts for investment and/or risk management purposes may subject the Fund to risks associated with short economic exposure through such derivatives. Taking a short economic position through derivatives exposes the Fund to the risk that it will be obligated to make payments to its counterparty if the underlying asset appreciates in value, thus resulting in a loss to the Fund. The Funds loss on a short position, whether caused by the use of derivatives or otherwise, theoretically could be unlimited.
The Fund may invest in contingent convertible securities (CoCos). CoCos are a form of hybrid debt security that are intended to either convert into equity or have their principal written down upon the occurrence of certain triggers. The triggers are generally linked to regulatory capital thresholds or regulatory actions calling into question the issuing banking institutions continued viability as a going-concern. Cocos are subject to risks, such as Loss absorption risk (the risk that CoCos fully discretionary coupons can potentially be cancelled at the banking institutions discretion or at the request of the relevant regulatory authority in order to help the bank absorb losses) and subordination risk (the risk that (i) in the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of an issuer prior to a conversion having occurred, the rights and claims of the holders of the CoCos will generally rank junior to the claims of all holders of unsubordinated obligations of the issuer; and (ii) if the CoCos are converted into the issuers underlying equity securities following a conversion event (i.e., a trigger), each holder will be subordinated due to their conversion from being the holder of a debt instrument to being the holder of an equity instrument).
Portfolio holdings and breakdowns are as of October 31, 2018 and are subject to change and may not be representative of the portfolio managers current or future investments. Please refer to pages 8 through 18 for a list and percentage breakdown of the Funds holdings.
The mention of sector breakdowns is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell any securities. The information provided regarding such sectors is not a sufficient basis upon which to make an investment decision. Investors seeking financial advice regarding the appropriateness of investing in any securities or investment strategies discussed should consult their financial professional. The Funds top five sector holdings (as a percentage of net assets) as of October 31, 2018 were: Sovereign Bonds (51.1%), Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (25.0%), Financials (17.0%), U.S. Government Agency & Obligations (12.9%) and Communication Services (7.1%). The Funds portfolio composition is subject to change at any time.
All investments are subject to risk including the possible loss of principal. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. All index performance reflects no deduction for fees,
BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc. 2018 Annual Report | 5 |
Fund overview (contd)
expenses or taxes. Please note that an investor cannot invest directly in an index.
The information provided is not intended to be a forecast of future events, a guarantee of future results or investment advice. Views expressed may differ from those of the firm as a whole.
i | The Federal Reserve Board (the Fed) is responsible for the formulation of U.S. policies designed to promote economic growth, full employment, stable prices and a sustainable pattern of international trade and payments. |
ii | The federal funds rate is the rate charged by one depository institution on an overnight sale of immediately available funds (balances at the Federal Reserve) to another depository institution; the rate may vary from depository institution to depository institution and from day to day. |
iii | The European Central Bank (ECB) is responsible for the monetary system of the European Union and the euro currency. |
iv | The Bank of Japan (BoJ) is the central bank of Japan. The bank is responsible for issuing and handling currency and treasury securities, implementing monetary policy, maintaining the stability of the Japanese financial system and the yen currency. |
v | The Peoples Bank of China (PBoC) is the central bank of the Peoples Republic of China with the power to carry out monetary policy and regulate financial institutions in mainland China. |
vi | The Bank of England (BoE), formally the Governor and Company of the BoE, is the central bank of the United Kingdom. The BoEs purpose is to maintain monetary and financial stability. |
vii | The Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate Index is an index comprised of several other Bloomberg Barclays indices that measure fixed-income performance of regions around the world. |
viii | The Bloomberg Barclays Global High Yield Index is a multi-currency measure of the global high-yield debt market. The Index represents the union of the U.S. High-Yield, Pan-European High-Yield, U.S. Emerging Markets (EM) Hard Currency High Yield Indices. |
ix | The JPMorgan Emerging Markets Bond Index Global (EMBI Global) tracks total returns for U.S. dollar-denominated debt instruments issued by emerging market sovereign and quasi-sovereign entities: Brady bonds, loans, Eurobonds and local market instruments. |
x | Net asset value (NAV) is calculated by subtracting total liabilities, including liabilities associated with financial leverage (if any), from the closing value of all securities held by the Fund (plus all other assets) and dividing the result (total net assets) by the total number of the common shares outstanding. The NAV fluctuates with changes in the market prices of securities in which the Fund has invested. However, the price at which an investor may buy or sell shares of the Fund is the Funds market price as determined by supply of and demand for the Funds shares. |
xi | The Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate Index is an index comprised of several other Barclays indices that measure fixed-income performance of regions around the world. |
xii | Lipper, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Reuters, provides independent insight on global collective investments. Returns are based on the twelve-month period ended October 31, 2018, including the reinvestment of all distributions, including returns of capital, if any, calculated among the 14 funds in the Funds Lipper category. |
xiii | Duration is the measure of the price sensitivity of a fixed-income security to an interest rate change of 100 basis points. Calculation is based on the weighted average of the present values for all cash flows. |
6 | BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc. 2018 Annual Report |
Investment breakdown (%) as a percent of total investments
| The bar graph above represents the composition of the Funds investments as of October 31, 2018 and October 31, 2017 and does not include derivatives, such as futures contracts, swap contracts and forward foreign currency contracts. The Fund is actively managed. As a result, the composition of the Funds investments is subject to change at any time. |
* | As of September 28, 2018, the Telecommunication Services sector was broadened to include some companies previously classified in the Consumer Discretionary and Information Technology sectors and renamed the Communication Services sector. |
BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc. 2018 Annual Report | 7 |
October 31, 2018
BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc.
Security | Rate | Maturity Date |
Face Amount |
Value | ||||||||||||
Sovereign Bonds 51.1% | ||||||||||||||||
Brazil 16.9% |
||||||||||||||||
Brazil Notas do Tesouro Nacional Serie F, Notes |
10.000 | % | 1/1/23 | 38,785,000 | BRL | $ | 10,704,189 | |||||||||
Brazil Notas do Tesouro Nacional Serie F, Notes |
10.000 | % | 1/1/27 | 122,900,000 | BRL | 33,096,589 | ||||||||||
Total Brazil |
43,800,778 | |||||||||||||||
France 2.0% |
||||||||||||||||
French Republic Government Bond OAT |
2.000 | % | 5/25/48 | 4,135,000 | EUR | 5,099,642 | (a) | |||||||||
India 6.8% |
||||||||||||||||
India Government Bond, Senior Notes |
8.170 | % | 12/1/44 | 1,300,000,000 | INR | 17,552,505 | ||||||||||
Indonesia 10.0% |
||||||||||||||||
Indonesia Treasury Bond, Senior Notes |
8.375 | % | 3/15/24 | 65,100,000,000 | IDR | 4,250,074 | ||||||||||
Indonesia Treasury Bond, Senior Notes |
8.375 | % | 9/15/26 | 50,000,000,000 | IDR | 3,256,856 | ||||||||||
Indonesia Treasury Bond, Senior Notes |
9.000 | % | 3/15/29 | 120,400,000,000 | IDR | 8,119,700 | ||||||||||
Indonesia Treasury Bond, Senior Notes |
8.375 | % | 3/15/34 | 69,800,000,000 | IDR | 4,403,109 | ||||||||||
Indonesia Treasury Bond, Senior Notes |
8.750 | % | 2/15/44 | 96,900,000,000 | IDR | 5,989,602 | ||||||||||
Total Indonesia |
26,019,341 | |||||||||||||||
Mexico 10.2% |
||||||||||||||||
Mexican Bonos, Bonds |
10.000 | % | 11/20/36 | 72,700,000 | MXN | 3,909,568 | (b) | |||||||||
Mexican Bonos, Senior Notes |
8.500 | % | 11/18/38 | 96,600,000 | MXN | 4,543,896 | (b) | |||||||||
Mexican Bonos, Senior Notes |
7.750 | % | 11/13/42 | 421,500,000 | MXN | 18,073,253 | (b) | |||||||||
Total Mexico |
26,526,717 | |||||||||||||||
South Africa 5.2% |
||||||||||||||||
Republic of South Africa Government Bond |
8.750 | % | 2/28/48 | 229,260,000 | ZAR | 13,378,745 | (b) | |||||||||
Total Sovereign Bonds (Cost $166,542,472) |
132,377,728 | |||||||||||||||
Corporate Bonds & Notes 49.3% | ||||||||||||||||
Communication Services 6.2% | ||||||||||||||||
Diversified Telecommunication Services 0.1% |
||||||||||||||||
Hughes Satellite Systems Corp., Senior Notes |
6.625 | % | 8/1/26 | 200,000 | 191,000 | (b) | ||||||||||
Media 4.0% |
||||||||||||||||
CSC Holdings LLC, Senior Notes |
5.250 | % | 6/1/24 | 1,130,000 | 1,091,862 | (b) | ||||||||||
DISH DBS Corp., Senior Notes |
5.000 | % | 3/15/23 | 915,000 | 804,056 | (b) | ||||||||||
Gray Television Inc., Senior Notes |
5.125 | % | 10/15/24 | 2,315,000 | 2,202,144 | (b)(c) | ||||||||||
Sinclair Television Group Inc., Senior Notes |
5.625 | % | 8/1/24 | 2,000,000 | 1,920,000 | (b)(c) | ||||||||||
Sinclair Television Group Inc., Senior Notes |
5.875 | % | 3/15/26 | 275,000 | 262,969 | (b)(c) | ||||||||||
Sirius XM Radio Inc., Senior Notes |
6.000 | % | 7/15/24 | 1,100,000 | 1,127,280 | (b)(c) | ||||||||||
Sirius XM Radio Inc., Senior Notes |
5.375 | % | 7/15/26 | 2,000,000 | 1,960,000 | (b)(c) | ||||||||||
Univision Communications Inc., Senior Secured Notes |
5.125 | % | 5/15/23 | 1,135,000 | 1,072,008 | (b)(c) | ||||||||||
Total Media |
10,440,319 |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
8 | BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc. 2018 Annual Report |
BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc.
Security | Rate | Maturity Date |
Face Amount |
Value | ||||||||||||
Wireless Telecommunication Services 2.1% |
|
|||||||||||||||
Sprint Capital Corp., Senior Notes |
6.875 | % | 11/15/28 | 2,470,000 | $ | 2,436,037 | (b) | |||||||||
Sprint Corp., Senior Notes |
7.250 | % | 9/15/21 | 2,800,000 | 2,933,000 | (b) | ||||||||||
Total Wireless Telecommunication Services |
5,369,037 | |||||||||||||||
Total Communication Services |
16,000,356 | |||||||||||||||
Consumer Discretionary 2.9% | ||||||||||||||||
Automobiles 1.2% |
||||||||||||||||
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV, Senior Notes |
5.250 | % | 4/15/23 | 2,950,000 | 2,942,625 | (b) | ||||||||||
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure 0.8% |
||||||||||||||||
Rivers Pittsburgh Borrower LP/Rivers Pittsburgh Finance Corp., Senior Secured Notes |
6.125 | % | 8/15/21 | 2,105,000 | 2,099,737 | (b)(c) | ||||||||||
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods 0.9% |
||||||||||||||||
Hanesbrands Inc., Senior Notes |
4.875 | % | 5/15/26 | 378,000 | 360,045 | (b)(c) | ||||||||||
NIKE Inc., Senior Notes |
3.625 | % | 5/1/43 | 2,237,000 | 1,991,389 | (b) | ||||||||||
Total Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods |
2,351,434 | |||||||||||||||
Total Consumer Discretionary |
7,393,796 | |||||||||||||||
Consumer Staples 1.7% | ||||||||||||||||
Food Products 1.2% |
||||||||||||||||
B&G Foods Inc., Senior Notes |
4.625 | % | 6/1/21 | 575,000 | 573,563 | (b) | ||||||||||
JBS USA LUX SA/JBS USA Finance Inc., Senior Notes |
5.750 | % | 6/15/25 | 730,000 | 703,537 | (b)(c) | ||||||||||
MARB BondCo PLC, Senior Notes |
7.000 | % | 3/15/24 | 1,135,000 | 1,092,097 | (b)(c) | ||||||||||
Marfrig Holdings Europe BV, Senior Notes |
8.000 | % | 6/8/23 | 740,000 | 752,950 | (b)(c) | ||||||||||
Total Food Products |
3,122,147 | |||||||||||||||
Health Care Providers & Services 0.5% |
||||||||||||||||
Bausch Health Cos. Inc., Senior Secured Notes |
6.500 | % | 3/15/22 | 1,100,000 | 1,141,250 | (b)(c) | ||||||||||
Total Consumer Staples |
4,263,397 | |||||||||||||||
Energy 4.4% | ||||||||||||||||
Energy Equipment & Services 0.5% |
||||||||||||||||
Rowan Cos. Inc., Senior Notes |
4.750 | % | 1/15/24 | 1,584,000 | 1,382,040 | (b) | ||||||||||
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels 3.9% |
||||||||||||||||
Antero Resources Corp., Senior Notes |
5.000 | % | 3/1/25 | 760,000 | 741,000 | (b) | ||||||||||
Chesapeake Energy Corp., Senior Notes |
5.375 | % | 6/15/21 | 1,500,000 | 1,492,500 | (b) | ||||||||||
Chesapeake Energy Corp., Senior Notes |
8.000 | % | 12/15/22 | 2,366,000 | 2,477,202 | (b)(c) | ||||||||||
Chesapeake Energy Corp., Senior Notes (3 mo. USD LIBOR + 3.250%) |
5.686 | % | 4/15/19 | 1,265,000 | 1,271,325 | (b)(d) | ||||||||||
Colorado Interstate Gas Co., LLC/Colorado Interstate Issuing Corp., Senior Notes |
4.150 | % | 8/15/26 | 2,000,000 | 1,940,716 | (b)(c) | ||||||||||
Energy Transfer Equity LP, Senior Secured Notes |
5.500 | % | 6/1/27 | 1,105,000 | 1,126,050 | (b) |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc. 2018 Annual Report | 9 |
Schedule of investments (contd)
October 31, 2018
BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc.
Security | Rate | Maturity Date |
Face Amount |
Value | ||||||||||||
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels continued |
||||||||||||||||
Range Resources Corp., Senior Notes |
5.000 | % | 8/15/22 | 1,060,000 | $ | 1,045,425 | (b) | |||||||||
Total Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels |
10,094,218 | |||||||||||||||
Total Energy |
11,476,258 | |||||||||||||||
Financials 17.0% | ||||||||||||||||
Banks 9.7% |
||||||||||||||||
Bank of America Corp., Subordinated Notes |
7.750 | % | 5/14/38 | 10,345,000 | 13,577,331 | (b) | ||||||||||
CIT Group Inc., Senior Notes |
5.375 | % | 5/15/20 | 1,150,000 | 1,183,810 | (b) | ||||||||||
CIT Group Inc., Senior Notes |
4.125 | % | 3/9/21 | 585,000 | 585,000 | (b) | ||||||||||
CIT Group Inc., Senior Notes |
5.000 | % | 8/15/22 | 170,000 | 171,063 | (b) | ||||||||||
CIT Group Inc., Senior Notes |
5.000 | % | 8/1/23 | 615,000 | 618,075 | (b) | ||||||||||
Wells Fargo & Co., Subordinated Notes |
4.300 | % | 7/22/27 | 9,000,000 | 8,852,791 | (b) | ||||||||||
Total Banks |
24,988,070 | |||||||||||||||
Capital Markets 7.3% |
||||||||||||||||
Goldman Sachs Group Inc., Senior Notes |
3.625 | % | 1/22/23 | 5,000,000 | 4,943,540 | (b) | ||||||||||
Goldman Sachs Group Inc., Subordinated Notes |
6.750 | % | 10/1/37 | 12,000,000 | 14,030,954 | (b) | ||||||||||
Total Capital Markets |
18,974,494 | |||||||||||||||
Total Financials |
43,962,564 | |||||||||||||||
Health Care 4.8% | ||||||||||||||||
Health Care Providers & Services 4.8% |
||||||||||||||||
DaVita Inc., Senior Notes |
5.750 | % | 8/15/22 | 1,500,000 | 1,522,500 | (b) | ||||||||||
DaVita Inc., Senior Notes |
5.000 | % | 5/1/25 | 3,760,000 | 3,567,300 | (b) | ||||||||||
Encompass Health Corp., Senior Notes |
5.750 | % | 11/1/24 | 2,160,000 | 2,162,700 | (b) | ||||||||||
HCA Inc., Senior Secured Notes |
4.750 | % | 5/1/23 | 395,000 | 399,938 | (b) | ||||||||||
HCA Inc., Senior Secured Notes |
5.000 | % | 3/15/24 | 1,064,000 | 1,079,295 | (b) | ||||||||||
Tenet Healthcare Corp., Senior Secured Notes |
6.000 | % | 10/1/20 | 720,000 | 739,116 | (b) | ||||||||||
Tenet Healthcare Corp., Senior Secured Notes |
4.500 | % | 4/1/21 | 1,410,000 | 1,410,000 | (b) | ||||||||||
Tenet Healthcare Corp., Senior Secured Notes |
4.375 | % | 10/1/21 | 1,545,000 | 1,533,412 | (b) | ||||||||||
Total Health Care |
12,414,261 | |||||||||||||||
Industrials 1.3% | ||||||||||||||||
Aerospace & Defense 0.5% |
||||||||||||||||
Northrop Grumman Corp., Senior Notes |
3.250 | % | 8/1/23 | 1,236,000 | 1,210,726 | (b) | ||||||||||
Airlines 0.5% |
||||||||||||||||
Air Canada, Senior Notes |
7.750 | % | 4/15/21 | 1,280,000 | 1,375,872 | (b)(c) | ||||||||||
Road & Rail 0.3% |
||||||||||||||||
CSX Corp., Senior Notes |
3.800 | % | 11/1/46 | 1,000,000 | 865,083 | (b) | ||||||||||
Total Industrials |
3,451,681 |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
10 | BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc. 2018 Annual Report |
BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc.
Security | Rate | Maturity Date |
Face Amount |
Value | ||||||||||||
Information Technology 1.8% | ||||||||||||||||
IT Services 0.4% |
||||||||||||||||
First Data Corp., Senior Secured Notes |
5.000 | % | 1/15/24 | 1,035,000 | $ | 1,025,944 | (b)(c) | |||||||||
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 0.5% |
||||||||||||||||
Qorvo Inc., Senior Notes |
5.500 | % | 7/15/26 | 1,220,000 | 1,226,100 | (b)(c) | ||||||||||
Software 0.5% |
||||||||||||||||
Symantec Corp., Senior Notes |
5.000 | % | 4/15/25 | 1,555,000 | 1,466,587 | (b)(c) | ||||||||||
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals 0.4% |
||||||||||||||||
Dell International LLC/EMC Corp., Senior Secured Notes |
6.020 | % | 6/15/26 | 1,020,000 | 1,058,541 | (b)(c) | ||||||||||
Total Information Technology |
4,777,172 | |||||||||||||||
Materials 4.7% | ||||||||||||||||
Chemicals 1.9% |
||||||||||||||||
CF Industries Inc., Senior Notes |
4.950 | % | 6/1/43 | 4,000,000 | 3,395,000 | (b) | ||||||||||
W.R. Grace & Co., Senior Notes |
5.125 | % | 10/1/21 | 1,380,000 | 1,393,800 | (b)(c) | ||||||||||
Total Chemicals |
4,788,800 | |||||||||||||||
Containers & Packaging 1.0% |
||||||||||||||||
Reynolds Group Issuer Inc./Reynolds Group Issuer LLC/Reynolds Group Issuer, Senior Secured Notes |
5.125 | % | 7/15/23 | 1,505,000 | 1,473,019 | (b)(c) | ||||||||||
Sealed Air Corp., Senior Notes |
5.125 | % | 12/1/24 | 1,150,000 | 1,124,125 | (b)(c) | ||||||||||
Total Containers & Packaging |
2,597,144 | |||||||||||||||
Metals & Mining 1.5% |
||||||||||||||||
Allegheny Technologies Inc, Senior Notes |
5.950 | % | 1/15/21 | 1,800,000 | 1,813,500 | (b) | ||||||||||
Steel Dynamics Inc., Senior Notes |
5.125 | % | 10/1/21 | 2,150,000 | 2,163,437 | (b) | ||||||||||
Total Metals & Mining |
3,976,937 | |||||||||||||||
Paper & Forest Products 0.3% |
||||||||||||||||
Boise Cascade Co., Senior Notes |
5.625 | % | 9/1/24 | 800,000 | 790,000 | (b)(c) | ||||||||||
Total Materials |
12,152,881 | |||||||||||||||
Real Estate 2.9% | ||||||||||||||||
Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) 2.9% |
||||||||||||||||
Equinix Inc., Senior Notes |
5.375 | % | 4/1/23 | 1,265,000 | 1,290,300 | (b) | ||||||||||
GEO Group Inc., Senior Notes |
5.125 | % | 4/1/23 | 200,000 | 188,500 | (b) | ||||||||||
GEO Group Inc., Senior Notes |
6.000 | % | 4/15/26 | 610,000 | 560,438 | (b) | ||||||||||
Iron Mountain Inc., Senior Notes |
6.000 | % | 8/15/23 | 900,000 | 923,625 | (b) | ||||||||||
Iron Mountain Inc., Senior Notes |
5.250 | % | 3/15/28 | 1,135,000 | 1,024,337 | (b)(c) | ||||||||||
Iron Mountain US Holdings Inc., Senior Notes |
5.375 | % | 6/1/26 | 870,000 | 804,750 | (b)(c) | ||||||||||
SBA Communications Corp., Senior Notes |
4.875 | % | 7/15/22 | 2,810,000 | 2,792,437 | (b) | ||||||||||
Total Real Estate |
7,584,387 |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc. 2018 Annual Report | 11 |
Schedule of investments (contd)
October 31, 2018
BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc.
Security | Rate | Maturity Date |
Face Amount |
Value | ||||||||||||
Utilities 1.6% | ||||||||||||||||
Gas Utilities 0.2% |
||||||||||||||||
AmeriGas Partners LP/AmeriGas Finance Corp., Senior Notes |
5.875 | % | 8/20/26 | 625,000 | $ | 593,750 | (b) | |||||||||
Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers 1.4% |
|
|||||||||||||||
AES Corp., Senior Notes |
4.000 | % | 3/15/21 | 1,265,000 | 1,255,513 | (b) | ||||||||||
Clearway Energy Operating LLC, Senior Notes |
5.000 | % | 9/15/26 | 1,480,000 | 1,383,800 | (b) | ||||||||||
NRG Energy Inc., Senior Notes |
6.625 | % | 1/15/27 | 925,000 | 962,000 | (b) | ||||||||||
Total Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers |
|
3,601,313 | ||||||||||||||
Total Utilities |
4,195,063 | |||||||||||||||
Total Corporate Bonds & Notes (Cost $125,464,887) |
|
127,671,816 | ||||||||||||||
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (e) 25.0% | ||||||||||||||||
Alba PLC, 2007-1 (3 mo. GBP LIBOR + 0.290%) |
1.087 | % | 3/17/39 | 959,400 | GBP | 1,125,871 | (a)(d) | |||||||||
Banc of America Commercial Mortgage Trust, 2017-BNK3 XA, IO |
1.136 | % | 2/15/50 | 44,540,649 | 3,060,922 | (d) | ||||||||||
Bancaja 10 FTA, 2010 C (3 mo. Euribor + 0.500%) |
0.181 | % | 5/22/50 | 500,000 | EUR | 463,312 | (a)(d) | |||||||||
Bancaja 7 FTA (3 mo. Euribor + 0.780%) |
0.461 | % | 11/25/36 | 2,459,649 | EUR | 2,638,209 | (a)(d) | |||||||||
Bancaja 7 FTA (3 mo. Euribor + 2.500%) |
2.181 | % | 11/25/36 | 1,029,888 | EUR | 1,173,888 | (a)(d) | |||||||||
Bancaja 9 Fondo de Titulizacion de Activos (3 mo. Euribor + 2.500%) |
2.181 | % | 9/25/43 | 800,000 | EUR | 821,459 | (a)(d) | |||||||||
BANK, 2017-BNK4 XA, IO |
1.445 | % | 5/15/50 | 4,759,334 | 408,260 | (d) | ||||||||||
Citigroup Commercial Mortgage Trust, 2014-GC19 D |
5.059 | % | 3/10/47 | 1,720,000 | 1,724,528 | (c)(d) | ||||||||||
Commercial Mortgage Trust, 2012-CR5 D |
4.320 | % | 12/10/45 | 700,000 | 681,455 | (c)(d) | ||||||||||
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. (FHLMC) Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, X1, IO |
1.192 | % | 7/25/26 | 42,791,676 | 3,161,167 | (d) | ||||||||||
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. (FHLMC) Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, X3, IO |
1.791 | % | 12/25/41 | 4,890,000 | 380,239 | (d) | ||||||||||
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. (FHLMC) Structured Agency Credit Risk Debt Notes, 2015-DNA2 M3 (1 mo. USD LIBOR + 3.900%) |
6.181 | % | 12/25/27 | 800,000 | 882,640 | (d) | ||||||||||
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. (FHLMC) Structured Agency Credit Risk Debt Notes, 2015-HQA1 M3 (1 mo. USD LIBOR + 4.700%) |
6.981 | % | 3/25/28 | 1,210,000 | 1,377,926 | (d) | ||||||||||
Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) CAS, 2015-C02, 2M2 (1 mo. USD LIBOR + 4.000%) |
6.281 | % | 5/25/25 | 894,084 | 964,616 | (d) | ||||||||||
Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) CAS, 2015-C03, 1M2 (1 mo. USD LIBOR + 5.000%) |
7.281 | % | 7/25/25 | 575,161 | 647,479 | (d) | ||||||||||
Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) CAS, 2016-C01 2M2 (1 mo. USD LIBOR + 6.950%) |
9.231 | % | 8/25/28 | 960,056 | 1,129,008 | (d) | ||||||||||
Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) CAS, 2016-C03 1M2 (1 mo. USD LIBOR + 5.300%) |
7.581 | % | 10/25/28 | 1,800,000 | 2,103,890 | (d) | ||||||||||
Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) CAS, 2016-C04, 1M2 (1 mo. USD LIBOR + 4.250%) |
6.531 | % | 1/25/29 | 2,500,000 | 2,809,392 | (d) |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
12 | BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc. 2018 Annual Report |
BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc.
Security | Rate | Maturity Date |
Face Amount |
Value | ||||||||||||
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (e) continued | ||||||||||||||||
Fondo de Titulizacion de Activos UCI 17 (3 mo. Euribor + 0.350%) |
0.031 | % | 12/17/49 | 1,500,000 | EUR | $ | 1,274,248 | (a)(d) | ||||||||
FREMF Mortgage Trust, 2011-K15 B |
4.948 | % | 8/25/44 | 4,000,000 | 4,146,012 | (c)(d) | ||||||||||
FREMF Mortgage Trust, 2015-K721 C |
3.390 | % | 7/25/22 | 1,760,000 | 1,671,137 | (c)(d) | ||||||||||
FREMF Mortgage Trust, 2015-K721 C |
3.565 | % | 11/25/47 | 2,330,000 | 2,223,968 | (c)(d) | ||||||||||
GS Mortgage Securities Trust, 2013-GC10 XA, IO |
1.520 | % | 2/10/46 | 15,967,644 | 844,037 | (d) | ||||||||||
JPMBB Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, 2013-C15 C |
5.105 | % | 11/15/45 | 400,000 | 418,227 | (d) | ||||||||||
JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, 2014-FRR1 B707 |
2.010 | % | 1/27/47 | 3,250,000 | 3,239,181 | (c) | ||||||||||
Morgan Stanley Bank of America Merrill Lynch Trust, 2013-C9 D |
4.127 | % | 5/15/46 | 700,000 | 653,018 | (c)(d) | ||||||||||
Newgate Funding PLC, 2006-3X CB (3 mo. Euribor + 0.450%) |
0.132 | % | 12/1/50 | 714,112 | EUR | 738,096 | (a)(d) | |||||||||
Paragon Mortgages PLC, 11X CB (3 mo. Euribor + 0.900%) |
0.582 | % | 10/15/41 | 3,189,645 | EUR | 3,465,730 | (a)(d) | |||||||||
Paragon Mortgages PLC, 13X C1B (3 mo. Euribor + 0.780%) |
0.462 | % | 1/15/39 | 6,000,000 | EUR | 6,485,620 | (a)(d) | |||||||||
RMAC Securities PLC (3 mo. GBP LIBOR + 0.270%) |
1.071 | % | 6/12/44 | 810,292 | GBP | 973,404 | (a)(d) | |||||||||
RMAC Securities PLC, 2006-NS1X, B1C (3 mo. Euribor + 0.880%) |
0.561 | % | 6/12/44 | 1,362,944 | EUR | 1,483,754 | (a)(d) | |||||||||
Rural Hipotecario IX FTA (3 mo. Euribor + 0.320%, 0.000% Floor) |
0.000 | % | 2/17/50 | 2,322,550 | EUR | 2,413,943 | (a)(d) | |||||||||
Sequoia Mortgage Trust, 2004-8, A2 (6 mo. USD LIBOR + 0.74%) |
3.254 | % | 9/20/34 | 1,102,838 | 1,100,055 | (d) | ||||||||||
TDA 24 FTA, 2024-A1 (3 mo. Euribor + 0.130%, 0.000% Floor) |
0.000 | % | 6/22/40 | 436,796 | EUR | 489,235 | (a)(d) | |||||||||
Thornburg Mortgage Securities Trust, 2004-2, A1 (1 mo. USD LIBOR + 0.620%) |
2.901 | % | 6/25/44 | 2,028,364 | 2,024,717 | (d) | ||||||||||
WaMu Mortgage Pass-Through Series Trust, 2004-AR5, A6 |
4.195 | % | 6/25/34 | 2,566,906 | 2,630,086 | (d) | ||||||||||
WF-RBS Commercial Mortgage Trust, 2012-C6 XA, IO |
2.080 | % | 4/15/45 | 30,682,416 | 1,599,787 | (c)(d) | ||||||||||
WF-RBS Commercial Mortgage Trust, 2013-C15 XA, IO |
0.448 | % | 8/15/46 | 78,150,366 | 1,362,184 | (d) | ||||||||||
Total Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (Cost $64,854,491) |
|
64,790,700 | ||||||||||||||
U.S. Government & Agency Obligations 12.9% | ||||||||||||||||
U.S. Government Obligations 12.9% |
||||||||||||||||
U.S. Treasury Bonds |
3.000 | % | 2/15/48 | 13,900,000 | 12,856,957 | (b) | ||||||||||
U.S. Treasury Notes |
2.750 | % | 2/15/28 | 21,160,000 | 20,480,979 | (b) | ||||||||||
Total U.S. Government & Agency Obligations (Cost $34,312,861) |
|
33,337,936 | ||||||||||||||
Asset-Backed Securities 5.1% | ||||||||||||||||
Asset Backed Securities Corp Home Equity Loan Trust, 2004-HE5 (1 mo. USD LIBOR + 0.900%) |
3.181 | % | 8/25/34 | 815,871 | 821,941 | (d) | ||||||||||
Carrington Mortgage Loan Trust, 2006-RFC1, A4 (1 mo. USD LIBOR + 0.240%) |
2.521 | % | 3/25/36 | 875,000 | 871,440 | (d) | ||||||||||
CWABS Revolving Home Equity Loan Trust, 2004-I, A (1 mo. USD LIBOR + 0.290%) |
2.570 | % | 2/15/34 | 2,272,911 | 2,254,906 | (d) |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc. 2018 Annual Report | 13 |
Schedule of investments (contd)
October 31, 2018
BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc.
Security | Rate | Maturity Date |
Face Amount |
Value | ||||||||||||
Asset-Backed Securities continued | ||||||||||||||||
FBR Securitization Trust, 2005-2, M2 (1 mo. USD LIBOR + 0.750%) |
3.031 | % | 9/25/35 | 2,235,000 | $ | 2,243,979 | (d) | |||||||||
JPMorgan Mortgage Acquisition Trust, 2007-CH3, A1B (1 mo. USD LIBOR + 0.320%) |
2.601 | % | 3/25/37 | 3,203,149 | 3,153,094 | (d) | ||||||||||
Park Place Securities Inc. Pass-Through Certificates, 2005-WHQ2, M2 (1 mo. USD LIBOR + 0.690%) |
2.971 | % | 5/25/35 | 1,685,259 | 1,692,760 | (d) | ||||||||||
Towd Point Mortgage Trust, 2018-5, A1A |
3.250 | % | 7/25/58 | 2,125,815 | 2,100,962 | (c)(d) | ||||||||||
Total Asset-Backed Securities (Cost $13,109,253) |
13,139,082 | |||||||||||||||
Senior Loans 0.9% | ||||||||||||||||
Communication Services 0.9% | ||||||||||||||||
Diversified Telecommunication Services 0.9% |
||||||||||||||||
Level 3 Financing Inc., 2024 Term Loan B |
| 2/22/24 | 2,355,000 | 2,359,416 | (f) | |||||||||||
Total Investments before Short-Term Investments (Cost $406,647,795) |
|
373,676,678 | ||||||||||||||
Shares | ||||||||||||||||
Short-Term Investments 12.3% | ||||||||||||||||
JPMorgan U.S. Government Money Market Fund, Institutional Class (Cost $31,946,643) |
2.022 | % | 31,946,643 | 31,946,643 | ||||||||||||
Total Investments 156.6% (Cost $438,594,438) |
405,623,321 | |||||||||||||||
Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Stock, at Liquidation Value (19.3)% |
|
(50,000,000 | ) | |||||||||||||
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets (37.3)% |
(96,669,773 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Total Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders 100.0% |
|
$ | 258,953,548 |
| Face amount denominated in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise noted. |
(a) | Security is exempt from registration under Regulation S of the Securities Act of 1933. Regulation S applies to securities offerings that are made outside of the United States and do not involve direct selling efforts in the United States. This security has been deemed liquid pursuant to guidelines approved by the Board of Directors. |
(b) | All or a portion of this security is pledged as collateral pursuant to the loan agreement (Note 5). |
(c) | Security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. This security may be resold in transactions that are exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. This security has been deemed liquid pursuant to guidelines approved by the Board of Directors. |
(d) | Variable rate security. Interest rate disclosed is as of the most recent information available. Certain variable rate securities are not based on a published reference rate and spread but are determined by the issuer or agent and are based on current market conditions. These securities do not indicate a reference rate and spread in their description above. |
(e) | Collateralized mortgage obligations are secured by an underlying pool of mortgages or mortgage pass-through certificates that are structured to direct payments on underlying collateral to different series or classes of the obligations. The interest rate may change positively or inversely in relation to one or more interest rates, financial indices or other financial indicators and may be subject to an upper and/or lower limit. |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
14 | BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc. 2018 Annual Report |
BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc.
(f) | All or a portion of this loan is unfunded as of October 31, 2018. The interest rate for fully unfunded term loans is to be determined. |
Abbreviations used in this schedule: | ||
BRL | Brazilian Real | |
CAS | Connecticut Avenue Securities | |
EUR | Euro | |
Euribor | Euro Interbank Offered Rate | |
FHLMC | Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation | |
FNMA | Federal National Mortgage Association | |
GBP | British Pound | |
IDR | Indonesian Rupiah | |
INR | Indian Rupee | |
IO | Interest Only | |
LIBOR | London Interbank Offered Rate | |
MXN | Mexican Peso | |
USD | United States Dollar | |
ZAR | South African Rand |
At October 31, 2018, the Fund had the following open forward foreign currency contracts:
Currency Purchased |
Currency Sold |
Counterparty | Settlement Date |
Unrealized (Depreciation) |
||||||||||||||||
USD | 8,503,270 | BRL | 35,110,000 | HSBC Bank USA, N.A. | 11/8/18 | $ | (921,150) | |||||||||||||
USD | 9,054,278 | BRL | 33,930,000 | HSBC Bank USA, N.A. | 11/8/18 | (53,400) | ||||||||||||||
USD | 10,566,837 | BRL | 42,410,000 | HSBC Bank USA, N.A. | 11/8/18 | (817,089) | ||||||||||||||
USD | 15,360,086 | JPY | 1,730,000,000 | Citibank N.A. | 11/13/18 | 13,775 | ||||||||||||||
USD | 15,460,370 | JPY | 1,730,000,000 | Citibank N.A. | 11/13/18 | 114,059 | ||||||||||||||
JPY | 1,410,000,000 | USD | 12,820,536 | Goldman Sachs Group Inc. | 11/13/18 | (312,849) | ||||||||||||||
USD | 6,945,034 | JPY | 785,000,000 | Goldman Sachs Group Inc. | 11/13/18 | (18,465) | ||||||||||||||
USD | 8,298,711 | JPY | 945,000,000 | Goldman Sachs Group Inc. | 11/13/18 | (84,100) | ||||||||||||||
JPY | 1,410,000,000 | USD | 12,870,248 | HSBC Bank USA, N.A. | 11/13/18 | (362,561) | ||||||||||||||
JPY | 2,370,000,000 | USD | 21,489,387 | JPMorgan Chase & Co. | 11/13/18 | (465,828) | ||||||||||||||
USD | 2,396,377 | EUR | 2,100,000 | Barclays Bank PLC | 12/11/18 | 9,229 | ||||||||||||||
EUR | 7,400,000 | USD | 8,677,321 | Goldman Sachs Group Inc. | 12/11/18 | (265,465) | ||||||||||||||
USD | 5,329,991 | EUR | 4,590,000 | Goldman Sachs Group Inc. | 12/11/18 | 112,367 | ||||||||||||||
USD | 7,054,138 | EUR | 6,100,000 | Goldman Sachs Group Inc. | 12/11/18 | 120,040 | ||||||||||||||
EUR | 240,000 | USD | 277,452 | HSBC Bank USA, N.A. | 12/11/18 | (4,635) | ||||||||||||||
EUR | 5,140,000 | USD | 6,015,548 | JPMorgan Chase & Co. | 12/11/18 | (172,718) | ||||||||||||||
EUR | 5,570,000 | USD | 6,374,948 | JPMorgan Chase & Co. | 12/11/18 | (43,322) | ||||||||||||||
USD | 1,773,998 | EUR | 1,550,000 | JPMorgan Chase & Co. | 12/11/18 | 12,056 | ||||||||||||||
USD | 12,429,433 | EUR | 10,860,000 | JPMorgan Chase & Co. | 12/11/18 | 84,466 | ||||||||||||||
USD | 25,637,136 | EUR | 22,400,000 | JPMorgan Chase & Co. | 12/11/18 | 174,221 | ||||||||||||||
EUR | 3,300,000 | USD | 3,821,840 | National Australia Bank Ltd. | 12/11/18 | (70,607) |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc. 2018 Annual Report | 15 |
Schedule of investments (contd)
October 31, 2018
BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc.
Currency Purchased |
Currency Sold |
Counterparty | Settlement Date |
Unrealized (Depreciation) |
||||||||||||||||
NZD | 12,800,000 | USD | 8,536,845 | HSBC Bank USA, N.A. | 12/12/18 | $ | (180,485) | |||||||||||||
NZD | 12,800,000 | USD | 8,570,253 | JPMorgan Chase & Co. | 12/12/18 | (213,893) | ||||||||||||||
USD | 9,671,520 | INR | 714,000,000 | Barclays Bank PLC | 12/14/18 | 67,136 | ||||||||||||||
GBP | 2,360,000 | USD | 3,112,647 | Barclays Bank PLC | 12/18/18 | (88,550) | ||||||||||||||
GBP | 2,880,000 | USD | 3,788,150 | Citibank N.A. | 12/18/18 | (97,728) | ||||||||||||||
USD | 2,038,761 | GBP | 1,550,000 | Citibank N.A. | 12/18/18 | 52,596 | ||||||||||||||
USD | 2,314,981 | GBP | 1,760,000 | Citibank N.A. | 12/18/18 | 59,722 | ||||||||||||||
USD | 6,825,626 | GBP | 5,240,000 | HSBC Bank USA, N.A. | 12/18/18 | 111,106 | ||||||||||||||
USD | 2,371,025 | ZAR | 35,300,000 | Citibank N.A. | 1/11/19 | (91) | ||||||||||||||
ZAR | 35,300,000 | USD | 2,472,073 | HSBC Bank USA, N.A. | 1/11/19 | (100,957) | ||||||||||||||
USD | 9,208,731 | MXN | 178,200,000 | Goldman Sachs Group Inc. | 1/15/19 | 546,232 | ||||||||||||||
MXN | 178,200,000 | USD | 9,385,715 | HSBC Bank USA, N.A. | 1/15/19 | (723,216) | ||||||||||||||
MXN | 47,100,000 | USD | 2,475,404 | JPMorgan Chase & Co. | 1/15/19 | (185,820) | ||||||||||||||
TRY | 15,010,000 | USD | 2,528,681 | HSBC Bank USA, N.A. | 1/17/19 | 33,698 | ||||||||||||||
TRY | 15,210,000 | USD | 2,479,662 | HSBC Bank USA, N.A. | 1/17/19 | 116,859 | ||||||||||||||
BRL | 9,330,000 | USD | 2,499,665 | Barclays Bank PLC | 1/18/19 | (9,495) | ||||||||||||||
BRL | 9,340,000 | USD | 2,507,383 | Barclays Bank PLC | 1/18/19 | (14,544) | ||||||||||||||
USD | 19,064,888 | IDR | 294,400,000,000 | JPMorgan Chase & Co. | 1/25/19 | (71,456) | ||||||||||||||
Total |
|
$ | (3,650,862) |
Abbreviations used in this table: | ||
BRL | Brazilian Real | |
EUR | Euro | |
GBP | British Pound | |
IDR | Indonesian Rupiah | |
INR | Indian Rupee | |
JPY | Japanese Yen | |
MXN | Mexican Peso | |
NZD | New Zealand Dollar | |
TRY | Turkish Lira | |
USD | United States Dollar | |
ZAR | South African Rand |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
16 | BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc. 2018 Annual Report |
BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc.
At October 31, 2018, the Fund had the following open swap contracts:
OTC CREDIT DEFAULT SWAPS ON CORPORATE ISSUES SELL PROTECTION1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Swap Counterparty (Reference Entity) |
Notional Amount2 |
Termination Date |
Implied Credit Spread at October 31, 20183 |
Periodic Payments Received by the Fund |
Market Value |
Upfront Premiums Paid (Received) |
Unrealized Appreciation |
|||||||||||||||||||
Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. (Dell Inc., 7.100%, due 4/15/28) | $ | 815,000 | 6/20/22 | 1.48% | 1.000% quarterly | $ | (13,255) | $ | (46,197) | $ | 32,942 | |||||||||||||||
Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. (Dell Inc., 7.100%, due 4/15/28) | 1,210,000 | 6/20/22 | 1.48% | 1.000% quarterly | (19,681) | (68,632) | 48,951 | |||||||||||||||||||
Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. (Dell Inc., 7.100%, due 4/15/28) | 950,000 | 12/20/22 | 1.75% | 1.000% quarterly | (26,946) | (33,903) | 6,957 | |||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 2,975,000 | $ | (59,882) | $ | (148,732) | $ | 88,850 |
CENTRALLY CLEARED CREDIT DEFAULT SWAPS ON CREDIT INDICES SELL PROTECTION1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Reference Entity | Notional Amount2* |
Termination Date |
Periodic Payments Received by the Fund |
Market Value4 |
Upfront Premiums Paid (Received) |
Unrealized Depreciation |
||||||||||||||||
Markit CDX.NA.HY.30 Index | 46,100,000 | 6/20/23 | 5.000% quarterly | $ | 2,766,461 | $ | 3,294,242 | $ | (527,781) | |||||||||||||
Markit CDX.NA.HY.31 Index | 18,100,000 | 12/20/23 | 5.000% quarterly | 953,979 | 1,337,664 | (383,685) | ||||||||||||||||
Markit ITRX EUR XOVER | 9,545,000 | EUR | 12/20/23 | 5.000% quarterly | 999,847 | 1,224,361 | (224,514) | |||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 4,720,287 | $ | 5,856,267 | $ | (1,135,980) |
1 | If the Fund is a seller of protection and a credit event occurs, as defined under the terms of that particular swap agreement, the Fund will either (i) pay to the buyer of protection an amount equal to the notional amount of the swap and take delivery of the referenced obligation or underlying securities comprising the referenced index or (ii) pay a net settlement amount in the form of cash or securities equal to the notional amount of the swap less the recovery value of the referenced obligation or underlying securities comprising the referenced index. |
2 | The maximum potential amount the Fund could be required to pay as a seller of credit protection or receive as a buyer of credit protection if a credit event occurs as defined under the terms of that particular swap agreement. |
3 | Implied credit spreads, utilized in determining the market value of credit default swap agreements on corporate or sovereign issues as of period end, serve as an indicator of the current status of the payment/performance risk and represent the likelihood or risk of default for the credit derivative. The implied credit spread of a particular referenced entity reflects the cost of buying/selling protection and may include upfront payments required to be made to enter into the agreement. Wider credit spreads represent a deterioration of the referenced entitys credit soundness and a greater likelihood or risk of default or other credit event occurring as defined under the terms of the agreement. A credit spread identified as Defaulted indicates a credit event has occurred for the referenced entity or obligation. |
4 | The quoted market prices and resulting values for credit default swap agreements on asset-backed securities and credit indices serve as an indicator of the current status of the payment/performance risk and represent the likelihood of an expected loss (or profit) for the credit derivative had the notional amount of the swap agreement been closed/sold as of the period end. Decreasing market values (sell protection) or increasing market values (buy protection) when compared to the |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc. 2018 Annual Report | 17 |
Schedule of investments (contd)
October 31, 2018
BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc.
notional amount of the swap, represent a deterioration of the referenced entitys credit soundness and a greater likelihood or risk of default or other credit event occurring as defined under the terms of the agreement. |
| Percentage shown is an annual percentage rate. |
* | Notional amount denominated is U.S. dollars, unless otherwise noted. |
Abbreviation used in this table: | ||
EUR | Euro |
Summary of Investments by Country** (unaudited) | ||||
United States | 52.0 | % | ||
Brazil | 11.4 | |||
Mexico | 6.5 | |||
Indonesia | 6.4 | |||
India | 4.3 | |||
United Kingdom | 4.3 | |||
South Africa | 3.3 | |||
Spain | 2.3 | |||
France | 1.3 | |||
Canada | 0.3 | |||
Short-Term Investments | 7.9 | |||
100.0 | % |
** | As a percentage of total investments. Please note that the Fund holdings are as of October 31, 2018 and are subject to change. |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
18 | BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc. 2018 Annual Report |
Statement of assets and liabilities
October 31, 2018
Assets: | ||||
Investments, at value (Cost $438,594,438) |
$ | 405,623,321 | ||
Foreign currency, at value (Cost $180) |
175 | |||
Interest receivable |
6,225,960 | |||
Deposits with brokers for centrally cleared swap contracts |
3,108,912 | |||
Deposits with brokers for OTC derivatives |
1,950,000 | |||
Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency contracts |
1,627,562 | |||
Receivable from broker variation margin on centrally cleared swaps |
636,315 | |||
Foreign currency collateral for centrally cleared swaps, at value (Cost $580,419) |
567,992 | |||
Receivable for open OTC swap contracts |
3,471 | |||
Prepaid expenses |
25,937 | |||
Total Assets |
419,769,645 | |||
Liabilities: | ||||
Loan payable (Note 5) |
100,000,000 | |||
Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Stock ($100,000 liquidation value per share; 500 shares issued and outstanding) (net of deferred offering costs of $250,884) (Note 6) |
49,749,116 | |||
Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency contracts |
5,278,424 | |||
Payable for securities purchased |
3,081,621 | |||
Distributions payable to Common Shareholders |
1,607,415 | |||
Distributions payable to Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Stockholders |
355,628 | |||
Investment management fee payable |
263,544 | |||
Interest payable |
97,803 | |||
OTC swaps, at value (premiums received $148,732) |
59,882 | |||
Accrued foreign capital gains tax |
9,459 | |||
Directors fees payable |
8,161 | |||
Accrued expenses |
305,044 | |||
Total Liabilities |
160,816,097 | |||
Total Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders | $ | 258,953,548 | ||
Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders: | ||||
Common stock par value ($0.001 par value; 20,989,795 shares issued and outstanding; 100,000,000 common shares authorized) |
$ | 20,990 | ||
Paid-in capital in excess of par value |
325,389,353 | |||
Overdistributed net investment income |
(3,171,064) | |||
Accumulated net realized loss on investments, futures contracts, swap contracts, forward foreign currency contracts and foreign currency transactions |
(25,537,737) | |||
Net unrealized depreciation on investments, swap contracts, forward foreign currency contracts and foreign currencies |
(37,747,994) | | ||
Total Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders | $ | 258,953,548 | ||
Common Shares Outstanding | 20,989,795 | |||
Net Asset Value Per Common Share | $12.34 |
| Net of accrued foreign capital gains tax of $9,459. |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc. 2018 Annual Report | 19 |
For the Year Ended October 31, 2018
Investment Income: | ||||
Interest |
$ | 27,330,281 | ||
Less: Foreign taxes withheld |
(831,645) | |||
Total Investment Income |
26,498,636 | |||
Expenses: | ||||
Investment management fee (Note 2) |
3,825,854 | |||
Interest expense (Note 5) |
2,650,748 | |||
Distributions to Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Stockholders (Notes 1 and 6) |
1,674,000 | |||
Custody fees |
273,000 | |||
Amortization of preferred stock offering costs (Note 6) |
156,337 | |||
Directors fees |
79,499 | |||
Transfer agent fees |
78,951 | |||
Audit and tax fees |
69,341 | |||
Legal fees |
62,452 | |||
Fund accounting fees |
53,120 | |||
Shareholder reports |
28,404 | |||
Rating agency fees |
19,172 | |||
Stock exchange listing fees |
12,501 | |||
Insurance |
5,556 | |||
Miscellaneous expenses |
43,712 | |||
Total Expenses |
9,032,647 | |||
Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements (Note 2) |
(409,561) | |||
Net Expenses |
8,623,086 | |||
Net Investment Income | 17,875,550 | |||
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments, Futures Contracts, Swap Contracts, Forward Foreign Currency Contracts and Foreign Currency Transactions (Notes 1, 3 and 4): |
||||
Net Realized Gain (Loss) From: |
||||
Investment transactions |
(16,035,472) | | ||
Futures contracts |
(1,881,694) | |||
Swap contracts |
685,280 | |||
Forward foreign currency contracts |
2,092,218 | |||
Foreign currency transactions |
(1,164,965) | |||
Net Realized Loss |
(16,304,633) | |||
Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) From: |
||||
Investments |
(31,851,850) | | ||
Futures contracts |
38,702 | |||
Swap contracts |
(1,362,667) | |||
Forward foreign currency contracts |
(2,057,477) | |||
Foreign currencies |
143,636 | |||
Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) |
(35,089,656) | |||
Net Loss on Investments, Futures Contracts, Swap Contracts, Forward Foreign Currency Contracts and Foreign Currency Transactions | (51,394,289) | |||
Decrease in Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders From Operations | $ | (33,518,739) |
| Net of foreign capital gains tax of $82,916. |
| Net of change in accrued foreign capital gains tax of $190,071. |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
20 | BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc. 2018 Annual Report |
Statements of changes in net assets
For the Years Ended October 31, | 2018 | 2017 | ||||||
Operations: | ||||||||
Net investment income |
$ | 17,875,550 | $ | 21,778,017 | ||||
Net realized loss |
(16,304,633) | (41,318,129) | ||||||
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) |
(35,089,656) | 38,452,117 | ||||||
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders From Operations |
(33,518,739) | 18,912,005 | ||||||
Distributions to Common Shareholders From (Note 1): | ||||||||
Net investment income |
(6,998,240) | (1,890,777) | ||||||
Return of capital |
(12,553,754) | (20,778,202) | ||||||
Decrease in Net Assets From Distributions to Common Shareholders |
(19,551,994) | (22,668,979) | ||||||
Decrease in Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders |
(53,070,733) | (3,756,974) | ||||||
Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders: | ||||||||
Beginning of year |
312,024,281 | 315,781,255 | ||||||
End of year* |
$ | 258,953,548 | $ | 312,024,281 | ||||
*Includes overdistributed net investment income of: |
$(3,171,064) | $(2,479,150) |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc. 2018 Annual Report | 21 |
For the Year Ended October 31, 2018
Increase (Decrease) in Cash: | ||||
Cash Provided (Used) by Operating Activities: | ||||
Net decrease in net assets applicable to common shareholders resulting from operations |
$ | (33,518,739) | ||
Adjustments to reconcile net decrease in net assets resulting from operations |
||||
Purchases of portfolio securities |
(202,541,230) | |||
Sales of portfolio securities |
216,580,683 | |||
Net purchases, sales and maturities of short-term investments |
13,198,822 | |||
Net amortization of premium (accretion of discount) |
1,577,406 | |||
Decrease in receivable for securities sold |
3,718,498 | |||
Decrease in Interest receivable |
1,988,632 | |||
Decrease in receivable from broker variation margin on centrally cleared swap contracts |
450,864 | |||
Decrease in prepaid expenses |
982 | |||
Decrease in receivable for open OTC swap contracts |
16,742 | |||
Increase in premiums received for OTC swap contracts |
(357,154) | |||
Increase in premiums paid for OTC swap contracts |
215,194 | |||
Increase in payable for securities purchased |
3,081,621 | |||
Decrease in investment management fee payable |
(96,899) | |||
Increase in Directors fee payable |
1,231 | |||
Increase in interest payable |
20,051 | |||
Increase in accrued expenses |
129,894 | |||
Decrease in payable to broker variation margin on open futures contracts |
(38,683) | |||
Net realized loss on investments |
16,035,472 | |||
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments, OTC swap contracts and forward foreign currency contracts |
34,141,762 | |||
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities* |
54,605,149 | |||
Cash Flows From Financing Activities: | ||||
Distributions paid on common stock |
(19,835,356) | |||
Proceeds from loan facility borrowings |
10,000,000 | |||
Repayment of loan facility borrowings |
(41,500,000) | |||
Increase in foreign currency collateral overdraft |
(2,636) | |||
Decrease in deferred preferred stock offering costs |
156,336 | |||
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities |
(51,181,656) | |||
Net Decrease in Cash and Restricted Cash | 3,423,493 | |||
Cash and restricted cash at beginning of year |
2,203,586 | |||
Cash and restricted cash at end of year |
$ | 5,627,079 |
* | Included in operating expenses is cash of $2,630,248 paid for interest on borrowings. |
The following table provides a reconciliation of cash and restricted cash reported within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities that sums to the total of such amounts shown on the Statement of Cash Flows. |
October 31, 2018 | ||||
Cash | $ | 175 | ||
Restricted cash | 5,626,904 | |||
Total cash and restricted cash shown in the Statement of Cash Flows | $ | 5,627,079 |
Restricted cash consists of cash that has been segregated to cover the Funds collateral or margin obligations under derivative contracts. It is separately reported on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as Deposits with brokers. |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
22 | BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc. 2018 Annual Report |
For a common share of capital stock outstanding throughout each year ended October 31: | ||||||||||||||||||||
20181 | 20171 | 20161 | 20151 | 20141 | ||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of year | $14.87 | $15.04 | $15.08 | $19.93 | $19.76 | |||||||||||||||
Income (loss) from operations: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income |
0.85 | 1.04 | 0.92 | 1.09 | 1.43 | |||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) |
(2.45) | (0.13) | 0.33 | (4.04) | 0.52 | |||||||||||||||
Total income (loss) from operations |
(1.60) | 0.91 | 1.25 | (2.95) | 1.95 | |||||||||||||||
Less distributions to common shareholders from: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income |
(0.33) | (0.09) | (0.77) | (1.03) | (1.04) | |||||||||||||||
Net realized gains |
| | | (0.87) | (0.74) | |||||||||||||||
Return of capital |
(0.60) | (0.99) | (0.53) | | | |||||||||||||||
Total distributions to common shareholders |
(0.93) | (1.08) | (1.30) | (1.90) | (1.78) | |||||||||||||||
Anti-dilutive impact of repurchase plan |
| | 0.01 | 2 | | | ||||||||||||||
Net asset value, end of year | $12.34 | $14.87 | $15.04 | $15.08 | $19.93 | |||||||||||||||
Market price, end of year | $10.29 | $13.00 | $12.94 | $12.56 | $17.32 | |||||||||||||||
Total return, based on NAV3,4 |
(11.30) | % | 6.36 | % | 9.18 | % | (15.64) | % | 10.39 | % | ||||||||||
Total return, based on Market Price5 |
(14.46) | % | 9.24 | % | 14.53 | % | (17.68) | % | 10.24 | % | ||||||||||
Net assets applicable to common shareholders, end of year (millions) | $259 | $312 | $316 | $318 | $420 | |||||||||||||||
Ratios to average net assets: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Gross expenses |
3.06 | % | 2.76 | % | 2.83 | % | 2.45 | % | 1.74 | % | ||||||||||
Net expenses |
2.92 | 6 | 2.76 | 2.83 | 2.45 | 1.74 | ||||||||||||||
Net investment income |
6.06 | 7.03 | 6.30 | 6.16 | 7.15 | |||||||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate | 52 | % | 78 | % | 67 | % | 25 | % | 62 | % | ||||||||||
Supplemental data: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Loan Outstanding, End of Year (000s) |
$100,000 | $131,500 | $132,300 | $132,300 | $132,300 | |||||||||||||||
Asset Coverage Ratio for Loan Outstanding7 |
409 | % | 375 | % | 376 | % | 378 | % | 418 | % | ||||||||||
Asset Coverage, per $1,000 Principal Amount of Loan Outstanding7 |
$4,090 | $3,753 | $3,765 | $3,781 | $4,175 | 8 | ||||||||||||||
Weighted Average Loan (000s) |
$104,914 | $121,606 | $132,300 | $132,300 | $145,365 | |||||||||||||||
Weighted Average Interest Rate on Loan |
2.53 | % | 1.67 | % | 1.10 | % | 0.84 | % | 0.81 | % | ||||||||||
Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Stock at Liquidation Value, End of Year (000s) |
$50,000 | $50,000 | $50,000 | $50,000 | | |||||||||||||||
Asset Coverage Ratio for Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Stock9 |
273 | % | 272 | % | 273 | % | 274 | % | | |||||||||||
Asset Coverage, per $100,000 Liquidation Value per Share of Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Stock9 |
$272,636 | $271,914 | $273,221 | $274,363 | |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc. 2018 Annual Report | 23 |
Financial highlights (contd)
1 | Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares method. |
2 | The repurchase plan was completed at an average repurchase price of $13.41 for 86,958 shares and $1,165,853 for the year ended October 31, 2016. |
3 | The total return calculation assumes that distributions are reinvested at NAV. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. |
4 | Performance figures may reflect compensating balance arrangements, fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. In the absence of compensating balance arrangements, fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, the total return would have been lower. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. |
5 | The total return calculation assumes that distributions are reinvested in accordance with the Funds dividend reinvestment plan. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. |
6 | Reflects fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. |
7 | Represents value of net assets plus the loan outstanding and mandatory redeemable preferred stock at the end of the period divided by the loan outstanding at the end of the period. |
8 | Added to conform to current period presentation. |
9 | Represents value of net assets plus the loan outstanding and mandatory redeemable preferred stock at the end of the period divided by the loan and mandatory redeemable preferred stock outstanding at the end of the period. |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
24 | BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc. 2018 Annual Report |
1. Organization and significant accounting policies
BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc. (formerly Legg Mason BW Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc.) (the Fund) was incorporated in Maryland on October 27, 2010 and is registered as a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act). The Funds primary investment objective is to provide current income. As a secondary investment objective, the Fund will seek capital appreciation. There can be no assurance the Fund will achieve its investment objectives.
The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objectives by investing, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its assets in global fixed income securities.
The following are significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund and are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Estimates and assumptions are required to be made regarding assets, liabilities and changes in net assets resulting from operations when financial statements are prepared. Changes in the economic environment, financial markets and any other parameters used in determining these estimates could cause actual results to differ. Subsequent events have been evaluated through the date the financial statements were issued.
(a) Investment valuation. The valuations for fixed income securities (which may include, but are not limited to, corporate, government, municipal, mortgage-backed, collateralized mortgage obligations and asset-backed securities) and certain derivative instruments are typically the prices supplied by independent third party pricing services, which may use market prices or broker/dealer quotations or a variety of valuation techniques and methodologies. The independent third party pricing services use inputs that are observable such as issuer details, interest rates, yield curves, prepayment speeds, credit risks/spreads, default rates and quoted prices for similar securities. Prior to December 1, 2017, short-term fixed income securities that would mature in 60 days or less were valued at amortized cost, unless it was determined that using this method would not reflect an investments fair value. Investments in open-end funds are valued at the closing net asset value per share of each fund on the day of valuation. Futures contracts are valued daily at the settlement price established by the board of trade or exchange on which they are traded. Equity securities for which market quotations are available are valued at the last reported sales price or official closing price on the primary market or exchange on which they trade. When the Fund holds securities or other assets that are denominated in a foreign currency, the Fund will normally use the currency exchange rates as of 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time). If independent third party pricing services are unable to supply prices for a portfolio investment, or if the prices supplied are deemed by the manager to be unreliable, the market price may be determined by the manager using quotations from one or more broker/dealers or at the transaction price if the security has recently been purchased and no value has yet been obtained from a pricing service or pricing broker. When reliable prices are not readily available, such as when the value of a security has been significantly affected by events after the close of the exchange or market on which the security is principally traded, but before
BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc. 2018 Annual Report | 25 |
Notes to financial statements (contd)
the Fund calculates its net asset value, the Fund values these securities as determined in accordance with procedures approved by the Funds Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors is responsible for the valuation process and has delegated the supervision of the daily valuation process to the Legg Mason North Atlantic Fund Valuation Committee (the Valuation Committee). The Valuation Committee, pursuant to the policies adopted by the Board of Directors, is responsible for making fair value determinations, evaluating the effectiveness of the Funds pricing policies, and reporting to the Board of Directors. When determining the reliability of third party pricing information for investments owned by the Fund, the Valuation Committee, among other things, conducts due diligence reviews of pricing vendors, monitors the daily change in prices and reviews transactions among market participants.
The Valuation Committee will consider pricing methodologies it deems relevant and appropriate when making fair value determinations. Examples of possible methodologies include, but are not limited to, multiple of earnings; discount from market of a similar freely traded security; discounted cash-flow analysis; book value or a multiple thereof; risk premium/yield analysis; yield to maturity; and/or fundamental investment analysis. The Valuation Committee will also consider factors it deems relevant and appropriate in light of the facts and circumstances. Examples of possible factors include, but are not limited to, the type of security; the issuers financial statements; the purchase price of the security; the discount from market value of unrestricted securities of the same class at the time of purchase; analysts research and observations from financial institutions; information regarding any transactions or offers with respect to the security; the existence of merger proposals or tender offers affecting the security; the price and extent of public trading in similar securities of the issuer or comparable companies; and the existence of a shelf registration for restricted securities.
For each portfolio security that has been fair valued pursuant to the policies adopted by the Board of Directors, the fair value price is compared against the last available and next available market quotations. The Valuation Committee reviews the results of such back testing monthly and fair valuation occurrences are reported to the Board of Directors quarterly.
The Fund uses valuation techniques to measure fair value that are consistent with the market approach and/or income approach, depending on the type of security and the particular circumstance. The market approach uses prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable securities. The income approach uses valuation techniques to discount estimated future cash flows to present value.
26 | BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc. 2018 Annual Report |
GAAP establishes a disclosure hierarchy that categorizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to value assets and liabilities at measurement date. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:
| Level 1 quoted prices in active markets for identical investments |
| Level 2 other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.) |
| Level 3 significant unobservable inputs (including the Funds own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) |
The inputs or methodologies used to value securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
The following is a summary of the inputs used in valuing the Funds assets and liabilities carried at fair value:
ASSETS | ||||||||||||||||
Description | Quoted Prices (Level 1) |
Other Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2) |
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) |
Total | ||||||||||||
Long-term investments: | ||||||||||||||||
Sovereign bonds |
| $ | 132,377,728 | | $ | 132,377,728 | ||||||||||
Corporate bonds & notes |
| 127,671,816 | | 127,671,816 | ||||||||||||
Collateralized mortgage obligations |
| 64,790,700 | | 64,790,700 | ||||||||||||
U.S. government & agency obligations |
| 33,337,936 | | 33,337,936 | ||||||||||||
Asset-backed securities |
| 13,139,082 | | 13,139,082 | ||||||||||||
Senior loans |
| 2,359,416 | | 2,359,416 | ||||||||||||
Total long-term investments | | 373,676,678 | | 373,676,678 | ||||||||||||
Short-term investments | $ | 31,946,643 | | | 31,946,643 | |||||||||||
Total investments | $ | 31,946,643 | $ | 373,676,678 | | $ | 405,623,321 | |||||||||
Other financial instruments: | ||||||||||||||||
Forward foreign currency contracts |
| $ | 1,627,562 | | $ | 1,627,562 | ||||||||||
Total | $ | 31,946,643 | $ | 375,304,240 | | $ | 407,250,883 | |||||||||
LIABILITIES | ||||||||||||||||
Description | Quoted Prices (Level 1) |
Other Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2) |
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) |
Total | ||||||||||||
Other financial instruments: | ||||||||||||||||
Forward foreign currency contracts |
| $ | 5,278,424 | | $ | 5,278,424 | ||||||||||
OTC credit default swaps on corporate issues sell protection |
| 59,882 | | 59,882 | ||||||||||||
Centrally cleared credit default swaps on credit indices sell protection |
| 1,135,980 | | 1,135,980 | ||||||||||||
Total | | $ | 6,474,286 | | $ | 6,474,286 |
| See Schedule of Investments for additional detailed categorizations. |
| Value includes any premium paid or received with respect to swap contracts. |
BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc. 2018 Annual Report | 27 |
Notes to financial statements (contd)
(b) Futures contracts. The Fund uses futures contracts generally to gain exposure to, or hedge against, changes in interest rates or gain exposure to, or hedge against, changes in certain asset classes. A futures contract represents a commitment for the future purchase or sale of an asset at a specified price on a specified date.
Upon entering into a futures contract, the Fund is required to deposit cash or cash equivalents with a broker in an amount equal to a certain percentage of the contract amount. This is known as the initial margin and subsequent payments (variation margin) are made or received by the Fund each day, depending on the daily fluctuation in the value of the contract. For certain futures, including foreign denominated futures, variation margin is not settled daily, but is recorded as a net variation margin payable or receivable. The daily changes in contract value are recorded as unrealized gains or losses in the Statement of Operations and the Fund recognizes a realized gain or loss when the contract is closed.
Futures contracts involve, to varying degrees, risk of loss in excess of the amounts reflected in the financial statements. In addition, there is the risk that the Fund may not be able to enter into a closing transaction because of an illiquid secondary market.
(c) Forward foreign currency contracts. The Fund enters into a forward foreign currency contract to hedge against foreign currency exchange rate risk on its non-U.S. dollar denominated securities or to facilitate settlement of a foreign currency denominated portfolio transaction. A forward foreign currency contract is an agreement between two parties to buy and sell a currency at a set price with delivery and settlement at a future date. The contract is marked-to-market daily and the change in value is recorded by the Fund as an unrealized gain or loss. When a forward foreign currency contract is closed, through either delivery or offset by entering into another forward foreign currency contract, the Fund recognizes a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the value of the contract at the time it is closed.
Non-deliverable forward foreign currency exchange contracts are settled with the counterparty in cash without the delivery of foreign currency.
Forward foreign currency contracts involve elements of market risk in excess of the amounts reflected on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The Fund bears the risk of an unfavorable change in the foreign exchange rate underlying the forward foreign currency contract. Risks may also arise upon entering into these contracts from the potential inability of the counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts.
(d) Swap agreements. The Fund invests in swaps for the purpose of managing its exposure to interest rate, credit or market risk, or for other purposes. The use of swaps involves risks that are different from those associated with other portfolio transactions. Swap agreements are privately negotiated in the over-the-counter market and may be entered into as a bilateral contract (OTC Swaps) or centrally cleared (Centrally Cleared Swaps). Unlike Centrally Cleared Swaps, the Fund has credit exposure to the counterparties of OTC Swaps.
28 | BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc. 2018 Annual Report |
In a Centrally Cleared Swap, immediately following execution of the swap, the swap agreement is submitted to a clearinghouse or central counterparty (the CCP) and the CCP becomes the ultimate counterparty of the swap agreement. The Fund is required to interface with the CCP through a broker, acting in an agency capacity. All payments are settled with the CCP through the broker. Upon entering into a Centrally Cleared Swap, the Fund is required to deposit initial margin with the broker in the form of cash or securities.
Swap contracts are marked-to-market daily and changes in value are recorded as unrealized appreciation (depreciation). The daily change in valuation of Centrally Cleared Swaps, if any, is recorded as a receivable or payable for variation margin on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Gains or losses are realized upon termination of the swap agreement. Collateral, in the form of restricted cash or securities, may be required to be held in segregated accounts with the Funds custodian in compliance with the terms of the swap contracts. Securities posted as collateral for swap contracts are identified in the Schedule of Investments and restricted cash, if any, is identified on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Risks may exceed amounts recorded in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. These risks include changes in the returns of the underlying instruments, failure of the counterparties to perform under the contracts terms, and the possible lack of liquidity with respect to the swap agreements.
OTC swap payments received or made at the beginning of the measurement period are reflected as a premium or deposit, respectively, on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. These upfront payments are amortized over the life of the swap and are recognized as realized gain or loss in the Statement of Operations. Net periodic payments received or paid by the Fund are recognized as a realized gain or loss in the Statement of Operations.
The Funds maximum exposure in the event of a defined credit event on a credit default swap to sell protection is the notional amount. As of October 31, 2018, the total notional value of all credit default swaps to sell protection was $73,745,000. This amount would be offset by the value of the swaps reference entity, upfront premiums received on the swap and any amounts received from the settlement of the credit default swap where the Fund bought protection for the same referenced security/entity.
For average notional amounts of swaps held during the year ended October 31, 2018, see Note 4.
Credit default swaps
The Fund enters into credit default swap (CDS) contracts for investment purposes, to manage its credit risk or to add leverage. CDS agreements involve one party making a stream of payments to another party in exchange for the right to receive a specified return in the event of a default by a third party, typically corporate or sovereign issuers, on a specified obligation, or in the event of a write-down, principal shortfall, interest shortfall or default of all or part of the referenced entities comprising a credit index. The Fund may use a CDS to provide protection against defaults of the issuers (i.e., to reduce risk where the Fund has exposure to an issuer) or to take an active long or short position with respect to
BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc. 2018 Annual Report | 29 |
Notes to financial statements (contd)
the likelihood of a particular issuers default. As a seller of protection, the Fund generally receives an upfront payment or a stream of payments throughout the term of the swap provided that there is no credit event. If the Fund is a seller of protection and a credit event occurs, as defined under the terms of that particular swap agreement, the maximum potential amount of future payments (undiscounted) that the Fund could be required to make under a credit default swap agreement would be an amount equal to the notional amount of the agreement. These amounts of potential payments will be partially offset by any recovery of values from the respective referenced obligations. As a seller of protection, the Fund effectively adds leverage to its portfolio because, in addition to its total net assets, the Fund is subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap. As a buyer of protection, the Fund generally receives an amount up to the notional value of the swap if a credit event occurs.
Implied spreads are the theoretical prices a lender receives for credit default protection. When spreads rise, market perceived credit risk rises and when spreads fall, market perceived credit risk falls. The implied credit spread of a particular referenced entity reflects the cost of buying/selling protection and may include upfront payments required to enter into the agreement. Wider credit spreads and decreasing market values, when compared to the notional amount of the swap, represent a deterioration of the referenced entitys credit soundness and a greater likelihood or risk of default or other credit event occurring as defined under the terms of the agreement. Credit spreads utilized in determining the period end market value of credit default swap agreements on corporate or sovereign issues are disclosed in the Schedule of Investments and serve as an indicator of the current status of the payment/performance risk and represent the likelihood or risk of default for credit derivatives. For credit default swap agreements on asset-backed securities and credit indices, the quoted market prices and resulting values, particularly in relation to the notional amount of the contract as well as the annual payment rate, serve as an indication of the current status of the payment/performance risk.
The Funds maximum risk of loss from counterparty risk, as the protection buyer, is the fair value of the contract (this risk is mitigated by the posting of collateral by the counterparty to the Fund to cover the Funds exposure to the counterparty). As the protection seller, the Funds maximum risk is the notional amount of the contract. Credit default swaps are considered to have credit risk-related contingent features since they require payment by the protection seller to the protection buyer upon the occurrence of a defined credit event.
Entering into a CDS agreement involves, to varying degrees, elements of credit, market and documentation risk in excess of the related amounts recognized on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Such risks involve the possibility that there will be no liquid market for these agreements, that the counterparty to the agreement may default on its obligation to perform or disagree as to the meaning of the contractual terms in the agreement, and that there will be unfavorable changes in net interest rates.
(e) Loan participations. The Fund may invest in loans arranged through private negotiation between one or more financial institutions. The Funds investment in any such loan may
30 | BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc. 2018 Annual Report |
be in the form of a participation in or an assignment of the loan. In connection with purchasing participations, the Fund generally will have no right to enforce compliance by the borrower with the terms of the loan agreement related to the loan, or any rights of off-set against the borrower and the Fund may not benefit directly from any collateral supporting the loan in which it has purchased the participation.
The Fund assumes the credit risk of the borrower, the lender that is selling the participation and any other persons interpositioned between the Fund and the borrower. In the event of the insolvency of the lender selling the participation, the Fund may be treated as a general creditor of the lender and may not benefit from any off-set between the lender and the borrower.
(f) Unfunded loan commitments. The Fund may enter into certain credit agreements where all or a portion of which may be unfunded. The Fund is obligated to fund these commitments at a borrowers discretion. The commitments are disclosed in the accompanying Schedule of Investments. At October 31, 2018, the Fund had sufficient cash and/or securities to cover these commitments.
(g) Stripped securities. The Fund may invest in Stripped Securities, a term used collectively for components, or strips, of fixed income securities. Stripped Securities can be principal only securities (PO), which are debt obligations that have been stripped of unmatured interest coupons, or interest only securities (IO), which are unmatured interest coupons that have been stripped from debt obligations. The market value of Stripped Securities will fluctuate in response to changes in economic conditions, rates of pre-payment, interest rates and the markets perception of the securities. However, fluctuations in response to interest rates may be greater in Stripped Securities than for debt obligations of comparable maturities that pay interest currently. The amount of fluctuation may increase with a longer period of maturity.
The yield to maturity on IOs is sensitive to the rate of principal repayments (including prepayments) on the related underlying debt obligation and principal payments may have a
material effect on yield to maturity. If the underlying debt obligation experiences greater than anticipated prepayments of principal, the Fund may not fully recoup its initial investment in IOs.
(h) Cash flow information. The Fund invests in securities and distributes dividends from net investment income and net realized gains, which are paid in cash and may be reinvested at the discretion of shareholders. These activities are reported in the Statement of Changes in Net Assets and additional information on cash receipts and cash payments are presented in the Statement of Cash Flows.
(i) Foreign currency translation. Investment securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollar amounts based upon prevailing exchange rates on the date of valuation. Purchases and sales of investment securities and income and expense items denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollar amounts based upon prevailing exchange rates on the respective dates of such transactions.
BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc. 2018 Annual Report | 31 |
Notes to financial statements (contd)
The Fund does not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from fluctuations in foreign exchange rates on investments from the fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included with the net realized and unrealized gain or loss on investments.
Net realized foreign exchange gains or losses arise from sales of foreign currencies, including gains and losses on forward foreign currency contracts, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest, and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Funds books and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from changes in the values of assets and liabilities, other than investments in securities, on the date of valuation, resulting from changes in exchange rates.
Foreign security and currency transactions may involve certain considerations and risks not typically associated with those of U.S. dollar denominated transactions as a result of, among other factors, the possibility of lower levels of governmental supervision and regulation of foreign securities markets and the possibility of political or economic instability.
(j) Credit and market risk. The Fund invests in high-yield and emerging market instruments that are subject to certain credit and market risks. The yields of high-yield and emerging market debt obligations reflect, among other things, perceived credit and market risks. The Funds investments in securities rated below investment grade typically involve risks not associated with higher rated securities including, among others, greater risk related to timely and ultimate payment of interest and principal, greater market price volatility and less liquid secondary market trading. The consequences of political, social, economic or diplomatic changes may have disruptive effects on the market prices of investments held by the Fund. The Funds investments in non-U.S. dollar denominated securities may also result in foreign currency losses caused by devaluations and exchange rate fluctuations.
Investments in securities that are collateralized by real estate mortgages are subject to certain credit and liquidity risks. When market conditions result in an increase in default rates of the underlying mortgages and the foreclosure values of underlying real estate properties are materially below the outstanding amount of these underlying mortgages, collection of the full amount of accrued interest and principal on these investments may be doubtful. Such market conditions may significantly impair the value and liquidity of these investments and may result in a lack of correlation between their credit ratings and values.
(k) Foreign investment risks. The Funds investments in foreign securities may involve risks not present in domestic investments. Since securities may be denominated in foreign currencies, may require settlement in foreign currencies or pay interest or dividends in foreign currencies, changes in the relationship of these foreign currencies to the U.S. dollar can significantly affect the value of the investments and earnings of the Fund. Foreign investments may also subject the Fund to foreign government exchange restrictions,
32 | BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc. 2018 Annual Report |
expropriation, taxation or other political, social or economic developments, all of which affect the market and/or credit risk of the investments.
(l) Counterparty risk and credit-risk-related contingent features of derivative instruments. The Fund may invest in certain securities or engage in other transactions, where the Fund is exposed to counterparty credit risk in addition to broader market risks. The Fund may invest in securities of issuers, which may also be considered counterparties as trading partners in other transactions. This may increase the risk of loss in the event of default or bankruptcy by the counterparty or if the counterparty otherwise fails to meet its contractual obligations. The Funds subadviser attempts to mitigate counterparty risk by (i) periodically assessing the creditworthiness of its trading partners, (ii) monitoring and/or limiting the amount of its net exposure to each individual counterparty based on its assessment and (iii) requiring collateral from the counterparty for certain transactions. Market events and changes in overall economic conditions may impact the assessment of such counterparty risk by the subadviser. In addition, declines in the values of underlying collateral received may expose the Fund to increased risk of loss.
With exchange traded and centrally cleared derivatives, there is less counterparty risk to the Fund since the exchange or clearinghouse, as counterparty to such instruments, guarantees against a possible default. The clearinghouse stands between the buyer and the seller of the contract; therefore, the credit risk is limited to failure of the clearinghouse. While offset rights may exist under applicable law, the Fund does not have a contractual right of offset against a clearing broker or clearinghouse in the event of a default of the clearing broker or clearinghouse.
The Fund has entered into master agreements, such as an International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreement (ISDA Master Agreement) or similar agreement, with certain of its derivative counterparties that govern over-the-counter derivatives and provide for general obligations, representations, agreements, collateral posting terms, netting provisions in the event of default or termination and credit related contingent features. The credit related contingent features include, but are not limited to, a percentage decrease in the Funds net assets or NAV over a specified period of time. If these credit related contingent features were triggered, the derivatives counterparty could terminate the positions and demand payment or require additional collateral.
Under an ISDA Master Agreement, the Fund may, under certain circumstances, offset with the counterparty certain derivative financial instruments payables and/or receivables with collateral held and/or posted and create one single net payment. However, absent an event of default by the counterparty or a termination of the agreement, the terms of the ISDA Master Agreements do not result in an offset of reported amounts of financial assets and financial liabilities in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities across transactions between the Fund and the applicable counterparty. The enforceability of the right to offset may vary by jurisdiction.
Collateral requirements differ by type of derivative. Collateral or margin requirements are set by the broker or exchange clearinghouse for exchange traded derivatives while
BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc. 2018 Annual Report | 33 |
Notes to financial statements (contd)
collateral terms are contract specific for over-the-counter traded derivatives. Cash collateral that has been pledged to cover obligations of the Fund under derivative contracts, if any, will be reported separately in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Securities pledged as collateral, if any, for the same purpose are noted in the Schedule of Investments.
As of October 31, 2018, the Fund held forward foreign currency contracts and OTC Credit Default Swaps with credit related contingent features which had a liability position of $5,338,306. If a contingent feature in the master agreements would have been triggered, the Fund would have been required to pay this amount to its derivative counterparties. As of October 31, 2018, the Fund had posted with its counterparties cash and/or securities as collateral to cover the net liability of these derivatives amounting to $1,950,000 which could be used to reduce the required payment.
(m) Security transactions and investment income. Security transactions are accounted for on a trade date basis. Interest income (including interest income from payment-in-kind securities), adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion of discount, is recorded on the accrual basis. Paydown gains and losses on mortgage- and asset-backed securities are recorded as adjustments to interest income. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date for dividends received in cash and/or securities. Foreign dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date or as soon as practicable after the Fund determines the existence of a dividend declaration after exercising reasonable due diligence. The cost of investments sold is determined by use of the specific identification method. To the extent any issuer defaults or a credit event occurs that impacts the issuer, the Fund may halt any additional interest income accruals and consider the realizability of interest accrued up to the date of default or credit event.
(n) Distributions to shareholders. Distributions to common shareholders from net investment income of the Fund, if any, are declared quarterly and paid on a monthly basis. The actual source of the Funds monthly distributions may be from net investment income, return of capital or a combination of both. Common shareholders will be informed of the tax characteristics of the distributions after the close of the fiscal year. Distributions to common shareholders of net realized gains, if any, are declared at least annually. Pursuant to its Managed Distribution Policy, adopted by the Fund in August 2012, the Fund intends to make regular monthly distributions to common shareholders at a fixed rate per common share, which rate may be adjusted from time to time by the Funds Board of Directors. Under the Funds Managed Distribution Policy, if, for any monthly distribution, the value of the Funds net investment income and net realized capital gain is less than the amount of the distribution, the difference will be distributed from the Funds net assets (and may constitute a return of capital). The Board of Directors may modify, terminate or suspend the Managed Distribution Policy at any time, including when certain events would make part of the return of capital taxable to common shareholders. Any such modification, termination or suspension could have an adverse effect on the market price of the Funds shares. Distributions to common shareholders of the Fund are recorded on the ex-dividend date and are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP.
34 | BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc. 2018 Annual Report |
Distributions to holders of Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Stock (MRPS) are accrued on a daily basis as described in Note 6 and are treated as an operating expense as required by GAAP. For tax purposes, the payments made to the holders of the Funds MRPS are treated as dividends or distributions. The character of distributions to MRPS holders made during the year may differ from their ultimate characterization for federal income tax purposes.
(o) Compensating balance arrangements. The Fund has an arrangement with its custodian bank whereby a portion of the custodians fees is paid indirectly by credits earned on the Funds cash on deposit with the bank.
(p) Federal and other taxes. It is the Funds policy to comply with the federal income and excise tax requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the Code), as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies. Accordingly, the Fund intends to distribute its taxable income and net realized gains, if any, to shareholders in accordance with timing requirements imposed by the Code. Therefore, no federal or state income tax provision is required in the Funds financial statements.
Management has analyzed the Funds tax positions taken on income tax returns for all open tax years and has concluded that as of October 31, 2018, no provision for income tax is required in the Funds financial statements. The Funds federal and state income and federal excise tax returns for tax years for which the applicable statutes of limitations have not expired are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and state departments of revenue.
Under the applicable foreign tax laws, a withholding tax may be imposed on interest, dividends and capital gains at various rates. Realized gains upon disposition of securities issued in or by certain foreign countries are subject to capital gains tax imposed by those countries. As of October 31, 2018, there were $9,459 of capital gains tax liabilities accrued on unrealized gains.
(q) Reclassification. GAAP requires that certain components of net assets be reclassified to reflect permanent differences between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset value per share. During the current year, the following reclassifications have been made:
Overdistributed Net Investment Income |
Accumulated Net Realized Loss |
Paid-in Capital |
||||||||||
(a) | $ | 156,337 | | $ | (156,337) | |||||||
(b) | (11,725,561) | $ | 11,553,494 | 172,067 |
(a) | Reclassifications are due to book/tax differences in the treatment of non-deductible offering costs. |
(b) | Reclassifications are due to foreign currency transactions treated as ordinary income for tax purposes, book/tax differences in the treatment of swap contracts, book/tax differences in the treatment of partnership investments, losses from mortgage backed securities treated as capital losses for tax purposes and other book/tax adjustments. |
2. Investment management agreement and other transactions with affiliates
Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (LMPFA) is the Funds investment manager and Brandywine Global Investment Management, LLC (Brandywine Global) is the Funds
BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc. 2018 Annual Report | 35 |
Notes to financial statements (contd)
subadviser. LMPFA and Brandywine Global are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Legg Mason, Inc. (Legg Mason).
LMPFA provides administrative and certain oversight services to the Fund. The Fund pays an investment management fee, calculated daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.85% of the Funds average daily managed assets. Managed assets means net assets plus the amount of any borrowing and assets attributable to any preferred stock that may be outstanding. LMPFA delegates to Brandywine Global the day-to-day portfolio management of the Fund. For its services, LMPFA pays Brandywine Global monthly 70% of the net management fee it receives from the Fund.
During periods in which the Fund utilizes financial leverage, the fees paid to LMPFA will be higher than if the Fund did not utilize leverage because the fees are calculated as a percentage of the Funds assets, including those investments purchased with leverage.
Effective December 1, 2017, LMPFA implemented a voluntary investment management fee waiver of 0.10% that will continue through November 30, 2019.
During the year ended October 31, 2018, fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed amounted to $409,561.
All officers and one Director of the Fund are employees of Legg Mason or its affiliates and do not receive compensation from the Fund.
3. Investments
During the year ended October 31, 2018, the aggregate cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investments (excluding short-term investments) and U.S. Government & Agency Obligations were as follows:
Investments | U.S. Government & Agency Obligations |
|||||||
Purchases | $ | 147,779,950 | $ | 54,761,280 | ||||
Sales | 146,525,428 | 70,055,255 |
At October 31, 2018, the aggregate cost of investments and the aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of investments for federal income tax purposes were as follows:
Cost/Premiums Paid (Received) |
Gross Unrealized Appreciation |
Gross Unrealized Depreciation |
Net Unrealized Depreciation |
|||||||||||||
Securities | $ | 439,760,617 | $ | 5,274,152 | $ | (39,411,448) | $ | (34,137,296) | ||||||||
Swap contracts | 5,707,535 | 88,850 | (1,135,980) | (1,047,130) | ||||||||||||
Forward foreign currency contracts | | 1,627,562 | (5,278,424) | (3,650,862) |
36 | BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc. 2018 Annual Report |
4. Derivative instruments and hedging activities
Below is a table, grouped by derivative type, that provides information about the fair value and the location of derivatives within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities at October 31, 2018.
ASSET DERIVATIVES1 | ||||
Foreign Exchange Risk |
||||
Forward foreign currency contracts | $ | 1,627,562 |
LIABILITY DERIVATIVES1 | ||||||||||||
Foreign Exchange Risk |
Credit Risk | Total | ||||||||||
OTC swap contracts2 | | $ | 59,882 | $ | 59,882 | |||||||
Centrally cleared swap contracts3 | | 1,135,980 | 1,135,980 | |||||||||
Forward foreign currency contracts | $ | 5,278,424 | | 5,278,424 | ||||||||
Total | $ | 5,278,424 | $ | 1,195,862 | $ | 6,474,286 |
1 | Generally, the balance sheet location for asset derivatives is receivables/net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and for liability derivatives is payables/net unrealized appreciation (depreciation). |
2 | Values include premiums paid (received) on swap contracts which are shown separately in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. |
3 | Includes cumulative appreciation (depreciation) of centrally cleared swap contracts as reported in the Schedule of Investments. Only variation margin is reported within the receivables and/or payables on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. |
The following tables provide information about the effect of derivatives and hedging activities on the Funds Statement of Operations for the year ended October 31, 2018. The first table provides additional detail about the amounts and sources of gains (losses) realized on derivatives during the period. The second table provides additional information about the change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) resulting from the Funds derivatives and hedging activities during the period.
AMOUNT OF REALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON DERIVATIVES RECOGNIZED | ||||||||||||||||
Interest Rate Risk |
Foreign Exchange Risk |
Credit Risk | Total | |||||||||||||
Futures contracts | $ | (1,881,694) | | | $ | (1,881,694) | ||||||||||
Swap contracts | | | $ | 685,280 | 685,280 | |||||||||||
Forward foreign currency contracts | | $ | 2,092,218 | | 2,092,218 | |||||||||||
Total | $ | (1,881,694) | $ | 2,092,218 | $ | 685,280 | $ | 895,804 |
CHANGE IN UNREALIZED APPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) ON DERIVATIVES RECOGNIZED | ||||||||||||||||
Interest Rate Risk |
Foreign Exchange Risk |
Credit Risk | Total | |||||||||||||
Futures contracts | $ | 38,702 | | | $ | 38,702 | ||||||||||
Swap contracts | | | $ | (1,362,667) | (1,362,667) | |||||||||||
Forward foreign currency contracts | | $ | (2,057,477) | | (2,057,477) | |||||||||||
Total | $ | 38,702 | $ | (2,057,477) | $ | (1,362,667) | $ | (3,381,442) |
BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc. 2018 Annual Report | 37 |
Notes to financial statements (contd)
During the year ended October 31, 2018, the volume of derivative activity for the Fund was as follows:
Average Market Value |
||||
Futures contracts (to buy) | $ | 25,438,038 | ||
Futures contracts (to sell) | 4,260,448 | |||
Forward foreign currency contracts (to buy) | 118,254,607 | |||
Forward foreign currency contracts (to sell) | 126,849,277 | |||
Average Notional Balance |
||||
Credit default swap contracts (to sell protection) | $ | 30,310,000 |
| At October 31, 2018, there were no open positions held in this derivative. |
The following table presents the Funds OTC derivative assets and liabilities by counterparty net of amounts available for offset under an ISDA Master Agreement and net of the related collateral pledged (received) by the Fund as of October 31, 2018.
Counterparty | Gross Assets Subject to Master Agreements1 |
Gross Liabilities Subject to Master Agreements1 |
Net Assets (Liabilities) Subject to Master Agreements |
Collateral Pledged (Received)2,3 |
Net Amount4,5 |
|||||||||||||||
Barclays Bank PLC | $ | 76,365 | $ | (112,589) | $ | (36,224) | | $ | (36,224) | |||||||||||
Citibank N.A. | 240,152 | (97,819) | 142,333 | | 142,333 | |||||||||||||||
Goldman Sachs Group Inc. | 778,639 | (680,879) | 97,760 | | 97,760 | |||||||||||||||
HSBC Bank USA, N.A. | 261,663 | (3,163,493) | (2,901,830) | $ | 1,940,000 | (961,830) | ||||||||||||||
JPMorgan Chase & Co. | 270,743 | (1,153,037) | (882,294) | 10,000 | (872,294) | |||||||||||||||
Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. | | (59,882) | (59,882) | | (59,882) | |||||||||||||||
National Australia Bank Ltd. | | (70,607) | (70,607) | | (70,607) | |||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 1,627,562 | $ | (5,338,306) | $ | (3,710,744) | $ | 1,950,000 | $ | (1,760,744) |
1 | Absent an event of default or early termination, derivative assets and liabilities are presented gross and not offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. |
2 | Gross amounts are not offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. |
3 | In some instances, the actual collateral received and/or pledged may be more than the amount shown here due to overcollateralization. |
4 | Represents the net amount receivable (payable) from (to) the counterparty in the event of default. |
5 | Net amount may also include forward foreign currency exchange contracts that are not required to be collateralized. |
5. Loan
The Fund has a revolving credit agreement with Pershing LLC, which allows the Fund to borrow up to an aggregate amount of $200,000,000, subject to approval by Pershing LLC, and renews daily for a 180-day term unless notice to the contrary is given to the Fund. The interest on the loan is calculated at a variable rate based on the one-month LIBOR plus any applicable margin. To the extent of the borrowing outstanding, the Fund is required to maintain collateral in a special custody account at the Funds custodian on behalf of the lender. The Funds credit agreement contains customary covenants that, among other things, may
38 | BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc. 2018 Annual Report |
limit the Funds ability to pay distributions in certain circumstances, incur additional debt, change its fundamental investment policies and engage in certain transactions, including mergers and consolidations, and require asset coverage ratios in addition to those required by the 1940 Act. In addition, the credit agreement may be subject to early termination under certain conditions and may contain other provisions that could limit the Funds ability to utilize borrowing under the agreement. Interest expense related to this loan for the year ended October 31, 2018 was $2,650,299. For the year ended October 31, 2018, the average daily loan balance was $104,913,699 and the weighted average interest rate was 2.53%. At October 31, 2018, the Fund had $100,000,000 of borrowings outstanding subject to the terms of this credit agreement.
6. Mandatory redeemable preferred stock
On February 18, 2015, the Fund completed a private placement of $50,000,000 fixed rate Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Stock (MRPS). Net proceeds from the offering were used to make new portfolio investments and for general corporate purposes. Offering costs incurred by the Fund in connection with the MRPS issuance are being amortized to expense over the respective life of each series of MRPS.
The table below summarizes the key terms of each series of the MRPS at October 31, 2018.
Series | Term Redemption Date |
Rate | Shares | Liquidation Preference Per Share |
Aggregate Liquidation Value |
Estimated Fair Value |
||||||||||||||||||
Series A | 2/18/2020 | 3.29% | 400 | $ | 100,000 | $ | 40,000,000 | $ | 39,516,195 | |||||||||||||||
Series B | 2/18/2022 | 3.58% | 100 | $ | 100,000 | $ | 10,000,000 | $ | 9,659,921 | |||||||||||||||
$ | 50,000,000 | $ | 49,176,116 |
The MRPS are not listed on any exchange or automated quotation system. The estimated fair value of the MRPS was calculated, for disclosure purposes, based on estimated market yields and credit spreads for comparable instruments with similar maturity, terms and structure. The MRPS are categorized as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy.
Holders of MRPS are entitled to receive quarterly cumulative cash dividends payable on the first business day following each quarterly dividend date (February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15). In the event of a rating downgrade of any series of the MRPS below A by Fitch Ratings Inc., the applicable dividend rate will increase, according to a predetermined schedule, by 0.5% to 4.0%.
The MRPS rank senior to the Funds outstanding common stock and on parity with any other preferred stock. The Fund may, at its option, redeem the MRPS, in whole or in part, at the liquidation preference amount plus all accumulated but unpaid dividends plus the makewhole amount equal to the discounted value of the remaining scheduled payments. If the Fund fails to maintain a total leverage (debt and preferred stock) asset coverage ratio of at least 225% or is in default of specified rating agency requirements, the MRPS are subject to mandatory redemption under certain provisions.
BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc. 2018 Annual Report | 39 |
Notes to financial statements (contd)
The Fund may not declare dividends or make other distributions on shares of its common stock unless the Fund has declared and paid full cumulative dividends on the MRPS, due on or prior to the date of the common stock dividend or distribution, and meets the MRPS asset coverage and rating agency requirements.
The holders of the MRPS have one vote per share and vote together with the holders of common stock of the Fund as a single class except on matters affecting only the holders of MRPS or the holders of common stock. Pursuant to the 1940 Act, holders of the MRPS have the right to elect two Directors of the Fund, voting separately as a class.
7. Distributions subsequent to October 31, 2018
The following distributions to common shareholders have been declared by the Funds Board of Directors and are payable subsequent to the period end of this report:
Record Date | Payable Date | Amount | ||||||
10/19/2018 | 11/1/2018 | $ | 0.0765 | |||||
11/23/2018 | 12/3/2018 | $ | 0.0765 | |||||
12/21/2018 | 12/31/2018 | $ | 0.0615 | |||||
1/18/2019 | 2/1/2019 | $ | 0.0615 | |||||
2/15/2019 | 3/1/2019 | $ | 0.0615 |
8. Stock repurchase program
On November 16, 2015, the Fund announced that the Funds Board of Directors (the Board) had authorized the Fund to repurchase in the open market up to approximately 10% of the Funds outstanding common stock when the Funds shares are trading at a discount to net asset value. The Board has directed management of the Fund to repurchase shares of common stock at such times and in such amounts as management reasonably believes may enhance stockholder value. The Fund is under no obligation to purchase shares at any specific discount levels or in any specific amounts. During the year ended October 31, 2018, the Fund did not repurchase any shares.
9. Income tax information and distributions to shareholders
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended October 31, was as follows:
2018 | 2017 | |||||||
Distributions paid from: | ||||||||
Ordinary income: | ||||||||
Common shareholders | $ | 6,998,240 | $ | 1,890,777 | ||||
Mandatory redeemable preferred shares | 1,674,000 | 355,628 | ||||||
Total taxable distributions | 8,672,240 | 2,246,405 | ||||||
Tax return of capital: | ||||||||
Common shareholders | $ | 12,553,754 | $ | 20,778,202 | ||||
Mandatory redeemable preferred shares | | 1,318,372 | ||||||
Total tax return of capital | 12,553,754 | 22,096,574 | ||||||
Total distributions paid | $ | 21,225,994 | $ | 24,342,979 |
40 | BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc. 2018 Annual Report |
As of October 31, 2018, the components of accumulated earnings (losses) on a tax basis were as follows:
Deferred capital losses* | $ | (29,085,175) | ||
Other book/tax temporary differences(a) | 1,542,553 | |||
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation)(b) | (38,914,173) | |||
Total accumulated earnings (losses) net | $ | (66,456,795) |
* | These capital losses have been deferred in the current year as either short-term or long-term losses. The losses will be deemed to occur on the first day of the next taxable year in the same character as they were originally deferred and will be available to offset future taxable capital gains. |
(a) | Other book/tax temporary differences are attributable to the realization for tax purposes of unrealized gains (losses) on certain foreign currency contracts, the difference between cash and accrual basis distributions paid and book/tax differences in the timing of the deductibility of various expenses. |
(b) | The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is attributable to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales. |
10. Recent accounting pronouncement
The Fund has adopted the disclosure provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Update 2016-18 (ASU 2016-18), Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) Restricted Cash. ASU 2016-18 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017. ASU 2016-18 requires that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. Prior to the issuance of ASU 2016-18, GAAP did not include specific guidance on the cash flow classification and presentation of changes in restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. Upon evaluation, the Fund has concluded that ASU 2016-18 does not materially impact the financial statement amounts; however, as required, additional or enhanced disclosure has been included.
BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc. 2018 Annual Report | 41 |
Report of independent registered public accounting firm
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of BrandywineGlobal Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc.
Opinion on the financial statements
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, of BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc. (formerly known as Legg Mason BW Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc.) (the Fund) as of October 31, 2018, the related statements of operations and cash flows for the year ended October 31, 2018 and the statement of changes in net assets and financial highlights for each of the two years in the period ended October 31, 2018, including the related notes (collectively referred to as the financial statements). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of October 31, 2018, the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended, and the changes in its net assets and financial highlights for each of the two years in the period ended October 31, 2018 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
The financial statements of the Fund as of and for the year ended October 31, 2016 and the financial highlights for each of the periods ended on or prior to October 31, 2016 (not presented herein, other than the financial highlights) were audited by other auditors whose report dated December 20, 2016 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements and financial highlights.
Basis for opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Funds management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Funds financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of October 31, 2018 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Baltimore, Maryland
December 19, 2018
We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies in Legg Mason investment company group since at least 1973. We have not determined the specific year we began serving as auditor.
42 | BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc. 2018 Annual Report |
Additional information (unaudited)
Information about Directors and Officers
The business and affairs of BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc. (the Fund) are conducted by management under the supervision and subject to the direction of its Board of Directors. The business address of each Director is c/o Jane Trust, Legg Mason, 100 International Drive, 11th Floor, Baltimore, Maryland 21202. Information pertaining to the Directors and officers of the Fund is set forth below.
The Funds annual proxy statement includes additional information about Directors and is available, without charge, upon request by calling the Fund at 1-888-777-0102.
Independent Directors | ||
Robert D. Agdern | ||
Year of birth | 1950 | |
Position(s) held with Fund1 | Director and Member of Nominating and Audit Committees, Class III | |
Term of office1 and length of time served | Since 2015 | |
Principal occupation(s) during past five years | Member of the Advisory Committee of the Dispute Resolution Research Center at the Kellogg Graduate School of Business, Northwestern University (2002 to 2016); formerly, Deputy General Counsel responsible for western hemisphere matters for BP PLC (1999 to 2001); formerly, Associate General Counsel at Amoco Corporation responsible for corporate, chemical, and refining and marketing matters and special assignments (1993 to 1998) (Amoco merged with British Petroleum in 1998 forming BP PLC). | |
Number of portfolios in fund complex overseen by Director (including the Fund) | 24 | |
Other board memberships held by Director during past five years | None | |
Carol L. Colman | ||
Year of birth | 1946 | |
Position(s) held with Fund1 | Director and Member of Nominating and Audit Committees, Class I | |
Term of office1 and length of time served | Since 2011 | |
Principal occupation(s) during past five years | President, Colman Consulting Company (consulting) | |
Number of portfolios in fund complex overseen by Director (including the Fund) | 24 | |
Other board memberships held by Director during past five years | None |
BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc. | 43 |
Additional information (unaudited) (contd)
Information about Directors and Officers
Independent Directors contd | ||
Daniel P. Cronin | ||
Year of birth | 1946 | |
Position(s) held with Fund1 | Director and Member of Nominating and Audit Committees, Class I | |
Term of office1 and length of time served | Since 2011 | |
Principal occupation(s) during past five years | Retired; formerly, Associate General Counsel, Pfizer Inc. (prior to and including 2004) | |
Number of portfolios in fund complex overseen by Director (including the Fund) | 24 | |
Other board memberships held by Director during past five years | None | |
Paolo M. Cucchi | ||
Year of birth | 1941 | |
Position(s) held with Fund1 | Director and Member of Nominating and Audit Committees, Class I | |
Term of office1 and length of time served | Since 2011 | |
Principal occupation(s) during past five years | Emeritus Professor of French and Italian (since 2014) and formerly, Vice President and Dean of The College of Liberal Arts (1984 to 2009) and Professor of French and Italian (2009 to 2014) at Drew University | |
Number of portfolios in fund complex overseen by Director (including the Fund) | 24 | |
Other board memberships held by Director during past five years | None | |
Leslie H. Gelb | ||
Year of birth | 1937 | |
Position(s) held with Fund1 | Director and Member of Nominating and Audit Committees, Class II | |
Term of office1 and length of time served | Since 2011 | |
Principal occupation(s) during past five years | Consultant and Lecturer; President Emeritus (since 2003); formerly, Senior Board Fellow (2003 to 2015) and President, (prior to 2003), the Council on Foreign Relations; formerly, Columnist, Deputy Editorial Page Editor and Editor, Op-Ed Page, The New York Times | |
Number of portfolios in fund complex overseen by Director (including the Fund) | 24 | |
Other board memberships held by Director during past five years | Director of two registered investment companies advised by Aberdeen Asset Management Asia Limited (since 1994); Trustee, Encyclopedia Brittanica; Director, Centre Partners IV and V, LP and Affiliates |
44 | BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc. |
Independent Directors contd | ||
William R. Hutchinson | ||
Year of birth | 1942 | |
Position(s) held with Fund1 | Director and Member of Nominating and Audit Committees, Class II | |
Term of office1 and length of time served | Since 2011 | |
Principal occupation(s) during past five years | President, W.R. Hutchinson & Associates Inc. (Consulting) (since 2001) | |
Number of portfolios in fund complex overseen by Director (including the Fund) | 24 | |
Other board memberships held by Director during past five years | Director (Non-Executive Chairman of the Board (since December 1, 2009)), Associated Banc Corp. (banking) (since 1994) | |
Eileen A. Kamerick | ||
Year of birth | 1958 | |
Position(s) held with Fund1 | Director and Member of Nominating and Audit Committees, Class III | |
Term of office1 and length of time served | Since 2013 | |
Principal occupation(s) during past five years | National Association of Corporate Directors Board Leadership Fellow and financial expert; The University of Chicago Law School (since 2018); Adjunct Professor, Washington University in St. Louis and University of Iowa law schools (since 2007); formerly, Senior Advisor to the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of ConnectWise, Inc. (software and services company) (2015 to 2016); Chief Financial Officer, Press Ganey Associates (health care informatics company) (2012 to 2014); Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer, Houlihan Lokey (international investment bank) and President, Houlihan Lokey Foundation (2010 to 2012) | |
Number of portfolios in fund complex overseen by Director (including the Fund) | 24 | |
Other board memberships held by Director during past five years | Trustee of AIG Funds and Anchor Series Trust (since 2018); Hochschild Mining plc (precious metals company) (since 2016); Director of Associated Banc-Corp (financial services company) (since 2007); Westell Technologies, Inc. (technology company) (2003 to 2016) | |
Riordan Roett | ||
Year of birth | 1938 | |
Position(s) held with Fund1 | Director and Member of Nominating and Audit Committees, Class III | |
Term of office1 and length of time served | Since 2011 | |
Principal occupation(s) during past five years | The Sarita and Don Johnston Professor of Political Science and Director of Latin American Studies, Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, The Johns Hopkins University (since 1973) | |
Number of portfolios in fund complex overseen by Director (including the Fund) | 24 | |
Other board memberships held by Director during past five years | None |
BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc. | 45 |
Additional information (unaudited) (contd)
Information about Directors and Officers
Interested Director and Officer | ||
Jane Trust, CFA2 | ||
Year of birth | 1962 | |
Position(s) held with Fund1 | Director, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Class II | |
Term of office1 and length of time served | Since 2015 | |
Principal occupation(s) during past five years | Senior Managing Director of Legg Mason & Co., LLC (Legg Mason & Co.) (since 2018); Managing Director of Legg Mason & Co. (2016 to 2018); Officer and/or Trustee/Director of 147 funds associated with Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (LMPFA) or its affiliates (since 2015); President and Chief Executive Officer of LMPFA (since 2015); formerly, Senior Vice President of LMPFA (2015); Director of ClearBridge, LLC (formerly, Legg Mason Capital Management, LLC) (2007 to 2014); Managing Director of Legg Mason Investment Counsel & Trust Co. (2000 to 2007) | |
Number of portfolios in fund complex overseen by Director (including the Fund) | 138 | |
Other board memberships held by Director during past five years | None | |
Additional Officers | ||
Todd F. Kuehl Legg Mason 100 International Drive, 9th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21202 | ||
Year of birth | 1969 | |
Position(s) held with Fund1 | Chief Compliance Officer | |
Term of office1 and length of time served | Since 2017 | |
Principal occupation(s) during past five years | Managing Director of Legg Mason & Co. (since 2011); Chief Compliance Officer of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (since 2006); formerly, Chief Compliance Officer of Legg Mason Private Portfolio Group (prior to 2010); formerly, Branch Chief, Division of Investment Management, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (2002 to 2006) | |
Jenna Bailey Legg Mason 100 First Stamford Place, 5th Floor, Stamford, CT 06902 | ||
Year of birth | 1978 | |
Position(s) held with Fund1 | Identity Theft Prevention Officer | |
Term of office1 and length of time served | Since 2015 | |
Principal occupation(s) during past five years | Identity Theft Prevention Officer of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (since 2015); Compliance Officer of Legg Mason & Co. (since 2013); Assistant Vice President of Legg Mason & Co. (since 2011); formerly, Associate Compliance Officer of Legg Mason & Co. (2011 to 2013) |
46 | BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc. |
Additional Officers contd | ||
Robert I. Frenkel Legg Mason 100 First Stamford Place, 6th Floor, Stamford, CT 06902 | ||
Year of birth | 1954 | |
Position(s) held with Fund1 | Secretary and Chief Legal Officer | |
Term of office1 and length of time served | Since 2011 | |
Principal occupation(s) during past five years | Vice President and Deputy General Counsel of Legg Mason (since 2006); Managing Director and General Counsel U.S. Mutual Funds for Legg Mason & Co. (since 2006) and Legg Mason & Co. predecessors (since 1994); Secretary and Chief Legal Officer of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (since 2006) and Legg Mason & Co. predecessors (prior to 2006) | |
Thomas C. Mandia Legg Mason 100 First Stamford Place, 6th Floor, Stamford, CT 06902 | ||
Year of birth | 1962 | |
Position(s) held with Fund1 | Assistant Secretary | |
Term of office1 and length of time served | Since 2011 | |
Principal occupation(s) during past five years | Managing Director and Deputy General Counsel of Legg Mason & Co. (since 2005) and Legg Mason & Co. predecessors (prior to 2005); Secretary of LMPFA (since 2006); Assistant Secretary of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (since 2006) and Legg Mason & Co. predecessors (prior to 2006); Secretary of LM Asset Services, LLC (LMAS) (since 2002) and Legg Mason Fund Asset Management, Inc. (LMFAM) (since 2013) (formerly registered investment advisers) | |
Richard F. Sennett Legg Mason 100 International Drive, 7th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21202 | ||
Year of birth | 1970 | |
Position(s) held with Fund1 | Principal Financial Officer | |
Term of office1 and length of time served | Since 2011 | |
Principal occupation(s) during past five years | Principal Financial Officer and Treasurer of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (since 2011 and since 2013); Managing Director of Legg Mason & Co. and Senior Manager of the Treasury Policy group for Legg Mason & Co.s Global Fiduciary Platform (since 2011); Chief Accountant within the SECs Division of Investment Management (2007 to 2011); formerly, Assistant Chief Accountant within the SECs Division of Investment Management (2002 to 2007) |
BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc. | 47 |
Additional information (unaudited) (contd)
Information about Directors and Officers
Additional Officers contd | ||
Jennifer S. Berg3 100 International Drive, 7th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21202 |
||
Year of birth | 1973 | |
Position(s) held with Fund1 | Treasurer | |
Term of office1 and length of time served | Since 2018 | |
Principal occupation(s) during past five years | Director of Legg Mason & Co. (since 2014); Treasurer of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (since 2018); formerly, Vice President of Legg Mason & Co. (2011 to 2014) | |
Jeanne M. Kelly Legg Mason 620 Eighth Avenue, 49th Floor, New York, NY 10018 | ||
Year of birth | 1951 | |
Position(s) held with Fund1 | Senior Vice President | |
Term of office1 and length of time served | Since 2011 | |
Principal occupation(s) during past five years | Senior Vice President of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason & Co. or its affiliates (since 2007); Senior Vice President of LMPFA (since 2006); President and Chief Executive Officer of LMAS and LMFAM (since 2015); Managing Director of Legg Mason & Co. (since 2005) and Legg Mason & Co. predecessors (prior to 2005); formerly, Senior Vice President of LMFAM (2013 to 2015) |
| Directors who are not interested persons of the Fund within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act). |
1 | The Funds Board of Directors is divided into three classes: Class I, Class II and Class III. The terms of office of the Class I, II and III Directors expire at the Annual Meetings of Stockholders in the year 2019, year 2020 and year 2021, respectively, or thereafter in each case when their respective successors are duly elected and qualified. The Funds executive officers are chosen each year, to hold office until their successors are duly elected and qualified. |
2 | Ms. Trust is an interested person of the Fund as defined in the 1940 Act because Ms. Trust is an officer of LMPFA and certain of its affiliates. |
3 | Effective January 1, 2018, Ms. Berg became Treasurer. |
48 | BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc. |
Annual chief executive officer and principal financial officer certifications (unaudited)
The Funds Chief Executive Officer (CEO) has submitted to the NYSE the required annual
certification and the Fund also has included the Certifications of the Funds CEO and Principal Financial Officer required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act in the Funds Form N-CSR filed with the SEC for the period of this report.
BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc. | 49 |
Other shareholder communications regarding accounting matters (unaudited)
The Funds Audit Committee has established guidelines and procedures regarding the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters (collectively, Accounting Matters). Persons with complaints or concerns regarding Accounting Matters may submit their complaints to the Chief Compliance Officer (CCO). Persons who are uncomfortable submitting complaints to the CCO, including complaints involving the CCO, may submit complaints directly to the Funds Audit Committee Chair. Complaints may be submitted on an anonymous basis.
The CCO may be contacted at:
Legg Mason & Co., LLC
Compliance Department
620 Eighth Avenue, 49th Floor
New York, New York 10018
Complaints may also be submitted by telephone at 1-800-742-5274. Complaints submitted through this number will be received by the CCO.
50 | BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc. |
Dividend reinvestment plan (unaudited)
Unless you elect to receive distributions in cash (i.e., opt-out), all dividends, including any capital gain dividends and return of capital distributions, on your Common Stock will be automatically reinvested by Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as agent for the stockholders (the Plan Agent), in additional shares of Common Stock under the Funds Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the Plan). You may elect not to participate in the Plan by contacting the Plan Agent. If you do not participate, you will receive all cash distributions paid by check mailed directly to you by Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as dividend paying agent.
If you participate in the Plan, the number of shares of Common Stock you will receive will be determined as follows:
(1) If the market price of the Common Stock (plus $0.03 per share commission) on the payment date (or, if the payment date is not a NYSE trading day, the immediately preceding trading day) is equal to or exceeds the net asset value per share of the Common Stock at the close of trading on the NYSE on the payment date, the Fund will issue new Common Stock at a price equal to the greater of (a) the net asset value per share at the close of trading on the NYSE on the payment date or (b) 95% of the market price per share of the Common Stock on the payment date.
(2) If the net asset value per share of the Common Stock exceeds the market price of the Common Stock (plus $0.03 per share commission) at the close of trading on the NYSE on the payment date, the Plan Agent will receive the dividend or distribution in cash and will buy Common Stock in the open market, on the NYSE or elsewhere, for your account as soon as practicable commencing on the trading day following the payment date and terminating no later than the earlier of (a) 30 days after the dividend or distribution payment date, or (b) the payment date for the next succeeding dividend or distribution to be made to the stockholders; except when necessary to comply with applicable provisions of the federal securities laws. If during this period: (i) the market price (plus $0.03 per share commission) rises so that it equals or exceeds the net asset value per share of the Common Stock at the close of trading on the NYSE on the payment date before the Plan Agent has completed the open market purchases or (ii) if the Plan Agent is unable to invest the full amount eligible to be reinvested in open market purchases, the Plan Agent will cease purchasing Common Stock in the open market and the Fund shall issue the remaining Common Stock at a price per share equal to the greater of (a) the net asset value per share at the close of trading on the NYSE on the day prior to the issuance of shares for reinvestment or (b) 95% of the then current market price per share.
Common Stock in your account will be held by the Plan Agent in non-certificated form. Any proxy you receive will include all shares of Common Stock you have received under the Plan. You may withdraw from the Plan (i.e., opt-out) by notifying the Plan Agent in writing at 462 South 4th Street, Suite 1600, Louisville, KY 40202 or by calling the Plan Agent at 1-888-888-0151. Such withdrawal will be effective immediately if notice is received by the Plan Agent not less than ten business days prior to any dividend or distribution record date;
BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc. | 51 |
Dividend reinvestment plan (unaudited) (contd)
otherwise such withdrawal will be effective as soon as practicable after the Plan Agents investment of the most recently declared dividend or distribution on the Common Stock.
Plan participants who sell their shares will be charged a service charge (currently $5.00 per transaction) and the Plan Agent is authorized to deduct brokerage charges actually incurred from the proceeds (currently $0.05 per share commission). There is no service charge for reinvestment of your dividends or distributions in Common Stock. However, all participants will pay a pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred by the Plan Agent when it makes open market purchases. Because all dividends and distributions will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of Common Stock, this allows you to add to your investment through dollar cost averaging, which may lower the average cost of your Common Stock over time. Dollar cost averaging is a technique for lowering the average cost per share over time if the Funds net asset value declines. While dollar cost averaging has definite advantages, it cannot assure profit or protect against loss in declining markets.
Automatically reinvesting dividends and distributions does not mean that you do not have to pay income taxes due upon receiving dividends and distributions. Investors will be subject to income tax on amounts reinvested under the Plan.
The Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate the Plan if, in the judgment of the Board of Directors, the change is warranted. The Plan may be terminated, amended or supplemented by the Fund upon notice in writing mailed to stockholders at least 30 days prior to the record date for the payment of any dividend or distribution by the Fund for which the termination or amendment is to be effective. Upon any termination, you will be sent cash for any fractional share of Common Stock in your account. You may elect to notify the Plan Agent in advance of such termination to have the Plan Agent sell part or all of your Common Stock on your behalf. Additional information about the Plan and your account may be obtained from the Plan Agent at 462 South 4th Street, Suite 1600, Louisville, KY 40202 or by calling the Plan Agent at 1-888-888-0151.
52 | BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc. |
Important tax information (unaudited)
The following information is provided with respect to the distributions paid during the taxable year ended October 31, 2018:
Common Shares | ||||
Record Date: | Monthly | Monthly | ||
Payable Date: | November 2017 through December 2017 |
January 2018 through October 2018 | ||
Tax Return of Capital | | 86.87% |
Please retain this information for your records.
BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc. | 53 |
BrandywineGLOBAL
Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc.
Directors
Robert D. Agdern
Carol L. Colman
Daniel P. Cronin
Paolo M. Cucchi
Leslie H. Gelb
William R. Hutchinson
Eileen A. Kamerick
Riordan Roett
Jane Trust
Chairman
Officers
Jane Trust
President and Chief Executive Officer
Richard F. Sennett
Principal Financial Officer
Todd F. Kuehl
Chief Compliance Officer
Jenna Bailey
Identity Theft Prevention Officer
Robert I. Frenkel
Secretary and Chief Legal Officer
Thomas C. Mandia
Assistant Secretary
Jennifer S. Berg*
Treasurer
Jeanne M. Kelly
Senior Vice President
* | Effective January 1, 2018, Ms. Berg became Treasurer. |
BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc.
620 Eighth Avenue
49th Floor
New York, NY 10018
Investment manager
Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC
Subadviser
Brandywine Global Investment Management, LLC
Custodian
The Bank of New York Mellon (BNY)**
Transfer agent
Computershare Inc.
462 South 4th Street, Suite 1600 Louisville, KY 40202
** | Effective June 11, 2018, BNY became custodian. |
Independent registered public accounting firm
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Baltimore, MD
Legal counsel
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
425 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10017
New York Stock Exchange Symbol
BWG
Legg Mason Funds Privacy and Security Notice
Your Privacy and the Security of Your Personal Information is Very Important to the Legg Mason Funds
This Privacy and Security Notice (the Privacy Notice) addresses the Legg Mason Funds privacy and data protection practices with respect to nonpublic personal information the Funds receive. The Legg Mason Funds include any funds sold by the Funds distributor, Legg Mason Investor Services, LLC, as well as Legg Mason-sponsored closed-end funds. The provisions of this Privacy Notice apply to your information both while you are a shareholder and after you are no longer invested with the Funds.
The Type of Nonpublic Personal Information the Funds Collect About You
The Funds collect and maintain nonpublic personal information about you in connection with your shareholder account. Such information may include, but is not limited to:
| Personal information included on applications or other forms; |
| Account balances, transactions, and mutual fund holdings and positions; |
| Bank account information, legal documents, and identify verification documentation; |
| Online account access user IDs, passwords, security challenge question responses; and |
| Information received from consumer reporting agencies regarding credit history and creditworthiness (such as the amount of an individuals total debt, payment history, etc.). |
How the Funds Use Nonpublic Personal Information About You
The Funds do not sell or share your nonpublic personal information with third parties or with affiliates for their marketing purposes, or with other financial institutions or affiliates for joint marketing purposes, unless you have authorized the Funds to do so. The Funds do not disclose any nonpublic personal information about you except as may be required to perform transactions or services you have authorized or as permitted or required by law. The Funds may disclose information about you to:
| Employees, agents, and affiliates on a need to know basis to enable the Funds to conduct ordinary business or to comply with obligations to government regulators; |
| Service providers, including the Funds affiliates, who assist the Funds as part of the ordinary course of business (such as printing, mailing services, or processing or servicing your account with us) or otherwise perform services on the Funds behalf, including companies that may perform statistical analysis, market research and marketing services solely for the Funds; |
| Permit access to transfer, whether in the United States or countries outside of the United States to such Funds employees, agents and affiliates and service providers as required to enable the Funds to conduct ordinary business, or to comply with obligations to government regulators; |
| The Funds representatives such as legal counsel, accountants and auditors to enable the Funds to conduct ordinary business, or to comply with obligations to government regulators; |
| Fiduciaries or representatives acting on your behalf, such as an IRA custodian or trustee of a grantor trust. |
NOT PART OF THE ANNUAL REPORT |
Legg Mason Funds Privacy and Security Notice (contd)
Except as otherwise permitted by applicable law, companies acting on the Funds behalf, including those outside the United States, are contractually obligated to keep nonpublic personal information the Funds provide to them confidential and to use the information the Funds share only to provide the services the Funds ask them to perform.
The Funds may disclose nonpublic personal information about you when necessary to enforce their rights or protect against fraud, or as permitted or required by applicable law, such as in connection with a law enforcement or regulatory request, subpoena, or similar legal process. In the event of a corporate action or in the event a Fund service provider changes, the Funds may be required to disclose your nonpublic personal information to third parties. While it is the Funds practice to obtain protections for disclosed information in these types of transactions, the Funds cannot guarantee their privacy policy will remain unchanged.
Keeping You Informed of the Funds Privacy and Security Practices
The Funds will notify you annually of their privacy policy as required by federal law. While the Funds reserve the right to modify this policy at any time they will notify you promptly if this privacy policy changes.
The Funds Security Practices
The Funds maintain appropriate physical, electronic and procedural safeguards designed to guard your nonpublic personal information. The Funds internal data security policies restrict access to your nonpublic personal information to authorized employees, who may use your nonpublic personal information for Fund business purposes only.
Although the Funds strive to protect your nonpublic personal information, they cannot ensure or warrant the security of any information you provide or transmit to them, and you do so at your own risk. In the event of a breach of the confidentiality or security of your nonpublic personal information, the Funds will attempt to notify you as necessary so you can take appropriate protective steps. If you have consented to the Funds using electronic communications or electronic delivery of statements, they may notify you under such circumstances using the most current email address you have on record with them.
In order for the Funds to provide effective service to you, keeping your account information accurate is very important. If you believe that your account information is incomplete, not accurate or not current, if you have questions about the Funds privacy practices, or our use of your nonpublic personal information, write the Funds using the contact information on your account statements, email the Funds by clicking on the Contact Us section of the Funds website at www.leggmason.com, or contact the Funds at 1-888-777-0102.
Revised April 2018
NOT PART OF THE ANNUAL REPORT |
BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc.
BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc.
620 Eighth Avenue
49th Floor
New York, NY 10018
Notice is hereby given in accordance with Section 23(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, that from time to time the Fund may purchase, at market prices, shares of its stock.
The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Funds Forms N-Q are available on the SECs website at www.sec.gov. To obtain information on Form N-Q from the Fund, shareholders can call 1-888-777-0102.
Information on how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the prior 12-month period ended June 30th of each year and a description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies related to portfolio transactions are available (1) without charge, upon request, by calling 1-888-777-0102, (2) at www.lmcef.com and (3) on the SECs website at www.sec.gov.
This report is transmitted to the shareholders of BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc. for their information. This is not a prospectus, circular or representation intended for use in the purchase of shares of the Fund or any securities mentioned in this report.
Computershare Inc.
462 South 4th Street, Suite 1600
Louisville, KY 40202
BWXX015179 12/18 SR18-3511
ITEM 2. | CODE OF ETHICS. |
The registrant has adopted a code of ethics that applies to the registrants principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller.
ITEM 3. | AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT. |
The Board of Directors of the registrant has determined that Eileen A. Kamerick, a member of the Boards Audit Committee, possesses the technical attributes identified in Instruction 2(b) of Item 3 to Form N-CSR to qualify as an audit committee financial expert and that she is independent for purposes of this item.
ITEM 4. | PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES. |
(a) Audit Fees. The aggregate fees billed in the previous fiscal years ending October 31, 2017 and October 31, 2018 (the Reporting Periods) for professional services rendered by the Registrants principal accountant (the Auditor) for the audit of the Registrants annual financial statements, or services that are normally provided by the Auditor in connection with the statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for the Reporting Periods, were $61,000 in October 31, 2017 and $54,290 in October 31, 2018.
(b) Audit-Related Fees. The aggregate fees billed in the Reporting Period for assurance and related services by the Auditor that are reasonably related to the performance of the Registrants financial statements were $0 in October 31, 2017 and $6,427 in October 31, 2018.
In addition, there were no Audit-Related Fees billed in the Reporting Period for assurance and related services by the Auditor to the Registrants investment adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc. (service affiliates), that were reasonably related to the performance of the annual audit of the service affiliates. Accordingly, there were no such fees that required pre-approval by the Audit Committee for the Reporting Period.
(c) Tax Fees. The aggregate fees billed in the Reporting Periods for professional services rendered by the Auditor for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning (Tax Services) were $4,000 in October 31, 2017 and $0 in October 31, 2018. These services consisted of (i) review or preparation of U.S. federal, state, local and excise tax returns; (ii) U.S. federal, state and local tax planning, advice and assistance regarding statutory, regulatory or administrative developments, and (iii) tax advice regarding tax qualification matters and/or treatment of various financial instruments held or proposed to be acquired or held.
There were no fees billed for tax services by the Auditors to service affiliates during the Reporting Periods that required pre-approval by the Audit Committee.
(d) All Other Fees. The aggregate fees for other fees billed in the Reporting Periods for products and services provided by the Auditor, other than the services reported in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this Item for the BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc. were $0 in October 31, 2017 and $0 in October 31, 2018.
All Other Fees. There were no other non-audit services rendered by the Auditor to Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisors, LLC (LMPFA), and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with LMPFA that provided ongoing services to BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc. requiring pre-approval by the Audit Committee in the Reporting Period.
(e) Audit Committees preapproval policies and procedures described in paragraph (c) (7) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.
(1) The Charter for the Audit Committee (the Committee) of the Board of each registered investment company (the Fund) advised by LMPFA or one of their affiliates (each, an Adviser) requires that the Committee shall approve (a) all audit and permissible non-audit services to be provided to the Fund and (b) all permissible non-audit services to be provided by the Funds independent auditors to the Adviser and any Covered Service Providers if the engagement relates directly to the operations and financial reporting of the Fund. The Committee may implement policies and procedures by which such services are approved other than by the full Committee.
The Committee shall not approve non-audit services that the Committee believes may impair the independence of the auditors. As of the date of the approval of this Audit Committee Charter, permissible non-audit services include any professional services (including tax services), that are not prohibited services as described below, provided to the Fund by the independent auditors, other than those provided to the Fund in connection with an audit or a review of the financial statements of the Fund. Permissible non-audit services may not include: (i) bookkeeping or other services related to the accounting records or financial statements of the Fund; (ii) financial information systems design and implementation; (iii) appraisal or valuation services, fairness opinions or contribution-in-kind reports; (iv) actuarial services; (v) internal audit outsourcing services; (vi) management functions or human resources; (vii) broker or dealer, investment adviser or investment banking services; (viii) legal services and expert services unrelated to the audit; and (ix) any other service the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board determines, by regulation, is impermissible.
Pre-approval by the Committee of any permissible non-audit services is not required so long as: (i) the aggregate amount of all such permissible non-audit services provided to the Fund, the Adviser and any service providers controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Adviser that provide ongoing services to the Fund (Covered Service Providers) constitutes not more than 5% of the total amount of revenues paid to the independent auditors during the fiscal year in which the permissible non-audit services are provided to (a) the Fund, (b) the Adviser and (c) any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Adviser that provides ongoing services to the Fund during the fiscal year in which the services are provided that would have to be approved by the Committee; (ii) the permissible non-audit services were not recognized by the Fund at the time of the engagement to be non-audit services; and (iii) such services are promptly brought to the attention of the Committee and approved by the Committee (or its delegate(s)) prior to the completion of the audit.
(2) For the BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc., the percentage of fees that were approved by the audit committee, with respect to: Audit-Related Fees were 100% and 100% for October 31, 2017 and October 31, 2018; Tax Fees were 100% and 100% for October 31, 2017 and October 31, 2018; and Other Fees were 100% and 100% for October 31, 2017 and October 31, 2018.
(f) N/A
(g) Non-audit fees billed by the Auditor for services rendered to BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc., LMPFA and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with LMPFA that provides ongoing services to BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc. during the reporting period were $0 in October 31, 2017 and $678,000 in October 31, 2018.
(h) Yes. BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc.s Audit Committee has considered whether the provision of non-audit services that were rendered to Service Affiliates, which were not pre-approved (not requiring pre-approval), is compatible with maintaining the Accountants independence. All services provided by the Auditor to the BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc. or to Service Affiliates, which were required to be pre-approved, were pre-approved as required.
ITEM 5. | AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS. |
a) Registrant has a separately-designated standing Audit Committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)58(A) of the Exchange Act. The Audit Committee consists of the following Board members:
Robert D. Agdern
Carol L. Colman
Daniel P. Cronin
Paolo M. Cucchi
Leslie H. Gelb
William R. Hutchinson
Eileen A. Kamerick
Dr. Riordan Roett
b) Not applicable
ITEM 6. | SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS. |
Included herein under Item 1.
ITEM 7. | DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLOCIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES |
Proxy Voting Policy
I. Client Accounts for which Brandywine Global Votes Proxies
Brandywine Global shall vote proxies for each client account for which the client:
A. | has specifically authorized Brandywine Global to vote proxies in the applicable investment management agreement or other written instrument; or |
B. | without specifically authorizing Brandywine Global to vote proxies, has granted general investment discretion to Brandywine Global in the applicable investment management agreement. |
Also, Brandywine Global shall vote proxies for any employee benefit plan client subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (ERISA), unless the investment management agreement specifically reserves the responsibility for voting proxies to the plan trustees or other named fiduciary.
At or prior to inception of each client account, Brandywine Global shall determine whether it has proxy voting authority over such account.
II. General Principles
In exercising discretion to vote proxies for securities held in client accounts, Brandywine Global is guided by general fiduciary principles. Brandywine Globals goal in voting proxies is to act prudently and solely in the best economic interest of its clients for which it is voting proxies. In furtherance of such goal, Brandywine Global will vote proxies in a manner that Brandywine Global believes will be consistent with efforts to maximize shareholder values.
Brandywine Global does not exercise its proxy voting discretion to further policy, political or other issues that have no connection to enhancing the economic value of the clients investment, but will consider environmental, social, and governance issues that may impact the value of the investment, either through introducing opportunity or by creating risk to the value.
III. How Brandywine Global Votes Proxies
Appendix A sets forth general guidelines considered by Brandywine Global and its portfolio management teams in voting common proxy items.
In the case of a proxy issue for which there is a stated position set forth in Appendix A, Brandywine Global generally votes in accordance with the stated position. In the case of a proxy issue for which there is a list of factors set forth in Appendix A that Brandywine Global considers in voting on such issue, Brandywine Global considers those factors and votes on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the general principles described in Section II. In the case of a proxy issue for which there is no stated position or list of factors set forth in Appendix A that Brandywine Global considers in voting on such issue, Brandywine Global votes on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the general principles described in Section II.
The general guidelines set forth in Appendix A are not binding on Brandywine Global and its portfolio management teams, but rather are intended to provide an analytical framework for the review and assessment of common proxy issues. Such guidelines can always be superseded by a portfolio management team based on the teams assessment of the proxy issue and determination that a vote that is contrary to such general guidelines is in the best economic interests of the client accounts for which the team is responsible. Different portfolio management teams may vote differently on the same issue based on their respective assessments of the proxy issue and determinations as to what is in the best economic interests of client accounts for which they are responsible.
In the case of Taft-Hartley clients, Brandywine Global will comply with a client direction to vote proxies in accordance with Glass Lewis & Co. PVS Proxy Voting Guidelines, which Glass Lewis & Co. represents to be fully consistent with AFL-CIO guidelines.
IV. Use of an Independent Proxy Service Firm
Brandywine Global may contract with an independent proxy service firm to provide Brandywine Global with information and/or recommendations with regard to proxy votes. Any such information and/or recommendations will be made available to Brandywine Globals portfolio management teams, but Brandywine Global and its portfolio management teams are not required to follow any recommendation furnished by such service provider. The use of an independent proxy service firm to provide proxy voting information and/or recommendations does not relieve Brandywine Global of its responsibility for any proxy votes.
With respect to any independent proxy service firm engaged by Brandywine Global to provide Brandywine Global with information and/or recommendations with regard to proxy votes, Brandywine Globals Proxy Administrator shall periodically review and assess such firms policies, procedures and practices including those with respect to the disclosure and handling of conflicts of interest.
V. Conflict of Interest Procedures
In furtherance of Brandywine Globals goal to vote proxies in the best interests of clients, Brandywine Global follows procedures designed to identify and address material conflicts that may arise between the interests of Brandywine Global and its employees and those of its clients before voting proxies on behalf of such clients. Conflicts of interest may arise both at the firm level and as a result of an employees personal relationships or circumstances.
A. | Procedures for Identifying Conflicts of Interest |
Brandywine Global relies on the procedures set forth below to seek to identify conflicts of interest with respect to proxy voting.
(i) | Brandywine Globals Compliance Department annually requires each Brandywine Global employee to complete a questionnaire designed to elicit information that may reveal potential conflicts between the employees interests and those of Brandywine Global clients. |
(ii) | Brandywine Global treats client relationships as creating a material conflict of interest for Brandywine Global in voting proxies with respect to securities issued by such client or its known affiliates. |
(iii) | As a general matter, Brandywine Global takes the position that relationships between a non-Brandywine Global Legg Mason business unit and an issuer (e.g., investment management relationship between an issuer and a non- Brandywine Global Legg Mason investment adviser affiliate) do not present a conflict of interest for Brandywine Global in voting proxies with respect to such issuer because Brandywine Global operates as an independent business unit from other Legg Mason business units and because of the existence of informational barriers between Brandywine Global and certain other Legg Mason business units. |
B. | Procedures for Assessing Materiality of Conflicts of Interest |
(i) | All potential conflicts of interest identified pursuant to the procedures outlined in Section V.A.1. must be brought to the attention of the Investment Committee for resolution. |
(ii) | The Investment Committee shall determine whether a conflict of interest is material. A conflict of interest shall be considered material to the extent that it is determined that such conflict is likely to influence, or appear to influence, Brandywine Globals decision-making in voting the proxy. All materiality determinations will be based on an assessment of the particular facts and circumstances. A written record of all materiality determinations made by the Investment Committee shall be maintained. |
(iii) | If it is determined by the Investment Committee that a conflict of interest is not material, Brandywine Global may vote proxies following normal processes notwithstanding the existence of the conflict. |
C. | Procedures for Addressing Material Conflicts of Interest |
1. | With the exception of those material conflicts identified in A.2. which will be voted in accordance with paragraph C.1.b., if it is determined by the Investment Committee that a conflict of interest is material, the Investment Committee shall determine an appropriate method or combination of methods to resolve such conflict of interest before the proxy affected by the conflict of interest is voted by Brandywine Global. Such determination shall be based on the particular facts and circumstances, including the importance of the proxy issue, the nature of the conflict of interest, etc. Such methods may include: |
a. | confirming that the proxy will be voted in accordance with a stated position or positions set forth in Appendix A; |
b. | confirming that the proxy will be voted in accordance with the recommendations of an independent proxy service firm retained by Brandywine Global; |
c. | in the case of a conflict of interest resulting from a particular employees personal relationships or circumstances, removing such employee from the decision-making process with respect to such proxy vote; |
d. | disclosing the conflict to clients and obtaining their consent before voting; |
e. | suggesting to clients that they engage another party to vote the proxy on their behalf; or |
f. | such other method as is deemed appropriate given the particular facts and circumstances, including the importance of the proxy issue, the nature of the conflict of interest, etc. |
2. | A written record of the method used to resolve a material conflict of interest shall be maintained. |
VI. Other Considerations
In certain situations, Brandywine Global may decide not to vote proxies on behalf of a client account for which it has discretionary voting authority because Brandywine Global believes that the expected benefit to the client account of voting shares is outweighed by countervailing considerations (excluding the existence of a potential conflict of interest). Examples of situations in which Brandywine Global may determine not to vote proxies are set forth below.
A. | Share Blocking |
Proxy voting in certain countries requires share blocking. This means that shareholders wishing to vote their proxies must deposit their shares shortly before the date of the meeting (e.g. one week) with a designated depositary. During the blocking period, shares that will be voted at the meeting cannot be sold until the meeting has taken place and the shares have been returned to client accounts by the designated depositary. In deciding whether to vote shares subject to share blocking, Brandywine Global will consider and weigh, based on the particular facts and circumstances, the expected benefit to client accounts of voting in relation to the potential detriment to clients of not being able to sell such shares during the applicable period.
B. | Securities on Loan |
Certain clients of Brandywine Global, such as an institutional client or a registered investment company for which Brandywine Global acts as a sub-adviser, may engage in securities lending with respect to the securities in their accounts. Brandywine Global typically does not direct or oversee such securities lending activities. To the extent feasible and practical under the circumstances, Brandywine Global may request that the client recall shares that are on loan so that such shares can be voted if Brandywine Global believes that the expected benefit to the client of voting such shares outweighs the detriment to the client of recalling such shares (e.g., foregone income). The ability to timely recall shares for proxy voting purposes typically is not entirely within the control of Brandywine Global and requires the cooperation of the client and its other service providers. Under certain circumstances, the recall of shares in time for such shares to be voted may not be possible due to applicable proxy voting record dates and administrative considerations.
VII. Proxy Voting-Related Disclosures
A. | Proxy Voting Independence and Intent |
Brandywine Global exercises its proxy voting authority independently of other Legg Mason affiliated investment advisers. Brandywine Global and its employees shall not consult with or enter into any formal or informal agreements with Brandywine Globals parent, Legg Mason, Inc., any other Legg Mason business unit, or any of their respective officers, directors or employees, regarding the voting of any securities by Brandywine Global on behalf of its clients.
Brandywine Global and its employees must not disclose to any person outside of Brandywine Global, including without limitation another investment management firm (affiliated or unaffiliated) or the issuer of securities that are the subject of the proxy vote, how Brandywine Global intends to vote a proxy without prior approval from Brandywine Globals Chief Compliance Officer.
If a Brandywine Global employee receives a request to disclose Brandywine Globals proxy voting intentions to, or is otherwise contacted by, another person outside of Brandywine Global (including an employee of another Legg Mason business unit) in connection with an upcoming proxy voting matter, the employee should immediately notify Brandywine Globals Chief Compliance Officer.
If a Brandywine Global portfolio manager wants to take a public stance with regards to a proxy, the portfolio manager must consult with and obtain the approval of Brandywine Globals Chief Compliance Officer before making or issuing a public statement.
B. | Disclosure of Proxy Votes and Policy and Procedures |
Upon Brandywine Globals receipt of any oral or written client request for information on how Brandywine Global voted proxies for that clients account, Brandywine Global must promptly provide the client with such requested information in writing.
Brandywine Global must deliver to each client, for which it has proxy voting authority, no later than the time it accepts such authority, a written summary of this Proxy Voting policy and procedures. This summary must include information on how clients may obtain information about how Brandywine Global has voted proxies for their accounts and must also state that a copy of Brandywine Globals Proxy Voting policy and procedures is available upon request.
Brandywine Global must create and maintain a record of each written client request for proxy voting information. Such record must be created promptly after receipt of the request and must include the date the request was received, the content of the request, and the date of Brandywine Globals response. Brandywine Global must also maintain copies of written client requests and copies of all responses to such requests.
C. | Delegation of Duties |
Brandywine Global may delegate to non-investment personnel the responsibility to vote proxies in accordance with the guidelines set forth in Appendix A. Such delegation of duties will only be made to employees deemed to be reasonably capable of performing this function in a satisfactory manner.
VIII. Shareholder Activism and Certain Non-Proxy Voting Matters
In no event shall Brandywine Globals possession of proxy voting authority obligate it to undertake any shareholder activism on behalf of a client. Brandywine Global may undertake such activism in connection with a proxy or otherwise if and to the extent that Brandywine Global determines that doing so is consistent with applicable general fiduciary principles, provided Brandywine Global has first obtained its Chief Compliance Officers approval of the proposed activism.
Absent a specific contrary written agreement with a client, Brandywine Global does not (1) render any advice to, or take any action on behalf of, clients with respect to any legal proceedings, including bankruptcies and shareholder litigation, to which any securities or other investments held in client account, or the issuers thereof, become subject, or (2) initiate or pursue legal proceedings, including without limitation shareholder litigation, on behalf of clients with respect to transactions or securities or other investments held in client accounts, or the issuers thereof. Except as otherwise agreed to in writing with a particular client, the right to take any action with respect to any legal proceeding, including without limitation bankruptcies and shareholder litigation, and the right to initiate or pursue any legal proceedings, including without limitation shareholder litigation, with respect to transactions or securities or other investments held in a client account is expressly reserved to the client.
IX. Recordkeeping
In addition to all other records required by this Policy and Procedures, Brandywine Global shall maintain the following records relating to proxy voting:
a) | a copy of this Policy and Procedures, including any and all amendments that may be adopted; |
b) | a copy of each proxy statement that Brandywine Global receives regarding client securities; |
c) | a record of each vote cast by Brandywine Global on behalf of a client; |
d) | documentation relating to the identification and resolution of conflicts of interest; |
e) | any documents created by Brandywine Global that were material to a proxy voting decision or that memorialized the basis for that decision; |
f) | a copy of each written client request for information on how Brandywine Global voted proxies on behalf of the client, and a copy of any written response by Brandywine Global to any (written or oral) client request for information on how Brandywine Global voted proxies on behalf of the requesting client; and |
g) | records showing whether or not Brandywine Global has proxy voting authority for each client account. |
All required records shall be maintained and preserved in an easily accessible place for a period of not less than six years from the end of the fiscal year during which the last entry was made on such record, the first two years in an appropriate office of Brandywine Global. Brandywine Global also shall maintain a copy of any proxy voting policies and procedures that were in effect at any time within the last five years.
To the extent that Brandywine Global is authorized to vote proxies for a United States registered investment company, Brandywine Global shall maintain such records as are necessary to allow such fund to comply with its recordkeeping, reporting and disclosure obligations under applicable laws, rules and regulations.
In lieu of keeping copies of proxy statements, Brandywine Global may rely on proxy statements filed on the EDGAR system as well as on third party records of proxy statements if the third party provides an undertaking to provide copies of such proxy statements promptly upon request.
Brandywine Global may rely on a third party to make and retain, on Brandywine Globals behalf, records of votes cast by Brandywine Global on behalf of clients if the third party provides an undertaking to provide a copy of such records promptly upon request.
Proxy Voting Guidelines
Brandywine Global Diversified Portfolio Management Team Proxy Voting Guidelines
Below are proxy voting guidelines that Brandywine Globals Diversified Portfolio Management Team generally follows when voting proxies for securities held in client accounts. The Team may decide to deviate from these guidelines with respect to any one or more particular proxy votes, subject in all cases to the Teams duty to act solely in the best interest of their client accounts holding the applicable security.
I. | Compensation |
A. | We vote for non-employee director stock options, unless we consider the number of shares available for issue excessive. We may consider current and past stock option grants in determining whether the cumulative dilution is excessive. |
B. | We vote for employee stock purchase programs. Normally, these programs allow all employees to purchase company stock at a price equal to 85% of current market price. Usually, we will still vote for these employee programs even if we vote against a non- employee or executive-only stock purchase program because of excessive dilution. |
C. | We vote for compensation plans that are tied to the company achieving set profitability hurdles. Plans are structured this way to comply with IRS laws allowing for deductibility of management compensation exceeding $1 million. |
D. | We vote against attempts to re-price options. Also, we vote against the re-election of incumbent Directors in the event of such a re-pricing proposal. |
E. | We vote against attempts to increase incentive stock options available for issuance when the shares underlying such options would exceed 10% of the companys outstanding shares. |
F. | We vote against stock option plans allowing for stock options with exercise prices less than 100% of the stocks price at the time of the option grant. |
G. | We vote against stock option plans allowing for very large allocations to a single individual because we generally believe that stock option plans should provide for widespread employee participation. |
H. | We vote against proposals to authorize or approve loans to company executives or Board members for personal reasons or for the purpose of enabling such persons to purchase company shares. |
II. | Governance |
A. | We vote for proposals to separate the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board positions. |
B. | We vote against catch-all authorizations permitting proxy holders to conduct unspecified business that arises during shareholder meetings. |
III. | Anti-Takeover |
We vote against anti-takeover measures, including without limitation:
A. | Staggered Boards of Directors (for example, where 1/3 of a companys Board is elected each year rather than the entire Board each year). |
B. | Super-Majority Voting Measures (for example, requiring a greater than 50% vote to approve takeovers or make certain changes). |
C. | Poison Pills, which are special stock rights that go into effect upon a takeover offer or an outsider acquiring more than a specified percentage of a companys outstanding shares. |
IV. | Capital Structure |
We vote against attempts to increase authorized shares by more than twice the number of outstanding shares unless there is a specific purpose for such increase given, such as a pending stock split or a corporate purchase using shares, and we determine that increasing authorized shares for such purpose is appropriate. Generally, we believe it is better to use shares to pay for acquisitions when they are trading at higher values than when they are trading at or near historical lows. The dilution effect is less.
V. | Business Management |
We generally prefer not to dictate to companies on matters of business strategy, believing that as long as the company is operating responsibly it is managements role to make these decisions. Business strategy includes management of environmental and social practices, as they have the potential to pose significant financial, legal, and reputational risk if not appropriately governed. In cases where we feel management has not taken sufficient efforts to address material environmental or social risk, we may choose to support shareholder proposals aimed at enhancing shareholder value or risk mitigation in alignment with our fiduciary principles.
Brandywine Global Fundamental Equities Portfolio Management Team Proxy Voting Guidelines
Below are proxy voting guidelines that Brandywine Globals Fundamental Equities Portfolio Management Team generally follows when voting proxies for securities held in client accounts.
The Team may decide to deviate from these guidelines with respect to any one or more particular proxy votes, subject in all cases to the Teams duty to act solely in the best interest of their client accounts holding the applicable security.
I. | Compensation |
A. | We vote for non-employee director stock options, unless we consider the number of shares available for issue excessive. |
B. | We vote for employee stock purchase programs. Normally, these programs allow all employees to purchase company stock at a price equal to 85% of current market price. Usually, we will still vote for these employee programs even if we vote against a non- employee or executive-only stock purchase program because of excessive dilution. |
C. | We vote for measures that give shareholders a vote on executive compensation. |
D. | We vote for compensation plans that are tied to the company achieving set profitability hurdles. This is to comply with IRS laws to allow for deductibility of management compensation exceeding $1 million. |
E. | We vote against any attempt to re-price options. Also, we vote against the re- election of incumbent Directors in the event of such a re-pricing proposal. |
F. | We vote against attempts to increase incentive stock options when we determine they are excessive, either in total or for one individual. |
G. | We vote against stock option plans allowing for stock options with exercise prices less than 100% of the stocks price at the time of the option grant. |
II. | Governance |
A. | We vote for cumulative shareholder voting. |
B. | We vote against catch-all authorizations permitting proxy holders to conduct unspecified business that arises during shareholder meetings. |
C. | We vote against related-party transactions involving directors, senior members of company management or other company insiders. |
III. | Anti-Takeover |
We vote against anti-takeover measures:
A. | Staggered Boards of Directors (for example, where 1/3 of a companys Board is elected each year rather than the entire Board each year). |
B. | Super-Majority Voting Measures (for example, requiring a greater than 50% vote to approve takeovers or make certain changes). |
C. | Poison Pills, which are special stock rights that go into effect upon a takeover offer or an outsider acquiring more than a specified percentage of a companys outstanding shares. |
D. | Change-of-Control Contracts, which grant benefits to company personnel (typically members of senior company management) in the event the company is acquired or is otherwise subject to a change of control. |
IV. | Capital Structure |
We vote against attempts to increase authorized shares by more than twice the number of outstanding shares unless there is a specific purpose for such increase given, such as a pending stock split or a corporate purchase using shares, and we determine that increasing authorized shares for such purpose is appropriate. Generally, we believe it is better to use shares to pay for acquisitions when they are trading at higher values than when they are trading at or near historical lows. The dilution effect is less.
V. | Business Management |
We generally prefer not to dictate to companies on matters of business strategy, believing that as long as the company is operating responsibly, it is managements role to make these decisions. Business strategy includes management of environmental and social practices, as they have the potential to pose significant financial, legal, and reputational risk if not appropriately governed. In cases where we feel management has not taken sufficient efforts to address material environmental or social risk, we may choose to support shareholder proposals aimed at enhancing shareholder value or risk mitigation in alignment with our fiduciary principles.
Brandywine Global Fixed Income Portfolio Management Team Proxy Voting Guidelines
Below are proxy voting guidelines that Brandywine Global Fixed Income Portfolio Management Team generally follows when voting proxies for securities held in client accounts. The Team may decide to deviate from these guidelines with respect to any one or more particular proxy votes, subject in all cases to the Teams duty to act solely in the best interest of their client accounts holding the applicable security.
I. | Compensation |
A. | We vote for non-employee director stock options, unless we consider the number of shares available for issue excessive. |
B. | We vote for employee stock purchase programs. Normally, these programs allow all employees to purchase company stock at a price equal to 85% of current market price. Usually, we will still vote for these employee programs even if we vote against a non- employee or executive-only stock purchase program because of excessive dilution. |
C. | We vote for measures that give shareholders a vote on executive compensation. |
D. | We vote for compensation plans that are tied to the company achieving set profitability hurdles. This is to comply with IRS laws to allow for deductibility of management compensation exceeding $1 million. |
E. | We vote against any attempt to re-price options. Also, we vote against the re- election of incumbent Directors in the event of such a re-pricing proposal. |
F. | We vote against attempts to increase incentive stock options when we determine they are excessive, either in total or for one individual. |
G. | We vote against stock option plans allowing for stock options with exercise prices less than 100% of the stocks price at the time of the option grant. |
II. | Governance |
A. | We vote for cumulative shareholder voting. |
B. | We vote against catch-all authorizations permitting proxy holders to conduct unspecified business that arises during shareholder meetings. |
III. | Anti-Takeover |
We vote against anti-takeover measures, including without limitation:
A. | Staggered Boards of Directors (for example, where 1/3 of a companys Board is elected each year rather than the entire Board each year). |
B. | Super-Majority Voting Measures (for example, requiring a greater than 50% vote to approve takeovers or make certain changes). |
C. | Poison Pills, which are special stock rights that go into effect upon a takeover offer or an outsider acquiring more than a specified percentage of a companys outstanding shares. |
IV. | Capital Structure |
We vote against attempts to increase authorized shares by more than twice the number of outstanding shares unless there is a specific purpose for such increase given, such as a pending stock split or a corporate purchase using shares, and we determine that increasing authorized shares for such purpose is appropriate. Generally, we believe it is better to use shares to pay for acquisitions when they are trading at higher values than when they are trading at or near historical lows. The dilution effect is less.
V. | Business Management |
We generally prefer not to dictate to companies on matters of business strategy, believing that as long as the company is operating responsibly it is managements role to make these decisions. Business strategy includes management of environmental and social practices, as they have the potential to pose significant financial, legal, and reputational risk if not appropriately governed. In cases where we feel management has not taken sufficient efforts to address material environmental or social risk, we may choose to support shareholder proposals aimed at enhancing shareholder value or risk mitigation in alignment with our fiduciary principles.
ITEM 8. | INVESTMENT PROFESSIONALS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES. |
(a)(1):
NAME AND ADDRESS |
LENGTH OF TIME SERVED |
PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST 5 YEARS | ||
David F. Hoffman | 2012 | Co-lead portfolio manager for Brandywines global fixed-income and related strategies. He joined Brandywine in 1995. Previously, Mr. Hoffman was president of Hoffman Capital, a global financial futures investment firm (1991-1995); head of fixed income investments at Columbus Circle Investors (1983-1990); senior vice president and portfolio manager at INA Capital Management (1979-1982), and fixed income portfolio manager at Provident National Bank (1975-1979). Mr. Hoffman is a CFA charterholder and earned a B.A. in Art History from Williams College. He is a member of the firms Executive Board, currently serving as the Boards chair. | ||
Stephen S. Smith | 2012 | Co-lead portfolio manager for Brandywines global fixed-income and related strategies. He joined Brandywine in 1991 to diversify the firms investment strategies and start the global fixed income product. Previously, Mr. Smith was with Mitchell Hutchins Asset Management, Inc. as managing director of taxable fixed income (1988-1991); Provident Capital Management, Inc. as senior vice president overseeing taxable fixed income (1984-1988); Munsch & Smith Management as a founding partner (1980-1984), and First Pennsylvania Bank as vice president and portfolio manager in the fixed income division (1976-1980). Steve earned a B.S. in Economics and Business Administration from Xavier University, where he is currently chair of the universitys foundation and is a member of the board of trustees. He is a member of the firms Executive Board. Steve is also a member of the Board of Trustees at both St. Marys Villa for Children and Families, a provider of services for abused and neglected children, and the Winterthur Museum & Country Estate, a nonprofit, educational institution. | ||
Jack P. McIntyre | 2012 | As portfolio manager and senior research analyst for the Firms Global Fixed Income and related strategies, Jack provides valuable analytical and strategic insight. He joined the Firm in 1998. Previously, he held positions as market strategist with McCarthy, Crisanti & Maffei, Inc. (1995-1998); senior fixed income analyst with Technical Data, a division of Thomson Financial Services (1992-1995); quantitative associate with Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. (1990), and investment analyst with the Public Employee Retirement Administration of Massachusetts (1987-1989). Jack is a CFA charterholder and earned an M.B.A. in Finance from the Leonard N. Stern Graduate School of Business at New York University and a B.B.A. in Finance from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. |
Gerhardt (Gary) P. Herbert | 2012 | Portfolio manager for Brandywines fixed income group, with a concentration in high-yield securities. He joined Brandywine in March 2010, bringing with him over 10 years of high yield experience. Previously, Mr. Herbert was Managing Director, Portfolio Manager with Guggenheim Partners, LLC (2009-2010); Managing Director, Portfolio Manager with Dreman Value Management, LLC (2007-2009); Executive Director, Portfolio Manager (1999-2007) and Associate (1994-1998) with Morgan Stanley Investment Management; Analyst with Aronson + Fogler Investments (1994), and Senior Analyst with SEI Investments (1992-1994). Mr. Herbert earned his M.B.A. with Honors from Columbia University, and a Bachelor Degree from Villanova University. He also holds his Chartered Financial Analyst certification. | ||
Brian L. Kloss | 2012 | Portfolio manager for Brandywines fixed income group, with a concentration in high yield securities. He joined Brandywine in December 2009, bringing with him over 10 years of high yield and distressed debt experience. Previously, Mr. Kloss was co-portfolio manager at Dreman Value Management, LLC (2007-2009); high yield analyst/trader at Gartmore Global Investments (2002-2007); high yield and equity portfolio manager and general analyst at Penn Capital Management, Ltd. (2000-2002); an analyst with The Concord Advisory Group, Ltd. (1998-2000); and an international tax consultant with Deloitte & Touche LLP (1995-1998). He earned his J.D. from Villanova School of Law and graduated summa cum laude with B.S. in Accounting from University of Scranton. He is also a member of the New Jersey and Pennsylvania Bar and is a Pennsylvania Certified Public Accountant. | ||
Anujeet Sareen | 2017 | Portfolio manager for Brandywines Global Fixed Income and related strategies. He joined Brandywine Global Investment Management, LLC in 2016. Prior to joining Brandywine Global, Mr. Sareen was a managing director of global fixed income and a global macro strategist, as well as chair of the Currency Strategy Group at Wellington Management. Mr. Sareen has 22 years of investment industry experience. Mr. Sareen is a CFA® charterholder and earned a B.A. in Computer Science from Brown University. | ||
Tracy Chen | 2016 | As a portfolio manager and head of structured credit, Tracy is responsible for conducting credit analysis on mortgage-backed and other structured securities, with special emphasis on collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs), collateralized loan obligations (CLOs), and other structured products. She also monitors and analyzes the investment merits of global corporate debt issues. She joined Brandywine Global Investment Management, LLC in August 2008. Prior to joining Brandywine Global, she was with UBS Investment Bank as director of the fixed income valuation group (2006-2008), GMAC Mortgage Group as a mortgage pricing analyst (2003-2006), Deloitte Consulting as a senior corporate strategy consultant (2001-2003), and J&A Securities Ltd. in Shenzhen, China as an international corporate finance associate (1995-1999). Tracy earned an MBA with a concentration in Finance from Kenan-Flagler |
Business School at the University of North Carolina, an M.A. in American Studies from Sichuan University in Chengdu, China, and a B.A. in English for Scientific Purposes from University of Electronic Science & Technology of China in Chengdu, China. Tracy is a CFA® charterholder and earned the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) charter in 2010. |
* | The address for each portfolio manager is Brandywine, 2929 Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, unless otherwise indicated. |
(a)(2): DATA TO BE PROVIDED BY FINANCIAL CONTROL
The following tables set forth certain additional information with respect to the funds investment professionals for the fund. Unless noted otherwise, all information is provided as of October 31, 2018.
Other Accounts Managed by Portfolio Managers
The table below identifies the number of accounts (other than the fund) for which the funds portfolio managers have day-to-day management responsibilities and the total assets in such accounts, within each of the following categories:
registered investment companies, other pooled investment vehicles, and other accounts. For each category, the number of accounts and total assets in the accounts where fees are based on performance is also indicated.
Name of PM |
Other Accounts Managed |
# of Other Accounts |
Total Assets | # with Performance Fee |
Total Assets with Performance Fee |
|||||||||||||
Stephen S. Smith |
Other Registered Investment Companies | 6 | $ | 5.0 billion | None | None | ||||||||||||
Other Pooled Vehicles | 47 | $ | 17.8 billion | 6 | $ | 2.0 billion | ||||||||||||
Other Accounts | 78 | $ | 29.4 billion | 12 | $ | 13.0 billion | ||||||||||||
David F. Hoffman |
Other Registered Investment Companies | 6 | $ | 5.0 billion | None | None | ||||||||||||
Other Pooled Vehicles | 47 | $ | 17.8 billion | 6 | $ | 2.0 billion | ||||||||||||
Other Accounts | 78 | $ | 29.4 billion | 12 | $ | 13.0 billion | ||||||||||||
John P. McIntyre |
Other Registered Investment Companies | 7 | $ | 5.0 billion | None | None | ||||||||||||
Other Pooled Vehicles | 52 | $ | 18.3 billion | 7 | $ | 2.1 billion | ||||||||||||
Other Accounts | 85 | $ | 31.0 billion | 17 | $ | 14.2 billion | ||||||||||||
Gary Herbert |
Other Registered Investment Companies | 6 | $ | 887.7 million | None | None | ||||||||||||
Other Pooled Vehicles | 13 | $ | 969.2 million | 2 | $ | 148.0 million | ||||||||||||
Other Accounts | 10 | $ | 1.8 billion | 5 | $ | 1.3 billion |
Brian Kloss |
Other Registered Investment Companies | 3 | $ | 684.0 million | None | None | ||||||||||||
Other Pooled Vehicles | 13 | $ | 969.2 million | 2 | $ | 148.0 million | ||||||||||||
Other Accounts | 9 | $ | 1.8 billion | 5 | $ | 1.3 billion | ||||||||||||
Anjujeet Sareen |
Other Registered Investment Companies | 8 | $ | 5.1 billion | None | None | ||||||||||||
Other Pooled Vehicles | 52 | $ | 18.3 billion | 7 | $ | 2.1 billion | ||||||||||||
Other Accounts | 85 | $ | 31.0 billion | 17 | $ | 14.2 billion | ||||||||||||
Tracy Chen |
Other Registered Investment Companies | 4 | $ | 715.0 million | None | None | ||||||||||||
Other Pooled Vehicles | 13 | $ | 969.2 million | 2 | 148.0 million | |||||||||||||
Other Accounts | 9 | $ | 1.8 billion | 5 | 1.3 billion |
(a)(3): Portfolio Manager Compensation
The Funds portfolio managers compensation includes a fixed base salary coupled with a bonus which is based on 1) the managers portfolio pre-tax performance versus the global fixed-income peer universe constructed by the Frank Russell Company, 2) the overall profitability of all portfolios managed by the portfolio managers, and 3) Brandywines overall profitability. The global fixed-income peer universe includes discretionary separate accounts, commingled funds, and mutual funds (gross of fees) managed for U.S. dollar oriented investors. Portfolios are measured against a global unhedged performance benchmark (measured in U.S. dollars) and have no significant currency or bond market restrictions. The comparison to the global fixed-income peer universe includes one quarter, one year, three year and five year time periods. The bonus calculation treats every account under the portfolio managers direction in the same manner, including the Fund.
Potential Conflicts of Interest
LMPFA, Brandywine and portfolio managers have interests which may conflict with the interests of the Fund. There is no guarantee that the policies and procedures adopted by LMPFA, Brandywine and the Fund will be able to identify or mitigate these conflicts of interest.
Some examples of material conflicts of interest include:
Allocation of Limited Time and Attention. A portfolio manager who is responsible for managing multiple funds and/or accounts may devote unequal time and attention to the management of those funds and/or accounts. A portfolio manager may not be able to formulate as complete a strategy or identify equally attractive investment opportunities for each of those funds and accounts as might be the case if he or she were to devote substantially more attention to the management of a single fund. Such a portfolio manager may make general determinations across multiple funds, rather than tailoring a unique approach for each fund. The effects of this conflict may be more pronounced where funds and/or accounts overseen by a particular portfolio manager have different investment strategies.
Allocation of Limited Investment Opportunities; Aggregation of Orders. If a portfolio manager identifies a limited investment opportunity that may be suitable for multiple funds and/or accounts, the opportunity may be allocated among these several funds or accounts, which may limit the Funds ability to take full advantage of the investment opportunity. Additionally, Brandywine may aggregate transaction orders for multiple accounts for purpose of execution. Such aggregation may cause the price or brokerage costs to be less favorable to a particular client than if similar transactions were not being executed concurrently for other accounts. In addition, Brandywines trade allocation policies may result in the Funds orders not being fully executed or being delayed in execution.
Pursuit of Differing Strategies. At times, a portfolio manager may determine that an investment opportunity may be appropriate for only some of the funds and/or accounts for which he or she exercises investment responsibility, or may decide that certain of the funds and/or accounts should take differing positions with respect to a particular security. In these cases, the portfolio manager may place separate transactions for one or more funds or accounts which may affect the market price of the security or the execution of the transaction, or both, to the detriment or benefit of one or more other funds and/or accounts. For example, a portfolio manager may determine that it would be in the interest of another account to sell a security that the fund holds long, potentially resulting in a decrease in the market value of the security held by the fund.
Cross Trades. Portfolio managers may manage funds that engage in cross trades, where one of the managers funds or accounts sells a particular security to another fund or account managed by the same manager. Cross trades may pose conflicts of interest because of, for example, the possibility that one account sells a security to another account at a higher price than an independent third party would pay or otherwise enters into a transaction that it would not enter into with an independent party, such as the sale of a difficult-to-obtain security.
Selection of Broker/Dealers. Portfolio managers may select or influence the selection of the brokers and dealers that are used to execute securities transactions for the funds and/or accounts that they supervise. In addition to executing trades, some brokers and dealers provide Brandywine with brokerage and research services. These services may be taken into account in the selection of brokers and dealers whether a broker is being selected to effect a trade on an agency basis for a commission or (as is normally the case for the funds) whether a dealer is being selected to effect a trade on a principal basis. This may result in the payment of higher brokerage fees and/or execution at a less favorable price than might have otherwise been available. The services obtained may ultimately be more beneficial to certain of the managers funds or accounts than to others (but not necessarily to the funds that pay the increased commission or incur the less favorable execution). A decision as to the selection of brokers and dealers could therefore yield disproportionate costs and benefits among the funds and/or accounts managed.
Variation in Financial and Other Benefits. A conflict of interest arises where the financial or other benefits available to a portfolio manager differ among the funds and/or accounts that he or she manages. If the amount or structure of the investment managers management fee and/or a portfolio managers compensation differs among funds and/or accounts (such as where certain funds or accounts pay higher management fees or performance-based management fees), the portfolio manager might be motivated to help certain funds and/or accounts over others. Similarly, the desire to maintain assets under management or to enhance the portfolio managers performance record or to derive other rewards, financial or otherwise, could influence the portfolio manager in affording preferential treatment to those funds and/or accounts that could most significantly benefit the portfolio manager. A portfolio manager may, for example, have an incentive to allocate favorable or limited opportunity investments or structure the timing of investments to favor such funds and/or accounts. Also, a portfolio managers or the LMPFAs or Brandywines desire to increase assets under management could influence the portfolio manager to keep a fund open for new investors without regard to potential benefits of closing the fund to new investors. Additionally, the portfolio manager might be motivated to favor funds and/or accounts in which he or she has an ownership interest or in which the investment manager and/or its affiliates have ownership interests. Conversely, if a portfolio manager does not personally hold an investment in the fund, the portfolio managers conflicts of interest with respect to the Fund may be more acute.
Related Business Opportunities. LMPFA or its affiliates may provide more services (such as distribution or recordkeeping) for some types of funds or accounts than for others. In such cases, a portfolio manager may benefit, either directly or indirectly, by devoting disproportionate attention to the management of funds and/or accounts that provide greater overall returns to the investment manager and its affiliates.
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 a Fund and the other accounts listed above.
Portfolio Manager Securities Ownership
The table below identifies the dollar range of securities beneficially owned by each portfolio manager as of October 31, 2018.
Portfolio Manager(s) |
Dollar Range of Portfolio Securities Beneficially Owned |
|||
David F. Hoffman |
C | |||
Stephen S. Smith |
A | |||
Jack P. McIntyre |
A | |||
Gerhardt P. Herbert |
A | |||
Brian L. Kloss |
A | |||
Anjujeet Sareen |
A | |||
Tracy Chen |
A |
Dollar Range ownership is as follows:
A: none
B: $1 - $10,000
C: 10,001 - $50,000
D: $50,001 - $100,000
E: $100,001 - $500,000
F: $500,001 - $1 million
G: over $1 million
ITEM 9. | PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS |
Not applicable.
ITEM 10. | SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS. |
Not applicable.
ITEM 11. | CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES. |
(a) | The registrants principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the registrants disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a- 3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act)) are effective as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report that includes the disclosure required by this paragraph, based on their evaluation of the disclosure controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act and 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. |
(b) | There were no changes in the registrants internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act) that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are likely to materially affect the registrants internal control over financial reporting |
ITEM 12. | EXHIBITS. |
(a) (1) Code of Ethics attached hereto.
Exhibit 99.CODE ETH
(a) (2) Certifications pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 attached hereto.
Exhibit 99.CERT
(b) Certifications pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 attached hereto.
Exhibit 99.906CERT
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, there unto duly authorized.
BrandywineGLOBAL Global Income Opportunities Fund Inc.
By: | /s/ Jane Trust | |
Jane Trust | ||
Chief Executive Officer |
Date: December 28, 2018
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
By: | /s/ Jane Trust | |
Jane Trust | ||
Chief Executive Officer |
Date: December 28, 2018
By: | /s/ Richard F. Sennett | |
Richard F. Sennett | ||
Principal Financial Officer |
Date: December 28, 2018