Western Asset/Claymore Inflation-Linked Opportunities & Income Fund (WIW)
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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 811-21477

 

 

Western Asset/Claymore Inflation-Linked Opportunities & Income Fund

(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)

 

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (888) 777-0102

Date of fiscal year end: November 30

Date of reporting period: May 31, 2017

 

 

 


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ITEM 1. REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS.

The Semi-Annual Report to Stockholders is filed herewith.


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LOGO

LOGO

 

Semi-Annual Report   May 31, 2017

WESTERN ASSET/CLAYMORE

INFLATION-LINKED OPPORTUNITIES & INCOME FUND (WIW)

 

 

 

LOGO

 

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


Table of Contents
What’s inside      
Letter to shareholders     II  
Investment commentary     VI  
Fund at a glance     1  
Spread duration     2  
Effective duration     3  
Consolidated schedule of investments     4  
Consolidated statement of assets and liabilities     12  
Consolidated statement of operations     13  
Consolidated statements of changes in net assets     14  
Consolidated statement of cash flows     15  
Consolidated financial highlights     16  
Notes to consolidated financial statements     17  
Additional shareholder information     33  
Dividend reinvestment plan     34  

 

Fund objectives

The Fund’s primary investment objective is to provide current income. Capital appreciation, when consistent with current income, is a secondary investment objective.

 

Letter to shareholders

Dear Shareholder,

We thank you for your investment in Western Asset/Claymore Inflation-Linked Opportunities & Income Fund (the “Fund”). As investment adviser for the Fund, we are pleased to submit the Fund’s semi-annual shareholder report for the six-month reporting period ended May 31, 2017.

For the six-month period ended May 31, 2017, the Fund returned 3.62% based on its net asset value (“NAV”)i and 3.70% based on its New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) market price per share. The Fund’s unmanaged benchmarks, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Government Inflation-Linked 1-10 Year Indexii and the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Government Inflation-Linked All Maturities Indexiii, returned 1.58% and 1.79%, respectively, for the same period. All Fund returns cited — whether based on NAV or market price — assume the reinvestment of all distributions, including returns of capital, if any. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The market price of the Fund’s shares fluctuates from time to time, and it may be higher or lower than the Fund’s NAV. Details of Fund fees and expenses appear elsewhere in this report.

A number of adjustments were made to the Fund during the reporting period. We pared back the Fund’s allocation to U.S. Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (“TIPS”)iv and initiated a position in foreign inflation-protected securities (“linkers”) as we found the latter to offer better relative value. Elsewhere, we increased exposure to commodities given signs of improving global growth. We also modestly increased the Fund’s allocation to non-agency mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) amid generally attractive fundamentals and technicals. Finally, the Fund’s exposure to commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”) was reduced as valuations became less attractive.

The Fund employed U.S. Treasury futures and options on futures, Eurodollar and Euro-bund futures, and Euro BTP futures, during the reporting period to manage its yield curvev positioning and interest rate risk, or durationvi. The use of these instruments detracted from performance. CPI index swaps, used to manage inflation-related exposure, were positive for performance. Currency forwards, futures and options, which were used to manage the Fund’s currency exposures, overall added to performance, largely due to the Fund’s exposures to the Mexican peso and Russian ruble. Commodity futures, which

 

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were used to gain commodity exposure, detracted from performance.

Leverage was used to increase the Fund’s overall credit exposure, which served to add yield to the portfolio. We ended the reporting period with leverage as a percentage of gross assets of roughly 29% versus 32% when the period began. The use of leverage to purchase TIPS and high-yield corporate bonds, amongst other instruments, contributed to performance as their strong returns mitigated higher borrowing costs.

The largest contributor to the Fund’s absolute performance during the reporting period was its allocation to U.S. high-yield corporate bonds. The sector performed strongly as spreads narrowed amid solid demand from investors looking to generate incremental yield in the low interest rate environment. The Fund also benefited from strong security selection, especially in the Health Care and Financials sectors.

As mentioned above, the Fund’s overall active foreign exchange exposure was a significant positive for performance, most notably its allocations to the Mexican peso and Russian ruble, both of which benefited from a return of market confidence in emerging markets as beneficiaries of the “reflation trade.”

The Fund’s allocation to securitized products was rewarded. In particular, the Fund’s exposure to non-agency MBS was beneficial for results. They were supported by limited supply due to a lack of new issuance and overall solid investor demand. The Fund’s exposure to CMBS was also additive for returns.

The Fund’s interest rate risk, or duration positioning, was additive for results, as longer-term yields declined during the reporting period. Finally, the Fund’s TIPS exposure contributed to results based on increased inflation expectations following the November 2016 U.S. elections.

The largest detractor from the Fund’s absolute performance for the period was its allocation to emerging market sovereign debt, especially its exposure to Argentinian, Venezuelan and Turkish local debt which all performed poorly on renewed political risks.

The Fund’s commodity exposure was also a minor headwind for performance. Furthermore, active currency exposures to the Japanese yen hurt performance in May 2017 as it appreciated versus the U.S. dollar.

As of May 31, 2017, the Fund’s market price of $11.13 per share represented a discount of 11.67% to its NAV of $12.60 per share. In the first five months of the reporting period, the Fund provided its investors with a monthly distribution of $0.0335 per share, and in the final month of the reporting period, the distribution was $0.0360. The most recent distribution represents an annualized distribution rate of 3.88% based on the Fund’s last closing market price of $11.13 as of May 31, 2017. There is no guarantee of any future distributions or that the current returns and distribution rate will be maintained. Please see Note 1(q) on page 26 for more information on distributions for the period.

The Fund’s investment objective is to provide current income. Capital appreciation, when consistent with current income, is a secondary objective. Under the Fund’s investment policies, under normal market conditions and at the time of purchase, the Fund will:

 

 

Invest at least 80% of its total managed assetsvii in inflation-linked securities

 

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Letter to shareholders (cont’d)

 

 

 

Invest no more than 40% of its total managed assets in below investment grade securities

 

 

Invest up to 100% of its total managed assets in non-U.S. dollar investments, which gives the Fund the flexibility to invest up to 100% of its total assets in non-U.S. dollar inflation-linked securities (up to 100% of its non-U.S. dollar exposure may be unhedged)

 

 

Engage in currency strategies, using instruments such as currency forwards, futures and options, to take long and short foreign currency positions subject to a limit of exposure from such strategies to 40% of total managed assets. This capacity is in addition to the existing capacity to have 100% unhedged exposure to non-U.S. dollar currencies through the purchase of fixed income securities

 

 

Utilize commodity-related strategies for up to 10% of its total managed assets. Exposure to commodities is expected to be achieved through the use of a variety of instruments, such as futures contracts, options and other derivatives, or through investments in exchange-traded products that offer exposure to commodities. The Fund does not expect to hold physical commodities.

Each of the foregoing policies is a non-fundamental policy that may be changed without shareholder approval. The Fund also has the following non-fundamental policy, which, to the extent required by applicable law, may only be changed after notice to shareholders: under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its total managed assets in inflation-protected securities and non-inflation-protected securities and instruments with the potential to enhance the Fund’s income. The Fund may invest up to 20% of the portfolio in debt instruments of emerging markets issuers that are not inflation-linked securities.

Reverse repurchase agreements and other forms of leverage will not exceed 38% of the Fund’s total managed assets. The Fund currently expects that the average effective durationviii of its portfolio will range between zero and fifteen years, although this target duration may change from time to time. The Fund may enter into credit default swap contracts for investment purposes, to manage its credit risk or to add leverage. The Fund may enter into total return swap contracts for investment purposes. The Fund may enter into interest rate swaps and consumer price index swaps to manage its interest rate and inflation-linked risk exposure, hedging, or for investment purposes.

In March 2016, the Board of Trustees authorized management to repurchase in the open market up to approximately 10% of the Fund’s outstanding common shares when the shares are trading at a discount to NAV and when such purchases could enhance shareholder value. The Fund is under no obligation to purchase shares at any specific discount levels or in any specific amounts.

Shareholders have the opportunity to reinvest their dividends from the Fund through the Dividend Reinvestment Plan (“DRIP”), which is described in detail on page 34 of this report. In general, if shares are trading at a discount to NAV, the DRIP takes advantage of the discount by reinvesting the monthly dividend distribution in common shares of the Fund purchased in the market at a price less than NAV. Conversely,

 

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when the market price of the Fund’s common shares is at a premium above NAV, the DRIP reinvests participants’ dividends in newly-issued common shares at NAV, subject to an IRS limitation that the purchase price cannot be more than 5% below the market price per share. The DRIP provides a cost-effective means to accumulate additional shares.

We appreciate your investment and look forward to serving your investment needs in the future. For the most up-to-date information on your investment, please visit the Fund’s website at www.guggenheiminvestments.com/wiw.

Sincerely,

Security Investors, LLC

June 30, 2017

 

i 

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 Fund’s market price as determined by supply of and demand for the Fund’s shares.

 

ii 

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Government Inflation-Linked 1-10 Year Index measures the performance of the intermediate U.S. TIPS market.

 

iii 

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Government Inflation-Linked All Maturities Index measures the performance of the U.S. TIPS market. The Index includes TIPS with one or more years remaining maturity with total outstanding issue size of $500 million or more.

 

iv 

U.S. Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (“TIPS”) are inflation-indexed securities issued by the U.S. Treasury in five-year, ten-year and thirty-year maturities. The principal is adjusted to the Consumer Price Index, the commonly used measure of inflation. The coupon rate is constant, but generates a different amount of interest when multiplied by the inflation-adjusted principal.

 

v 

The yield curve is the graphical depiction of the relationship between the yield on bonds of the same credit quality but different maturities.

 

vi 

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.

 

vii 

“Total managed assets” equals the total assets of the Fund (including any assets attributable to leverage) minus accrued liabilities (other than liabilities representing leverage).

 

viii 

Effective duration is a duration calculation for bonds with embedded options. Effective duration takes into account that expected cash flows will fluctuate as interest rates change. Please note, duration measures the sensitivity of price (the value of principal) of a fixed-income investment to a change in interest rates. Funds that employ leverage calculate effective duration based off of net assets.

 

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Investment commentary

 

Economic review

The pace of U.S. economic activity fluctuated during the six months ended May 31, 2017 (the “reporting period”). Looking back, the U.S. Department of Commerce reported that third quarter 2016 U.S. gross domestic product (“GDP”)i growth was 3.5%, the strongest reading in two years. However, fourth quarter 2016 GDP growth then moderated to 2.1%. Finally, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s final reading for first quarter 2017 GDP growth — released after the reporting period ended — was 1.4%. The deceleration in growth reflected downturns in private inventory investment and personal consumption expenditures, along with more modest state and local government spending.

Job growth in the U.S. was solid overall and a tailwind for the economy during the reporting period. When the reporting period ended on May 31, 2017, the unemployment rate was 4.3%, as reported by the U.S. Department of Labor. This was the lowest unemployment rate since May 2001. The percentage of longer-term unemployed moderately declined over the period. In May 2017, 24.0% of Americans looking for a job had been out of work for more than six months, versus 24.2% when the period began.

 

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Market review

Q. How did the Federal Reserve Board (the “Fed”)ii respond to the economic environment?

A. Looking back, after an extended period of maintaining the federal funds rateiii at a historically low range between zero and 0.25%, the Fed increased the rate at its meeting on December 16, 2015. This marked the first rate hike since 2006. In particular, the U.S. central bank raised the federal funds rate to a range between 0.25% and 0.50%. The Fed then kept rates on hold at each meeting prior to its meeting in mid-December 2016. On December 14, 2016, the Fed raised rates to a range between 0.50% and 0.75%.

After holding rates steady at its meeting that concluded on February 1, 2017, the Fed raised rates to a range between 0.75% and 1.00% at its meeting that ended on March 15, 2017. Finally, at its meeting that concluded on June 14, 2017 — after the reporting period ended — the Fed raised rates to a range between 1.00% and 1.25%. The Fed also said that it planned to reduce its balance sheet, saying, “The Committee is maintaining its existing policy of reinvesting principal payments from its holdings of agency debt and agency mortgage-backed securities in agency mortgage-backed securities and of rolling over maturing Treasury securities at auction. The Committee currently expects to begin implementing a balance sheet normalization program this year, provided that the economy evolves broadly as anticipated.”

Q. Did Treasury yields trend higher or lower during the reporting period?

A. Treasury yields moved sharply higher after the November 2016 U.S. presidential elections given expectations for improving growth and higher inflation. While they subsequently fell from their peak in mid-March 2017, all told short-term Treasury yields moved higher during the six months ended May 31, 2017. In contrast, long-term Treasury yields edged lower over the reporting period as a whole. Two-year Treasury yields began the reporting period at 1.11% and ended the period at 1.28%. Their low for the period of 1.10% occurred on December 7, 2016, and their peak of 1.40% took place on March 13 and March 14, 2017. Ten-year Treasury yields began the reporting period at 2.37% and ended the period at 2.21%. Their low of 2.18% occurred on April 18, 2017, and their peak of 2.62% occurred on March 13, 2017.

Q. What factors impacted the spread sectors (non-Treasuries) during the reporting period?

A. The spread sectors posted mixed results during the reporting period. Performance fluctuated with investor sentiment given signs of generally modest global growth, questions regarding future Fed monetary policy, the aforementioned U.S. elections and several geopolitical issues. The broad U.S. bond market, as measured by the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Indexiv, returned 2.52% during the six months ended May 31, 2017. Within the U.S. bond market, lower rated corporate bonds generated the best returns during the reporting period.

Q. What was the inflationary environment during the reporting period?

A. Inflation remained relatively modest during the reporting period. For the six months ended May 31, 2017, the seasonally unadjusted rate of inflation, as measured by

 

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Investment commentary (cont’d)

 

the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (“CPI-U”)v, was 1.4%. The CPI-U less food and energy was 1.1% over the same period. Inflation-protected securities generated positive results during the reporting. During the six months ended May 31, 2017, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Treasury Inflation-Linked Bond Indexvi returned 1.72%.

Q. How did the high-yield bond market perform over the reporting period?

A. The U.S. high-yield bond market, as measured by the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Corporate High Yield — 2% Issuer Cap Indexvii, gained 6.72% for the six months ended May 31, 2017. The high-yield market began the reporting period on a positive note, as it rallied sharply over the first three months of the period. This was driven by robust demand from investors looking to generate incremental yield in the low interest rate environment. After moving slightly lower in March 2017 given falling oil prices and overall weak demand, the high-yield market again rallied in April and May 2017.

Q. How did the emerging market debt asset class perform over the reporting period?

A. The JPMorgan Emerging Markets Bond Index Globalviii returned 8.00% during the six months ended May 31, 2017. In November 2016 — prior to the beginning of the reporting period — the asset class fell sharply. This occurred as demand was weak against a backdrop of rising interest rates in the U.S. and a sharp rally by the U.S. dollar. However, the asset class then moved higher during all six months of the reporting period. This turnaround was triggered by improving investor demand, less concern over a significant shift in U.S. trade policy and a weakening U.S. dollar.

Performance review

For the six months ended May 31, 2017, Western Asset/Claymore Inflation-Linked Opportunities & Income Fund returned 3.62% based on its net asset value (“NAV”)ix and 3.70% based on its New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) market price per share. The Fund’s unmanaged benchmarks, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Government Inflation-Linked 1-10 Year Indexx and the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Government Inflation-Linked All Maturities Indexxi, returned 1.58% and 1.79%, respectively, for the same period. The Bloomberg Barclays World Government Inflation-Linked All Maturities Indexxii and the Fund’s Custom Benchmarkxiii returned 5.05% and 2.21%, respectively, over the same time frame.

During this six-month period, the Fund made distributions to shareholders totaling $0.20 per share. As of May 31, 2017, the Fund estimates that all of the distributions were sourced from net investment income.* The performance table shows the Fund’s six-month total return based on its NAV and market price as of May 31, 2017. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

 

* These estimates are not for tax purposes. The Fund will issue a Form 1099 with final composition of the distributions for tax purposes after year end. A return of capital is not taxable and results in a reduction in the tax basis of a shareholder’s investment. For more information about a distribution’s composition, please refer to the Fund’s distribution press release or, if applicable, the Section 19 notice located in the press release section of our website, www.guggenheiminvestments.com/wiw.

 

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Performance Snapshot as of May 31, 2017
(unaudited)
 
Price Per Share  

6-Month

Total Return**

 
$12.60 (NAV)     3.62 %† 
$11.13 (Market Price)     3.70 %‡ 

All figures represent past performance and are not a guarantee of future results. Performance figures for periods shorter than one year represent cumulative figures and are not annualized.

** 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, if any, at NAV.

‡ Total return assumes the reinvestment of all distributions, including returns of capital, if any, in additional shares in accordance with the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan.

One of the distinguishing features of closed-end funds compared to other investment vehicles is the ability to trade at a premium or discount to NAV. Since the Fund is listed on the NYSE, the share price may trade above (premium) or below (discount) its NAV. Whereas the NAV is reflective of the Fund’s underlying investments, the share price is reflective of the overall supply and demand in the marketplace. Historically, the majority of closed-end funds have traded at a discount to NAV. This Fund was no exception to the phenomenon. We believe the Fund’s discount may be driven by a number of factors, including the overall closed-end fund market, current distribution rate and muted demand for inflation-linked investment products. While there are actions that may temporarily reduce the discount to NAV, which the Board of Trustees evaluates, we believe that if investor demand for inflation-linked investments increased, that development, among other factors, may help reduce the Fund’s share price discount to NAV over time. Western Asset Management Company, the Fund’s investment manager, continues to believe the Fund offers investors the opportunity for long-term inflation protection while providing a source of diversification for investors’ fixed-income portfolios.

Thank you for your investment in Western Asset/Claymore Inflation-Linked Opportunities & Income Fund. As always, we appreciate that you have chosen us to manage your assets and we remain focused on achieving the Fund’s investment goals.

Sincerely,

Western Asset Management Company

June 30, 2017

RISKS: Bonds are subject to a variety of risks, including interest rate, credit and inflation risks. As interest rates rise, bond prices fall, reducing the value of a fixed-income investment’s price. The Fund is subject to the additional risks associated with inflation protected securities, including liquidity risk, prepayment risk, extension risk and deflation risk. Investments in foreign companies, including emerging markets, involve risks beyond those inherent solely in domestic investments. Leverage may cause a fund to be more volatile than if the fund had not been leveraged, which may increase the risk of investment loss. Derivatives, such as options, futures, forwards and swaps, can be illiquid, create counterparty risk, may disproportionately increase losses, and may

 

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Investment commentary (cont’d)

 

have a potentially large impact on fund performance. To the extent that the Fund invests in asset-backed, mortgage-backed or mortgage-related securities, its exposure to prepayment and extension risks may be greater than if it invested in other fixed-income securities. International investments are subject to currency fluctuations as well as social, economic and political risks. These risks are magnified in emerging markets.

An investment in the Fund is subject to the following additional risks. If changes in the currency exchange rates do not occur as anticipated, the Fund may lose money on currency transactions. The Fund’s ability to use currency transactions successfully depends on a number of factors, including the currency transactions being available at prices that are not too costly, the availability of liquid markets and the ability of the Fund to accurately predict the direction of changes in currency exchange rates. Currency exchange rates may be volatile. Currency transactions are subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the other party in the transaction will not fulfill its contractual obligation. The Fund may gain exposure to the commodities markets by investing a portion of its assets in a wholly-owned subsidiary, Western Asset/Claymore Inflation-Linked Opportunities & Income Fund CFC (the “Subsidiary”), organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands. The Fund and the Subsidiary are deemed “commodity pools” and the investment adviser is considered a “commodity pool operator” with respect to the Fund under the Commodity Exchange Act. The investment adviser, directly or through its affiliates, is therefore subject to dual regulation by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the “CFTC”). Due to recent regulatory changes, additional regulatory requirements may be imposed and additional expenses may be incurred by the Fund. The regulatory requirements governing the use of commodity futures (which include futures on broad-based securities indexes, interest rate futures and currency futures), options on commodity futures, certain swaps or certain other investments could change at any time. Investments by the Fund in commodity-linked derivatives may subject the Fund to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities. The value of commodity-linked derivatives may be affected by changes in overall market movements, commodity index volatility, prolonged or intense speculation by investors, changes in interest rates or factors affecting a particular industry or commodity, such as drought, floods, other weather phenomena, livestock disease, embargoes, tariffs and international economic, political and regulatory developments. By investing in the Subsidiary, the Fund is indirectly exposed to the risks associated with the Subsidiary’s investments. The investments held by the Subsidiary are generally similar to those that are permitted to be held by the Fund and are subject to the same risks that apply to similar investments if held directly by the Fund. The Subsidiary is not registered as an investment company and is not subject to all of the investor protections of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”). Changes in the laws of the United States and/or the Cayman Islands could adversely affect the Fund. For example, the Cayman Islands does not currently impose any income, corporate or capital gains tax, estate duty, inheritance tax, gift tax or withholding tax on the Subsidiary. If Cayman Islands law changes such that the Subsidiary must pay Cayman Islands taxes, shareholders would likely suffer decreased investment returns. The Fund’s exposure to commodities markets, including through the Subsidiary, may be limited by its intention to qualify as a regulated investment company for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and may interfere with its ability to qualify as such.

 

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This material is not intended as a recommendation or as investment advice of any kind, including in connection with rollovers, transfers, and distributions. Such material is not provided in a fiduciary capacity, may not be relied upon for or in connection with the making of investment decisions, and does not constitute a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell securities. All content has been provided for informational or educational purposes only and is not intended to be and should not be construed as legal or tax advice and/or a legal opinion. Always consult a financial, tax and/or legal professional regarding your specific situation.

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, 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 

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 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.

 

iii 

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.

 

iv 

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Index is a broad-based bond index comprised of government, corporate, mortgage- and asset-backed issues, rated investment grade or higher, and having at least one year to maturity.

 

v 

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (“CPI-U”) is a measure of the average change in prices over time of goods and services purchased by households, which covers approximately 87% of the total population and includes, in addition to wage earners and clerical worker households, groups such as professional, managerial and technical workers, the self-employed, short-term workers, the unemployed and retirees and others not in the labor force.

 

vi 

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Treasury Inflation-Linked Bond Index represents an unmanaged market index made up of U.S. Treasury Inflation-Linked Index securities.

 

vii 

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Corporate High Yield — 2% Issuer Cap Index is an index of the 2% Issuer Cap component of the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Corporate High Yield Index, which covers the U.S. dollar-denominated, non-investment grade, fixed-rate, taxable corporate bond market.

 

viii 

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.

 

ix 

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 Fund’s market price as determined by supply of and demand for the Fund’s shares.

 

x 

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Government Inflation-Linked 1-10 Year Index measures the performance of the intermediate U.S. TIPS market.

 

xi 

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Government Inflation-Linked All Maturities Index measures the performance of the U.S. TIPS market. The Index includes TIPS with one or more years remaining maturity with total outstanding issue size of $500 million or more.

 

xii 

The Bloomberg Barclays World Government Inflation-Linked All Maturities Index measures the performance of the major government inflation-linked bond markets.

 

xiii 

The Custom Benchmark is comprised of 90% Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Government Inflation-Linked All Maturities Index, 5% Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Credit Index and 5% JPMorgan Emerging Markets Bond Index Plus (“EMBI+”). The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Credit Index is an index composed of corporate and non-corporate debt issues that are investment grade (rated Baa3/BBB- or higher). The EMBI+ is a total return index that tracks the traded market for U.S. dollar-denominated Brady and other similar sovereign restructured bonds traded in the emerging markets.

 

 

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Fund at a glance (unaudited)

 

Investment breakdown (%) as a percent of total investments

 

LOGO

 

The bar graph above represents the composition of the Fund’s investments as of May 31, 2017 and November 30, 2016 and does not include derivatives such as forward foreign currency contracts, futures contracts and swap contracts. The Fund is actively managed. As a result, the composition of the Fund’s investments is subject to change at any time.
Represents less than 0.1%.

 

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Spread duration (unaudited)

 

Economic exposure — May 31, 2017

 

LOGO

Spread duration measures the sensitivity to changes in spreads. The spread over Treasuries is the annual risk-premium demanded by investors to hold non-Treasury securities. Spread duration is quantified as the % change in price resulting from a 100 basis points change in spreads. For a security with positive spread duration, an increase in spreads would result in a price decline and a decline in spreads would result in a price increase. This chart highlights the market sector exposure of the Fund’s sectors relative to the selected benchmark sectors as of the end of the reporting period.

 

Benchmark   — Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Government Inflation-Linked All Maturities Index
EM   — Emerging Markets
HY   — High Yield
IG Credit   — Investment Grade Credit
MBS   — Mortgage-Backed Securities
WIW   — Western Asset/Claymore Inflation-Linked Opportunities & Income Fund

 

2    Western Asset/Claymore Inflation-Linked Opportunities & Income Fund 2017 Semi-Annual Report


Table of Contents

Effective duration (unaudited)

 

Interest rate exposure — May 31, 2017

 

LOGO

Effective duration measures the sensitivity to changes in relevant interest rates. Effective duration is quantified as the % change in price resulting from a 100 basis points change in interest rates. For a security with positive effective duration, an increase in interest rates would result in a price decline and a decline in interest rates would result in a price increase. This chart highlights the interest rate exposure of the Fund’s sectors relative to the selected benchmark sectors as of the end of the reporting period.

 

Benchmark

  — Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Government Inflation-Linked All Maturities Index
EM   — Emerging Markets
HY   — High Yield
IG Credit   — Investment Grade Credit
MBS   — Mortgage-Backed Securities
WIW   — Western Asset/Claymore Inflation-Linked Opportunities & Income Fund

 

Western Asset/Claymore Inflation-Linked Opportunities & Income Fund 2017 Semi-Annual Report   3


Table of Contents

Consolidated schedule of investments (unaudited)

May 31, 2017

 

Western Asset/Claymore Inflation-Linked Opportunities & Income Fund

 

Security   Rate     Maturity
Date
    Face
Amount†
    Value  
U.S. Treasury Inflation Protected Securities — 110.9%                                

U.S. Treasury Bonds, Inflation Indexed

    2.375     1/15/25       10,346,880     $ 11,958,727  

U.S. Treasury Bonds, Inflation Indexed

    2.000     1/15/26       130,103,654       148,120,018  (a) 

U.S. Treasury Bonds, Inflation Indexed

    1.750     1/15/28       7,820,198       8,878,131  (a) 

U.S. Treasury Bonds, Inflation Indexed

    3.625     4/15/28       20,770,870       27,658,906  

U.S. Treasury Bonds, Inflation Indexed

    2.500     1/15/29       11,423,231       14,011,015  

U.S. Treasury Bonds, Inflation Indexed

    3.875     4/15/29       19,279,000       26,706,601  

U.S. Treasury Bonds, Inflation Indexed

    2.125     2/15/40       7,895,650       10,003,504  

U.S. Treasury Bonds, Inflation Indexed

    2.125     2/15/41       7,124,864       9,072,617  

U.S. Treasury Bonds, Inflation Indexed

    0.750     2/15/42       269,733       261,445  

U.S. Treasury Bonds, Inflation Indexed

    0.625     2/15/43       6,447,171       6,048,768  

U.S. Treasury Bonds, Inflation Indexed

    1.375     2/15/44       8,551,541       9,476,450  

U.S. Treasury Bonds, Inflation Indexed

    0.750     2/15/45       14,649,495       14,030,744  

U.S. Treasury Bonds, Inflation Indexed

    1.000     2/15/46       21,257,281       21,690,632  

U.S. Treasury Notes, Inflation Indexed

    1.625     1/15/18       3,491,160       3,531,116  

U.S. Treasury Notes, Inflation Indexed

    0.125     4/15/18       87,536,780       87,604,008  (a) 

U.S. Treasury Notes, Inflation Indexed

    0.125     4/15/19       52,022,000       52,369,455  (a) 

U.S. Treasury Notes, Inflation Indexed

    0.125     4/15/20       40,600,950       40,964,735  (a) 

U.S. Treasury Notes, Inflation Indexed

    1.125     1/15/21       69,443,249       72,820,482  (a) 

U.S. Treasury Notes, Inflation Indexed

    0.625     7/15/21       14,440,562       14,949,360  

U.S. Treasury Notes, Inflation Indexed

    0.125     7/15/22       61,626,520       62,257,205  (a) 

U.S. Treasury Notes, Inflation Indexed

    0.125     1/15/23       69,223,348       69,377,509  (a)(b) 

U.S. Treasury Notes, Inflation Indexed

    0.375     7/15/23       29,751,840       30,320,160  

U.S. Treasury Notes, Inflation Indexed

    0.625     1/15/24       30,572,311       31,419,011  

U.S. Treasury Notes, Inflation Indexed

    0.125     7/15/24       28,142,943       28,024,208  

U.S. Treasury Notes, Inflation Indexed

    0.625     1/15/26       52,593,785       53,767,310  (a) 

Total U.S. Treasury Inflation Protected Securities (Cost — $837,430,118)

 

            855,322,117  
Asset-Backed Securities — 0.5%                                

Bear Stearns Asset-Backed Securities Trust, 2007-SD2 2A1

    1.424     9/25/46       81,859       71,725  (c) 

CSAB Mortgage-Backed Trust, 2007-1 3A30, IO

    5.626     5/25/37       11,661,374       3,578,230  (c) 

Security National Mortgage Loan Trust, 2006-3A A2

    5.830     1/25/37       197,174       194,513  (c)(d) 

Total Asset-Backed Securities (Cost — $3,444,738)

                            3,844,468  
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations — 7.0%                                

Banc of America Funding Corp., 2015-R2 04A2

    1.335     9/29/36       13,501,201       8,284,728  (c)(d) 

Banc of America Funding Corp., 2015-R2 5A2

    1.368     9/29/36       8,573,482       4,274,781  (d) 

Banc of America Funding Corp., 2015-R4 6A3

    1.130     8/27/36       4,550,000       3,345,792  (c)(d) 

CD Commercial Mortgage Trust, 2007-CD4 AJ

    5.398     12/11/49       436,734       265,534  (c) 

Citigroup Mortgage Loan Trust Inc., 2007-6 2A5, IO

    5.626     5/25/37       8,025,977       2,896,975  (c) 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

4    Western Asset/Claymore Inflation-Linked Opportunities & Income Fund 2017 Semi-Annual Report


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Western Asset/Claymore Inflation-Linked Opportunities & Income Fund

 

Security   Rate     Maturity
Date
    Face
Amount†
    Value  
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations — continued                                

Countrywide Alternative Loan Trust, 2004-33 1A1

    3.597     12/25/34       2,787     $ 2,765  (c) 

Countrywide Alternative Loan Trust, 2004-33 2A1

    3.314     12/25/34       4,031       3,977  (c) 

Countrywide Alternative Loan Trust, 2005-22T1 A2, IO

    4.046     6/25/35       3,874,773       553,251  (c) 

Credit Suisse Mortgage Trust, 2006-C5 AJ

    5.373     12/15/39       2,009,046       1,863,772  

Credit Suisse Mortgage Trust, 2007-C5 AM

    5.869     9/15/40       3,310,000       3,211,897  (c) 

Credit Suisse Mortgage Trust, 2015-12R 2A2

    1.482     11/30/37       4,810,000       3,093,494  (c)(d) 

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. (FHLMC) Structured Agency Credit Risk Debt Notes, 2017-DNA2 M2

    4.474     10/25/29       2,660,000       2,803,534  (c) 

GSR Mortgage Loan Trust, 2007-2F 4A1

    1.324     3/25/37       13,740,861       7,361,511  (c) 

JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, 2007-CB19 AJ

    5.751     2/12/49       2,750,000       2,284,479  (c) 

JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, 2007-LD12 AJ

    6.058     2/15/51       550,000       533,294  (c) 

Lehman Mortgage Trust, 2006-5 2A2, IO

    6.126     9/25/36       6,910,031       2,185,673  (c) 

Lehman Mortgage Trust, 2006-8 4A2, IO

    6.726     12/25/36       1,665,470       433,421  (c) 

Lehman Mortgage Trust, 2006-9 3A2, IO

    6.206     1/25/37       4,967,798       1,465,143  (c) 

Lehman Mortgage Trust, 2007-2 2A12, IO

    5.666     2/25/37       8,669,713       2,562,304  (c) 

Lehman Mortgage Trust, 2007-4 2A2, IO

    5.646     5/25/37       7,137,136       2,152,699  (c) 

Morgan Stanley Mortgage Loan Trust, 2007-11AR 2A3

    3.226     6/25/37       127,339       87,223  (c) 

Residential Accredit Loans Inc., 2006-QS7 A5, IO

    4.576     6/25/36       2,388,687       373,303  (c) 

Wells Fargo Commercial Mortgage Trust, 2015-C31 E

    4.611     11/15/48       5,912,000       3,921,648  (c)(d) 

Total Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (Cost — $53,827,356)

 

            53,961,198  
Corporate Bonds & Notes — 10.6%                                
Consumer Staples — 0.4%                                

Food Products — 0.2%

                               

MARB Bondco PLC, Senior Notes

    7.000     3/15/24       1,850,000       1,826,320  (d) 

Tobacco — 0.2%

                               

Alliance One International Inc., Secured Notes

    9.875     7/15/21       1,320,000       1,151,700  

Total Consumer Staples

                            2,978,020  
Energy — 3.5%                                

Energy Equipment & Services — 0.1%

                               

Halliburton Co., Senior Bonds

    3.800     11/15/25       500,000       516,517  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 3.4%

                               

Anadarko Petroleum Corp., Senior Notes

    5.550     3/15/26       500,000       561,747  

Apache Corp., Senior Notes

    2.625     1/15/23       500,000       493,941  

BP Capital Markets PLC, Senior Bonds

    3.119     5/4/26       500,000       498,873  

Chesapeake Energy Corp., Senior Notes

    5.750     3/15/23       3,000,000       2,812,500  

Continental Resources Inc., Senior Notes

    4.900     6/1/44       2,250,000       1,925,145  

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Western Asset/Claymore Inflation-Linked Opportunities & Income Fund 2017 Semi-Annual Report   5


Table of Contents

Consolidated schedule of investments (unaudited) (cont’d)

May 31, 2017

 

Western Asset/Claymore Inflation-Linked Opportunities & Income Fund

 

Security   Rate     Maturity
Date
    Face
Amount†
    Value  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — continued

                               

Exxon Mobil Corp., Senior Notes

    3.043     3/1/26       500,000     $ 507,717  

Noble Energy Inc., Senior Notes

    3.900     11/15/24       500,000       517,046  

Oasis Petroleum Inc., Senior Notes

    6.500     11/1/21       4,968,000       5,042,520  

Oasis Petroleum Inc., Senior Notes

    6.875     1/15/23       890,000       897,787  

Occidental Petroleum Corp., Senior Notes

    3.000     2/15/27       1,780,000       1,761,541  

Rice Energy Inc., Senior Notes

    6.250     5/1/22       1,410,000       1,459,350  

Rice Energy Inc., Senior Notes

    7.250     5/1/23       890,000       951,187  

Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Co., LLC, Senior Notes

    7.850     2/1/26       500,000       655,072  

Whiting Petroleum Corp., Senior Notes

    5.750     3/15/21       2,000,000       1,962,000  

Whiting Petroleum Corp., Senior Notes

    6.250     4/1/23       2,000,000       1,990,000  

Williams Cos. Inc., Senior Notes

    5.750     6/24/44       2,350,000       2,451,332  

YPF Sociedad Anonima, Senior Notes

    8.500     7/28/25       1,700,000       1,934,260  (e) 

Total Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

                            26,422,018  

Total Energy

                            26,938,535  
Financials — 1.0%                                

Banks — 0.7%

                               

Barclays Bank PLC, Subordinated Notes

    7.625     11/21/22       5,060,000       5,724,125  

Diversified Financial Services — 0.3%

                               

ILFC E-Capital Trust II, Bonds

    4.910     12/21/65       2,084,000       2,011,060  (c)(d) 

Total Financials

                            7,735,185  
Health Care — 3.3%                                

Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 1.0%

                               

DJO Finco Inc./DJO Finance LLC/DJO Finance Corp., Secured Notes

    8.125     6/15/21       6,702,000       6,232,860  (d) 

Immucor Inc., Senior Notes

    11.125     8/15/19       1,180,000       1,187,375  

Total Health Care Equipment & Supplies

                            7,420,235  

Health Care Providers & Services — 1.8%

                               

BioScrip Inc., Senior Notes

    8.875     2/15/21       2,190,000       1,839,600  

Universal Hospital Services Inc., Secured Notes

    7.625     8/15/20       11,930,000       12,168,600  

Total Health Care Providers & Services

                            14,008,200  

Pharmaceuticals — 0.5%

                               

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc., Senior Notes

    6.125     4/15/25       4,890,000       3,936,450  (d) 

Total Health Care

                            25,364,885  
Industrials — 0.9%                                

Aerospace & Defense — 0.2%

                               

Heligear Acquisition Co., Senior Secured Bonds

    10.250     10/15/19       1,464,000       1,498,521  (d) 

Construction & Engineering — 0.3%

                               

Brundage-Bone Concrete Pumping Inc., Senior Secured Notes

    10.375     9/1/21       1,500,000       1,575,000  (d) 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

6    Western Asset/Claymore Inflation-Linked Opportunities & Income Fund 2017 Semi-Annual Report


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Western Asset/Claymore Inflation-Linked Opportunities & Income Fund

 

Security   Rate     Maturity
Date
    Face
Amount†
    Value  

Construction & Engineering — continued

                               

Michael Baker International LLC/CDL Acquisition Co. Inc., Senior Secured Notes

    8.250     10/15/18       1,050,000     $ 1,053,938  (d) 

Total Construction & Engineering

                            2,628,938  

Electrical Equipment — 0.4%

                               

Interface Master Holdings Inc., Senior Notes (12.500% Cash or 14.500% PIK)

    12.500     8/1/18       3,000,000       2,790,000  (d)(f) 

Total Industrials

                            6,917,459  
Information Technology — 0.4%                                

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 0.4%

                               

Interface Security Systems Holdings Inc./Interface Security Systems LLC, Senior Secured Notes

    9.250     1/15/18       3,670,000       3,600,270  
Materials — 1.1%                                

Containers & Packaging — 0.1%

                               

PaperWorks Industries Inc., Senior Secured Notes

    9.500     8/15/19       970,000       749,325  (d) 

Metals & Mining — 1.0%

                               

Barrick Gold Corp., Senior Notes

    5.250     4/1/42       500,000       562,000  

Freeport-McMoRan Inc., Senior Notes

    6.875     2/15/23       3,000,000       3,142,500  (d) 

Glencore Funding LLC, Senior Notes

    4.000     3/27/27       500,000       493,811  (d) 

Southern Copper Corp., Senior Notes

    5.250     11/8/42       3,440,000       3,361,071  

Total Metals & Mining

                            7,559,382  

Total Materials

                            8,308,707  

Total Corporate Bonds & Notes (Cost — $76,483,391)

                            81,843,061  
Non-U.S. Treasury Inflation Protected Securities — 3.5%                  

Brazil — 0.9%

                               

Federative Republic of Brazil, Notes

    6.000     8/15/50       6,800,000  BRL      6,771,215  

Italy — 2.6%

                               

Italy Buoni Poliennali Del Tesoro, Senior Bonds

    3.100     9/15/26       15,050,140  EUR      19,899,028  (e) 

Total Non-U.S. Treasury Inflation Protected Securities (Cost — $24,934,525)

 

            26,670,243  
Senior Loans — 0.1%                                
Consumer Discretionary — 0.1%                                

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 0.1%

                               

TOMS Shoes LLC, Term Loan B (Cost — $1,211,617)

    6.700     10/28/20       1,293,600       672,672  (g)(h)(i) 
Sovereign Bonds — 2.3%                                

Ecuador — 0.5%

                               

Republic of Ecuador, Senior Bonds

    10.500     3/24/20       3,120,000       3,279,900  (d) 

Republic of Ecuador, Senior Bonds

    7.950     6/20/24       1,070,000       1,011,150  (e) 

Total Ecuador

                            4,291,050  

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Western Asset/Claymore Inflation-Linked Opportunities & Income Fund 2017 Semi-Annual Report   7


Table of Contents

Consolidated schedule of investments (unaudited) (cont’d)

May 31, 2017

 

Western Asset/Claymore Inflation-Linked Opportunities & Income Fund

 

Security   Rate     Maturity
Date
    Face
Amount†
    Value  

Mexico — 1.8%

                               

United Mexican States, Senior Bonds

    7.750     11/13/42       251,000,000  MXN    $ 13,710,367  

Total Sovereign Bonds (Cost — $19,497,827)

                            18,001,417  
U.S. Government & Agency Obligations — 2.8%                                

U.S. Government Obligations — 2.8%

                               

U.S. Treasury Notes

    1.750     5/31/22       10,690,000       10,690,417  

U.S. Treasury Notes

    2.000     5/31/24       10,570,000       10,560,920  

Total U.S. Government & Agency Obligations (Cost — $21,177,700)

 

            21,251,337  
                   Shares         
Common Stocks — 0.0%                                
Energy — 0.0%                                

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 0.0%

                               

Pacific Exploration and Production Corp. (Cost — $925,885)

 

    5,523       155,222  * 
Preferred Stocks — 0.2%                                
Industrials — 0.2%                                

Trading Companies & Distributors — 0.2%

                               

General Finance Corp. (Cost — $1,360,000)

    8.125             54,400       1,401,888  

Total Investments before Short-Term Investments (Cost — $1,040,293,157)

 

            1,063,123,623  
Short-Term Investments — 0.2%                                

State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund, Premier Class (Cost — $2,082,205)

    0.723             2,082,205       2,082,205  

Total Investments — 138.1% (Cost — $1,042,375,362#)

 

                    1,065,205,828  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (38.1)%

                            (294,149,773

Total Net Assets — 100.0%

                          $ 771,056,055  

 

Face amount denominated in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise noted.

 

* Non-income producing security.

 

(a) 

All or a portion of this security is held by the counterparty as collateral for open reverse repurchase agreements.

 

(b) 

All or a portion of this security is held at the broker as collateral for open futures contracts.

 

(c) 

Variable rate security. Interest rate disclosed is as of the most recent information available.

 

(d) 

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 Trustees, unless otherwise noted.

 

(e) 

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 Trustees, unless otherwise noted.

 

(f) 

Payment-in-kind security for which the issuer has the option at each interest payment date of making interest payments in cash or additional debt securities.

 

(g) 

Senior loans may be considered restricted in that the Fund ordinarily is contractually obligated to receive approval from the agent bank and/or borrower prior to the disposition of a senior loan.

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

8    Western Asset/Claymore Inflation-Linked Opportunities & Income Fund 2017 Semi-Annual Report


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Western Asset/Claymore Inflation-Linked Opportunities & Income Fund

 

 

(h) 

Interest rates disclosed represent the effective rates on senior loans. Ranges in interest rates are attributable to multiple contracts under the same loan.

 

(i) 

Security is valued using significant unobservable inputs (See Note 1).

 

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

 

Abbreviations used in this schedule:

BRL   — Brazilian Real
EUR   — Euro
IO   — Interest Only
MXN   — Mexican Peso

At May 31, 2017, the Fund had the following open reverse repurchase agreements:

 

Counterparty   Rate     Effective
Date
    Maturity
Date
  Face Amount
of Reverse
Repurchase
Agreements
    Asset Class of Collateral*     Collateral
Value
 
Credit Suisse     0.60     3/7/2017     TBD**   $ 32,718,750       U.S. Treasury inflation protected securities     $ 33,386,480  
Deutsche Bank     1.00     4/18/2017     7/19/2017     61,800,000       U.S. Treasury inflation protected securities       63,384,615  
Deutsche Bank     1.10     5/16/2017     8/16/2017     226,580,000       U.S. Treasury inflation protected securities       232,389,744  
                        $ 321,098,750             $ 329,160,839  

 

* Refer to the Consolidated Schedule of Investments for positions held at the counterparty as collateral for reverse repurchase agreements.

 

** TBD — To Be Determined; These reverse repurchase agreements have no maturity dates because they are renewed daily and can be terminated by either the Fund or the counterparty in accordance with the terms of the agreements. The rates for these agreements are variable. The rate disclosed is the rate as-of May 31, 2017.

At May 31, 2017, the Fund had the following open futures contracts:

 

      Number of
Contracts
     Expiration
Date
     Notional
Amount
     Market
Value
     Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
Contracts to Buy:                                             
90-Day Eurodollar      112        12/18      $ 27,699,364      $ 27,517,000      $ (182,364)  
Canadian Dollar      418        6/17        30,996,494        30,959,170        (37,324)  
Corn      160        12/17        3,112,526        3,128,000        15,474  
Cotton No. 2 Futures      18        12/17        653,009        655,110        2,101  
Euro      238        6/17        31,698,805        33,486,600        1,787,795  
Euro BTP      336        6/17        49,101,977        50,253,079        1,151,102  
Gold 100 Ounce      258        12/17        32,666,229        33,088,500        422,271  
LME Copper      129        12/17        8,466,049        8,412,413        (53,636)  
Lean Hogs Futures      31        10/17        844,716        848,470        3,754  
Live Cattle Futures      24        10/17        1,137,113        1,134,240        (2,873)  
Mexican Peso      168        6/17        4,407,186        4,490,640        83,454  
Natural Gas      146        9/17        4,917,021        4,555,200        (361,821)  

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Western Asset/Claymore Inflation-Linked Opportunities & Income Fund 2017 Semi-Annual Report   9


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Consolidated schedule of investments (unaudited) (cont’d)

May 31, 2017

 

Western Asset/Claymore Inflation-Linked Opportunities & Income Fund

 

     Number of
Contracts
    Expiration
Date
    Notional
Amount
    Market
Value
    Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
Contracts to Buy: continued                                  
New York Harbor ULSD Futures     34       9/17     $ 2,332,250     $ 2,208,973     $ (123,277)  
RBOB Gasoline     30       9/17       1,918,851       1,833,930       (84,921)  
Silver     22       12/17       1,902,852       1,933,910       31,058  
Soybean     77       11/17       3,657,154       3,535,263       (121,891)  
U.S. Treasury 10-Year Notes     390       9/17       49,091,310       49,255,781       164,471  
U.S. Treasury Long-Term Bonds     165       9/17       25,274,502       25,379,063       104,561  
U.S. Treasury Ultra Long-Term Bonds     34       9/17       5,477,230       5,614,250       137,020  
WTI Crude     708       8/17       37,692,989       34,507,920       (3,185,069)  
Wheat     73       12/17       1,696,882       1,702,725       5,843  
                                      (244,272)  
Contracts to Sell:                                        
90-Day Eurodollar     65       9/18       15,954,451       15,984,313       (29,862)  
British Pound     67       6/17       5,122,770       5,401,875       (279,105)  
Euro-Bund     259       6/17       46,739,133       47,226,596       (487,463)  
Japanese Yen     1,084       6/17       120,561,735       122,654,600       (2,092,865)  
U.S. Treasury 5-Year Notes     2,156       9/17       254,526,172       255,081,750       (555,578)  
U.S. Treasury Ultra 10-Year Notes     168       9/17       22,653,471       22,803,375       (149,904)  
                                      (3,594,777)  
Net unrealized depreciation on open futures contracts     $ (3,839,049)  

At May 31, 2017, the Fund had the following open forward foreign currency contracts:

 

Currency
Purchased
    Currency
Sold
    Counterparty   Settlement
Date
    Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
COP     44,955,080,000     USD     15,517,805     Bank of America N.A.     7/19/17     $ (213,427)  
MXN     208,620,000     USD     10,985,782     Bank of America N.A.     7/20/17       113,620  
EUR     1,030,000     USD     1,131,039     Barclays Bank PLC     7/20/17       28,962  
EUR     572,002     USD     643,445     Barclays Bank PLC     7/20/17       752  
GBP     4,941,589     USD     6,189,232     Barclays Bank PLC     7/20/17       187,383  
INR     503,530,000     USD     7,731,153     Barclays Bank PLC     7/20/17       25,068  
JPY     1,695,070,000     USD     15,525,463     Barclays Bank PLC     7/20/17       (187,100)  
MYR     33,790,000     USD     7,574,535     Barclays Bank PLC     7/20/17       302,390  
USD     1,997     CAD     2,660     Barclays Bank PLC     7/20/17       26  
USD     35,964,374     EUR     33,744,841     Barclays Bank PLC     7/20/17       (2,039,562)  
USD     611,425     EUR     543,001     Barclays Bank PLC     7/20/17       (111)  
USD     16,409,264     TWD     499,498,000     Barclays Bank PLC     7/20/17       (224,645)  
RUB     1,385,179,000     USD     23,990,976     Citibank N.A.     7/20/17       175,282  
ARS     118,162,500     USD     7,139,728     Citibank N.A.     10/17/17       (256,675)  
Total     $ (2,088,037)  

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

10    Western Asset/Claymore Inflation-Linked Opportunities & Income Fund 2017 Semi-Annual Report


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Western Asset/Claymore Inflation-Linked Opportunities & Income Fund

 

 

Abbreviations used in this table:

ARS   — Argentine Peso
CAD   — Canadian Dollar
COP   — Colombian Peso
EUR   — Euro
GBP   — British Pound
INR   — Indian Rupee
JPY   — Japanese Yen
MXN   — Mexican Peso
MYR   — Malaysian Ringgit
RUB   — Russian Ruble
TWD   — Taiwan Dollar
USD   — United States Dollar

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Western Asset/Claymore Inflation-Linked Opportunities & Income Fund 2017 Semi-Annual Report   11


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Consolidated statement of assets and liabilities (unaudited)

May 31, 2017

 

Assets:  

Investments, at value (Cost — $1,042,375,362)

   $ 1,065,205,828  

Foreign currency, at value (Cost — $2)

     2  

Cash

     20,078,027  

Interest receivable

     4,758,494  

Deposits with brokers for open futures contracts

     4,467,778  

Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency contracts

     833,483  

Foreign currency collateral for open futures contracts, at value (Cost — $702,410)

     736,193  

Deposits with brokers for OTC swap contracts

     250,000  

Principal paydown receivable

     30,529  

Receivable for securities sold

     122  

Prepaid expenses

     48,311  

Total Assets

     1,096,408,767  
Liabilities:  

Payable for open reverse repurchase agreements

     321,098,750  

Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency contracts

     2,921,520  

Investment advisory fee payable

     546,286  

Payable to broker — variation margin on open futures contracts

     313,036  

Interest payable

     233,269  

Administration fee payable

     36,419  

Trustees’ fees payable

     14,257  

Accrued expenses

     189,175  

Total Liabilities

     325,352,712  
Total Net Assets    $ 771,056,055  
Net Assets:  

Common shares, no par value, unlimited number of shares authorized, 61,184,134 shares issued and outstanding

     819,718,608  

Undistributed net investment income

     541,002  

Accumulated net realized loss on investments, futures contracts, swap contracts, forward foreign currency contracts and foreign currency transactions

     (66,171,793)  

Net unrealized appreciation on investments, futures contracts, forward foreign currency contracts and foreign currencies

     16,968,238  
Total Net Assets    $ 771,056,055  
Shares Outstanding      61,184,134  
Net Asset Value      $12.60  

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

12    Western Asset/Claymore Inflation-Linked Opportunities & Income Fund 2017 Semi-Annual Report


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Consolidated statement of operations (unaudited)

For the Six Months Ended May 31, 2017

 

Investment Income:  

Interest

   $ 16,617,792  

Dividends

     55,250  

Total Investment Income

     16,673,042  
Expenses:  

Investment management fee (Note 2)

     3,265,134  

Interest expense (Note 3)

     1,445,675  

Administration fees (Note 2)

     217,675  

Legal fees

     147,737  

Transfer agent fees

     70,437  

Trustees’ fees

     58,918  

Fund accounting fees

     37,457  

Stock exchange listing fees

     29,708  

Audit and tax fees

     25,489  

Shareholder reports

     18,521  

Commodity pool reports

     15,841  

Custody fees

     9,038  

Insurance

     7,437  

Miscellaneous expenses

     15,106  

Total Expenses

     5,364,173  
Net Investment Income      11,308,869  
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

     (848,019)  

Futures contracts

     3,564,900  

Swap contracts

     619,613  

Forward foreign currency contracts

     3,258,309  

Foreign currency transactions

     (34,293)  

Net Realized Gain

     6,560,510  

Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) From:

 

Investments

     15,774,947  

Futures contracts

     (6,599,301)  

Swap contracts

     (160,501)  

Forward foreign currency contracts

     (439,141)  

Foreign currencies

     113,274  

Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

     8,689,278  
Net Gain on Investments, Futures Contracts, Swap Contracts, Forward Foreign Currency Contracts and Foreign Currency Transactions      15,249,788  
Increase in Net Assets From Operations    $ 26,558,657  

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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Consolidated statements of changes in net assets

 

 

For the Six Months Ended May 31, 2017 (unaudited),
the Period Ended November 30, 2016 and the Year Ended
December 31, 2015
  2017     2016†     2015  
Operations:  

Net investment income

  $ 11,308,869     $ 21,010,813     $ 15,460,045  

Net realized gain (loss)

    6,560,510       (17,953,810)       (42,495,297)  

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    8,689,278       32,336,168       1,027,591  

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets From Operations

    26,558,657       35,393,171       (26,007,661)  
Distributions to Shareholders From (Note 1):  

Net investment income

    (12,450,971)       (18,036,758)       (6,905,213)  

Net realized gains

                (1,186,112)  

Return of capital

          (4,509,595)       (14,455,028)  

Decrease in Net Assets From Distributions to Shareholders

    (12,450,971)       (22,546,353)       (22,546,353)  

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

    14,107,686       12,846,818       (48,554,014)  
Net Assets:  

Beginning of period

    756,948,369       744,101,551       792,655,565  

End of period*

  $ 771,056,055     $ 756,948,369     $ 744,101,551  

*Includes undistributed (overdistributed) net investment income, respectively, of:

    $541,002       $1,683,104       $(996,438)  

 

For the period January 1, 2016 through November 30, 2016.

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

14    Western Asset/Claymore Inflation-Linked Opportunities & Income Fund 2017 Semi-Annual Report


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Consolidated statement of cash flows (unaudited)

For the Six Months Ended May 31, 2017

 

Increase (Decrease) in Cash:  
Cash Provided (Used) by Operating Activities:  

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

   $ 26,558,657  

Adjustments to reconcile net increase in net assets resulting from operations to net cash provided (used) by operating activities:

        

Purchases of portfolio securities

     (394,559,114)  

Sales of portfolio securities

     400,999,628  

Net purchases, sales and maturities of short-term investments

     53,958,100  

Realized loss on purchased options

     (725,552)  

Net amortization of premium (accretion of discount)

     1,762,469  

Net inflation adjustment

     (8,009,355)  

Decrease in receivable for securities sold

     1,073,315  

Decrease in interest receivable

     754,375  

Decrease in receivable from broker — variation margin on open futures contracts

     2,074,387  

Increase in prepaid expenses

     (22,383)  

Increase in principal paydown receivable

     (28,790)  

Increase in deposits with brokers for open futures contracts

     (980,760)  

Increase in foreign currency collateral for open futures contracts

     (736,193)  

Increase in deposits with brokers for OTC swap contracts

     (250,000)  

Decrease in deposits with brokers for open reverse repurchase agreements

     340,017  

Decrease in deposits with brokers for centrally cleared swap contracts

     10,818  

Decrease in payable for securities purchased

     (911,060)  

Decrease in foreign currency collateral from brokers for open futures contracts

     (7,572)  

Decrease in investment management fee payable

     (10,381)  

Decrease in Trustees’ fees payable

     (2,576)  

Decrease in administration fee payable

     (692)  

Increase in interest payable

     173,569  

Decrease in accrued expenses

     (7,171)  

Increase in payable to broker — variation margin on open futures contracts

     313,036  

Net realized loss on investments

     848,019  

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments, OTC swap contracts and forward foreign currency transactions

     (15,175,305)  

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities*

     67,439,486  
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:  

Distributions paid on common stock

     (12,450,971)  

Decrease in payable for reverse repurchase agreements

     (44,602,200)  

Net Cash Used in Financing Activities

     (57,053,171)  
Net Increase in Cash      10,386,315  

Cash at Beginning of Period

     9,691,714  

Cash at End of Period

   $ 20,078,029  

 

* Included in operating expenses is cash of $1,272,106 paid for interest on borrowings.

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Western Asset/Claymore Inflation-Linked Opportunities & Income Fund 2017 Semi-Annual Report   15


Table of Contents

Consolidated financial highlights

 

For a share of common stock outstanding throughout each year ended November 30,
unless otherwise noted:
 
     20171,2     20161,3     20151,4     20141,4     20131,4     20121,4     20111,4  
Net asset value, beginning of period     $12.37       $12.16       $12.96       $13.24       $14.93       $14.26       $13.27  
Income (loss) from operations:  

Net investment income

    0.18       0.34       0.25       0.38       0.16       0.28       0.51  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    0.25       0.24       (0.68)       (0.22)       (1.45)       0.76       1.01  

Total income (loss) from operations

    0.43       0.58       (0.43)       0.16       (1.29)       1.04       1.52  
Less distributions from:  

Net investment income

    (0.20) 5      (0.29)       (0.11)       (0.36)       (0.16)       (0.32)       (0.53)  

Net realized gains

                (0.02)       (0.08)       (0.24)       (0.05)        

Return of capital

          (0.08)       (0.24)                          

Total distributions

    (0.20)       (0.37)       (0.37)       (0.44)       (0.40)       (0.37)       (0.53)  
Net asset value, end of period     $12.60       $12.37       $12.16       $12.96       $13.24       $14.93       $14.26  
Market price, end of period     $11.13       $10.93       $10.29       $11.30       $11.27       $13.20       $12.61  

Total return, based on NAV6,7

    3.62     4.69     (3.42)     1.09     (8.74)     7.35     11.61

Total return, based on Market Price8

    3.70     9.85     (5.83)     4.03     (11.77)     7.64     4.90
Net assets, end of period (000s)     $771,056       $756,948       $744,102       $792,656       $810,229       $913,241       $872,639  
Ratios to average net assets:  

Gross expenses

    1.41 %9      1.40 %9      1.13     0.95     0.75     0.69     0.68

Net expenses

    1.41 9      1.40 9      1.13       0.95       0.75       0.69       0.68  

Net investment income

    2.97 9      3.00 9      1.98       2.84       1.11       1.92       3.70  
Portfolio turnover rate     38     70     59     49     112     91     61

 

1

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

 

2

For the six months ended May 31, 2017 (unaudited).

 

3

For the period January 1, 2016 through November 30, 2016.

 

4

For the year ended December 31.

 

5

The actual source of the Fund’s current fiscal year distributions may be from net investment income, return of capital or a combination of both. Shareholders will be informed of the tax characteristics of the distributions after the close of the fiscal year.

 

6

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

 

7

The total return calculation assumes that distributions are reinvested at NAV. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

8

The total return calculation assumes that distributions are reinvested in accordance with the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

9

Annualized.

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

16    Western Asset/Claymore Inflation-Linked Opportunities & Income Fund 2017 Semi-Annual Report


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Notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited)

 

1. Organization and significant accounting policies

Western Asset/Claymore Inflation-Linked Opportunities & Income Fund (the “Fund”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”), as a diversified, closed-end management investment company. The Fund commenced operations on February 25, 2004.

The Fund’s primary investment objective is to provide current income for its shareholders. Capital appreciation, when consistent with current income, is a secondary investment objective.

The Fund may gain exposure to the commodities markets by investing a portion of its assets in a wholly-owned subsidiary, Western Asset/Claymore Inflation-Linked Opportunities & Income Fund CFC (the “Subsidiary”), organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands. Among other investments, the Subsidiary may invest in commodity-linked instruments. The Fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets in the Subsidiary. These financial statements are consolidated financial statements of the Fund and the Subsidiary.

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 consolidated 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. Short-term fixed income securities that will mature in 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, unless it is determined that using this method would not reflect an investment’s 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

 

Western Asset/Claymore Inflation-Linked Opportunities & Income Fund 2017 Semi-Annual Report   17


Table of Contents

Notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited) (cont’d)

 

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 the Fund calculates its net asset value, the Fund values these securities as determined in accordance with procedures approved by the Fund’s Board of Trustees.

The Board of Trustees 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 Trustees, is responsible for making fair value determinations, evaluating the effectiveness of the Fund’s pricing policies, and reporting to the Board of Trustees. 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 issuer’s 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 Trustees, 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 Trustees 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.

 

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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 Fund’s 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 Fund’s 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†:                                

U.S. Treasury inflation protected securities

        $ 855,322,117           $ 855,322,117  

Asset-backed securities

          3,844,468             3,844,468  

Collateralized mortgage obligations

          53,961,198             53,961,198  

Corporate bonds & notes

          81,843,061             81,843,061  

Non-U.S. Treasury inflation protected securities

          26,670,243             26,670,243  

Senior loans

              $ 672,672       672,672  

Sovereign bonds

          18,001,417             18,001,417  

U.S. Government & agency obligations

          21,251,337             21,251,337  

Common stocks

  $ 155,222                   155,222  

Preferred stocks

    1,401,888                   1,401,888  
Total long-term investments     1,557,110       1,060,893,841       672,672       1,063,123,623  
Short-term investments†     2,082,205                   2,082,205  
Total investments   $ 3,639,315     $ 1,060,893,841     $ 672,672     $ 1,065,205,828  
Other financial instruments:                                

Futures contracts

  $ 3,908,904                 $ 3,908,904  

Forward foreign currency contracts

          833,483             833,483  
Total other financial instruments   $ 3,908,904     $ 833,483           $ 4,742,387  
Total   $ 7,548,219     $ 1,061,727,324     $ 672,672     $ 1,069,948,215  

 

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Notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited) (cont’d)

 

 

LIABILITIES  
Description   Quoted Prices
(Level 1)
    Other Significant
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
    Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
    Total  
Other financial instruments:                                

Futures contracts

  $ 7,747,953                 $ 7,747,953  

Forward foreign currency contracts

        $ 2,921,520             2,921,520  
Total   $ 7,747,953     $ 2,921,520           $ 10,669,473  

 

See Consolidated Schedule of Investments for additional detailed categorizations.

(b) Repurchase agreements. The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with institutions that its investment manager has determined are creditworthy. Each repurchase agreement is recorded at cost. Under the terms of a typical repurchase agreement, the Fund acquires a debt security subject to an obligation of the seller to repurchase, and of the Fund to resell, the security at an agreed-upon price and time, thereby determining the yield during the Fund’s holding period. When entering into repurchase agreements, it is the Fund’s policy that its custodian or a third party custodian, acting on the Fund’s behalf, take possession of the underlying collateral securities, the market value of which, at all times, at least equals the principal amount of the repurchase transaction, including accrued interest. To the extent that any repurchase transaction maturity exceeds one business day, the value of the collateral is marked-to-market and measured against the value of the agreement in an effort to ensure the adequacy of the collateral. If the counterparty defaults, the Fund generally has the right to use the collateral to satisfy the terms of the repurchase transaction. However, if the market value of the collateral declines during the period in which the Fund seeks to assert its rights or if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of the security, realization of the collateral by the Fund may be delayed or limited.

(c) Reverse repurchase agreements. The Fund may enter into reverse repurchase agreements. Under the terms of a typical reverse repurchase agreement, a fund sells a security subject to an obligation to repurchase the security from the buyer at an agreed-upon time and price. In the event the buyer of securities under a reverse repurchase agreement files for bankruptcy or becomes insolvent, the Fund’s use of the proceeds of the agreement may be restricted pending a determination by the counterparty, or its trustee or receiver, whether to enforce the Fund’s obligation to repurchase the securities. In entering into reverse repurchase agreements, the Fund will maintain cash, U.S. government securities or other liquid debt obligations at least equal in value to its obligations with respect to reverse repurchase agreements or will take other actions permitted by law to cover its obligations. If the market value of the collateral declines during the period, the Fund may be required to post additional collateral to cover its obligation. Cash collateral that has been pledged to cover obligations of the Fund under reverse repurchase agreements, if any, will be reported separately in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Securities pledged as collateral are noted in the Consolidated Schedule of Investments. Interest payments made on reverse repurchase agreements are recognized as a component of “Interest expense” on the Consolidated Statement of Operations. In periods of increased

 

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demand for the security, the Fund may receive a fee for use of the security by the counterparty, which may result in interest income to the Fund.

(d) 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 Consolidated 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.

(e) Purchased options. When the Fund purchases an option, an amount equal to the premium paid by the Fund is recorded as an investment on the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities, the value of which is marked-to-market to reflect the current market value of the option purchased. If the purchased option expires, the Fund realizes a loss equal to the amount of premium paid. When an instrument is purchased or sold through the exercise of an option, the related premium paid is added to the basis of the instrument acquired or deducted from the proceeds of the instrument sold. The risk associated with purchasing put and call options is limited to the premium paid.

(f) 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.

 

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Notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited) (cont’d)

 

Forward foreign currency contracts involve elements of market risk in excess of the amounts reflected on the Consolidated 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.

(g) 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.

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 Consolidated 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 Fund’s custodian in compliance with the terms of the swap contracts. Securities posted as collateral for swap contracts are identified in the Consolidated Schedule of Investments and restricted cash, if any, is identified on the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Risks may exceed amounts recorded in the Consolidated 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 Consolidated 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 Consolidated Statement of Operations. Net periodic payments received or paid by the Fund are recognized as a realized gain or loss in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

The Fund’s maximum exposure in the event of a defined credit event on a credit default swap to sell protection is the notional amount. As of May 31, 2017, the Fund did not hold any credit default swaps to sell protection.

 

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For average notional amounts of swaps held during the six months ended May 31, 2017, see Note 4.

Total return swaps

The Fund enters into total return swaps for investment purposes. Total return swaps are agreements to exchange the return generated by one instrument for the return generated by another instrument. For example, the agreement to pay a predetermined or fixed interest rate in exchange for a market-linked return based on a notional amount. To the extent the total return of a referenced index or instrument exceeds the offsetting interest obligation, the Fund will receive a payment from the counterparty. To the extent it is less, the Fund will make a payment to the counterparty.

(h) Inflation-indexed bonds. Inflation-indexed bonds are fixed-income securities whose principal value or interest rate is periodically adjusted according to the rate of inflation. As the index measuring inflation changes, the principal value or interest rate of inflation-indexed bonds will be adjusted accordingly. Inflation adjustments to the principal amount of inflation-indexed bonds are reflected as an increase or decrease to investment income on the Consolidated Statement of Operations. Repayment of the original bond principal upon maturity (as adjusted for inflation) is guaranteed in the case of U.S. Treasury inflation-indexed bonds. For bonds that do not provide a similar guarantee, the adjusted principal value of the bond repaid at maturity may be less than the original principal.

(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.

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 Fund’s books and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from changes in the 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,

 

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Notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited) (cont’d)

 

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) Loan participations. The Fund may invest in loans arranged through private negotiation between one or more financial institutions. The Fund’s investment in any such loan may 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.

(k) 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 market’s 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 IO’s 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 IO’s.

(l) 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 Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets and additional information on cash receipts and cash payments are presented in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.

(m) 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 Fund’s 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

 

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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 Fund’s 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.

(n) Foreign investment risks. The Fund’s 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, expropriation, taxation or other political, social or economic developments, all of which affect the market and/or credit risk of the investments.

(o) 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 Fund’s investment manager 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 investment manager. In addition, declines in the values of underlying collateral received may expose the Fund to increased risk of loss.

The Fund has entered into master agreements with certain of its derivative counterparties that provide for general obligations, representations, agreements, collateral, events 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 Fund’s 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.

 

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Notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited) (cont’d)

 

Collateral requirements differ by type of derivative. Collateral or margin requirements are set by the broker or exchange clearinghouse for exchange traded derivatives while 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 Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Securities pledged as collateral, if any, for the same purpose are noted in the Consolidated Schedule of Investments.

Absent an event of default by the counterparty or a termination of the agreement, the terms of the master agreements do not result in an offset of reported amounts of financial assets and financial liabilities in the Consolidated 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.

As of May 31, 2017, the Fund held forward foreign currency contracts with credit related contingent features which had a liability position of $2,921,520. If a contingent feature in the master agreements would have been triggered, the Fund would have been required to pay this amount to its derivatives counterparties.

(p) Security transactions and investment income. Security transactions are accounted for on a trade date basis. Interest income, adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion of discount, is recorded on the accrual basis. 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. 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.

(q) Distributions to shareholders. Distributions from net investment income of the Fund, if any, are declared and paid on a monthly basis. The actual source of the Fund’s monthly distributions may be from net investment income, return of capital or a combination of both. Shareholders will be informed of the tax characteristics of the distributions after the close of the fiscal year. Distributions of net realized gains, if any, are declared at least annually. Pursuant to its Managed Distribution Policy, the Fund intends to make regular monthly distributions to shareholders at a fixed rate per common share, which rate may be adjusted from time to time by the Fund’s Board of Trustees. Under the Fund’s Managed Distribution Policy, if, for any monthly distribution, the value of the Fund’s net investment income and net realized capital gain is less than the amount of the distribution, the difference will be distributed from the Fund’s net assets (and may constitute a “return of capital”). Shareholders will be informed of the tax characteristics of the distributions after the close of the 2017 fiscal year. The Board of Trustees may modify, terminate or suspend the Managed Distribution Policy at any time, including when certain events would make

 

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part of the return of capital taxable to shareholders. Any such modification, termination or suspension could have an adverse effect on the market price of the Fund’s shares. Distributions to 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.

(r) Compensating balance arrangements. The Fund has an arrangement with its custodian bank whereby a portion of the custodian’s fees is paid indirectly by credits earned on the Fund’s cash on deposit with the bank.

(s) Federal and other taxes. It is the Fund’s policy to comply with the federal income and excise tax requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (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 Fund’s financial statements.

Management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions taken on income tax returns for all open tax years and has concluded that as of November 30, 2016, no provision for income tax is required in the Fund’s financial statements. The Fund’s federal and state income and federal excise tax returns for tax years for which the applicable statutes of limitations have not expired are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and state departments of revenue.

(t) 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.

2. Investment management agreement and other transactions with affiliates

On May 3, 2016, the Fund entered into an Amended and Restated Investment Advisory Agreement with Security Investors, LLC (“Investment Adviser”), an affiliate of Guggenheim Funds Investment Advisors, LLC (the Fund’s previous investment adviser), which provides for payment of a monthly fee computed at the annual rate of 0.60% of the Fund’s average weekly assets. Apart from the name of the entity providing advisory services, the terms of the Amended and Restated Investment Advisory Agreement are substantially identical to those of the prior agreement, and this change did not result in a change in the personnel primarily responsible for providing investment advisory services to the Fund. The Investment Adviser has, in turn, entered into an Amended and Restated Investment Management Agreement with Western Asset Management Company and separate Amended and Restated Investment Management Agreements among the Investment Adviser, Western Asset Management Company and each of Western Asset Management Company Ltd. (“Western Asset Japan”), Western Asset Management Company Limited (“Western Asset London”), and Western Asset Management Company Pte. Ltd. (“Western Asset Singapore”), collectively with Western Asset Management Company, Western Asset Japan, and Western Asset London, (the “Investment Manager”), pursuant to which the Investment Manager provides investment management services to the Fund. Each Amended

 

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Notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited) (cont’d)

 

and Restated Investment Management Agreement solely reflects the change in investment adviser for the Fund. Special counsel provided the Fund with a legal opinion confirming that this transition in investment adviser did not constitute an assignment of the Investment Advisory Agreement or any of the Investment Management Agreements for purposes of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or an amendment to any such agreement that required approval by shareholders of the Fund. In exchange for the services provided by the Investment Manager, the Investment Adviser pays a portion of the fees it receives from the Fund to the Investment Manager, at the annual rate of 0.27% of the Fund’s average weekly assets. “Average weekly assets” means the average weekly value of the total assets of the Fund (including any assets attributable to leverage) minus accrued liabilities (other than liabilities representing leverage). For purposes of calculating “average weekly assets,” liabilities associated with any instrument or transactions used by the Investment Manager to leverage the Fund’s portfolio (whether or not such instruments or transactions are “covered” as described in the prospectus) are not considered a liability.

During periods when the Fund is using leverage, the fee paid to the Investment Adviser for advisory services will be higher than if the Fund did not use leverage because the fee paid will be calculated on the basis of the Fund’s average weekly assets, which includes the assets attributable to leverage.

Western Asset London, Western Asset Singapore and Western Asset Japan provide certain investment management services to the Fund relating to currency transactions and investment in non-U.S. denominated securities. Western Asset London, Western Asset Singapore and Western Asset Japan do not receive any compensation from the Fund.

Under an administrative agreement with the Fund, Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (“LMPFA”) (“Administrator”), an affiliate of the Investment Manager, provides certain administrative and accounting functions for the Fund. The Fund pays the Administrator a monthly fee at an annual rate of 0.04% of the Fund’s average weekly assets, subject to an annual minimum fee of $225,000.

3. Investments

During the six months ended May 31, 2017, 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      $ 40,037,043        $ 354,522,071  
Sales        29,325,501          371,674,127  

At May 31, 2017, the aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of investments for federal income tax purposes were substantially as follows:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation      $ 31,199,553  
Gross unrealized depreciation        (8,369,087)  
Net unrealized appreciation      $ 22,830,466  

 

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Transactions in reverse repurchase agreements for the Fund during the six months ended May 31, 2017 were as follows:

 

Average Daily

Balance*

 

Weighted Average

Interest Rate*

 

Maximum Amount

Outstanding

$317,311,105   0.91%   $365,704,500

 

* Averages based on the number of days that Fund had reverse repurchase agreements outstanding.

Interest rates on reverse repurchase agreements ranged from 0.40% to 1.10% during the six months ended May 31, 2017. Interest expense incurred on reverse repurchase agreements totaled $1,445,675.

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 Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities at May 31, 2017.

 

ASSET DERIVATIVES1  
      Interest Rate
Risk
     Foreign
Exchange Risk
     Commodity Risk      Total  
Futures contracts2    $ 1,557,154      $ 1,871,249      $ 480,501      $ 3,908,904  
Forward foreign currency contracts             833,483               833,483  
Total    $ 1,557,154      $ 2,704,732      $ 480,501      $ 4,742,387  

 

LIABILITY DERIVATIVES1  
      Interest Rate
Risk
     Foreign
Exchange Risk
     Commodity Risk      Total  
Futures contracts2    $ 1,405,171      $ 2,409,294      $ 3,933,488      $ 7,747,953  
Forward foreign currency contracts             2,921,520               2,921,520  
Total    $ 1,405,171      $ 5,330,814      $ 3,933,488      $ 10,669,473  

 

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

Includes cumulative appreciation (depreciation) of futures contracts as reported in the Consolidated Schedule of Investments. Only variation margin is reported within the receivables and/or payables on the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

The following tables provide information about the effect of derivatives and hedging activities on the Fund’s Consolidated Statement of Operations for the six months ended May 31, 2017. 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 Fund’s derivatives and hedging activities during the period.

 

Western Asset/Claymore Inflation-Linked Opportunities & Income Fund 2017 Semi-Annual Report   29


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Notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited) (cont’d)

 

 

AMOUNT OF REALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON DERIVATIVES RECOGNIZED  
      Interest Rate
Risk
     Foreign
Exchange Risk
     Commodity Risk      Total  
Purchased options1    $ (472,492)      $ (253,060)             $ (725,552)  
Futures contracts      (4,221,857)        2,525,199      $ 5,261,558        3,564,900  
Swap contracts      619,613                      619,613  
Forward foreign currency contracts             3,258,309               3,258,309  
Total    $ (4,074,736)      $ 5,530,448      $ 5,261,558      $ 6,717,270  

 

1 

Net realized gain (loss) from purchased options is reported in net realized gain (loss) from investment transactions in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

 

CHANGE IN UNREALIZED APPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) ON DERIVATIVES RECOGNIZED  
      Interest Rate
Risk
     Foreign
Exchange Risk
     Commodity Risk      Total  
Futures contracts    $ 2,027,283      $ (2,496,829)      $ (6,129,755)      $ (6,599,301)  
Swap contracts      (160,501)                      (160,501)  
Forward foreign currency contracts             (439,141)               (439,141)  
Total    $ 1,866,782      $ (2,935,970)      $ (6,129,755)      $ (7,198,943)  

During the six months ended May 31, 2017, the volume of derivative activity for the Fund was as follows:

 

        Average Market
Value
 
Purchased options†      $ 88,488  
Futures contracts (to buy)        560,076,255  
Futures contracts (to sell)        412,816,840  
Forward foreign currency contracts (to buy)        78,228,197  
Forward foreign currency contracts (to sell)        47,421,451  
        Average Notional
Balance
 
Total return swap contracts†      $ 19,411,429  

 

At May 31, 2017, there were no open positions held in this derivative.

The following table presents by financial instrument, the Fund’s derivative assets net of the related collateral received by the Fund at May 31, 2017:

 

      Gross Amount of Derivative
Assets in the Consolidated
Statement  of Assets and Liabilities1
     Collateral
Received
     Net
Amount
 
Forward foreign currency contracts    $ 833,483             $ 833,483  

 

30    Western Asset/Claymore Inflation-Linked Opportunities & Income Fund 2017 Semi-Annual Report


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The following table presents by financial instrument, the Fund’s derivative liabilities net of the related collateral pledged by the Fund at May 31, 2017:

 

      Gross Amount of Derivative
Liabilities in the  Consolidated
Statement of Assets and Liabilities1
     Collateral
Pledged2,3,4
     Net
Amount
 
Futures contracts5    $ 313,036      $ (313,036)         
Forward foreign currency contracts      2,921,520             $ 2,921,520  
Total    $ 3,234,556      $ (313,036)      $ 2,921,520  

 

1

Absent an event of default or early termination, derivative assets and liabilities are presented gross and not offset in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

 

2

Gross amounts are not offset in the Consolidated 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 

See Consolidated Schedule of Investments for securities pledged as collateral.

 

5

Amount represents the current day’s variation margin as reported in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities. It differs from the cumulative appreciation (depreciation) presented in the previous table.

5. Distributions subsequent to May 31, 2017

The following distributions have been declared by the Fund’s Board of Trustees and are payable subsequent to the period end of this report:

 

Record Date      Payable Date        Amount  
6/15/17        6/30/17        $ 0.0360  
7/14/17        7/31/17        $ 0.0360  

6. Stock repurchase program

On March 2, 2016, the Fund announced that the Fund’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) had authorized the Fund to repurchase in the open market up to approximately 10% of the Fund’s outstanding common stock when the Fund’s 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 six months ended May 31, 2017, the Fund did not repurchase any shares.

7. Deferred capital losses

As of November 30, 2016, the Fund had deferred capital losses of $47,787,904, which have no expiration date, that will be available to offset future taxable capital gains.

8. Recent accounting pronouncement

In October 2016, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission adopted new rules and amended existing rules (together, the “final rules”) intended to modernize the reporting and disclosure of information by registered investment companies. In part, the final rules amend Regulation S-X and require standardized, enhanced disclosure about derivatives in investment company financial statements, as well as other amendments. The compliance date for the amendments to Regulation S-X is August 1, 2017. Management is currently evaluating

 

Western Asset/Claymore Inflation-Linked Opportunities & Income Fund 2017 Semi-Annual Report   31


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Notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited) (cont’d)

 

the impact that the adoption of the amendments to Regulation S-X will have on the Fund’s financial statements and related disclosures.

 

32    Western Asset/Claymore Inflation-Linked Opportunities & Income Fund 2017 Semi-Annual Report


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Additional shareholder information (unaudited)

 

Results of annual meeting of shareholders

The Fund’s annual meeting of shareholders was held on May 1, 2017. Of the 61,184,134 common shares outstanding on the record date for the meeting, the following shares were voted at the meeting:

 

Election of Trustee    For      Withheld  
Michael Larson      50,822,239        5,815,375  

 

Western Asset/Claymore Inflation-Linked Opportunities & Income Fund   33


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Dividend reinvestment plan (unaudited)

 

The Fund and Computershare Inc. (“Agent”), as the Transfer Agent and Registrar of WIW, offer a convenient way to add shares of WIW to your account. WIW offers to all common shareholders a Dividend Reinvestment Plan (“Plan”). Under the Plan, cash distributions (e.g., dividends and capital gains) on the common shares are automatically invested in shares of WIW unless the shareholder elects otherwise by contacting the Agent at the address set forth below.

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

Additional information regarding the plan

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

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

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

Inquiries regarding the Plan, as well as notices of termination, should be directed to Computershare Inc, 462 South 4th Street, Suite 1600 Louisville, KY 40202. Investor Relations telephone number 1-888-888-0151.

 

34    Western Asset/Claymore Inflation-Linked Opportunities & Income Fund


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Schedule of portfolio holdings

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. You may obtain a free copy of the Fund’s Form N-Q by calling 1-800-345-7999, by visiting the Fund’s website (http://guggenheiminvestments.com/wiw), or by writing to the Fund, or you may obtain a copy of this report (and other information relating to the Fund) from the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov). Additionally, the Fund’s Form N-Q can be viewed or copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington D.C. Information about the operation of the Public Reference Room can be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330.

 

Western Asset/Claymore Inflation-Linked Opportunities & Income Fund   35


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Western Asset/Claymore

Inflation-Linked Opportunities & Income Fund

 

Trustees

Michael Larson

Ronald A. Nyberg

Ronald E. Toupin, Jr.

Jane Trust

Officers

Jane Trust

President

Richard F. Sennett

Principal Financial and Accounting Officer and Treasurer

Todd F. Kuehl

Chief Compliance Officer

Mark E. Mathiasen

Secretary

Investment managers

Western Asset Management Company

Western Asset Management Company Limited

Western Asset Management Company Pte. Ltd.

Western Asset Management Company Ltd

Investment adviser

Security Investors, LLC

Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Company

1 Lincoln Street

Boston, MA 02111

Legal counsel

Ropes & Gray LLP

1211 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10036

Independent registered public accounting firm

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

100 East Pratt Street

Baltimore, MD 21202

Transfer agent

Computershare Inc.

462 South 4th Street,

Suite 1600

Louisville, KY 40202


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Privacy and Security Notice

 

Your Privacy and the Security of Your Personal Information is Very Important to the Funds

This Privacy and Security Notice (the “Privacy Notice”) addresses the Funds’ privacy and data protection practices with respect to nonpublic personal information the Funds receive. 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;

 

 

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 individual’s 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 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 marketing services solely for the Funds;

 

 

The Funds’ representatives such as legal counsel, accountants and auditors; and

 

 

Fiduciaries or representatives acting on your behalf, such as an IRA custodian or trustee of a grantor trust.

 

NOT PART OF THE SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT


Table of Contents

Privacy and Security Notice (cont’d)

 

Except as otherwise permitted by applicable law, companies acting on the Funds’ behalf 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 non-public 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, or if you have questions about the Funds’ privacy practices, write the Funds using the contact information on your account statements, email the Funds by clicking on the Funds’ website at guggenheiminvestments.com, or contact the Fund at 1-800-345-7999.

 

NOT PART OF THE SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT


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Western Asset/Claymore Inflation-Linked Opportunities & Income Fund

Western Asset/Claymore Inflation-Linked Opportunities & Income Fund

385 East Colorado Boulevard

Pasadena, CA 91101

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

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington D.C., and information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. To obtain information on Form N-Q, shareholders can call 1-800-345-7999.

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 1-800-345-7999, (2) on the Fund’s website at guggenheiminvestments.com/wiw and (3) on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

This report is transmitted to the shareholders of Western Asset/Claymore Inflation-Linked Opportunities & Income Fund for their information. This is not a prospectus, circular or representation intended for use in the purchase or sale of shares of the Fund or any securities mentioned in this report.

Computershare Inc.

462 South 4th Street,

Suite 1600

Louisville, KY 40202

 

 

WASX013851


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ITEM 2. CODE OF ETHICS.

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 3. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 4. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 5. AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS.

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 6. SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS.

Included herein under Item 1.

 

ITEM 7. DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 8. INVESTMENT PROFESSIONALS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 9. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS.

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 10. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 11. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

 

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

 

  (b) There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act) that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are likely to materially affect the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.


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ITEM 12. EXHIBITS.

(a) (1) Not applicable.

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


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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.

Western Asset/Claymore Inflation-Linked Opportunities & Income Fund

 

By:  

/s/Jane Trust

  Jane Trust
  Trustee and President

Date: July 24, 2017

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
  Trustee and President

Date: July 24, 2017

 

By:  

/s/Richard F. Sennett

  Richard F. Sennett
  Principal Financial Officer

Date: July 24, 2017