08/21/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/21/2024 07:54
91066-P1 08/24
WESTERN ASSET FUNDS, INC.
SUPPLEMENT DATED AUGUST 21, 2024
TO THE SUMMARY PROSPECTUS, PROSPECTUS, AND
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
EACH DATED MARCH 1, 2024, OF
WESTERN ASSET MACRO OPPORTUNITIES FUND
The fund's Board of Directors has determined that it is in the best interests of the fund and its shareholders to terminate the fund. The fund is expected to cease operations on or about October 29, 2024. Before that date, the assets of the fund will be liquidated at the discretion of fund management and the fund will cease to pursue its investment objective. This will cause the fund to increase its cash holdings and deviate from the investment strategies stated in the fund's prospectus.
The fund will close to all investments, including the reinvestment of dividends and distributions, at the close of market October 22, 2024. The fund reserves the right to change this policy at any time.
Shareholders who elect to redeem their shares prior to the completion of the termination of the fund will be redeemed in the ordinary course at the applicable net asset value per share. Fund shareholders may exchange their shares for shares of another available fund in the Franklin Templeton fund family in accordance with the terms of the fund's prospectus at any time before the fund ceases operations. Shareholders who exchange their shares for the same class of shares of other Franklin Templeton funds may do so without the imposition of a sales charge. Effective immediately, any deferred sales charges applicable to fund redemptions will be waived. Each shareholder who remains in the fund until termination will receive a liquidation distribution equal to the aggregate net asset value of the shares of the fund that such shareholder then holds. Fund shareholders are encouraged to consider options that may be suitable for the reinvestment of liquidation proceeds, including exchanging into another fund within the Franklin Templeton fund family.
The liquidation of the fund will result in one or more taxable events for shareholders subject to federal income tax. An exchange or redemption of shares prior to the termination will generally give rise to a capital gain or loss for the exchanging or redeeming shareholder for federal income tax purposes, depending on the shareholder's tax basis in the shares. In connection with the liquidation, the fund may declare taxable distributions of its net investment income and capital gain (including net capital gains, if any, from the liquidation of the assets of the fund) in advance of its regular distribution schedule. All liquidation proceeds paid to a shareholder will generally be treated as received by the shareholder in exchange for shares and will therefore generally give rise to capital gain or loss depending on the shareholder's tax basis.
Shareholders who purchased their shares directly from the fund and hold their shares through an individual retirement account will receive another communication from the fund prior to the termination regarding their investment.
Shareholders who hold their shares through an individual retirement account (IRA) should consult their tax advisers concerning the tax implications of a distribution, their eligibility to roll over a distribution and the procedures applicable to such rollovers. If a check representing your liquidation or redemption proceeds was made payable to you (as opposed to the custodian of your IRA) because of the way your account was registered in the records of the fund, please contact the fund at (877) 6LM-FUND/656-3863 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. ET to receive instructions to get a replacement check made payable to your IRA. Caution: if you cash the check or deposit in any account other than your IRA, it may be subject to a 10% penalty and taxed as ordinary income in the year of receipt. Other shareholders should likewise consult a personal tax adviser with respect to the effects of the termination of the fund and of any associated distributions.
Please retain this supplement for future reference.
2