UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM N-Q

 

QUARTERLY SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS OF REGISTERED
MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY

 

Investment Company Act file number

811-7362

 

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

55 Water Street, New York, NY

 

10041

(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:

February 28, 2010

 

 



 

ITEM 1.                  SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 



 

WESTERN ASSET MUNICIPAL

PARTNERS FUND INC.

 

FORM N-Q

FEBRUARY 28, 2010

 


 

Schedule of investments (unaudited)

February 28, 2010

 

WESTERN ASSET MUNICIPAL PARTNERS FUND INC.

 

SECURITY

 

RATE

 

MATURITY
DATE

 

FACE
AMOUNT

 

VALUE

 

MUNICIPAL BONDS — 97.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arizona — 1.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Glendale, AZ, Transportation Excise Tax Revenue, NATL

 

5.000%

 

7/1/28

 

$

2,855,000

 

$

2,986,616

 

Phoenix, AZ, Civic Improvement Corp., Water System Revenue

 

5.000%

 

7/1/29

 

1,000,000

 

1,059,570

 

Total Arizona

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,046,186

 

California — 14.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

California Health Facilities Finance Authority Revenue, Catholic Healthcare West

 

5.625%

 

7/1/32

 

5,000,000

 

5,074,150

 

California Housing Finance Agency Revenue, Home Mortgage

 

4.800%

 

8/1/37

 

2,000,000

 

1,631,320

(a)

California State, GO

 

5.250%

 

10/1/21

 

2,500,000

 

2,646,500

 

California State, GO

 

5.000%

 

10/1/29

 

3,500,000

 

3,356,430

 

California State, GO, Unrefunded Balance

 

5.125%

 

6/1/24

 

35,000

 

35,108

 

California Statewide CDA Revenue, Insured Health Facility L.A., Jewish Home, CA, Mortgage Insurance

 

5.000%

 

11/15/28

 

1,500,000

 

1,409,115

 

Los Angeles, CA, Department of Water & Power Revenue, Power Systems, Subordinated, AGM

 

5.000%

 

7/1/35

 

5,000,000

 

5,097,950

 

M-S-R Energy Authority, CA, Gas Revenue

 

7.000%

 

11/1/34

 

2,490,000

 

2,787,356

 

M-S-R Energy Authority, CA, Gas Revenue

 

6.500%

 

11/1/39

 

3,000,000

 

3,159,030

 

Southern California Public Power Authority, Project Number 1

 

5.000%

 

11/1/33

 

2,000,000

 

1,886,060

 

Turlock, CA, Public Financing Authority, Tax Allocation Revenue, AGM

 

5.000%

 

9/1/30

 

2,500,000

 

2,405,700

 

University of California Revenues, AMBAC

 

5.000%

 

5/15/36

 

2,620,000

 

2,665,483

 

Total California

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

32,154,202

 

Colorado — 3.7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Colorado Health Facilities Authority Revenue, Poudre Valley Health Care

 

5.000%

 

3/1/25

 

2,850,000

 

2,844,044

 

Colorado Springs, CO, Hospital Revenue

 

6.375%

 

12/15/30

 

495,000

 

522,230

(b)

Public Authority for Colorado Energy, Natural Gas Purchase Revenue

 

5.750%

 

11/15/18

 

480,000

 

499,267

 

Public Authority for Colorado Energy, Natural Gas Purchase Revenue

 

6.500%

 

11/15/38

 

4,000,000

 

4,400,720

 

Total Colorado

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,266,261

 

Connecticut — 0.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Connecticut State HFA, Housing Mortgage Finance Program

 

6.000%

 

11/15/38

 

1,000,000

 

1,066,860

 

District of Columbia — 0.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

District of Columbia, Hospital Revenue, Children’s Hospital Obligation Group, AGM

 

5.250%

 

7/15/45

 

1,750,000

 

1,735,965

 

Florida — 4.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Florida State Department of Environmental Protection, Preservation Revenue, Florida Forever, AMBAC

 

5.000%

 

7/1/21

 

2,000,000

 

2,101,200

 

Florida State Department of Transportation, Turnpike Revenue, AGM

 

4.500%

 

7/1/34

 

4,950,000

 

4,786,204

 

Miami-Dade County, FL, Aviation Revenue, Miami International Airport, AGM

 

5.000%

 

10/1/41

 

2,000,000

 

1,977,980

 

Seminole Tribe Florida Special Obligation Revenue

 

5.250%

 

10/1/27

 

500,000

 

449,060

(c)

Total Florida

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9,314,444

 

Hawaii — 0.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hawaii State Airport System Revenue, FGIC

 

6.000%

 

7/1/19

 

2,000,000

 

2,033,940

(a)(b)

 

See Notes to Schedule of Investments.

 

1


 

Schedule of investments (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2010

 

WESTERN ASSET MUNICIPAL PARTNERS FUND INC.

 

SECURITY

 

RATE

 

MATURITY
DATE

 

FACE
AMOUNT

 

VALUE

 

Illinois — 12.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chicago, IL, Midway Airport Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NATL

 

5.500%

 

1/1/29

 

$

2,000,000

 

$

2,000,960

 

NATL

 

5.625%

 

1/1/29

 

3,750,000

 

3,592,275

(a)

Chicago, IL, Park District, GO, Refunding, FGIC

 

5.000%

 

1/1/29

 

5,000,000

 

5,249,400

 

Chicago, IL, Public Building Commission, Building Revenue, Chicago School Reform, FGIC

 

5.250%

 

12/1/18

 

1,000,000

 

1,121,190

 

Cook County, IL, Community College District No. 524 Moraine Valley, GO, NATL

 

5.000%

 

12/1/25

 

1,500,000

 

1,594,845

 

Illinois EFA Revenue, Northwestern University

 

5.500%

 

12/1/13

 

2,000,000

 

2,212,660

 

Illinois Health Facilities Authority Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Refunding, Lutheran General Health System

 

7.000%

 

4/1/14

 

1,475,000

 

1,646,203

 

Refunding, SSM Health Care, NATL

 

6.550%

 

6/1/13

 

1,850,000

 

2,184,110

(d)

Servantoor Project, AGM

 

6.000%

 

8/15/12

 

2,000,000

 

2,131,480

(d)

South Suburban Hospital Project

 

7.000%

 

2/15/18

 

555,000

 

666,328

(d)

Illinois Municipal Electric Agency Power Supply, FGIC

 

5.250%

 

2/1/28

 

4,145,000

 

4,258,324

 

Illinois State, GO, First Series, AGM

 

5.500%

 

5/1/16

 

1,500,000

 

1,718,535

 

Total Illinois

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

28,376,310

 

Indiana — 1.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Indiana Bond Bank Revenue

 

5.000%

 

8/1/23

 

715,000

 

736,207

(b)

Indiana Bond Bank Revenue, Unrefunded Balance

 

5.000%

 

8/1/23

 

1,285,000

 

1,323,396

(b)

Indiana Health Facility Financing Authority, Hospital Revenue, Community Hospital Project, AMBAC

 

5.000%

 

5/1/35

 

2,390,000

 

2,156,114

 

Total Indiana

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,215,717

 

Kansas — 0.7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kansas State Development Finance Authority, Health Facilities Revenue, Sisters of Charity

 

6.250%

 

12/1/28

 

1,430,000

 

1,453,123

 

Maryland — 5.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maryland State Economic Development Corp., EDR, Transportation Facilities Project

 

5.750%

 

6/1/35

 

1,000,000

 

1,019,280

 

Maryland State Health & Higher EFA Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carroll County General Hospital

 

6.000%

 

7/1/37

 

3,000,000

 

3,053,040

 

Suburban Hospital

 

5.500%

 

7/1/16

 

2,500,000

 

2,702,175

 

University of Maryland Medical Systems

 

6.750%

 

7/1/30

 

1,000,000

 

1,031,240

(b)

University of Maryland Medical Systems

 

6.000%

 

7/1/32

 

1,000,000

 

1,121,160

(b)

Northeast Maryland Waste Disposal Authority, Solid Waste Revenue, AMBAC

 

5.500%

 

4/1/15

 

2,500,000

 

2,648,375

(a)

Total Maryland

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11,575,270

 

Massachusetts — 1.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Massachusetts State HEFA Revenue, Partners Health

 

5.750%

 

7/1/32

 

2,405,000

 

2,599,132

(b)

Massachusetts State HEFA Revenue, Partners Health, Unrefunded Balance

 

5.750%

 

7/1/32

 

95,000

 

97,328

 

Massachusetts State Water Pollution Abatement Trust Revenue, MWRA Program, Unrefunded Balance

 

5.750%

 

8/1/29

 

355,000

 

359,161

 

Massachusetts State Water Resources Authority, NATL

 

5.000%

 

8/1/34

 

1,000,000

 

1,050,460

 

Total Massachusetts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,106,081

 

Michigan — 3.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Michigan State Hospital Finance Authority Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

McLaren Health Care Corp.

 

5.750%

 

5/15/38

 

2,000,000

 

1,972,340

 

Refunding, Sparrow Hospital Obligated

 

5.000%

 

11/15/36

 

2,500,000

 

2,291,025

 

Trinity Health

 

5.375%

 

12/1/30

 

3,000,000

 

3,034,410

 

Total Michigan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,297,775

 

Missouri — 0.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Boone County, MO, Hospital Revenue, Boone Hospital Center

 

5.375%

 

8/1/38

 

2,000,000

 

1,950,140

 

 

See Notes to Schedule of Investments.

 

2


 

Schedule of investments (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2010

 

WESTERN ASSET MUNICIPAL PARTNERS FUND INC.

 

SECURITY

 

RATE

 

MATURITY
DATE

 

FACE
AMOUNT

 

VALUE

 

New Jersey — 6.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Jersey EDA:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Motor Vehicle Surcharges Revenue, NATL

 

5.250%

 

7/1/16

 

$

2,500,000

 

$

2,667,950

 

PCR, Revenue, Public Service Electric and Gas Co. Project, NATL

 

6.400%

 

5/1/32

 

5,150,000

 

5,160,454

(a)

Water Facilities Revenue, New Jersey American Water Co. Inc. Project, FGIC

 

6.875%

 

11/1/34

 

5,450,000

 

5,454,251

(a)

New Jersey State Turnpike Authority Revenue

 

5.250%

 

1/1/40

 

2,000,000

 

2,078,600

 

Total New Jersey

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15,361,255

 

New York — 12.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brooklyn Arena, NY, Local Development Corp., Barclays Center Project

 

6.250%

 

7/15/40

 

1,000,000

 

1,030,630

 

Liberty, NY, Development Corporation Revenue, Goldman Sachs Headquarters

 

5.250%

 

10/1/35

 

2,000,000

 

2,019,640

 

Nassau County, NY, Industrial Development Agency Revenue, Continuing Care Retirement, Amsterdam at Harborside

 

6.700%

 

1/1/43

 

500,000

 

458,700

 

New York City, NY, GO

 

6.000%

 

5/15/30

 

1,980,000

 

2,022,827

(b)

New York City, NY, GO, Unrefunded Balance

 

6.000%

 

5/15/30

 

20,000

 

20,300

 

New York City, NY, Municipal Water Finance Authority, Water & Sewer Systems Revenue

 

5.125%

 

6/15/31

 

1,000,000

 

1,013,810

(b)

New York City, NY, TFA Revenue, Unrefunded Balance, Future Tax Secured

 

5.500%

 

11/15/17

 

4,115,000

 

4,530,409

 

New York State Dormitory Authority Revenue, Court Facilities Lease, NYC Issue, Non State Supported Debt, AMBAC

 

5.500%

 

5/15/30

 

3,365,000

 

3,708,769

 

New York State Dormitory Authority Revenue, Non-State Supported Debt, Columbia University

 

5.000%

 

7/1/38

 

2,000,000

 

2,118,560

 

New York State Thruway Authority, Second General Highway & Bridge Trust Fund, AMBAC

 

5.000%

 

4/1/26

 

4,700,000

 

5,077,269

 

New York State Urban Development Corp. Revenue, State Personal Income Tax

 

5.000%

 

3/15/26

 

5,000,000

 

5,367,200

 

Total New York

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

27,368,114

 

North Carolina — 0.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

North Carolina Medical Care Commission Health Care Facilities Revenue, Novant Health Obligation Group

 

5.000%

 

11/1/39

 

1,200,000

 

1,199,916

 

Ohio — 0.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ohio State Air Quality Development Authority Revenue, FirstEnergy Generation Corp.

 

5.700%

 

8/1/20

 

1,000,000

 

1,077,270

 

Oregon — 0.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Multnomah County, OR, Hospital Facilities Authority Revenue, Providence Health Systems

 

5.250%

 

10/1/18

 

1,250,000

 

1,343,938

 

Pennsylvania — 1.7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pennsylvania Economic Development Financing Authority, Sewer Sludge Disposal Revenue, Philadelphia Biosolids Facility

 

6.250%

 

1/1/32

 

500,000

 

513,610

 

Philadelphia, PA, Gas Works Revenue, 7th General Ordinance, AMBAC

 

5.000%

 

10/1/17

 

2,685,000

 

2,798,307

 

Philadelphia, PA, School District, GO, AGM

 

5.500%

 

2/1/31

 

500,000

 

546,280

(b)

Total Pennsylvania

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,858,197

 

Puerto Rico — 1.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corp., Sales Tax Revenue

 

5.500%

 

8/1/42

 

3,000,000

 

2,990,820

 

Tennessee — 0.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Memphis-Shelby County, TN, Airport Authority Revenue, AMBAC

 

6.000%

 

3/1/24

 

1,655,000

 

1,674,860

(a)

 

See Notes to Schedule of Investments.

 

3


 

Schedule of investments (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2010

 

WESTERN ASSET MUNICIPAL PARTNERS FUND INC.

 

SECURITY

 

RATE

 

MATURITY
DATE

 

FACE
AMOUNT

 

VALUE

 

Texas — 14.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aledo, TX, GO, ISD, School Building, PSF

 

5.000%

 

2/15/30

 

$

5,000,000

 

$

5,217,850

 

Austin, TX, Water & Wastewater System Revenue

 

5.000%

 

11/15/26

 

2,500,000

 

2,684,650

 

Austin, TX, Water & Wastewater System Revenue

 

5.125%

 

11/15/28

 

2,210,000

 

2,371,352

 

Beaumont, TX, ISD, GO, School Building, PSF

 

5.000%

 

2/15/33

 

1,100,000

 

1,146,486

 

Brazos River, TX, Harbor Navigation District, Brazoria County Environmental, Dow Chemical Co. Project

 

5.950%

 

5/15/33

 

4,750,000

 

4,743,588

(a)(e)

Harris County, TX, Health Facilities Development Corp., Hospital Revenue, Memorial Hermann Healthcare Systems

 

5.250%

 

12/1/18

 

2,960,000

 

3,065,198

 

Houston, TX, Utility System Revenue, Refunding, Combined First Lien, AGM

 

5.250%

 

5/15/20

 

3,000,000

 

3,266,850

 

Mesquite, TX, ISD No. 1, GO, Capital Appreciation, PSFG, zero coupon bond to

 

0.0009%

 

8/15/27

 

1,000,000

 

422,780

 

North Texas Tollway Authority Revenue

 

5.750%

 

1/1/40

 

2,500,000

 

2,567,875

 

Spring, Tex, ISD, GO, SchoolHouse, PSF

 

5.000%

 

8/15/23

 

1,000,000

 

1,117,420

 

Texas State Turnpike Authority Revenue, First Tier, AMBAC

 

5.500%

 

8/15/39

 

5,000,000

 

5,032,800

 

Total Texas

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

31,636,849

 

Virginia — 1.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Greater Richmond, VA, Convention Center Authority, Hotel Tax Revenue, Convention Center Expansion Project

 

6.125%

 

6/15/20

 

2,915,000

 

2,992,947

(b)

Washington — 3.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chelan County, WA, Public Utility District, Chelan Hydro System No.1, Construction Revenue, AMBAC

 

5.450%

 

7/1/37

 

2,900,000

 

2,901,015

(a)

Port of Seattle, WA, Revenue, Refunding, Intermediate Lien, NATL

 

5.000%

 

3/1/30

 

2,000,000

 

2,021,100

 

Washington State Health Care Facilities Authority Revenue, PeaceHealth

 

5.000%

 

11/1/28

 

3,000,000

 

2,996,190

 

Total Washington

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,918,305

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS BEFORE SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (Cost — $209,555,955)

 

215,014,745

 

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS — 2.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

California — 2.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Southern California Public Power Authority Project Revenue, LOC-KBC Bank N.V.

 

0.180%

 

3/3/10

 

4,400,000

 

4,400,000

(f)

Colorado — 0.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Denver, CO, City & County, COP, SPA-JPMorgan Chase Bank

 

0.120%

 

3/1/10

 

200,000

 

200,000

(f)

Massachusetts — 0.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Massachusetts State, GO, Consolidated Loan, SPA-Bank of America N.A.

 

0.150%

 

3/1/10

 

100,000

 

100,000

(f)

New York — 0.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New York City, NY, Municipal Water Finance Authority, Water & Sewer System Revenue, SPA-Bank of America N.A.

 

0.120%

 

3/1/10

 

100,000

 

100,000

(f)

Oregon — 0.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oregon State, GO, Veterans Welfare, SPA-Dexia Credit Local

 

0.160%

 

3/3/10

 

500,000

 

500,000

(f)

Puerto Rico — 0.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, GO, Refunding, Public Improvements, AGM, LOC-Wells Fargo Bank N.A.

 

0.120%

 

3/1/10

 

300,000

 

300,000

(f)

 

See Notes to Schedule of Investments.

 

4


 

Schedule of investments (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2010

 

WESTERN ASSET MUNICIPAL PARTNERS FUND INC.

 

SECURITY

 

RATE

 

MATURITY
DATE

 

FACE
AMOUNT

 

VALUE

 

Tennessee — 0.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chattanooga, TN, Health Educational & Housing Facility Board Revenue, Siskin Hospital for Physical Rehabilitation Inc. Project, LOC-Bank of America N.A.

 

0.160%

 

3/1/10

 

$

800,000

 

$

800,000

(f)

TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (Cost — $6,400,000)

 

 

 

 

 

6,400,000

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 100.0% (Cost — $215,955,955#)

 

 

 

 

 

$

221,414,745

 

 

(a)

Income from this issue is considered a preference item for purposes of calculating the alternative minimum tax (“AMT”).

(b)

Pre-Refunded bonds are escrowed with U.S. government obligations and/or U.S. government agency securities and are considered by the manager to be triple-A rated even if issuer has not applied for new ratings.

(c)

Security is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. This security may be resold in transactions that are exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. This security has been deemed liquid pursuant to guidelines approved by the Board of Directors, unless otherwise noted.

(d)

Bonds are escrowed to maturity by government securities and/or U.S. government agency securities and are considered by the manager to be triple-A rated even if issuer has not applied for new ratings.

(e)

Variable rate security. Interest rate disclosed is that which is in effect at February 28, 2010.

(f)

Variable rate demand obligations have a demand feature under which the Fund can tender them back to the issuer or liquidity provider on no more than 7 days notice. Date shown is the date of the next interest rate change.

#

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

 

 

 

Abbreviations used in this schedule:

 

AGM

-  Assured Guaranty Municipal Corporation - Insured Bonds

 

AMBAC

-  American Municipal Bond Assurance Corporation - Insured Bonds

 

CDA

-  Community Development Authority

 

COP

-  Certificate of Participation

 

EDA

-  Economic Development Authority

 

EDR

-  Economic Development Revenue

 

EFA

-  Educational Facilities Authority

 

FGIC

-  Financial Guaranty Insurance Company - Insured Bonds

 

GO

-  General Obligation

 

HEFA

-  Health & Educational Facilities Authority

 

HFA

-  Housing Finance Authority

 

ISD

-  Independent School District

 

LOC

-  Letter of Credit - Insured Bonds

 

MWRA

-  Massachusetts Water Resources Authority

 

NATL

-  National Public Finance Guarantee Corporation - Insured Bonds

 

PCR

-  Pollution Control Revenue

 

PSF

-  Permanent School Fund

 

PSFG

-  Permanent School Fund Guaranty

 

SPA

-  Standby Bond Purchase Agreement - Insured Bonds

 

TFA

-  Transitional Finance Authority

 

See Notes to Schedule of Investments.

 

5


 

Schedule of investments (unaudited) (continued)

February 28, 2010

 

WESTERN ASSET MUNICIPAL PARTNERS FUND INC.

 

Summary of Investments by Industry *

 

Health Care

 

18.3

%

Transportation

 

13.0

%

Power

 

10.7

%

Special Tax Obligation

 

10.5

%

Water & Sewer

 

9.1

%

Industrial Revenue

 

9.0

%

Local General Obligation

 

8.2

%

Pre-Refunded/Escrowed to Maturity

 

8.1

%

Education

 

3.4

%

Leasing

 

2.2

%

State General Obligation

 

2.0

%

Housing

 

1.2

%

Solid Waste/Resource Recovery

 

0.9

%

Other

 

0.5

%

Short-Term Investments

 

2.9

%

 

 

100.0

%

 

*As a percentage of total investments. Please note that Fund holdings are as of February 28, 2010 and are subject to change.

 

Ratings Table† (February 28, 2010)

 

S&P/Moody’s/Fitch‡

 

 

 

AAA/Aaa

 

26.6

%

AA/Aa

 

25.6

%

A

 

34.2

%

BBB/Baa

 

7.5

%

A-1/VMIG1

 

2.9

%

NR

 

3.2

%

 

 

100.0

%

 

†As a percentage of total investments.

‡ In the event that a security is rated by multiple nationally recognized statistical rating organizations (“NRSROs”) and receives different ratings, the Fund will treat the security as being rated in the highest rating category received from an NRSRO.

 

See pages 7 and 8 for definitions of ratings.

 

See Notes to Schedule of Investments.

 

6

 


 

Bond Ratings (unaudited)

 

The definitions of the applicable rating symbols are set forth below:

 

Standard & Poor’s Ratings Service (“Standard & Poor’s”)—Ratings from “AA” to “CCC” may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (–) sign to show relative standings within the major rating categories.

 

AAA

Bonds rated “AAA” have the highest rating assigned by Standard & Poor’s. Capacity to pay interest and repay principal is extremely strong.

AA

Bonds rated “AA” have a very strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal and differ from the highest rated issues only in a small degree.

A

Bonds rated “A” have a strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal although they are somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than debt in higher rated categories.

BBB

Bonds rated “BBB” are regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay interest and repay principal. Whereas they normally exhibit adequate protection parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay interest and repay principal for bonds in this category than in higher rated categories.

BB, B,

 

 

CCC,

 

 

CC and C

Bonds rated “BB”, “B”, “CCC”, “CC” and “C” are regarded, on balance, as predominantly speculative with respect to capacity to pay interest and repay principal in accordance with the terms of the obligation. “BB” represents the lowest degree of speculation and “C” the highest degree of speculation. While such bonds will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these are outweighed by large uncertainties or major risk exposures to adverse conditions.

D

Bonds rated “D” are in default and payment of interest and/or repayment of principal is in arrears.

 

Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”)—Numerical modifiers 1, 2 and 3 may be applied to each generic rating from “Aa” to “Caa,” where 1 is the highest and 3 the lowest ranking within its generic category.

 

Aaa

Bonds rated “Aaa” are judged to be of the best quality. They carry the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as “gilt edge.” Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally stable margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are likely to change, such changes can be visualized as most unlikely to impair the fundamentally strong position of such issues.

Aa

Bonds rated “Aa” are judged to be of high quality by all standards. Together with the “Aaa” group they comprise what are generally known as high grade bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of protection may not be as large as in “Aaa” securities or fluctuation of protective elements may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements present which make the long-term risks appear somewhat larger than in “Aaa” securities.

A

Bonds rated “A” possess many favorable investment attributes and are to be considered as upper medium grade obligations. Factors giving security to principal and interest are considered adequate but elements may be present which suggest a susceptibility to impairment some time in the future.

Baa

Bonds rated “Baa” are considered as medium grade obligations, i.e., they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured. Interest payments and principal security appear adequate for the present but certain protective elements may be lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in fact have speculative characteristics as well.

Ba

Bonds rated “Ba” are judged to have speculative elements; their future cannot be considered as well assured. Often the protection of interest and principal payments may be very moderate and therefore not well safeguarded during both

 

7


 

Bond Ratings (unaudited)(continued)

 

 

 

good and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position characterizes bonds in this class.

B

Bonds rated “B” generally lack characteristics of desirable investments. Assurance of interest and principal payments or of maintenance of other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be small.

Caa

Bonds rated “Caa” are of poor standing. These may be in default, or present elements of danger may exist with respect to principal or interest.

Ca

Bonds rated “Ca” represent obligations which are speculative in a high degree. Such issues are often in default or have other marked short-comings.

C

Bonds rated “C” are the lowest class of bonds and issues so rated can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any real investment standing.

 

Fitch Ratings Service (“Fitch”)—Ratings from “AA” to “CCC” may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (–) sign to show relative standings within the major rating categories.

 

AAA

Bonds rated “AAA” have the highest rating assigned by Fitch. Capacity to pay interest and repay principal is extremely strong.

AA

Bonds rated “AA” have a very strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal and differ from the highest rated issues only in a small degree.

A

Bonds rated “A” have a strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal although they are somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than debt in higher rated categories.

BBB

Bonds rated “BBB” are regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay interest and repay principal. Whereas they normally exhibit adequate protection parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay interest and repay principal for bonds in this category than in higher rated categories.

BB, B,

 

 

CCC,

 

 

CC and C

Bonds rated “BB”, “B”, “CCC”, “CC” and C are regarded, on balance, as predominantly speculative with respect to capacity to pay interest and repay principal in accordance with the terms of the obligation. “BB” represents the lowest degree of speculation and “C” the highest degree of speculation. While such bonds will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these are outweighed by large uncertainties or major risk exposures to adverse conditions.

D

Bonds rated “D” are in default and payment of interest and/or repayment of principal is in arrears.

 

 

 

NR

Indicates that the bond is not rated by Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s or Fitch.

 

Short-Term Security Ratings (unaudited)

 

SP-1

Standard & Poor’s highest rating indicating very strong or strong capacity to pay principal and interest; those issues determined to possess overwhelming safety characteristics are denoted with a plus (+) sign.

A-1

Standard & Poor’s highest commercial paper and variable-rate demand obligation (VRDO) rating indicating that the degree of safety regarding timely payment is either overwhelming or very strong; those issues determined to possess overwhelming safety characteristics are denoted with a plus (+) sign.

VMIG 1

Moody’s highest rating for issues having a demand feature— VRDO.

MIG 1

Moody’s highest rating for short-term municipal obligations.

P-1

Moody’s highest rating for commercial paper and for VRDO prior to the advent of the VMIG 1 rating.

F1

Fitch’s highest rating indicating the strongest capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; those issues determined to possess overwhelming strong credit feature are denoted with a plus (+) sign.

 

8

 


 

Notes to Schedule of Investments (unaudited)

 

1. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. (the “Fund”) was incorporated in Maryland on November 24, 1992 and is registered as a diversified, closed-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The Board of Directors authorized 100 million shares of $0.001 par value common stock. The Fund’s primary investment objective is to seek a high level of current income which is exempt from federal income taxes, consistent with the preservation of capital. As a secondary investment objective, the Fund intends to enhance portfolio value by purchasing tax exempt securities that, in the opinion of the investment manager, may appreciate in value relative to other similar obligations in the marketplace.

 

The following are significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund and are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”).

 

(a) Investment valuation. Securities are valued based on transactions in municipal obligation, quotations from municipal bond dealers, market transaction in comparable securities and various other relationships between securities.  Futures contracts are valued daily at the settlement price established by the board of trade or exchange on which they are traded.  When prices are not readily available, or are determined not to reflect fair value, the Fund values these securities at fair value as determined in accordance with procedures approved by the Fund’s Board of Directors.  Short-term obligations with maturities of 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value.

 

The Fund has adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Codification Topic 820 (“ASC Topic 820”). ASC Topic 820 establishes a single definition of fair value, creates a three-tier hierarchy as a framework for measuring fair value based on inputs used to value the Fund’s investments, and requires additional disclosure about fair value. The hierarchy of inputs is summarized 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 methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

 

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 the 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 convert future amounts to a single present amount.

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used in valuing the Fund’s assets carried at fair value:

 

 

 

QUOTED
PRICES

 

OTHER
SIGNIFICANT
OBSERVABLE
INPUTS

 

SIGNIFICANT
UNOBSERVABLE
INPUTS

 

 

 

DESCRIPTION

 

(LEVEL 1)

 

(LEVEL 2)

 

(LEVEL 3)

 

TOTAL

 

Municipal bonds†

 

 

$

215,014,745

 

 

$

215,014,745

 

Short-term investments†

 

 

6,400,000

 

 

6,400,000

 

Total investments

 

 

$

221,414,745

 

 

$

221,414,745

 

 

†See Schedule of Investments for additional detailed categorizations.

 

(b) Security Transactions.  Security transactions are accounted for on a trade date basis.

 

9


 

Notes to Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued)

 

2.  Investments

 

At February 28, 2010, the aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of investments for federal income tax purposes were substantially as follows:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

 

$ 7,229,289

 

Gross unrealized depreciation

 

(1,770,499)

 

Net unrealized appreciation

 

$ 5,458,790

 

 

3. Derivative instruments and hedging activities

 

Financial Accounting Standards Board Codification Topic 815 (“ASC Topic 815”) requires enhanced disclosure about an entity’s derivative and hedging activities.

 

During the period ended February 28, 2010, the Fund did not invest in any derivative instruments.

 

10

 


 

ITEM 2.                                                  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 registrant’s last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are likely to materially affect the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

ITEM 3.                                                    EXHIBITS.

 

Certifications pursuant to Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, are attached hereto.

 



 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.

 

 

By

/s/ R. Jay Gerken

 

 

R. Jay Gerken

 

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

Date:  April 20, 2010

 

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/ R. Jay Gerken

 

 

R. Jay Gerken

 

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

Date:  April 20, 2010

 

By

/s/ Kaprel Ozsolak

 

 

Kaprel Ozsolak

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

Date:  April 20, 2010