WEA Western Asset Premier Bond Fund

Western Asset Premier Bond Fund (NYSE: WEA) announces its portfolio composition as of June 30, 2012.

Investment Objective: The Fund's investment objective is to provide current income and capital appreciation by investing primarily in a diversified portfolio of investment grade bonds.

Portfolio Composition*:

Asset Allocation

 

Mortgage-Backed Securities

37.2%

Investment Grade Corporate Bonds

22.1%

Asset-Backed Securities

15.8%

High Yield Corporate Bonds

9.6%

Inflation-Linked

4.1%

Bank Loans

3.0%

Municipal

1.7%

Government

1.3%

Emerging Market

0.1%

Cash & Other Securities

5.2%

 

Credit Quality Allocation**

AAA 19.7% AA 9.2% A 13.3% BBB 21.7% BB 10.2% B 8.1% CCC 6.1% CC 3.8% C 1.0% D 0.4% Not Rated 6.4%  

Top Ten Investment Grade Industries

Transportation 6.5% Consumer Cyclical 3.3% Banking 3.2% Finance Companies 1.9% Communications 1.8% Insurance 1.1% Electric 1.0% Energy 1.0% Basic Industry 0.7% Consumer Non Cyclical 0.7%    

Top Five High Yield Industries

Transportation 1.6% Communications 1.4% Basic Industry 1.4% Electric 1.1% Banking 1.0%  

Average Life (years)

6.6

Effective Duration (years)

2.8

Average Coupon (%)

4.1  

Portfolio Statistics:

 

Inception Date

March 28, 2002

Inception Price

$

15.00

Total Assets***

$ 236,417,618

Net Assets

$ 163,431,326

Loans****

0.00%

Preferred Shares****

30.45%

Reverse Repos****

0.00%  

Market Price

$ 15.50

NAV

$ 13.79

(Daily NAV is available on market quotation systems using the symbol XWEAX.)

Distribution Rate

  $0.1100 per share

Frequency

Monthly (declared monthly, paid monthly)

* Portfolio holdings and weightings are historical and are presented here for informational purposes only and do not include derivatives such as Futures Contracts, Options Written, and Credit Default Swaps. They are subject to change at any time.

** Credit quality is a measure of a bond issuer's ability to repay interest and principal in a timely manner. The credit ratings shown are based on each portfolio security's rating as provided by Standard and Poor's, Moody's Investors Service and/or Fitch Ratings, Ltd. and typically range from AAA (highest) to D (lowest). For this purpose, if two or more of the agencies have assigned differing ratings to a security, the highest rating is used. Securities that are unrated by all three agencies are reflected as such. The credit quality of the investments in the Fund's portfolio does not apply to the stability or safety of the Fund. These ratings are updated monthly and may change over time. Please note, the Fund itself has not been rated by an independent rating agency.

*** The difference between total assets and net assets, if any, is due primarily to the Fund’s use of preferred shares; net assets do not include preferred shares. The Fund may employ leverage in the form of loans, preferred stock, reverse repurchase agreements and/or other instruments. When the Fund engages in transactions that have a leveraging effect on the Fund’s portfolio, the value of the Fund will be more volatile and all other risks will tend to be compounded.

**** Percentages based on total assets.

Dividends and distributions represent past performance. Past performance is no guarantee of future results and there is no guarantee that dividends and distributions will continue.

Western Asset Premier Bond Fund, a diversified closed-end investment management company, is advised by Western Asset Management Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Legg Mason, Inc. and is sub-advised by Western Asset Management Company Limited, Western Asset Management Company Pte. Ltd., and Western Asset Management Company Ltd, affiliates of the adviser.

An investment in the Fund involves risk, including loss of principal. Investment return and the value of shares will fluctuate. Fixed income securities are subject to credit risk, inflation risk, call risk, and interest rate risks. As interest rates rise, bond prices fall, reducing the value of the Fund's share price.

Data and commentary provided in this press release are for informational purposes only. Legg Mason and its affiliates do not engage in selling shares of the Fund.

For more information, please call Fund Investor Relations at 888-777-0102 or consult the Fund’s web site at www.leggmason.com/cef.

FN1112225