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

811-8709

 

Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

125 Broad Street, New York, NY

 

10004

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip code)

 

Robert I. Frenkel, Esq.

Legg Mason & Co., LLC

300 First Stamford Place, 4th Floor

Stamford, CT 06902

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:

(800) 451-2010

 

 

Date of fiscal year end:

April 30

 

 

Date of reporting period:

October 31, 2007

 

 



 

ITEM 1.          REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS.

 

                The Semi-Annual Report to Stockholders is filed herewith.

 



 

 

Western Asset
High Income Fund II Inc.
(HIX)

 

 

 

 

SEMI-ANNUAL

 

 

REPORT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OCTOBER 31, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 


 

 

Western Asset
High Income Fund II Inc.

 

 

Semi-Annual Report · October 31, 2007

 

 

What’s
 
Inside

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fund Objective

The Fund seeks to maximize current income by investing at least 80% of its net assets, plus any borrowings for investment purposes, in high-yield debt securities. As a secondary objective, the Fund seeks capital appreciation to the extent consistent with its objective of seeking to maximize current income.

 

Letter from the Chairman

I

 

 

 

 

Fund at a Glance

1

 

 

 

 

Schedule of Investments

2

 

 

 

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

21

 

 

 

 

Statement of Operations

22

 

 

 

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

23

 

 

 

 

Statement of Cash Flows

24

 

 

 

 

Financial Highlights

25

 

 

 

Notes to Financial Statements

26

 

 

Additional Shareholder Information

36

 

 

Dividend Reinvestment Plan

37

 


 

Letter from the Chairman

 

 



R. JAY GERKEN, CFA

Chairman, President and
Chief Executive Officer

Dear Shareholder,

 

Despite continued weakness in the housing market and a credit crunch that began in the summer of 2007, the U.S. economy proved to be resilient during the six-month reporting period ended October 31, 2007. In the first quarter of 2007, U.S. gross domestic product (“GDP”)i growth was a tepid 0.6%, according to the U.S. Commerce Department. This was the lowest growth rate since the fourth quarter of 2002. The economy then rebounded, as second quarter 2007 GDP growth was a solid 3.8%. Given the modest increase earlier in the year, this higher growth rate was not unexpected. The preliminary estimate for third quarter GDP growth was 4.9%. A surge in inventory-building and robust exports supported the economy during the third calendar quarter.

 

Ongoing issues related to the housing and subprime mortgage markets and an abrupt tightening in the credit markets prompted the Federal Reserve Board (“Fed”)ii to take several actions during the reporting period. The Fed initially responded by lowering the discount rate — the rate the Fed uses for loans it makes directly to banks — from 6.25% to 5.75% in mid-August 2007. Then, at its meeting on September 18, the Fed reduced the federal funds rateiii from 5.25% to 4.75% and the discount rate to 5.25%. This marked the first reduction in the federal funds rate since June 2003. The Fed again lowered rates at the end of October, as it cut both the discount rate and federal funds rate another 0.25% to 5.00% and 4.50%, respectively. In its statement accompanying the October meeting, the Fed stated: “Economic growth was solid in the third quarter, and strains in financial markets have eased somewhat on balance. However, the pace of economic expansion will likely slow in the near term, partly reflecting the intensification of the housing correction.” The Fed went on to say: “The

 

Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc.

I


 

 

Committee judges that, after this action, the upside risks to inflation roughly balance the downside risks to growth.”

 

 

 

During the six-month reporting period, both short- and long-term Treasury yields experienced periods of significant volatility. After falling during the first three months of 2007, yields then moved steadily higher during much of the second quarter. This was due, in part, to inflationary fears, a solid job market and expectations that the Fed would not be cutting short-term rates in the foreseeable future. During the remainder of the reporting period, the U.S. fixed-income markets were extremely volatile, which negatively impacted market liquidity conditions. Initially, the concern on the part of market participants was limited to the subprime segment of the mortgage-backed market. These concerns broadened, however, to include a wide range of financial institutions and markets. As a result, other fixed-income instruments also experienced increased price volatility. This turmoil triggered a significant “flight to quality,” causing Treasury yields to move sharply lower (and their prices higher), while riskier segments of the market saw their yields move higher (and their prices lower). Overall, during the six months ended October 31, 2007, two-year Treasury yields fell from 4.60% to 3.94%. Over the same period, 10-year Treasury yields moved from 4.63% to 4.48%. Looking at the six-month period as a whole, the overall bond market, as measured by the Lehman Brothers U.S. Aggregate Indexiv, returned 2.68%.

 

 

 

Due in large part to a dramatic flight to quality earlier in the reporting period, the high-yield bond market largely treaded water over the six months ended October 31, 2007. During that time, the Citigroup High Yield Market Indexv returned -0.06%. High-yield bond prices weakened significantly in June and July. While they subsequently posted positive results in August, September and October, it was not enough to overcome their earlier negative returns.

 

 

 

Despite a dramatic flight to quality and weakness earlier in the reporting period, emerging markets debt generated positive results, as the JPMorgan Emerging Markets Bond Index Global (“EMBI Global”)vi returned 2.64% during the reporting period. Overall solid demand, an expanding global

 

II

Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc.


 

 

economy, strong domestic spending and the Fed’s rate cuts supported the emerging market debt asset class.

 

 

 

Performance Review

 

 

 

For the six months ended October 31, 2007, Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. returned -1.34% based on its net asset value (“NAV”)vii and -6.61% based on its New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) market price per share. In comparison, the Fund’s new unmanaged benchmarks, the Lehman Brothers U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Cap Indexviii and the EMBI Global, returned -0.07% and 2.64%, respectively, over the same period. The Fund’s former unmanaged benchmark, the Citigroup High Yield Market Index, returned -0.06% for the same time frame. The Lipper High Current Yield (Leveraged) Closed-End Funds Category Averageix returned -5.75% over the same period. Please note that Lipper performance returns are based on each fund’s NAV per share.

 

 

 

During this six-month period, the Fund made distributions to shareholders totaling $0.47 per share (which may have included a return of capital). The performance table shows the Fund’s six-month total return based on its NAV and market price as of October 31, 2007. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

 

Performance Snapshot as of October 31, 2007 (unaudited)

 

Price
Per Share

 

6-Month
Total Return

 

 

 

 

 

 

$11.74 (NAV)

 

-1.34

%

 

$10.38 (Market Price)

 

-6.61

%

 

 

All figures represent past performance and are not a guarantee of future results.

Total returns are based on changes in NAV or market price, respectively. Total returns assume the reinvestment of all distributions including returns of capital, if any, in additional shares.

 

Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc.

III


 

 

Special Shareholder Notices

 

 

 

On August 15, 2007, the Board of Directors of Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. approved, to be effective September 17, 2007, amending the Fund’s non-fundamental investment policies relating to the types of securities in which the Fund may invest. As a result of the amendment to the Fund’s non-fundamental investment policies, the Fund will be able to invest in, among other things, dollar rolls, mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities as part of its investment strategies. Investments in these types of securities, and other types of securities that will be permissible under the amended non-fundamental investment policies, may involve additional risk.

 

 

 

Under a dollar roll transaction, the Fund sells securities for delivery in the current month, or sells securities it has purchased on a “to-be-announced” basis, and simultaneously contracts to repurchase substantially similar (same type and coupon) securities on a specified future date. During the roll period, the Fund forgoes principal and interest paid on the purchased securities. Dollar rolls are speculative techniques involving leverage, and are considered borrowings by the Fund if the Fund does not establish and maintain a segregated account. In addition, dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities the Fund is obligated to repurchase may decline below the repurchase price. In the event the buyer of securities under a dollar roll files for bankruptcy or becomes insolvent, the Fund’s use of proceeds may be restricted pending a determination by the other party, or its trustee or receiver, whether to enforce the Fund’s obligation to repurchase the securities. Successful use of dollar rolls may depend upon the ability of the Fund’s investment manager to correctly predict interest rates and prepayments. There is no assurance that dollar rolls can be successfully employed.

 

 

 

Mortgage-backed securities may be issued by private companies or by agencies of the U.S. Government and represent direct or indirect participations in, or are collateralized by and payable from, mortgage loans secured by real property. Asset-backed securities represent participations in, or are secured by and payable from, assets such as installment sales

 

IV

Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc.


 

 

or loan contracts, leases, credit card receivables and other categories of receivables. Certain debt instruments may only pay principal at maturity or may only represent the right to receive payments of principal or payments of interest on underlying pools of mortgages, assets or government securities, but not both. The value of these types of instruments may change more drastically than debt securities that pay both principal and interest during periods of changing interest rates. The Fund may obtain a below market yield or incur a loss on such instruments during periods of declining interest rates. Principal only and interest only instruments are subject to extension risk. For mortgage derivatives and structured securities that have imbedded leverage features, small changes in interest or prepayment rates may cause large and sudden price movements. Mortgage derivatives may be illiquid and hard to value in declining markets.

 

 

 

These changes are intended to provide the portfolio managers with additional flexibility to meet the Fund’s investment objectives and address developments in the market, but the Fund’s portfolio managers do not currently anticipate that any dramatic changes in the Fund’s portfolio composition or investment approach will result.

 

 

 

Information About Your Fund

 

 

 

Important information with regard to recent regulatory developments that may affect the Fund is contained in the Notes to Financial Statements included in this report.

 

 

 

Looking for Additional Information?

 

 

 

The Fund is traded under the symbol “HIX” and its closing market price is available in most newspapers under the NYSE listings. The daily NAV is available on-line under the symbol “XHGIX” on most financial websites. Barron’s and The Wall Street Journal’s Monday edition both carry closed-end fund tables that provide additional information. In addition, the Fund issues a quarterly press release that can be found on most major financial websites, as well as www.leggmason.com/individualinvestors.

 

 

 

In a continuing effort to provide information concerning the Fund, shareholders may call
1-888-777-0102 (toll free),

 

Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc.

V


 

 

Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time, for the Fund’s current NAV, market price and other information.

 

 

 

As always, thank you for your confidence in our stewardship of your assets. We look forward to helping you meet your financial goals.

 

 

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

 

 

 

R. Jay Gerken, CFA
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

November 30, 2007

 

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.

 

RISKS: As interest rates rise, bond prices fall generally, reducing the value of the Fund. The Fund may use derivatives, such as options and futures, which can be illiquid, may disproportionately increase losses, and have a potentially large impact on fund performance. High-yield bonds involve greater credit and liquidity risks than investment grade bonds. Foreign securities are subject to certain risks not associated with domestic investing, such as currency fluctuations and changes in political and economic conditions which could result in significant fluctuations. The risks are magnified in emerging markets.

 

All index performance reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes. Please note that an investor cannot invest directly in an index.

 

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 (“Fed”) is responsible for the formulation of 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 Lehman Brothers 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 Citigroup High Yield Market Index is a broad-based unmanaged index of high-yield securities.

 

 

vi

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. Countries covered are Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, China, Colombia, Cote d’Ivoire, Croatia, Ecuador, Greece, Hungary, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, Panama, Peru, the Philippines, Poland, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Thailand, Turkey and Venezuela.

 

 

vii

NAV is calculated by subtracting total liabilities and outstanding preferred stock (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 at the Fund’s market price as determined by supply of and demand for the Fund’s shares.

 

 

viii

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

 

 

ix

Lipper, Inc. is a major independent mutual-fund tracking organization. Returns are based on the six-month period ended October 31, 2007, including the reinvestment of all distributions, including returns of capital, if any, calculated among the 31 funds in the Fund’s Lipper category.

 

VI

Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc.


 

Fund at a Glance (unaudited)

 

Investment Breakdown

 

As a Percent of Total Investments

 

 

Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. 2007 Semi-Annual Report

1

 


 

Schedule of Investments (October 31, 2007) (unaudited)

 

WESTERN ASSET HIGH INCOME FUND II INC.

 

Face
Amount†

 

Security

 

Value

 

CORPORATE BONDS & NOTES — 90.4%

 

 

 

Aerospace & Defense — 1.8%

 

 

 

1,585,000

 

Alliant Techsystems Inc., Senior Subordinated Notes, 6.750% due 4/1/16

 

$

1,585,000

 

 

 

DRS Technologies Inc., Senior Subordinated Notes:

 

 

 

1,535,000

 

6.625% due 2/1/16

 

1,527,326

 

3,320,000

 

7.625% due 2/1/18

 

3,411,300

 

 

 

Hawker Beechcraft Acquisition Co.:

 

 

 

3,710,000

 

Senior Notes, 8.875% due 4/1/15 (a)(b)

 

3,747,100

 

4,350,000

 

Senior Subordinated Notes, 9.750% due 4/1/17 (a)

 

4,437,000

 

106,119

 

Kac Acquisition Co., Subordinated Notes, 0.000% due 4/26/26 (c)(d)(e)

 

0

 

 

 

L-3 Communications Corp., Senior Subordinated Notes:

 

 

 

4,935,000

 

7.625% due 6/15/12

 

5,101,556

 

2,600,000

 

6.125% due 1/15/14

 

2,587,000

 

 

 

Total Aerospace & Defense

 

22,396,282

 

Airlines — 2.0%

 

 

 

 

 

Continental Airlines Inc.:

 

 

 

965,000

 

Notes, 8.750% due 12/1/11

 

955,350

 

 

 

Pass-Through Certificates:

 

 

 

172,837

 

6.541% due 9/15/08

 

171,541

 

1,195,107

 

8.312% due 10/2/12

 

1,190,356

 

1,765,000

 

7.339% due 4/19/14

 

1,671,014

 

7,680,000

 

DAE Aviation Holdings Inc., Senior Notes, 11.250% due 8/1/15 (a)

 

8,102,400

 

 

 

Delta Air Lines Inc.:

 

 

 

1,675,000

 

8.954% due 8/10/14 (a)

 

1,675,000

 

 

 

Pass-Through Certificates:

 

 

 

1,781,295

 

6.619% due 3/18/11

 

1,792,428

 

6,135,000

 

7.111% due 9/18/11

 

6,265,369

 

2,135,000

 

7.711% due 9/18/11

 

2,106,978

 

 

 

Total Airlines

 

23,930,436

 

Auto Components — 2.0%

 

 

 

 

 

Allison Transmission Inc.:

 

 

 

2,120,000

 

11.000% due 11/1/15 (a)

 

2,170,350

 

4,190,000

 

11.250% due 11/1/15 (a)(b)

 

4,153,337

 

5,000,000

 

Allison Transmission, Term Loan B, 8.540% due 8/7/14

 

4,885,415

 

3,335,000

 

Keystone Automotive Operations Inc., Senior Subordinated Notes,
9.750% due 11/1/13

 

2,726,363

 

11,250,000

 

Visteon Corp., Senior Notes, 8.250% due 8/1/10 (f)

 

10,518,750

 

 

 

Total Auto Components

 

24,454,215

 

Automobiles — 1.8%

 

 

 

 

 

Ford Motor Co.:

 

 

 

 

 

Debentures:

 

 

 

1,880,000

 

8.875% due 1/15/22

 

1,630,900

 

3,425,000

 

8.900% due 1/15/32

 

3,039,687

 

2,385,000

 

Notes, 7.450% due 7/16/31

 

1,896,075

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

2

Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. 2007 Semi-Annual Report


 

Schedule of Investments (October 31, 2007) (unaudited) (continued)

 

Face
Amount†

 

Security

 

Value

 

Automobiles — 1.8% (continued)

 

 

 

 

 

General Motors Corp.:

 

 

 

5,320,000

 

Notes, 7.200% due 1/15/11

 

$

5,107,200

 

 

 

Senior Debentures:

 

 

 

2,375,000

 

8.250% due 7/15/23

 

2,155,313

 

8,265,000

 

8.375% due 7/15/33

 

7,562,474

 

 

 

Total Automobiles

 

21,391,649

 

Building Products — 1.7%

 

 

 

 

 

Ainsworth Lumber Co., Ltd., Senior Notes:

 

 

 

1,200,000

 

7.250% due 10/1/12

 

831,000

 

1,180,000

 

6.750% due 3/15/14

 

764,050

 

 

 

Associated Materials Inc.:

 

 

 

9,725,000

 

Senior Discount Notes, step bond to yield 14.468% due 3/1/14

 

6,515,750

 

2,585,000

 

Senior Subordinated Notes, 9.750% due 4/15/12

 

2,649,625

 

2,302,000

 

GTL Trade Finance Inc., 7.250% due 10/20/17 (a)

 

2,335,425

 

1,750,000

 

Nortek Inc., Senior Subordinated Notes, 8.500% due 9/1/14

 

1,557,500

 

9,655,000

 

NTK Holdings Inc., Senior Discount Notes, step bond to yield
11.559% due 3/1/14

 

6,372,300

 

 

 

Total Building Products

 

21,025,650

 

Capital Markets — 0.2%

 

 

 

3,000,000

 

E*TRADE Financial Corp., Senior Notes, 7.375% due 9/15/13

 

2,820,000

 

Chemicals — 1.8%

 

 

 

 

 

Georgia Gulf Corp.:

 

 

 

3,110,000

 

10.750% due 10/15/16

 

2,480,225

 

3,630,000

 

Senior Notes, 9.500% due 10/15/14

 

3,158,100

 

2,390,000

 

Huntsman International LLC, Senior Subordinated Notes,
7.875% due 11/15/14

 

2,581,200

 

 

 

Lyondell Chemical Co.:

 

 

 

2,191,000

 

6.875% due 6/15/17

 

2,421,055

 

 

 

Senior Notes:

 

 

 

1,400,000

 

8.000% due 9/15/14

 

1,557,500

 

1,155,000

 

8.250% due 9/15/16

 

1,325,362

 

100,000

 

Senior Secured Notes, 10.500% due 6/1/13

 

108,250

 

3,075,000

 

Methanex Corp., Senior Notes, 8.750% due 8/15/12

 

3,313,312

 

4,475,000

 

Montell Finance Co. BV, Debentures, 8.100% due 3/15/27 (a)

 

3,915,625

 

1,015,000

 

Westlake Chemical Corp., Senior Notes, 6.625% due 1/15/16

 

976,938

 

 

 

Total Chemicals

 

21,837,567

 

Commercial Banks — 2.2%

 

 

 

5,260,000

 

ATF Capital BV, Senior Notes, 9.250% due 2/21/14 (a)

 

5,430,950

 

8,750,000

 

First Data Corp., 7.960% due 10/15/14 (g)

 

8,450,129

 

4,490,000

 

HSBK Europe BV, 7.250% due 5/3/17 (a)

 

4,217,457

 

 

 

ICICI Bank Ltd., Subordinated Bonds:

 

 

 

1,170,000

 

6.375% due 4/30/22 (g)

 

1,103,390

 

1,174,000

 

6.375% due 4/30/22 (a)(g)

 

1,088,918

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. 2007 Semi-Annual Report

3


 

Schedule of Investments (October 31, 2007) (unaudited) (continued)

 

Face
Amount†

 

Security

 

Value

 

Commercial Banks — 2.2% (continued)

 

 

 

 

 

Russian Agricultural Bank:

 

 

 

1,055,000

 

Loan Participation Notes, 6.299% due 5/15/17 (a)

 

$

1,002,144

 

1,654,000

 

Notes, 7.175% due 5/16/13 (a)

 

1,710,071

 

 

 

TuranAlem Finance BV, Bonds:

 

 

 

2,785,000

 

8.250% due 1/22/37 (a)

 

2,569,162

 

1,059,000

 

8.250% due 1/22/37 (a)

 

961,042

 

 

 

Total Commercial Banks

 

26,533,263

 

Commercial Services & Supplies — 2.6%

 

 

 

5,985,000

 

Allied Security Escrow Corp., Senior Subordinated Notes,
11.375% due 7/15/11

 

5,745,600

 

 

 

Allied Waste North America Inc., Senior Notes:

 

 

 

5,690,000

 

7.375% due 4/15/14

 

5,775,350

 

1,050,000

 

7.250% due 3/15/15

 

1,063,125

 

675,000

 

Ashtead Holdings PLC, Secured Notes, 8.625% due 8/1/15 (a)

 

648,000

 

7,693,000

 

DynCorp International LLC/DIV Capital Corp., Senior Subordinated Notes,
9.500% due 2/15/13

 

8,173,813

 

 

 

Interface Inc.:

 

 

 

2,875,000

 

Senior Notes, 10.375% due 2/1/10

 

3,061,875

 

1,500,000

 

Senior Subordinated Notes, 9.500% due 2/1/14

 

1,590,000

 

4,065,000

 

Rental Services Corp., 9.500% due 12/1/14

 

3,927,806

 

2,380,000

 

US Investigations Services Inc., 11.750% due 5/1/16 (a)

 

2,237,200

 

 

 

Total Commercial Services & Supplies

 

32,222,769

 

Communications Equipment — 0.4%

 

 

 

6,100,000

 

Lucent Technologies Inc., Debentures, 6.450% due 3/15/29

 

5,124,000

 

Construction & Engineering — 0.1%

 

 

 

1,240,000

 

Odebrecht Finance Ltd., 7.500% due 10/18/17 (a)

 

1,243,100

 

Consumer Finance — 3.2%

 

 

 

4,080,000

 

AmeriCredit Corp., Senior Notes, 8.500% due 7/1/15 (a)

 

3,672,000

 

 

 

Ford Motor Credit Co.:

 

 

 

 

 

Notes:

 

 

 

3,075,000

 

7.875% due 6/15/10

 

2,966,108

 

3,320,000

 

7.000% due 10/1/13

 

2,983,581

 

 

 

Senior Notes:

 

 

 

4,248,000

 

10.944% due 6/15/11 (g)

 

4,250,400

 

1,950,000

 

9.875% due 8/10/11

 

1,948,551

 

1,210,000

 

7.993% due 1/13/12 (g)

 

1,121,172

 

2,490,000

 

8.000% due 12/15/16

 

2,308,830

 

 

 

General Motors Acceptance Corp.:

 

 

 

14,270,000

 

Bonds, 8.000% due 11/1/31 (f)

 

13,223,424

 

6,890,000

 

Notes, 6.875% due 8/28/12

 

6,217,433

 

 

 

Total Consumer Finance

 

38,691,499

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

4

Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. 2007 Semi-Annual Report

 


 

Schedule of Investments (October 31, 2007) (unaudited) (continued)

 

Face
Amount†

 

Security

 

Value

 

Containers & Packaging — 1.3%

 

 

 

2,000,000

 

Berry Plastics Holding Corp., 8.875% due 9/15/14

 

$

2,060,000

 

2,175,000

 

Graham Packaging Co. Inc., Senior Subordinated Notes, 9.875% due 10/15/14

 

2,164,125

 

4,725,000

 

Graphic Packaging International Corp., Senior Subordinated Notes,
9.500% due 8/15/13

 

4,984,875

 

2,349,000

 

Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc., Senior Secured Notes,
8.750% due 11/15/12

 

2,451,769

 

1,490,000

 

Plastipak Holdings Inc., Senior Notes, 8.500% due 12/15/15 (a)

 

1,542,150

 

1,975,000

 

Radnor Holdings Corp., Senior Notes, 11.000% due 3/15/10 (e)

 

24,687

 

195,000

 

Smurfit-Stone Container Corp., Senior Notes, 8.000% due 3/15/17

 

194,756

 

2,355,000

 

Smurfit-Stone Container Enterprises Inc., Senior Notes, 8.375% due 7/1/12

 

2,366,775

 

 

 

Total Containers & Packaging

 

15,789,137

 

Diversified Consumer Services — 0.8%

 

 

 

6,870,000

 

Education Management LLC/Education Management Finance Corp.,
Senior Notes, 8.750% due 6/1/14

 

7,127,625

 

 

 

Service Corp. International:

 

 

 

650,000

 

Debentures, 7.875% due 2/1/13

 

679,285

 

 

 

Senior Notes:

 

 

 

1,200,000

 

7.625% due 10/1/18

 

1,236,000

 

1,010,000

 

7.500% due 4/1/27

 

949,400

 

 

 

Total Diversified Consumer Services

 

9,992,310

 

Diversified Financial Services — 2.4%

 

 

 

4,060,000

 

Basell AF SCA, Senior Secured Subordinated Second Priority Notes,
8.375% due 8/15/15 (a)

 

3,654,000

 

2,110,000

 

CCM Merger Inc., Notes, 8.000% due 8/1/13 (a)

 

2,036,150

 

135,000

 

El Paso Performance-Linked Trust Certificates, Notes, 7.750% due 7/15/11 (a)

 

139,862

 

4,400,000

 

Hexion U.S. Finance Corp./Hexion Nova Scotia Finance ULC,
10.058% due 11/15/14 (g)

 

4,576,000

 

3,930,000

 

Leucadia National Corp., Senior Notes, 8.125% due 9/15/15

 

3,984,037

 

2,990,000

 

Residential Capital Corp., Notes, 7.375% due 6/30/10 (g)

 

2,206,336

 

 

 

Residential Capital LLC:

 

 

 

230,000

 

9.044% due 4/17/09 (a)(g)

 

142,888

 

3,945,000

 

Senior Notes, 7.000% due 2/22/11 (g)

 

2,881,795

 

700,000

 

Smurfit Kappa Funding PLC, Senior Subordinated Notes, 7.750% due 4/1/15

 

693,000

 

1,360,000

 

TNK-BP Finance SA, 7.500% due 7/18/16 (a)

 

1,329,400

 

670,000

 

UCAR Finance Inc., Senior Notes, 10.250% due 2/15/12

 

703,500

 

490,000

 

Vangent Inc., Senior Subordinated Notes, 9.625% due 2/15/15 (a)

 

455,700

 

3,150,000

 

Vanguard Health Holdings Co. I LLC, Senior Discount Notes, step bond to yield
10.022% due 10/1/15

 

2,472,750

 

3,775,000

 

Vanguard Health Holdings Co. II LLC, Senior Subordinated Notes,
9.000% due 10/1/14

 

3,699,500

 

 

 

Total Diversified Financial Services

 

28,974,918

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. 2007 Semi-Annual Report

5


 

Schedule of Investments (October 31, 2007) (unaudited) (continued)

 

Face
Amount†

 

Security

 

Value

 

Diversified Telecommunication Services — 6.0%

 

 

 

 

 

Axtel SAB de CV:

 

 

 

370,000

 

7.625% due 2/1/17 (a)

 

$

374,625

 

4,740,000

 

Senior Notes, 7.625% due 2/1/17 (a)

 

4,799,250

 

1,005,000

 

Cincinnati Bell Inc., Senior Notes, 7.000% due 2/15/15

 

987,413

 

1,260,000

 

Cincinnati Bell Telephone Co., Senior Debentures, 6.300% due 12/1/28

 

1,102,500

 

 

 

Citizens Communications Co.:

 

 

 

315,000

 

7.050% due 10/1/46

 

259,875

 

4,220,000

 

Senior Notes, 7.875% due 1/15/27

 

4,167,250

 

2,171,000

 

Hawaiian Telcom Communications Inc., Senior Subordinated Notes,
12.500% due 5/1/15

 

2,366,390

 

 

 

Intelsat Bermuda Ltd.:

 

 

 

4,315,000

 

9.250% due 6/15/16

 

4,498,388

 

6,530,000

 

Senior Notes, 11.250% due 6/15/16

 

7,052,400

 

1,355,000

 

Intelsat Corp., Senior Notes, 9.000% due 8/15/14

 

1,388,875

 

150,000

 

L-3 Communications Corp., Senior Subordinated Notes,
6.375% due 10/15/15

 

150,750

 

 

 

Level 3 Financing Inc.:

 

 

 

4,915,000

 

9.250% due 11/1/14

 

4,656,962

 

3,000,000

 

9.150% due 2/15/15 (g)

 

2,722,500

 

4,525,000

 

Nordic Telephone Co. Holdings, Senior Secured Bonds, 8.875% due 5/1/16 (a)

 

4,807,812

 

 

 

Qwest Communications International Inc., Senior Notes:

 

 

 

1,250,000

 

9.058% due 2/15/09 (g)

 

1,262,500

 

2,100,000

 

7.500% due 2/15/14

 

2,136,750

 

 

 

Qwest Corp.:

 

 

 

3,878,000

 

Debentures, 6.875% due 9/15/33

 

3,674,405

 

5,995,000

 

Notes, 8.875% due 3/15/12

 

6,594,500

 

4,770,000

 

Telcordia Technologies Inc., Senior Subordinated Notes, 10.000% due 3/15/13 (a)

 

3,982,950

 

9,400,000

 

Virgin Media Finance PLC, Senior Notes, 9.125% due 8/15/16 (f)

 

9,964,000

 

610,000

 

Wind Acquisition Finance SA, Senior Bonds, 10.750% due 12/1/15 (a)

 

681,675

 

5,680,000

 

Windstream Corp., Senior Notes, 8.625% due 8/1/16

 

6,106,000

 

 

 

Total Diversified Telecommunication Services

 

73,737,770

 

Electric Utilities — 1.1%

 

 

 

2,880,000

 

EEB International Ltd., 8.750% due 10/31/14 (a)

 

2,980,800

 

202,000

 

Enersis SA, Notes, 7.375% due 1/15/14

 

214,839

 

1,665,000

 

IPALCO Enterprises Inc., Secured Notes, 8.625% due 11/14/11

 

1,760,738

 

1,106,110

 

Midwest Generation LLC, Pass-Through Certificates, 8.560% due 1/2/16

 

1,189,069

 

3,999,000

 

Orion Power Holdings Inc., Senior Notes, 12.000% due 5/1/10

 

4,438,890

 

4,055,000

 

VeraSun Energy Corp., Senior Notes, 9.375% due 6/1/17 (a)

 

3,355,512

 

 

 

Total Electric Utilities

 

13,939,848

 

Electronic Equipment & Instruments — 0.4%

 

 

 

 

 

NXP BV/NXP Funding LLC:

 

 

 

2,795,000

 

Senior Notes, 9.500% due 10/15/15

 

2,648,262

 

2,495,000

 

Senior Secured Notes, 7.875% due 10/15/14

 

2,448,219

 

 

 

Total Electronic Equipment & Instruments

 

5,096,481

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

6

Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. 2007 Semi-Annual Report


 

Schedule of Investments (October 31, 2007) (unaudited) (continued)

 

Face
Amount†

 

Security

 

Value

 

Energy Equipment & Services — 0.5%

 

 

 

3,270,000

 

Complete Production Services Inc., Senior Notes, 8.000% due 12/15/16

 

$

3,188,250

 

1,275,000

 

GulfMark Offshore Inc., Senior Subordinated Notes, 7.750% due 7/15/14

 

1,287,750

 

1,210,000

 

Pride International Inc., Senior Notes, 7.375% due 7/15/14

 

1,246,300

 

400,000

 

Southern Natural Gas Co., Senior Notes, 8.000% due 3/1/32

 

458,229

 

 

 

Total Energy Equipment & Services

 

6,180,529

 

Food & Staples Retailing — 0.3%

 

 

 

2,591,000

 

Delhaize America Inc., Debentures, 9.000% due 4/15/31

 

3,149,091

 

Food Products — 0.4%

 

 

 

 

 

Dole Food Co. Inc.:

 

 

 

1,600,000

 

Debentures, 8.750% due 7/15/13

 

1,576,000

 

 

 

Senior Notes:

 

 

 

2,065,000

 

7.250% due 6/15/10

 

1,972,075

 

1,050,000

 

8.875% due 3/15/11

 

1,038,188

 

 

 

Total Food Products

 

4,586,263

 

Gas Utilities — 0.6%

 

 

 

7,425,000

 

Suburban Propane Partners LP/Suburban Energy Finance Corp., Senior Notes,
6.875% due 12/15/13

 

7,276,500

 

Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 0.1%

 

 

 

1,960,000

 

Advanced Medical Optics Inc., 7.500% due 5/1/17

 

1,857,100

 

Health Care Providers & Services — 5.0%

 

 

 

4,890,000

 

Community Health Systems Inc., Senior Notes, 8.875% due 7/15/15 (a)

 

4,975,575

 

 

 

DaVita Inc.:

 

 

 

240,000

 

Senior Notes, 6.625% due 3/15/13

 

240,000

 

4,885,000

 

Senior Subordinated Notes, 7.250% due 3/15/15

 

4,964,381

 

 

 

HCA Inc.:

 

 

 

950,000

 

Debentures, 7.500% due 11/15/95

 

739,445

 

1,500,000

 

Notes, 6.375% due 1/15/15

 

1,288,125

 

6,115,000

 

Senior Notes, 6.500% due 2/15/16

 

5,251,256

 

 

 

Senior Secured Notes:

 

 

 

3,580,000

 

9.250% due 11/15/16 (a)

 

3,776,900

 

9,560,000

 

9.625% due 11/15/16 (a)(b)

 

10,133,600

 

4,800,000

 

IASIS Healthcare LLC/IASIS Capital Corp., Senior Subordinated Notes,
8.750% due 6/15/14

 

4,872,000

 

 

 

Tenet Healthcare Corp., Senior Notes:

 

 

 

3,555,000

 

6.375% due 12/1/11

 

3,128,400

 

1,500,000

 

6.500% due 6/1/12

 

1,278,750

 

6,000,000

 

7.375% due 2/1/13

 

5,130,000

 

4,375,000

 

9.875% due 7/1/14

 

4,003,125

 

1,470,000

 

6.875% due 11/15/31

 

1,087,800

 

 

 

Universal Hospital Services Inc., Secured Notes:

 

 

 

4,505,000

 

8.500% due 6/1/15 (a)(b)

 

4,606,363

 

910,000

 

8.759% due 6/1/15 (a)(g)

 

916,825

 

5,850,000

 

US Oncology Holdings Inc., Senior Notes, 10.759% due 3/15/12 (a)(b)

 

5,177,250

 

 

 

Total Health Care Providers & Services

 

61,569,795

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. 2007 Semi-Annual Report

7


 

Schedule of Investments (October 31, 2007) (unaudited) (continued)

 

Face
Amount†

 

Security

 

Value

 

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 5.2%

 

 

 

 

 

Boyd Gaming Corp., Senior Subordinated Notes:

 

 

 

600,000

 

7.750% due 12/15/12

 

$

621,000

 

1,000,000

 

6.750% due 4/15/14

 

986,250

 

4,560,000

 

Buffets Inc., Senior Notes, 12.500% due 11/1/14

 

2,975,400

 

4,500,000

 

Caesars Entertainment Inc., Senior Subordinated Notes,
8.875% due 9/15/08

 

4,573,125

 

2,725,000

 

Carrols Corp., Senior Subordinated Notes, 9.000% due 1/15/13

 

2,616,000

 

500,000

 

Choctaw Resort Development Enterprise, Senior Notes, 7.250% due 11/15/19 (a)

 

490,000

 

4,515,000

 

Denny’s Holdings Inc., Senior Notes, 10.000% due 10/1/12

 

4,661,737

 

1,740,000

 

Downstream Development Quapaw, Senior Notes, 12.000% due 10/15/15 (a)

 

1,687,800

 

2,360,000

 

El Pollo Loco Inc., Senior Notes, 11.750% due 11/15/13

 

2,383,600

 

975,000

 

Fontainebleau Las Vegas Holdings LLC/Fontainebleau Las Vegas Capital Corp.,
10.250% due 6/15/15 (a)

 

916,500

 

4,150,000

 

Herbst Gaming Inc., Senior Subordinated Notes, 7.000% due 11/15/14

 

3,382,250

 

2,620,000

 

Indianapolis Downs LLC & Capital Corp., 11.000% due 11/1/12 (a)

 

2,646,200

 

4,070,000

 

Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort & Casino, Senior Notes,
12.000% due 11/15/10

 

4,314,200

 

3,850,000

 

Las Vegas Sands Corp., Senior Notes, 6.375% due 2/15/15

 

3,758,563

 

 

 

MGM MIRAGE Inc.:

 

 

 

955,000

 

Notes, 6.750% due 9/1/12

 

945,450

 

 

 

Senior Notes:

 

 

 

355,000

 

8.500% due 9/15/10

 

373,194

 

450,000

 

5.875% due 2/27/14

 

419,625

 

620,000

 

7.500% due 6/1/16

 

619,225

 

4,470,000

 

7.625% due 1/15/17

 

4,492,350

 

455,000

 

Senior Subordinated Notes, 8.375% due 2/1/11

 

477,750

 

380,000

 

Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority, Senior Subordinated Notes,
6.875% due 2/15/15

 

373,350

 

1,805,000

 

Outback Steakhouse Inc., Senior Notes, 10.000% due 6/15/15 (a)

 

1,561,325

 

4,700,000

 

Pinnacle Entertainment Inc., Senior Subordinated Notes, 8.250% due 3/15/12

 

4,864,500

 

3,930,000

 

Pokagon Gaming Authority, Senior Notes, 10.375% due 6/15/14 (a)

 

4,362,300

 

2,255,000

 

Sbarro Inc., Senior Notes, 10.375% due 2/1/15

 

2,049,231

 

 

 

Snoqualmie Entertainment Authority, Senior Secured Notes:

 

 

 

885,000

 

9.063% due 2/1/14 (a)(g)

 

857,344

 

840,000

 

9.125% due 2/1/15 (a)

 

829,500

 

 

 

Station Casinos Inc.:

 

 

 

 

 

Senior Notes:

 

 

 

40,000

 

6.000% due 4/1/12

 

37,300

 

4,150,000

 

7.750% due 8/15/16

 

4,082,562

 

 

 

Senior Subordinated Notes:

 

 

 

80,000

 

6.875% due 3/1/16

 

66,600

 

1,635,000

 

6.625% due 3/15/18

 

1,303,913

 

 

 

Total Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

 

63,728,144

 

Household Durables — 1.4%

 

 

 

310,000

 

American Greetings Corp., Senior Notes, 7.375% due 6/1/16

 

305,350

 

4,000,000

 

Holt Group Inc., Senior Notes, 9.750% due 1/15/06 (c)(d)(e)

 

0

 

3,355,000

 

Jarden Corp., Senior Subordinated Notes, 7.500% due 5/1/17

 

3,204,025

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

8

Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. 2007 Semi-Annual Report


 

Schedule of Investments (October 31, 2007) (unaudited) (continued)

 

Face
Amount†

 

Security

 

Value

 

Household Durables — 1.4% (continued)

 

 

 

2,605,000

 

K Hovnanian Enterprises Inc., Senior Notes, 7.500% due 5/15/16

 

$

2,070,975

 

3,010,000

 

KB Home, 7.750% due 2/1/10

 

2,919,700

 

3,230,000

 

Norcraft Cos. LP/Norcraft Finance Corp., Senior Subordinated Notes,
9.000% due 11/1/11

 

3,326,900

 

5,765,000

 

Norcraft Holdings LP/Norcraft Capital Corp., Senior Discount Notes, step bond to yield 9.952% due 9/1/12

 

5,159,675

 

 

 

Total Household Durables

 

16,986,625

 

Household Products — 0.3%

 

 

 

1,265,000

 

American Achievement Corp., Senior Subordinated Notes, 8.250% due 4/1/12

 

1,271,325

 

1,890,000

 

Visant Holding Corp., Senior Notes, 8.750% due 12/1/13

 

1,946,700

 

 

 

Total Household Products

 

3,218,025

 

Independent Power Producers & Energy Traders — 7.5%

 

 

 

2,480,000

 

AES China Generating Co., Ltd., 8.250% due 6/26/10

 

2,452,048

 

 

 

AES Corp.:

 

 

 

6,635,000

 

8.000% due 10/15/17 (a)

 

6,726,231

 

 

 

Senior Notes:

 

 

 

1,177,000

 

9.500% due 6/1/09

 

1,229,965

 

1,900,000

 

9.375% due 9/15/10

 

2,018,750

 

2,930,000

 

Senior Secured Notes, 9.000% due 5/15/15 (a)

 

3,135,100

 

 

 

Dynegy Holdings Inc.:

 

 

 

3,605,000

 

Senior Debentures, 7.625% due 10/15/26

 

3,217,463

 

3,770,000

 

Senior Notes, 7.750% due 6/1/19 (a)

 

3,557,938

 

4,000,000

 

Dynegy Inc., 7.670% due 11/8/16

 

4,010,000

 

 

 

Edison Mission Energy, Senior Notes:

 

 

 

445,000

 

7.500% due 6/15/13

 

453,344

 

2,600,000

 

7.750% due 6/15/16

 

2,684,500

 

2,500,000

 

7.200% due 5/15/19 (a)

 

2,456,250

 

2,670,000

 

7.625% due 5/15/27 (a)

 

2,556,525

 

 

 

Energy Future Holdings:

 

 

 

5,160,000

 

10.875% due 11/1/17 (a)

 

5,243,850

 

28,770,000

 

11.250% due 11/1/17 (a)(b)

 

29,273,475

 

 

 

Mirant Mid Atlantic LLC:

 

 

 

584,577

 

10.060% due 12/30/28

 

695,646

 

1,923,235

 

Pass-Through Certificates, 9.125% due 6/30/17

 

2,117,962

 

4,235,000

 

Mirant North America LLC, Senior Notes, 7.375% due 12/31/13

 

4,314,406

 

 

 

NRG Energy Inc., Senior Notes:

 

 

 

890,000

 

7.250% due 2/1/14

 

892,225

 

11,570,000

 

7.375% due 2/1/16 (f)

 

11,570,000

 

1,800,000

 

7.375% due 1/15/17

 

1,795,500

 

890,000

 

TXU Corp., Senior Notes, 6.500% due 11/15/24

 

658,269

 

 

 

Total Independent Power Producers & Energy Traders

 

91,059,447

 

Industrial Conglomerates — 0.1%

 

 

 

680,000

 

Koppers Inc., Senior Notes, 9.875% due 10/15/13

 

722,500

 

2,750,000

 

Moll Industries Inc., Senior Subordinated Notes, 10.500% due 7/1/08 (c)(d)(e)

 

0

 

 

 

Total Industrial Conglomerates

 

722,500

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. 2007 Semi-Annual Report

9


 

Schedule of Investments (October 31, 2007) (unaudited) (continued)

 

Face
Amount†

 

Security

 

Value

 

IT Services — 1.5%

 

 

 

 

 

Ceridian Corp.:

 

 

 

1,580,000

 

11.250% due 11/15/15 (a)

 

$

1,568,150

 

2,380,000

 

12.250% due 11/15/15 (a)(b)

 

2,362,150

 

5,720,000

 

First Data Corp., 9.875% due 9/24/15 (a)

 

5,484,050

 

 

 

SunGard Data Systems Inc.:

 

 

 

2,900,000

 

Senior Notes, 9.125% due 8/15/13

 

2,972,500

 

5,390,000

 

Senior Subordinated Notes, 10.250% due 8/15/15

 

5,646,025

 

 

 

Total IT Services

 

18,032,875

 

Machinery — 0.1%

 

 

 

1,260,000

 

American Railcar Industries Inc., Senior Notes, 7.500% due 3/1/14

 

1,250,550

 

Media — 7.8%

 

 

 

 

 

Affinion Group Inc.:

 

 

 

4,465,000

 

Senior Notes, 10.125% due 10/15/13

 

4,677,087

 

4,030,000

 

Senior Subordinated Notes, 11.500% due 10/15/15

 

4,221,425

 

 

 

CCH I Holdings LLC/CCH I Holdings Capital Corp.:

 

 

 

2,265,000

 

Senior Accreting Notes, 12.125% due 1/15/15

 

2,004,525

 

8,010,000

 

Senior Notes, 11.750% due 5/15/14

 

7,028,775

 

8,676,000

 

CCH I LLC/CCH Capital Corp., Senior Secured Notes, 11.000% due 10/1/15 (f)

 

8,459,100

 

 

 

CCH II LLC/CCH II Capital Corp., Senior Notes:

 

 

 

4,390,000

 

10.250% due 9/15/10

 

4,499,750

 

1,593,000

 

10.250% due 10/1/13

 

1,648,755

 

1,500,000

 

Charter Communications Holdings LLC, Senior Discount Notes,
12.125% due 1/15/12

 

1,395,000

 

1,325,000

 

Charter Communications Holdings LLC/Charter Communications Holdings Capital Corp., Senior Discount Notes, 11.750% due 5/15/11

 

1,252,125

 

1,375,000

 

Chukchansi Economic Development Authority, Senior Notes,
8.000% due 11/15/13 (a)

 

1,392,188

 

3,270,000

 

CMP Susquehanna Corp., 9.875% due 5/15/14

 

3,020,663

 

 

 

CSC Holdings Inc.:

 

 

 

4,210,000

 

Senior Debentures, 8.125% due 8/15/09

 

4,304,725

 

 

 

Senior Notes:

 

 

 

280,000

 

8.125% due 7/15/09

 

286,300

 

3,400,000

 

7.625% due 4/1/11

 

3,408,500

 

813,000

 

Dex Media East LLC/Dex Media East Finance Co., Senior Notes,
12.125% due 11/15/12

 

866,861

 

3,350,000

 

Dex Media Inc., Discount Notes, step bond to yield 8.367% due 11/15/13

 

3,190,875

 

2,344,000

 

Dex Media West LLC/Dex Media Finance Co., Senior Subordinated Notes,
9.875% due 8/15/13

 

2,511,010

 

 

 

EchoStar DBS Corp., Senior Notes:

 

 

 

3,410,000

 

7.000% due 10/1/13

 

3,567,713

 

8,010,000

 

7.125% due 2/1/16

 

8,410,500

 

2,419,000

 

Globo Communicacoes e Participacoes SA, Bonds, 7.250% due 4/26/22 (a)

 

2,406,905

 

5,025,000

 

Idearc Inc., Senior Notes, 8.000% due 11/15/16

 

5,062,687

 

1,260,000

 

Lamar Media Corp., Senior Subordinated Notes, 6.625% due 8/15/15

 

1,215,900

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

10

Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. 2007 Semi-Annual Report


 

Schedule of Investments (October 31, 2007) (unaudited) (continued)

 

Face
Amount†

 

Security

 

Value

 

Media — 7.8% (continued)

 

 

 

 

 

R.H. Donnelley Corp.:

 

 

 

3,200,000

 

Senior Discount Notes, 6.875% due 1/15/13

 

$

3,024,000

 

5,200,000

 

Senior Notes, 8.875% due 1/15/16

 

5,226,000

 

2,345,000

 

Sun Media Corp., 7.625% due 2/15/13

 

2,321,550

 

 

 

TL Acquisitions Inc.:

 

 

 

4,350,000

 

Senior Notes, 10.500% due 1/15/15 (a)

 

4,350,000

 

3,380,000

 

Senior Subordinated Notes, step bond to yield 13.358% due 7/15/15 (a)

 

2,771,600

 

 

 

XM Satellite Radio Inc., Senior Notes:

 

 

 

2,065,000

 

9.856% due 5/1/13 (g)

 

2,065,000

 

790,000

 

9.750% due 5/1/14

 

801,850

 

 

 

Total Media

 

95,391,369

 

Metals & Mining — 4.6%

 

 

 

17,960,000

 

Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc., Senior Notes, 8.375% due 4/1/17 (f)

 

19,711,100

 

2,545,000

 

Metals USA Holdings Corp., Senior Notes, 11.231% due 7/1/12 (a)(b)

 

2,366,850

 

5,685,000

 

Metals USA Inc., Senior Secured Notes, 11.125% due 12/1/15

 

6,097,163

 

1,240,000

 

Noranda Aluminium Acquisition Corp., 9.360% due 5/15/15 (a)(b)

 

1,150,100

 

3,375,000

 

Noranda Aluminum Holding Corp., Senior Notes, 11.146% due 11/15/14 (a)(b)

 

3,189,375

 

3,750,000

 

Novelis Inc., Senior Notes, 7.250% due 2/15/15

 

3,618,750

 

6,235,000

 

Ryerson Inc., 12.000% due 11/1/15 (a)

 

6,437,637

 

1,720,000

 

Steel Dynamics Inc., 7.375% due 11/1/12 (a)

 

1,728,600

 

4,930,000

 

Tube City IMS Corp., 9.750% due 2/1/15

 

4,868,375

 

 

 

Vale Overseas Ltd., Notes:

 

 

 

1,284,000

 

8.250% due 1/17/34

 

1,547,509

 

5,008,000

 

6.875% due 11/21/36

 

5,231,071

 

 

 

Total Metals & Mining

 

55,946,530

 

Multiline Retail — 1.3%

 

 

 

 

 

Dollar General Corp.:

 

 

 

2,165,000

 

Senior Notes, 10.625% due 7/15/15 (a)

 

2,089,225

 

5,365,000

 

Senior Subordinated Notes, 11.875% due 7/15/17 (a)(b)

 

4,761,437

 

 

 

Neiman Marcus Group Inc.:

 

 

 

1,040,000

 

7.125% due 6/1/28

 

1,008,800

 

3,200,000

 

Senior Notes, 9.000% due 10/15/15 (b)

 

3,392,000

 

3,940,000

 

Senior Subordinated Notes, 10.375% due 10/15/15

 

4,304,450

 

 

 

Total Multiline Retail

 

15,555,912

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 9.5%

 

 

 

5,145,000

 

Belden & Blake Corp., Secured Notes, 8.750% due 7/15/12

 

5,273,625

 

 

 

Chesapeake Energy Corp., Senior Notes:

 

 

 

4,430,000

 

6.625% due 1/15/16

 

4,363,550

 

2,755,000

 

6.500% due 8/15/17

 

2,672,350

 

1,005,000

 

Compagnie Generale de Geophysique SA, Senior Notes, 7.500% due 5/15/15

 

1,030,125

 

2,598,625

 

Corral Finans AB, 10.243% due 4/15/10 (a)(b)

 

2,468,694

 

 

 

El Paso Corp.:

 

 

 

 

 

Medium-Term Notes:

 

 

 

5,025,000

 

7.800% due 8/1/31

 

5,044,874

 

7,525,000

 

7.750% due 1/15/32

 

7,579,308

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. 2007 Semi-Annual Report

11


 

Schedule of Investments (October 31, 2007) (unaudited) (continued)

 

Face
Amount†

 

Security

 

Value

 

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 9.5% (continued)

 

 

 

5,200,000

 

Notes, 7.875% due 6/15/12

 

$

5,434,796

 

3,000,000

 

Senior Subordinated Notes, 7.000% due 6/15/17

 

3,021,126

 

 

 

Enterprise Products Operating LP:

 

 

 

4,740,000

 

7.034% due 1/15/68 (g)

 

4,364,109

 

2,250,000

 

Junior Subordinated Notes, 8.375% due 8/1/66 (g)

 

2,345,749

 

5,670,000

 

EXCO Resources Inc., Senior Notes, 7.250% due 1/15/11

 

5,627,475

 

 

 

Gazprom:

 

 

 

 

 

Bonds:

 

 

 

104,590,000

RUB

6.790% due 10/29/09

 

4,238,789

 

34,860,000

RUB

7.000% due 10/27/11

 

1,416,326

 

 

 

Loan Participation Notes:

 

 

 

873,000

 

6.212% due 11/22/16 (a)

 

862,961

 

1,770,000

 

Senior Notes, 6.510% due 3/7/22 (a)

 

1,739,025

 

50,960,000

RUB

Gazprom OAO, 6.950% due 8/6/09

 

2,070,721

 

3,705,000

 

International Coal Group Inc., Senior Notes, 10.250% due 7/15/14

 

3,612,375

 

1,720,000

 

LUKOIL International Finance BV, 6.356% due 6/7/17 (a)

 

1,666,336

 

 

 

Mariner Energy Inc., Senior Notes:

 

 

 

1,465,000

 

7.500% due 4/15/13

 

1,432,037

 

1,110,000

 

8.000% due 5/15/17

 

1,101,675

 

995,000

 

Northwest Pipeline Corp., Senior Notes, 7.000% due 6/15/16

 

1,062,162

 

2,525,000

 

OPTI Canada Inc., Senior Secured Notes, 8.250% due 12/15/14 (a)

 

2,543,937

 

 

 

Pemex Project Funding Master Trust:

 

 

 

1,846,000

 

6.125% due 8/15/08

 

1,863,906

 

245,000

 

6.994% due 6/15/10 (a)(g)

 

249,288

 

142,000

 

6.994% due 6/15/10 (a)(g)

 

145,202

 

230,000

 

6.625% due 6/15/35 (a)

 

247,020

 

689,000

 

Bonds, 6.625% due 6/15/35

 

737,402

 

908,000

 

Senior Notes, 6.180% due 12/3/12 (a)(g)

 

910,951

 

1,705,000

 

Petrohawk Energy Corp., Senior Notes, 9.125% due 7/15/13

 

1,817,956

 

 

 

Petroplus Finance Ltd.:

 

 

 

1,500,000

 

6.750% due 5/1/14 (a)

 

1,432,500

 

2,250,000

 

Senior Note, 7.000% due 5/1/17 (a)

 

2,126,250

 

 

 

Petrozuata Finance Inc.:

 

 

 

4,276,000

 

8.220% due 4/1/17 (a)

 

4,297,380

 

268,000

 

8.220% due 4/1/17 (a)

 

269,340

 

1,130,000

 

Pogo Producing Co., Senior Subordinated Notes, 7.875% due 5/1/13

 

1,158,250

 

5,665,000

 

SemGroup LP, Senior Notes, 8.750% due 11/15/15 (a)

 

5,466,725

 

160,000

 

SESI LLC, Senior Notes, 6.875% due 6/1/14

 

156,000

 

3,000,000

 

Stallion Oilfield Services, 9.626% due 7/31/12 (g)

 

2,955,000

 

230,000

 

TNK-BP Finance SA, 6.625% due 3/20/17 (a)

 

210,738

 

2,275,000

 

W&T Offshore Inc., Senior Notes, 8.250% due 6/15/14 (a)

 

2,218,125

 

 

 

Whiting Petroleum Corp., Senior Subordinated Notes:

 

 

 

2,550,000

 

7.250% due 5/1/12

 

2,530,875

 

1,975,000

 

7.000% due 2/1/14

 

1,952,781

 

 

 

Williams Cos. Inc.:

 

 

 

90,000

 

Debentures, 7.500% due 1/15/31

 

95,400

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

12

Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. 2007 Semi-Annual Report

 


 

Schedule of Investments (October 31, 2007) (unaudited) (continued)

 

Face
Amount†

 

Security

 

Value

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 9.5% (continued)

 

 

 

 

 

Notes:

 

 

 

3,650,000

 

7.875% due 9/1/21

 

$

4,033,250

 

5,225,000

 

8.750% due 3/15/32

 

6,113,250

 

3,700,000

 

Senior Notes, 7.625% due 7/15/19

 

4,033,000

 

 

 

Total Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

 

115,992,714

 

Paper & Forest Products — 2.0%

 

 

 

 

 

Abitibi-Consolidated Co. of Canada:

 

 

 

700,000

 

Notes, 7.750% due 6/15/11

 

584,500

 

 

 

Senior Notes:

 

 

 

2,845,000

 

6.000% due 6/20/13

 

2,105,300

 

2,550,000

 

8.375% due 4/1/15

 

1,989,000

 

 

 

Abitibi-Consolidated Inc.:

 

 

 

1,750,000

 

Debentures, 7.400% due 4/1/18

 

1,242,500

 

1,335,000

 

Notes, 8.550% due 8/1/10

 

1,191,488

 

 

 

Appleton Papers Inc.:

 

 

 

3,895,000

 

Senior Notes, 8.125% due 6/15/11

 

3,885,262

 

4,685,000

 

Senior Subordinated Notes, 9.750% due 6/15/14

 

4,685,000

 

 

 

NewPage Corp.:

 

 

 

5,690,000

 

Senior Secured Notes, 11.606% due 5/1/12 (g)

 

6,159,425

 

1,170,000

 

Senior Subordinated Notes, 12.000% due 5/1/13

 

1,269,450

 

1,535,000

 

Smurfit Capital Funding PLC, Debentures, 7.500% due 11/20/25

 

1,496,625

 

 

 

Total Paper & Forest Products

 

24,608,550

 

Pharmaceuticals — 0.7%

 

 

 

10,855,000

 

Leiner Health Products Inc., Senior Subordinated Notes, 11.000% due 6/1/12 (f)

 

9,145,338

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 0.8%

 

 

 

130,000

 

Forest City Enterprises Inc., Senior Notes, 7.625% due 6/1/15

 

128,375

 

 

 

Host Marriott LP, Senior Notes:

 

 

 

2,500,000

 

7.125% due 11/1/13

 

2,550,000

 

1,860,000

 

6.375% due 3/15/15

 

1,846,050

 

920,000

 

Kimball Hill Inc., Senior Subordinated Notes, 10.500% due 12/15/12

 

588,800

 

 

 

Ventas Realty LP/Ventas Capital Corp., Senior Notes:

 

 

 

1,245,000

 

6.500% due 6/1/16

 

1,235,662

 

3,105,000

 

6.750% due 4/1/17

 

3,120,525

 

 

 

Total Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)

 

9,469,412

 

Real Estate Management & Development — 0.7%

 

 

 

2,180,000

 

Ashton Woods USA LLC/Ashton Woods Finance Co., Senior Subordinated Notes,
9.500% due 10/1/15

 

1,635,000

 

9,270,000

 

Realogy Corp., Senior Subordinated Notes, 12.375% due 4/15/15 (a)

 

6,790,275

 

 

 

Total Real Estate Management & Development

 

8,425,275

 

Road & Rail — 1.7%

 

 

 

6,090,000

 

Grupo Transportacion Ferroviaria Mexicana SA de CV, Senior Notes,
9.375% due 5/1/12

 

6,485,850

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. 2007 Semi-Annual Report

13


 

Schedule of Investments (October 31, 2007) (unaudited) (continued)

 

Face
Amount†

 

Security

 

Value

 

Road & Rail — 1.7% (continued)

 

 

 

 

 

Hertz Corp.:

 

 

 

3,930,000

 

Senior Notes, 8.875% due 1/1/14

 

$

4,067,550

 

7,905,000

 

Senior Subordinated Notes, 10.500% due 1/1/16 (f)

 

8,537,400

 

 

 

Kansas City Southern de Mexico, Senior Notes:

 

 

 

910,000

 

7.625% due 12/1/13 (a)

 

930,475

 

125,000

 

7.375% due 3/1/14 (a)

 

125,312

 

820,000

 

Kansas City Southern Railway, Senior Notes, 7.500% due 6/15/09

 

834,350

 

 

 

Total Road & Rail

 

20,980,937

 

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 0.2%

 

 

 

2,195,000

 

Freescale Semiconductor Inc., 8.875% due 12/15/14

 

2,087,994

 

Software — 0.2%

 

 

 

2,960,000

 

Activant Solutions Inc., Senior Subordinated Notes, 9.500% due 5/1/16

 

2,715,800

 

Specialty Retail — 0.8%

 

 

 

 

 

AutoNation Inc., Senior Notes:

 

 

 

850,000

 

7.243% due 4/15/13 (g)

 

835,125

 

830,000

 

7.000% due 4/15/14

 

807,175

 

4,005,000

 

Blockbuster Inc., Senior Subordinated Notes, 9.000% due 9/1/12

 

3,624,525

 

1,995,000

 

Eye Care Centers of America, Senior Subordinated Notes, 10.750% due 2/15/15

 

2,119,687

 

2,410,000

 

Michaels Stores Inc., 10.000% due 11/1/14

 

2,440,125

 

 

 

Total Specialty Retail

 

9,826,637

 

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 0.3%

 

 

 

 

 

Levi Strauss & Co., Senior Notes:

 

 

 

1,320,000

 

9.750% due 1/15/15

 

1,384,350

 

400,000

 

8.875% due 4/1/16

 

412,000

 

2,950,000

 

Simmons Co., Senior Discount Notes, step bond to yield 9.995% due 12/15/14

 

2,396,875

 

 

 

Total Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods

 

4,193,225

 

Tobacco — 0.4%

 

 

 

 

 

Alliance One International Inc.:

 

 

 

875,000

 

8.500% due 5/15/12

 

875,000

 

3,780,000

 

Senior Notes, 11.000% due 5/15/12

 

4,063,500

 

 

 

Total Tobacco

 

4,938,500

 

Trading Companies & Distributors — 1.3%

 

 

 

2,955,000

 

Ashtead Capital Inc., Notes, 9.000% due 8/15/16 (a)

 

2,881,125

 

6,865,000

 

H&E Equipment Services Inc., Senior Notes, 8.375% due 7/15/16

 

6,693,375

 

5,865,000

 

Penhall International Corp., Senior Secured Notes, 12.000% due 8/1/14 (a)

 

6,026,287

 

 

 

Total Trading Companies & Distributors

 

15,600,787

 

Transportation Infrastructure — 0.5%

 

 

 

 

 

Saint Acquisition Corp.:

 

 

 

6,585,000

 

Secured Notes, 12.500% due 5/15/17 (a)

 

4,230,863

 

3,520,000

 

Senior Secured Notes, 13.308% due 5/15/15 (a)(g)

 

2,261,600

 

 

 

Total Transportation Infrastructure

 

6,492,463

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

14

Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. 2007 Semi-Annual Report


 

Schedule of Investments (October 31, 2007) (unaudited) (continued)

 

Face
Amount†

 

Security

 

Value

 

Wireless Telecommunication Services — 2.8%

 

 

 

1,825,000

 

American Tower Corp., Senior Notes, 7.500% due 5/1/12

 

$

1,888,875

 

4,860,000

 

MetroPCS Wireless Inc., Senior Notes, 9.250% due 11/1/14 (a)

 

4,847,850

 

4,180,000

 

Nextel Communications Inc., Senior Notes, 7.375% due 8/1/15

 

4,225,207

 

440,000

 

Rogers Wireless Communications Inc., Senior Secured Notes,
7.250% due 12/15/12

 

470,096

 

 

 

Rural Cellular Corp.:

 

 

 

1,575,000

 

Senior Notes, 9.875% due 2/1/10

 

1,649,813

 

2,105,000

 

Senior Secured Notes, 8.250% due 3/15/12

 

2,204,988

 

2,590,000

 

Senior Subordinated Notes, 8.621% due 6/1/13 (a)(g)

 

2,657,987

 

13,510,000

 

True Move Co., Ltd., 10.750% due 12/16/13 (a)

 

13,949,075

 

2,220,000

 

UBS Luxembourg SA for OJSC Vimpel Communications, Loan Participation Notes,
8.250% due 5/23/16

 

2,303,250

 

 

 

Total Wireless Telecommunication Services

 

34,197,141

 

 

 

TOTAL CORPORATE BONDS & NOTES
(Cost — $1,118,216,792)

 

1,104,386,922

 

ASSET-BACKED SECURITY — 0.0%

 

 

 

Diversified Financial Services — 0.0%

 

 

 

1,975,400

 

Airplanes Pass-Through Trust, Subordinated Notes,
10.875% due 3/15/19 (c)(d)(e)

 

 

 

 

 

(Cost — $2,001,007)

 

0

 

CONVERTIBLE BOND & NOTE — 0.1%

 

 

 

Airlines — 0.1%

 

 

 

704,459

 

Delta Air Lines Inc., Pass-Through Certificates, 7.379% due 5/18/10 (g)
(Cost — $710,799)

 

711,064

 

SOVEREIGN BONDS — 5.6%

 

 

 

Argentina — 0.5%

 

 

 

 

 

Republic of Argentina:

 

 

 

1,400,000

EUR 

9.250% due 10/21/02 (e)

 

638,017

 

300,000

EUR 

9.000% due 6/20/03 (e)

 

141,058

 

250,000

EUR 

10.250% due 1/26/07 (e)

 

122,974

 

275,000

EUR 

8.000% due 2/26/08 (e)

 

131,790

 

4,979,251

ARS 

Bonds, 2.000% due 1/3/10 (g)

 

3,217,204

 

665,000

 

Bonds, Series VII, 7.000% due 9/12/13

 

597,299

 

97,000

EUR 

GDP Linked Securities, 0.662% due 12/15/35 (g)

 

17,472

 

 

 

Medium-Term Notes:

 

 

 

1,175,000

EUR 

7.000% due 3/18/04 (e)

 

556,728

 

525,000

EUR 

9.000% due 5/24/04 (a)(e)

 

247,801

 

600,000

EUR 

8.125% due 10/4/05 (e)

 

274,521

 

 

 

Total Argentina

 

5,944,864

 

Brazil — 1.2%

 

 

 

 

 

Brazil Nota do Tesouro Nacional:

 

 

 

1,000

BRL 

9.762% due 1/1/10 (g)

 

558

 

18,729,000

BRL 

9.762% due 7/1/10 (f)(g)

 

10,407,337

 

2,175,000

BRL 

Series B, 6.000% due 5/15/45 (g)

 

1,981,767

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. 2007 Semi-Annual Report

15


 

Schedule of Investments (October 31, 2007) (unaudited) (continued)

 

Face
Amount†

 

Security

 

Value

 

Brazil — 1.2% (continued)

 

 

 

 

 

Federative Republic of Brazil:

 

 

 

720,000

 

11.000% due 8/17/40

 

$

967,860

 

 

 

Collective Action Securities:

 

 

 

1,203,000

 

8.750% due 2/4/25

 

1,569,314

 

197,000

 

Notes, 8.000% due 1/15/15

 

220,640

 

 

 

Total Brazil

 

15,147,476

 

Colombia — 0.2%

 

 

 

2,055,000

 

Republic of Colombia, 7.375% due 9/18/37

 

2,352,975

 

Ecuador — 0.2%

 

 

 

2,100,000

 

Republic of Ecuador, 10.000% due 8/15/30 (g)

 

2,027,550

 

Indonesia — 0.3%

 

 

 

 

 

Republic of Indonesia:

 

 

 

8,077,000,000

IDR

Series FR40, 11.000% due 9/15/25

 

953,790

 

6,948,000,000

IDR

Series FR42, 10.250% due 7/15/27

 

770,414

 

11,011,000,000

IDR

Series FR43, 10.250% due 7/15/22

 

1,242,832

 

8,327,000,000

IDR

Series FR45, 9.750% due 5/15/37

 

887,008

 

 

 

Total Indonesia

 

3,854,044

 

Mexico — 0.8%

 

 

 

 

 

United Mexican States:

 

 

 

50,000

 

11.375% due 9/15/16

 

71,438

 

8,386,000

 

Medium-Term Notes, 6.750% due 9/27/34 (f)

 

9,402,802

 

 

 

Total Mexico

 

9,474,240

 

Panama — 0.5%

 

 

 

 

 

Republic of Panama:

 

 

 

1,285,000

 

9.625% due 2/8/11

 

1,452,050

 

350,000

 

7.250% due 3/15/15

 

383,250

 

4,130,000

 

6.700% due 1/26/36

 

4,398,450

 

 

 

Total Panama

 

6,233,750

 

Peru — 0.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Republic of Peru:

 

 

 

259,000

 

Bonds, 6.550% due 3/14/37

 

272,921

 

198,000

 

Global Bonds, 7.350% due 7/21/25

 

228,195

 

 

 

Total Peru

 

501,116

 

Russia — 0.0%

 

 

 

244,000

 

Russian Federation, 12.750% due 6/24/28 (a)

 

440,267

 

Turkey — 1.0%

 

 

 

 

 

Republic of Turkey:

 

 

 

2,023,000

TRY

14.000% due 1/19/11

 

1,673,316

 

490,000

 

7.000% due 6/5/20

 

510,825

 

1,175,000

 

11.875% due 1/15/30

 

1,871,187

 

594,000

 

Bonds, 7.000% due 9/26/16

 

621,473

 

7,954,000

 

Notes, 6.875% due 3/17/36

 

7,904,287

 

 

 

Total Turkey

 

12,581,088

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

16

Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. 2007 Semi-Annual Report


 

Schedule of Investments (October 31, 2007) (unaudited) (continued)

 

Face
Amount†

 

Security

 

Value

 

Uruguay — 0.1%

 

 

 

1,026,307

 

Oriental Republic of Uruguay, Bonds, 7.625% due 3/21/36

 

$

1,152,030

 

Venezuela — 0.8%

 

 

 

 

 

Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela:

 

 

 

273,000

 

8.500% due 10/8/14

 

281,054

 

8,258,000

 

5.750% due 2/26/16

 

7,143,170

 

241,000

 

7.650% due 4/21/25

 

229,251

 

 

 

Collective Action Securities:

 

 

 

1,164,000

 

9.375% due 1/13/34

 

1,283,892

 

183,000

 

Notes, 10.750% due 9/19/13

 

205,326

 

 

 

Total Venezuela

 

9,142,693

 

 

 

TOTAL SOVEREIGN BONDS
(Cost — $65,399,393)

 

68,852,093

 

U.S. GOVERNMENT & AGENCY OBLIGATION — 0.2%

 

 

 

U.S. Government Agency — 0.2%

 

 

 

2,000,000

 

Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA), 5.625% due 11/15/21
(Cost — $2,005,773)

 

2,004,016

 

COLLATERALIZED SENIOR LOANS — 1.9%

 

 

 

Containers & Packaging — 0.4%

 

 

 

5,026,500

 

Berry Plastics Corp., Senior Term Loan, 12.244% due 6/15/14 (g)

 

4,624,380

 

Diversified Telecommunication Services — 0.4%

 

 

 

5,000,000

 

Univision Communications Inc., Term Loan B, 7.610% due 9/15/14 (g)

 

4,746,875

 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 0.8%

 

 

 

2,107,592

 

Ashmore Energy International Term Loan, 8.360% due 3/30/14 (g)

 

2,065,440

 

279,613

 

Ashmore Energy International, Synthetic Revolving Credit Facility,
5.098% due 3/30/14 (g)

 

274,021

 

7,500,000

 

SandRidge Energy, Term Loan, 8.625% due 4/1/15 (g)

 

7,406,250

 

 

 

Total Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

 

9,745,711

 

Paper & Forest Products — 0.2%

 

 

 

2,500,000

 

Verso Paper Holdings Term Loan, 11.606% due 2/1/12 (g)

 

2,443,750

 

Trading Companies & Distributors — 0.1%

 

 

 

2,000,000

 

Penhall International Corp., Term Loan, 12.824% due 4/1/12 (g)

 

2,040,000

 

 

 

TOTAL COLLATERALIZED SENIOR LOANS
(Cost — $24,025,916)

 

23,600,716

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. 2007 Semi-Annual Report

17


 

Schedule of Investments (October 31, 2007) (unaudited) (continued)

 

Shares

 

Security

 

Value

 

COMMON STOCKS — 0.0%

 

 

 

CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY — 0.0%

 

 

 

Household Durables — 0.0%

 

 

 

10,685,938

 

Home Interiors & Gifts Inc. (c)(d)*

 

$

106,860

 

52,472

 

Mattress Discounters Corp. (c)(d)*

 

0

 

 

 

TOTAL CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY

 

106,860

 

CONSUMER STAPLES — 0.0%

 

 

 

Food Products — 0.0%

 

 

 

3,784

 

Imperial Sugar Co.

 

97,589

 

 

 

TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
(Cost — $7,846,354)

 

204,449

 

ESCROWED SHARES — 0.0%

 

 

 

2,025,000

 

Pillowtex Corp. (c)(d)(e)* (Cost — $0)

 

0

 

PREFERRED STOCKS — 0.2%

 

 

 

CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY — 0.1%

 

 

 

Automobiles — 0.1%

 

 

 

 

 

Ford Motor Co.:

 

 

 

65,000

 

7.400%

 

1,106,300

 

1,800

 

8.000%

 

34,200

 

1,800

 

Series F, 7.550%

 

32,580

 

 

 

Total Automobiles

 

1,173,080

 

Media — 0.0%

 

 

 

 

 

8

 

ION Media Networks Inc., Series B, 12.000%

 

45,375

 

 

 

TOTAL CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY

 

1,218,455

 

FINANCIALS — 0.1%

 

 

 

Diversified Financial Services — 0.1%

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred Plus:

 

 

 

12,100

 

Series FRD-1, 7.400%

 

205,700

 

8,200

 

Series FMC1 Trust, Senior Debentures, Series LMG-3, 8.250%

 

173,020

 

44,100

 

Saturns, Series F 2003-5, 8.125%

 

829,962

 

 

 

TCR Holdings Corp.,

 

 

 

17,552

 

Class B Shares (c)(d)*

 

17

 

9,654

 

Class C Shares (c)(d)*

 

10

 

25,451

 

Class D Shares (c)(d)*

 

25

 

52,657

 

Class E Shares (c)(d)*

 

53

 

 

 

TOTAL FINANCIALS

 

1,208,787

 

 

 

TOTAL PREFERRED STOCKS
(Cost — $2,387,505)

 

2,427,242

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

18

Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. 2007 Semi-Annual Report


 

Schedule of Investments (October 31, 2007) (unaudited) (continued)

 

Warrants

 

Security

 

Value

 

WARRANTS — 0.1%

 

 

 

18,500

 

Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Oil-linked payment obligations,
Expires 4/15/20*

 

$

693,750

 

3,500

 

Brown Jordan International Inc., Expires 8/15/07*‡

 

31

 

31,517,970

 

ContiFinancial Corp., Liquidating Trust, Units of Interest
(Represents interest in a trust in the liquidation of ContiFinancial Corp.
and its affiliates) (c)(d)*

 

32

 

2,750

 

Leap Wireless International Inc., Expires 4/15/10(c)(d)*

 

0

 

3,500

 

Mattress Discounters Co., Expires 7/15/07(c)(d)*‡

 

0

 

13,614

 

Pillowtex Corp., Expires 11/24/09(c)(d)*

 

0

 

 

 

TOTAL WARRANTS
(Cost — $259,089)

 

693,813

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS BEFORE SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
(Cost — $1,222,852,628)

 

1,202,880,315

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Face
Amount†

 

 

 

 

 

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS — 1.5%

 

 

 

Sovereign Bonds — 1.5%

 

 

 

 

 

Bank Negara Malaysia Monetary Notes:

 

 

 

4,491,000

MYR

Series 0207, 3.569% due 2/14/08

 

1,332,622

 

6,600,000

MYR

Series 2307, zero coupon bond to yield 3.487% due 1/17/08

 

1,963,772

 

3,379,000

MYR

Series 3007, zero coupon bond to yield 3.490% due 11/6/07

 

1,012,712

 

 

 

Egypt Treasury Bills:

 

 

 

33,275,000

EGP

Zero coupon bond to yield 9.680% due 11/6/07

 

6,023,515

 

43,825,000

EGP

Zero coupon bond to yield, 7.080% due 10/28/08

 

7,385,158

 

 

 

TOTAL SOVEREIGN BONDS
(Cost — $17,357,170)

 

17,717,779

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Government Agency — 0.0%

 

 

 

25,000

 

Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA), Discount Notes,
4.365% due 3/17/08 (h) (Cost — $24,592)

 

24,600

 

Repurchase Agreement — 0.0%

 

 

 

17,000

 

Morgan Stanley tri-party repurchase agreement dated 10/31/07,
4.800% due 11/1/07; Proceeds at maturity — $17,002;
(Fully collateralized by various U.S. government agency obligations,
0.00% due 1/30/08 to 6/13/33; Market value — $735,155)

 

 

 

 

 

(Cost — $17,000)

 

17,000

 

 

 

TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
(Cost — $17,398,762)

 

17,759,379

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 100.0% (Cost — $1,240,251,390#)

 

$

1,220,639,694

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. 2007 Semi-Annual Report

19


 

Schedule of Investments (October 31, 2007) (unaudited) (continued)

 

*

Non-income producing security.

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

(a)

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.

(b)

Payment-in-kind security for which part of the income earned may be paid as additional principal.

(c)

Illiquid security.

(d)

Security is valued in good faith at fair value by or under the direction of the Board of Directors (See Note 1).

(e)

Security is currently in default.

(f)

All or a portion of this security is segregated for open futures contracts, extended settlements and reverse repurchase agreements.

(g)

Variable rate security. Interest rate disclosed is that which is in effect at October 31, 2007.

(h)

Rate shown represents yield-to-maturity.

Exercised warrants disclosed in the Schedule of Investments pending final determination from the agent.

#

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

 

 

 

Abbreviations used in this schedule:

 

ARS

Argentine Peso

 

BRL

Brazilian Real

 

EGP

Egyptian Pound

 

EUR

Euro

 

GDP

Gross Domestic Product

 

IDR

Indonesian Rupiah

 

MYR

Malaysian Ringgit

 

OJSC

Open Joint Stock Company

 

RUB

Russian Ruble

 

TRY

Turkish Lira

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

20

Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. 2007 Semi-Annual Report

 


 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities (October 31, 2007) (unaudited)

 

ASSETS:

 

 

 

Investments, at value (Cost — $1,240,251,390)

 

$

1,220,639,694

 

Foreign currency, at value (Cost — $754,480)

 

813,813

 

Cash

 

599,594

 

Dividends and interest receivable

 

26,729,233

 

Receivable for securities sold

 

13,645,339

 

Receivable from broker — variation margin on open futures contracts

 

12,813

 

Prepaid expenses

 

77,127

 

Total Assets

 

1,262,517,613

 

LIABILITIES:

 

 

 

Loan payable (Note 4)

 

225,000,000

 

Payable for open reverse repurchase agreement

 

103,579,847

 

Payable for securities purchased

 

20,407,914

 

Interest payable (Note 4)

 

1,411,798

 

Investment management fee payable

 

838,815

 

Accrued expenses

 

25,365

 

Total Liabilities

 

351,263,739

 

Total Net Assets

 

$

911,253,874

 

 

 

 

 

NET ASSETS:

 

 

 

Par value ($0.001 par value; 77,614,787 shares issued and outstanding; 100,000,000 shares authorized)

 

$

77,615

 

Paid-in capital in excess of par value

 

1,041,434,075

 

Undistributed net investment income

 

7,127,184

 

Accumulated net realized loss on investments and foreign currency transactions

 

(117,879,315

)

Net unrealized depreciation on investments, futures contracts and foreign currencies

 

(19,505,685

)

Total Net Assets

 

$

911,253,874

 

Shares Outstanding

 

77,614,787

 

Net Asset Value

 

$11.74

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. 2007 Semi-Annual Report

21

 


 

Statement of Operations (For the six months ended October 31, 2007) (unaudited)

 

INVESTMENT INCOME:

 

 

 

Interest

 

$

50,829,897

 

Dividends

 

226,686

 

Less: Foreign taxes withheld

 

(7,576

)

Total Investment Income

 

51,049,007

 

EXPENSES:

 

 

 

Interest expense (Notes 3 and 4)

 

7,649,777

 

Investment management fee (Note 2)

 

4,788,786

 

Commitment fees (Note 4)

 

117,351

 

Shareholder reports

 

81,593

 

Directors’ fees

 

52,178

 

Legal fees

 

38,972

 

Custody fees

 

35,614

 

Audit and tax

 

31,172

 

Stock exchange listing fees

 

28,888

 

Transfer agent fees

 

13,031

 

Insurance

 

10,267

 

Miscellaneous expenses

 

11,594

 

Total Expenses

 

12,859,223

 

Net Investment Income

 

38,189,784

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS, FUTURES CONTRACTS AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS (NOTES 1 AND 3):

 

 

 

Net Realized Loss From:

 

 

 

Investment transactions

 

(3,097,333

)

Foreign currency transactions

 

(51,704

)

Net Realized Loss

 

(3,149,037

)

Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation/Depreciation From:

 

 

 

Investments

 

(47,960,033

)

Futures contracts

 

6,463

 

Foreign currencies

 

91,141

 

Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation/Depreciation

 

(47,862,429

)

Net Loss on Investments, Futures Contracts and Foreign Currency Transactions

 

(51,011,466

)

Decrease in Net Assets From Operations

 

$ (12,821,682

)

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

22

Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. 2007 Semi-Annual Report

 


 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

For the six months ended October 31, 2007 (unaudited)
and the year ended April 30, 2007

 

 

 

October 31

 

April 30

 

OPERATIONS:

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

$

38,189,784

 

$

69,783,200

 

Net realized gain (loss)

 

(3,149,037

)

25,847,494

 

Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation

 

(47,862,429

)

22,252,936

 

Increase from payment by affiliate

 

 

21,963

 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets From Operations

 

(12,821,682

)

117,905,593

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM (NOTE 1):

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

(36,478,950

)

(68,689,087

)

Decrease in Net Assets From Distributions to Shareholders

 

(36,478,950

)

(68,689,087

)

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

 

(49,300,632

)

49,216,506

 

NET ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning of period

 

960,554,506

 

911,338,000

 

End of period*

 

$

911,253,874

 

$

960,554,506

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* Includes undistributed net investment income of:

 

$

7,127,184

 

$

5,416,350

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. 2007 Semi-Annual Report

23

 


 

Statement of Cash Flows (For the six months ended October 31, 2007) (unaudited)

 

CASH FLOWS PROVIDED (USED) BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

Interest and dividends received

 

$

44,814,341

 

Operating expenses paid

 

(5,121,591

)

Net sales of short-term investments

 

22,148,613

 

Realized loss on foreign currency transactions

 

(51,704

)

Net change in unrealized appreciation on futures contracts

 

6,463

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation on foreign currencies

 

52,374

 

Purchases of long-term investments

 

(447,549,684

)

Proceeds from disposition of long-term investments

 

299,670,182

 

Change in receivable from broker — variation margin

 

(12,813

)

Interest paid

 

(7,585,381

)

Net Cash Flows Used By Operating Activities

 

(93,629,200

)

CASH FLOWS PROVIDED (USED) BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

Cash distributions paid on Common Stock

 

(36,478,950

)

Proceeds from loan

 

100,000,000

 

Proceeds from reverse repurchase agreements

 

30,468,833

 

Net Cash Flows Provided By Financing Activities

 

93,989,883

 

Net Increase in Cash

 

360,683

 

Cash, Beginning of period

 

1,052,724

 

Cash, End of period

 

$

1,413,407

 

RECONCILIATION OF DECREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS TO NET CASH FLOWS PROVIDED (USED) BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

Decrease in Net Assets From Operations

 

$

(12,821,682

)

Accretion of discount on investments

 

(3,256,390

)

Amortization of premium on investments

 

802,271

 

Increase in investments, at value

 

(68,413,828

)

Increase in payable for securities purchased

 

1,595,111

 

Increase in interest and dividends receivable

 

(3,780,547

)

Increase in receivable for securities sold

 

(7,893,573

)

Increase in receivable from broker — variation margin

 

(12,813

)

Increase in prepaid expenses

 

(19,147

)

Increase in interest payable

 

181,747

 

Decrease in accrued expenses

 

(10,349

)

Total Adjustments

 

(80,807,518

)

Net Cash Flows Used By Operating Activities

 

$

(93,629,200

)

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

24

Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. 2007 Semi-Annual Report

 


 

Financial Highlights

 

For a share of capital stock outstanding throughout each year ended April 30, unless otherwise noted:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2007(1)(2)

 

2007(2)

 

2006

 

2005(2)

 

2004

 

2003

 

  Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$12.38

 

$11.74

 

$11.10

 

$11.03

 

$10.42

 

$10.48

 

  Income (Loss) From Operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

0.49

 

0.90

 

0.92

 

1.02

 

1.12

 

1.18

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

 

(0.66

)

0.63

 

0.63

 

0.27

 

0.85

 

0.12

 

  Total Income (Loss) From Operations

 

(0.17

)

1.53

 

1.55

 

1.29

 

1.97

 

1.30

 

  Less Distributions From:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

(0.47

)

(0.89

)

(0.91

)

(1.22

)

(1.38

)

(1.16

)

Return of capital

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.22

)

  Total Distributions

 

(0.47

)

(0.89

)

(0.91

)

(1.22

)

(1.38

)

(1.38

)

Increase in Net Asset Value Due to Shares Issued on Reinvestment of Distributions

 

 

 

 

 

0.02

 

0.02

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$11.74

 

$12.38

 

$11.74

 

$11.10

 

$11.03

 

$10.42

 

Market Price, End of Period

 

$10.38

 

$11.61

 

$10.04

 

$11.14

 

$11.75

 

$11.65

 

Total Return, Based on NAV(3)(4)

 

(1.34

)%

13.58

%(5)

14.43

%

12.13

%

19.99

%

15.58

%

Total Return, Based on Market Price(4)

 

(6.61

)%

25.58

%

(1.58

)%

5.39

%

13.51

%

15.00

%

Net Assets, End of Period (000s)

 

$911,254

 

$960,555

 

$911,338

 

$861,635

 

$839,022

 

$771,566

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross expenses

 

2.78

%(6)

1.96

%

2.31

%

2.69

%

2.17

%

2.49

%

Gross expenses, excluding interest expense

 

1.10

(6)

1.01

 

1.21

 

1.67

 

1.57

 

1.63

 

Net expenses

 

2.78

(6)

1.96

 

2.30

(7)

2.69

 

2.17

 

2.49

 

Net expenses, excluding interest expense

 

1.10

(6)

1.01

 

1.20

(7)

1.67

 

1.57

 

1.63

 

Net investment income

 

8.25

(6)

7.55

 

7.94

 

8.99

 

10.18

 

12.64

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

 

27

%

90

%

55

%

54

%

50

%

87

%

Supplemental Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loans Outstanding, End of Period (000s)

 

$225,000

 

$125,000

 

$125,000

 

$300,000

 

$300,000

 

$300,000

 

Asset Coverage for Loan Outstanding

 

505

%

868

%

829

%

387

%

380

%

357

%

Weighted Average Loan (000s)

 

$182,609

 

$125,000

 

$203,630

 

$300,000

 

$300,000

 

$300,000

 

Weighted Average Interest Rate on Loans

 

5.749

%

5.56

%

4.21

%

2.44

%

1.64

%

2.15

%

 

(1)

For the six months ended October 31, 2007 (unaudited).

(2)

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

(3)

Performance figures may reflect fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. In the absence of 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.

(4)

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.

(5)

The prior investment manager fully reimbursed the Fund for losses incurred resulting from an investment transaction error. Without this reimbursement, the total return would not have changed.

(6)

Annualized.

(7)

Reflects fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. 2007 Semi-Annual Report

25

 


 

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited)

 

1.  Organization and Significant Accounting Policies

Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. (the “Fund”) was incorporated in Maryland and is registered as a diversified, closed-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (the “1940 Act”). The Fund seeks to maximize current income by investing at least 80% of its net assets, plus any borrowings for investment purposes, in high-yield debt securities. As a secondary objective, the Fund seeks capital appreciation to the extent consistent with its objective of seeking to maximize current income.

 

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.

 

(a) Investment Valuation. Debt securities are valued at the mean between the last quoted bid and asked prices provided by an independent pricing service that are based on transactions in debt obligations, quotations from bond dealers, market transactions in comparable securities and various other relationships between securities. Equity securities for which market quotations are available are valued at the last sale price or official closing price on the primary market or exchange on which they trade. Publicly traded foreign government debt securities are typically traded internationally in the over-the-counter market, and are valued at the mean between the last quoted bid and asked prices as of the close of business of that market. When prices are not readily available, or are determined not to reflect fair value, 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 may value these securities at fair value as determined in accordance with the 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.

 

(b) Repurchase Agreements. When entering into repurchase agreements, it is the Fund’s policy that its custodian or a third party custodian 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 exceeds one business day, the value of the collateral is marked-to-market to ensure the adequacy of the collateral. If the seller defaults, and the market value of the collateral declines 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 a reverse repurchase agreement in which the Fund sells a portfolio security at a specified price with an agreement to purchase the same or substantially the same security from the same counterparty at a fixed or determinable price at a future date. When entering into reverse repurchase agreements, the Fund’s custodian delivers to the counterparty liquid assets, the market value of which, at the inception of the transaction, at least equals the repurchase price

 

26

Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. 2007 Semi-Annual Report

 


 

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

(including accrued interest). The Fund pays interest on amounts obtained pursuant to reverse repurchase agreements. Reverse repurchase agreements are considered to be borrowings, which may create leverage risk to the Fund.

 

(d) Financial Futures Contracts. The Fund may enter into financial futures contracts typically, but not necessarily, to hedge a portion of the portfolio. Upon entering into a financial futures contract, the Fund is required to deposit cash or securities as initial margin, equal to a certain percentage of the contract amount (initial margin deposit). Additional securities are also segregated up to the current market value of the financial futures contracts. Subsequent payments, known as” variation margin,” are made or received by the Fund each day, depending on the daily fluctuations in the value of the underlying financial instruments. The Fund recognizes an unrealized gain or loss equal to the daily variation margin. When the financial futures contracts are closed, a realized gain or loss is recognized equal to the difference between the proceeds from (or cost of) the closing transactions and the Fund’s basis in the contracts.

 

The risks associated with entering into financial futures contracts include the possibility that a change in the value of the contract may not correlate with the changes in the value of the underlying financial instruments. In addition, investing in financial futures contracts involves the risk that the Fund could lose more than the initial margin deposit and subsequent payments required for a futures transaction. Risks may also arise upon entering into these contracts from the potential inability of the counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts.

 

(e) 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 investment in securities rated below investment grade typically involves risks not associated with higher rated securities including, among others, greater risk related to timely and ultimate payment of interest and principal, greater market price volatility and less liquid secondary market trading. The consequences of political, social, economic or diplomatic changes may have disruptive effects on the market prices of investments held by the Fund. The Fund’s investment in non-dollar denominated securities may also result in foreign currency losses caused by devaluations and exchange rate fluctuations.

 

(f) Cash Flow Information. The Fund invests in securities and distributes dividends from net investment income and net realized gains, which are paid in cash and may be reinvested at the discretion of shareholders. These activities are reported in the Statement of Changes in Net Assets and additional information on cash receipts and cash payments are presented in the Statement of Cash Flows.

 

(g) 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. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Foreign dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date or as soon as practical 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 on an expected

 

Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. 2007 Semi-Annual Report

27

 


 

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

interest payment, the Fund’s policy is to generally halt any additional interest income accruals and consider the realizability of interest accrued up to the date of default.

 

(h) 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 at 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 changes 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 fair values of assets and liabilities, other than investments in securities, at the date of valuation, resulting from changes in exchange rates.

 

Foreign security and currency transactions may involve certain considerations and risks not typically associated with those of U.S. dollar denominated transactions as a result of, among other factors, the possibility of lower levels of governmental supervision and regulation of foreign securities markets and the possibility of political or economic instability.

 

(i) Distributions to Shareholders. Distributions from net investment income for the Fund, if any, are declared and paid on a monthly basis. Distributions of net realized gains, if any, are declared at least annually. Distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date and are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP.

 

(j) 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, as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies. Accordingly, the Fund intends to distribute substantially all of its taxable income and net realized gains, if any, to shareholders each year. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required in the Fund’s financial statements. Under the applicable foreign tax laws, a withholding tax may be imposed on interest, dividends and capital gains at various rates.

 

(k) Reclassification. GAAP requires that certain components of net assets be adjusted to reflect permanent differences between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset values per share.

 

28

Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. 2007 Semi-Annual Report

 


 

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

2.  Investment Management Agreement and Other Transactions with Affiliates

 

Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (“LMPFA”) is the Fund’s investment manager. Western Asset Management Company (“Western Asset”) and Western Asset Management Company Limited (“Western Asset Limited”) are the Fund’s subadvisers. LMPFA, Western Asset and Western Asset Limited are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Legg Mason Inc. (“Legg Mason”).

 

Under the investment management agreement, the Fund pays an investment management fee calculated daily and paid monthly at an annual rate of 0.80% of the Fund’s average weekly net assets plus the proceeds of any outstanding borrowings used for leverage.

 

LMPFA provides administrative and certain oversight services to the Fund. LMPFA has delegated to the subadvisers the day-to-day portfolio management of the Fund. Western Asset Limited provides certain advisory services to the Fund relating to currency transactions and investment in non-U.S. dollar denominated securities. For its services, LMPFA pays Western Asset 70% of the net management fee it receives from the Fund. In turn, Western Asset pays Western Asset Limited a subadvisory fee of 0.30% on assets managed by Western Asset Limited.

 

During periods in which the Fund utilizes financial leverage, the fees which are payable to the investment manager as a percentage of the Fund’s assets will be higher than if the Fund did not utilize leverage because the fees are calculated as a percentage of the Fund’s assets, including those investments purchased with leverage.

 

Certain officers and one Director of the Fund are employees of Legg Mason or its affiliates and do not receive compensation from the Fund.

 

3.  Investments

 

During the six months ended October 31, 2007, the aggregate cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investments (excluding short-term investments) and U.S Government & Agency Obligations were as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Government &

 

 

 

Investments

 

Agency Obligations

 

Purchases

 

$438,392,622

 

 

$10,752,173

 

 

Sales

 

299,080,480

 

 

8,671,541

 

 

 

At October 31, 2007, the aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of investments for federal income tax purposes were substantially as follows:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

 

$

28,643,210

 

Gross unrealized depreciation

 

(48,254,906

)

Net unrealized depreciation

 

$

(19,611,696

)

 

Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. 2007 Semi-Annual Report

29

 


 

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

At October 31, 2007, the Fund had the following open futures contracts:

 

 

 

Number of
Contracts

 

Expiration
Date

 

Basis
Value

 

Market
Value

 

Unrealized
Gain

 

Contracts to Sell:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Treasury 10 Year Notes

 

20

 

12/07

 

$2,206,775

 

$2,200,312

 

$6,463

 

 

Transactions in reverse repurchase agreements for the Fund during the six months ended October 31, 2007 were as follows:

 

Average
Daily
Balance*

 

Weighted
Average
Interest Rate*

 

Maximum
Amount
Outstanding

 

$89,797,602

 

5.232%

 

$107,084,410

 

 

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

 

Interest rates on reverse repurchase agreements ranged from 1.000% to 5.850% during the six months ended October 31, 2007. Interest expense incurred on reverse repurchase agreements totaled $2,401,269.

 

At October 31, 2007, the Fund had the following open reverse repurchase agreements:

 

Face
Amount

 

Security

 

Value

 

$4,864,974

 

Reverse Repurchase Agreement with Credit Suisse, dated 9/21/07 bearing 5.250% to be repurchased at an amount and date to be determined, collateralized by: $5,260,000 ATF Capital BV, 9.250% due 2/21/14; Market value (including accrued interest) — $5,526,145.

 

$

4,864,974

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,228,080

 

Reverse Repurchase Agreement with Credit Suisse, dated 9/21/07 bearing 5.050% to be repurchased at an amount and date to be determined, collateralized by: $4,740,000 Axtel Sab de CV, 7.625% due 2/1/17; Market value (including accrued interest) — $4,889,606.

 

4,228,080

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

496,220

 

Reverse Repurchase Agreement with Credit Suisse, dated 10/15/07 bearing 5.250% to be repurchased at an amount and date to be determined, collateralized by: $430,000 Federative Republic of Brazil, 11.000% due 8/17/40; Market value (including accrued interest) — $587,796.

 

496,220

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,153,300

 

Reverse Repurchase Agreement with Credit Suisse, dated 9/21/07 bearing 5.050% to be repurchased at an amount and date to be determined, collateralized by: $1,000,000 Federative Republic of Brazil, 8.750% due 2/4/25; Market value (including accrued interest) — $1,325,662.

 

1,153,300

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,017,200

 

Reverse Repurchase Agreement with Credit Suisse, dated 10/30/07 bearing 4.800% to be repurchased at an amount and date to be determined, collateralized by: $2,000,000 Republic of Colombia 7.375% due 9/18/37; Market value (including accrued interest) — $2,307,830.

 

2,017,200

 

 

30

Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. 2007 Semi-Annual Report

 


 

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

Face
Amount

 

Security

 

Value

 

$2,630,880

 

Reverse Repurchase Agreement with JPMorgan Chase & Co., dated 10/31/07 bearing 5.150% to be repurchased at an amount and date to be determined, collateralized by: $2,880,000 EEB International Ltd., 8.750% due 10/31/14; Market value (including accrued interest) — $2,981,488.

 

$

2,630,880

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,996,985

 

Reverse Repurchase Agreement with Credit Suisse, dated 10/31/07 bearing 5.150% to be repurchased at an amount and date to be determined, collateralized by: $2,302,000 GTL Trade Finance Inc., 7.250% due 10/20/17; Market value (including accrued interest) — $2,339,984.

 

1,996,985

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

790,851

 

Reverse Repurchase Agreement with Credit Suisse, dated 10/15/07 bearing 5.250% to be repurchased at an amount and date to be determined, collateralized by: $873,000 Gaz Cap SA Luxembourg, 6.212% due 11/22/16; Market value (including accrued interest) — $886,981.

 

790,851

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,765,575

 

Reverse Repurchase Agreement with JPMorgan Chase & Co., dated 9/21/07 bearing 4.900% to be repurchased at an amount and date to be determined, collateralized by: $1,770,000 Gaz Cap SA Luxembourg, 6.510% due 3/7/22; Market value (including accrued interest) — $1,756,436.

 

1,765,575

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,803,848

 

Reverse Repurchase Agreement with Credit Suisse, dated 9/21/07 bearing 5.050% to be repurchased at an amount and date to be determined, collateralized by: $2,419,000 Globo Communicacoes Part, 7.250% due 4/26/22; Market value (including accrued interest) — $2,409,780.

 

1,803,848

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,910,790

 

Reverse Repurchase Agreement with Credit Suisse, dated 9/21/07 bearing 5.250% to be repurchased at an amount and date to be determined, collateralized by: $4,490,000 HSBK Europe BV, 7.250% due 5/3/17; Market value (including accrued interest) — $4,378,450.

 

3,910,790

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,008,936

 

Reverse Repurchase Agreement with Credit Suisse, dated 9/21/07 bearing 5.100% to be repurchased at an amount and date to be determined, collateralized by: $1,174,000 ICICI Bank Ltd., 6.375% due 4/30/22; Market value (including accrued interest) — $1,126,339.

 

1,008,936

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,118,480

 

Reverse Repurchase Agreement with JPMorgan Chase & Co., dated 10/30/07 bearing 5.150% to be repurchased at an amount and date to be determined, collateralized by: $1,240,000 Odebrecht Finance Ltd., 7.500% due 10/18/17; Market value (including accrued interest) — $1,246,657.

 

1,118,480

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,342,568

 

Reverse Repurchase Agreement with Credit Suisse, dated 9/21/07 bearing 4.900% to be repurchased at an amount and date to be determined, collateralized by: $1,285,000 Republic of Panama 9.625% due 2/8/11; Market value (including accrued interest — $1,480,618.

 

1,342,568

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

350,000

 

Reverse Repurchase Agreement with Credit Suisse, dated 10/15/07 bearing 5.250% to be repurchased at an amount and date to be determined, collateralized by: $350,000 Republic of Panama, 7.250% due 3/15/15; Market value (including accrued interest) — $386,526.

 

350,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,267,068

 

Reverse Repurchase Agreement with Credit Suisse, dated 9/21/07 bearing 4.900% to be repurchased at an amount and date to be determined, collateralized by: $1,320,000 Republic of Panama 6.700% due 1/26/36; Market value (including accrued interest) — $1,429,254.

 

1,267,068

 

 

Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. 2007 Semi-Annual Report

31

 


 

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

Face
Amount

 

Security

 

Value

 

$2,728,510

 

Reverse Repurchase Agreement with Credit Suisse, dated 10/15/07 bearing 5.250% to be repurchased at an amount and date to be determined, collateralized by: $2,810,000 Republic of Panama, 6.700% due 1/26/36; Market value (including accrued interest) — $3,042,579.

 

$

2,728,510

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,565,180

 

Reverse Repurchase Agreement with Credit Suisse, dated 9/21/07 bearing 5.050% to be repurchased at an amount and date to be determined, collateralized by: $1,654,000 RSHB Capital SA, 7.175% due 5/16/13; Market value (including accrued interest) — $1,764,571.

 

1,565,180

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

908,144

 

Reverse Repurchase Agreement with Credit Suisse, dated 10/15/07 bearing 5.250% to be repurchased at an amount and date to be determined, collateralized by: $1,055,000 RSHB Capital SA, 6.299% due 5/15/17; Market value (including accrued interest) — $1,033,028.

 

908,144

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,100,715

 

Reverse Repurchase Agreement with JPMorgan Chase & Co., dated 9/21/07 bearing 4.850% to be repurchased at an amount and date to be determined, collateralized by: $1,026,308 Republic Oriental Del Uruguay, 7.625% due 3/21/36; Market value (including accrued interest) — $1,160,845.

 

1,100,715

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,230,576

 

Reverse Repurchase Agreement with Credit Suisse, dated 10/15/07 bearing 5.250% to be repurchased at an amount and date to be determined, collateralized by: $1,240,000 Kansas City Southern de Mexico, 9.375% due 5/1/12; Market value (including accrued interest) — $1,378,725.

 

1,230,576

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,227,808

 

Reverse Repurchase Agreement with Credit Suisse, dated 9/21/07 bearing 5.100% to be repurchased at an amount and date to be determined, collateralized by: $1,360,000 TNK-BP Finance SA. 7.500% due 7/18/16; Market value (including accrued interest) — $1,358,780.

 

1,227,808

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9,752,730

 

Reverse Repurchase Agreement with Credit Suisse, dated 9/21/07 bearing 5.100% to be repurchased at an amount and date to be determined, collateralized by: $11,050,000 True Move Co., Ltd., 10.750% due 12/16/13; Market value (including accrued interest) — $11,857,060.

 

9,752,730

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,082,936

 

Reverse Repurchase Agreement with Credit Suisse, dated 9/21/07 bearing 5.100% to be repurchased at an amount and date to be determined, collateralized by: $2,360,000 True Move Co. Ltd., 10.750% due 12/16/13; Market value (including accrued interest) — $2,532,368.

 

2,082,936

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,502,323

 

Reverse Repurchase Agreement with JPMorgan Chase & Co., dated 9/21/07 bearing 4.850% to be repurchased at an amount and date to be determined, collateralized by: $2,785,000 Turanalem Finance BV Global, 8.250% due 1/22/37; Market value (including accrued interest) — $2,632,847.

 

2,502,323

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,688,945

 

Reverse Repurchase Agreement with Credit Suisse, dated 10/26/07 bearing 4.500% to be repurchased at an amount and date to be determined, collateralized by: $1,175,000 Republic of Turkey, 11.875% due 1/15/30; Market value (including accrued interest) — $1,912,516.

 

1,688,945

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

462,168

 

Reverse Repurchase Agreement with Credit Suisse, dated 10/15/07 bearing 5.250% to be repurchased at an amount and date to be determined, collateralized by: $490,000 Republic of Turkey, 7.000% due 6/5/20; Market value (including accrued interest) — $524,789.

 

462,168

 

 

32

Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. 2007 Semi-Annual Report

 


 

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

Face
Amount

 

Security

 

Value

 

$6,695,677

 

Reverse Repurchase Agreement with Credit Suisse, dated 9/21/07 bearing 4.750% to be repurchased at an amount and date to be determined, collateralized by: $7,954,000 Republic of Turkey 6.875% due 3/17/36; Market value (including accrued interest) — $7,971,891.

 

$

6,695,677

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

627,561

 

Reverse Repurchase Agreement with JPMorgan Chase & Co., dated 9/21/07 bearing 4.850% to be repurchased at an amount and date to be determined, collateralized by: $594,000 Republic of Turkey 7.000% due 9/26/16; Market value (including accrued interest) — $625,585.

 

627,561

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,096,760

 

Reverse Repurchase Agreement with Credit Suisse, dated 10/2/07 bearing 4.900% to be repurchased at an amount and date to be determined, collateralized by: $8,262,000 United Mexican States, 6.750% due 9/27/34; Market value (including accrued interest) — $9,317,391.

 

8,096,760

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,429,862

 

Reverse Repurchase Agreement with Credit Suisse, dated 9/21/07 bearing 5.050% to be repurchased at an amount and date to be determined, collateralized by: $1,284,000 Vale Overseas Ltd., 8.250% due 1/17/34; Market value (including accrued interest) — $1,578,309.

 

1,429,862

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,476,715

 

Reverse Repurchase Agreement with JPMorgan Chase & Co., dated 10/16/07 bearing 5.100% to be repurchased at an amount and date to be determined, collateralized by: $4,978,000 Vale Overseas Ltd., 6.875% due 11/21/36; Market value (including accrued interest) — $5,352,254.

 

4,476,715

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,039,103

 

Reverse Repurchase Agreement with Credit Suisse, dated 9/21/07 bearing 5.350% to be repurchased at an amount and date to be determined, collateralized by: $1,164,000 Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, 9.375% due 1/13/34; Market value (including accrued interest) — $1,316,807.

 

1,039,103

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

504,469

 

Reverse Repurchase Agreement with Credit Suisse, dated 10/15/07 bearing 5.250% to be repurchased at an amount and date to be determined, collateralized by: $665,000 Republic of Argentina, 7.000% due 9/12/13; Market value (including accrued interest) — $603,694.

 

504,469

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,676,855

 

Reverse Repurchase Agreement with Credit Suisse, dated 9/21/07 bearing 5.250% to be repurchased at an amount and date to be determined, collateralized by: $4,850,000 Kansas City Southern de Mexico, 9.375% due 5/1/12; Market value (including accrued interest) — $5,392,594.

 

4,676,855

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,969,585

 

Reverse Repurchase Agreement with Credit Suisse, dated 9/21/07 bearing 5.350% to be repurchased at an amount and date to be determined, collateralized by: $4,246,000 Petrozuata Finance Inc., 8.220% due 4/1/17; Market value (including accrued interest) — $4,296,792.

 

3,969,585

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

322,566

 

Reverse Repurchase Agreement with Credit Suisse, dated 10/15/07 bearing 5.250% to be repurchased at an amount and date to be determined, collateralized by: $370,000 Axtel Sab de CV, 7.625% due 2/1/17; Market value (including accrued interest) — $381,678.

 

322,566

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,284,338

 

Reverse Repurchase Agreement with Credit Suisse, dated 10/1/07 bearing 4.850% to be repurchased at an amount and date to be determined, collateralized by: $8,258,000 Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, 5.750% due 2/26/16; Market value (including accrued interest) — $7,229,621.

 

6,284,338

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

971,217

 

Reverse Repurchase Agreement with Credit Suisse, dated 9/21/07 bearing 5.150% to be repurchased at an amount and date to be determined, collateralized by: $1,170,000 ICICI Bank Ltd., 6.375% due 4/30/22; Market value (including accrued interest) — $1,140,683.

 

971,217

 

 

Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. 2007 Semi-Annual Report

33

 


 

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

Face
Amount

 

Security

 

Value

 

$1,734,180

 

Reverse Repurchase Agreement with Credit Suisse, dated 9/21/07 bearing 5.250% to be repurchased at an amount and date to be determined, collateralized by: $2,100,000 Republic of Ecuador, 10.000% due 8/15/30; Market value (including accrued interest) — $2,072,061.

 

$

1,734,180

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,259,776

 

Reverse Repurchase Agreement with Credit Suisse, dated 10/15/07 bearing 5.250% to be repurchased at an amount and date to be determined, collateralized by: $2,480,000 AES China Generating Co., 8.250% due 6/26/10; Market value (including accrued interest) — $2,523,602.

 

2,259,776

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,135,862

 

Reverse Repurchase Agreement with Credit Suisse, dated 10/15/07 bearing 5.250% to be repurchased at an amount and date to be determined, collateralized by: $2,220,000 UBS Luxembourg SA, 8.250% due 5/23/16; Market value (including accrued interest) — $2,383,876.

 

2,135,862

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

850,059

 

Reverse Repurchase Agreement with Credit Suisse, dated 10/15/07 bearing 5.250% to be repurchased at an amount and date to be determined, collateralized by: $1,059,000 Turanalem Finance BV Global, 8.250% due 1/22/37; Market value (including accrued interest) — $985,258.

 

850,059

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,509,472

 

Reverse Repurchase Agreement with Credit Suisse, dated 10/15/07 bearing 5.250% to be repurchased at an amount and date to be determined, collateralized by: $1,720,000 Lukoil International Finance BV, 6.356% due 6/7/17; Market value (including accrued interest) — $1,710,239.

 

1,509,472

 

 

 

Total Reverse Repurchase Agreements
(Proceeds — $103,579,847)

 

$

103,579,847

 

 

4.  Loan

At October 31, 2007, the Fund had a $225,000,000 credit line available pursuant to a revolving credit and security agreement dated as of December 21, 2006 (“Agreement”), with CIESCO, LLC and Citibank, N.A. (“Citibank”). Citibank acts as administrative agent and secondary lender. Also, as of October 31, 2007, the Fund had a $225,000,000 loan outstanding pursuant to the Agreement. The loan generally bears interest at a variable rate based on the weighted average interest rates of the underlying commercial paper or LIBOR, plus any applicable margin. In addition, the Fund pays a commitment fee on the total amount of the loan available, whether used or unused. For the six months ended October 31, 2007, the Fund paid $117,351 in commitment fees. Securities held by the Fund are subject to a lien, granted to the lenders, to the extent of the borrowings outstanding and any additional expenses. For the six months ended October 31, 2007, based on the number of days during the reporting period that the Fund had a loan balance outstanding, the average loan balance was $182,608,696 and the weighted average interest rate was 5.749%. Total interest expense on the loan for the period was $5,248,508.

 

5.  Capital Loss Carryforward

As of April 30, 2007, the Fund had a net capital loss carryforward of approximately $112,923,726, of which $35,792,543 expires in 2010 and $77,131,183 expires in 2011. These amounts will be available to offset any future taxable capital gains.

 

34

Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. 2007 Semi-Annual Report

 


 

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

7.  Other Matters

As previously disclosed, on September 16, 2005, the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) informed Salomon Brothers Asset Management Inc. (“SBAM”) the former investment adviser and administrator to various closed-end funds, including the Fund, that the staff was considering recommending administrative proceedings against SBAM for alleged violations of Section 19(a) and 34(b) of the 1940 Act (and related Rule 19a-1). On September 27, 2007, SBAM, without admitting or denying any findings therein, consented to the entry of an order by the SEC relating to the disclosure by Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II, the name of the Fund prior to October 9, 2006, of the sources of distributions paid by the Funds between 2001 and 2003. SBAM agreed to pay a fine of $450,000, for which it was indemnified by Citigroup, Inc., its former parent. It is not expected that this matter will adversely impact the Fund or its current investment adviser. Smith Barney Fund Management LLC., an affiliate of SBAM, consented to a similar order by the SEC.

 

8.  Recent Accounting Pronouncements

During June 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Interpretation 48 (“FIN 48” or the “Interpretation”), Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes — an interpretation of FASB Statement 109. FIN 48 supplements FASB Statement 109, Accounting for Income Taxes, by defining the confidence level that a tax position must meet in order to be recognized in the financial statements. FIN 48 prescribes a comprehensive model for how a fund should recognize, measure, present, and disclose in its financial statements uncertain tax positions that the fund has taken or expects to take on a tax return. FIN 48 requires that the tax effects of a position be recognized only if it is “more likely than not” to be sustained based solely on its technical merits. Management must be able to conclude that the tax law, regulations, case law, and other objective information regarding the technical merits sufficiently support the position’s sustainability with a likelihood of more than 50 percent. FIN 48 is effective for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2006, which for this Fund was May 1, 2007. At adoption, the financial statements must be adjusted to reflect only those tax positions that are more likely than not to be sustained as of the adoption date. Management of the Fund has determined that adopting FIN 48 will not have a material impact on the Fund’s financial statements.

 

* * *

On September 20, 2006, FASB released Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“FAS 157”). FAS 157 establishes an authoritative definition of fair value, sets out a framework for measuring fair value, and requires additional disclosures about fair value measurements. The application of FAS 157 is required for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and interim periods within those fiscal years. At this time, management is evaluating the implications of FAS 157 and its impact on the financial statements has not yet been determined.

 

Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. 2007 Semi-Annual Report

35

 


 

Additional Shareholder Information (unaudited)

 

Results of Annual Meeting of Shareholders

The Fund held its Annual Meeting of Stockholders on August 2, 2007, for the purpose of voting upon the election of Carol L. Colman, William R. Hutchinson and R. Jay Gerken as Class III Directors of the Fund, to serve until 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The following table provides information concerning the matter voted upon at the meeting.

 

Election of Directors

 

Nominees

 

Votes For

 

Votes Withheld

 

Carol L. Colman

 

66,200,657

 

1,163,398

 

William R. Hutchinson

 

66,286,517

 

1,077,538

 

R. Jay Gerken

 

66,295,751

 

1,068,304

 

 

At October 31, 2007, in addition to Carol L. Colman, William R. Hutchinson and R. Jay Gerken, the other Directors of the Fund were as follow:

Daniel P. Cronin

Paolo M. Cucchi

Leslie H. Gelb

Dr. Riordan Roett

Jeswald W. Salacuse

 

36

Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc.

 


 

Dividend Reinvestment Plan (unaudited)

 

Pursuant to certain rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission the following additional disclosure is provided.

 

Each shareholder purchasing shares of common stock (“Shares”) of Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. (“Fund”) will be deemed to have elected to be a participant in the Dividend Reinvestment Plan (“Plan”), unless the shareholder specifically elects in writing (addressed to the Agent at the address below or to any nominee who holds Shares for the shareholder in its name) to receive all distributions in cash, paid by check, mailed directly to the record holder by or under the direction of American Stock Transfer & Trust Company as the Fund’s dividend-paying agent (“Agent”). A shareholder whose Shares are held in the name of a broker or nominee who does not provide an automatic reinvestment service may be required to take such Shares out of “street name” and register such Shares in the shareholder’s name in order to participate, otherwise dividends and distributions will be paid in cash to such shareholder by the broker or nominee. Each participant in the Plan is referred to herein as a “Participant.” The Agent will act as Agent for each Participant, and will open accounts for each Participant under the Plan in the same name as their Shares are registered.

 

Unless the Fund declares a distribution payable only in the form of cash, the Agent will apply all distributions in the manner set forth below.

 

If, on the determination date (as defined below), the market price per Share equals or exceeds the net asset value per Share on that date (such condition, a “market premium”), the Agent will receive the distribution in newly issued Shares of the Fund on behalf of Participants. If, on the determination date, the net asset value per Share exceeds the market price per Share (such condition, a “market discount”), the Agent will purchase Shares in the open market. The determination date will be the fourth New York Stock Exchange trading day (a New York Stock Exchange trading day being referred to herein as a “Trading Day”) preceding the payment date for the distribution. For purposes herein, “market price” will mean the average of the highest and lowest prices at which the Shares sell on the New York Stock Exchange on the particular date, or if there is no sale on that date, the average of the closing bid and asked quotations.

 

Purchases made by the Agent will be made as soon as practicable commencing on the Trading Day following the determination date and terminating no later than 30 days after the distribution payment date except where temporary curtailment or suspension of purchase is necessary to comply with applicable provisions of federal securities law; provided, however, that such purchases will, in any event, terminate on the Trading Day prior to the “ex-dividend” date next succeeding the distribution payment date.

 

If (i) the Agent has not invested the full distribution amount in open market purchases by the date specified above as the date on which such purchases must terminate or (ii) a market discount shifts to a market premium during the purchase period, then the Agent will cease making open market purchases and will receive the uninvested portion of the distribution amount in newly issued Shares (x) in the case of (i) above, at the close of business on the date the Agent is required to terminate making open market purchases as specified above or (y) in the case of (ii) above, at the close of business on the date such shift occurs; but in no event prior to the payment date for the distribution.

 

Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc.

37

 


 

Dividend Reinvestment Plan (unaudited) (continued)

 

In the event that all or part of a distribution amount is to be paid in newly issued Shares, such Shares will be issued to Participants in accordance with the following formula: (i) if, on the valuation date, the net asset value per share is less than or equal to the market price per Share, then the newly issued Shares will be valued at net asset value per Share on the valuation date provided, however, that if the net asset value is less than 95% of the market price on the valuation date, then such Shares will be issued at 95% of the market price and (ii) if, on the valuation date, the net asset value per share is greater than the market price per Share, then the newly issued Shares will be issued at the market price on the valuation date. The valuation date will be the distribution payment date, except that with respect to Shares issued pursuant to the paragraph above, the valuation date will be the date such Shares are issued. If a date that would otherwise be a valuation date is not a Trading Day, the valuation date will be the next preceding Trading Day.

 

The open market purchases provided for above may be made on any securities exchange on which the Shares of the Fund are traded, in the over-the-counter market or in negotiated transactions, and may be on such terms as to price, delivery and otherwise as the Agent shall determine. Funds held by the Agent uninvested will not bear interest, and it is understood that, in any event, the Agent shall have no liability in connection with any inability to purchase Shares within the time periods herein provided, or with the timing of any purchases effected. The Agent shall have no responsibility as to the value of the Shares acquired for the Participant’s account. The Agent may commingle amounts of all Participants to be used for open market purchases of Shares and the price per Share allocable to each Participant in connection with such purchases shall be the average price (including brokerage commissions) of all Shares purchased by the Agent.

 

The Agent will maintain all Participant accounts in the Plan and will furnish written confirmations of all transactions in each account, including information needed by Participants for personal and tax records. The Agent will hold Shares acquired pursuant to the Plan in noncertificated form in the Participant’s name or that of its nominee, and each Participant’s proxy will include those Shares purchased pursuant to the Plan. The Agent will forward to Participants any proxy solicitation material and will vote any Shares so held for Participants only in accordance with the proxy returned by Participants to the Fund. Upon written request, the Agent will deliver to Participants, without charge, a certificate or certificates for the full Shares.

 

The Agent will confirm to Participants each acquisition made for their respective accounts as soon as practicable but not later than 60 days after the date thereof. Although Participants may from time to time have an undivided fractional interest (computed to three decimal places) in a Share of the Fund, no certificates for fractional shares will be issued. Distributions on fractional shares will be credited to each Participant’s account. In the event of termination of a Participant’s account under the Plan, the Agent will adjust for any such undivided fractional interest in cash at the market value of the Fund’s Shares at the time of termination less the pro rata expense of any sale required to make such an adjustment.

 

Any share dividends or split shares distributed by the Fund on Shares held by the Agent for Participants will be credited to their respective accounts. In the event that the Fund makes available to Participants rights to purchase additional Shares or other securities, the Shares held for Participants under the Plan will be added to other Shares held by the Participants in calculating the number of rights to be issued to Participants.

 

38

Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc.

 


 

Dividend Reinvestment Plan (unaudited) (continued)

 

The Agent’s service fee for handling distributions will be paid by the Fund. Participants will be charged a pro rata share of brokerage commissions on all open market purchases.

 

Participants may terminate their accounts under the Plan by notifying the Agent in writing. Such termination will be effective immediately if notice is received by the Agent not less than ten days prior to any distribution record date; otherwise such termination will be effective on the first Trading Day after the payment due for such distribution with respect to any subsequent distribution. The Plan may be amended or terminated by the Fund as applied to any distribution paid subsequent to written notice of the change or termination sent to Participants at least 30 days prior to the record date for the distribution. The Plan may be amended or terminated by the Agent, with the Fund’s prior written consent, on at least 30 days’ written notice to Plan Participants. Notwithstanding the preceding two sentences, the Agent or the Fund may amend or supplement the Plan at any time or times when necessary or appropriate to comply with applicable law or rules or policies of the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other regulatory authority. Upon any termination, the Agent will cause a certificate or certificates for the full Shares held by each Participant under the Plan and cash adjustment for any fraction to be delivered to each Participant without charge. If the Participant elects by notice to the Agent in writing in advance of such termination to have the Agent sell part or all of a Participant’s Shares and remit the proceeds to Participant, the Agent is authorized to deduct a $2.50 fee plus brokerage commission for this transaction from the proceeds.

 

Any amendment or supplement shall be deemed to be accepted by each Participant unless, prior to the effective date thereof, the Agent receives written notice of the termination of the Participant’s account under the Plan. Any such amendment may include an appointment by the Agent in its place and stead of a successor Agent under these terms and conditions, with full power and authority to perform all or any of the acts to be performed by the Agent under these terms and conditions. Upon any such appointment of an Agent for the purpose of receiving distributions, the Fund will be authorized to pay to such successor Agent, for each Participant’s account, all distributions payable on Shares of the Fund held in each Participant’s name or under the Plan for retention or application by such successor Agent as provided in these terms and conditions.

 

In the case of Participants, such as banks, broker-dealers or other nominees, which hold Shares for others who are beneficial owners (“Nominee Holders”), the Agent will administer the Plan on the basis of the number of Shares certified from time to time by each Nominee Holder as representing the total amount registered in the Nominee Holder’s name and held for the account of beneficial owners who are to participate in the Plan.

 

The Agent shall at all times act in good faith and use its best efforts within reasonable limits to insure the accuracy of all services performed under this Agreement and to comply with applicable law, but assumes no responsibility and shall not be liable for loss or damage due to errors unless such error is caused by its negligence, bad faith, or willful misconduct or that of its employees.

 

All correspondence concerning the Plan should be directed to the Agent at 1-888-888-0151.

 

Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc.

39

 


 

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Western Asset
High Income Fund II Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DIRECTORS

WESTERN ASSET

 

Carol L. Colman

HIGH INCOME FUND II Inc.

 

Daniel P. Cronin

125 Broad Street

 

Paolo M. Cucchi

10th Floor, MF-2

 

Leslie H. Gelb

New York, New York 10004

 

R. Jay Gerken, CFA

 

 

   Chairman

INVESTMENT MANAGER

 

William R. Hutchinson

Legg Mason Partners

 

Dr. Riordan Roett

   Fund Advisor, LLC

 

Jeswald W. Salacuse

 

 

 

SUBADVISERS

 

OFFICERS

Western Asset Management

 

R. Jay Gerken, CFA

   Company

 

President and Chief

Western Asset Management

 

Executive Officer

   Company Limited

 

 

 

 

Kaprel Ozsolak

CUSTODIAN

 

Chief Financial Officer

State Street Bank and Trust

 

and Treasurer

  Company

 

 

225 Franklin Street

 

Ted P. Becker

Boston, Massachusetts 02110

 

Chief Compliance Officer

 

 

 

DIVIDEND DISBURSING

 

Thomas C. Mandia

AND TRANSFER AGENT

 

Assistant Secretary

American Stock Transfer &

 

 

   Trust Company

 

Steven Frank

59 Maiden Lane

 

Controller

New York, New York 10038

 

 

 

 

Albert Laskaj

INDEPENDENT

 

Controller

REGISTERED PUBLIC

 

 

ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

Robert I. Frenkel

KPMG LLP

 

Secretary and

345 Park Avenue

 

Chief Legal Officer

New York, New York 10154

 

 

 

 

 

LEGAL COUNSEL

 

 

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

 

 

425 Lexington Avenue

 

 

New York, New York 10017

 

 

 

 

 

NEW YORK STOCK

 

 

EXCHANGE SYMBOL

 

 

HIX

 


 

 

 

Western Asset
High Income Fund II Inc.

 

 

 

This report is transmitted to the shareholders of Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc. 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.

 

WESTERN ASSET High Income Fund II INC.

125 Broad Street

10th Floor, MF-2

New York, NY 10004

 

 

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.

 

 

 

 

American Stock Transfer
& Trust
Company
59
Maiden Lane
New York, New York 10038

 

WAS0022 12/07                     SR07-461

 

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 from the Fund, shareholders can call 1-800-451-2010.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 1-800-451-2010, (2) on the Fund’s website at www.leggmason.com/individualinvestors and (3) on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 


 

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.

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

 

 

 

Not applicable.

 

 

ITEM 9.

PURCHASES OF INCOME 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 registrant’s last fiscal half-year (the registrant’s second fiscal half-year in the case of an annual report) that have materially affected, or are likely to materially affect the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 



 

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

 



 

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 High Income Fund II Inc.

 

 

By:

/s/ R. Jay Gerken

 

 

(R. Jay Gerken)

 

Chief Executive Officer of

 

Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc.

 

 

Date:

January 4, 2008

 

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 of

 

Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc.

 

 

Date:

January 4, 2008

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kaprel Ozsolak

 

 

(Kaprel Ozsolak)

 

Chief Financial Officer of

 

Western Asset High Income Fund II Inc.

 

 

Date:

January 4, 2008