Western Asset Premier Bond Fund

Western Asset Premier Bond Fund is a closed-end investment fund, which engages in the provision of diversified portfolio of investment-grade bonds. It seeks current income and capital appreciation. The firm's asset allocation include corporate bonds, emerging market debt, bank loans, government, mortgage backed-securities, asset-backed securities, and cash and other securities. The company was founded on December 17, 2001 and is headquartered in New York, NY.

Western Asset Premier Bond Fund (WEA) is a closed-end fund providing investors exposure to a portfolio that is tilted toward higher quality fixed-income investments. The fund pays a 7.61% distribution yield, with coverage potentially set to improve as the Fed cuts rates and its borrowing costs can come down. We take an updated look today at WEA and compare it with VBF, a non-leveraged CEF that also tilts with a heavier weighting toward investment-grade debt investments.

WEA: Investment-Grade Tilted CEF Portfolio, But Discount Remains Tight

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Category: Financials.

Western Asset Premier Bond Fund Announces Financial Position as of September 30, 2024

The Western Asset Premier Bond Fund offers a 7.50% yield, but its after-tax real yield is less appealing, especially for high-tax-bracket investors. Despite a share price decline of 18.90% over five years, the WEA fund's high yield has resulted in better total returns compared to the index. Current market conditions and Federal Reserve rate expectations limit the fund's potential for capital gains, making it purely an income play right now.

WEA: Not Attractive For Gains, But A Reasonable 7.50% Income Play

Western Asset Investment Grade Income Fund

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Franklin Templeton Fund Adviser, LLC announced today that certain closed end funds have declared their distributions for the months of September, October and November 2024.

Franklin Templeton Fund Adviser, LLC Announces Distributions for the Months of September, October and November 2024

Western Asset Premier Bond Fund Announces Financial Position as of March 31, 2024

Western Asset Premier Bond Fund is a fixed income CEF with mostly investment grade holdings and a small allocation to high yield. WEA had a positive total return since its initial rating by me. We believe corporate credit spreads are currently too low and are likely to widen in the future. This widening will negatively impact bond prices, especially for a leveraged fund.

WEA: Tight Spreads Make This Fund Unappealing Currently (Rating Downgrade)

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Effective March 1, 2024, the named portfolio management team responsible for the day-to-day oversight of the Fund is as follows:

Western Asset Premier Bond Fund (NYSE: WEA) Announces Portfolio Management Team Update

Western Asset Premier Bond Fund has seen some strong performance since our prior update. The fund offers an attractive distribution yield with exposure to primarily investment-grade bonds but also some high-yield exposure. WEA's performance could be solid going forward, but the rather narrow discount makes it less appealing at this time.

WEA: Higher Quality Fixed-Income Fund

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Investment-grade corporate-focused closed-end funds offer attractive fixed-income options with higher yields in the current higher-rate environment. Leverage and discounts/premiums in CEFs add volatility to consider when investing in these funds, which would otherwise be for more conservative investors. Besides the higher yields, when rates decline investment-grade funds should see a significant rebound, adding a catalyst for potential upside and 'locking in' higher yields now.

Closed-End Funds: Investment-Grade Corporate Fixed-Income Exposure To Consider

The Western Asset Premier Bond Fund is a closed-end fund that invests in a mix of investment-grade and high-yield bonds. The fund has a 5.6-year duration and is well-positioned to benefit from a decline in interest rates. WEA has a 7.9% yield and is currently trading at a 3% discount to NAV.

WEA: Buy It For The Corporate Exposure, Stay For The High Yield (Rating Upgrade)

Western Asset Premier Bond Fund's discount has widened amid rising risk-free Treasury rates, presenting an attractive entry point for investors. The fund is split between investment-grade and below-investment-grade bonds, making it quite sensitive to interest rate changes. The fund's higher quality tilt could make this a more conservative fund relative to its pure-junk counterparts when the economy slows.

WEA: Discount Widening As Fixed-Income Gets Slammed By Higher Yields

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CEF Report August 2023: Taxables Get Bought And Are Not Very Compelling, Munis Look Best

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Western Asset Premier Bond Fund (NYSE: WEA) today announced the financial position of the Fund as of March 31, 2023. Current Q Previous Q Prior Yr Q March 31, 2023 December 31, 2022 March 31, 2022 Total Assets (a) $ 183,620,247   $ 203,106,427   $ 225,281,576   Total Net Assets(a) $ 133,265,033   $ 133,219,592   $ 153,476,276   NAV Per Share of Common Stock (b) $ 11.23   $ 11.23   $ 12.93   Market Price Per Share $ 10.20   $ 10.64   $ 12.00   Premium / (Discount)   (9.

Western Asset Premier Bond Fund Announces Financial Position as of March 31, 2023

Western Asset Premier Bond Fund is a fixed income CEF. The fund holds a mix of corporate bonds, being overweight investment grade paper.

WEA: 7% Yielding CEF, Overweight Investment Grade Bonds

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC announced today that certain closed end funds have declared their distributions for the months of March, April and May 2023.

Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC Announces Distributions for the Months of March, April and May 2023

NEW YORK--( BUSINESS WIRE )--Western Asset Premier Bond Fund (NYSE: WEA) today announced the financial position of the Fund as of September 30, 2022.

Western Asset Premier Bond Fund Announces Financial Position as of September 30, 2022

NEW YORK--( BUSINESS WIRE )--Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC announced today that certain closed end funds have declared their distributions for the months of December 2022, January and February 2023.

Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC Announces Distributions for the Months of December 2022, January and February 2023

WEA invests most of its portfolio in investment-grade bonds, which hasn't been a safe place in 2022. The fund's discount has been widening out compared to its historical range.

WEA: An Opportunity Opening Up In Higher Quality Bonds

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Category: Distribution Related

Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC Announces Distributions for the Months of October and November 2022

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Risk assets continue to rebound with investors focusing on the potential of a Fed pivot given slower growth and inflation. We think we will shift from a stagflationary economic regime to a deflationary bust one. That means adding duration and quality.

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The 'High-High-Low' Closed-End Fund Report, July 2022

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Category: Financials

Western Asset Premier Bond Fund Announces Financial Position as of March 31, 2022

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC announced today that certain closed end funds have declared their distributions for the months of December 2021, January and February 2022. The following dates apply to the distribution schedule below: Month Record Date Ex-Dividend Date Payable Date December 12/23/2021 12/22/2021 12/31/2021 January 1/24/2022 1/21/2022 2/1/2022 February   2/18/2022   2/17/2022   3/1/2022 Ticker Fund Name Month Amount   TYPE Change from Previous Dis

Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC Announces Distributions for the Months of December 2021, January and February 2022

Western Asset Premier Bond Fund Announces Financial Position as of September 30, 2021

News for Western Asset Premier Bond Fund ETF (WEA)