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

 

FORM N-Q

 

QUARTERLY SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS OF REGISTERED
MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY

 

Investment Company Act file number

811-7362

 

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

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

Stamford, CT 06902

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:

1-800-451-2010

 

 

Date of fiscal year end:

December 31,

 

 

 

 

Date of reporting period:

September 30, 2007

 

 



 

WESTERN ASSET MUNICIPAL PARTNERS FUND INC.

 

 

FORM N-Q

SEPTEMBER 30, 2007

 



 

ITEM 1.                                                     SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 



 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.

 

Schedule of Investments  (unaudited)

September 30, 2007

 

Face
Amount

 

Security

 

Value

 

MUNICIPAL BONDS — 99.6%

 

 

 

California — 9.2%

 

 

 

$

1,000,000

 

California EFA Revenue, College & University Financing Program, 5.000% due 2/1/26

 

$

975,320

 

2,000,000

 

California Health Facilities Financing Authority Revenue, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 5.000% due 11/15/34

 

2,002,520

 

 

 

California State, GO:

 

 

 

3,040,000

 

Call 6/1/11 @ 100, 5.125% due 6/1/24 (a)

 

3,214,192

 

35,000

 

Unrefunded Balance, 5.125% due 6/1/24

 

36,514

 

5,000,000

 

Los Angeles, CA, Department of Water & Power Revenue, Power Systems, Subordinated Series A-1, FSA-Insured, 5.000% due 7/1/35

 

5,161,850

 

6,000,000

 

Metropolitan Water District of Southern California Waterworks Revenue, 5.000% due 7/1/37

 

6,248,880

 

1,000,000

 

Mojave Water Agency, Improvement California District M, GO, Refunding, Electric of 1990-Morongo Basin, AMBAC-Insured, 5.000% due 9/1/18

 

1,079,320

 

2,500,000

 

Turlock, CA, Public Financing Authority, Tax Allocation Revenue, FSA-Insured, 5.000% due 9/1/30

 

2,583,525

 

 

 

Total California

 

21,302,121

 

Colorado — 3.7%

 

 

 

 

 

Colorado Health Facilities Authority Revenue:

 

 

 

2,350,000

 

Poudre Valley Health Care, Series F, 5.000% due 3/1/25

 

2,304,387

 

5,000,000

 

Refunding Adventist Health, Sunbelt, Series D, 5.250% due 11/15/35 (b)

 

5,094,100

 

 

 

Colorado Springs, CO, Hospital Revenue:

 

 

 

505,000

 

6.375% due 12/15/30

 

532,563

 

495,000

 

Call 12/15/10 @ 101, 6.375% due 12/15/30 (a)

 

540,718

 

 

 

Total Colorado

 

8,471,768

 

Florida — 3.4%

 

 

 

2,000,000

 

Florida State Department of Environmental Protection, Preservation Revenue, Florida Forever, Series A, AMBAC-Insured, 5.000% due 7/1/21

 

2,121,960

 

4,950,000

 

Florida State Department of Transportation, Turnpike Revenue, FSA-Insured, 4.500% due 7/1/34

 

4,766,949

 

1,000,000

 

Seminole Tribe Florida Special Obligation Revenue, 5.250% due 10/1/27 (c)

 

997,540

 

 

 

Total Florida

 

7,886,449

 

Hawaii — 0.9%

 

 

 

2,000,000

 

Hawaii State Airport System Revenue, Series B, FGIC-Insured, 6.000% due 7/1/19 (d)

 

2,114,280

 

Illinois — 14.0%

 

 

 

4,260,000

 

Chicago, IL, Board of Education, GO, Chicago School Reform, AMBAC-Insured, Call 12/1/07 @ 102, 5.750% due 12/1/27 (a)

 

4,359,812

 

 

 

Chicago, IL, Midway Airport Revenue:

 

 

 

2,000,000

 

Series A, MBIA-Insured, 5.500% due 1/1/29

 

2,022,700

 

3,750,000

 

Series B, MBIA-Insured, 5.625% due 1/1/29 (d)

 

3,791,475

 

5,000,000

 

Chicago, IL, Park District, GO, Refunding, Series D, FGIC-Insured, 5.000% due 1/1/29

 

5,181,000

 

1,000,000

 

Chicago, IL, Public Building Commission, Building Revenue, Chicago School Reform, Series B, FGIC-Insured, 5.250% due 12/1/18

 

1,107,890

 

250,000

 

Cook County, IL, Refunding, GO, Series A, MBIA-Insured, Call 1/15/07 @ 101, 5.625% due 11/15/16 (a)

 

253,108

 

2,000,000

 

Illinois EFA Revenue, Northwestern University, 5.500% due 12/1/13

 

2,143,980

 

 

 

Illinois Health Facilities Authority Revenue:

 

 

 

1,500,000

 

Refunding, Lutheran General Health System, Series C, 7.000% due 4/1/14

 

1,720,425

 

1,850,000

 

Refunding, SSM Health Care, MBIA-Insured, 6.550% due 6/1/13 (e)

 

2,122,634

 

2,000,000

 

Servantoor Project, Series A, FSA-Insured, 6.000% due 8/15/12 (e)

 

2,171,000

 

605,000

 

South Suburban Hospital Project, 7.000% due 2/15/18 (e)

 

710,881

 

 

See Notes to Schedule of Investments.

 

1



 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.

 

Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2007

 

Face
Amount

 

Security

 

Value

 

Illinois — 14.0% (continued)

 

 

 

$

5,000,000

 

Illinois Municipal Electric Agency Power Supply, FGIC-Insured, 5.000% due 2/1/35

 

$

5,154,000

 

1,500,000

 

Illinois State, GO, First Series, FSA-Insured, 5.500% due 5/1/16

 

1,678,725

 

 

 

Total Illinois

 

32,417,630

 

Indiana — 3.3%

 

 

 

 

 

Indiana Bond Bank Revenue, Series B:

 

 

 

1,285,000

 

5.000% due 8/1/23

 

1,313,270

 

715,000

 

Call 8/1/10 @ 101, 5.000% due 8/1/23 (a)

 

749,427

 

2,390,000

 

Indiana Health Facility Financing Authority, Hospital Revenue, Community Hospital Project, Series A, AMBAC-Insured, 5.000% due 5/1/35

 

2,429,125

 

3,000,000

 

Indiana State DFA Environment Improvement Revenue, USX Corp. Project, 5.250% due 12/1/22

 

3,087,840

 

 

 

Total Indiana

 

7,579,662

 

Iowa — 0.5%

 

 

 

1,000,000

 

Iowa Finance Authority, Hospital Facility Revenue, Call 2/15/10 @ 101, 6.750% due 2/15/16 (a)

 

1,081,340

 

Kansas — 0.6%

 

 

 

1,430,000

 

Kansas State Development Finance Authority, Health Facilities Revenue, Sisters of Charity, Series J, 6.250% due 12/1/28

 

1,515,757

 

Kentucky — 0.9%

 

 

 

2,000,000

 

Louisville & Jefferson County, KY, Metro Government Health System Revenue, Norton Healthcare Inc., 5.250% due 10/1/36

 

2,008,540

 

Maryland — 5.5%

 

 

 

 

 

Maryland State Health & Higher Educational Facilities Authority Revenue:

 

 

 

3,000,000

 

Carroll County General Hospital, 6.000% due 7/1/37

 

3,101,010

 

2,500,000

 

Suburban Hospital, Series A, 5.500% due 7/1/16

 

2,681,725

 

 

 

University of Maryland Medical Systems:

 

 

 

1,000,000

 

Call 7/1/10 @ 101, 6.750% due 7/1/30 (a)

 

1,092,930

 

1,000,000

 

Call 7/1/12 @ 100, 6.000% due 7/1/32 (a)

 

1,103,570

 

 

 

Northeast Maryland Waste Disposal Authority, Solid Waste Revenue, AMBAC-Insured:

 

 

 

2,500,000

 

5.500% due 4/1/15 (d)

 

2,676,100

 

2,000,000

 

5.500% due 4/1/16 (d)

 

2,132,540

 

 

 

Total Maryland

 

12,787,875

 

Massachusetts — 3.8%

 

 

 

 

 

Massachusetts State HEFA Revenue:

 

 

 

95,000

 

Partners Health, 5.750% due 7/1/32

 

99,479

 

2,405,000

 

Partners Health, Call 7/1/11 @ 101, 5.750% due 7/1/32 (a)

 

2,608,150

 

 

 

Massachusetts State Water Pollution Abatement Trust Revenue, MWRA Program, Series A:

 

 

 

4,665,000

 

5.750% due 8/1/29

 

4,862,656

 

1,155,000

 

Call 8/1/09 @ 101, 5.750% due 8/1/29 (a)

 

1,212,369

 

 

 

Total Massachusetts

 

8,782,654

 

Michigan — 4.0%

 

 

 

1,000,000

 

Detroit, MI, City School District, GO, School Building & Site Improvement, Series A, FGIC-Insured, Call 5/1/13 @ 100, 5.500% due 5/1/17 (a)

 

1,094,360

 

 

 

Michigan State Hospital Finance Authority Revenue:

 

 

 

5,000,000

 

Refunding, Sparrow Hospital Obligated, 5.000% due 11/15/36

 

5,019,450

 

3,000,000

 

Trinity Health, Series C, 5.375% due 12/1/30

 

3,107,190

 

 

 

Total Michigan

 

9,221,000

 

 

See Notes to Schedule of Investments.

 

2



 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.

 

Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2007

 

Face
Amount

 

Security

 

Value

 

Missouri — 1.1%

 

 

 

$

2,500,000

 

Missouri State Environmental Improvement & Energy Research Authority, PCR Refunding Revenue, Associated Electric Co-op Thomas Hill, 5.500% due 12/1/10

 

$

2,528,675

 

New Hampshire — 0.0%

 

 

 

75,000

 

New Hampshire State HFA, Single-Family Residential Revenue, Series A, 6.800% due 7/1/15 (d)

 

75,819

 

New Jersey — 8.2%

 

 

 

 

 

New Jersey EDA:

 

 

 

2,500,000

 

Motor Vehicle Surcharges Revenue, Series A, MBIA-Insured, 5.250% due 7/1/16

 

2,708,700

 

5,150,000

 

PCR, Revenue, Public Service Electric and Gas Co. Project, Series A, MBIA-Insured, 6.400% due 5/1/32 (d)

 

5,194,342

 

5,450,000

 

Water Facilities Revenue, New Jersey American Water Co. Inc. Project, Series A, FGIC-Insured, 6.875% due 11/1/34 (d)

 

5,516,817

 

4,215,000

 

New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust, Refunding, 5.000% due 9/1/19

 

4,575,256

 

1,000,000

 

New Jersey Health Care Facilities Financing Authority Revenue, Hackensack University Medical Center, 6.000% due 1/1/25

 

1,037,340

 

 

 

Total New Jersey

 

19,032,455

 

New York — 10.4%

 

 

 

2,415,000

 

Long Island Power Authority, NY, Electric System Revenue, Gen-Series B, 5.000% due 12/1/35

 

2,459,074

 

 

 

New York City, NY, GO:

 

 

 

 

 

Series A:

 

 

 

20,000

 

6.000% due 5/15/30

 

21,210

 

1,980,000

 

Call 5/15/10 @ 101, 6.000% due 5/15/30 (a)

 

2,120,817

 

2,000,000

 

Series G, 5.000% due 12/1/33

 

2,039,720

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

1,000,000

 

Series B, 5.125% due 6/15/31

 

1,036,660

 

4,000,000

 

Series D, 5.000% due 6/15/37

 

4,105,240

 

 

 

New York City, NY, TFA Revenue:

 

 

 

635,000

 

Future Tax Secured, Series A, Call 11/15/12 @ 100, 5.500% due 11/15/17 (a)

 

692,429

 

5,115,000

 

Unrefunded Balance, Future Tax Secured, Series A, 5.500% due 11/15/17

 

5,543,893

 

5,365,000

 

New York State Dormitory Authority Revenue, Court Facilities Lease, NYC Issue, Non State Supported Debt, Series A, AMBAC-Insured, 5.500% due 5/15/30

 

6,154,674

 

 

 

Total New York

 

24,173,717

 

North Carolina — 0.5%

 

 

 

1,200,000

 

North Carolina Medical Care Commission Health Care Facilities Revenue, Novant Health Obligation Group, 5.000% due 11/1/39

 

1,209,192

 

Ohio — 2.4%

 

 

 

5,000,000

 

Ohio State Water Development Authority, PCR, Refunding, Loan Fund, Water Quality, 5.250% due 12/1/18

 

5,562,700

 

Oregon — 0.6%

 

 

 

1,250,000

 

Multnomah County, OR, Hospital Facilities Authority Revenue, Providence Health Systems, 5.250% due 10/1/18

 

1,315,012

 

Pennsylvania — 2.4%

 

 

 

 

 

Philadelphia, PA:

 

 

 

 

 

Gas Works Revenue, 7th Series-1998, General Ordinance:

 

 

 

2,000,000

 

5.000% due 10/1/23

 

2,097,940

 

 

See Notes to Schedule of Investments.

 

3



 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.

 

Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2007

 

Face
Amount

 

Security

 

Value

 

Pennsylvania — 2.4% (continued)

 

 

 

$

2,685,000

 

AMBAC-Insured, 5.000% due 10/1/17

 

$

2,898,914

 

500,000

 

School District, GO, Series A, FSA-Insured, Call 2/1/12 @ 100, 5.500% due 2/1/31 (a)

 

538,260

 

 

 

Total Pennsylvania

 

5,535,114

 

Tennessee — 4.8%

 

 

 

4,700,000

 

Memphis-Shelby County, TN, Airport Authority Revenue, Series D, AMBAC-Insured, 6.000% due 3/1/24 (d)

 

4,934,342

 

6,000,000

 

Tennessee Energy Acquisition Corp., Gas Revenue, Series A, 5.250% due 9/1/21

 

6,234,540

 

 

 

Total Tennessee

 

11,168,882

 

Texas — 10.8%

 

 

 

5,000,000

 

Aledo, TX, GO, ISD, School Building, Series A, PSF-Insured, 5.000% due 2/15/30

 

5,145,800

 

2,960,000

 

Harris County, TX, Health Facilities Development Corp., Hospital Revenue, Memorial Hermann Healthcare Systems, 5.250% due 12/1/18

 

3,079,910

 

3,000,000

 

Houston, TX, Utility System Revenue, Refunding, Combined First Lien, Series A, FSA-Insured, 5.250% due 5/15/20

 

3,219,990

 

3,200,000

 

Lake Dallas, TX, GO, ISD, School Building, PSF-Insured, 5.000% due 8/15/34

 

3,274,592

 

1,000,000

 

Mesquite, TX, Independent School District No. 1, GO, Capital Appreciation, Series A, PSFG-Insured, zero coupon bond to yield 5.169% due 8/15/27

 

364,720

 

2,500,000

 

San Antonio, TX, Electric and Gas, Refunding, 5.000% due 2/1/17

 

2,662,150

 

2,000,000

 

Tarrant County, TX, Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp. Revenue, Refunding, Texas Health Resources, Series A, 5.000% due 2/15/21

 

2,054,160

 

5,000,000

 

Texas State Turnpike Authority Revenue, First Tier, Series A, AMBAC-Insured, 5.500% due 8/15/39

 

5,299,750

 

 

 

Total Texas

 

25,101,072

 

Virginia — 1.3%

 

 

 

2,915,000

 

Greater Richmond, VA, Convention Center Authority, Hotel Tax Revenue, Convention Center Expansion Project, Call 6/15/10 @ 101, 6.125% due 6/15/20 (a)

 

3,134,674

 

Washington — 7.3%

 

 

 

2,900,000

 

Chelan County, WA, Public Utility District, Chelan Hydro System No.1, Construction Revenue, Series A, AMBAC-Insured, 5.450% due 7/1/37 (d)

 

2,983,027

 

2,395,000

 

King County, WA, GO, Refunding, Series B, MBIA-Insured, 5.000% due 1/1/30

 

2,424,794

 

4,000,000

 

Port of Seattle, WA, Revenue, Refunding, Intermediate Lien, Series A, MBIA-Insured, 5.000% due 3/1/30

 

4,122,360

 

4,650,000

 

Seattle, WA, GO, Series B, FSA-Insured, Call 12/1/09 @ 101, 5.750% due 12/1/28 (a)

 

4,905,145

 

2,400,000

 

Washington State Public Power Supply System Revenue, Nuclear Project No. 1, Series A, MBIA-Insured, 5.125% due 7/1/17

 

2,470,968

 

 

 

Total Washington

 

16,906,294

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS BEFORE SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
(Cost — $225,302,806)

 

230,912,682

 

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS — 0.4%

 

 

 

Massachusetts — 0.1%

 

 

 

200,000

 

Massachusetts State, GO, Central Artery, Series B, SPA-State Street Bank & Trust Co., 4.050%, 10/1/07 (f)

 

200,000

 

Pennsylvania — 0.2%

 

 

 

405,000

 

Geisinger Authority, PA, Health System Revenue, Geisinger Health System, Series C, SPA-Wachovia Bank, 4.030%, 10/1/07 (f)

 

405,000

 

 

See Notes to Schedule of Investments.

 

4



 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.

 

Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2007

 

Face
Amount

 

Security

 

Value

 

Texas — 0.1%

 

 

 

$

200,000

 

Harris County, TX, Health Facilities Development Corp. Revenue, YMCA of Greater Houston Area, LOC-JPMorgan Chase, 4.040%, 10/1/07 (f)

 

$

200,000

 

 

 

TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
(Cost — $805,000)

 

805,000

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 100% (Cost — $226,107,806#)

 

$

231,717,682

 

 


(a)

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

(b)

Variable rate security. Interest rate disclosed is that which is in effect at September 30, 2007.

(c)

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

(d)

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

(e)

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

(f)

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

#

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

 

 

 

Abbreviations used in this schedule:

 

AMBAC - Ambac Assurance Corporation

 

DFA - Development Finance Agency

 

EDA - Economic Development Authority

 

EFA - Educational Facilities Authority

 

FGIC - Financial Guaranty Insurance Company

 

FSA - Financial Security Assurance

 

GO - General Obligation

 

HEFA - Health & Educational Facilities Authority

 

HFA - Housing Finance Authority

 

ISD - Independent School District

 

LOC - Letter of Credit

 

MBIA - Municipal Bond Investors Assurance Corporation

 

MWRA - Massachusetts Water Resources Authority

 

PCR - Pollution Control Revenue

 

PSF - Permanent School Fund

 

PSFG - Permanent School Fund Guaranty

 

SPA - Standby Bond Purchase Agreement

 

TFA - Transitional Finance Authority

 

Summary of Investments by Industry * (unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hospitals

 

16.9

%

Utilities

 

15.7

 

Pre-Refunded

 

12.4

 

Transportation

 

11.7

 

General Obligation

 

9.3

 

Pollution Control

 

9.2

 

Water & Sewer

 

7.0

 

Electric

 

4.4

 

Education

 

4.0

 

Tax Allocation

 

3.5

 

Escrow to Maturity

 

2.2

 

 

See Notes to Schedule of Investments.

 

5



 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.

 

Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

September 30, 2007

 

Industrial Development

 

1.2

 

Public Facilities

 

1.0

 

Miscellaneous

 

0.9

 

Life Care Systems

 

0.6

 

Housing: Single Family

 

0.0

 

 

 

100.0

%

 


* As a percentage of total investments. Please note that Fund holdings are as of September 30, 2007 and are subject to change.

 

Ratings Table †(September 30, 2007) (unaudited)

 

S&P/Moody’s/Fitch

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AAA/Aaa

 

66.7

%

AA/Aa

 

14.4

 

A

 

14.0

 

BBB/Baa

 

4.1

 

A-1/VMIG1

 

0.4

 

NR

 

0.4

 

 

 

100.0

%

 


As a percentage of total investments.

 

S&P primary rating; Moody’s secondary, then Fitch.

 

See pages 7 and 8 for definitions of ratings.

 

See Notes to Schedule of Investments.

 

6



 

Bond Ratings (unaudited)

 

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

 

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

 

AAA

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

AA

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

A

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

BBB

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

BB, B,

 

 

CCC,

 

 

CC and C

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

D

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

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

Aaa

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

Aa

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

A

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

Baa

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

Ba

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

 

7



 

Bond Ratings (unaudited)(continued)

 

 

 

not well safeguarded during both good and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position characterizes bonds in this class.

B

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

Caa

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

Ca

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

C

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

 

 

 

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

 

AAA

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

AA

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

A

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

BBB

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

BB, B,

 

 

CCC

 

 

and CC

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

NR

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

 

Short-Term Security Ratings (unaudited)

 

SP-1

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

A-1

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

VMIG 1

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

MIG1

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

P-1

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

F1

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

 

8



 

Notes to Schedule of Investments (unaudited)

 

1. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc. (the “Fund”) was incorporated in Maryland on November 24, 1992 and is registered as a diversified, closed-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (the “1940 Act”).

 

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

 

(a) Investment Valuation. Securities are valued at the mean between the last quoted bid and asked prices provided by an independent pricing service that are based on transactions in municipal obligations, quotations from municipal bond dealers, market transactions in comparable securities and various other relationships between securities. When prices are not readily available, or are determined not to reflect fair 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) Concentration of Credit Risk.  Since the Fund invests a portion of its assets in issuers located in a single state, it may be affected by economic and political developments in a specific state or region. Certain debt obligations held by the Fund are entitled to the benefit of insurance, standby letters of credit or other guarantees of banks or other financial institutions.

 

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

 

2. Investments

 

At September 30, 2007, the aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of investments for federal income tax purposes were substantially as follows:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

 

$

6,611,646

 

Gross unrealized depreciation

 

(1,001,770

)

Net unrealized appreciation

 

$

5,609,876

 

 



 

ITEM 2.                  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

 

(a)                                  The registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a- 3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”)) are effective as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report that includes the disclosure required by this paragraph, based on their evaluation of the disclosure controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act and 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

(b)                                 There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act) that occurred during the registrant’s last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are likely to materially affect the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

ITEM 3.                  EXHIBITS.

 

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

 



 

SIGNATURES

 

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

 

Western Asset Municipal Partners Fund Inc.

 

By

/s/ R. Jay Gerken

 

R. Jay Gerken

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

Date: November 28, 2007

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

 

By

/s/ R. Jay Gerken

 

R. Jay Gerken

Chief Executive Officer

 

Date: November 28, 2007

 

 

By

/s/ Kaprel Ozsolak

 

Kaprel Ozsolak

Chief Financial Officer

 

Date: November 28, 2007