Fixed Income

Western Asset Municipal Bond Ladders (1-15 Years)

Year to Date Returns (Net)
2.44%
As of 09/30/2025
Year to Date Returns (Pure Gross)
3.58%

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Overview

Product Facts

Strategy description

The Western Asset Municipal Bond Ladders seek to deliver tax-free income opportunities while preserving capital and reducing interest rate risk by investing in laddered municipal bonds. The strategy invests in a diversified portfolio of credit-monitored investment-grade municipal securities with equally weighted maturities from 1-15 years.

Inception Date
03/19/2015
Asset Class
Fixed Income
Yield to WorstAs of 10/31/2025 (Updated Monthly)
3.18%
Effective DurationAs of 10/31/2025 (Updated Monthly)
4.89 Years

Average Annual Total Returns

View performance section for additional info As of 10/31/2025
  • 3.34%1 Year
  • 3.02%3 Years
  • -0.33%5 Years
  • 1.01%10 Years
  • 0.99%Since Inception
    03/31/2015

Performance data quoted represents past performance, which does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when sold or redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the figures shown.

Top Sectors

View portfolio section for additional info

As of 09/30/2025 % of Fixed Income (Updated Quarterly)

Transportation23.89%
Local General Obligation23.34%
Special Tax13.01%
Water & Sewer10.10%
Leasing8.16%

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Manager and Commentary

About the Team

Western Asset

Western Asset Management is one of the world's leading global fixed income managers. Founded in 1971, the firm is known for team management and proprietary research, supported by robust risk management and a long-term fundamental value approach.

Commentary Highlights

September 30, 2025
  • During the third quarter, volatility in both equity and Treasury markets remained relatively subdued. The U.S. Treasury yield curve bull-steepened, reflecting market expectations for slower growth, moderation in economic data and potential rate cuts. Risk assets performed well, with the S&P 500 Index reaching new highs and credit spreads tightening.
  • Municipal supply conditions continue at a record pace as municipal issuance reached $155 billion in 3Q25, up 12% from 3Q24 levels. Tax-exempt issuance fell 2% quarter-over-quarter (QoQ) to $145 billion and taxable issuance fell 40% QoQ to $10 billion. Year-to-date (YTD) new issue supply of $439 billion is 18% higher than the prior year, with tax-exempt issuance up 19% year-over-year and taxable issuance in line with prior year levels.
  • Tax-exempt municipal demand was positive in the third quarter as funds and ETFs recorded $20 billion of net inflows, according to Investment Company Institute (ICI). This led YTD net inflows to $38 billion. While demand has been positive, fund inflows have been relatively limited following prior post-outflow periods.
  • Municipal fundamentals remained resilient in the first half of the year. In September, the Census released 2Q25 state and local tax collection estimates, which coincided with the end of the fiscal year for most state and local governments. Second quarter major state and local government tax collections increased 5% from 2Q24 levels to $562 billion. The continued growth of state and local tax collections highlights the resilience of state and local revenues despite the lower economic growth trends observed earlier in the year
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Portfolio Manager Profile
Years of Experience
Manager Location

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Composite Performance

Calendar Year Returns

As of 09/30/2025

Chart

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The chart has 1 X axis displaying categories.
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying values. Data ranges from -7.02 to 7.26.
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Western Asset Municipal Bond Ladders (1-15 Years) - Net (%)
Western Asset Municipal Bond Ladders (1-15 Years) - Pure Gross (%)

The strategy returns shown are preliminary composite returns, subject to future revision (downward or upward). Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. An investment in this strategy can lose value.  

Performance data represents past performance, which does not guarantee future results. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate with market conditions, and you may have a gain or loss when you sell your shares. Periods less than one year are not annualized. Performance results are for the composite which includes all actual, fully discretionary accounts with substantially similar investment policies and objectives managed to the composite's investment strategy. Composite returns are stated in U.S. dollars and assume reinvestment of any dividends, interest income, capital gains, or other earnings. The composite may include account(s) that are gross of fees and pure gross of fees. “Pure” gross-of-fee returns do not reflect the deduction of any expenses, including transaction costs. A traditional (or "true") gross-of-fee return reflects performance after the reduction of transaction costs but before the reduction of the investment advisory fee. The gross-of-fee return may include a blend of "true" gross-of-fee returns for non-wrap accounts and "pure” gross-of-fee returns for wrap accounts. Net-of-fee returns is reduced by a model “wrap fee” (1.5% is the maximum anticipated wrap fee for fixed income portfolios) which includes trading expenses as well as investment management, administrative and custodial fees. The model wrap fee used represents the highest anticipated wrap fee applicable to the strategy. Actual fees and account minimums may vary.   

For fee schedules, contact your financial professional, or if you enter into an agreement directly with Franklin Templeton Private Portfolio Group, LLC (“FTPPG”), refer to FTPPG’s Form ADV Part 2A disclosure document. Management and performance of individual accounts may vary for reasons that include the existence of different implementation practices and model requirements in different investment programs.

To obtain specific information on available products and services or a GIPS® Report, contact your Franklin Templeton separately managed account sales team at (800) DIAL BEN/342-5236. ClearBridge Investments, LLC, Martin Currie, Royce Investment Partners, and Western Asset Management Company, LLC claim compliance with the Global Investment Performance Standards (GIPS®). GIPS® is a registered trademark of CFA Institute. CFA Institute does not endorse or promote this organization, nor does it warrant the accuracy or quality of the content contained herein. 

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Portfolio

Portfolio Statistics

As of 10/31/2025 (Updated Monthly)

Current Yield 1
Portfolio
3.66%
Cash Flow
Portfolio
3.11%
Yield to Worst
Portfolio
3.18%
Effective Duration
Portfolio
4.89 Years
Weighted Average Life
Portfolio
5.43 Years

Portfolio characteristics, sector, maturity and quality allocations are based on a representative account within the composite. Individual client portfolios in the program may differ, sometimes significantly, from those shown above. Assumes no client-imposed restrictions. This information does not constitute, and should not be construed as, investment advice or recommendations with respect to the sectors listed and should not be used as a sole basis to make any investment decisions.

Credit Quality Allocation 2

As of 09/30/2025 (Updated Quarterly)

Credit Quality Portfolio
AAA
8.75%
AA
69.09%
A
22.15%

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The chart has 1 Y axis displaying values. Data ranges from 8.75413 to 69.09184.
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Documents

Product Documents
Name Download Add to Cart
Factsheet - Western Asset Municipal Bond Ladders (1-15 Years)Download Document
Product Commentary - Western Asset Municipal Bond Ladders (1-15 Years)Download Document
Western Asset Municipal Bond Ladders (1-15 Years)Mailed hardcopies unavailable.Download Document
FTPPG Regulatory DisclosuresMailed hardcopies unavailable.Download Document
Pitchbook - Western Asset Municipal Bond Ladders SMADownload Document

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Risks

All investments involve risks, including possible loss of principal. Fixed income securities involve interest rate, credit, inflation and reinvestment risks, and possible loss of principal. As interest rates rise, the value of fixed income securities falls. Liquidity risk exists when securities or other investments become more difficult to sell, or are unable to be sold, at the price at which they have been valued. Portfolios focused on a single state are subject to greater risk of adverse economic and regulatory changes than a geographically diversified portfolio.

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Performance data quoted represents past performance, which does not guarantee future results. Current performance may differ from figures shown. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate with market conditions, and you may have a gain or a loss when you sell your shares. Returns reflect reinvestment of dividends and capital gains. Performance figures for periods shorter than one year represent cumulative figures and are not annualized. All performance is reported in US dollars.

ClearBridge Investments, LLC, Franklin Templeton Investment Solutions, Martin Currie, Royce Investment Partners, Western Asset Management Company, LLC, and Franklin Templeton claim compliance with the Global Investment Performance Standards (GIPS®). GIPS® is a registered trademark of CFA Institute. CFA Institute does not endorse or promote this organization, nor does it warrant the accuracy or quality of the content contained herein.

Professional money management may not be suitable for all investors. Factual information relating to the securities discussed was obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but there can be no guarantee as to its accuracy. It should not be assumed that investments made in the future will be profitable or will equal the performance of the securities discussed in the material.

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Franklin Templeton (FT) is not undertaking to provide impartial advice. Nothing herein is intended to provide fiduciary advice. FT has a financial interest.

Important data provider notices and terms available at www.franklintempletondatasources.com.

CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are trademarks owned by CFA Institute.

Indexes are unmanaged and one cannot invest directly in an index. They do not reflect any fees, expenses or sales charges. 

All entities mentioned are Franklin Templeton affiliated companies. Investment Products: NOT FDIC INSURED | NO BANK GUARANTEE | MAY LOSE VALUE.

Footnotes

  1. Current Yield is calculated without the deduction of fees and expenses.

  2. Credit Quality is a measure of a bond issuer's ability to repay interest and principal in a timely manner. The credit ratings shown are based on each portfolio security's rating as provided by S&P Global Ratings, Moody's Investors Service and/or Fitch Ratings, Inc. and typically range from AAA (highest) to D (lowest), or an equivalent and/or similar rating. For this purpose, if two or more of the agencies have assigned differing ratings to a security, the highest rating is used. Securities that are unrated by all three agencies are reflected as such. The credit quality of the investments in the portfolio does not apply to the stability or safety of the portfolio. The methodology used for the calculation of credit quality ratings displayed may differ from the methodology for monitoring investment limits, if applicable. Please note, the portfolio itself has not been rated by an independent rating agency.