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 811-22405

 

 

ClearBridge MLP and Midstream Fund Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

 

620 Eighth Avenue, 47th Floor, New York, NY 10018

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

 

Marc A. De Oliveira

Franklin Templeton

100 First Stamford Place

Stamford, CT 06902

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 1-888-777-0102

Date of fiscal year end: November 30

Date of reporting period: May 31, 2023

Explanatory Note:

The Registrant is filing this amendment to its Form N-CSRS for the period ended May 31, 2023, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 28, 2023 (Accession Number 0001193125-23-197458). The sole purpose of this amendment is to correct typographical errors in the “Additional shareholder information – Results of annual meeting of shareholders” section found on page 31 of the shareholder report. Specifically, the disclosure in the initial Form N-CSRS filing regarding the number of outstanding voting securities of the Registrant as of the record date for its annual meeting incorrectly included voting securities of preferred stock attributable to the Registrant’s Series H MRPS, which were redeemed on January 8, 2023, prior to the record date for the annual meeting. The record date for the annual meeting was February 7, 2023. As of the record date of the annual meeting, 13,320,195 voting securities of common stock were outstanding and 1,640,001 voting securities of preferred stock were outstanding. The total number of outstanding voting securities as of the record date was 14,960,196. Except as set forth above, this amendment does not amend, update or change any other items or disclosures found in the original Form N-CSRS filing.

 

 

 


ITEM 1.

REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS.

The Semi-Annual Report to Stockholders is filed herewith.


LOGO

 

Semi-Annual Report   May 31, 2023

CLEARBRIDGE

MLP AND MIDSTREAM FUND INC. (CEM)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LOGO

 

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


 

What’s inside      
Letter from the chairman     II  
Performance review     III  
Fund at a glance     1  
Schedule of investments     2  
Statement of assets and liabilities     4  
Statement of operations     5  
Statements of changes in net assets     6  
Statement of cash flows     7  
Financial highlights     8  
Notes to financial statements     11  
Board approval of management and subadvisory agreements     25  
Additional shareholder information     31  
Dividend reinvestment plan     32  

Fund objective

The Fund’s investment objective is to provide a high level of total return with an emphasis on cash distributions.

The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing primarily in energy master limited partnerships (“MLPs”) and energy midstream entities.

 

Letter from the chairman

 

LOGO

 

Dear Shareholder,

We are pleased to provide the semi-annual report of ClearBridge MLP and Midstream Fund Inc. for the six-month reporting period ended May 31, 2023. Please read on for Fund performance information during the Fund’s reporting period.

As always, we remain committed to providing you with excellent service and a full spectrum of investment choices. We also remain committed to supplementing the support you receive from your financial advisor. One way we accomplish this is through our website, www.franklintempleton.com. Here you can gain immediate access to market and investment information, including:

 

 

Fund prices and performance,

 

 

Market insights and commentaries from our portfolio managers, and

 

 

A host of educational resources.

We look forward to helping you meet your financial goals.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Jane Trust, CFA

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

June 30, 2023

 

II    ClearBridge MLP and Midstream Fund Inc.


Performance review

 

For the six months ended May 31, 2023, ClearBridge MLP and Midstream Fund Inc. returned -9.33% based on its net asset value (“NAV”)i and -9.01% based on its New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) market price per share. The Alerian MLP Indexii returned 0.39% over the same time frame.

The Fund has a practice of seeking to maintain a relatively stable level of distributions to shareholders. This practice has no impact on the Fund’s investment strategy and may reduce the Fund’s NAV. The Fund’s manager believes the practice helps maintain the Fund’s competitiveness and may benefit the Fund’s market price and premium/discount to the Fund’s NAV.

During this six-month period, the Fund made distributions to shareholders totaling $1.27 per share. As of May 31, 2023, the Fund estimates that all of the distributions during the period constituted a return of capital.* The performance table shows the Fund’s six-month total return based on its NAV and market price as of May 31, 2023. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

 

Performance Snapshot as of May 31, 2023 (unaudited)  
Price Per Share  

6-Month

Total Return**

 
$37.31 (NAV)     -9.33 %† 
$31.33 (Market Price)     -9.01 %‡ 

All figures represent past performance and are not a guarantee of future results. Performance figures for periods shorter than one year represent cumulative figures and are not annualized.

** Total returns are based on changes in NAV or market price, respectively. Returns reflect the deduction of all Fund expenses, including management fees, operating expenses, and other Fund expenses. Returns do not reflect the deduction of brokerage commissions or taxes that investors may pay on distributions or the sale of shares.

† Total return assumes the reinvestment of all distributions, including returns of capital, if any, at NAV.

‡ Total return assumes the reinvestment of all distributions, including returns of capital, if any, in additional shares in accordance with the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan.

Looking for additional information?

The Fund is traded under the symbol “CEM” and its closing market price is available in most newspapers under the NYSE listings. The daily NAV is available online under the symbol “XCEMX” 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,

 

*

This estimate is not for tax purposes. The Fund will issue a Form 1099 with final composition of the distributions for tax purposes after year-end. A return of capital is not taxable and results in a reduction in the tax basis of a shareholder’s investment. For more information about a distribution’s composition, please refer to the Fund’s distribution press release or, if applicable, the Section 19 notice located in the press release section of our website, www.franklintempleton.com.

 

ClearBridge MLP and Midstream Fund Inc.   III


Performance review (cont’d)

 

the Fund issues a monthly press release that can be found on most major financial websites as well as www.franklintempleton.com.

In a continuing effort to provide information concerning the Fund, shareholders may call 1-888-777-0102 (toll free), Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time, for the Fund’s current NAV, market price and other information.

Thank you for your investment in ClearBridge MLP and Midstream Fund Inc. As always, we appreciate that you have chosen us to manage your assets and we remain focused on achieving the Fund’s investment goals.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Jane Trust, CFA

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

June 30, 2023

RISKS: The Fund is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company designed primarily as a long-term investment and not as a trading vehicle. The Fund is not intended to be a complete investment program and, due to the uncertainty inherent in all investments, there can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. The Fund’s common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange. Similar to stocks, the Fund’s share price will fluctuate with market conditions and, at the time of sale, may be worth more or less than the original investment. Shares of closed-end funds often trade at a discount to their net asset value. Because the Fund is non-diversified, it may be more susceptible to economic, political or regulatory events than a diversified fund. The Fund’s investments are subject to a number of risks, including stock market risk, MLP and midstream entities risk, market events risk and portfolio management risk. MLP distributions are not guaranteed and there is no assurance that all distributions will be tax deferred. Investments in MLP securities and midstream entities are subject to unique risks. The Fund’s concentration of investments in energy related MLPs and midstream entities subjects it to the risks of MLPs, midstream entities and the energy sector, including the risks of declines in energy and commodity prices, decreases in energy demand, adverse weather conditions, natural or other disasters, changes in government regulation, and changes in tax laws. Leverage may result in greater volatility of NAV and the market price of common shares and increases a shareholder’s risk of loss. The Fund may make significant investments in derivative instruments. Derivative instruments can be illiquid, may disproportionately increase losses and have a potentially large impact on Fund performance. The Fund may invest in small capitalization or illiquid securities which can increase the risk and volatility of the Fund. The market values of securities or other assets will fluctuate, sometimes sharply and unpredictably, due to changes in general market conditions, overall economic trends or events, governmental actions or intervention, actions taken by the U.S. Federal Reserve or

 

IV    ClearBridge MLP and Midstream Fund Inc.


foreign central banks, market disruptions caused by trade disputes or other factors, political developments, armed conflicts, economic sanctions and countermeasures in response to sanctions, major cybersecurity events, investor sentiment, the global and domestic effects of a pandemic, and other factors that may or may not be related to the issuer of the security or other asset. The Fund may also invest in money market funds, including funds affiliated with the Fund’s manager and subadviser.

All investments are subject to risk including the possible loss of principal. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. All index performance reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes. Please note that an investor cannot invest directly in an index.

 

 

 

i 

Net asset value (“NAV”) is calculated by subtracting total liabilities, including liabilities associated with financial leverage (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 the Fund’s market price as determined by supply of and demand for the Fund’s shares.

 

ii 

The Alerian MLP Index is a composite of the fifty most prominent energy master limited partnerships (“MLPs”) and is calculated using a float-adjusted, capitalization-weighted methodology.

 

ClearBridge MLP and Midstream Fund Inc.   V


Fund at a glance (unaudited)

 

Investment breakdown (%) as a percent of total investments

 

 

LOGO

 

The bar graph above represents the composition of the Fund’s investments as of May 31, 2023 and November 30, 2022. The Fund is actively managed. As a result, the composition of the Fund’s investments is subject to change at any time.

 

ClearBridge MLP and Midstream Fund Inc. 2023 Semi-Annual Report       1  


Schedule of investments (unaudited)

May 31, 2023

 

ClearBridge MLP and Midstream Fund Inc.

(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)

 

Security   Shares/Units     Value  
Master Limited Partnerships — 102.6%                

Diversified Energy Infrastructure — 42.6%

               

Energy Transfer LP

    5,018,027       $62,223,535  

Enterprise Products Partners LP

    2,479,854       62,814,702  

Genesis Energy LP

    1,331,323       12,847,267  

Plains All American Pipeline LP

    2,854,586       36,881,251  

Plains GP Holdings LP, Class A Shares

    2,695,251       36,655,413  

Total Diversified Energy Infrastructure

            211,422,168  

Gathering/Processing — 23.9%

               

Crestwood Equity Partners LP

    1,225,775       31,453,387  

Hess Midstream LP, Class A Shares

    1,191,190       33,222,289  

Western Midstream Partners LP

    2,127,721       53,703,678  

Total Gathering/Processing

            118,379,354  

Global Infrastructure — 6.1%

               

Brookfield Infrastructure Partners LP

    846,514       30,381,388  

Liquids Transportation & Storage — 12.9%

               

Holly Energy Partners LP

    476,872       8,187,892  

Magellan Midstream Partners LP

    862,281       51,917,939  

NuStar Energy LP

    224,000       3,657,920  

Total Liquids Transportation & Storage

            63,763,751  

Natural Gas Transportation & Storage — 4.2%

               

Cheniere Energy Partners LP

    474,498       21,091,436  

Oil/Refined Products — 12.9%

               

MPLX LP

    1,919,271       63,988,495  

Total Master Limited Partnerships (Cost — $431,298,821)

            509,026,592  
     Shares         
Common Stocks — 46.0%                
Energy — 45.5%                

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 45.5%

               

Antero Midstream Corp.

    2,910,680       29,718,043  

DT Midstream Inc.

    115,000       5,227,900  

Enbridge Inc.

    832,840       29,315,968  

Equitrans Midstream Corp.

    517,125       4,411,076  

Kinder Morgan Inc.

    1,836,625       29,588,029  

ONEOK Inc.

    545,178       30,889,785  

Targa Resources Corp.

    583,182       39,685,535  

TC Energy Corp.

    529,780       20,629,633  

Williams Cos. Inc.

    1,270,021       36,398,802  

Total Energy

            225,864,771  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

2     ClearBridge MLP and Midstream Fund Inc. 2023 Semi-Annual Report


 

 

ClearBridge MLP and Midstream Fund Inc.

(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)

 

Security          Shares     Value  
Industrials — 0.5%                        

Commercial Services & Supplies — 0.5%

                       

Aris Water Solutions Inc., Class A Shares

            257,530     $ 2,366,701  

Total Common Stocks (Cost — $260,459,368)

                    228,231,472  

Total Investments before Short-Term Investments (Cost — $691,758,189)

 

    737,258,064  
     Rate                
Short-Term Investments — 1.3%                        

JPMorgan 100% U.S. Treasury Securities Money Market Fund, Institutional Class
(Cost — $6,262,518)

    4.877     6,262,518       6,262,518  (a) 

Total Investments** — 149.9% (Cost — $698,020,707)

 

    743,520,582  

Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Stock, at Liquidation Value — (11.6)%

 

    (57,400,045

Other Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (38.3)%

                    (190,131,005

Total Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders — 100.0%

 

  $ 495,989,532  

 

*

Non-income producing security.

 

**

The entire portfolio is subject to a lien, granted to the lender and Senior Note holders, to the extent of the borrowings outstanding and any additional expenses.

 

(a) 

Rate shown is one-day yield as of the end of the reporting period.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

ClearBridge MLP and Midstream Fund Inc. 2023 Semi-Annual Report       3  


Statement of assets and liabilities (unaudited)

May 31, 2023

 

Assets:         

Investments, at value (Cost — $698,020,707)

   $ 743,520,582  

Income tax receivable

     2,279,821  

Receivable for securities sold

     845,423  

Dividends and distributions receivable

     786,608  

Money market fund distributions receivable

     42,903  

Prepaid expenses

     27,156  

Total Assets

     747,502,493  
Liabilities:         

Loan payable (Note 5)

     138,000,000  

Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Stock ($100,000 and $35 liquidation value per share; 324 and 714,287 shares issued and outstanding, respectively) (net of deferred offering costs of $635,128) (Note 7)

     56,764,917  

Senior Secured Notes (net of deferred debt issuance and offering costs of $175,437) (Note 6)

     54,106,752  

Interest expense payable

     920,499  

Investment management fee payable

     617,569  

Distributions payable to Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Stockholders

     121,336  

Directors’ fees payable

     849  

Accrued expenses

     981,039  

Total Liabilities

     251,512,961  
Total Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders    $ 495,989,532  
Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders:         

Common stock par value ($0.001 par value; 13,294,195 shares issued and outstanding; 99,285,389 common shares authorized)

   $ 13,294  

Paid-in capital in excess of par value

     615,336,996  

Total distributable earnings (loss), net of income taxes

     (119,360,758)  
Total Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders    $ 495,989,532  
Common Shares Outstanding      13,294,195  
Net Asset Value Per Common Share      $37.31  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

4     ClearBridge MLP and Midstream Fund Inc. 2023 Semi-Annual Report


Statement of operations (unaudited)

For the Six Months Ended May 31, 2023

 

Investment Income:         

Dividends and distributions

   $ 28,961,622  

Return of capital (Note 1(h))

     (21,686,718)  

Net Dividends and Distributions

     7,274,904  

Money market fund distributions

     213,657  

Less: Foreign taxes withheld

     (279,649)  

Total Investment Income

     7,208,912  
Expenses:         

Interest expense (Notes 5 and 6)

     4,969,653  

Investment management fee (Note 2)

     3,880,125  

Distributions to Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Stockholders (Notes 1 and 7)

     1,599,931  

Transfer agent fees

     615,632  

Legal fees

     237,392  

Audit and tax fees

     135,451  

Directors’ fees

     109,984  

Commitment fees (Note 5)

     73,402  

Amortization of preferred stock offering costs (Note 7)

     63,464  

Amortization of debt issuance and offering costs (Note 6)

     47,770  

Fund accounting fees

     30,826  

Rating agency fees

     11,552  

Shareholder reports

     10,397  

Franchise taxes

     9,474  

Insurance

     2,264  

Custody fees

     1,428  

Stock exchange listing fees

     1,232  

Miscellaneous expenses

     104,513  

Total Expenses

     11,904,490  

Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements (Note 2)

     (194,006)  

Net Expenses

     11,710,484  
Net Investment Loss, before income taxes      (4,501,572)  

Current tax expense (Note 9)

     (3,794,600)  
Net Investment Loss, net of income taxes      (8,296,172)  
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments and Foreign Currency Transactions (Notes 1, 3 and 9):         

Net Realized Gain (Loss) From:

        

Investment transactions

     12,265,866  

Foreign currency transactions

     (10,070)  

Net Realized Gain, before income taxes

     12,255,796  

Net Realized Gain, net of income taxes

     12,255,796  

Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) From:

        

Investments

     (57,190,752)  

Foreign currencies

     2,751  

Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation), before income taxes

     (57,188,001)  

Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation), net of income taxes

     (57,188,001)  
Net Loss on Investments and Foreign Currency Transactions, net of income taxes      (44,932,205)  
Decrease in Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders From Operations    $ (53,228,377)  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

ClearBridge MLP and Midstream Fund Inc. 2023 Semi-Annual Report       5  


Statements of changes in net assets

 

For the Six Months Ended May 31, 2023 (unaudited)

and the Year Ended November 30, 2022

   2023      2022  
Operations:                  

Net investment loss, net of income taxes

   $ (8,296,172)      $ (5,761,395)  

Net realized gain, net of income taxes

     12,255,796        41,249,888  

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation), net of income taxes

     (57,188,001)        148,122,608  

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders From Operations

     (53,228,377)        183,611,101  
Distributions to Common Shareholders From (Note 1):                  

Dividends

            (31,283,612)  

Return of capital

     (16,900,008)         

Decrease in Net Assets From Distributions to Common Shareholders

     (16,900,008)        (31,283,612)  
Fund Share Transactions:                  

Cost of shares repurchased (161,000 and 84,000 shares repurchased, respectively) (Note 8)

     (5,334,424)        (2,805,578)  

Decrease in Net Assets From Fund Share Transactions

     (5,334,424)        (2,805,578)  

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders

     (75,462,809)        149,521,911  
Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders:                  

Beginning of period

     571,452,341        421,930,430  

End of period

   $ 495,989,532      $ 571,452,341  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

6     ClearBridge MLP and Midstream Fund Inc. 2023 Semi-Annual Report


Statement of cash flows (unaudited)

For the Six Months Ended May 31, 2023

 

Increase (Decrease) in Cash:         
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:         

Net decrease in net assets applicable to common shareholders resulting from operations

   $ (53,228,377)  

Adjustments to reconcile net decrease in net assets resulting from operations to net cash provided (used) by operating activities:

        

Purchases of portfolio securities

     (217,237,650)  

Sales of portfolio securities

     210,022,266  

Net purchases, sales and maturities of short-term investments

     12,787,902  

Return of capital

     21,686,718  

Increase in dividends and distributions receivable

     (43,155)  

Increase in receivable for securities sold

     (845,423)  

Decrease in money market fund distributions receivable

     10,709  

Decrease in prepaid expenses

     13,602  

Decrease in income tax receivable

     3,832,151  

Decrease in payable for securities purchased

     (952,582)  

Amortization of preferred stock offering costs

     63,464  

Amortization of debt issuance and offering costs

     47,770  

Decrease in investment management fee payable

     (5,828)  

Decrease in Directors’ fees payable

     (23,280)  

Increase in interest expense payable

     26,608  

Increase in accrued expenses

     603,080  

Decrease in distributions payable to Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Stockholders

     (15,476)  

Net realized gain on investments

     (12,265,866)  

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments

     57,190,752  

Net Cash Provided in Operating Activities*

     21,667,385  
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:         

Distributions paid on common stock

     (16,900,008)  

Proceeds from loan facility borrowings

     7,000,000  

Payment for Fund shares repurchased

     (5,334,424)  

Redemption of Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Stock

     (6,400,000)  

Preferred stock offering costs

     (32,953)  

Net Cash Used by Financing Activities

     (21,667,385)  
Cash and restricted cash at beginning of period       
Cash and restricted cash at end of period       

 

*

Included in operating expenses is $5,019,461 paid for interest and commitment fees on borrowings, $1,615,407 paid for distributions to Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Stockholders and $37,551 refunded for income taxes, net of income taxes paid.

The following table provides a reconciliation of cash and restricted cash reported within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities that sums to the total of such amounts shown on the Statement of Cash Flows.

 

      May 31, 2023  
Cash       
Restricted cash       
Total cash and restricted cash shown in the Statement of Cash Flows       

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

ClearBridge MLP and Midstream Fund Inc. 2023 Semi-Annual Report       7  


Financial highlights

 

For a common share of capital stock outstanding throughout each year ended November 30,
unless otherwise noted:
 
     20231,2     20221     20211     20201,3     20191,3     20181,3  
Net asset value, beginning of period     $42.47       $31.16       $20.19       $56.65       $65.60       $69.30  
Income (loss) from operations:            

Net investment income (loss)

    (0.62)       (0.43)       (0.07)       (0.85)       (0.50)       1.40  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (3.34)       14.01       12.84       (32.75)       (2.55)       2.00  

Total income (loss) from operations

    (3.96)       13.58       12.77       (33.60)       (3.05)       3.40  
Less distributions to common shareholders from:            

Dividends

          (2.32)       (1.49)             (2.05)       (1.40)  

Return of capital

    (1.27) 4            (0.43)       (2.90)       (3.85)       (5.70)  

Total distributions to common shareholders

    (1.27)       (2.32)       (1.92)       (2.90)       (5.90)       (7.10)  

Anti-dilutive impact of repurchase plan

    0.07 5      0.05 5      0.12 5      0.04 5             
Net asset value, end of period     $37.31       $42.47       $31.16       $20.19       $56.65       $65.60  
Market price, end of period     $31.33       $35.77       $26.69       $16.31       $50.05       $59.60  

Total return, based on NAV6,7

    (9.33)     44.33     64.74     (60.86)     (5.27)     4.08

Total return, based on Market Price8

    (9.01)     43.36     76.05     (63.33)     (6.81)     3.39
Net assets applicable to common shareholders, end of period (millions)     $496       $571       $422       $281       $798       $924  
Ratios to average net assets:            

Management fees

    1.47 %9      1.42     1.41     1.53     1.49     1.47

Other expenses

    3.05 9      1.61       1.66       3.87 10      2.08       1.94  

Subtotal

    4.52 9      3.03       3.07       5.40 10      3.57       3.41  

Income tax expenses

    0.72 11      0.35       12      12      12      12 

Total gross expenses

    5.24 13,14      3.38       3.07       5.40 10      3.57       3.41  

Total net expenses

    5.17 13,14,15      3.31 15      3.01 15      5.39 10,15      3.57       3.41  

Net investment income (loss), net of income taxes

    (2.43) 13      (1.11)       (0.24)       (2.89) 10      (0.80)       1.88  
Portfolio turnover rate     27     53     48     16     33     14

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

8     ClearBridge MLP and Midstream Fund Inc. 2023 Semi-Annual Report


 

For a common share of capital stock outstanding throughout each year ended November 30,
unless otherwise noted:
 
     20231,2     20221     20211     20201,3     20191,3     20181,3  
Supplemental data:            

Loan and Debt Issuance Outstanding, End of Period (000s)

    $192,282       $185,282       $148,309       $76,107       $347,607       $421,000  

Asset Coverage Ratio for Loan and Debt Issuance Outstanding16

    388     443     411     542     345     332

Asset Coverage, per $1,000 Principal Amount of Loan and Debt Issuance Outstanding16

    $3,878       $4,429       $4,107       $5,421       $3,454       $3,324  

Weighted Average Loan and Debt Issuance (000s)

    $191,205       $176,718       $121,077       $163,529       $395,909       $432,329  

Weighted Average Interest Rate on Loan and Debt Issuance

    5.14     2.95     2.75     6.58 %17      3.77     3.67

Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Stock at Liquidation Value, End of Period (000s)

    $57,400       $63,800       $38,800       $55,000       $55,000       $55,000  

Asset Coverage Ratio for Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Stock18

    299     329     325     315     298     294

Asset Coverage, per $100,000 Liquidation Value per Share of Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Stock18

    $298,648       $329,423       $325,500       $314,709       $298,242       $294,013  

Asset Coverage, per $35 Liquidation Value per Share of Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Stock18

    $105       $115                          

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

ClearBridge MLP and Midstream Fund Inc. 2023 Semi-Annual Report       9  


Financial highlights (cont’d)

 

1 

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

2 

For the six months ended May 31, 2023 (unaudited).

3 

On July 28, 2020, the Fund completed a 1-for-5 reverse stock split. Prior year per share amounts have been restated to reflect the impact of the reverse stock split.

4 

The actual source of the Fund’s current fiscal year distributions may be from dividends, return of capital or a combination of both. Shareholders will be informed of the tax characteristics of the distributions after the close of the fiscal year.

5 

The repurchase plan was completed at an average repurchase price of $33.13 for 161,000 shares and $5,334,424 for the six months ended May 31, 2023, $33.40 for 84,000 shares and $2,805,578 for the year ended November 30, 2022, $23.78 for 402,851 shares and $9,578,283 for the year ended November 30, 2021 and $7.63 for 290,885 shares and $2,219,316 for the year ended November 30, 2020.

6 

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

7 

The total return calculation assumes that distributions are reinvested at NAV. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

8 

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.

9 

Annualized.

10

Includes non-recurring prepayment penalties and the write-off of debt issuance and offering costs recognized during the period totaling 1.24% of average net assets.

11

Not annualized.

12 

For the years ended November 30, 2021, 2020, 2019 and 2018, the net income tax benefit was 0.92%, 7.62%, 1.65% and 6.18%, respectively. The net income tax benefit is not reflected in the Fund’s expense ratios.

13

Annualized, except for income tax expenses.

14 

Included in the expense ratios are certain non-recurring legal and transfer agent fees that were incurred by the Fund during the period. Without these fees, the gross and net expense ratios would have been 4.97% and 4.90%, respectively.

15 

Reflects fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements.

16 

Represents value of net assets plus the loan outstanding, debt issuance outstanding and mandatory redeemable preferred stock at the end of the period divided by the loan and debt issuance outstanding at the end of the period.

17 

Includes prepayment penalties recognized during the period.

18 

Represents value of net assets plus the loan outstanding, debt issuance outstanding and mandatory redeemable preferred stock at the end of the period divided by the loan, debt issuance and mandatory redeemable preferred stock outstanding at the end of the period.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

10     ClearBridge MLP and Midstream Fund Inc. 2023 Semi-Annual Report


Notes to financial statements  (unaudited)

 

1. Organization and significant accounting policies

ClearBridge MLP and Midstream Fund Inc. (the “Fund”) was incorporated in Maryland on March 31, 2010 and is registered as a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The Board of Directors authorized 99,285,389 shares of $0.001 par value common stock. The Fund’s investment objective is to provide a high level of total return with an emphasis on cash distributions. The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing primarily in energy master limited partnerships (“MLPs”) and energy midstream entities. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.

Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its Managed Assets in energy MLPs and energy midstream entities (the 80% policy). For purposes of the 80% policy, the Fund considers investments in MLPs to include investments that offer economic exposure to public and private MLPs in the form of MLP equity securities, securities of entities holding primarily general partner or managing member interests in MLPs, securities that are derivatives of interests in MLPs (including I-Shares), exchange-traded funds that primarily hold MLP interests and debt securities of MLPs. For purposes of the 80% policy, the Fund considers investments in midstream entities as direct or indirect investments in those entities that provide midstream services including the gathering, transporting, processing, fractionation, storing, refining, and distribution of oil, natural gas liquids, natural gas and refined petroleum products. The Fund considers an entity to be within the energy sector if it derives at least 50% of its revenues from the business of exploring, developing, producing, gathering, fractionating, transporting, processing, storing, refining, distributing, mining or marketing natural gas, natural gas liquids (including propane), crude oil, refined petroleum products or coal. The Fund may also invest up to 20% of its managed assets in other securities that are not MLPs or midstream entities. “Managed Assets” means net assets plus the amount of borrowings and assets attributable to any preferred stock of the Fund that may be outstanding.

The Fund follows the accounting and reporting guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies (“ASC 946”). The following are significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund and are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), including, but not limited to, ASC 946. 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. Subsequent events have been evaluated through the date the financial statements were issued.

(a) Investment valuation. Equity securities for which market quotations are available are valued at the last reported sales price or official closing price on the primary market or exchange on which they trade. The valuations for fixed income securities (which may include, but are not limited to, corporate, government, municipal, mortgage-backed, collateralized mortgage obligations and asset-backed securities) and certain derivative

 

ClearBridge MLP and Midstream Fund Inc. 2023 Semi-Annual Report       11  


Notes to financial statements (unaudited) (cont’d)

 

instruments are typically the prices supplied by independent third party pricing services, which may use market prices or broker/dealer quotations or a variety of valuation techniques and methodologies. The independent third party pricing services typically use inputs that are observable such as issuer details, interest rates, yield curves, prepayment speeds, credit risks/spreads, default rates and quoted prices for similar securities. Investments in open-end funds are valued at the closing net asset value per share of each fund on the day of valuation. When the Fund holds securities or other assets that are denominated in a foreign currency, the Fund will normally use the currency exchange rates as of 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time). If independent third party pricing services are unable to supply prices for a portfolio investment, or if the prices supplied are deemed by the manager to be unreliable, the market price may be determined by the manager using quotations from one or more broker/dealers or at the transaction price if the security has recently been purchased and no value has yet been obtained from a pricing service or pricing broker. When reliable prices are not readily available, 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 values these securities as determined in accordance with procedures approved by the Fund’s Board of Directors.

Pursuant to policies adopted by the Board of Directors, the Fund’s manager has been designated as the valuation designee and is responsible for the oversight of the daily valuation process. The Fund’s manager is assisted by the Global Fund Valuation Committee (the “Valuation Committee”). The Valuation Committee is responsible for making fair value determinations, evaluating the effectiveness of the Fund’s pricing policies, and reporting to the Fund’s manager and the Board of Directors. When determining the reliability of third party pricing information for investments owned by the Fund, the Valuation Committee, among other things, conducts due diligence reviews of pricing vendors, monitors the daily change in prices and reviews transactions among market participants.

The Valuation Committee will consider pricing methodologies it deems relevant and appropriate when making fair value determinations. Examples of possible methodologies include, but are not limited to, multiple of earnings; discount from market of a similar freely traded security; discounted cash-flow analysis; book value or a multiple thereof; risk premium/yield analysis; yield to maturity; and/or fundamental investment analysis. The Valuation Committee will also consider factors it deems relevant and appropriate in light of the facts and circumstances. Examples of possible factors include, but are not limited to, the type of security; the issuer’s financial statements; the purchase price of the security; the discount from market value of unrestricted securities of the same class at the time of purchase; analysts’ research and observations from financial institutions; information regarding any transactions or offers with respect to the security; the existence of merger proposals or tender offers affecting the security; the price and extent of public trading in similar securities of the issuer or comparable companies; and the existence of a shelf registration for restricted securities.

 

12     ClearBridge MLP and Midstream Fund Inc. 2023 Semi-Annual Report


 

For each portfolio security that has been fair valued pursuant to the policies adopted by the Board of Directors, the fair value price is compared against the last available and next available market quotations. The Valuation Committee reviews the results of such back testing monthly and fair valuation occurrences are reported to the Board of Directors quarterly.

The Fund uses valuation techniques to measure fair value that are consistent with the market approach and/or income approach, depending on the type of security and the particular circumstance. The market approach uses prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable securities. The income approach uses valuation techniques to discount estimated future cash flows to present value.

GAAP establishes a disclosure hierarchy that categorizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to value assets and liabilities at measurement date. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

 

 

Level 1 — unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

 

 

Level 2 — other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

 

 

Level 3 — significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

The inputs or methodologies used to value securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

The following is a summary of the inputs used in valuing the Fund’s assets carried at fair value:

 

ASSETS  
Description  

Quoted Prices

(Level 1)

   

Other Significant

Observable Inputs

(Level 2)

   

Significant

Unobservable

Inputs

(Level 3)

    Total  
Long-Term Investments†:                                

Master Limited Partnerships

  $ 509,026,592                 $ 509,026,592  

Common Stocks

    228,231,472                   228,231,472  
Total Long-Term Investments     737,258,064                   737,258,064  
Short-Term Investments†     6,262,518                   6,262,518  
Total Investments   $ 743,520,582                 $ 743,520,582  

 

See Schedule of Investments for additional detailed categorizations.

(b) Net asset value. The Fund determines the net asset value of its common stock on each day the NYSE is open for business, as of the close of the customary trading session (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time), or any earlier closing time that day. The Fund determines the net asset value per share of common stock by dividing the value of the Fund’s securities,

 

ClearBridge MLP and Midstream Fund Inc. 2023 Semi-Annual Report       13  


Notes to financial statements (unaudited) (cont’d)

 

cash and other assets (including interest accrued but not collected) less all its liabilities (including accrued expenses, borrowings, interest payables and the aggregate liquidation value (i.e., $100,000 and $35 per outstanding share) of the Mandatory Redeemable Preferred Stock (“MRPS”)), net of income taxes, by the total number of shares of common stock outstanding.

(c) Master limited partnerships. Entities commonly referred to as “MLPs” are generally organized under state law as limited partnerships or limited liability companies. The Fund intends to primarily invest in MLPs receiving partnership taxation treatment under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and whose interests or “units” are traded on securities exchanges like shares of corporate stock. To be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, an MLP whose units are traded on a securities exchange must receive at least 90% of its income from qualifying sources such as interest, dividends, real estate rents, gain from the sale or disposition of real property, income and gain from mineral or natural resources activities, income and gain from the transportation or storage of certain fuels, and, in certain circumstances, income and gain from commodities or futures, forwards and options with respect to commodities. Mineral or natural resources activities include exploration, development, production, processing, mining, refining, marketing and transportation (including pipelines) of oil and gas, minerals, geothermal energy, fertilizer, timber or industrial source carbon dioxide. An MLP consists of a general partner and limited partners (or in the case of MLPs organized as limited liability companies, a managing member and members). The general partner or managing member typically controls the operations and management of the MLP and has an ownership stake in the partnership. The limited partners or members, through their ownership of limited partner or member interests, provide capital to the entity, are intended to have no role in the operation and management of the entity and receive cash distributions. The MLPs themselves generally do not pay U.S. federal income taxes. Thus, unlike investors in corporate securities, direct MLP investors are generally not subject to double taxation (i.e., corporate level tax and tax on corporate dividends). Currently, most MLPs operate in the energy and/or natural resources sector.

(d) 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 on 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 fluctuations 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

 

14     ClearBridge MLP and Midstream Fund Inc. 2023 Semi-Annual Report


 

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 values of assets and liabilities, other than investments in securities, on 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.

(e) Foreign investment risks. The Fund’s investments in foreign securities may involve risks not present in domestic investments. Since securities may be denominated in foreign currencies, may require settlement in foreign currencies or may pay interest or dividends in foreign currencies, changes in the relationship of these foreign currencies to the U.S. dollar can significantly affect the value of the investments and earnings of the Fund. Foreign investments may also subject the Fund to foreign government exchange restrictions, expropriation, taxation or other political, social or economic developments, all of which affect the market and/or credit risk of the investments.

(f) Concentration risk. Concentration in the energy sector may present more risks than if the Fund were broadly diversified over numerous sectors of the economy. A downturn in the energy sector of the economy could have a larger impact on the Fund than on an investment company that does not concentrate in the sector. At times, the performance of securities of companies in the sector may lag the performance of other sectors or the broader market as a whole.

(g) Security transactions and investment income. Security transactions are accounted for on a trade date basis. Interest income (including interest income from payment-in-kind securities), adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion of discount, is recorded on the accrual basis. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date for dividends received in cash and/or securities. Foreign dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date or as soon as practicable 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 or a credit event occurs that impacts the issuer, the Fund may halt any additional interest income accruals and consider the realizability of interest accrued up to the date of default or credit event.

(h) Return of capital estimates. Distributions received from the Fund’s investments in MLPs generally are comprised of income and return of capital. The Fund records investment income and return of capital based on estimates made at the time such distributions are received. Such estimates are based on historical information available from each MLP and

 

ClearBridge MLP and Midstream Fund Inc. 2023 Semi-Annual Report       15  


Notes to financial statements (unaudited) (cont’d)

 

other industry sources. These estimates may subsequently be revised based on information received from the MLPs after their tax reporting periods are concluded.

For the six months ended May 31, 2023, the Fund estimated that approximately 76% of the MLP distributions received would be treated as a return of capital. The Fund recorded as return of capital the amount of $21,914,255 of dividends and distributions received from its investments.

Additionally, the Fund updated the return of capital estimates from the year ended November 30, 2022 based on actual amounts subsequently reported to the Fund. This resulted in an increase of $227,537 in net dividends and distributions received from investments.

(i) Partnership accounting policy. The Fund records its pro rata share of the income (loss) and capital gains (losses), to the extent of distributions it has received, allocated from the underlying partnerships and accordingly adjusts the cost basis of the underlying partnerships for return of capital. These amounts are included in the Fund’s Statement of Operations.

(j) Distributions to shareholders. Distributions to common shareholders are declared and paid on a quarterly basis and are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The estimated characterization of the distributions paid to common shareholders will be either a dividend (ordinary income), distribution (return of capital) or combination of both. This estimate is based on the Fund’s operating results during the period. The Fund anticipates that 100% of its current period distributions will be comprised of return of capital. The actual tax characterization of the common stock distributions made during the current year will not be determined until after the end of the fiscal year when the Fund can determine its earnings and profits and, therefore, may differ from the preliminary estimates.

Distributions to holders of MRPS are accrued on a daily basis as described in Note 7 and are treated as an operating expense as required by GAAP. For tax purposes, the payments made to the holders of the Fund’s MRPS are treated as a dividend (ordinary income) or distribution (return of capital) similar to the treatment of distributions made to common shareholders as described above. The Fund anticipates that 100% of its current period distributions to the MRPS shareholders will be treated as return of capital. The actual tax characterization of the MRPS distributions made during the current year will not be determined until after the end of the fiscal year when the Fund can determine its earnings and profits and, therefore, may differ from the preliminary estimates.

(k) Compensating balance arrangements. The Fund has an arrangement with its custodian bank whereby a portion of the custodian’s fees is paid indirectly by credits earned on the Fund’s cash on deposit with the bank.

(l) Federal and other taxes. The Fund, as a corporation, is obligated to pay federal and state income tax on its taxable income. The Fund invests its assets primarily in MLPs, which generally are treated as partnerships for federal income tax purposes. As a limited partner

 

16     ClearBridge MLP and Midstream Fund Inc. 2023 Semi-Annual Report


 

in the MLPs, the Fund includes its allocable share of the MLP’s taxable income in computing its own taxable income. The Fund, and entities in which the Fund invests, may be subject to audit by the Internal Revenue Service or other applicable tax authorities. The Fund’s taxable income or tax liability for prior taxable years could be adjusted if there is an audit of the Fund, or of any entity that is treated as a partnership for tax purposes in which the Fund holds an equity interest. The Fund may be required to pay tax, as well as interest and penalties, in connection with such an adjustment.

Deferred income taxes reflect (i) taxes on unrealized gains (losses), which are attributable to the temporary difference between fair market value and book basis, (ii) the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes and, as applicable, (iii) the net tax benefit of accumulated net operating losses, capital losses and tax credit carryforwards. To the extent the Fund has a deferred tax asset, consideration is given as to whether or not a valuation allowance is required. The need to establish a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets is assessed periodically by management of the Fund based on Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”), Accounting Standards Codification Topic 740, Income Taxes (“ASC 740”) that it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. In the assessment for a valuation allowance, consideration is given to all positive and negative evidence related to the realization of the deferred tax asset. This assessment considers, among other matters, the nature, frequency and severity of current and cumulative losses, forecasts of future profitability (which are highly dependent on future allocations of taxable income and future cash distributions from the Fund’s MLP holdings), the duration of statutory carryforward periods and the associated risk that net operating losses, capital losses and tax credit carryforwards may expire unused.

For all open tax years and for all major jurisdictions, management of the Fund has concluded that there are no significant uncertain tax positions that would require recognition in the financial statements. Furthermore, management of the Fund is also not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change in the next twelve months.

The Fund may rely to some extent on information provided by the MLPs, which may not necessarily be timely, to estimate taxable income and gains allocable from the MLP units held in the portfolio and to estimate the associated deferred tax liability. Such estimates are made in good faith. From time to time, as new information becomes available, the Fund modifies its estimates or assumptions regarding the current and deferred tax liabilities.

The Fund’s policy is to classify interest and penalties associated with underpayment of federal and state income taxes, if any, as income tax expense on its Statement of Operations. The 2018 through 2022 tax years remain open and subject to examination by tax jurisdictions.

 

ClearBridge MLP and Midstream Fund Inc. 2023 Semi-Annual Report       17  


Notes to financial statements (unaudited) (cont’d)

 

(m) Reclassification. GAAP requires that certain components of net assets be reclassified to reflect permanent differences between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset value per share. During the current period, the Fund had no reclassifications.

2. Investment management agreement and other transactions with affiliates

Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (“LMPFA”) is the Fund’s investment manager and ClearBridge Investments, LLC (“ClearBridge”) is the Fund’s subadviser. LMPFA and ClearBridge are indirect, wholly-owned subsidiaries of Franklin Resources, Inc. (“Franklin Resources”).

Under the investment management agreement, the Fund pays LMPFA an annual fee, paid monthly, in an amount equal to 1.00% of the Fund’s average daily Managed Assets.

LMPFA provides administrative and certain oversight services to the Fund. LMPFA delegates to the subadviser the day-to-day portfolio management of the Fund. For its services, LMPFA pays ClearBridge a fee monthly, at an annual rate equal to 70% of the net management fee it receives from the Fund.

During periods in which the Fund utilizes financial leverage, the fees paid to LMPFA 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.

Effective March 1, 2021, LMPFA implemented a voluntary investment management fee waiver of 0.05% that will continue until May 31, 2024.

During the six months ended May 31, 2023, fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed amounted to $194,006.

All officers and one Director of the Fund are employees of Franklin Resources or its affiliates and do not receive compensation from the Fund.

3. Investments

During the six months ended May 31, 2023, the aggregate cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investments (excluding short-term investments) were as follows:

 

Purchases      $ 217,237,650  
Sales        210,022,266  

4. Derivative instruments and hedging activities

During the six months ended May 31, 2023, the Fund did not invest in derivative instruments.

5. Loan

The Fund has a revolving credit agreement with The Bank of Nova Scotia (“Credit Agreement”), which allows the Fund to borrow up to an aggregate amount of $195,000,000. The Credit Agreement is subject to a scheduled commitment termination date of

 

18     ClearBridge MLP and Midstream Fund Inc. 2023 Semi-Annual Report


 

December 13, 2023. The Fund pays a commitment fee on the unutilized portion of the loan commitment amount at an annual rate of 0.25%, except that the commitment fee is 0.15% in the event that the aggregate outstanding principal balance of the loan is equal to or greater than 75% of the current commitment amount. The interest on the loan is calculated at a variable rate based on adjusted Term SOFR plus any applicable margin. Securities held by the Fund are subject to a lien, granted to The Bank of Nova Scotia, to the extent of the borrowing outstanding and any additional expenses. The Fund’s Credit Agreement contains customary covenants that, among other things, may limit the Fund’s ability to pay distributions in certain circumstances, incur additional debt, change its fundamental investment policies and engage in certain transactions, including mergers and consolidations and require asset coverage ratios in addition to those required by the 1940 Act. In addition, the Credit Agreement may be subject to early termination under certain conditions and may contain other provisions that could limit the Fund’s ability to utilize borrowing under the agreement. At May 31, 2023, the Fund had $138,000,000 of borrowings outstanding per this Credit Agreement. Interest expense related to this loan for the six months ended May 31, 2023 was $3,923,537. For the six months ended May 31, 2023, the Fund incurred commitment fees of $73,402. For the six months ended May 31, 2023, the average daily loan balance was $136,923,077 and the weighted average interest rate was 5.67%.

6. Senior secured notes

At May 31, 2023, the Fund had $54,282,189 aggregate principal amount of fixed-rate senior secured notes (“Senior Notes”) outstanding. Interest expense related to the Senior Notes for the six months ended May 31, 2023 was $1,046,116. Costs incurred by the Fund in connection with the Senior Notes are recorded as a deferred charge and are amortized over the life of the notes. Securities held by the Fund are subject to a lien, granted to the Senior Notes holders, to the extent of the borrowings outstanding and any additional expenses. The Senior Notes holders and the lender have equal access to the lien (See Note 5).

The table below summarizes the key terms of each series of Senior Notes at May 31, 2023.

 

Security    Amount      Rate      Maturity     

Estimated

Fair Value

 
Senior secured notes:                                    
Series D    $ 16,788,306        4.21      July 12, 2024      $ 16,286,232  
Series A      9,326,836        3.65      June 6, 2023        9,004,255  
Series B      9,326,836        3.78      June 6, 2025        8,840,068  
Series A      2,984,588        4.20      April 30, 2026        2,818,246  
Series I      4,663,419        3.46      June 11, 2025        4,392,924  
Series J      4,663,419        3.56      June 11, 2027        4,238,671  
Series K      6,528,785        3.76      June 11, 2030        5,662,712  
     $ 54,282,189                        $ 51,243,108  

The Senior Notes are not listed on any exchange or automated quotation system. The estimated fair value of the Senior Notes was calculated, for disclosure purposes, based on

 

ClearBridge MLP and Midstream Fund Inc. 2023 Semi-Annual Report       19  


Notes to financial statements (unaudited) (cont’d)

 

estimated market yields and credit spreads for comparable instruments with similar maturity, terms and structure. The Senior Notes are categorized as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy.

7. Mandatory redeemable preferred stock

At May 31, 2023, the Fund had 714,611 shares of fixed rate MRPS outstanding with an aggregate liquidation value of $57,400,045. Offering costs incurred by the Fund in connection with the MRPS issuance are being amortized to expense over the respective life of each series of MRPS.

On January 8, 2023, which was the scheduled redemption date, the Fund redeemed 64 shares of Series H MRPS at a liquidation value of $6,400,000 plus any accumulated unpaid dividends.

The table below summarizes the key terms of each series of the MRPS at May 31, 2023.

 

Series   

Term

Redemption

Date

     Rate      Shares     

Liquidation

Preference

Per Share

    

Aggregate

Liquidation

Value

    

Estimated

Fair Value

 
Series I      6/11/2025        4.16      160      $ 100,000      $ 16,000,000      $ 15,136,092  
Series J      6/11/2025        4.16      82        100,000        8,200,000        7,757,247  
Series K      6/11/2027        4.26      82        100,000        8,200,000        7,517,513  
Series L      11/17/2029        7.12      428,572        35        15,000,020        15,393,525  
Series M      11/17/2032        7.28      285,715        35        10,000,025        10,408,951  
                                         $ 57,400,045      $ 56,213,328  

The MRPS are not listed on any exchange or automated quotation system. The estimated fair value of the MRPS was calculated, for disclosure purposes, based on estimated market yields and credit spreads for comparable instruments with similar maturity, terms and structure. The MRPS are categorized as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy.

Holders of MRPS are entitled to receive quarterly cumulative cash dividends payable on the first business day following each quarterly dividend date (February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15). In the event of a rating downgrade of any series of the MRPS below “A” by a nationally recognized statistical ratings organization (“NRSRO”) then providing a rating, the applicable dividend rate will increase by 0.5% to 4.0% according to a predetermined schedule.

The MRPS rank senior to the Fund’s outstanding common stock and on parity with any other preferred stock. The Fund may, at its option, redeem the MRPS, in whole or in part, at the liquidation preference amount plus all accumulated but unpaid dividends plus the make whole amount equal to the discounted value of the remaining scheduled payments. If the Fund fails to maintain a total leverage (debt and preferred stock) asset coverage ratio of at least 225% or, if applicable, is in default of specified rating agency requirements, the MRPS are subject to mandatory redemption and penalties under certain provisions.

 

20     ClearBridge MLP and Midstream Fund Inc. 2023 Semi-Annual Report


 

The Fund may not declare dividends or make other distributions on shares of its common stock unless the Fund has declared and paid full cumulative dividends on the MRPS, due on or prior to the date of the common stock dividend or distribution, and meets the MRPS asset coverage and, if applicable, rating agency requirements.

The holders of Series L and Series M MRPS have one vote per share and the holders of Series I, Series J and Series K MRPS have one vote for every $35.00 of liquidation preference held. Holders of MRPS vote together with the holders of common stock of the Fund as a single class, except on matters affecting only the holders of MRPS or the holders of common stock. Pursuant to the 1940 Act, holders of the MRPS have the right to elect two Directors of the Fund, voting separately as a class.

8. Stock repurchase program

On November 16, 2015, the Fund announced that the Fund’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) had authorized the Fund to repurchase in the open market up to approximately 10% of the Fund’s outstanding common stock when the Fund’s shares are trading at a discount to net asset value. On July 29, 2022, the Fund announced that the Board had authorized the amendment of the Fund’s repurchase program under which the Fund may continue to repurchase in the open market up to an additional 10% of the Fund’s outstanding common stock when the Fund’s shares are trading at a discount to net asset value. The Board has directed management of the Fund to continue to repurchase shares of common stock at such times and in such amounts as management reasonably believes may enhance stockholder value. The Fund is under no obligation to purchase shares at any specific discount levels or in any specific amounts.

During the six months ended May 31, 2023, the Fund repurchased and retired 1.14% of its common shares outstanding under the repurchase plan. The weighted average discount per share on these repurchases was 14.63% for the six months ended May 31, 2023. During the year ended November 30, 2022, the Fund repurchased and retired 0.60% of its common shares outstanding under the repurchase plan. The weighted average discount per share on these repurchases was 17.88% for the year ended November 30, 2022. Shares repurchased and the corresponding dollar amount are included in the Statements of Changes in Net Assets. The anti-dilutive impact of these share repurchases is included in the Financial Highlights.

Since the commencement of the stock repurchase program through May 31, 2023, the Fund repurchased 938,736 shares or 5.60% of its common shares outstanding for a total amount of $19,937,601.

 

ClearBridge MLP and Midstream Fund Inc. 2023 Semi-Annual Report       21  


Notes to financial statements (unaudited) (cont’d)

 

9. Income taxes

The Fund’s federal and state income tax provisions consist of the following:

 

      Federal      State      Total  
Current tax expense (benefit)    $ 3,533,461      $ 261,139      $ 3,794,600  
Deferred tax expense (benefit)                     
Total tax expense (benefit)    $ 3,533,461      $ 261,139      $ 3,794,600  

Total income taxes have been computed by applying the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate of 21% plus a blended net state income tax rate of 1.2%. The Fund applied this rate to net investment income (loss) and realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments before income taxes in computing its total income tax expense (benefit).

The provision for income taxes differs from the amount derived from applying the statutory income tax rate to net investment income (loss) and realized and unrealized gains (losses) before income taxes as follows:

 

Provision at statutory rates      21.00    $ (10,381,093)  
State taxes, net of federal tax benefit      1.20      (593,205)  
Non-deductible distributions on MRPS, dividends received deduction and other, net (federal and state)      (0.15)      73,430  
Change in valuation allowance      (29.73)      14,695,468  
Total tax expense (benefit)      (7.68)    $ 3,794,600  

Components of the Fund’s net deferred tax asset (liability) as of May 31, 2023 are as follows:

 

Deferred tax assets           
Net operating loss carryforward      $ 3,832,525  
Capital loss carryforward        44,126,017  
Other deferred tax assets        3,269,017  
Deferred tax liabilities           
Unrealized gains on investment securities        (10,100,217)  
Basis reduction resulting from differences in the book vs. taxable income received from MLPs        (22,973,474)  
Net deferred tax asset (liability) before valuation allowance        18,153,868  
Less: Valuation allowance        (18,153,868)  
Total net deferred tax asset (liability)         

At May 31, 2023, the Fund had federal and state net operating loss carryforwards of $17,016,897 and $5,802,441 (net of state apportionment), respectively (deferred tax asset of $3,832,525). Several states compute net operating losses before apportionment, therefore the value of the state net operating loss carryforward disclosed may fluctuate for changes in apportionment factors. Realization of the deferred tax asset related to the net operating loss carryforward is dependent, in part, on generating sufficient taxable income in each respective jurisdiction prior to expiration of the loss carryforward. If not utilized, the state

 

22     ClearBridge MLP and Midstream Fund Inc. 2023 Semi-Annual Report


 

net operating loss carryforward either expires in tax years between 2029 and 2042 or has an indefinite carryforward. The federal net operating loss carryforward does not have an expiration.

Additionally, at May 31, 2023, the Fund had federal and state capital loss carryforwards of $198,765,844 (deferred tax asset of $44,126,017), which may be carried forward for 5 years. During the period ended May 31, 2023, the Fund utilized $6,540,792 of capital loss carryforward available from previous years. If not utilized, the capital loss carryforward expires in tax year 2024. For corporations, capital losses can only be used to offset capital gains and cannot be used to offset ordinary income. Therefore, the use of this capital loss carryforward is dependent upon the Fund generating sufficient net capital gains prior to the expiration of the loss carryforward.

The amount of net operating loss and capital loss carryforwards differed from the amounts disclosed in the prior year financial statements due to differences between the estimated and actual amounts of taxable income received from the MLPs for the prior year.

Cumulative net operating losses and capital losses incurred and expected to be incurred have resulted in the Fund having a net deferred tax asset as of May 31, 2023. Note 1(l) describes the assessment required under ASC 740 to determine whether a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets is necessary using a more likely than not standard of realizability. Based on that assessment, management has determined that the Fund is not expected to be able to generate significant future taxable income of the appropriate character in order to realize its deferred tax assets, and accordingly has determined that a full valuation allowance on its net deferred tax asset is appropriate at this time. The capital loss carryforward is a material component of the net deferred tax asset and also has a five-year expiration. If in the future, a valuation allowance is required to reserve against an individual deferred tax asset, such as the capital loss carryforward, it could have a material impact on the Fund’s net asset value and results of operations in the period it is recorded.

At May 31, 2023, the cost basis of investments for Federal income tax purposes was $600,812,663. At May 31, 2023, gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of investments for Federal income tax purposes were as follows:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation      $ 180,724,033  
Gross unrealized depreciation        (38,016,114)  
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) before tax      $ 142,707,919  
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) after tax      $ 111,026,761  

10. Recent accounting pronouncement and regulatory update

On August 16, 2022, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (the “Act”) into law. The Act, among other things, imposes a nondeductible 1 percent excise tax on public company stock buybacks. This excise tax is applicable to the fair market value of stock repurchased after December 31, 2022, and may include both common and preferred stock. The Act also imposes a 15 percent corporate alternative minimum tax on the adjusted financial statement income of large corporations for taxable years beginning after

 

ClearBridge MLP and Midstream Fund Inc. 2023 Semi-Annual Report       23  


Notes to financial statements (unaudited) (cont’d)

 

December 31, 2022. Management anticipates forthcoming proposed regulations from the Treasury Department to determine the impact of the Act, however based on interim guidance currently does not believe such potential impact to be material to the Fund.

*  *  *

In June 2022, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2022-03, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) – Fair Value Measurement of Equity Securities Subject to Contractual Sale Restrictions. The amendments in the ASU clarify that a contractual restriction on the sale of an equity security is not considered part of the unit of account of the equity security and, therefore, should not be considered in measuring fair value. The ASU is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2023, with the option of early adoption. Management has reviewed the requirements and believes that the adoption of the ASU will not have a material impact on the financial statements.

11. Subsequent event

On July 21, 2023, the Fund was served with a complaint by Saba Capital Master Fund, Ltd. and Saba Capital Management, L.P. dated June 29, 2023 (the “Complaint”). The Complaint, filed with the United States District Court, Southern District of New York, alleges that the control share provisions of the Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act (“MCSAA”) that apply to the Fund under Maryland law violate the 1940 Act. The Complaint also asks the court to rescind the application of the MCSAA provisions to the Fund and a declaration that the MCSAA provisions are void. Fifteen other closed-end investment companies registered under the 1940 Act were also named in the Complaint. As of the date these financial statements were issued, the court has not ruled on these allegations or the plaintiffs’ related requests for judgment. At this time no reasonable estimate can be made as to the potential outcome of the complaint nor any possible loss or damage to the Fund.

 

24     ClearBridge MLP and Midstream Fund Inc. 2023 Semi-Annual Report


Board approval of management and subadvisory agreements (unaudited)

 

Background

The Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), requires that the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of ClearBridge MLP and Midstream Fund Inc. (the “Fund”), including a majority of its members who are not considered to be “interested persons” under the 1940 Act (the “Independent Directors”) voting separately, approve on an annual basis the continuation of the investment management agreement (the “Management Agreement”) between the Fund and the Fund’s manager, Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (the “Manager”), and the sub-advisory agreement (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement”) between the Manager and ClearBridge Investments, LLC (the “Sub-Adviser”), an affiliate of the Manager, with respect to the Fund.

At an in-person meeting (the “Contract Renewal Meeting”) held on May 9-10, 2023, the Board, including the Independent Directors, considered and approved the continuation of each of the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement for an additional one-year period. To assist in its consideration of the renewal of each of the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement, the Board received and considered extensive information (together with the information provided at the Contract Renewal Meeting, the “Contract Renewal Information”) about the Manager and the Sub-Adviser, as well as the management and sub-advisory arrangements for the Fund and the other closed-end funds in the same complex under the Board’s purview (the “Franklin Templeton/Legg Mason Closed-end Funds”), certain portions of which are discussed below.

A presentation made by the Manager and the Sub-Adviser to the Board at the Contract Renewal Meeting in connection with the Board’s evaluation of each of the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement encompassed the Fund and other Franklin Templeton/Legg Mason Closed-end Funds. In addition to the Contract Renewal Information, the Board received performance and other information throughout the year related to the respective services rendered by the Manager and the Sub-Adviser to the Fund. The Board’s evaluation took into account the information received throughout the year and also reflected the knowledge and experience gained as members of the Boards of the Fund and other Franklin Templeton/Legg Mason Closed-end Funds with respect to the services provided to the Fund by the Manager and the Sub-Adviser. The information received and considered by the Board (including its various committees) in conjunction with both the Contract Renewal Meeting and throughout the year was both written and oral. The contractual arrangements discussed below are the product of multiple years of review and negotiation and information received and considered by the Board during each of those years.

At a meeting held on April 18, 2023, the Independent Directors, in preparation for the Contract Renewal Meeting, met in a private session with their independent legal counsel to review the Contract Renewal Information regarding the Franklin Templeton/Legg Mason

 

ClearBridge MLP and Midstream Fund Inc.       25  


Board approval of management and subadvisory agreements (unaudited) (cont’d)

 

Closed-end Funds, including the Fund, received to date. No representatives of the Manager or the Sub-Adviser participated in this meeting. Following the April 18, 2023 meeting, the Independent Directors submitted certain questions and requests for additional information to Fund management. The Independent Directors also met in private sessions with their independent legal counsel to consider the Contract Renewal Information and Fund management’s responses to the Independent Directors’ questions and requests for additional information in advance of and during the Contract Renewal Meeting. The discussion below reflects all of these reviews.

The Manager provides the Fund with investment advisory and administrative services pursuant to the Management Agreement and the Sub-Adviser provides the Fund with investment sub-advisory services pursuant to the Sub-Advisory Agreement. The discussion below covers both the advisory and administrative functions being rendered by the Manager, each such function being encompassed by the Management Agreement, and the investment sub-advisory functions being rendered by the Sub-Adviser pursuant to the Sub-Advisory Agreement.

Board Approval of Management Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreement

The Independent Directors were advised by separate independent legal counsel throughout the process. Prior to voting, the Independent Directors received a memorandum discussing the legal standards for their consideration of the proposed continuation of the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement. The Independent Directors considered the Management Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreement separately during the course of their review. In doing so, they noted the respective roles of the Manager and the Sub-Adviser in providing services to the Fund.

In approving the continuation of the Management Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreement, the Board, including the Independent Directors, considered a variety of factors, including those factors discussed below. No single factor reviewed by the Board was identified by the Board as the principal factor in determining whether to approve the continuation of the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement. Each Director may have attributed different weight to the various factors in evaluating the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement.

After considering all relevant factors and information, the Board, exercising its reasonable business judgment, determined that the continuation of the Management Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreement were in the best interests of the Fund’s shareholders and approved the continuation of each such agreement for an additional one-year period.

 

26     ClearBridge MLP and Midstream Fund Inc.


 

Nature, Extent and Quality of the Services under the Management Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreement

The Board received and considered Contract Renewal Information regarding the nature, extent, and quality of services provided to the Fund by the Manager and the Sub-Adviser under the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement, respectively, during the past year. The Board noted information received at regular meetings throughout the year related to the services provided by the Manager in its management of the Fund’s affairs and the Manager’s role in coordinating the activities of the Sub-Adviser and the Fund’s other service providers. The Board observed that the scope of services provided by the Manager and the Sub-Adviser, and of the undertakings required of the Manager and Sub-Adviser in connection with those services, including maintaining and monitoring their respective compliance programs as well as the Fund’s compliance programs had expanded over time as a result of regulatory, market and other developments. The Board also noted that on a regular basis it received and reviewed information from the Manager and the Sub-Adviser regarding the Fund’s compliance policies and procedures established pursuant to Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act. The Board also considered the risks borne by the Manager, the Sub-Adviser and their respective affiliates on behalf of the Fund, including entrepreneurial, operational, reputational, litigation and regulatory risks, as well as the Manager’s and the Sub-Adviser’s risk management processes.

The Board reviewed the qualifications, backgrounds, and responsibilities of the Manager’s senior personnel and the Sub-Adviser’s portfolio management team primarily responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management of the Fund. The Board also considered, based on its knowledge of the Manager and its affiliates, the financial resources of Franklin Resources, Inc., the parent organization of the Manager and the Sub-Adviser. The Board recognized the importance of having a fund manager with significant resources.

The Board considered the division of responsibilities between the Manager and the Sub-Adviser under the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement, respectively, including the Manager’s coordination and oversight of the services provided to the Fund by the Sub-Adviser and other fund service providers. The Management Agreement permits the Manager to delegate certain of its responsibilities, including its investment advisory duties thereunder, provided that the Manager, in each case, will supervise the activities of the delegee.

In reaching its determinations regarding continuation of the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement, the Board took into account that Fund stockholders, in pursuing their investment goals and objectives, may have purchased their shares of the Fund based upon the reputation and the investment style, philosophy and strategy of the Manager and the Sub-Adviser, as well as the resources available to the Manager and the Sub-Adviser.

 

ClearBridge MLP and Midstream Fund Inc.       27  


Board approval of management and subadvisory agreements (unaudited) (cont’d)

 

The Board concluded that, overall, the nature, extent, and quality of the management and other services provided (and expected to be provided) to the Fund, under the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement were satisfactory.

Fund Performance

The Board received and considered information regarding Fund performance, including information and analyses (the “Broadridge Performance Information”) for the Fund, as well as for a group of comparable funds (the “Performance Universe”) selected by Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (“Broadridge”), an independent third-party provider of investment company data. The Board was provided with a description of the methodology Broadridge used to determine the similarity of the Fund with the funds included in the Performance Universe. It was noted that while the Board found the Broadridge Performance Information generally useful, they recognized its limitations, including that the data may vary depending on the end date selected, and that the results of the performance comparisons may vary depending on the selection of the peer group and its composition over time. The Board also noted that Board members had received and discussed with the Manager and the Sub-Adviser information throughout the year at periodic intervals comparing the Fund’s performance against its benchmark and against the Fund’s peers. In addition, the Board considered the Fund’s performance in view of overall financial market conditions.

The Broadridge Performance Information comparing the Fund’s performance to that of its Performance Universe, consisting of the Fund and all leveraged closed-end energy MLP funds classified by Broadridge, regardless of asset size, showed, among other data, that based on net asset value per share, the Fund’s performance was above the median for the 1- and 10-year periods ended December 31, 2022, and was below the median for the 3- and 5-year periods ended December 31, 2022. The Board noted the explanations from the Manager and the Sub-Adviser regarding the Fund’s relative performance versus the Performance Universe for the various periods.

Based on the reviews and discussions of Fund performance and considering other relevant factors, including an agreement at the Contract Renewal Meeting by the Manager to continue the current voluntary fee waiver of 0.05% through May 31, 2024 (the “Fee Waiver”) and other factors noted above, the Board concluded, under the circumstances, that continuation of the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement for an additional one-year period would be consistent with the interests of the Fund and its stockholders.

Management and Sub-Advisory Fees and Expense Ratios

The Board reviewed and considered the contractual management fee (the “Contractual Management Fee”) and the actual management fee (the “Actual Management Fee”) payable by the Fund to the Manager under the Management Agreement and the sub-advisory fee (the “Sub-Advisory Fee”) payable by the Manager to the Sub-Adviser under the

 

28     ClearBridge MLP and Midstream Fund Inc.


 

Sub-Advisory Agreement in view of the nature, extent and overall quality of the management, investment advisory and other services provided by the Manager and the Sub-Adviser, respectively. The Board noted that the Sub-Advisory Fee is paid by the Manager, not the Fund, and, accordingly, that the retention of the Sub-Adviser does not increase the fees or expenses otherwise incurred by the Fund’s stockholders.

In addition, the Board received and considered information and analyses prepared by Broadridge (the “Broadridge Expense Information”) comparing the Contractual Management Fee and the Actual Management Fee and the Fund’s total actual expenses with those of funds in an expense group (the “Expense Group”), as well as a broader group of funds, each selected and provided by Broadridge. The comparison was based upon the constituent funds’ latest fiscal years. It was noted that while the Board found the Broadridge Expense Information generally useful, they recognized its limitations, including that the data may vary depending on the selection of the peer group.

The Broadridge Expense Information showed that the Fund’s Contractual Management Fee was equal to the median. The Broadridge Expense Information also showed that the Fund’s Actual Management Fee was above the median compared on the basis of common share assets and below the median compared on the basis of leveraged assets. The Broadridge Expense Information also showed that the Fund’s actual total expenses were above the median based on both common share assets and leveraged assets. The Board took into account management’s discussion of the Fund’s expenses and noted the limited size of the Expense Group. The Board also considered the Manager’s agreement to continue the Fee Waiver for an additional year.

The Board also reviewed Contract Renewal Information regarding fees charged by the Manager and/or the Sub-Adviser to other U.S. clients investing primarily in an asset class similar to that of the Fund, including, where applicable, institutional and separate accounts. The Manager reviewed with the Board the differences in services provided to these different types of accounts, noting that the Fund is provided with certain administrative services, office facilities, and Fund officers, and that the Fund is subject not only to heightened regulatory requirements relative to institutional clients but also to requirements for listing on the New York Stock Exchange, and that the Manager coordinates and oversees the provision of services to the Fund by other fund service providers. The Board considered the fee comparisons in view of the different services provided in managing these other types of clients and funds.

The Board considered the overall management fee, the fees of the Sub-Adviser and the amount of the management fee retained by the Manager after payment of the subadvisory fee in each case in view of the services rendered for those amounts. The Board also received an analysis of complex-wide management fees provided by the Manager, which, among other things, set out a framework of fees based on asset classes.

 

ClearBridge MLP and Midstream Fund Inc.       29  


Board approval of management and subadvisory agreements (unaudited) (cont’d)

 

Taking all of the above into consideration, as well as the factors identified below, the Board determined that the management fee and the Sub-Advisory Fee were reasonable in view of the nature, extent and overall quality of the management, investment advisory and other services provided by the Manager and the Sub-Adviser to the Fund under the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement, respectively.

Manager Profitability

The Board, as part of the Contract Renewal Information, received an analysis of the profitability to the Manager and its affiliates in providing services to the Fund for the Manager’s fiscal years ended September 30, 2022 and September 30, 2021. The Board also received profitability information with respect to the Franklin Templeton/Legg Mason fund complex as a whole. In addition, the Board received Contract Renewal Information with respect to the Manager’s revenue and cost allocation methodologies used in preparing such profitability data. It was noted that the allocation methodologies had been reviewed by an outside consultant. The profitability to the Sub-Adviser was not considered to be a material factor in the Board’s considerations since the Sub-Advisory Fee is paid by the Manager, not the Fund, although the Board noted the affiliation of the Manager with the Sub-Adviser. The profitability of the Manager and its affiliates was considered by the Board to be reasonable in view of the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund.

Economies of Scale

The Board received and discussed Contract Renewal Information concerning whether the Manager realizes economies of scale if the Fund’s assets grow. The Board noted that because the Fund is a closed-end fund it has limited ability to increase its assets. The Board determined that the management fee structure was appropriate under the circumstances. For similar reasons as stated above with respect to the Sub-Adviser’s profitability and the costs of the Sub-Adviser’s provision of services, the Board did not consider the potential for economies of scale in the Sub-Adviser’s management of the Fund to be a material factor in the Board’s consideration of the Sub-Advisory Agreement.

Other Benefits to the Manager and the Sub-Adviser

The Board considered other benefits received by the Manager, the Sub-Adviser and their affiliates as a result of their relationship with the Fund, including the opportunity to offer additional products and services to the Fund’s shareholders. In view of the costs of providing investment management and other services to the Fund and the ongoing commitment of the Manager and the Sub-Adviser to the Fund, the Board considered that the ancillary benefits that the Manager and its affiliates, including the Sub-Adviser, were reasonable.

 

30     ClearBridge MLP and Midstream Fund Inc.


Additional shareholder information (unaudited)

 

Results of annual meeting of shareholders

The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of ClearBridge MLP and Midstream Fund Inc. was held on April 14, 2023 and reconvened on May 12, 2023 and June 2, 2023 for the purpose of considering and voting upon the proposals presented at the Meeting. The following table provides information concerning the matters voted upon at the Meeting:

Election of Directors

 

Nominees   

Outstanding

Voting

Securities of

Common

Shares and

Preferred

Shares, voting

together,

Voted FOR

Election

    

Outstanding

Voting

Securities

of Common

Shares and

Preferred

Shares,

voting

together,

WITHHELD

    

Outstanding

Voting

Securities of

Common

Shares and

Preferred

Shares,

voting

together,

ABSTAIN

    

Outstanding

Voting

Securities of

Preferred

Shares, Voted

FOR Election

    

Outstanding

Voting

Securities of

Preferred

Shares,

WITHHELD

    

Outstanding

Voting

Securities of

Preferred

Shares,

ABSTAIN

 
Carol L.                  
Colman      7,560,645        5,111,891        883,903                       
Paolo M.                  
Cucchi      7,523,439        5,137,087        895,913                       
Daniel P.                  
Cronin                           1,640,001                

As of the record date of the Annual Meeting, 13,320,195 voting securities of common stock were outstanding and 1,640,001 voting securities of preferred stock were outstanding. The total number of outstanding voting securities as of the record date was 14,960,196.

At May 31, 2023, in addition to Carol L. Colman, Paolo M. Cucchi and Daniel P. Cronin, the other Directors of the Fund were as follows:

Robert D. Agdern

Eileen A. Kamerick

Nisha Kumar

Jane Trust

Ratification of Selection of Independent Registered Public Accountants

To ratify the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”) as independent registered public accountants of the Fund for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2023.

 

FOR   AGAINST   ABSTAIN
11,965,392   164,439   50,416

 

ClearBridge MLP and Midstream Fund Inc.       31  


Dividend reinvestment plan (unaudited)

 

Unless you elect to receive distributions in cash (i.e., opt-out), all dividends, including any capital gain dividends and return of capital distributions, on your Common Stock will be automatically reinvested by Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as agent for the stockholders (the “Plan Agent”), in additional shares of Common Stock under the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the “Plan”). You may elect not to participate in the Plan by contacting the Plan Agent. If you do not participate, you will receive all cash distributions paid by check mailed directly to you by Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as dividend paying agent.

If you participate in the Plan, the number of shares of Common Stock you will receive will be determined as follows:

(1) If the market price of the Common Stock (plus $0.03 per share commission) on the payment date (or, if the payment date is not a NYSE trading day, the immediately preceding trading day) is equal to or exceeds the net asset value per share of the Common Stock at the close of trading on the NYSE on the payment date, the Fund will issue new Common Stock at a price equal to the greater of (a) the net asset value per share at the close of trading on the NYSE on the payment date or (b) 95% of the market price per share of the Common Stock on the payment date.

(2) If the net asset value per share of the Common Stock exceeds the market price of the Common Stock (plus $0.03 per share commission) at the close of trading on the NYSE on the payment date, the Plan Agent will receive the dividend or distribution in cash and will buy Common Stock in the open market, on the NYSE or elsewhere, for your account as soon as practicable commencing on the trading day following the payment date and terminating no later than the earlier of (a) 30 days after the dividend or distribution payment date, or (b) the payment date for the next succeeding dividend or distribution to be made to the stockholders; except when necessary to comply with applicable provisions of the federal securities laws. If during this period: (i) the market price (plus $0.03 per share commission) rises so that it equals or exceeds the net asset value per share of the Common Stock at the close of trading on the NYSE on the payment date before the Plan Agent has completed the open market purchases or (ii) if the Plan Agent is unable to invest the full amount eligible to be reinvested in open market purchases, the Plan Agent will cease purchasing Common Stock in the open market and the Fund shall issue the remaining Common Stock at a price per share equal to the greater of (a) the net asset value per share at the close of trading on the NYSE on the day prior to the issuance of shares for reinvestment or (b) 95% of the then current market price per share.

Common Stock in your account will be held by the Plan Agent in non-certificated form. Any proxy you receive will include all shares of Common Stock you have received under the Plan. You may withdraw from the Plan (i.e., opt-out) by notifying the Plan Agent in writing at P.O. Box 43006, Providence, RI 02940-3078 or by calling the Plan Agent at 1-888-888-0151. Such withdrawal will be effective immediately if notice is received by the Plan Agent not less than ten business days prior to any dividend or distribution record date; otherwise such withdrawal will be effective as soon as practicable after the Plan Agent’s investment of the most recently declared dividend or distribution on the Common Stock.

 

32     ClearBridge MLP and Midstream Fund Inc.


 

Plan participants who sell their shares will be charged a service charge (currently $5.00 per transaction) and the Plan Agent is authorized to deduct brokerage charges actually incurred from the proceeds (currently $0.05 per share commission). There is no service charge for reinvestment of your dividends or distributions in Common Stock. However, all participants will pay a pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred by the Plan Agent when it makes open market purchases. Because all dividends and distributions will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of Common Stock, this allows you to add to your investment through dollar cost averaging, which may lower the average cost of your Common Stock over time. Dollar cost averaging is a technique for lowering the average cost per share over time if the Fund’s net asset value declines. While dollar cost averaging has definite advantages, it cannot assure profit or protect against loss in declining markets.

Automatically reinvesting dividends and distributions does not mean that you do not have to pay income taxes due upon receiving dividends and distributions. Investors will be subject to income tax on amounts reinvested under the Plan.

The Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate the Plan if, in the judgment of the Board of Directors, the change is warranted. The Plan may be terminated, amended or supplemented by the Fund upon notice in writing mailed to stockholders at least 30 days prior to the record date for the payment of any dividend or distribution by the Fund for which the termination or amendment is to be effective. Upon any termination, you will be sent cash for any fractional share of Common Stock in your account. You may elect to notify the Plan Agent in advance of such termination to have the Plan Agent sell part or all of your Common Stock on your behalf. Additional information about the Plan and your account may be obtained from the Plan Agent at P.O. Box 43006, Providence, RI 02940-3078 or by calling the Plan Agent at 1-888-888-0151.

 

ClearBridge MLP and Midstream Fund Inc.       33  


ClearBridge

MLP and Midstream Fund Inc.

 

Directors

Robert D. Agdern

Carol L. Colman

Daniel P. Cronin

Paolo M. Cucchi

Eileen A. Kamerick

Nisha Kumar

Jane Trust

Chairman

Officers

Jane Trust

President and Chief Executive Officer

Christopher Berarducci

Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer

Fred Jensen

Chief Compliance Officer

George P. Hoyt

Secretary and Chief Legal Officer

Thomas C. Mandia

Senior Vice President

Jeanne M. Kelly

Senior Vice President

ClearBridge MLP and Midstream Fund Inc.

620 Eighth Avenue

47th Floor

New York, NY 10018

Investment manager

Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC

Subadviser

ClearBridge Investments, LLC

Custodian

The Bank of New York Mellon

Transfer agent

Computershare Inc.

P.O. Box 43006

Providence, RI 02940-3078

Independent registered public accounting firm

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Baltimore, MD

Legal counsel

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

900 G Street NW

Washington, DC 20001

New York Stock Exchange Symbol

CEM


Legg Mason Funds Privacy and Security Notice

 

Your Privacy and the Security of Your Personal Information is Very Important to the Legg Mason Funds

This Privacy and Security Notice (the “Privacy Notice”) addresses the Legg Mason Funds’ privacy and data protection practices with respect to nonpublic personal information the Funds receive. The Legg Mason Funds include the Western Asset Money Market Funds sold by the Funds’ distributor, Franklin Distributors, LLC, as well as Legg Mason-sponsored closed-end funds. The provisions of this Privacy Notice apply to your information both while you are a shareholder and after you are no longer invested with the Funds.

The Type of Nonpublic Personal Information the Funds Collect About You

 

The Funds collect and maintain nonpublic personal information about you in connection with your shareholder account. Such information may include, but is not limited to:

 

 

Personal information included on applications or other forms;

 

 

Account balances, transactions, and mutual fund holdings and positions;

 

 

Bank account information, legal documents, and identity verification documentation; and

 

 

Online account access user IDs, passwords, security challenge question responses.

How the Funds Use Nonpublic Personal Information About You

The Funds do not sell or share your nonpublic personal information with third parties or with affiliates for their marketing purposes, unless you have authorized the Funds to do so. The Funds do not disclose any nonpublic personal information about you except as may be required to perform transactions or services you have authorized or as permitted or required by law.

The Funds may disclose information about you to:

 

 

Employees, agents, and affiliates on a “need to know” basis to enable the Funds to conduct ordinary business or to comply with obligations to government regulators;

 

 

Service providers, including the Funds’ affiliates, who assist the Funds as part of the ordinary course of business (such as printing, mailing services, or processing or servicing your account with us) or otherwise perform services on the Funds’ behalf, including companies that may perform statistical analysis, market research and marketing services solely for the Funds;

 

 

Permit access to transfer, whether in the United States or countries outside of the United States to such Funds’ employees, agents and affiliates and service providers as required to enable the Funds to conduct ordinary business, or to comply with obligations to government regulators;

 

 

The Funds’ representatives such as legal counsel, accountants and auditors to enable the Funds to conduct ordinary business, or to comply with obligations to government regulators;

 

 

Fiduciaries or representatives acting on your behalf, such as an IRA custodian or trustee of a grantor trust.

 

NOT PART OF THE SEMI-ANNUAL  REPORT


Legg Mason Funds Privacy and Security Notice (cont’d)

 

Except as otherwise permitted by applicable law, companies acting on the Funds’ behalf, including those outside the United States, are contractually obligated to keep nonpublic personal information the Funds provide to them confidential and to use the information the Funds share only to provide the services the Funds ask them to perform.

The Funds may disclose nonpublic personal information about you when necessary to enforce their rights or protect against fraud, or as permitted or required by applicable law, such as in connection with a law enforcement or regulatory request, subpoena, or similar legal process. In the event of a corporate action or in the event a Fund service provider changes, the Funds may be required to disclose your nonpublic personal information to third parties. While it is the Funds’ practice to obtain protections for disclosed information in these types of transactions, the Funds cannot guarantee their privacy policy will remain unchanged.

Keeping You Informed of the Funds’ Privacy and Security Practices

The Funds will notify you annually of their privacy policy as required by federal law. While the Funds reserve the right to modify this policy at any time, they will notify you promptly if this privacy policy changes.

The Funds’ Security Practices

The Funds maintain appropriate physical, electronic and procedural safeguards designed to guard your nonpublic personal information. The Funds’ internal data security policies restrict access to your nonpublic personal information to authorized employees, who may use your nonpublic personal information for Fund business purposes only.

Although the Funds strive to protect your nonpublic personal information, they cannot ensure or warrant the security of any information you provide or transmit to them, and you do so at your own risk. In the event of a breach of the confidentiality or security of your nonpublic personal information, the Funds will attempt to notify you as necessary so you can take appropriate protective steps. If you have consented to the Funds using electronic communications or electronic delivery of statements, they may notify you under such circumstances using the most current email address you have on record with them.

In order for the Funds to provide effective service to you, keeping your account information accurate is very important. If you believe that your account information is incomplete, not accurate or not current, if you have questions about the Funds’ privacy practices, or our use of your nonpublic personal information, write the Funds using the contact information on your account statements, email the Funds by clicking on the Contact Us section of the Funds’ website at www.franklintempleton.com, or contact the Funds at 1-877-721-1926 for the Western Asset Money Market Funds or 1-888-777-0102 for the Legg Mason-sponsored closed-end funds.

Revised October 2022

 

NOT PART OF THE SEMI-ANNUAL  REPORT


Legg Mason Funds Privacy and Security Notice (cont’d)

 

Legg Mason California Consumer Privacy Act Policy

Although much of the personal information we collect is “nonpublic personal information” subject to federal law, residents of California may, in certain circumstances, have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (“CCPA”). For example, if you are a broker, dealer, agent, fiduciary, or representative acting by or on behalf of, or for, the account of any other person(s) or household, or a financial advisor, or if you have otherwise provided personal information to us separate from the relationship we have with personal investors, the provisions of this Privacy Policy apply to your personal information (as defined by the CCPA).

In addition to the provisions of the Legg Mason Funds Security and Privacy Notice, you may have the right to know the categories and specific pieces of personal information we have collected about you.

You also have the right to request the deletion of the personal information collected or maintained by the Funds.

If you wish to exercise any of the rights you have in respect of your personal information, you should advise the Funds by contacting them as set forth below. The rights noted above are subject to our other legal and regulatory obligations and any exemptions under the CCPA. You may designate an authorized agent to make a rights request on your behalf, subject to the identification process described below. We do not discriminate based on requests for information related to our use of your personal information, and you have the right not to receive discriminatory treatment related to the exercise of your privacy rights.

We may request information from you in order to verify your identity or authority in making such a request. If you have appointed an authorized agent to make a request on your behalf, or you are an authorized agent making such a request (such as a power of attorney or other written permission), this process may include providing a password/passcode, a copy of government issued identification, affidavit or other applicable documentation, i.e. written permission. We may require you to verify your identity directly even when using an authorized agent, unless a power of attorney has been provided. We reserve the right to deny a request submitted by an agent if suitable and appropriate proof is not provided.

For the 12-month period prior to the date of this Privacy Policy, the Legg Mason Funds have not sold any of your personal information; nor do we have any plans to do so in the future.

Contact Information

Address: Data Privacy Officer, 100 International Dr., Baltimore, MD 21202

Email: DataProtectionOfficer@franklintempleton.com

Phone: 1-800-396-4748

Revised October 2022

 

NOT PART OF THE SEMI-ANNUAL  REPORT


ClearBridge MLP and Midstream Fund Inc.

ClearBridge MLP and Midstream Fund Inc.

620 Eighth Avenue

47th Floor

New York, NY 10018

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 stock.

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 as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. The Fund’s Forms N-PORT are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. To obtain information on Form N-PORT, shareholders can call the Fund at 1-888-777-0102.

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 1-888-777-0102, (2) at www.franklintempleton.com and (3) on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

Quarterly performance, semi-annual and annual reports, current net asset value and other information regarding the Fund may be found on Franklin Templeton’s website, which can be accessed at www.franklintempleton.com. Any reference to Franklin Templeton’s website in this report is intended to allow investors public access to information regarding the Fund and does not, and is not intended to, incorporate Franklin Templeton’s website in this report.

This report is transmitted to the shareholders of ClearBridge MLP and Midstream Fund Inc. for their information. This is not a prospectus, circular or representation intended for use in the purchase of shares of the Fund or any securities mentioned in this report.

Computershare Inc.

P.O. Box 43006

Providence, RI 02940-3078

 

    

CBAX013771 07/23 SR23-4680


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 EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS.

 

     (a)      (b)      (c)      (d)  

Period

   Total
Number
of Shares
Purchased
     Average
Price Paid
per Share
     Total
Number of
Shares
Purchased
as Part of
Publicly
Announced
Plans or
Programs
     Maximum
Number of
Shares that
May Yet Be
Purchased
Under the
Plans or
Programs
 

December 1 through December 31

     135,000      $ 33.08        135,000        2,053,799  

January 1 through January 31

     0        0        0        2,053,799  

February 1 through February 28

     0        0        0        2,053,799  

March 1 through March 31

     26,000      $ 33.39        26,000        2,027,799  

April 1 through April 30

     0        0        0        2,027,799  

May 1 through May 31

     0        0        0        2,027,799  

Total

     161,000      $ 33.13        161,000        2,027,799  


On November 16, 2015, the Fund announced that the Fund’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) had authorized the Fund to repurchase in the open market up to approximately 10% of the Fund’s outstanding common stock when the Fund’s shares are trading at a discount to net asset value. On July 29, 2022, the Fund announced that the Board had authorized the amendment of the Fund’s repurchase program under which the Fund may continue to repurchase in the open market up to an additional 10% of the Fund’s outstanding common stock when the Fund’s shares are trading at a discount to net asset value. The Board has directed management of the Fund to continue to repurchase shares of common stock at such times and in such amounts as management reasonably believes may enhance stockholder value. The Fund is under no obligation to purchase shares at any specific discount levels or in any specific amounts.

 

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 period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are likely to materially affect the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

ITEM 12.

DISCLOSURE OF SECURITIES LENDING ACTIVITIES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

Not applicable

 

ITEM 13.

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.

ClearBridge MLP and Midstream Fund Inc.

 

By:  

/s/ Jane Trust

  Jane Trust
  Chief Executive Officer

Date: November 7, 2023

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/ Jane Trust

  Jane Trust
  Chief Executive Officer
Date: November 7, 2023
By:  

/s/ Christopher Berarducci

  Christopher Berarducci
  Principal Financial Officer
Date: November 7, 2023

CERTIFICATIONS PURSUANT TO SECTION 302

EX-99.CERT

CERTIFICATIONS

I, Jane Trust, certify that:

 

1.

I have reviewed this report on Form N-CSR of ClearBridge MLP and Midstream Fund Inc;

 

2.

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows (if the financial statements are required to include a statement of cash flows) of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4.

The registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) for the registrant and have:

 

  a)

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

  b)

Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

  c)

Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report based on such evaluation; and

 

  d)

Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5.

The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

  a)

All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and

 

  b)

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: November 7, 2023                               

/s/ Jane Trust

      Jane Trust
      Chief Executive Officer


CERTIFICATIONS

I, Christopher Berarducci, certify that:

 

1.

I have reviewed this report on Form N-CSR of ClearBridge MLP and Midstream Fund Inc.;

 

2.

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial information included in this report, and the financial statements on which the financial information is based, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows (if the financial statements are required to include a statement of cash flows) of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4.

The registrant’s other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) for the registrant and have:

 

  a)

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

  b)

Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

  c)

Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report based on such evaluation; and

 

  d)

Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5.

The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

  a)

All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and

 

  b)

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: November 7, 2023                               

/s/ Christopher Berarducci

      Christopher Berarducci
      Principal Financial Officer

CERTIFICATIONS PURSUANT TO SECTION 906

EX-99.906CERT

CERTIFICATION

Jane Trust, Chief Executive Officer, and Christopher Berarducci, Principal Financial Officer of ClearBridge MLP and Midstream Fund Inc. (the “Registrant”), each certify to the best of their knowledge that:

1.    The Registrant’s periodic report on Form N-CSR for the period ended May 31, 2023 (the “Form N-CSR”) fully complies with the requirements of section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

2.    The information contained in the Form N-CSR fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Registrant.

 

Chief Executive Officer       Principal Financial Officer
ClearBridge MLP and Midstream Fund Inc.                            ClearBridge MLP and Midstream Fund Inc.

/s/ Jane Trust

     

/s/ Christopher Berarducci

Jane Trust       Christopher Berarducci
Date: November 7, 2023       Date: November 7, 2023

This certification is being furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission solely pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350 and is not being filed as part of the Form N-CSR with the Commission.


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