Franklin Templeton Announces Liquidation of Western Asset Short Duration Income ETF and Western Asset Total Return ETF

Franklin Templeton today announced it will liquidate and dissolve Western Asset Short Duration Income ETF (WINC) and Western Asset Total Return ETF (WBND). The liquidation is anticipated to occur on or about August 29, 2025. The liquidation of both WINC and WBND were approved by the Fund’s board of trustees on May 21, 2025.

After the close of business on August 1, 2025, the Funds will no longer accept creation orders. Trading in the Funds on NASDAQ will be halted prior to market open on August 23, 2025. Proceeds of the liquidation are currently scheduled to be sent to shareholders on or about August 29, 2025.

When the Funds are in the process of liquidating their portfolios, which is anticipated to commence prior to August 23, 2025, the Funds will hold cash and securities that may not be consistent with the Funds’ investment objectives and strategies.

Shareholders may sell their shares of a Fund on NASDAQ until the market close on August 22, 2025 and may incur the usual and customary brokerage commissions associated with the sale of Fund shares. The Funds’ shares will no longer trade on NASDAQ after market close on August 22, 2025, and the shares will be subsequently delisted.

At the time the liquidation of the Funds is complete, shares of the Funds will be individually redeemed. Shareholders who do not sell their shares of a Fund before market close on August 22, 2025 will receive cash equal to the amount of the net asset value of their shares, which will include any capital gains and dividends, on or about August 29, 2025.

For those shareholders with taxable accounts and for Federal, state and local income tax purposes: (a) any liquidation proceeds paid to such shareholder should generally be treated as received by such shareholder in exchange for the shareholder’s shares and the shareholder will therefore generally recognize a taxable gain or loss; and (b) in connection with the liquidation, a Fund may declare taxable distributions of its income and/or capital gain. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers regarding the effect of a Fund’s liquidation in light of their individual circumstances.

About Franklin Templeton

Franklin Resources, Inc. (NYSE: BEN) is a global investment management organization with subsidiaries operating as Franklin Templeton and serving clients in over 150 countries. Franklin Templeton’s mission is to help clients achieve better outcomes through investment management expertise, wealth management and technology solutions. Through its specialist investment managers, the Company offers specialization on a global scale, bringing extensive capabilities in equity, fixed income, alternatives and multi-asset solutions. With more than 1,500 investment professionals, and offices in major financial markets around the world, the California-based company has over 75 years of investment experience and $1.53 trillion in AUM as of April 30, 2025. The Company posts information that may be significant for investors in the Investor Relations and News Center sections of its website, and encourages investors to consult those sections regularly. For more information, please visit investors.franklinresources.com.

Franklin Distributors, LLC. Member FINRA/SIPC.

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