Franklin Templeton To Liquidate And Dissolve 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.