Edgar Filing: Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.

Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.

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 811-22444

Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

620 Eighth Avenue, 49^th Floor, New York, NY 10018

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

Robert I. Frenkel, Esq.

Legg Mason & Co., LLC

100 First Stamford Place

Stamford, CT 06902

(Name and address of agent for service)

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

Date of fiscal year end: May 31

Date of reporting period: November 30, 2017

ITEM 1.

REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS.

The Semi-Annual Report to Stockholders is filed herewith.

LOGO


Semi-Annual Report		November 30, 2017

WESTERN ASSET

HIGH YIELD DEFINED

OPPORTUNITY FUND INC. (HYI)

LOGO

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


What’s inside
Letter from the chairman			III
Investment commentary			IV
Fund at a glance			1
Spread duration			2
Effective duration			3
Schedule of investments			4
Statement of assets and liabilities			20
Statement of operations			21
Statements of changes in net assets			22
Financial highlights			23
Notes to financial statements			24
Board approval of management and subadvisory agreements			37
Additional information			43
Additional shareholder information			44
Dividend reinvestment plan			45

Fund objectives

The Fund’s primary investment objective is to provide high income. As a secondary investment objective, the Fund will seek capital appreciation.

The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objectives by investing, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its net assets in a portfolio of high-yield corporate fixed-income securities with varying maturities. Corporate securities include those securities that are issued or originated by U.S. or foreign public or private corporations and other business entities.

The Fund intends to liquidate on or about September 30, 2025 and distribute substantially all of its net assets to stockholders, after making appropriate provisions for any liabilities of the Fund.


II		Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.

Letter from the president

LOGO

Dear Shareholder,

We are pleased to provide the semi-annual report of Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. for the six-month reporting period ended November 30, 2017. Please read on for Fund performance information and a detailed look at prevailing economic and market conditions 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 these goals is through our website, www.lmcef.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

December 29, 2017


Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.		III

Investment commentary

Economic review

Economic activity in the U.S. improved during the six months ended November 30, 2017 (the “reporting period”). Looking back, the U.S. Department of Commerce reported that first quarter 2017 U.S. gross domestic product (“GDP”)ⁱ growth, as revised, was 1.2%. Second quarter 2017 GDP growth then accelerated to 3.1%. Finally, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s final reading for third quarter 2017 GDP growth — released after the reporting period ended — was 3.2%. Stronger growth was attributed to a number of factors, including positive contributions from private inventory investment and upturns in state and local government spending. These positive factors were partly offset by a decrease in personal consumption expenditures, nonresidential fixed investment and exports.

Job growth in the U.S. was solid overall and supported the economy during the reporting period. When the reporting period ended on November 30, 2017, the unemployment rate was 4.1%, as reported by the U.S. Department of Labor. This equaled the lowest unemployment rate since December 2000. The percentage of longer-term unemployed declined during the reporting period. In November 2017, 23.8% of Americans looking for a job had been out of work for more than six months, versus 24.3% when the period began.


IV		Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.

Market review

Q. How did the Federal Reserve Board (the “Fed”)ⁱⁱ respond to the economic environment?

A. Looking back, after an extended period of maintaining the federal funds rateⁱⁱⁱ at a historically low range between zero and 0.25%, the Fed increased the rate at its meeting on December 16, 2015. In particular, the U.S. central bank raised the federal funds rate to a range between 0.25% and 0.50%. The Fed then kept rates on hold at each meeting prior to its meeting on December 14, 2016, at which time, the Fed raised rates to a range between 0.50% and 0.75%.

The Fed’s next rate hike occurred at its meeting that ended on March 15, 2017, as it raised rates to a range between 0.75% and 1.00%. At its meeting that concluded on June 14, 2017, the Fed then raised rates to a range between 1.00% and 1.25%. During its meeting that concluded on September 20, 2017, the Fed kept rates on hold, but reiterated its intention to begin reducing its balance sheet, saying, “In October, the Committee will initiate the balance sheet normalization program….” Finally, at its meeting that ended on December 13, 2017, after the reporting period ended, the Fed raised rates to a range between 1.25% and 1.50%.

Q. Did Treasury yields trend higher or lower during the reporting period?

A. Both short-term and longer-term Treasury yields moved higher during the six-month reporting period ended November 30, 2017. The yield for the two-year Treasury note began the reporting period at 1.28%. The low for the period of 1.27% occurred on September 7 and September 8, 2017. The yield for the two-year Treasury note ended the reporting period at 1.78% — equaling its high for the period. The yield for the ten-year Treasury began the reporting period at 2.21% and ended the period at 2.42%. The low for the period of 2.05% occurred on September 7, 2017 and the peak of 2.46% took place on October 26, 2017.

Q. What factors impacted the spread sectors (non-Treasuries) during the reporting period?

A. The spread sectors posted mixed results during the reporting period. Performance fluctuated given shifting expectations for global growth, questions regarding future central bank monetary policy, uncertainties pertaining to U.S. fiscal policy and several geopolitical issues. The broad U.S. bond market, as measured by the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Index^iv, returned 0.68% during the six-month reporting period ended November 30, 2017.

Q. How did the high-yield bond market perform over the reporting period?

A. The U.S. high-yield bond market, as measured by the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Corporate High Yield — 2% Issuer Cap Index^v, gained 2.29% for the six months ended November 30, 2017. The high-yield market rallied in June and July 2017. This was driven by overall robust demand from investors looking to generate incremental yield in the low interest rate environment. The high yield market was then relatively flat in August 2017, and again moved higher in September and October 2017. However, the high-yield market then experienced a modest setback in November 2017.

Q. How did the emerging market debt asset class perform over the reporting period?

A. The JPMorgan Emerging Markets Bond Index Global (“EMBI Global”)^vi returned


Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.		V

Investment commentary (cont’d)

2.03% during the six months ended November 30, 2017. The asset class posted positive results during four of the six months of the reporting period. This was triggered by overall strong investor demand, less concern over a significant shift in U.S. trade policy and a weakening U.S. dollar.

Performance review

For the six months ended November 30, 2017, Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. returned 2.74% based on its net asset value (“NAV”)^vii and 0.96% based on its New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) market price per share. The Fund’s unmanaged benchmarks, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Corporate High Yield — 2% Issuer Cap Index B Component^viii and the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Corporate High Yield — 2% Issuer Cap Index Caa Component^ix, returned 1.66% and 2.27%, respectively, over the same time frame. The Lipper High Yield Closed-End Funds Category Average^x returned 2.85% for the same period. Please note that Lipper performance returns are based on each fund’s NAV.

During this six-month period, the Fund made distributions to shareholders totaling $0.59 per share. As of November 30, 2017, the Fund estimates that 95% of the distributions were sourced from net investment income and 5% 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 November 30, 2017. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.


Performance Snapshot as of November 30, 2017 (unaudited)
Price Per Share	6-Month Total Return**
$16.80 (NAV)		2.74	%†
$15.01 (Market Price)		0.96	%‡

All figures represent past performance and are not a guarantee of future results. Performance figures for period 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 “HYI” and its closing market price is available in most newspapers under the NYSE listings. The daily NAV is available on-line under the symbol “XHYIX” 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, the Fund issues a quarterly press

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.lmcef.com (click on the name of the Fund).


VI		Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.

release that can be found on most major financial websites as well as www.lmcef.com (click on the name of the Fund).

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 Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity 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

December 29, 2017

RISKS: The Fund is a non-diversified, limited term, 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 credit risk, inflation risk and interest rate risk. As interest rates rise, bond prices fall, reducing the value of the Fund’s share price. The Fund may invest in lower-rated high-yield bonds, commonly known as “junk bonds,” which are subject to greater liquidity and credit risk (risk of default) than higher-rated obligations. The Fund is also permitted purchases of equity securities. Equity securities generally have greater price volatility than fixed income securities. Investments in foreign securities involve risks, including the possibility of losses due to changes in currency exchange rates and negative developments in the political, economic, or regulatory structure of specific countries or regions. These risks are greater in emerging markets. The Fund may make significant investments in derivative instruments. Derivative instruments can be illiquid, may disproportionately increase losses, and may have a potentially large impact on Fund performance. The Fund may invest in securities or engage in transactions that have the economic effects of leverage which can increase the risk and volatility of the Fund.

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.

The information provided is not intended to be a forecast of future events, a guarantee of future results or investment advice. Views expressed may differ from those of the firm as a whole.


Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.		VII

Investment commentary (cont’d)

ⁱ	Gross domestic product (“GDP”) is the market value of all final goods and services produced within a country in a given period of time.

ⁱⁱ	The Federal Reserve Board (the “Fed”) is responsible for the formulation of U.S. policies designed to promote economic growth, full employment, stable prices and a sustainable pattern of international trade and payments.

ⁱⁱⁱ	The federal funds rate is the rate charged by one depository institution on an overnight sale of immediately available funds (balances at the Federal Reserve) to another depository institution; the rate may vary from depository institution to depository institution and from day to day.

^iv	The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Index is a broad-based bond index comprised of government, corporate, mortgage- and asset-backed issues, rated investment grade or higher, and having at least one year to maturity.

^v	The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Corporate High Yield — 2% Issuer Cap Index is an index of the 2% Issuer Cap component of the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Corporate High Yield Index, which covers the U.S. dollar-denominated, non-investment grade, fixed-rate, taxable corporate bond market.

^vi	The JPMorgan Emerging Markets Bond Index Global (“EMBI Global”) tracks total returns for U.S. dollar-denominated debt instruments issued by emerging market sovereign and quasi-sovereign entities: Brady bonds, loans, Eurobonds and local market instruments.

^vii

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.

^viii

The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Corporate High Yield — 2% Issuer Cap B Component is an index of the 2% Issuer Cap component of the broader Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Corporate High Yield Index and is comprised of B-rated securities included in this index.

^ix	The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Corporate High Yield — 2% Issuer Cap Caa Component is an index of the 2% Issuer Cap component of the broader Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Corporate High Yield Index and is comprised of Caa-rated securities included in this index.

Lipper, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Reuters, provides independent insight on global collective investments. Returns are based on the six-month period ended November 30, 2017, including the reinvestment of all distributions, including returns of capital, if any, calculated among the 11 funds in the Fund’s Lipper category.


VIII		Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.

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 November 30, 2017 and May 31, 2017 and does not include derivatives, such as forward foreign currency contracts. The Fund is actively managed. As a result, the composition of the Fund’s investments is subject to change at any time.


Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report		1

Spread duration (unaudited)

Economic exposure — November 30, 2017

LOGO


Total Spread Duration
HYI		— 4.26 years
Benchmark		— 3.34 years

Spread duration measures the sensitivity to changes in spreads. The spread over Treasuries is the annual risk-premium demanded by investors to hold non-Treasury securities. Spread duration is quantified as the % change in price resulting from a 100 basis points change in spreads. For a security with positive spread duration, an increase in spreads would result in a price decline and a decline in spreads would result in a price increase. This chart highlights the market sector exposure of the Fund’s sectors relative to the selected benchmark sectors as of the end of the reporting period.


Benchmark	—	60% Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Corporate High Yield — 2% Issuer Cap Index B Component & 40% Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Corporate High Yield — 2% Issuer Cap Index Caa Component
EM	—	Emerging Markets
HY	—	High Yield
HYI	—	Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.
IG Credit	—	Investment Grade Credit


2		Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report

Effective duration (unaudited)

Interest rate exposure — November 30, 2017

LOGO


Total Effective Duration
HYI		— 4.26 years
Benchmark		— 3.33 years

Effective duration measures the sensitivity to changes in relevant interest rates. Effective duration is quantified as the % change in price resulting from a 100 basis points change in interest rates. For a security with positive effective duration, an increase in interest rates would result in a price decline and a decline in interest rates would result in a price increase. This chart highlights the interest rate exposure of the Fund’s sectors relative to the selected benchmark sectors as of the end of the reporting period.


Benchmark	—	60% Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Corporate High Yield — 2% Issuer Cap Index B Component & 40% Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Corporate High Yield — 2% Issuer Cap Index Caa Component
EM	—	Emerging Markets
HY	—	High Yield
HYI	—	Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.
IG Credit	—	Investment Grade Credit


Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report		3

Schedule of investments (unaudited)

November 30, 2017

Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.


Security	Rate			Maturity Date		Face Amount†		Value
Corporate Bonds & Notes — 81.1%
Consumer Discretionary — 14.2%
Auto Components — 1.1%
Adient Global Holdings Ltd., Senior Notes		4.875	%		8/15/26		2,070,000	$	2,133,383	^(a)
Delphi Technologies PLC, Senior Notes		5.000	%		10/1/25		570,000		580,334	^(a)
ZF North America Capital Inc., Senior Notes		4.750	%		4/29/25		1,500,000		1,603,695	^(a)
Total Auto Components									4,317,412
Diversified Consumer Services — 1.0%
Prime Security Services Borrower LLC/Prime Finance Inc., Secured Notes		9.250	%		5/15/23		1,390,000		1,537,687	^(a)
Service Corp. International, Senior Notes		7.500	%		4/1/27		1,030,000		1,228,275
Weight Watchers International Inc., Senior Notes		8.625	%		12/1/25		1,020,000		1,042,950	^(a)
Total Diversified Consumer Services									3,808,912
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 3.8%
1011778 BC ULC/New Red Finance Inc., Secured Notes		5.000	%		10/15/25		950,000		977,906	^(a)
Aramark Services Inc., Senior Notes		5.000	%		4/1/25		630,000		671,738	^(a)
Bossier Casino Venture Holdco Inc., Senior Secured Bonds (14.000% PIK)		14.000	%		2/9/18		1,023,758		1,023,758	^(a)(b)(c)(d)
Brinker International Inc., Senior Notes		5.000	%		10/1/24		930,000		934,650	^(a)
Carrols Restaurant Group Inc., Secured Notes		8.000	%		5/1/22		1,490,000		1,581,262
CCM Merger Inc., Senior Notes		6.000	%		3/15/22		103,000		106,090	^(a)
Downstream Development Authority of the Quapaw Tribe of Oklahoma, Senior Secured Notes		10.500	%		7/1/19		890,000		878,875	^(a)
Golden Nugget Inc., Senior Notes		8.750	%		10/1/25		920,000		959,100	^(a)
Hilton Worldwide Finance LLC/Hilton Worldwide Finance Corp., Senior Notes		4.625	%		4/1/25		1,000,000		1,036,250
Hilton Worldwide Finance LLC/Hilton Worldwide Finance Corp., Senior Notes		4.875	%		4/1/27		810,000		855,846
Scientific Games International Inc., Senior Notes		10.000	%		12/1/22		880,000		972,400
Scientific Games International Inc., Senior Secured Notes		7.000	%		1/1/22		820,000		867,150	^(a)
Scientific Games International Inc., Senior Secured Notes		5.000	%		10/15/25		190,000		192,613	^(a)
Silversea Cruise Finance Ltd., Senior Secured Notes		7.250	%		2/1/25		902,000		976,415	^(a)
Sugarhouse HSP Gaming Prop Mezz LP/Sugarhouse HSP Gaming Finance Corp., Senior Secured Notes		5.875	%		5/15/25		800,000		762,000	^(a)
Viking Cruises Ltd., Senior Notes		5.875	%		9/15/27		1,680,000		1,703,100	^(a)
Total Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure									14,499,153
Household Durables — 0.5%
Lennar Corp., Senior Notes		4.500	%		4/30/24		460,000		475,525
Lennar Corp., Senior Notes		4.750	%		11/29/27		750,000		770,625	^(a)
Weekley Homes LLC/Weekley Finance Corp., Senior Notes		6.625	%		8/15/25		650,000		637,098	^(a)
Total Household Durables									1,883,248

See Notes to Financial Statements.


4		Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report

Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.


Security	Rate			Maturity Date		Face Amount†		Value
Leisure Products — 0.2%
Gibson Brands Inc., Senior Secured Notes		8.875	%		8/1/18		1,070,000	$	896,125	^(a)
Media — 5.9%
AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc., Senior Subordinated Notes		6.125	%		5/15/27		640,000		638,400
Carmike Cinemas Inc., Secured Notes		6.000	%		6/15/23		440,000		464,200	^(a)
Charter Communications Operating LLC/Charter Communications Operating Capital Corp., Senior Secured Notes		4.908	%		7/23/25		1,010,000		1,068,645
Charter Communications Operating LLC/Charter Communications Operating Capital Corp., Senior Secured Notes		4.200	%		3/15/28		1,270,000		1,251,586
Charter Communications Operating LLC/Charter Communications Operating Capital Corp., Senior Secured Notes		6.484	%		10/23/45		640,000		738,502
DISH DBS Corp., Senior Notes		7.875	%		9/1/19		200,000		214,542
DISH DBS Corp., Senior Notes		5.875	%		7/15/22		280,000		289,100
DISH DBS Corp., Senior Notes		5.875	%		11/15/24		220,000		222,475
DISH DBS Corp., Senior Notes		7.750	%		7/1/26		250,000		270,625
EW Scripps Co., Senior Notes		5.125	%		5/15/25		630,000		630,000	^(a)
SFR Group SA, Senior Secured Bonds		6.250	%		5/15/24		2,730,000		2,692,462	^(a)
SFR Group SA, Senior Secured Notes		7.375	%		5/1/26		6,150,000		6,218,449	^(a)
Time Warner Cable LLC, Senior Notes		8.250	%		4/1/19		550,000		591,630
Univision Communications Inc., Senior Secured Notes		6.750	%		9/15/22		554,000		576,160	^(a)
UPC Holding BV, Senior Secured Notes		5.500	%		1/15/28		2,080,000		2,074,800	^(a)
Viacom Inc., Senior Notes		4.375	%		3/15/43		1,690,000		1,418,051
Virgin Media Finance PLC, Senior Notes		6.375	%		4/15/23		1,260,000		1,311,975	^(a)
Virgin Media Finance PLC, Senior Notes		6.000	%		10/15/24		1,500,000		1,558,125	^(a)
Ziggo Secured Finance BV, Senior Secured Notes		5.500	%		1/15/27		430,000		434,967	^(a)
Total Media									22,664,694
Specialty Retail — 1.5%
American Greetings Corp., Senior Notes		7.875	%		2/15/25		1,230,000		1,340,700	^(a)
Guitar Center Inc., Senior Secured Bonds		6.500	%		4/15/19		1,540,000		1,453,375	^(a)
Hertz Corp., Senior Notes		5.875	%		10/15/20		1,580,000		1,582,686
PetSmart Inc., Senior Notes		8.875	%		6/1/25		1,550,000		1,170,250	^(a)
Total Specialty Retail									5,547,011
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 0.2%
Hanesbrands Inc., Senior Notes		4.875	%		5/15/26		900,000		922,230	^(a)
Total Consumer Discretionary									54,538,785
Consumer Staples — 2.3%
Beverages — 0.6%
Carolina Beverage Group LLC/Carolina Beverage Group Finance Inc., Secured Notes		10.625	%		8/1/18		900,000		912,937	^(a)
Cott Holdings Inc., Senior Notes		5.500	%		4/1/25		420,000		433,860	^(a)

See Notes to Financial Statements.


Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report		5

Schedule of investments (unaudited) (cont’d)

November 30, 2017

Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.


Security	Rate			Maturity Date		Face Amount†		Value
Beverages — continued
DS Services of America Inc., Secured Notes		10.000	%		9/1/21		714,000	$	753,447	^(a)
Total Beverages									2,100,244
Food & Staples Retailing — 0.2%
Beverages & More Inc., Senior Secured Notes		11.500	%		6/15/22		850,000		784,125	^(a)
Food Products — 1.0%
Lamb Weston Holdings Inc., Senior Notes		4.625	%		11/1/24		760,000		789,450	^(a)
Lamb Weston Holdings Inc., Senior Notes		4.875	%		11/1/26		420,000		443,100	^(a)
Marfrig Holding Europe BV, Senior Notes		8.000	%		6/8/23		2,000,000		2,112,500	^(a)
Pilgrim’s Pride Corp., Senior Notes		5.875	%		9/30/27		610,000		638,213	^(a)
Total Food Products									3,983,263
Household Products — 0.3%
Central Garden & Pet Co., Senior Notes		6.125	%		11/15/23		570,000		608,475
Spectrum Brands Inc., Senior Notes		6.625	%		11/15/22		460,000		478,400
Total Household Products									1,086,875
Tobacco — 0.2%
Alliance One International Inc., Secured Notes		9.875	%		7/15/21		820,000		751,325
Total Consumer Staples									8,705,832
Energy — 15.1%
Energy Equipment & Services — 1.3%
KCA Deutag UK Finance PLC, Senior Secured Notes		7.250	%		5/15/21		440,000		426,800	^(a)
KCA Deutag UK Finance PLC, Senior Secured Notes		9.875	%		4/1/22		1,480,000		1,565,100	^(a)
Precision Drilling Corp., Senior Notes		7.125	%		1/15/26		1,010,000		1,020,110	^(a)
Transocean Inc., Senior Notes		9.000	%		7/15/23		440,000		476,850	^(a)
Transocean Inc., Senior Notes		7.500	%		1/15/26		680,000		700,400	^(a)
Transocean Inc., Senior Notes		6.800	%		3/15/38		920,000		738,300
Total Energy Equipment & Services									4,927,560
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 13.8%
Andeavor Logistics LP/Tesoro Logistics Finance Corp., Senior Notes		6.125	%		10/15/21		120,000		123,676
Andeavor Logistics LP/Tesoro Logistics Finance Corp., Senior Notes		6.375	%		5/1/24		340,000		370,600
Berry Petroleum Co. Escrow		—			—		1,571,000		0	*^(c)(d)(e)
Berry Petroleum Co. Escrow		—			—		640,000		0	*^(c)(d)(e)
Blue Racer Midstream LLC/Blue Racer Finance Corp., Senior Notes		6.125	%		11/15/22		1,920,000		2,001,600	^(a)
Calumet Specialty Products Partners LP/Calumet Finance Corp., Senior Secured Notes		11.500	%		1/15/21		910,000		1,046,500	^(a)
Carrizo Oil & Gas Inc., Senior Notes		7.500	%		9/15/20		585,000		597,431
Carrizo Oil & Gas Inc., Senior Notes		8.250	%		7/15/25		450,000		490,500

See Notes to Financial Statements.


6		Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report

Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.


Security	Rate			Maturity Date		Face Amount†		Value
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — continued
Cheniere Corpus Christi Holdings LLC, Senior Secured Notes		5.875	%		3/31/25		1,110,000	$	1,207,125
Chesapeake Energy Corp., Senior Notes		6.875	%		11/15/20		1,960,000		2,053,100
Chesapeake Energy Corp., Senior Notes		4.875	%		4/15/22		3,320,000		3,104,200
Chesapeake Energy Corp., Senior Notes		5.750	%		3/15/23		320,000		296,000
Chesapeake Energy Corp., Senior Notes		8.000	%		1/15/25		890,000		887,775	^(a)
Chesapeake Energy Corp., Senior Notes		8.000	%		6/15/27		360,000		345,708	^(a)
Continental Resources Inc., Senior Notes		3.800	%		6/1/24		1,490,000		1,475,100
Continental Resources Inc., Senior Notes		4.900	%		6/1/44		1,400,000		1,337,000
Covey Park Energy LLC/Covey Park Finance Corp., Senior Notes		7.500	%		5/15/25		760,000		796,100	^(a)
Ecopetrol SA, Senior Notes		5.875	%		5/28/45		1,500,000		1,518,750
Endeavor Energy Resources LP/EER Finance Inc., Senior Notes		5.500	%		1/30/26		290,000		294,350	^(a)(f)
Endeavor Energy Resources LP/EER Finance Inc., Senior Notes		5.750	%		1/30/28		470,000		477,050	^(a)(f)
EP Energy LLC/Everest Acquisition Finance Inc., Senior Notes		9.375	%		5/1/20		820,000		610,900
EP Energy LLC/Everest Acquisition Finance Inc., Senior Notes		6.375	%		6/15/23		2,080,000		1,154,400
Genesis Energy LP/Genesis Energy Finance Corp., Senior Bonds		5.625	%		6/15/24		980,000		977,550
Kinder Morgan Inc., Medium-Term Notes		7.750	%		1/15/32		810,000		1,040,341
Magnum Hunter Resources Corp. Escrow		—			—		3,530,000		0	*^(c)(d)(e)
MEG Energy Corp., Senior Notes		7.000	%		3/31/24		3,310,000		2,995,550	^(a)
Murphy Oil USA Inc., Senior Notes		5.625	%		5/1/27		740,000		778,850
NGL Energy Partners LP/NGL Energy Finance Corp., Senior Notes		7.500	%		11/1/23		850,000		877,625
NGPL PipeCo LLC, Senior Bonds		4.875	%		8/15/27		800,000		833,536	^(a)
NGPL PipeCo LLC, Senior Notes		4.375	%		8/15/22		540,000		555,525	^(a)
NGPL PipeCo LLC, Senior Secured Notes		7.768	%		12/15/37		790,000		979,600	^(a)
Oasis Petroleum Inc., Senior Notes		7.250	%		2/1/19		1,490,000		1,497,450
Oasis Petroleum Inc., Senior Notes		6.500	%		11/1/21		2,140,000		2,172,100
Oasis Petroleum Inc., Senior Notes		6.875	%		1/15/23		1,553,000		1,587,942
Petrobras Global Finance BV, Senior Notes		6.750	%		1/27/41		4,540,000		4,568,375
Rockies Express Pipeline LLC, Senior Notes		7.500	%		7/15/38		570,000		666,900	^(a)
Rockies Express Pipeline LLC, Senior Notes		6.875	%		4/15/40		590,000		667,438	^(a)
Sanchez Energy Corp., Senior Notes		7.750	%		6/15/21		860,000		819,150
Sanchez Energy Corp., Senior Notes		6.125	%		1/15/23		4,020,000		3,411,975
Shelf Drilling Holdings Ltd., Secured Notes		9.500	%		11/2/20		738,868		753,645	^(a)
Whiting Petroleum Corp., Senior Notes		5.000	%		3/15/19		770,000		779,625
Whiting Petroleum Corp., Senior Notes		6.250	%		4/1/23		1,750,000		1,758,750
Williams Cos. Inc., Debentures		7.500	%		1/15/31		330,000		407,550

See Notes to Financial Statements.


Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report		7

Schedule of investments (unaudited) (cont’d)

November 30, 2017

Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.


Security	Rate			Maturity Date		Face Amount†		Value
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — continued
Williams Cos. Inc., Senior Notes		3.700	%		1/15/23		430,000	$	432,150
Williams Cos. Inc., Senior Notes		4.550	%		6/24/24		530,000		551,863
Williams Cos. Inc., Senior Notes		5.750	%		6/24/44		1,620,000		1,715,175
WPX Energy Inc., Senior Notes		7.500	%		8/1/20		270,000		294,300
WPX Energy Inc., Senior Notes		6.000	%		1/15/22		710,000		734,850
WPX Energy Inc., Senior Notes		8.250	%		8/1/23		460,000		521,525
WPX Energy Inc., Senior Notes		5.250	%		9/15/24		400,000		395,000
Total Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels									52,962,205
Total Energy									57,889,765
Financials — 11.8%
Banks — 6.1%
Bank of America Corp., Junior Subordinated Notes (6.500% to 10/23/24 then 3 mo. USD LIBOR + 4.174%)		6.500	%		10/23/24		1,120,000		1,275,512	^(g)(h)
Barclays Bank PLC, Subordinated Notes		10.179	%		6/12/21		1,550,000		1,897,387	^(a)
Barclays Bank PLC, Subordinated Notes		7.625	%		11/21/22		1,950,000		2,224,316
Barclays PLC, Junior Subordinated Bonds (8.250% to 12/15/18 then USD 5 year Swap Rate + 6.705%)		8.250	%		12/15/18		340,000		358,965	^(g)(h)
BNP Paribas SA, Junior Subordinated Notes (7.375% to 8/19/25 then USD 5 year Swap Rate + 5.150%)		7.375	%		8/19/25		810,000		939,600	^(a)(g)(h)
CIT Group Inc., Senior Notes		5.000	%		8/15/22		110,000		117,837
CIT Group Inc., Senior Notes		5.000	%		8/1/23		360,000		388,332
Citigroup Inc., Junior Subordinated Bonds (6.300% to 5/15/24 then 3 mo. USD LIBOR + 3.423%)		6.300	%		5/15/24		3,080,000		3,334,870	^(g)(h)
Credit Agricole SA, Junior Subordinated Notes (8.375% to 10/13/19 then 3 mo. USD LIBOR + 6.982%)		8.375	%		10/13/19		660,000		729,300	^(a)(g)(h)
Credit Agricole SA, Junior Subordinated Notes (8.125% to 12/23/25 then USD 5 year Swap Rate + 6.185%)		8.125	%		12/23/25		1,330,000		1,600,421	^(a)(g)(h)
HSBC Holdings PLC, Junior Subordinated Bonds (6.375% to 9/17/24 then USD 5 year ICE Swap Rate + 3.705%)		6.375	%		9/17/24		290,000		311,895	^(g)(h)
HSBC Holdings PLC, Junior Subordinated Bonds (6.375% to 3/30/25 then USD 5 year ICE Swap Rate + 4.368%)		6.375	%		3/30/25		860,000		930,950	^(g)(h)
JPMorgan Chase & Co., Junior Subordinated Notes (6.100% to 10/1/24 then 3 mo. USD LIBOR + 3.330%)		6.100	%		10/1/24		1,000,000		1,105,625	^(g)(h)
Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC, Junior Subordinated Notes (8.625% to 8/15/21 then USD 5 year Swap Rate + 7.598%)		8.625	%		8/15/21		610,000		689,300	^(g)(h)
Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC, Junior Subordinated Notes, Medium-Term Notes (3 mo. USD LIBOR + 2.320%)		3.655	%		9/30/27		7,000,000		6,947,500	^(g)(h)
Royal Bank of Scotland NV, Subordinated Bonds		7.750	%		5/15/23		350,000		414,194
Total Banks									23,266,004

See Notes to Financial Statements.


8		Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report

Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.


Security	Rate			Maturity Date		Face Amount†			Value
Capital Markets — 0.7%
Credit Suisse Group Funding Guernsey Ltd., Senior Notes		4.875	%		5/15/45		460,000		$	520,638
Donnelley Financial Solutions Inc., Senior Notes		8.250	%		10/15/24		890,000			955,637
Goldman Sachs Group Inc., Subordinated Notes		5.150	%		5/22/45		1,080,000			1,227,604
Total Capital Markets										2,703,879
Consumer Finance — 1.0%
FirstCash Inc., Senior Notes		5.375	%		6/1/24		550,000			574,750	^(a)
Navient Corp., Medium-Term Notes, Senior Notes		8.450	%		6/15/18		920,000			950,820
TMX Finance LLC/TitleMax Finance Corp., Senior Secured Notes		8.500	%		9/15/18		2,630,000			2,432,750	^(a)
Total Consumer Finance										3,958,320
Diversified Financial Services — 3.6%
AerCap Ireland Capital DAC/AerCap Global Aviation Trust, Senior Bonds		4.625	%		7/1/22		360,000			383,634
ASP AMC Merger Subordinated Inc., Senior Notes		8.000	%		5/15/25		1,730,000			1,699,725	^(a)
DAE Funding LLC, Senior Notes		4.500	%		8/1/22		1,183,000			1,180,043	^(a)
DAE Funding LLC, Senior Notes		5.000	%		8/1/24		1,950,000			1,954,875	^(a)
Interface Special Holdings Inc., Senior Notes (19.000% PIK)		19.000	%		11/1/23		825,228			829,354	^(a)(b)
International Lease Finance Corp., Senior Notes		6.250	%		5/15/19		130,000			136,863
International Lease Finance Corp., Senior Notes		8.250	%		12/15/20		3,140,000			3,618,058
International Lease Finance Corp., Senior Notes		5.875	%		8/15/22		310,000			346,655
Park Aerospace Holdings Ltd., Senior Notes		5.250	%		8/15/22		1,090,000			1,118,613	^(a)
Park Aerospace Holdings Ltd., Senior Notes		4.500	%		3/15/23		410,000			398,725	^(a)
Park Aerospace Holdings Ltd., Senior Notes		5.500	%		2/15/24		2,010,000			2,062,762	^(a)
Total Diversified Financial Services										13,729,307
Insurance — 0.3%
Fidelity & Guaranty Life Holdings Inc., Senior Notes		6.375	%		4/1/21		620,000			630,075	^(a)
Genworth Holdings Inc., Senior Notes		4.900	%		8/15/23		760,000			659,300
Total Insurance										1,289,375
Thrifts & Mortgage Finance — 0.1%
Radian Group Inc., Senior Notes		4.500	%		10/1/24		310,000			319,393
Total Financials										45,266,278
Health Care — 7.4%
Biotechnology — 0.2%
AMAG Pharmaceuticals Inc., Senior Notes		7.875	%		9/1/23		660,000			650,100	^(a)
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 0.5%
DJO Finco Inc./DJO Finance LLC/DJO Finance Corp., Secured Notes		8.125	%		6/15/21		1,190,000			1,132,731	^(a)
IDH Finance PLC, Senior Secured Notes		6.250	%		8/15/22		620,000	^GBP		771,421	⁽ⁱ⁾
Total Health Care Equipment & Supplies										1,904,152

See Notes to Financial Statements.


Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report		9

Schedule of investments (unaudited) (cont’d)

November 30, 2017

Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.


Security	Rate			Maturity Date		Face Amount†		Value
Health Care Providers & Services — 4.6%
Air Medical Group Holdings Inc., Senior Notes		6.375	%		5/15/23		420,000	$	410,550	^(a)
BioScrip Inc., First Lien Notes (1 mo. USD LIBOR + 7.000%)		8.224	%		6/30/22		1,369,000		1,372,149	^(c)(d)(h)(j)
BioScrip Inc., Senior Notes		8.875	%		2/15/21		820,000		738,000
Centene Corp., Senior Notes		5.625	%		2/15/21		630,000		652,050
Centene Corp., Senior Notes		6.125	%		2/15/24		370,000		396,825
Centene Corp., Senior Notes		4.750	%		1/15/25		1,080,000		1,110,564
CHS/Community Health Systems Inc., Senior Notes		8.000	%		11/15/19		4,470,000		4,017,412
DaVita Inc., Senior Notes		5.750	%		8/15/22		1,400,000		1,443,575
DaVita Inc., Senior Notes		5.125	%		7/15/24		890,000		907,244
DaVita Inc., Senior Notes		5.000	%		5/1/25		1,750,000		1,754,900
HCA Inc., Debentures		7.500	%		11/15/95		1,000,000		1,025,000
Polaris Intermediate Corp., Senior Notes (8.500% PIK)		8.500	%		12/1/22		750,000		782,175	^(a)(b)
Tenet Healthcare Corp., Senior Notes		8.125	%		4/1/22		1,540,000		1,530,375
Universal Hospital Services Inc., Secured Notes		7.625	%		8/15/20		1,410,000		1,420,998
Total Health Care Providers & Services									17,561,817
Pharmaceuticals — 2.1%
Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc., Senior Notes		5.375	%		3/15/20		890,000		884,437	^(a)
Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc., Senior Notes		7.000	%		10/1/20		310,000		314,263	^(a)
Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc., Senior Notes		6.375	%		10/15/20		280,000		280,350	^(a)
Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc., Senior Notes		7.500	%		7/15/21		780,000		772,200	^(a)
Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc., Senior Notes		6.750	%		8/15/21		460,000		450,800	^(a)
Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc., Senior Notes		7.250	%		7/15/22		1,890,000		1,849,837	^(a)
Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc., Senior Notes		5.875	%		5/15/23		840,000		736,932	^(a)
Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc., Senior Notes		6.125	%		4/15/25		2,380,000		2,049,775	^(a)
Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc., Senior Secured Notes		7.000	%		3/15/24		670,000		719,413	^(a)
Total Pharmaceuticals									8,058,007
Total Health Care									28,174,076
Industrials — 6.4%
Aerospace & Defense — 1.1%
CBC Ammo LLC/CBC FinCo Inc., Senior Notes		7.250	%		11/15/21		2,900,000		3,023,250	^(a)
Heligear Acquisition Co., Senior Secured Bonds		10.250	%		10/15/19		620,000		652,621	^(a)
RBS Global Inc./Rexnord LLC, Senior Notes		4.875	%		12/15/25		380,000		380,000	^(a)(f)
Total Aerospace & Defense									4,055,871
Air Freight & Logistics — 0.5%
XPO Logistics Inc., Senior Notes		6.500	%		6/15/22		880,000		922,900	^(a)
XPO Logistics Inc., Senior Notes		6.125	%		9/1/23		810,000		858,600	^(a)
Total Air Freight & Logistics									1,781,500

See Notes to Financial Statements.


10		Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report

Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.


Security	Rate			Maturity Date		Face Amount†		Value
Airlines — 0.2%
Delta Air Lines Inc., Pass-Through Certificates, Secured Notes		8.021	%		8/10/22		804,486	$	917,114
Commercial Services & Supplies — 1.5%
ACCO Brands Corp., Senior Notes		5.250	%		12/15/24		670,000		699,313	^(a)
Brink’s Co., Senior Notes		4.625	%		10/15/27		1,230,000		1,223,235	^(a)
CD&R Waterworks Merger Subordinated LLC, Senior Notes		6.125	%		8/15/25		450,000		460,260	^(a)
Garda World Security Corp., Senior Notes		7.250	%		11/15/21		540,000		554,850	^(a)
GFL Environmental Inc., Senior Notes		9.875	%		2/1/21		1,000,000		1,063,750	^(a)
Monitronics International Inc., Senior Notes		9.125	%		4/1/20		800,000		678,000
United Rentals North America Inc., Senior Notes		4.625	%		10/15/25		290,000		296,235
United Rentals North America Inc., Senior Notes		4.875	%		1/15/28		680,000		689,350
Total Commercial Services & Supplies									5,664,993
Construction & Engineering — 0.2%
Brundage-Bone Concrete Pumping Inc., Senior Secured Notes		10.375	%		9/1/23		860,000		915,900	^(a)
Machinery — 1.0%
Allison Transmission Inc., Senior Notes		4.750	%		10/1/27		400,000		404,500	^(a)
BlueLine Rental Finance Corp./BlueLine Rental LLC, Senior Secured Notes		9.250	%		3/15/24		2,610,000		2,831,850	^(a)
Park-Ohio Industries Inc., Senior Notes		6.625	%		4/15/27		639,000		689,321
Total Machinery									3,925,671
Marine — 0.4%
Navios Maritime Acquisition Corp./Navios Acquisition Finance U.S. Inc., Senior Secured Notes		8.125	%		11/15/21		1,670,000		1,423,675	^(a)
Road & Rail — 0.8%
Flexi-Van Leasing Inc., Senior Notes		7.875	%		8/15/18		3,030,000		3,045,150	^(a)
Trading Companies & Distributors — 0.5%
Ahern Rentals Inc., Secured Notes		7.375	%		5/15/23		370,000		351,963	^(a)
Ashtead Capital Inc., Secured Notes		4.125	%		8/15/25		380,000		383,325	^(a)
Ashtead Capital Inc., Secured Notes		4.375	%		8/15/27		310,000		316,392	^(a)
Beacon Escrow Corp., Senior Notes		4.875	%		11/1/25		940,000		963,500	^(a)
Total Trading Companies & Distributors									2,015,180
Transportation — 0.2%
Neovia Logistics Services LLC/Logistics Intermediate Finance Corp., Senior Notes (10.000% Cash or 10.750% PIK)		10.000	%		4/1/20		1,065,946		495,665	^(a)(b)
Neovia Logistics Services LLC/SPL Logistics Finance Corp., Senior Secured Notes		8.875	%		8/1/20		150,000		125,250	^(a)
Total Transportation									620,915
Total Industrials									24,365,969

See Notes to Financial Statements.


Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report		11

Schedule of investments (unaudited) (cont’d)

November 30, 2017

Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.


Security	Rate			Maturity Date		Face Amount†		Value
Information Technology — 1.7%
Internet Software & Services — 0.4%
Match Group Inc., Senior Notes		6.375	%		6/1/24		490,000	$	530,425
Match Group Inc., Senior Notes		5.000	%		12/15/27		900,000		909,000	^(a)(f)
Total Internet Software & Services									1,439,425
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 0.1%
Entegris Inc., Senior Notes		4.625	%		2/10/26		580,000		593,775	^(a)
Software — 0.2%
j2 Cloud Services LLC/j2 Global Co.-Obligor Inc., Senior Notes		6.000	%		7/15/25		850,000		888,250	^(a)
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals — 1.0%
Dell International LLC/EMC Corp., Senior Notes		7.125	%		6/15/24		520,000		565,471	^(a)
Seagate HDD Cayman, Senior Bonds		4.750	%		6/1/23		720,000		730,350
Seagate HDD Cayman, Senior Bonds		4.750	%		1/1/25		2,350,000		2,290,343
Seagate HDD Cayman, Senior Bonds		4.875	%		6/1/27		210,000		200,768
Total Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals									3,786,932
Total Information Technology									6,708,382
Materials — 7.2%
Chemicals — 0.3%
Valvoline Inc., Senior Notes		4.375	%		8/15/25		450,000		452,813	^(a)
Venator Finance Sarl/Venator Materials Corp., Senior Notes		5.750	%		7/15/25		690,000		729,675	^(a)
Total Chemicals									1,182,488
Containers & Packaging — 1.7%
Ardagh Packaging Finance PLC/Ardagh MP Holdings USA Inc., Senior Notes		7.250	%		5/15/24		830,000		911,962	^(a)
Ardagh Packaging Finance PLC/Ardagh MP Holdings USA Inc., Senior Notes		6.000	%		2/15/25		2,180,000		2,321,918	^(a)
Pactiv LLC, Senior Bonds		8.375	%		4/15/27		2,280,000		2,610,600
Pactiv LLC, Senior Notes		7.950	%		12/15/25		410,000		465,863
Total Containers & Packaging									6,310,343
Metals & Mining — 5.2%
Alcoa Nederland Holding BV, Senior Notes		6.750	%		9/30/24		500,000		552,650	^(a)
Alcoa Nederland Holding BV, Senior Notes		7.000	%		9/30/26		1,130,000		1,282,550	^(a)
Anglo American Capital PLC, Senior Notes		3.625	%		5/14/20		430,000		439,255	^(a)
Anglo American Capital PLC, Senior Notes		4.125	%		4/15/21		250,000		258,864	^(a)
Anglo American Capital PLC, Senior Notes		4.875	%		5/14/25		860,000		905,895	^(a)
ArcelorMittal SA, Senior Notes		7.750	%		10/15/39		2,020,000		2,550,250
First Quantum Minerals Ltd., Senior Notes		7.250	%		4/1/23		510,000		540,600	^(a)
First Quantum Minerals Ltd., Senior Notes		7.500	%		4/1/25		1,110,000		1,184,925	^(a)
FMG Resources (August 2006) Pty Ltd., Senior Secured Notes		9.750	%		3/1/22		520,000		579,800	^(a)

See Notes to Financial Statements.


12		Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report

Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.


Security	Rate			Maturity Date		Face Amount†		Value
Metals & Mining — continued
Freeport-McMoRan Inc., Senior Notes		3.100	%		3/15/20		10,000	$	10,050
Freeport-McMoRan Inc., Senior Notes		4.000	%		11/14/21		450,000		454,725
Freeport-McMoRan Inc., Senior Notes		6.750	%		2/1/22		320,000		332,800
Freeport-McMoRan Inc., Senior Notes		3.550	%		3/1/22		310,000		306,513
Freeport-McMoRan Inc., Senior Notes		6.875	%		2/15/23		770,000		844,151
Freeport-McMoRan Inc., Senior Notes		3.875	%		3/15/23		380,000		377,568
Freeport-McMoRan Inc., Senior Notes		5.450	%		3/15/43		1,270,000		1,209,294
HudBay Minerals Inc., Senior Notes		7.250	%		1/15/23		500,000		536,875	^(a)
HudBay Minerals Inc., Senior Notes		7.625	%		1/15/25		670,000		742,863	^(a)
Midwest Vanadium Pty Ltd., Senior Secured Notes		11.500	%		2/15/18		1,202,654		39,086	*^(a)(k)
Mirabela Nickel Ltd., Subordinated Notes (1.000% PIK)		1.000	%		9/10/44		13,687		0	^{(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)}
Northwest Acquisitions ULC/Dominion Finco Inc., Secured Notes		7.125	%		11/1/22		560,000		579,600	^(a)
Teck Resources Ltd., Senior Notes		8.500	%		6/1/24		1,970,000		2,240,875	^(a)
Teck Resources Ltd., Senior Notes		6.250	%		7/15/41		260,000		297,700
Vale Overseas Ltd., Senior Notes		6.875	%		11/21/36		2,220,000		2,720,632
Vale Overseas Ltd., Senior Notes		6.875	%		11/10/39		750,000		920,400
Total Metals & Mining									19,907,921
Total Materials									27,400,752
Real Estate — 2.4%
Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 1.3%
CoreCivic Inc., Senior Notes		4.125	%		4/1/20		130,000		133,393
CoreCivic Inc., Senior Notes		5.000	%		10/15/22		630,000		661,500
CoreCivic Inc., Senior Notes		4.625	%		5/1/23		170,000		174,250
CoreCivic Inc., Senior Notes		4.750	%		10/15/27		1,290,000		1,273,875
GEO Group Inc., Senior Notes		6.000	%		4/15/26		810,000		844,425
MPT Operating Partnership LP/MPT Finance Corp., Senior Notes		5.000	%		10/15/27		1,410,000		1,473,450
VICI Properties 1 LLC/VICI FC Inc., Senior Secured Notes (3 mo. USD LIBOR + 3.500%)		4.847	%		10/15/22		530,000		534,637	^(h)
Total Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)									5,095,530
Real Estate Management & Development — 1.1%
Caesars Entertainment Resort Properties LLC, Secured Notes		11.000	%		10/1/21		1,410,000		1,501,650
Caesars Entertainment Resort Properties LLC, Senior Secured Notes		8.000	%		10/1/20		1,170,000		1,199,250
Greystar Real Estate Partners LLC, Senior Secured Notes		8.250	%		12/1/22		1,310,000		1,391,063	^(a)
Total Real Estate Management & Development									4,091,963
Total Real Estate									9,187,493

See Notes to Financial Statements.


Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report		13

Schedule of investments (unaudited) (cont’d)

November 30, 2017

Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.


Security	Rate			Maturity Date		Face Amount†		Value
Telecommunication Services — 9.7%
Diversified Telecommunication Services — 4.1%
CenturyLink Inc., Senior Notes		7.650	%		3/15/42		2,370,000	$	2,002,650
Cogent Communications Group Inc., Senior Secured Notes		5.375	%		3/1/22		800,000		848,000	^(a)
Intelsat Jackson Holdings SA, Senior Notes		7.250	%		10/15/20		1,670,000		1,586,500
Intelsat Jackson Holdings SA, Senior Notes		7.500	%		4/1/21		360,000		337,050
Intelsat Jackson Holdings SA, Senior Secured Notes		8.000	%		2/15/24		1,530,000		1,621,800	^(a)
Oi Brasil Holdings Cooperatief U.A., Senior Notes		5.750	%		2/10/22		2,460,000		928,650	*^(a)(k)
Telecom Italia Capital SpA, Senior Notes		6.000	%		9/30/34		1,500,000		1,681,875
Telecom Italia SpA, Senior Notes		5.303	%		5/30/24		1,930,000		2,065,679	^(a)
Wind Tre SpA, Senior Secured Notes		5.000	%		1/20/26		580,000		557,734	^(a)
Windstream Services LLC, Senior Notes		7.750	%		10/15/20		4,830,000		4,202,100
Total Diversified Telecommunication Services									15,832,038
Wireless Telecommunication Services — 5.6%
Altice Financing SA, Senior Secured Bonds		7.500	%		5/15/26		1,530,000		1,602,675	^(a)
CSC Holdings LLC, Senior Notes		10.125	%		1/15/23		200,000		226,250	^(a)
CSC Holdings LLC, Senior Notes		6.625	%		10/15/25		1,190,000		1,285,200	^(a)
CSC Holdings LLC, Senior Notes		10.875	%		10/15/25		899,000		1,064,753	^(a)
Sprint Capital Corp., Senior Notes		6.875	%		11/15/28		4,288,000		4,411,280
Sprint Capital Corp., Senior Notes		8.750	%		3/15/32		130,000		150,800
Sprint Communications Inc., Senior Notes		9.000	%		11/15/18		2,220,000		2,347,650	^(a)
Sprint Communications Inc., Senior Notes		7.000	%		8/15/20		420,000		449,400
Sprint Communications Inc., Senior Notes		11.500	%		11/15/21		1,452,000		1,771,440
Sprint Corp., Senior Notes		7.875	%		9/15/23		3,160,000		3,412,800
VEON Holdings BV, Senior Notes		7.504	%		3/1/22		800,000		924,200	⁽ⁱ⁾
VEON Holdings BV, Senior Notes		7.504	%		3/1/22		520,000		600,730	^(a)
Vimpel Communications Via VIP Finance Ireland Ltd. OJSC, Senior Notes		7.748	%		2/2/21		2,730,000		3,101,231	^(a)
Total Wireless Telecommunication Services									21,348,409
Total Telecommunication Services									37,180,447
Utilities — 2.9%
Electric Utilities — 1.7%
FirstEnergy Corp., Notes		7.375	%		11/15/31		1,260,000		1,683,647
NRG REMA LLC, Pass-Through Certificates, Senior Secured Bonds		9.681	%		7/2/26		2,060,000		1,410,482
Pampa Energia SA, Senior Notes		7.500	%		1/24/27		1,920,000		2,097,600	^(a)
Red Oak Power LLC, Secured Notes		9.200	%		11/30/29		1,000,000		1,135,000
Total Electric Utilities									6,326,729

See Notes to Financial Statements.


14		Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report

Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.

Security

Rate

Maturity
Date

Face
Amount†

Value

Gas Utilities — 0.6%

Suburban Propane Partners LP/Suburban Energy Finance Corp., Senior Notes

5.875

3/1/27

2,430,000

2,387,475

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers — 0.6%

Mirant Mid Atlantic LLC, Pass-Through Certificates, Secured Bonds

10.060

12/30/28

2,279,849

2,222,853

Total Utilities

10,937,057

Total Corporate Bonds & Notes (Cost — $286,623,232)

310,354,836

Convertible Bonds & Notes — 0.8%

Consumer Discretionary — 0.2%

Media — 0.2%

DISH Network Corp., Senior Bonds

3.375

8/15/26

160,000

179,100

DISH Network Corp., Senior Notes

2.375

3/15/24

660,000

645,563

^(a)

Total Consumer Discretionary

824,663

Health Care — 0.1%

Pharmaceuticals — 0.1%

Jazz Investments I Ltd., Senior Notes

1.500

8/15/24

400,000

380,750

^(a)

Information Technology — 0.5%

Communications Equipment — 0.0%

Finisar Corp., Senior Bonds

0.500

12/15/33

140,000

141,575

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 0.1%

ON Semiconductor Corp., Senior Notes

1.625

10/15/23

290,000

349,812

^(a)

Software — 0.3%

Verint Systems Inc., Senior Notes

1.500

6/1/21

130,000

128,781

Workday Inc., Senior Notes

0.250

10/1/22

910,000

899,763

^(a)

Total Software

1,028,544

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals — 0.1%

Electronics For Imaging Inc., Senior Bonds

0.750

9/1/19

440,000

429,825

Total Information Technology

1,949,756

Total Convertible Bonds & Notes (Cost — $3,103,744)

3,155,169

Senior Loans — 4.3%

Consumer Discretionary — 2.4%

Auto Components — 0.3%

American Axle & Manufacturing Inc., Term Loan B

(1 mo. LIBOR + 2.250%)

3.580-3.620

4/6/24

987,500

991,213

^(h)(l)(m)

Media — 0.4%

Charter Communications Operating LLC, 2016 Term Loan I Add

—

1/15/24

1,690,000

1,700,446

⁽ⁿ⁾

Specialty Retail — 1.7%

PetSmart Inc., Term Loan B2 (1 mo. LIBOR + 3.000%)

4.340

3/11/22

6,010,251

5,175,078

^(h)(l)(m)(n)

See Notes to Financial Statements.


Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report		15

Schedule of investments (unaudited) (cont’d)

November 30, 2017

Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.

Security

Rate

Maturity
Date

Face
Amount†

Value

Specialty Retail — continued

Sally Holdings LLC, Term Loan B1 (1 mo. LIBOR + 2.500%)

3.875

7/5/24

660,000

662,475

^(c)(h)(l)(m)

Spencer Gifts LLC, Second Lien Term Loan (2 mo. LIBOR + 8.250%)

9.530

6/29/22

900,000

495,000

^(c)(h)(l)(m)

Total Specialty Retail

6,332,553

Total Consumer Discretionary

9,024,212

Energy — 0.2%

Energy Equipment & Services — 0.1%

Hercules Offshore Inc. (wind-down lender claim)

—

233,605

198,564

*^(c)

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 0.1%

Chesapeake Energy Corp., Term Loan (3 mo. LIBOR + 7.500%)

8.954

8/23/21

590,000

629,825

^(c)(h)(l)(m)

Total Energy

828,389

Industrials — 0.4%

Air Freight & Logistics — 0.2%

Avolon TLB Borrower 1 (Luxembourg) SARL, Term Loan B2 (1 mo. LIBOR + 2.250%)

3.533

4/3/22

1,000,000

1,001,253

^(h)(l)(m)

Trading Companies & Distributors — 0.2%

Beacon Roofing Supply Inc., 2017 Term Loan B

—

8/23/24

660,000

663,123

⁽ⁿ⁾

Total Industrials

1,664,376

Information Technology — 0.4%

IT Services — 0.4%

First Data Corp., 2024 USD Term Loan (1 mo. LIBOR + 2.250%)

3.563

4/26/24

1,500,000

1,502,813

^(h)(l)(m)

Telecommunication Services — 0.7%

Diversified Telecommunication Services — 0.7%

CenturyLink Inc., 2017 Term Loan B (1 mo. LIBOR + 2.750%)

4.100

1/31/25

1,440,000

1,384,950

^(h)(l)(m)

Unitymedia Finance LLC, Term Loan B (1 mo. LIBOR + 2.250%)

3.500

9/30/25

1,300,000

1,301,625

^(h)(l)(m)

Total Telecommunication Services

2,686,575

Utilities — 0.2%

Electric Utilities — 0.2%

Panda Temple Power LLC, 2015 Term Loan B (3 mo. ICE LIBOR + 6.250% PIK)

7.397

3/4/22

982,402

687,681

*^{(b)(h)(k)(l)(m)}

Total Senior Loans (Cost — $17,332,793)

16,394,046

Sovereign Bonds — 7.5%

Argentina — 2.9%

Provincia de Buenos Aires, Senior Notes

7.875

6/15/27

2,600,000

2,909,140

^(a)

Republic of Argentina, Bonds (Argentina Central Bank 7 Day Repo Reference Rate)

27.468

6/21/20

20,030,000

^ARS

1,236,473

^(h)

See Notes to Financial Statements.


16		Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report

Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.


Security	Rate			Maturity Date		Face Amount†			Value
Argentina — continued
Republic of Argentina, Bonds		18.200	%		10/3/21		39,600,000	^ARS	$	2,349,407
Republic of Argentina, Senior Bonds		6.875	%		4/22/21		560,000			608,930
Republic of Argentina, Senior Bonds		7.500	%		4/22/26		1,500,000			1,699,500
Republic of Argentina, Senior Bonds		7.625	%		4/22/46		1,290,000			1,449,315
Republic of Argentina, Senior Notes		6.875	%		1/26/27		790,000			864,655
Total Argentina										11,117,420
Brazil — 0.7%
Federative Republic of Brazil, Notes		10.000	%		1/1/21		566,000	^BRL		176,417
Federative Republic of Brazil, Notes		10.000	%		1/1/23		8,700,000	^BRL		2,659,608
Total Brazil										2,836,025
Ecuador — 0.9%
Republic of Ecuador, Senior Bonds		10.750	%		3/28/22		2,050,000			2,372,875	^(a)
Republic of Ecuador, Senior Bonds		8.750	%		6/2/23		800,000			870,000	⁽ⁱ⁾
Republic of Ecuador, Senior Bonds		7.950	%		6/20/24		290,000			302,688	⁽ⁱ⁾
Total Ecuador										3,545,563
Nigeria — 0.2%
Republic of Nigeria, Senior Notes		7.625	%		11/28/47		570,000			588,220	^(a)
Poland — 1.3%
Republic of Poland, Bonds		4.000	%		10/25/23		16,100,000	^PLN		4,844,072
Russia — 1.0%
Russian Federal Bond, Bonds		8.150	%		2/3/27		90,000,000	^RUB		1,614,162
Russian Federal Bond, Bonds		7.050	%		1/19/28		134,730,000	^RUB		2,235,914
Total Russia										3,850,076
Uruguay — 0.5%
Republic of Uruguay, Senior Bonds		8.500	%		3/15/28		54,810,000	^UYU		1,897,415	⁽ⁱ⁾
Total Sovereign Bonds (Cost — $27,496,987)										28,678,791
U.S. Government & Agency Obligations — 3.1%
U.S. Government Obligations — 3.1%
U.S. Treasury Notes		1.375	%		1/31/21		1,500,000			1,473,428
U.S. Treasury Notes		1.875	%		1/31/22		1,000,000			991,601
U.S. Treasury Notes		1.875	%		3/31/22		1,500,000			1,485,850
U.S. Treasury Notes		2.000	%		11/30/22		2,000,000			1,986,484
U.S. Treasury Notes		2.125	%		12/31/22		2,000,000			1,997,187
U.S. Treasury Notes		2.125	%		3/31/24		2,000,000			1,981,875
U.S. Treasury Notes		2.125	%		7/31/24		2,000,000			1,978,633
Total U.S. Government & Agency Obligations (Cost — $11,893,552)										11,895,058

See Notes to Financial Statements.


Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report		17

Schedule of investments (unaudited) (cont’d)

November 30, 2017

Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.

Security

Value

Common Stocks — 0.9%

Consumer Discretionary — 0.2%

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 0.2%

Bossier Casino Venture Holdco Inc.

68,957

730,255

*^(c)(d)

Energy — 0.7%

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 0.7%

Berry Petroleum Co.

87,245

836,095

Blue Ridge Mountain Resources Inc.

183,339

1,833,390

MWO Holdings LLC

442

*^(c)(d)(e)

Total Energy

2,669,485

Industrials — 0.0%

Road & Rail — 0.0%

Jack Cooper Enterprises Inc.

2,532

*^(a)(c)(d)(e)

Total Common Stocks (Cost — $5,999,267)

3,399,740

Rate

Convertible Preferred Stocks — 0.3%

Energy — 0.3%

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 0.3%

Berry Petroleum Co., (6.000% Cash or 6.000% PIK)

6.000

94,963

1,008,982

^(b)

Berry Petroleum Co., (6.000% Cash or 6.000% PIK)

6.000

1,423

15,119

^(b)(j)

Total Convertible Preferred Stocks (Cost — $884,960)

1,024,101

Preferred Stocks — 0.5%

Financials — 0.5%

Consumer Finance — 0.5%

GMAC Capital Trust I (3 mo. USD LIBOR + 5.785%)
(Cost — $1,714,352)

7.201

76,500

1,998,180

^(h)

Total Investments before Short-Term Investments (Cost — $355,048,887)

376,899,921

Short-Term Investments — 1.4%

State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund, Premier Class (Cost — $5,318,694)

1.013

5,318,694

5,318,694

Total Investments — 99.9% (Cost — $360,367,581)

382,218,615

Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities — 0.1%

524,875

Total Net Assets — 100.0%

382,743,490

†	Face amount denominated in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise noted.

*	Non-income producing security.

^(a)

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

^(b)	Payment-in-kind security for which the issuer has the option at each interest payment date of making interest payments in cash or additional debt securities.

See Notes to Financial Statements.


18		Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report

Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.

^(c)	Security is valued using significant unobservable inputs (See Note 1).

^(d)	Security is valued in good faith in accordance with procedures approved by the Board of Directors (See Note 1).

^(e)	Value is less than $1.

^(f)	Securities traded on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis.

^(g)	Security has no maturity date. The date shown represents the next call date.

^(h)

Variable rate security. Interest rate disclosed is as of the most recent information available. Certain variable rate securities are not based on a published reference rate and spread but are determined by the issuer or agent and are based on current market conditions. These securities do not indicate a reference rate and spread in their description above.

⁽ⁱ⁾

Security is exempt from registration under Regulation S of the Securities Act of 1933. Regulation S applies to securities offerings that are made outside of the United States and do not involve direct selling efforts in the United States. This security has been deemed liquid pursuant to guidelines approved by the Board of Directors.

^(j)	Restricted security (See Note 7).

^(k)	The coupon payment on these securities is currently in default as of November 30, 2017.

^(l)	Senior loans may be considered restricted in that the Fund ordinarily is contractually obligated to receive approval from the agent bank and/or borrower prior to the disposition of a senior loan.

^(m)	Interest rates disclosed represent the effective rates on senior loans. Ranges in interest rates are attributable to multiple contracts under the same loan.

⁽ⁿ⁾	All or a portion of this loan is unfunded as of November 30, 2017. The interest rate for fully unfunded term loans is to be determined.


Abbreviations used in this schedule:
ARS		— Argentine Peso
BRL		— Brazilian Real
GBP		— British Pound
LIBOR		— London Interbank Offered Rate
OJSC		— Open Joint Stock Company
PLN		— Polish Zloty
RUB		— Russian Ruble
UYU		— Uruguayan Peso

At November 30, 2017, the Fund had the following open forward foreign currency contracts:

Currency
Purchased

Currency
Sold

Counterparty

Settlement
Date

Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)

EUR

495,287

USD

590,031

Barclays Bank PLC

1/19/18

1,341

GBP

201,038

USD

268,005

Barclays Bank PLC

1/19/18

4,374

USD

788,139

GBP

590,000

Barclays Bank PLC

1/19/18

(11,233)

Total

(5,518)


Abbreviations used in this table:
EUR		— Euro
GBP		— British Pound
USD		— United States Dollar

See Notes to Financial Statements.


Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report		19

Statement of assets and liabilities (unaudited)

November 30, 2017



Assets:
Investments, at value (Cost — $360,367,581)	$	382,218,615
Foreign currency, at value (Cost — $1,583,499)		1,585,355
Interest receivable		5,490,685
Receivable for securities sold		2,756,321
Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency contracts		5,715
Prepaid expenses		7,462
*Total Assets*		*392,064,153*

Liabilities:
Payable for securities purchased		6,535,252
Distributions payable		2,164,420
Due to custodian		295,782
Investment management fee payable		251,822
Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency contracts		11,233
Directors’ fees payable		2,163
Accrued expenses		59,991
*Total Liabilities*		*9,320,663*
Total Net Assets	$	382,743,490

Net Assets:
Par value ($0.001 par value, 22,783,370 shares issued and outstanding; 100,000,000 common shares authorized)	$	22,783
Paid-in capital in excess of par value		430,805,546
Overdistributed net investment income		(2,510,179)
Accumulated net realized loss on investments, forward foreign currency contracts and foreign currency transactions		(67,409,555)
Net unrealized appreciation on investments, forward foreign currency contracts and foreign currencies		21,834,895
Total Net Assets	$	382,743,490

Shares Outstanding		22,783,370

Net Asset Value		$16.80

See Notes to Financial Statements.


20		Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report

Statement of operations

For the Six Months Ended November 30, 2017



Investment Income:
Interest	$	14,190,238
Dividends		84,206
*Total Investment Income*		*14,274,444*

Expenses:
Investment management fee (Note 2)		1,540,374
Transfer agent fees		47,591
Directors’ fees		45,374
Legal fees		28,844
Audit and tax fees		25,307
Fund accounting fees		19,295
Shareholder reports		14,979
Stock exchange listing fees		6,268
Custody fees		4,971
Insurance		2,935
Interest expense		729
Miscellaneous expenses		9,612
*Total Expenses*		*1,746,279*
Net Investment Income		12,528,165

Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments, Forward Foreign Currency Contracts and Foreign Currency Transactions (Notes 1, 3 and 4):
Net Realized Gain (Loss) From:
Investment transactions		(5,673,990)
Forward foreign currency contracts		58,067
Foreign currency transactions		(26,052)
*Net Realized Loss*		*(5,641,975)*
Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) From:
Investments		3,434,121
Forward foreign currency contracts		(31,546)
Foreign currencies		(4,839)
*Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)*		*3,397,736*
Net Loss on Investments, Forward Foreign Currency Contracts and Foreign Currency Transactions		(2,244,239)
Increase in Net Assets From Operations	$	10,283,926

See Notes to Financial Statements.


Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report		21

Statements of changes in net assets


For the Six Months Ended November 30, 2017 (unaudited), the Period Ended May 31, 2017 and the Year Ended August 31, 2016	2017		2017†		2016

Operations:
Net investment income	$	12,528,165	$	20,041,259	$	29,203,514
Net realized loss		(5,641,975)		(1,957,750)		(32,688,348)
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)		3,397,736		14,113,012		22,059,037
*Increase in Net Assets From Operations*		*10,283,926*		*32,196,521*		*18,574,203*

Distributions to Shareholders From (Note 1):
Net investment income		(13,328,271)		(21,393,583)		(30,074,048)
*Decrease in Net Assets From Distributions to Shareholders*		*(13,328,271)*		*(21,393,583)*		*(30,074,048)*
*Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets*		*(3,044,345)*		*10,802,938*		*(11,499,845)*

Net Assets:
Beginning of period		385,787,835		374,984,897		386,484,742
End of period*	$	382,743,490	$	385,787,835	$	374,984,897
*Includes (overdistributed) undistributed net investment income, respectively, of:		$(2,510,179)		$(1,710,073)		$639,682

†	For the period September 1, 2016 through May 31, 2017.

See Notes to Financial Statements.


22		Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report

Financial highlights


For a share of capital stock outstanding throughout each year ended May 31, unless otherwise noted:
	2017^1,2			2017^1,3			2016^1,4			2015^1,4			2014^1,4			2013^1,4			2012^1,4

Net asset value, beginning of period		$16.93			$16.46			$16.96			$19.38			$19.02			$18.36			$17.93

Income (loss) from operations:
Net investment income		0.55			0.88			1.28			1.30			1.38			1.49			1.63
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)		(0.09)			0.53			(0.46)			(2.40)			0.44			0.82			0.56
*Total income (loss) from operations*		*0.46*			*1.41*			*0.82*			*(1.10)*			*1.82*			*2.31*			*2.19*

Less distributions from:
Net investment income		(0.59)	⁵		(0.94)			(1.32)			(1.32)			(1.37)			(1.63)			(1.67)
Net realized gains		—			—			—			—			—			—			(0.09)
Return of capital		—			—			—			—			(0.09)			(0.02)			—
*Total distributions*		*(0.59)*			*(0.94)*			*(1.32)*			*(1.32)*			*(1.46)*			*(1.65)*			*(1.76)*

Net asset value, end of period		$16.80			$16.93			$16.46			$16.96			$19.38			$19.02			$18.36

Market price, end of period		$15.01			$15.44			$15.32			$14.46			$17.17			$17.65			$19.74
*Total return, based on NAV^6,7*		*2.74*	%		*8.82*	%		*5.53*	%		*(5.85)*	%		*9.80*	%		*12.89*	%		*13.16*	%
*Total return, based on Market Price⁸*		*0.96*	%		*7.15*	%		*16.17*	%		*(8.51)*	%		*5.54*	%		*(2.25)*	%		*18.40*	%

Net assets, end of period (millions)		$383			$386			$375			$386			$442			$433			$417

Ratios to average net assets:
Gross expenses		0.91	%⁹		0.91	%⁹		0.91	%		0.88	%		0.89	%		0.88	%		0.89	%
Net expenses		0.91	⁹		0.91	⁹		0.91			0.88			0.89			0.88			0.89
Net investment income		6.51	⁹		7.06	⁹		8.11			7.18			7.07			7.77			9.22

Portfolio turnover rate		35	%		62	%		70	%		58	%		42	%		55	%		53	%

¹	Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares method.

²	For the six months ended November 30, 2017 (unaudited).

³	For the period September 1, 2016 through May 31, 2017.

⁴	For the year ended August 31.

⁵	The actual source of the Fund’s current fiscal year distributions may be from net investment income, 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.

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. Prior to January 1, 2012, the total return calculation assumed the reinvestment of all distributions 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.

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.

See Notes to Financial Statements.


Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report		23

Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

1. Organization and significant accounting policies

Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. (the “Fund”) was incorporated in Maryland on July 20, 2010 and is registered as a non-diversified, limited-term, closed-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The Fund’s primary investment objective is to provide high income. As a secondary investment objective, the Fund will seek capital appreciation. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objectives by investing, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its net assets in a portfolio of high-yield corporate fixed income securities with varying maturities. Corporate securities include those securities that are issued or originated by U.S. or foreign public or private corporations and other business entities. The Fund intends to liquidate on or about September 30, 2025 and distribute substantially all of its net assets to stockholders, after making appropriate provisions for any liabilities of the Fund.

The following are significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund and are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). 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. 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 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 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. Short-term fixed income securities that will mature in 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, unless it is determined that using this method would not reflect an investment’s fair value. Investments in open-end funds are valued at the closing net asset value per share of each fund on the day of 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. 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


24		Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report

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.

The Board of Directors is responsible for the valuation process and has delegated the supervision of the daily valuation process to the Legg Mason North Atlantic Fund Valuation Committee (the “Valuation Committee”). The Valuation Committee, pursuant to the policies adopted by the Board of Directors, is responsible for making fair value determinations, evaluating the effectiveness of the Fund’s pricing policies, and reporting to 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.

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 — quoted prices in active markets for identical investments


Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report		25

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

•

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 and liabilities 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†:
Corporate bonds & notes:
Consumer discretionary		—	$	53,515,027	$	1,023,758		$	54,538,785
Energy		—		57,889,765		0	*		57,889,765
Health care		—		26,801,927		1,372,149			28,174,076
Materials		—		27,400,752		0	*		27,400,752
Other corporate bonds & notes		—		142,351,458		—			142,351,458
Convertible bonds & notes		—		3,155,169		—			3,155,169
Senior loans:
Consumer discretionary		—		7,866,737		1,157,475			9,024,212
Energy		—		—		828,389			828,389
Other senior loans		—		6,541,445		—			6,541,445
Sovereign bonds		—		28,678,791		—			28,678,791
U.S. government & agency obligations		—		11,895,058		—			11,895,058
Common stocks:
Consumer discretionary		—		—		730,255			730,255
Energy	$	1,833,390		836,095		0	*		2,669,485
Industrials		—		—		0	*		0	*
Convertible preferred stocks		—		1,024,101		—			1,024,101
Preferred stocks		1,998,180		—		—			1,998,180
Total long-term investments		3,831,570		367,956,325		5,112,026			376,899,921
Short-term investments†		5,318,694		—		—			5,318,694
Total investments	$	9,150,264	$	367,956,325	$	5,112,026		$	382,218,615
Other financial instruments:
Forward foreign currency contracts		—	$	5,715		—		$	5,715
Total	$	9,150,264	$	367,962,040	$	5,112,026		$	382,224,330


26		Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report


LIABILITIES
Description	Quoted Prices (Level 1)		Other Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Total
Other financial instruments:
Forward foreign currency contracts		—	$	11,233		—	$	11,233

†	See Schedule of Investments for additional detailed categorizations.

*	Amount represents less than $1.

The following is a reconciliation of investments in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value:


	Corporate Bonds & Notes
Investments in Securities	Consumer Discretionary		Energy			Health Care		Industrials		Materials
Balance as of May 31, 2017	$	1,215,851	$	174,306			—	$	697,876	$	0	*
Accrued premiums/discounts		17,117		—		$	935		1,675		—
Realized gain (loss)¹		—		(875,275)			—		—		—
Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)²		(17,117)		967,444			15,904		(306)		—
Purchases		78,389		—			1,355,310		—		—
Sales		(270,482)		(266,475)			—		(699,245)		—
Transfers into Level 3³		—		—			—		—		—
Transfers out of Level 3⁴		—		—			—		—		—
Balance as of November 30, 2017	$	1,023,758	$	0	*	$	1,372,149		—	$	0	*
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) for investments in securities still held at November 30, 2017²	$	(17,117)		—		$	15,904		—		—


	Senior Loans
Investments in Securities (cont’d)	Consumer Discretionary		Energy		Health Care
Balance as of May 31, 2017	$	675,000	$	355,959	$	1,036,933
Accrued premiums/discounts		334		1,293		316
Realized gain (loss)¹		(1,500)		5,370		5,986
Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)²		(179,822)		(4,875)		(16,568)
Purchases		964,213		7,512		—
Sales		(300,750)		(365,259)		(1,026,667)
Transfers into Level 3³		—		828,389		—
Transfers out of Level 3⁴		—		—		—
Balance as of November 30, 2017	$	1,157,475	$	828,389		—
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) for investments in securities still held at November 30, 2017²	$	(179,822)		—		—


Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report		27

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


	Common Stocks
Investments in Securities (cont’d)	Consumer Discretionary		Energy			Health Care		Industrials			Materials
Balance as of May 31, 2017	$	507,524	$	1,003,064		$	169,575	$	0	*	$	0	*
Accrued premiums/discounts		—		—			—		—			—
Realized gain (loss)¹		—		(1,696,223)			63,314		—			(225,819)
Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)²		222,731		1,540,780			(62,919)		—			225,819
Purchases		—		—			—		—			—
Sales		—		(11,526)			(169,970)		—			(0)	*
Transfers into Level 3³		—		—			—		—			—
Transfers out of Level 3⁴		—		(836,095)			—		—			—
Balance as of November 30, 2017	$	730,255	$	0	*		—	$	0	*		—
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) for investments in securities still held at November 30, 2017²	$	222,731	$	(73,991)			—		—			—


	Convertible Preferred Stocks		Total
Investments in Securities (cont’d)	Energy
Balance as of May 31, 2017	$	1,277,114	$	7,113,202
Accrued premiums/discounts		—		21,670
Realized gain (loss)¹		—		(2,724,147)
Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)²		(253,013)		2,438,058
Purchases		—		2,405,424
Sales		—		(3,110,374)
Transfers into Level 3³		—		828,389
Transfers out of Level 3⁴		(1,024,101)	$	(1,860,196)
Balance as of November 30, 2017		—	$	5,112,026
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) for investments in securities still held at November 30, 2017²		—	$	(32,295)

The Fund’s policy is to recognize transfers between levels as of the end of the reporting period.

*	Amount represents less than $1.

¹	This amount is included in net realized gain (loss) from investment transactions in the accompanying Statement of Operations.

This amount is included in the change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) in the accompanying Statement of Operations. Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) includes net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) resulting from changes in investment values during the reporting period and the reversal of previously recorded unrealized appreciation (depreciation) when gains or losses are realized.

³	Transferred into Level 3 as a result of the unavailability of a quoted price in an active market for an identical investment or the unavailability of other significant observable inputs.

⁴	Transferred out of Level 3 as a result of the availability of a quoted price in an active market for an identical investment or the availability of other significant observable inputs.

(b) Forward foreign currency contracts. The Fund enters into a forward foreign currency contract to hedge against foreign currency exchange rate risk on its non-U.S. dollar denominated securities or to facilitate settlement of a foreign currency denominated portfolio transaction. A forward foreign currency contract is an agreement between two parties to


28		Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report

buy and sell a currency at a set price with delivery and settlement at a future date. The contract is marked-to-market daily and the change in value is recorded by the Fund as an unrealized gain or loss. When a forward foreign currency contract is closed, through either delivery or offset by entering into another forward foreign currency contract, the Fund recognizes a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the value of the contract at the time it is closed.

Forward foreign currency contracts involve elements of market risk in excess of the amounts reflected on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The Fund bears the risk of an unfavorable change in the foreign exchange rate underlying the forward foreign currency contract. Risks may also arise upon entering into these contracts from the potential inability of the counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts.

(c) 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 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.

(d) Loan participations. The Fund may invest in loans arranged through private negotiation between one or more financial institutions. The Fund’s investment in any such loan may be in the form of a participation in or an assignment of the loan. In connection with purchasing participations, the Fund generally will have no right to enforce compliance by the borrower with the terms of the loan agreement related to the loan, or any rights of off-set against the borrower and the Fund may not benefit directly from any collateral supporting the loan in which it has purchased the participation.


Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report		29

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

The Fund assumes the credit risk of the borrower, the lender that is selling the participation and any other persons interpositioned between the Fund and the borrower. In the event of the insolvency of the lender selling the participation, the Fund may be treated as a general creditor of the lender and may not benefit from any off-set between the lender and the borrower.

(e) Unfunded loan commitments. The Fund may enter into certain credit agreements where all or a portion of which may be unfunded. The Fund is obligated to fund these commitments at the borrower’s discretion. The commitments are disclosed in the accompanying Schedule of Investments. At November 30, 2017, the Fund had sufficient cash and/or securities to cover these commitments.

(f) Securities traded on a when-issued and delayed delivery basis. The Fund may trade securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis. In when-issued and delayed delivery transactions, the securities are purchased or sold by the Fund with payment and delivery taking place in the future in order to secure what is considered to be an advantageous price and yield to the Fund at the time of entering into the transaction.

Purchasing such securities involves risk of loss if the value of the securities declines prior to settlement. These securities are subject to market fluctuations and their current value is determined in the same manner as for other securities.

(g) Credit and market risk. The Fund invests in high-yield and emerging market instruments that are subject to certain credit and market risks. The yields of high-yield and emerging market debt obligations reflect, among other things, perceived credit and market risks. The Fund’s investments in securities rated below investment grade typically involve risks not associated with higher rated securities including, among others, greater risk related to timely and ultimate payment of interest and principal, greater market price volatility and less liquid secondary market trading. The consequences of political, social, economic or diplomatic changes may have disruptive effects on the market prices of investments held by the Fund. The Fund’s investments in non-U.S. dollar denominated securities may also result in foreign currency losses caused by devaluations and exchange rate fluctuations.

Investments in securities that are collateralized by real estate mortgages are subject to certain credit and liquidity risks. When market conditions result in an increase in default rates of the underlying mortgages and the foreclosure values of underlying real estate properties are materially below the outstanding amount of these underlying mortgages, collection of the full amount of accrued interest and principal on these investments may be doubtful. Such market conditions may significantly impair the value and liquidity of these investments and may result in a lack of correlation between their credit ratings and values.

(h) 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 pay interest or dividends in foreign currencies, changes in the relationship of these foreign currencies to the U.S. dollar


30		Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report

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.

(i) Counterparty risk and credit-risk-related contingent features of derivative instruments. The Fund may invest in certain securities or engage in other transactions, where the Fund is exposed to counterparty credit risk in addition to broader market risks. The Fund may invest in securities of issuers, which may also be considered counterparties as trading partners in other transactions. This may increase the risk of loss in the event of default or bankruptcy by the counterparty or if the counterparty otherwise fails to meet its contractual obligations. The Fund’s subadviser attempts to mitigate counterparty risk by (i) periodically assessing the creditworthiness of its trading partners, (ii) monitoring and/or limiting the amount of its net exposure to each individual counterparty based on its assessment and (iii) requiring collateral from the counterparty for certain transactions. Market events and changes in overall economic conditions may impact the assessment of such counterparty risk by the subadviser. In addition, declines in the values of underlying collateral received may expose the Fund to increased risk of loss.

With exchange traded and centrally cleared derivatives, there is less counterparty risk to the Fund since the exchange or clearinghouse, as counterparty to such instruments, guarantees against a possible default. The clearinghouse stands between the buyer and the seller of the contract; therefore, the credit risk is limited to failure of the clearinghouse. While offset rights may exist under applicable law, the Fund does not have a contractual right of offset against a clearing broker or clearinghouse in the event of a default of the clearing broker or clearinghouse.

The Fund has entered into master agreements, such as an International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreement (“ISDA Master Agreement”) or similar agreement, with certain of its derivative counterparties that govern over-the-counter derivatives and provide for general obligations, representations, agreements, collateral posting terms, netting provisions in the event of default or termination and credit related contingent features. The credit related contingent features include, but are not limited to, a percentage decrease in the Fund’s net assets or NAV over a specified period of time. If these credit related contingent features were triggered, the derivatives counterparty could terminate the positions and demand payment or require additional collateral.

Under an ISDA Master Agreement, the Fund may, under certain circumstances, offset with the counterparty certain derivative financial instruments’ payables and/or receivables with collateral held and/or posted and create one single net payment. However, absent an event of default by the counterparty or a termination of the agreement, the terms of the ISDA Master Agreements do not result in an offset of reported amounts of financial assets and financial liabilities in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities across transactions between the Fund and the applicable counterparty. The enforceability of the right to offset may vary by jurisdiction.


Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report		31

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

Collateral requirements differ by type of derivative. Collateral or margin requirements are set by the broker or exchange clearinghouse for exchange traded derivatives while collateral terms are contract specific for over-the-counter traded derivatives. Cash collateral that has been pledged to cover obligations of the Fund under derivative contracts, if any, will be reported separately in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Securities pledged as collateral, if any, for the same purpose are noted in the Schedule of Investments.

As of November 30, 2017, the Fund held forward foreign currency contracts with credit related contingent features which had a liability position of $11,233. If a contingent feature in the master agreements would have been triggered, the Fund would have been required to pay this amount to its derivatives counterparties.

(j) 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. Paydown gains and losses on mortgage- and asset-backed securities are recorded as adjustments to interest income. 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.

(k) Distributions to shareholders. Distributions from net investment income of the Fund, if any, are declared quarterly and paid on a monthly basis. The actual source of the Fund’s monthly distributions may be from net investment income, 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. Distributions of net realized gains, if any, are declared at least annually. Distributions to shareholders of the Fund are recorded on the ex-dividend date and are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP.

(l) 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.

(m) Federal and other taxes. It is the Fund’s policy to comply with the federal income and excise tax requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”), as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies. Accordingly, the Fund intends to distribute its taxable income and net realized gains, if any, to shareholders in accordance with timing requirements imposed by the Code. Therefore, no federal or state income tax provision is required in the Fund’s financial statements.


32		Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report

Management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions taken on income tax returns for all open tax years and has concluded that as of May 31, 2017, no provision for income tax is required in the Fund’s financial statements. The Fund’s federal and state income and federal excise tax returns for tax years for which the applicable statutes of limitations have not expired are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and state departments of revenue.

Under the applicable foreign tax laws, a withholding tax may be imposed on interest, dividends and capital gains at various rates.

(n) 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.

2. Investment management agreement and other transactions with affiliates

Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (“LMPFA”) is the Fund’s investment manager. Western Asset Management Company (“Western Asset”) is the Fund’s subadviser. Western Asset Management Company Pte. Ltd. (“Western Singapore”), Western Asset Management Company Ltd (“Western Japan”) and Western Asset Management Company Limited (“Western Asset Limited”) serve as additional subadvisers to the Fund, under additional subadvisory agreements with Western Asset. LMPFA, Western Asset, Western Singapore, Western Japan and Western Asset Limited are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Legg Mason, Inc. (“Legg Mason”).

LMPFA provides administrative and certain oversight services to the Fund. The Fund pays LMPFA an investment management fee, calculated daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.80% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

LMPFA delegates to Western Asset the day-to-day portfolio management of the Fund. Western Singapore, Western Japan and Western Asset Limited provide certain subadvisory services to the Fund relating to currency transactions and investments in non-U.S. dollar denominated debt securities. For its services, LMPFA pays Western Asset monthly 70% of the net management fee it receives from the Fund. In turn, Western Asset pays Western Singapore, Western Japan and Western Asset Limited a fee for their services at no additional expense to the Fund. Each of Western Singapore, Western Japan and Western Asset Limited receives a fee from Western Asset, payable monthly, in an amount equal to 0.56% of the Fund’s average daily net assets related to the Fund’s assets that Western Asset allocates to Western Singapore, Western Japan and Western Asset Limited, respectively, to manage.

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


Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report		33

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

3. Investments

During the six months ended November 30, 2017, the aggregate cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investments (excluding short-term investments) and U.S. Government & Agency Obligations were as follows:


	Investments		U.S. Government & Agency Obligations
Purchases	$	115,576,520	$	15,776,365
Sales		118,208,988		12,380,467

At November 30, 2017, the aggregate cost of investments and the aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of investments for federal income tax purposes were substantially as follows:


	Cost		Gross Unrealized Appreciation		Gross Unrealized Depreciation		Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)
Securities	$	360,367,581	$	32,355,538	$	(10,504,504)	$	21,851,034
Forward foreign currency contracts		—		5,715		(11,233)		(5,518)

4. Derivative instruments and hedging activities

Below is a table, grouped by derivative type, that provides information about the fair value and the location of derivatives within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities at November 30, 2017.


ASSET DERIVATIVES¹
	Foreign Exchange Risk
Forward foreign currency contracts	$	5,715

LIABILITY DERIVATIVES¹
	Foreign Exchange Risk
Forward foreign currency contracts	$	11,233

¹	Generally, the balance sheet location for asset derivatives is receivables/net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and for liability derivatives is payables/net unrealized appreciation (depreciation).

The following tables provide information about the effect of derivatives and hedging activities on the Fund’s Statement of Operations for the six months ended November 30, 2017. The first table provides additional detail about the amounts and sources of gains (losses) realized on derivatives during the period. The second table provides additional information about the change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) resulting from the Fund’s derivatives and hedging activities during the period.


AMOUNT OF REALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON DERIVATIVES RECOGNIZED
	Foreign Exchange Risk
Forward foreign currency contracts	$	58,067


34		Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report


CHANGE IN UNREALIZED APPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) ON DERIVATIVES RECOGNIZED
	Foreign Exchange Risk
Forward foreign currency contracts	$	(31,546)

During the six months ended November 30, 2017, the volume of derivative activity for the Fund was as follows:


	Average Market Value
Forward foreign currency contracts (to buy)	$	1,121,860
Forward foreign currency contracts (to sell)		491,935

The following table presents the Fund’s OTC derivative assets and liabilities by counterparty net of amounts available for offset under an ISDA Master Agreement and net of the related collateral pledged (received) by the Fund as of November 30, 2017.


Counterparty	Gross Assets Subject to Master Agreements¹		Gross Liabilities Subject to Master Agreements¹		Net Assets (Liabilities) Subject to Master Agreements		Collateral Pledged (Received)		Net Amount²
Barclays Bank PLC	$	5,715	$	(11,233)	$	(5,518)		—	$	(5,518)

¹	Absent an event of default or early termination, derivative assets and liabilities are presented gross and not offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

²	Represents the net amount receivable (payable) from (to) the counterparty in the event of default.

5. Distributions subsequent to November 30, 2017

The following distributions have been declared by the Fund’s Board of Directors and are payable subsequent to the period end of this report:


Record Date	Payable Date		Amount
11/24/2017		12/01/2017	$	0.0950
12/22/2017		12/29/2017	$	0.0900
1/19/2018		2/01/2018	$	0.0900
2/16/2018		3/01/2018	$	0.0900

6. 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. The Board has directed management of the Fund 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 November 30, 2017, the Fund did not repurchase any shares.


Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. 2017 Semi-Annual Report		35

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

7. Restricted securities

The following Fund investments are restricted as to resale.


Security	Number of Shares/Face Amount		Acquisition Date		Cost		Value at 11/30/2017			Value per Share/Unit		Percent of Net Assets
Berry Petroleum Co., Convertible Preferred Stock		1,423		2/17	$	14,230	$	15,119		$	10.63		0.00	%
BioScrip Inc., First Lien Notes, 8.224%, due 6/30/22	$	1,369,000		6/17		1,356,245		1,372,149	^(a)		100.23		0.36	%

^(a)	Security is valued in good faith in accordance with procedures approved by the Board of Directors.

8. Deferred capital losses

As of May 31, 2017, the Fund had deferred capital losses of $60,505,727, which have no expiration date, that will be available to offset future taxable capital gains.

9. Recent accounting pronouncement

In October 2016, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission adopted new rules and amended existing rules (together, the “final rules”) intended to modernize the reporting and disclosure of information by registered investment companies. In part, the final rules amend Regulation S-X and require standardized, enhanced disclosure about derivatives in investment company financial statements, as well as other amendments. The compliance date for the amendments to Regulation S-X was August 1, 2017. The Fund has adopted the amendments to Regulation S-X and, upon evaluation, has concluded that the amendments do not materially impact the financial statement amounts; however, as required, additional or enhanced disclosure has been included.


36		Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. 2017 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 Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity 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 contract (the “Management Agreement”) with the Fund’s manager, Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (the “Manager”), and the sub-advisory agreements (individually, a “Sub-Advisory Agreement,” and collectively, the “Sub-Advisory Agreements”) with the Manager’s affiliates, Western Asset Management Company (“Western Asset”), Western Asset Management Company Pte. Ltd. in Singapore (“Western Asset Singapore”), Western Asset Management Company Ltd in Japan (“Western Asset Japan”), and Western Asset Management Company Limited in London (“Western Asset London”). Western Asset, Western Asset Singapore, Western Asset Japan, and Western Asset London collectively are hereinafter referred to as the “Sub-Advisers,” and Western Asset Singapore, Western Asset Japan, and Western Asset London collectively are hereinafter referred to as the “Non-U.S. Sub-Advisers.” At a meeting (the “Contract Renewal Meeting”) held in-person on November 8 and 9, 2017, the Board, including the Independent Directors, considered and approved the continuation of each of the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreements for an additional one-year term. To assist in its consideration of the renewals of the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreements, the Board received and considered a variety of information (together with the information provided at the Contract Renewal Meeting, the “Contract Renewal Information”) about the Manager and the Sub-Advisers, 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 supervision (the “Legg Mason Closed-end Funds”), certain portions of which are discussed below. A presentation made by the Manager and Western Asset to the Board at the Contract Renewal Meeting in connection with its evaluations of the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreements encompassed the Fund and other 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-Advisers to the Fund. The Board’s evaluation took into account the information received throughout the year and also reflected the knowledge and familiarity gained as members of the Boards of the Fund and other Legg Mason Closed-end Funds with respect to the services provided to the Fund by the Manager and the Sub-Advisers.

At a meeting held by conference call on November 2, 2017, the Independent Directors in preparation for the Contract Renewal Meeting met in a private session with their independent counsel to review Contract Renewal Information in respect of the Legg Mason Closed-end Funds, including the Fund, received to date. No representatives of the Manager or the Sub-Adviser participated in this meeting. The discussion below reflects all of these reviews.


Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.		37

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

The Manager provides the Fund with investment advisory and administrative services pursuant to the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisers together provide, or in the case of the Non-U.S. Sub-Advisers help to provide, the Fund with certain investment sub-advisory services pursuant to the Sub-Advisory Agreements. 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-Advisers.

Board approval of management agreement and sub-advisory agreements

In its deliberations regarding renewal of the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreements, the Board, including the Independent Directors, considered the factors below.

Nature, extent and quality of the services under the management agreement and sub-advisory agreements

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-Advisers under the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreements, respectively, during the past year. The Board also reviewed Contract Renewal Information regarding the Fund’s compliance policies and procedures established pursuant to the 1940 Act.

The Board reviewed the qualifications, backgrounds, and responsibilities of the Fund’s senior personnel and the 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 Contract Renewal Information and the Board’s discussions with the Manager and Western Asset at the Contract Renewal Meeting, the general reputation and investment performance records of the Manager, Western Asset and their affiliates and the financial resources available to the corporate parent of the Manager and the Sub-Advisers, Legg Mason, Inc. (“Legg Mason”), to support their activities in respect of the Fund and the other Legg Mason Closed-end Funds.

The Board considered the responsibilities of the Manager and the Sub-Advisers under the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreements, respectively, including the Manager’s coordination and oversight of the services provided to the Fund by the Sub-Advisers and others and Western Asset’s coordination and oversight of the services provided to the Fund by the Non-U.S. Sub-Advisers. 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. Pursuant to this provision of the Management Agreement, the Manager does not provide day-to-day portfolio management services to the Fund. Rather, portfolio management services for the Fund are provided by Western Asset pursuant to the Sub-Advisory Agreement (the “Western Asset Sub-Advisory Agreement”) between the Manager and Western Asset. The Western Asset Sub-Advisory Agreement permits Western Asset to delegate certain of its responsibilities, including its investment


38		Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.

sub-advisory duties thereunder, provided that Western Asset, in each case, will supervise the activities of the delegee. Pursuant to this provision of the Western Asset Sub-Advisory Agreement, each Non-U.S. Sub-Adviser helps Western Asset to provide portfolio management services to the Fund pursuant to a separate Sub-Advisory Agreement with Western Asset.

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

The Board concluded that, overall, the nature, extent, and quality of the management and other services provided to the Fund under the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreements have been satisfactory under the circumstances.

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 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. The Performance Universe included the Fund and all high yield closed-end funds, as classified by Broadridge, regardless of asset size. The Fund does not use leverage. Because of the limited number of non-leveraged high yield funds, however, the Performance Universe included both leveraged and non-leveraged funds. The Performance Universe consisted of six funds, including the Fund, for the 1-year period ended June 30, 2017 and four funds, including the Fund, for each of the 3- and 5-year periods ended such date. The Board noted that it had received and discussed with the Manager and Western Asset information throughout the year at periodic intervals comparing the Fund’s performance against its benchmark and its peer funds as selected by Broadridge.

The Broadridge Performance Information comparing the Fund’s performance to that of the Performance Universe based on net asset value per share showed, among other things, that among the funds in the Performance Universe, the Fund’s performance was ranked second (first being best in these performance rankings) for the 1-year period ended June 30, 2017 and was ranked third for each of the 3- and 5-year periods ended such date. The Fund’s performance was better than the median performance of the Performance Universe for the 1-year period but was worse than the Performance Universe median for each of the 3- and 5-year periods. In reviewing the Fund’s performance relative to the Performance Universe, the Manager noted that the small number of funds comprising the Performance Universe made meaningful performance comparisons difficult. In addition to the Fund’s performance


Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.		39

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

relative to the Performance Universe, the Board considered the Fund’s performance in absolute terms and the Fund’s performance relative to its benchmark. On a net asset value basis, the Fund underperformed its benchmark for each of the 1-, 3-, and 5-year periods ended June 30, 2017.

Based on the reviews and discussions of Fund performance and considering other relevant factors, including those noted above, the Board concluded, under the circumstances, that continuation of the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreements for an additional one-year period would be consistent with the interests of the Fund and its shareholders.

Management fees and expense ratios

The Board reviewed and considered the management fee (the “Management Fee”) payable by the Fund to the Manager under the Management Agreement and the sub-advisory fees (the “Sub-Advisory Fees”) payable to the Sub-Advisers under the Sub-Advisory Agreements in light of the nature, extent and overall quality of the management, investment advisory and other services provided by the Manager and the Sub-Advisers. The Board noted that the Sub-Advisory Fee payable to Western Asset under the Western Asset Sub-Advisory Agreement is paid by the Manager, not the Fund, and, accordingly, that the retention of Western Asset does not increase the fees or expenses otherwise incurred by the Fund’s shareholders. Similarly, the Board noted that the Sub-Advisory Fee payable to each of the Non-U.S. Sub-Advisers under its Sub-Advisory Agreement with Western Asset is paid by Western Asset, not the Fund, and, accordingly, that the retention of such Non-U.S. Sub-Adviser does not increase the fees or expenses otherwise incurred by the Fund’s shareholders.

Additionally, the Board received and considered information and analyses prepared by Broadridge (the “Broadridge Expense Information”) comparing the Management Fee and the Fund’s overall expenses with those of funds in an expense universe (the “Expense Universe”) selected and provided by Broadridge. The comparison was based upon the constituent funds’ latest fiscal years. The Expense Universe consisted of the Fund and five other leveraged and non-leveraged high yield closed-end funds, as classified by Broadridge. The six funds in the Expense Universe had average net common share assets ranging from $41.2 million to $597.8 million. One of the other Expense Universe funds was larger than the Fund and four were smaller.

The Broadridge Expense Information, comparing the Management Fee as well as the Fund’s actual total expenses to the Fund’s Expense Universe, showed, among other things, that the Management Fee on a contractual basis was ranked third (first being lowest and, therefore, best in these expense component rankings) among the funds in the Expense Universe. Among the Expense Universe funds, the Fund’s actual Management Fee (i.e., giving effect to any voluntary fee waivers implemented by the Manager with respect to the Fund and by the managers of the other Expense Universe funds) was ranked second among the funds in the Expense Universe. The Broadridge Expense Information further showed that the Fund’s


40		Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.

actual total expenses ranked third among the Expense Universe funds. Each of the Fund’s foregoing expense components was better (i.e., lower) than the Expense Universe median for that expense component. The Manager noted that the small number and varying sizes of funds comprising the Expense Universe made meaningful expense comparisons difficult. The inclusion of leveraged and non-leveraged funds in the Expense Universe further complicated meaningful expense comparisons.

The Board also reviewed Contract Renewal Information regarding fees charged by the Manager 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 Board was advised that the fees paid by such institutional, separate account and other clients (collectively, “institutional clients”) generally are lower, and may be significantly lower, than the Management Fee. The Contract Renewal Information discussed the significant differences in scope of services provided to the Fund and to institutional clients. Among other things, institutional clients have fewer compliance, administration and other needs than the Fund and 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. The Contract Renewal Information noted further that the Fund is provided with administrative services, office facilities, Fund officers (including the Fund’s chief executive, chief financial and chief compliance officers), and that the Manager coordinates and oversees the provision of services to the Fund by other fund service providers. The Contract Renewal Information included information regarding management fees paid by open-end mutual funds in the same complex (the “Legg Mason Open-end Funds”) and such information indicated that the management fees paid by the Legg Mason Closed-end Funds generally were higher than those paid by the Legg Mason Open-end Funds. The Manager, in response to an inquiry from the Board as to the reasons for the fee differential, provided information as to differences between the services provided to the Fund and the other Legg Mason Closed-end Funds and the services provided to the Legg Mason Open-end Funds. The Board considered the fee comparisons in light of the different services provided in managing these other types of clients and funds.

Taking all of the above into consideration, the Board determined that the Management Fee and the Sub-Advisory Fees were reasonable in light of the nature, extent and overall quality of the management, investment advisory and other services provided to the Fund under the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreements.

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 March 31, 2017 and March 31, 2016. The Board also received profitability information with respect to the 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. The profitability


Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.		41

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

to each of the Sub-Advisers was not considered to be a material factor in the Board’s considerations since Western Asset’s Sub-Advisory Fee is paid by the Manager, not the Fund, and the Sub-Advisory Fees for the Non-U.S. Sub-Advisers are paid by Western Asset, not the Fund. The profitability analysis presented to the Board as part of the Contract Renewal Information indicated that profitability to the Manager had increased by 3 percent during the period covered by the analysis but remained at a level that the Board did not consider to be excessive in light of judicial guidance and the nature, extent and overall quality of the investment advisory and other 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 with no current plans to seek additional assets beyond maintaining its dividend reinvestment plan, any significant growth in its assets generally will occur through appreciation in the value of the Fund’s investment portfolio, rather than sales of additional shares in the Fund. The Board determined that the Management Fee structure, which incorporates no breakpoints reducing the Management Fee at specified increased asset levels, was appropriate under present circumstances.

Other benefits to the manager and the sub-advisers

The Board considered other benefits received by the Manager, the Sub-Advisers and their affiliates as a result of their relationship with the Fund and did not regard such benefits as excessive.

* * * * * *

In light of all of the foregoing and other relevant factors, the Board determined, under the circumstances, that continuation of the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreements would be consistent with the interests of the Fund and its shareholders and unanimously voted to continue each Agreement for a period of one additional year. No single factor reviewed by the Board was identified by the Board as the principal factor in determining whether to approve continuation of the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreements, and each Board member may have attributed different weights to the various factors. The Independent Directors were advised by separate independent legal counsel throughout the process. Prior to the Contract Renewal Meeting, the Board received a memorandum prepared by the Manager discussing its responsibilities in connection with the proposed continuation of the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreements as part of the Contract Renewal Information and the Independent Directors separately received a memorandum discussing such responsibilities from their independent counsel. Prior to voting, the Independent Directors also discussed the proposed continuation of the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreements in private sessions with their independent legal counsel at which no representatives of the Manager or any Sub-Adviser were present.


42		Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.

Additional information (unaudited)

Change in Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

On August 14, 2017, KPMG LLP (“KPMG”) resigned, at the request of the Fund, as the independent registered public accounting firm to the Fund. The Audit Committee of the Fund’s Board of Directors participated in, and approved, the decision to change the independent registered public accounting firm. KPMG’s reports on the Fund’s financial statements for the fiscal periods ended May 31, 2017 and August 31, 2016 contained no adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion nor were they qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principle. During the Fund’s fiscal periods ended May 31, 2017 and August 31, 2016 and the subsequent interim period through August 14, 2017, (i) there were no disagreements with KPMG on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of KPMG, would have caused them to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreements in connection with their reports on the Fund’s financial statements for such periods, and (ii) there were no “reportable events” of the kind described in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

The Audit Committee of the Fund’s Board of Directors approved the engagement of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”) as the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending May 31, 2018. The selection of PwC does not reflect any disagreements with or dissatisfaction by the Fund or the Board of Directors with the performance of the Fund’s prior independent registered public accounting firm, KPMG. During the Fund’s fiscal periods ended May 31, 2017 and August 31, 2016, and the subsequent interim period through August 14, 2017, neither the Fund, nor anyone on its behalf, consulted with PwC on items which: (i) concerned the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the Fund’s financial statements; or (ii) concerned the subject of a disagreement (as defined in paragraph (a)(1)(iv) of Item 304 of Regulation S-K) or reportable events (as described in paragraph (a)(1)(v) of said Item 304).


Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.		43

Additional shareholder information (unaudited)

Results of annual meeting of shareholders

The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. was held on September 29, 2017, for the purpose of considering and voting upon the election of Directors. The following table provides information concerning the matter voted upon at the Meeting:

Election of directors


Nominees	Votes For		Votes Withheld
Robert D. Agdern		19,578,460		397,176
Eileen A. Kamerick		19,586,372		389,264
Riordan Roett		19,571,432		404,204

At November 30, 2017, in addition to Robert D. Agdern, Eileen A. Kamerick and Riordan Roett, the other Directors of the Fund were as follows:

Carol L. Colman

Daniel P. Cronin

Paolo M. Cucchi

Leslie H. Gelb

William R. Hutchinson

Jane Trust


44		Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.

Dividend reinvestment plan (unaudited)

On December 15, 2016, the Fund announced that the Board of Directors has authorized changes to the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the “Plan”) with respect to dividend reinvestment determinations and transaction fees for Plan participants selling their shares. A copy of the revised Plan is included below.

Effective July 1, 2017, the Fund uses the dividend payment date to determine if new shares are issued or shares are purchased in the open market for Plan participants reinvesting their distributions. If on the payment date the closing market price (plus $0.03 per share commission) is at or above the net asset value (“NAV”), the Fund will issue new shares of common stock. Newly issued shares of common stock will be issued at a price equal to the greater of (a) the NAV per share on the date prior to issuance or (b) 95% of the closing market price per share. If the closing market price (plus $0.03 per share commission) is lower than the NAV per share on the payment date, the Plan Agent will receive the distribution in cash and purchase common stock in the open market. In addition, effective July 1, 2017, fees paid by Plan participants to sell Fund shares decreased, with Plan participants paying a $5.00 transaction fee plus a $0.05 per share commission upon a sale of shares held pursuant to the Plan.

Revised dividend reinvestment plan:

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


Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.		45

Dividend reinvestment plan (unaudited) (cont’d)

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 462 South 4th Street, Suite 1600, Louisville, KY 40202 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.

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 462 South 4th Street, Suite 1600, Louisville, KY 40202 or by calling the Plan Agent at 1-888-888-0151.


46		Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.

Western Asset

High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.

Directors

Robert D. Agdern

Carol L. Colman

Daniel P. Cronin

Paolo M. Cucchi

Leslie H. Gelb

William R. Hutchinson

Eileen A. Kamerick

Riordan Roett

Jane Trust

Chairman

Officers

Jane Trust

President and Chief Executive Officer

Richard F. Sennett

Principal Financial Officer

Todd F. Kuehl

Chief Compliance Officer

Jenna Bailey

Identity Theft Prevention Officer

Robert I. Frenkel

Secretary and Chief Legal Officer

Thomas C. Mandia

Assistant Secretary

Jennifer S. Berg*

Treasurer

Jeanne M. Kelly

Senior Vice President

*	Effective January 1, 2018, Ms. Berg became Treasurer.

Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.

620 Eighth Avenue

49th Floor

New York, NY 10018

Investment manager

Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC

Subadvisers

Western Asset Management Company

Western Asset Management Company Limited

Western Asset Management Company Ltd

Western Asset Management Company Pte. Ltd.

Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Company

1 Lincoln Street

Boston, MA 02111

Transfer agent

Computershare Inc.

462 South 4th Street, Suite 1600

Louisville, KY 40202

Independent registered public accounting firm

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Baltimore, MD

Legal counsel

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

425 Lexington Avenue

New York, NY 10017

New York Stock Exchange Symbol

HYI

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 any funds sold by the Funds’ distributor, Legg Mason Investor Services, LLC, as well as Legg Mason-sponsored closed-end funds and certain closed-end funds managed or sub-advised by Legg Mason or its affiliates. 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;

•

Online account access user IDs, passwords, security challenge question responses; and

•

Information received from consumer reporting agencies regarding credit history and creditworthiness (such as the amount of an individual’s total debt, payment history, etc.).

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, or with other financial institutions or affiliates for joint 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 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 marketing services solely for the Funds;

•

The Funds’ representatives such as legal counsel, accountants and auditors; and

•

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 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, or if you have questions about the Funds’ privacy practices, 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.leggmason.com, or contact the Fund at 1-888-777-0102.

NOT PART OF THE SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.

620 Eighth Avenue

49th 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 on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C., and information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. To obtain information on Form N-Q from the Fund, shareholders can call 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 relating to portfolio transactions are available (1) without charge, upon request, by calling 1-888-777-0102, (2) at www.lmcef.com and (3) on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

This report is transmitted to the shareholders of Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc. for their information. This is not a prospectus, circular or representation intended for use in the purchase or sale of shares of the Fund or any securities mentioned in the report.

Computershare Inc.

462 South 4th Street, Suite 1600

Louisville, KY 40202

WASX013399 1/18 SR17-3259

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.

INVESTMENT PROFESSIONALS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

Not applicable.

ITEM 9.

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

Not applicable.

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 second fiscal quarter of 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.

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.

Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund Inc.



By:		/s/ Jane Trust
		Jane Trust
		Chief Executive Officer

Date:		January 25, 2018

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:		January 25, 2018


By:		/s/ Richard F. Sennett
		Richard F. Sennett
		Principal Financial Officer

Date:		January 25, 2018