SALOMON BROTHERS HIGH INCOME FUND II 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 811-8709

 

Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc.


(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

 

125 Broad Street, New York, NY   10004
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip code)

 

 

Robert I. Frenkel, Esq.

Legg Mason & Co., LLC

300 First Stamford Place, 4th Fl.

Stamford, CT 06902


(Name and address of agent for service)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (800) 725-6666

 

 

Date of fiscal year end: April 30

 

Date of reporting period: April 30, 2006


ITEM 1. REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS.

 

The Annual Report to Stockholders is filed herewith.


ANNUAL REPORT

APRIL 30, 2006

 

 

 

LOGO

LOGO

 

Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc.

 

 

 

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

 

 


Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc.

 

 

Annual Report  •  April 30, 2006

What’s

Inside

Fund Objective

The Fund seeks to maximize current income. As a secondary objective, the Fund seeks capital appreciation to the extent consistent with maximization of current income.

 

Letter from the Chairman

  I

Manager Overview

  1

Fund at a Glance

  5

Schedule of Investments

  6

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

  22

Statement of Operations

  23

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

  24

Statement of Cash Flows

  25

Financial Highlights

  26

Notes to Financial Statements

  27

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

  35

Additional Information

  36

Annual Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Certification .

  40

Additional Shareholder Information

  41

Dividend Reinvestment Plan

  42

 

“Smith Barney”, “Salomon Brothers” and “Citi” are service marks of Citigroup, licensed for use by Legg Mason as the names of funds and investment managers. Legg Mason and its affiliates, as well as the Fund’s investment manager, are not affiliated with Citigroup.


Letter from the Chairman

LOGO

 

R. JAY GERKEN, CFA

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

 

Dear Shareholder,

 

The U.S. economy was generally strong during the one-year period of this report. After expanding 3.3% in the second quarter of 2005, third quarter gross domestic product (“GDP”)i advanced 4.1%. GDP growth then slipped to 1.7% in the fourth quarter. This marked the first quarter in which GDP growth did not surpass 3.0% since the first three months of 2003. However, as expected, the economy rebounded sharply in the first quarter of 2006, with GDP rising an estimated 5.3%. The economic turnaround was prompted by both strong consumer and business spending. In addition, the U.S. Labor Department reported that unemployment hit a five-year low in March.

The Federal Reserve Board (“Fed”)ii continued to raise interest rates during the reporting period. Despite the “changing of the guard” from Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan to Ben Bernanke in early 2006, it was “business as usual” for the Fed, as it raised short-term interest rates eight times during the reporting period. Since it began its tightening campaign in June 2004, the Fed has increased rates 15 consecutive times, bringing the federal funds rateiii from 1.00% to 4.75%. The Fed then raised rates to 5.00% on May 10th, after the end of the reporting period. Coinciding with this latest move, the Fed said that the “extent and timing” of further rate hikes would depend on future economic data.

Both short- and long-term yields rose over the reporting period. During the one-year period ended April 30, 2006, two-year Treasury yields increased from 3.66% to 4.87%. Over the same period, 10-year Treasury yields moved from 4.21% to 5.07%. During part of the reporting period, the yield curve was inverted, with the yield on two-year Treasuries surpassing that of 10-year Treasuries. An inverted yield curve has historically foreshadowed an economic slowdown or recession. However, some experts, including new

 

Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc.         I


 

Chairman Bernanke, believe the inverted yield curve was largely a function of strong foreign demand for longer-term bonds. Looking at the one-year period as a whole, the overall bond market, as measured by the Lehman Brothers U.S. Aggregate Index,iv returned 0.71%.

The high yield market generated strong results during the reporting period, supported by generally solid corporate profits and low default rates. In addition, there was overall solid demand and limited supply as new issuance waned. These factors tended to overshadow several company specific issues, mostly surrounding the automobile industry. During the one-year period ended April 30, 2006, the Citigroup High Yield Market Indexv returned 8.61%.

Emerging markets debt continued to produce strong results over the one-year reporting period, as the JPMorgan Emerging Markets Bond Index Global (“EMBI Global”)vi returned 11.97%. A strengthening global economy, solid domestic spending and high energy and commodity prices continue to support many emerging market countries. In addition, a number of these countries have strengthened their balance sheets in recent years. We believe that these positives more than offset the potential negatives associated with rising U.S. interest rates.

Please read on for a more detailed look at prevailing economic and market conditions during the Fund’s fiscal year and to learn how those conditions have affected Fund performance.

 

Special Shareholder Notices

On December 1, 2005, Citigroup Inc. (“Citigroup”) completed the sale of substantially all of its asset management business, to Legg Mason, Inc. (“Legg Mason”). As a result, the Fund’s investment adviser (the “Manager”), previously an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Citigroup, has become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Legg Mason. Completion of the sale caused the Fund’s then exisiting investment management contract to terminate. The Fund’s shareholders previously approved a new investment management contract between the Fund and the Manager, which became effective on December 1, 2005.

As previously described in proxy statements that were mailed to shareholders of the Fund in connection with the

 

II         Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc.


 

transaction, Legg Mason intends to combine the fixed-income operations of the Manager with those of Legg Mason’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Western Asset Management Company, and its affiliates, (“Western Asset”). This combination will involve Western Asset and the Manager sharing common systems and procedures, employees (including portfolio managers), investment trading platforms, and other resources. Legg Mason has recommended to the Board of Directors of the Fund that Western Asset be appointed as the sub-advisor to the Fund, subject to applicable regulatory requirements.

The portfolio management team of S. Kenneth Leech, Stephen A. Walsh, Keith J. Gardner and Michael C. Duda assumed portfolio management responsibilities for the Fund on March 17, 2006. These portfolio managers are employees of the Manager for purposes of carrying out their duties relating to the Fund and they also will continue to serve as employees of Western Asset.

The Board is working with the Manager, Western Asset, and the portfolio managers to implement an orderly combination of the Manager’s fixed-income operations and Western Asset in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders.

 

Information About Your Fund

As you may be aware, several issues in the mutual fund industry have come under the scrutiny of federal and state regulators. The Manager and some of its affiliates have received requests for information from various government regulators regarding market timing, late trading, fees, and other mutual fund issues in connection with various investigations. The regulators appear to be examining, among other things, the open-end funds’ response to market timing and shareholder exchange activity, including compliance with prospectus disclosure related to these subjects. The Fund has been informed that the Manager and its affiliates are responding to those information requests, but are not in a position to predict the outcome of these requests and investigations.

Important information concerning the Fund and its Manager with regard to recent regulatory developments is contained in the Notes to Financial Statements included in this report.

 

Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc.         III


 

As always, thank you for your confidence in our stewardship of your assets. We look forward to helping you continue to meet your financial goals.

 

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

R. Jay Gerken, CFA

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

 

May 25, 2006

 

All index performance reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes. Please note that an investor cannot invest directly in an index.

 

i   Gross domestic product is a market value of goods and services produced by labor and property in a given country.

 

ii   The Federal Reserve Board is responsible for the formulation of a policy 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 interest rate that banks with excess reserves at a Federal Reserve district bank charge other banks that need overnight loans.

 

iv   The Lehman Brothers 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 Citigroup High Yield Market Index is a broad-based unmanaged index of high yield securities.

 

vi   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. Countries covered are Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, China, Colombia, Cote d’Ivoire, Croatia, Ecuador, Greece, Hungary, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, Panama, Peru, the Philippines, Poland, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Thailand, Turkey and Venezuela.

 

IV         Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc.


Manager Overview

 

Q. What were the overall market conditions during the Fund’s reporting period?

A. Over the last year, the overall bond market has been impacted by a strong economy, numerous inflationary pressures, and continued rate hikes by the Federal Reserve Board (“Fed”)i. To gain some perspective on how far we’ve come in terms of interest rates, consider the following; In May 2004, the federal funds rateii, a barometer of short-term interest rates, was a mere 1.00%, its lowest level in more than 40 years. This was due, in part, to the Fed’s attempt to stimulate the economy in the aftermath of September 11th.

Then, in June 2004, the economy appeared to be on solid footing and the Fed officially ended its accommodative monetary policy by instituting its first rate hike in four years, bringing the federal funds rate from 1.00% to 1.25%. At that time, the Fed telegraphed what it had in mind for short-term rates as it said, “policy accommodation can be removed at a pace that is likely to be measured.” The Fed certainly has been true to its word, as it instituted 15 straight 0.25% rate hikes through the end of April 2006, bringing the federal funds rate to 4.75%. After the reporting period ended, the Fed again raised rates in May to 5.00%.

High yield securities significantly outperformed the overall bond market during the one-year period ended April 30, 2006, as the Citigroup High Yield Market Indexiii and Lehman Brothers U.S. Aggregate Indexiv returned 8.61% and 0.71%, respectively. The high yield market was supported by strong technical factors, with positive supply and demand trends. High yield market fundamentals were positive as well, with strong corporate balance sheets, generally high cash levels and continued low default rates. These factors tended to overshadow a number of company specific issues, many surrounding the automobile industry. For example, during the reporting period both General Motors Corporation and Ford Motor Company were downgraded to high yield status and automobile parts suppliers Delphi and Dana Corp. filed for bankruptcy.

 

Performance Review

For the twelve months ended April 30, 2006, the Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc. returned 14.43%, based on its net asset value (“NAV”)v and -1.58% based on its New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) market price per share. In comparison, the Fund’s unmanaged benchmark, the Citigroup High Yield Market Index, returned 8.61% and its Lipper High Current Yield (Leveraged) Closed-End Funds Category Averagevi increased 11.27% over the same time frame. Please note that Lipper performance returns are based on each fund’s NAV per share.

 

Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc. 2006 Annual Report         1


 

During the twelve-month period, the Fund made distributions to shareholders totaling $0.91 per share. The performance table shows the Fund’s twelve-month total return based on its NAV and market price as of April 30, 2006. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

 

Performance Snapshot as of April 30, 2006 (unaudited)

 

Price

Per Share

  12-Month
Total Return

$11.74 (NAV)

  14.43%

$10.04 (Market Price)

  -1.58%

 

All figures represent past performance and are not a guarantee of future results.
Total returns are based on changes in NAV or market price, respectively. Total returns assume the reinvestment of all distributions, including returns of capital, if any, in additional shares.

 

Q. What were the most significant factors affecting Fund performance?

What were the leading contributors to performance?

A. The Fund’s outperformance versus the benchmark was driven predominantly by positive security selection in the high yield and emerging markets debt markets. In the high yield portion of the portfolio, issue selection was particularly strong in CCC-rated and below securities and in the tower, energy and utilities sectors. Within the Fund’s emerging markets debt component, positive issue selection in Mexico, Colombia and Turkey contributed to performance, as did overweight positions in Argentina and Colombia and underweights in Malaysia, China and Russia. The use of leverage also positively contributed to the Fund’s performance. Late in the reporting period, the Fund’s emphasis on BB-rated bonds, particularly those of General Motors and Ford, benefited as their spreads narrowed. In addition, the Fund’s holding in Visteon, a global automotive supplier, contributed to performance. Elsewhere, the Fund benefited from a large overweight in the buildings products sector. The Fund remains overweight in this sector despite its strong year-to-date performance, due to continued attractive yields.

 

What were the leading detractors from performance?

A. Higher-than-average levels of cash in the Fund, due to a series of calls and tenders during the reporting period, detracted from overall performance in the high yield allocation, as did security selection in the cable and other media sector. Within the Fund’s emerging markets debt component, an overweight in Mexico and underweight in Venezuela detracted from performance relative to the benchmark. Security selection in Brazil was a drag on results. Toward the end of the reporting period, underweights in both Dana Corp. and Tembec detracted from results. Ironically, although Dana Corp. filed for bankruptcy in March 2006, it was the month’s best performing high yield issuer.

 

2         Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc. 2006 Annual Report


 

We believe this was a result of the market being relieved with Dana Corp.’s proactive restructuring. In addition, overweights to pipelines and independent energy in March and April impaired performance as these quality sectors traded off along with Treasuries.

 

Q. Were there any significant changes to the Fund during the reporting period?

A. Beginning in mid-March, we tactically shifted away from emerging markets debt to reinvest assets into the high yield market based on our assessment of relative valuation. As such, we decreased its exposure to the more liquid emerging markets countries, specifically Brazil, Mexico and Russia, and reallocated assets into the automotive, cable & other media, energy, healthcare and publishing/printing high yield sectors. We also reinvested cash received from calls and tenders in the high yield portion of the Fund during the period back into the high yield market. We decreased the Fund’s exposure to BBB- and CCC-rated securities during the 10-month period in favor of mid-quality debt.

During the short period in which the new portfolio management team has managed the Fund, the quality profile of its portfolios has been gradually upgraded. However, the Fund still has a slightly lower quality bias relative to the benchmark.

 

Looking for Additional Information?

The Fund is traded under the symbol “HIX” and its closing market price is available in most newspapers under the NYSE listings. The daily NAV is available on-line under symbol XHIXX. Barron’s and The Wall Street Journal’s Monday editions carry closed-end fund tables that will provide additional information. In addition, the Fund issues a quarterly press release that can be found on most major financial websites as well as www.leggmason.com/InvestorServices.

In a continuing effort to provide information concerning the Fund, shareholders may call 1-888-777-0102 or 1-800-SALOMON (toll free), Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time, for the Fund’s current NAV, market price and other information.

Thank you for your investment in the Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc. As ever, we appreciate that you have chosen us to manage your assets and we remain focused on achieving the Fund’s investment goals.

 

Sincerely,

 

Salomon Brothers Asset Management Inc

 

May 31, 2006

 

Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc. 2006 Annual Report         3


 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

 

RISKS: As interest rates rise, bond prices fall generally, reducing the value of the Fund. The Fund may use derivatives, such as options and futures, which can be illiquid, may disproportionately increase losses, and have a potentially large impact on fund performance. High yield bonds involve greater credit and liquidity risks than investment grade bonds. Foreign securities are subject to certain risks not associated with domestic investing, such as currency fluctuations and changes in political and economic conditions which could result in significant fluctuations. The risks are magnified in emerging markets.

 

All index performance reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes. Please note that an investor cannot invest directly in an index.

 

i   The Federal Reserve Board is responsible for the formulation of a policy designed to promote economic growth, full employment, stable prices, and a sustainable pattern of international trade and payments.

 

ii   The federal funds rate is the interest rate that banks with excess reserves at a Federal Reserve district bank charge other banks that need overnight loans.

 

iii   The Citigroup High Yield Market Index is a broad-based unmanaged index of high yield securities. Please note an investor cannot invest directly in an index.

 

iv   The Lehman Brothers 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. Please note an investor cannot invest directly in an index.

 

v   NAV is calculated by subtracting total liabilities 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 at the Fund’s market price as determined by supply of and demand for the Fund’s shares.

 

vi   Lipper, Inc. is a major independent mutual-fund tracking organization. Returns are based on the 12-month period ended April 30, 2006, including the reinvestment of all distributions, including returns of capital, if any, calculated among the 29 funds in the Fund’s Lipper category, and excluding sales charges.

 

4         Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc. 2006 Annual Report


Fund at a Glance (unaudited)

 

LOGO

 

 

Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc. 2006 Annual Report         5


Schedule of Investments (April 30, 2006)

 

SALOMON BROTHERS HIGH INCOME FUND II INC.


Face
Amount†
   Security(a)    Value  
               
CORPORATE BONDS & NOTES — 84.1%         
Aerospace & Defense — 1.7%         
4,200,000   

Argo-Tech Corp., Senior Notes, 9.250% due 6/1/11

   $ 4,446,750  
3,100,000   

DRS Technologies Inc., Senior Subordinated Notes, 7.625% due 2/1/18

     3,196,875  
5,500,000   

L-3 Communications Corp., Senior Subordinated Notes, 7.625% due 6/15/12

     5,692,500  
4,000,000   

Sequa Corp., Senior Notes, 9.000% due 8/1/09

     4,320,000  


    

Total Aerospace & Defense

     17,656,125  


Airlines — 0.3%         
1,540,000   

American Airlines Inc., Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2001-02, Class C, 7.800% due 10/1/06

     1,544,654  
    

Continental Airlines Inc., Pass-Through Certificates:

        
493,588   

Series 1998-1, Class C, 6.541% due 9/15/08

     466,212  
1,354,279   

Series 2000-2, Class C, 8.312% due 10/2/12

     1,290,156  


    

Total Airlines

     3,301,022  


Auto Components — 0.8%         
2,100,000   

Keystone Automotive Operations Inc., Senior Subordinated Notes, 9.750% due 11/1/13

     1,911,000  
1,700,000   

Tenneco Automotive Inc., Senior Secured Notes, Series B, 10.250% due 7/15/13

     1,891,250  
2,409,000   

TRW Automotive Inc., Senior Notes, 9.375% due 2/15/13

     2,601,720  
2,320,000   

Visteon Corp., Senior Notes, 8.250% due 8/1/10

     2,093,800  


    

Total Auto Components

     8,497,770  


Automobiles — 2.7%         
    

Ford Motor Co.:

        
1,150,000   

Debentures, 8.900% due 1/15/32

     882,625  
26,660,000   

Notes, 7.450% due 7/16/31

     19,595,100  
775,000   

Senior Notes, 4.950% due 1/15/08

     720,687  
    

General Motors Corp., Senior Debentures:

        
2,375,000   

8.250% due 7/15/23

     1,733,750  
5,790,000   

8.375% due 7/15/33

     4,342,500  


    

Total Automobiles

     27,274,662  


Building Products — 1.7%         
8,500,000   

Associated Materials Inc., Senior Discount Notes, step bond to yield 11.239% due 3/1/14

     5,227,500  
650,000   

Jacuzzi Brands Inc., Secured Notes, 9.625% due 7/1/10

     699,563  
5,990,000   

Nortek Inc., Senior Subordinated Notes, 8.500% due 9/1/14

     6,169,700  
5,075,000   

Ply Gem Industries Inc., Senior Subordinated Notes, 9.000% due 2/15/12

     4,910,062  


    

Total Building Products

     17,006,825  


Capital Markets — 0.6%         
3,104,000   

BCP Crystal U.S. Holdings Corp., Senior Subordinated Notes, 9.625% due 6/15/14

     3,429,920  
2,450,000   

E*TRADE Financial Corp., Senior Notes, 7.375% due 9/15/13

     2,505,125  


    

Total Capital Markets

     5,935,045  


 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

6         Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc. 2006 Annual Report


Schedule of Investments (April 30, 2006) (continued)

 

Face
Amount†
   Security(a)    Value  
               
Chemicals — 5.4%         
2,500,000   

Airgas Inc., Senior Subordinated Notes, 9.125% due 10/1/11

   $ 2,643,750  
2,800,000   

Borden Chemicals & Plastics LP, Notes, 9.500% due 5/1/05 (b)(c)(d)*

     49,000  
3,500,000   

Equistar Chemicals LP, Senior Notes, 10.625% due 5/1/11

     3,832,500  
8,500,000   

FMC Corp., Senior Debentures, 7.750% due 7/1/11

     8,838,470  
    

Huntsman International LLC, Senior Subordinated Notes:

        
3,873,000   

10.125% due 7/1/09

     3,960,142  
675,000   

8.125% due 1/1/15 (e)

     680,063  
3,675,000   

Innophos Inc., Senior Subordinated Notes, 8.875% due 8/15/14

     3,803,625  
    

Lyondell Chemical Co., Senior Secured Notes:

        
1,517,000   

9.500% due 12/15/08

     1,589,058  
1,400,000   

11.125% due 7/15/12

     1,554,000  
3,075,000   

Methanex Corp., Senior Notes, 8.750% due 8/15/12

     3,394,031  
3,550,000   

Millennium America Inc., Senior Notes, 9.250% due 6/15/08

     3,727,500  
4,475,000   

Montell Finance Co. BV, 8.100% due 3/15/27 (e)

     4,284,812  
6,550,000   

Nalco Co., Senior Subordinated Notes, 8.875% due 11/15/13

     6,795,625  
4,075,000   

Resolution Performance Products LLC, Senior Subordinated Notes, 13.500% due 11/15/10

     4,380,625  
    

Rhodia SA:

        
374,000   

Senior Notes, 10.250% due 6/1/10

     419,815  
4,586,000   

Senior Subordinated Notes, 8.875% due 6/1/11

     4,757,975  


    

Total Chemicals

     54,710,991  


Commercial Services & Supplies — 1.9%         
2,100,000   

Allied Security Escrow Corp., Senior Subordinated Notes, 11.375% due 7/15/11

     2,089,500  
    

Allied Waste North America Inc.:

        
    

Senior Notes, Series B:

        
250,000   

8.500% due 12/1/08

     264,375  
1,617,000   

9.250% due 9/1/12

     1,750,402  
1,050,000   

7.250% due 3/15/15

     1,073,625  
6,000,000   

Senior Secured Notes, Series B, 7.375% due 4/15/14

     5,940,000  
3,200,000   

Brand Services Inc., Senior Notes, 12.000% due 10/15/12

     3,488,000  
    

Cenveo Corp.:

        
1,000,000   

Senior Notes, 9.625% due 3/15/12

     1,072,500  
3,050,000   

Senior Subordinated Notes, 7.875% due 12/1/13

     2,966,125  
290,000   

NationsRent Inc., Senior Subordinated Notes, 9.500% due 5/1/15

     316,100  


    

Total Commercial Services & Supplies

     18,960,627  


Communications Equipment — 1.3%         
10,825,000   

Lucent Technologies Inc., Debentures, 6.450% due 3/15/29

     9,661,313  
3,640,000   

Southwestern Bell Telephone Co., Debentures, 7.000% due 11/15/27

     3,563,356  


    

Total Communications Equipment

     13,224,669  


Computers & Peripherals — 0.7%         
3,000,000   

Seagate Technology HDD Holdings, Senior Notes, 8.000% due 5/15/09

     3,105,000  
    

SunGard Data Systems Inc.:

        
2,900,000   

Senior Notes, 9.125% due 8/15/13 (e)

     3,110,250  
970,000   

Senior Subordinated Notes, 10.250% due 8/15/15 (e)

     1,047,600  


    

Total Computers & Peripherals

     7,262,850  


 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc. 2006 Annual Report         7


Schedule of Investments (April 30, 2006) (continued)

 

Face
Amount†
   Security(a)    Value  
               
Containers & Packaging — 2.7%         
3,250,000   

Berry Plastics Corp., Senior Subordinated Notes, 10.750% due 7/15/12

   $ 3,558,750  
2,680,000   

Graham Packaging Co. Inc., Senior Subordinated Notes,
9.875% due 10/15/14

     2,767,100  
4,575,000   

Graphic Packaging International Corp., Senior Subordinated Notes, 9.500% due 8/15/13

     4,460,625  
2,275,000   

Jefferson Smurfit Corp., Senior Notes, 8.250% due 10/1/12

     2,218,125  
3,750,000   

JSG Funding PLC, Senior Notes, 9.625% due 10/1/12

     3,975,000  
985,000   

Plastipak Holdings Inc., Senior Notes, 8.500% due 12/15/15 (e)

     999,775  
795,000   

Pliant Corp., Senior Secured Second Lien Notes, 11.125% due 9/1/09 (b)

     839,719  
1,975,000   

Radnor Holdings Corp., Senior Notes, 11.000% due 3/15/10

     1,340,531  
4,950,000   

Smurfit-Stone Container Enterprises Inc., Senior Notes, 8.375% due 7/1/12

     4,851,000  
550,000   

Stone Container Finance Co. of Canada II, Senior Notes, 7.375% due 7/15/14

     508,750  
2,150,000   

Tekni-Plex Inc., Senior Subordinated Notes, Series B, 12.750% due 6/15/10

     1,478,125  


    

Total Containers & Packaging

     26,997,500  


Diversified Consumer Services — 0.4%         
    

Hertz Corp.:

        
2,650,000   

Senior Notes, 8.875% due 1/1/14 (e)

     2,828,875  
1,245,000   

Senior Subordinated Notes, 10.500% due 1/1/16 (e)

     1,383,506  


    

Total Diversified Consumer Services

     4,212,381  


Diversified Financial Services — 7.5%         
    

Alamosa Delaware Inc.:

        
4,430,000   

Senior Discount Notes, 12.000% due 7/31/09

     4,767,787  
1,950,000   

Senior Notes, 11.000% due 7/31/10

     2,166,937  
1,255,000   

CitiSteel USA Inc., Pass-Through Trust, Notes, 12.480% due 9/1/10 (e)(f)

     1,302,063  
10,580,000   

Dow Jones CDX HY, Pass-Through Trust, Series 6-T3, 8.125% due 6/29/11 (e)

     10,619,675  
    

Ford Motor Credit Co., Notes:

        
4,495,000   

6.625% due 6/16/08

     4,225,273  
3,075,000   

7.875% due 6/15/10

     2,842,219  
3,880,000   

7.000% due 10/1/13

     3,418,652  
    

General Motors Acceptance Corp.:

        
20,270,000   

Bonds, 8.000% due 11/1/31

     19,270,628  
6,890,000   

Notes, 6.875% due 8/28/12

     6,428,177  
3,380,000   

H&E Equipment Services LLC/H&E Finance Corp., Senior Notes, 11.125% due 6/15/12

     3,751,800  
2,850,000   

Hexion U.S. Finance Corp./Hexion Nova Scotia Finance ULC, Senior Secured Notes, 9.000% due 7/15/14

     2,956,875  
1,245,000   

Hughes Network Systems LLC/HNS Finance Corp., Senior Notes, 9.500% due 4/15/14 (e)

     1,274,569  
6,438,930   

Iowa Select Farm LP, Secured Notes, 6.500% due 12/1/12 (e)

     3,219,465  
1,950,000   

Nell AF SARL, Senior Notes, 8.375% due 8/15/15 (e)

     1,942,688  
260,000   

UCAR Finance Inc., 10.250% due 2/15/12

     278,200  
6,910,000   

Vanguard Health Holdings Co. I LLC, Senior Discount Notes, step bond to yield 9.787% due 10/1/15

     5,130,675  
1,775,000   

Vanguard Health Holdings Co. II LLC, Senior Subordinated Notes, 9.000% due 10/1/14

     1,841,563  


    

Total Diversified Financial Services

     75,437,246  


 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

8         Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc. 2006 Annual Report


Schedule of Investments (April 30, 2006) (continued)

 

Face
Amount†
    Security(a)    Value  
                
Diversified Telecommunication Services — 4.0%         
4,600,000    

AT&T Corp., Senior Notes, 9.750% due 11/15/31

   $ 5,467,063  
1,810,000    

Cincinnati Bell Inc., Senior Notes, 7.000% due 2/15/15

     1,805,475  
1,855,000    

Citizens Communications Co., Senior Notes, 9.000% due 8/15/31

     1,998,762  
1,700,000    

Hawaiian Telcom Communications Inc., Senior Subordinated Notes, 12.500% due 5/1/15 (e)

     1,802,000  
4,350,000    

Insight Midwest LP/Insight Capital Inc., Senior Notes, 10.500% due 11/1/10

     4,594,687  
     

Intelsat Ltd.:

        
70,000    

Notes, 7.625% due 4/15/12

     60,375  
3,200,000    

Senior Discount Notes, step bond to yield 9.253% due 2/1/15 (e)

     2,336,000  
1,880,000    

Nordic Telephone Co. Holdings, Senior Notes, 8.875% due 5/1/16 (e)

     1,955,200  
1,355,000    

PanAmSat Corp., Senior Notes, 9.000% due 8/15/14

     1,431,219  
     

Qwest Communications International Inc., Senior Notes:

        
365,000    

7.500% due 2/15/14

     369,563  
900,000    

Series B, 7.500% due 2/15/14

     911,250  
     

Qwest Corp.:

        
     

Debentures:

        
455,000    

7.500% due 6/15/23

     453,863  
8,728,000    

6.875% due 9/15/33

     8,106,130  
7,325,000    

Notes, 9.125% due 3/15/12

     8,057,500  
6,000,000 MXN  

Telefonos de Mexico SA de CV, Senior Notes, 8.750% due 1/31/16

     520,123  
270,000    

Wind Acquisition Finance SA, 10.750% due 12/1/15 (e)

     299,700  


     

Total Diversified Telecommunication Services

     40,168,910  


Electric Utilities — 2.3%         
     

Edison Mission Energy, Senior Notes:

        
4,575,000    

7.730% due 6/15/09

     4,706,531  
5,175,000    

9.875% due 4/15/11

     5,860,688  
2,925,000    

Mirant Americas Generation LLC, Senior Notes, 9.125% due 5/1/31

     3,089,531  
     

Reliant Energy Inc., Senior Secured Notes:

        
2,825,000    

9.250% due 7/15/10

     2,877,969  
6,475,000    

9.500% due 7/15/13

     6,604,500  


     

Total Electric Utilities

     23,139,219  


Energy Equipment & Services — 0.3%         
3,175,000    

Hanover Compressor Co., Senior Notes, 9.000% due 6/1/14

     3,429,000  


Food & Staples Retailing — 0.0%         
310,000    

Rite Aid Corp., Notes, 7.125% due 1/15/07

     312,325  


Food Products — 1.2%         
2,350,000    

Doane Pet Care Co., Senior Subordinated Notes, 10.625% due 11/15/15

     2,878,750  
     

Dole Food Co. Inc.:

        
1,600,000    

Debentures, 8.750% due 7/15/13

     1,548,000  
     

Senior Notes:

        
1,975,000    

7.250% due 6/15/10

     1,856,500  
1,050,000    

8.875% due 3/15/11

     1,029,000  
4,675,000    

Pinnacle Foods Holding Corp., Senior Subordinated Notes, 8.250% due 12/1/13

     4,710,062  


     

Total Food Products

     12,022,312  


 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc. 2006 Annual Report         9


Schedule of Investments (April 30, 2006) (continued)

 

Face
Amount†
   Security(a)    Value  
               
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 0.3%         
2,500,000   

Sybron Dental Specialties Inc., Senior Subordinated Notes, 8.125% due 6/15/12

   $ 2,656,250  


Health Care Providers & Services — 4.3%         
4,425,000   

AmeriPath Inc., Senior Subordinated Notes, 10.500% due 4/1/13

     4,723,687  
4,450,000   

DaVita Inc., Senior Subordinated Notes, 7.250% due 3/15/15

     4,472,250  
5,120,000   

Extendicare Health Services Inc., Senior Notes, 9.500% due 7/1/10

     5,408,000  
    

HCA Inc.:

        
7,200,000   

6.500% due 2/15/16

     6,958,973  
2,100,000   

Notes, 6.375% due 1/15/15

     2,032,506  
4,800,000   

IASIS Healthcare LLC/IASIS Capital Corp., Senior Subordinated Notes, 8.750% due 6/15/14

     4,872,000  
     Tenet Healthcare Corp., Senior Notes:         
6,000,000   

7.375% due 2/1/13

     5,625,000  
3,780,000   

9.875% due 7/1/14

     3,940,650  
1,525,000   

6.875% due 11/15/31

     1,258,125  
4,550,000   

Triad Hospitals Inc., Senior Subordinated Notes, 7.000% due 11/15/13

     4,464,688  


    

Total Health Care Providers & Services

     43,755,879  


Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 6.6%         
5,000,000   

AMF Bowling Worldwide Inc., Senior Subordinated Notes, 10.000% due 3/1/10

     5,168,750  
    

Caesars Entertainment Inc., Senior Subordinated Notes:

        
700,000   

9.375% due 2/15/07

     720,125  
4,500,000   

8.875% due 9/15/08

     4,781,250  
3,000,000   

8.125% due 5/15/11

     3,243,750  
2,725,000   

Carrols Corp., Senior Subordinated Notes, 9.000% due 1/15/13

     2,779,500  
5,480,000   

Cinemark Inc., Senior Discount Notes, step bond to yield 9.088% due 3/15/14

     4,384,000  
4,725,000   

Denny’s Holdings Inc., Senior Notes, 10.000% due 10/1/12

     4,949,437  
4,150,000   

Herbst Gaming Inc., Senior Subordinated Notes, 7.000% due 11/15/14

     4,170,750  
2,980,000   

Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort & Casino, Senior Notes, 12.000% due 11/15/10

     3,240,750  
4,800,000   

Isle of Capri Casinos Inc., Senior Subordinated Notes, 7.000% due 3/1/14

     4,740,000  
1,835,000   

Kerzner International Ltd., Senior Subordinated Notes, 6.750% due 10/1/15

     1,912,987  
3,850,000   

Las Vegas Sands Corp., Senior Notes, 6.375% due 2/15/15

     3,715,250  
    

MGM MIRAGE Inc.:

        
1,775,000   

Senior Notes, 6.750% due 9/1/12

     1,766,125  
485,000   

Senior Subordinated Notes, 9.750% due 6/1/07

     505,613  
    

Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority, Senior Subordinated Notes:

        
1,050,000   

7.125% due 8/15/14

     1,044,750  
2,475,000   

6.875% due 2/15/15

     2,413,125  
4,700,000   

Pinnacle Entertainment Inc., Senior Subordinated Notes, 8.250% due 3/15/12

     4,935,000  
2,825,000   

Sbarro Inc., Senior Notes, 11.000% due 9/15/09

     2,923,875  
4,300,000   

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc., Senior Notes, 7.875% due 5/1/12

     4,644,000  
    

Station Casinos Inc., Senior Subordinated Notes:

        
475,000   

6.875% due 3/1/16

     469,063  
4,175,000   

6.625% due 3/15/18 (e)

     3,992,344  


    

Total Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

     66,500,444  


 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

10         Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc. 2006 Annual Report


Schedule of Investments (April 30, 2006) (continued)

 

Face
Amount†
   Security(a)    Value  
               
Household Durables — 1.6%         
271,000   

Applica Inc., Senior Subordinated Notes, 10.000% due 7/31/08

   $ 270,323  
4,000,000   

Holt Group Inc., Senior Notes, 9.750% due 1/15/49 (b)(c)(d)*

     0  
    

Interface Inc.:

        
2,875,000   

Senior Notes, 10.375% due 2/1/10

     3,162,500  
1,500,000   

Senior Subordinated Notes, 9.500% due 2/1/14

     1,567,500  
2,605,000   

K Hovnanian Enterprises, Senior Notes, 7.500% due 5/15/16

     2,587,484  
475,000   

Norcraft Cos. LP/Norcraft Finance Corp., Senior Subordinated Notes, 9.000% due 11/1/11

     498,750  
1,100,000   

Norcraft Holdings LP/Norcraft Capital Corp., Senior Discount Notes, step bond to yield 9.778% due 9/1/12

     896,500  
4,150,000   

Sealy Mattress Co., Senior Subordinated Notes, 8.250% due 6/15/14

     4,378,250  
2,145,000   

Tempur-Pedic Inc./Tempur Production USA Inc., Senior Subordinated Notes, 10.250% due 8/15/10

     2,308,556  


    

Total Household Durables

     15,669,863  


Household Products — 0.6%         
    

Nutro Products Inc.:

        
435,000   

Senior Notes, 9.230% due 10/15/13 (e)(f)

     445,875  
935,000   

Senior Subordinated Notes, 10.750% due 4/15/14 (e)

     972,400  
2,745,000   

Spectrum Brands Inc., Senior Subordinated Notes, 8.500% due 10/1/13

     2,436,188  
1,890,000   

Visant Holding Corp., Senior Notes, 8.750% due 12/1/13 (e)

     1,852,200  


    

Total Household Products

     5,706,663  


Independent Power Producers & Energy Traders — 3.2%         
130,000   

Aes China Generating Co., Class A, 8.250% due 6/26/10

     130,602  
    

AES Corp.:

        
730,000   

Secured Notes, 9.000% due 5/15/15 (e)

     799,350  
    

Senior Notes:

        
1,325,000   

9.500% due 6/1/09

     1,434,313  
1,900,000   

9.375% due 9/15/10

     2,080,500  
40,000   

8.875% due 2/15/11

     43,200  
4,425,000   

7.750% due 3/1/14

     4,635,187  
2,500,000   

Calpine Generating Co. LLC, Senior Secured Notes, 11.169% due 4/1/11 (b)

     2,687,500  
    

Dynegy Holdings Inc., Senior Debentures:

        
4,550,000   

7.125% due 5/15/18

     4,140,500  
8,350,000   

7.625% due 10/15/26

     7,598,500  
    

NRG Energy Inc., Senior Notes:

        
1,675,000   

7.250% due 2/1/14

     1,687,563  
7,375,000   

7.375% due 2/1/16

     7,457,969  


    

Total Independent Power Producers & Energy Traders

     32,695,184  


Industrial Conglomerates — 0.1%         
759,000   

KI Holdings Inc., Senior Discount Notes, step bond to yield 9.872% due 11/15/14

     565,455  
2,750,000   

Moll Industries Inc., Senior Subordinated Notes, 10.500% due 7/1/08 (b)(c)(d)*

     0  


    

Total Industrial Conglomerates

     565,455  


 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc. 2006 Annual Report         11


Schedule of Investments (April 30, 2006) (continued)

 

Face
Amount†
   Security(a)    Value  
               
IT Services — 0.5%         
4,035,000   

Iron Mountain Inc., Senior Subordinated Notes, 8.625% due 4/1/13

   $ 4,221,619  
1,050,000   

Unisys Corp., Senior Notes, 8.000% due 10/15/12

     1,014,562  


    

Total IT Services

     5,236,181  


Machinery — 1.6%         
    

Case New Holland Inc., Senior Notes:

        
450,000   

9.250% due 8/1/11

     480,375  
1,850,000   

7.125% due 3/1/14 (e)

     1,826,875  
2,100,000   

Invensys PLC, Senior Notes, 9.875% due 3/15/11 (e)

     2,226,000  
1,525,000   

Mueller Group Inc., Senior Subordinated Notes, 10.000% due 5/1/12

     1,677,500  
4,375,000   

Mueller Holdings Inc., Discount Notes, step bond to yield 13.769% due 4/15/14

     3,631,250  
1,850,000   

NMHG Holding Co., Senior Notes, 10.000% due 5/15/09

     1,951,752  
4,000,000   

Terex Corp., Senior Subordinated Notes, Series B, 10.375% due 4/1/11

     4,230,000  


    

Total Machinery

     16,023,752  


Media — 11.2%         
2,580,000   

Affinion Group Inc., 10.125% due 10/15/13 (e)

     2,676,750  
4,455,000   

AMC Entertainment Inc., Senior Subordinated Notes, 11.000% due 2/1/16 (e)

     4,855,950  
6,435,325   

CanWest Media Inc., Senior Subordinated Notes, 8.000% due 9/15/12

     6,555,987  
    

CCH I Holdings LLC:

        
    

Senior Accreting Notes:

        
11,525,000   

step bond to yield 16.269% due 5/15/14

     7,433,625  
10,000,000   

step bond to yield 17.441% due 1/15/15

     5,400,000  
4,245,000   

Senior Secured Notes, 11.000% due 10/1/15

     3,799,275  
925,000   

Charter Communications Operating LLC, Second Lien Senior Notes, 8.375% due 4/30/14 (e)

     934,250  
1,375,000   

Chukchansi Economic Development Authority, Senior Notes, 8.000% due 11/15/13 (e)

     1,423,125  
    

CSC Holdings Inc.:

        
    

Debentures:

        
345,000   

7.875% due 2/15/18

     351,038  
3,850,000   

Series B, 8.125% due 8/15/09

     4,013,625  
3,400,000   

Senior Notes, Series B, 7.625% due 4/1/11

     3,476,500  
    

Dex Media East LLC/Dex Media East Finance Co., Senior Notes:

        
1,750,000   

9.875% due 11/15/09

     1,872,500  
813,000   

Series B, 12.125% due 11/15/12

     923,771  
3,350,000   

Dex Media Inc., Discount Notes, step bond to yield 8.367% due 11/15/13

     2,864,250  
2,344,000   

Dex Media West LLC/Dex Media Finance Co., Senior Subordinated Notes, Series B, 9.875% due 8/15/13

     2,593,050  
3,022,000   

DIRECTV Holdings LLC/DIRECTV Financing Co. Inc., Senior Notes, 8.375% due 3/15/13

     3,244,873  
9,325,000   

EchoStar DBS Corp., Senior Notes, 7.125% due 2/1/16 (e)

     9,150,156  
2,500,000   

Houghton Mifflin Co., Senior Discount Notes, step bond to yield 11.492% due 10/15/13

     2,137,500  
1,375,000   

Intelsat Subsidiary Holding Co. Ltd., Senior Notes, 9.614% due 1/15/12 (f)

     1,402,500  
1,950,000   

Interep National Radio Sales Inc., Senior Subordinated Notes, Series B, 10.000% due 7/1/08

     1,618,500  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

12         Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc. 2006 Annual Report


Schedule of Investments (April 30, 2006) (continued)

 

Face
Amount†
   Security(a)    Value  
               
Media — 11.2% (continued)         
3,295,000   

LodgeNet Entertainment Corp., Senior Subordinated Notes, 9.500% due 6/15/13

   $ 3,566,838  
460,000   

Mediacom LLC/Mediacom Capital Corp., Senior Notes, 9.500% due 1/15/13

     472,650  
4,825,000   

Nexstar Finance Inc., Senior Subordinated Notes, 7.000% due 1/15/14

     4,559,625  
2,565,000   

Primedia Inc., Senior Notes, 8.875% due 5/15/11

     2,481,638  
    

R.H. Donnelley Corp.:

        
    

Senior Discount Notes:

        
1,000,000   

Series A-1, 6.875% due 1/15/13 (e)

     935,000  
2,200,000   

Series A-2, 6.875% due 1/15/13 (e)

     2,057,000  
5,200,000   

Senior Notes, Series A-3, 8.875% due 1/15/16 (e)

     5,375,500  
900,000   

R.H. Donnelley Finance Corp. I, Senior Subordinated Notes, 10.875% due 12/15/12 (e)

     1,003,500  
    

Radio One Inc., Senior Subordinated Notes:

        
100,000   

6.375% due 2/15/13

     94,500  
3,475,000   

Series B, 8.875% due 7/1/11

     3,657,437  
4,885,000   

Rainbow National Services LLC, Senior Notes, 8.750% due 9/1/12 (e)

     5,239,162  
    

Rogers Cable Inc.:

        
1,000,000   

Senior Secured Notes, 6.250% due 6/15/13

     978,750  
760,000   

Senior Secured Second Priority Notes, 6.750% due 3/15/15

     759,050  
4,225,000   

Sinclair Broadcast Group Inc., Senior Subordinated Notes, 8.000% due 3/15/12

     4,320,062  
750,000   

Videotron Ltd., Senior Notes, 6.375% due 12/15/15

     738,750  
    

XM Satellite Radio Inc., Senior Notes:

        
860,000   

9.649% due 5/1/13 (e)(f)

     872,900  
1,565,000   

9.750% due 5/1/14 (e)

     1,580,650  
    

Yell Finance BV:

        
6,776,000   

Senior Discount Notes, step bond to yield 13.176% due 8/1/11

     7,131,740  
606,000   

Senior Notes, 10.750% due 8/1/11

     648,420  


    

Total Media

     113,200,397  


Metals & Mining — 0.4%         
2,225,000   

Aleris International Inc., Senior Secured Notes, 10.375% due 10/15/10

     2,453,062  
275,000   

Chaparral Steel Co., Senior Notes, 10.000% due 7/15/13

     309,375  
385,000   

Metals USA Inc., Senior Secured Notes, 11.125% due 12/1/15 (e)

     423,500  
5,000,000   

Republic Technologies International LLC/RTI Capital Corp., Senior Secured Notes, 13.750% due 7/15/09 (b)(c)(d)*

     0  
375,000   

Vale Overseas Ltd., Notes, 6.250% due 1/11/16

     370,313  


    

Total Metals & Mining

     3,556,250  


Multiline Retail — 0.6%         
2,500,000   

Harry & David Operations, Senior Notes, 9.000% due 3/1/13

     2,343,750  
2,265,000   

Neiman Marcus Group Inc., Senior Subordinated Notes, 10.375% due 10/15/15 (e)

     2,434,875  
1,543,000   

Saks Inc., Notes, 9.875% due 10/1/11

     1,712,730  


    

Total Multiline Retail

     6,491,355  


Office Electronics — 0.4%         
4,375,000   

Xerox Capital Trust I Exchange Capital Securities, 8.000% due 2/1/27

     4,528,125  


 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc. 2006 Annual Report         13


Schedule of Investments (April 30, 2006) (continued)

 

Face
Amount†
   Security(a)    Value  
               
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 6.6%         
815,000   

Belden & Blake Corp., Secured Notes, 8.750% due 7/15/12

   $ 841,488  
    

Chesapeake Energy Corp., Senior Notes:

        
6,250,000   

6.625% due 1/15/16

     6,093,750  
2,725,000   

6.875% due 11/15/20 (e)

     2,690,938  
5,127,000   

Cimarex Energy Co., Senior Notes, 9.600% due 3/15/12

     5,485,890  
    

El Paso Corp.:

        
    

Medium-Term Notes:

        
5,425,000   

7.800% due 8/1/31

     5,397,875  
6,325,000   

7.750% due 1/15/32

     6,309,187  
5,200,000   

Notes, 7.875% due 6/15/12

     5,408,000  
2,510,000   

EXCO Resources Inc., Senior Notes, 7.250% due 1/15/11

     2,491,175  
2,325,000   

Inergy LP/Inergy Finance Corp., Senior Notes, 8.250% due 3/1/16 (e)

     2,400,563  
1,465,000   

Mariner Energy Inc., Senior Notes, 7.500% due 4/15/13 (e)

     1,457,675  
    

Pemex Project Funding Master Trust:

        
3,100,000   

6.125% due 8/15/08

     3,126,350  
250,000   

7.375% due 12/15/14

     265,625  
4,575,000   

Plains Exploration & Production Co., Senior Notes, 7.125% due 6/15/14

     4,655,062  
2,000,000   

Pogo Producing Co., Senior Subordinated Notes, Series B, 8.250% due 4/15/11

     2,085,000  
500,000   

SemGroup LP, Senior Notes, 8.750% due 11/15/15 (e)

     512,500  
1,000,000   

Swift Energy Co., Senior Subordinated Notes, 9.375% due 5/1/12

     1,067,500  
    

Whiting Petroleum Corp., Senior Subordinated Notes:

        
2,550,000   

7.250% due 5/1/12

     2,562,750  
1,975,000   

7.000% due 2/1/14

     1,965,125  
    

Williams Cos. Inc.:

        
    

Notes:

        
3,650,000   

7.875% due 9/1/21

     3,905,500  
3,225,000   

8.750% due 3/15/32

     3,732,937  
3,700,000   

Senior Notes, 7.625% due 7/15/19

     3,903,500  


    

Total Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

     66,358,390  


Paper & Forest Products — 1.6%         
3,850,000   

Abitibi-Consolidated Inc., Debentures, 8.850% due 8/1/30

     3,561,250  
4,375,000   

Appleton Papers Inc., Senior Subordinated Notes, Series B, 9.750% due 6/15/14

     4,440,625  
4,850,000   

Buckeye Technologies Inc., Senior Subordinated Notes, 8.000% due 10/15/10

     4,728,750  
650,000   

Domtar Inc., Notes, 5.375% due 12/1/13

     547,625  
    

NewPage Corp., Senior Secured Notes:

        
510,000   

10.000% due 5/1/12

     548,887  
660,000   

10.930% due 5/1/12 (f)

     726,000  
800,000   

P.H. Glatfelter, Senior Notes, 7.125% due 5/1/16 (e)

     807,167  
1,000,000   

Smurfit Capital Funding PLC, Debentures, 7.500% due 11/20/25

     940,000  
435,000   

Tembec Industries Inc., Senior Notes, 7.750% due 3/15/12

     259,913  


    

Total Paper & Forest Products

     16,560,217  


Personal Products — 0.5%         
4,350,000   

Playtex Products Inc., Senior Subordinated Notes, 9.375% due 6/1/11

     4,556,625  


 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

14         Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc. 2006 Annual Report


Schedule of Investments (April 30, 2006) (continued)

 

Face
Amount†
   Security(a)    Value  
               
Pharmaceuticals — 0.4%         
2,025,000   

Leiner Health Products Inc., Senior Subordinated Notes, 11.000% due 6/1/12

   $ 1,984,500  
1,915,000   

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Senior Notes, 7.000% due 12/15/11

     1,905,425  


    

Total Pharmaceuticals

     3,889,925  


Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 1.1%         
    

Host Marriott LP, Senior Notes:

        
2,500,000   

7.125% due 11/1/13

     2,550,000  
1,625,000   

Series I, 9.500% due 1/15/07

     1,669,688  
3,400,000   

Series O, 6.375% due 3/15/15

     3,306,500  
3,525,000   

MeriStar Hospitality Corp., Senior Notes, 9.125% due 1/15/11

     4,071,375  


    

Total Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)

     11,597,563  


Road & Rail — 0.5%         
    

Avis Budget Car Rental LLC/Avis Budget Finance Inc., Senior Notes:

        
1,910,000   

7.576% due 5/15/14 (e)(f)

     1,974,463  
130,000   

7.750% due 5/15/16 (e)

     132,925  
    

Grupo Transportacion Ferroviaria Mexicana SA de CV, Senior Notes:

        
420,000   

10.250% due 6/15/07

     438,900  
2,500,000   

9.375% due 5/1/12

     2,700,000  
160,000   

12.500% due 6/15/12

     178,000  


    

Total Road & Rail

     5,424,288  


Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 0.6%         
    

Amkor Technology Inc.:

        
2,825,000   

Senior Notes, 9.250% due 2/15/08

     2,990,969  
2,300,000   

Senior Subordinated Notes, 10.500% due 5/1/09

     2,354,625  
1,075,000   

MagnaChip Semiconductor, Senior Subordinated Notes, 8.000% due 12/15/14

     1,007,812  


    

Total Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

     6,353,406  


Software — 0.1%         
1,380,000   

Activant Solutions Inc., Senior Subordinated Notes, 9.500% due 5/1/16 (e)

     1,411,050  


Specialty Retail — 1.8%         
    

AutoNation Inc., Senior Notes:

        
700,000   

7.045% due 4/15/13 (e)(f)

     715,750  
875,000   

7.000% due 4/15/14 (e)

     883,750  
305,000   

Blockbuster, Inc., Senior Subordinated Notes, 9.000% due 9/1/12 (e)

     289,750  
4,050,000   

Buffets Inc., Senior Subordinated Notes, 11.250% due 7/15/10

     4,272,750  
565,000   

EPL Finance Corp., Senior Notes, 11.750% due 11/15/13 (e)

     587,600  
2,400,000   

Eye Care Centers of America, Senior Subordinated Notes, 10.750% due 2/15/15

     2,424,000  
1,600,000   

Finlay Fine Jewelry Corp., Senior Notes, 8.375% due 6/1/12

     1,408,000  
3,325,000   

Hines Nurseries Inc., Senior Notes, 10.250% due 10/1/11

     3,308,375  
2,281,000   

Jafra Cosmetics International Inc., Senior Subordinated Notes, 10.750% due 5/15/11

     2,463,480  
1,680,000   

Suburban Propane Partners LP/Suburban Energy Finance Corp., Senior Notes, 6.875% due 12/15/13

     1,600,200  


    

Total Specialty Retail

     17,953,655  


 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc. 2006 Annual Report         15


Schedule of Investments (April 30, 2006) (continued)

 

Face
Amount†
    Security(a)    Value  
                
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 1.3%         
     

Levi Strauss & Co., Senior Notes:

        
1,150,000    

9.740% due 4/1/12 (f)

   $ 1,203,187  
810,000    

12.250% due 12/15/12

     919,350  
4,825,000    

9.750% due 1/15/15

     5,114,500  
665,000    

Russell Corp., Senior Notes, 9.250% due 5/1/10

     698,250  
2,950,000    

Simmons Co., Senior Discount Notes, step bond to yield 9.995% due 12/15/14

     2,050,250  
3,275,000    

Tommy Hilfiger USA Inc., Notes, 6.850% due 6/1/08

     3,389,625  


     

Total Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods

     13,375,162  


Wireless Telecommunication Services — 2.7%         
1,825,000    

American Tower Corp., Senior Notes, 7.500% due 5/1/12

     1,879,750  
2,125,000    

Centennial Communications Corp., Senior Notes, 10.740% due 1/1/13 (f)

     2,231,250  
325,000    

Dobson Cellular Systems Inc., First Priority Senior Secured Notes, 8.375% due 11/1/11

     346,125  
14,050,000    

Nextel Communications Inc., Senior Notes, Series D, 7.375% due 8/1/15

     14,678,358  
3,800,000    

U.S. Unwired Inc., Second Priority Secured Notes, Series B, 10.000% due 6/15/12

     4,275,000  
3,900,000    

UbiquiTel Operating Co., Senior Notes, 9.875% due 3/1/11

     4,299,750  


     

Total Wireless Telecommunication Services

     27,710,233  


      TOTAL CORPORATE BONDS & NOTES
(Cost — $848,882,228)
     851,325,791  


CONVERTIBLE BOND & NOTE — 0.3%         
Wireless Telecommunication Services — 0.3%         
2,675,000    

American Tower Corp., Notes, 5.000% due 2/15/10
(Cost — $1,509,937)

     2,664,969  


ASSET-BACKED SECURITY — 0.0%         
Diversified Financial Services — 0.0%         
1,975,400    

Airplanes Pass-Through Trust, Subordinated Notes, Series D, 10.875% due 3/15/19 (b)(c)(d)*
(Cost — $2,052,466)

     0  


U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS — 2.1%         
U.S. Government Obligations — 2.1%         
     

U.S. Treasury Notes:

        
9,570,000    

4.500% due 2/15/16

     9,155,801  
14,000,000    

4.500% due 2/15/36

     12,585,790  


      TOTAL U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS
(Cost — $22,248,029)
     21,741,591  


SOVEREIGN BONDS — 9.0%         
Argentina — 0.3%         
     

Republic of Argentina:

        
1,400,000 EUR  

9.250% due 10/21/02 (b)

     525,769  
300,000 EUR  

9.000% due 6/20/03 (b)

     112,665  
250,000 EUR  

10.250% due 1/26/07 (b)

     101,383  
275,000 EUR  

8.000% due 2/26/08 (b)

     105,446  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

16         Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc. 2006 Annual Report


Schedule of Investments (April 30, 2006) (continued)

 

Face
Amount†
    Security(a)    Value  
                
Argentina — 0.3% (continued)         
1,841,875    

4.889% due 8/3/12 (f)

   $ 1,735,234  
825,000 EUR  

GDP Linked Securities, 0.000% due 12/15/35 (f)

     106,747  
     

Medium-Term Notes:

        
600,000 EUR  

8.125% due 10/4/03 (b)

     226,276  
1,175,000 EUR  

7.000% due 3/18/04 (b)

     457,957  
525,000 EUR  

9.000% due 5/24/05 (b)(e)

     204,619  


     

Total Argentina

     3,576,096  


Brazil — 1.6%         
     

Federative Republic of Brazil:

        
7,670,000    

11.000% due 8/17/40

     9,882,795  
     

Collective Action Securities:

        
3,449,000    

8.000% due 1/15/15

     3,748,201  
2,005,000    

8.750% due 2/4/25

     2,270,662  


     

Total Brazil

     15,901,658  


Chile — 0.2%         
1,910,000    

Republic of Chile, 5.500% due 1/15/13

     1,881,789  


Colombia — 0.5%         
     

Republic of Colombia:

        
3,325,000    

11.750% due 2/25/20

     4,746,438  
105,000    

10.375% due 1/28/33

     144,506  


     

Total Colombia

     4,890,944  


Ecuador — 0.2%         
2,100,000    

Republic of Ecuador, 9.000% due 8/15/30 (e)

     2,175,600  


El Salvador — 0.2%         
     

Republic of El Salvador:

        
1,300,000    

7.750% due 1/24/23 (e)

     1,413,750  
270,000    

8.250% due 4/10/32 (e)

     292,950  


     

Total El Salvador

     1,706,700  


Indonesia — 0.0%         
400,000    

Republic of Indonesia, 8.500% due 10/12/35 (e)

     441,500  


Mexico — 1.7%         
     

United Mexican States:

        
1,020,000    

11.375% due 9/15/16

     1,412,700  
1,410,000    

8.125% due 12/30/19

     1,635,600  
     

Medium-Term Notes:

        
870,000    

5.625% due 1/15/17

     834,113  
     

Series A:

        
516,000    

6.375% due 1/16/13

     525,804  
2,894,000    

5.875% due 1/15/14

     2,859,272  
8,795,000    

8.000% due 9/24/22

     10,120,846  


     

Total Mexico

     17,388,335  


 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc. 2006 Annual Report         17


Schedule of Investments (April 30, 2006) (continued)

 

Face
Amount†
   Security(a)    Value  
               
Panama — 0.4%         
    

Republic of Panama:

        
1,285,000   

9.625% due 2/8/11

   $ 1,468,113  
550,000   

7.250% due 3/15/15

     580,525  
1,689,509   

PDI, 5.563% due 7/17/16 (f)

     1,668,390  


    

Total Panama

     3,717,028  


Peru — 0.6%         
    

Republic of Peru:

        
40,000   

9.875% due 2/6/15

     47,550  
169,750   

FLIRB, 5.000% due 3/7/17 (e)(f)

     162,536  
    

Global Bonds:

        
220,000   

8.375% due 5/3/16

     240,240  
6,150,000   

7.350% due 7/21/25

     6,103,875  


    

Total Peru

     6,554,201  


Philippines — 0.5%         
    

Republic of the Philippines:

        
1,675,000   

8.250% due 1/15/14

     1,819,427  
700,000   

9.375% due 1/18/17

     816,795  
1,975,000   

9.500% due 2/2/30

     2,341,560  


    

Total Philippines

     4,977,782  


Russia — 1.4%         
    

Russian Federation:

        
377,778   

8.250% due 3/31/10 (e)

     397,139  
1,225,000   

11.000% due 7/24/18 (e)

     1,736,437  
275,000   

12.750% due 6/24/28 (e)

     481,250  
10,475,000   

5.000% due 3/31/30 (e)

     11,378,469  


    

Total Russia

     13,993,295  


South Africa — 0.1%         
    

Republic of South Africa:

        
575,000   

9.125% due 5/19/09

     629,912  
725,000   

6.500% due 6/2/14

     745,844  


    

Total South Africa

     1,375,756  


Turkey — 0.7%         
    

Republic of Turkey:

        
500,000   

11.750% due 6/15/10

     599,250  
5,875,000   

7.000% due 6/5/20

     5,933,750  
335,000   

11.875% due 1/15/30

     510,875  


    

Total Turkey

     7,043,875  


Ukraine — 0.1%         
810,000   

Republic of Ukraine, 7.650% due 6/11/13 (e)

     848,475  


Uruguay — 0.1%         
955,000   

Republic of Uruguay, Benchmark Bonds, 7.500% due 3/15/15

     988,425  


 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

18         Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc. 2006 Annual Report


Schedule of Investments (April 30, 2006) (continued)

 

Face
Amount†
   Security(a)    Value  
               
Venezuela — 0.4%         
    

Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela:

        
965,000   

5.375% due 8/7/10 (e)

   $ 937,980  
750,000   

7.650% due 4/21/25

     807,562  
1,550,000   

Collective Action Securities, Notes, 10.750% due 9/19/13

     1,933,625  


    

Total Venezuela

     3,679,167  


     TOTAL SOVEREIGN BONDS
(Cost — $87,534,986)
     91,140,626  


Shares            
ESCROWED SHARES (b)(d) — 0.0%         
8,800,000   

Breed Technologies Inc. (c)*

     0  
2,025,000   

Pillowtex Corp.*

     0  
2,648,056   

Vlasic Foods International Inc. (c)(d)*

     52,961  


     TOTAL ESCROWED SHARES
(Cost — $0)
     52,961  


COMMON STOCKS — 4.0%         
CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY — 2.2%         
Household Durables — 0.3%         
10,685,938   

Home Interiors of Gifts Inc. (c)(d)*

     2,885,204  
52,472   

Mattress Discounters Corp. (c)(d)*

     0  


    

Total Household Durables

     2,885,204  


Media — 1.9%         
681,436   

NTL Inc.*

     18,725,861  


     TOTAL CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY      21,611,065  


CONSUMER STAPLES — 0.0%         
Food Products — 0.0%         
3,784    Imperial Sugar Co.      129,299  


MATERIALS — 0.1%         
Chemicals — 0.1%         
93,506    Applied Extrusion Technologies Inc., Class A Shares (g)*      748,048  


TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES — 1.7%         
Wireless Telecommunication Services — 1.7%         
507,364    American Tower Corp., Class A Shares*      17,321,407  


UTILITIES — 0.0%         
Independent Power Producers & Energy Traders — 0.0%         
11,762   

Mirant Corp.*

     288,875  


     TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
(Cost — $38,910,100)
     40,098,694  


 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc. 2006 Annual Report         19


Schedule of Investments (April 30, 2006) (continued)

 

Shares    Security(a)    Value  
                 
  PREFERRED STOCK (c)(d) — 0.0%         
  FINANCIALS — 0.0%         
  Diversified Financial Services — 0.0%         
  17,552   

TCR Holdings Corp., Class B Shares*

   $ 17  
  9,654   

TCR Holdings Corp., Class C Shares*

     10  
  25,451   

TCR Holdings Corp., Class D Shares*

     25  
  52,657   

TCR Holdings Corp., Class E Shares*

     53  



       TOTAL PREFERRED STOCK
(Cost — $6,260)
     105  



Warrants            
  WARRANTS — 0.1%         
  18,500   

Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Oil-linked payment obligations, Expires 4/15/20*

     647,500  
  3,500   

Brown Jordan International Inc., Expires 8/15/07 (c)(e)*

     32  
  30,928,049   

ContiFinancial Corp., Liquidating Trust, Units of Interest (Represents interest in a trust in the liquidation of ContiFinancial Corp. and its affiliates) (b)(c)*

     93  
  2,750   

Leap Wireless International Inc., Expires 4/15/10 (c)(d)(e)*

     0  
  3,500   

Mattress Discounters Co., Expires 7/15/07 (c)(d)(e)*

     0  
  13,614   

Pillowtex Corp., Expires 11/24/09 (c)(d)*

     68  
  5,000   

UbiquiTel Inc., Expires 4/15/10 (c)(d)(e)*

     50  
      

United Mexican States:

        
  2,000   

Series XW05, Expires 11/9/06*

     64,000  
  1,625   

Series XW10, Expires 10/10/06*

     77,187  
  1,500   

Series XW20, Expires 9/1/06*

     124,500  



       TOTAL WARRANTS
(Cost — $689,986)
     913,430  



      

TOTAL INVESTMENTS BEFORE SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS

(Cost — $1,001,833,992)

     1,007,938,167  



Face
Amount
           
  SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS — 0.4%         
  Repurchase Agreement — 0.3%         
$ 2,971,000   

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc. repurchase agreement dated 4/28/06, 4.750% due 5/1/06; Proceeds at maturity — $2,972,176;
(Fully collateralized by various U.S. Treasury obligations, 0.875% due 4/15/10; Market value - $3,033,061)
(Cost — $2,971,000)

     2,971,000  



Shares            
  Securities Purchased from Securities Lending Collateral — 0.1%         
  748,048   

State Street Navigator Securities Lending Trust Prime Portfolio

(Cost — $748,048)

     748,048  



       TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
(Cost — $3,719,048)
     3,719,048  



       TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 100.0%
(Cost — $1,005,553,040#)
   $ 1,011,657,215  



 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

20         Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc. 2006 Annual Report


Schedule of Investments (April 30, 2006) (continued)

 

*   Non-income producing security.
  Face amount denominated in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise noted.
(a)   All securities except for those that are on loan are segregated as collateral pursuant to a loan agreement and/or extended settlements.
(b)   Security is currently in default.
(c)   Illiquid security.
(d)   Security is valued in good faith at fair value by or under the direction of the Board of Directors (See Note 1).
(e)   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, unless otherwise noted.
(f)   Variable rate security. Interest rate disclosed is that which is in effect at April 30, 2006.
(g)   All or a portion of this security is on loan (See Notes 1 and 3).
#   Aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes is $1,005,789,343.

 

Abbreviations used in this schedule:


EUR  

— Euro

FLIRB  

— Front-Loaded Interest Reduction Bonds

GDP  

— Gross Domestic Product

MXN  

— Mexican Peso

PDI  

— Past Due Interest

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc. 2006 Annual Report         21


Statement of Assets and Liabilities (April 30, 2006)

 

ASSETS:        

Investments, at value (Cost — $1,005,553,040)

  $ 1,011,657,215  

Cash

    111  

Receivable for securities sold

    21,602,749  

Interest receivable

    19,525,430  

Prepaid expenses

    53,175  


Total Assets

    1,052,838,680  


LIABILITIES:        

Loan payable (Note 4)

    125,000,000  

Payable for securities purchased

    14,381,916  

Payable for loaned securities collateral (Notes 1 and 3)

    748,048  

Investment management fee payable

    679,269  

Interest payable (Note 4)

    481,776  

Directors’ fees payable

    267  

Accrued expenses

    209,404  


Total Liabilities

    141,500,680  


Total Net Assets

  $ 911,338,000  


NET ASSETS:        

Par value ($0.001 par value; 77,614,787 shares issued and outstanding;
100,000,000 shares authorized)

  $ 77,615  

Paid-in capital in excess of par value

    1,041,434,075  

Undistributed net investment income

    684,512  

Accumulated net realized loss on investments, swap contracts and foreign currency transactions

    (136,962,010 )

Net unrealized appreciation on investments and foreign currencies

    6,103,808  


Total Net Assets

  $ 911,338,000  


Shares Outstanding

    77,614,787  


Net Asset Value

    $11.74  


 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

22         Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc. 2006 Annual Report


Statement of Operations (For the year ended April 30, 2006)

 

INVESTMENT INCOME:        

Interest

  $ 91,164,379  

Income from securities lending

    782,040  

Dividends

    151,985  


Total Investment Income

    92,098,404  


EXPENSES:        

Interest expense (Notes 3 and 4)

    9,883,300  

Investment management fee (Note 2)

    9,825,676  

Administration fees

    323,722  

Transfer agent fees

    158,341  

Custody fees

    109,795  

Shareholder reports

    102,997  

Directors’ fees

    70,661  

Audit and tax

    66,949  

Stock exchange listing fees

    64,937  

Loan fees

    64,927  

Legal fees

    39,793  

Insurance

    19,953  

Miscellaneous expenses

    5,042  


Total Expenses

    20,736,093  

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

    (19,902 )


Net Expenses

    20,716,191  


Net Investment Income

    71,382,213  


REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS,
SWAP CONTRACTS AND FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS
(NOTES 1 AND 3):
       

Net Realized Gain (Loss) From:

       

Investment transactions

    47,017,661  

Swap contracts

    238,453  

Foreign currency transactions

    (35,949 )


Net Realized Gain

    47,220,165  


Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation/Depreciation From:

       

Investments

    1,411,529  

Swap contracts

    318,962  

Foreign currencies

    (276 )


Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation/Depreciation

    1,730,215  


Net Gain on Investments, Swap Contracts and Foreign Currency Transactions

    48,950,380  


Increase in Net Assets From Operations

  $ 120,332,593  


 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc. 2006 Annual Report         23


Statements of Changes in Net Assets (For the years ended April 30,)

 

    2006     2005  
OPERATIONS:                

Net investment income

  $ 71,382,213     $ 78,287,028  

Net realized gain

    47,220,165       41,148,981  

Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation

    1,730,215       (20,898,279 )


Increase in Net Assets From Operations

    120,332,593       98,537,730  


DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM (NOTE 1):                

Net investment income

    (70,629,457 )     (93,751,761 )


Decrease in Net Assets From Distributions to Shareholders

    (70,629,457 )     (93,751,761 )


FUND SHARE TRANSACTIONS:                

Proceeds from shares issued on reinvestment of distributions (1,549,854 shares issued)

          17,827,283  


Increase in Net Assets From Fund Share Transactions

          17,827,283  


Increase in Net Assets

    49,703,136       22,613,252  
NET ASSETS:                

Beginning of year

    861,634,864       839,021,612  


End of year*

  $ 911,338,000     $ 861,634,864  


* Includes undistributed (overdistributed) net investment income of:

    $684,512       $(264,582)  


 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

24         Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc. 2006 Annual Report


Statement of Cash Flows (For the year ended April 30, 2006)

 

CASH FLOWS PROVIDED (USED) BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES:        

Interest and dividends received

  $ 87,592,830  

Operating expenses paid

    (11,262,967 )

Net sales of short-term investments

    55,515,000  

Realized loss on foreign currency transactions

    (35,949 )

Realized gain on swap contracts

    238,453  

Net change in unrealized depreciation on foreign currencies

    (276 )

Purchases of long-term investments

    (587,313,708 )

Proceeds from disposition of long-term investments

    808,415,420  

Interest paid

    (10,253,769 )


Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities

    342,895,034  


CASH FLOWS PROVIDED (USED) BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES:        

Cash distributions paid on Common Stock

    (70,629,457 )

Received from brokers for initial margin on credit default swap contracts

    330,000  

Repayment on loan

    (175,000,000 )

Repayment of reverse repurchase agreements

    (97,596,250 )


Net Cash Flows Used By Financing Activities

    (342,895,707 )


Net Decrease in Cash

    (673 )

Cash, Beginning of year

    784  


Cash, End of year

  $ 111  


RECONCILIATION OF INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS TO NET CASH FLOWS PROVIDED (USED) BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES:        

Increase in Net Assets From Operations

  $ 120,332,593  


Accretion of discount on investments

    (10,238,140 )

Amortization of premium on investments

    2,250,210  

Decrease in investments, at value

    236,180,488  

Increase in payable for securities purchased

    12,662,409  

Decrease in interest and dividends receivable

    3,482,356  

Increase in receivable for securities sold

    (20,974,337 )

Decrease in prepaid expenses

    1,315  

Decrease in interest payable

    (370,469 )

Decrease in accrued expenses

    (431,391 )


Total Adjustments

    222,562,441  


Net Cash Flows Provided By Operating Activities

  $ 342,895,034  


 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc. 2006 Annual Report         25


Financial Highlights

 

For a share of capital stock outstanding throughout each year ended April 30:

 


    2006     2005(1)     2004     2003     2002  

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year

  $ 11.10     $ 11.03     $ 10.42     $ 10.48     $ 11.08  


Income (Loss) From Operations:

                                       

Net investment income

    0.92       1.02       1.12       1.18       1.27  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    0.63       0.27       0.85       0.12       (0.50 )


Total Income From Operations

    1.55       1.29       1.97       1.30       0.77  


Less Distributions From:

                                       

Net investment income

    (0.91 )     (1.22 )     (1.38 )     (1.16 )     (1.18 )

Return of capital

                      (0.22 )     (0.20 )


Total Distributions

    (0.91 )     (1.22 )     (1.38 )     (1.38 )     (1.38 )


Increase in Net Asset Value Due
to Shares Issued on Reinvestment
of Distributions

                0.02       0.02       0.01  


Net Asset Value, End of Year

  $ 11.74     $ 11.10     $ 11.03     $ 10.42     $ 10.48  


Market Price, End of Year

  $ 10.04     $ 11.14     $ 11.75     $ 11.65     $ 11.65  


Total Return, Based on Net Asset Value†

    14.43 %     12.13 %     19.99 %     15.58 %     7.84 %


Total Return, Based on Market Price Per Share(2)

    (1.58 )%     5.39 %     13.51 %     15.00 %     20.83 %


Net Assets, End of Year (000s)

  $ 911,338     $ 861,635     $ 839,022     $ 771,566     $ 750,334  


Ratios to Average Net Assets:

                                       

Gross expenses

    2.31 %     2.69 %     2.17 %     2.49 %     2.80 %

Gross expenses, excluding interest expense

    1.21       1.67       1.57       1.63       1.57  

Net expenses

    2.30 (3)     2.69       2.17       2.49       2.80  

Net expenses, excluding interest expense

    1.20 (3)     1.67       1.57       1.63       1.57  

Net investment income

    7.94       8.99       10.18       12.64       12.08  


Portfolio Turnover Rate

    55 %     54 %     50 %     87 %     118 %


Supplemental Data:

                                       

Loans Outstanding, End of Year (000s)

  $ 125,000     $ 300,000     $ 300,000     $ 300,000     $ 260,000  

Asset Coverage For Loan Outstanding

    829 %     387 %     380 %     357 %     389 %

Weighted Average Loan (000s)

  $ 203,630     $ 300,000     $ 300,000     $ 300,000     $ 260,000  

Weighted Average Interest Rate on Loans

    4.21 %     2.44 %     1.64 %     2.15 %     3.44 %


(1)   Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares method.
(2)   The total return calculation assumes that all distributions are reinvested in accordance with the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan and the broker commissions paid to purchase or sell a share is excluded. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
(3)   The investment manager voluntarily waived a portion of its fees and/or reimbursed expenses.
  Performance figures may reflect voluntary fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. In the absence of voluntary fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, the total return would have been lower. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

26         Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc. 2006 Annual Report


Notes to Financial Statements

 

1. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies

The Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc. (the “Fund”) was incorporated in Maryland and is registered as a diversified, closed-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (the “1940 Act”). The Fund seeks to maximize current income by investing at least 80% of its net assets plus any borrowings for investment purposes in high yield debt securities. As a secondary objective, the Fund seeks capital appreciation to the extent consistent with its objective of seeking to maximize current income.

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.

(a) Investment Valuation. Debt securities are valued at the mean between the bid and asked prices provided by an independent pricing service that are based on transactions in debt obligations, quotations from bond dealers, market transactions in comparable securities and various other relationships between securities. Equity securities for which market quotations are available are valued at the last sale price or official closing price on the primary market or exchange on which they trade. Publicly traded foreign government debt securities are typically traded internationally in the over-the-counter market, and are valued at the mean between the bid and asked prices as of the close of business of that market. When prices are not readily available, or are determined not to reflect fair value, such as when the value of a security has been significantly affected by events after the close of the exchange or market on which the security is principally traded, but before the Fund calculates its net asset value, the Fund may value these investments at fair value as determined in accordance with the procedures approved by the Fund’s Board of Directors. Short-term obligations with maturities of 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value.

(b) Repurchase Agreements. When entering into repurchase agreements, it is the Fund’s policy that its custodian or a third party custodian take possession of the underlying collateral securities, the market value of which at least equals the principal amount of the repurchase transaction, including accrued interest. To the extent that any repurchase transaction exceeds one business day, the value of the collateral is marked-to-market to ensure the adequacy of the collateral. If the seller defaults, and the market value of the collateral declines or if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of the security, realization of the collateral by the Fund may be delayed or limited.

(c) Reverse Repurchase Agreements. The Fund may enter into reverse repurchase agreements in which the Fund sells portfolio securities and agrees to repurchase them from the buyer at a specified date and price. Whenever the Fund enters into a reverse repurchase agreement, the Fund’s custodian delivers liquid assets to the counterparty in an amount at least equal to the repurchase price (including accrued interest). The Fund pays interest on amounts obtained pursuant to reverse repurchase agreements. Reverse repurchase agreements are considered to be borrowings, which may create leverage risk to the Fund.

 

Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc. 2006 Annual Report         27


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

(d) Credit Default Swaps. The Fund may enter into credit default swap contracts for investment purposes, to manage its credit risk or to add leverage. As a seller in a credit default swap contract, the Fund is required to pay the notional or other agreed-upon value to the counterparty in the event of a default by a third party, such as a U.S. or foreign corporate issuer, on the referenced debt obligation. In return, the Fund receives from the counterparty a periodic stream of payments over the term of the contract provided that no event of default has occurred. If no default occurs, the Fund keeps the stream of payments and has no payment obligations. Such periodic payments are accrued daily and accounted for as realized gain.

The Fund may also purchase credit default swap contracts in order to hedge against the risk of default of debt securities held, in which case the Fund functions as the counterparty referenced in the preceding paragraph. As a purchaser of a credit default swap contract, the Fund receives the notional or other agreed upon value from the counterparty in the event of a default by a third party, such as a U.S. or foreign corporate issuer, on the referenced debt obligation. In return, the Fund makes periodic payments to the counterparty over the term of the contract provided no event of default has occurred. Such periodic payments are accrued daily and accounted for as realized loss.

Swaps are marked-to-market daily based upon quotations from market makers and the change in value, if any, is recorded as unrealized appreciation or depreciation in the Fund’s Statement of Operations. For a credit default swap sold by the Fund, payment of the agreed upon amount made by the Fund in the event of default of the referenced debt obligation is recorded as the cost of the referenced debt obligation purchased/received. For a credit default swap purchased by the Fund, the agreed upon amount received by the Fund in the event of default of the referenced debt obligation is recorded as proceeds from sale/delivery of the referenced debt obligation and the resulting gain or loss realized on the referenced debt obligation is recorded as such by the Fund.

Entering into credit default swaps involves, to varying degrees, elements of credit, market and documentation risk in excess of the related amounts recognized on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Such risks involve the possibility that there will be no liquid market for these agreements, that the counterparty to the agreements may default on its obligation to perform or disagree as to the meaning of the contractual terms in the agreements, and that there will be unfavorable changes in net interest rates.

(e) Lending of Portfolio Securities. The Fund has an agreement with its custodian whereby the custodian may lend securities owned by the Fund to brokers, dealers and other financial organizations. In exchange for lending securities under the terms of the agreement with its custodian, the Fund receives a lender’s fee. Fees earned by the Fund on securities lending are recorded as securities lending income. Loans of securities by the Fund are collateralized by cash, U.S. government securities or high quality money market instruments that are maintained at all times in an amount at least equal to the current market value of the loaned securities, plus a margin which varies depending on the type of securities loaned. The custodian establishes and maintains the collateral in a segregated account. The Fund has the right under the lending agreement to recover the securities from the borrower on demand.

 

28         Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc. 2006 Annual Report


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

The Fund maintains the risk of any loss on the securities on loan as well as the potential loss on investments purchased with cash collateral received from securities lending.

(f) 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 investment 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 investment in non-dollar denominated securities may also result in foreign currency losses caused by devaluations and exchange rate fluctuations.

(g) Cash Flow Information. The Fund invests in securities and distributes dividends from net investment income and net realized gains, which are paid in cash and may be reinvested at the discretion of shareholders. These activities are reported in the Statements of Changes in Net Assets and additional information on cash receipts and cash payments are presented in the Statement of Cash Flows.

(h) Security Transactions and Investment Income. Security transactions are accounted for on a trade date basis. Interest income, adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion of discount, is recorded on the accrual basis. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. The cost of investments sold is determined by use of the specific identification method. To the extent any issuer defaults on an expected interest payment, the Fund’s policy is to generally halt any additional interest income accruals and consider the realizability of interest accrued up to the date of default.

(i) 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 changes 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 fair values of assets and liabilities, other than investments in securities, at the date of valuation, resulting from changes in exchange rates.

 

Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc. 2006 Annual Report         29


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

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.

(j) Distributions to Shareholders. Distributions from net investment income for the Funds, if any, are declared and paid on a monthly basis. Distributions of net realized gains, if any, are declared at least annually. Distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date and are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP.

(k) 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, as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies. Accordingly, the Fund intends to distribute substantially all of its income and net realized gains on investments, if any, to shareholders each year. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required in the Fund’s financial statements.

(l) Reclassification. GAAP requires that certain components of net assets be adjusted to reflect permanent differences between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset values per share. During the current year, the following reclassifications have been made:

 

    Undistributed Net
Investment
Income
  Accumulated Net
Realized Loss
    Paid-in Capital  

(a)

  $ 43,788         $ (43,788 )

(b)

    152,550   $ (152,550 )      


 

(a) Reclassifications are primarily due to a prior year taxable overdistribution.
(b) Reclassifications are primarily due to foreign currency transactions treated as ordinary income for tax purposes and book/tax differences in the treatment of credit default swap contracts, and book/tax differences in the treatment of passive foreign investment companies.

 

2. Investment Management Agreement and Other Transactions with Affiliates

On December 1, 2005, Citigroup Inc. (“Citigroup”) completed the sale of substantially all of its asset management business, Citigroup Asset Management (“CAM”), to Legg Mason, Inc. (“Legg Mason”). As a result, the Fund’s investment manager, Salomon Brothers Asset Management Inc. (the “Manager” or “SBAM”), previously an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Citigroup, has become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Legg Mason. Completion of the sale caused the Fund’s existing investment management and administrative contracts to terminate. The Fund’s shareholders approved a new investment management contract between the Fund and the Manager, which became effective on December 1, 2005.

Legg Mason, whose principal executive offices are in Baltimore, Maryland, is a financial services holding company.

Prior to the Legg Mason transaction, and under the new investment management agreement, the Fund paid the Manager a fee calculated at an annual rate of 0.80% of the Fund’s average weekly net assets plus the proceeds of any outstanding borrowings used for leverage. These fees were calculated daily and paid monthly.

 

30         Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc. 2006 Annual Report


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

Prior to August 1, 2005, the Fund had separate investment management and administration agreements. SBAM was compensated at an annual rate of 1.00% for management services and Smith Barney Fund Management LLC (“Administrator”), which for the period of this report was another indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Citigroup, acted as the Fund’s administrator for which the Fund paid a monthly fee at an annual rate of 0.10% of the value of the Fund’s average weekly net assets plus the proceeds of any outstanding borrowings used for leverage.

Effective August 1, 2005, the Board of Directors of the Fund terminated the administration agreements and as a result this administration fee was no longer applicable as of that date.

During periods in which the Fund is utilizing financial leverage, the fees which are payable to the Manager as a percentage of the Fund’s assets will be higher than if the Fund did not utilize leverage because the fees are calculated as a percentage of the Fund’s assets, including those investments purchased with leverage.

During the year ended April 30, 2006, the Manager reimbursed a portion of its management fee amounting to $19,902.

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

 

3. Investments

During the year ended April 30, 2006, the aggregate cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investments (excluding short-term investments) were as follows:

 


Purchases

  $ 599,940,778

Sales

    828,612,699

 

At April 30, 2006, the aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of investments for federal income tax purposes were as follows:

 


Gross unrealized appreciation

  $ 52,056,895  

Gross unrealized depreciation

    (46,189,023 )


Net unrealized appreciation

  $ 5,867,872  


 

Transactions in reverse repurchase agreements for the Fund during the year ended April 30, 2006 were as follows:

 

Average
Daily
Balance
  Weighted
Average
Interest Rate
  Maximum
Amount
Outstanding

$96,567,934

  2.990%   $106,327,000

 

Interest rates on reverse repurchase agreements ranged from 0.35% to 3.65% during the year ended April 30, 2006. Interest expense incurred on reverse repurchase agreements totaled $1,307,940.

At April 30, 2006, the Fund had no open reverse repurchase agreements.

 

Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc. 2006 Annual Report         31


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

At April 30, 2006, the Fund loaned securities having a market value of $724,672. The Fund received cash collateral amounting to $748,048 which was invested into the State Street Navigator Securities Lending Trust Prime Portfolio, a Rule 2a-7 money market fund, registered under the 1940 Act.

 

4. Loan

At April 30, 2006, the Fund had a $125,000,000 loan pursuant to a revolving credit and security agreement with Crown Point Capital Company LLC (“Lender”) and Citicorp North America, Inc. (“CNA”). In addition, CNA acts as administrative agent of the credit facility. The loan generally bears interest at a variable rate based on the weighted average interest rates of the Lender’s commercial paper or LIBOR plus any applicable margin. Securities held by the Fund are subject to a lien, granted to the lenders, to the extent of the borrowings outstanding and any additional expenses. For the year ended April 30, 2006, the Fund incurred interest expense on this loan in the amount of $8,575,360.

 

5. Dividends Subsequent to April 30, 2006

On February 22, 2006, the Board of Directors (“Board”) of the Fund declared a distribution in the amount of $0.070 per common share payable on May 26, 2006 to shareholders of record on May 23, 2006.

On May 3, 2006, the Fund’s Board declared three distributions, each in the amount of $0.070 per share, payable on June 30, 2006, July 28, 2006 and August 25, 2006 to shareholders of record on June 27, 2006, July 25, 2006 and August 22, 2006, respectively.

 

6. Income Tax Information and Distributions to Shareholders

The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended April 30, were as follows:

 

    2006   2005

Distributions paid from:

           

Ordinary Income

  $ 70,629,457   $ 93,751,761

 

As of April 30, 2006, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 


Undistributed ordinary income — net

  $ 1,131,017  


Capital loss carryforward*

    (136,825,268 )

Other book/tax temporary differences (a)

    (446,505 )

Unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) (b)

    5,967,066  


Total Accumulated Earnings/(Losses) — Net

  $ (130,173,690 )


*   During the taxable year ended April 30, 2006, the Fund utilized $45,833,036 of its capital loss carryover available from prior years. As of April 30, 2006, the Fund had the following net capital loss carryforwards remaining:

 

Year of Expiration


   Amount

 

4/30/2010

   $ (59,694,085 )

4/30/2011

     (77,131,183 )
    


     $ (136,825,268 )
    


 

These amounts will be available to offset any future taxable capital gains.

(a)   Other book/tax temporary differences are attributable primarily to book/tax differences in the accrual of income on securities in default.
(b)   The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) is attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales and book/tax differences in the treatment of passive foreign investment companies.

 

32         Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc. 2006 Annual Report


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

7. Regulatory Matters

On May 31, 2005, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) issued an order in connection with the settlement of an administrative proceeding against Smith Barney Fund Management LLC (“SBFM”) and Citigroup Global Markets (“CGM”) relating to the appointment of an affiliated transfer agent for the Smith Barney family of mutual funds (the “Affected Funds”).

The SEC order finds that SBFM and CGM willfully violated Section 206(1) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (“Advisers Act”). Specifically, the order finds that SBFM and CGM knowingly or recklessly failed to disclose to the boards of the Affected Funds in 1999 when proposing a new transfer agent arrangement with an affiliated transfer agent that: First Data Investors Services Group (“First Data”), the Affected Funds’ then existing transfer agent, had offered to continue as transfer agent and do the same work for substantially less money than before; and that Citigroup Asset Management (“CAM”), the Citigroup business unit that, at the time, included the Affected Funds’ investment manager and other investment advisory companies, had entered into a side letter with First Data under which CAM agreed to recommend the appointment of First Data as sub-transfer agent to the affiliated transfer agent in exchange for, among other things, a guarantee by First Data of specified amounts of asset management and investment banking fees to CAM and CGM. The order also finds that SBFM and CGM willfully violated Section 206(2) of the Advisers Act by virtue of the omissions discussed above and other misrepresentations and omissions in the materials provided to the Affected Funds’ boards, including the failure to make clear that the affiliated transfer agent would earn a high profit for performing limited functions while First Data continued to perform almost all of the transfer agent functions, and the suggestion that the proposed arrangement was in the Affected Funds’ best interests and that no viable alternatives existed. SBFM and CGM do not admit or deny any wrongdoing or liability. The settlement does not establish wrongdoing or liability for purposes of any other proceeding.

The SEC censured SBFM and CGM and ordered them to cease and desist from violations of Sections 206(1) and 206(2) of the Advisers Act. The order requires Citigroup to pay $208.1 million, including $109 million in disgorgement of profits, $19.1 million in interest, and a civil money penalty of $80 million. Approximately $24.4 million has already been paid to the Affected Funds, primarily through fee waivers. The remaining $183.7 million, including the penalty, has been paid to the U.S. Treasury and will be distributed pursuant to a plan submitted for the approval of the SEC. At this time, there is no certainty as to how the above-described proceeds of the settlement will be distributed, to whom such distributions will be made, the methodology by which such distributions will be allocated, and when such distributions will be made.

The order also required that transfer agency fees received from the Affected Funds since December 1, 2004 less certain expenses be placed in escrow and provided that a portion of such fees might be subsequently distributed in accordance with the terms of the order.

On April 3, 2006, an aggregate amount of approximately $9 million was distributed to the Affected Funds. The order required SBFM to recommend a new transfer agent contract to the Affected Funds boards within 180 days of the entry of the order; if a Citigroup

 

Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc. 2006 Annual Report         33


Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

affiliate submitted a proposal to serve as transfer agent or sub-transfer agent, SBFM and CGM would have been required, at their expense, to engage an independent monitor to oversee a competitive bidding process. On November 21, 2005, and within the specified timeframe, the Fund’s Board selected a new transfer agent for the Fund. No Citigroup affiliate submitted a proposal to serve as transfer agent. Under the order, SBFM also must comply with an amended version of a vendor policy that Citigroup instituted in August 2004.

Although there can be no assurance, SBFM does not believe that this matter will have a material adverse effect on the Affected Funds.

This Fund is not one of the Affected Funds and therefore did not implement the transfer agent arrangement described above and therefore has not received and will not receive any portion of the distributions.

On December 1, 2005, Citigroup completed the sale of substantially all of its global asset management business, including SBFM, to Legg Mason.

 

8. Other Matters

On September 16, 2005, the staff of the SEC informed SBFM and SBAM that the staff is considering recommending that the Commission institute administrative proceedings against SBFM and SBAM for alleged violations of Section 19(a) and 34(b) of the Investment Company Act (and related Rule 19a-1). The notification is a result of an industry wide inspection by the SEC and is based upon alleged deficiencies in disclosures regarding dividends and distributions paid to shareholders of certain funds. Section 19(a) and related Rule 19a-1 of the Investment Company Act generally require funds that are making dividend and distribution payments to provide shareholders with a written statement disclosing the source of the dividends and distributions, and, in particular, the portion of the payments made from each of net investment income, undistributed net profits and/or paid-in capital. In connection with the contemplated proceedings, the staff may seek a cease and desist order and/or monetary damages from SBFM or SBAM.

Although there can be no assurance, SBAM believes that this matter is not likely to have a material adverse effect on the Fund or SBAM’s ability to perform investment management services relating to the Fund.

 

34         Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc. 2006 Annual Report


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

The Board of Directors and Shareholders Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc.:

 

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, of Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc. as of April 30, 2006, and the related statement of operations, changes in net assets, cash flows and the financial highlights for the year then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audit. The statement of changes in net assets for the year ended April 30, 2005 and the financial highlights for each of the years in the four-year period then ended were audited by other independent registered public accountants whose report thereon, dated June 22, 2005, expressed an unqualified opinion on that financial statement and those financial highlights.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of April 30, 2006, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers or by other appropriate auditing procedures. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc. as of April 30, 2006, and the results of its operations, changes in its net assets, its cash flows and the financial highlights for the year then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

LOGO

New York, New York

June 29, 2006

 

Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc. 2006 Annual Report         35


Additional Information (unaudited)

 

Information about Directors and Officers

The business and affairs of Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc. (“Fund”) are managed under the direction of the Board of Directors. Information pertaining to the Directors and Officers of the Fund is set forth below.

 

Name, Address and Birth Year  

Position(s)
Held with

Fund(1)

  Term of
Office(1) and
Length
of Time
Served
  Principal
Occupation(s)
During Past
Five Years
  Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex
Overseen by
Director
(including
the Fund)
  Other Board
Memberships
Held by
Director
Non-Interested Directors:            

Carol L. Colman

Colman Consulting Co.

278 Hawley Road

North Salem, NY 10560

Birth Year: 1946

  Director and Member of the Nominating and Audit Committees, Class III   Since
2002
  President, Colman Consulting Co.   37   None

Daniel P. Cronin

c/o Chairman of the Fund

399 Park Avenue

4th Floor

New York, NY 10022

Birth Year: 1946

  Director and Member of the Nominating and Audit Committees, Class I   Since
1998
 

Formerly Associate General Counsel,

Pfizer Inc.

  34   None

Leslie H. Gelb

c/o Chairman of the Fund

399 Park Avenue

4th Floor

New York, NY 10022

Birth Year: 1937

  Director and Member of the Nominating and Audit Committees, Class II   Since
1998
  President, Emeritus and Senior Board Fellow, The Council on Foreign Relations; Formerly, Columnist, Deputy Editorial Page Editor and Editor,
Op-Ed Page,
The New York Times
  34   Director of two registered investment companies advised by Blackstone Asia Advisors L.L.C. (“Blackstone Advisors”)

William R. Hutchinson

535 N. Michigan Avenue

Suite 1012

Chicago, IL 60611

Birth Year: 1942

  Director and Member of the Nominating and Audit Committees, Class III   Since
2003
  President, W.R. Hutchinson & Associates Inc.; Formerly Group Vice President, Mergers and Acquisitions, BP Amoco p.l.c.   44   Associated Banc-Corp.

Riordan Roett

The Johns Hopkins University

1740 Massachusetts Ave., NW

Washington, DC 20036

Birth Year: 1938

  Director and Member of the Nominating and Audit Committees, Class II   Since
1998
  Professor and Director, Latin America Studies Program, Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, The Johns Hopkins University   34   None

 

36         Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc. 2006 Annual Report


Additional Information (unaudited) (continued)

 

Name, Address and Birth Year  

Position(s)
Held with

Fund(1)

  Term of
Office(1) and
Length
of Time
Served
  Principal
Occupation(s)
During Past
Five Years
  Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex
Overseen by
Director
(including
the Fund)
  Other Board
Memberships
Held by
Director
Non-Interested Directors:            

Jeswald W. Salacuse
c/o Chairman of the Fund

399 Park Avenue

4th Floor

New York, NY 10022

Birth Year: 1938

  Director and Member of the Nominating and Audit Committees, Class I   Since
1998
  Henry J. Braker Professor of Commercial Law and formerly Dean, The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University   34   Director of two registered investment companies advised by Blackstone Advisors
Interested Directors:            

R. Jay Gerken, CFA(2)

Legg Mason & Co.,

LLC (“Legg Mason”)

399 Park Avenue,

New York, NY 10022

Birth Year: 1951

 

Director, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer,

Class III

  Since
2002
  Managing Director of Legg Mason; President and Chief Executive Officer of Smith Barney Fund Management LLC (“SBFM”) and Citi Fund Management Inc. (“CFM”); President and Chief Executive Officer of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason; Formerly, Chairman of SBFM and CFM (from 2002 to 2006); Formerly, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Travelers Investment Advisers, Inc. (from 2002 to 2005)   169   Trustee, Consulting Group Capital Markets Fund
Officers:                    

Andrew B. Shoup

Legg Mason

125 Broad Street, 11th Floor
New York, NY 10004

Birth Year: 1956

  Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer   Since
2003
  Director of Legg Mason; Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason; Formerly Head of International Funds Administration of Legg Mason or its predecessors (from 2001 to 2003)   N/A   N/A

 

Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc. 2006 Annual Report         37


Additional Information (unaudited) (continued)

 

Name, Address and Birth Year  

Position(s)
Held with

Fund(1)

  Term of
Office(1) and
Length
of Time
Served
  Principal
Occupation(s)
During Past
Five Years
  Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex
Overseen by
Director
(including
the Fund)
  Other Board
Memberships
Held by
Director
Officers:                    

Frances M. Guggino

Legg Mason

125 Broad Street, 10th Floor

New York, NY 10004

Birth Year: 1957

  Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer   Since
2004
  Director of Legg Mason; Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason,   N/A   N/A
 

Controller

  2002-
2004
  Formerly Controller of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason (from 1999 to 2004)        

Ted P. Becker

Legg Mason

399 Park Avenue,

4th Floor

New York, NY 10022

Birth Year: 1951

  Chief Compliance Officer   Since
2006
  Managing Director of Compliance at Legg Mason, (2005-Present); Chief Compliance Officer with certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason (since 2006); Managing Director of Compliance at Legg Mason or its predecessors (2002-2005). Prior to 2002, Managing Director-Internal Audit & Risk Review at Citigroup, Inc.   N/A   N/A

Wendy S. Setnicka

Legg Mason

125 Broad Street,

10th Floor

New York, NY 10004

Birth Year: 1964

  Controller   Since
2004
  Vice President of Legg Mason (since 2003); Controller of certain mutual funds associated with Legg Mason; Formerly, Assistant Controller of Legg Mason (from 2002 to 2004); Accounting Manager of Legg Mason (from 1998 to 2002)   N/A   N/A

 

38         Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc. 2006 Annual Report


Additional Information (unaudited) (continued)

 

Name, Address and Birth Year  

Position(s)
Held with

Fund(1)

  Term of
Office(1) and
Length
of Time
Served
  Principal
Occupation(s)
During Past
Five Years
  Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex
Overseen by
Director
(including
the Fund)
  Other Board
Memberships
Held by
Director
Officers:                    

Robert I. Frenkel

Legg Mason

300 First Stamford Place

4th Floor

Stamford, CT 06902

Birth Year: 1954

  Secretary and Chief Legal Officer   Since
2003
  Managing Director and General Counsel of Global Mutual Funds for Legg Mason and its predecessor (since 1994); Secretary and Chief Legal Officer of mutual funds associated with Legg Mason   N/A   N/A
(1)   The Fund’s Board of Directors is divided into three classes: Class I, Class II and Class III. The terms of office of the Class I, II and III Directors expire at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders in the year 2008, year 2006 and year 2007, respectively, or thereafter in each case when their respective successors are duly elected and qualified. The Fund’s executive officers are chosen each year at the first meeting of the Fund’s Board of Directors following the Annual Meeting of Stockholders, to hold office until the meeting of the Board following the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualified.
(2)   Mr. Gerken in an “interested person” of the Fund as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, because Mr. Gerken is an officer of SBFM and certain of its affiliates.

 

Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc. 2006 Annual Report         39


Annual Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Certification (unaudited)

 

The Fund’s CEO has submitted to the NYSE the required annual certification and, the Fund also has included the Certifications of the Fund’s CEO and CFO required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act in the Fund’s Form N-CSR filed with the SEC, for the period of this report.

 

40         Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc. 2006 Annual Report


Additional Shareholder Information (unaudited)

 

Results of a Special Meeting of Shareholders

On November 15, 2005, a Special Meeting of Shareholders was held to approve a new management agreement. The following table provides the number of votes cast for, against or withheld, as well as the number of abstentions and broker non-votes as for the matter voted on at the Special Meeting of Shareholders.

 

Item Voted on   Votes For   Votes Against   Abstentions   Broker
Non-Votes

New Management Agreement

  38,590,025   3,511,930   2,011,223   0

 

 

Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc. 2006 Annual Report          41


Dividend Reinvestment Plan (unaudited)

 

Pursuant to certain rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission the following additional disclosure is provided.

Each shareholder purchasing shares of common stock (“Shares”) of Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc. (“Fund”) will be deemed to have elected to be a participant in the Dividend Reinvestment Plan (“Plan”), unless the shareholder specifically elects in writing (addressed to the Agent at the address below or to any nominee who holds Shares for the shareholder in its name) to receive all distributions in cash, paid by check, mailed directly to the record holder by or under the direction of American Stock Transfer & Trust Company as the Fund’s dividend-paying agent (“Agent”). A shareholder whose Shares are held in the name of a broker or nominee who does not provide an automatic reinvestment service may be required to take such Shares out of “street name” and register such Shares in the shareholder’s name in order to participate, otherwise dividends and distributions will be paid in cash to such shareholder by the broker or nominee. Each participant in the Plan is referred to herein as a “Participant.” The Agent will act as Agent for each Participant, and will open accounts for each Participant under the Plan in the same name as their Shares are registered.

Unless the Fund declares a distribution payable only in the form of cash, the Agent will apply all distributions in the manner set forth below.

If, on the determination date (as defined below), the market price per Share equals or exceeds the net asset value per Share on that date (such condition, a “market premium”), the Agent will receive the distribution in newly issued Shares of the Fund on behalf of Participants. If, on the determination date, the net asset value per Share exceeds the market price per Share (such condition, a “market discount”), the Agent will purchase Shares in the open market. The determination date will be the fourth New York Stock Exchange trading day (a New York Stock Exchange trading day being referred to herein as a “Trading Day”) preceding the payment date for the distribution. For purposes herein, “market price” will mean the average of the highest and lowest prices at which the Shares sell on the New York Stock Exchange on the particular date, or if there is no sale on that date, the average of the closing bid and asked quotations.

Purchases made by the Agent will be made as soon as practicable commencing on the Trading Day following the determination date and terminating no later than 30 days after the distribution payment date except where temporary curtailment or suspension of purchase is necessary to comply with applicable provisions of federal securities law; provided, however, that such purchases will, in any event, terminate on the Trading Day prior to the “ex-dividend” date next succeeding the distribution payment date.

If (i) the Agent has not invested the full distribution amount in open market purchases by the date specified at the bottom of the prior page as the date on which such purchases must terminate or (ii) a market discount shifts to a market premium during the purchase period, then the Agent will cease making open market purchases and will receive the uninvested portion of the distribution amount in newly issued Shares (x) in the case of (i) above, at the close of business on the date the Agent is required to terminate making open market purchases as specified at the bottom of the prior page or (y) in the case of (ii) above, at the close of business on the date such shift occurs; but in no event prior to the payment date for the distribution.

 

42         Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc. 2006 Annual Report


Dividend Reinvestment Plan (unaudited) (continued)

 

In the event that all or part of a distribution amount is to be paid in newly issued Shares, such Shares will be issued to Participants in accordance with the following formula: (i) if, on the valuation date, the net asset value per share is less than or equal to the market price per Share, then the newly issued Shares will be valued at net asset value per Share on the valuation date provided, however, that if the net asset value is less than 95% of the market price on the valuation date, then such Shares will be issued at 95% of the market price and (ii) if, on the valuation date, the net asset value per share is greater than the market price per Share, then the newly issued Shares will be issued at the market price on the valuation date. The valuation date will be the distribution payment date, except that with respect to Shares issued pursuant to the paragraph above, the valuation date will be the date such Shares are issued. If a date that would otherwise be a valuation date is not a Trading Day, the valuation date will be the next preceding Trading Day.

The open market purchases provided for above may be made on any securities exchange on which the Shares of the Fund are traded, in the over-the-counter market or in negotiated transactions, and may be on such terms as to price, delivery and otherwise as the Agent shall determine. Funds held by the Agent uninvested will not bear interest, and it is understood that, in any event, the Agent shall have no liability in connection with any inability to purchase Shares within the time periods herein provided, or with the timing of any purchases effected. The Agent shall have no responsibility as to the value of the Shares acquired for the Participant’s account. The Agent may commingle amounts of all Participants to be used for open market purchases of Shares and the price per Share allocable to each Participant in connection with such purchases shall be the average price (including brokerage commissions) of all Shares purchased by the Agent.

The Agent will maintain all Participant accounts in the Plan and will furnish written confirmations of all transactions in each account, including information needed by Participants for personal and tax records. The Agent will hold Shares acquired pursuant to the Plan in noncertificated form in the Participant’s name or that of its nominee, and each Participant’s proxy will include those Shares purchased pursuant to the Plan. The Agent will forward to Participants any proxy solicitation material and will vote any Shares so held for Participants only in accordance with the proxy returned by Participants to the Fund. Upon written request, the Agent will deliver to Participants, without charge, a certificate or certificates for the full Shares.

The Agent will confirm to Participants each acquisition made for their respective accounts as soon as practicable but not later than 60 days after the date thereof. Although Participants may from time to time have an undivided fractional interest (computed to three decimal places) in a Share of the Fund, no certificates for fractional shares will be issued. Distributions on fractional shares will be credited to each Participant’s account. In the event of termination of a Participant’s account under the Plan, the Agent will adjust for any such undivided fractional interest in cash at the market value of the Fund’s Shares at the time of termination less the pro rata expense of any sale required to make such an adjustment.

Any share dividends or split shares distributed by the Fund on Shares held by the Agent for Participants will be credited to their respective accounts. In the event that the Fund makes available to Participants rights to purchase additional Shares or other securities, the

 

Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc. 2006 Annual Report         43


Dividend Reinvestment Plan (unaudited) (continued)

 

Shares held for Participants under the Plan will be added to other Shares held by the Participants in calculating the number of rights to be issued to Participants.

The Agent’s service fee for handling distributions will be paid by the Fund. Participants will be charged a pro rata share of brokerage commissions on all open market purchases.

Participants may terminate their accounts under the Plan by notifying the Agent in writing. Such termination will be effective immediately if notice is received by the Agent not less than ten days prior to any distribution record date; otherwise such termination will be effective on the first Trading Day after the payment due for such distribution with respect to any subsequent distribution. The Plan may be amended or terminated by the Fund as applied to any distribution paid subsequent to written notice of the change or termination sent to Participants at least 30 days prior to the record date for the distribution. The Plan may be amended or terminated by the Agent, with the Fund’s prior written consent, on at least 30 days’ written notice to Plan Participants. Notwithstanding the preceding two sentences, the Agent or the Fund may amend or supplement the Plan at any time or times when necessary or appropriate to comply with applicable law or rules or policies of the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other regulatory authority. Upon any termination, the Agent will cause a certificate or certificates for the full Shares held by each Participant under the Plan and cash adjustment for any fraction to be delivered to each Participant without charge. If the Participant elects by notice to the Agent in writing in advance of such termination to have the Agent sell part or all of a Participant’s Shares and remit the proceeds to Participant, the Agent is authorized to deduct a $2.50 fee plus brokerage commission for this transaction from the proceeds.

Any amendment or supplement shall be deemed to be accepted by each Participant unless, prior to the effective date thereof, the Agent receives written notice of the termination of the Participant’s account under the Plan. Any such amendment may include an appointment by the Agent in its place and stead of a successor Agent under these terms and conditions, with full power and authority to perform all or any of the acts to be performed by the Agent under these terms and conditions. Upon any such appointment of an Agent for the purpose of receiving distributions, the Fund will be authorized to pay to such successor Agent, for each Participant’s account, all distributions payable on Shares of the Fund held in each Participant’s name or under the Plan for retention or application by such successor Agent as provided in these terms and conditions.

In the case of Participants, such as banks, broker-dealers or other nominees, which hold Shares for others who are beneficial owners (“Nominee Holders”), the Agent will administer the Plan on the basis of the number of Shares certified from time to time by each Nominee Holder as representing the total amount registered in the Nominee Holder’s name and held for the account of beneficial owners who are to participate in the Plan.

The Agent shall at all times act in good faith and use its best efforts within reasonable limits to insure the accuracy of all services performed under this Agreement and to comply with applicable law, but assumes no responsibility and shall not be liable for loss or damage due to errors unless such error is caused by its negligence, bad faith, or willful misconduct or that of its employees.

All correspondence concerning the Plan should be directed to the Agent at 1-888-888-0151.

 

44         Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc. 2006 Annual Report


Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc.

 

DIRECTORS

Carol L. Colman

Daniel P. Cronin

Leslie H. Gelb

R. Jay Gerken, CFA

      Chairman

William R. Hutchinson

Riordan Roett

Jeswald W. Salacuse

 

OFFICERS

R. Jay Gerken, CFA

President and Chief
Executive Officer

 

Andrew B. Shoup

Senior Vice President and

Chief Administrative Officer

 

Frances M. GugginO

Chief Financial Officer
and Treasurer

 

Ted P. Becker

Chief Compliance Officer

 

Wendy S. Setnicka

Controller

 

Robert I. Frenkel

Secretary and
Chief Legal Officer

 

Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc.

125 Broad Street

10th Floor, MF-2

New York, New York 10004

  

INVESTMENT MANAGER

Salomon Brothers Asset Management Inc

399 Park Avenue

New York, New York 10022

 

CUSTODIAN

State Street Bank and Trust Company

225 Franklin Street

Boston, Massachusetts 02110

 

TRANSFER AGENT

American Stock Transfer & Trust Company

59 Maiden Lane

New York, New York 10038

 

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

KPMG LLP

345 Park Avenue

New York, New York 10154

 

LEGAL COUNSEL

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

425 Lexington Avenue

New York, New York 10017-3909

 

NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE SYMBOL

HIX


 

 

 

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

 

 

American Stock Transfer & Trust Company

59 Maiden Lane

New York, New York 10038

 

SAM0877 4/06   SR06-74

 

LOGO

 

LOGO

 

 

 

Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc.

 

Notice is hereby given in accordance with Section 23(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 that the Fund may purchase at market prices from time to time shares of its common stock in the open market.

 

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington D.C., and how information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 800-SEC-0330. To obtain information on Form N-Q from the Fund, shareholders can call 800-446-1013.

 

Information an how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the prior 12-month period ended June 30th of each year and a description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies related to portfolio transactions is available (1) without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-446-1013, (2) on each Fund’s website at www.leggmason.com/InvestorServices and (3) on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.


ITEM 2. CODE OF ETHICS.

 

The registrant has adopted a code of ethics that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller.

 

ITEM 3. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.

 

The Board of Directors of the registrant has determined that William R. Hutchinson, the Chairman of the Board’s Audit Committee, possesses the technical attributes identified in Instruction 2(b) of Item 3 to Form N-CSR to qualify as an “audit committee financial expert,” and has designated Mr. Hutchinson as the Audit Committee’s financial expert. Mr. Hutchinson is an “independent” Director pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Item 3 to Form N-CSR.

 

ITEM 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

 

a) Audit Fees. Effective June 17, 2005, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”) resigned as the Registrant’s principal accountant (the “Auditor”). The Registrant’s audit committee approved the engagement of KPMG LLP (“KPMG”) as the Registrant’s new principal accountant for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2006. The aggregate fees billed in the last two fiscal years ending April 30, 2005 and April 30, 2006 (the “Reporting Periods”) for professional services rendered by PwC for the audit of the Registrant’s annual financial statements, or services that are normally provided by the Auditor in connection with the statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for the Reporting Periods, were $33,000 in 2005 and $33,000 in 2006. KPMG has not billed the Registrant for professional services rendered as of April 30, 2006.

 

b) Audit-Related Fees. The aggregate fees billed in the Reporting Periods for assurance and related services by PwC or KPMG that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the Registrant’s financial statements and are not reported under paragraph (a) of this Item 4 were $8,500 in 2005 and $8,755 in 2006.

 

In addition, there were no Audit-Related Fees billed in the Reporting Period for assurance and related services by the Auditor to the Registrant’s investment adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc. (“service affiliates”), that were reasonably related to the performance of the annual audit of the service affiliates. Accordingly, there were no such fees that required pre-approval by the Audit Committee for the Reporting Periods (prior to May 6, 2003 services provided by the Auditor were not required to be pre-approved).

 

(c) Tax Fees. The aggregate fees billed in the Reporting Periods for professional services rendered by PwC for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning (“Tax Services”) were $7,300 in 2005 and $5,666 in 2006. These services consisted of (i) review or preparation of U.S. federal, state, local and excise tax returns; (ii) U.S. federal, state and local tax planning, advice and assistance regarding statutory, regulatory or administrative developments, and (iii) tax advice regarding tax qualification matters and/or


treatment of various financial instruments held or proposed to be acquired or held. As of April 30, 2006, KPMG has not billed the Registrant for any Tax Services rendered.

 

There were no fees billed for tax services by PwC or KPMG to service affiliates during the Reporting Periods that required pre-approval by the Audit Committee.

 

d) There were no non-audit services rendered by KPMG to SBAM, or any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with SBAM that provided ongoing services to the Registrant.

 

All Other Fees. There were no other non-audit services rendered by PwC or KPMG to Smith Barney Fund Management LLC (“SBFM”), and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with SBFM that provided ongoing services to Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc. requiring pre-approval by the Audit Committee in the Reporting Period.

 

(e) Audit Committee’s pre–approval policies and procedures described in paragraph (c) (7) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.

 

(1) The Charter for the Audit Committee (the “Committee”) of the Board of each registered investment company (the “Fund”) advised by Smith Barney Fund Management LLC or Salomon Brothers Asset Management Inc. or one of their affiliates (each, an “Adviser”) requires that the Committee shall approve (a) all audit and permissible non-audit services to be provided to the Fund and (b) all permissible non-audit services to be provided by the Fund’s independent auditors to the Adviser and any Covered Service Providers if the engagement relates directly to the operations and financial reporting of the Fund. The Committee may implement policies and procedures by which such services are approved other than by the full Committee.

 

The Committee shall not approve non-audit services that the Committee believes may impair the independence of the auditors. As of the date of the approval of this Audit Committee Charter, permissible non-audit services include any professional services (including tax services), that are not prohibited services as described below, provided to the Fund by the independent auditors, other than those provided to the Fund in connection with an audit or a review of the financial statements of the Fund. Permissible non-audit services may not include: (i) bookkeeping or other services related to the accounting records or financial statements of the Fund; (ii) financial information systems design and implementation; (iii) appraisal or valuation services, fairness opinions or contribution-in-kind reports; (iv) actuarial services; (v) internal audit outsourcing services; (vi) management functions or human resources; (vii) broker or dealer, investment adviser or investment banking services; (viii) legal services and expert services unrelated to the audit; and (ix) any other service the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board determines, by regulation, is impermissible.

 

Pre-approval by the Committee of any permissible non-audit services is not required so long as: (i) the aggregate amount of all such permissible non-audit services provided to the Fund, the Adviser and any service providers controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Adviser that provide ongoing services to the Fund (“Covered Service Providers”) constitutes not more than 5% of the total amount of revenues paid to the independent auditors during the fiscal year in which the permissible non-


audit services are provided to (a) the Fund, (b) the Adviser and (c) any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Adviser that provides ongoing services to the Fund during the fiscal year in which the services are provided that would have to be approved by the Committee; (ii) the permissible non-audit services were not recognized by the Fund at the time of the engagement to be non-audit services; and (iii) such services are promptly brought to the attention of the Committee and approved by the Committee (or its delegate(s)) prior to the completion of the audit.

 

(2) For the Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc., the percentage of fees that were approved by the audit committee, with respect to: Audit-Related Fees were 100% and 100% for 2005 and 2006; Tax Fees were 100% and 100% for 2005 and 2006; and Other Fees were 100% and 100% for 2005 and 2006.

 

(f) N/A

 

(g) All Other Fees. The aggregate fees billed for all other non-audit services rendered by PwC to Salomon Brothers Asset Management (“SBAM”), and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with SBAM that provided ongoing services to Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc., requiring pre-approval by the Audit Committee for the year ended April 30, 2005 which include the issuance of reports on internal control under SAS No. 70 related to various Citigroup Asset Management (“CAM”) entities a profitability review of the Adviser and phase 1 of an analysis of Citigroup’s current and future real estate occupancy requirements in the tri-state area and security risk issues in the New York metro region was $1.3 million all of which was pre-approved by the Audit Committee.

 

Non-audit fees billed by PwC for services rendered to Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc. and CAM and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with CAM that provides ongoing services to Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc. during the reporting period was $2.7 million for the year ended April 30, 2005.

 

Non-audit fees billed by KPMG for services rendered to Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc. and CAM and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with CAM that provides ongoing services to Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc. during the reporting period was $75,000 and $0 for the years ended April 30, 2005 and April 30, 2006, respectively. Such fees relate to services provided in connection with the transfer agent matter as fully described in the notes to the financial statements.

 

(h) Yes. The Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc.’s Audit Committee has considered whether the provision of non-audit services that were rendered to Service Affiliates which were not pre-approved (not requiring pre-approval) is compatible with maintaining the Accountant’s independence. All services provided by the Auditor to the Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc. or to Service Affiliates, which were required to be pre-approved, were pre-approved as required.

 

ITEM 5. AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS.

 

a) Registrant has a separately-designated standing Audit Committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)58(A) of the Exchange Act. The Audit Committee consists of the following Board members:

 

Carol L. Colman

Daniel P. Cronin

Leslie H. Gelb

William R. Hutchinson

Riordan Roett

Jeswald W. Salacuse


b) 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.

 

Concerning Citigroup Asset Management1(CAM) Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

 

The following is a brief overview of the Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures (the “Policies”) that CAM has adopted to seek to ensure that CAM votes proxies relating to equity securities in the best interest of clients.

 

CAM votes proxies for each client account with respect to which it has been authorized to vote proxies. In voting proxies, CAM is guided by general fiduciary principles and seeks to act prudently and solely in the best interest of clients. CAM attempts to consider all factors that could affect the value of the investment and will vote proxies in the manner that it believes will be consistent with efforts to maximize shareholder values. CAM may utilize an external service provider to provide it with information and/or a recommendation with regard to proxy votes. However, the CAM adviser (business unit) continues to retain responsibility for the proxy vote.

 

In the case of a proxy issue for which there is a stated position in the Policies, CAM generally votes in accordance with such stated position. In the case of a proxy issue for which there is a list of factors set forth in the Policies that CAM considers in voting on such issue, CAM votes on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the general principles set forth above and considering such enumerated factors. In the case of a proxy issue for which there is no stated position or list of factors that CAM considers in voting on such issue, CAM votes on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the general principles set forth above. Issues for which there is a stated position set forth in the Policies or for which there is a list of factors set forth in the Policies that CAM considers in voting on such issues fall into a variety of categories, including election of directors, ratification of auditors, proxy and tender offer defenses, capital structure issues, executive and director compensation, mergers and corporate restructurings, and social and environmental issues. The stated position on an issue set forth in the Policies can always be superseded, subject to the duty to act


solely in the best interest of the beneficial owners of accounts, by the investment management professionals responsible for the account whose shares are being voted. Issues applicable to a particular industry may cause CAM to abandon a policy that would have otherwise applied to issuers generally. As a result of the independent investment advisory services provided by distinct CAM business units, there may be occasions when different business units or different portfolio managers within the same business unit vote differently on the same issue. A CAM business unit or investment team (e.g. CAM’s Social Awareness Investment team) may adopt proxy voting policies that supplement these policies and procedures. In addition, in the case of Taft-Hartley clients, CAM will comply with a client direction to vote proxies in accordance with Institutional Shareholder Services’ (ISS) PVS Voting Guidelines, which ISS represents to be fully consistent with AFL-CIO guidelines.

 

In furtherance of CAM’s goal to vote proxies in the best interest of clients, CAM follows procedures designed to identify and address material conflicts that may arise between CAM’s interests and those of its clients before voting proxies on behalf of such clients. To seek to identify conflicts of interest, CAM periodically notifies CAM employees in writing that they are under an obligation (i) to be aware of the potential for conflicts of interest on the part of CAM with respect to voting proxies on behalf of client accounts both as a result of their personal relationships and due to special circumstances that may arise during the conduct of CAM’s business, and (ii) to bring conflicts of interest of which they become aware to the attention of CAM’s compliance personnel. CAM also maintains and considers a list of significant CAM relationships that could present a conflict of interest for CAM in voting proxies. CAM is also sensitive to the fact that a significant, publicized relationship between an issuer and a non-CAM Legg Mason affiliate might appear to the public to influence the manner in which CAM decides to vote a proxy with respect to such issuer. Absent special circumstances or a significant, publicized non-CAM Legg Mason affiliate relationship that CAM for prudential reasons treats as a potential conflict of interest because such relationship might appear to the public to influence the manner in which CAM decides to vote a proxy, CAM generally takes the position that relationships between a non-CAM Legg Mason affiliate and an issuer (e.g. investment management relationship between an issuer and a non-CAM Legg Mason affiliate) do not present a conflict of interest for CAM in voting proxies with respect to such issuer. Such position is based on the fact that CAM is operated as an independent business unit from other Legg Mason business units as well as on the existence of information barriers between CAM and certain other Legg Mason business units.

 

CAM maintains a Proxy Voting Committee to review and address conflicts of interest brought to its attention by CAM compliance personnel. A proxy issue that will be voted in accordance with a stated CAM position on such issue or in accordance with the recommendation of an independent third party is not brought to the attention of the Proxy Voting Committee for a conflict of interest review because CAM’s position is that to the extent a conflict of interest issue exists, it is resolved by voting in accordance with a pre-determined policy or in accordance with the recommendation of an


independent third party. With respect to a conflict of interest brought to its attention, the Proxy Voting Committee first determines whether such conflict of interest is material. A conflict of interest is considered material to the extent that it is determined that such conflict is likely to influence, or appear to influence, CAM’s decision-making in voting proxies. If it is determined by the Proxy Voting Committee that a conflict of interest is not material, CAM may vote proxies notwithstanding the existence of the conflict.

 

If it is determined by the Proxy Voting Committee that a conflict of interest is material, the Proxy Voting Committee is responsible for determining an appropriate method to resolve such conflict of interest before the proxy affected by the conflict of interest is voted. Such determination is based on the particular facts and circumstances, including the importance of the proxy issue and the nature of the conflict of interest.

 


1 Citigroup Asset Management comprises CAM North America, LLC, Salomon Brothers Asset Management Inc, Smith Barney Fund Management LLC, and other affiliated investment advisory firms. On December 1, 2005, Citigroup Inc. (“Citigroup”) sold substantially all of its worldwide asset management business, Citigroup Asset Management, to Legg Mason, Inc. (“Legg Mason”). As part of this transaction, CAM North America, LLC, Salomon Brothers Asset Management Inc and Smith Barney Fund Management LLC became wholly-owned subsidiaries of Legg Mason. Under a licensing agreement between Citigroup and Legg Mason, the names of CAM North America, LLC, Salomon Brothers Asset Management Inc, Smith Barney Fund Management LLC and their affiliated advisory entities, as well as all logos, trademarks, and service marks related to Citigroup or any of its affiliates (“Citi Marks”) are licensed for use by Legg Mason. Citi Marks include, but are not limited to, “Citigroup Asset Management,” “Salomon Brothers Asset Management” and “CAM”. All Citi Marks are owned by Citigroup, and are licensed for use until no later than one year after the date of the licensing agreement. Legg Mason and its subsidiaries, including CAM North America, LLC, Salomon Brothers Asset Management Inc, and Smith Barney Fund Management LLC are not affiliated with Citigroup.

 

ITEM 8. PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

 

(a)(1):

 

NAME AND ADDRESS
ADDRESS


  

LENGTH OF
TIME SERVED


  

PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST 5 YEARS


S. Kenneth Leech

Western Asset

385 East Colorado Blvd. Pasadena, CA 91101

   Since 2006    Co-portfolio manager of the fund; employee of SBAM since 2006 and Chief Investment Officer of Western Asset since 1998.

Stephen A. Walsh

Western Asset

385 East Colorado Blvd. Pasadena, CA 91101

   Since 2006    Co-portfolio manager of the fund; employee of SBAM since 2006 and Deputy Chief Investment Officer of Western Asset since 2000.

Keith J. Gardner

Western Asset

385 East Colorado Blvd. Pasadena, CA 91101

   Since 2006    Co-portfolio manager of the fund; employee of SBAM since 2006 and portfolio manager and research analyst at Western Asset since 1994.

Michael C.Buchanan

Western Asset

385 East Colorado Blvd. Pasadena, CA 91101

   Since 2006    Co-portfolio manager of the fund; employee of SBAM since 2006; Managing Director and head of U.S. Credit Products from 2003-2005 at Credit Suisse Asset Management; Executive Vice President and portfolio manager for Janus Capital in 2003; Managing Director and head of High Yield Trading from 1998-2003 at Blackrock Financial Management.


(a)(2): DATA TO BE PROVIDED BY FINANCIAL CONTROL

 

The following tables set forth certain additional information with respect to the fund’s portfolio managers for the fund. Unless noted otherwise, all information is provided as of April 30 , 2006.

 

Other Accounts Managed by Portfolio Managers

 

The table below identifies the number of accounts (other than the fund) for which the fund’s portfolio managers have day-to-day management responsibilities and the total assets in such accounts, within each of the following categories: registered investment companies, other pooled investment vehicles, and other accounts. For each category, the number of accounts and total assets in the accounts where fees are based on performance is also indicated.

 

Portfolio Manager(s)


  

Registered Investment Companies


  

Other Pooled Investment Vehicles


  

Other Accounts


S. Kenneth Leech‡    90 registered investment companies with $42.3 billion in total assets under management    20 Other pooled investment vehicles with $21.8 billion in assets under management    886 Other accounts with $215.5 billion in total assets under management*
Stephen A. Walsh‡    90 registered investment companies with $42.3 billion in total assets under management    20 Other pooled investment vehicles with $21.8 billion in assets under management    886 Other accounts with $215.5 billion in total assets under management*


Keith J. Gardner    5 registered investment companies with $705 million in total assets under management    3 Other pooled investment vehicles with $1.87 billion in assets under management    4 Other accounts with $368.3 billion in total assets under management**
Michael C. Buchanan    12 registered investment Companies with $4.5 Billion in total assets Under management    2 Other pooled investment vehicles with $2.26 billion in assets under management    9 Other accounts with $820 million in total assets under management

* Includes 48 accounts managed, totaling $13.4 billion, for which advisory fee is performance based.
** Includes 1 account managed, totaling $12.6 million, for which advisory fee is performance based.
The numbers above reflect the overall number of portfolios managed by employees of Western Asset Management Company (“Western Asset”). Mr. Leech and Mr. Walsh are involved in the management of all the Firm’s portfolios, but they are not solely responsible for particular portfolios. Western Asset’s investment discipline emphasizes a team approach that combines the efforts of groups of specialists working in different market sectors. They are responsible for overseeing implementation of Western Asset’s overall investment ideas and coordinating the work of the various sector teams. This structure ensures that client portfolios benefit from a consensus that draws on the expertise of all team members.

 

(a)(3): Portfolio Manager Compensation

 

With respect to the compensation of the portfolio managers, the Advisers’ compensation system assigns each employee a total compensation “target” and a respective cap, which are derived from annual market surveys that benchmark each role with their job function and peer universe. This method is designed to reward employees with total compensation reflective of the external market value of their skills, experience, and ability to produce desired results.

 

Standard compensation includes competitive base salaries, generous employee benefits, and a retirement plan.

 

In addition, employees are eligible for bonuses. These are structured to closely align the interests of employees with those of the Advisers, and are determined by the professional’s job function and performance as measured by a formal review process. All bonuses are completely discretionary. One of the principal factors considered is a portfolio manager’s investment performance versus appropriate peer groups and benchmarks. Because portfolio managers are generally responsible for multiple accounts (including the Portfolio) with similar investment strategies, they are compensated on the performance of the aggregate group of similar accounts, rather than a specific account. A smaller portion of a bonus payment is derived from factors that include client service, business development, length of service to the Adviser, management or supervisory responsibilities, contributions to developing business strategy and overall contributions to the Adviser’s business.

 

Finally, in order to attract and retain top talent, all professionals are eligible for additional incentives in recognition of outstanding performance. These are determined based upon the factors described above and include Legg Mason, Inc. stock options and long-term incentives that vest over a set period of time past the award date.


Potential Conflicts of Interest

 

Potential conflicts of interest may arise in connection with the management of multiple accounts (including accounts managed in a personal capacity). These could include potential conflicts of interest related to the knowledge and timing of a Portfolio’s trades, investment opportunities and broker selection. Portfolio managers may be privy to the size, timing and possible market impact of a Portfolio’s trades.

 

It is possible that an investment opportunity may be suitable for both a Portfolio and other accounts managed by a portfolio manager, but may not be available in sufficient quantities for both the Portfolio and the other accounts to participate fully. Similarly, there may be limited opportunity to sell an investment held by a Portfolio and another account. A conflict may arise where the portfolio manager may have an incentive to treat an account preferentially as compared to a Portfolio because the account pays a performance-based fee or the portfolio manager, the Advisers or an affiliate has an interest in the account. The Advisers have adopted procedures for allocation of portfolio transactions and investment opportunities across multiple client accounts on a fair and equitable basis over time. All eligible accounts that can participate in a trade share the same price on a pro-rata allocation basis in an attempt to mitigate any conflict of interest. Trades are allocated among similarly managed accounts to maintain consistency of portfolio strategy, taking into account cash availability, investment restrictions and guidelines, and portfolio composition versus strategy.

 

With respect to securities transactions for the Portfolios, the Advisers determine which broker or dealer to use to execute each order, consistent with their duty to seek best execution of the transaction. However, with respect to certain other accounts (such as pooled investment vehicles that are not registered investment companies and other accounts managed for organizations and individuals), the Advisers may be limited by the client with respect to the selection of brokers or dealers or may be instructed to direct trades through a particular broker or dealer. In these cases, trades for a Portfolio in a particular security may be placed separately from, rather than aggregated with, such other accounts. Having separate transactions with respect to a security may temporarily affect the market price of the security or the execution of the transaction, or both, to the possible detriment of a Portfolio or the other account(s) involved. Additionally, the management of multiple Portfolios and/or other accounts may result in a portfolio manager devoting unequal time and attention to the management of each Portfolio and/or other account.

 

It is theoretically possible that portfolio managers could use information to the advantage of other accounts they manage and to the possible detriment of a Portfolio. For example, a portfolio manager could short sell a security for an account immediately prior to a Portfolio’s sale of that security. To address this conflict, the Advisers have adopted procedures for reviewing and comparing selected trades of alternative investment accounts (which may make directional trades such as short sales) with long only accounts (which include the Portfolios) for timing and pattern related issues. Trading decisions for alternative investment and long only accounts may not be identical even though the same Portfolio Manager may manage both types of accounts. Whether the Adviser allocates a particular investment opportunity to only alternative investment accounts or to alternative investment and long only accounts will depend on the investment strategy being implemented. If, under the circumstances, an investment opportunity is appropriate for both its alternative investment and long only accounts, then it will be allocated to both on a pro-rata basis.


A portfolio manager may also face other potential conflicts of interest in managing a Portfolio, and the description above is not a complete description of every conflict of interest that could be deemed to exist in managing both a Portfolio and the other accounts listed above.

 

(a)(4): Portfolio Manager Securities Ownership

 

The table below identifies the dollar range of securities beneficially owned by each portfolio managers as of April 20, 2006.

 

Portfolio Manager(s)


  

Dollar Range of

Portfolio Securities
Beneficially Owned


S. Kenneth Leech

   None

Stephen A. Walsh

   None

Michael C. Buchanan

   None

Keith J. Gardner

   None

 

ITEM 9. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS.

 

None.

 

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 registrant’s last fiscal half-year (the registrant’s second fiscal half-year in the case of an annual report) that have materially affected, or are likely to materially affect the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

ITEM 12. EXHIBITS.

 

(a) Code of Ethics attached hereto.

 

Exhibit 99.CODE ETH

 

(b) Attached hereto.

 

Exhibit 99.CERT    Certifications pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Exhibit 99.906CERT    Certifications pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002


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.

 

Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc.

 

By:  

/s/ R. Jay Gerken

   

R. Jay Gerken

   

Chief Executive Officer of

    Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc.
Date: July 10, 2006

 

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/ R. Jay Gerken

   

(R. Jay Gerken)

   

Chief Executive Officer of

    Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc.
Date: July 10, 2006
By:  

/s/ Frances M. Guggino

   

(Frances M. Guggino)

   

Chief Financial Officer of

    Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc.
Date: July 10, 2006