NEW YORK -- (Business Wire)

Headline of release should read: Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Inc. (“HIO”) Announces Distributions for the Months of September, October and November 2012 (sted Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Inc. (“HIO”) Sets New Rate and Announces Distributions for the Months of September, October and November 2012)

The release reads:

WESTERN ASSET HIGH INCOME OPPORTUNITY FUND INC. (“HIO”) ANNOUNCES DISTRIBUTIONS FOR THE MONTHS OF SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER 2012

Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Inc.(NYSE: HIO) announced today monthly distributions of $0.0415 per common share for September, October and November 2012.

The distribution schedule appears below:

This press release is not for tax reporting purposes but is being provided to announce the amount of the Fund's distributions that have been declared by the Board of Directors. In early 2013, after definitive information is available, the Fund will send shareholders a Form 1099-DIV, if applicable, specifying how the distributions paid by the Fund during the prior calendar year should be characterized for purposes of reporting the distributions on a shareholder's tax return (e.g., ordinary income, long-term capital gain or return of capital).

Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Inc., a diversified, closed-end management investment company, is managed by Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Legg Mason, Inc., and is sub-advised by Western Asset Management Company, an affiliate of the investment manager.

Contact the Fund at 1-888-777-0102 for additional information, or consult the Fund’s web site at www.lmcef.com.

Data and commentary provided in this press release are for informational purposes only. Legg Mason and its affiliates do not engage in selling shares of the Fund.

Contacts:

Media:
Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Inc.
Maria Rosati, 212-805-6036
mrosati@leggmason.com

Source: Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund Inc.