Leading Legg Mason Fixed Income Funds added to Colonial First State FirstWrap Platform
Two market-leading Legg Mason Fixed Income Funds, the Legg Mason Brandywine Global Opportunistic Fixed Income Fund and the Legg Mason Western Asset Australian Bond Fund are now available to financial advisers via the Colonial First State FirstWrap platform.
The Legg Mason Brandywine Global Opportunistic Fixed Income Fund currently manages over A$635 million for Australian investors and offers an unconstrained, high conviction global fixed income strategy with a ‘go-anywhere’ opportunistic style.[1] Managed by Brandywine Global, the fund targets investment in markets offering the highest real yields and employs active currency management to help protect capital and enhance returns.
The Legg Mason Western Asset Australian Bond Fund, managing over A$1 billion in funds under management, is an actively managed fund against the Bloomberg AusBond Composite 0+ Year Index. [1] Typically, it invests in Australian dollar-denominated debt securities paying fixed or floating rate coupons issued by governments, supra-national bodies and Australian and foreign corporates. The fund is headed by veteran fixed income investor and Portfolio Manager Anthony Kirkham and is well supported by Western Asset’s deep global resources.
Legg Mason Managing Director, Australia and New Zealand, Andy Sowerby, notes: “We are very pleased to have these funds included on the Colonial First State FirstWrap platform. We have purposefully developed a full range of fixed income solutions that draw upon the world-class capabilities of our two leading specialist managers in this asset class – Western Asset and Brandywine Global.
“These flexible bond strategies are designed to help investors build more resilient and diversified portfolios. They increasingly appeal to investors due to the long-term strength of the propositions, competitive pricing and high independent ratings.
“We continue to ensure these award-winning funds are accessible via effective partners in structures that appeal to a variety of investors, be it financial advisers, self-directed investors or institutional clients,” said Mr Sowerby.
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About Legg Mason
Guided by a mission of ‘Investing to Improve LivesTM, Legg Mason helps investors globally achieve better financial outcomes by expanding choice across investment strategies, vehicles and investor access through independent investment managers with diverse expertise in equity, fixed income, alternative and liquidity investments. Legg Mason’s assets under management are A$1.1 trillion as of 30 June 2019.
Legg Mason provides centralised business and distribution support for its nine affiliated fund managers that include: Brandywine Global, Clarion Partners, ClearBridge, Entrust Global, Martin Currie, RARE Infrastructure, Royce & Associates, QS Investors and Western Asset. Each affiliate operates independently under its own brand and investment process and is considered an industry expert in its asset class.
Australia Facts:
- Legg Mason’s Australian business was established in 1954
- Assets Under Management (AUM) in Australia are A$59.2 billion as at 30 June 2019 (Source: Rainmaker Data. Consists of AUM managed in Australia for Australian and offshore investors and AUM managed offshore for Australian investors)
- Legg Mason Australia was awarded the Money Management/Lonsec Fund Manager of the Year in 2015, 2017 and 2018.
