13 November 2018

Legg Mason funds added to Macquarie Wrap

Published by Money Management – 13th Nov 2018

Two Legg Mason global funds, the Legg Mason QS Investors Global Equity Fund and the Legg Mason Western Asset Global Bond Fund, are now available on Macquarie Wrap.

The first fund, which is managed by Legg Mason affiliate QS Investors, offered global equity exposure while employing a quantitative investment approach based on a bottom-up fundamental analysis, the company said.

It was first launched in 1998 and returned 18.23 per cent per annum after fees over the past five years to 30 September 2018, versus the MSCI World ex Australian AUD’s 15.25 per cent per annum return.

The second fund, the Global Bond strategy, managed by another Legg Mason affiliate Western Asset, has been available offshore since 2010. Its local version was launched in 2016.

This was an actively managed diversified fixed income fund with exposure to sovereign bonds, corporate bonds, high-yield, mortgage and asset-backed securities, emerging market debt and other similar securities.

Andy Sowerby, managing director at Legg Mason Australia and New Zealand said: “We are delighted to have our two proven global investment solutions added to the Macquarie Wrap platform.”

“Global investment strategies are very much in demand from financial advisers as benefits of diversification flow through portfolios, be it equities or bonds, and we expect this demand to only continue to expand”.

“Both the Legg Mason QS Investors Global Equity Fund and the Legg Mason Western Asset Global Bond strategy have long track records of success and are we are pleased to make these solutions available to a broader group of potential investors.”