Brandywine Global launches its first Global Equity Fund for Australian investors

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Capital Outcomes

Simrita Virk

Sydney, 23 April 2024 – Brandywine Global, a specialist investment manager of Franklin Templeton and well- regarded in Australia for its fixed income capabilities, has announced the expansion of its suite of products with the launch of Brandywine Global Opportunistic Equity Fund for Australian investors.

“We are delighted to be able to launch this Fund in the Australian market as we believe there is a high demand for strong global value equity strategies such as ours,” Brandywine Global Investment Director Richard Rauch said.

Felicity Walsh, Managing Director, Franklin Templeton Australia said “The new Fund expands Franklin Templeton Australia’s suite of global equity strategies, catering to investors seeking differentiated active opportunities. Investors realise that having a more diversified global focus across their portfolios is not just about returns, but about managing risks and market volatility.

“Brandywine Global is well recognised in the Australian market for its global fixed income strategies. This Fund extends Brandywine Global’s capabilities for Australian investors, utilising the same analytical rigour and fundamental value framework along with the macroeconomic analysis for which the firm is well known,” said Walsh.

The Fund invests in 60 to 100 global companies, limiting stock position size to 5 percent at purchase, and aims to outperform the MSCI ACWI Index.

“We have a 10+ year track record in managing global equites where we leverage top-down macroeconomic insights to complement our comprehensive fundamental value-driven bottom-up research. Unlike traditional value strategies, our distinct investment process is premised on the philosophy that valuation alone is not a catalyst. The Fund’s approach helps us to avoid value traps and style drift while enhancing the strategy’s ability to capture diversified sources of return – through what we call ‘multiple ways to win,” Brandywine Global Portfolio Manager Sorin Roibu said.

“We use our macroeconomic insights to provide direction and bottom-up fundamental equity research to identify undervalued companies. On a micro level, we look for companies with solid balance sheets and strong free cash flow, favouring sectors believed to be well positioned to capitalise on key macro catalysts,” Roibu said.

“Stocks in the portfolio span a diverse mix of sectors and industries. We are generally invested in larger-cap stocks and our risk metrics are aligned with our view that opportunities are not plentiful in the current environment. As always, we are vigilant and awaiting new opportunities. Market shifts can happen very quickly, and we are prepared to act opportunistically should investor fear arise in the U.S. or elsewhere in the world,” Roibu said.

Brandywine Global also takes its commitment to social responsibility seriously, and the Fund has a number of sustainability screens in place.

Since 1986, Brandywine Global has provided a range of differentiated fixed income, equity, and alternative solutions to clients worldwide. Brandywine Global, a specialist investment manager of Franklin Resources, Inc., manages US$60 billion in assets under management as of 31 March 2024, with headquarters in Philadelphia and offices in Singapore and London.

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Media contact
Simrita Virk, Capital Outcomes
[email protected]

About Franklin Templeton

Franklin Resources, Inc. [NYSE:BEN] is a global investment management organization with subsidiaries operating as Franklin Templeton and serving clients in over 150 countries. Franklin Templeton’s mission is to help clients achieve better outcomes through investment management expertise, wealth management and technology solutions. Through its specialist investment managers, the Company offers specialization on a global scale, bringing extensive capabilities in fixed income, equity, alternatives, and multi-asset solutions. With more than 1,500 investment professionals, and offices in major financial markets around the world, the California-based company has over 75 years of investment experience and over A$2.4 trillion in assets under management as of 31 March 2024.

For more information, please visit www.franklintempleton.com.au.
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Disclaimer
This publication is issued for information purposes only and does not constitute investment or financial product advice. It expresses no views as to the suitability of the services or other matters described in this document as to the individual circumstances, objectives, financial situation, or needs of any recipient. You should assess whether the information is appropriate for you and consider obtaining independent taxation, legal, financial or other professional advice before making an investment decision.

Any research and analysis contained in this document has been procured by Franklin Templeton for its own purposes. For more information, Australian investors should contact: Franklin Templeton, 88 Phillip St, Sydney New South Wales 2000, Phone: (02) 9250 2200.

Please read the relevant Product Disclosure Statements (PDSs) and any associated reference documents before making an investment decision. In accordance with the Design and Distribution Obligations and Product Interventions Powers requirements, we maintain Target Market Determinations (TMD) for each of our Funds. All documents can be found via www.franklintempleton.com.au or by calling 1800 673 776.

To make an initial investment in the Brandywine Global Opportunistic Equity Fund in accordance with the TMD, a retail investor must have received appropriate financial advice. Please call our Client Services team at 1800 673 776 to obtain the Application Form.

Issued by Franklin Templeton Australia Limited (ABN 76 004 835 849, AFSL 240827). Franklin Templeton Australia Limited as Responsible Entity has appointed Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC as the fund manager of the Brandywine Global Opportunistic Equity Fund (ARSN 674 294 369).