Western Asset Named Fixed Interest Fund Manager Of The Year In Australia For The Third Time In Four Years

SYDNEY, 15 March

On Friday, 26 February, Western Asset was named Fund Manager of the Year – Fixed Interest at the 2021 Morningstar Australia Awards, winning for the third time in four years – 2018, 2020 and 2021. 

The Morningstar awards assess a combination of qualitative research by its manager research analysts, risk-adjusted returns over the one, three and five-year periods and performance in the 2020 calendar year. 

Western Asset Management is one of the world’s leading active fixed income managers, with AUD $627.9 billion (31 Dec 20) in funds under management globally. With a focus on long-term fundamental value investing that employs a top-down and bottom-up approach, the firm has nine offices around the globe including an office in Melbourne with deep experience across the range of fixed income sectors.
Founded in 1971, Western Asset has been recognised for an approach emphasising team management and intensive proprietary research, supported by robust risk management. 

This award covers Western Asset’s full range of funds in Australia. Domestic funds include the highly regarded Legg Mason Western Asset Australian Bond Fund and Western Asset Conservative Income Fund. For global markets, the unconstrained Western Asset Macro Opportunities Bond Fund and Legg Mason Western Asset Global Bond Fund are available. 

The Legg Mason Western Asset Bond Fund is one of Western Asset’s flagship Australian offerings with a proven investment team and a compelling track record. The Fund is managed by industry veteran Anthony Kirkham – Head of Australian Investment Management and Operations at Western Asset. 

Anthony Kirkham adds: “With continued market volatility, low interest rates as well as concerns around COVID and stimulus packages, the defensive qualities of a well-constructed bond fund can add much needed diversification and protection to an overall portfolio. The Fund favours higher quality assets and currently has an average ‘AA’ credit rating.” The Legg Mason Western Asset Australian Bond A Fund has an Overall Morningstar RatingTM of 5 stars out of 97 Bonds - Australia funds as of 28 February 2021. In addition, the Fund is Highly Recommended by Lonsec and Zenith. 

Matt Harrison, Managing Director, Franklin Templeton Australia & New Zealand, attributes the award “as compelling evidence the Western Asset investment team remains ahead of the curve. Anthony and the team have consistently delivered on their objectives and this, allied to the strength of the team and the robust investment process, is why Western Asset have won the Morningstar Fixed Interest award three out of the past four years.”

“We are excited by the quality of asset managers that have been added to the Franklin Templeton stable post the acquisition of Legg Mason. Clients now have access to a wide range of solutions across every major asset class,” he said. 

Harrison noted, “It was also very pleasing to be named a finalist in two other Morningstar categories this year in Australia – Global Equities for our Franklin Global Growth team and Overall Fund Manager of the Year for Franklin Templeton. This is testament to the quality and expertise of our investment managers.” 

Media inquiries:
Susie Bell
Honner – Public Relations
+61 420 949 852
[email protected]

About Western Asset
About Western Asset Western Asset Management is one of the world’s leading fixed-income managers. With a focus on long-term fundamental value investing that employs a top-down and bottom-up approach, the firm has nine offices around the globe and deep experience across the range of fixed-income sectors. Founded in 1971, Western Asset has been recognised for an approach emphasising team management and intensive proprietary research supported by robust risk management. 

About Franklin Templeton
Franklin Resources, Inc. [NYSE:BEN] is a global investment management organisation with subsidiaries operating as Franklin Templeton and serving clients in over 165 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 brings extensive capabilities in equity, fixed income, alternatives and custom multi-asset solutions. With offices
in over 30 countries and 1,300 investment professionals, the California-based company has more than 70 years of investment experience. In July 2020, Franklin Templeton completed the acquisition of Legg Mason, Inc. [NYSE:LM] and its specialist investment managers. The newly-combined organisation establishes Franklin Templeton as one of the world’s largest independent, specialised global investment managers with a combined approximately US$1.5 trillion in assets under management (AUM) across one of the broadest ranges of high-quality investment teams in the industry as of 31 January 2021. For more information, go to www.franklintempleton.com.au

Disclaimer
Legg Mason Asset Management Australia Ltd (ABN 76 004 835 849 AFSL 240827) is part of Franklin Resources, Inc. Any reference to Legg Mason Australia is a reference to Legg Mason Asset Management Australia Limited. Legg Mason Australia is the Responsible Entity of the Legg Mason Western Asset Australian Bond Fund (ARSN 088 670 286), Western Asset Conservative Income Fund (ARSN 088 670 197), Western Asset Macro Opportunities Bond Fund (ARSN 608 220 711), and Legg Mason Western Asset Global Bond Fund (ARSN 616 233 017). Before making an investment decision you should read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for the Fund carefully and you need to consider, with or without the assistance of a financial advisor, whether such an investment is appropriate in light of your particular investment needs, objectives and financial circumstances.
The PDS is available and can be obtained by contacting Legg Mason Australia on 1800 679 541. This product has not been prepared to take into account the investment objectives, financial objectives or particular needs of any particular person. Neither Legg Mason Australia, nor any of its related parties guarantees any performance or the return of capital invested. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future performance. Investments are subject to risks, including, but not limited to,
possible delays in payments and loss of income or capital invested. These opinions are subject to change without notice and do not constitute investment advice or recommendation.

© 2021 Morningstar, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither Morningstar, its affiliates, nor the content providers guarantee the data or
content contained herein to be accurate, complete or timely nor will they have any liability for its use or distribution. Any general advice or ‘regulated financial advice’ under New Zealand law has been prepared by Morningstar Australasia Pty Ltd (ABN: 95 090 665 544, AFSL: 240892) and/or Morningstar Research Ltd, subsidiaries of Morningstar, Inc, without reference to your objectives, financial situation or needs. For more information refer to our Financial Services Guide (AU) or Financial Advice Provider Disclosure Statement (NZ) at www.morningstar.com.au/s/fsg.pdf and www.morningstar.au/s/fapds.pdf. You should consider the advice in light of these matters and if applicable, the relevant Product Disclosure Statement before making any decision to invest. Our publications, ratings and products should be viewed as an additional investment resource, not as your sole source of information. Past performance does not necessarily indicate a financial product’s future performance. To obtain advice tailored to your situation, contact a professional financial adviser. 

The Morningstar Rating is an assessment of a fund’s past performance – based on both return and risk – which shows how similar investments compare with their competitors. A high rating alone is insufficient basis for an investment decision. 

The rating issued 10/2020 is published by Lonsec Research Pty Ltd ABN 11 151 658 561 AFSL 421 445 (Lonsec). Ratings are general advice only, and have been prepared without taking account of your objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider your personal circumstances, read the product disclosure statement and seek independent financial advice before investing. The rating is not a recommendation to purchase, sell or hold any product. Past performance information is not indicative of future
performance. Ratings are subject to change without notice and Lonsec assumes no obligation to update. Lonsec uses objective criteria and receives a fee from the Fund Manager. Visit lonsec.com.au for ratings information and to access the full report. © 2021 Lonsec. All rights reserved.

The Zenith Investment Partners (ABN 27 103 132 672, AFS Licence 226872) (“Zenith”) rating (assigned 05/2020) referred to in this piece is limited to “General Advice” (s766B Corporations Act 2001) for Wholesale clients only. This advice has been prepared without taking into account the objectives, financial situation or needs of any individual and is subject to change at any time without prior notice. It is not a specific recommendation to purchase, sell or hold the relevant product(s). Investors should seek independent financial advice before making an investment decision and should consider the appropriateness of this advice in light of their own objectives, financial situation and needs. Investors should obtain a copy of, and consider the PDS or offer document before making any decision and refer to the full
Zenith Product Assessment available on the Zenith website. Past performance is not an indication of future performance. Zenith usually
charges the product issuer, fund manager or related party to conduct Product Assessments. Full details regarding Zenith’s methodology,
ratings definitions and regulatory compliance are available on our Product Assessments and at http://www.zenithpartners.com.au/RegulatoryGuidelines. Copyright © 2021. Franklin Templeton. All rights reserved.