ClearBridge Investments Launches Sustainability Leaders Fund
The ESG Fund is Co-Managed by Mary Jane McQuillen and Derek Deutsch, who have 35 Years Combined Investment Experience
August 20, 2015 /3BL Media/ - ClearBridge Investments, Legg Mason’s largest affiliate focused on equities, is a leader in Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) investments. ClearBridge has a legacy of ESG expertise dating back to 1987 and is considered a pioneer in the space.
On April 1, 2015, ClearBridge launched its newest mutual fund, the Sustainability Leaders Fund (“SLF”). As of June 30, 2015, the SLF invested in 39 stocks that, in the adviser’s view, are best in class for financial, environmental and social governance. The fund is co-managed by Mary Jane McQuillen and Derek Deutsch, who have a combined 35 years of investment experience. The ESG program is fully integrated into the ClearBridge fundamental research platform, with sector analysts providing proprietary ESG ratings for every company under coverage.
Recently, the US News & World Report outlined the ways in which investors can invest in socially responsible funds. Mary Jane McQuillen was quoted in the story saying "The thinking in the industry is that at the very least, we want high-performance [socially responsible] products. That has been an important objective. We don't want investors to say, 'Do I go with principles but get subpar performance?' We want both."
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Equity securities are subject to price fluctuation and possible loss of principal. Small- and mid-cap stocks involve greater risks and volatility than large-cap stocks. International investments are subject to special risks including currency fluctuations and social, economic and political uncertainties, which could increase volatility. These risks are magnified in emerging markets. The Fund's ESG investment strategy may limit the number of investment opportunities available to the fund and, as a result, the fund may underperform funds that are not subject to such criteria. As a non-diversified fund, it is permitted to invest a higher percentage of its assets in any one issuer than a diversified fund, which may magnify the fund's losses from events affecting a particular issuer.
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