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| Legg Mason Funds |
Top Mutual Funds
With over $650 billion under management, Legg Mason is another popular asset management firm. It uses multi-affiliate business model to provide diverse financials services to investors around the world. It offers products such as mutual funds, money market, SMA, closed end funds, variable investment, 529, and retirement.Legg Mason Inc offers mutual funds through its principal affiliates. Some of principal affiliates are Legg Mason Capital Management, Western Asset Management, Batterymarch Financial Management Inc, Brandywine Global, Global Currents Investment Management, the Permal Group, Royce & Associates, and ClearBridge Investments.
Legg Mason Capital Management also has a famous fund manager, Bill Miller. Miller became famous for beating the S&P 500 for 15 straight years through 2005. But his Legg Mason Capital Management Value Trust fund began faltering in 2006. He left the fund last April 2011.
These best mutual funds are sorted based on its performance and quality. I have provided a review of my favorite funds. You can find various funds to invest in as well. Please check the fund prospectus for investment risk, fund details, etc.
The 12 best Legg Mason mutual funds for 2013 are:
- Legg Mason Investment Counsel Financial Services Fund
- Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund
- ClearBridge Appreciation Fund
- Western Asset Intermediate-Term Municipal Fund
- Western Asset Municipal High Income Fund
- ClearBridge Small Cap Growth Fund
- Western Asset Mortgage Backed Securities Fund
- Legg Mason BW Global Opportunities Bond Fund
- Western Asset Core Plus Bond Fund
- ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund
- ClearBridge Equity Income Fund
- ClearBridge Mid Cap Core Fund
Legg Mason Investment Counsel Financial Services Fund (SBFAX)
This Legg Mason Investment Counsel Financial Services fund utilizes its assets to purchase equity securities of issuers in the financial services industry. It is managed by Amy LaGuardia since 2007. The fund has a yield of 0.27%. This class A fund has a sales load of 5.75%. Its total assets are totaling $67.9 million. The expense ratio is 1.50% per year.As one of the best Legg Mason mutual funds for 2013, it has returned 19.47% over the past 1 year, 13.03% over the past 3 year, and 7.34% over the past 10-year. You can buy this fund with $1,000 initial funding. Other classes of this top fund are Class C (SFSLX), and Class I (LMRIX). SFSLX has a sales load of 1% only.
As of January 2013, the top 3 equities are Alterra Capital Holdings Ltd, Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corp Class C, and NetSpend Holdings Inc. The top 2 sectors are financial services (85.58%) and industrials (10.68%). It ranks with 5 star rating by Morningstar.
Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund (SHMMX)
The Western Asset Managed Municipals Fund aim is seeking to maximize current interest income that is exempt from federal income tax. The fund’s dividend yield is 3.84%. It has $5.8 billion of total assets. Its annual expense ratio is 0.65%. The current shares price is $17.32. The portfolio turnover rate is 14%. This fixed income fund invests mainly in municipal bonds.The fund is available from 78 brokerages. You can buy this top mutual fund for your regular investment brokerage account and retirement account (IRA). The Morningstar has ranked it with 4 stars rating. The risk rating is above average. Its 3 years beta risk is 1.16.
ClearBridge Appreciation Fund (SHAPX)
ClearBridge Appreciation Fund is a bronze rated fund. Its yield is 1.28%. It uses its assets to buy U.S. companies stocks, especially large and mid-cap. The fund managers are Scott Glasser, and Michael A. Kagan. The shares 52-week range is between $14.18 and $16.64.This large blend mutual fund has a 5-years average return of 5.27%. In 2012, the YTD return is 15.46%. For the past 5 years, the fund returns are as follows:
- Year 2012: 15.48%
- Year 2011: 2.14%
- Year 2010: 12.48%
- Year 2009: 21.31%
- Year 2008: -28.98%
Western Asset Intermediate-Term Municipal Fund (SBLTX)
Western Asset Intermediate-Term Municipal Fund is one of the top Muni National Intermediate mutual funds. It has a tax free yield of 3.21%. The annual holdings turnover is 15%. The last capital gain is $0.00. Its NAV is $6.84.It invests mainly in investment grade municipal securities.ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund (SHRAX)
This ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund focuses its investment in common stocks of companies with high growing potential. This best Legg Mason mutual fund is managed by Richard A Freeman and Evan Bauman. The assets are totaling $5.9 billion. There is no yield currently. It has current shares price of $138.13.More: Best Invesco Mutual Funds for 2013
Based on load adjusted returns, this large growth mutual fund has returned 11.72% over the past 1-year, 11.97% over the past 3 year, and 1.42% over the past 5 year. The top 2 stocks in its portfolio are Biogen Idec In and UnitedHealth Group Inc.
ClearBridge Equity Income Fund (SOPAX)
This ClearBridge Equity Income Fund uses its assets to buy equities securities of domestic and foreign corporations. With Exxon Mobil Corporation as its top holding, it has 12-month yield of 1.97%. The sales load of this Class A fund is 5.75%. Its expense ratio is 1.16%.Morningstar has ranked it with 3 star and bronze rating. In 2012, it has year-to-date return of 13.51%. As part of best Legg Mason mutual funds for 2013, it has 5 year annualized returns of 4.59%. The fund’s NAV is $15.64.
More: Best Mutual Funds for 2013
Other popular Legg Mason Mutual Funds:
- Legg Mason Cap Management Value C (LMVTX)
- Legg Mason Cap Management Opportunity C (LMOPX)
Legg Mason Fund Information
| No | Fund Description | Category | Rating | Assets (M) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Legg Mason Inv Counsel Fincl Svcs A | Financial | 5 | 38.45 |
| 2 | Western Asset Managed Municipals A | Muni National Long | 4 | 3697.41 |
| 3 | ClearBridge Appreciation A | Large Blend | 4 | 2944.03 |
| 4 | Western Asset Intermediate-Term Muni A | Muni National Interm | 4 | 1480.09 |
| 5 | Western Asset Municipal High Income A | High Yield Muni | 4 | 654.18 |
| 6 | ClearBridge Small Cap Growth A | Small Growth | 4 | 594.79 |
| 7 | Western Asset Mortgage Backed Sec A | Intermediate Government | 4 | 516.79 |
| 8 | Legg Mason BW Global Opportunities Bd A | World Bond | 4 | 464.43 |
| 9 | Western Asset Core Plus Bond A | Intermediate-Term Bond | 4 | 161.03 |
| 10 | ClearBridge Aggressive Growth A | Large Growth | 3 | 3176.73 |
| 11 | ClearBridge Equity Income A | Large Value | 3 | 2446.35 |
| 12 | ClearBridge Mid Cap Core A | Mid-Cap Blend | 3 | 661.68 |
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