For Immediate Release
 
Chicago, IL – August 13, 2010 – Today Zacks.com features the Top 5 Legg Mason Funds; Legg Mason ClearBridge Large Cap Growth A (SBBAX), Legg Mason Western Asset Core Bond A (TRBAX), Legg Mason Western Asset High Income A (SHIAX), Legg Mason Western Asset Government Securities A (SGVAX) and Legg Mason Western Asset Strategic Income A (SDSAX) .  These Legg Mason funds are given our highest rating; Zacks #1 Ranked Strong Buys. That means we expect these funds to outperform their peers in the future.
 
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Top 5 Legg Mason Funds

Legg Mason is one of the world’s leading investment management companies and manages more than $645 billion worth of assets. The company provides a wide range of financial services to individual and institutional investors in 190 countries across six continents. Legg Mason operates through a multi-affiliate business model and its affiliates are among the industry leaders in their respective areas of specialization. These affiliates operate with a high degree of autonomy and utilize unique processes which they feel are best suited to their clients.

Below we will share with you 5 top rated Legg Mason funds. Each has earned a Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) as we expect the fund to outperform its peers in the future. To view the Zacks Rank and past performance of all Legg Mason funds, then click here. 

Legg Mason ClearBridge Large Cap Growth A (SBBAX) seeks capital appreciation over the long term. The majority of the fund’s assets are invested in companies with large market capitalizations which are identical to those included ion the Russell 1000 index. Equity securities such as common stocks, related convertible securities and rights and warrants constitute its major investments. The fund returned 6.65% over the last one year period.

Peter Bourbeau is the fund manager and he has managed this Legg Mason fund since 2009.

Legg Mason Western Asset Core Bond A (TRBAX) invests heavily in debt and other fixed-income securities without regard to their maturity periods. Sovereign debt, dollar-denominated domestic and foreign corporate debt and asset backed securities constitute its major investments. The fund returned 15.4% in the last one year and has a ten year annualized return of 6.57%.

As of June 2010, this fund held 478 issues, with 16.54% of its total assets invested in US Treasury Bond (Fut).

Legg Mason Western Asset High Income A (SHIAX) seeks high levels of current income. It invests heavily in corporate bonds, notes, debentures and related instruments. Up to 40% of its assets may be used to purchase foreign fixed-income securities. The fund returned 29.58% over the last one year period.

The Legg Mason fund has a minimum initial investment of $1,000 and an expense ratio of 1.07% compared to a category average of 1.20%.

Legg Mason Western Asset Government Securities A (SGVAX) invests at least 80% of its assets in debt securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government. These debt securities include U.S. Treasury and mortgage-related securities. The fund has a three year annualized return of 6.78%.

Stephen A. S. Walsh is the fund manager and he has managed this Legg Mason fund since 2006.

Legg Mason Western Asset Strategic Income A (SDSAX) seeks high current income by investing in a wide range of domestic and foreign fixed-income securities. Up to 50% of its assets may be invested in securities rated below investment grade. The fund returned 22.8% over the last one year period.

The Legg Mason fund has a minimum initial investment of $1,000 and an expense ratio of 1.09% compared to a category average of 1.13%.

To view the Zacks Rank and past performance of all Legg Mason funds, then click here. 

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