Why Invest in the Global Value Improvers Strategy
Key benefits of this Strategy include:
Dual Mandate: ESG Improvement + Value
Improvers, Not Just Leaders
Diversification
Performance Through the Cycle
Exposure to Long-Term ESG Trends
Targets companies which are both undervalued and underappreciated for their ESG progress, aligning financial returns with measurable ESG progress.
Value Approach
- Low market expectations help reduce downside risk
- Significant discount provides margin of safety
ESG Improvement
- Identifies companies with catalysts for ESG change, before the market fully appreciates them
- These improvements can unlock substantial value and drive portfolio appreciation
Rather than focusing on best-in-class ESG performers, the Strategy invests in companies actively improving their ESG profile. Companies are classified into three categories, each offering distinct ESG and valuation catalysts:
- Enablers – Companies with products and services that help customers or industries further their ESG goals
- Reformers – Historically ESG laggards that are transforming their sustainability profiles
- Promoters – Companies that are helping to further ESG initiatives via their own businesses
Traditional ESG strategies often concentrate in growth-style, best-in-class names, leading to crowded exposures and premium valuations. By targeting ESG improvers with value characteristics, the Strategy offers genuine diversification across sectors and ESG themes.
A disciplined stock selection supports strong performance in value-led markets. At the same time, exposure to high-quality ESG improvement stories, often long-term in nature, helps mitigate cyclicality and cushion downside volatility. This creates an asymmetrical return profile designed to deliver consistent performance through the cycle.
Gain access to ESG themes such as decarbonisation, resource efficiency, financial inclusion, that offer long-term growth opportunities aligned with global ESG goals.
Portfolio Management Team
The ClearBridge Global Value Improvers Strategy is managed by an experienced investment committee comprising of the following members:
The Portfolio Management Team is employed by ClearBridge Investments, LLC.
Grace Su
Jean Yu, CFA, PhD
What Makes Us Different
Key Portfolio Information
As at 31 August 2025
| Performance | 1 Month | 3 Months | 1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years | Inception2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ClearBridge Global Value Improvers Strategy1 | -0.5% | 3.8% | 21.5% | 22.3% | - | 16.6% |
| MSCI World Value (Net) (AUD) Index | 1.9% | 6.0% | 16.0% | 16.2% | - | 11.3% |
| Excess Returns | -2.4% | -2.2% | 5.5% | 6.1% | 0.0% | 5.3% |
As at 31 August 2025
- Global Value Improvers Strategy
- MSCI World Value Index - Net Return AUD
As at 31 August 2025
| Top 10 Positions | Region | Sector | Portfolio Weight % |
Benchmark Weight % |
Active Weight % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argenta | Europe Ex Uk | Financials | 5.5% | 0.3% | 5.3% |
| Wells Fargo & Co | North America | Financials | 4.5% | 0.7% | 3.8% |
| Schwab (Charles) Corp | North America | Financials | 4.3% | 0.0% | 4.3% |
| Nexans Sa | Europe Ex Uk | Industrials | 3.9% | 0.0% | 3.9% |
| Siemens Ag-Reg | Europe Ex Uk | Industrials | 3.7% | 0.3% | 3.5% |
| Compass Group Plc | United Kingdom | Consumer Discretionary | 3.5% | 0.0% | 3.5% |
| Hitachi Ltd | Japan | Industrials | 3.3% | 0.0% | 3.3% |
| Piraeus Financial-Unsp Adr | Emerging Markets | Financials | 3.3% | 0.0% | 3.3% |
| Totalenergies Se | Europe Ex Uk | Energy | 3.2% | 0.3% | 2.9% |
| Paypal Holdings Inc | North America | Financials | 3.2% | 0.2% | 3.1% |
| Portfolio Weighted Average | August 2025 |
|---|---|
| Avg Market Capitalisation | 248.3bn (AUD) |
| PE Ratio (FY1 Est) | 15.7 |
| Price/Book | 3.5 |
| Est 3-5 Yr EPS Growth | 11.7% |
| ROE | 14.8% |
| Dividend Yield | 2.3% |
Investing in the Global Value Improvers Strategy
Ready to Invest?
Franklin Templeton Australia Limited is the Responsible Entity and distributor for all ClearBridge managed Funds in Australia. To explore and access these Funds, you will be redirected to the Franklin Templeton website.
Institutional Investors
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Related Perpectives
Global Value Improvers Strategy Commentary August
As valuations have recovered and market expectations have risen, the focus remains on finding idiosyncratic opportunities where structural improvement is underappreciated and can persist irrespective of macroeconomic outcomes.
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Global Improvers At Heart of Converging Trends
Q2 2025 Global Value Improvers Strategy Commentary
A weakening U.S. dollar and a repatriation of capital from the U.S. by overseas investors bolstered strong performance in international industrials and IT sectors.
Q&A: Shifting U.S. Sustainability Priorities Resonate Globally
As the new U.S. administration enters the global stage, Portfolio Managers Jean Yu and Benedict Buckley discuss whether and how sustainability priorities are changing, both in the U.S. and globally.
More...