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ClearBridge Large Cap Growth ESG Catholic Portfolios

As of 09/30/2025

Year to Date Returns (Net)

7.36%

 
 

Year to Date Returns (Pure Gross)

9.75%

 

Overview

ClearBridge Investments logo

Investment Overview

The ClearBridge Large Cap Growth ESG Catholic Portfolios are designed for investors seeking long-term capital appreciation aligned with Catholic values, investing in large-capitalization companies with the potential for high future earnings growth.

The ESG Investment Program actively incorporates environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors into the fundamental research platform and the stock-selection process. In addition, ongoing company engagement and shareholder advocacy are key components of the Program.

A few examples of the ESG considerations include:

  • Innovative workplace policies, employee benefits and programs
  • Environmental management system strength, eco-efficiency and life-cycle analysis 
  • Community involvement, strategic philanthropy and reputation management 
  • Strong corporate governance and independence on the board 

ClearBridge is a Signatory to the UN Principles for Responsible Investment, and is affiliated with the Investor Network on Climate Risk, the Carbon Disclosure Project, the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility, the Global Impact Investing Network, and the US Forum for Sustainable and Responsible Investment.

ClearBridge ESG Investment Program

Guidelines for Catholic Issues Screening

The Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Investment Program applies ESG integration, active company engagement and shareholder advocacy to ClearBridge investment strategies.

For clients who wish their portfolios to reflect Catholic values, we offer portfolios managed in a manner that is consistent with the socially responsible investment guidelines of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).

All of the following screens are applied to accounts to exclude companies*:

  • Involved in the provision of abortion services
  • Involved in the manufacture of contraceptive products
  • That conduct medical research using human embryonic stem cells and/or fetal tissue
  • Which derive a significant portion of revenues from production of weapons
    • Which derive a small portion of revenues from controversial weapons including nuclear, biological, chemical, landmines, and weapons of mass destruction
  • Which derive a significant portion of revenues from tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, gambling services, adult entertainment, and nuclear power
  • With an ongoing record of significant controversies, suits and/or fines based on gender, race, age or religion
  • That have alignments with governments associated with human rights abuses or repressive regimes

Additionally, upon a client’s request we will exclude companies that conduct medical research using replicated cells derived from fetal cell lines (a more conservative interpretation of this restriction favored by some investors).

* Screening generally involves the exercise of discretion by the ESG team and is based on company and/or other information believed to be reliable, although the accuracy and completeness of such information cannot be guaranteed.

Investment Objective

Seeks to:

  • Focus on consistent growth of capital while managing volatility
  • Outperform the Russell 1000 Growth Index over a full market cycle, and with less potential risk
  • Perform well in rising markets and outperform the Russell 1000 Growth Index in declining markets
  • Actively evaluate a company’s “non-financial” drivers of business performance to gauge its level of social awareness and consistency with Catholic values
Investment Philosophy
  • Invest in leadership companies where we believe the market price underestimates the magnitude of future growth
  • Use stock selection as the primary driver – identify category leaders with characteristics to sustain that position
  • Find secular tailwinds to support multi-year investment opportunities, allowing for compounding of earnings and cash flow
  • Perform rigorous analysis to understand company fundamentals, key competitive dynamics and industry structure 

Believe that the best business models win over time

  • Identify barriers to entry and prefer companies with innovation prowess, regardless of size 
  • Look for businesses that protect and grow market share consistently 
  • Gravitate to self-funding business models with significant recurring revenue 

Seek businesses with the ability to generate superior free cash flow over time 

  • Stress test the sustainability of profitability and growth

Take a disciplined approach to valuation

Key Differentiators
  • High-conviction, concentrated, low-turnover approach
  • Bottom-up driven investment decision
  • Diversification across growth spectrum (cyclical, stable, select)

Diversification does not guarantee a profit or protect against a loss. Market, security and/or other investment considerations may result in higher turnover from time to time. Also, all capitalization ranges will not necessarily be represented in an individual account. There is no guarantee that the Portfolio's objectives will be met.

Investment Process

Investment Process

Step 1 - Idea Generation

  • Sector analysts and PMs each propose companies with attractive business models and good long-term growth prospects for further review.
  • Idea generation is an ongoing and continual process.

Step 2 - Fundamental Analysis

  • Analysts and PMs work together to understand the durability of a company’s growth and profit.
  • Meet with target company management, competitors and industry experts.
  • Determine appropriate entry price.

Step 3 - Portfolio Construction

  • Own companies with a range of growth and volatility.
  • Monitor sector weightings and correlations among current holdings.

Step 4 - Risk Management/Evaluation Discipline

  • Assess risk regularly, and re-examine a current holding when fundamentals decline, full value is reached, or a decline in company’s social/environmental performance causes it to violate social and Catholic values screens.

The investment process may change over time. The characteristics set forth above are intended as a general illustration of some of the criteria the strategy team considers in selecting securities for client portfolios. There is no guarantee investment objectives will be achieved.

 

Meet Your Manager

ClearBridge Investments

ClearBridge Investments is a well-established global investment manager focusing on proprietary research and fundamental investing. With over 60 years of experience building portfolios for clients seeking income solutions, high active share or low-volatility, long-tenured portfolio managers provide strong leadership in a centralized investment structure.

Portfolio Managers

Margaret Vitrano

Florida, United States

Managed Portfolio Since 2012

Erica Furfaro

New York, United States

Managed Portfolio Since 2024

Performance

Portfolio

Portfolio Holdings

Top Equity Issuers

As of 09/30/2025 Updated Quarterly

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The chart has 1 X axis displaying categories.
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying values. Data ranges from 2.44266 to 12.77964.
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Portfolio
NVIDIA Corp 12.78%
Microsoft Corp 8.22%
Amazon.com Inc 7.69%
Meta Platforms Inc 6.68%
Apple Inc 5.91%
Visa Inc 4.23%
Netflix Inc 3.94%
Alphabet Inc 2.68%
Tesla Inc 2.50%
Palo Alto Networks Inc 2.44%

Documents

Product Documents

PDF Format

Factsheet

Public
PDF Format

Disclosure

Public
PDF Format

Pitchbook

Public

Risks

What Are the Risks?

All investments involve risks, including possible loss of principal. The managers’ environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategies may limit the types and number of investments available and, as a result, may forgo favorable market opportunities or underperform strategies that are not subject to such criteria. There is no guarantee that the strategy's ESG directives will be successful or will result in better performance.