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ClearBridge Appreciation ESG Portfolios

As of 09/30/2025

Year to Date Returns (Net)

11.14%

 
 

Year to Date Returns (Pure Gross)

13.60%

 

Overview

ClearBridge Investments logo

Investment Overview

ClearBridge Appreciation ESG Portfolios are designed for investors seeking long-term capital appreciation through investments in a core portfolio of high-quality, large-capitalization companies.

The ESG Investment Program actively incorporates environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors into the fundamental research platform and into 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.

Investment Philosophy

We believe that: 

  • The managers seek to provide consistent and competitive risk-adjusted returns through a market cycle by balancing upside participation in good markets, while trying to limit downside risk during difficult markets.
  • The managers invest in both growth and value stocks, consisting primarily of large-cap, blue chip companies that tend to have dominant market positions and have met environmental, social, and governance criteria in the portfolio construction process.

Generally, companies in the portfolio fall into one of the following categories:

  • Companies that have assets or earning power that are undervalued or unrecognized by the market, or companies whose stock price has been driven down by cyclical factors. 
  • Companies with superior demonstrated and expected growth characteristics, whose stocks are available at reasonable prices due to temporary market-specific or stock-specific reasons. 
  • Companies the managers believe are well positioned to sustain or increase growth at a faster rate than market expectations. 

The managers use a disciplined valuation process that attempts to measure upside potential and downside exposure.

There is no guarantee that the Portfolio's objectives will be met.

Investment Process

Investment Process

Step 1 - Define the Investment Universe

Emphasize domestic large-capitalization stocks, but also consider mid- and small-capitalization companies and ADRs of non-U.S. companies opportunistically.

Step 2 - Evaluate Stocks Using Proprietary Discipline with ESG Integration

Screen for high-quality companies with dominant market positions, proven management teams, ESG characteristics and/or superior balance sheets across all market sectors.

Step 3 - Select Securities and Construct Portfolio

Conduct fundamental research to identify companies with attractive growth characteristics relative to their valuation levels.

Step 4 - Review Holdings Continuously

Re-examine a current holding when valuation is realized, fundamentals deteriorate, and/or cyclical shifts alter industry’s attractiveness or a decline in the social/environmental performance causes it to violate a screen.

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

Michael Kagan

New York, United States

Managed Portfolio Since 2002

Stephen Rigo, CFA®

New York, United States

Managed Portfolio Since 2016

Performance

Portfolio

Portfolio Holdings

Top Equity Issuers

As of 09/30/2025 Updated Quarterly

Chart

Bar chart with 10 bars.
The chart has 1 X axis displaying categories.
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying values. Data ranges from 2.6245 to 9.05598.
End of interactive chart.
Portfolio
Microsoft Corp 9.06%
NVIDIA Corp 7.32%
Alphabet Inc 5.10%
Apple Inc 4.43%
Meta Platforms Inc 3.90%
Broadcom Inc 3.36%
Amazon.com Inc 2.98%
JPMorgan Chase & Co 2.91%
Bank of America Corp 2.63%
Emerson Electric Co 2.62%

Documents

Product Documents

PDF Format

Factsheet

Public
PDF Format

Product Commentary

Public
PDF Format

Disclosure

Public
PDF Format

Pitchbook

Public

Risks

What Are the Risks?

All investments involve risks, including possible loss of principal. Small- and mid-cap stocks involve greater risks and volatility than large-cap stocks. 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.