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ClearBridge Dividend Strategy ESG Portfolios

As of 09/30/2025

Year to Date Returns (Net)

7.67%

 
 

Year to Date Returns (Pure Gross)

10.06%

 

Overview

ClearBridge Investments logo

Investment Overview

ClearBridge Dividend Strategy ESG Portfolios invest primarily in dividend-paying stocks that offer the potential for income growth and capital appreciation over time. The investment team believes that companies that exhibit market leadership, coupled with solid balance sheets and strong dividend profiles, are attractive investment candidates for the long-term investor.

The ESG Investment approach 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 approach.

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, CDP, Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility, Global Impact Investing Network, and US Forum for Sustainable and Responsible Investment.

Investment Objective

The strategy seeks:

  • Attractive dividend yield1
  • Powerful compounding of dividends
  • Risk management in volatile markets

1. Dividends and yields represent past performance. There is no assurance they will continue to be paid in the future.

Key Differentiators

Stock level:

  • Does not employ yield screen
  • Obsessive focus on business model and industry structure/dynamics

Portfolio level:

  • Focuses on diversification, not relative benchmark positioning
  • Target superior risk-adjusted returns through upside participation and risk management

Diversification does not guarantee a profit or protect against a loss. Dividends and yields represent past performance. There is no assurance they will continue to be paid in the future. There is no guarantee that the Portfolio's objectives will be met.

Investment Process

Investment Process

Step 1 - Idea Generation

  • Targets an investment universe comprised of industry leaders and global champions in secularly attractive industries with strong balance sheets, brand and market presence
  • Focuses on companies that offer robust dividend growth and sustainable payout ratios

Step 2 - Fundamental Analysis

  • Performs proprietary analysis on companies across all market sectors – includes business model evaluation, financial and management analysis to better determine valuation
  • Conducts traditional fundamental research with the goal of answering the question, “Can this company grow and sustain its dividend?”

Step 3 - Portfolio Construction

  • Typical portfolio consists of 40–60 securities with relatively low turnover (15–25%)
  • Limits position size to 1–3%
  • Emphasizes diversification over relative sector positioning

Step 4 - Risk Management

  • Takes a team approach to monitoring the portfolio
  • Attempts to mitigate risk through stock selection of high-quality businesses with low leverage/financial risk and avoiding those with material binary risk (e.g. biotech)
  • Limits weighting in sectors with outsized exposure to single-factor risk (e.g. E&P)

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

John Baldi

New York, United States

Managed Portfolio Since 2013

Michael Clarfeld, CFA®

New York, United States

Managed Portfolio Since 2013

Diane Keady

New York, United States

Managed Portfolio Since 2013

Performance

Portfolio

Portfolio Holdings

Top Equity Issuers

As of 09/30/2025 Updated Quarterly

Chart

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The chart has 1 X axis displaying categories.
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying values. Data ranges from 2.39502 to 4.26803.
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Portfolio
Microsoft Corp 4.27%
Williams Cos Inc/The 3.90%
Broadcom Inc 3.62%
Sempra 3.16%
Nestle SA 3.08%
Becton Dickinson & Co 2.67%
Unilever PLC 2.57%
TE Connectivity PLC 2.53%
JPMorgan Chase & Co 2.43%
Kinder Morgan Inc 2.40%

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 midcap stocks involve greater risks and volatility than large-cap stocks. Dividends may fluctuate and are not guaranteed, and a company may reduce or eliminate its dividend at any time. International investments are subject to special risks, including currency fluctuations and social, economic and political uncertainties, which could increase volatility. These risks are magnified in emerging markets. 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.