Brandywine, Martin Currie and Western Asset rated “Highly Recommended”

Legg Mason Australia Head Annalisa Clark said “the strong research house ratings across nine Legg Mason funds are a strong endorsement of the strength of the multi-affiliate model”.

In February the Legg Mason Brandywine Global Opportunistic Fixed Income Trust had its "Highly Recommended" rating from Zenith re-affirmed, and along with Lonsec's 'Highly Recommended" rating, provides a compelling case for the fund from two leading Australian research houses.

The Legg Mason Martin Currie Equity Income Trust was rated "Highly Recommended" by Lonsec in October last year, with the Trust being one of the first equity income funds to market with its strategy launched in 2010.

Also in the Lonsec "Highly Recommended" category is the Legg Mason Western Asset Australian Bond Trust. This Trust is providing a solid case for active management in fixed income by outperforming its benchmark over five and ten years to March 2016, after fees.

Legg Mason Asset Management Australia Ltd (ABN 76 004 835 849 AFSL 240827) is part of the Global Legg Mason Inc. group. Any reference to ‘Legg Mason Australia’ or ‘Martin Currie Australia’ is a reference to Legg Mason Asset Management Australia Limited. ‘Martin Currie Australia’ is a division within Legg Mason Asset Management Australia Limited. Legg Mason Australia is the responsible entity of the Trusts. Before making an investment decision you should read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for the Trust carefully and you need to consider, with or without the assistance of a financial advisor, whether such an investment is appropriate in light of your particular investment needs, objectives and financial circumstances. The PDS is available and can be obtained by contacting Legg Mason Australia on 1800 679 541 or at www.leggmason.com.au. The products in this document have not been prepared to take into account the investment objectives, financial objectives or particular needs of any particular person. Neither Legg Mason Australia, nor any of its related parties guarantees any performance or the return of capital invested. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future performance. Investments are subject to risks, including, but not limited to, possible delays in payments and loss of income or capital invested. These opinions are subject to change without notice and do not constitute investment advice or recommendation.

The Lonsec Rating (assigned as follows: assigned as follows: Legg Mason Martin Currie Equity Income Trust - October 2015; Legg Mason Martin Currie Real Income Fund - April 2015; Legg Mason Brandywine Global Opportunistic Fixed Income Trust - December 2015; Legg Mason Western Asset Australian Bond Trust - March 2015) presented in this document are published by Lonsec Research Pty Ltd ABN 11 151 658 561 AFSL 421445. The Ratings are limited to “General Advice” (as defined in the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth)) and based solely on consideration of the investment merits of the financial products. Past performance information is for illustrative purposes only and is not indicative of future performance. They are not a recommendation to purchase, sell or hold Legg Mason Asset Management Australia Limited products, and you should seek independent financial advice before investing in these products. The Ratings are subject to change without notice and Lonsec assumes no obligation to update the relevant documents following publication. Lonsec receives a fee from the Fund Manager for researching the products using comprehensive and objective criteria. For further information regarding Lonsec’s Ratings methodology, please refer to our website at: http://www.beyond.lonsec.com.au/intelligence/lonsec-ratings.

The Zenith Investment Partners (“Zenith”) Australian Financial Services License No. 226872 rating (Legg Mason Martin Currie Real Income Fund assigned June 2015; Legg Mason Martin Currie Equity Income Trust  assigned June 2015; Legg Mason Brandywine Global Opportunistic Fixed Income Trust  assigned February 2016; Legg Mason Western Asset Australian Bond Trust  assigned July 2015) referred to in this document is limited to “General Advice” (s766B Corporations Act 2001) for Wholesale clients only. This advice has been prepared without taking into account the objectives, financial situation or needs of any individual and is subject to change at any time without prior notice. It is not a specific recommendation to purchase, sell or hold the relevant product(s). Investors should seek independent financial advice before making an investment decision and should consider the appropriateness of this advice in light of their own objectives, financial situation and needs.  Investors should obtain a copy of, and consider the PDS or offer document before making any decision and refer to the full Zenith Product Assessment available on the Zenith website. Past performance is not an indication of future performance. Zenith usually charges the product issuer, fund manager or related party to conduct Product Assessments. Full details regarding Zenith’s methodology, ratings definitions and regulatory compliance are available on our Product Assessments and at http://www.zenithpartners.com.au/RegulatoryGuidelines.