Content navigation
Overview
The Martin Currie Australia Diversified Growth strategy is designed as a 70% growth asset / 30% defensive asset allocation that seek to maximise medium-term returns for accumulation investors.
We have put Australian accumulation clients at the heart of product design for the Martin Currie Australia Diversified Growth strategy.
We have found that typical balanced fund’s high allocations to global equities and global fixed income are not tax effective for Australian superannuation and pension investors. Furthermore, passive approaches to asset allocation are ineffective as they do not consider factor risk exposures and current investment landscape.
The Diversified Growth strategy benefits from Martin Currie Australia's 40+ year pedigree in active asset allocation for balanced funds, and gathers the investment capabilities of dedicated, experienced investment managers and strategies into one portfolio.
Combining a strong mix of fundamental research skills, quantitative analysis experience and market expertise, the strategy seeks to optimally allocate assets across a range of Australian and global equity, real asset, fixed income and cash strategies based on the most attractive expected returns.
The systematic portfolio construction model using unit trusts allows the strategy to quickly take advantage of market mispricings and capture outperformance in a cost-effective manner.
Key Information
To provide an after-fee return in excess of the Composite Benchmark over rolling three-year periods.
Portfolio characteristics | Australia Diversified Growth |
---|---|
Objective | Long-Term Growth |
Asset Class | Multi-asset |
Style | Value |
Investable Universe |
Australian and global listed equities Australian and global listed real assets Australian and global fixed income Derivatives Cash |
Benchmark | Composite Benchmark* |
Inception | 1 May 1974 |
*Benchmark:
- 35%: S&P/ASX 200 Accumulation Index
- 23%: MSCI All Country (ex Australia) World Index
- 13%: 50% S&P/ASX A-REIT 300 Index /50% S&P/ASX Infrastructure Index
- 12%: Bloomberg AusBond Composite Bond Index
- 12%: Barclays Capital Global Aggregate Index, hedged into Australian Dollars
- 5%: Bloomberg AusBond Bank Bill Index
-
"We continually assesses the expected returns of a range of specialist assets classes using forward looking internal rates of return and scenario testing, and optimally position the portfolio to capture outperformance."
Why Invest in Australia Diversified Growth
Tax-efficient asset allocation
High allocations to global equities and global fixed income are not tax effective for Australian superannuation and pension investors
Active risk management
Passive approach to asset allocation does not consider factor risk exposures and current investment landscape
Manager selection to maximise alpha
Cost-effective access to dedicated, experienced investment managers for each asset class
Investment Strategy
The strategy aims to maximise medium-term returns for Australian accumulation investors through:
- A unique line-up of fund managers - Martin Currie Australia selects dedicated, experienced investment managers for each asset class
- Capturing forward-looking proprietary insights – Martin Currie Australia's unique set of fundamental and quantitative signals into expected returns and the current investment landscape
- Optimal asset allocation and systematic portfolio construction - Timely allocation to asset classes that are more attractive on a forward return basis

Investment Strategy
The strategy aims to maximise medium-term returns for Australian accumulation investors through:
- A unique line-up of fund managers - Martin Currie Australia selects dedicated, experienced investment managers for each asset class
- Capturing forward-looking proprietary insights – Martin Currie Australia's unique set of fundamental and quantitative signals into expected returns and the current investment landscape
- Optimal asset allocation and systematic portfolio construction - Timely allocation to asset classes that are more attractive on a forward return basis


Reece Birtles
- Job title
- Chief Investment Officer, Australia
- Experience
- 31 years

Will Baylis
- Job title
- Portfolio Manager
- Experience
- 38 years
HOW TO INVEST
Available Funds
We offer access to the strategy via segregated accounts and separately managed accounts.
Through our parent company, Franklin Templeton, investors are offered access to the below fund.

Martin Currie Diversified Growth Fund
Contact Us
Please visit our contact page or speak to a member of our sales team, to discuss the most appropriate investment to meet your requirements and for more information on our investment capabilities.
Ross Kent
Investment Client Portfolio Manager
T: +61 (0)3 9017 8629
M: +61 (0)455 253 384
E: rkent@martincurrie.com.au
Felicity Walsh
Managing Director, Australia and New Zealand
M: +61 (0) 429 209 566
E: Felicity.Walsh@franklintempleton.com
Our Capabilities
Please visit our contact page or speak to a member of our sales team, to discuss the most appropriate investment to meet your requirements and for more information on our investment capabilities.
Ross Kent
Investment Client Portfolio Manager
T: +61 (0)3 9017 8629
M: +61 (0)455 253 384
E: rkent@martincurrie.com.au
Felicity Walsh
Managing Director, Australia and New Zealand
M: +61 (0) 429 209 566
E: Felicity.Walsh@franklintempleton.com
Contact Us
Please visit our contact page or speak to a member of our sales team, to discuss the most appropriate investment to meet your requirements and for more information on our investment capabilities.
Mel Bucher
Head of Global Distribution
T: +44 (0) 131 479 4748
M: +44 (0) 758 414 7720
E: mbucher@martincurrie.com
Danni Yang, CFA®
Investment Client Portfolio Manger, Global Long-Term Unconstrained
M: +44 (0) 7826548065
E: dyang@martincurrie.com
Contact Us
Please visit our contact page or speak to a member of our sales team, to discuss the most appropriate investment to meet your requirements and for more information on our investment capabilities.
Mel Bucher
Head of Global Distribution
T: +44 (0) 131 479 4748
M: +44 (0) 758 414 7720
E: mbucher@martincurrie.com
Contact Us
Please visit our contact page or speak to a member of our sales team, to discuss the most appropriate investment to meet your requirements and for more information on our investment capabilities.
Mel Bucher
Head of Global Distribution
T: +44 (0) 131 479 4748
M: +44 (0) 758 414 7720
E: mbucher@martincurrie.com
Tim Baker, CFA®
Associate Client Portfolio Manager
M: +44 (0) 7795238754
E: tbaker@martincurrie.com
Our Capabilities
Please visit our contact page or speak to a member of our sales team, to discuss the most appropriate investment to meet your requirements and for more information on our investment capabilities.
Mark Cho, CFA®
Head of Americas Distribution
Intermediary Sales/Wealth Management
T: +1 212 632 3292
E: mcho@martincurrie.com
Breanna Ellsworth, CFA®
Client Portfolio Manager, Distribution - US
T: +1 212 632 3293
E: bellsworth@martincurrie.com
Drew Comatos
Client Portfolio Manager, North America
Intermediary Sales/Wealth Management
T: +1 203 703 6472
E: dcomatos@martincurrie.com