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Overview
The Martin Currie Australia Diversified Growth strategy is designed as a 70% growth asset / 30% defensive asset allocation option with the aim to produce superior medium-term returns.
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
Our Capabilities
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
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
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
Mark Elliott
Head of UK Business Development
M: +44 (0) 207 0738 569
E: melliott@martincurrie.com
Tim Baker, CFA®
Associate Client Portfolio Manager
M: +44 (0) 7795238754
E: tbaker@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.
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
Related Insights
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Martin Currie Australia strengthens team
Martin Currie Australia has bolstered its distribution team with the appointment of a new Client Portfolio Manager.
- Date published
- 29 Nov 2022
- Tag
- Cross-Strategy Australia
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Martin Currie wins ‘Lonsec Sustainable Fund of the Year Award’
Leading investment research house Lonsec has named the Martin Currie Ethical Income Fund as the 2022 Sustainable Fund of the Year
- Date published
- 8 Nov 2022
- Tag
- Cross-Strategy Australia
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Martin Currie crowned Australia’s Best Specialist ESG Fund for 2022
Martin Currie Australia is proud to be announced winner of Australia’s “Best Specialist ESG Fund” at the Hedge Funds Rock + Australian Alternative Investment Awards for the Sustainable Equity Fund distributed through Franklin Templeton Australia.
- Date published
- 5 Oct 2022
- Tag
- Cross-Strategy Australia
Important information:
This information is issued and approved by Martin Currie Investment Management Limited (‘MCIM’), authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. It does not constitute investment advice. Market and currency movements may cause the capital value of shares, and the income from them, to fall as well as rise and you may get back less than you invested.
The information contained in this document has been compiled with considerable care to ensure its accuracy. However, no representation or warranty, express or implied, is made to its accuracy or completeness. Martin Currie has procured any research or analysis contained in this document for its own use. It is provided to you only incidentally and any opinions expressed are subject to change without notice.
The document does not form the basis of, nor should it be relied upon in connection with, any subsequent contract or agreement. It does not constitute, and may not be used for the purpose of, an offer or invitation to subscribe for or otherwise acquire shares in any of the products mentioned.
Past performance is not a guide to future returns.
The distribution of specific products is restricted in certain jurisdictions, investors should be aware of these restrictions before requesting further specific information.
The views expressed are opinions of the portfolio managers as of the date of this document and are subject to change based on market and other conditions and may differ from other portfolio managers or of the firm as a whole. These opinions are not intended to be a forecast of future events, research, a guarantee of future results or investment advice.
Risk warnings – Investors should also be aware of the following risk factors which may be applicable to the strategy shown in this document.
- Investing in foreign markets introduces a risk where adverse movements in currency exchange rates could result in a decrease in the value of your investment.
- This strategy may hold a limited number of investments. If one of these investments falls in value this can have a greater impact on the strategy’s value than if it held a larger number of investments.
- Smaller companies may be riskier and their shares may be less liquid than larger companies, meaning that their share price may be more volatile.
- The strategy may invest in derivatives (index futures) to obtain, increase or reduce exposure to underlying assets. The use of derivatives may restrict potential gains and may result in greater fluctuations of returns for the portfolio. Certain types of derivatives may become difficult to purchase or sell in such market conditions.