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Overview
The Martin Currie Australia Sustainable Equity strategy invests in a portfolio of ASX-listed securities that we have assessed using a proprietary approach for understanding sustainability and financial attributes.
The Martin Currie Australia Sustainable Equity strategy invests in companies that have been assessed using Martin Currie Australia's proprietary Active Ownership approach and ratings framework to have more favourable Sustainability assessments for “Sustainability Risk”, “Net Benefits” & “Sustainability Pathway”, and “Shadow Carbon Cost”. This approach is premised on our philosophy that companies with these characteristics should prove to be more successful financially over time.
Our strategy is deliberately designed to focus on a company's overarching net benefit based on our assessment of the material benefits and risks that may exist, rather than applying a wide array of negative screens. This is because we believe in the importance of being active investors.
The development of the Sustainable Equity strategy was a natural extension of Martin Currie Australia's investment philosophy. Sustainability inputs and assessments have been embedded directly into our investment process since 2009, the year we became signatories to the PRI.
Portfolio construction for Martin Currie Australia Sustainable Equity strategy facilitates the tilting of the portfolio towards companies that we have assessed to have more favourable proprietary Sustainability characteristics and Shadow Carbon Cost assessments, while maximising expected returns using our multi-lensed proprietary research. We believe that this broad perspective of security expected return drivers leads to higher alpha generation.
We believe that there are few peer strategies available in the market that address the assessment of both sustainability and financial attributes in the way that the Martin Currie Australia Sustainable Equity strategy can.
Key Information
To provide an after-fee return in excess of the S&P/ASX 200 Accumulation Index over rolling three-year periods.
Portfolio characteristics | Australia Sustainable Equity |
---|---|
Objective | Long-Term Growth |
Asset Class | Equities |
Style | Value |
Investable Universe | Australian listed securities |
Benchmark | S&P/ASX 200 Accumulation Index |
Market capitalisation | All cap |
Country limit | N/A |
Sector limit | Benchmark +/- 11% |
Security limit | Benchmark +/- 6% |
Number of stocks | Typically 40 |
Portfolio turnover | Typically 30% p.a. |
Forecast tracking error | Typically ~3% p.a. (ex-ante) |
Inception | 18 May 2020 |
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"We believe that Financial returns and ESG factors are fundamentally intertwined, and that it is possible to generate both healthier outcomes for stakeholders and long-term investment returns."
Why Invest in Australia Sustainable Equity
Healthier outcomes for stakeholders and long-term investment returns
By investing in a portfolio of ASX-listed securities that we have assessed to have favourable proprietary Sustainability characteristics, we aim to create long-term value for investors and generate healthier outcomes for all stakeholders - such as employees, communities, customers and the broader society
Encouraging transparency and positive change
To achieve the greatest impact, we are strong believers that Active Ownership should not be outsourced. Engagement and proxy voting is undertaken by those who know the companies best – our experienced team of research analysts and portfolio managers
Focus on pathway not history
By not placing undue precedence on a company’s past activities, we can focus on companies who are providing a net benefit to society or are on a pathway toward a more resilient future for sustainability and investment returns
Investment Strategy
The strategy aims to create long-term value for investors through:
- High conviction, sustainable portfolio – A portfolio of ASX-listed securities with attractive sustainability and financial attributes
- Proven investment process – Proprietary multi-lensed investment approach provides a broad perspective of expected risk and return
- Proprietary carbon cost impact assessment – Quantifying carbon transition risk and opportunity
- Fundamental active ownership - Purposeful engagement with companies and client advocacy through proxy voting - influencing companies to make positive change.
- Experienced stock pickers with long term track record - Deep industry experience generating ‘active insights’
Read more about why the Martin Currie Australia Sustainable Equity strategy seeks to provide an active pathway to a sustainable future in the Strategy Guide.

Investment Strategy
The strategy aims to create long-term value for investors through:
- High conviction, sustainable portfolio – A portfolio of ASX-listed securities with attractive sustainability and financial attributes
- Proven investment process – Proprietary multi-lensed investment approach provides broad perspective of expected risk and return
- Proprietary carbon cost impact assessment – Quantifying carbon transition risk and opportunity
- Fundamental active ownership - Purposeful engagement with companies and client advocacy through proxy voting - influencing companies to make positive change.
- Experienced stock pickers with long term track record - Deep industry experience generating ‘active insights’


Will Baylis
- Job title
- Portfolio Manager
- Experience
- 38 years

Naomi Bant
- Job title
- Portfolio Manager & Quantitative Research
- Experience
- 16 years
Our Capabilities
Available Funds
We offer access to the strategy via segregated accounts and separately managed accounts.

Martin Currie Sustainable Equity 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
-
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
-
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.
The analysis of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) factors forms an important part of the investment process and helps inform investment decisions. The strategy/ies do not necessarily target particular sustainability outcomes.
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.