HEAD-TO-HEAD: Franklin Templeton versus Legg Mason

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Manager review

Ge said that he is closely monitoring both funds after Franklin Templeton announced earlier this year that it was going to acquire Legg Mason.

“So far, we haven’t heard anything about how they are planning on integrating the strategies or teams for that matter,” he said, adding that the deal is expected to close by the third quarter this year.

However, with regard to the funds’ management, he said he has no concerns given that they are overseen by experienced fund managers.

The Franklin Templeton fund is co-managed by San Mateo-based Michael Hasenstab and Singapore-based Vivek Ahuja, according to Ge.

Hasenstab, who is also the chief investment officer of the firm’s global macro team, has been managing the fund since its inception in 2005 and makes the final decisions of the strategy. He also manages the Templeton Global Bond and the Templeton Emerging Markets Bond funds.

Co-manager Ahuja, who is responsible for the day-to-day management of the fund, has 23 years of investment experience. Both managers are supported by a 20-member global macro team.

The Legg Mason strategy is co-managed by Desmond Soon and Swee Ching Lim, who are based in Singapore, according to Ge.

Soon, who became co-manager of the fund in 2014 and is also the firm’s head of Asia (ex-Japan) fixed income, makes the key decisions of the strategy. Lim contributes mainly to the fund’s corporate bond sleeve, given his 20 years of experience covering the asset class.

They are supported by a six-member Singapore-based team, which has seen no departures in recent years, according to Ge.

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