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ClearBridge Dividend Strategy Fund
CLEARBRIDGE
DIVIDEND STRATEGY FUND
Investment objective
The fund seeks dividend income, growth of dividend income and long-term capital appreciation.
Fees and expenses of the fund
The accompanying table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.

You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $25,000 in funds distributed through Legg Mason Investor Services, LLC (“LMIS”), the fund’s distributor. More information about these and other discounts is available from your Service Agent, in the fund’s Prospectus on page 18 under the heading “Sales charges,” in the appendix titled “Appendix: Waivers and Discounts Available from Certain Service Agents” on page A-1 of the fund’s Prospectus and in the fund’s Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) on page 68 under the heading “Sales Charge Waivers and Reductions for Class A Shares.” “Service Agents” include banks, brokers, dealers, insurance companies, investment advisers, financial consultants or advisers, mutual fund supermarkets and other financial intermediaries that have entered into an agreement with LMIS to sell shares of the fund.

Class 1 shares of the fund are not available for purchases or incoming exchanges.

If you purchase Class I shares or Class IS shares through a Service Agent acting solely as an agent on behalf of its customers, that Service Agent may charge you a commission. Such commissions, if any, are not charged by the fund and are not reflected in the fee table or expense example below.
Shareholder fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)
Shareholder Fees - ClearBridge Dividend Strategy Fund - USD ($)
Class A
Class C
Class FI
Class R
Class I
Class IS
Class 1
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a % of offering price) 5.75% [1],[2] none none none none none none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a % of the lower of net asset value at purchase or redemption) [3] none [4] 1.00% none none none none none
Small account fee ($) [5] $ 15 $ 15 none none none none $ 15
[1] Shareholders purchasing Class A shares through certain Service Agents or in certain types of accounts may be eligible for a waiver of the sales charge. For additional information, see "Sales charges" in the Prospectus.
[2] The sales charge is waived for shareholders purchasing Class A shares through accounts where LMIS is the broker-dealer of record ("LMIS Accounts").
[3] Maximum deferred sales charge (load) may be reduced over time.
[4] You may buy Class A shares in amounts of $1,000,000 or more at net asset value (without an initial sales charge), but if you redeem those shares within 18 months of their purchase, you will pay a contingent deferred sales charge of 1.00%.
[5] If the value of your account is below $1,000 ($250 for retirement plans that are not employer-sponsored), the fund may charge you a fee of $3.75 per account that is determined and assessed quarterly by the fund or your Service Agent (with an annual maximum of $15.00 per account). Please contact your Service Agent or the fund for more information.
Annual fund operating expenses (%)
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Annual Fund Operating Expenses - ClearBridge Dividend Strategy Fund
Class A
Class C
Class FI
Class R
Class I
Class IS
Class 1
Management fees 0.66% 0.66% 0.66% 0.66% 0.66% 0.66% 0.66%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees 0.25% 1.00% 0.25% 0.50% none none none
Other expenses 0.16% 0.11% 0.20% 0.23% 0.14% 0.03% 0.13%
Total annual fund operating expenses [1],[2] 1.07% 1.77% 1.11% 1.39% 0.80% 0.69% 0.79%
[1] Total annual fund operating expenses do not correlate with the ratios of expenses to average net assets reported in the financial highlights tables in the fund's Prospectus and in the fund's shareholder reports, which reflect the fund's operating expenses and do not include acquired fund fees and expenses.
[2] Total annual fund operating expenses have been restated to reflect current management fees.
Example
This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes:
  • You invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated
  • Your investment has a 5% return each year and the fund’s operating expenses remain the same
  • You reinvest all distributions and dividends without a sales charge
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
Number of years you own your shares ($)
Expense Example - ClearBridge Dividend Strategy Fund - USD ($)
1 year
3 years
5 years
10 years
Class A 678 896 1,131 1,806
Class C 280 558 960 2,085
Class FI 113 353 612 1,353
Class R 142 441 761 1,669
Class I 82 256 444 990
Class IS 70 221 384 859
Class 1 81 253 439 978
Number of years you own your shares ($)
Expense Example, No Redemption - ClearBridge Dividend Strategy Fund - USD ($)
1 year
3 years
5 years
10 years
Class A 678 896 1,131 1,806
Class C 180 558 960 2,085
Class FI 113 353 612 1,353
Class R 142 441 761 1,669
Class I 82 256 444 990
Class IS 70 221 384 859
Class 1 81 253 439 978
Portfolio turnover.
The fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 13% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal investment strategies
Under normal circumstances, the fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets, plus borrowings for investment purposes, if any, in equity securities or other investments with similar economic characteristics that pay dividends or are expected to initiate their dividends over time. This policy includes companies that the subadviser expects to initiate dividend payments within the next 12 to 24 months.

The fund invests primarily in common stocks. Equity securities in which the fund may invest also include preferred securities, convertible securities, securities of other investment companies and of real estate investment companies (“REITs”), warrants and rights. The fund may invest up to 50% of its net assets in equity securities of foreign issuers, either directly or through depositary receipts. The foreign issuers in which the fund may invest include issuers that are organized outside the United States and conduct their operations in the United States and other countries (commonly known as “multi-national companies”) and other foreign issuers with market capitalizations generally of at least $10 billion.

The portfolio managers believe that high quality companies with strong balance sheets coupled with strong dividend profiles are attractive candidates for long-term investment. The portfolio managers look for companies that they believe have assets or earnings power that are either unrecognized or undervalued. The portfolio managers typically emphasize dividend-paying equity securities with a focus placed upon current dividend levels as well as dividend growth over time. The portfolio managers also look for potential for capital appreciation, sound or improving balance sheets and effective management teams that exhibit a desire to earn consistent returns for shareholders. The portfolio managers may also consider the companies’ past growth rates, future earnings prospects, technological innovation and recognized industry leadership, as well as general market and economic factors. The fund may invest in issuers of any size. The portfolio managers will reassess any company held by the fund that reduces or terminates its dividend payments to determine whether the fund will continue to hold the security.
Principal risks
Risk is inherent in all investing. The value of your investment in the fund, as well as the amount of return you receive on your investment, may fluctuate significantly. You may lose part or all of your investment in the fund or your investment may not perform as well as other similar investments. An investment in the fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or by any bank or government agency. The following is a summary description of certain risks of investing in the fund.

Stock market and equity securities risk. The stock markets are volatile and the market prices of the fund’s equity securities may decline generally. Equity securities may have greater price volatility than other asset classes, such as fixed income securities, and may fluctuate in price based on changes in a company’s financial condition and overall market and economic conditions. If the market prices of the equity securities owned by the fund fall, the value of your investment in the fund will decline.

Market events risk. In the past decade financial markets throughout the world have experienced increased volatility, depressed valuations, decreased liquidity and heightened uncertainty. Governmental and non-governmental issuers have defaulted on, or been forced to restructure, their debts. These conditions may continue, recur, worsen or spread. Events that have contributed to these market conditions include, but are not limited to, major cybersecurity events; geopolitical events (including wars and terror attacks); measures to address budget deficits; downgrading of sovereign debt; declines in oil and commodity prices; dramatic changes in currency exchange rates; and public sentiment.

The U.S. government and the Federal Reserve, as well as certain foreign governments and central banks, have taken steps to support financial markets, including by keeping interest rates at historically low levels. This and other government intervention may not work as intended, particularly if the efforts are perceived by investors as being unlikely to achieve the desired results. The Federal Reserve has reduced its market support activities and recently has begun raising interest rates. Certain foreign governments and central banks are implementing or discussing so-called negative interest rates (e.g., charging depositors who keep their cash at a bank) to spur economic growth. Further Federal Reserve or other U.S. or non-U.S. governmental or central bank actions, including interest rate increases or contrary actions by different governments, could negatively affect financial markets generally, increase market volatility and reduce the value and liquidity of securities in which the fund invests.

Policy and legislative changes in the United States and in other countries are affecting many aspects of financial regulation and may in some instances contribute to decreased liquidity and increased volatility in the financial markets. The impact of these changes on the markets, and the practical implications for market participants, may not be fully known for some time.

Economies and financial markets throughout the world are increasingly interconnected. Economic, financial or political events, trading and tariff arrangements, terrorism, natural disasters and other circumstances in one country or region could have profound impacts on global economies or markets. As a result, whether or not the fund invests in securities of issuers located in or with significant exposure to the countries directly affected, the value and liquidity of the fund’s investments may be negatively affected.

Dividend-paying stock risk. There is no guarantee that the issuers of the stocks held by the fund will declare dividends in the future or that, if dividends are declared, they will remain at their current levels or increase over time. The fund’s emphasis on dividend-paying stocks could cause the fund to underperform similar funds that invest without consideration of a company’s track record of paying dividends or ability to pay dividends in the future. Dividend-paying stocks may not participate in a broad market advance to the same degree as other stocks, and a sharp rise in interest rates or economic downturn could cause a company to unexpectedly reduce or eliminate its dividend.

Foreign investments risk. The fund’s investments in securities of foreign issuers or issuers with significant exposure to foreign markets involve additional risk. Foreign countries in which the fund may invest may have markets that are less liquid, less regulated and more volatile than U.S. markets. The value of the fund’s investments may decline because of factors affecting the particular issuer as well as foreign markets and issuers generally, such as unfavorable or unsuccessful government actions, reduction of government or central bank support and political or financial instability. Lack of information may also affect the value of these securities. The risks of foreign investments are heightened when investing in issuers in emerging market countries.

Currency risk. The value of investments in securities denominated in foreign currencies increases or decreases as the rates of exchange between those currencies and the U.S. dollar change. Currency conversion costs and currency fluctuations could erase investment gains or add to investment losses. Currency exchange rates can be volatile, and are affected by factors such as general economic conditions, the actions of the U.S. and foreign governments or central banks, the imposition of currency controls and speculation.

Large capitalization company risk. Large capitalization companies may fall out of favor with investors based on market and economic conditions. In addition, larger companies may not be able to attain the high growth rates of successful smaller companies and may be less capable of responding quickly to competitive challenges and industry changes. As a result, the fund’s value may not rise as much as, or may fall more than, the value of funds that focus on companies with smaller market capitalizations.

Small and medium capitalization company risk. The fund will be exposed to additional risks as a result of its investments in the securities of small and medium capitalization companies. Small and medium capitalization companies may fall out of favor with investors; may have limited product lines, operating histories, markets or financial resources; or may be dependent upon a limited management group. The prices of securities of small and medium capitalization companies generally are more volatile than those of large capitalization companies and are more likely to be adversely affected than large capitalization companies by changes in earnings results and investor expectations or poor economic or market conditions, including those experienced during a recession. Securities of small and medium capitalization companies may underperform large capitalization companies, may be harder to sell at times and at prices the portfolio managers believe appropriate and may offer greater potential for losses.

Liquidity risk. Some assets held by the fund may be impossible or difficult to sell, particularly during times of market turmoil. These illiquid assets may also be difficult to value. Markets may become illiquid when, for instance, there are few, if any, interested buyers or sellers or when dealers are unwilling or unable to make a market for certain securities. As a general matter, dealers recently have been less willing to make markets for fixed income securities. If the fund is forced to sell an illiquid asset to meet redemption requests or other cash needs, the fund may be forced to sell at a loss.

Issuer risk. The value of a security can go up or down more than the market as a whole and can perform differently from the value of the market as a whole, due to factors specifically relating to a particular company, such as disappointing earnings reports by the issuer, unsuccessful products or services, loss of major customers, changes in management, corporate actions, negative perception in the marketplace, major litigation against the issuer or changes in government regulations affecting the issuer or the competitive environment. The fund may experience a substantial or complete loss on an individual security.

Valuation risk. The sales price the fund could receive for any particular portfolio investment may differ from the fund’s valuation of the investment, particularly for securities that trade in thin or volatile markets or that are valued using a fair value methodology. Investors who purchase or redeem fund shares on days when the fund is holding fair-valued securities may receive fewer or more shares or lower or higher redemption proceeds than they would have received if the fund had not fair-valued securities or had used a different valuation methodology. The fund’s ability to value its investments may be impacted by technological issues and/or errors by pricing services or other third party service providers.

Portfolio management risk. The value of your investment may decrease if the subadviser’s judgment about the attractiveness or value of, or market trends affecting a particular security, industry, sector or region, or about market movements, is incorrect, or if there are imperfections, errors or limitations in the tools and data used by the subadviser. In addition, the fund’s investment strategies or policies may change from time to time. Those changes may not lead to the results intended by the subadviser and could have an adverse effect on the value or performance of the fund.

Cybersecurity risk. Cybersecurity incidents may allow an unauthorized party to gain access to fund assets, customer data (including private shareholder information), or proprietary information, or cause the fund, the manager, the subadvisers and/or their service providers (including, but not limited to, fund accountants, custodians, sub-custodians, transfer agents and financial intermediaries) to suffer data breaches, data corruption or loss of operational functionality.

These and other risks are discussed in more detail in the Prospectus or in the Statement of Additional Information.
Performance
The accompanying bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in the fund. The bar chart shows changes in the fund's performance from year to year for Class A shares. The table shows the average annual total returns of each class of the fund that has been in operation for at least one full calendar year and also compares the fund's performance with the average annual total returns of an index or other benchmark. Performance for classes other than those shown may vary from the performance shown to the extent the expenses for those classes differ. The fund makes updated performance information, including its current net asset value, available at www.leggmason.com/mutualfunds (select fund and share class), or by calling the fund at 1-877-721-1926.

The fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future.

Sales charges are not reflected in the accompanying bar chart, and if those charges were included, returns would be less than those shown.
Total returns (%)
Before taxes
Bar Chart
Calendar Years ended December 31

Best Quarter (06/30/2009): 14.65    Worst Quarter (12/31/2008): (21.12)
Average annual total returns (%)
(for periods ended December 31, 2017)
Average Annual Total Returns - ClearBridge Dividend Strategy Fund
1 year
5 years
10 years
Since inception
Inception date
Class A 12.29% 11.78% 6.71%    
Class A | Return after taxes on distributions 10.42% 10.93% 5.66%    
Class A | Return after taxes on distributions and sale of fund shares 8.40% 9.24% 4.94%    
Class C 17.31% 12.33% 6.55%    
Class FI 19.02% [1] [1] 10.62% May 16, 2013
Class R 18.76% 12.81% [1] 12.53% Feb. 02, 2012
Class I 19.45% 13.47% 7.67%    
Class IS 19.60% [1] [1] 11.55% Apr. 10, 2013
Class 1 19.44% 13.41% [1] 11.90% Apr. 29, 2011
S&P 500 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) [2] 21.83% 15.79% 8.50%    
[1] N/A
[2] For Class FI, Class R, Class IS and Class 1 shares, each for the period from the class' inception date to December 31, 2017, the average annual total return of the S&P 500 Index was 13.31%, 15.01%, 14.00% and 13.02%, respectively.
Prior to May 1, 2015, the fund had a different investment objective and followed different investment strategies under the name “ClearBridge Equity Income Fund.” Prior to December 7, 2009, the fund followed different investment objectives, investment policies and investment strategies under the name “Legg Mason ClearBridge Capital and Income Fund.”

The after-tax returns are shown only for Class A shares, are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown, and the after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. After-tax returns for classes other than Class A will vary from returns shown for Class A.