N-CSRS 1 d777010dncsrs.htm CLEARBRIDGE AGGRESSIVE GROWTH FUND ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM N-CSR

 

 

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED

MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Investment Company Act file number 811-06444

 

 

Legg Mason Partners Investment Trust

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

 

620 Eighth Avenue, 47th Floor, New York, NY 10018

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

 

Marc A. De Oliveira

Franklin Templeton

100 First Stamford Place

Stamford, CT 06902

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 877-6LM-FUND/656-3863

Date of fiscal year end: August 31

Date of reporting period: February 28, 2023

 

 

 


Table of Contents
ITEM  1.

REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS.

The Semi-Annual Report to Stockholders is filed herewith.


Table of Contents

LOGO

 

Semi-Annual Report   February 28, 2023

CLEARBRIDGE

AGGRESSIVE GROWTH FUND

 

 

 

LOGO

 

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED • NO BANK GUARANTEE • MAY LOSE VALUE

 


Table of Contents
What’s inside      
Letter from the president     II  
Performance review     III  
Fund at a glance     1  
Fund expenses     2  
Schedule of investments     4  
Statement of assets and liabilities     7  
Statement of operations     9  
Statements of changes in net assets     10  
Financial highlights     11  
Notes to financial statements     17  

Fund objective

The Fund seeks capital appreciation.

 

Letter from the president

 

LOGO

 

Dear Shareholder,

We are pleased to provide the semi-annual report of ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund for the six-month reporting period ended February 28, 2023. Please read on for Fund performance information during the Fund’s reporting period.

As always, we remain committed to providing you with excellent service and a full spectrum of investment choices. We also remain committed to supplementing the support you receive from your financial advisor. One way we accomplish this is through our website, www.franklintempleton.com. Here you can gain immediate access to market and investment information, including:

 

 

Fund prices and performance,

 

 

Market insights and commentaries from our portfolio managers, and

 

 

A host of educational resources.

We look forward to helping you meet your financial goals.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Jane Trust, CFA

President and Chief Executive Officer

March 31, 2023

 

 

 II 

   ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund


Table of Contents

Performance review

 

For the six months ended February 28, 2023, Class A shares of ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund, excluding sales charges, returned 0.90%. The Fund’s unmanaged benchmark, the Russell 3000 Growth Indexi, returned -0.98% for the same period. The Lipper Multi-Cap Core Funds Category Averageii returned 2.48% over the same time frame.

 

Performance Snapshot as of February 28, 2023 (unaudited)      
(excluding sales charges)   6 months  
ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund:  

Class A

    0.90

Class C

    0.54

Class FI

    0.86

Class R

    0.75

Class I

    1.06

Class IS

    1.10
Russell 3000 Growth Index     -0.98
Lipper Multi-Cap Core Funds Category Average     2.48

The performance shown represents past performance. Past performance is no guarantee of future results and current performance may be higher or lower than the performance shown above. Principal value and investment returns will fluctuate and investors’ shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. To obtain performance data current to the most recent month-end, please visit our website at www.franklintempleton.com.

All share class returns assume the reinvestment of all distributions, including returns of capital, if any, at net asset value and the deduction of all Fund expenses. Returns have not been adjusted to include sales charges that may apply or the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions. If sales charges were reflected, the performance quoted would be lower. Performance figures for periods shorter than one year represent cumulative figures and are not annualized.

Fund performance figures reflect fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, without which the performance would have been lower.

 

Total Annual Operating Expenses (unaudited)

As of the Fund’s current prospectus dated December 29, 2022, the gross total annual fund operating expense ratios for Class A, Class C, Class FI, Class R, Class I and Class IS shares were 1.12%, 1.83%, 1.24%, 1.45%, 0.81% and 0.74%, respectively.

Actual expenses may be higher. For example, expenses may be higher than those shown if average net assets decrease. Net assets are more likely to decrease and Fund expense ratios are more likely to increase when markets are volatile.

 

ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund    

 

III


Table of Contents

Performance review (cont’d)

 

As always, thank you for your confidence in our stewardship of your assets.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Jane Trust, CFA

President and Chief Executive Officer

March 31, 2023

RISKS: Equity securities are subject to market and price fluctuations. The Fund may invest a significant portion of its assets in small- and mid-cap companies, which may be more volatile than an investment that focuses only on large-cap companies. The Fund may focus its investments in certain companies, industries or market sectors, increasing its vulnerability to market volatility. Foreign securities are subject to certain risks of overseas investing, including currency fluctuations and social, political and economic uncertainties, which could result in significant market fluctuations. These risks are magnified in emerging markets. Emerging market countries tend to have economic, political and legal systems that are less developed and are less stable than those of more developed countries. The market values of securities or other assets will fluctuate, sometimes sharply and unpredictably, due to changes in general market conditions, overall economic trends or events, governmental actions or intervention, actions taken by the U.S. Federal Reserve or foreign central banks, market disruptions caused by trade disputes or other factors, political developments, armed conflicts, economic sanctions and countermeasures in response to sanctions, major cybersecurity events, investor sentiment, the global and domestic effects of a pandemic, and other factors that may or may not be related to the issuer of the security or other asset. Please see the Fund’s prospectus for a more complete discussion of these and other risks and the Fund’s investment strategies.

All investments are subject to risk including the possible loss of principal. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. All index performance reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes. Please note that an investor cannot invest directly in an index.

 

i 

The Russell 3000 Growth Index measures the performance of the broad growth segment of the U.S. equity universe. It includes those Russell 3000 Index companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values. (A price-to-book ratio is the price of a stock compared to the difference between a company’s assets and liabilities.) The Russell 3000 Index measures the performance of the 3,000 largest U.S. companies based on total market capitalization, which represents approximately 98% of the U.S. equity market.

 

ii 

Lipper, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Refinitiv, provides independent insight on global collective investments. Returns are based on the six-month period ended February 28, 2023, including the reinvestment of all distributions, including returns of capital, if any, calculated among the 680 funds in the Fund’s Lipper category, and excluding sales charges, if any.

 

 

IV

    ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund


Table of Contents

Fund at a glance (unaudited)

 

Investment breakdown (%) as a percent of total investments

 

LOGO

 

The bar graph above represents the composition of the Fund’s investments as of February 28, 2023 and August 31, 2022. The Fund is actively managed. As a result, the composition of the Fund’s investments is subject to change at any time.

 

Represents less than 0.1%.

 

ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund 2023 Semi-Annual Report    

 

1


Table of Contents

Fund expenses (unaudited)

 

Example

As a shareholder of the Fund, you may incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including front-end and back-end sales charges (loads) on purchase payments; and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; service and/or distribution (12b-1) fees; and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

This example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested on September 1, 2022 and held for the six months ended February 28, 2023.

Actual expenses

The table below titled “Based on actual total return” provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information provided in this table, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. To estimate the expenses you paid on your account, divide your ending account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 ending account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During the Period”.

 

Hypothetical example for comparison purposes

The table below titled “Based on hypothetical total return” provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5.00% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use the information provided in this table to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare the 5.00% hypothetical example relating to the Fund with the 5.00% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table below are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as front-end or back-end sales charges (loads). Therefore, the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transaction costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

Based on actual total return1                 Based on hypothetical total return1  
    

Actual
Total Return

Without

Sales
Charge2

    Beginning
Account
Value
    Ending
Account
Value
    Annualized
Expense
Ratio
   

Expenses

Paid

During

the

Period3

              

Hypothetical

Annualized

Total Return

   

Beginning

Account

Value

   

Ending

Account

Value

    Annualized
Expense
Ratio
   

Expenses

Paid

During

the

Period3

 
Class A     0.90   $ 1,000.00     $ 1,009.00       1.15   $ 5.73       Class A     5.00   $ 1,000.00     $ 1,019.09       1.15   $ 5.76  
Class C     0.54       1,000.00       1,005.40       1.90       9.45       Class C     5.00       1,000.00       1,015.37       1.90       9.49  
Class FI     0.86       1,000.00       1,008.60       1.25       6.23       Class FI     5.00       1,000.00       1,018.60       1.25       6.26  
Class R     0.75       1,000.00       1,007.50       1.47       7.32       Class R     5.00       1,000.00       1,017.50       1.47       7.35  
Class I     1.06       1,000.00       1,010.60       0.85       4.24       Class I     5.00       1,000.00       1,020.58       0.85       4.26  
Class IS     1.10       1,000.00       1,011.00       0.75       3.74       Class IS     5.00       1,000.00       1,021.08       0.75       3.76  

 

 

2

    ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund 2023 Semi-Annual Report


Table of Contents

 

1 

For the six months ended February 28, 2023.

 

2 

Assumes the reinvestment of all distributions, including returns of capital, if any, at net asset value and does not reflect the deduction of the applicable sales charge with respect to Class A shares or the applicable contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) with respect to Class C shares. Total return is not annualized, as it may not be representative of the total return for the year. Performance figures may reflect compensating balance arrangements, fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. In the absence of compensating balance arrangements, fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, the total return would have been lower. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

 

3 

Expenses (net of compensating balance arrangements, fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements) are equal to each class’ respective annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year (181), then divided by 365.

 

ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund 2023 Semi-Annual Report    

 

3


Table of Contents

Schedule of investments (unaudited)

February 28, 2023

 

ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund

(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)

 

Security                             Shares     Value  
Common Stocks — 100.1%                                
Communication Services — 17.0%                                

Entertainment — 8.0%

                               

Liberty Media Corp.-Liberty Formula One, Class C Shares

                    665,495     $ 45,167,145  

Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.

                    917,972       55,564,845  

Madison Square Garden Sports Corp.

                    688,469       131,593,965  

Warner Bros. Discovery Inc.

                    2,094,592       32,717,527  

World Wrestling Entertainment Inc., Class A Shares

                    888,460       74,630,640  

Total Entertainment

                            339,674,122  

Interactive Media & Services — 0.6%

                               

Match Group Inc.

                    320,049       13,256,430  

Meta Platforms Inc., Class A Shares

                    76,181       13,327,104  

Total Interactive Media & Services

                            26,583,534  

Media — 8.4%

                               

AMC Networks Inc., Class A Shares

                    742,626       16,605,117  

Comcast Corp., Class A Shares

                    6,279,823       233,421,021  

Liberty Broadband Corp., Class A Shares

                    598,221       51,883,707  

Liberty Broadband Corp., Class C Shares

                    294,022       25,482,887  

Liberty Media Corp.-Liberty SiriusXM, Class C Shares

                    938,402       30,235,313  

Total Media

                            357,628,045  

Total Communication Services

                            723,885,701  
Consumer Discretionary — 4.0%                                

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 1.7%

                               

Airbnb Inc., Class A Shares

                    596,831       73,577,325  

Internet & Direct Marketing Retail — 2.3%

                               

Etsy Inc.

                    818,302       99,350,046  

Total Consumer Discretionary

                            172,927,371  
Consumer Staples — 1.7%                                

Beverages — 1.7%

                               

Diageo PLC, ADR

                    408,227       70,639,600  
Financials — 2.0%                                

Capital Markets — 2.0%

                               

Cohen & Steers Inc.

                    1,197,282       86,635,326  
Health Care — 28.3%                                

Biotechnology — 15.9%

                               

AbbVie Inc.

                    526,325       81,001,418  

Biogen Inc.

                    561,962       151,651,065  

Ionis Pharmaceuticals Inc.

                    2,086,537       74,906,678  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

4

    ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund 2023 Semi-Annual Report


Table of Contents

 

 

ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund

(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)

 

Security                             Shares     Value  

Biotechnology — continued

                               

Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc.

                    892,403     $ 39,703,010  

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc.

                    1,133,201       328,956,918  

Total Biotechnology

                            676,219,089  

Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 1.8%

                               

Insulet Corp.

                    285,500       78,900,780  

Health Care Providers & Services — 8.1%

                               

Guardant Health Inc.

                    643,658       19,882,595  

UnitedHealth Group Inc.

                    685,104       326,068,398  

Total Health Care Providers & Services

                            345,950,993  

Health Care Technology — 1.1%

                               

Doximity Inc., Class A Shares

                    1,459,790       49,092,738  

Life Sciences Tools & Services — 1.4%

                               

Charles River Laboratories International Inc.

                    265,514       58,237,841  

Total Health Care

                            1,208,401,441  
Industrials — 7.6%                                

Aerospace & Defense — 3.8%

                               

L3Harris Technologies Inc.

                    772,767       163,200,663  

Building Products — 3.6%

                               

Johnson Controls International PLC

                    2,433,419       152,624,039  

Road & Rail — 0.2%

                               

Lyft Inc., Class A Shares

                    763,782       7,637,820  

Total Industrials

                            323,462,522  
Information Technology — 37.7%                                

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 6.6%

                               

TE Connectivity Ltd.

                    2,216,261       282,174,350  

IT Services — 2.4%

                               

Accenture PLC, Class A Shares

                    112,049       29,754,612  

Snowflake Inc., Class A Shares

                    472,652       72,968,016  

Total IT Services

                            102,722,628  

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 12.6%

                               

Broadcom Inc.

                    587,974       349,427,068  

Wolfspeed Inc.

                    2,529,174       187,108,293  

Total Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

                            536,535,361  

Software — 13.3%

                               

Autodesk Inc.

                    1,080,021       214,589,373  

CrowdStrike Holdings Inc., Class A Shares

                    981,916       118,507,442  

DocuSign Inc.

                    374,328       22,965,023  

Dolby Laboratories Inc., Class A Shares

                    762,623       62,748,620  

HubSpot Inc.

                    389,171       150,554,693  

Total Software

                            569,365,151  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund 2023 Semi-Annual Report    

 

5


Table of Contents

Schedule of investments (unaudited) (cont’d)

February 28, 2023

 

ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund

(Percentages shown based on Fund net assets)

 

Security          Shares     Value  

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals — 2.8%

                       

Seagate Technology Holdings PLC

            1,396,062     $ 90,129,763  

Western Digital Corp.

            709,098       27,286,091  

Total Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals

                    117,415,854  

Total Information Technology

 

    1,608,213,344  
Materials — 1.8%                        

Metals & Mining — 1.8%

                       

Freeport-McMoRan Inc.

            1,848,502       75,733,127  

Total Investments before Short-Term Investments (Cost — $1,822,762,634)

 

    4,269,898,432  
     Rate                
Short-Term Investments — 0.0%††                        

JPMorgan 100% U.S. Treasury Securities Money Market Fund, Institutional Class

    4.412     66,351       66,351  (a)  

Western Asset Premier Institutional U.S. Treasury Reserves, Premium Shares

    4.509     28,436       28,436  (a)(b)  

Total Short-Term Investments (Cost — $94,787)

 

            94,787  

Total Investments — 100.1% (Cost — $1,822,857,421)

 

            4,269,993,219  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (0.1)%

                    (5,659,619

Total Net Assets — 100.0%

 

          $ 4,264,333,600  

 

††

Represents less than 0.1%.

 

*

Non-income producing security.

 

(a) 

Rate shown is one-day yield as of the end of the reporting period.

 

(b) 

In this instance, as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, an “Affiliated Company” represents Fund ownership of at least 5% of the outstanding voting securities of an issuer, or a company which is under common ownership or control with the Fund. At February 28, 2023, the total market value of investments in Affiliated Companies was $28,436 and the cost was $28,436 (Note 8).

 

Abbreviation(s) used in this schedule:

ADR   — American Depositary Receipts

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

6

    ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund 2023 Semi-Annual Report


Table of Contents

Statement of assets and liabilities (unaudited)

February 28, 2023

 

Assets:         

Investments in unaffiliated securities, at value (Cost — $1,822,828,985)

   $ 4,269,964,783  

Investments in affiliated securities, at value (Cost — $28,436)

     28,436  

Dividends receivable from unaffiliated investments

     1,250,925  

Receivable for Fund shares sold

     771,865  

Dividends receivable from affiliated investments

     4,319  

Prepaid expenses

     72,450  

Total Assets

     4,272,092,778  
Liabilities:         

Payable for Fund shares repurchased

     2,750,257  

Investment management fee payable

     2,431,015  

Transfer agent fees payable

     1,571,534  

Service and/or distribution fees payable

     803,387  

Trustees’ fees payable

     58,178  

Accrued expenses

     144,807  

Total Liabilities

     7,759,178  
Total Net Assets    $ 4,264,333,600  
Net Assets:         

Par value (Note 7)

   $ 416  

Paid-in capital in excess of par value

     1,579,529,597  

Total distributable earnings (loss)

     2,684,803,587  
Total Net Assets    $ 4,264,333,600  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund 2023 Semi-Annual Report    

 

7


Table of Contents

Statement of assets and liabilities (unaudited) (cont’d)

February 28, 2023

 

Net Assets:         

Class A

     $3,738,166,128  

Class C

     $66,132,403  

Class FI

     $1,715,068  

Class R

     $16,690,343  

Class I

     $382,932,219  

Class IS

     $58,697,439  
Shares Outstanding:         

Class A

     36,708,674  

Class C

     1,257,975  

Class FI

     16,635  

Class R

     174,435  

Class I

     3,000,569  

Class IS

     449,396  
Net Asset Value:         

Class A (and redemption price)

     $101.83  

Class C*

     $52.57  

Class FI (and redemption price)

     $103.10  

Class R (and redemption price)

     $95.68  

Class I (and redemption price)

     $127.62  

Class IS (and redemption price)

     $130.61  
Maximum Public Offering Price Per Share:         

Class A (based on maximum initial sales charge of 5.50%)

     $107.76  

 

*

Redemption price per share is NAV of Class C shares reduced by a 1.00% CDSC if shares are redeemed within one year from purchase payment (Note 2).

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

8

    ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund 2023 Semi-Annual Report


Table of Contents

Statement of operations (unaudited)

For the Six Months Ended February 28, 2023

 

Investment Income:         

Dividends from unaffiliated investments

   $ 29,271,909  

Dividends from affiliated investments

     85,009  

Total Investment Income

     29,356,918  
Expenses:         

Investment management fee (Note 2)

     15,502,289  

Service and/or distribution fees (Notes 2 and 5)

     5,121,597  

Transfer agent fees (Note 5)

     3,394,982  

Trustees’ fees

     171,025  

Registration fees

     84,889  

Fund accounting fees

     56,491  

Legal fees

     51,538  

Shareholder reports

     37,329  

Audit and tax fees

     31,737  

Insurance

     15,463  

Custody fees

     14,728  

Commitment fees (Note 9)

     14,051  

Interest expense

     5,057  

Miscellaneous expenses

     14,217  

Total Expenses

     24,515,393  

Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements (Notes 2 and 5)

     (2,199)  

Net Expenses

     24,513,194  
Net Investment Income      4,843,724  
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments (Notes 1 and 3):         

Net Realized Gain From Unaffiliated Investment Transactions

     205,623,551  

Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) From Unaffiliated Investments

     (176,446,811)  
Net Gain on Investments      29,176,740  
Increase in Net Assets From Operations    $ 34,020,464  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund 2023 Semi-Annual Report    

 

9


Table of Contents

Statements of changes in net assets

For the Six Months Ended February 28, 2023 (unaudited)

and the Year Ended August 31, 2022

   2023      2022  
Operations:                  

Net investment income (loss)

   $ 4,843,724      $ (7,789,718)  

Net realized gain

     205,623,551        879,258,796  

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

     (176,446,811)        (2,575,536,583)  

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets From Operations

     34,020,464        (1,704,067,505)  
Distributions to Shareholders From (Notes 1 and 6):                  

Total distributable earnings

     (566,953,035)        (1,358,676,441)  

Decrease in Net Assets From Distributions to Shareholders

     (566,953,035)        (1,358,676,441)  
Fund Share Transactions (Note 7):                  

Net proceeds from sale of shares

     128,617,825        364,336,080  

Reinvestment of distributions

     555,213,804        1,316,732,086  

Cost of shares repurchased

     (469,511,322)        (1,194,961,144)  

Increase in Net Assets From Fund Share Transactions

     214,320,307        486,107,022  

Decrease in Net Assets

     (318,612,264)        (2,576,636,924)  
Net Assets:                  

Beginning of period

     4,582,945,864        7,159,582,788  

End of period

   $ 4,264,333,600      $ 4,582,945,864  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

10

    ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund 2023 Semi-Annual Report


Table of Contents

Financial highlights

 

For a share of each class of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each year ended August 31,

unless otherwise noted:

 
Class A Shares1   20232     2022     2021     2020     2019     2018  
Net asset value, beginning of period     $115.82       $197.76       $177.10       $175.73       $224.85       $208.24  
Income (loss) from operations:            

Net investment income (loss)

    0.11       (0.23)       (0.05)       0.40       0.63       0.39  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    0.97       (42.93)       53.05       23.23       (19.51)       28.36  

Total income (loss) from operations

    1.08       (43.16)       53.00       23.63       (18.88)       28.75  
Less distributions from:            

Net investment income

                (0.32)       (0.83)       (0.40)       (0.39)  

Net realized gains

    (15.07)       (38.78)       (32.02)       (21.43)       (29.84)       (11.75)  

Total distributions

    (15.07)       (38.78)       (32.34)       (22.26)       (30.24)       (12.14)  
Net asset value, end of period     $101.83       $115.82       $197.76       $177.10       $175.73       $224.85  

Total return3

    0.90     (25.33)     33.03     13.94     (8.22)     14.61
Net assets, end of period (millions)     $3,738       $3,945       $5,837       $4,830       $4,776       $5,327  
Ratios to average net assets:            

Gross expenses

    1.15 %4       1.12     1.11     1.13     1.12     1.12

Net expenses5,6

    1.15 4       1.12       1.11       1.13       1.12       1.12  

Net investment income (loss)

    0.20 4       (0.16)       (0.03)       0.24       0.34       0.19  
Portfolio turnover rate     4     21     8 %7       2     2 %7       0 %7,8  

 

1 

Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares method.

 

2 

For the six months ended February 28, 2023 (unaudited).

 

3 

Performance figures, exclusive of sales charges, may reflect compensating balance arrangements, fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. In the absence of compensating balance arrangements, fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, the total return would have been lower. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

4 

Annualized.

 

5 

As a result of an expense limitation arrangement, the ratio of total annual fund operating expenses, other than interest, brokerage, taxes, extraordinary expenses and acquired fund fees and expenses, to average net assets of Class A shares did not exceed 1.25%. This expense limitation arrangement cannot be terminated prior to December 31, 2024 without the Board of Trustees’ consent. In addition, the manager has agreed to waive the Fund’s management fee to an extent sufficient to offset the net management fee payable in connection with any investment in an affiliated money market fund.

 

6 

Reflects fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements.

 

7 

Excludes securities delivered as a result of a redemption in-kind.

 

8 

Amount represents less than 1%.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund 2023 Semi-Annual Report    

 

11


Table of Contents

Financial highlights (cont’d)

 

For a share of each class of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each year ended August 31,

unless otherwise noted:

 
Class C Shares1   20232     2022     2021     2020     2019     2018  
Net asset value, beginning of period     $67.22       $133.37       $129.21       $133.78       $179.73       $169.57  
Income (loss) from operations:            

Net investment loss

    (0.15)       (0.76)       (0.91)       (0.55)       (0.42)       (0.83)  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    0.57       (26.61)       37.09       17.41       (15.69)       22.74  

Total income (loss) from operations

    0.42       (27.37)       36.18       16.86       (16.11)       21.91  
Less distributions from:            

Net realized gains

    (15.07)       (38.78)       (32.02)       (21.43)       (29.84)       (11.75)  

Total distributions

    (15.07)       (38.78)       (32.02)       (21.43)       (29.84)       (11.75)  
Net asset value, end of period     $52.57       $67.22       $133.37       $129.21       $133.78       $179.73  

Total return3

    0.54     (25.84)     32.05     13.16     (8.86)     13.84
Net assets, end of period (000s) $66,132             $88,126       $202,551       $256,352       $403,645       $1,174,185  
Ratios to average net assets:            

Gross expenses

    1.90 %4      1.83     1.84     1.82     1.81     1.79

Net expenses5,6

    1.90 4       1.83       1.84       1.82       1.81       1.79  

Net investment loss

    (0.51) 4       (0.87)       (0.71)       (0.43)       (0.29)       (0.49)  
Portfolio turnover rate     4     21     8 %7       2     2 %7       0 %7,8  

 

1 

Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares method.

 

2 

For the six months ended February 28, 2023 (unaudited).

 

3 

Performance figures, exclusive of CDSC, may reflect compensating balance arrangements, fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. In the absence of compensating balance arrangements, fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, the total return would have been lower. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

4 

Annualized.

 

5 

As a result of an expense limitation arrangement, the ratio of total annual fund operating expenses, other than interest, brokerage, taxes, extraordinary expenses and acquired fund fees and expenses, to average net assets of Class C shares did not exceed 2.00%. This expense limitation arrangement cannot be terminated prior to December 31, 2024 without the Board of Trustees’ consent. In addition, the manager has agreed to waive the Fund’s management fee to an extent sufficient to offset the net management fee payable in connection with any investment in an affiliated money market fund.

 

6 

Reflects fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements.

 

7 

Excludes securities delivered as a result of a redemption in-kind.

 

8 

Amount represents less than 1%.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

12

    ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund 2023 Semi-Annual Report


Table of Contents

For a share of each class of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each year ended August 31,

unless otherwise noted:

 
Class FI Shares1   20232     2022     2021     2020     2019     2018  
Net asset value, beginning of period     $117.13       $199.72       $178.54       $176.90       $226.03       $209.00  
Income (loss) from operations:            

Net investment income (loss)

    0.06       (0.40)       (0.12)       0.42       0.88       0.41  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    0.98       (43.41)       53.53       23.35       (19.82)       28.51  

Total income (loss) from operations

    1.04       (43.81)       53.41       23.77       (18.94)       28.92  
Less distributions from:            

Net investment income

                (0.21)       (0.70)       (0.35)       (0.14)  

Net realized gains

    (15.07)       (38.78)       (32.02)       (21.43)       (29.84)       (11.75)  

Total distributions

    (15.07)       (38.78)       (32.23)       (22.13)       (30.19)       (11.89)  
Net asset value, end of period     $103.10       $117.13       $199.72       $178.54       $176.90       $226.03  

Total return3

    0.86     (25.42)     32.97     13.93     (8.21)     14.62
Net assets, end of period (000s)     $1,715       $2,056       $4,737       $4,185       $6,668       $20,013  
Ratios to average net assets:            

Gross expenses

    1.25 %4       1.24     1.15     1.15     1.11     1.11

Net expenses5

    1.25 4,6       1.24 6       1.15 6       1.14 6       1.11       1.11  

Net investment income (loss)

    0.11 4       (0.27)       (0.06)       0.24       0.46       0.19  
Portfolio turnover rate     4     21     8 %7       2     2 %7       0 %7,8  

 

1 

Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares method.

 

2 

For the six months ended February 28, 2023 (unaudited).

 

3 

Performance figures may reflect compensating balance arrangements, fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. In the absence of compensating balance arrangements, fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, the total return would have been lower. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

4 

Annualized.

 

5 

As a result of an expense limitation arrangement, the ratio of total annual fund operating expenses, other than interest, brokerage, taxes, extraordinary expenses and acquired fund fees and expenses, to average net assets of Class FI shares did not exceed 1.25%. This expense limitation arrangement cannot be terminated prior to December 31, 2024 without the Board of Trustees’ consent. In addition, the manager has agreed to waive the Fund’s management fee to an extent sufficient to offset the net management fee payable in connection with any investment in an affiliated money market fund.

 

6 

Reflects fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements.

 

7 

Excludes securities delivered as a result of a redemption in-kind.

 

8 

Amount represents less than 1%.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund 2023 Semi-Annual Report    

 

13


Table of Contents

Financial highlights (cont’d)

 

For a share of each class of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each year ended August 31,

unless otherwise noted:

 
Class R Shares1   20232     2022     2021     2020     2019     2018  
Net asset value, beginning of period     $109.88       $190.32       $171.73       $170.89       $219.67       $203.92  
Income (loss) from operations:            

Net investment income (loss)

    (0.05)       (0.67)       (0.58)       (0.07)       0.11       (0.22)  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    0.92       (40.99)       51.19       22.51       (19.05)       27.72  

Total income (loss) from operations

    0.87       (41.66)       50.61       22.44       (18.94)       27.50  
Less distributions from:            

Net investment income

                      (0.17)              

Net realized gains

    (15.07)       (38.78)       (32.02)       (21.43)       (29.84)       (11.75)  

Total distributions

    (15.07)       (38.78)       (32.02)       (21.60)       (29.84)       (11.75)  
Net asset value, end of period     $95.68       $109.88       $190.32       $171.73       $170.89       $219.67  

Total return3

    0.75     (25.57)     32.59     13.60     (8.49)     14.27
Net assets, end of period (000s)     $16,690       $18,336       $28,047       $33,618       $47,501       $70,746  
Ratios to average net assets:            

Gross expenses

    1.47 %4       1.45     1.44     1.42     1.42     1.41

Net expenses5

    1.47 4,6       1.45 6       1.44 6       1.42 6       1.42       1.41  

Net investment income (loss)

    (0.10) 4       (0.49)       (0.32)       (0.04)       0.06       (0.11)  
Portfolio turnover rate     4     21     8 %7       2     2 %7       0 %7,8  

 

1 

Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares method.

 

2 

For the six months ended February 28, 2023 (unaudited).

 

3 

Performance figures may reflect compensating balance arrangements, fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. In the absence of compensating balance arrangements, fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, the total return would have been lower. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

4 

Annualized.

 

5 

As a result of an expense limitation arrangement, the ratio of total annual fund operating expenses, other than interest, brokerage, taxes, extraordinary expenses and acquired fund fees and expenses, to average net assets of Class R shares did not exceed 1.50%. This expense limitation arrangement cannot be terminated prior to December 31, 2024 without the Board of Trustees’ consent. In addition, the manager has agreed to waive the Fund’s management fee to an extent sufficient to offset the net management fee payable in connection with any investment in an affiliated money market fund.

 

6 

Reflects fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements.

 

7 

Excludes securities delivered as a result of a redemption in-kind.

 

8 

Amount represents less than 1%.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

14

    ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund 2023 Semi-Annual Report


Table of Contents

For a share of each class of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each year ended August 31,

unless otherwise noted:

 
Class I Shares1   20232     2022     2021     2020     2019     2018  
Net asset value, beginning of period     $141.17       $231.08       $202.02       $197.40       $248.42       $228.71  
Income (loss) from operations:            

Net investment income

    0.35       0.26       0.62       1.13       1.44       1.17  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    1.17       (51.39)       61.24       26.18       (21.64)       31.31  

Total income (loss) from operations

    1.52       (51.13)       61.86       27.31       (20.20)       32.48  
Less distributions from:            

Net investment income

                (0.78)       (1.26)       (0.98)       (1.02)  

Net realized gains

    (15.07)       (38.78)       (32.02)       (21.43)       (29.84)       (11.75)  

Total distributions

    (15.07)       (38.78)       (32.80)       (22.69)       (30.82)       (12.77)  
Net asset value, end of period     $127.62       $141.17       $231.08       $202.02       $197.40       $248.42  

Total return3

    1.06     (25.09)     33.42     14.31     (7.92)     14.97
Net assets, end of period (millions)     $383       $462       $894       $896       $1,385       $3,046  
Ratios to average net assets:            

Gross expenses

    0.85 %4       0.81     0.82     0.81     0.79     0.80

Net expenses5

    0.85 4,6       0.81 6       0.82 6       0.81 6       0.79       0.80  

Net investment income

    0.53 4       0.15       0.29       0.58       0.69       0.50  
Portfolio turnover rate     4     21     8 %7       2     2 %7       0 %7,8  

 

1 

Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares method.

 

2 

For the six months ended February 28, 2023 (unaudited).

 

3 

Performance figures may reflect compensating balance arrangements, fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. In the absence of compensating balance arrangements, fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, the total return would have been lower. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

4 

Annualized.

 

5 

As a result of an expense limitation arrangement, the ratio of total annual fund operating expenses, other than interest, brokerage, taxes, extraordinary expenses and acquired fund fees and expenses, to average net assets of Class I shares did not exceed 0.90%. This expense limitation arrangement cannot be terminated prior to December 31, 2024 without the Board of Trustees’ consent. In addition, the manager has agreed to waive the Fund’s management fee to an extent sufficient to offset the net management fee payable in connection with any investment in an affiliated money market fund.

 

6 

Reflects fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements.

 

7 

Excludes securities delivered as a result of a redemption in-kind.

 

8 

Amount represents less than 1%.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund 2023 Semi-Annual Report    

 

15


Table of Contents

Financial highlights (cont’d)

 

For a share of each class of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each year ended August 31,

unless otherwise noted:

 
Class IS Shares1   20232     2022     2021     2020     2019     2018  
Net asset value, beginning of period     $144.07       $234.70       $204.72       $199.81       $251.11       $231.06  
Income (loss) from operations:            

Net investment income

    0.42       0.48       1.05       1.26       1.64       1.38  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    1.19       (52.33)       61.88       26.55       (21.93)       31.65  

Total income (loss) from operations

    1.61       (51.85)       62.93       27.81       (20.29)       33.03  
Less distributions from:            

Net investment income

                (0.93)       (1.47)       (1.17)       (1.23)  

Net realized gains

    (15.07)       (38.78)       (32.02)       (21.43)       (29.84)       (11.75)  

Total distributions

    (15.07)       (38.78)       (32.95)       (22.90)       (31.01)       (12.98)  
Net asset value, end of period     $130.61       $144.07       $234.70       $204.72       $199.81       $251.11  

Total return3

    1.10     (25.00)     33.51     14.40     (7.86)     15.07
Net assets, end of period (000s)     $58,697       $67,498       $192,685       $491,366       $547,281       $1,062,735  
Ratios to average net assets:            

Gross expenses

    0.75 %4       0.69     0.74     0.73     0.72     0.71

Net expenses5

    0.75 4,6       0.69 6       0.74 6       0.73 6       0.72       0.71  

Net investment income

    0.62 4       0.27       0.48       0.64       0.78       0.59  
Portfolio turnover rate     4     21     8 %7       2     2 %7       0 %7,8  

 

1 

Per share amounts have been calculated using the average shares method.

 

2 

For the six months ended February 28, 2023 (unaudited).

 

3 

Performance figures may reflect compensating balance arrangements, fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. In the absence of compensating balance arrangements, fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, the total return would have been lower. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

4 

Annualized.

 

5 

As a result of an expense limitation arrangement, the ratio of total annual fund operating expenses, other than interest, brokerage, taxes, extraordinary expenses and acquired fund fees and expenses, to average net assets of Class IS shares did not exceed 0.80%. In addition, the ratio of total annual fund operating expenses for Class IS shares did not exceed the ratio of total annual fund operating expenses for Class I shares. These expense limitation arrangements cannot be terminated prior to December 31, 2024 without the Board of Trustees’ consent. In addition, the manager has agreed to waive the Fund’s management fee to an extent sufficient to offset the net management fee payable in connection with any investment in an affiliated money market fund.

 

6 

Reflects fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements.

 

7 

Excludes securities delivered as a result of a redemption in-kind.

 

8 

Amount represents less than 1%.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

16

    ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund 2023 Semi-Annual Report


Table of Contents

Notes to financial statements (unaudited)

 

1. Organization and significant accounting policies

ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund (the “Fund”) is a separate diversified investment series of Legg Mason Partners Investment Trust (the “Trust”). The Trust, a Maryland statutory trust, is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company.

The Fund follows the accounting and reporting guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services — Investment Companies (“ASC 946”). The following are significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund and are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), including, but not limited to, ASC 946. Estimates and assumptions are required to be made regarding assets, liabilities and changes in net assets resulting from operations when financial statements are prepared. Changes in the economic environment, financial markets and any other parameters used in determining these estimates could cause actual results to differ. Subsequent events have been evaluated through the date the financial statements were issued.

(a) Investment valuation. Equity securities for which market quotations are available are valued at the last reported sales price or official closing price on the primary market or exchange on which they trade. The valuations for fixed income securities (which may include, but are not limited to, corporate, government, municipal, mortgage-backed, collateralized mortgage obligations and asset-backed securities) and certain derivative instruments are typically the prices supplied by independent third party pricing services, which may use market prices or broker/dealer quotations or a variety of valuation techniques and methodologies. The independent third party pricing services typically use inputs that are observable such as issuer details, interest rates, yield curves, prepayment speeds, credit risks/spreads, default rates and quoted prices for similar securities. Investments in open-end funds are valued at the closing net asset value per share of each fund on the day of valuation. When the Fund holds securities or other assets that are denominated in a foreign currency, the Fund will normally use the currency exchange rates as of 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time). If independent third party pricing services are unable to supply prices for a portfolio investment, or if the prices supplied are deemed by the manager to be unreliable, the market price may be determined by the manager using quotations from one or more broker/dealers or at the transaction price if the security has recently been purchased and no value has yet been obtained from a pricing service or pricing broker. When reliable prices are not readily available, such as when the value of a security has been significantly affected by events after the close of the exchange or market on which the security is principally traded, but before the Fund calculates its net asset value, the Fund values these securities as determined in accordance with procedures approved by the Fund’s Board of Trustees.

Pursuant to policies adopted by the Board of Trustees, the Fund’s manager has been designated as the valuation designee and is responsible for the oversight of the daily valuation process. The Fund’s manager is assisted by the Global Fund Valuation Committee (the “Valuation Committee”). The Valuation Committee is responsible for making fair value determinations, evaluating the effectiveness of the Fund’s pricing policies, and reporting to the Fund’s manager and the Board of Trustees. When determining the reliability of third

 

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party pricing information for investments owned by the Fund, the Valuation Committee, among other things, conducts due diligence reviews of pricing vendors, monitors the daily change in prices and reviews transactions among market participants.

The Valuation Committee will consider pricing methodologies it deems relevant and appropriate when making fair value determinations. Examples of possible methodologies include, but are not limited to, multiple of earnings; discount from market of a similar freely traded security; discounted cash-flow analysis; book value or a multiple thereof; risk premium/yield analysis; yield to maturity; and/or fundamental investment analysis. The Valuation Committee will also consider factors it deems relevant and appropriate in light of the facts and circumstances. Examples of possible factors include, but are not limited to, the type of security; the issuer’s financial statements; the purchase price of the security; the discount from market value of unrestricted securities of the same class at the time of purchase; analysts’ research and observations from financial institutions; information regarding any transactions or offers with respect to the security; the existence of merger proposals or tender offers affecting the security; the price and extent of public trading in similar securities of the issuer or comparable companies; and the existence of a shelf registration for restricted securities.

For each portfolio security that has been fair valued pursuant to the policies adopted by the Board of Trustees, the fair value price is compared against the last available and next available market quotations. The Valuation Committee reviews the results of such back testing monthly and fair valuation occurrences are reported to the Board of Trustees quarterly.

The Fund uses valuation techniques to measure fair value that are consistent with the market approach and/or income approach, depending on the type of security and the particular circumstance. The market approach uses prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable securities. The income approach uses valuation techniques to discount estimated future cash flows to present value.

GAAP establishes a disclosure hierarchy that categorizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to value assets and liabilities at measurement date. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

 

 

Level 1 — unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

 

 

Level 2 — other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

 

 

Level 3 — significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

The inputs or methodologies used to value securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

 

 

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The following is a summary of the inputs used in valuing the Fund’s assets carried at fair value:

 

ASSETS  
Description  

Quoted Prices

(Level 1)

   

Other Significant

Observable Inputs

(Level 2)

   

Significant

Unobservable

Inputs

(Level 3)

    Total  
Common Stocks†   $ 4,269,898,432                 $ 4,269,898,432  
Short-Term Investments†     94,787                   94,787  
Total Investments   $ 4,269,993,219                 $ 4,269,993,219  

 

See Schedule of Investments for additional detailed categorizations.

(b) Foreign investment risks. The Fund’s investments in foreign securities may involve risks not present in domestic investments. Since securities may be denominated in foreign currencies, may require settlement in foreign currencies or may pay interest or dividends in foreign currencies, changes in the relationship of these foreign currencies to the U.S. dollar can significantly affect the value of the investments and earnings of the Fund. Foreign investments may also subject the Fund to foreign government exchange restrictions, expropriation, taxation or other political, social or economic developments, all of which affect the market and/or credit risk of the investments.

(c) Security transactions and investment income. Security transactions are accounted for on a trade date basis. Interest income (including interest income from payment-in-kind securities), adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion of discount, is recorded on the accrual basis. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date for dividends received in cash and/or securities. Foreign dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date or as soon as practicable after the Fund determines the existence of a dividend declaration after exercising reasonable due diligence. The cost of investments sold is determined by use of the specific identification method. To the extent any issuer defaults or a credit event occurs that impacts the issuer, the Fund may halt any additional interest income accruals and consider the realizability of interest accrued up to the date of default or credit event.

(d) Distributions to shareholders. Distributions from net investment income and distributions of net realized gains, if any, are declared at least annually. Distributions to shareholders of the Fund are recorded on the ex-dividend date and are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP.

(e) Share class accounting. Investment income, common expenses and realized/ unrealized gains (losses) on investments are allocated to the various classes of the Fund on the basis of daily net assets of each class. Fees relating to a specific class are charged directly to that share class.

(f) Compensating balance arrangements. The Fund has an arrangement with its custodian bank whereby a portion of the custodian’s fees is paid indirectly by credits earned on the Fund’s cash on deposit with the bank.

 

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(g) Federal and other taxes. It is the Fund’s policy to comply with the federal income and excise tax requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”), as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies. Accordingly, the Fund intends to distribute its taxable income and net realized gains, if any, to shareholders in accordance with timing requirements imposed by the Code. Therefore, no federal or state income tax provision is required in the Fund’s financial statements.

Management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions taken on income tax returns for all open tax years and has concluded that as of August 31, 2022, no provision for income tax is required in the Fund’s financial statements. The Fund’s federal and state income and federal excise tax returns for tax years for which the applicable statutes of limitations have not expired are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and state departments of revenue.

(h) Reclassification. GAAP requires that certain components of net assets be reclassified to reflect permanent differences between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset value per share.

2. Investment management agreement and other transactions with affiliates

Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC (“LMPFA”) is the Fund’s investment manager and ClearBridge Investments, LLC (“ClearBridge”) is the Fund’s subadviser. Western Asset Management Company, LLC (“Western Asset”) manages the portion of the Fund’s cash and short-term instruments allocated to it. LMPFA, ClearBridge and Western Asset are indirect, wholly-owned subsidiaries of Franklin Resources, Inc. (“Franklin Resources”).

Under the investment management agreement, the Fund pays an investment management fee, calculated daily and paid monthly, in accordance with the following breakpoint schedule:

 

Average Daily Net Assets      Annual Rate  
First $1 billion        0.750
Next $1 billion        0.725  
Next $3 billion        0.700  
Next $5 billion        0.675  
Over $10 billion        0.650  

LMPFA provides administrative and certain oversight services to the Fund. LMPFA delegates to the subadviser the day-to-day portfolio management of the Fund, except for the management of the portion of the cash and short-term instruments allocated to Western Asset. For their services, LMPFA pays ClearBridge and Western Asset a fee monthly, at an annual rate equal to 70% of the net management fee it receives from the Fund. For Western Asset’s services to the Fund, LMPFA pays Western Asset monthly 0.02% of the portion of the Fund’s average daily net assets that are allocated to Western Asset by LMPFA.

As a result of expense limitation arrangements between the Fund and LMPFA, the ratio of total annual fund operating expenses, other than interest, brokerage, taxes, extraordinary expenses and acquired fund fees and expenses, to average net assets of Class A, Class C, Class FI, Class R, Class I and Class IS shares did not exceed 1.25%, 2.00%, 1.25%, 1.50%,

 

 

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0.90% and 0.80%, respectively. In addition, the ratio of total annual fund operating expenses for Class IS shares did not exceed the ratio of total annual fund operating expenses for Class I shares. These expense limitation arrangements cannot be terminated prior to December 31, 2024 without the Board of Trustees’ consent. In addition, the manager has agreed to waive the Fund’s management fee to an extent sufficient to offset the net management fee payable in connection with any investment in an affiliated money market fund (the “affiliated money market fund waiver”). The affiliated money market fund waiver is not subject to the recapture provision discussed below.

During the six months ended February 28, 2023, fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed amounted to $2,199, which included an affiliated money market fund waiver of $2,167. LMPFA is permitted to recapture amounts waived and/or reimbursed to a class during the same fiscal year if the class’ total annual fund operating expenses have fallen to a level below the expense limitation (“expense cap”) in effect at the time the fees were earned or the expenses incurred. In no case will LMPFA recapture any amount that would result, on any particular business day of the Fund, in the class’ total annual fund operating expenses exceeding the expense cap or any other lower limit then in effect.

Franklin Templeton Investor Services, LLC (“Investor Services”) serves as the Fund’s shareholder servicing agent and acts as the Fund’s transfer agent and dividend-paying agent. Investor Services is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Franklin Resources. Franklin Distributors, LLC (“Franklin Distributors”) serves as the Fund’s sole and exclusive distributor. Franklin Distributors is an indirect, wholly-owned broker-dealer subsidiary of Franklin Resources.

There is a maximum initial sales charge of 5.50% for Class A shares. Class C shares have a 1.00% CDSC, which applies if redemption occurs within 12 months from purchase payment. In certain cases, Class A shares have a 1.00% CDSC, which applies if redemption occurs within 18 months from purchase payment. This CDSC only applies to those purchases of Class A shares, which, when combined with current holdings of other shares of funds sold by Franklin Distributors, equal or exceed $1,000,000 in the aggregate. These purchases do not incur an initial sales charge.

For the six months ended February 28, 2023, sales charges retained by and CDSCs paid to Franklin Distributors and its affiliates, if any, were as follows:

 

        Class A        Class C  
Sales charges      $ 224,821           
CDSCs        717        $ 245  

All officers and one Trustee of the Trust are employees of Franklin Resources or its affiliates and do not receive compensation from the Trust.

 

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Notes to financial statements (unaudited) (cont’d)

 

3. Investments

During the six months ended February 28, 2023, the aggregate cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investments (excluding short-term investments) were as follows:

 

Purchases      $ 180,904,693  
Sales        482,980,340  

At February 28, 2023, the aggregate cost of investments and the aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation of investments for federal income tax purposes were substantially as follows:

 

     

Cost

    

Gross

Unrealized

Appreciation

    

Gross

Unrealized

Depreciation

    

Net

Unrealized

Appreciation

 
Securities    $ 1,822,857,421      $ 2,758,629,436      $ (311,493,638)      $ 2,447,135,798  

4. Derivative instruments and hedging activities

During the six months ended February 28, 2023, the Fund did not invest in derivative instruments.

5. Class specific expenses, waivers and/or expense reimbursements

The Fund has adopted a Rule 12b-1 shareholder services and distribution plan and under that plan the Fund pays service and/or distribution fees with respect to its Class A, Class C, Class FI and Class R shares calculated at the annual rate of 0.25%, 1.00%, 0.25% and 0.50% of the average daily net assets of each class, respectively. Service and/or distribution fees are accrued daily and paid monthly.

For the six months ended February 28, 2023, class specific expenses were as follows:

 

       

Service and/or

Distribution Fees

      

Transfer Agent

Fees

 
Class A      $ 4,696,899        $ 3,093,308  
Class C        379,236          60,710  
Class FI        2,159          2,294  
Class R        43,303          19,488  
Class I                 216,468  
Class IS                 2,714  
Total      $ 5,121,597        $ 3,394,982  

For the six months ended February 28, 2023, waivers and/or expense reimbursements by class were as follows:

 

       

Waivers/Expense

Reimbursements

 
Class A      $ 1,880  
Class C        39  
Class FI        33  
Class R        9  

 

 

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Waivers/Expense

Reimbursements

 
Class I      $ 207  
Class IS        31  
Total      $ 2,199  

6. Distributions to shareholders by class

 

       

Six Months Ended

February 28, 2023

      

Year Ended

August 31, 2022

 
Net Realized Gains:                      
Class A      $ 497,391,673        $ 1,125,956,795  
Class C        16,894,279          52,360,023  
Class FI        219,513          776,129  
Class R        2,407,017          5,568,840  
Class I        43,551,851          141,666,338  
Class IS        6,488,702          32,348,316  
Total      $ 566,953,035        $ 1,358,676,441  

7. Shares of beneficial interest

At February 28, 2023, the Trust had an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest authorized with a par value of $0.00001 per share. The Fund has the ability to issue multiple classes of shares. Each class of shares represents an identical interest and has the same rights, except that each class bears certain direct expenses, including those specifically related to the distribution of its shares.

Transactions in shares of each class were as follows:

 

     Six Months Ended
February 28, 2023
     Year Ended
August 31, 2022
 
      Shares      Amount      Shares      Amount  
Class A                                    
Shares sold      808,898      $ 86,662,627        1,608,115      $ 226,717,555  
Shares issued on reinvestment      4,802,168        490,109,311        7,805,423        1,100,954,976  
Shares repurchased      (2,965,896)        (316,749,242)        (4,866,485)        (679,589,687)  
Net increase      2,645,170      $ 260,022,696        4,547,053      $ 648,082,844  
Class C                                    
Shares sold      32,045      $ 1,845,511        66,690      $ 5,647,679  
Shares issued on reinvestment      314,914        16,618,011        622,355        51,201,135  
Shares repurchased      (399,910)        (23,794,140)        (896,791)        (77,650,865)  
Net decrease      (52,951)      $ (5,330,618)        (207,746)      $ (20,802,051)  

 

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Notes to financial statements (unaudited) (cont’d)

 

     Six Months Ended
February 28, 2023
     Year Ended
August 31, 2022
 
      Shares      Amount      Shares      Amount  
Class FI                                    
Shares sold      1,329      $ 142,589        4,572      $ 665,234  
Shares issued on reinvestment      2,124        219,513        5,436        776,129  
Shares repurchased      (4,372)        (468,809)        (16,172)        (2,469,342)  
Net decrease      (919)      $ (106,707)        (6,164)      $ (1,027,979)  
Class R                                    
Shares sold      10,856      $ 1,103,360        22,112      $ 3,026,744  
Shares issued on reinvestment      24,963        2,395,159        40,712        5,459,904  
Shares repurchased      (28,250)        (2,860,813)        (43,322)        (5,938,326)  
Net increase      7,569      $ 637,706        19,502      $ 2,548,322  
Class I                                    
Shares sold      262,362      $ 34,076,468        574,263      $ 99,438,676  
Shares issued on reinvestment      311,660        39,836,420        742,660        127,381,066  
Shares repurchased      (843,979)        (112,041,105)        (1,916,903)        (326,897,068)  
Net decrease      (269,957)      $ (38,128,217)        (599,980)      $ (100,077,326)  
Class IS                                    
Shares sold      35,597      $ 4,787,270        164,099      $ 28,840,192  
Shares issued on reinvestment      46,146        6,035,390        177,009        30,958,876  
Shares repurchased      (100,867)        (13,597,213)        (693,580)        (102,415,856)  
Net decrease      (19,124)      $ (2,774,553)        (352,472)      $ (42,616,788)  

8. Transactions with affiliated company

As defined by the 1940 Act, an affiliated company is one in which the Fund owns 5% or more of the outstanding voting securities, or a company which is under common ownership or control with the Fund. The following company was considered an affiliated company for all or some portion of the six months ended February 28, 2023. The following transactions were effected in such company for the six months ended February 28, 2023.

 

     Affiliate
Value at
August 31,

2022
     Purchased      Sold  
      Cost      Shares      Proceeds      Shares  
Western Asset Premier Institutional U.S. Treasury Reserves, Premium Shares    $ 7,233,868      $ 59,617,269        59,617,269      $ 66,822,701        66,822,701  

 

 

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(cont’d)    Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Dividend
Income
     Net Increase
(Decrease) in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Affiliate
Value at
February 28,
2023
 
Western Asset Premier Institutional U.S. Treasury Reserves, Premium Shares           $ 85,009             $ 28,436  

9. Redemption facility

The Fund, together with other U.S. registered and foreign investment funds (collectively, the “Borrowers”) managed by Franklin Resources or its affiliates, became a borrower in a joint syndicated senior unsecured credit facility totaling $2.675 billion (the “Global Credit Facility”). The Global Credit Facility provides a source of funds to the Borrowers for temporary and emergency purposes, including the ability to meet future unanticipated or unusually large redemption requests. Unless renewed, the Global Credit Facility will terminate on February 2, 2024.

Under the terms of the Global Credit Facility, the Fund shall, in addition to interest charged on any borrowings made by the Fund and other costs incurred by the Fund, pay its share of fees and expenses incurred in connection with the implementation and maintenance of the Global Credit Facility, based upon its relative share of the aggregate net assets of all the Borrowers, including an annual commitment fee of 0.15% based upon the unused portion of the Global Credit Facility. These fees are reflected in the Statement of Operations. The Fund did not utilize the Global Credit Facility during the six months ended February 28, 2023.

10. Recent accounting pronouncements

In June 2022, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2022-03, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) – Fair Value Measurement of Equity Securities Subject to Contractual Sale Restrictions. The amendments in the ASU clarify that a contractual restriction on the sale of an equity security is not considered part of the unit of account of the equity security and, therefore, should not be considered in measuring fair value. The ASU is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2023, with the option of early adoption. Management has reviewed the requirements and believes that the adoption of the ASU will not have a material impact on the financial statements.

*  *  *

In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) – Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. In January 2021, the FASB issued ASU No. 2021-01, with further amendments to Topic 848. The amendments in the ASUs provide optional temporary accounting recognition and financial reporting relief from the effect of certain types of contract modifications due to the planned discontinuation of the LIBOR and other interbank-offered based reference rates as of the end of 2021

 

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and 2023. The ASUs are effective for certain reference rate-related contract modifications that occur during the period March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. Management has reviewed the requirements and believes the adoption of these ASUs will not have a material impact on the financial statements.

11. Other matters

The outbreak of the respiratory illness COVID-19 (commonly referred to as “coronavirus”) has continued to rapidly spread around the world, causing considerable uncertainty for the global economy and financial markets. The ultimate economic fallout from the pandemic, and the long-term impact on economies, markets, industries and individual issuers, are not known. The COVID-19 pandemic could adversely affect the value and liquidity of the Fund’s investments, impair the Fund’s ability to satisfy redemption requests, and negatively impact the Fund’s performance. In addition, the outbreak of COVID-19, and measures taken to mitigate its effects, could result in disruptions to the services provided to the Fund by its service providers.

*  *  *

On February 24, 2022, Russia engaged in military actions in the sovereign territory of Ukraine. The current political and financial uncertainty surrounding Russia and Ukraine may increase market volatility and the economic risk of investing in securities in these countries and may also cause uncertainty for the global economy and broader financial markets. The ultimate fallout and long-term impact from these events are not known. The Fund will continue to assess the impact on valuations and liquidity and will take any potential actions needed in accordance with procedures approved by the Board of Trustees.

 

 

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ClearBridge

Aggressive Growth Fund

 

Trustees

Paul R. Ades

Andrew L. Breech

Althea L. Duersten

Chair

Stephen R. Gross

Susan M. Heilbron

Arnold L. Lehman

Robin J. W. Masters

Ken Miller

G. Peter O’Brien

Thomas F. Schlafly

Jane Trust

 

Investment manager

Legg Mason Partners Fund Advisor, LLC

Subadviser

ClearBridge Investments, LLC

Distributor

Franklin Distributors, LLC

Custodian

The Bank of New York Mellon

Transfer agent

Franklin Templeton Investor

Services, LLC

3344 Quality Drive

Rancho Cordova, CA 95670-7313

Independent registered public accounting firm

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Baltimore, MD

 

ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund

The Fund is a separate investment series of Legg Mason Partners Investment Trust, a Maryland statutory trust.

ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund

Legg Mason Funds

620 Eighth Avenue, 47th Floor

New York, NY 10018

 

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. The Fund’s Forms N-PORT are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. To obtain information on Form N-PORT, shareholders can call the Fund at 877-6LM-FUND/656-3863.

 

Information on how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the prior 12-month period ended June 30th of each year and a description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies related to portfolio transactions are available (1) without charge, upon request, by calling the Fund at 877-6LM-FUND/656-3863, (2) at www.franklintempleton.com and (3) on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholders of ClearBridge Aggressive Growth Fund. This report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the Fund unless preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus.

Investors should consider the Fund’s investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. The prospectus contains this and other important information about the Fund. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing.

www.franklintempleton.com

© 2023 Franklin Distributors, LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC. All rights reserved.


Table of Contents

Legg Mason Funds Privacy and Security Notice

 

Your Privacy Is Our Priority

Franklin Templeton* is committed to safeguarding your personal information. This notice is designed to provide you with a summary of the non-public personal information Franklin Templeton may collect and maintain about current or former individual investors; our policy regarding the use of that information; and the measures we take to safeguard the information. We do not sell individual investors’ non-public personal information to anyone and only share it as described in this notice.

Information We Collect

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Information we receive from you or your financial intermediary on applications or other forms, whether we receive the form in writing or electronically. For example, this information may include your name, address, tax identification number, birth date, investment selection, beneficiary information, and your personal bank account information and/or email address if you have provided that information.

 

 

Information about your transactions and account history with us, or with other companies that are part of Franklin Templeton, including transactions you request on our website or in our app. This category also includes your communications to us concerning your investments.

 

 

Information we receive from third parties (for example, to update your address if you move, obtain or verify your email address or obtain additional information to verify your identity).

 

 

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Other general information that we may obtain about you such as demographic information.

Disclosure Policy

To better service your accounts and process transactions or services you requested, we may share non-public personal information with other Franklin Templeton companies. From time to time we may also send you information about products/services offered by other Franklin Templeton companies although we will not share your non-public personal information with these companies without first offering you the opportunity to prevent that sharing.

We will only share non-public personal information with outside parties in the limited circumstances permitted by law. For example, this includes situations where we need to share information with companies who work on our behalf to service or maintain your account or process transactions you requested, when the disclosure is to companies assisting us with our own marketing efforts, when the disclosure is to a party representing you, or when required by law (for example, in response to legal process). Additionally, we will ensure that any outside

 

 

NOT PART OF THE SEMI-ANNUAL  REPORT

 


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Legg Mason Funds Privacy and Security Notice (cont’d)

 

companies working on our behalf, or with whom we have joint marketing agreements, are under contractual obligations to protect the confidentiality of your information, and to use it only to provide the services we asked them to perform.

Confidentiality and Security

Our employees are required to follow procedures with respect to maintaining the confidentiality of our investors’ non-public personal information. Additionally, we maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards to protect the information. This includes performing ongoing evaluations of our systems containing investor information and making changes when appropriate.

At all times, you may view our current privacy notice on our website at franklintempleton.com or contact us for a copy at (800) 632-2301.

*For purposes of this privacy notice Franklin Templeton shall refer to the following entities:

Fiduciary Trust International of the South (FTIOS), as custodian for individual retirement plans Franklin Advisers, Inc.

Franklin Distributors, LLC, including as program manager of the Franklin Templeton 529 College Savings Plan and the NJBEST 529 College Savings Plan

Franklin Mutual Advisers, LLC

Franklin, Templeton and Mutual Series Funds

Franklin Templeton Institutional, LLC

Franklin Templeton Investments Corp., Canada

Franklin Templeton Investments Management, Limited UK

Franklin Templeton Portfolio Advisors, Inc.

Legg Mason Funds serviced by Franklin Templeton Investor Services, LLC

Templeton Asset Management, Limited

Templeton Global Advisors, Limited

Templeton Investment Counsel, LLC

If you are a customer of other Franklin Templeton affiliates and you receive notices from them, you will need to read those notices separately.

 

NOT PART OF THE SEMI-ANNUAL  REPORT

 


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www.franklintempleton.com

© 2023 Franklin Distributors, LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC. All rights reserved.

FD02208 4/23 SR23-4625


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ITEM 2.

CODE OF ETHICS.

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 3.

AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 4.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 5.

AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS.

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 6.

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS.

Included herein under Item 1.

 

ITEM 7.

DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 8.

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 9.

PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS.

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 10.

SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 11.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

 

  (a)

The registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a- 3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”)) are effective as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report that includes the disclosure required by this paragraph, based on their evaluation of the disclosure controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act and 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

  (b)

There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act) that occurred during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are likely to materially affect the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.


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ITEM 12.

DISCLOSURE OF SECURITIES LENDING ACTIVITIES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 13.

EXHIBITS.

(a) (1) Not applicable.

Exhibit  99.CODE ETH

(a) (2)  Certifications pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 attached hereto.

Exhibit 99.CERT

(b) Certifications pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 attached hereto.

Exhibit 99.906CERT


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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, there unto duly authorized.

 

Legg Mason Partners Investment Trust
By:  

/s/ Jane Trust

  Jane Trust
  Chief Executive Officer
Date:   April 18, 2023

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

By:  

/s/ Jane Trust

  Jane Trust
  Chief Executive Officer
Date:   April 18, 2023

 

By:  

/s/ Christopher Berarducci

  Christopher Berarducci
  Principal Financial Officer
Date:   April 18, 2023