Top 5 Legg Mason Mutual Funds - Best of Fund Family

Legg Mason is one of the world's largest asset managers with assets under management of $673 billion. It uses a multi-affiliate business model to provide a wide range of financial services to individual and institutional investors in 190 countries across six continents. The affiliates operate with a high degree of autonomy each utilizing its own unique approach and processes. The company complements the operations of its affiliates by providing distribution and client services as well as support in areas such as operations, technology and accounting.

Below we will share with you 5 top rated Legg Mason funds. Each has earned a Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) as we expect the fund to outperform its peers in the future. To view the Zacks Rank and past performance of all Legg Mason funds, then click here.

Legg Mason ClearBridge Equity Inc Bldr A (SOPAX) invests a large proportion of its assets in equity securities or instruments with identical economic features. The bulk of these equity securities are of the divided paying variety. Not more than half of its assets may be used to purchase foreign securities. The fund has a ten year annualized return of 3.96%.

The Legg Mason mutual fund has a minimum initial investment of $1,000 and an expense ratio of 1.18% compared to a category average of 1.27%.

Legg Mason WA Government Securities 1 (SGVSX) invests the majority of its assets in U.S. government securities, including those issued by the U.S. treasury. The fund may also enter into mortgage dollar rolls. The fund returned 7.66% over the last one year period.

Stephen A. Walsh is the fund manager and he has managed this Legg Mason mutual fund since 2006.

Legg Mason Inv Counsel Social Aware A (SSIAX) seeks both capital growth and current income. Domestic equity securities constitute the majority of the fund's investments. It utilizes 30% of its total assets to hold fixed-income securities rated investment grade. The fund and has a five year annualized return of 3.76%.

The Legg Mason mutual fund has a minimum initial investment of $1,000 and an expense ratio of 1.30% compared to a category average of 1.01%.

Legg Mason Global Currents International All Cap Opportunity A (SBIEX) invests at least 80% of its assets in a wide range of foreign equity securities. Most of the fund's assets are invested outside the U.S. The fund returned 24.59% over the last one year period.

As of December 2010, this Legg Mason mutual fund held 74 issues, with 2.87 % of its total assets invested in Siemens AG ADR.

Legg Mason Lifestyle Allocation 70% (SCGRX) seeks capital appreciation over the long term. The fund invests its assets in mutual funds from Legg Mason Partners, the majority of which are equity funds. Up to 30% of its assets may be invested din fixed-income funds from Legg Mason. The fund has a three year annualized return of 3.2%.

Steven D. Bleiberg is the fund manager and he has managed this Legg Mason mutual fund since 2006.

To view the Zacks Rank and past performance of all Legg Mason mutual funds, then click here.

About Zacks Mutual Fund Rank

By applying the Zacks Rank to mutual funds, investors can find funds that not only outpaced the market in the past but are also expected to outperform going forward. Learn more about the Zacks Mutual Fund Rank at http://www.zacks.com/funds.