NEW YORK, April 21, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- A brutal and swift decline in the equities market leading off 2016 was followed by a vigorous rally that brought the popular averages back to where they began the year, essentially unchanged.

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In his latest strategy update and outlook, ClearBridge Investments Co-Chief Investment Officer, Hersh Cohen, who has been managing equity portfolios for almost five decades, attributes the difficult equities market that started off the year to the precipitous drop in oil prices.

Watch his strategy update and outlook here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7dQkjLGQs8

He said, "We made reference to that in our year end comments and our year-end letter, where we wrote with a high degree of conviction that we expected difficult and erratic markets until oil prices stabilized."

"If oil prices continue to go down, the positive impact on consumers will not be enough to outweigh the negative impact on manufacturing companies that focus on well servicing, drilling, transporting, and equipment making for oil," Mr. Cohen continued.

"The manufacturing sector has been in a recession, whereas the consumer has just started to see the benefits of lower gasoline prices.  Personal savings has begun to increase and some debt is being paid down. It is not a coincidence that when the market hit bottom and started to rally it happened in concert with the oil market hitting bottom and rallying," said Mr. Cohen.

Mr. Cohen notes, "We saw so many stocks have their own bear markets in 2015. It was a difficult year to make money. Some of those stocks recently bottomed and then had a good rally. You don't want to get scared out by the violent intra-day or intra-week down moves or over-excited and chase up markets after vigorous rallies."

Mr. Cohen advises, "When you're dealing with volatile and unpredictable markets, the best approach, in my opinion, is to stick with a diversified portfolio.  In the past, holding equities has been a good strategy for investors."

While many investors experienced a challenging start to the year, the equity market seems to be headed in a better direction, according to Mr. Cohen.

About ClearBridge Investments
ClearBridge Investments is a well-established global investment manager with $104.5 billion in assets under management as of March 31, 2016. With a legacy dating back over 50 years, the firm's long-tenured portfolio managers and fundamental research team focus on building equity portfolios for clients who seek income, high active share or low volatility solutions. Owned by Legg Mason, ClearBridge Investments operates with investment independence from headquarters in New York and offices in Baltimore, San Francisco and Wilmington.

About Legg Mason
Legg Mason is a global asset management firm with $670 billion in assets under management as of March 31, 2016. The Company provides active asset management in many major investment centers throughout the world. Legg Mason is headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, and its common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol: LM).

All investments involve risk, including loss of principal. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Equity securities are subject to price fluctuation and possible loss of principal. Small- and mid-cap stocks involve greater risks and volatility than large-cap stocks. International investments are subject to special risks including currency fluctuations, social, economic and political uncertainties, which could increase volatility. These risks are magnified in emerging markets.

An investor cannot invest directly in an index. Unmanaged index returns do not reflect any fees, expenses or sales charges.

The views expressed are as of the date indicated, are subject to change. These opinions are not intended to be a forecast of future events, a guarantee of future results, or investment advice. All data referenced are from sources deemed to be reliable but cannot be guaranteed. Securities and sectors referenced should not be construed as a solicitation or recommendation or be used as the sole basis for any investment decision.

Separately Managed Accounts (SMAs) are investment services provided by Legg Mason Private Portfolio Group, LLC (LMPPG), a federally registered investment adviser. Client portfolios are managed based on investment instructions or advice provided by one or more of the following Legg Mason-affiliated sub-advisers: ClearBridge Investments, LLC., and Western Asset Management Company. Management is implemented by LMPPG, the designated sub-adviser or, in the case of certain programs, the program sponsor or its designee.

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

©2016 Legg Mason Investor Services, LLC, member FINRA, SIPC. Legg Mason Investor Services, LLC and ClearBridge Investments, LLC are subsidiaries of Legg Mason, Inc.

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SOURCE Legg Mason Inc.