Legg Mason targets 2012 M&A for alternatives

Mark Fetting, Baltimore-based CEO at Legg Mason Global Asset Management, says the group is keen to acquire additional capabilities in alternative investments and boost the Asia capabilities of the various fund businesses operating within the Legg Mason structure. Legg Mason, with $655 billion of assets under management, operates as a platform for a variety of specialist managers, including Western Asset in fixed income (the group's largest unit with $447 billion of AUM), ClearBridge i…