November 1, 2013
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The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
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Class A
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Class C
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Class R
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Pending
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FRIXX
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FMRXX
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Franklin Templeton Money Fund Trust
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PROSPECTUS
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Franklin Templeton
Money Fund
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FUND SUMMARY
Investment Goal
To provide investors with as high a level of current income as is consistent with the preservation of shareholders capital and liquidity. The Fund also tries to maintain a stable $1.00 share price.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
These tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund.
SHAREHOLDER FEES
(fees paid directly from your investment)
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Class A
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Class C
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Class R
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Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as percentage of offering price)
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None
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None
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None
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Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as percentage of the lower of original purchase price or sale proceeds)
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None
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1.00%
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None
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ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
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(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
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Class A
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Class C
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Class R
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Management fees
1
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0.53%
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0.53%
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0.53%
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Distribution and service (12b-1) fees
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None
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0.65%
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0.50%
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Other expenses
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0.18%
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0.18%
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0.18%
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Total annual Fund operating expenses
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0.71%
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1.36%
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1.21%
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Fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement
2
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-0.11%
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-0.11%
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-0.11%
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Total annual Fund operating expenses after fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement
1
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0.60%
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1.25%
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1.10%
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1. The fees and expenses shown in the table and included in the example below reflect the fees and expenses of both the Fund and The Money Market Portfolio, in which the Fund invests substantially all of its assets in order to pursue its investment goal.
2. The investment manager of The Money Market Portfolio and administrator have contractually agreed to waive or assume certain expenses so that common expenses (excluding Rule 12b-1 fees) for each class of the Fund do not exceed 0.60% (other than certain non-routine expenses) until October 31, 2014. Contractual fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement agreements may not be terminated during the terms set forth above.
Example
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund's operating expenses remain the same. The Example reflects adjustments made to the Fund's operating expenses due to the fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement by management for the 1 Year numbers only. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
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1 Year
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3 Years
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5 Years
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10 Years
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Class A
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$ 63
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$ 218
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$ 386
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$ 874
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Class C
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$ 229
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$ 422
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$ 736
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$ 1,627
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Class R
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$ 114
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$ 375
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$ 656
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$ 1,458
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If you do not sell your shares:
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Class C
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$ 129
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$ 422
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$ 736
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$ 1,627
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Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests, through The Money Market Portfolio (Portfolio), mainly in high-quality, short-term U.S. dollar denominated money market securities of domestic and foreign issuers.
Unless the context otherwise requires, references to the Fund's investments below refer to those investments of the Portfolio to which the Fund is exposed and references to the investment manager refer to the Portfolio's investment manager.
The Fund's investments include:
Bank obligations
and instruments secured by bank obligations, which include fixed, floating or variable rate certificates of deposit, letters of credit, time deposits, bank notes and bankers acceptances. From time to time, the Fund may concentrate its investments in bank obligations (such as certificates of deposit) issued by domestic banks.
Certificates of deposit,
which are bank obligations that are issued against money deposited in a banking institution for a specified period of time at a specified interest rate.
Commercial paper,
which is a short-term obligation of a bank, corporation or other borrower with a maturity of up to 270 days. Commercial paper may also be asset-backed (that is, backed by a pool of assets representing the obligations of a number of different parties). At any time, the Fund may have a significant portion of its investments in asset-backed commercial paper.
Repurchase agreements,
which are agreements to buy a security and then to sell the security back after a short period of time (generally, less than seven days) at a higher price.
U.S. government securities,
which include marketable fixed, floating and variable rate securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies, or by various instrumentalities that have been established or sponsored by the U.S. government.
Portfolio maturity and quality
The Fund only buys securities that the investment manager determines present minimal credit risks. The Fund maintains a dollar-weighted average portfolio maturity of 60 days or less and maintains a dollar-weighted average life for its portfolio of 120 days or less, and only buys securities that:
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mature in 397 calendar days or less, if such security is rated in the highest rating category by the requisite rating agencies, as described in applicable regulation; or
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mature in 45 calendar days or less, if such security is rated in the second highest rating category by the requisite rating agencies, as described in applicable regulation.
Principal Risks
Mutual fund shares are not deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed or endorsed by, any bank, and are not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board, or any other agency of the U.S. government. Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund.
Unless the context otherwise requires, references to the Fund's investments below refer to those investments of the Portfolio to which the Fund is exposed and references to the investment manager refer to the Portfolio's investment manager.
Credit
An issuer of securities may be unable to make interest payments and repay principal. Failure of an issuer to make timely interest or principal payments, or a decline or perception of a decline in the credit quality of a security, can cause the securitys price to fall, potentially lowering the Funds share price. Although the Fund invests predominantly in high-quality debt securities, any of the Funds holdings could have its credit rating downgraded or could default. The credit quality of the securities held by the Fund can change rapidly in certain market environments, and the default of a single holding could have the potential to cause significant deterioration of the Funds net asset value.
Interest Rate
When interest rates rise, security prices fall. The opposite is also true: security prices rise when interest rates fall. In general, securities with longer maturities are more sensitive to these price changes. The Funds yield will vary. A sharp and unexpected rise in interest rates could cause the Funds share price to drop below a dollar. A low interest rate environment may prevent the Fund from providing a positive yield or paying Fund expenses out of current income and could impair the Funds ability to maintain a stable net asset value.
Liquidity
This is the risk that the Fund may make investments that may become less liquid in response to market developments or adverse investor perception. While the Fund endeavors to maintain a high level of liquidity in its portfolio, the liquidity of portfolio securities can deteriorate rapidly due to credit events affecting issuers or guarantors or due to general market conditions and a lack of willing buyers. When there is no willing buyer and investments cannot be readily sold at the desired time or price, the Fund may have to accept a lower price or may not be able to sell the instrument at all. An inability to sell one or more portfolio positions can adversely affect the Funds ability to maintain a $1.00 share price or prevent the Fund from being able to take advantage of other investment opportunities.
Liquidity risk may also refer to the risk that the Fund will not be able to pay redemption proceeds within a short period of time because of unusual market conditions, an unusually high volume of redemption requests or other reasons. If the Fund is forced to sell securities at an unfavorable time and/or under unfavorable conditions, such sales may adversely affect the Funds ability to maintain a $1.00 share price.
Income
Since the Fund can only distribute what it earns, the Funds distributions to shareholders may decline when interest rates fall. Because the Fund limits its investments to high-quality, short-term securities, its portfolio generally will earn lower yields than a portfolio with lower-quality, longer-term securities subject to more risk.
Banking Industry
Because the Fund will invest in the obligations of banks and other financial institutions, it may be vulnerable to setbacks in that industry. Banks and other financial institutions are highly dependent on short-term interest rates and can be adversely affected by downturns in the U.S. and foreign economies or changes in banking regulations.
U.S. Government Securities
Not all obligations of the U.S. Government, its agencies and instrumentalities are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. Some obligations are backed only by the credit of the issuing agency or instrumentality, and in some cases there may be some risk of default by the issuer. Any guarantee by the U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities of a security held by the Fund does not apply to the market value of such security or to shares of the Fund itself. A security backed by the U.S. Treasury or the full faith and credit of the United States is guaranteed only as to the timely payment of interest and principal when held to maturity.
Foreign Securities
Investing in foreign securities typically involves more risks than investing in U.S. securities, including risks related to country or government specific issues, less favorable trading practices or regulation and greater price volatility.
Repurchase Agreements
A repurchase agreement exposes the Fund to the risk that the party that sells the securities may default on its obligation to repurchase them.
Risk Associated with the Fund Holding Cash
Although the Fund seeks to be fully invested, it may at times hold some of its assets in cash, which may hurt the Fund's performance.
Master/Feeder Structure
The Fund seeks to achieve its investment goal by investing all of its assets in shares of the Portfolio. The Portfolio has the same investment goal and policies as the Fund. The Fund buys shares of the Portfolio at net asset value. An investment in the Fund is an indirect investment in the Portfolio. It is possible that the Fund may have to withdraw its investment in the Portfolio if the Portfolio changes its investment goal or if the Funds board of trustees, at any time, considers it to be in the Funds best interest.
Management
The Fund is subject to management risk because it is exposed to an actively managed investment portfolio. The Portfolio's investment manager applies investment techniques and risk analyses in making investment decisions for the Portfolio, but there can be no guarantee that these decisions will produce the desired results.
Possible Regulatory Changes
It is possible that the SEC or other agency will adopt regulations that change in very important respects the operation of money market funds, including the Fund. Any such regulatory changes could impact important characteristics of the Fund, including liquidity of an investment in the Fund and the Fund's ability to maintain a stable net asset value per share. These changes may result in reduced yields from money market funds, including the Fund.
Performance
The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows changes in the Fund's performance from year to year for shares of the Fund. The table shows the Fund's average annual returns for 1 year, 5 years, 10 years or since inception, as applicable. The Fund's past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. You can obtain updated performance information at franklintempleton.com or by calling (800) DIAL BEN/342-5236.
CLASS C ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
Best Quarter:
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Q3'07
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1.04%
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Worst Quarter:
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Q4'12
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0.00%
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As of September 30, 2013, the Fund's year-to-date return was 0.00%.
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AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
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For the periods ended December 31, 2012
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1 Year
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5 Years
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10 Years
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Franklin Templeton Money Fund - Class A
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0.00%
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0.48%
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1.20%
1
1
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Franklin Templeton Money Fund - Class C
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0.00%
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0.29%
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1.18%
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Franklin Templeton Money Fund - Class R
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0.00%
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0.31%
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1.24%
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To obtain the Funds current yield information, please call (800) DIAL BEN/342-5236.
1. Since inception December 15, 2006.
Historical performance for Class A shares prior to their inception is based on the performance of Class B shares. Class A performance has been adjusted to reflect differences in sales charges between classes.
Investment Manager
Franklin Advisers, Inc. (Advisers) (Portfolio's investment manager)
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
Shares of the Fund may not be purchased directly. You may redeem shares of the Fund on any business day online through our web site at franklintempleton.com, by mail (Franklin Templeton Investor Services, P.O. Box 33030, St. Petersburg, FL 33733-8030), or by telephone at (800) 632-2301. The minimum initial purchase for most accounts is $1,000 (or $50 under an automatic investment plan).
Taxes
The Fund's distributions are generally taxable to you as ordinary income, unless you are investing through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account, in which case your distributions would generally be taxed when withdrawn from the tax-deferred account.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and
Other Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your financial advisor or visit your financial intermediary's website for more information.
FUND DETAILS
Investment Goal
The Fund's investment goal is to provide investors with as high a level of current income as is consistent with the preservation of shareholders' capital and liquidity. The Fund also tries to maintain a stable $1.00 share price.
Principal Investment Policies and Practices
Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests, through The Money Market Portfolio (Portfolio), mainly in high-quality, short-term U.S. dollar denominated money market securities of domestic and foreign issuers.
Unless the context otherwise requires, references to the Fund's investments below refer to those investments of the Portfolio to which the Fund is exposed and references to the investment manager refer to the Portfolio's investment manager.
The Fund's investments include:
Bank obligations
and instruments secured by bank obligations, which include fixed, floating or variable rate certificates of deposit, letters of credit, time deposits, bank notes and bankers' acceptances. From time to time, the Fund may concentrate its investments in (that is, invest more than 25% of its assets in) bank obligations (such as certificates of deposit) issued by domestic banks. Investments in obligations of U.S. branches of foreign banks are considered domestic bank obligations if such branches have a federal or state charter to do business in the U.S. and are subject to U.S. regulatory authorities.
Certificates of deposit,
which are bank obligations that are issued against money deposited in a banking institution for a specified period of time at a specified interest rate.
Commercial paper
, which is a short-term obligation of a bank, corporation or other borrower with a maturity of up to 270 days. Commercial paper may also be asset-backed (that is, backed by a pool of assets representing the obligations of a number of different parties). At any time, the Fund may have a significant portion of its investments in asset-backed commercial paper.
Repurchase agreements
, which are agreements to buy a security and then to sell the security back after a short period of time (generally, less than seven days) at a higher price.
U.S. government securities
, which include marketable fixed, floating and variable rate securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies, or by various instrumentalities that have been established or sponsored by the U.S. government.
Portfolio maturity and quality
The Fund only buys securities that the investment manager determines present minimal credit risks. The Fund maintains a dollar-weighted average portfolio maturity of 60 days or less, and maintains a dollar-weighted average life for its portfolio of 120 days or less, and only buys securities that:
-
mature in 397 calendar days or less, if such security is rated in the highest rating category by the requisite rating agencies, as described in applicable regulation; or
-
mature in 45 calendar days or less, if such security is rated in the second highest rating category by the requisite rating agencies, as described in applicable regulation.
Principal Risks
Unless the context otherwise requires, references to the Fund's investments below refer to those investments of the Portfolio to which the Fund is exposed and references to the investment manager refer to the Portfolio's investment manager.
Credit
An issuer of securities may be unable to make interest payments and repay principal. Changes in an issuer's financial strength, the failure of an issuer to make timely interest or principal payments, or a decline or perception of a decline in the credit quality of a security, can cause the securitys price to fall, potentially lowering the Funds share price. Although the Fund invests predominantly in high-quality debt securities, any of the Funds holdings could have its credit rating downgraded or could default. The credit quality of the securities held by the Fund can change rapidly in certain market environments, and the default of a single holding could have the potential to cause significant deterioration of the Funds net asset value.
Interest Rate
Interest rate changes can be sudden and unpredictable. When interest rates rise, security prices fall. The opposite is also true: security prices rise when interest rates fall. In general, securities with longer maturities are more sensitive to these price changes. The longer the Fund's average weighted portfolio maturity, the greater the impact a change in interest rates will have on its share price. The Funds yield will vary; it is not fixed for a specific period like the yield on a bank certificate of deposit. A sharp and unexpected rise in interest rates could cause the Funds share price to drop below a dollar. However, the short maturities of the securities held in the Funds portfolio reduces their potential for price fluctuation. A low interest rate environment may prevent the Fund from providing a positive yield or paying Fund expenses out of current income and could impair the Funds ability to maintain a stable net asset value.
Liquidity
Liquidity risk exists when the market for particular securities or types of securities is or becomes relatively illiquid so that the Fund is unable or it becomes more difficult for the Fund to sell the security at the price at which the Fund has valued the security. Illiquidity may result from political, economic or issuer specific events or overall market disruptions. Securities with reduced liquidity or that become illiquid involve greater risk than securities with more liquid markets. While the Fund endeavors to maintain a high level of liquidity in its portfolio, the liquidity of portfolio securities can deteriorate rapidly due to credit events affecting issuers or guarantors or due to general market conditions and a lack of willing buyers. When there is no willing buyer and investments cannot be readily sold at the desired time or price, the Fund may have to accept a lower price or may not be able to sell the instrument at all. An inability to sell one or more portfolio positions can adversely affect the Funds ability to maintain a $1.00 share price or prevent the Fund from being able to take advantage of other investment opportunities.
Liquidity risk may also refer to the risk that the Fund will not be able to pay redemption proceeds within a short period of time because of unusual market conditions, an unusually high volume of redemption requests or other reasons. If the Fund is forced to sell securities at an unfavorable time and/or under unfavorable conditions, such sales may adversely affect the Funds ability to maintain a $1.00 share price.
Income
Because the Fund can only distribute what it earns, the Fund's distributions to shareholders may decline when prevailing interest rates fall or when the Fund experiences defaults on debt securities it holds. The Funds income generally declines during periods of falling interest rates because the Fund must reinvest the proceeds it receives from existing investments (upon their maturity, prepayment, amortization, call or buy-back) at a lower rate of interest or return. Because the Fund limits its investments to high-quality, short-term securities, its portfolio generally will earn lower yields than a portfolio with lower-quality, longer-term securities subject to more risk.
Banking Industry
Because the Fund will invest in the obligations of banks and other financial institutions, it may be vulnerable to setbacks in that industry. Banks and other financial institutions are highly dependent on short-term interest rates and can be adversely affected by downturns in the U.S. and foreign economies or changes in banking regulations.
U.S. Government Securities
Not all obligations of the U.S. Government, its agencies and instrumentalities are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. Some obligations are backed only by the credit of the issuing agency or instrumentality, and in some cases there may be some risk of default by the issuer. Any guarantee by the U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities of a security held by the Fund does not apply to the market value of such security or to shares of the Fund itself. A security backed by the U.S. Treasury or the full faith and credit of the United States is guaranteed only as to the timely payment of interest and principal when held to maturity.
Foreign Securities
Investing in foreign securities typically involves more risks than investing in U.S. securities, and includes risks associated with: political and economic developments - the political, economic and social structures of some foreign countries may be less stable and more volatile than those in the United States; trading practices - government supervision and regulation of foreign securities and currency markets, trading systems and brokers may be less than in the United States; availability of information - foreign issuers may not be subject to the same disclosure, accounting and financial reporting standards and practices as U.S. issuers; and limited markets - the securities of certain foreign issuers may be less liquid (harder to sell) and more volatile.
Repurchase Agreements
A repurchase agreement exposes the Fund to the risk that the party that sells the securities may default on its obligation to repurchase them.
Risk Associated With The Fund Holding Cash
Although the Fund seeks to be fully invested, it may at times hold some of its assets in cash, which may hurt the Fund's performance.
Master/Feeder Structure
The Fund seeks to achieve its investment goal by investing all of its assets in shares of the Portfolio. The Portfolio has the same investment goal and policies as the Fund. The Fund buys shares of the Portfolio at net asset value. An investment in the Fund is an indirect investment in the Portfolio.
It is possible that the Fund may have to withdraw its investment in the Portfolio if the Portfolio changes its investment goal or if the Fund's board of trustees, at any time, considers it to be in the Fund's best interest.
Management
The Fund is exposed to an actively managed investment portfolio and could experience losses if the Portfolio's investment manager's judgment about markets, interest rates or the attractiveness, relative values, liquidity, or potential appreciation of particular investments made for the Portfolio prove to be incorrect. There can be no guarantee that these techniques or the Portfolio's investment manager's investment decisions will produce the desired results. Additionally, legislative, regulatory, or tax developments may affect the investment techniques available to the Portfolio's investment manager in connection with managing the Portfolio and may also adversely affect the ability of the Fund to achieve its investment goal.
Possible Regulatory Changes
It is possible that the SEC or other agency will adopt regulations that change in very important respects the operation of money market funds, including the Fund. Any such regulatory changes could impact important characteristics of the Fund, including liquidity of an investment in the Fund and the Fund's ability to maintain a stable net asset value per share. These changes may result in reduced yields from money market funds, including the Fund.
More detailed information about the Fund, its policies and risks can be found in the Fund's Statement of Additional Information (SAI).
A description of the Fund's policies and procedures regarding the release of portfolio holdings information is also available in the Fund's SAI. Portfolio holdings information can be viewed online at franklintempleton.com.
Management
Franklin Advisers, Inc. (Advisers), One Franklin Parkway, San Mateo, CA 94403-1906, is the Portfolio's investment manager. Together, Advisers and its affiliates manage, as of September 30, 2013, over $844 billion in assets, and have been in the investment management business since 1947.
The Portfolio pays Advisers a fee for managing the Portfolio's assets. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2013, the Fund's share of the Portfolio's management fees was 0.15% of the Fund's average daily net assets. Under an agreement by the investment manager to limit its fee, the Fund paid 0.12% of its average daily net assets to the investment manager for its services.
In efforts to prevent a negative yield, the investment manager, Franklin Templeton Services, LLC (Fund administrator) and Fund distributor have voluntarily agreed to waive or limit their respective fees, assume as their own expense certain expenses otherwise payable by the Fund, and if necessary, make a capital infusion into the Fund. These waivers, expense reimbursements and capital infusions are voluntary and may be modified or discontinued by the investment manager, Fund administrator or Fund distributor at any time, and without further notice. There is no guarantee that the Fund will be able to avoid a negative yield. With these reductions, net Fund operating expenses for the fiscal year were as shown in the Financial Highlights.
A discussion regarding the basis for the approval of the investment management contract for the Portfolio is available in the Fund's annual report to shareholders for the fiscal year ended June 30.
Distributions and Taxes
Income and Capital Gain Distributions
As a regulated investment company, the Fund generally pays no federal income tax on the income and gains it distributes to you. The Fund intends to declare income dividends from its net investment income each day that its net asset value (NAV) is calculated. Your account begins to receive dividends on the day after the Fund receives your investment and continues to receive dividends through the day it receives a request to sell your shares. Capital gains, if any, may be paid at least annually. The Fund may distribute income dividends and capital gains more frequently, if necessary, in order to reduce or eliminate federal excise or income taxes on the Fund. The amount of any distribution will vary, and there is no guarantee the Fund will pay either income dividends or capital gain distributions. Your income dividends and capital gain distributions will be automatically reinvested in additional shares at NAV on the payable date, which has the effect of compounding of dividends, unless you elect to receive monthly payments in cash.
Annual statements.
After the close of each calendar year, you will receive tax information from the Fund with respect to the federal income tax treatment of the Funds distributions occurring during the prior calendar year. If the Fund finds it necessary to reclassify its distributions after you receive your tax information, the Fund will send you revised tax information. Distributions declared in December to shareholders of record in such month and paid in January are taxable as if they were paid in December. Additional tax information about the Funds distributions is available at franklintempleton.com.
Tax Considerations
If you are a taxable investor, Fund distributions are generally taxable to you as ordinary income. This is the case whether you reinvest your distributions in additional Fund shares or receive them in cash.
Dividend income.
Income dividends are generally subject to tax at ordinary rates. Because the Fund invests primarily in debt securities indirectly through its investment in the Portfolio, it is expected that none of the Fund's income dividends will be qualified dividends subject to reduced rates of taxation to individuals. A return-of-capital distribution is generally not taxable but will reduce the cost basis of your shares, and will result in a higher capital gain or a lower capital loss when you later sell your shares.
Capital gains.
Fund distributions of short-term capital gains are also subject to tax at ordinary rates. Because the Fund is a money market fund, it does not expect to realize and distribute any long-term capital gains on its investments.
Sales of Fund shares.
Because the Fund seeks to maintain a $1.00 per share NAV, sales of its shares will not generally result in a taxable capital gain or loss for federal or state income tax purposes.
Medicare tax.
For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012, an additional 3.8% Medicare tax will be imposed on certain net investment income (including ordinary dividends and capital gain distributions received from the Fund and net gains from redemptions or other taxable dispositions of Fund shares) of U.S. individuals, estates and trusts to the extent that such persons modified adjusted gross income (in the case of an individual) or adjusted gross income (in the case of an estate or trust) exceeds a threshold amount. Any liability for this additional Medicare tax will be reported on, and paid with, your federal income tax return.
Backup withholding.
If you do not provide the Fund your taxpayer identification number and certain required certifications you may be subject to federal backup withholding at 28% on any taxable Fund distributions. The Fund must also withhold if the IRS instructs it to do so.
State and local taxes.
Distributions of ordinary income and capital gains, if any, are generally subject to state and local taxes. Because the Fund invests in U.S. government securities indirectly by investing in the Portfolio, the Fund does not expect that any of its distributions will be exempt from state and local taxes.
Non-U.S. investors.
Non-U.S. investors may be subject to U.S. withholding tax at 30% or a lower treaty rate on Fund dividends of ordinary income. Non-U.S. investors may be subject to U.S. estate tax on the value of their shares. They are subject to special U.S. tax certification requirements to avoid backup withholding, claim any exemptions from withholding and claim any treaty benefits. Exemptions from U.S. withholding tax are provided for capital gain dividends paid by the Fund from long-term capital gains and, with respect to taxable years of the Fund that begin before January 1, 2014 (sunset date), interest-related dividends paid by the Fund from its qualified net interest income from U.S. sources and short-term capital gain dividends. If these exemptions for interest-related dividends and short-term capital gain dividends are not extended or made permanent, and thus sunset, such amounts will again be treated as ordinary income subject to U.S. withholding tax at 30% or a lower treaty rate. However, notwithstanding such exemptions from U.S. withholding tax at source, any such dividends and distributions of income and capital gains will be subject to backup withholding at a rate of 28% if you fail to properly certify that you are not a U.S. person.
Other reporting and withholding requirements.
Payments to a shareholder that is either a foreign financial institution (FFI) or a non-financial foreign entity (NFFE) within the meaning of the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) may be subject to a generally nonrefundable 30% withholding tax on: (a) income dividends paid by the Fund after June 30, 2014, and (b) certain capital gain distributions and the proceeds arising from the sale of Fund shares paid by the Fund after December 31, 2016. FATCA withholding tax generally can be avoided: (a) by an FFI, subject to any applicable intergovernmental agreement or other exemption, if it enters into a valid agreement with the IRS to, among other requirements, report required information about certain direct and indirect ownership of foreign financial accounts held by U.S. persons with the FFI and (b) by an NFFE, if it: (i) certifies that it has no substantial U.S. persons as owners or (ii) if it does have such owners, reports information relating to them. The Fund may disclose the information that it receives from its shareholders to the IRS, non-U.S. taxing authorities or other parties as necessary to comply with FATCA. Withholding also may be required if a foreign entity that is a shareholder of the Fund fails to provide the Fund with appropriate certifications or other documentation concerning its status under FATCA.
Other tax information.
This discussion of "Distributions and Taxes" is for general information only and is not tax advice. You should consult your own tax advisor regarding your particular circumstances, and about any federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences before making an investment in the Fund. Additional information about the tax consequences of investing in the Fund may be found in the SAI.
Financial Highlights
The Financial Highlights present the Fund's financial performance for the past five years or since its inception. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. The total returns represent the rate that an investor would have earned or lost on an investment in the Fund assuming reinvestment of dividends. This information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund's financial statements, are included in the annual report, which is available upon request.
CLASS A
|
|
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Year Ended June 30,
|
|
2013
|
2012
|
2011
|
2010
|
2009
|
Per share operating performance
(for a share outstanding throughout the year)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net asset value, beginning of year
|
$ 1.00
|
$ 1.00
|
$ 1.00
|
$ 1.00
|
$ 1.00
|
Income from investment operations net investment income
|
|
|
|
0.001
a
|
0.010
a
|
Less distributions from net investment income
|
|
|
|
-0.001
a
|
-0.010
a
|
Net asset value, end of year
|
$ 1.00
|
$ 1.00
|
$ 1.00
|
$ 1.00
|
$ 1.00
|
Total return
b
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
0.12%
c
|
1.00%
c
|
Ratios to average net assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses before waiver and payments by affiliates
d
|
0.71%
|
0.69%
|
0.70%
|
0.67%
|
0.68%
|
Expenses net of waiver and payments by affiliates
d
|
0.13%
|
0.13%
|
0.19%
|
0.18%
|
0.33%
|
Net investment income
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
0.10%
e
|
0.90%
e
|
Supplemental data
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets, end of year (000s)
|
$ 12,947
|
$ 14,005
|
$ 10,849
|
$ 9,941
|
$ 5,601
|
a. Net investment income and distributions from net investment income include payments by affiliates. The amount of net investment income and distributions from net investment income excluding payments by affiliates is less than $(0.001) per share and $0.009 per share for the years ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
b. Total return does not reflect sales commissions or contingent deferred sales charges, if applicable.
c. Total return includes the effect of payments by affiliates. Total return excluding the effect of payments by affiliates is less than (0.01)% and 0.93% for the years ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
d. The expense ratio includes the Funds share of the Portfolios allocated expenses.
e. The net investment income ratio includes the effect of payments by affiliates. The ratio excluding the effect of payments by affiliates is less than (0.01)% and 0.83% for the years ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
CLASS C
|
|
|
Year Ended June 30,
|
|
2013
|
2012
|
2011
|
2010
|
2009
|
Per share operating performance
(for a share outstanding throughout the year)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net asset value, beginning of year
|
$ 1.00
|
$ 1.00
|
$ 1.00
|
$ 1.00
|
$ 1.00
|
Income from investment operations net investment income (loss)
|
|
|
|
-
a,
b
|
0.004
b
|
Less distributions from net investment income
|
|
|
|
|
-0.004
|
Net asset value, end of year
|
$ 1.00
|
$ 1.00
|
$ 1.00
|
$ 1.00
|
$ 1.00
|
Total return
c
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
-%
d,
e
|
0.44%
e
|
Ratios to average net assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses before waiver and payments by affiliates
f
|
1.33%
|
1.31%
|
1.32%
|
1.29%
|
1.29%
|
Expenses net of waiver and payments by affiliates
f
|
0.13%
|
0.13%
|
0.19%
|
0.34%
|
0.89%
|
Net investment income (loss)
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
-%
d,
g
|
0.34%
g
|
Supplemental data
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets, end of year (000s)
|
$ 312,238
|
$ 229,615
|
$ 215,711
|
$ 227,702
|
$ 342,785
|
a. Amount rounds to less than $0.001 per share.
b. Net investment income includes payments by affiliates. The amount of net investment income including the effect of fee waivers and reimbursements but excluding payments by affiliates is $(0.001) per share and $0.003 per share for the years ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
c. Total return does not reflect sales commissions or contingent deferred sales charges, if applicable.
d. Rounds to less than 0.01%.
e. Total return includes the effect of payments by affiliates. Total return including the effect of fee waivers and reimbursements but excluding the effect of payments by affiliates is (0.12)% and 0.37% for the years ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
f. The expense ratio includes the Funds share of the Portfolios allocated expenses.
g. The net investment income ratio includes the effect of payments by affiliates. The ratio including the effect of fee waivers and reimbursements but excluding the effect of payments by affiliates is (0.12)% and 0.27% for the years ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
CLASS R
|
|
|
Year Ended June 30,
|
|
2013
|
2012
|
2011
|
2010
|
2009
|
Per share operating performance
(for a share outstanding throughout the year)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net asset value, beginning of year
|
$ 1.00
|
$ 1.00
|
$ 1.00
|
$ 1.00
|
$ 1.00
|
Income from investment operations net investment income (loss)
|
|
|
|
-
a,
b
|
0.005
b
|
Less distributions from net investment income
|
|
|
|
|
-0.005
|
Net asset value, end of year
|
$ 1.00
|
$ 1.00
|
$ 1.00
|
$ 1.00
|
$ 1.00
|
Total return
c
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
-%
d,
e
|
0.50%
e
|
Ratios to average net assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses before waiver and payments by affiliates
f
|
1.21%
|
1.19%
|
1.20%
|
1.17%
|
1.18%
|
Expenses net of waiver and payments by affiliates
f
|
0.13%
|
0.13%
|
0.19%
|
0.29%
|
0.83%
|
Net investment income (loss)
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
-%
d,
g
|
0.40%
g
|
Supplemental data
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets, end of year (000s)
|
$ 9,546
|
$ 9,139
|
$ 7,171
|
$ 8,137
|
$ 6,531
|
a. Amount rounds to less than $0.001 per share.
b. Net investment income includes payments by affiliates. The amount of net investment income including the effect of fee waivers and reimbursements but excluding payments by affiliates is $(0.001) per share and $0.004 per share for the years ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
c. Total return does not reflect sales commissions or contingent deferred sales charges, if applicable.
d. Rounds to less than 0.01%.
e. Total return includes the effect of payments by affiliates. Total return including the effect of fee waivers and reimbursements but excluding the effect of payments by affiliates is (0.07)% and 0.43% for the years ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
f. The expense ratio includes the Funds share of the Portfolios allocated expenses.
g. The net investment income ratio includes the effect of payments by affiliates. The ratio including the effect of fee waivers and reimbursements but excluding the effect of payments by affiliates is (0.07)% and 0.33% for the years ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
YOUR ACCOUNT
Buying Shares
MINIMUM INVESTMENTS
|
Initial
|
Regular accounts, UGMA/UTMA accounts, current and former full-time employees, officers, trustees and directors of Franklin Templeton entities, and their family members
|
$ 1,000
|
Employer Sponsored Retirement Plans, SIMPLE-IRAs, SEP-IRAs, SARSEPs or 403(b) plan accounts
|
no minimum
|
IRAs, IRA rollovers, Coverdell Education Savings Plans or Roth IRAs
|
$ 250
|
Broker-dealer sponsored wrap account programs
|
no minimum
|
Please note that you may only buy shares of a fund eligible for sale in your state or jurisdiction.
Franklin Templeton funds
include all of the U.S. registered mutual funds of Franklin Templeton Investments and the Franklin Mutual Recovery Fund. They do not include the funds in the Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust.
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees
Class C has a distribution plan that allows the Fund to pay distribution and other fees of up to 0.65% per year for the sale of Class C shares and for services provided to shareholders. Dealers may be eligible to receive up to 0.15% at time of initial purchase of the Class C shares that were exchanged for shares of the Fund and may be eligible to receive 0.65% starting in the 13th month. During the first 12 months, the full 12b-1 fee will be paid to Franklin Templeton Distributors, Inc.(Distributors) to partially offset commissions and the prepaid service fee paid at the time of purchase.
Class R has a distribution plan that allows the Fund to pay distribution and other fees of up to 0.50% per year for the sale of Class R shares and for services provided to shareholders.
Because these fees are paid out of the assets of each of these classes on an ongoing basis, over time these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges.
Buying Shares
|
Opening an account
|
Adding to an account
|
Through your investment representative
|
Contact your investment representative
|
Contact your investment representative
|
By Exchange
franklintempleton.com
|
Call Shareholder Services at (800) 632-2301, or send signed written instructions. You also may place an online exchange order.
(Please see Exchanging Shares for more information on exchanges.)
|
Call Shareholder Services at (800) 632-2301, or send signed written instructions. You also may place an online exchange order.
(Please see Exchanging Shares for more information on exchanges.)
|
Franklin Templeton Investor Services
P.O. Box 33030
St. Petersburg, FL 33733-8030
Call toll-free: (800) 632-2301
(Monday through Friday 5:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Pacific time)
or visit us online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,
at franklintempleton.com
Investor Services
Automated Telephone System
Our automated system offers around-the-clock access to information about your account or any Franklin Templeton fund. This service is available by dialing any of the following numbers from a touch-tone phone:
Shareholder Services
|
(800) 632-2301
|
Advisor Services
|
(800) 524-4040
|
Retirement Services
|
(800) 527-2020
|
Distribution Options
You may reinvest distributions you receive from the Fund in an existing account in the same share class* of the Fund or another Franklin Templeton fund. Initial sales charges and CDSCs will not apply to reinvested distributions. You also can have your distributions deposited in a bank account, or mailed by check. Deposits to a bank account may be made by electronic funds transfer.
* Class C shareholders may reinvest their distributions in Class A shares of any Franklin Templeton money fund.
If you received a distribution and chose to return it to purchase additional shares, you will not be charged an initial sales charge if you invest the distribution within 90 days of the distribution date.
Please indicate on your revision form the distribution option you have chosen, otherwise we will reinvest your distributions in the same share class of the Fund. If you choose not to reinvest your distributions, the Fund will distribute distributions paid during the month as directed on the last business day of each month.
Retirement Plans
Franklin Templeton Investments offers a variety of retirement plans for individuals and businesses. These plans require separate applications, may require special forms for redemptions, and their policies and procedures may be different than those described in this prospectus. For more information, including a free retirement plan brochure or application, please call Retirement Services at (800) 527-2020.
Telephone/Online Privileges
You will automatically receive telephone/online privileges when you open your account, allowing you to obtain or view your account information, and conduct a number of transactions by phone or online, including: sell or exchange shares of most funds; use electronic funds transfer to sell shares of most funds; change your address; and, add or change account services (including distribution options, systematic withdrawal plans).
To view your account information or request online transactions, you will first need to register for these services at the shareholder section of our website at franklintempleton.com. You will be asked to accept the terms of an online agreement(s) and establish a password for online services. If you are registered for online services, you may enroll online in Franklin Templetons electronic delivery program for your shareholder documents. This will allow you to receive electronic delivery (through our website) of most Franklin Templeton funds prospectuses, annual/semiannual reports to shareholders, and proxy statements, as well as your account(s) statements and trade confirmations, and discontinue receiving your paper copies through the U.S. mail. Using our shareholder website means you are consenting to sending and receiving personal financial information over the Internet, so you should be sure you are comfortable with the risks.
As long as we follow reasonable security procedures and act on instructions we reasonably believe are genuine, we will not be responsible for any losses that may occur from unauthorized requests. We will request passwords or other information, and also may record calls. To help safeguard your account, keep your password confidential, and verify the accuracy of your confirmation statements immediately after you receive them. Contact us immediately if you believe someone has obtained unauthorized access to your account or password. For transactions done over the Internet, we recommend the use of an Internet browser with 128-bit encryption. Certain methods of contacting us (such as by phone or by Internet) may be unavailable or delayed during periods of unusual market activity.
Of course, you can decline telephone sell or exchange privileges on your account application, or choose not to register for online privileges. If you have telephone/online privileges on your account and want to discontinue them, please contact us for instructions.
You may reinstate these privileges at any time in writing, including online registration with respect to online privileges.
Note:
We discourage you from including confidential or sensitive information in any Internet communication to us. If you do choose to send email (encrypted or not) to us over the Internet, you are accepting the associated risks of lack of confidentiality.
Systematic Withdrawal Plan
This plan allows you to automatically sell your shares and receive regular payments from your account. A CDSC may apply to withdrawals that exceed certain amounts. Certain terms and minimums apply. To sign up, visit us online at franklintempleton.com or complete the appropriate section of the revision form.
Franklin Templeton VIP Services
®
You may be eligible for Franklin Templeton VIP Services
®
if you are currently eligible for the $250,000 sales charge breakpoint based solely on shares registered directly with the Franklin Templeton funds' transfer agent and excluding shares held indirectly through brokerage accounts. Franklin Templeton VIP Services
®
shareholders enjoy enhanced service and transaction capabilities. Please contact Shareholder Services at (800) 632-2301 for additional information on this program.
Selling Shares
You can sell your shares at any time. Please keep in mind that a contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) may apply.
Selling Shares in Writing
Generally, requests to sell $100,000 or less can be made over the phone, online, or with a simple letter. Sometimes, however, to protect you and the Fund we will need written instructions signed by all registered owners, with a signature guarantee for each owner, if:
-
you are selling more than $100,000 worth of shares
-
you want your proceeds paid to someone who is not a registered owner
-
you want to send your proceeds somewhere other than the address of record, or preauthorized bank or brokerage firm account
We also may require a signature guarantee when we receive instructions from an agent, not the registered owners; you want to send your proceeds to a bank account that was added or changed on your account without a signature guarantee within the last 15 days; you want to send proceeds to your address that was changed without a signature guarantee within the last 15 days; or we believe it would protect the Fund against potential claims based on the instructions received.
The amount may be higher for members of Franklin Templeton VIP Services
®
. Please see Franklin Templeton VIP Services
®
above for more information regarding eligibility.
A
signature guarantee
helps protect your account against fraud. You can obtain a signature guarantee at most banks and securities dealers.
A notary public CANNOT provide a signature guarantee.
Selling Recently Purchased Shares
If you sell shares recently purchased, we may delay sending you the proceeds until your check, draft or wire/electronic funds transfer has cleared, which may take seven business days.
Redemption Proceeds
Your redemption check will be sent within seven days after we receive your request in proper form. We are not able to receive or pay out cash in the form of currency.
Retirement Plans
You may need to complete additional forms to sell shares in a Franklin Templeton Bank & Trust retirement plan. For participants under the age of 59 1/2, tax penalties may apply. Call Retirement Services at (800) 527-2020 for details.
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (CDSC)
For Class C shares, there is a 1% CDSC on any shares you sell within 12 months from the date of purchase of the shares that were exchanged for shares of the Fund.
The CDSC for Class C is based on the current value of the shares being sold or their net asset value when purchased, whichever is less. There is no CDSC on shares you acquire by reinvesting your dividends. To keep your CDSC as low as possible, each time you place a request to sell shares we will first sell any shares in your account that are not subject to a CDSC. If there are not enough of these to meet your request, we will sell the shares in the order they were purchased. We will use this same method if you exchange your shares into another Franklin Templeton fund (please see "Exchanging Shares").
CDSC Waivers.
The CDSC for each class may be waived for certain redemptions and distributions. If you would like information about available sales charge waivers, call your investment representative or call Shareholder Services at (800) 632-2301. A list of available sales charge waivers also may be found in the Statement of Additional Information (SAI).
The
holding period for the CDSC
begins on the day you buy your shares. Your shares will age one month on that same date the next month and each following month. For example, if you buy shares on the 18th of the month, they will age one month on the 18th day of the next month and each following month.
Selling Shares
To sell some or all of your shares
|
Through your investment representative
Contact your investment representative
By Mail
Send written instructions to Investor Services. Corporate, partnership or trust accounts may need to send additional documents.
Specify the Fund, the account number and the dollar value or number of shares you wish to sell. Be sure to include all necessary signatures and any additional documents, as well as signature guarantees if required.
A check will be mailed to the name(s) and address on the account, or otherwise according to your written instructions.
By Phone/Online
(800) 632-2301
franklintempleton.com
As long as your transaction is for $100,000 or less, and you have not changed your address by phone or online within the last 15 days, you can sell your shares by phone or online. The amount may be higher for members of Franklin Templeton VIP Services
®
. Please see Franklin Templeton VIP Services
®
above for more information regarding eligibility.
A check will be mailed to the name(s) and address on the account, or a pre-authorized secondary address. Written instructions, with a signature guarantee, are required to send the check to another address or to make it payable to another person.
|
By Electronic Funds Transfer (ACH)
You can call, write, or visit us online to have redemption proceeds sent to a bank account. See the policies at left for selling shares by mail, phone, or online.
Before requesting to have redemption proceeds sent to a bank account, please make sure we have your bank account information on file. If we do not have this information, you will need to send written instructions with your banks name and a voided check or savings account deposit slip. If there is a difference between the Fund account owner(s) and the bank account owner(s), you must provide written instructions signed by
all
Fund
and
bank account owners, and each individual must have his or her signature guaranteed. If the Fund account is registered to FTB&T as custodian/trustee for a retirement plan or education savings account, or as a custodial account for a minor (UGMA/UTMA) and there is at least one common owner on the Fund account and the bank account, signature guarantees are not required.
If the bank account was added or changed without a signature guarantee within the last 15 days, you may be required to provide written instructions signed by all fund account owners, with a signature guarantee for each fund account owner.
If we receive your request in proper form by 1:00 p.m. Pacific time, proceeds sent by ACH generally will be available within two to three business days.
By Exchange
Obtain a current prospectus for the fund you are considering. Prospectuses are available online at franklintempleton.com.
Call Shareholder Services at the number below or send signed written instructions. You also may place an exchange order online. See the policies at left for selling shares by mail, phone, or online.
|
Franklin Templeton Investor Services
P.O. Box 33030, St. Petersburg, FL 33733-8030
Call toll-free: (800) 632-2301
(Monday through Friday 5:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Pacific time)
or visit us online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at franklintempleton.com
Exchanging Shares
Exchange Privilege
You can exchange shares between most Franklin Templeton funds within the same class, generally without paying any additional sales charges.
If you exchange shares from the Fund to another Franklin Templeton fund, a sales charge may apply unless you acquired your Fund shares by exchange or through the reinvestment of dividends, or you otherwise qualify to buy shares without an initial sales charge.
Generally exchanges may only be made between identically registered accounts, unless you send written instructions with a signature guarantee. Any CDSC will continue to be calculated from the date of your initial investment and will not be charged at the time of the exchange. The purchase price for determining a CDSC on exchanged shares will be the price you paid for the original shares.
An
exchange
is really two transactions: a sale of one fund and the purchase of another. In general, the same policies that apply to purchases and sales also apply to exchanges, including minimum investment amounts (except exchanges of an entire account balance). Exchanges also generally have the same tax consequences as ordinary sales and purchases.
Rejected exchanges.
If the Fund rejects an exchange request involving the sale of Fund shares, the rejected exchange request will also mean rejection of the request to purchase shares of another fund with the proceeds of the sale. Of course, you may generally redeem shares of the Fund at any time.
Exchanges through financial intermediaries.
If you are investing indirectly in the Fund through a financial intermediary such as a broker-dealer, a bank, an insurance company separate account, an investment advisor, an administrator or trustee of an IRS-recognized tax-deferred savings plan such as a 401(k) retirement plan and a 529 college savings plan that maintains a master account (an Omnibus Account) with the Fund for trading on behalf of its customers, different exchange and/or transfer limit guidelines and restrictions may apply. The financial intermediary through whom you are investing may choose to adopt different trading restrictions designed to discourage short-term or excessive trading. Consult with your financial intermediary (or, in the case of a 401(k) retirement plan, your plan sponsor) to determine what trading restrictions, including exchange/transfer limitations, may be applicable to you.
Fund exchange privilege changes/waiver.
The Fund may terminate or modify (temporarily or permanently) this exchange privilege in the future. You will receive 60 days' notice of any material changes, unless otherwise provided by law.
Other funds' exchange privileges.
If there is a conflict between the exchange privileges of two funds involved in an exchange transaction, the stricter policy will apply to the transaction. Other Franklin Templeton funds may have different exchange restrictions. Check each fund's prospectus for details.
Frequent Trading Policy
The Fund's board of trustees has adopted the following policies and procedures with respect to frequent trading in Fund shares (Frequent Trading Policy).
The Fund does not intend to accommodate short-term or frequent purchases and redemptions of Fund shares that may be detrimental to the Fund. For example, this type of trading activity could interfere with the efficient management of the Fund's portfolio or materially increase the Fund's transaction costs, administrative costs or taxes.
Since the Fund may invest in securities that are, or may be, restricted, unlisted, traded infrequently, thinly traded, or relatively illiquid ("relatively illiquid securities"), it may be particularly vulnerable to arbitrage short term trading. Such arbitrage traders may seek to take advantage of a possible differential between the last available market prices for one or more of those relatively illiquid securities that are used to calculate the Funds NAV and the latest indications of market values for those securities. One of the objectives of the Funds fair value pricing procedures is to minimize the possibilities of this type of arbitrage (please see "Account Policies - Fair Valuation Individual Securities"); however, there can be no assurance that the Funds valuation procedures will be successful in eliminating it.
Through its transfer agent, the Fund performs ongoing monitoring of shareholder trading in shares of the Fund and other Franklin Templeton funds in order to try and identify shareholder trading patterns that suggest an ongoing short-term trading strategy. If shareholder trading patterns identified by the transfer agent through monitoring or from other information regarding the shareholders trading activity in non-Franklin Templeton funds leads the transfer agent to reasonably conclude that such trading may be detrimental to the Fund as described in this Frequent Trading Policy, the transfer agent, on behalf of the Fund, may temporarily or permanently bar future purchases into the Fund or, alternatively, may limit the amount, number or frequency of any future purchases and/or the method by which you may request future purchases and redemptions (including purchases and/or redemptions by an exchange or transfer between the Fund and any other mutual fund).
In considering an investors trading patterns, the Fund may consider, among other factors, the investors trading history both directly and, if known, through financial intermediaries, in the Fund, in other Franklin Templeton funds, in non-Franklin Templeton mutual funds, or in accounts under common control or ownership (see, for example, Buying and Selling Shares - Investment by asset allocators and large shareholders in the SAI). The transfer agent may also reject any purchase or redemption request, whether or not it represents part of any ongoing trading pattern, if the Fund's investment manager or transfer agent reasonably concludes that the amount of the requested transaction may disrupt or otherwise interfere with the efficient management of the Funds portfolio. In determining what actions should be taken, the Fund's transfer agent may consider a variety of factors, including the potential impact of such remedial actions on the Fund and its shareholders. If the Fund is a "fund of funds," the Fund's transfer agent may take into account the impact of the trading activity and of any proposed remedial action on both the Fund and the underlying funds in which the Fund invests.
Frequent trading through financial intermediaries.
You are an investor subject to this Frequent Trading Policy whether you are a direct shareholder of the Fund or you are investing indirectly in the Fund through a financial intermediary, such as a broker-dealer, bank, trust company, insurance company product such as an annuity contract, investment advisor, or an administrator or trustee of an IRS-recognized tax-deferred savings plan such as a 401(k) retirement plan and a 529 college savings plan.
Some financial intermediaries maintain master accounts with the Fund on behalf of their customers (omnibus accounts). The Fund has entered into information sharing agreements with these financial intermediaries, which permit the Fund to obtain, upon request, information about the trading activity of the intermediarys customers that invest in the Fund. If the Funds transfer agent identifies omnibus account level trading patterns that have the potential to be detrimental to the Fund, the transfer agent may, in its sole discretion, request from the financial intermediary information concerning the trading activity of its customers. Based upon its review of the information, if the transfer agent determines that the trading activity of any customer may be detrimental to the Fund, it may, in its sole discretion, request the financial intermediary to restrict or limit further trading in the Fund by that customer. There can be no assurance that the transfer agents monitoring of omnibus account level trading patterns will enable it to identify all short-term trading by a financial intermediarys customers.
Revocation of trades.
While the Fund reserves the right to reject any purchase order for any reason, the Fund may also revoke executed purchase orders that the transfer agent reasonably concludes in its sole discretion may have been contrary to the objectives of the Fund's Frequent Trading Policy.
Account Policies
Calculating Share Price
When you buy shares, you pay the NAV per share. When you sell shares, you receive the NAV minus any applicable contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC).
The Fund calculates its NAV per share normally as of 1:00 p.m. Pacific time, each day the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is open and, alternatively, if the NYSE is closed, or if the NYSE closes early because trading has been halted for the day (other than for a national holiday or weekend), on each day that the U.S. government securities markets are open and the investment manager determines that there is sufficient liquidity in those markets, by dividing its net assets by the number of shares outstanding. The Fund's assets are generally valued at their amortized cost. National holidays include New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President's Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Requests to buy and sell shares are processed at the NAV next calculated after we or an approved financial intermediary receive your request in proper form.
Accounts with Low Balances
If your account has been open for more than one year and its value falls below $500, we will mail you a notice asking you to bring the account back up to its applicable minimum investment amount. If you choose not to do so within 30 days, we will close your account and mail the proceeds to the address of record. You will not be charged a CDSC if your account is closed for this reason. This policy does not apply to: (1) certain broker-controlled accounts established through the National Securities Clearing Corporations Networking system; (2) Class A accounts established pursuant to a conversion from Class B; (3) tax-deferred retirement plan accounts; (4) active automatic investment plan accounts; (5) broker-dealer sponsored separately managed accounts (wrap accounts); (6) accounts held through a 529 college savings program; and (7) Coverdell Education Savings Plan accounts.
Statements, Reports and Prospectuses
You will receive monthly account statements that show all your account transactions during the month.
You also will receive the Fund's financial reports every six months as well as an annual updated prospectus. To reduce Fund expenses, we try to identify related shareholders in a household and send only one copy of the financial reports and prospectus. This process, called "householding," will continue indefinitely unless you instruct us otherwise. If you prefer not to have these documents householded, please call us at (800) 632-2301. At any time you may view current prospectuses and financial reports on our website.
If you choose, you may receive your statements, financial reports and prospectuses through electronic delivery (please see "Investor Services - Telephone/Online Privileges").
Investment Representative Account Access
If there is a dealer or other investment representative of record on your account, he or she will be able to obtain your account information, conduct transactions for your account, and also will receive copies of all notifications and statements and other information about your account directly from the Fund.
Street or Nominee Accounts
You may transfer your shares from the street or nominee name account of one dealer to another, as long as both dealers have an agreement with Distributors. We will process the transfer after we receive authorization in proper form from your delivering securities dealer.
Joint Accounts
Unless you specify a different registration, shares issued to two or more owners are registered as "joint tenants with rights of survivorship" (shown as "Jt Ten" on your account statement). To make any ownership changes to jointly owned shares, or to sever a joint tenancy in jointly owned shares, all owners must agree in writing.
Joint Account Risk with Telephone/Online Privileges
You will automatically receive telephone/online privileges when you open your account. If your account has more than one registered owner, telephone/online privileges allow the Fund to accept online registration for online services (including electronic delivery of shareholder documents) and transaction instructions online or by telephone from only one registered owner. This means that
any one registered owner on your account, acting alone and without the consent of any other registered owner
, may give the Fund instructions by telephone, online or in writing (subject to any limitations in telephone or online privileges) to:
-
Exchange shares from a jointly registered Fund account requiring all registered owner signatures into an identically registered money fund account that only requires one registered owners signature to redeem shares;
-
Redeem Fund shares and direct the redemption proceeds to a pre-established bank account that may or may not be owned by you and, if owned by you jointly with someone else, only requires one person to withdraw funds by check or otherwise; and
-
Purchase Fund shares by debiting a pre-established bank account that may be owned by you.
If you do NOT want another registered owner on your account to be able to issue these kinds of instructions to the Fund without your consent, you must instruct the Fund to deny/terminate online privileges and the ability to issue such instructions by telephone so that these types of instructions will only be accepted in writing signed by all account owners. This decision will apply to any other fund into which you may exchange your jointly owned Fund shares. Any later decision to permit these types of instructions by telephone and/or online will need to be given to the Fund in a written instruction signed by all registered owners.
Additional Policies
Please note that the Fund maintains additional policies and reserves certain rights, including:
-
The Fund may restrict, reject or cancel any purchase orders, including an exchange request.
-
The Fund may modify, suspend, or terminate telephone/online privileges at any time.
-
The Fund may make material changes to or discontinue the exchange privilege on 60 days' notice or as otherwise provided by law.
-
The Fund may stop offering shares completely or may offer shares only on a limited basis, for a period of time or permanently.
-
Normally, redemptions are processed by the next business day, but may take up to seven days to be processed if making immediate payment would adversely affect the Fund.
-
In unusual circumstances, we may temporarily suspend redemptions or postpone the payment of proceeds, as allowed by federal securities laws.
-
For redemptions over a certain amount, the Fund may pay redemption proceeds in securities or other assets rather than cash if the investment manager determines it is in the best interest of the Fund, consistent with applicable law.
-
You may only buy shares of a fund (including the purchase side of an exchange) eligible for sale in your state or jurisdiction.
-
To permit investors to obtain the current price, dealers are responsible for transmitting all orders to the Fund promptly.
Questions
If you have any questions about the Fund or your account, you can write to us at P.O. Box 33030, St. Petersburg, FL 33733-8030. You also can call us at one of the following numbers. For your protection and to help ensure we provide you with quality service, all calls may be monitored or recorded.
Department Name
|
Telephone Number
|
Hours (Pacific time,
Monday through Friday)
|
Shareholder Services
|
(800) 632-2301
|
5:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
|
Fund Information
|
(800) DIAL BEN
(800) 342-5236
|
5:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
|
Retirement Services
|
(800) 527-2020
|
5:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
|
Advisor Services
|
(800) 524-4040
|
5:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
|
Hearing Impaired Assistance
|
For hearing impaired assistance,
please contact us via a Relay Service.
|
Automated Telephone System
|
(800) 632-2301
(800) 524-4040
(800) 527-2020
|
(around-the-clock access)
|
FOR MORE INFORMATION
You can learn more about the Fund in the following documents:
Annual/Semiannual Report to Shareholders
Includes a discussion of recent market conditions and Fund strategies that significantly affected Fund performance during its last fiscal year, financial statements, detailed performance information, portfolio holdings and, in the annual report only, the independent registered public accounting firms report.
Statement of Additional Information (SAI)
Contains more information about the Fund, its investments and policies. It is incorporated by reference (is legally a part of this prospectus).
For a free copy of the current annual/semiannual report or the SAI, please contact your investment representative or call us at the number below. You also can view the current annual/semiannual report and the SAI online through franklintempleton.com.
You also can obtain information about the Fund by visiting the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC (phone (202) 551-8090) or the EDGAR Database on the SEC's Internet site at http://www.sec.gov. You can obtain copies of this information, after paying a duplicating fee, by writing to the SEC's Public Reference Section, Washington, DC 20549-1520 or by electronic request at the following email address: publicinfo@sec.gov.
|
One Franklin Parkway, San Mateo, CA 94403-1906
(800) DIAL BEN
®
/342-5236
franklintempleton.com
For hearing impaired assistance,
please contact us via a Relay Service.
|
|
|
|
Investment Company Act file #811-08962
|
|
© 2013 Franklin Templeton Investments. All rights reserved.
|
2229
|
511 P 11/13
|
Franklin Templeton Money Fund
Franklin Templeton Money Fund Trust
|
P.O. Box 33030, St. Petersburg, FL 33733-8030
(800) DIAL BEN
®
/342-5236
|
Class A
|
Class C
|
Class R
|
Pending
|
FRIXX
|
FMRXX
|
|
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
November 1, 2013
This Statement of Additional Information (SAI) is not a prospectus. It contains information in addition to the information in the Fund's prospectus. The Fund's prospectus, dated November 1, 2013, which we may amend from time to time, contains the basic information you should know before investing in the Fund. You should read this SAI together with the Fund's prospectus.
The audited financial statements and Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm in the Fund's Annual Report to shareholders, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2013, are incorporated by reference (are legally a part of this SAI).
For a free copy of the current prospectus or annual report, contact your investment representative or call (800) DIAL BEN/342-5236.
|
CONTENTS
Goal, Strategies and Risks
Officers and Trustees
Management and Other Services
Portfolio Transactions
Distributions and Taxes
Organization, Voting Rights and Principal Holders
Buying and Selling Shares
Pricing Shares
The Underwriter
Performance
Miscellaneous Information
Description of Ratings
|
Mutual funds, annuities, and other investment products:
-
are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board, or any other agency of the U.S. government;
-
are not deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed or endorsed by, any bank; and
-
are subject to investment risks, including the possible loss of principal.
511 SAI 11/13
|
Goal, Strategies and Risks
The following information provided with respect to the Fund is in addition to that included in the Funds prospectus.
In addition to the main types of investments and strategies undertaken by the Fund as described in the prospectus, the Fund also may invest in other types of securities and engage in and pursue other investment strategies, which are described in this SAI. Investments and investment strategies with respect to the Fund are discussed in greater detail in the section below entitled "
Glossary of Investments, Techniques, Strategies and Their Risks
."
Generally, the policies and restrictions discussed in this SAI and in the prospectus apply when the Fund makes an investment. In most cases, the Fund is not required to sell a security because circumstances change and the security no longer meets one or more of the Fund's policies or restrictions. If a percentage restriction or limitation is met at the time of investment, a later increase or decrease in the percentage due to a change in the value or liquidity of portfolio securities will not be considered a violation of the restriction or limitation, with the exception of the Fund's limitations on borrowing as described herein.
If a bankruptcy or other extraordinary event occurs concerning a particular investment the Fund owns, the Fund may receive stock, real estate or other investments that the Fund would not, or could not, buy. If this happens, the Fund intends to sell such investments as soon as practicable while trying to maximize the return to shareholders.
The Fund has adopted certain investment restrictions as fundamental and non-fundamental policies. A fundamental policy may only be changed if the change is approved by (i) more than 50% of the Fund's outstanding shares or (ii) 67% or more of the Fund's shares present at a shareholder meeting if more than 50% of the Fund's outstanding shares are represented at the meeting in person or by proxy, whichever is less. A non-fundamental policy may be changed without the approval of shareholders.
Fundamental Investment Policies
The Funds investment goal is to provide investors with as high a level of current income as is consistent with the preservation of shareholders capital and liquidity. The Fund also tries to maintain a stable $1.00 share price.
The Fund seeks to achieve its investment goal by investing all of its assets in shares of The Money Market Portfolio (Portfolio), a series of The Money Market Portfolios. The Portfolio has the same investment goal and substantially similar investment policies as the Fund, except, in all cases, the Fund may pursue its policies by investing in another registered investment company with the same investment goal and substantially similar policies and restrictions as the Fund. The investment goal of the Portfolio also is fundamental and may not be changed without shareholder approval.
The Fund and the Portfolio each may not:
1.
Borrow money, except to the extent permitted by the Investment Company Act of 1940 (1940 Act), or any rules, exemptions or interpretations thereunder that may be adopted, granted or issued by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
2.
Act as an underwriter except to the extent the Fund or the Portfolio may be deemed to be an underwriter when disposing of securities it owns or when selling its own shares.
3.
Make loans if, as a result, more than 33 1/3% of its total assets would be lent to other persons, including other investment companies to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act or any rules, exemptions or interpretations thereunder that may be adopted, granted or issued by the SEC. This limitation does not apply to (i) the lending of portfolio securities, (ii) the purchase of debt securities, other debt instruments, loan participations and/or engaging in direct corporate loans in accordance with its investment goals and policies, and (iii) repurchase agreements to the extent the entry into a repurchase agreement is deemed to be a loan.
4.
Purchase or sell real estate unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments and provided that this restriction does not prevent the Fund or the Portfolio from (i) purchasing or selling securities or instruments secured by real estate or interests therein, securities or instruments representing interests in real estate or securities or instruments of issuers that invest, deal or otherwise engage in transactions in real estate or interests therein, and (ii) making, purchasing or selling real estate mortgage loans.
5.
Purchase or sell physical commodities, unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments and provided that this restriction does not prevent the Fund or the Portfolio from (i) engaging in transactions involving currencies and futures contracts and options thereon or (ii) investing in securities or other instruments that are secured by physical commodities.
6.
Issue senior securities, except to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act or any rules, exemptions or interpretations thereunder that may be adopted, granted or issued by the SEC.
7.
Invest more than 25% of its net assets in securities of issuers in any one industry (other than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities or securities of other investment companies or certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances and other similar obligations of domestic banks).
8.
Purchase the securities of any one issuer (other than the U.S. government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities or securities of other investment companies, whether registered or excluded from registration under Section 3(c) of the 1940 Act) if immediately after such investment (i) more than 5% of the value of its total assets would be invested in such issuer or (ii) more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer would be owned by the Fund or the Portfolio, except that up to 25% of the value of its total assets may be invested without regard to such 5% and 10% limitations.
1
1. The Fund or the Portfolio will be considered to have satisfied this restriction if it is in compliance with Rule 2a-7(c)(4) and (c)(6) under the 1940 Act (or any successor rule thereto).
Non-Fundamental Investment Policies
1.
The Fund will invest in obligations or instruments issued by banks and savings institutions with assets of at least $1 billion.
2.
The Fund may not invest more than 10% of its assets in time deposits with more than seven days to maturity.
3.
The Fund may invest in an obligation issued by a branch of a bank only if the parent bank has assets of at least $5 billion, and may invest only up to 25% of its assets in obligations of foreign branches of U.S. or foreign banks. The Fund may invest more than 25% of its assets in certain domestic bank obligations, including U.S. branches of foreign banks.
4.
The Fund may not make any new investments while any outstanding loans exceed 5% of its total assets.
5.
The Fund may invest up to 10% of its assets in taxable municipal securities.
6.
The Fund only intends to buy stripped securities that are issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury or by an agency or instrumentality of the U.S. government.
7.
The Fund may not invest more than 5% of its total assets (measured at the time of acquisition) in illiquid securities, as defined under applicable regulation.
8.
The Fund may not invest more than 5% of its total assets in securities of companies, including predecessors, that have been in continuous operation for less than three years.
9.
The Fund also may be subject to investment limitations imposed by foreign jurisdictions in which the Fund sells its shares.
Glossary of Investments, Techniques, Strategies and Their Risks
Unless the context otherwise requires, references to the Fund's investments and risks below refer to those investments and risks of the Portfolio to which the Fund is exposed. In addition, references to the investment manager refer to the Portfolio's investment manager. Certain words or phrases may be used in descriptions of Fund investment policies and strategies to give investors a general sense of the Fund's levels of investment. They are broadly identified with, but not limited to, the following percentages of Fund total assets:
"small portion"
|
less than 10%
|
"portion"
|
10% to 25%
|
"significant"
|
25% to 50%
|
"substantial"
|
50% to 66%
|
"primary"
|
66% to 80%
|
"predominant"
|
80% or more
|
If the Fund intends to limit particular investments or strategies to no more than specific percentages of Fund assets, the prospectus or SAI will clearly identify such limitations. The percentages above are not limitations unless specifically stated as such in the Fund's prospectus or elsewhere in this SAI.
The Fund may invest in securities that are rated by various rating agencies such as Moody's Investors Service (Moody's) and Standard & Poor's Financial Services (S&P
®
), as well as securities that are unrated.
The following are requirements for money market fund investments, and securities and techniques used by the Fund:
Liquidity
The Fund may not invest more than 5% of its total assets (measured at the time of acquisition) in illiquid securities, as defined under applicable regulation.
The Fund is required to invest at least 10% of its total assets (measured at the time of acquisition) in daily liquid assets and at least 30% of its total assets (measured at the time of acquisition) in weekly liquid assets. Daily liquid assets are cash (including demand deposits), direct obligations of the U.S. Government and securities (including repurchase agreements) that will mature or are subject to a demand feature that is exercisable and payable within one business day. Weekly liquid assets are cash (including demand deposits), direct obligations of the U.S. Government, U.S. Government agency/instrumentality discount notes with remaining securities of 60 days or less, and securities (including repurchase agreements) that will mature or are subject to a demand feature that is exercisable and payable within five business days.
Maturity.
The Fund is required to maintain a dollar-weighted average portfolio maturity of no greater than 60 days and the Fund is required to maintain a dollar-weighted average life of no greater than 120 days. Weighted average life is portfolio maturity measured without reference to provisions that otherwise permit the maturity of certain adjustable rate securities to be deemed to be shortened to their interest rate reset dates.
Second tier.
The Fund limits its investment in second tier securities to no more than 3% of total assets (measured at the time of acquisition). Second tier securities, in general, are securities rated in the second highest rating category by nationally recognized statistical rating organization(s) or if unrated, determined by the investment manager to be of comparable quality. Also, the Fund limits its investment in second tier securities issued by any single issuer to 1/2 of 1% of total assets (measured at acquisition), and limits its acquisition of second tier securities to those with a remaining maturity of 45 calendar days or less.
Suspension of redemptions.
In the event that the Funds board of trustees, including a majority of trustees who are not interested persons of the Fund as defined in the 1940 Act, determines that the extent of the deviation between the Funds amortized cost per share and its current net asset value per share calculated using available market quotations (or an appropriate substitute that reflects current market conditions) may result in material dilution or other unfair results to the Funds investors or existing shareholders, and irrevocably has approved the liquidation of the Fund, the Funds board of trustees has the authority to suspend redemptions of Fund shares.
The following is a description of various types of securities, instruments and techniques that may be purchased and/or used by the Fund:
Asset-backed securities
Asset-backed securities represent interests in a pool of loans, leases or other receivables. The assets underlying asset-backed securities may include receivables on home equity loans, credit card loans, and automobile, mobile home and recreational vehicle loans and leases and other assets. Asset-backed securities are often backed by a pool of assets representing the obligations of a number of different parties and may have adjustable interest rates that reset at periodic intervals.
The credit quality of most asset-backed securities depends primarily on the credit quality of the underlying assets, how well the issuers of the securities are insulated from the credit risk of the originator or affiliated entities, and the amount of credit support (if any) provided to the securities. Credit support for asset-backed securities is intended to lessen the effect of failures by obligors (such as individual borrowers or leasers) on the underlying assets to make payments. Credit support generally falls into two categories: (i) liquidity protection; and (ii) protection against losses from the default by an obligor on the underlying assets.
Liquidity protection refers to advances, generally provided by the entity administering the pool of assets, intended to ensure that the receipt of payments due on the underlying pool is timely. Protection against losses from the default by an obligor can enhance the likelihood of payments of the obligations on at least some of the assets in the pool. Protection against losses from default may be provided through guarantees, insurance policies or letters of credit obtained by the issuer or sponsor from third parties. Alternatively, this protection may be provided through various means of structuring the transaction, or through a combination of these approaches.
Examples of credit support arising out of the structure of the transaction include "senior subordinated securities" (securities with one or more classes that are subordinate to the other classes with respect to the payment of principal and interest, with the result that defaults on the underlying assets should be borne first by the holders of the subordinated class), creation of "reserve funds" (where cash or investments, sometimes funded from a portion of the payments on the underlying assets, are held in reserve against future losses), and "over-collateralization" (where the scheduled payments on, or the principal amount of, the underlying assets exceeds that required to make payments on the securities and pay any servicing or other fees).
The degree of credit support provided is generally based on historical information about the level of credit risk associated with the underlying assets. Historical information may not adequately reflect present or future credit risk. Delinquencies or losses in excess of those anticipated could occur and could adversely affect the return on an investment in the securities. There is no guarantee that the type of credit support selected will be effective at reducing the illiquidity or losses to investors in the event of certain defaults. Where credit support is provided by a third party, the Fund will be exposed to the credit risk of that third party in addition to the credit risk of the issuer or sponsor of the asset-backed security and the underlying obligors.
Asset-backed securities also have risk due to a characteristic known as early amortization, or early payout, risk. Built into the structure of certain asset-backed securities are triggers for early payout, designed to protect investors from losses. These triggers are unique to each transaction and can include, among other things: a significant rise in defaults on the underlying loans, a sharp drop in the credit enhancement level, or the bankruptcy of the issuer or sponsor. Once early amortization begins, all incoming loan payments are used to pay investors as quickly as possible. Prepayment risk also arises when the underlying obligations may be satisfied or "prepaid" before due. Certain asset-backed securities backed by automobile receivables may be affected by such early prepayment of principal on the underlying vehicle sales contract. When amortization or prepayment occurs, the Fund may have to reinvest the proceeds at a rate of interest that is lower than the rate on the existing asset-backed security. In addition, the Fund may suffer a loss if it paid a premium for the asset-backed security as cash flows from the early amortization reduce the value of the premium paid.
Alternatively, if prepayments occur at a slower rate than the investment manager expected, or if payment on the underlying assets is delayed or defaulted upon, the Fund will experience extension risk.
The income received by the Fund on an asset-backed security generally fluctuates more than the income on fixed income debt securities. This is because asset-backed securities are usually structured as pass-through or pay-through securities (similar to mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations). Cash flow generated by payments on the underlying obligations in these structures is shared with the investor as it is received. The rate of payment on asset-backed securities generally depends on the rate of principal and interest payments received on the underlying assets. Payments on underlying assets will be affected by various economic and other factors that shape the market for those underlying assets. Therefore, the income on asset-backed securities will be difficult to predict, and actual yield to maturity will be more or less than the anticipated yield to maturity.
Asset-backed securities have certain risks that stem from the characteristics of the underlying assets. For example, asset-backed securities do not have the benefit of the same type of security interests in the underlying collateral that mortgage-backed securities have, and there may be a limited ability to enforce any security interests that exist. Credit enhancements provided to support asset-backed securities, if any, may be inadequate to protect investors in the event of default. For example, credit card receivables are generally unsecured and a number of state and federal consumer credit laws give debtors the right to set off certain amounts owed on the credit cards, thereby reducing the outstanding balance, which can negatively affect the yield and/or value of related asset-backed securities. Issuers of asset-backed securities for which automobile receivables are the underlying assets may be prevented from realizing the full amount due on an automobile sales contract because of state law requirements and restrictions relating to sales of vehicles following their repossession and the obtaining of deficiency judgments following such sales or because of depreciation, damage or loss of a vehicle, the application of bankruptcy and insolvency laws, or other factors. The absence of, or difficulty enforcing, such security interests in the underlying assets will result in additional expenses, delays and losses to the Fund. The Fund's exposure to the credit risk of the credit support provider will also be greater if recourse is limited to the credit support provider in the event of widespread defaults on the underlying obligations.
Bank obligations
The Fund may invest in obligations of U.S. banks, foreign branches of U.S. or foreign banks, and U.S. branches of foreign banks. Bank obligations include fixed, floating or variable rate certificates of deposit (CDs), letters of credit, time and savings deposits, bank notes and bankers' acceptances. CDs are negotiable certificates issued against funds deposited in a commercial bank for a definite period of time and earning a specified return. Time deposits are non-negotiable deposits that are held in a banking institution for a specified period of time at a stated interest rate. Savings deposits are deposits that do not have a specified maturity and may be withdrawn by the depositor at any time. Bankers' acceptances are negotiable drafts or bills of exchange normally drawn by an importer or exporter to pay for specific merchandise. When a bank "accepts" a bankers' acceptance, the bank, in effect, unconditionally agrees to pay the face value of the instrument upon maturity. The full amount of the Fund's investment in time and savings deposits or CDs may not be guaranteed against losses resulting from the default of the commercial or savings bank or other institution insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
Bank obligations are exempt from registration with the SEC if issued by U.S. banks or foreign branches of U.S. banks. As a result, the Fund will not receive the same investor protections when investing in bank obligations as opposed to registered securities. Bank notes and other unsecured bank obligations are not guaranteed by the FDIC, so the Fund will be exposed to the credit risk of the bank or institution. In the event of liquidation, bank notes and unsecured bank obligations generally rank behind time deposits, savings deposits and CDs, resulting in a greater potential for losses to the Fund.
The Funds investments in bank obligations may be negatively impacted if adverse economic conditions prevail in the banking industry (such as substantial losses on loans, increases in non-performing assets and charge-offs and declines in total deposits). The activities of U.S. banks and most foreign banks are subject to comprehensive regulations which, in the case of U.S. regulations, have undergone substantial changes in the past decade. The enactment of new legislation or regulations, as well as changes in interpretation and enforcement of current laws, may affect the manner of operations and profitability of domestic and foreign banks. Significant developments in the U.S. banking industry have included increased competition from other types of financial institutions, increased acquisition activity and geographic expansion. Banks may be particularly susceptible to certain economic factors, such as interest rate changes and adverse developments in the market for real estate. Fiscal and monetary policy and general economic cycles can affect the availability and cost of funds, loan demand and asset quality and thereby impact the earnings and financial conditions of banks.
Commercial paper
The Fund may invest in commercial paper of domestic or foreign issuers. Commercial paper represents short-term unsecured promissory notes issued in bearer form by banks or bank holding companies, corporations and finance companies. Commercial paper may be issued as an asset-backed security (that is, backed by a pool of assets representing the obligations of a number of different issuers), in which case certain of the risks discussed in Asset-backed securities apply.
Variable master demand notes
are a type of commercial paper. They are direct arrangements between a lender and a borrower that allow daily changes to the amount borrowed and to the interest rate. The Fund, as lender, may increase or decrease the amount provided by the note agreement, and the borrower may repay up to the full amount of the note without penalty. Typically, the borrower may also set the interest rate daily, usually at a rate that is the same or similar to the interest rate on other commercial paper issued by the borrower. The Fund does not have any limit on the amount of its assets that may be invested in variable master demand notes and may invest only in variable master demand notes of U.S. issuers.
Because variable master demand notes are direct lending arrangements between the lender and the borrower, they generally are not traded and do not have a secondary market. They are, however, redeemable at face value plus accrued interest at any time, although the Funds ability to redeem a note is dependent on the ability of the borrower to pay the principal and interest on demand. When determining whether to invest in a variable master demand note, the investment manager considers, among other things, the earnings power, cash flow and other liquidity ratios of the issuer.
Debt securities - general description
In general, a debt security represents a loan of money to the issuer by the purchaser of the security. A debt security typically has a fixed payment schedule that obligates the issuer to pay interest to the lender and to return the lender's money over a certain time period. A company typically meets its payment obligations associated with its outstanding debt securities before it declares and pays any dividend to holders of its equity securities. Bonds, notes and commercial paper are examples of debt securities and differ in the length of the issuer's principal repayment schedule, with bonds carrying the longest repayment schedule and commercial paper the shortest:
Bonds.
A bond is a debt security in which investors lend money to an entity that borrows for a defined period of time, usually a period of more than five years, at a specified interest rate.
Commercial paper.
Commercial paper is an unsecured, short-term loan to a corporation, typically for financing accounts receivable and inventory with maturities of up to 270 days.
Debentures.
A debenture is an unsecured debt security backed only by the creditworthiness of the borrower, not by collateral.
Bills.
A bill is a short-term debt instrument, usually with a maturity of two years or less.
Notes.
A note is a debt security usually with a maturity of up to ten years.
For purposes of the discussion in this SAI of the risks of investing in debt securities generally, loans or other short-term instruments, which otherwise may not technically be considered securities, are included.
Debt securities are all generally subject to interest rate, credit, income and prepayment risks and, like all investments, are subject to liquidity and market risks to varying degrees depending upon the specific terms and type of security. The Fund's investment manager attempts to reduce credit and market risk through diversification of the Fund's portfolio and ongoing credit analysis of each issuer, as well as by monitoring economic developments, but there can be no assurance that it will be successful at doing so.
Foreign securities
There are substantial risks associated with investing in the securities of governments and companies located in, or having substantial operations in, foreign countries, which are in addition to the usual risks inherent in domestic investments. The value of foreign securities (like U.S. securities) is affected by general economic conditions and individual issuer and industry earnings prospects. Investments in depositary receipts also involve some or all of the risks described below.
There is the possibility of cessation of trading on foreign exchanges, expropriation, nationalization of assets, confiscatory or punitive taxation, withholding and other foreign taxes on income or other amounts, foreign exchange controls (which may include suspension of the ability to transfer currency from a given country), restrictions on removal of assets, political or social instability, military action or unrest, or diplomatic developments that could affect investments in securities of issuers in foreign nations. There is no assurance that the investment manager will be able to anticipate these potential events.
There may be less publicly available information about foreign issuers comparable to the reports and ratings published about issuers in the U.S. Foreign issuers generally are not subject to uniform accounting or financial reporting standards. Auditing practices and requirements may not be comparable to those applicable to U.S. issuers. Certain countries' legal institutions, financial markets and services are less developed than those in the U.S. or other major economies. The Fund may have greater difficulty voting proxies, exercising debt-holder rights, securing interest payments and obtaining information regarding corporate actions on a timely basis, pursuing legal remedies, and obtaining judgment with respect to foreign investments in foreign courts than with respect to domestic issuers in U.S. courts. The costs associated with foreign investments, including withholding taxes, brokerage commissions, and custodial costs, are generally higher than with U.S. investments.
Certain countries require governmental approval prior to investments by foreign persons, or limit the amount of investment by foreign persons in a particular company. Some countries limit the investment of foreign persons to only a specific class of securities of an issuer that may have less advantageous terms than securities of the issuer available for purchase by nationals. Although securities subject to such restrictions may be marketable abroad, they may be less liquid than foreign securities of the same class that are not subject to such restrictions. In some countries the repatriation of investment income, capital and proceeds of sales by foreign investors may require governmental registration and/or approval. The Fund could be adversely affected by delays in or a refusal to grant any required governmental registration or approval for repatriation.
Illiquid securities
Generally, an "illiquid security" is any security that cannot be disposed of within seven days at approximately the amount at which the Fund has valued the instrument. Illiquid securities generally include securities for which no market exists or which are legally restricted as to their transfer (such as those issued pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the federal securities laws). Restricted securities are generally sold in privately negotiated transactions, pursuant to an exemption from registration under the 1933 Act. If registration of a security previously acquired in a private transaction is required, the Fund, as the holder of the security, may be obligated to pay all or part of the registration expense and a considerable period may elapse between the time it decides to seek registration and the time it will be permitted to sell a security under an effective registration statement. If, during such a period, adverse market conditions were to develop, the Fund might obtain a less favorable price than prevailed when it decided to seek registration of the security. To the extent the investment manager determines there is a liquid institutional or other market for restricted securities, the Fund considers them to be liquid securities. An example is a restricted security that may be freely transferred among qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the 1933 Act, and for which a liquid institutional market has developed. Rule 144A securities may be subject, however, to a greater possibility of becoming illiquid than securities that have been registered with the SEC.
The Fund's board will review on a periodic basis any determination by the investment manager to treat a restricted security as liquid. In determining whether a restricted security is properly considered a liquid security, the investment manager takes into account the following factors: (i) the frequency of trades and quotes for the security; (ii) the number of dealers willing to buy or sell the security and the number of other potential buyers; (iii) any dealer undertakings to make a market in the security; and (iv) the nature of the security and of the marketplace trades (e.g., any demand, put or tender features, the method of soliciting offers, the mechanics and other requirements for transfer, and the ability to assign or offset the rights and obligations of the security). The nature of the security and its trading includes the time needed to sell the security, the method of soliciting offers to purchase or sell the security, and the mechanics of transferring the security including the role of parties such as foreign or U.S. custodians, subcustodians, currency exchange brokers, and depositories.
The sale of illiquid securities often requires more time and results in higher brokerage charges or dealer discounts and other selling expenses than the sale of securities eligible for trading on national securities exchanges or in the over-the-counter (OTC) markets. Illiquid securities often sell at a price lower than similar securities that are not subject to restrictions on resale.
The risk to the Fund in holding illiquid securities is that they may be more difficult to sell if the Fund wants to dispose of the security in response to adverse developments or in order to raise money for redemptions or other investment opportunities. Illiquid trading conditions may also make it more difficult for the Fund to realize a security's fair value.
The Fund may also be unable to achieve its desired level of exposure to a certain security, issuer, or sector due to overall limitations on its ability to invest in illiquid securities and the difficulty in purchasing such securities.
Master/feeder structure
The Fund seeks to achieve its investment goal by investing all of its assets in shares of the Portfolio.
The Funds structure, where it invests all of its assets in the Portfolio, is sometimes known as a master/feeder structure. References to the Funds investments are references to the Portfolios investments where the context requires. By investing all of its assets in shares of the Portfolio, the Fund, other mutual funds and institutional investors can pool their assets. This may result in asset growth and lower expenses, although there is no guarantee this will happen.
If the Fund, as a shareholder of the Portfolio, has to vote on a matter relating to the Portfolio, it will hold a meeting of Fund shareholders and will cast its votes in the same proportion as the Funds shareholders voted.
There are some risks associated with the Funds master/feeder structure. If other shareholders in the Portfolio sell their shares, the Funds expenses may increase. Additionally, any economies of scale the Fund has achieved as a result of the structure may be diminished. Institutional investors in the Portfolio that have a greater pro rata ownership interest in the Portfolio than the Fund could also have effective voting control.
If the Portfolio changes its investment goal or any of its fundamental policies and Fund shareholders do not approve the same change for the Fund, the Fund may need to withdraw its investment from the Portfolio. Likewise, if the board of trustees considers it to be in the Funds best interest, it may withdraw the Funds investment from the Portfolio at any time. If either situation occurs, the board of trustees will decide what action to take. Possible solutions might include investing all of the Funds assets in another pooled investment entity with the same investment goal and policies as the Fund, or hiring an investment manager to manage the Funds investments. Either circumstance could increase the Funds expenses.
Investment grade debt securities
Debt securities that are rated Baa or higher by Moody's, BBB or higher by S&P, or unrated securities deemed by the Fund's investment manager to be of comparable quality, are considered to be "investment grade." Generally, a higher rating indicates the rating agency's opinion that there is less risk of default of obligations thereunder including timely repayment of principal and payment of interest. Debt securities in the lowest investment grade category may have speculative characteristics and more closely resemble high-yield debt securities than investment-grade debt securities. Lower-rated securities may be subject to all the risks applicable to high-yield debt securities and changes in economic conditions or other circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to make principal and interest payments than is the case with higher grade debt securities.
A number of risks associated with rating organizations apply to the purchase or sale of investment grade debt securities.
Municipal securities
Municipal securities are issued by U.S. state and local governments and their agencies instrumentalities, authorities and political subdivisions, as well as by the District of Columbia and U.S. territories and possessions. The issuer pays a fixed, floating or variable rate of interest, and must repay the amount borrowed (the "principal") at maturity. Municipal securities are issued to raise money for a variety of public or private purposes, including financing state or local government, specific projects or public facilities.
Municipal securities generally are classified as general or revenue obligations. General obligations are secured by the issuer's pledge of its full faith, credit and taxing power for the payment of principal and interest. Revenue obligations are debt securities payable only from the revenues derived from a particular facility or class of facilities, or a specific excise tax or other revenue source. As a result, an investment in revenue obligations is subject to greater risk of delay or non-payment if revenue does not accrue as expected or if other conditions are not met for reasons outside the control of the Fund. Conversely, if revenue accrues more quickly than anticipated, the Fund may receive payment before expected and have difficulty re-investing the proceeds on equally favorable terms.
The value of the municipal securities may be highly sensitive to events affecting the fiscal stability of the municipalities, agencies, authorities and other instrumentalities that issue securities. In particular, economic, legislative, regulatory or political developments affecting the ability of the issuers to pay interest or repay principal may significantly affect the value of the Fund's investments. These developments can include or arise from, for example, insolvency of an issuer, uncertainties related to the tax status of municipal securities, tax base erosion, state or federal constitutional limits on tax increases or other actions, budget deficits and other financial difficulties, or changes in the credit ratings assigned to municipal issuers. There will be a limited market for certain municipal securities, and the Fund could face illiquidity risks.
Repurchase agreements
Under a repurchase agreement, the Fund agrees to buy securities guaranteed as to payment of principal and interest by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities from a qualified bank or broker-dealer and then to sell the securities back to the bank or broker-dealer on an agreed upon date (generally less than seven days) at a higher price, which reflects currently prevailing short-term interest rates. Entering into repurchase agreements allows the Fund to earn a return on cash in the Fund's portfolio that would otherwise remain un-invested. The bank or broker-dealer must transfer to the Fund's custodian, as collateral, securities with an initial market value of at least 102% of the dollar amount paid by the Fund to the counterparty. The investment manager will monitor the value of such collateral daily to determine that the value of the collateral equals or exceeds the repurchase price.
Repurchase agreements may involve risks in the event of default or insolvency of the bank or broker-dealer, including possible delays or restrictions upon the Fund's ability to sell the underlying securities and additional expenses in seeking to enforce the Fund's rights and recover any losses. The Fund will enter into repurchase agreements only with parties who meet certain creditworthiness standards, i.e., banks or broker-dealers that the investment manager has determined, based on the information available at the time, present no serious risk of becoming involved in bankruptcy proceedings within the time frame contemplated by the repurchase agreement. Although the Fund seeks to limit the credit risk under a repurchase agreement by carefully selecting counterparties and accepting only high quality collateral, some credit risk remains. The counterparty could default which may make it necessary for the Fund to incur expenses to liquidate the collateral. In addition, the collateral may decline in value before it can be liquidated by the Fund.
A repurchase agreement with more than seven days to maturity is considered an illiquid security and is subject to the Fund's investment restriction on illiquid securities.
Securities lending
To generate additional income, the Fund may lend certain of its portfolio securities to qualified banks and broker-dealers (referred to as "borrowers"). In exchange, the Fund receives cash collateral from a borrower at least equal to the value of the security loaned by the Fund. Cash collateral typically consists of any combination of cash, securities issued by the U.S. government and its agencies and instrumentalities, and irrevocable letters of credit. The Fund may invest this cash collateral while the loan is outstanding and generally retains part or all of the interest earned on the cash collateral. Securities lending allows the Fund to retain ownership of the securities loaned and, at the same time, earn additional income.
For each loan, the borrower usually must maintain with the Fund's custodian collateral with an initial market value at least equal to 102% of the market value of the domestic securities loaned (or 105% of the market value of foreign securities loaned), including any accrued interest thereon. Such collateral will be marked-to-market daily, and if the coverage falls below 100%, the borrower will be required to deliver additional collateral equal to at least 102% of the market value of the domestic securities loaned (or 105% of the foreign securities loaned).
The Fund retains all or a portion of the interest received on investment of the cash collateral or receives a fee from the borrower. The Fund also continues to receive any distributions paid on the loaned securities. The Fund seeks to maintain the ability to obtain the right to vote or consent on proxy proposals involving material events affecting securities loaned. The Fund may terminate a loan at any time and obtain the return of the securities loaned within the normal settlement period for the security involved.
If the borrower defaults on its obligation to return the securities loaned because of insolvency or other reasons, the Fund could experience delays and costs in recovering the securities loaned or in gaining access to the collateral. These delays and costs could be greater for foreign securities. If the Fund is not able to recover the securities loaned, the Fund may sell the collateral and purchase a replacement investment in the market. Additional transaction costs would result, and the value of the collateral could decrease below the value of the replacement investment by the time the replacement investment is purchased. Until the replacement can be purchased, the Fund will not have the desired level of exposure to the security which the borrower failed to return. Cash received as collateral through loan transactions may be invested in other eligible securities, including shares of a money market fund. Investing this cash subjects the Fund to greater market risk including losses on the collateral and, should the Fund need to look to the collateral in the event of the borrower's default, losses on the loan secured by that collateral.
The Fund will loan its securities only to parties who meet creditworthiness standards approved by the Fund's board (i.e., banks or broker-dealers that the investment manager has determined are not apparently at risk of becoming involved in bankruptcy proceedings within the time frame contemplated by the loan). In addition, pursuant to the 1940 Act and SEC interpretations thereof, the aggregate market value of securities that may be loaned by the Fund is limited to 33 1/3% of the Fund's total assets or such lower limit as set by the Fund or its board.
Stripped securities
Stripped securities are debt securities that have been transformed from a principal amount with periodic interest coupons into a series of zero coupon bonds, each with a different maturity date corresponding to one of the payment dates for interest coupon payments or the redemption date for the principal amount. Stripped securities are subject to all the risks applicable to zero coupon bonds as well as certain additional risks.
Like zero coupon bonds, stripped securities do not provide for periodic payments of interest prior to maturity. Rather they are offered at a discount from their face amount that will be paid at maturity. This results in the security being subject to greater fluctuations in response to changing interest rates than interest-paying securities of similar maturities. Federal income taxes generally accrue on stripped securities each year although no cash income is received until maturity, and the Fund may be required to sell portfolio securities that it would otherwise continue to hold in order to obtain sufficient cash to make distributions to shareholders required for U.S. tax purposes.
The riskiness of an investment in stripped securities depends on the type involved. Some stripped securities are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. Others receive an implied backing by the U.S. government as a sponsor or partner in the agency or entity issuing the stripped security. A few are secured with a guarantee from the financial institution or broker or dealer through which the stripped security is held. Others are supported only by the collateral, revenue stream or third party guarantee securing the underlying debt obligation from which zero coupon bonds were stripped. Stripped securities include: U.S. Treasury STRIPS, Stripped Government Securities, Stripped Obligations of the Financing Corporation (FICO STRIPS), Stripped Corporate Securities, and Stripped Eurodollar Obligations.
Stripped government securities
are issued by the U.S. federal, state and local governments and their agencies and instrumentalities, and by "mixed-ownership government corporations." Stripped government securities vary widely in the terms, conditions and relative assurances of payment. The type of debt obligation from which the stripped government security was taken will indicate many of the risks associated with that investment. U.S. Treasury STRIPS and FICO Strips are types of stripped government securities.
U.S. Treasury STRIPS (Separate Trading of Registered Interest and Principal of Securities)
are considered U.S. Treasury securities for purposes of the Fund's investment policies and are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. Their risks are similar to those of other U.S. government securities, although their price may be more volatile. The U.S. Treasury has facilitated transfers of ownership of zero coupon securities by accounting separately for the beneficial ownership of particular interest coupon and principal payments on Treasury securities through the Federal Reserve book-entry record-keeping system.
FICO STRIPS
represent interests in securities issued by the Financing Corporation (FICO). FICO was established to enable recapitalization of the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation (FSLIC) in the 1980's. FICO STRIPS are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government but are generally treated as U.S. government agency securities. The market for FICO STRIPS is substantially smaller and, therefore, less liquid and more volatile than the market for U.S. Treasury STRIPS. A higher yield is typically offered on FICO STRIPS to compensate investors for the greater illiquidity and additional risk that the U.S. government will not meet obligations on the FICO STRIPS if FICO defaults.
U.S. government securities
U.S. government securities include obligations of, or guaranteed by, the U.S. federal government, its agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises. Some U.S. government securities are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. These include U.S. Treasury obligations and securities issued by the Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA). A second category of U.S. government securities are those supported by the right of the agency, instrumentality or sponsored enterprise to borrow from the U.S. government to meet its obligations. These include securities issued by Federal Home Loan Banks.
A third category of U.S. government securities are those supported by only the credit of the issuing agency, instrumentality or sponsored enterprise. These include securities issued by the Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC). In the event of a default, an investor like the Fund would only have legal recourse to the issuer, not the U.S. government. Although the U.S. government has provided support for these securities in the past, there can be no assurance that it will do so in the future. The U.S. government has also made available additional guarantees for limited periods to stabilize or restore a market in the wake of an economic, political or natural crisis. Such guarantees, and the economic opportunities they present, are likely to be temporary and cannot be relied upon by the Fund. Any downgrade of the credit rating of the securities issued by the U.S. government may result in a downgrade of securities issued by its agencies or instrumentalities, including government-sponsored entities.
When-issued and delayed-delivery transactions
When-issued and delayed delivery transactions are arrangements under which the Fund buys securities that have been authorized but not yet issued, with payment for and delivery of the security scheduled for a future time. To the extent the Fund engages in these transactions, it will do so only for the purpose of acquiring portfolio securities consistent with its investment goals and policies. Although the Fund will generally buy securities on a when-issued basis with the intention of holding the securities, the Fund may sell the securities before the settlement date if the investment manager believes it is advisable to do so.
Entering into a when-issued or delayed delivery transaction is a form of leverage and will result in associated risks for the Fund. To mitigate these risks, when the Fund enters into in this type of transaction, it will segregate assets.
The Fund also relies on the seller to complete the transaction. The seller's failure to do so may cause the Fund to miss a price or yield considered advantageous to the Fund. Securities purchased on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis do not generally earn interest until their scheduled delivery date. Purchases of securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis are also subject to the risk that the market value or the yield at delivery may be more or less than the market price or yield available when the transaction was entered into.
The following is a description of the general risks associated with the Fund's investing in debt securities:
Credit risk
Debt securities are subject to the risk of an issuer's (or other party's) failure or inability to meet its obligations under the security. Multiple parties may have obligations under a debt security. An issuer or borrower may fail to pay principal and interest when due. A guarantor, insurer or credit support provider may fail to provide the agreed upon protection. A counterparty to a transaction may fail to perform its side of the bargain. An intermediary or agent interposed between the investor and other parties may fail to perform the terms of its service. Also, performance under a debt security may be linked to the obligations of other persons who may fail to meet their obligations. The credit risk associated with a debt security could increase to the extent that the Fund's ability to benefit fully from its investment in the security depends on the performance by multiple parties of their respective contractual or other obligations. The market value of a debt security is also affected by the market's perception of the creditworthiness of the issuer.
The Fund may incur substantial losses on debt securities that are inaccurately perceived to present a different amount of credit risk than they actually do by the market, the investment manager or the rating agencies. Credit risk is generally greater where less information is publicly available, where fewer covenants safeguard the investors' interests, where collateral may be impaired or inadequate, where little legal redress or regulatory protection is available, or where a party's ability to meet obligations is speculative. Additionally, any inaccuracy in the information used by the Fund to evaluate credit risk may affect the value of securities held by the Fund.
Obligations under debt securities held by the Fund may never be satisfied or, if satisfied, only satisfied in part.
Some securities are subject to risks as a result of a credit downgrade or default by a government, or its agencies or, instrumentalities. Credit risk is a greater concern for high-yield debt securities and debt securities of issuers whose ability to pay interest and principal may be considered speculative. Debt securities are typically classified as investment grade-quality (medium to highest credit quality) or below investment grade-quality (commonly referred to as high-yield or junk bonds). Many individual debt securities are rated by a third party source, such as Moody's or S&P to help describe the creditworthiness of the issuer.
Policies and Procedures Regarding the Release of Portfolio Holdings
The Fund's overall policy with respect to the release of portfolio holdings is to release such information consistent with applicable legal requirements and the fiduciary duties owed to shareholders. Subject to the limited exceptions described below, the Fund will not make available to anyone non-public information with respect to its portfolio holdings, until such time as the information is made available to all shareholders or the general public.
For purposes of this policy, portfolio holdings information does not include aggregate, composite or descriptive information that does not present risks of dilution, arbitrage, market timing, insider trading or other inappropriate trading for the Fund. Information excluded from the definition of portfolio holdings information generally includes, without limitation: (1) descriptions of allocations among asset classes, regions, countries or industries/sectors; (2) aggregated data such as average or median ratios, market capitalization, credit quality or duration; (3) performance attributions by industry, sector or country; or (4) aggregated risk statistics. Such information, if made available to anyone, will be made available to any person upon request, but, because such information is generally not material to investors, it may or may not be posted on the Fund's website. In addition, other information may also be deemed to not be portfolio holdings information if, in the reasonable belief of the Fund's Chief Compliance Officer (or his/her designee), the release of such information would not present risks of dilution, arbitrage, market timing, insider trading or other inappropriate trading for the Fund.
Information concerning the Funds portfolio holdings as well as its dollar-weighted average portfolio maturity as of the last business day of the preceding month will be posted on its website no later than five business days after the end of the month and remain posted on the website for six months thereafter. In addition, the Fund files monthly with the SEC portfolio holdings and other information about the Fund and its portfolio as of the last business day of the preceding month within five business days of the end of each month. This information will be made public 60 days following month-end.
In addition, a complete list of the Fund's portfolio holdings is generally released no sooner than 20 calendar days after the end of each calendar quarter. Commentaries and other materials that may reference specific holdings information of the Fund as of the most recent calendar quarter end are also subject to the same 20-day lag requirement. Other descriptive information, such as the Fund's top 10 holdings, may be released monthly, no sooner than five days after the end of each month. Released portfolio holdings information can be viewed at franklintempleton.com.
To the extent that this policy would permit the release of portfolio holdings information regarding a particular portfolio holding for the Fund that is the subject of ongoing purchase or sale orders/programs, or if the release of such portfolio holdings information would otherwise be sensitive or inappropriate, the portfolio manager for the Fund may request that the release of such information be withheld.
Exceptions to the portfolio holdings release policy will be made only when: (1) the Fund has a legitimate business purpose for releasing portfolio holdings information in advance of release to all shareholders or the general public; (2) the recipient is subject to a duty of confidentiality pursuant to a signed non-disclosure agreement; and (3) the release of such information would not otherwise violate the antifraud provisions of the federal securities laws or fiduciary duties owed to Fund shareholders. The determination of whether to grant an exception, which includes the determination of whether the Fund has a legitimate business purpose for releasing portfolio holdings information in advance of release to all shareholders or the general public shall be made by the Fund's Chief Compliance Officer or his/her designee, following a request submitted in writing.
The eligible third parties to whom portfolio holdings information may be released in advance of general release fall into the following categories: data consolidators (including rating agencies), fund rating/ranking services and other data providers, service providers to the Fund, and municipal securities brokers using the Investor Tools product which brings together buyers and sellers of municipal securities in the normal operation of the municipal securities markets. In addition, should the Fund process a shareholders redemption request in-kind, the Fund may, under certain circumstances, provide portfolio holdings information to such shareholder to the extent necessary to allow the shareholder to prepare for receipt of such portfolio securities.
The specific entities to whom the Fund may provide portfolio holdings in advance of their release to the general public are:
-
Bloomberg, Capital Access, CDA (Thomson Reuters), FactSet, Fidelity Advisors, Standard & Poor's, Vestek, and Fidelity Trust Company, all of whom may receive portfolio holdings information 15 days after the quarter end.
-
Service providers to the Fund that receive portfolio holdings information from time to time in advance of general release in the course of performing, or to enable them to perform, services for the Fund, including:
Custodian Bank:
The Bank of New York Mellon;
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
: PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP;
Outside Fund Legal Counsel
: Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP;
Independent Directors'/Trustees' Counsel
: Bleakley, Platt & Schmidt, LLP;
Proxy Voting Services
: Glass, Lewis & Co., LLC and Institutional Shareholder Services, Inc.;
Brokerage Analytical Services
: Sanford Bernstein, Brown Brothers Harriman, Royal Bank of Canada Capital Markets, JP Morgan Securities Inc.;
Financial Printers
: RR Donnelley & Sons Company or GCOM Solutions, Inc.
In all cases, eligible third parties are required to execute a non-disclosure agreement. Non-disclosure agreements include the following provisions:
-
The recipient agrees to keep confidential, and to limit the dissemination of, any portfolio holdings information received.
-
The recipient agrees not to trade on the non-public information received, including some or all of the following: (1) agreeing not to purchase or sell any portfolio securities based on any information received; (2) agreeing not to trade against any U.S. registered Franklin or Templeton fund, including the Fund; (3) agreeing not to knowingly engage in any trading practices that are adverse to any such fund; and (4) agreeing not to trade in shares of any such fund.
-
The recipient agrees to refresh its representation as to confidentiality and abstention from trading upon request from Franklin Templeton.
In no case does the Fund receive any compensation in connection with the arrangements to release portfolio holdings information to any of the above-described recipients of the information.
Several investment managers within Franklin Templeton Investments (F-T Managers) serve as investment managers to offshore funds that are registered or otherwise authorized for sale with foreign regulatory authorities. The release of portfolio holdings information for such offshore funds is excluded from the Fund's portfolio holdings release policy if such information is given to offshore banks, broker-dealers, insurance companies, registered investment managers and other financial institutions (offshore investment managers) with discretionary authority to select offshore funds on behalf of their clients. Because such offshore funds may from time to time invest in securities substantially similar to those of the Fund, there is the risk that such portfolio holdings information may be used to trade inappropriately against the Fund. To mitigate such risks, such information may only be disclosed for portfolio analytics, such as risk analysis/asset allocation, and the offshore investment manager will be required to execute a non-disclosure agreement, whereby such offshore investment manager: (1) agrees to maintain such information as confidential, including limiting the dissemination of such information, (2) is prohibited from trading on the information received, including (a) purchasing or selling any portfolio securities based on any information received; (b) trading against any U.S. registered Franklin or Templeton fund, including the Fund; (c) knowingly engaging in any trading practices that are adverse to any such fund; and (d) trading in shares of any such fund that is substantially similar to the offshore fund, and (3) agrees to refresh its representation as to confidentiality and abstention from trading upon request from Franklin Templeton. In addition, an offshore fund may release information regarding the top contributors and detractors to such funds portfolio performance monthly to those recipients who have executed a non-disclosure agreement containing the provisions described above, or who have confirmed electronically its agreement to such provisions. Country-specific offshore funds that are not, in the aggregate, substantially similar to the holdings of a U.S. registered Franklin or Templeton fund, are not subject to the restrictions imposed by the policy.
Certain F-T Managers serve as investment advisers to privately placed funds that are exempt from registration, including Canadian institutional pooled funds and commingled trusts maintained by a Franklin Templeton trust company. In certain circumstances, such unregistered private funds may have portfolio holdings that are not, in the aggregate, substantially similar to the holdings of a U.S. registered fund, as determined by the Chief Compliance Officer or his/her designee. Under such circumstances the release of portfolio holdings information to a client or potential client of the unregistered private fund may be permissible. In circumstances where an unregistered private fund invests in portfolio securities that, in the aggregate, are substantially similar to the holdings of a U.S. registered fund, such private funds are subject to the restrictions imposed by the policy, except that the release of holdings information to a current investor in the private fund is permissible conditioned upon such investors execution of a non-disclosure agreement to mitigate the risk that portfolio holdings information may be used to trade inappropriately against a fund. Such non-disclosure agreement must provide that the investor: (1) agrees to maintain such information as confidential, including limiting the dissemination of such information (except that the investor may be permitted to disseminate such information to an agent as necessary to allow the performance of portfolio analytics with respect to the investors investment in the private fund), and (2) is prohibited from trading on the information received, including (a) trading against any U.S. registered Franklin or Templeton fund, including the Fund; (b) knowingly engaging in any trading practices that are adverse to any such fund; and (c) trading in shares of any U.S. registered Franklin or Templeton fund that is managed in a style substantially similar to that of the private fund.
Some F-T Managers serve as sub-advisers to other mutual funds not within the Franklin Templeton Investments fund complex ("other funds"), which may be managed in a style substantially similar to that of a U.S. registered Franklin or Templeton fund. Such other funds are not subject to the Fund's portfolio holdings release policy. The sponsors of such funds may disclose the portfolio holdings of such funds at different times than the Fund discloses its portfolio holdings.
In addition, some F-T Managers also serve as investment managers to separate accounts, which are subject to the Funds policy with respect to the release of the separate accounts holdings to consultants and potential clients. Separate accounts that are not, in the aggregate, substantially similar to the holdings of a U.S. registered Franklin or Templeton fund, however, are not subject to the restrictions imposed by the policy.
The Fund's portfolio holdings release policy and all subsequent amendments have been reviewed and approved by the Fund's board, and any other material amendments shall also be reviewed and approved by the board. The investment manager's compliance staff conducts periodic reviews of compliance with the policy and provides at least annually a report to the board regarding the operation of the policy and any material changes recommended as a result of such review. The investment manager's compliance staff also will supply the board yearly with a list of exceptions granted to the policy, along with an explanation of the legitimate business purpose of the Fund that is served as a result of the exception.
Officers and Trustees
The Trust has a board of trustees. Each trustee will serve until that person resigns and/or a successor is elected and qualified. The board is responsible for the overall management of the Trust, including general supervision and review of the Fund's investment activities. The board, in turn, elects the officers of the Trust who are responsible for administering the Fund's day-to-day operations. The board also monitors the Fund to ensure that no material conflicts exist among share classes. While none are expected, the board will act appropriately to resolve any material conflict that may arise.
The name, year of birth and address of the officers and board members, as well as their affiliations, positions held with the Trust, principal occupations during at least the past five years, number of portfolios overseen in the Franklin Templeton fund complex and other directorships held during at least the past five years are shown below.
Independent Board Members
|
Name, Year of Birth and Address
|
Position
|
Length of Time Served
|
Number of Portfolios
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Board Member
1
|
Other Directorships Held During at Least the Past 5 Years
|
Harris J. Ashton (1932)
One Franklin Parkway
San Mateo, CA 94403-1906
|
Trustee
|
Since 1995
|
141
|
Bar-S Foods (meat packing company) (1981-2010).
|
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:
Director of various companies; and
formerly
, Director, RBC Holdings, Inc. (bank holding company) (until 2002); and President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, General Host Corporation (nursery and craft centers) (until 1998).
|
|
Sam Ginn (1937)
One Franklin Parkway
San Mateo, CA 94403-1906
|
Trustee
|
Since 2007
|
114
|
ICO Global Communications (Holdings) Limited (satellite company) (2006-2010), Chevron Corporation (global energy company) (1989-2009), Hewlett-Packard Company (technology company) (1996-2002), Safeway, Inc. (grocery retailer) (1991-1998) and TransAmerica Corporation (insurance company) (1989-1999).
|
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:
Private investor; Chairman, First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) (interoperable wireless broadband network) (August 2012); and
formerly
, Chairman of the Board, Vodafone AirTouch, PLC (wireless company) (1999-2000); Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, AirTouch Communications (cellular communications) (1993-1998) and Pacific Telesis Group (telephone holding company) (1988-1994).
|
|
Edith E. Holiday (1952)
One Franklin Parkway
San Mateo, CA 94403-1906
|
Trustee
|
Since 2005
|
141
|
Hess Corporation (exploration and refining of oil and gas), H.J. Heinz Company (processed foods and allied products) (1994-2013), RTI International Metals, Inc. (manufacture and distribution of titanium), Canadian National Railway (railroad) and White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. (holding company).
|
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:
Director or Trustee of various companies and trusts; and
formerly
, Assistant to the President of the United States and Secretary of the Cabinet (1990-1993); General Counsel to the United States Treasury Department (1989-1990); and Counselor to the Secretary and Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs and Public Liaison-United States Treasury Department (1988-1989).
|
|
J. Michael Luttig (1954)
One Franklin Parkway
San Mateo, CA 94403-1906
|
Trustee
|
Since 2009
|
141
|
Boeing Capital Corporation (aircraft financing) (2006-2013).
|
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:
Executive Vice President, General Counsel and member of the Executive Council, The Boeing Company (aerospace company); and
formerly
, Federal Appeals Court Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit (1991-2006).
|
|
Frank A. Olson (1932)
One Franklin Parkway
San Mateo, CA 94403-1906
|
Trustee
|
Since 2005
|
141
|
Hess Corporation (exploration and refining of oil and gas) (1998-2013).
|
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:
Chairman Emeritus, The Hertz Corporation (car rental) (since 2000) (Chairman of the Board (1980-2000) and Chief Executive Officer (1977-1999)); and
formerly
, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer, UAL Corporation (airlines) (until 1987).
|
|
Larry D. Thompson (1945)
One Franklin Parkway
San Mateo, CA 94403-1906
|
Trustee
|
Since 2007
|
141
|
Cbeyond, Inc. (business communications provider) (2010-2012), The Southern Company (energy company) (2010-2012) and The Washington Post Company (education and media organization).
|
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:
Executive Vice President - Government Affairs, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, PepsiCo, Inc. (consumer products) (July 2012); and
formerly
, John A. Sibley Professor of Corporate and Business Law, University of Georgia School of Law (2011-2012); Senior Vice President - Government Affairs, General Counsel and Secretary, PepsiCo, Inc. (2004-2011); Senior Fellow of The Brookings Institution (2003-2004); Visiting Professor, University of Georgia School of Law (2004); and Deputy Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justice (2001-2003).
|
|
John B. Wilson (1959)
One Franklin Parkway
San Mateo, CA 94403-1906
|
Lead Independent Trustee
|
Trustee since 2007 and Lead Independent Trustee since 2008
|
114
|
None
|
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:
President, Staples Europe (office supplies) (October 2012); President and Founder, Hyannis Port Capital, Inc. (real estate and private equity investing); serves on private and non-profit boards; and
formerly
, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President, Gap, Inc. (retail) (1996-2000); Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President Finance and Strategy, Staples, Inc. (1992-1996); Senior Vice President Corporate Planning, Northwest Airlines, Inc. (airlines) (1990-1992); and Vice President and Partner, Bain & Company (consulting firm) (1986-1990).
|
|
Interested Board Members and Officers
|
Name, Year of Birth and Address
|
Position
|
Length of Time Served
|
Number of Portfolios
in Fund Complex
Overseen by
Board Member
1
|
Other Directorships Held During at Least the Past 5 Years
|
Gregory E. Johnson
2
(1961)
One Franklin Parkway
San Mateo, CA 94403-1906
|
Trustee
|
Since 2007
|
152
|
None
|
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:
Chairman of the Board, Member - Office of the Chairman, Director, President and Chief Executive Officer, Franklin Resources, Inc.; officer and/or director or trustee, as the case may be, of some of the other subsidiaries of Franklin Resources, Inc. and of 44 of the investment companies in Franklin Templeton Investments; and Chairman, Investment Company Institute.
|
|
Rupert H. Johnson, Jr.
3
(1940)
One Franklin Parkway
San Mateo, CA 94403-1906
|
Chairman of the Board and Trustee
|
Since June 2013
|
141
|
None
|
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:
Vice Chairman, Member - Office of the Chairman and Director, Franklin Resources, Inc.; Director, Franklin Advisers, Inc.; Senior Vice President, Franklin Advisory Services, LLC; and officer and/or director or trustee, as the case may be, of some of the other subsidiaries of Franklin Resources, Inc. and of 41 of the investment companies in Franklin Templeton Investments.
|
|
Alison E. Baur (1964)
One Franklin Parkway
San Mateo, CA 94403-1906
|
Vice President
|
Since 2012
|
Not Applicable
|
Not Applicable
|
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:
Deputy General Counsel, Franklin Templeton Investments; and officer of some of the other subsidiaries of Franklin Resources, Inc. and of 46 of the investment companies in Franklin Templeton Investments.
|
|
Laura F. Fergerson (1962)
One Franklin Parkway
San Mateo, CA 94403-1906
|
Chief Executive Officer - Finance and Administration
|
Since 2009
|
Not Applicable
|
Not Applicable
|
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:
Senior Vice President, Franklin Templeton Services, LLC; and officer of 46 of the investment companies in Franklin Templeton Investments.
|
|
Gaston Gardey (1967)
One Franklin Parkway
San Mateo, CA 94403-1906
|
Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer
|
Since 2009
|
Not Applicable
|
Not Applicable
|
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:
Director, Fund Accounting, Franklin Templeton Investments; and officer of 27 of the investment companies in Franklin Templeton Investments.
|
|
Aliya S. Gordon (1973)
One Franklin Parkway
San Mateo, CA 94403-1906
|
Vice President
|
Since 2009
|
Not Applicable
|
Not Applicable
|
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:
Senior Associate General Counsel, Franklin Templeton Investments; officer of 46 of the investment companies in Franklin Templeton Investments; and
formerly
, Litigation Associate, Steefel, Levitt & Weiss, LLP (2000-2004).
|
|
Steven J. Gray (1955)
One Franklin Parkway
San Mateo, CA 94403-1906
|
Vice President
|
Since 2009
|
Not Applicable
|
Not Applicable
|
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:
Senior Associate General Counsel, Franklin Templeton Investments; Vice President, Franklin Templeton Distributors, Inc.; and officer of 46 of the investment companies in Franklin Templeton Investments.
|
|
Selena L. Holmes (1965)
100 Fountain Parkway
St. Petersburg, FL 33716-1205
|
Vice President - AML Compliance
|
Since 2012
|
Not Applicable
|
Not Applicable
|
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:
Director, Global Compliance Monitoring; and officer of 46 of the investment companies in Franklin Templeton Investments.
|
|
Christopher J. Molumphy (1962)
One Franklin Parkway
San Mateo, CA 94403-1906
|
President and Chief Executive Officer - Investment Management
|
Since 2010
|
Not Applicable
|
Not Applicable
|
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:
Director and Executive Vice President, Franklin Advisers, Inc.; Executive Vice President, Franklin Templeton Institutional, LLC; and officer of some of the other subsidiaries of Franklin Resources, Inc. and of 22 of the investment companies in Franklin Templeton Investments.
|
|
Kimberly H. Novotny (1972)
300 S.E. 2nd Street
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301-1923
|
Vice President
|
Since March 2013
|
Not Applicable
|
Not Applicable
|
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:
Senior Corporate Counsel, Franklin Templeton Investments; Vice President and Secretary, Fiduciary Trust International of the South; Vice President, Templeton Investment Counsel, LLC; Assistant Secretary, Franklin Resources, Inc.; and officer of 46 of the investment companies in Franklin Templeton Investments.
|
|
Robert C. Rosselot (1960)
300 S.E. 2nd Street
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301-1923
|
Chief Compliance Officer
|
Since March 2013
|
Not Applicable
|
Not Applicable
|
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:
Director, Global Compliance, Franklin Templeton Investments; officer of 46 of the investment companies in Franklin Templeton Investments; and
formerly
, Senior Associate General Counsel, Franklin Templeton Investments (2007-2013); and Secretary and Vice President, Templeton Group of Funds (2004-2013).
|
|
Karen L. Skidmore (1952)
One Franklin Parkway
San Mateo, CA 94403-1906
|
Vice President
and Secretary
|
Since 2006
|
Not Applicable
|
Not Applicable
|
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:
Senior Associate General Counsel, Franklin Templeton Investments; and officer of 46 of the investment companies in Franklin Templeton Investments.
|
|
Craig S. Tyle (1960)
One Franklin Parkway
San Mateo, CA 94403-1906
|
Vice President
|
Since 2005
|
Not Applicable
|
Not Applicable
|
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:
General Counsel and Executive Vice President, Franklin Resources, Inc.; officer of some of the other subsidiaries of Franklin Resources, Inc. and of 46 of the investment companies in Franklin Templeton Investments.
|
|
Lori A. Weber (1964)
300 S.E. 2nd Street
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301-1923
|
Vice President
|
Since 2011
|
Not Applicable
|
Not Applicable
|
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:
Senior Associate General Counsel, Franklin Templeton Investments; Assistant Secretary, Franklin Resources, Inc.; Vice President and Secretary, Templeton Investment Counsel, LLC; Vice President, Fiduciary Trust International of the South; and officer of 46 of the investment companies in Franklin Templeton Investments.
|
|
Note 1: Rupert H. Johnson, Jr. is the uncle of Gregory E. Johnson.
Note 2: Officer information is current as of the date of this SAI. It is possible that after this date, information about officers may change.
Note 3: Effective June 13, 2013, Charles B. Johnson ceased to be a trustee of the Trust.
|
1. We base the number of portfolios on each separate series of the U.S. registered investment companies within the Franklin Templeton Investments fund complex. These portfolios have a common investment manager or affiliated investment managers.
2. Gregory E. Johnson is considered to be an interested person of the Fund under the federal securities laws due to his position as an officer and director of Franklin Resources, Inc. (Resources), which is the parent company of the Fund's investment manager and distributor.
3. Rupert H. Johnson, Jr. is considered to be an interested person of the Fund under the federal securities laws due to his position as officer and director and major shareholder of Resources, which is the parent company of the Fund's investment manager and distributor.
The Trust's independent board members constitute the sole independent board members of 27 investment companies in the Franklin Templeton Investments complex for which each independent board member currently is paid a $247,000 annual retainer fee, together with a $7,000 per meeting fee for attendance at regularly scheduled board meetings, a portion of which is allocated to the Trust. To the extent held, compensation may also be paid for attendance at specially held board meetings. The Trust's lead independent trustee is paid an annual supplemental retainer of $25,000 for services to such investment companies, a portion of which is allocated to the Trust. Board members who serve on the Audit Committee of the Trust and such other funds receive a flat fee of $3,000 per Committee meeting attended in person and $2,000 per telephonic meeting, a portion of which is allocated to the Trust. John B. Wilson, who serves as chairman of the Audit Committee of the Trust and such other funds receives an additional fee of $50,000 per year, a portion of which is allocated to the Trust. Members of the Committee are not separately compensated for any committee meeting held on the day of a regularly scheduled board meeting. The following table provides the total fees paid to independent board members by the Trust and by other funds in Franklin Templeton Investments.
Name
|
Total Fees
Received
from
the Fund
($)
1
|
Total Fees
Received
from Franklin
Templeton
Investments
($)
2
|
Number
of Boards
in Franklin
Templeton
Investments
on which
Each Serves
3
|
Harris J. Ashton
|
989
|
493,000
|
41
|
Sam Ginn
|
989
|
303,000
|
27
|
Edith E. Holiday
|
1,016
|
538,000
|
41
|
J. Michael Luttig
|
1,016
|
515,000
|
41
|
Frank A. Olson
|
1,016
|
515,000
|
41
|
Larry D. Thompson
|
989
|
660,000
|
41
|
John B. Wilson
|
1,086
|
400,000
|
27
|
1. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2013.
2. For the calendar year ended December 31, 2012.
3. We base the number of boards on the number of U.S. registered investment companies in Franklin Templeton Investments. This number does not include the total number of series or portfolios within each investment company for which the board members are responsible.
Independent board members are reimbursed for expenses incurred in connection with attending board meetings and are paid pro rata by each fund in Franklin Templeton Investments for which they serve as director or trustee. No officer or board member received any other compensation, including pension or retirement benefits, directly or indirectly from the Trust or other funds in Franklin Templeton Investments. Certain officers or board members who are shareholders of Franklin Resources, Inc. (Resources) may be deemed to receive indirect remuneration by virtue of their participation, if any, in the fees paid to its subsidiaries.
Board members historically have followed a policy of having substantial investments in one or more of the Franklin Templeton funds, as is consistent with their individual financial goals. In February 1998, this policy was formalized through the adoption of a requirement that each board member invest one-third of fees received for serving as a director or trustee of a Templeton fund (excluding committee fees) in shares of one or more Templeton funds and one-third of fees received for serving as a director or trustee of a Franklin fund (excluding committee fees) in shares of one or more Franklin funds until the value of such investments equals or exceeds five times the annual retainer and regular board meeting fees paid to such board member. Investments in the name of family members or entities controlled by a board member constitute fund holdings of such board member for purposes of this policy, and a three-year phase-in period applies to such investment requirements for newly elected board members. In implementing such policy, a board member's fund holdings existing on February 27, 1998, are valued as of such date with subsequent investments valued at cost.
The board, with approval of all independent and interested board members, has adopted written procedures designed to deal with potential conflicts of interest that may arise from the Fund and the Portfolio having substantially the same boards. These procedures call for an annual review of the Fund's relationship with the Portfolio. If a conflict exists, the boards may take action, which may include the establishment of a new board. The board has determined that there are no conflicts of interest at the present time.
The following tables provide the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by the board members of the Fund on December 31, 2012.
Independent Board Members
Name of
Board Member
|
Dollar Range of
Equity Securities
in the Fund
|
Aggregate
Dollar Range of
Equity Securities in
All Funds Overseen
by the Board
Member in the
Franklin Templeton
Fund Complex
|
Harris J. Ashton
|
None
|
Over $100,000
|
Sam Ginn
|
None
|
Over $100,000
|
Edith E. Holiday
|
None
|
Over $100,000
|
J. Michael Luttig
|
None
|
Over $100,000
|
Frank A. Olson
|
None
|
Over $100,000
|
Larry D. Thompson
|
None
|
Over $100,000
|
John B. Wilson
|
None
|
Over $100,000
|
Interested Board Members
Name of
Board Member
|
Dollar Range of
Equity Securities
in the Fund
|
Aggregate
Dollar Range of
Equity Securities in
All Funds Overseen
by the Board
Member in the
Franklin Templeton
Fund Complex
|
Gregory E. Johnson
|
None
|
Over $100,000
|
Rupert H. Johnson, Jr.
|
None
|
Over $100,000
|
Board committees
The board maintains two standing committees: the Audit Committee and the Nominating Committee. The Audit Committee is generally responsible for recommending the selection of the Trust's independent registered public accounting firm (auditors), including evaluating their independence and meeting with such auditors to consider and review matters relating to the Trust's financial reports and internal controls. The Audit Committee is comprised of the following independent trustees of the Trust: Edith E. Holiday, J. Michael Luttig, Frank A. Olson and John B. Wilson. The Nominating Committee is comprised of the following independent trustees of the Trust: Harris J. Ashton, Sam Ginn, Edith E. Holiday, J. Michael Luttig, Frank A. Olson, Larry D. Thompson and John B. Wilson.
The Nominating Committee is responsible for selecting candidates to serve as board members and recommending such candidates (a) for selection and nomination as independent board members by the incumbent independent board member and the full board; and (b) for selection and nomination as interested board members by the full board.
When the board has or expects to have a vacancy, the Nominating Committee receives and reviews information on individuals qualified to be recommended to the full board as nominees for election as board members, including any recommendations by Qualifying Fund Shareholders (as defined below). To date, the Nominating Committee has been able to identify, and expects to continue to be able to identify, from its own resources an ample number of qualified candidates. The Nominating Committee, however, will review recommendations from Qualifying Fund Shareholders to fill vacancies on the board if these recommendations are submitted in writing and addressed to the Nominating Committee at the Trust's offices at One Franklin Parkway, San Mateo, CA 94403-1906 and are presented with appropriate background material concerning the candidate that demonstrates his or her ability to serve as a board member, including as an independent board member, of the Trust. A Qualifying Fund Shareholder is a shareholder who (i) has continuously owned of record, or beneficially through a financial intermediary, shares of the Fund having a net asset value of not less than two hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) during the 24-month period prior to submitting the recommendation; and (ii) provides a written notice to the Nominating Committee containing the following information: (a) the name and address of the Qualifying Fund Shareholder making the recommendation; (b) the number of shares of the Fund which are owned of record and beneficially by such Qualifying Fund Shareholder and the length of time that such shares have been so owned by the Qualifying Fund Shareholder; (c) a description of all arrangements and understandings between such Qualifying Fund Shareholder and any other person or persons (naming such person or persons) pursuant to which the recommendation is being made; (d) the name, age, date of birth, business address and residence address of the person or persons being recommended; (e) such other information regarding each person recommended by such Qualifying Fund Shareholder as would be required to be included in a proxy statement filed pursuant to the proxy rules of the SEC had the nominee been nominated by the board; (f) whether the shareholder making the recommendation believes the person recommended would or would not be an interested person of the Trust, as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940 (1940 Act); and (g) the written consent of each person recommended to serve as a board member of the Trust if so nominated and elected/appointed.
The Nominating Committee may amend these procedures from time to time, including the procedures relating to the evaluation of nominees and the process for submitting recommendations to the Nominating Committee.
During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2013, the Audit Committee met three times; the Nominating Committee met twice.
Board role in risk oversight
The board, as a whole, considers risk management issues as part of its general oversight responsibilities throughout the year at regular board meetings, through regular reports that have been developed by management, in consultation with the board and its counsel. These reports address certain investment, valuation and compliance matters. The board also may receive special written reports or presentations on a variety of risk issues, either upon the boards request or upon the investment managers initiative. In addition, the Audit Committee of the board meets regularly with the investment managers internal audit group to review reports on their examinations of functions and processes within Franklin Templeton Investments that affect the Fund.
With respect to investment risk, the board receives regular written reports describing and analyzing the investment performance of the Fund. In addition, the portfolio managers of the Fund meet regularly with the boards to discuss portfolio performance, including investment risk. To the extent that the Fund changes a particular investment strategy that could have a material impact on the Funds risk profile, the board generally is consulted with respect to such change. To the extent that the Fund invests in certain complex securities, including derivatives, the board receives periodic reports containing information about exposure of the Fund to such instruments. In addition, the investment managers investment risk personnel meet regularly with the board to discuss a variety of issues, including the impact on the Fund of the investment in particular securities or instruments, such as derivatives.
With respect to valuation, the Funds administrator provides regular written reports to the board that enable the board to monitor the number of fair valued securities in a particular portfolio, the reasons for the fair valuation and the methodology used to arrive at the fair value. Such reports also include information concerning illiquid securities within the Funds portfolio. The board also reviews dispositional analysis information on the sale of securities that require special valuation considerations such as illiquid or fair valued securities. In addition, the Funds Audit Committee reviews valuation procedures and results with the Funds auditors in connection with such Committees review of the results of the audit of the Funds year-end financial statements.
With respect to compliance risks, the board receives regular compliance reports prepared by the investment managers compliance group and meets regularly with the Funds Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) to discuss compliance issues, including compliance risks. As required under SEC rules, the independent board members meet regularly in executive session with the CCO, and the Funds CCO prepares and presents an annual written compliance report to the board. The Funds board adopts compliance policies and procedures for the Fund and approves such procedures for the Funds service providers. The compliance policies and procedures are specifically designed to detect and prevent violations of the federal securities laws.
The investment manager periodically provides an enterprise risk management presentation to the board to describe the way in which risk is managed on a complex-wide level. Such presentation covers such areas as investment risk, reputational risk, personnel risk, and business continuity risk.
Board structure
Seventy-five percent or more of board members consist of independent board members who are not deemed to be interested persons by reason of their relationship with the Funds management or otherwise as provided under the 1940 Act. While the Chairman of the Board is an interested person, the board is also served by a lead independent board member. The lead independent board member, together with independent counsel, reviews proposed agendas for board meetings and generally acts as a liaison with management with respect to questions and issues raised by the independent board members. The lead independent board member also presides at separate meetings of independent board members held in advance of each scheduled board meeting where various matters, including those being considered at such board meeting are discussed. It is believed such structure and activities assure that proper consideration is given at board meetings to matters deemed important to the Fund and its shareholders.
Trustee qualifications
Information on the Funds officers and trustees appears above including information on the business activities of trustees during the past five years and beyond. In addition to personal qualities, such as integrity, the role of an effective Fund trustee inherently requires the ability to comprehend, discuss and critically analyze materials and issues presented in exercising judgments and reaching informed conclusions relevant to his or her duties and fiduciary obligations. The board believes that the specific background of each trustee evidences such ability and is appropriate to his or her serving on the Funds board of trustees. As indicated, Harris J. Ashton, Frank A. Olson and Sam Ginn have each served as chief executive officers of New York Stock Exchange listed public corporations; Larry D. Thompson and Edith E. Holiday have legal backgrounds, including high level legal positions with departments of the U.S. government; John B. Wilson has served as chief operating officer of a New York Stock Exchange listed public corporation, as well as chief financial officer of a NASDAQ listed public corporation; J. Michael Luttig has fifteen years of judicial experience as a Federal Appeals Court Judge; and Gregory E. Johnson and Rupert H. Johnson, Jr. are both high ranking executive officers of Franklin Templeton Investments.
Management and Other Services
Investment manager and services provided
The Portfolio's investment manager is Franklin Advisers, Inc. (Advisers). The investment manager is a wholly owned subsidiary of Resources, a publicly owned company engaged in the financial services industry through its subsidiaries. Charles B. Johnson (former Chairman and Director of Resources) and Rupert H. Johnson, Jr. are the principal shareholders of Resources.
The investment manager provides investment research and portfolio management services, and selects the securities for the Portfolio to buy, hold or sell. The investment manager also selects the brokers who execute the Portfolio's portfolio transactions. The investment manager provides periodic reports to the board, which reviews and supervises the investment manager's investment activities. To protect the Portfolio, the investment manager and its officers, directors and employees are covered by fidelity insurance.
The investment manager and its affiliates manage numerous other investment companies and accounts. The investment manager may give advice and take action with respect to any of the other funds it manages, or for its own account, that may differ from action taken by the investment manager on behalf of the Portfolio. Similarly, with respect to the Portfolio, the investment manager is not obligated to recommend, buy or sell, or to refrain from recommending, buying or selling any security that the investment manager and access persons, as defined by applicable federal securities laws, may buy or sell for its or their own account or for the accounts of any other fund. The investment manager is not obligated to refrain from investing in securities held by the Portfolio or other funds it manages. Because the investment manager is a subsidiary of a financial holding company (FHC) under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999, federal regulations applicable to FHCs may limit or restrict the Portfolio's ability to acquire or hold a position in a given security when it might otherwise be advantageous for the Portfolio to acquire or hold that security.
The Fund, the Portfolio, its investment manager and the Fund's principal underwriter have each adopted a code of ethics, as required by federal securities laws. Under the code of ethics, employees who are designated as access persons may engage in personal securities transactions, including transactions involving securities that are being considered for the Portfolio or that are currently held by the Portfolio, subject to certain general restrictions and procedures. The personal securities transactions of access persons of the Fund, the Portfolio, its investment manager and the Fund's principal underwriter will be governed by the code of ethics. The code of ethics is on file with, and available from, the SEC.
Management fees
The Portfolio pays the investment manager a fee equal to an annual rate of 0.15% of the value of the Portfolios average daily net assets.
The fee is calculated at the close of business each day according to the terms of the management agreement. For the last three fiscal years ended June 30, the Portfolio paid the following management fees:
|
Management
Fees Paid ($)
1
|
2013
|
22,547,631
|
2012
|
14,473,067
|
2011
|
16,887,510
|
1. For the fiscal years ended June 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011, management fees, before any advance waivers, totaled $27,310,322, $17,555,753 and $17,671,394, respectively. Under an agreement by Advisers to waive or limit its fees, the Fund paid the management fees shown.
Administrator and services provided
Franklin Templeton Services, LLC (FT Services) has an agreement with the Fund to provide various administrative, statistical and other services to the Fund. FT Services is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Resources and is an affiliate of the Fund's investment manager and principal underwriter.
The administrative services FT Services provides include preparing and maintaining books, records, and tax and financial reports, and monitoring compliance with regulatory requirements.
Administration fees
The Fund pays FT Services a monthly fee equal to an annual rate of:
-
0.455% for the first $100 million of the Fund's average daily net assets;
-
0.330% of average daily net assets over $100 million up to and including $250 million; and
-
0.280% of average daily net assets in excess of $250 million.
For the last three fiscal years ended June 30, the Fund paid Advisers or FT Services the following administration fees:
|
Administration
Fees Paid ($)
1
|
2013
|
0
|
2012
|
0
|
2011
|
0
|
1. The Fund's administrator was Advisers until February 2012. For the fiscal years ended June 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011, administration fees, before any advance waivers, totaled $955,868, $1,133,169 and $1,017,677, respectively. Under an agreement by Advisers and FT Services to waive or limit its fees, the Fund paid the administration fees shown.
Each class of the Fund's shares pays its proportionate share of the fee.
Shareholder servicing and transfer agent
Franklin Templeton Investor Services, LLC (Investor Services) is the Fund's shareholder servicing agent and acts as the Fund's transfer agent and dividend-paying agent. Investor Services is located at 3344 Quality Drive, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670-7313. Please send all correspondence to Investor Services at P.O. Box 33030, St. Petersburg, FL 33733-8030.
Investor Services receives a fee for servicing Fund shareholder accounts. The Fund also will reimburse Investor Services for certain out-of-pocket expenses necessarily incurred in servicing the shareholder accounts in accordance with the terms of its servicing contract with the Fund.
Investor Services may also pay servicing fees, that will be reimbursed by the Fund, in varying amounts to certain financial institutions (primarily to help offset their costs associated with client account maintenance support, statement preparation and transaction processing) that (i) maintain omnibus accounts with the Fund in the institution's name on behalf of numerous beneficial owners of Fund shares who are either direct clients of the institution or are participants in an IRS-recognized tax-deferred savings plan (including Employer Sponsored Retirement Plans and Section 529 Plans) for which the institution, or its affiliate, provides participant level recordkeeping services (called "Beneficial Owners"); or (ii) provide support for Fund shareholder accounts by sharing account data with Investor Services through the National Securities Clearing Corporation (NSCC) networking system. In addition to servicing fees received from the Fund, these financial institutions also may charge a fee for their services directly to their clients. Investor Services will also receive a fee from the Fund for services provided in support of Beneficial Owners and NSCC networking system accounts.
Custodian
Investor Services, as the transfer agent for the Portfolio, effectively acts as the Funds custodian and holds the Funds shares of the Portfolio on its books. The Bank of New York Mellon, Mutual Funds Division, 100 Church Street, New York, NY 10286, acts as custodian of the Funds cash, pending investment in Portfolio shares. The Bank of New York Mellon also acts as custodian of the securities and other assets of the Portfolio.
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Three Embarcadero Center, San Francisco, CA 94111-4004, is the Fund's independent registered public accounting firm. The independent registered public accounting firm audits the financial statements included in the Fund's Annual Report to shareholders.
Portfolio Transactions
The Fund will not incur any brokerage or other costs in connection with buying or selling shares of the Portfolio.
Since most purchases by the Portfolio are principal transactions at net prices, the Portfolio incurs little or no brokerage costs. The Portfolio deals directly with the selling or buying principal or market maker without incurring charges for the services of a broker on its behalf, unless it is determined that a better price or execution may be obtained by using the services of a broker. Purchases of portfolio securities from underwriters will include a commission or concession paid to the underwriter, and purchases from dealers will include a spread between the bid and ask price. The Portfolio seeks to obtain prompt execution of orders at the most favorable net price. Transactions may be directed to dealers in return for research and statistical information, as well as for special services provided by the dealers in the execution of orders.
It is not possible to place an accurate dollar value on the special execution or on the research services the investment manager receives from dealers effecting transactions in portfolio securities. The allocation of transactions to obtain additional research services allows the investment manager to supplement its own research and analysis activities and to receive the views and information of individuals and research staffs from many securities firms. The receipt of these products and services does not reduce the investment manager's research activities in providing investment advice to the Portfolio.
As long as it is lawful and appropriate to do so, the investment manager and its affiliates may use this research and data in their investment advisory capacities with other clients.
If purchases or sales of securities of the Portfolio and one or more other investment companies or clients supervised by the investment manager are considered at or about the same time, transactions in these securities will be allocated among the several investment companies and clients in a manner deemed equitable to all by the investment manager, taking into account the respective sizes of the accounts and the amount of securities to be purchased or sold. In some cases this procedure could have a detrimental effect on the price or volume of the security so far as the Portfolio is concerned. In other cases it is possible that the ability to participate in volume transactions may improve execution and reduce transaction costs to the Portfolio.
For the last three fiscal years ended June 30, the Portfolio did not pay any brokerage commissions.
As of June 30, 2013, the Portfolio owned securities issued by National Australia Bank, Ltd. valued in the aggregate of $930,000,000.
Except as noted, neither the Fund nor the Portfolio owned any securities issued by their regular broker-dealers as of the end of the fiscal year.
Distributions and Taxes
The following discussion is a summary of certain additional tax considerations generally affecting the Fund and its shareholders that are not described in the Funds prospectus. No attempt is made to present a complete detailed explanation of the tax treatment of the Fund or its shareholders. The discussions here and in the Prospectus are not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning.
The following discussion is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (Code), and applicable regulations in effect on the date of this SAI. Future legislative, regulatory or administrative changes, including provisions of current law that sunset and thereafter no longer apply, or court decisions may significantly change the tax rules applicable to the Fund and its shareholders. Any of these changes or court decisions may have a retroactive effect. Where indicated below, IRS refers to the United States Internal Revenue Service.
This is for general information only and not tax advice. All investors should consult their own tax advisors as to the federal, state, local and foreign tax provisions applicable to them.
Multiclass distributions
The Fund calculates income dividends the same way for each class. The amount of any income dividends per share will differ, however, generally due to any differences in the distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees applicable to the classes.
Distributions
The Fund intends to declare income dividends from its net investment income each day that its net asset value is calculated and pay them monthly. Capital gains, if any, may be paid at least annually. The Fund may distribute income dividends and capital gains more frequently, if necessary or appropriate in the Boards discretion. The amount of any distribution will vary, and there is no guarantee the Fund will pay either income dividends or capital gain distributions. Your income dividends and capital gain distributions will be automatically reinvested in additional shares at net asset value unless you elect to receive them in cash. Distributions declared in December to shareholders of record in such month and paid in January are taxable as if they were paid in December.
Distributions of net investment income.
The Fund receives taxable income generally in the form of dividends on its investments in the Portfolio. The Fund may also earn taxable income from temporary investments, and net short-term capital gains from the sale or other disposition of its investment in the Portfolio. This income, less expenses incurred in the operation of the Fund, constitutes the Fund's net investment income from which dividends may be paid to you. The Fund does not pay interest to you. If you are a taxable investor, any income dividends the Fund pays from this income will be taxable to you as ordinary income.
The Portfolio earns taxable income from many sources, including interest on domestic and foreign money market obligations, U.S. government securities, repurchase agreements, and ordinary income from the sale of market discount bonds.
Distributions of capital gains.
The Portfolio may realize short-term capital gains and losses in connection with sales of its portfolio securities. Distributions of the Portfolios net short-term capital gains (if any) will be taxable to the Fund, and, in turn, to you as ordinary income. Net short-term capital gains will normally be included in ordinary income distributions only once a year, but may be included in these distributions more frequently to assist the Fund in maintaining a stable $1 offering price. Because the Fund and the Portfolio are each money funds, neither anticipates realizing any long-term capital gains on its investments.
Returns of capital.
If the Fund's distributions exceed its earnings and profits (i.e., its taxable income and realized capital gains) for a taxable year, all or a portion of the distributions made in that taxable year may be characterized as a return of capital to you. A return of capital distribution will generally not be taxable, but will reduce the cost basis in your Fund shares and will result in a higher capital gain or in a lower capital loss when you sell your shares. Any return of capital in excess of the basis in your Fund shares, however, will be taxable as a capital gain. In the case of a non-calendar year fund, earnings and profits are first allocated to distributions made on or before December 31 of its taxable year and then to distributions made thereafter. The effect of this provision is to push returns of capital into the next calendar year.
Undistributed capital gains.
The Fund may retain or distribute to shareholders its net capital gain for each taxable year. The Fund currently intends to distribute net capital gains. If the Fund elects to retain its net capital gain, the Fund will be taxed thereon (except to the extent of any available capital loss carryovers) at the highest corporate tax rate (currently 35%). If the Fund elects to retain its net capital gain, it is expected that the Fund also will elect to have shareholders treated as if each received a distribution of its pro rata share of such gain, with the result that each shareholder will be required to report its pro rata share of such gain on its tax return as long-term capital gain, will receive a refundable tax credit for its pro rata share of tax paid by the Fund on the gain, and will increase the tax basis for its shares by an amount equal to the deemed distribution less the tax credit.
Investments in foreign securities
The following paragraphs describe tax considerations that are applicable to the Portfolio's investments in foreign securities that may be passed through to the Fund.
Foreign income tax.
Investment income received by the Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to foreign income tax withheld at the source and the amount of tax withheld generally will be treated as an expense of the Fund. The United States has entered into tax treaties with many foreign countries, which entitle the Fund to a reduced rate of, or exemption from, tax on such income. It is impossible to determine the effective rate of foreign tax in advance since the amount of the Fund's assets to be invested in various countries is not known. Under certain circumstances, the Fund may elect to pass-through foreign tax credits to shareholders, although it reserves the right not to do so.
Effect of foreign debt investments on distributions.
Most foreign exchange gains realized on the sale of debt securities are treated as ordinary income by the Portfolio. Similarly, foreign exchange losses realized on the sale of debt securities generally are treated as ordinary losses. These gains when distributed are taxable to the Fund as ordinary income, and any losses reduce the Portfolio's ordinary income otherwise available for distribution to the Fund. This treatment could increase or decrease the Portfolio's ordinary income distributions to the Fund, and, in turn, the Funds ordinary income distributions to you.
Information on the amount and tax character of distributions
The Fund will inform you of the amount of your income dividends at the time they are paid, and will advise you of their tax status for federal income tax purposes shortly after the close of each calendar year.
Election to be taxed as a regulated investment company
The Fund has elected to be treated as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code. It has qualified as a regulated investment company for its most recent fiscal year, and intends to continue to qualify during the current fiscal year. As a regulated investment company, the Fund generally pays no federal income tax on the income and gains it distributes to you. In order to qualify for treatment as a regulated investment company, the Fund must satisfy the requirements described below.
Distribution requirement.
The Fund must distribute an amount equal to the sum of at least 90% of its investment company taxable income and 90% of its net tax-exempt income, if any, for the tax year (including, for purposes of satisfying this distribution requirement, certain distributions made by the Fund after the close of its taxable year that are treated as made during such taxable year).
Income requirement.
The Fund must derive at least 90% of its gross income from dividends, interest, certain payments with respect to securities loans, and gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies, or other income (including, but not limited to, gains from options, futures or forward contracts) derived from its business of investing in such stock, securities or currencies and net income derived from qualified publicly traded partnerships (QPTPs).
Asset diversification test.
The Fund must satisfy the following asset diversification test at the close of each quarter of the Funds tax year: (1) at least 50% of the value of the Funds assets must consist of cash and cash items, U.S. government securities, securities of other regulated investment companies, and securities of other issuers (as to which the Fund has not invested more than 5% of the value of the Funds total assets in securities of an issuer and as to which the Fund does not hold more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of the issuer); and (2) no more than 25% of the value of the Funds total assets may be invested in the securities of any one issuer (other than U.S. government securities or securities of other regulated investment companies) or of two or more issuers which the Fund controls and which are engaged in the same or similar trades or businesses, or, in the securities of one or more QPTPs.
In some circumstances, the character and timing of income realized by the Fund for purposes of the Income Requirement or the identification of the issuer for purposes of the Asset Diversification Test is uncertain under current law with respect to a particular investment, and an adverse determination or future guidance by the IRS with respect to such type of investment may adversely affect the Funds ability to satisfy these requirements. See, Investment in complex securities below with respect to the application of these requirements to certain types of investments. In other circumstances, the Fund may be required to sell portfolio holdings in order to meet the Income Requirement, Distribution Requirement, or Asset Diversification Test, which may have a negative impact on the Funds income and performance. In lieu of potential disqualification, the Fund is permitted to pay a tax for certain failures to satisfy the Asset Diversification Test or Income Requirement, which, in general, are limited to those due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect.
If for any taxable year the Fund does not qualify as a regulated investment company, all of its taxable income (including its net capital gain) would be subject to tax at regular corporate rates without any deduction for dividends paid to shareholders, and the dividends would be taxable to the shareholders as ordinary income (or possibly as qualified dividend income) to the extent of the Funds current and accumulated earnings and profits. Failure to qualify as a regulated investment company, subject to savings provisions for certain qualification failures, which, in general, are limited to those due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, would thus have a negative impact on the Funds income and performance. In that case, the Fund would be liable for federal, and possibly state, corporate taxes on its taxable income and gains, and distributions to you would be taxed as dividend income to the extent of the Funds earnings and profits. Even if such savings provisions apply, the Fund may be subject to a monetary sanction of $50,000 or more. Moreover, the board reserves the right not to maintain the qualification of the Fund as a regulated investment company if it determines such a course of action to be beneficial to shareholders.
Capital loss carryovers
The capital losses of the Fund, if any, do not flow through to shareholders. Rather, the Fund may use its capital losses, subject to applicable limitations, to offset its capital gains without being required to pay taxes on or distribute to shareholders such gains that are offset by the losses. If the Fund has a "net capital loss" (that is, capital losses in excess of capital gains) for a taxable year beginning after December 22, 2010, the excess (if any) of the Fund's net short-term capital losses over its net long-term capital gains is treated as a short-term capital loss arising on the first day of the Fund's next taxable year, and the excess (if any) of the Fund's net long-term capital losses over its net short-term capital gains is treated as a long-term capital loss arising on the first day of the Fund's next taxable year. Any such net capital losses of the Fund that are not used to offset capital gains may be carried forward indefinitely to reduce any future capital gains realized by the Fund in succeeding taxable years. However, for any net capital losses realized in taxable years of the Fund beginning on or before December 22, 2010, the Fund is only permitted to carry forward such capital losses for eight years as a short-term capital loss. Under a transition rule, capital losses arising in a taxable year beginning after December 22, 2010 must be used before capital losses realized in a prior taxable year. Because the Fund is a money fund, it does not anticipate realizing any long-term capital losses.
Excise tax distribution requirements
Required distributions.
To avoid federal excise taxes, the Code requires the Fund to distribute to you by December 31 of each year, at a minimum, the following amounts:
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98% of its taxable ordinary income earned during the calendar year;
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98.2% of its capital gain net income earned during the 12-month period ending October 31; and
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100% of any undistributed amounts of these categories of income or gain from the prior year.
The Fund intends to declare and pay these distributions in December (or to pay them in January, in which case you must treat them as received in December), but can give no assurances that its distributions will be sufficient to eliminate all taxes.
Tax reporting for income and excise tax years.
Because the periods for measuring a regulated investment companys income are different for income (determined on a fiscal year basis) and excise tax years (determined as noted above), special rules are required to calculate the amount of income earned in each period, and the amount of earnings and profits needed to support that income. For example, if the Fund uses the excise tax period ending on October 31 as the measuring period for calculating and paying out capital gain net income and realizes a net capital loss between November 1 and the end of the Funds fiscal year, it will likely have insufficient earnings and profits for its taxable year to support its required excise tax distribution. The Fund may elect to treat part or all of any "qualified late year loss" as if it had been incurred in the succeeding taxable year in determining the Funds taxable income, net capital gain, net short-term capital gain, and earnings and profits. The effect of this election is to treat any such qualified late year loss as if it had been incurred in the succeeding taxable year, which may change the timing, amount, or characterization of Fund distributions.
A "qualified late year loss" includes: (i) any net capital loss, net long-term capital loss, or net short-term capital loss incurred after October 31 of the current taxable year (post-October losses), and (ii) the excess, if any, of (1) the sum of (a) specified losses incurred after October 31 of the current taxable year, and (b) other ordinary losses incurred after December 31 of the current taxable year, over (2) the sum of (a) specified gains incurred after October 31 of the current taxable year, and (b) other ordinary gains incurred after December 31 of the current taxable year. The terms specified losses and specified gains include ordinary losses and gains from the sale, exchange, or other disposition of property. The terms ordinary losses and ordinary gains mean other ordinary losses and gains that are not described in the preceding sentence. The Fund may only elect to treat any post-October loss incurred after October 31 as if it had been incurred in the succeeding year in determining its taxable income for the current year.
Because these rules are not entirely clear, the Fund may be required to interpret the "qualified late-year loss" and other rules relating to these different year-ends to determine its taxable income and capital gains. The Funds reporting of income and its allocation between different taxable and excise tax years may be challenged by the IRS, possibly resulting in adjustments in the income reported by the Fund on its tax returns and/or by the Fund to you on your year-end tax statements.
Medicare tax
The recently enacted Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, as amended by the Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act of 2010, will impose a 3.8% Medicare tax on net investment income earned by certain individuals, estates and trusts for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012. Net investment income, for these purposes, means investment income, including ordinary dividends and capital gain distributions received from the Fund and net gains from redemptions or other taxable dispositions of Fund shares, reduced by the deductions properly allocable to such income. In the case of an individual, the tax will be imposed on the lesser of (1) the shareholders net investment income or (2) the amount by which the shareholders modified adjusted gross income exceeds $250,000 (if the shareholder is married and filing jointly or a surviving spouse), $125,000 (if the shareholder is married and filing separately) or $200,000 (in any other case). Any liability for this additional Medicare tax will be reported on, and paid with, your federal income tax return.
Sales of Fund shares
Sales of Fund shares will not generally result in a taxable capital gain or loss for federal or state income tax purposes.
Tax certification and backup withholding
Tax laws require that you certify your tax information when you become an investor in the Fund. For U.S. citizens and resident aliens, this certification is made on IRS Form W-9. Under these laws, the Fund must withhold a portion of your taxable distributions unless you:
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provide your correct Social Security or taxpayer identification number,
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certify that this number is correct,
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certify that you are not subject to backup withholding, and
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certify that you are a U.S. person (including a U.S. resident alien).
The Fund must also withhold if the IRS instructs it to do so. When federal backup withholding is required, the amount will be 28% of any taxable distributions. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld may be credited against the shareholders U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the appropriate information is furnished to the IRS. Certain payees and payments are exempt from backup withholding and information reporting.
Dividends-received deduction for corporations
Because the Funds income primarily is derived from investments earning interest rather than dividend income, generally none of its income dividends will be eligible for the corporate dividends-received deduction.
Qualified dividend income for individuals
For the same reason, none of its distributions are expected to be qualified dividends eligible for federal taxation of individuals at long-term capital gain rates.
U.S. government securities
The income earned on certain U.S. government securities is exempt from state and local personal income taxes if earned directly by you. States also grant tax-free status to mutual fund dividends paid to you from interest earned on these securities, subject in some states to minimum investment or reporting requirements that must be met by a fund. The Fund, however, does not anticipate that any of its distributions will be exempt from state and local taxes because it invests in U.S. government securities only indirectly by investing in the Portfolio.
Investment in complex securities
The Portfolio may invest in securities issued or purchased at a discount that may require it to accrue and distribute income not yet received. In order to generate sufficient cash to make these distributions, the Portfolio may be required to sell securities in its portfolio that it otherwise might have continued to hold. These rules could affect the amount, timing and tax character of income distributed to the Fund by the Portfolio, and, in turn, by the Fund to you.
State income taxes
Some state tax codes adopt the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) through a certain date. As a result, such conforming states may not have adopted the version of the IRC that contains either the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010, or other federal tax laws enacted after the applicable conformity date. Other states may have adopted an income or other basis of tax that differs from the IRC. The California Revenue and Taxation Code currently conforms, with certain modifications, to the IRC as of January 1, 2009, and to the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010.
The information furnished by the Fund to shareholders and the IRS annually with respect to the amount and character of dividends paid, cost basis information with respect to shares redeemed or exchanged, and records maintained by the Fund with respect to the cost basis of Fund shares, will be prepared on the basis of current federal income tax law to comply with the information reporting requirements of the Code, and not on the basis of the law of any state in which a shareholder is resident or otherwise subject to tax. Under the current California Revenue and Taxation Code, certain funds are required to report tax information to the California Franchise Tax Board annually.
Accordingly, the amount and character of income, gain or loss realized by a shareholder with respect to his or her investment in Fund shares for state income tax purposes may differ from that for federal income tax purposes. Franklin Templeton Investments provides tax information on franklintempleton.com (under the Tax Center) regarding tax-exempt income by jurisdiction and U.S. government interest to assist shareholders with the preparation of their state income tax returns. Shareholders are solely responsible for determining the amount and character of income, gain or loss to report on their federal, state and local income tax returns each year as a result of their purchase, holding and sale of Fund shares.
Non-U.S. investors
Non-U.S. investors may be subject to U.S. withholding and estate tax, and are subject to special U.S. tax certification requirements.
In general.
The United States imposes a flat 30% withholding tax (or a tax at a lower treaty rate) on ordinary dividend income paid by the Fund to non-U.S. investors, subject to certain exemptions for short-term capital gain and interest-related dividends as described below, to the extent that these gains and dividends are paid with respect to taxable years of the Fund beginning before January 1, 2014. However, notwithstanding such exemptions from U.S. withholding at the source, a portion of your taxable distributions will be subject to backup withholding at a rate of 28% if you fail to properly certify that you are not a U.S. person.
Short-term capital gain dividends.
Dividends reported by the Fund to shareholders as a distribution from net short-term capital gains (a short-term capital gain dividend) are not subject to U.S. withholding tax unless you are a nonresident alien individual present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the calendar year.
Interest-related dividends.
Interest-related dividends reported by the Fund to shareholders from qualified net interest income are not subject to U.S. withholding tax. The Funds qualified net interest income equals the Funds qualified interest income less allocable expenses. Qualified interest income includes, in general, the sum of the Funds U.S. source: i) bank deposit interest, ii) short-term original issue discount, iii) portfolio interest, and iv) any interest-related dividend passed through from another regulated investment company. On any payment date, the amount of an income dividend that is reported by the Fund as an interest-related dividend may be more or less than the amount that is so qualified. This is because the amount reported is based on an estimate of the Funds qualified interest income for its entire fiscal year, which can only be determined with exactness at fiscal year end. As a consequence, the Fund may over withhold a small amount of U.S. tax from a dividend payment. In this case, the non-U.S. investors only recourse may be to either forgo recovery of the excess withholding, or to file a United States nonresident income tax return to recover the excess withholding.
Limitations on tax reporting for interest-related dividends and short-term capital gains dividends for non-U.S. investors.
It may not be practical in every case for the Fund to report to shareholders, and the Fund reserves the right in these cases to not report, small amounts of interest-related or short-term capital gain dividends. Additionally, the Funds reporting of interest-related or short-term capital gain dividends may not, in turn, be passed through to shareholders by intermediaries who have assumed tax reporting responsibilities for this income in managed or omnibus accounts due to systems limitations or operational constraints. When the Fund has reported interest-related or short-term capital gain dividends, this information will be available online at franklintempleton.com, under the Funds Tax Information, or through a Customer Service Representative at Franklin Templeton Investments at (800) DIAL BEN/342-5236. If you are a shareholder of an institutional fund, you may obtain this information by calling Institutional Services at (800) 321-8563, or through a Customer Service Representative at Franklin Templeton Investments at (800) DIAL BEN/342-5236.
Effectively connected income.
Income dividends paid by the Fund to non-U.S. investors on portfolio investments are generally subject to U.S. withholding tax at 30% or a lower treaty rate. However, if you hold your Fund shares in connection with a U.S. trade or business, your income and gains may be considered effectively connected income and taxed in the U.S. on a net basis at graduated income tax rates in which case you may be required to file a nonresident U.S. income tax return.
U.S. estate tax.
An individual who is a non-U.S. investor will be subject to U.S. federal estate tax on all or a portion of the value of Fund shares owned at the time of death, unless a treaty exemption applies between the country of residence of the non-U.S. investor and the U.S. Even if a treaty exemption is available, a decedents estate may nevertheless be required to file a U.S. estate tax return to claim the exemption, as well as to obtain a U.S. federal transfer certificate. The transfer certificate will identify the property (i.e., Fund shares) on which a U.S. federal tax lien has been released, and is required before the Fund can release a nonresident alien decedents investment in the Fund to his or her estate. For estates with U.S. situs assets of not more than $60,000 (there is a statutory estate tax credit for this amount of property), the Fund may accept, in lieu of a federal transfer certificate, an affidavit from the executor of the estate or other authorized individual evidencing that the U.S. situs assets (excluding any exempt assets as noted below) are at or below this threshold amount. Transfers by gift of shares of the Fund by a non-U.S. investor who is a nonresident alien individual will not be subject to U.S. federal gift tax. The tax consequences to a non-U.S. investor entitled to claim the benefits of a treaty between the country of residence of the non-U.S. investor and the U.S. may be different from the consequences described above.
Sunsetting of provisions.
The provisions dealing with interest-related dividends and short-term capital gain dividends that are discussed above are scheduled to sunset with respect to taxable years of the Fund ending on December 31, 2013 (calendar year Funds) or in 2014 (fiscal year Funds). Unless these rules are extended, or made permanent, non-U.S. investors will again be subject to nonresident withholding taxes on any ordinary dividends (including short-term capital gain dividends) that they receive.
Tax certification and backup withholding as applied to non-U.S. investors.
Non-U.S. investors have special U.S. tax certification requirements to avoid backup withholding at a rate of 28% and, if applicable, to obtain the benefit of any income tax treaty between the non-U.S. investors country of residence and the United States. To claim these tax benefits, the non-U.S. investor must provide a properly completed Form W-8BEN (or other Form W-8, where applicable, or their substitute forms) to establish his or her status as a non-U.S. investor, to claim beneficial ownership over the assets in the account, and to claim, if applicable, a reduced rate of or exemption from withholding tax under the applicable treaty. A Form W-8BEN provided without a U.S. taxpayer identification number remains in effect for a period of three years beginning on the date that it is signed and ending on the last day of the third succeeding calendar year. However, non-U.S. investors must advise the Fund of any changes of circumstances that would render the information given on the form incorrect, and must then provide a new W-8BEN to avoid the prospective application of backup withholding. Forms W-8BEN with U.S. taxpayer identification numbers remain valid indefinitely, or until the investor has a change of circumstances that renders the form incorrect and necessitates a new form and tax certification.
Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act
Under the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (or "FATCA"), foreign entities, referred to as foreign financial institutions (FFI) or non-financial foreign entities (NFFE) that are shareholders in the Fund may be subject to a generally nonrefundable 30% withholding tax on: (a) income dividends paid by the Fund after June 30, 2014, and (b) certain capital gain distributions and the proceeds of a sale of Fund shares paid after December 31, 2016. The FATCA withholding tax generally can be avoided: (a) by an FFI, if it reports certain direct and indirect ownership of foreign financial accounts held by U.S. persons with the FFI and (b) by an NFFE, if it: (i) certifies that it has no substantial U.S. persons as owners or (ii) if it does have such owners, reporting information relating to them. The U.S. Treasury has negotiated intergovernmental agreements (IGA) with certain countries and is in various stages of negotiations with a number of other foreign countries with respect to one or more alternative approaches to implement FATCA.
An FFI can avoid FATCA withholding by becoming a participating FFI, which requires the FFI to enter into a U.S. tax compliance agreement with the IRS under section 1471(b) of the Code (FFI agreement) under which it agrees to verify, report and disclose certain of its U.S. accountholders and provided that such entity meets certain other specified requirements. The FFI will report to the IRS, or, depending on the FFIs country of residence, to the government of that country (pursuant to the terms and conditions of an applicable IGA and applicable law), which will, in turn, report to the IRS. An FFI that is resident in a country that has entered into an IGA with the U.S. to implement FATCA will be exempt from FATCA withholding provided that the FFI shareholder and the applicable foreign government comply with the terms of such agreement.
An NFFE that is the beneficial owner of a payment from the Fund can avoid the FATCA withholding tax generally by certifying that it does not have any substantial U.S. owners or by providing the name, address and taxpayer identification number of each substantial U.S. owner. The NFFE will report information to the Fund, or other applicable withholding agent, which will, in turn, report information to the IRS.
Such foreign shareholders also may fall into certain exempt, excepted or deemed compliant categories as established by U.S. Treasury regulations and other guidance regarding FATCA. An FFI or NFFE that invests in a Fund will need to provide the Fund with documentation properly certifying the entitys status under FATCA in order to avoid FATCA withholding. The requirements imposed by FATCA are different from, and in addition to, the U.S. tax certification rules to avoid backup withholding described above.
Organization, Voting Rights and Principal Holders
The Fund is a diversified series of Franklin Templeton Money Fund Trust (Trust), an open-end management investment company, commonly called a mutual fund. The Trust was organized as a Delaware statutory trust (a form of entity formerly known as a business trust) on January 30, 1995, and is registered with the SEC.
The Fund currently offers three classes of shares, Class A, Class C and Class R. The Fund may offer additional classes of shares in the future. The full title of each class is:
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Franklin Templeton Money Fund - Class A
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Franklin Templeton Money Fund - Class C
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Franklin Templeton Money Fund - Class R
Shares of each class represent proportionate interests in the Fund's assets. On matters that affect the Fund as a whole, each class has the same voting and other rights and preferences as any other class. On matters that affect only one class, only shareholders of that class may vote. Each class votes separately on matters affecting only that class, or matters expressly required to be voted on separately by state or federal law.
The Trust has noncumulative voting rights. For board member elections, this gives holders of more than 50% of the shares voting the ability to elect all of the members of the board. If this happens, holders of the remaining shares voting will not be able to elect anyone to the board.
The Trust does not intend to hold annual shareholder meetings. The Trust or a series of the Trust may hold special meetings, however, for matters requiring shareholder approval.
As of October 1, 2013, the principal shareholders of the Fund, beneficial or of record, were:
Name and Address
|
Share Class
|
Percentage
(%)
|
Renaissance Charitable Foundation, Inc.
FBO FT Charitable Giving Fund
Gregory W. Baker & Douglas W. Cox
And Steven R. KO TRSTE
6100 West 96th Street, Suite 105
Indianapolis, IN 46278-6018
|
C
|
7.56
|
From time to time, the number of Fund shares held in the "street name" accounts of various securities dealers for the benefit of their clients or in centralized securities depositories may exceed 5% of the total shares outstanding.
As of October 1, 2013, the officers and board members, as a group, owned of record and beneficially less than 1% of the outstanding shares of the Fund. The board members may own shares in other funds in Franklin Templeton Investments.
Buying and Selling Shares
The Fund continuously offers its shares through securities dealers who have an agreement with Franklin Templeton Distributors, Inc. (Distributors). A securities dealer includes any financial institution that, either directly or through affiliates, has an agreement with Distributors to handle customer orders and accounts with the Fund. This reference is for convenience only and does not indicate a legal conclusion of capacity. Banks and financial institutions that sell shares of the Fund may be required by state law to register as securities dealers. If you buy or sell shares through your securities dealer, you may be charged a transaction processing fee by your securities dealer. Your securities dealer will provide you with specific information about any transaction processing fees you will be charged.
For investors outside the U.S., the offering of Fund shares may be limited in many jurisdictions. An investor who wishes to buy shares of the Fund should determine, or have a broker-dealer determine, the applicable laws and regulations of the relevant jurisdiction. Investors are responsible for compliance with tax, currency exchange or other regulations applicable to redemption and purchase transactions in any jurisdiction to which they may be subject. Investors should consult appropriate tax and legal advisors to obtain information on the rules applicable to these transactions.
All checks, drafts, wires and other payment mediums used to buy or sell shares of the Fund must be denominated in U.S. dollars and drawn on a U.S. bank, and are accepted subject to collection at full face value. Checks drawn in U.S. funds on foreign banks will not be credited to your account and dividends will not begin to accrue until the proceeds are collected, which may take a long period of time. We may, in our sole discretion, either (a) reject any order to buy or sell shares denominated in any other currency or (b) honor the transaction or make adjustments to your account for the transaction as of a date and with a foreign currency exchange factor determined by the drawee bank. We may deduct any applicable banking charges imposed by the bank from your account.
The offering of Fund shares may be suspended at any time and resumed at any time thereafter.
Investment by asset allocators and large shareholders
Particularly during times of overall market turmoil or price volatility, the Fund may experience adverse effects when certain large shareholders such as other funds, institutional investors (including those trading by use of non-discretionary mathematical formulas) and asset allocators (who make investment decisions on behalf of underlying clients), purchase or redeem large amounts of shares of the Fund. Such large shareholder redemptions may cause the Fund to sell portfolio securities at times when it would not otherwise do so. Similarly, large Fund share purchases may adversely affect the Funds performance to the extent that the Fund is delayed in investing new cash and is required to maintain a larger cash position than it ordinarily would.
These transactions may also accelerate the realization of taxable income to shareholders if such sales of investments resulted in gains, and may also increase transaction costs. In addition, a large redemption could result in the Fund's current expenses being allocated over a smaller asset base, leading to an increase in the Fund's expense ratio.
When experiencing such purchases and redemptions by large shareholders, the Fund may restrict or reject trading activity in accordance with the Frequent Trading Policy of the Fund as set forth in the Funds Prospectus.
Dealer and financial intermediary compensation
Distributors and/or its non-fund affiliates may make the following additional payments to securities dealers that sell shares of Franklin Templeton funds:
Marketing support payments.
Distributors may make payments to certain dealers who are holders or dealers of record for accounts in one or more of the Franklin Templeton funds. A dealer's marketing support services may include business planning assistance, advertising, educating dealer personnel about the Franklin Templeton funds and shareholder financial planning needs, placement on the dealer's list of offered funds, and access to sales meetings, sales representatives and management representatives of the dealer. Distributors compensates dealers differently depending upon, among other factors, sales and assets levels, redemption rates and the level and/or type of marketing and educational activities provided by the dealer. Such compensation may include financial assistance to dealers that enable Distributors to participate in and/or present at conferences or seminars, sales or training programs for invited registered representatives and other employees, client and investor events and other dealer-sponsored events. These payments may vary depending upon the nature of the event. Distributors will, on an annual basis, determine whether to continue such payments. In the case of any one dealer, marketing support payments will not exceed the sum of 0.08% of that dealer's current year's total sales of Franklin Templeton mutual funds and 0.05% (or 0.03%) of the total assets, respectively, of equity or fixed income funds attributable to that dealer, on an annual basis.
Distributors may also make marketing support payments to financial intermediaries in connection with their activities that are intended to assist in the sale of shares of Franklin Templeton funds, directly or indirectly, to certain Employer Sponsored Retirement Plans that have retained such financial intermediaries as plan service providers. Payments may be made on account of activities that may include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following: business planning assistance for financial intermediary personnel, educating financial intermediary personnel about the Franklin Templeton funds, access to sales meetings, sales representatives, wholesalers, and management representatives of the financial intermediary, and detailed sales reporting. A financial intermediary may perform the services itself or may arrange with a third party to perform the services. In the case of any one financial intermediary, such payments will not exceed 0.10% of the total assets of Franklin Templeton equity or fixed income mutual funds held, directly or indirectly, by such Employer Sponsored Retirement Plans, on an annual basis. Distributors will, on an annual basis, determine whether to continue such payments. Any current year sales to, or assets held on behalf of, Employer Sponsored Retirement Plans for which payment is made to a financial intermediary pursuant to this paragraph will be excluded from the calculation of marketing support payments pursuant to the preceding paragraph.
Consistent with the provisions and limitations set forth in its distribution plans, the Fund may reimburse Distributors for the cost of a portion of these marketing support payments.
Marketing support payments may be in addition to any servicing and other fees paid by Investor Services, as described further below and under Management and Other Services - Shareholder servicing and transfer agent above.
As noted below, Distributors may provide additional compensation to dealers and financial intermediaries, including dealers and financial intermediaries not listed below, related to transaction support and various dealer-sponsored events intended to educate financial advisers and their clients about the Franklin Templeton funds.
The following list includes FINRA member firms (or, in some instances, their respective affiliates) that Distributors anticipates will receive marketing support payments as of March 31, 2013. In addition to member firms of FINRA, Distributors also makes marketing support payments, and Distributors' non-fund affiliates may make administrative services payments, to certain other financial intermediaries, such as banks, insurance companies, and plan administrators, that sell fund shares or provide services to Franklin Templeton funds and shareholders. These firms may not be included in this list. You should ask your financial intermediary if it receives such payments.
ADP Retirement Services, American Portfolios Financial Services, Inc., American United Life Insurance Company, Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc., Ascensus, Inc., AXA Advisors, LLC, BBVA Compass Investment Solutions, Inc., Benjamin F. Edwards & Company, Inc., Cadaret Grant & Co., Inc., Cambridge Investment Research, Inc., Cetera Advisors LLC, Cetera Advisor Networks LLC, Cetera Financial Specialists LLC, Cetera Investment Services LLC, CCO Investment Services Corp., Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Commonwealth Financial Network, CPI Qualified Plan Consultants, Inc., CUNA Brokerage Services, Inc., CUSO Financial Services, L.P., Daily Access Corporation, Diversified Investment Advisors, Edward Jones, ePlan Services, Inc., ExpertPlan, Inc., Fidelity Investments Institutional Services Company, Inc., Fifth Third Securities, Inc., First Command Financial Planning, Inc., FSC Securities Corporation, Goldman, Sachs & Co., Great-West Retirement Services, Hartford, IFC Holdings Inc. D/B/A INVEST Financial Corporation, ING Financial Partners, Inc., ING Institutional Plan Services LLP, Investment Centers of America, Inc., J.J.B. Hilliard, W.L. Lyons LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Janney Montgomery Scott LLC, John Hancock Distributors LLC, Legend Equities Corporation, Lincoln Financial Advisors Corporation, Lincoln Financial Securities Corporation, Lincoln Investment Planning, Inc., Lincoln Retirement Services Company LLC, LPL Financial Corporation, M&T Securities, Inc., Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc., Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, National Planning Corporation, Nationwide Financial Services, Inc., New York Life Retirement Plan Services, Newport Retirement Services, Inc., Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC, PFS Investments Inc., PNC Investments LLC, Principal Financial Group, Putnam Investor Services, Inc., Raymond James & Associates, Inc., Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., RBC Capital Markets LLC, Richard D. Schubert, Inc., Robert W. Baird & Co., Inc., Royal Alliance Associates, Inc., SagePoint Financial, Inc., Securities America, Inc., Signator Investors, Inc., SII Investments, Inc., Sorrento Pacific Financial, LLC, Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated, SunTrust Banks Inc., SunTrust Investment Services, Inc., TD Ameritrade Trust Company, TFS Securities, Inc., The Huntington Investment Company, The Investment Center, Inc., TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC, Transamerica Advisors Life Insurance Company, UBS Financial Services, Inc., UBS Global Asset Management (US) Inc., UnionBanc Investment Services, LLC, U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc., USI Consulting Group and Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC.
Marketing support payments made to organizations located outside the U.S., with respect to investments in the Fund by non-U.S. persons, may exceed the above-stated limitation.
Transaction support payments.
The types of payments that Distributors may make under this category include, among others, payment of ticket charges of up to $20 per purchase or exchange order placed by a dealer or one-time payments for ancillary services such as setting up funds on a dealer's mutual fund trading system.
Other payments.
From time to time, Distributors, at its expense, may make additional payments to dealers that sell or arrange for the sale of shares of the Fund. Such compensation may include financial assistance to dealers that enable Distributors to participate in and/or present at conferences or seminars, sales or training programs for invited registered representatives and other employees, client and investor events, co-operative advertising, newsletters, and other dealer-sponsored events. These payments may vary depending upon the nature of the event, and can include travel expenses, such as lodging incurred by registered representatives and other employees in connection with training and educational meetings, client prospecting and due diligence trips.
Distributors routinely sponsors due diligence meetings for registered representatives during which they receive updates on various Franklin Templeton funds and are afforded the opportunity to speak with portfolio managers. Invitation to these meetings is not conditioned on selling a specific number of shares. Those who have shown an interest in Franklin Templeton funds, however, are more likely to be considered. To the extent permitted by their firm's policies and procedures, registered representatives' expenses in attending these meetings may be covered by Distributors.
Other compensation may be offered to the extent not prohibited by federal or state laws or any self-regulatory agency, such as FINRA. Distributors makes payments for events it deems appropriate, subject to Distributors' guidelines and applicable law.
You should ask your dealer for information about any payments it receives from Distributors and any services provided.
Contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC)
For Class C shares, a CDSC may apply if you sell your shares within 12 months from the date of purchase of the shares that were exchanged for shares of the Fund. The CDSC is 1% of the value of the shares sold or the net asset value at the time of purchase, whichever is less.
CDSC waivers.
The CDSC for any share class will be waived for:
-
Assets held in accounts managed by a state or federally regulated trust company or bank (Trust Company) either as discretionary trustee of an inter vivos or testamentary trust or as investment manager under an advisory agreement (including sub-advisory) or other agreement that grants the Trust Company investment discretion over those assets (Trust Company Managed Assets) if (i) the aggregate value of Trust Company Managed Assets invested in Franklin Templeton funds at the time of purchase equals at least $1 million; and (ii) the purchased shares are registered directly to the Trust Company in its corporate capacity (not as trustee of an individual trust) and held solely as Trust Company Managed Assets.
-
Account fees
-
Redemptions by the Fund when an account falls below the minimum required account size
-
Redemptions following the death of the shareholder or beneficial owner
-
Redemptions through a systematic withdrawal plan, up to 1% monthly, 3% quarterly, 6% semiannually or 12% annually of your account's net asset value depending on the frequency of your plan
-
Redemptions by Employer Sponsored Retirement Plans
-
Distributions from individual retirement accounts (IRAs) due to death or disability or upon periodic distributions based on life expectancy or returns of excess contributions and earnings
-
Purchases of Class C shares by the Franklin Templeton Charitable Giving Fund.
-
Any trust or plan established as part of a qualified tuition program under Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
Exchange privilege
If you request the exchange of the total value of your account, declared but unpaid income dividends and capital gain distributions will be reinvested in the Fund and exchanged into the new fund at net asset value when paid. Backup withholding and information reporting may apply.
If a substantial number of shareholders should, within a short period, sell their Fund shares under the exchange privilege, the Fund might have to sell portfolio securities it might otherwise hold and incur the additional costs related to such transactions.
The proceeds from the sale of shares of an investment company generally are not available until the seventh day following the sale. The funds you are seeking to exchange into may delay issuing shares pursuant to an exchange until that seventh day. The sale of Fund shares to complete an exchange will be effected at net asset value at the close of business on the day the request for exchange is received in proper form.
Systematic withdrawal plan
Our systematic withdrawal plan allows you to sell your shares and receive regular payments from your account on a monthly, quarterly, semiannual or annual basis. The value of your account must be at least $5,000 and the minimum payment amount for each withdrawal must be at least $50. For retirement plans subject to mandatory distribution requirements, the $50 minimum will not apply. There are no service charges for establishing or maintaining a systematic withdrawal plan.
Each month in which a payment is scheduled, we will redeem an equivalent amount of shares in your account on the day of the month you have indicated on your account application or, if no day is indicated, on the 20th day of the month. If that day falls on a weekend or holiday, we will process the redemption on the next business day. For plans set up before June 1, 2000, we will continue to process redemptions on the 25th day of the month (or the next business day) unless you instruct us to change the processing date. Available processing dates currently are the 1st, 5th, 10th, 15th, 20th and 25th days of the month. When you sell your shares under a systematic withdrawal plan, it is a taxable transaction. Shares sold under the plan also may be subject to a CDSC.
Redeeming shares through a systematic withdrawal plan may reduce or exhaust the shares in your account if payments exceed distributions received from the Fund. This is especially likely to occur if there is a market decline. If a withdrawal amount exceeds the value of your account, your account will be closed and the remaining balance in your account will be sent to you. Because the amount withdrawn under the plan may be more than your actual yield or income, part of the payment may be a return of your investment.
To discontinue a systematic withdrawal plan, change the amount and schedule of withdrawal payments, or suspend one payment, we must receive instructions from you at least three business days before a scheduled payment. The Fund may discontinue a systematic withdrawal plan by notifying you in writing and will discontinue a systematic withdrawal plan automatically if all shares in your account are withdrawn, if the Fund receives notification of the shareholder's death or incapacity, or if mail is returned to the Fund marked unable to forward by the postal service.
Redemptions in kind
The Fund has committed itself to pay in cash (by check) all requests for redemption by any shareholder of record, limited in amount, however, during any 90-day period to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the value of the Fund's net assets at the beginning of the 90-day period. This commitment is irrevocable without the prior approval of the SEC. In the case of redemption requests in excess of these amounts, the board reserves the right to make payments in whole or in part in securities or other assets of the Fund, in case of an emergency, or if the payment of such a redemption in cash would be detrimental to the existing shareholders of the Fund. In these circumstances, the securities distributed would be valued at the price used to compute the Fund's net assets and you may incur brokerage fees in converting the securities to cash.
Share certificates
We will credit your shares to your Fund account. We do not issue share certificates. This eliminates the costly problem of replacing lost, stolen or destroyed certificates.
All purchases of Fund shares will be credited to you, in full and fractional Fund shares (rounded to the nearest 1/100 of a share), in an account maintained for you by the Fund's transfer agent.
General information
If dividend checks are returned to the Fund marked "unable to forward" by the postal service, we will consider this a request by you to change your dividend option to reinvest all distributions. The proceeds will be reinvested in additional shares at net asset value until we receive new instructions.
Distribution or redemption checks sent to you do not earn interest or any other income during the time the checks remain uncashed. Neither the Fund nor its affiliates will be liable for any loss caused by your failure to cash such checks. The Fund is not responsible for tracking down uncashed checks, unless a check is returned as undeliverable.
In most cases, if mail is returned as undeliverable we are required to take certain steps to try to find you free of charge. If these attempts are unsuccessful, however, we may deduct the costs of any additional efforts to find you from your account. These costs may include a percentage of the account when a search company charges a percentage fee in exchange for its location services.
Sending redemption proceeds by wire or electronic funds transfer (ACH) is a special service that we make available whenever possible. By offering this service to you, the Fund is not bound to meet any redemption request in less than the seven-day period prescribed by law. Neither the Fund nor its agents shall be liable to you or any other person if, for any reason, a redemption request by wire or ACH is not processed as described in the prospectus.
Investor Services may charge you separate fees, negotiated directly with you, for providing special services in connection with your account. Fees for special services will not increase the Fund's expenses.
There are special procedures for banks and other institutions that wish to open multiple accounts. An institution may open a single master account by filing one application form with the Fund, signed by personnel authorized to act for the institution. Individual sub-accounts may be opened when the master account is opened by listing them on the application, or by providing instructions to the Fund at a later date. These sub-accounts may be registered either by name or number. The Fund's investment minimums apply to each sub-account. The Fund will send confirmation and account statements for the sub-accounts to the institution.
If you buy or sell shares through your securities dealer, we use the net asset value next calculated after your securities dealer receives your request, which is promptly transmitted to the Fund.
In the event of disputes involving conflicting claims of ownership or authority to control your shares, the Fund has the right (but has no obligation) to: (i) restrict the shares and require the written agreement of all persons deemed by the Fund to have a potential interest in the shares before executing instructions regarding the shares; or (ii) interplead disputed shares or the proceeds from the court-ordered sale thereof with a court of competent jurisdiction.
Should the Fund be required to defend against joint or multiple shareholders in any action relating to an ownership dispute, you expressly grant the Fund the right to obtain reimbursement for costs and expenses including, but not limited to, attorneys fees and court costs, by unilaterally redeeming shares from your account.
The Fund may be required (i) pursuant to a validly issued levy, to turn your shares over to a levying officer who may, in turn, sell your shares at a public sale; or (ii) pursuant to a final order of forfeiture to sell your shares and remit the proceeds to the U.S. or state government as directed.
Using good faith efforts, the investment manager attempts to identify class action litigation settlements and regulatory or governmental recovery funds involving securities presently or formerly held by the Fund or issuers of such securities or related parties (Claims) in which the Fund may be eligible to participate. When such Claims are identified, the investment manager will cause the Fund to file proofs of claim. Currently, such Claim opportunities predominate in the U.S. and in Canada; the investment managers efforts are therefore focused on Claim opportunities in those jurisdictions. The investment manager may learn of such class action lawsuit or victim fund recovery opportunities in jurisdictions outside of North America (Foreign Actions), in which case the investment manager has complete discretion to determine, on a case-by-case basis, whether to cause the Fund to file proofs of claim in such Foreign Actions. In addition, the investment manager may participate in bankruptcy proceedings relating to securities held by the Fund and join creditors committees on behalf of the Fund.
Further, the investment manager may on occasion initiate and/or recommend, and the board of trustees of the Fund may approve, pursuit of separate litigation against an issuer or related parties in connection with securities presently or formerly held by the Fund (whether by opting out of an existing class action lawsuit or otherwise).
Clients of financial advisors whose firms have a Selling Agreement with Distributors and who are eligible for the Financial Advisor Service Team (FAST) may be eligible for Franklin Templeton VIP Services
®
which offers enhanced service and transaction capabilities. Please contact Shareholder Services at (800) 632-2301 for additional information on this program.
Pricing Shares
The valuation of the Portfolio's portfolio securities, including any securities set aside on the Portfolio's books for when-issued securities, is based on the amortized cost of the securities, which does not take into account unrealized capital gains or losses. This method involves valuing an instrument at its cost and thereafter assuming a constant amortization to maturity of any discount or premium, regardless of the impact of fluctuating interest rates on the market value of the instrument. While this method provides certainty in calculation, it may result in periods during which value, as determined by amortized cost, is higher or lower than the price the Portfolio would receive if it sold the instrument. During periods of declining interest rates, the daily yield on shares of the Portfolio computed as described above may tend to be higher than a like computation made by a fund with identical investments but using a method of valuation based upon market prices and estimates of market prices for all of its portfolio instruments. Thus, if the use of amortized cost by the Portfolio resulted in a lower aggregate portfolio value on a particular day, a prospective investor in the Portfolio would be able to obtain a somewhat higher yield than would result from an investment in a fund using only market values, and existing investors in the Portfolio would receive less investment income. The opposite would be true in a period of rising interest rates. The Portfolio's use of amortized cost, which helps the Portfolio maintain a $1.00 share price, is permitted by a rule adopted by the SEC.
The board has established procedures designed to stabilize, to the extent reasonably possible, the Portfolio's price per share at $1.00, as computed for the purpose of sales and redemptions. These procedures include a review of the Portfolio's holdings by the board, at such intervals as it may deem appropriate, to determine if the Portfolio's net asset value calculated by using available market quotations deviates from $1.00 per share based on amortized cost. The extent of any deviation will be examined by the board. If a deviation exceeds 1/2 of 1%, the board will promptly consider what action, if any, will be initiated. If the board determines that a deviation exists that may result in material dilution or other unfair results to investors or existing shareholders, it will take corrective action that it regards as necessary and appropriate, which may include selling portfolio instruments before maturity to realize capital gains or losses or to shorten average portfolio maturity, withholding dividends, redeeming shares in kind, or establishing a net asset value per share by using available market quotations.
The Underwriter
Franklin Templeton Distributors, Inc. (Distributors) acts as the principal underwriter in the continuous public offering of the Fund's shares. Distributors is located at One Franklin Parkway, San Mateo, CA 94403-1906.
The table below shows the amounts Distributors received in connection with redemptions or repurchases of shares for the last three fiscal years ended June 30:
|
Amount Received in
Connection with
Redemptions and
Repurchases ($)
|
2013
|
48,587
|
2012
|
152,100
|
2011
|
141,852
|
Distributors may be entitled to payments from the Fund under the Rule 12b-1 plans, as discussed below. Except as noted, Distributors received no other compensation from the Fund for acting as underwriter.
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees - Class C and R
The board has adopted a separate plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for each class. Although the plans differ in some ways for each class, each plan is designed to benefit the Fund and its shareholders. The plans are expected to, among other things, increase advertising of the Fund, encourage purchases of Fund shares and service to its shareholders, and increase or maintain assets of the Fund so that certain fixed expenses may be spread over a broader asset base, with a positive impact on per share expense ratios. In addition, a positive cash flow into the Fund is useful in managing the Fund because the investment manager has more flexibility in taking advantage of new investment opportunities and handling shareholder redemptions.
Under each plan, the Fund pays Distributors or others for the expenses of activities that are primarily intended to sell shares of the class. These expenses also may include service fees paid to securities dealers or others who have executed a servicing agreement with the Fund, Distributors or its affiliates and who provide service or account maintenance to shareholders (service fees); and the expenses of printing prospectuses and reports used for sales purposes, of marketing support and of preparing and distributing sales literature and advertisements. Together, these expenses, including the service fees, are "eligible expenses." The 12b-1 fees charged to each class are based only on the fees attributable to that particular class and are calculated, as a percentage of such class net assets, over the 12-month period of February 1 through January 31. Because this 12-month period may not match the Funds fiscal year, the amount, as a percentage of a class net assets, for the Funds fiscal year may vary from the amount stated under the applicable plan, but will never exceed that amount during the 12-month period of February 1 through January 31.
The Class C and R plans.
The Fund pays Distributors up to 0.65% per year of Class C's average daily net assets, out of which 0.15% may be paid for services to the shareholders (service fees). For Class R shares, the Fund pays Distributors up to 0.50% per year of the class's average daily net assets. The Class C and R plans also may be used to pay Distributors for advancing commissions to securities dealers with respect to the initial sale of Class C and R shares.
The plans are compensation plans. They allow the Fund to pay a fee to Distributors that may be more than the eligible expenses Distributors has incurred at the time of the payment. Distributors must, however, demonstrate to the board that it has spent or has near-term plans to spend the amount received on eligible expenses. The Fund will not pay more than the maximum amount allowed under the plans.
Beginning at the time of purchase, Distributors may pay the full 12b-1 fee to qualified financial advisor firms for shares purchased by the Franklin Templeton Charitable Giving Fund.
Under each plan, the Fund paid no 12b-1 fees for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2013.
In addition to the payments that Distributors or others are entitled to under each plan, each plan also provides that to the extent the Fund, the investment manager or Distributors or other parties on behalf of the Fund, the investment manager or Distributors make payments that are deemed to be for the financing of any activity primarily intended to result in the sale of Fund shares within the context of Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, then such payments shall be deemed to have been made pursuant to the plan.
To the extent fees are for distribution or marketing functions, as distinguished from administrative servicing or agency transactions, certain banks may not participate in the plans because of applicable federal law prohibiting certain banks from engaging in the distribution of mutual fund shares. These banks, however, are allowed to receive fees under the plans for administrative servicing or for agency transactions.
Distributors must provide written reports to the board at least quarterly on the amounts and purpose of any payment made under the plans and any related agreements, and furnish the board with such other information as the board may reasonably request to enable it to make an informed determination of whether the plans should be continued.
Each plan has been approved according to the provisions of Rule 12b-1. The terms and provisions of each plan also are consistent with Rule 12b-1.
Performance
Performance quotations are subject to SEC rules. These rules require the use of standardized performance quotations or, alternatively, that every non-standardized performance quotation furnished by the Fund be accompanied by certain standardized performance information computed as required by the SEC. Average annual total return, current yield and effective yield quotations used by the Fund are based on the standardized methods of computing performance mandated by the SEC. An explanation of these and other methods used by the Fund to compute or express performance follows. Regardless of the method used, past performance does not guarantee future results, and is an indication of the return to shareholders only for the limited historical period used.
Average annual total return
Average annual total return is determined by finding the average annual rates of return over certain periods that would equate an initial hypothetical $1,000 investment to its ending redeemable value. The calculation assumes income dividends are reinvested at net asset value. The quotation assumes the account was completely redeemed at the end of each period and the deduction of all applicable charges and fees.
The following SEC formula is used to calculate these figures:
where:
P
= a hypothetical initial payment of $1,000
T
= average annual total return
n
= number of years
ERV
= ending redeemable value of a hypothetical $1,000 payment made at the beginning of each period at the end of each period
Current yield
Current yield shows the income per share earned by the Fund. It is calculated by determining the net change, excluding capital changes, in the value of a hypothetical pre-existing account with a balance of one share at the beginning of the period, subtracting a hypothetical charge reflecting deductions from shareholder accounts, and dividing the difference by the value of the account at the beginning of the base period to obtain the base period return. The result is then annualized by multiplying the base period return by 365/7.
Effective yield
The Funds effective yield is calculated in the same manner as its current yield, except the annualization of the return for the seven day period reflects the results of compounding.
The following SEC formula is used to calculate these figures:
Effective yield = [(Base period return + 1)365/7] - 1
Other performance quotations
The Fund may include in its advertising or sales material information relating to investment goals and performance results of funds belonging to Franklin Templeton Investments. Resources is the parent company of the advisors and underwriter of Franklin Templeton funds.
Miscellaneous Information
The Fund may help you achieve various investment goals such as accumulating money for retirement, saving for a down payment on a home, college costs and other long-term goals. The Franklin College Savings Planner may help you in determining how much money must be invested on a monthly basis to have a projected amount available in the future to fund a child's college education. (Projected college cost estimates are based upon current costs published by the College Board.) The Franklin Retirement Savings Planner leads you through the steps to start a retirement savings program. Of course, an investment in the Fund cannot guarantee that these goals will be met.
The Fund is a member of Franklin Templeton Investments, one of the largest mutual fund organizations in the U.S., and may be considered in a program for diversification of assets. Founded in 1947, Franklin is one of the oldest mutual fund organizations and now services more than 2 million shareholder accounts. In 1992, Franklin, a leader in managing fixed-income mutual funds and an innovator in creating domestic equity funds, joined forces with Templeton, a pioneer in international investing. The Mutual Series team, known for its value-driven approach to domestic equity investing, became part of the organization four years later. In 2001, the Fiduciary Trust team, known for providing global investment management to institutions and high net worth clients worldwide, joined the organization. Together, Franklin Templeton Investments has, as of September 30, 2013, over $844 billion in assets under management for more than 3 million U.S. based mutual fund shareholder and other accounts. Franklin Templeton Investments offers 121 U.S. based open-end investment companies to the public. The Fund may identify itself by its NASDAQ symbol or CUSIP number.
Currently, there are more mutual funds than there are stocks listed on the NYSE. While many of them have similar investment goals, no two are exactly alike. Shares of the Fund are generally sold through securities dealers, whose investment representatives are experienced professionals who can offer advice on the type of investments suitable to your unique goals and needs, as well as the risks associated with such investments.
Description of Ratings
Corporate Obligation Ratings
Moody's
INVESTMENT GRADE
Aaa: Bonds rated Aaa are judged to be of the highest quality, with minimal credit risk.
Aa: Bonds rated Aa are judged to be high quality and are subject to very low credit risk.
A: Bonds rated A are considered upper medium-grade obligations and are subject to low credit risk.
Baa: Bonds rated Baa are subject to moderate credit risk and are considered medium-grade obligations. As such they may have certain speculative characteristics.
BELOW INVESTMENT GRADE
Ba: Bonds rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements and are subject to substantial credit risk.
B: Bonds rated B are considered speculative and are subject to high credit risk.
Caa: Bonds rated Caa are judged to be of poor standing and are subject to very high credit risk.
Ca: Bonds rated Ca are considered highly speculative and are likely in, or very near, default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest.
C: Bonds rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds and are typically in default. They have little prospects for recovery of principal or interest.
Note: Moody's appends numerical modifiers 1, 2 and 3 to each generic rating classification from Aa through Caa. The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category.
S&P
®
The issue rating definitions are expressions in terms of default risk. As such, they pertain to senior obligations of an entity. Junior obligations are typically rated lower than senior obligations, to reflect the lower priority in bankruptcy. (Such differentiation applies when an entity has both senior and subordinated obligations, secured and unsecured obligations, or operating company and holding company obligations.) Accordingly, in the case of junior debt, the rating may not conform exactly with the category definition.
INVESTMENT GRADE
AAA: This is the highest rating assigned by S&P to a debt obligation. The obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is extremely strong.
AA: Obligations rated AA differ from AAA issues only in a small degree. The obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is very strong.
A: Obligations rated A are somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in the higher ratings categories. However, the obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is still strong.
BBB: Obligations rated BBB exhibit adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
BELOW INVESTMENT GRADE
BB, B, CCC, CC, C: Obligations rated BB, B, CCC, CC and C are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. BB indicates the least degree of speculation and C the highest degree of speculation. While these obligations will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions.
BB: An obligation rated BB is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions which could lead to the obligor's inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
B: An obligation rated B is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations rated BB, but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair the obligor's capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
CCC: An obligation rated CCC is currently vulnerable to nonpayment, and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. In the event of adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, the obligor is not likely to have the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
CC: An obligation rated CC is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment.
C: A subordinated debt or preferred stock obligation rated C is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment. The C rating may be used to cover a situation where a bankruptcy petition has been filed or similar action taken, but payments on this obligation are being continued. The C rating is also assigned to a preferred stock issue in arrears on dividends or sinking fund payments, but that is still making payments.
D: Obligations rated D are in payment default. The D rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless S&P believes that such payments will be made during such grace period. The D rating is also used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action if payments on an obligation are jeopardized.
Plus (+) or minus (-): The ratings from "AA" to "CCC" may be modified by the addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.
r: This symbol is attached to the ratings of instruments with significant noncredit risks and highlights risks to principal or volatility of expected returns that are not addressed in the credit rating.
Short-Term Debt Ratings
Moody's
Moody's short-term debt ratings are opinions of the ability of issuers to honor short-term financial obligations. Ratings may be assigned to issuers, short-term programs and to individual short-term debt instruments. These obligations generally have an original maturity not exceeding 13 months, unless explicitly noted. Moody's employs the following designations to indicate the relative repayment capacity of rated issuers:
P-1 (Prime-1): Issuers (or supporting institutions) so rated have a superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations.
P-2 (Prime-2): Issuers (or supporting institutions) so rated have a strong ability to repay short-term debt obligations.
P-3 (Prime-3): Issuers (or supporting institutions) so rated have an acceptable ability to repay short-term debt obligations.
NP: Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories.
S&P
®
S&P's ratings are a current opinion of the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to a specific financial obligation, a specific class of financial obligations, or a specific financial program. Short-term ratings are generally assigned to those obligations considered short-term in the relevant market. In the U.S., for example, that means obligations with an original maturity of no more than 365 days -- including commercial paper. Short-term ratings are also used to indicate the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to put features on long-term obligations. The result is a dual rating, in which the short-term rating addresses the put feature, in addition to the usual long-term rating.
A-1: This designation indicates that the obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is strong. Within this category, certain obligations are designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates that the obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment on these obligations is extremely strong.
A-2: Issues carrying this designation are somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations carrying the higher designations. However, the obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is satisfactory.
A-3: Issues carrying this designation exhibit adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
B: Issues carrying this designation are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties which could lead to the obligor's inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
C: Issues carrying this designation are currently vulnerable to nonpayment and are dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
D: Issues carrying this designation are in payment default. The D rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the due date even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless S&P believes that such payments will be made during such grace period. The D rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action if payments on an obligation are jeopardized.