Registration No. 2-70889
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 26, 1996
=============================================================================
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 X
Pre-Effective Amendment No.
Post-Effective Amendment No. 27 X
and/or
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 X
Amendment No. 28 X
(Check appropriate box or boxes)
TEMPLETON GLOBAL SMALLER COMPANIES FUND, INC.
(FORMERLY TEMPLETON SMALLER COMPANIES GROWTH FUND, INC.)
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
700 CENTRAL AVENUE, P.O. BOX 33030, ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA 33733-8030
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's Telephone Number: (813) 823-8712
John K. Carter
700 Central Avenue
P.O. Box 33030
ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA 33733-8030
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box):
immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485
X on JANUARY 1, 1997 pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485
60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of Rule 485
on pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of Rule 485
75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485
on pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485
this post-effective amendment designates a new effective
date for a previously filed post-effective amendment
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Registrant has registered an indefinite number of shares of beneficial
interest under the Securities Act of 1933 pursuant to Rule 24f-2 under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, and filed its Rule 24f-2 Notice for the fiscal
year ended August 31, 1996 on October 301, 1996.
PAGE
TEMPLETON GLOBAL SMALLER COMPANIES FUND, INC.
CROSS-REFERENCE SHEET
FORM N-1A
PART A
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
N-1A LOCATION IN
ITEM NO. ITEM REGISTRATION STATEMENT
<S> <C> <C>
1 Cover page Cover Page
2 Synopsis Expense Summary
3 Condensed Financial "Financial Highlights";
Information "How Does the Fund
Measure Performance?"
4 General Description "How Is the Fund Organized?";
of Registrant "How Does the Fund Invest Its
Assets?"; "What Are the Fund's
Potential Risks?"
5 Management of the Fund "Who Manages the Fund?"
5A Management's Discussion Contained in Registrant's Annual
of Fund Performance Report to Shareholders
6 Capital Stock and Other "How Is the Fund Organized?";
Securities "Services to Help You Manage Your
Account"; "What Distributions Might
I Received From the Fund?"; "How
Taxation Affects You and the Fund?"
7 Purchase of Securities "How Do I Buy Shares?"; "May I
Being Offered Exchange Shares for Shares of
Another Fund?"; "Transaction
Procedures and Special
Requirements"; "Services to Help
You Manage Your Account"; "Who
Manages the Fund?"; "Useful Terms
and Definitions"
8 Redemption or Repurchase "May I Exchange Shares for Shares of
Another Fund?"; "How Do I Sell
Shares?"; "Transaction Procedures
and Special Requirements"; "Services
to Help You Manage Your Account"
9 Pending Legal Procedures Not Applicable
</TABLE>
PAGE
TEMPLETON GLOBAL SMALLER COMPANIES FUND, INC.
CROSS-REFERENCE SHEET
FORM N-1A
PART B
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
N-1A LOCATION IN
ITEM NO. ITEM REGISTRATION STATEMENT
<S> <C> <C>
10 Cover Page Cover Page
11 Table of Contents Table of Contents
12 General Information and Not Applicable
History
13 Investment Objectives and "How Does the Fund Invest Its
Policies Assets?"; "Investment
Restrictions"; "What Are the Fund's
Potential Risks?"
14 Management of the "Officers and Trustees"; "Investment
Registrant Advisory and Other Services"
15 Control Persons and "Officers and Trustees"; "Investment
Principal Holders of Advisory and Other Services";
Securities "Miscellaneous Information"
16 Investment Advisory and "Investment Advisory and Other
Other Services Services"; "The Fund's Underwriter"
17 Brokerage Allocation and "How Does the Fund Buy Securities
Other Practices For Its Portfolio?"
18 Capital Stock and Other "Miscellaneous Information"; See
Securities Prospectus "How Is The Fund
Organized?"
19 Purchase, Redemption and "How Do I Buy, Sell and Exchange
Pricing of Securities Shares?"; "How Are Fund Shares
Being Offered Valued?"; "Financial Statements"
20 Tax Status "Additional Information on
Distributions and Taxes"
21 Underwriters "The Fund's Underwriter"
22 Calculation of Performance "How Does the Fund Measure
Data Performance?"
23 Financial Statements Financial Statements
</TABLE>
PAGE
PART A
PROSPECTUS
PAGE
PROSPECTUS
& APPLICATION
LOGO
TEMPLETON
GLOBAL
SMALLER COMPANIES
FUND, INC.
--------------------------------------------------
JANUARY 1, 1997
INVESTMENT STRATEGY
GLOBAL GROWTH
LOGO
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This prospectus describes the Class I and Class II shares of Templeton
Global Smaller Companies Fund, Inc. (the "Fund"). It contains information
you should know before investing in the Fund. Please keep it for future
reference.
The Fund's Class I and Class II SAI, dated January 1, 1997, as may be
amended from time to time, includes more information about the Fund's
procedures and policies. It has been filed with the SEC and is
incorporated by reference into this prospectus. For a free copy or a
larger print version of this prospectus, call 1-800/DIAL BEN or write the
Fund at the address shown.
SHARES OF THE FUND ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF, OR GUARANTEED OR
ENDORSED BY ANY BANK, AND ARE NOT FEDERALLY INSURED BY THE FEDERAL
DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD, OR ANY OTHER
AGENCY OF THE U.S. GOVERNMENT. SHARES OF THE FUND INVOLVE INVESTMENT
RISKS, INCLUDING THE POSSIBLE LOSS OF PRINCIPAL.
LIKE ALL MUTUAL FUNDS, THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR
DISAPPROVED BY THE SEC OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SEC
OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY
OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL
OFFENSE.
PAGE
TEMPLETON GLOBAL
SMALLER COMPANIES FUND, INC.
This prospectus is not an offering of the securities herein
described in any state in which the offering is not authorized.
No sales representative, dealer, or other person is
authorized to give any information or make any representations
other than those contained in this prospectus. Further
information may be obtained from Distributors.
----------------------------------------------------------
When reading this prospectus, you will see
certain terms beginning with capital letters.
This means the term is explained
in our glossary section.
PAGE
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABOUT THE FUND
Expense Summary ....................2
Financial
Highlights ................... 4
How Does the Fund Invest Its
Assets? ....... 5
What Are the Fund's Potential
Risks? ........ 7
Who Manages the
Fund? ................ 10
How Does the Fund Measure
Performance? .... 13
How Is the Fund
Organized? ............ 13
How Taxation Affects You and the
Fund ...... 14
ABOUT YOUR ACCOUNT
How Do I Buy
Shares? ................ 15
TEMPLETON May I Exchange Shares for Shares of
GLOBAL Another Fund? .. 21
SMALLER How Do I Sell
COMPANIES Shares? ................. 25
FUND, What Distributions Might I Receive
INC. From the Fund? .. 27
- ------------------------ Transaction Procedures and Special
January 1, 1997 Requirements ... 28
Services to Help You Manage Your
700 Central Avenue Account ...... 33
St. Petersburg, Florida GLOSSARY
33701 Useful Terms and
1-800/DIAL BEN Definitions ................ 36
</TABLE>
PAGE
ABOUT THE FUND
EXPENSE SUMMARY
This table is designed to help you understand the costs of investing in the
Fund. It is based on the historical expenses of the Class I and Class II shares
for the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996. Your actual expenses may vary.
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Class Class
A. Shareholder Transaction Expenses(+) I II
Maximum Sales Charge
(as a percentage of Offering Price) 5.75% 1.99%
Paid at time of purchase 5.75%(++) 1.00%(+++)
Paid at redemption(++++) None 0.99%
Exchange Fee (per transaction) $5.00* $5.00*
B. Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(as a percentage of average net assets)
Management Fees 0.75% 0.75%
Rule 12b-1 Fees 0.20%** 1.00%**
Other Expenses 0.32% 0.32%
----- -----
Total Fund Operating Expenses 1.27% 2.07%
----- -----
C. Example
</TABLE>
Assume the annual return for each class is 5% and operating expenses are as
described above. For each $1,000 investment, you would pay the following
projected expenses if you sold your shares after the number of years shown.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ONE YEAR THREE YEARS FIVE YEARS TEN YEARS
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
-------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS I $70*** $95 $123 $202
CLASS II $41 $74 $120 $248
</TABLE>
For the same Class II investment, you would pay projected expenses of $31
if you did not sell your shares at the end of the first year. Your projected
expenses for the remaining periods would be the same.
THIS IS JUST AN EXAMPLE. IT DOES NOT REPRESENT PAST OR FUTURE EXPENSES OR
RETURNS. ACTUAL EXPENSES AND RETURNS MAY BE MORE OR LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN.
The Fund pays its operating expenses. The effects of these expenses are
reflected in the Net Asset Value or dividends of each class and are not
directly charged to your account.
(+)If your transaction is processed through your Securities Dealer you may be
charged a fee by your Securities Dealer for this service.
(++)There is no front-end sales charge if you invest $1 million or more in Class
I shares.
- Templeton Global Smaller Companies Fund, Inc.
2
PAGE
(+++)Although Class II has a lower front-end sales charge than Class I, its Rule
12b-1 fees are higher. Over time you may pay more for Class II shares. Please
see "How Do I Buy Shares? - Deciding Which Class to Buy."
(++++)A Contingent Deferred Sales Charge may apply to any Class II purchase if
you sell the shares within 18 months and to Class I purchases of $1 million or
more if you sell the shares within one year. The charge is 1% of the value of
the shares sold or the Net Asset Value at the time of purchase, whichever is
less. The number in the table shows the charge as a percentage of Offering
Price. While the percentage is different depending on whether the charge is
shown based on the Net Asset Value or the Offering Price, the dollar amount
paid by you would be the same. See "How Do I Sell Shares? - Contingent Deferred
Sales Charge" for details.
*$5.00 fee is only for Market Timers. We process all other exchanges without a
fee.
**These fees may not exceed 0.25% for Class I. The combination of front-end
sales charges and Rule 12b-1 fees could cause long-term shareholders to pay
more than the economic equivalent of the maximum front-end sales charge
permitted under the NASD's rules.
***Assumes a Contingent Deferred Sales Charge will not apply.
Templeton Global Smaller Companies Fund, Inc. -
3
PAGE
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
This table summarizes the Fund's financial history. The information has been
audited by McGladrey & Pullen LLP, the Fund's independent auditors. Their audit
report covering each of the most recent five years appears in the Fund's Annual
Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996. The Annual
Report to Shareholders also includes more information about the Fund's
performance. For a free copy, please call Fund Information.
Class I Shares
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended August 31 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per Share Operating Performance
(For a share
outstanding
throughout the year)
Net asset value,
beginning of year $ 8.77 $ 8.24 $ 7.44 $ 7.70 $ 8.10 $ 7.21 $ 8.94 $ 8.04 $ 10.06 $ 8.68
------ ------
Income from
investment
operations:
Net investment income .16 .11 .09 .10 .15 .17 .17 .17 .18 .20
Net realized and
unrealized gain
(loss) .72 .62 .81 1.23 .25 1.47 (1.31) 1.85 (1.52) 1.84
------ ------
Total from investment
operations .88 .73 .90 1.33 .40 1.64 (1.14) 2.02 (1.34) 2.04
------ ------
Distributions:
Dividends from net
investment income (.12) (.11) (.07) (.15) (.15) (.17) (.21) (.22) (.23) (.22)
Distributions from
net realized gains (.98) (.09) (.03) (1.41) (.65) (.58) (.38) (.90) (.45) (.44)
Distribution in
excess of realized
gains -- -- -- (.03) -- -- -- -- -- --
------ ------
Total distributions (1.10) (.20) (.10) (1.59) (.80) (.75) (.59) (1.12) (.68) (.66)
------ ------
Change in net asset
value (.22) .53 .80 (.26) (.40) .89 (1.73) .90 (2.02) 1.38
------ ------
Net asset value, end
of year $ 8.55 $ 8.77 $ 8.24 $ 7.44 $ 7.70 $ 8.10 $ 7.21 $ 8.94 $ 8.04 $ 10.06
====== ======
Total return* 11.69% 9.20% 12.22% 22.71% 5.64% 26.69% (13.50)% 28.44% (11.80)% 25.55%
Ratios/Supplemental
Data
Net assets, end of
year (000) $1,544,214 $1,447,155 $1,409,494 $1,129,848 $950,409 $898,364 $756,478 $946,228 $268,885 $348,135
Ratio of expenses to
average net assets 1.27% 1.36% 1.36% 1.29% 1.33% .97% .96% .95% .52% .47%
Ratio of net
investment income to
average net assets 1.93% 1.32% 1.17% 1.70% 1.96% 2.33% 2.13% 2.25% 2.07% 2.13%
Portfolio turnover
rate 32.71% 18.79% 28.06% 28.73% 48.97% 34.01% 26.90% 23.79% 7.33% 12.73%
Average commission
rate paid (per share) $ .0068
</TABLE>
*Total return does not reflect sales commissions.
- Templeton Global Smaller Companies Fund, Inc.
4
PAGE
Class II Shares
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended August 31 1996 1995(1)
<S> <C> <C>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per Share Operating Performance
(For a share outstanding throughout the period)
Net asset value, beginning of period $ 8.75 $ 7.87
------ ------
Income from investment operations:
Net investment income .13 --
Net realized and unrealized gain .67 .88
------ ------
Total from investment operations .80 .88
------ ------
Distributions:
Dividends from net investment income (.10) --
Distributions from net realized gains (.98) --
------ ------
Total distributions (1.08) --
------ ------
Change in net asset value (.28) .88
------ ------
Net asset value, end of period $ 8.47 $ 8.75
====== ======
Total return* 10.74% 11.18%
Ratios/Supplemental Data
Net assets, end of period (000) $15,483 $2,569
Ratio of expenses to average net assets 2.07% 2.11%**
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets 1.23% .16%**
Portfolio turnover rate 32.71% 18.79%
Average commission rate period (per share) $ .0068
</TABLE>
(1)For the period May 1, 1995 (commencement of sales) through December 31, 1995.
*Total Return does not reflect sales commissions or the contingent deferred
sales charge. Not annualized for periods of less than one year.
()**Annualized.
HOW DOES THE FUND INVEST ITS ASSETS?
The Fund's Investment Objective
The Fund's investment objective is long-term capital growth, which it seeks to
achieve by investing in common stocks and all types of common stock
equivalents, including rights, warrants and preferred stock, of companies of
various nations throughout the world. The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by
investing primarily in securities of smaller companies globally. The objective
is a fundamental policy of the Fund and may not be changed without shareholder
approval. Of course, there is no assurance that the Fund's objective will be
achieved.
The Fund's investment policy is based on the belief that in today's world,
investment opportunities change rapidly, not only from company to company and
from industry to industry, but also from one national economy to another.
Accordingly, the Fund seeks investment opportunities in all types of securities
issued by companies or governments of any nation, both developed and
underdeveloped. Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 65%
Templeton Global Smaller Companies Fund, Inc. -
5
PAGE
of its total assets in issuers domiciled in at least three different nations,
one of which may be the U.S.
Consistent with its investment objective, the Fund expects to invest 75% of its
portfolio in issuers whose individual market capitalizations would place them
(at the time of purchase) in the same size range as companies in approximately
the lowest 20% by total market capitalization of companies that have equity
securities listed on a U.S. national securities exchange or traded in the NASDAQ
system. Based on recent U.S. share prices, these companies typically have
individual market capitalizations of between approximately $50 million and $1
billion. Because the Fund is permitted to apply the U.S. size standard on a
global basis, it may invest in issuers that might rank above the lowest 20% by
total market capitalization in local markets and, in fact, might in some
countries rank among the largest companies in terms of capitalization. The
Board has adopted an operating policy under which the Fund will not purchase
securities of companies with individual market capitalizations of greater than
$1 billion.
Whenever, in the judgment of TICI, market or economic conditions warrant, the
Fund may, for temporary defensive purposes, invest in (i) bonds and other debt
obligations of companies of various nations throughout the world, (ii) debt
obligations of the U.S. government or its political subdivisions, (iii) debt
obligations of other governments, (iv) short-term time deposits with banks
(maturities of 60 days or less), (v) certain repurchase agreements (U.S.
government obligations with a simultaneous agreement with the seller to
repurchase them within no more than seven days at the original purchase price
plus accrued interest), and (vi) commercial paper. Certain of these debt
obligations may consist of high-risk, lower quality debt securities. (See "What
Are the Fund's Potential Risks?").
The Fund may purchase sponsored or unsponsored American Depositary Receipts
("ADRs"), European Depositary Receipts ("EDRs") and Global Depositary Receipts
("GDRs") (collectively, "depositary receipts"). The Fund may invest no more
than 5% of its total assets in securities issued by any one company or
government, exclusive of U.S. government securities. Although the Fund may
invest up to 25% of its assets in a single industry, there is no present
intention of doing so. The Fund may borrow money as a temporary measure up to an
amount not exceeding 5% of the value of its total assets, invest up to 5% of its
total assets in warrants and invest up to 10% of its total assets in restricted
securities, securities with a limited trading market and securities which are
not otherwise readily marketable.
- Templeton Global Smaller Companies Fund, Inc.
6
PAGE
The Fund invests for long-term growth of capital and does not emphasize short-
term trading profits. Accordingly, the Fund expects to have a portfolio turnover
rate of less than 50%.
WHAT ARE THE FUND'S POTENTIAL RISKS?
You should understand that all investments involve risk and there can be no
guarantee against loss resulting from an investment in the Fund, nor can there
be any assurance that the Fund's investment objective will be attained. As with
any investment in securities, the value of, and income from, an investment in
the Fund can decrease as well as increase, depending on a variety of factors
which may affect the values and income generated by the Fund's portfolio
securities, including general economic conditions and market factors. In
addition to the factors which affect the value of individual securities, a
shareholder may anticipate that the value of the shares of the Fund will
fluctuate with movements in the broader equity and bond markets. A decline in
the stock market of any country in which the Fund is invested may also be
reflected in declines in the price of shares of the Fund. Changes in currency
valuations will also affect the price of shares of the Fund. History reflects
both decreases and increases in worldwide stock markets and currency
valuations, and these may occur unpredictably in the future. The value of debt
securities held by the Fund generally will vary inversely with changes in
prevailing interest rates. Additionally, investment decisions made by TICI will
not always be profitable or prove to have been correct. The Fund is not
intended as a complete investment program.
The Fund expects to invest 75% of its assets in issuers whose individual market
capitalizations would place them (at the time of purchase) in the same size
range as companies in approximately the lowest 20% by total market
capitalization of companies that have equity securities listed on a U.S.
national securities exchange or traded in the NASDAQ system. While the
companies in which the Fund primarily invests may offer greater opportunities
for capital appreciation than larger, more established companies, investments
in smaller, emerging growth companies may involve greater risks and thus may be
considered speculative. For example, small companies may have limited product
lines, markets or financial and management resources. In addition, many small
emerging growth company stocks trade less frequently and in smaller volume, and
may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements, than stocks of large
companies. The securities of small emerging growth companies may also be more
sensitive to market changes than the securities of large companies.
The Fund has the right to purchase securities in any foreign country, developed
or developing. Investors should consider carefully the substantial risks
involved in
Templeton Global Smaller Companies Fund, Inc. -
7
PAGE
investing in securities issued by companies and governments of foreign nations,
which are in addition to the usual risks inherent in domestic investments. There
is the possibility of expropriation, nationalization or confiscatory taxation,
taxation of income earned in foreign nations or other taxes imposed with respect
to investments in foreign nations, foreign exchange controls (which may include
suspension of the ability to transfer currency from a given country), foreign
investment controls on daily stock market movements, default in foreign
government securities, political or social instability, or diplomatic
developments which could affect investments in securities of issuers in foreign
nations. Some countries may withhold portions of interest and dividends at the
source. In addition, in many countries there is less publicly available
information about issuers than is available in reports about companies in the
U.S. Foreign companies are not generally subject to uniform accounting or
financial reporting standards, and auditing practices and requirements may not
be comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies. The Fund may encounter
difficulties or be unable to vote proxies, exercise shareholder rights, pursue
legal remedies, and obtain judgments in foreign courts.
Brokerage commissions, custodial services, and other costs relating to
investments in foreign countries are generally more expensive than in the U.S.
Foreign securities markets also have different clearance and settlement
procedures, and in certain markets there have been times when settlements have
been unable to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions, making it
difficult to conduct such transactions. Delays in settlement could result in
temporary periods when assets of the Fund are uninvested and no return is
earned thereon. The inability of the Fund to make intended security purchases
due to settlement problems could cause the Fund to miss attractive investment
opportunities. Inability to dispose of portfolio securities due to settlement
problems could result either in losses to the Fund due to subsequent declines
in value of the portfolio security or, if the Fund has entered into a contract
to sell the security, could result in possible liability to the purchaser.
In many foreign countries there is less government supervision and regulation of
business and industry practices, stock exchanges, brokers and listed companies
than in the U.S. There is an increased risk, therefore, of uninsured loss due to
lost, stolen, or counterfeit stock certificates. In addition, the foreign
securities markets of many of the countries in which the Fund may invest may
also be smaller, less liquid, and subject to greater price volatility than
those in the U.S. The Fund may invest in Eastern European countries, which
involves special risks that are described under "What Are the Fund's Potential
Risks?" in the SAI.
- Templeton Global Smaller Companies Fund, Inc.
8
PAGE
Prior governmental approval of non-domestic investments may be required under
certain circumstances in some developing countries, and the extent of foreign
investment in domestic companies may be subject to limitation in other
developing countries. Foreign ownership limitation also may be imposed by the
charters of individual companies in developing countries to prevent, among
other concerns, violation of foreign investment limitations.
Repatriation of investment income, capital and proceeds of sales by foreign
investors may require governmental registration and/or approval in some
developing countries. The Fund could be adversely affected by delays in or a
refusal to grant any required governmental registration or approval for such
repatriation.
Further, the economies of developing countries generally are heavily dependent
upon international trade and, accordingly, have been and may continue to be
adversely affected by trade barriers, exchange controls, managed adjustments in
relative currency values and other protectionist measures imposed or negotiated
by the countries with which they trade. These economies also have been and may
continue to be adversely affected by economic conditions in the countries with
which they trade.
As a non-fundamental policy, the Fund will limit its investments in Russian
securities to 5% of its total assets. Russian securities involve additional
significant risks, including political and social uncertainty (for example,
regional conflicts and risk of war), currency exchange rate volatility,
pervasiveness of corruption and crime in the Russian economic system, delays in
settling portfolio transactions and risk of loss arising out of Russia's system
of share registration and custody. For more information on these risks and
other risks associated with Russian securities, please see "What Are the Fund's
Potential Risks?" in the SAI.
Depositary receipts may not necessarily be denominated in the same currency as
the underlying securities into which they may be converted. In addition, the
issuers of the securities underlying unsponsored depositary receipts are not
obligated to disclose material information in the U.S. and, therefore, there may
be less information available regarding such issuers and there may not be a
correlation between such information and the market value of the depositary
receipts. Depositary receipts also involve the risks of other investments in
foreign securities, as discussed above.
The Fund is authorized to invest in medium quality or high risk, lower quality
debt securities (which may include structured investments, as described in the
SAI under "How Does the Fund Invest its Assets? - Structured Investments"). As
an operating policy, which may be changed by the Board without shareholder
Templeton Global Smaller Companies Fund, Inc. -
9
PAGE
approval, the Fund will not invest more than 5% of its total assets in debt
securities rated lower than BBB by S&P or Baa by Moody's or, if unrated, of
equivalent investment quality as determined by TICI. The Board may consider a
change in this operating policy if, in its judgment, economic conditions change
such that a higher level of investment in high-risk, lower quality debt
securities would be consistent with the interests of the Fund and its
shareholders. See "How Does the Fund Invest its Assets? - Debt Securities" in
the SAI for descriptions of debt securities rated BBB by S&P and Baa by
Moody's. High-risk, lower quality debt securities, commonly known as "junk
bonds," are regarded, on balance, as predominantly speculative with respect to
the issuer's capacity to pay interest and repay principal in accordance with
the terms of the obligation and may be in default. Unrated debt securities are
not necessarily of lower quality than rated securities but they may not be
attractive to as many buyers. Regardless of rating levels, all debt securities
considered for purchase (whether rated or unrated) will be carefully analyzed
by TICI to insure, to the extent possible, that the planned investment is
sound. The Fund may, from time to time, purchase defaulted debt securities if,
in the opinion of TICI, the issuer may resume interest payments in the near
future. The Fund will not invest more than 10% of its total assets in defaulted
debt securities, which may be illiquid.
The Fund usually effects currency exchange transactions on a spot (i.e., cash)
basis at the spot rate prevailing in the foreign exchange market. However, some
price spread on currency exchange (to cover service charges) will be incurred
when the Fund converts assets from one currency to another. There are further
risk considerations, including possible losses through the holding of
securities in domestic and foreign custodian banks and depositories, described
in the SAI.
WHO MANAGES THE FUND?
The Board. The Board oversees the management of the Fund and elects its
officers. The officers are responsible for the Fund's day-to-day operations. The
Board also monitors the Fund to ensure no material conflicts exist among the
classes of shares. While none is expected, the Board will act appropriately to
resolve any material conflict that may arise.
Investment Manager. TICI manages the Fund's assets and makes its investment
decisions. TICI also performs similar services for other funds. It is wholly
owned by Resources, a publicly owned company engaged in the financial services
industry through its subsidiaries. Charles B. Johnson and Rupert H. Johnson, Jr.
are the principal shareholders of Resources. Together, TICI and its affiliates
manage over $172 billion in assets. The Templeton organization has been
investing globally since 1940. TICI and its affiliates have offices in
Argentina,
- Templeton Global Smaller Companies Fund, Inc.
10
PAGE
Australia, Bahamas, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Italy,
Luxembourg, Poland, Russia, Scotland, Singapore, South Africa, U.S., and
Vietnam. Please see "Investment Management and Other Services" and
"Miscellaneous Information" in the SAI for information on securities
transactions and a summary of the Fund's Code of Ethics.
Portfolio Management. The lead portfolio manager of the Fund since 1992 is Marc
S. Joseph. Mr. Joseph is a senior vice president of TICI. He holds a BS in
computer science from William & Mary, an MBA from Harvard Business School and a
JD from Harvard Law School. Before joining the Templeton organization, Mr.
Joseph worked as a management consultant with McKinsey & Company and as a vice
president with Pacific Financial Research. Mr. Joseph currently manages several
funds, leads Templeton's small cap research team and has global research
responsibilities for the building materials industry.
Mark R. Beveridge and Gary R. Clemons exercise secondary portfolio management
responsibilities for the Fund. Mr. Beveridge is a senior vice president of
TICI. He holds a BBA in finance from the University of Miami. Mr. Beveridge is
a Chartered Financial Analyst, a Chartered Investment Counselor and a member of
the South Florida Society of Financial Analysts and the International Society
of Financial Analysts. Before joining the Templeton organization in 1985 as a
securities analyst, Mr. Beveridge was a principal with a financial accounting
software firm based in Miami, Florida. He is currently a portfolio manager and
analyst with research responsibilities for the country of Argentina and the
following industries: appliances, household durables, waste management,
industrial components and business and public services. Mr. Clemons is a senior
vice president of TICI. He holds a BS in geology from the University of Nevada -
Reno and an MBA with emphases in finance and investment banking from the
University of Wisconsin - Madison. He joined TICI in 1993. Prior to that time
he was a research analyst at Templeton Quantitative Advisors, Inc. in New York,
where he was also responsible for management of a small capitalization fund. Mr.
Clemons' current research responsibilities include the telecommunications
industries and country coverage of Columbia, Peru, Sweden and Norway.
Management Fees. For the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996, the Fund paid 0.75%
of its average daily net assets in management fees.
Portfolio Transactions. TICI tries to obtain the best execution on all
transactions. If TICI believes more than one broker or dealer can provide the
best execution, consistent with internal policies it may consider research and
related services and the sale of Fund shares, as well as shares of other funds
in the Franklin Templeton Group of Funds, when selecting a broker or dealer.
Please see
Templeton Global Smaller Companies Fund, Inc. -
11
PAGE
"How Does the Fund Buy Securities For its Portfolio?" in the SAI for more
information.
Administrative Services. FT Services (and, prior to October 1, 1996, Templeton
Global Investors, Inc.) provides certain administrative services and facilities
for the Fund. During the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996, administration fees
totaling 0.11% of the average daily net assets of the Fund were paid to
Templeton Global Investors, Inc. Please see "Investment Management and Other
Services" in the SAI for more information.
Total Expenses. For the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996, the total Fund
operating expenses were 1.27% and 2.07% of average daily net assets of Class I
shares and Class II shares, respectively.
The Rule 12b-1 Plans
The Fund's Class I and Class II shares each have a distribution plan or "Rule
12b-1 Plan" under which it may reimburse Distributors or others for activities
primarily intended to sell shares of the class. These expenses may include,
among others, distribution or service fees paid to Securities Dealers or others
who have executed a servicing agreement with the Fund, Distributors or its
affiliates, printing prospectuses and reports used for sales purposes, preparing
and distributing sales literature and advertisements, and a prorated portion of
Distributors' overhead expenses.
Payments by the Fund under the Class I plan may not exceed 0.25% per year of
Class I's average daily net assets. Under the plan, costs and expenses not
reimbursed in any quarter (including costs and expenses not reimbursed because
they exceed the applicable limit of the plan) may be reimbursed in subsequent
quarters or years. Distributors has informed the Fund that costs and expenses of
Class I shares that may be reimbursable in future quarters or years were $11,920
(.0008% of its net assets) at August 31, 1996. During the first year after
certain Class I purchases made without a sales charge, Distributors may keep the
Rule 12b-1 fees associated with the purchase.
Under the Class II plan, the Fund may pay Distributors up to 0.75% per year of
Class II's average daily net assets to pay Distributors or others for providing
distribution and related services and bearing certain Class II expenses. All
distribution expenses over this amount will be borne by those who have incurred
them. During the first year after a purchase of Class II shares, Distributors
may keep this portion of the Rule 12b-1 fees associated with the purchase.
- Templeton Global Smaller Companies Fund, Inc.
12
PAGE
The Fund may also pay a servicing fee of up to 0.25% per year of Class II's
average daily net assets under the Class II plan. This fee may be used to pay
Securities Dealers or others for, among other things, helping to establish and
maintain customer accounts and records, helping with requests to buy and sell
shares, receiving and answering correspondence, monitoring dividend payments
from the Fund on behalf of customers, and similar servicing and account
maintenance activities.
The Rule 12b-1 fees charged to Class I and Class II are based only on the fees
attributable to that particular class. For more information, please see "The
Fund's Underwriter" in the SAI.
HOW DOES THE FUND MEASURE PERFORMANCE?
From time to time, each class of the Fund advertises its performance. The more
commonly used measure of performance is total return. Performance figures are
usually calculated using the maximum sales charge, but certain figures may not
include the sales charge.
Total return is the change in value of an investment over a given period. It
assumes any dividends and capital gains are reinvested.
The investment results of each class will vary. Performance figures are always
based on past performance and do not indicate future results. For a more
detailed description of how the Fund calculates its performance figures, please
see "How Does the Fund Measure Performance?" in the SAI.
HOW IS THE FUND ORGANIZED?
The Fund is a diversified, open-end management investment company, commonly
called a mutual fund. It was organized as a Maryland corporation on February 4,
1981, and is registered with the SEC under the 1940 Act. Prior to May 15, 1996,
the Fund's name was Templeton Smaller Companies Growth Fund, Inc. The Fund
began offering two classes of shares on May 1, 1995: Templeton Global Smaller
Companies Fund, Inc. - Class I and Templeton Global Smaller Companies Fund,
Inc. - Class II. All shares purchased before that time are considered Class I
shares. Additional classes of shares may be offered in the future.
Shares of each class represent proportionate interests in the assets of the Fund
and have the same voting and other rights and preferences as any other class of
the Fund for matters that affect the Fund as a whole. For matters that only
affect one class, however, only shareholders of that class may vote. Each class
will vote separately on matters (1) affecting only that class, (2) expressly
required to
Templeton Global Smaller Companies Fund, Inc. -
13
PAGE
be voted on separately by state law, or (3) required to be voted on separately
by the 1940 Act.
The Fund has noncumulative voting rights. 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 Fund does not intend to hold annual shareholder meetings. It may hold a
special meeting, however, for matters requiring shareholder approval under the
1940 Act. The Fund will call a special meeting of shareholders for the purpose
of considering the removal of a Board member if requested in writing to do so
by shareholders holding at least 10% of the outstanding shares. The 1940 Act
requires that we help you communicate with other shareholders in connection
with removing members of the Board.
HOW TAXATION AFFECTS YOU AND THE FUND
The following discussion reflects some of the tax considerations that affect
mutual funds and their shareholders. For more information on tax matters
relating to the Fund and its shareholders, see "Additional Information on
Distributions and Taxes" in the SAI.
The Fund intends to elect to be treated and to qualify each year as a regulated
investment company under Subchapter M of the Code. A regulated investment
company generally is not subject to federal income tax on income and gains
distributed in a timely manner to its shareholders. The Fund intends to
distribute to shareholders substantially all of its net investment income and
net realized capital gains, which generally will be taxable income or capital
gains in their hands. Distributions declared in October, November or December to
shareholders of record on a date in such month and paid during the following
January will be treated as having been received by shareholders on December 31
in the year such distributions were declared. The Fund will inform you each year
of the amount and nature of such income or gains. Sales or other dispositions of
Fund shares generally will give rise to taxable gain or loss.
- Templeton Global Smaller Companies Fund, Inc.
14
PAGE
ABOUT YOUR ACCOUNT
HOW DO I BUY SHARES?
Opening Your Account
To open your account, contact your investment representative or complete and
sign the enclosed shareholder application and return it to the Fund with your
check. Please indicate which class of shares you want to buy. If you do not
specify a class, your purchase will be automatically invested in Class I shares.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MINIMUM
INVESTMENTS*
<S> <C>
- --------------------------------------
To Open Your Account... $100
To Add to Your
Account.............. $ 25
</TABLE>
*We may waive these minimums for retirement plans. We may also refuse any order
to buy shares.
Deciding Which Class to Buy
You should consider a number of factors when deciding which class of shares to
buy. If you plan to buy $1 million or more in a single payment or you qualify
to buy Class I shares without a sales charge, you may not buy Class II shares.
Generally, you should consider buying Class I shares if:
- - you expect to invest in the Fund over the long term;
- - you qualify to buy Class I shares at a reduced sales charge; or
- - you plan to buy $1 million or more over time.
You should consider Class II shares if:
- - you expect to invest less than $50,000 in the Franklin Templeton Funds; and
- - you plan to sell a substantial number of your shares within approximately six
years or less of your investment.
Class I shares are generally more attractive for long-term investors because of
Class II's higher Rule 12b-1 fees. These may accumulate over time to outweigh
the lower Class II front-end sales charge and result in lower income dividends
for Class II shareholders. If you qualify to buy Class I shares at a reduced
sales charge based upon the size of your purchase or through our Letter of
Intent or cumulative quantity discount programs, but plan to hold your shares
less than approximately six years, you should evaluate whether it is more
economical for you to buy Class I or Class II shares.
Templeton Global Smaller Companies Fund, Inc. -
15
PAGE
For purchases of $1 million or more, it is considered more beneficial for you to
buy Class I shares since there is no front-end sales charge, even though these
purchases may be subject to a Contingent Deferred Sales Charge. Any purchase of
$1 million or more is therefore automatically invested in Class I shares. You
may accumulate more than $1 million in Class II shares through purchases over
time, but if you plan to do this you should determine whether it would be more
beneficial for you to buy Class I shares through a Letter of Intent.
Please consider all of these factors before deciding which class of shares to
buy. There are no conversion features attached to either class of shares.
Purchase Price of Fund Shares
For Class I shares, the sales charge you pay depends on the dollar amount you
invest, as shown in the table below. The sales charge for Class II shares is 1%
and, unlike Class I, does not vary based on the size of your purchase.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TOTAL SALES CHARGE
AS A PERCENTAGE OF AMOUNT PAID
--------------------- TO DEALER AS A
AMOUNT OF PURCHASE OFFERING NET AMOUNT PERCENTAGE OF
AT OFFERING PRICE PRICE INVESTED OFFERING PRICE
<S> <C> <C> <C>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS I
Less than $50,000.................. 5.75% 6.10% 5.00%
$50,000 but less than $100,000..... 4.50% 4.71% 3.75%
$100,000 but less than $250,000.... 3.50% 3.63% 2.80%
$250,000 but less than $500,000.... 2.50% 2.56% 2.00%
$500,000 but less than
$1,000,000....................... 2.00% 2.04% 1.60%
$1,000,000 or more*................ None None None
CLASS II
Under $1,000,000*.................. 1.00% 1.01% 1.00%
</TABLE>
*A Contingent Deferred Sales Charge of 1% may apply to Class I purchases of $1
million or more and any Class II purchase. Please see "How Do I Sell Shares? -
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge." Please also see "Other Payments to
Securities Dealers" below for a discussion of payments Distributors may make
out of its own resources to Securities Dealers for certain purchases. Purchases
of Class II shares are limited to purchases below $1 million. Please see
"Deciding Which Class to Buy."
Sales Charge Reductions and Waivers
] IF YOU QUALIFY TO BUY SHARES UNDER ONE OF THE SALES CHARGE REDUCTION OR
WAIVER CATEGORIES DESCRIBED BELOW, PLEASE INCLUDE A WRITTEN STATEMENT WITH
EACH PURCHASE ORDER EXPLAINING WHICH PRIVILEGE APPLIES. If you don't include
this statement, we cannot guarantee that you will receive the sales charge
reduction or waiver.
- Templeton Global Smaller Companies Fund, Inc.
16
PAGE
Cumulative Quantity Discounts - Class I Only. To determine if you may pay a
reduced sales charge, the amount of your current Class I purchase is added to
the cost or current value, whichever is higher, of your Class I and Class II
shares in other Franklin Templeton Funds, as well as those of your spouse,
children under the age of 21 and grandchildren under the age of 21. If you are
the sole owner of a company, you may also add any company accounts, including
retirement plan accounts. Companies with one or more retirement plans may add
together the total plan assets invested in the Franklin Templeton Funds to
determine the sales charge that applies.
Letter of Intent - Class I Only. You may buy Class I shares at a reduced sales
charge by completing the Letter of Intent section of the shareholder
application. A Letter of Intent is a commitment by you to invest a specified
dollar amount during a 13 month period. The amount you agree to invest
determines the sales charge you pay on Class I shares.
BY COMPLETING THE LETTER OF INTENT SECTION OF THE SHAREHOLDER APPLICATION, YOU
ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE TO THE FOLLOWING:
- - You authorize Distributors to reserve 5% of your total intended purchase in
Class I shares registered in your name until you fulfill your Letter.
- - You give Distributors a security interest in the reserved shares and appoint
Distributors as attorney-in-fact.
- - Distributors may sell any or all of the reserved shares to cover any
additional sales charge if you do not fulfill the terms of the Letter.
- - Although you may exchange your shares, you may not sell reserved shares until
you complete the Letter or pay the higher sales charge.
Your periodic statements will include the reserved shares in the total shares
you own. We will pay or reinvest dividend and capital gain distributions on the
reserved shares as you direct. Our policy of reserving shares does not apply to
certain retirement plans.
If you would like more information about the Letter of Intent privilege, please
see "How Do I Buy, Sell and Exchange Shares? - Letter of Intent" in the SAI or
call Shareholder Services.
Group Purchases - Class I Only. If you are a member of a qualified group, you
may buy Class I shares at the reduced sales charge that applies to the group as
a whole. The sales charge is based on the combined dollar value of the group
members' existing investments, plus the amount of the current purchase.
Templeton Global Smaller Companies Fund, Inc. -
17
PAGE
A qualified group is one that:
- - Was formed at least six months ago,
- - Has a purpose other than buying Fund shares at a discount,
- - Has more than 10 members,
- - Can arrange for meetings between our representatives and group members,
- - Agrees to include sales and other Franklin Templeton Fund materials in
publications and mailings to its members at reduced or no cost to
Distributors,
- - Agrees to arrange for payroll deduction or other bulk transmission of
investments to the Fund, and
- - Meets other uniform criteria that allow Distributors to achieve cost savings
in distributing shares.
Sales Charge Waivers. The Fund's sales charges (front-end and contingent
deferred) will not apply to certain purchases. For waiver categories 1, 2 or 3
below: (i) the distributions or payments must be reinvested within 365 days of
their payment date, and (ii) Class II distributions may be reinvested in either
Class I or Class II shares. Class I distributions may only be reinvested in
Class I shares.
The Fund's sales charges will not apply if you are buying Class I shares with
money from the following sources or Class II shares with money from the sources
in waiver categories 1 or 4:
1. Dividend and capital gain distributions from any Franklin Templeton Fund
or a REIT sponsored or advised by Franklin Properties, Inc.
2. Distributions from an existing retirement plan invested in the Franklin
Templeton Funds.
3. Annuity payments received under either an annuity option or from death
benefit proceeds, only if the annuity contract offers as an investment
option the Franklin Valuemark Funds, the Templeton Variable Annuity Fund,
the Templeton Variable Products Series Fund, or the Franklin Government
Securities Trust. You should contact your tax advisor for information on
any tax consequences that may apply.
4. Redemptions from any Franklin Templeton Fund if you:
- Originally paid a sales charge on the shares,
- Reinvest the money within 365 days of the redemption date, and
- Templeton Global Smaller Companies Fund, Inc.
18
PAGE
- Reinvest the money in the same class of shares.
An exchange is not considered a redemption for this privilege. The Contingent
Deferred Sales Charge will not be waived if the shares reinvested were subject
to a Contingent Deferred Sales Charge when sold. We will credit your account in
shares, at the current value, in proportion to the amount reinvested for any
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge paid in connection with the earlier
redemption, but a new Contingency Period will begin.
If you immediately placed your redemption proceeds in a Franklin Bank CD, you
may reinvest them as described above. The proceeds must be reinvested within
365 days from the date the CD matures, including any rollover.
5. Redemptions from other mutual funds
If you sold shares of a fund that is not a Franklin Templeton Fund within
the past 60 days, you may invest the proceeds without any sales charge if
(a) the investment objectives were similar to the Fund's, and (b) your
shares in that fund were subject to any front-end or contingent deferred
sales charges at the time of purchase. You must provide a copy of the
statement showing your redemption.
The Fund's sales charges will also not apply to Class I purchases by:
6. Trust companies and bank trust departments agreeing to invest in Franklin
Templeton Funds over a thirteen month period at least $1 million of assets
held in a fiduciary, agency, advisory, custodial or similar capacity and
over which the trust companies and bank trust departments or other plan
fiduciaries or participants, in the case of certain retirement plans, have
full or shared investment discretion. We will accept orders for these
accounts by mail accompanied by a check or by telephone or other means of
electronic data transfer directly from the bank or trust company, with
payment by federal funds received by the close of business on the next
business day following the order.
7. Group annuity separate accounts offered to retirement plans
8. Retirement plans that (i) are sponsored by an employer with at least 100
employees, (ii) have plan assets of $1 million or more, or (iii) agree to
invest at least $500,000 in the Franklin Templeton Funds over a 13 month
period. Retirement plans that are not Qualified Retirement Plans or SEPS,
such as 403(b) or 457 plans, must also meet the requirements described
under "Group Purchases - Class I Only" above. However, any Qualified or
non-Qualified Retirement Plan account which was a shareholder in the Fund
on or before February 1, 1995, and which does not meet the other
Templeton Global Smaller Companies Fund, Inc. -
19
PAGE
requirements of this section, may purchase shares subject to a sales charge
of 4% of the Offering Price, 3.2% of which will be retained by Securities
Dealers.
9. An Eligible Governmental Authority. Please consult your legal and
investment advisors to determine if an investment in the Fund is
permissible and suitable for you and the effect, if any, of payments by the
Fund on arbitrage rebate calculations.
10. Broker-dealers, registered investment advisors or certified financial
planners who have entered into a supplemental agreement with Distributors
for clients participating in comprehensive fee programs
11. Registered Securities Dealers and their affiliates, for their investment
accounts only
12. Current employees of Securities Dealers and their affiliates and their
family members, as allowed by the internal policies of their employer
13. Officers, trustees, directors and full-time employees of the Franklin
Templeton Funds or the Franklin Templeton Group, and their family
members, consistent with our then-current policies
14. Investment companies exchanging shares or selling assets pursuant to a
merger, acquisition or exchange offer
15. Accounts managed by the Franklin Templeton Group
16. Certain unit investment trusts and their holders reinvesting distributions
from the trusts
How Do I Buy Shares in Connection with Retirement Plans?
Your individual or employer-sponsored retirement plan may invest in the Fund.
Plan documents are required for all retirement plans. Trust Company can provide
the plan documents for you and serve as custodian or trustee.
Trust Company can provide you with brochures containing important information
about its plans. To establish a Trust Company retirement plan, you will need an
application other than the one included in this prospectus. For a retirement
plan brochure or application, please call our Retirement Plans Department.
Please consult your legal, tax or retirement plan specialist before choosing a
retirement plan. Your investment representative or advisor can help you make
investment decisions within your plan.
- Templeton Global Smaller Companies Fund, Inc.
20
PAGE
Other Payments to Securities Dealers
The payments below apply to Securities Dealers who initiate and are responsible
for Class II purchases and certain Class I purchases made without a sales
charge. A Securities Dealer may only receive one of these payments for each
qualifying purchase. Securities Dealers who receive payments under items 1, 2
or 3 below will earn the Rule 12b-1 fee associated with the purchase starting
in the thirteenth calendar month after the purchase. The payments described
below are paid by Distributors or one of its affiliates, at its own expense,
and not by the Fund or its shareholders.
1. Securities Dealers may receive up to 1% of the purchase price for Class II
purchases.
2. Securities Dealers will receive up to 1% of the purchase price for Class I
purchases of $1 million or more.
3. Securities Dealers may, in the sole discretion of Distributors, receive up
to 1% of the purchase price for Class I purchases made under waiver category
8 above.
4. Securities Dealers may receive up to 0.25% of the purchase price for Class I
purchases made under waiver categories 6, 9 and 10 above.
PLEASE SEE "HOW DO I BUY, SELL AND EXCHANGE SHARES - OTHER PAYMENTS TO
SECURITIES DEALERS" IN THE SAI FOR ANY BREAKPOINTS THAT MAY APPLY.
Securities Dealers may receive additional compensation from Distributors or an
affiliated company in connection with selling shares of the Franklin Templeton
Funds. Compensation may include financial assistance for conferences,
shareholder services, automation, sales or training programs, or promotional
activities. Registered representatives and their families may be reimbursed for
travel expenses, including lodging, in connection with business meetings or
seminars. In some cases, this compensation may only be available to Securities
Dealers whose representatives have sold or are expected to sell significant
amounts of shares. Securities Dealers may not use sales of the Fund's shares to
qualify for this compensation if prohibited by the laws of any state or
self-regulatory agency, such as the NASD.
MAY I EXCHANGE SHARES FOR SHARES OF ANOTHER FUND?
We offer a wide variety of funds. If you would like, you can move your
investment from your Fund account to an existing or new account in another
Franklin Templeton Fund (an "exchange"). Because it is technically a sale and a
purchase of shares, an exchange is a taxable transaction.
Templeton Global Smaller Companies Fund, Inc. -
21
PAGE
If you own Class I shares, you may exchange into any of our money funds except
Franklin Templeton Money Fund II ("Money Fund II"). Money Fund II is the only
money fund exchange option available to Class II shareholders. Unlike our other
money funds, shares of Money Fund II may not be purchased directly and no
drafts (checks) may be written on Money Fund II accounts.
Before making an exchange, please read the prospectus of the fund you are
interested in. This will help you learn about the fund and its rules and
requirements for exchanges. For example, some Franklin Templeton Funds do not
accept exchanges and others may have different investment minimums. Some
Franklin Templeton Funds do not offer Class II shares.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
METHOD STEPS TO FOLLOW
<S> <C>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
BY MAIL 1. Send us written instructions signed by all
account owners
2. Include any outstanding share certificates for
the shares you're exchanging
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
BY PHONE Call Shareholder Services or TeleFACTS
If you do not want the ability to exchange by
phone to apply to your account, please let us
know.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
THROUGH YOUR DEALER Call your investment representative
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
Please refer to "Transaction Procedures and Special Requirements" for other
important information on how to exchange shares.
Will Sales Charges Apply to My Exchange?
You generally will not pay a front-end sales charge on exchanges. If you have
held your shares less than six months, however, you will pay the percentage
difference between the sales charge you previously paid and the applicable sales
charge of the new fund. If you have never paid a sales charge on your shares
because, for example, they have always been held in a money fund, you will pay
the Fund's applicable sales charge no matter how long you have held your
shares. These charges may not apply if you qualify to buy shares without a sales
charge.
We will not impose a Contingent Deferred Sales Charge when you exchange shares.
Any shares subject to a Contingent Deferred Sales Charge at the time of
exchange, however, will remain so in the new fund. See the discussion on
Contingent Deferred Sales Charges below and under "How Do I Sell Shares?"
- Templeton Global Smaller Companies Fund, Inc.
22
PAGE
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge - Class I. For accounts with Class I shares
subject to a Contingent Deferred Sales Charge, shares are exchanged into the
new fund in the order they were purchased. If you exchange Class I shares into
one of our money funds, the time your shares are held in that fund will not
count towards the completion of any Contingency Period.
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge - Class II. For accounts with Class II shares
subject to a Contingent Deferred Sales Charge, shares are exchanged into the
new fund proportionately based on the amount of shares subject to a Contingent
Deferred Sales Charge and the length of time the shares have been held. For
example, suppose you own $1,000 in shares that have never been subject to a
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge, such as shares from the reinvestment of
dividends and capital gains ("free shares"), $2,000 in shares that are no longer
subject to a Contingent Deferred Sales Charge because you have held them for
longer than 18 months ("matured shares"), and $3,000 in shares that are still
subject to a Contingent Deferred Sales Charge ("CDSC liable shares"). If you
exchange $3,000 into a new fund, $500 will be exchanged from free shares,
$1,000 from matured shares, and $1,500 from CDSC liable shares.
Likewise, CDSC liable shares purchased at different times will be exchanged into
a new fund proportionately. For example, assume you purchased $1,000 in shares
3 months ago, 6 months ago, and 9 months ago. If you exchange $1,500 into a new
fund, $500 will be exchanged from shares purchased at each of these three
different times.
While Class II shares are exchanged proportionately, they are redeemed in the
order purchased. In some cases, this means exchanged shares may be CDSC liable
even though they would not be subject to a Contingent Deferred Sales Charge if
they were sold. We believe the proportional method of exchanging Class II
shares more closely reflects the expectations of Class II shareholders if
shares are sold during the Contingency Period. The tax consequences of a sale or
exchange are determined by the Code and not by the method used by the Fund to
transfer shares.
If you exchange your Class II shares for shares of Money Fund II, the time your
shares are held in that fund will count towards the completion of any
Contingency Period.
Templeton Global Smaller Companies Fund, Inc. -
23
PAGE
Exchange Restrictions
Please be aware that the following restrictions apply to exchanges:
- - You may only exchange shares within the SAME CLASS.
- - The accounts must be identically registered. You may exchange shares from a
Fund account requiring two or more signatures into an identically registered
money fund account requiring only one signature for all transactions. Please
notify us in writing if you do not want this option to be available on your
account(s). Additional procedures may apply. Please see "Transaction
Procedures and Special Requirements."
- - Trust Company IRA or 403(b) retirement plan accounts may exchange shares as
described above. Restrictions may apply to other types of retirement plans.
Please contact our Retirement Plans Department for information on exchanges
within these plans.
- - The fund you are exchanging into must be eligible for sale in your state.
- - We may modify or discontinue our exchange policy if we give you 60 days'
written notice.
- - Your exchange may be restricted or refused if you: (i) request an exchange out
of the Fund within two weeks of an earlier exchange request, (ii) exchange
shares out of the Fund more than twice in a calendar quarter, or (iii)
exchange shares equal to at least $5 million, or more than 1% of the Fund's
net assets. Shares under common ownership or control are combined for these
limits. If you exchange shares as described in this paragraph, you will be
considered a Market Timer. Each exchange by a Market Timer, if accepted, will
be charged $5.00. Some of our funds do not allow investments by Market Timers.
Because excessive trading can hurt Fund performance and shareholders, we may
refuse any exchange purchase if (i) we believe the Fund would be harmed or
unable to invest effectively, or (ii) the Fund receives or anticipates
simultaneous orders that may significantly affect the Fund.
- Templeton Global Smaller Companies Fund, Inc.
24
PAGE
HOW DO I SELL SHARES?
You may sell (redeem) your shares at any time.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
METHOD STEPS TO FOLLOW
<S> <C>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
BY MAIL 1. Send us written instructions signed by all
account owners
2. Include any outstanding share certificates
for the shares you are selling
3. Provide a signature guarantee if required
4. Corporate, partnership and trust accounts
may need to send additional documents.
Accounts under court jurisdiction may have
additional requirements.
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
BY PHONE Call Shareholder Services
(Only available if you have completed and sent to us the telephone
redemption agreement included with this prospectus)
Telephone requests will be accepted:
- If the request is $50,000 or less.
Institutional accounts may exceed $50,000 by
completing a separate agreement. Call
Institutional Services to receive a copy.
- If there are no share certificates issued
for the shares you want to sell or you have
already returned them to the Fund
- Unless you are selling shares in a Trust
Company retirement plan account
- Unless the address on your account was
changed by phone within the last 30 days
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
THROUGH YOUR DEALER Call your investment representative
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
We will send your redemption check within seven days after we receive your
request in proper form. If you sell your shares by phone, the check may only be
made payable to all registered owners on the account and sent to the address of
record. We are not able to receive or pay out cash in the form of currency.
If you sell shares you just purchased with a check or draft, we may delay
sending you the proceeds for up to 15 days or more to allow the check or draft
to clear. A certified or cashier's check may clear in less time.
Templeton Global Smaller Companies Fund, Inc. -
25
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Under unusual circumstances, we may suspend redemptions or postpone payment for
more than seven days as permitted by federal securities law.
Please refer to "Transaction Procedures and Special Requirements" for other
important information on how to sell shares.
Trust Company Retirement Plan Accounts
To comply with IRS regulations, you need to complete additional forms before
selling shares in a Trust Company retirement plan account. Tax penalties
generally apply to any distribution from these plans to a participant under age
59 1/2, unless the distribution meets an exception stated in the Code. To obtain
the necessary forms, please call our Retirement Plans Department.
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge
For Class I purchases, if you did not pay a front-end sales charge because you
invested $1 million or more or agreed to invest $1 million or more under a
Letter of Intent, a Contingent Deferred Sales Charge may apply if you sell all
or a part of your investment within the Contingency Period. Once you have
invested $1 million or more, any additional Class I investments you make
without a sales charge may also be subject to a Contingent Deferred Sales
Charge if they are sold within the Contingency Period. For any Class II
purchase, a Contingent Deferred Sales Charge may apply if you sell the share
within the Contingency Period. The charge is 1% of the value of the shares sold
or the Net Asset Value at the time of purchase, whichever is less.
We will first redeem shares not subject to the charge in the following order:
1) A calculated number of shares equal to the capital appreciation on shares
held less than the Contingency Period,
2) Shares purchased with reinvested dividends and capital gain distributions,
and
3) Shares held longer than the Contingency Period.
We then redeem shares subject to the charge in the order they were purchased.
Unless otherwise specified, when you request to sell a stated DOLLAR AMOUNT, we
will redeem additional shares to cover any Contingent Deferred Sales Charge. For
requests to sell a stated NUMBER OF SHARES, we will deduct the amount of the
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge, if any, from the sale proceeds.
- Templeton Global Smaller Companies Fund, Inc.
26
PAGE
Waivers. We waive the Contingent Deferred Sales Charge for:
- - Exchanges
- - Account fees
- - Sales of shares purchased pursuant to a sales charge waiver
- - 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 set up before February 1,
1995
- - Redemptions through a systematic withdrawal plan set up on or after February
1, 1995, up to 1% a month of an account's Net Asset Value (3% quarterly, 6%
semiannually or 12% annually). For example, if you maintain an annual balance
of $1 million in Class I shares, you can withdraw up to $120,000 annually
through a systematic withdrawal plan free of charge. Likewise, if you
maintain an annual balance of $10,000 in Class II shares, $1,200 may be
withdrawn annually free of charge.
- - Distributions from individual retirement plan accounts due to death or
disability or upon periodic distributions based on life expectancy
- - Tax-free returns of excess contributions from employee benefit plans
- - Distributions from employee benefit plans, including those due to termination
or plan transfer
WHAT DISTRIBUTIONS MIGHT I RECEIVE FROM THE FUND?
Dividends and capital gains are calculated and distributed the same way for each
class. The amount of any income dividends per share will differ, however,
generally due to the difference in the Rule 12b-1 fees of each class.
The Fund intends to pay a dividend at least annually representing substantially
all of its net investment income and any net realized capital gains. Dividend
payments are not guaranteed, are subject to the Board's discretion and may vary
with each payment. THE FUND DOES NOT PAY "INTEREST" OR GUARANTEE ANY FIXED RATE
OF RETURN ON AN INVESTMENT IN ITS SHARES.
If you buy shares shortly before the record date, please keep in mind that any
distribution will lower the value of the Fund's shares by the amount of the
distribution.
Templeton Global Smaller Companies Fund, Inc. -
27
PAGE
Distribution Options
You may receive your distributions from the Fund in any of these ways:
1. Buy additional shares of the Fund - You may buy additional shares of the
same class of the Fund (without a sales charge or imposition of a Contingent
Deferred Sales Charge) by reinvesting capital gain distributions, dividend
distributions, or both. If you own Class II shares, you may also reinvest your
distributions in Class I shares of the Fund. This is a convenient way to
accumulate additional shares and maintain or increase your earnings base.
2. Buy shares of other Franklin Templeton Funds - You may direct your
distributions to buy the same class of shares of another Franklin Templeton
Fund (without a sales charge or imposition of a Contingent Deferred Sales
Charge). If you own Class II shares, you may also direct your distributions to
buy Class I shares of another Franklin Templeton Fund. Many shareholders find
this a convenient way to diversify their investments.
3. Receive distributions in cash - You may receive capital gain distributions,
dividend distributions, or both in cash. If you have the money sent to another
person or to a checking account, you may need a signature guarantee.
TO SELECT ONE OF THESE OPTIONS, PLEASE COMPLETE THE SHAREHOLDER APPLICATION
INCLUDED WITH THIS PROSPECTUS OR TELL YOUR INVESTMENT REPRESENTATIVE WHICH
OPTION YOU PREFER. IF YOU DO NOT SELECT AN OPTION, WE WILL AUTOMATICALLY
REINVEST DIVIDEND AND CAPITAL GAIN DISTRIBUTIONS IN THE SAME CLASS OF THE FUND.
For Trust Company retirement plans, special forms are required to receive
distributions in cash. You may change your distribution option at any time by
notifying us by mail or phone. Please allow at least seven days prior to the
record date for us to process the new option.
TRANSACTION PROCEDURES AND SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
How and When Shares Are Priced
The Fund is open for business each day the NYSE is open. We determine the Net
Asset Value per share of each class as of the scheduled close of the NYSE,
generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time. You can find the prior day's closing Net Asset
Value and Offering Price for each class in many newspapers.
The Net Asset Value of all outstanding shares of each class is calculated on a
pro rata basis. It is based on each class' proportionate participation in the
Fund, determined by the value of the shares of each class. Each class, however,
bears the Rule 12b-1 fees payable under its Rule 12b-1 plan. To calculate Net
Asset
- Templeton Global Smaller Companies Fund, Inc.
28
PAGE
Value per share of each class, the assets of each class are valued and totaled,
liabilities are subtracted, and the balance, called net assets, is divided by
the number of shares of the class outstanding. The Fund's assets are valued as
described under "How Are Fund Shares Valued?" in the SAI.
The Price We Use When You Buy or Sell Shares
You buy shares at the Offering Price of the class you wish to purchase, unless
you qualify to buy shares at a reduced sales charge or with no sales charge. The
Offering Price of each class is based on the Net Asset Value per share of the
class and includes the maximum sales charge. We calculate it to two decimal
places using standard rounding criteria. You sell shares at Net Asset Value.
We will use the Net Asset Value next calculated after we receive your
transaction request in proper form. If you buy or sell shares through your
Securities Dealer, however, we will use the Net Asset Value next calculated
after your Securities Dealer receives your request, which is promptly
transmitted to the Fund. Your redemption proceeds will not earn interest
between the time we receive the order from your dealer and the time we receive
any required documents.
Proper Form
An order to buy shares is in proper form when we receive your signed
shareholder application and check. Written requests to sell or exchange shares
are in proper form when we receive written instructions signed by all registered
owners, with a signature guarantee if necessary. We must also receive any
outstanding share certificates for those shares.
Written Instructions
Written instructions must be signed by all registered owners. To avoid any delay
in processing your transaction, they should include:
- - Your name,
- - The Fund's name,
- - The class of shares,
- - A description of the request,
- - For exchanges, the name of the fund you're exchanging into,
- - Your account number,
- - The dollar amount or number of shares, and
Templeton Global Smaller Companies Fund, Inc. -
29
PAGE
- - A telephone number where we may reach you during the day, or in the evening
if preferred.
Signature Guarantees
For our mutual protection, we require a signature guarantee in the following
situations:
1) You wish to sell over $50,000 worth of shares,
2) You want the proceeds to be paid to someone other than the registered owners,
3) The proceeds are not being sent to the address of record, preauthorized bank
account, or preauthorized brokerage firm account,
4) We receive instructions from an agent, not the registered owners,
5) We believe a signature guarantee would protect us against potential claims
based on the instructions received.
A signature guarantee verifies the authenticity of your signature and may be
obtained from certain banks, brokers or other eligible guarantors. YOU SHOULD
VERIFY THAT THE INSTITUTION IS AN ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR PRIOR TO SIGNING. A
NOTARIZED SIGNATURE IS NOT SUFFICIENT.
Share Certificates
We will credit your shares to your Fund account. We do not issue share
certificates unless you specifically request them. This eliminates the costly
problem of replacing lost, stolen or destroyed certificates. If a certificate
is lost, stolen or destroyed, you may have to pay an insurance premium of up to
2% of the value of the certificate to replace it.
Any outstanding share certificates must be returned to the Fund if you want to
sell or exchange those shares or if you would like to start a systematic
withdrawal plan. The certificates should be properly endorsed. You can do this
either by signing the back of the certificate or by completing a share
assignment form. For your protection, you may prefer to complete a share
assignment form. In this case, you should send the certificate and assignment
form in separate envelopes.
Telephone Transactions
You may initiate many transactions by phone. Please refer to the sections of
this prospectus that discuss the transaction you would like to make or call
Shareholder Services.
- Templeton Global Smaller Companies Fund, Inc.
30
PAGE
When you call, we will request personal or other identifying information to
confirm that instructions are genuine. We will also record calls. We will not be
liable for following instructions communicated by telephone if we reasonably
believe they are genuine. For your protection, we may delay a transaction or not
implement one if we are not reasonably satisfied that the instructions are
genuine. If this occurs, we will not be liable for any loss.
If our lines are busy or you are otherwise unable to reach us by phone, you may
wish to ask your investment representative for assistance or send written
instructions to us, as described elsewhere in this prospectus. If you are
unable to execute a transaction by telephone, we will not be liable for any
loss.
Trust Company Retirement Plan Accounts. You may not sell shares or change
distribution options on Trust Company retirement plans by phone. While you may
exchange shares of Trust Company IRA and 403(b) retirement accounts by phone,
certain restrictions may be imposed on other retirement plans.
To obtain any required forms or more information about distribution or transfer
procedures, please call our Retirement Plans Department.
Account Registrations and Required Documents
When you open an account, you need to tell us how you want your shares
registered. How you register your account will affect your ownership rights and
ability to make certain transactions. If you have questions about how to
register your account, you should consult your investment representative or
legal advisor. Please keep the following information in mind when registering
your account.
Joint Ownership. If you open an account with two or more owners, we register
the account as "joint tenants with rights of survivorship" unless you tell us
otherwise. An account registered as "joint tenants with rights of survivorship"
is shown as "Jt Ten" on your account statement. For any account with two or
more owners, all owners must sign instructions to process transactions and
changes to the account. Even if the law in your state says otherwise, you will
not be able to change owners on the account unless all owners agree in writing.
If you would like another person or owner to sign for you, please send us a
current power of attorney.
Gifts and Transfers to Minors. You may set up a custodial account for a minor
under your state's Uniform Gifts/Transfers to Minors Act. Other than this form
of registration, a minor may not be named as an account owner.
Trusts. If you register your account as a trust, you should have a valid written
trust document to avoid future disputes or possible court action over who owns
the account.
Templeton Global Smaller Companies Fund, Inc. -
31
PAGE
Required Documents. For corporate, partnership and trust accounts, please send
us the following documents when you open your account. This will help avoid
delays in processing your transactions while we verify who may sign on the
account.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TYPE OF ACCOUNT DOCUMENTS REQUIRED
<S> <C>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
CORPORATION Corporate Resolution
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
PARTNERSHIP 1. The pages from the partnership agreement that
identify the general partners, or
2. A certification for a partnership agreement
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
TRUST 1. The pages from the trust document that
identify the trustees, or
2. A certification for trust
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
Street or Nominee Accounts. If you have Fund shares held in a "street" or
"nominee" name account with your Securities Dealer, you may transfer the shares
to the street or nominee name account of another Securities Dealer. Both
dealers must have an agreement with Distributors or we will not process the
transfer. Contact your Securities Dealer to initiate the transfer. We will
process the transfer after we receive authorization in proper form from your
delivering Securities Dealer. Accounts may be transferred electronically
through the NSCC. For accounts registered in street or nominee name, we may
take instructions directly from the Securities Dealer or your nominee.
Electronic Instructions. If there is a Securities Dealer or other
representative of record on your account, we are authorized to use and execute
electronic instructions. We can accept electronic instructions directly from
your dealer or representative without further inquiry. Electronic instructions
may be processed through the services of the NSCC, which currently include the
NSCC's "Networking," "Fund/SERV," and "ACATS" systems, or through Franklin/
Templeton's PCTrades II(TM) System.
Tax Identification Number
For tax reasons, we must have your correct Social Security or tax identification
number on a signed shareholder application or applicable tax form. Federal law
requires us to withhold 31% of your taxable distributions and sale proceeds if
(i) you have not furnished a certified correct taxpayer identification number,
(ii) you have not certified that withholding does not apply, (iii) the IRS or a
Securities Dealer notifies the Fund that the number you gave us is incorrect, or
(iv) you are subject to backup withholding.
- Templeton Global Smaller Companies Fund, Inc.
32
PAGE
We may refuse to open an account if you fail to provide the required tax
identification number and certifications. We may also close your account if the
IRS notifies us that your tax identification number is incorrect. If you
complete an "awaiting TIN" certification, we must receive a correct tax
identification number within 60 days of your initial purchase to keep your
account open.
Keeping Your Account Open
Due to the relatively high cost of maintaining a small account, we may close
your account if the value of your shares is less than $50. We will only do this
if the value of your account fell below this amount because you voluntarily sold
your shares and your account has been inactive (except for the reinvestment of
distributions) for at least six months. Before we close your account, we will
notify you and give you 30 days to increase the value of your account to $100.
SERVICES TO HELP YOU MANAGE YOUR ACCOUNT
Automatic Investment Plan
Our automatic investment plan offers a convenient way to invest in the Fund.
Under the plan, you can have money transferred automatically from your checking
account to the Fund each month to buy additional shares. If you are interested
in this program, please refer to the account application included with this
prospectus or contact your investment representative. The market value of the
Fund's shares may fluctuate and a systematic investment plan such as this will
not assure a profit or protect against a loss. You may discontinue the program
at any time by notifying Investor Services by mail or phone.
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.
If you would like to establish a systematic withdrawal plan, please complete the
systematic withdrawal plan section of the shareholder application included with
this prospectus and indicate how you would like to receive your payments. You
may choose to direct your payments to buy the same class of shares of another
Franklin Templeton Fund or have the money sent directly to you, to another
person, or to a checking account.
Templeton Global Smaller Companies Fund, Inc. -
33
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You will generally receive your payment by the end of the month in which a
payment is scheduled. When you sell your shares under a systematic withdrawal
plan, it is a taxable transaction.
Because of the front-end sales charge, you may not want to set up a systematic
withdrawal plan if you plan to buy shares on a regular basis. Shares sold under
the plan may also be subject to a Contingent Deferred Sales Charge. Please see
"Contingent Deferred Sales Charge" under "How Do I Sell Shares?"
You may discontinue a systematic withdrawal plan, change the amount and
schedule of withdrawal payments, or suspend one payment by notifying us in
writing at least seven business days before the end of the month preceding a
scheduled payment. Please see "How Do I Buy, Sell and Exchange Shares? -
Systematic Withdrawal Plan" in the SAI for more information.
TeleFACTS(R)
From a touch-tone phone, you may call our TeleFACTS system (day or night) at
1-800/247-1753 to:
- - obtain information about your account;
- - obtain price and performance information about any Franklin Templeton Fund;
- - exchange shares between identically registered Franklin accounts; and
- - request duplicate statements and deposit slips for Franklin accounts.
You will need the code number for each class to use TeleFACTS. The code numbers
for Class I and Class II are 103 and 203, respectively.
Statements and Reports to Shareholders
We will send you the following statements and reports on a regular basis:
- - Confirmation and account statements reflecting transactions in your account,
including additional purchases and dividend reinvestments. PLEASE VERIFY THE
ACCURACY OF YOUR STATEMENTS WHEN YOU RECEIVE THEM.
- - Financial reports of the Fund will be sent every six months. To reduce Fund
expenses, we attempt to identify related shareholders within a household and
send only one copy of a report. Call Fund Information if you would like an
additional free copy of the Fund's financial reports or an interim quarterly
report.
- Templeton Global Smaller Companies Fund, Inc.
34
PAGE
Institutional Accounts
Additional methods of buying, selling or exchanging shares of the Fund may be
available to institutional accounts. For further information, call Institutional
Services.
Availability of These Services
The services above are available to most shareholders. If, however, your shares
are held by a financial institution, in a street name account, or networked
through the NSCC, the Fund may not be able to offer these services directly to
you. Please contact your investment representative.
What If I Have Questions About My Account?
If you have any questions about your account, you may write to Investor
Services, P.O. Box 33030, St. Petersburg, FL 33733-8030. The Fund and
Distributors are also located at this address. You may also contact us by phone
at one of the numbers listed below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
HOURS OF OPERATION (EASTERN
TIME)
DEPARTMENT NAME TELEPHONE NO. (MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY)
<S> <C> <C>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholder Services 1-800/632-2301 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Dealer Services 1-800/524-4040 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Fund Information 1-800/DIAL BEN 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
(1-800/342-5236) 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
(Saturday)
Retirement Plans 1-800/527-2020 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Institutional Services 1-800/321-8563 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
TDD (hearing impaired) 1-800/851-0637 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
</TABLE>
Your phone call may be monitored or recorded to ensure we provide you with high
quality service. You will hear a regular beeping tone if your call is being
recorded.
Templeton Global Smaller Companies Fund, Inc. -
35
PAGE
GLOSSARY
USEFUL TERMS AND DEFINITIONS
1940 Act - Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
Board - The Board of Trustees of the Fund.
CD - Certificate of deposit.
Class I and Class II - The Fund offers two classes of shares, designated "Class
I" and "Class II." The two classes have proportionate interests in the Fund's
portfolio. They differ, however, primarily in their sales charge structures and
12b-1 plans.
Code - Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Contingency Period - For Class I shares, the 12 month period during which a
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge may apply. For Class II shares, the
contingency period is 18 months. Regardless of when during the month you
purchased shares, they will age one month on the last day of that month and
each following month.
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (CDSC) - A sales charge of 1% that may apply
if you sell your shares within the Contingency Period.
Distributors - Franklin/Templeton Distributors, Inc., the Fund's principal
underwriter. The SAI lists the officers and Board members who are affiliated
with Distributors. See "Officers and Directors."
Eligible Governmental Authority - Any state or local government or any
instrumentality, department, authority or agency thereof that has determined
the Fund is a legally permissible investment and that can only buy shares of
the Fund without paying sales charges.
Franklin Funds - The mutual funds in the Franklin Group of Funds(@) except
Franklin Valuemark Funds and the Franklin Government Securities Trust
Franklin Templeton Funds - The Franklin Funds and the Templeton Funds
Franklin Templeton Group - Franklin Resources, Inc., a publicly owned holding
company, and its various subsidiaries
Franklin Templeton Group of Funds - All U.S. registered investment companies in
the Franklin Group of Funds(@) and the Templeton Group of Funds
FT Services - Franklin Templeton Services, Inc., the Fund's administrator
- Templeton Global Smaller Companies Fund, Inc.
36
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Investor Services - Franklin/Templeton Investor Services, Inc., the Fund's
shareholder servicing and transfer agent
IRS - Internal Revenue Service
Letter - Letter of Intent
Market Timer(s) - Market Timers generally include market timing or allocation
services, accounts administered so as to buy, sell or exchange shares based on
predetermined market indicators, or any person or group whose transactions seem
to follow a timing pattern.
Moody's - Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
NASD - National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
Net Asset Value (NAV) - The value of a mutual fund is determined by deducting
the fund's liabilities from the total assets of the portfolio. The net asset
value per share is determined by dividing the net asset value of the fund by
the number of shares outstanding.
NSCC - National Securities Clearing Corporation
NYSE - New York Stock Exchange, Inc.
Offering Price - The public offering price is based on the Net Asset Value per
share of the class and includes the frontend sales charge. The maximum front-
end sales charge is 5.75% for Class I and 1% for Class II.
Qualified Retirement Plan(s) - An employer sponsored pension or profit-sharing
plan that qualifies under section 401 of the Code. Examples include 401(k),
money purchase pension, profit sharing and defined benefit plans.
REIT - Real Estate Investment Trust
Resources - Franklin Resources, Inc.
SAI - Statement of Additional Information
S&P - Standard & Poor's Corporation
SEC - U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
Securities Dealer - A 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.
SEP - An employer sponsored simplified employee pension plan established under
section 408(k) of the Code
Templeton Global Smaller Companies Fund, Inc. -
37
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TeleFACTS(@) - Franklin Templeton's automated customer servicing system
Templeton Funds - The U.S. registered mutual funds in the Templeton Group of
Funds except Templeton Capital Accumulator Fund, Inc., Templeton Variable
Annuity Fund, and Templeton Variable Products Series Fund
TICI - Templeton Investment Counsel, Inc., the Fund's investment manager, is
located at Broward Financial Centre, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33394-3091.
Trust Company - Franklin Templeton Trust Company. Trust Company is an affiliate
of Distributors and both are wholly owned subsidiaries of Resources.
U.S. - United States
We/Our/Us - Unless the context indicates a different meaning, these terms refer
to the Fund and/or Investor Services, Distributors, or other wholly owned
subsidiaries of Resources.
- Templeton Global Smaller Companies Fund, Inc.
38
PAGE
INSTRUCTIONS AND IMPORTANT NOTICE
SUBSTITUTE W-9 INSTRUCTIONS INFORMATION
General. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, the tax liability
of persons subject to backup withholding will be reduced by the amount of tax
withheld. If withholding results in an overpayment of taxes, a refund may be
obtained from the IRS.
Obtaining a Number. If you do not have a Social Security Number/Taxpayer
Identification Number or you do not know your SSN/TIN, you must obtain Form
SS-5 or Form SS-4 from your local Social Security or IRS office and apply for
one. If you have checked the "Awaiting TIN" box and signed the certification,
withholding will apply to payments relating to your account unless you provide
a certified TIN within 60 days.
What SSN/TIN to Give. Please refer to the following guidelines:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ACCOUNT TYPE GIVE SSN OF ACCOUNT TYPE GIVE EMPLOYER ID # OF
<S> <C> <C> <C>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -Individual Individual -Trust, Estate, or Trust, Estate, or
Pension Plan Trust Pension Plan Trust
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -Joint Individual Owner who will -Corporation, Corporation,
be paying tax Partnership, or Partnership, or
or first-named other organization other organization
individual
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -Unif. Gift/ Minor -Broker nominee Broker nominee
Transfer to Minor
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -Sole Proprietor Owner of
business
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -Legal Guardian Ward, Minor,
or Incompetent
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
Exempt Recipients. Please provide your TIN and check the "Exempt Recipient" box
if you are an exempt recipient. Exempt recipients include:
A corporation
A financial institution
An organization exempt from tax under section 501(a), or an individual
retirement plan
A registered dealer in securities or commodities registered in the U.S. or a
U.S. possession
A real estate investment trust
A common trust fund operated by a bank under section 584(a)
Templeton Global Smaller Companies Fund, Inc. -
39
PAGE
An exempt charitable remainder trust or a non-exempt trust described in section
4947(a)(1)
An entity registered at all times under the Investment Company Act of 1940
IRS Penalties. If you do not supply us with your SSN/TIN, you will be subject to
an IRS $50 penalty unless your failure is due to reasonable cause and not
willful neglect. If you fail to report certain income on your federal income
tax return, you will be treated as negligent and subject to an IRS 20% penalty
on any underpayment of tax attributable to such negligence, unless there was
reasonable cause for the resulting underpayment and you acted in good faith. If
you falsify information on this form or make any other false statement
resulting in no backup withholding on an account which should be subject to
backup withholding, you may be subject to an IRS $500 penalty and certain
criminal penalties including fines and imprisonment.
SUBSTITUTE W-8 INSTRUCTIONS INFORMATION
Exempt Foreign Person. Check the "Exempt Foreign Person" box if you qualify as
a non-resident alien or foreign entity that is not subject to certain U.S.
information return reporting or to backup withholding rules. Dividends paid to
your account may be subject to withholding of up to 30%. You are an "Exempt
Foreign Person" if you are not (1) a citizen or resident of the U.S., or (2) a
U.S. corporation, partnership, estate, or trust. In the case of an individual,
an "Exempt Foreign Person" is one who has been physically present in the U.S.
for less than 31 days during the current calendar year. An individual who is
physically present in the U.S. for at least 31 days during the current calendar
year will still be treated as an "Exempt Foreign Person," provided that the
total number of days physically present in the current calendar year and the two
preceding calendar years does not exceed 183 days (counting all of the days in
the current calendar year, only one-third of the days in the first preceding
calendar year and only one-sixth of the days in the second preceding calendar
year). In addition, lawful permanent residents or green card holders may not be
treated as "Exempt Foreign Persons." If you are an individual or an entity, you
must not now be, or at this time expect to be, engaged in a U.S. trade or
business with respect to which any gain derived from transactions effected by
the Fund/Payer during the calendar year is effectively connected to the U.S.
(or your transactions are exempt from U.S. taxes under a tax treaty).
Permanent Address. The Shareholder Application must contain your permanent
address if you are an "Exempt Foreign Person." If you are an individual, provide
your permanent address. If you are a partnership or corporation, provide the
- Templeton Global Smaller Companies Fund, Inc.
40
PAGE
address of your principal office. If you are an estate or trust, provide the
address of your permanent residence or the principal office of any fiduciary.
Notice of Change in Status. If you become a U.S. citizen or resident after you
have provided certification of your foreign status, or if you cease to be an
"Exempt Foreign Person," you must notify the Fund/Payer within 30 days of your
change in status. Reporting will then begin on the account(s) listed, and
backup withholding may also begin unless you certify to the Fund/Payer that (1)
the taxpayer identification number you have given is correct, and (2) the
Internal Revenue Service has not notified you that you are subject to backup
withholding because you failed to report certain interest or dividend income.
You may use Form W-9, "Payer's Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and
Certification," to make these certifications. If an account is no longer active,
you do not have to notify a Fund/Payer or broker of your change in status
unless you also have another account with the same Fund/Payer that is still
active. If you receive interest from more than one Fund/Payer or have dealings
with more than one broker or barter exchange, file a certificate with each. If
you have more than one account with the same Fund/Payer, the Fund/Payer may
require you to file a separate certificate for each account.
When to File. File these certifications with the Fund before a payment is made
to you, unless you have already done this in either of the two preceding
calendar years.
How Often You Must File. This certificate generally remains in effect for three
calendar years. A Fund/Payer or broker, however, may require that a new
certificate be filed each time a payment is made. On joint accounts for which
each joint owner is a foreign person, each must provide a certification of
foreign status.
Templeton Global Smaller Companies Fund, Inc. -
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FOR CORPORATE SHAREHOLDERS--FORM OF RESOLUTION
It will be necessary for corporate shareholders to provide a certified copy of a
resolution or other certificate of authority to authorize the purchase as well
as sale (redemption) of shares and withdrawals by checks or drafts. You may use
the following form of resolution or you may prefer to use your own. It is
understood that the Fund, Franklin Templeton Distributors, Inc., Franklin
Templeton Investor Services, Inc., the custodian bank and their affiliates may
rely upon these authorizations until revoked or amended by written notice
delivered by registered or certified mail to the Fund.
CERTIFIED COPY OF RESOLUTION (Corporation or Association)
The undersigned hereby certifies and affirms that he/she is the duly elected
----------------------------------- of -------------------------------------
Title Corporate Name
a _______________________________ organized under the laws of the State of
Type of Organization
___________________ and that the following is a true and correct copy
State
of a resolution adopted by the Board of Directors at a meeting duly called and
held on __________________________
Date
RESOLVED, that the _____________________________________________________
Officers' Titles
of this Corporation or Association are authorized to open an account in
the name of the Corporation or Association with one or more of the
Franklin Group of Funds or Templeton Family of Funds (collectively, the
"Funds") and to deposit such funds of this Corporation or Association in
this account as they deem necessary or desirable; that the persons
authorized below may endorse checks and other instruments for deposit to
said account or accounts; and
FURTHER RESOLVED, that any of the following __________ officers are
number
authorized to sign any share assignment on behalf of this Corporation or
Association and to take any other actions as may be necessary to sell or
redeem its shares in the Funds or to sign checks or drafts withdrawing
funds from the account; and
FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Corporation or Association shall hold
harmless, indemnify, and defend the Funds, their custodian bank, Franklin
Templeton Distributors, Inc., Franklin Templeton Investor Services, Inc.,
and their affiliates, from any claim, loss or liability resulting in whole
or in
Templeton Global Smaller Companies Fund, Inc. -
45
PAGE
part, directly or indirectly, from their reliance from time to time upon
any certifications by the secretary or any assistant secretary of this
Corporation or Association as to the names of the individuals occupying
such offices and their acting in reliance upon these resolutions until
actual receipt by them of a certified copy of a resolution of the Board of
Directors of the Corporation or Association modifying or revoking any or
all such resolutions.
The undersigned further certifies that the below named persons, whose
signatures appear opposite their names and office titles, are duly elected
officers of the Corporation or Association. (Attach additional list if
necessary.)
name/title (please print or type) Signature
name/title (please print or type) Signature
name/title (please print or type) Signature
name/title (please print or type) Signature
Name of Corporation or Association Date
Certified from minutes
Name and Title
CORPORATE SEAL (if appropriate)
- Templeton Global Smaller Companies Fund, Inc.
46
PAGE
FRANKLIN TEMPLETON
TELEPHONE REDEMPTION AUTHORIZATION AGREEMENT
You may use Franklin Templeton's telephone redemption privilege to redeem
uncertificated Franklin Templeton Fund shares for up to $50,000 (or your
shareholder account balance, whichever is less) per day, per fund account in
accordance with the terms of the Funds' prospectus.
The telephone redemption privilege is available only to shareholders who
specifically request it. If you would like to add this redemption privilege to
the other telephone transaction privileges now automatically available to
Franklin Templeton Fund shareholders, please sign and return this authorization
to Franklin/Templeton Investor Services, Inc. ("Investor Services"), transfer
agent and shareholder servicing agent for the Franklin Templeton Funds.
Shareholder Authorization: I/We request the telephone redemption privilege under
the terms described below and in the prospectus for each investment company in
Franklin Templeton (a "Franklin Templeton Fund" or a "Fund"), now open or
opened at a later date, holding shares registered as follows:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Print name(s) as shown in registration (called "Shareholder")
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Account number(s)
I/We authorize each Fund and Investor Services to honor and act upon telephone
requests, given as provided in this agreement, to redeem shares from any
Shareholder account.
- -------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------
Signature(s) of all registered owners and date
- -------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------
Printed name (and title/capacity, if applicable)
Verification Procedures: I/We understand and agree that: (1) each Fund and
Investor Services will employ reasonable procedures to confirm that redemption
instructions communicated by telephone are genuine and that if these
confirmation procedures are not followed, the Fund or Investor Services may be
liable for any losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent telephone instructions;
(2) the confirmation procedures will include the recording of telephone calls
requesting redemptions, requiring that the caller provide certain personal
and/or account information requested by the telephone service agent at the time
of the call for the purpose of establishing the caller's identification, and
the sending of confirmation statements to the address of record each time a
redemption is
Templeton Global Smaller Companies Fund, Inc. -
47
PAGE
initiated by telephone; and (3) as long as the Fund and Investor Services follow
the confirmation procedures in acting on instructions communicated by telephone
which were reasonably believed to be genuine at the time of receipt, neither
they nor their parent or affiliates will be liable for any loss, damages or
expenses caused by an unauthorized or fraudulent redemption request.
Jointly Owned/Co-Trustee Accounts: Each of us signing this agreement as either
joint owners or co-trustees authorize each Fund and Investor Services to honor
telephone redemption requests given by ANY ONE of the signers or our investment
representative of record, if any, ACTING ALONE.
Appointment of Attorney-in-Fact: In order to issue telephone redemption requests
acting alone, each of us individually makes the following appointment: I hereby
appoint the other joint owner(s)/co-trustee(s) as my agent(s)
(attorney[s]-in-fact) with full power and authority to individually act for me
in any lawful way with respect to the issuance of instructions to a Fund or
Investor Services in accordance with the telephone redemption privilege we have
requested by signing this agreement. This appointment shall not be affected by
my subsequent disability or incompetency and shall remain in effect until it is
revoked by either written notice from any one of us delivered to a Fund or
Investor Services by registered mail, return receipt requested, or by a Fund or
Investor Services upon receipt of any information that causes a Fund or
Investor Services to believe in good faith that there is or that there may be a
dispute among any of us with respect to the Franklin Templeton Fund account(s)
covered by this agreement. Each of us agrees to notify the Fund or Investor
Services immediately upon the death of any of the undersigned.
Corporate/Partnership/Trust/Retirement Accounts: The Shareholder and each of us
signing this agreement on behalf of the Shareholder represent and warrant to
each Franklin Templeton Fund and Investor Services that the Shareholder has the
authority to enter into this agreement and that each of us are duly authorized
to execute this agreement on behalf of the Shareholder. The Shareholder agrees
that its election of the telephone redemption privilege means that a Fund or
Investor Services may honor a telephone redemption request given by ANY officer/
partner/member/administrator or agent of Shareholder ACTING ALONE.
Restricted Accounts: Telephone redemptions and dividend option changes may not
be accepted on Franklin Templeton Trust Company retirement accounts.
PLEASE RETURN THIS FORM TO:
Franklin/Templeton Investor Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 33030
St. Petersburg, FL 33733-8030
- Templeton Global Smaller Companies Fund, Inc.
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FRANKLIN TEMPLETON GROUP OF FUNDS
LITERATURE REQUEST E Call 1-800/DIAL BEN (1-800/342-5236) today for a free
descriptive brochure and prospectus on any of the funds listed below. The
prospectus contains more complete information, including fees, charges and
expenses, and should be read carefully before investing or sending money.
INTERNATIONAL GROWTH
Franklin Global Health Care Fund
Franklin International Equity Fund
Franklin Templeton Japan Fund
Templeton Developing Markets Trust
Templeton Foreign Fund
Templeton Global Infrastructure Fund
Templeton Global
Opportunities Trust
Templeton Global Real Estate Fund
Templeton Global Smaller
Companies Fund
Templeton Greater European Fund
Templeton Growth Fund
Templeton Latin America Fund
Templeton Pacific Growth Fund
Templeton World Fund
INTERNATIONAL GROWTH
AND INCOME
Franklin Global Utilities Fund
Franklin Templeton German
Government Bond Fund
Franklin Templeton
Global Currency Fund
Mutual European Fund
Templeton Global Bond Fund
Templeton Growth and Income Fund
INTERNATIONAL INCOME
Franklin Global Government
Income Fund
Franklin Templeton Hard
Currency Fund
Franklin Templeton High
Income Currency Fund
Templeton Americas
Government Securities Fund
GROWTH
Franklin Blue Chip Fund
Franklin California Growth Fund
Franklin DynaTech Fund
Franklin Equity Fund
Franklin Gold Fund
Franklin Growth Fund
Franklin MidCap Growth Fund
Franklin Small Cap Growth Fund
Mutual Discovery Fund
GROWTH AND INCOME
Franklin Asset Allocation Fund
Franklin Balance Sheet
Investment Fund
Franklin Convertible Securities Fund
Franklin Equity Income Fund
Franklin Income Fund
Franklin MicroCap Value Fund
Franklin Natural Resources Fund
Franklin Real Estate Securities Fund
Franklin Rising Dividends Fund
Franklin Strategic Income Fund
Franklin Utilities Fund
Franklin Value Fund
Mutual Beacon Fund
Mutual Qualified Fund
Mutual Shares Fund
Templeton American Trust, Inc.
INCOME
Franklin Adjustable Rate
Securities Fund
Franklin Adjustable U.S.
Government Securities Fund
Franklin AGE High Income Fund
Franklin Investment
Grade Income Fund
Franklin Short-Intermediate U.S.
Government Securities Fund
Franklin U.S. Government
Securities Fund
Franklin Money Fund
Franklin Federal Money Fund
FOR NON-U.S. INVESTORS:
Franklin Tax-Advantaged
High Yield Securities Fund
Franklin Tax-Advantaged
International Bond Fund
Franklin Tax-Advantaged U.S.
Government Securities Fund
FOR CORPORATIONS:
Franklin Corporate Qualified
Dividend Fund
FRANKLIN FUNDS SEEKING
TAX-FREE INCOME
Federal Intermediate-Term
Tax-Free Income Fund
Federal Tax-Free Income Fund
High Yield Tax-Free Income Fund
Insured Tax-Free Income Fund
Puerto Rico Tax-Free Income Fund
Tax-Exempt Money Fund
FRANKLIN STATE-SPECIFIC FUNDS
SEEKING TAX-FREE INCOME
Alabama
Arizona*
Arkansas**
California*
Colorado
Connecticut
Florida*
Georgia
Hawaii**
Indiana
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maryland
Massachusetts***
Michigan*
Minnesota***
Missouri
New Jersey
New York*
North Carolina
Ohio***
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Tennessee**
Texas
Virginia
Washington**
VARIABLE ANNUITIES
Franklin Valuemark(SM)
Franklin Templeton Valuemark
Income Plus (an immediate annuity)
*Two or more fund options available: long-term portfolio, intermediate-term
portfolio, a portfolio of insured municipal securities, and/or a high yield
portfolio (CA) and a money market portfolio (CA and NY).
**The fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in bonds that pay interest
subject to the federal alternative minimum tax.
***Portfolio of insured municipal securities.
TL103 P 01/97
PAGE
TEMPLETON GLOBAL SMALLER
COMPANIES FUND, INC.
P.O. Box 33031
St. Petersburg, FL 33733-8031
- ---------------------------------
ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED
TL103 P 01/97 (LOGO) Printed on recycled paper
PAGE
Logo Appears Here
FRANKLIN TEMPLETON
TEMPLETON
FUNDS
P.O. Box 33031
St. Petersburg, FL
33733-8031
1-800-393-3001
Please do not use this form for any retirement plan for which Franklin
Templeton Trust Company serves as custodian or trustee, or for Templeton
Money Fund, Templeton Institutional Funds or Templeton Capital Accumulator
Fund. Request separate applications.
SHAREHOLDER APPLICATION OR REVISION [] Please check the box if this is a
revision and see Section 8
Please check Class I or Class II, if applicable, next to your Fund selection.
Class I and Class II shares have different sales charges and operating expenses,
among other differences, as described in each Fund's prospectus.Date
- ------------------
CLASS
I II Templeton
[ ] [ ] $______American Trust
[ ] ______Americas Government Securities Fund
[ ] [ ] ______Developing Markets Trust
[ ] [ ] ______Foreign Fund
[ ] [ ] ______Global Bond Fund
CLASS
I II Templeton
[ ] [ ]$______Global Infrastructure Fund
[ ] [ ] ______Global Opportunities Trust
[ ] [ ] ______Global Real Estate Fund
[ ] [ ] ______Global Smaller Companies Fund
[ ] [ ] ______Greater European Fund
CLASS
I II Templeton
[ ] [ ]$______Growth Fund
[ ] [ ] ______Growth and Income Fund
[ ] ______Japan Fund
[ ] [ ] ______Latin America Fund
[ ] [ ] ______World Fund
CLASS
I II
[ ] [ ] Other:$______
(except for Class II Money Fund)
-----------------
-----------------
----------------
1 ACCOUNT REGISTRATION - PLEASE PRINT
n INDIVIDUAL OR JOINT ACCOUNT
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First name Middle initial Last name Social Security number(SSN)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Joint owner(s) Joint ownership means Social Security number (SSN)
"joint tenants with rights of
survivorship" unless otherwise specified.)
ALL OWNERS MUST SIGN SECTION 4.
[] GIFTS/TRANSFERS TO A MINOR
- ----------------------------------------- As Custodian For -----------------
Name of custodian (one only) Minor's name (one only)
- ----------------------------------------- Uniform Gifts/
Transfers to Minors Act-------------
State (minor's or custodian's state Minor's Social Security number
of residence)
Please Note: Custodian's signature, not minor's, is required in Section 4.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ ] TRUST, CORPORATION, PARTNERSHIP, RETIREMENTPLAN, OR OTHER ENTITY
- ------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------
Name Taxpayer identification number(TIN)
- -------------------------------------------
Name of beneficiary (if to be included in Date of trust document (must be
the registration) completed for registration)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name of each trustee (if to be included in the registration)
==============================================================================
2 ADDRESS
- --------------------------------------- Daytime Telephone(---)-----------------
Street address (P.O. Box acceptable if Area code
street address is given)
- --------------------------------------- Evening Telephone(---)---------------
City State Zip code Area code
I am a citizen of: [ ] U.S. or [ ]_________________________________________
===============================================================================
3 INITIAL INVESTMENT - $100 minimum initial investment
Enclosed is a check payable to the Fund indicated above for $__________________.
===============================================================================
4 SIGNATURE AND TAX CERTIFICATIONS - All registered owners must sign application
See "Important Notice Regarding Taxpayer IRS Certifications" in back of
prospectus. The Fund reserves the right to refuse to open an account without
either a certified taxpayer identification number ("TIN"), Social Security
number ("SSN"), or a certification of foreign status. Failure to provide tax
certifications in this section may result in backup withholding on payments
relating to your account and/or in your inability to qualify for treaty
withholding rates. I am not subject to backup withholding because I have not
been notified by the IRS that I am subject to backup withholding as a result of
a failure to report all interest or dividends or because the IRShas notified me
that I am no longer subject to backup withholding. (If you are currently subject
to backup withholding as a result of a failure to report all interest or
dividends, please cross out the preceding statement.)
[ ] The number shown above is my correct TIN or SSN, or that of the minor
named in section 1.
[ ] Awaiting TIN. I am waiting for a number to be issued to me. I understand
that if I do not provide a TIN to the Fund within 60 days, the Fund is
required to commence 31% backup withholding until I provide a certified TIN.
[ ] Exempt Recipient. Individuals cannot be exempt. Check this box only after
reading the instructions, found in the back of the Fund's prospectus,
to see whether you qualify as an exempt recipient. (You should still
provide a TIN.)
[ ] Exempt Foreign Person. Check this box only if the following statement
applies: "I am neither a citizen nor a resident of the United States. I
certify to the best of my knowledge and belief, I qualify as an exempt
foreign person and/or entity as described in the instructions, found in
the back of the Fund's prospectus."
Permanent address for income
tax purposes:---------------------------------------------------------------
Street Address City State Country Postal Code
PLEASE NOTE: The IRS only allows one TIN to be listed on an account. On joint
accounts, it is preferred that the primary account owner (or person listed
first on the account) list his/her number as requested above.
Certification - Under the penalties of perjury, I/we certify that (1) the
information provided on this application is true, correct and complete,
(2) I/we have read the prospectus(es) for the Fund(s) in which I am/we are
investing and agree to the terms thereof, and (3) I am/we are of legal age or
an emancipated minor. I/we acknowledge that shares of the Fund(s) are not
insured or guaranteed by any agency or institution and that an investment in
fund shares involves risks, including the possible loss of the principal amount
invested.
X X
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Signature Signature
X X
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Signature Signature Please make a photocopy of this application for your
records.
=============================================================================
5 BROKER/DEALER USE ONLY - Please print
Franklin Templeton Dealer #
We hereby submit this application for the purchase of shares of the Fund(s)
and class(es) indicated in accordance with the terms of our selling agreement
with Franklin/Templeton Distributors, Inc.("FTD"), and with the prospectus(es)
for the Funds. We agree to notify FTD of any purchases of Class I shares which
may be eligible for reduced or eliminated sales charges.
WIRE ORDER ONLY: The attached check for $________________________ should be
applied against wire order confirmation number________________________
dated____________________ for________________________ shares
Securities Dealer Name
-------------------------------------------------------
Main Office Address Main Office Telephone Number
Branch Address _____________________________Branch Telephone Number----------
Authorized Signature, Securities Dealer _______________ Title----------------
ACCEPTED: Franklin/Templeton Distributors, Inc. By __________------ Date-----
Please see reverse side for shareholder account privileges.
This application must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus for the
Fund(s) being purchased.
TLGOF APP 08/96
6 DISTRIBUTION OPTIONS - Check one
Check one - if no box is checked, all dividends and capital gains will be
reinvested in additional shares of the Fund.
[ ] Reinvest all dividends and capital gains. [ ] Pay all dividends in cash
and reinvest capital gains.
[ ] Pay capital gains in cash and reinvest [ ] Pay all dividends and
dividends. capital gains in cash.
===============================================================================
7 OPTIONAL SHAREHOLDER PRIVILEGES
A. Special Payment Instructions for Distributions (Check one box)
[ ] Invest distributions, as noted in Section 6, or l withdrawals, as noted in
Section 7B, in another Franklin or Templeton Fund.
Restrictions may apply to purchases of shares of a different class. See the
prospectus for details.
Fund Name___________________________________ Existing Account Number
OR
[ ] Send my distributions, as noted in Section 6, to the person, named below,
instead of as registered and addressed in Sections 1 and 2.
Name ___________________________________ Street Address____________________
City____________________________________ State _____________ ZipCode_______
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
B. Systematic Withdrawal Plan
Please withdraw from my Franklin Templeton account $_______________________
($50 minimum) [ ] Monthly [ ] Quarterly [ ] Semi-Annually or [ ] Annually
as set forth in the prospectus, starting in ________________________________
(month). The net asset value of the shares held must be at least $5,000 at
the time the plan is established. Additional restrictions may apply to
Class II or other shares subject to contingent deferred sales charge,
as described in the prospectus. Send the withdrawals to: [ ] address of
record OR [ ] the Franklin or Templeton Fund, or person specified in
Section 7A - Special Payment Instructions for Distributions.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C. TELEPHONE TRANSACTIONS
TELEPHONE EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE: If the Fund does not receive specific
instructions from the shareholder, either in writing or by telephone, the
Telephone Exchange Privilege (see the prospectus) is automatically extended to
each account. The shareholder should understand, however, that the Fund and
Franklin Templeton Investor Services, Inc. ("FTI") or Franklin Templeton Trust
Company and their agents will not be liable for any loss, injury, damage or
expense as a result of acting upon instructions communicated by telephone
reasonably believed to be genuine. The shareholder agrees to hold the Fund and
its agents harmless from any loss, claims, or liability arising from its or
their compliance with such instructions. The shareholder understands that this
option is subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the prospectus of the
fund to be acquired.
[ ] No, I do NOTwish to participate in the Telephone Exchange Privilege or
authorize the Fund or its agents, including FTI or Templeton Funds Trust
Company, to act upon instructions received by telephone to exchange shares
for shares of any other account(s) within the Franklin Templeton Group of Funds.
TELEPHONE REDEMPTION PRIVILEGE: This is available to shareholders who
specifically request it and who complete the Franklin Templeton Telephone
Redemption Authorization Agreement in the back of the Fund's prospectus.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
D. AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT PLAN
IMPORTANT: ATTACH AN UNSIGNED, VOIDED CHECK (FOR CHECKING ACCOUNTS) OR A
SAVINGS ACCOUNT DEPOSIT SLIP HERE, AND COMPLETE THE INFORMATION BELOW.
I/We would like to establish an Automatic Investment Plan (the "Plan") as
described in the prospectus. I/We agree to reimburse FTI and/or FTD for any
expenses or losses that they may incur in connection with my/our Plan, including
any caused by my/our bank's failure to act in accordance with my/our request. If
my/our bank makes any erroneous payment or fails to make a payment after shares
are purchased on my/our behalf, any such purchase may be cancelled and I/we
hereby authorize redemptions and/or deductions from my/our account for that
purpose.
Debit my (circle one) savings, checking, other ___________________________
account monthly for $________________________ ($25 minimum) on or about the
[ ]1st [ ]5th [ ]15th or [ ]20th day starting ______________________ (month),
to be invested in (name of Fund) ___________________________________ Account
Number (if known) _______________________________________________
INSTRUCTIONS TO BANK - AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT PLAN AUTHORIZATION
To:
----------------------------------------------------- ------------------
Name of Your Bank ABA Number
------------------------------- ------------------- ----------- --------
Street Address City State Zip Code
I/We authorize you to charge my/our Checking/Savings account and to make
payment to FTD, upon instructions from FTD. I/We agree that in making payment
for such charges your rights shall be the same as if each were a charge made
and signed personally by me(us). This authority shall remain in effect until
you receive written notice from me/us changing its terms or revoking it. Until
you actually receive such notice, I/we agree that you shall be fully
protected in paying any charge under this authority. I/We further agree that
if any such charge is not made, whether with or without cause
and whether intentionally or inadvertently, you shall be under no liability
whatsoever.
X
- -------------------------------------------------------- ----------------
Signature(s) EXACTLY as shown on your bank records Date
- -------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------
Print Name(s) Account Number
- ------------------------------- ------------------ ------------- ------------
Your Street Address City State Zip Code
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
E. Letter of Intent (LOI)-- Not Applicable to Purchases of Class II
[ ]I/We agree to the terms of the LOI and provisions for reservations of Class I
shares and grant FTD the security interest set forth in the prospectus. Although
I am/we are not obligated to do so, it is my/our intention to invest over a 13
month period in Class I and/or Class II shares of one or more Franklin or
Templeton Funds (including all money market funds in the Franklin Templeton
Group) an aggregate amount at least equal to that which is checked below. I
understand that reduced sales charges will apply only to purchases of Class I
shares.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
[ ]$50,000-99,999(except for Global Bond Fund [ ] $100,000-249,999 []$250,000-499,999 [] $500,000-999,999 []$1,000,000 or more
and Americas Government Securities Fund)
</TABLE>
Purchases of Class I shares under LOI of $1,000,000 or more are made at net
asset value and may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge as
described in the prospectus.
Purchases made within the last 90 days will be included as part of your LOI.
However, certain employee benefit plans are subject to different rules.
Please write in your account number(s)
----------- ------------ ------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
F. Cumulative Quantity Discount--Not Applicable to Purchases of Class II Shares
Class I shares may be purchased at the offering price applicable to the total
of (a) the dollar amount then being purchased plus (b) the amount equal to the
cost or current value (whichever is higher) of the combined holdings of the
purchaser, his or her spouse, and their children or grandchildren under age 21,
of Class I and/or Class II shares of funds in Franklin Templeton, as well as
other holdings of Franklin Templeton Investments, as that term is defined in the
prospectus. In order for this cumulative quantity discount to be made available,
the shareholder or his or her securities dealer must notify FTIor FTD of the
total holdings in Franklin Templeton each time an order is placed. I understand
that reduced sales charges will apply only to purchases of Class I shares.
[ ]I/We own shares of more than one Fund in Franklin Templeton and qualify for
the Cumulative Quantity Discount described above and in the prospectus.
My/Our other account number(s) are
----------- ------------ ---------------
===============================================================================
8 ACCOUNT REVISION (if applicable)
If you are using this application to revise your account registration
(Section 1), or wish to have distribution income sent to an address other than
the address on your existing account's registration (Section 7A), a signature
guarantee is required. Signatures of all registered owners must be guaranteed by
an "eligible guarantor institution" as defined in the "How to Sell Shares of the
Fund" section in the Fund's prospectus. A notary public is not an acceptable
guarantor.
X
- ------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------
Signature(s) of registered account owners Account number(s)
X
------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------
X
- ------------------------------------------------
X
- ------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------
Signature guarantee stamp
NOTE: For any change in registration, please send us any outstanding
certificates by registered mail.
PAGE
PART B
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
PAGE
TEMPLETON GLOBAL SMALLER COMPANIES FUND, INC.
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
JANUARY 1, 1997
700 CENTRAL AVENUE
ST. PETERSBURG, FL 33701 1-800/DIAL BEN
TABLE OF CONTENTS
How does the Fund Invest its Assets?.........................
What are the Fund's Potential Risks?.........................
Investment Restrictions......................................
Officers and Directors.......................................
Investment Management and Other Services.....................
How does the Fund Buy Securities for its Portfolio?..........
How Do I Buy, Sell and Exchange Shares?......................
How are Fund Shares Valued?..................................
Additional Information on Distributions and Taxes............
The Fund's Underwriter.......................................
How does the Fund Measure Performance?.......................
Miscellaneous Information....................................
Financial Statements.........................................
Useful Terms and Definitions.................................
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When reading this SAI, you will see certain terms beginning with capital
letters. This means the term is explained under "Useful Terms and
Definitions."
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Templeton Global Smaller Companies Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") is a diversified
open-end management investment company. The Fund's investment objective is
long-term capital growth, which it seeks to achieve by investing in common
stocks and all types of common stock equivalents, including rights, warrants and
preferred stock, of companies of various nations throughout the world. The Fund
seeks to achieve its objective by investing primarily in securities of smaller
companies globally.
The Prospectus, dated January 1, 1997, as may be amended from time to time,
contains the basic information you should know before investing in the Fund. For
a free copy, call 1-800/DIAL BEN or write the Fund at the address shown.
THIS SAI IS NOT A PROSPECTUS. IT CONTAINS INFORMATION IN ADDITION TO AND IN MORE
DETAIL THAN SET FORTH IN THE PROSPECTUS. THIS SAI IS INTENDED TO PROVIDE YOU
WITH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THE ACTIVITIES AND OPERATIONS OF THE FUND,
AND SHOULD BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE PROSPECTUS.
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MUTUAL FUNDS, ANNUITIES, AND OTHER INVESTMENT PRODUCTS:
ARE NOT FEDERALLY 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;
ARE SUBJECT TO INVESTMENT RISKS, INCLUDING THE POSSIBLE LOSS OF PRINCIPAL.
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HOW DOES THE FUND INVEST ITS ASSETS?
The following provides more detailed information about some of the securities
the Fund may buy and its investment policies. You should read it together with
the section in the Prospectus entitled "How does the Fund Invest its Assets?"
DEBT SECURITIES. The Fund may invest in medium quality or high risk, lower
quality debt securities. As an operating policy, the Fund will invest no more
than 5% of its assets in debt securities rated lower than Baa by Moody's or BBB
by S&P. The market value of debt securities generally varies in response to
changes in interest rates and the financial condition of each issuer. During
periods of declining interest rates, the value of debt securities generally
increases. Conversely, during periods of rising interest rates, the value of
such securities generally declines. These changes in market value will be
reflected in the Fund's Net Asset Value.
Although they may offer higher yields than do higher rated securities, low rated
and unrated debt securities generally involve greater volatility of price and
risk of principal and income, including the possibility of default by, or
bankruptcy of, the issuers of the securities. In addition, the markets in which
low rated and unrated debt securities are traded are more limited than those in
which higher rated securities are traded. The existence of limited markets for
particular securities may diminish the Fund's ability to sell the securities at
fair value either to meet redemption requests or to respond to a specific
economic event such as a deterioration in the creditworthiness of the issuer.
Reduced secondary market liquidity for certain low rated or unrated debt
securities may also make it more difficult for the Fund to obtain accurate
market quotations for the purposes of valuing the Fund's portfolio. Market
quotations are generally available on many low rated or unrated securities only
from a limited number of dealers and may not necessarily represent firm bids of
such dealers or prices for actual sales.
Adverse publicity and investor perceptions, whether or not based on fundamental
analysis, may decrease the values and liquidity of low rated debt securities,
especially in a thinly traded market. Analysis of the creditworthiness of
issuers of low rated debt securities may be more complex than for issuers of
higher rated securities, and the ability of the Fund to achieve its investment
objective may, to the extent of investment in low rated debt securities, be more
dependent upon such creditworthiness analysis than would be the case if the Fund
were investing in higher rated securities.
Low rated debt securities may be more susceptible to real or perceived adverse
economic and competitive industry conditions than investment grade securities.
The prices of low rated debt securities have been found to be less sensitive to
interest rate changes than higher rated investments, but more sensitive to
adverse economic downturns or individual corporate developments. A projection of
an economic downturn or of a period of rising interest rates, for example, could
cause a decline in low rated debt securities prices because the advent of a
recession could lessen the ability of a highly leveraged company to make
principal and interest payments on its debt securities. If the issuer of low
rated debt securities defaults, the Fund may incur additional expenses to seek
recovery.
The Fund may accrue and report interest on high yield bonds structured as zero
coupon bonds or pay-in-kind securities as income even though it receives no cash
interest until the security's maturity or payment date. In order to qualify for
beneficial tax treatment afforded regulated investment companies, the Fund must
distribute substantially all of its net income to shareholders (see "Additional
Information on Distributions and Taxes"). Thus, the Fund may have to dispose of
its portfolio securities under disadvantageous circumstances to generate cash in
order to satisfy the distribution requirement.
STRUCTURED INVESTMENTS. Included among the issuers of debt securities in which
the Fund may invest are entities organized and operated solely for the purpose
of restructuring the investment characteristics of various securities. These
entities are typically organized by investment banking firms which receive fees
in connection with establishing each entity and arranging for the placement of
its securities. This type of restructuring involves the deposit with or
purchases by an entity, such as a corporation or trust, of specified instruments
and the issuance by that entity of one or more classes of securities
("structured investments") backed by, or representing interests in, the
underlying instruments. The cash flow on the underlying instruments may be
apportioned among the newly issued structured investments to create securities
with different investment characteristics such as varying maturities, payment
priorities or interest rate provisions; the extent of the payments made with
respect to structured investments is dependent on the extent of the cash flow on
the underlying instruments. Because structured investments of the type in which
the Fund anticipate investing typically involve no credit enhancement, their
credit risk will generally be equivalent to that of the underlying instruments.
The Fund is permitted to invest in a class of structured investments that is
either subordinated or unsubordinated to the right of payment of another class.
Subordinated structured investments typically have higher yields and present
greater risks than unsubordinated structured investments. Although the Fund's
purchase of subordinated structured investments would have a similar economic
effect to that of borrowing against the underlying securities, the purchase will
not be deemed to be leverage for purposes of the limitations placed on the
extent of the Fund's assets that may be used for borrowing activities.
Certain issuers of structured investments may be deemed to be "investment
companies" as defined in the 1940 Act. As a result, a Fund's investment in these
structured investments may be limited by the restrictions contained in the 1940
Act. Structured investments are typically sold in private placement
transactions, and there currently is no active trading market for structured
investments. To the extent such investments are illiquid, they will be subject
to the Fund's restrictions on investments in illiquid securities.
WHAT ARE THE FUND'S POTENTIAL RISKS?
The Fund has an unlimited right to purchase securities in any foreign country,
developed or developing, if they are listed on a stock exchange, as well as a
limited right to purchase such securities if they are unlisted. Investors should
consider carefully the substantial risks involved in securities of companies and
governments of foreign nations, which are in addition to the usual risks
inherent in domestic investments.
There may be less publicly available information about foreign companies
comparable to the reports and ratings published about companies in the U.S.
Foreign companies are not generally subject to uniform accounting or financial
reporting standards, and auditing practices and requirements may not be
comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies. The Fund, therefore, may
encounter difficulty in obtaining market quotations for purposes of valuing its
portfolio and calculating its Net Asset Value. Foreign markets have
substantially less volume than the NYSE and securities of some foreign companies
are less liquid and more volatile than securities of comparable U.S. companies.
Although the Fund may not invest more than 10% of its total assets in securities
with a limited trading market, in the opinion of management such securities with
a limited trading market do not present a significant liquidity problem.
Commission rates in foreign countries, which are generally fixed rather than
subject to negotiation as in the U.S., are likely to be higher. In many foreign
countries there is less government supervision and regulation of stock
exchanges, brokers and listed companies than in the U.S.
Investments in companies domiciled in developing countries may be subject to
potentially higher risks than investments in developed countries. These risks
include (i) less social, political and economic stability; (ii) the small
current size of the markets for such securities and the currently low or
nonexistent volume of trading, which result in a lack of liquidity and in
greater price volatility; (iii) certain national policies which may restrict the
Fund's investment opportunities, including restrictions on investment in issuers
or industries deemed sensitive to national interests; (iv) foreign taxation; (v)
the absence of developed legal structures governing private or foreign
investment or allowing for judicial redress for injury to private property; (vi)
the absence, until recently in certain Eastern European countries, of a capital
market structure or market-oriented economy; and (vii) the possibility that
recent favorable economic developments in Eastern Europe may be slowed or
reversed by unanticipated political or social events in such countries.
In addition, many countries in which the Fund may invest have experienced
substantial, and in some periods extremely high, rates of inflation for many
years. Inflation and rapid fluctuations in inflation rates have had and may
continue to have negative effects on the economies and securities markets of
certain countries. Moreover, the economies of some developing countries may
differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth
of gross domestic product, rate of inflation, currency depreciation, capital
reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency and balance of payments position.
Investments in Eastern European countries may involve risks of nationalization,
expropriation and confiscatory taxation. The Communist governments of a number
of Eastern European countries expropriated large amounts of private property in
the past, in many cases without adequate compensation, and there can be no
assurance that such expropriation will not occur in the future. In the event of
such expropriation, the Fund could lose a substantial portion of any investments
it has made in the affected countries. Further, no accounting standards exist in
Eastern European countries. Finally, even though certain Eastern European
currencies may be convertible into U.S. dollars, the conversion rates may be
artificial to the actual market values and may be adverse to Fund shareholders.
Investing in Russian companies involves a high degree of risk and special
considerations not typically associated with investing in the U.S. securities
markets, and should be considered highly speculative. Such risks include: (a)
delays in settling portfolio transactions and risk of loss arising out of
Russia's system of share registration and custody; (b) the risk that it may be
impossible or more difficult than in other countries to obtain and/or enforce a
judgment; (c) pervasiveness of corruption and crime in the Russian economic
system; (d) currency exchange rate volatility and the lack of available currency
hedging instruments; (e) higher rates of inflation (including the risk of social
unrest associated with periods of hyper-inflation); (f) controls on foreign
investment and local practices disfavoring foreign investors and limitations on
repatriation of invested capital, profits and dividends, and on the Fund's
ability to exchange local currencies for U.S. dollars; (g) the risk that the
government of Russia or other executive or legislative bodies may decide not to
continue to support the economic reform programs implemented since the
dissolution of the Soviet Union and could follow radically different political
and/or economic policies to the detriment of investors, including
non-market-oriented policies such as the support of certain industries at the
expense of other sectors or investors, or a return to the centrally planned
economy that existed prior to the dissolution of the Soviet Union; (h) the
financial condition of Russian companies, including large amounts of
inter-company debt which may create a payments crisis on a national scale; (i)
dependency on exports and the corresponding importance of international trade;
(j) the risk that the Russian tax system will not be reformed to prevent
inconsistent, retroactive and/or exorbitant taxation; and (k) possible
difficulty in identifying a purchaser of securities held by the Fund due to the
underdeveloped nature of the securities markets.
There is little historical data on Russian securities markets because they are
relatively new and a substantial proportion of securities transactions in Russia
are privately negotiated outside of stock exchanges. Because of the recent
formation of the securities markets as well as the underdeveloped state of the
banking and telecommunications systems, settlement, clearing and registration of
securities transactions are subject to significant risks. Ownership of shares
(except where shares are held through depositories that meet the requirements of
the 1940 Act) is defined according to entries in the company's share register
and normally evidenced by extracts from the register or by formal share
certificates. However, there is no central registration system for shareholders
and these services are carried out by the companies themselves or by registrars
located throughout Russia. These registrars are not necessarily subject to
effective state supervision and it is possible for the Fund to lose its
registration through fraud, negligence or even mere oversight. While the Fund
will endeavor to ensure that its interest continues to be appropriately recorded
either itself or through a custodian or other agent inspecting the share
register and by obtaining extracts of share registers through regular
confirmations, these extracts have no legal enforceability and it is possible
that subsequent illegal amendment or other fraudulent act may deprive the Fund
of its ownership rights or improperly dilute its interests. In addition, while
applicable Russian regulations impose liability on registrars for losses
resulting from their errors, it may be difficult for the Fund to enforce any
rights it may have against the registrar or issuer of the securities in the
event of loss of share registration. Furthermore, although a Russian public
enterprise with more than 1,000 shareholders is required by law to contract out
the maintenance of its shareholder register to an independent entity that meets
certain criteria, in practice this regulation has not always been strictly
enforced. Because of this lack of independence, management of a company may be
able to exert considerable influence over who can purchase and sell the
company's shares by illegally instructing the registrar to refuse to record
transactions in the share register. This practice may prevent the Fund from
investing in the securities of certain Russian companies deemed suitable by
TICI. Further, this also could cause a delay in the sale of Russian company
securities by the Fund if a potential purchaser is deemed unsuitable, which may
expose the Fund to potential loss on the investment.
The Fund endeavors to buy and sell foreign currencies on as favorable a basis as
practicable. Some price spread on currency exchange (to cover service charges)
will be incurred, particularly when the Fund changes investments from one
country to another or when proceeds of the sale of shares in U.S. dollars are
used for the purchase of securities in foreign countries. Also, some countries
may adopt policies which would prevent the Fund from transferring cash out of
the country or withhold portions of interest and dividends at the source. There
is the possibility of cessation of trading on national exchanges, expropriation,
nationalization or confiscatory 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), default in foreign
government securities, political or social instability, or diplomatic
developments which could affect investments in securities of issuers in foreign
nations.
The Fund may be affected either unfavorably or favorably by fluctuations in the
relative rates of exchange between the currencies of different nations, by
exchange control regulations, and by indigenous economic and political
developments. Some countries in which the Fund may invest may also have fixed or
managed currencies that are not free-floating against the U.S. dollar. Further,
certain currencies have experienced a steady devaluation relative to the U.S.
dollar. Any devaluations in the currencies in which a Fund's portfolio
securities are denominated may have a detrimental impact on the Fund. Through
the Fund's flexible policy, TICI endeavors to avoid unfavorable consequences and
to take advantage of favorable developments in particular nations where from
time to time it places the Fund's investments.
The exercise of this flexible policy may include decisions to purchase
securities with substantial risk characteristics and other decisions such as
changing the emphasis on investments from one nation to another and from one
type of security to another. Some of these decisions may later prove profitable
and others may not. No assurance can be given that profits, if any, will exceed
losses.
The Board considers at least annually the likelihood of the imposition by any
foreign government of exchange control restrictions which would affect the
liquidity of the Fund's assets maintained with custodians in foreign countries,
as well as the degree of risk from political acts of foreign governments to
which such assets may be exposed. The Board also considers the degree of risk
involved through the holding of portfolio securities in domestic and foreign
securities depositories (see "Investment Management and Other Services -
Shareholder Servicing Agent and Custodian"). However, in the absence of willful
misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of TICI, any losses
resulting from the holding of the Fund's portfolio securities in foreign
countries and/or with securities depositories will be at the risk of the
shareholders. No assurance can be given that the Board's appraisal of the risks
will always be correct or that such exchange control restrictions or political
acts of foreign governments might not occur.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
The Fund has adopted the following restrictions as fundamental policies. These
restrictions may not be changed without the approval of a majority of the
outstanding voting securities of the Fund. Under the 1940 Act, this means the
approval of (i) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund or (ii) 67%
or more of the shares of the Fund present at a shareholder meeting if more than
50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund are represented at the meeting in
person or by proxy, whichever is less.
The Fund MAY NOT:
1. Invest more than 5% of its total assets in the securities of
any one issuer (exclusive of U.S. government securities).
2. Invest in real estate or mortgages on real estate (although
the Fund may invest in marketable securities secured by real
estate or interests therein); invest in other open-end
investment companies (except in connection with a merger,
consolidation, acquisition or reorganization); invest in
interests (other than publicly issued debentures or equity
stock interests) in oil, gas or other mineral exploration or
development programs; purchase or sell commodity contracts,
or, as an operating policy approved by the Board, invest in
closed-end investment companies.
3. Purchase or retain securities of any company in which
directors or officers of the Fund or of TICI, individually
owning more than 1/2 of 1% of the securities of such company,
in the aggregate own more than 5% of the securities of such
company.
4. Purchase more than 10% of any class of securities of any one
company, including more than 10% of its outstanding voting
securities, or invest in any company for the purpose of
exercising control or management.
5. Act as an underwriter; issue senior securities; purchase on
margin or sell short; write, buy or sell puts, calls,
straddles or spreads.
6. Loan money, apart from the purchase of a portion of an issue
of publicly distributed bonds, debentures, notes and other
evidences of indebtedness, although the Fund may buy U.S.
government obligations with a simultaneous agreement with the
seller to repurchase them within no more than seven days at
the original repurchase price plus accrued interest.
7. Borrow money for any purpose other than redeeming its shares
for cancellation, and then only as a temporary measure up to
an amount not exceeding 5% of the value of its total assets;
or pledge, mortgage, or hypothecate its assets for any purpose
other than to secure such borrowings, and then only to such
extent not exceeding 10% of the value of its total assets as
the Board may by resolution approve. The Fund will not pledge,
mortgage or hypothecate its assets to the extent that at any
time the percentage of pledged assets plus the sales
commission will exceed 10% of the Offering Price of its
shares.
8. Invest more than 5% of the value f its total assets in
securities of issuers which have been in continuous operation
less than three years.
9. Invest more than 5% of its total assets in warrants whether or
not listed on the NYSE or AMEX, and more than 2% of its total
assets in warrants that are not listed on those exchanges.
Warrants acquired by the Fund in units or attached to
securities are not included in this restriction.
10. Invest more than 10% of its total assets in restricted
securities, securities with a limited trading market (which
the Fund may not be able to dispose of at the current market
price) or those which are not otherwise readily marketable
with readily available current market quotations.
11. Invest more than 25% of its total assets in a single industry.
12. Invest in "letter stocks" or securities on which there are
any sales restrictions under a purchase agreement.
13. Participate on a joint or a joint and several basis in any
trading account in securities. (See "How does the Fund Buy
Securities for its Portfolio?" as to transactions in the same
securities for the Fund, other clients and/or mutual funds
within the Franklin Templeton Group of Funds.)
The Fund has undertaken with a state securities commission that it will limit
investments in illiquid securities to no more than 5% of its total assets.
With the exception of Investment Restrictions Numbers 10 and 11, above, nothing
herein shall be deemed to prohibit the Fund from purchasing the securities of
any issuer pursuant to the exercise of subscription rights distributed to the
Fund by the issuer, except that no such purchase may be made if, as a result,
the Fund would no longer be a diversified investment company as defined in the
1940 Act. Foreign corporations frequently issue additional capital stock by
means of subscription rights offerings to existing shareholders at a price below
the market price of the shares. The failure to exercise such rights would result
in dilution of the Fund's interest in the issuing company. Therefore, the
exception applies in cases where the limits set forth in any investment policy
or restriction would otherwise be exceeded by exercising rights, or have already
been exceeded as a result of fluctuations in the market value of the Fund's
portfolio securities.
If a percentage restriction is met at the time of investment, a later increase
or decrease in the percentage due to a change in value of portfolio securities
or the amount of assets will not be considered a violation of any of the
foregoing restrictions.
OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
The Board has the responsibility for the overall management of the Fund,
including general supervision and review of its investment activities. The
Board, in turn, elects the officers of the Fund who are responsible for
administering the Fund's day-to-day operations. The affiliations of the officers
and Board members and their principal occupations for the past five years are
shown below. Members of the Board who are considered "interested persons" of the
Fund under the 1940 Act are indicated by an asterisk ("*").
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
POSITIONS AND OFFICES PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION DURING THE PAST
NAME, ADDRESS AND AGE WITH THE FUND FIVE YEARS
<S> <C> <C>
HARRIS J. ASHTON Director Chairman of the board, president and
Metro Center chief executive officer of General
1 Station Place Host Corporation (nursery and craft
Stamford, Connecticut centers); director of RBC Holdings
Age 64 (U.S.A.) Inc. (a bank holding company)
and Bar-S Foods; and director or
trustee of 55 of the investmentcompanies
in the Franklin Templeton Group of Funds.
NICHOLAS F. BRADY* Director Chairman of Templeton Emerging
The Bullitt House Markets Investment Trust PLC;
102 East Dover Street chairman of Templeton Latin America
Easton, Maryland Investment Trust PLC; chairman of
Age 66 Darby Overseas Investments, Ltd.(an
investment firm)(1994-present); chairman
and director of Templeton Central and
Eastern European Fund; director of the
Amerada Hess Corporation, Christiana
Companies, and the H.J. Heinz Company;
formerly, Secretary of the United
States Department of the Treasury
(1988-1993) and chairman of the
board of Dillon, Read & Co. Inc.(investment
banking) prior to 1988; and director or
trustee of 23 of the investment companies
in the Franklin Templeton Group of
Funds.
PAGE
HARMON E. BURNS* Director and Vice Executive vice president, secretary
777 Mariners Island Blvd. President and director of Franklin Resources,
San Mateo, California Inc.; executive vice president and
Age 51 director of Franklin Templeton Distributors,
Inc.; executive vice president of
Franklin Advisers, Inc.; officer
and/or director, as the case may be,
of other subsidiaries of Franklin
Resources, Inc.; and officer and/or
director or trustee of 60 of the investment
companies in the Franklin Templeton Group
of Funds.
S. JOSEPH FORTUNATO Director Member of the law firm of Pitney,
200 Campus Drive Hardin, Kipp & Szuch; director of
Florham Park, New Jersey General Host Corporation (nursery
Age 64 and craft centers); and director or
trustee of 57 of the investment
companies in the Franklin Templeton
Group of Funds.
JOHN Wm. GALBRAITH Director President of Galbraith Properties,
360 Central Avenue Inc. (personal investment company);
Suite 1300 director of Gulf West Banks, Inc.
St. Petersburg, Florida (bank holding company)
Age 75 (1995-present); formerly, director
of Mercantile Bank (1991-1995), vice
chairman of Templeton, Galbraith &
Hansberger Ltd. (1986-1992), and
chairman of Templeton Funds
Management, Inc. (1974-1991); and
director or trustee of 23 of the
investment companies in the Franklin
Templeton Group of Funds.
PAGE
ANDREW H. HINES, JR. Director Consultant for the Triangle
150 2nd Avenue N. Consulting Group; chairman and
St. Petersburg, Florida director of Precise Power
Age 73 Corporation; executive-in-residence
of Eckerd College (1991-present);
director of Checkers Drive-In
Restaurants, Inc.; formerly, chairman
of the board and chief executive
officer of Florida Progress Corporation
(1982-1990)and director of various
of its subsidiaries; and director
or trustee of 24 of the investment
companies in the Franklin Templeton
Group of Funds.
CHARLES B. JOHNSON* Chairman of the President, chief executive officer,
777 Mariners Island Blvd. Board and Vice and director of Franklin Resources,
San Mateo, California President Inc.; chairman of the board and
Age 63 director of Franklin Advisers, Inc.
and Franklin Templeton Distributors,
Inc.; director of General Host
Corporation (nursery and craft
centers), and Franklin Templeton
Investor Services, Inc.; and
officer and/or director, trustee or
managing general partner, as the
case may be,of most other subsidiaries
of Franklin Resources, Inc. and 56
of the investment companies in the
Franklin Templeton Group of Funds.
PAGE
BETTY P. KRAHMER Director Director or trustee of various civic
2201 Kentmere Parkway associations; formerly, economic
Wilmington, Delaware analyst, U.S. government; and
Age 67 director or trustee of 23 of the
investment companies in the Franklin
Templeton Group of Funds.
GORDON S. MACKLIN Director Chairman of White River Corporation
8212 Burning Tree Road (information services); director of
Bethesda, Maryland Fund America Enterprises Holdings,
Age 68 Inc., MCI Communications Corporation,
Fusion Systems Corporation, Infovest
Corporation, MedImmune, Inc., Source
One Mortgage Services Corporation,
and Shoppers Express, Inc. (on-line
shopping service); formerly, chairman
of Hambrecht and Quist Group, director
of H&Q Healthcare Investors and
Lockheed Martin Corporation, and
president of the National Association
of Securities Dealers, Inc.; and
director or trustee of 52 of the
investment companies in the Franklin
Templeton Group of Funds.
PAGE
FRED R. MILLSAPS Director Manager of personal investments
2665 N.E. 37th Drive (1978-present); director of various
Fort Lauderdale, Florida business and nonprofit
Age 67 organizations; formerly, chairman
and chief executive officer of
Landmark Banking Corporation (1969-1978),
financial vice president of Florida
Power and Light (1965-1969), and vice
president of The Federal Reserve Bank
of Atlanta (1958-1965); and director
or trustee of 24 of the investment
companies in the Franklin Templeton
Group of Funds.
MARC JOSEPH, President Vice president of Templeton
500 East Broward Blvd. Investment Counsel, Inc.; formerly
Fort Lauderdale, Florida management consultant , McKinsey &
Age 36 Company (1987-1990) and vice
president, Pacific Financial
Research (1990-1993).
RUPERT H. JOHNSON, JR.* Vice President Executive vice president and
777 Mariners Island Blvd. director of Franklin Resources, Inc.
San Mateo, California and Franklin Templeton Distributors,
Age 56 Inc.; president and director of Franklin
Advisers, Inc.; director of Franklin
Templeton Investor Services, Inc.; and
officer and/or director, trustee or
managing general partner, as the case
may be, of most other subsidiaries of
Franklin Resources, Inc. and 60 of the
investment companies in the Franklin
Templeton Group of Funds.
PAGE
CHARLES E. JOHNSON Vice President Senior vice president and director
500 East Broward Blvd. of Franklin Resources, Inc.; senior
Fort Lauderdale, Florida vice president of Franklin Templeton
Age 40 Distributors, Inc.; president and chief
executive officer of Templeton Worldwide,
Inc.; president and director of Franklin
Institutional Services Corporation;
chairman of the board of Templeton
Investment Counsel, Inc.; officer and/or
director, as the case may be, of other
subsidiaries of Franklin Resources, Inc.;
and officer and/or director or trustee
of 39 of the investment companies in the
Franklin Templeton Group of Funds.
MARTIN L. FLANAGAN Vice President Senior vice president, treasurer and
President chief financial officer of Franklin
777 Mariners Island Blvd. Resources, Inc.; director and
San Mateo, California executive vice president of
Age 36 Templeton Investment Counsel, Inc.;
a member of the International Society
of Financial Analysts and the American
Institute of Certified Public Accountants;
formerly, with Arthur Andersen &
Company (1982-1983); officer and/or
director, as the case may be, of other
subsidiaries of Franklin Resources,
Inc.; and officer and/or director or trustee
of 60 of the investment companies in
the Franklin Templeton Group of Funds.
MARK G. HOLOWESKO Vice PresVicetPresident President and director of Templeton
Lyford Cay Global Advisors Limited; chief
Nassau, Bahamas investment officer of global equity
Age 36 research for Templeton Worldwide, Inc.;
president or vice president of the
Templeton Funds; formerly, investment
administrator with Roy West Trust
Corporation (Bahamas) Limited (1984-1985);
and officer of 23 of the investment
companies in the Franklin Templeton
Group of Funds.
DEBORAH R. GATZEK Vice President Senior vice president and general
777 Mariners Island Blvd. counsel of Franklin Resources, Inc.;
San Mateo, California senior vice president of Franklin
Age 47 Templeton Distributors, Inc.; vice
president of Franklin Advisers, Inc.;
and officer of 60 of the investment
companies in the Franklin Templeton
Group of Funds.
PAGE
JOHN R. KAY Vice President Vice president and treasurer of
500 East Broward Blvd. Templeton Worldwide, Inc.; assistant
Fort Lauderdale, Florida vice president of Franklin Templeton
Age 56 Distributors, Inc.; formerly, vice
president and controller of the
Keystone Group, Inc.; and officer of
27 of the investment companies in the
Franklin Templeton Group of Funds.
PAGE
ELIZABETH M. KNOBLOCK Vice President - General counsel, secretary and a
500 East Broward Blvd. Compliance senior vice president of Templeton
Fort Lauderdale, Florida Investment Counsel, Inc.; formerly,
Age 41 vice president and associate general
counsel of Kidder Peabody & Co. Inc.
(1989-1990), assistant general
counsel of Gruntal & Co., Inc.
(1988), vice president and associate
general counsel of Shearson Lehman
Hutton Inc. (1988), vice president
and assistant general counsel of
E.F. Hutton & Co. Inc. (1986-1988),
and special counsel of the division
of investment management of the
Securities and Exchange Commission
(1984-1986); and officer of 23 of
the investment companies in the
Franklin Templeton Group of Funds.
PAGE
JAMES R. BAIO Treasurer Certified public accountant; senior
500 East Broward Blvd. vice president of Templeton
Fort Lauderdale, Florida Worldwide, Inc., and Templeton Funds
Age 42 Trust Company; formerly, senior tax
manager with Ernst & Young (certified
public accountants) (1977-1989); and
treasurer of 23 of the investment companies
in the Franklin Templeton Group of Funds.
BARBARA J. GREEN Secretary Senior vice president of Templeton
500 East Broward Blvd. Worldwide, Inc.; formerly, deputy
Fort Lauderdale, Florida director of the Division of
Age 49 Investment Management, executive
assistant and senior advisor to
the chairman, counsellor to the
chairman, special counsel and
attorney fellow, U.S. Securities
and Exchange Commission (1986-1995),
attorney, Rogers & Wells, and judicial
clerk, U.S. District Court (District of
Massachusetts); and secretary of 23
of the investment companies in the
Franklin Templeton Group of Funds.
</TABLE>
The table above shows the officers and Board members who are affiliated with
Distributors and TICI. Nonaffiliated members of the Board and Mr. Brady are
currently paid an annual retainer and/or fees for attendance at Board and
Committee meetings, the amount of which is based on the level of assets in the
Fund. Accordingly, the Fund currently pays the independent members of the Board
and Mr. Brady an annual retainer of $6,000 and a fee of $500 per meeting of the
Board and its portion of a flat fee of $2,000 for each Audit Committee meeting
and/or Nominating and Compensation Committee meeting attended. As shown above,
some of the nonaffiliated Board members also serve as directors, trustees or
managing general partners of other investment companies in the Franklin
Templeton Group of Funds. They may receive fees from these funds for their
services. The following table provides the total fees paid to nonaffiliated
Board members and Mr. Brady by the Fund and by other funds in the Franklin
Templeton Group of Funds.
PAGE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF BOARDS IN THE
FRANKLIN TEMPLETON GROUP OF
TOTAL FEES RECEIVED FROM THE
TOTAL FEES RECEIVED FRANKLIN TEMPLETON GROUP OF FUNDS ON WHICH
FROM THE FUND(A) FUNDS(B) EACH SERVES(C)
NAME
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Harris J.Ashton $8,500 55
Nicholas F. Brady 8,500 119,275 23
F. Bruce Clarke (D) 8,643 69,500 0D
Hasso-G von Diergardt-Naglo (E)
8,500 66,375 0E
S. Joseph Fortunato 8,500 57
John Wm. Galbraith 7,643 102,475 22
Andrew H. Hines, Jr. 8,710 130,525 24
Betty P. Krahmer 8,500 119,275 23
Gordon S. Macklin 8,567 52
Fred R. Millsaps 8,643 130,525 24
</TABLE>
A For the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996.
B For the calendar year ended December 31, 1996.
C We base the number of boards on the number of registered investment companies
in the Franklin Templeton Group of Funds. This number does not include the total
number of series or funds within each investment company for which the Board
members are responsible. The Franklin Templeton Group of Funds currently
includes 61 registered investment companies, with approximately 171 U.S. based
funds or series.
D Mr. Clarke resigned as a director on October 20, 1996.
E Mr. Von Diergardt resigned as a director on December 31, 1996.
Nonaffiliated members of the Board and Mr. Brady are reimbursed for expenses
incurred in connection with attending board meetings, and paid pro rata by each
fund in the Franklin Templeton Group of Funds for which they serve as director,
trustee or managing general partner. No officer or Board member received any
other compensation, including pension or retirement benefits, directly or
indirectly from the Fund or other funds in the Franklin Templeton Group of
Funds. Certain officers or Board members who are shareholders of Resources may
be deemed to receive indirect remuneration by virtue of their participation, if
any, in the fees paid to its subsidiaries.
As of December 1, 1996, the officers and Board members, as a group, owned of
record and beneficially approximately 1,069,725 shares, or less than 1% of the
Fund's total outstanding shares. Many of the Board members also own shares in
other funds in the Franklin Templeton Group of Funds. Charles B. Johnson and
Rupert H. Johnson, Jr. are brothers and the father and uncle, respectively, of
Charles E. Johnson.
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AND OTHER SERVICES
INVESTMENT MANAGER AND SERVICES PROVIDED. The Fund's investment manager is TICI.
TICI provides investment research and portfolio management services, including
the selection of securities for the Fund to buy, hold or sell and the selection
of brokers through whom the Fund's portfolio transactions are executed. TICI's
activities are subject to the review and supervision of the Board to whom TICI
renders periodic reports of the Fund's investment activities. TICI is covered by
fidelity insurance on its officers, directors and employees for the protection
of the Fund.
TICI and its affiliates act as investment manager to numerous other investment
companies and accounts. TICI 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 TICI on behalf of the Fund. Similarly, with respect to the Fund,
TICI is not obligated to recommend, buy or sell, or to refrain from
recommending, buying or selling any security that TICI and access persons, as
defined by the 1940 Act, may buy or sell for its or their own account or for the
accounts of any other fund. TICI is not obligated to refrain from investing in
securities held by the Fund or other funds that it manages. Of course, any
transactions for the accounts of TICI and other access persons will be made in
compliance with the Fund's Code of Ethics. Please see "Miscellaneous Information
- - Summary of Code of Ethics."
MANAGEMENT FEES. Under its management agreement, the Fund pays TICI a monthly
management fee equal to an annual rate of 0.75% of its average daily net assets.
Each class pays its proportionate share of the management fee.
For the fiscal years ended August 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, management fees were
as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended August 31 1996 1995 1994
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Management Fees $11,134,701 $10,004,316 $10,050,360
</TABLE>
MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT. The management agreement may continue in effect for
successive annual periods if its continuance is specifically approved at least
annually by a vote of the Board or by a vote of the holders of a majority of the
Fund's outstanding voting securities, and in either event by a majority vote of
the Board members who are not parties to the management agreement or interested
persons of any such party (other than as members of the Board), cast in person
at a meeting called for that purpose. The management agreement may be terminated
without penalty at any time by the Board or by a vote of the holders of a
majority of the Fund's outstanding voting securities, or by TICI on 60 days'
written notice, and will automatically terminate in the event of its assignment,
as defined in the 1940 Act.
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES. FT Services (and, prior to October 1, 1996, Templeton
Global Investors, Inc.) provides certain administrative services and facilities
for the Fund. These include preparing and maintaining books, records, and tax
and financial reports, and monitoring compliance with regulatory requirements.
FT Services is a wholly owned subsidiary of Resources.
Under its administration agreement, the Fund pays FT Services a monthly
administration fee equal to an annual rate of 0.15% of the Fund's average daily
net assets up to $200 million, 0.135% of average daily net assets over $200
million up to $700 million, 0.10% of average daily net assets over $700 million
up to $1.2 billion, and 0.075% of average daily net assets over $1.2 billion.
During the fiscal years ended August 31, 1996, 1995, and 1994, administration
fees totaling $1,688,684, $1,575,214 and $1,567,336, respectively, were paid to
Templeton Global Investors, Inc.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICING AGENT. Investor Services, a wholly owned subsidiary of
Resources, is the Fund's shareholder servicing agent and acts as the Fund's
transfer agent and dividend-paying agent. Investor Services is compensated on
the basis of a fixed fee per account.
CUSTODIAN. The Chase Manhattan Bank, at its principal office at MetroTech
Center, Brooklyn, NY 11245, and at the offices of its branches and agencies
throughout the world, acts as custodian of the Fund's assets. The custodian does
not participate in decisions relating to the purchase and sale of portfolio
securities.
AUDITORS. McGladrey & Pullen, LLP, 555 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10017, are the
Fund's independent auditors. During the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996, their
auditing services consisted of rendering an opinion on the financial statements
of the Fund included in the Fund's Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal
year ended August 31, 1996, and review of the Fund's filings with the SEC and
the IRS.
HOW DOES THE FUND BUY SECURITIES FOR ITS PORTFOLIO?
The selection of brokers and dealers to execute transactions in the Fund's
portfolio is made by TICI in accordance with criteria set forth in the
investment management agreement and any directions that the Board may give.
When placing a portfolio transaction, TICI seeks to obtain prompt execution of
orders at the most favorable net price. When portfolio transactions are done on
a securities exchange, the amount of commission paid by the Fund is negotiated
between TICI and the broker executing the transaction. The determination and
evaluation of the reasonableness of the brokerage commissions paid in connection
with portfolio transactions are based to a large degree on the professional
opinions of the persons responsible for the placement and review of the
transactions. These opinions are based on the experience of these individuals in
the securities industry and information available to them about the level of
commissions being paid by other institutional investors of comparable size. TICI
will ordinarily place orders to buy and sell over-the-counter securities on a
principal rather than agency basis with a principal market maker unless, in the
opinion of TICI, a better price and execution can otherwise be obtained.
Purchases of portfolio securities from underwriters will include a commission or
concession paid by the issuer to the underwriter, and purchases from dealers
will include a spread between the bid and ask price.
The amount of commission is not the only factor TICI considers in the selection
of a broker to execute a trade. If TICI believes it is in the Fund's best
interest, it may place portfolio transactions with brokers who provide the types
of services described below, even if it means the Fund will pay a higher
commission than if no weight were given to the broker's furnishing of these
services. This will be done only if, in the opinion of TICI, the amount of any
additional commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the services.
Higher commissions will be paid only when the brokerage and research services
received are bona fide and produce a direct benefit to the Fund or assist TICI
in carrying out its responsibilities to the Fund, or when it is otherwise in the
best interest of the Fund to do so, whether or not such services may also be
useful to TICI in advising other clients.
When TICI believes several brokers are equally able to provide the best net
price and execution, it may decide to execute transactions through brokers who
provide quotations and other services to the Fund, in an amount of total
brokerage as may reasonably be required in light of these services.
Specifically, these services may include providing the quotations necessary to
determine the Fund's Net Asset Value, as well as research, statistical and other
data.
It is not possible to place a dollar value on the special executions or on the
research services received by TICI from dealers effecting transactions in
portfolio securities. The allocation of transactions in order to obtain
additional research services permits TICI to supplement its own research and
analysis activities and to receive the views and information of individuals and
research staff of other securities firms. As long as it is lawful and
appropriate to do so, TICI and its affiliates may use this research and data in
their investment advisory capacities with other clients. If the Fund's officers
are satisfied that the best execution is obtained, consistent with internal
policies the sale of Fund shares, as well as shares of other funds in the
Franklin Templeton Group of Funds, may also be considered a factor in the
selection of broker-dealers to execute the Fund's portfolio transactions.
Because Distributors is a member of the NASD, it may sometimes receive certain
fees when the Fund tenders portfolio securities pursuant to a tender-offer
solicitation. As a means of recapturing brokerage for the benefit of the Fund,
any portfolio securities tendered by the Fund will be tendered through
Distributors if it is legally permissible to do so. In turn, the next investment
management fee payable to TICI will be reduced by the amount of any fees
received by Distributors in cash, less any costs and expenses incurred in
connection with the tender.
If purchases or sales of securities of the Fund and one or more other investment
companies or clients supervised by TICI 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 TICI,
taking into account the respective sizes of the funds 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 Fund is
concerned. In other cases it is possible that the ability to participate in
volume transactions and to negotiate lower brokerage commissions will be
beneficial to the Fund.
Sale or purchase of securities, without payment of brokerage commissions, fees
(except customary transfer fees) or other remuneration in connection therewith,
may be effected between any of these funds, or between funds and private
clients, under procedures adopted pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act.
During the fiscal years ended August 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, the Fund paid
brokerage commissions totaling $[], $1,298,000 and $3,802,000, respectively.
As of August 31, 1996, the Fund did not own securities of its regular
broker-dealers.
HOW DO I BUY, SELL AND EXCHANGE SHARES?
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON BUYING SHARES
The Fund continuously offers its shares through Securities Dealers who have an
agreement with Distributors. Securities Dealers may at times receive the entire
sales charge. A Securities Dealer who receives 90% or more of the sales charge
may be deemed an underwriter under the 1933 Act.
Securities laws of states where the Fund offers its shares may differ from
federal law. Banks and financial institutions that sell shares of the Fund may
be required by state law to register as Securities Dealers. Financial
institutions or their affiliated brokers may receive an agency transaction fee
in the percentages indicated in the table under "How Do I Buy Shares? - Purchase
Price of Fund Shares" in the Prospectus.
When you buy shares, if you submit a check or a draft that is returned unpaid to
the Fund we may impose a $10 charge against your account for each returned item.
Under agreements with certain banks in Taiwan, Republic of China, the Fund's
shares are available to these banks' trust accounts without a sales charge. The
banks may charge service fees to their customers who participate in the trusts.
A portion of these service fees may be paid to Distributors or one of its
affiliates to help defray expenses of maintaining a service office in Taiwan,
including expenses related to local literature fulfillment and communication
facilities.
Class I shares of the Fund may be offered to investors in Taiwan through
securities advisory firms known locally as Securities Investment Consulting
Enterprises. In conformity with local business practices in Taiwan, Class I
shares may be offered with the following schedule of sales charges:
SIZE OF PURCHASE - U.S. DOLLARS SALES CHARGE
- ------------------------------- ------------
Under $30,000 3.0%
$30,000 but less than $50,000 2.5%
$50,000 but less than $100,000 2.0%
$100,000 but less than $200,000 1.5%
$200,000 but less than $400,000 1.0%
$400,000 or more 0%
OTHER PAYMENTS TO SECURITIES DEALERS. Distributors will pay the following
commissions, out of its own resources, to Securities Dealers who initiate and
are responsible for purchases of Class I shares of $1 million or more: 1% on
sales of $1 million to $2 million, plus 0.80% on sales over $2 million to $3
million, plus 0.50% on sales over $3 million to $50 million, plus 0.25% on sales
over $50 million to $100 million, plus 0.15% on sales over $100 million.
Either Distributors or one of its affiliates may pay the following amounts, out
of its own resources, to Securities Dealers who initiate and are responsible for
purchases of Class I shares by certain retirement plans pursuant to a sales
charge waiver, as discussed in the Prospectus: 1% on sales of $500,000 to $2
million, plus 0.80% on sales over $2 million to $3 million, plus 0.50% on sales
over $3 million to $50 million, plus 0.25% on sales over $50 million to $100
million, plus 0.15% on sales over $100 million. Distributors may make these
payments in the form of contingent advance payments, which may be recovered from
the Securities Dealer or set off against other payments due to the dealer if
shares are sold within 12 months of the calendar month of purchase. Other
conditions may apply. All terms and conditions may be imposed by an agreement
between Distributors, or one of its affiliates, and the Securities Dealer.
These breakpoints are reset every 12 months for purposes of additional
purchases.
LETTER OF INTENT. You may qualify for a reduced sales charge when you buy Class
I shares, as described in the Prospectus. At any time within 90 days after the
first investment that you want to qualify for a reduced sales charge, you may
file with the Fund a signed shareholder application with the Letter of Intent
section completed. After the Letter is filed, each additional investment will be
entitled to the sales charge applicable to the level of investment indicated on
the Letter. Sales charge reductions based on purchases in more than one Franklin
Templeton Fund will be effective only after notification to Distributors that
the investment qualifies for a discount. Your holdings in the Franklin Templeton
Funds, including Class II shares, acquired more than 90 days before the Letter
is filed, will be counted towards completion of the Letter but will not be
entitled to a retroactive downward adjustment in the sales charge. Any
redemptions you make during the 13 month period, except in the case of certain
retirement plans, will be subtracted from the amount of the purchases for
purposes of determining whether the terms of the Letter have been completed. If
the Letter is not completed within the 13 month period, there will be an upward
adjustment of the sales charge, depending on the amount actually purchased (less
redemptions) during the period. The upward adjustment does not apply to certain
retirement plans. If you execute a Letter prior to a change in the sales charge
structure of the Fund, you may complete the Letter at the lower of the new sales
charge structure or the sales charge structure in effect at the time the Letter
was filed.
As mentioned in the Prospectus, five percent (5%) of the amount of the total
intended purchase will be reserved in Class I shares of the Fund registered in
your name until you fulfill the Letter. This policy of reserving shares does not
apply to certain retirement plans. If total purchases, less redemptions, equal
the amount specified under the Letter, the reserved shares will be deposited to
an account in your name or delivered to you or as you direct. If total
purchases, less redemptions, exceed the amount specified under the Letter and is
an amount that would qualify for a further quantity discount, a retroactive
price adjustment will be made by Distributors and the Securities Dealer through
whom purchases were made pursuant to the Letter (to reflect such further
quantity discount) on purchases made within 90 days before and on those made
after filing the Letter. The resulting difference in Offering Price will be
applied to the purchase of additional shares at the Offering Price applicable to
a single purchase or the dollar amount of the total purchases. If the total
purchases, less redemptions, are less than the amount specified under the
Letter, you will remit to Distributors an amount equal to the difference in the
dollar amount of sales charge actually paid and the amount of sales charge that
would have applied to the aggregate purchases if the total of the purchases had
been made at a single time. Upon remittance, the reserved shares held for your
account will be deposited to an account in your name or delivered to you or as
you direct. If within 20 days after written request the difference in sales
charge is not paid, the redemption of an appropriate number of reserved shares
to realize the difference will be made. In the event of a total redemption of
the account prior to fulfillment of the Letter, the additional sales charge due
will be deducted from the proceeds of the redemption, and the balance will be
forwarded to you.
If a Letter is executed on behalf of certain retirement plans, the level and any
reduction in sales charge for these plans will be based on actual plan
participation and the projected investments in the Franklin Templeton Funds
under the Letter. These plans are not subject to the requirement to reserve 5%
of the total intended purchase, or to any penalty as a result of the early
termination of a plan, nor are these plans entitled to receive retroactive
adjustments in price for investments made before executing the Letter.
REINVESTMENT DATE. Shares acquired through the reinvestment of dividends will be
purchased at the Net Asset Value determined on the business day following the
dividend record date (sometimes known as the "ex-dividend date"). The processing
date for the reinvestment of dividends may vary and does not affect the amount
or value of the shares acquired.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON EXCHANGING SHARES
If you request the exchange of the total value of your account, declared but
unpaid income dividends and capital gain distributions will be exchanged into
the new fund and will be invested at Net Asset Value. Backup withholding and
information reporting may apply. Information regarding the possible tax
consequences of an exchange is included in the tax section in this SAI and in
the Prospectus.
If a substantial number of shareholders should, within a short period, sell
their shares of the Fund 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. On the other hand, increased use of the exchange
privilege may result in periodic large inflows of money. If this occurs, it is
the Fund's general policy to initially invest this money in short-term,
interest-bearing money market instruments, unless it is believed that attractive
investment opportunities consistent with the Fund's investment objective exist
immediately. This money will then be withdrawn from the short-term money market
instruments and invested in portfolio securities in as orderly a manner as is
possible when attractive investment opportunities arise.
The proceeds from the sale of shares of an investment company are generally not
available until the fifth business day following the sale. The funds you are
seeking to exchange into may delay issuing shares pursuant to an exchange until
that fifth business 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. Please see "May I Exchange Shares for
Shares of Another Fund?" in the Prospectus.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON SELLING SHARES
SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN. There are no service charges for establishing or
maintaining a systematic withdrawal plan. Once your plan is established, any
distributions paid by the Fund will be automatically reinvested in your account.
Payments under the plan will be made from the redemption of an equivalent amount
of shares in your account, generally on the 25th day of the month in which a
payment is scheduled.
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.
The Fund may discontinue a systematic withdrawal plan by notifying you in
writing and will automatically discontinue a systematic withdrawal plan if all
shares in your account are withdrawn or if the Fund receives notification of the
shareholder's death or incapacity.
THROUGH YOUR SECURITIES DEALER. If you sell shares through your Securities
Dealer, it is your dealer's responsibility to transmit the order to the Fund in
a timely fashion. Any loss to you resulting from your dealer's failure to do so
must be settled between you and your Securities Dealer.
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. The Fund does not intend to redeem illiquid securities in kind. If this
happens, however, you may not be able to recover your investment in a timely
manner.
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.
If mail is returned as undeliverable or we are unable to locate you or verify
your current mailing address, we may deduct the costs of our 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.
All checks, drafts, wires and other payment mediums used to buy or sell shares
of the Fund must be denominated in U.S. dollars. 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.
SPECIAL SERVICES. The Franklin Templeton Institutional Services Department
provides specialized services, including recordkeeping, for institutional
investors. The cost of these services is not borne by the Fund.
Investor Services may pay certain financial institutions that maintain omnibus
accounts with the Fund on behalf of numerous beneficial owners for recordkeeping
operations performed with respect to such owners. For each beneficial owner in
the omnibus account, the Fund may reimburse Investor Services an amount not to
exceed the per account fee that the Fund normally pays Investor Services. These
financial institutions may also charge a fee for their services directly to
their clients.
Certain shareholder servicing agents may be authorized to accept your
transaction request.
HOW ARE FUND SHARES VALUED?
We calculate the Net Asset Value per share of each class as of the scheduled
close of the NYSE, generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time, each day that the NYSE is
open for trading. As of the date of this SAI, the Fund is informed that the NYSE
observes the following holidays: New Year's Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday,
Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
For the purpose of determining the aggregate net assets of the Fund, cash and
receivables are valued at their realizable amounts. Interest is recorded as
accrued and dividends are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Portfolio securities
listed on a securities exchange or on the NASDAQ National Market System for
which market quotations are readily available are valued at the last quoted sale
price of the day or, if there is no such reported sale, within the range of the
most recent quoted bid and ask prices. Over-the-counter portfolio securities are
valued within the range of the most recent quoted bid and ask prices. Portfolio
securities that are traded both in the over-the-counter market and on a stock
exchange are valued according to the broadest and most representative market as
determined by TICI.
Trading in securities on European and Far Eastern securities exchanges and
over-the-counter markets is normally completed well before the close of business
of the NYSE on each day that the NYSE is open. Trading in European or Far
Eastern securities generally, or in a particular country or countries, may not
take place on every NYSE business day. Furthermore, trading takes place in
various foreign markets on days that are not business days for the NYSE and on
which the Net Asset Value of each class is not calculated. Thus, the calculation
of the Net Asset Value of each class does not take place contemporaneously with
the determination of the prices of many of the portfolio securities used in the
calculation and, if events materially affecting the values of these foreign
securities occur, the securities will be valued at fair value as determined by
management and approved in good faith by the Board.
Generally, trading in corporate bonds, U.S. government securities and money
market instruments is substantially completed each day at various times before
the scheduled close of the NYSE. The value of these securities used in computing
the Net Asset Value of each class is determined as of such times. Occasionally,
events affecting the values of these securities may occur between the times at
which they are determined and the scheduled close of the NYSE that will not be
reflected in the computation of the Net Asset Value of each class. If events
materially affecting the values of these securities occur during this period,
the securities will be valued at their fair value as determined in good faith by
the Board.
Other securities for which market quotations are readily available are valued at
the current market price, which may be obtained from a pricing service, based on
a variety of factors including recent trades, institutional size trading in
similar types of securities (considering yield, risk and maturity) and/or
developments related to specific issues. Securities and other assets for which
market prices are not readily available are valued at fair value as determined
following procedures approved by the Board. With the approval of the Board, the
Fund may utilize a pricing service, bank or Securities Dealer to perform any of
the above described functions.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
DISTRIBUTIONS
You may receive two types of distributions from the Fund:
1. INCOME DIVIDENDS. The Fund receives income generally in the form of
dividends, interest and other income derived from its investments. This income,
less the expenses incurred in the Fund's operations, is its net investment
income from which income dividends may be distributed. Thus, the amount of
dividends paid per share may vary with each distribution.
2. CAPITAL GAIN DISTRIBUTIONS. The Fund may derive capital gains or losses in
connection with sales or other dispositions of its portfolio securities.
Distributions by the Fund derived from net short-term and net long-term capital
gains (after taking into account any capital loss carryforward or post October
loss deferral) may generally be made once a year in December to reflect any net
short-term and net long-term capital gains realized by the Fund as of October 31
of the current fiscal year and any undistributed capital gains from the prior
fiscal year. The Fund may make more than one distribution derived from net
short-term and net long-term capital gains in any year or adjust the timing of
these distributions for operational or other reasons.
TAXES
As stated in the Prospectus, the Fund has elected and qualified to be treated as
a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code. The status of the
Fund as a regulated investment company does not involve government supervision
of management or of its investment practices or policies. As a regulated
investment company, the Fund generally will be relieved of liability for U.S.
federal income tax on that portion of its net investment income and net realized
capital gains which it distributes to its shareholders. Amounts not distributed
on a timely basis in accordance with a calendar year distribution requirement
also are subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax. To prevent application of the
excise tax, the Fund intends to make distributions in accordance with the
calendar year distribution requirement.
The Board reserves the right not to maintain the qualification of the Fund as a
regulated investment company if it determines this course of action to be
beneficial to shareholders. In that case, the Fund will be subject to federal
and possibly state corporate taxes on its taxable income and gains, and
distributions to shareholders will be taxable to the extent of the Fund's
available earnings and profits.
Dividends of net investment income and net short-term capital gains are taxable
to shareholders as ordinary income. Distributions of net investment income may
be eligible for the corporate dividends-received deduction to the extent
attributable to the Fund's qualifying dividend income. However, the alternative
minimum tax applicable to corporations may reduce the benefit of the
dividends-received deduction. Distributions of net capital gains (the excess of
net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses) designated by
the Fund as capital gain dividends are taxable to shareholders as long-term
capital gains, regardless of the length of time the Fund's shares have been held
by a shareholder, and are not eligible for the dividends-received deduction.
Generally, dividends and distributions are taxable to shareholders, whether
received in cash or reinvested in shares of the Fund. Any distributions that are
not from the Fund's investment company taxable income or net capital gain may be
characterized as a return of capital to shareholders or, in some cases, as
capital gain. Shareholders will be notified annually as to the Federal tax
status of dividends and distributions they receive and any tax withheld thereon.
Distributions by the Fund reduce the Net Asset Value of the Fund shares. Should
a distribution reduce the Net Asset Value below a shareholder's cost basis, the
distribution nevertheless would be taxable to the shareholder as ordinary income
or capital gain as described above, even though, from an investment standpoint,
it may constitute a partial return of capital. In particular, investors should
be careful to consider the tax implication of buying shares just prior to a
distribution by the Fund. The price of shares purchased at that time includes
the amount of the forthcoming distribution, but the distribution will generally
be taxable to them.
The Fund may invest in stocks of foreign companies that are classified under the
Code as passive foreign investment companies ("PFICs"). In general, a foreign
company is classified as a PFIC if at least one-half of its assets constitute
investment-type assets or 75% or more of its gross income is investment-type
income. Under the PFIC rules, an "excess distribution" received with respect to
PFIC stock is treated as having been realized ratably over the period during
which the Fund held the PFIC stock. The Fund itself will be subject to tax on
the portion, if any, of the excess distribution that is allocated to the Fund's
holding period in prior taxable years (and an interest factor will be added to
the tax, as if the tax had actually been payable in such prior taxable years)
even though the Fund distributes the corresponding income to shareholders.
Excess distributions include any gain from the sale of PFIC stock as well as
certain distributions from a PFIC. All excess distributions are taxable as
ordinary income.
The Fund may be able to elect alternative tax treatment with respect to PFIC
stock. Under an election that currently may be available, the Fund generally
would be required to include in its gross income its share of the earnings of a
PFIC on a current basis, regardless of whether any distributions are received
from the PFIC. If this election were made, the special rules, discussed above,
relating to the taxation of excess distributions, would not apply. In addition,
another election may be available that would involve marking to market the
Fund's PFIC shares at the end of each taxable year (and on certain other dates
prescribed in the Code), with the result that unrealized gains are treated as
though they were realized. If this election were made, tax at the fund level
under the PFIC rules would generally be eliminated, but the Fund could, in
limited circumstances, incur nondeductible interest charges. The Fund's
intention to qualify annually as a regulated investment company may limit its
elections with respect to PFIC shares.
Because the application of the PFIC rules may affect, among other things, the
character of gains, the amount of gain or loss and the timing of the recognition
of income with respect to PFIC stock, as well as subject the Fund itself to tax
on certain income from PFIC stock, the amount that must be distributed to
shareholders, and which will be taxed to shareholders as ordinary income or
long-term capital gain, may be increased or decreased substantially as compared
to a fund that did not invest in PFIC stock.
Income received by the Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject
to withholding and other income or similar taxes imposed by such countries. If
more than 50% of the value of the Fund's total assets at the close of its
taxable year consists of securities of foreign corporations, the Fund will be
eligible and intends to elect to "pass through" to the Fund's shareholders the
amount of foreign taxes paid by the Fund. Pursuant to this election, a
shareholder will be required to include in gross income (in addition to taxable
dividends actually received) his pro rata share of the foreign taxes paid by the
Fund, and will be entitled either to deduct (as an itemized deduction) his pro
rata share of foreign income and similar taxes in computing his taxable income
or to use it as a foreign tax credit against his U.S. federal income tax
liability, subject to limitations. No deduction for foreign taxes may be claimed
by a shareholder who does not itemize deductions, but such a shareholder may be
eligible to claim the foreign tax credit (see below). Each shareholder will be
notified within 60 days after the close of the Fund's taxable year whether the
foreign taxes paid by the Fund will "pass through" for that year.
Generally, a credit for foreign taxes is subject to the limitation that it may
not exceed the shareholder's U.S. tax attributable to his foreign source taxable
income. For this purpose, if the pass-through election is made, the source of
the Fund's income flows through to its shareholders. With respect to the Fund,
gains from the sale of securities will be treated as derived from U.S. sources
and certain currency fluctuation gains, including fluctuation gains from foreign
currency-denominated debt securities, receivables and payables, will be treated
as ordinary income derived from U.S. sources. The limitation on the foreign tax
credit is applied separately to foreign source passive income (as defined for
purposes of the foreign tax credit), including the foreign source passive income
passed through by the Fund. Shareholders may be unable to claim a credit for the
full amount of their proportionate share of the foreign taxes paid by the Fund.
Foreign taxes may not be deducted in computing alternative minimum taxable
income and the foreign tax credit can be used to offset only 90% of the
alternative minimum tax (as computed under the Code for purposes of this
limitation) imposed on corporations and individuals. If the Fund is not eligible
to make the election to "pass through" to its shareholders its foreign taxes,
the foreign income taxes it pays generally will reduce investment company
taxable income and the distributions by the Fund will be treated as U.S. source
income.
Under the Code, gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in foreign currency
exchange rates, which occur between the time the Fund accrues income or other
receivables or accrues expenses or other liabilities denominated in a foreign
currency and the time the Fund actually collects such receivables or pays such
liabilities, generally are treated as ordinary income or ordinary loss.
Similarly, on disposition of debt securities denominated in a foreign currency,
gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in the value of foreign currency
between the date of acquisition of the security and the date of disposition also
are treated as ordinary gain or loss. These gains and losses, referred to under
the Code as "section 988" gains and losses, may increase or decrease the amount
of the Fund's net investment income to be distributed to its shareholders as
ordinary income. For example, fluctuations in exchange rates may increase the
amount of income that the Fund must distribute in order to qualify for treatment
as a regulated investment company and to prevent application of an excise tax on
undistributed income. Alternatively, fluctuations in exchange rates may decrease
or eliminate income available for distribution. If section 988 losses exceed
other net investment income during a taxable year, the Fund would not be able to
make ordinary dividend distributions, or distributions made before the losses
were realized would be recharacterized as a return of capital to shareholders
for Federal income tax purposes, rather than as an ordinary dividend, reducing
each shareholder's basis in his Fund shares, or as a capital gain.
Upon the sale or exchange of his shares, a shareholder will realize a taxable
gain or loss depending upon his basis in the shares. Such gain or loss will be
treated as capital gain or loss if the shares are capital assets in the
shareholder's hands, and generally will be long-term if the shareholder's
holding period for the shares is more than one year and generally otherwise will
be short-term. Any loss realized on a sale or exchange will be disallowed to the
extent that the shares disposed of are replaced (including replacement through
the reinvesting of dividends and capital gain distributions in the Fund) within
a period of 61 days beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the
disposition of the shares. In such a case, the basis of the shares acquired will
be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss. Any loss realized by a shareholder
on the sale of Fund shares held by the shareholder for six months or less will
be treated for Federal income tax purposes as a long-term capital loss to the
extent of any distributions of long-term capital gains received by the
shareholder with respect to such shares.
In some cases, shareholders will not be permitted to take sales charges into
account for purposes of determining the amount of gain or loss realized on the
disposition of their shares. This prohibition generally applies where (1) the
shareholder incurs a sales charge in acquiring the stock of a regulated
investment company, (2) the stock is disposed of before the 91st day after the
date on which it was acquired, and (3) the shareholder subsequently acquires
shares of the same or another regulated investment company and the otherwise
applicable sales charge is reduced or eliminated under a "reinvestment right"
received upon the initial purchase of shares of stock. In that case, the gain or
loss recognized will be determined by excluding from the tax basis of the shares
exchanged all or a portion of the sales charge incurred in acquiring those
shares. This exclusion applies to the extent that the otherwise applicable sales
charge with respect to the newly acquired shares is reduced as a result of
having incurred a sales charge initially. Sales charges affected by this rule
are treated as if they were incurred with respect to the stock acquired under
the reinvestment right. This provision may be applied to successive acquisitions
of shares of stock.
The Fund generally will be required to withhold federal income tax at a rate of
31% ("backup withholding") from dividends paid, capital gain distributions, and
redemption proceeds to shareholders if (1) the shareholder fails to furnish the
Fund with the shareholder's correct taxpayer identification number or social
security number and to make such certifications as the Fund may require, (2) the
IRS notifies the shareholder or the Fund that the shareholder has failed to
report properly certain interest and dividend income to the IRS and to respond
to notices to that effect, or (3) when required to do so, the shareholder fails
to certify that he is not subject to backup withholding. Any amounts withheld
may be credited against the shareholder's federal income tax liability.
Ordinary dividends and taxable capital gain distributions declared in October,
November, or December with a record date in such a month and paid during the
following January will be treated as having been paid by the Fund and received
by shareholders on December 31 of the calendar year in which declared, rather
than the calendar year in which the dividends are actually received.
Distributions also may be subject to state, local and foreign taxes. U.S. tax
rules applicable to foreign investors may differ significantly from those
outlined above. Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisers for
details with respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an
investment in the Fund.
THE FUND'S UNDERWRITER
Pursuant to an underwriting agreement, Distributors acts as principal
underwriter in a continuous public offering for both classes of the Fund's
shares. The underwriting agreement will continue in effect for successive annual
periods if its continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a vote
of the Board or by a vote of the holders of a majority of the Fund's outstanding
voting securities, and in either event by a majority vote of the Board members
who are not parties to the underwriting agreement or interested persons of any
such party (other than as members of the Board), cast in person at a meeting
called for that purpose. The underwriting agreement terminates automatically in
the event of its assignment and may be terminated by either party on 90 days'
written notice.
Distributors pays the expenses of the distribution of Fund shares, including
advertising expenses and the costs of printing sales material and prospectuses
used to offer shares to the public. The Fund pays the expenses of preparing and
printing amendments to its registration statements and prospectuses (other than
those necessitated by the activities of Distributors) and of sending
prospectuses to existing shareholders.
In connection with the offering of the Fund's shares, aggregate underwriting
commissions for the fiscal years ended August 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, were
$2,145,794, $2,170,052 and $[], respectively. After allowances to dealers,
Distributors retained $436,675, $241,160 and $[] in net underwriting discounts,
commissions and compensation received in connection with redemptions or
repurchases of shares, for the respective years. Distributors may be entitled to
reimbursement under the Rule 12b-1 plan for each class, as discussed below.
Except as noted, Distributors received no other compensation from the Fund for
acting as underwriter.
THE RULE 12B-1 PLANS
The Fund has adopted a distribution plan or "Rule 12b-1 plan" with respect to
each class of shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act.
THE CLASS I PLAN. Under the Class I plan the Fund may reimburse Distributors or
others up to a maximum of 0.25% per year of Class I's average daily net assets,
payable quarterly, for costs and expenses incurred in connection with any
activity which is primarily intended to result in the sale of the Fund's shares.
Under the Class I plan, the costs and expenses not reimbursed in any one given
quarter (including costs and expenses not reimbursed because they exceed 0.25%
of the Fund's average daily net assets attributable to Class I shares) may be
reimbursed in subsequent quarters or years.
THE CLASS II PLAN. Under the Class II plan, the Fund pays Distributors up to
0.75% per year of Class II's average daily net assets, payable quarterly, for
costs and expenses incurred by Distributors or others in connection with any
activity which is primarily intended to result in the sale of the Fund's shares.
Up to 0.25% of such net assets may be paid to dealers for personal service
and/or maintenance of shareholder accounts.
THE CLASS I AND CLASS II PLANS. For both the Class I and Class II plans,
payments to Distributors or others could be for various types of activities,
including (i) payments to broker-dealers who provide certain services of value
to the Fund's shareholders (sometimes referred to as a "trail fee"); (ii)
reimbursement of expenses relating to selling and servicing efforts or of
organizing and conducting sales seminars; (iii) payments to employees or agents
of the Distributors who engage in or support distribution of shares; (iv)
payments of the costs of preparing, printing and distributing prospectuses and
reports to prospective investors and of printing and advertising expenses; (v)
payment of dealer commissions and wholesaler compensation in connection with
sales of the Fund's shares and interest or carrying charges in connection
therewith; and (vi) such other similar services as the Board determines to be
reasonably calculated to result in the sale of shares.
In no event shall the aggregate asset-based sales charges, which include
payments made under each plan, plus any other payments deemed to be made
pursuant to a plan, exceed the amount permitted to be paid under the rules of
the NASD.
To the extent fees are for distribution or marketing functions, as distinguished
from administrative servicing or agency transactions, certain banks will not be
entitled to participate in the plans as a result of applicable federal law
prohibiting certain banks from engaging in the distribution of mutual fund
shares. These banking institutions, however, are permitted to receive fees under
the plans for administrative servicing or for agency transactions. If you are a
customer of a bank that is prohibited from providing these services, you would
be permitted to remain a shareholder of the Fund, and alternate means for
continuing the servicing would be sought. In this event, changes in the services
provided might occur and you might no longer be able to avail yourself of any
automatic investment or other services then being provided by the bank. It is
not expected that you would suffer any adverse financial consequences as a
result of any of these changes.
Each plan has been approved in accordance with the provisions of Rule 12b-1. The
plans are renewable annually by a vote of the Board, including a majority vote
of the Board members who are not interested persons of the Fund and who have no
direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the plans, cast in
person at a meeting called for that purpose. It is also required that the
selection and nomination of such Board members be done by the non-interested
members of the Board. The plans and any related agreement may be terminated at
any time, without penalty, by vote of a majority of the non-interested Board
members on not more than 60 days' written notice, by Distributors on not more
than 60 days' written notice, by any act that constitutes an assignment of the
investment management agreement with TICI, or by vote of a majority of the
outstanding shares of the class. Distributors or any dealer or other firm may
also terminate their respective distribution or service agreement at any time
upon written notice.
The plans and any related agreements may not be amended to increase materially
the amount to be spent for distribution expenses without approval by a majority
of the outstanding shares of the class, and all material amendments to the plans
or any related agreements shall be approved by a vote of the non-interested
members of the Board, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of
voting on any such amendment.
Distributors is required to report in writing to the Board at least quarterly on
the amounts and purpose of any payment made under the plans and any related
agreements, as well as to furnish the Board with such other information as may
reasonably be requested in order to enable the Board to make an informed
determination of whether the plans should be continued.
For the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996, the total amounts paid by the Fund
pursuant to the Class I and Class II plans were $3,065,108 and $85,164,
respectively, which were used for the following purposes:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CLASS I CLASS II
<S> <C> <C>
Advertising $ 426,345 $ 1,360
Printing and mailing of prospectuses
other than to current shareholders 101,224 414
Payments to underwriters 39,020 65,440
Payments to broker-dealers 2,484,800 17,933
Other 13,719 17
</TABLE>
HOW DOES THE FUND MEASURE 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 quotations used by the Fund are based on the
standardized methods of computing performance mandated by the SEC. If a Rule
12b-1 plan is adopted, performance figures reflect fees from the date of the
plan's implementation. An explanation of these and other methods used by the
Fund to compute or express performance for each class follows. Regardless of the
method used, past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results,
but is an indication of the return to shareholders only for the limited
historical period used.
TOTAL RETURN
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN. Average annual total return is determined by
finding the average annual rates of return over one-, five- and ten-year periods
that would equate an initial hypothetical $1,000 investment to its ending
redeemable value. The calculation assumes the maximum front-end sales charge is
deducted from the initial $1,000 purchase, and income dividends and capital gain
distributions are reinvested at Net Asset Value. The quotation assumes the
account was completely redeemed at the end of each one-, five- and ten-year
period and the deduction of all applicable charges and fees. If a change is made
to the sales charge structure, historical performance information will be
restated to reflect the maximum front-end sales charge currently in effect.
When considering the average annual total return quotations, you should keep in
mind that the maximum front-end sales charge reflected in each quotation is a
one time fee charged on all direct purchases, which will have its greatest
impact during the early stages of your investment. This charge will affect
actual performance less the longer you retain your investment in the Fund. The
average annual total return for Class I for the one-, five- and ten-year periods
ended August 31, 1996, was 5.21%, 10.84%, and 14.11%. The average annual total
return for Class II for the one-year period ended August 31, 1996 was 8.65%, and
for the period from commencement of operations on May 1, 1995 to August 31,
1996, was 15.37%.
These figures were calculated according to the SEC formula:
P(1+T)n = ERV
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 the one-, five- or
ten-year periods at the end of the one-, five- or ten-
year periods
CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN. Like average annual total return, cumulative total
return assumes the maximum front-end sales charge is deducted from the initial
$1,000 purchase, and income dividends and capital gain distributions are
reinvested at Net Asset Value. Cumulative total return, however, will be based
on the actual return for each class for a specified period rather than on the
average return over one-, five- and ten-year periods. The cumulative total
return for Class I for the one-, five- and ten-year periods ended August 31,
1996, was 5.21%, 67.47%, and 161.28%. The cumulative total return for Class II
for the one-year period ended August 31, 1996 was 8.65%, and for the period from
commencement of operations on May 1, 1995 to August 31, 1996, was 21.12%.
VOLATILITY
Occasionally statistics may be used to show the Fund's volatility or risk.
Measures of volatility or risk are generally used to compare the Fund's Net
Asset Value or performance to a market index. One measure of volatility is beta.
Beta is the volatility of a fund relative to the total market, as represented by
an index considered representative of the types of securities in which the fund
invests. A beta of more than 1.00 indicates volatility greater than the market
and a beta of less than 1.00 indicates volatility less than the market. Another
measure of volatility or risk is standard deviation. Standard deviation is used
to measure variability of Net Asset Value or total return around an average over
a specified period of time. The idea is that greater volatility means greater
risk undertaken in achieving performance.
OTHER PERFORMANCE QUOTATIONS
For investors who are permitted to buy Class I shares without a sales charge,
sales literature about Class I may quote a current distribution rate, yield,
cumulative total return, average annual total return and other measures of
performance as described elsewhere in this SAI with the substitution of Net
Asset Value for the public Offering Price.
Sales literature referring to the use of the Fund as a potential investment for
Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), Business Retirement Plans, and other
tax-advantaged retirement plans may quote a total return based upon compounding
of dividends on which it is presumed no federal income tax applies.
The Fund may include in its advertising or sales material information relating
to investment objectives and performance results of funds belonging to the
Templeton Group of Funds. Resources is the parent company of the advisors and
underwriter of both the Franklin Group of Funds and Templeton Group of Funds.
COMPARISONS
From time to time, advertisements or information for the Fund may include a
discussion of certain attributes or benefits to be derived from an investment in
the Fund. The advertisements or information may include symbols, headlines, or
other material that highlights or summarizes the information discussed in more
detail in the communication.
Advertisements or information may also compare a class' performance to the
return on CDs or other investments. You should be aware, however, that an
investment in the Fund involves the risk of fluctuation of principal value, a
risk generally not present in an investment in a CD issued by a bank. For
example, as the general level of interest rates rise, the value of the Fund's
fixed-income investments, if any, as well as the value of its shares that are
based upon the value of such portfolio investments, can be expected to decrease.
Conversely, when interest rates decrease, the value of the Fund's shares can be
expected to increase. CDs are frequently insured by an agency of the U.S.
government. An investment in the Fund is not insured by any federal, state or
private entity.
In assessing comparisons of performance, you should keep in mind that the
composition of the investments in the reported indices and averages is not
identical to the Fund's portfolio, the indices and averages are generally
unmanaged, and the items included in the calculations of the averages may not be
identical to the formula used by the Fund to calculate its figures. In addition,
there can be no assurance that the Fund will continue its performance as
compared to these other averages.
Performance information for the Fund may be compared, in reports and
promotional literature, to: (i) unmanaged indices so that investors may compare
the Fund's results with those of a group of unmanaged securities widely regarded
by investors as representative of the securities market in general; (ii) other
groups of mutual funds tracked by Lipper Analytical Services, Inc., a widely
used independent research firm which ranks mutual funds by overall performance,
investment objectives and assets, or tracked by other services, companies,
publications, or persons who rank mutual funds on overall performance or other
criteria; and (iii) the Consumer Price Index (measure for inflation) to assess
the real rate of return from an investment in the Fund. Unmanaged indices may
assume the reinvestment of dividends but generally do not reflect deductions for
administrative and management costs and expenses.
Performance information for the Fund reflects only the performance of a
hypothetical investment in the Fund during the particular time period on which
the calculations are based. Performance information should be considered in
light of the Fund's investment objective and policies, characteristics and
quality of the portfolio and the market conditions during the given time period,
and should not be considered as a representation of what may be achieved in the
future.
From time to time, the Fund and TICI may also refer to the following
information:
(1) TICI's and its affiliates' market share of international equities
managed in mutual funds prepared or published by Strategic Insight or a
similar statistical organization.
(2) The performance of U.S. equity and debt markets relative to foreign
markets prepared or published by Morgan Stanley Capital International
or a similar financial organization.
(3) The capitalization of U.S. and foreign stock markets as prepared or
published by the International Finance Corporation, Morgan Stanley
Capital International or a similar financial organization.
(4) The geographic and industry distribution of the Fund's portfolio and
the Fund's top ten holdings.
(5) The gross national product and populations, including age
characteristics, literacy rates, foreign investment improvements due to
a liberalization of securities laws and a reduction of foreign exchange
controls, and improving communication technology, of various countries
as published by various statistical organizations.
(6) To assist investors in understanding the different returns and risk
characteristics of various investments, the Fund may show historical
returns of various investments and published indices (E.G., Ibbotson
Associates, Inc. Charts and Morgan Stanley EAFE - Index).
(7) The major industries located in various jurisdictions as published by
the Morgan Stanley Index.
(8) Rankings by DALBAR Surveys, Inc. with respect to mutual fund share-
holder services.
(9) Allegorical stories illustrating the importance of persistent
long-term investing.
(10) Each Fund's portfolio turnover rate and its ranking relative to
industry standards as published by Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. or
Morningstar, Inc.
(11) A description of the Templeton organization's investment management
philosophy and approach, including its worldwide search for undervalued
or "bargain" securities and its diversification by industry, nation and
type of stocks or other securities.
(12) The number of shareholders in the Fund or the aggregate number of
shareholders of the open-end investment companies in the Franklin
Templeton Group of Funds or the dollar amount of fund and private
account assets under management.
(13) Comparison of the characteristics of various emerging markets,
including population, financial and economic conditions.
(14) Quotations from the Templeton organization's founder, Sir John
Templeton,* advocating the virtues of diversification and long-term
investing, including the following:
(infinity) "Never follow the crowd. Superior performance is
possible only if you invest differently from the
crowd."
(infinity) "Diversify by company, by industry and by country."
(infinity) "Always maintain a long-term perspective."
(infinity) "Invest for maximum total real return."
(infinity) "Invest - don't trade or speculate."
(infinity) "Remain flexible and open-minded about types of
investment."
(infinity) "Buy low."
(infinity) "When buying stocks, search for bargains among
quality stocks."
(infinity) "Buy value, not market trends or the economic
outlook."
(infinity) "Diversify. In stocks and bonds, as in much else,
there is safety in numbers."
(infinity) "Do your homework or hire wise experts to help you."
(infinity) "Aggressively monitor your investments."
(infinity) "Don't panic."
(infinity) "Learn from your mistakes."
(infinity) "Outperforming the market is a difficult task."
(infinity) "An investor who has all the answers doesn't even
understand all the questions."
(infinity) "There's no free lunch."
(infinity) "And now the last principle: Do not be fearful or
negative too often."
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 Costs Planner may help you in
determining how much money must be invested on a monthly basis in order 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 Planning Guide 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 the Franklin Templeton Group of Funds, 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, one of the
oldest mutual fund organizations, has managed mutual funds for over 48 years and
now services more than 2.5 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 Worldwide, Inc., a pioneer
in international investing. Together, the Franklin Templeton Group has over $152
billion in assets under management for more than 4.2 million U.S. based mutual
fund shareholder and other accounts. The Franklin Templeton Group of Funds
offers 121 U.S. based open-end investment companies to the public. The Fund may
identify itself by its NASDAQ symbol or CUSIP number.
The Dalbar Surveys, Inc. broker-dealer survey has ranked Franklin number one in
service quality for five of the past eight years.
As of December 1, 1996, the principal shareholders of the Fund, beneficial or of
record, were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AND ADDRESS SHARE AMOUNT PERCENTAGE
<S> <C> <C>
CLASS I
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc. 9,679,050 5%
4800 Deer Lake Drive East 3rd Floor
Jacksonville, FL 32246
CLASS II
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc. 147,564 6%
4800 Deer Lake Drive East 3rd Floor
Jacksonville, FL 32246
</TABLE>
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 In the event of
disputes involving multiple claims of ownership or authority to control your
account, the Fund has the right (but has no obligation) to: (a) freeze the
account and require the written agreement of all persons deemed by the Fund to
have a potential property interest in the account, prior to executing
instructions regarding the account; (b) interplead disputed funds or accounts
with a court of competent jurisdiction; or (c) surrender ownership of all or a
portion of the account to the IRS in response to a Notice of Levy.
SUMMARY OF CODE OF ETHICS. Employees of Resources or its subsidiaries who are
access persons under the 1940 Act are permitted to engage in personal securities
transactions subject to the following general restrictions and procedures: (i)
the trade must receive advance clearance from a compliance officer and must be
completed within 24 hours after clearance; (ii) copies of all brokerage
confirmations must be sent to a compliance officer and, within 10 days after the
end of each calendar quarter, a report of all securities transactions must be
provided to the compliance officer; and (iii) access persons involved in
preparing and making investment decisions must, in addition to (i) and (ii)
above, file annual reports of their securities holdings each January and inform
the compliance officer (or other designated personnel) if they own a security
that is being considered for a fund or other client transaction or if they are
recommending a security in which they have an ownership interest for purchase or
sale by a fund or other client.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The audited financial statements contained in the Annual Report to Shareholders
of the Fund, for the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996, including the auditors'
report, are incorporated herein by reference.
USEFUL TERMS AND DEFINITIONS
1933 ACT - SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED
1940 ACT - Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended
BOARD - The Board of Directors of the Fund
CD - Certificate of deposit
CLASS I AND CLASS II - The Fund offers two classes of shares, designated "Class
I" and "Class II." The two classes have proportionate interests in the Fund's
portfolio. They differ, however, primarily in their sales charge structures and
Rule 12b-1 plans.
CODE - Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
DISTRIBUTORS - Franklin/Templeton Distributors, Inc., the Fund's principal
underwriter
FRANKLIN FUNDS - the mutual funds in the Franklin Group of Funds(TRADEMARK)
except Franklin Valuemark Funds and the Franklin Government Securities Trust
FRANKLIN TEMPLETON FUNDS - the Franklin Funds and the Templeton Funds
FRANKLIN TEMPLETON GROUP - Franklin Resources, Inc., a publicly owned holding
company, and its various subsidiaries
FRANKLIN TEMPLETON GROUP OF FUNDS - all U.S. registered investment companies in
the Franklin Group of FundsAE and the Templeton Group of Funds
FT SERVICES - Franklin Templeton Services, Inc., the Fund's administrator
INVESTOR SERVICES - Franklin/Templeton Investor Services, Inc., the Fund's
shareholder servicing and transfer agent
IRS - Internal Revenue Service
LETTER - Letter of Intent
MOODY'S - Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
NASD - National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
NET ASSET VALUE (NAV) - The value of a mutual fund is determined by deducting
the fund's liabilities from the total assets of the portfolio. The net asset
value per share is determined by dividing the net asset value of the fund by the
number of shares outstanding.
NYSE - New York Stock Exchange, Inc.
OFFERING PRICE - The public offering price is based on the Net Asset Value per
share of the class and includes the front-end sales charge. The maximum
front-end sales charge is 5.75% for Class I and 1% for Class II.
PROSPECTUS - the prospectus for the Fund dated January 1, 1996, as may be
amended from time to time
RESOURCES - Franklin Resources, Inc.
SAI - Statement of Additional Information
S&P - Standard & Poor's Corporation
SEC - U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
SECURITIES DEALER - a financial institution hich, 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.
TEMPLETON FUNDS - the U.S. registered mutual funds in the Templeton Group of
Funds except Templeton Capital Accumulator Fund, Inc., the Templeton Variable
Annuity Fund, and the Templeton Variable Products Series Fund
TICI - Templeton Investment Counsel, Inc., the Fund's investment manager, is
located at Broward Financial Centre, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33394-3091.
U.S. - United States
WE/OUR/US - Unless a different meaning is indicated by the context, these terms
refer to the Fund and/or Investor Services, Distributors, or other wholly owned
subsidiaries of Resources.
TL103 STMT 01/97
* Sir John Templeton sold the Templeton organization to Resources in
October, 1992 and resigned from the Fund's Board on April 16, 1995. He
is no longer involved with the investment management process.
PAGE
PART C
OTHER INFORMATION
Item 24. Financial Statements and Exhibits
(a) Financial Statements: Incorporated by Reference from
Registrant's 1996 Annual Report
Independent Auditor's Report
Investment Portfolio as of August 31, 1996
Statements of Assets and Liabilities as o
August 31, 1996
Statements of Operations for the year ended
August 31, 1996
Statements of Changes in Net Assets for the years
ended August 31, 1996 and 1995
Notes to Financial Statements
(b) Exhibits:
(1)(A) Restated Articles of Incorporation--to be
filed by amendment*
(B) Articles of Amendment dated April 16, 1996
(2) By-Laws (As amended and restated
October 19, 1996)
(3) Not applicable
(4) Specimen Security*
(5) Amended and Restated Investment Management
Agreement*
(6)(A) Distribution Agreement*
(B) Non-Exclusive Underwriting Agreement*
(C) Dealer Agreement*
(7) Not applicable
(8) Custody Agreement*
(9)(A) Fund Administration Agreement*
(B) Form of Transfer Agent Agreement*
(C) Form of Sub-Transfer Agent Services Agreement*
(D) Form of Sub-Accounting Services Agreement*
(10) Opinion and consent of counsel (filed with
Rule 24f-2 Notice and incorporated
by reference herein)
(11) Consent of Independent Public Accountants
(12) Not Applicable
(13) Form of Initial Capital Agreement*
(14) Not Applicable
(15)(A) Distribution Plan - Class I Shares*
(B) Distribution Plan - Class II Shares*
(16) Schedule showing computation of performance
quotations provided in response to Item 22 *
PAGE
(17) Rule 483(b) Certification*
(18) Form of Multiclass Plan*
(27) Financial Data Schedule
- ---------------
* Previously filed with Registration Statement No. 2-70889 and
incorporated by reference herein.
PAGE
ITEM 25. PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH REGISTRANT
None.
ITEM 26. NUMBER OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES
Title of Class Number of Recordholders
Common Stock 95,565 as of November 30, 1996
Templeton Global Smaller
Companies Fund, Inc. - Class I
Common Stock 2,151 as of November 30, 1996
Templeton Global Smaller
Companies Fund, Inc. - Class II
ITEM 27. INDEMNIFICATION
Reference is made to Section 2-418 of the Maryland General
Corporation Law and to Article 5.2 of Registrant's By-laws,
which are filed as an Exhibit hereto.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers
and controlling persons of the Registrant by the Registrant
pursuant to the Bylaws or otherwise, the Registrant is aware
that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission,
such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in
the Act and, therefore, is unenforceable. In the event that a
claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than
the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by
directors, officers or controlling persons of the Registrant
in connection with the successful defense of any act, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such directors, officers or
controlling persons in connection with the shares being
registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its
counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question
whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as
expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issues.
Item 28. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser and its
Officers and Directors
The business and other connections of Registrant's Investment
Manager, Templeton Investment Counsel, Inc., are described in
Parts A and B.
For information relating to the Investment Manager's officers
and directors, reference is made to Form ADV filed under the
Investment Advisers Act of 1940 by Templeton Investment
Counsel, Inc.
Item 29. Principal Underwriters
(a) Franklin Templeton Distributors, Inc. also acts as
principal underwriter of shares of:
Franklin Templeton Japan Fund
Templeton American Trust, Inc.
Templeton Capital Accumulator Fund, Inc.
Templeton Developing Markets Trust
Templeton Funds, Inc.
Templeton Global Investment Trust
Templeton Global Opportunities Trust
Templeton Global Real Estate Fund
Templeton Growth Fund, Inc.
Templeton Income Trust
Templeton Institutional Funds, Inc.
Templeton Variable Products Series Fund
Franklin Asset AllocationFund
Franklin California Tax Free Income Fund
Franklin California Tax Free Trust
Franklin Custodian Funds, Inc.
Franklin Equity Fund
Franklin Federal Money Fund
Franklin Federal Tax-Free Income Fund
Franklin Gold Fund
Franklin High Income Trust
Franklin Investors Securities Trust
Franklin Managed Trust
Franklin Money Fund
Franklin Municipal Securities Trust
Franklin New York Tax-Free Income Fund, Inc.
Franklin New York Tax-Free Trust
Franklin Premier Return Fund
Franklin Real Estate Securities Fund
Franklin Strategic Mortgage Portfolio
Franklin Strategic Series
Franklin Tax-Advantaged High Yield Securities Fund
Franklin Tax-Advantaged International Bond Fund
Franklin Tax-Advantaged U.S.Government Securities
Fund
Franklin Tax Exempt Money Fund
Franklin Tax-Free Trust
Franklin Value Investors Trust
Franklin Templeton Global Trust
Franklin Templeton International Trust
Franklin Templeton Money Fund Trust
Franklin Value Investors Trust
Institutional Fiduciary Trust
(b) The directors and officers of FTD, are identified
below. Except as otherwise indicated, the address of
each director and officer is 777 Mariners Island
Blvd., San Mateo, CA 94404.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Positions and Offices with Positions and Offices
Name Underwriter with Registrant
<S> <C> <C>
Charles B. Johnson Chairman of the Board and Director Chairman,Vice President
and Director
Gregory E. Johnson President None
Rupert H. Johnson, Jr. Executive Vice President and Director Vice President
Harmon E. Burns Executive Vice President and Director Vice President and Director
Edward V. McVey Senior Vice President None
Kenneth V. Domingues Senior Vice President None
William J. Lippman Senior Vice President None
Richard C. Stoker Senior Vice President None
Charles E. Johnson Senior Vice President Vice President
500 E. Broward Blvd.
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33394
Deborah R. Gatzek Senior Vice President and Asst. Vice President
Secretary
Daniel T. O'Lear Senior Vice President None
James K. Blinn Vice President None
Richard O. Conboy Vice President None
James A. Escobedo Vice President None
Loretta Fry Vice President None
Robert N. Geppner Vice President None
Bert W. Feuss Vice President None
Mike Hackett Vice President None
Peter Jones Senior Vice President None
700 Central Avenue
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Philip J. Kearns Vice President None
Ken Leder Vice President None
Jack Lemein Vice President None
John R. McGee Vice President None
Harry G. Mumford Vice President None
Vivian J. Palmieri Vice President None
Kent P. Strazza Vice President None
Francie Arnone Vice President None
Alison Hawksley Vice President None
Sarah Stypa Vice President None
John R. Kay Asst. Vice President Vice President
500 East Broward Blvd.
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl 33394
Andrea Dover Asst. Vice President None
Laura Komar Asst. Vice President None
Virgina Marans Asst. Vice President None
Bernadette Marino Howard Asst. Vice President None
Susan Thompson Asst. Vice President None
Leslie M. Kratter Secretary None
Kenneth A. Lewis Treasurer None
Karen DeBellis Asst. Treasurer Asst. Treasurer
700 Central Avenue
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Philip A. Scatena Asst. Treasurer None
Leslie M. Kratter Secretary None
</TABLE>
The directors and officers of Templeton Global Strategic Services S.A.
are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Positions and Offices with Positions and Offices
Name Underwriter with Registrant
<S> <C> <C>
Charles E. Johnson Chairman/Director Vice President
William Lockwood General Manager None
Martin L. Flanagan Managing Director Vice President
Gregory E. McGowan Managing Director None
Dickson B. Anderson Managing Director None
Douglas W. Adams Managing Director None
</TABLE>
(c) Not applicable (Information on unaffiliated
underwriters).
Item 30. Location of Accounts and Records
The accounts, books and other documents required to be
maintained by Registrant pursuant to Section 31(a) of the
Investment Company Act of 1940 and rules promulgated
thereunder are in the possession of Franklin empleton
Services, Inc., 500 East Broward Blvd., Fort Lauderdale,
Florida 33394.
Item 31. Management Services
Not applicable.
Item 32. Undertakings
(a) Not applicable
(b) Not applicable
(c) Registrant undertakes to furnish to each person to
whom a Prospectus is provided a copy of its latest
Annual Report, upon request and without charge.
PAGE
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements f the Securities Act of 1933 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant certifies that it has met the
requirements for effectiveness of the Registration Statement pursuant to Rule
485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 and has duly caused this Post-Effective
Amendment to its Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in St. Petersburg, Florida on the 26tH
day of December, 1996.
Templeton Global Smaller Companies Fund, Inc.
(Registrant)
By: ________________________
Marc Joseph*
President
*By:/s/JOHN K. CARTER
JOHN K. CARTER
as attorney-in-fact**
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Amendment to the Registration Statement has been signed below by the
following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Signature Title Date
<S> <C> <C>
__________________ President December 26,1996
Marc Joseph*
__________________ Director December 26, 1996
Charles B. Johnson*
__________________ Director December 26, 1996
Betty P. Krahmer*
__________________ Director December 26, 1996
Fred R. Millsaps*
__________________ Director December 26, 1996
John Wm. Galbraith*
__________________ Director December 26, 1996
Harmon E. Burns*
__________________ Director December 26, 1996
Harris J. Ashton*
PAGE
__________________ Director December 26, 1996
S. Joseph Fortunato*
__________________ Director December 26, 1996
HassO-G Vond Diergardt-Naglo**
__________________ Director December 26, 1996
Andrew H. Hines, Jr.*
__________________ Director December 26, 1996
Gordon S. Macklin*
__________________ Director December 26, 1996
Nicholas F. Brady*
__________________ Treasurer December 26, 1996
James R. Baio* (Principal Financial
and Accounting
Officer)
</TABLE>
By:/s/JOHN K.CARTER
John K. Carter
as attorney-in-fact**
** Powers of Attorney are contained in Post-Effective Amendment No. 18 to
this Registration Statement filed on August 19, 1992, Post-Effective
Amendment No. 21 to this Registration Statement filed on November 2,
1993, Post-Effective Amendment No. 23 to this Registration Statement
filed on December 23, 1993, Post-Effective Amendment No. 23 to this
Registration Statement filed on December 30, 1994 or filed herewith.
PAGE
POWER OF ATTORNEY
The undersigned officers and Directors of TEMPLETON GLOBAL
SMALLER COMPANIES FUND, INC.(the "Registrant") hereby appoint Allan S. Mostoff,
Jeffrey L. Steele, William J. Kotapish, Deborah R. Gatzek, Barbara J. Green,
Larry L. Greene, and John K. Carter (with full power to each of them to act
alone) his attorney-in-fact and agent, in all capacities, to execute, and to
file any of the documents referred to below relating to Post-Effective
Amendments to the Registrant's registration statement on Form N-1A under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and under the Securities Act of 1933
covering the sale of shares by the Registrant under prospectuses becoming
effective after this date, including any amendment or amendments increasing or
decreasing the amount of securities for which registration is being sought, with
all exhibits and any and all documents required to be filed with respect thereto
with any regulatory authority. Each of the undersigned grants to each of said
attorneys, full authority to do every act necessary to be done in order to
effectuate the same as fully, to all intents and purposes as he could do if
personally present, thereby ratifying all that said attorneys-in-fact and
agents, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
The undersigned officers and Directors hereby execute this
Power of Attorney as of this 12th day of December, 1996.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
/s/HARRIS J. ASHTON /s/CHARLES B. JOHNSON
Harris J. Ashton, Director Charles B. Johnson, Director
/s/NICHOLAS F. BRADY /s/BETTY P. KRAHMER
Nicholas F. Brady, Director Betty P. Krahmer, Director
/s/HARMON E. BURNS /s/GORDON S. MACKLIN
Harmon E. Burns, Director Gordon S. Macklin, Director
/s/S. JOSEPH FORTUNATOR /s/FRED R. MILLSAPS
S. Joseph Fortunato, Director Fred R. Millsaps, Director
/s/JOHN WM. GALBRAITH /s/HASSO-G VON DIERGARDT-NAGLO
John Wm. Galbraith, Director Hasso-G Von Diergardt-Naglo, Director
/s/ANDREW H. HINES, JR. /s/MARC S. J0SEPH
Andrew H. Hines, Jr., Director Marc S. Joseph, President
/s/JAMES R. BAIO
James R. Baio, Treasurer
</TABLE>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
EXHIBITS FILED WITH
POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 27 TO
REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON
FORM N-1A
TEMPLETON GLOBAL SMALLER COMPANIES FUND, INC.
PAGE
EXHIBIT LIST
EXHIBIT NUMBER NAME OF EXHIBIT
1 (B) Articles of Amendment dated April 16, 1996
2 By-Laws
(Amended and restated October 19, 1996)
9(A) Fund Administration Agreement
11 Consent of Independent Public Accountants
27 Financial Data Schedule
PAGE
TEMPLETON SMALLER COMPANIES GROWTH FUND, INC.
ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT
Templeton Smaller Companies Growth Fund, Inc., a Maryland
corporation having its principal office in Baltimore City, Maryland (hereinafter
called the "Corporation"), certifies to the State Department of Assessments and
Taxation of Maryland that:
FIRST: The Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation are
hereby amended:
By amending Article SECOND to change the name of the
Corporation to Templeton Global Smaller Companies Fund, Inc.
SECOND: The amendment to the Articles of Incorporation of
the Corporation as hereinabove set forth shall be effective as of the 15th
day of May, 1996.
THIRD: The foregoing amendment to the Articles of
Incorporation of the Corporation was approved by a majority of the entire Board
of Directors of the Corporation; the amendment is limited to changes expressly
permitted by Section 2-605 of Title 2 of the Maryland General Corporation Law to
be made without action by the stockholders, and the Corporation is registered as
an open-end company under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Templeton Smaller Companies Growth Fund,
Inc. has caused these Articles of Amendment to be signed in its name and on its
behalf by its duly authorized officers who acknowledge that these Articles of
Amendment are the act of the Corporation, that to the best of their knowledge,
information and belief, the maters and facts set forth herein as to
authorization and approval are true in all material respects and that this
statement is made under the penalties of perjury.
Dated: April 16, 1996
[CORPORATE SEAL]
ATTEST: TEMPLETON SMALLER COMPANIES
GROWTH FUND, INC.
/s/JEFFREY L. STEELE By: /s/MARTIN L. FLANAGAN
Jeffrey L. Steele Martin L. Flanagan
Assistant Secretary Vice President
BY-LAWS
-of-
TEMPLETON GLOBAL SMALLER COMPANIES FUND, INC.
(As amended and restated October 19, 1996)
ARTICLE I
NAME OF COMPANY, LOCATION OF OFFICES AND SEAL.
SECTION 1. NAME. The name of the Company is Templeton
Global Smaller Companies Fund, Inc.
SECTION 2. PRINCIPAL OFFICES. The principal office of the
Company in the State of Maryland
shall be located in Baltimore, Maryland. The Company may, in addition, establish
and maintain such other offices and places of business within or outside the
State of Maryland as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine.
SECTION 3. SEAL. The corporate seal of the Company shall be
circular in form and shall bear the name of the Company, the year of its
incorporation and the words "Corporate Seal, Maryland." The form of the seal
shall be subject to alteration by the Board of Directors and the seal may be
used by causing it or a facsimile to be impressed or affixed or printed or
otherwise reproduced. Any officer or Director of the Company shall have
authority to affix the corporate seal of the Corporation to any document
requiring the same.
ARTICLE II
STOCKHOLDERS
SECTION 1. PLACE OF MEETINGS. All meetings of the Stockholders
shall be held at such place within the United States, whether within or outside
the State of Maryland as the Board of Directors shall determine, which shall be
stated in the notice of the meeting or in a duly executed waiver of notice
thereof.
SECTION 2. ANNUAL MEETINGS. The Company shall not be required
to hold an annual meeting of Stockholders in any year in which the election of
Directors is not required to be acted upon under the Investment Company Act of
1940. Otherwise, annual meetings of Stockholders for the election of Directors
and the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the
meeting shall be held at such time and place within the United States as the
Board of Directors shall select.
SECTION 3. SPECIAL MEETINGS. Special meetings of the
Stockholders for any purpose or purposes, unless otherwise prescribed by statute
or by the Articles of Incorporation, may be called by resolution of the Board of
Directors or by the President, and shall be called by the President or Secretary
at the request in writing of a majority of the Board of Directors or at the
request in writing by Stockholders owning 10% in amount of the entire capital
stock of the Company issued and outstanding at the time of the call, provided
that (1) such request shall state the purpose of such meeting and the matters
proposed to be acted on, and (2) the Stockholders requesting such meeting shall
have paid to the Company the reasonably estimated cost of preparing and mailing
the notice thereof, which the Secretary shall determine and specify to such
Stockholders. No special meeting shall be called upon the request of
Stockholders to consider any matter which is substantially the same as a matter
voted upon at any special meeting of the Stockholders held during the preceding
12 months, unless requested by the holders of a majority of all shares entitled
to be voted at such meeting.
SECTION 4. NOTICE. Written notice of every meeting of
Stockholders, stating the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called,
the time when and the place where it is to be held, shall be served, either
personally or by mail, not less than ten nor more than ninety days before the
meeting, upon each Stockholder as of the record date fixed for the meeting and
who is entitled to vote at such meeting. If mailed (1) such notice shall be
directed to a Stockholder at his address as it shall appear on the books of the
Company (unless he shall have filed with the Transfer Agent of the Company a
written request that notices intended for him be mailed to some other address,
in which case it shall be mailed to the address designated in such request) and
(2) such notice shall be deemed to have been given as of the date when it is
deposited in the United States mail with first class postage thereon prepaid.
Irregularities in the notice or in the giving thereof, as well as the accidental
omission to give notice of any meeting to, or the non-receipt of any such notice
by, any of the Stockholders shall not invalidate any action otherwise properly
taken by or at any such meeting. Notice of any Stockholders' meeting need not be
given to any Stockholder who shall sign a written waiver of such notice either
before or after the time of such meeting, which waiver shall be filed with the
records of such meeting, or to any Stockholder who is present at such meeting in
person or by proxy.
SECTION 5. QUORUM, ADJOURNMENT OF MEETINGS. The presence at
any Stockholders' meeting, in person or by proxy, of Stockholders entitled to
cast a majority of the votes entitled to be cast shall be necessary and
sufficient to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The holders
of a majority of shares entitled to vote at the meeting and present in person or
by proxy, whether or not sufficient to constitute a quorum, or, any officer
present entitled to preside or act as Secretary of such meeting may adjourn the
meeting without determining the date of the new meeting or from time to time
without further notice to a date not more than 120 days after the original
record date. Any business that might have been transacted at the meeting
originally called may be transacted at such adjourned meeting at which a quorum
is present.
SECTION 6. VOTE OF THE MEETING. When a quorum is present or
represented at any meeting, a majority of the votes cast shall decide any
question brought before such meeting, unless the question is one upon which by
express provisions of applicable statutes, of the Articles of Incorporation, or
of these By-Laws, a different vote is required, in which case such express
provisions shall govern and control the decision of such question.
SECTION 7. VOTING RIGHTS OF STOCKHOLDERS. Each Stockholder of
record having the right to vote shall be entitled at every meeting of the
Stockholders of the Company to one vote for each share of stock having voting
power standing in the name of such Stockholder on the books of the Company on
the record date fixed in accordance with Section 5 of Article VII of these
By-Laws, with pro-rata voting rights for any fractional shares, and such votes
may be cast either in person or by written proxy.
SECTION 8. PROXIES. Every proxy must be executed in writing by
the Stockholder or by his duly authorized attorney-in-fact. No proxy shall be
valid after the expiration of eleven months from the date of its execution
unless it shall have specified therein its duration. Every proxy shall be
revocable at the pleasure of the person executing it or of his personal
representatives or assigns. Proxies shall be delivered prior to the meeting to
the Secretary of the Company or to the person acting as Secretary of the meeting
before being voted. A proxy with respect to stock held in the name of two or
more persons shall be valid if executed by one of them unless at or prior to
exercise of such proxy the Company receives a specific written notice to the
contrary from any one of them. A proxy purporting to be executed by or on behalf
of a Stockholder shall be deemed valid unless challenged at or prior to its
exercise.
SECTION 9. STOCK LEDGER AND LIST OF STOCKHOLDERS. It shall be
the duty of the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Company to cause an
original or duplicate stock ledger to be maintained at the office of the
Company's transfer agent.
SECTION 10. ACTION WITHOUT MEETING. Any action to be taken by
Stockholders may be taken without a meeting if (1) all Stockholders entitled to
vote on the matter consent to the action in writing, (2) all Stockholders
entitled to notice of the meeting but not entitled to vote at it sign a written
waiver of any right to dissent and (3) said consents and waivers are filed with
the records of the meetings of Stockholders.
Such consent shall be treated for all purposes as a vote of the meeting.
ARTICLE III
DIRECTORS
SECTION 1. BOARD OF 3 TO 15 DIRECTORS. The Board of Directors
shall consist of not less than three (3) nor more than fifteen (15) Directors,
all of whom shall be of full age and at least 40% of whom shall be persons who
are not interested persons of the Company as defined in the Investment Company
Act of 1940, provided that prior to the issuance of stock by the Company, the
Board of Directors may consist of less than three (3) Directors, subject to the
provisions of Maryland law. Directors shall be elected at the annual meeting of
the Stockholders, if held, and each Director shall be elected to serve for one
year and until his successor shall be elected and shall qualify or until his
earlier death, resignation or removal. Directors need not be Stockholders. The
Directors shall have power from time to time, and at any time when the
Stockholders as such are not assembled in a meeting, regular or special, to
increase or decrease their own number. If the number of Directors be increased,
the additional Directors may be elected by a majority of the Directors in office
at the time of the increase. The additional Directors shall thereafter be
elected or reelected by the Stockholders at their next annual meeting or at an
earlier special meeting called for that purpose.
The number of Directors may also be increased or decreased by
vote of the Stockholders at any regular or special meeting called for that
purpose. A Director may be removed with or without cause, by a majority vote of
the shares then entitled to vote in an election of Directors. A meeting for the
purpose of considering the removal of a person serving as Director shall be
called by the Directors if requested in writing to do so by holders of not less
than 10% of the outstanding shares of the Company. If the Stockholders vote an
increase in the Board they shall by plurality vote elect Directors to the newly
created places as well as fill any then existing vacancies on the Board.
The Board of Directors may elect, but shall not be required to
elect, a Chairman of the Board who must be Director.
SECTION 2. VACANCIES. If the office of any Director or
Directors becomes vacant for any reason (other than an increase in the number of
places on the Board as provided in Section 1 of Article III), the Directors in
office, although less than a quorum, shall continue to act and may, by a
majority vote, choose a successor or successors, who shall hold office until the
next meeting of Stockholders, subject to compliance with applicable provisions
of the 1940 Act. Any vacancy may be filled by the Stockholders at any meeting
thereof.
SECTION 3. MAJORITY TO BE ELECTED BY STOCKHOLDERS. If at any
time, less than a majority of the Directors in office shall consist of Directors
elected by Stockholder, a meeting of the Stockholders shall be called within 60
days for the purpose of electing Directors to fill any vacancies in the Board of
Directors (unless the Securities and Exchange Commission or any court of
competent jurisdiction shall by order extend such period).
SECTION 4. REMOVAL. At any meeting of Stockholders duly called
and at which a quorum is present, the Stockholders may, by the affirmative vote
of the holders of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast thereon, remove
any Director or Directors from office, with or without cause, and may elect a
successor or successors to fill any resulting vacancies for the unexpired terms
of the removed Directors.
SECTION 5. POWERS OF THE BOARD. The business of this Company
shall be managed under the direction of its Board of Directors, which may
exercise or give authority to exercise all powers of the Company and do all such
lawful acts and things as are not by statute, by the Articles of Incorporation
or by these By-Laws required to be exercised or done by the Stockholders.
SECTION 6. PLACE OF MEETINGS. The Directors may hold their
meetings at the principal office of the Company or at such other places, either
within or without the State of Maryland, as they may from time to time
determine.
SECTION 7. REGULAR MEETINGS. Regular meetings of the Board
may be held at such date and time as shall from time to time be determined by
resolution of the Board.
SECTION 8. SPECIAL MEETINGS. Special meetings of the Board may
be called by order of the President on one day's notice given to each Director
either in person or by mail, telephone, telegram, telefax, telex, cable or
wireless to each Director at his residence or regular place of business. Special
meetings will be called by the President or Secretary in a like manner on the
written request of a majority of the Directors.
SECTION 9. WAIVER OF NOTICE. No notice of any meting of the
Board of Directors or a committee of the Board need be given to any Director who
is present at the meeting or who waives notice of such meeting in writing (which
waiver shall be filed with the records of such meeting), either before or after
the time of the meeting.
SECTION 10. QUORUM OF ONE-THIRD. At all meetings of the Board
the presence of one-third of the entire number of Directors then in office (but
not less than two Directors) shall be necessary to constitute a quorum and
sufficient for the transaction of business, and any act of a majority present at
a meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the Board of Directors,
except as may be otherwise specifically provided by statute, by the Articles of
Incorporation or by these By-Laws. If a quorum shall not be present at any
meeting of Directors, the Directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting from
time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a
quorum shall be present.
SECTION 11. INFORMAL ACTION BY DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEES. Any
action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of
Directors or of any committee thereof may, except as otherwise required by
statute, be taken without a meeting if a written consent to such action is
signed by all members of the Board, or of such committee, as the case may be and
filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the Board or committee. Subject to
the Investment Company Act of 1940, members of the Board of Directors or a
committee thereof may participate in a meeting by means of a conference
telephone or similar communications equipment if all persons participating in
the meeting can hear each other at the same time.
SECTION 12. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. There may be an Executive
Committee of two or more Directors appointed by the Board who may meet at stated
times or on notice to all by any of their own number. The Executive Committee
shall consult with and advise the Officers of the Company in the management of
its business and exercise such powers of the Board of Directors as may be
lawfully delegated by the Board of the Directors. Vacancies shall be filled by
the Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting. The Executive
Committee shall keep regular minutes of its proceedings and report the same to
the Board when required.
SECTION 13. OTHER COMMITTEES. The Board of Directors, by the
affirmative vote of a majority of the entire Board, may appoint other committees
which shall in each case consist of such number of members (not less than two)
and shall have and may exercise, to the extent permitted by law, such powers as
the Board may determine in the resolution appointing them. A majority of all
members of any such committee may determine its action, and fix the time and
place of its meetings, unless the Board of Directors shall otherwise provide.
The Board of Directors shall have power at any time to change the members and,
to the extent permitted by law, the powers of any such committee, to fill
vacancies, and to discharge any such committee.
SECTION 14. ADVISORY BOARD. There may be an Advisory Board of
any number of individuals appointed by the Board of Directors who may meet at
stated times or on notice to all by any of their own number or by the President.
The Advisory Board shall be composed of Stockholders or representatives of
Stockholders. The Advisory Board will have no power to require the Company to
take any specific action. Its purpose shall be solely to consider matters of
general policy and to represent the Stockholders in all matters except those
involving the purchase or sale of specific securities. A majority of the
Advisory Board, if appointed, must consist of Stockholders who are not otherwise
affiliated or interested persons of the Company or of any affiliate of the
Company as those terms are defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940.
SECTION 15. COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS. The Board may, by
resolution, determine what compensation and reimbursement of expenses of
attendance at meetings, if any, shall be paid to Directors in connection with
their service on the Board. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to
preclude any Director from serving the Company in any other capacity or from
receiving compensation therefor.
ARTICLE IV
OFFICERS
SECTION 1. OFFICERS. The Officers of the Company shall be
fixed by the Board of Directors and shall include a President, a Vice-President,
a Secretary and a Treasurer. Any two of the aforesaid offices, except those of
President and Vice President, may be held by the same person.
SECTION 2. APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS. The Directors, at their
first meeting after each annual meeting of Stockholders, shall appoint a
President and the other Officers who need not be members of the Board.
SECTION 3. ADDITIONAL OFFICERS. The Board, at any regular or
special meeting, may appoint such other Officers and agents as it shall deem
necessary who shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as shall be
determined from time to time by the Board.
SECTION 4. SALARIES OF OFFICERS. The salaries of all Officers
of the Company shall be fixed by the Board of Directors.
SECTION 5. TERM, REMOVAL, VACANCIES. The Officers of the
Company shall hold office for one year and until their successors are chosen and
qualify in their stead. Any Officer elected or appointed by the Board of
Directors may be removed at any time by the affirmative vote of a majority of
the Directors. If the office of any Officer becomes vacant for any reason, the
vacancy shall be filled by the Board of Directors.
SECTION 6. PRESIDENT. The President shall be the chief
executive officer of the Company; he shall, subject to the supervision of the
Board of Directors, have general responsibility for the management of the
business of the Company and shall see that all orders and resolutions of the
Board are carried into effect.
SECTION 7. VICE-PRESIDENT. The Vice-President (senior in
service), at the request or in the absence or disability of the President shall
perform the duties and exercise the powers of the President and shall perform
such other duties as the Board of Directors shall prescribe.
SECTION 8. TREASURER. The Treasurer shall have the custody of
the corporate funds and securities and shall keep full and accurate accounts of
receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the Company and shall deposit
all moneys and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the
Company in such depositories as may be designated by the Board of Directors. He
shall disburse the funds of the Company as may be ordered by the Board, taking
proper vouchers for such disbursements, and shall render to the President and
Directors at the regular meetings of the Board, or whenever they may require it,
an account of all his transactions as Treasurer and of the financial condition
of the Company.
Any Assistant Treasurer may perform such duties of the
Treasurer as the Treasurer of the Board of Directors may assign, and, in the
absence of the Treasurer, he may perform all the duties of the Treasurer.
SECTION 9. SECRETARY. The Secretary shall attend meetings of
the Board and meetings of the Stockholders and record all votes and the minutes
of all proceedings in books to be kept for that purpose. He shall give or cause
to be given notice of all meetings of Stockholders and special meetings of the
Board of Directors and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by
the Board of Directors. He shall keep in safe custody the seal of the Company
and affix it to any instrument when authorized by the Board of Directors.
Any Assistant Secretary may perform such duties of the
Secretary as the Secretary or the Board of Directors may assign, and, in the
absence of the Secretary, may perform all the duties of the Secretary.
SECTION 10. SUBORDINATE OFFICERS. The Board of Directors from
time to time may appoint such other officers or agents as it may deem advisable,
each of whom shall have such title, hold office for such period, have such
authority and perform such duties as the Board of Directors may determine. The
Board of Directors from time to time may delegate to one or more officers or
agents the power to appoint any such subordinate officers or agents and to
prescribe their respective rights, terms of office, authorities and duties.
SECTION 11. SURETY BONDS. The Board of Directors may require
any officer or agent of the Company to execute a bond (including, without
limitation, any bond required by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended,
and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission) to the
Company in such sum and with such surety or sureties as the Board of Directors
may determine, conditioned upon the faithful performance of his duties to the
Company, including responsibility for negligence and for the accounting of any
of the Company's property, funds or securities that may come into his hands.
ARTICLE V
INDEMNIFICATION
SECTION 1. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS. The
Company shall indemnify its Directors to the fullest extent that indemnification
of directors is permitted by the Maryland General Corporation Law. The Company
shall indemnify its Officers to the same extent as its Directors and to such
further extent as is consistent with law. The Company shall indemnify its
Directors and Officers who while serving as Directors or Officers also serve at
the request of the Company as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee,
agent or fiduciary of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust,
other enterprise or employee benefit plan to the fullest extent consistent with
law. The indemnification and other rights provided by this Article shall
continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director or officer and shall
inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a
person. This Article shall not protect any such person against any liability to
the Company or any Stockholder thereof to which such person would otherwise be
subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or
reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office
("disabling conduct").
SECTION 2. ADVANCES. Any current or former director or officer
of the Company seeking indemnification within the scope of this Article shall be
entitled to advances from the Company for payment of the reasonable expenses
incurred by him in connection with the matter as to which he is seeking
indemnification in the manner and to the fullest extent permissible under the
Maryland General Corporation Law. The person seeking indemnification shall
provide to the Company a written affirmation of his good faith belief that the
standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the Company has been met
and a written undertaking to repay any such advance if it should ultimately be
determined that the standard of conduct has not been met. The provisions of this
Section are subject to compliance with applicable provisions of the 1940 Act.
SECTION 3. PROCEDURE. Subject to Section 2 of this Article V,
at the request of any person claiming indemnification under this Article, the
Board of Directors shall determine, or cause to be determined, in a manner
consistent with the Maryland General Corporation Law, whether the standards
required by this Article have been met. Indemnification shall be made only
following: (a) a final decision on the merits by a court or other body before
whom the proceeding was brought that the person to be indemnified was not liable
by reason of disabling conduct or (b) in the absence of such a decision, a
reasonable determination, based upon a review of the facts, that the person to
be indemnified was not liable by reason of disabling conduct by (i) the vote of
a majority of a quorum of disinterested non-party Directors or (ii) an
independent legal counsel in a written opinion.
SECTION 4. INDEMNIFICATION OF EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS. Employees
and agents who are not Officers or Directors of the Company may be indemnified,
and reasonable expenses may be advanced to such employees or agents, as may be
provided by action of the Board of Directors or by contract, subject to any
limitations imposed by the Investment Company Act of 1940.
SECTION 5. OTHER RIGHTS. The Board of Directors may make
further provision consistent with law for indemnification and advance of
expenses to Directors, Officers, employees and agents by resolution, agreement
or otherwise. The indemnification provided by this Article shall not be deemed
exclusive of any other right, with respect to indemnification or otherwise, to
which those seeking indemnification may be entitled under any insurance or other
agreement or resolution of Stockholders or disinterested Directors or otherwise.
The rights provided to any person by this Article shall be enforceable against
the Company by such person who shall be presumed to have relied upon it in
serving or continuing to serve as a director, officer, employee, or agent as
provided above.
SECTION 6. AMENDMENTS. References in this Article are to the
Maryland General Corporation Law and to the Investment Company Act of 1940 as
from time to time amended. No amendment of these By-laws shall effect any right
of any person under this Article based on any event, omission or proceeding
prior to the amendment.
SECTION 7. INSURANCE. The Company may purchase and maintain
insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee,
or agent of the Company or who, while a director, officer, employee, or agent of
the Company, is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director,
officer, partner, trustee, employee, or agent of another foreign or domestic
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, other enterprise, or employee
benefit plan against any liability asserted against and incurred by such person
in any such capacity or arising out of such person's position; provided, that no
insurance may be purchased which would indemnify any Director or Officer of the
Company against any liability to the Company or to its security holders to which
he would otherwise be subject by reason of disabling conduct (as defined in
Section 1 of this Article V).
ARTICLE VI
GENERAL PROVISIONS
SECTION 1. WAIVER OF NOTICE. Whenever by statute, the
provisions of the Articles of Incorporation or these ByLaws, the Stockholders or
the Board of Directors are authorized to take any action at any meeting after
notice, such notice may be waived, in writing, before or after the holding of
the meeting, by the person or persons entitled to such notice, or, in the case
of a Stockholder, by his attorney thereunto authorized.
SECTION 2. CHECKS. All checks or demands for money and notes
of the Company shall be signed by such Officer or Officers or such other person
or persons as the Board of Directors may from time to time designate.
SECTION 3. FISCAL YEAR. The fiscal year of the Company shall
be determined by resolution of the Board of Directors.
SECTION 4. ACCOUNTANT. The Company shall employ an independent
public accountant or a firm of independent public accountants as its Accountant
to examine the accounts of the Company and to sign and certify financial
statements filed by the Company. The employment of the Accountant shall be
conditioned upon the right of the Company to terminate the employment forthwith
without any penalty by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities
at any Stockholders' meeting called for that purpose.
ARTICLE VII
CAPITAL STOCK
SECTION 1. CERTIFICATE OF STOCK. The interest of each
Stockholder of the Company may be evidenced by certificates for shares of stock
in such form as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe. The
certificates shall be numbered and entered in the books of the Company as they
are issued. They shall exhibit the holder's name and the number of shares and no
certificate shall be valid unless it has been signed by the President or a
Vice-President and the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer or the Secretary or
an Assistant Secretary and bears the corporate seal. Such seal may be a
facsimile, engraved or printed. Where any such certificate is signed by a
Transfer Agent or by a Registrar, the signatures of any such Officer may be
facsimile, engraved or printed. In case any of the Officers of the Company whose
manual or facsimile signature appears on any stock certificate delivered to a
Transfer Agent of the Company shall cease to be such Officer prior to the
issuance of such certificate, the Transfer Agent may nevertheless countersign
and deliver such certificate as though the person signing the same or whose
facsimile signature appears thereon had not ceased to be such Officer, unless
written instructions of the Company to the contrary are delivered to the
Transfer Agent.
SECTION 2. LOST, STOLEN OR DESTROYED CERTIFICATES. The Board
of Directors, or the President together with the Treasurer or Secretary, may
direct a new certificate to be issued in place of any certificate theretofore
issued by the Company, alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the
making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate of
stock to be lost, stolen or destroyed, or by his legal representative. When
authorizing such issue of a new certificate, the Board of Directors, or the
President and Treasurer or Secretary, may, in its or their discretion and as a
condition precedent to the issuance thereof, require the owner of such lost,
stolen or destroyed certificate, or his legal representative, to advertise the
same in such manner as it or they shall require and/or give the Company a bond
in such sum and with such surety or sureties as it or they may direct as
indemnity against any claim that may be made against the Company with respect to
the certificate alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed or such newly
issued certificate.
SECTION 3. TRANSFER OF STOCK. Shares of the Company shall be
transferable on the books of the Company by the holder thereof in person or by
his duly authorized attorney or legal representative upon surrender and
cancellation of a certificate or certificates for the same number of shares of
the same class, duly endorsed or accompanied by proper evidence of succession,
assignment or authority to transfer, with such proof of the authenticity of the
signature as the Company or its agents may reasonably require. The Board of
Directors may, from time to time, adopt rules and regulations with reference to
the method of transfer of the shares of stock of the Company.
SECTION 4. REGISTERED HOLDER. The Company shall be entitled to
treat the holder of record of any share or shares of stock as the holder in fact
thereof and, accordingly, shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other
claim to or interest in such share or shares on the part of any other person
whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as
expressly provided by statute.
SECTION 5. RECORD DATE. The Board of Directors may fix a time
not less than 10 nor more than 90 days prior to the date of any meeting of
Stockholders or prior to the last day on which the consent or dissent of
Stockholders may be effectively expressed for any purpose without a meeting, as
the time as of which Stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at such a
meeting or whose consent or dissent is required or may be expressed for any
purpose, as the case may be, shall be determined; and all persons who were
holders of record of voting stock at such time and no other shall be entitled to
notice of and to vote at such meeting or to express their consent or dissent, as
the case may be. If no record date has been fixed, the record date for the
determination of Stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of
Stockholders shall be the later of the close of business on the day on which
notice of the meeting is mailed or the thirtieth day before the meeting, or, if
notice is waived by all Stockholders, at the close of business on the tenth day
next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. The Board of Directors may
also fix a time not exceeding 90 days preceding the date fixed for the payment
of any dividend or the making of any distribution, or for the delivery of
evidences of rights, or evidences of interests arising out of any change,
conversion or exchange of capital stock, as a record time for the determination
of the Stockholder entitled to receive any such dividend, distribution, rights
or interests.
SECTION 6. STOCK LEDGERS. The stock ledgers of the Company,
containing the names and addresses of the Stockholders and the number of shares
held by them respectively, shall be kept at the principal offices of the Company
or at the offices of the transfer agent of the Company or at such other location
as may be authorized by the Board of Directors from time to time.
SECTION 7. TRANSFER AGENTS AND REGISTRARS. The Board of
Directors may from time to time appoint or remove transfer agents and/or
registrars of transfers (if any) of shares of stock of the Company, and it may
appoint the same person as both transfer agent and registrar. Upon any such
appointment being made, all certificates representing shares of capital stock
thereafter issued shall be countersigned by one of such transfer agents or by
one of such registrars of transfers (if any) or by both and shall not be valid
unless so countersigned. If the same person shall be both transfer agent and
registrar, only one countersignature by such person shall be required.
SECTION 8. DIVIDENDS. Dividends upon the capital stock of the
Company, subject to any provisions of the Articles of Incorporation relating
thereto, may be declared by the Board of Directors at any regular or special
meeting, pursuant to law.
SECTION 9. RESERVE BEFORE DIVIDENDS. Before payment of any
dividend, there may be set aside out of the net profits of the Company available
for dividends such sum or sums as the Directors from time to time in their
absolute discretion think proper as a reserve fund to meet contingencies, or for
equalizing dividends, or for repairing or maintaining any property of the
Company, or for such other purpose as the Directors shall think conducive to the
interests of the Company, and the Directors may modify or abolish any such
reserve in the manner in which it was created.
SECTION 10. NO PRE-EMPTIVE RIGHTS. Shares of stock shall not
possess pre-emptive rights to purchase additional shares of stock when offered.
SECTION 11. FRACTIONAL SHARES. Fractional shares entitle the
holder to the same voting and other rights and privileges as whole shares on a
pro-rata basis.
ARTICLE VIII
AMENDMENTS
SECTION 1. BY STOCKHOLDERS. By-Laws may be adopted, amended or
repealed, by vote of the holders of a majority of the Company's stock, as
defined by the Investment Company Act of 1940, at any annual or special meeting
of the Stockholders at which a quorum is present or represented, provided notice
of the proposed amendment shall have been contained in the notice of the
meeting.
SECTION 2. BY DIRECTORS. The Directors may adopt, amend or
repeal any By-Law (which is not inconsistent with any By-Law adopted, amended or
repealed by the Company's Stockholders in accordance with Section 1 of this
Article VIII) by majority vote of all of the Directors in office at any regular
meeting, or at any special meeting, in accordance with the requirements of
applicable law.
ARTICLE IX
CUSTODY OF SECURITIES
SECTION 1. EMPLOYMENT OF A CUSTODIAN. The Company shall place
and at all times maintain in the custody of a Custodian (including any
sub-custodian for the Custodian, which may be a foreign bank which meets
applicable requirements of law) all funds, securities and similar investments
owned by the Company. The Custodian (and any sub-custodian) shall be a bank
having not less than $2,000,000 aggregate capital, surplus and undivided profits
or such other financial institution as shall be permitted by rule or order of
the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. The Custodian shall be
appointed from time to time by the Directors, who shall fix its remuneration.
SECTION 2. ACTION UPON TERMINATION OF CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT.
Upon termination of a Custodian Agreement or inability of the Custodian to
continue to serve, the Directors shall promptly appoint a successor custodian,
but in the event that no successor custodian can be found who has the required
qualifications and is willing to serve, the Directors shall call as promptly as
possible a special meeting of the Shareholders to determine whether the Company
shall function without a custodian or shall be liquidated. If so directed by
vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities, the
Custodian shall deliver and pay over all funds, securities and similar
investments held by it as specified in such vote.
SECTION 3. PROVISIONS OF CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT. The following
provisions shall apply to the employment of a Custodian and to any contract
entered into with the Custodian so employed:
The Directors shall cause to be delivered to the Custodian all
securities owned by the Company or to which it may become
entitled, and shall order the same to be delivered by the
Custodian only in completion of a sale, exchange, transfer,
pledge, loan of portfolio securities to another person, or
other disposition thereof, all as the Directors may generally
or from time to time require or approve or to a successor
Custodian; and the Directors shall cause all funds owned by
the Company or to which it may become entitled to be paid to
the Custodian, and shall order the same disbursed only for
investment against delivery of the securities acquired, or the
return of cash held as collateral for loans of portfolio
securities, or in payment of expenses, including management
compensation, and liabilities of the Company, including
distributions to shareholders, or to a successor Custodian. In
connection with the Company's purchase or sale of futures
contracts, the Custodian shall transmit, prior to receipt on
behalf of the Company of any securities or other property,
funds from the Company's custodian account in order to furnish
to and maintain funds with brokers as margin to guarantee the
performance of the Company's futures obligations in accordance
with the applicable requirements of commodities exchanges and
brokers.
ARTICLE X
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 1. MISCELLANEOUS.
(a) Except as hereinafter provided, no Officer or Director of
the Company and no partner, officer, director or shareholder of the Investment
Adviser of the Company or of the Distributor of the Company, and no Investment
Adviser or Distributor of the Company, shall take long or short positions in the
securities issued by the Company.
(1) The foregoing provisions shall not prevent
the Distributor from purchasing Shares from the Company if such purchases are
limited (except for reasonable allowances for clerical errors, delays and
errors of transmission and cancellation of orders) to purchases for the
purpose of filling orders for such Shares received by the Distributor, and
provided that orders to purchase from the Company are entered with the Company
or the Custodian promptly upon receipt by the Distributor of purchase orders
for such Shares, unless the Distributor is otherwise instructed by its customer.
(2) The foregoing provision shall not prevent
the Distributor from purchasing Shares of the Company as agent for the account
of the Company.
(3) The foregoing provision shall not prevent
the purchase from the Company or from the istributor of Shares issued by the
Company, by any officer, or Director of the Company or by any partner,
officer, director or shareholder of the Investment Adviser of the Company or
of the Distributor of the Company at the price available to the public
generally at the moment of such purchase, or as described in the then
currently effective Prospectus of the Company.
(4) The foregoing shall not prevent th
Distributor, or any affiliate thereof, of the Company from purchasing Shares
prior to the effectiveness of the first registration statement relating to
the Shares under the Securities Act of 1933.
(b) The Company shall not lend assets of the Company to any
officer or Director of the Company, or to any partner, officer, director or
shareholder of, or person financially interested in, the Investment Adviser of
the Company, or the Distributor of the Company, or to the Investment Adviser of
the Company or to the Distributor of the Company.
(c) The Company shall not impose any restrictions upon the
transfer of the Shares of the Company except as provided in the Articles of
Incorporation, but this requirement shall not prevent the charging of customary
transfer agent fees.
(d) The Company shall not permit any officer or Director of
the Company, or any partner, officer or director of the Investment Adviser or
Distributor of the Company, to deal for or on behalf of the Company with himself
as principal or agent, or with any partnership, association or corporation in
which he has a financial interest; provided that the foregoing provisions shall
not prevent (a) Officers and Directors of the Company or partners, officers or
directors of the Investment Adviser or Distributor of the Company from buying,
holding or selling Shares in the Company, or from being partners, officers or
directors or otherwise financially interested in the Investment Adviser or
Distributor of the Company; (b) purchases or sales of securities or other
property by the Company from or to an affiliated person or to the Investment
Adviser or Distributor of the Company if such transaction is exempt from the
applicable provisions of the 1940 Act; (c) purchases of investments for the
portfolio of the Company or sales of investments owned by the Company through a
security dealer who is, or one or more of whose partners, shareholders, officers
or directors is, an Officer or Director of the Company, or a partner, officer or
director of the Investment Adviser or Distributor of the Company, if such
transactions are handled in the capacity of broker only and commissions charged
do not exceed customary brokerage charges for such services; (d) employment of
legal counsel, registrar, Transfer Agent, dividend disbursing agent or Custodian
who is, or has a partner, shareholder, officer, or director who is, an officer
or Director of the Company, or a partner, officer or director of the Investment
Adviser or Distributor of the Company, if only customary fees are charged for
services to the Company; (e) sharing statistical research, legal and management
expenses and office hire and expenses with any other investment company in which
an officer or Director of the Company, or a partner, officer or director of the
Investment Adviser or Distributor of the Company, is an officer or director or
otherwise financially interested.
FUND ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN
TEMPLETON GLOBAL SMALLER COMPANIES FUND, INC.
AND
FRANKLIN TEMPLETON SERVICES, INC.
AGREEMENT dated as of October 1, 1996, between Templeton
Global Smaller Companies Fund, Inc., (the "Fund") an investment company
registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 ("1940 Act"), and Franklin
Templeton Services, Inc. ("FTS" or "Administrator").
In consideration of the mutual promises herein made, the
parties hereby agree as follows:
(1) The Administrator agrees, during the life of this Agreement,
to provide the following services to the Fund:
(a) providing office space, telephone, office equipment
and supplies for the Fund;
(b) providing trading desk facilities for the Fund,
unless these facilities are provided by the Fund's investment adviser;
(c) authorizing expenditures and approving bills for
payment on behalf of the Fund;
(d) supervising preparation of periodic reports to
shareholders, notices of dividends, capital gains distributions and tax credits;
and attending to routine correspondence and other communications with
individual shareholders when asked to do so by the Fund's shareholder
servicing agent or other agents of the Fund;
(e) coordinating the daily pricing of the Fund's
investment portfolio, including collecting quotations from pricing services
engaged by the Fund; providing fund accounting services, including preparing
and supervising publication of daily net asset value quotations, periodic
earnings reports and other financial data; and coordinating trade settlements;
(f) monitoring relationships with organizations serving
the Fund, including custodians, transfer agents, public accounting firms, law
firms, printers and other third party service providers;
(g) supervising compliance by the Fund with recordkeeping
requirements under the federal securities laws, including the 1940 Act and the
rules and regulations thereunder, and under other applicable state and federal
laws; and maintaining books and records for the Fund (other than those
maintained by the custodian and transfer agent);
(h) preparing and filing of tax reports including the Fund's
income tax returns, and monitoring the Fund's compliance with subchapter M of
the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, and other applicable tax laws and
regulations;
(i) monitoring the Fund's compliance with: 1940 Act and other
federal securities laws, and rules and regulations thereunder; state and foreign
laws and regulations applicable to the operation of investment companies the
Fund's investment objectives, policies and restrictions; and the Code of Ethics
and other policies adopted by the Fund's Board of Directors ("Board") or by the
Fund's investment adviser and applicable to the Fund;
(j) providing executive, clerical and secretarial
personnel needed to carry out the above responsibilities;
(k) preparing and filing regulatory reports, including
without limitation Forms N-1A and N-SAR, proxy statements, information
statements and U.S. and foreign ownership reports; and
(l) providing support services incidental to carrying
out these duties.
Nothing in this Agreement shall obligate the Fund to pay any compensation to the
officers of the Fund. Nothing in this Agreement shall obligate FTS to pay for
the services of third parties, including attorneys, auditors, printers, pricing
services or others, engaged directly by the Fund to perform services on behalf
of the Fund.
(2) The Fund agrees, during the life of this Agreement, to pay to FTS
as compensation for the oregoing a monthly fee equal on an annual basis to
0.15% of the first $200 million of the average daily net assets of each Fund
during the month preceding each payment, reduced as follows: on such net assets
in excess of $200 million up to $700 million, a monthly fee equal on an annual
basis to 0.135%; on such net assets in excess of $700 million up to $1.2
billion, a monthly fee equal on an annual basis to 0.10%; and on such net assets
in excess of $1.2 billion, a monthly fee equal on an annual basis to 0.075%.
From time to time, FTS may waive all or a portion of its fees provided for
hereunder and such waiver shall be treated as a reduction in the purchase price
of its services. FTS shall be contractually bound hereunder by the terms of any
publicly announced waiver of its fee, or any limitation of each affected Fund's
expenses, as if such waiver or limitation were fully set forth herein.
(3) This Agreement hall remain in full force and effect through for
one year after its execution and thereafter from year to year to the extent
continuance is approved annually by the Board of the Fund.
(4) This Agreement may be terminated by the Fund at any time on sixty
(60) days' written notice without payment of penalty, provided that such
termination by the Fund shall be directed or approved by the vote of a majority
of the Board of the Fund in office at the time or by the vote of a majority of
the outstanding voting securities of the Fund (as defined by the 1940 Act); and
shall automatically and immediately terminate in the event of its assignment(as
defined by the 1940 Act).
(5) In the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross
negligence on the part of FTS, or of reckless disregard of its uties and
obligations hereunder, FTS shall not be subject to liability or any act or
omission in the course of, or connected with, rendering services hereunder.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this
Agreement to be duly executed by their duly authorized officers.
FRANKLIN TEMPLETON SERVICES, INC.
By: /s/MARTIN L. FLANAGAN
Martin L. Flanagan
President
TEMPLETON GLOBAL SMALLER COMPANIES FUND, INC.
By:/s/JOHN R. KAY
John R. Kay
Vice President
McGLADREY & PULLEN, LLP
Certified Public Accountants and Consultants
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
We hereby consent to the use of our report dated September 27,
1996 on the financial statements of Templeton Global Smaller
Companies Fund, Inc. referred to therein, which appears in the 1996
Annual Report to Shareholders, and which is incorporated herein by
reference, in Post-Effective Amendment No. 27 to the Registration
Statement on Form N-1A, File No. 2-70889, as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
We also consent to the reference to our firm in the Prospectus
under the caption "Financial Highlights" and in the Statement of
Additional Information under the caption "Auditors."
/s/MCGLADREY & PULLEN, LLP
McGladrey & Pullen, LLP
New York, New York
December 17, 1996
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM
THE TEMPLETON GLOBAL SMALLER COMPANIES AUGUST 31, 1996 ANUUAL REPORT
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<RESTATED>
<CIK> 0000350900
<NAME> GLOBAL SMALLER COMPANIES FUND, INC. CLASS I
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 011
<NAME>TEMPLETON GLOBAL SMALLER COMPANIES FUND, INC CLASS I
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1996
<PERIOD-END> AUG-31-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 1256685955
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 1559176238
<RECEIVABLES> 7898012
<ASSETS-OTHER> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1567074250
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 4383679
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<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 2993210
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 7376889
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 1146498667
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<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 165040865
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 18851474
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> 91856937
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 302490283
<NET-ASSETS> 1559697361
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 28377132
<INTEREST-INCOME> 19158886
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> 18992139
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 28543879
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 158727706
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> (23274642)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 163996943
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> (20150116)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> (164590927)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 20182579
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (25112503)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 20586393
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 109973588
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 10508605
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> 98214203
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 11134701
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 18992139
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 14766280835
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 8.77
<PER-SHARE-NII> .16
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> .72
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> (.12)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> (.98)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 8.55
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 1.27
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
TEMPLETON GLOBAL SMALLER COMPANIES AUGUST 31, 1996 ANNUAL REPORT AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<RESTATED>
<CIK> 0000350900
<NAME> GLOBAL SMALLER COMPANIES FUND, INC. CLASS II
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 012
<NAME>TEMPLETON GLOBAL SMALLER COMPANIES FUND, INC. CLASS II5
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1996
<PERIOD-END> AUG-31-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 1256685955
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 1559176238
<RECEIVABLES> 7898012
<ASSETS-OTHER> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 0
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<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 4383679
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<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 2993210
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 7376889
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<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 1146498667
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 1827886
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 293675
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<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 158727706
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<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> (50894)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> (494045)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 1602914
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> (133035)
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 64332
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 109973588
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<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 8495626
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<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> .67
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<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> (.98)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 8.47
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 2.07
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
