PROSPECTUS
TEMPLETON
GLOBAL
SMALLER
COMPANIES
FUND, INC.
CLASS A, B & C
INVESTMENT STRATEGY
GLOBAL GROWTH
January 1, 1999
[FRANKLIN TEMPLETON LOGO]
FRANKLIN(R) TEMPLETON(R)
LIKE ALL MUTUAL FUND SHARES, THE SEC HAS NOT APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THESE
SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO
THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
PAGE
CONTENTS
THE FUND
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INFORMATION ABOUT THE 2 Goal and Strategies
FUND YOU SHOULD KNOW
BEFORE INVESTING 4 Main Risks
8 Performance
9 Fees and Expenses
11 Management
13 Distributions and Taxes
15 Financial Highlights
YOUR ACCOUNT
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INFORMATION ABOUT 16 Choosing a Share Class
SALES CHARGES, ACCOUNT
TRANSACTIONS AND 22 Buying Shares
SERVICES
24 Investor Services
27 Selling Shares
29 Account Policies
32 Questions
FOR MORE INFORMATION
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WHERE TO LEARN MORE Back Cover
ABOUT THE FUND
PAGE
2
THE FUND
GOAL AND STRATEGIES
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[GRAPHIC OF ARROW AND TARGET]
GOAL The fund's investment goal is long-term capital growth.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENTS Under normal market conditions, the fund will invest
primarily in the equity securities of smaller companies located anywhere in the
world, including emerging markets. At least 65% of its total assets will be
invested in issuers located in at least three countries (including the U.S.).
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The fund invests primarily in a globally diversified portfolio of smaller
companies' common stocks.
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SMALLER COMPANIES Smaller companies generally are those with market
capitalizations that would place them in the lowest 20% size class of companies
whose equity securities are listed on a U.S. securities exchange or traded on
the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations (NASDAQ)
system. Based upon recent U.S. share prices, these companies typically have
market capitalizations of between $50 million and $1 billion. The fund will
invest 75% of its assets in these companies. In connection with this 75%
strategy, the fund's board of directors has adopted an operating policy, which
may be changed without shareholder approval, that the fund will not buy
securities of companies with market capitalizations of more than $1 billion.
Because the fund may apply the U.S. size standard on a global basis, in some
emerging markets the fund may invest in companies that qualify as small cap but
still are among the largest in that market.
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Templeton Global Smaller Companies Fund, Inc. 3
Equity securities generally entitle the holder to participate in a company's
general operating results. These include common stocks and preferred stocks. The
fund also invests in American, European and Global Depositary Receipts, which
are certificates typically issued by a bank or trust company that give their
holders the right to receive securities issued by a foreign or domestic company.
Depending upon current market conditions, the fund generally invests a portion
(up to 35%) of its total assets in non-equity securities, including debt
securities. Debt securities represent an obligation of the issuer to repay a
loan of money to it, and generally provide for the payment of interest. These
include bonds, notes and debentures.
The Templeton investment philosophy is "bottom-up", value-oriented, and
long-term. In choosing equity investments, the fund's manager will focus on the
market price of a company's securities relative to its evaluation of the
company's long-term earnings, asset value and cash flow potential. A company's
historical value measures, including price/earnings ratio, profit margins and
liquidation value, will also be considered.
TEMPORARY INVESTMENTS The manager may take a temporary defensive position when
the manager believes the markets or the economy are experiencing excessive
volatility or a prolonged general decline, or other adverse conditions exist.
Under these circumstances, the fund may be unable to pursue its investment goal,
because it may not invest or may invest less in global smaller companies stocks.
PAGE
4
MAIN RISKS
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[GRAPHIC OF LINE CHART]
STOCKS While stocks have historically outperformed other asset classes over the
long term, they tend to go up and down more dramatically over the shorter term.
These price movements may result from factors affecting individual companies,
industries or the securities markets as a whole. Value stock prices are
considered "cheap" relative to the company's perceived value. They may not
increase in value, as anticipated by the manager, if other investors fail to
recognize the company's value and bid up the price or if they trade in markets
favoring faster-growing companies.
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Because the securities the fund holds fluctuate in price, the value of your
investment in the fund will go up and down. This means you could lose money over
short or even extended periods.
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SMALLER COMPANIES Historically, smaller company securities have been more
volatile in price than larger company securities, especially over the
short-term. Among the reasons for the greater price volatility are the less
certain growth prospects of smaller companies, the lower degree of liquidity in
the markets for such securities and the greater sensitivity of smaller companies
to changing economic conditions.
In addition, smaller companies may lack depth of management, they may be unable
to generate funds necessary for growth or development or they may be developing
or marketing new products or services for which markets are not yet established
and may never become established.
Therefore, while smaller companies may offer greater opportunities for capital
growth than larger, more established companies, they also involve greater risks
and should be considered speculative.
FOREIGN SECURITIES Securities of companies located outside the U.S. may involve
risks that can increase the potential for losses in the fund. Investments in
Depositary Receipts also involve some or all of the following risks.
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Templeton Global Smaller Companies Fund, Inc. 5
COUNTRY. General securities market movements in any country where the fund has
investments are likely to affect the value of the securities the fund owns that
trade in that country. These movements will affect the fund's share price and
fund performance.
The political, economic and social structures of some countries the fund invests
in may be less stable and more volatile than those in the U.S. The risks of
investing in these countries include the possibility of the imposition of
exchange controls, currency devaluations, foreign ownership limitations,
expropriation, restrictions on removal of currency or other assets,
nationalization of assets, punitive taxes and certain custody and settlement
risks.
The fund's investments in developing or emerging markets are subject to all of
the risks of foreign investing generally, and have additional heightened risks
due to a lack of established legal, business and social frameworks to support
securities markets. Foreign securities markets, including emerging markets, may
have substantially lower trading volumes than U.S. markets, resulting in less
liquidity and more volatility than experienced in the U.S. While short-term
volatility in these markets can be disconcerting, declines in excess of 50% are
not unusual.
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Mutual fund shares 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. Mutual fund shares involve investment risks, including the possible
loss of principal.
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COMPANY. Foreign companies are not subject to the same disclosure, accounting,
auditing and financial reporting standards and practices as U.S. companies and
their securities may not be as liquid as securities of similar U.S. companies.
Foreign stock exchanges, trading systems, brokers and companies generally have
less government supervision and regulation than in the U.S. The fund may have
greater difficulty voting proxies, exercising shareholder rights, pursuing legal
remedies and obtaining judgments with respect to foreign investments in foreign
courts than with respect to U.S. companies in U.S. courts.
CURRENCY Many of the fund's investments are denominated in foreign currencies.
Changes in foreign currency exchange rates will affect the value of what the
fund owns and the fund's share price. Generally,
PAGE
6
when the U.S. dollar rises in value against a foreign currency, an investment in
that country loses value because that currency is worth fewer U.S. dollars.
Devaluation of currency by a country's government or banking authority also has
a significant impact on the value of any securities denominated in that
currency.
EURO. On January 1, 1999, the European Monetary Union (EMU) plans to introduce a
new single currency, the euro, which will replace the national currency for the
eleven participating member countries. If the fund holds investments in
countries with currencies replaced by the euro, the investment process,
including trading, foreign exchange, payments, settlements, cash accounts,
custody and accounting will be impacted.
Because this change to a single currency is new and untested, the establishment
of the euro may result in market volatility. For the same reason, it is not
possible to predict the impact of the euro on the business or financial
condition of European issuers which the fund may hold in its portfolio, and
their impact on the value of fund shares and fund performance. To the extent the
fund holds non-U.S. dollar (euro or other) denominated securities, it will still
be exposed to currency risk due to fluctuations in those currencies versus the
U.S. dollar.
ILLIQUID SECURITIES The fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets in
securities with a limited trading market. Such a market can result from
political or economic conditions affecting previously established securities
markets, particularly in emerging market countries.
INTEREST RATE When interest rates rise, debt security prices fall. The opposite
is also true: debt security prices go up when interest rates fall. Generally,
interest rates rise during times of inflation or a growing economy, and fall
during an economic slowdown or recession. Securities with longer maturities
usually are more sensitive to interest rate changes than securities with shorter
maturities.
CREDIT This is the possibility that an issuer will be unable to make interest
payments or repay principal. Changes in an issuer's financial strength or in a
security's credit rating may affect its value and, thus, impact the value of
fund shares.
PAGE
Templeton Global Smaller Companies Fund, Inc. 7
YEAR 2000 When evaluating current and potential portfolio positions, Year 2000
is one of the factors the fund's manager considers.
The manager will rely upon public filings and other statements made by companies
about their Year 2000 readiness. Issuers in countries outside the U.S.,
particularly in emerging markets, may not be required to make the same level of
disclosure about Year 2000 readiness as is required in the U.S. The manager, of
course, cannot audit any company and its major suppliers to verify their Year
2000 readiness.
If a company in which the fund is invested is adversely affected by Year 2000
problems, it is likely that the price of its security will also be adversely
affected. A decrease in the value of one or more of the fund's portfolio
holdings will have a similar impact on the price of the fund's shares. Please
see page 12 for more information.
More detailed information about the fund, its policies and risks can be found in
the fund's Statement of Additional Information (SAI).
PAGE
8
PERFORMANCE
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[BEAR AND BULL GRAPHIC]
This bar chart and table show the volatility of the fund's returns, which is one
indicator of the risks of investing in the fund. The bar chart shows changes in
the fund's returns from year to year over the past 10 calendar years. The table
shows how the fund's average annual total returns compare to those of a
broad-based securities market index. Of course, past performance cannot predict
or guarantee future results.
CLASS A ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS(1)
YEAR TOTAL RETURN
----------------
88 28.81% Best
89 17.85% Quarter:
90 -15.67% Q1 '91
91 39.52% 24.21%
92 3.69%
93 31.85% Worst
94 -4.59% Quarter:
95 17.65% Q3 '90
96 22.09% -21.33%
97 7.06% -----------------
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
For the periods ended December 31, 1997
1 Year 5 Years 10 Years
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Templeton Global Smaller
Companies Fund - Class A(2) 0.91% 12.78% 12.94%
MSCI World Index(3) 16.23% 15.88% 11.14%
Since
Inception
1 Year (5/1/95)
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Templeton Global Smaller
Companies Fund - Class C(2) 4.34% 13.77%
MSCI World Index(3) 16.23% 15.89%
(1). Figures do not reflect sales charges. If they did, returns would be lower.
As of September 30, 1998, the fund's year-to-date return was -17.41% for
Class A.
(2). Figures reflect sales charges.
All fund performance assumes reinvestment of dividends and capital gains.
On January 1, 1993, Class A implemented a Rule 12b-1 plan, which affects
subsequent performance.
(3). Source: Standard & Poor's(R) Micropal. The unmanaged MSCI World Index
tracks the performance of approximately 1,500 securities in 23 countries
and is designed to measure world stock market performance. It includes
reinvested dividends. One cannot invest directly in an index, nor is an
index representative of the fund's portfolio.
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Templeton Global Smaller Companies Fund, Inc. 9
FEES AND EXPENSES
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[GRAPHIC OF PERCENT SIGN]
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold
shares of the fund. It is based on the fund's expenses for the fiscal year ended
August 31, 1998.
SHAREHOLDER FEES (fees paid directly from your investment)
Class A(1) Class B(2) Class C(1)
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Maximum sales charge (Load) as a
percentage of offering price 5.75% 4.00% 1.99%
Load imposed on purchases 5.75% None 1.00%
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) None(3) 4.00% 0.99%(4)
Exchange fee(5) None None None
Please see "Choosing a Share Class" on page 16 for an explanation of how and
when these sales charges apply.
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (expenses deducted from fund assets)
Class A(1) Class B(2) Class C(1)
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Management fees 0.75% 0.75% 0.75%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees(6) 0.25% 1.00% 1.00%
Other expenses 0.28% 0.28% 0.28%
---------------------------------
Total annual fund operating expenses 1.28%(7) 2.03% 2.03%
=================================
(1). Before January 1, 1999, Class A shares were designated Class I and Class C
shares were designated Class II.
(2). The fund began offering Class B shares on January 1, 1999. Annual fund
operating expenses are based on the expenses for Class A and C for the
fiscal year ended August 31, 1998. The distribution and service (12b-1)
fees are based on the maximum fees allowed under Class B's Rule 12b-1 plan.
(3). A contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) of 1% may apply to purchases of
$1 million or more sold within 12 months (see page 16) and to purchases by
certain retirement plans without an initial sales charge (see page 21).
(4). This is equivalent to a charge of 1% based on net asset value.
(5). There is a $5 fee for each exchange by a market timer (see page 30).
(6). Because of the distribution and service (12b-1) fees, over the long term
you may indirectly pay more than the equivalent of the maximum permitted
initial sales charge.
(7). Class A total annual fund operating expenses differ from the ratio of
expenses to average net assets shown on page 15 due to a timing difference
between the end of the 12b-1 plan year and the fund's fiscal year end.
PAGE
10
EXAMPLE
This example can help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the
cost of investing in other mutual funds.
The example assumes you invest $10,000 for the periods shown and then sell all
of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes your
investment has a 5% return each year and the fund's operating expenses remain
the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these
assumptions your costs would be:
1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years
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Class A $698(1) $958 $1,237 $2,031
Class B
Assuming you sold
your shares at the
end of the period $ 606 $937 $1,293 $2,166(2)
Assuming you stayed
in the fund $ 206 $637 $1,093 $2,166(2)
Class C $ 402{3} $730 $1,182 $2,435
1. Assumes a contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) will not apply.
2. Assumes conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares after eight years,
lowering your annual expenses from that time on.
3. For the same Class C investment, your costs would be $304 if you did not
sell your shares at the end of the first year. Your costs for the remaining
periods would be the same.
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Templeton Global Smaller Companies Fund, Inc. 11
MANAGEMENT
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[GRAPHIC OF SUITCASE]
Templeton Investment Counsel, Inc. (Investment Counsel), Broward Financial
Centre, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33394-3091, is the fund's investment manager.
Together, Investment Counsel and its affiliates manage over $216 billion in
assets.
The fund's lead portfolio manager is:
PETER A. NORI, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF INVESTMENT COUNSEL
Mr. Nori has been a manager of the fund since 1997. He joined the Franklin
Templeton Group in 1988.
The following individuals have secondary portfolio management responsibilities:
SIMON RUDOLPH, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF INVESTMENT COUNSEL
Mr. Rudolph has been a manager of the fund since 1997. He joined the Franklin
Templeton Group in 1997.
JUAN J. BENITO, VICE PRESIDENT OF INVESTMENT COUNSEL
Mr. Benito has been a manager of the fund since 1997. He joined the Franklin
Templeton Group in 1996.
The fund pays the manager a fee for managing the fund's assets and making its
investment decisions. For the fiscal year ended August 31, 1998, the fund paid
0.75% of its average daily net assets to the manager.
PAGE
12
YEAR 2000 PROBLEM The fund's business operations depend on a worldwide network
of computer systems that contain date fields, including securities trading
systems, securities transfer agent operations and stock market links. Many of
the systems currently use a two digit date field to represent the date, and
unless these systems are changed or modified, they may not be able to
distinguish the Year 1900 from the Year 2000 (commonly referred to as the Year
2000 problem). In addition, the fact that the Year 2000 is a non-standard leap
year may create difficulties for some systems.
When the Year 2000 arrives, the fund's operations could be adversely affected if
the computer systems used by the manager, its service providers and other third
parties it does business with are not Year 2000 ready. For example, the fund's
portfolio and operational areas could be impacted, including securities trade
processing, interest and dividend payments, securities pricing, shareholder
account services, reporting, custody functions and others. The fund could
experience difficulties in effecting transactions if any of its foreign
subcustodians, or if foreign broker-dealers or foreign markets are not ready for
Year 2000.
The fund's manager and its affiliated service providers are making a concerted
effort to take steps they believe are reasonably designed to address their Year
2000 problems. Of course, the fund's ability to reduce the effects of the Year
2000 problem is also very much dependent upon the efforts of third parties over
which the fund and its manager may have no control.
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Templeton Global Smaller Companies Fund, Inc. 13
DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
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[GRAPHIC OF MONEY]
INCOME AND CAPITAL GAINS DISTRIBUTIONS The fund intends to pay a dividend at
least annually representing substantially all of its net investment income and
any net realized capital gains. The amount of this distribution will vary and
there is no guarantee the fund will pay dividends.
To receive a distribution, you must be a shareholder on the record date. The
record date for the fund's distributions will vary. Please keep in mind that if
you invest in the fund shortly before the record date of a distribution, any
distribution will lower the value of the fund's shares by the amount of the
distribution and you will receive some of your investment back in the form of a
taxable distribution. If you would like information on upcoming record dates for
the fund's distributions, please call 1-800/DIAL BEN.
TAX CONSIDERATIONS In general, fund distributions are taxable to you as either
ordinary income or capital gains. This is true whether you reinvest your
distributions in additional shares of the fund or receive them in cash. Any
capital gains the fund distributes are taxable to you as long-term capital gains
no matter how long you have owned your shares.
Backup Withholding
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By law, the fund must withhold 31% of your taxable distributions and proceeds if
you do not provide your correct taxpayer identification number (TIN) or certify
that your TIN is correct, or if the IRS instructs the fund to do so.
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Every January, you will receive a statement that shows the tax status of
distributions you received for the previous year. Distributions declared in
December but paid in January are taxable as if they were paid in December.
PAGE
14
When you sell your shares, you may have a capital gain or loss. For tax
purposes, an exchange of your fund shares for shares of a different Franklin
Templeton Fund is the same as a sale. The individual tax rate on any gain from
the sale or exchange of your shares depends on how long you have held your
shares.
Fund distributions and gains from the sale or exchange of your shares will
generally be subject to state and local income tax. Any foreign taxes the fund
pays on its investments may be passed through to you as a foreign tax credit.
Non-U.S. investors may be subject to U.S. withholding and estate tax. You should
consult your tax advisor about federal, state, local or foreign tax consequences
of your investment in the fund.
PAGE
Templeton Global Smaller Companies Fund, Inc. 15
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
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[Graphic of Money]
This table presents the fund's financial performance for the past five years.
This information has been audited by McGladrey & Pullen, LLP.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CLASS A YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31,
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996 1995(1) 1994
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
PER SHARE DATA ($)
Net asset value, beginning of year 9.53 8.55 8.77 8.24 7.44
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net investment income .16 .13 .16 .11 .09
Net realized and
unrealized gains (losses) (2.07) 1.77 .72 .62 .81
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total from investment operations 1.91 1.90 .88 .73 .90
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividends from net
investment income (.13) (.13) (.12) (.11) (.07)
Distributions from net
realized gains (.59) (.79) (.98) (.09) (.03)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total distributions (.72) (.92) (1.10) (.20) (.10)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value, end of year 6.90 9.53 8.55 8.77 8.24
===============================================================================
Total return (%)(2) (21.64) 24.20 11.69 9.20 12.22
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net assets, end of year ($ x 1,000) 1,275,313 1,881,547 1,554,214 1,447,155 1,409,494
Ratios to average net assets: (%)
Expenses 1.27 1.30 1.27 1.36 1.36
Net investment income 1.69 1.43 1.93 1.32 1.17
Portfolio turnover rate (%) 23.52 25.60 32.71 18.79 28.06
CLASS C
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PER SHARE DATA ($)
Net asset value, beginning of year 9.42 8.47 8.75 7.87
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net investment income .08 .07 .13 --
Net realized and
unrealized gains (losses) (2.05) 1.75 .67 .88
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total from investment operations (1.97) 1.82 .80 .88
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dividends from net
investment income (.08) (.08) (.10) --
Distributions from net
realized gains (.59) (.79) (.98) --
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total distributions (.67) (.87) (1.08) --
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net asset value, end of year 6.78 9.42 8.47 8.75
===============================================================================
Total return (%)(2) (22.44) 23.42 10.74 11.18
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net assets, end of year ($ x 1,000) 38,287 43,071 15,483 2,569
Ratios to average net assets: (%)
Expenses 2.03 2.05 2.07 2.11(3)
Net investment income .96 .75 1.23 .16(3)
Portfolio turnover rate (%) 23.52 25.60 32.71 18.79
</TABLE>
(1). Figures for Class C are for the period May 1, 1995 (effective date) through
August 31, 1995.
(2). Total return does not include sales charges, and is not annualized.
(3). Annualized.
PAGE
16
YOUR ACCOUNT
CHOOSING A SHARE CLASS
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[Graphic of Pencil & Paper]
Each class has its own sales charge and expense structure, allowing you to
choose the class that best meets your situation. Your investment representative
can help you decide.
CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- - Initial sales charge - No initial sales charge - Initial sales charge
of 5.75% or less of 1%
- Deferred sales charge of - Deferred sales charge
- - Deferred sales charge 4% or less on shares you of 1% on shares you sell
of 1% on purchases of sell within six years within 18 months
$1 million or more
sold within 12 months - Higher annual expenses - Higher annual expenses
than Class A (same as than Class A (same as
- - Lower annual expenses Class C) due to higher Class B) due to higher
than Class B or C due distribution fees. distribution fees. No
to lower distribution Automatic conversion to conversion to Class A
fees Class A shares after shares, so annual
eight years, reducing expenses do not
future annual expenses. decrease.
Before January 1, 1999, Class A shares were designated Class I and Class C
shares were designated Class II.
The fund began offering Class B shares on January 1, 1999.
SALES CHARGES - CLASS A
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THE SALES CHARGE MAKES UP WHICH EQUALS THIS %
WHEN YOU INVEST THIS AMOUNT THIS % OF THE OFFERING PRICE OF YOUR NET INVESTMENT
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Under $50,000 5.75 6.10
$50,000 but under $100,000 4.50 4.71
$100,000 but under $250,000 3.50 3.63
$250,000 but under $500,000 2.50 2.56
$500,000 but under $1 million 2.00 2.04
</TABLE>
INVESTMENTS OF $1 MILLION OR MORE If you invest $1 million or more, either as a
lump sum or through our cumulative quantity discount or letter of intent
programs (see page 19), you can buy Class A shares without an initial sales
charge. However, there is a 1% contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) on any
shares you sell within 12 months of purchase. The way we calculate the CDSC is
the same for each class (please see page 18).
DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE (12b-1) FEES Class A has a distribution plan, sometimes
known as a Rule 12b-1 plan, that allows the fund to pay distribution fees of up
to 0.25% per year to those who sell and
PAGE
Templeton Global Smaller Companies Fund, Inc. 17
distribute Class A shares and provide other services to shareholders. Because
these fees are paid out of Class A's assets on an on-going basis, over time
these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than
paying other types of sales charges.
SALES CHARGES - CLASS B
if you sell your shares within this % is deducted from
this many years after buying them your proceeds as a cdsc
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Year 4
2 Years 4
3 Years 3
4 Years 3
5 Years 2
6 Years 1
7 Years 0
With Class B shares, there is no initial sales charge. However, there is a CDSC
if you sell your shares within six years, as described in the table above. The
way we calculate the CDSC is the same for each class (please see page 18). After
8 years, your Class B shares automatically convert to Class A shares, lowering
your annual expenses from that time on.
MAXIMUM PURCHASE AMOUNT The maximum amount you may invest in Class B shares at
one time is $249,999. We invest any investment of $250,000 or more in Class A
shares, since a reduced initial sales charge is available and Class A's annual
expenses are lower.
RETIREMENT PLANS Class B shares are not available to all retirement plans. Class
B shares are only available to IRAs (of any type), Franklin Templeton Trust
Company 403(b) plans, and Franklin Templeton Trust Company qualified plans with
participant or earmarked accounts.
DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE (12b-1) FEES Class B has a distribution plan, sometimes
known as a Rule 12b-1 plan, that allows the fund to pay distribution and other
fees of up to 1% per year for the sale of Class B shares and for services
provided to shareholders. Because these fees are paid out of Class B's assets on
an on-going basis, over time these fees will increase the cost of your
investment and may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges.
PAGE
18
SALES CHARGES - CLASS C
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
the sales charge makes up which equals this %
when you invest this amount this % of the offering price of your net investment
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Under $1 million 1.00 1.01
</TABLE>
We invest any investment of $1 million or more in Class A shares, since there is
no initial sales charge and Class A's annual expenses are lower.
CDSC There is a 1% contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) on any Class C
shares you sell within 18 months of purchase. The way we calculate the CDSC is
the same for each class (please see below).
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The HOLDING PERIOD FOR THE CDSC begins on the day you buy your shares. Your
shares will age one month on that same date the next month and each following
month.
For example, if you buy shares on the 18th of the month, they will age one month
on the 18th day of the next month and each following month.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE (12b-1) FEES Class C has a distribution plan, sometimes
known as a Rule 12b-1 plan, that allows the fund to pay distribution and other
fees of up to 1% per year for the sale of Class C shares and for services
provided to shareholders. Because these fees are paid out of Class C's assets on
an on-going basis, over time these fees will increase the cost of your
investment and may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges.
CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE (CDSC) - CLASS A, B & C The CDSC for each class
is based on the current value of the shares being sold or their net asset value
when purchased, whichever is less. There is no CDSC on shares you acquire by
reinvesting your dividends.
To keep your CDSC as low as possible, each time you place a request to sell
shares we will first sell any shares in your account that are not subject to a
CDSC. If there are not enough of these to meet your request, we will sell the
shares in the order they were purchased. We will use this same method if you
exchange your shares into another Franklin Templeton Fund (please see page 25
for exchange information).
SALES CHARGE REDUCTIONS AND WAIVERS If you qualify for any of the sales charge
reductions or waivers below, please let us know at the time you make your
investment to help ensure you receive the lower sales charge.
PAGE
Templeton Global Smaller Companies Fund, Inc. 19
QUANTITY DISCOUNTS We offer several ways for you to combine your purchases in
the Franklin Templeton Funds to take advantage of the lower sales charges for
large purchases of Class A shares.
- Cumulative Quantity Discount - lets you combine all of your shares in
the Franklin Templeton Funds for purposes of calculating the sales
charge. You may also combine the shares of your spouse, and your
children or grandchildren, if they are under the age of 21. Certain
company and retirement plan accounts may also be included.
- Letter of Intent (LOI) - expresses your intent to buy a stated dollar
amount of shares over a 13-month period and lets you receive the same
sales charge as if all shares had been purchased at one time. We will
reserve a portion of your shares to cover any additional sales charge
that may apply if you do not buy the amount stated in your LOI.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The FRANKLIN TEMPLETON FUNDS include all of the Franklin Templeton U.S.
registered mutual funds, except Franklin Valuemark Funds, Templeton Capital
Accumulator Fund, Inc., and Templeton Variable Products Series Fund.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To sign up for these programs, complete the appropriate section of your
account application.
REINSTATEMENT PRIVILEGE If you sell shares of a Franklin Templeton Fund, you may
reinvest some or all of the proceeds within 365 days without an initial sales
charge. The proceeds must be reinvested within the same share class, except
proceeds from the sale of Class B shares will be reinvested in Class A shares.
If you paid a CDSC when you sold your Class A or C shares, we will credit your
account with the amount of the CDSC paid but a new CDSC will apply. For Class B
shares reinvested in Class A, a new CDSC will not apply, although your account
will not be credited with the amount of any CDSC paid when you sold your Class B
shares.
Proceeds immediately placed in a Franklin Bank Certificate of Deposit (CD) also
may be reinvested without an initial sales charge if you reinvest them within
365 days from the date the CD matures, including any rollover.
This privilege does not apply to shares you buy and sell under our exchange
program. Shares purchased with the proceeds from a money fund may be subject to
a sales charge.
PAGE
20
WAIVERS FOR INVESTMENTS FROM CERTAIN PAYMENTS Class A shares may be purchased
without an initial sales charge or CDSC by investors who reinvest within 365
days:
- - certain payments received under an annuity contract that offers a Franklin
Templeton insurance fund option
- - distributions from an existing retirement plan invested in the Franklin
Templeton Funds
- - dividend or capital gain distributions from a real estate investment trust
sponsored or advised by Franklin Properties, Inc.
- - redemption proceeds from a repurchase of Franklin Floating Rate Trust shares
held continuously for at least 12 months
- - redemption proceeds from Class A of any Templeton Global Strategy Fund, if you
are a qualified investor. If you paid a CDSC when you sold your shares, we will
credit your account with the amount of the CDSC paid but a new CDSC will apply.
WAIVERS FOR CERTAIN INVESTORS Class A shares also may be purchased without an
initial sales charge or CDSC by various individuals and institutions, including:
- - certain trust companies and bank trust departments investing $1 million or
more in assets over which they have full or shared investment discretion
- - government entities that are prohibited from paying mutual fund sales charges
- - certain unit investment trusts and their holders reinvesting trust
distributions
- - group annuity separate accounts offered to retirement plans
- - employees and other associated persons or entities of Franklin Templeton or of
certain dealers
- - Chilean retirement plans that meet the requirements for retirement plans
described below.
If you think you may be eligible for a sales charge waiver,
call your investment representative or call Shareholder Services
at 1-800/632-2301 for more information.
PAGE
Templeton Global Smaller Companies Fund, Inc. 21
CDSC WAIVERS The CDSC for each class generally will be waived:
- - to pay account fees
- - to make payments through systematic withdrawal plans, up to 1% monthly, 3%
quarterly, 6% semiannually or 12% annually depending on the frequency of your
plan
- - for redemptions by Franklin Templeton Trust Company employee benefit plans or
employee benefit plans serviced by ValuSelect(R) (not applicable to Class B)
- - for IRA distributions due to death or disability or upon periodic
distributions based on life expectancy (for Class B, this applies to all
retirement plan accounts, not only IRAs)
- - to return excess contributions (and earnings, if applicable) from retirement
plan accounts
- - for redemptions following the death of the shareholder or beneficial owner
- - for participant initiated distributions from employee benefit plans or
participant initiated exchanges among investment choices in employee benefit
plans (not applicable to Class B)
RETIREMENT PLANS Certain retirement plans may buy Class A shares without an
initial sales charge. To qualify, the plan must be sponsored by an employer:
- - with at least 100 employees, or
- - with retirement plan assets of $1 million or more, or
- - that agrees to invest at least $500,000 in the Franklin Templeton Funds over a
13-month period
A CDSC may apply. Retirement plans other than SIMPLEs, SEPs, or plans that
qualify under section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code also must qualify under
our group investment program to buy Class A shares without an initial sales
charge. Any retirement plan that does not qualify to buy Class A shares without
an initial sales charge and that was a shareholder of the fund on or before
February 1, 1995, may buy Class A shares with a maximum initial sales charge of
4% (as a percentage of the offering price).
For more information, call your investment representative or
Retirement Plan Services at 1-800/527-2020.
PAGE
22
GROUP INVESTMENT PROGRAM Allows established groups of 11 or more investors to
invest as a group. For sales charge purposes, the group's investments are added
together. There are certain other requirements and the group must have a purpose
other than buying fund shares at a discount.
BUYING SHARES
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Graphic Pen on Paper]
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MINIMUM INVESTMENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INITIAL ADDITIONAL
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Regular accounts $1,000 $50
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UGMA/UTMA accounts $100 $50
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Retirement accounts
(other than IRAs, IRA rollovers, Education IRAs or Roth IRAs) no minimum no minimum
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IRAs, IRA rollovers, Education IRAs or Roth IRAs $250 $50
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Broker-dealer sponsored wrap account programs $250 $50
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Full-time employees, officers, trustees and directors of
Franklin Templeton entities, and their immediate family members $100 $50
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
PAGE
Templeton Global Smaller Companies Fund, Inc. 23
ACCOUNT APPLICATION If you are opening a new account, please complete and sign
the enclosed account application. Make sure you indicate the share class you
have chosen. If you do not indicate a class, we will invest your purchase in
Class A shares. To save time, you can sign up now for services you may want on
your account by completing the appropriate sections of the application (see the
next page).
Buying shares
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OPENING AN ACCOUNT ADDING TO AN ACCOUNT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Graphic Shaking
Hands]
THROUGH YOUR Contact your investment Contact your investment
INVESTMENT representative. representative.
REPRESENTATIVE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Graphic Envelope]
BY MAIL Make your check payable Make your check payable to
to Templeton Global Templeton Global Smaller
Smaller Companies Fund, Companies Fund, Inc. Include
Inc. your account number on the
check.
Mail the check and your
signed application to Fill out the deposit slip
Investor Services. from your account statement.
If you do not have a slip,
include a note with your
name, the fund name, and
your account number.
Mail the check and deposit
slip or note to Investor
Services.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Graphic Lightning]
BY WIRE Call to receive a wire Call to receive a wire
control number and wire control number and wire
1-800/632-2301 instructions. instructions.
(or 1-650/312-2000
collect) Mail your signed application To make a same day wire
to Investor Services. Please investment, please call us
include the wire control by 1:00 p.m. pacific time and
number or your new account make sure your wire arrives
number on the application. by 3:00 p.m.
To make a same day wire
investment, please call us
by 1:00 p.m. pacific time
and make sure your wire
arrives by 3:00 p.m.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Graphic Arrows]
BY EXCHANGE Call Shareholder Services Call Shareholder Services
at the number below, or at the number below or our
TeleFACTS(R) send signed written automated TeleFACTS system,
1-800/247-1753 instructions. The TeleFACTS or send signed written
(around-the-clock system cannot be used to instructions.
access) open a new account.
(Please see page 25 for
(Please see page 25 for information on exchanges.)
information on exchanges.)
Franklin Templeton Investor Services 100 Fountain Parkway, P.O. Box 33030,
St. Petersburg, FL 33733-8030
Call toll-free: 1-800/632-2301
(Monday through Friday 5:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., pacific time)
PAGE
24
INVESTOR SERVICES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Graphic of Person]
AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT PLAN This plan offers a convenient way for you to invest in
the fund by automatically transferring money from your checking or savings
account each month to buy shares. The minimum investment to open an account with
an automatic investment plan is $50 ($25 for an Education IRA). To sign up,
complete the appropriate section of your account application.
DISTRIBUTION OPTIONS You may reinvest distributions you receive from the fund in
an existing account in the same share class* of the fund or another Franklin
Templeton Fund. Initial sales charges and CDSCs will not apply if you reinvest
your distributions within 365 days. You can also have your distributions
deposited in a bank account, or mailed by check. Deposits to a bank account may
be made by electronic funds transfer.
Please indicate on your application the distribution option you have chosen,
otherwise we will reinvest your distributions in the same share class of the
fund.
*Class B and C shareholders may reinvest their distributions in Class A shares
of any Franklin Templeton money fund.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For Franklin Templeton Trust Company retirement plans, special forms may be
needed to receive distributions in cash. Please call 1-800/527-2020 for
information.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RETIREMENT PLANS Franklin Templeton offers a variety of retirement plans for
individuals and businesses. These plans require separate applications and their
policies and procedures may be different than those described in this
prospectus. For more information, including a free retirement plan brochure or
application, please call Retirement Plan Services at 1-800/527-2020.
TeleFACTS(R) Our TeleFACTS system offers around-the-clock access to information
about your account or any Franklin Templeton Fund. This service is available
from touch-tone phones at 1-800/247-1753. For a free TeleFACTS brochure, call
1-800/DIAL BEN.
PAGE
Templeton Global Smaller Companies Fund, Inc. 25
TELEPHONE PRIVILEGES You will automatically receive telephone privileges when
you open your account, allowing you and your investment representative to sell
or exchange your shares and make certain other changes to your account by phone.
For accounts with more than one registered owner, telephone privileges also
allow the fund to accept written instructions signed by only one owner for
transactions and account changes that could otherwise be made by phone. For all
other transactions and changes, all registered owners must sign the
instructions.
As long as we take certain measures to verify telephone requests, we will not be
responsible for any losses that may occur from unauthorized requests. Of course,
you can decline telephone exchange or redemption privileges on your account
application.
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE You can exchange shares between most Franklin Templeton Funds
within the same class*, generally without paying any additional sales charges.
If you exchange shares held for less than six months, however, you may be
charged the difference between the initial sales charge of the two funds if the
difference is more than 0.25%. If you exchange shares from a money fund, a sales
charge may apply no matter how long you have held the shares.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
An EXCHANGE is really two transactions: a sale of one fund and the purchase of
another. In general, the same policies that apply to purchases and sales apply
to exchanges. Exchanges also have the same tax consequences as ordinary sales
and purchases.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Generally exchanges may only be made between identically registered accounts,
unless you send written instructions with a signature guarantee. Any CDSC will
continue to be calculated from the date of your initial investment and will not
be charged at the time of the exchange. The purchase price for determining a
CDSC on exchanged shares will be the price you paid for the original shares. If
you exchange shares subject to a CDSC into a Class A money fund, the time your
shares are held in the money fund will not count towards the CDSC holding
period.
*Certain Class Z shareholders of Franklin Mutual Series Fund Inc. may exchange
into Class A without any sales charge.
PAGE
26
If you exchange your Class B shares for the same class of shares of another
Franklin Templeton Fund, the time your shares are held in that fund will count
towards the eight year period for automatic conversion to Class A shares.
Frequent exchanges can interfere with fund management or operations and drive up
costs for all shareholders. To protect shareholders, there are limits on the
number and amount of exchanges you may make (please see "Market Timers" on page
30).
SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN This plan allows you to automatically sell your
shares and receive regular payments from your account. A CDSC may apply to
withdrawals that exceed certain amounts. Certain terms and minimums apply. To
sign up, complete the appropriate section of your application.
PAGE
Templeton Global Smaller Companies Fund, Inc. 27
SELLING SHARES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[GRAPHIC OF A CERTIFICATE]
You can sell your shares at any time.
SELLING SHARES IN WRITING Requests to sell $100,000 or less can generally be
made over the phone or with a simple letter. Sometimes, however, to protect you
and the fund we will need written instructions signed by all registered owners,
with a signature guarantee for each owner, if:
- - you are selling more than $100,000 worth of shares
- - you want your proceeds paid to someone who is not a registered owner
- - you want to send your proceeds somewhere other than the address of record,
or preauthorized bank or brokerage firm account
- - you have changed the address on your account by phone within the last 15
days
We may also require a signature guarantee on instructions we receive from an
agent, not the registered owners, or when we believe it would protect the fund
against potential claims based on the instructions received.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A SIGNATURE GUARANTEE helps protect your account against fraud. You can obtain a
signature guarantee at most banks and securities dealers.
A notary public CANNOT provide a signature guarantee.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SELLING RECENTLY PURCHASED SHARES If you sell shares recently purchased with a
check or draft, we may delay sending you the proceeds until your check or draft
has cleared, which may take seven business days or more. A certified or
cashier's check may clear in less time.
REDEMPTION PROCEEDS Your redemption check will be sent within seven days after
we receive your request in proper form. We are not able to receive or pay out
cash in the form of currency. Redemption proceeds may be delayed if we have not
yet received your signed account application.
RETIREMENT PLANS Before you can sell shares in a Franklin Templeton Trust
Company retirement plan, you may need to complete additional forms. For
participants under age 59-1/2, tax penalties may apply. Call Retirement Plan
Services at 1-800/527-2020 for details.
PAGE
28
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SELLING SHARES
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TO SELL SOME OR ALL OF YOUR SHARES
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
[GRAPHIC OF HANDSHAKE]
THROUGH YOUR INVESTMENT Contact your investment representative.
REPRESENTATIVE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[GRAPHIC OF ENVELOPE] Send written instructions and endorsed share certificates (if you hold
share certificates) to Investor Services. Corporate, partnership or
BY MAIL trust accounts may need to send additional documents.
Specify the fund, the account number and the dollar value or number of
shares you wish to sell. If you own both Class A and B shares, also
specify the class of shares, otherwise we will sell your Class A
shares first. Be sure to include all necessary signatures and any
additional documents, as well as signature guarantees if required.
A check will be mailed to the name(s) and address on the account, or
otherwise according to your written instructions.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[GRAPHIC OF TELEPHONE]
BY PHONE As long as your transaction is for $100,000 or less, you do not hold
share certificates and you have not changed your address by phone
1-800/632-2301 within the last 15 days, you can sell your shares by phone.
A check will be mailed to the name(s) and address on the account.
Written instructions, with a signature guarantee, are required to send
the check to another address or to make it payable to another person.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[GRAPHIC OF WIRE]
BY WIRE You can call or write to have redemption proceeds of $1,000 or more
wired to a bank or escrow account. See the policies above for selling
shares by mail or phone.
Before requesting a wire, please make sure we have your bank account
information on file. If we do not have this information, you will need
to send written instructions with your bank's name and address, your
bank account number, the ABA routing number, and a signature
guarantee.
Requests received in proper form by 1:00 p.m. pacific time will be
wired the next business day.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[GRAPHIC OF ARROWS]
BY EXCHANGE Obtain a current prospectus for the fund you are considering.
TeleFACTS(R) Call Shareholder Services at the number below or our automated
1-800/247-1753 TeleFACTS system, or send signed written instructions. See the
(around-the-clock access) policies above for selling shares by mail or phone.
If you hold share certificates, you will need to return them to the
fund before your exchange can be processed.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
Franklin Templeton Investor Services 100 Fountain Parkway, P.O. Box 33030,
St. Petersburg, FL 33733-8030
Call toll-free: 1-800/632-2301
(Monday through Friday 5:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., pacific time)
PAGE
Templeton Global Smaller Companies Fund, Inc. 29
ACCOUNT POLICIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[GRAPHIC OF PEN AND PAPER]
CALCULATING SHARE PRICE The fund calculates the net asset value per share (NAV)
each business day at the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange
(normally 1:00 p.m. pacific time). Each class's NAV is calculated by dividing
its net assets by the number of its shares outstanding.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When you buy shares, you pay the offering price. The offering price is the NAV
plus any applicable sales charge.
When you sell shares, you receive the NAV minus any applicable contingent
deferred sales charge (CDSC).
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The fund's assets are generally valued at their market value. If market prices
are unavailable, or if an event occurs after the close of the trading market
that materially affects the values, assets may be valued at their fair value. If
the fund holds securities listed primarily on a foreign exchange that trades on
days when the fund is not open for business, the value of your shares may change
on days that you cannot buy or sell shares.
Requests to buy and sell shares are processed at the NAV next calculated after
we receive your request in proper form.
ACCOUNTS WITH LOW BALANCES If the value of your account falls below $250 ($50
for employee and UGMA/UTMA accounts) because you sell some of your shares, we
may mail you a notice asking you to bring the account back up to its applicable
minimum investment amount. If you choose not to do so within 30 days, we may
close your account and mail the proceeds to the address of record. You will not
be charged a CDSC if your account is closed for this reason.
STATEMENTS AND REPORTS You will receive confirmations and account statements
that show your account transactions. You will also receive the fund's financial
reports every six months. To reduce fund expenses, we try to identify related
shareholders in a household and send only one copy of the financial reports. If
you need additional copies, please call 1-800/DIAL BEN.
PAGE
30
If there is a dealer or other investment representative of record on your
account, he or she will also receive confirmations, account statements and other
information about your account directly from the fund.
STREET OR NOMINEE ACCOUNTS You may transfer your shares from the street or
nominee name account of one dealer to another, as long as both dealers have an
agreement with Franklin Templeton Distributors, Inc. We will process the
transfer after we receive authorization in proper form from your delivering
securities dealer.
JOINT ACCOUNTS Unless you specify a different registration, accounts with two or
more owners are registered as "joint tenants with rights of survivorship" (shown
as "Jt Ten" on your account statement). To make any ownership changes to a joint
account, all owners must agree in writing, regardless of the law in your state.
MARKET TIMERS The fund may restrict or refuse exchanges by market timers. If
accepted, each exchange by a market timer will be charged $5. You will be
considered a market timer if you have (i) requested an exchange out of the fund
within two weeks of an earlier exchange request, or (ii) exchanged shares out of
the fund more than twice in a calendar quarter, or (iii) exchanged shares equal
to at least $5 million, or more than 1% of the fund's net assets, or (iv)
otherwise made large or frequent exchanges. Shares under common ownership or
control are combined for these limits.
ADDITIONAL POLICIES Please note that the fund maintains additional policies and
reserves certain rights, including:
- - The fund may refuse any order to buy shares, including any purchase under
the exchange privilege.
- - At any time, the fund may change its investment minimums or waive or lower
its minimums for certain purchases.
- - The fund may modify or discontinue the exchange privilege on 60 days'
notice.
- - You may only buy shares of a fund eligible for sale in your state or
jurisdiction.
- - In unusual circumstances, we may temporarily suspend redemptions, or
postpone the payment of proceeds, as allowed by federal securities laws.
PAGE
Templeton Global Smaller Companies Fund, Inc. 31
- - For redemptions over a certain amount, the fund reserves the right to make
payments in securities or other assets of the fund, in the case of an
emergency or if the payment by check would be harmful to existing
shareholders.
- - To permit investors to obtain the current price, dealers are responsible
for transmitting all orders to the fund promptly.
DEALER COMPENSATION Qualifying dealers who sell fund shares may receive sales
commissions and other payments. These are paid by Franklin Templeton
Distributors, Inc. (Distributors) from sales charges, distribution and service
(12b-1) fees and its other resources.
Class A Class B Class C
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMMISSION (%) -- 4.00 2.00
Investment under $50,000 5.00 -- --
$50,000 but under $100,000 3.75 -- --
$100,000 but under $250,000 2.80 -- --
$250,000 but under $500,000 2.00 -- --
$500,000 but under $1 million 1.60 -- --
$1 million or more up to 1.00(1) -- --
12b-1 FEE TO DEALER 0.25 0.25(2 1.00(3)
A dealer commission of up to 1% may be paid on Class A NAV purchases by certain
retirement plans(1) and up to 0.25% on Class A NAV purchases by certain trust
companies and bank trust departments, eligible governmental authorities, and
broker-dealers or others on behalf of clients participating in comprehensive fee
programs. For certain retirement plans that do not qualify to buy Class A shares
at NAV but that qualify to buy Class A shares with a maximum initial sales
charge of 4%, a dealer commission of 3.2% may be paid.
(1). During the first year after purchase, dealers may not be eligible to
receive the 12b-1 fee.
(2). Dealers may be eligible to receive up to 0.25% from the date of purchase.
After 8 years, Class B shares convert to Class A shares and dealers may
then receive the 12b-1 fee applicable to Class A.
(3). Dealers may be eligible to receive up to 0.25% during the first year after
purchase and may be eligible to receive the full 12b-1 fee starting in the
13th month.
PAGE
32
QUESTIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[GRAPHIC OF QUESTION MARK]
If you have any questions about the fund or your account, you can write to us at
100 Fountain Parkway, P.O. Box 33030, St. Petersburg, FL 33733-8030. You can
also call us at one of the following numbers. For your protection and to help
ensure we provide you with quality service, all calls may be monitored or
recorded.
Hours (pacific time,
Department Name Telephone Number Monday through Friday)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholder Services 1-800/632-2301 5:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Fund Information 1-800/DIAL BEN 5:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
(1-800/342-5236) 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (Saturday)
Retirement Plan Services 1-800/527-2020 5:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Dealer Services 1-800/524-4040 5:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Institutional Services 1-800/321-8563 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
TDD (hearing impaired) 1-800/851-0637 5:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
PAGE
Templeton Global Smaller Companies Fund, Inc. 33
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PAGE
34
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PAGE
Templeton Global Smaller Companies Fund, Inc. 35
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PAGE
36
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PAGE
FRANKLIN TEMPLETON LITERATURE REQUEST
Call 1-800/DIAL BEN(R) (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, sales charges and expenses, and should
be read carefully before investing or sending money.
GLOBAL GROWTH
Franklin Global Health Care Fund
Mutual Discovery Fund
Templeton Developing
Markets Trust
Templeton Foreign Fund
Templeton Foreign Smaller
Companies 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
GLOBAL GROWTH
AND INCOME
Franklin Global Utilities Fund
Mutual European Fund
Templeton Global Bond Fund
Templeton Growth and
Income Fund
GLOBAL INCOME
Franklin Global Government
Income Fund
Franklin Templeton Global
Currency Fund
Franklin Templeton Hard
Currency Fund
Templeton Americas
Government Securities Fund
GROWTH
Franklin Biotechnology
Discovery Fund
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
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 Utilities Fund
Franklin Value Fund
Mutual Beacon Fund
Mutual Financial Services Fund
Mutual Qualified Fund
Mutual Shares Fund
FUND ALLOCATOR SERIES
Franklin Templeton Conservative Target Fund
Franklin Templeton Moderate Target Fund
Franklin Templeton Growth Target Fund
INCOME
Franklin Adjustable Rate Securities Fund
Franklin Adjustable U.S. Government Securities Fund
Franklin's AGE High Income Fund
Franklin Bond Fund
Franklin Floating Rate Trust
Franklin Investment Grade Income Fund
Franklin Short-Intermediate U.S. Government Securities Fund
Franklin Strategic Income Fund
Franklin U.S. Government Securities Fund
Franklin Money Fund
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
STATE-SPECIFIC 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(R)
Franklin Templeton Valuemark Income Plus (an immediate annuity)
* These funds are now closed to new accounts, with the exception of
retirement plan accounts.
** 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.
++ Franklin Valuemark and Franklin Templeton Valuemark Income Plus are issued
by Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America or by its wholly owned
subsidiary, Preferred Life Insurance Company of New York, and distributed
by NALAC Financial Plans, LLC. The Franklin Valuemark Funds are managed by
Franklin Advisers, Inc. and its Templeton and Franklin affiliates.
12/98
PAGE
FOR MORE INFORMATION
You can learn more about the fund in the following documents:
ANNUAL/SEMIANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS
Includes a discussion of recent market conditions and fund strategies, financial
statements, detailed performance information, portfolio holdings, and the
auditor's report.
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (SAI)
Contains more information about the fund, its investments and policies. It is
incorporated by reference (is legally a part of this prospectus).
For a free copy of the current annual/semiannual report or the SAI, please
contact your investment representative or call us at the number below.
FRANKLIN(R)TEMPLETON(R)
1-800/DIAL BEN(R) (1-800/342-5236)
TDD (Hearing Impaired) 1-800/851-0637
www.franklin-templeton.com
You can also obtain information about the fund by visiting the SEC's Public
Reference Room in Washington D.C. (phone 1-800/SEC-0330) or by sending your
request and a duplicating fee to the SEC's Public Reference Section, Washington,
DC 20549-6009. You can also visit the SEC's Internet site at http://www.sec.gov.
Investment Company Act file #811-3143
103 P 01/99
