Prospectus
Templeton
Global
Bond Fund
Templeton Income Trust
Advisor Class
INVESTMENT STRATEGY
GLOBAL GROWTH & INCOME
JANUARY 1, 2000
[LOGO (R)]
FRANKLIN (R) TEMPLETON (R)
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.
CONTENTS
THE FUND
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INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE INVESTING
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2 Goal and Strategies
4 Main Risks
8 Performance
9 Fees and Expenses
10 Management
11 Distributions and Taxes
12 Financial Highlights
YOUR ACCOUNT
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INFORMATION ABOUT QUALIFIED INVESTORS, ACCOUNT TRANSACTIONS AND SERVICES
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13 Qualified Investors
15 Buying Shares
16 Investor Services
18 Selling Shares
20 Account Policies
22 Questions
FOR MORE INFORMATION
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WHERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE FUND
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Back Cover
THE FUND
GOAL AND STRATEGIES
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GOAL The fund's investment goal is current income with capital appreciation and
growth of income.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENTS Under normal market conditions, the fund invests primarily
in the debt securities of companies, governments and government agencies located
anywhere in the world. At least 65% of its total assets will be invested in
issuers located in at least three countries (including the U.S.).
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. While the fund may buy securities rated in any category,
it focuses on "investment grade" debt securities. These are issues rated in the
top four rating categories by independent rating agencies such as Standard &
Poor's Corporation (S&P) or Moody's Investors Services, Inc. (Moody's) or, if
unrated, determined by the fund's manager to be comparable. The fund may invest
up to 25% of its total assets in debt securities that are rated below investment
grade. Generally, lower rated securities pay higher yields than more highly
rated securities to compensate investors for the higher risk.
OTHER STRATEGIES The fund may also invest in equity securities and American,
European and Global Depositary Receipts. Equity securities generally entitle the
holder to participate in a company's general operating results. These include
common stocks and preferred stocks. Depositary receipts are certificates issued
typically by a bank or trust company that give their holders the right to
receive securities issued by a foreign or domestic company.
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The fund invests primarily in debt securities of companies and governments
located around the world.
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PORTFOLIO SELECTION The manager allocates its assets based upon its assessment
of changing market, political and economic conditions. It will consider various
factors, including evaluation of interest and currency exchange rate changes and
credit risks.
TEMPORARY INVESTMENTS The manager may take a temporary defensive position when
it believes the securities trading markets or the economies of countries where
the fund invests 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 substantially less in global debt securities.
MAIN RISKS
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INTEREST RATE When interest rates rise, debt security prices fall. The opposite
is also true: debt security prices rise when interest rates fall. In general,
securities with longer maturities are more sensitive to these price changes.
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Changes in global interest rates affect the prices of the fund's debt
securities. If rates rise, the value of the fund's debt securities will fall and
so too will the fund's share price. This means you could lose money.
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FOREIGN SECURITIES Securities of companies and governments 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.
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 may 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 and 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, political, 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 in the U.S. While
short-term volatility in these markets can be disconcerting, declines of more
than 50% are not unusual. The definition of developing or emerging markets or
countries as used by the fund's manager may differ from the definition of the
same terms as used in managing other Franklin Templeton funds.
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 may affect the value of what the fund
owns and the fund's share price. Generally, 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 a currency by a
country's government or banking authority also will have a significant impact on
the value of any securities denominated in that currency. Currency markets
generally are not as regulated as securities markets.
EURO. On January 1, 1999, the European Monetary Union (EMU) introduced a new
single currency, the euro, which will replace the national currency for
participating member countries.
Because this change to a single currency is new and untested, 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
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.
CREDIT There is the possibility that an issuer will be unable to make interest
payments and repay principal. Changes in an issuer's financial strength or in a
security's credit rating may affect a security's value and, thus, impact fund
performance.
LOWER-RATED SECURITIES. Securities rated below investment grade, sometimes
called "junk bonds," generally have more credit risk than higher-rated
securities.
Companies issuing high yield, fixed-income securities are not as strong
financially as those issuing securities with higher credit ratings. These
companies are more likely to encounter financial difficulties and are more
vulnerable to changes in the economy, such as a recession or a sustained period
of rising interest rates, that could affect their ability to make interest and
principal payments. If an issuer stops making interest and/or principal
payments, payments on the securities may never resume. These securities may be
worthless and the fund could lose its entire investment.
The prices of high yield, fixed-income securities fluctuate more than
higher-quality securities. Prices are especially sensitive to developments
affecting the company's business and to changes in the ratings assigned by
rating agencies. Prices often are closely linked with the company's stock prices
and typically rise and fall in response to factors that affect stock prices. In
addition, the entire high yield securities market can experience sudden and
sharp price swings due to changes in economic conditions, stock market activity,
large sustained sales by major investors, a high-profile default, or other
factors.
High yield securities generally are less liquid than higher-quality securities.
Many of these securities do not trade frequently, and when they do their prices
may be significantly higher or lower than expected. At times, it may be
difficult to sell these securities promptly at an acceptable price, which may
limit the fund's ability to sell securities in response to specific economic
events or to meet redemption requests.
INCOME Since the fund can only distribute what it earns, the fund's
distributions to shareholders may decline when interest rates fall.
DIVERSIFICATION The fund is a non-diversified fund. It may invest a greater
portion of its assets in the securities of one issuer than a diversified fund.
The fund may be more sensitive to economic, business, political or other changes
affecting similar issuers or securities, which may result in greater fluctuation
in the value of the fund's shares. The fund, however, intends to meet certain
tax diversification requirements.
LIQUIDITY The fund may invest up to 10% of its total assets in restricted and
other securities that are not readily marketable. Reduced liquidity may have an
adverse impact on market price and the fund's ability to sell particular
securities when necessary to meet the fund's liquidity needs or in response to a
specific economic event. Reduced liquidity in the secondary market for certain
securities also may make it more difficult for the fund to obtain market
quotations based on actual trades for the purpose of valuing the fund's
portfolio.
YEAR 2000 When evaluating current and potential portfolio positions, Year 2000
is one of the factors the 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 be more susceptible to Year 2000 risks and
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 each
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 securities also will 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 fund's performance. Please see page
10 for more information.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER The manager's attempt to keep the fund's portfolio of debt
securities at an optimum level of interest rate sensitivity, may cause the
fund's portfolio turnover rate to be high. High turnover will increase the
fund's transaction costs and may increase your tax liability.
More detailed information about the fund, its policies (including temporary
investments), risks and bond ratings can be found in the fund's Statement of
Additional Information (SAI).
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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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PERFORMANCE
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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.
ADVISOR CLASS ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS/1/,/2/
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8.54% 9.89% 14.91% 3.12% 10.35% -3.58% 18.21% 11.20% 2.09% 5.68%
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89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
YEAR
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BEST
QUARTER:
Q2' 92
7.23%
WORST
QUARTER:
Q1 `94
- -3.51%
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AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
For the periods ended December 31, 1998
1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS
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Templeton Global Bond Fund - Advisor Class/2/ 5.68% 6.46% 7.87%
Salomon Brothers WGBI Index/3/ 15.31% 7.85% 8.96%
1. As of September 30, 1999, the fund's year-to-date return was -3.98%.
2. Performance figures reflect a "blended" figure combining the following
methods of calculation: (a) For periods before January 1, 1997, a restated
figure is used based on the fund's Class A performance, excluding the effect of
Class A's maximum initial sales charge and including the effect of the Class A
distribution and service (12b-1) fees; and (b) for periods after January 1,
1997, an actual Advisor Class figure is used reflecting a deduction of all
applicable charges and fees for that class. This blended figure assumes
reinvestment of dividends and capital gains.
3. Source: Standard & Poor's(R) Micropal. The unmanaged Salomon Brothers World
Government Bond Index (SB WGBI) tracks the performance of government bond
markets in 18 countries. It includes fixed-rate U.S. and foreign government
bonds with remaining maturities of one year or more. One cannot invest directly
in an index, nor is an index representative of the fund's portfolio.
FEES AND EXPENSES
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This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold
shares of the fund.
SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT)
ADVISOR CLASS
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Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases None
Exchange fee/1/ $5.00
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS)
ADVISOR CLASS
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Management fees 0.50%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees None
Other expenses 0.47%
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Total annual fund operating expenses 0.97%/2/
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1. This fee is only for market timers (see page 21).
2. For the fiscal year ended August 31, 1999, the manager agreed in advance to
waive its fees. With this reduction, management fees were 0.65% and net annual
operating expenses were 0.97%. The manager may end this arrangement at any time
upon notice to the fund's Board of Trustees.
EXAMPLE
This example can help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the
cost of investing in other mutual funds. It assumes:
o You invest $10,000 for the periods shown;
o Your investment has a 5% return each year;
o The fund's operating expenses remain the same; and
o You sell your shares at the end of the periods shown.
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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$99 $309 $536 $1,190
MANAGEMENT
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Templeton Investment Counsel, Inc. (Investment Counsel), 500 East Broward Blvd.,
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33394, through its Templeton Global Bond Managers division
(Global Bond Managers), is the fund's investment manager. A team from Global
Bond managers is responsible for the day-to-day management of the fund.
Together, Templeton Investment Counsel, Inc. and its affiliates manage over $218
billion in assets.
The fund pays Global Bond Managers a fee for managing the fund's assets and
making its investment decisions. For the fiscal year ended August 31, 1999, the
fund paid 0.50% of its average net assets to the manager.
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 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.
DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
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INCOME AND CAPITAL GAINS DISTRIBUTIONS The fund intends to pay a dividend at
least monthly representing its net investment income. Capital gains, if any, may
be distributed annually. The amount of these distributions 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(R).
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 fund shares 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.
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BACKUP WITHHOLDING
By law, the fund must withhold 31% of your taxable distributions and proceeds if
you do not provide your correct social security or taxpayer identification
number, 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.
When you sell your shares of the fund, 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.
Fund distributions and gains from the sale or exchange of your shares generally
will be subject to state and local income tax. Non-U.S. investors may be subject
to U.S. withholding and estate tax. You should consult your tax advisor about
the federal, state, local or foreign tax consequences of your investment in the
fund.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
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This table presents the financial performance for Advisor Class since its
inception. The information for the year ended August 31, 1999 has been audited
by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. The information for the remaining years was
audited by McGladrey & Pullen, LLP, the fund's former auditor.
ADVISOR CLASS YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31,
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1999/3/ 1998 1997/2/
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PER SHARE DATA ($)
Net asset value, beginning of year 9.49 9.82 10.16
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Net investment income .61 .62 .42
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) (.67) (.32) (.34)
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Total from investment operations (.06) .30 .08
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Distributions from net investment income (.57) (.57) (.42)
Distributions from net realized gains (.05) (.06) --
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Total distributions (.62) (.63) (.42)
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Net asset value, end of year 8.81 9.49 9.82
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Total return (%)/1/ (.77) 3.08 .80
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net assets, end of year ($ x 1,000) 1,261 11,330 12,742
Ratios to average net assets: (%)
Expenses .97 .91 .88/4/
Net investment income 6.42 6.38 6.76/4/
Portfolio turnover rate (%) 74.60 75.95 166.69
1. Total return is not annualized.
2. For the period January 2, 1997 (effective date) to August 31, 1997.
3. Based on average weighted shares outstanding.
4. Annualized.
YOUR ACCOUNT
QUALIFIED INVESTORS
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The following investors may qualify to buy Advisor Class shares of the fund.
o Broker-dealers, registered investment advisors or certified financial planners
who have an agreement with Distributors for clients participating in
comprehensive fee programs. Minimum investments: $250,000 initial ($100,000
initial for an individual client) and $50 additional.
o Officers, trustees, directors and full-time employees of Franklin Templeton
and their immediate family members. Minimum investments: $100 initial ($50 for
accounts with an automatic investment plan) and $50 additional.
o Each series of the Franklin Templeton Fund Allocator Series. Minimum
investments: $1,000 initial and $1,000 additional.
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The FRANKLIN TEMPLETON FUNDS include all of the Franklin Templeton U.S.
registered mutual funds, except Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products
Trust, Templeton Capital Accumulator Fund, Inc., and Templeton Variable Products
Series Fund.
[End callout]
o Governments, municipalities, and tax-exempt entities that meet the
requirements for qualification under section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code.
Minimum investments: $1 million initial investment in Advisor Class or Class Z
shares of any of the Franklin Templeton Funds and $50 additional.
o Accounts managed by the Franklin Templeton Group. Minimum investments: No
initial minimum and $50 additional.
o The Franklin Templeton Profit Sharing 401(k) Plan. Minimum investments: No
initial or additional minimums.
o Defined contribution plans such as employer stock, bonus, pension or profit
sharing plans that meet the requirements for qualification under section 401
of the Internal Revenue Code, including salary reduction plans qualified under
section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code, and that are sponsored by an
employer (i) with at least 10,000 employees, or (ii) with retirement plan
assets of $100 million or more. Minimum investments: No initial or additional
minimums.
o Trust companies and bank trust departments initially investing in the Franklin
Templeton Funds 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.
Minimum investments: No initial or additional minimums.
o Individual investors. Minimum investments: $5 million initial and $50
additional. You may combine all of your shares in the Franklin Templeton Funds
for purposes of determining whether you meet the $5 million minimum, as long
as $1 million is in Advisor Class or Class Z shares of any of the Franklin
Templeton Funds.
o Any other investor, including a private investment vehicle such as a family
trust or foundation, who is a member of an established group of 11 or more
investors. Minimum investments: $5 million initial and $50 additional. For
minimum investment purposes, the group's investments are added together. The
group may combine all of its shares in the Franklin Templeton Funds for
purposes of determining whether it meets the $5 million minimum, as long as $1
million is in Advisor Class or Class Z shares of any of the Franklin Templeton
Funds. There are certain other requirements and the group must have a purpose
other than buying fund shares without a sales charge.
Please note that Advisor Class shares of the fund generally are not available to
retirement plans through Franklin Templeton's ValuSelect(R) program. Retirement
plans in the ValuSelect program before January 1, 1998, however, may invest in
the fund's Advisor Class shares.
BUYING SHARES
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ACCOUNT APPLICATION If you are opening a new account, please complete and sign
the enclosed account application. 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).
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
BUYING SHARES
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OPENING AN ACCOUNT ADDING TO AN ACCOUNT
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<S> <C> <C>
[INSERT GRAPHIC OF HANDS
SHAKING]
Contact your investment representative Contact your investment representative
THROUGH YOUR INVESTMENT
REPRESENTATIVE
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Make your check payable to the Templeton Make your check payable to Templeton Global
[INSERT GRAPHIC OF ENVELOPE] Global Bond Fund. Bond Fund. Include your account number on
the check.
BY MAIL Mail the check and your signed
application to Investor Services. Fill out the deposit slip 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 toI nvestor Services.
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[INSERT GRAPHIC OF THREE Call to receive a wire control number Call to receive a wire control number and
LIGHTNING BOLTS] and wire instructions. wire instructions.
Wire the funds and mail your signed To make a same day wire investment,
application to Investor Services. Please please call us by 1:00 p.m. Pacific time
BY WIRE include the wire control number or your and make sure your wire arrives by 3:00
new account number on the application. p.m.
1-800/632-2301
(or 1-650/312-2000 collect) 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.
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[INSERT GRAPHIC OF TWO Call Shareholder Services at the number Call Shareholder Services at the number
ARROWS POINTING IN below or send signed written below, send signed written instructions.
OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS] instructions. (Please see page 17 (Please see page 17 for information on
for information on exchanges.) exchanges.)
BY EXCHANGE
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FRANKLIN TEMPLETON INVESTOR SERVICES
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
SATURDAY 6:30 A.M. TO 2:30 P.M., PACIFIC TIME)
INVESTOR SERVICES
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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. 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 in Advisor Class or
Class A shares of another Franklin Templeton Fund. To reinvest your
distributions in Advisor Class shares of another Franklin Templeton Fund, you
must qualify to buy that fund's Advisor Class shares. For distributions
reinvested in Class A shares of another Franklin Templeton Fund, initial sales
charges and contingent deferred sales charges (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.
[Begin callout]
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.
[End callout]
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.
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.
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. You also may exchange your Advisor Class shares for Class
A shares of a fund that does not currently offer an Advisor Class (without any
sales charge)* or for Class Z shares of Franklin Mutual Series Fund Inc.
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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, including minimum investment amounts. Exchanges also have the same
tax consequences as ordinary sales and purchases.
[End callout]
If you do not qualify to buy Advisor Class shares of Templeton Developing
Markets Trust or Templeton Foreign Fund, you also may exchange your shares for
Class A shares of those funds (without any sales charge)* or for shares of
Templeton Institutional Funds, Inc.
Generally exchanges may only be made between identically registered accounts,
unless you send written instructions with a signature guarantee.
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
21).
*If you exchange into Class A shares and you later decide you would like to
exchange into a fund that offers an Advisor Class, you may exchange your Class A
shares for Advisor Class shares if you otherwise qualify to buy the fund's
Advisor Class shares.
SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN This plan allows you to automatically sell your
shares and receive regular payments from your account. Certain terms and
minimums apply. To sign up, complete the appropriate section of your
application.
SELLING SHARES
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[INSERT GRAPHIC OF A CERTIFICATE]
You can sell your shares at any time.
SELLING SHARES IN WRITING Generally, requests to sell $100,000 or less can 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:
o you are selling more than $100,000 worth of shares
o you want your proceeds paid to someone who is not a registered owner
o you want to send your proceeds somewhere other than the address of record, or
preauthorized bank or brokerage firm account
[Begin callout]
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.
[End callout]
We also may 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.
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 You may need to complete additional forms to sell shares in a
Franklin Templeton Trust Company retirement plan. For participants under age
59 1/2, tax penalties may apply. Call Retirement Plan Services at 1-800/527-2020
for details.
<TABLE>
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SELLING SHARES
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TO SELL SOME OR ALL OF YOUR SHARES
- ----------------------------------- --------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
[INSERT GRAPHIC OF HANDS SHAKING]
THROUGH YOUR INVESTMENT Contact your investment representative
REPRESENTATIVE
- ----------------------------------- --------------------------------------------
[INSERT GRAPHIC OF ENVELOPE] Send written instructions and endorsed share
certificates (if you hold share
certificates) to Investor Services.
Corporate, partnership or trust accounts
BY MAIL may need to send additional documents.
Specify the fund, the account number and the
dollar value or number of shares you wish to
sell. Be sure to include all necessary
signatures and any additional documents, as
well as signature guarantees if required.
A check will be mailed to the name(s) and
address on the account, or otherwise
according to your written instructions.
- ----------------------------------- -------------------------------------------
[INSERT GRAPHIC OF 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
BY PHONE phone within the last 15 days, you can sell
your shares by phone.
1-800/632-2301 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.
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[INSERT GRAPHIC OF THREE
LIGHTNING BOLTS]
BY ELECTRONIC You can call or write to have redemption
FUNDS TRANSFER proceeds sent to a bank account. See the
(ACH) policies above for selling shares by mail
or phone.
Before requesting to have redemption
proceeds sent to bank account, please make
sure we have your bank account information
on file. If we do not have this information,
you will need to send written instructions
with your bank's name and address, a voided
check or saving account deposit slip, and a
signature guarantee if the ownership of the
bank and fund accounts is different.
If we receive your request in proper form
by 1:00 p.m. Pacific time, proceeds sent
by ACH generally will be available within
two to three business days.
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[INSERT GRAPHIC OF TWO ARROWS Obtain a current prospectus for the fund you
POINTING IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS] are considering.
Call Shareholder Services at the number below
or send signed written instructions. See
BY EXCHANGE the 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.
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</TABLE>
FRANKLIN TEMPLETON INVESTOR SERVICES
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
SATURDAY 6:30 A.M. TO 2:30 P.M., PACIFIC TIME)
ACCOUNT POLICIES
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[INSERT GRAPHIC OF PAPER AND PEN]
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). The NAV for Advisor Class is calculated by
dividing its net assets by the number of its shares outstanding.
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 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.
STATEMENTS AND REPORTS You will receive quarterly account statements that show
all your account transactions during the quarter. You also will receive written
notification after each transaction affecting your account (except for
distributions and transactions made through automatic investment or withdrawal
programs, which will be reported on your quarterly statement). You also will
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.
If there is a dealer or other investment representative of record on your
account, he or she also will 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 by
Franklin/Templeton Investor Services, Inc., the fund's transfer agent. 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 seem to follow a timing pattern. 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:
o The fund may refuse any order to buy shares, including any purchase under the
exchange privilege.
o At any time, the fund may change its investment minimums or waive or lower its
minimums for certain purchases.
o The fund may modify or discontinue the exchange privilege on 60 days' notice.
o You may only buy shares of a fund eligible for sale in your state or
jurisdiction.
o In unusual circumstances, we may temporarily suspend redemptions, or postpone
the payment of proceeds, as allowed by federal securities laws.
o 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, wire or electronic funds transfer would
be harmful to existing shareholders.
o 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 Advisor Class shares may receive
up to 0.25% of the amount invested. This amount is paid by Franklin Templeton
Distributors, Inc. from its own resources.
QUESTIONS
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If you have any questions about the fund or your account, you can write to us at
P.O. Box 33030, St. Petersburg, FL 33733-8030. You 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.
<TABLE>
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HOURS (PACIFIC TIME,
DEPARTMENT NAME TELEPHONE NUMBER MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY)
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<S> <C> <C>
Shareholder Services 1-800/632-2301 5:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (Saturday)
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.
</TABLE>
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.franklintempleton.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,
D.C. 20549-6009. You can also visit the SEC's Internet site at
http://www.sec.gov.
Investment Company Act file #811-4706 406 PA 01/00
