Franklin
Gold Fund
PROSPECTUS December 1, 1994
as amended July 14, 1995
777 Mariners Island Blvd., P.O. Box 7777
San Mateo, CA 94403-7777 1-800/DIAL BEN
Franklin Gold Fund (the "Fund") is a diversified, open-end management investment
company with the principal investment objective of capital appreciation and a
secondary objective of current income. The Fund will concentrate its investments
in securities of companies engaged in mining, processing or dealing in gold or
other precious metals, which is expected to result in the investment of a
substantial portion of its assets in foreign securities, as described under
"Investment Objectives and Policies of the Fund."
This Prospectus is intended to set forth in a clear and concise manner
information about the Fund that a prospective investor should know before
investing. After reading the Prospectus, it should be retained for future
reference; it contains information about the purchase and sale of shares and
other items which a prospective investor will find useful to have.
The Fund offers two classes to its investors: Franklin Gold Fund - Class I
("Class I") and Franklin Gold Fund - Class II ("Class II"). Investors can choose
between Class I shares, which generally bear a higher front-end sales charge and
lower ongoing Rule 12b-1 distribution fees ("Rule 12b-1 fees"), and Class II
shares, which generally have a lower front-end sales charge and higher ongoing
Rule 12b-1 fees. Investors should consider the differences between the two
classes, including the impact of sales charges and distribution fees, in
choosing the more suitable class given their anticipated investment amount and
time horizon. See "How to Buy Shares of the Fund - Differences Between Class I
and Class II."
Shares of the Fund are not deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed or endorsed
by, any bank; further, such shares are not federally insured by the Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board, or any other agency.
Shares of the Fund involve investment risks, including the possible loss of
principal.
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
A Statement of Additional Information (the "SAI") concerning the Fund, dated
December 1, 1994, as may be amended from time to time, provides a further
discussion of certain areas in this Prospectus and other matters which may be of
interest to some investors. It has been filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission ("SEC") and is incorporated herein by reference. A copy is available
without charge from the Fund or the Fund's principal underwriter,
Franklin/Templeton Distributors, Inc. ("Distributors"), at the address or
telephone number shown above.
This Prospectus is not an offering of the securities herein described in any
state in which the offering is not authorized. No sales representative, dealer,
or other person is authorized to give any information or make any
representations other than those contained in this Prospectus. Further
information may be obtained from the underwriter.
Contents Page
Expense Table 2
Financial Highlights 4
About the Fund 5
Investment Objectives
and Policies of the Fund 5
Management of the Fund 9
Distributions to Shareholders 11
Taxation of the Fund and
Its Shareholders 12
How to Buy Shares of the Fund 13
Purchasing Shares of the Fund in
Connection with Retirement Plans
Involving Tax-Deferred Investments 21
Other Programs and Privileges
Available to Fund Shareholders 22
Exchange Privilege 24
How to Sell Shares of the Fund 27
Telephone Transactions 31
Valuation of Fund Shares 32
How to Get Information Regarding
an Investment in the Fund 33
Performance 34
General Information 35
Account Registrations 36
Important Notice Regarding
Taxpayer IRS Certifications 37
Portfolio Operations 37
Expense Table
The purpose of this table is to assist an investor in understanding the various
costs and expenses that a shareholder will bear directly or indirectly in
connection with an investment in the Fund. The figures for both classes of
shares are based on aggregate operating expenses of the Class I shares for the
fiscal year ended July 31, 1994.
Class I Class II
Shareholder Transaction Expenses
Maximum Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases
(as a percentage of offering price) .... 4.50% 1.00%
Deferred Sales Charge ................... NONE 1.00%
Exchange Fee (per transaction) .......... $ 5.00* $ 5.00*
Class I Class II
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(as a percentage of average net assets)
Management Fees ......................... 0.51% 0.51%
12b-1 Fees .............................. 0.22%** 1.00
Other Expenses:
Shareholder Servicing Costs ...... 0.08% 0.08%
Reports to Shareholders .......... 0.08% 0.08%
Other ............................ 0.09% 0.09%
------ ------
Total Other Expenses .................... 0.25% 0.25%
------ ------
Total Fund Operating Expenses ........... 0.98% 1.76%
====== ======
Although Class II has a lower front-end sales charge than Class I, over time
the higher Rule 12b-1 fee for Class II may cause shareholders to pay more for
Class II shares than for Class I shares. Given the maximum front-end sales
charge and the rate of Rule 12b-1 fees of each class, it is estimated that this
will take less than six years for shareholders who maintain total shares valued
at less than $100,000 in the Franklin Templeton Funds. Shareholders with larger
investments in the Franklin Templeton Funds will reach the crossover point more
quickly. (See "How to Buy Shares of the Fund - Purchase Price of Fund Shares"
for the definition of Franklin Templeton Funds and similar references.)
Class I investments of $1 million or more are not subject to a front-end sales
charge; however, a contingent deferred sales charge of 1% is generally imposed
on certain redemptions within a "contingency period" of 12 months of the
calendar month following such investments. See "How to Sell Shares of the Fund -
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge."
Class II shares redeemed within a "contingency period" of 18 months of the
calendar month following such investments are subject to a 1% contingent
deferred sales charge. See "How to Sell Shares of the Fund - Contingent Deferred
Sales Charge."
*$5.00 fee imposed only on Timing Accounts as described under "Exchange
Privilege." All other exchanges are processed without a fee.
**Rule 12b-1 fees for Class I are annualized. Actual Rule 12b-1 fees incurred by
Class I for the three months ended July 31, 1994 were 0.05%. See "Plans of
Distribution" under "Management of the Fund" in this Prospectus. Rule 12b-1 fees
for Class II are based on the maximum amount allowed under Class II's plan of
distribution. Consistent with National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.'s
rules, it is possible that the combination of front-end sales charges and Rule
12b-1 fees could cause long-term shareholders to pay more than the economic
equivalent of the maximum front-end sales charges permitted under those same
rules.
Investors should be aware that the above table is not intended to reflect in
precise detail the fees and expenses associated with an individual's own
investment in the Fund. Rather, the table has been provided only to assist
investors in gaining a more complete understanding of fees, charges and
expenses. For a more detailed discussion of these matters, investors should
refer to the appropriate sections of this Prospectus.
Example
As required by SEC regulations, the following example illustrates the expenses,
including the maximum front-end sales charge and applicable contingent deferred
sales charges, that apply to a $1,000 investment in the Fund over various time
periods assuming (1) a 5% annual rate of return and (2) redemption at the end of
each time period.
One year Three years Five years Ten years
Class I $55* $75 $97 $160
Class II $38 $65 $104 $215
*Assumes that a contingent deferred sales charge will not apply to Class I
shares.
An investor would pay the following expenses on the same investment in Class II
shares, assuming no redemption.
One year Three years Five years Ten years
Class II $28 $65 $104 $215
This example is based on the aggregate annual operating expenses shown above and
should not be considered a representation of future expenses, which may be more
or less than those shown. The operating expenses are borne by the Fund and only
indirectly by shareholders as a result of their investment in the Fund. In
addition, federal securities regulations require the example to assume an annual
return of 5%, but the Fund's actual return may be more or less than 5%.
Financial Highlights
Set forth below is a table containing financial highlights for a share of Class
I of the Fund. The information for each of the five fiscal years in the period
ended July 31, 1994 has been audited by Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., independent
auditors, whose audit report appears in the financial statements in the Fund's
SAI. The remaining figures, which are also audited, are not covered by the
auditors' current report. Information regarding Class II shares will be included
in this table after they have been offered to the public for a reasonable period
of time. See the discussion "Reports to Shareholders" under "General
Information."
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Six Months
Ended Year Ended July 31,
Jan. 31, 1995
(Unaudited) 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Per share Operating
Performance*
Net asset value at
beginning of year $14.88 $ 15.63 $11.50 $12.71 $13.74 $12.17 $11.79 $17.07 $ 6.64 $8.28 $9.05
Net investment income 0.10 0.19 0.21 0.35 0.35 0.37 0.41 0.49 0.36 0.33 0.33
Net realized and un-
realized gains (losses)
on securities (2.136) (0.746) 4.147 (1.191) (0.956) 1.681 0.357 (4.845) 10.38 (1.66) (0.74)
Total from investment
operations (2.036) (0.556) 4.357 (0.841) (0.606) 2.051 0.767 (4.355) 10.74 (1.33) (0.41)
Less Distributions:
Dividends from net
investment income (0.074) (0.194) (0.227) (0.369) (0.334) (0.481) (0.387) (0.53) (0.31) (0.31) (0.36)
Distributions from
realized capital gains - - - - (0.090) - - (0.395) - - -
Total distributions (0.074) (0.194) (0.227) (0.369) (0.424) (0.481) (0.387) (0.925) (0.310) (0.310) (0.360)
Net asset value at
end of year $12.77 $14.88 $15.63 $11.50 $12.71 $13.74 $12.17 $11.79 $17.07 $6.64 $8.28
Total Return** (13.75)% (3.52%) 38.56% (6.87)% (4.01)% 16.87% 6.74% (26.16)% 164.92% (16.85)% (4.92)%
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Six Months
Ended Year Ended July 31,
Jan. 31, 1995
Unaudited) 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Ratios/Supplemental
Data
Net assets at
end of year
in 000's) $337,521 $418,698 $394,704 $257,888 $277,397 $330,950 $275,341 $278,743 $350,580 $91,520 $120,859
Ratio of expenses to
average net assets .99%*** 0.81% 0.62% 0.31% 0.75% 0.75% 0.78% 0.76% 0.84% 1.05% 0.94%
Ratio of net investment
income to average net
assets 1.24%*** 1.30% 1.89% 2.99% 2.78% 2.72% 3.56% 3.72% 3.33% 4.28% 3.69%
Portfolio turnover rate 4.56% 1.46% 1.62% 0.26% 0.53% 2.98% 2.62% 7.27% 10.09% 2.90% 0.09%
</TABLE>
*Selected data for a share of capital stock outstanding throughout the year.
**Total return measures the change in value of an investment over the periods
indicated. It does not include the maximum initial sales charge and assumes
reinvestment of dividends at the maximum offering price and capital gains, if
any, at net asset value. Effective May 1, 1994, with the implementation of the
Rule 12b-1 distribution plan, as discussed in this Prospectus, the existing
sales charge on reinvested dividends was eliminated.
***Annualized.
For the years ended July 31, 1993 and 1992, the investment manager agreed in
advance to waive a portion of its management fees and to make payments of
certain operating expenses otherwise payable by the Fund. Had such action not
been taken, the ratios of operating expenses to average net assets would have
been .75% and .77%, respectively.
About the Fund
Franklin Gold Fund, which changed its name from Research Capital Fund in October
1983, is a diversified, open-end management investment company, commonly called
a mutual fund. It was incorporated under the laws of California in 1968 and
registered with the SEC under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended
(the "1940 Act"). The Fund has two classes of shares of capital stock with a par
value of $.10: Franklin Gold Fund - Class I and Franklin Gold Fund - Class II.
All Fund shares outstanding before May 1, 1995, have been redesignated as Class
I shares, and will retain their previous rights and privileges, except for
legally required modifications to shareholder voting procedures, as discussed in
"General Information - Voting Rights."
Shares of the Fund may be purchased (minimum investment of $100 initially and
$25 thereafter) at the current public offering price. The current public
offering price of the Class I shares is equal to the net asset value (see
"Valuation of Fund Shares") plus a variable sales charge not exceeding 4.50% of
the offering price depending upon the amount invested. The current public
offering price of the Class II shares is equal to the net asset value, plus a
sales charge of 1% of the amount invested. (See "How to Buy Shares of the
Fund.")
Investment Objectives and
Policies of the Fund
The Fund's principal investment objective is capital appreciation. The Fund
seeks to attain this objective by purchasing securities with the potential to
increase in value, so that its own shares will in turn increase in value. The
Fund's secondary objective is to provide current income through the receipt of
dividends or interest from its investments. The payment of dividends may be a
consideration when the Fund purchases securities. These investment objectives
are fundamental policies of the Fund and may not be changed without shareholder
approval. Any such change may result in the Fund having investment objectives
different from the objectives which the shareholder considered appropriate at
the time of investment in the Fund.
Because the principal investment objective of the Fund is capital appreciation,
the Fund may invest in securities which are subject to a greater degree of risk
than less volatile securities, if it is felt that the risk is justified by the
potential for appreciation. As in any other investment, there is no assurance
that the Fund's objectives will be achieved.
In seeking to achieve its objectives, the Fund has adopted a fundamental policy
of concentrating its investments in securities of issuers engaged in mining,
processing or dealing in gold or other precious metals, such as silver, platinum
and palladium, which means that the Fund will invest at least 25% of its total
assets in such securities. Under normal circumstances, at least 65% of the value
of the Fund's total assets will be invested in securities of issuers engaged in
gold operations, including securities of gold mining finance companies, as well
as operating companies with long-, medium- or short-life mines.
The Fund anticipates that it will normally invest in common stocks and
securities convertible into common stocks, such as convertible preferred,
convertible debentures, convertible rights and warrants (to the extent
permissible by the Fund's investment policies), and sponsored or unsponsored
American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs") for those securities, all of which may be
traded on a securities exchange or over-the-counter. In seeking income or
appreciation or in times when it is felt that a conservative or temporary
defensive investment policy is in order, the Fund may also purchase preferred
stocks and debt securities, such as notes, bonds, debentures or commercial paper
(short-term debt securities of large corporations), any of which may or may not
be rated by recognized securities rating agencies. In those circumstances, the
Fund may also place some of its cash reserves in securities of the U.S.
government and its agencies, various bank debt instruments, or repurchase
agreements collateralized by such securities.
Because of the Fund's policy of investing primarily in securities of companies
engaged in gold mining, a substantial part of the Fund's assets is generally
invested in securities of companies domiciled or operating in one or more
foreign countries. The Fund generally has invested more than 50% of its total
assets in the securities of corporations located outside the United States.
While the Fund intends to acquire securities of foreign issuers only where there
are public trading markets for such securities, such investments may tend to
reduce the liquidity of the Fund's portfolio in the event of internal problems
in such foreign countries or deteriorating relations between the United States
and such countries. Due to current internal conditions in South Africa and the
two-tiered currency system, the Fund's indirect investments in that country,
which currently constitute approximately 30.30% of its portfolio, may be subject
to somewhat greater risk than an investment in a country without such
restrictions.
Investment in the Fund's shares requires consideration of certain factors that
are not normally involved in investments solely in U.S. securities. Among other
things, the financial and economic policies of some foreign countries in which
the Fund may invest are not as stable as in the United States. Furthermore,
foreign issuers are not generally subject to uniform accounting, auditing and
financial standards and requirements comparable to those applicable to U.S.
corporate issuers. There may also be less government supervision and regulation
of foreign securities exchanges, brokers and issuers than exist in the United
States. Restrictions and controls on investment in the securities markets of
some countries may have an adverse effect on the availability and costs to the
Fund of investments in those countries. In addition, there may be the
possibility of expropriations, foreign withholding taxes, confiscatory taxation,
political, economic or social instability or diplomatic developments which could
affect assets of the Fund invested in issuers in foreign countries.
There may be less publicly available information about foreign issuers than is
contained in reports and reflected in ratings published for U.S. issuers.
Foreign securities markets generally have substantially less volume than the New
York Stock Exchange and some foreign government securities may be less liquid
and more volatile than U.S. government securities. Transaction costs on foreign
securities exchanges may be higher than in the United States, and foreign
securities settlements may, in some instances, be subject to delays and related
administrative uncertainties. The holding of foreign securities, however, may be
limited by the Fund to avoid investment in certain Passive Foreign Investment
Companies ("PFIC") and the imposition of a PFIC tax on the Fund resulting from
such investments.
For further details regarding the Fund's investments in the securities of
foreign issuers, please see the SAI.
The Fund's policies allow it to invest in gold bullion and foreign currency in
the form of gold coins, and to make loans of its portfolio securities under
certain circumstances. These investment techniques have not been used recently,
but remain available in the event it is determined that they could help the Fund
achieve its objectives, subject to diversification restrictions discussed in the
SAI.
As more fully discussed in the SAI, the Fund may enter into options (including
writing covered call options), futures and options on financial futures
transactions. For state law purposes, the Fund will commit no more than 5% of
its assets to premiums when purchasing put options. The premium paid by the Fund
when purchasing a put option will be recorded as an asset in the Fund's
statement of assets and liabilities. This asset will be adjusted daily to the
option's current market value, which will be the latest sale price at the time
at which the net asset value per share of the Fund is computed (close of trading
on the New York Stock Exchange) or, in the absence of such sale, the latest bid
price. The asset will be extinguished upon expiration of the option, the writing
of an identical option in a closing transaction, or the delivery of the
underlying security or currency upon the exercise of the option.
The Fund may invest in securities including corporate bonds, notes and preferred
stocks that are convertible into common stock or other securities which provide
an opportunity for equity participation. These securities are convertible at a
stated price within a specified period of time and are generally senior to
common stocks in a corporation's capital structure, although they are usually
subordinated to similar nonconvertible securities. Convertible securities
provide a fixed-income stream and the opportunity, through their conversion
feature, to participate in the capital appreciation resulting from a market
price advance in the convertible security's underlying common stock. A
convertible security tends to increase in market value when interest rates
decline and tends to decrease in value when interest rates rise. The price of a
convertible security is also influenced by the market value of the security's
underlying common stock and tends to increase as the market value of the
underlying stock rises, whereas it tends to decrease as the market value of the
underlying stock declines.
Of course, there are risks involved in all investments and an investment in
shares of the Fund is no exception. Because the value of Fund shares fluctuates,
the value of an account may at any time be more or less than its cost. Due to
the Fund's policy of concentrating its investments in gold and precious
metal-related issuers, investments in the Fund's shares may involve special
considerations, including: fluctuations in the price of gold; the potential
effect of the concentration of the sources of supply of gold and control over
the sale of gold; changes in U.S. or foreign tax, currency or mining laws;
increased environmental costs; and unpredictable monetary policies and economic
and political conditions. Also, even companies with strong balance sheets may be
adversely impacted by lower profitability from lower gold prices. In addition,
the issuers of unsponsored ADRs are not obligated to disclose material
information in the United States and, therefore, there may be less information
available to the investing public than with sponsored ADRs. The investment
manager will attempt to independently accumulate and evaluate information with
respect to the issuers of the underlying securities of sponsored and unsponsored
ADRs to attempt to limit the Fund's exposure to the market risk associated with
such investments.
As discussed above, the Fund may engage in repurchase transactions, in which the
Fund purchases a U.S. government security subject to resale to a bank or dealer
at an agreed-upon price and date. The transaction requires the collateralization
of the seller's obligation by the transfer of securities with an initial market
value, including accrued interest, equal to at least 102% of the dollar amount
invested by the Fund in each agreement, with the value of the underlying
security marked to market daily to maintain coverage of at least 100%. A default
by the seller might cause the Fund to experience a loss or delay in the
liquidation of the collateral securing the repurchase agreement. The Fund might
also incur disposition costs in liquidating the collateral. The Fund, however,
intends to enter into repurchase agreements only with financial institutions
such as broker-dealers and banks which are deemed creditworthy by the Fund's
investment manager. A repurchase agreement is deemed to be a loan by the Fund
under the 1940 Act. The U.S. government security subject to resale (the
collateral) will be held on behalf of the Fund by a custodian approved by the
Fund's Board of Directors and will be held pursuant to a written agreement.
It is the policy of the Fund that repurchase agreements having maturities longer
than seven days and securities subject to legal or contractual restrictions on
resale or for which there are no readily available market quotations may not
constitute, at the time of purchase, more than 10% of the value of the total net
assets of the Fund.
While the Fund invests in foreign securities, it is generally not its intention
to invest in foreign equity securities of issuers which meet the U.S. tax
definition of a PFIC. To the extent that the Fund makes such an investment,
however, the Fund may be subject to both an income tax and an additional tax in
the form of an interest charge with respect to such investment. To the extent
possible, the Fund will avoid such taxes by not investing in PFIC securities or
by adopting other tax strategies for any PFIC securities it does purchase.
The Fund is subject to a number of additional investment restrictions, some of
which may be changed only with the approval of shareholders, which limit its
activities to some extent. For a list of these restrictions and more information
concerning the policies discussed herein, please see the SAI.
How Shareholders Participate in
the Results of the Fund's Activities
The assets of the Fund are invested in portfolio securities. If the securities
owned by the Fund increase in value, the value of the shares of the Fund which
the shareholder owns will increase. If the securities owned by the Fund decrease
in value, the value of the shareholder's shares will also decline. In this way,
shareholders participate in any change in the value of the securities owned by
the Fund.
In addition to the factors which affect the value of individual securities, as
described in the preceding sections, a shareholder may anticipate that the value
of Fund shares will fluctuate with movements in the broader equity and bond
markets as well. A decline in the stock market of any country in which the Fund
is invested may also be reflected in declines in the Fund's share price. Changes
in currency valuations will also affect the price of Fund shares. History
reflects both decreases and increases in worldwide stock markets and currency
valuations which may reoccur unpredictably in the future.
Management of the Fund
The Board of Directors (the "Board") has the primary responsibility for the
overall management of the Fund and for electing the officers of the Fund who are
responsible for administering its day-to-day operations.
The Board has carefully reviewed the multiclass structure to ensure that no
material conflict exists between the two classes of shares. Although the Board
does not expect to encounter material conflicts in the future, the Board will
continue to monitor the Fund and will take appropriate action to resolve such
conflicts if any should later arise.
In developing the multiclass structure, the Fund has retained the authority to
establish additional classes of shares. It is the Fund's present intention to
offer only two classes of shares, but new classes may be offered in the future.
Franklin Advisers, Inc. ("Advisers" or "Manager") serves as the Fund's
investment manager. Advisers is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Franklin Resources,
Inc. ("Resources"), a publicly owned holding company, the principal shareholders
of which are Charles B. Johnson and Rupert H. Johnson, Jr., who own
approximately 20% and 16%, respectively, of Resources' outstanding shares.
Resources is engaged in various aspects of the financial services industry
through its various subsidiaries (the "Franklin Templeton Group"). Advisers acts
as investment manager or administrator to 34 U.S.
registered investment companies (112 separate series) with aggregate assets of
over $74 billion.
Pursuant to the management agreement, the Manager supervises and implements the
Fund's investment activities and provides certain administrative services and
facilities which are necessary to conduct the Fund's business.
During the fiscal year ended July 31, 1994, management fees totaling 0.51% of
the average monthly net assets of the Fund were paid to Advisers.
Among the responsibilities of the Manager under the management agreement is the
selection of brokers and dealers through whom transactions in the Fund's
portfolio securities will be effected. The Manager tries to obtain the best
execution on all such transactions. If it is felt that more than one broker is
able to provide the best execution, the Manager will consider the furnishing of
quotations and of other market services, research, statistical and other data
for the Manager and its affiliates, as well as the sale of shares of the Fund,
as factors in selecting a broker.
Further information is included under "The Fund's Policies Regarding Brokers
Used on Portfolio Transactions" in the SAI.
Shareholder accounting and many of the clerical functions for the Fund are
performed by Franklin/Templeton Investor Services, Inc. ("Investor Services" or
"Shareholder Services Agent"), in its capacity as transfer agent and
dividend-paying agent. Investor Services is a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Resources.
During the fiscal year ended July 31, 1994, expenses borne by Class I of the
Fund, including fees paid to Advisers and to Investor Services, totaled 0.98% of
the average monthly net assets of such class.
Plans of Distribution
A separate plan of distribution has been approved and adopted for each class
("Class I Plan" and "Class II Plan", respectively, or "Plans") pursuant to Rule
12b-1 under the 1940 Act. The Rule 12b-1 fees charged to each class will be
based solely on the distribution and servicing fees attributable to that
particular class. Any portion of fees remaining from either Plan after
distribution to securities dealers of up to the maximum amount permitted under
each Plan may be used by the class to reimburse Distributors for routine ongoing
promotion and distribution expenses incurred with respect to such class. Such
expenses may include, but are not limited to, the printing of prospectuses and
reports used for sales purposes, expenses of preparing and distributing sales
literature and related expenses, advertisements, and other distribution-related
expenses, including a prorated portion of Distributors' overhead expenses
attributable to the distribution of Fund shares, as well as any distribution or
service fees paid to securities dealers or their firms or others who have
executed a servicing agreement with the Fund, Distributors or its affiliates.
The maximum amount which the Fund may pay to Distributors or others under the
Class I Plan for such distribution expenses is 0.25% per annum of Class I's
average daily net assets, payable on a quarterly basis. All expenses of
distribution and marketing in excess of 0.25% per annum will be borne by
Distributors, or others who have incurred them, without reimbursement from the
Fund.
Under the Class II Plan, the maximum amount which the Fund is permitted to pay
to Distributors or others for distribution expenses and related expenses is
0.75% per annum of Class II's average daily net assets, payable quarterly. All
expenses of distribution, marketing and related services over that amount will
be borne by Distributors or others who have incurred them, without reimbursement
by the Fund. In addition, the Class II Plan provides for an additional payment
by the Fund of up to 0.25% per annum of Class II's average daily net assets as a
servicing fee, payable quarterly. This fee will be used to pay securities
dealers or others for, among other things, assisting in establishing and
maintaining customer accounts and records; assisting with purchase and
redemption requests; receiving and answering correspondence; monitoring dividend
payments from the Fund on behalf of customers, or similar activities related to
furnishing personal services and/or maintaining shareholder accounts.
During the first year following the purchase of Class II shares, Distributors
will retain 0.75% per annum of Class II's average daily net assets to partially
recoup fees Distributors pays to securities dealers. Distributors, or its
affiliates, may pay, from its own resources, a commission of up to 1% of the
amount invested to securities dealers who initiate and are responsible for
purchases of Class II shares.
Both Plans also cover any payments to or by the Fund, Advisers, Distributors, or
other parties on behalf of the Fund, Advisers or Distributors, to the extent
such payments are deemed to be for the financing of any activity primarily
intended to result in the sale of shares issued by the Fund within the context
of Rule 12b-1. The payments under the Plans are included in the maximum
operating expenses which may be borne by each class of the Fund. For more
information, including a discussion of the Board's policies with regard to the
amount of each Plan's fees, please see the SAI.
Distributions to Shareholders
There are two types of distributions which the Fund may make to its
shareholders:
1. Income dividends. The Fund receives income in the form of dividends, interest
and other income derived from its investments. This income, less the expenses
incurred in the Fund's operations, is its net investment income from which
income dividends may be distributed. Thus, the amount of dividends paid per
share may vary with each distribution.
2. Capital gain distributions. The Fund may derive capital gains or losses in
connection with sales or other dispositions of its portfolio securities.
Distributions by the Fund derived from net short-term and net long-term capital
gains (after taking into account any net capital loss carryovers) may generally
be made once a year in December to reflect any net short-term and net long-term
capital gains realized by the Fund as of October 31 of the current fiscal year
and any undistributed net capital gains from the prior fiscal year. The Fund may
make more than one distribution derived from net short-term and net long-term
capital gains in any year or adjust the timing of these distributions for
operational or other reasons.
Distributions To Each Class of Shares
According to the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
(the "Code"), dividends and capital gains will be calculated and distributed in
the same manner for Class I and Class II shares. The per share amount of any
income dividends will generally differ only to the extent that each class is
subject to different Rule 12b-1 fees.
Distribution Date
Although subject to change by the Board, without prior notice to or approval by
shareholders, the Fund's current policy is to declare regular semi-annual income
dividends in May and November for shareholders of record on the last business
day of that month, payable on or about the 15th day of the following month. The
amount of income dividend payments by the Fund is dependent upon the amount of
net income received by the Fund from its portfolio holdings, is not guaranteed
and is subject to the discretion of the Board. Fund shares are quoted
ex-dividend on the first business day following the record date. The Fund does
not pay "interest" or guarantee any fixed rate of return on an investment in its
shares.
In order to be entitled to a dividend, an investor must have acquired Fund
shares prior to the close of business on the record date. An investor
considering purchasing Fund shares shortly before the record date of a
distribution should be aware that because the value of the Fund's shares is
based directly on the amount of its net assets, rather than on the principle of
supply and demand, any distribution of income or capital gain will result in a
decrease in the value of the Fund's shares equal to the amount of the
distribution. While a dividend or capital gain distribution received shortly
after purchasing shares represents, in effect, a return of a portion of the
shareholder's investment, it may be taxable as dividend income or capital gain.
Dividend Reinvestment
Unless otherwise requested, income dividends and capital gain distributions, if
any, will be automatically reinvested in the shareholder's account in the form
of additional shares, valued at the closing net asset value (without a front-end
sales charge) on the dividend reinvestment date. Dividend and capital gain
distributions are only eligible for reinvestment at net asset value in the same
class of shares of the Fund or the same class of another of the Franklin
Templeton Funds. Shareholders have the right to change their election with
respect to the receipt of distributions by notifying the Fund, but any such
change will be effective only as to distributions for which the record date is
seven or more business days after the Fund has been notified. See the SAI for
more information.
Many of the Fund's shareholders receive their distributions in the form of
additional shares. This is a convenient way to accumulate additional shares and
maintain or increase the shareholder's earnings base. Of course, any shares so
acquired remain at market risk.
Distributions in Cash
A shareholder may elect to receive income dividends, or both income dividends
and capital gain distributions, in cash. By completing the "Special Payment
Instructions for Distributions" section of the Shareholder Application included
with this Prospectus, a shareholder may direct the selected distributions to the
same class of another fund in the Franklin Templeton Funds, to another person,
or directly to a checking account. If the bank at which the account is
maintained is a member of the Automated Clearing House, the payments may be made
automatically by electronic funds transfer. If this last option is requested,
the shareholder should allow at least 15 days for initial processing. Dividends
which may be paid in the interim will be sent to the address of record.
Additional information regarding automated fund transfers may be obtained from
Franklin's Shareholder Services Department. See "Purchases at Net Asset Value"
under "How to Buy Shares of the Fund."
Taxation of the Fund and Its Shareholders
The following discussion reflects some of the tax considerations that affect
mutual funds and their shareholders. Additional information on tax matters
relating to the Fund and its shareholders is included in the section entitled
"Additional Information Regarding Taxation" in the SAI.
The Fund intends to continue to qualify for treatment as a regulated investment
company under Subchapter M of the Code. By distributing all of its net
investment income, net foreign currency gains recharacterized as ordinary income
and net realized short-term and long-term capital gain for a fiscal year in
accordance with the timing requirements imposed by the Code and by meeting
certain other requirements relating to the sources of its income and
diversification of its assets, the Fund will not be liable for federal income or
excise taxes.
For federal income tax purposes, any income dividends which the shareholder
receives from the Fund, as well as any distributions derived from the excess of
net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss, are treated as
ordinary income whether the shareholder has elected to receive them in cash or
in additional shares.
Distributions derived from the excess of net long-term capital gain over net
short-term capital loss are treated as long-term capital gain for purposes of
computing a shareholder's income taxes regardless of the length of time the
shareholder has owned Fund shares and regardless of whether such distributions
are received in cash or in additional shares.
Pursuant to the Code, certain distributions which are declared in October,
November or December but which, for operational reasons, may not be paid to the
shareholder until the following January, will be treated for tax purposes as if
received by the shareholder on December 31 of the calendar year in which they
are declared.
Redemptions and exchanges of Fund shares are taxable events on which a
shareholder may realize a gain or loss. Any loss incurred on the sale or
exchange of Fund shares, held for six months or less, will be treated as a
long-term capital loss to the extent of capital gain dividends received with
respect to such shares.
It is anticipated that only a small portion, if any, of the Fund's dividends
during the current fiscal year will qualify for the corporate dividends-received
deduction because of the Fund's level of investment in securities of foreign
corporations. To the extent that the Fund pays dividends which qualify for this
deduction, the availability of the deduction is subject to certain holding
period and debt financing restrictions imposed under the Code on the corporation
claiming the deduction. These restrictions are discussed in the SAI.
The Fund may be subject to foreign withholding taxes on income from certain of
its foreign securities. If more than 50% of the total assets of the Fund at the
end of its fiscal year are invested in securities of foreign corporations, the
Fund may elect to pass through to its shareholders the pro rata share of foreign
taxes paid by the Fund. If this election is made, shareholders will be (i)
required to include in their gross income their pro rata share of foreign source
income (including any foreign taxes paid by the fund), and (ii) entitled to
either deduct their share of such foreign taxes in computing their taxable
income or to claim a credit for such taxes against their U.S. income tax,
subject to certain limitations under the Code. Shareholders will be informed by
the Fund at the end of each calendar year regarding the availability of any
credits and the amount of foreign source income (including any foreign taxes
paid by the Fund) to be included in their income tax returns. Shareholders
should consult their tax advisor as to the availability of foreign tax payments
as deductions on their tax return.
The Fund will inform shareholders of the source of their dividends and
distributions at the time they are paid and will, promptly after the close of
each calendar year, advise them of the tax status for federal income tax
purposes of such dividends and distributions.
Shareholders who are not U.S. persons for purposes of federal income taxation
should consult with their financial or tax advisors regarding the applicability
of U.S. withholding or other taxes to distributions received by them from the
Fund and the application of foreign tax laws to these distributions.
Shareholders should also consult their tax advisors with respect to the tax
consequences of a redemption or exchange of Fund shares or the applicability of
any state and local intangible property or income taxes on their shares of the
Fund and distributions and redemption proceeds received from the Fund.
How to Buy Shares of the Fund
Shares of the Fund are continuously offered through securities dealers which
execute an agreement with Distributors, the principal underwriter of the Fund's
shares. The use of the term "securities dealer" shall include other financial
institutions which, pursuant to an agreement with Distributors (directly or
through affiliates), handle customer orders and accounts with the Fund. Such
reference, however, is for convenience only and does not indicate a legal
conclusion of capacity. The minimum initial investment is $100 and subsequent
investments must be $25 or more. These minimums may be waived when the shares
are purchased through plans established by the Franklin Templeton Group. The
Fund and Distributors reserve the right to refuse any order for the purchase of
shares.
Differences Between Class I and Class II
The difference between Class I and Class II shares lies primarily in their
front-end and contingent deferred sales charges and Rule 12b-1 fees as described
below.
Class I. All Fund shares outstanding before the implementation of the multiclass
structure have been redesignated as Class I shares and will retain their
previous rights and privileges. Voting rights of each class will be the same on
matters affecting the Fund as a whole, but each will vote separately on matters
affecting only that class. Class I shares are generally subject to a variable
sales charge upon purchase and not subject to any sales charge upon redemption.
Class I shares are subject to Rule 12b-1 fees of up to an annual maximum of
0.25% of average daily net assets of such shares. With this multiclass
structure, Class I shares have higher front-end sales charges than Class II
shares and comparatively lower Rule 12b-1 fees. Class I shares may be purchased
at a reduced front-end sales charge or at net asset value if certain conditions
are met. In most circumstances, contingent deferred sales charges will not be
assessed against redemptions of Class I shares. See "Management of the Fund" and
"How to Sell Shares of the Fund" for more information.
Class II. The current public offering price of Class II shares is equal to the
net asset value, plus a front-end sales charge of 1% of the amount invested.
Class II shares are also subject to a contingent deferred sales charge of 1% if
shares are redeemed within 18 months of the calendar month following purchase.
In addition, Class II shares are subject to Rule 12b-1 fees of up to a maximum
of 1.00% per annum of average daily net assets of such shares, 0.75% of which
will be retained by Distributors during the first year of investment. Class II
shares have lower front-end sales charges than Class I shares and comparatively
higher Rule 12b-1 fees. See "Contingent Deferred Sales Charge" under "How to
Sell Shares of the Fund."
Purchases of Class II shares are limited to purchases below $1 million. Any
purchases of $1 million or more will automatically be invested in Class I
shares, since that is more beneficial to investors. Such purchases, however, may
be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge. Investors may exceed $1
million in Class II shares by cumulative purchases over a period of time.
Investors who intend to make investments exceeding $1 million, however, should
consider purchasing Class I shares through a Letter of Intent, described below,
instead of purchasing Class II shares.
Deciding Which Class To Purchase. Investors should carefully evaluate their
anticipated investment amount and time horizon prior to determining which class
of shares to purchase. Generally, an investor who expects to invest less than
$100,000 in the Franklin Templeton Funds and who expects to make substantial
redemptions within approximately six years or less of investment should consider
purchasing Class II shares. The higher annual Rule 12b-1 fees on the Class II
shares, however, will result in slightly higher operating expenses and lower
income dividends for Class II shares, which will accumulate over time to
outweigh the difference in initial sales charges. For this reason, Class I
shares may be more attractive to long-term investors even if no sales charge
reductions are available to them.
Investors who qualify to purchase Class I shares at reduced sales charges
definitely should consider purchasing Class I shares, especially if they intend
to hold their shares approximately six years or more. Investors who qualify to
purchase Class I shares at reduced sales charges but who intend to hold their
shares less than approximately six years should evaluate whether it is more
economical to purchase Class I shares through a Letter of Intent or under Rights
of Accumulation or other means, rather than purchasing Class II shares.
Investors investing $1 million or more in a single payment and other investors
who qualify to purchase Class I shares at net asset value will be precluded from
purchasing Class II shares.
Each class represents the same interest in the investment portfolio of the Fund
and has the same rights, except that each class has a different sales charge,
bears the separate expenses of its Rule 12b-1 distribution plan, and has
exclusive voting rights with respect to such plan. The two classes also have
separate exchange privileges.
Purchase Price of Fund Shares
Shares of both classes of the Fund are offered at their respective public
offering prices, which are determined by adding the net asset value per share
plus a front-end sales charge, next computed (1) after the shareholder's
securities dealer receives the order which is promptly transmitted to the Fund,
or (2) after receipt of an order by mail from the shareholder directly in proper
form (which generally means a completed Shareholder Application accompanied by a
negotiable check).
Class I. The sales charge for Class I shares is a variable percentage of the
offering price depending upon the amount of the sale. The offering price will be
calculated to two decimal places using standard rounding criteria. A description
of the method of calculating net asset value per share is included under the
caption "Valuation of Fund Shares."
Set forth below is a table of total front-end sales charges or underwriting
commissions and dealer concessions for Class I shares.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Total Sales Charge
-----------------------------------------------------------
As a Percentage Dealer Concession
Size of Transaction As a Percentage of Net Amount As a Percentage
at Offering Price of Offering Price Invested of Offering Price*,***
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Less than $100,000 4.50% 4.71% 4.00%
$100,000 but less than $250,000 3.75% 3.90% 3.25%
$250,000 but less than $500,000 2.75% 2.83% 2.50%
$500,000 but less than $1,000,000 2.25% 2.30% 2.00%
$1,000,000 or more none none (see below)**
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
*Financial institutions or their affiliated brokers may receive an agency
transaction fee in the percentages set forth above.
**The following commissions will be paid by Distributors, out of its own
resources, to securities dealers who initiate and are responsible for purchases
of $1 million or more: 1.00% on sales of $1 million but less than $2 million,
plus 0.80% on sales of $2 million but less than $3 million, plus 0.50% on sales
of $3 million but less than $50 million, plus 0.25% on sales of $50 million but
less than $100 million, plus 0.15% on sales of $100 million or more. Dealer
concession breakpoints are reset every 12 months for purposes of additional
purchases.
***At the discretion of Distributors, all sales charges may at times be allowed
to the securities dealer. If 90% or more of the sales commission is allowed,
such securities dealer may be deemed to be an underwriter as that term is
defined in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
No front-end sales charge applies on investments of $1 million or more, but a
contingent deferred sales charge of 1% is imposed on certain redemptions of all
or a portion of investments of $1 million within the contingency period. See
"How to Sell Shares of the Fund - Contingent Deferred Sales Charge."
The size of a transaction which determines the applicable sales charge on the
purchase of Class I shares is determined by adding the amount of the
shareholder's current purchase plus the cost or current value (whichever is
higher) of a shareholder's existing investment in one or more of the funds in
the Franklin Group of Funds(R) and the Templeton Group of Funds. Included for
these aggregation purposes are (a) the mutual funds in the Franklin Group of
Funds except Franklin Valuemark Funds and Franklin Government Securities Trust
(the "Franklin Funds"), (b) other investment products underwritten by
Distributors or its affiliates (although certain investments may not have the
same schedule of sales charges and/or may not be subject to reduction), and (c)
the U.S. registered mutual funds in the Templeton Group of Funds except
Templeton Capital Accumulator Fund, Inc., Templeton Variable Annuity Fund, and
Templeton Variable Products Series Fund (the "Templeton Funds"). (Franklin Funds
and Templeton Funds are collectively referred to as the "Franklin Templeton
Funds.") Sales charge reductions based upon aggregate holdings of (a), (b) and
(c) above ("Franklin Templeton Investments") may be effective only after
notification to Distributors that the investment qualifies for a discount.
Other Payments to Securities Dealers - Class I. Distributors, or one of its
affiliates, may make payments, out of its own resources, of up to 1% of the
amount purchased to securities dealers who initiate and are responsible for
purchases made at net asset value by certain designated retirement plans
(excluding IRA and IRA rollovers), certain non-designated plans, certain trust
companies and trust departments of banks and certain retirement plans of
organizations with collective retirement plan assets of $10 million or more. See
"Description of Special Net Asset Value Purchases" and the SAI.
Class II. Unlike Class I shares, the front-end sales charges and dealer
concessions for Class II shares do not vary depending on the amount of purchase,
as indicated in the table below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Total Sales Charge
---------------------------------------------------------
As a Percentage Dealer Concession
Size of Transaction As a Percentage of Net Amount As a Percentage
at Offering Price of Offering Price Invested of Offering Price*
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Any amount (less than $1 million) 1.00% 1.01% 1.00%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
*Distributors, or one of its affiliates, may make additional payments to
securities dealers, from its own resources, of up to 1% of the amount invested.
During the first year following a purchase of Class II shares, Distributors will
keep a portion of the Rule 12b-1 fees assessed to those shares to partially
recoup fees Distributors pays to securities dealers.
Class II shares redeemed within 18 months of their purchase will be assessed a
contingent deferred sales charge of 1% on the lesser of the then-current net
asset value or the net asset value of such shares at the time of purchase,
unless such charge is waived as described under "How to Sell Shares of the Fund
- - Contingent Deferred Sales Charge."
Distributors, or one of its affiliates, out of its own resources, may also
provide additional compensation to securities dealers in connection with sales
of shares of the Franklin Templeton Funds. Compensation may include financial
assistance to securities dealers in connection with conferences, sales or
training programs for their employees, seminars for the public, advertising,
sales campaigns and/or shareholder services and programs regarding one or more
of the Franklin Templeton Funds and other dealer-sponsored programs or events.
In some instances, this compensation may be made available only to certain
securities dealers whose representatives have sold or are expected to sell
significant amounts of shares of the Franklin Templeton Funds. Compensation may
include payment for travel expenses, including lodging, incurred in connection
with trips taken by invited registered representatives and members of their
families to locations within or outside of the United States for meetings or
seminars of a business nature. Securities dealers may not use sales of the
Fund's shares to qualify for this compensation to the extent such may be
prohibited by the laws of any state or any self-regulatory agency, such as the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. None of the aforementioned
additional compensation is paid for by the Fund or its shareholders.
Additional terms concerning the offering of the Fund's shares are included in
the SAI.
Certain officers and directors of the Fund are also affiliated with
Distributors. A detailed description is included in the SAI.
Quantity Discounts in Sales Charges -
Class I Shares Only
Class I shares may be purchased under a variety of plans which provide for a
reduced sales charge. To be certain to obtain the reduction of the sales charge,
the investor or the securities dealer should notify Distributors at the time of
each purchase of shares which qualifies for the reduction. In determining
whether a purchase qualifies for a discount, an investment in any of the
Franklin Templeton Investments may be combined with those of the investor's
spouse and children under the age of 21. In addition, the aggregate investments
of a trustee or other fiduciary account (for an account under exclusive
investment authority) may be considered in determining whether a reduced sales
charge is available, even though there may be a number of beneficiaries of the
account. The value of Class II shares owned by the investor may also be included
for this purpose.
In addition, an investment in Class I shares may qualify for a reduction in the
sales charge under the following programs:
1. Rights of Accumulation. The cost or current value (whichever is higher) of
existing investments in the Franklin Templeton Investments may be combined with
the amount of the current purchase in determining the sales charge to be paid.
2. Letter of Intent. An investor may immediately qualify for a reduced sales
charge on a purchase of Class I shares by completing the Letter of Intent
section of the Shareholder Application (the "Letter of Intent" or "Letter"). By
completing the Letter, the investor expresses an intention to invest during the
next 13 months a specified amount which, if made at one time, would qualify for
a reduced sales charge and grants to Distributors a security interest in the
reserved shares and irrevocably appoints Distributors as attorney-in-fact with
full power of substitution to surrender for redemption any or all shares for the
purpose of paying any additional sales charge due. Purchases under the Letter of
Intent will conform with the requirements of Rule 22d-1 under the 1940 Act. The
investor or the investor's securities dealer must inform Investor Services or
Distributors that this Letter is in effect each time a purchase is made.
An investor (except for certain employee benefit plans which are listed under
"Description of Special Net Asset Value Purchases") acknowledges and agrees to
the following provisions by completing the Letter of Intent section of the
Shareholder Application: Five percent (5%) of the amount of the total intended
purchase will be reserved in Class I shares, registered in the investor's name,
to assure that the full applicable sales charge will be paid if the intended
purchase is not completed. The reserved shares will be included in the total
shares owned as reflected on periodic statements; income and capital gain
distributions on the reserved shares will be paid as directed by the investor.
The reserved shares will not be available for disposal by the investor until the
Letter of Intent has been completed or the higher sales charge paid. For more
information, see "Additional Information Regarding Purchases" in the SAI.
Although the sales charges on Class II shares cannot be reduced through these
programs, the value of Class II shares owned by the investor may be included in
determining a reduced sales charge to be paid on Class I shares pursuant to the
Letter of Intent and Rights of Accumulation programs.
Group Purchases of Class I Shares
An individual who is a member of a qualified group may also purchase Class I
shares of the Fund at the reduced sales charge applicable to the group as a
whole. The sales charge is based upon the aggregate dollar value of shares
previously purchased and still owned by the members of the group, plus the
amount of the current purchase. For example, if members of the group had
previously invested and still held $80,000 of Fund shares and now were investing
$25,000, the sales charge would be 3.75%. Information concerning the current
sales charge applicable to a group may be obtained by contacting Distributors.
A "qualified group" is one which (i) has been in existence for more than six
months, (ii) has a purpose other than acquiring Fund shares at a discount, and
(iii) satisfies uniform criteria which enable Distributors to realize economies
of scale in its costs of distributing shares. A qualified group must have more
than 10 members, be available to arrange for group meetings between
representatives of the Fund or Distributors and the members, agree to include
sales and other materials related to the Fund in its publications and mailings
to members at reduced or no cost to Distributors, and seek to arrange for
payroll deduction or other bulk transmission of investments to the Fund.
If an investor selects a payroll deduction plan, subsequent investments will be
automatic and will continue until such time as the investor notifies the Fund
and the investor's employer to discontinue further investments. Due to the
varying procedures used to prepare, process and forward the payroll deduction
information to the Fund, there may be a delay between the time of the payroll
deduction and the time the money reaches the Fund. The investment in the Fund
will be made at the offering price per share determined on the day that both the
check and payroll deduction data are received in required form by the Fund.
Purchases at Net Asset Value
Class I shares may be purchased without the imposition of a front-end sales
charge ("net asset value") or a contingent deferred sales charge by (1)
officers, directors, trustees and full-time employees of the Fund, any of the
Franklin Templeton Funds, or of the Franklin Templeton Group, and by their
spouses and family members, including any subsequent payments made by such
parties after cessation of employment; (2) companies exchanging shares or
selling assets pursuant to a merger, acquisition or exchange offer; (3)
insurance company separate accounts for pension plan contracts; (4) accounts
managed by the Franklin Templeton Group; (5) shareholders of Templeton
Institutional Funds, Inc. reinvesting redemption proceeds from that fund under
an employee benefit plan qualified under Section 401 of the Code, in shares of
the Fund; (6) certain unit investment trusts and unit holders of such trusts
reinvesting their distributions from the trusts in the Fund; (7) registered
securities dealers and their affiliates, for their investment account only; and
(8) registered personnel and employees of securities dealers and by their
spouses and family members, in accordance with the internal policies and
procedures of the employing securities dealer.
For either Class I or Class II, the same class of shares of the Fund may be
purchased at net asset value by persons who have redeemed, within the previous
365 days, their shares of the Fund or another of the Franklin Templeton Funds
which were purchased with a front-end sales charge or assessed a contingent
deferred sales charge on redemption. If a different class of shares is
purchased, the full front-end sales charge must be paid at the time of purchase
of the new shares. An investor may reinvest an amount not exceeding the
redemption proceeds. While credit will be given for any contingent deferred
sales charge paid on the shares redeemed and subsequently repurchased, a new
contingency period will begin. Matured shares will be reinvested at net asset
value and will not be subject to a new contingent deferred sales charge. Shares
of the Fund redeemed in connection with an exchange into another fund (see
"Exchange Privilege") are not considered "redeemed" for this privilege. In order
to exercise this privilege, a written order for the purchase of shares of the
Fund must be received by the Fund or the Fund's Shareholder Services Agent
within 365 days after the redemption. The 365 days, however, do not begin to run
on redemption proceeds placed immediately after redemption in a Franklin Bank
Certificate of Deposit ("CD") until the CD (including any rollover) matures.
Reinvestment at net asset value may also be handled by a securities dealer or
other financial institution, who may charge the shareholder a fee for this
service. The redemption is a taxable transaction but reinvestment without a
sales charge may affect the amount of gain or loss recognized and the tax basis
of the shares reinvested. If there has been a loss on the redemption, the loss
may be disallowed if a reinvestment in the same fund is made within a 30-day
period. Information regarding the possible tax consequences of such a
reinvestment is included in the tax section of this Prospectus and the SAI.
For either Class I or Class II, the same class of shares of the Fund or of
another of the Franklin Templeton Funds may be purchased at net asset value and
without a contingent deferred sales charge by persons who have received
dividends and capital gain distributions in cash from investments in that class
of shares of the Fund within 365 days of the payment date of such distribution.
To exercise this privilege, a written request to reinvest the distribution must
accompany the purchase order. Additional information may be obtained from
Shareholder Services at 1-800/632-2301. See "Distributions in Cash" under
"Distributions to Shareholders."
Class I shares may be purchased at net asset value and without the imposition of
a contingent deferred sales charge by investors who have, within the past 60
days, redeemed an investment in a mutual fund which is not part of the Franklin
Templeton Funds and which was subject to a front-end sales charge or a
contingent deferred sales charge and which has investment objectives similar to
those of the Fund.
Class I shares may be purchased at net asset value and without the imposition of
a contingent deferred sales charge by broker-dealers who have entered into a
supplemental agreement with Distributors, or by registered investment advisors
affiliated with such broker-dealers, on behalf of their clients who are
participating in a comprehensive fee program (sometimes known as a wrap fee
program).
Class I shares may be purchased at net asset value and without the imposition of
a contingent deferred sales charge by anyone who has taken a distribution from
an existing retirement plan already invested in the Franklin Templeton Funds
(including former participants of the Franklin Templeton Profit Sharing 401(k)
plan), to the extent of such distribution. In order to exercise this privilege,
a written order for the purchase of shares of the Fund must be received by
Franklin Templeton Trust Company (the "Trust Company"), the Fund or Investor
Services, within 365 days after the plan distribution.
Class I shares may also be purchased at net asset value and without the
imposition of a contingent deferred sales charge by any state, county, or city,
or any instrumentality, department, authority or agency thereof which has
determined that the Fund is a legally permissible investment and which is
prohibited by applicable investment laws from paying a sales charge or
commission in connection with the purchase of shares of any registered
management investment company (an "eligible governmental authority"). SUCH
INVESTORS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN LEGAL ADVISORS TO DETERMINE WHETHER AND TO
WHAT EXTENT THE SHARES OF THE FUND CONSTITUTE LEGAL INVESTMENTS FOR THEM.
Municipal investors considering investment of proceeds of bond offerings into
the Fund should consult with expert counsel to determine the effect, if any, of
various payments made by the Fund or its investment manager on arbitrage rebate
calculations. If an investment by an eligible governmental authority at net
asset value is made through a securities dealer who has executed a dealer
agreement with Distributors, Distributors or one of its affiliates may make a
payment, out of its own resources, to such dealer in an amount not to exceed
0.25% of the amount invested. Contact Franklin's Institutional Sales Department
for additional information.
Description of Special Net Asset Value Purchases
Class I shares may also be purchased at net asset value and without the
imposition of a contingent deferred sales charge by certain designated
retirement plans, including profit sharing, pension, 401(k) and simplified
employee pension plans ("designated plans"), subject to minimum requirements
with respect to number of employees or amount of purchase, which may be
established by Distributors. Currently, those criteria require that the employer
establishing the plan have 200 or more employees or that the amount invested or
to be invested during the subsequent 13-month period in the Fund or in any of
the Franklin Templeton Investments totals at least $1,000,000. Employee benefit
plans not designated above or qualified under Section 401 of the Code
("non-designated plans") may be afforded the same privilege if they meet the
above requirements, as well as the uniform criteria for qualified groups
previously described under "Group Purchases of Class I Shares" which enable
Distributors to realize economies of scale in its sales efforts and sales
related expenses.
Class I shares may be purchased at net asset value and without the imposition of
a contingent deferred sales charge by trust companies and bank trust departments
for funds over which they exercise exclusive discretionary investment authority
and which are held in a fiduciary, agency, advisory, custodial or similar
capacity. Such purchases are subject to minimum requirements with respect to
amount of purchase, which may be established by Distributors. Currently, those
criteria require that the amount invested or to be invested during the
subsequent 13-month period in this Fund or any of the Franklin Templeton
Investments must total at least $1,000,000. Orders for such accounts will be
accepted by mail accompanied by a check, or by telephone or other means of
electronic data transfer directly from the bank or trust company, with payment
by federal funds received by the close of business on the next business day
following such order.
Class I shares may be purchased at net asset value and without the imposition of
a contingent deferred sales charge by trustees or other fiduciaries purchasing
securities for certain retirement plans of organizations with collective
retirement plan assets of $10 million or more, without regard to where such
assets are currently invested.
Refer to the SAI for further information regarding net asset value purchases of
Class I shares.
Purchasing Class I and Class II Shares
When placing purchase orders, investors should clearly indicate which class of
shares they intend to purchase. A purchase order that fails to specify a class
will automatically be invested in Class I shares. Purchases of $1 million or
more in a single payment will be invested in Class I shares. There are no
conversion features attached to either class of shares.
Investors who qualify to purchase Class I shares at net asset value should
purchase Class I rather than Class II shares. See the section "Purchases at Net
Asset Value" and "Description of Special Net Asset Value Purchases" above for a
discussion of when shares may be purchased at net asset value.
General
Securities laws of states in which the Fund's shares are offered for sale may
differ from the interpretations of federal law, and banks and financial
institutions selling Fund shares may be required to register as dealers pursuant
to state law.
Purchasing Shares of the Fund
in Connection with Retirement Plans
Involving Tax-Deferred Investments
Shares of the Fund may be used for individual or employer-sponsored retirement
plans involving tax-deferred investments. The Fund may be used as an investment
vehicle for an existing retirement plan, or the Trust Company may provide the
plan documents and serve as custodian or trustee. A plan document must be
adopted in order for a retirement plan to be in existence.
The Trust Company, an affiliate of Distributors, can serve as custodian or
trustee for retirement plans. Brochures for the Trust Company plans contain
important information regarding eligibility, contribution and deferral limits
and distribution requirements. Please note that an application other than the
one contained in this Prospectus must be used to establish a retirement plan
account with the Trust Company. To obtain a retirement plan brochure or
application, call 1-800/DIAL BEN (1-800/342-5236).
Please see "How to Sell Shares of the Fund" for specific information regarding
redemptions from retirement plan accounts. Specific forms are required to be
completed for distributions from Trust Company retirement plans.
Individuals and plan sponsors should consult with legal, tax or benefits and
pension plan consultants before choosing a retirement plan. In addition,
retirement plan investors should consider consulting their investment
representatives or advisers concerning investment decisions within their plans.
Other Programs and Privileges
Available to Fund Shareholders
Certain of the programs and privileges described in this section may not be
available directly from the Fund to shareholders whose shares are held, of
record, by a financial institution or in a "street name" account or networked
account through the National Securities Clearing Corporation ("NSCC") (see the
section captioned "Account Registrations" in this Prospectus).
Share Certificates
Shares for an initial investment, as well as subsequent investments, including
the reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions, are generally
credited to an account in the name of an investor on the books of the Fund,
without the issuance of a share certificate. Maintaining shares in
uncertificated form (also known as "plan balance") minimizes the risk of loss or
theft of a share certificate. A lost, stolen or destroyed certificate cannot be
replaced without obtaining a sufficient indemnity bond. The cost of such a bond,
which is generally borne by the shareholder, can be 2% or more of the value of
the lost, stolen or destroyed certificate. A certificate will be issued if
requested by the shareholder or by the securities dealer.
Confirmations
A confirmation statement will be sent to each shareholder semiannually to
reflect the dividends reinvested during that period and after each other
transaction which affects the shareholder's account. This statement will also
show the total number of shares owned by the shareholder, including the number
of shares in "plan balance" for the account of the shareholder.
Automatic Investment Plan
Under the Automatic Investment Plan, a shareholder may be able to arrange to
make additional purchases of shares automatically on a monthly basis by
electronic funds transfer from a checking account, if the bank which maintains
the account is a member of the Automated Clearing House, or by preauthorized
checks drawn on the shareholder's bank account. A shareholder may, of course,
terminate the program at any time. The Automatic Investment Plan Application
included with this Prospectus contains the requirements applicable to this
program. In addition, shareholders may obtain more information concerning this
program from their securities dealer or from Distributors.
The market value of each class of the Fund's shares is subject to fluctuation.
Before undertaking any plan for systematic investment, the investor should keep
in mind that such a program does not assure a profit or protect against a loss.
Systematic Withdrawal Plan
A shareholder may establish a Systematic Withdrawal Plan and receive regular
periodic payments from the account, provided that the net asset value of the
shares held by the shareholder is at least $5,000. There are no service charges
for establishing or maintaining a Systematic Withdrawal Plan. The minimum amount
which the shareholder may withdraw is $50 per withdrawal transaction, although
this is merely the minimum amount allowed under the plan and should not be
mistaken for a recommended amount. Retirement plans subject to mandatory
distribution requirements are not subject to the $50 minimum. The plan may be
established on a monthly, quarterly, semiannual or annual basis. If the
shareholder establishes a plan, any capital gain distributions and income
dividends paid by the Fund will be reinvested for the shareholder's account in
additional shares at net asset value. Payments will then be made from the
liquidation of shares at net asset value on the day of the transaction (which is
generally the first business day of the month in which the payment is scheduled)
with payment generally received by the shareholder three to five days after the
date of liquidation. By completing the "Special Payment Instructions for
Distributions" section of the Shareholder Application included with this
Prospectus, a shareholder may direct the selected withdrawals to another of the
Franklin Templeton Funds, to another person, or directly to a checking account.
If the bank at which the account is maintained is a member of the Automated
Clearing House, the payments may be made automatically by electronic funds
transfer. If this last option is requested, the shareholder should allow at
least 15 days for initial processing. Payments which may be paid in the interim
will be sent to the address of record. Liquidation of shares may reduce or
possibly exhaust the shares in the shareholder's account, to the extent
withdrawals exceed shares earned through dividends and distributions,
particularly in the event of a market decline. If the withdrawal amount exceeds
the total plan balance, the account will be closed and the remaining balance
will be sent to the shareholder. As with other redemptions, a liquidation to
make a withdrawal payment is a sale for federal income tax purposes. Because the
amount withdrawn under the plan may be more than the shareholder's actual yield
or income, part of the payment may be a return of the shareholder's investment.
The maintenance of a Systematic Withdrawal Plan concurrently with purchases of
additional shares of the Fund would be disadvantageous because of the sales
charge on the additional purchases. Also, redemptions of Class I shares and
Class II shares may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge if the
shares are redeemed within 12 months (Class I shares) or 18 months (Class II
shares) of the calendar month of the original purchase date. The shareholder
should ordinarily not make additional investments of less than $5,000 or three
times the annual withdrawals under the plan during the time such a plan is in
effect.
With respect to Class I shares, the contingent deferred sales charge is waived
for redemptions through a Systematic Withdrawal Plan set up prior to February 1,
1995. With respect to Systematic Withdrawal Plans set up on or after February 1,
1995, however, the applicable contingent deferred sales charge is waived for
Class I and Class II share redemptions of up to 1% monthly of an account's net
asset value (12% annually, 6% semiannually, 3% quarterly). For example, if a
Class I account maintained an annual balance of $1,000,000, only $120,000 could
be withdrawn through a once-yearly Systematic Withdrawal Plan free of charge.
Any amount over that $120,000 would be assessed a 1% (or applicable) contingent
deferred sales charge. Likewise, if a Class II account maintained an annual
balance of $10,000, only $1,200 could be withdrawn through a once-yearly
Systematic Withdrawal Plan free of charge.
A Systematic Withdrawal Plan may be terminated on written notice by the
shareholder or the Fund, and it will terminate automatically if all shares are
liquidated or withdrawn from the account, or upon the Fund's receipt of
notification of the death or incapacity of the shareholder. Shareholders may
change the amount (but not below the specified minimum) and schedule of
withdrawal payments, or suspend one such payment by giving written notice to
Investor Services at least seven business days prior to the end of the month
preceding a scheduled payment. Share certificates may not be issued while a
Systematic Withdrawal Plan is in effect.
Institutional Accounts
There may be additional methods of purchasing, redeeming or exchanging shares of
the Fund available to institutional accounts. For further information, contact
the Franklin Templeton Institutional Services Department at 1-800/321-8563.
Exchange Privilege
The Franklin Templeton Funds consist of a number of mutual funds with various
investment objectives and policies. The shares of most of these mutual funds are
offered to the public with a sales charge. If a shareholder's investment
objective or outlook for the securities markets changes, the Fund shares may be
exchanged for the same class of shares of other Franklin Templeton Funds which
are eligible for sale in the shareholder's state of residence and in conformity
with such fund's stated eligibility requirements and investment minimums. Some
funds, however, may not offer Class II shares. Class I shares may be exchanged
for Class I shares of any Franklin Templeton Funds. Class II shares may be
exchanged for Class II shares of any Franklin Templeton Funds. No exchanges
between different classes of shares will be allowed. A contingent deferred sales
charge will not be imposed on exchanges. If, however, the exchanged shares were
subject to a contingent deferred sales charge in the original fund purchased and
shares are subsequently redeemed within 12 months (Class I shares) or 18 months
(Class II shares) of the calendar month following the original purchase date, a
contingent deferred sales charge will be imposed. Investors should review the
prospectus of the fund they wish to exchange from and the fund they wish to
exchange into for all specific requirements or limitations on exercising the
exchange privilege, for example, minimum holding periods or applicable sales
charges.
Exchanges may be made in any of the following ways:
Exchanges By Mail
Send written instructions signed by all account owners and accompanied by any
outstanding share certificates properly endorsed. The transaction will be
effective upon receipt of the written instructions together with any outstanding
share certificates.
Exchanges By Telephone
Shareholders, or their investment representative of record, if any, may exchange
shares of the Fund by telephone by calling Investor Services at 1-800/632-2301
or the automated Franklin TeleFACTS(R) system (day or night) at 1-800/247-1753.
If the shareholder does not wish this privilege extended to a particular
account, the Fund or Investor Services should be notified.
The Telephone Exchange Privilege allows a shareholder to effect exchanges from
the Fund into an identically registered account of the same class of shares in
one of the other available Franklin Templeton Funds. The Telephone Exchange
Privilege is available only for uncertificated shares or those which have
previously been deposited in the shareholder's account. The Fund and Investor
Services will employ reasonable procedures to confirm that instructions
communicated by telephone are genuine. Please refer to "Telephone Transactions -
Verification Procedures."
During periods of drastic economic or market changes, it is possible that the
Telephone Exchange Privilege may be difficult to implement and the TeleFACTS
option may not be available. In this event, shareholders should follow the other
exchange procedures discussed in this section, including the procedures for
processing exchanges through securities dealers.
Exchanges Through Securities Dealers
As is the case with all purchases and redemptions of the Fund's shares, Investor
Services will accept exchange orders from securities dealers who execute a
dealer or similar agreement with Distributors. See also "Exchanges By Telephone"
above. Such a dealer-ordered exchange will be effective only for uncertificated
shares on deposit in the shareholder's account or for which certificates have
previously been deposited. A securities dealer may charge a fee for handling an
exchange.
Additional Information Regarding Exchanges
Exchanges of the same class of shares are made on the basis of the net asset
values of the class involved, except as set forth below. Exchanges of shares of
a class which were originally purchased without a sales charge will be charged a
sales charge in accordance with the terms of the prospectus of the fund and the
class of shares being purchased, unless the original investment on which no
sales charge was paid was transferred in from a fund on which the investor paid
a sales charge. Exchanges of Class I shares of the Fund which were purchased
with a lower sales charge into a fund which has a higher sales charge will be
charged the difference in sales charges, unless the shares were held in the Fund
for at least six months prior to executing the exchange. When an investor
requests the exchange of the total value of the Fund account, declared but
unpaid income dividends and capital gain distributions will be transferred to
the fund being exchanged into and will be invested at net asset value. Because
the exchange is considered a redemption and purchase of shares, the shareholder
may realize a gain or loss for federal income tax purposes.
Backup withholding and information reporting may also apply. Information
regarding the possible tax consequences of such an exchange is included in the
tax section in this Prospectus and in the SAI.
There are differences among the Franklin Templeton Funds. Before making an
exchange, a shareholder should obtain and review a current prospectus of the
fund into which the shareholder wishes to transfer.
If a substantial portion of the Fund's shareholders should, within a short
period, elect to redeem their shares of the Fund pursuant to the exchange
privilege, the Fund might have to liquidate portfolio securities it might
otherwise hold and incur the additional costs related to such transactions. On
the other hand, increased use of the exchange privilege may result in periodic
large inflows of money. If this should occur, it is the general policy of the
Fund to initially invest this money in short-term, interest-bearing money market
instruments, unless it is felt that attractive investment opportunities
consistent with the Fund's investment objectives exist immediately.
Subsequently, this money will be withdrawn from such short-term money market
instruments and invested in portfolio securities in as orderly a manner as is
possible when attractive investment opportunities arise.
The Exchange Privilege may be modified or discontinued by the Fund at any time
upon 60 days' written notice to shareholders.
Exchanges of Class I Shares
The contingency period of Class I shares will be tolled (or stopped) for the
period such shares are exchanged into and held in a Franklin or Templeton Class
I money market fund. If a Class I account has shares subject to a contingent
deferred sales charge, Class I shares will be exchanged into the new account on
a "first-in, first-out" basis. See also "How to Sell Shares of the Fund -
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge."
Exchanges of Class II Shares
When an account is composed of Class II shares subject to the contingent
deferred sales charge, and Class II shares that are not, the shares will be
transferred proportionately into the new fund. Shares received from reinvestment
of dividends and capital gains are referred to as "free shares," shares which
were originally subject to a contingent deferred sales charge but to which the
contingent deferred sales charge no longer applies are called "matured shares,"
and shares still subject to the contingent deferred sales charge are referred to
as "CDSC liable shares." CDSC liable shares held for different periods of time
are considered different types of CDSC liable shares. For instance, if a
shareholder has $1,000 in free shares, $2,000 in matured shares, and $3,000 in
CDSC liable shares, and the shareholder exchanges $3,000 into a new fund, $500
will be exchanged from free shares, $1,000 from matured shares, and $1,500 from
CDSC liable shares. Similarly, if CDSC liable shares have been purchased at
different periods, a proportionate amount will be taken from shares held for
each period. If, for example, a shareholder holds $1,000 in shares bought 3
months ago, $1,000 bought 6 months ago, and $1,000 bought 9 months ago, and the
shareholder exchanges $1,500 into the new fund, $500 from each of these shares
will be deemed exchanged into the new fund.
The only money market fund exchange option available to Class II shareholders is
the Franklin Templeton Money Fund II ("Money Fund II"), a series of the Franklin
Templeton Money Fund Trust. No drafts (checks) may be written on Money Fund II
accounts, nor may shareholders purchase shares of Money Fund II directly. Class
II shares exchanged for shares of Money Fund II will continue to age and a
contingent deferred sales charge will be assessed if CDSC liable shares are
redeemed. No other money market funds are available for Class II shareholders
for exchange purposes. Class I shares may be exchanged for shares of any of the
money market funds in the Franklin Templeton Funds except Money Fund II. Draft
writing privileges and direct purchases are allowed on these other money market
funds as described in their respective prospectuses.
To the extent shares are exchanged proportionately, as opposed to another
method, such as first-in first-out, or free-shares followed by CDSC liable
shares, the exchanged shares may, in some instances, be CDSC liable even though
a redemption of such shares, as discussed elsewhere herein, may no longer be
subject to a CDSC. The proportional method is believed by management to more
closely meet and reflect the expectations of Class II shareholders in the event
shares are redeemed during the contingency period. For federal income tax
purposes, the cost basis of shares redeemed or exchanged is determined under the
Code without regard to the method of transferring shares chosen by the Fund.
Transfers
Transfers between identically registered accounts in the same fund and class are
treated as non-monetary and non-taxable events, and are not subject to a
contingent deferred sales charge. The transferred shares will continue to age
from the date of original purchase. Shares of each class will be transferred on
the same basis as described above for exchanges.
Conversion Rights
It is not presently anticipated that Class II shares will be convertible to
Class I shares. A shareholder may, however, sell his or her Class II shares and
use the proceeds to purchase Class I shares, subject to all applicable sales
charges.
Retirement Plans
Franklin Templeton IRA and 403(b) retirement plan accounts may accomplish
exchanges directly. Certain restrictions may apply, however, to other types of
retirement plans. See "Restricted Accounts" under "Telephone Transactions."
Timing Accounts
Accounts which are administered by allocation or market timing services to
purchase or redeem shares based on predetermined market indicators ("Timing
Accounts") will be charged a $5.00 administrative service fee per each such
exchange. All other exchanges are without charge.
Restrictions on Exchanges
In accordance with the terms of their respective prospectuses, certain funds do
not accept or may place differing limitations than those below on exchanges by
Timing Accounts.
The Fund reserves the right to temporarily or permanently terminate the exchange
privilege or reject any specific purchase order for any Timing Account or any
person whose transactions seem to follow a timing pattern who: (i) makes an
exchange request out of the Fund within two weeks of an earlier exchange request
out of the Fund, or (ii) makes more than two exchanges out of the Fund per
calendar quarter, or (iii) exchanges shares equal in value to at least $5
million, or more than 1% of the Fund's net assets. Accounts under common
ownership or control, including accounts administered so as to redeem or
purchase shares based upon certain predetermined market indicators, will be
aggregated for purposes of the exchange limits.
The Fund also reserves the right to refuse the purchase side of an exchange
request by any Timing Account, person, or group if, in the Manager's judgment,
the Fund would be unable to invest effectively in accordance with its investment
objectives and policies, or would otherwise potentially be adversely affected. A
shareholder's purchase exchanges may be restricted or refused if the Fund
receives or anticipates simultaneous orders affecting significant portions of
the Fund's assets. In particular, a pattern of exchanges that coincide with a
"market timing" strategy may be disruptive to the Fund and therefore may be
refused.
The Fund and Distributors also reserve the right to refuse any order for the
purchase of shares, as indicated in "How to Buy Shares of the Fund."
How to Sell Shares of the Fund
A shareholder may at any time liquidate shares owned and receive from the Fund
the value of the shares. Shares may be redeemed in any of the following ways:
Redemptions By Mail
Send a written request, signed by all registered owners, to Investor Services,
at the address shown on the back cover of this Prospectus, and any share
certificates which have been issued for the shares being redeemed, properly
endorsed and in order for transfer. The shareholder will then receive from the
Fund the value of the class of shares redeemed based upon the net asset value
per share (less a contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable) next computed
after the written request in proper form is received by Investor Services.
Redemption requests received after the time at which the net asset value is
calculated (at the scheduled close of the New York Stock Exchange ("Exchange"),
which is generally 1:00 p.m. Pacific time) each day that the Exchange is open
for business will receive the price calculated on the following business day.
Shareholders are requested to provide a telephone number(s) where they may be
reached during business hours, or in the evening if preferred. Investor
Services' ability to contact a shareholder promptly when necessary will speed
the processing of the redemption.
To be considered in proper form, signature(s) must be guaranteed if the
redemption request involves any of the following:
(1) the proceeds of the redemption are over $50,000;
(2) the proceeds (in any amount) are to be paid to someone other than the
registered owner(s) of the account;
(3) the proceeds (in any amount) are to be sent to any address other than the
shareholder's address of record, preauthorized bank account or brokerage firm
account;
(4) share certificates, if the redemption proceeds are in excess of $50,000; or
(5) the Fund or Investor Services believes that a signature guarantee would
protect against potential claims based on the transfer instructions, including,
for example, when (a) the current address of one or more joint owners of an
account cannot be confirmed, (b) multiple owners have a dispute or give
inconsistent instructions to the Fund, (c) the Fund has been notified of an
adverse claim, (d) the instructions received by the Fund are given by an agent,
not the actual registered owner, (e) the Fund determines that joint owners who
are married to each other are separated or may be the subject of divorce
proceedings, or (f) the authority of a representative of a corporation,
partnership, association, or other entity has not been established to the
satisfaction of the Fund.
Signature(s) must be guaranteed by an "eligible guarantor institution" as
defined under Rule 17Ad-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Generally,
eligible guarantor institutions include (1) national or state banks, savings
associations, savings and loan associations, trust companies, savings banks,
industrial loan companies and credit unions; (2) national securities exchanges,
registered securities associations and clearing agencies; (3) securities dealers
which are members of a national securities exchange or a clearing agency or
which have minimum net capital of $100,000; or (4) institutions that participate
in the Securities Transfer Agent Medallion Program ("STAMP") or other recognized
signature guarantee medallion program. A notarized signature will not be
sufficient for the request to be in proper form.
Where shares to be redeemed are represented by share certificates, the request
for redemption must be accompanied by the share certificate and a share
assignment form signed by the registered shareholders exactly as the account is
registered, with the signature(s) guaranteed as referenced above. Shareholders
are advised, for their own protection, to send the share certificate and
assignment form in separate envelopes if they are being mailed in for
redemption.
Liquidation requests of corporate, partnership, trust and custodianship
accounts, and accounts under court jurisdiction require the following
documentation to be in proper form:
Corporation - (1) Signature guaranteed letter of instruction from the authorized
officer(s) of the corporation and (2) a corporate resolution.
Partnership - (1) Signature guaranteed letter of instruction from a general
partner and (2) pertinent pages from the partnership agreement identifying the
general partners or a certification for a partnership agreement.
Trust - (1) Signature guaranteed letter of instruction from the trustee(s) and
(2) a copy of the pertinent pages of the trust document listing the trustee(s)
or a Certification for Trust if the trustee(s) are not listed on the account
registration.
Custodial (other than a retirement account) - Signature guaranteed letter of
instruction from the custodian.
Accounts under court jurisdiction - Check court documents and the applicable
state law since these accounts have varying requirements, depending upon the
state of residence.
Payment for redeemed shares will be sent to the shareholder within seven days
after receipt of the request in proper form.
Redemptions By Telephone
Shareholders who complete the Franklin Templeton Telephone Redemption
Authorization Agreement (the "Agreement"), included with this Prospectus, may
redeem shares of the Fund by telephone, subject to the Restricted Account
exception noted under "Telephone Transactions - Restricted Accounts."
Information may also be obtained by writing to the Fund or Investor Services at
the address shown on the cover or by calling 1-800/632-2301. The Fund and
Investor Services will employ reasonable procedures to confirm that instructions
given by telephone are genuine. Shareholders, however, bear the risk of loss in
certain cases as described under "Telephone Transactions - Verification
Procedures."
For shareholder accounts with the completed Agreement on file, redemptions of
uncertificated shares or shares which have previously been deposited with the
Fund or Investor Services may be made for up to $50,000 per day per Fund
account. Telephone redemption requests received before the scheduled close of
the Exchange (generally 1:00 p.m. Pacific time) on any business day will be
processed that same day. The redemption check will be sent within seven days,
made payable to all the registered owners on the account, and will be sent only
to the address of record. Redemption requests by telephone will not be accepted
within 30 days following an address change by telephone. In that case, a
shareholder should follow the other redemption procedures set forth in this
Prospectus. Institutional accounts (certain corporations, bank trust
departments, government entities, and qualified retirement plans which qualify
to purchase shares at net asset value pursuant to the terms of this Prospectus)
which wish to execute redemptions in excess of $50,000 must complete an
Institutional Telephone Privileges Agreement which is available from the
Franklin Templeton Institutional Services Department by telephoning
1-800/321-8563.
Redeeming Shares Through Securities Dealers
The Fund will accept redemption orders from securities dealers who have entered
into an agreement with Distributors. This is known as a repurchase. The only
difference between a normal redemption and a repurchase is that if the
shareholder redeems shares through a securities dealer, the redemption price
will be the net asset value next calculated after the shareholder's securities
dealer receives the order which is promptly transmitted to the Fund, rather than
on the day the Fund receives the shareholder's written request in proper form.
These documents, as described in the preceding section, are required even if the
shareholder's securities dealer has placed the repurchase order. After receipt
of a repurchase order from the securities dealer, the Fund will still require a
signed letter of instruction and all other documents set forth above. A
shareholder's letter should reference the Fund and the class, the account
number, the fact that the repurchase was ordered by a securities dealer and the
dealer's name. Details of the dealer-ordered trade, such as trade date,
confirmation number, and the amount of shares or dollars, will help speed
processing of the redemption. The seven-day period within which the proceeds of
the shareholder's redemption will be sent will begin when the Fund receives all
documents required to complete ("settle") the repurchase in proper form. The
redemption proceeds will not earn dividends or interest during the time between
receipt of the dealer's repurchase order and the date the redemption is
processed upon receipt of all documents necessary to settle the repurchase.
Thus, it is in a shareholder's best interest to have the required documentation
completed and forwarded to the Fund as soon as possible. The shareholder's
securities dealer may charge a fee for handling the order. The SAI contains more
information on the redemption of shares.
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge
In order to recover commissions paid to securities dealers, Class I investments
of $1 million or more and any Class II investments redeemed within the
contingency period of 12 months (Class I) or 18 months (Class II) of the
calendar month following their purchase will be assessed a contingent deferred
sales charge, unless one of the exceptions described below applies. The charge
is 1% of the lesser of the value of the shares redeemed (exclusive of reinvested
dividends and capital gain distributions) or the net asset value at the time of
purchase of such shares, and is retained by Distributors. The contingent
deferred sales charge is waived in certain instances.
In determining if a contingent deferred sales charge applies, shares not subject
to a contingent deferred sales charge are deemed to be redeemed first, in the
following order: (i) A calculated number of shares representing amounts
attributable to capital appreciation of those shares held less than the
contingency period (12 months in the case of Class I shares and 18 months in the
case of Class II shares); (ii) shares purchased with reinvested dividends and
capital gain distributions; and (iii) other shares held longer than the
contingency period; and followed by any shares held less than the contingency
period, on a "first in, first out" basis. For tax purposes, a contingent
deferred sales charge is treated as either a reduction in redemption proceeds or
an adjustment to the cost basis of the shares redeemed.
The contingent deferred sales charge on each class of shares is waived, as
applicable, for: exchanges; any account fees; distributions to participants or
their beneficiaries in Trust Company individual retirement plan accounts due to
death, disability or attainment of age 591/2; tax-free returns of excess
contributions from employee benefit plans; distributions from employee benefit
plans, including those due to termination or plan transfer; redemptions through
a Systematic Withdrawal Plan set up for shares prior to February 1, 1995, and
for Systematic Withdrawal Plans set up thereafter, redemptions of up to 1%
monthly of an account's net asset value (3% quarterly, 6% semiannually or 12%
annually); redemptions initiated by the Fund due to a shareholder's account
falling below the minimum specified account size; and redemptions following the
death of the shareholder or the beneficial owner.
All investments made during a calendar month, regardless of when during the
month the investment occurred, will age one month on the last day of that month
and each subsequent month.
Requests for redemptions for a specified dollar amount, unless otherwise
specified, will result in additional shares being redeemed to cover any
applicable contingent deferred sales charge, while requests for redemption of a
specific number of shares will result in the applicable contingent deferred
sales charge being deducted from the total dollar amount redeemed.
Additional Information Regarding Redemptions
The Fund may delay the mailing of the redemption check, or a portion thereof,
until the clearance of the check used to purchase Fund shares, which may take up
to 15 days or more. Although the use of a certified or cashier's check will
generally reduce this delay, shares purchased with these checks will also be
held pending clearance. Shares purchased by federal funds wire are available for
immediate redemption. In addition, the right of redemption may be suspended or
the date of payment postponed if the Exchange is closed (other than customary
closing) or upon the determination of the SEC that trading on the Exchange is
restricted or an emergency exists, or if the SEC permits it, by order, for the
protection of shareholders. Of course, the amount received may be more or less
than the amount invested by the shareholder, depending on fluctuations in the
market value of securities owned by the Fund.
Retirement Plan Accounts
Retirement plan account liquidations require the completion of certain
additional forms to ensure compliance with Internal Revenue Service ("IRS")
regulations. To liquidate a retirement plan account, a shareholder or securities
dealer may call Franklin's Retirement Plans Department to obtain the necessary
forms.
Tax penalties will generally apply to any distribution from such plans to a
participant under age 591/2, unless the distribution meets one of the exceptions
set forth in the code.
Other
For any information required about a proposed liquidation, a shareholder may
call Franklin's Shareholder Services Department or the securities dealer may
call Franklin's Dealer Services Department.
Telephone Transactions
Shareholders of the Fund and their investment representative of record, if any,
may be able to execute various transactions by calling Investor Services at
1-800/632-2301.
All shareholders will be able to: (i) effect a change in address, (ii) change a
dividend option (see "Restricted Accounts" below), (iii) transfer Fund shares in
one account to another identically registered account in the Fund, (iv) request
the issuance of certificates, and (v) exchange Fund shares as described in this
Prospectus by telephone. In addition, shareholders who complete and file an
Agreement as described under "How to Sell Shares of the Fund - Redemptions By
Telephone" will be able to redeem shares of the Fund.
Verification Procedures
The Fund and Investor Services will employ reasonable procedures to confirm that
instructions communicated by telephone are genuine. These will include:
recording all telephone calls requesting account activity by telephone,
requiring that the caller provide certain personal and/or account information
requested by the telephone service agent at the time of the call for the purpose
of establishing the caller's identification, and sending a confirmation
statement on redemptions to the address of record each time account activity is
initiated by telephone. So long as the Fund and Investor Services follow
instructions communicated by telephone which were reasonably believed to be
genuine at the time of their receipt, neither they nor their affiliates will be
liable for any loss to the shareholder caused by an unauthorized transaction.
The Fund and Investor Services may be liable for any losses due to unauthorized
or fraudulent instructions in the event such reasonable procedures are not
followed. Shareholders are, of course, under no obligation to apply for or
accept telephone transaction privileges. In any instance where the Fund or
Investor Services is not reasonably satisfied that instructions received by
telephone are genuine, the requested transaction will not be executed, and
neither the Fund nor Investor Services will be liable for any losses which may
occur because of a delay in implementing a transaction.
Restricted Accounts
Telephone redemptions and dividend option changes may not be accepted on
Franklin Templeton retirement accounts. To assure compliance with all applicable
regulations, special forms are required for any distribution, redemption, or
dividend payment. While the telephone exchange privilege is extended to Franklin
Templeton IRA and 403(b) retirement accounts, certain restrictions may apply to
other types of retirement plans. Changes to dividend options must also be made
in writing.
To obtain further information regarding distribution or transfer procedures,
including any required forms, retirement account shareholders may call to speak
to a Retirement Plan Specialist at 1-800/527-2020 for Franklin accounts or
1-800/354-9191 (press "2" when prompted to do so) for Templeton accounts.
General
During periods of drastic economic or market changes, it is possible that the
telephone transaction privileges will be difficult to execute because of heavy
telephone volume. In such situations, shareholders may wish to contact their
investment representative for assistance, or to send written instructions to the
Fund as detailed elsewhere in this Prospectus.
Neither the Fund nor Investor Services will be liable for any losses resulting
from the inability of a shareholder to execute a telephone transaction.
The telephone transaction privilege may be modified or discontinued by the Fund
at any time upon 60 days' written notice to shareholders.
Valuation of Fund Shares
The net asset value per share of each class of the Fund is determined as of the
scheduled close of the Exchange (generally 1:00 p.m. Pacific time) each day that
the Exchange is open for trading. Many newspapers carry daily quotations of the
prior trading day's closing "bid" (net asset value) and "ask" (offering price,
which includes the maximum sales charge of each class of shares of the Fund).
The net asset value per share for each class of the Fund is determined in the
following manner: The aggregate of all liabilities, including, without
limitation, the current market value of any outstanding options written by the
Fund, accrued expenses and taxes and any necessary reserves is deducted from the
aggregate gross value of all assets, and the difference is divided by the number
of shares of the respective class of the Fund outstanding at the time. For the
purpose of determining the aggregate net assets of the Fund, cash and
receivables are valued at their realizable amounts. Interest is recorded as
accrued and dividends are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Portfolio securities
listed on a securities exchange or on the NASDAQ National Market System for
which market quotations are readily available are valued at the last quoted sale
price of the day or, if there is no such reported sale, within the range of the
most recent quoted bid and ask prices. The value of a foreign security is
determined as of the close of trading on the foreign exchange on which it is
traded or as of the schedule closing of trading on the Exchange, if that is
earlier, and that value is then converted into its U.S. dollar equivalent at the
foreign exchange rate in effect at noon, New York time, on the day the value of
the foreign security is determined. If no sale is reported at that time, the
mean between the current bid and ask price is used. Occasionally, events which
affect the values of foreign securities and foreign exchange rates may occur
between the times at which they are determined and the close of the exchange and
will, therefore, not be reflected in the computation of each class' net asset
value. If events materially affecting the value of these foreign securities
occur during such period, then these securities will be valued at fair value as
determined by management and approved in good faith by the Board.
Over-the-counter portfolio securities for which market quotations are readily
available are valued within the range of the most recent bid and ask prices as
obtained from one or more dealers that make markets in the securities. Portfolio
securities which are traded both in the over-the-counter market and on a stock
exchange are valued according to the broadest and most representative market as
determined by the Manager. Portfolio securities underlying actively traded call
options are valued at their market price as determined above. The current market
value of any option held by the Fund is its last sale price on the relevant
exchange prior to the time when assets are valued. Lacking any sales that day or
if the last sale price is outside the bid and ask prices, the options are valued
within the range of the current closing bid and ask prices if such valuation is
believed to fairly reflect the contract's market value. Other securities for
which market quotations are readily available are valued at the current market
price, which may be obtained from a pricing service, based on a variety of
factors, including recent trades, institutional size trading in similar types of
securities (considering yield, risk and maturity) and/or developments related to
specific issues. Securities and other assets for which market prices are not
readily available are valued at fair value as determined following procedures
approved by the Board.
With the approval of directors, the Fund may utilize a pricing service, bank or
securities dealer to perform any of the above described functions.
Each of the Fund's classes will bear, pro rata, all of the common expenses of
the Fund, except that Class I and Class II shares will bear the Rule 12b-1
expenses payable under their respective plans. The net asset value of all
outstanding shares of each class of the Fund will be computed on a pro rata
basis for each outstanding share based on the proportionate participation in the
Fund represented by the value of shares of such class. Due to the specific
distribution expenses and other costs that will be allocable to each class, the
dividends paid to each class of the Fund may vary.
How to Get Information Regarding
an Investment in the Fund
Any questions or communications regarding a shareholder's account should be
directed to Investor Services at the address shown on the back cover of this
Prospectus.
From a touch-tone phone, Franklin and Templeton shareholders may access an
automated system (day or night) which offers the following features.
By calling the Franklin TeleFACTS(R) system at 1-800/247-1753, shareholders may
obtain Class I and Class II account information, current price and, if
available, yield or other performance information specific to the Fund or any
Franklin Templeton Fund. In addition, Franklin Class I shareholders may process
an exchange, within the same class, into an identically registered Franklin
account and request duplicate confirmation or year-end statements, money fund
checks, if applicable, and deposit slips.
Franklin Class I and Class II share codes for the Fund, which will be needed to
access system information are 101 and 232, respectively. The system's automated
operator will prompt the caller with easy to follow step-by-step instructions
from the main menu. Other features may be added in the future.
To assist shareholders and securities dealers wishing to speak directly with a
representative, the following is a list of the various Franklin or Templeton
departments, telephone numbers and hours of operation to call. The same numbers
may be used when calling from a rotary phone.
Hours of Operation (Pacific time)
Department Name Telephone No. (Monday through Friday)
Shareholder Services 1-800/632-2301 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Dealer Services 1-800/524-4040 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Fund Information 1-800/DIAL BEN 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Saturday)
Retirement Plans 1-800/527-2020 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
TDD (hearing impaired) 1-800/851-0637 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
In order to ensure that the highest quality of service is being provided,
telephone calls placed to or by representatives in Franklin's service
departments may be accessed, recorded and monitored. These calls can be
determined by the presence of a regular beeping tone.
Performance
Advertisements, sales literature and communications to shareholders may contain
various measures of a class' performance, including various expressions of total
return. They may occasionally cite statistics to reflect its volatility or risk.
Average annual total return figures as prescribed by the SEC represent the
average annual percentage change in value of $1,000 invested at the maximum
public offering price (offering price includes sales charge) for one-, five- and
ten-year periods, or portion thereof, to the extent applicable, through the end
of the most recent calendar quarter, assuming reinvestment of all distributions.
The Fund may also furnish total return quotations for each class for other
periods or based on investments at various sales charge levels or at net asset
value. For such purposes, total return equals the total of all income and
capital gain paid to shareholders, assuming reinvestment of all distributions,
plus (or minus) the change in the value of the original investment, expressed as
a percentage of the purchase price.
Performance figures are based upon past performance, reflect all recurring
charges against a class' income and will assume the payment of the maximum sales
charge on the purchase of that class of shares. When there has been a change in
the sales charge structure, the historical performance figures will be restated
to reflect the new rate. The investment results of each class, like all other
investment companies, will fluctuate over time; thus, performance figures should
not be considered to represent what an investment may earn in the future or what
a class' total return may be in any future period.
Because Class II shares were not offered prior to May 1, 1995, no performance
data is available for these shares. After a sufficient period of time has
passed, Class II performance data will be available.
General Information
As of May 1, 1995, the full name of each class is as follows: Franklin Gold
Fund, Franklin Gold Fund Series, Franklin Gold Fund - Class I, and Franklin Gold
Fund, Franklin Gold Fund Series, Franklin Gold Fund - Class II.
Reports to Shareholders
The Fund's fiscal year ends July 31. Annual Reports containing audited financial
statements of the Fund, including the auditors' report, and Semi-Annual Reports
containing unaudited financial statements are automatically sent to
shareholders. Copies may be obtained, without charge, upon request to the Fund
at the telephone number or address set forth on the cover page of this
Prospectus.
Additional information on Fund performance is included in the Fund's Annual
Report to Shareholders and the SAI.
Organization and Voting Rights
The Fund's authorized capital stock consists of 100,000,000 shares of common
stock of $0.10 par value divided into two classes. Shares of capital stock have
been allocated to Class I and shares of capital stock have been allocated to
Class II. All shares have one vote and, when issued, are fully paid and
nonassessable. All shares have equal voting, participation and liquidation
rights, but have no subscription, preemptive or conversion rights.
Shares of the Fund have cumulative voting rights which means that in all
elections of directors, each shareholder has the right to cast a number of votes
equal to the number of shares owned multiplied by the number of directors to be
elected at such election and each shareholder may cast the whole number of votes
for one candidate or distribute such votes among two or more candidates.
The Fund does not intend to hold annual shareholders' meetings. The Fund may,
however, hold a special meeting for such purposes as changing fundamental
investment restrictions, approving a new management agreement or any other
matters which are required to be acted on by shareholders under the 1940 Act. A
meeting may also be called by a majority of the Board or by shareholders holding
at least ten percent of the shares entitled to vote at the meeting. Shareholders
may receive assistance in communicating with other shareholders in connection
with the election or removal of directors such as that provided in Section 16(c)
of the 1940 Act.
Shares of each class represent proportionate interests in the assets of the Fund
and have the same voting and other rights and preferences as the other class of
the Fund for matters that affect the Fund as a whole. For matters that only
affect a certain class of the Fund's shares, however, only shareholders of that
class will be entitled to vote. Therefore, each class of shares will vote
separately on matters (1) affecting only that class, (2) expressly required to
be voted on separately by state corporation law, or (3) required to be voted on
separately by the 1940 Act, or the rules adopted thereunder. For instance, if a
change to the Rule 12b-1 plan relating to Class I shares requires shareholder
approval, only shareholders of Class I may vote on the change to the Rule 12b-1
plan affecting that class. Similarly, if a change to the Rule 12b-1 plan
relating to Class II shares requires approval, only shareholders of Class II may
vote on changes to such plan. On the other hand, if there is a proposed change
to the investment objective of the Fund, this affects all shareholders,
regardless of which class of shares they hold and, therefore, each share has the
same voting rights.
Redemptions by the Fund
The Fund reserves the right to redeem, at net asset value, shares of any
shareholder whose account has been in existence for at least 12 months and has a
value of less than $50, but only where the value of such account has been
reduced by the shareholder's prior voluntary redemption of shares and has been
inactive (except for the reinvestment of distributions) for a period of at least
six months, provided advance notice is given to the shareholder. More
information is included in the SAI.
Other Information
Distribution or redemption checks sent to shareholders do not earn interest or
any other income during the time such checks remain uncashed and neither the
Fund nor its affiliates will be liable for any loss to the shareholder caused by
the shareholder's failure to cash such check(s).
"Cash" payments to or from the Fund may be made by check, draft or wire. The
Fund has no facility to receive, or pay out, cash in the form of currency.
Account Registrations
An account registration should reflect the investor's intentions as to
ownership. Where there are two co-owners on the account, the account will be
registered as "Owner 1" and "Owner 2"; the "or" designation is not used except
for money market fund accounts. If co-owners wish to have the ability to redeem
or convert on the signature of only one owner, a limited power of attorney may
be used.
Accounts should not be registered in the name of a minor, either as sole or
co-owner of the account. Transfer or redemption for such an account may require
court action to obtain release of the funds until the minor reaches the legal
age of majority. The account should be registered in the name of one "Adult" as
custodian for the benefit of the "Minor" under the Uniform Transfer or Gifts to
Minors Act.
A trust designation such as "trustee" or "in trust for" should only be used if
the account is being established pursuant to a legal, valid trust document. Use
of such a designation in the absence of a legal trust document may cause
difficulties and require court action for transfer or redemption of the funds.
Shares, whether in certificate form or not, registered as joint tenants or "Jt
Ten" shall mean "as joint tenants with rights of survivorship" and not "as
tenants in common."
Except as indicated, a shareholder may transfer an account in the Fund carried
in "street" or "nominee" name by the shareholder's securities dealer to a
comparably registered Fund account maintained by another securities dealer. Both
the delivering and receiving securities dealers must have executed dealer
agreements on file with Distributors. Unless a dealer agreement has been
executed and is on file with Distributors, the Fund will not process the
transfer and will so inform the shareholder's delivering securities dealer. To
effect the transfer, a shareholder should instruct the securities dealer to
transfer the account to a receiving securities dealer and sign any documents
required by the securities dealer(s) to evidence consent to the transfer. Under
current procedures, the account transfer may be processed by the delivering
securities dealer and the Fund after the Fund receives authorization in proper
form from the shareholder's delivering securities dealer. In the future it may
be possible to effect such transfers electronically through the services of the
NSCC.
The Fund may conclusively accept instructions from an owner or the owner's
nominee listed in publicly available nominee lists, regardless of whether the
account was initially registered in the name of or by the owner, the nominee, or
both. If a securities dealer or other representative is of record on an
investor's account, the investor will be deemed to have authorized the use of
electronic instructions on the account, including, without limitation, those
initiated through the services of the NSCC, to have adopted as instruction and
signature any such electronic instructions received by the Fund and the
Shareholder Services Agent, and to have authorized them to execute the
instructions without further inquiry. At the present time, such services which
are available include the NSCC's "Networking," "Fund/SERV," and "ACATS" systems.
Any questions regarding an intended registration should be answered by the
securities dealer handling the investment, or by calling Franklin's Fund
Information Department.
Important Notice Regarding
Taxpayer IRS Certifications
Pursuant to the Code and U.S. Treasury regulations, the Fund may be required to
report to the IRS any taxable dividend, capital gain distribution, or other
reportable payment (including share redemption proceeds) and withhold 31% of any
such payments made to individuals and other non-exempt shareholders who have not
provided a correct taxpayer identification number ("TIN") and made certain
required certifications that appear in the Shareholder Application. A
shareholder may also be subject to backup withholding if the IRS or a securities
dealer notifies the Fund that the number furnished by the shareholder is
incorrect or that the shareholder is subject to backup withholding for previous
under-reporting of interest or dividend income.
The Fund reserves the right to (1) refuse to open an account for any person
failing to provide a TIN along with the required certifications and (2) close an
account by redeeming its shares in full at the then-current net asset value upon
receipt of notice from the IRS that the TIN certified as correct by the
shareholder is in fact incorrect or upon the failure of a shareholder who has
completed an "awaiting TIN" certification to provide the Fund with a certified
TIN within 60 days after opening the account.
Portfolio Operations
The following persons are primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of
the Fund's portfolio: R. Martin Wiskemann since 1972, Suzanne Willoughby Killea
since January 1994 and Shan C. Green since June 1994.
R. Martin Wiskemann
Senior Vice President of Advisers
Mr. Wiskemann holds a degree in business administration from the Handelsschule
of the State of Zurich, Switzerland. He has been with Advisers since 1972 and,
prior thereto, he was a securities analyst at Laird, Bissell & Meed and an
investment manager with Winfield & Company. Mr. Wiskemann is a member of several
securities industry related committees and associations.
Suzanne Willoughby Killea
Portfolio Manager of Advisers
Ms. Killea holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Stanford
University. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in architecture from
Princeton University. Prior to joining Franklin, Ms. Killea worked as a summer
intern with Dillon Read & Co., Inc. (1990) and Dodge & Cox (1989), and for five
years as a broker with the Rubicon Group, a commercial real estate services
firm.
Shan C. Green
Portfolio Manager of Advisers
Ms. Green holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the University
of California at Berkeley. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from State
University of New York at Stony Brook. Ms. Green joined Franklin in June of
1994.
