MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
================================================================================
November 15, 1996
Dear Shareholder,
We are pleased to bring you the Franklin Multi-Income Trust semi-annual report
for the period ended September 30, 1996.
During this reporting period, the economy continued to grow at a moderate pace.
In the first half of 1996, the Gross Domestic Product (a measure of the nation's
economic output), grew at a 3.4% annual rate, while preliminary numbers put the
third-quarter growth rate at 2.2%. In contrast, the annualized growth rate for
the fourth quarter of 1995 was just 0.3%.1
Even though the economy experienced healthy growth during the period, inflation
remained under control. From January 1 through September 30, 1996, inflation (as
measured by the Consumer Price Index) rose at a moderate, annualized rate of
2.80%.2 Nonetheless, toward the end of the reporting period, investors began to
worry that the Federal Reserve Board (the Fed) would raise interest rates to
slow the economy and pre-empt potential inflation. On September 24, 1996, Fed
policymakers surprised investors by leaving interest rates alone and allowing
the market to determine interest rates.
Interest rates rose slowly all year, as evidenced by the 10-year U.S. Treasury
yield, which increased from 5.58% on January 1, 1996, to 6.72% on September 30,
1996.2 Equities generally per-formed well within this environment, while most
bond prices suffered since they typically decline when interest rates rise.
Despite a mid-summer slump, the Dow Jones Industrial Average(R) (the Dow)
reached new highs throughout 1996. It ended the reporting period at 5882.17,
more than 700 points higher than its 5177.45 close on January 2. During this
reporting period, the Dow returned 6.64%,1 the First Boston High Yield Corporate
Bond Index returned 5.39%, and the Standard and Poor's(R) Utilities Index
returned 1.50%.2,3
1. Source: Bloomberg.
2. Source: Micropal.
The Manager's Discussion on page 3 provides specific details about your fund's
performance and investment strategies for the reporting period.
As always, we appreciate your continued investment in the Franklin Multi-Income
Trust and look forward to serving your future investment needs.
Sincerely,
Charles B. Johnson
President
Franklin Multi-Income Trust
1. Total return, calculated by Wilshire Associates, Inc., includes reinvested
dividends.
2. Total returns include reinvested interest or dividends. Indices are
unmanaged, and one cannot invest directly in an index.
3. Source: Bloomberg.
MANAGER'S DISCUSSION
================================================================================
Your Fund's Objective:
The Franklin Multi-Income Trust seeks to provide high current income consistent
with preservation of capital.
Despite higher interest rates, the Trust's two major investment sectors --
high-yield corporate bonds and utility stocks -- provided positive returns for
the reporting period. The Franklin Multi-Income Trust generated a cumulative
total return of 7.07%, based on its change in market price on the New York Stock
Exchange over the six-month reporting period. This compares favorably with the
total returns of the First Boston High Yield Corporate Index (+5.39%) and the
Standard and Poor's(R) Utilities Index (+1.50%) for the same period.+
In general, strong corporate earnings and improving financial conditions
benefited the Trust's high-yield corporate securities, while the stronger stock
market helped its utility stocks. August and September were also particularly
good months for price appreciation in the high-yield corporate bond market. In
addition to solid economic and sector fundamentals, the success of individual
securities contributed to the Trust's performance.
GRAPHIC MATERIAL 1 OMITTED - SEE APPENDIX AT END OF DOCUMENT
+Total returns include reinvested interest or dividends. Indexes are unmanaged,
and one cannot invest directly in an index.
Sector Discussions
Media/Broadcasting, Cable Television,
and Telecommunications
The Trust maintained a strong weighting in media/broadcasting and cable
television (10.4% of total net assets), which have strengthened as a result of
two major industry trends: consolidation and deregulation.
In large part, these trends have resulted from the Telecommunications Act, which
Congress passed in February 1996. Essentially, this law allows regional phone
companies to offer long-distance and cable services, TV networks to own more TV
and radio stations, and cable companies to set their own prices. The outcome has
caused a rally in cable television and media/broadcasting bonds as companies
compete and consolidate.
Franklin Multi-Income Trust
Top 10 Holdings on September 30, 1996
As Percentage of Total Net Assets
Company % of total
Industry net assets
Public Service Co. of Colorado 4.04%
Utility (stock)
Allegheny Power 3.46%
Utility (stock)
FPL Group, Inc. 2.65%
Utility (stock)
American Electric Power 2.61%
Utility (stock)
Texas Utilities Co. 2.55%
Utility (stock)
SCANA Corp. 2.54%
Utility (stock)
Dominion Resources 2.49%
Utility (stock)
Central & Southwest Co. 2.47%
Utility (stock)
Wisconsin Energy 2.42%
Utility (stock)
CINergy 2.28%
Utility (stock)
For a complete list of the Trust's holdings, please see page 12 of this report.
The Trust's portfolio contains bonds such as SCI TV and Teleport, which
benefited from these industry changes.
Additionally, the Trust has positioned itself to take advantage of positive
global trends in telecommunications by acquiring holdings in companies such as
Milicom International Cellular, which has diversified operations in several
developing markets.
Health Care
Positive industry trends and ongoing company consolidations continued to make
the health-care sector active and profitable for the Trust. The selection of
specific securities, including those of two high-performing acute-care providers
- -- OrNda Healthcorp and Tenet Healthcare -- contributed to the Trust's
performance over the six-month period. Both companies have shown improvements in
their creditworthiness, and we believe they should provide solid upside
potential for 1996-97 as well.
Utilities
Rising interest rates during the period pushed utility stocks lower. However,
these stocks do offer the benefit of regular dividend payouts, which provided
the Trust with steady income. In particular, several strong performers,
including Duke Power Co., SCANA Corp., and Texas Utilities, contributed to the
performance of the Trust's utility-stock portion (50.8% of total net assets).
Future regulatory changes, especially deregulation, could significantly impact
utility stocks. Industry-wide deregulation may give customers the power to
choose their utility providers. As such, we focused our holdings on utilities we
believe are best equipped to handle increased competition -- those with low
production costs, strong entrepreneurial management teams, and service areas
located in regions experiencing economic growth.
Looking Ahead
Recent economic data suggest continued moderate economic growth and stable
interest rates for the intermediate term. Inflation, while inching up slightly,
seems to be under control. If this environment continues, high-yield corporate
bonds and utility equities should remain attractive investments over the short
to intermediate term, which would be favorable for the Franklin Multi-Income
Trust.
Just as economic and market conditions constantly change, our strategies,
evaluations, conclusions and decisions regarding portfolio holdings will also
change as new circumstances arise. Although past performance of a specific
investment or sector cannot guarantee future performance, such information can
help illustrate how we analyze purchases for the Trust.
PERFORMANCE SUMMARY
================================================================================
The Franklin Multi-Income Trust's share price on the New York Stock Exchange
(NYSE) increased 25.0 cents from $9.00 on March 31, 1996, to $9.25 on September
30, 1996. The Trust's net asset value per share decreased 2.0 cents from $10.62
on March 31, 1996, to $10.60 on September 30, 1996.
During the reporting period, the Trust distributed income dividends totaling
38.4 cents ($0.384) per share. Based on an annualization of the current monthly
dividend of 6.4 cents ($0.064 per share) and the NYSE closing price of $9.25 on
September 30, 1996, the Trust's distribution rate was 8.30%. Dividends will vary
based on the earnings of the portfolio, and past distributions are not
predictive of future trends.
Franklin Multi-Income Trust
Dividend Distributions 4/1/96 - 9/30/96
Dividend
Month per Share
April 6.4 cents
May 6.4 cents
June 6.4 cents
July 6.4 cents
August 6.4 cents
September 6.4 cents
Total 38.4 cents
The Franklin Multi-Income Trust reported cumulative total returns of 7.07% and
9.73% for the six-month and 12-month periods ended September 30, 1996,
respectively. Total return reflects the change in the Trust's share price on the
NYSE. Based on the change in net asset value (as opposed to market price),
six-month and one-year total returns for the same period were 4.08% and 12.38%,
respectively. All total returns assume the reinvestment of dividends and capital
gains according to the terms specified in the dividend reinvestment plan. Past
rformance is not predictive of future results.
We urge you to view your investment in Franklin Multi-Income Trust with a
long-term perspective. As the chart below shows, the Trust reported a cumulative
total return of 150.72%, based on net asset value, since its inception on
October 9, 1989.
Franklin Multi-Income Trust
Periods Ended September 30, 1996
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Since
Inception
1-Year 5-Year (10/09/89)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Cumulative Total Return1
Based on change in net asset value 12.38% 91.89% 150.72%
Based on change in market price 9.73% 76.67% 102.74%
Average Annual Total Return1
Based on change in net asset value 12.38% 13.92% 14.08%
Based on change in market price 9.73% 12.06% 10.66%
Distribution Rate2 8.30%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Total return calculations represent the change in value of an investment over
the periods indicated and assume reinvestment of all distributions, according to
the terms specified in the Trust's dividend reinvestment plan.
2. Distribution rate is based on the annualization of the Trust's current 6.4
cent per share monthly dividend and the New York Stock Exchange closing price of
$9.25 on September 30, 1996.
Past performance is not predictive of future results.
</TABLE>
PORTFOLIO OPERATIONS
================================================================================
Christopher Molumphy
Senior Portfolio Manager
Franklin Advisers, Inc.
Christopher Molumphy holds a bachelor of arts degree in economics from Stanford
University and a master's degree in finance from the University of Chicago. He
has been with Franklin Advisers since 1988. Molumphy is a Chartered Financial
Analyst (CFA) and a member of several securities industry associations. He has
managed the Franklin Multi-Income Trust since 1991.
* * * * *
As of September 30, 1996, Morningstar awarded the Franklin Multi-Income Trust a
five-star overall rating, measuring its performance against a universe of 63
closed-end fixed-income funds for the five-year period.*
*Morningstar proprietary ratings reflect historical risk-adjusted performance
and are subject to change every month. Past performance is no guarantee of
future results. Morningstar ratings are calculated from the fund's three-year
and five-year average annual returns in excess of 90-day Treasury-bill returns
and a risk factor that reflects fund performance below 90-day T-bill returns.
Ten percent of the funds in an investment category receive five stars, 22.5%
receive four stars. Ratings for other periods ended September 30, 1996: four
stars for the three-year period, out of a universe of 96 closed-end fixed-income
funds.
DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN
===============================================================================
The Fund's Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the "Plan") offers you a prompt and
simple way to reinvest dividends and/or capital gain distributions in shares of
the Fund. The Shareholder Services Group ("TSSG" or "Plan Agent"), c/o Corporate
Securities, 53 State St., Boston, Massachusetts 02109, acts as your Plan Agent
in administering the Plan. All reinvestments are in full and fractional shares,
carried to three decimal places. The complete terms and conditions of the Plan
are contained in the Fund's prospectus, dated October 24, 1989, used in
connection with its initial public offering. A copy of that prospectus may be
obtained from the Fund at the address on the cover of this report.
You are automatically enrolled in the Plan unless you elect to receive dividends
or distributions in cash. If you own shares in your own name, you should notify
the Plan Agent, in writing, if you wish to receive dividends or distributions in
cash.
If the Fund declares a dividend or capital gain distribution, you, as a
participant in the Plan, will automatically receive an equivalent amount of
shares of the Fund purchased on your behalf by the Plan Agent in the open
market. If the market price exceeds the net asset value per share of the Fund,
participants in the Plan will pay a price per share which exceeds the net asset
value per share in connection with purchases through the Plan. All reinvestments
are in full and fractional shares. The Fund does not issue new shares in
connection with the Plan.
There is no direct charge to participants for reinvesting dividends and
distributions, since the Plan Agent's fees are paid by the Fund. Whenever shares
are purchased through the exchange on which they are listed, each participant
will pay a pro rata portion of brokerage commissions. The automatic reinvestment
of dividends and distributions does not relieve shareholders of liability for
any taxes which may be payable on dividends or distributions.
Generally, income and capital gains resulting from dividends and distributions
received in the form of shares of the Fund are realized notwithstanding the fact
that cash is not received by shareholders.
You will receive a monthly account statement from the Plan Agent showing total
dividends and distributions, date of investment, shares acquired and price per
share, and total shares of record held by you and by the Plan Agent for you. You
are entitled to vote all shares of record, including shares purchased for you by
the Plan Agent, and, if you vote by proxy, your proxy will include all such
shares.
As long as you participate in the Plan, the Plan Agent will hold the shares it
has acquired for you in safekeeping, in non-certificated form. This convenience
provides added protection against loss, theft or inadvertent destruction of
certificates.
You may withdraw from the Plan at any time, without penalty, by notifying the
Plan Agent, in writing, at the address above. If you withdraw from the Plan, you
will receive a certificate issued in your name for all full shares and the Plan
Agent will convert any fractional shares you hold at the time of withdrawal to
cash at the then current market price and send you a check for the proceeds. If
you prefer, the Plan Agent will sell all of your full and fractional shares upon
your withdrawal and send you the proceeds.
If you hold shares in your own name, please address all notices, correspondence,
questions, or other communications regarding the Plan to the Plan Agent at the
address noted above. If shares are not held in your name, you should contact
your brokerage firm, bank, or other nominee for more information.
FRANKLIN MULTI-INCOME TRUST
================================================================================
Statement of Investments in Securities and Net Assets, September 30, 1996
(unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Shares,
Warrants Value
& Rights (Note 1)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common Stocks, Warrants & Rights 54.7%
Energy 1.6%
<S> <C>
33,300 Ultramar Corp.
$ 1,007,325
---------------
Industrial .3%
20,565 a Anacomp Inc. 169,661
7,404 a Anacomp Inc., rights 6,479
1,000 a Gulf States Steel, warrants 5,000
518 a Thermadyne Industries, Inc. 11,008
---------------
192,148
---------------
Lodging .1%
526 a Host Marriott Corp 7,627
526 Marriott International, Inc 28,996
---------------
36,623
---------------
Media and Broadcasting .3%
16,000 Sullivan Broadcast Holdings 160,000
---------------
Telecommunications 1.4%
120 d Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp. (Japan) 881,602
---------------
Utilities 51.0%
74,000 Allegheny Power System, Inc. 2,146,000
40,000 American Electric Power Co., Inc. 1,625,000
10,000 Ameritech Corp. 526,250
12,000 BellSouth Corp. 444,000
59,000 Central & South West Corp. 1,534,000
57,200 CINergy Corp. 1,766,050
20,000 Delmarva Power and Light Co. 410,000
41,000 Dominion Resources, Inc. 1,547,750
60,600 DPL, Inc. 1,416,521
20,000 Duke Power Co. 932,500
14,500 Edison International 259,188
34,000 Enova Corp. 752,250
14,000 Enron Corp. 570,500
16,500 Enron Global Power and Pipelines L.L.C. 410,438
30,000 Entergy Corp. 810,000
38,000 FPL Group, Inc. 1,643,500
6,800 New England Electric System 211,650
43,900 New Jersey Resources Corp. 1,229,200
49,600 Pacific Enterprises 1,500,400
50,000 PacifiCorp 1,031,250
16,800 Peco Energy Co. 399,000
71,000 Public Service Co. of Colorado 2,520,500
25,000 Puget Sound Power and Light Co. $ 562,500
3,500 SBC Communications, Inc. 168,438
60,000 SCANA Corp. 1,575,000
63,100 Southern Co. 1,427,638
40,000 Texas Utilities Co. 1,585,000
38,700 U S West, Inc. 1,151,325
55,600 Wisconsin Energy Corp. 1,501,200
----------
31,657,048
------------
Total Common Stocks, Warrants & Rights (Cost $29,221,492) 33,934,746
------------
Partnership Units .1%
Financial
1 a,f PG Partners I, L.P. (Cost $42,012) 79,170
------------
Preferred Stocks 4.2%
Cable Television 1.6%
10,424 Cablevision Systems Corp., Series L, 11.125% pfd., PIK 1,018,946
------------
Consumer Products .6%
70,000 RJR Nabisco Holdings Corp., $0.6012 cvt. pfd., Series C 376,250
------------
Industrial 2.0%
30,000 Nortel Inversora S.A., 10.00% cvt. pfd. 1,211,25
------------
Total Preferred Stocks (Cost $2,741,872) 2,606,446
------------
Face
Amount
- ----------
Bonds 65.2%
Automotive 3.1%
$ 1,000,000 Harvard Industries, Inc., senior notes, 12.00%, 07/15/04 962,500
850,000 SPX Corp., senior sub. notes, 11.75%, 06/01/02 937,125
------------
1,899,625
------------
Banking 1.7%
1,000,000 b First Nationwide Escrow, senior sub. notes, 10.625%, 10/01/03 1,046,250
------------
Cable Television 3.6%
1,500,000 c Bell Cablemedia, Plc., senior disc. notes, zero coupon to 07/15/99, (original accretion
rate 11.95%), 11.95% thereafter, 07/15/04 1,151,250
1,000,000 Tele-Communications, Inc., senior sub. deb., 9.80%, 02/01/12 1,088,874
------------
2,240,124
------------
Chemicals 1.8%
$ 1,000,000 Harris Chemical North America, Inc., senior secured disc. notes, 10.25%, 07/15/01 $1,025,000
100,000 IMC Global, Inc., senior deb., 9.45%, 12/15/11 106,500
------------
1,131,500
------------
Consumer Products 3.2%
1,000,000 Revlon Consumer Products Corp., senior sub. notes, Series B, 10.50%, 02/15/03 1,042,500
500,000 RJR Nabisco, Inc., senior notes, 9.25%, 08/15/13 494,375
500,000 Sealy Corp., senior sub. notes, 9.50%, 05/01/03 502,500
------------
2,039,375
------------
Containers and Packaging 1.7%
1,000,000 Owens-Illinois, Inc., senior sub. notes, 9.75%, 08/15/04 1,032,500
------------
Energy .8%
500,000 Gulf Canada Resources, Ltd., senior sub. notes, (Canada), 9.25%, 01/15/04 515,000
------------
Food and Beverage 1.8%
200,000 Curtice-Burns Foods, Inc., senior sub. notes, 12.25%, 02/01/05 197,000
100,000 Dr Pepper Bottling Co. of Texas, senior notes, 10.25%, 02/15/00 103,250
800,000 PMI Acquisition Corp., guaranteed, senior sub. notes, 10.25%, 09/01/03 812,000
-----------
1,112,250
------------
Food Retailing 5.4%
250,000 Dominick's Finer Foods, Inc., senior sub. notes, 10.875%, 05/01/05 272,500
1,000,000 Pathmark Stores, Inc., senior sub. notes, 9.625%, 05/01/03 983,750
1,000,000 Penn Traffic Co., senior sub. notes, 10.25%, 02/15/02 885,000
500,000 Pueblo Xtra International, senior notes, 9.50%, 08/01/03 442,500
750,000 Smith's Food and Drug, senior sub. notes, 11.25%, 05/15/07 802,500
------------
3,386,250
------------
Foreign Government Agencies .6%
2,175,000 eESCOM, E168, utility deb. (South Africa), 11.00%, 06/01/08 367,590
------------
Forest and Paper Products 5.3%
1,000,000 Rapp International Finance Co., guaranteed secured notes, 13.25%, 12/15/05 1,097,500
1,000,000 REPAP New Brunswick, senior notes, 10.625%, 04/15/05 1,015,000
500,000 REPAP Wisconsin, Inc., senior secured notes, 9.25%, 02/01/02 506,250
600,000 S.D. Warren Co., senior sub. notes, 12.00%, 12/15/04 650,250
------------
3,269,000
------------
Gaming and Leisure 4.1%
1,000,000 Aztar Corp., senior sub. notes, 13.75%, 10/01/04 1,140,000
250,000 Players International, Inc., senior notes, 10.875%, 04/15/05 248,750
1,000,000 Showboat, Inc., senior sub. notes, 13.00%, 08/01/09 1,137,500
------------
2,526,250
------------
Health Care 4.9%
$1,000,000 Abbey Healthcare Group, Inc., senior sub. notes, 9.50%, 11/01/02 $ 1,035,000
1,000,000 OrNda Healthcorp., guaranteed senior sub. notes, 11.375%, 08/15/04 1,120,000
800,000 Tenet Healthcare Corp., senior sub. notes, 10.125%, 03/01/05 871,000
------------
3,026,000
------------
Industrial 4.9%
1,000,000 bAetna Industries, Inc., senior notes, 11.875%, 10/01/06 1,025,000
356,000 Anacomp Inc., senior sub. notes, PIK to 06/30/97, (original accretion rate 13.00%),
13.00% thereafter, 06/04/02 347,100
500,000 Collins & Aikman Corp., senior sub. notes, 11.50%, 04/15/06 529,375
500,000 bE & S Holdings Corp., senior sub. notes, 10.375%, 10/01/06 510,625
259,000 Thermadyne Industries, Inc., senior notes, 10.25%, 05/01/02 260,943
359,000 Thermadyne Industries, Inc., sub. notes, 10.75%, 11/01/03 361,244
------------
3,034,287
------------
Lodging .8%
500,000 Red Roof Inns, senior notes, 9.625%, 12/15/03 491,250
------------
Media and Broadcasting 5.0%
500,000 American Media Operation, senior sub. notes, 11.625%, 11/15/04 522,500
1,000,000 New World Communications Group, Inc., senior notes, 11.00%, 06/30/05 1,071,250
1,000,000 Sullivan Broadcast Holdings, units, 13.25%, 12/15/06 1,035,000
500,000 Turner Broadcasting Systems, Inc., senior deb., 8.40%, 02/01/24 463,251
------------
3,092,001
------------
Metals and Mining 3.0%
1,000,000 cAcme Metals, Inc., senior secured disc. notes, zero coupon to 08/01/97, (original
accretion rate 13.50%), 13.50% thereafter, 08/01/04 985,000
1,000,000 Gulf States Steel, 13.50%, 04/15/03 900,000
------------
1,885,000
------------
Restaurants 1.1%
700,000 Foodmaker, Inc., S.F., senior sub. notes, 9.25%, 03/01/99 701,750
------------
Technology and Information Systems .4%
200,000 bAltera Corp., cvt. sub. notes, 5.75%, 06/15/02 238,750
------------
Utilities 1.7%
500,000 El Paso Electric Co., first mortgage, Series E, 9.40%, 05/01/11 517,500
500,000 Midland Funding II, S.F., debenture, Series A, 11.75%, 07/23/05 540,000
------------
1,057,500
------------
Wireless Communication10.3%
$ 2,000,000 cArch Communications Group, Inc., senior disc. notes, zero coupon to 03/15/01,
(original accretion rate 10.875%), 10.875% thereafter, 03/15/08 $ 1,150,000
2,000,000 cComcast Cellular Corp., Series B, Zero Coupon, (original accretio 03/05/00 1,425,000
2,000,000 b,cMillicom International Cellular, Inc., senior disc. notes, zero coupon to 06/01/00,
(original accretion rate 13.50%), 13.50% thereafter, 06/01/06 1,162,500
1,000,000 Rogers Cantel Mobile Communications, Inc., senior secured deb., 9.75%, 06/01/16 986,250
2,000,000 cSprint Spectrum L.P., senior disc. notes, zero coupon to 08/15/01, (original accretion
rate 12.50%), 12.50% thereafter, 08/15/06 1,182,500
500,000 Sygnet Wireless, Inc., senior notes, 11.50%, 10/01/06 511,250
--------------
6,417,500
--------------
Total Bonds (Cost $38,759,518) 40,509,752
--------------
Total Investments (Cost $70,764,894)124.2% 77,130,114
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets(24.2)% (15,029,798)
--------------
Net Assets 100.0% $62,100,320
===============
At September 30, 1996, the net unrealized appreciation based on the cost of
investments for income tax purposes of $70,764,894 was as follows:
Aggregate gross unrealized appreciation for all investments in which there was
an excess of value over tax cost $ 7,173,822
Aggregate gross unrealized depreciation for all investments in which there was
an excess of tax cost over value (808,602)
--------------
Net unrealized appreciation $ 6,365,220
================
PORTFOLIO ABBREVIATIONS:
L.L.C. - Limited Liability Corp.
L.P. - Limited Partnership
PIK - Payment-in-Kind
S.F. - Sinking Fund
aNon-income producing.
bPurchased in a private placement transaction; resale may only be to qualified institutional buyers.
cZero coupon/step-up bonds. The current effective yield may vary. The original accretion rate will remain constant.
dSecurities traded in foreign currency and valued in U.S. dollars.
eFace amount is stated in foreign currency and value is stated in U.S. dollars.
fSee Note 8 regarding restricted securities.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
</TABLE>
FRANKLIN MULTI-INCOME TRUST
================================================================================
Financial Statements
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
September 30, 1996 (unaudited)
Assets:
Investments in securities, at value
(identified cost $70,764,894) $77,130,114
Receivables:
Dividends and interest 1,071,646
Investment securities sold 319,772
Unamortized note issuance costs (Note 2) 86,531
--------------
Total assets 78,608,063
---------------
Liabilities:
Payables:
Note (Note 2) 16,000,000
Accrued interest (Note 2) 48,000
Distributions to shareholders 374,886
Management fees 55,243
Accrued expenses and other liabilities 29,614
--------------
Total liabilities 16,507,743
--------------
Net assets, at value $62,100,320
===============
Net assets consist of:
Undistributed net investment income $ 123,763
Net unrealized appreciation on
investments and translation of assets
and liabilities denominated in
foreign currencies 6,364,815
Undistributed net realized gain
from investments and foreign
currency transactions 1,820,962
Capital shares 53,790,780
------------
Net assets, at value $62,100,320
===============
Net asset value per share
($62,100,320 / 5,857,600 shares of
beneficial interest outstanding) $10.60
============
Statement of Operations
for the six months ended September 30, 1996 (unaudited)
Investment income:
Dividends, net of foreign
taxes withheld of $408 $1,032,017
Interest 2,295,170
-------------
Total income $3,327,187
Expenses:
Management fees (Note 6) 329,376
Shareholder servicing costs 18,085
Professional fees 14,932
Amortization of note issuance
costs (Note 2) 14,625
Trustees' fees and expenses 5,443
Reports to shareholders 2,857
Custodian fees 688
Other 12,886
--------------
Total operating expenses 398,892
Interest expense (Note 2) 576,000
-------------
Total expenses 974,892
-----------
Net investment income 2,352,295
-----------
Realized and unrealized gain
(loss) on investments and
foreign currency:
Net realized gain (loss) from:
Investments 1,189,459
Foreign currency transactions (3,363)
Net unrealized appreciation
(depreciation) on:
Investments (1,342,526)
Translation of assets and
liabilities denominated in
foreign currencies 900
---------
Net realized and unrealized loss on
investments and foreign currency (155,530)
-----------
Net increase in net assets
resulting from operations $2,196,765
===============
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
FRANKLIN MULTI-INCOME TRUST
================================================================================
Financial Statements (cont.)
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
for the six months ended September 30, 1996 (unaudited)
and the year ended March 31, 1996
Six months Year ended
ended 9/30/96 3/31/96
---------- ---------
Increase (decrease)
in net assets:
Operations:
Net investment income $ 2,352,295 $ 4,568,760
Net realized gain from
investments and foreign
currency transactions 1,186,096 1,193,225
Net unrealized appreciation
(depreciation) on invest-
ments and translation of
assets and liabilities
denominated in foreign
currencies (1,341,626) 5,291,667
---------- ----------
Net increase in net assets
resulting from operations 2,196,765 11,053,652
Distributions to share-
holders from:
Undistributed net invest-
ment income (2,249,318) (4,498,637)
Net realized gain -- (632,621)
---------- ----------
Net increase
(decrease) in
net assets (52,553) 5,922,394
Net assets:
Beginning of period 62,152,873 56,230,479
---------- ----------
End of period (including
undistributed net
investment income of
$123,763 at 09/30/96
and $20,786 at
03/31/96) $62,100,320 $62,152,873
========== ==========
Statement of Cash Flows
for the six months ended September 30, 1996 (unaudited)
Dividends and interest received $ 2,967,140
Operating expenses paid (144,703)
Interest expense paid (576,000)
--------------
Cash provided - operations 2,246,437
--------------
Investment purchases (108,329,297)
Investment sales 108,332,178
Cash provided - investments 2,881
------------
Distributions to shareholders (2,249,318)
------------
Cash used - financing activities (2,249,318)
-------------
Net decrease in cash --
--------------
Cash at beginning of year --
---------------
Cash at end of year --
===============
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
FRANKLIN MULTI-INCOME TRUST
================================================================================
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited)
NOTE 1 - SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Franklin Multi-Income Trust (the Fund) is a non-diversified, closed-end
management investment company (mutual fund), registered under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended. The Fund seeks to provide investors with high
current income consistent with preservation of shareholders' capital. The Fund
has two classes of securities: senior fixed-rate notes (the Notes) and shares of
beneficial interest (the Shares).
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently
followed by the fund in preparation of its financial statements. The policies
are in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles for investment
companies.
a. Security Valuation:
Portfolio securities listed on a securities exchange or on the NASDAQ for which
market quotations are readily available are valued at the last sale price or, if
there is no sale price, within the range of the most recent quoted bid and asked
prices. Other securities are valued based on a variety of factors, including
yield, risk, maturity, trade activity and recent developments related to the
securities. The Fund may utilize a pricing service, bank or broker/dealer
experienced in such matters to perform any of the pricing functions, under
procedures approved by the Board of Trustees (the Board). Securities for which
market quotations are not available and securities restricted as to resale are
valued in accordance with procedures established by the Board.
The value of a foreign security is determined as of the earlier of the close of
trading on the foreign exchange on which it is traded or the close of trading on
the New York Stock Exchange (the Exchange). 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 asked prices
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 the Fund's net asset value, unless material. If events which
materially affect the value of these foreign securities occur during such
period, these securities will be valued in accordance with procedures
established by the Board.
b. Income Taxes:
The Fund intends to continue to qualify for the tax treatment applicable to
regulated investment companies under the Internal Revenue Code and to make the
requisite distributions to shareholders which will be sufficient to relieve the
Funds from income and excise taxes.
c. Security Transactions:
Security transactions are accounted for on the date the securities are purchased
or sold (trade date). Realized gains and losses on security transactions are
determined on the basis of specific identification.
d. Investment Income, Expenses and Distributions:
Dividend and income distributions to shareholders are recorded on the
ex-dividend date. Interest income and estimated expenses are accrued daily.
Original issue discount is amortized as required by the Internal Revenue Code.
Net investment income differs for financial statement and tax purposes primarily
due to differing treatment of foreign currency transactions.
Net realized capital gains and losses differ for financial statement and tax
purposes primarily due to differing treatment of wash sale and foreign currency
transactions.
NOTE 1 - SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (cont.)
e. Accounting Estimates:
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the
financial statements and the amounts of income and expense during the reporting
period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
f. Foreign Currency Translation:
The accounting records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. All assets
and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S.
dollars at the rate of exchange of the currencies against U.S. dollars on the
valuation date. Purchases and sales of securities, income and expenses are
translated at the rate of exchange quoted on the day that the transactions are
recorded. Differences between income and expense amounts recorded and collected
or paid are recognized when reported by the custodian.
The Fund does not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting
from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from fluctuations arising
from changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included
with the net realized and unrealized gain or loss from investments.
Realized foreign exchange gains or losses arise from sales and maturities of
short-term securities, sales of foreign currencies, gains or losses realized
between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, the
difference between the amounts of dividends and interest, and foreign
withholding taxes recorded on the Fund's books and the U.S. dollar equivalent of
the amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized appreciation or
depreciation on translation of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign
currencies arises from changes in the value of assets and liabilities other than
investments in securities at the end of the reporting period, resulting from
changes in exchange rates.
NOTE 2 - SENIOR FIXED-RATE NOTES
On August 16, 1994, the Fund issued $16 million aggregate principal amount of a
new class of five-year senior fixed-rate notes. The Notes are general unsecured
obligations of the Fund and rank senior to all existing or future unsecured
indebtedness of the Fund. The Notes are senior to the Shares and, in any
liquidation of the Fund, the Notes must be paid in full before any payments
would be made with respect to the Shares.
The Notes bear interest, payable semi-annually, at the rate of 7.20% per annum,
to their maturity on September 15, 1999. The Notes were issued in a private
placement, and are not available for resale. Therefore, no market value can be
obtained for the Notes. Under the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Fund is
required to maintain asset coverage for the Notes of at least 300%. In addition,
pursuant to the agreement with respect to the Notes, the Fund is required to
maintain on a monthly basis a specified discounted asset value for its portfolio
that equals or exceeds an amount determined under guidelines established by
Standard & Poor's Corporation. The Fund met these requirements during the six
months ended September 30, 1996.
The costs of $146,250 incurred by the Fund in connection with the issuance of
the Notes are deferred and amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of
the Notes.
NOTE 3 - TRUST SHARES
At September 30, 1996, there was an unlimited number of $.01 par value shares
authorized. At September 30, 1996, no shares were issued pursuant to the Fund's
Dividend Reinvestment Plan; all reinvested dividends were satisfied with
previously issued shares purchased in the open market pursuant to such Plan.
NOTE 4 - DISTRIBUTIONS AND CAPITAL LOSS CARRYOVERS
At March 31, 1996, for tax purposes, the Fund had accumulated net realized
capital gains of $634,866. For tax purposes, the aggregate cost of securities
and unrealized appreciation of the Fund are the same as for financial statement
purposes at September 30, 1996.
NOTE 5 - PURCHASES AND SALES OF SECURITIES
Aggregate purchases and sales of securities (excluding purchases and sales of
short-term securities) for the six months ended September 30, 1996 were
$15,160,503 and $14,076,134, respectively.
NOTE 6 - TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES AND RELATED PARTIES
a. Management Agreement:
Under the terms of a management agreement, Franklin Advisers, Inc. (Advisers),
provides investment advice, administrative services, office space and facilities
to the Fund, and receives fees computed weekly and payable monthly at an
annualized rate of 0.85% of the Fund's average weekly net assets (total assets
less liabilities other than the principal amount of the Notes). The terms of the
management agreement provide that aggregate annual expenses of the Fund be
limited to the extent necessary to comply with the limitations set forth in the
laws, regulations and administrative interpretations of the states in which the
Fund's shares are registered. For the six months ended September 30, 1996, the
Fund's expenses did not exceed these limitations.
b. Other Affiliated Parties and Transactions:
Certain officers and Trustees of the Fund are also officers and/or directors of
Advisers, a wholly owned subsidiary of Franklin Resources, Inc.
NOTE 7 - STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
The Fund's financial statements for the six months ended September 30, 1996
include a Statement of Cash Flows in compliance with SFAS 102. Cash provided
from operations differs from net investment income because of amortization of
bond discount, amortization of note issuance costs, bonds paid-in-kind, stock
dividends and semi-annual income and expense accrual changes amounting to
$105,858.
NOTE 8 - RESTRICTED SECURITIES
A restricted security is a security which has not been registered with the
Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933 (1933
Act). The fund may purchase restricted securities through a private offering
which cannot be sold without prior registration under the 1933 Act unless such
sale is pursuant to an exemption therefrom. Subsequent costs of registration of
such securities are borne by the issuer. A secondary market exists for certain
privately placed securities. The Fund values these restricted securities as
disclosed in Note 1. At September 30, 1996, the Fund held the following
restricted security representing .13% of the Fund's net assets:
Unit Security Acquisition Date Cost Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 PG Partners I, L.P. ................ 3/31/93 $42,012 $79,170
NOTE 9 - CREDIT RISK
The Fund has 66.63% of its portfolio invested in lower rated and comparable
quality unrated high yield securities. Investments in higher yield securities
are accompanied by a greater degree of credit risk and such lower quality
securities tend to be more sensitive to economic conditions than higher rated
securities. The risk of loss due to default by the issuer may be significantly
greater for the holders of high yielding securities, because such securities are
generally unsecured and are often subordinated to other creditors of the issuer.
For more information as to specific securities, see the accompanying Statement
of Investments in Securities and Net Assets.
There are certain credit risks due to the manner in which the Fund is invested.
The Fund has investments in excess of 10% of its total net assets in the
Wireless Communication Industry.
NOTE 10 - FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each
period are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Six months ended Year ended March 31,
--------------------------------------------------
September 30, 1996 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992
------------ ------ ------- ------- ------- ------
Per Share Operating Performance:
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period... $10.61 $ 9.60 $9.97 $11.38 $10.15 $8.60
------------ ------ ------- ------- ------- ------
Net investment income................. 0.40 0.78 0.78 0.84 1.00 0.97
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
on securities ........................ (0.026) 1.11 (0.08) (0.78) 1.196 1.586
------------ ------ ------- ------- ------- ------
Total from investment operations....... 0.374 1.89 0.70 0.06 2.196 2.556
------------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Less distributions:
From net investment income............ (0.384) (0.77) (0.78) (0.853) (0.966) (0.985)
From net realized capital gains....... -- (0.11) (0.282) (0.617) -- --
In excess of net investment income.... -- -- (0.008) -- -- (0.021)
------------ ------ ------- ------- ------- ------
Total distributions.................... (0.384) (0.88) (1.07) (1.47) (0.966) (1.006)
------------ ------ ------- ------- ------- ------
Net asset value, end of period......... 10.60 10.61 9.60 9.97 11.38 10.15
============ ====== ======= ======= ======= ======
Market value per share, end of period1. $ 9.25 $ 9.00 $8.75 $9.75 $10.63 $ 9.75
============ ====== ======= ======= ======= ======
Total Investment Return:
Based on market value per share2...... 7.07% 12.87% 1.46% 5.47% 19.72% 35.93%
Ratios/Supplemental Data
Net assets at end of period
(000's omitted)...................... $62,100 $62,153 56,230 $58,391 $66,657 $59,470
Ratio of expenses to average
net assets............................ 3.07%+ 3.21% 3.00% 2.90% 2.99% 3.21%
Ratio of net investment income to
average net assets.................... 7.64%+ 7.53% 6.37% 6.00% 7.51% 7.64%
Portfolio turnover rate............... 18.46% 35.06% 29.77% 28.90% 41.22% 22.19%
Average commission rate3.............. .0538 .0536 -- -- -- --
Total debt outstanding at end of period
(000's omitted)...................... $16,000 $16,000 $16,000 $15,974 $15,926 $15,878
Net asset coverage per $1,000 of debt. $ 3,881 $ 3,885 $ 3,514 $ 3,655 $ 4,185 $ 3,745
</TABLE>
NOTE 10 - FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (cont.)
(For Notes outstanding throughout each year)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Face Amount of Average Monthly Average Monthly Average Amount
Year Notes Outstanding Face Amount of Number of Shares of Notes Per Share
Ended End of Period Notes Outstanding Outstanding During the Period
---- ----------- ------------ ----------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1992 $16,000,000 $16,000,000 5,857,600 $2.73
1993 16,000,000 16,000,000 5,857,600 2.73
1994 16,000,000 16,000,000 5,857,600 2.73
1995 16,000,000 16,000,000 5,857,600 2.73
1996 16,000,000 16,000,000 5,857,600 2.73
19964 16,000,000 16,000,000 5,857,600 2.73
+Annualized.
1Based on last sale on the New York Stock Exchange.
2Total return measures the change in value of an investment over the periods
indicated. It is not annualized. It reflects the change in market value of the
capital shares and assumes reinvestment of dividends and capital gains in
accordance with the Dividend Reinvestment Plan as stated in the prospectus.
3Represents the average broker commission rate per share paid by the Fund in
connection with the execution of the Fund's portfolio transactions in equity
securities.
4For the six months ended September 30, 1996.
</TABLE>
To ensure the highest quality of service, telephone calls to or from our service
departments may be monitored, recorded and accessed. These calls may be
determined by the presence of a regular beeping tone.
Franklin Multi-Income Trust Semi-Annual Report September 30, 1996.
APPENDIX
DESCRIPTION OF GRAPHIC MATERIAL OMITTED FROM EDGAR FILING
(PURSUANT TO ITEM 304 (a) OF REGULATION S-T)
GRAPHIC MATERIAL (1)
This chart shows in pie chart format the portfolio composition as a percentage
of the fund's total portfolio market value.
Portfolio Composition on September 30, 1996
Corporate Bonds 51.7%
Utility Stocks 41.1%
Misc. Equities & Preferred Stocks 6.4%
Convertible Bonds 0.3%
Foreign Currency Denominated Bonds 0.5%
