As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 24, 1999
File Nos.
33-39088
811-6243
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Pre-Effective Amendment No.
Post-Effective Amendment No. 32 (X)
and/or
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
Amendment No. 35 (X)
FRANKLIN STRATEGIC SERIES
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
777 MARINERS ISLAND BOULEVARD, SAN MATEO, CA 94404
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code (650) 312-2000
DEBORAH R. GATZEK, 777 MARINERS ISLAND BLVD., SAN MATEO, CA 94404
(Name and Address of Agent for Service of Process)
Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering:
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box)
[ ] immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
[ ] on January 1, 1999 pursuant to paragraph (b)
[ ] 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
[ ] on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
[X] 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)
[ ] on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of rule 485
If appropriate, check the following box:
[ ] This post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a
previously filed post-effective amendment.
Title of Securities Being Registered:
Shares of Beneficial Interest of:
Franklin Large Cap Growth Fund - Class A
Franklin Large Cap Growth Fund - Class B
Franklin Large Cap Growth Fund - Class C
Franklin Large Cap Growth Fund - Advisor Class
Prospectus
Franklin Large Cap Growth Fund
Class A, B & C
Investment Strategy Growth
June 7, 1999
[Insert Franklin Templeton Ben Head]
LIKE ALL MUTUAL FUND SHARES, THE SEC HAS NOT APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THESE
SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION
TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
Contents
The Fund
[Begin callout]
Information about the fund you should know before investing
[End callout]
[insert page #] Goal and Strategies
[insert page #] Main Risks
[insert page #] Performance
[insert page #] Fees and Expenses
[insert page #] Management
[insert page #] Distributions and Taxes
[insert page #] Financial Highlights
Your Account
[Begin callout]
Information about sales charges, account transactions and services
[End callout]
[insert page #] Choosing a Share Class
[insert page #] Buying Shares
[insert page #] Investor Services
[insert page #] Selling Shares
[insert page #] Account Policies
[insert page #] Questions
For More Information
[Begin callout]
Where to learn more about the fund
[End callout]
Back Cover
The Fund
[Insert graphic of bullseye and arrows] Goal and Strategies
Goal The fund's principal investment goal is long-term capital appreciation.
Principal investments Under normal market conditions, the fund will invest
at least 80% of its total assets in equity securities of large cap growth
companies located in the U.S.
For purposes of the fund's investments, large cap growth companies include
well-established companies with market capitalization of $10 billion or more
with a record of revenue growth and profitability exceeding the economy as a
whole. These companies generally dominate their respective markets and have
a reputation for quality management, as well as superior products and
services.
Equity securities generally entitle the holder to participate in a company's
general operating results. These include common stocks, convertible
securities and warrants.
[Begin callout]
The fund invests primarily in large cap growth companies' common stocks.
[End callout]
In choosing equity investments, the fund's manager will focus on companies
that have exhibited above average growth, strong financial records and large
market capitalization. In addition, management expertise, industry
leadership, control of market share and sustainable competitive advantage are
factors the manager also considers. Although the manager will search for
investments across a large number of industries, it expects to have
significant positions in the finance, technology, health care and consumer
staples industries.
Temporary investments The manager may take a temporary defensive position
when the securities trading markets or the economy are experiencing excessive
volatility or a prolonged general decline, or other adverse conditions exist.
Under these circumstances, the fund may be unable to pursue its investment
goal, because it may not invest or may invest substantially less in large cap
growth companies' stocks.
[Insert graphic of chart with line going up and down] Main Risks
[Begin callout]
Because the stocks the fund holds fluctuate in price, the value of your
investment in the fund will go up and down. This means you could lose money
over short or even extended periods.
[End callout]
STOCKS While stocks have historically outperformed other asset classes over
the long term, they tend to go up and down more dramatically over the shorter
term. These price movements may result from factors affecting individual
companies, industries or the securities market as a whole.
COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY AND MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY COMPANIES The fund expects to
invest a portion of its assets in securities of companies involved in or
related to computer technologies and medical technologies. The computer
technology and medical technology sectors have historically been volatile,
and stock prices of companies operating within these industries are subject
to abrupt or erratic movements. The manager tries to reduce these risks
through extensive research and emphasis on more globally competitive
companies as opposed to those limited to domestic or regional markets.
HEALTH CARE COMPANIES The activities of health care companies may be funded
or subsidized by federal and state governments. If government subsidies are
discontinued, the profitability of these companies could be adversely
affected. Health care companies held by the fund will be affected by
government policies on health care reimbursements, regulatory approval for
new drugs and medical instruments, and similar matters. They are also
subject to legislative risk, the risk of a reform of the health care system
through legislation.
Year 2000 When evaluating current and potential portfolio positions, Year
2000 is one of the factors the fund's manager considers.
The manager will rely upon public filings and other statements made by
companies about their Year 2000 readiness. The manager, of course, cannot
audit each company and its major suppliers to verify their Year 2000
readiness.
If a company in which the fund is invested is adversely affected by Year 2000
problems, it is likely that the price of its securities also will be
adversely affected. A decrease in the value of one or more of the fund's
portfolio holdings will have a similar impact on the fund's performance.
Please see page [#] for more information.
More detailed information about the fund, its policies (including temporary
investments), and risks can be found in the fund's Statement of Additional
Information (SAI).
[Begin callout]
Mutual fund shares are not deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed or
endorsed by, any bank, and are not federally insured by the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board, or any other agency of the
U.S. government. Mutual fund shares involve investment risks, including the
possible loss of principal.
[End callout]
[Insert graphic of a bull and a bear] Performance
Because the fund is new, it has no performance history.
[Insert graphic of percentage sign] Fees and Expenses
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and
hold shares of the fund.
Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Class A Class B Class C
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
Maximum sales charge (load) as a
percentage of offering price 5.75% 4.00% 1.99%
Load imposed on purchases 5.75% None 1.00%
Maximum deferred sales charge None 1 4.00% 0.99% 2
(load)
Exchange fee 3 $5.00 $5.00 $5.00
Please see "Choosing a Share Class" on page [#] for an explanation of how and
when these sales charges apply.
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses deducted from fund assets) 4
Class A Class B Class C
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Management fees 5 0.50% 0.50% 0.50%
Distribution and service
(12b-1) fees 6 0.35% 1.00% 1.00%
Other expenses 5 0.84% 0.84% 0.84%
-------------------------------
Total annual fund operating 1.69% 2.34% 2.34%
expenses 5
-------------------------------
1. Except for investments of $1 million or more (see page [#]) and purchases
by certain retirement plans without an initial sales charge.
2. This is equivalent to a charge of 1% based on net asset value.
3. This fee is only for market timers (see page [#]).
4. The management fees and distribution and service (12b-1) fees shown are
based on the fund's maximum contractual amount. Other expenses are estimated.
5. The manager and administrator have agreed in advance to waive their
respective fees and to assume as their own expense certain expenses otherwise
payable by the fund. With this reduction, management fees would be 0.26% and
total annual fund operating expenses would be 1.25% for Class A, 1.90% for
Class B, and 1.90% for Class C for the current fiscal year. The manager and
administrator may end this arrangement at any time upon notice to the fund's
Board of Trustees.
6. Because of the distribution and service (12b-1)fees, over the long-term
you may indirectly pay more than the equivalent of the maximum permitted
initial sales charge.
Example
This example can help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the
cost of investing in other mutual funds.
The example assumes you invest $10,000 for the periods shown and then sell
all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes your
investment has a 5% return each year and the fund's operating expenses remain
the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these
assumptions your costs would be:
1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Class A $737 1 $1,077 $1,440 $2,458
Class B
Assuming you sold your
shares at the end of the $637 $1,030 $1,450 $2,514 2
period
Assuming you stayed in the
fund $237 $730 $1,250 $2,514 2
Class C $433 3 $823 $1,338 $2,749
1. Assumes a contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) will not apply.
2. Assumes conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares after eight years,
lowering your annual expenses from that time on.
3. For the same Class C investment, your costs would be $335 if you did not
sell your shares at the end of the first year. Your costs for the remaining
periods would be the same.
[Insert graphic of briefcase] Management
Franklin Advisers, Inc. (Advisers), 777 Mariners Island Blvd., San Mateo, CA
94403, is the fund's investment manager. Together, Advisers and its
affiliates manage over $211 billion in assets.
The team responsible for the fund's management is:
Suzanne Willoughby Killea CFA, Vice President of Advisers
Ms. Killea has been a manager of the fund since its inception. She joined the
Franklin Templeton Group in 1991.
Edward B. Jamieson, Executive Vice President of Advisers
Mr. Jamieson has been a manager of the fund since its inception. He joined
the Franklin Templeton Group in 1987.
The fund pays the manager a fee for managing the fund's assets and making its
investment decisions. The fee is equal to an annual rate of:
o 0.50% of the value of net assets up to and including $500 million;
o 0.40% of the value of net assets over $500 million and not over $1
billion;
o 0.35% of the value of net assets over $1 billion and not over $1.5
billion;
o 0.30% of the value of net assets over $1.5 billion and not over $6.5
billion;
o 0.275% of the value of net assets over $6.5 billion and not over $11.5
billion;
o 0.25% of the value of net assets over $11.5 billion and not over $16.5
billion;
o 0.24% of the value of net assets over $16.5 billion and not over $19
billion;
o 0.23% of the value of net assets over $19 billion and not over $21.5
billion; and
o 0.22% of the value of net assets in excess of $21.5 billion.
Year 2000 problem The fund's business operations depend on a worldwide
network of computer systems that contain date fields, including securities
trading systems, securities transfer agent operations and stock market links.
Many of the systems currently use a two digit date field to represent the
date, and unless these systems are changed or modified, they may not be able
to distinguish the Year 1900 from the Year 2000 (commonly referred to as the
Year 2000 problem). In addition, the fact that the Year 2000 is a leap year
may create difficulties for some systems.
When the Year 2000 arrives, the fund's operations could be adversely affected
if the computer systems used by the manager, its service providers and other
third parties it does business with are not Year 2000 ready. For example, the
fund's portfolio and operational areas could be impacted, including
securities trade processing, interest and dividend payments, securities
pricing, shareholder account services, reporting, custody functions and
others. The fund could experience difficulties in effecting transactions if
any of its foreign subcustodians, or if foreign broker-dealers or foreign
markets are not ready for Year 2000.
The fund's manager and its affiliated service providers are making a
concerted effort to take steps they believe are reasonably designed to
address their Year 2000 problems. Of course, the fund's ability to reduce the
effects of the Year 2000 problem is also very much dependent upon the efforts
of third parties over which the fund and its manager may have no control.
[Insert graphic of dollar
signs and stacks of coins] Distributions and Taxes
Income and capital gains distributions The fund intends to pay a dividend at
least annually representing substantially all of its net investment income
and any net realized capital gains. The amount of this distribution will vary
and there is no guarantee the fund will pay dividends.
To receive a distribution, you must be a shareholder on the record date. The
record date for the fund's distributions will vary. Please keep in mind that
if you invest in the fund shortly before the record date of a distribution,
any distribution will lower the value of the fund's shares by the amount of
the distribution and you will receive some of your investment back in the
form of a taxable distribution. If you would like information on upcoming
record dates for the fund's distributions, please call 1-800/DIAL BEN(R).
Tax considerations In general, fund distributions are taxable to you as
either ordinary income or capital gains. This is true whether you reinvest
your distributions in additional shares of the fund or receive them in cash.
Any capital gains the fund distributes are taxable to you as long-term
capital gains no matter how long you have owned your shares.
[Begin callout]
Backup Withholding
By law, the fund must withhold 31% of your taxable distributions and proceeds
if you do not provide your correct taxpayer identification number (TIN) or
certify that your TIN is correct, or if the IRS instructs the fund to do so.
[End callout]
Every January, you will receive a statement that shows the tax status of
distributions you received for the previous year. Distributions declared in
December but paid in January are taxable as if they were paid in December.
When you sell your shares of the fund, you may have a capital gain or loss.
For tax purposes, an exchange of your fund shares for shares of a different
Franklin Templeton Fund is the same as a sale. The individual tax rate on any
gain from the sale or exchange of your shares depends on how long you have
held your shares.
Fund distributions and gains from the sale or exchange of your shares
generally will be subject to state and local income tax. Non-U.S. investors
may be subject to U.S. withholding and estate tax. You should consult your
tax advisor about the federal, state, local or foreign tax consequences of
your investment in the fund.
Your Account
[Insert graphic of pencil marking an "X"] Choosing a Share Class
Each class has its own sales charge and expense structure, allowing you to
choose the class that best meets your situation. Your investment
representative can help you decide.
Class A Class B Class C
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
o Initial sales o No initial o Initial
charge of 5.75% sales charge sales charge of
or less 1%
o Deferred sales o Deferred o Deferred
charge of 1% on sales charge of sales charge of
purchases of $1 4% or less on 1% on shares
million or more shares you sell you sell within
sold within 12 within six years 18 months
months
o Lower annual o Higher annual o Higher
expenses than expenses than annual expenses
Class B or C due Class A (same as than Class A
to lower Class C) due to (same as Class
distribution fees higher B) due to
distribution higher
fees. Automatic distribution
conversion to fees. No
Class A shares conversion to
after eight Class A shares,
years, reducing so annual
future annual expenses do not
expenses. decrease.
Sales Charges - Class A
THE SALES CHARGE
MAKES UP THIS % WHICH EQUALS THIS
WHEN YOU INVEST THIS AMOUNT OF THE OFFERING % OF YOUR NET
PRICE INVESTMENT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
Under $50,000 5.75 6.10
$50,000 but under $100,000 4.50 4.71
$100,000 but under $250,000 3.50 3.63
$250,000 but under $500,000 2.50 2.56
$500,000 but under $1 2.00 2.04
million
Investments of $1 million or more If you invest $1 million or more, either
as a lump sum or through our cumulative quantity discount or letter of intent
programs (see page [#]), you can buy Class A shares without an initial sales
charge. However, there is a 1% contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) on any
shares you sell within 12 months of purchase. The way we calculate the CDSC
is the same for each class (please see page [#]).
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees Class A has a distribution plan,
sometimes known as a Rule 12b-1 plan, that allows the fund to pay
distribution fees of up to 0.35% per year to those who sell and distribute
Class A shares and provide other services to shareholders. Because these fees
are paid out of Class A's assets on an on-going basis, over time these fees
will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying
other types of sales charges.
Sales Charges - Class B
IF YOU SELL YOUR SHARES THIS % IS DEDUCTED
WITHIN THIS MANY YEARS AFTER FROM YOUR PROCEEDS
BUYING THEM AS A CDSC
- ------------------------------------------------------
1 Year 4
2 Years 4
3 Years 3
4 Years 3
5 Years 2
6 Years 1
7 Years 0
With Class B shares, there is no initial sales charge. However, there is a
CDSC if you sell your shares within six years, as described in the table
above. The way we calculate the CDSC is the same for each class (please see
page [#]). After 8 years, your Class B shares automatically convert to Class
A shares, lowering your annual expenses from that time on.
Maximum purchase amount The maximum amount you may invest in Class B shares
at one time is $249,999. We place any investment of $250,000 or more in Class
A shares, since a reduced initial sales charge is available and Class A's
annual expenses are lower.
Retirement plans Class B shares are not available to all retirement plans.
Class B shares are only available to IRAs (of any type), Franklin Templeton
Trust Company 403(b) plans, and Franklin Templeton Trust Company qualified
plans with participant or earmarked accounts.
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees Class B has a distribution plan,
sometimes known as a Rule 12b-1 plan, that allows the fund to pay
distribution and other fees of up to 1% per year for the sale of Class B
shares and for services provided to shareholders. Because these fees are paid
out of Class B's assets on an on-going basis, over time these fees will
increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying other
types of sales charges.
Sales Charges - Class C
THE SALES CHARGE
MAKES UP THIS % WHICH EQUALS THIS
WHEN YOU INVEST THIS AMOUNT OF THE OFFERING % OF YOUR NET
PRICE INVESTMENT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
Under $1 million 1.00 1.01
We place any investment of $1 million or more in Class A shares, since there
is no initial sales charge and Class A's annual expenses are lower.
CDSC There is a 1% contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) on any Class C
shares you sell within 18 months of purchase. The way we calculate the CDSC
is the same for each class (please see below).
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees Class C has a distribution plan,
sometimes known as a Rule 12b-1 plan, that allows the fund to pay
distribution and other fees of up to 1% per year for the sale of Class C
shares and for services provided to shareholders. Because these fees are paid
out of Class C's assets on an on-going basis, over time these fees will
increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying other
types of sales charges.
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (CDSC) - Class A, B & C
The CDSC for each class is based on the current value of the shares being
sold or their net asset value when purchased, whichever is less. There is no
CDSC on shares you acquire by reinvesting your dividends.
[Begin callout]
The holding period for the CDSC begins on the day you buy your shares. Your
shares will age one month on that same date the next month and each following
month.
For example, if you buy shares on the 18th of the month, they will age one
month on the 18th day of the next month and each following month.
[End callout]
To keep your CDSC as low as possible, each time you place a request to sell
shares we will first sell any shares in your account that are not subject to
a CDSC. If there are not enough of these to meet your request, we will sell
the shares in the order they were purchased. We will use this same method if
you exchange your shares into another Franklin Templeton Fund (please see
page [#] for exchange information).
Sales Charge Reductions and Waivers
If you qualify for any of the sales charge reductions or waivers below,
please let us know at the time you make your investment to help ensure you
receive the lower sales charge.
Quantity discounts We offer several ways for you to combine your purchases
in the Franklin Templeton Funds to take advantage of the lower sales charges
for large purchases of Class A shares.
[Begin callout]
The Franklin Templeton Funds include all of the Franklin Templeton U.S.
registered mutual funds, except Franklin Valuemark Funds, Templeton Capital
Accumulator Fund, Inc., and Templeton Variable Products Series Fund.
[End callout]
o Cumulative Quantity Discount - lets you combine all of your shares in
the Franklin Templeton Funds for purposes of calculating the sales charge.
You also may combine the shares of your spouse, and your children or
grandchildren, if they are under the age of 21. Certain company and
retirement plan accounts also may be included.
o Letter of Intent (LOI) - expresses your intent to buy a stated dollar
amount of shares over a 13-month period and lets you receive the same sales
charge as if all shares had been purchased at one time. We will reserve a
portion of your shares to cover any additional sales charge that may apply
if you do not buy the amount stated in your LOI.
To sign up for these programs, complete the appropriate section of your
account application.
Reinstatement privilege If you sell shares of a Franklin Templeton Fund, you
may reinvest some or all of the proceeds within 365 days without an initial
sales charge. The proceeds must be reinvested within the same share class,
except proceeds from the sale of Class B shares will be reinvested in Class A
shares.
If you paid a CDSC when you sold your Class A or C shares, we will credit
your account with the amount of the CDSC paid but a new CDSC will apply. For
Class B shares reinvested in Class A, a new CDSC will not apply, although
your account will not be credited with the amount of any CDSC paid when you
sold your Class B shares.
Proceeds immediately placed in a Franklin Bank Certificate of Deposit (CD)
also may be reinvested without an initial sales charge if you reinvest them
within 365 days from the date the CD matures, including any rollover.
This privilege does not apply to shares you buy and sell under our exchange
program. Shares purchased with the proceeds from a money fund may be subject
to a sales charge.
Waivers for investments from certain payments Class A shares may be
purchased without an initial sales charge or CDSC by investors who reinvest
within 365 days:
o certain payments received under an annuity contract that offers a
Franklin Templeton insurance fund option
o distributions from an existing retirement plan invested in the Franklin
Templeton Funds
o dividend or capital gain distributions from a real estate investment
trust sponsored or advised by Franklin Properties, Inc.
o redemption proceeds from a repurchase of Franklin Floating Rate Trust
shares held continuously for at least 12 months
o redemption proceeds from Class A of any Templeton Global Strategy Fund,
if you are a qualified investor. If you paid a CDSC when you sold your
shares, we will credit your account with the amount of the CDSC paid but a
new CDSC will apply.
Waivers for certain investors Class A shares also may be purchased without an
initial sales charge or CDSC by various individuals and institutions,
including:
o certain trust companies and bank trust departments investing $1 million
or more in assets over which they have full or shared investment discretion
o government entities that are prohibited from paying mutual fund sales
charges
o certain unit investment trusts and their holders reinvesting trust
distributions
o group annuity separate accounts offered to retirement plans
o employees and other associated persons or entities of Franklin Templeton
or of certain dealers
o any investor who is currently a Class Z shareholder of Franklin Mutual
Series Fund Inc. (Mutual Series), or who is a former Mutual Series Class Z
shareholder who had an account in any Mutual Series fund on October 31,
1996, or who sold his or her shares of Mutual Series Class Z within the
past 365 days
o Chilean retirement plans that meet the requirements for retirement plans
described below
If you think you may be eligible for a sales charge waiver,
call your investment representative or call Shareholder Services
at 1-800/632-2301 for more information.
CDSC waivers The CDSC for each class generally will be waived:
o to pay account fees
o to make payments through systematic withdrawal plans, up to 1% monthly,
3% quarterly, 6% semiannually or 12% annually depending on the frequency of
your plan
o for redemptions of Class A shares by investors who purchased $1 million
or more without an initial sales charge if Franklin Templeton Distributors,
Inc. did not make any payment to the securities dealer of record in
connection with the purchase
o for redemptions by Franklin Templeton Trust Company employee benefit
plans or employee benefit plans serviced by ValuSelect(R) (not applicable to
Class B)
o for IRA distributions due to death or disability or upon periodic
distributions based on life expectancy (for Class B, this applies to all
retirement plan accounts, not only IRAs)
o to return excess contributions (and earnings, if applicable) from
retirement plan accounts
o for redemptions following the death of the shareholder or beneficial
owner
o for participant initiated distributions from employee benefit plans or
participant initiated exchanges among investment choices in employee
benefit plans (not applicable to Class B)
Retirement plans Certain retirement plans may buy Class A shares without an
initial sales charge. To qualify, the plan must be sponsored by an employer:
o with at least 100 employees, or
o with retirement plan assets of $1 million or more, or
o that agrees to invest at least $500,000 in the Franklin Templeton Funds
over a 13-month period
A CDSC may apply. Retirement plans other than SIMPLEs, SEPs, or plans that
qualify under section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code also must qualify
under our group investment program to buy Class A shares without an initial
sales charge.
For more information, call your investment representative or
Retirement Plan Services at 1-800/527-2020.
Group investment program Allows established groups of 11 or more investors
to invest as a group. For sales charge purposes, the group's investments are
added together. There are certain other requirements and the group must have
a purpose other than buying fund shares at a discount.
[Insert graphic of a paper with lines
and someone writing] Buying Shares
Minimum investments
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
Initial Additional
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
Regular accounts $1,000 $50
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
UGMA/UTMA accounts $100 $50
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
Retirement accounts no minimum no minimum
(other than IRAs, IRA rollovers,
Education IRAs or Roth IRAs)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
IRAs, IRA rollovers, Education IRAs or
Roth IRAs $250 $50
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
Broker-dealer sponsored wrap account
programs $250 $50
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
Full-time employees, officers,
trustees and directors of Franklin
Templeton entities, and their
immediate family members $100 $50
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
Account application If you are opening a new account, please complete and
sign the enclosed account application. Make sure you indicate the share class
you have chosen. If you do not indicate a class, we will invest your purchase
in Class A shares. To save time, you can sign up now for services you may
want on your account by completing the appropriate sections of the
application (see the next page).
Buying shares
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Opening an account Adding to an account
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
[Insert graphic
of hands shaking]
Contact your investment Contact your investment
Through your representative representative
investment
representative
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Make your check payable Make your check payable
[Insert graphic to Franklin Large Cap to Franklin Large Cap
of envelope] Growth Fund. Growth Fund. Include
your account number on
By Mail Mail the check and your the check.
signed application to
Investor Services. Fill out the deposit
slip from your account
statement. If you do
not have a slip,
include a note with
your name, the fund
name, and your account
number.
Mail the check and
deposit slip or note to
Investor Services.
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
[Insert graphic Call to receive a wire Call to receive a wire
of three control number and wire control number and wire
lightning bolts] instructions. instructions.
Wire the funds and mail To make a same day wire
your signed application investment, please call
By Wire to Investor Services. us by 1:00 p.m. pacific
Please include the wire time and make sure your
1-800/632-2301 control number or your wire arrives by 3:00
(or new account number on p.m.
1-650/312-2000 the application.
collect)
To make a same day wire
investment, please call
us by 1:00 p.m. pacific
time and make sure your
wire arrives by 3:00
p.m.
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
[Insert graphic Call Shareholder Call Shareholder
of two arrows Services at the number Services at the number
pointing in below, or send signed below or our automated
opposite written instructions. TeleFACTS system, or
directions] The TeleFACTS system send signed written
cannot be used to open a instructions.
By Exchange new account.
(Please see page # for (Please see page # for
TeleFACTS(R) information on information on
1-800/247-1753 exchanges.) exchanges.)
(around-the-clock
access)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Franklin Templeton Investor Services
777 Mariners Island Blvd., P.O. Box 7777,
San Mateo, CA 94403-7777
Call toll-free: 1-800/632-2301
(Monday through Friday 5:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., pacific time
Saturday 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., pacific time)
[Insert graphic of person with a headset] Investor Services
Automatic investment plan This plan offers a convenient way for you to
invest in the fund by automatically transferring money from your checking or
savings account each month to buy shares. The minimum investment to open an
account with an automatic investment plan is $50 ($25 for an Education IRA).
To sign up, complete the appropriate section of your account application.
Distribution options You may reinvest distributions you receive from the
fund in an existing account in the same share class* of the fund or another
Franklin Templeton Fund. Initial sales charges and CDSCs will not apply if
you reinvest your distributions within 365 days. You can also have your
distributions deposited in a bank account, or mailed by check. Deposits to a
bank account may be made by electronic funds transfer.
[Begin callout]
For Franklin Templeton Trust Company retirement plans, special forms may be
needed to receive distributions in cash. Please call 1-800/527-2020 for
information.
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Please indicate on your application the distribution option you have chosen,
otherwise we will reinvest your distributions in the same share class of the
fund.
*Class B and C shareholders may reinvest their distributions in Class A
shares of any Franklin Templeton money fund.
Retirement plans Franklin Templeton offers a variety of retirement plans for
individuals and businesses. These plans require separate applications and
their policies and procedures may be different than those described in this
prospectus. For more information, including a free retirement plan brochure
or application, please call Retirement Plan Services at 1-800/527-2020.
TeleFACTS(R) Our TeleFACTS system offers around-the-clock access to
information about your account or any Franklin Templeton Fund. This service
is available from touch-tone phones at 1-800/247-1753. For a free TeleFACTS
brochure, call 1-800/DIAL BEN.
Telephone privileges You will automatically receive telephone privileges
when you open your account, allowing you and your investment representative
to sell or exchange your shares and make certain other changes to your
account by phone.
For accounts with more than one registered owner, telephone privileges also
allow the fund to accept written instructions signed by only one owner for
transactions and account changes that could otherwise be made by phone. For
all other transactions and changes, all registered owners must sign the
instructions.
As long as we take certain measures to verify telephone requests, we will not
be responsible for any losses that may occur from unauthorized requests. Of
course, you can decline telephone exchange or redemption privileges on your
account application.
Exchange privilege You can exchange shares between most Franklin Templeton
Funds within the same class *, generally without paying any additional sales
charges. If you exchange shares held for less than six months, however, you
may be charged the difference between the initial sales charge of the two
funds if the difference is more than 0.25%. If you exchange shares from a
money fund, a sales charge may apply no matter how long you have held the
shares.
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An exchange is really two transactions: a sale of one fund and the purchase
of another. In general, the same policies that apply to purchases and sales
apply to exchanges, including minimum investment amounts. Exchanges also have
the same tax consequences as ordinary sales and purchases.
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Generally exchanges may only be made between identically registered accounts,
unless you send written instructions with a signature guarantee. Any CDSC
will continue to be calculated from the date of your initial investment and
will not be charged at the time of the exchange. The purchase price for
determining a CDSC on exchanged shares will be the price you paid for the
original shares. If you exchange shares subject to a CDSC into a Class A
money fund, the time your shares are held in the money fund will not count
towards the CDSC holding period.
If you exchange your Class B shares for the same class of shares of another
Franklin Templeton Fund, the time your shares are held in that fund will
count towards the eight year period for automatic conversion to Class A
shares.
Frequent exchanges can interfere with fund management or operations and drive
up costs for all shareholders. To protect shareholders, there are limits on
the number and amount of exchanges you may make (please see "Market Timers"
on page [#]).
*Certain Class Z shareholders of Franklin Mutual Series Fund Inc. may
exchange into Class A without any sales charge. Advisor Class shareholders of
another Franklin Templeton Fund also may exchange into Class A without any
sales charge. Advisor Class shareholders who exchange their shares for Class
A shares and later decide they would like to exchange into another fund that
offers Advisor Class may do so.
Systematic withdrawal plan This plan allows you to automatically sell your
shares and receive regular payments from your account. A CDSC may apply to
withdrawals that exceed certain amounts. Certain terms and minimums apply. To
sign up, complete the appropriate section of your application.
[Insert graphic of a certificate] Selling Shares
You can sell your shares at any time.
Selling shares in writing Requests to sell $100,000 or less can generally be
made over the phone or with a simple letter. Sometimes, however, to protect
you and the fund we will need written instructions signed by all registered
owners, with a signature guarantee for each owner, if:
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A signature guarantee helps protect your account against fraud.
You can obtain a signature guarantee at most banks and securities dealers.
A notary public CANNOT provide a signature guarantee.
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o you are selling more than $100,000 worth of shares
o you want your proceeds paid to someone who is not a registered owner
o you want to send your proceeds somewhere other than the address of
record, or preauthorized bank or brokerage firm account
We also may require a signature guarantee on instructions we receive from an
agent, not the registered owners, or when we believe it would protect the
fund against potential claims based on the instructions received.
Selling recently purchased shares If you sell shares recently purchased with
a check or draft, we may delay sending you the proceeds until your check or
draft has cleared, which may take seven business days or more. A certified or
cashier's check may clear in less time.
Redemption proceeds Your redemption check will be sent within seven days
after we receive your request in proper form. We are not able to receive or
pay out cash in the form of currency. Redemption proceeds may be delayed if
we have not yet received your signed account application.
Retirement plans You may need to complete additional forms to sell shares in
a Franklin Templeton Trust Company retirement plan. For participants under
age 591/2, tax penalties may apply. Call Retirement Plan Services at
1-800/527-2020 for details.
Selling shares
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To sell some or all of your shares
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[Insert graphic of
hands shaking]
Contact your investment representative
Through your
investment
representative
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[Insert graphic of Send written instructions and endorsed
envelope] share certificates (if you hold share
certificates) to Investor Services.
By Mail Corporate, partnership or trust
accounts may need to send additional
documents.
Specify the fund, the account number
and the dollar value or number of
shares you wish to sell. If you own
both Class A and B shares, also specify
the class of shares, otherwise we will
sell your Class A shares first. Be sure
to include all necessary signatures and
any additional documents, as well as
signature guarantees if required.
A check will be mailed to the name(s)
and address on the account, or
otherwise according to your written
instructions.
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[Insert graphic of As long as your transaction is for
phone] $100,000 or less, you do not hold share
certificates and you have not changed
By Phone your address by phone within the last
15 days, you can sell your shares by
1-800/632-2301 phone.
A check will be mailed to the name(s)
and address on the account. Written
instructions, with a signature
guarantee, are required to send the
check to another address or to make it
payable to another person.
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[Insert graphic of You can call or write to have
three lightning redemption proceeds of $1,000 or more
bolts] wired to a bank or escrow account. See
the policies above for selling shares
by mail or phone.
Before requesting a bank wire, please
By Wire make sure we have your bank account
information on file. If we do not have
this information, you will need to send
written instructions with your bank's
name and address, your bank account
number, the ABA routing number, and a
signature guarantee.
Requests received in proper form by
1:00 p.m. pacific time will be wired
the next business day.
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[Insert graphic of Obtain a current prospectus for the
two arrows pointing fund you are considering.
in opposite
directions] Call Shareholder Services at the number
below or our automated TeleFACTS
By Exchange system, or send signed written
instructions. See the policies above
TeleFACTS(R) for selling shares by mail or phone.
1-800/247-1753
(around-the-clock If you hold share certificates, you
access) will need to return them to the fund
before your exchange can be processed.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
Franklin Templeton Investor Services
777 Mariners Island Blvd., P.O. Box 7777,
San Mateo, CA 94403-7777
Call toll-free: 1-800/632-2301
(Monday through Friday 5:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., pacific time
Saturday 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., pacific time)
[Insert graphic of paper and pen] Account Policies
Calculating share price The fund calculates the net asset value per share
(NAV) each business day at the close of trading on the New York Stock
Exchange (normally 1:00 p.m. pacific time). Each class's NAV is calculated
by dividing its net assets by the number of its shares outstanding.
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When you buy shares, you pay the offering price. The offering price is the
NAV plus any applicable sales charge.
When you sell shares, you receive the NAV minus any applicable contingent
deferred sales charge (CDSC).
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The fund's assets are generally valued at their market value. If market
prices are unavailable, or if an event occurs after the close of the trading
market that materially affects the values, assets may be valued at their fair
value. If the fund holds securities listed primarily on a foreign exchange
that trades on days when the fund is not open for business, the value of your
shares may change on days that you cannot buy or sell shares.
Requests to buy and sell shares are processed at the NAV next calculated
after we receive your request in proper form.
Accounts with low balances If the value of your account falls below $250
($50 for employee and UGMA/UTMA accounts) because you sell some of your
shares, we may mail you a notice asking you to bring the account back up to
its applicable minimum investment amount. If you choose not to do so within
30 days, we may close your account and mail the proceeds to the address of
record. You will not be charged a CDSC if your account is closed for this
reason.
Statements and reports You will receive confirmations and account statements
that show your account transactions. You also will receive the fund's
financial reports every six months. To reduce fund expenses, we try to
identify related shareholders in a household and send only one copy of the
financial reports. If you need additional copies, please call 1-800/DIAL BEN.
If there is a dealer or other investment representative of record on your
account, he or she also will receive confirmations, account statements and
other information about your account directly from the fund.
Street or nominee accounts You may transfer your shares from the street or
nominee name account of one dealer to another, as long as both dealers have
an agreement with Franklin Templeton Distributors, Inc. We will process the
transfer after we receive authorization in proper form from your delivering
securities dealer.
Joint accounts Unless you specify a different registration, accounts with
two or more owners are registered as "joint tenants with rights of
survivorship" (shown as "Jt Ten" on your account statement). To make any
ownership changes to a joint account, all owners must agree in writing,
regardless of the law in your state.
Market timers The fund may restrict or refuse exchanges by market timers. If
accepted, each exchange by a market timer will be charged $5. You will be
considered a market timer if you have (i) requested an exchange out of the
fund within two weeks of an earlier exchange request, or (ii) exchanged
shares out of the fund more than twice in a calendar quarter, or (iii)
exchanged shares equal to at least $5 million, or more than 1% of the fund's
net assets, or (iv) otherwise seem to follow a timing pattern. Shares under
common ownership or control are combined for these limits.
Additional policies Please note that the fund maintains additional policies
and reserves certain rights, including:
o The fund may refuse any order to buy shares, including any purchase
under the exchange privilege.
o At any time, the fund may change its investment minimums or waive or
lower its minimums for certain purchases.
o The fund may modify or discontinue the exchange privilege on 60 days'
notice.
o You may only buy shares of a fund eligible for sale in your state or
jurisdiction.
o In unusual circumstances, we may temporarily suspend redemptions, or
postpone the payment of proceeds, as allowed by federal securities laws.
o For redemptions over a certain amount, the fund reserves the right to
make payments in securities or other assets of the fund, in the case of an
emergency or if the payment by check or wire would be harmful to existing
shareholders.
o To permit investors to obtain the current price, dealers are responsible
for transmitting all orders to the fund promptly.
Dealer compensation Qualifying dealers who sell fund shares may receive
sales commissions and other payments. These are paid by Franklin Templeton
Distributors, Inc. (Distributors) from sales charges, distribution and
service (12b-1) fees and its other resources.
Class A Class B Class C
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Commission (%) --- 4.00 2.00
Investment under $50,000 5.00 --- ---
$50,000 but under $100,000 3.75 --- ---
$100,000 but under $250,000 2.80 --- ---
$250,000 but under $500,000 2.00 --- ---
$500,000 but under $1 1.60 --- ---
million
$1 million or more up to 1.00 1 --- ---
12b-1 fee to dealer 0.35% 2 0.25 3 1.00 4
A dealer commission of up to 1% may be paid on Class A NAV purchases by
certain retirement plans1 and up to 0.25% on Class A NAV purchases by certain
trust companies and bank trust departments, eligible governmental
authorities, and broker-dealers or others on behalf of clients participating
in comprehensive fee programs.
1. During the first year after purchase, dealers may not be eligible to
receive the 12b-1 fee.
2. Of this amount, the fund may pay up to 0.35% to Distributors or others,
out of which 0.10% generally will be retained by Distributors for its
distribution expenses.
3. Dealers may be eligible to receive up to 0.25% from the date of purchase.
After 8 years, Class B shares convert to Class A shares and dealers may then
receive the 12b-1 fee applicable to Class A.
4. Dealers may be eligible to receive up to 0.25% during the first year after
purchase and may be eligible to receive the full 12b-1 fee starting in the
13th month.
[Insert graphic of question mark]Questions
If you have any questions about the fund or your account, you can write to us
at 777 Mariners Island Blvd., P.O. Box 7777, San Mateo, CA 94403-7777. You
can also call us at one of the following numbers. For your protection and to
help ensure we provide you with quality service, all calls may be monitored
or recorded.
Hours (pacific time,
Department Name Telephone Number Monday through Friday)
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Shareholder Services 1-800/632-2301 5:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
(Saturday)
Fund Information 1-800/DIAL BEN 5:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
(1-800/342-5236) 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
(Saturday)
Retirement Plan
Services 1-800/527-2020 5:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Dealer Services 1-800/524-4040 5:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Institutional 1-800/321-8563 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Services
TDD (hearing 1-800/851-0637 5:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
impaired)
For More Information
You can learn more about the fund in the following documents:
Statement of Additional Information (SAI)
Contains more information about the fund, its investments and policies. It is
incorporated by reference (is legally a part of this prospectus).
For a free copy of the SAI, please contact your investment representative or
call us at the number below.
Franklin(R)Templeton(R)
1-800/DIAL BEN(R) (1-800/342-5236)
TDD (Hearing Impaired) 1-800/851-0637
www.franklin-templeton.com
You can also obtain information about the fund by visiting the SEC's Public
Reference Room in Washington D.C. (phone 1-800/SEC-0330) or by sending your
request and a duplicating fee to the SEC's Public Reference Section,
Washington, DC 20549-6009. You can also visit the SEC's Internet site at
http://www.sec.gov.
Investment Company Act file #811-6243
PROSPECTUS
FRANKLIN LARGE CAP GROWTH FUND
ADVISOR CLASS
INVESTMENT STRATEGY GROWTH
JUNE 7, 1999
[Insert Franklin Templeton Ben Head]
LIKE ALL MUTUAL FUND SHARES, THE SEC HAS NOT APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THESE
SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION
TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
Contents
The Fund
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Information about the fund you should know before investing
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[insert page #] Goal and Strategies
[insert page #] Main Risks
[insert page #] Performance
[insert page #] Fees and Expenses
[insert page #] Management
[insert page #] Distributions and Taxes
[insert page #] Financial Highlights
Your Account
[Begin callout]
Information about qualified investors, account transactions and services
[End callout]
[insert page #] Qualified Investors
[insert page #] Buying Shares
[insert page #] Investor Services
[insert page #] Selling Shares
[insert page #] Account Policies
[insert page #] Questions
For More Information
[Begin callout]
Where to learn more about the fund
[End callout]
Back Cover
The Fund
[Insert graphic of bullseye and arrows] Goal and Strategies
Goal The fund's principal investment goal is long-term capital appreciation.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENTS Under normal market conditions, the fund will invest at
least 80% of its total assets in equity securities of large cap growth companies
located in the U.S.
For purposes of the fund's investments, large cap growth companies include
well-established companies with market capitalization of $10 billion or more
with a record of revenue growth and profitability exceeding the economy as a
whole. These companies generally dominate their respective markets and have a
reputation for quality management, as well as superior products and services.
Equity securities generally entitle the holder to participate in a company's
general operating results. These include common stocks, convertible securities
and warrants.
[Begin callout]
The fund invests primarily in large cap growth companies' common stocks.
[End callout]
In choosing equity investments, the fund's manager will focus on companies that
have exhibited above average growth, strong financial records and large market
capitalization. In addition, management expertise, industry leadership, control
of market share and sustainable competitive advantage are factors the manager
also considers. Although the manager will search for investments across a large
number of industries, it expects to have significant positions in the finance,
technology, health care and consumer staples industries.
TEMPORARY INVESTMENTS The manager may take a temporary defensive position when
the securities trading markets or the economy are experiencing excessive
volatility or a prolonged general decline, or other adverse conditions exist.
Under these circumstances, the fund may be unable to pursue its investment goal,
because it may not invest or may invest substantially less in large cap growth
companies' stocks.
[Insert graphic of chart with line going up and down] Main Risks
[Begin callout]
Because the stocks the fund holds fluctuate in price, the value of your
investment in the fund will go up and down. This means you could lose money over
short or even extended periods.
[End callout]
STOCKS While stocks have historically outperformed other asset classes over the
long term, they tend to go up and down more dramatically over the shorter term.
These price movements may result from factors affecting individual companies,
industries or the securities market as a whole.
COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY AND MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY COMPANIES The fund expects to invest
a portion of its assets in securities of companies involved in or related to
computer technologies and medical technologies. The computer technology and
medical technology sectors have historically been volatile, and stock prices of
companies operating within these industries are subject to abrupt or erratic
movements. The manager tries to reduce these risks through extensive research
and emphasis on more globally competitive companies as opposed to those limited
to domestic or regional markets.
HEALTH CARE COMPANIES The activities of health care companies may be funded or
subsidized by federal and state governments. If government subsidies are
discontinued, the profitability of these companies could be adversely affected.
Health care companies held by the fund will be affected by government policies
on health care reimbursements, regulatory approval for new drugs and medical
instruments, and similar matters. They are also subject to legislative risk, the
risk of a reform of the health care system through legislation.
Year 2000 When evaluating current and potential portfolio positions, Year 2000
is one of the factors the fund's manager considers.
The manager will rely upon public filings and other statements made by companies
about their Year 2000 readiness. The manager, of course, cannot audit each
company and its major suppliers to verify their Year 2000 readiness.
If a company in which the fund is invested is adversely affected by Year 2000
problems, it is likely that the price of its securities also will be adversely
affected. A decrease in the value of one or more of the fund's portfolio
holdings will have a similar impact on the fund's performance. Please see page
[#] for more information.
More detailed information about the fund, its policies (including temporary
investments), and risks can be found in the fund's Statement of Additional
Information (SAI).
[Begin callout]
Mutual fund shares are not deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed or endorsed
by, any bank, and are not federally insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board, or any other agency of the U.S.
government. Mutual fund shares involve investment risks, including the possible
loss of principal.
[End callout]
[Insert graphic of a bull and a bear] Performance
Because the fund is new, it has no performance history.
[Insert graphic of percentage sign] Fees and Expenses
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and
hold shares of the fund.
Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Advisor Class
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Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on None
purchases
Exchange fee 1 $5.00
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses deducted from fund assets)2
Advisor Class
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
Management fees3 0.50%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees None
Other expenses 0.84%
----------------------
Total annual fund operating expenses3 1.34%
----------------------
1. This fee is only for market timers (see page [#]).
2. The management fees and distribution and service (12b-1) fees shown are
based on the fund's maximum contractual amount. Other expenses are estimated.
3. The manager and administrator have agreed in advance to waive their
respective fees and to assume as their own expense certain expenses otherwise
payable by the fund. With this reduction, management fees would be 0.26% and
total annual fund operating expenses would 0.90% for the current fiscal year.
The manager and administrator may end this arrangement at any time upon
notice to the fund's Board of Trustees.
Example
This example can help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the
cost of investing in other mutual funds.
The example assumes you invest $10,000 for the periods shown and then sell all
of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes your
investment has a 5% return each year and the fund's operating expenses remain
the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these
assumptions your costs would be:
1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years
- ---------------------------------------
$136 $425 $734 $1,613
[Insert graphic of briefcase] Management
Franklin Advisers, Inc. (Advisers), 777 Mariners Island Blvd., San Mateo, CA
94403, is the fund's investment manager. Together, Advisers and its affiliates
manage over $217 billion in assets.
The team responsible for the fund's management is:
Suzanne Willoughby Killea CFA, Vice President of Advisers
Ms. Killea has been a manager of the fund since its inception. She joined the
Franklin Templeton Group in 1991.
Edward B. Jamieson, Executive Vice President of Advisers
Mr. Jamieson has been a manager of the fund since its inception. He joined
the Franklin Templeton Group in 1987.
The fund pays the manager a fee for managing the fund's assets and making its
investment decisions. The fee is equal to an annual rate of:
o 0.50% of the value of net assets up to and including $500 million;
o 0.40% of the value of net assets over $500 million and not over $1 billion;
o 0.35% of the value of net assets over $1 billion and not over $1.5 billion;
o 0.30% of the value of net assets over $1.5 billion and not over $6.5 billion;
o 0.275% of the value of net assets over $6.5 billion and not over $11.5
billion;
o 0.25% of the value of net assets over $11.5 billion and not over $16.5
billion;
o 0.24% of the value of net assets over $16.5 billion and not over $19 billion;
o 0.23% of the value of net assets over $19 billion and not over $21.5 billion;
and
o 0.22% of the value of net assets in excess of $21.5 billion.
Year 2000 problem The fund's business operations depend on a worldwide
network of computer systems that contain date fields, including securities
trading systems, securities transfer agent operations and stock market links.
Many of the systems currently use a two digit date field to represent the
date, and unless these systems are changed or modified, they may not be able
to distinguish the Year 1900 from the Year 2000 (commonly referred to as the
Year 2000 problem). In addition, the fact that the Year 2000 is a leap year
may create difficulties for some systems.
When the Year 2000 arrives, the fund's operations could be adversely affected
if the computer systems used by the manager, its service providers and other
third parties it does business with are not Year 2000 ready. For example, the
fund's portfolio and operational areas could be impacted, including
securities trade processing, interest and dividend payments, securities
pricing, shareholder account services, reporting, custody functions and
others. The fund could experience difficulties in effecting transactions if
any of its foreign subcustodians, or if foreign broker-dealers or foreign
markets are not ready for Year 2000.
The fund's manager and its affiliated service providers are making a
concerted effort to take steps they believe are reasonably designed to
address their Year 2000 problems. Of course, the fund's ability to reduce the
effects of the Year 2000 problem is also very much dependent upon the efforts
of third parties over which the fund and its manager may have no control.
[Insert graphic of dollar
signs and stacks of coins] Distributions and Taxes
Income and capital gains distributions The fund intends to pay a dividend at
least annually representing substantially all of its net investment income
and any net realized capital gains. The amount of this distribution will vary
and there is no guarantee the fund will pay dividends.
To receive a distribution, you must be a shareholder on the record date. The
record date for the fund's distributions will vary. Please keep in mind that
if you invest in the fund shortly before the record date of a distribution,
any distribution will lower the value of the fund's shares by the amount of
the distribution and you will receive some of your investment back in the
form of a taxable distribution. If you would like information on upcoming
record dates for the fund's distributions, please call 1-800/DIAL BEN(R).
Tax considerations In general, fund distributions are taxable to you as
either ordinary income or capital gains. This is true whether you reinvest
your distributions in additional shares of the fund or receive them in cash.
Any capital gains the fund distributes are taxable to you as long-term
capital gains no matter how long you have owned your shares.
[Begin callout]
Backup Withholding
By law, the fund must withhold 31% of your taxable distributions and proceeds
if you do not provide your correct taxpayer identification number (TIN) or
certify that your TIN is correct, or if the IRS instructs the fund to do so.
[End callout]
Every January, you will receive a statement that shows the tax status of
distributions you received for the previous year. Distributions declared in
December but paid in January are taxable as if they were paid in December.
When you sell your shares of the fund, you may have a capital gain or loss.
For tax purposes, an exchange of your fund shares for shares of a different
Franklin Templeton Fund is the same as a sale. The individual tax rate on any
gain from the sale or exchange of your shares depends on how long you have
held your shares.
Fund distributions and gains from the sale or exchange of your shares
generally will be subject to state and local income tax. Non-U.S. investors
may be subject to U.S. withholding and estate tax. You should consult your
tax advisor about the federal, state, local or foreign tax consequences of
your investment in the fund.
Your Account
[Insert graphic of pencil marking an "X"]Qualified Investors
The following investors may qualify to buy Advisor Class shares of the fund.
o Qualified registered investment advisors or certified financial planners
with clients invested in any series of Franklin Mutual Series Fund Inc. on
October 31, 1996, or who buy through a broker-dealer or service agent who
has an agreement with Franklin Templeton Distributors, Inc. (Distributors).
Minimum investments: $1,000 initial and $50 additional.
o Broker-dealers, registered investment advisors or certified financial
planners who have an agreement with Distributors for clients participating
in comprehensive fee programs. Minimum investments: $250,000 initial
($100,000 initial for an individual client) and $50 additional.
o Officers, trustees, directors and full-time employees of Franklin Templeton
and their immediate family members. Minimum investments: $100 initial ($50
for accounts with an automatic investment plan) and $50 additional.
o Each series of the Franklin Templeton Fund Allocator Series. Minimum
investments: $1,000 initial and $1,000 additional.
[Begin callout]
The Franklin Templeton Funds include all of the Franklin Templeton U.S.
registered mutual funds, except Franklin Valuemark Funds, Templeton Capital
Accumulator Fund, Inc., and Templeton Variable Products Series Fund.
[End callout]
o Governments, municipalities, and tax-exempt entities that meet the
requirements for qualification under section 501 of the Internal Revenue
Code. Minimum investments: $1 million initial investment in Advisor Class
or Class Z shares of any of the Franklin Templeton Funds and $50
additional.
o Accounts managed by the Franklin Templeton Group. Minimum investments: No
initial minimum and $50 additional.
o The Franklin Templeton Profit Sharing 401(k) Plan. Minimum investments: No
initial or additional minimums.
o Defined contribution plans such as employer stock, bonus, pension or profit
sharing plans that meet the requirements for qualification under section
401 of the Internal Revenue Code, including salary reduction plans
qualified under section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code, and that are
sponsored by an employer (i) with at least 10,000 employees, or (ii) with
retirement plan assets of $100 million or more. Minimum investments: No
initial or additional minimums.
o Trust companies and bank trust departments initially investing in the
Franklin Templeton Funds at least $1 million of assets held in a fiduciary,
agency, advisory, custodial or similar capacity and over which the trust
companies and bank trust departments or other plan fiduciaries or
participants, in the case of certain retirement plans, have full or shared
investment discretion. Minimum investments: No initial or additional
minimums.
o Individual investors. Minimum investments: $5 million initial and $50
additional. You may combine all of your shares in the Franklin Templeton
Funds for purposes of determining whether you meet the $5 million minimum,
as long as $1 million is in Advisor Class or Class Z shares of any of the
Franklin Templeton Funds.
o Any other investor, including a private investment vehicle such as a family
trust or foundation, who is a member of an established group of 11 or more
investors. Minimum investments: $5 million initial and $50 additional. For
minimum investment purposes, the group's investments are added together.
The group may combine all of its shares in the Franklin Templeton Funds for
purposes of determining whether it meets the $5 million minimum, as long as
$1 million is in Advisor Class or Class Z shares of any of the Franklin
Templeton Funds. There are certain other requirements and the group must
have a purpose other than buying fund shares without a sales charge.
Please note that Advisor Class shares of the fund are no longer available to
retirement plans through Franklin Templeton's ValuSelect(R) program. Retirement
plans in the ValuSelect program before January 1, 1998, however, may continue to
invest in the fund's Advisor Class shares.
[Insert graphic of a paper with lines
and someone writing] Buying Shares
Account application If you are opening a new account, please complete and sign
the enclosed account application. To save time, you can sign up now for services
you may want on your account by completing the appropriate sections of the
application (see the next page).
Buying shares
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Opening an account Adding to an account
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
[Insert graphic
of hands
shaking] Contact your investment Contact your investment
representative representative
Through your
investment
representative
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Make your check payable Make your check payable
[Insert graphic to Franklin Large Cap to Franklin Large Cap
of envelope] Growth Fund. Growth Fund. Include
your account number on
By Mail Mail the check and your the check.
signed application to
Investor Services. Fill out the deposit
slip from your account
statement. If you do not
have a slip, include a
note with your name, the
fund name, and your
account number.
Mail the check and
deposit slip or note to
Investor Services.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
[Insert graphic Call to receive a wire Call to receive a wire
of three control number and wire control number and wire
lightning bolts] instructions. instructions.
Wire the funds and mail To make a same day wire
your signed application investment, please call
By Wire to Investor Services. us by 1:00 p.m. pacific
Please include the wire time and make sure your
1-800/632-2301 control number or your wire arrives by 3:00
(or new account number on p.m.
1-650/312-2000 the application.
collect)
To make a same day wire
investment, please call
us by 1:00 p.m. pacific
time and make sure your
wire arrives by 3:00
p.m.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
[Insert graphic Call Shareholder Call Shareholder
of two arrows Services at the number Services at the number
pointing in below, or send signed below, or send signed
opposite written instructions. written instructions.
directions] (Please see page [#] for (Please see page [#]
information on for information on
By Exchange exchanges.) exchanges.)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Franklin Templeton Investor Services 777 Mariners Island Blvd., P.O. Box 7777,
San Mateo, CA 94403-7777
Call toll-free: 1-800/632-2301
(Monday through Friday 5:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., pacific time
Saturday 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., pacific time)
[Insert graphic of person with a headset] Investor Services
AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT PLAN This plan offers a convenient way for you to invest in
the fund by automatically transferring money from your checking or savings
account each month to buy shares. To sign up, complete the appropriate section
of your account application.
DISTRIBUTION OPTIONS You may reinvest distributions you receive from the
fund in an existing account in the same share class of the fund or in Advisor
Class or Class A shares of another Franklin Templeton Fund. To reinvest your
distributions in Advisor Class shares of another Franklin Templeton Fund, you
must qualify to buy that fund's Advisor Class shares. For distributions
reinvested in Class A shares of another Franklin Templeton Fund, initial
sales charges and contingent deferred sales charges (CDSCs) will not apply if
you reinvest your distributions within 365 days. You can also have your
distributions deposited in a bank account, or mailed by check. Deposits to a
bank account may be made by electronic funds transfer.
[Begin callout]
For Franklin Templeton Trust Company retirement plans, special forms may be
needed to receive distributions in cash. Please call 1-800/527-2020 for
information.
[End callout]
Please indicate on your application the distribution option you have chosen,
otherwise we will reinvest your distributions in the same share class of the
fund.
RETIREMENT PLANS Franklin Templeton offers a variety of retirement plans for
individuals and businesses. These plans require separate applications and their
policies and procedures may be different than those described in this
prospectus. For more information, including a free retirement plan brochure or
application, please call Retirement Plan Services at 1-800/527-2020.
TELEFACTS(R) Our TeleFACTS system offers around-the-clock access to information
about your account or any Franklin Templeton Fund. This service is available
from touch-tone phones at 1-800/247-1753. For a free TeleFACTS brochure, call
1-800/DIAL BEN.
TELEPHONE PRIVILEGES You will automatically receive telephone privileges when
you open your account, allowing you and your investment representative to sell
or exchange your shares and make certain other changes to your account by phone.
For accounts with more than one registered owner, telephone privileges also
allow the fund to accept written instructions signed by only one owner for
transactions and account changes that could otherwise be made by phone. For all
other transactions and changes, all registered owners must sign the
instructions.
As long as we take certain measures to verify telephone requests, we will not be
responsible for any losses that may occur from unauthorized requests. Of course,
you can decline telephone exchange or redemption privileges on your account
application.
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE You can exchange shares between most Franklin Templeton Funds
within the same class. You also may exchange your Advisor Class shares for Class
A shares of a fund that does not currently offer an Advisor Class (without any
sales charge)* or for Class Z shares of Franklin Mutual Series Fund Inc.
[Begin callout]
An exchange is really two transactions: a sale of one fund and the purchase
of another. In general, the same policies that apply to purchases and sales
apply to exchanges, including minimum investment amounts. Exchanges also have
the same tax consequences as ordinary sales and purchases.
[End callout]
If you do not qualify to buy Advisor Class shares of Templeton Developing
Markets Trust, Templeton Foreign Fund or Templeton Growth Fund, you also may
exchange your shares for Class A shares of those funds (without any sales
charge)* or for shares of Templeton Institutional Funds, Inc.
Generally exchanges may only be made between identically registered accounts,
unless you send written instructions with a signature guarantee.
Frequent exchanges can interfere with fund management or operations and drive up
costs for all shareholders. To protect shareholders, there are limits on the
number and amount of exchanges you may make (please see "Market Timers" on page
[#]).
*If you exchange into Class A shares and you later decide you would like to
exchange into a fund that offers an Advisor Class , you may exchange your Class
A shares for Advisor Class shares if you otherwise qualify to buy the fund's
Advisor Class shares.
SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN This plan allows you to automatically sell your
shares and receive regular payments from your account. Certain terms and
minimums apply. To sign up, complete the appropriate section of your
application.
[Insert graphic of a certificate] Selling Shares
You can sell your shares at any time.
SELLING SHARES IN WRITING Requests to sell $100,000 or less can generally be
made over the phone or with a simple letter. Sometimes, however, to protect
you and the fund we will need written instructions signed by all registered
owners, with a signature guarantee for each owner, if:
[Begin callout]
A signature guarantee helps protect your account against fraud.
You can obtain a signature guarantee at most banks and securities dealers.
A notary public CANNOT provide a signature guarantee.
[End callout]
o you are selling more than $100,000 worth of shares
o you want your proceeds paid to someone who is not a registered owner
o you want to send your proceeds somewhere other than the address of
record, or preauthorized bank or brokerage firm account
We also may require a signature guarantee on instructions we receive from an
agent, not the registered owners, or when we believe it would protect the fund
against potential claims based on the instructions received.
SELLING RECENTLY PURCHASED SHARES If you sell shares recently purchased with a
check or draft, we may delay sending you the proceeds until your check or draft
has cleared, which may take seven business days or more. A certified or
cashier's check may clear in less time.
REDEMPTION PROCEEDS Your redemption check will be sent within seven days
after we receive your request in proper form. We are not able to receive or
pay out cash in the form of currency. Redemption proceeds may be delayed if
we have not yet received your signed account application.
RETIREMENT PLANS You may need to complete additional forms to sell shares in
a Franklin Templeton Trust Company retirement plan. For participants under
age 591/2, tax penalties may apply. Call Retirement Plan Services at
1-800/527-2020 for details.
Selling shares
- ----------------------------------------------------------
To sell some or all of your shares
- ----------------------------------------------------------
[Insert graphic
of hands
shaking] Contact your investment representative
Through your
investment
representative
- ----------------------------------------------------------
[Insert Send written instructions and endorsed
graphic of share certificates (if you hold share
envelope] certificates) to Investor Services.
Corporate, partnership or trust
By Mail accounts may need to send additional
documents.
Specify the fund, the account number
and the dollar value or number of
shares you wish to sell. Be sure to
include all necessary signatures and
any additional documents, as well as
signature guarantees if required.
A check will be mailed to the name(s)
and address on the account, or
otherwise according to your written
instructions.
- ----------------------------------------------------------
[Insert graphic As long as your transaction is for
of phone] $100,000 or less, you do not hold share
certificates and you have not changed
By Phone your address by phone within the last
15 days, you can sell your shares by
1-800/632-2301 phone.
A check will be mailed to the name(s)
and address on the account. Written
instructions, with a signature
guarantee, are required to send the
check to another address or to make it
payable to another person.
- ----------------------------------------------------------
[Insert You can call or write to have
graphic of redemption proceeds of $1,000 or more
three lightning wired to a bank or escrow account. See
bolts] the policies above for selling shares
by mail or phone.
Before requesting a bank wire, please
make sure we have your bank account
By Wire information on file. If we do not have
this information, you will need to send
written instructions with your bank's
name and address, your bank account
number, the ABA routing number, and a
signature guarantee.
Requests received in proper form by
1:00 p.m. pacific time will be wired
the next business day.
- ----------------------------------------------------------
[Insert graphic Obtain a current prospectus for the
of two arrows fund you are considering.
pointing in
opposite Call Shareholder Services at the number
directions] below, or send signed written
instructions. See the policies above
By Exchange for selling shares by mail or phone.
If you hold share certificates, you
will need to return them to the fund
before your exchange can be processed.
- ----------------------------------------------------------
Franklin Templeton Investor Services 777 Mariners Island Blvd., P.O. Box 7777,
San Mateo, CA 94403-7777
Call toll-free: 1-800/632-2301
(Monday through Friday 5:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., pacific time
Saturday 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., pacific time)
[Insert graphic of paper and pen] Account Policies
CALCULATING SHARE PRICE The fund calculates the net asset value per share
(NAV) each business day at the close of trading on the New York Stock
Exchange (normally 1:00 p.m. pacific time). The NAV for Advisor Class is
calculated by dividing its net assets by the number of its shares
outstanding.
The fund's assets are generally valued at their market value. If market
prices are unavailable, or if an event occurs after the close of the trading
market that materially affects the values, assets may be valued at their fair
value. If the fund holds securities listed primarily on a foreign exchange
that trades on days when the fund is not open for business, the value of your
shares may change on days that you cannot buy or sell shares.
Requests to buy and sell shares are processed at the NAV next calculated
after we receive your request in proper form.
ACCOUNTS WITH LOW BALANCES If the value of your account falls below $250
($50 for employee accounts) because you sell some of your shares, we may mail
you a notice asking you to bring the account back up to its applicable
minimum investment amount. If you choose not to do so within 30 days, we may
close your account and mail the proceeds to the address of record.
STATEMENTS AND REPORTS You will receive confirmations and account statements
that show your account transactions. You also will receive the fund's
financial reports every six months. To reduce fund expenses, we try to
identify related shareholders in a household and send only one copy of the
financial reports. If you need additional copies, please call 1-800/DIAL BEN.
If there is a dealer or other investment representative of record on your
account, he or she also will receive confirmations, account statements and
other information about your account directly from the fund.
STREET OR NOMINEE ACCOUNTS You may transfer your shares from the street or
nominee name account of one dealer to another, as long as both dealers have
an agreement with Franklin Templeton Distributors, Inc. We will process the
transfer after we receive authorization in proper form from your delivering
securities dealer.
JOINT ACCOUNTS Unless you specify a different registration, accounts with
two or more owners are registered as "joint tenants with rights of
survivorship" (shown as "Jt Ten" on your account statement). To make any
ownership changes to a joint account, all owners must agree in writing,
regardless of the law in your state.
MARKET TIMERS The fund may restrict or refuse exchanges by market timers. If
accepted, each exchange by a market timer will be charged $5. You will be
considered a market timer if you have (i) requested an exchange out of the
fund within two weeks of an earlier exchange request, or (ii) exchanged
shares out of the fund more than twice in a calendar quarter, or (iii)
exchanged shares equal to at least $5 million, or more than 1% of the fund's
net assets, or (iv) otherwise seem to follow a timing pattern. Shares under
common ownership or control are combined for these limits.
ADDITIONAL POLICIES Please note that the fund maintains additional policies
and reserves certain rights, including:
o The fund may refuse any order to buy shares, including any purchase
under the exchange privilege.
o At any time, the fund may change its investment minimums or waive or
lower its minimums for certain purchases.
o The fund may modify or discontinue the exchange privilege on 60 days'
notice.
o You may only buy shares of a fund eligible for sale in your state or
jurisdiction.
o In unusual circumstances, we may temporarily suspend redemptions, or
postpone the payment of proceeds, as allowed by federal securities laws.
o For redemptions over a certain amount, the fund reserves the right to
make payments in securities or other assets of the fund, in the case of an
emergency or if the payment by check or wire would be harmful to existing
shareholders.
o To permit investors to obtain the current price, dealers are responsible
for transmitting all orders to the fund promptly.
DEALER COMPENSATION Qualifying dealers who sell Advisor Class shares may
receive up to 0.25% of the amount invested. This amount is paid by Franklin
Templeton Distributors, Inc. from its own resources.
[Insert graphic of question mark] Questions
If you have any questions about the fund or your account, you can write to us
at 777 Mariners Island Blvd., P.O. Box 7777, San Mateo, CA 94403-7777. You
can also call us at one of the following numbers. For your protection and to
help ensure we provide you with quality service, all calls may be monitored
or recorded.
Hours (pacific time, Monday
Department Name Telephone Number through Friday)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholder Services 1-800/632-2301 5:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (Saturday)
Fund Information 1-800/DIAL BEN 5:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
(1-800/342-5236) 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (Saturday)
Retirement Plan
Services 1-800/527-2020 5:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Dealer Services 1-800/524-4040 5:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Institutional 1-800/321-8563 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Services
TDD (hearing 1-800/851-0637 5:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
impaired)
FOR MORE INFORMATION
You can learn more about the fund in the following documents:
Statement of Additional Information (SAI)
Contains more information about the fund, its investments and policies. It is
incorporated by reference (is legally a part of this prospectus).
For a free copy of the SAI, please contact your investment representative or
call us at the number below.
Franklin(R)Templeton(R)
1-800/DIAL BEN(R) (1-800/342-5236)
TDD (Hearing Impaired) 1-800/851-0637
www.franklin-templeton.com
You can also obtain information about the fund by visiting the SEC's Public
Reference Room in Washington D.C. (phone 1-800/SEC-0330) or by sending your
request and a duplicating fee to the SEC's Public Reference Section,
Washington, DC 20549-6009. You can also visit the SEC's Internet site at
http://www.sec.gov.
Investment Company Act file #811-6243
FRANKLIN LARGE CAP GROWTH FUND
Franklin Strategic Series
Class A, B & C
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
June 7, 1999
777 Mariners Island Blvd., P.O. Box 7777
San Mateo, CA 94403-7777 1-800/DIAL BEN(R)
This Statement of Additional Information (SAI) is not a prospectus. It
contains information in addition to the information in the fund's prospectus.
The fund's prospectus, dated June 7, 1999, which we may amend from time to
time, contains the basic information you should know before investing in the
fund. You should read this SAI together with the fund's prospectus.
For a free copy of the current prospectus, contact your investment
representative or call 1-800/DIAL BEN (1-800/342-5236).
Contents
Goal and Strategies
Risks
Officers and Trustees
Management and Other Services
Portfolio Transactions
Distributions and Taxes
Organization, Voting Rights and Principal Holders
Buying and Selling Shares
Pricing Shares
The Underwriter
Performance
Miscellaneous Information
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mutual funds, annuities, and other investment products:
o are not federally insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation,
the Federal Reserve Board, or any other agency of the U.S. government;
o are not deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed or endorsed by, any
bank;
o are subject to investment risks, including the possible loss of
principal.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Goal and Strategies
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The fund's principal investment goal is long-term capital appreciation. This
goal is fundamental, which means it may not be changed without shareholder
approval.
The fund may also seek current income incidental to long-term capital
appreciation, although this is not a fundamental policy of the fund.
Under normal market conditions, the fund will invest at least 80%, and
intends to invest up to 100%, of its total assets in a diversified portfolio
of equity securities of large cap growth companies.
Below is more detailed information about some of the various types of
securities the fund may buy and the fund's investment policies.
Equity Securities The purchaser of an equity security typically receives an
ownership interest in the company as well as certain voting rights. The owner
of an equity security may participate in a company's success through the
receipt of dividends, which are distributions of earnings by the company to
its owners. Equity security owners may also participate in a company's
success or lack of success through increases or decreases in the value of the
company's shares as traded in the public trading market for such shares.
Equity securities generally take the form of common stock or preferred stock.
Preferred stockholders typically receive greater dividends but may receive
less appreciation than common stockholders and may have greater voting rights
as well. Equity securities may also include convertible securities, warrants,
or rights. Warrants or rights give the holder the right to purchase a common
stock at a given time for a specified price.
Convertible Securities Although the fund may invest in convertible securities
without limit, it currently intends to limit these investments to no more
than 5% of its net assets.
A convertible security generally is a preferred stock or debt security that
pays dividends or interest and may be converted into common stock. A
convertible security may also be subject to redemption by the issuer but only
after a specified date and under circumstances established at the time the
security is issued. 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. The fund intends to invest in liquid
convertible securities, but there can be no assurance that they will always
be able to do so.
As with a straight fixed-income security, a convertible security tends to
increase in market value when interest rates decline and decrease in value
when interest rates rise. Like a common stock, the value of a convertible
security also tends to increase as the market value of the underlying stock
rises, and it tends to decrease as the market value of the underlying stock
declines. Because both interest rate and market movements can influence its
value, a convertible security is not as sensitive to interest rates as a
similar fixed-income security, nor is it as sensitive to changes in share
price as its underlying stock.
A convertible security is usually issued either by an operating company or by
an investment bank. When issued by an operating company, a convertible
security tends to be senior to common stock, but subordinate to other types
of fixed-income securities issued by that company. When a convertible
security issued by an operating company is "converted," the operating company
often issues new stock to the holder of the convertible security but, if the
parity price of the convertible security is less than the call price, the
operating company may pay out cash instead of common stock. If the
convertible security is issued by an investment bank, the security is an
obligation of and is convertible through the issuing investment bank. The
issuer of a convertible security may be important in determining the
security's true value. This is because the holder of a convertible security
will have recourse only to the issuer.
While the fund uses the same criteria to rate convertible debt securities
that it uses to rate more conventional debt securities, a convertible
preferred stock is treated like a preferred stock for the fund's financial
reporting, credit rating, and investment limitation purposes. A preferred
stock is subordinated to all debt obligations in the event of insolvency, and
an issuer's failure to make a dividend payment is generally not an event of
default entitling the preferred shareholder to take action. A preferred stock
generally has no maturity date, so that its market value is dependent on the
issuer's business prospects for an indefinite period of time. In addition,
distributions from preferred stock are dividends, rather than interest
payments, and are usually treated as such for corporate tax purposes.
Foreign Securities and Depositary Receipts Although the fund may invest in
foreign securities, it intends to limit such investments to 10% of its total
assets.
The fund may buy foreign securities traded in the U.S. or directly in foreign
markets. The fund may buy American, European, and Global Depositary Receipts.
Depositary Receipts are certificates typically issued by a bank or trust
company that give their holders the right to receive securities (a) of a
foreign issuer deposited in a U.S. bank or trust company (American Depositary
Receipts, "ADRs"); or (b) of a foreign or U.S. issuer deposited in a foreign
bank or trust company (Global Depositary Receipts, "GDRs" or European
Depositary Receipts, "EDRs").
Repurchase Agreements The fund will generally have a portion of its assets in
cash or cash equivalents for a variety of reasons including waiting for a
special investment opportunity or taking a defensive position. To earn
income on this portion of its assets, the fund may enter into repurchase
agreements with certain banks and broker-dealers. Repurchase agreements are
contracts under which the buyer of a security simultaneously commits to
resell the security to the seller at an agreed upon price and date. Under a
repurchase agreement, a fund agrees to buy a U.S. government security from
one of these issuers and then to sell the security back to the issuer after a
short period of time (generally, less than seven days) at a higher price. The
bank or broker-dealer must transfer to the fund's custodian securities with
an initial value of at least 102% of the dollar amount invested by the fund
in each repurchase agreement. The manager will monitor the value of such
securities daily to determine that the value equals or exceed the repurchase
price. Repurchase agreements may involve risks in the event of default or
insolvency of the seller, including possible delays or restrictions upon a
fund's ability to dispose of the underlying securities. The fund will enter
into repurchase agreements only with parties who meet creditworthiness
standards approved by the fund's Board, i.e., banks or broker-dealers that
have been determined by the manager to present no serious risk of becoming
involved in bankruptcy proceedings within the timeframe contemplated by the
repurchase transaction.
Loans of Portfolio Securities To generate additional income, the fund may
lend its portfolio securities to qualified securities dealers or other
institutional investors. Such loans may not exceed one third of the value of
the Fund's total assets, measured at the time of the most recent loan. For
each loan the borrower must maintain with the fund's custodian collateral
(consisting of any combination of cash, U.S. government securities, or
irrevocable letters of credit) with a value at least equal to 100% of the
current market value of the loaned securities. The fund retains all or a
portion of the interest received on investment of the cash collateral or
receives a fee from the borrower. The fund may terminate the loans at any
time and obtain the return of the securities loaned within five business
days. The fund will continue to receive any interest or dividends paid on the
loaned securities and will continue to have voting rights with respect to the
securities. However, as with other extensions of credit, there are risks of
delay in recovery or even loss of rights in collateral should the borrower
fail.
Options, Futures, and Options on Futures
A stock option is a contract that provides the holder the right to buy or
sell shares of the stock at a fixed price, within a specified period of time.
An option on a stock index is a contract that allows the buyer of the option
the right to receive from the seller cash, in an amount equal to the
difference between the index's closing price and the option's exercise price.
A futures contract is an obligation to buy or sell a specified security or
currency at a set price on a specified future date. A stock index futures
contract is an agreement to take or make delivery of an amount of cash based
on the difference between the value of the index at the beginning and end of
the contract period. Options, futures, and options on futures are considered
"derivative securities."
The fund may buy and sell options on securities and securities indices. The
fund may only buy options if the premiums it paid for such options total 5%
or less of its total assets. The fund may also buy and sell securities index
futures and options on securities index futures. The fund will not buy
futures if the amount of its initial deposits and premiums paid for its open
contracts is more than 5% of its total assets (taken at current value).
The fund may buy and sell futures contracts for securities. The fund may
invest in futures contracts only to hedge against changes in the value of its
securities or those it intends to buy. The fund will not enter into a futures
contract if the amounts paid for its open contracts, including required
initial deposits, would exceed 5% of its net assets.
Options The fund may buy or write (sell) put and call options on securities
listed on a national securities exchange and in the over-the-counter ("OTC")
market. All options written by the fund will be covered. The fund may also
buy or write put and call options on securities indices and stock indices.
Options written by the fund will be for portfolio hedging purposes only.
A call option written by a fund is covered if the fund (a) owns the
underlying security that is subject to the call or (b) has an absolute and
immediate right to acquire that security without additional cash
consideration (or for additional cash consideration held in a segregated
account by its custodian bank) upon conversion or exchange of other
securities held in its portfolio. A call option is also covered if the fund
holds a call on the same security and in the same principal amount as the
call written where the exercise price of the call held is (a) equal to or
less than the exercise price of the call written or (b) greater than the
exercise price of the call written if the difference is held in cash or
high-grade debt securities in a segregated account with the fund's custodian
bank.
A put option written by a fund is covered if the fund maintains cash or
high-grade debt securities with a value equal to the exercise price of the
written put in a segregated account with its custodian bank. A put is also
covered if the fund holds a put on the same security and in the same
principal amount as the put written where the exercise price of the put held
is equal to or greater than the exercise price of the put written.
The premium paid by the buyer of an option will reflect, among other things,
the relationship of the exercise price to the market price and volatility of
the underlying security, the remaining term of the option, supply and demand,
and interest rates.
The writer of an option may have no control over when the underlying
securities must be sold, in the case of a call option, or purchased, in the
case of a put option, since the writer may be assigned an exercise notice at
any time prior to the termination of the obligation. Whether or not an option
expires unexercised, the writer retains the amount of the premium. This
amount may, in the case of a covered call option, be offset by a decline in
the market value of the underlying security during the option period. If a
call option is exercised, the writer experiences a profit or loss from the
sale of the underlying security. If a put option is exercised, the writer
must fulfill the obligation to buy the underlying security at the exercise
price, which will usually exceed the market value of the underlying security
at that time.
If the writer of an option wants to terminate its obligation, the writer may
effect a "closing purchase transaction" by buying an option of the same
series as the option previously written. The effect of the purchase is that
the clearing corporation will cancel the writer's position. However, a writer
may not effect a closing purchase transaction after being notified of the
exercise of an option. Likewise, the holder of an option may liquidate its
position by effecting a "closing sale transaction" by selling an option of
the same series as the option previously purchased. There is no guarantee
that either a closing purchase or a closing sale transaction may be made at
the time desired by a fund.
Effecting a closing transaction in the case of a written call option allows a
fund to write another call option on the underlying security with a different
exercise price, expiration date or both. In the case of a written put option,
a closing transaction allows a fund to write another covered put option.
Effecting a closing transaction also allows the cash or proceeds from the
sale of any securities subject to the option to be used for other fund
investments. If a fund wants to sell a particular security from its portfolio
on which it has written a call option, it will effect a closing transaction
prior to or at the same time as the sale of the security.
A fund will realize a profit from a closing transaction if the price of the
transaction is less than the premium received from writing the option or is
more than the premium paid to buy the option. Likewise, a fund will realize a
loss from a closing transaction if the price of the transaction is more than
the premium received from writing the option or is less than the premium paid
to buy the option. Increases in the market price of a call option will
generally reflect increases in the market price of the underlying security.
As a result, any loss resulting from the repurchase of a call option is
likely to be offset in whole or in part by appreciation of the underlying
security owned by the fund.
The writing of covered put options involves certain risks. For example, if
the market price of the underlying security rises or otherwise is above the
exercise price, the put option will expire worthless and the fund's gain will
be limited to the premium received. If the market price of the underlying
security declines or otherwise is below the exercise price, a fund may elect
to close the position or take delivery of the security at the exercise price.
The fund's return will be the premium received from the put option minus the
amount by which the market price of the security is below the exercise price.
A fund may buy call options on securities it intends to buy in order to limit
the risk of a substantial increase in the market price of the security before
the purchase is effected. A fund may also buy call options on securities held
in its portfolio and on which it has written call options. Prior to its
expiration, a call option may be sold in a closing sale transaction. Profit
or loss from the sale will depend on whether the amount received is more or
less than the premium paid for the call option plus any related transaction
costs.
A fund may buy put options on securities to protect against a decline in the
market value of the underlying security below the exercise price less the
premium paid for the option. The ability to buy put options allows a fund to
protect the unrealized gain in an appreciated security in its portfolio
without actually selling the security. In addition, the fund continues to
receive interest or dividend income on the security. A fund may sell a put
option it has previously purchased prior to the sale of the security
underlying the option. The sale of the option will result in a net gain or
loss depending on whether the amount received on the sale is more or less
than the premium and other transaction costs paid for the put option. Any
gain or loss may be wholly or partially offset by a change in the value of
the underlying security that the fund owns or has the right to acquire.
A fund may write covered put and call options and buy put and call options
that trade in the OTC market to the same extent that it may engage in
exchange traded options. Like exchange traded options, OTC options give the
holder the right to buy, in the case of OTC call options, or sell, in the
case of OTC put options, an underlying security from or to the writer at a
stated exercise price. However, OTC options differ from exchange traded
options in certain material respects.
OTC options are arranged directly with dealers and not with a clearing
corporation. Thus, there is a risk of non-performance by the dealer. Because
there is no exchange, pricing is typically done based on information from
market makers. OTC options are available for a greater variety of securities
and in a wider range of expiration dates and exercise prices, however, than
exchange traded options, and the writer of an OTC option is paid the premium
in advance by the dealer.
Call and put options on stock indices are similar to options on securities
except, rather than the right to buy or sell stock at a specified price,
options on a stock index give the holder the right to receive, upon exercise
of the option, an amount of cash if the closing level of the underlying stock
index is greater than (or less than, in the case of a put) the exercise price
of the option, expressed in dollars multiplied by a specified number. Thus,
unlike stock options, all settlements are in cash, and gain or loss depends
on price movements in the stock market generally (or in a particular industry
or segment of the market) rather than price movements in individual stocks.
When a fund writes an option on a stock index, the fund will establish a
segregated account with its custodian bank containing cash or high quality
fixed-income securities in an amount at least equal to the market value of
the underlying stock index. The fund will maintain the account while the
option is open or will otherwise cover the transaction.
Financial Futures The fund may enter into contracts for the purchase or sale
of futures contracts based upon financial indices ("financial futures").
Financial futures contracts are commodity contracts that obligate the long or
short holder to take or make delivery of the cash value of a securities index
during a specified future period at a specified price. A "sale" of a futures
contract means the acquisition of a contractual obligation to deliver such
cash value called for by the contract on a specified date. A "purchase" of a
futures contract means the acquisition of a contractual obligation to take
delivery of the cash value called for by the contract at a specified date.
The purpose of the acquisition or sale of a futures contract is to attempt to
protect the fund from fluctuations in price of portfolio securities without
actually buying or selling the underlying security. Futures contracts have
been designed by exchanges designated "contracts markets" by the Commodity
Futures Trading Commission ("CFTC") and must be executed through a futures
commission merchant, or brokerage firm, which is a member of the relevant
contract market.
The fund will not engage in transactions in futures contracts or related
options for speculation, but only as a hedge against changes resulting from
market conditions in the values of its securities or securities that it
intends to buy and, to the extent consistent therewith, to accommodate cash
flows. A fund will not enter into any stock index or financial futures
contract or related option if, immediately thereafter, more than one-third of
its total assets would be represented by futures contracts or related
options. In addition, a fund may not buy or sell futures contracts or buy or
sell related options if, immediately thereafter, the sum of the amount of
initial deposits on its existing financial futures and premiums paid on
options on financial futures contracts would exceed 5% of its total assets
(taken at current value). To the extent a fund enters into a futures contract
or related call option, it will maintain with its custodian bank, to the
extent required by the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission,
assets in a segregated account to cover its obligations with respect to such
contract which will consist of cash, cash equivalents or high quality debt
securities from its portfolio in an amount equal to the market value of such
futures contract or related option.
Stock Index Futures The fund may buy and sell stock index futures contracts.
A stock index futures contract obligates the seller to deliver (and the buyer
to take) an amount of cash equal to a specific dollar amount times the
difference between the value of a specific stock index at the close of the
last trading day of the contract and the price at which the agreement is
made. No physical delivery of the underlying stocks in the index is made.
The fund may sell stock index futures contracts in anticipation of or during
a market decline to attempt to offset the decrease in market value of its
equity securities that might otherwise result. When the fund is not fully
invested in stocks and anticipates a significant market advance, it may buy
stock index futures in order to gain rapid market exposure that may in part
or entirely offset increases in the cost of common stocks that it intends to
buy.
Options on Stock Index Futures The fund may buy and sell call and put options
on stock index futures to hedge against risks of marketside price movements.
The need to hedge against these risks will depend on the extent of
diversification of a fund's common stock portfolio and the sensitivity of
such investments to factors influencing the stock market as a whole.
Call and put options on stock index futures are similar to options on
securities except that, rather than the right to buy or sell stock at a
specified price, options on stock index futures give the holder the right to
receive cash. Upon exercise of the option, the delivery of the futures
position by the writer of the option to the holder of the option will be
accompanied by delivery of the accumulated balance in the writer's futures
margin account which represents the amount by which the market price of the
futures contract, at exercise, exceeds, in the case of a call, or is less
than, in the case of a put, the exercise price of the option on the futures
contract. If an option is exercised on the last trading day before the
expiration date of the option, the settlement will be made entirely in cash
equal to the difference between the exercise price of the option and the
closing price of the futures contract on the expiration date.
Futures Contracts for Securities The fund may buy and sell futures contracts
for securities and currencies. The fund may also enter into closing purchase
and sale transactions with respect to these futures contracts. The fund will
engage in futures transactions only for bona fide hedging or other
appropriate risk management purposes. All futures contracts entered into by
the fund are traded on U.S. exchanges or boards of trade licensed and
regulated by the CFTC or on foreign exchanges.
When securities prices are falling, the fund may offset a decline in the
value of its current portfolio securities through the sale of futures
contracts. When prices are rising, the fund can attempt to secure better
prices than might be available when it intends to buy securities through the
purchase of futures contracts. Similarly, the fund can sell futures contracts
on a specified currency to protect against a decline in the value of that
currency and its portfolio securities denominated in that currency. The fund
can buy futures contracts on a foreign currency to fix the price in U.S.
dollars of a security denominated in that currency that the fund has
purchased or expects to buy.
Positions taken in the futures markets are not normally held to maturity, but
are liquidated through offsetting transactions that may result in a profit or
a loss. While the fund's futures contracts on securities and currencies will
usually be liquidated in this manner, the fund may instead make or take
delivery of the underlying securities or currencies whenever it appears
economically advantageous for it to do so. A clearing corporation associated
with the exchange on which futures on securities or currencies are traded
guarantees that, if still open, the sale or purchase will be performed on the
settlement date.
To the extent the fund enters into a futures contract, it will deposit in a
segregated account with its custodian bank cash or U.S. Treasury obligations
equal to a specified percentage of the value of the futures contract (the
"initial margin"), as required by the relevant contract market and futures
commission merchant. The futures contract will be marked-to-market daily.
Should the value of the futures contract decline relative to the fund's
position, the fund will be required to pay the futures commission merchant an
amount equal to the change in value.
Futures Contracts - General Although financial futures contracts by their
terms call for the actual delivery or acquisition of securities, or the cash
value of the index, in most cases the contractual obligation is fulfilled
before the date of the contract without having to make or take delivery of
the securities or cash. A contractual obligation is offset by buying (or
selling, as the case may be) on a commodities exchange an identical financial
futures contract calling for delivery in the same month. This transaction,
which is effected through a member of an exchange, cancels the obligation to
make or take delivery of the securities or cash. Since all transactions in
the futures market are made, offset or fulfilled through a clearinghouse
associated with the exchange on which the contracts are traded, a fund will
incur brokerage fees when it buys or sells financial futures contracts.
Future Developments The fund may take advantage of opportunities in the area
of options, futures, and options on futures and any other derivative
investments that are not presently contemplated for use by the fund or that
are not currently available but which may be developed, to the extent such
opportunities are consistent with the fund's investment goal and legally
permissible for the fund.
Securities Industry Related Investments To the extent it is consistent with
its investment goal and certain limitations under the Investment Company Act
of 1940 (the "1940 Act"), the fund may invest its assets in securities issued
by companies engaged in securities related businesses, including companies
that are securities brokers, dealers, underwriters or investment advisors.
These companies are considered to be part of the financial services industry.
Generally, under the 1940 Act, a fund may not acquire a security or any
interest in a securities related business to the extent such acquisition
would result in the fund acquiring in excess of 5% of a class of an issuer's
outstanding equity securities or 10% of the outstanding principal amount of
an issuer's debt securities, or investing more than 5% of the value of the
fund's total assets in securities of the issuer. In addition, any equity
security of a securities-related business must be a marginable security under
Federal Reserve Board regulations and any debt security of a
securities-related business must be investment grade as determined by the
fund's Board. The fund does not believe that these limitations will impede the
attainment of its investment goal.
Illiquid Securities The fund's policy is not to invest more than 10% of its
net assets in illiquid securities. Generally, an illiquid security is any
security that cannot be disposed of within seven days in the ordinary course
of business at approximately the amount at which the fund has valued it.
The fund does not consider securities that it acquires outside of the U.S.
and that are publicly traded in the U.S. or on a foreign securities market to
be illiquid assets if (a) the fund reasonably believes it can readily dispose
of the securities for cash in the U.S. or foreign market or (b) current
market quotations are readily available. The fund will not acquire the
securities of foreign issuers outside of the U.S. if, at the time of
acquisition, the fund has reason to believe that it could not resell the
securities in a public trading market.
The fund's Board has authorized the fund to invest in restricted securities.
To the extent the manager determines there is a liquid institutional or other
market for these securities, the fund considers them to be liquid securities.
An example of these securities are restricted securities that may be freely
transferred among qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and for which a liquid institutional
market has developed. The fund's Board will review any determination by the
manager to treat a restricted security as a liquid security on an ongoing
basis, including the manager's assessment of current trading activity and the
availability of reliable price information. In determining whether a
restricted security is properly considered a liquid security, the manager and
the fund's Board will take into account the following factors: (i) the
frequency of trades and quotes for the security; (ii) the number of dealers
willing to buy or sell the security and the number of other potential buyers;
(iii) dealer undertakings to make a market in the security; and (iv) the
nature of the security and the nature of the marketplace trades (e.g., the
time needed to dispose of the security, the method of soliciting offers, and
the mechanics of transfer). To the extent the fund invests in restricted
securities that are deemed liquid, the general level of illiquidity in the
fund may increase if qualified institutional buyers become uninterested in
buying these securities or the market for these securities contracts.
Temporary Investments When the manager believes that the securities trading
markets or the economy are experiencing excessive volatility or a prolonged
general decline, or other adverse conditions exist, it may invest the fund's
portfolio in a temporary defensive manner. Under such circumstances, the
fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in short-term debt instruments. The
fund may also invest its cash, including cash resulting from purchases and
sales of fund shares, temporarily in short-term debt instruments. Short-term
debt instruments include high-grade commercial paper, repurchase agreements,
and other money market equivalents.
The fund may occasionally hold cash or invest in high quality money market
instruments of U.S. and foreign issuers, pending investment of proceeds from
new sales of its shares or for cash management or temporary defensive
purposes. These securities include government securities, commercial paper,
bank certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances, and repurchase agreements
secured by any of these instruments. These securities will be rated "A1" or
"A2" by S&P or "P1" or "P2" by Moody's Investor Services, or unrated but of
comparable quality.
Investment Restrictions The fund has adopted the following restrictions as
fundamental policies. This means they may only be changed if the change is
approved by (i) more than 50% of the fund's outstanding shares or (ii) 67% or
more of the fund's shares present at a shareholder meeting if more than 50%
of the fund's outstanding shares are represented at the meeting in person or
by proxy, whichever is less.
The fund may not:
1. Borrow money, except that the fund may borrow money from banks or for
temporary or emergency purposes and then in an amount not exceeding 15% of
the value of the fund's total assets (including the amount borrowed).
2. Act as an underwriter except to the extent the fund may be deemed to be
an underwriter when disposing of securities it owns or when selling its own
shares.
3. Make loans to other persons except (a) through the lending of its
portfolio securities, (b) through the purchase of debt securities, loan
participations and/or engaging in direct corporate loans in accordance with
its investment goal and policies, and (c) to the extent the entry into a
repurchase agreement is deemed to be a loan.
4. Purchase or sell real estate and commodities, except that the fund may
buy or sell securities of real estate investment trusts and may enter into
financial futures contracts, options thereon, and forward contracts.
5. Issue securities senior to the fund's presently authorized shares of
beneficial interest. Except that this restriction shall not be deemed to
prohibit the fund from (a) making any permitted borrowings, mortgages or
pledges, (b) entering into options, futures contracts, forward contracts or
repurchase transactions, or (c) making short sales of securities to the
extent permitted by the 1940 Act and any rule or order thereunder, or SEC
staff interpretations thereof.
6. Concentrate (invest more than 25% of its total assets) in securities of
issuers in a particular industry (other than securities issued or guaranteed
by the U.S. government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities).
7. Buy the securities of any one issuer (other than the U.S. government or
any of its agencies or instrumentalities) if immediately after such
investment (a) more than 5% of the value of the fund's total assets would be
invested in such issuer or (b) more than 10% of the outstanding voting
securities of such issuer would be owned by the fund, except that up to 25%
of the value of such fund's total assets may be invested without regard to
such 5% and 10% limitations.
If a bankruptcy or other extraordinary event occurs concerning a particular
security the fund owns, the fund may receive stock, real estate, or other
investments that the fund would not, or could not, buy. If this happens, the
fund intends to sell such investments as soon as practicable while maximizing
the return to shareholders.
If a percentage restriction is met at the time of investment, a later
increase or decrease in the percentage due to a change in the value or
liquidity of portfolio securities or the amount of assets will not be
considered a violation of any of the foregoing restrictions.
Risks
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Convertible Securities An investment in an enhanced convertible security or
any other security may involve additional risks. A fund may have difficulty
disposing of such securities because there may be a thin trading market for a
particular security at any given time. Reduced liquidity may have an adverse
impact on market price and the fund's ability to dispose of particular
securities, when necessary, to meet its liquidity needs or in response to a
specific economic event, such as the deterioration in the credit worthiness
of an issuer. Reduced liquidity in the secondary market for certain
securities may also make it more difficult for the fund to obtain market
quotations based on actual trades for purposes of valuing the fund's
portfolio. The fund, however, intends to acquire liquid securities, though
there can be no assurances that it will be able to do so.
Foreign Securities The value of foreign (and U.S.) securities is affected by
general economic conditions and individual company and industry earnings
prospects. While foreign securities may offer significant opportunities for
gain, they also involve additional risks that can increase the potential for
losses in the funds. These risks can be significantly greater for investments
in emerging markets. Investments in Depositary Receipts also involve some or
all of the risks described below.
The political, economic, and social structures of some countries in which the
fund invests may be less stable and more volatile than those in the U.S. The
risks of investing in these countries include the possibility of the
imposition of exchange controls, expropriation, restrictions on removal of
currency or other assets, nationalization of assets, and punitive taxes.
There may be less publicly available information about a foreign company or
government than about a U.S. company or public entity. Certain countries'
financial markets and services are less developed than those in the U.S. or
other major economies. As a result, they may not have uniform accounting,
auditing, and financial reporting standards and may have less government
supervision of financial markets. Foreign securities markets may have
substantially lower trading volumes than U.S. markets, resulting in less
liquidity and more volatility than experienced in the U.S. Transaction costs
on foreign securities markets are generally higher than in the U.S. The
settlement practices may be cumbersome and result in delays that may affect
portfolio liquidity. The fund may have greater difficulty voting proxies,
exercising shareholder rights, pursuing legal remedies, and obtaining
judgments with respect to foreign investments in foreign courts than with
respect to domestic issuers in U.S. courts.
The fund's management endeavors to buy and sell foreign currencies on as
favorable a basis as practicable. Some price spread on currency exchange (to
cover service charges) may be incurred, particularly when the fund changes
investments from one country to another or when proceeds of the sale of
shares in U.S. dollars are used for the purchase of securities in foreign
countries. Also, some countries may adopt policies that would prevent the
fund from transferring cash out of the country or withhold portions of
interest and dividends at the source. There is the possibility of cessation
of trading on national exchanges, expropriation, nationalization, or
confiscatory taxation, withholding, and other foreign taxes on income or
other amounts, foreign exchange controls (which may include suspension of the
ability to transfer currency from a given country), default in foreign
government securities, political or social instability, or diplomatic
developments that could affect investments in securities of issuers in
foreign nations.
The fund may be affected either favorably or unfavorably by fluctuations in
the relative rates of exchange between the currencies of different nations,
by exchange control regulations, and by indigenous economic and political
developments. Some countries in which the fund may invest may also have fixed
or managed currencies that are not free-floating against the U.S. dollar.
Further, certain currencies may not be internationally traded.
Derivative Securities The fund's transactions in options, futures, and
options on futures involve certain risks. These risks include, among others,
the risk that the effectiveness of a transaction depends on the degree that
price movements in the underlying securities, index, or currency correlate
with price movements in the relevant portion of the fund's portfolio. The
fund bears the risk that the prices of its portfolio securities will not move
in the same amount as the option or future it has purchased, or that there
may be a negative correlation that would result in a loss on both the
underlying securities and the derivative security.
In addition, adverse market movements could cause a fund to lose up to its
full investment in a call option contract and/or to experience substantial
losses on an investment in a futures contract. There is also the risk of loss
by a fund of margin deposits in the even of bankruptcy of a broker with whom
the fund has an open position.
Positions in exchange traded options and futures may be closed out only on an
exchange that provides a secondary market. There can be no assurance that a
liquid secondary market will exist for any particular option or futures
contract at any specific time. Thus, it may not be possible to close an
option or futures position. The inability to close options or futures
positions may have an adverse impact on a fund's ability to effectively hedge
its securities. Furthermore, if a fund is unable to close out a position and
if prices move adversely, the fund will have to continue to make daily cash
payments to maintain its required margin. If a fund does not have sufficient
cash to do this, if may have to sell portfolio securities at a
disadvantageous time. The fund will enter into an option or futures position
only if there appears to be a liquid secondary market for the options or
futures.
Similarly, there can be no assurance that a continuous liquid secondary
market will exist for any particular OTC option at any specific time.
Consequently, a fund may be able to realize the value of an OTC option it has
purchased only by exercising it or by entering into a closing sale
transaction with the dealer that issued it. When a fund writes an OTC option,
it generally can close out that option prior to its expiration only by
entering into a closing purchase transaction with the dealer to which the
fund originally wrote it.
Officers and Trustees
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The trust has a board of trustees. The board is responsible for the overall
management of the trust, including general supervision and review of the
fund's investment activities. The board, in turn, elects the officers of the
trust who are responsible for administering the trust's day-to-day
operations. The board also monitors the fund to ensure no material conflicts
exist among share classes. While none is expected, the board will act
appropriately to resolve any material conflict that may arise.
The name, age and address of the officers and board members, as well as their
affiliations, positions held with the trust, and principal occupations during
the past five years are shown below.
Position(s) Principal
Held with Occupation(s)
Name, Age and Address the Trust During the Past Five Years
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Frank H. Abbott, III (77) Trustee President and Director,
1045 Sansome Street Abbott Corporation (an
San Francisco, CA 94111 investment company); director
or trustee, as the case may
be, of 27 of the investment
companies in the Franklin
Templeton Group of Funds; and
formerly, Director,
MotherLode Gold Mines
Consolidated (gold mining)
and Vacu-Dry Co. (food
processing).
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Harris J. Ashton (66) Trustee Director, RBC Holdings, Inc.
191 Clapboard Ridge Road (bank holding company) and
Greenwich, CT 06830 Bar-S Foods (meat packing
company); director or
trustee, as the case may be,
of 49 of the investment
companies in the Franklin
Templeton Group of Funds; and
formerly, President, Chief
Executive Officer and
Chairman of the Board,
General Host Corporation
(nursery and craft centers).
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*Harmon E. Burns (54) Vice Executive Vice President and
777 Mariners Island Blvd. President Director, Franklin Resources,
San Mateo, CA 94404 and Inc., Franklin Templeton
Trustee Distributors, Inc. and
Franklin Templeton Services,
Inc.; Executive Vice
President, Franklin Advisers,
Inc.; Director, Franklin
Investment Advisory Services,
Inc. and Franklin/Templeton
Investor Services, Inc.; and
officer and/or director or
trustee, as the case may be,
of most of the other
subsidiaries of Franklin
Resources, Inc. and of 53 of
the investment companies in
the Franklin Templeton Group
of Funds.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
S. Joseph Fortunato (66) Trustee Member of the law firm of
Park Avenue at Morris County Pitney, Hardin, Kipp & Szuch;
P.O. Box 1945 director or trustee, as the
Morristown, NJ 07962-1945 case may be, of 51 of the
investment companies in the
Franklin Templeton Group of
Funds.
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Edith E. Holiday (47) Trustee Director, Amerada Hess
3239 38th Street, N.W. Corporation (exploration and
Washington, DC 20016 refining of natural gas)
(1993-present), Hercules
Incorporated (chemicals,
fibers and resins)
(1993-present), Beverly
Enterprises, Inc. (health
care) (1995-present) and H.J.
Heinz Company (processed
foods and allied products)
(1994-present); director or
trustee, as the case may be,
of 25 of the investment
companies in the Franklin
Templeton Group of Funds; and
formerly, Chairman
(1995-1997) and Trustee
(1993-1997), National Child
Research Center, Assistant to
the President of the United
States and Secretary of the
Cabinet (1990-1993), General
Counsel to the United States
Treasury Department
(1989-1990), and Counselor to
the Secretary and Assistant
Secretary for Public Affairs
and Public Liaison-United
States Treasury Department
(1988-1989).
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*Charles B. Johnson (66) Chairman President, Chief Executive
777 Mariners Island Blvd. of the Officer and Director,
San Mateo, CA 94404 Board and Franklin Resources, Inc.;
Trustee Chairman of the Board and
Director, Franklin Advisers,
Inc., Franklin Advisory
Services, Inc., Franklin
Investment Advisory Services,
Inc. and Franklin Templeton
Distributors, Inc.; Director,
Franklin/Templeton Investor
Services, Inc. and Franklin
Templeton Services, Inc.;
officer and/or director or
trustee, as the case may be,
of most of the other
subsidiaries of Franklin
Resources, Inc. and of 50 of
the investment companies in
the Franklin Templeton Group
of Funds.
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*Rupert H. Johnson, Jr. (58) President Executive Vice President and
777 Mariners Island Blvd. and Director, Franklin Resources,
San Mateo, CA 94404 Trustee Inc. and Franklin Templeton
Distributors, Inc.; President
and Director, Franklin
Advisers, Inc. and Franklin
Investment Advisory Services,
Inc.; Senior Vice President
and Director, Franklin
Advisory Services, Inc.;
Director, Franklin/Templeton
Investor Services, Inc.; and
officer and/or director or
trustee, as the case may be,
of most of the other
subsidiaries of Franklin
Resources, Inc. and of 53 of
the investment companies in
the Franklin Templeton Group
of Funds.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Frank W. T. LaHaye (69) Trustee General Partner, Miller &
20833 Stevens Creek Blvd. LaHaye, which is the General
Suite 102 Partner of Peregrine Ventures
Cupertino, CA 95014 II (venture capital firm);
Director, Quarterdeck
Corporation (software firm);
director or trustee, as the
case may be, of 27 of the
investment companies in the
Franklin Templeton Group of
Funds; and formerly,
Director, Fischer Imaging
Corporation (medical imaging
systems) and Digital
Transmission Systems, Inc.
(wireless communications),
and General Partner,
Peregrine Associates, which
was the General Partner of
Peregrine Ventures (venture
capital firm).
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gordon S. Macklin (70) Trustee Director, Fund American
8212 Burning Tree Road Enterprises Holdings, Inc.
Bethesda, MD 20817 (holding company), Martek
Biosciences Corporation, MCI
WorldCom (information
services), MedImmune, Inc.
(biotechnology), Spacehab,
Inc. (aerospace services) and
Real 3D (software); director
or trustee, as the case may
be, of 49 of the investment
companies in the Franklin
Templeton Group of Funds; and
formerly, Chairman, White
River Corporation (financial
services) and Hambrecht and
Quist Group (investment
banking), and President,
National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Martin L. Flanagan (38) Vice Senior Vice President and
777 Mariners Island Blvd. President Chief Financial Officer,
San Mateo, CA 94404 and Chief Franklin Resources, Inc.,
Financial Franklin/Templeton Investor
Officer Services, Inc. and Franklin
Mutual Advisers, Inc.;
Executive Vice President and
Director, Templeton
Worldwide, Inc.; Executive
Vice President, Chief
Operating Officer and
Director, Templeton
Investment Counsel, Inc.;
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer,
Franklin Advisers, Inc.;
Chief Financial Officer,
Franklin Advisory Services,
Inc. and Franklin Investment
Advisory Services, Inc.;
President and Director,
Franklin Templeton Services,
Inc.; officer and/or director
of some of the other
subsidiaries of Franklin
Resources, Inc.; and officer
and/or director or trustee,
as the case may be, of 53 of
the investment companies in
the Franklin Templeton Group
of Funds.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deborah R. Gatzek (50) Vice Senior Vice President and
777 Mariners Island Blvd. President General Counsel, Franklin
San Mateo, CA 94404 and Resources, Inc.; Senior Vice
Secretary President, Franklin Templeton
Services, Inc. and Franklin
Templeton Distributors, Inc.;
Executive Vice President,
Franklin Advisers, Inc.; Vice
President, Franklin Advisory
Services, Inc. and Franklin
Mutual Advisers, Inc.; Vice
President, Chief Legal
Officer and Chief Operating
Officer, Franklin Investment
Advisory Services, Inc.; and
officer of 54 of the
investment companies in the
Franklin Templeton Group of
Funds.
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Charles E. Johnson (42) Vice Senior Vice President and
500 East Broward Blvd. President Director, Franklin Resources,
Fort Lauderdale, FL Inc.; Senior Vice President,
33394-3091 Franklin Templeton
Distributors, Inc.; President
and Director, Templeton
Worldwide, Inc.; Chairman and
Director, Templeton
Investment Counsel, Inc.;
Vice President, Franklin
Advisers, Inc.; officer
and/or director of some of
the other subsidiaries of
Franklin Resources, Inc.; and
officer and/or director or
trustee, as the case may be,
of 34 of the investment
companies in the Franklin
Templeton Group of Funds.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Diomedes Loo-Tam (60) Treasurer Senior Vice President,
777 Mariners Island Blvd. and Franklin Templeton Services,
San Mateo, CA 94404 Principal Inc.; and officer of 32 of
Accounting the investment companies in
Officer the Franklin Templeton Group
of Funds.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Edward V. McVey (61) Vice Senior Vice President and
777 Mariners Island Blvd. President National Sales Manager,
San Mateo, CA 94404 Franklin Templeton
Distributors, Inc.; and
officer of 28 of the
investment companies in the
Franklin Templeton Group of
Funds.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
*This board member is considered an "interested person" under federal
securities laws.
Note: Charles B. Johnson and Rupert H. Johnson, Jr. are brothers and the
father and uncle, respectively, of Charles E. Johnson.
The trust pays noninterested board members $1,575 per month plus $1,050 per
meeting attended. Board members who serve on the audit committee of the trust
and other funds in the Franklin Templeton Group of Funds receive a flat fee
of $2,000 per committee meeting attended, a portion of which is allocated to
the trust. Members of a committee are not compensated for any committee
meeting held on the day of a board meeting. Noninterested board members also
may serve as directors or trustees of other funds in the Franklin Templeton
Group of Funds and may receive fees from these funds for their services. The
fees payable to noninterested board members by the trust are subject to
reductions resulting from fee caps limiting the amount of fees payable to
board members who serve on other boards within the Franklin Templeton Group
of Funds. The following table provides the total fees paid to noninterested
board members by the trust and by the Franklin Templeton Group of Funds.
Number of Boards
Total Fees in the Franklin
Total Fees Received from Templeton Group
Received the Franklin of Funds on
from the Templeton Group which Each
Name Trust1 of Funds2 Serves3
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
Frank H. Abbott, III $5,400 $159,051 27
Harris J. Ashton 5,100 361,157 49
S. Joseph Fortunato 5,100 367,835 51
Edith Holiday 4 1,200 211,400 25
Frank W.T. LaHaye 5,400 163,753 27
Gordon S. Macklin 5,100 361,157 49
1. For the fiscal year ended April 30, 1998, during the period from April
1997 through May 31, 1998, fees at the rate of $300 for each of the Trust's
eight meetings, plus $300 per meeting attended were in effect.
2. For the calendar year ended December 31, 1998.
3. We base the number of boards on the number of registered investment
companies in the Franklin Templeton Group of Funds. This number does not
include the total number of series or funds within each investment company
for which the board members are responsible. The Franklin Templeton Group of
Funds currently includes 54 registered investment companies, with
approximately 163 U.S. based funds or series.
4. Appointed January 15, 1998.
Noninterested board members are reimbursed for expenses incurred in
connection with attending board meetings, paid pro rata by each fund in the
Franklin Templeton Group of Funds for which they serve as director or
trustee. No officer or board member received any other compensation,
including pension or retirement benefits, directly or indirectly from the
fund or other funds in the Franklin Templeton Group of Funds. Certain
officers or board members who are shareholders of Franklin Resources, Inc.
may be deemed to receive indirect remuneration by virtue of their
participation, if any, in the fees paid to its subsidiaries.
Board members historically have followed a policy of having substantial
investments in one or more of the funds in the Franklin Templeton Group of
Funds, as is consistent with their individual financial goals. In February
1998, this policy was formalized through adoption of a requirement that each
board member invest one-third of fees received for serving as a director or
trustee of a Templeton fund in shares of one or more Templeton funds and
one-third of fees received for serving as a director or trustee of a Franklin
fund in shares of one or more Franklin funds until the value of such
investments equals or exceeds five times the annual fees paid such board
member. Investments in the name of family members or entities controlled by a
board member constitute fund holdings of such board member for purposes of
this policy, and a three year phase-in period applies to such investment
requirements for newly elected board members. In implementing such policy, a
board member's fund holdings existing on February 27, 1998, are valued as of
such date with subsequent investments valued at cost.
Management and Other Services
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Manager and services provided The fund's manager is Franklin Advisers, Inc.
(Advisers). The manager is wholly owned by Franklin Resources, Inc.
(Resources), a publicly owned company engaged in the financial services
industry through its subsidiaries. Charles B. Johnson and Rupert H. Johnson,
Jr. are the principal shareholders of Resources.
The manager provides investment research and portfolio management services,
and selects the securities for the fund to buy, hold or sell. The manager
also selects the brokers who execute the fund's portfolio transactions. The
manager provides periodic reports to the board, which reviews and supervises
the manager's investment activities. To protect the fund, the manager and its
officers, directors and employees are covered by fidelity insurance.
The manager and its affiliates manage numerous other investment companies and
accounts. The manager may give advice and take action with respect to any of
the other funds it manages, or for its own account, that may differ from
action taken by the manager on behalf of the fund. Similarly, with respect to
the fund, the manager is not obligated to recommend, buy or sell, or to
refrain from recommending, buying or selling any security that the manager
and access persons, as defined by applicable federal securities laws, may buy
or sell for its or their own account or for the accounts of any other fund.
The manager is not obligated to refrain from investing in securities held by
the fund or other funds it manages. Of course, any transactions for the
accounts of the manager and other access persons will be made in compliance
with the fund's code of ethics.
Under the fund's code of ethics, employees of the Franklin Templeton Group
who are access persons may engage in personal securities transactions subject
to the following general restrictions and procedures: (i) the trade must
receive advance clearance from a compliance officer and must be completed by
the close of the business day following the day clearance is granted; (ii)
copies of all brokerage confirmations and statements must be sent to a
compliance officer; (iii) all brokerage accounts must be disclosed on an
annual basis; and (iv) access persons involved in preparing and making
investment decisions must, in addition to (i), (ii) and (iii) above, file
annual reports of their securities holdings each January and inform the
compliance officer (or other designated personnel) if they own a security
that is being considered for a fund or other client transaction or if they
are recommending a security in which they have an ownership interest for
purchase or sale by a fund or other client.
Management fees The fund pays the manager a fee equal to an annual rate of:
o 0.50% of the value of net assets up to and including $500 million;
o 0.40% of the value of net assets over $500 million and not over $1
billion;
o 0.35% of the value of net assets over $1 billion and not over $1.5
billion;
o 0.30% of the value of net assets over $1.5 billion and not over $6.5
billion;
o 0.275% of the value of net assets over $6.5 billion and not over $11.5
billion;
o 0.25% of the value of net assets over $11.5 billion and not over $16.5
billion;
o 0.24% of the value of net assets over $16.5 billion and not over $19
billion;
o 0.23% of the value of net assets over $19 billion and not over $21.5
billion; and
o 0.22% of the value of net assets in excess of $21.5 billion.
The fee is computed at the close of business on the last business day of each
month according to the terms of the management agreement. Each class of the
fund's shares pays its proportionate share of the fee.
Administrator and services provided Franklin Templeton Services, Inc. (FT
Services) has an agreement with the fund to provide certain administrative
services and facilities for the fund. FT Services is wholly owned by
Resources and is an affiliate of the fund's manager and principal
underwriter.
The administrative services FT Services provides include preparing and
maintaining books, records, and tax and financial reports, and monitoring
compliance with regulatory requirements.
Administration fees The fund pays FT Services a monthly fee equal to an
annual rate of 0.20% of the fund's average daily net assets.
Shareholder servicing and transfer agent Franklin/Templeton Investor
Services, Inc. (Investor Services) is the fund's shareholder servicing agent
and acts as the fund's transfer agent and dividend-paying agent. Investor
Services is located at 777 Mariners Island Blvd., P.O. Box 7777, San Mateo,
CA 94403-7777.
For its services, Investor Services receives a fixed fee per account. The
fund also may reimburse Investor Services for certain out-of-pocket expenses,
which may include payments by Investor Services to entities, including
affiliated entities, that provide sub-shareholder services, recordkeeping
and/or transfer agency services to beneficial owners of the fund. The amount
of reimbursements for these services per benefit plan participant fund
account per year may not exceed the per account fee payable by the fund to
Investor Services in connection with maintaining shareholder accounts.
Custodian Bank of New York, Mutual Funds Division, 90 Washington Street, New
York, NY 10286, acts as custodian of the fund's securities and other assets.
Auditor PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 333 Market Street, San Francisco, CA
94105, is the fund's independent auditor. The auditor gives an opinion on the
financial statements included in the trust's Annual Report to Shareholders
and reviews the trust's registration statement filed with the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Portfolio Transactions
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The manager selects brokers and dealers to execute the fund's portfolio
transactions in accordance with criteria set forth in the management
agreement and any directions that the board may give.
When placing a portfolio transaction, the manager seeks to obtain prompt
execution of orders at the most favorable net price. For portfolio
transactions on a securities exchange, the amount of commission paid is
negotiated between the manager and the broker executing the transaction. The
determination and evaluation of the reasonableness of the brokerage
commissions paid are based to a large degree on the professional opinions of
the persons responsible for placement and review of the transactions. These
opinions are based on the experience of these individuals in the securities
industry and information available to them about the level of commissions
being paid by other institutional investors of comparable size. The manager
will ordinarily place orders to buy and sell over-the-counter securities on a
principal rather than agency basis with a principal market maker unless, in
the opinion of the manager, a better price and execution can otherwise be
obtained. Purchases of portfolio securities from underwriters will include a
commission or concession paid by the issuer to the underwriter, and purchases
from dealers will include a spread between the bid and ask price.
The manager may pay certain brokers commissions that are higher than those
another broker may charge, if the manager determines in good faith that the
amount paid is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and
research services it receives. This may be viewed in terms of either the
particular transaction or the manager's overall responsibilities to client
accounts over which it exercises investment discretion. The services that
brokers may provide to the manager include, among others, supplying
information about particular companies, markets, countries, or local,
regional, national or transnational economies, statistical data, quotations
and other securities pricing information, and other information that provides
lawful and appropriate assistance to the manager in carrying out its
investment advisory responsibilities. These services may not always directly
benefit the fund. They must, however, be of value to the manager in carrying
out its overall responsibilities to its clients.
It is not possible to place a dollar value on the special executions or on
the research services the manager receives from dealers effecting
transactions in portfolio securities. The allocation of transactions in order
to obtain additional research services allows the manager to supplement its
own research and analysis activities and to receive the views and information
of individuals and research staffs of other securities firms. As long as it
is lawful and appropriate to do so, the manager and its affiliates may use
this research and data in their investment advisory capacities with other
clients. If the fund's officers are satisfied that the best execution is
obtained, the sale of fund shares, as well as shares of other funds in the
Franklin Templeton Group of Funds, also may be considered a factor in the
selection of broker-dealers to execute the fund's portfolio transactions.
Because Franklin Templeton Distributors, Inc. (Distributors) is a member of
the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., it may sometimes
receive certain fees when the fund tenders portfolio securities pursuant to a
tender-offer solicitation. To recapture brokerage for the benefit of the
fund, any portfolio securities tendered by the fund will be tendered through
Distributors if it is legally permissible to do so. In turn, the next
management fee payable to the manager will be reduced by the amount of any
fees received by Distributors in cash, less any costs and expenses incurred
in connection with the tender.
If purchases or sales of securities of the fund and one or more other
investment companies or clients supervised by the manager are considered at
or about the same time, transactions in these securities will be allocated
among the several investment companies and clients in a manner deemed
equitable to all by the manager, taking into account the respective sizes of
the funds and the amount of securities to be purchased or sold. In some cases
this procedure could have a detrimental effect on the price or volume of the
security so far as the fund is concerned. In other cases it is possible that
the ability to participate in volume transactions may improve execution and
reduce transaction costs to the fund.
Distributions and Taxes
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The fund calculates dividends and capital gains the same way for each class.
The amount of any income dividends per share will differ, however, generally
due to the difference in the distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees of
each class. The fund does not pay "interest" or guarantee any fixed rate of
return on an investment in its shares.
Distributions of net investment income The fund receives income generally in
the form of dividends and interest on its investments. This income, less
expenses incurred in the operation of the fund, constitutes the fund's net
investment income from which dividends may be paid to you. Any distributions
by the fund from such income will be taxable to you as ordinary income,
whether you take them in cash or in additional shares.
Distributions of capital gains The fund may derive capital gains and losses
in connection with sales or other dispositions of its portfolio securities.
Distributions from net short-term capital gains will be taxable to you as
ordinary income. Distributions from net long-term capital gains will be
taxable to you as long-term capital gain, regardless of how long you have
held your shares in the fund. Any net capital gains realized by the fund
generally will be distributed once each year, and may be distributed more
frequently, if necessary, in order to reduce or eliminate excise or income
taxes on the fund.
Effect of foreign investments on distributions Most foreign exchange gains
realized on the sale of debt securities are treated as ordinary income by the
fund. Similarly, foreign exchange losses realized by the fund on the sale of
debt securities are generally treated as ordinary losses by the fund. These
gains when distributed will be taxable to you as ordinary dividends, and any
losses will reduce the fund's ordinary income otherwise available for
distribution to you. This treatment could increase or reduce the fund's
ordinary income distributions to you, and may cause some or all of the fund's
previously distributed income to be classified as a return of capital.
Information on the tax character of distributions The fund will inform you
of the amount of your ordinary income dividends and capital gains
distributions at the time they are paid, and will advise you of their tax
status for federal income tax purposes shortly after the close of each
calendar year. If you have not held fund shares for a full year, the fund may
designate and distribute to you, as ordinary income or capital gain, a
percentage of income that is not equal to the actual amount of such income
earned during the period of your investment in the fund.
Election to be taxed as a regulated investment company The fund intends to
elect to be treated as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of
the Internal Revenue Code. As a regulated investment company, the fund
generally pays no federal income tax on the income and gains it distributes
to you. The board reserves the right not to maintain the qualification of
the fund as a regulated investment company if it determines such course of
action to be beneficial to shareholders. In such case, the fund will be
subject to federal, and possibly state, corporate taxes on its taxable income
and gains, and distributions to you will be taxed as ordinary dividend income
to the extent of the fund's earnings and profits.
Excise tax distribution requirements To avoid federal excise taxes, the
Internal Revenue Code requires the fund to distribute to you by December 31
of each year, at a minimum, the following amounts: 98% of its taxable
ordinary income earned during the calendar year; 98% of its capital gain net
income earned during the twelve month period ending October 31; and 100% of
any undistributed amounts from the prior year. The fund intends to declare
and pay these amounts in December (or in January that are treated by you as
received in December) to avoid these excise taxes, but can give no assurances
that its distributions will be sufficient to eliminate all taxes.
Redemption of fund shares Redemptions and exchanges of fund shares are
taxable transactions for federal and state income tax purposes. If you redeem
your fund shares, or exchange your fund shares for shares of a different
Franklin Templeton Fund, the IRS will require that you report a gain or loss
on your redemption or exchange. If you hold your shares as a capital asset,
the gain or loss that you realize will be capital gain or loss and will be
long-term or short-term, generally depending on how long you hold your
shares. Any loss incurred on the redemption or exchange of shares held for
six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent
of any long-term capital gains distributed to you by the fund on those shares.
All or a portion of any loss that you realize upon the redemption of your
fund shares will be disallowed to the extent that you buy other shares in the
fund (through reinvestment of dividends or otherwise) within 30 days before
or after your share redemption. Any loss disallowed under these rules will
be added to your tax basis in the new shares you buy.
Deferral of basis If you redeem some or all of your shares in the fund, and
then reinvest the sales proceeds in the fund or in another Franklin Templeton
Fund within 90 days of buying the original shares, the sales charge that
would otherwise apply to your reinvestment may be reduced or eliminated. The
IRS will require you to report gain or loss on the redemption of your
original shares in the fund. In doing so, all or a portion of the sales
charge that you paid for your original shares in the fund will be excluded
from your tax basis in the shares sold (for the purpose of determining gain
or loss upon the sale of such shares). The portion of the sales charge
excluded will equal the amount that the sales charge is reduced on your
reinvestment. Any portion of the sales charge excluded from your tax basis in
the shares sold will be added to the tax basis of the shares you acquire from
your reinvestment.
U.S. government obligations Many states grant tax-free status to dividends
paid to you from interest earned on direct obligations of the U.S.
government, subject in some states to minimum investment requirements that
must be met by the fund. Investments in Government National Mortgage
Association or Federal National Mortgage Association securities, bankers'
acceptances, commercial paper and repurchase agreements collateralized by
U.S. government securities do not generally qualify for tax-free treatment.
The rules on exclusion of this income are different for corporations.
Dividends-received deduction for corporations If you are a corporate
shareholder, you should note that the fund anticipates that a portion of the
dividends it pays will qualify for the dividends-received deduction. In some
circumstances, you will be allowed to deduct these qualified dividends,
thereby reducing the tax that you would otherwise be required to pay on these
dividends. The dividends-received deduction will be available only with
respect to dividends designated by the fund as eligible for such treatment.
All dividends (including the deducted portion) must be included in your
alternative minimum taxable income calculation.
Investment in complex securities The fund may invest in complex securities.
These investments may be subject to numerous special and complex tax rules.
These rules could affect whether gains and losses recognized by the fund are
treated as ordinary income or capital gain, accelerate the recognition of
income to the fund and/or defer the fund's ability to recognize losses. In
turn, these rules may affect the amount, timing or character of the income
distributed to you by the fund.
Organization, Voting Rights and Principal Holders
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The fund is a diversified series of Franklin Strategic Series (the "Trust"),
an open-end management investment company, commonly called a mutual fund.
The trust was organized as a Delaware business trust on January 25, 1991, and
is registered with the SEC.
The fund currently offers four classes of shares, Class A, Class B, and Class
C and Advisor Class. The fund may offer additional classes of shares in the
future. The full title of each class is:
o Franklin Large Cap Growth Fund - Class A
o Franklin Large Cap Growth Fund - Class B
o Franklin Large Cap Growth Fund - Class C
o Franklin Large Cap Growth Fund - Advisor Class
Shares of each class represent proportionate interests in the fund's assets.
On matters that affect the fund as a whole, each class has the same voting
and other rights and preferences as any other class. On matters that affect
only one class, only shareholders of that class may vote. Each class votes
separately on matters affecting only that class, or expressly required to be
voted on separately by state or federal law. Shares of each class of a series
have the same voting and other rights and preferences as the other classes
and series of the trust for matters that affect the trust as a whole.
Additional series may be offered in the future.
The trust has noncumulative voting rights. For board member elections, this
gives holders of more than 50% of the shares voting the ability to elect all
of the members of the board. If this happens, holders of the remaining shares
voting will not be able to elect anyone to the board.
The trust does not intend to hold annual shareholder meetings. The trust or a
series of the trust may hold special meetings, however, for matters requiring
shareholder approval. A meeting may be called by the board to consider the
removal of a board member if requested in writing by shareholders holding at
least 10% of the outstanding shares. In certain circumstances, we are
required to help you communicate with other shareholders about the removal of
a board member. A special meeting also may be called by the board in its
discretion.
From time to time, the number of fund shares held in the "street name"
accounts of various securities dealers for the benefit of their clients or in
centralized securities depositories may exceed 5% of the total shares
outstanding.
The board members may own shares in other funds in the Franklin Templeton
Group of Funds.
Buying and Selling Shares
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The fund continuously offers its shares through securities dealers who have
an agreement with Franklin Templeton Distributors, Inc. (Distributors). A
securities dealer includes any financial institution that, either directly or
through affiliates, has an agreement with Distributors to handle customer
orders and accounts with the fund. This reference is for convenience only and
does not indicate a legal conclusion of capacity. Banks and financial
institutions that sell shares of the fund may be required by state law to
register as securities dealers.
For investors outside the U.S., the offering of fund shares may be limited in
many jurisdictions. An investor who wishes to buy shares of the fund should
determine, or have a broker-dealer determine, the applicable laws and
regulations of the relevant jurisdiction. Investors are responsible for
compliance with tax, currency exchange or other regulations applicable to
redemption and purchase transactions in any jurisdiction to which they may be
subject. Investors should consult appropriate tax and legal advisors to
obtain information on the rules applicable to these transactions.
All checks, drafts, wires and other payment mediums used to buy or sell
shares of the fund must be denominated in U.S. dollars. We may, in our sole
discretion, either (a) reject any order to buy or sell shares denominated in
any other currency or (b) honor the transaction or make adjustments to your
account for the transaction as of a date and with a foreign currency exchange
factor determined by the drawee bank.
When you buy shares, if you submit a check or a draft that is returned unpaid
to the fund we may impose a $10 charge against your account for each returned
item.
If you buy shares through the reinvestment of dividends, the shares will be
purchased at the net asset value determined on the business day following the
dividend record date (sometimes known as the "ex-dividend date"). The
processing date for the reinvestment of dividends may vary and does not
affect the amount or value of the shares acquired.
Initial sales charges The maximum initial sales charge is 5.75% for Class A
and 1% for Class C. There is no initial sales charge for Class B.
The initial sales charge for Class A shares may be reduced for certain large
purchases, as described in the prospectus. We offer several ways for you to
combine your purchases in the Franklin Templeton Funds to take advantage of
the lower sales charges for large purchases. The Franklin Templeton Funds
include the U.S. registered mutual funds in the Franklin Group of Funds(R) and
the Templeton Group of Funds except Franklin Valuemark Funds, Templeton
Capital Accumulator Fund, Inc., and Templeton Variable Products Series Fund.
Cumulative quantity discount. For purposes of calculating the sales charge on
Class A shares, you may combine the amount of your current purchase with the
cost or current value, whichever is higher, of your existing shares in the
Franklin Templeton Funds. You also may combine the shares of your spouse,
children under the age of 21 or grandchildren under the age of 21. If you are
the sole owner of a company, you also may add any company accounts, including
retirement plan accounts. Companies with one or more retirement plans may add
together the total plan assets invested in the Franklin Templeton Funds to
determine the sales charge that applies.
Letter of intent (LOI). You may buy Class A shares at a reduced sales charge
by completing the letter of intent section of your account application. A
letter of intent is a commitment by you to invest a specified dollar amount
during a 13 month period. The amount you agree to invest determines the sales
charge you pay. By completing the letter of intent section of the
application, you acknowledge and agree to the following:
o You authorize Distributors to reserve 5% of your total intended purchase
in Class A shares registered in your name until you fulfill your LOI. Your
periodic statements will include the reserved shares in the total shares
you own, and we will pay or reinvest dividend and capital gain
distributions on the reserved shares according to the distribution option
you have chosen.
o You give Distributors a security interest in the reserved shares and
appoint Distributors as attorney-in-fact.
o Distributors may sell any or all of the reserved shares to cover any
additional sales charge if you do not fulfill the terms of the LOI.
o Although you may exchange your shares, you may not sell reserved shares
until you complete the LOI or pay the higher sales charge.
After you file your LOI with the fund, you may buy Class A shares at the
sales charge applicable to the amount specified in your LOI. Sales charge
reductions based on purchases in more than one Franklin Templeton Fund will
be effective only after notification to Distributors that the investment
qualifies for a discount. Any Class A purchases you made within 90 days
before you filed your LOI also may qualify for a retroactive reduction in the
sales charge. If you file your LOI with the fund before a change in the
fund's sales charge, you may complete the LOI at the lower of the new sales
charge or the sales charge in effect when the LOI was filed.
Your holdings in the Franklin Templeton Funds acquired more than 90 days
before you filed your LOI will be counted towards the completion of the LOI,
but they will not be entitled to a retroactive reduction in the sales charge.
Any redemptions you make during the 13 month period, except in the case of
certain retirement plans, will be subtracted from the amount of the purchases
for purposes of determining whether the terms of the LOI have been completed.
If the terms of your LOI are met, the reserved shares will be deposited to an
account in your name or delivered to you or as you direct. If the amount of
your total purchases, less redemptions, is more than the amount specified in
your LOI and is an amount that would qualify for a further sales charge
reduction, a retroactive price adjustment will be made by Distributors and
the securities dealer through whom purchases were made. The price adjustment
will be made on purchases made within 90 days before and on those made after
you filed your LOI and will be applied towards the purchase of additional
shares at the offering price applicable to a single purchase or the dollar
amount of the total purchases.
If the amount of your total purchases, less redemptions, is less than the
amount specified in your LOI, the sales charge will be adjusted upward,
depending on the actual amount purchased (less redemptions) during the
period. You will need to send Distributors an amount equal to the difference
in the actual dollar amount of sales charge paid and the amount of sales
charge that would have applied to the total purchases if the total of the
purchases had been made at one time. Upon payment of this amount, the
reserved shares held for your account will be deposited to an account in your
name or delivered to you or as you direct. If within 20 days after written
request the difference in sales charge is not paid, we will redeem an
appropriate number of reserved shares to realize the difference. If you
redeem the total amount in your account before you fulfill your LOI, we will
deduct the additional sales charge due from the sale proceeds and forward the
balance to you.
For LOIs filed on behalf of certain retirement plans, the level and any
reduction in sales charge for these plans will be based on actual plan
participation and the projected investments in the Franklin Templeton Funds
under the LOI. These plans are not subject to the requirement to reserve 5%
of the total intended purchase or to the policy on upward adjustments in
sales charges described above, or to any penalty as a result of the early
termination of a plan, nor are these plans entitled to receive retroactive
adjustments in price for investments made before executing the LOI.
Group purchases. If you are a member of a qualified group, you may buy Class
A shares at a reduced sales charge that applies to the group as a whole. The
sales charge is based on the combined dollar value of the group members'
existing investments, plus the amount of the current purchase.
A qualified group is one that:
o Was formed at least six months ago,
o Has a purpose other than buying fund shares at a discount,
o Has more than 10 members,
o Can arrange for meetings between our representatives and group members,
o Agrees to include Franklin Templeton Fund sales and other materials in
publications and mailings to its members at reduced or no cost to
Distributors,
o Agrees to arrange for payroll deduction or other bulk transmission of
investments to the fund, and
o Meets other uniform criteria that allow Distributors to achieve cost
savings in distributing shares.
A qualified group does not include a 403(b) plan that only allows salary
deferral contributions.
Waivers for investments from certain payments. Class A shares may be
purchased without an initial sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge
(CDSC) by investors who reinvest within 365 days:
o Dividend and capital gain distributions from any Franklin Templeton Fund.
The distributions generally must be reinvested in the same share class.
Certain exceptions apply, however, to Advisor Class or Class Z shareholders
of a Franklin Templeton Fund who may reinvest their distributions in the
fund's Class A shares. This waiver category also applies to Class B and C
shares.
o Dividend or capital gain distributions from a real estate investment trust
(REIT) sponsored or advised by Franklin Properties, Inc.
o Annuity payments received under either an annuity option or from death
benefit proceeds, if the annuity contract offers as an investment option
the Franklin Valuemark Funds or the Templeton Variable Products Series
Fund. You should contact your tax advisor for information on any tax
consequences that may apply.
o Redemption proceeds from a repurchase of shares of Franklin Floating Rate
Trust, if the shares were continuously held for at least 12 months.
If you immediately placed your redemption proceeds in a Franklin Bank CD or
a Franklin Templeton money fund, you may reinvest them as described above.
The proceeds must be reinvested within 365 days from the date the CD
matures, including any rollover, or the date you redeem your money fund
shares.
o Redemption proceeds from the sale of Class A shares of any of the Templeton
Global Strategy Funds if you are a qualified investor.
If you paid a CDSC when you redeemed your Class A shares from a Templeton
Global Strategy Fund, a new CDSC will apply to your purchase of fund shares
and the CDSC holding period will begin again. We will, however, credit your
fund account with additional shares based on the CDSC you previously paid
and the amount of the redemption proceeds that you reinvest.
If you immediately placed your redemption proceeds in a Franklin Templeton
money fund, you may reinvest them as described above. The proceeds must be
reinvested within 365 days from the date they are redeemed from the money
fund.
o Distributions from an existing retirement plan invested in the Franklin
Templeton Funds
Waivers for certain investors. Class A shares also may be purchased without
an initial sales charge or CDSC by various individuals and institutions due
to anticipated economies in sales efforts and expenses, including:
o Trust companies and bank trust departments agreeing to invest in Franklin
Templeton Funds over a 13 month period at least $1 million of assets held
in a fiduciary, agency, advisory, custodial or similar capacity and over
which the trust companies and bank trust departments or other plan
fiduciaries or participants, in the case of certain retirement plans, have
full or shared investment discretion. We will accept orders for these
accounts by mail accompanied by a check or by telephone or other means of
electronic data transfer directly from the bank or trust company, with
payment by federal funds received by the close of business on the next
business day following the order.
o Any state or local government or any instrumentality, department, authority
or agency thereof that has determined the fund is a legally permissible
investment and that can only buy fund shares without paying sales charges.
Please consult your legal and investment advisors to determine if an
investment in the fund is permissible and suitable for you and the effect,
if any, of payments by the fund on arbitrage rebate calculations.
o Broker-dealers, registered investment advisors or certified financial
planners who have entered into an agreement with Distributors for clients
participating in comprehensive fee programs
o Qualified registered investment advisors who buy through a broker-dealer or
service agent who has entered into an agreement with Distributors
o Registered securities dealers and their affiliates, for their investment
accounts only
o Current employees of securities dealers and their affiliates and their
family members, as allowed by the internal policies of their employer
o Officers, trustees, directors and full-time employees of the Franklin
Templeton Funds or the Franklin Templeton Group, and their family members,
consistent with our then-current policies
o Any investor who is currently a Class Z shareholder of Franklin Mutual
Series Fund Inc. (Mutual Series), or who is a former Mutual Series Class Z
shareholder who had an account in any Mutual Series fund on October 31,
1996, or who sold his or her shares of Mutual Series Class Z within the
past 365 days
o Investment companies exchanging shares or selling assets pursuant to a
merger, acquisition or exchange offer
o Accounts managed by the Franklin Templeton Group
o Certain unit investment trusts and their holders reinvesting distributions
from the trusts
o Group annuity separate accounts offered to retirement plans
o Chilean retirement plans that meet the requirements described under
"Retirement plans" below
Retirement plans. Retirement plans sponsored by an employer (i) with at least
100 employees, or (ii) with retirement plan assets of $1 million or more, or
(iii) that agrees to invest at least $500,000 in the Franklin Templeton Funds
over a 13 month period may buy Class A shares without an initial sales
charge. Retirement plans that are not qualified retirement plans (employer
sponsored pension or profit-sharing plans that qualify under section 401 of
the Internal Revenue Code, including 401(k), money purchase pension, profit
sharing and defined benefit plans), SIMPLEs (savings incentive match plans
for employees) or SEPs (employer sponsored simplified employee pension plans
established under section 408(k) of the Internal Revenue Code) must also meet
the group purchase requirements described above to be able to buy Class A
shares without an initial sales charge. We may enter into a special
arrangement with a securities dealer, based on criteria established by the
fund, to add together certain small qualified retirement plan accounts for
the purpose of meeting these requirements.
For retirement plan accounts opened on or after May 1, 1997, a CDSC may apply
if the retirement plan is transferred out of the Franklin Templeton Funds or
terminated within 365 days of the retirement plan account's initial purchase
in the Franklin Templeton Funds.
Sales in Taiwan. Under agreements with certain banks in Taiwan, Republic of
China, the fund's shares are available to these banks' trust accounts without
a sales charge. The banks may charge service fees to their customers who
participate in the trusts. A portion of these service fees may be paid to
Distributors or one of its affiliates to help defray expenses of maintaining
a service office in Taiwan, including expenses related to local literature
fulfillment and communication facilities.
The fund's Class A shares may be offered to investors in Taiwan through
securities advisory firms known locally as Securities Investment Consulting
Enterprises. In conformity with local business practices in Taiwan, Class A
shares may be offered with the following schedule of sales charges:
Size of Purchase - U.S. Dollars Sales Charge (%)
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Under $30,000 3.0
$30,000 but less than $50,000 2.5
$50,000 but less than $100,000 2.0
$100,000 but less than $200,000 1.5
$200,000 but less than $400,000 1.0
$400,000 or more 0
Dealer compensation Securities dealers may at times receive the entire sales
charge. A securities dealer who receives 90% or more of the sales charge may
be deemed an underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Financial institutions or their affiliated brokers may receive an agency
transaction fee in the percentages indicated in the dealer compensation table
in the fund's prospectus.
Distributors may pay the following commissions, out of its own resources, to
securities dealers who initiate and are responsible for purchases of Class A
shares of $1 million or more: 1% on sales of $1 million to $2 million, plus
0.80% on sales over $2 million to $3 million, plus 0.50% on sales over $3
million to $50 million, plus 0.25% on sales over $50 million to $100 million,
plus 0.15% on sales over $100 million.
Either Distributors or one of its affiliates may pay the following amounts,
out of its own resources, to securities dealers who initiate and are
responsible for purchases of Class A shares by certain retirement plans
without an initial sales charge: 1% on sales of $500,000 to $2 million, plus
0.80% on sales over $2 million to $3 million, plus 0.50% on sales over $3
million to $50 million, plus 0.25% on sales over $50 million to $100 million,
plus 0.15% on sales over $100 million. Distributors may make these payments
in the form of contingent advance payments, which may be recovered from the
securities dealer or set off against other payments due to the dealer if
shares are sold within 12 months of the calendar month of purchase. Other
conditions may apply. All terms and conditions may be imposed by an agreement
between Distributors, or one of its affiliates, and the securities dealer.
These breakpoints are reset every 12 months for purposes of additional
purchases.
Distributors and/or its affiliates provide financial support to various
securities dealers that sell shares of the Franklin Templeton Group of Funds.
This support is based primarily on the amount of sales of fund shares. The
amount of support may be affected by: total sales; net sales; levels of
redemptions; the proportion of a securities dealer's sales and marketing
efforts in the Franklin Templeton Group of Funds; a securities dealer's
support of, and participation in, Distributors' marketing programs; a
securities dealer's compensation programs for its registered representatives;
and the extent of a securities dealer's marketing programs relating to the
Franklin Templeton Group of Funds. Financial support to securities dealers
may be made by payments from Distributors' resources, from Distributors'
retention of underwriting concessions and, in the case of funds that have
Rule 12b-1 plans, from payments to Distributors under such plans. In
addition, certain securities dealers may receive brokerage commissions
generated by fund portfolio transactions in accordance with the rules of the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
Distributors routinely sponsors due diligence meetings for registered
representatives during which they receive updates on various Franklin
Templeton Funds and are afforded the opportunity to speak with portfolio
managers. Invitation to these meetings is not conditioned on selling a
specific number of shares. Those who have shown an interest in the Franklin
Templeton Funds, however, are more likely to be considered. To the extent
permitted by their firm's policies and procedures, registered
representatives' expenses in attending these meetings may be covered by
Distributors.
Contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) If you invest $1 million or more in
Class A shares, either as a lump sum or through our cumulative quantity
discount or letter of intent programs, a CDSC may apply on any shares you
sell within 12 months of purchase. For Class C shares, a CDSC may apply if
you sell your shares within 18 months of purchase. The CDSC is 1% of the
value of the shares sold or the net asset value at the time of purchase,
whichever is less.
Certain retirement plan accounts opened on or after May 1, 1997, and that
qualify to buy Class A shares without an initial sales charge also may be
subject to a CDSC if the retirement plan is transferred out of the Franklin
Templeton Funds or terminated within 365 days of the account's initial
purchase in the Franklin Templeton Funds.
For Class B shares, there is a CDSC if you sell your shares within six years,
as described in the table below. The charge is based on the value of the
shares sold or the net asset value at the time of purchase, whichever is less.
if you sell your Class B
shares within this many years this % is deducted
after buying them from your proceeds
as a CDSC
- ------------------------------------------------------
1 Year 4
2 Years 4
3 Years 3
4 Years 3
5 Years 2
6 Years 1
7 Years 0
CDSC waivers. The CDSC for any share class generally will be waived for:
o Account fees
o Sales of Class A shares purchased without an initial sales charge by
certain retirement plan accounts if (i) the account was opened before May
1, 1997, or (ii) the securities dealer of record received a payment from
Distributors of 0.25% or less, or (iii) Distributors did not make any
payment in connection with the purchase, or (iv) the securities dealer of
record has entered into a supplemental agreement with Distributors
o Redemptions of Class A shares by investors who purchased $1 million or more
without an initial sales charge if Distributors did not make any payment to
the securities dealer of record in connection with the purchase
o Redemptions by the fund when an account falls below the minimum required
account size
o Redemptions following the death of the shareholder or beneficial owner
o Redemptions through a systematic withdrawal plan up to 1% monthly, 3%
quarterly, 6% semiannually or 12% annually of your account's net asset
value depending on the frequency of your plan
o Redemptions by Franklin Templeton Trust Company employee benefit plans or
employee benefit plans serviced by ValuSelect(R) (not applicable to Class
B)
o Distributions from individual retirement accounts (IRAs) due to death or
disability or upon periodic distributions based on life expectancy (for
Class B, this applies to all retirement plan accounts, not only IRAs)
o Returns of excess contributions (and earnings, if applicable) from
retirement plan accounts
o Participant initiated distributions from employee benefit plans or
participant initiated exchanges among investment choices in employee
benefit plans (not applicable to Class B)
Exchange privilege If you request the exchange of the total value of your
account, declared but unpaid income dividends and capital gain distributions
will be reinvested in the fund and exchanged into the new fund at net asset
value when paid. Backup withholding and information reporting may apply.
If a substantial number of shareholders should, within a short period, sell
their fund shares under the exchange privilege, the fund might have to sell
portfolio securities it might otherwise hold and incur the additional costs
related to such transactions. On the other hand, increased use of the
exchange privilege may result in periodic large inflows of money. If this
occurs, it is the fund's general policy to initially invest this money in
short-term, interest-bearing money market instruments, unless it is believed
that attractive investment opportunities consistent with the fund's
investment goal exist immediately. This money will then be withdrawn from the
short-term, interest-bearing money market instruments and invested in
portfolio securities in as orderly a manner as is possible when attractive
investment opportunities arise.
The proceeds from the sale of shares of an investment company are generally
not available until the seventh day following the sale. The funds you are
seeking to exchange into may delay issuing shares pursuant to an exchange
until that seventh day. The sale of fund shares to complete an exchange will
be effected at net asset value at the close of business on the day the
request for exchange is received in proper form.
Systematic withdrawal plan Our systematic withdrawal plan allows you to sell
your shares and receive regular payments from your account on a monthly,
quarterly, semiannual or annual basis. The value of your account must be at
least $5,000 and the minimum payment amount for each withdrawal must be at
least $50. For retirement plans subject to mandatory distribution
requirements, the $50 minimum will not apply. There are no service charges
for establishing or maintaining a systematic withdrawal plan. Once your plan
is established, any distributions paid by the fund will be automatically
reinvested in your account.
Payments under the plan will be made from the redemption of an equivalent
amount of shares in your account, generally on the 25th day of the month in
which a payment is scheduled. If the 25th falls on a weekend or holiday, we
will process the redemption on the next business day. When you sell your
shares under a systematic withdrawal plan, it is a taxable transaction.
To avoid paying sales charges on money you plan to withdraw within a short
period of time, you may not want to set up a systematic withdrawal plan if
you plan to buy shares on a regular basis. Shares sold under the plan also
may be subject to a CDSC.
Redeeming shares through a systematic withdrawal plan may reduce or exhaust
the shares in your account if payments exceed distributions received from the
fund. This is especially likely to occur if there is a market decline. If a
withdrawal amount exceeds the value of your account, your account will be
closed and the remaining balance in your account will be sent to you. Because
the amount withdrawn under the plan may be more than your actual yield or
income, part of the payment may be a return of your investment.
You may discontinue a systematic withdrawal plan, change the amount and
schedule of withdrawal payments, or suspend one payment by notifying us by
mail or by phone at least seven business days before the end of the month
preceding a scheduled payment. The fund may discontinue a systematic
withdrawal plan by notifying you in writing and will automatically
discontinue a systematic withdrawal plan if all shares in your account are
withdrawn or if the fund receives notification of the shareholder's death or
incapacity.
Redemptions in kind The fund has committed itself to pay in cash (by check)
all requests for redemption by any shareholder of record, limited in amount,
however, during any 90-day period to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the
value of the fund's net assets at the beginning of the 90-day period. This
commitment is irrevocable without the prior approval of the U.S. Securities
and Exchange Commission (SEC). In the case of redemption requests in excess
of these amounts, the board reserves the right to make payments in whole or
in part in securities or other assets of the fund, in case of an emergency,
or if the payment of such a redemption in cash would be detrimental to the
existing shareholders of the fund. In these circumstances, the securities
distributed would be valued at the price used to compute the fund's net
assets and you may incur brokerage fees in converting the securities to cash.
The fund does not intend to redeem illiquid securities in kind. If this
happens, however, you may not be able to recover your investment in a timely
manner.
Share certificates We will credit your shares to your fund account. We do
not issue share certificates unless you specifically request them. This
eliminates the costly problem of replacing lost, stolen or destroyed
certificates. If a certificate is lost, stolen or destroyed, you may have to
pay an insurance premium of up to 2% of the value of the certificate to
replace it.
Any outstanding share certificates must be returned to the fund if you want
to sell or exchange those shares or if you would like to start a systematic
withdrawal plan. The certificates should be properly endorsed. You can do
this either by signing the back of the certificate or by completing a share
assignment form. For your protection, you may prefer to complete a share
assignment form and to send the certificate and assignment form in separate
envelopes.
General information If dividend checks are returned to the fund marked
"unable to forward" by the postal service, we will consider this a request by
you to change your dividend option to reinvest all distributions. The
proceeds will be reinvested in additional shares at net asset value until we
receive new instructions.
Distribution or redemption checks sent to you do not earn interest or any
other income during the time the checks remain uncashed. Neither the fund nor
its affiliates will be liable for any loss caused by your failure to cash
such checks. The fund is not responsible for tracking down uncashed checks,
unless a check is returned as undeliverable.
In most cases, if mail is returned as undeliverable we are required to take
certain steps to try to find you free of charge. If these attempts are
unsuccessful, however, we may deduct the costs of any additional efforts to
find you from your account. These costs may include a percentage of the
account when a search company charges a percentage fee in exchange for its
location services.
The wiring of redemption proceeds is a special service that we make available
whenever possible. By offering this service to you, the fund is not bound to
meet any redemption request in less than the seven day period prescribed by
law. Neither the fund nor its agents shall be liable to you or any other
person if, for any reason, a redemption request by wire is not processed as
described in the prospectus.
Franklin Templeton Investor Services, Inc. (Investor Services) may pay
certain financial institutions that maintain omnibus accounts with the fund
on behalf of numerous beneficial owners for recordkeeping operations
performed with respect to such owners. For each beneficial owner in the
omnibus account, the fund may reimburse Investor Services an amount not to
exceed the per account fee that the fund normally pays Investor Services.
These financial institutions also may charge a fee for their services
directly to their clients.
If you buy or sell shares through your securities dealer, we use the net
asset value next calculated after your securities dealer receives your
request, which is promptly transmitted to the fund. If you sell shares
through your securities dealer, it is your dealer's responsibility to
transmit the order to the fund in a timely fashion. Your redemption proceeds
will not earn interest between the time we receive the order from your dealer
and the time we receive any required documents. Any loss to you resulting
from your dealer's failure to transmit your redemption order to the fund in a
timely fashion must be settled between you and your securities dealer.
Certain shareholder servicing agents may be authorized to accept your
transaction request.
For institutional accounts, there may be additional methods of buying or
selling fund shares than those described in this SAI or in the prospectus.
In the event of disputes involving multiple claims of ownership or authority
to control your account, the fund has the right (but has no obligation) to:
(a) freeze the account and require the written agreement of all persons
deemed by the fund to have a potential property interest in the account,
before executing instructions regarding the account; (b) interplead disputed
funds or accounts with a court of competent jurisdiction; or (c) surrender
ownership of all or a portion of the account to the IRS in response to a
notice of levy.
Pricing Shares
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When you buy shares, you pay the offering price. The offering price is the
net asset value (NAV) per share plus any applicable sales charge, calculated
to two decimal places using standard rounding criteria. When you sell shares,
you receive the NAV minus any applicable CDSC.
The value of a mutual fund is determined by deducting the fund's liabilities
from the total assets of the portfolio. The net asset value per share is
determined by dividing the net asset value of the fund by the number of
shares outstanding.
The fund calculates the NAV per share of each class each business day at the
close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (normally 1:00 p.m. pacific
time). The fund does not calculate the NAV on days the New York Stock
Exchange (NYSE) is closed for trading, which include New Year's Day, Martin
Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence
Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
When determining its NAV, the fund values cash and receivables at their
realizable amounts, and records interest as accrued and dividends on the
ex-dividend date. If market quotations are readily available for portfolio
securities listed on a securities exchange or on the NASDAQ National Market
System, the fund values those securities at the last quoted sale price of the
day or, if there is no reported sale, within the range of the most recent
quoted bid and ask prices. The fund values over-the-counter portfolio
securities within the range of the most recent quoted bid and ask prices. If
portfolio securities trade both in the over-the-counter market and on a stock
exchange, the fund values them according to the broadest and most
representative market as determined by the manager.
The fund values portfolio securities underlying actively traded call options
at their market price as determined above. The current market value of any
option the fund holds is its last sale price on the relevant exchange before
the fund values its assets. If there are no sales that day or if the last
sale price is outside the bid and ask prices, the fund values options within
the range of the current closing bid and ask prices if the fund believes the
valuation fairly reflects the contract's market value.
The fund determines the value of a foreign security as of the close of
trading on the foreign exchange on which the security is traded or as of the
close of trading on the NYSE, if that is earlier. The 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 foreign security is
valued within the range of the most recent quoted bid and ask prices.
Occasionally events that 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 NAV. If events materially affecting the values of these
foreign securities occur during this period, the securities will be valued in
accordance with procedures established by the board.
Generally, trading in corporate bonds, U.S. government securities and money
market instruments is substantially completed each day at various times
before the close of the NYSE. The value of these securities used in computing
the NAV is determined as of such times. Occasionally, events affecting the
values of these securities may occur between the times at which they are
determined and the close of the NYSE that will not be reflected in the
computation of the NAV. If events materially affecting the values of these
securities occur during this period, the securities will be valued at their
fair value as determined in good faith by the board.
Other securities for which market quotations are readily available are valued
at the current market price, which may be obtained from a pricing service,
based on a variety of factors including recent trades, institutional size
trading in similar types of securities (considering yield, risk and maturity)
and/or developments related to specific issues. Securities and other assets
for which market prices are not readily available are valued at fair value as
determined following procedures approved by the board. With the approval of
the board, the fund may use a pricing service, bank or securities dealer to
perform any of the above described functions.
The Underwriter
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Franklin Templeton Distributors, Inc. (Distributors) acts as the principal
underwriter in the continuous public offering of the fund's shares.
Distributors is located at 777 Mariners Island Blvd., San Mateo, CA 94404.
Distributors pays the expenses of the distribution of fund shares, including
advertising expenses and the costs of printing sales material and
prospectuses used to offer shares to the public. The fund pays the expenses
of preparing and printing amendments to its registration statements and
prospectuses (other than those necessitated by the activities of
Distributors) and of sending prospectuses to existing shareholders.
Distributors may be entitled to reimbursement under the Rule 12b-1 plans, as
discussed below.
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees Each class has a separate distribution
or "Rule 12b-1" plan. Under each plan, the fund shall pay or may reimburse
Distributors or others for the expenses of activities that are primarily
intended to sell shares of the class. These expenses may include, among
others, distribution or service fees paid to securities dealers or others who
have executed a servicing agreement with the fund, Distributors or its
affiliates; a prorated portion of Distributors' overhead expenses; and the
expenses of printing prospectuses and reports used for sales purposes, and
preparing and distributing sales literature and advertisements.
The distribution and service (12b-1) fees charged to each class are based
only on the fees attributable to that particular class.
The Class A Plan. Payments by the fund under the Class A plan may not exceed
0.35% per year of Class A's average daily net assets, payable quarterly. Of
this amount, the fund may reimburse up to 0.35% to Distributors or others,
out of which 0.10% generally will be retained by Distributors for
distribution expenses. All distribution expenses over this amount will be
borne by those who have incurred them.
The Class B and C Plans. Under the Class B and C plans, the fund pays
Distributors up to 0.75% per year of the class's average daily net assets,
payable quarterly, to pay Distributors or others for providing distribution
and related services and bearing certain expenses. All distribution expenses
over this amount will be borne by those who have incurred them. The fund also
may pay a servicing fee of up to 0.25% per year of the class's average daily
net assets, payable quarterly. This fee may be used to pay securities dealers
or others for, among other things, helping to establish and maintain customer
accounts and records, helping with requests to buy and sell shares, receiving
and answering correspondence, monitoring dividend payments from the fund on
behalf of customers, and similar servicing and account maintenance
activities.
The expenses relating to each of the Class B and C plans are also used to pay
Distributors for advancing the commission costs to securities dealers with
respect to the initial sale of Class B and C shares. Further, the expenses
relating to the Class B plan may be used by Distributors to pay third party
financing entities that have provided financing to Distributors in connection
with advancing commission costs to securities dealers.
The Class A, B and C Plans. In addition to the payments that Distributors or
others are entitled to under each plan, each plan also provides that to the
extent the fund, the manager or Distributors or other parties on behalf of
the fund, the manager or Distributors make payments that are deemed to be for
the financing of any activity primarily intended to result in the sale of
fund shares within the context of Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act
of 1940, as amended, then such payments shall be deemed to have been made
pursuant to the plan. The terms and provisions of each plan relating to
required reports, term, and approval are consistent with Rule 12b-1.
In no event shall the aggregate asset-based sales charges, which include
payments made under each plan, plus any other payments deemed to be made
pursuant to a plan, exceed the amount permitted to be paid under the rules of
the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
To the extent fees are for distribution or marketing functions, as
distinguished from administrative servicing or agency transactions, certain
banks will not be entitled to participate in the plans as a result of
applicable federal law prohibiting certain banks from engaging in the
distribution of mutual fund shares. These banking institutions, however, are
permitted to receive fees under the plans for administrative servicing or for
agency transactions. If you are a customer of a bank that is prohibited from
providing these services, you would be permitted to remain a shareholder of
the fund, and alternate means for continuing the servicing would be sought.
In this event, changes in the services provided might occur and you might no
longer be able to avail yourself of any automatic investment or other
services then being provided by the bank. It is not expected that you would
suffer any adverse financial consequences as a result of any of these changes.
Each plan has been approved in accordance with the provisions of Rule 12b-1.
The plans are renewable annually by a vote of the board, including a majority
vote of the board members who are not interested persons of the fund and who
have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the plans,
cast in person at a meeting called for that purpose. It is also required that
the selection and nomination of such board members be done by the
noninterested members of the fund's board. The plans and any related
agreement may be terminated at any time, without penalty, by vote of a
majority of the noninterested board members on not more than 60 days' written
notice, by Distributors on not more than 60 days' written notice, by any act
that constitutes an assignment of the management agreement with the manager
or by vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the class. Distributors
or any dealer or other firm also may terminate their respective distribution
or service agreement at any time upon written notice.
The plans and any related agreements may not be amended to increase
materially the amount to be spent for distribution expenses without approval
by a majority of the outstanding shares of the class, and all material
amendments to the plans or any related agreements shall be approved by a vote
of the noninterested board members, cast in person at a meeting called for
the purpose of voting on any such amendment.
Distributors is required to report in writing to the board at least quarterly
on the amounts and purpose of any payment made under the plans and any
related agreements, as well as to furnish the board with such other
information as may reasonably be requested in order to enable the board to
make an informed determination of whether the plans should be continued.
Performance
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Performance quotations are subject to SEC rules. These rules require the use
of standardized performance quotations or, alternatively, that every
non-standardized performance quotation furnished by the fund be accompanied
by certain standardized performance information computed as required by the
SEC. Because the fund is new, it has no performance history and thus no
performance quotations have been provided. The following is an explanation
of the standardized methods of computing performance mandated by the SEC and
other methods used by the fund to compute or express performance. Regardless
of the method used, past performance does not guarantee future results, and
is an indication of the return to shareholders only for the limited
historical period used.
Average annual total return Average annual total return is determined by
finding the average annual rates of return over the periods indicated below
that would equate an initial hypothetical $1,000 investment to its ending
redeemable value. The calculation assumes the maximum initial sales charge is
deducted from the initial $1,000 purchase, and income dividends and capital
gain distributions are reinvested at net asset value. The quotation assumes
the account was completely redeemed at the end of each period and the
deduction of all applicable charges and fees. If a change is made to the
sales charge structure, historical performance information will be restated
to reflect the maximum initial sales charge currently in effect.
When considering the average annual total return quotations, you should keep
in mind that the maximum initial sales charge reflected in each quotation is
a one time fee charged on all direct purchases, which will have its greatest
impact during the early stages of your investment. This charge will affect
actual performance less the longer you retain your investment in the fund.
These figures are calculated according to the SEC formula:
n
P(1+T) = ERV
where:
P = a hypothetical initial payment of $1,000
T = average annual total return
n = number of years
ERV = ending redeemable value of a hypothetical $1,000
payment made at the beginning of each period at the
end of each period
Cumulative total return Like average annual total return, cumulative total
return assumes the maximum initial sales charge is deducted from the initial
$1,000 purchase, and income dividends and capital gain distributions are
reinvested at net asset value. Cumulative total return, however, is based on
the actual return for a specified period rather than on the average return
over the periods indicated above.
Volatility Occasionally statistics may be used to show the fund's volatility
or risk. Measures of volatility or risk are generally used to compare the
fund's net asset value or performance to a market index. One measure of
volatility is beta. Beta is the volatility of a fund relative to the total
market, as represented by an index considered representative of the types of
securities in which the fund invests. A beta of more than 1.00 indicates
volatility greater than the market and a beta of less than 1.00 indicates
volatility less than the market. Another measure of volatility or risk is
standard deviation. Standard deviation is used to measure variability of net
asset value or total return around an average over a specified period of
time. The idea is that greater volatility means greater risk undertaken in
achieving performance.
Other performance quotations The fund also may quote the performance of
shares without a sales charge. Sales literature and advertising may quote a
cumulative total return, average annual total return and other measures of
performance with the substitution of net asset value for the public offering
price.
Sales literature referring to the use of the fund as a potential investment
for IRAs, business retirement plans, and other tax-advantaged retirement
plans may quote a total return based upon compounding of dividends on which
it is presumed no federal income tax applies.
The fund may include in its advertising or sales material information
relating to investment goals and performance results of funds belonging to
the Franklin Templeton Group of Funds. Franklin Resources, Inc. is the parent
company of the advisors and underwriter of the Franklin Templeton Group of
Funds.
Comparisons To help you better evaluate how an investment in the fund may
satisfy your investment goal, advertisements and other materials about the
fund may discuss certain measures of fund performance as reported by various
financial publications. Materials also may compare performance (as calculated
above) to performance as reported by other investments, indices, and
averages. These comparisons may include, but are not limited to, the
following examples:
o Dow Jones(R) Composite Average and its component averages - a
price-weighted average of 65 stocks that trade on the New York Stock
Exchange. The average is a combination of the Dow Jones Industrial Average
(30 blue-chip stocks that are generally leaders in their industry), the Dow
Jones Transportation Average (20 transportation stocks), and the Dow Jones
Utilities Average (15 utility stocks involved in the production of
electrical energy).
o Standard & Poor's(R) 500 Stock Index or its component indices - a
capitalization-weighted index designed to measure performance of the broad
domestic economy through changes in the aggregate market value of 500
stocks representing all major industries.
o The New York Stock Exchange composite or component indices - an unmanaged
index of all industrial, utilities, transportation, and finance stocks
listed on the NYSE.
o Wilshire 5000 Equity Index - represents the return on the market value of
all common equity securities for which daily pricing is available.
Comparisons of performance assume reinvestment of dividends.
o Lipper - Mutual Fund Performance Analysis and Lipper - Equity Fund
Performance Analysis - measure total return and average current yield for
the mutual fund industry and rank individual mutual fund performance over
specified time periods, assuming reinvestment of all distributions,
exclusive of any applicable sales charges.
o CDA Mutual Fund Report, published by CDA Investment Technologies, Inc. -
analyzes price, current yield, risk, total return, and average rate of
return (average annual compounded growth rate) over specified time periods
for the mutual fund industry.
o Mutual Fund Source Book, published by Morningstar, Inc. - analyzes price,
yield, risk, and total return for mutual funds.
o Financial publications: The Wall Street Journal, and Business Week,
Changing Times, Financial World, Forbes, Fortune, and Money magazines -
provide performance statistics over specified time periods.
o Consumer Price Index (or Cost of Living Index), published by the U.S.
Bureau of Labor Statistics - a statistical measure of change, over time, in
the price of goods and services in major expenditure groups.
o Stocks, Bonds, Bills, and Inflation, published by Ibbotson Associates -
historical measure of yield, price, and total return for common and small
company stock, long-term government bonds, Treasury bills, and inflation.
o Savings and Loan Historical Interest Rates - as published in the U.S.
Savings & Loan League Fact Book.
o Historical data supplied by the research departments of CS First Boston
Corporation, the J. P. Morgan companies, Salomon Brothers, Merrill Lynch,
Lehman Brothers and Bloomberg L.P.
o Morningstar - information published by Morningstar, Inc., including
Morningstar proprietary mutual fund ratings. The ratings reflect
Morningstar's assessment of the historical risk-adjusted performance of a
fund over specified time periods relative to other funds within its
category.
From time to time, advertisements or information for the fund may include a
discussion of certain attributes or benefits to be derived from an investment
in the fund. The advertisements or information may include symbols,
headlines, or other material that highlights or summarizes the information
discussed in more detail in the communication.
Advertisements or information also may compare the fund's performance to the
return on certificates of deposit (CDs) or other investments. You should be
aware, however, that an investment in the fund involves the risk of
fluctuation of principal value, a risk generally not present in an investment
in a CD issued by a bank. For example, as the general level of interest rates
rise, the value of the fund's fixed-income investments, if any, as well as
the value of its shares that are based upon the value of such portfolio
investments, can be expected to decrease. Conversely, when interest rates
decrease, the value of the fund's shares can be expected to increase. CDs are
frequently insured by an agency of the U.S. government. An investment in the
fund is not insured by any federal, state or private entity.
In assessing comparisons of performance, you should keep in mind that the
composition of the investments in the reported indices and averages is not
identical to the fund's portfolio, the indices and averages are generally
unmanaged, and the items included in the calculations of the averages may not
be identical to the formula used by the fund to calculate its figures. In
addition, there can be no assurance that the fund will continue its
performance as compared to these other averages.
Miscellaneous Information
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The fund may help you achieve various investment goals such as accumulating
money for retirement, saving for a down payment on a home, college costs and
other long-term goals. The Franklin College Costs Planner may help you in
determining how much money must be invested on a monthly basis in order to
have a projected amount available in the future to fund a child's college
education. (Projected college cost estimates are based upon current costs
published by the College Board.) The Franklin Retirement Planning Guide leads
you through the steps to start a retirement savings program. Of course, an
investment in the fund cannot guarantee that these goals will be met.
The fund is a member of the Franklin Templeton Group of Funds, one of the
largest mutual fund organizations in the U.S., and may be considered in a
program for diversification of assets. Founded in 1947, Franklin is one of
the oldest mutual fund organizations and now services more than 4 million
shareholder accounts. In 1992, Franklin, a leader in managing fixed-income
mutual funds and an innovator in creating domestic equity funds, joined
forces with Templeton, a pioneer in international investing. The Mutual
Series team, known for its value-driven approach to domestic equity
investing, became part of the organization four years later. Together, the
Franklin Templeton Group has over $211 billion in assets under management for
more than 7 million U.S. based mutual fund shareholder and other accounts.
The Franklin Templeton Group of Funds offers 114 U.S. based open-end
investment companies to the public. The fund may identify itself by its
NASDAQ symbol or CUSIP number.
Currently, there are more mutual funds than there are stocks listed on the
New York Stock Exchange. While many of them have similar investment goals, no
two are exactly alike. Shares of the fund are generally sold through
securities dealers, whose investment representatives are experienced
professionals who can offer advice on the type of investments suitable to
your unique goals and needs, as well as the risks associated with such
investments.
The Information Services & Technology division of Franklin Resources, Inc.
(Resources) established a Year 2000 Project Team in 1996. This team has
already begun making necessary software changes to help the computer systems
that service the fund and its shareholders to be Year 2000 compliant. After
completing these modifications, comprehensive tests are conducted in one of
Resources' U.S. test labs to verify their effectiveness. Resources continues
to seek reasonable assurances from all major hardware, software or
data-services suppliers that they will be Year 2000 compliant on a timely
basis. Resources is also beginning to develop a contingency plan, including
identification of those mission critical systems for which it is practical to
develop a contingency plan. However, in an operation as complex and
geographically distributed as Resources' business, the alternatives to use of
normal systems, especially mission critical systems, or supplies of
electricity or long distance voice and data lines are limited.
FRANKLIN LARGE CAP GROWTH FUND
Franklin Strategic Series
Advisor Class
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
June 7, 1999
777 Mariners Island Blvd., P.O. Box 7777
San Mateo, CA 94403-7777 1-800/DIAL BEN(R)
This Statement of Additional Information (SAI) is not a prospectus. It
contains information in addition to the information in the fund's prospectus.
The fund's prospectus, dated June 7, 1999, which we may amend from time to
time, contains the basic information you should know before investing in the
fund. You should read this SAI together with the fund's prospectus.
For a free copy of the current prospectus, contact your investment
representative or call 1-800/DIAL BEN (1-800/342-5236).
Contents
Goal and Strategies
Risks
Officers and Trustees
Management and Other Services
Portfolio Transactions
Distributions and Taxes
Organization, Voting Rights and Principal Holders
Buying and Selling Shares
Pricing Shares
The Underwriter
Performance
Miscellaneous Information
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mutual funds, annuities, and other investment products:
o are not federally insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation,
the Federal Reserve Board, or any other agency of the U.S. government;
o are not deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed or endorsed by, any
bank;
o are subject to investment risks, including the possible loss of
principal.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Goal and Strategies
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The fund's principal investment goal is long-term capital appreciation. This
goal is fundamental, which means it may not be changed without shareholder
approval.
The fund may also seek current income incidental to long-term capital
appreciation, although this is not a fundamental policy of the fund.
Under normal market conditions, the fund will invest at least 80%, and
intends to invest up to 100%, of its total assets in a diversified portfolio
of equity securities of large cap growth companies.
Below is more detailed information about some of the various types of
securities the fund may buy and the fund's investment policies.
Equity Securities The purchaser of an equity security typically receives an
ownership interest in the company as well as certain voting rights. The owner
of an equity security may participate in a company's success through the
receipt of dividends, which are distributions of earnings by the company to
its owners. Equity security owners may also participate in a company's
success or lack of success through increases or decreases in the value of the
company's shares as traded in the public trading market for such shares.
Equity securities generally take the form of common stock or preferred stock.
Preferred stockholders typically receive greater dividends but may receive
less appreciation than common stockholders and may have greater voting rights
as well. Equity securities may also include convertible securities, warrants,
or rights. Warrants or rights give the holder the right to purchase a common
stock at a given time for a specified price.
Convertible Securities Although the fund may invest in convertible securities
without limit, it currently intends to limit these investments to no more
than 5% of its net assets.
A convertible security generally is a preferred stock or debt security that
pays dividends or interest and may be converted into common stock. A
convertible security may also be subject to redemption by the issuer but only
after a specified date and under circumstances established at the time the
security is issued. 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. The fund intends to invest in liquid
convertible securities, but there can be no assurance that they will always
be able to do so.
As with a straight fixed-income security, a convertible security tends to
increase in market value when interest rates decline and decrease in value
when interest rates rise. Like a common stock, the value of a convertible
security also tends to increase as the market value of the underlying stock
rises, and it tends to decrease as the market value of the underlying stock
declines. Because both interest rate and market movements can influence its
value, a convertible security is not as sensitive to interest rates as a
similar fixed-income security, nor is it as sensitive to changes in share
price as its underlying stock.
A convertible security is usually issued either by an operating company or by
an investment bank. When issued by an operating company, a convertible
security tends to be senior to common stock, but subordinate to other types
of fixed-income securities issued by that company. When a convertible
security issued by an operating company is "converted," the operating company
often issues new stock to the holder of the convertible security but, if the
parity price of the convertible security is less than the call price, the
operating company may pay out cash instead of common stock. If the
convertible security is issued by an investment bank, the security is an
obligation of and is convertible through the issuing investment bank. The
issuer of a convertible security may be important in determining the
security's true value. This is because the holder of a convertible security
will have recourse only to the issuer.
While the fund uses the same criteria to rate convertible debt securities
that it uses to rate more conventional debt securities, a convertible
preferred stock is treated like a preferred stock for the fund's financial
reporting, credit rating, and investment limitation purposes. A preferred
stock is subordinated to all debt obligations in the event of insolvency, and
an issuer's failure to make a dividend payment is generally not an event of
default entitling the preferred shareholder to take action. A preferred stock
generally has no maturity date, so that its market value is dependent on the
issuer's business prospects for an indefinite period of time. In addition,
distributions from preferred stock are dividends, rather than interest
payments, and are usually treated as such for corporate tax purposes.
Foreign Securities and Depositary Receipts Although the fund may invest in
foreign securities, it intends to limit such investments to 10% of its total
assets.
The fund may buy foreign securities traded in the U.S. or directly in foreign
markets. The fund may buy American, European, and Global Depositary Receipts.
Depositary Receipts are certificates typically issued by a bank or trust
company that give their holders the right to receive securities (a) of a
foreign issuer deposited in a U.S. bank or trust company (American Depositary
Receipts, "ADRs"); or (b) of a foreign or U.S. issuer deposited in a foreign
bank or trust company (Global Depositary Receipts, "GDRs" or European
Depositary Receipts, "EDRs").
Repurchase Agreements The fund will generally have a portion of its assets in
cash or cash equivalents for a variety of reasons including waiting for a
special investment opportunity or taking a defensive position. To earn
income on this portion of its assets, the fund may enter into repurchase
agreements with certain banks and broker-dealers. Repurchase agreements are
contracts under which the buyer of a security simultaneously commits to
resell the security to the seller at an agreed upon price and date. Under a
repurchase agreement, a fund agrees to buy a U.S. government security from
one of these issuers and then to sell the security back to the issuer after a
short period of time (generally, less than seven days) at a higher price. The
bank or broker-dealer must transfer to the fund's custodian securities with
an initial value of at least 102% of the dollar amount invested by the fund
in each repurchase agreement. The manager will monitor the value of such
securities daily to determine that the value equals or exceed the repurchase
price. Repurchase agreements may involve risks in the event of default or
insolvency of the seller, including possible delays or restrictions upon a
fund's ability to dispose of the underlying securities. The fund will enter
into repurchase agreements only with parties who meet creditworthiness
standards approved by the fund's Board, i.e., banks or broker-dealers that
have been determined by the manager to present no serious risk of becoming
involved in bankruptcy proceedings within the timeframe contemplated by the
repurchase transaction.
Loans of Portfolio Securities To generate additional income, the fund may
lend its portfolio securities to qualified securities dealers or other
institutional investors. Such loans may not exceed one third of the value of
the Fund's total assets, measured at the time of the most recent loan. For
each loan the borrower must maintain with the fund's custodian collateral
(consisting of any combination of cash, U.S. government securities, or
irrevocable letters of credit) with a value at least equal to 100% of the
current market value of the loaned securities. The fund retains all or a
portion of the interest received on investment of the cash collateral or
receives a fee from the borrower. The fund may terminate the loans at any
time and obtain the return of the securities loaned within five business
days. The fund will continue to receive any interest or dividends paid on the
loaned securities and will continue to have voting rights with respect to the
securities. However, as with other extensions of credit, there are risks of
delay in recovery or even loss of rights in collateral should the borrower
fail.
Options, Futures, and Options on Futures
A stock option is a contract that provides the holder the right to buy or
sell shares of the stock at a fixed price, within a specified period of time.
An option on a stock index is a contract that allows the buyer of the option
the right to receive from the seller cash, in an amount equal to the
difference between the index's closing price and the option's exercise price.
A futures contract is an obligation to buy or sell a specified security or
currency at a set price on a specified future date. A stock index futures
contract is an agreement to take or make delivery of an amount of cash based
on the difference between the value of the index at the beginning and end of
the contract period. Options, futures, and options on futures are considered
"derivative securities."
The fund may buy and sell options on securities and securities indices. The
fund may only buy options if the premiums it paid for such options total 5%
or less of its total assets. The fund may also buy and sell securities index
futures and options on securities index futures. The fund will not buy
futures if the amount of its initial deposits and premiums paid for its open
contracts is more than 5% of its total assets (taken at current value).
The fund may buy and sell futures contracts for securities. The fund may
invest in futures contracts only to hedge against changes in the value of its
securities or those it intends to buy. The fund will not enter into a futures
contract if the amounts paid for its open contracts, including required
initial deposits, would exceed 5% of its net assets.
Options The fund may buy or write (sell) put and call options on securities
listed on a national securities exchange and in the over-the-counter ("OTC")
market. All options written by the fund will be covered. The fund may also
buy or write put and call options on securities indices and stock indices.
Options written by the fund will be for portfolio hedging purposes only.
A call option written by a fund is covered if the fund (a) owns the
underlying security that is subject to the call or (b) has an absolute and
immediate right to acquire that security without additional cash
consideration (or for additional cash consideration held in a segregated
account by its custodian bank) upon conversion or exchange of other
securities held in its portfolio. A call option is also covered if the fund
holds a call on the same security and in the same principal amount as the
call written where the exercise price of the call held is (a) equal to or
less than the exercise price of the call written or (b) greater than the
exercise price of the call written if the difference is held in cash or
high-grade debt securities in a segregated account with the fund's custodian
bank.
A put option written by a fund is covered if the fund maintains cash or
high-grade debt securities with a value equal to the exercise price of the
written put in a segregated account with its custodian bank. A put is also
covered if the fund holds a put on the same security and in the same
principal amount as the put written where the exercise price of the put held
is equal to or greater than the exercise price of the put written.
The premium paid by the buyer of an option will reflect, among other things,
the relationship of the exercise price to the market price and volatility of
the underlying security, the remaining term of the option, supply and demand,
and interest rates.
The writer of an option may have no control over when the underlying
securities must be sold, in the case of a call option, or purchased, in the
case of a put option, since the writer may be assigned an exercise notice at
any time prior to the termination of the obligation. Whether or not an option
expires unexercised, the writer retains the amount of the premium. This
amount may, in the case of a covered call option, be offset by a decline in
the market value of the underlying security during the option period. If a
call option is exercised, the writer experiences a profit or loss from the
sale of the underlying security. If a put option is exercised, the writer
must fulfill the obligation to buy the underlying security at the exercise
price, which will usually exceed the market value of the underlying security
at that time.
If the writer of an option wants to terminate its obligation, the writer may
effect a "closing purchase transaction" by buying an option of the same
series as the option previously written. The effect of the purchase is that
the clearing corporation will cancel the writer's position. However, a writer
may not effect a closing purchase transaction after being notified of the
exercise of an option. Likewise, the holder of an option may liquidate its
position by effecting a "closing sale transaction" by selling an option of
the same series as the option previously purchased. There is no guarantee
that either a closing purchase or a closing sale transaction may be made at
the time desired by a fund.
Effecting a closing transaction in the case of a written call option allows a
fund to write another call option on the underlying security with a different
exercise price, expiration date or both. In the case of a written put option,
a closing transaction allows a fund to write another covered put option.
Effecting a closing transaction also allows the cash or proceeds from the
sale of any securities subject to the option to be used for other fund
investments. If a fund wants to sell a particular security from its portfolio
on which it has written a call option, it will effect a closing transaction
prior to or at the same time as the sale of the security.
A fund will realize a profit from a closing transaction if the price of the
transaction is less than the premium received from writing the option or is
more than the premium paid to buy the option. Likewise, a fund will realize a
loss from a closing transaction if the price of the transaction is more than
the premium received from writing the option or is less than the premium paid
to buy the option. Increases in the market price of a call option will
generally reflect increases in the market price of the underlying security.
As a result, any loss resulting from the repurchase of a call option is
likely to be offset in whole or in part by appreciation of the underlying
security owned by the fund.
The writing of covered put options involves certain risks. For example, if
the market price of the underlying security rises or otherwise is above the
exercise price, the put option will expire worthless and the fund's gain will
be limited to the premium received. If the market price of the underlying
security declines or otherwise is below the exercise price, a fund may elect
to close the position or take delivery of the security at the exercise price.
The fund's return will be the premium received from the put option minus the
amount by which the market price of the security is below the exercise price.
A fund may buy call options on securities it intends to buy in order to limit
the risk of a substantial increase in the market price of the security before
the purchase is effected. A fund may also buy call options on securities held
in its portfolio and on which it has written call options. Prior to its
expiration, a call option may be sold in a closing sale transaction. Profit
or loss from the sale will depend on whether the amount received is more or
less than the premium paid for the call option plus any related transaction
costs.
A fund may buy put options on securities to protect against a decline in the
market value of the underlying security below the exercise price less the
premium paid for the option. The ability to buy put options allows a fund to
protect the unrealized gain in an appreciated security in its portfolio
without actually selling the security. In addition, the fund continues to
receive interest or dividend income on the security. A fund may sell a put
option it has previously purchased prior to the sale of the security
underlying the option. The sale of the option will result in a net gain or
loss depending on whether the amount received on the sale is more or less
than the premium and other transaction costs paid for the put option. Any
gain or loss may be wholly or partially offset by a change in the value of
the underlying security that the fund owns or has the right to acquire.
A fund may write covered put and call options and buy put and call options
that trade in the OTC market to the same extent that it may engage in
exchange traded options. Like exchange traded options, OTC options give the
holder the right to buy, in the case of OTC call options, or sell, in the
case of OTC put options, an underlying security from or to the writer at a
stated exercise price. However, OTC options differ from exchange traded
options in certain material respects.
OTC options are arranged directly with dealers and not with a clearing
corporation. Thus, there is a risk of non-performance by the dealer. Because
there is no exchange, pricing is typically done based on information from
market makers. OTC options are available for a greater variety of securities
and in a wider range of expiration dates and exercise prices, however, than
exchange traded options, and the writer of an OTC option is paid the premium
in advance by the dealer.
Call and put options on stock indices are similar to options on securities
except, rather than the right to buy or sell stock at a specified price,
options on a stock index give the holder the right to receive, upon exercise
of the option, an amount of cash if the closing level of the underlying stock
index is greater than (or less than, in the case of a put) the exercise price
of the option, expressed in dollars multiplied by a specified number. Thus,
unlike stock options, all settlements are in cash, and gain or loss depends
on price movements in the stock market generally (or in a particular industry
or segment of the market) rather than price movements in individual stocks.
When a fund writes an option on a stock index, the fund will establish a
segregated account with its custodian bank containing cash or high quality
fixed-income securities in an amount at least equal to the market value of
the underlying stock index. The fund will maintain the account while the
option is open or will otherwise cover the transaction.
Financial Futures The fund may enter into contracts for the purchase or sale
of futures contracts based upon financial indices ("financial futures").
Financial futures contracts are commodity contracts that obligate the long or
short holder to take or make delivery of the cash value of a securities index
during a specified future period at a specified price. A "sale" of a futures
contract means the acquisition of a contractual obligation to deliver such
cash value called for by the contract on a specified date. A "purchase" of a
futures contract means the acquisition of a contractual obligation to take
delivery of the cash value called for by the contract at a specified date.
The purpose of the acquisition or sale of a futures contract is to attempt to
protect the fund from fluctuations in price of portfolio securities without
actually buying or selling the underlying security. Futures contracts have
been designed by exchanges designated "contracts markets" by the Commodity
Futures Trading Commission ("CFTC") and must be executed through a futures
commission merchant, or brokerage firm, which is a member of the relevant
contract market.
The fund will not engage in transactions in futures contracts or related
options for speculation, but only as a hedge against changes resulting from
market conditions in the values of its securities or securities that it
intends to buy and, to the extent consistent therewith, to accommodate cash
flows. A fund will not enter into any stock index or financial futures
contract or related option if, immediately thereafter, more than one-third of
its total assets would be represented by futures contracts or related
options. In addition, a fund may not buy or sell futures contracts or buy or
sell related options if, immediately thereafter, the sum of the amount of
initial deposits on its existing financial futures and premiums paid on
options on financial futures contracts would exceed 5% of its total assets
(taken at current value). To the extent a fund enters into a futures contract
or related call option, it will maintain with its custodian bank, to the
extent required by the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission,
assets in a segregated account to cover its obligations with respect to such
contract which will consist of cash, cash equivalents or high quality debt
securities from its portfolio in an amount equal to the market value of such
futures contract or related option.
Stock Index Futures The fund may buy and sell stock index futures contracts.
A stock index futures contract obligates the seller to deliver (and the buyer
to take) an amount of cash equal to a specific dollar amount times the
difference between the value of a specific stock index at the close of the
last trading day of the contract and the price at which the agreement is
made. No physical delivery of the underlying stocks in the index is made.
The fund may sell stock index futures contracts in anticipation of or during
a market decline to attempt to offset the decrease in market value of its
equity securities that might otherwise result. When the fund is not fully
invested in stocks and anticipates a significant market advance, it may buy
stock index futures in order to gain rapid market exposure that may in part
or entirely offset increases in the cost of common stocks that it intends to
buy.
Options on Stock Index Futures The fund may buy and sell call and put options
on stock index futures to hedge against risks of marketside price movements.
The need to hedge against these risks will depend on the extent of
diversification of a fund's common stock portfolio and the sensitivity of
such investments to factors influencing the stock market as a whole.
Call and put options on stock index futures are similar to options on
securities except that, rather than the right to buy or sell stock at a
specified price, options on stock index futures give the holder the right to
receive cash. Upon exercise of the option, the delivery of the futures
position by the writer of the option to the holder of the option will be
accompanied by delivery of the accumulated balance in the writer's futures
margin account which represents the amount by which the market price of the
futures contract, at exercise, exceeds, in the case of a call, or is less
than, in the case of a put, the exercise price of the option on the futures
contract. If an option is exercised on the last trading day before the
expiration date of the option, the settlement will be made entirely in cash
equal to the difference between the exercise price of the option and the
closing price of the futures contract on the expiration date.
Futures Contracts for Securities The fund may buy and sell futures contracts
for securities and currencies. The fund may also enter into closing purchase
and sale transactions with respect to these futures contracts. The fund will
engage in futures transactions only for bona fide hedging or other
appropriate risk management purposes. All futures contracts entered into by
the fund are traded on U.S. exchanges or boards of trade licensed and
regulated by the CFTC or on foreign exchanges.
When securities prices are falling, the fund may offset a decline in the
value of its current portfolio securities through the sale of futures
contracts. When prices are rising, the fund can attempt to secure better
prices than might be available when it intends to buy securities through the
purchase of futures contracts. Similarly, the fund can sell futures contracts
on a specified currency to protect against a decline in the value of that
currency and its portfolio securities denominated in that currency. The fund
can buy futures contracts on a foreign currency to fix the price in U.S.
dollars of a security denominated in that currency that the fund has
purchased or expects to buy.
Positions taken in the futures markets are not normally held to maturity, but
are liquidated through offsetting transactions that may result in a profit or
a loss. While the fund's futures contracts on securities and currencies will
usually be liquidated in this manner, the fund may instead make or take
delivery of the underlying securities or currencies whenever it appears
economically advantageous for it to do so. A clearing corporation associated
with the exchange on which futures on securities or currencies are traded
guarantees that, if still open, the sale or purchase will be performed on the
settlement date.
To the extent the fund enters into a futures contract, it will deposit in a
segregated account with its custodian bank cash or U.S. Treasury obligations
equal to a specified percentage of the value of the futures contract (the
"initial margin"), as required by the relevant contract market and futures
commission merchant. The futures contract will be marked-to-market daily.
Should the value of the futures contract decline relative to the fund's
position, the fund will be required to pay the futures commission merchant an
amount equal to the change in value.
Futures Contracts - General Although financial futures contracts by their
terms call for the actual delivery or acquisition of securities, or the cash
value of the index, in most cases the contractual obligation is fulfilled
before the date of the contract without having to make or take delivery of
the securities or cash. A contractual obligation is offset by buying (or
selling, as the case may be) on a commodities exchange an identical financial
futures contract calling for delivery in the same month. This transaction,
which is effected through a member of an exchange, cancels the obligation to
make or take delivery of the securities or cash. Since all transactions in
the futures market are made, offset or fulfilled through a clearinghouse
associated with the exchange on which the contracts are traded, a fund will
incur brokerage fees when it buys or sells financial futures contracts.
Future Developments The fund may take advantage of opportunities in the area
of options, futures, and options on futures and any other derivative
investments that are not presently contemplated for use by the fund or that
are not currently available but which may be developed, to the extent such
opportunities are consistent with the fund's investment goal and legally
permissible for the fund.
Securities Industry Related Investments To the extent it is consistent with
its investment goal and certain limitations under the Investment Company Act
of 1940 (the "1940 Act"), the fund may invest its assets in securities issued
by companies engaged in securities related businesses, including companies
that are securities brokers, dealers, underwriters or investment advisors.
These companies are considered to be part of the financial services industry.
Generally, under the 1940 Act, a fund may not acquire a security or any
interest in a securities related business to the extent such acquisition
would result in the fund acquiring in excess of 5% of a class of an issuer's
outstanding equity securities or 10% of the outstanding principal amount of
an issuer's debt securities, or investing more than 5% of the value of the
fund's total assets in securities of the issuer. In addition, any equity
security of a securities-related business must be a marginable security under
Federal Reserve Board regulations and any debt security of a
securities-related business must be investment grade as determined by the
fund's Board. The fund does not believe that these limitations will impede the
attainment of its investment goal.
Illiquid Securities The fund's policy is not to invest more than 10% of its
net assets in illiquid securities. Generally, an illiquid security is any
security that cannot be disposed of within seven days in the ordinary course
of business at approximately the amount at which the fund has valued it.
The fund does not consider securities that it acquires outside of the U.S.
and that are publicly traded in the U.S. or on a foreign securities market to
be illiquid assets if (a) the fund reasonably believes it can readily dispose
of the securities for cash in the U.S. or foreign market or (b) current
market quotations are readily available. The fund will not acquire the
securities of foreign issuers outside of the U.S. if, at the time of
acquisition, the fund has reason to believe that it could not resell the
securities in a public trading market.
The fund's Board has authorized the fund to invest in restricted securities.
To the extent the manager determines there is a liquid institutional or other
market for these securities, the fund considers them to be liquid securities.
An example of these securities are restricted securities that may be freely
transferred among qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and for which a liquid institutional
market has developed. The fund's Board will review any determination by the
manager to treat a restricted security as a liquid security on an ongoing
basis, including the manager's assessment of current trading activity and the
availability of reliable price information. In determining whether a
restricted security is properly considered a liquid security, the manager and
the fund's Board will take into account the following factors: (i) the
frequency of trades and quotes for the security; (ii) the number of dealers
willing to buy or sell the security and the number of other potential buyers;
(iii) dealer undertakings to make a market in the security; and (iv) the
nature of the security and the nature of the marketplace trades (e.g., the
time needed to dispose of the security, the method of soliciting offers, and
the mechanics of transfer). To the extent the fund invests in restricted
securities that are deemed liquid, the general level of illiquidity in the
fund may increase if qualified institutional buyers become uninterested in
buying these securities or the market for these securities contracts.
Temporary Investments When the manager believes that the securities trading
markets or the economy are experiencing excessive volatility or a prolonged
general decline, or other adverse conditions exist, it may invest the fund's
portfolio in a temporary defensive manner. Under such circumstances, the
fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in short-term debt instruments. The
fund may also invest its cash, including cash resulting from purchases and
sales of fund shares, temporarily in short-term debt instruments. Short-term
debt instruments include high-grade commercial paper, repurchase agreements,
and other money market equivalents.
The fund may occasionally hold cash or invest in high quality money market
instruments of U.S. and foreign issuers, pending investment of proceeds from
new sales of its shares or for cash management or temporary defensive
purposes. These securities include government securities, commercial paper,
bank certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances, and repurchase agreements
secured by any of these instruments. These securities will be rated "A1" or
"A2" by S&P or "P1" or "P2" by Moody's Investor Services, or unrated but of
comparable quality.
Investment Restrictions The fund has adopted the following restrictions as
fundamental policies. This means they may only be changed if the change is
approved by (i) more than 50% of the fund's outstanding shares or (ii) 67% or
more of the fund's shares present at a shareholder meeting if more than 50%
of the fund's outstanding shares are represented at the meeting in person or
by proxy, whichever is less.
The fund may not:
1. Borrow money, except that the fund may borrow money from banks or for
temporary or emergency purposes and then in an amount not exceeding 15% of
the value of the fund's total assets (including the amount borrowed).
2. Act as an underwriter except to the extent the fund may be deemed to be
an underwriter when disposing of securities it owns or when selling its own
shares.
3. Make loans to other persons except (a) through the lending of its
portfolio securities, (b) through the purchase of debt securities, loan
participations and/or engaging in direct corporate loans in accordance with
its investment goal and policies, and (c) to the extent the entry into a
repurchase agreement is deemed to be a loan.
4. Purchase or sell real estate and commodities, except that the fund may
buy or sell securities of real estate investment trusts and may enter into
financial futures contracts, options thereon, and forward contracts.
5. Issue securities senior to the fund's presently authorized shares of
beneficial interest. Except that this restriction shall not be deemed to
prohibit the fund from (a) making any permitted borrowings, mortgages or
pledges, (b) entering into options, futures contracts, forward contracts or
repurchase transactions, or (c) making short sales of securities to the
extent permitted by the 1940 Act and any rule or order thereunder, or SEC
staff interpretations thereof.
6. Concentrate (invest more than 25% of its total assets) in securities of
issuers in a particular industry (other than securities issued or guaranteed
by the U.S. government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities).
7. Buy the securities of any one issuer (other than the U.S. government or
any of its agencies or instrumentalities) if immediately after such
investment (a) more than 5% of the value of the fund's total assets would be
invested in such issuer or (b) more than 10% of the outstanding voting
securities of such issuer would be owned by the fund, except that up to 25%
of the value of such fund's total assets may be invested without regard to
such 5% and 10% limitations.
If a bankruptcy or other extraordinary event occurs concerning a particular
security the fund owns, the fund may receive stock, real estate, or other
investments that the fund would not, or could not, buy. If this happens, the
fund intends to sell such investments as soon as practicable while maximizing
the return to shareholders.
If a percentage restriction is met at the time of investment, a later
increase or decrease in the percentage due to a change in the value or
liquidity of portfolio securities or the amount of assets will not be
considered a violation of any of the foregoing restrictions.
Risks
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Convertible Securities An investment in an enhanced convertible security or
any other security may involve additional risks. A fund may have difficulty
disposing of such securities because there may be a thin trading market for a
particular security at any given time. Reduced liquidity may have an adverse
impact on market price and the fund's ability to dispose of particular
securities, when necessary, to meet its liquidity needs or in response to a
specific economic event, such as the deterioration in the credit worthiness
of an issuer. Reduced liquidity in the secondary market for certain
securities may also make it more difficult for the fund to obtain market
quotations based on actual trades for purposes of valuing the fund's
portfolio. The fund, however, intends to acquire liquid securities, though
there can be no assurances that it will be able to do so.
Foreign Securities The value of foreign (and U.S.) securities is affected by
general economic conditions and individual company and industry earnings
prospects. While foreign securities may offer significant opportunities for
gain, they also involve additional risks that can increase the potential for
losses in the funds. These risks can be significantly greater for investments
in emerging markets. Investments in Depositary Receipts also involve some or
all of the risks described below.
The political, economic, and social structures of some countries in which the
fund invests may be less stable and more volatile than those in the U.S. The
risks of investing in these countries include the possibility of the
imposition of exchange controls, expropriation, restrictions on removal of
currency or other assets, nationalization of assets, and punitive taxes.
There may be less publicly available information about a foreign company or
government than about a U.S. company or public entity. Certain countries'
financial markets and services are less developed than those in the U.S. or
other major economies. As a result, they may not have uniform accounting,
auditing, and financial reporting standards and may have less government
supervision of financial markets. Foreign securities markets may have
substantially lower trading volumes than U.S. markets, resulting in less
liquidity and more volatility than experienced in the U.S. Transaction costs
on foreign securities markets are generally higher than in the U.S. The
settlement practices may be cumbersome and result in delays that may affect
portfolio liquidity. The fund may have greater difficulty voting proxies,
exercising shareholder rights, pursuing legal remedies, and obtaining
judgments with respect to foreign investments in foreign courts than with
respect to domestic issuers in U.S. courts.
The fund's management endeavors to buy and sell foreign currencies on as
favorable a basis as practicable. Some price spread on currency exchange (to
cover service charges) may be incurred, particularly when the fund changes
investments from one country to another or when proceeds of the sale of
shares in U.S. dollars are used for the purchase of securities in foreign
countries. Also, some countries may adopt policies that would prevent the
fund from transferring cash out of the country or withhold portions of
interest and dividends at the source. There is the possibility of cessation
of trading on national exchanges, expropriation, nationalization, or
confiscatory taxation, withholding, and other foreign taxes on income or
other amounts, foreign exchange controls (which may include suspension of the
ability to transfer currency from a given country), default in foreign
government securities, political or social instability, or diplomatic
developments that could affect investments in securities of issuers in
foreign nations.
The fund may be affected either favorably or unfavorably by fluctuations in
the relative rates of exchange between the currencies of different nations,
by exchange control regulations, and by indigenous economic and political
developments. Some countries in which the fund may invest may also have fixed
or managed currencies that are not free-floating against the U.S. dollar.
Further, certain currencies may not be internationally traded.
Derivative Securities The fund's transactions in options, futures, and
options on futures involve certain risks. These risks include, among others,
the risk that the effectiveness of a transaction depends on the degree that
price movements in the underlying securities, index, or currency correlate
with price movements in the relevant portion of the fund's portfolio. The
fund bears the risk that the prices of its portfolio securities will not move
in the same amount as the option or future it has purchased, or that there
may be a negative correlation that would result in a loss on both the
underlying securities and the derivative security.
In addition, adverse market movements could cause a fund to lose up to its
full investment in a call option contract and/or to experience substantial
losses on an investment in a futures contract. There is also the risk of loss
by a fund of margin deposits in the even of bankruptcy of a broker with whom
the fund has an open position.
Positions in exchange traded options and futures may be closed out only on an
exchange that provides a secondary market. There can be no assurance that a
liquid secondary market will exist for any particular option or futures
contract at any specific time. Thus, it may not be possible to close an
option or futures position. The inability to close options or futures
positions may have an adverse impact on a fund's ability to effectively hedge
its securities. Furthermore, if a fund is unable to close out a position and
if prices move adversely, the fund will have to continue to make daily cash
payments to maintain its required margin. If a fund does not have sufficient
cash to do this, if may have to sell portfolio securities at a
disadvantageous time. The fund will enter into an option or futures position
only if there appears to be a liquid secondary market for the options or
futures.
Similarly, there can be no assurance that a continuous liquid secondary
market will exist for any particular OTC option at any specific time.
Consequently, a fund may be able to realize the value of an OTC option it has
purchased only by exercising it or by entering into a closing sale
transaction with the dealer that issued it. When a fund writes an OTC option,
it generally can close out that option prior to its expiration only by
entering into a closing purchase transaction with the dealer to which the
fund originally wrote it.
Officers and Trustees
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The trust has a board of trustees. The board is responsible for the overall
management of the trust, including general supervision and review of the
fund's investment activities. The board, in turn, elects the officers of the
trust who are responsible for administering the trust's day-to-day
operations. The board also monitors the fund to ensure no material conflicts
exist among share classes. While none is expected, the board will act
appropriately to resolve any material conflict that may arise.
The name, age and address of the officers and board members, as well as their
affiliations, positions held with the trust, and principal occupations during
the past five years are shown below.
Position(s) Principal
Held with Occupation(s)
Name, Age and Address the Trust During the Past Five Years
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Frank H. Abbott, III (77) Trustee President and Director,
1045 Sansome Street Abbott Corporation (an
San Francisco, CA 94111 investment company); director
or trustee, as the case may
be, of 27 of the investment
companies in the Franklin
Templeton Group of Funds; and
formerly, Director,
MotherLode Gold Mines
Consolidated (gold mining)
and Vacu-Dry Co. (food
processing).
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Harris J. Ashton (66) Trustee Director, RBC Holdings, Inc.
191 Clapboard Ridge Road (bank holding company) and
Greenwich, CT 06830 Bar-S Foods (meat packing
company); director or
trustee, as the case may be,
of 49 of the investment
companies in the Franklin
Templeton Group of Funds; and
formerly, President, Chief
Executive Officer and
Chairman of the Board,
General Host Corporation
(nursery and craft centers).
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Harmon E. Burns (54) Vice Executive Vice President and
777 Mariners Island Blvd. President Director, Franklin Resources,
San Mateo, CA 94404 and Inc., Franklin Templeton
Trustee Distributors, Inc. and
Franklin Templeton Services,
Inc.; Executive Vice
President, Franklin Advisers,
Inc.; Director, Franklin
Investment Advisory Services,
Inc. and Franklin/Templeton
Investor Services, Inc.; and
officer and/or director or
trustee, as the case may be,
of most of the other
subsidiaries of Franklin
Resources, Inc. and of 53 of
the investment companies in
the Franklin Templeton Group
of Funds.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
S. Joseph Fortunato (66) Trustee Member of the law firm of
Park Avenue at Morris County Pitney, Hardin, Kipp & Szuch;
P.O. Box 1945 director or trustee, as the
Morristown, NJ 07962-1945 case may be, of 51 of the
investment companies in the
Franklin Templeton Group of
Funds.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Edith E. Holiday (47) Trustee Director, Amerada Hess
3239 38th Street, N.W. Corporation (exploration and
Washington, DC 20016 refining of natural gas)
(1993-present), Hercules
Incorporated (chemicals,
fibers and resins)
(1993-present), Beverly
Enterprises, Inc. (health
care) (1995-present) and H.J.
Heinz Company (processed
foods and allied products)
(1994-present); director or
trustee, as the case may be,
of 25 of the investment
companies in the Franklin
Templeton Group of Funds; and
formerly, Chairman
(1995-1997) and Trustee
(1993-1997), National Child
Research Center, Assistant to
the President of the United
States and Secretary of the
Cabinet (1990-1993), General
Counsel to the United States
Treasury Department
(1989-1990), and Counselor to
the Secretary and Assistant
Secretary for Public Affairs
and Public Liaison-United
States Treasury Department
(1988-1989).
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Charles B. Johnson (66) Chairman President, Chief Executive
777 Mariners Island Blvd. of the Officer and Director,
San Mateo, CA 94404 Board and Franklin Resources, Inc.;
Trustee Chairman of the Board and
Director, Franklin Advisers,
Inc., Franklin Advisory
Services, Inc., Franklin
Investment Advisory Services,
Inc. and Franklin Templeton
Distributors, Inc.; Director,
Franklin/Templeton Investor
Services, Inc. and Franklin
Templeton Services, Inc.;
officer and/or director or
trustee, as the case may be,
of most of the other
subsidiaries of Franklin
Resources, Inc. and of 50 of
the investment companies in
the Franklin Templeton Group
of Funds.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Rupert H. Johnson, Jr. (58) President Executive Vice President and
777 Mariners Island Blvd. and Director, Franklin Resources,
San Mateo, CA 94404 Trustee Inc. and Franklin Templeton
Distributors, Inc.; President
and Director, Franklin
Advisers, Inc. and Franklin
Investment Advisory Services,
Inc.; Senior Vice President
and Director, Franklin
Advisory Services, Inc.;
Director, Franklin/Templeton
Investor Services, Inc.; and
officer and/or director or
trustee, as the case may be,
of most of the other
subsidiaries of Franklin
Resources, Inc. and of 53 of
the investment companies in
the Franklin Templeton Group
of Funds.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Frank W. T. LaHaye (69) Trustee General Partner, Miller &
20833 Stevens Creek Blvd. LaHaye, which is the General
Suite 102 Partner of Peregrine Ventures
Cupertino, CA 95014 II (venture capital firm);
Director, Quarterdeck
Corporation (software firm);
director or trustee, as the
case may be, of 27 of the
investment companies in the
Franklin Templeton Group of
Funds; and formerly,
Director, Fischer Imaging
Corporation (medical imaging
systems) and Digital
Transmission Systems, Inc.
(wireless communications),
and General Partner,
Peregrine Associates, which
was the General Partner of
Peregrine Ventures (venture
capital firm).
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gordon S. Macklin (70) Trustee Director, Fund American
8212 Burning Tree Road Enterprises Holdings, Inc.
Bethesda, MD 20817 (holding company), Martek
Biosciences Corporation, MCI
WorldCom (information
services), MedImmune, Inc.
(biotechnology), Spacehab,
Inc. (aerospace services) and
Real 3D (software); director
or trustee, as the case may
be, of 49 of the investment
companies in the Franklin
Templeton Group of Funds; and
formerly, Chairman, White
River Corporation (financial
services) and Hambrecht and
Quist Group (investment
banking), and President,
National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Martin L. Flanagan (38) Vice Senior Vice President and
777 Mariners Island Blvd. President Chief Financial Officer,
San Mateo, CA 94404 and Chief Franklin Resources, Inc.,
Financial Franklin/Templeton Investor
Officer Services, Inc. and Franklin
Mutual Advisers, Inc.;
Executive Vice President and
Director, Templeton
Worldwide, Inc.; Executive
Vice President, Chief
Operating Officer and
Director, Templeton
Investment Counsel, Inc.;
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer,
Franklin Advisers, Inc.;
Chief Financial Officer,
Franklin Advisory Services,
Inc. and Franklin Investment
Advisory Services, Inc.;
President and Director,
Franklin Templeton Services,
Inc.; officer and/or director
of some of the other
subsidiaries of Franklin
Resources, Inc.; and officer
and/or director or trustee,
as the case may be, of 53 of
the investment companies in
the Franklin Templeton Group
of Funds.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deborah R. Gatzek (50) Vice Senior Vice President and
777 Mariners Island Blvd. President General Counsel, Franklin
San Mateo, CA 94404 and Resources, Inc.; Senior Vice
Secretary President, Franklin Templeton
Services, Inc. and Franklin
Templeton Distributors, Inc.;
Executive Vice President,
Franklin Advisers, Inc.; Vice
President, Franklin Advisory
Services, Inc. and Franklin
Mutual Advisers, Inc.; Vice
President, Chief Legal
Officer and Chief Operating
Officer, Franklin Investment
Advisory Services, Inc.; and
officer of 54 of the
investment companies in the
Franklin Templeton Group of
Funds.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Charles E. Johnson (42) Vice Senior Vice President and
500 East Broward Blvd. President Director, Franklin Resources,
Fort Lauderdale, FL Inc.; Senior Vice President,
33394-3091 Franklin Templeton
Distributors, Inc.; President
and Director, Templeton
Worldwide, Inc.; Chairman and
Director, Templeton
Investment Counsel, Inc.;
Vice President, Franklin
Advisers, Inc.; officer
and/or director of some of
the other subsidiaries of
Franklin Resources, Inc.; and
officer and/or director or
trustee, as the case may be,
of 34 of the investment
companies in the Franklin
Templeton Group of Funds.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Diomedes Loo-Tam (60) Treasurer Senior Vice President,
777 Mariners Island Blvd. and Franklin Templeton Services,
San Mateo, CA 94404 Principal Inc.; and officer of 32 of
Accounting the investment companies in
Officer the Franklin Templeton Group
of Funds.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Edward V. McVey (61) Vice Senior Vice President and
777 Mariners Island Blvd. President National Sales Manager,
San Mateo, CA 94404 Franklin Templeton
Distributors, Inc.; and
officer of 28 of the
investment companies in the
Franklin Templeton Group of
Funds.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
*This board member is considered an "interested person" under federal
securities laws.
Note: Charles B. Johnson and Rupert H. Johnson, Jr. are brothers and the
father and uncle, respectively, of Charles E. Johnson.
The trust pays noninterested board members $1,575 per month plus $1,050 per
meeting attended. Board members who serve on the audit committee of the trust
and other funds in the Franklin Templeton Group of Funds receive a flat fee
of $2,000 per committee meeting attended, a portion of which is allocated to
the trust. Members of a committee are not compensated for any committee
meeting held on the day of a board meeting. Noninterested board members also
may serve as directors or trustees of other funds in the Franklin Templeton
Group of Funds and may receive fees from these funds for their services. The
fees payable to noninterested board members by the trust are subject to
reductions resulting from fee caps limiting the amount of fees payable to
board members who serve on other boards within the Franklin Templeton Group
of Funds. The following table provides the total fees paid to noninterested
board members by the trust and by the Franklin Templeton Group of Funds.
Number of Boards
Total Fees in the Franklin
Total Fees Received from Templeton Group
Received the Franklin of Funds on
from the Templeton Group which Each
Name Trust1 of Funds2 Serves3
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
Frank H. Abbott, III $5,400 $159,051 27
Harris J. Ashton 5,100 361,157 49
S. Joseph Fortunato 5,100 367,835 51
Edith Holiday 4 1,200 211,400 25
Frank W.T. LaHaye 5,400 163,753 27
Gordon S. Macklin 5,100 361,157 49
1. For the fiscal year ended April 30, 1998, during the period from April
1997 through May 31, 1998, fees at the rate of $300 for each of the Trust's
eight meetings, plus $300 per meeting attended were in effect.
2. For the calendar year ended December 31, 1998.
3. We base the number of boards on the number of registered investment
companies in the Franklin Templeton Group of Funds. This number does not
include the total number of series or funds within each investment company
for which the board members are responsible. The Franklin Templeton Group of
Funds currently includes 54 registered investment companies, with
approximately 163 U.S. based funds or series.
4. Appointed January 15, 1998.
Noninterested board members are reimbursed for expenses incurred in
connection with attending board meetings, paid pro rata by each fund in the
Franklin Templeton Group of Funds for which they serve as director or
trustee. No officer or board member received any other compensation,
including pension or retirement benefits, directly or indirectly from the
fund or other funds in the Franklin Templeton Group of Funds. Certain
officers or board members who are shareholders of Franklin Resources, Inc.
may be deemed to receive indirect remuneration by virtue of their
participation, if any, in the fees paid to its subsidiaries.
Board members historically have followed a policy of having substantial
investments in one or more of the funds in the Franklin Templeton Group of
Funds, as is consistent with their individual financial goals. In February
1998, this policy was formalized through adoption of a requirement that each
board member invest one-third of fees received for serving as a director or
trustee of a Templeton fund in shares of one or more Templeton funds and
one-third of fees received for serving as a director or trustee of a Franklin
fund in shares of one or more Franklin funds until the value of such
investments equals or exceeds five times the annual fees paid such board
member. Investments in the name of family members or entities controlled by a
board member constitute fund holdings of such board member for purposes of
this policy, and a three year phase-in period applies to such investment
requirements for newly elected board members. In implementing such policy, a
board member's fund holdings existing on February 27, 1998, are valued as of
such date with subsequent investments valued at cost.
Management and Other Services
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Manager and services provided The fund's manager is Franklin Advisers, Inc.
(Advisers). The manager is wholly owned by Franklin Resources, Inc.
(Resources), a publicly owned company engaged in the financial services
industry through its subsidiaries. Charles B. Johnson and Rupert H. Johnson,
Jr. are the principal shareholders of Resources.
The manager provides investment research and portfolio management services,
and selects the securities for the fund to buy, hold or sell. The manager
also selects the brokers who execute the fund's portfolio transactions. The
manager provides periodic reports to the board, which reviews and supervises
the manager's investment activities. To protect the fund, the manager and its
officers, directors and employees are covered by fidelity insurance.
The manager and its affiliates manage numerous other investment companies and
accounts. The manager may give advice and take action with respect to any of
the other funds it manages, or for its own account, that may differ from
action taken by the manager on behalf of the fund. Similarly, with respect to
the fund, the manager is not obligated to recommend, buy or sell, or to
refrain from recommending, buying or selling any security that the manager
and access persons, as defined by applicable federal securities laws, may buy
or sell for its or their own account or for the accounts of any other fund.
The manager is not obligated to refrain from investing in securities held by
the fund or other funds it manages. Of course, any transactions for the
accounts of the manager and other access persons will be made in compliance
with the fund's code of ethics.
Under the fund's code of ethics, employees of the Franklin Templeton Group
who are access persons may engage in personal securities transactions subject
to the following general restrictions and procedures: (i) the trade must
receive advance clearance from a compliance officer and must be completed by
the close of the business day following the day clearance is granted; (ii)
copies of all brokerage confirmations and statements must be sent to a
compliance officer; (iii) all brokerage accounts must be disclosed on an
annual basis; and (iv) access persons involved in preparing and making
investment decisions must, in addition to (i), (ii) and (iii) above, file
annual reports of their securities holdings each January and inform the
compliance officer (or other designated personnel) if they own a security
that is being considered for a fund or other client transaction or if they
are recommending a security in which they have an ownership interest for
purchase or sale by a fund or other client.
Management fees The fund pays the manager a fee equal to an annual rate of:
o 0.50% of the value of net assets up to and including $500 million;
o 0.40% of the value of net assets over $500 million and not over $1
billion;
o 0.35% of the value of net assets over $1 billion and not over $1.5
billion;
o 0.30% of the value of net assets over $1.5 billion and not over $6.5
billion;
o 0.275% of the value of net assets over $6.5 billion and not over $11.5
billion;
o 0.25% of the value of net assets over $11.5 billion and not over $16.5
billion;
o 0.24% of the value of net assets over $16.5 billion and not over $19
billion;
o 0.23% of the value of net assets over $19 billion and not over $21.5
billion; and
o 0.22% of the value of net assets in excess of $21.5 billion.
The fee is computed at the close of business on the last business day of each
month according to the terms of the management agreement. Each class of the
fund's shares pays its proportionate share of the fee.
Administrator and services provided Franklin Templeton Services, Inc. (FT
Services) has an agreement with the fund to provide certain administrative
services and facilities for the fund. FT Services is wholly owned by
Resources and is an affiliate of the fund's manager and principal
underwriter.
The administrative services FT Services provides include preparing and
maintaining books, records, and tax and financial reports, and monitoring
compliance with regulatory requirements.
Administration fees The fund pays FT Services a monthly fee equal to an
annual rate of 0.20% of the fund's average daily net assets.
Shareholder servicing and transfer agent Franklin/Templeton Investor
Services, Inc. (Investor Services) is the fund's shareholder servicing agent
and acts as the fund's transfer agent and dividend-paying agent. Investor
Services is located at 777 Mariners Island Blvd., P.O. Box 7777, San Mateo,
CA 94403-7777.
For its services, Investor Services receives a fixed fee per account. The
fund also may reimburse Investor Services for certain out-of-pocket expenses,
which may include payments by Investor Services to entities, including
affiliated entities, that provide sub-shareholder services, recordkeeping
and/or transfer agency services to beneficial owners of the fund. The amount
of reimbursements for these services per benefit plan participant fund
account per year may not exceed the per account fee payable by the fund to
Investor Services in connection with maintaining shareholder accounts.
Custodian Bank of New York, Mutual Funds Division, 90 Washington Street, New
York, NY 10286, acts as custodian of the fund's securities and other assets.
Auditor PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 333 Market Street, San Francisco, CA
94105, is the fund's independent auditor. The auditor gives an opinion on the
financial statements included in the trust's Annual Report to Shareholders
and reviews the trust's registration statement filed with the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Portfolio Transactions
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The manager selects brokers and dealers to execute the fund's portfolio
transactions in accordance with criteria set forth in the management
agreement and any directions that the board may give.
When placing a portfolio transaction, the manager seeks to obtain prompt
execution of orders at the most favorable net price. For portfolio
transactions on a securities exchange, the amount of commission paid is
negotiated between the manager and the broker executing the transaction. The
determination and evaluation of the reasonableness of the brokerage
commissions paid are based to a large degree on the professional opinions of
the persons responsible for placement and review of the transactions. These
opinions are based on the experience of these individuals in the securities
industry and information available to them about the level of commissions
being paid by other institutional investors of comparable size. The manager
will ordinarily place orders to buy and sell over-the-counter securities on a
principal rather than agency basis with a principal market maker unless, in
the opinion of the manager, a better price and execution can otherwise be
obtained. Purchases of portfolio securities from underwriters will include a
commission or concession paid by the issuer to the underwriter, and purchases
from dealers will include a spread between the bid and ask price.
The manager may pay certain brokers commissions that are higher than those
another broker may charge, if the manager determines in good faith that the
amount paid is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and
research services it receives. This may be viewed in terms of either the
particular transaction or the manager's overall responsibilities to client
accounts over which it exercises investment discretion. The services that
brokers may provide to the manager include, among others, supplying
information about particular companies, markets, countries, or local,
regional, national or transnational economies, statistical data, quotations
and other securities pricing information, and other information that provides
lawful and appropriate assistance to the manager in carrying out its
investment advisory responsibilities. These services may not always directly
benefit the fund. They must, however, be of value to the manager in carrying
out its overall responsibilities to its clients.
It is not possible to place a dollar value on the special executions or on
the research services the manager receives from dealers effecting
transactions in portfolio securities. The allocation of transactions in order
to obtain additional research services allows the manager to supplement its
own research and analysis activities and to receive the views and information
of individuals and research staffs of other securities firms. As long as it
is lawful and appropriate to do so, the manager and its affiliates may use
this research and data in their investment advisory capacities with other
clients. If the fund's officers are satisfied that the best execution is
obtained, the sale of fund shares, as well as shares of other funds in the
Franklin Templeton Group of Funds, also may be considered a factor in the
selection of broker-dealers to execute the fund's portfolio transactions.
Because Franklin Templeton Distributors, Inc. (Distributors) is a member of
the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., it may sometimes
receive certain fees when the fund tenders portfolio securities pursuant to a
tender-offer solicitation. To recapture brokerage for the benefit of the
fund, any portfolio securities tendered by the fund will be tendered through
Distributors if it is legally permissible to do so. In turn, the next
management fee payable to the manager will be reduced by the amount of any
fees received by Distributors in cash, less any costs and expenses incurred
in connection with the tender.
If purchases or sales of securities of the fund and one or more other
investment companies or clients supervised by the manager are considered at
or about the same time, transactions in these securities will be allocated
among the several investment companies and clients in a manner deemed
equitable to all by the manager, taking into account the respective sizes of
the funds and the amount of securities to be purchased or sold. In some cases
this procedure could have a detrimental effect on the price or volume of the
security so far as the fund is concerned. In other cases it is possible that
the ability to participate in volume transactions may improve execution and
reduce transaction costs to the fund.
Distributions and Taxes
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The fund calculates dividends and capital gains the same way for each class.
The amount of any income dividends per share will differ, however, generally
due to the difference in any distribution and service (Rule 12b-1) fees of
each class. The fund does not pay "interest" or guarantee any fixed rate of
return on an investment in its shares.
Distributions of net investment income The fund receives income generally in
the form of dividends and interest on its investments. This income, less
expenses incurred in the operation of the fund, constitutes the fund's net
investment income from which dividends may be paid to you. Any distributions
by the fund from such income will be taxable to you as ordinary income,
whether you take them in cash or in additional shares.
Distributions of capital gains The fund may derive capital gains and losses
in connection with sales or other dispositions of its portfolio securities.
Distributions from net short-term capital gains will be taxable to you as
ordinary income. Distributions from net long-term capital gains will be
taxable to you as long-term capital gain, regardless of how long you have
held your shares in the fund. Any net capital gains realized by the fund
generally will be distributed once each year, and may be distributed more
frequently, if necessary, in order to reduce or eliminate excise or income
taxes on the fund.
Effect of foreign investments on distributions Most foreign exchange gains
realized on the sale of debt securities are treated as ordinary income by the
fund. Similarly, foreign exchange losses realized by the fund on the sale of
debt securities are generally treated as ordinary losses by the fund. These
gains when distributed will be taxable to you as ordinary dividends, and any
losses will reduce the fund's ordinary income otherwise available for
distribution to you. This treatment could increase or reduce the fund's
ordinary income distributions to you, and may cause some or all of the fund's
previously distributed income to be classified as a return of capital.
Information on the tax character of distributions The fund will inform you
of the amount of your ordinary income dividends and capital gains
distributions at the time they are paid, and will advise you of their tax
status for federal income tax purposes shortly after the close of each
calendar year. If you have not held fund shares for a full year, the fund may
designate and distribute to you, as ordinary income or capital gain, a
percentage of income that is not equal to the actual amount of such income
earned during the period of your investment in the fund.
Election to be taxed as a regulated investment company The fund intends to
elect to be treated as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of
the Internal Revenue Code. As a regulated investment company, the fund
generally pays no federal income tax on the income and gains it distributes
to you. The board reserves the right not to maintain the qualification of
the fund as a regulated investment company if it determines such course of
action to be beneficial to shareholders. In such case, the fund will be
subject to federal, and possibly state, corporate taxes on its taxable income
and gains, and distributions to you will be taxed as ordinary dividend income
to the extent of the fund's earnings and profits.
Excise tax distribution requirements To avoid federal excise taxes, the
Internal Revenue Code requires the fund to distribute to you by December 31
of each year, at a minimum, the following amounts: 98% of its taxable
ordinary income earned during the calendar year; 98% of its capital gain net
income earned during the twelve month period ending October 31; and 100% of
any undistributed amounts from the prior year. The fund intends to declare
and pay these amounts in December (or in January that are treated by you as
received in December) to avoid these excise taxes, but can give no assurances
that its distributions will be sufficient to eliminate all taxes.
Redemption of fund shares Redemptions and exchanges of fund shares are
taxable transactions for federal and state income tax purposes. If you redeem
your fund shares, or exchange your fund shares for shares of a different
Franklin Templeton Fund, the IRS will require that you report a gain or loss
on your redemption or exchange. If you hold your shares as a capital asset,
the gain or loss that you realize will be capital gain or loss and will be
long-term or short-term, generally depending on how long you hold your
shares. Any loss incurred on the redemption or exchange of shares held for
six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent
of any long-term capital gains distributed to you by the fund on those shares.
All or a portion of any loss that you realize upon the redemption of your
fund shares will be disallowed to the extent that you buy other shares in the
fund (through reinvestment of dividends or otherwise) within 30 days before
or after your share redemption. Any loss disallowed under these rules will
be added to your tax basis in the new shares you buy.
U.S. government obligations Many states grant tax-free status to dividends
paid to you from interest earned on direct obligations of the U.S.
government, subject in some states to minimum investment requirements that
must be met by the fund. Investments in Government National Mortgage
Association or Federal National Mortgage Association securities, bankers'
acceptances, commercial paper and repurchase agreements collateralized by
U.S. government securities do not generally qualify for tax-free treatment.
The rules on exclusion of this income are different for corporations.
Dividends-received deduction for corporations If you are a corporate
shareholder, you should note that the fund anticipates that a portion of the
dividends it pays will qualify for the dividends-received deduction. In some
circumstances, you will be allowed to deduct these qualified dividends,
thereby reducing the tax that you would otherwise be required to pay on these
dividends. The dividends-received deduction will be available only with
respect to dividends designated by the fund as eligible for such treatment.
All dividends (including the deducted portion) must be included in your
alternative minimum taxable income calculation.
Investment in complex securities The fund may invest in complex securities.
These investments may be subject to numerous special and complex tax rules.
These rules could affect whether gains and losses recognized by the fund are
treated as ordinary income or capital gain, accelerate the recognition of
income to the fund and/or defer the fund's ability to recognize losses. In
turn, these rules may affect the amount, timing or character of the income
distributed to you by the fund.
Organization, Voting Rights and Principal Holders
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The fund is a diversified series of Franklin Strategic Series (the "Trust"),
an open-end management investment company, commonly called a mutual fund.
The trust was organized as a Delaware business trust on January 25, 1991, and
is registered with the SEC.
The fund currently offers four classes of shares, Class A, Class B, and Class
C and Advisor Class. The fund may offer additional classes of shares in the
future. The full title of each class is:
o Franklin Large Cap Growth Fund - Class A
o Franklin Large Cap Growth Fund - Class B
o Franklin Large Cap Growth Fund - Class C
o Franklin Large Cap Growth Fund - Advisor Class
Shares of each class represent proportionate interests in the fund's assets.
On matters that affect the fund as a whole, each class has the same voting
and other rights and preferences as any other class. On matters that affect
only one class, only shareholders of that class may vote. Each class votes
separately on matters affecting only that class, or expressly required to be
voted on separately by state or federal law. Shares of each class of a series
have the same voting and other rights and preferences as the other classes
and series of the trust for matters that affect the trust as a whole.
Additional series may be offered in the future.
The trust has noncumulative voting rights. For board member elections, this
gives holders of more than 50% of the shares voting the ability to elect all
of the members of the board. If this happens, holders of the remaining shares
voting will not be able to elect anyone to the board.
The trust does not intend to hold annual shareholder meetings. The trust or a
series of the trust may hold special meetings, however, for matters requiring
shareholder approval. A meeting may be called by the board to consider the
removal of a board member if requested in writing by shareholders holding at
least 10% of the outstanding shares. In certain circumstances, we are
required to help you communicate with other shareholders about the removal of
a board member. A special meeting also may be called by the board in its
discretion.
From time to time, the number of fund shares held in the "street name"
accounts of various securities dealers for the benefit of their clients or in
centralized securities depositories may exceed 5% of the total shares
outstanding.
The board members may own shares in other funds in the Franklin Templeton
Group of Funds.
Buying and Selling Shares
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The fund continuously offers its shares through securities dealers who have
an agreement with Franklin Templeton Distributors, Inc. (Distributors). A
securities dealer includes any financial institution that, either directly or
through affiliates, has an agreement with Distributors to handle customer
orders and accounts with the fund. This reference is for convenience only and
does not indicate a legal conclusion of capacity. Banks and financial
institutions that sell shares of the fund may be required by state law to
register as securities dealers.
For investors outside the U.S., the offering of fund shares may be limited in
many jurisdictions. An investor who wishes to buy shares of the fund should
determine, or have a broker-dealer determine, the applicable laws and
regulations of the relevant jurisdiction. Investors are responsible for
compliance with tax, currency exchange or other regulations applicable to
redemption and purchase transactions in any jurisdiction to which they may be
subject. Investors should consult appropriate tax and legal advisors to
obtain information on the rules applicable to these transactions.
All checks, drafts, wires and other payment mediums used to buy or sell
shares of the fund must be denominated in U.S. dollars. We may, in our sole
discretion, either (a) reject any order to buy or sell shares denominated in
any other currency or (b) honor the transaction or make adjustments to your
account for the transaction as of a date and with a foreign currency exchange
factor determined by the drawee bank.
When you buy shares, if you submit a check or a draft that is returned unpaid
to the fund we may impose a $10 charge against your account for each returned
item.
Group purchases As described in the prospectus, members of a qualified group
may add the group's investments together for minimum investment purposes.
A qualified group is one that:
o Was formed at least six months ago,
o Has a purpose other than buying fund shares at a discount,
o Has more than 10 members,
o Can arrange for meetings between our representatives and group members,
o Agrees to include Franklin Templeton Fund sales and other materials in
publications and mailings to its members at reduced or no cost to
Distributors,
o Agrees to arrange for payroll deduction or other bulk transmission of
investments to the fund, and
o Meets other uniform criteria that allow Distributors to achieve cost
savings in distributing shares.
Dealer compensation Distributors and/or its affiliates provide financial
support to various securities dealers that sell shares of the Franklin
Templeton Group of Funds. This support is based primarily on the amount of
sales of fund shares. The amount of support may be affected by: total sales;
net sales; levels of redemptions; the proportion of a securities dealer's
sales and marketing efforts in the Franklin Templeton Group of Funds; a
securities dealer's support of, and participation in, Distributors' marketing
programs; a securities dealer's compensation programs for its registered
representatives; and the extent of a securities dealer's marketing programs
relating to the Franklin Templeton Group of Funds. Financial support to
securities dealers may be made by payments from Distributors' resources, from
Distributors' retention of underwriting concessions and, in the case of funds
that have Rule 12b-1 plans, from payments to Distributors under such plans.
In addition, certain securities dealers may receive brokerage commissions
generated by fund portfolio transactions in accordance with the rules of the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
Distributors routinely sponsors due diligence meetings for registered
representatives during which they receive updates on various Franklin
Templeton Funds and are afforded the opportunity to speak with portfolio
managers. Invitation to these meetings is not conditioned on selling a
specific number of shares. Those who have shown an interest in the Franklin
Templeton Funds, however, are more likely to be considered. To the extent
permitted by their firm's policies and procedures, registered
representatives' expenses in attending these meetings may be covered by
Distributors.
Exchange privilege If you request the exchange of the total value of your
account, declared but unpaid income dividends and capital gain distributions
will be reinvested in the fund and exchanged into the new fund at net asset
value when paid. Backup withholding and information reporting may apply.
If a substantial number of shareholders should, within a short period, sell
their fund shares under the exchange privilege, the fund might have to sell
portfolio securities it might otherwise hold and incur the additional costs
related to such transactions. On the other hand, increased use of the
exchange privilege may result in periodic large inflows of money. If this
occurs, it is the fund's general policy to initially invest this money in
short-term, interest-bearing money market instruments, unless it is believed
that attractive investment opportunities consistent with the fund's
investment goal exist immediately. This money will then be withdrawn from the
short-term, interest-bearing money market instruments and invested in
portfolio securities in as orderly a manner as is possible when attractive
investment opportunities arise.
The proceeds from the sale of shares of an investment company are generally
not available until the seventh day following the sale. The funds you are
seeking to exchange into may delay issuing shares pursuant to an exchange
until that seventh day. The sale of fund shares to complete an exchange will
be effected at net asset value at the close of business on the day the
request for exchange is received in proper form.
Systematic withdrawal plan Our systematic withdrawal plan allows you to sell
your shares and receive regular payments from your account on a monthly,
quarterly, semiannual or annual basis. The value of your account must be at
least $5,000 and the minimum payment amount for each withdrawal must be at
least $50. For retirement plans subject to mandatory distribution
requirements, the $50 minimum will not apply. There are no service charges
for establishing or maintaining a systematic withdrawal plan. Once your plan
is established, any distributions paid by the fund will be automatically
reinvested in your account.
Payments under the plan will be made from the redemption of an equivalent
amount of shares in your account, generally on the 25th day of the month in
which a payment is scheduled. If the 25th falls on a weekend or holiday, we
will process the redemption on the next business day. When you sell your
shares under a systematic withdrawal plan, it is a taxable transaction.
Redeeming shares through a systematic withdrawal plan may reduce or exhaust
the shares in your account if payments exceed distributions received from the
fund. This is especially likely to occur if there is a market decline. If a
withdrawal amount exceeds the value of your account, your account will be
closed and the remaining balance in your account will be sent to you. Because
the amount withdrawn under the plan may be more than your actual yield or
income, part of the payment may be a return of your investment.
You may discontinue a systematic withdrawal plan, change the amount and
schedule of withdrawal payments, or suspend one payment by notifying us by
mail or by phone at least seven business days before the end of the month
preceding a scheduled payment. The fund may discontinue a systematic
withdrawal plan by notifying you in writing and will automatically
discontinue a systematic withdrawal plan if all shares in your account are
withdrawn or if the fund receives notification of the shareholder's death or
incapacity.
Redemptions in kind The fund has committed itself to pay in cash (by check)
all requests for redemption by any shareholder of record, limited in amount,
however, during any 90-day period to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the
value of the fund's net assets at the beginning of the 90-day period. This
commitment is irrevocable without the prior approval of the U.S. Securities
and Exchange Commission (SEC). In the case of redemption requests in excess
of these amounts, the board reserves the right to make payments in whole or
in part in securities or other assets of the fund, in case of an emergency,
or if the payment of such a redemption in cash would be detrimental to the
existing shareholders of the fund. In these circumstances, the securities
distributed would be valued at the price used to compute the fund's net
assets and you may incur brokerage fees in converting the securities to cash.
The fund does not intend to redeem illiquid securities in kind. If this
happens, however, you may not be able to recover your investment in a timely
manner.
Share certificates We will credit your shares to your fund account. We do
not issue share certificates unless you specifically request them. This
eliminates the costly problem of replacing lost, stolen or destroyed
certificates. If a certificate is lost, stolen or destroyed, you may have to
pay an insurance premium of up to 2% of the value of the certificate to
replace it.
Any outstanding share certificates must be returned to the fund if you want
to sell or exchange those shares or if you would like to start a systematic
withdrawal plan. The certificates should be properly endorsed. You can do
this either by signing the back of the certificate or by completing a share
assignment form. For your protection, you may prefer to complete a share
assignment form and to send the certificate and assignment form in separate
envelopes.
General information If dividend checks are returned to the fund marked
"unable to forward" by the postal service, we will consider this a request by
you to change your dividend option to reinvest all distributions. The
proceeds will be reinvested in additional shares at net asset value until we
receive new instructions.
Distribution or redemption checks sent to you do not earn interest or any
other income during the time the checks remain uncashed. Neither the fund nor
its affiliates will be liable for any loss caused by your failure to cash
such checks. The fund is not responsible for tracking down uncashed checks,
unless a check is returned as undeliverable.
In most cases, if mail is returned as undeliverable we are required to take
certain steps to try to find you free of charge. If these attempts are
unsuccessful, however, we may deduct the costs of any additional efforts to
find you from your account. These costs may include a percentage of the
account when a search company charges a percentage fee in exchange for its
location services.
The wiring of redemption proceeds is a special service that we make available
whenever possible. By offering this service to you, the fund is not bound to
meet any redemption request in less than the seven day period prescribed by
law. Neither the fund nor its agents shall be liable to you or any other
person if, for any reason, a redemption request by wire is not processed as
described in the prospectus.
Franklin Templeton Investor Services, Inc. (Investor Services) may pay
certain financial institutions that maintain omnibus accounts with the fund
on behalf of numerous beneficial owners for recordkeeping operations
performed with respect to such owners. For each beneficial owner in the
omnibus account, the fund may reimburse Investor Services an amount not to
exceed the per account fee that the fund normally pays Investor Services.
These financial institutions also may charge a fee for their services
directly to their clients.
If you buy or sell shares through your securities dealer, we use the net
asset value next calculated after your securities dealer receives your
request, which is promptly transmitted to the fund. If you sell shares
through your securities dealer, it is your dealer's responsibility to
transmit the order to the fund in a timely fashion. Your redemption proceeds
will not earn interest between the time we receive the order from your dealer
and the time we receive any required documents. Any loss to you resulting
from your dealer's failure to transmit your redemption order to the fund in a
timely fashion must be settled between you and your securities dealer.
Certain shareholder servicing agents may be authorized to accept your
transaction request.
For institutional accounts, there may be additional methods of buying or
selling fund shares than those described in this SAI or in the prospectus.
In the event of disputes involving multiple claims of ownership or authority
to control your account, the fund has the right (but has no obligation) to:
(a) freeze the account and require the written agreement of all persons
deemed by the fund to have a potential property interest in the account,
before executing instructions regarding the account; (b) interplead disputed
funds or accounts with a court of competent jurisdiction; or (c) surrender
ownership of all or a portion of the account to the IRS in response to a
notice of levy.
Pricing Shares
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When you buy and sell shares, you pay the net asset value (NAV) per share.
The value of a mutual fund is determined by deducting the fund's liabilities
from the total assets of the portfolio. The net asset value per share is
determined by dividing the net asset value of the fund by the number of
shares outstanding.
The fund calculates the NAV per share of each class each business day at the
close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (normally 1:00 p.m. pacific
time). The fund does not calculate the NAV on days the New York Stock
Exchange (NYSE) is closed for trading, which include New Year's Day, Martin
Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence
Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
When determining its NAV, the fund values cash and receivables at their
realizable amounts, and records interest as accrued and dividends on the
ex-dividend date. If market quotations are readily available for portfolio
securities listed on a securities exchange or on the NASDAQ National Market
System, the fund values those securities at the last quoted sale price of the
day or, if there is no reported sale, within the range of the most recent
quoted bid and ask prices. The fund values over-the-counter portfolio
securities within the range of the most recent quoted bid and ask prices. If
portfolio securities trade both in the over-the-counter market and on a stock
exchange, the fund values them according to the broadest and most
representative market as determined by the manager.
The fund values portfolio securities underlying actively traded call options
at their market price as determined above. The current market value of any
option the fund holds is its last sale price on the relevant exchange before
the fund values its assets. If there are no sales that day or if the last
sale price is outside the bid and ask prices, the fund values options within
the range of the current closing bid and ask prices if the fund believes the
valuation fairly reflects the contract's market value.
The fund determines the value of a foreign security as of the close of
trading on the foreign exchange on which the security is traded or as of the
close of trading on the NYSE, if that is earlier. The 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 foreign security is
valued within the range of the most recent quoted bid and ask prices.
Occasionally events that 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 NAV. If events materially affecting the values of these
foreign securities occur during this period, the securities will be valued in
accordance with procedures established by the board.
Generally, trading in corporate bonds, U.S. government securities and money
market instruments is substantially completed each day at various times
before the close of the NYSE. The value of these securities used in computing
the NAV is determined as of such times. Occasionally, events affecting the
values of these securities may occur between the times at which they are
determined and the close of the NYSE that will not be reflected in the
computation of the NAV. If events materially affecting the values of these
securities occur during this period, the securities will be valued at their
fair value as determined in good faith by the board.
Other securities for which market quotations are readily available are valued
at the current market price, which may be obtained from a pricing service,
based on a variety of factors including recent trades, institutional size
trading in similar types of securities (considering yield, risk and maturity)
and/or developments related to specific issues. Securities and other assets
for which market prices are not readily available are valued at fair value as
determined following procedures approved by the board. With the approval of
the board, the fund may use a pricing service, bank or securities dealer to
perform any of the above described functions.
The Underwriter
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Franklin Templeton Distributors, Inc. (Distributors) acts as the principal
underwriter in the continuous public offering of the fund's shares.
Distributors is located at 777 Mariners Island Blvd., San Mateo, CA 94404.
Distributors pays the expenses of the distribution of fund shares, including
advertising expenses and the costs of printing sales material and
prospectuses used to offer shares to the public. The fund pays the expenses
of preparing and printing amendments to its registration statements and
prospectuses (other than those necessitated by the activities of
Distributors) and of sending prospectuses to existing shareholders.
Distributors does not receive compensation from the fund for acting as
underwriter of the fund's Advisor Class shares.
Performance
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Performance quotations are subject to SEC rules. These rules require the use
of standardized performance quotations or, alternatively, that every
non-standardized performance quotation furnished by the fund be accompanied
by certain standardized performance information computed as required by the
SEC. Because the fund is new, it has no performance history and thus no
performance quotations have been provided.
An explanation of these and other methods used by the fund to compute or
express performance follows. Regardless of the method used, past performance
does not guarantee future results, and is an indication of the return to
shareholders only for the limited historical period used.
Average annual total return Average annual total return is determined by
finding the average annual rates of return over the periods indicated below
that would equate an initial hypothetical $1,000 investment to its ending
redeemable value. The calculation assumes income dividends and capital gain
distributions are reinvested at net asset value. The quotation assumes the
account was completely redeemed at the end of each period and the deduction
of all applicable charges and fees. If a change is made to the sales charge
structure, historical performance information will be restated to reflect the
maximum initial sales charge currently in effect.
These figures are calculated according to the SEC formula:
n
P(1+T) = ERV
where:
P = a hypothetical initial payment of $1,000
T = average annual total return
n = number of years
ERV = ending redeemable value of a hypothetical $1,000
payment made at the beginning of each period at the end
of each period
Cumulative total return Like average annual total return, cumulative total
return assumes income dividends and capital gain distributions are reinvested
at net asset value. Cumulative total return, however, is based on the actual
return for a specified period rather than on the average return over the
periods indicated above.
Volatility Occasionally statistics may be used to show the fund's volatility
or risk. Measures of volatility or risk are generally used to compare the
fund's net asset value or performance to a market index. One measure of
volatility is beta. Beta is the volatility of a fund relative to the total
market, as represented by an index considered representative of the types of
securities in which the fund invests. A beta of more than 1.00 indicates
volatility greater than the market and a beta of less than 1.00 indicates
volatility less than the market. Another measure of volatility or risk is
standard deviation. Standard deviation is used to measure variability of net
asset value or total return around an average over a specified period of
time. The idea is that greater volatility means greater risk undertaken in
achieving performance.
Other performance quotations Sales literature referring to the use of the
fund as a potential investment for IRAs, business retirement plans, and other
tax-advantaged retirement plans may quote a total return based upon
compounding of dividends on which it is presumed no federal income tax
applies.
The fund may include in its advertising or sales material information
relating to investment goals and performance results of funds belonging to
the Franklin Templeton Group of Funds. Franklin Resources, Inc. is the parent
company of the advisors and underwriter of the Franklin Templeton Group of
Funds.
Comparisons To help you better evaluate how an investment in the fund may
satisfy your investment goal, advertisements and other materials about the
fund may discuss certain measures of fund performance as reported by various
financial publications. Materials also may compare performance (as calculated
above) to performance as reported by other investments, indices, and
averages. These comparisons may include, but are not limited to, the
following examples:
o Dow Jones(R) Composite Average and its component averages - a
price-weighted average of 65 stocks that trade on the New York Stock
Exchange. The average is a combination of the Dow Jones Industrial Average
(30 blue-chip stocks that are generally leaders in their industry), the Dow
Jones Transportation Average (20 transportation stocks), and the Dow Jones
Utilities Average (15 utility stocks involved in the production of
electrical energy).
o Standard & Poor's(R) 500 Stock Index or its component indices - a
capitalization-weighted index designed to measure performance of the broad
domestic economy through changes in the aggregate market value of 500
stocks representing all major industries.
o The New York Stock Exchange composite or component indices - an unmanaged
index of all industrial, utilities, transportation, and finance stocks
listed on the NYSE.
o Wilshire 5000 Equity Index - represents the return on the market value of
all common equity securities for which daily pricing is available.
Comparisons of performance assume reinvestment of dividends.
o Lipper - Mutual Fund Performance Analysis and Lipper - Equity Fund
Performance Analysis - measure total return and average current yield for
the mutual fund industry and rank individual mutual fund performance over
specified time periods, assuming reinvestment of all distributions,
exclusive of any applicable sales charges.
o CDA Mutual Fund Report, published by CDA Investment Technologies, Inc. -
analyzes price, current yield, risk, total return, and average rate of
return (average annual compounded growth rate) over specified time periods
for the mutual fund industry.
o Mutual Fund Source Book, published by Morningstar, Inc. - analyzes price,
yield, risk, and total return for mutual funds.
o Financial publications: The Wall Street Journal, and Business Week,
Changing Times, Financial World, Forbes, Fortune, and Money magazines -
provide performance statistics over specified time periods.
o Consumer Price Index (or Cost of Living Index), published by the U.S.
Bureau of Labor Statistics - a statistical measure of change, over time, in
the price of goods and services in major expenditure groups.
o Stocks, Bonds, Bills, and Inflation, published by Ibbotson Associates -
historical measure of yield, price, and total return for common and small
company stock, long-term government bonds, Treasury bills, and inflation.
o Savings and Loan Historical Interest Rates - as published in the U.S.
Savings & Loan League Fact Book.
o Historical data supplied by the research departments of CS First Boston
Corporation, the J. P. Morgan companies, Salomon Brothers, Merrill Lynch,
Lehman Brothers and Bloomberg L.P.
o Morningstar - information published by Morningstar, Inc., including
Morningstar proprietary mutual fund ratings. The ratings reflect
Morningstar's assessment of the historical risk-adjusted performance of a
fund over specified time periods relative to other funds within its
category.
From time to time, advertisements or information for the fund may include a
discussion of certain attributes or benefits to be derived from an investment
in the fund. The advertisements or information may include symbols,
headlines, or other material that highlights or summarizes the information
discussed in more detail in the communication.
Advertisements or information also may compare the fund's performance to the
return on certificates of deposit (CDs) or other investments. You should be
aware, however, that an investment in the fund involves the risk of
fluctuation of principal value, a risk generally not present in an investment
in a CD issued by a bank. For example, as the general level of interest rates
rise, the value of the fund's fixed-income investments, if any, as well as
the value of its shares that are based upon the value of such portfolio
investments, can be expected to decrease. Conversely, when interest rates
decrease, the value of the fund's shares can be expected to increase. CDs are
frequently insured by an agency of the U.S. government. An investment in the
fund is not insured by any federal, state or private entity.
In assessing comparisons of performance, you should keep in mind that the
composition of the investments in the reported indices and averages is not
identical to the fund's portfolio, the indices and averages are generally
unmanaged, and the items included in the calculations of the averages may not
be identical to the formula used by the fund to calculate its figures. In
addition, there can be no assurance that the fund will continue its
performance as compared to these other averages.
Miscellaneous Information
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The fund may help you achieve various investment goals such as accumulating
money for retirement, saving for a down payment on a home, college costs and
other long-term goals. The Franklin College Costs Planner may help you in
determining how much money must be invested on a monthly basis in order to
have a projected amount available in the future to fund a child's college
education. (Projected college cost estimates are based upon current costs
published by the College Board.) The Franklin Retirement Planning Guide leads
you through the steps to start a retirement savings program. Of course, an
investment in the fund cannot guarantee that these goals will be met.
The fund is a member of the Franklin Templeton Group of Funds, one of the
largest mutual fund organizations in the U.S., and may be considered in a
program for diversification of assets. Founded in 1947, Franklin is one of
the oldest mutual fund organizations and now services more than 4 million
shareholder accounts. In 1992, Franklin, a leader in managing fixed-income
mutual funds and an innovator in creating domestic equity funds, joined
forces with Templeton, a pioneer in international investing. The Mutual
Series team, known for its value-driven approach to domestic equity
investing, became part of the organization four years later. Together, the
Franklin Templeton Group has over $211 billion in assets under management for
more than 7 million U.S. based mutual fund shareholder and other accounts.
The Franklin Templeton Group of Funds offers 114 U.S. based open-end
investment companies to the public. The fund may identify itself by its
NASDAQ symbol or CUSIP number.
Currently, there are more mutual funds than there are stocks listed on the
New York Stock Exchange. While many of them have similar investment goals, no
two are exactly alike. Shares of the fund are generally sold through
securities dealers, whose investment representatives are experienced
professionals who can offer advice on the type of investments suitable to
your unique goals and needs, as well as the risks associated with such
investments.
The Information Services & Technology division of Franklin Resources, Inc.
(Resources) established a Year 2000 Project Team in 1996. This team has
already begun making necessary software changes to help the computer systems
that service the fund and its shareholders to be Year 2000 compliant. After
completing these modifications, comprehensive tests are conducted in one of
Resources' U.S. test labs to verify their effectiveness. Resources continues
to seek reasonable assurances from all major hardware, software or
data-services suppliers that they will be Year 2000 compliant on a timely
basis. Resources is also beginning to develop a contingency plan, including
identification of those mission critical systems for which it is practical to
develop a contingency plan. However, in an operation as complex and
geographically distributed as Resources' business, the alternatives to use of
normal systems, especially mission critical systems, or supplies of
electricity or long distance voice and data lines are limited.
FRANKLIN STRATEGIC SERIES
FILE NOS. 33-39088 &
811-6243
FORM N-1A
PART C
OTHER INFORMATION
PART C: OTHER INFORMATION
Item 23. Exhibits. The following exhibits are incorporated by reference to
the previously filed document indicated below, except as noted:
(a) Agreement and Declaration of Trust
(i) Agreement and Declaration of Trust of Franklin California 250
Growth Index Fund dated January 22, 1991
Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 14 to Registration
Statement on Form N-1A
File No. 33-39088
Filing Date: June 1, 1995
(ii) Certificate of Trust of Franklin California 250 Growth Index
Fund dated January 22, 1991
Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 14 to Registration
Statement on Form N-1A
File No. 33-39088
Filing Date: June 1, 1995
(iii) Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Trust of
Franklin California 250 Growth Index Fund dated November 19,
1991
Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 14 to Registration
Statement on Form N-1A
File No. 33-39088
Filing Date: June 1, 1995
(iv) Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Trust of
Franklin Strategic Series dated May 14, 1992
Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 14 to Registration
Statement on Form N-1A
File No. 33-39088
Filing Date: June 1, 1995
(v) Certificate of Amendment of Agreement and Declaration of
Trust of Franklin Strategic Series dated April 18, 1995
Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 21 to Registration
Statement on Form N-1A
File No. 33-39088
Filing Date: August 6, 1996
(b) By-laws
(i) Amended and Restated By-Laws of Franklin California 250
Growth Index Fund as of April 25, 1991
Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 14 to Registration
Statement on Form N-1A
File No. 33-39088
Filing Date: June 1, 1995
(ii) Amendment to By-Laws dated October 27, 1994
Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 14 to Registration
Statement on Form N-1A
File No. 33-39088
Filing Date: June 1, 1995
(c) Instruments Defining Rights of Security Holders
Not Applicable
(d) Investment Advisory Contracts
(i) Management Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of
Franklin Global Health Care Fund, Franklin Small Cap Growth
Fund, Franklin Global Utilities Fund, and Franklin Natural
Resources Fund, and Franklin Advisers, Inc., dated February
24, 1992
Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 14 to Registration
Statement on Form N-1A
File No. 33-39088
Filing Date: June 1, 1995
(ii) Management Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of
Franklin Strategic Income Fund, and Franklin Advisers, Inc.,
dated May 24, 1994
Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 14 to Registration
Statement on Form N-1A
File No. 33-39088
Filing Date: June 1, 1995
(iii) Subadvisory Agreement between Franklin Advisers, Inc., on
behalf of the Franklin Strategic Income Fund, and Templeton
Investment Counsel, Inc., dated May 24, 1994
Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 21 to Registration
Statement on Form N-1A
File No. 33-39088
Filing Date: August 6, 1996
(iv) Amended and Restated Management Agreement between the
Registrant, on behalf of Franklin California Growth Fund, and
Franklin Advisers, Inc., dated July 12, 1993
Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 14 to Registration
Statement on Form N-1A
File No. 33-39088
Filing Date: June 1, 1995
(v) Management Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of
Franklin Blue Chip Fund, and Franklin Advisers, Inc., dated
February 13, 1996
Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 18 to Registration
Statement on Form N-1A
File No. 33-39088
Filing Date: March 14, 1996
(vi) Management Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of
Franklin Institutional MidCap Growth Fund (now known as
Franklin MidCap Growth Fund), and Franklin Advisers, Inc.,
dated January 1, 1996
Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 19 to Registration
Statement on Form N-1A
File No. 33-39088
Filing Date: March 27, 1996
(vii) Amendment dated August 1, 1995 to the Management Agreement
between the Registrant, on behalf of Franklin California
Growth Fund, and Franklin Advisers, Inc., dated July 12, 1993
Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 21 to Registration
Statement on Form N-1A
File No. 33-39088
Filing Date: August 6, 1996
(viii)Amendment dated August 1, 1995 to the Management Agreement
between the Registrant, on behalf of Franklin Global Health
Care Fund, Franklin Small Cap Growth Fund, Franklin Global
Utilities Fund, and Franklin Natural Resources Fund, and
Franklin Advisers, Inc., dated February 24, 1992
Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 21 to Registration
Statement on Form N-1A
File No. 33-39088
Filing Date: August 6, 1996
(ix) Amendment dated August 1, 1995 to the Management Agreement
between the Registrant, on behalf of Franklin Strategic
Income Fund, and Franklin Advisers, Inc., dated May 24, 1994
Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 21 to Registration
Statement on Form N-1A
File No. 33-39088
Filing Date: August 6, 1996
(x) Management Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of
Franklin Biotechnology Discovery Fund, and Franklin Advisers,
Inc., dated July 15, 1997
Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 25 to Registration
Statement on Form N-1A
File No. 33-39088
Filing Date: August 22, 1997
(xi) Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant, on
behalf of Franklin U.S. Long Short Fund and Franklin
Advisers, Inc. dated February 18, 1999
Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 31 to Registration
Statement on Form N-1A
File No. 33-39088
Filing Date: March 11, 1999
(xii) Form of Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant,
on behalf of Franklin Large Cap Growth Fund and Franklin
Advisers, Inc.
(e) Underwriting Contracts
(i) Amended and Restated Distribution Agreement between the
Registrant, on behalf of all Series except Franklin Strategic
Income Fund, and Franklin/Templeton Distributors, Inc., dated
April 23, 1995
Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 14 to Registration
Statement on Form N-1A
File No. 33-39088
Filing Date: June 1, 1995
(ii) Amended and Restated Distribution Agreement between the
Registrant, on behalf of Franklin Strategic Income Fund, and
Franklin/Templeton Distributors, Inc., dated March 29, 1995
Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 14 to Registration
Statement on Form N-1A
File No. 33-39088
Filing Date: June 1, 1995
(iii) Forms of Dealer Agreements between Franklin/Templeton
Distributors, Inc. and Securities Dealers dated March 1, 1998
Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 30 to Registration
Statement on Form N-1A
File No. 33-39088
Filing Date: December 23, 1998
(f) Bonus or Profit Sharing Contracts
Not Applicable
(g) Custodian Agreements
(i) Master Custody Agreement between the Registrant and Bank of
New York dated February 16, 1996
Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 19 to Registration
Statement on Form N-1A
File No. 33-39088
Filing Date: March 14, 1996
(ii) Terminal Link Agreement between the Registrant and Bank of
New York dated February 16, 1996
Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 19 to Registration
Statement on Form N-1A
File No. 33-39088
Filing Date: March 14, 1996
(iii) Amendment dated May 7, 1997 to Master Custody Agreement
between Registrant and Bank of New York dated February 16,
1996
Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 27 to Registration
Statement on Form N-1A
File No. 33-39088
Filing Date: March 13, 1998
(iv) Amendment dated February 27, 1998 to Master Custody Agreement
between Registrant and Bank of New York dated February 16,
1996
Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 30 to Registration
Statement on Form N-1A
File No. 33-39088
Filing Date: December 23, 1998
(v) Foreign Custody Manager Agreement between the Registrant and
The Bank of New York dated February 27, 1998
Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 30 to Registration
Statement on Form N-1A
File No. 33-39088
Filing Date: December 23, 1998
(h) Other Material Contracts
(i) Subcontract for Fund Administrative Services dated October 1,
1996 and Amendment thereto dated April 30, 1998 between
Franklin Advisers, Inc. and Franklin Templeton Services, Inc.
Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 30 to Registration
Statement on Form N-1A
File No. 33-39088
Filing Date: December 23, 1998
(ii) Administration Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of
Franklin Biotechnology Discovery Fund, and Franklin Templeton
Services, Inc., dated July 15, 1997
Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 25 to Registration
Statement on Form N-1A
File No. 33-39088
Filing Date: August 22, 1997
(iii) Fund Administration Agreement between the Registrant, on
behalf of Franklin U.S. Long Short Fund, and Franklin
Templeton Services, Inc. dated February 18, 1999
Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 31 to Registration
Statement on Form N-1A
File No. 33-39088
Filing Date: March 11, 1999
(iv) Form of Fund Administration Agreement between the Registrant,
on behalf of Franklin Large Cap Growth Fund, and Franklin
Templeton Services, Inc.
(i) Legal Opinion
(i) Opinion and consent of counsel dated March 8, 1999
Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 31 to Registration
Statement on Form N-1A
File No. 33-39088
Filing Date: March 11, 1999
(j) Other Opinions
Not Applicable
(k) Omitted Financial Statements
Not Applicable
(l) Initial Capital Agreements
(i) Letter of Understanding for Franklin California Growth Fund
dated August 20, 1991
Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 14 to Registration
Statement on Form N-1A
File No. 33-39088
Filing Date: June 1, 1995
(ii) Letter of Understanding for Franklin Global Utilities Fund -
Class II dated April 12, 1995
Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 14 to Registration
Statement on Form N-1A
File No. 33-39088
Filing Date: June 1, 1995
(iii) Letter of Understanding for Franklin Natural Resources Fund
dated June 5, 1995
Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 17 to Registration
Statement on Form N-1A
File No. 33-39088
Filing Date: December 5, 1995
(iv) Letter of Understanding for Franklin California Growth
Fund-Class II dated August 30, 1996
Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 27 to Registration
Statement on Form N-1A
File No. 33-39088
Filing Date: March 13, 1998
(v) Letter of Understanding for Franklin Global Health Care Fund
dated August 30, 1996
Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 27 to Registration
Statement on Form N-1A
File No. 33-39088
Filing Date: March 13, 1998
(vi) Letter of Understanding for Franklin Blue Chip Fund dated May
24, 1996
Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 27 to Registration
Statement on Form N-1A
File No. 33-39088
Filing Date: March 13, 1998
(vii) Letter of Understanding for Franklin Biotechnology Discovery
Fund dated September 5, 1997
Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 27 to Registration
Statement on Form N-1A
File No. 33-39088
Filing Date: March 13, 1998
(viii)Letter of Understanding for Franklin U.S. Long Short Fund
[To be supplied by amendment]
(ix) Letter of Understanding for Franklin Large Cap Growth Fund
[To be supplied by amendment]
(m) Rule 12b-1 Plan
(i) Amended and Restated Distribution Plan between the
Registrant, on behalf of Franklin California Growth Fund,
Franklin Small Cap Growth Fund, Franklin Global Health Care
Fund and Franklin Global Utilities Fund, and
Franklin/Templeton Distributors, Inc., dated July 1, 1993
Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 14 to Registration
Statement on Form N-1A
File No. 33-39088
Filing Date: June 1, 1995
(ii) Distribution Plan between the Registrant, on behalf of
Franklin Global Utilities Fund - Class II, and
Franklin/Templeton Distributors, Inc., dated March 30, 1995
Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 14 to Registration
Statement on Form N-1A
File No. 33-39088
Filing Date: June 1, 1995
(iii) Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 between the
Registrant, on behalf of the Franklin Strategic Income Fund,
and Franklin/Templeton Distributors, Inc., dated May 24, 1994
Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 14 to Registration
Statement on Form N-1A
File No. 33-39088
Filing Date: June 1, 1995
(iv) Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 between the
Registrant, on behalf of the Franklin Natural Resources Fund,
and Franklin/Templeton Distributors, Inc., dated June 1, 1995
Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 14 to Registration
Statement on Form N-1A
File No. 33-39088
Filing Date: June 1, 1995
(v) Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 between the
Registrant, on behalf of the Franklin MidCap Growth Fund, and
Franklin/Templeton Distributors, Inc., dated June 1, 1996
Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 21 to Registration
Statement on Form N-1A
File No. 33-39088
Filing Date: August 7, 1996
(vi) Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 between the
Registrant, on behalf of the Franklin Blue Chip Fund, and
Franklin/Templeton Distributors, Inc., dated May 28, 1996
Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 21 to Registration
Statement on Form N-1A
File No. 33-39088
Filing Date: August 7, 1996
(vii) Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 between the
Registrant, on behalf of Franklin Small Cap Growth Fund -
Class II, and Franklin/Templeton Distributors, Inc., dated
September 29, 1995
Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 21 to Registration
Statement on Form N-1A
File No. 33-39088
Filing Date: August 7, 1996
(viii)Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 between the
Registrant, on behalf of Franklin Biotechnology Discovery
Fund and Franklin/Templeton Distributors, Inc., dated
September 15, 1997
Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 27 to Registration
Statement on Form N-1A
File No. 33-39088
Filing Date: March 13, 1998
(ix) Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 between the
Registrant, on behalf of Franklin California Growth Fund -
Class II and Franklin Global Health Care Fund - Class II, and
Franklin/Templeton Distributors, Inc., dated September 3, 1996
Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 26 to Registration
Statement on Form N-1A
File No. 33-39088
Filing Date: August 29, 1997
(x) Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 between Registrant,
on behalf of Franklin Strategic Income Fund - Class II, and
Franklin/Templeton Distributors, Inc. dated February 26, 1998
Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 28 to Registration
Statement on Form N-1A
File No. 33-39088
Filing date: April 21, 1998
(xi) Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 between the
Registrant, on behalf of Franklin California Growth Fund -
Class B, and Franklin/Templeton Distributors, Inc. dated
October 16, 1998
(xii) Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 between the
Registrant, on behalf of Franklin Global Health Care Fund -
Class B, and Franklin/Templeton Distributors, Inc. dated
October 16, 1998
(xiii)Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 between the
Registrant, on behalf of Franklin Global Utilities Fund -
Class B, and Franklin/Templeton Distributors, Inc. dated
October 16, 1998
(xiv) Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 between the
Registrant, on behalf of Franklin Strategic Income Fund -
Class B, and Franklin/Templeton Distributors, Inc. dated
October 16, 1998
(xv) Form of Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 between the
Registrant, on behalf of Franklin U.S. Long Short Fund, and
Franklin Templeton Distributors, Inc.
[To be supplied by amendment]
(xvi) Form of Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 between the
Registrant, on behalf of Franklin Large Cap Growth Fund, and
Franklin Templeton Distributors, Inc.
[To be supplied by amendment]
(o) Rule 18f-3 Plan
(i) Multiple Class Plan for Franklin Global Utilities Fund dated
April 16, 1998
(ii) Multiple Class Plan for Franklin California Growth Fund dated
April 16, 1998
(iii) Multiple Class Plan for Franklin Global Health Care Fund
dated April 16, 1998
(iv) Multiple Class Plan for Franklin Small Cap Growth Fund dated
June 18, 1996
Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 24 to Registration
Statement on Form N-1A
File No. 33-39088
Filing Date: December 11, 1996
(v) Multiple Class Plan for Franklin Natural Resources Fund dated
June 18, 1996
Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 24 to Registration
Statement on Form N-1A
File No. 33-39088
Filing Date: December 11, 1996
(vi) Multiple Class Plan for Franklin Strategic Income Fund dated
February 18, 1999
(vii) Form of Multiple Class Plan for Franklin Large Cap Growth Fund
(p) Power of Attorney
(i) Power of Attorney for Franklin Strategic Series dated April
16, 1998
Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 28 to Registration
Statement on Form N-1A
File No. 33-39088
Filing date: April 21, 1998
(ii) Certificate of Secretary for Franklin Strategic Series dated
April 16, 1998
Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 28 to Registration
Statement on Form N-1A
File No. 33-39088
Filing date: April 21, 1998
(27) Financial Data Schedule
Not Applicable
Item 24. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with the Fund
None
Item 25. Indemnification
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of
1933 may be permitted to trustees, officers and controlling persons of the
Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant
has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission
such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is,
therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against
such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred
or paid by a trustee, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
trustee, officer or controlling person in connection with securities being
registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a Court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification is against public policy
as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such
issue.
Item 26. Business and Other Connections of the Investment Adviser
a) Franklin Advisers, Inc.
The officers and directors of the Registrant's manager Franklin Advisers, Inc.
("Advisers") also serve as officers and/or directors for (1) Advisers' corporate
parent, Franklin Resources, Inc., and/or (2) other investment companies in the
Franklin Templeton Group of Funds. In addition, Mr. Charles B. Johnson was
formerly a director of General Host Corporation. For additional information
please see Part B and Schedules A and D of Form ADV of Advisers (SEC File
801-26292) incorporated herein by reference, which sets forth the officers and
directors of Advisers and information as to any business, profession, vocation
or employment of a substantial nature engaged in by those officers and directors
during the past two years.
b) Templeton Investment Counsel, Inc.
Templeton Investment Counsel, Inc. ("TICI"), an indirect, wholly owned
subsidiary of Franklin Resources, Inc., serves as the Franklin Strategic Income
Fund's Sub-adviser, furnishing to Franklin Advisers, Inc. in that capacity,
portfolio management services and investment research. For additional
information please see Part B and Schedules A and D of Form ADV of the Franklin
Strategic Income Fund's Sub-adviser (SEC File 801-15125), incorporated herein by
reference, which sets forth the officers and directors of the Sub-adviser and
information as to any business, profession, vocation or employment of a
substantial nature engaged in by those officers and directors during the past
two years.
Item 27. Principal Underwriters
a) Franklin/Templeton Distributors, Inc., ("Distributors") also acts as
principal underwriter of shares of:
Franklin Asset Allocation Fund
Franklin California Tax-Free Income Fund, Inc.
Franklin California Tax-Free Trust
Franklin Custodian Funds, Inc.
Franklin Equity Fund
Franklin Federal Money Fund
Franklin Federal Tax-Free Income Fund
Franklin Floating Rate Trust
Franklin Gold Fund
Franklin High Income Trust
Franklin Investors Securities Trust
Franklin Managed Trust
Franklin Money Fund
Franklin Mutual Series Fund Inc.
Franklin Municipal Securities Trust
Franklin New York Tax-Free Income Fund
Franklin New York Tax-Free Trust
Franklin Real Estate Securities Trust
Franklin Strategic Mortgage Portfolio
Franklin Tax-Exempt Money Fund
Franklin Tax-Free Trust
Franklin Templeton Fund Allocator Series
Franklin Templeton Global Trust
Franklin Templeton International Trust
Franklin Templeton Money Fund Trust
Franklin Value Investors Trust
Franklin Valuemark Funds
Institutional Fiduciary Trust
Templeton American Trust, Inc.
Templeton Capital Accumulator Fund, Inc.
Templeton Developing Markets Trust
Templeton Funds, Inc.
Templeton Global Investment Trust
Templeton Global Opportunities Trust
Templeton Global Real Estate Fund
Templeton Global Smaller Companies Fund, Inc.
Templeton Growth Fund, Inc.
Templeton Income Trust
Templeton Institutional Funds, Inc.
Templeton Variable Products Series Fund
b) The information required by this Item 29 with respect to each director and
officer of Distributors is incorporated by reference to Part B of this N-1A and
Schedule A of Form BD filed by Distributors with the Securities and Exchange
Commission pursuant to the Securities Act of 1934 (SEC File No. 8-5889)
c) Not Applicable. Registrant's principal underwriter is an affiliated person of
an affiliated person of the Registrant.
Item 28. Location of Accounts and Records
The accounts, books or other documents required to be maintained by Section
31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 are kept by the Registrant or its
shareholder services agent, Franklin/Templeton Investor Services, Inc., both of
whose address is 777 Mariners Island Blvd., San Mateo, CA 94404.
Item 29. Management Services
There are no management-related service contracts not discussed in Part A or
Part B.
Item 30. Undertakings
Not Applicable
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment
Company Act of 1940, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement
to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized in the
City of San Mateo and the State of California, on the 24th day of March, 1999.
Franklin Strategic Series
(Registrant)
By: Rupert H. Johnson, Jr.
Rupert H. Johnson, Jr.
President
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration
Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and
on the dates indicated:
Rupert H. Johnson, Jr.* Principal Executive Officer
Rupert H. Johnson, Jr. and Trustee
Dated: March 24, 1999
Martin L. Flanagan* Principal Financial Officer
Martin L. Flanagan Dated: March 24, 1999
Diomedes Loo-Tam* Principal Accounting Officer
Diomedes Loo-Tam Dated: March 24, 1999
Frank H. Abbott, III* Trustee
Frank H. Abbott, III Dated: March 24, 1999
Harris J. Ashton* Trustee
Harris J. Ashton Dated: March 24, 1999
Harmon E. Burns* Trustee
Harmon E. Burns Dated: March 24, 1999
S. Joseph Fortunato* Trustee
S. Joseph Fortunato Dated: March 24, 1999
Edith E. Holiday* Trustee
Edith E. Holiday Dated: March 24, 1999
Charles B. Johnson* Trustee
Charles B. Johnson Dated: March 24, 1999
Frank W.T. LaHaye* Trustee
Frank W.T. LaHaye Dated: March 24, 1999
Gordon S. Macklin* Trustee
Gordon S. Macklin Dated: March 24, 1999
*By /s/ Karen L. Skidmore
Attorney-in-Fact
(Pursuant to Power of Attorney previously filed)
FRANKLIN STRATEGIC SERIES
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
EXHIBITS INDEX
EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION LOCATION
EX-99.(a)(i) Agreement and Declaration of Trust *
of Franklin California 250 Growth
Index Fund dated January 22, 1991
EX-99.(a)(ii) Certificate of Trust of Franklin *
California 250 Growth Index Fund
dated January 22, 1991
EX-99.(a)(iii) Certificate of Amendment to the *
Certificate of Trust of Franklin
California 250 Growth Index Fund
dated November 19, 1991
EX-99.(a)(iv) Certificate of Amendment to the *
Certificate of Trust of Franklin
Strategic Series dated May 14,
1992
EX-99.(a)(v) Certificate of Amendment of *
Agreement and Declaration of Trust
of Franklin Strategic Series dated
April 18, 1995
EX-99.(b)(i) Amended and Restated By-Laws of *
Franklin California 250 Growth
Index Fund as of April 25, 1991
EX-99.(b)(ii) Amendment to By-Laws dated October *
27, 1994
EX-99.(d)(i) Management Agreement between the *
Registrant, on behalf of Franklin
Global Health Care Fund, Franklin
Small Cap Growth Fund, Franklin
Global Utilities Fund, and
Franklin Natural Resources Fund,
and Franklin Advisers, Inc., dated
February 24, 1992
EX-99.(d)(ii) Management Agreement between the *
Registrant, on behalf of Franklin
Strategic Income Fund, and
Franklin Advisers, Inc., dated May
24, 1994
EX-99.(d)(iii) Subadvisory Agreement between *
Franklin Advisers, Inc., on behalf
of the Franklin Strategic Income
Fund, and Templeton Investment
Counsel, Inc., dated May 24, 1994
EX-99.(d)(iv) Amended and Restated Management *
Agreement between the Registrant,
on behalf of Franklin California
Growth Fund, and Franklin
Advisers, Inc., dated July 12, 1993
EX-99.(d)(v) Management Agreement between the *
Registrant, on behalf of Franklin
Blue Chip Fund, and Franklin
Advisers, Inc., dated February 13,
1996
EX-99.(d)(vi) Management Agreement between the *
Registrant, on behalf of Franklin
Institutional MidCap Growth Fund
(now known as Franklin MidCap
Growth Fund), and Franklin
Advisers, Inc., dated January 1,
1996
EX-99.(d)(vii) Amendment dated August 1, 1995 to *
the Management Agreement between
the Registrant, on behalf of
Franklin California Growth Fund,
and Franklin Advisers, Inc., dated
July 12, 1993
EX-99.(d)(viii) Amendment dated August 1, 1995 to *
the Management Agreement between
the Registrant, on behalf of
Franklin Global Health Care Fund,
and Franklin Small Cap Growth
Fund, Franklin Global Utilities
Fund, and Franklin Natural
Resources Fund, and Franklin
Advisers, Inc., dated February 24,
1992
EX-99.(d)(ix) Amendment dated August 1, 1995 to *
the Management Agreement between
the Registrant on behalf of
Franklin Strategic Income Fund,
and Franklin Advisers, Inc., dated
May 24, 1994
EX-99.(d)(x) Management Agreement between the *
Registrant, on behalf of Franklin
Biotechnology Discovery Fund, and
Franklin Advisers, Inc., dated
July 15, 1997
EX-99.(d)(xi) Investment Advisory Agreement *
between the Registrant, on behalf
of Franklin U.S. Long Short Fund,
and Franklin Advisers, Inc. dated
February 18, 1999
EX-99.(d)(xii) Form of Investment Advisory Attached
Agreement between the Registrant,
on behalf of Franklin Large Cap
Growth Fund, and Franklin
Advisers, Inc.
EX-99.(e)(i) Amended and Restated Distribution *
Agreement between the Registrant,
on behalf of all Series except
Franklin Strategic Income Fund,
and Franklin/Templeton
Distributors, Inc., dated April
23, 1995
EX-99.(e)(ii) Amended and Restated Distribution *
Agreement between the Registrant,
on behalf of Franklin Strategic
Income Fund, and
Franklin/Templeton Distributors,
Inc., dated March 29, 1995
EX-99.(e)(iii) Forms of Dealer Agreements between *
Franklin/Templeton Distributors,
Inc., and Securities Dealers dated
March 1, 1998
EX-99.(g)(i) Master Custody Agreement between *
the Registrant and Bank of New
York dated February 16, 1996
EX-99.(g)(ii) Terminal Link Agreement between *
the Registrant and Bank of New
York dated February 16, 1996
EX-99.(g)(iii) Amendment dated May 7, 1997 to *
Master Custody Agreement between
Registrant and Bank of New York
dated February 16, 1996
EX-99.(g)(iv) Amendment dated February 27, 1998 *
to Master Custody Agreement
between Registrant and Bank of New
York dated February 16, 1996
EX-99.(g)(v) Foreign Custody Manager Agreement *
between the Registrant and The
Bank of New York dated February
27, 1998
EX-99.(h)(i) Subcontract for Fund *
Administrative Services dated
October 1, 1996 and Amendment
thereto dated April 30, 1998
between Franklin Advisers, Inc.
and Franklin Templeton Services,
Inc.
EX-99.(h)(ii) Administration Agreement between *
the Registrant, on behalf of
Franklin Biotechnology Discovery
Fund, and Franklin Templeton
Services, Inc., dated July 15,
1997
EX-99.(h)(iii) Fund Administration Agreement *
between the Registrant, on behalf
of Franklin U.S. Long Short Fund,
and Franklin Templeton Services,
Inc. dated February 18, 1999
EX-99.(h)(iv) Form of Fund Administration Attached
Agreement between the Registrant,
on behalf of Franklin Large Cap
Growth Fund, and Franklin
Templeton Services, Inc.
EX-99.(i)(i) Opinion and consent of counsel *
dated March 8, 1999
EX-99.(l)(i) Letter of Understanding for *
California Growth Fund dated
August 20, 1991
EX-99.(l)(ii) Letter of Understanding for *
Franklin Global Utilities Fund
dated April 12, 1995
EX-99.(l)(iii) Letter of Understanding for *
Franklin Natural Resources Fund
dated June 5, 1995
EX-99.(l)(iv) Letter of Understanding for *
Franklin California Growth Fund
dated August 30, 1996
EX-99.(l)(v) Letter of Understanding for *
Franklin Global Health Care Fund
dated August 30, 1996
EX-99.(l)(vi) Letter of Understanding for *
Franklin Blue Chip Fund dated May
24, 1996
EX-99.(l)(vii) Letter of Understanding for *
Franklin Biotechnology Discovery
Fund dated September 5, 1997
EX-99.(l)(viii) Letter of Understanding for **
Franklin U.S. Long Short Fund
EX-99.(l)(ix) Letter of Understanding for **
Franklin Large Cap Growth Fund
EX-99.(m)(i) Amended and Restated Distribution *
Plan between the Registrant, on
behalf of Franklin California
Growth Fund, Franklin Small Cap
Growth Fund, Franklin Global
Health Care Fund and Franklin
Global Utilities Fund, and
Franklin/Templeton Distributors,
Inc., dated July 1, 1993
EX-99.(m)(ii) Distribution Plan between the *
Registrant, on behalf of Franklin
Global Utilities Fund - Class II,
and Franklin/Templeton
Distributors, Inc., dated March
30, 1995
EX-99.(m)(iii) Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule *
12b-1 between the Registrant, on
behalf of Franklin Strategic
Income Fund, and
Franklin/Templeton Distributors,
Inc., dated May 24, 1994
EX-99.(m)(iv) Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule *
12b-1 between the Registrant, on
behalf of the Franklin Natural
Resources Fund, and
Franklin/Templeton Distributors,
Inc., dated June 1, 1995
EX-99.(m)(v) Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule *
12b-1 between the Registrant, on
behalf of the Franklin MidCap
Growth Fund, and
Franklin/Templeton Distributors,
Inc., dated June 1, 1996
EX-99.(m)(vi) Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule *
12b-1 between the Registrant, on
behalf of the Franklin Blue Chip
Fund, and Franklin/Templeton
Distributors, Inc., dated May 28,
1996
EX-99.(m)(vii) Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule *
12b-1 between the Registrant, on
behalf of Franklin Small Cap
Growth Fund - Class II, and
Franklin/Templeton Distributors,
Inc., dated September 29, 1995
EX-99.(m)(viii) Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule *
12b-1 between the Registrant, on
behalf of Franklin Biotechnology
Discovery Fund, and
Franklin/Templeton Distributors,
Inc., dated September 15, 1997
EX-99.(m)(ix) Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule *
12b-1 between the Registrant, on
behalf of Franklin California
Growth Fund - Class II, and
Franklin Global Health Care Fund -
Class II, and Franklin/Templeton
Distributors, Inc., dated
September 3, 1996
EX-99.(m)(x) Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule *
12b-1 between Registrant on behalf
of Franklin Strategic Income Fund
- Class II, and Franklin/Templeton
Distributors, Inc. dated February
26, 1998
EX-99.(m)(xi) Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule Attached
12b-1 between the Registrant, on
behalf of California Growth Fund -
Class B, and Franklin/Templeton
Distributors, Inc. dated October
16, 1998
EX-99.(m)(xii) Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule Attached
12b-1 between the Registrant, on
behalf of Franklin Global Health
Care Fund - Class B, and
Franklin/Templeton Distributors,
Inc. dated October 16, 1998
EX-99.(m)(xiii) Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule Attached
12b-1 between the Registrant, on
behalf of Franklin Global
Utilities Fund - Class B, and
Franklin/Templeton Distributors,
Inc. dated October 16, 1998
EX-99.(m)(xiv) Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule Attached
12b-1 between the Registrant, on
behalf of Franklin Strategic
Income Fund - Class B, and
Franklin/Templeton Distributors,
Inc. dated October 16, 1998
EX-99.(m)(xv) Form of Distribution Plan pursuant **
to Rule 12b-1 between the
Registrant, on behalf of Franklin
U.S. Long Short Fund and
Franklin/Templeton Distributors,
Inc.
EX-99.(m)(xvi) Form of Distribution Plan pursuant **
to Rule 12b-1 between the
Registrant, on behalf of Franklin
Large Cap Growth Fund and
Franklin/Templeton Distributors,
Inc.
EX-99.(o)(i) Multiple Class Plan for Franklin Attached
Global Utilities Fund dated April
16, 1998
EX-99.(o)(ii) Multiple Class Plan for Franklin Attached
California Growth Fund dated April
16, 1998
EX-99.(o)(iii) Multiple Class Plan for Franklin Attached
Global Health Care Fund dated
April 16, 1998
EX-99.(o)(iv) Multiple Class Plan for Franklin *
Small Cap Growth Fund dated June
18, 1996
EX-99.(o)(v) Multiple Class Plan for Franklin *
Natural Resources Fund dated June
18, 1996
EX-99.(o)(vi) Multiple Class Plan for Franklin Attached
Strategic Income Fund dated
February 18, 1999
EX-99.(o)(vii) Form of Multiple Class Plan for Attached
Franklin Large Cap Growth Fund
EX-99.(p)(i) Power of Attorney for Franklin *
Strategic Series dated April 16,
1998
EX-99.(p)(ii) Certificate of Secretary for *
Franklin Strategic Series dated
April 16, 1998
* Incorporated by reference
** To be supplied by Amendment
FRANKLIN STRATEGIC SERIES
on behalf of
FRANKLIN LARGE CAP GROWTH FUND
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
THIS INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT made between FRANKLIN STRATEGIC
SERIES a Delaware business trust (the "Trust"), on behalf of FRANKLIN LARGE
CAP GROWTH FUND (the "Fund"), a series of the Trust, and FRANKLIN ADVISERS,
INC., a California corporation, (the "Adviser").
WHEREAS, the Trust has been organized and intends to operate as an
investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the
"1940 Act") for the purpose of investing and reinvesting its assets in
securities, as set forth in its Agreement and Declaration of Trust, its
By-Laws and its Registration Statements under the 1940 Act and the Securities
Act of 1933, all as heretofore and hereafter amended and supplemented; and
the Trust desires to avail itself of the services, information, advice,
assistance and facilities of an investment adviser and to have an investment
adviser perform various management, statistical, research, investment
advisory and other services for the Fund; and,
WHEREAS, the Adviser is registered as an investment adviser under the
Investment Advisers Act of 1940, is engaged in the business of rendering
investment advisory, counseling and supervisory services to investment
companies and other investment counseling clients, and desires to provide
these services to the Fund.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the terms and conditions hereinafter
set forth, it is mutually agreed as follows:
1. Employment of the Adviser. The Trust hereby employs the Adviser to
manage the investment and reinvestment of the Fund's assets and to administer
its affairs, subject to the direction of the Board of Trustees and the
officers of the Trust, for the period and on the terms hereinafter set
forth. The Adviser hereby accepts such employment and agrees during such
period to render the services and to assume the obligations herein set forth
for the compensation herein provided. The Adviser shall for all purposes
herein be deemed to be an independent contractor and shall, except as
expressly provided or authorized (whether herein or otherwise), have no
authority to act for or represent the Fund or the Trust in any way or
otherwise be deemed an agent of the Fund or the Trust.
2. Obligations of and Services to be Provided by the Adviser. The
Adviser undertakes to provide the services hereinafter set forth and to
assume the following obligations:
A. Investment Advisory Services.
(a) The Adviser shall manage the Fund's assets subject to
and in accordance with the investment objectives and policies of the Fund and
any directions which the Trust's Board of Trustees may issue from time to
time. In pursuance of the foregoing, the Adviser shall make all
determinations with respect to the investment of the Fund's assets and the
purchase and sale of its investment securities, and shall take such steps as
may be necessary to implement the same. Such determinations and services
shall include determining the manner in which any voting rights, rights to
consent to corporate action and any other rights pertaining to the Fund's
investment securities shall be exercised. The Adviser shall render or cause
to be rendered regular reports to the Trust, at regular meetings of its Board
of Trustees and at such other times as may be reasonably requested by the
Trust's Board of Trustees, of (i) the decisions made with respect to the
investment of the Fund's assets and the purchase and sale of its investment
securities, (ii) the reasons for such decisions and (iii) the extent to which
those decisions have been implemented.
(b) The Adviser, subject to and in accordance with any
directions which the Trust's Board of Trustees may issue from time to time,
shall place, in the name of the Fund, orders for the execution of the Fund's
securities transactions. When placing such orders, the Adviser shall seek to
obtain the best net price and execution for the Fund, but this requirement
shall not be deemed to obligate the Adviser to place any order solely on the
basis of obtaining the lowest commission rate if the other standards set
forth in this section have been satisfied. The parties recognize that there
are likely to be many cases in which different brokers are equally able to
provide such best price and execution and that, in selecting among such
brokers with respect to particular trades, it is desirable to choose those
brokers who furnish research, statistical, quotations and other information
to the Fund and the Adviser in accordance with the standards set forth
below. Moreover, to the extent that it continues to be lawful to do so and
so long as the Board of Trustees determines that the Fund will benefit,
directly or indirectly, by doing so, the Adviser may place orders with a
broker who charges a commission for that transaction which is in excess of
the amount of commission that another broker would have charged for effecting
that transaction, provided that the excess commission is reasonable in
relation to the value of "brokerage and research services" (as defined in
Section 28(e) (3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) provided by that
broker.
Accordingly, the Trust and the Adviser agree that the Adviser
shall select brokers for the execution of the Fund's transactions from among:
(i) Those brokers and dealers who provide quotations and
other services to the Fund, specifically including the
quotations necessary to determine the Fund's net assets, in
such amount of total brokerage as may reasonably be required
in light of such services; and
(ii) Those brokers and dealers who supply research,
statistical and other data to the Adviser or its affiliates
which the Adviser or its affiliates may lawfully and
appropriately use in their investment advisory capacities,
which relate directly to securities, actual or potential, of
the Fund, or which place the Adviser in a better position to
make decisions in connection with the management of the
Fund's assets and securities, whether or not such data may
also be useful to the Adviser and its affiliates in managing
other portfolios or advising other clients, in such amount of
total brokerage as may reasonably be required. Provided that
the Trust's officers are satisfied that the best execution is
obtained, the sale of shares of the Fund may also be
considered as a factor in the selection of broker-dealers to
execute the Fund's portfolio transactions.
(c) When the Adviser has determined that the Fund should
tender securities pursuant to a "tender offer solicitation,"
Franklin/Templeton Distributors, Inc. ("Distributors") shall be designated as
the "tendering dealer" so long as it is legally permitted to act in such
capacity under the federal securities laws and rules thereunder and the rules
of any securities exchange or association of which Distributors may be a
member. Neither the Adviser nor Distributors shall be obligated to make any
additional commitments of capital, expense or personnel beyond that already
committed (other than normal periodic fees or payments necessary to maintain
its corporate existence and membership in the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc.) as of the date of this Agreement. This Agreement
shall not obligate the Adviser or Distributors (i) to act pursuant to the
foregoing requirement under any circumstances in which they might reasonably
believe that liability might be imposed upon them as a result of so acting,
or (ii) to institute legal or other proceedings to collect fees which may be
considered to be due from others to it as a result of such a tender, unless
the Trust on behalf of the Fund shall enter into an agreement with the
Adviser and/or Distributors to reimburse them for all such expenses connected
with attempting to collect such fees, including legal fees and expenses and
that portion of the compensation due to their employees which is attributable
to the time involved in attempting to collect such fees.
(d) The Adviser shall render regular reports to the Trust,
not more frequently than quarterly, of how much total brokerage business has
been placed by the Adviser, on behalf of the Fund, with brokers falling into
each of the categories referred to above and the manner in which the
allocation has been accomplished.
(e) The Adviser agrees that no investment decision will be
made or influenced by a desire to provide brokerage for allocation in
accordance with the foregoing, and that the right to make such allocation of
brokerage shall not interfere with the Adviser's paramount duty to obtain the
best net price and execution for the Fund.
(f) Decisions on proxy voting shall be made by the Adviser
unless the Board of Trustees determines otherwise. Pursuant to its
authority, Adviser shall have the power to vote, either in person or by
proxy, all securities in which the Fund may be invested from time to time,
and shall not be required to seek or take instructions from the Fund with
respect thereto. Adviser shall not be expected or required to take any
action other than the rendering of investment-related advice with respect to
lawsuits involving securities presently or formerly held in the Fund, or the
issuers thereof, including actions involving bankruptcy. Should Adviser
undertake litigation against an issuer on behalf of the Fund, the Fund agrees
to pay its portion of any applicable legal fees associated with the action or
to forfeit any claim to any assets Adviser may recover and, in such case,
agrees to hold Adviser harmless for excluding the Fund from such action. In
the case of class action suits involving issuers held in the Fund, Adviser
may include information about the Fund for purposes of participating in any
settlements.
B. Provision of Information Necessary for Preparation of Securities
Registration Statements, Amendments and Other Materials. The Adviser, its
officers and employees will make available and provide accounting and
statistical information required by the Fund in the preparation of registration
statements, reports and other documents required by federal and state securities
laws and with such information as the Fund may reasonably request for use in the
preparation of such documents or of other materials necessary or helpful for
the underwriting and distribution of the Fund's shares.
C. Other Obligations and Services. The Adviser shall make its
officers and employees available to the Board of Trustees and officers of the
Trust for consultation and discussions regarding the administration and
management of the Fund and its investment activities.
3. Expenses of the Fund. It is understood that the Fund will pay all of
its own expenses other than those expressly assumed by the Adviser herein, which
expenses payable by the Fund shall include:
A. Fees and expenses paid to the Adviser as provided herein;
B. Expenses of all audits by independent public accountants;
C. Expenses of transfer agent, registrar, custodian, dividend
disbursing agent and shareholder record-keeping services, including the expenses
of issue, repurchase or redemption of its shares;
D. Expenses of obtaining quotations for calculating the value of
the Fund's net assets;
E. Salaries and other compensations of executive officers of the
Trust who are not officers, directors, stockholders or employees of the Adviser
or its affiliates;
F. Taxes levied against the Fund;
G. Brokerage fees and commissions in connection with the purchase
and sale of securities for the Fund;
H. Costs, including the interest expense, of borrowing money;
I. Costs incident to meetings of the Board of Trustees and
shareholders of the Fund, reports to the Fund's shareholders, the filing of
reports with regulatory bodies and the maintenance of the Fund's and the
Trust's legal existence;
J. Legal fees, including the legal fees related to the
registration and continued qualification of the Fund's shares for sale;
K. Trustees' fees and expenses to trustees who are not
directors, officers, employees or stockholders of the Adviser or any of its
affiliates;
L. Costs and expense of registering and maintaining the
registration of the Fund and its shares under federal and any applicable
state laws; including the printing and mailing of prospectuses to its
shareholders;
M. Trade association dues;
N. The Fund's pro rata portion of fidelity bond, errors and
omissions, and trustees and officer liability insurance premiums; and
O. The Fund's portion of the cost of any proxy voting service
used on its behalf.
4. Compensation of the Adviser. The Fund shall pay an advisory fee in
cash to the Adviser based upon a percentage of the value of the Fund's net
assets, calculated as set forth below, as compensation for the services
rendered and obligations assumed by the Adviser, during the preceding month,
on the first business day of the month in each year.
A. For purposes of calculating such fee, the value of the net
assets of the Fund shall be determined in the same manner as that Fund uses
to compute the value of its net assets in connection with the determination
of the net asset value of its shares, all as set forth more fully in the
Fund's current prospectus and statement of additional information. The rate
of the management fee payable by the Fund shall be calculated daily at the
following annual rates:
0.500% of the value of its net assets up to and including
$500,000,000; and
0.400% of the value of its net assets over $500,000,000 up to
and including $1,000,000,000; and
0.350% of the value of its net assets over $1,000,000,000 up
to and including $1,500,000,000; and
0.300% of the value of its net assets over $1,500,000,000 up
to and including $6,500,000,000; and
0.275% of the value of its net assets over $6,500,000,000 up
to and including $11,500,000,000; and
0.250% of the value of its net assets over $11,500,000,000 up
to and including $16,500,000,000; and
0.240% of the value of its net assets over $16,500,000,000 up
to and including $19,000,000,000; and
0.230% of the value of its net assets over $19,000,000,000 up
to and including $21,500,000,000; and
0.220% of the value of its net assets over $21,500,000,000.
B. The advisory fee payable by the Fund shall be reduced or
eliminated to the extent that Distributors has actually received cash
payments of tender offer solicitation fees less certain costs and expenses
incurred in connection therewith and to the extent necessary to comply with
the limitations on expenses which may be borne by the Fund as set forth in
the laws, regulations and administrative interpretations of those states in
which the Fund's shares are registered. The Adviser may waive all or a
portion of its fees provided for hereunder and such waiver shall be treated
as a reduction in purchase price of its services. The Adviser shall be
contractually bound hereunder by the terms of any publicly announced waiver
of its fee, or any limitation of the Fund's expenses, as if such waiver or
limitation were full set forth herein.
C. If this Agreement is terminated prior to the end of any
month, the accrued advisory fee shall be paid to the date of termination.
5. Activities of the Adviser. The services of the Adviser to the Fund
hereunder are not to be deemed exclusive, and the Adviser and any of its
affiliates shall be free to render similar services to others. Subject to
and in accordance with the Agreement and Declaration of Trust and By-Laws of
the Trust and Section 10(a) of the 1940 Act, it is understood that trustees,
officers, agents and shareholders of the Trust are or may be interested in
the Adviser or its affiliates as directors, officers, agents or stockholders;
that directors, officers, agents or stockholders of the Adviser or its
affiliates are or may be interested in the Trust as trustees, officers,
agents, shareholders or otherwise; that the Adviser or its affiliates may be
interested in the Fund as shareholders or otherwise; and that the effect of
any such interests shall be governed by said Agreement and Declaration of
Trust, By-Laws and the 1940 Act.
6. Liabilities of the Adviser.
A. In the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross
negligence, or reckless disregard of obligations or duties hereunder on the
part of the Adviser, the Adviser shall not be subject to liability to the
Trust or the Fund or to any shareholder of the Fund for any act or omission
in the course of, or connected with, rendering services hereunder or for any
losses that may be sustained in the purchase, holding or sale of any security
by the Fund.
B. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Adviser agrees to
reimburse the Trust for any and all costs, expenses, and counsel and
trustees' fees reasonably incurred by the Trust in the preparation, printing
and distribution of proxy statements, amendments to its Registration
Statement, holdings of meetings of its shareholders or trustees, the conduct
of factual investigations, any legal or administrative proceedings (including
any applications for exemptions or determinations by the Securities and
Exchange Commission) which the Trust incurs as the result of action or
inaction of the Adviser or any of its affiliates or any of their officers,
directors, employees or stockholders where the action or inaction
necessitating such expenditures (i) is directly or indirectly related to any
transactions or proposed transaction in the stock or control of the Adviser
or its affiliates (or litigation related to any pending or proposed or future
transaction in such shares or control) which shall have been undertaken
without the prior, express approval of the Trust's Board of Trustees; or,
(ii) is within the control of the Adviser or any of its affiliates or any of
their officers, directors, employees or stockholders. The Adviser shall not
be obligated pursuant to the provisions of this Subparagraph 6(B), to
reimburse the Trust for any expenditures related to the institution of an
administrative proceeding or civil litigation by the Trust or a shareholder
seeking to recover all or a portion of the proceeds derived by any
stockholder of the Adviser or any of its affiliates from the sale of his
shares of the Adviser, or similar matters. So long as this Agreement is in
effect, the Adviser shall pay to the Trust the amount due for expenses
subject to this Subparagraph 6(B) within 30 days after a bill or statement
has been received by the Adviser therefor. This provision shall not be
deemed to be a waiver of any claim the Trust may have or may assert against
the Adviser or others for costs, expenses or damages heretofore incurred by
the Trust or for costs, expenses or damages the Trust may hereafter incur
which are not reimbursable to it hereunder.
C. No provision of this Agreement shall be construed to protect
any trustee or officer of the Trust, or director or officer of the Adviser,
from liability in violation of Sections 17(h) and (i) of the 1940 Act.
7. Renewal and Termination.
A. This Agreement shall become effective on the date written
below and shall continue in effect for two (2) years thereafter, unless
sooner terminated as hereinafter provided and shall continue in effect
thereafter for periods not exceeding one (1) year so long as such
continuation is approved at least annually (i) by a vote of a majority of the
outstanding voting securities of each Fund or by a vote of the Board of
Trustees of the Trust, and (ii) by a vote of a majority of the Trustees of
the Trust who are not parties to the Agreement (other than as Trustees of the
Trust), cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the
Agreement.
B. This Agreement:
(i) may at any time be terminated without the payment of
any penalty either by vote of the Board of Trustees of the Trust or by vote
of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund on 60 days'
written notice to the Adviser;
(ii) shall immediately terminate with respect to the Fund in
the event of its assignment; and
(iii) may be terminated by the Adviser on 60 days' written
notice to the Fund.
C. As used in this Paragraph the terms "assignment," "interested
person" and "vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities" shall
have the meanings set forth for any such terms in the 1940 Act.
D. Any notice under this Agreement shall be given in writing
addressed and delivered, or mailed post-paid, to the other party at any
office of such party.
8. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or
made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder
of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby.
9. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed
in accordance with the laws of the State of California.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed and effective on the ____ day of ____________.
FRANKLIN STRATEGIC SERIES on behalf of
FRANKLIN LARGE CAP GROWTH FUND
By:
-----------------------------
FRANKLIN ADVISERS, INC.
By:
-----------------------------
FUND ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT dated as of _____________ between FRANKLIN STRATEGIC
SERIES (the "Investment Company"), an investment company registered under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 ("1940 Act"), on behalf of FRANKLIN LARGE CAP
GROWTH FUND (the "Fund"), and Franklin Templeton Services, Inc.
("Administrator").
In consideration of the mutual agreements herein made, the parties
hereby agree as follows:
(1) The Administrator agrees, during the life of this Agreement, to
provide the following services to the Fund:
(a) providing office space, telephone, office equipment and
supplies for the Fund;
(b) providing trading desk facilities for the Fund, unless these
facilities are provided by the Fund's investment adviser;
(c) authorizing expenditures and approving bills for payment on
behalf of the Fund;
(d) supervising preparation of periodic reports to Shareholders,
notices of dividends, capital gains distributions and tax credits; and
attending to routine correspondence and other communications with individual
Shareholders when asked to do so by the Fund's shareholder servicing agent or
other agents of the Fund;
(e) coordinating the daily pricing of the Fund's investment
portfolio, including collecting quotations from pricing services engaged by
the Fund; providing fund accounting services, including preparing and
supervising publication of daily net asset value quotations, periodic
earnings reports and other financial data;
(f) monitoring relationships with organizations serving the Fund,
including custodians, transfer agents, public accounting firms, law firms,
printers and other third party service providers;
(g) supervising compliance by the Fund with recordkeeping
requirements under the federal securities laws, including the 1940 Act, and
the rules and regulations thereunder, supervising compliance with
recordkeeping requirements imposed by state laws or regulations, and
maintaining books and records for the Fund (other than those maintained by
the custodian and transfer agent);
(h) preparing and filing of tax reports including the Fund's
income tax returns, and monitoring the Fund's compliance with subchapter M of
the Internal Revenue Code, and other applicable tax laws and regulations;
(i) monitoring the Fund's compliance with: 1940 Act and other
federal securities laws, and rules and regulations thereunder; state and
foreign laws and regulations applicable to the operation of investment
companies; the Fund's investment objectives, policies and restrictions; and
the Code of Ethics and other policies adopted by the Investment Company's
Board of Trustees ("Board") or by the Adviser and applicable to the Fund;
(j) providing executive, clerical and secretarial personnel needed
to carry out the above responsibilities; and
(k) preparing regulatory reports, including without limitation
NSARs, proxy statements, and U.S. and foreign ownership reports.
Nothing in this Agreement shall obligate the Investment Company or the Fund
to pay any compensation to the officers of the Investment Company. Nothing
in this Agreement shall obligate the Administrator to pay for the services of
third parties, including attorneys, auditors, printers, pricing services or
others, engaged directly by the Fund to perform services on behalf of the
Fund.
(2) The Fund agrees to pay to the Administrator as compensation for
such services a monthly fee equal on an annual basis to 0.200% of the average
daily net assets of each Fund during the month preceding each payment.
From time to time, the Administrator may waive all or a portion of its fees
provided for hereunder and such waiver shall be treated as a reduction in the
purchase price of its services. The Administrator shall be contractually
bound hereunder by the terms of any publicly announced waiver of its fee, or
any limitation of the affected Fund's expenses, as if such waiver or
limitation were fully set forth herein.
(3) This Agreement shall remain in full force and effect through for
one year after its execution and thereafter from year to year to the extent
continuance is approved annually by the Board of the Investment Company.
(4) This Agreement may be terminated by the Investment Company at any
time on sixty (60) days' written notice without payment of penalty, provided
that such termination by the Investment Company shall be directed or approved
by the vote of a majority of the Board of the Investment Company in office at
the time or by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of
the Investment Company (as defined by the 1940 Act); and shall automatically
and immediately terminate in the event of its assignment (as defined by the
1940 Act
(5) In the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross
negligence on the part of the Administrator, or of reckless disregard of its
duties and obligations hereunder, the Administrator shall not be subject to
liability for any act or omission in the course of, or connected with,
rendering services hereunder.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement
to be duly executed by their duly authorized officers.
FRANKLIN STRATEGIC SERIES on behalf of
FRANKLIN LARGE CAP GROWTH FUND
By:
--------------------------
FRANKLIN TEMPLETON SERVICES, INC.
By:
---------------------------
CLASS B DISTRIBUTION PLAN
I. Investment Company: FRANKLIN STATEGIC SERIES
II. Fund: FRANKLIN CALIFORNIA GROWTH FUND - CLASS B
III. Maximum Per Annum Rule 12b-1 Fees for Class B Shares
(as a percentage of average daily net assets of the class)
A. Distribution Fee: 0.75%
B. Service Fee: 0.25%
Preamble to Class B Distribution Plan
The following Distribution Plan (the "Plan") has been adopted pursuant
to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "Act") by the
Investment Company named above ("Investment Company") for the class B shares
(the "Class") of the Fund named above ("Fund"), which Plan shall take effect
as of the date Class B shares are first offered (the "Effective Date of the
Plan"). The Plan has been approved by a majority of the Board of Trustees of
the Investment Company (the "Board"), including a majority of the Board
members who are not interested persons of the Investment Company and who have
no direct, or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plan (the
"non-interested Board members"), cast in person at a meeting called for the
purpose of voting on such Plan.
In reviewing the Plan, the Board considered the schedule and nature of
payments and terms of the Management Agreement between the Investment Company
and Franklin Advisers, Inc. and the terms of the Underwriting Agreement
between the Investment Company and Franklin/Templeton Distributors, Inc.
("Distributors"). The Board concluded that the compensation of Advisers,
under the Management Agreement, and of Distributors, under the Underwriting
Agreement, was fair and not excessive. The approval of the Plan included a
determination that in the exercise of their reasonable business judgment and
in light of their fiduciary duties, there is a reasonable likelihood that the
Plan will benefit the Fund and its shareholders.
The Board recognizes that Distributors has entered into an arrangement
with a third party in order to finance the distribution activities of the
Class pursuant to which Distributors may assign its rights to the fees
payable hereunder to such third party. The Board further recognizes that it
has an obligation to act in good faith and in the best interests of the Fund
and its shareholders when considering the continuation or termination of the
Plan and any payments to be made thereunder.
Distribution Plan
1. (a) The Fund shall pay to Distributors a monthly fee not to exceed
the above-stated maximum distribution fee per annum of the Class' average
daily net assets represented by shares of the Class, as may be determined by
the Board from time to time.
(b) In addition to the amounts described in (a) above, the Fund
shall pay (i) to Distributors for payment to dealers or others, or (ii)
directly to others, an amount not to exceed the above-stated maximum service
fee per annum of the Class' average daily net assets represented by shares of
the Class, as may be determined by the Investment Company's Board from time
to time, as a service fee pursuant to servicing agreements which have been
approved from time to time by the Board, including the non-interested Board
members.
2. (a) The monies paid to Distributors pursuant to Paragraph 1(a)
above shall be treated as compensation for Distributors' distribution-related
services including compensation for amounts advanced to securities dealers or
their firms or others selling shares of the Class who have executed an
agreement with the Investment Company, Distributors or its affiliates, which
form of agreement has been approved from time to time by the Board, including
the non-interested Board members, with respect to the sale of Class shares.
In addition, such monies may be used to compensate Distributors for other
expenses incurred to assist in the distribution and promotion of shares of
the Class. Payments made to Distributors under the Plan may be used for,
among other things, 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 pro-rated portion of Distributors' overhead expenses attributable to the
distribution of Class shares, as well as for additional distribution fees
paid to securities dealers or their firms or others who have executed
agreements with the Investment Company, Distributors or its affiliates, or
for certain promotional distribution charges paid to broker-dealer firms or
others, or for participation in certain distribution channels. None of such
payments are the legal obligation of Distributors or its designee.
(b) The monies to be paid pursuant to paragraph 1(b) above shall
be used to pay dealers or others for, among other things, furnishing personal
services and maintaining shareholder accounts, which services include, among
other things, assisting in establishing and maintaining customer accounts and
records; assisting with purchase and redemption requests; arranging for bank
wires; monitoring dividend payments from the Fund on behalf of customers;
forwarding certain shareholder communications from the Fund to customers;
receiving and answering correspondence; and aiding in maintaining the
investment of their respective customers in the Class. Any amounts paid
under this paragraph 2(b) shall be paid pursuant to a servicing or other
agreement, which form of agreement has been approved from time to time by the
Board. None of such payments are the legal obligation of Distributors or its
designee.
3. In addition to the payments which the Fund is authorized to make
pursuant to paragraphs 1 and 2 hereof, to the extent that the Fund, Advisers,
Distributors or other parties on behalf of the Fund, Advisers or Distributors
make payments that are deemed to be payments by the Fund for the financing of
any activity primarily intended to result in the sale of Class shares issued
by the Fund within the context of Rule 12b-1 under the Act, then such
payments shall be deemed to have been made pursuant to the Plan.
In no event shall the aggregate asset-based sales charges which include
payments specified in paragraphs 1 and 2, plus any other payments deemed to
be made pursuant to the Plan under this paragraph, exceed the amount
permitted to be paid pursuant to Rule 2830(d) of the Conduct Rules of the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
4. Distributors shall furnish to the Board, for its review, on a
quarterly basis, a written report of the monies paid to it and to others
under the Plan, and shall furnish the Board with such other information as
the Board may reasonably request in connection with the payments made under
the Plan in order to enable the Board to make an informed determination of
whether the Plan should be continued.
5. (a) Distributors may assign, transfer or pledge ("Transfer") to
one or more designees (each an "Assignee"), its rights to all or a designated
portion of the fees to which it is entitled under paragraph 1 of this Plan
from time to time (but not Distributors' duties and obligations pursuant
hereto or pursuant to any distribution agreement in effect from time to time,
if any, between Distributors and the Fund), free and clear of any offsets or
claims the Fund may have against Distributors. Each such Assignee's
ownership interest in a Transfer of a specific designated portion of the fees
to which Distributors is entitled is hereafter referred to as an "Assignee's
12b-1 Portion." A Transfer pursuant to this Section 5(a) shall not reduce or
extinguish any claims of the Fund against Distributors.
(b) Distributors shall promptly notify the Fund in writing of each
such Transfer by providing the Fund with the name and address of each such
Assignee.
(c) Distributors may direct the Fund to pay any Assignee's 12b-1
Portion directly to each Assignee. In such event, Distributors shall provide
the Fund with a monthly calculation of the amount to which each Assignee is
entitled (the "Monthly Calculation"). In such event, the Fund shall, upon
receipt of such notice and Monthly Calculation from Distributors, make all
payments required directly to the Assignee in accordance with the information
provided in such notice and Monthly Calculation upon the same terms and
conditions as if such payments were to be paid to Distributors.
(d) Alternatively, in connection with a Transfer, Distributors may
direct the Fund to pay all or a portion of the fees to which Distributors is
entitled from time to time to a depository or collection agent designated by
any Assignee, which depository or collection agent may be delegated the duty
of dividing such fees between the Assignee's 12b-1 Portion and the balance
(such balance, when distributed to Distributors by the depository or
collection agent, the "Distributors' 12b-1 Portion"), in which case only
Distributors' 12b-1 Portion may be subject to offsets or claims the Fund may
have against Distributors.
6. The Plan shall continue in effect for a period of more than one
year only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least
annually by the Board, including the non-interested Board members, cast in
person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the Plan. In
determining whether there is a reasonable likelihood that the continuation of
the Plan will benefit the Fund and its shareholders, the Board may, but is
not obligated to, consider that Distributors has incurred substantial cost
and has entered into an arrangement with a third party in order to finance
the distribution activities for the Class.
7. This Plan and any agreements entered into pursuant to this Plan may
be terminated with respect to the shares of the Class, without penalty, at
any time by vote of a majority of the non-interested Board members of the
Investment Company, or by vote of a majority of outstanding Shares of such
Class. Upon termination of this Plan with respect to the Class, the
obligation of the Fund to make payments pursuant to this Plan with respect to
such Class shall terminate, and the Fund shall not be required to make
payments hereunder beyond such termination date with respect to expenses
incurred in connection with Class shares sold prior to such termination date,
provided, in each case that each of the requirements of a Complete
Termination of this Plan in respect of such Class, as defined below, are
met. For purposes of this Section 7, a "Complete Termination" of this Plan
in respect of the Class shall mean a termination of this Plan in respect of
such Class, provided that: (i) the non-interested Board members of the
Investment Company shall have acted in good faith and shall have determined
that such termination is in the best interest of the Investment Company and
the shareholders of the Fund and the Class; (ii) and the Investment Company
does not alter the terms of the contingent deferred sales charges applicable
to Class shares outstanding at the time of such termination; and (iii) unless
Distributors at the time of such termination was in material breach under the
distribution agreement in respect of the Fund, the Fund shall not, in respect
of such Fund, pay to any person or entity, other than Distributors or its
designee, either the payments described in paragraph 1(a) or 1(b) or in
respect of the Class shares sold by Distributors prior to such termination.
8. The Plan, and any agreements entered into pursuant to this Plan,
may not be amended to increase materially the amount to be spent for
distribution pursuant to Paragraph 1 hereof without approval by a majority of
the outstanding voting securities of the Class of the Fund.
9. All material amendments to the Plan, or any agreements entered into
pursuant to this Plan, shall be approved by the non-interested Board members
cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on any such
amendment.
10. So long as the Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of
the Fund's non-interested Board members shall be committed to the discretion
of such non-interested Board members.
This Plan and the terms and provisions thereof are hereby accepted and
agreed to by the Investment Company and Distributors as evidenced by their
execution hereof.
Date: October 16, 1998
FRANKLIN STRATEGIC SERIES
By: /s/ Deborah R. Gatzek
---------------------------
Deborah R. Gatzek
Vice President & Secretary
FRANKLIN/TEMPLETON DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
By: /s/ Harmon E. Burns
-------------------------
Harmon E. Burns
Executive Vice President
CLASS B DISTRIBUTION PLAN
I. Investment Company: FRANKLIN STATEGIC SERIES
II. Fund: FRANKLIN GLOBAL HEALTH CARE FUND - CLASS B
III. Maximum Per Annum Rule 12b-1 Fees for Class B Shares
(as a percentage of average daily net assets of the class)
A. Distribution Fee: 0.75%
B. Service Fee: 0.25%
Preamble to Class B Distribution Plan
The following Distribution Plan (the "Plan") has been adopted pursuant
to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "Act") by the
Investment Company named above ("Investment Company") for the class B shares
(the "Class") of the Fund named above ("Fund"), which Plan shall take effect
as of the date Class B shares are first offered (the "Effective Date of the
Plan"). The Plan has been approved by a majority of the Board of Trustees of
the Investment Company (the "Board"), including a majority of the Board
members who are not interested persons of the Investment Company and who have
no direct, or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plan (the
"non-interested Board members"), cast in person at a meeting called for the
purpose of voting on such Plan.
In reviewing the Plan, the Board considered the schedule and nature of
payments and terms of the Management Agreement between the Investment Company
and Franklin Advisers, Inc. and the terms of the Underwriting Agreement
between the Investment Company and Franklin/Templeton Distributors, Inc.
("Distributors"). The Board concluded that the compensation of Advisers,
under the Management Agreement, and of Distributors, under the Underwriting
Agreement, was fair and not excessive. The approval of the Plan included a
determination that in the exercise of their reasonable business judgment and
in light of their fiduciary duties, there is a reasonable likelihood that the
Plan will benefit the Fund and its shareholders.
The Board recognizes that Distributors has entered into an arrangement
with a third party in order to finance the distribution activities of the
Class pursuant to which Distributors may assign its rights to the fees
payable hereunder to such third party. The Board further recognizes that it
has an obligation to act in good faith and in the best interests of the Fund
and its shareholders when considering the continuation or termination of the
Plan and any payments to be made thereunder.
Distribution Plan
1. (a) The Fund shall pay to Distributors a monthly fee not to exceed
the above-stated maximum distribution fee per annum of the Class' average
daily net assets represented by shares of the Class, as may be determined by
the Board from time to time.
(b) In addition to the amounts described in (a) above, the Fund
shall pay (i) to Distributors for payment to dealers or others, or (ii)
directly to others, an amount not to exceed the above-stated maximum service
fee per annum of the Class' average daily net assets represented by shares of
the Class, as may be determined by the Investment Company's Board from time
to time, as a service fee pursuant to servicing agreements which have been
approved from time to time by the Board, including the non-interested Board
members.
2. (a) The monies paid to Distributors pursuant to Paragraph 1(a)
above shall be treated as compensation for Distributors' distribution-related
services including compensation for amounts advanced to securities dealers or
their firms or others selling shares of the Class who have executed an
agreement with the Investment Company, Distributors or its affiliates, which
form of agreement has been approved from time to time by the Board, including
the non-interested Board members, with respect to the sale of Class shares.
In addition, such monies may be used to compensate Distributors for other
expenses incurred to assist in the distribution and promotion of shares of
the Class. Payments made to Distributors under the Plan may be used for,
among other things, 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 pro-rated portion of Distributors' overhead expenses attributable to the
distribution of Class shares, as well as for additional distribution fees
paid to securities dealers or their firms or others who have executed
agreements with the Investment Company, Distributors or its affiliates, or
for certain promotional distribution charges paid to broker-dealer firms or
others, or for participation in certain distribution channels. None of such
payments are the legal obligation of Distributors or its designee.
(b) The monies to be paid pursuant to paragraph 1(b) above shall
be used to pay dealers or others for, among other things, furnishing personal
services and maintaining shareholder accounts, which services include, among
other things, assisting in establishing and maintaining customer accounts and
records; assisting with purchase and redemption requests; arranging for bank
wires; monitoring dividend payments from the Fund on behalf of customers;
forwarding certain shareholder communications from the Fund to customers;
receiving and answering correspondence; and aiding in maintaining the
investment of their respective customers in the Class. Any amounts paid
under this paragraph 2(b) shall be paid pursuant to a servicing or other
agreement, which form of agreement has been approved from time to time by the
Board. None of such payments are the legal obligation of Distributors or its
designee.
3. In addition to the payments which the Fund is authorized to make
pursuant to paragraphs 1 and 2 hereof, to the extent that the Fund, Advisers,
Distributors or other parties on behalf of the Fund, Advisers or Distributors
make payments that are deemed to be payments by the Fund for the financing of
any activity primarily intended to result in the sale of Class shares issued
by the Fund within the context of Rule 12b-1 under the Act, then such
payments shall be deemed to have been made pursuant to the Plan.
In no event shall the aggregate asset-based sales charges which include
payments specified in paragraphs 1 and 2, plus any other payments deemed to
be made pursuant to the Plan under this paragraph, exceed the amount
permitted to be paid pursuant to Rule 2830(d) of the Conduct Rules of the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
4. Distributors shall furnish to the Board, for its review, on a
quarterly basis, a written report of the monies paid to it and to others
under the Plan, and shall furnish the Board with such other information as
the Board may reasonably request in connection with the payments made under
the Plan in order to enable the Board to make an informed determination of
whether the Plan should be continued.
5. (a) Distributors may assign, transfer or pledge ("Transfer") to
one or more designees (each an "Assignee"), its rights to all or a designated
portion of the fees to which it is entitled under paragraph 1 of this Plan
from time to time (but not Distributors' duties and obligations pursuant
hereto or pursuant to any distribution agreement in effect from time to time,
if any, between Distributors and the Fund), free and clear of any offsets or
claims the Fund may have against Distributors. Each such Assignee's
ownership interest in a Transfer of a specific designated portion of the fees
to which Distributors is entitled is hereafter referred to as an "Assignee's
12b-1 Portion." A Transfer pursuant to this Section 5(a) shall not reduce or
extinguish any claims of the Fund against Distributors.
(b) Distributors shall promptly notify the Fund in writing of each
such Transfer by providing the Fund with the name and address of each such
Assignee.
(c) Distributors may direct the Fund to pay any Assignee's 12b-1
Portion directly to each Assignee. In such event, Distributors shall provide
the Fund with a monthly calculation of the amount to which each Assignee is
entitled (the "Monthly Calculation"). In such event, the Fund shall, upon
receipt of such notice and Monthly Calculation from Distributors, make all
payments required directly to the Assignee in accordance with the information
provided in such notice and Monthly Calculation upon the same terms and
conditions as if such payments were to be paid to Distributors.
(d) Alternatively, in connection with a Transfer, Distributors may
direct the Fund to pay all or a portion of the fees to which Distributors is
entitled from time to time to a depository or collection agent designated by
any Assignee, which depository or collection agent may be delegated the duty
of dividing such fees between the Assignee's 12b-1 Portion and the balance
(such balance, when distributed to Distributors by the depository or
collection agent, the "Distributors' 12b-1 Portion"), in which case only
Distributors' 12b-1 Portion may be subject to offsets or claims the Fund may
have against Distributors.
6. The Plan shall continue in effect for a period of more than one
year only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least
annually by the Board, including the non-interested Board members, cast in
person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the Plan. In
determining whether there is a reasonable likelihood that the continuation of
the Plan will benefit the Fund and its shareholders, the Board may, but is
not obligated to, consider that Distributors has incurred substantial cost
and has entered into an arrangement with a third party in order to finance
the distribution activities for the Class.
7. This Plan and any agreements entered into pursuant to this Plan may
be terminated with respect to the shares of the Class, without penalty, at
any time by vote of a majority of the non-interested Board members of the
Investment Company, or by vote of a majority of outstanding Shares of such
Class. Upon termination of this Plan with respect to the Class, the
obligation of the Fund to make payments pursuant to this Plan with respect to
such Class shall terminate, and the Fund shall not be required to make
payments hereunder beyond such termination date with respect to expenses
incurred in connection with Class shares sold prior to such termination date,
provided, in each case that each of the requirements of a Complete
Termination of this Plan in respect of such Class, as defined below, are
met. For purposes of this Section 7, a "Complete Termination" of this Plan
in respect of the Class shall mean a termination of this Plan in respect of
such Class, provided that: (i) the non-interested Board members of the
Investment Company shall have acted in good faith and shall have determined
that such termination is in the best interest of the Investment Company and
the shareholders of the Fund and the Class; (ii) and the Investment Company
does not alter the terms of the contingent deferred sales charges applicable
to Class shares outstanding at the time of such termination; and (iii) unless
Distributors at the time of such termination was in material breach under the
distribution agreement in respect of the Fund, the Fund shall not, in respect
of such Fund, pay to any person or entity, other than Distributors or its
designee, either the payments described in paragraph 1(a) or 1(b) or in
respect of the Class shares sold by Distributors prior to such termination.
8. The Plan, and any agreements entered into pursuant to this Plan,
may not be amended to increase materially the amount to be spent for
distribution pursuant to Paragraph 1 hereof without approval by a majority of
the outstanding voting securities of the Class of the Fund.
9. All material amendments to the Plan, or any agreements entered into
pursuant to this Plan, shall be approved by the non-interested Board members
cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on any such
amendment.
10. So long as the Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of
the Fund's non-interested Board members shall be committed to the discretion
of such non-interested Board members.
This Plan and the terms and provisions thereof are hereby accepted and
agreed to by the Investment Company and Distributors as evidenced by their
execution hereof.
Date: October 16, 1998
FRANKLIN STRATEGIC SERIES
By: /s/ Deborah R. Gatzek
---------------------------
Deborah R. Gatzek
Vice President & Secretary
FRANKLIN/TEMPLETON DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
By: /s/ Harmon E. Burns
-------------------------
Harmon E. Burns
Executive Vice President
CLASS B DISTRIBUTION PLAN
I. Investment Company: FRANKLIN STATEGIC SERIES
II. Fund: FRANKLIN GLOBAL UTILITIES FUND - CLASS B
III. Maximum Per Annum Rule 12b-1 Fees for Class B Shares
(as a percentage of average daily net assets of the class)
A. Distribution Fee: 0.75%
B. Service Fee: 0.25%
Preamble to Class B Distribution Plan
The following Distribution Plan (the "Plan") has been adopted pursuant
to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "Act") by the
Investment Company named above ("Investment Company") for the class B shares
(the "Class") of the Fund named above ("Fund"), which Plan shall take effect
as of the date Class B shares are first offered (the "Effective Date of the
Plan"). The Plan has been approved by a majority of the Board of Trustees of
the Investment Company (the "Board"), including a majority of the Board
members who are not interested persons of the Investment Company and who have
no direct, or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plan (the
"non-interested Board members"), cast in person at a meeting called for the
purpose of voting on such Plan.
In reviewing the Plan, the Board considered the schedule and nature of
payments and terms of the Management Agreement between the Investment Company
and Franklin Advisers, Inc. and the terms of the Underwriting Agreement
between the Investment Company and Franklin/Templeton Distributors, Inc.
("Distributors"). The Board concluded that the compensation of Advisers,
under the Management Agreement, and of Distributors, under the Underwriting
Agreement, was fair and not excessive. The approval of the Plan included a
determination that in the exercise of their reasonable business judgment and
in light of their fiduciary duties, there is a reasonable likelihood that the
Plan will benefit the Fund and its shareholders.
The Board recognizes that Distributors has entered into an arrangement
with a third party in order to finance the distribution activities of the
Class pursuant to which Distributors may assign its rights to the fees
payable hereunder to such third party. The Board further recognizes that it
has an obligation to act in good faith and in the best interests of the Fund
and its shareholders when considering the continuation or termination of the
Plan and any payments to be made thereunder.
Distribution Plan
1. (a) The Fund shall pay to Distributors a monthly fee not to exceed
the above-stated maximum distribution fee per annum of the Class' average
daily net assets represented by shares of the Class, as may be determined by
the Board from time to time.
(b) In addition to the amounts described in (a) above, the Fund
shall pay (i) to Distributors for payment to dealers or others, or (ii)
directly to others, an amount not to exceed the above-stated maximum service
fee per annum of the Class' average daily net assets represented by shares of
the Class, as may be determined by the Investment Company's Board from time
to time, as a service fee pursuant to servicing agreements which have been
approved from time to time by the Board, including the non-interested Board
members.
2. (a) The monies paid to Distributors pursuant to Paragraph 1(a)
above shall be treated as compensation for Distributors' distribution-related
services including compensation for amounts advanced to securities dealers or
their firms or others selling shares of the Class who have executed an
agreement with the Investment Company, Distributors or its affiliates, which
form of agreement has been approved from time to time by the Board, including
the non-interested Board members, with respect to the sale of Class shares.
In addition, such monies may be used to compensate Distributors for other
expenses incurred to assist in the distribution and promotion of shares of
the Class. Payments made to Distributors under the Plan may be used for,
among other things, 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 pro-rated portion of Distributors' overhead expenses attributable to the
distribution of Class shares, as well as for additional distribution fees
paid to securities dealers or their firms or others who have executed
agreements with the Investment Company, Distributors or its affiliates, or
for certain promotional distribution charges paid to broker-dealer firms or
others, or for participation in certain distribution channels. None of such
payments are the legal obligation of Distributors or its designee.
(b) The monies to be paid pursuant to paragraph 1(b) above shall
be used to pay dealers or others for, among other things, furnishing personal
services and maintaining shareholder accounts, which services include, among
other things, assisting in establishing and maintaining customer accounts and
records; assisting with purchase and redemption requests; arranging for bank
wires; monitoring dividend payments from the Fund on behalf of customers;
forwarding certain shareholder communications from the Fund to customers;
receiving and answering correspondence; and aiding in maintaining the
investment of their respective customers in the Class. Any amounts paid
under this paragraph 2(b) shall be paid pursuant to a servicing or other
agreement, which form of agreement has been approved from time to time by the
Board. None of such payments are the legal obligation of Distributors or its
designee.
3. In addition to the payments which the Fund is authorized to make
pursuant to paragraphs 1 and 2 hereof, to the extent that the Fund, Advisers,
Distributors or other parties on behalf of the Fund, Advisers or Distributors
make payments that are deemed to be payments by the Fund for the financing of
any activity primarily intended to result in the sale of Class shares issued
by the Fund within the context of Rule 12b-1 under the Act, then such
payments shall be deemed to have been made pursuant to the Plan.
In no event shall the aggregate asset-based sales charges which include
payments specified in paragraphs 1 and 2, plus any other payments deemed to
be made pursuant to the Plan under this paragraph, exceed the amount
permitted to be paid pursuant to Rule 2830(d) of the Conduct Rules of the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
4. Distributors shall furnish to the Board, for its review, on a
quarterly basis, a written report of the monies paid to it and to others
under the Plan, and shall furnish the Board with such other information as
the Board may reasonably request in connection with the payments made under
the Plan in order to enable the Board to make an informed determination of
whether the Plan should be continued.
5. (a) Distributors may assign, transfer or pledge ("Transfer") to
one or more designees (each an "Assignee"), its rights to all or a designated
portion of the fees to which it is entitled under paragraph 1 of this Plan
from time to time (but not Distributors' duties and obligations pursuant
hereto or pursuant to any distribution agreement in effect from time to time,
if any, between Distributors and the Fund), free and clear of any offsets or
claims the Fund may have against Distributors. Each such Assignee's
ownership interest in a Transfer of a specific designated portion of the fees
to which Distributors is entitled is hereafter referred to as an "Assignee's
12b-1 Portion." A Transfer pursuant to this Section 5(a) shall not reduce or
extinguish any claims of the Fund against Distributors.
(b) Distributors shall promptly notify the Fund in writing of each
such Transfer by providing the Fund with the name and address of each such
Assignee.
(c) Distributors may direct the Fund to pay any Assignee's 12b-1
Portion directly to each Assignee. In such event, Distributors shall provide
the Fund with a monthly calculation of the amount to which each Assignee is
entitled (the "Monthly Calculation"). In such event, the Fund shall, upon
receipt of such notice and Monthly Calculation from Distributors, make all
payments required directly to the Assignee in accordance with the information
provided in such notice and Monthly Calculation upon the same terms and
conditions as if such payments were to be paid to Distributors.
(d) Alternatively, in connection with a Transfer, Distributors may
direct the Fund to pay all or a portion of the fees to which Distributors is
entitled from time to time to a depository or collection agent designated by
any Assignee, which depository or collection agent may be delegated the duty
of dividing such fees between the Assignee's 12b-1 Portion and the balance
(such balance, when distributed to Distributors by the depository or
collection agent, the "Distributors' 12b-1 Portion"), in which case only
Distributors' 12b-1 Portion may be subject to offsets or claims the Fund may
have against Distributors.
6. The Plan shall continue in effect for a period of more than one
year only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least
annually by the Board, including the non-interested Board members, cast in
person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the Plan. In
determining whether there is a reasonable likelihood that the continuation of
the Plan will benefit the Fund and its shareholders, the Board may, but is
not obligated to, consider that Distributors has incurred substantial cost
and has entered into an arrangement with a third party in order to finance
the distribution activities for the Class.
7. This Plan and any agreements entered into pursuant to this Plan may
be terminated with respect to the shares of the Class, without penalty, at
any time by vote of a majority of the non-interested Board members of the
Investment Company, or by vote of a majority of outstanding Shares of such
Class. Upon termination of this Plan with respect to the Class, the
obligation of the Fund to make payments pursuant to this Plan with respect to
such Class shall terminate, and the Fund shall not be required to make
payments hereunder beyond such termination date with respect to expenses
incurred in connection with Class shares sold prior to such termination date,
provided, in each case that each of the requirements of a Complete
Termination of this Plan in respect of such Class, as defined below, are
met. For purposes of this Section 7, a "Complete Termination" of this Plan
in respect of the Class shall mean a termination of this Plan in respect of
such Class, provided that: (i) the non-interested Board members of the
Investment Company shall have acted in good faith and shall have determined
that such termination is in the best interest of the Investment Company and
the shareholders of the Fund and the Class; (ii) and the Investment Company
does not alter the terms of the contingent deferred sales charges applicable
to Class shares outstanding at the time of such termination; and (iii) unless
Distributors at the time of such termination was in material breach under the
distribution agreement in respect of the Fund, the Fund shall not, in respect
of such Fund, pay to any person or entity, other than Distributors or its
designee, either the payments described in paragraph 1(a) or 1(b) or in
respect of the Class shares sold by Distributors prior to such termination.
8. The Plan, and any agreements entered into pursuant to this Plan,
may not be amended to increase materially the amount to be spent for
distribution pursuant to Paragraph 1 hereof without approval by a majority of
the outstanding voting securities of the Class of the Fund.
9. All material amendments to the Plan, or any agreements entered into
pursuant to this Plan, shall be approved by the non-interested Board members
cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on any such
amendment.
10. So long as the Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of
the Fund's non-interested Board members shall be committed to the discretion
of such non-interested Board members.
This Plan and the terms and provisions thereof are hereby accepted and
agreed to by the Investment Company and Distributors as evidenced by their
execution hereof.
Date: October 16, 1998
FRANKLIN STRATEGIC SERIES
By: /s/ Deborah R. Gatzek
---------------------------
Deborah R. Gatzek
Vice President & Secretary
FRANKLIN/TEMPLETON DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
By: /s/ Harmon E. Burns
-------------------------
Harmon E. Burns
Executive Vice President
CLASS B DISTRIBUTION PLAN
I. Investment Company: FRANKLIN STRATEGIC SERIES
II. Fund: FRANKLIN STRATEGIC INCOME FUND - CLASS B
III. Maximum Per Annum Rule 12b-1 Fees for Class B Shares
(as a percentage of average daily net assets of the class)
A. Distribution Fee: 0.50%
B. Service Fee: 0.15%
Preamble to Class B Distribution Plan
The following Distribution Plan (the "Plan") has been adopted pursuant
to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "Act") by the
Investment Company named above ("Investment Company") for the class B shares
(the "Class") of the Fund named above ("Fund"), which Plan shall take effect
as of the date Class B shares are first offered (the "Effective Date of the
Plan"). The Plan has been approved by a majority of the Board of Trustees of
the Investment Company (the "Board"), including a majority of the Board
members who are not interested persons of the Investment Company and who have
no direct, or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plan (the
"non-interested Board members"), cast in person at a meeting called for the
purpose of voting on such Plan.
In reviewing the Plan, the Board considered the schedule and nature of
payments and terms of the Management Agreement between the Investment Company
and Franklin Advisers, Inc. and the terms of the Underwriting Agreement
between the Investment Company and Franklin/Templeton Distributors, Inc.
("Distributors"). The Board concluded that the compensation of Advisers,
under the Management Agreement, and of Distributors, under the Underwriting
Agreement, was fair and not excessive. The approval of the Plan included a
determination that in the exercise of their reasonable business judgment and
in light of their fiduciary duties, there is a reasonable likelihood that the
Plan will benefit the Fund and its shareholders.
The Board recognizes that Distributors has entered into an arrangement
with a third party in order to finance the distribution activities of the
Class pursuant to which Distributors may assign its rights to the fees
payable hereunder to such third party. The Board further recognizes that it
has an obligation to act in good faith and in the best interests of the Fund
and its shareholders when considering the continuation or termination of the
Plan and any payments to be made thereunder.
Distribution Plan
1. (a) The Fund shall pay to Distributors a monthly fee not to exceed
the above-stated maximum distribution fee per annum of the Class' average
daily net assets represented by shares of the Class, as may be determined by
the Board from time to time.
(b) In addition to the amounts described in (a) above, the Fund
shall pay (i) to Distributors for payment to dealers or others, or (ii)
directly to others, an amount not to exceed the above-stated maximum service
fee per annum of the Class' average daily net assets represented by shares of
the Class, as may be determined by the Investment Company's Board from time
to time, as a service fee pursuant to servicing agreements which have been
approved from time to time by the Board, including the non-interested Board
members.
2. (a) The monies paid to Distributors pursuant to Paragraph 1(a)
above shall be treated as compensation for Distributors' distribution-related
services including compensation for amounts advanced to securities dealers or
their firms or others selling shares of the Class who have executed an
agreement with the Investment Company, Distributors or its affiliates, which
form of agreement has been approved from time to time by the Board, including
the non-interested Board members, with respect to the sale of Class shares.
In addition, such monies may be used to compensate Distributors for other
expenses incurred to assist in the distribution and promotion of shares of
the Class. Payments made to Distributors under the Plan may be used for,
among other things, 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 pro-rated portion of Distributors' overhead expenses attributable to the
distribution of Class shares, as well as for additional distribution fees
paid to securities dealers or their firms or others who have executed
agreements with the Investment Company, Distributors or its affiliates, or
for certain promotional distribution charges paid to broker-dealer firms or
others, or for participation in certain distribution channels. None of such
payments are the legal obligation of Distributors or its designee.
(b) The monies to be paid pursuant to paragraph 1(b) above shall
be used to pay dealers or others for, among other things, furnishing personal
services and maintaining shareholder accounts, which services include, among
other things, assisting in establishing and maintaining customer accounts and
records; assisting with purchase and redemption requests; arranging for bank
wires; monitoring dividend payments from the Fund on behalf of customers;
forwarding certain shareholder communications from the Fund to customers;
receiving and answering correspondence; and aiding in maintaining the
investment of their respective customers in the Class. Any amounts paid
under this paragraph 2(b) shall be paid pursuant to a servicing or other
agreement, which form of agreement has been approved from time to time by the
Board. None of such payments are the legal obligation of Distributors or its
designee.
3. In addition to the payments which the Fund is authorized to make
pursuant to paragraphs 1 and 2 hereof, to the extent that the Fund, Advisers,
Distributors or other parties on behalf of the Fund, Advisers or Distributors
make payments that are deemed to be payments by the Fund for the financing of
any activity primarily intended to result in the sale of Class shares issued
by the Fund within the context of Rule 12b-1 under the Act, then such
payments shall be deemed to have been made pursuant to the Plan.
In no event shall the aggregate asset-based sales charges which include
payments specified in paragraphs 1 and 2, plus any other payments deemed to
be made pursuant to the Plan under this paragraph, exceed the amount
permitted to be paid pursuant to Rule 2830(d) of the Conduct Rules of the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
4. Distributors shall furnish to the Board, for its review, on a
quarterly basis, a written report of the monies paid to it and to others
under the Plan, and shall furnish the Board with such other information as
the Board may reasonably request in connection with the payments made under
the Plan in order to enable the Board to make an informed determination of
whether the Plan should be continued.
5. (a) Distributors may assign, transfer or pledge ("Transfer") to
one or more designees (each an "Assignee"), its rights to all or a designated
portion of the fees to which it is entitled under paragraph 1 of this Plan
from time to time (but not Distributors' duties and obligations pursuant
hereto or pursuant to any distribution agreement in effect from time to time,
if any, between Distributors and the Fund), free and clear of any offsets or
claims the Fund may have against Distributors. Each such Assignee's
ownership interest in a Transfer of a specific designated portion of the fees
to which Distributors is entitled is hereafter referred to as an "Assignee's
12b-1 Portion." A Transfer pursuant to this Section 5(a) shall not reduce or
extinguish any claims of the Fund against Distributors.
(b) Distributors shall promptly notify the Fund in writing of each
such Transfer by providing the Fund with the name and address of each such
Assignee.
(c) Distributors may direct the Fund to pay any Assignee's 12b-1
Portion directly to each Assignee. In such event, Distributors shall provide
the Fund with a monthly calculation of the amount to which each Assignee is
entitled (the "Monthly Calculation"). In such event, the Fund shall, upon
receipt of such notice and Monthly Calculation from Distributors, make all
payments required directly to the Assignee in accordance with the information
provided in such notice and Monthly Calculation upon the same terms and
conditions as if such payments were to be paid to Distributors.
(d) Alternatively, in connection with a Transfer, Distributors may
direct the Fund to pay all or a portion of the fees to which Distributors is
entitled from time to time to a depository or collection agent designated by
any Assignee, which depository or collection agent may be delegated the duty
of dividing such fees between the Assignee's 12b-1 Portion and the balance
(such balance, when distributed to Distributors by the depository or
collection agent, the "Distributors' 12b-1 Portion"), in which case only
Distributors' 12b-1 Portion may be subject to offsets or claims the Fund may
have against Distributors.
6. The Plan shall continue in effect for a period of more than one
year only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least
annually by the Board, including the non-interested Board members, cast in
person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the Plan. In
determining whether there is a reasonable likelihood that the continuation of
the Plan will benefit the Fund and its shareholders, the Board may, but is
not obligated to, consider that Distributors has incurred substantial cost
and has entered into an arrangement with a third party in order to finance
the distribution activities for the Class.
7. This Plan and any agreements entered into pursuant to this Plan may
be terminated with respect to the shares of the Class, without penalty, at
any time by vote of a majority of the non-interested Board members of the
Investment Company, or by vote of a majority of outstanding Shares of such
Class. Upon termination of this Plan with respect to the Class, the
obligation of the Fund to make payments pursuant to this Plan with respect to
such Class shall terminate, and the Fund shall not be required to make
payments hereunder beyond such termination date with respect to expenses
incurred in connection with Class shares sold prior to such termination date,
provided, in each case that each of the requirements of a Complete
Termination of this Plan in respect of such Class, as defined below, are
met. For purposes of this Section 7, a "Complete Termination" of this Plan
in respect of the Class shall mean a termination of this Plan in respect of
such Class, provided that: (i) the non-interested Board members of the
Investment Company shall have acted in good faith and shall have determined
that such termination is in the best interest of the Investment Company and
the shareholders of the Fund and the Class; (ii) and the Investment Company
does not alter the terms of the contingent deferred sales charges applicable
to Class shares outstanding at the time of such termination; and (iii) unless
Distributors at the time of such termination was in material breach under the
distribution agreement in respect of the Fund, the Fund shall not, in respect
of such Fund, pay to any person or entity, other than Distributors or its
designee, either the payments described in paragraph 1(a) or 1(b) or in
respect of the Class shares sold by Distributors prior to such termination.
8. The Plan, and any agreements entered into pursuant to this Plan,
may not be amended to increase materially the amount to be spent for
distribution pursuant to Paragraph 1 hereof without approval by a majority of
the outstanding voting securities of the Class of the Fund.
9. All material amendments to the Plan, or any agreements entered into
pursuant to this Plan, shall be approved by the non-interested Board members
cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on any such
amendment.
10. So long as the Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of
the Fund's non-interested Board members shall be committed to the discretion
of such non-interested Board members.
This Plan and the terms and provisions thereof are hereby accepted and
agreed to by the Investment Company and Distributors as evidenced by their
execution hereof.
Date: October 16, 1998
FRANKLIN STRATEGIC SERIES
By: /s/ Deborah R. Gatzek
---------------------------
Deborah R. Gatzek
Vice President & Secretary
FRANKLIN/TEMPLETON DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
By: /s/ Harmon E. Burns
-------------------------
Harmon E. Burns
Executive Vice President
MULTIPLE CLASS PLAN
on behalf of
FRANKLIN GLOBAL UTILITIES FUND
This Multiple Class Plan (the "Plan") has been adopted by a majority of
the Board of Trustees of FRANKLIN STRATEGIC SERIES (the "Investment Company")
for its series, FRANKLIN GLOBAL UTILITIES FUND (the "Fund"). The Board has
determined that the Plan, including the expense allocation, is in the best
interests of each class of the Fund and the Investment Company as a whole.
The Plan sets forth the provisions relating to the establishment of multiple
classes of shares of the Fund, and supersedes any Plan previously adopted for
the Fund.
1. The Fund shall offer three classes of shares, to be known as Class
A Shares, Class B Shares and Class C Shares.
2. Class A Shares shall carry a front-end sales charge ranging from 0%
- - 5.75%, and Class C Shares shall carry a front-end sales charge of 1.00%.
Class B Shares shall not be subject to any front-end sales charges.
3. Class A Shares shall not be subject to a contingent deferred sales
charge ("CDSC"), except in the following limited circumstances. On
investments of $1 million or more, a contingent deferred sales charge of
1.00% of the lesser of the then-current net asset value or the original net
asset value at the time of purchase applies to redemptions of those
investments within the contingency period of 12 months from the calendar
month following their purchase. The CDSC is waived in certain circumstances,
as described in the Fund's prospectus.
Class B Shares shall be subject to a CDSC with the following CDSC
schedule: (a) Class B Shares redeemed within 2 years of their purchase shall
be assessed a CDSC of 4% on the lesser of the then-current net asset value or
the original net asset value at the time of purchase; (b) Class B Shares
redeemed within the third and fourth years of their purchase shall be
assessed a CDSC of 3% on the lesser of the then-current net asset value or
the original net asset value at the time of purchase; (c) Class B Shares
redeemed within 5 years of their purchase shall be assessed a CDSC of 2% on
the lesser of the then-current net asset value or the original net asset
value at the time of purchase; and (d) Class B Shares redeemed within 6 years
of their purchase shall be assessed a CDSC of 1% on the lesser of the
then-current net asset value or the original net asset value at the time of
purchase. The CDSC is waived in certain circumstances described in the
Fund's prospectus.
Class C Shares redeemed within 18 months of their purchase shall be
assessed a CDSC of 1.00% on the lesser of the then-current net asset value or
the original net asset value at the time of purchase. The CDSC is waived in
certain circumstances as described in the Fund's prospectus.
4. The distribution plan adopted by the Investment Company pursuant to
Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (the "Rule
12b-1 Plan") associated with the Class A Shares may be used to reimburse
Franklin/Templeton Distributors, Inc. (the "Distributor") or others for
expenses incurred in the promotion and distribution of the Class A Shares.
Such expenses 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 the
Distributor's overhead expenses attributable to the distribution of the Class
A 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 Investment Company for the Class A Shares, the Distributor or its
affiliates.
The Rule 12b-1 Plan associated with the Class B Shares has two
components. The first component is an asset-based sales charge to be
retained by Distributor to compensate Distributor for amounts advanced to
securities dealers or their firms or others with respect to the sale of Class
B Shares. In addition, such payments may be retained by the Distributor to
be used in the promotion and distribution of Class B Shares in a manner
similar to that described above for Class A Shares. The second component is
a shareholder servicing fee to be paid to securities dealers or others who
provide personal assistance to shareholders in servicing their accounts.
The Rule 12b-1 Plan associated with the Class C Shares has two
components. The first component is a shareholder servicing fee, to be paid
to broker-dealers, banks, trust companies and others who maintain shareholder
accounts or provide personal assistance to shareholders in servicing their
accounts. The second component is an asset-based sales charge to be retained
by the Distributor during the first year after the sale of shares and, in
subsequent years, to be paid to dealers or retained by the Distributor to be
used in the promotion and distribution of Class C Shares, in a manner similar
to that described above for Class A Shares.
The Rule 12b-1 Plans for the Class A, Class B and Class C Shares shall
operate in accordance with Rule 2830(d) of the Conduct Rules of the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
5. The only difference in expenses as between Class A, Class B and
Class C Shares shall relate to differences in Rule 12b-1 plan expenses, as
described in the applicable Rule 12b-1 Plans; however, to the extent that the
Rule 12b-1 Plan expenses of one Class are the same as the Rule 12b-1 Plan
expenses of another Class, such classes shall be subject to the same expenses.
6. There shall be no conversion features associated with the Class A
and Class C Shares. Each Class B Share, however, shall be converted
automatically, and without any action or choice on the part of the holder of
the Class B Shares, into Class A Shares on the conversion date specified, and
in accordance with the terms and conditions approved by the Franklin
Strategic Series' Board of Trustees and as described, in each fund's
prospectus relating to the Class B Shares, as such prospectus may be amended
from time to time; provided, however, that the Class B Shares shall be
converted automatically into Class A Shares to the extent and on the terms
permitted by the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the rules and regulations
adopted thereunder.
7. Shares of Class A, Class B and Class C may be exchanged for shares
of another investment company within the Franklin Templeton Group of Funds
according to the terms and conditions stated in each fund's prospectus, as it
may be amended from time to time, to the extent permitted by the Investment
Company Act of 1940 and the rules and regulations adopted thereunder.
8. Each class will vote separately with respect to any Rule 12b-1 Plan
related to, or which now or in the future may affect, that class.
9. On an ongoing basis, the Board members, pursuant to their fiduciary
responsibilities under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and otherwise, will
monitor the Fund for the existence of any material conflicts between the
Board members interests of the various classes of shares. The Board members,
including a majority of the independent Board members, shall take such action
as is reasonably necessary to eliminate any such conflict that may develop.
Franklin Advisers, Inc. and Franklin/Templeton Distributors, Inc. shall be
responsible for alerting the Board to any material conflicts that arise.
10. All material amendments to this Plan must be approved by a majority
of the Board members, including a majority of the Board members who are not
interested persons of the Investment Company.
11. I, Deborah R. Gatzek, Secretary of the Franklin Group of Funds, do
hereby certify that this Multiple Class Plan was adopted by FRANKLIN
STRATEGIC SERIES, on behalf of its series FRANKLIN GLOBAL UTILITIES FUND, by
a majority of the Trustees of the Trust on April 16, 1998.
/s/ Deborah R. Gatzek
----------------------
Deborah R. Gatzek
Secretary
MULTIPLE CLASS PLAN
on behalf of
FRANKLIN CALIFORNIA GROWTH FUND
This Multiple Class Plan (the "Plan") has been adopted by a majority of
the Board of Trustees of FRANKLIN STRATEGIC SERIES (the "Investment Company")
for its series, FRANKLIN CALIFORNIA GROWTH FUND (the "Fund"). The Board has
determined that the Plan, including the expense allocation, is in the best
interests of each class of the Fund and the Investment Company as a whole.
The Plan sets forth the provisions relating to the establishment of multiple
classes of shares of the Fund, and supersedes any Plan previously adopted for
the Fund.
1. The Fund shall offer three classes of shares, to be known as Class
A Shares, Class B Shares and Class C Shares.
2. Class A Shares shall carry a front-end sales charge ranging from 0%
- - 5.75%, and Class C Shares shall carry a front-end sales charge of 1.00%.
Class B Shares shall not be subject to any front-end sales charges.
3. Class A Shares shall not be subject to a contingent deferred sales
charge ("CDSC"), except in the following limited circumstances. On
investments of $1 million or more, a contingent deferred sales charge of
1.00% of the lesser of the then-current net asset value or the original net
asset value at the time of purchase applies to redemptions of those
investments within the contingency period of 12 months from the calendar
month following their purchase. The CDSC is waived in certain circumstances,
as described in the Fund's prospectus.
Class B Shares shall be subject to a CDSC with the following CDSC
schedule: (a) Class B Shares redeemed within 2 years of their purchase shall
be assessed a CDSC of 4% on the lesser of the then-current net asset value or
the original net asset value at the time of purchase; (b) Class B Shares
redeemed within the third and fourth years of their purchase shall be
assessed a CDSC of 3% on the lesser of the then-current net asset value or
the original net asset value at the time of purchase; (c) Class B Shares
redeemed within 5 years of their purchase shall be assessed a CDSC of 2% on
the lesser of the then-current net asset value or the original net asset
value at the time of purchase; and (d) Class B Shares redeemed within 6 years
of their purchase shall be assessed a CDSC of 1% on the lesser of the
then-current net asset value or the original net asset value at the time of
purchase. The CDSC is waived in certain circumstances described in the
Fund's prospectus.
Class C Shares redeemed within 18 months of their purchase shall be
assessed a CDSC of 1.00% on the lesser of the then-current net asset value or
the original net asset value at the time of purchase. The CDSC is waived in
certain circumstances as described in the Fund's prospectus.
4. The distribution plan adopted by the Investment Company pursuant to
Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (the "Rule
12b-1 Plan") associated with the Class A Shares may be used to reimburse
Franklin/Templeton Distributors, Inc. (the "Distributor") or others for
expenses incurred in the promotion and distribution of the Class A Shares.
Such expenses 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 the
Distributor's overhead expenses attributable to the distribution of the Class
A 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 Investment Company for the Class A Shares, the Distributor or its
affiliates.
The Rule 12b-1 Plan associated with the Class B Shares has two
components. The first component is an asset-based sales charge to be
retained by Distributor to compensate Distributor for amounts advanced to
securities dealers or their firms or others with respect to the sale of Class
B Shares. In addition, such payments may be retained by the Distributor to
be used in the promotion and distribution of Class B Shares in a manner
similar to that described above for Class A Shares. The second component is
a shareholder servicing fee to be paid to securities dealers or others who
provide personal assistance to shareholders in servicing their accounts.
The Rule 12b-1 Plan associated with the Class C Shares has two
components. The first component is a shareholder servicing fee, to be paid
to broker-dealers, banks, trust companies and others who maintain shareholder
accounts or provide personal assistance to shareholders in servicing their
accounts. The second component is an asset-based sales charge to be retained
by the Distributor during the first year after the sale of shares and, in
subsequent years, to be paid to dealers or retained by the Distributor to be
used in the promotion and distribution of Class C Shares, in a manner similar
to that described above for Class A Shares.
The Rule 12b-1 Plans for the Class A, Class B and Class C Shares shall
operate in accordance with Rule 2830(d) of the Conduct Rules of the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
5. The only difference in expenses as between Class A, Class B and
Class C Shares shall relate to differences in Rule 12b-1 plan expenses, as
described in the applicable Rule 12b-1 Plans; however, to the extent that the
Rule 12b-1 Plan expenses of one Class are the same as the Rule 12b-1 Plan
expenses of another Class, such classes shall be subject to the same expenses.
6. There shall be no conversion features associated with the Class A
and Class C Shares. Each Class B Share, however, shall be converted
automatically, and without any action or choice on the part of the holder of
the Class B Shares, into Class A Shares on the conversion date specified, and
in accordance with the terms and conditions approved by the Franklin
Strategic Series' Board of Trustees and as described, in each fund's
prospectus relating to the Class B Shares, as such prospectus may be amended
from time to time; provided, however, that the Class B Shares shall be
converted automatically into Class A Shares to the extent and on the terms
permitted by the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the rules and regulations
adopted thereunder.
7. Shares of Class A, Class B and Class C may be exchanged for shares
of another investment company within the Franklin Templeton Group of Funds
according to the terms and conditions stated in each fund's prospectus, as it
may be amended from time to time, to the extent permitted by the Investment
Company Act of 1940 and the rules and regulations adopted thereunder.
8. Each class will vote separately with respect to any Rule 12b-1 Plan
related to, or which now or in the future may affect, that class.
9. On an ongoing basis, the Board members, pursuant to their fiduciary
responsibilities under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and otherwise, will
monitor the Fund for the existence of any material conflicts between the
Board members interests of the various classes of shares. The Board members,
including a majority of the independent Board members, shall take such action
as is reasonably necessary to eliminate any such conflict that may develop.
Franklin Advisers, Inc. and Franklin/Templeton Distributors, Inc. shall be
responsible for alerting the Board to any material conflicts that arise.
10. All material amendments to this Plan must be approved by a majority
of the Board members, including a majority of the Board members who are not
interested persons of the Investment Company.
11. I, Deborah R. Gatzek, Secretary of the Franklin Group of Funds, do
hereby certify that this Multiple Class Plan was adopted by FRANKLIN
STRATEGIC SERIES, on behalf of its series FRANKLIN CALIFORNIA GROWTH FUND, by
a majority of the Trustees of the Trust on April 16, 1998
/s/ Deborah R. Gatzek
--------------------
Deborah R. Gatzek
Secretary
MULTIPLE CLASS PLAN
on behalf of
FRANKLIN GLOBAL HEALTH CARE FUND
This Multiple Class Plan (the "Plan") has been adopted by a majority of
the Board of Trustees of FRANKLIN STRATEGIC SERIES (the "Investment Company")
for its series, FRANKLIN GLOBAL HEALTH CARE FUND (the "Fund"). The Board has
determined that the Plan, including the expense allocation, is in the best
interests of each class of the Fund and the Investment Company as a whole.
The Plan sets forth the provisions relating to the establishment of multiple
classes of shares of the Fund, and supersedes any Plan previously adopted for
the Fund.
1. The Fund shall offer three classes of shares, to be known as Class
A Shares, Class B Shares and Class C Shares.
2. Class A Shares shall carry a front-end sales charge ranging from 0%
- - 5.75%, and Class C Shares shall carry a front-end sales charge of 1.00%.
Class B Shares shall not be subject to any front-end sales charges.
3. Class A Shares shall not be subject to a contingent deferred sales
charge ("CDSC"), except in the following limited circumstances. On
investments of $1 million or more, a contingent deferred sales charge of
1.00% of the lesser of the then-current net asset value or the original net
asset value at the time of purchase applies to redemptions of those
investments within the contingency period of 12 months from the calendar
month following their purchase. The CDSC is waived in certain circumstances,
as described in the Fund's prospectus.
Class B Shares shall be subject to a CDSC with the following CDSC
schedule: (a) Class B Shares redeemed within 2 years of their purchase shall
be assessed a CDSC of 4% on the lesser of the then-current net asset value or
the original net asset value at the time of purchase; (b) Class B Shares
redeemed within the third and fourth years of their purchase shall be
assessed a CDSC of 3% on the lesser of the then-current net asset value or
the original net asset value at the time of purchase; (c) Class B Shares
redeemed within 5 years of their purchase shall be assessed a CDSC of 2% on
the lesser of the then-current net asset value or the original net asset
value at the time of purchase; and (d) Class B Shares redeemed within 6 years
of their purchase shall be assessed a CDSC of 1% on the lesser of the
then-current net asset value or the original net asset value at the time of
purchase. The CDSC is waived in certain circumstances described in the
Fund's prospectus.
Class C Shares redeemed within 18 months of their purchase shall be
assessed a CDSC of 1.00% on the lesser of the then-current net asset value or
the original net asset value at the time of purchase. The CDSC is waived in
certain circumstances as described in the Fund's prospectus.
4. The distribution plan adopted by the Investment Company pursuant to
Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (the "Rule
12b-1 Plan") associated with the Class A Shares may be used to reimburse
Franklin/Templeton Distributors, Inc. (the "Distributor") or others for
expenses incurred in the promotion and distribution of the Class A Shares.
Such expenses 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 the
Distributor's overhead expenses attributable to the distribution of the Class
A 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 Investment Company for the Class A Shares, the Distributor or its
affiliates.
The Rule 12b-1 Plan associated with the Class B Shares has two
components. The first component is an asset-based sales charge to be
retained by Distributor to compensate Distributor for amounts advanced to
securities dealers or their firms or others with respect to the sale of Class
B Shares. In addition, such payments may be retained by the Distributor to
be used in the promotion and distribution of Class B Shares in a manner
similar to that described above for Class A Shares. The second component is
a shareholder servicing fee to be paid to securities dealers or others who
provide personal assistance to shareholders in servicing their accounts.
The Rule 12b-1 Plan associated with the Class C Shares has two
components. The first component is a shareholder servicing fee, to be paid
to broker-dealers, banks, trust companies and others who maintain shareholder
accounts or provide personal assistance to shareholders in servicing their
accounts. The second component is an asset-based sales charge to be retained
by the Distributor during the first year after the sale of shares and, in
subsequent years, to be paid to dealers or retained by the Distributor to be
used in the promotion and distribution of Class C Shares, in a manner similar
to that described above for Class A Shares.
The Rule 12b-1 Plans for the Class A, Class B and Class C Shares shall
operate in accordance with Rule 2830(d) of the Conduct Rules of the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
5. The only difference in expenses as between Class A, Class B and
Class C Shares shall relate to differences in Rule 12b-1 plan expenses, as
described in the applicable Rule 12b-1 Plans; however, to the extent that the
Rule 12b-1 Plan expenses of one Class are the same as the Rule 12b-1 Plan
expenses of another Class, such classes shall be subject to the same expenses.
6. There shall be no conversion features associated with the Class A
and Class C Shares. Each Class B Share, however, shall be converted
automatically, and without any action or choice on the part of the holder of
the Class B Shares, into Class A Shares on the conversion date specified, and
in accordance with the terms and conditions approved by the Franklin
Strategic Series' Board of Trustees and as described, in each fund's
prospectus relating to the Class B Shares, as such prospectus may be amended
from time to time; provided, however, that the Class B Shares shall be
converted automatically into Class A Shares to the extent and on the terms
permitted by the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the rules and regulations
adopted thereunder.
7. Shares of Class A, Class B and Class C may be exchanged for shares
of another investment company within the Franklin Templeton Group of Funds
according to the terms and conditions stated in each fund's prospectus, as it
may be amended from time to time, to the extent permitted by the Investment
Company Act of 1940 and the rules and regulations adopted thereunder.
8. Each class will vote separately with respect to any Rule 12b-1 Plan
related to, or which now or in the future may affect, that class.
9. On an ongoing basis, the Board members, pursuant to their fiduciary
responsibilities under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and otherwise, will
monitor the Fund for the existence of any material conflicts between the
Board members interests of the various classes of shares. The Board members,
including a majority of the independent Board members, shall take such action
as is reasonably necessary to eliminate any such conflict that may develop.
Franklin Advisers, Inc. and Franklin/Templeton Distributors, Inc. shall be
responsible for alerting the Board to any material conflicts that arise.
10. All material amendments to this Plan must be approved by a majority
of the Board members, including a majority of the Board members who are not
interested persons of the Investment Company.
11. I, Deborah R. Gatzek, Secretary of the Franklin Group of Funds, do
hereby certify that this Multiple Class Plan was adopted by FRANKLIN
STRATEGIC SERIES, on behalf of its series FRANKLIN GLOBAL HEALTH CARE FUND,
by a majority of the Trustees of the Trust on April 16, 1998.
/s/ Deborah R. Gatzek
--------------------
Deborah R. Gatzek
Secretary
MULTIPLE CLASS PLAN
on behalf of
FRANKLIN STRATEGIC INCOME FUND
This Multiple Class Plan (the "Plan") has been adopted by a majority of
the Board of Trustees of FRANKLIN STRATEGIC SERIES (the "Investment Company")
for its series, FRANKLIN STRATEGIC INCOME FUND (the "Fund"). The Board has
determined that the Plan, including the expense allocation, is in the best
interests of each class of the Fund and the Investment Company as a whole.
The Plan sets forth the provisions relating to the establishment of multiple
classes of shares of the Fund, and supersedes any Plan previously adopted for
the Fund.
1. The Fund shall offer three classes of shares, to be known as Class
A Shares, Class B Shares and Class C Shares.
2. Class A Shares shall carry a front-end sales charge ranging from 0%
- - 4.25%, and Class C Shares shall carry a front-end sales charge of 1.00%.
Class B Shares shall not be subject to any front-end sales charges.
3. Class A Shares shall not be subject to a contingent deferred sales
charge ("CDSC"), except in the following limited circumstances. On
investments of $1 million or more, a contingent deferred sales charge of
1.00% of the lesser of the then-current net asset value or the original net
asset value at the time of purchase applies to redemptions of those
investments within the contingency period of 12 months from the calendar
month following their purchase. The CDSC is waived in certain circumstances,
as described in the Fund's prospectus.
Class B Shares shall be subject to a CDSC with the following CDSC
schedule: (a) Class B Shares redeemed within 2 years of their purchase shall
be assessed a CDSC of 4% on the lesser of the then-current net asset value or
the original net asset value at the time of purchase; (b) Class B Shares
redeemed within the third and fourth years of their purchase shall be
assessed a CDSC of 3% on the lesser of the then-current net asset value or
the original net asset value at the time of purchase; (c) Class B Shares
redeemed within 5 years of their purchase shall be assessed a CDSC of 2% on
the lesser of the then-current net asset value or the original net asset
value at the time of purchase; and (d) Class B Shares redeemed within 6 years
of their purchase shall be assessed a CDSC of 1% on the lesser of the
then-current net asset value or the original net asset value at the time of
purchase. The CDSC is waived in certain circumstances described in the
Fund's prospectus.
Class C Shares redeemed within 18 months of their purchase shall be
assessed a CDSC of 1.00% on the lesser of the then-current net asset value or
the original net asset value at the time of purchase. The CDSC is waived in
certain circumstances as described in the Fund's prospectus.
4. The distribution plan adopted by the Investment Company pursuant to
Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (the "Rule
12b-1 Plan") associated with the Class A Shares may be used to reimburse
Franklin/Templeton Distributors, Inc. (the "Distributor") or others for
expenses incurred in the promotion and distribution of the Class A Shares.
Such expenses 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 the
Distributor's overhead expenses attributable to the distribution of the Class
A 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 Investment Company for the Class A Shares, the Distributor or its
affiliates.
The Rule 12b-1 Plan associated with the Class B Shares has two
components. The first component is an asset-based sales charge to be
retained by Distributor to compensate Distributor for amounts advanced to
securities dealers or their firms or others with respect to the sale of Class
B Shares. In addition, such payments may be retained by the Distributor to
be used in the promotion and distribution of Class B Shares in a manner
similar to that described above for Class A Shares. The second component is
a shareholder servicing fee to be paid to securities dealers or others who
provide personal assistance to shareholders in servicing their accounts.
The Rule 12b-1 Plan associated with the Class C Shares has two
components. The first component is a shareholder servicing fee, to be paid
to broker-dealers, banks, trust companies and others who maintain shareholder
accounts or provide personal assistance to shareholders in servicing their
accounts. The second component is an asset-based sales charge to be retained
by the Distributor during the first year after the sale of shares and, in
subsequent years, to be paid to dealers or retained by the Distributor to be
used in the promotion and distribution of Class C Shares, in a manner similar
to that described above for Class A Shares.
The Rule 12b-1 Plans for the Class A, Class B and Class C Shares shall
operate in accordance with Rule 2830(d) of the Conduct Rules of the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
5. The only difference in expenses as between Class A, Class B and
Class C Shares shall relate to differences in Rule 12b-1 plan expenses, as
described in the applicable Rule 12b-1 Plans; however, to the extent that the
Rule 12b-1 Plan expenses of one Class are the same as the Rule 12b-1 Plan
expenses of another Class, such classes shall be subject to the same expenses.
6. There shall be no conversion features associated with the Class A
and Class C Shares. Each Class B Share, however, shall be converted
automatically, and without any action or choice on the part of the holder of
the Class B Shares, into Class A Shares on the conversion date specified, and
in accordance with the terms and conditions approved by the Franklin
Strategic Series' Board of Trustees and as described, in each fund's
prospectus relating to the Class B Shares, as such prospectus may be amended
from time to time; provided, however, that the Class B Shares shall be
converted automatically into Class A Shares to the extent and on the terms
permitted by the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the rules and regulations
adopted thereunder.
7. Shares of Class A, Class B and Class C may be exchanged for shares
of another investment company within the Franklin Templeton Group of Funds
according to the terms and conditions stated in each fund's prospectus, as it
may be amended from time to time, to the extent permitted by the Investment
Company Act of 1940 and the rules and regulations adopted thereunder.
8. Each class will vote separately with respect to any Rule 12b-1 Plan
related to, or which now or in the future may affect, that class.
9. On an ongoing basis, the Board members, pursuant to their fiduciary
responsibilities under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and otherwise, will
monitor the Fund for the existence of any material conflicts between the
Board members interests of the various classes of shares. The Board members,
including a majority of the independent Board members, shall take such action
as is reasonably necessary to eliminate any such conflict that may develop.
Franklin Advisers, Inc. and Franklin/Templeton Distributors, Inc. shall be
responsible for alerting the Board to any material conflicts that arise.
10. All material amendments to this Plan must be approved by a majority
of the Board members, including a majority of the Board members who are not
interested persons of the Investment Company.
11. I, Deborah R. Gatzek, Secretary of the Franklin Group of Funds, do
hereby certify that this Multiple Class Plan was adopted by FRANKLIN
STRATEGIC SERIES, on behalf of its series FRANKLIN STRATEGIC INCOME FUND, by
a majority of the Trustees of the Trust on April 16, 1998
/s/ Deborah R. Gatzek
--------------------
Deborah R. Gatzek
Secretary
MULTIPLE CLASS PLAN
on behalf of
FRANKLIN LARGE CAP GROWTH FUND
This Multiple Class Plan (the "Plan") has been adopted by a majority of
the Board of Trustees of FRANKLIN STRATEGIC SERIES (the "Investment Company")
for its series, FRANKLIN LARGE CAP GROWTH FUND (the "Fund"). The Board has
determined that the Plan, including the expense allocation, is in the best
interests of each class of the Fund and the Investment Company as a whole.
The Plan sets forth the provisions relating to the establishment of multiple
classes of shares of the Fund.
1. The Fund shall offer four classes of shares, to be known as Class A
Shares, Class B Shares, Class C Shares and Advisor Class Shares.
2. Class A Shares shall carry a front-end sales charge ranging from 0%
- - 5.75%, and Class C Shares shall carry a front-end sales charge of 1.00%.
Class B Shares and the Advisor Class Shares shall not be subject to any
front-end sales charges.
3. Class A Shares shall not be subject to a contingent deferred sales
charge ("CDSC"), except in the following limited circumstances. On
investments of $1 million or more, a contingent deferred sales charge of
1.00% of the lesser of the then-current net asset value or the original net
asset value at the time of purchase applies to redemptions of those
investments within the contingency period of 12 months from the calendar
month following their purchase. The CDSC is waived in certain circumstances,
as described in the Fund's prospectus.
Class B Shares shall be subject to a CDSC with the following CDSC
schedule: (a) Class B Shares redeemed within 2 years of their purchase shall
be assessed a CDSC of 4% on the lesser of the then-current net asset value or
the original net asset value at the time of purchase; (b) Class B Shares
redeemed within the third and fourth years of their purchase shall be
assessed a CDSC of 3% on the lesser of the then-current net asset value or
the original net asset value at the time of purchase; (c) Class B Shares
redeemed within 5 years of their purchase shall be assessed a CDSC of 2% on
the lesser of the then-current net asset value or the original net asset
value at the time of purchase; and (d) Class B Shares redeemed within 6 years
of their purchase shall be assessed a CDSC of 1% on the lesser of the
then-current net asset value or the original net asset value at the time of
purchase. The CDSC is waived in certain circumstances described in the
Fund's prospectus.
Class C Shares redeemed within 18 months of their purchase shall be
assessed a CDSC of 1.00% on the lesser of the then-current net asset value or
the original net asset value at the time of purchase. The CDSC is waived in
certain circumstances as described in the Fund's prospectus.
Advisor Class Shares shall not be subject to any CDSC.
4. The distribution plan adopted by the Investment Company pursuant to
Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (the "Rule
12b-1 Plan") associated with the Class A Shares may be used to reimburse
Franklin/Templeton Distributors, Inc. (the "Distributor") or others for
expenses incurred in the promotion and distribution of the Class A Shares.
Such expenses 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 the
Distributor's overhead expenses attributable to the distribution of the Class
A 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 Investment Company for the Class A Shares, the Distributor or its
affiliates.
The Rule 12b-1 Plan associated with the Class B Shares has two
components. The first component is an asset-based sales charge to be
retained by Distributor to compensate Distributor for amounts advanced to
securities dealers or their firms or others with respect to the sale of Class
B Shares. In addition, such payments may be retained by the Distributor to
be used in the promotion and distribution of Class B Shares in a manner
similar to that described above for Class A Shares. The second component is
a shareholder servicing fee to be paid to securities dealers or others who
provide personal assistance to shareholders in servicing their accounts.
The Rule 12b-1 Plan associated with the Class C Shares has two
components. The first component is a shareholder servicing fee, to be paid
to broker-dealers, banks, trust companies and others who maintain shareholder
accounts or provide personal assistance to shareholders in servicing their
accounts. The second component is an asset-based sales charge to be retained
by the Distributor during the first year after the sale of shares, and in
subsequent years, to be paid to dealers or retained by the Distributor to be
used in the promotion and distribution of Class C Shares, in a manner similar
to that described above for Class A Shares.
No Rule 12b-1 Plan has been adopted on behalf of the Advisor Class
Shares and, therefore, the Advisor Class Shares shall not be subject to
deductions relating to Rule 12b-1 fees.
The Rule 12b-1 Plans for the Class A, Class B and Class C Shares shall
operate in accordance with Rule 2830(d) of the Conduct Rules of the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
5. The only difference in expenses as between Class A, Class B, Class
C, and Advisor Class Shares shall relate to differences in Rule 12b-1 plan
expenses, as described in the applicable Rule 12b-1 Plans; however, to the
extent that the Rule 12b-1 Plan expenses of one Class are the same as the
Rule 12b-1 Plan expenses of another Class, such classes shall be subject to
the same expenses.
6. There shall be no conversion features associated with the Class A,
Class C, and Advisor Class Shares. Each Class B Share, however, shall be
converted automatically, and without any action or choice on the part of the
holder of the Class B Shares, into Class A Shares on the conversion date
specified, and in accordance with the terms and conditions approved by the
Franklin Strategic Series' Board of Trustees and as described, in each fund's
prospectus relating to the Class B Shares, as such prospectus may be amended
from time to time; provided, however, that the Class B Shares shall be
converted automatically into Class A Shares to the extent and on the terms
permitted by the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the rules and regulations
adopted thereunder.
7. Shares of Class A, Class B, Class C and Advisor Class may be
exchanged for shares of another investment company within the Franklin
Templeton Group of Funds according to the terms and conditions stated in each
fund's prospectus, as it may be amended from time to time, to the extent
permitted by the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the rules and regulations
adopted thereunder.
8. Each class will vote separately with respect to any Rule 12b-1 Plan
related to, or which now or in the future may affect, that class.
9. On an ongoing basis, the Board members, pursuant to their fiduciary
responsibilities under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and otherwise, will
monitor the Fund for the existence of any material conflicts between the
Board members interests of the various classes of shares. The Board members,
including a majority of the independent Board members, shall take such action
as is reasonably necessary to eliminate any such conflict that may develop.
Franklin Advisers, Inc. and Franklin/Templeton Distributors, Inc. shall be
responsible for alerting the Board to any material conflicts that arise.
10. All material amendments to this Plan must be approved by a majority
of the Board members, including a majority of the Board members who are not
interested persons of the Investment Company.
11. I, Deborah R. Gatzek, Secretary of the Franklin Group of Funds, do
hereby certify that this Multiple Class Plan was adopted by FRANKLIN
STRATEGIC SERIES, on behalf of its series FRANKLIN LARGE CAP GROWTH FUND, by
a majority of the Trustees of the Trust on _____________.
-------------------
Deborah R. Gatzek
Secretary
