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FRANKLIN TEMPLETON PROSPECTUS -- JULY 28, 1994
JAPAN FUND AS SUPPLEMENTED MAY 25, 1995
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INVESTMENT The investment objective of Franklin Templeton Japan Fund (the
OBJECTIVE "Fund") is long-term capital growth. The Fund seeks its
AND POLICIES objective by investing primarily in securities of companies
domiciled in Japan and traded in Japanese securities markets.
THE FUND MAY BORROW MONEY FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES (I.E.,
"LEVERAGE" ITS PORTFOLIO), WHICH MAY INVOLVE GREATER RISK AND
ADDITIONAL COSTS TO THE FUND. IN ADDITION, THE FUND MAY INVEST
UP TO 15% OF ITS ASSETS IN ILLIQUID SECURITIES, INCLUDING UP TO
10% OF ITS ASSETS IN RESTRICTED SECURITIES, WHICH MAY INVOLVE
GREATER RISK AND INCREASED FUND EXPENSES. THERE ARE FURTHER
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE FUND'S POLICY OF INVESTING PRIMARILY
IN JAPANESE SECURITIES. SEE "RISK FACTORS."
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PURCHASE OF Please complete and return the Shareholder Application. If you
SHARES need assistance in completing this form, please call our
Account Services Department. The Fund's Shares may be purchased
at a price equal to their net asset value plus a sales charge
not exceeding 5.75% of the offering price. The minimum initial
investment is $100 ($25 minimum for subsequent investments).
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PROSPECTUS This Prospectus sets forth concisely information about the Fund
INFORMATION that a prospective investor ought to know before investing.
Investors are advised to read and retain this Prospectus for
future reference. A Statement of Additional Information ("SAI")
dated July 28, 1994, as supplemented January 25, 1995, has been
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and is
incorporated in its entirety by reference in and made a part of
this Prospectus. The SAI is available without charge upon
request to Franklin Templeton Distributors, Inc., P.O. Box
33030, St. Petersburg, Florida 33733-8030 or by calling the
Fund Information Department.
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FUND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT--1-800-292-9293
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TEMPLETON "STAR" SERVICE (24 hours, seven days a week access to current prices,
shareholder account balances/values, last transaction and duplicate account
statements) -- 1-800-654-0123
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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EXPENSE TABLE........ 2
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS. 3
GENERAL DESCRIPTION.. 4
Investment Objective
and Policies........ 4
INVESTMENT TECH-
NIQUES.............. 5
Temporary Invest-
ments............... 5
Borrowing............ 5
Loans of Portfolio
Securities.......... 6
Options on Securities
or Indices.......... 6
Forward Foreign
Currency Contracts
and Options on
Foreign Currencies.. 6
Futures Contracts.... 7
Repurchase Agree-
ments............... 7
Depositary Receipts.. 7
Illiquid and Re-
stricted Securities. 8
RISK FACTORS......... 8
Investment in Japa-
nese Issuers........ 8
Foreign Investments.. 9
Emerging Growth Com-
panies.............. 10
High Risk Debt Secu-
rities.............. 10
Leverage............. 10
Futures Contracts and
Related Options..... 10
HOW TO BUY SHARES OF
THE FUND............ 11
Offering Price....... 11
</TABLE>
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Cumulative Quantity
Discount............ 12
Letter of Intent..... 12
Group Purchases...... 13
Net Asset Value Pur-
chases.............. 13
Description of Spe-
cial Net Asset Value
Purchases........... 14
Additional Dealer
Compensation........ 15
Purchasing Fund
Shares.............. 15
Automatic Investment
Plan................ 16
Institutional Ac-
counts.............. 16
Account Statements... 16
Templeton STAR Serv-
ice................. 16
Retirement Plans..... 16
Net Asset Value...... 16
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE... 17
Transfers............ 18
Exchanges by Timing
Accounts............ 18
HOW TO SELL SHARES OF
THE FUND............ 18
Reinstatement Privi-
lege................ 20
Systematic Withdrawal
Plan................ 20
Redemptions by Tele-
phone............... 21
Contingent Deferred
Sales Charge........ 21
TELEPHONE TRANSAC-
TIONS............... 22
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
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Verification Proce-
dures............... 22
Restricted Accounts.. 23
General.............. 23
MANAGEMENT OF THE
FUND................ 23
Investment Manager... 23
Business Manager..... 24
Transfer Agent....... 24
Custodian............ 24
Plan of Distribution. 24
Brokerage Commis-
sions............... 25
GENERAL INFORMATION.. 25
Description of
Shares/Share Certif-
icates.............. 25
Meetings of Share-
holders............. 25
Dividends and Distri-
butions............. 25
Federal Tax Informa-
tion................ 25
Japan Taxes.......... 26
Inquiries............ 26
Performance Informa-
tion................ 26
Statements and Re-
ports............... 26
WITHHOLDING INFORMA-
TION................ 27
CORPORATE RESOLUTION. 28
AUTHORIZATION AGREE-
MENT................ 29
THE FRANKLIN TEMPLE-
TON GROUP........... 30
</TABLE>
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SHARES OF THE FUND ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF, OR GUARANTEED OR
ENDORSED BY, ANY BANK; FURTHER, SUCH SHARES ARE NOT FEDERALLY INSURED BY THE
FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD, OR ANY OTHER
AGENCY.
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION, NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS
A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
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EXPENSE TABLE
The purpose of this table is to assist an investor in understanding the
various costs and expenses that a Shareholder will bear directly or indirectly
in connection with an investment in the Fund. The figures are estimates of the
Fund's expenses for the current fiscal year.
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SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES
Maximum Sales Load Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of Offering
Price)............................................................... 5.75%
Deferred Sales Charge................................................. None/1/
Exchange Fee (per transaction)........................................ $5.00/2/
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (AS A PERCENTAGE OF AVERAGE NET ASSETS)
Management Fees....................................................... 0.75%
Rule 12b-1 Fees/3/.................................................... .35%
Other Expenses (audit, legal, business management, transfer agent and
custodian) (after expense reimbursement)............................. .90%
Total Fund Operating Expenses (after expense reimbursement)........... 2.00%
</TABLE>
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/1/Investments of $1 million or more are not subject to a front-end sales
charge; however, a contingent deferred sales charge of 1%, is generally
imposed on certain redemptions within a "contingency period" of 12 months of
the calendar month following such investments. See "How to Sell Shares of
the Fund--Contingent Deferred Sales Charge."
/2/$5.00 fee imposed only on Timing Accounts as described under "Exchange
Privilege." All other exchanges are processed without a fee.
/3/Annual Rule 12b-1 fees may not exceed 0.35% of the Fund's average net assets
attributable to Shares. Consistent with the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc.'s rules, it is possible that the combination of
front-end sales charges and Rule 12b-1 fees could cause long-term
Shareholders to pay more than the economic equivalent of the maximum front-
end sales charges permitted under those same rules.
Investors should be aware that the above table is not intended to reflect in
precise detail the fees and expenses associated with an individual's own
investment in the Fund. Rather, the table has been provided only to assist
investors in gaining a more complete understanding of fees, charges and
expenses. For a more detailed discussion of these matters, investors should
refer to the appropriate sections of this Prospectus.
EXAMPLE
As required by SEC regulations, the following example illustrates the
expenses, including the maximum front-end sales charge and applicable
contingent deferred sales charge, that apply to a $1,000 investment in the
Fund over various time periods assuming (1) a 5% annual rate of return and (2)
redemption at the end of each time period.
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ONE YEAR THREE YEARS
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$77 $117
</TABLE>
For purposes of this example, it is assumed that a contingent deferred sales
charge will not apply.
THIS EXAMPLE IS BASED ON THE ESTIMATED ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES, INCLUDING
FEES SET BY CONTRACT, SHOWN ABOVE AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A
REPRESENTATION OF PAST OR FUTURE EXPENSES, WHICH MAY BE MORE OR LESS THAN
THOSE SHOWN. The operating expenses are borne by the Fund and only indirectly
by Shareholders as a result of their investment in the Fund. In addition,
federal securities regulations require the example to assume an annual return
of 5%, but the Fund's actual return may be more or less than 5%.
2
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Effective April 15, 1995, the Fund's Business Manager, Templeton Global
Investors, Inc., has voluntarily agreed to limit the total expenses (excluding
interest, taxes, brokerage commissions and extraordinary expenses) of the Fund
to an annual rate of 2.00% of the Fund's average daily net assets. If this
policy were net in effect, the Fund's "Other Expenses" and "Total Fund
Operating Expenses" would be 10.95% and 12.05%, respectively, and you would
pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment, assuming 5% annual return
and redemption at the end of each time period: $167 for one year and $364 for
three years. As long as this temporary expense limitation continues, it may
lower the Fund's expenses and increase its total return. After December 31,
1995, this expense limitation may be terminated or revised at any time, at
which time the Fund's expenses may increase and its total return may be
reduced, depending on the total assets of the Fund.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE
(FOR A SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT THE PERIOD)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
JULY 28, 1994
(COMMENCEMENT OF
OPERATIONS) TO
DECEMBER 31, 1994
(UNAUDITED)
-----------------
<S> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period $10.00
------
Income from investment operations:
Net investment income .06
Net realized and unrealized loss (.12)
------
Total from investment operations (.06)
------
Distribution:
Dividend from net investment income (.05)
------
Change in net asset value (.11)
------
Net asset value, end of period $ 9.89
======
TOTAL RETURN* (0.59)%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net assets, end of period (000) $ 954
Ratio of expenses to average net assets 12.62%**
Ratio of expenses, net of reimbursement, to average net
assets 1.25%**
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets 1.71%**
Portfolio turnover rate --
</TABLE>
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* Total Return does not reflect sales commissions. Not annualized.
** Annualized.
3
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GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Franklin Templeton Japan Fund (the "Fund") was organized as a business trust
under the laws of Delaware on October 29, 1991, and is registered under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act") as a diversified, open-end
management investment company.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES. The investment objective of the Fund is
long-term capital growth. The Fund seeks to achieve its objective through
investing its assets primarily in securities of companies domiciled in Japan
and traded in the Japanese securities markets. A company is considered
domiciled in Japan if it is organized under the laws of Japan, at least half
of its assets are located in Japan and it normally derives at least half of
its income from operations or sales in Japan or if its principal activities
are in Japan.
The Fund's investments will consist of common stocks, common stock
equivalents (convertible debt securities and warrants) preferred stocks and
debt securities issued by domestic and foreign corporations, domestic and
foreign governments and supranational organizations such as the World Bank,
the European Investment Bank and the Asian Development Bank, as well as the
investments discussed under "Investment Techniques."
Under normal circumstances at least 80% of the Fund's assets will be
invested in equity securities of Japanese issuers. "Equity securities," as
used in this Prospectus, refers to common stock, preferred stock, warrants or
rights to subscribe to or purchase such securities and sponsored or
unsponsored American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs") and Global Depositary
Receipts ("GDRs"). See "Investment Techniques -- Depositary Receipts."
Securities considered for purchase by the Fund may be listed or unlisted, and
may be issued by companies in various industries, with various levels of
market capitalization.
Consistent with the Fund's objective of seeking long-term capital growth,
the Fund may purchase debt, as well as equity securities, issued by private
and governmental issuers. Although the Fund would not anticipate that its debt
investments would achieve the same levels of growth as its equity investments,
nevertheless, such investments fluctuate in value based upon changes in such
factors as the general level of interest rates and credit quality, and may be
expected to offer attractive growth opportunities. Additionally, convertible
bonds offer the potential for capital appreciation through the conversion
feature, which enables the holder of the bond to benefit from increases in the
market price of the securities into which they are convertible.
The Fund may invest in debt securities (defined as bonds, notes, debentures,
commercial paper, time deposits, and bankers' acceptances) which are rated in
any rating category by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") or Standard
& Poor's Corporation ("S&P") or which are unrated by any rating agency. Such
securities may include high risk, lower quality debt securities, commonly
referred to as "junk bonds." See "Risk Factors." As an operating policy, which
may be changed by the Board of Trustees, the Fund will not invest more than 5%
of its total assets in debt securities rated lower than Baa by Moody's or BBB
by S&P. The Fund may invest in yen-denominated bonds sold in Japan by non-
Japanese issuers ("Samurai Bonds") and may invest in dollar-denominated bonds
sold in the United States by non-U.S. issuers ("Yankee Bonds"). As compared
with bonds issued in their countries of domicile, such bond issues normally
carry a higher interest rate but are less actively traded. Samurai Bonds and
Yankee Bonds are subject to the risks associated with other debt instruments
and with securities of foreign issuers, as described below and in the SAI.
Debt securities are subject to certain market and credit risks. See
"Investment Objective and Policies -- Debt Securities" in the SAI.
Government securities in which the Fund may invest consist of debt
securities issued by the U.S. Treasury which are direct obligations of the
U.S. Government, including bills (maturity of one year or less), notes
(maturities of one to 10 years) and bonds (generally maturities of greater
than 10 years), and debt securities issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government-
sponsored instrumentalities and federal agencies, including the Federal
National Mortgage Association ("FNMA"), Federal Home Loan Banks and the
Federal Housing Administration. Mortgage-backed U.S. Government securities,
such as FNMA certificates, are highly sensitive to prepayment and interest
rates. Prepayments on a pool of mortgage loans are influenced by a variety of
economic, geographic, social and other factors. Generally, however,
prepayments on fixed rate mortgage loans will increase during a period of
falling interest rates and decrease
4
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during a period of rising interest rates. Accordingly, to the extent of the
Fund's investment in mortgage-backed securities, amounts available for
reinvestment by the Fund are likely to be greater during a period of declining
interest rates and, as a result, are likely to be reinvested at lower interest
rates than during a period of rising interest rates. The Fund may also invest
in obligations issued or guaranteed by a foreign government or any of its
political subdivisions, authorities, agencies, or instrumentalities which are
rated in any category, as described above, or which are unrated by any rating
agency.
The objective of the Fund is a fundamental policy which cannot be changed
without Shareholder approval. The investment policies and practices described
herein are not fundamental policies of the Fund and may be changed at the
discretion of the Board of Trustees without Shareholder approval.
The Fund may also lend its portfolio securities and borrow money for
investment purposes (i.e., "leverage" its portfolio). In addition, the Fund
may enter into transactions in options on securities, securities indices and
foreign currencies, forward foreign currency contracts, and futures contracts
and related options. These are generally referred to as derivative
instruments, and involve special risk factors, which are described below. When
deemed appropriate by the Investment Manager, the Fund may invest cash
balances in repurchase agreements and other money market investments to
maintain liquidity in an amount to meet expenses or for day-to-day operating
purposes. These investment techniques are described below and under the
heading "Investment Objective and Policies" in the SAI.
When the Investment Manager believes that unusual market conditions warrant,
the Fund may adopt a temporary defensive position and may invest without limit
in money market securities denominated in U.S. dollars or in the currency of
any foreign country. See "Investment Techniques -- Temporary Investments."
The Fund invests for long-term growth of capital and does not emphasize
short-term trading profits. Accordingly, the Fund expects to have an annual
portfolio turnover rate not exceeding 50%. There can be no assurance that the
Fund's investment objective will be achieved.
INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES
The Fund is authorized to use the various investment techniques described
below. Although these strategies are regularly used by some investment
companies and other institutional investors in various markets, some of these
strategies cannot at the present time be used to a significant extent by the
Fund in some of the markets in which the Fund will invest and may not be
available for extensive use in the future.
TEMPORARY INVESTMENTS. For temporary defensive purposes, the Fund may invest
up to 100% of its total assets in the following money market securities,
denominated in U.S. dollars or in the currency of any foreign country, issued
by entities organized in the United States or any foreign country: debt
obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or the governments of
foreign countries, their agencies or instrumentalities; short-term time
deposits with banks; repurchase agreements with banks and broker-dealers with
respect to U.S. Government obligations; and finance company and corporate
commercial paper, and other short-term corporate obligations, in each case
rated Prime-1 by Moody's or A or better by S&P or, if unrated, of comparable
quality as determined by the Investment Manager.
BORROWING. The Fund may borrow up to one-third of the value of its total
assets from banks to increase its holdings of portfolio securities. Under the
1940 Act, the Fund is required to maintain continuous asset coverage of 300%
with respect to such borrowings and to sell (within three days) sufficient
portfolio holdings to restore such coverage if it should decline to less than
300% due to market fluctuations or otherwise, even if such liquidations of the
Fund's holdings may be disadvantageous from an investment standpoint.
Leveraging by means of borrowing may exaggerate the effect of any increase or
decrease in the value of portfolio securities on the Fund's net asset value,
and money borrowed will be subject to interest and other costs (which may
include commitment fees and/or the cost of maintaining minimum average
balances) which may or may not exceed the income received from the securities
purchased with borrowed funds.
5
<PAGE>
LOANS OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES. The Fund may lend to broker-dealers portfolio
securities with an aggregate market value of up to one-third of its total
assets to generate income for the purpose of offsetting operating expenses.
Such loans must be secured by collateral (consisting of any combination of
cash, U.S. Government securities or irrevocable letters of credit) in an
amount at least equal (on a daily marked-to-market basis) to the current
market value of the securities loaned. 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 retain any voting rights with respect to the
securities. In the event that the borrower defaults on its obligation to
return borrowed securities, because of insolvency or otherwise, the Fund could
experience delays and costs in gaining access to the collateral and could
suffer a loss to the extent that the value of the collateral falls below the
market value of the borrowed securities.
OPTIONS ON SECURITIES OR INDICES. To increase its return or to hedge all or
a portion of its portfolio investments, the Fund may write (i.e., sell)
covered put and call options and purchase put and call options on securities
or securities indices that are traded on United States and foreign exchanges
or in the over-the-counter markets. An option on a security is a contract that
permits the purchaser of the option, in return for the premium paid, the right
to buy a specified security (in the case of a call option) or to sell a
specified security (in the case of a put option) from or to the writer of the
option at a designated price during the term of the option. An option on a
securities index permits the purchaser of the option, in return for the
premium paid, the right to receive from the seller cash equal to the
difference between the closing price of the index and the exercise price of
the option. The Fund may write a call or put option only if the option is
"covered." This means that so long as the Fund is obligated as the writer of a
call option, it will own the underlying securities subject to the call, or
hold a call at the same or lower exercise price, for the same exercise period,
and on the same securities as the written call. A put is covered if the Fund
maintains liquid assets with a value equal to the exercise price in a
segregated account, or holds a put on the same underlying securities at an
equal or greater exercise price. The value of the underlying securities on
which options may be written at any one time will not exceed 15% of the total
assets of the Fund. The Fund will not purchase put or call options if the
aggregate premium paid for such options would exceed 5% of its total assets at
the time of purchase.
FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS ON FOREIGN CURRENCIES. The
Fund may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts ("forward
contracts") to attempt to minimize the risk to the Fund from adverse changes
in the relationship between the U.S. dollar and foreign currencies. A forward
contract is an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency for an
agreed price at a future date which is individually negotiated and privately
traded by currency traders and their customers. The Fund will enter into
forward contracts only under two circumstances. First, when the Fund enters
into a contract for the purchase or sale of a security denominated in a
foreign currency, it may desire to "lock in" the U.S. dollar price of the
security in relation to another currency by entering into a forward contract
to buy the amount of foreign currency needed to settle the transaction.
Second, when the Investment Manager believes that the currency of a particular
foreign country may suffer or enjoy a substantial movement against another
currency, it may enter into a forward contract to sell or buy the amount of
the former foreign currency approximating the value of some or all of the
Fund's portfolio securities denominated in such foreign currency. The second
investment practice is generally referred to as "cross-hedging." The Fund has
no specific limitation on the percentage of assets it may commit to forward
contracts, subject to its stated investment objective and policies, except
that the Fund will not enter into a forward contract if the amount of assets
set aside to cover forward contracts would impede portfolio management or the
Fund's ability to meet redemption requests. Although forward contracts will be
used primarily to protect the Fund from adverse currency movements, they also
involve the risk that anticipated currency movements will not be accurately
predicted.
The Fund may purchase put and call options and write covered put and call
options on foreign currencies for the purpose of protecting against declines
in the U.S. dollar value of foreign currency denominated portfolio securities
and against increases in the U.S. dollar cost of such securities to be
acquired. As in the case of other kinds of options, however, the writing of an
option on a foreign currency constitutes only a partial hedge, up to the
amount of the premium received, and the Fund could be required to purchase or
sell foreign currencies at disadvantageous exchange rates, thereby incurring
losses. The purchase of an option on a foreign currency may
6
<PAGE>
constitute an effective hedge against fluctuations in exchange rates although,
in the event of rate movements adverse to the Fund's position, it may forfeit
the entire amount of the premium plus related transaction costs. Options on
foreign currencies to be written or purchased by the Fund are traded on U.S.
and foreign exchanges or over-the-counter.
FUTURES CONTRACTS. For hedging purposes only, the Fund may buy and sell
financial futures contracts, stock and bond index futures contracts, foreign
currency futures contracts and options on any of the foregoing. A financial
futures contract is an agreement between two parties to buy or sell a
specified debt security at a set price on a future date. An 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 at the
end of the contract period. A futures contract on a foreign currency is an
agreement to buy or sell a specified amount of a currency for a set price on a
future date.
When the Fund enters into a futures contract, it must make an initial
deposit, known as "initial margin," as a partial guarantee of its performance
under the contract. As the value of the security, index or currency
fluctuates, either party to the contract is required to make additional margin
payments, known as "variation margin," to cover any additional obligation it
may have under the contract. In addition, when the Fund enters into a futures
contract, it will segregate assets or "cover" its position in accordance with
the 1940 Act. See "Investment Objective and Policies -- Futures Contracts" in
the SAI. With respect to positions in futures and related options that do not
constitute "bona fide hedging" positions, the Fund will not enter into a
futures contract or related option contract if, immediately thereafter, the
aggregate initial margin deposits relating to such positions plus premiums
paid by it for open futures option positions, less the amount by which any
such options are "in-the-money," would exceed 5% of the Fund's total assets.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS. For temporary defensive purposes and for cash
management purposes, the Fund may, without limit, enter into repurchase
agreements with U.S. banks and broker-dealers. Under a repurchase agreement,
the Fund acquires a security from a U.S. bank or a registered broker-dealer
and simultaneously agrees to resell the security back to the bank or broker-
dealer at a specified time and price. The repurchase price is in excess of the
purchase price by an amount which reflects an agreed-upon rate of return,
which is not tied to the coupon rate on the underlying security. Under the
1940 Act, repurchase agreements are considered to be loans collateralized by
the underlying security and therefore will be fully collateralized. However,
if the seller should default on its obligation to repurchase the underlying
security, the Fund may experience delay or difficulty in exercising its rights
to realize upon the security and might incur a loss if the value of the
security declines, as well as disposition costs in liquidating the security.
DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS. The Fund may purchase sponsored or unsponsored American
Depositary Receipts ("ADRs"), European Depositary Receipts ("EDRs") and Global
Depositary Receipts ("GDRs") (collectively, "Depositary Receipts"). ADRs are
Depositary Receipts typically issued by a U.S. bank or trust company which
evidence ownership of underlying securities issued by a foreign corporation.
EDRs and GDRs are typically issued by foreign banks or trust companies,
although they also may be issued by U.S. banks or trust companies, and
evidence ownership of underlying securities issued by either a foreign or a
U.S. corporation. Generally, Depositary Receipts in registered form are
designed for use in the U.S. securities market and Depositary Receipts in
bearer form are designed for use in securities markets outside the United
States. Depositary Receipts may not necessarily be denominated in the same
currency as the underlying securities into which they may be converted.
Depositary Receipts may be issued pursuant to sponsored or unsponsored
programs. In sponsored programs, an issuer has made arrangements to have its
securities traded in the form of Depositary Receipts. In unsponsored programs,
the issuer may not be directly involved in the creation of the program.
Although regulatory requirements with respect to sponsored and unsponsored
programs are generally similar, in some cases it may be easier to obtain
financial information from an issuer that has participated in the creation of
a sponsored program. Accordingly, there may be less information available
regarding issuers of securities underlying unsponsored programs and there may
not be a correlation between such information and the market value of the
Depositary Receipts. Depositary Receipts also involve the risks of other
investments in foreign securities, as discussed below. For purposes of the
Fund's investment policies, the Fund's investments in Depositary Receipts will
be deemed to be investments in the underlying securities.
7
<PAGE>
ILLIQUID AND RESTRICTED SECURITIES. The Fund may invest up to 15% of its
total assets in illiquid securities, for which there is a limited trading
market and for which a low trading volume of a particular security may result
in abrupt and erratic price movements. The Fund may be unable to dispose of
its holdings in illiquid securities at then-current market prices and may have
to dispose of such securities over extended periods of time. The Fund may also
invest in securities that are sold (i) in private placement transactions
between their issuers and their purchasers and that are neither listed on an
exchange nor traded over-the-counter, or (ii) in transactions between
qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended. Such restricted securities are subject to contractual or
legal restrictions on subsequent transfer. As a result of the absence of a
public trading market, such restricted securities may in turn be less liquid
and more difficult to value than publicly traded securities. Although these
securities may be resold in privately negotiated transactions, the prices
realized from the sales could, due to illiquidity, be less than those
originally paid by the Fund or less than their fair value. In addition,
issuers whose securities are not publicly traded may not be subject to the
disclosure and other investor protection requirements that may be applicable
if their securities were publicly traded. If any privately placed or Rule 144A
securities held by the Fund are required to be registered under the securities
laws of one or more jurisdictions before being resold, the Fund may be
required to bear the expenses of registration. The Fund will limit its
investment in restricted securities other than Rule 144A securities to 10% of
its total assets, and will limit its investment in all restricted securities,
including Rule 144A securities, to 15% of its total assets. Restricted
securities, other than Rule 144A securities determined by the Board of
Trustees to be liquid, are considered to be illiquid and are subject to the
Fund's limitation on investment in illiquid securities.
RISK FACTORS
Shareholders should understand that all investments involve risk and there
can be no guarantee against loss resulting from an investment in the Fund, nor
can there be any assurance that the Fund's investment objective will be
attained. As with any investment in securities, the value of, and income from,
an investment in the Fund can decrease as well as increase, depending on a
variety of factors which may affect the values and income generated by the
Fund's portfolio securities, including general economic conditions and market
factors. In addition to the factors which affect the value of individual
securities, a Shareholder may anticipate that the value of Fund Shares will
fluctuate with movements in the broader equity and bond markets. A decline in
the stock market of any country in which the Fund is invested may also be
reflected in declines in the price of the Shares of the Fund. History reflects
both decreases and increases in worldwide stock markets and currency
valuations, and these may reoccur unpredictably in the future. Additionally,
investment decisions made by the Investment Manager will not always be
profitable or prove to have been correct. The Fund is not intended as a
complete investment program.
INVESTMENT IN JAPANESE ISSUERS. Like other stock markets, the Japanese stock
market can be volatile. For example, the Japanese stock market, as measured by
the Tokyo Price Index (TOPIX), increased by over 500% during the ten-year
period ended December 31, 1989, reaching its high of 2884.80 on December 18,
1989, and it has declined by over 50% since that time, falling to 1439.31 on
December 30, 1993. This decline has had an adverse effect on the availability
of credit and on the value of the substantial stock holdings of Japanese
companies, in particular, Japanese banks, insurance companies and other
financial institutions. This in turn has contributed to the recent weakness in
Japan's economy. The Japanese stock market experienced some recovery during
the first quarter of 1994, reflecting an expectation of economic and corporate
earnings recovery. However, recurrence of a Japanese stock market decline
could have an adverse impact throughout Japan's economy.
Japan has had problems with certain of its trading partners, particularly
the United States, to whom it sells significantly more than it buys in return.
Even the dramatic appreciation of the yen relative to the dollar -- from (Yen)
239 to approximately (Yen) 100 per dollar between September 1985 and February
1994 -- has not altered the trade imbalance with the United States. However,
Japan is taking steps to stimulate domestic demand through tax deductions,
increased spending on construction and redevelopment, and easing of the
discount rate. Efforts are underway, in particular, to open up Japanese
markets to more U.S. products. Internally, certain commentators have pointed
to Japan's rapidly aging population, an outdated retail and distribution
system, a rigid education system, and a decrease in the
8
<PAGE>
work ethic among Japanese youth as potential sources of future economic
difficulties. However, the Japanese Government is now considering ways to
revitalize the Japanese society by means of income tax reform and deregulation
of the complicated traditional trading system and public restriction in order
to encourage more competition and innovation. On the other hand, private
companies are successfully making a global diversification of their production
facilities to cope with the yen appreciation against the U.S. dollar.
The common stocks of many Japanese companies continue to trade a high price-
earnings ratios even after the recent market decline. Differences in
accounting methods make it difficult to compare the earnings of Japanese
companies with those of companies in other countries, especially the United
States. In general, however, reported net income in Japan is understated
relative to U.S. accounting standards and this is one reason why price-
earnings ratios of the stocks of Japanese companies have tended historically
to be higher than those for U.S. stocks. In addition, Japanese companies have
tended historically to have higher growth rates than U.S. companies and
Japanese interest rates have generally been lower than in the U.S., both of
which factors tend to result in lower discount rates and higher price-earnings
ratios in Japan than in the United States.
FOREIGN INVESTMENTS. Up to 20% of the Fund's total assets may be invested in
securities of non-Japanese issuers, including issuers in underdeveloped
countries. Investors should consider carefully the substantial risks involved
in investing in securities issued by companies and governments of foreign
nations, including Japan, which are in addition to the usual risks inherent in
domestic investments. There is the possibility of expropriation,
nationalization or confiscatory taxation, taxation of income earned in foreign
nations (including, for example, withholding taxes on interest and dividends)
or other taxes imposed with respect to investments in foreign nations, foreign
exchange controls (which may include suspension of the ability to transfer
currency from a given country) foreign investment controls on daily stock
market movements, default in foreign government securities, political or
social instability or diplomatic developments which could affect investment in
securities of issuers in foreign nations. Some countries may withhold portions
of interest and dividends at the source. In addition, in many countries there
is less publicly available information about issuers than is available in
reports about companies in the United States. Foreign companies are not
generally subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting
standards, and auditing practices and requirements may not be comparable to
those applicable to United States companies. Further, the Fund may encounter
difficulties or be unable to vote proxies, exercise shareholder rights, pursue
legal remedies, and obtain judgments in foreign courts. Further, the Fund may
encounter difficulties or be unable to pursue legal remedies and obtain
judgments in foreign courts. Commission rates in foreign countries, which are
sometimes fixed rather than subject to negotiation as in the United States,
are likely to be higher. Foreign securities markets also have different
clearance and settlement procedures, and in certain markets there have been
times when settlements have been unable to keep pace with the volume of
securities transactions, making it difficult to conduct such transactions.
Delays in settlement could result in temporary periods when assets of the Fund
are uninvested and no return is earned thereon. The inability of the Fund to
make intended security purchases due to settlement problems could cause the
Fund to miss attractive investment opportunities. Inability to dispose of
portfolio securities due to settlement problems could result either in losses
to the Fund due to subsequent declines in value of the portfolio security or,
if the Fund has entered into a contract to sell the security, could result in
possible liability to the purchaser. In many foreign countries there is less
government supervision and regulation of business and industry practices,
stock exchanges, brokers and listed companies than in the United States. There
is an increased risk, therefore, of uninsured loss due to lost, stolen, or
counterfeit stock certificates. In addition, the foreign securities markets of
many of the countries in which the Fund may invest may also be smaller, less
liquid, and subject to greater price volatility than those in the United
States. As an open-end investment company, the Fund is limited in the extent
to which it may invest in illiquid securities. The Tokyo Stock Exchange has a
large volume of trading and the Investment Manager believes that securities of
companies traded in Japan are generally as liquid as securities of comparable
U.S. companies.
Prior governmental approval of foreign investments may be required under
certain circumstances in some developing countries, and the extent of foreign
investment in domestic companies may be subject to limitation in other
developing countries. Foreign ownership limitations also may be imposed by the
charters of individual companies in developing countries to prevent, among
other concerns, violation of foreign investment limitations.
9
<PAGE>
Repatriation of investment income, capital and proceeds of sales by foreign
investors may require governmental registration and/or approval in some
developing countries. The Fund could be adversely affected by delays in or a
refusal to grant any required governmental registration or approval for such
repatriation.
Further, the economies of developing countries generally are heavily
dependent upon international trade and, accordingly, have been and may
continue to be adversely affected by trade barriers, exchange controls,
managed adjustments in relative currency values and other protectionist
measures imposed or negotiated by the countries with which they trade. These
economies also have been and may continue to be adversely affected by economic
conditions in the countries with which they trade.
EMERGING GROWTH COMPANIES. The Fund has established no criteria regarding
the minimum market capitalization of the companies in which it may invest.
While they may offer greater opportunities for capital appreciation than
larger, more established companies, investments in smaller, emerging growth
companies may involve greater risks and thus may be considered speculative.
For example, small companies may have limited product lines, markets or
financial and management resources. In addition, many small emerging growth
company stocks trade less frequently and in smaller volume, and may be subject
to more abrupt or erratic price movements, than stocks of large companies. The
securities of small emerging growth companies may also be more sensitive to
market changes than the securities of large companies.
HIGH RISK DEBT SECURITIES. The Fund is authorized to invest in debt
securities rated in any category by S&P or Moody's and securities which are
unrated by any rating agency. See "Investment Objective and Policies -- Debt
Securities" in the SAI. As an operating policy, which may be changed by the
Board of Trustees without Shareholder approval, the Fund will not invest more
than 5% of its total assets in debt securities rated lower than BBB by S&P or
Baa by Moody's. The Board of Trustees may consider a change in this operating
policy if, in its judgment, economic conditions change such that a higher
level of investment in high-risk, lower quality debt securities would be
consistent with the interests of the Fund and its Shareholders. See Investment
Objectives and Policies--Debt Securities in the SAI for descriptions of debt
securities rated BBB by S&P and Baa by Moody's. High-risk, lower quality debt
securities, commonly referred to as "junk bonds," are regarded, on balance, as
predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer's capacity to pay
interest and repay principal in accordance with the terms of the obligation
and may be in default. Unrated debt securities are not necessarily of lower
quality than rated securities, but they may not be attractive to as many
buyers. Regardless of rating levels, all debt securities considered for
purchase (whether rated or unrated) will be carefully analyzed by the
Investment Manager to insure, to the extent possible, that the planned
investment is sound. The Fund may, from time to time, invest up to 5% of its
total assets in defaulted debt securities if, in the opinion of the Investment
Manager, the issuer may resume interest payments in the near future.
LEVERAGE. Leveraging by means of borrowing may exaggerate the effect of any
increase or decrease in the value of portfolio securities on the Fund's net
asset value, and money borrowed will be subject to interest and other costs
(which may include commitment fees and/or the cost of maintaining minimum
average balances) which may or may not exceed the income received from the
securities purchased with borrowed funds.
FUTURES CONTRACTS AND RELATED OPTIONS. Successful use of futures contracts
and related options is subject to special risk considerations. A liquid
secondary market for any futures or options contract may not be available when
a futures or options position is sought to be closed. In addition, there may
be an imperfect correlation between movements in the securities or foreign
currency on which the futures or options contract is based and movements in
the securities or currency in the Fund's portfolio. Successful use of futures
or options contracts is further dependent on the Investment Manager's ability
to correctly predict movements in the securities or foreign currency markets,
and no assurance can be given that its judgment will be correct. Successful
use of options on securities or securities indices is subject to similar risk
considerations. The Fund has the authority to purchase over-the-counter
options, which are generally less liquid than exchange traded options. In
addition, by writing covered call options, the Fund gives up the opportunity,
while the option is in effect, to profit from any price increase in the
underlying security above the option exercise price.
There are further risk factors, including possible losses through the
holding of securities in domestic and foreign custodian banks and
depositories, described elsewhere in the Prospectus and in the SAI.
10
<PAGE>
HOW TO BUY SHARES OF THE FUND
Shares of the Fund may be purchased at the Offering Price through any broker
which has a dealer agreement with Franklin Templeton Distributors, Inc.
("FTD"), the Principal Underwriter for Shares of the Fund, or directly from
FTD upon receipt by FTD of a completed Shareholder Application and check. The
minimum initial investment is $100, and subsequent investments must be $25 or
more. These minimums may be waived when the Shares are being purchased through
retirement plans providing for regular periodic investments, as described
below under "Retirement Plans."
OFFERING PRICE. Shares of the Fund are offered at their public Offering
Price, which is determined by adding the net asset value per Share plus a
front-end sales charge, next computed (i) after the Shareholder's securities
dealer receives the order which is promptly transmitted to the Fund or
(ii) after receipt of an order by mail from the Shareholder directly in proper
form (which generally means a completed Shareholder Application accompanied by
a negotiable check).
The price to the public on purchases of the Fund's Shares made at one time
by a single purchaser, by an individual, his or her spouse and their children
under age 21, or by a single trust or fiduciary account other than an employee
benefit plan holding Shares of the Fund on or before February 1, 1995, is the
net asset value per Share plus a sales charge not exceeding 5.75% of the
Offering Price (equivalent to 6.10% of the net asset value), which is reduced
on larger sales as shown below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TOTAL SALES CHARGE
---------------------------------
AS A PERCENTAGE AS A PERCENTAGE PORTION OF TOTAL
OF OFFERING OF NET ASSET OFFERING PRICE
AMOUNT OF SALE AT PRICE OF THE VALUE OF THE RETAINED BY
OFFERING PRICE SHARES PURCHASED SHARES PURCHASED DEALERS/1,3/
- ----------------- ---------------- ---------------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Less than $50,000....... 5.75% 6.10% 5.00%
$50,000 but less than
$100,000............... 4.50% 4.71% 3.75%
$100,000 but less than
$250,000............... 3.50% 3.63% 2.80%
$250,000 but less than
$500,000............... 2.50% 2.56% 2.00%
$500,000 but less than
$1,000,000............. 2.00% 2.04% 1.60%
$1,000,000 or more...... none none (see below)/2/
</TABLE>
- -------
1 Financial institutions or their affiliated brokers may receive an agency
transaction fee for in the percentages set forth above.
2 The following commissions will be paid by FTD, from its own resources, to
securities dealers who initiate and are responsible for purchases of $1
million or more; 1.00% on sales of $1 million but less than $2 million, plus
0.80% on sales of $2 million but less than $3 million, plus 0.50% on sales
of $3 million but less than $50 million, plus 0.25% on sales of $50 million
but less than $100 million, plus 0.15% on sales of $100 million or more.
Dealer concession breakpoints are reset every 12 months for purposes of
additional purchases.
3 At the discretion of FTD, all sales charges may at times be reallowed to the
securities dealer. If 90% or more of the sales commission is reallowed, such
securities dealer may be deemed to be an underwriter as that term is defined
in the Securities Act of 1933.
No front-end sales charge applies on investments of $1 million or more, but
a contingent deferred sales charge of 1% is imposed on certain redemptions of
all or a portion of investments of $1 million or more within 12 months of the
calendar month following such investments ("contingency period"). See "How to
Sell Shares of the Fund--Contingent Deferred Sales Charge."
11
<PAGE>
The size of a transaction which determines the applicable sales charge on
the purchase of Fund Shares is determined by adding the amount of the
Shareholder's current purchase plus the cost or current value (whichever is
higher) of a Shareholder's existing investment in one or more of the funds in
the Franklin Group of Funds (R) and the Templeton Family of Funds. Included
for these aggregation purposes are (a) the mutual funds in the Franklin Group
of Funds except Franklin Valuemark Funds and Franklin Government Securities
Trust (the "Franklin Funds"); (b) other investment products underwritten by
FTD or its affiliates (although certain investments may not have the same
schedule of sales charges and/or may not be subject to reduction); and (c) the
U.S.-registered mutual funds in the Templeton Family of Funds except Templeton
Capital Accumulator Fund, Inc., Templeton Variable Annuity Fund and Templeton
Variable Products Series Fund (the "Templeton Funds"). (Franklin Funds and
Templeton Funds are collectively referred to as the "Franklin Templeton
Funds.") Sales charge reductions based upon aggregate holdings of (a), (b) and
(c) above ("Franklin Templeton Investments") may be effective only after
notification to FTD that the investment qualifies for a discount.
Other Payments to Securities Dealers. FTD, or one of its affiliates, may
make payments, from its own resources, of up to 1% of the amount purchased to
securities dealers who initiate and are responsible for purchases made at net
asset value by certain designated retirement plans (as defined below)
(excluding IRA and IRA rollovers), certain non-designated plans (as defined
below), certain trust companies and trust departments of banks and certain
retirement plans of organizations with collective retirement plan assets of
$10 million or more. See definitions under "Description of Special Net Asset
Value Purchases" below, and as set forth in the SAI.
A sales charge of 4% of the Offering Price (4.17% of the net asset value) is
applicable to all purchases of Shares made for any qualified or non-qualified
employee benefit plan account which is a Shareholder in the Fund on or before
February 1, 1995. Of the 4% sales commission applicable to such purchases,
3.20% of the Offering Price will be retained by dealers.
CUMULATIVE QUANTITY DISCOUNT. The schedule of reduced sales charges also may
be applied to qualifying sales on a cumulative basis. For this purpose, the
dollar amount of the sale is added to the higher of (i) the value (calculated
at the applicable Offering Price) or (ii) the purchase price, of Franklin
Templeton Investments. The Cumulative quantity discount applies to Franklin
Templeton Investments owned at the time of purchase by the purchaser, his or
her spouse, and their children under age 21. In addition, the aggregate
investments of a trustee or other fiduciary account (for an account under
exclusive investment authority) may be considered in determining whether a
reduced sales charge is available, even though there may be a number of
beneficiaries of the account. For example, if the investor held Shares valued
at $40,000 (or, if valued at less than $40,000, had been purchased for
$40,000) and purchased an additional $20,000 of the Fund's Shares, the sales
charge for the $20,000 purchase would be at the rate of 4.50%. It is FTD's
policy to give investors the best sales charge rate possible; however, there
can be no assurance that an investor will receive the appropriate discount
unless, at the time of placing the purchase order, the investor or the dealer
makes a request for the discount and gives FTD sufficient information to
determine whether the purchase will qualify for the discount. On telephone
orders from dealers for the purchase of Shares to be registered in "street
name," FTD will accept the dealer's instructions with respect to the
applicable sales charge rate to be applied. The Cumulative Quantity Discount
may be amended or terminated at any time.
LETTER OF INTENT. Investors may also reduce sales charges on all investments
by means of a Letter of Intent ("LOI") which expresses the investor's
intention to invest a certain amount within a 13-month period in Shares of the
Fund or any Franklin Templeton Fund. See the Shareholder Application. Except
for certain employee benefit plans, the minimum initial investment under an
LOI is 5% of the total LOI amount. Except for Shares purchased by certain
employee benefit plans, Shares purchased with the first 5% of such amount will
be held in escrow to secure payment of the higher sales charge applicable to
the Shares actually purchased if the full amount indicated is not purchased,
and such escrowed Shares will be involuntarily redeemed to pay the additional
sales charge, if necessary. A purchase not originally made pursuant to an LOI
may be included under a subsequent LOI executed within 90 days of the
purchase. Any redemptions made by Shareholders, other than by certain employee
benefit plans, during the 13-month period will be subtracted from the amount
of the purchases for purposes of determining whether the terms of the LOI have
been completed. For a further description of the LOI, see "Purchase,
Redemption and Pricing of Shares--Letter of Intent" in the SAI.
12
<PAGE>
GROUP PURCHASES. An individual who is a member of a qualified group may also
purchase Shares of the Fund at the reduced sales charge applicable to the
group as a whole. The sales charge is based upon the aggregate dollar value of
Shares previously purchased and still owned by the group, plus the amount of
the current purchase. For example, if members of the group had previously
invested and still held $80,000 of Fund Shares and now were investing $25,000,
the sales charge would be 3.50%. Information concerning the current sales
charge applicable to a group may be obtained by contacting FTD.
A "qualified group" is one which (i) has been in existence for more than six
months, (ii) has a purpose other than acquiring Fund Shares at a discount, and
(iii) satisfies uniform criteria which enable FTD to realize economies of
scale in its costs of distributing Shares. A qualified group must have more
than 10 members, must be available to arrange for group meetings between
representatives of the Fund or FTD and the members, must agree to include
sales and other materials related to the Fund in its publications and mailings
to members at reduced or no cost to FTD, and must seek to arrange for payroll
deduction or other bulk transmission of investments to the Fund.
If an investor selects a payroll deduction plan, subsequent investments will
be automatic and will continue until such time as the investor notifies the
Fund and the investor's employer to discontinue further investments. Due to
the varying procedures to prepare, process and forward the payroll deduction
information to the Fund, there may be a delay between the time of the payroll
deduction and the time the money reaches the Fund. The investment in the Fund
will be made at the Offering Price per Share determined on the day that both
the check and payroll deduction data are received in required form by the
Fund.
NET ASSET VALUE PURCHASES. Shares may be purchased without the imposition of
either a front-end sales charge ("net asset value") or a contingent deferred
sales charge by (i) officers, trustees, directors, and full-time employees of
the Funds, any of the Franklin Templeton Funds, or of Franklin Resources, Inc.
and its subsidiaries (the "Franklin Templeton Group"), and their spouses and
family members, including any subsequent payments made by such parties after
cessation of employment; (ii) companies exchanging Shares with or selling
assets pursuant to a merger, acquisition or exchange offer; (iii) insurance
company separate accounts for pension plan contracts; (iv) accounts managed by
the Franklin Templeton Group; (v) shareholders of Templeton Institutional
Funds, Inc. reinvesting redemption proceeds from that fund under an employee
benefit plan qualified under Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended (the "Code"), in Shares of the Funds; (vi) certain unit investment
trusts and unit holders of such trusts reinvesting their distributions from
the trusts in the Fund; (vii) registered securities dealers and their
affiliates, for their investment account only; and (viii) registered personnel
and employees of securities dealers, and their spouses and family members, in
accordance with the internal policies and procedures of the employing
securities dealer.
Shares of the Fund may be purchased at net asset value by persons who have
redeemed, within the previous 120 days, their Shares of the Fund or Class I
shares of another of the Franklin Templeton Funds which were purchased with a
front-end sales charge or assessed a contingent deferred sales charge on
redemption. An investor may reinvest an amount not exceeding the redemption
proceeds. While credit will be given for any contingent deferred sales charge
paid on the Shares redeemed and subsequently repurchased, a new contingency
period will begin. Shares of the Fund redeemed in connection with an exchange
into another fund (see "Exchange Privilege") are not considered "redeemed" for
this privilege. In order to exercise this privilege, a written order for the
purchase of Shares of the Fund must be received by the Fund or the Fund's
Transfer Agent within 120 days after the redemption. The 120 days, however, do
not begin to run on redemption proceeds placed immediately after redemption in
a Franklin Bank Certificate of Deposit ("CD") until the CD (including any
rollover) matures. Reinvestment at net asset value may also be handled by a
securities dealer or other financial institution, who may charge the
Shareholder a fee for this service. The redemption is a taxable transaction
but reinvestment without a sales charge may affect the amount of gain or loss
recognized and the tax basis of the Shares reinvested. If there has been a
loss on the redemption, the loss may be disallowed if a reinvestment in the
same fund is made within a 30-day period. Information regarding the possible
tax consequences of such a reinvestment is included under "General
Information--Federal Tax Information" of this Prospectus and in the SAI.
13
<PAGE>
Shares of the Fund or Class I shares of another of the Franklin Templeton
Funds may be purchased at net asset value and without a contingent deferred
sales charge by persons who have received dividends and capital gain
distributions in cash from investments in the Fund within 120 days of the
payment date of such distribution. To exercise this privilege, a written
request to reinvest the distribution must accompany the purchase order.
Additional information may be obtained from Account Services at 1-800-393-
3001. See "General Information--Dividends and Distributions."
Shares may be purchased at net asset value and without the imposition of a
contingent deferred sales charge by investors who have, within the past 60
days, redeemed an investment in a mutual fund which is not part of the
Franklin Templeton Funds and which charged the investor a contingent deferred
sales charge upon redemption, and which has investment objectives similar to
those of the Fund.
Shares may be purchased at net asset value and without the imposition of a
contingent deferred sales charge by broker-dealers who have entered into a
supplemental agreement with FTD, or by registered investment advisers
affiliated with such broker-dealers, on behalf of their clients who are
participating in a comprehensive fee program (also known as a wrap fee
program).
Shares may be purchased at net asset value and without the imposition of a
contingent deferred sales charge by anyone who has taken a distribution from
an existing retirement plan already invested in the Franklin Templeton Funds
(including former participants of the Franklin Templeton Profit Sharing 401(k)
plan), to the extent of such distribution. In order to exercise this
privilege, a written order for the purchase of Shares of the Fund must be
received by Franklin Templeton Trust Company ("FTTC"), the Funds, or Franklin
Templeton Investor Services, Inc. (the "Transfer Agent") within 120 days after
the plan distribution.
Shares may also be purchased at net asset value and without the imposition
of a contingent deferred sales charge by any state, county or city, or any
instrumentality, department, authority or agency thereof which has determined
that the Fund is a legally permissible investment and which is prohibited by
applicable investment laws from paying a sales charge or commission in
connection with the purchase of shares of any registered management investment
company ("an eligible governmental authority"). SUCH INVESTORS SHOULD CONSULT
THEIR OWN LEGAL ADVISORS TO DETERMINE WHETHER AND TO WHAT EXTENT THE SHARES OF
THE FUND CONSTITUTE LEGAL INVESTMENTS FOR THEM. Municipal investors
considering investment of proceeds of bond offerings into the Fund should
consult with expert counsel to determine the effect, if any, of various
payments made by the Fund or their investment manager on arbitrage rebate
calculations. If an investment by an eligible governmental authority at net
asset value is made through a securities dealer who has executed a dealer
agreement with FTD, FTD or one of its affiliates may make a payment, out of
its own resources, to such securities dealer in an amount not to exceed 0.25%
of the amount invested. Contact Franklin Templeton Institutional Services for
additional information.
DESCRIPTION OF SPECIAL NET ASSET VALUE PURCHASES. Shares may also be
purchased at net asset value and without the imposition of a contingent
deferred sales charge by certain designated retirement plans, including,
profit-sharing, pension, 401(k) and simplified employee pension plans
("designated plans"), subject to minimum requirements with respect to number
of employees or amount of purchase, which may be established by FTD.
Currently, those criteria require that the employer establishing the plan have
200 or more employees or that the amount invested or to be invested during the
subsequent 13-month period in the Fund or in any of the Franklin Templeton
Investments totals at least $1 million. Employee benefit plans not designated
above or qualified under Section 401 of the Code ("non-designated plans") may
be afforded the same privilege if they meet the above requirements as well as
the uniform criteria for qualified groups previously described under "Group
Purchases," which enable FTD to realize economies of scale in its sales
efforts and sales related expenses.
Shares may be purchased at net asset value and without the imposition of a
contingent deferred sales charge by trust companies and bank trust departments
for funds over which they exercise exclusive discretionary investment
authority and which are held in a fiduciary, agency, advisory, custodial or
similar capacity. Such purchases are subject to minimum requirements with
respect to amount
14
<PAGE>
of purchase, which may be established by FTD. Currently, those criteria
require that the amount invested or to be invested during the subsequent 13-
month period in the Fund or any of the Franklin Templeton Investments must
total at least $1 million. Orders for such accounts will be accepted by mail
accompanied by a check or by telephone or other means of electronic data
transfer directly from the bank or trust company, with payment by federal
funds received by the close of business on the next business day following
such order.
Shares may be purchased at net asset value and without the imposition of a
contingent deferred sales charge by trustees or other fiduciaries purchasing
securities for certain retirement plans of organizations with collective
retirement plan assets of $10 million or more, without regard to where such
assets are currently invested.
Refer to the SAI for further information regarding net asset value purchases
of Shares.
ADDITIONAL DEALER COMPENSATION. FTD, or one of its affiliates, from its own
resources, may also provide additional compensation to securities dealers in
connection with sales of shares of the Franklin Templeton Funds. Compensation
may include financial assistance to securities dealers in connection with
conferences, sales or training programs for their employees, seminars for the
public, advertising, sales campaigns and/or shareholder services and programs
regarding one or more of the Franklin Templeton Funds and other dealer-
sponsored programs or events. In some instances, this compensation may be made
available only to certain securities dealers whose representatives have sold
or are expected to sell significant amounts of shares of the Franklin
Templeton Funds. Compensation may include payment for travel expenses,
including lodging, incurred in connection with trips taken by invited
registered representatives and members of their families to locations within
or outside of the United States for meetings or seminars of a business nature.
Securities dealers may not use sales of the Funds' Shares to qualify for this
compensation to the extent such may be prohibited by the laws of any state or
any self-regulatory agency, such as the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. In addition, FTD or its affiliates may make ongoing payments to
brokerage firms, financial institutions (including banks) and others to
facilitate the administration and servicing of shareholder accounts. None of
the aforementioned additional compensation is paid for by the Fund or its
Shareholders.
Ongoing payments will be made to qualifying dealers at the annual rate of
0.25% of the average daily net asset value of Shares registered in the name of
that broker-dealer as nominee or held in a Shareholder account that designates
that broker-dealer as dealer of record. These payments are made in order to
promote selling efforts and to compensate dealers for providing certain
services, including processing purchase and redemption transactions,
establishing Shareholder accounts and providing certain information and
assistance with respect to the Fund. For purchases of Shares that are subject
to a contingent deferred sales charge, the dealer will receive ongoing
payments beginning in the thirteenth month after the date of the purchase.
PURCHASING FUND SHARES. As to telephone orders placed with FTD by dealers,
the dealer must receive the investor's order before the close of the New York
Stock Exchange ("NYSE") and transmit it to FTD by 5:00 p.m., New York time,
for the investor to receive that day's Offering Price. Payment for such orders
must be by check in U.S. currency and must be promptly submitted to FTD.
Orders mailed to FTD by dealers or individual investors are affected at the
net asset value of the Fund's Shares next computed after the purchase order
accompanied by payment has been received by FTD. Such payment must be by check
in U.S. currency drawn on a commercial bank in the U.S. and, if over $100,000,
may not be deemed to have been received until the proceeds have been collected
unless the check is certified or issued by such bank. Any subscription may be
rejected by FTD or by the Fund.
The Fund may impose a $10 charge against a Shareholder account in the event
that a check or draft submitted for the purchase of Fund Shares is returned
unpaid to the Fund.
Investors should promptly check the confirmation advice that is mailed after
each purchase (or redemption) order to insure that it has been accurately
reflected in the investor's account.
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AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT PLAN. Investors may accumulate Fund Shares regularly
each month by means of automatic debits to their checking accounts ($25
minimum). Forms for this purpose are in the Shareholder Application in this
Prospectus. Such a plan is voluntary and may be discontinued by written notice
to FTD, which must be received at least 10 days prior to the collection date,
or by FTD upon written notice to the investor at least 30 days prior to the
collection date.
INSTITUTIONAL ACCOUNTS. Institutional investors will likely be required to
complete an institutional account application. There may be additional methods
of opening accounts, purchasing, redeeming or exchanging Shares of the Fund
available for institutional accounts. To obtain an institutional account
application or additional information regarding institutional accounts,
contact Franklin Templeton Institutional Services at 1-800-321-8563.
ACCOUNT STATEMENTS. Shareholder accounts are opened in accordance with the
Shareholder's registration instructions. Transactions in the account, such as
additional investments and dividend reinvestments, will be reflected on
regular confirmation statements from the Transfer Agent.
TEMPLETON STAR SERVICE. From a touch-tone phone, Templeton and Franklin
shareholders may access an automated system (day or night) which offers the
following features:
By calling the Templeton STAR Service, Shareholders may obtain current price
and yield information specific to a Templeton Fund, regardless of class, or
Franklin Class II shares; obtain account information; and request duplicate
confirmation or year-end statements and money fund checks, if applicable.
By calling the Franklin TeleFACTS system, Shareholders may obtain current
price, yield or other performance information specific to a Franklin Fund;
process an exchange into an identically registered Franklin account; obtain
account information; and request duplicate confirmation or year-end
statements, money fund checks, if applicable, and deposit slips.
Share prices and account information specific to Templeton Class I or II
shares and Franklin Class II shares may also be accessed on TeleFACTS by
Franklin Class I and Class II shareholders.
The Templeton STAR Service is accessible by calling 1-800-654-0123. The
TeleFACTS system is accessible by calling 1-800-247-1753. The code for the
Fund, which will be needed to access system information, is 417. The system's
automated operator will prompt the caller with easy to follow step-by-step
instructions from the main menu. Other features may be added in the future.
RETIREMENT PLANS. Shares of the Fund may be purchased through various
retirement plans including the following plans for which FTTC or its affiliate
acts as trustee or custodian: IRAs, Simplified Employee Pensions, 403(b)
plans, qualified plans for corporations, self-employed individuals and
partnerships, and 401(k) plans. A plan document must be adopted in order for a
retirement plan to be in existence. For further information about any of the
plans, agreements, applications and annual fees, contact Franklin Templeton
Distributors, Inc. To determine which retirement plan is appropriate, an
investor should contact his or her tax adviser.
NET ASSET VALUE. The net asset value per Share is determined as of the
scheduled closing time of the NYSE (generally 4:00 p.m., New York time) each
day the NYSE is open for trading, by dividing the value of the Fund's
securities plus any cash and other assets (including accrued interest and
dividends receivable) less all liabilities (including accrued expenses) by the
number of Shares outstanding, adjusted to the nearest whole cent. A security
listed or traded on a recognized stock exchange or NASDAQ is valued at its
last sale price on the principal exchange on which the security is traded. The
value of a foreign security is determined in its national currency as of the
close of trading on the foreign exchange on which it is traded, or as of the
scheduled closing time of the NYSE (generally 4:00 p.m., New York time), if
that is earlier, and that value is then converted into its U.S. dollar
equivalent at the foreign exchange rate in effect at noon, New York time, on
the day the value of the foreign security is determined. If no sale is
reported at that time, the mean between the current bid and asked price is
used. Occasionally, events which affect the values of such securities and
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such exchange rates may occur between the times at which they are determined
and the close of the NYSE, and will therefore not be reflected in the
computation of the Fund's net asset value. If events materially affecting the
value of such securities occur during such period, then these securities will
be valued at fair value as determined by the management and approved in good
faith by the Board of Trustees. All other securities for which over-the-
counter market quotations are readily available are valued at the mean between
the current bid and asked price. Securities for which market quotations are
not readily available and other assets are valued at fair value as determined
by the management and approved in good faith by the Board of Trustees.
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE
A Shareholder may exchange Shares for Class I of shares of other Franklin
Templeton Funds which are eligible for sale in the Shareholder's state of
residence and in conformity with such fund's stated eligibility requirements
and investment minimums. Shares may not be exchanged for Class II shares of
any Franklin Templeton Funds. A contingent deferred sales charge will not be
imposed on exchanges. If the exchanged Shares were subject to a contingent
deferred sales charge in the original fund purchased, and Shares are
subsequently redeemed within 12 months following the calendar month of the
original purchase date, a contingent deferred sales charge will be imposed.
See also "How to Sell Shares of the Funds--Contingent Deferred Sales Charge."
Exchange purchases are subject to the minimum investment requirements of the
fund purchased and no sales charge generally applies. Exchanges are made on
the basis of the net asset values of the shares involved, except as set forth
below. Exchanges of shares which were originally purchased without a sales
charge will be charged a sales charge in accordance with the terms of the
prospectus of the fund being purchased, unless the original investment on
which no sales charge was paid was transferred in from a fund on which the
investor paid a sales charge. Exchanges of shares from the Franklin Templeton
Money Funds are subject to applicable sales charges on the funds being
purchased, unless the Franklin Templeton Money Fund shares were acquired by an
exchange from a fund having a sales charge, or by reinvestment of dividends or
capital gain distributions. Exchanges of Shares of the Fund which were
purchased with a lower sales charge to a fund which has a higher sales charge
will be charged the difference, unless the shares were held in the original
fund for at least six months prior to executing the exchange. All exchanges
are permitted only after at least 15 days have elapsed from the date of the
purchase of the Shares to be exchanged.
A Shareholder may exchange Shares by writing to the Transfer Agent (see "How
to Sell Shares of the Fund"), by contacting his or her investment dealer or--
if the Shareholder Application indicates that the Shareholder has not declined
the option--by telephoning 1-800-393-3001. Telephone exchange instructions
must be received by FTD by the scheduled closing time of the NYSE (generally
4:00 p.m., New York time). Telephonic exchanges can involve only Shares in
non-certificated form. Shares held in certificate form are not eligible, but
may be returned and qualify for these services. All accounts involved in a
telephonic exchange must have the same registration and dividend option as the
account from which the Shares are being exchanged. The Trust and the Transfer
Agent will employ reasonable procedures to confirm that instructions
communicated by telephone are genuine. Please refer to "Telephone
Transactions--Verification Procedures." Forms for declining the telephone
exchange privilege and prospectuses of the other funds in the Franklin
Templeton Group may be obtained from FTD. Exchange redemptions and purchases
are processed simultaneously at the Share prices next determined after the
exchange order is received. (See "How to Buy Shares of the Fund--Offering
Price.") A gain or loss for tax purposes generally will be realized upon the
exchange, depending on the tax basis of the Shares redeemed.
This exchange privilege is available only in states where shares of the fund
being acquired may legally be sold and may be modified, limited or terminated
at any time by the Fund upon 60 days' written notice. A Shareholder who wishes
to make an exchange should first obtain and review a current prospectus of the
fund into which he or she wishes to exchange. Broker-dealers who process
exchange orders on behalf of their customers may charge a fee for their
services. Such fee may be avoided by making requests for exchange directly to
the Transfer Agent.
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If a substantial portion of the Fund's Shareholders should, within a short
period, elect to redeem their shares of the Fund pursuant to the exchange
privilege, the Fund might have to liquidate portfolio securities it might
otherwise hold and incur the additional costs related to such transactions. On
the other hand, increased use of the exchange privilege may result in periodic
large inflows of money. If this should occur, it is the general policy of the
Fund to initially invest this money in short-term, interest-bearing money
market instruments, unless it is felt that attractive investment opportunities
consistent with the Fund's investment objectives exist immediately.
Subsequently, this money will be withdrawn from such short-term money market
instruments and invested in portfolio securities in as orderly a manner as is
possible when attractive investment opportunities arise.
The contingency period of Shares will be tolled (or stopped) for the period
such Shares are exchanged into and held in a Class I Franklin or Templeton
money market fund. If an account has Shares subject to a contingent deferred
sales charge, Shares will be exchanged into the new account on a "first-in,
first-out" basis. See also "How to Sell Shares of the Funds--Contingent
Deferred Sales Charge."
TRANSFERS. Transfers between identically registered accounts in the same
fund and class are treated as non-monetary and non-taxable events, and are not
subject to a contingent deferred sales charge. The transferred Shares will
continue to age from the date of original purchase.
EXCHANGES BY TIMING ACCOUNTS. In the case of market timing or allocation
services ("Timing Accounts"), FTD will deduct an administrative service fee of
$5.00 per exchange. Timing Accounts generally include accounts administered so
as to redeem or purchase Shares based upon certain predetermined market
indicators. In accordance with the terms of their respective prospectuses,
certain funds in the Franklin Templeton Group do not accept or may place
differing limitations than those described below on exchanges by Timing
Accounts.
The Fund reserve the right to temporarily or permanently terminate the
exchange privilege or reject any specific purchase order for any Timing
Account or any person whose transactions seem to follow a timing pattern who:
(i) makes an exchange request out of the Fund within two weeks of an earlier
exchange request out of the Fund; (ii) makes more than two exchanges out of
the Fund per calendar quarter; or (iii) exchanges Shares equal in value to at
least $5 million, or more than 1% of the Fund's net assets. Accounts under
common ownership or control, including accounts administered so as to redeem
or purchase Shares based upon certain predetermined market indicators, will be
aggregated for purposes of the exchange limits.
In addition, the Fund reserve the right to refuse the purchase side of
exchange requests by any Timing Account, person, or group if, in the
Investment Manager's judgment, the Fund would be unable to invest effectively
in accordance with its investment objective and policies, or would otherwise
potentially be adversely affected. A Shareholder's exchanges into the Fund may
be restricted or refused if the Fund receives or anticipates simultaneous
orders affecting significant portions of the Fund's assets. In particular, a
pattern of exchanges that coincides with a "market timing" strategy may be
disruptive to the Fund and therefore may be refused.
Finally, as indicated above, the Fund and FTD reserve the right to refuse
any order for the purchase of Shares.
HOW TO SELL SHARES OF THE FUND
Shares will be redeemed, without charge, on request of the Shareholder in
"Proper Order" to the Transfer Agent. "PROPER ORDER" MEANS THAT THE REQUEST TO
REDEEM MUST MEET ALL OF THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS:
1. Except as provided below under "Redemptions by Telephone," it must be in
writing, signed by the Shareholder(s) exactly in the manner as the Shares are
registered, and must specify either the number of Shares, or the dollar amount
of Shares, to be redeemed and sent to Franklin Templeton Investor Services,
Inc., P.O. Box 33030, St. Petersburg, Florida 33733-8030;
2. The signature(s) of the redeeming Shareholder(s) must be guaranteed by an
"eligible guarantor," including (a) national or state banks, savings
associations, savings and loan associations, trust companies, savings banks,
industrial loan companies and credit unions; (b) national securities
exchanges, registered securities associations and clearing agencies; (c)
securities broker-dealers which
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are members of a national securities exchange or a clearing agency or which
have minimum net capital of $100,000; or (d) institutions that participate in
the Securities Transfer Agent Medallion Program ("STAMP") or other recognized
signature medallion program. A notarized signature will not be sufficient for
the request to be in Proper Order. If the Shares are registered in more than
one name, the signature of each of the redeeming Shareholders must be
guaranteed. A signature guarantee is not required for redemptions of $50,000
or less, requested by and payable to all Shareholders of record, to be sent to
the address of record for that account. However, the Fund reserves the right
to require signature guarantees on all redemptions. A signature guarantee is
required in connection with any written request for transfer of Shares. Also,
a signature guarantee is required if the Fund or the Transfer Agent believes
that a signature guarantee would protect against potential claims based on the
transfer instructions, including, for example, when (i) the current address of
one or more joint owners of an account cannot be confirmed, (ii) multiple
owners have a dispute or give inconsistent instructions to the Fund, (iii) the
Fund has been notified of an adverse claim, (iv) the instructions received by
the Fund are given by an agent, not the actual registered owner, (v) the Fund
determines that joint owners who are married to each other are separated or
may be the subject of divorce proceedings, or (vi) the authority of a
representative of a corporation, partnership, association, or other entity has
not been established to the satisfaction of the Fund;
3. Any outstanding certificates must accompany the request together with a
stock power signed by the Shareholder(s), with signature(s) guaranteed as
described in Item 2 above;
4. Liquidation requests of corporate, partnership, trust and custodianship
accounts, and accounts under court jurisdiction, require the following
documentation to be in proper form:
. Corporation -- (i) Signature guaranteed letter of instruction from the
authorized officer(s) of the corporation, and (ii) a corporate
resolution in a form satisfactory to the Transfer Agent;
. Partnership -- (i) Signature guaranteed letter of instruction from a
general partner and, if necessary, (ii) pertinent pages from the
partnership agreement identifying the general partners or other
documentation in a form satisfactory to the Transfer Agent;
. Trust -- (i) Signature guaranteed letter of instruction from the
trustee(s), and (ii) a copy of the pertinent pages of the trust
document listing the trustee(s) or a certificate of incumbency if the
trustee(s) are not listed on the account registration;
. Custodial (other than a retirement account) -- Signature guaranteed
letter of instruction from the custodian; and
. Accounts under court jurisdiction -- Check court documents and the
applicable state law since these accounts have varying requirements,
depending upon the state of residence; and
5. Redemption of Shares held in a retirement plan for which FTTC or its
affiliate acts as trustee or custodian must conform to the distribution
requirements of the plan and the Fund's redemption requirements above.
Distributions from such plans are subject to additional requirements under the
Code, and certain documents (available from the Transfer Agent) must be
completed before the distribution may be made. For example, distributions from
retirement plans are subject to withholding requirements under the Code, and
the IRS Form W-4P (available from the Transfer Agent) may be required to be
submitted to the Transfer Agent with the distribution request, or the
distribution will be delayed. Franklin Templeton Investor Services, Inc. and
its affiliates assume no responsibility to determine whether a distribution
satisfies the conditions of applicable tax laws and will not be responsible
for any penalties assessed.
To avoid delay in redemption or transfer, Shareholders having questions
about these requirements should contact the Account Services Department by
calling 1-800-393-3001 or 813-823-8712.
The redemption price will be the net asset value of the Shares next computed
after the redemption request in Proper Order is received by the Transfer
Agent. A gain or loss for tax purposes generally will be realized upon the
redemption, depending on the tax basis of the Shares redeemed. Payment of the
redemption price ordinarily will be made by check (or by wire at the sole
discretion of the Transfer Agent if wire transfer is requested, including name
and address of the bank and the Shareholder's account number to which payment
of the redemption proceeds is to be wired) within seven days after receipt of
the redemption request in Proper Order. However, if Shares have been purchased
by check, the Fund will make redemption proceeds available when a
Shareholder's check received for the Shares purchased has been cleared for
payment by the Shareholder's bank, which, depending upon the location of the
Shareholder's bank, could take up to 15 days or more. The check will be mailed
by first-class mail to the Shareholder's registered
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address (or as otherwise directed). Remittance by wire (to a commercial bank
account in the same name(s) as the Shares are registered) or express mail, if
requested, are subject to a handling charge of up to $15, which will be
deducted from the redemption proceeds.
The Fund, through FTD, also repurchases Shares (whether in certificate or
book-entry form) through securities dealers. The Fund normally will accept
orders to repurchase such Shares by wire or telephone from dealers for their
customers at the net asset value next computed after the dealer has received
the certificate holder's request for repurchase, if the dealer received such
request before closing time of the NYSE on that day. Dealers have the
responsibility of submitting such repurchase requests by calling not later
than 5:00 p.m., New York time, on such day in order to obtain that day's
applicable redemption price. Repurchase of Shares is for the convenience of
Shareholders and does not involve a charge by the Fund; however, securities
dealers may impose a charge on the Shareholder for transmitting the notice of
repurchase to the Fund. The Fund reserves the right to reject any order for
repurchase, which right of rejection might adversely affect Shareholders
seeking redemption through the repurchase procedure. Ordinarily, payment will
be made to the securities dealer within seven days after receipt of a
repurchase order and Share certificate (if any) in "Proper Order" as set forth
above. The Fund also will accept, from member firms of the NYSE, orders to
repurchase Shares for which no certificates have been issued by wire or
telephone without a redemption request signed by the Shareholder, provided the
member firm indemnifies the Fund and FTD from any liability resulting from the
absence of the Shareholder's signature. Forms for such indemnity agreement can
be obtained from FTD.
The Fund may involuntarily redeem an investor's Shares if the net asset
value of such Shares is less than $100, except that involuntary redemptions
will not result from fluctuations in the value of an investor's Shares. In
addition, the Fund may involuntarily redeem the Shares of any investor who has
failed to provide the Fund with a certified taxpayer identification number or
such other tax-related certifications as the Fund may require. A notice of
redemption, sent by first-class mail to the investor's address of record, will
fix a date not less than 30 days after the mailing date, and Shares will be
redeemed at net asset value at the close of business on that date, unless
sufficient additional Shares are purchased to bring the aggregate account
value up to $100 or more, or unless a certified taxpayer identification number
(or such other information as the Fund has requested) has been provided, as
the case may be. A check for the redemption proceeds will be mailed to the
investor at the address of record.
REINSTATEMENT PRIVILEGE. Shares of the Fund may be purchased at net asset
value with the proceeds from (i) a redemption of Shares of any Franklin
Templeton Fund which were purchased with an initial sales charge or assessed a
contingent deferred sales charge on redemption, or (ii) a dividend or
distribution paid by any of the Franklin Templeton Funds, within 120 days
after the date of the dividend or distribution. However, if a Shareholder's
original investment was in a Fund with a lower sales charge, or no sales
charge, the Shareholder must pay the difference. While credit will be given
for any contingent deferred sales charge paid on the Shares redeemed, a new
contingency period will begin. Shares of the Fund redeemed in connection with
an exchange into another fund (see "Exchange Privilege") are not considered
redeemed for this privilege. In order to exercise this privilege, a written
order for the purchase of Shares of the Fund must be received by the Fund or
the Fund's Transfer Agent within 120 days after the redemption. The 120 days,
however, do not begin to run on redemption proceeds placed immediately after
redemption in a Franklin Bank Certificate of Deposit ("CD") until the CD
(including any rollover) matures. The amount of gain or loss resulting from a
redemption may be affected by exercise of the reinstatement privilege if the
Shares redeemed were held for 90 days or less, or if a Shareholder reinvests
in the same fund within 30 days. Reinvestment will be at the next calculated
net asset value after receipt.
SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN. A Shareholder may establish a Systematic
Withdrawal Plan ("Plan") and receive periodic payments from the account
provided that the net asset value of the Shares held by the Shareholder is at
least $5,000. There are no service charges for establishing or maintaining a
Plan. The minimum amount which the Shareholder may withdraw is $50 per
withdrawal transaction although this is merely the minimum amount allowed
under the Plan and should not be mistaken for a recommended amount. Retirement
plans subject to mandatory distribution requirements are not subject to the
$50 minimum. The Plan may be established on a monthly, quarterly, semiannual
or annual basis. If the Shareholder establishes a Plan, any capital gain
distributions and income dividends paid by a Fund to the Shareholder's account
must be reinvested for the Shareholder's account in additional Shares at net
asset value.
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Payments are then made from the liquidation of Shares at net asset value on
the day of the liquidation (which is generally on or about the 25th of the
month) to meet the specified withdrawals. Payments are generally received
three to five days after the date of liquidation. By completing the "Special
Payment Instructions for Distributions" section of the Shareholder Application
included with this Prospectus, a Shareholder may direct the selected
withdrawals to another of the Franklin Templeton Funds, to another person, or
directly to a checking account. Liquidation of Shares may reduce or possibly
exhaust the Shares in the Shareholder's account, to the extent withdrawals
exceed Shares earned through dividends and distributions, particularly in the
event of a market decline. If the withdrawal amount exceeds the total Plan
balance, the account will be closed and the remaining balance will be sent to
the Shareholder. As with other redemptions, a liquidation to make a withdrawal
payment is a sale for federal income tax purposes. Because the amount
withdrawn under the Plan may be more than the Shareholder's actual yield or
income, part of such a Plan payment may be a return of the Shareholder's
investment.
Maintaining a Plan concurrently with purchases of additional Shares of a
Fund would be disadvantageous because of the sales charge on the additional
purchases. Also, redemptions of Shares may be subject to a contingent deferred
sales charge if the Shares are redeemed within 12 months of the calendar month
of the original purchase date. The Shareholder should ordinarily not make
additional investments of less than $5,000 or three times the annual
withdrawals under the Plan during the time such a Plan is in effect.
With respect to Systematic Withdrawal Plans, the applicable contingent
deferred sales charge is waived for Share redemptions of up to 1% monthly of
an account's net asset value (12% annually, 6% semiannually, 3% quarterly).
For example, if an account maintained an annual balance of $1,000,000, only
$120,000 could be withdrawn through a once-yearly Systematic Withdrawal Plan
free of charge; any amount over that $120,000 would be assessed a 1% (or
applicable) contingent deferred sales charge.
A Plan may be terminated on written notice by the Shareholder or the Fund,
and it will terminate automatically if all Shares are liquidated or withdrawn
from the account, or upon the Fund's receipt of notification of the death or
incapacity of the Shareholder. Shareholders may change the amount (but not
below $50) and schedule of withdrawal payments or suspend one such payment by
giving written notice to the Transfer Agent at least seven business days prior
to the end of the month preceding a scheduled payment. Share certificates may
not be issued while a Plan is in effect.
REDEMPTIONS BY TELEPHONE. Shareholders who file a Telephone Redemption
Authorization Agreement (the "Agreement") (a copy of which is included in this
Prospectus) may redeem Shares of the Fund by telephone, subject to the
Restricted Account exception noted under "Telephone Transactions--Restricted
Accounts." The Fund and the Transfer Agent will employ reasonable procedures
to confirm that instructions given by telephone are genuine. Shareholders,
however, bear the risk of loss in certain cases as described under "Telephone
Transactions--Verification Procedures."
For Shareholder accounts with a completed Agreement on file, redemptions of
uncertificated Shares or Shares which have previously been deposited with the
Fund or the Transfer Agent may be made for up to $50,000 per day per Fund
account. Telephone redemption requests received before the scheduled closing
time of the NYSE (generally 4:00 p.m., New York time), on any business day
will be processed that same day. The redemption check will be sent within
seven days, made payable to all the registered owners on the account, and will
be sent only to the address of record. Redemption requests by telephone will
not be accepted within 30 days following an address change by telephone. In
that case, a Shareholder should follow the other redemption procedures set
forth in this Prospectus. Institutional accounts which wish to execute
redemptions in excess of $50,000 must complete an Institutional Telephone
Privileges Agreement which is available from Franklin Templeton Institutional
Services by telephoning 1-800-321-8563.
CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE. In order to recover commissions paid to
securities dealers on qualified investments of $1 million or more, a
contingent deferred sales charge of 1% applies to redemptions of those
investments within the contingency period of 12 months following the calendar
month of their purchase, unless one of the exceptions described below applies.
The charge is 1% of the lesser of the net asset value of the Shares redeemed
(exclusive of reinvested dividends and capital gain distributions) or the net
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asset value of such Shares at the time of purchase, and is retained by FTD.
The contingent deferred sales charge is waived in certain instances.
In determining if a contingent deferred sales charge applies, Shares not
subject to a contingent deferred sales charge are deemed to be redeemed first,
in the following order: (i) a calculated number of Shares representing amounts
attributable to capital appreciation of those Shares held less than the
contingency period of 12 months; (ii) Shares purchased with reinvested
dividends and capital gain distributions; and (iii) other Shares held longer
than the contingency period, and followed by any Shares held less than the
contingency period, on a "first in, first out" basis. For tax purposes, a
contingent deferred sales charge is treated as either a reduction in
redemption proceeds or an adjustment to the cost basis of the Shares redeemed.
The contingent deferred sales charge is waived, as applicable, for:
exchanges; any account fees; distributions to participants or beneficiaries in
FTTC individual retirement plan accounts due to death, disability or
attainment of age 59 1/2; tax-free returns of excess contributions from
employee benefit plans; distributions from employee benefit plans, including
those due to plan termination or plan transfer; redemptions through a
Systematic Withdrawal Plan of up to 1% monthly of an account's net asst value
(3% quarterly, 6% semiannually or 12% annually); redemptions initiated by the
Fund due to a Shareholder's account falling below the minimum specified
account size; and redemptions following the death of the Shareholder or the
beneficial owner.
All investments made during a calendar month, regardless of when during the
month the investment occurred, will age one month on the last day of that
month, and each subsequent month.
Requests for redemptions for a SPECIFIED DOLLAr amount, unless otherwise
specified, will result in additional Shares being redeemed to cover any
applicable contingent deferred sales charge, while requests for redemption of
a SPECIFIC NUMBER of Shares will result in the applicable contingent deferred
sales charge being deducted from the total dollar amount redeemed.
TELEPHONE TRANSACTIONS
Shareholders of the Fund and their dealer of record, if any, may be able to
execute various transactions by calling the Transfer Agent at 1-800-393-3001.
All Shareholders will be able to: (i) effect a change in address, (ii) change
a dividend option (see "Restricted Accounts" below), (iii) transfer Fund
Shares in one account to another identically registered account in the Fund,
and (iv) exchange Fund Shares by telephone as described in this Prospectus. In
addition, Shareholders who complete and file an Agreement as described under
"How to Sell Shares of the Fund -- Redemptions by Telephone" will be able to
redeem Shares of the Fund.
VERIFICATION PROCEDURES. The Fund and the Transfer Agent will employ
reasonable procedures to confirm that instructions communicated by telephone
are genuine. These will include: recording all telephone calls requesting
account activity by telephone, requiring that the caller provide certain
personal and/or account information requested by the telephone service agent
at the time of the call for the purpose of establishing the caller's
identification, and sending a confirmation statement on redemptions to the
address of record each time account activity is initiated by telephone. So
long as the Fund and the Transfer Agent follow instructions communicated by
telephone which were reasonably believed to be genuine at the time of their
receipt, neither they nor their affiliates will be liable for any loss to the
Shareholder caused by an unauthorized transaction. The Fund and the Transfer
Agent may be liable for any losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent
instructions in the event such reasonable procedures are not followed.
Shareholders are, of course, under no obligation to apply for or accept
telephone transaction privileges. In any instance where the Fund or the
Transfer Agent is not reasonably satisfied that instructions received by
telephone are genuine, the requested transaction will not be executed and
neither the Fund, the Transfer Agent, nor their affiliates will be liable for
any losses which may occur because of a delay in implementing a transaction.
22
<PAGE>
RESTRICTED ACCOUNTS. Telephone redemptions and dividend option changes may
not be accepted on Franklin Templeton retirement accounts. To assure
compliance with all applicable regulations, special forms are required for any
distribution, redemption, or dividend payment. While the telephone exchange
privilege is extended to Franklin Templeton IRA and 403(b) retirement
accounts, certain restrictions may apply to other types of retirement plans.
Changes to dividend options must also be made in writing.
To obtain further information regarding distribution or transfer procedures,
including any required forms, retirement account Shareholders may call to
speak to a Retirement Plan Specialist at 1-800/527-2020 for Franklin accounts,
or 1-800/354-9191 (press "2" when prompted to do so) for Templeton accounts.
To obtain further information regarding distribution or transfer procedures,
including any required forms, FTTC retirement account shareholders may call
toll free 1-800-527-2020 or 1-800-354-9191 (press "2").
GENERAL. During periods of drastic economic or market changes, it is
possible that the telephone transaction privileges will be difficult to
execute because of heavy telephone volume. In such situations, Shareholders
may wish to contact their registered dealer for assistance, or to send written
instructions to the Fund as detailed elsewhere in this Prospectus.
Neither the Fund nor the Transfer Agent will be liable for any losses
resulting from the inability of a Shareholder to execute a telephone
transaction. The telephone transaction privilege may be modified or
discontinued by the Fund at any time upon 60 days' written notice to
Shareholders.
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
The Fund is managed by its Board of Trustees and all powers of the Fund are
exercised by or under authority of the Board. Information relating to the
Trustees and executive officers is set forth under the heading "Management of
the Fund" in the SAI.
INVESTMENT MANAGER. The Investment Manager of the Fund is Templeton
Investment Counsel, Inc., a Florida corporation with offices at Broward
Financial Centre, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33394-3091. The Investment Manager
is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Franklin Resources, Inc.
("Franklin"). Through its subsidiaries, Franklin is engaged in various aspects
of the financial services industry.
The Investment Manager furnishes the Fund with investment research, advice
and supervision and has responsibility for management of the Fund's portfolio.
The Investment Manager does not furnish any overhead items or facilities for
the Fund, although such expenses are paid by some investment advisers of other
investment companies. As compensation for its services, the Fund pays the
Investment Manager a monthly fee, equal on an annual basis to 0.75% of its
average daily net assets during the year. This fee is higher than advisory
fees paid by most other U.S. investment companies, primarily because investing
in securities of companies in foreign markets requires the Investment Manager
to invest additional time and incur added expense in developing specialized
resources, including research facilities. The Fund also pays its own operating
expenses, including: (1) the fees and expenses of the disinterested Trustees;
(2) interest expenses; (3) taxes and governmental fees; (4) brokerage
commissions and other expenses incurred in acquiring or disposing of portfolio
securities; (5) the expenses of registering and qualifying its Shares for sale
with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and with various state
securities commissions; (6) expenses of its independent public accountants and
legal counsel; (7) insurance premiums; (8) fees and expenses of the Custodian
and Transfer Agent and any related services; (9) expenses of obtaining
quotations of portfolio securities and of pricing Shares; (10) expenses of
maintaining the Fund's legal existence and of Shareholders' meetings; (11)
expenses of preparation and distribution to existing Shareholders of periodic
reports, proxy materials and prospectuses; (12) payments made pursuant to the
Fund's Distribution Plan (see "Plan of Distribution"); and (13) fees and
expenses of membership in industry organizations.
The Investment Manager and its affiliates serve as advisers for a wide
variety of public investment mutual funds and private clients in many nations.
The Investment Manager and its predecessors have been investing globally over
the past 52 years and provide investment management and advisory services to a
worldwide client base, including over 3.0 million mutual fund shareholders,
23
<PAGE>
foundations and endowments, employee benefit plans and individuals. The
Investment Manager and its affiliates have approximately 3,200 employees in
ten different countries and a global network of over 50 investment research
sources. Many different selection methods are used for different funds and
clients, and many are changed and improved by the Investment Manager's
research on superior selection methods. Management of the Fund is supported by
the Templeton organization's large staff of research analysts, traders and
other investment specialists based in Fort Lauderdale, Nassau, New York,
Edinburgh, Toronto, Hong Kong, Melbourne and Singapore. Templeton's research
analysts use a disciplined, long term approach to value oriented global and
international investing. Securities are selected for the Fund's portfolio from
a list of eligible securities maintained and constantly updated by Templeton's
analysts on the basis of fundamental company-by-company analysis, which
utilizes a global database of company information. Management believes that
the Templeton organization's team approach benefits Fund investors by bringing
together many disciplines and leveraging the organization's extensive
resources. Currently, the lead portfolio manager for the Fund is William T.
Howard, Jr., Vice President of the Investment Manager. Before joining the
Templeton organization in 1993, Mr. Howard was a portfolio manager and analyst
with Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System in Nashville, Tennessee, where
he was responsible for research and management of the international equity
portfolio and specialized in the Japanese equity market. Further information
concerning the Investment Manager is included under the heading "Investment
Management and Other Services" in the SAI.
BUSINESS MANAGER. Templeton Global Investors, Inc. provides certain
administrative facilities and services for the Fund, including payment of
salaries of officers, preparation and maintenance of books and records,
preparation of tax returns and financial reports, monitoring compliance with
regulatory requirements and monitoring tax-deferred retirement plans. For its
services, the Fund pays the Business Manager a fee equivalent to 0.15% of the
average daily net assets of the Fund during the year, reduced to 0.135% of
such assets in excess of $200 million, to 0.10% of such assets in excess of
$700 million, and to 0.075% of such assets in excess of $1,200 million.
TRANSFER AGENT. Franklin Templeton Investor Services, Inc. serves as
transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent for the Fund.
CUSTODIAN. The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A. serves as custodian of the Fund's
assets.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION. A Plan of Distribution has been approved for the Fund
(the "Plan") pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Any portion of Rule
12b-1 fees remaining from the Plan after distribution to securities dealers of
up to the maximum amount permitted under the Plan may be used by the class to
reimburse FTD for routine ongoing promotion and distribution expenses incurred
with respect to the Fund. Such expenses may include, but are not limited to,
the printing of prospectuses and reports used for sales purposes, expenses, of
preparing and distributing sales literature and related expenses,
advertisements, and other distribution-related expenses, including a prorated
portion of FTD's overhead expenses attributable to the distribution of Fund
Shares, as well as any distribution or service fees paid to securities dealers
or their firms or others who have executed a servicing agreement with the
Fund, FTD or its affiliates.
The maximum amount which the Fund may pay to FTD or others under the Plan
for such distribution expenses is 0.35% per annum of average daily net assets,
payable on a quarterly basis. All expenses of distribution and marketing in
excess of 0.35% per annum will be borne by FTD, or others who have incurred
them, without reimbursement from the Fund. Under the Plan, costs and expenses
not reimbursed in any one given quarter (including costs and expenses not
reimbursed because they exceed the applicable limit of the Plan) may be
reimbursed in subsequent quarters or years, subject to applicable law.
The Plan also covers any payments to or by the Fund, the Investment Manager,
FTD, or other parties on behalf of the Fund, the Investment Manager or FTD, to
the extent such payments are deemed to be for the financing of any activity
primarily intended to result in the sale of Shares issued by the Fund within
the context of Rule 12b-1. The payments under the Plan are included in the
maximum
24
<PAGE>
operating expenses which may be borne by the Fund. For more information,
including a discussion of the Board's policies with regard to the amount of
the Plan's fees, please see the SAI.
BROKERAGE COMMISSIONS. The Fund's brokerage policies are described under the
heading "Brokerage Allocation" in the SAI. The Fund's brokerage policies
provide that the receipt of research services from a broker and the sale of
Shares by a broker are factors which may be taken into account in allocating
securities transactions, so long as the prices and execution provided by the
broker equal the best available within the scope of the Fund's brokerage
policies.
GENERAL INFORMATION
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES/SHARE CERTIFICATES. The capitalization of the Fund
consists of an unlimited number of Shares of beneficial interest, par value
$0.01 per Share. The Board of Trustees is authorized, in its discretion, to
classify and allocate the unissued Shares of the Fund in an unlimited number
of separate series and may in the future divide existing series into two or
more classes. Each Share entitles the holder to one vote.
The Fund will not ordinarily issue certificates for Shares purchased. Share
certificates representing the whole (not fractional) Shares are issued only
upon the specific request of the Shareholder made in writing to the Transfer
Agent. No charge is made for the issuance of one certificate for all or some
of the Shares purchased in a single order.
MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS. The Fund is not required to hold annual meetings
of Shareholders and may elect not to do so. The Fund will call a special
meeting of Shareholders for the purpose of considering the removal of a person
serving as Trustee if requested in writing to do so by the holders of not less
than 10% of the Fund's outstanding Shares. The Fund is required to assist
Shareholder communications in connection with the calling of Shareholder
meetings to consider removal of a Trustee or Trustees.
DIVIDENDS AND 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. Unless otherwise requested, income dividends and
capital gain distributions paid by the Fund, other than on those Shares whose
owners keep them registered in the name of a broker-dealer, are automatically
reinvested on the payment date in whole or fractional Shares at net asset
value as of the ex-dividend date, unless a Shareholder makes a written or
telephonic request for payments in cash. Dividend and capital gain
distributions are eligible for reinvestment at net asset value in Shares of
the Fund or Class I shares of another of the Franklin Templeton Funds. The
processing date for the reinvestment of dividends may vary, and does not
affect the amount of the Shares acquired. Income dividends and capital gain
distributions will be paid in cash on Shares during the time their owners keep
them registered in the name of a broker-dealer, unless the broker-dealer has
made arrangements with the Transfer Agent for reinvestment.
Prior to purchasing Shares of the Fund, the impact of dividends or capital
gains distributions which have been declared but not yet paid should be
carefully considered. Any dividend or capital gains distribution paid shortly
after a purchase by a Shareholder prior to the record date will have the
effect of reducing the per Share net asset value of the Shares by the amount
of the dividend or distribution. All or a portion of such dividend or
distribution, although in effect a return of capital, generally will be
subject to tax.
Checks are forwarded by first-class mail to the address of record. The
proceeds of any such checks which are not accepted by the addressee and
returned to the Fund will be reinvested for the Shareholder's account in whole
or fractional Shares at the net asset value next computed after the check has
been received by the Transfer Agent. Subsequent distributions automatically
will be reinvested at net asset value as of the ex-dividend date in additional
whole or fractional Shares.
FEDERAL TAX INFORMATION. The Fund intends to elect to be treated and to
qualify each year as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the
Code. See the SAI for a summary of requirements that must be satisfied to so
qualify. A regulated investment
25
<PAGE>
company generally is not subject to Federal income tax on income and gains
distributed in a timely manner to its shareholders. The Fund intends to
distribute to Shareholders substantially all of its net investment income and
realized capital gains, which generally will be taxable income or capital
gains in their hands. Distributions declared in October, November or December
to Shareholders of record on a date in such month and paid during the
following January will be treated as having been received by Shareholders on
December 31 in the year such distributions were declared. The Fund will inform
Shareholders each year of the amount and nature of such income or gains. A
more detailed description of tax consequences to Shareholders is contained in
the SAI under the heading "Tax Status."
The Fund may be required to withhold Federal income tax at the rate of 31%
of all taxable distributions (including redemptions) paid to Shareholders who
fail to provide the Fund with their correct taxpayer identification number or
to make required certifications or where the Fund or the Shareholder has been
notified by the Internal Revenue Service that the Shareholder is subject to
backup withholding. Corporate Shareholders and certain other Shareholders
specified in the Code are exempt from backup withholding. Backup withholding
is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld may be credited against the
Shareholder's federal income tax liability.
JAPAN TAXES. Pursuant to the tax convention between the United States and
Japan (the "Convention"), a Japanese withholding tax at the maximum rate of
15% is, with certain exceptions, imposed upon dividends paid by a Japanese
corporation to the Fund. Pursuant to the present terms of the Convention,
interest received by the Fund from sources within Japan is subject to a
Japanese withholding tax at a maximum rate of 10%. Capital gains of the Fund
arising from its investments as described herein are not taxable in Japan.
Generally, the Fund will be subject to the Japan securities transaction tax
on its sale of certain securities in Japan. The current rates of such tax
range from 0.03% to 0.30% depending upon the particular type of securities
involved. Transactions involving equity securities are currently taxed at the
highest rate.
INQUIRIES. Shareholders' inquiries will be answered promptly. They should be
addressed to Franklin Templeton Investor Services, Inc., P.O. Box 33030, St.
Petersburg, Florida 33733-8030 -- telephone 1-800-393-3001 or 813-823-8712.
Transcripts of Shareholder accounts less than three years old are provided on
request without charge; requests for transcripts going back more than three
years from the date the request is received by the Transfer Agent are subject
to a fee of up to $15 per account.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION. The Fund may include its total return in
advertisements or reports to Shareholders or prospective investors. Quotations
of average annual total return will be expressed in terms of the average
annual compounded rate of return on a hypothetical investment in the Fund over
a period of 1, 5 and 10 years (or up to the life of the Fund), will reflect
the deduction of the maximum initial sales charge and deduction of a
proportional share of Fund expenses (on an annual basis), and will assume that
all dividends and distributions are reinvested when paid. Total return may be
expressed in terms of the cumulative value of an investment in the Fund at the
end of a defined period of time. For a description of the methods used to
determine total return for the Fund, see the SAI.
STATEMENTS AND REPORTS. The Fund's fiscal year end on March 31. Annual
reports (containing financial statements audited by independent auditors and
additional information regarding the Fund's performance) and semiannual
reports (containing unaudited financial statements) are sent to Shareholders
each year. Additional copies may be obtained, without charge, upon request to
the Fund Information Department. The Fund also sends to each Shareholder a
confirmation statement after every transaction that affects the Shareholder's
account and a year-end historical confirmation statement.
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<PAGE>
INSTRUCTIONS AND IMPORTANT NOTICE
SUBSTITUTE W-9 INSTRUCTIONS INFORMATION
GENERAL. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, the tax
liability of persons subject to backup withholding will be reduced by the
amount of tax withheld. If withholding results in an overpayment of taxes, a
refund may be obtained from the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS").
OBTAINING A NUMBER. If you do not have a Social Security Number/Taxpayer
Identification Number ("SSN/TIN"), you must obtain Form SS-5 or Form SS-4 from
your local Social Security or IRS office and apply for one. If you have
checked the "Awaiting TIN" box and signed the certification, withholding will
apply to payments relating to your account unless you provide a certified TIN
within 60 days.
WHAT SSN/TIN TO GIVE. Please refer to the following guidelines:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ACCOUNT TYPE GIVE SSN OF ACCOUNT TYPE GIVE TAXPAYER ID # OF
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
. Individual Individual . Trust, Estate, or Trust, Estate, or
Pension Plan Trust Pension Plan Trust
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
. Joint Actual owner of . Corporation, Corporation,
Individual account, or if Partnership, or Partnership, or other
combined funds, the other organization organization
first-named
individual
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
. Unif. Minor . Broker nominee Broker nominee
Gift/Transfer
to Minor
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
. Sole Owner of business
Proprietor
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
. Legal Ward, Minor, or
Guardian Incompetent
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
EXEMPT RECIPIENTS. Please provide your TIN and check the "Exempt Recipient"
box if you are an exempt recipient. Exempt recipients generally include:
A corporation A real estate investment trust
A financial institution A common trust fund operated by a bank
under section 584(a)
An organization exempt from tax An entity registered at all times
under section 501(a), or an under the Investment Company
individual retirement plan Act of 1940
A registered dealer in securities or
commodities registered in the U.S.
or a U.S. possession
IRS PENALTIES. If you do not supply us with your SSN/TIN, you will be subject
to an IRS $50 penalty unless your failure is due to reasonable cause and not
willful neglect. If you fail to report certain income on your Federal income
tax return, you will be treated as negligent and subject to an IRS 20% penalty
on any underpayment of tax attributable to such negligence, unless there was
reasonable cause for the resulting underpayment and you acted in good faith.
If you falsify information on this form or make any other false statement
resulting in no backup withholding on an account which should be subject to
backup withholding, you may be subject to an IRS $500 penalty and certain
criminal penalties including fines and imprisonment.
SUBSTITUTE W-8 INSTRUCTIONS INFORMATION
EXEMPT FOREIGN PERSON. Check the "Exempt Foreign Person" box if you qualify as
a non-resident alien or foreign entity that is not subject to certain U.S.
information return reporting or to backup withholding rules. Dividends paid to
your account may be subject to withholding of up to 30%. Generally, you are an
"Exempt Foreign Person" if you are not (1) a citizen or resident of the U.S.,
or (2) a U.S. corporation, partnership, estate, or trust. In the case of an
individual, an "Exempt Foreign Person" is one who has been physically present
in the U.S. for less than 31 days during the current calendar year. An
individual who is physically present in the U.S. for at least 31 days during
the current calendar year will still be treated as an "Exempt Foreign Person,"
provided that the total number of days physically present in the current
calendar year and the two preceding calendar years does not equal or exceed
183 days (counting all of the days in the current calendar year, only one-
third of the days in the first preceding calendar year and only one-sixth of
the days in the second preceding calendar year). In addition, lawful permanent
residents or green card holders may not be treated as "Exempt Foreign
Persons." If you are an individual or an entity, you must not now be, or at
this time expect to be, engaged in a U.S. trade or business with respect to
which any gain derived from transactions effected by the Fund/Payer during the
calendar year is effectively connected to the U.S.
PERMANENT ADDRESS. The Shareholder Application must contain your permanent
address if you are an "Exempt Foreign Person." If you are an individual,
provide your permanent address. If you are a partnership or corporation,
provide the address of your principal office. If you are an estate or trust,
provide the address of your permanent residence or the principal office of any
fiduciary.
NOTICE OF CHANGE IN STATUS. If you become a U.S. citizen or resident after you
have provided certification of your foreign status, or if you cease to be an
"Exempt Foreign Person," you must notify the Fund/Payer within 30 days of your
change in status. Reporting will then begin on the account(s) listed, and
backup withholding may also begin unless you certify to the Fund/Payer that
(1) the taxpayer identification number you have given is correct, and (2) the
IRS has not notified you that you are subject to backup withholding because
you failed to report certain interest or dividend income. You may use Form W-
9, "Payer's Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification," to
make these certifications. If an account is no longer active, you do not have
to notify a Fund/Payer or broker of your change in status unless you also have
another account with the same Fund/Payer that is still active. If you receive
interest from more than one Fund/Payer or have dealings with more than one
broker or barter exchange, file a certificate with each. If you have more than
one account with the same Fund/Payer, the Fund/Payer may require you to file a
separate certificate for each account.
WHEN TO FILE. File these certifications with the Fund before a payment is made
to you, unless you have already done this in either of the two preceding
calendar years. Only certifications that are in proper order will be treated
as having been filed with the Fund.
HOW OFTEN YOU MUST FILE. This certificate generally remains in effect for
three calendar years. A Fund/Payer or broker, however, may require that a new
certificate be filed each time a payment is made. On joint accounts for which
each joint owner is a foreign person, each must provide a certification of
foreign status.
27
<PAGE>
FOR CORPORATE SHAREHOLDERS--FORM OF RESOLUTION
It will be necessary for corporate shareholders to provide a certified copy of
a resolution or other certificate of authority to authorize the purchase as
well as sale (redemption) of shares and withdrawals by checks or drafts. You
may use the following form of resolution or you may prefer to use your own. It
is understood that each Fund, Franklin Templeton Distributors, Inc., Franklin
Templeton Investor Services, Inc., the custodian bank and their affiliates may
rely upon these authorizations until revoked or amended by written notice
delivered by registered or certified mail to a Fund.
CERTIFIED COPY OF RESOLUTION (Corporation or Association)
The undersigned hereby certifies and affirms that he/she is the duly elected
____________________________ of ____________________________________________
TITLE CORPORATE NAME
a _________________________ organized under the laws of the State of _________
TYPE OF ORGANIZATION STATE
and that the following is a true and correct copy of a resolution adopted by
the Board of Directors at a meeting duly called and held on ___________________
DATE
RESOLVED, that the _________________________________________________ of this
OFFICERS' TITLES
Corporation or Association are authorized to open an account in the name of
the Corporation or Association with one or more of the Franklin Group of
Funds (R) or Templeton Family of Funds (collectively, the "Funds") and to
deposit such funds of this Corporation or Association in this account as
they deem necessary or desirable; that the persons authorized below may
endorse checks and other instruments for deposit to said account or
accounts; and
FURTHER RESOLVED, that any of the following ________________ officers are
NUMBER
authorized to sign any share assignment on behalf of this Corporation or
Association and to take any other actions as may be necessary to sell or
redeem its shares in the Funds or to sign checks or drafts withdrawing funds
from the account; and
FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Corporation or Association shall hold harmless,
indemnify, and defend the Funds, their custodian bank, Franklin Templeton
Distributors, Inc., Franklin Templeton Investor Services, Inc., and their
affiliates, from any claim, loss or liability resulting in whole or in
part, directly or indirectly, from their reliance from time to time upon
any certifications by the secretary or any assistant secretary of this
Corporation or Association as to the names of the individuals occupying
such offices and their acting in reliance upon these resolutions until
actual receipt by them of a certified copy of a resolution of the Board of
Directors of the Corporation or Association modifying or revoking any or
all such resolutions.
The undersigned further certifies that the below named persons, whose
signatures appear opposite their names and office titles, are duly elected
officers of the Corporation or Association. (Attach additional list if
necessary.)
- -------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
NAME/TITLE (PLEASE PRINT OR TYPE) SIGNATURE
- -------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
NAME/TITLE (PLEASE PRINT OR TYPE) SIGNATURE
- -------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
NAME/TITLE (PLEASE PRINT OR TYPE) SIGNATURE
- -------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
NAME/TITLE (PLEASE PRINT OR TYPE) SIGNATURE
- -------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
NAME OF CORPORATION OR ASSOCIATION DATE
Certified from minutes ________________________________________________________
NAME AND TITLE
CORPORATE SEAL (if appropriate)
28
<PAGE>
THE FRANKLIN TEMPLETON TELEPHONE REDEMPTION AUTHORIZATION AGREEMENT
You may use Franklin Templeton's telephone redemption privilege to redeem
uncertificated Franklin Templeton Fund shares for up to $50,000 (or your
Shareholder account balance, whichever is less) per day, per fund account in
accordance with the terms of the Fund's Prospectus.
The telephone redemption privilege is available only to Shareholders who
specifically request it. If you would like to add this redemption privilege to
the other telephone transaction privileges automatically available to Franklin
Templeton Fund shareholders, please sign and return this authorization to
Franklin Templeton Investor Services, Inc. ("Services"), transfer agent and
shareholder servicing agent for the Franklin Templeton Funds.
SHAREHOLDER AUTHORIZATION: I/We request the telephone redemption privilege
under the terms described below and in the prospectus for each investment
company in the Franklin Templeton Group of Funds (a "Franklin Templeton Fund"
or a "Fund"), now opened or opened at a later date, holding shares registered
as follows:
- ------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
PRINT NAME(S) AS SHOWN IN YOUR ACCOUNT REGISTRATION ("SHAREHOLDER")
- ------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
ACCOUNT NUMBER(S)
I/We authorize each Fund and Services to honor and act upon telephone requests
given as provided in this agreement to redeem shares from any
Shareholder account:
- ------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
SIGNATURE(S) AND DATE
- ------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
PRINT NAME(S) (AND TITLE/CAPACITY, IF APPLICABLE)
VERIFICATION PROCEDURES: I/We understand and agree that: (1) each Fund and
Services will employ reasonable procedures to confirm that redemption
instructions communicated by telephone are genuine and that if these
confirmation procedures are not followed, the Fund or Services may be liable
for any losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent telephone instructions; (2)
the confirmation procedures will include the recording of telephone calls
requesting redemptions, requiring that the caller provide certain personal
and/or account information requested by the telephone service agent at the
time of the call for the purpose of establishing the caller's identification,
and the sending of confirmation statements to the address of record each time
a redemption is initiated by telephone; and (3) so long as the Fund and
Services follow the confirmation procedures in acting on instructions
communicated by telephone which were reasonably believed to be genuine at the
time of receipt, neither they, nor their parent or affiliates, will be liable
for any loss, damages or expenses caused by an unauthorized or fraudulent
redemption request.
JOINTLY OWNED/CO-TRUSTEE ACCOUNTS: Each of us signing this agreement as either
joint owners or co-trustees authorizes each Fund and Services to honor
telephone redemption requests given by ANY ONE of the signers, or our
investment representative of record, if any, ACTING ALONE.
APPOINTMENT OF ATTORNEY-IN-FACT: In order to issue telephone redemption
requests acting alone, each of us individually makes the following
appointment: I hereby appoint the other joint owner(s)/co-trustee(s) as my
agent(s) (attorney[s]-in-fact) with full power and authority to individually
act for me in any lawful way with respect to the issuance of instructions to a
Fund or Services in accordance with the telephone redemption privilege we have
requested by signing this agreement. This appointment shall not be affected by
my subsequent disability or incompetency and shall remain in effect until it
is revoked by either written notice from any one of us delivered to a Fund or
Services by registered mail, return receipt requested or by a Fund or Services
upon receipt of any information that causes a Fund or Services to believe in
good faith that there is or that there may be a dispute among any of us with
respect to the Franklin Templeton Fund account(s) covered by this agreement.
Each of us agrees to notify the Fund or Services immediately upon the death of
any of the signers.
CORPORATE/PARTNERSHIP/TRUST/RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS: The Shareholder and each of
us signing this agreement on behalf of the Shareholder represent and warrant
to each Franklin Templeton Fund and Services that the Shareholder has the
authority to enter into this agreement and that each of us is duly authorized
to execute this agreement on behalf of the Shareholder. The Shareholder agrees
that its election of the telephone redemption privilege means that a Fund or
Services may honor a telephone redemption request given by ANY
officer/partner/member/administrator/or agent of the Shareholder ACTING ALONE.
RESTRICTED ACCOUNTS: Telephone redemptions may not be accepted on Franklin
Templeton Trust Company retirement accounts.
PLEASE RETURN THIS FORM TO:
Franklin Templeton Investor Services, Inc., Attn.: Telephone Redemptions
Dept., 700 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg, Florida 33701-3628.
29
<PAGE>
The Franklin Templeton Group
Literature Request -- Call today for a free descriptive brochure and
prospectus on any of the funds listed below. The prospectus contains more
complete information, including fees, charges and expenses, and should be read
carefully before investing or sending money.
TEMPLETON FUNDS Maryland FRANKLIN FUNDS SEEKING
HIGH CURRENT INCOME
American Trust Massachusetts***
AGE High Income Fund
Americas Government Michigan***
Securities Fund German Government Bond
Minnesota*** Fund
Developing Markets Trust
Missouri Global Government Income
Foreign Fund Fund
New Jersey
Global Infrastructure Investment Grade Income
Fund New York* Fund
Global Opportunities North Carolina U.S. Government Securities
Trust Fund
Ohio***
Global Rising Dividends FRANKLIN FUNDS SEEKING
Fund Oregon HIGH CURRENT INCOME AND
STABILITY OF PRINCIPAL
Greater European Fund Pennsylvania
Adjustable Rate
Growth Fund Tennessee** Securities Fund
Income Fund Texas Adjustable U.S. Government
Securities Fund
Japan Fund Virginia
Washington** Short-Intermediate U.S.
Latin America Fund Government Securities
FRANKLIN FUNDS SEEKING Fund
Money Fund CAPITAL GROWTH
FRANKLIN FUNDS FOR NON-
Real Estate Securities California Growth U.S. INVESTORS
Fund Fund
Tax-Advantaged High
Smaller Companies Growth DynaTech Fund Yield Securities Fund
Fund
Equity Fund Tax-Advantaged
World Fund International Bond Fund
Global Health
FRANKLIN FUNDS Care Fund Tax-Advantaged U.S.
SEEKING TAX- Government Securities
FREE INCOME Gold Fund Fund
Federal Intermediate Term Growth Fund FRANKLIN TEMPLETON
Tax-Free Income Fund INTERNATIONAL CURRENCY
International FUNDS
Federal Tax-Free Equity Fund
Income Fund Global Currency Fund
Pacific Growth
High Yield Tax-Free Fund Hard Currency Fund
Income Fund
Real Estate High Income Currency
Insured Tax-Free Income Securities Fund Fund
Fund***
Small Cap FRANKLIN MONEY MARKET
Puerto Rico Tax-Free Growth Fund FUNDS
Income Fund
FRANKLIN FUNDS SEEKING California Tax-Exempt
FRANKLIN STATE-SPECIFIC GROWTH AND INCOME Money Fund
FUNDS SEEKING TAX-FREE
INCOME Balance Sheet Investment Federal Money Fund
Fund
Alabama IFT U.S. Treasury Money
Convertible Securities Market Portfolio
Arizona* Fund
Money Fund
Arkansas** Equity Income Fund
New York Tax-Exempt
California* Global Utilities Fund Money Fund
Colorado Income Fund Tax-Exempt Money Fund
Connecticut Premier Return Fund FRANKLIN FUND FOR
CORPORATIONS
Florida* Rising Dividends Fund
Corporate Qualified
Georgia Strategic Income Fund Dividend Fund
Hawaii** Utilities Fund FRANKLIN TEMPLETON
VARIABLE ANNUITIES
Indiana
Franklin Valuemark
Kentucky
Franklin Templeton
Louisiana Valuemark Income
Plus (an intermediate
annuity)
Toll-free 1-800-DIAL BEN (1-800-342-5236)
* Two or more fund options available: long-term portfolio, intermediate-term
portfolio, a portfolio of municipal securities, and a high yield portfolio
(CA).
** The fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in bonds that pay interest
subject to the federal alternative minimum tax.
*** Portfolio of insured municipal securities.
30
<PAGE>
NOTES
-----
31
<PAGE>
- --------------------------
FRANKLIN TEMPLETON
JAPAN FUND
PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER:
Franklin Templeton
Distributors, Inc.
700 Central Avenue
St. Petersburg,
Florida 33701-3628
Account Services
1-800-354-9191
Fund Information
1-800-292-9293
Institutional Services
1-800-321-8563
This Prospectus is not
an offering of the
securities herein
described in any state
in which the offering
is not authorized. No
sales representative,
dealer, or other person
is authorized to give
any information or make
any representations
other than those
contained in this
Prospectus. Further
information may be
obtained from the
Principal Underwriter.
- --------------------------
[RECYCLED
PAPER LOGO
APPEARS HERE]
TL417 P 05/95
FRANKLIN
TEMPLETON
JAPAN
FUND
Prospectus
July 28, 1994
as supplemented May 25, 1995
[LOGO OF FRANKLIN
TEMPLETON FUND
APPEARS HERE]
<PAGE>
[LOGO OF FRANKLIN TEMPLETON APPEARS HERE]
Mail to: FRANKLIN TEMPLETON DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
P.O. Box 33031 St. Petersburg, Florida 33733-8031 (800) 393-3001
Please do not use this form for any Retirement Plan for which Franklin Templeton
Trust Company serves as custodian or trustee, or for Templeton Money Fund,
Templeton Institutional Funds or Templeton Capital Accumulator Fund. Request
separate Applications and/or Prospectuses.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHAREHOLDER APPLICATION OR REVISION
[_] Please check the box if this is a revision and see Section 8
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please check Class I or Class II, if applicable, next to your Fund selection.
Class I and Class II shares have different sales charges and operating expenses,
among other differences, as described in each Fund's prospectus.
Date __________________
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CLASS CLASS
I II I II
<S> <C> <C> <C>
[_] [_] AMERICAN TRUST $______ [_] [_] GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES TRUST $______
[_] AMERICAS GOVERNMENT SECURITIES FUND ______ [_] [_] GLOBAL RISING DIVIDENDS FUND ______
[_] [_] DEVELOPING MARKETS TRUST ______ [_] [_] GROWTH FUND ______
[_] [_] FOREIGN FUND ______ [_] [_] GREATER EUROPEAN FUND ______
[_] [_] GLOBAL INFRASTRUCTURE FUND ______ [_] [_] INCOME FUND ______
<CAPTION>
CLASS CLASS
I II I II
<S> <C> <C> <C>
[_] JAPAN FUND $______ [_] [_] OTHER: ______
[_] [_] LATIN AMERICA FUND ______ ____________________
[_] [_] REAL ESTATE SECURITIES FUND ______ ____________________
[_] [_] SMALLER COMPANIES GROWTH FUND ______ ____________________
[_] [_] WORLD FUND ______ ____________________
</TABLE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 ACCOUNT REGISTRATION (PLEASE PRINT)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[_] INDIVIDUAL OR JOINT ACCOUNT
__________________________________________________ ________-________-__________
First Name Middle Initial Last Name Social Security Number (SSN)
__________________________________________________ ________-________-__________
Joint Owner(s) (Joint ownership means "Joint Social Security Number (SSN)
Tenants With Rights of Survivorship" unless
otherwise specified) All owners must sign Section 4.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[_] GIFT/TRANSFER TO A MINOR
_______________________________ As Custodian For________________________________
Name of Custodian (one only) Minor's Name (one only)
_____________Uniform Gifts/Transfers to Minors Act________-________-____________
State of Residence Minor's Social Security Number
Please Note: Custodian's Signature, not Minor's, is required in Section 4.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[_] TRUST, CORPORATION, PARTNERSHIP, RETIREMENT PLAN, OR OTHER ENTITY
__________________________________________ ____________-_______________________
Name Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN)
___________________________________________ ___________________________________
Name of Beneficiary (if to be included in Date of Trust Document (must be
the Registration) completed for registration)
________________________________________________________________________________
Name of Each Trustee (if to be included in the Registration)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 ADDRESS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
___________________________________________ Daytime Phone (___)________________
Street Address Area Code
____________________________________-______ Evening Phone (___)________________
City State Zip Code Area Code
I am a Citizen of: [_] U.S. [_]______________________________
Country of Residence
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 INITIAL INVESTMENT ($100 minimum initial investment)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Check(s) enclosed for $___________________ . (Payable to Franklin Templeton
Distributors, Inc. or the Fund(s)
indicated above.)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 SIGNATURE AND TAX CERTIFICATIONS
(All registered owners must sign application)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Fund reserves the right to refuse to open an account without either a
certified Taxpayer Identification Number ("TIN") or a certification of foreign
status. Failure to provide tax certifications in this section may result in
backup withholding on payments relating to your account and/or in your inability
to qualify for treaty withholding rates.
I am(We are) not subject to backup withholding because I(we) have not been
notified by the IRS that I am(we are) subject to backup withholding as a result
of a failure to report all interest or dividends or because the IRS has notified
me(us) that I am(we are) no longer subject to backup withholding. (If you are
currently subject to backup withholding as a result of a failure to report all
interest or dividends, please cross out the preceding statement.)
[_] The number shown above is my(our) correct TIN, or that of the Minor named in
Section 1.
[_] AWAITING TIN. I am(We are) waiting for a number to be issued to me(us).
I(We) understand that if I(we) do not provide a TIN to the Fund within 60
days, the Fund is required to commence 31% backup withholding until I(we)
provide a certified TIN.
[_] EXEMPT RECIPIENT. Individuals cannot be exempt. Check this box only after
reading the instructions to see whether you qualify as an exempt recipient.
(You should still provide a TIN.)
[_] EXEMPT FOREIGN PERSON. Check this box only if the following statement
applies: "I am(we are) neither a citizen nor a resident of the United
States. I(we) certify to the best of my(our) knowledge and belief, I(we)
qualify as an exempt foreign person and/or entity as described in the
instructions."
Permanent address for tax purposes:
________________________________________________________________________________
Street Address City State Country Personal Code
PLEASE NOTE: The IRS only allows one TIN to be listed on an account. On joint
accounts, it is preferred that the primary account owner (or person listed first
on the account) list his/her number as requested above.
CERTIFICATION - Under the penalties of perjury, I(we) certify that (1) the
information provided on this application is true, correct and complete, (2)
I(we) have read the prospectus(es) for the Fund(s) in which I am(we are)
investing and agree to the terms thereof, and (3) I am(we are) of legal age or
an emancipated minor. I (we) acknowledge that Shares of the Fund(s) are not
insured or guaranteed by any agency or institution and that an investment in the
Shares involves risks, including the possible loss of principal.
X X
- ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
Signature Signature
X X
- ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
Signature Signature
Please make a photocopy of this application for your records.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 BROKER/DEALER USE ONLY (PLEASE PRINT)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------
We hereby submit this application for the purchase of Templeton Dealer Number
shares of the Fund indicated above in accordance with
the terms of our selling agreement with Franklin -----------------------
Templeton Distributors, Inc. ("FTD"), and with the
Prospectus for the Fund. We agree to notify FTD of any
Purchases of Class I shares which may be eligible for
reduced or eliminated sales charges.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
WIRE ORDER ONLY: The attached check for $_______ should be applied against
Wire Order
Confirmation Number ___________ Dated___________ For__________ Shares
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Securities Dealer Name__________________________________________________________
Main Office Address________________ Main Office Telephone Number (___)__________
Branch Number________ Representative Number ________ Representative Name________
Branch Address_________________________ Branch Telephone Number (___)___________
Authorized Signature, Securities Dealer______________________ Title_____________
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ACCEPTED: Franklin Templeton Distributors, Inc. By___________ Date______________
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please see reverse side for Shareholder Account Privileges:
[_] Distribution Options [_] Special Instructions for Distributions
[_] Systematic Withdrawal Plan [_] Automatic Investment Plan
[_] Telephone Exchange Service [_] Letter of Intent
[_] Cumulative Quantity Discount
This application must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus for
the Fund(s) being purchased.
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6 DISTRIBUTION OPTIONS (Check one)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Check one - if no box is checked, all dividends and capital gains will be
reinvested in additional shares of the Fund.
[_] Reinvest all dividends [_] Pay all dividends in cash
and capital gains. and reinvest capital gains.
[_] Pay capital gains in cash [_] Pay all dividends and
and reinvest dividends. capital gains in cash.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 OPTIONAL SHAREHOLDER PRIVILEGES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A. SPECIAL PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR DISTRIBUTIONS (Check one box)
[_] Pay Distributions, as noted in Section 6, to another Franklin or Templeton
Fund.
Fund Name______________________ Existing Account Number___________________
[_] Send my Distributions to the person, named below, instead of as registered
in Section 1.
Name___________________________ Street Address____________________________
City___________________________ State____________________Zip Code_________
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
B. SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN
Please withdraw from my Franklin Templeton account $_____($50 minimum)
[_]Monthly [_]Quarterly [_]Semi-Annually or [_]Annually as set forth in the
Prospectus, starting in ______________(Month). The net asset value of the
shares held must be at least $5,000 at the time the plan is established.
Additional restrictions may apply to Class II or other shares subject to
contingent deferred sales charge, as described in the prospectus. Send the
proceeds to: [_]Address of Record OR [_]the Franklin Templeton Fund or person
specified in Section 7(A) - Special Payment Instructions for Distributions.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C. TELEPHONE TRANSACTIONS
TELEPHONE EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE: If the Fund does not receive specific
instructions from the shareholder, either in writing or by telephone, the
Telephone Exchange Privilege (see the prospectus) is automatically extended
to each account. The shareholder should understand, however, that the Fund
and Franklin Templeton Investor Services, Inc. ("FTI") or Templeton Funds
Trust Company and their agents will not be liable for any loss, injury,
damage or expense as a result of acting upon instructions communicated by
telephone reasonably believed to be genuine. The shareholder agrees to hold
the Fund and its agents harmless from any loss, claims, or liability arising
from its or their compliance with such instructions. The shareholder
understands that this option is subject to the terms and conditions set forth
in the prospectus of the fund to be acquired.
[_]No, I do NOT wish to participate in the Telephone Exchange Privilege or
authorize the Fund or its agents, including FTI or Templeton Funds Trust
Company, to act upon instructions received by telephone to exchange shares
for shares of any other account(s) within the Franklin Templeton Group of
Funds.
Telephone Redemption Privilege: This is available to shareholders who
specifically request it and who complete the Franklin Templeton Telephone
Redemption Authorization Agreement in the back of the Fund's prospectus.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
D. AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT PLAN
IMPORTANT: ATTACH AN UNSIGNED, VOIDED CHECK (FOR CHECKING ACCOUNTS) OR A
SAVINGS ACCOUNT DEPOSIT SLIP HERE, AND COMPLETE THE INFORMATION BELOW. I(We)
would like to establish an Automatic Investment Plan (the"Plan") as described
in the Prospectus. I(We) agree to reimburse FTI and/or FTD for any expenses
or losses that they may incur in connection with my(our) plan, including any
caused by my(our) bank's failure to act in accordance with my(our) request.
If my(our) bank makes any erroneous payment or fails to make a payment after
shares are purchased on my(our) behalf, any such purchase may be cancelled
and I(we) hereby authorize redemptions and/or deductions from my(our) account
for that purpose.
Debit my(our) bank account monthly for $__________($25 minimum) on or about
the [_]1st [_]5th [_]15th or [_]20th day starting_______(month), to be
invested in (name of Fund)___________________Account Number (if known)_______
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
E. INSTRUCTIONS TO BANK - AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT PLAN AUTHORIZATION
To:__________________________________ ______________________________________
Name of Your Bank ABA Number
___________________________ _________________ ____________ ______________
Street Address City State Zip Code
I(We) authorize you to charge my(our) Checking/Savings Account and to make
payment to FTD, upon instructions from FTD. I(We) agree that in making payment
for such charges your rights shall be the same as if each were a charge made and
signed personally by me(us). This authority shall remain in effect until you
receive written notice from me(us) changing its terms or revoking it. Until you
actually receive such notice, I(we) agree that you shall be fully protected in
paying any charge under this authority. I(we) further agree that if any such
charge is not made, whether with or without cause and whether intentionally or
inadvertently, you shall be under no liability whatsoever.
X_________________________________________________ ___________________________
Signature(s) EXACTLY as shown on your bank records Date
______________________________________ _______________________________________
Print Name(s) Account Number
______________________________ _________________ ____________ ______________
Street Address City State Zip Code
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
F. LETTER OF INTENT (LOI) -- APPLICABLE TO CLASS I SHARES ONLY
[_]I(We) agree to the terms of the LOI and provisions for reservations of
Shares and grant FTD the security interest set forth in the Prospectus.
Although I am(we are) not obligated to do so, it is my(our) intention to
invest over a 13 month period in shares of one or more Franklin or Templeton
Funds (including all Money Market Funds in the Franklin Templeton Group) an
aggregate amount at least equal to that which is checked below:
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
[_]$50,000-99,999 (except for Income Fund) [_]$100,000-249,999 [_]$250,000-499,999 [_]$500,000-999,999 [_]$1,000,0000 or more
</TABLE>
Purchases made within the last 90 days will be included as part of your LOI.
Please write in your Account Number(s)____________ ____________ ____________
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
G. CUMULATIVE QUANTITY DISCOUNT -- APPLICABLE TO CLASS I SHARES ONLY
Shares may be purchased at the Offering Price applicable to the dollar amount
of the sale added to the higher of (1) the value (calculated at the
applicable Offering Price) or (2) the purchase price, of any other Shares of
the Fund and/or other Funds in the Franklin Templeton Group owned at that
time by the purchaser, his or her spouse, and their children under age 21,
including all Money Market Funds in the Franklin Templeton Group as stated in
the Prospectus. in order for this Cumulative Quantity Discount to be made
available, the Shareholder or his or her Securities Dealer must notify FTI or
FTD of the total holdings in the Franklin Templeton Group each time an order
is placed.
[_]I(We) own shares of more than one Fund in the Franklin Templeton Group and
qualify for the Cumulative Quantity Discount described above and in the
Prospectus.
My(Our) other Account Number(s) are ___________ ___________ _______________
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8 ACCOUNT REVISION (If Applicable)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you are using this application to revise your Account Registration, or wish
to have Distributions sent to an address other than the address on your existing
Account's Registration, a Signature Guarantee is required. Signatures of all
registered owners must be guaranteed by an "eligible guarantor" as defined in
the "How to Sell Shares of the Fund" section in the Fund's Prospectus. A Notary
Public is not an acceptable guarantor.
X________________________________________ ____________________________________
Signature(s) of Registered Account Owners Account Number(s)
X________________________________________ ____________________________________
X________________________________________
X________________________________________ ____________________________________
Signature Guarantee Stamp
NOTE: For any change in registration, please send us any outstanding
Certificates by Registered Mail.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TLGOF APP 05/95
