(Amendment
No. )
Templeton Dragon Fund, Inc.
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Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of
its filing.
TEMPLETON DRAGON FUND, INC.
These materials are for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders
(the “Meeting”) scheduled for May 25, 2023, at 12 Noon, Eastern time. The enclosed materials discuss
the proposals (the “Proposals” or each, a “Proposal”) to be voted on at the Meeting, and contain
the Notice of Meeting, proxy statement and proxy card. A proxy card is, in essence, a ballot. When you
vote your proxy, it tells us how you wish to vote on important issues relating to Templeton Dragon Fund,
Inc. (the “Fund”). If you specify a vote on a Proposal, your proxy will be voted as you indicate.
If you specify a vote on a Proposal, but not both Proposals, your proxy will be voted as specified on
such Proposal and, on the Proposal for which no vote is specified, your proxy will be voted FOR such
Proposal. If you simply sign, date and return the proxy card, but do not specify a vote on any Proposal,
your proxy will be voted FOR the Proposals.
We urge you to spend a
few minutes reviewing the Proposals in the proxy statement. Then, please fill out and sign the proxy
card and return it to us so that we know how you would like to vote. When shareholders return their proxies
promptly, the Fund may be able to save money by not having to conduct additional mailings.
We
are urging all shareholders to take advantage of voting by mail, Internet or telephone (separate instructions
are listed on the enclosed proxy card to vote by telephone or through the Internet). Additionally, while
we anticipate that the Meeting will occur as planned on May 25, 2023, there is a possibility that the
Meeting may be postponed or the location or approach may need to be changed, including the possibility
of holding a virtual meeting, for the health and safety of all Meeting participants. Should this occur,
we will notify you by issuing a press release and filing an announcement with the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission as definitive additional soliciting material. If you plan to attend the Meeting in
person, please note that we will be holding the Meeting in accordance with any recommended and required
social distancing and safety guidelines, as applicable.
For
your convenience, you may be able to vote by telephone or through the Internet, 24 hours a day. If your
account is eligible, instructions are enclosed.
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TEMPLETON DRAGON FUND, INC.
PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
How
are nominees selected?
The Board of Directors of the Fund (the
“Board” or the “Directors”) has a Nominating Committee consisting of Edith E. Holiday (Chairperson),
J. Michael Luttig and Larry D. Thompson, none of whom is an “interested person” of the Fund as defined
by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). Directors who are not interested
persons of the Fund are referred to as the “Independent Directors,” and Directors who are interested
persons of the Fund are referred to as the “Interested Directors.”
The
Nominating Committee is responsible for selecting candidates to serve as Directors and recommending such
candidates (a) for selection and nomination as Independent Directors by the incumbent Independent Directors
and the full Board; and (b) for selection and nomination as Interested Directors by the full Board.
In considering a candidate’s qualifications, the Nominating Committee generally considers the potential
candidate’s educational background, business or professional experience, and reputation. In addition,
the Nominating Committee has established as minimum qualifications for Board membership as an Independent
Director: (1) that such candidate be independent from relationships with the Fund’s investment manager
and other principal service providers both within the terms and the spirit of the statutory independence
requirements specified under the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder; (2) that such candidate demonstrate
an ability and willingness to make the considerable time commitment, including personal attendance at
Board meetings, believed necessary to his or her
function as an effective Board member; and (3) that such candidate have no continuing
relationship as a director, officer or board member of any U.S. registered investment company other than
those within the Franklin Templeton/Legg Mason fund complex or a closed-end business development company
primarily investing in non-public entities. The Nominating Committee has not adopted any specific policy
on the issue of diversity, but will consider diversity among other factors such as experience, education
and skill sets, in its consideration of new candidates to the Board.
When
the Board has or expects to have a vacancy, the Nominating Committee receives and reviews information
on individuals qualified to be recommended to the full Board as nominees for election as Directors, including
any recommendations by “Qualifying Fund Shareholders” (as defined below). Such individuals are evaluated
based upon the criteria described above. To date, the Nominating Committee has been able to identify,
and expects to continue to be able to identify, from its own resources an ample number of qualified candidates.
The Nominating Committee, however, will review recommendations from Qualifying Fund Shareholders to fill
vacancies on the Board if these recommendations are submitted in writing and addressed to the Nominating
Committee at the Fund’s offices and are presented with appropriate background material concerning the
candidate that demonstrates his or her ability to serve as a Director, including as an Independent Director,
of the Fund. A Qualifying Fund Shareholder is a shareholder who (i) has continuously owned of record,
or beneficially through a financial intermediary, shares of the Fund having a net asset value of not
less than two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) during the twenty-four month period prior to
submitting the recommendation; and (ii) provides a written notice to the Nominating Committee containing
the following information: (a) the name and address of the Qualifying Fund Shareholder making the recommendation;
(b) the number of shares of the Fund which are owned of record and beneficially by the Qualifying Fund
Shareholder and the length of time that the shares have been owned by the Qualifying Fund Shareholder;
(c) a description of all arrangements and understandings between the Qualifying Fund Shareholder and
any other person or persons (naming such person or persons) pursuant to which the recommendation is being
made; (d) the name, age, date of birth, business address and residence address of the person or persons
being recommended; (e) such other information regarding each person recommended by the Qualifying Fund
Shareholder as would be required to be included in a proxy statement filed pursuant to the proxy rules
of the SEC had the nominee been nominated by the Board; (f) whether the Qualifying Fund Shareholder
making the recommendation believes the person recommended would or would not be an “interested person”
of the Fund, as defined in the 1940 Act; and (g) the written consent of each person recommended to serve
as a Director of the Fund if so nominated and elected/appointed.
The
Nominating Committee may amend these procedures from time to time, including the procedures relating
to the evaluation of nominees and the process for submitting recommendations to the Nominating Committee.
The Board has adopted and approved a formal written charter
for the Nominating Committee. A copy of the charter is attached as Exhibit A to this proxy statement.
Who are the nominees and Directors?
The
Board is divided into three classes. Each class has a term of three years. Each year, the term of office
of one class expires. This year, the terms of four Directors expire: Harris J. Ashton, Mary C. Choksi,
J. Michael Luttig and Constantine D. Tseretopoulos. These individuals have been nominated for three-year
terms, set to expire at the 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. In addition, Terrence J. Checki has
been nominated for a one-year term, set to expire at the 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. These terms
continue, however, until
their successors are duly elected and qualified. All of the nominees are currently
members of the Board, however, Terrence J. Checki is standing for election by the shareholders of the
Fund for the first time. An incumbent Independent Director recommended Terrence J. Checki for consideration
by the Nominating Committee as nominee for Director. All nominees are deemed to be Independent Directors.
In addition, all of the current nominees and Directors are also directors or trustees of other investment
companies within the Franklin Templeton/Legg Mason fund complex.
Interested
Directors of the Fund hold director and/or officer positions with, or are principal stockholders of,
Franklin Resources, Inc. (“Resources”) and its affiliates. Resources is a publicly owned holding
company, a principal stockholder of which is Rupert H. Johnson, Jr., who beneficially owned approximately
21% of its outstanding shares as of December 31, 2022. The shares deemed to be beneficially owned by
Rupert H. Johnson, Jr. include certain shares held by a private charitable foundation or by his spouse,
of which he disclaims beneficial ownership. Resources, a global investment management organization operating
as Franklin Templeton, is primarily engaged, through various subsidiaries, in providing investment management,
share distribution, transfer agent and administrative services to a family of investment companies. Resources
is a New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) listed holding company (NYSE: BEN). Rupert H. Johnson, Jr.,
a Director of the Fund, is the uncle of Gregory E. Johnson, Chairman of the Board, Vice President and
Director of the Fund. There are no other family relationships among the Directors or nominees for Director.
Each nominee currently is available and has consented to serve
if elected. If any of the nominees should become unavailable, the designated proxy holders will vote
in their discretion for another person or persons who may be nominated to serve as Directors.
In addition to personal qualities, such as integrity, in considering candidates
for the Fund Board, the Nominating Committee seeks to find persons of good reputation whose experience
and background evidence that such person has the ability to comprehend, discuss and critically analyze
materials and issues presented, in exercising judgments and reaching informed conclusions relevant to
fulfillment of a Fund Director’s duties and fiduciary obligations. Information on the business activities
of the nominees and other Directors during the past five years and beyond appears below, and it is believed
that the specific background of each Director evidences such ability and is appropriate to his or her
serving on the Fund’s Board. As indicated, Harris J. Ashton has served as a chief executive officer
of NYSE listed public corporations; Larry D. Thompson and Edith E. Holiday each have legal backgrounds,
including high level legal positions with departments of the U.S. Government; David W. Niemiec has served
as a chief financial officer of a major corporation; Ann Torre Bates has served as a chief financial
officer of a major corporation and as a board member of a number of public companies; J. Michael Luttig
has fifteen years of judicial experience as a Federal Appeals Court Judge and thirteen years of experience
as Executive Vice President and General Counsel of a major public company; Constantine D. Tseretopoulos
has professional and executive experience as founder and Chief of Staff of a hospital; Terrence J. Checki
has served as a senior executive of a Federal Reserve Bank and has vast experience evaluating economic
forces and their impact on markets, including emerging markets; Mary C. Choksi has an extensive background
in asset management, including founding an investment management firm; and Rupert H. Johnson, Jr. and
Gregory E. Johnson are both high ranking executive officers of Resources.
Listed
below with the business activities of the nominees and Directors are their names and years of birth,
their positions and length of service with the Fund and the number of portfolios in the Franklin Templeton/Legg
Mason fund complex that they oversee.
| | | | |
Nominees for Independent Director to serve until 2026 Annual
Meeting of Shareholders: |
Name, Year of Birth and
Address | Position | Length of Time Served | Number of Portfolios in Franklin Templeton/ Legg
Mason Fund Complex Overseen by Director* | Other Directorships Held During at Least
the Past Five Years |
Harris
J. Ashton (1932) 300 S.E. 2nd Street Fort
Lauderdale, FL 33301-1923 | Director | Since 1994 | 118 | Bar-S Foods (meat packing company) (1981–2010). |
|
Principal Occupation During at Least the
Past 5 Years: |
Director of various companies; and formerly, Director, RBC Holdings,
Inc. (bank holding company) (until 2002); and President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the
Board, General Host Corporation (nursery and craft centers) (until 1998). |
Mary C. Choksi (1950) 300
S.E. 2nd Street Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301-1923 | Director | Since
2016 | 118 | Omnicom
Group Inc. (advertising and marketing communications services) (2011–present) and White Mountains Insurance
Group, Ltd. (holding company) (2017–present); and formerly, Avis Budget Group
Inc. (car rental) (2007–2020). |
|
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years: |
Director
of various companies; and formerly, Founder and Senior Advisor, Strategic
Investment Group (investment management group) (2015–2017); Founding Partner and Senior Managing Director,
Strategic Investment Group (1987–2015); Founding Partner and Managing Director, Emerging Markets Management
LLC (investment management firm) (1987–2011); and Loan Officer/Senior Loan Officer/Senior Pension Investment
Officer, World Bank Group (international financial institution) (1977–1987). |
J. Michael Luttig (1954) 300
S.E. 2nd Street Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301-1923 | Director | Since 2009 | 118 | Boeing
Capital Corporation (aircraft financing) (2006–2010). |
|
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years: |
Counselor
and Special Advisor to the CEO and Board of Directors of the Coca-Cola Company (beverage company) (2021–present);
and formerly,
Counselor and Senior Advisor to the Chairman, CEO, and Board of Directors, of The Boeing Company (aerospace
company), and member of the Executive Council (2019–2020); Executive Vice President, General Counsel
and member of the Executive Council, The Boeing Company (2006–2019); and Federal Appeals Court Judge,
United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit (1991–2006). |
Constantine D. Tseretopoulos (1954) 300
S.E. 2nd Street Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301-1923 | Director | Since 1998 | 19 | None |
|
Principal Occupation During at Least the
Past 5 Years: |
Physician, Chief of Staff, owner and operator of the Lyford Cay Hospital (1987–present);
director of various nonprofit organizations; and formerly, Cardiology Fellow,
University of Maryland (1985–1987); and Internal Medicine Resident, Greater Baltimore Medical Center
(1982–1985). |
| | | | |
Nominee for Independent Director to serve until
2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders: |
Name,
Year of Birth and Address | Position | Length of Time Served | Number of Portfolios in Franklin Templeton/ Legg
Mason Fund Complex Overseen by Director* | Other Directorships Held During at Least
the Past Five Years |
Terrence
J. Checki (1945) 300 S.E. 2nd Street Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301-1923 | Director | Since January 2023 | 118 | Hess
Corporation (exploration of oil and gas) (2014–present). |
| |
Principal Occupation
During at Least the Past 5 Years: | |
Member
of the Council on Foreign Relations (1996–present); Member of the National Committee on U.S.-China
Relations (1999–present); member of the board of trustees of the Economic Club of New York (2013–present);
member of the board of trustees of the Foreign Policy Association (2005–present); member of the board
of directors of Council of the Americas (2007–present) and the Tallberg Foundation (2018–present);
and formerly,
Executive Vice President of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and Head of its Emerging Markets and
Internal Affairs Group and Member of Management Committee (1995–2014); and Visiting Fellow at the Council
on Foreign Relations (2014). |
|
Independent Directors serving until 2025 Annual
Meeting of Shareholders: |
Edith
E. Holiday (1952) 300 S.E. 2nd Street Fort
Lauderdale, FL 33301-1923 | Lead
Independent Director | Director since 1996
and Lead Independent Director since 2007 | 118 | Hess Corporation (exploration of oil and gas) (1993–present), Santander Consumer
USA Holdings, Inc. (consumer finance) (2016–present); Santander Holdings USA (holding company) (2019–present);
and formerly,
Canadian National Railway (railroad) (2001–2021), White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. (holding company)
(2004–2021), RTI International Metals, Inc. (manufacture and distribution of titanium) (1999–2015)
and H.J. Heinz Company (processed foods and allied products) (1994–2013). |
|
Principal Occupation During at Least the
Past 5 Years: |
Director or Trustee of various companies and trusts; and formerly, Assistant to the President
of the United States and Secretary of the Cabinet (1990–1993); General Counsel to the United States
Treasury Department (1989–1990); and Counselor to the Secretary and Assistant Secretary for Public
Affairs and Public Liaison-United States Treasury Department (1988–1989). |
| | | | |
Name,
Year of Birth and Address | Position | Length of Time Served | Number of Portfolios in Franklin Templeton/ Legg
Mason Fund Complex Overseen by Director* | Other Directorships Held During at Least
the Past Five Years |
Larry
D. Thompson (1945) 300 S.E. 2nd Street Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301-1923 | Director | Since 2005 | 118 | Graham
Holdings Company (education and media organization) (2011–2021); The Southern Company (energy company)
(2014–2020; previously 2010-2012) and Cbeyond, Inc. (business communications provider) (2010–2012). |
|
Principal Occupation During at Least the
Past 5 Years: |
Director of various companies; Counsel, Finch McCranie, LLP (law firm) (2015–present);
John A. Sibley Professor of Corporate and Business Law, University of Georgia School of Law (2015-present;
previously 2011–2012); and formerly, Independent Compliance Monitor and Auditor,
Volkswagen AG (manufacturer of automobiles and commercial vehicles) (2017–2020); Executive Vice President—Government
Affairs, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, PepsiCo, Inc. (consumer products) (2012–2014); Senior
Vice President—Government Affairs, General Counsel and Secretary, PepsiCo, Inc. (2004–2011); Senior
Fellow of The Brookings Institution (2003–2004); Visiting Professor, University of Georgia School of
Law (2004); and Deputy Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justice (2001-2003). |
|
Interested
Directors serving until 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders: |
**Rupert H. Johnson, Jr.
(1940) One Franklin Parkway San Mateo, CA 94403-1906 | Director | Since 2013 | 118 | None |
|
Principal Occupation During at Least the
Past 5 Years: |
Director (Vice Chairman), Franklin Resources, Inc.; Director,
Franklin Advisers, Inc.; and officer and/or director or trustee of some of the other subsidiaries of
Franklin Resources, Inc. and of certain funds in the Franklin Templeton/Legg Mason fund complex. |
**Gregory E. Johnson (1961) One
Franklin Parkway San Mateo, CA 94403-1906 | Chairman of
the Board, Vice President and Director | Chairman
of the Board and Vice President since January 2023 and Director since 2006 | 129 | None |
|
Principal Occupation During at Least the
Past 5 Years: |
Executive Chairman, Chairman of the Board and Director, Franklin Resources, Inc.;
officer and/or director or trustee of some of the other subsidiaries of Franklin Resources, Inc. and
of certain funds in the Franklin Templeton/Legg Mason fund complex; Vice Chairman, Investment Company
Institute; and formerly, Chief Executive Officer (2013–2020) and President (1994–2015)
Franklin Resources, Inc. |
| | | | |
Independent Directors serving until 2024 Annual
Meeting of Shareholders: |
Name, Year of Birth and
Address | Position | Length of Time Served | Number of Portfolios in Franklin Templeton/ Legg Mason Fund Complex Overseen by
Director* | Other Directorships Held During at Least the Past Five Years |
Ann Torre Bates (1958) 300
S.E. 2nd Street Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301-1923 | Director | Since 2008 | 30 | Ares Strategic Income Fund (closed-end investment management company) (September
2022–present); Ares Capital Corporation (specialty finance company) (2010–present), United Natural
Foods, Inc. (food distribution) (2013–present), formerly, Navient Corporation
(loan management, servicing and asset recovery) (2014-2016). |
|
Principal Occupation During at Least the
Past 5 Years: |
Director of various companies; and formerly, Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer, NHP Incorporated (manager of multifamily housing) (1995–1997); and Vice
President and Treasurer, US Airways, Inc. (until 1995). |
David W. Niemiec (1949) 300 S.E. 2nd
Street Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301-1923 | Director | Since 2005 | 30 | Hess
Midstream LP (oil and gas midstream infrastructure) (2017-present). |
|
Principal Occupation During at Least the
Past 5 Years: |
Advisor, Saratoga Partners (private equity fund); and formerly, Managing Director,
Saratoga Partners (1998–2001) and SBC Warburg Dillon Read (investment banking) (1997–1998); Vice
Chairman, Dillon, Read & Co. Inc. (investment banking) (1991–1997); and Chief Financial Officer,
Dillon, Read & Co. Inc. (1982–1997). |
* We base the number of portfolios on each separate series of
the U.S. registered investment companies within the Franklin Templeton/Legg Mason fund complex. These
portfolios have a common investment manager or affiliated investment manager, and also may share a common
underwriter.
** Rupert
H. Johnson, Jr. and Gregory E. Johnson are “interested persons” of the Fund as defined by the 1940
Act. The 1940 Act limits the percentage of interested persons that can comprise a fund’s board of directors.
Rupert H. Johnson, Jr. is considered an interested person of the Fund due to his position as an officer,
director and major shareholder of Resources, which is the parent company of the Fund’s investment manager.
Gregory E. Johnson is considered an interested person of the Fund due to his position as an officer,
director and shareholder of Resources and his position with the Fund. Rupert H. Johnson, Jr. is the uncle
of Gregory E. Johnson. The remaining Directors of the Fund are Independent Directors.
The following tables provide the dollar range of the equity
securities of the Fund and of all U.S. registered funds in the Franklin Templeton/Legg Mason fund complex
beneficially owned by the Directors as of March 9, 2023:
| | |
| | |
Independent Directors: Name
of Director | Dollar Range of Equity Securities in the Fund(1) | Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities in all Funds in the Franklin
Templeton/Legg Mason Fund Complex |
Harris J. Ashton | $1—$10,000 | Over $100,000 |
Ann Torre Bates | $10,001—$50,000 | Over $100,000 |
Terrence J. Checki | None | Over $100,000 |
Mary C. Choksi | None | Over $100,000 |
Edith E. Holiday | $1—$10,000 | Over $100,000 |
J. Michael Luttig | $10,001—$50,000 | Over $100,000 |
David W. Niemiec | None | Over $100,000 |
Larry D. Thompson | $1—$10,000 | Over $100,000 |
Constantine D. Tseretopoulos | None | Over $100,000 |
| | |
| | |
Interested
Directors: Name of Director | Dollar Range of Equity Securities in the
Fund(1) | Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities in all Funds in the Franklin
Templeton/Legg Mason Fund Complex |
Rupert H. Johnson, Jr. | $10,001—$50,000 | Over $100,000 |
Gregory E. Johnson | None | Over $100,000 |
(1) Dollar range based on NYSE closing price on March 9, 2023.
How often do the Directors meet and what are they paid?
The
role of the Directors is to provide general oversight of the Fund’s business and to ensure that the
Fund is operated for the benefit of all of the Fund’s shareholders. The Directors anticipate meeting
at least five times during the current fiscal year to review the operations of the Fund and the Fund’s
investment performance, and will meet more frequently as necessary. The Directors also oversee the services
furnished to the Fund by Templeton Asset Management Ltd., the Fund’s investment manager (the “Investment
Manager”), and various other service providers.
The
Fund’s Independent Directors also serve as independent Board members of 10 other Templeton investment
companies in the Franklin Templeton/Legg Mason fund complex. As of March 1, 2023, each Independent Director
is paid an annual retainer fee of up to $220,000, together with a $10,000 per meeting fee for attendance
at each regularly scheduled Board meeting, a portion of which fees are allocated to the Fund. To the
extent held, compensation also may be paid for attendance at specially called Board meetings. The Fund’s
Lead Independent Director is paid an annual supplemental retainer of $50,000 for service to such investment
companies, a portion of which is allocated to the Fund. Board members who serve on the Audit Committee
of the Fund and such other investment companies receive an annual retainer fee of up to $10,000, together
with a $3,000 fee per Audit Committee meeting attended, a portion of which is allocated to the Fund.
The Chairman of the Audit Committee of the Fund and the other investment companies receives an additional
retainer of $25,000 per year, a portion of which is allocated to the Fund.
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, there were
five meetings of the Board, five meetings of the Audit Committee, and two meetings of the Nominating
Committee. Each Director then in office attended at least 75% of the aggregate of the total number of
meetings of the Board and the total number of meetings held by all committees of the Board on which the
Director served. The Fund does not currently have a formal policy regarding Directors’ attendance at
the annual shareholders’ meeting. No Directors attended the Fund’s last annual meeting held on May 26,
2022.
Independent Directors are also reimbursed for expenses incurred
in connection with attending Board meetings. The Interested Directors and certain officers of the Fund
who are shareholders of Resources are not compensated by the Fund for their services, but may receive
indirect remuneration due to their participation in management fees and other fees received by the Investment
Manager and its affiliates from the funds in Franklin Templeton. The Investment Manager or its affiliates
pay the salaries and expenses of the officers and the Interested Directors. No pension or retirement
benefits are accrued as part of Fund expenses.
The table below indicates
the total fees paid to the Independent Directors by the Fund individually and by all of the funds in
the Franklin Templeton/Legg Mason fund complex. These Directors also serve as directors or trustees of
other funds within Franklin Templeton, many of which hold meetings at different dates and times. The
Directors and the Fund’s management believe that having the same individuals serving on the boards
of multiple funds within Franklin Templeton enhances the ability of each fund to obtain, at a relatively
modest cost to each separate fund, the services of high caliber, experienced and knowledgeable Independent
Directors who can bring their experience and talents to, and effectively oversee the management of, several
funds.
| | | |
| | | |
Name
of Director | Aggregate Compensation from the Fund(1) | Total Compensation from Franklin Templeton/ Legg
Mason Fund Complex(2) | Number of Boards within Franklin Templeton/ Legg
Mason Fund Complex on which Director Serves(3) |
Harris J. Ashton | $5,289 | $639,202 | 35 |
Ann Torre Bates(4) | $5,752 | $671,850 | 14 |
Terrence J. Checki(5) | N/A | $441,000 | 35 |
Mary C. Choksi | $5,289 | $683,756 | 35 |
Edith E. Holiday | $6,233 | $773,126 | 35 |
J. Michael Luttig | $5,752 | $702,126 | 35 |
David W. Niemiec | $6,035 | $611,572 | 14 |
Larry D. Thompson | $5,289 | $683,126 | 35 |
Constantine D. Tseretopoulos | $5,572 | $297,869 | 11 |
(1) Compensation received for the fiscal year ended December 31,
2022.
(2) Compensation
received for the 12 months ended December 31, 2022.
(3) We base the number of boards on the number of U.S. registered
investment companies in the Franklin Templeton/Legg Mason fund complex. This number does not include
the total number of series or funds within each investment company for which the Board members are responsible.
The Franklin Templeton/Legg Mason fund complex includes 81 U.S. registered investment companies, with
approximately 300 U.S. based funds or series.
(4) Ms. Bates is also an independent trustee of Franklin Mutual
Series Funds and may, in the future, receive payments pursuant to a discontinued retirement plan that
generally provides payments to independent board members who have served seven years or longer for such
fund.
(5) Mr. Checki
was appointed to the Board effective January 1, 2023.
Board members historically have followed a policy of having
substantial investments in one or more of the funds within Franklin Templeton, as is consistent with
their individual financial goals. This policy was formalized in February 1998, and revised in May 2019,
through the adoption of a requirement that each Board member annually invest one-third of the fees received
for serving as a director or trustee of a Templeton fund (excluding committee fees) in shares of one
or more Templeton funds (which may include the Fund) until the value of such investments equals or exceeds
three times the annual retainer and regular Board meeting fees paid to such Board member. Investments
in the name of family members or entities controlled by a Board member constitute fund holdings of such
Board member for purposes of this policy, and a three-year phase-in period applies to such investment
requirements for newly elected Board members. In implementing such policy, a Board member’s fund holdings
existing on February 27, 1998, were valued as of such date with subsequent investments valued at cost.
All of the current members of the Board, including the Fund’s nominees, are compliant with this policy.
Who are the Executive Officers of the Fund?
Officers
of the Fund are appointed by the Directors and serve at the pleasure of the Board. Listed below, for
the Executive Officers, are their names, years of birth and addresses, as well as their positions and
length of service with the Fund, and principal occupations during at least the past five years.
| | |
| | |
Name,
Year of Birth and Address | Position | Length of Time Served |
Gregory E. Johnson | Chairman of the Board, Vice President and Director | Chairman of the Board and Vice President since January 2023 and
Director since 2006 |
|
Please
refer to the table “Interested Directors serving until 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders” for additional
information about Mr. Gregory E. Johnson. |
Alison
E. Baur (1964) One Franklin Parkway San Mateo, CA 94403-1906 | Vice President and Assistant Secretary | Since 2012 |
|
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years: |
Deputy
General Counsel, Franklin Templeton; and officer of some of the other subsidiaries of Franklin Resources,
Inc. and of certain funds in the Franklin Templeton/Legg Mason fund complex. |
Breda M. Beckerle (1958) 280 Park Avenue New
York, NY 10017 | Chief Compliance Officer | Since 2020 |
|
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years: |
Chief
Compliance Officer, Fiduciary Investment Management International, Inc.; and officer of certain funds
in the Franklin Templeton/Legg Mason fund complex. |
| | |
| | |
Name,
Year of Birth and Address | Position | Length of Time Served |
Steven J. Gray (1955) One
Franklin Parkway San Mateo, CA 94403-1906 | Vice
President and Assistant Secretary | Since 2009 |
|
Principal
Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years: |
Senior
Associate General Counsel, Franklin Templeton; Assistant Secretary, Franklin Distributors, LLC; and officer
of certain funds in the Franklin Templeton/Legg Mason fund complex. |
Matthew T. Hinkle (1971) One Franklin Parkway
San
Mateo, CA 94403-1906 | Chief Executive Officer— Finance
and Administration | Since 2017 |
|
Principal Occupation During at Least the
Past 5 Years: |
Senior Vice President, Franklin Templeton Services, LLC; officer
of certain funds in the Franklin Templeton/Legg Mason fund complex; and formerly, Vice President, Global
Tax (2012–April 2017) and Treasurer/Assistant Treasurer, Franklin Templeton (2009-2017). |
Susan Kerr (1949) 620
Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018 | Vice
President— AML Compliance | Since July 2021 |
|
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years: |
Senior
Compliance Analyst, Franklin Templeton; Chief Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer, Legg Mason &
Co., or its affiliates; Anti Money Laundering Compliance Officer; Senior Compliance Officer, LMIS; and
officer of certain funds in the Franklin Templeton/Legg Mason fund complex. |
Christopher Kings (1974) One Franklin Parkway
San
Mateo, CA 94403-1906 | Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer | Since January 2022 |
|
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years: |
Treasurer,
U.S. Fund Administration & Reporting; and officer of certain funds in the Franklin Templeton/Legg
Mason fund complex. |
Manraj
S. Sekhon (1969) 7 Temasek Blvd. #38-03 Suntec Tower
One Singapore, 038987 | President
and Chief Executive Officer— Investment Management | Since 2018 |
|
Principal
Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years: |
Chief
Investment Officer, Franklin Templeton Emerging Markets Equity; and officer of certain funds in the Franklin
Templeton/Legg Mason fund complex. |
| | |
| | |
Name,
Year of Birth and Address | Position | Length of Time Served |
Navid J. Tofigh (1972) One
Franklin Parkway San Mateo, CA 94403-1906 | Vice
President and Assistant Secretary | Since 2015 |
|
Principal
Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years: |
Senior
Associate General Counsel, Franklin Templeton; and officer of certain funds in the Franklin Templeton/Legg
Mason fund complex. |
Lori
A. Weber (1964) 300 S.E. 2nd Street Fort
Lauderdale, FL 33301-1923 | Vice
President and Secretary | Vice
President since 2011 and Secretary since 2013 |
|
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years: |
Senior
Associate General Counsel, Franklin Templeton; Assistant Secretary, Franklin Resources, Inc.; Vice President
and Secretary, Templeton Investment Counsel, LLC; and officer of certain funds in the Franklin Templeton/Legg
Mason fund complex. |
PROPOSAL 2: RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION
OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
How are independent auditors selected?
The Board has a standing Audit Committee currently comprised of David W. Niemiec
(Chairman), Ann Torre Bates, Terrence J. Checki, J. Michael Luttig and Constantine D. Tseretopoulos,
all of whom are Independent Directors and considered to be “independent” as that term is defined
by the NYSE’s listing standards. The Audit Committee is responsible for the appointment, compensation
and retention of the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm (“independent auditors”),
including evaluating their independence, recommending the selection of the Fund’s independent auditors
to the full Board, and meeting with such independent auditors to consider and review matters relating
to the Fund’s financial reports and internal controls.
Which independent auditors
did the Board select?
The Audit Committee and the Board have
selected the firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”) as the independent auditors for the Fund
for the current fiscal year. PwC has examined and reported on the fiscal year-end financial statements
dated December 31, 2022, and certain related SEC filings. You are being asked to ratify the Board’s
selection of PwC for the current fiscal year ending December 31, 2023. Services to be performed by the
independent auditors include examining and reporting on the fiscal year-end financial statements of the
Fund and certain related filings with the SEC.
The selection of PwC
as the independent auditors for the Fund for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023, was recommended
by the Audit Committee and approved by the Board on February 27, 2023. PwC’s reports on the financial
statements of the Fund for the fiscal years for which it has served as auditors did not contain an adverse
opinion or a disclaimer of opinion, nor were qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or
accounting principles.
The Audit Committee and the Board have been advised by PwC
that neither PwC nor any of its members have any material direct or indirect financial interest in the
Fund. Representatives of PwC are not expected to be present at the Meeting, but will have the opportunity
to make a statement if they wish, and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.
◆
AUDITOR
INFORMATION
Audit Fees. The aggregate fees paid to PwC
for professional services rendered by PwC for the audit of the Fund’s annual financial statements or
for services that are normally provided by PwC in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or
engagements were $50,235 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, and $50,055 for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2021.
Audit-Related Fees. There were no
fees paid to PwC for assurance and related services rendered by PwC to the Fund that are reasonably related
to the performance of the audit of the Fund’s financial statements and are not reported under “Audit
Fees” above for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022, and December 31, 2021.
In
addition, the Audit Committee pre-approves PwC’s engagement for audit-related services to be provided
to the Investment Manager and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the
Investment Manager that provides ongoing services to the Fund, which engagements relate directly to the
operations and financial reporting of the Fund. For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022, and December 31,
2021, there were no fees paid to PwC for such services.
Tax Fees. There
were no fees paid to PwC for professional services rendered by PwC to the Fund for tax compliance, tax
advice and tax planning (“tax services”) for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022, and December 31,
2021.
In addition, the Audit Committee pre-approves PwC’s engagement
for tax services to be provided to the Investment Manager and any entity controlling, controlled by,
or under common control with the Investment Manager that provides ongoing services to the Fund, which
engagements relate directly to the operations and financial reporting of the Fund. The aggregate fees
paid to PwC for such services were $70,000 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, and $0 for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2021. The services for which these fees were paid included global access
to tax platform International Tax View.
All Other Fees. The aggregate
fees paid to PwC for products and services rendered by PwC to the Fund, other than the services reported
above, were $0 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, and $272 for the fiscal year ended December 31,
2021. The services for which these fees were paid included review of materials provided to the Fund Board
in connection with the investment management contract renewal process.
In
addition, the Audit Committee pre-approves PwC’s engagement for other services to be provided to the
Investment Manager and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Investment
Manager that provides ongoing services to the Fund, which engagements relate directly to the operations
and financial reporting of the Fund. The aggregate fees paid to PwC for such services were $171,195 for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, and $0 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021. The services
for which these fees were paid included fees in connection with a license for accounting and business
knowledge platform Viewpoint and fees in connection with a license for employee development tool ProEdge.
Aggregate Non-Audit Fees. The aggregate fees paid to PwC
for non-audit services rendered by PwC to the Fund or to the Investment Manager and to any entity controlling,
controlled by, or under common control with the Investment Manager that provides ongoing services to
the Fund were $241,195 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, and $272 for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2021.
The Audit Committee has considered whether
the provision of the non-audit services that were rendered to the Investment Manager and to any entity
controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Investment Manager that provides ongoing
services to the Fund is compatible with maintaining PwC’s independence.
Audit
Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures. As of the date of this proxy statement,
the Audit Committee has not adopted written pre-approval policies and procedures within the meaning
of Rule 2-01(c)(7)(i) of Regulation S-X. As a result, the services described above that are subject
to Audit Committee pre-approval and provided by PwC must be directly pre-approved by the Audit Committee
or by a designated member of the Audit Committee pursuant to delegated authority.
Audit
Committee Charter. The Board has adopted and approved a formal written charter for the Audit
Committee which sets forth the Audit Committee’s responsibilities. A copy of the charter is attached
as Exhibit B to this proxy statement.
As required by the charter,
the Audit Committee reviewed the Fund’s audited financial statements and met with management, as well
as with PwC, the Fund’s independent auditors, to discuss the financial statements.
Audit
Committee Report. The Audit Committee received the written disclosures and the letter(s)
from PwC mandated by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”)
regarding PwC’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence. The Audit Committee
also received the report of PwC regarding the results of their audit. In connection with the Audit Committee’s
review of the financial statements and PwC’s report, the members of the Audit Committee discussed with
a representative of PwC, PwC’s independence, as well as the matters required to be discussed by the
applicable requirements of the PCAOB and the SEC, including, but not limited to, the following: PwC’s
responsibilities in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards; PwC’s responsibilities for
information prepared by management that accompanies the Fund’s audited financial statements and any
procedures performed and the results; the initial selection of, and whether there were any changes in,
significant accounting policies or their application; management’s judgments and accounting estimates;
whether there were any significant audit adjustments; whether there were any disagreements with management;
whether there was any consultation with other accountants; whether the auditors encountered any difficulties
in dealing with management in performing the audit; and PwC’s judgments about the quality of the Fund’s
accounting principles.
Based on its review and discussions with
management and PwC, the Audit Committee did not become aware of any material misstatements or omissions
in the Fund’s financial statements. Accordingly, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that
the audited financial statements be included in the Fund’s Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2022, for filing with the SEC.
AUDIT COMMITTEE
David W. Niemiec (Chairman)
Ann
Torre Bates
Terrence J. Checki
J. Michael Luttig
Constantine
D. Tseretopoulos
◆ ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND’S
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Board Role in Risk Oversight. The Board, as
a whole, considers risk management issues as part of its general oversight responsibilities throughout
the year at regular Board meetings, through regular reports that have been developed by management in
consultation with the Board and its counsel. These reports address certain investment, valuation and
compliance matters. The Board also may receive special written reports or presentations on a variety
of risk issues (e.g., COVID-19 and geopolitical related issues), either upon the Board’s request or
upon the Investment Manager’s initiative. In addition, the Audit Committee of the Board meets regularly
with the Investment Manager’s internal audit group to review reports on their examinations of functions
and processes within Franklin Templeton that affect the Fund.
With
respect to investment risk, the Board receives regular written reports describing and analyzing the investment
performance of the Fund. In addition, the portfolio managers of the Fund meet regularly with the Board
to discuss portfolio performance, including investment risk. To the extent that the Fund changes a particular
investment strategy that could have a material impact on the Fund’s risk profile, the Board generally
is consulted with respect to such change. To the extent that the Fund invests in certain complex securities,
including derivatives, the Board receives periodic reports containing information about exposure of the
Fund to such instruments. In addition, the Investment Manager’s investment risk personnel meet regularly
with the Board to discuss a variety of issues, including the impact on the Fund of the investment in
particular securities or instruments, such as derivatives and commodities, if applicable.
With
respect to valuation, the Investment Manager provides periodic reports to the Board that enable the Board
to oversee the Investment Manager, as the Fund’s Valuation Designee, in monitoring and assessing material
risks associated with fair valuation determinations, including material conflicts of interest. In addition,
the Board reviews the Investment Manager’s performance of an annual valuation risk assessment under
which the Investment Manager seeks to identify and enumerate material valuation risks which are or may
be impactful to the Fund including, but not limited to (1) the types of investments held (or intended
to be held) by the Fund, giving consideration to those investments’ characteristics; (2) potential
market or sector shocks or dislocations which may affect the ongoing valuation operations; and (3) the
extent to which each fair value methodology uses unobservable inputs. The Investment Manager reports
any material changes to the risk assessment, along with appropriate actions designed to manage such risks,
to the Board.
With respect to compliance risks, the
Board receives regular compliance reports prepared by the Investment Manager’s compliance group and
meets regularly with the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) to discuss compliance issues,
including compliance risks. In accordance with SEC rules, the Independent Directors meet regularly in
executive session with the CCO and the CCO prepares and presents an annual written compliance report
to the Board. The Fund’s Board adopts compliance policies and procedures for the Fund and approves
such procedures for the Fund’s service providers. The compliance policies and procedures are specifically
designed to detect and prevent violations of the federal securities laws.
The Investment Manager periodically provides an enterprise
risk management presentation to the Board to describe the way in which risk is managed on a complex-wide
level. The presentation covers such areas as investment risk, reputational risk, personnel risk, and
business continuity risk.
Board Structure. Seventy-five percent or more of
the Fund’s Board members consist of Independent Directors who are not deemed to be “interested persons”
by reason of their relationship with the Fund’s management or otherwise as provided under the 1940
Act. While the Chairman of the Board is an interested person, the Board is also served by a Lead Independent
Director. The Lead Independent Director, together with independent counsel, reviews proposed agendas
for Board meetings and generally acts as a liaison with Fund management with respect to questions and
issues raised by the Independent Directors. The Lead Independent Director also presides at separate meetings
of Independent Directors held in advance of each scheduled Board meeting where various matters, including
those being considered at such Board meeting, are discussed. It is believed such structure and activities
assure that proper consideration is given at Board meetings to matters deemed important to the Fund and
its shareholders.
Audit Committee Simultaneous Service. Ms. Bates serves simultaneously
on the audit committees of more than three public companies, and the Board has determined that her simultaneous
service on the audit committees of other public companies does not impair her ability to effectively
serve on the Fund’s Audit Committee.
◆ ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
ABOUT THE FUND
The Investment Manager. The Investment
Manager of the Fund is Templeton Asset Management Ltd., a Singapore company with a branch office at The
Chater House, 17th Floor, 8 Connaught Road Central, Hong Kong. Pursuant to an investment management
agreement, the Investment Manager manages the investment and reinvestment of Fund assets. The Investment
Manager is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Resources.
The
Administrator. The administrator of the Fund is Franklin Templeton Services, LLC (“FT
Services”), with offices at 300 S.E. 2nd Street, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301-1923. FT Services is
an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Resources and an affiliate of the Investment Manager. Pursuant
to a subcontract for administrative services, FT Services performs certain administrative functions for
the Fund. JPMorgan Chase & Co. (“JPMC”), 270 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017, has an agreement
with FT Services to provide certain sub-administrative services for the Fund.
The
Transfer Agent. The transfer agent, registrar and dividend disbursement agent for the
Fund is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, 6201 15th
Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11219.
The Custodian. The custodian
for the Fund is JPMorgan Chase Bank, 270 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10017-2070.
Other
Financial Information. The Fund’s latest audited financial statements and annual report for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, are available free of charge. To obtain a copy, please call
(800) DIAL BEN®/342-5236 or forward a written request to Franklin Templeton
Investor Services, LLC, P.O. Box 33030, St. Petersburg, Florida 33733-8030.
Principal
Shareholders. As of March 9, 2023, the Fund had 33,804,143 shares outstanding and total
net assets of $394,946,347.88. The Fund’s shares are listed on the NYSE (NYSE: TDF). To the knowledge
of the
Fund’s management, as of March 9, 2023, there were no entities holding beneficially
or of record more than 5% of the Fund’s outstanding shares, except as shown in the following table:
| | |
Name and Address of Beneficial
Ownership | Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership | Percent of Outstanding Shares |
City of London Investment
Group PLC | 10,755,660* | 31.82% |
City of London Investment Management Company
Limited 77 Gracechurch Street London EC3U 0AS England | | |
* The
nature of beneficial ownership is sole voting and dispositive power as reported on Form 13G/A, filed
with the SEC on February 13, 2023.
| | |
| | |
|
|
|
Lazard Asset Management Limited | 4,545,975** | 13.45% |
Lazard Asset Management
LLC 30 Rockefeller Plaza New York, NY 10112 | | |
** The
nature of beneficial ownership is sole voting and dispositive power as reported on Form 13G/A, filed
with the SEC on February 14, 2023.
| | |
| | |
|
|
|
Allspring Global Investments Holdings,
LLC | 3,659,670*** | 10.83% |
Allspring Global Investments Holdings,
LLC 525 Market Street, 10th
Fl San Francisco, CA 94105 | | |
*** The nature of beneficial ownership is sole voting and dispositive
power as reported on Form 13F-HR, filed with the SEC on January 23, 2023.
| | |
| | |
|
|
|
Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio | 1,801,261**** | 5.33% |
Public Employees
Retirement System of Ohio 277 East Town Street Columbus, OH 43215 | | |
**** The nature of beneficial ownership is sole voting and dispositive
power as reported on Form 13D/A, filed with the SEC on May 26, 2022.
| | |
| | |
|
|
|
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust | 1,798,291***** | 5.32% |
Bill & Melinda
Gates Foundation Trust 2365 Carillon Point Kirkland, WA 98033 | | |
***** The nature of beneficial ownership is shared voting and dispositive
power as reported on Form 13G/A, filed with the SEC on February 13, 2023.
In addition, to the knowledge of the Fund’s management,
as of March 9, 2023, no nominee or Director of the Fund owned 1% or more of the outstanding shares of
the Fund, and the Directors and officers of the Fund owned, as a group, less than 1% of the outstanding
shares of the Fund.
Contacting the Board of Directors. If a shareholder
wishes to send a communication to the Board, such correspondence should be in writing and addressed to
the Board of Directors at the Fund’s offices, 300 S.E. 2nd Street, Fort Lauderdale,
Florida 33301-1923, Attention: Secretary. The correspondence will be given to the Board for review and
consideration.
◆ FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT VOTING AND THE
MEETING
Solicitation of Proxies. Your vote is
being solicited by the Directors. The cost of soliciting proxies, including the fees of a proxy soliciting
agent, is borne by the Fund. The Fund reimburses brokerage firms and others for their reasonable expenses
in forwarding proxy material to the beneficial owners and soliciting them to execute proxies. In addition,
the Fund may retain a professional proxy solicitation firm to assist with any necessary solicitation
of proxies. The Fund expects that the solicitation would be primarily by mail, but also may include telephone,
facsimile, electronic or other means of communication. If the Fund does not receive your proxy by a certain
time, you may receive a telephone call from a proxy soliciting agent asking you to vote. If professional
proxy solicitors are retained, it is expected that soliciting fees would be approximately $5,000, plus
expenses. The Fund does not reimburse Directors and officers of the Fund, or regular employees and agents
of the Investment Manager involved in the solicitation of proxies. The Fund intends to pay all costs
associated with the solicitation and the Meeting.
Voting by Broker-Dealers. The
Fund expects that, before the Meeting, broker-dealer firms holding shares of the Fund in “street name”
for their customers will request voting instructions from their customers and beneficial owners. If these
instructions are not received by the date specified in the broker-dealer firms’ proxy solicitation
materials, the Fund understands that current NYSE Rules permit the broker-dealers to vote on the Proposals
on behalf of their customers and beneficial owners. Certain broker-dealers may exercise discretion over
shares held in their name for which no instructions are received by voting these shares in the same proportion
as they vote shares for which they received instructions.
Quorum. A
majority of the Fund’s shares entitled to vote at the Meeting—present in person or represented by
proxy—constitutes a quorum at the Meeting. The shares over which broker-dealers have discretionary
voting power, the shares that represent “broker non-votes” (i.e., shares held by brokers
or nominees as to which (i) instructions have not been received from the beneficial owners or persons
entitled to vote and (ii) the broker or nominee does not have discretionary voting power on a particular
matter), and the shares whose proxies reflect an abstention on any item will all be counted as shares
present and entitled to vote at the Meeting for purposes of determining whether the required quorum of
shares exists.
Method of Tabulation. Provided a quorum is present or
represented at the Meeting, Proposal 1, the election of Directors, requires that a Director receive a
majority of the votes cast with respect to that Director at the Meeting. This means that the number of
shares voted “FOR” a Director must exceed the number of shares cast “AGAINST” that Director.
Proposal 2, ratification of the selection of the independent registered public accounting firm, requires
the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be treated
as votes present at the Meeting, but will not be treated as votes cast and, therefore, will not be counted
for purposes of obtaining approval of either proposal. Broker non-votes are not expected since the Proposals
are considered routine proposals.
Simultaneous Meetings. The Meeting is to be held at the
same time as the annual meeting of shareholders of Templeton Emerging Markets Income Fund. If any shareholder
at the Meeting objects to the holding of simultaneous meetings and moves for an adjournment of the Meeting
to a time promptly after the simultaneous meetings, the persons designated as proxies will vote in favor
of such adjournment.
Adjournment. The holders of a majority of shares entitled
to vote at the Meeting and present in person or by proxy, whether or not sufficient to constitute a quorum,
or any officer present entitled to preside or act as Secretary of the Meeting may adjourn the Meeting.
Such authority to adjourn the Meeting may be used in the event that a quorum is not present at the Meeting
or in the event that a quorum is present but sufficient votes have not been received to approve the Proposals
or to permit further solicitation of proxies or for any other reason consistent with Maryland law and
the Fund’s Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws. Unless otherwise instructed by a shareholder granting
a proxy, the persons designated as proxies may use their discretionary authority to vote as instructed
by management of the Fund on questions of adjournment and on any other proposals raised at the Meeting
to the extent permitted by the SEC’s proxy rules, including proposals for which management of the Fund
did not have timely notice, as set forth in the SEC’s proxy rules and the Fund’s proxy statement
for the 2022 annual meeting.
Shareholder Proposals. The
Fund anticipates that its 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be held on or about May 23, 2024.
A shareholder who wishes to submit a proposal for consideration for inclusion in the Fund’s proxy statement
for the 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders must send such written proposal to the Fund’s offices,
at 300 S.E. 2nd Street, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301-1923, Attention: Secretary, so that it is received
no later than November 28, 2023, in order to be included in the Fund’s proxy statement and proxy card
relating to that meeting and presented at the meeting. Submission of a proposal by a shareholder does
not guarantee that the proposal will be included in the proxy statement.
A
shareholder of the Fund who has not submitted a written proposal for inclusion in the Fund’s proxy
statement by November 28, 2023, as described above, may nonetheless present a proposal at the Fund’s
2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders if such shareholder notifies the Fund in writing, at the Fund’s
offices, of such proposal by February 11, 2024. If a shareholder fails to give notice by this date,
then the persons designated as proxies for the 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders may exercise discretionary
voting power with respect to any such proposal.
A shareholder proposal
may be presented at the 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders only if such proposal concerns a matter that
may be properly brought before the meeting under applicable federal proxy rules and state law.
Submission of a proposal by a shareholder does not guarantee that the proposal
will be included in the Fund’s proxy statement or presented at the meeting.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
Lori
A. Weber
Vice President and Secretary
March 27,
2023
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EXHIBIT A
NOMINATING COMMITTEE CHARTER
I. The
Committee.
The Nominating Committee
(the “Committee”) is a committee of, and established by, the Board of Directors/Trustees of the Fund
(the “Board”). The Committee consists of such number of members as set by the Board from time to
time and its members shall be selected by the Board. The Committee shall be comprised entirely of “independent
members.” For purposes of this Charter, independent members shall mean members who are not interested
persons of the Fund (“Disinterested Board members”) as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”).
II. Board Nominations and Functions.
1. The Committee shall make recommendations for nominations for
Disinterested Board members on the Board to the incumbent Disinterested Board members and to the full
Board. The Committee shall evaluate candidates’ qualifications for Board membership and the independence
of such candidates from the Fund’s investment manager and other principal service providers. Persons
selected must be independent in terms of both the letter and the spirit of the 1940 Act. The Committee
shall also consider the effect of any relationships beyond those delineated in the 1940 Act that might
impair independence, e.g., business, financial or family relationships with investment
managers or service providers.
2. The Committee also shall evaluate candidates’ qualifications
and make recommendations for “interested” members on the Board to the full Board.
3. The Committee may adopt
from time to time specific, minimum qualifications that the Committee believes a candidate must meet
before being considered as a candidate for Board membership and shall comply with any rules adopted from
time to time by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission regarding investment company nominating committees
and the nomination of persons to be considered as candidates for Board membership.
4. The Committee shall
review shareholder recommendations for nominations to fill vacancies on the Board if such recommendations
are submitted in writing and addressed to the Committee at the Fund’s offices. The Committee shall
adopt, by resolution, a policy regarding its procedures for considering candidates for the Board, including
any recommended by shareholders.
III. Committee
Nominations and Functions.
The
Committee shall make recommendations to the full Board for nomination for membership on all committees
of the Board.
IV. Other
Powers and Responsibilities.
1. The Committee shall meet at least once each year or more frequently
in open or executive sessions. The Committee may invite members of management, counsel, advisers and
others to attend its meetings as it deems appropriate. The Committee shall have separate sessions with
management and others, as and when it deems appropriate.
2. The
Committee shall have the resources and authority appropriate to discharge its responsibilities, including
authority to retain special counsel and other experts or consultants at the expense of the Fund.
3. The
Committee shall report its activities to the Board and make such recommendations as the Committee may
deem necessary or appropriate.
4. A majority of the members of the Committee shall constitute
a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Committee. The action of a majority of
the members of the Committee present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the action of
the Committee. The Committee may meet in person or by telephone, and the Committee may act by written
consent, to the extent permitted by law and by the Fund’s by-laws. In the event of any inconsistency
between this Charter and the Fund’s organizational documents, the provisions of the Fund’s organizational
documents shall be given precedence.
5. The Committee shall review this Charter at least annually
and recommend any changes to the full Board.
ADDITIONAL STATEMENT
FOR CLOSED-END FUNDS ONLY
The Committee shall comply with any rules
of any stock exchange, if any, applicable to nominating committees of closed-end funds whose shares are
registered thereon.
EXHIBIT B
FRANKLIN TEMPLETON
AUDIT
COMMITTEE CHARTER
I. The
Committee.
The Audit Committee (“Committee”) is a committee of, and
established by, the Board of Directors/Trustees of the Fund (the “Board”).1
The Committee shall consist of such number of members as set by the Board from time to time, but in no
event fewer than three (NYSE-listed Funds only), and its members shall be selected by
the Board. The Committee shall be comprised entirely of members who satisfy the requirements for independence
set out in Rule 10A-3(b)(1) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “1934 Act”) (“Disinterested
Board members”).2 Each member of the Committee must be financially literate,
as such qualification is interpreted by the Board in its business judgment, or must become financially
literate within a reasonable period of time after his or her appointment to the Committee. At least one
member of the Committee must be an “audit committee financial expert,” as determined by the Board
and as defined in Item 3(b) of U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Form N-CSR. The Committee
will make recommendations to the Board for its approval with respect to such audit committee financial
expert determinations at least annually.
If a Committee member of an NYSE-listed
Fund simultaneously serves on the audit committee of more than three public companies, the Board must
determine that such simultaneous service would not impair the ability of such member to effectively serve
on the Fund’s Committee. When a member serves on multiple boards in the same fund complex, such service
will be counted as one board for these purposes (NYSE-listed Funds only).
II. Purposes of the Committee.
The
function of the Committee is to assist Board oversight of the Fund’s financial statements and accounting
and auditing processes, which shall include being directly responsible for the appointment, compensation,
retention and oversight of the work of the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm (“auditors”)
engaged (including resolution of disagreements between management and the auditors regarding financial
reporting) for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or performing other audit, review
or
1 This
document serves as the Charter for the Committee of certain U.S. registered investment companies within
Franklin Templeton, and each series thereof as applicable (a “Fund”), including the Franklin, Templeton
and New Jersey/Alternative Strategies Funds, as well as Franklin Templeton ETF Trust, Franklin ETF Trust,
Franklin Templeton Trust, Legg Mason ETF Investment Trust, and ActiveShares®
ETF Trust. Exchange-listed Funds and their principal exchanges are included on
Appendix A.
2 Each
member of the Committee may not, other than in his or her capacity as a member of the Committee, the
Board, or any other Board committee: (A) accept directly or indirectly any consulting, advisory, or
other compensatory fee from the Fund or any subsidiary thereof, provided that, unless the rules of the
applicable national securities exchange or national securities association provide otherwise, compensatory
fees do not include the receipt of fixed amounts of compensation under a retirement plan (including deferred
compensation) for prior service with the Fund (provided that such compensation is not contingent in any
way on continued service); or (B) be an “interested person” of the Fund as defined in section 2(a)(19)
of the Investment Company Act of 1940.
attest services for the Fund. It is management’s responsibility to prepare the
Fund’s financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”)
and to maintain appropriate systems for accounting and internal controls.
It
is the auditors’ responsibility to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements, to plan
and carry out an audit in accordance with the standards of the SEC and the Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board (“PCAOB”) and to report directly to the Committee. It is not the duty of the Committee
to plan or conduct audits or to determine that the Fund’s financial statements are complete and in
accordance with GAAP.
Consistent with such allocation of functions,
the purposes of the Committee are:
(a)
To oversee the Fund’s accounting and financial reporting policies and practices and its internal controls,
and to obtain, where it deems appropriate, reports on internal controls of service providers to the Fund;
(b) To oversee or, as appropriate, assist
Board oversight of the quality, objectivity and integrity of the Fund’s financial statements and the
independent audit thereof;
(c) To oversee or,
as appropriate, assist Board oversight of the Fund’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements
(primarily as they relate to the Fund’s accounting and financial reporting, internal control over financial
reporting and independent audits);
(d)
To approve prior to appointment the engagement of the Fund’s auditors and, in connection therewith,
to review and evaluate the auditors’ qualifications, independence and performance, taking into account
the opinions of management;
(e) To act as a liaison
between the Fund’s auditors and the Board;
(f) to prepare, or authorize
the preparation of, the disclosure required by Item 407(d)(3)(i) of Regulation S-K (the “Audit Committee
Report”) for inclusion in the Fund’s annual proxy statement (NYSE- and NYSE American-listed
Funds only); and
(g)
To consider such other matters as it deems appropriate in carrying out its purpose and any other matters
that may be assigned to it by the Board.
In addition, the Committee
shall serve as the Fund’s Qualified Legal Compliance Committee (“QLCC”) pursuant to Section 205
of the SEC’s Standards of Professional Conduct for Attorneys Appearing and Practicing before the Commission
in the Representation of an Issuer (the “Standards”). In this capacity, the Committee is required
to adopt and maintain written procedures for the confidential receipt, retention and consideration of
any report of evidence of a material violation. “Evidence of a material violation” means credible
evidence, based upon which it would be unreasonable, under the circumstances, for a prudent and competent
attorney not to conclude that it is reasonably likely that a material violation of an applicable U.S.
federal or state securities law, a material breach of fiduciary (or similar) duty to the Fund arising
under U.S. federal or state law, or a similar material violation of any U.S. federal or state law has
occurred, is ongoing, or is about to occur.
III. Powers
and Duties.
The Committee shall have
the following powers and duties to carry out its purposes:
(a)
To select the auditors, subject to approval both by the Board and by a separate vote of the Disinterested
Board members, and, in connection therewith, to evaluate the independence and qualifications of the auditors
in accordance with applicable federal securities laws and regulations and the rules and standards of
the PCAOB.
(b) To be directly responsible for approving
the services to be provided by, and the compensation of, the auditors, including:
(i) pre-approval of all
audit and audit related services;
(ii) pre-approval of all non-audit related services to be provided
to the Fund by the auditors;
(iii) pre-approval of all non-audit related services to be provided
by the auditors to the Fund’s investment adviser or to any entity that controls, is controlled by or
is under common control with the Fund’s investment adviser and that provides ongoing services to the
Fund where the non-audit services relate directly to the operations or financial reporting of the Fund;
and
(iv) if
deemed necessary or appropriate, as an alternative to Committee pre-approval of services to be provided
by the auditors, as required by paragraphs (ii) and (iii) above:
(A) establishment by the
Committee of policies and procedures to pre-approve such services, provided the policies and procedures
are detailed as to the particular service and the Committee is informed of each service and such policies
and procedures do not include delegation of audit committee responsibilities, as contemplated under the
1934 Act), to management; or
(B) delegation by the Committee to one or more designated members
of the Committee who are Disinterested Board members of authority to pre-approve such services, provided
the Committee is informed of the decisions of any member pursuant to such delegated authority no later
than its next scheduled meeting;
subject, in the case
of (ii) through (iv), to any waivers, exceptions or exemptions that may be available under applicable
law or rules.
(c) To meet with
the auditors, including private meetings, as necessary to (i) review the arrangements for and scope
of the annual audit and any special audits; (ii) discuss any matters or concerns relating to the Fund’s
financial statements, including any recorded and/or unrecorded adjustments to such statements recommended
by the auditors, or other results of audits; (iii) consider the auditors’ comments with respect to
the Fund’s financial, accounting and reporting policies, procedures and internal controls and management’s
responses thereto; and (iv) to review the form of opinion the auditors propose to render.
(d)
To meet to review and discuss the Fund’s annual audited financial statements with management and the
auditors, including reviewing the Fund’s disclosures under “Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance”
(“MDFP”) in its annual shareholder report (All Funds). To meet to review
and discuss the Fund’s semi-annual financial statements with management, including reviewing the Fund’s
MDFP disclosures in its semi-annual shareholder report, as applicable (NYSE-listed Funds and
New Jersey/Alternative Strategies Funds only). Such meetings may be telephonic.
(e) To consider the effect upon the Fund
of any changes in accounting principles or practices proposed by management or the auditors.
(f) To receive and consider reports from the auditors:
(i) as required by generally
accepted accounting standards, including Auditing Standard (“AS”) No. 1301 (Communications with
Audit Committees);
(ii) annually
and by update as required by SEC Regulation S-X, regarding:
(A) all critical accounting policies and practices of the Fund
to be used;
(B) all
alternative treatments within GAAP for policies and practices related to material items that have been
discussed with management of the Fund, including ramifications of the use of such alternative disclosures
and treatments, and the treatment preferred by the auditors;
(C) other material written communications between the auditors
and management of the Fund, such as any management letter or schedule of unadjusted differences; and
(D) all
non-audit services provided to any entity in an investment company complex, as defined in SEC Regulation
S-X, that were not pre-approved by the Committee pursuant to SEC Regulation S-X;
(iii) at least annually regarding
the auditors’ internal quality-control procedures; and
(iv) at least annually regarding any material issues raised by
the most recent internal quality-control review, or peer review, of the auditors, or by any inquiry or
investigation by governmental or professional authorities, within the preceding five years, respecting
one or more independent audits carried out by the auditors, and any steps taken to deal with any such
issues.
(g) To review (i) major
issues regarding accounting principles and financial statement presentations, including any significant
changes in the Fund’s selection or application of accounting principles, and major issues as to the
adequacy of the Fund’s internal controls and any special audit steps adopted in light of material control
deficiencies; and (ii) analyses prepared by management and/or the auditors setting forth significant
financial reporting issues and judgments made in connection with the preparation of the financial statements,
including analyses of the effects of alternative GAAP methods on the financial statements.
(h) In considering the independence of the auditors:
(i) at least annually to
receive from the auditors a formal written statement, and other reports as necessary, describing all
relationships between the auditors and the Fund, the Fund’s investment adviser and service providers,
and other entities advised or serviced by, including any entities controlling, controlled by or under
common control with, the investment adviser or any other service providers to the Fund that, in the auditors’
judgment, could be thought to bear upon the auditors’ independence;
(ii) to receive and consider,
if applicable, periodic reports from the auditors regarding whether the provision of non-audit services
(including tax services) is compatible with maintaining the auditors’ independence;
(iii) to
request from the auditors a written affirmation that they are independent auditors under the federal
securities laws and standards adopted by the PCAOB; and
(iv) to discuss with the auditors any disclosed relationships or
services that may impact the objectivity, impartial judgment, and independence of the auditors and for
taking, or recommending that the Board take, appropriate action to oversee the independence of the auditors.
(i) To require that the auditors regularly
provide timely information to the Committee with respect to new rules and pronouncements by applicable
regulatory and accounting standards agencies, along with an explanation of how such developments may
affect the Fund’s financial statements and accounting principles and practices.
(j) To review the effect of regulatory and accounting initiatives, as well as
off-balance sheet structures, on the financial statements of the Fund.
(k) To consider any reports of audit problems or difficulties that may have arisen
during the course of the audit, including any limitations of the scope of the audit, and management’s
response thereto.
(l) To review communications
from the Fund’s Chief Executive Officer – Finance and Administration, and Chief Financial Officer
and Chief Accounting Officer concerning (i) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in
the design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to
adversely affect the Fund’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information;
and (ii) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a
significant role in the Fund’s internal controls over financial reporting, and to review requested
communications from management for any other purposes the Committee deems appropriate.
(m)
In connection with the preparation of the Audit Committee Report (NYSE and NYSE American-listed
Funds only):
(i) to review and discuss the audited financial statements of
the Fund with management;
(ii) to discuss with the auditors the matters required to be discussed
by the applicable requirements of the PCAOB and the SEC;
(iii) to receive the written disclosures and the letter(s) from
the auditors required by applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding the auditor’s communications
with the Committee concerning independence (referred to in paragraph (h) above), and discuss with the
auditors the auditor’s independence; and
(iv) based on the review and discussions referred to in paragraphs
(i) through (iii) above, to recommend to the Board that the audited financial statements be included
in the Fund’s annual report on Form N-CSR for the last fiscal year for filing with the SEC.
(n) To review and discuss, as appropriate, the Fund’s earnings
press releases (including the type and presentation of information to be included therein, paying particular
attention to any use of “pro forma,” or “adjusted” non-GAAP, information), as well as any financial
information and earnings guidance provided to analysts and rating agencies. (NYSE-listed Funds only)
(o) To review and discuss the Fund’s
processes with respect to risk assessment and risk management.
(p) To set clear policies relating to the hiring by entities
within Franklin Templeton of employees or former employees of the auditors.
(q) To evaluate, as either part of the full Board or as a Committee, its performance
at least annually.
(r) To review potential
conflict of interest situations where appropriate in connection with the Fund’s ongoing review of all
related party transactions.
(s) To inform the
chief legal officer (“CLO”) and chief executive officer (“CEO”) of the Fund (or the equivalents
thereof) of any report of evidence of a material violation by the Fund, its officers, directors/trustees,
employees (if any), or agents (collectively, “affiliates”). In connection therewith, the Committee
shall:
(i) determine
whether an investigation is necessary regarding any report of evidence of a material violation by the
Fund or its affiliates;
(ii) if the Committee determines such an investigation is necessary
or appropriate, (A) notify the Board; (B) initiate an investigation, which may be conducted by either
the CLO or by outside attorneys; and (C) retain such additional expert personnel as the Committee deems
necessary to assist in the investigation;
(iii) at the conclusion of any such investigation, (A) recommend
by a majority vote, that the Fund implement an appropriate response (as defined in Section 205.2(b)
of the Standards) to evidence of a material violation, and (B) inform the CLO and the CEO and the Board
of the results of such investigation and the appropriate remedial measures to be adopted;
(iv) acting
by majority vote, take all other appropriate action, including the authority to notify the SEC in the
event the Fund fails in any material respect to implement an appropriate response that the Committee
has recommended the Fund to take; and
(v) otherwise respond to evidence of a material violation.
IV. Other
Functions and Procedures of the Committee.
(a)
The Committee shall meet at least twice each year or more frequently, in open or executive sessions,
as may be necessary to fulfill its responsibilities. The Committee shall meet as frequently as circumstances
require with (i) the auditors as provided in III(c), above; and (ii) management’s internal audit
department to review and discuss internal audit functions and reports. The Committee may invite members
of management, the auditors, counsel, advisers and others to attend its meetings as it deems appropriate.
The Committee shall meet separately, periodically, with management and with the auditors.
(b) The Committee shall establish procedures for (i) the receipt, retention and
treatment of complaints received by the Fund or the Fund’s adviser regarding accounting, internal accounting
controls, or accounting matters relating to the Fund; and (ii) the confidential, anonymous submission
by employees of the Fund or Franklin Resources, Inc. and its subsidiaries of concerns regarding questionable
accounting or auditing matters.
(c)
The Committee shall have the authority to engage special or independent counsel, experts and other advisers
as and when it determines necessary to carry out its duties.
(d) The Fund must provide for appropriate
funding, as determined by the Committee in its capacity as a Committee of the Board, for payment of (i) compensation
to any auditors engaged for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or performing other audit,
review or attest services for the Fund; (ii) compensation to any advisers employed by the Committee
(under paragraph (c) above); and (iii) ordinary administrative expenses of the Committee that are necessary
or appropriate in carrying out its duties.
(e)
The Committee shall have unrestricted access to the Fund’s management and management of the Fund’s
adviser, including, but not limited to, their chief executive officer(s), chief financial officer(s),
internal auditors and any other executives and financial officers.
(f)
The Committee shall report its activities to the Board, including any issues that arise with respect
to the quality or integrity of the Fund’s financial statements, the Fund’s compliance with legal
or regulatory requirements, or the qualifications, performance and independence of the Fund’s auditors,
and make such recommendations as the Committee may deem necessary or appropriate.
(g) The Committee shall review and assess the adequacy of this Charter annually,
or more frequently if it chooses, and recommend any changes to the Board. The Board shall adopt and approve
this Charter and may amend it on its own motion.
(h)
The Committee shall meet jointly with the Audit Committees of the other Funds within the Franklin Templeton
Fund complex as may be appropriate, including to attend presentations and review proposals and other
matters of common concern to all such Audit Committees.
(i)
Pursuant to delegated authority from the Board, and at the request of the applicable investment manager
of the Fund (the “Investment Manager”), the Committee, or an appointed delegate of the Committee
as applicable, shall provide proxy voting instructions as a representative of the Fund to the Investment
Manager in certain situations where the Investment Manager has identified a material conflict of interest
between the Investment Manager or one of its affiliates and an issuer (i.e., the Committee or its
appointed delegate will approve or disapprove the Investment Manager’s voting recommendation).
(j) To the extent applicable to the Fund, the Committee shall
comply with such other rules of the applicable national securities exchanges and the SEC applicable to
exchange-listed funds, as such may be adopted and amended from time to time. (Exchange-listed Funds
only)
Appendix A
Amended as of October 3, 2022
EXCHANGE-LISTED
FUNDS
Funds
listed on New York Stock Exchange LLC (“NYSE-listed Funds”)
Franklin Universal Trust
Templeton Dragon Fund,
Inc.
Templeton Emerging Markets Fund
Templeton
Emerging Markets Income Fund
Templeton Global Income Fund
Fund listed on
NYSE American LLC (“NYSE American-listed Fund”)
Franklin
Limited Duration Income Trust
Funds listed on NYSE Arca, Inc.
Franklin
ETF Trust
Franklin Short Duration U.S. Government ETF
Franklin
Templeton ETF Trust
Franklin FTSE Asia ex Japan ETF
Franklin FTSE Australia ETF
Franklin
FTSE Brazil ETF
Franklin FTSE Canada ETF
Franklin
FTSE China ETF
Franklin FTSE Europe ETF
Franklin
FTSE Europe Hedged ETF
Franklin FTSE France ETF
Franklin
FTSE Germany ETF
Franklin FTSE Hong Kong ETF
Franklin
FTSE India ETF
Franklin FTSE Italy ETF
Franklin
FTSE Japan ETF
Franklin FTSE Japan Hedged ETF
Franklin FTSE Latin America ETF
Franklin
FTSE Mexico ETF
Franklin FTSE Russia ETF
Franklin
FTSE Saudi Arabia ETF
Franklin FTSE South Africa ETF
Franklin FTSE South Korea ETF
Franklin
FTSE Switzerland ETF
Franklin FTSE Taiwan ETF
Franklin
FTSE United Kingdom ETF
Franklin Dynamic Municipal Bond ETF
Franklin
Emerging Market Core Dividend Tilt Index ETF
Franklin International
Core Dividend Tilt Index ETF
Franklin Investment Grade Corporate ETF
Franklin Municipal Green Bond ETF
Franklin
Systematic Style Premia ETF
Franklin Ultra Short Bond ETF
Franklin
U.S. Core Bond ETF
Franklin U.S. Low Volatility ETF
Franklin U.S. Treasury Bond ETF
Franklin
U.S. Core Dividend Tilt Index ETF
Franklin U.S. Equity
Index ETF
Funds listed on Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc.
Franklin
Templeton ETF Trust
Franklin Disruptive Commerce ETF
Franklin Exponential Data ETF
Franklin
Genomic Advancements ETF
Franklin High Yield Corporate ETF
Franklin Intelligent Machines ETF
Franklin
International Aggregate Bond ETF
Franklin Senior Loan
ETF
Franklin U.S. Large Cap Multifactor Index ETF
Franklin
U.S. Mid Cap Multifactor Index ETF
Franklin U.S. Small Cap
Multifactor Index ETF
Legg Mason ETF Investment Trust
Franklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF
ActiveShares®
ETF Trust
ClearBridge Focus Value ESG ETF
Funds
listed on The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
Franklin Templeton ETF
Trust
Brandywine GLOBAL – Dynamic US Large Cap Value ETF3
Martin Curry Sustainable International Equity ETF3
Legg Mason ETF Investment Trust
ClearBridge
All Cap Growth ESG ETF
ClearBridge Dividend Strategy ESG ETF
ClearBridge Large Cap Growth ESG ETF
Franklin
U.S. Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF
Royce Quant Small-Cap
Quality Value ETF
Western Asset Short Duration Income ETF
Western Asset Total Return ETF
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