# EDGAR Filing Document

**Accession Number:** 0000872625
**File Stem:** 0001741773-25-002510
**Filing Date:** 2025-6
**Character Count:** 904882
**Document Hash:** f1f0473798c60f98603e30958741b69b
**Contains OCR:** False
**Source Format:** 

## Filing Content

## Filing Summary
**0001741773-25-002510.hdr.sgml**: 20250616

**ACCESSION NUMBER**: 0001741773-25-002510

**CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE**: 485BPOS

**PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT**: 33

**FILED AS OF DATE**: 20250616

**DATE AS OF CHANGE**: 20250616

**EFFECTIVENESS DATE**: 20250620

**FILER**: 

**COMPANY DATA:**
- **COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:** FRANKLIN STRATEGIC SERIES
- **CENTRAL INDEX KEY:** 0000872625

**ORGANIZATION NAME:**
- **EIN:** 000000000
- **STATE OF INCORPORATION:** FL
- **FISCAL YEAR END:** 0430

**FILING VALUES:**
- **FORM TYPE:** 485BPOS
- **SEC ACT:** 1940 Act
- **SEC FILE NUMBER:** 811-06243
- **FILM NUMBER:** 251049116

**BUSINESS ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** ONE FRANKLIN PARKWAY
- **CITY:** SAN MATEO
- **STATE:** CA
- **ZIP:** 94403-1906
- **BUSINESS PHONE:** 650-570-3000

**MAIL ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** ONE FRANKLIN PARKWAY
- **CITY:** SAN MATEO
- **STATE:** CA
- **ZIP:** 94403-1906

**FORMER COMPANY:**
- **FORMER CONFORMED NAME:** FRANKLIN CALIFORNIA 250 GROWTH FUND
- **DATE OF NAME CHANGE:** 19911216

**FORMER COMPANY:**
- **FORMER CONFORMED NAME:** FRANKLIN CALIFORNIA 250 GROWTH INDEX FUND
- **DATE OF NAME CHANGE:** 19910917
**FILER**: 

**COMPANY DATA:**
- **COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:** FRANKLIN STRATEGIC SERIES
- **CENTRAL INDEX KEY:** 0000872625

**ORGANIZATION NAME:**
- **EIN:** 000000000
- **STATE OF INCORPORATION:** FL
- **FISCAL YEAR END:** 0430

**FILING VALUES:**
- **FORM TYPE:** 485BPOS
- **SEC ACT:** 1933 Act
- **SEC FILE NUMBER:** 033-39088
- **FILM NUMBER:** 251049117

**BUSINESS ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** ONE FRANKLIN PARKWAY
- **CITY:** SAN MATEO
- **STATE:** CA
- **ZIP:** 94403-1906
- **BUSINESS PHONE:** 650-570-3000

**MAIL ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** ONE FRANKLIN PARKWAY
- **CITY:** SAN MATEO
- **STATE:** CA
- **ZIP:** 94403-1906

**FORMER COMPANY:**
- **FORMER CONFORMED NAME:** FRANKLIN CALIFORNIA 250 GROWTH FUND
- **DATE OF NAME CHANGE:** 19911216

**FORMER COMPANY:**
- **FORMER CONFORMED NAME:** FRANKLIN CALIFORNIA 250 GROWTH INDEX FUND
- **DATE OF NAME CHANGE:** 19910917

## Series and Classes Contracts Data

### Franklin Templeton SMACS: Series C (Series ID: S000092788)

| Class ID   | Class Name                         | Ticker Symbol   |
|:---|:---|:---|
| C000260830 | Franklin Templeton SMACS: Series C | FACBX           |

### Franklin Templeton SMACS: Series CP (Series ID: S000092789)

| Class ID   | Class Name                          | Ticker Symbol   |
|:---|:---|:---|
| C000260831 | Franklin Templeton SMACS: Series CP | FASBX           |

?xml version='1.0' encoding='ASCII'?

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 16, 2025. | As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 16, 2025. |
| File Nos. 033-39088 and 811-06243 | File Nos. 033-39088 and 811-06243 |
| SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION | SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION |
| WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 | WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 |
| FORM N-1A | FORM N-1A |
| REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 | [X] |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pre-Effective Amendment No. | [ ] |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Post-Effective Amendment No. | [X] |
| and/or | and/or |
| REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 | [X] |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Amendment No. | [X] |
| <u>FRANKLIN STRATEGIC SERIES</u> | <u>FRANKLIN STRATEGIC SERIES</u> |
| (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter) | (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter) |
| <u>ONE FRANKLIN PARKWAY, SAN MATEO, CA 94403-1906</u> | <u>ONE FRANKLIN PARKWAY, SAN MATEO, CA 94403-1906</u> |
| (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code) | (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code) |
| (650) 312-2000 | (650) 312-2000 |
| (Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code) | (Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code) |
| <u>ALISON E. BAUR, ONE FRANKLIN PARKWAY, SAN MATEO, CA 94403-1906</u> | <u>ALISON E. BAUR, ONE FRANKLIN PARKWAY, SAN MATEO, CA 94403-1906</u> |
| (Name and Address of Agent for Service of Process) | (Name and Address of Agent for Service of Process) |
| Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering:  | Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering:  |
| It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box) | It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box) |
| immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) | immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) |
| on <u>June 20, 2025</u> pursuant to paragraph (b) | on <u>June 20, 2025</u> pursuant to paragraph (b) |
| 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) | 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) |
| on <u>(date)</u> pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of Rule 485 | on <u>(date)</u> pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of Rule 485 |
| 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) | 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) |
| on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of rule 485 | on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of rule 485 |
| If appropriate, check the following box: | If appropriate, check the following box: |
| This post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment. | This post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment. |
| This Post-Effective Amendment to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A relates only to the prospectus and statement of additional information ("SAI") of Franklin Templeton SMACS: Series C and Franklin Templeton SMACS: Series CP each a series of the Registrant and does not otherwise delete, amend, or supersede any information relating to any other series of the Registrant. | This Post-Effective Amendment to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A relates only to the prospectus and statement of additional information ("SAI") of Franklin Templeton SMACS: Series C and Franklin Templeton SMACS: Series CP each a series of the Registrant and does not otherwise delete, amend, or supersede any information relating to any other series of the Registrant. |

---

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![](img_58925e9075644f2.jpg)<br>

## FRANKLIN STRATEGIC SERIES

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Prospectus**  | June 20, 2025 |

---

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
|  | **Ticker:** |
| **Franklin Templeton SMACS: Series C** | FACBX |
| **Franklin Templeton SMACS: Series CP** | FASBX |

---

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.** | **FSS4-P 06/25** |

---

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### Contents

#### Fund Summary
Information about the Fund you should know before investing

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| [Franklin Templeton SMACS: Series C](#x1x2) | [2](#x1x2) |
| [Franklin Templeton SMACS: Series CP](#x2x2) | [12](#x2x2) |

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#### Fund Details
More information on investment policies, practices and risks/financial highlights

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| [Franklin Templeton SMACS: Series C](#x3x2) | [23](#x3x2) |
| [Franklin Templeton SMACS: Series CP](#x4x2) | [43](#x4x2) |
| [Distributions and Taxes](#x5x2) | [67](#x5x2) |

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#### Your Account
Information about sales charges, qualified investors, account transactions and services

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| [Qualified Investors](#x6x2) | [70](#x6x2) |
| [Buying Shares](#x7x2) | [70](#x7x2) |
| [Account Policies](#x8x2) | [73](#x8x2) |
| [Questions](#x9x2) | [79](#x9x2) |

---

#### For More Information
Where to learn more about the Fund

Back Cover

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FRANKLIN TEMPLETON SMACS: SERIES C

FUND SUMMARY

### Franklin Templeton SMACS: Series C
Investment Goal

To seek to provide current income consistent with preservation of capital.

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

The table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund.

#### Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| Management fees<sup>1</sup> |  |
| Distribution and service (12b-1) fees |  |
| Other expenses<sup>2</sup> | 1.58% |
| Total annual Fund operating expenses | 1.58% |
| Fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement<sup>3</sup> | -1.58% |
| **Total annual Fund operating expenses after fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement** | **0.00%** |

---

<sup>1.</sup> The investment manager does not charge the Fund a fee for its investment management services. The Fund is part of a wrap fee program or other program advised or sub-advised by the investment manager or its affiliates, clients of which often pay a single aggregate fee to the program sponsor for all costs and expenses of the program (including investment management and custody fees). You are strongly encouraged to read carefully the wrap fee brochure or other disclosures provided to you in connection with the program account.

<sup>2.</sup> Other expenses are estimated based on the expenses the Fund expects to incur for the current fiscal year and include 0.20% of non-recurring costs related to commencement of the Fund's operations. Actual expenses may differ from estimates.

<sup>3.</sup> The investment manager has agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse operating expenses (excluding certain non-routine expenses or costs, such as those relating to litigation, indemnification, reorganizations and liquidations) for the Fund so that the ratio of total annual fund operating expenses will not exceed 0.00% until April 30, 2027. During the term, the fee waiver and expense reimbursement agreement may not be terminated or amended without approval of the board of trustees except to add series or classes, to reflect the extension of the termination date or to lower the waiver and expense limitation.

#### Example
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund's operating expenses remain the same. The Example reflects adjustments made to the Fund's operating expenses due to the fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements by management for the 1 Year numbers only. The Example does not include the fees and expenses (including investment management fees) paid in the wrap programs or certain other programs advised or sub-advised by the investment manager or its affiliates. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

<br> 2 Prospectus www.franklintempleton.com

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FRANKLIN TEMPLETON SMACS: SERIES C

FUND SUMMARY

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
|  | **1 Year** | **3 Years** |
| **Franklin Templeton SMACS: Series C** | $0 | $344 |

---

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or "turns over" its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual Fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund's performance. The Fund is newly offered; therefore, it does not have a turnover rate to report for the most recent fiscal year.

Principal Investment Strategies

Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest predominantly in debt securities, which may be represented by derivative investments that provide exposure to debt securities such as futures and swap agreements. Debt securities include all varieties of fixed, floating and variable rate instruments including secured and unsecured bonds, mortgage-backed securities (MBS) and other asset-backed securities, commercial mortgage-backed securities, municipal securities, sovereign debt, including emerging-markets sovereign debt, U.S. government and agency obligations, collateralized loan obligations (CLOs), debentures, zero coupon bonds, notes, and short-term debt instruments.

The Fund seeks income by selecting investments such as corporate, agency, securitized, and sovereign bonds that the investment manager believes have potential to provide consistent income. The Fund maintains the flexibility to invest in securities from a variety of sectors, but from time to time, based on economic conditions, the Fund may have significant investments in particular sectors. The Fund may invest in foreign securities, including emerging markets.

The Fund predominantly invests in investment grade debt securities and in unrated securities that the investment manager deems are of comparable quality. Securities rated in the top four ratings categories by one or more independent rating organizations such as S&P<sup>®</sup> Global Ratings (S&P<sup>®</sup>) (rated BBB- or better) or Moody's Investors Service (Moody's) (rated Baa3 or higher) at the time of purchase are considered investment grade. Derivatives whose reference securities are investment grade are considered by the Fund to be investment grade. The Fund's focus on the credit quality of its portfolio is intended to reduce credit risk and help to preserve the Fund's capital.

<br> www.franklintempleton.com Prospectus 3

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FRANKLIN TEMPLETON SMACS: SERIES C

FUND SUMMARY

The Fund is a "non-diversified" fund, which means it generally invests a greater proportion of its assets in the securities of one or more issuers and invests overall in a smaller number of issuers than a diversified fund.

The Fund may invest in debt securities of any maturity or duration.

Under normal circumstances, the Fund's investments will be U.S. dollar-denominated, although they may be issued by a foreign corporation or a U.S. affiliate of a foreign corporation, a foreign government or its agencies and instrumentalities or a supranational organization.

The mortgage securities in which the Fund may invest also include fixed or adjustable-rate mortgage-backed securities (ARMS), those sold through the "to-be-announced" market (TBAs), non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) and collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs), as well as other mortgage-related asset-backed securities. The Fund also may invest in mortgage dollar rolls.

The Fund may invest in complex fixed income securities, such as collateralized debt obligations (CDOs), which are generally a type of asset-backed securities. The Fund's investments in CDOs may include investments in collateralized loan obligations (CLOs), which are a type of CDO.

For purposes of pursuing its investment goal, the Fund may enter into various interest rate and credit-related derivatives, principally U.S. Treasury futures, interest rate swaps, interest rate and bond futures, credit default swaps (including credit default index swaps) and fixed income total return swaps. These derivatives may be used to enhance Fund returns, increase liquidity, gain exposure to certain instruments or markets in a more efficient or less expensive way and/or hedge risks associated with its other portfolio investments. Derivatives that provide exposure to bonds may be used to satisfy the Fund's policy to invest predominantly in debt securities.

The Fund's investment manager is a research-driven, fundamental investor that relies on a team of analysts to provide in-depth industry expertise and uses both qualitative and quantitative analysis to evaluate issuers. The Fund uses an active asset allocation strategy to try to achieve its investment goals. This means the Fund actively purchases and sells securities and other investments in various market sectors based on the investment manager's ongoing assessment of changing economic, global market, industry, and issuer conditions. The Fund may seek to quickly and efficiently shift its exposure among various types of debt securities, including through derivative instruments and at any given time may have substantial amount of exposure to any type of debt or other income-producing investment. The investment manager uses a "top-down" analysis of macroeconomic trends, combined with a "bottom-up" fundamental analysis of market sectors, industries and issuers, to try to take advantage of varying sector

<br> 4 Prospectus www.franklintempleton.com

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FRANKLIN TEMPLETON SMACS: SERIES C

FUND SUMMARY

reactions to economic events. The investment manager may utilize quantitative models to identify investment opportunities as part of the portfolio construction process for the Fund. Quantitative models are proprietary systems that rely on mathematical computations to identify investment opportunities.

Principal Risks

You could lose money by investing in the Fund. Mutual fund shares are not deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed or endorsed by, any bank, and are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board, or any other agency of the U.S. government.

**Interest Rate:** When interest rates rise, debt security prices generally fall. The opposite is also generally true: debt security prices rise when interest rates fall. Interest rate changes are influenced by a number of factors, including government policy, monetary policy, inflation expectations, perceptions of risk, and supply of and demand for bonds. In general, securities with longer maturities or durations are more sensitive to interest rate changes.

**Credit:** An issuer of debt securities may fail to make interest payments or repay principal when due, in whole or in part. Changes in an issuer's financial strength or in a security's or government's credit rating may affect a security's value.

**Mortgage Securities and Asset-Backed Securities:** Mortgage securities differ from conventional debt securities because principal is paid back periodically over the life of the security rather than at maturity. The Fund may receive unscheduled payments of principal due to voluntary prepayments, refinancings or foreclosures on the underlying mortgage loans. Because of prepayments, mortgage securities may be less effective than some other types of debt securities as a means of "locking in" long-term interest rates and may have less potential for capital appreciation during periods of falling interest rates. A reduction in the anticipated rate of principal prepayments, especially during periods of rising interest rates, may increase or extend the effective maturity and duration of mortgage securities, making them more sensitive to interest rate changes, subject to greater price volatility, and more susceptible than some other debt securities to a decline in market value when interest rates rise.

Issuers of asset-backed securities may have limited ability to enforce the security interest in the underlying assets, and credit enhancements provided to support the securities, if any, may be inadequate to protect investors in the event of default. Like mortgage securities, asset-backed securities are subject to prepayment and extension risks.

**Income:** The Fund's distributions to shareholders may decline when prevailing interest rates fall, when the Fund experiences defaults on debt securities it holds or when the Fund realizes a loss upon the sale of a debt security.

<br> www.franklintempleton.com Prospectus 5

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FRANKLIN TEMPLETON SMACS: SERIES C

FUND SUMMARY

**Market:** The market values of securities or other investments owned by the Fund will go up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably. The market value of a security or other investment may be reduced by market activity or other results of supply and demand unrelated to the issuer. This is a basic risk associated with all investments. When there are more sellers than buyers, prices tend to fall. Likewise, when there are more buyers than sellers, prices tend to rise. In addition, the value of the Fund's investments may go up or down due to general market or other conditions that are not specifically related to a particular issuer, such as: real or perceived adverse economic changes, including widespread liquidity issues and defaults in one or more industries; changes in interest or exchange rates; unexpected natural and man-made world events, such as diseases or disasters; financial, political or social disruptions, including terrorism and war; and U.S. trade disputes or other disputes with specific countries that could result in tariffs, trade barriers and investment restrictions in certain securities in those countries. Any of these conditions can adversely affect the economies of many companies, sectors, nations, regions and the market in general, in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen.

**New Fund:** The Fund is newly or recently established and has no performance history as of the date of this Prospectus. There can be no assurance that the Fund will grow to or maintain an economically viable size, which could result in the Fund being liquidated at any time without shareholder approval and at a time that may not be favorable for all shareholders. If the Fund does not attract additional assets, the Fund's expenses will continue to be spread over a small asset base.

**Non-Diversification:** Because the Fund is non-diversified, it may be more sensitive to economic, business, political or other changes affecting individual issuers or investments than a diversified fund, which may negatively impact the Fund's performance and result in greater fluctuation in the value of the Fund's shares.

**Variable Rate Securities:** Because changes in interest rates on variable rate securities (including floating rate securities) may lag behind changes in market rates, the value of such securities may decline during periods of rising interest rates until their interest rates reset to market rates. During periods of declining interest rates, because the interest rates on variable rate securities generally reset downward, their market value is unlikely to rise to the same extent as the value of comparable fixed rate securities.

**When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Transactions:** Mortgage-backed securities may be issued on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis, where payment and delivery take place at a future date. Because the market price of the security may fluctuate during the time before payment and delivery, the Fund assumes the risk that the value of the security at delivery may be more or less than the purchase price.

<br> 6 Prospectus www.franklintempleton.com

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FRANKLIN TEMPLETON SMACS: SERIES C

FUND SUMMARY

**Foreign Securities (non-U.S.):** Investing in foreign securities typically involves more risks than investing in U.S. securities, including risks related to currency exchange rates and policies, country or government specific issues, less favorable trading practices or regulation and greater price volatility. Certain of these risks also may apply to securities of U.S. companies with significant foreign operations. The risks of investing in foreign securities are typically greater in less developed or emerging market countries.

**Sovereign Debt Securities:** Sovereign debt securities are subject to various risks in addition to those relating to debt securities and foreign investments generally, including, but not limited to, the risk that a governmental entity may be unwilling or unable to pay interest and repay principal on its sovereign debt, or otherwise meet its obligations when due because of cash flow problems, insufficient foreign reserves, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the government's policy towards principal international lenders such as the International Monetary Fund, or the political considerations to which the government may be subject. If a sovereign debtor defaults (or threatens to default) on its sovereign debt obligations, the indebtedness may be restructured. Some sovereign debtors have in the past been able to restructure their debt payments without the approval of some or all debt holders or to declare moratoria on payments. In the event of a default on sovereign debt, the Fund may also have limited legal recourse against the defaulting government entity.

**Emerging Market Countries:** The Fund's investments in emerging market countries are subject to all of the risks of foreign investing generally, and have additional heightened risks due to a lack of established legal, political, business and social frameworks to support securities markets, including: delays in settling portfolio securities transactions; currency and capital controls; greater sensitivity to interest rate changes; pervasiveness of corruption and crime; currency exchange rate volatility; and inflation, deflation or currency devaluation.

**Derivative Instruments:** The performance of derivative instruments depends largely on the performance of an underlying instrument, such as a currency, security, interest rate or index, and such instruments often have risks similar to their underlying instrument, in addition to other risks. Derivative instruments involve costs and can create economic leverage in the Fund's portfolio which may result in significant volatility and cause the Fund to participate in losses (as well as gains) in an amount that exceeds the Fund's initial investment. Other risks include illiquidity, mispricing or improper valuation of the derivative instrument, and imperfect correlation between the value of the derivative and the underlying instrument so that the Fund may not realize the intended benefits. When a derivative is used for hedging, the change in value of the derivative may also not correlate specifically with the currency, security, interest rate, index or other risk being hedged. With

<br> www.franklintempleton.com Prospectus 7

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FRANKLIN TEMPLETON SMACS: SERIES C

FUND SUMMARY

over-the-counter derivatives, there is the risk that the other party to the transaction will fail to perform.

**Mortgage Dollar Rolls:** In a mortgage dollar roll, the Fund takes the risk that: the market price of the mortgage-backed securities will drop below their future repurchase price; the securities that it repurchases at a later date will have less favorable market characteristics; the other party to the agreement will not be able to perform; the roll adds leverage to the Fund's portfolio; and, it increases the Fund's sensitivity to interest rate changes. In addition, investment in mortgage dollar rolls may increase the portfolio turnover rate for the Fund.

**U.S. Government Securities:** Not all obligations of the U.S. Government, its agencies and instrumentalities are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. Some obligations are backed only by the credit of the issuing agency or instrumentality, and in some cases there may be some risk of default by the issuer. Government agency or instrumentality issues have different levels of credit support. **U.S. government-sponsored entities ("GSEs"), such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, may be chartered by Acts of Congress, but their securities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the U.S. government. Although the U.S. government has provided financial support to Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and certain other GSEs in the past, no assurance can be given that the U.S. government will continue to do so.** Accordingly, securities issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac may involve a risk of non-payment of principal and interest. Investors should remember that guarantees of timely repayment of principal and interest do not apply to the market prices and yields of the securities or to the net asset value or performance of the Fund, which will vary with changes in interest rates and other market conditions.

**Collateralized Debt Obligations (CDOs):** The risks of an investment in a CDO, a type of asset backed security, and which includes CLOs, depend largely on the type of collateral held by the special purpose entity (SPE) and the tranche of the CDO in which the Fund invests and may be affected by the performance of a CDO's collateral manager. CDOs may be deemed to be illiquid and subject to the Fund's restrictions on investments in illiquid investments. In addition to the normal risks associated with debt securities and asset backed securities (e.g., interest rate risk, credit risk and default risk), CDOs carry additional risks including, but not limited to: (i) the possibility that distributions from collateral securities will not be adequate to make interest or other payments; (ii) the quality of the collateral may decline in value or quality or go into default or be downgraded; (iii) the Fund may invest in tranches of a CDO that are subordinate to other classes; and (iv) the complex structure of the security may not be fully understood at the time of investment. These risks are amplified in tranches of CDOs that are subordinate to other tranches.

<br> 8 Prospectus www.franklintempleton.com

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FRANKLIN TEMPLETON SMACS: SERIES C

FUND SUMMARY

**Municipal Securities:** Municipal issuers may be adversely affected by rising health care costs, increasing unfunded pension liabilities, and by the phasing out of federal programs providing financial support. Unfavorable conditions and developments relating to projects financed with municipal securities can result in lower revenues to issuers of municipal securities, potentially resulting in defaults. The value of municipal securities can also be adversely affected by changes in the financial condition of one or more individual municipal issuers or insurers of municipal issuers, regulatory and political developments, tax law changes or other legislative actions, and by uncertainties and public perceptions concerning these and other factors. In the past, a number of municipal issuers defaulted on obligations, were downgraded or commenced insolvency proceedings. Financial difficulties of municipal issuers may experience a resurgence, particularly in the event of economic or market turmoil or a recession.

**Prepayment:** Prepayment risk occurs when a debt security can be repaid in whole or in part prior to the security's maturity and the Fund must reinvest the proceeds it receives, during periods of declining interest rates, in securities that pay a lower rate of interest. Also, if a security has been purchased at a premium, the value of the premium would be lost in the event of prepayment. Prepayments generally increase when interest rates fall.

**Extension:** The market value of some debt securities (such as certain asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities) will be adversely affected when bond calls or prepayments on underlying mortgages or other assets are less or slower than anticipated, particularly when interest rates rise. When that occurs, the effective maturity date of the Fund's investment may be extended, resulting in an increase in interest rate sensitivity to that of a longer-term instrument. Such extension may also effectively lock-in a below market interest rate and reduce the value of the debt security.

**Liquidity:** The trading market for a particular security or type of security or other investments in which the Fund invests may become less liquid or even illiquid. Reduced liquidity will have an adverse impact on the Fund's ability to sell such securities or other investments when necessary to meet the Fund's liquidity needs, which may arise or increase in response to a specific economic event or because the investment manager wishes to purchase particular investments or believes that a higher level of liquidity would be advantageous. Reduced liquidity will also generally lower the value of such securities or other investments. Market prices for such securities or other investments may be relatively volatile.

**Management:** The Fund is subject to management risk because it is an actively managed investment portfolio. The Fund's investment manager applies investment techniques and risk analyses in making investment decisions for the Fund, but there can be no guarantee that these decisions will produce the desired results.

<br> www.franklintempleton.com Prospectus 9

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FRANKLIN TEMPLETON SMACS: SERIES C

FUND SUMMARY

**Cybersecurity:** Cybersecurity incidents, both intentional and unintentional, may allow an unauthorized party to gain access to Fund assets, Fund or customer data (including private shareholder information), or proprietary information, cause the Fund, the investment manager, and/or their service providers (including, but not limited to, Fund accountants, custodians, sub-custodians, transfer agents and financial intermediaries) to suffer data breaches, data corruption or loss of operational functionality or prevent Fund investors from purchasing, redeeming or exchanging shares or receiving distributions. The investment manager has limited ability to prevent or mitigate cybersecurity incidents affecting third party service providers, and such third party service providers may have limited indemnification obligations to the Fund or the investment manager. Cybersecurity incidents may result in financial losses to the Fund and its shareholders, and substantial costs may be incurred in an effort to prevent or mitigate future cybersecurity incidents. Issuers of securities in which the Fund invests are also subject to cybersecurity risks, and the value of these securities could decline if the issuers experience cybersecurity incidents.

Because technology is frequently changing, new ways to carry out cyber attacks are always developing. Therefore, there is a chance that some risks have not been identified or prepared for, or that an attack may not be detected, which puts limitations on the Fund's ability to plan for or respond to a cyber attack. Like other funds and business enterprises, the Fund, the investment manager, and their service providers are subject to the risk of cyber incidents occurring from time to time.

Performance

Because the Fund is new, it has no performance history. Once the Fund has commenced operations, you can obtain updated performance information at www.franklintempleton.com or by calling (800) DIAL BEN/342-5236. The Fund's past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.

Performance information, when available, will not include the fees and expenses (including investment management fees) paid in the wrap programs or certain other programs advised or sub-advised by the investment manager or its affiliates.

Investment Manager

Franklin Advisers, Inc. (Advisers or investment manager)

Portfolio Managers

**Albert Chan, CFA**

Portfolio Manager of Advisers and portfolio manager of the Fund since inception (June 2025).

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FUND SUMMARY

**Tina Chou**

Portfolio Manager of Advisers and portfolio manager of the Fund since inception (June 2025).

**Jacob K. Chu**

Portfolio Manager of Advisers and portfolio manager of the Fund since inception (June 2025).

**Patrick Klein, Ph.D.**

Senior Vice President of Advisers and portfolio manager of the Fund since inception (June 2025).

**Thomas Runkel, CFA** 

Vice President of Advisers and portfolio manager of the Fund since inception (June 2025).

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

Shares of the Fund are used exclusively for separately managed accounts advised or sub-advised by Advisers or its affiliates and decisions as to whether to purchase or redeem shares of the Fund for a separately managed account will be made by the investment manager of the separately managed account. Shares of the Fund may be redeemed on any business day that the New York Stock Exchange is open. In addition, shares will be redeemed when you terminate your managed account. There is no minimum investment for purchases.

Taxes

The Fund's distributions are generally taxable to you as ordinary income, capital gains, or some combination of both, unless you are investing through a tax-advantaged arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account, in which case your distributions would generally be taxed when withdrawn from the tax-advantaged account.

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FUND SUMMARY

### Franklin Templeton SMACS: Series CP
Investment Goal

To seek to provide high current income. Capital appreciation over the long term is a secondary goal.

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

The table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund.

#### Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| Management fees<sup>1</sup> |  |
| Distribution and service (12b-1) fees |  |
| Other expenses<sup>2</sup> | 1.58% |
| Total annual Fund operating expenses | 1.58% |
| Fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement<sup>3</sup> | -1.58% |
| **Total annual Fund operating expenses after fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement** | **0.00%** |

---

<sup>1.</sup> The investment manager does not charge the Fund a fee for its investment management services. The Fund is part of a wrap fee program or other program advised or sub-advised by the investment manager or its affiliates, clients of which often pay a single aggregate fee to the program sponsor for all costs and expenses of the program (including investment management and custody fees). You are strongly encouraged to read carefully the wrap fee brochure or other disclosures provided to you in connection with the program account.

<sup>2.</sup> Other expenses are estimated based on the expenses the Fund expects to incur for the current fiscal year and include 0.20% of non-recurring costs related to commencement of the Fund's operations. Actual expenses may differ from estimates.

<sup>3.</sup> The investment manager has agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse operating expenses (excluding certain non-routine expenses or costs, such as those relating to litigation, indemnification, reorganizations and liquidations) for the Fund so that the ratio of total annual fund operating expenses will not exceed 0.00% until April 30, 2027. During the term, the fee waiver and expense reimbursement agreement may not be terminated or amended without approval of the board of trustees except to add series or classes, to reflect the extension of the termination date or to lower the waiver and expense limitation.

#### Example
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of the period. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund's operating expenses remain the same. The Example reflects adjustments made to the Fund's operating expenses due to the fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements by management for the 1 Year numbers only. The Example does not include the fees and expenses (including investment management fees) paid in the wrap programs or certain other programs advised or sub-advised by the investment manager or its affiliates. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

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FUND SUMMARY

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
|  | **1 Year** | **3 Years** |
| **Franklin Templeton SMACS: Series CP** | $0 | $344 |

---

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or "turns over" its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual Fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund's performance. The Fund is newly offered; therefore, it does not have a turnover rate to report for the most recent fiscal year.

Principal Investment Strategies

Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest predominantly in debt securities, which may be represented by derivative investments, such as futures and swap agreements, that provide exposure to debt securities. Debt securities include all varieties of fixed, floating and variable rate instruments including secured and unsecured bonds, mortgage-backed securities (MBS) (including residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) and commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS)) and other asset-backed securities, senior, bank and corporate floating rate and term loans (and loan participations), collateralized loan obligations (CLOs), corporate high yield bonds, sovereign debt, including emerging-markets sovereign debt, U.S. and agency securities, debentures, zero coupon bonds, notes, and short-term debt instruments.

The Fund seeks income by selecting investments such as corporate, agency, securitized, and sovereign bonds that the investment manager believes have potential to provide consistent income. The Fund maintains the flexibility to invest in securities from a variety of sectors, but from time to time, based on economic conditions, the Fund may have significant investments in particular sectors. The Fund may invest in foreign securities, including emerging markets.

The Fund may invest in debt securities of any maturity or duration.

The Fund may invest its assets in below investment grade securities without limit to potentially increase returns. The below-investment grade debt securities in which the Fund invests are generally rated at least Caa by Moody's Investors Service (Moody's) or CCC by S&P Global Ratings (S&P) or are unrated securities the Fund's investment manager determines are of comparable quality.

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FUND SUMMARY

The Fund is a "non-diversified" fund, which means it generally invests a greater proportion of its assets in the securities of one or more issuers and invests overall in a smaller number of issuers than a diversified fund.

The mortgage securities in which the Fund may invest also include fixed or adjustable-rate mortgage-backed securities (ARMS), those sold through the "to-be-announced" market (TBAs), commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS), non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) and collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs), as well as other mortgage-related asset-backed securities. The Fund also may invest in mortgage dollar rolls.

The Fund may invest in complex fixed income securities, such as collateralized debt obligations (CDOs), which are generally a type of asset-backed securities. The Fund's investments in CDOs may include investments in collateralized loan obligations (CLOs), which are a type of CDO.

For purposes of pursuing its investment goals, the Fund regularly enters into various currency-related transactions involving derivative instruments, including currency and cross currency forwards, currency swaps, currency and currency index futures contracts and currency options. The Fund regularly enters into interest rate and credit-related transactions involving derivative instruments, including U.S. Treasury futures, interest rate, fixed income total return and credit default swaps (including credit default index swaps), and options on interest rate and credit default swaps, and interest rate and/ or bond futures contracts and options on interest rate futures. The use of these derivative transactions may allow the Fund to obtain net long or net short exposures to selected currencies, interest rates, countries, durations or credit risks. These derivative instruments may also be used for hedging purposes, to enhance Fund returns or to obtain exposure to various market sectors.

The Fund's investment manager is a research-driven, fundamental investor that relies on a team of analysts to provide in-depth industry expertise and uses both qualitative and quantitative analysis to evaluate issuers. The Fund uses an active asset allocation strategy to try to achieve its investment goals. This means the Fund actively purchases and sells securities and other investments in various market sectors based on the investment manager's ongoing assessment of changing economic, global market, industry, and issuer conditions. The Fund may seek to quickly and efficiently shift its exposure among various types of debt securities, including through derivative instruments and at any given time may have substantial amount of exposure to any type of debt or other income-producing investment. The investment manager uses a "top-down" analysis of macroeconomic trends combined with a "bottom-up" fundamental analysis of market sectors, industries, and issuers to try to take advantage of varying sector reactions to economic events. The investment manager may utilize quantitative models to identify investment opportunities as part of the portfolio construction

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FUND SUMMARY

process for the Fund. Quantitative models are proprietary systems that rely on mathematical computations to identify investment opportunities.

Principal Risks

You could lose money by investing in the Fund. Mutual fund shares are not deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed or endorsed by, any bank, and are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board, or any other agency of the U.S. government.

**Interest Rate:** When interest rates rise, debt security prices generally fall. The opposite is also generally true: debt security prices rise when interest rates fall. Interest rate changes are influenced by a number of factors, including government policy, monetary policy, inflation expectations, perceptions of risk, and supply of and demand for bonds. In general, securities with longer maturities or durations are more sensitive to interest rate changes.

**Credit:** An issuer of debt securities may fail to make interest payments or repay principal when due, in whole or in part. Changes in an issuer's financial strength or in a security's or government's credit rating may affect a security's value.

**Mortgage Securities and Asset-Backed Securities:** Mortgage securities differ from conventional debt securities because principal is paid back periodically over the life of the security rather than at maturity. The Fund may receive unscheduled payments of principal due to voluntary prepayments, refinancings or foreclosures on the underlying mortgage loans. Because of prepayments, mortgage securities may be less effective than some other types of debt securities as a means of "locking in" long-term interest rates and may have less potential for capital appreciation during periods of falling interest rates. A reduction in the anticipated rate of principal prepayments, especially during periods of rising interest rates, may increase or extend the effective maturity and duration of mortgage securities, making them more sensitive to interest rate changes, subject to greater price volatility, and more susceptible than some other debt securities to a decline in market value when interest rates rise.

Issuers of asset-backed securities may have limited ability to enforce the security interest in the underlying assets, and credit enhancements provided to support the securities, if any, may be inadequate to protect investors in the event of default. Like mortgage securities, asset-backed securities are subject to prepayment and extension risks.

**Income:** The Fund's distributions to shareholders may decline when prevailing interest rates fall, when the Fund experiences defaults on debt securities it holds or when the Fund realizes a loss upon the sale of a debt security.

**Market:** The market values of securities or other investments owned by the Fund will go up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably. The market value of a

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FUND SUMMARY

security or other investment may be reduced by market activity or other results of supply and demand unrelated to the issuer. This is a basic risk associated with all investments. When there are more sellers than buyers, prices tend to fall. Likewise, when there are more buyers than sellers, prices tend to rise. In addition, the value of the Fund's investments may go up or down due to general market or other conditions that are not specifically related to a particular issuer, such as: real or perceived adverse economic changes, including widespread liquidity issues and defaults in one or more industries; changes in interest or exchange rates; unexpected natural and man-made world events, such as diseases or disasters; financial, political or social disruptions, including terrorism and war; and U.S. trade disputes or other disputes with specific countries that could result in tariffs, trade barriers and investment restrictions in certain securities in those countries. Any of these conditions can adversely affect the economies of many companies, sectors, nations, regions and the market in general, in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen.

**New Fund:** The Fund is newly or recently established and has no performance history as of the date of this Prospectus. There can be no assurance that the Fund will grow to or maintain an economically viable size, which could result in the Fund being liquidated at any time without shareholder approval and at a time that may not be favorable for all shareholders. If the Fund does not attract additional assets, the Fund's expenses will continue to be spread over a small asset base.

**Non-Diversification:** Because the Fund is non-diversified, it may be more sensitive to economic, business, political or other changes affecting individual issuers or investments than a diversified fund, which may negatively impact the Fund's performance and result in greater fluctuation in the value of the Fund's shares.

**Variable Rate Securities:** Because changes in interest rates on variable rate securities (including floating rate securities) may lag behind changes in market rates, the value of such securities may decline during periods of rising interest rates until their interest rates reset to market rates. During periods of declining interest rates, because the interest rates on variable rate securities generally reset downward, their market value is unlikely to rise to the same extent as the value of comparable fixed rate securities.

**When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Transactions:** Mortgage-backed securities may be issued on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis, where payment and delivery take place at a future date. Because the market price of the security may fluctuate during the time before payment and delivery, the Fund assumes the risk that the value of the security at delivery may be more or less than the purchase price.

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FUND SUMMARY

**Foreign Securities (non-U.S.):** Investing in foreign securities typically involves more risks than investing in U.S. securities, including risks related to currency exchange rates and policies, country or government specific issues, less favorable trading practices or regulation and greater price volatility. Certain of these risks also may apply to securities of U.S. companies with significant foreign operations. The risks of investing in foreign securities are typically greater in less developed or emerging market countries.

**Currency Management Strategies:** Currency management strategies may substantially change the Fund's exposure to currency exchange rates and could result in losses to the Fund if currencies do not perform as the investment manager expects. In addition, currency management strategies, to the extent that they reduce the Fund's exposure to currency risks, also reduce the Fund's ability to benefit from favorable changes in currency exchange rates. Using currency management strategies for purposes other than hedging further increases the Fund's exposure to foreign investment losses. Currency markets generally are not as regulated as securities markets. In addition, currency rates may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time, and can reduce returns.

**Sovereign Debt Securities:** Sovereign debt securities are subject to various risks in addition to those relating to debt securities and foreign investments generally, including, but not limited to, the risk that a governmental entity may be unwilling or unable to pay interest and repay principal on its sovereign debt, or otherwise meet its obligations when due because of cash flow problems, insufficient foreign reserves, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the government's policy towards principal international lenders such as the International Monetary Fund, or the political considerations to which the government may be subject. If a sovereign debtor defaults (or threatens to default) on its sovereign debt obligations, the indebtedness may be restructured. Some sovereign debtors have in the past been able to restructure their debt payments without the approval of some or all debt holders or to declare moratoria on payments. In the event of a default on sovereign debt, the Fund may also have limited legal recourse against the defaulting government entity.

**Emerging Market Countries:** The Fund's investments in emerging market countries are subject to all of the risks of foreign investing generally, and have additional heightened risks due to a lack of established legal, political, business and social frameworks to support securities markets, including: delays in settling portfolio securities transactions; currency and capital controls; greater sensitivity to interest rate changes; pervasiveness of corruption and crime; currency exchange rate volatility; and inflation, deflation or currency devaluation.

**Derivative Instruments:** The performance of derivative instruments depends largely on the performance of an underlying instrument, such as a currency, security, interest rate or index, and such instruments often have risks similar to

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FUND SUMMARY

their underlying instrument, in addition to other risks. Derivative instruments involve costs and can create economic leverage in the Fund's portfolio which may result in significant volatility and cause the Fund to participate in losses (as well as gains) in an amount that exceeds the Fund's initial investment. Other risks include illiquidity, mispricing or improper valuation of the derivative instrument, and imperfect correlation between the value of the derivative and the underlying instrument so that the Fund may not realize the intended benefits. When a derivative is used for hedging, the change in value of the derivative may also not correlate specifically with the currency, security, interest rate, index or other risk being hedged. With over-the-counter derivatives, there is the risk that the other party to the transaction will fail to perform.

**Mortgage Dollar Rolls:** In a mortgage dollar roll, the Fund takes the risk that: the market price of the mortgage-backed securities will drop below their future repurchase price; the securities that it repurchases at a later date will have less favorable market characteristics; the other party to the agreement will not be able to perform; the roll adds leverage to the Fund's portfolio; and, it increases the Fund's sensitivity to interest rate changes. In addition, investment in mortgage dollar rolls may increase the portfolio turnover rate for the Fund.

**U.S. Government Securities:** Not all obligations of the U.S. Government, its agencies and instrumentalities are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. Some obligations are backed only by the credit of the issuing agency or instrumentality, and in some cases there may be some risk of default by the issuer. Government agency or instrumentality issues have different levels of credit support. **U.S. government-sponsored entities ("GSEs"), such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, may be chartered by Acts of Congress, but their securities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the U.S. government. Although the U.S. government has provided financial support to Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and certain other GSEs in the past, no assurance can be given that the U.S. government will continue to do so.** Accordingly, securities issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac may involve a risk of non-payment of principal and interest. Investors should remember that guarantees of timely repayment of principal and interest do not apply to the market prices and yields of the securities or to the net asset value or performance of the Fund, which will vary with changes in interest rates and other market conditions.

**High-Yield Mortgage Securities:** Mortgage securities that are rated below investment grade, or unrated and deemed to be of comparable quality by the investment manager, involve greater credit risk with respect to the issuers of the mortgage securities and the borrowers in the underlying mortgages than higher-quality mortgage securities. High-yield mortgage securities are generally considered predominantly speculative by the applicable rating agencies as their issuers are more likely to encounter financial difficulties. High-yield mortgage

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FUND SUMMARY

securities are more vulnerable to changes in the relevant economy, such as a recession or a sustained period of rising interest rates. The prices of high-yield mortgage securities generally fluctuate more than those of higher credit quality and are generally more illiquid (harder to sell) and harder to value.

**Collateralized Debt Obligations (CDOs):** The risks of an investment in a CDO, a type of asset backed security, and which includes CLOs, depend largely on the type of collateral held by the special purpose entity (SPE) and the tranche of the CDO in which the Fund invests and may be affected by the performance of a CDO's collateral manager. CDOs may be deemed to be illiquid and subject to the Fund's restrictions on investments in illiquid investments. In addition to the normal risks associated with debt securities and asset backed securities (e.g., interest rate risk, credit risk and default risk), CDOs carry additional risks including, but not limited to: (i) the possibility that distributions from collateral securities will not be adequate to make interest or other payments; (ii) the quality of the collateral may decline in value or quality or go into default or be downgraded; (iii) the Fund may invest in tranches of a CDO that are subordinate to other classes; and (iv) the complex structure of the security may not be fully understood at the time of investment. These risks are amplified in tranches of CDOs that are subordinate to other tranches.

**High-Yield Debt Instruments:** Issuers of lower-rated or "high-yield" debt instruments (also known as "junk bonds") are not as strong financially as those issuing higher credit quality debt instruments. High-yield debt instruments are generally considered predominantly speculative by the applicable rating agencies as their issuers are more likely to encounter financial difficulties because they may be more highly leveraged, or because of other considerations. In addition, high yield debt instruments generally are more vulnerable to changes in the relevant economy, such as a recession or a sustained period of rising interest rates, that could affect their ability to make interest and principal payments when due. The prices of high-yield debt instruments generally fluctuate more than those of higher credit quality. High-yield debt instruments are generally more illiquid (harder to sell) and harder to value.

**Floating Rate Corporate Investments:** Floating rate corporate loans and corporate debt securities generally have credit ratings below investment grade and may be subject to resale restrictions. They are often issued in connection with highly leveraged transactions, and may be subject to greater credit risks than other investments including the possibility of default or bankruptcy. In addition, a secondary market in corporate loans may be subject to irregular trading activity, wide bid/ask spreads and extended trade settlement periods, which may impair the ability to accurately value existing and prospective investments and to realize in a timely fashion the full value upon the sale of a corporate loan. A significant portion of floating rate investments may be "covenant lite" loans that may contain fewer or

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FRANKLIN TEMPLETON SMACS: SERIES CP

FUND SUMMARY

less restrictive constraints on the borrower or other borrower-friendly characteristics.

**Prepayment:** Prepayment risk occurs when a debt security can be repaid in whole or in part prior to the security's maturity and the Fund must reinvest the proceeds it receives, during periods of declining interest rates, in securities that pay a lower rate of interest. Also, if a security has been purchased at a premium, the value of the premium would be lost in the event of prepayment. Prepayments generally increase when interest rates fall.

**Extension:** The market value of some fixed rate debt securities (such as certain asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities) will be adversely affected when bond calls or prepayments on underlying mortgages or other assets are less or slower than anticipated, particularly when interest rates rise. When that occurs, the effective maturity date of the Fund's investment may be extended, resulting in an increase in interest rate sensitivity to that of a longer-term instrument. Such extension may also effectively lock-in a below market interest rate and reduce the value of the debt security.

**Liquidity:** The trading market for a particular security or type of security or other investments in which the Fund invests may become less liquid or even illiquid. Reduced liquidity will have an adverse impact on the Fund's ability to sell such securities or other investments when necessary to meet the Fund's liquidity needs, which may arise or increase in response to a specific economic event or because the investment manager wishes to purchase particular investments or believes that a higher level of liquidity would be advantageous. Reduced liquidity will also generally lower the value of such securities or other investments. Market prices for such securities or other investments may be relatively volatile.

**Management:** The Fund is subject to management risk because it is an actively managed investment portfolio. The Fund's investment manager applies investment techniques and risk analyses in making investment decisions for the Fund, but there can be no guarantee that these decisions will produce the desired results.

**Cybersecurity:** Cybersecurity incidents, both intentional and unintentional, may allow an unauthorized party to gain access to Fund assets, Fund or customer data (including private shareholder information), or proprietary information, cause the Fund, the investment manager, and/or their service providers (including, but not limited to, Fund accountants, custodians, sub-custodians, transfer agents and financial intermediaries) to suffer data breaches, data corruption or loss of operational functionality or prevent Fund investors from purchasing, redeeming or exchanging shares or receiving distributions. The investment manager has limited ability to prevent or mitigate cybersecurity incidents affecting third party service providers, and such third party service providers may have limited indemnification obligations to the Fund or the investment manager. Cybersecurity incidents may

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FUND SUMMARY

result in financial losses to the Fund and its shareholders, and substantial costs may be incurred in an effort to prevent or mitigate future cybersecurity incidents. Issuers of securities in which the Fund invests are also subject to cybersecurity risks, and the value of these securities could decline if the issuers experience cybersecurity incidents.

Because technology is frequently changing, new ways to carry out cyber attacks are always developing. Therefore, there is a chance that some risks have not been identified or prepared for, or that an attack may not be detected, which puts limitations on the Fund's ability to plan for or respond to a cyber attack. Like other funds and business enterprises, the Fund, the investment manager, and their service providers are subject to the risk of cyber incidents occurring from time to time.

Performance

Because the Fund is new, it has no performance history. Once the Fund has commenced operations, you can obtain updated performance information at www.franklintempleton.com or by calling (800) DIAL BEN/342-5236. The Fund's past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.

Performance information, when available, will not include the fees and expenses (including investment management fees) paid in the wrap programs or certain other programs advised or sub-advised by the investment manager or its affiliates.

Investment Manager

Franklin Advisers, Inc. (Advisers or investment manager)

Portfolio Managers

**Albert Chan, CFA**

Portfolio Manager of Advisers and portfolio manager of the Fund since inception (June 2025).

**Tina Chou**

Portfolio Manager of Advisers and portfolio manager of the Fund since inception (June 2025).

**Jacob K. Chu**

Portfolio Manager of Advisers and portfolio manager of the Fund since inception (June 2025).

**Patrick Klein, Ph.D.**

Senior Vice President of Advisers and portfolio manager of the Fund since inception (June 2025).

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FUND SUMMARY

**Thomas Runkel, CFA** 

Vice President of Advisers and portfolio manager of the Fund since inception (June 2025).

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

Shares of the Fund are used exclusively for separately managed accounts advised or sub-advised by Advisers or its affiliates and decisions as to whether to purchase or redeem shares of the Fund for a separately managed account will be made by the investment manager of the separately managed account. Shares of the Fund may be redeemed on any business day that the New York Stock Exchange is open. In addition, shares will be redeemed when you terminate your managed account. There is no minimum investment for purchases.

Taxes

The Fund's distributions are generally taxable to you as ordinary income, capital gains, or some combination of both, unless you are investing through a tax-advantaged arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account, in which case your distributions would generally be taxed when withdrawn from the tax-advantaged account.

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FRANKLIN TEMPLETON SMACS: SERIES C

FUND DETAILS

### Franklin Templeton SMACS: Series C
Investment Goal

The Fund's investment goal is to seek to provide current income consistent with preservation of capital. The Fund's investment goal is non-fundamental and therefore may be changed by the Trust's board of trustees without shareholder approval. Shareholders will be given at least 60 days' advance notice of any change to the Fund's investment goal.

Principal Investment Policies and Practices

Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest predominantly in debt securities, which may be represented by derivative investments that provide exposure to debt securities such as futures and swap agreements. Debt securities include all varieties of fixed, floating and variable rate instruments including secured and unsecured bonds, mortgage-backed securities (MBS) and other asset-backed securities, commercial mortgage-backed securities, municipal securities, sovereign debt, including emerging-markets sovereign debt, U.S. government and agency obligations, collateralized loan obligations (CLOs), debentures, zero coupon bonds, notes, and short-term debt instruments.

The Fund seeks income by selecting investments such as corporate, agency, securitized, and sovereign bonds that the investment manager believes have potential to provide consistent income. The Fund maintains the flexibility to invest in securities from a variety of sectors, but from time to time, based on economic conditions, the Fund may have significant investments in particular sectors. The Fund may invest in foreign securities, including emerging markets.

The Fund predominantly invests in investment grade debt securities and in unrated securities that the investment manager deems are of comparable quality. Securities rated in the top four ratings categories by one or more independent rating organizations such as S&P<sup>®</sup> Global Ratings (S&P<sup>®</sup>) (rated BBB- or better) or Moody's Investors Service (Moody's) (rated Baa3 or higher) at the time of purchase are considered investment grade. Derivatives whose reference securities are investment grade are considered by the Fund to be investment grade. The Fund's focus on the credit quality of its portfolio is intended to reduce credit risk and help to preserve the Fund's capital.

The Fund is a "non-diversified" fund, which means it generally invests a greater proportion of its assets in the securities of one or more issuers and invests overall in a smaller number of issuers than a diversified fund.

The Fund may invest in debt securities of any maturity or duration.

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FRANKLIN TEMPLETON SMACS: SERIES C

FUND DETAILS

Under normal circumstances, the Fund's investments will be U.S. dollar-denominated, although they may be issued by a foreign corporation or a U.S. affiliate of a foreign corporation, a foreign government or its agencies and instrumentalities or a supranational organization.

The Fund may invest in many different securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or by non-U.S. governments, or their respective agencies or instrumentalities, including mortgage-backed securities. Mortgage-backed securities represent an interest in a pool of mortgage loans made by banks and other financial institutions to finance purchases of homes, commercial buildings and other real estate. The individual mortgage loans are packaged or "pooled" together for sale to investors. As the underlying mortgage loans are paid off, investors receive principal and interest payments. These securities may be fixed-rate or adjustable-rate mortgage-backed securities (ARMS). The Fund may purchase or sell mortgage-backed securities on a delayed delivery or forward commitment basis through the "to-be-announced" (TBA) market. With TBA transactions, the particular securities to be delivered must meet specified terms and standards. The Fund also may invest in other types of mortgage securities including, but not limited to, certain ARMS, non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS), and collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs), as well as in other mortgage-related asset-backed securities.

The Fund may invest in mortgage dollar rolls. In a mortgage dollar roll, the Fund sells (or buys) mortgage securities for delivery on a specified date and simultaneously contracts to repurchase (or sell) substantially similar (same type, coupon, and maturity) securities on a future date. During the period between the sale and repurchase, the Fund forgoes principal and interest paid on the mortgage-backed securities. The Fund earns money on a mortgage dollar roll from any difference between the sale price and the future purchase price, as well as the interest earned on the cash proceeds of the initial sale.

The Fund may invest in collateralized debt obligations (CDOs), which are generally types of asset-backed securities. Collateralized bond obligations (CBOs) and collateralized loan obligations (CLOs) are generally considered two types of CDOs. CBOs represent interests in a special purpose, bankruptcy-remote vehicle, typically a trust, collateralized by a pool of fixed income securities, some of which may be below investment grade, including commercial mortgage-backed securities, residential mortgage-backed securities, corporate bonds and emerging market debt securities. CLOs are similar to CBOs except that the underlying pool for a CLO is generally comprised of corporate and/or sovereign loans, which may include, among others, senior secured loans, senior unsecured loans, and subordinate corporate loans made to domestic and foreign borrowers, including loans that may be rated below investment grade or equivalent unrated loans. For the broader category of CDOs, the pool of debt instruments held by a trust may include debt

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instruments of any type, including mortgage-backed or other asset-backed securities issued in securitization transactions. In all types of CDOs, the interests in the trust are split into two or more portions, called tranches, varying in risk, maturity, payment priority and yield. The riskiest portion is the "equity" tranche, which is the first loss position to observe defaults from the collateral in the trust. Because they are partially protected from defaults, senior tranches of a CDO trust typically have higher ratings and lower yields than the underlying collateral securities held by the trust and can be rated investment grade. The Fund may invest in any tranche of a CDO excluding the "equity" tranche.

For purposes of pursuing its investment goal, the Fund may enter into various interest rate and credit-related derivatives, principally U.S. Treasury futures, interest rate swaps, interest rate and bond futures, credit default swaps (including credit default index swaps) and fixed income total return swaps. The use of these derivative transactions may allow the Fund to obtain net long or short exposures to select interest rates, durations or credit risks. These derivatives may be used to enhance Fund returns, increase liquidity, gain exposure to certain instruments or markets in a more efficient or less expensive way and/or hedge risks associated with its other portfolio investments. Derivatives that provide exposure to bonds may be used to satisfy the Fund's policy to invest predominantly in debt securities.

A futures contract is a standard binding agreement that trades on an exchange to buy or sell a specified quantity of an underlying instrument or asset at a specified price at a specified later date. A "sale" of a futures contract means the acquisition of a contractual obligation to deliver the underlying instrument called for by the contract at a specified price on a specified date. A "purchase" of a futures contract means the acquisition of a contractual obligation to acquire a specified quantity of the underlying instrument called for by the contract at a specified price on a specified date. The purchase or sale of a futures contract will allow the Fund to increase or decrease its exposure to the underlying instrument or asset. Although most futures contracts used by the Fund allow for a cash payment of the net gain or loss on the contract at maturity in lieu of delivery of the underlying instruments, some require the actual delivery or acquisition of the underlying instrument or asset. The Fund may buy and sell futures contracts that trade on U.S. and foreign exchanges.

Swap agreements, such as interest rate, fixed income total return, currency and credit default swaps, are contracts between the Fund and another party (the swap counterparty) involving the exchange of payments on specified terms over periods ranging from a few days to multiple years. A swap agreement may be negotiated bilaterally and traded over-the-counter (OTC) between the two parties (for an uncleared swap) or, in some instances, must be transacted through a futures commission merchant (FCM) and cleared through a clearinghouse that serves as a central counterparty (for a cleared swap). In a basic swap transaction, the Fund

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agrees with the swap counterparty to exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of return) and/or cash flows earned or realized on a particular "notional amount" of underlying instruments. The notional amount is the set amount selected by the parties as the basis on which to calculate the obligations that they have agreed to exchange. The parties typically do not actually exchange the notional amount. Instead, they agree to exchange the returns that would be earned or realized if the notional amount were invested in given instruments or at given interest rates.

For credit default swaps, the "buyer" of the credit default swap agreement is obligated to pay the "seller" a periodic stream of payments over the term of the agreement in return for a payment by the seller that is contingent upon the occurrence of a credit event with respect to an underlying reference debt obligation (whether as a single debt instrument or as part of an index of debt instruments). The buyer of the credit default swap is purchasing the obligation of its counterparty to offset losses the buyer could experience if there was such a credit event. Generally, a credit event means bankruptcy, failure to timely pay interest or principal, obligation acceleration or default, or repudiation or restructuring of the reference debt obligation. The contingent payment by the seller generally is either the face amount of the reference debt obligation in exchange for the physical delivery of the reference debt obligation or a cash payment equal to the decrease in market value of the reference debt obligation following the occurrence of the credit event.

Credit default index (CDX) swaps are essentially credit default swaps, but instead of hedging risk on a single company's debt, they hedge risk on a basket of entities. The CDX is an index that tracks and measures total returns for the various segments of the bond issuer market. CDX swaps are standardized and exchange-traded, unlike credit default swaps.

An interest rate swap is an agreement between two parties to exchange interest rate payment obligations. Typically, one rate is based on an interest rate fixed to maturity while the other is based on an interest rate that changes in accordance with changes in a designated benchmark (for example, prime, commercial paper, or other benchmarks).

A total return swap is an agreement between two parties, pursuant to which one pays (and the other receives) an amount equal to the total return (including, typically, income and capital gains distributions, principal prepayment or credit losses) of an underlying reference asset (e.g., a note, bond or securities index) in exchange for a regular payment, at a floating rate (generally indexed to a benchmark), or alternatively at a fixed rate or the total rate of return on another financial instrument. The Fund may take either position in a total return swap (i.e., the Fund may receive or pay the total return on the underlying reference asset).

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The Fund's investment manager is a research-driven, fundamental investor that relies on a team of analysts to provide in-depth industry expertise and uses both qualitative and quantitative analysis to evaluate issuers. The Fund uses an active asset allocation strategy to try to achieve its investment goals. This means the Fund actively purchases and sells securities and other investments in various market sectors based on the investment manager's ongoing assessment of changing economic, global market, industry, and issuer conditions. The Fund may seek to quickly and efficiently shift its exposure among various types of debt securities, including through derivative instruments and at any given time may have substantial amount of exposure to any type of debt or other income-producing investment. The investment manager uses a "top-down" analysis of macroeconomic trends, combined with a "bottom-up" fundamental analysis of market sectors, industries and issuers, to try to take advantage of varying sector reactions to economic events. The investment manager may utilize quantitative models to identify investment opportunities as part of the portfolio construction process for the Fund. Quantitative models are proprietary systems that rely on mathematical computations to identify investment opportunities.

#### Exclusion of Investment Manager from Commodity Pool Operator Definition
With respect to the Fund, the investment manager has claimed an exclusion from the definition of "commodity pool operator" (CPO) under the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA) and the rules of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and, therefore, is not subject to CFTC registration or regulation as a CPO. In addition, with respect to the Fund, the investment manager is relying upon a related exclusion from the definition of "commodity trading advisor" (CTA) under the CEA and the rules of the CFTC.

The terms of the CPO exclusion require the Fund, among other things, to adhere to certain limits on its investments in commodity futures, commodity options and swaps, which in turn include non-deliverable currency forward contracts, as further described in the Fund's Statement of Additional Information (SAI). Because the investment manager and the Fund intend to comply with the terms of the CPO exclusion, the Fund may, in the future, need to adjust its investment strategies, consistent with its investment goal, to limit its investments in these types of instruments. The Fund is not intended as a vehicle for trading in the commodity futures, commodity options, or swaps markets. The CFTC has neither reviewed nor approved the investment manager's reliance on these exclusions, or the Fund, its investment strategies or this prospectus.

#### Temporary Investments
When the investment manager believes market or economic conditions are unfavorable for investors, the investment manager may invest up to 100% of the Fund's assets in a temporary defensive manner by holding all or a substantial

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portion of its assets in cash, cash equivalents or other high quality short-term investments. Temporary defensive investments generally may include short-term U.S. government securities, high grade commercial paper, bank obligations, repurchase agreements, money market fund shares (including shares of an affiliated money market fund), and other money market instruments. The investment manager also may invest in these types of securities or hold cash while looking for suitable investment opportunities or to maintain liquidity. In these circumstances, the Fund may be unable to achieve its investment goal.

Principal Risks

**Interest Rate:** Interest rate changes can be sudden and unpredictable, and are influenced by a number of factors, including government policy, monetary policy, inflation expectations, perceptions of risk, and supply of and demand for bonds. Changes in government or central bank policy, including changes in tax policy or changes in a central bank's implementation of specific policy goals, may have a substantial impact on interest rates. There can be no guarantee that any particular government or central bank policy will be continued, discontinued or changed, nor that any such policy will have the desired effect on interest rates. Debt securities generally tend to lose market value when interest rates rise and increase in value when interest rates fall. A rise in interest rates also has the potential to cause investors to rapidly sell fixed income securities. A substantial increase in interest rates may also have an adverse impact on the liquidity of a debt security, especially those with longer maturities or durations. Securities with longer maturities or durations or lower coupons or that make little (or no) interest payments before maturity tend to be more sensitive to interest rate changes.

**Credit:** The Fund could lose money on a debt security if the issuer or borrower is unable or fails to meet its obligations, including failing to make interest payments and/or to repay principal when due. Changes in an issuer's financial strength, the market's perception of the issuer's financial strength or an issuer's or security's credit rating, which reflects a third party's assessment of the credit risk presented by a particular issuer or security, may affect debt securities' values. The Fund may incur substantial losses on debt securities that are inaccurately perceived to present a different amount of credit risk by the market, the investment manager or the rating agencies than such securities actually do.

**Mortgage Securities and Asset-Backed Securities: Mortgage securities differ from conventional debt securities because principal is paid back over the life of the security rather than at maturity. The Fund may receive unscheduled prepayments of principal due to voluntary prepayments, refinancing or foreclosure on the underlying mortgage loans. To the Fund this means a loss of anticipated interest, and a portion of its principal investment represented by any premium the Fund may have paid. Mortgage prepayments generally increase when interest rates fall.** 

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Because of prepayments, mortgage securities may be less effective than some other types of debt securities as a means of "locking in" long-term interest rates and may have less potential for capital appreciation during periods of falling interest rates. When the Fund reinvests the prepayments of principal it receives, it may receive a rate of interest that is lower than the rate on the existing security.

Mortgage securities also are subject to extension risk. An unexpected rise in interest rates could reduce the rate of prepayments on mortgage securities and extend their life. This could cause the price of the mortgage securities and the Fund's share price to fall and would make the mortgage securities more sensitive to interest rate changes.

Since September 2008, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), an agency of the U.S. government, has acted as the conservator to operate Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac until they are stabilized. It is unclear how long the conservatorship will last or what effect this conservatorship will have on the securities issued or guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac for the long-term.

Although the mortgage-backed securities that are delivered in TBA transactions must meet certain standards, there is a risk that the actual securities received by the Fund may be less favorable than what was anticipated when entering into the transaction. TBA transactions also involve the risk that a counterparty will fail to deliver the security, exposing the Fund to losses. Whether or not the Fund takes delivery of the securities at the termination date of a TBA transaction, it will nonetheless be exposed to changes in the value of the underlying investments during the term of the agreement.

Issuers of asset-backed securities may have limited ability to enforce the security interest in the underlying assets, and credit enhancements provided to support the securities, if any, may be inadequate to protect investors in the event of default. Like mortgage securities, asset-backed securities are subject to prepayment and extension risks.

**Income:** The Fund's distributions to shareholders may decline when prevailing interest rates fall, when the Fund experiences defaults on debt securities it holds or when the Fund realizes a loss upon the sale of a debt security. The Fund's income generally declines during periods of falling benchmark interest rates because the Fund must reinvest the proceeds it receives from existing investments (upon their maturity, prepayment, amortization, sale, call, or buy-back) at a lower rate of interest or return.

**Market:** The market values of securities or other investments owned by the Fund will go up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably. The Fund's investments may decline in value due to factors affecting individual issuers (such as the results of supply and demand), or sectors within the securities markets. The value of a security or other investment also may go up or down due to general market

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conditions that are not specifically related to a particular issuer, such as real or perceived adverse economic conditions, changes in interest rates or exchange rates, or adverse investor sentiment generally. Furthermore, events involving limited liquidity, defaults, non-performance or other adverse developments that affect one industry, such as the financial services industry, or concerns or rumors about any events of these kinds, have in the past and may in the future lead to market-wide liquidity problems, may spread to other industries, and could negatively affect the value and liquidity of the Fund's investments. In addition, unexpected events and their aftermaths, such as the spread of diseases; natural, environmental or man-made disasters; financial, political or social disruptions; terrorism and war; and other tragedies or catastrophes, can cause investor fear and panic, which can adversely affect the economies of many companies, sectors, nations, regions and the market in general, in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen. During a general downturn in the securities markets, multiple asset classes may decline in value. When markets perform well, there can be no assurance that securities or other investments held by the Fund will participate in or otherwise benefit from the advance.

The long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and its subsequent variants on economies, markets, industries and individual issuers is not known. The U.S. government and the Federal Reserve, as well as certain foreign governments and central banks, took extraordinary actions to support local and global economies and the financial markets in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This and other government intervention into the economy and financial markets have resulted in a large expansion of government deficits and debt, the long-term consequences of which are not known.

The United States and various countries are currently involved in disputes over trade and other matters, which may result in tariffs, investment restrictions and other adverse impacts on affected companies and securities. Trade disputes may adversely affect the economies of the United States and its trading partners, as well as companies directly or indirectly affected and financial markets generally. For example, the United States has imposed tariffs and other trade barriers on Chinese exports, has restricted sales of certain categories of goods to China, and has established barriers to investments in China. The United States government has prohibited U.S. persons from investing in Chinese companies designated as related to the Chinese military. These and possible future restrictions could limit the Fund's opportunities for investment and require the sale of securities at a loss or make them illiquid. Moreover, the Chinese government is involved in a longstanding dispute with Taiwan that has included threats of invasion. If the political climate between the United States and China does not improve or continues to deteriorate, if China were to attempt unification of Taiwan by force, or if other geopolitical conflicts develop or get worse, economies, markets and

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individual securities may be severely affected both regionally and globally, and the value of the Fund's assets may go down.

**New Fund:** The Fund is newly or recently established and has no performance history as of the date of this Prospectus. There can be no assurance that the Fund will grow to or maintain an economically viable size, which could result in the Fund being liquidated at any time without shareholder approval and at a time that may not be favorable for all shareholders. If the Fund does not attract additional assets, the Fund's expenses will continue to be spread over a small asset base.

**Non-Diversification:** A "non-diversified" fund generally invests a greater portion of its assets in the securities of one or more issuers and invests overall in a smaller number of issuers than a diversified fund. The Fund may be more sensitive to a single economic, business, political, regulatory or other occurrence than a more diversified fund might be, which may negatively impact the Fund's performance and result in greater fluctuation in the value of the Fund's shares and a greater risk of loss.

**Variable Rate Securities:** Variable rate securities (which include floating rate debt securities) generally are less price sensitive to interest rate changes than fixed rate debt securities. However, the market value of variable rate debt securities may decline or not appreciate as quickly as expected when prevailing interest rates rise if the interest rates of the variable rate securities do not rise as much, or as quickly, as interest rates in general. Conversely, variable rate securities will not generally increase in market value if interest rates decline. When interest rates fall, there may be a reduction in the payments of interest received by the Fund from its variable rate securities.

**When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Transactions:** Mortgage-backed securities may be issued on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis, where payment and delivery take place at a future date. Because the market price of the security may fluctuate during the time before payment and delivery, the Fund assumes the risk that the value of the security at delivery may be more or less than the purchase price.

**Foreign Securities (non-U.S.):** Investing in foreign securities, including sovereign debt securities, typically involves more risks than investing in U.S. securities, including risks related to currency exchange rates and policies, country or government specific issues, less favorable trading practices or regulation and greater price volatility. Certain of these risks also may apply to securities of U.S. companies with significant foreign operations.

Currency exchange rates: Foreign securities may be issued and traded in foreign currencies. As a result, their market values in U.S. dollars may be affected by changes in exchange rates between such foreign currencies and the U.S. dollar, as well as between currencies of countries other than the U.S. For example, if the

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value of the U.S. dollar goes up compared to a foreign currency, an investment traded in that foreign currency will go down in value because it will be worth fewer U.S. dollars. The Fund accrues additional expenses when engaging in currency exchange transactions, and valuation of the Fund's foreign securities may be subject to greater risk because both the currency (relative to the U.S. dollar) and the security must be considered.

Political and economic developments: The political, economic and social policies or structures of some foreign countries may be less stable and more volatile than those in the United States. Investments in these countries may be subject to greater risks of internal and external conflicts, expropriation, nationalization of assets, foreign exchange controls (such as suspension of the ability to transfer currency from a given country), restrictions on removal of assets, political or social instability, military action or unrest, diplomatic developments, currency devaluations, foreign ownership limitations, and substantial, punitive or confiscatory tax increases. It is possible that a government may take over the assets or operations of a company or impose restrictions on the exchange or export of currency or other assets. Some countries also may have different legal systems that may make it difficult or expensive for the Fund to vote proxies, exercise shareholder rights, and pursue legal remedies with respect to its foreign investments. Diplomatic and political developments could affect the economies, industries, and securities and currency markets of the countries in which the Fund is invested. These developments include rapid and adverse political changes; social instability; regional conflicts; sanctions imposed by the United States, other nations or other governmental entities, including supranational entities; terrorism; and war. In addition, such developments could contribute to the devaluation of a country's currency, a downgrade in the credit ratings of issuers in such country, or a decline in the value and liquidity of securities of issuers in that country. An imposition of sanctions upon, or other government actions impacting, certain issuers in a country could result in (i) an immediate freeze of that issuer's securities, impairing the ability of the Fund to buy, sell, receive or deliver those securities or (ii) other limitations on the Fund's ability to invest or hold such securities. These factors would affect the value of the Fund's investments and are extremely difficult, if not impossible, to predict and take into account with respect to the Fund's investments.

Sovereign debt securities: Sovereign debt securities are subject to various risks in addition to those relating to debt securities and foreign securities generally, including, but not limited to, the risk that a governmental entity may be unwilling or unable to pay interest and repay principal on its sovereign debt, or otherwise meet its obligations when due because of cash flow problems, insufficient foreign reserves, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the government's policy towards principal international lenders such as the

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International Monetary Fund, or the political considerations to which the government may be subject. Sovereign debtors also may be dependent on expected disbursements from other foreign governments or multinational agencies and the country's access to, or balance of, trade. If a sovereign debtor defaults (or threatens to default) on its sovereign debt obligations, the indebtedness may be restructured. Restructuring may include obtaining additional credit to finance outstanding obligations, reduction and rescheduling of payments of interest and principal, or negotiation of new or amended credit and security agreements. Unlike most corporate debt restructurings, the fees and expenses of financial and legal advisers to the creditors in connection with a restructuring may be borne by the holders of the sovereign debt securities instead of the sovereign entity itself. Some sovereign debtors have in the past been able to restructure their debt payments without the approval of some or all debt holders or to declare moratoria on payments, and similar occurrences may happen in the future.

In the event of a default on sovereign debt, the Fund may have limited legal recourse against the defaulting government entity. As a sovereign entity, the issuing government may be immune from lawsuits in the event of its failure or refusal to pay the obligations when due, and any rights the Fund may have may be restricted pursuant to the terms of applicable treaties with such sovereign entity. If a sovereign entity defaults, it may request additional time in which to pay or for further loans. There may be no legal process for collecting principal or interest payments on sovereign debt that a government does not pay or such legal process may be relatively more expensive, nor are there bankruptcy proceedings by which the Fund may collect in whole or in part on debt issued by a sovereign entity. In certain cases, remedies must be pursued in the courts located in the country of the defaulting sovereign entity itself, which may further limit the Fund's ability to obtain recourse.

Trading practices: Brokerage commissions, withholding taxes, custodial fees, and other fees generally are higher in foreign markets. The policies and procedures followed by foreign stock exchanges, currency markets, trading systems and brokers may differ from those applicable in the United States, with possibly negative consequences to the Fund. The procedures and rules governing foreign trading, settlement and custody (holding of the Fund's assets) also may result in losses or delays in payment, delivery or recovery of money or other property. Foreign government supervision and regulation of foreign securities and currency markets and trading systems may be less than or different from government supervision in the United States, and may increase the Fund's regulatory and compliance burden and/or decrease the Fund's investor rights and protections.

Availability of information: Foreign issuers may not be subject to the same disclosure, accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and practices as U.S. issuers. Thus, there may be less information publicly available about foreign

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issuers than about most U.S. issuers. In addition, information provided by foreign issuers may be less timely or less reliable than information provided by U.S. issuers.

Limited markets: Certain foreign securities may be less liquid (harder to sell) and their prices may be more volatile than many U.S. securities. Illiquidity tends to be greater, and valuation of the Fund's foreign securities may be more difficult, due to the infrequent trading and/or delayed reporting of quotes and sales.

Regional: Adverse conditions in a certain region or country can adversely affect securities of issuers in other countries whose economies appear to be unrelated. To the extent that the Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in a specific geographic region or a particular country, the Fund will generally have more exposure to the risks affecting that specific geographic region or country. In the event of economic or political turmoil or a deterioration of diplomatic relations in a region or country where a substantial portion of the Fund's assets are invested, the Fund may experience substantial illiquidity or reduction in the value of the Fund's investments.

Emerging market countries: The Fund's investments in emerging market countries are subject to all of the risks of foreign investing generally, and have additional heightened risks due to a lack of established legal, political, business and social frameworks to support securities markets. Some of the additional significant risks include:

· less social, political and economic stability;

· a higher possibility of the devaluation of a country's currency, a downgrade in the credit ratings of issuers in such country, or a decline in the value and liquidity of securities of issuers in that country if the United States, other nations or other governmental entities (including supranational entities) impose sanctions on issuers that limit or restrict foreign investment, the movement of assets or other economic activity in the country due to political, military or regional conflicts or due to terrorism or war;

· smaller securities markets with low or non-existent trading volume and greater illiquidity and price volatility;

· more restrictive national policies on foreign investment, including restrictions on investment in issuers or industries deemed sensitive to national interests;

· less transparent and established taxation policies;

· less developed regulatory or legal structures governing private and foreign investment or allowing for judicial redress for injury to private property, such as bankruptcy;

· less familiarity with a capital market structure or market-oriented economy and more widespread corruption and fraud;

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· less financial sophistication, creditworthiness and/or resources possessed by, and less government regulation of, the financial institutions and issuers with which the Fund transacts;

· less government supervision and regulation of business and industry practices, stock exchanges, brokers and listed companies than in the U.S.;

· greater concentration in a few industries resulting in greater vulnerability to regional and global trade conditions;

· higher rates of inflation and more rapid and extreme fluctuations in inflation rates;

· greater sensitivity to interest rate changes (for example, a higher interest rate environment can make it more difficult for emerging market governments to service their existing debt);

· increased volatility in currency exchange rates and potential for currency devaluations and/or currency controls;

· greater debt burdens relative to the size of the economy;

· more delays in settling portfolio transactions and heightened risk of loss from share registration and custody practices; and

· less assurance that when favorable economic developments occur, they will not be slowed or reversed by unanticipated economic, political or social events in such countries.

Because of the above factors, the Fund's investments in emerging market countries may be subject to greater price volatility and illiquidity than investments in developed markets.

**Derivative Instruments:** The performance of derivative instruments depends largely on the performance of an underlying instrument, such as a currency, security, interest rate or index, and such instruments often have risks similar to the underlying instrument, in addition to other risks. Derivative instruments involve costs and can create economic leverage in the Fund's portfolio, which may result in significant volatility and cause the Fund to participate in losses (as well as gains) in an amount that significantly exceeds the Fund's initial investment. Other risks include illiquidity, mispricing or improper valuation of the derivative instrument, and imperfect correlation between the value of the derivative and the underlying instrument so that the Fund may not realize the intended benefits. Their successful use will usually depend on the investment manager's ability to accurately forecast movements in the market relating to the underlying instrument. Should a market or markets, or prices of particular classes of investments move in an unexpected manner, especially in unusual or extreme market conditions, the Fund may not realize the anticipated benefits of the transaction, and it may realize losses, which could be significant. If the investment manager is not successful in using such

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derivative instruments, the Fund's performance may be worse than if the investment manager did not use such derivative instruments at all. When a derivative is used for hedging, the change in value of the derivative instrument also may not correlate specifically with the currency, security, interest rate or index, or other risk being hedged. There is also the risk, especially under extreme market conditions, that an instrument, which usually would operate as a hedge, provides no hedging benefits at all.

Use of these instruments could also result in a loss if the counterparty to the transaction does not perform as promised, including because of such counterparty's bankruptcy or insolvency. This risk is heightened with respect to over-the-counter (OTC) instruments, such as certain swap agreements, and may be greater during volatile market conditions. Other risks include the inability to close out a position because the trading market becomes illiquid (particularly in the OTC markets) or the availability of counterparties becomes limited for a period of time. In addition, the presence of speculators in a particular market could lead to price distortions. To the extent that the Fund is unable to close out a position because of market illiquidity, the Fund may not be able to prevent further losses of value in its derivatives holdings. Some derivatives can be particularly sensitive to changes in interest rates or other market prices. Investors should bear in mind that, while the Fund intends to use derivative strategies on a regular basis, it is not obligated to actively engage in these transactions, generally or in any particular kind of derivative, if the investment manager elects not to do so due to availability, cost or other factors.

Many swaps currently are, and others eventually are expected to be, required to be cleared through a central counterparty. Central clearing is designed to reduce counterparty credit risk and increase liquidity compared to OTC swaps, but it does not eliminate those risks completely. With cleared swaps, there is also a risk of loss by the Fund of its initial and variation margin deposits in the event of bankruptcy of the futures commission merchant (FCM) with which the Fund has an open position, or the central counterparty in a swap contract. With cleared swaps, the Fund may not be able to obtain as favorable terms as it would be able to negotiate for a bilateral, uncleared swap. In addition, an FCM may unilaterally amend the terms of its agreement with the Fund, which may include the imposition of position limits or additional margin requirements with respect to the Fund's investment in certain types of swaps. The regulation of cleared and uncleared swaps, as well as other derivatives, is a rapidly changing area of law and is subject to modification by government and judicial action. In addition, the SEC, Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and the exchanges are authorized to take extraordinary actions in the event of a market emergency. It is not possible to predict fully the effects of current or future regulation.

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The use of derivative strategies may also have a tax impact on the Fund. The timing and character of income, gains or losses from these strategies could impair the ability of the investment manager to use derivatives when it wishes to do so.

**Unrated Debt Securities:** Unrated debt securities determined by the investment manager to be of comparable credit quality to rated securities which the Fund may purchase may pay a higher interest rate than such rated debt securities and be subject to a greater risk of illiquidity or price changes. Less public information and independent credit analysis are typically available about unrated securities or issuers, and therefore they may be subject to greater risk of default.

**Mortgage Dollar Rolls:** In a mortgage dollar roll, the Fund takes the risk that the market price of the mortgage-backed securities will drop below their future purchase price. The Fund also takes the risk that the mortgage-backed securities that it repurchases at a later date will have less favorable market characteristics than the securities originally sold (e.g., greater prepayment risk). When the Fund uses a mortgage dollar roll, it is also subject to the risk that the other party to the agreement will not be able to perform. Mortgage dollar rolls add leverage to the Fund's portfolio and increase the Fund's sensitivity to interest rate changes. In addition, investment in mortgage dollar rolls will increase the Fund's portfolio turnover rate.

**U.S. Government Securities:** Not all obligations of the U.S. Government, its agencies and instrumentalities are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. Some obligations are backed only by the credit of the issuing agency or instrumentality, and in some cases there may be some risk of default by the issuer. Government agency or instrumentality issues have different levels of credit support. **U.S. government-sponsored entities ("GSEs"), such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, may be chartered by Acts of Congress, but their securities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the U.S. government. Although the U.S. government has provided financial support to Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and certain other GSEs in the past, no assurance can be given that the U.S. government will continue to do so.** Accordingly, securities issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac may involve a risk of non-payment of principal and interest. Investors should remember that guarantees of timely repayment of principal and interest do not apply to the market prices and yields of the securities or to the net asset value or performance of the Fund, which will vary with changes in interest rates and other market conditions.

**Collateralized Debt Obligations (CDOs):** The risks of an investment in a CDO, which include collateralized loan obligations (CLOs), depend largely on the type of collateral held by the special purpose entity (SPE) and the tranche of the CDO in which the Fund invests. Investment risk may also be affected by the performance of a CDO's collateral manager (the entity responsible for selecting and managing the pool of collateral securities held by the SPE trust), especially during a period of

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market volatility. CDOs may be deemed to be illiquid and subject to the Fund's restrictions on investments in illiquid investments. The Fund's investment in CDOs will not receive the same investor protection as an investment in registered securities.

In addition, prices of CDO tranches can decline considerably. In addition to the normal risks associated with debt securities and asset backed securities (e.g., interest rate risk, credit risk and default risk), CDOs carry additional risks including, but not limited to: (i) the possibility that distributions from collateral securities will not be adequate to make interest or other payments; (ii) the quality of the collateral may decline in value or quality or go into default or be downgraded; (iii) the Fund may invest in tranches of a CDO that are subordinate to other classes; and (iv) the complex structure of the security may not be fully understood at the time of investment and may produce disputes with the issuer, difficulty in valuing the security or unexpected investment results. These risks are amplified in tranches of CDOs that are subordinate to other tranches.

**Municipal Securities:** Municipal issuers may be adversely affected by rising health care costs, increasing unfunded pension liabilities, and by the phasing out of federal programs providing financial support. Unfavorable conditions and developments relating to projects financed with municipal securities can result in lower revenues to issuers of municipal securities, potentially resulting in defaults. The value of municipal securities can also be adversely affected by changes in the financial condition of one or more individual municipal issuers or insurers of municipal issuers, regulatory and political developments, tax law changes or other legislative actions, and by uncertainties and public perceptions concerning these and other factors. In the past, a number of municipal issuers defaulted on obligations, were downgraded or commenced insolvency proceedings. Financial difficulties of municipal issuers may experience a resurgence, particularly in the event of economic or market turmoil or a recession.

**Prepayment:** Debt securities are subject to prepayment risk when the issuer can "call" the security, or repay principal, in whole or in part, prior to the security's maturity. When the Fund reinvests the prepayments of principal it receives, it may receive a rate of interest that is lower than the rate on the existing security, potentially lowering the Fund's income, yield and its distributions to shareholders. Securities subject to partial or complete prepayment(s) may offer less potential for gains during a declining interest rate environment and have greater price volatility. Prepayment risk is greater in periods of falling interest rates for fixed-rate investments, and for floating or variable rate securities, rising interest rates generally increase the risk of refinancings or prepayments.

**Extension:** The market value of some fixed rate debt securities (such as certain asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities) will be adversely affected when bond calls or prepayments on underlying mortgages or other assets are less or

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slower than anticipated, particularly when interest rates rise. When that occurs, the effective maturity date of the Fund's investment may be extended, resulting in an increase in interest rate sensitivity to that of a longer-term instrument. Such extension may also effectively lock-in a below market interest rate and reduce the value of the debt security.

**Liquidity:** Liquidity risk exists when the markets for particular securities or types of securities or other investments are or become relatively illiquid so that the Fund is unable, or it becomes more difficult for the Fund, to sell the security or other investment at the price at which the Fund has valued the security. Illiquidity may result from political, economic or issuer specific events; supply/demand imbalances; changes in a specific market's size or structure, including the number of participants; or overall market disruptions. Securities or other investments with reduced liquidity or that become illiquid may involve greater risk than securities with more liquid markets. Market prices or quotations for illiquid securities may be volatile, and there may be large spreads between bid and ask prices. Reduced liquidity may have an adverse impact on market price and the Fund's ability to sell particular securities when necessary to meet the Fund's liquidity needs, which may arise or increase in response to a specific economic event or because the investment manager wishes to purchase particular investments or believes that a higher level of liquidity would be advantageous. An investment may become illiquid if the Fund and its affiliates receive material non-public information about the issuer or the investment. To the extent that the Fund and its affiliates hold a significant portion of an issuer's outstanding securities, the Fund may be subject to greater liquidity risk than if the issuer's securities were more widely held.

**Management:** The Fund is actively managed and could experience losses (realized and unrealized) if the investment manager's judgment about markets, interest rates or the attractiveness, relative values, liquidity, or potential appreciation of particular investments made for the Fund's portfolio prove to be incorrect. The Fund could also experience losses if there are imperfections, errors or limitations in the models, tools, and data used by the investment manager or if the investment manager's techniques or investment decisions do not produce the desired results. Additionally, legislative, regulatory, or tax developments may affect the investment techniques available to the investment manager in connection with managing the Fund and may also adversely affect the ability of the Fund to achieve its investment goal.

**Cybersecurity:** Cybersecurity incidents, both intentional and unintentional, may allow an unauthorized party to gain access to Fund assets, Fund or customer data (including private shareholder information), or proprietary information, cause the Fund, the investment manager, and/or their service providers (including, but not limited to, Fund accountants, custodians, sub-custodians, transfer agents and financial intermediaries) to suffer data breaches, data corruption or loss of

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operational functionality or prevent Fund investors from purchasing, redeeming or exchanging shares or receiving distributions. The investment manager has limited ability to prevent or mitigate cybersecurity incidents affecting third party service providers, and such third party service providers may have limited indemnification obligations to the Fund or the investment manager. Cybersecurity incidents may result in financial losses to the Fund and its shareholders, and substantial costs may be incurred in an effort to prevent or mitigate future cybersecurity incidents. Issuers of securities in which the Fund invests are also subject to cybersecurity risks, and the value of these securities could decline if the issuers experience cybersecurity incidents.

Because technology is frequently changing, new ways to carry out cyber attacks are always developing. Therefore, there is a chance that some risks have not been identified or prepared for, or that an attack may not be detected, which puts limitations on the Fund's ability to plan for or respond to a cyber attack. Like other funds and business enterprises, the Fund, the investment manager, and their service providers are subject to the risk of cyber incidents occurring from time to time.

More detailed information about the Fund and its policies and risks can be found in the Fund's Statement of Additional Information (SAI).

A description of the Fund's policies and procedures regarding the release of portfolio holdings information is also available in the Fund's SAI. Portfolio holdings information can be viewed online at www.franklintempleton.com.

Management

Franklin Advisers, Inc. (Advisers or investment manager), One Franklin Parkway, San Mateo, CA 94403-1906, is the Fund's investment manager. Advisers is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Franklin Resources, Inc. (Resources). Together, Advisers and its affiliates manage, as of April 30, 2025, approximately $1.53 trillion in assets, and have been in the investment management business since 1947.

The Fund is managed by a team of dedicated professionals focused on investments in debt securities. The portfolio managers of the team are as follows:

**Albert Chan, CFA Portfolio Manager of Advisers**

Mr. Chan has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since inception (June 2025). He joined Franklin Templeton in 2024. Prior to joining Franklin Templeton, Mr. Chan was a portfolio manager for Putnam Investment Management, LLC ("Putnam Management"). He joined Putnam Management in 2002.

**Tina Chou Portfolio Manager of Advisers** 

Ms. Chou has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since inception (June 2025). She joined Franklin Templeton in 2004.

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**Jacob K. Chu Portfolio Manager of Advisers** 

Mr. Chu has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since inception (June 2025). He joined Franklin Templeton in 2001.

**Patrick Klein, Ph.D. Senior Vice President of Advisers** 

Dr. Klein has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since inception (June 2025). He joined Franklin Templeton in 2005.

**Thomas Runkel, CFA Vice President of Advisers** 

Mr. Runkel has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since inception (June 2025). He first joined Franklin Templeton in 1983 and rejoined again in 2006.

The portfolio managers of the Fund are jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund's portfolio. They have equal authority over all aspects of the Fund's investment portfolio, including, but not limited to, purchases and sales of individual securities, portfolio risk assessment, and the management of daily cash balances in accordance with anticipated investment management requirements. The degree to which each portfolio manager may perform these functions, and the nature of these functions, may change from time to time.

CFA<sup>®</sup> and Chartered Financial Analyst<sup>®</sup> are trademarks owned by CFA Institute.

The Fund's SAI provides additional information about portfolio manager compensation, other accounts that they manage and their ownership of Fund shares.

The Fund does not pay Advisers a fee for managing the Fund's assets, although investors in the Fund will pay a fee to their separately managed account program sponsor. Advisers and its affiliates receive compensation from separately managed account clients or program sponsors in connection with their management of client accounts and participation in investment programs through which shares of the Fund are made available.

Advisers has agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse operating expenses (excluding certain non-routine expenses or costs, such as those relating to litigation, indemnification, reorganizations and liquidations) for the Fund so that the ratio of total annual fund operating expenses will not exceed 0.00% until April 30, 2027. During the term, the fee waiver and expense reimbursement agreement may not be terminated or amended without approval of the board of trustees except to add series or classes, to reflect the extension of the termination date or to lower the waiver and expense limitation.

A discussion regarding the basis for the board of trustees' approval of the Fund's investment management agreement will be available in the Fund's first report on Form N-CSR.

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#### Manager of Managers Structure
The investment manager and the Trust have received an exemptive order from the SEC that allows the Fund to operate in a "manager of managers" structure whereby the investment manager can appoint and replace both wholly-owned and unaffiliated sub-advisors, and enter into, amend and terminate sub-advisory agreements with such sub-advisors, each subject to board approval but without obtaining prior shareholder approval (Manager of Managers Structure). The Fund will, however, inform shareholders of the hiring of any new sub-advisor within 90 days after the hiring. The SEC exemptive order provides the Fund with greater flexibility and efficiency and alleviates the need for the Fund to incur the expense and delays associated with obtaining shareholder approval of such sub-advisory agreements.

The use of the Manager of Managers Structure with respect to the Fund is subject to certain conditions that are set forth in the SEC exemptive order. Under the Manager of Managers Structure, the investment manager has the ultimate responsibility, subject to oversight by the Fund's board of trustees, to oversee sub-advisors and recommend their hiring, termination and replacement. The investment manager will also, subject to the review and approval of the Fund's board of trustees: set the Fund's overall investment strategy; evaluate, select and recommend sub-advisors to manage all or a portion of the Fund's assets; and implement procedures reasonably designed to ensure that each sub-advisor complies with the Fund's investment goal, policies and restrictions. Subject to review by the Fund's board of trustees, the investment manager will allocate and, when appropriate, reallocate the Fund's assets among sub-advisors and monitor and evaluate the sub-advisors' performance.

Financial Highlights

As the Fund has not commenced investment operations as of the date of this Prospectus, no financial information is available. The Prospectus will include financial information for the Fund once the Fund has issued its first annual report to shareholders that contains audited financial statements.

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### Franklin Templeton SMACS: Series CP
Investment Goal

The Fund's investment goal is to seek to provide high current income. Capital appreciation over the long term is a secondary goal. The Fund's investment goals are non-fundamental and therefore may be changed by the Trust's board of trustees without shareholder approval. Shareholders will be given at least 60 days' advance notice of any change to the Fund's investment goals.

Principal Investment Policies and Practices

Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest predominantly in debt securities, which may be represented by derivative investments, such as futures and swap agreements, that provide exposure to debt securities. Debt securities include all varieties of fixed, floating and variable rate instruments including secured and unsecured bonds, mortgage-backed securities (MBS) (including residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) and commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS)) and other asset-backed securities, senior, bank and corporate floating rate and term loans (and loan participations), collateralized loan obligations (CLOs), corporate high yield bonds, sovereign debt, including emerging-markets sovereign debt, U.S. and agency securities, debentures, zero coupon bonds, notes, and short-term debt instruments.

The Fund seeks income by selecting investments such as corporate, agency, securitized, and sovereign bonds that the investment manager believes have potential to provide consistent income. The Fund maintains the flexibility to invest in securities from a variety of sectors, but from time to time, based on economic conditions, the Fund may have significant investments in particular sectors. The Fund may invest in foreign securities, including emerging markets.

The Fund may invest in debt securities of any maturity or duration.

The Fund may invest its assets in below investment grade securities without limit to potentially increase returns. The below-investment grade debt securities in which the Fund invests are generally rated at least Caa by Moody's Investors Service (Moody's) or CCC by S&P Global Ratings (S&P) or are unrated securities the Fund's investment manager determines are of comparable quality.

The Fund is a "non-diversified" fund, which means it generally invests a greater proportion of its assets in the securities of one or more issuers and invests overall in a smaller number of issuers than a diversified fund.

The Fund may invest in many different securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or by non-U.S. governments, or their respective agencies or instrumentalities, including mortgage-backed securities. Mortgage-backed

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securities represent an interest in a pool of mortgage loans made by banks and other financial institutions to finance purchases of homes, commercial buildings and other real estate. The individual mortgage loans are packaged or "pooled" together for sale to investors. As the underlying mortgage loans are paid off, investors receive principal and interest payments. These securities may be fixed-rate or adjustable-rate mortgage-backed securities (ARMS). The Fund may purchase or sell mortgage-backed securities on a delayed delivery or forward commitment basis through the "to-be-announced" (TBA) market. With TBA transactions, the particular securities to be delivered must meet specified terms and standards. The Fund also may invest in other types of mortgage securities including, but not limited to, certain ARMS, commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS), non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS), and collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs), as well as in other mortgage-related asset-backed securities.

The Fund may invest in mortgage dollar rolls. In a mortgage dollar roll, the Fund sells (or buys) mortgage securities for delivery on a specified date and simultaneously contracts to repurchase (or sell) substantially similar (same type, coupon, and maturity) securities on a future date. During the period between the sale and repurchase, the Fund forgoes principal and interest paid on the mortgage-backed securities. The Fund earns money on a mortgage dollar roll from any difference between the sale price and the future purchase price, as well as the interest earned on the cash proceeds of the initial sale.

The Fund may invest in collateralized debt obligations (CDOs), which are generally types of asset-backed securities. Collateralized bond obligations (CBOs) and collateralized loan obligations (CLOs) are generally considered two types of CDOs. CBOs represent interests in a special purpose, bankruptcy-remote vehicle, typically a trust, collateralized by a pool of fixed income securities, some of which may be below investment grade, including commercial mortgage-backed securities, residential mortgage-backed securities, corporate bonds and emerging market debt securities. CLOs are similar to CBOs except that the underlying pool for a CLO is generally comprised of corporate and/or sovereign loans, which may include, among others, senior secured loans, senior unsecured loans, and subordinate corporate loans made to domestic and foreign borrowers, including loans that may be rated below investment grade or equivalent unrated loans. For the broader category of CDOs, the pool of debt instruments held by a trust may include debt instruments of any type, including mortgage-backed or other asset-backed securities issued in securitization transactions. In all types of CDOs, the interests in the trust are split into two or more portions, called tranches, varying in risk, maturity, payment priority and yield. The riskiest portion is the "equity" tranche, which is the first loss position to observe defaults from the collateral in the trust. Because they are partially protected from defaults, senior tranches of a CDO trust

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typically have higher ratings and lower yields than the underlying collateral securities held by the trust and can be rated investment grade. The Fund may invest in any tranche of a CDO excluding the "equity" tranche.

For purposes of pursuing its investment goals, the Fund regularly enters into various currency-related transactions involving derivative instruments, including currency and cross currency forwards, currency swaps, currency and currency index futures contracts and currency options. The Fund regularly enters into interest rate and credit-related transactions involving derivative instruments, including U.S. Treasury futures, interest rate, fixed income total return and credit default swaps (including credit default index swaps), and options on interest rate and credit default swaps, and interest rate and/ or bond futures contracts and options on interest rate futures. The use of these derivative transactions may allow the Fund to obtain net long or net short exposures to selected currencies, interest rates, countries, durations or credit risks. These derivative instruments may also be used for hedging purposes, to enhance Fund returns or to obtain exposure to various market sectors.

A currency forward contract is an obligation to purchase or sell a specific foreign currency at an agreed exchange rate (price) at a future date, which is typically individually negotiated and privately traded by currency traders and their customers in the interbank market. A futures contract is a standard binding agreement to buy or sell a specified quantity of an underlying instrument or asset, such as a specific currency, at a specified price at a specified later date that trade on an exchange.

A futures contract is a standard binding agreement that trades on an exchange to buy or sell a specified quantity of an underlying instrument or asset at a specified price at a specified later date. A "sale" of a futures contract means the acquisition of a contractual obligation to deliver the underlying instrument called for by the contract at a specified price on a specified date. A "purchase" of a futures contract means the acquisition of a contractual obligation to acquire a specified quantity of the underlying instrument called for by the contract at a specified price on a specified date. The purchase or sale of a futures contract will allow the Fund to increase or decrease its exposure to the underlying instrument or asset. Although most futures contracts used by the Fund allow for a cash payment of the net gain or loss on the contract at maturity in lieu of delivery of the underlying instruments, some require the actual delivery or acquisition of the underlying instrument or asset. The Fund may buy and sell futures contracts that trade on U.S. and foreign exchanges.

Swap agreements, such as interest rate, fixed income total return, currency and credit default swaps, are contracts between the Fund and another party (the swap counterparty) involving the exchange of payments on specified terms over periods ranging from a few days to multiple years. A swap agreement may be negotiated bilaterally and traded over-the-counter (OTC) between the two parties (for an

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uncleared swap) or, in some instances, must be transacted through a futures commission merchant (FCM) and cleared through a clearinghouse that serves as a central counterparty (for a cleared swap). In a basic swap transaction, the Fund agrees with the swap counterparty to exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of return) and/or cash flows earned or realized on a particular "notional amount" of underlying instruments. The notional amount is the set amount selected by the parties as the basis on which to calculate the obligations that they have agreed to exchange. The parties typically do not actually exchange the notional amount. Instead, they agree to exchange the returns that would be earned or realized if the notional amount were invested in given instruments or at given interest rates.

For credit default swaps, the "buyer" of the credit default swap agreement is obligated to pay the "seller" a periodic stream of payments over the term of the agreement in return for a payment by the seller that is contingent upon the occurrence of a credit event with respect to an underlying reference debt obligation (whether as a single debt instrument or as part of an index of debt instruments). The buyer of the credit default swap is purchasing the obligation of its counterparty to offset losses the buyer could experience if there was such a credit event. Generally, a credit event means bankruptcy, failure to timely pay interest or principal, obligation acceleration or default, or repudiation or restructuring of the reference debt obligation. The contingent payment by the seller generally is either the face amount of the reference debt obligation in exchange for the physical delivery of the reference debt obligation or a cash payment equal to the decrease in market value of the reference debt obligation following the occurrence of the credit event.

Credit default index (CDX) swaps are essentially credit default swaps, but instead of hedging risk on a single company's debt, they hedge risk on a basket of entities. The CDX is an index that tracks and measures total returns for the various segments of the bond issuer market. CDX swaps are standardized and exchange-traded, unlike credit default swaps.

A currency swap is generally a contract between two parties to exchange one currency for another currency at the start of the contract and then exchange periodic floating or fixed rates during the term of the contract based upon the relative value differential between the two currencies. Unlike other types of swaps, currency swaps typically involve the delivery of the entire principal (notional) amounts of the two currencies at the time the swap is entered into. At the end of the swap contract, the parties receive back the principal amounts of the two currencies.

An interest rate swap is an agreement between two parties to exchange interest rate payment obligations. Typically, one rate is based on an interest rate fixed to maturity while the other is based on an interest rate that changes in accordance

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with changes in a designated benchmark (for example, prime, commercial paper, or other benchmarks).

A total return swap is an agreement between two parties, pursuant to which one pays (and the other receives) an amount equal to the total return (including, typically, income and capital gains distributions, principal prepayment or credit losses) of an underlying reference asset (e.g., a note, bond or securities index) in exchange for a regular payment, at a floating rate (generally indexed to a benchmark), or alternatively at a fixed rate or the total rate of return on another financial instrument. The Fund may take either position in a total return swap (i.e., the Fund may receive or pay the total return on the underlying reference asset).

The Fund's investment manager is a research-driven, fundamental investor that relies on a team of analysts to provide in-depth industry expertise and uses both qualitative and quantitative analysis to evaluate issuers. The Fund uses an active asset allocation strategy to try to achieve its investment goals. This means the Fund actively purchases and sells securities and other investments in various market sectors based on the investment manager's ongoing assessment of changing economic, global market, industry, and issuer conditions. The Fund may seek to quickly and efficiently shift its exposure among various types of debt securities, including through derivative instruments and at any given time may have substantial amount of exposure to any type of debt or other income-producing investment. The investment manager uses a "top-down" analysis of macroeconomic trends combined with a "bottom-up" fundamental analysis of market sectors, industries, and issuers to try to take advantage of varying sector reactions to economic events. The investment manager may utilize quantitative models to identify investment opportunities as part of the portfolio construction process for the Fund. Quantitative models are proprietary systems that rely on mathematical computations to identify investment opportunities.

#### Exclusion of Investment Manager from Commodity Pool Operator Definition
With respect to the Fund, the investment manager has claimed an exclusion from the definition of "commodity pool operator" (CPO) under the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA) and the rules of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and, therefore, is not subject to CFTC registration or regulation as a CPO. In addition, with respect to the Fund, the investment manager is relying upon a related exclusion from the definition of "commodity trading advisor" (CTA) under the CEA and the rules of the CFTC.

The terms of the CPO exclusion require the Fund, among other things, to adhere to certain limits on its investments in commodity futures, commodity options and swaps, which in turn include non-deliverable currency forward contracts, as further described in the Fund's Statement of Additional Information (SAI). Because the

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investment manager and the Fund intend to comply with the terms of the CPO exclusion, the Fund may, in the future, need to adjust its investment strategies, consistent with its investment goal, to limit its investments in these types of instruments. The Fund is not intended as a vehicle for trading in the commodity futures, commodity options, or swaps markets. The CFTC has neither reviewed nor approved the investment manager's reliance on these exclusions, or the Fund, its investment strategies or this prospectus.

#### Temporary Investments
When the investment manager believes market or economic conditions are unfavorable for investors, the investment manager may invest up to 100% of the Fund's assets in a temporary defensive manner by holding all or a substantial portion of its assets in cash, cash equivalents or other high quality short-term investments. Temporary defensive investments generally may include short-term U.S. government securities, high grade commercial paper, bank obligations, repurchase agreements, money market fund shares (including shares of an affiliated money market fund), and other money market instruments. The investment manager also may invest in these types of securities or hold cash while looking for suitable investment opportunities or to maintain liquidity. In these circumstances, the Fund may be unable to achieve its investment goal.

Principal Risks

**Interest Rate:** Interest rate changes can be sudden and unpredictable, and are influenced by a number of factors, including government policy, monetary policy, inflation expectations, perceptions of risk, and supply of and demand for bonds. Changes in government or central bank policy, including changes in tax policy or changes in a central bank's implementation of specific policy goals, may have a substantial impact on interest rates. There can be no guarantee that any particular government or central bank policy will be continued, discontinued or changed, nor that any such policy will have the desired effect on interest rates. Debt securities generally tend to lose market value when interest rates rise and increase in value when interest rates fall. A rise in interest rates also has the potential to cause investors to rapidly sell fixed income securities. A substantial increase in interest rates may also have an adverse impact on the liquidity of a debt security, especially those with longer maturities or durations. Securities with longer maturities or durations or lower coupons or that make little (or no) interest payments before maturity tend to be more sensitive to interest rate changes.

**Credit:** The Fund could lose money on a debt security if the issuer or borrower is unable or fails to meet its obligations, including failing to make interest payments and/or to repay principal when due. Changes in an issuer's financial strength, the market's perception of the issuer's financial strength or an issuer's or security's credit rating, which reflects a third party's assessment of the credit risk presented

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by a particular issuer or security, may affect debt securities' values. The Fund may incur substantial losses on debt securities that are inaccurately perceived to present a different amount of credit risk by the market, the investment manager or the rating agencies than such securities actually do.

**Mortgage Securities and Asset-Backed Securities: Mortgage securities differ from conventional debt securities because principal is paid back over the life of the security rather than at maturity. The Fund may receive unscheduled prepayments of principal due to voluntary prepayments, refinancing or foreclosure on the underlying mortgage loans. To the Fund this means a loss of anticipated interest, and a portion of its principal investment represented by any premium the Fund may have paid. Mortgage prepayments generally increase when interest rates fall. Because of prepayments, mortgage securities may be less effective than some other types of debt securities as a means of "locking in" long-term interest rates and may have less potential for capital appreciation during periods of falling interest rates. When the Fund reinvests the prepayments of principal it receives, it may receive a rate of interest that is lower than the rate on the existing security.**

Mortgage securities also are subject to extension risk. An unexpected rise in interest rates could reduce the rate of prepayments on mortgage securities and extend their life. This could cause the price of the mortgage securities and the Fund's share price to fall and would make the mortgage securities more sensitive to interest rate changes. Certain commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) are issued in several classes with different levels of yield and credit protection. The Fund's investments in CMBS with several classes may be in the lower classes that have greater risks than the higher classes, including greater interest rate, credit and prepayment risks.

Since September 2008, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), an agency of the U.S. government, has acted as the conservator to operate Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac until they are stabilized. It is unclear how long the conservatorship will last or what effect this conservatorship will have on the securities issued or guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac for the long-term.

Although the mortgage-backed securities that are delivered in TBA transactions must meet certain standards, there is a risk that the actual securities received by the Fund may be less favorable than what was anticipated when entering into the transaction. TBA transactions also involve the risk that a counterparty will fail to deliver the security, exposing the Fund to losses. Whether or not the Fund takes delivery of the securities at the termination date of a TBA transaction, it will nonetheless be exposed to changes in the value of the underlying investments during the term of the agreement.

Issuers of asset-backed securities may have limited ability to enforce the security interest in the underlying assets, and credit enhancements provided to support the

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securities, if any, may be inadequate to protect investors in the event of default. Like mortgage securities, asset-backed securities are subject to prepayment and extension risks.

**Income:** The Fund's distributions to shareholders may decline when prevailing interest rates fall, when the Fund experiences defaults on debt securities it holds or when the Fund realizes a loss upon the sale of a debt security. The Fund's income generally declines during periods of falling benchmark interest rates because the Fund must reinvest the proceeds it receives from existing investments (upon their maturity, prepayment, amortization, sale, call, or buy-back) at a lower rate of interest or return.

**Market:** The market values of securities or other investments owned by the Fund will go up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably. The Fund's investments may decline in value due to factors affecting individual issuers (such as the results of supply and demand), or sectors within the securities markets. The value of a security or other investment also may go up or down due to general market conditions that are not specifically related to a particular issuer, such as real or perceived adverse economic conditions, changes in interest rates or exchange rates, or adverse investor sentiment generally. Furthermore, events involving limited liquidity, defaults, non-performance or other adverse developments that affect one industry, such as the financial services industry, or concerns or rumors about any events of these kinds, have in the past and may in the future lead to market-wide liquidity problems, may spread to other industries, and could negatively affect the value and liquidity of the Fund's investments. In addition, unexpected events and their aftermaths, such as the spread of diseases; natural, environmental or man-made disasters; financial, political or social disruptions; terrorism and war; and other tragedies or catastrophes, can cause investor fear and panic, which can adversely affect the economies of many companies, sectors, nations, regions and the market in general, in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen. During a general downturn in the securities markets, multiple asset classes may decline in value. When markets perform well, there can be no assurance that securities or other investments held by the Fund will participate in or otherwise benefit from the advance.

The long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and its subsequent variants on economies, markets, industries and individual issuers is not known. The U.S. government and the Federal Reserve, as well as certain foreign governments and central banks, took extraordinary actions to support local and global economies and the financial markets in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This and other government intervention into the economy and financial markets have resulted in a large expansion of government deficits and debt, the long-term consequences of which are not known.

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The United States and various countries are currently involved in disputes over trade and other matters, which may result in tariffs, investment restrictions and other adverse impacts on affected companies and securities. Trade disputes may adversely affect the economies of the United States and its trading partners, as well as companies directly or indirectly affected and financial markets generally. For example, the United States has imposed tariffs and other trade barriers on Chinese exports, has restricted sales of certain categories of goods to China, and has established barriers to investments in China. The United States government has prohibited U.S. persons from investing in Chinese companies designated as related to the Chinese military. These and possible future restrictions could limit the Fund's opportunities for investment and require the sale of securities at a loss or make them illiquid. Moreover, the Chinese government is involved in a longstanding dispute with Taiwan that has included threats of invasion. If the political climate between the United States and China does not improve or continues to deteriorate, if China were to attempt unification of Taiwan by force, or if other geopolitical conflicts develop or get worse, economies, markets and individual securities may be severely affected both regionally and globally, and the value of the Fund's assets may go down.

**New Fund:** The Fund is newly or recently established and has no performance history as of the date of this Prospectus. There can be no assurance that the Fund will grow to or maintain an economically viable size, which could result in the Fund being liquidated at any time without shareholder approval and at a time that may not be favorable for all shareholders. If the Fund does not attract additional assets, the Fund's expenses will continue to be spread over a small asset base.

**Non-Diversification:** A "non-diversified" fund generally invests a greater portion of its assets in the securities of one or more issuers and invests overall in a smaller number of issuers than a diversified fund. The Fund may be more sensitive to a single economic, business, political, regulatory or other occurrence than a more diversified fund might be, which may negatively impact the Fund's performance and result in greater fluctuation in the value of the Fund's shares and a greater risk of loss.

**Variable Rate Securities:** Variable rate securities (which include floating rate debt securities) generally are less price sensitive to interest rate changes than fixed rate debt securities. However, the market value of variable rate debt securities may decline or not appreciate as quickly as expected when prevailing interest rates rise if the interest rates of the variable rate securities do not rise as much, or as quickly, as interest rates in general. Conversely, variable rate securities will not generally increase in market value if interest rates decline. When interest rates fall, there may be a reduction in the payments of interest received by the Fund from its variable rate securities.

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**When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Transactions:** Mortgage-backed securities may be issued on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis, where payment and delivery take place at a future date. Because the market price of the security may fluctuate during the time before payment and delivery, the Fund assumes the risk that the value of the security at delivery may be more or less than the purchase price.

**Foreign Securities (non-U.S.):** Investing in foreign securities, including sovereign debt securities, typically involves more risks than investing in U.S. securities, including risks related to currency exchange rates and policies, country or government specific issues, less favorable trading practices or regulation and greater price volatility. Certain of these risks also may apply to securities of U.S. companies with significant foreign operations.

Currency exchange rates: Foreign securities may be issued and traded in foreign currencies. As a result, their market values in U.S. dollars may be affected by changes in exchange rates between such foreign currencies and the U.S. dollar, as well as between currencies of countries other than the U.S. For example, if the value of the U.S. dollar goes up compared to a foreign currency, an investment traded in that foreign currency will go down in value because it will be worth fewer U.S. dollars. The Fund accrues additional expenses when engaging in currency exchange transactions, and valuation of the Fund's foreign securities may be subject to greater risk because both the currency (relative to the U.S. dollar) and the security must be considered.

Currency management strategies: Currency management strategies may substantially change the Fund's exposure to currency exchange rates and could result in losses to the Fund if currencies do not perform as the investment manager expects. In addition, currency management strategies, to the extent that they reduce the Fund's exposure to currency risks, also reduce the Fund's ability to benefit from favorable changes in currency exchange rates. There is no assurance that the investment manager's use of currency management strategies will benefit the Fund or that they will be, or can be, used at appropriate times. Furthermore, there may not be perfect correlation between the amount of exposure to a particular currency and the amount of securities in the Fund's portfolio denominated in that currency. Investing in foreign currencies for purposes of gaining from projected changes in exchange rates, as opposed to hedging currency risks applicable to the Fund's holdings, further increases the Fund's exposure to foreign investment losses.

Political and economic developments: The political, economic and social policies or structures of some foreign countries may be less stable and more volatile than those in the United States. Investments in these countries may be subject to greater risks of internal and external conflicts, expropriation, nationalization of assets, foreign exchange controls (such as suspension of the ability to transfer

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currency from a given country), restrictions on removal of assets, political or social instability, military action or unrest, diplomatic developments, currency devaluations, foreign ownership limitations, and substantial, punitive or confiscatory tax increases. It is possible that a government may take over the assets or operations of a company or impose restrictions on the exchange or export of currency or other assets. Some countries also may have different legal systems that may make it difficult or expensive for the Fund to vote proxies, exercise shareholder rights, and pursue legal remedies with respect to its foreign investments. Diplomatic and political developments could affect the economies, industries, and securities and currency markets of the countries in which the Fund is invested. These developments include rapid and adverse political changes; social instability; regional conflicts; sanctions imposed by the United States, other nations or other governmental entities, including supranational entities; terrorism; and war. In addition, such developments could contribute to the devaluation of a country's currency, a downgrade in the credit ratings of issuers in such country, or a decline in the value and liquidity of securities of issuers in that country. An imposition of sanctions upon, or other government actions impacting, certain issuers in a country could result in (i) an immediate freeze of that issuer's securities, impairing the ability of the Fund to buy, sell, receive or deliver those securities or (ii) other limitations on the Fund's ability to invest or hold such securities. These factors would affect the value of the Fund's investments and are extremely difficult, if not impossible, to predict and take into account with respect to the Fund's investments.

Sovereign debt securities: Sovereign debt securities are subject to various risks in addition to those relating to debt securities and foreign securities generally, including, but not limited to, the risk that a governmental entity may be unwilling or unable to pay interest and repay principal on its sovereign debt, or otherwise meet its obligations when due because of cash flow problems, insufficient foreign reserves, the relative size of the debt service burden to the economy as a whole, the government's policy towards principal international lenders such as the International Monetary Fund, or the political considerations to which the government may be subject. Sovereign debtors also may be dependent on expected disbursements from other foreign governments or multinational agencies and the country's access to, or balance of, trade. If a sovereign debtor defaults (or threatens to default) on its sovereign debt obligations, the indebtedness may be restructured. Restructuring may include obtaining additional credit to finance outstanding obligations, reduction and rescheduling of payments of interest and principal, or negotiation of new or amended credit and security agreements. Unlike most corporate debt restructurings, the fees and expenses of financial and legal advisers to the creditors in connection with a restructuring may be borne by the holders of the sovereign debt securities instead of the sovereign entity itself. Some sovereign debtors have in the past been able to restructure their debt payments

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without the approval of some or all debt holders or to declare moratoria on payments, and similar occurrences may happen in the future.

In the event of a default on sovereign debt, the Fund may have limited legal recourse against the defaulting government entity. As a sovereign entity, the issuing government may be immune from lawsuits in the event of its failure or refusal to pay the obligations when due, and any rights the Fund may have may be restricted pursuant to the terms of applicable treaties with such sovereign entity. If a sovereign entity defaults, it may request additional time in which to pay or for further loans. There may be no legal process for collecting principal or interest payments on sovereign debt that a government does not pay or such legal process may be relatively more expensive, nor are there bankruptcy proceedings by which the Fund may collect in whole or in part on debt issued by a sovereign entity. In certain cases, remedies must be pursued in the courts located in the country of the defaulting sovereign entity itself, which may further limit the Fund's ability to obtain recourse.

Trading practices: Brokerage commissions, withholding taxes, custodial fees, and other fees generally are higher in foreign markets. The policies and procedures followed by foreign stock exchanges, currency markets, trading systems and brokers may differ from those applicable in the United States, with possibly negative consequences to the Fund. The procedures and rules governing foreign trading, settlement and custody (holding of the Fund's assets) also may result in losses or delays in payment, delivery or recovery of money or other property. Foreign government supervision and regulation of foreign securities and currency markets and trading systems may be less than or different from government supervision in the United States, and may increase the Fund's regulatory and compliance burden and/or decrease the Fund's investor rights and protections.

Availability of information: Foreign issuers may not be subject to the same disclosure, accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and practices as U.S. issuers. Thus, there may be less information publicly available about foreign issuers than about most U.S. issuers. In addition, information provided by foreign issuers may be less timely or less reliable than information provided by U.S. issuers.

Limited markets: Certain foreign securities may be less liquid (harder to sell) and their prices may be more volatile than many U.S. securities. Illiquidity tends to be greater, and valuation of the Fund's foreign securities may be more difficult, due to the infrequent trading and/or delayed reporting of quotes and sales.

Regional: Adverse conditions in a certain region or country can adversely affect securities of issuers in other countries whose economies appear to be unrelated. To the extent that the Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in a specific geographic region or a particular country, the Fund will generally have more

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exposure to the risks affecting that specific geographic region or country. In the event of economic or political turmoil or a deterioration of diplomatic relations in a region or country where a substantial portion of the Fund's assets are invested, the Fund may experience substantial illiquidity or reduction in the value of the Fund's investments.

Emerging market countries: The Fund's investments in emerging market countries are subject to all of the risks of foreign investing generally, and have additional heightened risks due to a lack of established legal, political, business and social frameworks to support securities markets. Some of the additional significant risks include:

· less social, political and economic stability;

· a higher possibility of the devaluation of a country's currency, a downgrade in the credit ratings of issuers in such country, or a decline in the value and liquidity of securities of issuers in that country if the United States, other nations or other governmental entities (including supranational entities) impose sanctions on issuers that limit or restrict foreign investment, the movement of assets or other economic activity in the country due to political, military or regional conflicts or due to terrorism or war;

· smaller securities markets with low or non-existent trading volume and greater illiquidity and price volatility;

· more restrictive national policies on foreign investment, including restrictions on investment in issuers or industries deemed sensitive to national interests;

· less transparent and established taxation policies;

· less developed regulatory or legal structures governing private and foreign investment or allowing for judicial redress for injury to private property, such as bankruptcy;

· less familiarity with a capital market structure or market-oriented economy and more widespread corruption and fraud;

· less financial sophistication, creditworthiness and/or resources possessed by, and less government regulation of, the financial institutions and issuers with which the Fund transacts;

· less government supervision and regulation of business and industry practices, stock exchanges, brokers and listed companies than in the U.S.;

· greater concentration in a few industries resulting in greater vulnerability to regional and global trade conditions;

· higher rates of inflation and more rapid and extreme fluctuations in inflation rates;

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· greater sensitivity to interest rate changes (for example, a higher interest rate environment can make it more difficult for emerging market governments to service their existing debt);

· increased volatility in currency exchange rates and potential for currency devaluations and/or currency controls;

· greater debt burdens relative to the size of the economy;

· more delays in settling portfolio transactions and heightened risk of loss from share registration and custody practices; and

· less assurance that when favorable economic developments occur, they will not be slowed or reversed by unanticipated economic, political or social events in such countries.

Because of the above factors, the Fund's investments in emerging market countries may be subject to greater price volatility and illiquidity than investments in developed markets.

**Derivative Instruments:** The performance of derivative instruments, including currency derivatives, depends largely on the performance of an underlying instrument, such as a currency, security, interest rate or index, and such instruments often have risks similar to the underlying instrument, in addition to other risks. Derivative instruments involve costs and can create economic leverage in the Fund's portfolio, which may result in significant volatility and cause the Fund to participate in losses (as well as gains) in an amount that significantly exceeds the Fund's initial investment. Other risks include illiquidity, mispricing or improper valuation of the derivative instrument, and imperfect correlation between the value of the derivative and the underlying instrument so that the Fund may not realize the intended benefits. Their successful use will usually depend on the investment manager's ability to accurately forecast movements in the market relating to the underlying instrument. Should a market or markets, or prices of particular classes of investments move in an unexpected manner, especially in unusual or extreme market conditions, the Fund may not realize the anticipated benefits of the transaction, and it may realize losses, which could be significant. If the investment manager is not successful in using such derivative instruments, the Fund's performance may be worse than if the investment manager did not use such derivative instruments at all. When a derivative is used for hedging, the change in value of the derivative instrument also may not correlate specifically with the currency, security, interest rate or index, or other risk being hedged. There is also the risk, especially under extreme market conditions, that an instrument, which usually would operate as a hedge, provides no hedging benefits at all.

Use of these instruments could also result in a loss if the counterparty to the transaction does not perform as promised, including because of such counterparty's bankruptcy or insolvency. This risk is heightened with respect to

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over-the-counter (OTC) instruments, such as certain swap agreements and currency forwards, and may be greater during volatile market conditions. Other risks include the inability to close out a position because the trading market becomes illiquid (particularly in the OTC markets) or the availability of counterparties becomes limited for a period of time. In addition, the presence of speculators in a particular market could lead to price distortions. To the extent that the Fund is unable to close out a position because of market illiquidity, the Fund may not be able to prevent further losses of value in its derivatives holdings. Some derivatives can be particularly sensitive to changes in interest rates or other market prices. Investors should bear in mind that, while the Fund intends to use derivative strategies on a regular basis, it is not obligated to actively engage in these transactions, generally or in any particular kind of derivative, if the investment manager elects not to do so due to availability, cost or other factors.

Many swaps currently are, and others eventually are expected to be, required to be cleared through a central counterparty. Central clearing is designed to reduce counterparty credit risk and increase liquidity compared to OTC swaps, but it does not eliminate those risks completely. With cleared swaps, there is also a risk of loss by the Fund of its initial and variation margin deposits in the event of bankruptcy of the futures commission merchant (FCM) with which the Fund has an open position, or the central counterparty in a swap contract. With cleared swaps, the Fund may not be able to obtain as favorable terms as it would be able to negotiate for a bilateral, uncleared swap. In addition, an FCM may unilaterally amend the terms of its agreement with the Fund, which may include the imposition of position limits or additional margin requirements with respect to the Fund's investment in certain types of swaps. The regulation of cleared and uncleared swaps, as well as other derivatives, is a rapidly changing area of law and is subject to modification by government and judicial action. In addition, the SEC, Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and the exchanges are authorized to take extraordinary actions in the event of a market emergency. It is not possible to predict fully the effects of current or future regulation.

The use of derivative strategies may also have a tax impact on the Fund. The timing and character of income, gains or losses from these strategies could impair the ability of the investment manager to use derivatives when it wishes to do so.

**Unrated Debt Securities:** Unrated debt securities determined by the investment manager to be of comparable credit quality to rated securities which the Fund may purchase may pay a higher interest rate than such rated debt securities and be subject to a greater risk of illiquidity or price changes. Less public information and independent credit analysis are typically available about unrated securities or issuers, and therefore they may be subject to greater risk of default.

**Mortgage Dollar Rolls:** In a mortgage dollar roll, the Fund takes the risk that the market price of the mortgage-backed securities will drop below their future

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purchase price. The Fund also takes the risk that the mortgage-backed securities that it repurchases at a later date will have less favorable market characteristics than the securities originally sold (e.g., greater prepayment risk). When the Fund uses a mortgage dollar roll, it is also subject to the risk that the other party to the agreement will not be able to perform. Mortgage dollar rolls add leverage to the Fund's portfolio and increase the Fund's sensitivity to interest rate changes. In addition, investment in mortgage dollar rolls will increase the Fund's portfolio turnover rate.

**U.S. Government Securities:** Not all obligations of the U.S. Government, its agencies and instrumentalities are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. Some obligations are backed only by the credit of the issuing agency or instrumentality, and in some cases there may be some risk of default by the issuer. Government agency or instrumentality issues have different levels of credit support. **U.S. government-sponsored entities ("GSEs"), such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, may be chartered by Acts of Congress, but their securities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the U.S. government. Although the U.S. government has provided financial support to Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and certain other GSEs in the past, no assurance can be given that the U.S. government will continue to do so.** Accordingly, securities issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac may involve a risk of non-payment of principal and interest. Investors should remember that guarantees of timely repayment of principal and interest do not apply to the market prices and yields of the securities or to the net asset value or performance of the Fund, which will vary with changes in interest rates and other market conditions.

**High-Yield Mortgage Securities:** Certain mortgage securities in which the Fund may invest may be rated below investment grade by Moody's or S&P, or may be unrated and deemed to be of comparable quality by the investment manager. These mortgage securities involve greater risk of a loss of some or all of the Fund's investment, or delays in the receipt of interest and principal payments, than higher-quality mortgage securities and are generally considered to be predominantly speculative. Borrowers in the underlying mortgages of lower-rated or "high-yield" mortgage securities are generally not as strong financially as borrowers in the underlying mortgages of higher credit quality mortgage securities. Therefore, high-yield mortgage securities are more vulnerable to changes in the relevant economy, such as a recession or a sustained period of rising interest rates that could affect the ability of the borrowers in the underlying mortgages to make interest and principal payments when due. An unexpectedly high rate of default on the underlying mortgages may limit substantially the mortgage pool's ability to make payments of principal or interest to the Fund, which may reduce the value of such mortgage securities or, in some cases, render them worthless. In addition, the Fund is susceptible to the credit quality of the issuer of a mortgage security, which

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may not be as financially sound as an issuer of a higher-rated mortgage security. If an issuer stops making interest and/or principal payments, or if the borrowers in the underlying mortgages default and the guarantees, if any, for the mortgage securities default or otherwise fail, payments on the securities may never resume. Enforcing rights against the underlying assets or collateral may be difficult, or the underlying assets or collateral may be insufficient if the issuer defaults.

The prices of high-yield mortgage securities generally fluctuate more than higher-quality securities. Prices are especially sensitive to changes in the ratings assigned by rating agencies. High-yield mortgage securities are generally less liquid than higher-quality securities. These securities may not be registered for sale under the federal securities laws and/or may not trade frequently. When they do trade, their prices may be significantly higher or lower than expected. At times, it may be difficult to sell these securities promptly at an acceptable price, which may limit the Fund's ability to sell securities in response to specific economic events or to meet redemption requests. As a result, high-yield mortgage securities generally pose greater illiquidity and valuation risks.

**Collateralized Debt Obligations (CDOs):** The risks of an investment in a CDO, which include collateralized loan obligations (CLOs), depend largely on the type of collateral held by the special purpose entity (SPE) and the tranche of the CDO in which the Fund invests. Investment risk may also be affected by the performance of a CDO's collateral manager (the entity responsible for selecting and managing the pool of collateral securities held by the SPE trust), especially during a period of market volatility. CDOs may be deemed to be illiquid and subject to the Fund's restrictions on investments in illiquid investments. The Fund's investment in CDOs will not receive the same investor protection as an investment in registered securities.

In addition, prices of CDO tranches can decline considerably. In addition to the normal risks associated with debt securities and asset backed securities (e.g., interest rate risk, credit risk and default risk), CDOs carry additional risks including, but not limited to: (i) the possibility that distributions from collateral securities will not be adequate to make interest or other payments; (ii) the quality of the collateral may decline in value or quality or go into default or be downgraded; (iii) the Fund may invest in tranches of a CDO that are subordinate to other classes; and (iv) the complex structure of the security may not be fully understood at the time of investment and may produce disputes with the issuer, difficulty in valuing the security or unexpected investment results. These risks are amplified in tranches of CDOs that are subordinate to other tranches.

**High-Yield Debt Instruments:** High-yield debt instruments (including loans) and unrated instruments of similar credit quality (high-yield debt instruments or junk bonds) involve greater risk of a complete loss of the Fund's investment, or delays of interest and principal payments, than higher-quality debt instruments or loans.

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Issuers of high-yield debt instruments are not as strong financially as those issuing securities of higher credit quality. High-yield debt instruments are generally considered predominantly speculative by the applicable rating agencies as these issuers are more likely to encounter financial difficulties because they may be more highly leveraged, or because of other considerations. In addition, high yield debt instruments generally are more vulnerable to changes in the relevant economy, such as a recession or a sustained period of rising interest rates, that could affect their ability to make interest and principal payments when due. If an issuer stops making interest and/or principal payments, payments on the securities may never resume. These instruments may be worthless and the Fund could lose its entire investment.

The prices of high-yield debt instruments generally fluctuate more than higher-quality securities. Prices are especially sensitive to developments affecting the issuer's business or operations and to changes in the ratings assigned by rating agencies. In addition, the entire high-yield debt market can experience sudden and sharp price swings due to changes in economic conditions, stock market activity, large sustained sales by major investors, a high-profile default, or other factors. Prices of corporate high-yield debt instruments often are closely linked with the company's stock prices and typically rise and fall in response to factors that affect stock prices.

High-yield debt instruments are generally less liquid than higher-quality securities. Many of these instruments are not registered for sale under the federal securities laws and/or do not trade frequently. When they do trade, their prices may be significantly higher or lower than expected. At times, it may be difficult to sell these securities promptly at an acceptable price, which may limit the Fund's ability to sell securities in response to specific economic events or to meet redemption requests. As a result, certain high-yield debt instruments generally pose greater illiquidity and valuation risks.

Substantial declines in the prices of high-yield debt instruments can dramatically increase the yield of such instruments. The decline in market prices generally reflects an expectation that the issuer(s) may be at greater risk of defaulting on the obligation to pay interest and principal when due. Therefore, substantial increases in yield may reflect a greater risk by the Fund of losing some or part of its investment rather than reflecting any increase in income from the higher yield that the debt instrument may pay to the Fund on its investment.

**Floating Rate Corporate Investments: Certain corporate loans may not be considered "securities," and investors, such as the Fund, therefore may not be entitled to rely on the antifraud protections of the federal securities laws and may have limited legal remedies.** 

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The senior secured corporate loans and corporate debt securities in which the Fund invests are often issued in connection with highly leveraged transactions. Such transactions include leveraged buyout loans, leveraged recapitalization loans, and other types of acquisition financing. Loan investments issued in such transactions are subject to greater credit risks than other investments including a greater possibility that the borrower may default or enter bankruptcy. An increase in interest rates may have an adverse impact on the ability of the borrower to service principal and interest due on a floating rate corporate loan. Similarly, such loans are more vulnerable to changes in the relevant economy, such as a recession or a sustained period of rising or elevated interest rates. If a borrower stops making interest and/or principal payments, payments on such loan(s) may never resume. Such floating rate investments may be rated below investment grade (i.e., also known as "junk bonds").

Floating rate loans and securities in which the Fund may invest are issued as "covenant lite" loans, which may entail potentially increased risk, because they have few or no financial maintenance covenants or restrictions that would normally allow for early intervention and proactive mitigation of credit risk. Lenders have limited or no ability to intervene and either prevent or restrict actions that may potentially compromise the company's ability to pay.

In the event of a breach of a covenant in traditional loans or debt securities, lenders may have the ability to intervene and either prevent or restrict actions that may potentially compromise the company's ability to pay or lenders may be in a position to obtain concessions from the borrowers in exchange for a waiver or amendment of the specific covenant(s). In contrast, covenant lite loans do not necessarily offer the same ability to intervene or obtain additional concessions from borrowers. This risk is offset to varying degrees by the fact that financial and performance information may be available with or without covenants to lenders and the public alike and can be used to detect such early warning signs as deterioration of a borrower's financial condition or results. With such information, the portfolio managers are normally able to take appropriate actions without the help of covenants in the loans or debt securities. Covenant lite corporate loans and debt securities, however, may foster a capital structure designed to avoid defaults by giving borrowers or issuers increased financial flexibility when they need it the most.

No active trading market may exist for some corporate loans and some corporate loans may be subject to restrictions on resale. A secondary market in corporate loans may be subject to irregular trading activity, wide bid/ask spreads and extended trade settlement periods, which may impair the ability to accurately value existing and prospective investments and to realize in a timely fashion the full value upon the sale of a corporate loan. In addition, the Fund may not be able to readily sell its corporate loans at prices that approximate those at which the Fund could

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sell such loans if they were more widely held and traded. As a result of such potential illiquidity, the Fund may have to sell other investments or engage in borrowing transactions if necessary to raise cash to meet its obligations.

**Prepayment:** Debt securities are subject to prepayment risk when the issuer can "call" the security, or repay principal, in whole or in part, prior to the security's maturity. When the Fund reinvests the prepayments of principal it receives, it may receive a rate of interest that is lower than the rate on the existing security, potentially lowering the Fund's income, yield and its distributions to shareholders. Securities subject to partial or complete prepayment(s) may offer less potential for gains during a declining interest rate environment and have greater price volatility. Prepayment risk is greater in periods of falling interest rates for fixed-rate investments, and for floating or variable rate securities, rising interest rates generally increase the risk of refinancings or prepayments.

**Extension:** The market value of some fixed rate debt securities (such as certain asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities) will be adversely affected when bond calls or prepayments on underlying mortgages or other assets are less or slower than anticipated, particularly when interest rates rise. When that occurs, the effective maturity date of the Fund's investment may be extended, resulting in an increase in interest rate sensitivity to that of a longer-term instrument. Such extension may also effectively lock-in a below market interest rate and reduce the value of the debt security.

**Liquidity:** Liquidity risk exists when the markets for particular securities or types of securities or other investments are or become relatively illiquid so that the Fund is unable, or it becomes more difficult for the Fund, to sell the security or other investment at the price at which the Fund has valued the security. Illiquidity may result from political, economic or issuer specific events; supply/demand imbalances; changes in a specific market's size or structure, including the number of participants; or overall market disruptions. Securities or other investments with reduced liquidity or that become illiquid may involve greater risk than securities with more liquid markets. Market prices or quotations for illiquid securities may be volatile, and there may be large spreads between bid and ask prices. Reduced liquidity may have an adverse impact on market price and the Fund's ability to sell particular securities when necessary to meet the Fund's liquidity needs, which may arise or increase in response to a specific economic event or because the investment manager wishes to purchase particular investments or believes that a higher level of liquidity would be advantageous. An investment may become illiquid if the Fund and its affiliates receive material non-public information about the issuer or the investment. To the extent that the Fund and its affiliates hold a significant portion of an issuer's outstanding securities, the Fund may be subject to greater liquidity risk than if the issuer's securities were more widely held.

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**Management:** The Fund is actively managed and could experience losses (realized and unrealized) if the investment manager's judgment about markets, interest rates or the attractiveness, relative values, liquidity, or potential appreciation of particular investments made for the Fund's portfolio prove to be incorrect. The Fund could also experience losses if there are imperfections, errors or limitations in the models, tools, and data used by the investment manager or if the investment manager's techniques or investment decisions do not produce the desired results. Additionally, legislative, regulatory, or tax developments may affect the investment techniques available to the investment manager in connection with managing the Fund and may also adversely affect the ability of the Fund to achieve its investment goal.

**Cybersecurity:** Cybersecurity incidents, both intentional and unintentional, may allow an unauthorized party to gain access to Fund assets, Fund or customer data (including private shareholder information), or proprietary information, cause the Fund, the investment manager, and/or their service providers (including, but not limited to, Fund accountants, custodians, sub-custodians, transfer agents and financial intermediaries) to suffer data breaches, data corruption or loss of operational functionality or prevent Fund investors from purchasing, redeeming or exchanging shares or receiving distributions. The investment manager has limited ability to prevent or mitigate cybersecurity incidents affecting third party service providers, and such third party service providers may have limited indemnification obligations to the Fund or the investment manager. Cybersecurity incidents may result in financial losses to the Fund and its shareholders, and substantial costs may be incurred in an effort to prevent or mitigate future cybersecurity incidents. Issuers of securities in which the Fund invests are also subject to cybersecurity risks, and the value of these securities could decline if the issuers experience cybersecurity incidents.

Because technology is frequently changing, new ways to carry out cyber attacks are always developing. Therefore, there is a chance that some risks have not been identified or prepared for, or that an attack may not be detected, which puts limitations on the Fund's ability to plan for or respond to a cyber attack. Like other funds and business enterprises, the Fund, the investment manager, and their service providers are subject to the risk of cyber incidents occurring from time to time.

More detailed information about the Fund and its policies and risks can be found in the Fund's Statement of Additional Information (SAI).

A description of the Fund's policies and procedures regarding the release of portfolio holdings information is also available in the Fund's SAI. Portfolio holdings information can be viewed online at www.franklintempleton.com.

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Management

Franklin Advisers, Inc. (Advisers or investment manager), One Franklin Parkway, San Mateo, CA 94403-1906, is the Fund's investment manager. Advisers is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Franklin Resources, Inc. (Resources). Together, Advisers and its affiliates manage, as of April 30, 2025, approximately $1.53 trillion in assets, and have been in the investment management business since 1947.

The Fund is managed by a team of dedicated professionals focused on investments in debt securities. The portfolio managers of the team are as follows:

**Albert Chan, CFA Portfolio Manager of Advisers**

Mr. Chan has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since inception (June 2025). He joined Franklin Templeton in 2024. Prior to joining Franklin Templeton, Mr. Chan was a portfolio manager for Putnam Investment Management, LLC ("Putnam Management"). He joined Putnam Management in 2002.

**Tina Chou Portfolio Manager of Advisers** 

Ms. Chou has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since inception (June 2025). She joined Franklin Templeton in 2004.

**Jacob K. Chu Portfolio Manager of Advisers** 

Mr. Chu has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since inception (June 2025). He joined Franklin Templeton in 2001.

**Patrick Klein, Ph.D. Senior Vice President of Advisers** 

Dr. Klein has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since inception (June 2025). He joined Franklin Templeton in 2005.

**Thomas Runkel, CFA Vice President of Advisers** 

Mr. Runkel has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since inception (June 2025). He first joined Franklin Templeton in 1983 and rejoined again in 2006.

The portfolio managers of the Fund are jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund's portfolio. They have equal authority over all aspects of the Fund's investment portfolio, including, but not limited to, purchases and sales of individual securities, portfolio risk assessment, and the management of daily cash balances in accordance with anticipated investment management requirements. The degree to which each portfolio manager may perform these functions, and the nature of these functions, may change from time to time.

CFA<sup>®</sup> and Chartered Financial Analyst<sup>®</sup> are trademarks owned by CFA Institute.

The Fund's SAI provides additional information about portfolio manager compensation, other accounts that they manage and their ownership of Fund shares.

The Fund does not pay Advisers a fee for managing the Fund's assets, although investors in the Fund will pay a fee to their separately managed account program

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sponsor. Advisers and its affiliates receive compensation from separately managed account clients or program sponsors in connection with their management of client accounts and participation in investment programs through which shares of the Fund are made available.

Advisers has agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse operating expenses (excluding certain non-routine expenses or costs, such as those relating to litigation, indemnification, reorganizations and liquidations) for the Fund so that the ratio of total annual fund operating expenses will not exceed 0.00% until April 30, 2027. During the term, the fee waiver and expense reimbursement agreement may not be terminated or amended without approval of the board of trustees except to add series or classes, to reflect the extension of the termination date or to lower the waiver and expense limitation.

A discussion regarding the basis for the board of trustees' approval of the Fund's investment management agreement will be available in the Fund's first report on Form N-CSR.

#### Manager of Managers Structure
The investment manager and the Trust have received an exemptive order from the SEC that allows the Fund to operate in a "manager of managers" structure whereby the investment manager can appoint and replace both wholly-owned and unaffiliated sub-advisors, and enter into, amend and terminate sub-advisory agreements with such sub-advisors, each subject to board approval but without obtaining prior shareholder approval (Manager of Managers Structure). The Fund will, however, inform shareholders of the hiring of any new sub-advisor within 90 days after the hiring. The SEC exemptive order provides the Fund with greater flexibility and efficiency and alleviates the need for the Fund to incur the expense and delays associated with obtaining shareholder approval of such sub-advisory agreements.

The use of the Manager of Managers Structure with respect to the Fund is subject to certain conditions that are set forth in the SEC exemptive order. Under the Manager of Managers Structure, the investment manager has the ultimate responsibility, subject to oversight by the Fund's board of trustees, to oversee sub-advisors and recommend their hiring, termination and replacement. The investment manager will also, subject to the review and approval of the Fund's board of trustees: set the Fund's overall investment strategy; evaluate, select and recommend sub-advisors to manage all or a portion of the Fund's assets; and implement procedures reasonably designed to ensure that each sub-advisor complies with the Fund's investment goal, policies and restrictions. Subject to review by the Fund's board of trustees, the investment manager will allocate and, when appropriate, reallocate the Fund's assets among sub-advisors and monitor and evaluate the sub-advisors' performance.

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Financial Highlights

As the Fund has not commenced investment operations as of the date of this Prospectus, no financial information is available. The Prospectus will include financial information for the Fund once the Fund has issued its first annual report to shareholders that contains audited financial statements.

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Distributions and Taxes

The information is provided with respect to each Fund (hereafter the "Fund").

#### Income and Capital Gain Distributions
As a regulated investment company, the Fund generally pays no federal income tax on the income and gains it distributes to you. The Fund intends to declare and pay income dividends monthly from its net investment income. Capital gains, if any, may be paid at least annually. The Fund may distribute income dividends and capital gains more frequently, if necessary, in order to reduce or eliminate federal excise or income taxes on the Fund. The amount of any distribution will vary, and there is no guarantee the Fund will pay either income dividends or capital gain distributions. Your income dividends and capital gain distributions will be automatically reinvested in additional shares at net asset value (NAV) unless you elect to receive them in cash.

**Annual statements.** After the close of each calendar year, you will receive tax information from the Fund with respect to the federal income tax treatment of the Fund's distributions and any taxable sales of Fund shares occurring during the prior calendar year. If the Fund finds it necessary to reclassify its distributions or adjust the cost basis of any covered shares sold after you receive your tax information, the Fund will send you revised tax information. Distributions declared in October, November or December to shareholders of record in such month and paid in January are taxable as if they were paid in December. Additional tax information about the Fund's distributions is available at www.franklintempleton.com.

**Avoid "buying a dividend."** At the time you purchase your Fund shares, the Fund's net asset value may reflect undistributed taxable income, undistributed capital gains, or net unrealized appreciation in the value of the portfolio securities held by the Fund. For taxable investors, a subsequent distribution to you of such amounts, although constituting a return of your investment, would be taxable. Buying shares in the Fund just before it declares a distribution of taxable income or capital gains is sometimes known as "buying a dividend."

#### Tax Considerations
If you are a taxable investor, Fund distributions are generally taxable to you as ordinary income, capital gains or some combination of both. This is the case whether you reinvest your distributions in additional Fund shares or receive them in cash.

**Dividend income.** Income dividends are generally subject to tax at ordinary rates. Income dividends reported by the Fund as qualified dividend income may be subject to tax by individuals at reduced long-term capital gains tax rates provided certain holding period requirements are met. Because the Fund invests primarily in debt securities, it is expected that either none or only a small portion of the Fund's

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income dividends may be qualified dividends. A return-of-capital distribution is generally not taxable but will reduce the cost basis of your shares, and will result in a higher capital gain or a lower capital loss when you later sell your shares.

**Capital gains.** Fund distributions of short-term capital gains are also subject to tax at ordinary rates. Fund distributions of long-term capital gains are taxable at the reduced long-term capital gains rates no matter how long you have owned your Fund shares. For single individuals with taxable income not in excess of $48,350 in 2025 ($96,700 for married individuals filing jointly), the long-term capital gains tax rate is 0%. For single individuals and joint filers with taxable income in excess of these amounts but not more than $533,400 or $600,050, respectively, the long-term capital gains tax rate is 15%. The rate is 20% for single individuals with taxable income in excess of $533,400 and married individuals filing jointly with taxable income in excess of $600,050. An additional 3.8% Medicare tax may also be imposed as discussed below.

**Sales of Fund shares.** When you sell your shares in the Fund, you will generally recognize a taxable capital gain or loss. If you have owned your Fund shares for more than one year, any net long-term capital gains will qualify for the reduced rates of taxation on long-term capital gains. An exchange of your shares in one class of the Fund for shares of another class of the same Fund is not taxable and no gain or loss will be reported on the transaction.

**Cost basis reporting.** Contact the managed account advisor through whom you purchased your Fund shares to obtain information with respect to the available cost basis reporting methods and elections for your account.

**Medicare tax.** An additional 3.8% Medicare tax is imposed on certain net investment income (including ordinary dividends and capital gain distributions received from the Fund and net gains from redemptions or other taxable dispositions of Fund shares) of U.S. individuals, estates and trusts to the extent that such person's "modified adjusted gross income" (in the case of an individual) or "adjusted gross income" (in the case of an estate or trust) exceeds a threshold amount. Any liability for this additional Medicare tax is reported on, and paid with, your federal income tax return.

**Backup withholding.** A shareholder may be subject to backup withholding on any distributions of income capital gains or proceeds from the sale or exchange of Fund shares if the shareholder has provided either an incorrect tax identification number or no number at all, is subject to backup withholding by the IRS for failure to properly report payments of interest or dividends, has failed to certify that the shareholder is not subject to backup withholding, or has not certified that the shareholder is a U.S. person (including a U.S. resident alien). The backup withholding rate is currently 24%. State backup withholding may also apply.

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**State and local taxes.** Distributions of ordinary income and capital gains, and gains from the sale of your Fund shares, are generally subject to state and local taxes.

**Non-U.S. investors**. Non-U.S. investors may be subject to U.S. withholding tax at 30% or a lower treaty rate on Fund dividends of ordinary income. Non-U.S. investors may be subject to U.S. estate tax on the value of their shares. They are subject to special U.S. tax certification requirements to avoid backup withholding, claim any exemptions from withholding and claim any treaty benefits. Exemptions from U.S. withholding tax are generally provided for capital gains realized on the sale of Fund shares, capital gain dividends paid by the Fund from net long-term capital gains, short-term capital gain dividends paid by the Fund from net short-term capital gains and interest-related dividends paid by the Fund from its qualified net interest income from U.S. sources. However, notwithstanding such exemptions from U.S. withholding tax at source, any such dividends and distributions of income and capital gains will be subject to backup withholding at a rate of 24% if you fail to properly certify that you are not a U.S. person.

**Other reporting and withholding requirements.** Payments to a shareholder that is either a foreign financial institution or a non-financial foreign entity within the meaning of the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) may be subject to a 30% withholding tax on income dividends paid by the Fund. The FATCA withholding tax generally can be avoided by such foreign entity if it provides the Fund, and in some cases, the IRS, information concerning the ownership of certain foreign financial accounts or other appropriate certifications or documentation concerning its status under FATCA. The Fund may be required to report certain shareholder account information to the IRS, non-U.S. taxing authorities or other parties to comply with FATCA.

**Other tax information.** This discussion of "Distributions and Taxes" is for general information only and is not tax advice. You should consult your own tax advisor regarding your particular circumstances, and about any federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences before making an investment in the Fund. Additional information about the tax consequences of investing in the Fund may be found in the SAI.

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### Your Account
Qualified Investors

Shares of the Fund are used exclusively for separately managed accounts advised or sub-advised by Advisers or its affiliates and decisions as to whether or not to invest assets of a managed account in the Fund will be made by the investment manager of the separately managed accounts. The Fund is intended to be used in combination with selected individual securities held at the separately managed account level as components of an investment strategy for the separately managed account. The Fund is intended to enable certain separately managed account investors to achieve greater diversification and/or exposure to certain securities or instruments than smaller managed accounts might otherwise achieve.

Buying Shares

Shares of the Fund have no sales charge and do not pay ongoing Rule 12b-1 distribution or service fees. Shares of the Fund are used exclusively for separately managed accounts advised or sub-advised by Advisers or its affiliates and decisions as to whether or not to invest assets of a managed account in the Fund will be made by the investment manager of the separately managed accounts. Accordingly, separately managed account clients are unable to directly trade in shares of the Fund.

There is no minimum investment for purchases. However, the separately managed accounts through which the Fund is offered typically impose minimum investment requirements.

To make a same day investment, all orders must be received by 1 p.m. Pacific time or the regularly scheduled close of the New York Stock Exchange, whichever is earlier.

Distribution Options

Dividends and capital gain distributions will be paid in cash into your separately managed account.

#### Selling Shares
Shares of the Fund may be sold at any time. To make a same day redemption, the redemption request must be received and accepted by us prior to 1 p.m. Pacific time or the regularly scheduled close of the New York Stock Exchange, whichever is earlier. In addition, shares will be redeemed when you terminate your account. Accordingly, separately managed account clients are unable to directly trade in shares of the Fund.

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Each investor, by participating in a separately managed account program that purchases Fund shares, agrees to the redemption of such Fund shares upon termination of its participation in such program. Shares of the Fund may be held only by investors participating in an eligible separately managed account program and cannot be transferred.

#### Frequent Trading Policy
The Fund is used exclusively for separately managed accounts advised or sub-advised by Advisers or its affiliates and decisions as to whether or not to invest assets of a managed account in the Fund will be made by the investment manager of the separately managed accounts.

The Fund's board of trustees has adopted the following policies and procedures with respect to frequent trading in Fund shares (Frequent Trading Policy).

The Fund does not intend to accommodate short-term or frequent purchases and redemptions of Fund shares that may be detrimental to the Fund. For example, this type of trading activity could interfere with the efficient management of the Fund's portfolio or materially increase the Fund's transaction costs, administrative costs or taxes.

Through its transfer agent, the Fund performs ongoing monitoring of shareholder trading in shares of the Fund and other Franklin Templeton funds in order to try and identify shareholder trading patterns that suggest an ongoing short-term trading strategy. If shareholder trading patterns identified by the transfer agent through monitoring or from other information regarding the shareholder's trading activity in non-Franklin Templeton funds leads the transfer agent to reasonably conclude that such trading may be detrimental to the Fund as described in this Frequent Trading Policy, the transfer agent, on behalf of the Fund, may temporarily or permanently bar future purchases into the Fund or, alternatively, may limit the amount, number or frequency of any future purchases and/or the method by which you may request future purchases and redemptions.

In considering an investor's trading patterns, the Fund may consider, among other factors, the investor's trading history both directly and, if known, through financial intermediaries, in the Fund, in other Franklin Templeton funds, in non-Franklin Templeton mutual funds, or in accounts under common control or ownership. The transfer agent may also reject any purchase or redemption request, whether or not it represents part of any ongoing trading pattern, if the Fund's investment manager or transfer agent reasonably concludes that the amount of the requested transaction may disrupt or otherwise interfere with the efficient management of the Fund's portfolio. In determining what actions should be taken, the Fund's transfer agent may consider a variety of factors, including the potential impact of such remedial actions on the Fund and its shareholders.

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Because the Fund is used only as components of "wrap" accounts, the Fund may be purchased or redeemed on a frequent basis for rebalancing purposes. The transfer agent does not consider this an ongoing short-term trading strategy that violates the Fund's Frequent Trading Policy.

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Account Policies

#### Calculating Share Price
The value of a mutual fund is determined by deducting the fund's liabilities from the total assets of the portfolio. The NAV per share is determined by dividing the total net asset value of each fund's share class by the applicable number of shares outstanding per share class.

The Fund calculates the NAV per share each business day as of 1 p.m. Pacific time or the regularly scheduled close of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), whichever is earlier. The Fund does not calculate the NAV on days the NYSE is closed for trading, which include New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President's Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth National Independence Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. If the NYSE has a scheduled early close, the Fund's share price would be determined as of the time of the close of the NYSE. If, due to weather or other special or unexpected circumstances, the NYSE has an unscheduled early close on a day that it has opened for business, the Fund reserves the right to consider that day as a regular business day and accept purchase and redemption orders and calculate its share price as of the normally scheduled close of regular trading on the NYSE.

The Fund has agreements with certain financial intermediaries that authorize them to accept orders or designate third parties to accept orders on behalf of the Fund. If you place your order through these financial intermediaries, the order will be considered received when they accept the order. Those orders will be priced at the next NAV calculated after acceptance of the order by the financial intermediary or its agent. If you place an order through an account at an intermediary, please consult with the intermediary to determine when your order will be executed, as some intermediaries may require that they receive orders prior to a specified cut-off time.

Requests to buy and sell shares are processed at the NAV next calculated after we or an approved financial intermediary receive your request in proper form.

When determining its NAV, the Fund values cash and receivables at their realizable amounts, and records interest as accrued and dividends on the ex-dividend date. The Fund generally utilizes two independent pricing services to assist in determining a current market value for each security. If market quotations are readily available for portfolio securities listed on a securities exchange, the Fund values those securities at the last quoted sale price or the official closing price of the day, respectively, or, if there is no reported sale, within the range of the most recent quoted bid and ask prices. The Fund values over-the-counter portfolio securities within the range of the most recent bid and ask prices. If portfolio

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securities trade both in the over-the-counter market and on a stock exchange, the Fund values them according to the broadest and most representative market. Prices received by the Fund for securities may be based on institutional "round lot" sizes, but the Fund may hold smaller, "odd lot" sizes. Odd lots may trade at lower prices than round lots.

Generally, trading in corporate bonds, U.S. government securities and money market instruments is substantially completed each day at various times before 1 p.m. Pacific time. The value of these securities used in computing the NAV is determined as of such times. Occasionally, events affecting the values of these securities may occur between the times at which they are determined and 1 p.m. Pacific time that will not be reflected in the computation of the NAV. The Fund relies on third-party pricing vendors to provide evaluated prices that reflect current fair market value at 1 p.m. Pacific time.

#### Fair Valuation – Individual Securities
The Fund has procedures, approved by the board of trustees, to determine the fair value of individual securities and other assets for which market prices are not readily available (such as certain restricted or unlisted securities and private placements) or which may not be reliably priced (such as in the case of trade suspensions or halts, price movement limits set by certain foreign markets, and thinly traded or illiquid securities). Some methods for valuing these securities may include: fundamental analysis (earnings multiple, etc.), matrix pricing, discounts from market prices of similar securities, or discounts applied due to the nature and duration of restrictions on the disposition of the securities. The board of trustees oversees the application of fair value pricing procedures.

The application of fair value pricing procedures represents a good faith determination based upon specifically applied procedures. There can be no assurance that the Fund could obtain the fair value assigned to a security if it were able to sell the security at approximately the time at which the Fund determines its NAV per share.

#### Security Valuation – Pass-Through Securities, CMO, ABS, MBS
Mortgage pass-through securities (such as Ginnie Mae, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac), other mortgage-backed securities (MBS), collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs) and asset-backed securities (ABS) generally trade in the over-the-counter market rather than on a securities exchange. The Fund may value these portfolio securities by utilizing quotations from bond dealers, information with respect to bond and note transactions and may rely on independent pricing services. The Fund's pricing services use valuation models or matrix pricing to determine current value. In general, they use information with respect to comparable bond and note transactions, quotations from bond dealers or by reference to other securities that are considered comparable in such characteristics as rating, interest rate, maturity

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date, option adjusted spread models, prepayment projections, interest rate spreads and yield curves. Matrix pricing is considered a form of fair value pricing.

#### Security Valuation – Corporate Debt Securities
Corporate debt securities generally trade in the over-the-counter market rather than on a securities exchange. The Fund may value these portfolio securities by utilizing quotations from bond dealers, information with respect to bond and note transactions and may rely on independent pricing services to assist in determining a current market value for each security. The Fund's pricing services may utilize independent quotations from bond dealers and bond market activity to determine current value.

#### Security Valuation – Options
The Fund values traded call options at their market price as determined above. The current market value of any option the Fund holds is its last sale price on the relevant exchange before the Fund values its assets. If there are no sales that day or if the last sale price is outside the bid and ask prices, the Fund values options within the range of the current closing bid and ask prices if the Fund believes the valuation fairly reflects the contract's market value.

#### Security Valuation – Foreign Securities – Computation of U.S. Equivalent Value
The Fund generally determines the value of a foreign security as of the close of trading on the foreign stock exchange on which the security is primarily traded, or as of 1 p.m. Pacific time. The value is then converted into its U.S. dollar equivalent at the foreign exchange rate in effect at 1 p.m. Pacific time on the day that the value of the foreign security is determined. If no sale is reported at that time, the foreign security will be valued within the range of the most recent quoted bid and ask prices. Occasionally events (such as repatriation limits or restrictions) may impact the availability or reliability of foreign exchange rates used to convert the U.S. dollar equivalent value. If such an event occurs, the foreign exchange rate will be valued at fair value using procedures established and approved by the board of trustees.

#### Security Valuation – Foreign Securities – Potential Impact of Time Zones and Market Holidays
Trading in securities on foreign securities stock exchanges and over-the-counter markets, such as those in Europe and Asia, may be completed before 1 p.m. Pacific time on each day that the Fund is open. Occasionally, events occur between the time at which trading in a foreign security is completed and 1 p.m. Pacific time that might call into question the availability (including the reliability) of the value of a foreign portfolio security held by the Fund. As a result, the Fund may be susceptible to what is referred to as "time-zone arbitrage." Certain investors in the Fund may seek to take advantage of discrepancies in the value of the Fund's

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portfolio securities as determined by the foreign market at its close and the latest indications of value attributable to the portfolio securities at the time the Fund's NAV is computed. Trading by these investors, often referred to as "arbitrage market timers," may dilute the value of the Fund's shares, if such discrepancies in security values actually exist. To attempt to minimize the possibilities for time-zone arbitrage, and in accordance with procedures established and approved by the Fund's board of trustees, the investment manager monitors price movements by using a fair value pricing service offered through an independent pricing vendor.

The fair value pricing service is used to estimate the price of a security in a liquid market at the time of the NAV calculation (1 p.m. Pacific Time). If certain criteria are met, the foreign securities may be valued using the price from the fair value pricing service. The intended effect of applying fair value pricing is to compute an NAV that accurately reflects the value of the Fund's portfolio at the time that the NAV is calculated, to discourage potential arbitrage market timing in Fund shares, to mitigate the dilutive impact of such attempted arbitrage market timing and to be fair to purchasing, redeeming and existing shareholders. However, the application of fair value pricing procedures may, on occasion, worsen rather than mitigate the potential dilutive impact of shareholder trading.

In addition, trading in foreign portfolio securities generally, or in securities markets in a particular country or countries, may not take place on every Fund's business day. Furthermore, trading takes place in various foreign markets on days that are not business days for the Funds, and on which the Fund's NAV is not calculated (in which case, the NAV of the Fund's shares may change on days when shareholders will not be able to purchase or redeem Fund shares). Thus, the calculation of the Fund's NAV does not take place contemporaneously with the determination of the prices of many of the foreign portfolio securities used in the calculation. If events affecting the last determined values of these foreign securities occur, the securities will be valued at fair value determined in good faith in accordance with the Fund's fair value procedures established and approved by the board of trustees (as described above).

#### Security Valuation – Municipal Securities – Matrix Pricing (Fair Valuation) (Series C)
Municipal securities generally trade in the over-the-counter market rather than on a securities exchange. The Fund's pricing services use valuation models or matrix pricing to determine current value. In general, they use information with respect to comparable bond and note transactions, quotations from bond dealers or by reference to other securities that are considered comparable in such characteristics as rating, interest rate and maturity date. Matrix pricing is considered a form of fair value pricing.

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#### Redemptions
Typically, the Fund uses cash and cash equivalents held in its portfolio or sells portfolio assets to meet all redemption needs. In unusual circumstances or under stressed market conditions, the Fund may use other methods to meet redemptions, such as the use of lines of credit or interfund lending in reliance on exemptive relief from the SEC. Also, see "Account Policies – Redemptions in Kind" for further information regarding redemption requests.

#### Redemptions in Kind
If your redemption requests during any 90-day period exceed $250,000 (or 1% of the value of the Fund's net assets, if less), the Fund reserves the right to make payments in whole or in part in securities or other assets of the Fund. You should expect to incur transaction costs upon the disposition of the securities received in the distribution. In addition, you will bear the market risk of the securities you hold until the securities are sold.

#### Redemptions by Large Shareholders
At times, the Fund may experience adverse effects when certain large shareholders redeem large amounts of shares of the Fund. Large redemptions may cause the Fund to sell portfolio securities at times when it would not otherwise do so. In addition, these transactions may also accelerate the realization of taxable income to shareholders if such sales of investments resulted in gains, and may also increase transaction costs and/or increase in the Fund's expense ratio. When experiencing a redemption by a large shareholder, the Fund may delay payment of the redemption request up to seven days to provide the investment manager with time to determine if the Fund can redeem the request in-kind or to consider other alternatives to lessen the harm to remaining shareholders. Under certain circumstances, however, the Fund may be unable to delay a redemption request, which could result in the automatic processing of a large redemption that is detrimental to the Fund and its remaining shareholders.

#### Joint Accounts
Unless you specify a different registration, shares issued to two or more owners are registered as "joint tenants with rights of survivorship" (shown as "Jt Ten" on your account statement). To make any ownership changes to jointly owned shares, or to sever a joint tenancy in jointly owned shares, all owners must agree in writing.

#### Additional Policies
Please note that the Fund maintains additional policies and reserves certain rights, including:

· The Fund may restrict, reject or cancel any purchase orders.

· Typically, redemptions are processed by the next business day provided the redemption request is received in proper form and good order, but may take up

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to seven days to be processed if making immediate payment would adversely affect the Fund or there is another cause for delay (for example, if you sell shares recently purchased, proceeds may be delayed until your check, draft or wire/electronic funds transfer has cleared). In certain circumstances, however, the Fund may not have the ability to delay a redemption request or may not have the time to determine whether a particular redemption would have an adverse effect on the Fund before the redemption request is paid.

· The Fund may stop offering shares completely or may offer shares only on a limited basis, for a period of time or permanently.

· In unusual circumstances, we may temporarily suspend redemptions or postpone the payment of proceeds, as allowed by federal securities laws.

· For redemptions over a certain amount, the Fund may, but is not required to, pay redemption proceeds in securities or other assets rather than cash (also known as a redemption in-kind) if the investment manager determines it is in the best interest of the Fund, consistent with applicable law. The investment manager will, in its sole discretion, determine whether a redemption in-kind will be considered for a particular redemption request or type of redemption request. In certain circumstances, however, the investment manager may not have the ability to determine whether a particular redemption could be paid in-kind before the redemption request is paid. If a redemption request is redeemed in-kind, investors should expect to incur transaction costs upon the disposition of the securities received in the distribution.

· You may only buy shares of a fund eligible for sale in your state or jurisdiction.

· To permit investors to obtain the current price, dealers are responsible for transmitting all orders to the Fund promptly.

· Exchanges into and out of the Fund are not permitted.

· Financial intermediaries may receive shareholder servicing fees for servicing investors who indirectly hold Franklin Templeton fund shares through intermediary-maintained accounts as more fully described under "Shareholder servicing and transfer agent" of the "Management and Other Services" section in the SAI. These fees are paid by the Fund's transfer agent from payments it receives under its agreement with the Fund.

<br> 78 Prospectus www.franklintempleton.com

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FRANKLIN STRATEGIC SERIES

YOUR ACCOUNT

Questions

If you have any questions about the Fund or your account, you can write to us at P.O. Box 33030, St. Petersburg, FL 33733. You also can call us at one of the following numbers. For your protection and to help ensure we provide you with quality service, all calls may be monitored or recorded.

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Department Name**  | **Telephone Number**  |
| **Shareholder Services**  | (800) 632-2301  |
| **Fund Information**  | (800) DIAL BEN  |
|  | (800) 342-5236 |
| **Retirement Services**  | (800) 527-2020  |
| **Advisor Services**  | (800) 524-4040  |
| **Hearing Impaired Assistance**  | For hearing impaired assistance, <br>please contact us via a Relay Service.  |
| **Automated Telephone System**  | (800) 632-2301<br>(800) 524-4040<br>(800) 527-2020 |

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<br> www.franklintempleton.com Prospectus 79

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### For More Information
You can learn more about the Fund in the following documents:

#### Annual/Semiannual Report to Shareholders (when available) and Form N-CSR Filed with the SEC
Contain additional information about the Fund's investments. The Fund's annual report also discusses the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Fund's performance during its last fiscal year. In Form N-CSR, you will find the Fund's annual and semi-annual financial statements.

#### Statement of Additional Information (SAI)
Contains more information about the Fund, its investments and policies. It is incorporated by reference (is legally a part of this prospectus).

For a free copy of the current annual/semiannual report when available, financial statements or the SAI, please contact your investment representative or call us at the number below. You also can view the current annual/semiannual report when available, financial statements and the SAI online through www.franklintempleton.com.

Reports and other information about the Fund are available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC's Website at http://www.sec.gov, and copies of this information may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following email address: publicinfo@sec.gov.

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| ![](img_fccd0ee0fb1b4f2.jpg) | One Franklin Parkway<br>San Mateo, CA 94403-1906<br>(800) DIAL BEN<sup>®</sup>/342-5236 <br>www.franklintempleton.com | For hearing impaired assistance, please contact us via a Relay Service. |
| Investment Company Act file #811-06243<br>© 2025 Franklin Templeton. All rights reserved. |  |  |

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| |
|:---|
| **STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION** |
| **FRANKLIN STRATEGIC SERIES** |
| June 20, 2025 |
| ![](img_c08a68fe02244f3.jpg) |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
|  | **Ticker:** |
| **Franklin Templeton SMACS: Series C** | FACBX |
| **Franklin Templeton SMACS: Series CP** | FASBX |

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This Statement of Additional Information (SAI) is not a prospectus. It contains information in addition to the information in the Funds' (hereafter "the Fund") prospectus. The Fund's prospectus, dated June 20, 2025, which we may amend from time to time, contains the basic information you should know before investing in the Fund. You should read this SAI together with the Fund's prospectus.

For a free copy of the current prospectus, shareholder report, and/or financial statements, contact your investment representative or call (800) DIAL BEN/342-5236.

### Contents

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| [Goals, Strategies and Risks](#x1x3) | [2](#x1x3) |
| [Officers and Trustees](#x2x3) | [55](#x2x3) |
| [Fair Valuation](#x3x3) | [61](#x3x3) |
| [Management and Other Services](#x4x3) | [62](#x4x3) |
| [Portfolio Transactions](#x5x3) | [65](#x5x3) |
| [Distributions and Taxes](#x6x3) | [66](#x6x3) |
| [Organization, Voting Rights and<br>Principal Holders](#x7x3) | [77](#x7x3) |
| [Buying and Selling Shares](#x8x3) | [77](#x8x3) |
| [The Underwriter](#x9x3) | [80](#x9x3) |
| [Description of Ratings](#x10x3) | [80](#x10x3) |

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Appendix A A-1

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Mutual Funds, annuities, and other investment products:**<br>• are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board, or any other agency of the U.S. government;<br>• are not deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed or endorsed by, any bank; and<br>• are subject to investment risks, including the possible loss of principal. | **Mutual Funds, annuities, and other investment products:**<br>• are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board, or any other agency of the U.S. government;<br>• are not deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed or endorsed by, any bank; and<br>• are subject to investment risks, including the possible loss of principal. | **Mutual Funds, annuities, and other investment products:**<br>• are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board, or any other agency of the U.S. government;<br>• are not deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed or endorsed by, any bank; and<br>• are subject to investment risks, including the possible loss of principal. |
| P.O. Box 33030<br>St. Petersburg, FL 33733 **(800) DIAL BEN<sup>®</sup> /342-5236** | 1 | FSS4 SAI 06/25 |

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**Goals, Strategies and Risks**

The following information provided with respect to the Fund is in addition to that included in the Fund's prospectus.

In addition to the main types of investments and strategies undertaken by the Fund as described in the prospectus, the Fund also may invest in other types of instruments and engage in and pursue other investment strategies, which are described in this SAI. Investments and investment strategies with respect to the Fund are discussed in greater detail in the section below entitled "*Glossary of Investments, Techniques, Strategies and Their Risks*."

Generally, the policies and restrictions discussed in this SAI and in the prospectus apply when the Fund makes an investment. In most cases, the Fund is not required to sell an investment because circumstances change and the investment no longer meets one or more of the Fund's policies or restrictions. If a percentage restriction or limitation is met at the time of investment, a later increase or decrease in the percentage due to a change in the value of portfolio investments will not be considered a violation of the restriction or limitation, with the exception of the Fund's limitations on borrowing as described herein or unless otherwise noted herein.

Incidental to the Fund's other investment activities, including in connection with a bankruptcy, restructuring, workout, or other extraordinary events concerning a particular investment the Fund owns, the Fund may receive securities (including convertible securities, warrants and rights), real estate or other investments that the Fund normally would not, or could not, buy. If this happens, the Fund may, although it is not required to, sell such investments as soon as practicable while seeking to maximize the return to shareholders.

The Fund has adopted certain investment restrictions as fundamental and non-fundamental policies. A fundamental policy may only be changed if the change is approved by (i) more than 50% of the Fund's outstanding shares or (ii) 67% or more of the Fund's shares present at a shareholder meeting if more than 50% of the Fund's outstanding shares are represented at the meeting in person or by proxy, whichever is less. A non-fundamental policy may be changed without the approval of shareholders.

For more information about the restrictions of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (1940 Act) on the Fund with respect to (1) borrowing and senior securities, see "*Glossary of Investments, Techniques, Strategies and Their Risks* - Borrowing"; and (2) lending, see "*Glossary of Investments, Techniques, Strategies and Their Risks* - Corporate Loans, Assignments and Participations" below.

*Fundamental Investment Policies*

The Fund may not:

1. Borrow money, except to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, or any rules, exemptions or interpretations thereunder that may be adopted, granted or issued by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

2. Act as an underwriter, except to the extent the Fund may be deemed to be an underwriter when disposing of securities it owns or when selling its own shares.

3. Make loans if, as a result, more than 33 1/3% of its total assets would be lent to other persons, including other investment companies to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act or any rules, exemptions or interpretations thereunder that may be adopted, granted or issued by the SEC. This limitation does not apply to (i) the lending of portfolio securities, (ii) the purchase of debt securities, other debt instruments, loan participations and/or engaging in direct corporate loans in accordance with its investment goals and policies, and (iii) repurchase agreements to the extent the entry into a repurchase agreement is deemed to be a loan.<sup>1</sup>

4. Purchase or sell real estate unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments and provided that this restriction does not prevent the Fund from (i) purchasing or selling securities or instruments secured by real estate or interests therein, securities or instruments representing interests in real estate or securities or instruments of issuers that invest, deal or otherwise engage in transactions in real estate or interests therein, and (ii) making, purchasing or selling real estate mortgage loans.

5. Purchase or sell commodities, except to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act or any rules, exemptions or interpretations thereunder that may be adopted, granted or issued by the SEC.

6. Issue senior securities, except to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act or any rules, exemptions or interpretations thereunder that may be adopted, granted or issued by the SEC.

7. Invest more than 25% of the Fund's net assets in securities of issuers in any one industry (other than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities or securities of other investment companies).<sup>2</sup>

<sup>1.</sup> Although not part of the Fund's fundamental investment restriction, in general, "direct corporate loans" or direct investments in corporate loans are investments in new corporate loans where the Fund may invest as an initial investor and have a direct contractual relationship with the borrower (as opposed to a participation interest where the fund's sole contractual relationship is with the seller of the interest). Purchasing a loan or an interest in a loan in this fashion would allow the Fund to avoid the credit risk of the agent bank or other intermediary.

<sup>2.</sup> Although not part of the Fund's fundamental investment restriction, to the extent that the Fund invests in underlying funds, the Fund will take into account the holdings of those affiliated underlying funds in which it invests and will not ignore information about unaffiliated underlying funds.

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In addition, each Fund is non-diversified, which means that it generally invests a greater proportion of its assets in the securities of one or more issuers.

*Non-Fundamental Investment Policies*

#### Series C
The Fund's investment goal is to seek to provide current income consistent with preservation of capital. The Fund's investment goal is non-fundamental and therefore may be changed by the Trust's board of trustees without shareholder approval. Shareholders will be given at least 60 days' advance notice of any change to the Fund's investment goal.

#### Series CP
The Fund's investment goal is to seek to provide high current income. Capital appreciation over the long term is a secondary goal. The Fund's investment goals are non-fundamental and therefore may be changed by the Trust's board of trustees without shareholder approval. Shareholders will be given at least 60 days' advance notice of any change to the Fund's investment goal.

*Additional Strategies*

In trying to achieve its investment goal, the Fund may invest in the types of instruments or engage in the types of transactions identified below and in the section "Glossary of Investments, Techniques, Strategies and Their Risks," which also describes the risks associated with these investment policies. The Fund may or may not use all of these techniques at any one time.

#### Series C
The Fund may invest, buy or engage in:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• fixed and adjustable rate mortgage-backed securities, including those issued or guaranteed by Ginnie Mae, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• certain debt obligations that are collateralized by mortgage loans or mortgage pass-through securities known as CMOs, which are multi-class mortgage-backed securities, and in mortgage dollar rolls

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• corporate loans

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• convertible securities

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• municipal securities

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• securities rated below investment grade

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• investment company securities

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• stripped securities that are issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury or by an agency or instrumentality of the U.S. government

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• securities on a "when-issued," "delayed delivery" or "to-be-announced (TBA)" basis

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• asset-backed securities, including adjustable-rate asset-backed securities that have interest rates that reset at periodic intervals

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• interest rate derivatives such as interest rate swaps and options thereon, and interest rate/bond futures and options thereon

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• credit-related derivatives and complex securities, including buying and selling single name, and index credit default swaps and options thereon, fixed income total return swaps, credit-linked notes, collateralized debt obligations

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• mortgage-backed securities issued or guaranteed by domestic and foreign governments and private institutions

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS)

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• mortgage loans, reperforming loans and credit risk transfer securities

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• reverse mortgages, either directly or through investments in mortgage-backed securities

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• securities of issuers in any foreign country, developed or developing

#### Series CP
The Fund may invest, buy or engage in:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• fixed and adjustable rate mortgage-backed securities, including those issued or guaranteed by Ginnie Mae, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• certain debt obligations that are collateralized by mortgage loans or mortgage pass-through securities known as CMOs, which are multi-class mortgage-backed securities, and in mortgage dollar rolls

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• corporate loans

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• convertible securities

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• municipal securities

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• securities rated below investment grade

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• investment company securities

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• stripped securities that are issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury or by an agency or instrumentality of the U.S. government

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• securities on a "when-issued," "delayed delivery" or "to-be-announced (TBA)" basis

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• asset-backed securities, including adjustable-rate asset-backed securities that have interest rates that reset at periodic intervals

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• currency-related transactions involving derivative instruments, including currency and cross currency forwards, currency swaps, currency and currency index futures contracts and currency options

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• interest rate derivatives such as interest rate swaps and options thereon, interest rate/bond futures and options thereon, and inflation index swaps

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• credit-related derivatives and complex securities, including buying and selling single name, and index credit default swaps and options thereon, fixed income total return swaps, credit-linked notes, collateralized debt obligations and complex fixed income exchange traded funds

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• mortgage-backed securities issued or guaranteed by domestic and foreign governments and private institutions

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• mortgage loans, reperforming loans and credit risk transfer securities

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• reverse mortgages, either directly or through investments in mortgage-backed securities

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• securities of issuers in any foreign country, developed or developing

#### Glossary of Investments, Techniques, Strategies and Their Risks
Certain words or phrases may be used in descriptions of Fund investment policies and strategies to give investors a general sense of the Fund's levels of investment. They are broadly identified with, but not limited to, the following percentages of Fund total assets:

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| "small portion" | less than 10% |
| "portion" | 10% to 25% |
| "significant" | 25% to 50% |
| "substantial" | 50% to 66% |
| "primary" | 66% to 80% |
| "predominant" | 80% or more |

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If the Fund intends to limit particular investments or strategies to no more than specific percentages of Fund assets, the prospectus or SAI will clearly identify such limitations. The percentages above are not limitations unless specifically stated as such in the Fund's prospectus or elsewhere in this SAI.

The Fund may invest in securities that are rated by various rating agencies such as Moody's Investors Service (Moody's) and S&P<sup>®</sup> Global Ratings (S&P<sup>®</sup>), as well as securities that are unrated.

The value of your shares in the Fund will increase as the value of the investments owned by the Fund increases and will decrease as the value of the Fund's investments decreases. In this way, you participate in any change in the value of the investments owned by the Fund. In addition to the factors that affect the value of any particular investment that the Fund owns, the value of the Fund's shares may also change with movement in the investment markets as a whole.

The following is a description of various types of securities, instruments and techniques that may be purchased and/or used by the Fund:

**Anticipation notes** Anticipation notes are issued to provide interim financing of various municipal needs in anticipation of the receipt of other sources of money for repayment of the notes.

*Bond anticipation notes* are normally issued to provide interim financing until a long-term bond financing can be arranged which provides the money for the repayment of the notes.

*Construction loan notes* are issued to provide construction financing for specific projects. Frequently, these notes are redeemed with funds obtained from the Federal Housing Administration.

*Revenue anticipation notes* are issued in expectation of the receipt of revenue sources, other than tax receipts, such as anticipated revenues from a source such as turnpike tolls.

*Tax anticipation notes* are issued to finance the short-term working capital needs of municipalities in anticipation of the receipt of various seasonal tax revenues that are used to repay the notes. They are usually general obligations of the issuer and are secured by the taxing power for the payment of principal and interest.

**Asset-backed securities** Asset-backed securities represent interests in a pool of loans, leases or other receivables. The assets underlying asset-backed securities may include receivables on home equity loans, credit card loans, and automobile, mobile home and recreational vehicle loans and leases and other assets. Asset-backed securities are often backed by a pool of assets representing the obligations of a number of different parties and may have adjustable interest rates that reset at periodic intervals.

The credit quality of most asset-backed securities depends primarily on the credit quality of the underlying assets, how well the issuers of the securities are insulated from the credit risk of the originator or affiliated entities, and the amount of credit support (if any) provided to the securities. Credit support for asset-backed securities is intended to lessen the effect of failures by obligors (such as individual borrowers or leasers) on the underlying assets to make payments. Credit support generally falls into two categories: (i) liquidity

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protection; and (ii) protection against losses from the default by an obligor on the underlying assets.

Liquidity protection refers to advances, generally provided by the entity administering the pool of assets, intended to ensure that the receipt of payments due on the underlying pool is timely. Protection against losses from the default by an obligor can enhance the likelihood of payments of the obligations on at least some of the assets in the pool. Protection against losses from default may be provided through guarantees, insurance policies or letters of credit obtained by the issuer or sponsor from third parties. Alternatively, this protection may be provided through various means of structuring the transaction, or through a combination of these approaches.

Examples of credit support arising out of the structure of the transaction include "senior subordinated securities" (securities with one or more classes that are subordinate to the other classes with respect to the payment of principal and interest, with the result that defaults on the underlying assets should be borne first by the holders of the subordinated class), creation of "reserve funds" (where cash or investments, sometimes funded from a portion of the payments on the underlying assets, are held in reserve against future losses), and "over-collateralization" (where the scheduled payments on, or the principal amount of, the underlying assets exceeds that required to make payments on the securities and pay any servicing or other fees).

The degree of credit support provided is generally based on historical information about the level of credit risk associated with the underlying assets. Historical information may not adequately reflect present or future credit risk. Delinquencies or losses in excess of those anticipated could occur and could adversely affect the return on an investment in the securities. There is no guarantee that the type of credit support selected will be effective at reducing the illiquidity or losses to investors in the event of certain defaults. Where credit support is provided by a third party, the Fund will be exposed to the credit risk of that third party in addition to the credit risk of the issuer or sponsor of the asset-backed security and the underlying obligors.

Asset-backed securities also have risk due to a characteristic known as early amortization, or early payout, risk. Built into the structure of certain asset-backed securities are triggers for early payout, designed to protect investors from losses. These triggers are unique to each transaction and can include, among other things: a significant rise in defaults on the underlying loans, a sharp drop in the credit enhancement level, or the bankruptcy of the issuer or sponsor. Once early amortization begins, all incoming loan payments are used to pay investors as quickly as possible. Prepayment risk also arises when the underlying obligations may be satisfied or "prepaid" before due. Certain asset-backed securities backed by automobile receivables may be affected by such early prepayment of principal on the underlying vehicle sales contract. When amortization or prepayment occurs, the Fund may have to reinvest the proceeds at a rate of interest that is lower than the rate on the existing asset-backed security. In addition, the Fund may suffer a loss if it paid a premium for the asset-backed security as cash flows from the early amortization reduce the value of the premium paid.

Alternatively, if prepayments occur at a slower rate than the investment manager expected, or if payment on the underlying assets is delayed or defaulted upon, the Fund will experience extension risk.

The income received by the Fund on an asset-backed security generally fluctuates more than the income on fixed income debt securities. This is because asset-backed securities are usually structured as pass-through or pay-through securities (similar to mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations). Cash flow generated by payments on the underlying obligations in these structures is shared with the investor as it is received. The rate of payment on asset-backed securities generally depends on the rate of principal and interest payments received on the underlying assets. Payments on underlying assets will be affected by various economic and other factors that shape the market for those underlying assets. Therefore, the income on asset-backed securities will be difficult to predict, and actual yield to maturity will be more or less than the anticipated yield to maturity.

Asset-backed securities have certain risks that stem from the characteristics of the underlying assets. For example, asset-backed securities do not have the benefit of the same type of security interests in the underlying collateral that mortgage-backed securities have, and there may be a limited ability to enforce any security interests that exist. Credit enhancements provided to support asset-backed securities, if any, may be inadequate to protect investors in the event of default. For example, credit card receivables are generally unsecured and a number of state and federal consumer credit laws give debtors the right to set off certain amounts owed on the credit cards, thereby reducing the outstanding balance, which can negatively affect the yield and/or value of related asset-backed securities. Issuers of asset-backed securities for which automobile receivables are the underlying assets may be prevented from realizing the full amount due on an automobile sales contract because of state law requirements and restrictions relating to sales of vehicles following their repossession and the obtaining of deficiency judgments following such sales or because of depreciation, damage or loss of a vehicle, the application of bankruptcy and insolvency laws, or other factors. The absence of, or difficulty enforcing, such security interests in the underlying assets may result in additional expenses, delays and losses to the Fund. The Fund's exposure to the credit risk of the credit support provider will also be greater if recourse is limited to the credit

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support provider in the event of widespread defaults on the underlying obligations.

**Bank obligations** Bank obligations include fixed, floating or variable rate certificates of deposit (CDs), letters of credit, time and savings deposits, bank notes and bankers' acceptances. CDs are negotiable certificates issued against funds deposited in a commercial bank for a definite period of time and earning a specified return. Time deposits are non-negotiable deposits that are held in a banking institution for a specified period of time at a stated interest rate. Savings deposits are deposits that do not have a specified maturity and may be withdrawn by the depositor at any time. Bankers' acceptances are negotiable drafts or bills of exchange normally drawn by an importer or exporter to pay for specific merchandise. When a bank "accepts" a bankers' acceptance, the bank, in effect, unconditionally agrees to pay the face value of the instrument upon maturity. The full amount of the Fund's investment in time and savings deposits or CDs may not be guaranteed against losses resulting from the default of the commercial or savings bank or other institution insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).

Bank obligations are exempt from registration with the SEC if issued by U.S. banks or foreign branches of U.S. banks. As a result, the Fund will not receive the same investor protections when investing in bank obligations as opposed to registered securities. Bank notes and other unsecured bank obligations are not guaranteed by the FDIC, so the Fund will be exposed to the credit risk of the bank or institution. In the event of liquidation, bank notes and unsecured bank obligations generally rank behind time deposits, savings deposits and CDs, resulting in a greater potential for losses to the Fund.

The Fund's investments in bank obligations may be negatively impacted if adverse economic conditions prevail in the banking industry (such as substantial losses on loans, increases in non-performing assets and charge-offs and declines in total deposits). The activities of U.S. banks and most foreign banks are subject to comprehensive regulations which, in the case of U.S. regulations, have undergone substantial changes in the past decade. The enactment of new legislation or regulations, as well as changes in interpretation and enforcement of current laws, may affect the manner of operations and profitability of domestic and foreign banks. Significant developments in the U.S. banking industry have included increased competition from other types of financial institutions, increased acquisition activity and geographic expansion. Banks may be particularly susceptible to certain economic factors, such as interest rate changes and adverse developments in the market for real estate. Fiscal and monetary policy and general economic cycles can affect the availability and cost of funds, loan demand and asset quality and thereby impact the earnings and financial conditions of banks.

**Borrowing** The 1940 Act and the SEC's current rules, exemptions and interpretations thereunder, permit the Fund to borrow up to one-third of the value of its total assets (including the amount borrowed, but less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities) from banks. The Fund is required to maintain continuous asset coverage of at least 300% with respect to such borrowings and to reduce the amount of its borrowings (within three days excluding Sundays and holidays) to restore such coverage if it should decline to less than 300% due to market fluctuations or otherwise. In the event that the Fund is required to reduce its borrowings, it may have to sell portfolio holdings, even if such sale of the Fund's holdings would be disadvantageous from an investment standpoint.

If the Fund makes additional investments while borrowings are outstanding, this may be considered a form of 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 or gains received from the securities purchased with borrowed funds.

In addition to borrowings that are subject to 300% asset coverage and are considered by the SEC to be permitted "senior securities," the Fund is also permitted under the 1940 Act to borrow for temporary purposes in an amount not exceeding 5% of the value of its total assets at the time when the loan is made. A loan will be presumed to be for temporary purposes if it is repaid within 60 days and is not extended or renewed.

**Callable securities** Callable securities give the issuer the right to redeem the security on a given date or dates (known as the call dates) prior to maturity. In return, the call feature is factored into the price of the debt security, and callable debt securities typically offer a higher yield than comparable non-callable securities. Certain securities may be called only in whole (the entire security is redeemed), while others may be called in part (a portion of the total face value is redeemed) and possibly from time to time as determined by the issuer. There is no guarantee that the Fund will receive higher yields or a call premium on an investment in callable securities.

The period of time between the time of issue and the first call date, known as call protection, varies from security to security. Call protection provides the investor holding the security with assurance that the security will not be called before a specified date. As a result, securities with call protection generally cost more than similar securities without call protection. Call protection will make a callable security more similar to a long-term debt security, resulting in an associated increase in the callable security's interest rate sensitivity.

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Documentation for callable securities usually requires that investors be notified of a call within a prescribed period of time. If a security is called, the Fund will receive the principal amount and accrued interest, and may receive a small additional payment as a call premium. Issuers are more likely to exercise call options in periods when interest rates are below the rate at which the original security was issued, because the issuer can issue new securities with lower interest payments. Callable securities are subject to the risks of other debt securities in general, including prepayment risk, especially in falling interest rate environments.

**Collateralized debt obligations** Collateralized debt obligations and similarly structured securities, sometimes known generally as CDOs, are interests in a trust or other special purpose entity (SPE) and are typically backed by a diversified pool of bonds, loans or other debt obligations. CDOs are not limited to investments in one type of debt and, accordingly, a CDO may be collateralized by corporate bonds, commercial loans, asset-backed securities, residential mortgage-backed securities, real estate investment trusts (REITs), commercial mortgage-backed securities, emerging market debt, and municipal bonds. Certain CDOs may use derivatives contracts, such as credit default swaps, to create "synthetic" exposure to assets rather than holding such assets directly, which entails the risks of derivative instruments described elsewhere in this SAI.

Common varieties of CDOs include the following:

*Collateralized loan obligations.* Collateralized loan obligations (CLOs) are interests in a trust typically collateralized substantially by a pool of loans, which may include, among others, domestic and foreign senior secured loans, senior unsecured loans, and subordinate corporate loans made to domestic and foreign borrowers, including loans that may be rated below investment grade or equivalent unrated loans.

*Collateralized bond obligations.* Collateralized bond obligations (CBOs) are interests in a trust typically backed substantially by a diversified pool of high risk, below investment grade fixed income securities.

*Structured finance CDOs.* Structured finance CDOs are interests in a trust typically backed substantially by structured investment products such as asset-backed securities and commercial mortgage-backed securities.

*Synthetic CDOs.* In contrast to CDOs that directly own the underlying debt obligations, referred to as cash CDOs, synthetic CDOs are typically collateralized substantially by derivatives contracts, such as credit default swaps, to create "synthetic" exposure to assets rather than holding such assets directly, which entails the risks of derivative instruments described elsewhere in this SAI, principally counterparty risk.

CDOs are similar in structure to collateralized mortgage obligations, described elsewhere in this SAI. Unless the context indicates otherwise, the discussion of CDOs below also applies to CLOs, CBOs and other similarly structured securities.

In CDOs, the cash flows from the SPE are split into two or more portions, called tranches (or classes), that vary in risk and yield. The riskiest portion is the "equity" tranche which bears the first loss from defaults on the bonds or loans in the SPE and is intended to protect the other, more senior tranches from severe, and potentially unforeseen, defaults or delinquent collateral payments (though such protection is not complete). Because they may be partially protected from defaults, senior tranches from a CDO typically have higher ratings and lower yields than the underlying collateral securities held by the trust, and may be rated investment grade. Despite protection from the equity tranche, more senior tranches can experience, and may have experienced in the past, substantial losses due to actual defaults, increased sensitivity to defaults due to collateral default, downgrades of the underlying collateral by rating agencies, forced liquidation of a collateral pool due to a failure of coverage tests, disappearance of protecting tranches, market anticipation of defaults, as well as a market aversion to CDO securities as a class.

The risks of an investment in a CDO depend largely on the type of collateral held by the SPE and the tranche of the CDO in which the Fund invests. Investment risk may also be affected by the performance of a CDO's collateral manager (the entity responsible for selecting and managing the pool of collateral securities held by the SPE trust), especially during periods of market volatility. Normally, CDOs are privately offered and sold, and thus, are not registered under the securities laws and traded in a public market. As a result, investments in CDOs may be characterized by the Fund as illiquid securities. However, an active dealer market may exist for CDOs allowing the Fund to trade CDOs with other qualified institutional investors under Rule 144A. To the extent such investments are characterized as illiquid, they will be subject to the Fund's restrictions on investments in illiquid securities. The Fund's investment in unregistered securities such as CDOs will not receive the same investor protection as an investment in registered securities.

All tranches of CDOs, including senior tranches with high credit ratings, can experience, and at times many have experienced, substantial losses due to actual defaults, increased sensitivity to future defaults due to the disappearance of protecting tranches, market anticipation of defaults, as well as market aversion to CDO securities as a class. In the past, prices of CDO tranches have declined considerably. The drop in prices was initially triggered by the subprime mortgage crisis. Subprime mortgages make up a significant portion of the mortgage securities that collateralize many CDOs. As floating interest rates and mortgage default rates increased, the rating agencies that had rated the mortgage securities and CDO transactions backed by such

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mortgages realized their default assumptions were too low and began to downgrade the credit rating of these transactions. There can be no assurance that additional losses of equal or greater magnitude will not occur in the future.

In addition to the normal risks associated with debt securities and asset backed securities (e.g., interest rate risk, credit risk and default risk) described elsewhere in this SAI, CDOs carry additional risks including, but not limited to: (i) the possibility that distributions from collateral securities will not be adequate to make interest or other payments; (ii) the quality of the collateral may decline in value or quality or go into default or be downgraded; (iii) the Fund may invest in tranches of a CDO that are subordinate to other classes; and (iv) the complex structure of the security may not be fully understood at the time of investment and may produce disputes with the issuer, difficulty in valuing the security or unexpected investment results.

Certain issuers of CDOs may be deemed to be "investment companies" as defined in the 1940 Act. As a result, the Fund's investment in these structured investments from these issuers may be limited by the restrictions contained in the 1940 Act. CDOs generally charge management fees and administrative expenses that the shareholders of the Fund would pay indirectly.

**Commercial paper** Commercial paper is an unsecured, short-term loan to a corporation, typically for financing accounts receivable and inventory with maturities of up to 270 days. The Fund may invest in taxable commercial paper only for temporary defensive purposes.

**Commodity-linked instruments** Commodity-linked instruments are designed to provide exposure to the price movements of real assets that trade in the commodity markets without direct investment in physical commodities. Real assets are assets such as oil, gas, industrial and precious metals, livestock, and agricultural or meat products, or other items that have tangible properties, as compared to stocks or bonds, which are financial instruments.

Obtaining exposure to the price movements of physical commodities through commodity-linked instruments presents unique risks, is speculative and can be extremely volatile. Market prices of commodities may fluctuate rapidly based on numerous factors, including: changes in supply and demand relationships (whether actual, perceived, anticipated, unanticipated or unrealized); weather; agriculture; trade; domestic and foreign political and economic events and policies; diseases; pestilence; technological developments; and monetary and other governmental policies, action and inaction. The current or "spot" prices of physical commodities may also affect, in a volatile and inconsistent manner, the prices of futures contracts in respect of the relevant commodity. Certain commodities are used primarily in one industry, and fluctuations in levels of activity in (or the availability of alternative resources to) one industry may have a disproportionate effect on global demand for a particular commodity. Moreover, growth in industrial production and gross domestic product has made China and other developing nations oversized users of commodities and has increased the extent to which certain commodities prices are influenced by those markets.

The Fund does not consider currencies or other financial commodities or contracts and financial instruments to be physical commodities (which include, for example, oil, precious metals and grains). Accordingly, the Fund interprets the fundamental restriction to permit the Fund (subject to the Fund's investment goal and general investment policies as stated in the Fund's prospectus and this SAI) to invest directly in foreign currencies and other financial commodities and to purchase, sell or enter into commodity futures contracts and options thereon, foreign currency forward contracts, foreign currency options, currency, commodity and financial instrument-related swap agreements, hybrid instruments, interest rate, securities-related or foreign currency-related hedging instruments or other currency-, commodity- or financial instrument-related derivatives, subject to compliance with any applicable provisions of the federal securities or commodities laws. The Fund also interprets its fundamental restriction regarding purchasing and selling physical commodities to permit the Fund to invest in exchange-traded funds or other entities that invest in physical and/or financial commodities, subject to the limits described in the Fund's prospectus and SAI.

*Commodity-linked notes.* The value of a commodity-linked note is primarily linked to the price movements of physical commodity (such as heating oil, livestock, or agricultural products), a commodity futures or option contract, a commodity index (such as the S&P GSCI), or some other readily measurable variable that reflects changes in the value of particular commodities or the commodities markets. The notes in which the Fund invests are typically issued by a bank or other financial institution or a commodity producer, and the Fund negotiates with the issuer to obtain specific terms and features that are tailored to the Fund's investment needs. A typical note may have the following characteristics:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• Issuer: A bank, other financial institution or commodity producer with respect to commodity-linked notes.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• Maturity: Commodity-Linked Notes (12-18 months).

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• Purchase Price: The Fund purchases a note at a specified face value, for example $100 or $1,000.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• Payment Characteristics: The Fund receives an interest payment at a fixed coupon rate determined at the time of purchase. With respect to commodity-linked notes, the Fund also receives a payment at maturity that is based on the price movement of the underlying

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commodity, for example heating oil, or a commodity index (e.g., the S&P GSCI). This payment will typically be an amount that is a multiple of the price increase or decrease of the underlying commodity or commodity index. The investment manager currently anticipates that most notes purchased by the Fund will be leveraged at a 3 to 1 factor (i.e., the return of the index is multiplied 3x for purposes of the Fund's returns).

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• "Put" and Automatic Redemption Features: The Fund typically has the right to "put" (or sell) a commodity-linked note to the issuer at any time, at a price based on the commodity-linked note's face value as adjusted to reflect the price movement of the underlying commodity, commodity futures or option contract, commodity index, or other economic variable. A typical note also provides that the issuer will automatically repurchase the note from the Fund if the value of the note decreases to a specified level, which would occur if the price of the underlying commodity, commodity futures or option contract, or commodity index, which ever the case may be, reached a level specified under the terms of the note. The Fund can negotiate with the issuer to modify any of the typical characteristics described above. For example, the Fund can negotiate to extend or shorten the maturity of a note, or to receive interest payments at a variable interest rate instead of at a fixed interest rate.

**Convertible securities** A convertible security is generally a debt obligation, preferred stock or other security that may be converted within a specified period of time into a certain amount of common stock of the same or of a different issuer. The conversion may occur at the option of the investor in or issuer of the security, or upon a predetermined event. A convertible security typically provides a fixed-income stream and the opportunity, through its conversion feature, to participate in the capital appreciation resulting from a market price advance in its underlying common stock. As with a straight fixed-income security, a convertible security tends to increase in market value when interest rates decline and decrease in value when interest rates rise. Like a common stock, the value of a convertible security also tends to increase as the market value of the underlying stock rises, and it tends to decrease as the market value of the underlying stock declines. Because both interest rate and market movements can influence its value, a convertible security is usually not as sensitive to interest rate changes as a similar fixed-income security, nor is it as sensitive to changes in share price as its underlying stock. Convertible securities are also subject to risks that affect debt securities in general.

Although less than an investment in the underlying stock, the potential for gain on an investment in a convertible security is greater than for similar non-convertible securities. As a result, a lower yield is generally offered on convertible securities than on otherwise equivalent non-convertible securities. There is no guarantee that the Fund will realize gains on a convertible security in excess of the foregone yield it accepts to invest in such convertible security.

A convertible security is usually issued either by an operating company or by an investment bank. When issued by an operating company, a convertible security tends to be senior to the company's common stock, but may be subordinate to other types of fixed-income securities issued by that company. When a convertible security issued by an operating company is "converted," the operating company often issues new stock to the holder of the convertible security. However, if the convertible security is redeemable and the parity price of the convertible security is less than the call price, the operating company may pay out cash instead of common stock.

If the convertible security is issued by an investment bank or other sponsor, the security is an obligation of and is convertible through, the issuing investment bank. However, the common stock received upon conversion is of a company other than the investment bank or sponsor. The issuer of a convertible security may be important in determining the security's true value. This is because the holder of a convertible security will have recourse only to the issuer.

*Contingent convertible securities (CoCos)*. A contingent convertible security, or CoCo, is a hybrid debt security typically issued by a non-U.S. bank that, upon the occurrence of a specified trigger event, may be (i) convertible into equity securities of the issuer at a predetermined share price; or (ii) written down in liquidation value. Trigger events are identified in the documents that govern the CoCo and may include a decline in the issuer's capital below a specified threshold level, an increase in the issuer's risk weighted assets, the share price of the issuer falling to a particular level for a certain period of time and certain regulatory events, such as a change in regulatory capital requirements. CoCos are designed to behave like bonds in times of economic health yet absorb losses when the trigger event occurs.

With respect to CoCos that provide for conversion of the CoCo into common shares of the issuer in the event of a trigger event, the conversion would deepen the subordination of the investor, subjecting the Fund to a greater risk of loss in the event of bankruptcy. In addition, because the common stock of the issuer may not pay a dividend, investors in such instruments could experience reduced yields (or no yields at all). With respect to CoCos that provide for the write down in liquidation value of the CoCo in the event of a trigger event, it is possible that the liquidation value of the CoCo may be adjusted downward to below the original par value or written off entirely under certain circumstances. For instance, if losses have eroded the issuer's capital levels below a specified threshold, the liquidation value of the CoCo may be reduced in whole or in part. The write-down of the CoCo's par value may occur automatically, and if written down to zero,

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would effectively cancel the securities, causing investors (including the Fund) to lose the entire value of their investment, even as the issuer remains in business. If such an event occurs, an investor may not have any rights to repayment of the principal amount of the securities and may not be entitled to institute bankruptcy proceedings against the issuer. In addition, an automatic write-down could result in a reduced income rate if the dividend or interest payment associated with the CoCo is based on par value. Coupon payments on CoCos may be discretionary and may be cancelled by the issuer for any reason or may be subject to approval by the issuer's regulator and may be suspended in the event there are insufficient distributable reserves.

CoCos are subject to the credit, interest rate, high yield securities, foreign securities and market risks associated with bonds and equity securities, and to the risks specific to convertible securities in general. They are also subject to other specific risks. CoCos typically are structurally subordinated to traditional convertible bonds in the issuer's capital structure, which increases the risk that the Fund may experience a loss. In certain scenarios, investors in CoCos may suffer a loss of capital ahead of equity holders or when equity holders do not. CoCos are generally speculative and the prices of CoCos may be volatile. There is no guarantee that the Fund will receive return of principal on CoCos.

*Convertible preferred stock.* A convertible preferred stock is usually treated like a preferred stock for the Fund's financial reporting, credit rating and investment policies and limitations purposes. A preferred stock is subordinated to all debt obligations in the event of insolvency, and an issuer's failure to make a dividend payment is generally not an event of default entitling the preferred shareholder to take action. A preferred stock generally has no maturity date, so that its market value is dependent on the issuer's business prospects for an indefinite period of time. Distributions from preferred stock are dividends, rather than interest payments, and are usually treated as such for tax purposes. Investments in convertible preferred stock, as compared to the debt obligations of an issuer, generally increase the Fund's exposure to the credit risk of the issuer and market risk generally, because convertible preferred stock will fare more poorly if the issuer defaults or markets suffer.

*Enhanced convertible securities.* In addition to "plain vanilla" convertible securities, a number of different structures have been created to fit the characteristics of specific investors and issuers. Examples of these features include yield enhancement, increased equity exposure or enhanced downside protection. From an issuer's perspective, enhanced structures are designed to meet balance sheet criteria, maximize interest/dividend payment deductibility and reduce equity dilution. Examples of enhanced convertible securities include mandatory convertible securities, convertible trust preferred securities, exchangeable securities, and zero coupon and deep discount convertible bonds.

*Risks.* An investment in a convertible security may involve risks. The Fund may have difficulty disposing of such securities because there may be a thin trading market for a particular security at any given time. Reduced liquidity may have an adverse impact on market price and the Fund's ability to dispose of a security when necessary to meet the Fund's liquidity needs or in response to a specific economic event, such as the deterioration in the creditworthiness of an issuer. Reduced liquidity in the secondary market for certain securities may also make it more difficult for the Fund to obtain market quotations based on actual trades for purposes of valuing the Fund's portfolio. Although the Fund intends to acquire convertible securities that the investment manager considers to be liquid (i.e., those securities that the investment manager determines may be sold on an exchange, or an institutional or other substantial market), there can be no assurances that this will be achieved. Certain securities and markets can become illiquid quickly, resulting in liquidity risk for the Fund. The Fund will also encounter difficulty valuing convertible securities due to illiquidity or other circumstances that make it difficult for the Fund to obtain timely market quotations based on actual trades for convertible securities. Convertible securities may have low credit ratings, which generally correspond with higher credit risk to an investor like the Fund.

In addition to the general risks of convertible securities and the special risks of enhanced convertible securities, there are risks unique to synthetic convertible securities. Synthetic convertible securities differ from true convertible securities in several respects. The value of a synthetic convertible security is the sum of the values of its debt security component and its convertibility component. Thus, the values of a synthetic convertible and a true convertible security will respond differently to market fluctuations. Although the investment manager expects normally to create synthetic convertible securities whose two components provide exposure to the

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same issuer, the character of a synthetic convertible allows the Fund to combine components representing distinct issuers, or to combine a debt security with a call option on a stock index. In addition, the component parts of a synthetic convertible security may be purchased simultaneously or separately; and the holder of a synthetic convertible faces the risk that the price of the stock, or the level of the market index underlying the convertibility component will decline. Exposure to more than one issuer or participant will increase the number of parties upon which the investment depends and the complexity of that investment and, as a result, increase the Fund's credit risk and valuation risk.

**Convertible zero-coupon and step coupon bonds** Convertible zero-coupon securities have no coupon until a predetermined date, at which time they convert to a specified coupon security. Zero-coupon bonds tend to react more sharply to changes in interest rates than traditional bonds.

#### Corporate Loans, Assignments and Participations
*Corporate loans.* Corporate loans typically are structured and negotiated by a group of financial institutions and other investors, including in some cases, the Fund, that provide capital to the borrowers. In return, the borrowers pay interest and repay the loan's principal. Such corporate loans often pay interest rates that are reset periodically on the basis of a floating base lending rate, such as the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR), plus a premium. The Fund may invest in corporate loans directly at the time of the loan's closing or by buying an assignment of all or a portion of the corporate loan from a lender. The Fund may also invest indirectly in a corporate loan by buying a loan participation from a lender or other purchaser of a participation. Corporate loans may include term loans, Bridge Loans (as described below) and, to the extent permissible for the Fund, revolving credit facilities, prefunded letters of credit term loans, delayed draw term loans and receivables purchase facilities.

The Fund limits the amount of total assets that it will invest in any one issuer. For purposes of these limitations, the Fund generally will treat the borrower as the "issuer" of indebtedness held by the Fund. In loan participations, a bank or other lending institution serves as financial intermediary between the Fund and the borrower, the participation may not shift to the Fund the direct debtor-creditor relationship with the borrower. In this case, SEC interpretations require the Fund, in appropriate circumstances, to treat both the lending bank or other lending institution and the borrower as "issuers" for these purposes. Treating a financial intermediary as an issuer of indebtedness may restrict the Fund's ability to invest in indebtedness related to a single financial intermediary, or intermediaries engaged in the same industry, even if the underlying borrowers represent different companies and industries.

*Negotiation and administration of loans.* Each type of corporate loan in which the Fund may invest typically is structured by a group of lenders and other investors. This means that the lenders and other investors, which may include other Franklin Templeton funds and accounts, participate in the negotiations with the corporate borrower and in the drafting of the terms of the corporate loan. The group of lenders and other investors often consists of commercial banks, thrift institutions, insurance companies, finance companies, other financial institutions, or in some cases other investors, including investment companies such as the Fund. Typically, the Fund will not act as the sole negotiator or sole investor for a corporate loan. One or more of the lenders usually administers the corporate loan on behalf of all the lenders and other investors; this lender is referred to as the Agent Bank.

*Three ways to invest in corporate loans.* The Fund may invest in corporate loans in any of three ways. The Fund may: (i) make a direct investment by purchasing an assignment of part or all of a corporate loan; (ii) make an indirect investment by purchasing a participation interest in a corporate loan; or (iii) make a direct investment in a corporate loan by participating as one of the initial investors. Participation interests are interests sold by a lender or other holders of participation interests, which usually represent a fractional interest in a corporate loan. An assignment represents a direct interest in a corporate loan or portion of a corporate loan previously owned by a different investor. Unlike where the Fund purchases a participation interest, the Fund will generally become an investor for the purposes of the relevant corporate loan agreement by purchasing an assignment.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*1. Assignments of corporate loans.* If the Fund purchases an assignment of a corporate loan, the Fund will assume the position of the original investor. The Fund will have the right to receive payments directly from the corporate borrower and to enforce its contractual rights directly against the corporate borrower. The purchase may be made at a discount to par. This means that the Fund receives a return at the full interest rate for the corporate loan rather than a discounted rate.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*2. Participation interests in corporate loans.* In contrast to the purchase of an assignment, if the Fund purchases a participation interest either from a lender or a participant, the Fund typically will have established a direct contractual relationship with the seller of the participation interest, but not with the corporate borrower. Consequently, the Fund is subject to the credit risk of the lender or participant who sold the participation interest to the Fund, in addition to the usual credit risk of the corporate borrower. Therefore, when the Fund considers an investment in corporate loans through the purchase of participation interests, its investment manager will take into account the creditworthiness of the Agent Bank and any lenders and participants interposed between the Fund and the

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corporate borrower. These parties are referred to as Intermediate Participants. Additionally, the Fund will consider that there may be limitations on the Fund's ability to vote on amendments to the borrower's underlying loan agreement.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;*3. Direct investments in corporate loans.* When the Fund invests as an initial investor in a new corporate loan, the investment may be made at a discount to par. This means that the Fund receives a return at the full interest rate for the corporate loan, which incorporates the discount.

Because secondary purchases of loans may be made at par, at a premium from par or at a discount from par, the Fund's return on such an investment may be lower or higher than it would have been if the Fund had made a direct initial investment. While loan participations generally trade at a discount, the Fund may buy participations trading at par or at a premium. At certain times when reduced opportunities for direct initial investment in corporate loans may exist, however, the Fund may be able to invest in corporate loans only through participation interests or assignments.

*Loan participations.* Loan participations may enable the Fund to acquire an interest in a corporate loan from a borrower, which it could not do directly. Because the Fund establishes a direct contractual relationship with the lender or Participant, the Fund is subject to the credit risk of the lender or Participant in addition to the usual credit risk of the corporate borrower and any Agent Bank. Under normal market conditions, loan participations that sell at a discount to the secondary loan price may indicate the borrower has credit problems or other issues associated with the credit risk of the loan. To the extent the credit problems are resolved, loan participations may appreciate in value.

In the event the corporate borrower fails to pay principal and interest when due, the Fund may have to assert rights against the borrower through an Intermediate Participant. This may subject the Fund to delays, expenses and risks that are greater than those that would be involved if the Fund could enforce its rights directly against the corporate borrower. Also, in the event of the insolvency of the lender or Intermediate Participant who sold the participation interest to the Fund, the Fund may not have any exclusive or senior claim with respect to the lender's interest in the corporate loan, or in the collateral securing the corporate loan. Consequently, the Fund might not benefit directly from the collateral supporting the underlying corporate loan. If the Intermediate Participant becomes insolvent, payments of principal and/or interest may be held up or not paid by such Participant or such Participant may not have the resources to assert its and the Fund's rights against the corporate borrower. Similar risks may arise with respect to the Agent Bank.

*Obligations to make future advances.* Certain revolving credit facility corporate loans (revolvers) and some types of delayed draw loans require that the lenders and other investors, including the Fund, and Intermediate Participants make future advances to the corporate borrower at the demand of the borrower. Other continuing obligations may also exist pursuant to the terms of these types of corporate loans. If the Fund's future obligations are not met for any reason, including the failure of an Intermediate Participant to fulfill its obligations, the Fund's interests may be harmed. Because these loans may involve a commitment on the part of a Fund to make a loan to a borrower in the future, they may be treated as unfunded commitment agreements in accordance with applicable requirements of Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act.

*Delayed draw term loans.* Delayed draw term loans have characteristics of both revolvers and term loans, in that, before they are drawn upon by the borrower, they are similar to a revolver; however when they are drawn upon, they become fully and permanently drawn and are in essence term loans. Upon funding, when a loan is drawn upon, the loan becomes permanently funded, repaid principal amounts may not be reborrowed and interest accrues on the amount outstanding. The borrower pays a fee during the commitment period.

*Prefunded L/C term loan.* A prefunded L/C term loan (Pre L/C Loan) is sometimes referred to as a funded letter of credit facility. For these loans, the Agent Bank (or another bank) issues letters of credit (each letter, an L/C) to guarantee the repayment of the borrowings by the borrower, as the ultimate debtor under these loans. Each lender or other investor, such as the Fund, transfers to the Agent Bank the amount of money the lender or other investor, has committed under the Pre L/C Loan agreement. The Agent Bank holds the monies solely to satisfy the lenders' or other investors' obligations under the loan agreement.

Whenever the borrower needs funds, it draws against the Pre L/C Loan. Consequently, the lenders or other investors do not have to advance any additional monies at the time the borrower draws against the Pre L/C Loan. To the extent that the borrower does not draw down these monies as borrowings during the term of the Pre L/C Loan, the Agent Bank invests these monies as deposits that pay interest, usually approximating a benchmark rate. This interest is paid to the borrower. Generally, the borrower, via the Agent Bank, pays the lenders or other investors interest at a rate equivalent to the fully drawn spread plus a benchmark rate. The borrower pays this interest during the term of the loan whether or not the borrower borrows monies from the amounts held and invested by the Agent Bank. The principal and any unpaid accrued interest will be returned to the lenders and other investors upon termination of the Pre L/C loan (and upon satisfaction of all obligations).

The risks of investing in corporate loans include all the general risks of investing in debt securities. For example,

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investments in corporate loans are exposed to the credit risk of the borrowing corporation and any Intermediate Participants, the valuation risk of pricing corporate loans and collateral, and the illiquidity risk associated with holding unregistered, non-exchange traded securities. There are also additional risks associated with an investment in corporate loans, including those described below.

*Additional credit risks.* Corporate loans may be issued in leveraged or highly leveraged transactions (such as mergers, acquisitions, consolidations, liquidations, spinoffs, reorganizations or financial restructurings), or involving distressed companies or those in bankruptcy (including debtor-in-possession transactions). This means that the borrower is assuming large amounts of debt in order to have large amounts of financial resources to attempt to achieve its business objectives; there is no guarantee, however, that the borrower will achieve its business objectives. Loans issued in leveraged or highly leveraged transactions are subject to greater credit risks than other loans, including an increased possibility that the borrower might default or go into bankruptcy.

*Insufficient collateral.* The terms of most senior secured corporate loans and corporate debt securities in which the Fund invests generally provide that the collateral provided by the corporate borrower have a fair market value at least equal to 100% of the amount of such corporate loan at the time of the loan. The investment manager generally will determine the value of the collateral by customary valuation techniques that it considers appropriate. The collateral may consist of various types of assets or interests including working capital assets, such as accounts receivable or inventory, tangible fixed assets, such as real property, buildings and equipment, tangible or intangible assets, such as trademarks, copyrights and patent rights, or security interests in securities of subsidiaries or affiliates. The borrower's owners or other parties may provide additional security.

The Fund may encounter difficulty valuing the collateral, especially less tangible assets. The value of the collateral may decline following investment by the Fund in the corporate loan. Also, collateral may be difficult to sell or liquidate and insufficient in the event of a default. Consequently, there can be no assurance that the liquidation of any collateral securing a corporate loan would satisfy the borrower's obligation in the event of nonpayment of scheduled interest or principal payments, or that such collateral could be readily liquidated. In the event of bankruptcy of a borrower, the Fund could experience delays or limitations with respect to its ability to realize the benefits of any collateral securing a corporate loan. Collateral securing a corporate loan may lose all or substantially all of its value in the event of bankruptcy of a borrower. Some corporate loans are subject to the risk that a court, pursuant to fraudulent conveyance or other similar laws, could order currently existing or future indebtedness of the corporate borrower to be paid ahead of the corporate loans. This order could make repayment of the corporate loans in part or in full less likely. The court could take other action detrimental to the holders of the corporate loans including, in certain circumstances, invalidating such corporate loans or causing interest previously paid to be refunded to the borrower.

*Potential lack of investor protections under federal and state securities laws.* If a corporate loan purchased by the Fund is not considered to be a "security," the Fund will not receive the same investor protections with respect to such investment that are available to purchasers of investments that are considered "securities" under federal and state securities laws, including any possible recourse against a member of the lending syndicate as an underwriter or the borrower as an issuer.

*Lack of publicly available information and ratings.* Corporate loans in which the Fund may invest may not be rated by a rating agency, will not be registered with the SEC or any state securities commission and will not be listed on any national securities exchange. The amount of public information available with respect to corporate loans will generally be less than that available for registered or exchange listed securities; however, the investment manager will not invest in a loan if, in its judgment, it does not have enough information on the loan to satisfy its due diligence standards.

*Non-public information and limitations on its use.* From time to time, the investment manager on behalf of the Fund, may elect to receive material non-public information (MNPI) about an individual loan that is not available to other lenders of such loan who may be unwilling to enter into a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) with the borrower or company and restrict themselves from trading in the loan for a specified period of time. If the investment manager on behalf of the Fund, elects to become restricted on any individual loan as a result of agreeing to receive MNPI about the loan and signing an NDA, the Fund might be unable to enter into a transaction in a security of that borrower, when it would otherwise be advantageous to do so.

*Liquidity of corporate loans.* The investment manager generally considers corporate loans, loan participations and assignments of corporate loans to be liquid. To the extent such investments are deemed to be liquid by the investment manager, they will not be subject to the Fund's restrictions on investments in illiquid securities. Generally, a liquid market with institutional buyers exists for such interests. The investment manager monitors each type of loan and/or loan interest in which the Fund is invested to determine whether it is liquid consistent with the liquidity procedures adopted by the Fund.

No active trading market may exist for some corporate loans and some corporate loans may be subject to restrictions on resale. A secondary market in corporate loans may be subject

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to irregular trading activity, wide bid/ask spreads and extended trade settlement periods, which may impair the ability to accurately value existing and prospective investments and to realize in a timely fashion the full value on sale of a corporate loan. In addition, the Fund may not be able to readily sell its corporate loans at prices that approximate those at which the Fund could sell such loans if they were more widely held and traded. As a result of such potential illiquidity, the Fund may have to sell other investments or engage in borrowing transactions if necessary to raise cash to meet its obligations. Purchases of corporate loans in the secondary market will be generally treated as when issued, forward-settling and non-standard settlement cycle securities transactions not involving a senior security under applicable provisions of Rule 18f-4.

*Risks based on Agent Banks and/or Intermediate Participants.* The Agent Bank typically administers the corporate loan. The Agent Bank typically is responsible for collecting principal, interest and fee payments from the corporate borrower. The Agent Bank then distributes these payments to all lenders and other investors that are parties to the corporate loan or own participation interests therein. The Fund will not act as an Agent Bank under normal circumstances. The Fund generally will rely on the Agent Bank or an Intermediate Participant to collect its portion of the payments. The Fund will also rely on the Agent Bank to take appropriate actions against a corporate borrower that is not making payments as scheduled. Typically, the Agent Bank is given broad discretion in enforcing the terms of the corporate loan, and is required to use only the same care it would use in the management of its own property. The corporate borrower compensates the Agent Bank for these services and this could create an incentive for the Agent Bank to exercise its discretion to the advantage of the corporate borrower to a greater extent than might otherwise be the case. Such compensation may include special fees paid at the start of corporate loans and fees paid on a continuing basis for ongoing services.

In the event that a corporate borrower becomes bankrupt or insolvent, the borrower may attempt to assert certain legal defenses as a result of improper conduct by the Agent Bank or Intermediate Participant. Asserting the Fund's legal rights against the Agent Bank or Intermediate Participant could be expensive and result in the delay or loss to the Fund of principal and/or interest payments.

There is a risk that an Agent Bank may have financial difficulty. An Agent Bank could even declare bankruptcy, or have a receiver, conservator, or similar official appointed for it by a regulatory authority. If this happens, assets held by the Agent Bank under the corporate loan should remain available to holders of corporate loans, including the Fund. However, a regulatory authority or court may determine that assets held by the Agent Bank for the benefit of the Fund are subject to the claims of the Agent Bank's general or secured creditors. The Fund might incur costs and delays in realizing payment on a corporate loan or might suffer a loss of principal or interest. Similar risks arise in situations involving Intermediate Participants, as described above.

*Covenants.* The borrower or issuer under a corporate loan or debt security generally must comply with various restrictive covenants contained in any corporate loan agreement between the borrower and the lending syndicate or in any trust indenture or comparable document in connection with a corporate debt security. A restrictive covenant is a promise by the borrower to take certain actions that protect, or not to take certain actions that may impair, the rights of lenders. These covenants, in addition to requiring the scheduled payment of interest and principal, may include restrictions on dividend payments and other distributions to shareholders, provisions requiring the borrower to maintain specific financial ratios or relationships regarding, and/or limits on, total debt. In addition, a covenant may require the borrower to prepay the corporate loan or corporate debt security with any excess cash flow. Excess cash flow generally includes net cash flow (after scheduled debt service payments and permitted capital expenditures) as well as the proceeds from asset dispositions or sales of securities. A breach of a covenant (after giving effect to any cure period) in a corporate loan agreement which is not waived by the Agent Bank and the lending syndicate normally is an event of acceleration. This means that the Agent Bank has the right to demand immediate repayment in full of the outstanding corporate loan. Acceleration may also occur in the case of the breach of a covenant in a corporate debt security document. If acceleration occurs and the Fund receives repayment before expected, the Fund will experience prepayment risk.

*Covenants and covenant lite loans and debt securities.* Some covenant lite loans may be in the market from time to time which tend to have fewer or no financial maintenance covenants and restrictions. A covenant lite loan typically contains fewer clauses which allow an investor to proactively enforce financial covenants or prevent undesired actions by the borrower/issuer. Covenant lite loans also generally provide fewer investor protections if certain criteria are breached. The Fund may experience losses or delays in enforcing its rights on its holdings of covenant lite loans.

*Bridge financings.* The Fund may also acquire interests in loans which are designed to provide temporary or "bridge" financing (Bridge Loans) to a borrower pending the sale of identified assets; the arrangement of longer-term loans; or the issuance and sale of debt obligations. The Fund may also make a commitment to participate in a Bridge Loan facility. Most Bridge Loans are structured as floating-rate debt with step-up provisions under which the interest rate on the Bridge Loan rises the longer the Loan remains outstanding. In addition, Bridge Loans commonly contain a conversion feature that allows the Bridge Loan investor to convert its loan interest to senior exchange notes if the loan has not been

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prepaid in full on or prior to its maturity date. Bridge Loans may be subordinate to other debt and may be unsecured or under-secured. Bridge Loans are subject to the same general risks discussed above inherent to any loan investment. Due to their subordinated nature and possible unsecured or under-secured status, Bridge Loans may involve a higher degree of overall risk than more senior loans of the same borrower. Bridge Loans also generally carry the expectation that the borrower will be able to sell the assets, obtain permanent financing or sell other debt obligations in the near future. Any delay in these occurrences subjects the Bridge Loan investor to increased credit risk and may impair the borrower's perceived creditworthiness. In addition, Bridge Loans may result in or lead to longer-term or permanent indebtedness.

*Debtor-in-possession financings.* The Fund may also invest in "debtor-in-possession" or "DIP" financings newly issued in connection with "special situation" restructuring and refinancing transactions. DIP financings are loans to a debtor-in-possession in a proceeding under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code that has been approved by the bankruptcy court. These financings allow the entity to continue its business operations while reorganizing under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. A DIP financing can be secured by a senior lien on the debtor's unencumbered assets, or encumbered assets which would allow the existing senior lien holders to maintain at least the same lien position as the pre-petition secured debt. DIP financings are often required to close in a rapid manner in order for the debtor to continue ongoing operations and satisfy existing creditors. Additionally, a DIP financing may be "rolled" into exit financing which enable the issuer to emerge from bankruptcy.

In addition to the risk of loss of its principal investment, the Fund bears the risk that the issuer of the CLN will default or become bankrupt. In such an event, the Fund may have difficulty being repaid, or fail to be repaid, the principal amount of its investment. A downgrade or impairment to the credit rating of the issuer will also likely impact negatively the price of the CLN, regardless of the price of the bond(s) underlying the CLNs. A CLN is typically structured as a limited recourse, unsecured obligation of the issuer of such security such that the security will usually be the obligation solely of the issuer and will not be an obligation or responsibility of any other person, including the issuer of the underlying bond(s).

Most CLNs are structured as Rule 144A securities so that they may be freely traded among institutional buyers. However, the market for CLNs may be, or suddenly can become, illiquid. The other parties to the transaction may be the only investors with sufficient understanding of the CLN to be interested in bidding for it. Changes in liquidity may result in significant, rapid and unpredictable changes in the prices of CLNs. In certain cases, a market price for a CLN may not be available or may not be reliable, and the Fund could experience difficulty in selling such security at a price the investment manager believes is fair.

**Cybersecurity** With the increased use of technologies such as mobile devices and Web-based or "cloud" applications, and the dependence on the Internet and computer systems to conduct business, the Fund is susceptible to operational, information security and related risks. In general, cybersecurity incidents can result from deliberate attacks or unintentional events (arising from external or internal sources) that may cause the Fund to lose proprietary information, suffer data corruption, physical damage to a computer or network system or lose operational capacity. Cybersecurity attacks include, but are not limited to, infection by malicious software, such as malware or computer viruses or gaining unauthorized access to digital systems, networks or devices that are used to service the Fund's operations (e.g., through "hacking," "phishing" or malicious software coding) or other means for purposes of misappropriating assets or sensitive information, corrupting data, or causing operational disruption. Cybersecurity attacks may also be carried out in a manner that does not require gaining unauthorized access, such as causing denial-of-service attacks on the Fund's websites (i.e., efforts to make network services unavailable to intended users). Recently, geopolitical tensions may have increased the scale and sophistication of deliberate cybersecurity attacks, particularly those from nation-states or from entities with nation-state backing. In addition, authorized persons could inadvertently or intentionally release confidential or proprietary information stored on the Fund's systems.

Cybersecurity incidents affecting the Fund's investment manager, sub-advisor and other service providers to the Fund or its shareholders (including, but not limited to, sub-advisors, accountants, custodians, sub-custodians, transfer agents and financial intermediaries) have the ability to cause disruptions and impact business operations, potentially resulting in financial losses to both the Fund and its shareholders, interference with the Fund's ability to calculate its net asset value, impediments to trading, the inability of Fund shareholders to transact business and the Fund to process transactions (including fulfillment of purchases and redemptions), violations of applicable privacy and other laws (including the release of private shareholder information) and attendant breach notification and credit monitoring costs, regulatory fines, penalties, litigation costs, reputational damage, reimbursement or other compensation costs,

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forensic investigation and remediation costs, and/or additional compliance costs. Similar adverse consequences could result from cybersecurity incidents affecting issuers of securities in which the Fund invests, counterparties with which the Fund engages in transactions, governmental and other regulatory authorities, exchange and other financial market operators, banks, brokers, dealers, insurance companies and other financial institutions (including financial intermediaries and other service providers) and other parties. In addition, substantial costs may be incurred in order to safeguard against and reduce the risk of any cybersecurity incidents in the future. In addition to administrative, technological and procedural safeguards, the Fund's investment manager and sub-advisor have established business continuity plans in the event of, and risk management systems to prevent or reduce the impact of, such cybersecurity incidents. However, there are inherent limitations in such plans and systems, including the possibility that certain risks have not been identified, as well as the rapid development of new threats. Furthermore, the Fund cannot control the cybersecurity plans and systems put in place by its service providers or any other third parties whose operations may affect the Fund and its shareholders. The Fund and its shareholders could be negatively impacted as a result.

Because technology is frequently changing, new ways to carry out cyber attacks are always developing. Therefore, there is a chance that some risks have not been identified or prepared for, or that an attack may not be detected, which puts limitations on the Fund's ability to plan for or respond to a cyber attack. Like other funds and business enterprises, the Fund, the investment manager and their service providers are subject to the risk of cyber incidents occurring from time to time.

**Debt securities - general description** In general, a debt security represents a loan of money to the issuer by the purchaser of the security. A debt security typically has a fixed payment schedule that obligates the issuer to pay interest to the lender and to return the lender's money over a certain time period. A company typically meets its payment obligations associated with its outstanding debt securities before it declares and pays any dividend to holders of its equity securities. Bonds, notes and commercial paper are examples of debt securities and differ in the length of the issuer's principal repayment schedule, with bonds carrying the longest repayment schedule and commercial paper the shortest:

*Bonds.* A bond is a debt security in which investors lend money to an entity that borrows for a defined period of time, usually a period of more than five years, at a specified interest rate.

*Commercial paper.* Commercial paper is an unsecured, short-term loan to a corporation, typically for financing accounts receivable and inventory with maturities of up to 270 days.

*Debentures.* A debenture is an unsecured debt security backed only by the creditworthiness of the borrower, not by collateral.

*Bills.* A bill is a short-term debt instrument, usually with a maturity of two years or less.

*Notes.* A note is a debt security usually with a maturity of up to ten years.

For purposes of the discussion in this SAI of the risks of investing in debt securities generally, loans or other short-term instruments, which otherwise may not technically be considered securities, are included.

Debt securities are all generally subject to interest rate, credit, income and prepayment risks and, like all investments, are subject to liquidity and market risks to varying degrees depending upon the specific terms and type of security. The Fund's investment manager attempts to reduce credit and market risk through diversification of the Fund's portfolio and ongoing credit analysis of each issuer, as well as by monitoring economic developments, but there can be no assurance that it will be successful at doing so.

**Defaulted debt securities** If the issuer of a debt security in the Fund's portfolio defaults, the Fund may have unrealized losses on the security, which may lower the Fund's net asset value. Defaulted securities tend to lose much of their value before they default. Thus, the Fund's net asset value may be adversely affected before an issuer defaults. The Fund may incur additional expenses if it tries to recover principal or interest payments on a defaulted security. Defaulted debt securities often are illiquid. An investment in defaulted debt securities is generally considered speculative and may expose the Fund to similar risks as an investment in high-yield debt.

Certain Funds may buy defaulted debt securities. To the extent that a Fund is not permitted to buy defaulted debt securities, the Fund is not required to sell a debt security that has defaulted if the investment manager believes it is advantageous to continue holding the security.

**Depositary receipts** Many securities of foreign issuers are represented by American Depositary Receipts (ADRs), Global Depositary Receipts (GDRs), and European Depositary Receipts (EDRs) (collectively, depositary receipts). 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 U.S.

ADRs evidence ownership of, and represent the right to receive, securities of foreign issuers deposited in a domestic

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bank or trust company or a foreign correspondent bank. Prices of ADRs are quoted in U.S. dollars, and ADRs are traded in the U.S. on exchanges or over-the-counter. While ADRs do not eliminate all the risks associated with foreign investments, by investing in ADRs rather than directly in the stock of foreign issuers, the Fund will avoid currency and certain foreign market trading risks during the settlement period for either purchases or sales. In general, there is a large, liquid market in the U.S. for ADRs quoted on a national securities exchange. The information available for ADRs is subject to the accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards of the U.S. market or exchange on which they are traded, which standards are generally more uniform and more exacting than those to which many foreign issuers may be subject.

EDRs and GDRs are typically issued by foreign banks or trust companies and evidence ownership of underlying securities issued by either a foreign or a U.S. corporation. EDRs and GDRs may not necessarily be denominated in the same currency as the underlying securities into which they may be converted. The underlying shares are held in trust by a custodian bank or similar financial institution in the issuer's home country. If the issuer's home country does not have developed financial markets, the Fund could be exposed to the credit risk of the custodian or financial institution and greater market risk. The depository bank may not have physical custody of the underlying securities at all times and may charge fees for various services, including forwarding dividends and interest, and processing corporate actions. The Fund would be expected to pay a share of the additional fees, which it would not pay if investing directly in the foreign securities. The Fund may experience delays in receiving its dividend and interest payments or exercising rights as a shareholder.

Depositary receipts may reduce some but not eliminate all the risks inherent in investing in the securities of foreign issuers. Depositary receipts are still subject to the political and economic risks of the underlying issuer's country and are still subject to foreign currency exchange risk. Depositary receipts will be issued under 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 about an issuer that has participated in the creation of a sponsored program. There may be an increased possibility of untimely responses to certain corporate actions of the issuer, such as stock splits and rights offerings, in an unsponsored program. Accordingly, there may be less information available regarding issuers of securities underlying unsponsored programs and there may not be a correlation between this information and the market value of the depositary receipts. If the Fund's investment depends on obligations being met by the arranger as well as the issuer of an unsponsored program, the Fund will be exposed to additional credit risk.

**Derivative instruments** Generally, derivatives are financial instruments whose value depends on or is derived from, the value of one or more underlying assets, reference rates, or indices or other market factors (a "reference instrument") and may relate to stocks, bonds, interest rates, credit, currencies, commodities or related indices. Derivative instruments can provide an efficient means to gain or reduce exposure to the value of a reference instrument without actually owning or selling the instrument. Some common types of derivatives include options, futures, forwards and swaps.

Derivative instruments may be used for "hedging," which means that they may be used when the investment manager seeks to protect the Fund's investments from a decline in value resulting from changes to interest rates, market prices, currency fluctuations or other market factors. Derivative instruments may also be used for other purposes, including to seek to increase liquidity, provide efficient portfolio management, broaden investment opportunities (including taking short or negative positions), implement a tax or cash management strategy, gain exposure to a particular security or segment of the market, modify the effective duration of the Fund's portfolio investments and/or enhance total return. However derivative instruments are used, their successful use is not assured and will depend upon, among other factors, the investment manager's ability to gauge relevant market movements.

Derivative instruments may be used for purposes of direct hedging. Direct hedging means that the transaction must be intended to reduce a specific risk exposure of a portfolio security or its denominated currency and must also be directly related to such security or currency. The Fund's use of derivative instruments may be limited from time to time by policies adopted by the board of trustees or the Fund's investment manager.

*Exclusion of investment manager from commodity pool operator definition.* With respect to the Fund, the investment manager has claimed an exclusion from the definition of "commodity pool operator" (CPO) under the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA) and the rules of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and, therefore, is not subject to CFTC registration or regulation as a CPO. In addition, with respect to the Fund, the investment manager is relying upon a related exclusion from the definition of "commodity trading advisor" (CTA) under the CEA and the rules of the CFTC.

The terms of the CPO exclusion require the Fund, among other things, to adhere to certain limits on its investments in "commodity interests." Commodity interests include commodity futures, commodity options and swaps, which in

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turn include non-deliverable currency forward contracts, as further described below. Because the investment manager and the Fund intend to comply with the terms of the CPO exclusion, the Fund may, in the future, need to adjust its investment strategies, consistent with its investment goal, to limit its investments in these types of instruments. The Fund is not intended as a vehicle for trading in the commodity futures, commodity options or swaps markets. The CFTC has neither reviewed nor approved the investment manager's reliance on these exclusions, or the Fund, its investment strategies or this SAI.

Generally, the exclusion from CPO regulation on which the investment manager relies requires the Fund to meet one of the following tests for its commodity interest positions, other than positions entered into for bona fide hedging purposes (as defined in the rules of the CFTC): either (1) the aggregate initial margin and premiums required to establish the Fund's positions in commodity interests may not exceed 5% of the liquidation value of the Fund's portfolio (after taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such positions); or (2) the aggregate net notional value of the Fund's commodity interest positions, determined at the time the most recent such position was established, may not exceed 100% of the liquidation value of the Fund's portfolio (after taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such positions). In addition to meeting one of these trading limitations, the Fund may not be marketed as a commodity pool or otherwise as a vehicle for trading in the commodity futures, commodity options or swaps markets. If, in the future, the Fund can no longer satisfy these requirements, the investment manager would withdraw its notice claiming an exclusion from the definition of a CPO, and the investment manager would be subject to registration and regulation as a CPO with respect to the Fund, in accordance with CFTC rules that apply to CPOs of registered investment companies. Generally, these rules allow for substituted compliance with CFTC disclosure and shareholder reporting requirements, based on the investment manager's compliance with comparable SEC requirements. However, as a result of CFTC regulation with respect to the Fund, the Fund may incur additional compliance and other expenses.

*Futures contracts.* Generally, a futures contract is a standard binding agreement to buy or sell a specified quantity of an underlying reference instrument, such as a specific security, currency or commodity, at a specified price at a specified later date. A "sale" of a futures contract means the acquisition of a contractual obligation to deliver the underlying reference instrument called for by the contract at a specified price on a specified date. A "purchase" of a futures contract means the acquisition of a contractual obligation to acquire the underlying reference instrument called for by the contract at a specified price on a specified date. The purchase or sale of a futures contract will allow the Fund to increase or decrease its exposure to the underlying reference instrument without having to buy the actual instrument.

The underlying reference instruments to which futures contracts may relate include non-U.S. currencies, interest rates, stock and bond indices and debt securities, including U.S. government debt obligations. In certain types of futures contracts, the underlying reference instrument may be a swap agreement. For more information about swap agreements generally, see "Swaps" below. In most cases the contractual obligation under a futures contract may be offset, or "closed out," before the settlement date so that the parties do not have to make or take delivery. The closing out of a contractual obligation is usually accomplished by buying or selling, as the case may be, an identical, offsetting futures contract. This transaction, which is effected through a member of an exchange, cancels the obligation to make or take delivery of the underlying instrument or asset. Although some futures contracts by their terms require the actual delivery or acquisition of the underlying instrument or asset, some require cash settlement.

Futures contracts may be bought and sold on U.S. and non-U.S. exchanges. Futures contracts in the U.S. have been designed by exchanges that have been designated "contract markets" by the CFTC and must be executed through a futures commission merchant (FCM), which is a brokerage firm that is a member of the relevant contract market. Each exchange guarantees performance of the contracts as between the clearing members of the exchange, thereby reducing the risk of counterparty default. Futures contracts may also be entered into on certain exempt markets, including exempt boards of trade and electronic trading facilities, available to certain market participants. Because all transactions in the futures market are made, offset or fulfilled by an FCM through a clearinghouse associated with the exchange on which the contracts are traded, the Fund will incur brokerage fees when it buys or sells futures contracts.

The Fund generally buys and sells futures contracts only on contract markets (including exchanges or boards of trade) where there appears to be an active market for the futures contracts, but there is no assurance that an active market will exist for any particular contract or at any particular time. An active market makes it more likely that futures contracts will be liquid and bought and sold at competitive market prices. In addition, many of the futures contracts available may be relatively new instruments without a significant trading history. As a result, there can be no assurance that an active market will develop or continue to exist.

When the Fund enters into a futures contract, it must deliver to an account controlled by the FCM (that has been selected by the Fund), an amount referred to as "initial margin" that is typically calculated as an amount equal to the volatility in market value of a contract over a fixed period. Initial margin requirements are determined by the respective exchanges on

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which the futures contracts are traded and the FCM. Thereafter, a "variation margin" amount may be required to be paid by the Fund or received by the Fund in accordance with margin controls set for such accounts, depending upon changes in the marked-to-market value of the futures contract. The account is marked-to-market daily and the variation margin is monitored by the Fund's investment manager and custodian on a daily basis. When the futures contract is closed out, if the Fund has a loss equal to or greater than the margin amount, the margin amount is paid to the FCM along with any loss in excess of the margin amount. If the Fund has a loss of less than the margin amount, the excess margin is returned to the Fund. If the Fund has a gain, the full margin amount and the amount of the gain is paid to the Fund.

Some futures contracts provide for the delivery of securities that are different than those that are specified in the contract. For a futures contract for delivery of debt securities, on the settlement date of the contract, adjustments to the contract can be made to recognize differences in value arising from the delivery of debt securities with a different interest rate from that of the particular debt securities that were specified in the contract. In some cases, securities called for by a futures contract may not have been issued when the contract was written.

*Risks of futures contracts.* The Fund's use of futures contracts is subject to the risks associated with derivative instruments generally. In addition, a purchase or sale of a futures contract may result in losses to the Fund in excess of the amount that the Fund delivered as initial margin. Because of the relatively low margin deposits required, futures trading involves a high degree of leverage; as a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in immediate and substantial loss, or gain, to the Fund. In addition, if the Fund has insufficient cash to meet daily variation margin requirements or close out a futures position, it may have to sell securities from its portfolio at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so. Adverse market movements could cause the Fund to experience substantial losses on an investment in a futures contract.

There is a risk of loss by the Fund of the initial and variation margin deposits in the event of bankruptcy of the FCM with which the Fund has an open position in a futures contract. The assets of the Fund may not be fully protected in the event of the bankruptcy of the FCM or central counterparty because the Fund might be limited to recovering only a pro rata share of all available funds and margin segregated on behalf of an FCM's customers. If the FCM does not provide accurate reporting, the Fund is also subject to the risk that the FCM could use the Fund's assets, which are held in an omnibus account with assets belonging to the FCM's other customers, to satisfy its own financial obligations or the payment obligations of another customer to the central counterparty.

The Fund may not be able to properly hedge or effect its strategy when a liquid market is unavailable for the futures contract the Fund wishes to close, which may at times occur. In addition, when futures contracts are used for hedging, there may be an imperfect correlation between movements in the prices of the underlying reference instrument on which the futures contract is based and movements in the prices of the assets sought to be hedged.

If the investment manager's investment judgment about the general direction of market prices or interest or currency exchange rates is incorrect, the Fund's overall performance will be poorer than if it had not entered into a futures contract. For example, if the Fund has purchased futures to hedge against the possibility of an increase in interest rates that would adversely affect the price of bonds held in its portfolio and interest rates instead decrease, the Fund will lose part or all of the benefit of the increased value of the bonds which it has hedged. This is because its losses in its futures positions will offset some or all of its gains from the increased value of the bonds.

The difference (called the "spread") between prices in the cash market for the purchase and sale of the underlying reference instrument and the prices in the futures market is subject to fluctuations and distortions due to differences in the nature of those two markets. First, all participants in the futures market are subject to initial deposit and variation margin requirements. Rather than meeting additional variation margin requirements, investors may close futures contracts through offsetting transactions that could distort the normal pricing spread between the cash and futures markets. Second, the liquidity of the futures markets depends on participants entering into offsetting transactions rather than making or taking delivery of the underlying instrument. To the extent participants decide to make or take delivery, liquidity in the futures market could be reduced, resulting in pricing distortion. Third, from the point of view of speculators, the margin deposit requirements that apply in the futures market are less onerous than similar margin requirements in the securities market. Therefore, increased participation by speculators in the futures market may cause temporary price distortions. When such distortions occur, a correct forecast of general trends in the price of an underlying reference instrument by the investment manager may still not necessarily result in a profitable transaction.

Futures contracts that are traded on non-U.S. exchanges may not be as liquid as those purchased on CFTC-designated contract markets. In addition, non-U.S. futures contracts may be subject to varied regulatory oversight. The price of any non-U.S. futures contract and, therefore, the potential profit and loss thereon, may be affected by any change in the non-U.S. exchange rate between the time a particular order is placed and the time it is liquidated, offset or exercised.

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The CFTC and the various exchanges have established limits referred to as "speculative position limits" on the maximum net long or net short position that any person, such as the Fund, may hold or control in a particular futures contract. Trading limits are also imposed on the maximum number of contracts that any person may trade on a particular trading day. An exchange may order the liquidation of positions found to be in violation of these limits and it may impose other sanctions or restrictions. The regulation of futures, as well as other derivatives, is a rapidly changing area of law.

Futures exchanges may also limit the amount of fluctuation permitted in certain futures contract prices during a single trading day. This daily limit establishes the maximum amount that the price of a futures contract may vary either up or down from the previous day's settlement price. Once the daily limit has been reached in a futures contract subject to the limit, no more trades may be made on that day at a price beyond that limit. The daily limit governs only price movements during a particular trading day and does not limit potential losses because the limit may prevent the liquidation of unfavorable positions. For example, futures prices have occasionally moved to the daily limit for several consecutive trading days with little or no trading, thereby preventing prompt liquidation of positions and subjecting some holders of futures contracts to substantial losses.

*Options on futures contracts.* Options on futures contracts trade on the same contract markets as the underlying futures contract. When the Fund buys an option, it pays a premium for the right, but does not have the obligation, to purchase (call) or sell (put) a futures contract at a set price (called the exercise price). The purchase of a call or put option on a futures contract, whereby the Fund has the right to purchase or sell, respectively, a particular futures contract, is similar in some respects to the purchase of a call or put option on an individual security or currency. Depending on the premium paid for the option compared to either the price of the futures contract upon which it is based or the price of the underlying reference instrument, the option may be less risky than direct ownership of the futures contract or the underlying reference instrument. For example, the Fund could purchase a call option on a long futures contract when seeking to hedge against an increase in the market value of the underlying reference instrument, such as appreciation in the value of a non-U.S. currency against the U.S. dollar.

The seller (writer) of an option becomes contractually obligated to take the opposite futures position if the buyer of the option exercises its rights to the futures position specified in the option. In return for the premium paid by the buyer, the seller assumes the risk of taking a possibly adverse futures position. In addition, the seller will be required to post and maintain initial and variation margin with the FCM. One goal of selling (writing) options on futures may be to receive the premium paid by the option buyer.

For more general information about the mechanics of purchasing and writing options, see "Options" below.

*Risks of options on futures contracts.* The Fund's use of options on futures contracts is subject to the risks related to derivative instruments generally. In addition, the amount of risk the Fund assumes when it purchases an option on a futures contract is the premium paid for the option plus related transaction costs. The purchase of an option also entails the risk that changes in the value of the underlying futures contract will not be fully reflected in the value of the option purchased. The seller (writer) of an option on a futures contract is subject to the risk of having to take a possibly adverse futures position if the purchaser of the option exercises its rights. If the seller were required to take such a position, it could bear substantial losses. An option writer has potentially unlimited economic risk because its potential loss, except to the extent offset by the premium received, is equal to the amount the option is "in-the-money" at the expiration date. A call option is in-the-money if the value of the underlying futures contract exceeds the exercise price of the option. A put option is in-the-money if the exercise price of the option exceeds the value of the underlying futures contract.

*Options.* An option is a contract that gives the purchaser of the option, in return for the premium paid, the right to buy an underlying reference instrument, such as a specified security, currency, index, or other instrument, from the writer of the option (in the case of a call option), or to sell a specified reference instrument to the writer of the option (in the case of a put option) at a designated price during the term of the option. The premium paid by the buyer of an option will reflect, among other things, the relationship of the exercise price to the market price and the volatility of the underlying reference instrument, the remaining term of the option, supply, demand, interest rates and/or currency exchange rates. An American style put or call option may be exercised at any time during the option period while a European style put or call option may be exercised only upon expiration or during a fixed period prior thereto. Put and call options are traded on national securities exchanges and in the OTC market.

Options traded on national securities exchanges are within the jurisdiction of the SEC or other appropriate national securities regulator, as are securities traded on such exchanges. As a result, many of the protections provided to traders on organized exchanges will be available with respect to such transactions. In particular, all option positions entered into on a national securities exchange in the United States are cleared and guaranteed by the Options Clearing Corporation, thereby reducing the risk of counterparty default. Furthermore, a liquid secondary market in options traded on a national securities exchange may be more readily available than in the OTC market, potentially permitting the Fund to liquidate open positions at a profit prior to exercise or expiration, or to limit losses in the event of adverse market

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movements. There is no assurance, however, that higher than anticipated trading activity or other unforeseen events might not temporarily render the capabilities of the Options Clearing Corporation inadequate, and thereby result in the exchange instituting special procedures which may interfere with the timely execution of the Fund's orders to close out open options positions.

*Purchasing call and put options.* As the buyer of a call option, the Fund has a right to buy the underlying reference instrument (e.g., a currency or security) at the exercise price at any time during the option period (for American style options). The Fund may enter into closing sale transactions with respect to call options, exercise them, or permit them to expire. For example, the Fund may buy call options on underlying reference instruments that it intends to buy with the goal of limiting the risk of a substantial increase in their market price before the purchase is effected. Unless the price of the underlying reference instrument changes sufficiently, a call option purchased by the Fund may expire without any value to the Fund, in which case the Fund would experience a loss to the extent of the premium paid for the option plus related transaction costs.

As the buyer of a put option, the Fund has the right to sell the underlying reference instrument at the exercise price at any time during the option period (for American style options). Like a call option, the Fund may enter into closing sale transactions with respect to put options, exercise them or permit them to expire. The Fund may buy a put option on an underlying reference instrument owned by the Fund (a protective put) as a hedging technique in an attempt to protect against an anticipated decline in the market value of the underlying reference instrument. Such hedge protection is provided only during the life of the put option when the Fund, as the buyer of the put option, is able to sell the underlying reference instrument at the put exercise price, regardless of any decline in the underlying instrument's market price. The Fund may also seek to offset a decline in the value of the underlying reference instrument through appreciation in the value of the put option. A put option may also be purchased with the intent of protecting unrealized appreciation of an instrument when the investment manager deems it desirable to continue to hold the instrument because of tax or other considerations. The premium paid for the put option and any transaction costs would reduce any short-term capital gain that may be available for distribution when the instrument is eventually sold. Buying put options at a time when the buyer does not own the underlying reference instrument allows the buyer to benefit from a decline in the market price of the underlying reference instrument, which generally increases the value of the put option.

If a put option was not terminated in a closing sale transaction when it has remaining value, and if the market price of the underlying reference instrument remains equal to or greater than the exercise price during the life of the put option, the buyer would not make any gain upon exercise of the option and would experience a loss to the extent of the premium paid for the option plus related transaction costs. In order for the purchase of a put option to be profitable, the market price of the underlying reference instrument must decline sufficiently below the exercise price to cover the premium and transaction costs.

*Writing call and put options.* Writing options may permit the writer to generate additional income in the form of the premium received for writing the option. The writer of an option may have no control over when the underlying reference instruments must be sold (in the case of a call option) or purchased (in the case of a put option) because the writer may be notified of exercise at any time prior to the expiration of the option (for American style options). In general, though, options are infrequently exercised prior to expiration. Whether or not an option expires unexercised, the writer retains the amount of the premium. Writing "covered" call options means that the writer owns the underlying reference instrument that is subject to the call option. Call options may also be written on reference instruments that the writer does not own.

As the writer of a covered call option, the Fund gives up the potential for capital appreciation above the exercise price of the option should the underlying reference instrument rise in value. If the value of the underlying reference instrument rises above the exercise price of the call option, the reference instrument will likely be "called away," requiring the Fund to sell the underlying instrument at the exercise price. In that case, the Fund will sell the underlying reference instrument to the option buyer for less than its market value, and the Fund will experience a loss (which will be offset by the premium received by the Fund as the writer of such option). If a call option expires unexercised, the Fund will realize a gain in the amount of the premium received. If the market price of the underlying reference instrument decreases, the call option will not be exercised and the Fund will be able to use the amount of the premium received to hedge against the loss in value of the underlying reference instrument. The exercise price of a call option will be chosen based upon the expected price movement of the underlying reference instrument. The exercise price of a call option may be below, equal to (at-the-money), or above the current value of the underlying reference instrument at the time the option is written.

As the writer of a put option, the Fund has a risk of loss should the underlying reference instrument decline in value. If the value of the underlying reference instrument declines below the exercise price of the put option and the put option is exercised, the Fund, as the writer of the put option, will be required to buy the instrument at the exercise price, which will exceed the market value of the underlying reference instrument at that time. The Fund will incur a loss to the extent that the current market value of the underlying reference instrument is less than the exercise price of the put

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option. However, the loss will be offset in part by the premium received from the buyer of the put. If a put option written by the Fund expires unexercised, the Fund will realize a gain in the amount of the premium received.

*Closing out options (exchange-traded options).* If the writer of an option wants to terminate its obligation, the writer may effect a "closing purchase transaction" by buying an option of the same series as the option previously written. The effect of the purchase is that the clearing corporation will cancel the option writer's position. However, a writer may not effect a closing purchase transaction after being notified of the exercise of an option. Likewise, the buyer of an option may recover all or a portion of the premium that it paid by effecting a "closing sale transaction" by selling an option of the same series as the option previously purchased and receiving a premium on the sale. There is no guarantee that either a closing purchase or a closing sale transaction may be made at a time desired by the Fund. Closing transactions allow the Fund to terminate its positions in written and purchased options. The Fund will realize a profit from a closing transaction if the price of the transaction is less than the premium received from writing the original option (in the case of written options) or is more than the premium paid by the Fund to buy the option (in the case of purchased options). For example, increases in the market price of a call option sold by the Fund will generally reflect increases in the market price of the underlying reference instrument. As a result, any loss resulting from a closing transaction on a written call option is likely to be offset in whole or in part by appreciation of the underlying instrument owned by the Fund.

*Over-the-counter (OTC) options.* Like exchange-traded options, OTC options give the holder the right to buy from the writer, in the case of OTC call options, or sell to the writer, in the case of OTC put options, an underlying reference instrument at a stated exercise price. OTC options, however, differ from exchange-traded options in certain material respects.

OTC options are arranged directly with dealers and not with a clearing corporation or exchange. Consequently, there is a risk of non-performance by the dealer, including because of the dealer's bankruptcy or insolvency. While the Fund uses only counterparties, such as dealers, that meet its credit quality standards, in unusual or extreme market conditions, a counterparty's creditworthiness and ability to perform may deteriorate rapidly, and the availability of suitable replacement counterparties may become limited. Because there is no exchange, pricing is typically done based on information from market makers or other dealers. OTC options are available for a greater variety of underlying reference instruments and in a wider range of expiration dates and exercise prices than exchange-traded options.

There can be no assurance that a continuous liquid secondary market will exist for any particular OTC option at any specific time. The Fund may be able to realize the value of an OTC option it has purchased only by exercising it or entering into a closing sale transaction with the dealer that issued it. When the Fund writes an OTC option, it generally can close out that option prior to its expiration only by entering into a closing purchase transaction with the dealer with which the Fund originally wrote the option. The Fund may suffer a loss if it is not able to exercise (in the case of a purchased option) or enter into a closing sale transaction on a timely basis.

*Risks of options.* The Fund's options investments involve certain risks, including general risks related to derivative instruments. There can be no assurance that a liquid secondary market on an exchange will exist for any particular option, or at any particular time, and the Fund may have difficulty effecting closing transactions in particular options. Therefore, the Fund would have to exercise the options it purchased in order to realize any profit, thus taking or making delivery of the underlying reference instrument when not desired. The Fund could then incur transaction costs upon the sale of the underlying reference instruments. Similarly, when the Fund cannot effect a closing transaction with respect to a put option it wrote, and the buyer exercises, the Fund would be required to take delivery and would incur transaction costs upon the sale of the underlying reference instruments purchased. If the Fund, as a covered call option writer, is unable to effect a closing purchase transaction in a secondary market, it will not be able to sell the underlying reference instrument until the option expires, or it delivers the underlying instrument upon exercise. When trading options on non-U.S. exchanges or in the OTC market, many of the protections afforded to exchange participants will not be available. For example, there may be no daily price fluctuation limits, and adverse market movements could therefore continue to an unlimited extent over an indefinite period of time.

The effectiveness of an options strategy for hedging depends on the degree to which price movements in the underlying reference instruments correlate with price movements in the relevant portion of the Fund's portfolio that is being hedged. In addition, the Fund bears the risk that the prices of its portfolio investments will not move in the same amount as the option it has purchased or sold for hedging purposes, or that there may be a negative correlation that would result in a loss on both the investments and the option. If the investment manager is not successful in using options in managing the Fund's investments, the Fund's performance will be worse than if the investment manager did not employ such strategies.

*Swaps.* Generally, swap agreements are contracts between the Fund and another party (the swap counterparty) involving the exchange of payments on specified terms over periods ranging from a few days to multiple years. A swap agreement may be negotiated bilaterally and traded OTC between the two parties (for an uncleared swap) or, in some instances,

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must be transacted through an FCM and cleared through a clearinghouse that serves as a central counterparty (for a cleared swap). In a basic swap transaction, the Fund agrees with the swap counterparty to exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of return) and/or cash flows earned or realized on a particular "notional amount" or value of predetermined underlying reference instruments. The notional amount is the set dollar or other value selected by the parties to use as the basis on which to calculate the obligations that the parties to a swap agreement have agreed to exchange. The parties typically do not actually exchange the notional amount. Instead they agree to exchange the returns that would be earned or realized if the notional amount were invested in given investments or at given interest rates. Examples of returns that may be exchanged in a swap agreement are those of a particular security, a particular fixed or variable interest rate, a particular non-U.S. currency, or a "basket" of securities representing a particular index. Swaps can also be based on credit and other events.

The Fund will generally enter into swap agreements on a net basis, which means that the two payment streams that are to be made by the Fund and its counterparty with respect to a particular swap agreement are netted out, with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net difference in the two payments. The Fund's obligations (or rights) under a swap agreement that is entered into on a net basis will generally be the net amount to be paid or received under the agreement based on the relative values of the obligations of each party upon termination of the agreement or at set valuation dates. The Fund will accrue its obligations under a swap agreement daily (offset by any amounts the counterparty owes the Fund). If the swap agreement does not provide for that type of netting, the full amount of the Fund's obligations will be accrued on a daily basis.

*Comprehensive swaps regulation.* The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (the Dodd-Frank Act) and related regulatory developments have imposed comprehensive regulatory requirements on swaps and swap market participants. The regulatory framework includes: (1) registration and regulation of swap dealers and major swap participants; (2) requiring central clearing and execution of standardized swaps; (3) imposing margin requirements on swap transactions; (4) regulating and monitoring swap transactions through position limits and large trader reporting requirements; and (5) imposing record keeping and centralized and public reporting requirements, on an anonymous basis, for most swaps. The CFTC is responsible for the regulation of most swaps. The SEC has jurisdiction over a small segment of the market referred to as "security-based swaps," which includes swaps on single securities or credits, or narrow-based indices of securities or credits.

*Uncleared swaps.* In an uncleared swap, the swap counterparty is typically a brokerage firm, bank or other financial institution. The Fund customarily enters into uncleared swaps based on the standard terms and conditions of an International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) Master Agreement. ISDA is a voluntary industry association of participants in the over-the-counter derivatives markets that has developed standardized contracts used by such participants that have agreed to be bound by such standardized contracts.

In the event that one party to a swap transaction defaults and the transaction is terminated prior to its scheduled termination date, one of the parties may be required to make an early termination payment to the other. An early termination payment may be payable by either the defaulting or non-defaulting party, depending upon which of them is "in-the-money" with respect to the swap at the time of its termination. Early termination payments may be calculated in various ways, but are intended to approximate the amount the "in-the-money" party would have to pay to replace the swap as of the date of its termination.

During the term of an uncleared swap, the Fund will be required to pledge to the swap counterparty, from time to time, an amount of cash and/or other assets equal to the total net amount (if any) that would be payable by the Fund to the counterparty if all outstanding swaps between the parties were terminated on the date in question, including any early termination payments (variation margin). Periodically, changes in the amount pledged are made to recognize changes in value of the contract resulting from, among other things, interest on the notional value of the contract, market value changes in the underlying investment, and/or dividends paid by the issuer of the underlying instrument. Likewise, the counterparty will be required to pledge cash or other assets to cover its obligations to the Fund. However, the amount pledged may not always be equal to or more than the amount due to the other party. Therefore, if a counterparty defaults in its obligations to the Fund, the amount pledged by the counterparty and available to the Fund may not be sufficient to cover all the amounts due to the Fund and the Fund may sustain a loss.

Currently, the Fund does not typically provide initial margin in connection with uncleared swaps. However, rules requiring initial margin to be posted by certain market participants for uncleared swaps have been adopted and are being phased in over time. When these rules take effect with respect to the Fund, if the Fund is deemed to have material swaps exposure under applicable swap regulations, it will be required to post initial margin in addition to variation margin.

*Cleared swaps.* Certain standardized swaps are subject to mandatory central clearing and exchange-trading. The Dodd-Frank Act and implementing rules will ultimately require the clearing and exchange-trading of many swaps. Mandatory exchange-trading and clearing will occur on a phased-in basis based on the type of market participant, CFTC approval of

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contracts for central clearing and public trading facilities making such cleared swaps available to trade. To date, the CFTC has designated only certain of the most common types of credit default index swaps and interest rate swaps as subject to mandatory clearing and certain public trading facilities have made certain of those cleared swaps available to trade, but it is expected that additional categories of swaps will in the future be designated as subject to mandatory clearing and trade execution requirements. Central clearing is intended to reduce counterparty credit risk and increase liquidity, but central clearing does not eliminate these risks and may involve additional costs and risks not involved with uncleared swaps. For more information, see "Risks of cleared swaps" below.

In a cleared swap, the Fund's ultimate counterparty is a central clearinghouse rather than a brokerage firm, bank or other financial institution. Cleared swaps are submitted for clearing through each party's FCM, which must be a member of the clearinghouse that serves as the central counterparty. Transactions executed on a swap execution facility (SEF) may increase market transparency and liquidity but may require the Fund to incur increased expenses to access the same types of swaps that it has used in the past. When the Fund enters into a cleared swap, it must deliver to the central counterparty (via the FCM) an amount referred to as "initial margin." Initial margin requirements are determined by the central counterparty, and are typically calculated as an amount equal to the volatility in market value of the cleared swap over a fixed period, but an FCM may require additional initial margin above the amount required by the central counterparty. During the term of the swap agreement, a "variation margin" amount may also be required to be paid by the Fund or may be received by the Fund in accordance with margin controls set for such accounts. If the value of the Fund's cleared swap declines, the Fund will be required to make additional "variation margin" payments to the FCM to settle the change in value. Conversely, if the market value of the Fund's position increases, the FCM will post additional "variation margin" to the Fund's account. At the conclusion of the term of the swap agreement, if the Fund has a loss equal to or greater than the margin amount, the margin amount is paid to the FCM along with any loss in excess of the margin amount. If the Fund has a loss of less than the margin amount, the excess margin is returned to the Fund. If the Fund has a gain, the full margin amount and the amount of the gain is paid to the Fund.

*Credit default swaps.* The "buyer" of protection in a credit default swap agreement is obligated to pay the "seller" a periodic stream of payments over the term of the agreement in return for a payment by the "seller" that is contingent upon the occurrence of a credit event with respect to a specific underlying reference debt obligation (whether as a single debt instrument or as part of an index of debt instruments). The contingent payment by the seller generally is either the par amount of the reference debt obligation in exchange for the physical delivery of the reference debt obligation or a cash payment equal to the decrease in market value of the reference debt obligation following the occurrence of the credit event. If no credit event occurs, the seller would receive a fixed rate of income throughout the term of the contract, while the buyer would lose the amount of its payments and recover nothing. The buyer is also subject to the risk that the seller will not satisfy its contingent payment obligation, if and when due.

Purchasing protection through a credit default swap may be used to attempt to hedge against a decline in the value of debt security or securities due to a credit event. The seller of protection under a credit default swap receives periodic payments from the buyer but is exposed to the risk that the value of the reference debt obligation declines due to a credit event and that it will have to pay the face amount of the reference obligation to the buyer. Selling protection under a credit default swap may also permit the seller to gain exposure that is similar to owning the reference debt obligation directly. As the seller of protection, the Fund would effectively add leverage to its portfolio because, in addition to its total assets, the Fund would be subject to the risk that there would be a credit event and the Fund would have to make a substantial payment in the future.

Generally, a credit event means bankruptcy, failure to timely pay interest or principal, obligation acceleration or default, or repudiation or restructuring of the reference debt obligation. There may be disputes between the buyer or seller of a credit default swap agreement or within the swaps market as a whole as to whether or not a credit event has occurred or what the payout should be which could result in litigation. In some instances where there is a dispute in the credit default swap market, a regional Determinations Committee set up by ISDA may make an official binding determination regarding the existence of credit events with respect to the reference debt obligation of a credit default swap agreement or, in the case of a credit default swap on an index, with respect to a component of the index underlying the credit default swap agreement. In the case of a credit default swap on an index, the existence of a credit event is determined according to the index methodology, which may in turn refer to determinations made by ISDA's Determinations Committees with respect to particular components of the index.

ISDA's Determination Committees are comprised principally of dealers in the OTC derivatives markets which may have a conflicting interest in the determination regarding the existence of a particular credit event. In addition, in the sovereign debt market, a credit default swap agreement may not provide the protection generally anticipated because the government issuer of the sovereign debt instruments may be able to restructure or renegotiate the debt in such a manner as to avoid triggering a credit event. Moreover, (1) sovereign debt obligations may not incorporate common, commercially

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acceptable provisions, such as collective action clauses, or (2) the negotiated restructuring of the sovereign debt may be deemed non-mandatory on all holders. As a result, the determination committee might then not be able to determine, or may be able to avoid having to determine, that a credit event under the credit default agreement has occurred.

For these and other reasons, the buyer of protection in a credit default swap agreement is subject to the risk that certain occurrences, such as particular restructuring events affecting the value of the underlying reference debt obligation, or the restructuring of sovereign debt, may not be deemed credit events under the credit default swap agreement. Therefore, if the credit default swap was purchased as a hedge or to take advantage of an anticipated increase in the value of credit protection for the underlying reference obligation, it may not provide any hedging benefit or otherwise increase in value as anticipated. Similarly, the seller of protection in a credit default swap agreement is subject to the risk that certain occurrences may be deemed to be credit events under the credit default swap agreement, even if these occurrences do not adversely impact the value or creditworthiness of the underlying reference debt obligation.

*Currency swaps.* A currency swap is generally a contract between two parties to exchange one currency for another currency at the start of the contract and then exchange periodic floating or fixed rates during the term of the contract based upon the relative value differential between the two currencies. Unlike other types of swaps, currency swaps typically involve the delivery of the entire principal (notional) amounts of the two currencies at the time the swap is entered into. At the end of the swap contract, the parties receive back the principal amounts of the two currencies. In such a situation, the full notional value of a currency swap is subject to the risk that the other party to the swap will default on its contractual delivery obligations. The Fund may also enter into currency swaps on a net basis, which means the two different currency payment streams under the swap agreement are converted and netted out to a single cash payment in just one of the currencies.

For example, a currency swap may be used to hedge the interest payments and principal amount of a debt obligation that is denominated in a non-U.S. currency by entering into a cross currency swap whereby one party would make payments in the non-U.S. currency and receive payments in U.S. dollars. Or, a currency swap may be used to gain exposure to non-U.S. currencies and non-U.S. interest rates by making payments in U.S. dollars and receiving payments in non-U.S. currencies.

Because currency control is of great importance to the issuing governments and influences economic planning and policy, purchases and sales of currency and related instruments can be negatively affected by government exchange controls, blockages, and manipulations or exchange restrictions imposed by governments. These actions could result in losses to the Fund if it is unable to deliver or receive a specified currency or funds in settlement of obligations, including any derivative transaction obligations. These actions could also have an adverse effect on the Fund's currency transactions or cause the Fund's hedging positions to be rendered useless.

*Interest rate swaps.* An interest rate swap is an agreement between two parties to exchange interest rate payment obligations. Typically, one party's obligation is based on an interest rate fixed to maturity while the other party's obligation is based on an interest rate that changes in accordance with changes in a designated benchmark (for example, SOFR, prime rate, commercial paper rate, or other benchmarks). Alternatively, both payment obligations may be based on an interest rate that changes in accordance with changes in a designated benchmark (also known as a "basis swap"). In a basis swap, the rates may be based on different benchmarks (for example, SOFR versus commercial paper) or on different terms of the same benchmark (for example, one-month SOFR versus three-month SOFR). Each party's payment obligation under an interest rate swap is determined by reference to a specified "notional" amount of money. Therefore, interest rate swaps generally do not involve the delivery of securities, other underlying instruments, or principal amounts; rather they entail the exchange of cash payments based on the application of the designated interest rates to the notional amount. Accordingly, barring swap counterparty or FCM default, the risk of loss in an interest rate swap is limited to the net amount of interest payments that the Fund is obligated to make or receive (as applicable), as well as any early termination payment payable by or to the Fund upon early termination of the swap.

By swapping fixed interest rate payments for floating payments, an interest rate swap can be used to increase or decrease the Fund's exposure to various interest rates, including to hedge interest rate risk. Interest rate swaps are generally used to permit the party seeking a floating rate obligation the opportunity to acquire such obligation at a rate lower than is directly available in the credit markets, while permitting the party desiring a fixed-rate obligation the opportunity to acquire such a fixed-rate obligation, also frequently at a rate lower than is directly available in the credit markets. The success of such a transaction depends in large part on the availability of fixed-rate obligations at interest (or coupon) rates low enough to cover the costs involved. Similarly, a basis swap can be used to increase or decrease the Fund's exposure to various interest rates, including to hedge against or speculate on the spread between the two indexes, or to manage duration. An interest rate swap transaction is affected by changes in interest rates, which, in turn, may affect the prepayment rate of any underlying debt obligations upon which the interest rate swap is based.

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*Inflation index swaps.* An inflation index swap is a contract between two parties, whereby one party makes payments based on the cumulative percentage increase in an index that serves as a measure of inflation (typically, the Consumer Price Index) and the other party makes a regular payment based on a compounded fixed rate. Each party's payment obligation under the swap is determined by reference to a specified "notional" amount of money. Typically, an inflation index swap has payment obligations netted and exchanged upon maturity. The value of an inflation index swap is expected to change in response to changes in the rate of inflation. If inflation increases at a faster rate than anticipated at the time the swap is entered into, the swap will increase in value. Similarly, if inflation increases at a rate slower than anticipated at the time the swap is entered into, the swap will decrease in value.

*Equity total return swaps.* An equity total return swap (also sometimes referred to as a synthetic equity swap or "contract for difference" when written with respect to an equity security or basket of equity securities) is an agreement between two parties under which the parties agree to make payments to each other so as to replicate the economic consequences that would apply had a purchase or short sale of the underlying reference instrument or index thereof taken place. For example, one party agrees to pay the other party the total return earned or realized on the notional amount of an underlying equity security and any dividends declared with respect to that equity security. In return the other party makes payments, typically at a floating rate, calculated based on the notional amount.

*Fixed income total return swaps.* A fixed income total return swap is an agreement between two parties, pursuant to which one pays (and the other receives) an amount equal to the total return (including, typically, income and capital gains distributions, principal prepayment or credit losses) of an underlying reference asset (e.g., a note, bond or index) in exchange for a regular payment, at a floating rate based on a designated reference rate, or alternatively at a fixed rate or the total rate of return on another financial instrument. The Fund may take either position in a total return swap (i.e., the Fund may receive or pay the total return on the underlying reference asset). A fixed income total return swap may be written on many different kinds of underlying reference assets, and may include different indices for various kinds of debt securities (e.g., U.S. investment grade bonds, high yield bonds or emerging market bonds).

*Options on swap agreements.* An option on a swap agreement generally is an OTC option (see the discussion above on OTC options) that gives the buyer of the option the right, but not the obligation, in return for payment of a premium to the seller, to enter into a previously negotiated swap agreement, or to extend, terminate or otherwise modify the terms of an existing swap agreement. The writer (seller) of an option on a swap agreement receives premium payments from the buyer and, in exchange, becomes obligated to enter into or modify an underlying swap agreement upon the exercise of the option by the buyer. When the Fund purchases an option on a swap agreement, it risks losing only the amount of the premium it has paid should it decide to let the option expire unexercised, plus any related transaction costs.

There can be no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for any particular option on a swap agreement, or at any particular time, and the Fund may have difficulty affecting closing transactions in particular options on swap agreements. Therefore, the Fund may have to exercise the options that it purchases in order to realize any profit and take delivery of the underlying swap agreement. The Fund could then incur transaction costs upon the sale or closing out of the underlying swap agreement. In the event that the option on a swap is exercised, the counterparty for such option would be the same counterparty with whom the Fund entered into the underlying swap.

However, if the Fund writes (sells) an option on a swap agreement, the Fund is bound by the terms of the underlying swap agreement upon exercise of the option by the buyer, which may result in losses to the Fund in excess of the premium it received. Options on swap agreements involve the risks associated with derivative instruments generally, as described above, as well as the additional risks associated with both options and swaps generally.

Options on swap agreements are considered to be swaps for purposes of CFTC regulation. Although they are traded OTC, the CFTC may in the future designate certain options on swaps as subject to mandatory clearing. For more information, see "Cleared swaps" and "Risks of cleared swaps."

An option on an interest rate swap (also sometimes referred to as a "swaption") is a contract that gives the purchaser the right, but not the obligation, in return for payment of a premium, to enter into a new interest rate swap. A pay fixed option on an interest rate swap gives the buyer the right to establish a position in an interest rate swap where the buyer will pay (and the writer will receive) the fixed-rate cash flows and receive (and the writer will pay) the floating-rate cash flows. In general, most options on interest rate swaps are "European" exercise, which means that they can only be exercised at the end of the option term. Depending on the movement of interest rates between the time of purchase and expiration, the value of the underlying interest rate swap and therefore also the value of the option on the interest rate swap will change.

An option on a credit default swap is a contract that gives the buyer the right (but not the obligation), in return for payment of a premium to the option seller, to enter into a new credit default swap on a reference entity at a predetermined spread

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on a future date. This spread is the price at which the contract is executed (the option strike price). Similar to a put option, in a payer option on a credit default swap, the option buyer pays a premium to the option seller for the right, but not the obligation, to buy credit protection on a reference entity (e.g., a particular portfolio security) at a predetermined spread on a future date. Similar to a call option, in a receiver option on a credit default swap the option buyer pays a premium for the right, but not the obligation to sell credit default swap protection on a reference entity or index. Depending on the movement of market spreads with respect to the particular referenced debt securities between the time of purchase and expiration of the option, the value of the underlying credit default swap and therefore the value of the option will change. Options on credit default swaps currently are traded OTC and the specific terms of each option on a credit default swap are negotiated directly with the counterparty.

An option on a total return swap is a contract that gives the buyer the right (but not the obligation), in return for payment of a premium to the option seller, to enter into a new total return swap on a reference asset at a predetermined spread on a future date. This spread is the price at which the contract is executed (the option strike price). Similar to a payer option on a credit default swap, in a payer option on a total return swap, the option buyer pays a premium to the option seller for the right, but not the obligation, to sell the return on a reference asset or index at a predetermined spread on a future date in return for a regular payment. Similar to a receiver option on a credit default swap, in a receiver option on a total return swap the option buyer pays a premium for the right, but not the obligation to receive the total return of the reference asset or index in return for a regular payment. Depending on the movement of market spreads with respect to the particular referenced asset or index between the time of purchase and expiration of the option, the value of the underlying total return swap and therefore the value of the option will change. Options on total return swaps currently are traded OTC and the specific terms of each option on a total return swap are negotiated directly with the counterparty.

*Risks of swaps generally.* The use of swap transactions is a highly specialized activity, which involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. Whether the Fund will be successful in using swap agreements to achieve its investment goal depends on the ability of the investment manager correctly to predict which types of investments are likely to produce greater returns. If the investment manager, in using swap agreements, is incorrect in its forecasts of market values, interest rates, inflation, currency exchange rates or other applicable factors, the investment performance of the Fund will be less than its performance would have been if it had not used the swap agreements.

The risk of loss to the Fund for swap transactions that are entered into on a net basis depends on which party is obligated to pay the net amount to the other party. If the counterparty is obligated to pay the net amount to the Fund, the risk of loss to the Fund is loss of the entire amount that the Fund is entitled to receive. If the Fund is obligated to pay the net amount, the Fund's risk of loss is generally limited to that net amount. If the swap agreement involves the exchange of the entire principal value of a security, the entire principal value of that security is subject to the risk that the other party to the swap will default on its contractual delivery obligations. In addition, the Fund's risk of loss also includes any margin at risk in the event of default by the counterparty (in an uncleared swap) or the central counterparty or FCM (in a cleared swap), plus any transaction costs.

Because bilateral swap agreements are structured as two-party contracts and may have terms of greater than seven days, these swaps may be considered to be illiquid and, therefore, subject to the Fund's limitation on investments in illiquid securities. If a swap transaction is particularly large or if the relevant market is illiquid, the Fund may not be able to establish or liquidate a position at an advantageous time or price, which may result in significant losses. Participants in the swap markets are not required to make continuous markets in the swap contracts they trade. Participants could refuse to quote prices for swap contracts or quote prices with an unusually wide spread between the price at which they are prepared to buy and the price at which they are prepared to sell. Some swap agreements entail complex terms and may require a greater degree of subjectivity in their valuation. However, the swap markets have grown substantially in recent years, with a large number of financial institutions acting both as principals and agents, utilizing standardized swap documentation. As a result, the swap markets have become increasingly liquid. In addition, central clearing and the trading of cleared swaps on public facilities are intended to increase liquidity. The Fund's investment manager, under the supervision of the board of trustees, is responsible for determining and monitoring the liquidity of the Fund's swap transactions.

Rules adopted under the Dodd-Frank Act require centralized reporting of detailed information about many swaps, whether cleared or uncleared. This information is available to regulators and also, to a more limited extent and on an anonymous basis, to the public. Reporting of swap data is intended to result in greater market transparency. This may be beneficial to funds that use swaps in their trading strategies. However, public reporting imposes additional recordkeeping burdens on these funds, and the safeguards established to protect anonymity are not yet tested and may not provide protection of funds' identities as intended.

Certain IRS positions may limit the Fund's ability to use swap agreements in a desired tax strategy. It is possible that developments in the swap markets and/or the laws relating to swap agreements, including potential government regulation, could adversely affect the Fund's ability to benefit from using

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swap agreements, or could have adverse tax consequences. For more information about potentially changing regulation, see "Developing government regulation of derivatives" below.

*Risks of uncleared swaps.* Uncleared swaps are typically executed bilaterally with a swap dealer rather than traded on exchanges. As a result, swap participants may not be as protected as participants on organized exchanges. Performance of a swap agreement is the responsibility only of the swap counterparty and not of any exchange or clearinghouse. As a result, the Fund is subject to the risk that a counterparty will be unable or will refuse to perform under such agreement, including because of the counterparty's bankruptcy or insolvency. The Fund risks the loss of the accrued but unpaid amounts under a swap agreement, which could be substantial, in the event of a default, insolvency or bankruptcy by a swap counterparty. In such an event, the Fund will have contractual remedies pursuant to the swap agreements, but bankruptcy and insolvency laws could affect the Fund's rights as a creditor. If the counterparty's creditworthiness declines, the value of a swap agreement would likely decline, potentially resulting in losses. The Fund's investment manager will only approve a swap agreement counterparty for the Fund if the investment manager deems the counterparty to be creditworthy under the Fund's Counterparty Credit Review Standards, adopted and reviewed annually by the Fund's board. However, in unusual or extreme market conditions, a counterparty's creditworthiness and ability to perform may deteriorate rapidly, and the availability of suitable replacement counterparties may become limited.

*Risks of cleared swaps.* As noted above, under recent financial reforms, certain types of swaps are, and others eventually are expected to be, required to be cleared through a central counterparty, which may affect counterparty risk and other risks faced by the Fund.

Central clearing is designed to reduce counterparty credit risk and increase liquidity compared to uncleared swaps because central clearing interposes the central clearinghouse as the counterparty to each participant's swap, but it does not eliminate those risks completely and may involve additional costs and risks not involved with uncleared swaps. There is also a risk of loss by the Fund of the initial and variation margin deposits in the event of bankruptcy of the FCM with which the Fund has an open position, or the central counterparty in a swap contract. The assets of the Fund may not be fully protected in the event of the bankruptcy of the FCM or central counterparty because the Fund might be limited to recovering only a pro rata share of all available funds and margin segregated on behalf of an FCM's customers. If the FCM does not provide accurate reporting, the Fund is also subject to the risk that the FCM could use the Fund's assets, which are held in an omnibus account with assets belonging to the FCM's other customers, to satisfy its own financial obligations or the payment obligations of another customer to the central counterparty. Credit risk of cleared swap participants is concentrated in a few clearinghouses, and the consequences of insolvency of a clearinghouse are not clear.

With cleared swaps, the Fund may not be able to obtain terms as favorable as it would be able to negotiate for a bilateral, uncleared swap. In addition, an FCM may unilaterally amend the terms of its agreement with the Fund, which may include the imposition of position limits or additional margin requirements with respect to the Fund's investment in certain types of swaps. Central counterparties and FCMs can require termination of existing cleared swap transactions upon the occurrence of certain events, and can also require increases in margin above the margin that is required at the initiation of the swap agreement.

Finally, the Fund is subject to the risk that, after entering into a cleared swap with an executing broker, no FCM or central counterparty is willing or able to clear the transaction. In such an event, the Fund may be required to break the trade and make an early termination payment to the executing broker.

*Combined transactions.* The Fund may enter into multiple derivative instruments, and any combination of derivative instruments as part of a single or combined strategy (a Combined Transaction) when, in the opinion of the investment manager, it is in the best interests of the Fund to do so. A Combined Transaction will usually contain elements of risk that are present in each of its component transactions.

Although Combined Transactions are normally entered into based on the investment manager's judgment that the combined strategies will reduce risk or otherwise more effectively achieve the desired portfolio management goal(s), it is possible that the combination will instead increase such risks or hinder achievement of the portfolio management objective.

*Developing government regulation of derivatives.* The regulation of cleared and uncleared swaps, as well as other derivatives, is a rapidly changing area of law and is subject to modification by government and judicial action. In addition, the SEC, CFTC and the exchanges are authorized to take extraordinary actions in the event of a market emergency, including, for example, the implementation or reduction of speculative position limits, the implementation of higher margin requirements, the establishment of daily price limits and the suspension of trading.

It is not possible to predict fully the effects of current or future regulation. However, it is possible that developments in government regulation of various types of derivative instruments, such as speculative position limits on certain types of derivatives, or limits or restrictions on the counterparties with which the Fund engages in derivative transactions, may limit or prevent the Fund from using or limit the Fund's use of these instruments effectively as a part of its

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investment strategy, and could adversely affect the Fund's ability to achieve its investment goal(s). The investment manager will continue to monitor developments in the area, particularly to the extent regulatory changes affect the Fund's ability to enter into desired swap agreements. New requirements, even if not directly applicable to the Fund, may increase the cost of the Fund's investments and cost of doing business.

**Equity-linked notes (ELNs)** ELNs are hybrid instruments that are specially designed to combine the characteristics of one or more reference securities (usually a single stock or index) and a related equity derivative, such as a put or call option, in a single note form. Generally, when purchasing an ELN, the Fund pays the counterparty (usually a bank or brokerage firm) the current value of the underlying securities or index plus a commission. Upon the maturity of the note, the Fund generally receives the par value of the note plus a return based on the appreciation of the underlying securities/index. If the underlying securities/index have depreciated in value or if their price fluctuates outside of a preset range, depending on the type of ELN in which the Fund invested, the Fund may receive only the principal amount of the note, or may lose the principal invested in the ELN entirely. The Fund only invests in ELNs for which the underlying securities/index are permissible investments pursuant to the Fund's investment policies and restrictions. For purposes of the Fund's fundamental investment policy of not investing more than 25% of the Fund's net assets in securities of issuers in any one industry (other than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities or securities of other investment companies), the Fund applies the restriction by reference to the industry of the issuer of the underlying reference securities/index and not the industry of the issuer of an ELN.

ELNs are available with an assortment of features, such as periodic coupon payments (e.g., monthly, quarterly or semi-annually); varied participation rates (the rate at which the Fund participates in the appreciation of the underlying securities/index); limitations on the appreciation potential of the underlying securities/index by a maximum payment or call right; and different protection levels on the Fund's principal investment. In addition, when the underlying securities/index are foreign securities or indices, an ELN may be priced with or without currency exposure. The Fund may engage in all types of ELNs, including those that: (1) provide for protection of the Fund's principal in exchange for limited participation in the appreciation of the underlying securities/index, and (2) do not provide for such protection and subject the Fund to the risk of loss of the Fund's principal investment.

ELNs can provide the Fund with an efficient investment tool that may be less expensive than investing directly in the underlying securities/index and the related equity derivative. ELNs also may enable the Fund to obtain a return (the coupon payment) without risk to principal (in principal-protected ELNs) if the general price movement of the underlying securities/index is correctly anticipated.

The Fund's successful use of ELNs will usually depend on the investment manager's ability to accurately forecast movements in the underlying securities/index. Should the prices of the underlying securities move in an unexpected manner, the Fund may not achieve the anticipated benefits of the investment in the ELN, and it may realize losses, which could be significant and could include the Fund's entire principal investment. If the investment manager is not successful in anticipating such price movements, the Fund's performance may be worse than if the investment manager did not use an ELN at all.

In addition, an investment in an ELN possesses the risks associated with the underlying securities/index, such as management risk, market risk and, as applicable, foreign securities and currency risks. In addition, since ELNs are in note form, they are also subject to certain debt securities risks, such as interest rate and credit risk. An investment in an ELN also bears the risk that the issuer of the note will default or become bankrupt. In such an event, the Fund may have difficulty being repaid, or fail to be repaid, the principal amount of, or income from, its investment. A downgrade or impairment to the credit rating of the issuer may also negatively impact the price of the ELN, regardless of the price of the underlying securities/index.

The Fund may also experience liquidity issues when investing in ELNs, as they are generally designed for the over-the-counter institutional investment market. The secondary market for ELNs may be limited, and the lack of liquidity in the secondary market may make them difficult to sell and value. However, as the market for ELNs has grown, there are a growing number of exchange-traded ELNs available, although these products may be thinly traded.

ELNs may exhibit price behavior that does not correlate with the underlying securities/index or a fixed-income investment. In addition, performance of an ELN is the responsibility only of the issuer of the ELN and not the issuer of the underlying securities/index. As the holder of an ELN, the Fund generally has no rights to the underlying securities/index, including no voting rights or rights to receive dividends, although the amount of expected dividends to be paid during the term of the instrument are factored into the pricing and valuation of the underlying securities/index at inception.

**Equity securities** Equity securities represent a proportionate share of the ownership of a company; their value is based on the success of the company's business and the value of its assets, as well as general market conditions. The purchaser of an equity security typically receives an ownership interest in the company as well as certain voting rights. The owner of an equity security may participate in a company's success through the receipt of dividends, which are distributions of

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earnings by the company to its owners. Equity security owners may also participate in a company's success or lack of success through increases or decreases in the value of the company's shares. Equity securities generally take the form of common stock or preferred stock, as well as securities convertible into common stock. Preferred stockholders typically receive greater dividends but may receive less appreciation than common stockholders and may have different voting rights as well. Equity securities may also include convertible securities, warrants, rights or equity interests in trusts, partnerships, joint ventures or similar enterprises. Warrants or rights give the holder the right to buy a common stock at a given time for a specified price.

Tracking stocks are also a type of equity security. A tracking stock is a separate class of common stock whose value is linked to a specific business unit or operating division within a larger company and is designed to "track" the financial performance of that unit or division, rather than the larger company as a whole. As a result, if the unit or division does not perform well, the value of the tracking stock may decrease, even if the larger parent company performs well. A tracking stock may pay dividends to shareholders independent of the parent company, which will depend on the performance of the unit or division that the stock tracks. Shareholders of a tracking stock have a financial interest only in that unit or division of the company and typically do not have a legal claim on the larger company's assets.

*Small and mid capitalization companies*. Market capitalization is defined as the total market value of a company's outstanding stock. Small capitalization companies are often overlooked by investors or undervalued in relation to their earnings power. Because small capitalization companies generally are not as well known to the investing public, and may have less of an investor following and may grow more rapidly than larger capitalization companies, they may provide greater opportunities for long-term capital growth. These companies may be undervalued because they are part of an industry that is out of favor with investors, although the individual companies may have high rates of earnings growth and be financially sound. Mid capitalization companies may offer greater potential for capital appreciation than larger capitalization companies, because mid capitalization companies are often growing more rapidly than larger capitalization companies, but tend to be more stable and established than small capitalization or emerging companies.

Initial public offerings (IPOs) of securities issued by unseasoned companies with little or no operating history are risky and their prices are highly volatile, but they can result in very large gains in their initial trading. Attractive IPOs are often oversubscribed and may not be available to the Fund, or only in very limited quantities. Thus, when the Fund's size is smaller, any gains from IPOs will have an exaggerated impact on the Fund's reported performance than when the Fund is larger. Although IPO investments have had a positive impact on some funds' performance in the past, there can be no assurance that the Fund will have favorable IPO investment opportunities in the future.

To the extent that the Fund may invest in small capitalization companies, it may have significant investments in relatively new or unseasoned companies that are in their early stages of development, or in new and emerging industries where the opportunity for rapid growth is expected to be above average. Securities of unseasoned companies present greater risks than securities of larger, more established companies.

The Fund's prospectus includes a description of the principal risks associated with the Fund's strategy of investing substantially in equity securities.

**Foreign securities** For purposes of the Fund's prospectus and SAI, "foreign securities" refers to non-U.S. securities. There are substantial risks associated with investing in the securities of governments and companies located in, or having substantial operations in, foreign countries, which are in addition to the usual risks inherent in domestic investments. The value of foreign securities (like U.S. securities) is affected by general economic conditions and individual issuer and industry earnings prospects. Investments in depositary receipts also involve some or all of the risks described below.

There is the possibility of cessation of trading on foreign exchanges, expropriation, nationalization of assets, confiscatory or punitive taxation, withholding and other foreign taxes on income (including capital gains or other amounts), taxation on a retroactive basis, sudden or unanticipated changes in foreign tax laws, financial transaction taxes, denial or delay of the realization of tax treaty benefits, payment of foreign taxes not available for credit or deduction when passed through to shareholders, foreign exchange controls (which may include suspension of the ability to transfer currency from a given country), restrictions on removal of assets, political or social instability, military action or unrest, or diplomatic developments, including sanctions imposed by other countries or governmental entities, that could affect investments in securities of issuers in foreign nations. There is no assurance that the investment manager will be able to anticipate these potential events. In addition, the value of securities denominated in foreign currencies and of dividends and interest paid with respect to such securities will fluctuate based on the relative strength of the U.S. dollar.

There may be less publicly available information about foreign issuers comparable to the reports and ratings published about issuers in the U.S. Foreign issuers generally are not subject to uniform accounting or financial reporting standards. Auditing practices and requirements may not be comparable to those applicable to U.S. issuers. Certain countries' legal institutions, financial markets and services are less developed than those in the U.S. or other major economies. The Fund may have greater difficulty voting proxies, exercising

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shareholder rights, securing dividends and obtaining information regarding corporate actions on a timely basis, pursuing legal remedies, and obtaining judgments with respect to foreign investments in foreign courts than with respect to domestic issuers in U.S. courts. The costs associated with foreign investments, including withholding taxes, brokerage commissions, and custodial costs, are generally higher than with U.S. investments.

Certain countries require governmental approval prior to investments by foreign persons, or limit the amount of investment by foreign persons in a particular company. Some countries limit the investment of foreign persons to only a specific class of securities of an issuer that may have less advantageous terms than securities of the issuer available for purchase by nationals. Although securities subject to such restrictions may be marketable abroad, they may be less liquid than foreign securities of the same class that are not subject to such restrictions. In some countries the repatriation of investment income, capital and proceeds of sales by foreign investors may require governmental registration and/or approval. The Fund could be adversely affected by delays in or a refusal to grant any required governmental registration or approval for repatriation.

From time to time, trading in a foreign market may be interrupted. Foreign markets also have substantially less volume than the U.S. markets and securities of some foreign issuers are less liquid and more volatile than securities of comparable U.S. issuers. The Fund, therefore, may encounter difficulty in obtaining market quotations for purposes of valuing its portfolio and calculating its net asset value.

In many foreign countries there is less government supervision and regulation of stock exchanges, brokers, and listed companies than in the U.S., which may result in greater potential for fraud or market manipulation. Foreign over-the-counter markets tend to be less regulated than foreign stock exchange markets and, in certain countries, may be totally unregulated. Brokerage commission rates in foreign countries, which generally are fixed rather than subject to negotiation as in the U.S., are likely to be higher. Foreign security trading, settlement and custodial practices (including those involving securities settlement where assets may be released prior to receipt of payment) are often less developed than those in U.S. markets, may be cumbersome and may result in increased risk or substantial delays. This could occur in the event of a failed trade or the insolvency of, or breach of duty by, a foreign broker-dealer, securities depository, or foreign subcustodian.

Russia's military invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the resulting responses by the United States and other countries, and the potential for wider conflict could increase volatility and uncertainty in the financial markets and adversely affect regional and global economies. The United States and other countries have imposed broad-ranging economic sanctions on Russia, certain Russian individuals, banking entities and corporations, and Belarus as a response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and may impose sanctions on other countries that provide military or economic support to Russia. The extent and duration of Russia's military actions and the repercussions of such actions (including any retaliatory actions or countermeasures that may be taken by those subject to sanctions, including cyber attacks) are impossible to predict, but could result in significant market disruptions, including in certain industries or sectors, such as the oil and natural gas markets, and may negatively affect global supply chains, inflation and global growth. These and any related events could significantly impact the Fund's performance and the value of an investment in the Fund, even if the Fund does not have direct exposure to Russian issuers or issuers in other countries affected by the invasion.

On January 31, 2020, the United Kingdom (UK) left the European Union (EU) ("Brexit"). The UK and the EU have reached an agreement that governs the relationship between the UK and the EU following the UK's departure from the EU in areas such as trade in goods and in certain services. Brexit may have adverse effects on asset valuations and renegotiation of current trade agreements, as well as an increase in financial regulation of EU banks. Any market disruption in the EU and globally as a result of Brexit may have a negative effect on the value of the Fund's investments. Additionally, the risks related to Brexit could be more pronounced if one or more additional EU member states seek to leave the EU.

The holding of foreign securities may be limited by the Fund to avoid investment in certain Passive Foreign Investment Companies (PFICs) and the imposition of a PFIC tax on the Fund resulting from such investments.

*Developing markets or emerging markets.* Investments in issuers domiciled or with significant operations in developing market or emerging market countries may be subject to potentially higher risks than investments in developed countries. These risks include, among others (i) less social, political and economic stability; (ii) smaller securities markets with low or nonexistent trading volume, which result in greater illiquidity and greater price volatility; (iii) certain national policies which may restrict the Fund's investment opportunities, including restrictions on investment in issuers or industries deemed sensitive to national interests; (iv) foreign taxation, including less transparent and established taxation policies; (v) less developed regulatory or legal structures governing private or foreign investment or allowing for judicial redress for injury to private property; (vi) the absence, until recently in many developing market countries, of a capital market structure or market-oriented economy; (vii) more widespread corruption and fraud; (viii) the financial institutions with which the Fund may trade may not possess the same degree of financial sophistication, creditworthiness or resources as those in developed markets; and (ix) the

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possibility that when favorable economic developments occur in some developing market countries, such developments may be slowed or reversed by unanticipated economic, political or social events in such countries.

Due to political, military or regional conflicts or due to terrorism or war, it is possible that the United States, other nations or other governmental entities (including supranational entities) could impose sanctions on a country involved in such conflicts that limit or restrict foreign investment, the movement of assets or other economic activity in that country. Such sanctions or other intergovernmental actions could result in the devaluation of a country's currency, a downgrade in the credit ratings of issuers in such country, or a decline in the value and liquidity of securities of issuers in that country. In addition, an imposition of sanctions upon certain issuers in a country could result in an immediate freeze of that issuer's securities, impairing the ability of the Fund to buy, sell, receive or deliver those securities. Countermeasures could be taken by the country's government, which could involve the seizure of the Fund's assets. In addition, such actions could adversely affect a country's economy, possibly forcing the economy into a recession.

In addition, many developing market countries have experienced substantial, and during some periods, extremely high rates of inflation, for many years. Inflation and rapid fluctuations in inflation rates have had, and may continue to have, negative effects on the economies and securities markets of certain countries. Moreover, the economies of some developing market countries may differ unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross domestic product, rate of inflation, currency depreciation, debt burden, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency and balance of payments position. The economies of some developing market countries may be based on only a few industries, and may be highly vulnerable to changes in local or global trade conditions.

Settlement systems in developing market countries may be less organized than in developed countries. Supervisory authorities may also be unable to apply standards which are comparable with those in more developed countries. There may be risks that settlement may be delayed and that cash or securities belonging to the Fund may be in jeopardy because of failures of or defects in the settlement systems. Market practice may require that payment be made prior to receipt of the security which is being purchased or that delivery of a security must be made before payment is received. In such cases, default by a broker or bank (counterparty) through whom the relevant transaction is effected might result in a loss being suffered by the Fund. The Fund seeks, where possible, to use counterparties whose financial status reduces this risk. However, there can be no certainty that the Fund will be successful in eliminating or reducing this risk, particularly as counterparties operating in developing market countries frequently lack the substance, capitalization and/or financial resources of those in developed countries. Uncertainties in the operation of settlement systems in individual markets may increase the risk of competing claims to securities held by or to be transferred to the Fund. Legal compensation schemes may be non-existent, limited or inadequate to meet the Fund's claims in any of these events.

Securities trading in developing markets presents additional credit and financial risks. The Fund may have limited access to, or there may be a limited number of, potential counterparties that trade in the securities of developing market issuers. Governmental regulations may restrict potential counterparties to certain financial institutions located or operating in the particular developing market. Potential counterparties may not possess, adopt or implement creditworthiness standards, financial reporting standards or legal and contractual protections similar to those in developed markets. Currency and other hedging techniques may not be available or may be limited.

The local taxation of income and capital gains accruing to non-residents varies among developing market countries and may be comparatively high. Developing market countries typically have less well-defined tax laws and procedures and such laws may permit retroactive taxation so that the Fund could in the future become subject to local tax liabilities that had not been anticipated in conducting its investment activities or valuing its assets.

Many developing market countries suffer from uncertainty and corruption in their legal frameworks. Legislation may be difficult to interpret and laws may be too new to provide any precedential value. Laws regarding foreign investment and private property may be weak or non-existent. Investments in developing market countries may involve risks of nationalization, expropriation and confiscatory taxation. For example, the Communist governments of a number of Eastern European countries expropriated large amounts of private property in the past, in many cases without adequate compensation, and there can be no assurance that similar expropriation will not occur in the future. In the event of expropriation, the Fund could lose all or a substantial portion of any investments it has made in the affected countries. Accounting, auditing and reporting standards in certain countries in which the Fund may invest may not provide the same degree of investor protection or information to investors as would generally apply in major securities markets. For example, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) has warned that positions taken by Chinese authorities impair the PCAOB's ability to conduct inspections and investigations of the audits of public companies with China-based operations. The PCAOB's impaired ability to oversee PCAOB-registered audit firms in China may result in inaccurate or incomplete financial records of an issuer's operations within China, which may negatively impact the Fund's investments in such companies. The PCAOB's

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impaired ability to oversee PCAOB-registered audit firms in China may result in inaccurate or incomplete financial records of an issuer's operations within China, which may negatively impact the Fund's investments in such companies. In addition, it is possible that purported securities in which the Fund invested may subsequently be found to be fraudulent and as a consequence the Fund could suffer losses.

There may be significant obstacles to obtaining information necessary for investigations into potential legal claims or litigation against emerging market issuers and investors such as the Fund may experience difficulty in enforcing legal claims related to investments in the securities of such issuers. The SEC and other U.S. regulatory authorities often have substantial difficulties in bringing and enforcing actions against non-U.S. companies and non-U.S. persons, including company directors and officers, in certain emerging markets, including China. Accordingly, investor protection and legal recourse may be limited with respect to the Fund's investments in emerging markets.

Finally, currencies of developing market countries are subject to significantly greater risks than currencies of developed countries. Some developing market currencies may not be internationally traded or may be subject to strict controls by local governments, resulting in undervalued or overvalued currencies and associated difficulties with the valuation of assets, including the Fund's securities, denominated in that currency. Some developing market countries have experienced balance of payment deficits and shortages in foreign exchange reserves. Governments have responded by restricting currency conversions. Future restrictive exchange controls could prevent or restrict a company's ability to make dividend or interest payments in the original currency of the obligation (usually U.S. dollars). In addition, even though the currencies of some developing market countries, such as certain Eastern European countries, may be convertible into U.S. dollars, the conversion rates may be artificial to the actual market values and may be adverse to the Fund's shareholders.

*Foreign currency exchange rates.* Changes in foreign currency exchange rates will affect the U.S. dollar market value of securities denominated in such foreign currencies and any income received or expenses paid by the Fund in that foreign currency. This may affect the Fund's share price, income and distributions to shareholders. Some countries may have fixed or managed currencies that are not free-floating against the U.S. dollar. It will be more difficult for the investment manager to value securities denominated in currencies that are fixed or managed. Certain currencies may not be internationally traded, which could cause illiquidity with respect to the Fund's investments in that currency and any securities denominated in that currency. Currency markets generally are not as regulated as securities markets. The Fund endeavors to buy and sell foreign currencies on as favorable a basis as practicable. Some price spread in currency exchanges (to cover service charges) may be incurred, particularly when the Fund changes investments from one country to another or when proceeds of the sale of securities in U.S. dollars are used for the purchase of securities denominated in foreign currencies. Some countries may adopt policies that would prevent the Fund from transferring cash out of the country or withhold portions of interest and dividends at the source.

Certain currencies have experienced a steady devaluation relative to the U.S. dollar. Any devaluations in the currencies in which the Fund's portfolio securities are denominated may have a detrimental impact on the Fund. Where the exchange rate for a currency declines materially after the Fund's income has been accrued and translated into U.S. dollars, the Fund may need to redeem portfolio securities to make required distributions. Similarly, if an exchange rate declines between the time the Fund incurs expenses in U.S. dollars and the time such expenses are paid, the Fund will have to convert a greater amount of the currency into U.S. dollars in order to pay the expenses.

Investing in foreign currencies for purposes of gaining from projected changes in exchange rates further increases the Fund's exposure to foreign securities losses.

The Fund does not consider currencies or other financial commodities or contracts and financial instruments to be physical commodities (which include, for example, oil, precious metals and grains). Accordingly, the Fund interprets its fundamental restriction regarding purchasing and selling physical commodities to permit the Fund (subject to the Fund's investment goals and general investment policies as stated in the Fund's prospectus and SAI) to invest directly in foreign currencies and other financial commodities and to purchase, sell or enter into foreign currency futures contracts and options thereon, foreign currency forward contracts, foreign currency options, currency, commodity- and financial instrument-related swap agreements, hybrid instruments, interest rate, securities-related or foreign currency-related futures contracts or other currency-, commodity- or financial instrument-related derivatives, subject to compliance with any applicable provisions of the federal securities or commodities laws. The Fund also interprets its fundamental restriction regarding purchasing and selling physical commodities to permit the Fund to invest in exchange-traded products or other entities that invest in physical and/or financial commodities, subject to the limits described in the Fund's prospectus and SAI.

**High-yield debt instruments** High-yield or lower-rated debt instruments (also referred to as "junk bonds") are securities that have been rated below the top four rating categories (e.g., BB or Ba and lower) by one or more independent rating organizations such as Moody's or S&P and are considered below investment grade. These instruments generally have greater risk with respect to the payment of interest and

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repayment of principal, or may be in default and are often considered to be speculative and involve greater risk of loss because they are generally unsecured and are often subordinated to other debt of the issuer.

Adverse publicity, investor perceptions, whether or not based on fundamental analysis, or real or perceived adverse economic and competitive industry conditions may decrease the values and liquidity of lower-rated debt instruments, especially in a thinly traded market. Analysis of the creditworthiness of issuers of lower-rated debt instruments may be more complex than for issuers of higher-rated securities. The Fund relies on the investment manager's judgment, analysis and experience in evaluating the creditworthiness of an issuer of lower-rated securities. In such evaluations, the investment manager takes into consideration, among other things, the issuer's financial resources, its sensitivity to economic conditions and trends, its operating history, the quality of the issuer's management and regulatory matters. There can be no assurance the investment manager will be successful in evaluating the creditworthiness of an issuer or the value of high yield debt instruments generally.

The prices of lower-rated debt instruments may be less sensitive to interest rate changes than higher-rated debt instruments, but more sensitive to economic downturns or individual adverse corporate developments. Market anticipation of an economic downturn or of rising interest rates, for example, could cause a decline in lower-rated debt instruments prices. This is because an economic downturn could lessen the ability of a highly leveraged company to make principal and interest payments on its debt securities. Similarly, the impact of individual adverse corporate developments, or public perceptions thereof, will be greater for lower-rated securities because the issuers of such securities are more likely to enter bankruptcy. If the issuer of lower-rated debt instruments defaults, the Fund may incur substantial expenses to seek recovery of all or a portion of its investments or to exercise other rights as a security holder. The Fund may choose, at its expense or in conjunction with others, to pursue litigation or otherwise to exercise its rights as a security holder to seek to protect the interests of security holders if it determines this to be in the best interest of the Fund's shareholders.

Lower-rated debt instruments frequently have call or buy-back features that allow an issuer to redeem the instruments from their holders. Although these instruments are typically not callable for a period of time, usually for three to five years from the date of issue, the Fund will be exposed to prepayment risk.

The markets in which lower-rated debt instruments are traded are more limited than those in which higher-rated securities are traded. The existence of limited markets for particular securities may diminish the Fund's ability to sell the securities at desirable prices to meet redemption requests or to respond to a specific economic event, such as deterioration in the creditworthiness of the issuer. Reduced secondary market liquidity for certain lower-rated debt instruments also may make it more difficult for the Fund to obtain accurate market quotations for the purposes of valuing the Fund's portfolio. Market quotations are generally available on many lower-rated securities only from a limited number of dealers and may not necessarily represent firm bids of such dealers or prices of actual sales, which may limit the Fund's ability to rely on such quotations.

Some lower-rated debt instruments are sold without registration under federal securities laws and, therefore, carry restrictions on resale. While many of such lower-rated debt instruments have been sold with registration rights, covenants and penalty provisions for delayed registration, if the Fund is required to sell restricted securities before the securities have been registered, it may be deemed an underwriter of the securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (1933 Act), which entails special responsibilities and liabilities. The Fund also may incur extra costs when selling restricted securities, although the Fund will generally not incur any costs when the issuer is responsible for registering the securities.

High-yield, fixed-income securities acquired during an initial underwriting involve special credit risks because they are new issues. The investment manager will carefully review the issuer's credit and other characteristics.

The credit risk factors described above also apply to high-yield zero coupon, deferred interest and pay-in-kind securities. These securities have an additional risk, however, because unlike securities that pay interest periodically until maturity, zero coupon bonds and similar securities will not make any interest or principal payments until the cash payment date or maturity of the security. If the issuer defaults, the Fund may not obtain any return on its investment.

**High-yield mortgage securities (Series CP)** Certain mortgage securities may be rated below investment grade by Moody's or S&P (below their top four rating categories (e.g., BB or Ba and lower)), or may be unrated and deemed to be of comparable quality by the investment manager. These mortgage securities involve greater risk of loss of some or all of the Fund's investment, or delays in the receipt of interest and principal payments than higher-quality mortgage securities and are generally considered to be predominantly speculative.

High-yield mortgage securities are more vulnerable to changes in the relevant economy, such as a recession or a sustained period of rising interest rates that could affect the ability of the borrowers in the underlying mortgages to make interest and principal payments when due. An unexpectedly high rate of default on the underlying mortgages may limit substantially the mortgage pool's ability to make payments of principal or interest to the Fund, which may reduce the value

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of such mortgage securities or, in some cases, render them worthless. In addition, the Fund is susceptible to the credit quality of the issuer of a mortgage security, which may not be as financially sound as an issuer of a higher-rated mortgage security. If an issuer stops making interest and/or principal payments, or if the borrowers in the underlying mortgages default and the guarantees, if any, for the mortgage securities default or otherwise fail, payments on the securities may never resume.

Adverse publicity, investor perceptions, whether or not based on fundamental analysis, or real or perceived adverse economic and competitive industry conditions may decrease the values and liquidity of lower-rated mortgage securities, especially in a thinly traded market. Analysis of the creditworthiness of lower-rated mortgage securities may be more complex than for higher-rated mortgage securities. The Fund relies on the investment manager's judgment, analysis and experience in evaluating the creditworthiness of lower-rated securities. In such evaluations, the investment manager takes into consideration, among other things, the quality of the underlying mortgages, the pool's sensitivity to economic conditions and trends, its history, the quality of the issuer's management and regulatory matters. There can be no assurance the investment manager will be successful in evaluating the creditworthiness of an issuer or the value of high yield mortgage securities generally.

The prices of lower-rated mortgage securities may be less sensitive to interest rate changes than higher-rated mortgage securities, but more sensitive to economic downturns or adverse developments in the housing markets. Market anticipation of an economic downturn or of rising interest rates, for example, could cause a decline in lower-rated mortgage securities prices. This is because an economic downturn could lessen the ability of the borrowers of the mortgages in lower-rated mortgage securities to make principal and interest payments when due. In addition, if the issuer of lower-rated mortgage securities defaults, the Fund may incur substantial expenses to seek recovery of all or a portion of its investments or to exercise other rights as a security holder. Enforcing rights against the underlying assets or collateral may be difficult, or the underlying assets or collateral may be insufficient if the issuer defaults. The Fund may choose, at its expense or in conjunction with others, to pursue litigation or otherwise to exercise its rights as a security holder to seek to protect the interests of security holders if it determines this to be in the best interest of the Fund's shareholders.

The markets in which lower-rated mortgage securities are traded are more limited than those in which higher-rated mortgage securities are traded. The existence of limited markets for particular securities may diminish the Fund's ability to sell the securities at desirable prices to meet redemption requests or to respond to a specific economic event, such as deterioration in the creditworthiness of the mortgage pool. Reduced secondary market liquidity for certain lower-rated mortgage securities also may make it more difficult for the Fund to obtain accurate market quotations for the purposes of valuing the Fund's portfolio. Market quotations are generally available on many lower-rated mortgage securities only from a limited number of dealers and may not necessarily represent firm bids of such dealers or prices of actual sales, which may limit the Fund's ability to rely on such quotations.

Some lower-rated securities are sold without registration under federal securities laws and, therefore, carry restrictions on resale. While many of such lower-rated securities have been sold with registration rights, covenants and penalty provisions for delayed registration, if the Fund is required to sell restricted securities before the securities have been registered, it may be deemed an underwriter of the securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (1933 Act), which entails special responsibilities and liabilities. The Fund also may incur extra costs when selling restricted securities, although the Fund will generally not incur any costs when the issuer is responsible for registering the securities.

**Illiquid securities** Generally, an "illiquid security" or "illiquid investment" is any investment that the Fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. Illiquid investments generally include investments for which no market exists or which are legally restricted as to their transfer (such as those issued pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the federal securities laws). Restricted securities are generally sold in privately negotiated transactions, pursuant to an exemption from registration under the 1933 Act. If registration of a security previously acquired in a private transaction is required, the Fund, as the holder of the security, may be obligated to pay all or part of the registration expense and a considerable period may elapse between the time it decides to seek registration and the time it will be permitted to sell a security under an effective registration statement. If, during such a period, adverse market conditions were to develop, the Fund might obtain a less favorable price than prevailed when it decided to seek registration of the security. To the extent it is determined that there is a liquid institutional or other market for certain restricted securities, the Fund would consider them to be liquid securities. An example is a restricted security that may be freely transferred among qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the 1933 Act, and for which a liquid institutional market has developed. Rule 144A securities may be subject, however, to a greater possibility of becoming illiquid than securities that have been registered with the SEC.

The following factors may be taken into account in determining whether a restricted security is properly considered a liquid security: (i) the frequency of trades and quotes for the security; (ii) the number of dealers willing to

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buy or sell the security and the number of other potential buyers; (iii) any dealer undertakings to make a market in the security; and (iv) the nature of the security and of the marketplace trades (e.g., any demand, put or tender features, the method of soliciting offers, the mechanics and other requirements for transfer, and the ability to assign or offset the rights and obligations of the security). The nature of the security and its trading includes the time needed to sell the security, the method of soliciting offers to purchase or sell the security, and the mechanics of transferring the security including the role of parties such as foreign or U.S. custodians, subcustodians, currency exchange brokers, and depositories.

The sale of illiquid investments often requires more time and results in higher brokerage charges or dealer discounts and other selling expenses than the sale of investments eligible for trading on national securities exchanges or in the over-the-counter (OTC) markets. Illiquid investments often sell at a price lower than similar investments that are not subject to restrictions on resale.

The risk to the Fund in holding illiquid investments is that they may be more difficult to sell if the Fund wants to dispose of the investment in response to adverse developments or in order to raise money for redemptions or other investment opportunities. Illiquid trading conditions may also make it more difficult for the Fund to realize an investment's fair value.

The Fund may also be unable to achieve its desired level of exposure to a certain investment, issuer, or sector due to overall limitations on its ability to invest in illiquid investments and the difficulty in purchasing such investments.

If illiquid investments exceed 15% of the Fund's net assets after the time of purchase, the Fund will take steps to reduce its holdings of illiquid investments to or below 15% of its net assets within a reasonable period of time, and will notify the Trust's board of trustees and make the required filings with the SEC in accordance with Rule 22e-4 under the 1940 Act. Because illiquid investments may not be readily marketable, the portfolio managers and/or investment personnel may not be able to dispose of them in a timely manner. As a result, the Fund may be forced to hold illiquid investments while their price depreciates. Depreciation in the price of illiquid investments may cause the net asset value of the Fund to decline.

**Insurance** The Fund may also invest in insured municipal securities. Normally, the underlying rating of an insured security is one of the top three ratings of Fitch, Moody's or S&P. An insurer may insure municipal securities that are rated below the top three ratings or that are unrated if the securities otherwise meet the insurer's quality standards.

The Fund will only enter into a contract to buy an insured municipal security if either permanent insurance or an irrevocable commitment to insure the municipal security by a qualified municipal bond insurer is in place. The insurance feature guarantees the scheduled payment of principal and interest, but does not guarantee (i) the market value of the insured municipal security, (ii) the value of the Fund's shares, or (iii) the Fund's distributions.

*Types of insurance.* There are three types of insurance: new issue, secondary and portfolio. A new issue insurance policy is purchased by the issuer when the security is issued. A secondary insurance policy may be purchased by the Fund after a security is issued. With both new issue and secondary policies, the insurance continues in force for the life of the security and, thus, may increase the credit rating of the security, as well as its resale value. However, in response to market conditions rating agencies have lowered their ratings on some municipal bond insurers below BBB or withdrawn ratings. In such cases the insurance is providing little or no enhancement of credit or resale value to the municipal security and the security's rating will reflect the higher of the insurer rating or the underlying rating of the security.

The Fund may buy a secondary insurance policy at any time if the investment manager believes the insurance would be in the best interest of the Fund. The Fund is likely to buy a secondary insurance policy if, in the investment manager's opinion, the Fund could sell a security at a price that exceeds the current value of the security, without insurance, plus the cost of the insurance. The purchase of a secondary policy, if available, may enable the Fund to sell a defaulted security at a price similar to that of comparable securities that are not in default. The Fund would value a defaulted security covered by a secondary insurance policy at its market value.

The Fund also may buy a portfolio insurance policy. Unlike new issue and secondary insurance, which continue in force for the life of the security, portfolio insurance only covers securities while they are held by the Fund. If the Fund sells a security covered by portfolio insurance, the insurance protection on that security ends and, thus, cannot affect the resale value of the security. As a result, the Fund may continue to hold any security insured under a portfolio insurance policy that is in default or in significant risk of default and, absent any unusual or unforeseen circumstances as a result of the portfolio insurance policy, would likely value the defaulted security, or security for which there is a significant risk of default, at the same price as comparable securities that are not in default. While a defaulted security is held in the Fund's portfolio, the Fund continues to pay the insurance premium on the security but also collects interest payments from the insurer and retains the right to collect the full amount of principal from the insurer when the security comes due.

The insurance premium the Fund pays for a portfolio insurance policy is a Fund expense. The premium is payable monthly and is adjusted for purchases and sales of covered

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securities during the month. If the Fund fails to pay its premium, the insurer may take action against the Fund to recover any premium payments that are due. The insurer may not change premium rates for securities covered by a portfolio insurance policy, regardless of the issuer's ability or willingness to meet its obligations.

*Qualified municipal bond insurers.* Insurance policies may be issued by a qualified municipal bond insurer. The bond insurance industry is a regulated industry. Any bond insurer must be licensed in each state in order to write financial guarantees in that jurisdiction. Regulations vary from state to state. Most regulators, however, require minimum standards of solvency and limitations on leverage and investment of assets. Regulators also place restrictions on the amount an insurer can guarantee in relation to the insurer's capital base. Neither the Fund nor the investment manager makes any representations as to the ability of any insurance company to meet its obligation to the Fund if called upon to do so.

If an insurer is called upon to pay the principal or interest on an insured security that is due for payment but that has not been paid by the issuer, the terms of payment would be governed by the provisions of the insurance policy. After payment, the insurer becomes the owner of the security, appurtenant coupon, or right to payment of principal or interest on the security and is fully subrogated to all of the Fund's rights with respect to the security, including the right to payment. The insurer's rights to the security or to payment of principal or interest are limited, however, to the amount the insurer has paid.

State regulators have from time to time required municipal bond insurers to suspend claims payments on outstanding insurance in force. Certain municipal bond insurers have withdrawn from the market. These circumstances have led to a decrease in the supply of insured municipal securities and a consolidation among municipal bond insurers concentrating the insurance company credit risk on securities in the Fund's portfolio amongst fewer municipal bond insurers. Due to this consolidation, events involving one or more municipal bond insurers could have a significant adverse effect on the value of the securities insured by the insurer and on the municipal markets as a whole.

**Interfund lending program** Pursuant to an exemptive order granted by the SEC (Lending Order), the Fund has the ability to lend money to, and borrow money from, other Franklin Templeton funds for temporary purposes (Interfund Lending Program) pursuant to a master interfund lending agreement (Interfund Loan). Lending and borrowing through the Interfund Lending Program provides the borrowing fund with a lower interest rate than it would have paid if it borrowed money from a bank, and provides the lending fund with an alternative short-term investment with a higher rate of return than other available short-term investments. All Interfund Loans would consist only of uninvested cash reserves that the lending fund otherwise would invest in short-term repurchase agreements or other short-term instruments. The Fund may only participate in the Interfund Lending Program to the extent permitted by its investment goal(s), policies and restrictions and only subject to meeting the conditions of the Lending Order.

The limitations of the Interfund Lending Program are described below and these and the other conditions of the Lending Order permitting interfund lending are designed to minimize the risks associated with interfund lending for both the lending and borrowing fund. However, no borrowing or lending activity is without risk. When a fund borrows money from another fund under the Interfund Lending Program, there is a risk that the Interfund Loan could be called on one business day's notice, in which case the borrowing fund may have to utilize a line of credit, which would likely involve higher rates, seek an Interfund Loan from another fund, or liquidate portfolio securities if no lending sources are available to meet its liquidity needs. Interfund Loans are subject to the risk that the borrowing fund could be unable to repay the loan when due, and a delay in repayment could result in a lost opportunity by the lending fund or force the lending fund to borrow or liquidate securities to meet its liquidity needs.

Under the Interfund Lending Program, the Fund may borrow on an unsecured basis through the Interfund Lending Program if its outstanding borrowings from all sources immediately after the borrowing total 10% or less of its total assets, provided that if the Fund has a secured loan outstanding from any other lender, including but not limited to another fund, the Fund's Interfund Loan will be secured on at least an equal priority basis with at least an equivalent percentage of collateral to loan value as any outstanding loan that requires collateral. If the Fund's total outstanding borrowings immediately after an Interfund Loan exceed 10% of its total assets, the Fund may borrow through the Interfund Lending Program on a secured basis only. The Fund may not borrow under the Interfund Lending Program or from any other source if its total outstanding borrowings immediately after such borrowing would be more than 33 1/3% of its total assets or any lower threshold provided for by the Fund's investment restrictions.

If the Fund has outstanding bank borrowings, any Interfund Loans to the Fund would: (a) be at an interest rate equal to or lower than that of any outstanding bank loan, (b) be secured at least on an equal priority basis with at least an equivalent percentage of collateral to loan value as any outstanding bank loan that requires collateral, (c) have a maturity no longer than any outstanding bank loan (and in any event not over seven days), and (d) provide that, if an event of default by the Fund occurs under any agreement evidencing an outstanding bank loan to the Fund, that event of default will automatically (without need for action or notice by the lending fund) constitute an immediate event of default under the interfund lending agreement, entitling the lending fund to call the

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Interfund Loan (and exercise all rights with respect to any collateral), and that such call would be made if the lending bank exercises its right to call its loan under its agreement with the borrowing fund.

In addition, no fund may lend to another fund through the Interfund Lending Program if the loan would cause the lending fund's aggregate outstanding loans through the Interfund Lending Program to exceed 15% of its current net assets at the time of the loan. A fund's Interfund Loans to any one fund shall not exceed 5% of the lending fund's net assets. The duration of Interfund Loans will be limited to the time required to obtain cash sufficient to repay such Interfund Loan, either through the sale of portfolio securities or the net sales of the fund's shares, but in no event more than seven days, and for purposes of this condition, loans effected within seven days of each other will be treated as separate loan transactions. Each Interfund Loan may be called on one business day's notice by a lending fund and may be repaid on any day by a borrowing fund.

**Investment company securities** The Fund may invest in other investment companies to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, SEC rules thereunder and exemptions thereto. With respect to funds in which the Fund may invest, Section 12(d)(1)(A) of the 1940 Act requires that, as determined immediately after a purchase is made, (i) not more than 5% of the value of the Fund's total assets will be invested in the securities of any one investment company, (ii) not more than 10% of the value of the Fund's total assets will be invested in securities of investment companies as a group, and (iii) not more than 3% of the outstanding voting stock of any one investment company will be owned by the Fund. The Fund will limit its investments in funds in accordance with the Section 12(d)(1)(A) limitations set forth above, except to the extent that any rules, regulations or no-action or exemptive relief under the 1940 Act permits the Fund's investments to exceed such limits. For example, Rule 12d1-4 permits the Fund to invest in other investment companies beyond the statutory limits, subject to certain conditions. Among other conditions, the Rule prohibits a fund from acquiring control of another investment company (other than an investment company in the same group of investment companies), including by acquiring more than 25% of its voting securities. In addition, the Rule imposes certain voting requirements when a fund's ownership of another investment company exceeds particular thresholds. If shares of a fund are acquired by another investment company, the "acquired" fund may not purchase or otherwise acquire the securities of an investment company or private fund if immediately after such purchase or acquisition, the securities of investment companies and private funds owned by that acquired fund have an aggregate value in excess of 10% of the value of the total assets of the fund, subject to certain exceptions. These restrictions may limit the Fund's ability to invest in other investment companies to the extent desired. In addition, other unaffiliated investment companies may impose other investment limitations or redemption restrictions which may also limit the Fund's flexibility with respect to making investments in those unaffiliated investment companies. To the extent that the Fund invests in another investment company, because other investment companies pay advisory, administrative and service fees that are borne indirectly by investors, such as the Fund, there may be duplication of investment management and other fees. The Fund may also invest its cash balances in affiliated money market funds to the extent permitted by its investment policies and rules and exemptions granted under the 1940 Act.

*Exchange-traded funds.* The Fund may invest in exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Most ETFs are regulated as registered investment companies under the 1940 Act. Many ETFs acquire and hold securities of all of the companies or other issuers, or a representative sampling of companies or other issuers that are components of a particular index. Such ETFs are intended to provide investment results that, before expenses, generally correspond to the price and yield performance of the corresponding market index, and the value of their shares should, under normal circumstances, closely track the value of the index's underlying component securities. Because an ETF has operating expenses and transaction costs, while a market index does not, ETFs that track particular indices typically will be unable to match the performance of the index exactly. There are also actively managed ETFs that are managed similarly to other investment companies.

ETF shares may be purchased and sold in the secondary trading market on a securities exchange, in lots of any size, at any time during the trading day. The shares of an ETF may also be assembled in a block (typically 50,000 shares) known as a creation unit and redeemed in kind for a portfolio of the underlying securities (based on the ETF's net asset value) together with a cash payment generally equal to accumulated dividends as of the date of redemption. Conversely, a creation unit may be purchased from the ETF by depositing a specified portfolio of the ETF's underlying securities, as well as a cash payment generally equal to accumulated dividends of the securities (net of expenses) up to the time of deposit.

ETF shares, as opposed to creation units, are generally purchased and sold in a secondary market on a securities exchange. ETF shares can be traded in lots of any size, at any time during the trading day. Although the Fund, like most other investors in ETFs, intends to purchase and sell ETF shares primarily in the secondary trading market, the Fund may redeem creation units for the underlying securities (and any applicable cash), and may assemble a portfolio of the underlying securities and use it (and any required cash) to purchase creation units, if the investment manager believes it is in the Fund's best interest to do so.

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An investment in an ETF is subject to all of the risks of investing in the securities held by the ETF and has similar risks as investing in a closed-end fund. In addition, because of the ability of large market participants to arbitrage price differences by purchasing or redeeming creation units, the difference between the market value and the net asset value of ETF shares should in most cases be small. An ETF may be terminated and need to liquidate its portfolio securities at a time when the prices for those securities are falling.

*Closed-end funds.* The shares of a closed-end fund typically are bought and sold on an exchange. The risks of investing in a closed-end investment company typically reflect the risk of the types of securities in which the closed-end fund invests. Closed-end funds often leverage returns by issuing debt securities, variable rate preferred securities or reverse-repurchase agreements. The Fund may invest in debt securities issued by closed-end funds, subject to any quality or other standards applicable to the Fund's investment in debt securities. If the Fund invests in shares issued by leveraged closed-end funds, it will face certain risks associated with leveraged investments.

Investments in closed-end funds are subject to additional risks. For example, the price of the closed-end fund's shares quoted on an exchange may not reflect the net asset value of the securities held by the closed-end fund. The premium or discount that the share prices represent versus net asset value may change over time based on a variety of factors, including supply of and demand for the closed-end fund's shares, that are outside the closed-end fund's control or unrelated to the value of the underlying portfolio securities. If the Fund invests in the closed-end fund to gain exposure to the closed-end fund's investments, the lack of correlation between the performance of the closed-end fund's investments and the closed-end fund's share price may compromise or eliminate any such exposure.

**Investment grade debt securities** Investment grade debt securities are securities that are rated at the time of purchase in the top four ratings categories by one or more independent rating organizations such as S&P (rated BBB- or better) or Moody's (rated Baa3 or higher) or, if unrated, are determined to be of comparable quality by the Fund's investment manager. Generally, a higher rating indicates the rating agency's opinion that there is less risk of default of obligations thereunder including timely repayment of principal and payment of interest. Debt securities in the lowest investment grade category may have speculative characteristics and more closely resemble high-yield debt securities than investment-grade debt securities. Lower-rated securities may be subject to all the risks applicable to high-yield debt securities and changes in economic conditions or other circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to make principal and interest payments than is the case with higher grade debt securities.

A number of risks associated with rating agencies apply to the purchase or sale of investment grade debt securities.

**Mandatory tender (mandatory put) municipal securities** Mandatory tender (mandatory put) municipal securities may be sold with a requirement that a holder of a security surrender the security to the issuer or its agent for cash at a date prior to the stated maturity. On the predetermined tender date, the holder receives principal and accrued interest.

**Maturity** Municipal securities are issued with a specific maturity date--the date when the issuer must repay the amount borrowed. Maturities typically range from less than one year (short term) to 30 years (long term). In general, securities with longer maturities are more sensitive to interest rate changes, although they may provide higher yields.

#### Mortgage securities
*Overview of mortgage-backed securities.* Mortgage-backed securities, represent an ownership interest in a pool of mortgage loans, usually originated by mortgage bankers, commercial banks, savings and loan associations, savings banks and credit unions to finance purchases of homes, commercial buildings or other real estate. The individual mortgage loans are packaged or "pooled" together for sale to investors. These mortgage loans may have either fixed or adjustable interest rates. A guarantee or other form of credit support may be attached to a mortgage-backed security to protect against default on obligations.

As the underlying mortgage loans are paid off, investors receive principal and interest payments, which "pass-through" when received from individual borrowers, net of any fees owed to the administrator, guarantor or other service providers. Some mortgage-backed securities make payments of both principal and interest at a range of specified intervals; others make semiannual interest payments at a predetermined rate and repay principal at maturity (like a typical bond).

Mortgage-backed securities are based on different types of mortgages, including those on commercial real estate or residential properties. The primary issuers or guarantors of mortgage-backed securities have historically been the Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA or Ginnie Mae), the Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA or Fannie Mae) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC or Freddie Mac). Other issuers of mortgage-backed securities include commercial banks and other private lenders. Trading in mortgage-backed securities guaranteed by a governmental agency, instrumentality or sponsored enterprise may frequently take place in the to-be-announced (TBA) forward market. On June 3, 2019, under the FHFA's "Single Security Initiative" intended to maximize liquidity for both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac mortgage-backed securities in the TBA market, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac started issuing uniform mortgage-backed securities

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("UMBS") in place of their separate offerings of TBA-eligible mortgage-backed securities. The issuance of UMBS may not achieve the intended results and may have unanticipated or adverse effects on the market for mortgage-backed securities. See "When-issued, delayed delivery and to-be-announced transactions" below.

Ginnie Mae is a wholly-owned United States government corporation within the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Ginnie Mae guarantees the principal and interest on securities issued by institutions approved by Ginnie Mae (such as savings and loan institutions, commercial banks and mortgage bankers). Ginnie Mae also guarantees the principal and interest on securities backed by pools of mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration, or guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Ginnie Mae's guarantees are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. Guarantees as to the timely payment of principal and interest do not extend to the value or yield of mortgage-backed securities nor do they extend to the value of the Fund's shares which will fluctuate daily with market conditions.

Fannie Mae is a government-sponsored corporation, but its common stock is owned by private stockholders. Fannie Mae purchases conventional (i.e., not insured or guaranteed by any government agency) residential mortgages from a list of approved seller/servicers which include state and federally chartered savings and loan associations, mutual savings banks, commercial banks and credit unions and mortgage bankers. Pass-through securities issued by Fannie Mae are guaranteed as to timely payment of principal and interest by Fannie Mae, but are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.

Although the mortgage-backed securities of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, the Secretary of the Treasury has the authority to support Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac by purchasing limited amounts of their respective obligations. The yields on these mortgage-backed securities have historically exceeded the yields on other types of U.S. government securities with comparable maturities due largely to their prepayment risk. The U.S. government, in the past, provided financial support to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, but the U.S. government has no legal obligation to do so, and no assurance can be given that the U.S. government will continue to do so.

On September 6, 2008, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) placed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac into conservatorship. As the conservator, FHFA succeeded to all rights, titles, powers and privileges of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and of any stockholder, officer or director of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. FHFA selected a new chief executive officer and chairman of the board of directors for each of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Also, the U.S. Treasury entered into a Senior Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement imposing various covenants that severely limit each enterprise's operations.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac continue to operate as going concerns while in conservatorship and each remains liable for all of its obligations, including its guaranty obligations associated with its mortgage-backed securities. The FHFA has the power to repudiate any contract entered into by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac prior to FHFA's appointment as conservator or receiver, including the guaranty obligations of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Accordingly, securities issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will involve a risk of non-payment of principal and interest.

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mortgage-backed securities whose underlying assets are neither U.S. government securities nor U.S. government-insured mortgages, to the extent that real properties securing such assets may be located in the same geographical region, may also be subject to a greater risk of default than other comparable securities in the event of adverse economic, political or business developments that may affect such region and, ultimately, the ability of property owners to make payments of principal and interest on the underlying mortgages. Non-government mortgage-backed securities are generally subject to greater price volatility than those issued, guaranteed or sponsored by government entities because of the greater risk of default in adverse market conditions. Where a guarantee is provided by a private guarantor, the Fund is subject to the credit risk of such guarantor, especially when the guarantor doubles as the originator.

Mortgage-backed securities that are issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities, are not subject to the Fund's industry concentration restrictions, set forth under "Fundamental Investment Policies," by virtue of the exclusion from that test available to securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities. In the case of privately issued mortgage-backed securities, the Fund categorizes the securities by the issuer's industry for purposes of the Fund's industry concentration restrictions.

*Other mortgage securities.* Mortgage securities may include interests in pools of (i) reperforming loans, meaning that the mortgage loans are current, including because of loan modifications, but had been delinquent in the past and (ii) non-performing loans, meaning that the mortgage loans are not current. Such mortgage securities present increased risks of default, including non-payment of principal and interest.

*Additional risks.* In addition to the special risks described below, mortgage securities are subject to many of the same risks as other types of debt securities. The market value of mortgage securities, like other debt securities, will generally vary inversely with changes in market interest rates, declining when interest rates rise and rising when interest rates decline. Mortgage securities differ from conventional debt securities in that most mortgage securities are pass-through securities. This means that they typically provide investors with periodic payments (typically monthly) consisting of a pro rata share of both regular interest and principal payments, as well as unscheduled early prepayments, on the underlying mortgage pool (net of any fees paid to the issuer or guarantor of such securities and any applicable loan servicing fees). As a result, the holder of the mortgage securities (i.e., the Fund) receives scheduled payments of principal and interest and may receive unscheduled principal payments representing prepayments on the underlying mortgages. The rate of prepayments on the underlying mortgages generally increases as interest rates decline, and when the Fund reinvests the payments and any unscheduled payments of principal it receives, it may receive a rate of interest that is lower than the rate on the existing mortgage securities. For this reason, pass-through mortgage securities may have less potential for capital appreciation as interest rates decline and may be less effective than other types of U.S. government or other debt securities as a means of "locking in" long-term interest rates. In general, fixed rate mortgage securities have greater exposure to this "prepayment risk" than variable rate securities.

An unexpected rise in interest rates could extend the average life of a mortgage security because of a lower than expected level of prepayments or higher than expected amounts of late payments or defaults. In addition, to the extent mortgage securities are purchased at a premium, mortgage foreclosures and unscheduled principal prepayments may result in some loss of the holder's principal investment to the extent of the premium paid. On the other hand, if mortgage securities are purchased at a discount, both a scheduled payment of principal and an unscheduled payment of principal will increase current and total returns and will accelerate the recognition of income that, when distributed to shareholders, will generally be taxable as ordinary income. Regulatory, policy or tax changes may also adversely affect the mortgage securities market as a whole or particular segments of such market, including if one or more government sponsored entities, such as Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, are privatized or their conservatorship is terminated.

*Guarantees.* The existence of a guarantee or other form of credit support on a mortgage security usually increases the price that the Fund pays or receives for the security. There is always the risk that the guarantor will default on its obligations. When the guarantor is the U.S. government, there is minimal risk of guarantor default. However, the risk remains if the credit support or guarantee is provided by a private party or a U.S. government agency or sponsored enterprise. Even if the guarantor meets its obligations, there can be no assurance that the type of guarantee or credit support provided will be effective at reducing losses or delays to investors, given the nature of the default. A guarantee only assures timely payment of interest and principal, not a particular rate of return on the Fund's investment or protection against prepayment or other risks. The market price and yield of the mortgage security at any given time are not guaranteed and likely to fluctuate.

*Sector focus.* The Fund's investments in mortgage securities may cause the Fund to have significant, indirect exposure to a given market sector. If the underlying mortgages are predominantly from borrowers in a given market sector, the mortgage securities may respond to market conditions just as a direct investment in that sector would. As a result, the Fund may experience greater exposure to that specific market sector than it would if the underlying mortgages came from a wider variety of borrowers. Greater exposure to a particular market sector may result in greater volatility of the security's price and returns to the Fund, as well as greater potential for

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losses in the absence or failure of a guarantee to protect against widespread defaults or late payments by the borrowers on the underlying mortgages.

Similar risks may result from an investment in mortgage securities if the underlying real properties are located in the same geographical region or dependent upon the same industries or sectors. Such mortgage securities will experience greater risk of default or late payment than other comparable but diversified securities in the event of adverse economic, political or business developments because of the widespread affect an adverse event will have on borrowers' ability to make payments on the underlying mortgages.

**Stripped mortgage-backed securities and net interest margin securities** Some mortgage-backed securities referred to as stripped mortgage-backed securities are divided into classes which receive different proportions of the principal and interest payments or, in some cases, only payments of principal or interest (but not both). Other mortgage-backed securities referred to as net interest margin (NIM) securities give the investor the right to receive any excess interest earned on a pool of mortgage loans remaining after all classes and service providers have been paid in full. Stripped mortgage-backed securities may be issued by government or private entities. Stripped mortgage-backed securities issued or guaranteed by agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. government are typically more liquid than privately issued stripped mortgage-backed securities.

Stripped mortgage-backed securities are usually structured with two classes, each receiving different proportions of the interest and principal distributions on a pool of mortgage assets. In most cases, one class receives all of the interest (interest-only or "IO" class), while the other class receives all of the principal (principal-only or "PO" class). The return on an IO class is extremely sensitive not only to changes in prevailing interest rates but also to the rate of principal payments (including prepayments) on the underlying mortgage assets. A rapid rate of principal payments may have a material adverse effect on any IO class held by the Fund. If the underlying mortgage assets experience greater than anticipated prepayments of principal, the Fund may fail to recoup its initial investment fully, even if the securities are rated in the highest rating categories, AAA or Aaa, by S&P or Moody's, respectively.

NIM securities represent a right to receive any "excess" interest computed after paying coupon costs, servicing costs and fees and any credit losses associated with the underlying pool of home equity loans. Like traditional stripped mortgage-backed securities, the return on a NIM security is sensitive not only to changes in prevailing interest rates but also to the rate of principal payments (including prepayments) on the underlying home equity loans. NIM securities are highly sensitive to credit losses on the underlying collateral and the timing in which those losses are taken.

Stripped mortgage-backed securities and NIM securities tend to exhibit greater market volatility in response to changes in interest rates than other types of mortgage-backed securities and are purchased and sold by institutional investors, such as the Fund, through investment banking firms acting as brokers or dealers. Some of these securities may be deemed "illiquid" and therefore subject to the Fund's limitation on investment in illiquid securities and the risks associated with illiquidity.

*Future developments.* Mortgage loan and home equity loan pools offering pass-through investments in addition to those described above may be created in the future. The mortgages underlying these securities may be alternative mortgage instruments, that is, mortgage instruments whose principal or interest payments may vary or whose terms to maturity may differ from customary long-term, fixed-rate mortgages. As new types of mortgage and home equity loan securities are developed and offered to investors, the Fund may invest in them if they are consistent with the Fund's goals, policies and quality standards.

#### Mortgage Dollar and U.S. Treasury Rolls
*Mortgage dollar rolls.* In a mortgage dollar roll, the Fund sells or buys mortgage-backed securities for delivery in the current month and simultaneously contracts to repurchase or sell substantially similar (same type, coupon, and maturity) securities on a specified future date. During the period between the sale and repurchase (known as the "roll period"), the Fund forgoes principal and interest payments that it would otherwise have received on the securities sold. The Fund is compensated by the difference between the current sales price, which it receives, and the lower forward price that it will pay for the future purchase (often referred to as the "drop"), as well as by the interest earned on the cash proceeds of the initial sale.

The Fund is exposed to the credit risk of its counterparty in a mortgage dollar roll or U.S. Treasury roll transaction. The Fund could suffer a loss if the counterparty fails to perform the future transaction or otherwise meet its obligations and the Fund is therefore unable to repurchase at the agreed upon price the same or substantially similar mortgage-backed securities it initially sold. The Fund also takes the risk that the mortgage-backed securities that it repurchases at a later date will have less favorable market characteristics than the securities originally sold (e.g., greater prepayment risk).

The Fund intends to enter into mortgage dollar rolls only with high quality securities dealers and banks as determined by the investment manager under board approved counterparty review procedures. Although rolls could add leverage to the Fund's portfolio, the Fund does not consider the purchase and/or sale of a mortgage dollar roll to be a borrowing for

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purposes of the Fund's fundamental restrictions or other limitations on borrowing.

*U.S. Treasury rolls.* In U.S. Treasury rolls, the Fund sells U.S. Treasury securities and buys back "when-issued" U.S. Treasury securities of slightly longer maturity for simultaneous settlement on the settlement date of the "when-issued" U.S. Treasury security. Two potential advantages of this strategy are (1) the Fund can regularly and incrementally adjust its weighted average maturity of its portfolio securities (which otherwise would constantly diminish with the passage of time); and (2) in a normal yield curve environment (in which shorter maturities yield less than longer maturities), a gain in yield to maturity can be obtained along with the desired extension.

During the period before the settlement date, the Fund continues to earn interest on the securities it is selling. It does not earn interest on the securities that it is purchasing until after the settlement date. The Fund could suffer an opportunity loss if the counterparty to the roll failed to perform its obligations on the settlement date, and if market conditions changed adversely. The Fund generally enters into U.S. Treasury rolls only with government securities dealers recognized by the Federal Reserve Board or with member banks of the Federal Reserve System.

**Municipal lease obligations** Municipal lease obligations generally are issued to support a government's infrastructure by financing or refinancing equipment or property acquisitions or the construction, expansion or rehabilitation of public facilities. In such transactions, equipment or property is leased to a state or local government, which, in turn, pays lease payments to the lessor consisting of interest and principal payments on the obligations. Municipal lease obligations differ from other municipal securities because each year the lessee's governing body must appropriate (set aside) the money to make the lease payments. If the money is not appropriated, the issuer or the lessee typically can end the lease without penalty. If the lease is cancelled, investors who own the municipal lease obligations may not be paid.

The Fund may also gain exposure to municipal lease obligations through certificates of participation, which represent a proportionate interest in the payments under a specified lease or leases.

Because annual appropriations are required to make lease payments, municipal lease obligations generally are not subject to constitutional limitations on the issuance of debt, and may allow an issuer to increase government liabilities beyond constitutional debt limits. When faced with increasingly tight budgets, local governments have more discretion to curtail lease payments under a municipal lease obligation than they do to curtail payments on other municipal securities. If not enough money is appropriated to make the lease payments, the leased property may be repossessed as security for holders of the municipal lease obligations. If this happens, there is no assurance that the property's private sector or re-leasing value will be enough to make all outstanding payments on the municipal lease obligations or that the payments will continue to be tax-free.

While cancellation risk is inherent to municipal lease obligations, the Fund believes that this risk may be reduced, although not eliminated, by its policies on the credit quality of municipal securities in which it may invest.

**Municipal securities – general description** Municipal securities are issued by a state or that state's counties, municipalities, authorities, agencies, or other subdivisions, as well as by the District of Columbia. These municipal securities generally pay interest free from federal income tax and from state personal income taxes, if any, for residents of that state. In addition, U.S. territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam, the Mariana Islands or the U.S. Virgin Islands also issue qualifying municipal securities that generally pay interest free from federal income tax and from state personal income taxes. Generally for all municipal securities, the issuer pays a fixed, floating or variable rate of interest, and must repay the amount borrowed (the "principal") at maturity. Municipal securities are issued to raise money for a variety of public or private purposes, including financing state or local government, specific projects or public facilities. Municipal securities generally are classified as general or revenue obligations.

The value of the municipal securities may be highly sensitive to events affecting the fiscal stability of the municipalities, agencies, authorities and other instrumentalities that issue securities. In particular, economic, legislative, regulatory or political developments affecting the ability of the issuers to pay interest or repay principal may significantly affect the value of the Fund's investments. These developments can include or arise from, for example, insolvency of an issuer, uncertainties related to the tax status of municipal securities, tax base erosion, state or federal constitutional limits on tax increases or other actions, budget deficits and other financial difficulties, or changes in the credit ratings assigned to municipal issuers.

There could be a limited market for certain municipal securities, and the Fund could face illiquidity risks. Information about the financial condition of an issuer of municipal bonds may not be as extensive as that which is made available by corporations for their publicly-traded securities. The absence or inaccuracy of such information may impact the investment manager's evaluation of credit and valuation risk.

From time to time, proposals have been introduced before Congress to restrict or eliminate the federal income tax exemption for interest on municipal bonds. Also, from time to time, proposals have been introduced before state and local legislatures to restrict or eliminate the state and local income

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tax exemption for interest on municipal bonds. Similar proposals may be introduced in the future. There is a substantial lack of clarity around both the timing and the details of any such tax reform and the impact of any potential tax reform. If any such proposal were enacted, it might restrict or eliminate the ability of the Fund to achieve its investment goals. Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisors regarding potential changes in tax laws.

*General obligation bonds.* Issuers of general obligation bonds include states, counties, cities, towns and regional districts. The proceeds of these obligations are used to fund a wide range of public projects, including construction or improvement of schools, highways and roads. The basic security behind general obligation bonds is the issuer's pledge of its full faith, credit and taxing power for the payment of principal and interest. The taxes that can be levied for the payment of debt service may be limited or unlimited as to the rate or amount of special assessments.

*Revenue bonds.* The full faith, credit and taxing power of the issuer do not secure revenue bonds. Instead, the principal security for a revenue bond generally is the net revenue derived from a particular facility, group of facilities, or, in some cases, the proceeds of a special excise tax or other specific revenue source. Revenue bonds are issued to finance a wide variety of capital projects, including: electric, gas, water and sewer systems; highways, bridges and tunnels; port and airport facilities; colleges and universities; and hospitals. The principal security behind these bonds may vary. For example, housing finance authorities have a wide range of security, including partially or fully insured mortgages, rent subsidized and/or collateralized mortgages, and/or the net revenues from housing or other public projects. Many bonds provide additional security in the form of a debt service reserve fund that may be used to make principal and interest payments. Some authorities have further security in the form of state assurances (although without obligation) to make up deficiencies in the debt service reserve fund. As a result, an investment in revenue obligations is subject to greater risk of delay or non-payment if revenue does not accrue as expected or if other conditions are not met for reasons outside the control of the Fund. Conversely, if revenue accrues more quickly than anticipated, the Fund may receive payment before expected and have difficulty re-investing the proceeds on equally favorable terms.

**Refunded bonds** The issuer of a refunded bond (also known as pre-refunded or escrow-secured bonds) "pre-refunds" the bond by setting aside in advance all or a portion of the amount to be paid to the bondholders when the bond is called. Generally, an issuer uses the proceeds from a new bond issue to buy high-grade, interest-bearing debt securities, including direct obligations of the U.S. government, which are then deposited in an irrevocable escrow account held by a trustee bank to secure all future payments of principal and interest on the refunded bonds. Because refunded bonds still bear the same interest rate as when they were originally issued and are of very high credit quality, their market value may increase. However, as the refunded bond approaches its call or ultimate maturity date, the bond's market value will tend to fall to its call or par price. Under 2017 legislation commonly known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ("TCJA"), interest paid on a bond issued after December 31, 2017 to advance refund another bond is subject to federal income tax.

**Repurchase agreements** Under a repurchase agreement, the Fund agrees to buy securities guaranteed as to payment of principal and interest by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities from a qualified bank, broker-dealer or other counterparty and then to sell the securities back to such counterparty on an agreed upon date (generally less than seven days) at a higher price, which reflects currently prevailing short-term interest rates. Entering into repurchase agreements allows the Fund to earn a return on cash in the Fund's portfolio that would otherwise remain un-invested. The counterparty must transfer to the Fund's custodian, as collateral, securities with an initial market value of at least 102% of the dollar amount paid by the Fund to the counterparty. The investment manager will monitor the value of such collateral daily to determine that the value of the collateral equals or exceeds the repurchase price.

Repurchase agreements may involve risks in the event of default or insolvency of the counterparty, including possible delays or restrictions upon the Fund's ability to sell the underlying securities and additional expenses in seeking to enforce the Fund's rights and recover any losses. The Fund will enter into repurchase agreements only with parties who meet certain creditworthiness standards, i.e., banks or broker-dealers that the investment manager has determined, based on the information available at the time, present no serious risk of becoming involved in bankruptcy proceedings within the time frame contemplated by the repurchase agreement. Although the Fund seeks to limit the credit risk under a repurchase agreement by carefully selecting counterparties and accepting only high quality collateral, some credit risk remains. The counterparty could default which may make it necessary for the Fund to incur expenses to liquidate the collateral. In addition, the collateral may decline in value before it can be liquidated by the Fund.

A repurchase agreement with more than seven days to maturity is considered an illiquid security and is subject to the Fund's investment restriction on illiquid securities.

**Securities lending** To generate additional income, the Fund may lend certain of its portfolio securities to qualified banks and broker-dealers (referred to as "borrowers"). In exchange, the Fund receives cash collateral from a borrower at least equal to the value of the security loaned by the Fund. Cash collateral typically consists of any combination of cash, securities issued by the U.S. government and its agencies and instrumentalities, and irrevocable letters of credit. The

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Fund may invest this cash collateral while the loan is outstanding and generally retains part or all of the interest earned on the cash collateral. Securities lending allows the Fund to retain ownership of the securities loaned and, at the same time, earn additional income.

For each loan, the borrower usually must maintain with the Fund's custodian collateral with an initial market value at least equal to 102% of the market value of the domestic securities loaned (or 105% of the market value of foreign securities loaned), including any accrued interest thereon. Such collateral will be marked-to-market daily, and if the coverage falls below 100%, the borrower will be required to deliver additional collateral equal to at least 102% of the market value of the domestic securities loaned (or 105% of the foreign securities loaned).

The Fund retains all or a portion of the interest received on investment of the cash collateral or receives a fee from the borrower. The Fund also continues to receive any distributions paid on the loaned securities. The Fund seeks to maintain the ability to obtain the right to vote or consent on proxy proposals involving material events affecting securities loaned. The Fund may terminate a loan at any time and obtain the return of the securities loaned within the normal settlement period for the security involved.

If the borrower defaults on its obligation to return the securities loaned because of insolvency or other reasons, the Fund could experience delays and costs in recovering the securities loaned or in gaining access to the collateral. These delays and costs could be greater for foreign securities. If the Fund is not able to recover the securities loaned, the Fund may sell the collateral and purchase a replacement investment in the market. Additional transaction costs would result, and the value of the collateral could decrease below the value of the replacement investment by the time the replacement investment is purchased. Until the replacement can be purchased, the Fund will not have the desired level of exposure to the security which the borrower failed to return. Cash received as collateral through loan transactions may be invested in other eligible securities, including shares of a money market fund. Investing this cash subjects the Fund to greater market risk including losses on the collateral and, should the Fund need to look to the collateral in the event of the borrower's default, losses on the loan secured by that collateral.

The Fund will loan its securities only to parties who meet creditworthiness standards approved by the Fund's board (i.e., banks or broker-dealers that the investment manager has determined are not apparently at risk of becoming involved in bankruptcy proceedings within the time frame contemplated by the loan). In addition, pursuant to the 1940 Act and SEC interpretations thereof, the aggregate market value of securities that may be loaned by the Fund is limited to 33 1/3% of the Fund's total assets or such lower limit as set by the Fund or its board.

**Stripped securities** Stripped securities are debt securities that have been transformed from a principal amount with periodic interest coupons into a series of zero coupon bonds, each with a different maturity date corresponding to one of the payment dates for interest coupon payments or the redemption date for the principal amount. Stripped securities are subject to all the risks applicable to zero coupon bonds as well as certain additional risks.

Like zero coupon bonds, stripped securities do not provide for periodic payments of interest prior to maturity. Rather they are offered at a discount from their face amount that will be paid at maturity. This results in the security being subject to greater fluctuations in response to changing interest rates than interest-paying securities of similar maturities. Federal income taxes generally accrue on stripped securities each year although no cash income is received until maturity, and the Fund may be required to sell portfolio securities that it would otherwise continue to hold in order to obtain sufficient cash to make distributions to shareholders required for U.S. tax purposes.

The riskiness of an investment in stripped securities depends on the type involved. Some stripped securities are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. Others receive an implied backing by the U.S. government as a sponsor or partner in the agency or entity issuing the stripped security. A few are secured with a guarantee from the financial institution or broker or dealer through which the stripped security is held. Others are supported only by the collateral, revenue stream or third party guarantee securing the underlying debt obligation from which zero coupon bonds were stripped. Stripped securities include: U.S. Treasury STRIPS, Stripped Government Securities, Stripped Obligations of the Financing Corporation (FICO STRIPS), Stripped Corporate Securities, and Stripped Eurodollar Obligations.

*Stripped government securities* are issued by the U.S. federal, state and local governments and their agencies and instrumentalities, and by "mixed-ownership government corporations." Stripped government securities vary widely in the terms, conditions and relative assurances of payment. The type of debt obligation from which the stripped government security was taken will indicate many of the risks associated with that investment. U.S. Treasury STRIPS and FICO Strips are types of stripped government securities.

*U.S. Treasury STRIPS (Separate Trading of Registered Interest and Principal of Securities)* are considered U.S. Treasury securities for purposes of the Fund's investment policies and are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. Their risks are similar to those of other U.S. government securities, although their price may be more volatile. The U.S. Treasury has facilitated transfers of

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ownership of zero coupon securities by accounting separately for the beneficial ownership of particular interest coupon and principal payments on Treasury securities through the Federal Reserve book-entry record-keeping system.

*FICO STRIPS* represent interests in securities issued by the Financing Corporation (FICO). FICO was established to enable recapitalization of the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation (FSLIC) in the 1980's. FICO STRIPS are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government but are generally treated as U.S. government agency securities. The market for FICO STRIPS is substantially smaller and, therefore, less liquid and more volatile than the market for U.S. Treasury STRIPS. A higher yield is typically offered on FICO STRIPS to compensate investors for the greater illiquidity and additional risk that the U.S. government will not meet obligations on the FICO STRIPS if FICO defaults.

**Tax-exempt commercial paper** Tax-exempt commercial paper typically represents an unsecured short-term obligation (270 days or less) issued by a municipality.

**Tax-exempt or qualified private activity and industrial development revenue bonds** Tax-exempt industrial development revenue and other similar bonds are part of a category of securities sometimes known as tax-exempt or qualified private activity bonds. These bonds are typically issued by or on behalf of public authorities to finance various privately operated facilities which are expected to benefit the municipality and its residents, such as business, manufacturing, housing, sports and pollution control, as well as public facilities such as airports, mass transit systems, ports and parking. The payment of principal and interest is solely dependent on the ability of the facility's user to meet its financial obligations and the pledge, if any, of the facility or other property as security for payment. As a result, these bonds may involve a greater degree of corporate credit risk than other municipal securities.

**Temporary investments** When the investment manager believes market or economic conditions are unfavorable for investors, the investment manager may invest up to 100% of the Fund's assets in temporary defensive investments, including cash, cash equivalents or other high quality short-term investments, such as short-term debt instruments, including U.S. government securities, high grade commercial paper, repurchase agreements, negotiable certificates of deposit, non-negotiable fixed time deposits, bankers acceptances, and other money market equivalents. To the extent allowed by exemptions from and rules under the 1940 Act and the Fund's other investment policies and restrictions, the investment manager also may invest the Fund's assets in shares of one or more money market funds managed by the investment manager or its affiliates. Unfavorable market or economic conditions may include excessive volatility or a prolonged general decline in the securities markets, the securities in which the Fund normally invests, or the economies of the countries where the Fund invests. Temporary defensive investments can and do experience defaults. The likelihood of default on a temporary defensive investment may increase in the market or economic conditions which are likely to trigger the Fund's investment therein. The investment manager also may invest in these types of securities or hold cash while looking for suitable investment opportunities or to maintain liquidity. When the Fund's assets are invested in temporary investments, the Fund may not be able to achieve its investment goal.

**Trade claims** Trade claims are direct obligations or claims against companies that are in bankruptcy or other financial difficulty that are purchased from the creditors of such companies. For buyers, such as the Fund, trade claims offer the potential for profits because they are often purchased at a significantly discounted value and, consequently, may generate capital appreciation if the value of the claim increases as the debtor's financial position improves. If the debtor is able to pay the full face value of the claim as a result of a restructuring or an improvement in the debtor's financial condition, trade claims offer the potential for higher income due to the difference in the face value of the claim as compared to the discounted purchase price.

An investment in trade claims is speculative and carries a high degree of risk. Trade claims are not backed by collateral or other forms of credit support. There can be no guarantee that the debtor will ever be able to satisfy the obligation on the trade claim. There is usually a substantial delay between purchasing a trade claim and receiving any return. Trade claims are not regulated by federal securities laws or the SEC, so the Fund's investment will not receive the same investor protections as with regulated securities. Currently, trade claims are regulated primarily by bankruptcy laws. Because trade claims are unsecured, holders of trade claims may have a lower priority in terms of payment than most other creditors in a bankruptcy proceeding.

**Unrated debt securities** Not all debt securities or their issuers are rated by rating agencies, sometimes due to the size of or manner of the securities offering, the decision by one or more rating agencies not to rate certain securities or issuers as a matter of policy, or the unwillingness or inability of the issuer to provide the prerequisite information and fees to the rating agencies. Some debt securities markets may have a disproportionately large number of unrated issuers.

In evaluating unrated securities, the investment manager may consider, among other things, the issuer's financial resources, its sensitivity to economic conditions and trends, its operating history, the quality of the issuer's management and regulatory matters. Although unrated debt securities may be considered to be of investment grade quality, issuers typically pay a higher interest rate on unrated than on investment grade rated debt securities. Less information is typically available to

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the market on unrated securities and obligors, which may increase the potential for credit and valuation risk.

**U.S. government securities** U.S. government securities include obligations of, or securities guaranteed by, the U.S. federal government, its agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises. Some U.S. government securities are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. These include U.S. Treasury obligations and securities issued by the Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA). A second category of U.S. government securities are those supported by the right of the agency, instrumentality or sponsored enterprise to borrow from the U.S. government to meet its obligations. These include securities issued by Federal Home Loan Banks.

A third category of U.S. government securities are those supported by only the credit of the issuing agency, instrumentality or sponsored enterprise. These include securities issued by the Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC). In the event of a default, an investor like the Fund would only have legal recourse to the issuer, not the U.S. government. Although the U.S. government has provided support for these securities in the past, there can be no assurance that it will do so in the future. The U.S. government has also made available additional guarantees for limited periods to stabilize or restore a market in the wake of an economic, political or natural crisis. Such guarantees, and the economic opportunities they present, are likely to be temporary and cannot be relied upon by the Fund. Any downgrade of the credit rating of the securities issued by the U.S. government may result in a downgrade of securities issued by its agencies or instrumentalities, including government-sponsored entities.

**Variable rate securities** Variable rate securities are debt securities that provide for periodic adjustments in the interest rate paid on the debt security. Floating rate securities, adjustable rate securities and inverse floating rate securities (referred to as "inverse floaters") are types of variable rate securities. An adjustable rate security is a debt security with an interest rate which is adjusted according to a formula that specifies the interval at which the rate will be reset and the interest rate index, benchmark or other mechanism upon which the reset rate is based. A floating rate debt security has a rate of interest which is usually established as the sum of a base lending rate (e.g., SOFR, the U.S. Prime Rate, the Prime Rate of a designated U.S. bank or the certificate of deposit rate) plus a specified margin. The interest rate on prime rate-based loans and securities floats periodically as the prime rate changes. The interest rate on SOFR-based and CD-based loans and securities is reset periodically, typically at regular intervals ranging between 30 days and one year. Certain floating rate securities will permit the borrower to select an interest rate reset period of up to one year.

Some variable rate securities are structured with put features that permit holders to demand payment of the unpaid principal balance plus accrued interest from the issuers or certain financial intermediaries at or about the time the interest rate is reset. If the Fund purchases a variable rate security with a put feature and market movements make exercise of the put unattractive, the Fund will forfeit the entire amount of any premium paid plus related transaction costs.

Movements in the relevant index or benchmark on which adjustments are based will affect the interest paid on these securities and, therefore, the current income earned by the Fund and the securities' market value. The degree of volatility in the market value of the variable rate securities held by the Fund will generally increase along with the length of time between adjustments, the degree of volatility in the applicable index, benchmark or base lending rate and whether the index, benchmark or base lending rate to which it resets or floats approximates short-term or other prevailing interest rates. It will also be a function of the maximum increase or decrease of the interest rate adjustment on any one adjustment date, in any one year, and over the life of the security. These maximum increases and decreases are typically referred to as "caps" and "floors," respectively.

During periods when short-term interest rates move within the caps and floors of the security held by the Fund, the interest rate of such security will reset to prevailing rates within a short period. As a result, the fluctuation in market value of the variable rate security held by the Fund is generally expected to be limited.

In periods of substantial short-term volatility in interest rates, the market value of such debt securities may fluctuate more substantially if the caps and/or floors prevent the interest rates from adjusting to the full extent of the movements in the market rates during any one adjustment period or over the term of the security. In the event of dramatic increases in interest rates, any lifetime caps on these securities may prevent the securities from adjusting to prevailing rates over the term of the security. In either the case of caps or floors, the market value of the securities may be reduced.

The income earned by the Fund and distributed to shareholders will generally increase or decrease along with movements in the relevant index, benchmark or base lending rate. Thus the Fund's income will be more unpredictable than the income earned on similar investments with a fixed rate of interest.

**When-issued, delayed delivery and to-be-announced transactions** When-issued, delayed delivery and to-be-announced (TBA) transactions are arrangements under which the parties agree on the sale of securities with payment for and delivery of the security scheduled for a future time. The securities may have been authorized but not yet issued, or, in the TBA market for U.S. Government agency

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mortgage-backed securities, the parties agree on a price, volume, and basic characteristics of securities to be delivered on the settlement date, rather than particular securities. In addition to buying securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or TBA basis, the Fund may also sell these securities on a TBA basis to close out an existing TBA position before the settlement date, to take advantage of an expected decline in value of the securities, or for hedging purposes.

Entering into a when-issued, delayed delivery or TBA transaction may be viewed as a form of leverage and will result in associated risks for the Fund. The Fund does not consider the purchase and/or sale of securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or TBA basis to be a borrowing for purposes of the Fund's fundamental restrictions or other limitations on borrowing.

Many when-issued, delayed-delivery or TBA transactions also are subject to the risk that a counterparty may become bankrupt or otherwise fail to perform its obligations due to financial difficulties, including making payments or fulfilling other obligations to the Fund. The Fund may obtain no or only limited recovery in a bankruptcy or other organizational proceedings, and any recovery may be significantly delayed. With respect to forward settling TBA transactions involving U.S. Government agency mortgage backed securities, the counterparty risk may be mitigated by the exchange of variation margin on a regular basis between counterparties as the market value of the deliverable security fluctuates.

The Fund also relies on the counterparty to complete the transaction. The counterparty's failure to do so may cause the Fund to miss a price or yield considered advantageous to the Fund. Although their price typically reflects accrued interest, securities purchased on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis do not generally earn interest until their scheduled delivery date. Purchases or sales of debt securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis are also subject to the risk that the market value or the yield at delivery may be more or less than the market price or yield available when the transaction was entered into, or that the Fund is unable to purchase securities for delivery at the settlement date with the characteristics agreed upon at the time of the transaction.

**When-issued transactions** Municipal securities may be offered on a "when-issued" basis. When so offered, the price, which is generally expressed in yield terms, is fixed at the time the commitment to buy is made, but delivery and payment take place at a later date. During the time between purchase and settlement, no payment is made by the Fund to the issuer and no interest accrues to the Fund. If the other party to the transaction fails to deliver or pay for the security, the Fund could miss a favorable price or yield opportunity, or could experience a loss.

When the Fund makes the commitment to buy a municipal security on a when-issued basis, it records the transaction and includes the value of the security in the calculation of its net asset value. The Fund does not believe that its net asset value or income will be negatively affected by its purchase of municipal securities on a when-issued basis. The Fund will not engage in when-issued transactions for investment leverage purposes.

Although the Fund generally will buy municipal securities on a when-issued basis with the intention of acquiring the securities, it may sell the securities before the settlement date if it is considered advisable. If assets of the Fund are held in cash pending the settlement of a purchase of securities, the Fund will not earn income on those assets. When-issued transactions also are subject to the risk that a counterparty may become bankrupt or otherwise fail to perform its obligations due to financial difficulties, including making payments to the Fund. The Fund may obtain no or only limited recovery in a bankruptcy or other organizational proceedings, and any recovery may be significantly delayed.

**Zero coupon, deferred interest and pay-in-kind bonds** Zero coupon or deferred interest bonds are debt securities that make no periodic interest payments until maturity or a specified date when the securities begin paying current interest (cash payment date). Zero coupon and deferred interest bonds generally are issued and traded at a discount from their face amount or par value.

The original discount on zero coupon or deferred interest bonds approximates the total amount of interest the bonds will accumulate over the period until maturity or the first cash payment date and compounds at a rate of interest reflecting the market rate of the security at the time of issuance. The discount varies depending on the time remaining until maturity or the cash payment date, as well as prevailing interest rates, liquidity of the market for the security, and the perceived credit quality of the issuer. The discount, in the absence of financial difficulties of the issuer, typically decreases as the final maturity or cash payment date approaches. The discount typically increases as interest rates rise, the market becomes less liquid or the creditworthiness of the issuer deteriorates.

Pay-in-kind bonds are debt securities that provide for interest payments to be made in a form other than cash, generally at the option of the issuer. Common forms include payment of additional bonds of the same issuer or an increase in principal underlying the pay-in-kind bonds. To the extent that no cash income will be paid for an extended period of time, pay-in-kind bonds resemble zero coupon or deferred interest bonds and are subject to similar influences and risks.

For accounting and federal tax purposes, holders of bonds issued at a discount, such as the Fund, are deemed to receive interest income over the life of the bonds even though the bonds do not pay out cash to their holders before maturity or the cash payment date. That income is distributable to Fund shareholders even though no cash is received by the

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Fund at the time of accrual, which may require the liquidation of other portfolio securities to satisfy the Fund's distribution obligations.

Because investors receive no cash prior to the maturity or cash payment date, an investment in debt securities issued at a discount generally has a greater potential for complete loss of principal and/or return than an investment in debt securities that make periodic interest payments. Such investments are more vulnerable to the creditworthiness of the issuer and any other parties upon which performance relies.

The following is a description of other risks associated with the Fund's investing in debt securities:

**Credit quality** All things being equal, the lower a security's credit quality, the higher the risk and the higher the yield the security generally must pay as compensation to investors for the higher risk.

A security's credit quality depends on the issuer's ability to pay interest on the security and, ultimately, to repay the principal. Independent rating agencies, such as Moody's and S&P, often rate municipal securities based on their analysis of the issuer's credit quality. Most rating agencies use a descending alphabet scale to rate long-term securities, and a descending numerical scale to rate short-term securities. Securities in the top four long term ratings categories (or comparable short-term rated or unrated securities) are "investment grade," although securities in the fourth highest rating category may have some speculative features. These ratings are described at the end of this SAI under "Description of Ratings." Lower-rated securities may be subject to all the risks applicable to high-yield debt securities and changes in economic conditions or other circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to make principal and interest payments than is the case with higher grade debt securities.

A number of risks associated with rating agencies apply to the purchase or sale of investment grade debt securities.

An insurance company, bank or other foreign or domestic entity may provide credit support for a municipal security and enhance its credit quality. For example, some municipal securities are insured, which means they are covered by an insurance policy that guarantees the timely payment of principal and interest. Other municipal securities may be backed by letters of credit, guarantees, or escrow or trust accounts that contain high quality securities, including securities backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government to secure the payment of principal and interest.

Any limitations on the credit quality of the securities the Fund may buy generally are applied when the Fund makes an investment so that the Fund is not required to sell a security because of a later change in circumstances.

In addition to considering ratings in its selection of the Fund's portfolio securities, the investment manager may consider, among other things, information about the financial history and condition of the issuer, revenue and expense prospects and, in the case of revenue bonds, the financial history and condition of the source of revenue to service the bonds. Securities that depend on the credit of the U.S. government are regarded as having the same or equivalent rating as U.S. government securities.

**Credit** Debt securities are subject to the risk of an issuer's (or other party's) failure or inability to meet its obligations under the security. Multiple parties may have obligations under a debt security. An issuer or borrower may fail to pay principal and interest when due. A guarantor, insurer or credit support provider may fail to provide the agreed upon protection. A counterparty to a transaction may fail to perform its side of the bargain. An intermediary or agent interposed between the investor and other parties may fail to perform the terms of its service. Also, performance under a debt security may be linked to the obligations of other persons who may fail to meet their obligations. The credit risk associated with a debt security could increase to the extent that the Fund's ability to benefit fully from its investment in the security depends on the performance by multiple parties of their respective contractual or other obligations. The market value of a debt security is also affected by the market's perception of the creditworthiness of the issuer.

The Fund may incur substantial losses on debt securities that are inaccurately perceived to present a different amount of credit risk than they actually do by the market, the investment manager or the rating agencies. Credit risk is generally greater where less information is publicly available, where fewer covenants safeguard the investors' interests, where collateral may be impaired or inadequate, where little legal redress or regulatory protection is available, or where a party's ability to meet obligations is speculative. Additionally, any inaccuracy in the information used by the Fund to evaluate credit risk may affect the value of securities held by the Fund.

Obligations under debt securities held by the Fund may never be satisfied or, if satisfied, only satisfied in part.

Some securities are subject to risks as a result of a credit downgrade or default by a government, or its agencies or, instrumentalities. Credit risk is a greater concern for high-yield debt securities and debt securities of issuers whose ability to pay interest and principal may be considered speculative. Debt securities are typically classified as investment grade-quality (medium to highest credit quality) or below investment grade-quality (commonly referred to as high-yield or junk bonds). Many individual debt securities are rated by a third party source, such as Moody's or S&P to help describe the creditworthiness of the issuer.

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**Debt securities ratings** The investment manager performs its own independent investment analysis of securities being considered for the Fund's portfolio, which includes consideration of, among other things, the issuer's financial resources, its sensitivity to economic conditions and trends, its operating history, the quality of the issuer's management and regulatory matters. The investment manager also considers the ratings assigned by various investment services and independent rating agencies, such as Moody's and S&P, that publish ratings based upon their assessment of the relative creditworthiness of the rated debt securities. Generally, a lower rating indicates higher credit risk. Higher yields are ordinarily available from debt securities in the lower rating categories. These ratings are described at the end of this SAI under "Description of Ratings."

Using credit ratings to evaluate debt securities can involve certain risks. For example, ratings assigned by the rating agencies are based upon an analysis completed at the time of the rating of the obligor's ability to pay interest and repay principal. Rating agencies typically rely to a large extent on historical data which may not accurately represent present or future circumstances. Ratings do not purport to reflect the risk of fluctuations in market value of the debt security and are not absolute standards of quality and only express the rating agency's current opinion of an obligor's overall financial capacity to pay its financial obligations. A credit rating is not a statement of fact or a recommendation to purchase, sell or hold a debt obligation. Also, credit quality can change suddenly and unexpectedly, and credit ratings may not reflect the issuer's current financial condition or events since the security was last rated. Rating agencies may have a financial interest in generating business, including from the arranger or issuer of the security that normally pays for that rating, and providing a low rating might affect the rating agency's prospects for future business. While rating agencies have policies and procedures to address this potential conflict of interest, there is a risk that these policies will fail to prevent a conflict of interest from impacting the rating.

**Extension** The market value of some debt securities particularly mortgage securities and certain asset-backed securities, may be adversely affected when bond calls or prepayments on underlying mortgages or other assets are less or slower than anticipated. This risk is extension risk. Extension risk may result from, for example, rising interest rates or unexpected developments in the markets for the underlying assets or mortgages. As a consequence, the security's effective maturity will be extended, resulting in an increase in interest rate sensitivity to that of a longer-term instrument. Extension risk generally increases as interest rates rise. This is because, in a rising interest rate environment, the rate of prepayment and exercise of call or buy-back rights generally falls and the rate of default and delayed payment generally rises. When the maturity of an investment is extended in a rising interest rate environment, a below-market interest rate is usually locked-in and the value of the security reduced. This risk is greater for fixed-rate than variable-rate debt securities.

**Income** Income risk is the risk that the Fund's income will decline during periods of falling interest rates, when the Fund experiences defaults on debt securities it holds or when the Fund realizes a loss upon a sale of a debt security. The Fund's income declines when interest rates fall because, as the Fund's higher-yielding debt securities mature, are prepaid or are sold, the Fund may have to re-invest the proceeds in debt securities that have lower interest rates. The amount and rate of distributions that the Fund's shareholders receive are affected by the income that the Fund receives from its portfolio holdings. If the income is reduced, distributions by the Fund to shareholders may be less.

Fluctuations in income paid to the Fund are generally greater for variable rate debt securities. The Fund may be deemed to receive taxable income on certain securities which pay no cash payments until maturity, such as zero-coupon securities. The Fund may be required to sell portfolio securities that it would otherwise continue to hold in order to obtain sufficient cash to make the distribution to shareholders required for U.S. tax purposes.

**Inflation** The market price of debt securities generally falls as inflation increases because the purchasing power of the future income and repaid principal is expected to be worth less when received by the Fund. Debt securities that pay a fixed rather than variable interest rate are especially vulnerable to inflation risk because variable-rate debt securities may be able to participate, over the long term, in rising interest rates which have historically corresponded with long-term inflationary trends.

**Interest rate** The market value of debt securities generally varies in response to changes in prevailing interest rates. Interest rate changes can be sudden and unpredictable. In addition, short-term and long-term rates are not necessarily correlated to each other as short-term rates tend to be influenced by government monetary policy while long-term rates are market driven and may be influenced by macroeconomic events (such as economic expansion or contraction), inflation expectations, as well as supply and demand. During periods of declining interest rates, the market value of debt securities generally increases. Conversely, during periods of rising interest rates, the market value of debt securities generally declines. This occurs because new debt securities are likely to be issued with higher interest rates as interest rates increase, making the old or outstanding debt securities less attractive. In general, the market prices of long-term debt securities or securities that make little (or no) interest payments are more sensitive to interest rate fluctuations than shorter-term debt securities. The longer the Fund's average weighted portfolio duration, the greater the potential impact a change in interest rates will have on its

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share price. Also, certain segments of the fixed income markets, such as high quality bonds, tend to be more sensitive to interest rate changes than other segments, such as lower-quality bonds.

**Prepayment** Debt securities, especially bonds that are subject to "calls" such as asset-backed or mortgage-backed securities, are subject to prepayment risk if their terms allow the payment of principal and other amounts due before their stated maturity. Amounts invested in a debt security that has been "called" or "prepaid" will be returned to an investor holding that security before expected by the investor. In such circumstances, the investor, such as a fund, may be required to re-invest the proceeds it receives from the called or prepaid security in a new security which, in periods of declining interest rates, will typically have a lower interest rate. Prepayment risk is especially prevalent in periods of declining interest rates and will result for other reasons, including unexpected developments in the markets for the underlying assets or mortgages. For example, a decline in mortgage interest rates typically initiates a period of mortgage refinancings. When homeowners refinance their mortgages, the investor in the underlying pool of mortgage-backed securities (such as a fund) receives its principal back sooner than expected, and must reinvest at lower, prevailing rates.

Securities subject to prepayment risk are often called during a declining interest rate environment and generally offer less potential for gains and greater price volatility than other income-bearing securities of comparable maturity.

Call risk is similar to prepayment risk and results from the ability of an issuer to call, or prepay, a debt security early. If interest rates decline enough, the debt security's issuer can save money by repaying its callable debt securities and issuing new debt securities at lower interest rates.

The following is a description of the general risks associated with the Fund's investments:

**Focus** The greater the Fund's exposure to (or focus on) any single type of investment – including investment in a given industry, sector, country, region, or type of security – the greater the impact of adverse events or conditions in such industry, sector, country, region or investment will have on the Fund's performance. To the extent the Fund has greater exposure to any single type of investment, the Fund's potential for loss (or gain) will be greater than if its portfolio were invested more broadly in many types of investments.

The Fund's exposure to such industries, sectors, regions and other investments may also arise indirectly through the Fund's investments in debt securities (e.g., mortgage or asset-backed securities) that are secured by such investments. Similar risks associated with focusing on a particular type of investment may result if real properties and collateral securing the Fund's investments are located in the same geographical region or subject to the same risks or concerns.

**Inside information** The investment manager (through its representatives or otherwise) may receive information that restricts the investment manager's ability to cause the Fund to buy or sell securities of an issuer for substantial periods of time when the Fund otherwise could realize profit or avoid loss. This may adversely affect the Fund's flexibility with respect to buying or selling securities and may impair the Fund's liquidity.

**Liquidity** Liquidity risk exists when particular investments are or become difficult to purchase or sell at the price at which the Fund has valued the security, whether because of current market conditions, the financial condition of the issuer, or the specific type of investment. If the market for a particular security becomes illiquid (for example, due to changes in the issuer's financial condition), the Fund may be unable to sell such security at an advantageous time or price due to the difficulty in selling such securities. To the extent that the Fund and its affiliates hold a significant portion of an issuer's outstanding securities, the Fund may also be subject to greater liquidity risk than if the issuer's securities were more widely held. The Fund may also need to sell some of the Fund's more liquid securities when it otherwise would not do so in order to meet redemption requests, even if such sale of the liquid holdings would be disadvantageous from an investment standpoint. Reduced liquidity may also have an adverse impact on a security's market value and the sale of such securities often results in higher brokerage charges or dealer discounts and other selling expenses. Reduced liquidity in the secondary market for certain securities will also make it more difficult for the Fund to obtain market quotations based on actual trades for purposes of valuing the Fund's portfolio and thus pricing may be prone to error when market quotations are volatile, infrequent and/or subject to large spreads between bid and ask prices. In addition, prices received by the Fund for securities may be based on institutional "round lot" sizes, but the Fund may purchase, hold or sell smaller, "odd lot" sizes, which may be harder to sell. Odd lots may trade at lower prices than round lots, which may affect the Fund's ability to accurately value its investments.

The market for certain equity or debt securities may become illiquid under adverse market or economic conditions independent of any specific adverse changes in the conditions of a particular issuer. Liquidity risk generally increases (meaning that securities become more illiquid) as the number, or relative need, of investors seeking to liquidate in a given market increases; for example, when an asset class or classes fall out of favor and investors sell their holdings in such classes, either directly or indirectly through investment funds, such as mutual funds.

**Management** The investment manager's judgments about markets, interest rates or the attractiveness, relative values or potential appreciation of particular investment strategies or sectors or securities purchased for the Fund's portfolio may

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prove to be incorrect, all of which could cause the Fund to perform less favorably and may result in a decline in the Fund's share price.

The investment manager selects investments for the Fund based on its own analysis and information as well as on external sources of information, such as information that the investment manager obtains from other sources including through conferences and discussions with third parties, and data that issuers of securities provide to the investment manager or file with government agencies. The investment manager may also use information concerning institutional positions and buying activity in a security.

The investment manager is not in a position to confirm the completeness, genuineness or accuracy of any of such information that is provided or filed by an issuer, and in some cases, complete and accurate information is not readily available. It is also possible that information on which the investment manager relies could be wrong or misleading. Additionally, legislative, regulatory, or tax developments may affect the investment techniques available to the investment manager in connection with managing the Fund and may also adversely affect the ability of the Fund to achieve its investment goal. Management risk is greater when less qualitative information is available to the investment manager about an investment.

**Market** The market value of securities owned by the Fund may go up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably due to general market conditions which are not specifically related to a single corporate borrower or security issuer. These general market conditions include real or perceived adverse economic or regulatory conditions, changes in the general outlook for corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency exchange rates or adverse investor sentiment generally. Market values may also decline due to factors which affect a particular industry or sector, such as labor shortages or increased production costs and competitive conditions within an industry, or a particular segment, such as mortgage or government securities. During a general downturn in the securities markets, multiple asset classes may decline in value simultaneously. When markets perform well, there can be no assurance that the Fund's securities will participate in or otherwise benefit from the advance.

**Non-Diversification** A non-diversified fund for purposes of the 1940 Act may, with respect to more than 25% of its assets, invest more than 5% of its assets (taken at market value at the time of purchase) in the outstanding securities of any single issuer and/or own more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any one issuer. However, the Fund intends to meet certain diversification requirements for tax purposes. Generally, to meet federal tax requirements at the close of each quarter, the Fund will not invest more than 25% of its total assets in any one issuer and, with respect to 50% of total assets, will not invest more than 5% of its total assets in any one issuer or more than 10% of the issuer's outstanding voting securities. These limitations do not apply to U.S. government securities and securities issued by regulated investment companies. If applicable federal income tax requirements are revised, the Fund may change its diversification policies without obtaining shareholder approval.

Because a non-diversified fund generally invests a greater portion of its assets in the securities of one or more issuers and/or invests overall in a smaller number of issuers than a diversified fund, the Fund may be more sensitive to a single economic, business, political, regulatory or other occurrence or to the financial results of a single issuer than a more diversified fund might be. Similarly, the Fund's credit risk increases as more of the Fund's assets are invested in a smaller number of issuers.

**Portfolio turnover** Portfolio turnover is a measure of how frequently the Fund's portfolio securities are bought and sold. High portfolio turnover rates generally increase transaction costs, which are Fund expenses. Such portfolio transactions may also result in the realization of taxable capital gains, including short-term capital gains, which are generally taxable at ordinary income tax rates for federal income tax purposes for shareholders subject to income tax and who hold their shares in a taxable account. Higher transaction costs reduce the Fund's returns.

The SEC requires annual portfolio turnover to be calculated generally as the lesser of the Fund's purchases or sales of portfolio securities during a given fiscal year, divided by the monthly average value of the Fund's portfolio securities owned during that year (excluding securities with a maturity or expiration date that, at the time of acquisition, was less than one year). For example, a fund reporting a 100% portfolio turnover rate would have purchased and sold securities worth as much as the monthly average value of its portfolio securities during the year.

The Fund's portfolio turnover rates are disclosed in the sections entitled "Portfolio Turnover" and "Financial Highlights" of the Fund's prospectus.

Portfolio turnover is affected by factors within and outside the control of the Fund and its investment manager. The investment manager's investment outlook for the type of securities in which the Fund invests may change as a result of unexpected developments in domestic or international securities markets, or in economic, monetary or political relationships. High market volatility may result in the investment manager using a more active trading strategy than it might have otherwise pursued. The Fund's investment manager will consider the economic effects of portfolio turnover but generally will not treat portfolio turnover as a limiting factor in making investment decisions. Investment decisions affecting turnover may include changes in

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investment policies or management personnel, as well as individual portfolio transactions.

Factors wholly outside the control of the investment manager that may increase portfolio turnover include increased merger and acquisition activity, increased refinancing of outstanding debt by an issuer, or increased rates of bankruptcy or default, that may create involuntary transactions for funds that hold affected securities.

During periods of rapidly declining interest rates, the rate of prepayments on portfolio investments may increase rapidly. When this happens, "sales" of portfolio securities are increased due to the return of principal to the Fund followed by purchases of new portfolio securities to replace the "sold" ones.

The rate of bond calls by issuers of fixed-income debt securities may increase as interest rates decline. This causes "sales" of called bonds by the Fund and the subsequent purchase of replacement investments.

In addition, redemptions or exchanges by investors may require the liquidation of portfolio securities. Changes in particular portfolio holdings may also be made whenever a security is considered to be no longer the most appropriate investment for the Fund, or another security appears to have a relatively better opportunity.

**Trade policy** The U.S. government has indicated its intent to alter its approach to international trade policy and, in some cases, to renegotiate or potentially terminate certain existing bilateral or multilateral trade agreements and treaties with foreign countries and has made proposals and taken actions related thereto. In addition, the U.S. government has recently imposed tariffs on certain foreign goods and has indicated a willingness to impose tariffs on imports of other products. Some foreign governments, including China, have instituted retaliatory tariffs on certain U.S. goods and have indicated a willingness to impose additional tariffs on U.S. products. Other countries, including Mexico, have threatened retaliatory tariffs on certain U.S. products.

Global trade disruption, significant introductions of trade barriers, and bilateral trade frictions, together with any future downturns in the global economy resulting therefrom, could adversely affect the financial performance of the Fund and its investments. Trade policy may be an ongoing source of instability, potentially resulting in significant currency fluctuations and/or having other adverse effects on international markets, international trade agreements, and/or other existing cross-border cooperation arrangements (whether economic, tax, fiscal, legal, regulatory, or otherwise). To the extent trade disputes escalate globally, there could be additional significant impacts on the sectors or industries in which the Fund invests and other adverse impacts on the Fund's overall performance.

*Policies and Procedures Regarding the Release of Portfolio Holdings* 

The Fund's overall policy with respect to the release of portfolio holdings is to release such information consistent with applicable legal requirements and the fiduciary duties owed to shareholders. Subject to the limited exceptions described below, the Fund will not make available to anyone non-public information with respect to its portfolio holdings, until such time as the information is made available to all shareholders or the general public.

For purposes of this policy, portfolio holdings information does not include aggregate, composite or descriptive information that, in the reasonable judgement of the Fund's Chief Compliance Officer, does not present risks of dilution, arbitrage, market timing, insider trading or other inappropriate trading to the detriment of the Fund. Information excluded from the definition of portfolio holdings information generally includes, without limitation: (1) descriptions of allocations among asset classes, regions, countries or industries/sectors; (2) aggregated data such as average or median ratios, market capitalization, credit quality or duration; (3) performance attributions by industry, sector or country; or (4) aggregated risk statistics. Such information, if made available to anyone, will be made available to any person upon request, but, because such information is generally not material to investors, it may or may not be posted on the Fund's website. In addition, other information may also be deemed to not be portfolio holdings information if, in the reasonable belief of the Fund's Chief Compliance Officer (or his/her designee), the release of such information would not present risks of dilution, arbitrage, market timing, insider trading or other inappropriate trading for the Fund.

Consistent with current law, the Fund releases complete portfolio holdings information each fiscal quarter through regulatory filings with no more than a 60-day lag.

In addition, subject to the limited exceptions noted below, a complete list of the Fund's portfolio holdings is generally released no sooner than 15 calendar days after the end of each calendar month but may be released earlier provided the release is made available to the general public. Other portfolio holdings information, such as top 10 holdings, commentaries and other materials that may reference specific holdings information of the Fund as of the most recent month end are generally released five days after the end of each month but may be released earlier or later as deemed appropriate by the Fund's portfolio manager. Released portfolio holdings information can be viewed at www.franklintempleton.com.

To the extent that this policy would permit the release of portfolio holdings information regarding a particular portfolio holding for the Fund that is the subject of ongoing purchase or sale orders/programs, or if the release of such portfolio holdings information would otherwise be sensitive or

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inappropriate due to liquidity or other market considerations, the portfolio manager for the Fund may request that the release of such information be withheld.

Exceptions to the portfolio holdings release policy (to the extent not otherwise permitted pursuant to an exclusion) will be made only when: (1) the Fund has a legitimate business purpose for releasing portfolio holdings information in advance of release to all shareholders or the general public; (2) the recipient is subject to a duty of confidentiality pursuant to a signed non-disclosure agreement; and (3) the release of such information would not otherwise violate the antifraud provisions of the federal securities laws or fiduciary duties owed to Fund shareholders. The determination of whether to grant an exception, which includes the determination of whether the Fund has a legitimate business purpose for releasing portfolio holdings information in advance of release to all shareholders shall be made by the Fund's Chief Compliance Officer or his/her designee, following a request submitted in writing.

The eligible third parties to whom portfolio holdings information may be released in advance of general release fall into the following categories: data consolidators (including rating agencies), fund rating/ranking services and other data providers; service providers to the Fund and investment manager; municipal securities brokers using the Investor Tools product which brings together buyers and sellers of municipal securities in the normal operation of the municipal securities markets; certain entities, in response to any regulatory requirements, approved by the investment manager's Chief Compliance Officer in limited circumstances; and transition managers hired by Fund shareholders. In addition, should the Fund process a shareholder's redemption request in-kind, the Fund may, under certain circumstances, provide portfolio holdings information to such shareholder to the extent necessary to allow the shareholder to prepare for receipt of such portfolio securities.

The specific entities to whom the Fund may provide portfolio holdings in advance of their release to the general public are:

• Bloomberg, Capital Access, CDA (Thomson Reuters), FactSet, Fidelity Advisors, S&P Global Ratings, Vestek, and Fidelity Trust Company, all of whom may receive portfolio holdings information 15 days after the quarter end.

• Service providers to the Fund that receive portfolio holdings information from time to time in advance of general release in the course of performing, or to enable them to perform, services for the Fund, including: Custodian Bank: JPMorgan Chase Bank; Sub-Administrator: JPMorgan Chase Bank; Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm: PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP; Outside Fund Legal Counsel: Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP; Independent Directors'/Trustees' Counsel: Vedder Price P.C; Proxy Voting Services: Glass, Lewis & Co., LLC and Institutional Shareholder Services, Inc.; Brokerage Analytical Services: Sanford Bernstein, Brown Brothers Harriman, Royal Bank of Canada Capital Markets, JP Morgan Securities Inc.; Financial Printers: Donnelley Financial Solutions, Inc. or GCOM Solutions, Inc.

Eligible third parties that do not otherwise have a duty of confidentiality or have not acknowledged such a duty are required to (a) execute a non-disclosure agreement that includes the following provisions or (b) otherwise acknowledge and represent adherence to substantially similar provisions. Non-disclosure agreements include the following provisions:

• The recipient agrees to keep confidential until such information either is released to the public or the release is otherwise approved by the Chief Compliance Officer.

• The recipient agrees not to trade on the non-public information received.

• The recipient agrees to refresh its representation as to confidentiality and abstention from trading upon request from Franklin Templeton.

In no case does the Fund receive any compensation in connection with the arrangements to release portfolio holdings information to any of the above-described recipients of the information.

A fund other than a U.S. registered Franklin Templeton fund, such as an offshore fund or an unregistered private fund, with holdings that are not substantially similar to the holdings of a U.S. registered Franklin Templeton fund, is not subject to the restrictions imposed by the policy.

Several investment managers within Franklin Templeton (F-T Managers) serve as investment managers to offshore funds that are registered or otherwise authorized for sale with foreign regulatory authorities. Certain of these offshore funds may from time to time invest in securities substantially similar to those of the Fund. The release of portfolio holdings information for such offshore funds is excluded from the Fund's portfolio holdings release policy if such information is given to banks, broker-dealers, insurance companies, registered investment managers and other financial institutions (offshore investment managers) with discretionary authority to select offshore funds on behalf of their clients. Such information may only be disclosed for portfolio analytics, such as risk analysis/asset allocation, and the offshore investment manager will be required to execute a non-disclosure agreement, whereby such offshore investment manager: (1) agrees that it is subject to a duty of confidentiality; (2) agrees that it will not (a) purchase or sell any portfolio securities based on any information received; (b) trade against any U.S. registered Franklin Templeton fund,

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including the Fund; (c) knowingly engage in any trading practices that are adverse to any such fund or its shareholders; and (d) trade in shares of any such fund; and (3) agrees to limit the dissemination of such information so received within its organization other than to the extent necessary to fulfill its obligations with respect to portfolio analytics for its discretionary clients.

Certain F-T Managers serve as investment advisers to privately placed funds that are exempt from registration, including Canadian institutional pooled funds ("Canadian funds"). In certain circumstances, such unregistered private funds and Canadian funds may have portfolio holdings that are not, in the aggregate, substantially similar to the holdings of a U.S. registered fund, as determined by the Chief Compliance Officer or his/her designee. Under such circumstances the release of portfolio holdings information to a client or potential client or unitholder of the unregistered private fund or Canadian fund may be permissible. In circumstances where an unregistered private fund or Canadian fund invests in portfolio securities that, in the aggregate, are substantially similar to the holdings of a U.S. registered fund, such private funds and Canadian funds are subject to the restrictions imposed by the policy, except that the release of holdings information to a current investor therein is permissible conditioned upon such investor's execution of a non-disclosure agreement to mitigate the risk that portfolio holdings information may be used to trade inappropriately against a fund. Such non-disclosure agreement must provide that the investor: (1) agrees that it is subject to a duty of confidentiality; (2) agrees to not disseminate such information (except that the investor may be permitted to disseminate such information to an agent as necessary to allow the performance of portfolio analytics with respect to the investor's investment in such fund); and (3) agrees not to trade on the non-public information received or trade in shares of any U.S. registered Franklin or Templeton fund that is managed in a style substantially similar to that of such fund, in the case of a Canadian fund.

U.S. registered open-end funds and offshore registered funds that invest substantially all of their assets in registered open-end funds and/or Exchange Traded Funds are excepted from the policy's restrictions.

Certain F-T Managers provide model portfolios composed of portfolio holdings information to the sponsors of programs offering separately managed accounts, unified model accounts or similar accounts ("Program Sponsors"). If such model portfolios are substantially similar to those of a U.S. registered fund, such model portfolios may be provided to Program Sponsors so long as: (1) the recipient Program Sponsors has executed a non-disclosure agreement or other agreement containing or incorporating confidentiality provisions that restrict the use and dissemination of confidential portfolio holdings information received by the Program Sponsor as described in the following sentence, or other provisions that impose similar restrictions on such use and dissemination and*,* (2) the model portfolio has been deemed sufficiently liquid by the F-T Manager's liquidity committee or the applicable F-T Managers for the strategies of the applicable model portfolios, as determined in their reasonable judgment. Such agreement must provide that the Program Sponsor agrees that: (1) it is subject to a duty of confidentiality; (2) it will use confidential model portfolio information only to the extent necessary to perform its obligations under the agreement; and (3) it will not disclose confidential model portfolio information except to personnel or parties who have a need to know such confidential information in connection with, or in order to fulfill the purposes contemplated by, the agreement.

Some F-T Managers serve as sub-advisers to other mutual funds not within the Franklin Templeton fund complex ("other funds"), which may be managed in a style substantially similar to that of a U.S. registered Franklin or Templeton fund. Such other funds are not subject to the Fund's portfolio holdings release policy. The sponsors of such funds may disclose the portfolio holdings of such funds at different times than the Fund discloses its portfolio holdings.

The Fund's portfolio holdings release policy and all subsequent amendments have been reviewed and approved by the Fund's board, and any other material amendments shall also be reviewed and approved by the board. The investment manager's compliance staff conducts periodic reviews of compliance with the policy and provides at least annually a report to the board regarding the operation of the policy and any material changes recommended as a result of such review. The investment manager's compliance staff also will supply the board yearly with a list of exceptions granted to the policy, along with an explanation of the legitimate business purpose of the Fund that is served as a result of the exception.

**Officers and Trustees**

Franklin Strategic Series (Trust) has a board of trustees. Each trustee will serve until that person resigns or retires and/or a successor is elected and qualified. The board is responsible for the overall management of the Trust, including general supervision and review of the Fund's investment activities. The board, in turn, appoints the officers of the Trust who are responsible for administering the Fund's day-to-day operations. While none are expected, the board will act appropriately to resolve any material conflict that may arise.

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The name, year of birth and address of the officers and board members, as well as their affiliations, positions held with the Trust, principal occupations during at least the past five years, number of portfolios overseen in the Franklin Templeton fund complex and other directorships held during at least the past five years are shown below.

#### Independent Board Members

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| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| **Name, Year of Birth<br>and Address** | **Position** | **Length of Time<br>Served** | **Number of Portfolios<br>in Fund Complex**<br>**Overseen by <br>Board Member<sup>1</sup>** | **Other Directorships Held During at Least the Past 5 Years** |
| Harris J. Ashton (1932)<br>One Franklin Parkway<br>San Mateo, CA 94403-1906 | Trustee | Since 1991 | 115 | Bar-S Foods (meat packing company) (1981-2010). |
| **<br>Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:** <br>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). | **<br>Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:** <br>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). | **<br>Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:** <br>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). | **<br>Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:** <br>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). | **<br>Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:** <br>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). |
| Terrence J. Checki (1945)<br>One Franklin Parkway<br>San Mateo, CA 94403-1906 | Trustee | Since 2017 | 115 | Hess Corporation (exploration of oil and gas) (2014-present). |
| **<br>Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:** <br>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). | **<br>Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:** <br>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). | **<br>Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:** <br>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). | **<br>Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:** <br>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). | **<br>Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:** <br>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). |
| Mary C. Choksi (1950)<br>One Franklin Parkway<br>San Mateo, CA 94403-1906 | Trustee | Since 2014 | 115 | 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). |
| **<br>Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:** <br>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). | **<br>Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:** <br>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). | **<br>Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:** <br>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). | **<br>Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:** <br>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). | **<br>Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:** <br>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). |
| Edith E. Holiday (1952)<br>One Franklin Parkway<br>San Mateo, CA 94403-1906 | Lead <br>Independent <br>Trustee | Trustee since<br>1998 and <br>Lead Independent <br>Trustee since 2019 | 115 | Hess Corporation (exploration of oil and gas) (1993-present); Santander Holdings USA (holding company) (2019-present); and **formerly**, Santander Consumer USA Holdings, Inc. (consumer finance) (2016-2023), 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). |
| **<br>Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:** <br>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). | **<br>Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:** <br>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). | **<br>Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:** <br>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). | **<br>Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:** <br>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). | **<br>Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:** <br>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). |
| J. Michael Luttig (1954)<br>One Franklin Parkway<br>San Mateo, CA 94403-1906 | Trustee | Since 2009 | 115 | Boeing Capital Corporation (aircraft financing) (2006-2010). |
| **<br>Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:** <br>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). | **<br>Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:** <br>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). | **<br>Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:** <br>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). | **<br>Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:** <br>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). | **<br>Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:** <br>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). |

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| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| **Name, Year of Birth<br>and Address** | **Position** | **Length of Time<br>Served** | **Number of Portfolios<br>in Fund Complex**<br>**Overseen by <br>Board Member<sup>1</sup>** | **Other Directorships Held During at Least the Past 5 Years** |
| Larry D. Thompson (1945)<br>One Franklin Parkway<br>San Mateo, CA 94403-1906 | Trustee | Since 2007 | 115 | 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). |
| **<br>Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:** <br>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). | **<br>Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:** <br>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). | **<br>Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:** <br>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). | **<br>Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:** <br>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). | **<br>Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:** <br>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). |
| Valerie M. Williams (1956)<br>One Franklin Parkway<br>San Mateo, CA 94403-1906 | Trustee | Since 2021 | 107 | Omnicom Group, Inc. (advertising and marketing communications services) (2016-present), DTE Energy Co. (gas and electric utility) (2018-present), Devon Energy Corporation (exploration and production of oil and gas) (2021-present); and **formerly**, WPX Energy, Inc. (exploration and production of oil and gas) (2018-2021). |
| **<br>Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:** <br>Director of various companies; and **formerly**, Regional Assurance Managing Partner, Ernst & Young LLP (public accounting) (2005-2016) and various roles of increasing responsibility at Ernst & Young (1981-2005). | **<br>Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:** <br>Director of various companies; and **formerly**, Regional Assurance Managing Partner, Ernst & Young LLP (public accounting) (2005-2016) and various roles of increasing responsibility at Ernst & Young (1981-2005). | **<br>Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:** <br>Director of various companies; and **formerly**, Regional Assurance Managing Partner, Ernst & Young LLP (public accounting) (2005-2016) and various roles of increasing responsibility at Ernst & Young (1981-2005). | **<br>Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:** <br>Director of various companies; and **formerly**, Regional Assurance Managing Partner, Ernst & Young LLP (public accounting) (2005-2016) and various roles of increasing responsibility at Ernst & Young (1981-2005). | **<br>Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:** <br>Director of various companies; and **formerly**, Regional Assurance Managing Partner, Ernst & Young LLP (public accounting) (2005-2016) and various roles of increasing responsibility at Ernst & Young (1981-2005). |

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#### Interested Board Members and Officers

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| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| **Name, Year of Birth and Address** | **Position** | **Length of Time Served** | **Number of Portfolios<br>in Fund Complex Overseen by <br>Board Member<sup>1</sup>** | **Other Directorships Held <br>During at Least the Past <br>5 Years** |

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| | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| Gregory E. Johnson<sup>2</sup> (1961)<br>One Franklin Parkway<br>San Mateo, CA 94403-1906 | Chairman of the Board <br>and Trustee | Chairman of the Board since 2023 and Trustee since 2013 | 124 |
| **<br>Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:** <br>Executive Chairman, Chairman of the Board and Director, Franklin Resources, Inc.; officer and/or director or trustee, as the case may be, of some of the other subsidiaries of Franklin Resources, Inc. and of certain funds in the Franklin Templeton fund complex; Vice Chairman, Investment Company Institute; and **formerly**, Chief Executive Officer (2013-2020) and President (1994-2015) Franklin Resources, Inc. | **<br>Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:** <br>Executive Chairman, Chairman of the Board and Director, Franklin Resources, Inc.; officer and/or director or trustee, as the case may be, of some of the other subsidiaries of Franklin Resources, Inc. and of certain funds in the Franklin Templeton fund complex; Vice Chairman, Investment Company Institute; and **formerly**, Chief Executive Officer (2013-2020) and President (1994-2015) Franklin Resources, Inc. | **<br>Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:** <br>Executive Chairman, Chairman of the Board and Director, Franklin Resources, Inc.; officer and/or director or trustee, as the case may be, of some of the other subsidiaries of Franklin Resources, Inc. and of certain funds in the Franklin Templeton fund complex; Vice Chairman, Investment Company Institute; and **formerly**, Chief Executive Officer (2013-2020) and President (1994-2015) Franklin Resources, Inc. | **<br>Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:** <br>Executive Chairman, Chairman of the Board and Director, Franklin Resources, Inc.; officer and/or director or trustee, as the case may be, of some of the other subsidiaries of Franklin Resources, Inc. and of certain funds in the Franklin Templeton fund complex; Vice Chairman, Investment Company Institute; and **formerly**, Chief Executive Officer (2013-2020) and President (1994-2015) Franklin Resources, Inc. |

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| | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| Rupert H. Johnson, Jr.<sup>3</sup> (1940)<br>One Franklin Parkway<br>San Mateo, CA 94403-1906<br>| Trustee | Since 1991 | 115 |
| **Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:** <br>Director (Vice Chairman), Franklin Resources, Inc.; Director, Franklin Advisers, Inc.; and officer and/or director or trustee, as the case may be, of some of the other subsidiaries of Franklin Resources, Inc. and of certain funds in the Franklin Templeton fund complex. | **Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:** <br>Director (Vice Chairman), Franklin Resources, Inc.; Director, Franklin Advisers, Inc.; and officer and/or director or trustee, as the case may be, of some of the other subsidiaries of Franklin Resources, Inc. and of certain funds in the Franklin Templeton fund complex. | **Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:** <br>Director (Vice Chairman), Franklin Resources, Inc.; Director, Franklin Advisers, Inc.; and officer and/or director or trustee, as the case may be, of some of the other subsidiaries of Franklin Resources, Inc. and of certain funds in the Franklin Templeton fund complex. | **Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:** <br>Director (Vice Chairman), Franklin Resources, Inc.; Director, Franklin Advisers, Inc.; and officer and/or director or trustee, as the case may be, of some of the other subsidiaries of Franklin Resources, Inc. and of certain funds in the Franklin Templeton fund complex. |

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| | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| Bjorn A. Davis (1965)<br>100 First Stamford Place<br>Stamford, CT 06902 | Chief <br>Compliance Officer | Since October 2024 | Not Applicable |
| **<br>Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:** <br>Vice President, Franklin Templeton Global Regulatory Compliance US Advisory Services; Chief Compliance Officer, Franklin Advisers, Inc., Franklin Mutual Advisers LLC, Franklin Templeton Institutional LLC, Templeton Investment Counsel LLC and Templeton Global Advisors Limited (since 2023); **formerly**, Director, Franklin Templeton Global Regulatory Compliance; Chief Compliance Officer, K2 Advisors, LLC and K2/D&S Management Co., LLC (2011 - 2023). | **<br>Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:** <br>Vice President, Franklin Templeton Global Regulatory Compliance US Advisory Services; Chief Compliance Officer, Franklin Advisers, Inc., Franklin Mutual Advisers LLC, Franklin Templeton Institutional LLC, Templeton Investment Counsel LLC and Templeton Global Advisors Limited (since 2023); **formerly**, Director, Franklin Templeton Global Regulatory Compliance; Chief Compliance Officer, K2 Advisors, LLC and K2/D&S Management Co., LLC (2011 - 2023). | **<br>Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:** <br>Vice President, Franklin Templeton Global Regulatory Compliance US Advisory Services; Chief Compliance Officer, Franklin Advisers, Inc., Franklin Mutual Advisers LLC, Franklin Templeton Institutional LLC, Templeton Investment Counsel LLC and Templeton Global Advisors Limited (since 2023); **formerly**, Director, Franklin Templeton Global Regulatory Compliance; Chief Compliance Officer, K2 Advisors, LLC and K2/D&S Management Co., LLC (2011 - 2023). | **<br>Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:** <br>Vice President, Franklin Templeton Global Regulatory Compliance US Advisory Services; Chief Compliance Officer, Franklin Advisers, Inc., Franklin Mutual Advisers LLC, Franklin Templeton Institutional LLC, Templeton Investment Counsel LLC and Templeton Global Advisors Limited (since 2023); **formerly**, Director, Franklin Templeton Global Regulatory Compliance; Chief Compliance Officer, K2 Advisors, LLC and K2/D&S Management Co., LLC (2011 - 2023). |

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| | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| Sonal Desai, Ph.D. (1963)<br>One Franklin Parkway<br>San Mateo, CA 94403-1906 | Vice President | Since 2018 | Not Applicable |
| **<br>Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:** <br>Director and Executive Vice President, Franklin Advisers, Inc.; Executive Vice President, Franklin Templeton Institutional, LLC; and officer of certain funds in the Franklin Templeton fund complex. | **<br>Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:** <br>Director and Executive Vice President, Franklin Advisers, Inc.; Executive Vice President, Franklin Templeton Institutional, LLC; and officer of certain funds in the Franklin Templeton fund complex. | **<br>Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:** <br>Director and Executive Vice President, Franklin Advisers, Inc.; Executive Vice President, Franklin Templeton Institutional, LLC; and officer of certain funds in the Franklin Templeton fund complex. | **<br>Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:** <br>Director and Executive Vice President, Franklin Advisers, Inc.; Executive Vice President, Franklin Templeton Institutional, LLC; and officer of certain funds in the Franklin Templeton fund complex. |

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|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| Susan Kerr (1949)<br>One Madison Avenue <br>New York, NY 10010 | Vice President - AML Compliance | Since 2021 | Not Applicable |
| **<br>Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:** <br>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, Franklin Distributors, LLC; and officer of certain funds in the Franklin Templeton fund complex. | **<br>Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:** <br>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, Franklin Distributors, LLC; and officer of certain funds in the Franklin Templeton fund complex. | **<br>Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:** <br>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, Franklin Distributors, LLC; and officer of certain funds in the Franklin Templeton fund complex. | **<br>Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:** <br>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, Franklin Distributors, LLC; and officer of certain funds in the Franklin Templeton fund complex. |

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| | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| Christopher Kings (1974)<br>One Franklin Parkway<br>San Mateo, CA 94403-1906 | Chief Executive<br>Officer - Finance and Administration | Since 2024 | Not Applicable |
| **<br>Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:** <br>Senior Vice President, Franklin Templeton Services, LLC; and officer of certain funds in the Franklin Templeton fund complex. | **<br>Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:** <br>Senior Vice President, Franklin Templeton Services, LLC; and officer of certain funds in the Franklin Templeton fund complex. | **<br>Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:** <br>Senior Vice President, Franklin Templeton Services, LLC; and officer of certain funds in the Franklin Templeton fund complex. | **<br>Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:** <br>Senior Vice President, Franklin Templeton Services, LLC; and officer of certain funds in the Franklin Templeton fund complex. |

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| | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| Edward D. Perks (1970)<br>One Franklin Parkway<br>San Mateo, CA 94403-1906 | President and Chief Executive Officer – Investment Management | Since 2018 | Not Applicable |
| **<br>Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:** <br>President and Director, Franklin Advisers, Inc.; and officer of certain funds in the Franklin Templeton fund complex. | **<br>Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:** <br>President and Director, Franklin Advisers, Inc.; and officer of certain funds in the Franklin Templeton fund complex. | **<br>Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:** <br>President and Director, Franklin Advisers, Inc.; and officer of certain funds in the Franklin Templeton fund complex. | **<br>Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:** <br>President and Director, Franklin Advisers, Inc.; and officer of certain funds in the Franklin Templeton fund complex. |

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| | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| Navid J. Tofigh (1972)<br>One Franklin Parkway<br>San Mateo, CA 94403-1906 | Vice President and Secretary | Vice President since 2015 and Secretary since 2023 | Not Applicable |
| **<br>Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:** <br>Senior Associate General Counsel, Franklin Templeton; and officer of certain funds in the Franklin Templeton fund complex. | **<br>Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:** <br>Senior Associate General Counsel, Franklin Templeton; and officer of certain funds in the Franklin Templeton fund complex. | **<br>Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:** <br>Senior Associate General Counsel, Franklin Templeton; and officer of certain funds in the Franklin Templeton fund complex. | **<br>Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:** <br>Senior Associate General Counsel, Franklin Templeton; and officer of certain funds in the Franklin Templeton fund complex. |

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| | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| Jeffrey W. White (1971)<br>One Franklin Parkway<br>San Mateo, CA 94403-1906 | Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer | Since 2024 | Not Applicable |
| **<br>Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:** <br>Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer & Treasurer and officer of certain funds in the Franklin Templeton fund complex; and **formerly**, Director and Assistant Treasurer within Franklin Templeton Global Fund Tax and Fund Administration and Financial Reporting (2017-2023). | **<br>Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:** <br>Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer & Treasurer and officer of certain funds in the Franklin Templeton fund complex; and **formerly**, Director and Assistant Treasurer within Franklin Templeton Global Fund Tax and Fund Administration and Financial Reporting (2017-2023). | **<br>Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:** <br>Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer & Treasurer and officer of certain funds in the Franklin Templeton fund complex; and **formerly**, Director and Assistant Treasurer within Franklin Templeton Global Fund Tax and Fund Administration and Financial Reporting (2017-2023). | **<br>Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years:** <br>Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer & Treasurer and officer of certain funds in the Franklin Templeton fund complex; and **formerly**, Director and Assistant Treasurer within Franklin Templeton Global Fund Tax and Fund Administration and Financial Reporting (2017-2023). |

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Note 1: Rupert H. Johnson, Jr. is the uncle of Gregory E. Johnson.

Note 2: Officer information is current as of the date of this SAI. It is possible that after this date, information about officers may change.

1. Information is for the calendar year ended December 31, 2024, unless otherwise noted. We base the number of portfolios on each separate series of the U.S. registered investment companies within the Franklin Templeton fund complex. These portfolios have a common investment manager or affiliated investment managers.

2. Gregory E. Johnson is considered to be an interested person of the Fund under the federal securities laws due to his position as an officer and director of Franklin Resources, Inc. (Resources), which is the parent company of the Fund's investment manager and distributor.

3. Rupert H. Johnson, Jr. is considered to be an interested person of the Fund under the federal securities laws due to his position as an officer and director and a major shareholder of Resources, which is the parent company of the Fund's investment manager and distributor.

The Trust's independent board members constitute the sole independent board members of 24 investment companies in the Franklin Templeton complex for which each independent board member currently is paid a $304,000 annual retainer fee, together with a $7,000 per meeting fee for attendance at each regularly scheduled board meeting, a portion of which fees are allocated to the Trust. To the extent held, compensation may also be paid for attendance at specially held board meetings. The Trust's lead independent board member is paid an annual supplemental retainer of $40,000 for services to such investment companies, a portion of which is allocated to the Trust. Board members who serve on the Audit Committee of the Trust and such other funds are paid a $10,000 annual retainer fee, together with a $3,000 fee per Committee meeting in which they participate, a portion of which is allocated to the Trust. Terrence J. Checki, who serves as chairman of the Audit Committee of the Trust and such other funds receives a fee of $50,000 per year in lieu of the Audit Committee member retainer fee, a portion of which is allocated to the Trust. The following table provides the total fees paid to independent board members by the Trust and by other funds in Franklin Templeton.

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| | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| **Name** | **Name** | **Total Fees <br>Received <br>from <br>the Fund\* <br>($)¹** | **Total Fees <br>Received from <br>Franklin <br>Templeton <br>($)<sup>2</sup>** |
| Harris J. Ashton | Harris J. Ashton | N/A | 630000 |
| Terrence J. Checki | Terrence J. Checki | N/A | 725000 |
| Mary C. Choksi | Mary C. Choksi | N/A | 667000 |
| Edith E. Holiday | Edith E. Holiday | N/A | 760000 |
| J. Michael Luttig | J. Michael Luttig | N/A | 673000 |
| Larry D. Thompson | Larry D. Thompson | N/A | 670000 |
| Valerie M. Williams | Valerie M. Williams | N/A | 675000 |
| <sup>\*</sup>  | Represents aggregate fees received from the funds in this SAI. | Represents aggregate fees received from the funds in this SAI. | Represents aggregate fees received from the funds in this SAI. |
| <sup>1.</sup> | For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024. | For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024. | For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024. |
| <sup>2.</sup> | For the calendar year ended December 31, 2024. | For the calendar year ended December 31, 2024. | For the calendar year ended December 31, 2024. |

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Independent board members are reimbursed for expenses incurred in connection with attending board meetings and such expenses are paid pro rata by each fund in Franklin Templeton for which they serve as director or trustee. No

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officer or board member received any other compensation, including pension or retirement benefits, directly or indirectly from the Trust or other funds in Franklin Templeton. Certain officers or board members who are shareholders of Franklin Resources, Inc. (Resources) may be deemed to receive indirect remuneration by virtue of their participation, if any, in the fees paid to its subsidiaries.

Board members historically have followed a policy of having substantial investments in one or more of the Franklin Templeton funds, as is consistent with their individual financial goals. In February 1998, this policy was formalized through the adoption of a requirement that each board member invest one-third of fees received for serving as a director or trustee of a Templeton fund (excluding committee fees) in shares of one or more Templeton funds and one-third of fees received for serving as a director or trustee of a Franklin fund (excluding committee fees) in shares of one or more Franklin funds until the value of such investments equals or exceeds five 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, are valued as of such date with subsequent investments valued at cost.

The following tables provide the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by the board members of the Fund on December 31, 2024.

#### Independent Board Members

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| | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| **Board Member** | **Fund** | **Dollar Range of Equity <br>Securities in the Fund ($)** | **Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities in All Funds Overseen by the Board Member in the Franklin Templeton Fund Complex ($)** |
| Harris J. Ashton |  |  | Over 100,000 |
| Terrence J. Checki |  |  | Over 100,000 |
| Mary C. Choksi |  |  | Over 100,000 |
| Edith E. Holiday |  |  | Over 100,000 |
| J. Michael Luttig |  |  | Over 100,000 |
| Larry D. Thompson |  |  | Over 100,000 |
| Valerie M. Williams |  |  | Over 100,000 |

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#### Interested Board Members

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| | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| **Board Member** | **Fund** | **Dollar Range of Equity <br>Securities in the Fund ($)** | **Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities in All Funds Overseen by the Board Member in the Franklin Templeton Fund Complex ($)** |
| Gregory E. Johnson |  |  | Over 100,000 |
| Rupert H. Johnson, Jr. |  |  | Over 100,000 |

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**Board committees** The board maintains two standing committees: the Audit Committee and the Nominating Committee. The Audit Committee is generally responsible for recommending the selection of the Trust's independent registered public accounting firm (auditors), including evaluating their independence and meeting with such auditors to consider and review matters relating to the Trust's financial reports and internal controls. The Audit Committee is comprised of the following independent trustees of the Trust: Terrence J. Checki, Mary C. Choksi, Edith E. Holiday, J. Michael Luttig, Larry D. Thompson and Valerie M. Williams. The Nominating Committee is comprised of the following independent trustees of the Trust: Harris J. Ashton, Terrence J. Checki, Mary C. Choksi, Edith E. Holiday, J. Michael Luttig, Larry D. Thompson and Valerie M. Williams.

The Nominating Committee is responsible for selecting candidates to serve as board members and recommending such candidates (a) for selection and nomination as independent board members by the incumbent independent board members and the full board; and (b) for selection and nomination as interested board members by the full 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 board members, including any recommendations by "Qualifying Fund Shareholders" (as defined below). To date, the Nominating Committee has been

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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 Trust's offices at One Franklin Parkway, San Mateo, CA 94403-1906 and are presented with appropriate background material concerning the candidate that demonstrates his or her ability to serve as a board member, including as an independent board member, of the Trust. 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 and fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) during the 24-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 such Qualifying Fund Shareholder and the length of time that such shares have been so owned by the Qualifying Fund Shareholder; (c) a description of all arrangements and understandings between such 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 such 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 shareholder making the recommendation believes the person recommended would or would not be an "interested person" of the Trust, as defined in the 1940 Act; and (g) the written consent of each person recommended to serve as a board member of the Trust 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.

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, the Audit Committee met three times; the Nominating Committee met once.

**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, liquidity and compliance matters. The board also may receive special written reports or presentations on a variety of risk 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.

With respect to valuation, the Fund's investment manager provides periodic reports to the board that enable the board to oversee the Fund's investment manager, as the board'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 liquidity risk, the board receives liquidity risk management reports under the Fund's Liquidity Risk Management (LRM) Program and reviews, no less frequently than annually, a written report prepared by the LRM Program Administrator that addresses, among other items, the operation of the LRM Program and assesses its adequacy and effectiveness of implementation as well as any material changes to the LRM Program.

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,

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including compliance risks. In accordance with SEC rules, the independent board members meet regularly in executive session with the CCO, and the Fund's 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. Such presentation covers such areas as investment risk, reputational risk, personnel risk, and business continuity risk.

**Board structure** A super-majority of board members consist of independent board members who are not deemed to be "interested persons" as provided under the 1940 Act. While the Chairperson of the Board is an interested person, the board is also served by a lead independent board member. The lead independent board member, together with independent counsel, reviews proposed agendas for board meetings and generally acts as a liaison with management with respect to questions and issues raised by the independent board members. The lead independent board member also presides at separate meetings of independent board members 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.

**Trustee qualifications** Information on the Fund's officers and board members appears above including information on the business activities of board members during the past five years and beyond. In addition to personal qualities, such as integrity, the role of an effective Fund board member inherently requires the ability to comprehend, discuss and critically analyze materials and issues presented in exercising judgments and reaching informed conclusions relevant to his or her duties and fiduciary obligations. The board believes that the specific background of each board member 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 a NYSE-listed public corporation; 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; Larry D. Thompson and Edith E. Holiday each have legal backgrounds, including high level legal positions with departments of the U.S. government; J. Michael Luttig has fifteen years of judicial experience as a Federal Appeals Court Judge and eleven years of experience as Executive Vice President and General Counsel of a major public company; Valerie M. Williams has over 35 years of audit and public accounting experience serving numerous global and multi-location companies in various industries; and Gregory E. Johnson and Rupert H. Johnson, Jr. are both high ranking executive officers of Franklin Templeton.

**Fair Valuation**

The Fund's board of trustees has designated the investment manager as the board's Valuation Designee to perform fair value determinations for the Fund and to assess any material risks associated with such determinations, including material conflicts of interest, if any. The Valuation Designee also performs an annual valuation risk assessment to identify and enumerate material valuation risks which are or may be impactful to the Fund. The Fund's investment manager and its affiliates have formed a Valuation Committee (VC) to assist these obligations. The VC oversees and administers the policies and procedures governing fair valuation determination of securities. The VC meets monthly to review and approve fair value reports and conduct other business, and meets whenever necessary to review potential significant market events and take appropriate steps to adjust valuations in accordance with established policies. The VC also reviews the investment manager's annual valuation risk assessment and provides periodic reports to the board of trustees regarding pricing determinations.

The Fund's policies and procedures governing fair valuation determination of securities have been initially reviewed and approved by the board of trustees and any material amendments will also be reviewed and approved by the board. The investment manager's compliance staff, or another group within Franklin Templeton, conducts periodic reviews of compliance with the policies and provides at least annually a report to the board of trustees regarding the operation of the policies and any material changes recommended as a result of such review.

**Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures** 

The board of trustees of the Fund has delegated the authority to vote proxies related to the portfolio securities held by the Fund to the Fund's investment manager, in accordance with the Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures (Policies) adopted by the investment manager. The Policies are included in Appendix A. Shareholders may also view the complete Policies online at www.franklintempleton.com. Copies of the Fund's proxy voting records are available online at www.franklintempleton.com (search proxy voting records) and posted on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. The proxy voting records are updated each year by August 31 to reflect the most recent 12-month period ended June 30.

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**Management and Other Services**

**Investment manager and services provided** The Fund's investment manager is Franklin Advisers, Inc. (Advisers), One Franklin Parkway, San Mateo, CA 94403-1906. The investment manager is a wholly owned subsidiary of Resources, a publicly owned company engaged in the financial services industry through its subsidiaries. Charles B. Johnson (former Chairman and Director of Resources) and Rupert H. Johnson, Jr. are the principal shareholders of Resources.

The investment manager and its affiliates manage numerous other investment companies and accounts. The investment manager may give advice and take action with respect to any of the other funds it manages, or for its own account, that may differ from action taken by the investment manager on behalf of the Fund. Similarly, with respect to the Fund, the investment manager is not obligated to recommend, buy or sell, or to refrain from recommending, buying or selling any security that the investment manager and access persons, as defined by applicable federal securities laws, may buy or sell for its or their own account or for the accounts of any other fund. The investment manager is not obligated to refrain from investing in securities held by the Fund or other funds it manages.

The investment manager makes decisions for the Fund in accordance with its obligations as investment adviser to the Fund. From time to time, certain affiliates may request that the investment manager focus the Fund's investments on certain securities, strategies or markets or shift the Fund's strategy slightly to enhance its attractiveness to specific investors, which may create a conflict of interest. The investment manager may, but is not required to, focus or shift the Fund's investments in the manner requested provided that the investment manager believes that such investments are consistent with the Fund's stated investment goals and strategies and are in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders. In addition, the investment manager and its affiliates manage numerous other investment companies and accounts. The investment manager may give advice and take action with respect to any of the other funds it manages, or for its own account, that may differ from action taken by the investment manager on behalf of the Fund. Similarly, with respect to the Fund, the investment manager is not obligated to recommend, buy or sell, or to refrain from recommending, buying or selling any security that the investment manager and access persons, as defined by applicable federal securities laws, may buy or sell for its or their own account or for the accounts of any other fund. The investment manager is not obligated to refrain from investing in securities held by the Fund or other funds it manages.

The Fund, its investment manager and principal underwriter have each adopted a code of ethics, as required by federal securities laws. Under the code of ethics, employees who are designated as access persons may engage in personal securities transactions, including transactions involving securities that are being considered for the Fund or that are currently held by the Fund, subject to certain general restrictions and procedures. The personal securities transactions of access persons of the Fund, its investment manager and principal underwriter will be governed by the code of ethics. The code of ethics is on file with, and available from, the SEC.

**Management fees** The Fund does not pay the investment manager a fee for managing the Fund, although investors in the Fund will pay a fee to their separately managed account program sponsor. The investment manager and its affiliates receive compensation from separately managed account clients or program sponsors in connection with their management of client accounts and participation in investment programs through which shares of the Fund are made available.

As the Fund was not in operation prior to the date of this SAI, the Fund has not yet paid any management fees.

**Portfolio managers** 

The following table identifies the portfolio managers, the number of other accounts (other than the Fund) for which the portfolio managers have day-to-day management responsibilities and the total assets in such accounts, within each of the following categories: registered investment companies, other pooled investment vehicles, and other accounts. For each category, the number of accounts and total assets in the accounts where fees are based on performance are also indicated, as applicable. Unless noted otherwise, all information is provided as of April 30, 2025.

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| | | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| **Name** | **Type of Account** | **Number of Accounts Managed** | **Total Assets Managed**<br>**(x $1 million)** | **Number of Accounts Managed for which Advisory Fee is Performance- Based** | **Assets Managed for which Advisory Fee is <br>Performance-Based <br>(x $1 million)** |

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| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| **Albert Chan** | **Registered Investment Companies**<sub>10</sub> | **10,180.6** | **None** | **None** |

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| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
|  | **8**<br>**42** | **1,922.7**<br>**3,026.7** | **None**<br>**1** | **None**<br>447.7 |
| **Other Pooled Investment Vehicles** | **8**<br>**42** | **1,922.7**<br>**3,026.7** | **None**<br>**1** | **None**<br>447.7 |
| **Other Accounts** | **8**<br>**42** | **1,922.7**<br>**3,026.7** | **None**<br>**1** | **None**<br>447.7 |

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| | | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| **Tina Chou** | **Registered Investment Companies** | **9**<br>**2**<br>**None** | **11,245.4**<br>415.7<br>**None** | **None**<br>**None**<br>**None** | **None**<br>**None**<br>**None** |
|  | **Other Pooled Investment Vehicles** | | | | |
|  | **Other Accounts** | | | | |

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| | | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| **Jacob K. Chu** | **Registered Investment Companies** | **None**<br>**None**<br>**61** | **None**<br>**None**<br>**3,267.2** | **None**<br>**None**<br>**None** | **None**<br>**None**<br>**None** |
|  | **Other Pooled Investment Vehicles** | | | | |
|  | **Other Accounts** | | | | |

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| | | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| **Patrick A. Klein** | **Registered Investment Companies** | **21**<br>**10**<br>**15** | **22,169.1**<br>**2,649.7**<br>**6,483.2** | **None**<br>**None**<br>**2** | **None**<br>**None**<br>**1, 723.5** |
|  | **Other Pooled Investment Vehicles** | **21**<br>**10**<br>**15** | **22,169.1**<br>**2,649.7**<br>**6,483.2** | **None**<br>**None**<br>**2** | **None**<br>**None**<br>**1, 723.5** |
|  | **Other Accounts** | **21**<br>**10**<br>**15** | **22,169.1**<br>**2,649.7**<br>**6,483.2** | **None**<br>**None**<br>**2** | **None**<br>**None**<br>**1, 723.5** |

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| | | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| **Thomas Runkel** | **Registered Investment Companies** | **5**<br>**3**<br>**67** | **7,203.3**<br>**1,366.1**<br>**3,501.4** | **None**<br>**None**<br>**None** | **None**<br>**None**<br>**None** |
|  | **Other Pooled Investment Vehicles** | **5**<br>**3**<br>**67** | **7,203.3**<br>**1,366.1**<br>**3,501.4** | **None**<br>**None**<br>**None** | **None**<br>**None**<br>**None** |
|  | **Other Accounts** | **5**<br>**3**<br>**67** | **7,203.3**<br>**1,366.1**<br>**3,501.4** | **None**<br>**None**<br>**None** | **None**<br>**None**<br>**None** |

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Portfolio managers that provide investment services to the Fund may also provide services to a variety of other investment products, including other funds, institutional accounts and private accounts. The advisory fees for some of such other products and accounts may be different than that charged to the Fund and may include performance based compensation (as noted above, if any). This may result in fees that are higher (or lower) than the advisory fees paid by the Fund. As a matter of policy, each fund or account is managed solely for the benefit of the beneficial owners thereof. As discussed below, the separation of the trading execution function from the portfolio management function and the application of objectively based trade allocation procedures help to mitigate potential conflicts of interest that may arise as a result of the portfolio managers managing accounts with different advisory fees.

*Conflicts.* The management of multiple funds, including the Fund, and accounts may also give rise to potential conflicts of interest if the funds and other accounts have different objectives, benchmarks, time horizons, and fees as the portfolio manager must allocate his or her time and investment ideas across multiple funds and accounts. The

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investment manager seeks to manage such competing interests for the time and attention of portfolio managers by having portfolio managers focus on a particular investment discipline. Most other accounts managed by a portfolio manager are managed using the same investment strategies that are used in connection with the management of the Fund. Accordingly, portfolio holdings, position sizes, and industry and sector exposures tend to be similar across similar portfolios, which may minimize the potential for conflicts of interest. As noted above, the separate management of the trade execution and valuation functions from the portfolio management process also helps to reduce potential conflicts of interest. However, securities selected for funds or accounts other than the Fund may outperform the securities selected for the Fund. Moreover, if a portfolio manager identifies a limited investment opportunity that may be suitable for more than one fund or other account, the Fund may not be able to take full advantage of that opportunity due to an allocation of that opportunity across all eligible funds and other accounts. The investment manager seeks to manage such potential conflicts by using procedures intended to provide a fair allocation of buy and sell opportunities among funds and other accounts.

The structure of a portfolio manager's compensation may give rise to potential conflicts of interest. A portfolio manager's base pay and bonus tend to increase with additional and more complex responsibilities that include increased assets under management. As such, there may be an indirect relationship between a portfolio manager's marketing or sales efforts and his or her bonus.

Finally, the management of personal accounts by a portfolio manager may give rise to potential conflicts of interest. While the funds and the investment manager have adopted a code of ethics which they believe contains provisions designed to prevent a wide range of prohibited activities by portfolio managers and others with respect to their personal trading activities, there can be no assurance that the code of ethics addresses all individual conduct that could result in conflicts of interest.

The investment manager and the Fund have adopted certain compliance procedures that are designed to address these, and other, types of conflicts. However, there is no guarantee that such procedures will detect each and every situation where a conflict arises.

*Compensation.* The investment manager seeks to maintain a compensation program that is competitively positioned to attract, retain and motivate top-quality investment professionals. Portfolio managers receive a base salary, a cash incentive bonus opportunity, an equity compensation opportunity, and a benefits package. Portfolio manager compensation is reviewed annually, and the level of compensation is based on individual performance, the salary range for a portfolio manager's level of responsibility and Franklin Templeton guidelines. Portfolio managers are provided no financial incentive to favor one fund or account over another. Each portfolio manager's compensation consists of the following three elements:

**Base salary** Each portfolio manager is paid a base salary.

**Annual bonus** Annual bonuses are structured to align the interests of the portfolio manager with those of the Fund's shareholders. Each portfolio manager is eligible to receive an annual bonus. Bonuses generally are split between cash (50% to 65%) and restricted shares of Resources stock (17.5% to 25%) and mutual fund shares (17.5% to 25%). The deferred equity-based compensation is intended to build a vested interest of the portfolio manager in the financial performance of both Resources and mutual funds advised by the investment manager. The bonus plan is intended to provide a competitive level of annual bonus compensation that is tied to the portfolio manager achieving consistently strong investment performance, which aligns the financial incentives of the portfolio manager and Fund shareholders. The Chief Investment Officer of the investment manager and/or other officers of the investment manager, with responsibility for the Fund, have discretion in the granting of annual bonuses to portfolio managers in accordance with Franklin Templeton guidelines. The following factors are generally used in determining bonuses under the plan:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• *Investment performance.* Primary consideration is given to the historic investment performance over the 1, 3 and 5 preceding years of all accounts managed by the portfolio manager. The pre-tax performance of each fund managed is measured relative to a relevant peer group and/or applicable benchmark as appropriate.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• *Non-investment performance*. The more qualitative contributions of the portfolio manager to the investment manager's business and the investment management team, including professional knowledge, productivity, responsiveness to client needs and communication, are evaluated in determining the amount of any bonus award.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• *Responsibilities.* The characteristics and complexity of funds managed by the portfolio manager are factored in the investment manager's appraisal.

**Additional long-term equity-based compensation** Portfolio managers may also be awarded restricted shares or units of Resources stock or restricted shares or units of one or more mutual funds. Awards of such deferred equity-based compensation typically vest over time, so as to create incentives to retain key talent.

**Benefits** Portfolio managers also participate in benefit plans and programs available generally to all employees of the investment manager.

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*Ownership of Fund shares.* Because the Fund had not commenced operations prior to the date of this SAI, the portfolio managers did not own any shares of the Fund as of the date of this SAI.

**Administrator and services provided** Franklin Templeton Services, LLC (FT Services) has an agreement with the investment manager to provide certain administrative service and facilities for the Fund. FT Services is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Resources and is an affiliate of the Fund's investment manager, sub-advisor and principal underwriter.

The administrative services FT Services provides include preparing and maintaining books, records, and tax and financial reports, and monitoring compliance with regulatory requirements.

**Administration fees** The Fund does not pay a fee for administrative services.

**Shareholder servicing and transfer agent** Franklin Templeton Investor Services, LLC (Investor Services) is the Fund's shareholder servicing agent and acts as the Fund's transfer agent and dividend-paying agent. Investor Services is located at 100 Fountain Parkway, St. Petersburg, FL 33716. Please send all correspondence to Investor Services at P.O. Box 33030, St. Petersburg, FL 33733-8030.

Investor Services may also pay servicing fees, that will be reimbursed by the Fund, in varying amounts to certain financial institutions (to help offset their costs associated with client account maintenance support, statement preparation and transaction processing) that (i) maintain omnibus accounts with the Fund in the institution's name on behalf of numerous beneficial owners of Fund shares who are either direct clients of the institution or are participants in an IRS recognized tax-deferred savings plan (including Employer Sponsored Retirement Plans and Section 529 Plans) for which the institution, or its affiliate, provides participant level recordkeeping services (called "Beneficial Owners"); or (ii) provide support for Fund shareholder accounts by sharing account data with Investor Services through the National Securities Clearing Corporation (NSCC) networking system. In addition to servicing fees received from the Fund, these financial institutions also may charge a fee for their services directly to their clients.

**Sub-administrator** JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (JPMorgan) has an agreement with FT Services to provide certain sub-administrative services for the Fund. The administrative services provided by JPMorgan include, but are not limited to, certain fund accounting, financial reporting, tax, corporate governance and compliance and legal administration services.

**Custodian** JPMorgan Chase Bank, at its principal office at 270 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017-2070, and at the offices of its branches and agencies throughout the world, acts as custodian of the Fund's securities and other assets, other than marketplace loans. As foreign custody manager, the bank selects and monitors foreign sub-custodian banks, selects and evaluates non-compulsory foreign depositories, and furnishes information relevant to the selection of compulsory depositories.

**Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm** PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 405 Howard Street, Suite 600, San Francisco, CA 94105, is the Fund's independent registered public accounting firm. The independent registered public accounting firm audits the financial statements included in the Fund's Form N-CSR filed with the SEC.

**Portfolio Transactions** 

The investment manager selects brokers and dealers to execute the Fund's portfolio transactions in accordance with criteria set forth in the management agreement and any directions that the board may give.

When placing a portfolio transaction, the trading department of the investment manager seeks to obtain "best execution" -- the best combination of high quality transaction execution services, taking into account the services and products to be provided by the broker or dealer, and low relative commission rates with the view of maximizing value for the Fund and its other clients. For most transactions in equity securities, the amount of commissions paid is negotiated between the investment manager and the broker executing the transaction. The determination and evaluation of the reasonableness of the brokerage commissions paid are based to a large degree on the professional opinions of the persons within the trading department of the investment manager responsible for placement and review of the transactions. These opinions are based on the experience of these individuals in the securities industry and information available to them about the level of commissions being paid by other institutional investors. The investment manager may also place orders to buy and sell equity securities on a principal rather than agency basis if the investment manager believes that trading on a principal basis will provide best execution. Orders for fixed income securities are ordinarily placed with market makers on a net basis, without any brokerage commissions. Purchases of portfolio securities from underwriters will include a commission or concession paid to the underwriter, and purchases from dealers will include a spread between the bid and ask price.

The investment manager may cause the Fund to pay certain brokers commissions that are higher than those another broker may charge, if the investment manager determines in good faith that the amount paid is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services it receives. This may be viewed in terms of either the particular transaction or the investment manager's overall responsibilities to client

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The research services that brokers may provide to the investment manager include, among others, supplying information about particular companies, markets, countries, or local, regional, national or transnational economies, statistical data, quotations and other securities pricing information, and other information that provides lawful and appropriate assistance to the investment manager in carrying out its investment advisory responsibilities. These services may not always directly benefit the Fund. They must, however, be of value to the investment manager in carrying out its overall responsibilities to its clients.

It is not possible to place an accurate dollar value on the special execution or on the research services the investment manager receives from dealers effecting transactions in portfolio securities. The allocation of transactions to obtain additional research services allows the investment manager to supplement its own research and analysis activities and to receive the views and information of individuals and research staffs from many securities firms. The receipt of these products and services does not reduce the investment manager's research activities in providing investment advice to the Fund.

As long as it is lawful and appropriate to do so, the investment manager and its affiliates may use this research and data in their investment advisory capacities with other clients.

Because Franklin Distributors, LLC (Distributors) is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), it may sometimes receive certain fees when the Fund tenders portfolio securities pursuant to a tender-offer solicitation. To recapture brokerage for the benefit of the Fund, any portfolio securities tendered by the Fund will be tendered through Distributors if it is legally permissible to do so. In turn, the next management fee payable to the investment manager will be reduced by the amount of any fees received by Distributors in cash, less any costs and expenses incurred in connection with the tender.

If purchases or sales of securities of the Fund and one or more other investment companies or clients supervised by the investment manager are considered at or about the same time, transactions in these securities will be allocated among the several investment companies and clients in a manner deemed equitable to all by the investment manager, taking into account the respective sizes of the accounts and the amount of securities to be purchased or sold. In some cases this procedure could have a detrimental effect on the price or volume of the security so far as the Fund is concerned. In other cases it is possible that the ability to participate in volume transactions may improve execution and reduce transaction costs to the Fund.

No historical information regarding brokerage commissions paid for portfolio transactions is given because the Fund is newly offered. In addition, no historical information regarding directed brokerage transactions or brokerage transactions or brokerage commissions paid in relation to research services is given because the Fund is newly offered.

No historical information regarding securities issued by the Fund's broker/dealers held by the Fund is given because the Fund is newly offered.

Because the Fund may, from time to time, invest in broker-dealers, it is possible that the Fund will own more than 5% of the voting securities of one or more broker-dealers through whom the Fund places portfolio brokerage transactions. In such circumstances, the broker-dealer would be considered an affiliated person of the Fund. To the extent the Fund places brokerage transactions through such a broker-dealer at a time when the broker-dealer is considered to be an affiliate of the Fund, the Fund will be required to adhere to certain rules relating to the payment of commissions to an affiliated broker-dealer. These rules require the Fund to adhere to procedures adopted by the board to ensure that the commissions paid to such broker-dealers do not exceed what would otherwise be the usual and customary brokerage commissions for similar transactions.

**Distributions and Taxes**

The following discussion is a summary of certain additional tax considerations generally affecting the Fund and its shareholders, some of which may not be described in the Fund's prospectus. No attempt is made to present a complete detailed explanation of the tax treatment of the Fund or its shareholders. The discussions here and in the prospectus are not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning.

The following discussion is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and applicable regulations in effect on the date of this SAI, including any amendments to the Code resulting from 2017 legislation commonly known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ("TCJA"). Future legislative, regulatory or administrative changes, including any provisions of law that sunset and thereafter no longer apply, or court decisions may significantly change the tax rules applicable to the Fund and its shareholders. Any of these changes or court decisions may have a retroactive effect. Where indicated below, IRS refers to the United States Internal Revenue Service.

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**This is for general information only and not tax advice. All investors should consult their own tax advisors as to the federal, state, local and foreign tax provisions applicable to them.** 

**Distributions** The Fund intends to declare and pay income dividends monthly from its net investment income. Capital gains, if any, may be paid at least annually. The Fund may distribute income dividends and capital gains more frequently, if necessary or appropriate in the board's discretion. The amount of any distribution will vary, and there is no guarantee the Fund will pay either income dividends or capital gain distributions. Dividends and capital gain distributions will be paid in cash into your separately managed account. Distributions declared in October, November or December to shareholders of record in such month and paid in January are treated as if they were paid in December.

*Distributions of net investment income.* The Fund receives income generally in the form of dividends and interest on its investments. The Fund may also recognize ordinary income from other sources, including, but not limited to, certain gains on foreign currency-related transactions. This income, less expenses incurred in the operation of the Fund, constitutes the Fund's net investment income from which dividends may be paid to you. If you are a taxable investor, any income dividends (other than qualified dividends) the Fund pays are taxable to you at ordinary income tax rates. A portion of the income dividends paid to you may be qualified dividends eligible to be taxed at reduced rates.

*Distributions of capital gains.* The Fund may realize capital gains and losses on the sale of its portfolio securities.

Distributions of short-term capital gains are taxable to you as ordinary income. Distributions of long-term capital gains are taxable to you as long-term capital gains, regardless of how long you have owned your shares in the Fund. Any net capital gains realized by the Fund (in excess of any available capital loss carryovers) generally are distributed once each year, and may be distributed more frequently, if necessary, to reduce or eliminate excise or income taxes on the Fund.

Capital gain dividends and any net long-term capital gains you realize from the sale of Fund shares are generally taxable at the reduced long-term capital gains tax rates. For single individuals with taxable income not in excess of $48,350 in 2025 ($96,700 for married individuals filing jointly), the long-term capital gains tax rate is 0%. For single individuals and joint filers with taxable income in excess of these amounts but not more than $533,400 or $600,050, respectively, the long-term capital gains tax rate is 15%. The rate is 20% for single individuals with taxable income in excess of $533,400 and married individuals filing jointly with taxable income in excess of $600,050. The taxable income thresholds are adjusted annually for inflation. An additional 3.8% Medicare tax may also be imposed as discussed below.

*Returns of capital.* If the Fund's distributions exceed its earnings and profits (i.e., generally, its taxable income and realized capital gains) for a taxable year, all or a portion of the distributions made in that taxable year may be characterized as a return of capital to you. A return of capital distribution will generally not be taxable, but will reduce the cost basis in your Fund shares and will result in a higher capital gain or in a lower capital loss when you sell your shares. Any return of capital in excess of the basis in your Fund shares, however, will be taxable as a capital gain. In the case of a non-calendar year fund, earnings and profits are first allocated to distributions made on or before December 31 of its taxable year and then to distributions made thereafter. The effect of this provision is to "push" returns of capital into the next calendar year.

*Undistributed capital gains*. The Fund may retain or distribute to shareholders its net capital gain for each taxable year. The Fund currently intends to distribute net capital gains. If the Fund elects to retain its net capital gain, the Fund will be taxed thereon (except to the extent of any available capital loss carryovers) at the applicable corporate tax rate. If the Fund elects to retain its net capital gain, it is expected that the Fund also will elect to have shareholders treated as if each received a distribution of its pro rata share of such gain, with the result that each shareholder will be required to report its pro rata share of such gain on its tax return as long-term capital gain, will receive a refundable tax credit for its pro rata share of tax paid by the Fund on the gain, and will increase the tax basis for its shares by an amount equal to the deemed distribution less the tax credit.

**Investments in foreign securities** The following paragraphs describe tax considerations that are applicable to the Fund's investments in foreign securities.

*Foreign income tax*. Investment income received by the Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to foreign income tax withheld at the source and the amount of tax withheld generally will be treated as an expense of the Fund. The United States has entered into tax treaties with many foreign countries, which entitle the Fund to a reduced rate of, or exemption from, tax on such income. Some countries require the filing of a tax reclaim or other forms to receive the benefit of the reduced tax rate; whether or when the Fund will receive the tax reclaim is within the control of the individual country. Information required on these forms may not be available such as shareholder information; therefore, the Fund may not receive the reduced treaty rates or potential reclaims. Other countries have conflicting and changing instructions and restrictive timing requirements which may cause the Fund not to receive the reduced treaty rates or potential reclaims. Other countries may subject capital gains realized by the Fund on sale or disposition of securities of that country to taxation. These and other factors may make it difficult for the Fund to determine in advance the effective rate of tax on its investments in certain countries. Under certain

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circumstances, the Fund may elect to pass-through certain eligible foreign income taxes paid by the Fund to shareholders, although it reserves the right not to do so. If the Fund makes such an election and obtains a refund of foreign taxes paid by the Fund in a prior year, the Fund may be eligible to reduce the amount of foreign taxes reported by the Fund to its shareholders, generally by the amount of the foreign taxes refunded, for the year in which the refund is received. Certain foreign taxes imposed on the Fund's investments, such as a foreign financial transaction tax, may not be creditable against U.S. income tax liability or eligible for pass through by the Fund to its shareholders.

*Effect of foreign debt investments on distributions.* Most foreign exchange gains realized on the sale of debt securities are treated as ordinary income by the Fund. Similarly, foreign exchange losses realized on the sale of debt securities generally are treated as ordinary losses. These gains when distributed are taxable to you as ordinary income, and any losses reduce the Fund's ordinary income otherwise available for distribution to you. This treatment could increase or decrease the Fund's ordinary income distributions to you, and may cause some or all of the Fund's previously distributed income to be classified as a return of capital.

*PFIC securities.* The Fund may invest in securities of foreign entities that could be deemed for tax purposes to be passive foreign investment companies (PFICs). In general, a foreign company is classified as a PFIC if at least one-half of its assets constitute investment-type assets or 75% or more of its gross income is investment-type income. When investing in PFIC securities, the Fund intends to mark-to-market these securities and recognize any gains at the end of its fiscal and excise (described below) tax years. Deductions for losses are allowable only to the extent of any current or previously recognized gains. These gains (reduced by allowable losses) are treated as ordinary income that the Fund is required to distribute, even though it has not sold the securities. Foreign companies are not required to identify themselves as PFICs. Due to various complexities in identifying PFICs, the Fund can give no assurances that it will be able to identify portfolio securities in foreign corporations that are PFICs in time for the Fund to make a mark-to-market election. If the Fund is unable to identify an investment as a PFIC and thus does not make a mark-to-market election, the Fund may be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a portion of any "excess distribution" or gain from the disposition of such shares even if such income is distributed as a taxable dividend by the Fund to its shareholders. Additional charges in the nature of interest may be imposed on the Fund in respect of deferred taxes arising from such distributions or gains.

The Fund's designation of a foreign security as a PFIC security will cause the income dividends of any designated securities to fall outside of the definition of qualified foreign corporation dividends. These dividends generally will not qualify for the reduced rate of taxation on qualified dividends when distributed to you by the Fund.

**Information on the amount and tax character of distributions** The Fund will inform you of the amount of your income dividends and capital gain distributions at the time they are paid, and will advise you of their tax status for federal income tax purposes shortly after the close of each calendar year. The amount of income dividends reported by the Fund to shareholders, consisting of qualified dividend income (which is relevant to U.S. investors) and interest-related and short-term capital gain dividends (which are relevant to non-U.S. investors) may exceed the total amount of income dividends paid. Such characterization will not result in more income being reported to you, but rather will allow the Fund to report dividends in a manner that is more tax efficient to both U.S. and non-U.S. investors. If you have not owned your Fund shares for a full year, the Fund may report and distribute to you:

• as an ordinary income, qualified dividend, or capital gain dividend (a distribution of net long-term capital gains) if you are a U.S. investor, or

• as an ordinary income, interest-related, short-term capital gain, or capital gain dividend if you are a non-U.S. investor

a percentage of income that may not be equal to the actual amount of each type of income earned during the period of your investment in the Fund.

The Fund makes every effort to identify reclassifications of income to reduce the number of corrected forms mailed to shareholders. However, the Fund may at times find it necessary to reclassify income after you receive your tax reporting statement and you may receive a corrected tax reporting statement to reflect reclassified information. This can result from rules in the Code that effectively prevent regulated investment companies such as the Fund from ascertaining with certainty until after the calendar year end the final amount and character of distributions the Fund has received on its investments during the prior calendar year. If you receive a corrected tax reporting statement, use the information on this statement, and not the information on your original statement, in completing your tax returns.

**Avoid "buying a dividend"** At the time you purchase your Fund shares, the Fund's net asset value may reflect undistributed income, undistributed capital gains, or net unrealized appreciation in the value of the portfolio securities held by the Fund. For taxable investors, a subsequent distribution to you of such amounts, although constituting a return of your investment, would be taxable. This tax treatment is required even if you reinvest your distributions in additional Fund shares. Buying shares in the Fund just before it declares an income dividend or capital gain distribution is sometimes known as "buying a dividend." For example, if you buy 500 shares in a fund on December 10th at the fund's net

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asset value (NAV) of $10 per share, and the fund makes a distribution on December 15th of $1 per share, your shares will then have an NAV of $9 per share (disregarding any change in the fund's market value), and you will have to pay a tax on what is essentially a return of your investment of $1 per share.

**Election to be taxed as a regulated investment company** The Fund intends to elect and continue to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code. As a regulated investment company, the Fund generally pays no federal income tax on the income and gains it distributes to you. In order to qualify for treatment as a regulated investment company, the Fund must satisfy the requirements described below.

*Distribution requirement.* The Fund must distribute an amount equal to the sum of at least 90% of its investment company taxable income and 90% of its net tax-exempt income, if any, for the tax year (including, for purposes of satisfying this distribution requirement, certain distributions made by the Fund after the close of its taxable year that are treated as made during such taxable year).

*Income requirement.* The Fund must derive at least 90% of its gross income from dividends, interest, certain payments with respect to securities loans, and gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies, or other income (including, but not limited to, gains from options, futures or forward contracts) derived from its business of investing in such stock, securities or currencies and net income derived from qualified publicly traded partnerships (QPTPs).

*Asset diversification test.* The Fund must satisfy the following asset diversification test at the close of each quarter of the Fund's tax year: (1) at least 50% of the value of the Fund's assets must consist of cash and cash items, U.S. government securities, securities of other regulated investment companies, and securities of other issuers (as to which the Fund has not invested more than 5% of the value of the Fund's total assets in securities of an issuer and as to which the Fund does not hold more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of the issuer); and (2) no more than 25% of the value of the Fund's total assets may be invested in the securities of any one issuer (other than U.S. government securities or securities of other regulated investment companies) or of two or more issuers which the Fund controls and which are engaged in the same or similar trades or businesses, or, in the securities of one or more QPTPs.

In some circumstances, the character and timing of income realized by the Fund for purposes of the income requirement or the identification of the issuer for purposes of the asset diversification test is uncertain under current law with respect to a particular investment, and an adverse determination or future guidance by the IRS with respect to such type of investment may adversely affect the Fund's ability to satisfy these requirements. In other circumstances, the Fund may be required to sell portfolio holdings in order to meet the income requirement, distribution requirement, or asset diversification test, which may have a negative impact on the Fund's income and performance. In lieu of potential disqualification, the Fund is permitted to pay a tax for certain failures to satisfy the asset diversification test or income requirement, which, in general, are limited to those due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect.

If for any taxable year the Fund does not qualify as a regulated investment company, all of its taxable income (including its net capital gain) would be subject to tax at the applicable corporate tax rate without any deduction for dividends paid to shareholders, and the dividends would be taxable to the shareholders as ordinary income (or possibly as qualified dividend income) to the extent of the Fund's current and accumulated earnings and profits. Failure to qualify as a regulated investment company, subject to savings provisions for certain qualification failures, which, in general, are limited to those due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, would thus have a negative impact on the Fund's income and performance. In that case, the Fund would be liable for federal, and possibly state, corporate taxes on its taxable income and gains, and distributions to you would be taxed as dividend income to the extent of the Fund's earnings and profits. Even if such savings provisions apply, the Fund may be subject to a monetary sanction of $50,000 or more. Moreover, the board reserves the right not to maintain the qualification of the Fund as a regulated investment company if it determines such a course of action to be beneficial to shareholders.

**Capital loss carryovers** The capital losses of the Fund, if any, do not flow through to shareholders. Rather, the Fund may use its capital losses, subject to applicable limitations, to offset its capital gains without being required to pay taxes on or distribute to shareholders such gains that are offset by the losses. If the Fund has a "net capital loss" (that is, capital losses in excess of capital gains), the excess (if any) of the Fund's net short-term capital losses over its net long-term capital gains is treated as a short-term capital loss arising on the first day of the Fund's next taxable year, and the excess (if any) of the Fund's net long-term capital losses over its net short-term capital gains is treated as a long-term capital loss arising on the first day of the Fund's next taxable year. Any such net capital losses of the Fund that are not used to offset capital gains may be carried forward indefinitely, subject to certain limitations, to reduce any future capital gains realized by the Fund in succeeding taxable years.

#### Excise tax distribution requirements
*Required distributions.* To avoid federal excise taxes, the Code requires the Fund to distribute to you by December 31 of each year, at a minimum, the following amounts:

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• 98% of its taxable ordinary income earned during the calendar year;

• 98.2% of its capital gain net income earned during the 12-month period ending October 31; and

• 100% of any undistributed amounts of these categories of income or gain from the prior year.

The Fund intends to declare and pay these distributions in December (or to pay them in January, in which case you must treat them as received in December), but can give no assurances that its distributions will be sufficient to eliminate all taxes.

*Tax reporting for income and excise tax years.* Because the periods for measuring a regulated investment company's income are different for income (determined on a fiscal year basis) and excise tax years (determined as noted above), special rules are required to calculate the amount of income earned in each period, and the amount of earnings and profits needed to support that income. For example, if the Fund uses the excise tax period ending on October 31 as the measuring period for calculating and paying out capital gain net income and realizes a net capital loss between November 1 and the end of the Fund's fiscal year, the Fund may calculate its earnings and profits without regard to such net capital loss in order to make its required distribution of capital gain net income for excise tax purposes. The Fund also may elect to treat part or all of any "qualified late year loss" as if it had been incurred in the succeeding taxable year in determining the Fund's taxable income, net capital gain, net short-term capital gain, and earnings and profits. The effect of this election is to treat any such "qualified late year loss" as if it had been incurred in the succeeding taxable year, which may change the timing, amount, or characterization of Fund distributions.

A "qualified late year loss" includes (i) any net capital loss incurred after October 31 of the current taxable year, or, if there is no such loss, any net long-term capital loss or any net short-term capital loss incurred after October 31 of the current taxable year ("post-October capital losses"), and (ii) the sum of (1) the excess, if any, of (a) specified losses incurred after October 31 of the current taxable year, over (b) specified gains incurred after October 31 of the current taxable year and (2) the excess, if any, of (a) ordinary losses incurred after December 31 of the current taxable year, over (b) the ordinary income incurred after December 31 of the current taxable year. The terms "specified losses" and "specified gains" mean ordinary losses and gains from the sale, exchange, or other disposition of property (including the termination of a position with respect to such property), foreign currency losses and gains, and losses and gains resulting from holding stock in a passive foreign investment company (PFIC) for which a mark-to-market election is in effect. The terms "ordinary losses" and "ordinary income" mean other ordinary losses and income that are not described in the preceding sentence. Special rules apply to a fund with a fiscal year ending in November or December that elects to use its taxable year for determining its capital gain net income for excise tax purposes. The Fund may only elect to treat any post-October capital loss, specified gains and specified losses incurred after October 31 as if it had been incurred in the succeeding year in determining its taxable income for the current year.

Because these rules are not entirely clear, the Fund may be required to interpret the "qualified late-year loss" and other rules relating to these different year-ends to determine its taxable income and capital gains. The Fund's reporting of income and its allocation between different taxable and excise tax years may be challenged by the IRS, possibly resulting in adjustments in the income reported by the Fund on its tax returns and/or by the Fund to you on your year-end tax statements.

**Medicare tax** An additional 3.8% Medicare tax is imposed on net investment income earned by certain individuals, estates and trusts. "Net investment income," for these purposes, means investment income, including ordinary dividends and capital gain distributions received from the Fund and net gains from redemptions or other taxable dispositions of Fund shares, reduced by the deductions properly allocable to such income. In the case of an individual, the tax will be imposed on the lesser of (1) the shareholder's net investment income or (2) the amount by which the shareholder's modified adjusted gross income exceeds $250,000 (if the shareholder is married and filing jointly or a surviving spouse), $125,000 (if the shareholder is married and filing separately) or $200,000 (in any other case). Any liability for this additional Medicare tax is reported by you on, and paid with, your federal income tax return.

**Sales of Fund shares** Sales and exchanges of Fund shares are generally taxable transactions for federal and state income tax purposes. If you sell your Fund shares, or exchange them for shares of a different Franklin Templeton or Legg Mason fund, you are required to report any gain or loss on your sale or exchange. If you owned your shares as a capital asset, any gain or loss that you realize is a capital gain or loss, and is long-term or short-term, depending on how long you owned your shares. Under current law, shares held one year or less are short-term and shares held more than one year are long-term. The conversion of shares of one class into another class of the same fund is not a taxable exchange for federal income tax purposes. Capital losses in any year are deductible only to the extent of capital gains plus, in the case of a noncorporate taxpayer, $3,000 of ordinary income.

*Sales at a loss within six months of purchase.* Any loss incurred on the sale or exchange of Fund shares owned for six months or less is treated as a long-term capital loss to the

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extent of any long-term capital gains distributed to you by the Fund on those shares.

*Wash sales.* All or a portion of any loss that you realize on the sale or exchange of your Fund shares will be disallowed to the extent that you buy other shares in the Fund (through reinvestment of dividends or otherwise) within 30 days before or after your sale or exchange. Any loss disallowed under these rules will be added to your tax basis in the new shares.

*Reportable transactions.* Under Treasury regulations, if a shareholder recognizes a loss with respect to the Fund's shares of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder (or certain greater amounts over a combination of years), the shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on Form 8886. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayer's treatment of the loss is proper.

**Cost basis reporting** The cost basis of Fund shares acquired by purchase will generally be based on the amount paid for the shares and then may be subsequently adjusted for other applicable transactions as required by the Code. The difference between the selling price and the cost basis of the Fund shares generally determines the amount of the capital gain or loss realized on the sale of Fund shares. Contact the managed account advisor through whom you purchased your Fund shares to obtain information with respect to the available cost basis reporting methods and elections for your account. Capital gains and losses on sales of Fund shares are generally taxable transactions for federal and state income tax purposes.

**Tax certification and backup withholding** Tax laws require that you certify your tax information when you become an investor in the Fund. For U.S. citizens and resident aliens, this certification is made on IRS Form W-9. Under these laws, you may be subject to federal backup withholding at 24%, and state backup withholding may also apply, on a portion of your taxable distributions and sales proceeds unless you:

• provide your correct Social Security or taxpayer identification number,

• certify that this number is correct,

• certify that you are not subject to backup withholding, and

• certify that you are a U.S. person (including a U.S. resident alien).

The Fund must also withhold if the IRS instructs it to do so. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld may be credited against the shareholder's U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the appropriate information is furnished to the IRS. Certain payees and payments are exempt from backup withholding and information reporting.

**U.S. government securities** The income earned on certain U.S. government securities is exempt from state and local personal income taxes if earned directly by you. States also grant tax-free status to mutual fund dividends paid to you from interest earned on these securities, subject in some states to minimum investment or reporting requirements that must be met by the Fund. The income on Fund investments in certain securities, such as repurchase agreements, commercial paper and federal agency-backed obligations (e.g., Ginnie Mae and Fannie Mae securities), generally does not qualify for tax-free treatment. The rules on exclusion of this income are different for corporations.

**Qualified dividends and the corporate dividends-received deduction** For individual shareholders, a portion of the dividends paid by the Fund may be qualified dividend income eligible for taxation at long-term capital gain tax rates. For single individuals with taxable income not in excess of $48,350 in 2025 ($96,700 for married individuals filing jointly), the long-term capital gains tax rate is 0%. For single individuals and joint filers with taxable income in excess of these amounts but not more than $533,400 or $600,050, respectively, the long-term capital gains tax rate is 15%. The rate is 20% for single individuals with taxable income in excess of $533,400 and married individuals filing jointly with taxable income in excess of $600,050. An additional 3.8% Medicare tax may also be imposed as discussed above.

"Qualified dividend income" means dividends paid to the Fund (a) by domestic corporations, (b) by foreign corporations that are either (i) incorporated in a possession of the United States, or (ii) are eligible for benefits under certain income tax treaties with the United States that include an exchange of information program, or (c) with respect to stock of a foreign corporation that is readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States. Both the Fund and the investor must meet certain holding period requirements to qualify Fund dividends for this treatment. Specifically, the Fund must hold the stock for at least 61 days during the 121-day period beginning 60 days before the stock becomes ex-dividend (or in the case of certain preferred stocks, for at least 91 days during the 181-day period beginning 90 days before the stock becomes ex-dividend). Similarly, investors must hold their Fund shares for at least 61 days during the 121-day period beginning 60 days before the Fund distribution goes ex-dividend. Income derived from investments in derivatives, fixed-income securities, U.S. REITs, PFICs, and income received "in lieu of" dividends in a securities lending transaction generally is not eligible for treatment as qualified dividend income. If the qualified dividend income received by the Fund is equal to or greater than 95% of the Fund's gross income (exclusive of net capital gain) in any taxable year, all of the ordinary income dividends paid by the Fund will be qualified dividend income.

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While the income received in the form of a qualified dividend is taxed at the same rates as long-term capital gains, such income will not be considered a long-term capital gain for other federal income tax purposes. For example, you will not be allowed to offset your long-term capital losses against qualified dividend income on your federal income tax return. Any qualified dividend income that you elect to be taxed at these reduced rates also cannot be used as investment income in determining your allowable investment interest expense.

For corporate shareholders, a portion of the dividends paid by the Fund may qualify for the corporate dividends-received deduction. This deduction generally is available to corporations for dividends paid by a fund out of income earned on its investments in domestic corporations. The availability of the dividends-received deduction is subject to certain holding period and debt financing restrictions that apply to both the Fund and the investor. Specifically, the amount that the Fund may report as eligible for the dividends-received deduction will be reduced or eliminated if the shares on which the dividends earned by the Fund were debt-financed or held by the Fund for less than a minimum period of time, generally 46 days during a 91-day period beginning 45 days before the stock becomes ex-dividend. Similarly, if your Fund shares are debt-financed or held by you for less than a 46-day period then the dividends-received deduction for Fund dividends on your shares may also be reduced or eliminated. Income derived by the Fund from investments in derivatives, fixed-income and foreign securities generally is not eligible for this treatment.

Each year the Fund will report the portion of the income dividends paid by the Fund that are eligible for treatment as qualified dividend income, if any, and for the corporate dividends-received deduction, if any. The amounts reported by the Fund may vary significantly each year depending on the particular mix of the Fund's investments. If the Fund derives its income from investments earning interest rather than dividend income or other sources of non-qualifying income, generally none or only a small portion of its income dividends will be qualified dividend income or dividends eligible for the corporate dividends-received deduction. If the percentage of qualified dividend income or dividend income eligible for the corporate dividends-received deduction is quite small, the Fund reserves the right to not report the small percentage of qualified dividend income for individuals or income eligible for the corporate dividends-received deduction for corporations.

**Investment in complex securities** The Fund's investment in certain complex securities could subject it to one or more special tax rules (including, but not limited to, the wash sale rules), which may affect whether gains and losses recognized by the Fund are treated as ordinary or capital or as short-term or long-term, accelerate the recognition of income or gains to the Fund, defer losses to the Fund, and cause adjustments to the holding periods of the Fund's securities. These rules, therefore, could affect the amount, timing and/or tax character of the Fund's distributions to shareholders. Moreover, because the tax rules applicable to complex securities, including derivative financial instruments, are in some cases uncertain under current law, an adverse determination or future guidance by the IRS with respect to these rules (which determination or guidance could be retroactive) may affect whether the Fund has made sufficient distributions and otherwise satisfied the relevant requirements to maintain its qualification as a regulated investment company and avoid a fund-level tax. Set forth below is a general description of the tax treatment of certain types of securities, investment techniques and transactions that may apply to a fund; therefore, this section should be read in conjunction with the discussion above under "Goals, Strategies and Risks" for a detailed description of the various types of securities and investment techniques that apply to the Fund.

*In general.* Gain or loss recognized by the Fund on the sale or other disposition of its portfolio investments will generally be capital gain or loss. Such capital gain and loss may be long-term or short-term depending, in general, upon the length of time a particular investment position is maintained and, in some cases, upon the nature of the transaction. Portfolio investments held for more than one year generally will be eligible for long-term capital gain or loss treatment.

*Derivatives.* The Fund may invest in certain derivative contracts, including some or all of the following types of investments: options on securities and securities indices; financial and futures contracts; options on financial or futures contracts and stock index futures; foreign currency contracts; and forward and futures contracts on foreign currencies. The tax treatment of certain forward and futures contracts entered into by the Fund, as well as listed non-equity options written or purchased by the Fund on U.S. exchanges (including options on futures contracts, broad-based equity indices and debt securities), may be governed by section 1256 of the Code ("section 1256 contracts"). Gains or losses on section 1256 contracts generally are considered 60% long-term and 40% short-term capital gains or losses ("60/40"), although certain foreign currency gains and losses from such contracts may be treated as ordinary in character. Also, any section 1256 contracts held by the Fund at the end of each taxable year (and, for purposes of the 4% excise tax, on certain other dates as prescribed under the Code) are "marked to market" with the result that unrealized gains or losses are treated as though they were realized and the resulting gain or loss is treated as ordinary or 60/40 gain or loss, as applicable, even though the Fund continues to hold the contracts. The Fund may be required to distribute this income and gains annually in order to avoid income or excise taxes on the Fund. Section 1256 contracts do not include any interest rate swap, currency swap, basis swap, interest rate cap, interest rate

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floor, commodity swap, equity swap, equity index swap, credit default swap, or similar agreement.

*Investments in commodities - commodity-linked derivatives.* The Fund may gain exposure to commodities through futures, swaps and other commodity-linked derivatives, including exchange traded funds (ETFs) and exchange traded notes (ETNs), the return on which is linked to a commodity or commodity index. Gains from the disposition of commodities, including precious metals, will neither be considered qualifying income for purposes of satisfying the income requirement nor qualifying assets for purposes of satisfying the asset diversification test for qualification as a regulated investment company. Also, the IRS has issued a revenue ruling which holds that income derived from commodity-linked swaps is not qualifying income for purposes of the income requirement. However, in a subsequent revenue ruling, as well as in a number of follow-on private letter rulings issued to other taxpayers, the IRS provides that income from certain alternative investments which create commodity exposure, such as certain commodity index-linked or structured notes or a corporate subsidiary that invests in commodities, may be considered qualifying income under the Code. However the IRS announced that it will no longer issue private letter rulings on questions relating to the treatment of a corporation as a RIC that require a determination of whether a financial instrument or position, such as a commodity-linked or structured note, is a security under section 2(a)(36) of the Investment Company Act of 1940. A financial instrument or position that constitutes a security under section 2(a)(36) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 generates qualifying income for a corporation taxed as a regulated investment company. The IRS's announcement caused it to revoke the portion of any rulings relating to a mutual fund's investment in commodity-linked notes that required such a determination, some of which have been revoked prospectively as of a date agreed upon with the IRS. In addition, the Fund may gain exposure to commodities through investment in QPTPs, such as an ETF that is classified as a partnership and which invests in commodities, or through investment in a wholly-owned subsidiary that is treated as a controlled foreign corporation for federal income tax purposes. Treasury regulations treat "Subpart F" income (defined in Section 951 of the Code to include passive income such as income from commodity-linked derivatives) as satisfying the Income Requirement, even if a foreign corporation, such as a Subsidiary, does not make a distribution of such income, provided that, in general, such income is derived with respect to the Fund's business of investing in stocks and securities. If a distribution is made, such income will be treated as a dividend by the Fund to the extent that, under applicable provisions of the Code, there is a distribution out of the earnings and profits of the foreign corporation attributable to the distribution. Accordingly, the extent to which the Fund invests in commodities or commodity-linked derivatives may be limited by the income requirement and the asset diversification test, which the Fund must continue to satisfy to maintain its status as a regulated investment company. The Fund also may be limited in its ability to sell its investments in commodities and commodity-linked derivatives, or be forced to sell other investments to generate income due to the income requirement. In lieu of potential disqualification, the Fund is permitted to pay a tax for certain failures to satisfy the asset diversification test or income requirement, which, in general, are limited to those due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect.

*Constructive sales.* The Fund's entry into certain derivative instruments, including options, forward contracts, and futures could be treated as the "constructive sale" of an "appreciated financial position," causing it to realize gain, but not loss, on the position.

*Securities lending transactions.* The Fund may obtain additional income by lending its securities, typically to brokers. All amounts that are paid to the Fund in a securities lending transaction, including substitute dividend or interest payments, are treated as a "fee" for the temporary use of property. As a result, any substitute dividend payments received by the Fund are neither qualified dividend income eligible for taxation at reduced long-term capital gain rates in the case of individual shareholders nor eligible for the corporate dividends received deduction in the case of corporate shareholders. Similarly, any foreign tax withheld on payments made "in lieu of" dividends or interest will not qualify for the pass-through of foreign taxes to shareholders.

*Tax straddles.* If the Fund invests in certain derivative instruments, if it actively trades stock or otherwise acquires a position with respect to substantially similar or related property in connection with certain hedging transactions, or if it engages in spread, straddle or collar transactions, it could be deemed to hold offsetting positions in securities. If the Fund's risk of loss with respect to specific securities in its portfolio is substantially diminished by the fact that it holds offsetting securities, the Fund could be deemed to have entered into a tax "straddle" or to hold a "successor position" that would require any loss realized by it to be deferred for tax purposes.

*Synthetic convertible securities.* The Fund is permitted to invest in synthetic convertible securities, which are comprised of two distinct security components, for example, a nonconvertible fixed income security and warrants or stock or stock index call options. When combined, these investments achieve the same economic effect as an investment in a traditional convertible security: a desired income stream and the right to acquire shares of the underlying equity security. Even though these securities are economically equivalent to traditional convertible securities, each security forming part of such an investment is analyzed separately, and the tax consequences of an investment in the component parts of

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these securities could differ from those of an investment in a traditional convertible security.

*Structured investments.* The Fund may invest in instruments that are designed to restructure the investment characteristics of a security or securities, such as certain structured notes, swap contracts, or swaptions. By investing in these securities, the Fund could be subject to tax consequences that differ from those of an investment in traditional debt or equity securities.

*Credit-linked securities.* The Fund may enter into credit-linked securities including debt securities represented by an interest in or collateralized by one or more corporate debt obligations, or into credit default swap agreements. The rules governing the tax aspects of credit-linked securities that provide for contingent nonperiodic payments of this type are in a developing stage and are not entirely clear in certain aspects. Accordingly, while the Fund intends to account for such transactions in a manner that it deems to be appropriate, the IRS might not accept such treatment, and may require the Fund to modify its treatment of these investments. Certain requirements that must be met under the Code in order for the Fund to qualify as a regulated investment company may limit the extent to which the Fund will be able to engage in credit default swap agreements.

*Equity-linked notes.* The Fund may invest in equity-linked notes (ELNs), which are hybrid derivative-type instruments that are specially designed to combine the characteristics of one or more reference securities and a related equity derivative in a single note form. ELNs are available with an assortment of features. The tax rules applicable to these instruments are uncertain under current law and necessarily rely on general tax principles and the tax treatment of similar instruments. For federal income tax purposes, principal unprotected ELNs will generally be characterized as either a financial contract to purchase the reference asset (e.g. prepaid forward contract) or a combination of a deposit of cash with the issuer and an option with respect to the reference asset. Principal protected ELNs will generally be characterized as contingent payment debt obligations. Under this later treatment, the Fund would be required to accrue original issue discount (OID) as interest income on the ELNs in each year that it holds the ELNs based on the yield of comparable fixed rate debt instruments. In addition, any gain recognized by the Fund on the sale or exchange, or at maturity, of such ELNs generally would be treated as ordinary income. Other tax treatments may apply.

*Certain fixed-income investments*. Gain recognized on the disposition of a debt obligation purchased by the Fund with market discount (generally, at a price less than its principal amount) will be treated as ordinary income to the extent of the portion of the market discount that accrued during the period of time the Fund held the debt obligation, unless the Fund made an election to accrue market discount into income currently. Fund distributions of accrued market discount, including any current inclusions, are taxable to shareholders as ordinary income to the extent of the Fund's earnings and profits. If the Fund purchases a debt obligation (such as a zero coupon security or pay-in-kind security) that was originally issued at a discount, the Fund generally is required to include in gross income each year the portion of the original issue discount that accrues during such year. Therefore an investment in such securities may cause the Fund to recognize income and make distributions to shareholders before it receives any cash payments on the securities. To generate cash to satisfy those distribution requirements, the Fund may have to sell portfolio securities that it otherwise might have continued to hold or to use cash flows from other sources such as the sale of fund shares.

*Investments in debt obligations that are at risk of or in default*. The Fund may also hold obligations that are at risk of or in default. Tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as whether and to what extent the Fund should recognize market discount on such a debt obligation, when the Fund may cease to accrue interest, original issue discount or market discount, when and to what extent the Fund may take deductions for bad debts or worthless securities and how the Fund should allocate payments received on obligations in default between principal and income. These and other related issues will be addressed by the Fund in order to ensure that it distributes sufficient income to preserve its status as a regulated investment company.

*Investment in taxable mortgage pools (excess inclusion income).* Under a Notice issued by the IRS, the Code and Treasury regulations to be issued, a portion of the Fund's income from a U.S. REIT that is attributable to the REIT's residual interest in a real estate mortgage investment conduit (REMIC) or equity interests in a "taxable mortgage pool" (referred to in the Code as an excess inclusion) will be subject to federal income tax in all events. The excess inclusion income of a regulated investment company, such as the Fund, will be allocated to shareholders of the regulated investment company in proportion to the dividends received by such shareholders, with the same consequences as if the shareholders held the related REMIC residual interest or, if applicable, taxable mortgage pool directly. In general, excess inclusion income allocated to shareholders (i) cannot be offset by net operating losses (subject to a limited exception for certain thrift institutions), (ii) will constitute unrelated business taxable income to entities (including a qualified pension plan, an individual retirement account, a 401(k) plan, a Keogh plan or other tax-exempt entity) subject to tax on unrelated business income (UBTI), thereby potentially requiring such an entity that is allocated excess inclusion income, and otherwise might not be required to file a tax return, to file a tax return and pay tax on such income, and (iii) in the case of a foreign stockholder, will not qualify for any reduction in U.S. federal withholding tax. In addition, if at any time during any taxable

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year a "disqualified organization" (which generally includes certain cooperatives, governmental entities, and tax-exempt organizations not subject to UBTI) is a record holder of a share in a regulated investment company, then the regulated investment company will be subject to a tax equal to that portion of its excess inclusion income for the taxable year that is allocable to the disqualified organization, multiplied by the applicable corporate tax rate. The Notice imposes certain reporting requirements upon regulated investment companies that have excess inclusion income. There can be no assurance that the Fund will not allocate to shareholders excess inclusion income.

These rules are potentially applicable to a fund with respect to any income it receives from the equity interests of certain mortgage pooling vehicles, either directly or, as is more likely, through an investment in a U.S. REIT. It is not anticipated that these rules will apply to a fund that does not invest in any U.S. REITs.

**State income taxes** Some state tax codes adopt the Code through a certain date. As a result, such conforming states may not have adopted the version of the Code as amended by the TCJA, the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010, or other federal tax laws enacted after the applicable conformity date. Other states may have adopted an income or other basis of tax that differs from the Code.

The tax information furnished by the Fund to shareholders and the IRS annually with respect to the amount and character of dividends paid will be prepared on the basis of current federal income tax law to comply with the information reporting requirements of the Code, and not necessarily on the basis of the law of any state in which a shareholder is resident or otherwise subject to tax.

Accordingly, the amount and character of income, gain or loss realized by a shareholder with respect to an investment in Fund shares for state income tax purposes may differ from that for federal income tax purposes. Franklin Templeton provides additional tax information on www.franklintempleton.com (under the Tax Center) to assist shareholders with the preparation of their federal and state income tax returns. Shareholders are solely responsible for determining the amount and character of income, gain or loss to report on their federal, state and local income tax returns each year as a result of their purchase, holding and sale of Fund shares.

**Non-U.S. investors** Non-U.S. investors may be subject to U.S. withholding and estate tax, and are subject to special U.S. tax certification requirements.

*In general.* The United States imposes a flat 30% withholding tax (or a tax at a lower treaty rate) on U.S. source dividends. Exemptions from U.S. withholding tax are provided for capital gains realized on the sales of Fund shares, capital gain dividends paid by the Fund from net long-term capital gains, short-term capital gain dividends paid by the Fund from net short-term capital gains, and interest-related dividends paid by the Fund from its qualified net interest income from U.S. sources, unless you are a nonresident alien individual present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the calendar year. "Qualified interest income" includes, in general, the sum of the Fund's U.S. source: i) bank deposit interest, ii) short-term original issue discount, iii) portfolio interest, and iv) any interest-related dividend passed through from another regulated investment company.

However, notwithstanding such exemptions from U.S. withholding tax at source, any taxable distributions and proceeds from the sale of your Fund shares will be subject to backup withholding at a rate of 24% if you fail to properly certify that you are not a U.S. person.

It may not be practical in every case for the Fund to report to shareholders, and the Fund reserves the right in these cases to not report, interest-related or short-term capital gain dividends. Additionally, the Fund's reporting of interest-related or short-term capital gain dividends may not, in turn, be passed through to shareholders by intermediaries who have assumed tax reporting responsibilities for this income in managed or omnibus accounts due to systems limitations or operational constraints.

*Effectively connected income.* Taxable ordinary income dividends paid by the Fund to non-U.S. investors on portfolio investments are generally subject to U.S. withholding tax at 30% or a lower treaty rate. However, if you hold your Fund shares in connection with a U.S. trade or business, your income and gains may be considered effectively connected income and taxed in the U.S. on a net basis at graduated income tax rates in which case you may be required to file a nonresident U.S. income tax return.

*U.S. estate tax.* An individual who is a non-U.S. investor will be subject to U.S. federal estate tax on the value of the Fund shares owned at the time of death, unless a treaty exemption applies between the country of residence of the non-U.S. investor and the U.S. Even if a treaty exemption is available, a decedent's estate may nevertheless be required to file a U.S. estate tax return to claim the exemption, as well as to obtain a U.S. federal transfer certificate. The transfer certificate will identify the property (i.e., Fund shares) on which a U.S. federal tax lien has been released and is required before such property of a nonresident alien decedent can be released to his or her estate. A transfer certificate is not required for property administered by an executor or administrator appointed, qualified and acting within the United States. For estates with U.S. situs assets of not more than $60,000 (there is a statutory estate tax credit for this amount of property), an affidavit from the executor of the estate or other authorized individual along with additional evidence

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requested by the IRS relating to the decedent's estate evidencing the U.S. situs assets may be provided in lieu of a federal transfer certificate. Transfers by gift of shares of the Fund by a non-U.S. investor who is a nonresident alien individual will not be subject to U.S. federal gift tax. The tax consequences to a non-U.S. investor entitled to claim the benefits of a treaty between the country of residence of the non-U.S. investor and the U.S. may be different from the consequences described above.

*Tax certification and backup withholding as applied to non-U.S. investors.* Non-U.S. investors have special U.S. tax certification requirements to avoid backup withholding at a rate of 24% and, if applicable, to obtain the benefit of any income tax treaty between the non-U.S. investor's country of residence and the United States. To claim these tax benefits, the non-U.S. investor must provide a properly completed Form W-8BEN (or other Form W-8, where applicable) to establish his or her status as a non-U.S. investor, to claim beneficial ownership over the assets in the account, and to claim, if applicable, a reduced rate of or exemption from withholding tax under the applicable treaty. A Form W-8BEN generally remains in effect for a period of three years beginning on the date that it is signed and ending on the last day of the third succeeding calendar year. In certain instances, Form W-8BEN may remain valid indefinitely unless the investor has a change of circumstances that renders the form incorrect and necessitates a new form and tax certification. Non-U.S. investors must advise of any change of circumstances that would render the information given on the form incorrect and must then provide a new W-8BEN to avoid the prospective application of backup withholding.

*Investment in U.S. real property.* The Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980 (FIRPTA) makes non-U.S. persons subject to U.S. tax on disposition of a U.S. real property interest (USRPI) as if he or she were a U.S. person. Such gain is sometimes referred to as FIRPTA gain. The Fund may invest in equity securities of corporations that invest in USRPI, including U.S. REITs, which may trigger FIRPTA gain to the Fund's non-U.S. shareholders.

The Code provides a look-through rule for distributions of FIRPTA gain when a regulated investment company is classified as a qualified investment entity. A regulated investment company will be classified as a qualified investment entity if, in general, 50% or more of the regulated investment company's assets consist of interests in U.S. REITs and other U.S. real property holding corporations (USRPHC). If a regulated investment company is a qualified investment entity and the non-U.S. shareholder owns more than 5% of a class of Fund shares at any time during the one-year period ending on the date of the FIRPTA distribution, the FIRPTA distribution to the non-U.S. shareholder is treated as gain from the disposition of a USRPI, causing the distribution to be subject to U.S. withholding tax at the applicable corporate tax rate (unless reduced by future regulations), and requiring the non-U.S. shareholder to file a nonresident U.S. income tax return. In addition, even if the non-U.S. shareholder does not own more than 5% of a class of Fund shares, but the Fund is a qualified investment entity, the FIRPTA distribution will be taxable as ordinary dividends (rather than as a capital gain or short-term capital gain dividend) subject to withholding at 30% or a lower treaty rate.

Because the Fund expects to invest less than 50% of its assets at all times, directly or indirectly, in U.S. real property interests, it expects that neither gain on the sale or redemption of Fund shares nor Fund dividends and distributions should be subject to FIRPTA reporting and tax withholding.

**Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act** Under the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA), foreign entities, referred to as foreign financial institutions (FFI) or non-financial foreign entities (NFFE) that are shareholders in the Fund may be subject to a 30% withholding tax on income dividends paid by the Fund. The FATCA withholding tax generally can be avoided: (a) by an FFI, if it reports certain direct and indirect ownership of foreign financial accounts held by U.S. persons with the FFI, and (b) by an NFFE, if it: (i) certifies that it has no substantial U.S. persons as owners, or (ii) if it does have such owners, reports information relating to them to the withholding agent, which will, in turn, report that information to the IRS. The U.S. Treasury has negotiated intergovernmental agreements (IGA) with certain countries and is in various stages of negotiations with a number of other foreign countries with respect to one or more alternative approaches to implement FATCA. An entity in one of those countries may be required to comply with the terms of an IGA and applicable local law instead of U.S. Treasury regulations.

An FFI can avoid FATCA withholding if it is deemed compliant or by becoming a "participating FFI," which requires the FFI to enter into a U.S. tax compliance agreement with the IRS under section 1471(b) of the Code (FFI agreement) under which it agrees to verify, report and disclose certain of its U.S. accountholders and provided that such entity meets certain other specified requirements. The FFI will report to the IRS, or, depending on the FFI's country of residence, to the government of that country (pursuant to the terms and conditions of an applicable IGA and applicable law), which will, in turn, report to the IRS. An FFI that is resident in a country that has entered into an IGA with the U.S. to implement FATCA will be exempt from FATCA withholding provided that the FFI shareholder and the applicable foreign government comply with the terms of such agreement.

An NFFE that is the beneficial owner of a payment from the Fund can avoid the FATCA withholding tax generally by certifying that it does not have any substantial U.S. owners or by providing the name, address and taxpayer identification number of each substantial U.S. owner. The NFFE will report information either (i) to the applicable withholding agent,

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which will, in turn, report information to the IRS, or (ii) directly to the IRS.

Such foreign shareholders also may fall into certain exempt, excepted or deemed compliant categories as established by U.S. Treasury regulations, IGAs, and other guidance regarding FATCA. An FFI or NFFE that invests in the Fund will need to provide the Fund with documentation properly certifying the entity's status under FATCA in order to avoid FATCA withholding. The requirements imposed by FATCA are different from, and in addition to, the U.S. tax certification rules to avoid backup withholding described above.

**Organization, Voting Rights and Principal Holders** 

Since the Fund is newly offered, there is no historical data regarding the share ownership.

The Fund is a non-diversified series of Franklin Strategic Series (Trust), an open-end management investment company, commonly called a mutual fund. The Trust was organized as a Delaware statutory trust (a form of entity formerly known as a business trust) on January 25, 1991, and is registered with the SEC.

Each Fund currently offers a single class of shares. The full title of each Fund is:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· Franklin Templeton SMACS: Series C

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;· Franklin Templeton SMACS: Series CP

The Trust has noncumulative voting rights. For board member elections, this gives holders of more than 50% of the shares voting the ability to elect all of the members of the board. If this happens, holders of the remaining shares voting will not be able to elect anyone to the board.

The Fund does not intend to hold annual shareholder meetings. The Fund may hold special meetings, however, for matters requiring shareholder approval.

**Buying and Selling Shares** 

The Fund continuously offers its shares through securities dealers who have an agreement with Franklin Distributors, LLC (Distributors). A securities dealer includes any financial institution that, either directly or through affiliates, has an agreement with Distributors to handle customer orders and accounts with the Fund. This reference is for convenience only and does not indicate a legal conclusion of capacity. Banks and financial institutions that sell shares of the Fund may be required by state law to register as securities dealers. If you buy or sell shares through your securities dealer, you may be charged a transaction processing fee by your securities dealer. Your securities dealer will provide you with specific information about any transaction processing fees you will be charged.

The Fund and other U.S. registered investment companies within the Franklin Templeton fund complex are intended for sale to residents of the U.S., and, with very limited exceptions, are not registered or otherwise offered for sale in other jurisdictions. The above restrictions are generally not applicable to sales in U.S. territories or to diplomatic staff members or members of the U.S. military with an APO or FPO address outside of the U.S. Investors are responsible for compliance with tax, securities, currency exchange or other regulations applicable to redemption and purchase transactions in any state or jurisdiction to which they may be subject. Investors should consult with their financial intermediary and appropriate tax and legal advisors to obtain information on the rules applicable to these transactions.

In particular, the Fund is not registered in any provincial or territorial jurisdiction in Canada, and shares of the Fund have not been qualified for sale in any Canadian jurisdiction. Shares of the Fund may not be directly or indirectly offered or sold in any provincial or territorial jurisdiction in Canada or to or for the benefit of residents thereof. Prospective investors may be required to declare that they are not Canadian residents and are not acquiring shares on behalf of any Canadian residents. If an investor becomes a Canadian resident after purchasing shares of the Fund, the investor will not be able to purchase any additional shares of the Fund (other than reinvestment of dividends and capital gains) or exchange shares of the Fund for other U.S. registered Franklin Templeton or Legg Mason funds.

Similarly, the Fund is not registered, and shares of the Fund have not been qualified for distribution, in any member country of the European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA). The shares offered by this prospectus may not be directly or indirectly offered or distributed in any such country. If an investor becomes an EU or EEA resident after purchasing shares of the Fund, the investor will not be able to purchase any additional shares of the Fund (other than reinvestment of dividends and capital gains) or exchange shares of the Fund for other U.S. registered Franklin Templeton or Legg Mason funds.

All purchases of Fund shares will be credited to you, in full and fractional Fund shares (rounded to the nearest 1/100 of a share). All checks, drafts, wires and other payment mediums used to buy or sell shares of the Fund must be denominated in U.S. dollars. We may, in our sole discretion, either (a) reject any order to buy or sell shares denominated in any other currency or (b) honor the transaction or make adjustments to your account for the transaction as of a date and with a foreign currency exchange factor determined by the drawee bank. We may deduct any applicable banking charges imposed by the bank from your account.

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When you buy shares, if you submit a check or a draft that is returned unpaid to the Fund, we may impose a $10 charge against your account for each returned item.

If you buy shares through the reinvestment of dividends, the shares will be purchased at the net asset value determined on the business day following the dividend record date (sometimes known as the "ex-dividend date"). The processing date for the reinvestment of dividends may vary and does not affect the amount or value of the shares acquired.

**Investment by asset allocators and large shareholders** Particularly during times of overall market turmoil or price volatility, the Fund may experience adverse effects when certain large shareholders such as other funds, institutional investors (including those trading by use of non-discretionary mathematical formulas) and asset allocators (who make investment decisions on behalf of underlying clients), purchase or redeem large amounts of shares of the Fund. Such large shareholder redemptions may cause the Fund to sell portfolio securities at times when it would not otherwise do so. Similarly, large Fund share purchases may adversely affect the Fund's performance to the extent that the Fund is delayed in investing new cash and is required to maintain a larger cash position than it ordinarily would.

These transactions may also accelerate the realization of taxable income to shareholders if such sales of investments resulted in gains, and may also increase transaction costs. In addition, a large redemption could result in the Fund's current expenses being allocated over a smaller asset base, leading to an increase in the Fund's expense ratio.

When experiencing such purchases and redemptions by large shareholders, the Fund may restrict or reject purchases, in accordance with the Frequent Trading Policy of the Fund as set forth in the Fund's Prospectus. The Fund also may delay payment of redemptions up to seven days to provide the investment manager with time to determine if the Fund can redeem the request in-kind or to consider other alternatives to lessen the harm to remaining shareholders. Under certain circumstances, however, the Fund may be unable to delay a purchase or redemption request, which could result in the automatic processing of a large transaction that is detrimental to the Fund and its shareholders.

**Redemptions in kind** To the extent that a shareholder submits redemption requests during any 90-day period that combined are limited to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the value of the Fund's net assets (as calculated at the beginning of the 90-day period), the Fund has committed to pay such redemptions in cash (by check, wire or otherwise). This commitment is irrevocable without the prior approval of the SEC. In the case of redemption requests in excess of these amounts, the Fund reserves the right to make payments in whole or in part in securities or other assets of the Fund, in case of an emergency, or if the payment of such a redemption in cash would be detrimental to the existing shareholders of the Fund. In these circumstances, the securities distributed would be valued at the price used to compute the Fund's net assets and you may incur brokerage fees in converting the securities to cash. The Fund does not intend to redeem illiquid securities in kind. If this happens, however, you may not be able to recover your investment in a timely manner. In addition, in certain circumstances, the Fund may not be able to redeem securities in-kind or the investment manager may not have the ability to determine whether a particular redemption can be paid in-kind before the redemption request is paid.

**Share certificates** We will credit your shares to your Fund account. We do not issue share certificates. This eliminates the costly problem of replacing lost, stolen or destroyed certificates.

**General information** If the Fund receives notification of the shareholder's death or if mail is returned to the Fund by the postal service, we will consider this a request by you to change your dividend option to reinvest all future distributions until we receive new instructions. If the item of mail returned is a check, the proceeds may be reinvested in additional shares at the current day's net asset value.

Distribution or redemption checks sent to you do not earn interest or any other income during the time the checks remain uncashed. Neither the Fund nor its affiliates will be liable for any loss caused by your failure to cash such checks. The Fund is not responsible for tracking down uncashed checks, unless a check is returned as undeliverable.

In most cases, if mail is returned as undeliverable, we are required to take certain steps to try to find you free of charge. If these attempts are unsuccessful, however, we may deduct the costs of any additional efforts to find you from your account. These costs may include a percentage of the account when a search company charges a percentage fee in exchange for its location services.

Sending redemption proceeds by wire or electronic funds transfer (ACH) is a special service that we make available whenever possible. By offering this service to you, the Fund is not bound to meet any redemption request in less than the seven-day period prescribed by law. Neither the Fund nor its agents shall be liable to you or any other person if, for any reason, a redemption request by wire or ACH is not processed as described in the prospectus.

The Fund's transfer agent, acting on behalf of the Fund, may place a temporary hold for up to 25 business days on the disbursement of redemption proceeds from an account held directly with the Fund if the transfer agent, in consultation with the Fund, reasonably believes that financial exploitation of a Specified Adult (as defined below) has occurred, is occurring, has been attempted, or will be attempted. In order to delay payment of redemption proceeds under these circumstances,

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the Fund and the transfer agent must adopt certain policies and procedures and otherwise comply with the terms and conditions of no-action relief provided by the SEC staff. Financial exploitation means: (i) the wrongful or unauthorized taking, withholding, appropriation, or use of a Specified Adult's funds or securities; or (ii) any act or omission by a person, including through the use of a power of attorney, guardianship, or any other authority regarding a Specified Adult, to (a) obtain control, through deception, intimidation or undue influence, over the Specified Adult's money, assets or property, or (b) convert the Specified Adult's money, assets or property. The transfer agent and/or the Fund may not be aware of factors suggesting financial exploitation of a Specified Adult and may not be able to identify Specified Adults in all circumstances. Furthermore, the transfer agent is not required to delay the disbursement of redemption proceeds and does not assume any obligation to do so. For purposes of this paragraph, the term "Specified Adult" refers to an individual who is a natural person (i) age 65 and older, or (ii) age 18 and older and whom the Fund's transfer agent reasonably believes has a mental or physical impairment that renders the individual unable to protect his or her own interests.

There are special procedures for banks and other institutions that wish to open multiple accounts. An institution may open a single master account by filing one application form with the Fund, signed by personnel authorized to act for the institution. Individual sub-accounts may be opened when the master account is opened by listing them on the application, or by providing instructions to the Fund at a later date. These sub-accounts may be registered either by name or number. The Fund's investment minimums apply to each sub-account. The Fund will send confirmation and account statements for the sub-accounts to the institution.

If you buy or sell shares through your securities dealer, we use the net asset value next calculated after your securities dealer receives your request, which is promptly transmitted to the Fund.

In the event of disputes involving conflicting claims of ownership or authority to control your shares, the Fund has the right (but has no obligation) to: (i) restrict the shares and require the written agreement of all persons deemed by the Fund to have a potential interest in the shares before executing instructions regarding the shares; or (ii) interplead disputed shares or the proceeds from the court-ordered sale thereof with a court of competent jurisdiction.

Should the Fund be required to defend against joint or multiple shareholders in any action relating to an ownership dispute, you expressly grant the Fund the right to obtain reimbursement for costs and expenses including, but not limited to, attorneys' fees and court costs, by unilaterally redeeming shares from your account.

The Fund or its transfer agent may be required (i) pursuant to a validly issued levy, garnishment or other form of legal process, to sell your shares and remit the proceeds to a levying officer or other recipient; or (ii) pursuant to a final order of forfeiture or other form of legal process, to sell your shares and remit the proceeds to the U.S. or state government as directed.

As long as we follow reasonable security procedures and act on instructions that we reasonably believe are genuine, we will not be responsible for any losses that may occur from unauthorized requests in any form (written, telephone, or online). We will investigate any unauthorized request that you report to us and we will ask you to cooperate with us in the investigation, which may require you to file a police report and complete a notarized affidavit regarding the unauthorized request. We will assist in the claims process, on your behalf, with other financial institutions regarding the unauthorized request.

Using good faith efforts, the investment manager attempts to identify class action litigation settlements and regulatory or governmental recovery funds involving securities presently or formerly held by the Fund or issuers of such securities or related parties (Claims) in which the Fund may be eligible to participate. When such Claims are identified, the investment manager will cause the Fund to file proofs of claim. Currently, such Claim opportunities predominate in the U.S. and in Canada; the investment manager's efforts are therefore focused on Claim opportunities in those jurisdictions. The investment manager may learn of such class action lawsuit or victim fund recovery opportunities in jurisdictions outside of North America (Foreign Actions), in which case the investment manager has complete discretion to determine, on a case-by-case basis, whether to cause the Fund to file proofs of claim in such Foreign Actions. In addition, the investment manager may participate in bankruptcy proceedings relating to securities held by the Fund and join creditors' committees on behalf of the Fund.

Further, the investment manager may on occasion initiate and/or recommend, and the board of trustees of the Fund may approve, pursuit of separate litigation against an issuer or related parties in connection with securities presently or formerly held by the Fund (whether by opting out of an existing class action lawsuit or otherwise).

*Unclaimed Share Accounts.* The Fund may be required to close your account after a period of inactivity, as determined by applicable U.S. state or territory abandoned or unclaimed property laws and regulations, and transfer your shares to the appropriate U.S. state or territory. Please be advised that abandoned or unclaimed property laws and regulations for certain U.S. states or territories require financial organizations to transfer (escheat) unclaimed property to the appropriate U.S. state or territory if no activity occurs in an account for a period of time as specified by applicable laws and regulations. These laws and regulations may require the transfer of shares

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of the Fund, including shares held through a traditional or Roth IRA account. For traditional IRA accounts escheated to a U.S. state or territory under these abandoned or unclaimed property laws and regulations, the escheatment will generally be treated as a taxable distribution from your IRA to you; federal and any applicable state income tax may be withheld. This may apply to Roth IRA accounts in addition to traditional IRA accounts. For more information on unclaimed property and how to maintain an active account, please contact your Service Agent or the Fund's transfer agent.

**The Underwriter**

Franklin Distributors, LLC (Distributors) acts as the principal underwriter in the continuous public offering of the Fund's shares. Distributors is located at One Franklin Parkway, San Mateo, CA 94403-1906.

Distributors does not receive compensation from the Fund for acting as underwriter of the Fund's shares.

**Description of Ratings** 

The ratings of Moody's Investors Service, Inc., S&P Global Ratings and Fitch Ratings represent their opinions as to the quality of various debt obligations. It should be emphasized, however, that ratings are not absolute standards of quality. Consequently, debt obligations with the same maturity, coupon and rating may have different yields while debt obligations of the same maturity and coupon with different ratings may have the same yield. As described by the rating agencies, ratings are generally given to securities at the time of issuances. While the rating agencies may from time to time revise such ratings, they undertake no obligation to do so.

#### Moody's Investors Service, Inc. Global Rating Scales
Ratings assigned on Moody's global long-term and short- term rating scales are forward-looking opinions of the relative credit risks of financial obligations issued by non-financial corporates, financial institutions, structured finance vehicles, project finance vehicles, and public sector entities. Moody's defines credit risk as the risk that an entity may not meet its contractual financial obligations as they come due and any estimated financial loss in the event of default or impairment. The contractual financial obligations<sup>1</sup> addressed by Moody's ratings are those that call for, without regard to enforceability, the payment of an ascertainable amount, which may vary based upon standard sources of variation (e.g., floating interest rates), by an ascertainable date. Moody's rating addresses the issuer's ability to obtain cash sufficient to service the obligation, and its willingness to pay.<sup>2</sup> Moody's ratings do not address non-standard sources of variation in the amount of the principal obligation (e.g., equity indexed), absent an express statement to the contrary in a press release accompanying an initial rating.<sup>3</sup> Long-term ratings are assigned to issuers or obligations with an original maturity of eleven months or more and reflect both on the likelihood of a default or impairment on contractual financial obligations and the expected financial loss suffered in the event of default or impairment. Short-term ratings are assigned to obligations with an original maturity of thirteen months or less and reflect both on the likelihood of a default or impairment on contractual financial obligations and the expected financial loss suffered in the event of default or impairment.<sup>4, 5</sup> Moody's issues ratings at the issuer level and instrument level on both the long- term scale and the short-term scale. Typically, ratings are made publicly available although private and unpublished ratings may also be assigned.<sup>6</sup>

Moody's differentiates structured finance ratings from fundamental ratings (i.e., ratings on nonfinancial corporate, financial institution, and public sector entities) on the global long-term scale by adding (sf) to all structured finance ratings.<sup>7</sup> The addition of (sf) to structured finance ratings should eliminate any presumption that such ratings and fundamental ratings at the same letter grade level will behave the same.

1. In the case of impairments, there can be a financial loss even when contractual obligations are met.

2. In some cases, the relevant credit risk relates to a third party, in addition to, or instead of the issuer. Examples include credit-linked notes and guaranteed obligations.

3. Because the number of possible features or structures is limited only by the creativity of issuers, Moody's cannot comprehensively catalogue all the types of non-standard variation affecting financial obligations, but examples include equity indexed principal values and cash flows, prepayment penalties, and an obligation to pay an amount that is not ascertainable at the inception of the transaction.

4. For certain preferred stock and hybrid securities in which payment default events are either not defined or do not match investors' expectations for timely payment, long-term and short-term ratings reflect the likelihood of impairment and financial loss in the event of impairment.

5. Debts held on the balance sheets of official sector institutions – which include supranational institutions, central banks and certain government-owned or controlled banks – may not always be treated the same as debts held by private investors and lenders. When it is known that an obligation is held by official sector institutions as well as other investors, a rating (short-term or long-term) assigned to that obligation reflects only the credit risks faced by non-official sector investors.

6. For information on how to obtain a Moody's credit rating, including private and unpublished credit ratings, please see Moody's Investors Service Products. Please note that Moody's always reserves the right to choose not to assign or maintain a credit rating for its own business reasons.

7. Like other global scale ratings, (sf) ratings reflect both the likelihood of a default and the expected loss suffered in the event of default. Ratings are assigned based on a rating committee's assessment of a security's expected loss rate (default probability multiplied by expected loss severity), and may be subject to the constraint that the final expected loss rating assigned would not be more than a certain number of notches, typically three to five notches, above the rating that would be assigned based on an assessment of default probability alone. The magnitude of this constraint may vary with the level of the rating, the seasoning of the transaction, and the uncertainty around the assessments of expected loss and probability of default.

The (sf) indicator for structured finance security ratings indicates that otherwise similarly rated structured finance and fundamental securities may have different risk characteristics. Through its current methodologies, however, Moody's aspires

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to achieve broad expected equivalence in structured finance and fundamental rating performance when measured over a long period of time.

#### Description of Moody's Investors Service, Inc.'s Global Long-Term Ratings:
**Aaa**—Obligations rated Aaa are judged to be of the highest quality, subject to the lowest level of credit risk.

**Aa**—Obligations rated Aa are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk.

**A**—Obligations rated A are judged to be upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk.

**Baa**—Obligations rated Baa are judged to be medium-grade and subject to moderate credit risk and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics.

**Ba**—Obligations rated Ba are judged to be speculative and are subject to substantial credit risk.

#### B —Obligations rated B are considered speculative and are subject to high credit risk.
**Caa**—Obligations rated Caa are judged to be speculative of poor standing and are subject to very high credit risk.

**Ca**—Obligations rated Ca are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near, default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest.

**C**—Obligations rated C are the lowest rated and are typically in default, with little prospect for recovery of principal or interest.

***Note:*** *Moody's appends numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 to each generic rating classification from Aa through Caa. The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category. Additionally, a "(hyb)" indicator is appended to all ratings of hybrid securities issued by banks, insurers, finance companies, and securities firms.<sup>\*</sup>*

*\* By their terms, hybrid securities allow for the omission of scheduled dividends, interest, or principal payments, which can potentially result in impairment if such an omission occurs. Hybrid securities may also be subject to contractually allowable write-downs of principal that could result in impairment. Together with the hybrid indicator, the long-term obligation rating assigned to a hybrid security is an expression of the relative credit risk associated with that security.*

#### Description of Moody's Investors Service, Inc.'s Global Short-Term Ratings:
**P-1**—Ratings of Prime-1 reflect a superior ability to repay short-term obligations.

**P-2**—Ratings of Prime-2 reflect a strong ability to repay short-term obligations.

**P-3**—Ratings of Prime-3 reflect an acceptable ability to repay short-term obligations.

**NP**—Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories.

#### Description of Moody's Investors Service, Inc.'s US Municipal Ratings:
*U.S. Municipal Short-Term Debt and Demand Obligation Ratings:*

Moody's uses the global short-term Prime rating scale for commercial paper issued by US municipalities and nonprofits. These commercial paper programs may be backed by external letters of credit or liquidity facilities, or by an issuer's self-liquidity.

For other short-term municipal obligations, Moody's uses one of two other short-term rating scales, the Municipal Investment Grade (MIG) and Variable Municipal Investment Grade (VMIG) scales discussed below.

*MIG Ratings:*

Moody's uses the MIG scale for US municipal cash flow notes, bond anticipation notes and certain other short-term obligations, which typically mature in three years or less. Under certain circumstances, Moody's uses the MIG scale for bond anticipation notes with maturities of up to five years.

**MIG 1**—This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by established cash flows, highly reliable liquidity support, or demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing.

**MIG 2**—This designation denotes strong credit quality. Margins of protection are ample, although not as large as in the preceding group.

**MIG 3**—This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Liquidity and cash-flow protection may be narrow, and market access for refinancing is likely to be less well-established.

**SG**—This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Debt instruments in this category may lack sufficient margins of protection.

 *VMIG Ratings:* 

For variable rate demand obligations (VRDOs), Moody's assigns both a long-term rating and a short-term payment obligation rating. The long-term rating addresses the issuer's ability to meet scheduled principal and interest payments. The short-term payment obligation rating addresses the ability of

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the issuer or the liquidity provider to meet any purchase price payment obligations resulting from optional tenders ("on demand") and/or mandatory tenders of the VRDO. The short-term payment obligation rating uses the VMIG scale. Transitions of VMIG ratings with conditional liquidity support differ from transitions of Prime ratings reflecting the risk that external liquidity support will terminate if the issuer's long-term rating drops below investment grade.

For VRDOs, Moody's typically assigns a VMIG rating if the frequency of the payment obligation is less than every three years. If the frequency of the payment obligation is less than three years, but the obligation is payable only with remarketing proceeds, the VMIG short-term rating is not assigned and it is denoted as "NR". Industrial development bonds in the US where the obligor is a corporate may carry a VMIG rating that reflects Moody's view of the relative likelihood of default and loss. In these cases, liquidity assessment is based on the liquidity of the corporate obligor.

**VMIG 1**—This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by the superior short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections.

**VMIG 2**—This designation denotes strong credit quality. Good protection is afforded by the strong short- term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections.

**VMIG 3**—This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Adequate protection is afforded by the satisfactory short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections.

**SG**—This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Demand features rated in this category may be supported by a liquidity provider that does not have a sufficiently strong short-term rating or may lack the structural or legal protections.

#### Description of Moody's Investors Service, Inc.'s National Scale Long-Term Ratings:
Moody's long-term National Scale Ratings (NSRs) are opinions of the relative creditworthiness of issuers and financial obligations within a particular country. NSRs are not designed to be compared among countries; rather, they address relative credit risk within a given country. Moody's assigns national scale ratings in certain local capital markets in which investors have found the global rating scale provides inadequate differentiation among credits or is inconsistent with a rating scale already in common use in the country.

In each specific country, the last two characters of the rating indicate the country in which the issuer is located or the financial obligation was issued (e.g., Aaa.ke for Kenya).

#### Long-Term NSR Scale
**Aaa.n** Issuers or issues rated Aaa.n demonstrate the strongest creditworthiness relative to other domestic issuers and issuances.

**Aa.n** Issuers or issues rated Aa.n demonstrate very strong creditworthiness relative to other domestic issuers and issuances.

**A.n** Issuers or issues rated A.n present above-average creditworthiness relative to other domestic issuers and issuances.

**Baa.n** Issuers or issues rated Baa.n represent average creditworthiness relative to other domestic issuers and issuances.

**Ba.n** Issuers or issues rated Ba.n demonstrate below-average creditworthiness relative to other domestic issuers and issuances.

**B.n** Issuers or issues rated B.n demonstrate weak creditworthiness relative to other domestic issuers and issuances.

**Caa.n** Issuers or issues rated Caa.n demonstrate very weak creditworthiness relative to other domestic issuers and issuances.

**Ca.n** Issuers or issues rated Ca.n demonstrate extremely weak creditworthiness relative to other domestic issuers and issuances.

**C.n** Issuers or issues rated C.n demonstrate the weakest creditworthiness relative to other domestic issuers and issuances.

*Note: Moody's appends numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 to each generic rating classification from Aa through Caa. The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category.* 

#### Description of S&P Global Ratings' Long-Term Issue Credit Ratings:
Issue credit ratings are based, in varying degrees, on S&P Global Ratings' analysis of the following considerations:

• The likelihood of payment—the capacity and willingness of the obligor to meet its financial commitments on an obligation in accordance with the terms of the obligation;

• The nature and provisions of the financial obligation, and the promise S&P Global Ratings imputes; and

• The protection afforded by, and relative position of, the financial obligation in the event of a bankruptcy, reorganization, or other arrangement under the laws of bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors' rights.

An issue rating is an assessment of default risk but may incorporate an assessment of relative seniority or ultimate recovery in the event of default. Junior obligations are typically rated lower than senior obligations, to reflect lower priority in bankruptcy, as noted above. (Such differentiation

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may apply when an entity has both senior and subordinated obligations, secured and unsecured obligations, or operating company and holding company obligations.)

**AAA**—An obligation rated "AAA" has the highest rating assigned by S&P Global Ratings. The obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is extremely strong.

**AA**—An obligation rated "AA" differs from the highest-rated obligations only to a small degree. The obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is very strong.

**A**—An obligation rated "A" is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher-rated categories. However, the obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is still strong.

**BBB**—An obligation rated "BBB" exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to weaken the obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.

**BB, B, CCC, CC, and C**—Obligations rated "BB", "B", "CCC", "CC", and "C" are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. "BB" indicates the least degree of speculation and "C" the highest. While such obligations will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposure to adverse conditions.

**BB**—An obligation rated "BB" is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions that could lead to the obligor's inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.

**B**—An obligation rated "B" is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations rated "BB", but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair the obligor's capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.

**CCC**—An obligation rated "CCC" is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitments on the obligation. In the event of adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, the obligor is not likely to have the capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.

**CC**—An obligation rated "CC" is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment.

The "CC" rating is used when a default has not yet occurred but S&P Global Ratings expects default to be a virtual certainty, regardless of the anticipated time to default.

**C**—An obligation rated "C" is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment, and the obligation is expected to have lower relative seniority or lower ultimate recovery compared with obligations that are rated higher.

**D**—An obligation rated "D" is in default or in breach of an imputed promise. For non-hybrid capital instruments, the "D" rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, unless S&P Global Ratings believes that such payments will be made within the next five business days in the absence of a stated grace period or within the earlier of the stated grace period or the next 30 calendar days. The "D" rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions. A rating on an obligation is lowered to "D" if it is subject to a distressed debt restructuring.

Ratings from "AA" to "CCC" may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within the rating categories.

#### Description of S&P Global Ratings' Short-Term Issue Credit Ratings:
**A-1**—A short-term obligation rated "A-1" is rated in the highest category by S&P Global Ratings. The obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is strong. Within this category, certain obligations are designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates that the obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitments on these obligations is extremely strong.

**A-2**—A short-term obligation rated "A-2" is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher rating categories. However, the obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is satisfactory.

**A-3**—A short-term obligation rated "A-3" exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to weaken an obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.

**B**—A short-term obligation rated "B" is regarded as vulnerable and has significant speculative characteristics. The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitments; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties that could lead to the obligor's inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitments.

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**C**—A short-term obligation rated "C" is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.

**D**—A short-term obligation rated "D" is in default or in breach of an imputed promise. For non-hybrid capital instruments, the "D" rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, unless S&P Global Ratings believes that such payments will be made within any stated grace period.

However, any stated grace period longer than five business days will be treated as five business days. The "D" rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions. A rating on an obligation is lowered to "D" if it is subject to a distressed debt restructuring.

#### Description of S&P Global Ratings' Municipal Short-Term Note Ratings:
An S&P Global Ratings U.S. municipal note rating reflects S&P Global Ratings' opinion about the liquidity factors and market access risks unique to the notes. Notes due in three years or less will likely receive a note rating. Notes with an original maturity of more than three years will most likely receive a long-term debt rating. In determining which type of rating, if any, to assign, S&P Global Ratings' analysis will review the following considerations:

• Amortization schedule—the larger the final maturity relative to other maturities, the more likely it will be treated as a note; and

• Source of payment—the more dependent the issue is on the market for its refinancing, the more likely it will be treated as a note.

**SP-1**—Strong capacity to pay principal and interest. An issue determined to possess a very strong capacity to pay debt service is given a plus (+) designation.

**SP-2**—Satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest, with some vulnerability to adverse financial and economic changes over the term of the notes.

**SP-3**—Speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.

**D**—"D" is assigned upon failure to pay the note when due, completion of a distressed debt restructuring, or the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions.

#### Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings
**AAA** An obligor rated "AAA" has extremely strong capacity to meet its financial commitments. "AAA" is the highest issuer credit rating assigned by S&P Global Ratings.

**AA** An obligor rated "AA" has very strong capacity to meet its financial commitments. It differs from the highest-rated obligors only to a small degree.

**A** An obligor rated "A" has strong capacity to meet its financial commitments but is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligors in higher-rated categories.

**BBB** An obligor rated "BBB" has adequate capacity to meet its financial commitments. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to weaken the obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitments.

**BB, B, CCC, and CC** Obligors rated "BB", "B", "CCC", and "CC" are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. "BB" indicates the least degree of speculation and "CC" the highest. While such obligors will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposure to adverse conditions.

**BB** An obligor rated "BB" is less vulnerable in the near term than other lower-rated obligors. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties and exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions that could lead to the obligor's inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitments financial commitments. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair the obligor's capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitments.

**CCC** An obligor rated "CCC" is currently vulnerable and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions to meet its financial commitments.

**CC** An obligor rated "CC" is currently highly vulnerable. The "CC" rating is used when a default has not yet occurred but S&P Global Ratings expects default to be a virtual certainty, regardless of the anticipated time to default.

**SD and D** An obligor is rated "SD" (selective default) or "D" if S&P Global Ratings considers there to be a default on one or more of its financial obligations, whether long- or short-term, including rated and unrated obligations but excluding hybrid instruments classified as regulatory capital or in nonpayment according to terms. A "D" rating is assigned when S&P Global Ratings believes that the default will be a general default and that the obligor will fail to pay all or substantially all of its obligations as they come due. An "SD" rating is assigned when S&P Global Ratings believes that the obligor has selectively defaulted on a specific issue or class of obligations but it will continue to meet its payment obligations on other issues or classes of obligations in a timely manner. A rating

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on an obligor is lowered to "D" or "SD" if it is conducting a distressed debt restructuring.

Ratings from "AA" to "CCC" may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within the rating categories.

#### Short-Term Issuer Credit Ratings
**A-1** An obligor rated "A-1" has strong capacity to meet its financial commitments. It is rated in the highest category by S&P Global Ratings. Within this category, certain obligors are designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates that the obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitments is extremely strong.

**A-2** An obligor rated "A-2" has satisfactory capacity to meet its financial commitments. However, it is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligors in the highest rating category.

**A-3** An obligor rated "A-3" has adequate capacity to meet its financial obligations. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to weaken the obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitments.

**B** An obligor rated "B" is regarded as vulnerable and has significant speculative characteristics. The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitments; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties that could lead to the obligor's inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitments.

**C** An obligor rated "C" is currently vulnerable to nonpayment that would result in an "SD" or "D" issuer rating and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions to meet its financial commitments.

**SD and D** An obligor is rated "SD" (selective default) or "D" if S&P Global Ratings considers there to be a default on one or more of its financial obligations, whether long- or short-term, including rated and unrated obligations but excluding hybrid instruments classified as regulatory capital or in nonpayment according to terms. A "D" rating is assigned when S&P Global Ratings believes that the default will be a general default and that the obligor will fail to pay all or substantially all of its obligations as they come due. An "SD" rating is assigned when S&P Global Ratings believes that the obligor has selectively defaulted on a specific issue or class of obligations but it will continue to meet its payment obligations on other issues or classes of obligations in a timely manner. A rating on an obligor is lowered to "D" or "SD" if it is conducting a distressed debt restructuring.

#### Description of S&P Global Ratings' Dual Ratings:
Dual ratings may be assigned to debt issues that have a put option or demand feature. The first component of the rating addresses the likelihood of repayment of principal and interest as due, and the second component of the rating addresses only the demand feature. The first component of the rating can relate to either a short-term or long-term transaction and accordingly use either short-term or long-term rating symbols. The second component of the rating relates to the put option and is assigned a short-term rating symbol (for example, "AAA/A-1+" or "A-1+/A-1"). With U.S. municipal short-term demand debt, the U.S. municipal short-term note rating symbols are used for the first component of the rating (for example, "SP-1+/A-1+").

#### Description of S&P Global Ratings' Active Qualifiers:
S&P Global Ratings uses the following qualifiers that limit the scope of a rating. The structure of the transaction can require the use of a qualifier such as a "p" qualifier, which indicates the rating addresses the principal portion of the obligation only. A qualifier appears as a suffix and is part of the rating.

**Federal deposit insurance limit:** "L" qualifier. Ratings qualified with "L" apply only to amounts invested up to federal deposit insurance limits.

**Principal:** "p" qualifier. This suffix is used for issues in which the credit factors, the terms, or both that determine the likelihood of receipt of payment of principal are different from the credit factors, terms, or both that determine the likelihood of receipt of interest on the obligation. The "p" suffix indicates that the rating addresses the principal portion of the obligation only and that the interest is not rated.

**Preliminary ratings:** "prelim" qualifier. Preliminary ratings, with the "prelim" suffix, may be assigned to obligors or obligations, including financial programs, in the circumstances described below. Assignment of a final rating is conditional on the receipt by S&P Global Ratings of appropriate documentation. S&P Global Ratings reserves the right not to issue a final rating. Moreover, if a final rating is issued, it may differ from the preliminary rating.

• Preliminary ratings may be assigned to obligations, most commonly structured and project finance issues, pending receipt of final documentation and legal opinions.

• Preliminary ratings may be assigned to obligations that will likely be issued upon the obligor's emergence from bankruptcy or similar reorganization, based on late-stage reorganization plans, documentation, and discussions with the obligor. Preliminary ratings may also be assigned to the obligors. These ratings consider the anticipated general credit quality of the reorganized or post-bankruptcy issuer as well as attributes of the anticipated obligation(s).

• Preliminary ratings may be assigned to entities that are being formed or that are in the process of being independently established when, in S&P Global Ratings'

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opinion, documentation is close to final. Preliminary ratings may also be assigned to the obligations of these entities.

• Preliminary ratings may be assigned when a previously unrated entity is undergoing a well-formulated restructuring, recapitalization, significant financing, or other transformative event, generally at the point that investor or lender commitments are invited. The preliminary rating may be assigned to the entity and to its proposed obligation(s). These preliminary ratings consider the anticipated general credit quality of the obligor, as well as attributes of the anticipated obligation(s), assuming successful completion of the transformative event. Should the transformative event not occur, S&P Global Ratings would likely withdraw these preliminary ratings.

• A preliminary recovery rating may be assigned to an obligation that has a preliminary issue credit rating.

**Termination structures:** "t" qualifier. This symbol indicates termination structures that are designed to honor their contracts to full maturity or, should certain events occur, to terminate and cash settle all their contracts before their final maturity date.

**Counterparty instrument rating:** "cir" qualifier. This symbol indicates a counterparty instrument rating (CIR), which is a forward-looking opinion about the creditworthiness of an issuer in a securitization structure with respect to a specific financial obligation to a counterparty (including interest rate swaps, currency swaps, and liquidity facilities). The CIR is determined on an ultimate payment basis; these opinions do not take into account timeliness of payment.

#### Description of Fitch Ratings' Corporate Finance Obligations:
Ratings of individual securities or financial obligations of a corporate issuer address relative vulnerability to default on an ordinal scale. In addition, for financial obligations in corporate finance, a measure of recovery given default on that liability is also included in the rating assessment. This notably applies to covered bonds ratings, which incorporate both an indication of the probability of default and of the recovery given a default of this debt instrument. On the contrary, ratings of debtor-in-possession (DIP) obligations incorporate the expectation of full repayment.

The relationship between the issuer scale and obligation scale assumes a generic historical average recovery. Individual obligations can be assigned ratings higher, lower, or the same as that entity's issuer rating or Issuer Default Rating (IDR), based on their relative ranking, relative vulnerability to default or based on explicit Recovery Ratings.

As a result, individual obligations of entities, such as corporations, are assigned ratings higher, lower, or the same as that entity's issuer rating or IDR, except DIP obligation ratings that are not based off an IDR. At the lower end of the ratings scale, Fitch publishes explicit Recovery Ratings in many cases to complement issuer and obligation ratings.

**AAA:** Highest Credit Quality. "AAA" ratings denote the lowest expectation of credit risk. They are assigned only in cases of exceptionally strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.

**AA:** Very High Credit Quality. "AA" ratings denote expectations of very low credit risk. They indicate very strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.

**A:** High Credit Quality. "A" ratings denote expectations of low credit risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.

**BBB:** Good Credit Quality. "BBB" ratings indicate that expectations of credit risk are currently low. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered adequate, but adverse business or economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity.

**BB:** Speculative. "BB" ratings indicate an elevated vulnerability to credit risk, particularly in the event of adverse changes in business or economic conditions over time; however, business or financial alternatives may be available to allow financial commitments to be met.

**B:** Highly Speculative. "B" ratings indicate that material credit risk is present.

**CCC:** Substantial Credit Risk. "CCC" ratings indicate that substantial credit risk is present.

**CC:** Very High Levels of Credit Risk. "CC" ratings indicate very high levels of credit risk.

**C:** Exceptionally High Levels of Credit Risk. "C" indicates exceptionally high levels of credit risk.

The ratings of corporate finance obligations are linked to Issuer Default Ratings (IDRs) (or sometimes Viability Ratings for banks and non-bank financial institutions) by i) recovery expectations, including as often indicated by Recovery Ratings assigned in the case of low speculative grade issuers and ii) for banks and non-bank financial institutions an assessment of non-performance risk relative to the risk captured in the IDR or Viability Rating (e.g. in respect of certain hybrid securities).

For performing obligations, the obligation rating represents the risk of default and includes the effect of expected recoveries on the credit risk should a default occur.

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If the obligation rating is higher than the rating of the issuer, this indicates above average recovery expectations in the event of default. If the obligations rating is lower than the rating of the issuer, this indicates low expected recoveries should default occur.

Ratings in the categories of "CCC", "CC" and "C" can also relate to obligations or issuers that are in default. In this case, the rating does not opine on default risk but reflects the recovery expectation only.

#### Description of Fitch Ratings' Issuer Default Ratings:
Rated entities in a number of sectors, including financial and non-financial corporations, sovereigns, insurance companies and certain sectors within public finance, are generally assigned IDRs. IDRs are also assigned to certain entities or enterprises in global infrastructure, project finance and public finance. IDRs opine on an entity's relative vulnerability to default (including by way of a distressed debt exchange) on financial obligations. The threshold default risk addressed by the IDR is generally that of the financial obligations whose non-payment would best reflect the uncured failure of that entity. As such, IDRs also address relative vulnerability to bankruptcy, administrative receivership or similar concepts.

In aggregate, IDRs provide an ordinal ranking of issuers based on the agency's view of their relative vulnerability to default, rather than a prediction of a specific percentage likelihood of default.

**AAA:** Highest Credit Quality. "AAA" ratings denote the lowest expectation of default risk. They are assigned only in cases of exceptionally strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.

**AA:** Very High Credit Quality. "AA" ratings denote expectations of very low default risk. They indicate very strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.

**A:** High Credit Quality. "A" ratings denote expectations of low default risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.

**BBB:** Good Credit Quality. "BBB" ratings indicate that expectations of default risk are currently low. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered adequate, but adverse business or economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity.

**BB:** Speculative. "BB" ratings indicate an elevated vulnerability to default risk, particularly in the event of adverse changes in business or economic conditions over time; however, business or financial flexibility exists that supports the servicing of financial commitments.

**B:** Highly Speculative. "B" ratings indicate that material default risk is present, but a limited margin of safety remains. Financial commitments are currently being met; however, capacity for continued payment is vulnerable to deterioration in the business and economic environment.

**CCC:** Substantial Credit Risk. Very low margin for safety. Default is a real possibility.

**CC:** Very high levels of credit risk. Default of some kind appears probable.

**C:** Near default. A default or default-like process has begun, or the issuer is in standstill, or for a closed funding vehicle, payment capacity is irrevocably impaired. Conditions that are indicative of a "C" category rating for an issuer include:

• The issuer has entered into a grace or cure period following non-payment of a material financial obligation;

• The issuer has entered into a temporary negotiated waiver or standstill agreement following a payment default on a material financial obligation;

• The formal announcement by the issuer or their agent of a distressed debt exchange;

• A closed financing vehicle where payment capacity is irrevocably impaired such that it is not expected to pay interest and/or principal in full during the life of the transaction, but where no payment default is imminent.

**RD:** Restricted Default. "RD" ratings indicate an issuer that in Fitch's opinion has experienced:

• An uncured payment default or distressed debt exchange on a bond, loan or other material financial obligation, but

• Has not entered into bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation, or other formal winding-up procedure, and has not otherwise ceased operating. This would include:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• The selective payment default on a specific class or currency of debt;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• The uncured expiry of any applicable grace period, cure period or default forbearance period following a payment default on a bank loan, capital markets security or other material financial obligation;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• The extension of multiple waivers or forbearance periods upon a payment default on one or more material financial obligations, either in series or in parallel; ordinary execution of a distressed debt exchange on one or more material financial obligations.

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**D:** Default. "D" ratings indicate an issuer that in Fitch's opinion has entered into bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation or other formal winding-up procedure or that has otherwise ceased business.

Default ratings are not assigned prospectively to entities or their obligations; within this context, non-payment on an instrument that contains a deferral feature or grace period will generally not be considered a default until after the expiration of the deferral or grace period, unless a default is otherwise driven by bankruptcy or other similar circumstance, or by a distressed debt exchange.

In all cases, the assignment of a default rating reflects the agency's opinion as to the most appropriate rating category consistent with the rest of its universe of ratings and may differ from the definition of default under the terms of an issuer's financial obligations or local commercial practice.

#### Description of Fitch Ratings' Structured Finance Long-Term Obligation Ratings:
Ratings of structured finance obligations on the long-term scale consider the obligations' relative vulnerability to default. These ratings are typically assigned to an individual security or tranche in a transaction and not to an issuer.

#### AAA: Highest Credit Quality.
"AAA" ratings denote the lowest expectation of default risk. They are assigned only in cases of exceptionally strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.

#### AA: Very High Credit Quality.
"AA" ratings denote expectations of very low default risk. They indicate very strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.

#### A: High Credit Quality.
"A" ratings denote expectations of low default risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.

#### BBB: Good Credit Quality.
"BBB" ratings indicate that expectations of default risk are currently low. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered adequate, but adverse business or economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity.

#### BB: Speculative.
"BB" ratings indicate an elevated vulnerability to default risk, particularly in the event of adverse changes in business or economic conditions over time.

#### B: Highly Speculative.
"B" ratings indicate that material default risk is present, but a limited margin of safety remains. Financial commitments are currently being met; however, capacity for continued payment is vulnerable to deterioration in the business and economic environment.

#### CCC: Substantial Credit Risk.
Very low margin for safety. Default is a real possibility.

#### CC: Very High Levels of Credit Risk.
Default of some kind appears probable.

#### C: Exceptionally High Levels of Credit Risk.
Default appears imminent or inevitable.

#### D: Default.
Indicates a default. Default generally is defined as one of the following:

• Failure to make payment of principal and/or interest under the contractual terms of the rated obligation;

• bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation or other winding-up or cessation of the business of an issuer/obligor; or

• distressed exchange of an obligation, where creditors were offered securities with diminished structural or economic terms compared with the existing obligation to avoid a probable payment default.

#### Description of Fitch Ratings' Country Ceilings Ratings:
Country Ceilings are expressed using the symbols of the long-term issuer primary credit rating scale and relate to sovereign jurisdictions also rated by Fitch on the IDR scale. They reflect the agency's judgment regarding the risk of capital and exchange controls being imposed by the sovereign authorities that would prevent or materially impede the private sector's ability to convert local currency into foreign currency and transfer to non-resident creditors — transfer and convertibility (T&C) risk. They are not ratings but expressions of a cap for the foreign currency issuer ratings of most, but not all, issuers in a given country. Given the close correlation between sovereign credit and T&C risks, the Country Ceiling may exhibit a greater degree of volatility than would normally be expected when it lies above the sovereign Foreign Currency Rating.

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#### Description of Fitch Ratings' Sovereigns, Public Finance and Global Infrastructure Obligations:
Ratings of public finance obligations and ratings of infrastructure and project finance obligations on the long-term scale, including the financial obligations of sovereigns, consider the obligations' relative vulnerability to default. These ratings are assigned to an individual security, instrument or tranche in a transaction. In some cases, considerations of recoveries can have an influence on obligation ratings in infrastructure and project finance. In limited cases in U.S. public finance, where Chapter 9 of the Bankruptcy Code provides reliably superior prospects for ultimate recovery to local government obligations that benefit from a statutory lien on revenues, Fitch reflects this in a security rating with limited notching above the IDR. Recovery expectations can also be reflected in a security rating in the U.S. during the pendency of a bankruptcy proceeding under the Code if there is sufficient visibility on potential recovery prospects.

**AAA:** Highest Credit Quality. "AAA" ratings denote the lowest expectation of default risk. They are assigned only in cases of exceptionally strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.

**AA:** Very High Credit Quality. "AA" ratings denote expectations of very low default risk. They indicate very strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.

**A:** High Credit Quality. "A" ratings denote expectations of low default risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.

**BBB:** Good Credit Quality. "BBB" ratings indicate that expectations of default risk are currently low. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered adequate, but adverse business or economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity.

**BB:** Speculative. "BB" ratings indicate an elevated vulnerability to default risk, particularly in the event of adverse changes in business or economic conditions over time.

**B:** Highly Speculative. "B" ratings indicate that material default risk is present, but a limited margin of safety remains. Financial commitments are currently being met; however, capacity for continued payment is vulnerable to deterioration in the business and economic environment.

**CCC:** Substantial Credit Risk. Very low margin for safety. Default is a real possibility.

**CC:** Very High Levels of Credit Risk. Default of some kind appears probable.

**C:** Exceptionally High Levels of Credit Risk. Default appears imminent or inevitable.

**D:** Default. Indicates a default. Default generally is defined as one of the following:

• Failure to make payment of principal and/or interest under the contractual terms of the rated obligation;

• bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation or other winding-up or cessation of the business of an issuer/obligor where payment default on an obligation is a virtual certainty; or

• distressed exchange of an obligation, where creditors were offered securities with diminished structural or economic terms compared with the existing obligation to avoid a probable payment default.

*Notes: In U.S. public finance, obligations may be pre-refunded, where funds sufficient to meet the requirements of the respective obligations are placed in an escrow account. When obligation ratings are maintained based on the escrowed funds and their structural elements, the ratings carry the suffix "pre" (e.g. "AAApre", "AA+pre").*

#### Structured Finance Defaults
Imminent default, categorized under "C", typically refers to the occasion where a payment default has been intimated by the issuer and is all but inevitable. This may, for example, be where an issuer has missed a scheduled payment but (as is typical) has a grace period during which it may cure the payment default. Another alternative would be where an issuer has formally announced a distressed debt exchange, but the date of the exchange still lies several days or weeks in the immediate future.

Additionally, in structured finance transactions, where analysis indicates that an instrument is irrevocably impaired such that it is not expected to pay interest and/or principal in full in accordance with the terms of the obligation's documentation during the life of the transaction, but where no payment default in accordance with the terms of the documentation is imminent, the obligation will typically be rated in the "C" category.

#### Structured Finance Write-downs
Where an instrument has experienced an involuntary and, in the agency's opinion, irreversible write-down of principal (i.e. other than through amortization, and resulting in a loss to the investor), a credit rating of "D" will be assigned to the instrument. Where the agency believes the write-down may prove to be temporary (and the loss may be written up again in future if and when performance improves), then a credit

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rating of "C" will typically be assigned. Should the write-down then later be reversed, the credit rating will be raised to an appropriate level for that instrument. Should the write-down later be deemed as irreversible, the credit rating will be lowered to "D".

#### Notes:
*In the case of structured finance, while the ratings do not address the loss severity given default of the rated liability, loss severity assumptions on the underlying assets are nonetheless typically included as part of the analysis. Loss severity assumptions are used to derive pool cash flows available to service the rated liability.*

The suffix "sf" denotes an issue that is a structured finance transaction.

Enhanced Equipment Trust Certificates (EETCs) are corporate-structured hybrid debt securities that airlines typically use to finance aircraft equipment. Due to the hybrid characteristics of these bonds, Fitch's rating approach incorporates elements of both the structured finance and corporate rating methodologies. Although rated as asset-backed securities, unlike other structured finance ratings, EETC ratings involve a measure of recovery given default akin to ratings of financial obligations in corporate finance, as described above.

#### Description of Fitch Ratings' Short-Term Ratings Assigned to Issuers and Obligations:
A short-term issuer or obligation rating is based in all cases on the short-term vulnerability to default of the rated entity and relates to the capacity to meet financial obligations in accordance with the documentation governing the relevant obligation. Short-term deposit ratings may be adjusted for loss severity. Short-Term Ratings are assigned to obligations whose initial maturity is viewed as "short term" based on market convention (a long-term rating can also be used to rate an issue with short maturity). Typically, this means up to 13 months for corporate, sovereign, and structured obligations, and up to 36 months for obligations in U.S. public finance markets.

**F1:** Highest Short-Term Credit Quality. Indicates the strongest intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; may have an added "+" to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature.

**F2:** Good Short-Term Credit Quality. Good intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments.

**F3:** Fair Short-Term Credit Quality. The intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate.

**B:** Speculative Short-Term Credit Quality. Minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, plus heightened vulnerability to near term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.

**C:** High Short-Term Default Risk. Default is a real possibility.

**RD:** Restricted Default. Indicates an entity that has defaulted on one or more of its financial commitments, although it continues to meet other financial obligations. Typically applicable to entity ratings only.

**D:** Default. Indicates a broad-based default event for an entity, or the default of a short-term obligation.

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|:---|:---|
| **FRANKLIN EQUITY GROUP**<br>**Proxy Voting Policies & Procedures**<br>**An SEC Compliance Rule Policy and Procedures**<sup></sup> | **March 2025** |

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#### Appendix A

#### RESPONSIBILITY OF THE INVESTMENT MANAGERS TO VOTE PROXIES
Franklin Equity Group, a separate investment group within Franklin Templeton, comprised of investment personnel from the SEC registered investment advisers listed on Appendix A (hereinafter individually an "Investment Manager" and collectively the "Investment Managers") have delegated the administrative duties with respect to voting proxies for securities to the Franklin Templeton Proxy Group. Proxy duties consist of disseminating proxy materials and analyses of issuers whose stock is owned by any client (including both investment companies and any separate accounts managed by the Investment Managers) that has either delegated proxy voting administrative responsibility to the Investment Managers or has asked for information and/or recommendations on the issues to be voted. The Investment Managers will inform advisory clients that have not delegated the voting responsibility but that have requested voting advice about the Investment Managers' views on such proxy votes. The Proxy Group also provides these services to other advisory affiliates of the Investment Managers.

The Proxy Group will process proxy votes on behalf of, and the Investment Managers vote proxies solely in the best interests of, separate account clients, the Investment Managers'-managed investment company shareholders, or shareholders of funds that have appointed Franklin Templeton International Services S.à.r.l. ("FTIS S.à.r.l.") as the Management Company, provided such funds or clients have properly delegated such responsibility in writing, or, where employee benefit plan assets subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, are involved ("ERISA accounts"), in the best interests of the plan participants and beneficiaries (collectively, "Advisory Clients"), unless (i) the power to vote has been specifically retained by the named fiduciary in the documents in which the named fiduciary appointed the Investment Managers or (ii) the documents otherwise expressly prohibit the Investment Managers from voting proxies. The Investment Managers recognize that the exercise of voting rights on securities held by ERISA plans for which the Investment Managers have voting responsibility is a fiduciary duty that must be exercised with care, skill, prudence and diligence.

In certain circumstances, Advisory Clients are permitted to direct their votes in a solicitation pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement. An Advisory Client that wishes to direct its vote shall give reasonable prior written notice to the Investment Managers indicating such intention and provide written instructions directing the Investment Managers or the Proxy Group to vote regarding the solicitation. Where such prior written notice is received, the Proxy Group will vote proxies in accordance with such written notification received from the Advisory Client.

The Investment Managers have adopted and implemented Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures ("Proxy Policies") that they believe are reasonably designed to ensure that proxies are voted in the best interest of Advisory Clients in accordance with their fiduciary duties and rule 206(4)-6 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. To the extent that the Investment Managers have a subadvisory agreement with an affiliated investment manager (the "Affiliated Subadviser") with respect to a particular Advisory Client, the Investment Managers may delegate proxy voting responsibility to the Affiliated Subadviser. The Investment Managers may also delegate proxy voting responsibility to a subadviser that is not an Affiliated Subadviser in certain limited situations as disclosed to fund shareholders (e.g., where an Investment Manager to a pooled investment vehicle has engaged a subadviser that is not an Affiliated Subadviser to manage all or a portion of the assets).

#### HOW THE INVESTMENT MANAGERS VOTE PROXIES

#### Pr oxy Services
All proxies received by the Proxy Group will be voted based upon the Investment Managers' instructions and/or policies. To assist it in analyzing proxies of equity securities, the Investment Managers subscribe to Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. ("ISS"), an

<sup></sup> Rule 38a-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 ("1940 Act") and Rule 206(4)-7 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 ("Advisers Act") (together the "Compliance Rule") require registered investment companies and registered investment advisers to, among other things, adopt and implement written policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent violations of the federal securities laws ("Compliance Rule Policies and Procedures").

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unaffiliated third-party corporate governance research service that provides in-depth analyses of shareholder meeting agendas and vote recommendations. In addition, the Investment Managers subscribe to ISS's Proxy Voting Service and Vote Disclosure Service. These services include receipt of proxy ballots, custodian bank relations, account maintenance, vote execution, ballot reconciliation, vote record maintenance, comprehensive reporting capabilities, and vote disclosure services. Also, the Investment Managers subscribe to Glass, Lewis & Co., LLC ("Glass Lewis"), an unaffiliated third-party analytical research firm, to receive analyses and vote recommendations on the shareholder meetings of publicly held U.S. companies, as well as a limited subscription to its international research.

In addition, the Investment Manager may request in-house voting research from Franklin Templeton's Stewardship Team (FT Stewardship). FT Stewardship provides customized research on specific corporate governance issues that is tailored to the investment manager and corporate engagement undertaken. This research may include opinions on voting decisions, however there is no obligation or inference for the Investment Manager to formally vote in line with these opinions. This research supports the independent vote decision making process and may reduce reliance on third-party advice for certain votes.

Although analyses provided by ISS, Glass Lewis, and/or another independent third-party proxy service provider (each a "Proxy Service") are thoroughly reviewed and considered in making a final voting decision, the Investment Managers do not consider recommendations from a Proxy Service or any third-party to be determinative of the Investment Managers' ultimate decision. Rather, the Investment Managers exercise their independent judgment in making voting decisions. As a matter of policy, the officers, directors and employees of the Investment Managers and the Proxy Group will not be influenced by outside sources whose interests conflict with the interests of Advisory Clients.

For ease of reference, the Proxy Policies often refer to all Advisory Clients. However, our processes and practices seek to ensure that proxy voting decisions are suitable for individual Advisory Clients. In some cases, the Investment Managers' evaluation may result in an individual Advisory Client or Investment Manager voting differently, depending upon the nature and objective of the fund or account, the composition of its portfolio, whether the Investment Manager has adopted a specialty or custom voting policy, and other factors.

#### C o nfli c t s o f In te r es t
All conflicts of interest will be resolved in the best interests of the Advisory Clients. The Investment Managers are affiliates of a large, diverse financial services firm with many affiliates and make their best efforts to mitigate conflicts of interest. However, as a general matter, the Investment Managers take the position that relationships between certain affiliates that do not use the "Franklin Templeton" name ("Independent Affiliates") and an issuer (e.g., an investment management relationship between an issuer and an Independent Affiliate) do not present a conflict of interest for an Investment Manager in voting proxies with respect to such issuer because: (i) the Investment Managers operate as an independent business unit from the Independent Affiliate business units, and (ii) informational barriers exist between the Investment Managers and the Independent Affiliate business units.

Material conflicts of interest could arise in a variety of situations, including as a result of the Investment Managers' or an affiliate's (other than an Independent Affiliate as described above): (i) material business relationship with an issuer or proponent, (ii) direct or indirect pecuniary interest in an issuer or proponent; or (iii) significant personal or family relationship with an issuer or proponent. Material conflicts of interest are identified by the Proxy Group based upon analyses of client, distributor, broker dealer, and vendor lists, information periodically gathered from directors and officers, and information derived from other sources, including public filings. The Proxy Group gathers and analyzes this information on a best-efforts basis, as much of this information is provided directly by individuals and groups other than the Proxy Group, and the Proxy Group relies on the accuracy of the information it receives from such parties.

Nonetheless, even though a potential conflict of interest between the Investment Managers or an affiliate (other than an Independent Affiliate as described above) and an issuer may exist: (1) the Investment Managers may vote in opposition to the recommendations of an issuer's management even if contrary to the recommendations of a third-party proxy voting research provider; (2) if management has made no recommendations, the Proxy Group may defer to the voting instructions of the Investment Managers; and(3) with respect to shares held by Franklin Resources, Inc. or its affiliates for their own corporate accounts, such shares may be voted without regard to these conflict procedures.

Otherwise, in situations where a material conflict of interest is identified between the Investment Managers or one of its affiliates (other than Independent Affiliates) and an issuer, the Proxy Group may vote consistent with the voting recommendation of a Proxy Service or send the proxy directly to the relevant Advisory Clients with the Investment Managers' recommendation regarding the vote for approval. To address certain affiliate conflict situations, the Investment Managers will employ pass-through voting or mirror voting when required pursuant to a fund's governing documents or applicable law.

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Where the Proxy Group refers a matter to an Advisory Client, it may rely upon the instructions of a representative of the Advisory Client, such as the board of directors or trustees, a committee of the board, or an appointed delegate in the case of a U.S. registered investment company, a conducting officer in the case of a fund that has appointed FTIS S.à.r.l as its Management Company, the Independent Review Committee for Canadian investment funds, or a plan administrator in the case of an employee benefit plan. A quorum of the board of directors or trustees or of a committee of the board can be reached by a majority of members, or a majority of non-recused members. The Proxy Group may determine to vote all shares held by Advisory Clients of the Investment Managers and affiliated Investment Managers (other than Independent Affiliates) in accordance with the instructions of one or more of the Advisory Clients.

The Investment Managers may also decide whether to vote proxies for securities deemed to present conflicts of interest that are sold following a record date, but before a shareholder meeting date. The Investment Managers may consider various factors in deciding whether to vote such proxies, including the Investment Managers' long-term view of the issuer's securities for investment, or it may defer the decision to vote to the applicable Advisory Client. The Investment Managers also may be unable to vote, or choose not to vote, a proxy for securities deemed to present a conflict of interest for any of the reasons outlined in the first paragraph of the section of these policies entitled "Proxy Procedures."

#### W e i g h t G i ve n Ma na ge m e nt R eco mm e n dat i o n s
One of the primary factors the Investment Managers consider when determining the desirability of investing in a particular company is the quality and depth of that company's management. Accordingly, the recommendation of management on any issue is a factor that the Investment Managers consider in determining how proxies should be voted. However, the Investment Managers do not consider recommendations from management to be determinative of the Investment Managers' ultimate decision. Each issue is considered on its own merits, and the Investment Managers will not support the position of a company's management in any situation where it determines that the ratification of management's position would adversely affect the investment merits of owning that company's shares.

#### En g a ge m e n t w i t h I ssuers
The Investment Managers believe that engagement with issuers is important to good corporate governance and to assist in making proxy voting decisions. The Investment Managers may engage with issuers to discuss specific ballot items to be voted on in advance of an annual or special meeting to obtain further information or clarification on the proposals. The Investment Managers may also engage with management on a range of issues throughout the year.

#### THE P R O XY GR O UP
The Proxy Group's full-time staff members and support staff are devoted to proxy voting administration and oversight and providing support and assistance where needed. On a daily basis, the Proxy Group will review each proxy upon receipt as well as any agendas, materials and recommendations that they receive from a Proxy Service or other sources. The Proxy Group maintains a record of all shareholder meetings that are scheduled for companies whose securities are held by the Investment Managers' managed funds and accounts. For each shareholder meeting, a member of the Proxy Group will consult with the research analyst that follows the security and provide the analyst with the agenda, analyses of one or more Proxy Services, recommendations and any other information provided to the Proxy Group. Except in situations identified as presenting material conflicts of interest, the Investment Managers' research analyst and relevant portfolio manager(s) are responsible for making the final voting decision based on their review of the agenda, analyses of one or more Proxy Services, proxy statements, their knowledge of the company and any other information publicly available.

In situations where the Investment Managers have not responded with vote recommendations to the Proxy Group by the deadline date, the Proxy Group may vote consistent with the vote recommendations of a Proxy Service. Except in cases where the Proxy Group is voting consistent with the voting recommendation of a Proxy Service, the Proxy Group must obtain voting instructions from the Investment Managers' research analysts, relevant portfolio manager(s), legal counsel and/or the Advisory Client prior to submitting the vote. In the event that an account holds a security that an Investment Manager did not purchase on its behalf, and the Investment Manager does not normally consider the security as a potential investment for other accounts, the Proxy Group may vote consistent with the voting recommendations of a Proxy Service or take no action on the meeting.

#### PRO XY ADMINISTRATION PRO C EDURES

#### Situation s Where Pr ox i es Are Not V ot ed

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The Proxy Group is fully cognizant of its responsibility to process proxies and maintain proxy records as may be required by relevant rules and regulations. In addition, the Investment Managers understand their fiduciary duty to vote proxies and that proxy voting decisions may affect the value of shareholdings. Therefore, the Investment Managers will generally attempt to process every proxy they receive for all domestic and foreign securities.

However, there may be situations in which the Investment Managers may be unable to successfully vote a proxy, or may choose not to vote a proxy, such as where: (i) a proxy ballot was not received from the custodian bank; (ii) a meeting notice was received too late; (iii) there are fees imposed upon the exercise of a vote and it is determined that such fees outweigh the benefit of voting; (iv) there are legal encumbrances to voting, including blocking restrictions in certain markets that preclude the ability to dispose of a security if an Investment Manager votes a proxy or where the Investment Manager is prohibited from voting by applicable law, economic or other sanctions, or other regulatory or market requirements, including but not limited to, effective Powers of Attorney; (v) additional documentation or the disclosure of beneficial owner details is required; (vi) the Investment Managers held shares on the record date but has sold them prior to the meeting date; (vii) the Advisory Client held shares on the record date, but the Advisory Client closed the account prior to the meeting date; (viii) a proxy voting service is not offered by the custodian in the market; (ix) due to either system error or human error, the Investment Managers' intended vote is not correctly submitted; (x) the Investment Managers believe it is not in the best interest of the Advisory Client to vote the proxy for any other reason not enumerated herein; or (xi) a security is subject to a securities lending or similar program that has transferred legal title to the security to another person.

#### R e je ct ed V o t es
Even if the Investment Managers use reasonable efforts to vote a proxy on behalf of their Advisory Clients, such vote or proxy may be rejected because of (a) operational or procedural issues experienced by one or more third parties involved in voting proxies in such jurisdictions; (b) changes in the process or agenda for the meeting by the issuer for which the Investment Managers do not have sufficient notice; or (c) the exercise by the issuer of its discretion to reject the vote of the Investment Managers. In addition, despite the best efforts of the Proxy Group and its agents, there may be situations where the Investment Managers' votes are not received, or properly tabulated, by an issuer or the issuer's agent.

#### S ec uri t i es o n Loan
The Investment Managers or their affiliates may, on behalf of one or more of the proprietary registered investment companies advised by the Investment Managers or their affiliates, make efforts to recall any security on loan where the Investment Manager or its affiliates (a) learn of a vote on an event that may materially affect a security on loan and (b) determine that it is in the best interests of such proprietary registered investment companies to recall the security for voting purposes. The ability to timely recall shares is not entirely within the control of the Investment Managers. Under certain circumstances, the recall of shares in time for such shares to be voted may not be possible due to applicable proxy voting record dates or other administrative considerations.

#### Split Voting
There may be instances in certain non-U.S. markets where split voting is not allowed. Split voting occurs when a position held within an account is voted in accordance with two differing instructions. Some markets and/or issuers only allow voting on an entire position and do not accept split voting. In certain cases, when more than one Franklin Templeton investment manager has accounts holding shares of an issuer that are held in an omnibus structure, the Proxy Group will seek direction from an appropriate representative of the Advisory Client with multiple Investment Managers (such as a conducting officer of the Management Company in the case of a SICAV), or the Proxy Group will submit the vote based on the voting instructions provided by the Investment Manager with accounts holding the greatest number of shares of the security within the omnibus structure.

#### Bundled Items
If several issues are bundled together in a single voting item, the Investment Managers will assess the total benefit to shareholders and the extent that such issues should be subject to separate voting proposals.

#### PROCEDURES FOR MEETINGS INVOLVING FIXED INCOME SECURITIES & PRIVATELY HELD ISSUERS
From time to time, certain custodians may process events for fixed income securities through their proxy voting channels rather than corporate action channels for administrative convenience. In such cases, the Proxy Group will receive ballots for such events on the ISS voting platform. The Proxy Group will solicit voting instructions from the Investment Managers for each account or fund involved. If the Proxy Group does not receive voting instructions from the Investment Managers, the Proxy Group will take no

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action on the event. The Investment Managers may be unable to vote a proxy for a fixed income security, or may choose not to vote a proxy, for the reasons described under the section entitled "Proxy Procedures."

In the rare instance where there is a vote for a privately held issuer, the decision will generally be made by the relevant portfolio managers or research analysts.

The Proxy Group will monitor such meetings involving fixed income securities or privately held issuers for conflicts of interest in accordance with these procedures. If a fixed income or privately held issuer is flagged as a potential conflict of interest, the Investment Managers may nonetheless vote as it deems in the best interests of its Advisory Clients. The Investment Managers will report such decisions on an annual basis to Advisory Clients as may be required.

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#### Appendi x A
These Proxy Policies apply to accounts managed by personnel within Franklin Equity Group, which includes the following Investment Managers:

Franklin Advisers, Inc. (FAV)

Franklin Templeton Institutional, LLC

The following Proxy Policies apply to FAV only:

#### HOW THE IN V ESTMENT MANAGERS VOTE PROXIES

#### Pr oxy S e rvi c e s
Certain of the Investment Managers' separate accounts or funds (or a portion thereof) are included under Franklin Templeton Investment Solutions ("FTIS"), a separate investment group within Franklin Templeton, and employ a quantitative strategy.

For such accounts, FTIS's proprietary methodologies rely on a combination of quantitative, qualitative, and behavioral analysis rather than fundamental security research and analyst coverage that an actively-managed portfolio would ordinarily employ. Accordingly, absent client direction, in light of the high number of positions held by such accounts and the considerable time and effort that would be required to review proxy statements and ISS or Glass Lewis recommendations, the Investment Manager may review ISS's guidelines or Glass Lewis's US guidelines (the "ISS and Glass Lewis Proxy Voting Guidelines") and determine, consistent with the best interest of its clients, to provide standing instructions to the Proxy Group to vote proxies according to the recommendations of ISS or Glass Lewis.

The Investment Manager, however, retains the ability to vote a proxy differently than ISS or Glass Lewis recommends if the Investment Manager determines that it would be in the best interests of Advisory Clients.

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FRANKLIN STRATEGIC SERIES

FILE NOS. 033-39088 & 811-06243

PART C

<u>OTHER INFORMATION</u>

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Item 28. Exhibits.** | **Item 28. Exhibits.** |
| The following exhibits are incorporated by reference to the previously filed document indicated below, except as noted: | The following exhibits are incorporated by reference to the previously filed document indicated below, except as noted: |
| (a) | Agreement and Declaration of Trust |
| (i) | [Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust of Franklin Strategic Series, a Delaware statutory trust, dated May 18, 2018](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/872625/000137949119002952/exhibitai_2018-0518fssamende.htm)<br>Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 87 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A<br>File No. 033-39088<br>Filing Date: June 3, 2019 |
| (b) | By-Laws |
| (i) | [Third Amended and Restated By-Laws of Franklin Strategic Series, a Delaware Statutory Trust effective as of May 18, 2018](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/872625/000137949119002952/exhibitbi_2018-0518fssamende.htm)<br>Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 87 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A<br>File No. 033-39088<br>Filing Date: June 3, 2019 |
| (ii) | [Certificate of the By-Laws of Franklin Strategic Series dated January 17, 2019](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/872625/000137949119002952/exhibitbii_fss-cosecretaryce.htm)<br>Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 87 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A<br>File No. 033-39088<br>Filing Date: June 3, 2019 |
| (c) | Instruments Defining Rights of Security Holders |
| (i) | Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration  |
| (a) | Article III, Shares |
| (b) | Article V, Shareholders' Voting Powers and Meetings |
| (c) | Article VI, Net Asset Value, Distributions, Redemptions and Transfers |
| (d) | Articles VIII, Certain Transactions – Section 4 |
| (e) | Articles X, Miscellaneous – Section 4 |
| (ii) | Amended and Restated By-Laws |
| (a) | Article II, Meetings of Shareholders |
| (b) | Article VI, Records and Reports – Section 1, 2 and 3 |
| (c) | Article VII, General Matters: - Sections 3, 4, 6 and 7 |
| (d) | Articles VIII, Amendment – Section 1 |
| (iii) | Part B: Statement of Additional Information – Item 22 |
| (d) | Investment Advisory Contracts |
| (i) | [Amended and Restated Investment Management Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of Franklin Core Plus Bond Fund (Formerly, Franklin Strategic Income Fund) and Franklin Advisers, Inc., dated December 29, 2017](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/872625/000137949119003904/exhibitdvi_fssfranklinstrate.htm)<br>Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 89 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A<br>File No. 033-39088<br>Filing Date: August 26, 2019 |

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(ii) [Amended and Restated Investment Management Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of Franklin Natural Resources Fund and Franklin Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund and Franklin Advisers, Inc., dated December 29, 2017](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/872625/000137949119003904/exhibitdvii_fssfranklinsmall.htm) Filing: Post-Effective Amendment
No. 89 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A File No.
033-39088 Filing Date: August 26, 2019

(iii) [Amended and Restated Investment Management Agreement Between the Registrant, on behalf of Franklin Small Cap Growth Fund and Franklin Advisers, Inc., dated May 1, 2013](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/872625/000137949113000902/ex99dxiii.htm) Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 65 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A File No. 033-39088 Filing
Date: August 28, 2013

(iv) [Amended and Restated Investment Management Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of Franklin Growth Opportunities Fund and Franklin Advisers, Inc., dated December 29, 2017](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/872625/000137949119003904/exhibitdix_fssfranklingrowth.htm) Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 89 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A File No. 033-39088 Filing Date: August 26, 2019

(v) [Amended and Restated Investment Management Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of Franklin Biotechnology Discovery Fund and Franklin Advisers, Inc., dated December 29, 2017](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/872625/000137949119003904/exhibitdx_fssfranklinbiotech.htm) Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 89 to Registration Statement
on Form N-1A File No. 033-39088 Filing
Date: August 26, 2019

(vi) [Investment Management Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of Franklin Templeton SMACS, Series I, Series E, Series CH and Series H and Franklin Advisers, Inc. dated June 1, 2019](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/872625/000137949119003904/exhibitdxiii_imafssfranklins.htm) Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 89 to Registration Statement
on Form N-1A File No. 033-39088 Filing
Date: August 26, 2019

(vii) [Amendment to the Investment Management Agreement dated April 7, 2020, on behalf of each Fund of Franklin Strategic Series listed in Schedule A and Franklin Advisers, Inc.](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/872625/000174177321002234/ex99dadvsrcontr-dviii.htm) Filing:
Post-Effective Amendment No. 128 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A File
No. 033-39088 Filing Date: August 26, 2021

(viii) [Investment Management Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of Franklin Templeton SMACS, Series C and CP and Franklin Advisers, Inc. dated June 20, 2025](ex99dadvsrcontr-dviii.htm)

(e) Underwriting Contracts

(i) [Distribution Agreement dated July 7, 2021 between Registrant on behalf of Funds listed in Attachment A and Franklin Distributors, LLC](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/872625/000174177322002835/ex99eundrcontr-ei.htm) Filing:
Post-Effective Amendment No. 143 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A File
No. 033-39088 Filing Date: August 25, 2022

(ii) [Distribution Agreement dated July 7, 2021 between Registrant on behalf of Franklin Templeton SMACS, Series E, Series I, Series CH, Series H and Franklin Distributors, LLC](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/872625/000174177322002835/ex99eundrcontr-eii.htm) Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 143 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A File No. 033-39088 Filing Date: August 25, 2022

(iii) [Form of Selling Agreements between Franklin Distributors, LLC and Securities Dealers dated July 7, 2021](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/872625/000174177322004362/ex99eundrcontr-eiii.htm) Filing: Post-Effective Amendment
No. 149 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A File No.
033-39088 Filing Date: December 27, 2022

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| (f) | Bonus or Profit Sharing Contracts |
|  | Not Applicable |
| (g) | Custodian Agreements |
| (i) | [Custody Agreement between the Registrant on behalf of Franklin Core Plus Bond Fund (Formerly, Franklin Strategic Income Fund) and Millennium Trust Company, LLC.](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/872625/000137949119005520/exgxii_millenniumtrustcustod.htm)<br>Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 91 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A<br>File No. 033-39088<br>Filing Date: December 27, 2019 |
| (ii) | [Global Custody Agreement between the Registrant and JPMorgan Chase Bank dated March 1, 2020](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/872625/000174177323002728/ex99gcustagreemt-gii.htm)<br>Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 151 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A<br>File No. 033-39088<br>Filing Date: August 25, 2023 |
| (iii) | [Joinder to Global Custody Agreement dated March 1, 2020, between the Registrant and JPMorgan Chase Bank dated July 15, 2020](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/872625/000174177323002728/ex99gcustagreemt-giii.htm)<br>Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 151 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A<br>File No. 033-39088<br>Filing Date: August 25, 2023 |
| (iv) | [Second Joinder to Global Custody Agreement dated March 1, 2020, between the Registrant and JPMorgan Chase, dated March 12, 2021](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/872625/000174177323002728/ex99gcustagreemt-giv.htm)<br>Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 151 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A<br>File No. 033-39088<br>Filing Date: August 25, 2023 |
| (v) | [Third Joinder to Global Custody Agreement dated March 1, 2020, between the Registrant and JPMorgan Chase, dated August 11, 2021](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/872625/000174177323002728/ex99gcustagreemt-gv.htm)<br>Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 151 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A<br>File No. 033-39088<br>Filing Date: August 25, 2023 |
| (vi) | [Fourth Joinder to Global Custody Agreement dated February 15, 2023, between the Registrant and JPMorgan Chase effective March 31, 2023](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/872625/000174177323002728/ex99gcustagreemt-gvi.htm)<br>Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 151 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A<br>File No. 033-39088<br>Filing Date: August 25, 2023 |
| (h) | Other Material Contracts |
| (i) | [Amended and Restated Subcontract for Fund Administrative Services dated February 28, 2012 and amended as of May 1, 2014 between Franklin Templeton Services, LLC and Franklin Advisers, Inc. for the Registrant, on behalf of Franklin Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund, Franklin Core Plus Bond Fund (Formerly, Franklin Strategic Income Fund) and Franklin Natural Resources Fund](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/872625/000137949115000928/hi_amendedandrestatedsubcont.htm)<br>Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 76 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A<br>File No. 033-39088<br>Filing Date: August 27, 2015 |
| (ii) | [Subcontract for Fund Administrative Services dated May 1, 2013 and amended as of May 1, 2014 between Franklin Templeton Services, LLC and Franklin Advisers, Inc. for the Registrant, on behalf of Franklin Growth Opportunities Fund and Franklin Small Cap Growth Fund](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/872625/000137949115000928/hii_amendedsubcontractforfun.htm)<br>Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 76 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A<br>File No. 033-39088<br>Filing Date: August 27, 2015 |

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(iii) [Subcontract for Fund Administrative Services dated May 1, 2014 between Franklin Templeton Services, LLC and Franklin Advisers, Inc. for the Registrant, on behalf of Franklin Biotechnology Discovery Fund](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/872625/000087262515000007/hv_fundadminsubcontractffrmt.htm) Filing:
Post-Effective Amendment No.73 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A File
No. 033-39088 Filing Date: May 15, 2015

(iv) [Second Amended and Restated Transfer Agent and Shareholder Services Agreement between the Registrant and Franklin Templeton Investor Services, LLC dated October 1, 2022](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/872625/000174177323002728/ex99hothmatcont-hiv.htm) Filing:
Post-Effective Amendment No. 151 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A File
No. 033-39088 Filing Date: August 25, 2023

(v) [Second Amended and Restated Transfer Agent and Shareholder Services Agreement between the Registrant on behalf of Franklin SMACs Series I, Series E, Series CH and Series E and Franklin Templeton Investor Services, LLC dated June 1, 2024](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/872625/000174177324004880/ex99hothmatcont-hv.htm) Filing: Post-Effective Amendment
No. 154 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A File No.
033-39088 Filing Date: December 27, 2024

(vi) [Subcontract for Fund Administrative Services between Franklin Advisers, Inc. and Franklin Templeton Services, LLC for the Registrant, on behalf of Franklin Templeton SMACS, Series I, Series E, Series CH and Series H dated June 1, 2019](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/872625/000137949119005520/exhvi_fsssubcontractforfunda.htm) Filing: Post-Effective Amendment
No. 91 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A File No.
033-39088 Filing Date: December 27, 2019

(vii) [Amendment to Fund Services Agreement dated July 15, 2020 between Franklin Templeton Services, LLC for the Registrant and JPMorgan on behalf dated January 22, 2020](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/872625/000137949120003985/exhvii_firstamendmenttofsa-0.htm) Filing:
Post-Effective Amendment No. 103 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A File
No. 033-39088 Filing Date: August 27, 2020

(viii) [Fund Services Agreement between Franklin Templeton Services, LLC for the Registrant and JPMorgan on behalf dated January 22, 2020](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/872625/000174177321002234/ex99hothmatcont-hviii.htm) Filing: Post-Effective Amendment
No. 128 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A File No.
033-39088 Filing Date: August 26, 2021

(ix) [Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement Agreement on behalf of Franklin Small Cap Growth Fund, Franklin Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund and Franklin Templeton SMACS: Series E, Series I, Series CH and Series H dated June 1, 2020](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/872625/000174177321002234/ex99dadvsrcontr-dix.htm) Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 128 to
Registration Statement on Form N-1A File No. 033-39088 Filing
Date: August 26, 2021

(x) [Amendment to Fund Services Agreement effective January 29, 2021 between Franklin Templeton Services, LLC for the Registrant and JPMorgan dated January 22, 2020](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/872625/000174177322002835/ex99hothmatcont-hx.htm) Filing:
Post-Effective Amendment No. 143 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A File
No. 033-39088 Filing Date: August 25, 2022

(xi) [Third Amendment to Fund Services Agreement dated March 12, 2021 between Franklin Templeton Services, LLC for the Registrant and JPMorgan dated January 22, 2020](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/872625/000174177322002835/ex99hothmatcont-hxi.htm) Filing:
Post-Effective Amendment No. 143 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A File
No. 033-39088 Filing Date: August 25, 2022

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| (xii) | [Fourth Amendment to Fund Services Agreement effective September 1, 2021 between Franklin Templeton Services, LLC for the Registrant and JPMorgan dated January 22, 2020](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/872625/000174177322002835/ex99hothmatcont-hxii.htm)<br>Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 143 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A<br>File No. 033-39088<br>Filing Date: August 25, 2022 |
| (xiii) | [Fifth Amendment to Fund Services Agreement dated June 10, 2022 between Franklin Templeton Services, LLC for the Registrant and JPMorgan dated January 22, 2020](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/872625/000174177322002835/ex99hothmatcont-hxiii.htm)<br>Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 143 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A<br>File No. 033-39088<br>Filing Date: August 25, 2022 |
| (xiv) | [Form of Rule 12d1-4 Fund of Funds Investment Agreement](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/872625/000174177322002835/ex99hothmatcont-hxiv.htm)<br>Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 143 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A<br>File No. 033-39088<br>Filing Date: August 25, 2022 |
| (xv) | [Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement revised August 2023 for Schedule A and B](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/872625/000174177324003614/ex99hothmatcont-hxv.htm)<br>Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 153 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A<br>File No. 033-39088<br>Filing Date: August 26, 2024 |
| (xvi) | [Transfer Agent and Shareholder Services Agreement revised October 1, 2023 for Schedule A](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/872625/000174177324003614/ex99hothmatcont-hxvi.htm)<br>Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 153 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A<br>File No. 033-39088<br>Filing Date: August 26, 2024 |
| (i) | Legal Opinion |
| (i) | [Opinion and Consent of Counsel dated March 8, 1999](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/872625/0000872625-99-000003.txt)<br>Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 31 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A<br>File No. 033-39088<br>Filing Date: March 11, 1999 |
| (ii) | [Opinion and Consent of Counsel dated June 3, 2019 on Behalf of Franklin Templeton SMACS: Series I, Series E, Series CH and Series H](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/872625/000137949119002952/exhibitiiii_legalopinion-fss.htm)<br>Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 87 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A<br>File No. 033-39088<br>Filing Date: June 3, 2019 |
| (iii) | [Opinion and Consent of Counsel dated June 16, 2025 on Behalf of Franklin Templeton SMACS: Series C and CP](ex99ilegalopinin-iiii.htm) |
| (j) | Other Opinions |
| (i) | Not Applicable |
| (k) | Omitted Financial Statements |
|  | Not Applicable |
| (l) | Initial Capital Agreements |
| (i) | [Letter of Understanding for Franklin Natural Resources Fund dated June 5, 1995](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/872625/0000872625-95-000030.txt)<br>Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 17 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A<br>File No. 033-39088<br>Filing Date: December 5, 1995 |

---

------

(ii) [Letter of Understanding for Franklin Biotechnology Discovery Fund dated September 5, 1997](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/872625/0000872625-98-000009.txt) Filing:
Post-Effective Amendment No. 27 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A File
No. 033-39088 Filing Date: March 13, 1998

(iii) [Letter of Understanding for Franklin Growth Opportunities Fund (formerly Franklin Aggressive Growth Fund), dated June 22, 1999](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/872625/000087262599000027/0000872625-99-000027.txt) Filing:
Post-Effective Amendment No. 37 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A File
No. 033-39088 Filing Date: June 28, 1999

(iv) [Letter of Understanding for Franklin Small Cap Growth Fund dated April 28, 2000](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/872625/000087262500000023/0000872625-00-000023-0010.txt) Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 40 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A File No. 033-39088 Filing Date: June 30, 2000

(m) Rule 12b-1 Plan

(i) [Amended and Restated Class A Distribution Plan between the Registrant, on behalf of Franklin Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund, and Franklin Distributors, LLC dated July 7, 2021](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/872625/000174177322002835/ex99m12b1plan-mi.htm) Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 143 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A File No. 033-39088 Filing Date: August 25, 2022

(ii) [Amended and Restated Class A Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 between the Registrant, on behalf of the Franklin Core Plus Bond Fund (Formerly, Franklin Strategic Income Fund), and Franklin Distributors, LLC dated July 7, 2021](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/872625/000174177322002835/ex99m12b1plan-mii.htm) Filing:
Post-Effective Amendment No. 143 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A File
No. 033-39088 Filing Date: August 25, 2022

(iii) [Amended and Restated Class A Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 between the Registrant, on behalf of the Franklin Natural Resources Fund, and Franklin Distributors, LLC dated July 7, 2021](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/872625/000174177322002835/ex99m12b1plan-miii.htm) Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 143 to
Registration Statement on Form N-1A File No. 033-39088 Filing
Date: August 25, 2022

(iv) [Amended and Restated Class A Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 between the Registrant, on behalf of Franklin Biotechnology Discovery Fund and Franklin Distributors, LLC dated July 7, 2021](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/872625/000174177322002835/ex99m12b1plan-miv.htm) Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 143 to
Registration Statement on Form N-1A File No. 033-39088 Filing
Date: August 25, 2022

(v) [Amended and Restated Class A Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 between the Registrant, on behalf of Franklin Growth Opportunities Fund, and Franklin Distributors, LLC dated July 7, 2021](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/872625/000174177322002835/ex99m12b1plan-mv.htm) Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 143 to
Registration Statement on Form N-1A File No. 033-39088 Filing
Date: August 25, 2022

(vi) [Amended and Restated Class A Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 between the Registrant, on behalf of Franklin Small Cap Growth Fund and Franklin Distributors, LLC dated July 7, 2021](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/872625/000174177322002835/ex99m12b1plan-mvi.htm) Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 143 to
Registration Statement on Form N-1A File No. 033-39088 Filing
Date: August 25, 2022

------

(vii) [Amended and Restated Class C Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 between the Registrant, on behalf of Franklin Core Plus Bond Fund (Formerly, Franklin Strategic Income Fund) and Franklin Distributors, LLC dated July 7, 2021](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/872625/000174177322002835/ex99m12b1plan-mvii.htm) Filing:
Post-Effective Amendment No. 143 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A File
No. 033-39088 Filing Date: August 25, 2022

(viii) [Amended and Restated Class C Distribution Plan between the Registrant, on behalf of Franklin Growth Opportunities Fund, Franklin Natural Resources Fund, Franklin Small Cap Growth Fund, Franklin Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund and Franklin Distributors, LLC dated July 7, 2021](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/872625/000174177322002835/ex99m12b1plan-mviii.htm) Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 143 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A File No. 033-39088 Filing Date: August 25, 2022

(ix) [Amended and Restated Class R Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 between the Registrant, on behalf of Franklin Growth Opportunities Fund, Franklin Small Cap Growth Fund, Franklin Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund and Franklin Core Plus Bond Fund (Formerly, Franklin Strategic Income Fund), and Franklin Distributors, LLC dated July 7, 2021](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/872625/000174177322002835/ex99m12b1plan-mix.htm) Filing:
Post-Effective Amendment No. 143 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A File
No. 033-39088 Filing Date: August 25, 2022

(x) [Amended and Restated Class C Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 between the Registrant, on behalf of Franklin Biotechnology Discovery Fund and Franklin Distributors, LLC dated July 7, 2021](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/872625/000174177322002835/ex99m12b1plan-mx.htm) Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 143 to
Registration Statement on Form N-1A File No. 033-39088 Filing
Date: August 25, 2022

(n) Rule
18f-3 Plan

(i) [Amended Multiple Class Plan for Franklin Natural Resources Fund dated July 7, 2021](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/872625/000174177322002835/ex99n18f3plan-ni.htm) Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 143 to
Registration Statement on Form N-1A File No. 033-39088 Filing
Date: August 25, 2022

(ii) [Amended Multiple Class Plan for Franklin Small Cap Growth Fund dated July 7, 2021](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/872625/000174177322002835/ex99n18f3plan-nii.htm) Filing:
Post-Effective Amendment No. 143 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A File
No. 033-39088 Filing Date: August 25, 2022

(iii) [Amended Multiple Class Plan for Franklin Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund dated July 7, 2021](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/872625/000174177322002835/ex99n18f3plan-niii.htm) Filing:
Post-Effective Amendment No. 143 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A File
No. 033-39088 Filing Date: August 25, 2022

(iv) [Amended Multiple Class Plan for Franklin Biotechnology Discovery Fund dated July 7, 2021](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/872625/000174177322002835/ex99n18f3plan-niv.htm) Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 143 to
Registration Statement on Form N-1A File No. 033-39088 Filing
Date: August 25, 2022

(v) [Amended Multiple Class Plan for Franklin Core Plus Bond Fund (Formerly, Franklin Strategic Income Fund) dated July 7, 2021](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/872625/000174177322002835/ex99n18f3plan-nv.htm) Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 143 to
Registration Statement on Form N-1A File No. 033-39088 Filing
Date: August 25, 2022

------

(vi) [Amended Multiple Class Plan for Franklin Growth Opportunities Fund dated July 7, 2021](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/872625/000174177322002835/ex99n18f3plan-nvi.htm) Filing:
Post-Effective Amendment No. 143 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A File
No. 033-39088 Filing Date: August 25, 2022

(p) Code of Ethics

(i) [Code of Ethics dated September 9, 2024](ex99pcodeeth-pi.htm)

(q) Power of Attorney

(i) [Power of Attorney dated January 3, 2025](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/872625/000174177325001316/ex99-qi.htm) Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 155
to Registration Statement on Form N-1A File No. 033-39088 Filing
Date: March 14, 2025

#### Item 29. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with the Fund
None

#### Item 30. Indemnification
The Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust (the "Declaration") provides that any person who is or was a Trustee, officer, employee or other agent, including the underwriter, of such Trust shall be liable to the Trust and its shareholders only for (1) any act or omission that constitutes a bad faith violation of the implied contractual covenant of good faith and fair dealing, or (2) the person's own willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such person (such conduct referred to herein as Disqualifying Conduct) and for nothing else. Except in these instances and to the fullest extent that limitations of liability of agents are permitted by the Delaware Statutory Trust Act (the "Delaware Act"), these Agents (as defined in the Declaration) shall not be responsible or liable for any act or omission of any other Agent of the Trust or any investment adviser or principal underwriter. Moreover, except and to the extent provided in these instances, none of these Agents, when acting in their respective capacity as such, shall be personally liable to any other person, other than such Trust or its shareholders, for any act, omission or obligation of the Trust or any trustee thereof.

The Trust shall indemnify, out of its property, to the fullest extent permitted under applicable law, any of the persons who was or is a party, or is threatened to be made a party to any Proceeding (as defined in the Declaration) because the person is or was an Agent of such Trust. These persons shall be indemnified against any Expenses (as defined in the Declaration), judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts actually and reasonably incurred in connection with the Proceeding if the person acted in good faith or, in the case of a criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that the conduct was unlawful. The termination of any Proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction or plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent shall not in itself create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith or that the person had reasonable cause to believe that the person's conduct was unlawful. There shall nonetheless be no indemnification for a person's own Disqualifying Conduct.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, may be permitted to Trustees, officers and controlling persons of the Trust pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Trust has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Trust of expenses incurred or paid by a Trustee, officer or controlling person of the Trust in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such Trustee, officer or controlling person in connection with securities being registered, the Trust may be required, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, to submit to a court or appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

#### Item 31. Business and Other Connections of the Investment Adviser
Franklin Advisers, Inc. (Advisers)

------

The officers and directors of Advisers also serve as officers and/or directors for (1) Advisers' corporate parent, Franklin Resources, Inc., and/or (2) other investment companies in Franklin Templeton Investments. For additional information please see Part B and Schedules A and D of Form ADV of Advisers (SEC File 801-26292) incorporated herein by reference, which sets forth the officers and directors of Advisers and information as to any business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature engaged in by those officers and directors during the past two years.

#### Item 32. Principal Underwriters
a) Franklin Distributors, LLC (Distributors) also acts as principal underwriter of shares of:

---

| |
|:---|
| Franklin Alternative Strategies Fund |
| Franklin California Tax-Free Income Fund |
| Franklin California Tax-Free Trust |
| Franklin Custodian Funds  |
| Franklin ETF Trust |
| Franklin Federal Tax-Free Income Fund |
| Franklin Fund Allocator Series |
| Franklin Global Trust |
| Franklin Gold and Precious Metals Fund |
| Franklin High Income Trust |
| Franklin Investors Securities Trust |
| Franklin Managed Trust |
| Franklin Municipal Securities Trust |
| Franklin Mutual Series Funds |
| Franklin New York Tax-Free Income Fund |
| Franklin New York Tax-Free Trust |
| Franklin Real Estate Securities Trust |
| Franklin Tax-Free Trust |
| Franklin Templeton ETF Trust  |
| Franklin Templeton Trust |
| Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust |
| Franklin U.S. Government Money Fund  |
| Franklin Value Investors Trust |
| Institutional Fiduciary Trust |
| Templeton Developing Markets Trust |
| Templeton Funds |
| Templeton Global Investment Trust |
| Templeton Global Smaller Companies Fund |
| Templeton Growth Fund, Inc. |
| Templeton Income Trust |
| Templeton Institutional Funds |
| Legg Mason ETF Investment Trust |
| Legg Mason Global Asset Management Trust |
| Legg Mason Partners Income Trust |
| Legg Mason Partners Institutional Trust |
| Legg Mason Partners Investment Trust |
| Legg Mason Partners Variable Equity Trust |
| Legg Mason Partners Variable Income Trust |
| Legg Mason Partners Institutional Trust |
| Legg Mason Partners Money Market Trust |
| Western Asset Funds, Inc. |
| George Putnam Balanced Fund  |
| Putnam Asset Allocation Funds  |
| Putnam California Tax Exempt Income Fund  |
| Putnam Convertible Securities Fund  |
| Putnam Diversified Income Trust  |

---

------

---

| |
|:---|
| Putnam ETF Trust |
| Putnam Focused International Equity Fund  |
| Putnam Funds Trust |
| Putnam Global Health Care Fund |
| Putnam Global Income Trust |
| Putnam High Yield Fund |
| Putnam Income Fund  |
| Putnam International Equity Fund |
| Putnam Investment Funds |
| Putnam Large Cap Value Fund |
| Putnam Massachusetts Tax Exempt Income Fund |
| Putnam Minnesota Tax Exempt Income Fund |
| Putnam Money Market Fund |
| Putnam Mortgage Securities Fund |
| Putnam New Jersey Tax Exempt Income Fund |
| Putnam New York Tax Exempt Income Fund |
| Putnam Ohio Tax Exempt Income Fund |
| Putnam Pennsylvania Tax Exempt Income Fund  |
| Putnam Sustainable Leaders Fund |
| Putnam Target Date Funds  |
| Putnam Tax Exempt Income Fund  |
| Putnam Tax-Free Income Trust |
| Putnam Variable Trust |

---

b) The information required with respect to each director and officer of Distributors is incorporated by reference to Part B of this N-1A and Schedule A of Form BD filed by Distributors with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Act of 1934 (SEC File No. 008-05889).

c) Not Applicable. Registrant's principal underwriter is an affiliated person of an affiliated person of the Registrant.

#### Item 33. Location of Accounts and Records
The accounts, books or other documents required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 are kept by the Registrant at One Franklin Parkway, San Mateo CA 94403-1906 or its shareholder services agent, Franklin Templeton Investor Services LLC both of whose address is 100 Fountain Parkway, St. Petersburg, FL 33716.

#### Item 34. Management Services
There are no management-related service contracts not discussed in Part A or Part B.

#### Item 35. Undertakings
Not Applicable

------

<u>SIGNATURES</u>

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for effectiveness of this Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized in the City of San Mateo and the State of California, on the 13<sup>th</sup> day of June, 2025.

Franklin Strategic Series

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(Registrant)

By: <u>/s/ Navid J. Tofigh</u>

Navid J. Tofigh

Vice President and Secretary

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated:

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| EDWARD D. PERKS\* | President and Chief Executive Officer – Investment Management |
| Edward D. Perks | Dated: June 13, 2025 |
| CHRISTOPHER KINGS\* | Chief Executive Officer – Finance and Administration |
| Christopher Kings | Dated: June 13, 2025 |
| JEFFREY W. WHITE\* | Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer |
| Jeffrey W. White | Dated: June 13, 2025 |
| HARRIS J. ASHTON\* | Trustee |
| Harris J. Ashton | Dated: June 13, 2025 |
| TERRENCE J. CHECKI\* | Trustee |
| Terrence J. Checki | Dated: June 13, 2025 |
| MARY C. CHOKSI\* | Trustee |
| Mary C. Choksi | Dated: June 13, 2025 |
| EDITH E. HOLIDAY\* | Trustee |
| Edith E. Holiday | Dated: June 13, 2025 |
| GREGORY E. JOHNSON\* | Trustee |
| Gregory E. Johnson | Dated: June 13, 2025 |
| RUPERT H. JOHNSON, JR.\* | Trustee |
| Rupert H. Johnson, Jr. | Dated: June 13, 2025 |
| J. MICHAEL LUTTIG\* | Trustee |
| J. Michael Luttig | Dated: June 13, 2025 |
| LARRY D. THOMPSON\* | Trustee |
| Larry D. Thompson | Dated: June 13, 2025 |
| VALERIE M. WILLIAMS\* | Trustee |
| Valerie M. Williams | Dated: June 13, 2025 |

---

------

\*By: <u>/s/ NAVID J. TOFIGH</u>

Navid J. Tofigh

Attorney-in-Fact

(Pursuant to Powers of Attorney previously filed)

------

FRANKLIN STRATEGIC SERIES

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

EXHIBITS INDEX

The following exhibits are attached:

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| EXHIBIT NO. | DESCRIPTION |
| EX-99(d)(viii) | [Investment Management Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of Franklin Templeton SMACS, Series C and CP and Franklin Advisers, Inc. dated June 20, 2025](ex99dadvsrcontr-dviii.htm) |
| EX-99(i)(iii) | [Opinion and Consent of Counsel dated June 16, 2025 on Behalf of Franklin Templeton SMACS: Series C and CP](ex99ilegalopinin-iiii.htm) |
| EX-99(p)(i) | [Code of Ethics dated September 9, 2024](ex99pcodeeth-pi.htm) |

---

------

## Ex-99.D

#### FRANKLIN STRATEGIC SERIES
on behalf of

#### FRANKLIN TEMPLETON SMACS: SERIES C

#### FRANKLIN TEMPLETON SMACS: SERIES CP

#### INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
**THIS INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT**, dated as of June 20, 2025, is made between **FRANKLIN STRATEGIC SERIES**, a Delaware statutory trust (the "Trust"), on behalf of each of Franklin Templeton SMACS: Series C and Franklin Templeton SMACS: Series CP (each a "Fund" and, together, the "Funds"), each a series of the Trust, and **FRANKLIN ADVISERS, INC.**, a California corporation (the "Manager").

**WHEREAS**, the Trust has been organized and intends to operate as an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), for the purpose of investing and reinvesting its assets in securities, as set forth in its Agreement and Declaration of Trust, its By-Laws and its Registration Statement under the 1940 Act and the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, all as heretofore and hereafter amended and supplemented; and the Trust desires to avail itself of the services, information, advice, assistance and facilities of an investment manager and to have an investment manager perform various management, statistical, research, investment advisory, administrative and other services for the Funds; and

**WHEREAS**, the Manager is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the "Advisers Act"), is engaged in the business of rendering management, investment advisory, counseling and supervisory services to investment companies and other investment counseling clients, and desires to provide these services to the Funds.

**NOW THEREFORE**, in consideration of the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, it is mutually agreed as follows:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1. <u>Employment of the Manager</u>. The Trust hereby employs the Manager to manage the investment and reinvestment of each Fund's assets, to administer its affairs, and to provide or procure, as applicable, the administrative and other services described in Section 2.C. of this Agreement, as may be supplemented from time to time, subject to the direction of the Board of Trustees and the officers of the Trust, for the period and on the terms hereinafter set forth. The Manager hereby accepts such employment and agrees during such period to render the services and to assume the obligations herein set forth for the compensation herein provided. The Manager shall for all purposes herein be deemed to be an independent contractor and shall, except as expressly provided or authorized (whether herein or otherwise), have no authority to act for or represent the Funds or the Trust in any way or otherwise be deemed an agent of the Funds or the Trust.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2. <u>Obligations of and Services to be Provided by the Manager</u>. The Manager undertakes to provide the services hereinafter set forth and to assume the following obligations:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A. <u>Investment Management Services</u>.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) The Manager shall manage each Fund's assets subject to and in accordance with the investment objectives and policies of such Fund and any directions which the Trust's Board of Trustees may issue from time to time. In pursuance of the foregoing, the Manager shall make all determinations with respect to the investment of a Fund's assets and the purchase and sale of its investment securities, and shall take such steps as may be necessary to implement the same. Such determinations and services shall include determining the manner in which any voting rights, rights to consent to corporate action and any other rights pertaining to the Fund's investment securities shall be exercised. The Manager shall render or cause to be rendered regular reports to the Trust, at regular meetings of its Board of Trustees and at such other times as may be

------

reasonably requested by the Trust's Board of Trustees, of (i) the decisions made with respect to the investment of each Fund's assets and the purchase and sale of its investment securities, (ii) the reasons for such decisions and (iii) the extent to which those decisions have been implemented.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) The Manager, subject to and in accordance with any directions which the Trust's Board of Trustees may issue from time to time, shall place, in the name of a Fund, orders for the execution of the Fund's securities transactions. When placing such orders, the Manager shall seek to obtain the best net price and execution for the Fund, but this requirement shall not be deemed to obligate the Manager to place any order solely on the basis of obtaining the lowest commission rate if the other standards set forth in this section have been satisfied. The parties recognize that there are likely to be many cases in which different brokers are equally able to provide such best price and execution and that, in selecting among such brokers with respect to particular trades, it is desirable to choose those brokers who furnish research, statistical, quotations and other information to such Fund and the Manager in accordance with the standards set forth below. Moreover, to the extent that it continues to be lawful to do so, the Manager may place orders with a broker who charges a commission for that transaction which is in excess of the amount of commission that another broker would have charged for effecting that transaction, provided that the excess commission is reasonable in relation to the value of "brokerage and research services" (as defined in Section 28(e)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) provided by that broker.

Accordingly, the Trust and the Manager agree that the Manager shall select brokers for the execution of each Fund's transactions from among:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(i) Those brokers and dealers who provide quotations and other services to the Fund, specifically including the quotations necessary to determine the Fund's net assets, in such amount of total brokerage as may reasonably be required in light of such services; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(ii) Those brokers and dealers who supply research, statistical and other data to the Manager which the Manager may lawfully and appropriately use in their investment management capacities, which relate directly to securities, actual or potential, of the Fund, or which place the Manager in a better position to make decisions in connection with the management of the Fund's assets and securities, whether or not such data may also be useful to the Manager in managing other portfolios or advising other clients, in such amount of total brokerage as may reasonably be required.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c) When the Manager has determined that a Fund should tender securities pursuant to a "tender offer solicitation," Franklin Distributors, LLC ("Distributors") shall be designated as the "tendering dealer" so long as it is legally permitted to act in such capacity under the federal securities laws and rules thereunder and the rules of any securities exchange or association of which Distributors may be a member. Neither the Manager nor Distributors shall be obligated to make any additional commitments of capital, expense or personnel beyond that already committed (other than normal periodic fees or payments necessary to maintain its corporate existence and membership in the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority) as of the date of this Agreement. This Agreement shall not obligate the Manager or Distributors (i) to act pursuant to the foregoing requirement under any circumstances in which they might reasonably believe that liability might be imposed upon them as a result of so acting, or (ii) to institute legal or other proceedings to collect fees which may be considered to be due from others to it as a result of such a tender, unless the Trust on behalf of the affected Fund shall enter into an agreement with the Manager and/or Distributors to reimburse them for all such expenses connected with attempting to collect such fees, including legal fees and expenses and that portion of the compensation due to their employees which is attributable to the time involved in attempting to collect such fees.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d) The Manager shall render regular reports to the Trust, not more frequently than quarterly, of how much total brokerage business has been placed by the Manager, on behalf of each Fund, with brokers falling into each of the categories referred to above and the manner in which the allocation has been accomplished.

------

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(e) The Manager agrees that no investment decision will be made or influenced by a desire to provide brokerage for allocation in accordance with the foregoing, and that the right to make such allocation of brokerage shall not interfere with the Manager's paramount duty to obtain the best net price and execution for each Fund.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(f) Decisions on proxy voting shall be made by the Manager unless the Board of Trustees determines otherwise. Pursuant to its authority, the Manager shall have the power to vote, either in person or by proxy, all securities in which a Fund may be invested from time to time, and shall not be required to seek or take instructions from a Fund with respect thereto. The Manager shall not be expected or required to take any action other than the rendering of investment-related advice with respect to lawsuits involving securities presently or formerly held in a Fund, or the issuers thereof, including actions involving bankruptcy. In the case of class action suits involving issuers held in a Fund, the Manager may include information about the Fund for purposes of participating in any settlements.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;B. <u>Provision of Information Necessary for Preparation of Securities Registration Statements, Amendments and Other Materials</u>. The Manager, its officers and employees will make available and provide accounting and statistical information required by each Fund in the preparation of registration statements, reports and other documents required by federal and state securities laws and with such information as the Fund may reasonably request for use in the preparation of such documents or of other materials necessary or helpful for the underwriting and distribution of the Fund's shares.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;C. <u>Administrative Services</u>. The Manager agrees, during the term of this Agreement, to provide or procure, as applicable, at its own expense (unless otherwise agreed to by the parties), the following services to each Fund to the extent that any such services are not otherwise provided by any sub-adviser or other service provider to the Fund: (a) providing office space, equipment and supplies appropriate for the effective administration of the Fund as contemplated in this Agreement; (b) providing trading desk facilities; (c) authorizing expenditures on behalf of the Fund; (d) supervising preparation of periodic reports to Fund shareholders, notices of distributions and attending to routine shareholder communications; (e) coordinating and supervising the daily pricing and valuation of the Fund's investment portfolio; (f) providing fund accounting services, including preparing and supervising publication of daily net asset value quotations and other financial data; (g) monitoring and coordinating relationships with unaffiliated service providers; (h) supervising the Fund's compliance with recordkeeping requirements under the federal securities, state and foreign laws and regulations and maintaining books and records for the Fund; (i) preparing and filing of domestic and foreign tax reports and monitoring the Fund's compliance with all applicable tax laws and regulations; (j) establishing, maintaining and monitoring the Fund's compliance program with respect to the federal securities, state and foreign laws and regulations applicable to the operation of investment companies; the Fund's investment goals, policies and restrictions; and the Code of Ethics and other policies applicable to the Fund; (k) preparing regulatory reports; (l) preparing and arranging for the filing of registration statements and other documents with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and other federal, state and foreign or other regulatory authorities; (m) maintaining a review and certification program and internal controls and procedures in accordance with the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 as applicable; and (n) providing executive, clerical and other personnel needed to carry out the above responsibilities.

Nothing in this Agreement shall obligate the Trust or a Fund to pay any compensation to the officers of the Trust who are officers, directors, stockholders or employees of the Manager or its affiliates. Nothing in this Agreement shall obligate the Manager to pay for the services of third parties, including attorneys, auditors, printers, pricing services or others, engaged directly by the Trust to perform services on behalf of a Fund.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;D. <u>Other Obligations and Services</u>. The Manager shall make its officers and employees available to the Board of Trustees and officers of the Trust for consultation and

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discussions regarding the administration and management of each Fund and its investment activities.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;E. <u>Delegation of Services</u>. The Manager may, at its expense, select and contract with one or more investment advisers registered under the Advisers Act (each, a "Sub-Adviser") to perform, and thereby delegates to any such Sub-Adviser, some of the services for a Fund for which it is responsible under Section 2.A. of this Agreement or as the Manager may otherwise determine to be necessary or appropriate to seek to implement the Fund's investment goals and strategies, subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not "interested persons" of the Trust, and the approval of the Fund's shareholders, if required. The Manager will compensate any Sub-Adviser for its services to a Fund. The Manager will evaluate and select the Sub-Advisers and will make recommendations to the Board of Trustees about the hiring, termination and replacement of a Sub-Adviser and will oversee, monitor and review the Sub-Advisers and their performance and their compliance with the Fund's investment policies and restrictions. The Manager may also terminate the services of any Sub-Adviser at any time in its sole discretion, and shall at such time assume the responsibilities of such Sub-Adviser unless and until a successor Sub-Adviser is selected and the requisite approval of the Fund's shareholders, if any is required, is obtained. Notwithstanding any delegation pursuant to this paragraph, the Manager will continue to have overall responsibility for the management and investment of the assets and responsibility for all advisory services furnished by any Sub-Adviser and will supervise each Sub-Adviser in its performance of its duties for a Fund. The Manager will also retain sole responsibility for all services described in Section 2.A. of this Agreement and not expressly delegated to one or more Sub-Advisers.

The Manager may, at its expense, also delegate to one or more entities some or all of the services for a Fund for which the Manager is responsible under Section 2.C. of this Agreement. The Manager will be responsible for the compensation, if any, of any such entities for such services to the Funds, unless otherwise agreed to by the parties. Notwithstanding any delegation pursuant to this paragraph, the Manager will continue to have overall responsibility and liability for all such services provided to each Fund under this Agreement and will supervise each such entity in its performance of its duties for the Funds. The Manager will also retain sole responsibility for all services described in Section 2.C. of this Agreement and not expressly delegated to one or more such entities.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3. <u>Expenses of the Funds</u>. It is understood that the Fund will pay all of its own expenses other than those expressly assumed by the Manager herein, which expenses payable by the Fund shall include:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A. Fees and expenses paid to the Manager as provided herein;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;B. Expenses of all audits by independent public accountants;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;C. Expenses of transfer agent, registrar, custodian, dividend disbursing agent and shareholder record-keeping services, including the expenses of issue, repurchase or redemption of its shares;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;D. Expenses of obtaining quotations for calculating the value of the Fund's net assets;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;E. Salaries and other compensations of executive officers of the Trust who are not officers, directors, stockholders or employees of the Manager or its affiliates;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;F. Taxes levied against the Fund;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;G. Brokerage fees and commissions in connection with the purchase and sale of securities for the Fund;

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;H. Costs, including the interest expense, of borrowing money;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;I. Costs incident to meetings of the Board of Trustees and shareholders of the Fund, reports to the Fund's shareholders, the filing of reports with regulatory bodies and the maintenance of the Fund's and the Trust's legal existence;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;J. Legal fees, including the legal fees related to the registration and continued qualification of the Fund's shares for sale;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;K. Trustees' fees and expenses to trustees who are not directors, officers, employees or stockholders of the Manager or any of its affiliates;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;L. Costs and expense of registering and maintaining the registration of the Fund and its shares under federal and any applicable state laws; including the printing and mailing of prospectuses to its shareholders;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;M. Trade association dues;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;N. The Fund's pro rata portion of fidelity bond, errors and omissions, and trustees and officer liability insurance premiums; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;O. The Fund's portion of the cost of any proxy voting service used on its behalf.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4. <u>Compensation of the Manager</u>. The Manager will not charge a fee to the Fund for the services rendered to the Funds hereunder.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;5. <u>Activities of the Manager</u>. The services of the Manager to a Fund hereunder are not to be deemed exclusive, and the Manager and any of its affiliates shall be free to render similar services to others. Subject to and in accordance with the Agreement and Declaration of Trust and By-Laws of the Trust and Section 10(a) of the 1940 Act, it is understood that trustees, officers, agents and shareholders of the Trust are or may be interested in the Manager or its affiliates as directors, officers, agents or stockholders; that directors, officers, agents or stockholders of the Manager or its affiliates are or may be interested in the Trust as trustees, officers, agents, shareholders or otherwise; that the Manager or its affiliates may be interested in a Fund as shareholders or otherwise; and that the effect of any such interests shall be governed by said Agreement and Declaration of Trust, By-Laws and the 1940 Act.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;6. <u>Performance of Services in Accordance with Regulatory Requirements; Furnishing of Books and Records</u>. In performing the services set forth in this Agreement, the Manager:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A. shall conform with the 1940 Act and all rules and regulations thereunder, with all other applicable federal, state and foreign laws and regulations, with any applicable procedures adopted by the Trust's Board of Trustees, and with the provisions of the Trust's Registration Statement filed on Form N-1A, as supplemented or amended from time to time, as it relates to the Funds;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;B. will make available to the Trust, promptly upon request, any of the Funds' books and records as are maintained under this Agreement, and will furnish to regulatory authorities having the requisite authority any such books and records and any information or reports in connection with the Manager's services under this Agreement that may be requested in order to ascertain whether the operations of the Trust are being conducted in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations.

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;7. <u>Liabilities of the Manager</u>.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A. In the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of obligations or duties hereunder on the part of the Manager, the Manager shall not be subject to liability to the Trust or any Fund or to any shareholder of any Fund for any act or omission in the course of, or connected with, rendering services hereunder or for any losses that may be sustained in the purchase, holding or sale of any security by any Fund.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;B. The Manager shall indemnify and hold harmless the Trust, each Fund and its officers and Trustees against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including reasonable legal and other expenses and amounts paid in settlement) incurred in any action, suit, proceeding or investigation (whether instituted or threatened) by reason of or arising out of the willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard by the Manager of its obligations or duties hereunder.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;C. No provision of this Agreement shall be construed to protect any trustee or officer of the Trust, or director or officer of the Manager, from liability in violation of Sections 17(h) and (i) of the 1940 Act.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;8. <u>Renewal and Termination</u>.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A. This Agreement shall become effective on the date written below and shall continue in effect for two (2) years thereafter with respect to a Fund, unless sooner terminated as hereinafter provided, and shall continue in effect thereafter for periods not exceeding one (1) year so long as such continuation is approved at least annually (i) by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund or by a vote of the Board of Trustees of the Trust, and (ii) by a vote of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not parties to the Agreement (other than as Trustees of the Trust) or "interested persons" of any such party, at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the Agreement.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;B. This Agreement:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(i) may at any time be terminated as to a Fund without the payment of any penalty either by vote of the Board of Trustees of the Trust or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund on 60 days' written notice to the Manager;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(ii) shall immediately terminate with respect to a Fund in the event of its assignment; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(iii) may be terminated by the Manager as to a Fund on 60 days' written notice to the Fund.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;C. As used in this Paragraph, the terms "assignment," "interested person" and "vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities" shall have the meanings set forth for any such terms in the 1940 Act.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;D. Any notice under this Agreement shall be given in writing, addressed and delivered, or mailed post-paid, to the other party at any office of such party.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;9. <u>Severability</u>. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;10. <u>Governing Law</u>. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California.

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;11. <u>Limitation of Liability</u>. Each party acknowledges and agrees that all obligations of the Trust under this Agreement are binding only with respect to the assets of the applicable Fund; that any liability of the Trust under this Agreement with respect to the Trust, or in connection with the matters contemplated herein with respect to a Fund, shall be discharged only out of the assets of such Fund; and the Manager shall not seek satisfaction of any such obligation or liability from the shareholders of the Trust, the trustees, officers, employees or agents of the Trust, or from the assets of any other fund or series of the Trust.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;12. <u>Effect of Revisions to Requirements of 1940 Act</u>. Where the effect of a requirement of the 1940 Act reflected in any provision of the Agreement is revised by rule, interpretation or order of the SEC, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, interpretation or order.

**IN WITNESS WHEREOF**, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed and effective on June 20, 2025.

#### FRANKLIN STRATEGIC SERIES on behalf of: FRANKLIN TEMPLETON SMACS: SERIES C

#### FRANKLIN TEMPLETON SMACS: SERIES CP
By: <u>/s/ Alexander Kymn</u>

Name: Alexander Kymn

Title: Vice President and Assistant Secretary

#### FRANKLIN ADVISERS, INC.
By: <u>/s/ Patrick Klein</u>

Name: Patrick Klein

Title: Senior Vice President

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## Ex-99.I

#### [Logo]

#### Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP
Suite 2600

2005 Market Street

Philadelphia, PA 19103-7018

215.564.8000 #### www.stradley.com
June 16, 2025

Board of Trustees of Franklin Strategic Series

One Franklin Parkway

San Mateo, CA 94403-1906

Subject: Post-Effective Amendment No. 157 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A relating to the Franklin Templeton SMACS: Series C and Franklin Templeton SMACS: Series CP series of Franklin Strategic Series, a Delaware statutory trust

File Nos. 033-39088; 811-06243

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel to Franklin Strategic Series, a Delaware statutory trust (the "Trust"), including its new series, Franklin Templeton SMACS: Series C and Franklin Templeton SMACS: Series CP (the "Series"), in connection with the preparation and filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission of Post-Effective Amendment No. 157 to the Registration Statement of the Trust on Form N-1A under the Securities Act of 1933 and Amendment No. 159 to such Registration Statement under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "Amendment").

We have reviewed the Trust's Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust, Amended and Restated By-Laws, and resolutions adopted by the Trust's Board of Trustees, and such other legal and factual matters as we have deemed appropriate.

This opinion is based exclusively on the Delaware Statutory Trust Act and does not extend to the securities or "blue sky" laws of the State of Delaware or other States.

We have assumed the following for purposes of this opinion:

The shares of the Series will be issued in accordance with the Trust's Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust, Amended and Restated By-Laws (each as amended to date) and resolutions of the Trust's Board of Trustees relating to the creation, authorization and issuance of shares of the Series.

The Series' shares will be issued against payment therefor as described in the Series' then-current Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information relating thereto and that such payment will have been at least equal to the applicable offering price.

On the basis of the foregoing, it is our opinion that, when issued and paid for upon the terms provided in the Amendment, the shares of beneficial interest, without par value, of the Series to be issued pursuant to the Amendment will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

------

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as an exhibit to the Amendment.

Very truly yours,

Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP

By: <u>/s/ Amy C. Fitzsimmons</u> 

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Amy C. Fitzsimmons, Partner

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## Ex-99.P

## <br> Personal Investments and <br> Insider Trading Policy ("the policy") <br>
<br>(This Policy serves as a code of ethics adopted pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the <br>Investment Company Act of 1940 and Rule 204A-1 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940)

**Revised September 9, 2024**

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| [1.1](#1_7) | Scope and Purpose of the Policy [3](#1_7) |
| [1.2](#2_7) | Statement of Principles [3](#2_7) |
| [1.3](#3_7) | Prohibited Activities [3](#3_7) |
| [1.4](#4_7) | Monitoring of the Policy and Additional Information [4](#4_7) |
| [2.1](#5_7) | Statement on Covered Employee Investments [4](#5_7) |
| [2.2](#6_7) | Categories of Persons Subject to the Policy [5](#6_7) |
| [2.3](#7_7) | Accounts and Transactions Covered by the Policy [5](#7_7) |
| [2.4](#8_7) | Prohibited Transactions [6](#8_7) |
| [2.5](#9_7) | Additional Prohibitions and Requirements for Access Persons and Portfolio Persons [7](#9_7) |
| [2.6](#10_7) | Reporting Requirements [8](#10_7) |
| [2.7](#11_7) | Pre-Clearance Requirements [9](#11_7) |
| [2.8](#12_7) | Requirements for Independent Directors [10](#12_7) |
| [3.1](#13_7) | Policy on Insider Trading [10](#13_7) |
| [4.1](#14_7) | Statement on Other Policies and Requirements [11](#14_7) |
| [5.1](#15_7) | Code of Ethics Committee; Reporting to FT Fund Boards [12](#15_7) |
| [5.2](#16_7) | Violations of the Policy [12](#16_7) |
| [5.3](#17_7) | Waivers of the Policy [12](#17_7) |
| [5.4](#18_7) | Reporting Violations [12](#18_7) |

---

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***This document is the proprietary product of Franklin Templeton. Any unauthorized use, reproduction or transfer of this document is strictly prohibited. Franklin Templeton© 2024. All Rights Reserved.***

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#### SECTION 1. PURPOSE OF THE POLICY
**1.1 Scope and Purpose of the Policy**

The Franklin Templeton Personal Investments and Insider Trading Policy (the "Policy") applies to the personal investment activities of all Covered Employees (as defined in section 2.2 of the Policy) of Franklin Resources, Inc. ("FRI") and all of its subsidiaries (collectively, "Franklin Templeton").

Franklin Templeton provides services to the funds that are advised or sub-advised by a Franklin Templeton investment adviser (the "FT Funds") and other client accounts ("Client Accounts"). Thus, for purposes of this Policy, "FT Fund" includes all open-end and closed-end funds within the Franklin Templeton Group of Funds, as well as any other fund that is advised or sub-advised by a Franklin Templeton investment adviser, such as the Putnam Funds.

The purpose of the Policy is to summarize the values, principles and business practices that guide Franklin Templeton's business conduct and to establish a set of principles to guide Covered Employees regarding the conduct expected of them when managing their personal investments.

**1.2 Statement of Principles**

All Covered Employees are required to conduct themselves in a lawful, honest and ethical manner in their business practices and to maintain an environment that fosters fairness, respect and integrity.

Franklin Templeton's policy is that the interests of the FT Funds and Client Accounts are paramount and come before the interests of any employee. Information concerning the securities, which include derivatives, such as futures, options and swaps, holdings and financial circumstances of the FT Funds and Client Accounts, as well as the identity of certain Client Accounts, is confidential and Covered Employees are required to safeguard this information.

The personal investment activities of Covered Employees must be conducted in a manner to avoid actual or potential conflicts of interest with the FT Funds and Client Accounts. In particular, to the extent that a Covered Employee learns of an investment opportunity because of his or her position with Franklin Templeton (e.g., internal or third party research, Franklin Templeton or company sponsored conferences, or communications with company officers), the Covered Employee must give preference to the FT Funds or Client Accounts.

Personal transactions in a security may not be executed, regardless of quantity, if the Covered Employee has access to information regarding, or knowledge or even a presumed knowledge of, FT Fund or Client Account activity in such security, including proposed activity and recommendations.

**1.3 Prohibited Activities**

Covered Employees generally are prohibited from engaging or participating in any activity that has the potential to cause harm to an FT Fund or Client Account. Examples of prohibited activities include, but are not limited to:

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• Making investment decisions, changes in research ratings and trading decisions other than exclusively for the benefit of, and in the best interest of, the FT Funds or Client Accounts;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• Taking, delaying or omitting to take any action with respect to any research recommendation, report or rating or any investment or trading decision for an FT Fund or Client Account in order to avoid economic injury to themselves or anyone other than the FT Funds or Client Accounts;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• Purchasing or selling a security on the basis of knowledge of a possible trade by or for an FT Fund or Client Account with the intent of personally profiting from, or avoiding a loss with respect to, personal holdings in the same or related securities;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• Revealing to any other person (except in the normal course of the Covered Employee's duties on behalf of an <br>FT Fund or Client Account) any information regarding securities transactions by any FT Fund or Client Account or the consideration by any FT Fund or Client Account of any such securities transactions; or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• Engaging in any act, practice or course of business that operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit on an FT Fund or Client Account or engaging in any manipulative practice with respect to any FT Fund or Client Account.

**1.4 Monitoring of the Policy and Additional Information**

Questions regarding the Policy and related requirements should be directed to the Code of Ethics Department located in San Mateo, CA. The Code of Ethics Department can be reached by e-mail at lpreclear@franklintempleton.com. The Code of Ethics Department uses StarCompliance, https://franklintempleton.starcompliance.com/ an automated transaction pre-clearance system, to manage the oversight of personal investments. Administration of the Policy is the responsibility of the Code of Ethics Committee.

#### SECTION 2. PERSONAL INVESTMENTS
**2.1 Statement on Covered Employee Investments**

Franklin Templeton recognizes the importance to Covered Employees of managing their own financial resources. However, because of the potential conflicts of interest inherent in its business, Franklin Templeton has implemented this Policy with regard to personal investments of Covered Employees. This Policy is designed to minimize these conflicts and help ensure that Franklin Templeton focuses on meeting its duties as a fiduciary to the FT Funds or Client Accounts.

Covered Employees should be aware that their ability to invest in certain securities and to liquidate those positions may be severely restricted under this Policy due to trading by the FT Funds or Client Accounts, including during times of market volatility. Therefore, as a general matter, Franklin Templeton encourages Covered Employees to exercise caution when investing in individual securities, particularly in situations where a Covered Employee wishes to invest in securities held or likely to be held by the FT Funds or Client Accounts.

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Franklin Templeton also discourages Covered Employees from engaging in a pattern of securities transactions that is so excessively frequent as to potentially impact the Covered Employee's ability to carry out their assigned responsibilities, increases the possibility of potential conflicts or violates the Policy or the FT Funds' prospectuses.

**2.2 Categories of Persons Subject to the Policy**

All persons subject to the Policy are assigned to the following categories based on their access to information regarding, or involvement in, investment activities. In limited circumstances, certain affiliates of FRI may adopt separate policies or codes of ethics governing personal trading to address the specific features of their investment activities and operations. Persons subject to other personal trading policies or codes of ethics adopted by Franklin Templeton or its affiliates generally are exempt from this Policy. Please consult the Code of Ethics Department if you have any questions about how this Policy applies to you.

**Covered Employees:** Covered Employees are: (1) partners, officers, directors (or persons occupying a similar status or having similar functions) and employees (including certain designated temporary employees or consultants) of any Franklin Templeton investment adviser, as well as any other persons who provide advice on behalf of any Franklin Templeton investment adviser and are subject to the supervision and control of that investment adviser; (2) Access Persons, as defined below; and (3) Independent directors of FT Funds within the Franklin Templeton Group of Funds and independent directors of Franklin Templeton investment advisers (collectively, "Independent Directors").

**Access Persons:** Access Persons are those who have access to non-public information regarding FT Funds' or Client Accounts' securities transactions; or have access to recommendations that are non-public; or have access to non-public information regarding the portfolio holdings of the FT Funds or Client Accounts.

**Portfolio Persons:** Portfolio Persons, a subset of Access Persons, are those who, in connection with their regular functions or duties, make or participate in the decision to purchase or sell a security by an FT Fund or Client Account or if his or her functions relate to the making of any recommendations about those purchases or sales.

Please see the Appendix to this Policy for a table indicating how the provisions of the Policy apply to each category of persons. In addition, please see section 2.8 of the Policy for a description of the requirements for Independent Directors.

**2.3 Accounts and Transactions Covered by the Policy**

The Policy covers two types of securities accounts and transactions: (1) those in which Covered Employees have or share investment control, and (2) those in which Covered Employees have direct or indirect beneficial ownership. Generally, a person has a beneficial ownership in a security if he or she, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, has or shares a direct or indirect pecuniary interest in the security. "Pecuniary interest" has the same meaning as in Rule 16a-1(a)(2) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Generally, a pecuniary interest in a security means the opportunity, directly or indirectly, to profit or share in any profit derived from a transaction in the security. Covered Employees are presumed to have a pecuniary interest in securities

------

held by members of their immediate family or domestic partners sharing the same household.

Certain types of securities and investments are exempt from the Policy. These include, but are not limited to, direct obligations of the U.S. government, money market instruments, and registered open-end funds other than the FT Funds. Cryptocurrencies and digital assets must be precleared and are reportable only, (1) by members of those investment teams investing in cryptocurrencies, or any FT employee involved in trading or the creation and redemption process for any FT digital currency Fund or account, and (2) for the cryptocurrencies in which they are investing on behalf of clients or funds, and (3) those involved in the creation and redemption process for any FT digital currency ETF must also preclear their investments in FT digital Funds. Please consult the Code of Ethics Department for further information about specific types of securities that are exempt from the Policy.

**2.4 Prohibited Transactions**

#### Trading that Conflicts with FT Funds or Client Accounts
Covered Employees are prohibited from any trading activity that conflicts with the FT Funds' or Client Accounts' trading activity. Examples of prohibited trading activity include, but are not limited to:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• "front running" or trading ahead of an FT Fund or Client Account; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• trading parallel to or against an FT Fund or Client Account.

#### Short Sales of Securities Issued by Franklin Resources and FT Sponsored Closed-end Funds and Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs)
Covered Employees are prohibited from effecting short sales, including "short sales against the box," of securities issued by FRI, or any FT sponsored closed-end funds or FT exchange traded funds (ETFs). This prohibition includes economically equivalent transactions such as call or put options, swap transactions or other derivatives that would result in having a net short exposure to FRI or any closed-end fund or ETF sponsored or advised by Franklin Templeton.

#### Pledged Securities
Directors and Executive Officers are also prohibited from pledging, hypothecating or otherwise encumbering securities issued by Franklin Resources as described in greater detail in the FRI Code of Ethics and Business Conduct.

#### Trading in Shares of the FT Funds
A Covered Employee is prohibited from buying or selling shares of an FT Fund while in possession of material non-public information about the FT Fund. Specifically, Covered Employees are prohibited from taking personal advantage of their non-public knowledge of recent or impending investment activities of FT Funds or the FT Funds' investment advisers or any other non-public information that a reasonable investor would likely consider important in making his or her investment decisions, including information that may have a material effect on an FT Fund's share price or net asset value.

In addition, Covered Employees must keep confidential at all times non-public information they may obtain about an FT Fund, including but not limited to information such as portfolio

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holdings, pricing or valuation of an FT Fund's portfolio holdings, recent or impending securities transactions by an FT Fund, changes related to an FT Fund's investment adviser, offerings of new FT Funds, changes to investment minimums, FT Fund closures or liquidations, changes to investment personnel, FT Fund flow activity, and information on current or prospective FT Fund shareholders.

Please consult your local Legal or Compliance department if you have any questions about materiality, confidentiality, or any other concerns before trading on or sharing non-public information relating to FT Funds.

#### Special Provision Relating to Ownership of Putnam Funds
Employees of Putnam Investment Management, LLC, The Putnam Advisory Company LLC, Putnam Investments Limited and of the principal underwriter of the Putnam open-end U.S. mutual funds Franklin Distributors, LLC (collectively, the "Putman Entities") must hold shares of Putnam open-end U.S. mutual funds through the Putnam transfer agent (Putnam Investor Services, Inc.) and all transactions must be executed through Franklin Distributors, LLC as dealer of record. Holding Putnam mutual fund shares in discretionary accounts is prohibited. This requirement does not apply to shares of Putnam mutual funds owned in retirement accounts or other accounts required to be held through third-party administrators.

#### Short-Term Trading in Open-end FT Funds
Franklin Templeton discourages short-term or excessive trading, often referred to as "market timing," in shares of the open-end FT Funds. Covered Employees must be familiar with the "Frequent Trading Policy" or its equivalent described in the prospectus of each open-end FT Fund in which they invest and must not engage in trading activity that might violate the purpose or intent of such policy. Accordingly, all Covered Employees must comply with the purpose and intent of each open-end FT Fund's Frequent Trading Policy or its equivalent and must not engage in any short-term trading (if the relevant FT Fund has adopted a policy regarding short-term trading) or excessive trading in open-end FT Funds.

For open-end FT Funds within the Franklin Templeton Group of Funds, including FT Funds purchased through a 401(k) plan, trading activity by Covered Employees is monitored and any trading patterns or behaviors that may constitute short-term or excessive trading is reported to the Code of Ethics Department. These reports will include descriptions of any actions taken and any sanctions or penalties imposed in response to such trading activity. This policy does not apply to purchases and sales of money market funds.

**2.5 Additional Prohibitions and Requirements for Access Persons and Portfolio Persons** 

#### Initial Public Offerings
Access Persons are prohibited from investing in securities sold in an initial public offering or a secondary offering <br>(including Initial Coin Offerings ("ICOs")) by an issuer except for offerings of securities made by closed-end FT Funds advised or sub-advised by Franklin Templeton. However, IPOs may be permissible in certain circumstances or jurisdictions. Please contact the Code of Ethics department or your local Compliance Officer in advance of executing any IPO.

#### Single Stock ETFs
Access Persons are prohibited from investing in single stock ETFs including derivatives of the single stock ETF such as options.

#### Short Sales of Securities

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Portfolio Persons are prohibited from selling short any security held by the FT Funds, including "short sales against the box." This prohibition also applies to effecting economically equivalent transactions, including, but not limited to, sales of uncovered call options, sales of put options while not owning the underlying security, and short sales of bonds that are convertible into equity positions, swaps or other derivatives where the security is held by FT Funds.

#### Short Swing Rule
**Portfolio Persons are subject to a short swing rule whereby they cannot sell shares of a security at a price higher than any price paid within the prior 60 calendar days or buy a security at a price below any price which they sold it within the past 60 calendar days, including transactions in derivatives and transactions that may occur in margin and option accounts. Any profits made must be disgorged. Please consult the Code of Ethics Department for any exemptions and how profits are calculated.**

#### Disclosure of Interest in Securities or Private Investments
Portfolio Persons are required to disclose any interest they have in the securities of an issuer or direct investment in any company if they are involved in either analysis or investment decisions related to the issuer or company. Portfolio Persons must re-disclose any such interest if they participate in later recommendations or investment decisions related to the issuer or company.

Portfolio Persons must also disclose any personal transactions they are contemplating in the securities referenced above, any position they hold with the issuer and any proposed business relationship between the issuer and the Portfolio Person or any party in which the Portfolio Person has an interest.

*The disclosures above must be made to their Chief Investment Officer and /or Director of Research.*

**2.6 Reporting Requirements** 

#### All Accounts
All Covered Employees must complete an Initial Code of Ethics Certification no later than 10 calendar days after the date the person is notified by a member of the Human Resources Department of the requirement to do so. Additionally, by **February 15<sup>th</sup>** of each subsequent year they must complete an annual certification that they have complied with and will comply with the Policy.

Access Persons must also file an Initial Broker Accounts Certification and Initial Holdings Certification no later than 10 calendar days after the date the person is notified by a member of the Human Resources Department of the requirement to do so. Additionally, by **February 15<sup>th</sup>** of each subsequent year, Access Persons must file a then current **annual** report of all personal securities accounts and securities holdings and must certify that they have complied with and will comply with the Policy.

#### Non-Discretionary Accounts
On a **quarterly** basis, and no later than 30 calendar days after the end of each calendar quarter, every Access Person must report all transactions in securities covered by this Policy, except for those executed through an Automatic Investment Plan or that would duplicate

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information already provided in broker confirmations or statements sent to the Code of Ethics Department directly from the broker.

No later than 30 calendar days after the calendar quarter, Access Persons must report any account established in which any securities were held during that calendar quarter.

#### Discretionary Accounts
Reporting of transactions is not required for discretionary accounts. A discretionary account is managed by a non-affiliated third party (registered broker-dealer, a registered investment adviser, or other investment manager acting in a similar fiduciary capacity) who exercises sole investment discretion.

The Access Person must certify initially and annually thereafter that they do not have investment control of the discretionary account other than the right to terminate. If the Access Person makes or participates in an investment decision for an account that has been reported as a discretionary account, any transactions related to that investment decision must be pre-cleared. If there is any uncertainty about whether a particular account would be deemed discretionary for purposes of the Policy, please consult the Code of Ethics Department.

**2.7 Pre-Clearance Requirements**

#### Securities Transactions
Access Persons must obtain pre-clearance from the Code of Ethics Department before buying or selling any security (other than those not requiring pre-clearance, a full list of which is available from the Code of Ethics Department) and are always prohibited from executing transactions in a security if aware that the FT Funds or Client Accounts are active or contemplate being active in the security (even if the transactions have been pre-cleared). Pre-clearance requests should be submitted via StarCompliance.

#### Private Investments and Limited Offerings
Access Persons must obtain pre-clearance from the Code of Ethics Department before investing in a private placement or purchasing other securities in a limited offering. For example, investments in private or unregistered funds (i.e., hedge funds) are required to be pre-cleared under the Policy.

#### Discretionary Accounts
Transactions in discretionary accounts do not need to be pre-cleared if satisfactory evidence has been provided to the Code of Ethics Department that sole investment discretion has been granted to an investment manager. If the Access Person makes or participates in an investment decision for an account that has been reported as a discretionary account, any transactions related to that investment decision must be pre-cleared.

#### Exemptions from Pre-Clearance
Certain types of securities and transactions are exempt from pre-clearance requirements. Examples of these types of securities and transactions include, but are not limited to, shares issued by FRI; shares of open-end Funds (including FT open-ended Funds) and permitted ETFs (including FT ETFs for certain FT employees) and closed-end funds (excluding FT sponsored closed-end Funds); certain government obligations and transactions effected

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pursuant to dividend reinvestment plans. In addition, transactions in small quantities of securities (e.g., in the case of equity securities, 500 shares within a 30 calendar day period) are not required to be pre-cleared. Please consult the Code of Ethics Department for further information about the types of securities and transactions that are exempt from the pre-clearance requirements of the Policy.

#### "Intent" Is Important
While pre-clearance of Access Persons' transactions is a cornerstone of Franklin Templeton's compliance efforts, it cannot detect inappropriate or illegal transactions where the intent conflicts with the principles of the Policy. Thus, the fact that a proposed transaction received pre-clearance is not a defense against a charge of violating the Policy or the securities laws. For example, even if an Access Person received pre-clearance for a transaction, that transaction might constitute front-running if it occurred shortly before a transaction by an FT Fund or Client Account that the Access Person was aware of. In cases like this, the intent may not be evident when a particular transaction request is analyzed for pre-clearance.

**2.8 Requirements for Independent Directors** 

#### Pre-clearance and Reporting Requirements
Unless covered by a separate policy, an Independent Director is subject to the pre-clearance and transaction reporting requirements of the Policy only if such Independent Director, at the time of his or her transaction, knew or should have known that, during the 15 calendar day period before or after the date of the Independent Director's transaction, the security was purchased or sold or considered for purchase or sale by an FT Fund or Client Account. The pre-clearance and reporting requirements of the Policy do not apply to securities transactions conducted in an account where an Independent Director has granted full investment discretion to a brokerage firm, bank or investment adviser or conducted in a trust account in which the trustee has full investment discretion. Independent Directors are not required to disclose any securities holdings or brokerage accounts, including brokerage accounts where he/she has granted discretionary authority to a brokerage firm, bank or investment adviser.

#### Initial and Annual Acknowledgment Reports
An Independent Director must complete and return an executed Acknowledgment Form to the Code of Ethics Department no later than 10 calendar days after the date the person becomes an Independent Director. Independent Directors will be asked to certify by **February 15<sup>th</sup>** of each year that they have complied with and will comply with the Policy by filing the Acknowledgment Form with the Code of Ethics Department.

#### SECTION 3. INSIDER TRADING
**3.1 Policy on Insider Trading**

Insider trading, or trading on material non-public information, is against the law and penalties are severe, both for individuals involved in such unlawful conduct and their employers. No Covered Employee may (1) trade, either personally or on behalf of the FT Funds or Client Accounts, while in possession of material non-public information, or (2) communicate material non-public information to others.

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Material non-public information may be obtained by many means, both in connection with a Covered Employee's job functions (e.g., from meetings with company executives or consultations with expert networks) or independent of the Covered Employee's employment or relationship with Franklin Templeton (e.g., from friends or relatives).

Before trading for themselves or others (including FT Funds and Client Accounts) in the securities of a company about which a Covered Employee potentially may have material non-public information, the Covered Employee should consider the following questions:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• First, is the information material? Information is considered material if there is a substantial likelihood that a reasonable investor would consider the information to be important in making his or her investment decision, or if it is reasonably certain to have a substantial effect on the price of the company's securities.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• Second, is the information non-public? Information is non-public until it has been effectively communicated to the marketplace. For example, information in a report filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or that appears in a publication of general circulation (e.g., The Wall Street Journal or Reuters) would be considered public. If the information has been obtained from someone who is betraying an obligation not to share the information (e.g., a company insider), that information is very likely to be non-public.

If, after consideration of these questions, the Covered Employee believes that the information that they have about a company may be material and non-public, or if the Covered Employee has questions as to whether the information is material or non-public, he or she must report the matter immediately to Trading Desk Compliance/IC, the designated Compliance Officer or Legal Department. In addition, the Covered Employee must not purchase or sell any securities issued by such company on behalf of themselves or others (including on behalf of any FT Fund or Client Account), or communicate the information inside or outside Franklin Templeton.

Trading Desk Compliance/IC or the Compliance Officer will promptly contact the Legal Department for advice. After review of the facts, the Legal Department, Trading Desk Compliance/IC or the Compliance Officer will provide instructions to the Covered Employee. If the information in the Covered Employee's possession is determined to be material and non-public, the Covered Employee is required to keep the information confidential and secure. Those securities for which the Covered Employee has material non-public information will be placed on restricted trading lists for a timeframe determined by the Compliance Officer.

#### SECTION 4. RELATED POLICIES AND REQUIREMENTS
**4.1 Statement on Other Policies and Requirements**

**In addition to the Policy, Covered Employees are required to observe the applicable policies and procedures prescribed in the *Code of Ethics and Business Conduct*, the policies contained in the U.S. and non-U.S. employee handbooks (as applicable), and various other policies adopted by Franklin Templeton.**

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#### SECTION 5. ADMINISTRATION OF THE POLICY, WAIVERS & REPORTING VIOLATIONS
**5.1 Code of Ethics Committee; Reporting to FT Fund Boards**

The Code of Ethics Committee is responsible for the administration of the Policy and provides oversight of compliance with the personal trading requirements of the Policy. Among other things, the Committee has the authority and responsibility to review the Policy periodically, review sanction guidelines for violations of the Policy and review trading violations and waivers granted.

*At least annually, the FT Fund Boards who have adopted this policy will be provided with a report describing any issues arising under the Policy if requested. FT Fund Boards may require more frequent reporting, including detailing all violations of the Policy.*

**5.2 Violations of the Policy**

A Covered Employee that violates this Policy will be sanctioned in a manner commensurate with the violation. Prescribed sanctions range from warning memos for a first time failure to pre-clear a transaction to the immediate sale of positions, disgorgement of profits, personal trading suspensions and other sanctions, up to and including termination and reporting to regulatory authorities for more serious violations*.*

**5.3 Waivers of the Policy**

The Chief Compliance Officer of the relevant investment adviser, or primary regional officer, may, in his or her discretion, waive compliance by any Covered Employee with the provisions of the Policy, if he or she finds that such a waiver:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) is necessary to alleviate undue hardship or in view of unforeseen circumstances or is otherwise appropriate under all the relevant facts and circumstances;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) will not be inconsistent with the purposes and objectives of the Policy;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3) will not adversely affect the interests of the FT Funds or Client Accounts or the interests of Franklin Templeton; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(4) will not result in a transaction or conduct that would violate provisions of applicable laws or regulations.

Any waiver will be in writing, will contain a statement of the basis for it, and any waivers granted by the Chief Compliance Officer of the relevant investment adviser, or primary regional officer, will be reported to the SVP of Regulatory Compliance.

**5.4 Reporting Violations**

Covered Employees are required to report violations of the Policy or the related Procedures, whether by themselves or by others.

Franklin Templeton is dedicated to providing Covered Employees with the means and opportunity to report violations of the Policy or the related Procedures, or other instances of wrongdoing, or any concerns they may have regarding ethical violations or accounting,

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internal control or auditing matters, including fraud. Several means are provided by which reports to the Compliance and Ethics Hotline can be made including:

Online at: https://franklintempleton.ethicspoint.com

U.S., U.S. Territories or Canada can call toll-free 1-800-648-7932

All other countries can call collect at 704-540-0139

Franklin Templeton will not allow retaliation against any Covered Employee who has submitted a report of a violation of the Policy or the related Procedures in good faith.

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#### Appendix

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| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
|  | **Covered Employees** | **Access Persons** | **Portfolio Persons** | **Independent Directors** |
| **Prohibited Activities (Section 1.3)** | X | X | X | X |
| **Prohibited Transactions and Other Requirements (Sections 2.4 and 2.5)** | **Prohibited Transactions and Other Requirements (Sections 2.4 and 2.5)** | **Prohibited Transactions and Other Requirements (Sections 2.4 and 2.5)** | **Prohibited Transactions and Other Requirements (Sections 2.4 and 2.5)** | **Prohibited Transactions and Other Requirements (Sections 2.4 and 2.5)** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Prohibition on Trading Activity that Conflicts with FT Funds or Client Accounts | X | X | X | X |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Prohibition on Short Sales of FRI and Closed-end FT Funds and ETFs | X | X | X | X |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Trading in Shares of the FT Funds When in Possession of Material Non-Public Information | X | X | X | X |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Special Provision on Ownership of Putnam Funds |  | X | X |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Short-Term Trading in Open-end FT Funds | X | X | X | X |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Prohibition on Investments in Initial Public Offerings |  | X | X |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Prohibition on Single Stock ETFs |  | X | X |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Prohibition on Short Sales of All Securities |  |  | X |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Short Swing Rule |  |  | X |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Disclosure of Interest in Securities |  |  | X |  |
| **Reporting Requirements (Section 2.6)** | **Reporting Requirements (Section 2.6)** | **Reporting Requirements (Section 2.6)** | **Reporting Requirements (Section 2.6)** | **Reporting Requirements (Section 2.6)** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Initial Certification/Acknowledgment | X | X | X | X |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Initial Disclosure of Accounts and Holdings |  | X | X |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Annual Disclosure of Accounts and Holdings |  | X | X |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Annual Certification of Compliance | X | X | X | X |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Quarterly Disclosure of Transactions |  | X | X | X\* |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Quarterly Disclosure of New Accounts |  | X | X |  |
| **Pre-Clearance Requirements (Section 2.7)** |  | X | X | X\* |
| **Insider Trading (Section 3)** | X | X | X | X |
| **Requirement to Report Violations (Section 5.4)** | X | X | X | X |

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<br>\*Only applicable if the Independent Director, at the time of his or her transaction, knew or should have known that, during the 15 calendar day period before or after the date of the Independent Director's transaction, the security was purchased or sold or considered for purchase or sale by an FT Fund or Client Account.

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