Fixed Income

FRSTX Franklin Core Plus Bond Fund

  • Core building block. Provides broad, diversified exposure to high quality US fixed income markets.
  • Differentiated approach. Our portfolio construction approach is designed to reduce performance volatility and provide a consistent range of outcomes and strong risk-adjusted returns across market environments.
  • Experienced Portfolio Management Team. Tenured investment team with expertise across market cycles.
NAV 1 $-0.01(-0.12%)
$8.41
As of 10/31/2025
YTD Total Returns At NAV 2
6.67%
As of 10/31/2025
Total Net Assets
$2.52B
As of 09/30/2025 (Updated Monthly)
Morningstar Overall Rating™ 3
As of 09/30/2025

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Name and principal investment strategy changes

Effective November 12, 2024, the fund updated its principal investment strategies, policies and practices to follow a “core plus” strategy, among other changes. Effective December 11, 2024, the fund was renamed Franklin Core Plus Bond Fund. If you have any questions, please contact your financial professional.

Skipped to Overview Section Content

Overview

Fund Facts

Fund description

The fund seeks to provide a high level of current income. Its secondary goal is capital appreciation over the long term. The fund is a core plus fund that invests across fixed income sectors, primarily in investment grade rated securities.

Benchmark
Bloomberg US Aggregate Index
Dividend Frequency, if any
Monthly
Fund Inception Date
05/24/1994
Distribution Rate at NAV 4As of 10/31/2025 (Updated Daily)
4.51%
Effective Duration As of 09/30/2025 (Updated Monthly)
6.13 Years

Sales Charges, Expenses & Fees

As of 09/01/2025
Gross Expense Ratio5
0.85%
Net Expense Ratio5,6
0.72%
Maximum Initial Charge
3.75%
CDSC7
1.00%
12b-1 Fee
0.25%

Identifiers

Ticker
FRSTX
Fund Number
194
CUSIP Code
354713505

Average Annual Total Returns

View performance section for additional info As of 09/30/2025

Class A

  • -0.09%1 Year
  • 5.60%3 Years
  • 1.61%5 Years
  • 2.51%10 Years
  • 5.54%Since Inception
    05/24/1994

Performance data quoted represents past performance, which does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when sold or redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the figures shown.

Top Sectors

View portfolio section for additional info

As of 09/30/2025 - Notional Exposure % of Total (Updated Monthly)

Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities34.84%
Investment Grade Corporates32.40%
U.S. Treasuries15.78%
High Yield Corporates11.63%
Interest Rate Derivatives6.52%

Additional Fund Info

Share Class Inception Date
05/24/1994
Investment Style
Multi-Sector
Lipper Classification
Core Plus Bond Funds
Morningstar Category
Intermediate Core-Plus Bond

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Manager and Commentary

About the Team

Franklin Templeton Fixed Income

Franklin Templeton Fixed Income is a fixed income specialist with a measured "no surprises" approach that is committed to the goal of delivering clients consistent, predictable fixed income results. We pursue dimensional sources of potential alpha across all global fixed income securities, sectors, and markets.

Commentary Highlights

June 30, 2025
  • Markets: There were large swings in financial market sentiment across the second quarter of 2025. Fixed income spreads generally widened in April amid US President Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariff announcements. A subsequent 90-day pause for most of the increased levies and the passage of the “One Big Beautiful Bill” spending package after quarter-end helped reduce fixed income market uncertainties.
  • Contributors: Overweights to high-yield (HY) and investment-grade (IG) corporate bonds and collateralized loan obligations (CLOs). Exposure to senior secured floating-rate bank loans and agency mortgage-backed securities (MBS). Overweight to commercial mortgage-backed securities. Allocation to sovereign emerging market debt.
  • Detractors: Security selection in HY and IG corporate bonds. Security selection in sovereign emerging market debt. US duration positioning relative to the benchmark.
  • Outlook: In our view, the US Federal Reserve (Fed) is unlikely to cut interest rates soon. Despite recent signs of cooling inflation, Fed officials remain cautious due to ongoing tariff-related uncertainties. We expect longer-term rates to continue to climb higher through the rest of the year.
Franklin Templeton Fixed Income
[Sonal Desais avatar]

Managed Fund Since 2018

[Michael V Salms avatar]

Managed Fund Since 2024

[Patrick A. Kleins avatar]

Managed Fund Since 2022

[Albert W Chans avatar]

Managed Fund Since 2025

[Patricia O'Connors avatar]

Managed Fund Since 2016

Portfolio Manager Profile
Years of Experience
Manager Location

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Skipped to Performance Section Content

Performance

Calendar Year Returns

As of 09/30/2025

Chart

Bar chart with 3 data series.
The chart has 1 X axis displaying categories.
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying values. Data ranges from -14.11 to 8.72.
End of interactive chart.
Class A - With Sales Charge (POP) (%)
Class A - Without Sales Charge (NAV) (%)
Bloomberg US Aggregate Index (%)

Performance data quoted represents past performance, which does not guarantee future results. Current performance may be lower or higher than the figures shown. Principal value and investment returns will fluctuate, and investors' shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. Performance would have been lower if fees had not been waived in various periods. Total returns assume the reinvestment of all distributions and the deduction of all Fund expenses. Returns with sales charge reflect a deduction of the stated maximum sales charge. Returns without sales charge would have been lower had sales charges been reflected. An investor cannot invest directly in an index, and unmanaged index returns do not reflect any fees, expenses or sales charges. Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized. 

See the risks and other important information.

Ratings 3

Morningstar logo
Overall Morningstar Rating
Overall Morningstar Rating: 5 out of 5 stars  
As of 09/30/2025
3 Years
3 Years: 5 out of 5 stars  
520 Funds in category
5 Years
5 Years: 5 out of 5 stars  
468 Funds in category
10 Years
10 Years: 4 out of 5 stars  
344 Funds in category
Rating Category
Intermediate Core-Plus Bond

The fund's overall Morningstar Rating measures risk-adjusted returns and is derived from a weighted average of the performance figures associated with its 3-, 5- and 10-year (if applicable) rating metrics. 

Morningstar Style Box
As of 09/30/2025
Current Historical
Large
Medium
Small
Value Blend Growth
Style
Size

Source: Morningstar®. The style box reveals a fund's investment style. For equity funds, the vertical axis shows the market capitalization of the long stocks owned, and the horizontal axis shows the investment style (value, blend, or growth). For fixed income funds, the vertical axis shows the credit quality based on credit ratings and the horizontal axis shows interest-rate sensitivity as measured by effective duration. Placement is determined by fund portfolio holding figures most recently entered into Morningstar's database and corresponding market conditions. Shaded areas show the past 3 years of quarterly data. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

©2025 Morningstar, Inc. All rights reserved. The information contained herein: (1) is proprietary to Morningstar and/or its content providers; (2) may not be copied or distributed and (3) is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. Neither Morningstar nor its content providers are responsible for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information.

Skipped to Portfolio Section Content

Portfolio

Assets

As of09/30/2025 (Updated Monthly)

Total Net Assets
$2.52 Billion

Positions

As of 09/30/2025 (Updated Monthly)

Number of Holdings
Fund
827
Benchmark
13,855

Portfolio Statistics

As of 09/30/2025 (Updated Monthly)

Effective Duration
Fund
6.13 Years
Benchmark
6.00 Years
Average Weighted Maturity
Fund
12.53 Years
Benchmark
12.20 Years

Sector Exposure

As of 09/30/2025 - Notional Exposure % of Total (Updated Monthly)

Sector % of Total
Benchmark
Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities
34.84%24.40%
Investment Grade Corporates
32.40%23.57%
U.S. Treasuries
15.78%44.67%
High Yield Corporates
11.63%0.00%
Interest Rate Derivatives
6.52%
Collateralized Loan Obligation
5.95%
Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities
5.94%
Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities
3.36%1.44%
Non-Local Currency Emerging Market Bonds
2.68%0.82%
Bank Loans
2.24%
Marketplace Loans
0.40%
Asset-Backed Securities
0.31%0.40%
U.S. Agency
0.24%0.52%
Non-US Developed Bonds
0.12%2.33%
Other
0.06%1.39%
Local Currency Emerging Market Bonds
0.00%
Municipal Bonds
0.46%
Currency Derivatives
0.00%
Cash & Cash Equivalents
-18.20%

Chart

Bar chart with 2 data series.
The chart has 1 X axis displaying categories.
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying values. Data ranges from -18.19926 to 44.6655.
End of interactive chart.

Holdings

As of 09/30/2025 (Updated Monthly)

United States Treasury Note/Bond 4.25% 08/15/2054
Fannie Mae Or Freddie Mac 2.5% 10/01/2055 FHLM
GOVT NATL MORTG ASSN 6% 10/01/2055 GNMA
Fannie Mae Pool 2% 04/01/2052 FNMA
Fannie Mae Or Freddie Mac 3% 10/01/2055 FHLM
Fannie Mae Or Freddie Mac 5.5% 10/01/2055 FHLM
United States Treasury Note/Bond 1.875% 02/28/2027
United States Treasury Note/Bond 4.5% 05/31/2029
United States Treasury Note/Bond 3.875% 11/30/2027
Fannie Mae Or Freddie Mac 5% 10/01/2055 FHLM

Portfolio holdings are based on the total portfolio and are subject to change at any time. Holdings are provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell any security. 

Skipped to Distributions Section Content

Distributions & Tax

Distribution Frequency
MonthlyThis fund is an ex-Dividend fund
Capital Gain Distributions
December

Rates and Yields Read important information about results and other investment disclosures

Distribution Rate & Breakpoints 4

As of 10/31/2025 (Updated Daily)
Less than $100,000 4.34%
$100,000 - $249,999 4.36%
$250,000 - $499,999 4.41%

Distribution Rate 4

As of 10/31/2025 (Updated Daily)
At Net Asset Value (NAV)  4.51%

30-Day SEC Yield 8,9,10

As of 09/30/2025 (Updated Monthly)
w/ Waiver 4.05%
w/o Waiver 3.99%

Final composition of the current year’s distribution—income, capital gains and/or return of capital—are based on US tax rules and will be determined by February of the following year. For tax characterization of a distribution, such as return of capital and tax-exempt income, click on the “Tax Information” tab above.

Distributions Per Share
Distribution amounts may be estimates

10/27/2025
09/24/2025
08/25/2025
07/25/2025
06/24/2025
05/22/2025
04/24/2025
03/25/2025
02/24/2025
01/27/2025

Annually, a fund must distribute all realized capital gains net of realized losses, so the fund will not be subject to an entity level income tax. A fund’s capital gain distribution in a particular year may be a result of the disposition of holdings that appreciated in value during prior years. Thus, while the fund may gain or lose value over the course of a year, a capital gain distribution paid by the fund may not be indicative of current performance of the fund.

The distributable amount of net capital gains are paid on a per-share basis to all investors who hold shares of the fund on the record date of the distribution and are recognized by the shareholder for tax purposes as of the ex-date of the distribution, regardless of when the gains or losses arose in the fund. Net gains on holdings held long term by the fund would be distributed to shareholders as a long-term capital gain distribution no matter how long the shareholder has owned shares in the fund.

Refer to the fund’s annual report or statement of additional information for specific information regarding distributions.

Skipped to Pricing Section Content

Pricing

Pricing History

As of 10/31/2025 (Updated Daily)

Chart

Line chart with 8197 data points.
The chart has 1 X axis displaying Time. Data ranges from 1994-05-24 00:00:00 to 2025-10-31 00:00:00.
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying [products.performance-value]. Data ranges from 7.82 to 11.47.
End of interactive chart.

Daily Fund Prices and Breakpoints

As of 10/31/2025

Share Prices

As of 10/31/2025

NAV  1(Net Asset Value)
$8.41
NAV Change  1
$-0.01
NAV Change (%)  1
-0.12%
POP  11(Public Offering Price)
$8.74

POP and Sales Charge at Breakpoints

Less than $100,000
$100,000 - $249,999
$250,000 - $499,999

52-Week Range

Highest NAV As of 10/27/2025
$8.50
Lowest NAV As of 01/13/2025
$8.10

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Documents

Fund Literature
Name Download Add to Cart
Factsheet - Franklin Core Plus Bond FundDownload Document
Product Commentary - Franklin Core Plus Bond FundDownload Document
Regulatory Documents
Name Download Add to Cart
Annual Report - Franklin Core Plus Bond Fund Class ADownload Document
Annual Financial Statements and Other Information - Franklin Strategic SeriesDownload Document
Semi-Annual Report - Franklin Strategic Income Fund - Class ADownload Document
Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Other Information - Franklin Strategic Income FundDownload Document
Prospectus - Franklin Core Plus Bond Fund (fka Franklin Strategic Income Fund)Download Document
Summary Prospectus - Franklin Core Plus Bond Fund (fka Franklin Strategic Income Fund) as amended 11/12/24Download Document
Statement of Additional Information - Franklin Core Plus Bond Fund (fka Franklin Strategic Income Fund)Mailed hardcopies unavailable.Download Document
Fiscal Q1 Holdings - Franklin Strategic SeriesMailed hardcopies unavailable.Download Document
Fiscal Q3 Holdings - Franklin Strategic SeriesMailed hardcopies unavailable.Download Document

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Risks

All investments involve risks, including possible loss of principal. Fixed income securities involve interest rate, credit, inflation and reinvestment risks, and possible loss of principal. As interest rates rise, the value of fixed income securities falls. Changes in the credit rating of a bond, or in the credit rating or financial strength of a bond’s issuer, insurer or guarantor, may affect the bond’s value. Low-rated, high-yield bonds are subject to greater price volatility, illiquidity and possibility of default. Floating-rate loans and debt securities are typically rated below investment grade and are subject to greater risk of default, which could result in loss of principal. International investments are subject to special risks, including currency fluctuations and social, economic and political uncertainties, which could increase volatility. These risks are magnified in emerging markets. Derivative instruments can be illiquid, may disproportionately increase losses, and have a potentially large impact on performance. The manager may consider environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria in the research or investment process; however, ESG considerations may not be a determinative factor in security selection. In addition, the manager may not assess every investment for ESG criteria, and not every ESG factor may be identified or evaluated. These and other risks are discussed in the fund’s prospectus.

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Most funds offer multiple share classes. Share classes are subject to different fees and expenses, which will affect their performance. 

Certain share classes are only offered to eligible investors as stated in the prospectus. Different minimums may apply to clients of certain service agents. All classes of shares are not available through all distribution channels. See the Fund's prospectus for additional information.

Franklin Distributors, LLC. Member FINRA, SIPCAll entities mentioned are Franklin Templeton affiliated companies. Investment Products: NOT FDIC INSURED | NO BANK GUARANTEE | MAY LOSE VALUE.
Reports and other information about the funds are available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC's Internet site at www.sec.gov.

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Important data provider notices and terms available at www.franklintempletondatasources.com.

Performance data quoted represents past performance, which does not guarantee future results. 

CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are trademarks owned by CFA Institute.

Indexes are unmanaged and one cannot invest directly in an index. They do not reflect any fees, expenses or sales charges. 

The Bloomberg US Aggregate Index is comprised of investment-grade, U.S. dollar-denominated government, corporate, and mortgage- and asset-backed issues having at least one year to maturity.
Source: Bloomberg Indices.

Investors should carefully consider a fund's investment goals, risks, sales charges and expenses before investing. The prospectus contains this and other information. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing or sending money.

Footnotes

  1. Net Asset Value - the amount per share you would receive if you sold shares that day. NAV Change indicates a change in the Net Asset Value from the previous business day.

  2. Figures are aggregate total return figures, have not been annualized and represent the change in value of an investment over the period indicated.

  3. The Morningstar Rating™ for funds, or “star rating”, is calculated for managed products with at least a three-year history, and subject to change monthly. Exchange-traded funds and open-ended mutual funds are considered a single population for comparative purposes. It is calculated based on a Morningstar Risk Adjusted Return measure that accounts for variation in a managed product’s monthly excess performance, placing more emphasis on downward variations and rewarding consistent performance. The top 10% of products in each product category receive 5 stars, the next 22.5% receive 4 stars, the next 35% receive 3 stars, the next 22.5% receive 2 stars, and the bottom 10% receive 1 star. The Overall Morningstar Rating is derived from a weighted average of the performance figures associated with its three-, five-, and 10-year (if applicable) Morningstar Rating metrics. The weights are: 100% three-year rating for 36-59 months of total return, 60% five-year rating/40% three-year rating for 60-119 months of total returns, and 50% 10-year rating/30% five-year rating/20% three-year rating for 120 or more months of total return. While the 10-year overall star rating formula seems to give the most weight to the 10-year period, the most recent three-year period actually has the greatest impact because it is included in all three rating periods. Ratings do not take into account the effects of sales charges and loads. Morningstar Rating is for the specified share class(es) only; other classes may have different performance characteristics. 
    ©2025 Morningstar, Inc. All rights reserved. The information contained herein: (1) is proprietary to Morningstar and/or its content providers; (2) may not be copied or distributed and (3) is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. Neither Morningstar nor its content providers are responsible for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information.

  4. Distribution Rate is calculated by annualizing the most recent distribution amount paid, divided by the NAV as of the date indicated. The Distribution Rate calculation includes income and return of capital, and excludes special distributions. The Distribution Rate is not guaranteed, subject to change, and is not a quotation of fund performance. 

  5. Gross Expense Ratio reflects the total annual operating expenses for the share class shown, prior to the deduction of any waiver or reimbursement. Actual expenses may be higher and may impact portfolio returns. Net Expense Ratio reflects total expenses after any fee waivers, implemented expense caps or reimbursements. If a fund has contractual fee waivers, expense caps and/or reimbursements, the expiration date can be found by clicking on the information button next to the net expense ratio. Additional amounts may be voluntarily waived and/or reimbursed and may be modified or discontinued at any time without notice. Expense ratios are as of the most recent prospectus or annual report.

  6. Net Expense Ratio represents the expense ratio applicable to investors. 

  7. For net asset value (NAV) purchases, a 1% contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) may apply to shares redeemed within 18 months.

  8. During periods of rising inflation, fund yields can vary significantly from month-to-month and may not be repeated.

  9. With Waiver means the performance quote reflects any applicable expense reductions and fee waivers.

  10. 30-Day SEC Yield is calculated using the net income (interest and dividends) per share earned over a trailing 30-day period (annualized), divided by the fund’s share price at the end of that period. It may not equal the fund’s actual income distribution rate, which reflects the fund’s past dividends paid to shareholders.

  11. Public Offering Price – the purchase price for each share of the fund on a given day.  It includes the maximum initial sales charge, if any.

  12. Credit Quality is a measure of a bond issuer's ability to repay interest and principal in a timely manner. The credit ratings shown are based on each portfolio security's rating as provided by S&P Global Ratings, Moody's Investors Service and/or Fitch Ratings, Inc. and typically range from AAA (highest) to D (lowest), or an equivalent and/or similar rating. For this purpose, the manager assigns each security the middle rating from these three agencies. When only two agencies provide ratings, the lower of the two ratings will be assigned. When only one agency assigns a rating, that rating will be used. Foreign government bonds without a specific rating are assigned a country rating, if available. Securities that are unrated by all three agencies are reflected as such. The credit quality of the investments in the portfolio does not apply to the stability or safety of the portfolio. The methodology used for the calculation of credit quality ratings displayed may differ from the methodology for monitoring investment limits, if applicable. Please note, the portfolio itself has not been rated by an independent rating agency.