FAUZX Franklin Low Duration U.S. Government Securities Fund

Important Information

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.

   Return to footnote reference

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

   Return to footnote reference

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. 

   Return to footnote reference

4. Effective March 1, 2023 the fund changes its benchmark to the Bloomberg US Government (1-3 Year) Index.

   Return to footnote reference

5. 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. 

   Return to footnote reference

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

   Return to footnote reference

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

   Return to footnote reference

8. 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.

   Return to footnote reference

9. 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.

   Return to footnote reference

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

    Return to footnote reference

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.

    Return to footnote reference

12. Ratings shown are assigned by one or more Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations (NRSRO), such as S&P Global Ratings, Moody's Investors Service and Fitch Ratings, Inc. When ratings from multiple agencies are available, the highest is used, consistent with the portfolio investment process. Ratings reflect an NRSRO's opinion of an issuer's creditworthiness and typically range from AAA (highest) to D (lowest). The Refunded category consists of refunded bonds secured by the US government or other high-quality securities. The Not Rated category consists of ratable securities that have not been rated by an NRSRO. The Not Applicable category consists of third-party exchange-traded funds and securities that have only a short-term rating and are not cash equivalents. Cash includes equivalents, which may be rated. 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.

    Return to footnote reference

13. Effective 5/15/08, the fund began offering Advisor Class shares. For periods prior to the fund's Advisor Class inception date, a restated figure is used based on the fund's oldest share class, Class A performance, excluding the effect of Class A's maximum initial sales charge but reflecting the effect of the Class A Rule 12b-1 fees; and for periods after the fund's Advisor Class inception date, actual Advisor Class performance is used, reflecting all charges and fees applicable to that class.

    Return to footnote reference

14. Performance quotations for this class reflect the following methods of calculation: a) For periods prior to the fund's Advisor Class inception date, a restated figure is used based on the fund's oldest share class, Class A performance, excluding the effect of Class A's maximum initial sales charge but reflecting the effect of the Class A Rule 12b-1 fees; and b) for periods after the fund's Advisor Class inception date, actual Advisor Class performance is used, reflecting all charges and fees applicable to that class.

    Return to footnote reference

15. 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.

    Return to footnote reference