Franklin Templeton Investment Launches New FTIF Templeton Asian Dividend Fund

Fund Capitalises on Asian Dividend and Growth Opportunities with Templeton’s Deep Intellectual Capital

 

Dubai, UAE; 29 April 2013 – Franklin Templeton Investments is pleased to announce that it has launched the Templeton Asian Dividend Fund (the “Fund”) within its Luxembourg-domiciled Franklin Templeton Investment Funds range, which will seek to generate a higher income yield than the benchmark by investing in a portfolio of Asia-related dividend yielding holdings with exposure to the secular growth trends on the continent. Local investors can access this new Fund beginning 26 April 2013.

The Fund aims to address an increasing need for meaningful yield while still providing growth potential. The Asia region includes, but is not limited to, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. The managers’ unconstrained approach emphasises stocks that offer either attractive dividend yields at the time of purchase or the prospect for attractive dividend yields in the future. The Fund managers invest with a long-term view in Asian companies they believe are undervalued, fundamentally strong, growing and capable of weathering difficult times.

Dr. Mark Mobius, executive chairman, Templeton Emerging Markets Group, and lead portfolio manager of the Fund is one of the longest tenured managers in emerging markets with over 40 years of experience. Tom Wu is a lead portfolio manager of the Fund with over 25 years of experience. He is senior executive vice president and senior managing director, Templeton Asset Management Ltd. They leverage an experienced team of regional portfolio managers and research analysts along with the broader resources of Franklin Templeton Investments, including risk management and trading professionals.

Dr. Mobius commented, “Asia is still one of the fastest growing regions of the world. As an exporter, it benefits from increasing global demand but is also experiencing a growing domestic market. The growing middle class is demanding more consumer goods and is able and willing to pay higher prices.” Looking at the region’s dividend yield, he added: “Dividend yields are an important source of income, as investors are finding it increasingly difficult to source meaningful yield in fixed income without higher specific risk. In Asia, the number companies paying dividends has increased which makes it a relatively attractive source of income.”

Templeton Emerging Markets Group

With over $53 billion under management, the Templeton Emerging Markets group is a leading manager of Asian equities. The team includes over 50 dedicated portfolio managers and analysts located across 18 offices around the world, helping them maintain a first-hand understanding of the economic trends of their respective regions. As an early pioneer in emerging markets investing, the Templeton Emerging Markets group launched its first mutual fund dedicated to emerging markets in 1987.

For More Information

For more information on Templeton Asian Dividend Fund, please call/visit www.franklintempletongem.com

 

¹ Franklin Templeton Investment Funds, a Luxembourg registered SICAV

Franklin Resources, Inc. [NYSE:BEN], is a global investment management organization operating as Franklin Templeton Investments. Franklin Templeton Investments provides global and domestic investment management solutions managed by its Franklin, Templeton, Mutual Series, Fiduciary Trust, Darby Bissett and K2 investment teams. The San Mateo, CAbased company has more than 65 years of investment experience and over USD 823 billion in assets under management as of 31 March 2013.

Notes to editors:

Templeton Asian Dividend Fund is a sub-fund of Franklin Templeton Investment funds (FTIF) a Luxembourg-domiciled SICAV range. This document is intended to be of general interest only and does not constitute legal or tax advice nor is it an offer for shares or invitation to apply for shares of the Luxembourg-domiciled SICAV Franklin Templeton Investment Funds (the “Fund”). Nothing in this document should be construed as investment advice.

Opinions expressed are the author’s at publication date and they are subject to change without prior notice. Subscriptions to shares of the Fund can only be made on the basis of the current prospectus, the relevant Key Investor Information Document, accompanied by the latest available audited annual report and the latest semi-annual report if published thereafter. The value of shares in the Fund and income received from it can go down as well as up, and investors may not get back the full amount invested. Past performance is not an indicator or a guarantee of future performance. Currency fluctuations may affect the value of overseas investments. When investing in a fund denominated in a foreign currency, your performance may also be affected by currency fluctuations.

An investment in the Fund entails risks which are described in the Fund’s prospectus and the relevant Key Investor Information Document. In emerging markets, the risks can be greater than in developed markets. Investments in derivative instruments entail specific risks that may increase the risk profile of the fund and are more fully described in the Fund’s prospectus and in the relevant Key Investor Information Document. References to particular industries, sectors or companies are for general information and are not necessarily indicative of a fund’s holding at any one time.

Shares of the Fund are not available for distribution in all jurisdictions and prospective investors should confirm availability with their local Franklin Templeton Investments representative before making any plans to invest.

This press release is intended to be of general interest only, and does not constitute professional advice. Franklin Templeton Investments and its management groups have exercised professional care and diligence in the collection and processing of the information in this press release. Franklin Templeton Investments makes no representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy of this document. Franklin Templeton Investments shall not be liable to any user of this report or to any other person or entity for the inaccuracy of information contained in this press release or for any errors or omissions in its contents, regardless of the cause of such inaccuracy, error or omission. Any research and analysis contained in this document has been procured by Franklin Templeton Investments for its own purposes. Please consult your financial advisor before deciding to invest.

For more information, please contact: Franklin Templeton Investments, The Gate, East Wing, Level 2, Dubai International Financial Centre, P.O.Box 506613, Dubai, U.A.E., Tel.: +9714-4284100 Fax:+9714-4284140.

For more information on our funds please visit our website: http://www.franklintempletongem.com/

Issued by Franklin Templeton Investment Management Limited in Dubai (“FTIML”). FTIML is authorized and regulated in the UK by the Financial Services Authority and the FTIML Dubai branch is regulated in Dubai by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (“DFSA”).

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