Schedule 14A Information

 

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(A) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No. )

 

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Franklin Universal Trust

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FRANKLIN UNIVERSAL TRUST

IMPORTANT SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

We have enclosed important information about the Annual Shareholders’ Meeting (the “Meeting”) of Franklin Universal Trust (the “Fund”) scheduled for Thursday, March 9, 2023, at 1:00 p.m., Eastern time. These materials discuss the proposal to be voted on at the Meeting, and contain the Notice of Meeting, proxy statement and proxy card. A proxy card is, in essence, a ballot. When you vote your proxy, it tells us how you wish to vote on important issues relating to the Fund. If you complete, sign and return the proxy card, we’ll vote it as you indicated. If you simply sign, date and return the proxy card, but do not specify a vote on the proposal listed thereon, your proxy will be voted FOR the election of the Class II nominees to the position of Trustee (the “Proposal”).

We urge you to spend a few minutes reviewing the Proposal in the proxy statement. Then, please fill out and sign the proxy card and return it to us in the enclosed postage-paid envelope so that we know how you would like to vote. When shareholders return their proxy cards promptly, the Fund may be able to save money by not having to conduct additional mailings. Returning your proxy card does not preclude you from attending the Meeting or later changing your vote prior to it being cast.

We welcome your comments. If you have any questions, please call Fund Information at (800) DIAL BEN/342-5236.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                        

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FRANKLIN UNIVERSAL TRUST

NOTICE OF 2023 ANNUAL SHAREHOLDERS’ MEETING

The Annual Shareholders’ Meeting (the “Meeting”) of Franklin Universal Trust (the “Fund”) will be held at the Fund’s offices, 300 S.E. 2^nd Street, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301, on Thursday, March 9, 2023, at 1:00 p.m., Eastern time.

 

During the Meeting, shareholders of the Fund will vote on the following Proposal:

 

1.      To elect Class II of the Board of Trustees of the Fund.

 

In addition, shareholders will vote on any other matters as may properly come before the Meeting. The Board of Trustees has fixed January 12, 2023, as the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to vote at the Meeting.

 

 

                                                                  By Order of the Board of Trustees,

 

                                                                  Lori Weber

                                                Vice President & Co-Secretary

Dated: February 9, 2023

 

 

 

Please sign and promptly return your proxy card in the self-addressed envelope regardless of the number of shares you own.

 

 

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FRANKLIN UNIVERSAL TRUST

PROXY STATEMENT

♦   INFORMATION ABOUT VOTING

 

Who is asking for my vote?

This proxy statement is for the Annual Shareholders’ Meeting (the “Meeting”) of Franklin Universal Trust (the “Fund”), which will be held at the Fund’s offices, 300 S.E. 2^nd Street, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301, on Thursday, March 9, 2023, at 1:00 p.m., Eastern time. The Fund’s Board of Trustees (the “Board” or the “Trustees”) is unanimously asking you to vote FOR the election of your Board’s three nominees to the position of Class II Trustee (the “Proposal”) by promptly completing, signing, dating and returning the enclosed proxy card.

Who is eligible to vote?

Shareholders of record at the close of business on January 12, 2023, are entitled to be present and to vote at the Meeting or any adjournment of the Meeting. Each share of record is entitled to one vote (and a proportionate fractional vote for each fractional share) on each matter presented at the Meeting. The Notice of Meeting, the proxy statement, and the proxy card were first mailed to shareholders of record on or about February 9, 2023.

On what issue am I being asked to vote?

 

You are being asked to vote on the following Proposal:

 

·         To elect Class II of the Board of Trustees of the Fund.

 

How do the Fund’s Trustees recommend that I vote?

The Trustees unanimously recommend that you vote FOR the election of all Class II Trustee nominees.

How do I ensure that my vote is accurately recorded?

You may attend the Meeting and vote in person or you may complete and return the enclosed proxy card. If you are eligible to vote by telephone or through the Internet, separate instructions are enclosed.

Proxy cards that are properly signed, dated and received at or prior to the Meeting will be voted as specified. If you specify a vote for the Proposal, your proxy will be voted as you indicate. If you simply sign, date and return the proxy card, but don’t specify a vote on the Proposal, your shares will be voted FOR the election of the Class II nominees for the Board.

May I revoke my proxy?

You may revoke your proxy at any time before it is voted by forwarding a written revocation or a later-dated proxy to the Fund, which must be received by the Fund at or prior to the Meeting, or by attending the Meeting and voting in-person.

 

What if my shares are held in a brokerage account?

If your shares are held by your broker, then in order to vote in person at the Meeting, you will need to obtain a “Legal Proxy” from your broker and present it to the Inspector of Election at the Meeting. Also, in order to revoke your proxy, you may need to forward your written revocation or a later-dated proxy card to your broker rather than to the Fund.

♦   THE PROPOSAL: ELECTION OF CLASS II TRUSTEES

 

How are nominees selected?

 

The Board has a Nominating Committee comprised of Harris J. Ashton, Terrence J. Checki, Mary C. Choksi, Edith E. Holiday, J. Michael Luttig, Larry D. Thompson and Valerie M. Williams. None of the members of the Nominating Committee is an “interested person” of the Fund, as defined by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). Trustees who are not interested persons of the Fund are referred to as the “Independent Trustees,” and Trustees who are interested persons of the Fund are referred to as the “Interested Trustees.”

The Nominating Committee is responsible for selecting candidates to serve as Trustees for the Fund and recommending such candidates: (a) for selection and nomination as Independent Trustees by the incumbent Independent Trustees and the full Board; and (b) for selection and nomination as Interested Trustees by the full Board. In considering a candidate’s qualifications, the Nominating Committee generally considers the potential candidate’s educational background, business or professional experience, and reputation. In addition, the Nominating Committee has established as minimum qualifications for Board membership as an Independent Trustee: (1) that such candidate be independent from relationships with the Fund’s investment manager and other principal service providers both within the terms and the spirit of the statutory independence requirements specified under the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder; (2) that such candidate demonstrate an ability and willingness to make the considerable time commitment, including personal attendance at Board meetings, believed necessary to his or her function as an effective Board member; and (3) that such candidate have no continuing relationship as a director, officer or board member of any U.S. registered investment company other than those within the Franklin Templeton fund complex or a closed-end business development company primarily investing in non-public entities. The Nominating Committee has not adopted any specific policy on the issue of diversity but will take this into account, among other factors, in its consideration of new candidates for the Board.

When the Board has or expects to have a vacancy, the Nominating Committee receives and reviews information on individuals qualified to be recommended to the full Board as nominees for election as Trustees, including any recommendations by “Qualifying Fund Shareholders” (as defined below).  Such individuals are evaluated based upon the criteria described above. To date, the Nominating Committee has been able to identify, and expects to continue to be able to identify, from its own resources an ample number of qualified candidates. The Nominating Committee, however, will review recommendations from Qualifying Fund Shareholders to fill vacancies on the Board if these recommendations are submitted in writing and addressed to the Nominating Committee at the Fund’s offices and are presented with appropriate background material concerning the candidate that demonstrates his or her ability to serve as a Trustee, including as an Independent Trustee, of the Fund. A Qualifying Fund Shareholder is a shareholder who (i) has continuously owned of record, or beneficially through a financial intermediary, shares of the Fund having a net asset value of not less than two hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) during the twenty-four (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 U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) had the nominee been nominated by the Board; (f) whether the Qualifying Fund Shareholder making the recommendation believes the person recommended would or would not be an “interested person” of the Fund, as defined in the 1940 Act; and (g) the written consent of each person recommended to serve as a Trustee of the Fund if so nominated and elected/appointed.

 

The Nominating Committee may amend these procedures from time to time, including the procedures relating to the evaluation of nominees and the process for submitting recommendations to the Nominating Committee.

The Board has adopted and approved a formal written charter for the Nominating Committee. A copy of the charter is included as “Appendix A.”

What is the background of the Fund’s Class II Nominees?

The Fund’s Class II nominees are Harris J. Ashton, Edith E. Holiday and Rupert H. Johnson, Jr. As described more fully below, these nominees have significant experience managing investment vehicles. The Fund’s Class II nominees all are also on the Boards of other open-end and closed-end Franklin Templeton funds. 

Each nominee is currently available and has consented to serve as Trustee of the Fund if elected. If any of the nominees should become unavailable, the designated proxy holders will vote in their discretion for another person or persons who may be nominated as Trustees.

In addition to personal qualities, such as integrity, in considering candidates for the Board, the Nominating Committee seeks to find persons of good reputation whose experience and background evidences that such person has the ability to comprehend, discuss and critically analyze materials and issues presented in exercising judgments and reaching informed conclusions relevant to the fulfillment of a Trustee’s duties and fiduciary obligations. Information on the business activities of the nominees and other Trustees during the past five years and beyond appears below and it is believed that the specific background of each Trustee evidences such ability and it is appropriate for him or her to serve on the Board. As indicated in the table below, Harris J. Ashton has served as a chief executive officer of a NYSE-listed public corporation; Edith E. Holiday has legal backgrounds, including high level legal positions with departments of the U.S. government; and Rupert H. Johnson, Jr. is a high ranking executive officer of Franklin Templeton.

 

What is other background information about the Board?

Interested Trustees of the Fund hold director and/or officer positions with Franklin Resources, Inc. (“Resources”) and its affiliates. Resources is a ­publicly-owned holding company, a principal shareholder of which is Rupert H. Johnson, Jr., who owned approximately 104,199,844 (approximately 21%) of its outstanding shares as of December 31, 2022. The shares deemed to be beneficially owned by Rupert H. Johnson, Jr. include certain shares held by a private charitable foundation or by his spouse, of which he disclaims beneficial ownership. Resources, a global investment management organization operating as Franklin Templeton, is primarily engaged, through its various subsidiaries, in providing investment management, share distribution, transfer agent and administrative services to a family of investment companies. Resources is a New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (“NYSE”) listed holding company (NYSE: BEN). Rupert H. Johnson, Jr., a Trustee of the Fund, is the uncle of Gregory E. Johnson, Chairman, Senior Vice President and Trustee of the Fund.  There are no other family relationships among the Trustees or nominees for Trustees.

Listed below, for each nominee and Board member, is his or her name, year of birth and address, as well as position and length of service with the Fund, a brief description of recent professional experience, the number of portfolios in the Franklin Templeton fund complex that he or she oversees, and other directorships held.

 

 

Class II Nominees for Independent Trustee to serve until the 2026 Annual Shareholders’ Meeting

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class II Nominee for Interested Trustee to serve until 2026 Annual Shareholders’ Meeting

 

 

 

 

 

Class III Independent Trustees serving until 2024 Annual Shareholders’ Meeting

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class I Independent Trustees serving until 2025 Annual Shareholders’ Meeting

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class I Interested Trustee serving until 2025 Annual Shareholders’ Meeting

 

 

We base the number of portfolios on each separate series of the U.S. registered investment companies within the Franklin Templeton/Legg Mason fund complex. These portfolios have a common investment manager or affiliated investment managers.

 

**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.

 

 

**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 major shareholder of Resources, which is the parent company of the Fund's investment manager.

 

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 proxy statement. It is possible that after this date, information about officers may change.

 

The following tables provide the estimated dollar range of equity securities of the Fund and of all funds beneficially owned by the Trustees in the Franklin Templeton fund complex estimated as of December 31, 2022.

Independent Trustees:

 

Interested Trustees:

 

 

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.

 

How often do the Trustees meet and what are they paid?

 

The role of the Trustees is to provide general oversight of the Fund’s business, and to ensure that the Fund is operated for the benefit of all shareholders. The Trustees anticipate meeting at least eight times during the current fiscal year to review the operations of the Fund and the Fund’s investment performance. The Trustees also oversee the services furnished to the Fund by Franklin Advisers, Inc., the Fund’s investment manager (the “Investment Manager”), and various other service providers.

The Fund’s Independent Trustees serve as independent directors/trustees of a number of investment companies in the Franklin Templeton complex, for which each Independent Trustee 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 Fund. To the extent held, compensation may also be paid for attendance at specially held Board meetings. The Fund’s Lead Independent Trustee is paid an annual supplemental retainer of $40,000 for services to such investment companies, a portion of which is allocated to the Fund. Trustees who serve on the Audit Committee of the Fund 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 Fund. Terrence J. Checki, who serves as chairman of the Audit Committee of the Fund 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 Fund. Independent Trustees are also reimbursed for expenses incurred in connection with attending meetings.

During the fiscal year ended ­August 31, 2022, there were eight meetings of the Board, 10 meetings of the Audit Committee and one meeting of the Nominating Committee. Each of the Trustees who currently serve on the Board attended at least 75% of the aggregate of the total number of meetings of the Board and the total number of meetings held by all committees of the Board on which the Trustee served during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2022.

The Fund does not currently have a formal policy regarding Trustees’ attendance at the Annual Shareholders’ Meeting. None of the Trustees attended the Fund’s last annual shareholders’ meeting held on March 10, 2022.

Certain Interested Trustees and officers of the Fund are shareholders of Resources and may receive indirect remuneration due to their participation in the management fees and other fees received by the Investment Manager and its affiliates from the funds in Franklin Templeton. The Investment Manager or its affiliates pay the salaries and expenses of the officers. No pension or retirement benefits are accrued as part of Fund ­expenses.

The table below indicates the total fees paid to the Independent Trustees by the Fund individually and by all of the funds in Franklin Templeton. These Trustees also serve or have served as directors or trustees of other funds in Franklin Templeton, many of which hold meetings at different dates and times. The Trustees and the Fund’s management believe that having the same individuals serving on the boards of many of the funds in Franklin Templeton enhances the ability of each fund to obtain, at a relatively modest cost to each separate fund, the services of high caliber, experienced and knowledgeable Independent Trustees who can bring their experience and talents to, and effectively oversee the management of, several funds.

 

⁽¹⁾   Compensation received for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2022.

⁽²⁾   Compensation received for the calendar year ended December 31, 2021.

⁽³⁾   We base the number of boards on the number of U.S. registered investment companies in the Franklin Templeton fund complex. This number does not include the total number of series or funds within each investment company for which the Board members are responsible. Franklin Templeton currently includes 82 U.S. registered investment companies, with approximately 300 U.S. based funds or series.

 

Who are the Executive Officers of ­the Fund?

Officers of the Fund are appointed by the Trustees and serve at the pleasure of the Board. Listed below, for each Executive Officer, are his or her name, year of birth, address, a brief description of his or her professional experience for the past 5 years, and his or her position and length of service with the Fund:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note:  Officer information is current as of the date of this Proxy. It is possible that after this date, information about officers may change.

THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” EACH OF THE CLASS II NOMINEES LISTED IN THE PROPOSAL.

 

 ♦ ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT ­THE FUND

 

The Investment Manager. The Investment Manager is Franklin Advisers, Inc., a California corporation, whose principal address is One Franklin Parkway, San Mateo, CA 94403. The Investment Manager is a ­wholly-owned subsidiary of Resources.

The Administrator. The administrator of the Fund is Franklin Templeton Services, LLC (“FT Services”), whose principal address is also One Franklin Parkway, San Mateo, CA 94403. Under an agreement with the Investment Manager, FT Services performs certain administrative functions, such as portfolio recordkeeping, for the Fund. FT Services is an indirect, ­wholly-owned subsidiary of ­Resources.

The Transfer Agent and Custodian. The transfer agent, registrar and dividend disbursement agent for the Fund is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, 6201 15^th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11219. The Bank of New York Mellon, Mutual Funds Division, 100 Church Street, New York, NY 10286, acts as the custodian of the Fund’s securities and other ­assets. 

 

Reports to Shareholders and Financial Statements. The Fund’s last audited financial statements and annual report for the fiscal year ended ­August 31, 2022, are available free of charge. To obtain a copy, please visit the Fund’s website at www.franklintempleton.com, or call (800) DIAL BEN/342-5236 or forward a written request to Franklin Templeton Investor Services, LLC, P.O. Box 997151, Sacramento, CA ­ 95899-9983.

Principal Shareholders. As of January 12, 2023, the Fund had 25,131,894 shares outstanding and total net assets of $199,766,440.  The Fund’s shares are listed on the NYSE (symbol: FT). From time to time, the number of shares held in “street name” accounts of various securities dealers for the benefit of their clients may exceed 5% of the total shares outstanding. To the knowledge of the Fund’s management and/or based on public filings, as of January 12, 2023, there were no entities holding beneficially or of record more than 5% of the Fund’s outstanding shares.

In addition, to the knowledge of the Fund’s management, as of January 12, 2023, no Trustee of the Fund owned 1% or more of the outstanding shares of the Fund, and the officers and Trustees of the Fund owned, as a group, less than 1% of the outstanding shares of ­the Fund.

Contacting the Board. If a shareholder wishes to send a communication to the Board, such correspondence should be in writing and addressed to the Board at the Fund’s offices, One Franklin Parkway, San Mateo, California 94403. The correspondence will then be given to the Board for its review and ­consideration.

♦ AUDIT COMMITTEE

The Board has a standing Audit Committee currently consisting of Messrs. Checki (Chairman), Luttig, Thompson, Ms. Choksi and Ms. Holiday, all of whom are Independent Trustees and also are considered to be “independent” as that term is defined by the NYSE’s listing standards. The Fund’s Audit Committee is responsible for the appointment, compensation and retention of the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm (“auditors”), including evaluating their independence, recommending the selection of the Fund’s auditors to the full Board, and meeting with such auditors to consider and review matters relating to the Fund’s financial reports and internal auditing.

Selection of Auditors. The Audit Committee and the Board have selected the firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”) as auditors of the Fund for the current fiscal year. Representatives of PwC are not expected to be present at the Meeting, but will have the opportunity to make a statement if they wish, and will be available should any matter arise requiring their presence.

Audit Fees. The aggregate fees paid to PwC for professional services rendered by PwC for the audit of the Fund’s annual financial statements or for services that are normally provided by PwC in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements were $73,797 for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2022, and $53,527 for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021.

Audit-Related Fees. There were no fees paid to PwC for assurance and related services rendered by PwC to the Fund that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the Fund's financial statements and are not reported under “Audit Fees” above for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2022 and August 31, 2021. 

 

There were no fees paid to PwC for assurance and related services rendered by PwC to the Investment Manager and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Investment Manager that provides ongoing services to the Fund that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of their financial statements for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2022 and August 31, 2021. 

Tax Fees. There were no fees paid to PwC for professional services rendered by PwC to the Fund for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2022 and August 31, 2021.

There were no fees paid to PwC for professional services rendered by PwC to the Investment Manager and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Investment Manager that provides ongoing services to the Fund for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning were $0 for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2022 and August 31, 2021. 

All Other Fees. The aggregate fees paid to PwC for products and services rendered by PwC to the Fund, not reported in previous paragraphs were $0 for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2022 and $97 for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021.  The services for which these fees were paid included review of materials provided to the Board in connection with the investment management contract renewal process.

The aggregate fees paid to PwC for products and services rendered by PwC to the Investment Manager and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Investment Manager that provides ongoing services to the Fund other than services reported in previous paragraphs, were $241,195 for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2022 and $12,000 for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021. 

The Fund’s Audit Committee is directly responsible for approving the services to be provided by the auditors, including:

(i)         pre-approval of all audit and audit related services;

(ii)        pre-approval of all non-audit related services to be provided to the Fund by the auditors;

(iii)       pre-approval of all non-audit related services to be provided by the auditors to the Fund, to the Investment Manager or to any entity that controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the Investment Manager and that provides ongoing services to the Fund where the non-audit services relate directly to the operations or financial reporting of the Fund; and

(iv)       establishment by the Audit Committee, if deemed necessary or appropriate, as an alternative to committee pre-approval of services to be provided by the auditors, as required by paragraphs (ii) and (iii) above, of policies and procedures to permit such services to be pre-approved by other means, such as through establishment of guidelines or by action of a designated member or members of the Audit Committee; provided the policies and procedures are detailed as to the particular service, the Audit Committee is informed of each service and such policies and procedures do not include delegation of Audit Committee responsibilities, as contemplated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, to management; subject, in the case of (ii) through (iv), to any waivers, exceptions or exemptions that may be available under applicable law or rules.

 

None of the services provided to the Fund described in the preceding paragraphs (other than under “Audit Fees” above) were approved by the Audit Committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.

Aggregate Non-Audit Fees. The aggregate non-audit fees of $241,195 for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2022, and $12,097 for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2021 were paid to PwC for services rendered by PwC to the Fund and the Investment Manager and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Investment Manager that provides ongoing services to the Fund.

The Audit Committee has considered whether the provision of the non-audit services that were rendered to the Investment Manager and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Investment Manager that provides ongoing services to the Fund that were not pre-approved pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X is compatible with maintaining PwC's independence.

Audit Committee Report. The Board has adopted and approved a revised formal written charter for the Audit Committee, which sets forth the Audit Committee’s responsibilities. A copy of the charter is attached hereto as “Appendix B.”

The Audit Committee reviewed and discussed the Fund’s audited financial statements with management, as well as with PwC, the Fund’s auditors. The Audit Committee discussed with PwC the matters required to be discussed by the statement on Auditing Standards No. 16, as amended, as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.

The Audit Committee received the written disclosures and the letter from PwC required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding PwC’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence. The Audit Committee also received the report of PwC regarding the results of their audit. In connection with their review of the financial statements and the auditors’ report, the members of the Audit Committee discussed with PwC the independence of PwC, as well as the following: the auditors’ responsibilities in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards; the auditors’ responsibilities for information prepared for management that accompanies the Fund’s audited financial statements and any procedures performed and the results; the initial selection of, and whether there were any changes in, significant accounting policies or their application; management’s judgments and accounting estimates; whether there were any significant audit adjustments; whether there were any disagreements with management; whether there was any consultation with other accountants; whether there were any major issues discussed with management prior to the auditors’ retention; whether the auditors encountered any difficulties in dealing with management in performing the audit; and the auditors’ judgments about the quality of the Fund’s accounting ­principles.

 

Based on its review and discussions with management and the Fund’s auditors, the Audit Committee did not become aware of any material misstatements or omissions in the financial statements.

Accordingly, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the audited financial statements be included in the Fund’s Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2022, for filing with ­the SEC.

                                                        AUDIT ­COMMITTEE

                                                        Terrence J. Checki (Chairman)

                                                                       Mary C. Choksi

                                                                       Edith E. Holiday

                                                                            J. Michael Luttig

                                                                            Larry D. Thompson

 

 

♦ ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE BOARD

 

Board Role in Risk Oversight. The Board, as a whole, considers risk management issues as part of its general oversight responsibilities throughout the year at regular Board meetings, through regular reports that have been developed by management, in consultation with the Board and its counsel. These reports address certain investment, valuation and compliance matters. The Board also may receive special written reports or presentations on a variety of risk issues (e.g., COVID-19 related issues), either upon the Board’s request or upon the Investment Manager’s initiative. In addition, the Audit Committee of the Board meets regularly with the Investment Manager’s internal audit group to review reports on their examinations of functions and processes within Franklin Templeton that affect the Fund.

With respect to investment risk, the Board receives regular written reports describing and analyzing the investment performance of the Fund. In addition, the portfolio managers of the Fund meet regularly with the Board to discuss portfolio performance, including investment risk. To the extent that the Fund changes a particular investment strategy that could have a material impact on the Fund’s risk profile, the Board generally is consulted with respect to such change. To the extent that the Fund invests in certain complex securities, including derivatives, the Board receives periodic reports containing information about exposure of the Fund to such instruments. In addition, the Investment Manager’s investment risk personnel meet regularly with the Board to discuss a variety of issues, including the impact on the Fund of the investment in particular securities or instruments, such as derivatives.

With respect to valuation, the Fund’s administrator provides regular written reports to the Board that enable the Board to monitor the number of fair valued securities in a particular portfolio, the reasons for the fair valuation and the methodology used to arrive at the fair value. Such reports also include information concerning illiquid securities within the Fund’s portfolio. The Board also reviews dispositional analysis information on the sale of securities that require special valuation considerations, such as illiquid or fair valued securities. In addition, the Fund’s Audit Committee reviews valuation procedures and results with the Fund’s independent auditors in connection with the Audit Committee’s review of the results of the audit of the Fund’s year-end financial statements.

 

With respect to compliance risks, the Board receives regular compliance reports prepared by the Investment Manager’s compliance group and meets regularly with the Fund's Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) to discuss compliance issues, including compliance risks. In accordance with SEC rules, the Independent Trustees meet regularly in executive session with the CCO, and the CCO prepares and presents an annual written compliance report to the Board. The 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. Seventy-five percent or more of Board members are Independent Trustees who are not deemed to be “interested persons” by reason of their relationship with the Fund’s management or otherwise as provided under the 1940 Act. While the Chairman of the Board is an interested person, the Board is also served by a Lead Independent Trustee. The Lead Independent Trustee, together with independent counsel, reviews proposed agendas for Board meetings and generally acts as a liaison with Fund management with respect to questions and issues raised by the Independent Trustees. The Lead Independent Trustee also presides at separate meetings of Independent Trustees 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.

♦ FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT VOTING AND THE ­MEETING

 

Solicitation of Proxies.  Your vote is being solicited by the Board. The cost of soliciting these proxies, including the fees of any proxy soliciting agent, is borne by the Fund. The Fund reimburses brokerage firms and others for their expenses in forwarding proxy materials to the beneficial owners and soliciting them to execute their proxies. In addition, the Fund may retain a professional proxy solicitation firm to assist with any necessary solicitation of proxies. The Fund expects that the solicitation would be primarily by mail, but may also be conducted via telephone, telecopy, electronic or oral solicitations. If the Fund does not receive your proxy by a certain time, you may receive a telephone call from a proxy soliciting agent asking you to vote. If professional proxy solicitors are retained, it is expected that soliciting fees would be approximately $5,000, plus expenses. The Fund does not reimburse Trustees and officers of the Fund, or regular employees and agents of the Investment Manager, involved in the solicitation of proxies. The Fund intends to pay all costs associated with the solicitation and the Meeting.

 

Voting by ­Broker-Dealers. The Fund expects that, before the Meeting, broker-dealer firms holding shares of the Fund in “street name” for their customers will request voting instructions from their customers and beneficial owners. If these instructions are not received by the date specified in the broker-dealer firms’ proxy solicitation materials, the Fund understands that the broker-dealers are only permitted to vote on the Proposal on behalf of their customers and beneficial owners. Certain broker-dealers may exercise discretion over shares held in their name for which no instructions are received by voting those shares in the same proportion as they vote shares for which they received instructions.   Because there are no proposals expected to come before the Meeting for which brokers or nominees do not have discretionary voting power, the Fund does not anticipate receiving any “broker non-votes” (i.e., shares held by brokers or nominees as to which (i) instructions have not been received from the beneficial owners or persons entitled to vote and (ii) the broker or nominee does not have discretionary voting power on a particular matter).

Quorum. Forty percent of the shares entitled to vote — present in person or represented by proxy — constitutes a quorum at the Meeting. The shares over which ­broker-dealers have discretionary voting power, the shares that represent “broker ­ non-votes” (if any), and the shares whose proxies reflect an abstention on any item (if any), are all counted as shares present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining whether the required quorum of shares ­exists. However, because the Proposal is the only matter currently expected to be presented at the Meeting, the Fund does not anticipate that there will be any broker non-votes or abstentions.

Required Vote. Provided that a quorum is present, the election of Trustees requires a majority of shares voted. All voting rights are non-cumulative, which means that the holders of more than 50% of the shares voting for the election of Trustees can elect 100% of such Trustees if they choose to do so, and in such event, the holders of the remaining shares voting will not be able to elect any Trustees.

Abstentions, withholds and broker non-votes, if any, will be treated as votes present at the Meeting, but will not be treated as votes cast. Abstentions, withholds and broker non-votes, therefore, will not be counted for purposes of obtaining approval of the Proposal. As discussed above, the Fund does not anticipate there will be any broker non-votes or abstentions.

Adjournment. Whether or not a quorum is present at the Meeting, the Meeting may be adjourned from time to time for any reason whatsoever by vote of a majority vote of the shares represented at the Meeting, either in person or by proxy.  If the Meeting is adjourned, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting at which the adjournment is taken, unless a new record date of the adjourned meeting is fixed or unless the adjournment is for more than 120 days from the date set for the original Meeting, in which case the Board shall set a new date. At any adjourned Meeting, the Fund may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original Meeting.  The persons named as proxies will vote in their discretion on questions of adjournment those shares for which proxies have been received. With respect to adjournments, the Fund or its officers, as applicable, will adhere to the guidelines provided in the 1973 Release, and weigh carefully the decision whether to adjourn a shareholder meeting for the purpose of soliciting shareholders to obtain additional proxies. In any such case, the persons named as proxies and/or the officers of the Fund will consider whether an adjournment and additional solicitation is reasonable and in the interest of shareholders, or whether such procedures would constitute an abuse of office.

 

Shareholder Proposals.  The Fund anticipates mailing this proxy statement on or about February 9, 2023. The Fund anticipates that its next Annual Shareholders’ Meeting will be held on or about Thursday, March 7, 2024. Shareholder proposals to be presented at the next annual shareholders’ meeting must be received at the Fund’s offices, One Franklin Parkway, San Mateo, California 94403, Attention: Secretary, no later than October 12, 2023, in order to be considered for inclusion in the Fund’s proxy statement and proxy card relating to that meeting and presented at that meeting. Submission of a proposal by a shareholder does not guarantee that the proposal will be included in the proxy statement. A shareholder who wishes to make a proposal at the 2024 Annual Shareholders’ Meeting without including the proposal in the Fund’s proxy statement must notify the Fund at the Fund’s offices of such proposal by December 26, 2023.  If a shareholder fails to give notice by this date, then the persons named as proxies in the proxies solicited by the Board for the 2024 Annual Shareholders’ Meeting may exercise discretionary voting power with respect to any such proposal.

No business other than the matters described above is expected to come before the Meeting, but should any other matter requiring a vote of shareholders arise, including any question as to an adjournment or postponement of the Meeting, the designated proxy holders will vote on such matters in accordance with the views of the Fund’s management.

                                                By order of the Board of Trustees,

 

                                                                           

                                                                  Lori Weber

                                                Vice President & Co-Secretary

Dated: February 9, 2023