UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
FORMN-CSRS
CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT
COMPANIES
Investment Company Act file number 811-07851
Franklin Fund Allocator Series
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
One Franklin Parkway, San Mateo, CA 94403-1906
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
Craig S. Tyle, One Franklin Parkway, San Mateo, CA 94403-1906
(Name and address of agent for service)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 650312-2000
Date of fiscal year end:5/31
Date of reporting period:11/30/19
Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.
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Franklin Payout 2019 Fund | | | | Franklin Payout 2021 Fund | | |
Franklin Payout 2020 Fund | | | | Franklin Payout 2022 Fund | | |
Internet Delivery of Fund Reports Unless You Request Paper Copies:Effective January 1, 2021, as permitted by the SEC, paper copies of the Fund’s shareholder reports will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request them from the Fund or your financial intermediary. Instead, the reports will be made available on a website, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report.
If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. If you have not signed up for electronic delivery, we would encourage you to join fellow shareholders who have. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications electronically from the Fund by calling (800)321-8563 or by contacting your financial intermediary.
You may elect to continue to receive paper copies of all your future shareholder reports free of charge by contacting your financial intermediary or, if you invest directly with a Fund, calling (800)321-8563 to let the Fund know of your request. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all funds held in your account.
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Not FDIC Insured| May Lose Value| No Bank Guarantee |
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| | Not part of the semiannual report | | 1 |
SEMIANNUAL REPORT
Economic and Market Overview
The U.S. economy expanded during the six months ended November 30, 2019. After moderating in 2019’s second quarter, the economy grew faster in the third quarter, aided by consumer spending, housing investment, government spending and exports. The manufacturing sector expanded at the start of the period, but contracted during the last four months, while the services sector expanded throughout the period. The unemployment rate decreased slightly from 3.6% in May 2019 to 3.5% atperiod-end.1 The annual inflation rate, as measured by the Consumer Price Index, increased from 1.8% in May 2019 to 2.1% atperiod-end.1
At its July 2019 meeting, the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) lowered its target range for the federal funds rate for the first time since December 2008, to 2.00%–2.25%, citing muted inflation pressures and the potential effects of global trade tensions on economic growth. Furthermore, the Fed ended its balance sheet normalization program earlier than previously indicated. The Fed further lowered the federal funds target rate range by 0.25% at its September and October meetings, to 1.50%–1.75%, reiterating the rationale cited at the July meeting.
The10-year Treasury yield, which moves inversely to its price, decreased during the period, falling to multi-year lows in 2019’s third quarter before beginning to recover in October. U.S. political uncertainties (including the impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump), geopolitical tensions in certain regions (including political unrest in Hong Kong that led to the U.S. legislation supportingpro-democracy protesters), U.S. trade disputes with China and other trading partners, slower domestic and global economic growth, and the Fed’s more accommodative monetary policy stance weighed on the Treasury yield at certain points during the period. However, several better-than-expected U.S. economic reports and periods of optimism about a potential U.S.-China trade agreement supported the yield. The10-year yield fell persistently below certain short-term yields during most of the period, but rose above all short-term Treasury yields beginning inmid-October amid investor optimism following the announcement of a potential phase one of the U.S.-China trade agreement.
Overall, the10-year Treasury yield declined from 2.14% at the beginning of the period to 1.78% atperiod-end.
The foregoing information reflects our analysis and opinions as of November 30, 2019. The information is not a complete analysis of every aspect of any market, country, industry, security or fund. Statements of fact are from sources considered reliable.
1. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Franklin Payout 2019 Fund
This semiannual report for Franklin Payout 2019 Fund covers the period ended November 30, 2019. As previously communicated, the Fund is scheduled to liquidate on or about January 10, 2020. In preparation for the Fund’s liquidation, the Fund closed to all investors at the close of market on December 19, 2019, and made its final distribution on December 27, 2019.
Your Fund’s Goals and Main Investments
The Fund seeks capital preservation and income with a predetermined maturity date. Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests predominantly in U.S. dollar-denominated investment-grade debt securities and investments, including government and corporate debt securities and asset-backed securities and municipal securities.
Performance Overview
The Fund’s Advisor Class shares posted a +1.00% cumulative total return for the six months under review. In comparison, the Fund’s benchmark, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Government/Credit 2019 Maturity Index, posted a +1.07% total return.1 The index includes investment-grade, U.S. dollar-denominated, fixed-rate Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities and foreign debt maturing in 2019. You can find more of the Fund’s performance data in the Performance Summary beginning on page 5.
Performance data represent past performance, which does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate, and you may have a gain or loss when you sell your shares. Current performance may differ from figures shown. For most recentmonth-end performance, call a Franklin Templeton Institutional Services representative at (800)321-8563.
Investment Strategy
We focus on investment-grade securities and investments or in unrated securities and investments we determine are of comparable quality. Our focus on the portfolio’s credit quality is intended to reduce credit risk and help to preserve capital. We may invest a significant portion of the Fund’s assets in
Portfolio Composition
Based on Total Net Assets as of 11/30/19
U.S. dollar-denominated foreign securities, including debt issued by supranational entities. In choosing investments, we select securities in various market sectors based on our assessment of changing economic, market, industry and issuer conditions. We use atop-down analysis of macroeconomic trends, combined with abottom-up fundamental analysis of market sectors, industries and issuers, to try to take advantage of varying sector reactions to economic events.
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What is duration? Duration is a measure of a bond’s price sensitivity to interest-rate changes. In general, a portfolio of securities with a lower duration can be expected to be less sensitive to interest-rate changes than a portfolio with a higher duration. |
Although the Fund may invest in individual securities of any maturity, the Fund is a term fund and is managed to mature in 2019. Over time, the Fund’s duration and weighted average maturity declined as 2019 approached. In the later months of operation, when the debt securities held by the Fund matured, the proceeds from such securities were held in cash, cash equivalents and money market instruments, including affiliated money market funds, or invested in short-term bonds. In early December 2019, the Fund is expected to consist almost entirely of cash, cash equivalents and money market instruments. The Fund was not designed for long-term capital appreciation and did not provide a complete solution for a shareholder’s retirement income needs. The Fund did not guarantee a level of dividends,
1. Source: FactSet.
The index is unmanaged and includes reinvestment of any income or distributions. It does not reflect any fees, expenses or sales charges. One cannot invest directly in an index, and an index is not representative of the Fund’s portfolio.
See www.franklintempletondatasources.com for additional data provider information.
The dollar value, number of shares or principal amount, and names of all portfolio holdings are listed in the Fund’s Statement of Investments (SOI).
The SOI begins on page 25.
FRANKLIN PAYOUT 2019 FUND
income or principal at or before its target maturity date. The Fund liquidated as scheduled in January 2020.
Maturity
11/30/19
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| | % of Total Market Value | |
0 to 1 Year | | | 100.0% | |
Top 10 Holdings*
11/30/19
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Issue/Issuer | | % of Total Net Assets | |
Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) | | | 9.0% | |
Federal Farm Credit Bank (FFCB) | | | 3.7% | |
UnitedHealth Group Inc. | | | 2.5% | |
Johnson & Johnson | | | 2.5% | |
Caterpillar Financial Services Corp. | | | 2.4% | |
Georgia Power Co. | | | 2.4% | |
General Electric Co. | | | 2.4% | |
Costco Wholesale Corp. | | | 2.4% | |
Kinder Morgan Inc. | | | 1.2% | |
Progress Energy Inc. | | | 1.2% | |
* Securities are listed by issuer, which may appear by another name in the SOI.
Manager’s Discussion
During the period under review, the Fund’s exposure to investment-grade corporate securities was the primary contributor to returns. In contrast, our yield curve positioning detracted from performance.
Atperiod-end, we remained overweighted and focused on investment-grade corporate credit exposures in the portfolio. This focus is based on our belief that valuations remained relatively attractive on a longer-term basis as well as the increased earnings potential available from this sector. Conversely, we maintained an underweighted allocation to the U.S. Treasury sector as valuations and income levels remained unattractive to us. Additionally, we maintained a slightly overweighted position to the agency sector. Finally, we maintained an underweighted duration position in the portfolio compared with the index, driven largely by the maturity of our holdings heading into the Fund’s predetermined maturity date.
Thank you for your trust and participation in Franklin Payout 2019 Fund. It has been our privilege to serve you.
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| David Yuen, CFA, FRM |
| Co-Lead Portfolio Manager |
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| Tina Chou Co-Lead Portfolio Manager |
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| | Thomas Runkel, CFA Co-Lead Portfolio Manager |
The foregoing information reflects our analysis, opinions and portfolio holdings as of November 30, 2019, the end of the reporting period. The way we implement our main investment strategies and the resulting portfolio holdings may change depending on factors such as market and economic conditions. These opinions may not be relied upon as investment advice or an offer for a particular security. The information is not a complete analysis of every aspect of any market, country, industry, security or the Fund. Statements of fact are from sources considered reliable, but the investment manager makes no representation or warranty as to their completeness or accuracy. Although historical performance is no guarantee of future results, these insights may help you understand our investment management philosophy.
CFA® is a trademark owned by CFA Institute.
FRANKLIN PAYOUT 2019 FUND
Performance Summary as of November 30, 2019
The performance table does not reflect any taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund dividends, capital gain distributions, if any, or any realized gains on the sale of Fund shares. Total return reflects reinvestment of the Fund’s dividends and capital gain distributions, if any, and any unrealized gains or losses. Your dividend income will vary depending on dividends or interest paid by securities in the Fund’s portfolio, adjusted for operating expenses of each class. Capital gain distributions are net profits realized from the sale of portfolio securities.
Performance as of 11/30/191
Cumulative total return excludes sales charges. Average annual total return includes maximum sales charges. Sales charges will vary depending on the size of the investment and the class of share purchased. The maximum and minimum is 0%.Advisor Class:no sales charges. For other share classes, call a Franklin Templeton Institutional Services representative at(800)321-8563.
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Share Class | | Cumulative Total Return2 | | Average Annual Total Return3 |
Advisor | | | | |
6-Month | | +1.00% | | +1.00% |
1-Year | | +2.62% | | +2.62% |
3-Year | | +5.07% | | +1.66% |
Since Inception (6/1/15) | | +8.49% | | +1.83% |
Performance data represent past performance, which does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate, and you may have a gain or loss when you sell your shares. Current performance may differ from figures shown. For most recentmonth-end performance, call a Franklin Templeton Institutional Services representative at (800)321-8563.
See page 6 for Performance Summary footnotes.
FRANKLIN PAYOUT 2019 FUND
PERFORMANCE SUMMARY
Total Annual Operating Expenses4
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Share Class | | With Fee Waiver | | | | | Without Fee Waiver | |
Advisor | | | 0.46% | | | | | | 3.05% | |
Each class of shares is available to certain eligible investors and has different annual fees and expenses, as described in the prospectus.
All investments involve risks, including possible loss of principal. Changes in the financial strength of a bond issuer or in a bond’s credit rating may affect its value. Interest rate movements will affect the Fund’s share price and yield. Bond prices generally move in the opposite direction of interest rates. As the prices of bonds in the Fund adjust to a rise in interest rates, the Fund’s share price may decline. Because the Fund can only distribute what it earns, the Fund’s distributions to shareholders may decline when prevailing interest rates fall or when the Fund experiences defaults on debt securities it holds. Interest earned on floating rate loans varies with changes in prevailing interest rates. Therefore, while floating rate loans offer higher interest income when interest rates rise, they will also generate less income when interest rates decline. The Fund’s prospectus also includes a description of the main investment risks.
1. The Fund has an expense reduction and a fee waiver associated with any investments it makes in a Franklin Templeton money fund and/or other Franklin Templeton fund, contractually guaranteed through 9/30/20. Fund investment results reflect the expense reduction and fee waiver; without these reductions, the results would have been lower.
2. Cumulative total return represents the change in value of an investment over the periods indicated.
3. Average annual total return represents the average annual change in value of an investment over the periods indicated. Return for less than one year, if any, has not been annualized.
4. Figures are as stated in the Fund’s current prospectus and may differ from the expense ratios disclosed in the Your Fund’s Expenses and Financial Highlights sections in this report. In periods of market volatility, assets may decline significantly, causing total annual Fund operating expenses to become higher than the figures shown.
FRANKLIN PAYOUT 2019 FUND
Your Fund’s Expenses
As a Fund shareholder, you can incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on Fund purchases and redemptions, if applicable; and (2) ongoing Fund costs, including management fees, distribution and service(12b-1) fees, if applicable, and other Fund expenses. All mutual funds have ongoing costs, sometimes referred to as operating expenses. The table below shows ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and can help you understand these costs and compare them with those of other mutual funds. The table assumes a $1,000 investment held for the six months indicated.
Actual Fund Expenses
The table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses in the columns under the heading “Actual.” In these columns the Fund’s actual return, which includes the effect of Fund expenses, is used to calculate the “Ending Account Value” for each class of shares. You can estimate the expenses you paid during the period by following these steps (of course, your account value and expenses will differ from those in this illustration): Divide your account value by $1,000 (if your account had an $8,600 value, then $8,600÷ $1,000 = 8.6). Then multiply the result by the number in the row for your class of shares under the headings “Actual” and “Expenses Paid During Period” (if Actual Expenses Paid During Period were $7.50, then 8.6 x $7.50 = $64.50). In this illustration, the actual expenses paid this period are $64.50.
Hypothetical Example for Comparison with Other Funds
Under the heading “Hypothetical” in the table, information is provided about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. This information may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period, but it can help you compare ongoing costs of investing in the Fund with those of other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example for the class of shares you hold with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.
Please note that expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight ongoing costs and do not reflect any transactional costs. Therefore, information under the heading “Hypothetical” is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you compare total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if transactional costs were included, your total costs would have been higher.
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| | | | | | Actual | | Hypothetical | | |
| | | | | | (actual return after expenses) | | | | (5% annual return before expenses) | | | | |
| | | | | | | | Expenses | | | | | | Expenses | | | | Net |
| | Beginning | | | | Ending | | Paid During | | | | Ending | | Paid During | | | | Annualized |
Share | | Account | | | | Account | | Period | | | | Account | | Period | | | | Expense |
Class | | Value 6/1/19 | | | | Value 11/30/19 | | 6/1/19–11/30/191, 2 | | | | Value 11/30/19 | | 6/1/19–11/30/191, 2 | | | | Ratio2 |
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R6 | | $1,000 | | | | $1,010.00 | | $1.46 | | | | $1,023.55 | | $1.47 | | | | 0.29% |
Advisor | | $1,000 | | | | $1,010.00 | | $1.46 | | | | $1,023.55 | | $1.47 | | | | 0.29% |
1. Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio for thesix-month period as indicated above—in the far right column—multiplied by the simple average account value over the period indicated, and then multiplied by 183/366 to reflect theone-half year period.
2. Reflects expenses after fee waivers and expense reimbursements. Does not include acquired fund fees and expenses.
Franklin Payout 2020 Fund
This semiannual report for Franklin Payout 2020 Fund covers the period ended November 30, 2019.
Your Fund’s Goals and Main Investments
The Fund seeks capital preservation and income with a predetermined maturity date. Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests predominantly in U.S. dollar-denominated investment-grade debt securities and investments, including government and corporate debt securities and asset-backed securities and municipal securities.
Performance Overview
The Fund’s Advisor Class shares posted a +1.39% cumulative total return for the six months under review. In comparison, the Fund’s benchmark, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Government/Credit 2020 Maturity Index, posted a +1.43% total return.1 The index includes investment-grade, U.S. dollar-denominated, fixed-rate Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities and foreign debt maturing in 2020. You can find more of the Fund’s performance data in the Performance Summary beginning on page 10.
Performance data represent past performance, which does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate, and you may have a gain or loss when you sell your shares. Current performance may differ from figures shown. For most recentmonth-end performance, call a Franklin Templeton Institutional Services representative at (800)321-8563.
Investment Strategy
We focus on investment-grade securities and investments or in unrated securities and investments we determine are of comparable quality. Our focus on the portfolio’s credit quality is intended to reduce credit risk and help to preserve capital. We may invest a significant portion of the Fund’s assets in U.S. dollar-denominated foreign securities, including debt issued by supranational entities. In choosing investments, we select securities in various market sectors based on our assessment of changing economic, market, industry and issuer conditions. We use atop-down analysis of
Portfolio Composition
Based on Total Net Assets as of 11/30/19
macroeconomic trends, combined with abottom-up fundamental analysis of market sectors, industries and issuers, to try to take advantage of varying sector reactions to economic events.
Although the Fund may invest in individual securities of any maturity, the Fund is a term fund and is managed to mature in 2020. Over time, the Fund’s duration and weighted average maturity will decline as 2020 approaches. In the later months of operation, when the debt securities held by the Fund mature, the proceeds from such securities will be held in cash, cash equivalents and money market instruments, including affiliated money market funds, or invested in short-term bonds. In early December 2020, the Fund is expected to consist almost entirely of cash, cash equivalents and money market instruments. The Fund is not designed for long-term capital appreciation and does not provide a complete solution for a shareholder’s retirement income needs. The Fund does not guarantee a level of dividends, income or principal at or before its target maturity date.
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What is duration? Duration is a measure of a bond’s price sensitivity to interest-rate changes. In general, a portfolio of securities with a lower duration can be expected to be less sensitive to interest-rate changes than a portfolio with a higher duration. | | |
1. Source: FactSet.
The index is unmanaged and includes reinvestment of any income or distributions. It does not reflect any fees, expenses or sales charges. One cannot invest directly in an index, and an index is not representative of the Fund’s portfolio.
See www.franklintempletondatasources.com for additional data provider information.
The dollar value, number of shares or principal amount, and names of all portfolio holdings are listed in the Fund’s Statement of Investments (SOI).
The SOI begins on page 29.
FRANKLIN PAYOUT 2020 FUND
Maturity
11/30/19
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| | % of Total Market Value |
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0 to 1 Year | | 80.3% |
1 to 2 Years | | 19.7% |
Top 10 Holdings*
11/30/19
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Issue/Issuer | | % of Total Net Assets |
U.S. Treasury Note | | 12.0% |
Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) | | 4.9% |
Morgan Stanley | | 2.5% |
Emerson Electric Co. | | 2.5% |
Hershey Co. | | 2.5% |
JPMorgan Chase & Co. | | 2.5% |
Travelers Cos. Inc. | | 2.5% |
TransCanada PipeLines Ltd. | | 2.5% |
Northern Trust Corp. | | 2.4% |
Coca Cola Co. | | 2.4% |
*Securities are listed by issuer, which may appear by another name in the SOI.
Manager’s Discussion
During the period under review, the Fund’s exposure to investment-grade corporate credit was the primary contributor to returns. In contrast, security selection within the high yield corporate credit sector detracted from performance. Duration positioning also weighed slightly on returns.
Atperiod-end, we remained overweighted and focused on investment-grade corporate credit exposures in the portfolio. This focus is based on our belief that valuations remained relatively attractive on a longer-term basis as well as the increased earnings potential available from this sector. Conversely, we maintained an underweighted allocation to the U.S. Treasury sector as valuations and income levels remained unattractive to us. Additionally, we maintained a slight overweighted allocation to the agency sector. Finally, we maintained a slight duration overweight in the portfolio compared with the index, driven largely by our focus on bonds with final maturity dates closer to the Fund’s predetermined maturity date.
Thank you for your participation in Franklin Payout 2020 Fund. We look forward to serving your future investment needs.
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| | David Yuen, CFA, FRM Co-Lead Portfolio Manager |
| | |
| | Tina Chou Co-Lead Portfolio Manager |
| | Thomas Runkel, CFA Co-Lead Portfolio Manager |
The foregoing information reflects our analysis, opinions and portfolio holdings as of November 30, 2019, the end of the reporting period. The way we implement our main investment strategies and the resulting portfolio holdings may change depending on factors such as market and economic conditions. These opinions may not be relied upon as investment advice or an offer for a particular security. The information is not a complete analysis of every aspect of any market, country, industry, security or the Fund. Statements of fact are from sources considered reliable, but the investment manager makes no representation or warranty as to their completeness or accuracy. Although historical performance is no guarantee of future results, these insights may help you understand our investment management philosophy.
FRANKLIN PAYOUT 2020 FUND
Performance Summary as of November 30, 2019
The performance table does not reflect any taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund dividends, capital gain distributions, if any, or any realized gains on the sale of Fund shares. Total return reflects reinvestment of the Fund’s dividends and capital gain distributions, if any, and any unrealized gains or losses. Your dividend income will vary depending on dividends or interest paid by securities in the Fund’s portfolio, adjusted for operating expenses of each class. Capital gain distributions are net profits realized from the sale of portfolio securities.
Performance as of 11/30/191
Cumulative total return excludes sales charges. Average annual total return includes maximum sales charges. Sales charges will vary depending on the size of the investment and the class of share purchased. The maximum and minimum is 0%.Advisor Class:no sales charges. For other share classes, call a Franklin Templeton Institutional Services representative at(800)321-8563.
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Share Class | | Cumulative Total Return2 | | Average Annual Total Return3 |
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Advisor | | | | |
6-Month | | +1.39% | | +1.39% |
1-Year | | +3.93% | | +3.93% |
3-Year | | +6.34% | | +2.07% |
Since Inception (6/1/15) | | +9.64% | | +2.07% |
Performance data represent past performance, which does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate, and you may have a gain or loss when you sell your shares. Current performance may differ from figures shown. For most recentmonth-end performance, call a Franklin Templeton Institutional Services representative at (800)321-8563.
See page 11 for Performance Summary footnotes.
FRANKLIN PAYOUT 2020 FUND
PERFORMANCE SUMMARY
Total Annual Operating Expenses4
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Share Class | | With Fee Waiver | | Without Fee Waiver |
Advisor | | 0.46% | | 3.25% |
Each class of shares is available to certain eligible investors and has different annual fees and expenses, as described in the prospectus.
All investments involve risks, including possible loss of principal. Changes in the financial strength of a bond issuer or in a bond’s credit rating may affect its value. Interest rate movements will affect the Fund’s share price and yield. Bond prices generally move in the opposite direction of interest rates. As the prices of bonds in the Fund adjust to a rise in interest rates, the Fund’s share price may decline. Because the Fund can only distribute what it earns, the Fund’s distributions to shareholders may decline when prevailing interest rates fall or when the Fund experiences defaults on debt securities it holds. Interest earned on floating rate loans varies with changes in prevailing interest rates. Therefore, while floating rate loans offer higher interest income when interest rates rise, they will also generate less income when interest rates decline. The Fund’s prospectus also includes a description of the main investment risks.
1. The Fund has an expense reduction and a fee waiver associated with any investments it makes in a Franklin Templeton money fund and/or other Franklin Templeton fund, contractually guaranteed through 9/30/20. Fund investment results reflect the expense reduction and fee waiver; without these reductions, the results would have been lower.
2. Cumulative total return represents the change in value of an investment over the periods indicated.
3. Average annual total return represents the average annual change in value of an investment over the periods indicated. Return for less than one year, if any, has not been annualized.
4. Figures are as stated in the Fund’s current prospectus and may differ from the expense ratios disclosed in the Your Fund’s Expenses and Financial Highlights sections in this report. In periods of market volatility, assets may decline significantly, causing total annual Fund operating expenses to become higher than the figures shown.
FRANKLIN PAYOUT 2020 FUND
Your Fund’s Expenses
As a Fund shareholder, you can incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on Fund purchases and redemptions, if applicable; and (2) ongoing Fund costs, including management fees, distribution and service(12b-1) fees, if applicable, and other Fund expenses. All mutual funds have ongoing costs, sometimes referred to as operating expenses. The table below shows ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and can help you understand these costs and compare them with those of other mutual funds. The table assumes a $1,000 investment held for the six months indicated.
Actual Fund Expenses
The table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses in the columns under the heading “Actual.” In these columns the Fund’s actual return, which includes the effect of Fund expenses, is used to calculate the “Ending Account Value” for each class of shares. You can estimate the expenses you paid during the period by following these steps (of course, your account value and expenses will differ from those in this illustration): Divide your account value by $1,000 (if your account had an $8,600 value, then $8,600÷ $1,000 = 8.6). Then multiply the result by the number in the row for your class of shares under the headings “Actual” and “Expenses Paid During Period” (if Actual Expenses Paid During Period were $7.50, then 8.6 x $7.50 = $64.50). In this illustration, the actual expenses paid this period are $64.50.
Hypothetical Example for Comparison with Other Funds
Under the heading “Hypothetical” in the table, information is provided about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. This information may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period, but it can help you compare ongoing costs of investing in the Fund with those of other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example for the class of shares you hold with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.
Please note that expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight ongoing costs and do not reflect any transactional costs. Therefore, information under the heading “Hypothetical” is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you compare total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if transactional costs were included, your total costs would have been higher.
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| | | | | | Actual (actual return after expenses) | | Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses) | | | | |
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Share Class | | Beginning Account Value 6/1/19 | | | | Ending Account Value 11/30/19 | | Expenses Paid During Period 6/1/19–11/30/191, 2 | | | | Ending Account Value 11/30/19 | | Expenses Paid During Period 6/1/19–11/30/191, 2 | | | | Net Annualized Expense Ratio2 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
R6 | | $1,000 | | | | $1,013.90 | | $1.46 | | | | $1,023.55 | | $1.47 | | | | 0.29% |
Advisor | | $1,000 | | | | $1,013.90 | | $1.46 | | | | $1,023.55 | | $1.47 | | | | 0.29% |
1. Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio for thesix-month period as indicated above—in the far right column—multiplied by the simple average account value over the period indicated, and then multiplied by 183/366 to reflect theone-half year period.
2. Reflects expenses after fee waivers and expense reimbursements. Does not include acquired fund fees and expenses.
Franklin Payout 2021 Fund
This semiannual report for Franklin Payout 2021 Fund covers the period ended November 30, 2019.
Your Fund’s Goals and Main Investments
The Fund seeks capital preservation and income with a predetermined maturity date. Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests predominantly in U.S. dollar-denominated investment-grade debt securities and investments, including government and corporate debt securities and asset-backed securities and municipal securities.
Performance Overview
The Fund’s Advisor Class shares posted a +1.78% cumulative total return for the six months under review. In comparison, the Fund’s benchmark, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Government/Credit 2021 Maturity Index, posted a +1.60% total return.1 The index includes investment-grade, U.S. dollar-denominated, fixed-rate Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities and foreign debt maturing in 2021. You can find more of the Fund’s performance data in the Performance Summary beginning on page 15.
Performance data represent past performance, which does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate, and you may have a gain or loss when you sell your shares. Current performance may differ from figures shown. For most recentmonth-end performance, call a Franklin Templeton Institutional Services representative at (800)321-8563.
Investment Strategy
We focus on investment-grade securities and investments or in unrated securities and investments we determine are of comparable quality. Our focus on the portfolio’s credit quality is intended to reduce credit risk and help to preserve capital. We may invest a significant portion of the Fund’s assets in U.S. dollar-denominated foreign securities, including debt issued by supranational entities. In choosing investments, we select securities in various market sectors based on our assessment of changing economic, market, industry and issuer conditions. We use atop-down analysis of
Portfolio Composition
Based on Total Net Assets as of 11/30/19
macroeconomic trends, combined with abottom-up fundamental analysis of market sectors, industries and issuers, to try to take advantage of varying sector reactions to economic events.
|
What is duration? Duration is a measure of a bond’s price sensitivity to interest-rate changes. In general, a portfolio of securities with a lower duration can be expected to be less sensitive to interest-rate changes than a portfolio with a higher duration. |
Although the Fund may invest in individual securities of any maturity, the Fund is a term fund and is managed to mature in 2021. Over time, the Fund’s duration and weighted average maturity will decline as 2021 approaches. In the later months of operation, when the debt securities held by the Fund mature, the proceeds from such securities will be held in cash, cash equivalents and money market instruments, including affiliated money market funds, or invested in short-term bonds. In early December 2021, the Fund is expected to consist almost entirely of cash, cash equivalents and money market instruments. The Fund is not designed for long-term capital appreciation and does not provide a complete solution for a shareholder’s retirement income needs. The Fund does not guarantee a level of dividends, income or principal at or before its target maturity date.
1. Source: FactSet.
The index is unmanaged and includes reinvestment of any income or distributions. It does not reflect any fees, expenses or sales charges. One cannot invest directly in an index, and an index is not representative of the Fund’s portfolio.
See www.franklintempletondatasources.com for additional data provider information.
The dollar value, number of shares or principal amount, and names of all portfolio holdings are listed in the Fund’s Statement of Investments (SOI).
The SOI begins on page 34.
FRANKLIN PAYOUT 2021 FUND
Maturity
11/30/19
| | |
| | % of Total Market Value |
0 to 1 Year | | 13.0% |
1 to 2 Years | | 56.4% |
2 to 3 Years | | 30.6% |
Top 10 Holdings*
11/30/19
| | |
Issue/Issuer | | % of Total Net Assets |
U.S. Treasury Note | | 7.7% |
Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) | | 4.9% |
Federal Farm Credit Bank (FFCB) | | 4.8% |
California State GO | | 2.6% |
Total Capital SA | | 2.5% |
Telstra Corp. Ltd. | | 2.5% |
General Electric Co. | | 2.5% |
Gilead Sciences Inc. | | 2.5% |
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. | | 2.5% |
BP Capital Markets PLC | | 2.4% |
*Securities are listed by issuer, which may appear by another name in the SOI.
Manager’s Discussion
During the period under review, the Fund’s exposure to investment-grade corporate securities was the primary contributor to returns, while allocation and security selection within the high yield sector also lifted returns. In contrast, duration positioning detracted from performance.
Atperiod-end, we remained overweighted and focused on investment-grade corporate credit exposures in the portfolio. This focus is based on our belief that valuations remained relatively attractive on a longer-term basis as well as the increased earnings potential available from this sector. Conversely, we maintained an underweighted allocation to the U.S. Treasury sector as valuations and income levels remained unattractive, in our opinion. Additionally, we maintained a slight overweighted position to the agency sector. Finally, we maintained a slight duration overweight in the portfolio driven largely by our focus on final maturity dates closer toyear-end as compared with the index.
Thank you for your participation in Franklin Payout 2021 Fund. We look forward to serving your future investment needs.
| | |
| | David Yuen, CFA, FRM Co-Lead Portfolio Manager |
| |
| | Tina Chou Co-Lead Portfolio Manager |
| |
| | Thomas Runkel, CFA Co-Lead Portfolio Manager |
The foregoing information reflects our analysis, opinions and portfolio holdings as of November 30, 2019, the end of the reporting period. The way we implement our main investment strategies and the resulting portfolio holdings may change depending on factors such as market and economic conditions. These opinions may not be relied upon as investment advice or an offer for a particular security. The information is not a complete analysis of every aspect of any market, country, industry, security or the Fund. Statements of fact are from sources considered reliable, but the investment manager makes no representation or warranty as to their completeness or accuracy. Although historical performance is no guarantee of future results, these insights may help you understand our investment management philosophy.
FRANKLIN PAYOUT 2021 FUND
Performance Summary as of November 30, 2019
The performance table does not reflect any taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund dividends, capital gain distributions, if any, or any realized gains on the sale of Fund shares. Total return reflects reinvestment of the Fund’s dividends and capital gain distributions, if any, and any unrealized gains or losses. Your dividend income will vary depending on dividends or interest paid by securities in the Fund’s portfolio, adjusted for operating expenses of each class. Capital gain distributions are net profits realized from the sale of portfolio securities.
Performance as of 11/30/191
Cumulative total return excludes sales charges. Average annual total return includes maximum sales charges. Sales charges will vary depending on the size of the investment and the class of share purchased. The maximum and minimum is 0%.Advisor Class:no sales charges. For other share classes, call a Franklin Templeton Institutional Services representative at(800)321-8563.
| | | | |
Share Class | | Cumulative Total Return2 | | Average Annual Total Return3 |
Advisor | | | | |
6-Month | | +1.78% | | +1.78% |
1-Year | | +5.76% | | +5.76% |
3-Year | | +7.58% | | +2.46% |
Since Inception (6/1/15) | | +11.92% | | +2.54% |
Performance data represent past performance, which does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate, and you may have a gain or loss when you sell your shares. Current performance may differ from figures shown. For most recentmonth-end performance, call a Franklin Templeton Institutional Services representative at (800)321-8563.
See page 16 for Performance Summary footnotes.
FRANKLIN PAYOUT 2021 FUND
PERFORMANCE SUMMARY
Total Annual Operating Expenses4
| | | | |
Share Class | | With Fee Waiver | | Without Fee Waiver |
Advisor | | 0.46% | | 3.07% |
Each class of shares is available to certain eligible investors and has different annual fees and expenses, as described in the prospectus.
All investments involve risks, including possible loss of principal. Changes in the financial strength of a bond issuer or in a bond’s credit rating may affect its value. Interest rate movements will affect the Fund’s share price and yield. Bond prices generally move in the opposite direction of interest rates. As the prices of bonds in the Fund adjust to a rise in interest rates, the Fund’s share price may decline. Because the Fund can only distribute what it earns, the Fund’s distributions to shareholders may decline when prevailing interest rates fall or when the Fund experiences defaults on debt securities it holds. Interest earned on floating rate loans varies with changes in prevailing interest rates. Therefore, while floating rate loans offer higher interest income when interest rates rise, they will also generate less income when interest rates decline. The Fund’s prospectus also includes a description of the main investment risks.
1. The Fund has an expense reduction and a fee waiver associated with any investments it makes in a Franklin Templeton money fund and/or other Franklin Templeton fund, contractually guaranteed through 9/30/20. Fund investment results reflect the fee waiver; without this waiver, the results would have been lower.
2. Cumulative total return represents the change in value of an investment over the periods indicated.
3. Average annual total return represents the average annual change in value of an investment over the periods indicated. Return for less than one year, if any, has not been annualized.
4. Figures are as stated in the Fund’s current prospectus and may differ from the expense ratios disclosed in the Your Fund’s Expenses and Financial Highlights sections in this report. In periods of market volatility, assets may decline significantly, causing total annual Fund operating expenses to become higher than the figures shown.
FRANKLIN PAYOUT 2021 FUND
Your Fund’s Expenses
As a Fund shareholder, you can incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on Fund purchases and redemptions, if applicable; and (2) ongoing Fund costs, including management fees, distribution and service(12b-1) fees, if applicable, and other Fund expenses. All mutual funds have ongoing costs, sometimes referred to as operating expenses. The table below shows ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and can help you understand these costs and compare them with those of other mutual funds. The table assumes a $1,000 investment held for the six months indicated.
Actual Fund Expenses
The table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses in the columns under the heading “Actual.” In these columns the Fund’s actual return, which includes the effect of Fund expenses, is used to calculate the “Ending Account Value” for each class of shares. You can estimate the expenses you paid during the period by following these steps (of course, your account value and expenses will differ from those in this illustration): Divide your account value by $1,000 (if your account had an $8,600 value, then $8,600÷ $1,000 = 8.6). Then multiply the result by the number in the row for your class of shares under the headings “Actual” and “Expenses Paid During Period” (if Actual Expenses Paid During Period were $7.50, then 8.6 x $7.50 = $64.50). In this illustration, the actual expenses paid this period are $64.50.
Hypothetical Example for Comparison with Other Funds
Under the heading “Hypothetical” in the table, information is provided about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. This information may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period, but it can help you compare ongoing costs of investing in the Fund with those of other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example for the class of shares you hold with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.
Please note that expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight ongoing costs and do not reflect any transactional costs. Therefore, information under the heading “Hypothetical” is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you compare total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if transactional costs were included, your total costs would have been higher.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | Actual (actual return after expenses) | | Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses) | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Share Class | | Beginning Account Value 6/1/19 | | | | Ending Account Value 11/30/19 | | Expenses Paid During Period 6/1/19–11/30/191, 2 | | | | Ending Account Value 11/30/19 | | Expenses Paid During Period 6/1/19–11/30/191, 2 | | | | Net Annualized Expense Ratio2 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
R6 | | $1,000 | | | | $1,017.80 | | $1.46 | | | | $1,023.55 | | $1.47 | | | | 0.29% |
Advisor | | $1,000 | | | | $1,017.80 | | $1.46 | | | | $1,023.55 | | $1.47 | | | | 0.29% |
1. Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio for thesix-month period as indicated above—in the far right column—multiplied by the simple average account value over the period indicated, and then multiplied by 183/366 to reflect theone-half year period.
2. Reflects expenses after fee waivers and expense reimbursements. Does not include acquired fund fees and expenses.
Franklin Payout 2022 Fund
This semiannual report for Franklin Payout 2022 Fund covers the period ended November 30, 2019.
Your Fund’s Goals and Main Investments
The Fund seeks capital preservation and income with a predetermined maturity date. Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests predominantly in U.S. dollar-denominated investment-grade debt securities and investments, including government and corporate debt securities and asset-backed securities and municipal securities.
Performance Overview
The Fund’s Advisor Class shares posted a +2.25% cumulative total return for the period under review. In comparison, the Fund’s benchmark, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Government/Credit 2022 Maturity Index, posted a +2.01% total return.1 The index includes investment-grade, U.S. dollar-denominated, fixed-rate Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities and foreign debt maturing in 2022. You can find more of the Fund’s performance data in the Performance Summary beginning on page 20.
Performance data represent past performance, which does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate, and you may have a gain or loss when you sell your shares. Current performance may differ from figures shown. For most recentmonth-end performance, call a Franklin Templeton Institutional Services representative at (800)321-8563.
Investment Strategy
We focus on investment-grade securities and investments or in unrated securities and investments we determine are of comparable quality. Our focus on the portfolio’s credit quality is intended to reduce credit risk and help to preserve capital. We may invest a significant portion of the Fund’s assets in U.S. dollar-denominated foreign securities, including debt issued by supranational entities. In choosing investments, we select securities in various market sectors based on our assessment of changing economic, market, industry and issuer conditions. We use atop-down analysis of
Portfolio Composition
Based on Total Net Assets as of 11/30/19
macroeconomic trends, combined with abottom-up fundamental analysis of market sectors, industries and issuers, to try to take advantage of varying sector reactions to economic events.
|
What is duration? Duration is a measure of a bond’s price sensitivity to interest-rate changes. In general, a portfolio of securities with a lower duration can be expected to be less sensitive to interest-rate changes than a portfolio with a higher duration. |
Although the Fund may invest in individual securities of any maturity, the Fund is a term fund and is managed to mature in 2022. Over time, the Fund’s duration and weighted average maturity will decline as 2022 approaches. In the later months of operation, when the debt securities held by the Fund mature, the proceeds from such securities will be held in cash, cash equivalents and money market instruments, including affiliated money market funds, or invested in short-term bonds. In early December 2022, the Fund is expected to consist almost entirely of cash, cash equivalents and money market instruments. The Fund is not designed for long-term capital appreciation and does not provide a complete solution for a shareholder’s retirement income needs. The Fund does not guarantee a level of dividends, income or principal at or before its target maturity date.
1. Source: FactSet.
The index is unmanaged and includes reinvestment of any income or distributions. It does not reflect any fees, expenses or sales charges. One cannot invest directly in an index, and an index is not representative of the Fund’s portfolio.
See www.franklintempletondatasources.com for additional data provider information.
The dollar value, number of shares or principal amount, and names of all portfolio holdings are listed in the Fund’s Statement of Investments (SOI).
The SOI begins on page 39.
FRANKLIN PAYOUT 2022 FUND
Maturity
11/30/19
| | |
| | % of Total Market Value |
0 to 1 Year | | 3.5% |
2 to 3 Years | | 61.3% |
3 to 4 Years | | 31.1% |
5 to 6 Years | | 4.1% |
Top 10 Holdings*
11/30/19
| | |
Issue/Issuer | | % of Total Net Assets |
U.S. Treasury Note | | 9.3% |
Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) | | 8.3% |
Metlife Inc. | | 2.8% |
JPMorgan Chase & Co. | | 2.8% |
International Business Machines Corp. | | 2.8% |
Caterpillar Financial Services Corp. | | 2.8% |
American Express Co. | | 2.8% |
Swiss Re Treasury U.S. Corp. | | 2.8% |
Massmutual Global Funding II | | 2.8% |
Bank of Montreal | | 2.8% |
*Securities are listed by issuer, which may appear by another name in the SOI.
Manager’s Discussion
During the period under review, the Fund’s exposure to investment-grade corporate securities was the primary contributor to returns, although security selection within the sector detracted somewhat. Additionally, an overweighted duration positioning also contributed to performance. There were no material detractors from performance over the period.
Atperiod-end, we remained overweighted and focused on investment-grade corporate credit exposures in the portfolio. This focus is based on our belief that valuations remained relatively attractive on a longer-term basis as well as the increased earnings potential available from this sector. Conversely, we maintained an underweighted allocation to the U.S. Treasury sector as valuations and income levels remained unattractive, in our opinion. Additionally, we maintained a slight overweighted position to the agency sector. Finally, we maintained a slight duration overweight in the portfolio driven largely by our focus on final maturity dates closer toyear-end as compared with the index.
Thank you for your participation in Franklin Payout 2022 Fund. We look forward to serving your future investment needs.
| | |
| | David Yuen, CFA, FRM Co-Lead Portfolio Manager |
| |
| | Tina Chou Co-Lead Portfolio Manager |
| |
| | Thomas Runkel, CFA Co-Lead Portfolio Manager |
The foregoing information reflects our analysis, opinions and portfolio holdings as of November 30, 2019, the end of the reporting period. The way we implement our main investment strategies and the resulting portfolio holdings may change depending on factors such as market and economic conditions. These opinions may not be relied upon as investment advice or an offer for a particular security. The information is not a complete analysis of every aspect of any market, country, industry, security or the Fund. Statements of fact are from sources considered reliable, but the investment manager makes no representation or warranty as to their completeness or accuracy. Although historical performance is no guarantee of future results, these insights may help you understand our investment management philosophy.
FRANKLIN PAYOUT 2022 FUND
Performance Summary as of November 30, 2019
The performance table does not reflect any taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund dividends, capital gain distributions, if any, or any realized gains on the sale of Fund shares. Total return reflects reinvestment of the Fund’s dividends and capital gain distributions, if any, and any unrealized gains or losses. Your dividend income will vary depending on dividends or interest paid by securities in the Fund’s portfolio, adjusted for operating expenses of each class. Capital gain distributions are net profits realized from the sale of portfolio securities.
Performance as of 11/30/191
Cumulative total return excludes sales charges. Average annual total return includes maximum sales charges. Sales charges will vary depending on the size of the investment and the class of share purchased. The maximum and minimum is 0%.Advisor Class:no sales charges. For other share classes, call a Franklin Templeton Institutional Services representative at(800)321-8563.
| | | | |
Share Class | | Cumulative Total Return2 | | Average Annual Total Return3 |
Advisor | | | | |
6-Month | | +2.25% | | +2.25% |
1-Year | | +7.64% | | +7.64% |
Since Inception (1/23/18) | | +7.21% | | +3.83% |
Performance data represent past performance, which does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate, and you may have a gain or loss when you sell your shares. Current performance may differ from figures shown. For most recentmonth-end performance, call a Franklin Templeton Institutional Services representative at (800)321-8563.
See page 21 for Performance Summary footnotes.
FRANKLIN PAYOUT 2022 FUND
PERFORMANCE SUMMARY
Total Annual Operating Expenses4
| | | | |
Share Class | | With Fee Waiver | | Without Fee Waiver |
Advisor | | 0.44% | | 3.46% |
Each class of shares is available to certain eligible investors and has different annual fees and expenses, as described in the prospectus.
All investments involve risks, including possible loss of principal. Changes in the financial strength of a bond issuer or in a bond’s credit rating may affect its value. Interest rate movements will affect the Fund’s share price and yield. Bond prices generally move in the opposite direction of interest rates. As the prices of bonds in the Fund adjust to a rise in interest rates, the Fund’s share price may decline. Because the Fund can only distribute what it earns, the Fund’s distributions to shareholders may decline when prevailing interest rates fall or when the Fund experiences defaults on debt securities it holds. Interest earned on floating rate loans varies with changes in prevailing interest rates. Therefore, while floating rate loans offer higher interest income when interest rates rise, they will also generate less income when interest rates decline. The Fund’s prospectus also includes a description of the main investment risks.
1. The Fund has an expense reduction and a fee waiver associated with any investments it makes in a Franklin Templeton money fund and/or other Franklin Templeton fund, contractually guaranteed through 9/30/20. Fund investment results reflect the fee waiver; without this waiver, the results would have been lower.
2. Cumulative total return represents the change in value of an investment over the periods indicated.
3. Average annual total return represents the average annual change in value of an investment over the periods indicated. Return for less than one year, if any, has not been annualized.
4. Figures are as stated in the Fund’s current prospectus and may differ from the expense ratios disclosed in the Your Fund’s Expenses and Financial Highlights sections in this report. In periods of market volatility, assets may decline significantly, causing total annual Fund operating expenses to become higher than the figures shown.
FRANKLIN PAYOUT 2022 FUND
Your Fund’s Expenses
As a Fund shareholder, you can incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on Fund purchases and redemptions, if applicable; and (2) ongoing Fund costs, including management fees, distribution and service(12b-1) fees, if applicable, and other Fund expenses. All mutual funds have ongoing costs, sometimes referred to as operating expenses. The table below shows ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and can help you understand these costs and compare them with those of other mutual funds. The table assumes a $1,000 investment held for the six months indicated.
Actual Fund Expenses
The table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses in the columns under the heading “Actual.” In these columns the Fund’s actual return, which includes the effect of Fund expenses, is used to calculate the “Ending Account Value” for each class of shares. You can estimate the expenses you paid during the period by following these steps (of course, your account value and expenses will differ from those in this illustration): Divide your account value by $1,000 (if your account had an $8,600 value, then $8,600÷ $1,000 = 8.6). Then multiply the result by the number in the row for your class of shares under the headings “Actual” and “Expenses Paid During Period” (if Actual Expenses Paid During Period were $7.50, then 8.6 x $7.50 = $64.50). In this illustration, the actual expenses paid this period are $64.50.
Hypothetical Example for Comparison with Other Funds
Under the heading “Hypothetical” in the table, information is provided about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. This information may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period, but it can help you compare ongoing costs of investing in the Fund with those of other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example for the class of shares you hold with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.
Please note that expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight ongoing costs and do not reflect any transactional costs. Therefore, information under the heading “Hypothetical” is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you compare total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if transactional costs were included, your total costs would have been higher.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | Actual (actual return after expenses) | | | | Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses) | | | | |
Share Class | | Beginning Account Value | | | | Ending Account Value 11/30/19 | | Expenses Paid During Period 1/23/18–11/30/191, 2 | | | | Ending Account Value 11/30/19 | | Expenses Paid During Period 6/1/19–11/30/191, 2 | | | | Net Annualized Expense Ratio2 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
R6 | | $1,000 | | | �� | $1,022.50 | | $1.47 | | | | $1,023.55 | | $1.47 | | | | 0.29% |
Advisor | | $1,000 | | | | $1,022.50 | | $1.47 | | | | $1,023.55 | | $1.47 | | | | 0.29% |
1. Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio for thesix-month period as indicated above—in the far right column—multiplied by the simple average account value over the period indicated, and then multiplied by 183/366 to reflect theone-half year period.
2. Reflects expenses after fee waivers and expense reimbursements. Does not include acquired fund fees and expenses.
FRANKLIN FUND ALLOCATOR SERIES
Financial Highlights
Franklin Payout 2019 Fund
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Six Months Ended November 30, 2019 | | | Year Ended May 31, | |
| | (unaudited) | | | 2019 | | | 2018 | | | 2017 | | | 2016a | |
| | | | | |
Class R6 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Per share operating performance (for a share outstanding throughout the period) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | $10.04 | | | | $ 9.99 | | | | $10.13 | | | | $10.16 | | | | $10.00 | |
| | | | | |
Income from investment operationsb: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Net investment incomec | | | 0.09 | | | | 0.19 | | | | 0.19 | | | | 0.18 | | | | 0.18 | |
| | | | | |
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) | | | 0.01 | | | | 0.05 | | | | (0.15 | ) | | | (0.03 | ) | | | 0.10 | |
| | | | | |
Total from investment operations | | | 0.10 | | | | 0.24 | | | | 0.04 | | | | 0.15 | | | | 0.28 | |
| | | | | |
Less distributions from: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Net investment income | | | — | | | | (0.19 | ) | | | (0.18 | ) | | | (0.18 | ) | | | (0.12 | ) |
| | | | | |
Net realized gains | | | — | | | | — | | | | (— | )d | | | — | | | | — | |
| | | | | |
Total distributions | | | — | | | | (0.19 | ) | | | (0.18 | ) | | | (0.18 | ) | | | (0.12 | ) |
| | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | | $10.14 | | | | $10.04 | | | | $ 9.99 | | | | $10.13 | | | | $10.16 | |
| | | | | |
Total returne | | | 1.00% | | | | 2.44% | | | | 0.45% | | | | 1.52% | | | | 2.85% | |
| | | | | |
Ratios to average net assetsf | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Expenses before waiver and payments by affiliates | | | 2.04% | | | | 3.03% | | | | 2.60% | | | | 2.66% | | | | 3.57% | |
| | | | | |
Expenses net of waiver and payments by affiliates | | | 0.29% | | | | 0.29% | g | | | 0.30% | | | | 0.30% | | | | 0.29% | |
| | | | | |
Net investment income | �� | | 1.71% | | | | 1.86% | | | | 1.88% | | | | 1.81% | | | | 1.80% | |
| | | | | |
Supplemental data | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s) | | | $2,054 | | | | $2,032 | | | | $2,022 | | | | $2,051 | | | | $2,057 | |
| | | | | |
Portfolio turnover rate | | | —% | | | | 2.60% | | | | 1.29% | | | | —% | | | | —% | h |
aFor the year June 1, 2015 (commencement of operations) to May 31, 2016.
bThe amount shown for a share outstanding throughout the period may not correlate with the Statement of Operations for the period due to the timing of sales and repurchases of the Fund’s shares in relation to income earned and/or fluctuating fair value of the investments of the Fund.
cBased on average daily shares outstanding.
dAmount rounds to less than $0.01 per share.
eTotal return is not annualized for periods less than one year.
fRatios are annualized for periods less than one year.
gBenefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%.
hRounds to less than 0.01%.
| | | | |
| | |
| | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | Semiannual Report | | 23 |
FRANKLIN FUND ALLOCATOR SERIES
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Franklin Payout 2019 Fund(continued)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Six Months Ended November 30, 2019 | | | Year Ended May 31, |
| | (unaudited) | | | 2019 | | | 2018 | | | 2017 | | | 2016a |
| | | | | |
Advisor Class | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Per share operating performance (for a share outstanding throughout the period) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | $10.04 | | | | $ 9.99 | | | | $10.13 | | | | $10.16 | | | $10.00 |
| | | | | |
Income from investment operationsb: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Net investment incomec | | | 0.09 | | | | 0.19 | | | | 0.19 | | | | 0.18 | | | 0.18 |
| | | | | |
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) | | | 0.01 | | | | 0.05 | | | | (0.15 | ) | | | (0.03 | ) | | 0.10 |
| | | | | |
Total from investment operations | | | 0.10 | | | | 0.24 | | | | 0.04 | | | | 0.15 | | | 0.28 |
| | | | | |
Less distributions from: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Net investment income | | | — | | | | (0.19 | ) | | | (0.18 | ) | | | (0.18 | ) | | (0.12) |
| | | | | |
Net realized gains | | | — | | | | — | | | | (— | )d | | | — | | | — |
| | | | | |
Total distributions | | | — | | | | (0.19 | ) | | | (0.18 | ) | | | (0.18 | ) | | (0.12) |
| | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | | $10.14 | | | | $10.04 | | | | $ 9.99 | | | | $10.13 | | | $10.16 |
| | | | | |
Total returne | | | 1.00% | | | | 2.42% | | | | 0.44% | | | | 1.52% | | | 2.85% |
| | | | | |
Ratios to average net assetsf | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Expenses before waiver and payments by affiliates | | | 2.04% | | | | 3.03% | | | | 2.60% | | | | 2.66% | | | 3.57% |
| | | | | |
Expenses net of waiver and payments by affiliates | | | 0.29% | | | | 0.30% | g | | | 0.31% | | | | 0.30% | | | 0.29% |
| | | | | |
Net investment income | | | 1.71% | | | | 1.85% | | | | 1.87% | | | | 1.81% | | | 1.80% |
| | | | | |
Supplemental data | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s) | | | $2,054 | | | | $2,032 | | | | $2,022 | | | | $2,051 | | | $2,057 |
| | | | | |
Portfolio turnover rate | | | —% | | | | 2.60% | | | | 1.29% | | | | —% | | | —%h |
aFor the year June 1, 2015 (commencement of operations) to May 31, 2016.
bThe amount shown for a share outstanding throughout the period may not correlate with the Statement of Operations for the period due to the timing of sales and repurchases of the Fund’s shares in relation to income earned and/or fluctuating fair value of the investments of the Fund.
cBased on average daily shares outstanding.
dAmount rounds to less than $0.01 per share.
eTotal return is not annualized for periods less than one year.
fRatios are annualized for periods less than one year.
gBenefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%.
hRounds to less than 0.01%.
| | | | |
| | |
24 | | Semiannual Report | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | | |
FRANKLIN FUND ALLOCATOR SERIES
Statement of Investments, November 30, 2019 (unaudited)
Franklin Payout 2019 Fund
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Country | | | Principal Amount | | | Value | |
| | | | |
Corporate Bonds 18.6% | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
Capital Goods 4.9% | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Caterpillar Financial Services Corp., senior note, 2.25%, 12/01/19 | | | United States | | | $ | 100,000 | | | | | | | $ | 100,000 | |
General Electric Co., senior secured note, first lien, 2.10%, 12/11/19 | | | United States | | | | 100,000 | | | | | | | | 99,997 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 199,997 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
Energy 1.2% | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Kinder Morgan Inc., senior note, 3.05%, 12/01/19 | | | United States | | | | 50,000 | | | | | | | | 50,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
Food & Staples Retailing 2.4% | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Costco Wholesale Corp., senior note, 1.70%, 12/15/19 | | | United States | | | | 100,000 | | | | | | | | 99,993 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
Health Care Equipment & Services 2.8% | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Becton Dickinson and Co., senior note, 2.675%, 12/15/19 | | | United States | | | | 14,000 | | | | | | | | 14,003 | |
UnitedHealth Group Inc., senior note, 2.30%, 12/15/19 | | | United States | | | | 100,000 | | | | | | | | 100,013 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 114,016 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences 2.4% | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Johnson & Johnson, senior note, 1.875%, 12/05/19 | | | United States | | | | 100,000 | | | | | | | | 100,002 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
Utilities 4.9% | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
DTE Energy Co., senior note, 2.40%, 12/01/19 | | | United States | | | | 50,000 | | | | | | | | 50,000 | |
Georgia Power Co., senior note, 4.25%, 12/01/19 | | | United States | | | | 100,000 | | | | | | | | 100,000 | |
Progress Energy Inc., senior bond, 4.875%, 12/01/19 | | | United States | | | | 50,000 | | | | | | | | 50,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 200,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
Total Corporate Bonds (Cost $764,013) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 764,008 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
U.S. Government and Agency Securities 12.7% | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
FFCB, 1.95%, 12/17/19 | | | United States | | | | 150,000 | | | | | | | | 150,031 | |
FHLB, | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
1.25%, 12/13/19 | | | United States | | | | 160,000 | | | | | | | | 159,975 | |
2.375%, 12/13/19 | | | United States | | | | 210,000 | | | | | | | | 210,060 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
Total U.S. Government and Agency Securities (Cost $520,046) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 520,066 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
Total Investments before Short Term Investments (Cost $1,284,059) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1,284,074 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
FRANKLIN FUND ALLOCATOR SERIES
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)
Franklin Payout 2019 Fund(continued)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Country | | | Shares | | | Value | |
| | | | |
Short Term Investments (Cost $2,761,777) 67.2% | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
Money Market Funds 67.2% | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
a,bInstitutional Fiduciary Trust Money Market Portfolio, 1.35% | | | United States | | | | 2,761,777 | | | | | | | $ | 2,761,777 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
Total Investments (Cost $4,045,836) 98.5% | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 4,045,851 | |
| | | | |
Other Assets, less Liabilities 1.5% | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 61,986 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
Net Assets 100.0% | | | | | | | | | | | | | | $ | 4,107,837 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
See Abbreviations on page 52.
aSee Note 3(d) regarding investments in affiliated management investment companies.
bThe rate shown is the annualizedseven-day effective yield at period end.
| | | | |
| | |
26 | | Semiannual Report | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | | |
FRANKLIN FUND ALLOCATOR SERIES
Financial Highlights
Franklin Payout 2020 Fund
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Six Months Ended November 30, 2019 | | | Year Ended May 31, |
| | (unaudited) | | | 2019 | | | 2018 | | | 2017 | | | 2016a |
| | | | | |
Class R6 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Per share operating performance (for a share outstanding throughout the period) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | $10.04 | | | | $ 9.95 | | | | $10.17 | | | | $10.17 | | | $10.00 |
| | | | | |
Income from investment operationsb: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Net investment incomec | | | 0.10 | | | | 0.21 | | | | 0.20 | | | | 0.21 | | | 0.20 |
| | | | | |
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) | | | 0.04 | | | | 0.09 | | | | (0.22 | ) | | | (0.01 | ) | | 0.11 |
| | | | | |
Total from investment operations | | | 0.14 | | | | 0.30 | | | | (0.02 | ) | | | 0.20 | | | 0.31 |
| | | | | |
Less distributions from: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Net investment income | | | — | | | | (0.21 | ) | | | (0.20 | ) | | | (0.20 | ) | | (0.14) |
| | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | | $10.18 | | | | $10.04 | | | | $ 9.95 | | | | $10.17 | | | $10.17 |
| | | | | |
Total returnd | | | 1.39% | | | | 3.03% | | | | (0.18)% | | | | 1.99% | | | 3.10% |
| | | | | |
Ratios to average net assetse | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Expenses before waiver and payments by affiliates | | | 3.23% | | | | 3.23% | | | | 2.74% | | | | 2.72% | | | 3.59% |
| | | | | |
Expenses net of waiver and payments by affiliates | | | 0.29% | | | | 0.29% | | | | 0.30% | | | | 0.30% | | | 0.29% |
| | | | | |
Net investment income | | | 2.02% | | | | 2.07% | | | | 2.03% | | | | 2.02% | | | 2.01% |
| | | | | |
Supplemental data | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s) | | | $2,064 | | | | $2,037 | | | | $2,018 | | | | $2,062 | | | $2,061 |
| | | | | |
Portfolio turnover rate | | | —% | | | | 6.50% | | | | —% | | | | 1.28% | | | 4.23% |
aFor the year June 1, 2015 (commencement of operations) to May 31, 2016.
bThe amount shown for a share outstanding throughout the period may not correlate with the Statement of Operations for the period due to the timing of sales and repurchases of the Fund’s shares in relation to income earned and/or fluctuating fair value of the investments of the Fund.
cBased on average daily shares outstanding.
dTotal return is not annualized for periods less than one year.
eRatios are annualized for periods less than one year.
| | | | |
| | |
| | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | Semiannual Report | | 27 |
FRANKLIN FUND ALLOCATOR SERIES
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Franklin Payout 2020 Fund(continued)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Six Months Ended November 30, 2019 | | | Year Ended May 31, |
| | (unaudited) | | | 2019 | | | 2018 | | | 2017 | | | 2016a |
| | | | | |
Advisor Class | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Per share operating performance (for a share outstanding throughout the period) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | $10.04 | | | | $ 9.95 | | | | $10.17 | | | | $10.17 | | | $10.00 |
| | | | | |
Income from investment operationsb: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Net investment incomec | | | 0.10 | | | | 0.21 | | | | 0.20 | | | | 0.21 | | | 0.20 |
| | | | | |
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) | | | 0.04 | | | | 0.08 | | | | (0.22 | ) | | | (0.01 | ) | | 0.11 |
| | | | | |
Total from investment operations | | | 0.14 | | | | 0.29 | | | | (0.02 | ) | | | 0.20 | | | 0.31 |
| | | | | |
Less distributions from: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Net investment income | | | — | | | | (0.20 | ) | | | (0.20 | ) | | | (0.20 | ) | | (0.14) |
| | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | | $10.18 | | | | $10.04 | | | | $ 9.95 | | | | $10.17 | | | $10.17 |
| | | | | |
Total returnd | | | 1.39% | | | | 3.02% | | | | (0.18)% | | | | 2.00% | | | 3.10% |
| | | | | |
Ratios to average net assetse | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Expenses before waiver and payments by affiliates | | | 3.23% | | | | 3.23% | | | | 2.74% | | | | 2.72% | | | 3.59% |
| | | | | |
Expenses net of waiver and payments by affiliates | | | 0.29% | | | | 0.30% | | | | 0.31% | | | | 0.30% | | | 0.29% |
| | | | | |
Net investment income | | | 2.02% | | | | 2.06% | | | | 2.02% | | | | 2.02% | | | 2.01% |
| | | | | |
Supplemental data | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s) | | | $2,064 | | | | $2,037 | | | | $2,018 | | | | $2,062 | | | $2,061 |
| | | | | |
Portfolio turnover rate | | | —% | | | | 6.50% | | | | —% | | | | 1.28% | | | 4.23% |
aFor the year June 1, 2015 (commencement of operations) to May 31, 2016.
bThe amount shown for a share outstanding throughout the period may not correlate with the Statement of Operations for the period due to the timing of sales and repurchases of the Fund’s shares in relation to income earned and/or fluctuating fair value of the investments of the Fund.
cBased on average daily shares outstanding.
dTotal return is not annualized for periods less than one year.
eRatios are annualized for periods less than one year.
| | | | |
| | |
28 | | Semiannual Report | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | | |
FRANKLIN FUND ALLOCATOR SERIES
Statement of Investments, November 30, 2019 (unaudited)
Franklin Payout 2020 Fund
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Country/ Organization | | | Principal Amount* | | | Value | |
Corporate Bonds 71.2% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Banks 4.9% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Bank of America Corp., senior note, 2.625%, 10/19/20 | | | United States | | | $ | 100,000 | | | $ | 100,598 | |
JPMorgan Chase & Co., senior note, 4.25%, 10/15/20 | | | United States | | | | 100,000 | | | | 101,984 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 202,582 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Capital Goods 11.0% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Boeing Co., senior note, 1.65%, 10/30/20 | | | United States | | | | 100,000 | | | | 99,796 | |
Caterpillar Financial Services Corp., senior note, 2.50%, 11/13/20 | | | United States | | | | 100,000 | | | | 100,551 | |
Emerson Electric Co., senior bond, 4.25%, 11/15/20 | | | United States | | | | 100,000 | | | | 102,234 | |
Lockheed Martin Corp., senior note, 2.50%, 11/23/20 | | | United States | | | | 50,000 | | | | 50,280 | |
Raytheon Co., senior note, 3.125%, 10/15/20 | | | United States | | | | 100,000 | | | | 101,116 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 453,977 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Consumer Services 2.5% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Carnival Corp., senior note, 3.95%, 10/15/20 | | | United States | | | | 50,000 | | | | 50,862 | |
Yum! Brands Inc., senior bond, 3.875%, 11/01/20 | | | United States | | | | 50,000 | | | | 50,644 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 101,506 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Diversified Financials 4.9% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Morgan Stanley, senior note, 5.50%, 7/24/20 | | | United States | | | | 100,000 | | | | 102,276 | |
Northern Trust Corp., senior note, 3.45%, 11/04/20 | | | United States | | | | 100,000 | | | | 101,469 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 203,745 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Energy 13.3% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Energy Transfer Operating LP, senior note, 4.15%, 10/01/20 | | | United States | | | | 50,000 | | | | 50,619 | |
Enterprise Products Operating LLC, senior note, 5.20%, 9/01/20 | | | United States | | | | 50,000 | | | | 51,154 | |
Equinor ASA, senior note, 2.90%, 11/08/20 | | | Norway | | | | 100,000 | | | | 100,847 | |
Kinder Morgan Energy Partners LP, senior bond, 5.30%, 9/15/20 | | | United States | | | | 50,000 | | | | 51,232 | |
Pride International Inc., senior bond, 6.875%, 8/15/20 | | | United States | | | | 50,000 | | | | 44,250 | |
aSchlumberger Finance Canada Ltd., senior note, 144A, 2.20%, 11/20/20 | | | United States | | | | 100,000 | | | | 100,247 | |
TransCanada PipeLines Ltd., senior bond, 3.80%, 10/01/20 | | | Canada | | | | 100,000 | | | | 101,516 | |
The Williams Cos. Inc., senior note, 4.125%, 11/15/20 | | | United States | | | | 50,000 | | | | 50,688 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 550,553 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Food, Beverage & Tobacco 7.4% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Coca Cola Co., senior note, 3.15%, 11/15/20 | | | United States | | | | 100,000 | | | | 101,286 | |
Hershey Co., senior note, 4.125%, 12/01/20 | | | United States | | | | 100,000 | | | | 102,185 | |
PepsiCo Inc., senior bond, 3.125%, 11/01/20 | | | United States | | | | 100,000 | | | | 101,204 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 304,675 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Health Care Equipment & Services 7.4% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Becton Dickinson and Co., senior note, 3.25%, 11/12/20 | | | United States | | | | 50,000 | | | | 50,550 | |
Cigna Holding Co., senior bond, 4.375%, 12/15/20 | | | United States | | | | 50,000 | | | | 50,855 | |
Express Scripts Holding Co., senior note, 2.60%, 11/30/20 | | | United States | | | | 50,000 | | | | 50,290 | |
Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings, senior note, 4.625%, 11/15/20 | | | United States | | | | 50,000 | | | | 50,898 | |
UnitedHealth Group Inc., senior note, 3.875%, 10/15/20 | | | United States | | | | 100,000 | | | | 101,223 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 303,816 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Household & Personal Products 2.4% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Colgate-Palmolive Co., senior note, 2.95%, 11/01/20 | | | United States | | | | 100,000 | | | | 101,084 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
FRANKLIN FUND ALLOCATOR SERIES
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)
Franklin Payout 2020 Fund(continued)
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Country/ | | | Principal | | | | |
| | Organization | | | Amount* | | | Value | |
| | | |
Corporate Bonds(continued) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Insurance 6.2% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corp., senior note, 2.90%, 10/15/20 | | | United States | | | $ | 100,000 | | | $ | 101,003 | |
Prudential Financial Inc., senior note, 4.50%, 11/15/20 | | | United States | | | | 50,000 | | | | 51,216 | |
Travelers Cos. Inc., senior note, 3.90%, 11/01/20 | | | United States | | | | 100,000 | | | | 101,738 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 253,957 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Materials 1.2% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
aGeorgia-Pacific LLC, senior note, 144A, 5.40%, 11/01/20 | | | United States | | | | 50,000 | | | | 51,497 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences 2.5% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Amgen Inc., senior note, 3.45%, 10/01/20 | | | United States | | | | 50,000 | | | | 50,581 | |
Celgene Corp., senior bond, 3.95%, 10/15/20 | | | United States | | | | 50,000 | | | | 50,882 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 101,463 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Technology Hardware & Equipment 2.6% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Apple Inc., senior note, 2.00%, 11/13/20 | | | United States | | | | 100,000 | | | | 100,233 | |
HP Inc., senior note, 3.75%, 12/01/20 | | | United States | | | | 9,000 | | | | 9,146 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 109,379 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Utilities 4.9% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Alabama Power Co., senior note, 3.375%, 10/01/20 | | | United States | | | | 100,000 | | | | 101,071 | |
Exelon Corp., senior note, 5.15%, 12/01/20 | | | United States | | | | 50,000 | | | | 51,102 | |
Exelon Generation Co. LLC, senior bond, 4.00%, 10/01/20 | | | United States | | | | 50,000 | | | | 50,577 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 202,750 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Total Corporate Bonds (Cost $2,934,082) | | | | | | | | | | | 2,940,984 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Foreign Government and Agency Securities 4.9% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Inter-American Development Bank, senior note, 2.125%, 11/09/20 | | | Supranational | b | | | 100,000 | | | | 100,328 | |
International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, senior note, 2.125%, 11/01/20 | | | Supranational | b | | | 100,000 | | | | 100,343 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Total Foreign Government and Agency Securities (Cost $200,442) | | | | | | | | | | | 200,671 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
U.S. Government and Agency Securities 17.0% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
FHLB, 3.125%, 12/11/20 | | | United States | | | | 200,000 | | | | 202,844 | |
U.S. Treasury Note, | | | | | | | | | | | | |
2.625%, 11/15/20 | | | United States | | | | 145,000 | | | | 146,260 | |
2.00%, 11/30/20 | | | United States | | | | 145,000 | | | | 145,456 | |
2.375%, 12/31/20 | | | United States | | | | 205,000 | | | | 206,489 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Total U.S. Government and Agency Securities (Cost $700,359) | | | | | | | | | | | 701,049 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Total Investments before Short Term Investments (Cost $3,834,883) | | | | | | | | | | | 3,842,704 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
FRANKLIN FUND ALLOCATOR SERIES
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)
Franklin Payout 2020 Fund(continued)
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Country/ Organization | | | Shares | | | Value | |
| | | |
Short Term Investments (Cost $283,606) 6.9% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Money Market Funds 6.9% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
c,d Institutional Fiduciary Trust Money Market Portfolio, 1.35% | | | United States | | | | 283,606 | | | $ | 283,606 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Total Investments (Cost $4,118,489) 100.0% | | | | | | | | | | | 4,126,310 | |
| | | |
Other Assets, less Liabilities 0.0%† | | | | | | | | | | | 772 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Net Assets 100.0% | | | | | | | | | | $ | 4,127,082 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
See Abbreviations on page 52.
†Rounds to less than 0.1% of net assets.
*The principal amount is stated in U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated.
aSecurity was purchased pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933 and may be sold in transactions exempt from registration only to qualified institutional buyers or in a public offering registered under the Securities Act of 1933. At November 30, 2019, the aggregate value of these securities was $151,744, representing 3.7% of net assets.
bA supranational organization is an entity formed by two or more central governments through international treaties.
cSee Note 3(d) regarding investments in affiliated management investment companies.
dThe rate shown is the annualizedseven-day effective yield at period end.
| | | | |
| | |
| | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | Semiannual Report | | 31 |
FRANKLIN FUND ALLOCATOR SERIES
Financial Highlights
Franklin Payout 2021 Fund
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Six Months Ended November 30, 2019 | | | Year Ended May 31, | |
| | (unaudited) | | | 2019 | | | 2018 | | | 2017 | | | 2016a | |
| | | | | |
Class R6 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Per share operating performance (for a share outstanding throughout the period) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | $10.12 | | | | $ 9.96 | | | | $10.25 | | | | $10.30 | | | | $10.00 | |
| | | | | |
Income from investment operationsb: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Net investment incomec | | | 0.11 | | | | 0.23 | | | | 0.23 | | | | 0.23 | | | | 0.22 | |
| | | | | |
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) | | | 0.07 | | | | 0.17 | | | | (0.29 | ) | | | (0.06 | ) | | | 0.23 | |
| | | | | |
Total from investment operations | | | 0.18 | | | | 0.40 | | | | (0.06 | ) | | | 0.17 | | | | 0.45 | |
| | | | | |
Less distributions from: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Net investment income | | | — | | | | (0.23 | ) | | | (0.23 | ) | | | (0.22 | ) | | | (0.15 | ) |
| | | | | |
Net realized gains | | | — | | | | (0.01 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
| | | | | |
Total distributions | | | — | | | | (0.24 | ) | | | (0.23 | ) | | | (0.22 | ) | | | (0.15 | ) |
| | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | | $10.30 | | | | $10.12 | | | | $ 9.96 | | | | $10.25 | | | | $10.30 | |
| | | | | |
Total returnd | | | 1.78% | | | | 4.04% | | | | (0.65)% | | | | 1.68% | | | | 4.55% | |
| | | | | |
Ratios to average net assetse | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Expenses before waiver and payments by affiliates | | | 3.12% | | | | 3.05% | | | | 2.50% | | | | 2.85% | | | | 3.56% | |
| | | | | |
Expenses net of waiver and payments by affiliates | | | 0.29% | | | | 0.29% | | | | 0.30% | | | | 0.30% | | | | 0.29% | |
| | | | | |
Net investment income | | | 2.20% | | | | 2.32% | | | | 2.25% | | | | 2.22% | | | | 2.21% | |
| | | | | |
Supplemental data | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s) | | | $2,092 | | | | $2,054 | | | | $2,022 | | | | $2,081 | | | | $2,090 | |
| | | | | |
Portfolio turnover rate | | | —% | | | | 7.67% | | | | —% | | | | —% | | | | —% | |
aFor the year June 1, 2015 (commencement of operations) to May 31, 2016.
bThe amount shown for a share outstanding throughout the period may not correlate with the Statement of Operations for the period due to the timing of sales and repurchases of the Fund’s shares in relation to income earned and/or fluctuating fair value of the investments of the Fund.
cBased on average daily shares outstanding.
dTotal return is not annualized for periods less than one year.
eRatios are annualized for periods less than one year.
| | | | |
| | |
32 | | Semiannual Report | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | | |
FRANKLIN FUND ALLOCATOR SERIES
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Franklin Payout 2021 Fund(continued)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Six Months Ended November 30, 2019 | | | Year Ended May 31, | |
| | (unaudited) | | | 2019 | | | 2018 | | | 2017 | | | 2016a | |
| | | | | |
Advisor Class | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Per share operating performance (for a share outstanding throughout the period) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | $10.12 | | | | $ 9.96 | | | | $10.25 | | | | $10.30 | | | | $10.00 | |
| | | | | |
Income from investment operationsb: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Net investment incomec | | | 0.11 | | | | 0.23 | | | | 0.23 | | | | 0.23 | | | | 0.22 | |
| | | | | |
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) | | | 0.07 | | | | 0.17 | | | | (0.29 | ) | | | (0.06 | ) | | | 0.23 | |
| | | | | |
Total from investment operations | | | 0.18 | | | | 0.40 | | | | (0.06 | ) | | | 0.17 | | | | 0.45 | |
| | | | | |
Less distributions from: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Net investment income | | | — | | | | (0.23 | ) | | | (0.23 | ) | | | (0.22 | ) | | | (0.15 | ) |
| | | | | |
Net realized gains | | | — | | | | (0.01 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
| | | | | |
Total distributions | | | — | | | | (0.24 | ) | | | (0.23 | ) | | | (0.22 | ) | | | (0.15 | ) |
| | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | | $10.30 | | | | $10.12 | | | | $ 9.96 | | | | $10.25 | | | | $10.30 | |
| | | | | |
Total returnd | | | 1.78% | | | | 4.02% | | | | (0.65)% | | | | 1.69% | | | | 4.55% | |
| | | | | |
Ratios to average net assetse | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Expenses before waiver and payments by affiliates | | | 3.12% | | | | 3.05% | | | | 2.50% | | | | 2.85% | | | | 3.56% | |
| | | | | |
Expenses net of waiver and payments by affiliates | | | 0.29% | | | | 0.30% | | | | 0.31% | | | | 0.30% | | | | 0.29% | |
| | | | | |
Net investment income | | | 2.20% | | | | 2.31% | | | | 2.23% | | | | 2.22% | | | | 2.21% | |
| | | | | |
Supplemental data | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s) | | | $2,092 | | | | $2,054 | | | | $2,022 | | | | $2,081 | | | | $2,090 | |
| | | | | |
Portfolio turnover rate | | | —% | | | | 7.67% | | | | —% | | | | —% | | | | —% | |
aFor the year June 1, 2015 (commencement of operations) to May 31, 2016.
bThe amount shown for a share outstanding throughout the period may not correlate with the Statement of Operations for the period due to the timing of sales and repurchases of the Fund’s shares in relation to income earned and/or fluctuating fair value of the investments of the Fund.
cBased on average daily shares outstanding.
dTotal return is not annualized for periods less than one year.
eRatios are annualized for periods less than one year.
| | | | |
| | |
| | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | Semiannual Report | | 33 |
FRANKLIN FUND ALLOCATOR SERIES
Statement of Investments, November 30, 2019 (unaudited)
Franklin Payout 2021 Fund
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Country/ Organization | | | Principal Amount* | | | Value | |
| | | |
Corporate Bonds 64.5% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Capital Goods 12.2% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
The Boeing Co., senior note, 2.35%, 10/30/21 | | | United States | | | | $100,000 | | | | $ 100,666 | |
Caterpillar Financial Services Corp., senior note, 1.931%, 10/01/21 | | | United States | | | | 100,000 | | | | 99,907 | |
Emerson Electric Co., senior note, 2.625%, 12/01/21 | | | United States | | | | 100,000 | | | | 101,439 | |
General Electric Co., senior note, 4.65%, 10/17/21 | | | United States | | | | 100,000 | | | | 104,475 | |
John Deere Capital Corp., senior bond, 3.15%, 10/15/21 | | | United States | | | | 100,000 | | | | 102,242 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 508,729 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Consumer Services 2.4% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Marriott International Inc., senior note, N, 3.125%, 10/15/21 | | | United States | | | | 50,000 | | | | 50,817 | |
Yum! Brands Inc., senior bond, 3.75%, 11/01/21 | | | United States | | | | 50,000 | | | | 51,145 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 101,962 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Diversified Financials 4.9% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Bank of New York Mellon Corp., senior note, 3.55%, 9/23/21 | | | United States | | | | 100,000 | | | | 102,839 | |
Berkshire Hathaway Inc., senior note, 3.75%, 8/15/21 | | | United States | | | | 100,000 | | | | 103,192 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 206,031 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Energy 11.1% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
BP Capital Markets PLC, senior note, 3.561%, 11/01/21 | | | United Kingdom | | | | 100,000 | | | | 103,022 | |
Equinor ASA, senior note, 2.75%, 11/10/21 | | | Norway | | | | 100,000 | | | | 101,621 | |
Halliburton Co., senior bond, 3.25%, 11/15/21 | | | United States | | | | 100,000 | | | | 101,858 | |
Total Capital SA, senior bond, 4.25%, 12/15/21 | | | France | | | | 100,000 | | | | 104,733 | |
The Williams Companies Inc., senior note, 4.00%, 11/15/21 | | | United States | | | | 50,000 | | | | 51,476 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 462,710 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Food & Staples Retailing 2.4% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
The Kroger Co., senior note, 2.95%, 11/01/21 | | | United States | | | | 50,000 | | | | 50,789 | |
Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc., senior note, 3.30%, 11/18/21 | | | United States | | | | 50,000 | | | | 50,738 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 101,527 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Food, Beverage & Tobacco 6.0% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
General Mills Inc., senior bond, 3.15%, 12/15/21 | | | United States | | | | 50,000 | | | | 51,018 | |
PepsiCo Inc., senior note, 1.70%, 10/06/21 | | | United States | | | | 100,000 | | | | 99,829 | |
Philip Morris International Inc., senior note, 2.90%, 11/15/21 | | | United States | | | | 100,000 | | | | 101,664 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 252,511 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Health Care Equipment & Services 3.7% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Express Scripts Holding Co., senior note, 4.75%, 11/15/21 | | | United States | | | | 50,000 | | | | 52,244 | |
UnitedHealth Group Inc., senior note, 3.375%, 11/15/21 | | | United States | | | | 100,000 | | | | 102,323 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 154,567 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Insurance 1.3% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Prudential Financial Inc., senior note, 4.50%, 11/16/21 | | | United States | | | | 50,000 | | | | 52,346 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Materials 3.4% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Air Products & Chemicals Inc., senior note, 3.00%, 11/03/21 | | | United States | | | | 100,000 | | | | 102,065 | |
Ecolab Inc., senior note, 4.35%, 12/08/21 | | | United States | | | | 40,000 | | | | 41,829 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 143,894 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
FRANKLIN FUND ALLOCATOR SERIES
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)
Franklin Payout 2021 Fund(continued)
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Country/ | | | Principal | | | | |
| | | Organization | | | | Amount | * | | | Value | |
| | | |
Corporate Bonds(continued) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences 4.9% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Gilead Sciences Inc., senior note, 4.40%, 12/01/21 | | | United States | | | | $100,000 | | | | $ 104,308 | |
Johnson & Johnson, senior note, 2.45%, 12/05/21 | | | United States | | | | 100,000 | | | | 101,074 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 205,382 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 2.5% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Intel Corp., senior note, 3.30%, 10/01/21 | | | United States | | | | 100,000 | | | | 102,765 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Software & Services 2.4% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
International Business Machines Corp., senior note, 2.90%, 11/01/21 | | | United States | | | | 100,000 | | | | 101,753 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Telecommunication Services 2.5% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
a Telstra Corp. Ltd., senior bond, 144A, 4.80%, 10/12/21 | | | Australia | | | | 100,000 | | | | 104,710 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Transportation 1.2% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Norfolk Southern Corp., senior bond, 3.25%, 12/01/21 | | | United States | | | | 50,000 | | | | 51,097 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Utilities 3.6% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Baltimore Gas & Electric Co., senior note, 3.50%, 11/15/21 | | | United States | | | | 50,000 | | | | 51,270 | |
Duke Energy Corp., senior note, 1.80%, 9/01/21 | | | United States | | | | 100,000 | | | | 99,675 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 150,945 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Total Corporate Bonds (Cost $2,665,601) | | | | | | | | | | | 2,700,929 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Foreign Government and Agency Securities (Cost $100,055) 2.4% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
European Investment Bank, senior note, 2.125%, 10/15/21 | | | Supranationalb | | | | 100,000 | | | | 100,771 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
U.S. Government and Agency Securities 17.4% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
FFCB, 2.00%, 12/01/21 | | | United States | | | | 200,000 | | | | 201,048 | |
FHLB, 2.625%, 12/10/21 | | | United States | | | | 200,000 | | | | 203,884 | |
U.S. Treasury Note, | | | | | | | | | | | | |
1.875%, 11/30/21 | | | United States | | | | 160,000 | | | | 160,741 | |
2.125%, 12/31/21 | | | United States | | | | 160,000 | | | | 161,597 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total U.S. Government and Agency Securities (Cost $721,375) | | | | | | | | | | | 727,270 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Municipal Bonds (Cost $105,648) 2.6% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
California State GO, Various Purpose, 5.70%, 11/01/21 | | | United States | | | | 100,000 | | | | 107,312 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Total Investments before Short Term Investments (Cost $3,592,679) | | | | | | | | | | | 3,636,282 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
| | | | | Shares | | | | |
| | | |
Short Term Investments (Cost $545,444) 13.1% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Money Market Funds 13.1% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
c,d Institutional Fiduciary Trust Money Market Portfolio, 1.35% | | | United States | | | | 545,444 | | | | 545,444 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Investments (Cost $4,138,123) 100.0% | | | | | | | | | | | 4,181,726 | |
| | | |
Other Assets, less Liabilities 0.0%† | | | | | | | | | | | 1,910 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Net Assets 100.0% | | | | | | | | | | $ | 4,183,636 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
FRANKLIN FUND ALLOCATOR SERIES
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)
Franklin Payout 2021 Fund(continued)
See Abbreviations on page 52.
†Rounds to less than 0.1% of net assets.
*The principal amount is stated in U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated.
a Security was purchased pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933 and may be sold in transactions exempt from registration only to qualified institutional buyers or in a public offering registered under the Securities Act of 1933. At November 30, 2019, the value of this security was $104,710, representing 2.5% of net assets.
bA supranational organization is an entity formed by two or more central governments through international treaties.
cSee Note 3(d) regarding investments in affiliated management investment companies.
dThe rate shown is the annualizedseven-day effective yield at period end.
| | | | |
| | |
36 | | Semiannual Report | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | | |
FRANKLIN FUND ALLOCATOR SERIES
Financial Highlights
Franklin Payout 2022 Fund
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Six Months Ended | | | | | | | |
| | November 30, 2019 | | | Year Ended May 31, | |
| | (unaudited) | | | 2019 | | | 2018a | |
| | | |
Class R6 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Per share operating performance (for a share outstanding throughout the period) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | $10.24 | | | | $ 9.94 | | | | $10.00 | |
| | | |
Income from investment operationsb: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Net investment incomec | | | 0.13 | | | | 0.25 | | | | 0.08 | |
| | | |
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) | | | 0.10 | | | | 0.29 | | | | (0.14 | ) |
| | | |
Total from investment operations | | | 0.23 | | | | 0.54 | | | | (0.06 | ) |
| | | |
Less distributions from: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Net investment income | | | — | | | | (0.24 | ) | | | — | |
| | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | | $10.47 | | | | $10.24 | | | | $ 9.94 | |
| | | |
Total returnd | | | 2.25% | | | | 5.51% | | | | (0.60)% | |
| | | |
Ratios to average net assetse | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Expenses before waiver and payments by affiliates | | | 3.46% | | | | 4.62% | | | | 4.58% | |
| | | |
Expenses net of waiver and payments by affiliates | | | 0.29% | | | | 0.29% | f | | | 0.30% | |
| | | |
Net investment income | | | 2.41% | | | | 2.50% | | | | 2.36% | |
| | | |
Supplemental data | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s) | | | $1,833 | | | | $1,792 | | | | $1,739 | |
| | | |
Portfolio turnover rate | | | —% | | | | —% | | | | —% | |
aFor the period January 23, 2018 (commencement of operations) to May 31, 2018.
bThe amount shown for a share outstanding throughout the period may not correlate with the Statement of Operations for the period due to the timing of sales and repurchases of the Fund’s shares in relation to income earned and/or fluctuating fair value of the investments of the Fund.
cBased on average daily shares outstanding.
dTotal return is not annualized for periods less than one year.
eRatios are annualized for periods less than one year, except fornon-recurring expenses, if any.
f Benefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%.
| | | | |
| | |
| | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | Semiannual Report | | 37 |
FRANKLIN FUND ALLOCATOR SERIES
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Franklin Payout 2022 Fund(continued)
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Six Months Ended | | | | | | | |
| | November 30, 2019 | | | Year Ended May 31, | |
| | (unaudited) | | | 2019 | | | 2018a | |
| | | |
Advisor Class | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Per share operating performance (for a share outstanding throughout the period) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | $10.24 | | | | $ 9.94 | | | | $10.00 | |
| | | |
Income from investment operationsb: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Net investment incomec | | | 0.13 | | | | 0.25 | | | | 0.08 | |
| | | |
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) | | | 0.10 | | | | 0.28 | | | | (0.14 | ) |
| | | |
Total from investment operations | | | 0.23 | | | | 0.53 | | | | (0.06 | ) |
| | | |
Less distributions from: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Net investment income | | | — | | | | (0.23 | ) | | | — | |
| | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | | $10.47 | | | | $10.24 | | | | $ 9.94 | |
| | | |
Total returnd | | | 2.25% | | | | 5.48% | | | | (0.60)% | |
| | | |
Ratios to average net assetse | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Expenses before waiver and payments by affiliates | | | 3.46% | | | | 4.62% | | | | 4.58% | |
| | | |
Expenses net of waiver and payments by affiliates | | | 0.29% | | | | 0.30% | f | | | 0.33% | |
| | | |
Net investment income | | | 2.41% | | | | 2.49% | | | | 2.33% | |
| | | |
Supplemental data | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s) | | | $1,833 | | | | $1,792 | | | | $1,739 | |
| | | |
Portfolio turnover rate | | | —% | | | | —% | | | | —% | |
aFor the period January 23, 2018 (commencement of operations) to May 31, 2018.
bThe amount shown for a share outstanding throughout the period may not correlate with the Statement of Operations for the period due to the timing of sales and repurchases of the Fund’s shares in relation to income earned and/or fluctuating fair value of the investments of the Fund.
cBased on average daily shares outstanding.
dTotal return is not annualized for periods less than one year.
eRatios are annualized for periods less than one year, except fornon-recurring expenses, if any.
fBenefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%.
| | | | |
| | |
38 | | Semiannual Report | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | | |
FRANKLIN FUND ALLOCATOR SERIES
Statement of Investments, November 30, 2019 (unaudited)
Franklin Payout 2022 Fund
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Country/ | | | Principal | | | | |
| | | Organization | | | | Amount | * | | | Value | |
| | | |
Corporate Bonds 69.4% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Banks 9.7% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Bank of America Corp., senior note, 2.503%, 10/21/22 | | | United States | | | $ | 100,000 | | | $ | 100,900 | |
Bank of Montreal, senior note, 2.55%, 11/06/22 | | | Canada | | | | 100,000 | | | | 101,678 | |
Citigroup Inc., senior note, 2.70%, 10/27/22 | | | United States | | | | 50,000 | | | | 50,785 | |
JPMorgan Chase & Co., senior note, 3.25%, 9/23/22 | | | United States | | | | 100,000 | | | | 103,302 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 356,665 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Capital Goods 9.7% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Caterpillar Financial Services Corp., senior note, 2.55%, 11/29/22 | | | United States | | | | 100,000 | | | | 101,790 | |
General Dynamics Corp., senior bond, 2.25%, 11/15/22 | | | United States | | | | 100,000 | | | | 101,077 | |
General Electric Co., senior note, 2.70%, 10/09/22 | | | United States | | | | 100,000 | | | | 100,809 | |
Raytheon Co., senior bond, 2.50%, 12/15/22 | | | United States | | | | 50,000 | | | | 50,772 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 354,448 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Commercial & Professional Services 1.4% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Equifax Inc., senior note, 3.30%, 12/15/22 | | | United States | | | | 50,000 | | | | 51,277 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Diversified Financials 2.8% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
American Express Co., senior note, 2.65%, 12/02/22 | | | United States | | | | 100,000 | | | | 101,719 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Energy 5.6% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
aAPT Pipelines Ltd., senior note, 144A, 3.875%, 10/11/22 | | | Australia | | | | 50,000 | | | | 52,043 | |
ONEOK Partners LP, senior bond, 3.375%, 10/01/22 | | | United States | | | | 50,000 | | | | 51,245 | |
aSchlumberger Finance Canada Ltd., senior note, 144A, 2.65%, 11/20/22 | | | United States | | | | 100,000 | | | | 101,628 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 204,916 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Food & Staples Retailing 2.8% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Walmart Inc., senior note, 2.35%, 12/15/22 | | | United States | | | | 100,000 | | | | 101,393 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Food, Beverage & Tobacco 2.8% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Philip Morris International Inc., senior note, 2.50%, 11/02/22 | | | United States | | | | 100,000 | | | | 101,395 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Health Care Equipment & Services 2.7% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
UnitedHealth Group Inc., senior note, 2.375%, 10/15/22 | | | United States | | | | 100,000 | | | | 101,096 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Household & Personal Products 2.7% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Colgate-Palmolive Co., senior note, 2.25%, 11/15/22 | | | United States | | | | 100,000 | | | | 101,350 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Insurance 8.4% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
aMassmutual Global Funding II, secured note, 144A, 2.50%, 10/17/22 | | | United States | | | | 100,000 | | | | 101,707 | |
Metlife Inc., senior bond, 3.048%, 12/15/22 | | | United States | | | | 100,000 | | | | 103,642 | |
aSwiss Re Treasury U.S. Corp., senior note, 144A, 2.875%, 12/06/22 | | | Switzerland | | | | 100,000 | | | | 101,714 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 307,063 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Materials 1.4% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
The Dow Chemical Co., senior bond, 3.00%, 11/15/22 | | | United States | | | | 50,000 | | | | 51,156 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Media & Entertainment 2.7% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
TWDC Enterprises 18 Corp., senior bond, 2.35%, 12/01/22 | | | United States | | | | 100,000 | | | | 101,342 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences 1.4% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
AbbVie Inc., senior note, 2.90%, 11/06/22 | | | United States | | | | 50,000 | | | | 50,940 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Real Estate 1.4% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Realty Income Corp., senior bond, 3.25%, 10/15/22 | | | United States | | | | 50,000 | | | | 51,612 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
FRANKLIN FUND ALLOCATOR SERIES
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)
Franklin Payout 2022 Fund(continued)
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | Country/ Organization | | Principal Amount* | | | Value | |
| | | |
Corporate Bonds(continued) | | | | | | | | | | |
Software & Services 4.2% | | | | | | | | | | |
Fiserv Inc., senior bond, 3.50%, 10/01/22 | | United States | | $ | 50,000 | | | $ | 51,731 | |
International Business Machines Corp., senior note, 2.875%, 11/09/22 | | United States | | | 100,000 | | | | 102,493 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
| | | | | | | | | 154,224 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Technology Hardware & Equipment 1.4% | | | | | | | | | | |
NetApp Inc., senior bond, 3.25%, 12/15/22 | | United States | | | 50,000 | | | | 50,834 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Telecommunication Services 1.4% | | | | | | | | | | |
Verizon Communications Inc., senior note, 2.45%, 11/01/22 | | United States | | | 50,000 | | | | 50,650 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Transportation 2.8% | | | | | | | | | | |
United Parcel Service Inc., senior bond, 2.45%, 10/01/22 | | United States | | | 100,000 | | | | 101,583 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Utilities 4.1% | | | | | | | | | | |
AEP Texas Inc., senior note, 2.40%, 10/01/22 | | United States | | | 50,000 | | | | 50,421 | |
NiSource Inc., senior note, 2.65%, 11/17/22 | | United States | | | 50,000 | | | | 50,570 | |
Public Service Enterprise Group Inc., senior note, 2.65%, 11/15/22 | | United States | | | 50,000 | | | | 50,725 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | 151,716 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Total Corporate Bonds (Cost $2,485,498) | | | | | | | | | 2,545,379 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Foreign Government and Agency Securities 5.5% | | | | | | | | | | |
International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, senior note, 1.875%, 10/07/22 | | Supranationalb | | | 100,000 | | | | 100,534 | |
International Finance Corp., senior note, 2.00%, 10/24/22 | | Supranationalb | | | 100,000 | | | | 100,949 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Total Foreign Government and Agency Securities (Cost $196,462) | | | | | | | | | 201,483 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
U.S. Government and Agency Securities 17.6% | | | | | | | | | | |
FHLB, | | | | | | | | | | |
1.875%, 12/09/22 | | United States | | | 150,000 | | | | 151,001 | |
2.50%, 12/09/22 | | United States | | | 150,000 | | | | 153,618 | |
U.S. Treasury Note, | | | | | | | | | | |
1.625%, 11/15/22 | | United States | | | 170,000 | | | | 170,043 | |
2.00%, 11/30/22 | | United States | | | 170,000 | | | | 171,909 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Total U.S. Government and Agency Securities (Cost $628,660) | | | | | | | | | 646,571 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Asset-Backed Securities 4.2% | | | | | | | | | | |
Diversified Financials 4.2% | | | | | | | | | | |
American Express Credit Account Master Trust,2017-7, A, 2.35%, 5/15/25 | | United States | | | 100,000 | | | | 101,432 | |
Capital One Multi-Asset Execution Trust,2017-A6, A6, 2.29%, 7/15/25 | | United States | | | 50,000 | | | | 50,608 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total Asset-Backed Securities (Cost $147,176) | | | | | | | | | 152,040 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Total Investments before Short Term Investments (Cost $3,457,796) | | | | | | | | | 3,545,473 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
FRANKLIN FUND ALLOCATOR SERIES
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)
Franklin Payout 2022 Fund(continued)
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | Country/ Organization | | Shares | | | Value | |
| | | |
Short Term Investments (Cost $127,267) 3.5% | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Money Market Funds 3.5% | | | | | | | | | | |
c,d Institutional Fiduciary Trust Money Market Portfolio, 1.35% | | United States | | | 127,267 | | | $ | 127,267 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Total Investments (Cost $3,585,063) 100.2% | | | | | | | | | 3,672,740 | |
| | | |
Other Assets, less Liabilities (0.2)% | | | | | | | | | (7,373 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
Net Assets 100.0% | | | | | | | | $ | 3,665,367 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
See Abbreviations on page 52.
*The principal amount is stated in U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated.
aSecurity was purchased pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933 and may be sold in transactions exempt from registration only to qualified institutional buyers or in a public offering registered under the Securities Act of 1933. At November 30, 2019, the aggregate value of these securities was $357,092, representing 9.8% of net assets.
bA supranational organization is an entity formed by two or more central governments through international treaties.
cSee Note 3(d) regarding investments in affiliated management investment companies.
dThe rate shown is the annualizedseven-day effective yield at period end.
| | | | |
| | |
| | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | Semiannual Report | | 41 |
FRANKLIN FUND ALLOCATOR SERIES
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Statements of Assets and Liabilities
November 30, 2019 (unaudited)
| | | | | | | | |
| | Franklin Payout 2019 Fund | | Franklin Payout 2020 Fund | | Franklin Payout 2021 Fund | | Franklin Payout 2022 Fund |
Assets: | | | | | | | | |
Investments in securities: | | | | | | | | |
Cost - Unaffiliated issuers | | $1,284,059 | | $3,834,883 | | $3,592,679 | | $3,457,796 |
Cost -Non-controlled affiliates (Note 3d) | | 2,761,777 | | 283,606 | | 545,444 | | 127,267 |
| | | | |
Value - Unaffiliated issuers | | $1,284,074 | | $3,842,704 | | $3,636,282 | | $3,545,473 |
Value -Non-controlled affiliates (Note 3d) | | 2,761,777 | | 283,606 | | 545,444 | | 127,267 |
Receivables: | | | | | | | | |
Investment securities sold | | 50,000 | | — | | — | | — |
Interest | | 15,423 | | 23,527 | | 24,354 | | 17,975 |
Affiliates | | 3,836 | | 10,733 | | 10,915 | | 9,605 |
Other assets | | 1,808 | | 337 | | 584 | | 1,077 |
Total assets | | 4,116,918 | | 4,160,907 | | 4,217,579 | | 3,701,397 |
Liabilities: | | | | | | | | |
Payables: | | | | | | | | |
Transfer agent fees | | 62 | | 62 | | 59 | | 66 |
Reports to shareholders | | 1,558 | | 1,486 | | 1,459 | | 1,460 |
Registration and filing fees | | — | | 5,786 | | 5,785 | | 8,470 |
Professional fees | | 7,296 | | 26,473 | | 26,622 | | 26,002 |
Accrued expenses and other liabilities | | 165 | | 18 | | 18 | | 32 |
Total liabilities | | 9,081 | | 33,825 | | 33,943 | | 36,030 |
Net assets, at value | | $4,107,837 | | $4,127,082 | | $4,183,636 | | $3,665,367 |
Net assets consist of: | | | | | | | | |
Paid-in capital | | $4,043,899 | | $4,049,677 | | $4,054,606 | | $3,496,135 |
Total distributable earnings (loss) | | 63,938 | | 77,405 | | 129,030 | | 169,232 |
Net assets, at value | | $4,107,837 | | $4,127,082 | | $4,183,636 | | $3,665,367 |
Class R6: | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, at value | | $2,053,929 | | $2,063,549 | | $2,091,827 | | $1,832,655 |
Shares outstanding | | 202,465 | | 202,763 | | 203,001 | | 175,000 |
Net asset value and maximum offering price per share | | $10.14 | | $10.18 | | $10.30 | | $10.47 |
Advisor Class: | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, at value | | $2,053,908 | | $2,063,533 | | $2,091,809 | | $1,832,712 |
Shares outstanding | | 202,465 | | 202,763 | | 203,001 | | 175,000 |
Net asset value and maximum offering price per share | | $10.14 | | $10.18 | | $10.30 | | $10.47 |
| | | | |
| | |
42 | | Semiannual Report | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | | |
FRANKLIN FUND ALLOCATOR SERIES
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Statements of Operations
for the six months ended November 30, 2019 (unaudited)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Franklin Payout 2019 Fund | | | Franklin Payout 2020 Fund | | | Franklin Payout 2021 Fund | | | Franklin Payout 2022 Fund | |
| | | | |
Investment income: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dividends: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Non-controlled affiliates (Note 3d) | | $ | 7,051 | | | $ | 1,943 | | | $ | 2,876 | | | $ | 619 | |
Interest: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Unaffiliated issuers | | | 33,852 | | | | 45,581 | | | | 48,822 | | | | 48,530 | |
| | | | |
Total investment income | | | 40,903 | | | | 47,524 | | | | 51,698 | | | | 49,149 | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Expenses: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Management fees (Note 3a) | | | 6,133 | | | | 6,160 | | | | 6,232 | | | | 5,453 | |
Transfer agent fees: (Note 3c) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class R6 | | | 208 | | | | 206 | | | | 209 | | | | 187 | |
Advisor Class | | | 204 | | | | 206 | | | | 218 | | | | 186 | |
Custodian fees (Note 4) | | | 420 | | | | 264 | | | | 264 | | | | 14 | |
Reports to shareholders | | | 3,548 | | | | 3,422 | | | | 3,449 | | | | 3,448 | |
Registration and filing fees | | | 10,330 | | | | 17,924 | | | | 17,926 | | | | 16,963 | |
Professional fees | | | 15,145 | | | | 30,005 | | | | 30,299 | | | | 29,966 | |
Pricing fees | | | 1,919 | | | | 5,826 | | | | 3,860 | | | | 4,374 | |
Other | | | 3,738 | | | | 2,314 | | | | 2,297 | | | | 2,326 | |
| | | | |
Total expenses | | | 41,645 | | | | 66,327 | | | | 64,754 | | | | 62,917 | |
Expenses waived/paid by affiliates (Note 3e) | | | (35,715 | ) | | | (60,372 | ) | | | (58,719 | ) | | | (57,642 | ) |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Net expenses | | | 5,930 | | | | 5,955 | | | | 6,035 | | | | 5,275 | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Net investment income. | | | 34,973 | | | | 41,569 | | | | 45,663 | | | | 43,874 | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Realized and unrealized gains (losses): | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net realized gain (loss) from: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Investments: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Unaffiliated issuers | | | 112 | | | | 322 | | | | 5,165 | | | | — | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Investments: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Unaffiliated issuers | | | 7,916 | | | | 11,793 | | | | 24,293 | | | | 38,422 | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | | | 8,028 | | | | 12,115 | | | | 29,458 | | | | 38,422 | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | $ | 43,001 | | | $ | 53,684 | | | $ | 75,121 | | | $ | 82,296 | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | |
| | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | Semiannual Report | | 43 |
FRANKLIN FUND ALLOCATOR SERIES
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Franklin Payout 2019 Fund | | | Franklin Payout 2020 Fund | |
| | | | |
| | Six Months Ended November 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended May 31, 2019 | | | Six Months Ended November 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended May 31, 2019 | |
| |
Increase (decrease) in net assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operations: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | $ | 34,973 | | | $ | 75,156 | | | $ | 41,569 | | | $ | 83,392 | |
Net realized gain (loss) | | | 112 | | | | (926 | ) | | | 322 | | | | (5,944 | ) |
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | | | 7,916 | | | | 23,245 | | | | 11,793 | | | | 43,541 | |
| | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | | 43,001 | | | | 97,475 | | | | 53,684 | | | | 120,989 | |
| | | | |
Distributions to shareholders: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class R6 | | | — | | | | (38,529 | ) | | | — | | | | (41,851 | ) |
Advisor Class | | | — | | | | (38,225 | ) | | | — | | | | (41,546 | ) |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Total distributions to shareholders | | | — | | | | (76,754 | ) | | | — | | | | (83,397 | ) |
| | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets | | | 43,001 | | | | 20,721 | | | | 53,684 | | | | 37,592 | |
Net assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Beginning of period | | | 4,064,836 | | | | 4,044,115 | | | | 4,073,398 | | | | 4,035,806 | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
End of period | | $ | 4,107,837 | | | $ | 4,064,836 | | | $ | 4,127,082 | | | $ | 4,073,398 | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | |
44 | | Semiannual Report | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | | |
FRANKLIN FUND ALLOCATOR SERIES
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Statements of Changes in Net Assets(continued)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Franklin Payout 2021 Fund | | | Franklin Payout 2022 Fund | |
| | | | |
| | Six Months Ended November 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended May 31, 2019 | | | Six Months Ended November 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended May 31, 2019 | |
| |
Increase (decrease) in net assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operations: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | $ | 45,663 | | | $ | 93,424 | | | $ | 43,874 | | | $ | 87,114 | |
Net realized gain (loss) | | | 5,165 | | | | (6,310 | ) | | | — | | | | — | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | | | 24,293 | | | | 72,495 | | | | 38,422 | | | | 99,663 | |
| | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | | 75,121 | | | | 159,609 | | | | 82,296 | | | | 186,777 | |
| | | | |
Distributions to shareholders: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class R6 | | | — | | | | (47,320 | ) | | | — | | | | (41,125 | ) |
Advisor Class | | | — | | | | (47,015 | ) | | | — | | | | (40,740 | ) |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Total distributions to shareholders | | | — | | | | (94,335 | ) | | | — | | | | (81,865 | ) |
| | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets | | | 75,121 | | | | 65,274 | | | | 82,296 | | | | 104,912 | |
Net assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Beginning of period | | | 4,108,515 | | | | 4,043,241 | | | | 3,583,071 | | | | 3,478,159 | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
End of period | | $ | 4,183,636 | | | $ | 4,108,515 | | | �� $ | 3,665,367 | | | $ | 3,583,071 | |
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| | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | Semiannual Report | | 45 |
FRANKLIN FUND ALLOCATOR SERIES
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited)
1. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies
Franklin Fund Allocator Series (Trust) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (1940 Act) as anopen-end management investment company, consisting of twenty-five separate funds, four of which are included in this report (Funds) and applies the specialized accounting and reporting guidance in U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (U.S. GAAP). The Funds offer two classes of shares: Class R6 and Advisor Class. Each class of shares may differ by its voting rights on matters affecting a single class and fees due to differing arrangements for transfer agent fees.
The following summarizes the Funds’ significant accounting policies.
a. Financial Instrument Valuation
The Funds’ investments in financial instruments are carried at fair value daily. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The Funds calculate the net asset value (NAV) per share each business day as of 4 p.m. Eastern time or the regularly scheduled close of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), whichever is earlier. Under compliance policies and procedures approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the Board), the Funds’ administrator has responsibility for oversight of valuation, including leading the cross-functional Valuation Committee (VC). The Funds may utilize independent pricing services, quotations from securities and financial instrument dealers, and other market sources to determine fair value.
Debt securities generally trade in theover-the-counter market rather than on a securities exchange. The Funds’ pricing services use multiple valuation techniques to determine fair value. In instances where sufficient market activity exists, the pricing services may utilize a market-based approach through which quotes from market makers are used to determine fair value. In instances where sufficient market activity may not exist or is limited, the pricing services also utilize proprietary valuation models which may consider market characteristics such as benchmark yield curves, credit spreads, estimated default rates, anticipated market interest rate volatility, coupon rates, anticipated timing of principal repayments, underlying collateral, and other unique security features in order to estimate the relevant cash flows, which are then discounted to calculate the fair value.
Investments inopen-end mutual funds are valued at the closing NAV.
The Funds have procedures to determine the fair value of financial instruments for which market prices are not reliable or readily available. Under these procedures, the Funds primarily employ a market-based approach which may use related or comparable assets or liabilities, recent transactions, market multiples, book values, and other relevant information for the investment to determine the fair value of the investment. An income-based valuation approach may also be used in which the anticipated future cash flows of the investment are discounted to calculate fair value. Discounts may also be applied due to the nature or duration of any restrictions on the disposition of the investments. Due to the inherent uncertainty of valuations of such investments, the fair values may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had an active market existed.
b. Income and Deferred Taxes
It is each Fund’s policy to qualify as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code. Each Fund intends to distribute to shareholders substantially all of its taxable income and net realized gains to relieve it from federal income and excise taxes. As a result, no provision for U.S. federal income taxes is required.
The Funds may be subject to foreign taxation related to income received, capital gains on the sale of securities and certain foreign currency transactions in the foreign jurisdictions in which the Funds invest. Foreign taxes, if any, are recorded based on the tax regulations and rates that exist in the foreign markets in which the Funds invest. When a capital gain tax is determined to apply, certain or all Funds record an estimated deferred tax liability in an amount that would be payable if the securities were disposed of on the valuation date.
Each Fund may recognize an income tax liability related to its uncertain tax positions under U.S. GAAP when the uncertain tax position has a less than 50% probability that it will be sustained upon examination by the tax authorities based on its technical merits. As of November 30, 2019, the each Fund has determined that no tax liability is required in its financial statements related to uncertain tax positions for any open tax years (or expected to be taken in future tax years). Open tax years are those that remain subject to examination and are based on the statute of limitations in each jurisdiction in which the Fund invests.
FRANKLIN FUND ALLOCATOR SERIES
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
c. Security Transactions, Investment Income, Expenses and Distributions
Security transactions are accounted for on trade date. Realized gains and losses on security transactions are determined on a specific identification basis. Interest income and estimated expenses are accrued daily. Amortization of premium and accretion of discount on debt securities are included in interest income. Distributions to shareholders are recorded on theex-dividend date. Distributable earnings are determined according to income tax regulations (tax basis) and may differ from earnings recorded in accordance with U.S. GAAP. These differences may be permanent or temporary. Permanent differences are reclassified among capital accounts to reflect their tax character. These reclassifications have no impact on net assets or the results of operations. Temporary differences are not reclassified, as they may reverse in subsequent periods.
Common expenses incurred by the Trust are allocated among the Funds based on the ratio of net assets of each Fund to the combined net assets of the Trust or based on the ratio of number of shareholders of each Fund to the combined number of shareholders of the Trust. Fund specific expenses are charged directly to the Fund that incurred the expense.
Realized and unrealized gains and losses and net investment income, excluding class specific expenses, are allocated daily to each class of shares based upon the relative proportion of
net assets of each class. Differences in per share distributions by class are generally due to differences in class specific expenses.
d. Accounting Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
e. Guarantees and Indemnifications
Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and trustees are indemnified by the Trust against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Trust. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Trust, on behalf of the Funds, enters into contracts with service providers that contain general indemnification clauses. The Trust’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Trust that have not yet occurred. Currently, the Trust expects the risk of loss to be remote.
2. Shares of Beneficial Interest
At November 30, 2019, there were an unlimited number of shares authorized (without par value). During the year ended May 31, 2019 and period ended November 30, 2019, there were no transactions of the Funds’ shares.
3. Transactions with Affiliates
Franklin Resources, Inc. is the holding company for various subsidiaries that together are referred to as Franklin Templeton. Certain officers and trustees of the Funds are also officers and/or directors of the following subsidiaries:
| | |
Subsidiary | | Affiliation |
Franklin Advisers, Inc. (Advisers) | | Investment manager |
Franklin Templeton Portfolio Advisors, Inc. (FT Portfolio Advisors) | | Investment manager |
Franklin Templeton Services, LLC (FT Services) | | Administrative manager |
Franklin Templeton Distributors, Inc. (Distributors) | | Principal underwriter |
Franklin Templeton Investor Services, LLC (Investor Services) | | Transfer agent |
FRANKLIN FUND ALLOCATOR SERIES
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
3. Transactions with Affiliates(continued)
a. Management Fees
The Funds pay an investment management fee to Advisers of 0.30% per year of the average daily net assets of each of the Funds.
Effective October 24 , 2019, under a subadvisory agreement, FT Portfolio Advisors, an affiliate of Advisers, provides subadvisory services to the Funds. The subadvisory fee is paid by Advisers based on each Fund’s average daily net assets and is not an additional expense of the Funds.
b. Administrative Fees
Under an agreement with Advisers, FT Services provides administrative services to the Funds. The fee is paid by Advisers based on each of the Funds’ average daily net assets, and is not an additional expense of the Funds.
c. Transfer Agent Fees
Each class of shares pays transfer agent fees to Investor Services for its performance of shareholder servicing obligations. The fees are based on an annualized asset based fee of 0.02% plus a transaction based fee. In addition, each class reimburses Investor Services for out of pocket expenses incurred and, except for Class R6, reimburses shareholder servicing fees paid to third parties. Class R6 pays Investor Services transfer agent fees specific to that class.
For the period ended November 30, 2019, the Funds paid transfer agent fees as noted in the Statements of Operations of which the following amounts were retained by Investor Services:
| | | | | | | | |
| | Franklin Payout 2019 Fund | | Franklin Payout 2020 Fund | | Franklin Payout 2021 Fund | | Franklin Payout 2022 Fund |
| | | | |
Transfer agent fees | | $412 | | $412 | | $427 | | $366 |
d. Investments in Affiliated Management Investment Companies
Certain or all Funds invest in one or more affiliated management investment companies for purposes other than exercising a controlling influence over the management or policies. Management fees paid by the Funds are waived on assets invested in the affiliated management investment companies, as noted in the Statements of Operations, in an amount not to exceed the management and administrative fees paid directly or indirectly by each affiliate. During the period ended November 30, 2019, investments in affiliated management investment companies were as follows:
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| | Value at Beginning of Period | | Purchases | | Sales | | Realized Gain (Loss) | | Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) | | Value at End of Period | | Number of Shares Held at End of Period | | Dividend Income |
Franklin Payout 2019 Fund | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Non-Controlled Affiliates | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Institutional Fiduciary Trust Money Market Portfolio, 1.35% | | $386,344 | | $2,434,937 | | $(59,504) | | $ — | | $ — | | $2,761,777 | | 2,761,777 | | $7,051 |
| | | | | | |
Franklin Payout 2020 Fund | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Non-Controlled Affiliates | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Institutional Fiduciary Trust Money Market Portfolio, 1.35% | | $186,412 | | $ 164,349 | | $(67,155) | | $ — | | $ — | | $ 283,606 | | 283,606 | | $1,943 |
| | | | | | |
FRANKLIN FUND ALLOCATOR SERIES
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
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| | Value at Beginning of Period | | Purchases | | Sales | | Realized Gain (Loss) | | Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) | | Value at End of Period | | Number of Shares Held at End of Period | | Dividend Income |
Franklin Payout 2021 Fund | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Non-Controlled Affiliates | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Institutional Fiduciary Trust Money Market Portfolio, 1.35% | | $274,467 | | $336,380 | | $(65,403) | | $ — | | $ — | | $ 545,444 | | 545,444 | | $2,876 |
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| | | | | | | | |
Franklin Payout 2022 Fund | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Non-Controlled Affiliates | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Institutional Fiduciary Trust Money Market Portfolio, 1.35% | | $56,466 | | $131,573 | | $(60,772) | | $ — | | $ — | | $ 127,267 | | 127,267 | | $ 619 |
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e. Waiver and Expense Reimbursements
Advisers have contractually agreed in advance to waive or limit its fees and to assume as its own expense certain expenses otherwise payable by the Funds so that the expenses (excluding acquired fund fees and expenses and certainnon-routine expenses or costs, including those relating to litigation, indemnification, reorganizations, and liquidations) for Advisor Class of the Funds do not exceed 0.44%, and for Class R6 do not exceed 0.29%, based on the average net assets of each class until September 30, 2020. Total expenses waived or paid are not subject to recapture subsequent to the Funds’ fiscal year end.
f. Other Affiliated Transactions
At November 30, 2019, Advisers owned 100% of the Funds’ outstanding shares. Investment activities of this shareholder could have a material impact on the Funds.
4. Expense Offset Arrangement
The Funds have entered into an arrangement with their custodian whereby credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances are used to reduce a portion of the Funds’ custodian expenses. During the period ended November 30, 2019, there were no credits earned.
5. Income Taxes
For tax purposes, capital losses may be carried over to offset future capital gains.
At May 31, 2019, the capital loss carryforwards were as follows:
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| | Franklin Payout 2019 Fund | | Franklin Payout 2020 Fund | | Franklin Payout 2021 Fund |
Capital loss carryforwards not subject to expiration: | | | | | | |
Short term | | $ 273 | | $ 972 | | $ — |
Long term | | 2,713 | | 6,063 | | 6,235 |
| | | |
Total capital loss carryforwards | | $2,986 | | $7,035 | | $6,235 |
FRANKLIN FUND ALLOCATOR SERIES
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
5. Income Taxes(continued)
At November 30, 2019, the cost of investments and net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) for income tax purposes were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Franklin Payout 2019 Fund | | | Franklin Payout 2020 Fund | | | Franklin Payout 2021 Fund | | | Franklin Payout 2022 Fund | |
| | | | |
Cost of investments | | | $4,045,796 | | | | $4,118,489 | | | | $4,135,509 | | | | $3,583,748 | |
| | | | |
Unrealized appreciation | | | $ 71 | | | | $ 14,692 | | | | $ 46,217 | | | | $ 88,992 | |
Unrealized depreciation | | | (16 | ) | | | (6,871 | ) | | | — | | | | — | |
| | | | |
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | | | $ 55 | | | | $ 7,821 | | | | $ 46,217 | | | | $ 88,992 | |
Differences between income and/or capital gains as determined on a book basis and a tax basis are primarily due to differing treatment of bond discounts and premiums.
6. Investment Transactions
Purchases and sales of investments (excluding short term securities) for the period ended November 30, 2019, were as follows:
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| | Franklin Payout 2019 Fund | | | Franklin Payout 2020 Fund | | | Franklin Payout 2021 Fund | | | Franklin Payout 2022 Fund | |
| | | | |
Purchases | | | $ — | | | | $ — | | | | $ — | | | | $ — | |
Sales | | | $2,386,086 | | | | $31,858 | | | | $210,012 | | | | $ — | |
7. Credit Facility
The Funds, together with other U.S. registered and foreign investment funds (collectively, Borrowers), managed by Franklin Templeton, are borrowers in a joint syndicated senior unsecured credit facility totaling $2 billion (Global Credit Facility) which matures on February 7, 2020. This Global Credit Facility provides a source of funds to the Borrowers for temporary and emergency purposes, including the ability to meet future unanticipated or unusually large redemption requests.
Under the terms of the Global Credit Facility, the Funds shall, in addition to interest charged on any borrowings made by the Funds and other costs incurred by the Funds, pay their share of fees and expenses incurred in connection with the implementation and maintenance of the Global Credit Facility, based upon their relative share of the aggregate net assets of all of the Borrowers, including an annual commitment fee of 0.15% based upon the unused portion of the Global Credit Facility. These fees are reflected in other expenses in the Statements of Operations. During the period ended November 30, 2019, the Funds did not use the Global Credit Facility.
8. Fair Value Measurements
The Funds follow a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between market data obtained from independent sources (observable inputs) and the Funds’ own market assumptions (unobservable inputs). These inputs are used in determining the value of the Funds’ financial instruments and are summarized in the following fair value hierarchy:
| • | | Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical financial instruments |
FRANKLIN FUND ALLOCATOR SERIES
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
| • | | Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar financial instruments, interest rates, prepayment speed, credit risk, etc.) |
| • | | Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including the Funds’ own assumptions in determining the fair value of financial instruments) |
The input levels are not necessarily an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with financial instruments at that level.
A summary of inputs used as of November 30, 2019, in valuing the Funds’ assets carried at fair value, is as follows:
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| | Level 1 | | | Level 2 | | | Level 3 | | | Total | |
| | | | |
Franklin Payout 2019 Fund | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Investments in Securities:a | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Corporate Bonds | | $ | — | | | $ | 764,008 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 764,008 | |
U.S. Government and Agency Securities | | | — | | | | 520,066 | | | | — | | | | 520,066 | |
Short Term Investments | | | 2,761,777 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 2,761,777 | |
| | | | |
Total Investments in Securities | | $ | 2,761,777 | | | $ | 1,284,074 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 4,045,851 | |
Franklin Payout 2020 Fund | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Investments in Securities:a | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Corporate Bonds | | $ | — | | | $ | 2,940,984 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 2,940,984 | |
Foreign Government and Agency Securities | | | — | | | | 200,671 | | | | — | | | | 200,671 | |
U.S. Government and Agency Securities | | | — | | | | 701,049 | | | | — | | | | 701,049 | |
Short Term Investments | | | 283,606 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 283,606 | |
| | | | |
Total Investments in Securities | | $ | 283,606 | | | $ | 3,842,704 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 4,126,310 | |
Franklin Payout 2021 Fund | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Investments in Securities:a | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Corporate Bonds | | $ | — | | | $ | 2,700,929 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 2,700,929 | |
Foreign Government and Agency Securities | | | — | | | | 100,771 | | | | — | | | | 100,771 | |
U.S. Government and Agency Securities | | | — | | | | 727,270 | | | | — | | | | 727,270 | |
Municipal Bonds | | | — | | | | 107,312 | | | | — | | | | 107,312 | |
Short Term Investments | | | 545,444 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 545,444 | |
| | | | |
Total Investments in Securities | | $ | 545,444 | | | $ | 3,636,282 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 4,181,726 | |
Franklin Payout 2022 Fund | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Investments in Securities:a | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Corporate Bonds | | $ | — | | | $ | 2,545,379 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 2,545,379 | |
Foreign Government and Agency Securities | | | — | | | | 201,483 | | | | — | | | | 201,483 | |
U.S. Government and Agency Securities | | | — | | | | 646,571 | | | | — | | | | 646,571 | |
Asset-Backed Securities | | | — | | | | 152,040 | | | | — | | | | 152,040 | |
Short Term Investments | | | 127,267 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 127,267 | |
| | | | |
Total Investments in Securities | | $ | 127,267 | | | $ | 3,545,473 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 3,672,740 | |
aFor detailed categories, see the accompanying Statement of Investments.
FRANKLIN FUND ALLOCATOR SERIES
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
9. Subsequent Events
The Funds have evaluated subsequent events through the issuance of the financial statements and determined that no events have occurred that require disclosure, except for the following:
On July 17, 2019, the Board for Franklin Payout 2019 Fund approved a proposal to liquidate the Fund. The Fund liquidated on January 10, 2020.
Abbreviations
| | | | |
Selected Portfolio | | |
FFCB | | Federal Farm Credit Bank | | |
FHLB | | Federal Home Loan Bank | | |
GO | | General Obligation | | |
FRANKLIN FUND ALLOCATOR SERIES
Shareholder Information
Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures
The Trust’s investment manager has established Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures (Policies) that the Trust uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities. Shareholders may view the Trust’s complete Policies online at franklintempleton.com. Alternatively, shareholders may request copies of the Policies free of charge by calling the Proxy Group collect at (954)527-7678 or by sending a written request to: Franklin Templeton Companies, LLC, 300 S.E. 2nd Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301, Attention: Proxy Group. Copies of the Trust’s proxy voting records are also made available online at franklintempleton.com and posted on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at sec.gov and reflect the most recent12-month period ended June 30.
Quarterly Statement of Investments
The Trust files a complete statement of investments with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for the first and third quarters for each fiscal year as an exhibit to its report on FormN-PORT. Shareholders may view the filed FormN-PORT by visiting the Commission’s website at sec.gov. The filed form may also be viewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Information regarding the operations of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling(800) SEC-0330.
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Authorized for distribution only when accompanied or preceded by a summary prospectus and/or prospectus. Investors should carefully consider a fund’s investment goals, risks, charges and expenses before investing. A prospectus contains this and other information; please read it carefully before investing.
To help ensure we provide you with quality service, all calls to and from our service areas are monitored and/or recorded.
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| | Semiannual Report Franklin Fund Allocator Series | | |
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| | Investment Manager Franklin Advisers, Inc. | | Distributor Franklin Templeton Distributors, Inc. | | Shareholder Services (800) 321-8563 |
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© 2019-2020 Franklin Templeton Investments. All rights reserved. | | | FAS3 S 01/20 | |
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Franklin NextStep Conservative Fund | | | | Franklin NextStep Growth Fund | | |
Franklin NextStep Moderate Fund | | | | | | |
Sign up for electronic delivery at franklintempleton.com/edelivery
Internet Delivery of Fund Reports Unless You Request Paper Copies:Effective January 1, 2021, as permitted by the SEC, paper copies of the Fund’s shareholder reports will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request them from the Fund or your financial intermediary. Instead, the reports will be made available on a website, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report.
If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. If you have not signed up for electronic delivery, we would encourage you to join fellow shareholders who have. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications electronically from the Fund by calling (800)632-2301 or by contacting your financial intermediary.
You may elect to continue to receive paper copies of all your future shareholder reports free of charge by contacting your financial intermediary or, if you invest directly with a Fund, calling (800)632-2301 to let the Fund know of your request. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all funds held in your account.
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SEMIANNUAL REPORT
Economic and Market Overview
The global economy expanded during the six months ended November 30, 2019, despite weakness in certain regions. Global stocks were aided by upbeat economic data in some regions, encouraging corporate earnings reports, periods of optimism about a potential U.S.-China trade deal and monetary policy easing by major central banks.
However, markets also reflected concerns about political uncertainties in the U.S. (including the impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump), geopolitical tensions in certain regions, and the impact of U.S. trade disputes with China and other trading partners on global growth and corporate earnings. Overall, global developed and emerging market stocks, as measured by the MSCI All Country World Index, posted a +12.37% total return for the six months under review.1
The U.S. economy expanded during the six months ended November 30, 2019. After moderating in 2019’s second quarter, the economy grew faster in the third quarter, aided by consumer spending, housing investment, government spending, and exports. The manufacturing sector expanded at the start of the period, but contracted during the last four months, while the services sector expanded throughout the period. The unemployment rate decreased slightly from 3.6% in May 2019 to 3.5% atperiod-end.2 The annual inflation rate, as measured by the Consumer Price Index, increased from 1.8% in May 2019 to 2.1% atperiod-end.2
At its July 2019 meeting, the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) lowered its target range for the federal funds rate for the first time since December 2008, to 2.00%–2.25%, citing muted inflation pressures and the potential effects of global trade tensions on economic growth. Furthermore, the Fed ended its balance sheet normalization program earlier than previously indicated. The Fed further lowered the federal funds target rate range by 0.25% at its September and October meetings, to 1.50%–1.75%, reiterating the rationale cited at the July meeting.
In Europe, the U.K.’s quarterly gross domestic product (GDP) growth contracted in 2019’s second quarter but recovered in the third quarter. The Bank of England kept its key policy rate unchanged during thesix-month period and lowered its GDP forecasts for 2019 and 2020, amid Brexit uncertainties. The eurozone’s quarterly GDP
growth moderated in 2019’s second quarter and remained stable in the third quarter. The bloc’s annual inflation rate ended the period lower. The European Central Bank (ECB) kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged during the period. In November, the ECB resumed its asset purchase program in an effort to boost the economy.
In Asia, Japan’s quarterly GDP growth moderated in 2019’s second and third quarters. The Bank of Japan left its benchmark interest rate unchanged and continued its stimulus measures during the review period.
In larger emerging markets, Brazil’s quarterly GDP growth accelerated in 2019’s second and third quarters. The Central Bank of Brazil lowered its benchmark interest rate three times during the period. Russia’s annual GDP growth accelerated in 2019’s second and third quarters. The Bank of Russia cut its key interest rate four times during the period. China’s annual GDP growth moderated in 2019’s second and third quarters. The People’s Bank of China implemented an interest-rate reform in August, designating the loan prime rate as the new benchmark for household and business loans, effectively lowering interest rates several times during the period. Overall, global emerging market stocks, as measured by the MSCI Emerging Markets Index, posted a +6.13% total return for the six months under review.1
The foregoing information reflects our analysis and opinions as of November 30, 2019. The information is not a complete analysis of every aspect of any market, country, industry, security or fund. Statements of fact are from sources considered reliable.
1. Source: Morningstar.
2. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
See www.franklintempletondatasources.com for additional data provider information.
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2 | | Semiannual Report | | nextstepfunds.com |
Franklin NextStep Conservative Fund
This semiannual report for Franklin NextStep Conservative Fund covers the period ended November 30, 2019.
Your Fund’s Goals and Main Investments
The Fund seeks the highest level of long-term total return consistent with a conservative level of risk.1 As a “fund of funds,” it seeks to achieve its investment goal by investing its assets in underlying funds (i.e., other mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs)) managed by Franklin Templeton as well as those managed by unaffiliated investment managers. Under normal market conditions, we allocate the Fund’s assets among the broad asset classes of equity and debt investments by investing primarily in a distinctly weighted combination of underlying funds, based on each underlying fund’s predominant asset class. These underlying funds, in turn, invest in a variety of U.S. and foreign equity, debt and derivative investments.
Performance Overview
The Fund’s Class A shares posted a +4.52% cumulative total return for the six months under review. In comparison, the Fund’s blended benchmark, which is 60% Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, 15% Standard & Poor’s 500® Index (S&P 500®), 15% Bloomberg Barclays Multiverse ex USD (USD Hedged) Index and 10% MSCI All Country World Index (ACWI) ex U.S. (Net Dividends) Index, posted a +5.99% total return.2 You can find more of the Fund’s performance data in the Performance Summary beginning on page 6.
Performance data represent past performance, which does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate, and you may have a gain or loss when you sell your shares. Current performance may differ from figures shown. For most recentmonth-end performance, go tonextstepfunds.comor call(800)342-5236.
Investment Strategy
The Fund seeks to maintain a target exposure, principally through investment in underlying funds, of 25% to equities and equity-related securities and 75% to debt securities. The
Asset Allocation*
Based on Total Net Assets as of 11/30/19
*The asset allocation is based on the Statement of Investments (SOI), which classifies each underlying fund and other fund investments into a broad asset class based on its predominant investments under normal market conditions.
Fund’s asset allocation may change from time to time and deviate from its target exposure based on market conditions and our strategic and tactical asset allocation views. However, the Fund’s equity and debt investments will typically be in the 10%–30% and 70%–90% range, respectively. The risk profile of underlying funds will be considered when determining allocations. The Fund may also invest directly in securities of each asset class and may use currency forwards for hedging purposes.
|
What is a currency forward contract? A currency forward contract is an agreement between the Fund and a counterparty to buy or sell a foreign currency in exchange for another currency at a specific exchange rate on a future date. Currency forward contracts are privately traded in the interbank market, not on a centralized exchange. |
Risk control will be an integral part of the Fund’s investment process. Among other things, we will analyze portfolio volatility, portfolio concentration, expected extreme events and expected instability in returns among various asset classes and types of investments. When selecting equity
1. The risk/reward potential is based on the Fund’s goal and level of risk. It is not indicative of the Fund’s actual or implied performance or portfolio composition, which may change on a continuous basis.
2. Source: Morningstar.
The indexes are unmanaged and include reinvestment of any income or distributions. They do not reflect any fees, expenses or sale charges. One cannot invest directly in an index, and an index is not representative of the Fund’s portfolio.
See www.franklintempletondatasources.com for additional data provider information.
The dollar value, number of shares or principal amount, and names of all portfolio holdings are listed in the Fund’s SOI, which begins on page 24.
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FRANKLIN NEXTSTEP CONSERVATIVE FUND
funds for purchase or sale, we consider the underlying funds’ foreign and domestic exposure, market capitalization ranges and investment style (growth vs. value). When selecting debt funds for purchase or sale, we focus primarily on maximizing income appropriate to the Fund’s risk profile and consider the overall credit quality, duration and maturity of the underlying funds’ portfolios.
|
What is duration? Duration is a measure of a bond’s price sensitivity to interest-rate changes. In general, a portfolio of securities with a lower duration can be expected to be less sensitive to interest-rate changes than a portfolio with a higher duration. |
Top 10 Fund Holdings
11/30/19
| | |
| | % of Total Net Assets |
Prudential Core Bond Fund – Class Q | | 18.3% |
Franklin Low Duration Total Return Fund – Class R6 | | 15.1% |
iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF | | 12.4% |
iShares7-10 Year Treasury Bond ETF | | 11.2% |
Vanguard Total International Bond ETF | | 6.8% |
Templeton Global Total Return Fund – Class R6 | | 6.7% |
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF | | 4.8% |
Xtrackers USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF | | 3.6% |
Franklin Growth Fund – Class R6 | | 3.2% |
Franklin LibertyQ U.S. Equity ETF | | 3.2% |
Manager’s Discussion
The Fund’s performance can be attributed to our cross-asset allocation within fixed income and equities, as well as manager selection decisions within those asset classes.
On November 30, 2019, the portfolio was diversified across capitalization sizes, regions and investment styles for both our equity and fixed income allocations. Atperiod-end, Franklin NextStep Conservative Fund allocated 74.0% to fixed income, 23.8% of total net assets to equity and 2.2% to cash. Domestic fixed income exposure was 81.7% of the total fixed income weighting, with the balance represented by foreign fixed income. Prudential Core Bond Fund – Class Q, at 18.3% of the Fund’s total net assets, was our largest fixed income weighting atperiod-end. On the equity side, domestic exposure was 66.4% of the Fund’s total equity weighting, with the balance represented by foreign equity. iShares Core S&P 500 ETF was our largest equity weighting atperiod-end with 4.8% of the Fund’s total net assets.
A modest underweight to equity detracted, although manager selection in equity benefited relative returns. As a result, overall equity positioning hampered results. Fixed income positioning also weighed on the Fund’s relative performance, as fund selection and low duration positioning hindered returns. Our shorter-than-benchmark duration (interest rate sensitivity) exposure detracted from relative performance as the U.S. Federal Reserve reduced the federal funds rate three times during the review period.
Within equities, we maintained an underweight to Asia Pacificex-Japan, Canada and Japan during thesix-month period. These regional allocations strengthened relative returns in the asset class. A modest overweight to emerging market equities was the only regional detractor.
With regards to underlying bond funds, our exposure to Templeton Global Total Return Fund – Class R6, weighed on relative returns. The Fund held positions in Argentine pesos and local bonds, which both sold off sharply on a surprise outcome in August from presidential election primaries. In equity, underlying value-oriented funds such as iShares S&P 500 Value ETF and Franklin Mutual European Fund –Class R6, supported relative performance. In contrast, Franklin Growth Fund – Class R6, detracted from relative results. The Fund’s stock selection dampened returns, particularly in the energy sector.
Our largest domestic fixed income fund holding, Prudential Core Bond Fund – Class Q, slightly underperformed the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, and our largest global fixed income fund holding, Templeton Global Total Return Fund – Class R6, underperformed the Bloomberg Barclays Multiverse ex USD (USD Hedged) Index. On the equity side, our largest domestic equity fund holding, iShares Core S&P 500 ETF, performed largely in line with the S&P 500. Among our largest foreign equity fund holdings, Columbia Contrarian Europe Fund – Class Z, underperformed the MSCI Europe Index, while Franklin Mutual European Fund – Class R6 outperformed the index.
Thank you for your participation in Franklin NextStep Conservative Fund. We look forward to serving your future investment needs.
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FRANKLIN NEXTSTEP CONSERVATIVE FUND
| | |
| | Thomas A. Nelson, CFA |
| |
| | May Tong, CFA |
| |
| | Portfolio Management Team |
The foregoing information reflects our analysis, opinions and portfolio holdings as of November 30, 2019, the end of the reporting period. The way we implement our main investment strategies and the resulting portfolio holdings may change depending on factors such as market and economic conditions. These opinions may not be relied upon as investment advice or an offer for a particular security. The information is not a complete analysis of every aspect of any market, country, industry, security or the Fund. Statements of fact are from sources considered reliable, but the investment manager makes no representation or warranty as to their completeness or accuracy. Although historical performance is no guarantee of future results, these insights may help you understand our investment management philosophy.
CFA® is a trademark owned by CFA Institute.
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FRANKLIN NEXTSTEP CONSERVATIVE FUND
Performance Summary as of November 30, 2019
The performance table does not reflect any taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund dividends, capital gain distributions, if any, or any realized gains on the sale of Fund shares. Total return reflects reinvestment of the Fund’s dividends and capital gain distributions, if any, and any unrealized gains or losses. Your dividend income will vary depending on dividends or interest paid by securities in the Fund’s portfolio, adjusted for operating expenses of each class. Capital gain distributions are net profits realized from the sale of portfolio securities.
Performance as of 11/30/191
Cumulative total return excludes sales charges. Average annual total return includes maximum sales charges. Sales charges will vary depending on the size of the investment and the class of share purchased. The maximum is 5.50% and the minimum is 0%.Class A:5.50% maximum initial sales charge;Advisor Class:no sales charges. For other share classes, visitnextstepfunds.com.
| | | | |
Share Class | | Cumulative Total Return2 | | Average Annual Total Return3 |
A4 | | | | |
6-Month | | +4.52% | | -1.26% |
1-Year | | +8.56% | | +2.59% |
3-Year | | +15.95% | | +3.08% |
Since Inception (2/5/16) | | +21.29% | | +3.64% |
| | |
Advisor5 | | | | |
6-Month | | +4.63% | | +4.63% |
1-Year | | +8.81% | | +8.81% |
3-Year | | +16.75% | | +5.30% |
Since Inception(2/5/16) | | +22.34% | | +4.70% |
Performance data represent past performance, which does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate, and you may have a gain or loss when you sell your shares. Current performance may differ from figures shown. For most recentmonth-end performance, go tonextstepfunds.comor call(800)342-5236.
See page 7 for Performance Summary footnotes.
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PERFORMANCE SUMMARY
| | | | |
Distributions(6/1/19–11/30/19) | | | | |
| | |
Share Class | | Net Investment Income | | |
A | | $0.1242 | | |
C | | $0.0797 | | |
Advisor | | $0.1363 | | |
| |
Total Annual Operating Expenses6 | | |
| | |
Share Class | | With Fee Waiver | | Without Fee Waiver |
A | | 0.97% | | 4.40% |
Advisor | | 0.72% | | 4.15% |
Each class of shares is available to certain eligible investors and has different annual fees and expenses, as described in the prospectus.
While an asset allocation plan can be a valuable tool to help reduce overall volatility, all investments involve risks, including possible loss of principal. Because the Fund invests in underlying funds, which may engage in a variety of investment strategies involving certain risks, the Fund is subject to those same risks. In addition, the Fund’s shareholders will indirectly bear the fees and expenses of the underlying funds. The risks described herein are the principal risks of the Fund and the underlying funds. Typically, the more aggressive the investment, or the greater the potential return, the more risk involved. Generally, investors should be comfortable with some fluctuation in the value of their investments, especially over the short term. Stock prices fluctuate, sometimes rapidly and dramatically, due to factors affecting individual companies, particular industries or sectors, or general market conditions. Bond prices generally move in the opposite direction of interest rates. Thus, as prices of bonds in a fund adjust to a rise in interest rates, that fund’s share price may decline. Foreign investing carries additional risks such as currency and market volatility and political or social instability, risks which are heightened in developing countries. Investments in derivatives involve costs and create economic leverage, which may result in significant volatility and cause the funds to participate in losses (as well as gains) that significantly exceed the funds’ initial investment. These risks are described in the Fund’s prospectus. Investors should consult their financial advisor for help selecting the appropriate fund of funds, or fund combination, based on an evaluation of their investment objectives and risk tolerance.
1. The Fund has an expense reduction contractually guaranteed through 9/30/20. Fund investment results reflect the expense reduction; without this reduction, the results would have been lower.
2. Cumulative total return represents the change in value of an investment over the periods indicated.
3. Average annual total return represents the average annual change in value of an investment over the period indicated. Return for less than one year, if any, has not been annualized.
4. Prior to 9/10/18, these shares were offered at a higher initial sales charge of 5.75%, thus actual returns (with sales charges) would have differed. Average annual total returns (with sales charges) have been restated to reflect the current maximum initial sales charge of 5.50%.
5. Effective 6/15/16, the Fund began offering Advisor Class shares, which do not have sales charges or a Rule12b-1 plan. Performance quotations for this class reflect the following methods of calculation: (a) For periods prior to 6/15/16, a restated figure is used based upon the Fund’s Class A performance, excluding the effect of Class A’s maximum initial sales charge, but reflecting the effect of the Class A Rule12b-1 fees; and (b) for periods after 6/15/16, actual Advisor Class performance is used reflecting all charges and fees applicable to that class.
6. Figures are as stated in the Fund’s current prospectus, including the effect of acquired fund fees and expenses, and may differ from the expense ratios disclosed in the Your Fund’s Expenses and Financial Highlights sections in this report. In periods of market volatility, assets may decline significantly, causing total annual Fund operating expenses to become higher than the figures shown.
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Your Fund’s Expenses
As a Fund shareholder, you can incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on Fund purchases and redemptions; and (2) ongoing Fund costs, including management fees, distribution and service(12b-1) fees, and other Fund expenses. All mutual funds have ongoing costs, sometimes referred to as operating expenses. The table below shows ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and can help you understand these costs and compare them with those of other mutual funds. The table assumes a $1,000 investment held for the six months indicated.
Actual Fund Expenses
The table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses in the columns under the heading “Actual.” In these columns the Fund’s actual return, which includes the effect of Fund expenses, is used to calculate the “Ending Account Value” for each class of shares. You can estimate the expenses you paid during the period by following these steps (of course, your account value and expenses will differ from those in this illustration): Divide your account value by $1,000 (if your account had an $8,600 value, then $8,600÷ $1,000 = 8.6). Then multiply the result by the number in the row for your class of shares under the headings “Actual” and “Expenses Paid During Period” (if Actual Expenses Paid During Period were $7.50, then 8.6 x $7.50 = $64.50). In this illustration, the actual expenses paid this period are $64.50.
Hypothetical Example for Comparison with Other Funds
Under the heading “Hypothetical” in the table, information is provided about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. This information may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period, but it can help you compare ongoing costs of investing in the Fund with those of other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example for the class of shares you hold with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.
Please note that expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight ongoing costs and do not reflect any transactional costs. Therefore, information under the heading “Hypothetical” is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you compare total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if transactional costs were included, your total costs would have been higher.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | Actual (actual return after expenses) | | Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses) | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Share Class | | Beginning Account Value 6/1/19 | | | | Ending Account Value 11/30/19 | | Expenses Paid During Period 6/1/19–11/30/191, 2 | | | | Ending Account Value 11/30/19 | | Expenses Paid During Period 6/1/19–11/30/191, 2 | | | | Net Annualized Expense Ratio2 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
A | | $1,000 | | | | $1,045.20 | | $3.07 | | | | $1,022.00 | | $3.03 | | | | 0.60% |
C | | $1,000 | | | | $1,041.20 | | $6.79 | | | | $1,018.35 | | $6.71 | | | | 1.33% |
Advisor | | $1,000 | | | | $1,046.30 | | $1.79 | | | | $1,023.25 | | $1.77 | | | | 0.35% |
1. Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio for thesix-month period as indicated above—in the far right column—multiplied by the simple average account value over the period indicated, and then multiplied by 183/366 to reflect theone-half year period.
2. Reflects expenses after fee waivers and expense reimbursements. Does not include acquired fund fees and expenses.
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Franklin NextStep Moderate Fund
This semiannual report for Franklin NextStep Moderate Fund covers the period ended November 30, 2019.
Your Fund’s Goals and Main Investments
The Fund seeks the highest level of long-term total return consistent with a moderate level of risk.1 As a “fund of funds,” it seeks to achieve its investment goal by investing its assets in underlying funds (i.e., other mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs)) managed by Franklin Templeton as well as those managed by unaffiliated investment managers. Under normal market conditions, we allocate the Fund’s assets among the broad asset classes of equity, debt and alternative investments by investing primarily in a distinctly weighted combination of underlying funds, based on each underlying fund’s predominant asset class. These underlying funds, in turn, invest in a variety of U.S. and foreign equity, debt and derivative investments.
Performance Overview
The Fund’s Class A shares posted a cumulative total return of +8.14% for the six months under review. In comparison, the Fund’s blended benchmark, which is 35% Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (S&P 500), 25% Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, 25% MSCI All Country World Index (ACWI) ex U.S. (Net Dividends) Index and 15% Bloomberg Barclays Multiverse ex USD (USD Hedged) Index, posted a +9.04% total return.2 You can find more of the Fund’s performance data in the Performance Summary beginning on page 12.
Performance data represent past performance, which does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate, and you may have a gain or loss when you sell your shares. Current performance may differ from figures shown. For most recentmonth-end performance, go tonextstepfunds.comor call(800)342-5236.
Investment Strategy
The Fund seeks to maintain a target exposure, principally through investment in underlying funds, of 60% to equities and equity-related securities and 40% to debt securities. The
Asset Allocation*
Based on Total Net Assets as of 11/30/19
*The asset allocation is based on the Statement of Investments (SOI), which classifies each underlying fund and other fund investments into a broad asset class based on its predominant investments under normal market conditions.
Fund may also invest up to 5% in alternative investment funds. The Fund’s asset allocation may change from time to time and deviate from its target exposure based on market conditions and our strategic and tactical asset allocation views. However, the Fund’s equity, debt and alternative investments will typically be in the 45%–65%, 35%–55% and 0%–5% range, respectively. The risk profile of underlying funds will be considered when determining allocations. The Fund may also invest directly in securities of each asset class and may use currency forwards for hedging purposes.
|
What is a currency forward contract? A currency forward contract is an agreement between the Fund and a counterparty to buy or sell a foreign currency in exchange for another currency at a specific exchange rate on a future date. Currency forward contracts are privately traded in the interbank market, not on a centralized exchange. |
Risk control will be an integral part of the Fund’s investment process. Among other things, we will analyze portfolio
1. The risk/reward potential is based on the Fund’s goal and level of risk. It is not indicative of the Fund’s actual or implied performance or portfolio composition, which may change on a continuous basis.
2. Source: Morningstar.
The indexes are unmanaged and include reinvestment of any income or distributions. They do not reflect any fees, expenses or sale charges. One cannot invest directly in an index, and an index is not representative of the Fund’s portfolio.
See www.franklintempletondatasources.com for additional data provider information.
The dollar value, number of shares or principal amount, and names of all portfolio holdings are listed in the Fund’s SOI, which begins on page 29.
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FRANKLIN NEXTSTEP MODERATE FUND
volatility, portfolio concentration, expected extreme events and expected instability in returns among various asset classes and types of investments. When selecting equity funds for purchase or sale, we consider the underlying funds’ foreign and domestic exposure, market capitalization ranges and investment style (growth vs. value).
| | |
Top 10 Fund Holdings 11/30/19 | | |
| |
| | % of Total Net Assets |
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF | | 11.4% |
Prudential Core Bond Fund – Class Q | | 9.4% |
Franklin Growth Fund – Class R6 | | 7.7% |
Franklin LibertyQ U.S. Equity ETF | | 7.6% |
Franklin Low Duration Total Return Fund – Class R6 | | 7.5% |
Pioneer Fundamental Growth Fund – Class K | | 5.9% |
iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF | | 5.9% |
iShares S&P 500 Value ETF | | 5.8% |
iShares7-10 Year Treasury Bond ETF | | 5.6% |
Columbia Contrarian Europe Fund – Class Z | | 4.0% |
When selecting debt funds for purchase or sale, we focus primarily on maximizing income appropriate to the Fund’s risk profile and consider the overall credit quality, duration and maturity of the underlying funds’ portfolios. When selecting alternative investment funds for purchase or sale, we focus primarily on the specific alternative strategy employed by the fund; how the fund generates alpha (a measurement of how well the fund performed compared to a benchmark index); how the fund is expected to correlate to different markets; the strategies, methods and techniques the underlying fund uses to hedge certain markets or investments; and how a fund’s net asset value typically reduces when the market falls (the lower correlation between these two factors, the better).
|
What is duration? Duration is a measure of a bond’s price sensitivity to interest-rate changes. In general, a portfolio of securities with a lower duration can be expected to be less sensitive to interest-rate changes than a portfolio with a higher duration. |
Manager’s Discussion
The Fund’s performance can be attributed to our cross-asset allocation within fixed income, equities and alternatives, as well as manager selection decisions within those asset classes.
On November 30, 2019, the portfolio was diversified across capitalization sizes, regions and investment styles for both our equity and fixed income allocations. Atperiod-end, Franklin NextStep Moderate Fund allocated 59.0% of total net assets to equity, 37.7% to fixed income, 2.0% to alternatives and 1.3% to cash. On the equity side, domestic exposure was 65.0% of the Fund’s total equity weighting, with the balance represented by foreign equity. iShares Core S&P 500 ETF was our largest equity weighting atperiod-end with 11.4% of the Fund’s total net assets. Domestic fixed income exposure was 80.1% of the total fixed income weighting, with the balance represented by foreign fixed income. Prudential Core Bond Fund – Class Q, at 9.4% of the Fund’s total net assets, was our largest fixed income weighting atperiod-end.
During the reporting period, overall positioning in equity benefited relative returns, particularly regional allocations and Fund selection. Within equities, we maintained an overweight to the U.S. and an underweight to Japan, Asia Pacificex-Japan and Canada during thesix-month period. These regional allocations strengthened relative returns in the asset class. A modest overweight to emerging-market equities was the only regional detractor.
Conversely, fixed income positioning weighed on the Fund’s relative performance, as Fund selection and low duration positioning hindered returns. Our shorter-than-benchmark duration (interest rate sensitivity) exposure detracted from relative performance as the U.S. Federal Reserve reduced the federal funds rate three times during the review period.
Among underlying equity funds, value-oriented funds such as iShares S&P 500 Value ETF and Franklin Mutual European Fund – Class R6, supported relative performance. In contrast, Franklin Growth Fund – Class R6, detracted from relative results. The Fund’s stock selection dampened returns, particularly in the energy sector. In fixed income, our exposure to Templeton Global Total Return Fund – Class R6, weighed on relative returns. The Fund held positions in Argentine pesos and local bonds, which both sold off sharply on a surprise outcome in August from presidential election primaries.Off-benchmark exposure to alternative investments, including commodities, also weakened results.
On the equity side, our largest domestic equity fund holding, iShares Core S&P 500 ETF, performed largely in line with the S&P 500. Among our largest foreign equity fund holdings, Columbia Contrarian Europe Fund – Class Z underperformed the MSCI Europe Index, while Franklin Mutual European Fund – Class R6 outperformed the index. Our largest domestic fixed income fund holding, Prudential Core Bond Fund – Class Q slightly underperformed the
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Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, and our largest global fixed income fund holding, Templeton Global Total Return Fund – Class R6, underperformed the Bloomberg Barclays Multiverse ex USD (USD Hedged) Index.
Thank you for your participation in Franklin NextStep Moderate Fund. We look forward to serving your future investment needs.
| | |
| | Thomas A. Nelson, CFA |
| | |
| | May Tong, CFA Portfolio Management Team |
The foregoing information reflects our analysis, opinions and portfolio holdings as of November 30, 2019, the end of the reporting period. The way we implement our main investment strategies and the resulting portfolio holdings may change depending on factors such as market and economic conditions. These opinions may not be relied upon as investment advice or an offer for a particular security. The information is not a complete analysis of every aspect of any market, country, industry, security or the Fund Statements of fact are from sources considered reliable, but the investment manager makes no representation or warranty as to their completeness or accuracy. Although historical performance is no guarantee of future results, these insights may help you understand our investment management philosophy.
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FRANKLIN NEXTSTEP MODERATE FUND
Performance Summary as of November 30, 2019
The performance table does not reflect any taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund dividends, capital gain distributions, if any, or any realized gains on the sale of Fund shares. Total return reflects reinvestment of the Fund’s dividends and capital gain distributions, if any, and any unrealized gains or losses. Your dividend income will vary depending on dividends or interest paid by securities in the Fund’s portfolio, adjusted for operating expenses of each class. Capital gain distributions are net profits realized from the sale of portfolio securities.
Performance as of 11/30/191
Cumulative total return excludes sales charges. Average annual total return includes maximum sales charges. Sales charges will vary depending on the size of the investment and the class of share purchased. The maximum is 5.50% and the minimum is 0%.Class A:5.50% maximum initial sales charge;Advisor Class:no sales charges. For other share classes, visitnextstepfunds.com.
| | | | | | |
Share Class | | Cumulative Total Return2 | | | | Average Annual Total Return3 |
A4 | | | | | | |
6-Month | | +8.14% | | | | +2.18% |
1-Year | | +10.33% | | | | +4.28% |
3-Year | | +24.66% | | | | +5.63% |
Since Inception (2/5/16) | | +36.38% | | | | +6.87% |
| | | |
Advisor5 | | | | | | |
6-Month | | +8.17% | | | | +8.17% |
1-Year | | +10.59% | | | | +10.59% |
3-Year | | +25.54% | | | | +7.88% |
Since Inception(2/5/16) | | +37.57% | | | | +7.50% |
Performance data represent past performance, which does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate, and you may have a gain or loss when you sell your shares. Current performance may differ from figures shown. For most recentmonth-end performance, go tonextstepfunds.comor call(800)342-5236.
See page 13 for Performance Summary footnotes.
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FRANKLIN NEXTSTEP MODERATE FUND
PERFORMANCE SUMMARY
Distributions(6/1/19–11/30/19)
| | | | |
Share Class | | Net Investment Income | |
A | | | $0.0915 | |
C | | | $0.0454 | |
Advisor | | | $0.1065 | |
Total Annual Operating Expenses6
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Share Class | | With Fee Waiver | | | | | | Without Fee Waiver | |
A | | | 1.02% | | | | | | | | 1.85% | |
Advisor | | | 0.77% | | | | | | | | 1.60% | |
Each class of shares is available to certain eligible investors and has different annual fees and expenses, as described in the prospectus.
While an asset allocation plan can be a valuable tool to help reduce overall volatility, all investments involve risks, including possible loss of principal. Because the Fund invests in underlying funds, which may engage in a variety of investment strategies involving certain risks, the Fund is subject to those same risks. In addition, the Fund’s shareholders will indirectly bear the fees and expenses of the underlying funds. The risks described herein are the principal risks of the Fund and the underlying funds. Typically, the more aggressive the investment, or the greater the potential return, the more risk involved. Generally, investors should be comfortable with some fluctuation in the value of their investments, especially over the short term. Stock prices fluctuate, sometimes rapidly and dramatically, due to factors affecting individual companies, particular industries or sectors, or general market conditions. Bond prices generally move in the opposite direction of interest rates. Thus, as prices of bonds in a fund adjust to a rise in interest rates, that fund’s share price may decline. Foreign investing carries additional risks such as currency and market volatility and political or social instability, risks which are heightened in developing countries. Investments in derivatives involve costs and create economic leverage, which may result in significant volatility and cause the funds to participate in losses (as well as gains) that significantly exceed the funds’ initial investment. These risks are described in the Fund’s prospectus. Investors should consult their financial advisor for help selecting the appropriate fund of funds, or fund combination, based on an evaluation of their investment objectives and risk tolerance.
1. The Fund has an expense reduction contractually guaranteed through 9/30/20. Fund investment results reflect the expense reduction; without this reduction, the results would have been lower.
2. Cumulative total return represents the change in value of an investment over the periods indicated.
3. Average annual total return represents the average annual change in value of an investment over the period indicated. Return for less than one year, if any, has not been annualized.
4. Prior to 9/10/18, these shares were offered at a higher initial sales charge of 5.75%, thus actual returns (with sales charges) would have differed. Average annual total returns (with sales charges) have been restated to reflect the current maximum initial sales charge of 5.50%.
5. Effective 6/15/16, the Fund began offering Advisor Class shares, which do not have sales charges or a Rule12b-1 plan. Performance quotations for this class reflect the following methods of calculation: (a) For periods prior to 6/15/16, a restated figure is used based upon the Fund’s Class A performance, excluding the effect of Class A’s maximum initial sales charge, but reflecting the effect of the Class A Rule12b-1 fees; and (b) for periods after 6/15/16, actual Advisor Class performance is used reflecting all charges and fees applicable to that class.
6. Figures are as stated in the Fund’s current prospectus, including the effect of acquired fund fees and expenses, and may differ from the expense ratios disclosed in the Your Fund’s Expenses and Financial Highlights sections in this report. In periods of market volatility, assets may decline significantly, causing total annual Fund operating expenses to become higher than the figures shown.
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FRANKLIN NEXTSTEP MODERATE FUND
Your Fund’s Expenses
As a Fund shareholder, you can incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on Fund purchases and redemptions; and (2) ongoing Fund costs, including management fees, distribution and service(12b-1) fees, and other Fund expenses. All mutual funds have ongoing costs, sometimes referred to as operating expenses. The table below shows ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and can help you understand these costs and compare them with those of other mutual funds. The table assumes a $1,000 investment held for the six months indicated.
Actual Fund Expenses
The table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses in the columns under the heading “Actual.” In these columns the Fund’s actual return, which includes the effect of Fund expenses, is used to calculate the “Ending Account Value” for each class of shares. You can estimate the expenses you paid during the period by following these steps (of course, your account value and expenses will differ from those in this illustration): Divide your account value by $1,000 (if your account had an $8,600 value, then $8,600÷ $1,000 = 8.6). Then multiply the result by the number in the row for your class of shares under the headings “Actual” and “Expenses Paid During Period” (if Actual Expenses Paid During Period were $7.50, then 8.6 x $7.50 = $64.50). In this illustration, the actual expenses paid this period are $64.50.
Hypothetical Example for Comparison with Other Funds
Under the heading “Hypothetical” in the table, information is provided about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. This information may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period, but it can help you compare ongoing costs of investing in the Fund with those of other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example for the class of shares you hold with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.
Please note that expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight ongoing costs and do not reflect any transactional costs. Therefore, information under the heading “Hypothetical” is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you compare total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if transactional costs were included, your total costs would have been higher.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | Actual (actual return after expenses) | | Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses) | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Share Class | | Beginning Account Value 6/1/19 | | | | Ending Account Value 11/30/19 | | Expenses Paid During Period 6/1/19–11/30/191, 2 | | | | Ending Account Value 11/30/19 | | Expenses Paid During Period 6/1/19–11/30/191, 2 | | | | Net Annualized Expense Ratio2 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
A | | $1,000 | | | | $1,081.40 | | $3.12 | | | | $1,022.00 | | $3.03 | | | | 0.60% |
C | | $1,000 | | | | $1,077.00 | | $6.96 | | | | $1,018.30 | | $6.76 | | | | 1.34% |
Advisor | | $1,000 | | | | $1,081.70 | | $1.82 | | | | $1,023.25 | | $1.77 | | | | 0.35% |
1. Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio for thesix-month period as indicated above—in the far right column—multiplied by the simple average account value over the period indicated, and then multiplied by 183/366 to reflect theone-half year period.
2. Reflects expenses after fee waivers and expense reimbursements. Does not include acquired fund fees and expenses.
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14 | | Semiannual Report | | nextstepfunds.com |
Franklin NextStep Growth Fund
This semiannual report for Franklin NextStep Growth Fund covers the period ended November 30, 2019.
Your Fund’s Goals and Main Investments
The Fund seeks the highest level of long-term total return consistent with a growth-oriented level of risk.1 As a “fund of funds,” it seeks to achieve its investment goal by investing its assets in underlying funds (i.e., other mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs)) managed by Franklin Templeton as well as those managed by unaffiliated investment managers. Under normal market conditions, we allocate the Fund’s assets among the broad asset classes of equity, debt and alternative investments by investing primarily in a distinctly weighted combination of underlying funds, based on each underlying fund’s predominant asset class. These underlying funds, in turn, invest in a variety of U.S. and foreign equity, debt and derivative investments.
Performance Overview
The Fund’s Class A shares posted a cumulative total return of +9.70% for the six months under review. In comparison, the Fund’s blended benchmark, which is 45% Standard & Poor’s 500® Index (S&P 500®), 30% MSCI All Country World Index (ACWI) ex U.S. (Net Dividends) Index, 15% Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index and 10% Bloomberg Barclays Multiverse ex USD (USD Hedged) Index, posted a +10.44% total return.2 You can find more of the Fund’s performance data in the Performance Summary beginning on page 18.
Performance data represent past performance, which does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate, and you may have a gain or loss when you sell your shares. Current performance may differ from figures shown. For most recentmonth-end performance, go tonextstepfunds.comor call(800)342-5236.
Investment Strategy
The Fund seeks to maintain a target exposure, principally through investment in underlying funds, of 75% to equities and equity-related securities and 25% to debt securities. The
Asset Allocation*
Based on Total Net Assets as of 11/30/19
*The asset allocation is based on the Statement of Investments (SOI), which classifies each underlying fund and other fund investments into a broad asset class based on its predominant investments under normal market conditions.
Fund may also invest up to 10% in alternative investment funds. The Fund’s asset allocation may change from time to time and deviate from its target exposure based on market conditions and our strategic and tactical asset allocation views. However, the Fund’s equity, debt and alternative investments will typically be in the 60%–80%, 20%–40% and 0%–10% range, respectively. The risk profile of underlying funds will be considered when determining allocations. The Fund may also invest directly in securities of each asset class and may use currency forwards for hedging purposes.
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What is a currency forward contract? | | |
A currency forward contract is an agreement between the Fund and a counterparty to buy or sell a foreign currency in exchange for another currency at a specific exchange rate on a future date. Currency forward contracts are privately traded in the interbank market, not on a centralized exchange. | | |
Risk control will be an integral part of the Fund’s investment process. Among other things, we will analyze portfolio
1. The risk/reward potential is based on the Fund’s goal and level of risk. It is not indicative of the Fund’s actual or implied performance or portfolio composition, which may change on a continuous basis.
2. Source: Morningstar.
The indexes are unmanaged and include reinvestment of any income or distributions. They do not reflect any fees, expenses or sale charges. One cannot invest directly in an index, and an index is not representative of the Fund’s portfolio.
See www.franklintempletondatasources.com for additional data provider information.
The dollar value, number of shares or principal amount, and names of all portfolio holdings are listed in the Fund’s SOI, which begins on page 34.
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nextstepfunds.com | | Semiannual Report | | 15 |
FRANKLIN NEXTSTEP GROWTH FUND
volatility, portfolio concentration, expected extreme events and expected instability in returns among various asset classes and types of investments. When selecting equity funds for purchase or sale, we consider the underlying funds’ foreign and domestic exposure, market capitalization ranges and investment style (growth vs. value).
Top 10 Fund Holdings
11/30/19
| | | | |
| | % of Total Net Assets | |
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF | | | 15.0% | |
Franklin Growth Fund – Class R6 | | | 10.0% | |
Franklin LibertyQ U.S. Equity ETF | | | 9.9% | |
iShares S&P 500 Value ETF | | | 7.4% | |
Pioneer Fundamental Growth Fund – Class K | | | 7.4% | |
Prudential Core Bond Fund – Class Q | | | 6.7% | |
Franklin Mutual European Fund – Class R6 | | | 4.7% | |
Franklin Low Duration Total Return Fund – Class R6 | | | 4.5% | |
Columbia Contrarian Europe Fund – Class Z | | | 4.5% | |
iShares Core MSCI Europe ETF | | | 4.1% | |
When selecting debt funds for purchase or sale, we focus primarily on maximizing income appropriate to the Fund’s risk profile and consider the overall credit quality, duration and maturity of the underlying funds’ portfolios. When selecting alternative investment funds for purchase or sale, we focus primarily on the specific alternative strategy employed by the fund; how the fund generates alpha (a measurement of how well the fund performed compared to a benchmark index); how the fund is expected to correlate to different markets; the strategies, methods and techniques the underlying fund uses to hedge certain markets or investments; and how a fund’s net asset value typically reduces when the market falls (the lower correlation between these two factors, the better).
| | |
What is duration? | | |
Duration is a measure of a bond’s price sensitivity to interest-rate changes. In general, a portfolio of securities with a lower duration can be expected to be less sensitive to interest-rate changes than a portfolio with a higher duration. | | |
Manager’s Discussion
The Fund’s performance can be attributed to our cross-asset allocation within fixed income, equities and alternatives, as well as manager selection decisions within those asset classes.
On November 30, 2019, the portfolio was diversified across capitalization sizes, regions and investment styles for both our equity and fixed income allocations. Atperiod-end, Franklin NextStep Growth Fund allocated 74.3% of total net assets to equity, 22.6% to fixed income, 2.0% to alternatives and 1.1% to cash. On the equity side, domestic exposure was 66.7% of the Fund’s total equity weighting, with the balance represented by foreign equity. iShares Core S&P 500 ETF was our largest equity weighting atperiod-end with 15.0% of the Fund’s total net assets. Domestic fixed income exposure was 80.0% of the total fixed income weighting, with the balance represented by foreign fixed income. Prudential Core Bond Fund – Class Q, at 6.7% of the Fund’s total net assets, was our largest fixed income weighting atperiod-end.
During the reporting period, overall positioning in equity benefited relative returns, particularly regional allocations and fund selection. Within equities, we maintained an overweight to the U.S. and an underweight to Japan, Asia Pacificex-Japan and Canada during thesix-month period. These regional allocations strengthened relative returns in the asset class. A modest overweight to emerging-market equities was the only regional detractor.
Conversely, fixed income positioning weighed on the Fund’s relative performance, as fund selection and low duration positioning hindered returns. Our shorter-than-benchmark duration (interest rate sensitivity) exposure detracted from relative performance as the U.S. Federal Reserve reduced the federal funds rate three times during the review period.
Among underlying equity funds, value-oriented funds such as iShares S&P 500 Value ETF and Franklin Mutual European Fund – Class R6, supported relative performance. In contrast, Franklin Growth Fund – Class R6, detracted from relative results. The Fund’s stock selection dampened returns, particularly in the energy sector. In fixed income, Templeton Global Total Return Fund – Class R6, detracted from relative returns. The Fund held positions in Argentine pesos and local bonds, which both sold off sharply on a surprise outcome in August from presidential election primaries.Off-benchmark exposure to alternative investments, including commodities, also weakened results.
On the equity side, our largest domestic equity fund holding, iShares Core S&P 500 ETF, performed largely in line with the S&P 500. Among our largest foreign equity fund holdings, Columbia Contrarian Europe Fund – Class Z, underperformed the MSCI Europe Index, while Franklin Mutual European Fund – Class R6 outperformed the index. Our largest domestic fixed income fund holding, Prudential Core Bond Fund – Class Q, slightly underperformed the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, and our largest global fixed
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FRANKLIN NEXTSTEP GROWTH FUND
income fund holding, Templeton Global Total Return Fund – Class R6, underperformed the Barclays Multiverse ex USD (USD Hedged) Index.
Thank you for your participation in Franklin NextStep Growth Fund. We look forward to serving your future investment needs.
| | |
| | Thomas A. Nelson, CFA |
| | |
| | May Tong, CFA |
| |
| | Portfolio Management Team |
The foregoing information reflects our analysis, opinions and portfolio holdings as of November 30, 2019, the end of the reporting period. The way we implement our main investment strategies and the resulting portfolio holdings may change depending on factors such as market and economic conditions. These opinions may not be relied upon as investment advice or an offer for a particular security. The information is not a complete analysis of every aspect of any market, country, industry, security or the Fund Statements of fact are from sources considered reliable, but the investment manager makes no representation or warranty as to their completeness or accuracy. Although historical performance is no guarantee of future results, these insights may help you understand our investment management philosophy.
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nextstepfunds.com | | Semiannual Report | | 17 |
FRANKLIN NEXTSTEP GROWTH FUND
Performance Summary as of November 30, 2019
The performance table does not reflect any taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund dividends, capital gain distributions, if any, or any realized gains on the sale of Fund shares. Total return reflects reinvestment of the Fund’s dividends and capital gain distributions, if any, and any unrealized gains or losses. Your dividend income will vary depending on dividends or interest paid by securities in the Fund’s portfolio, adjusted for operating expenses of each class. Capital gain distributions are net profits realized from the sale of portfolio securities.
Performance as of 11/30/191
Cumulative total return excludes sales charges. Average annual total return includes maximum sales charges. Sales charges will vary depending on the size of the investment and the class of share purchased. The maximum is 5.50% and the minimum is 0%.Class A:5.50% maximum initial sales charge;Advisor Class:no sales charges. For other share classes, visitnextstepfunds.com.
| | | | |
Share Class | | Cumulative Total Return2 | | Average Annual Total Return3 |
A4 | | | | |
6-Month | | +9.70% | | +3.71% |
1-Year | | +11.37% | | +5.22% |
3-Year | | +28.88% | | +6.80% |
Since Inception (2/5/16) | | +42.04% | | +8.02% |
| | |
Advisor5 | | | | |
6-Month | | +9.87% | | +9.87% |
1-Year | | +11.72% | | +11.72% |
3-Year | | +29.92% | | +9.12% |
Since Inception (2/5/16) | | +43.32% | | +8.66% |
Performance data represent past performance, which does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate, and you may have a gain or loss when you sell your shares. Current performance may differ from figures shown. For most recentmonth-end performance, go tonextstepfunds.comor call(800)342-5236.
See page 19 for Performance Summary footnotes.
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FRANKLIN NEXTSTEP GROWTH FUND
PERFORMANCE SUMMARY
Distributions(6/1/19–11/30/19)
| | | | |
Share Class | | Net Investment Income | |
A | | | $0.0936 | |
C | | | $0.0252 | |
Advisor | | | $0.1162 | |
Total Annual Operating Expenses6
| | | | |
Share Class | | With Fee Waiver | | Without Fee Waiver |
A | | 1.03% | | 2.60% |
Advisor | | 0.78% | | 2.35% |
Each class of shares is available to certain eligible investors and has different annual fees and expenses, as described in the prospectus.
While an asset allocation plan can be a valuable tool to help reduce overall volatility, all investments involve risks, including possible loss of principal. Because the Fund invests in underlying funds, which may engage in a variety of investment strategies involving certain risks, the Fund is subject to those same risks. In addition, the Fund’s shareholders will indirectly bear the fees and expenses of the underlying funds. The risks described herein are the principal risks of the Fund and the underlying funds. Typically, the more aggressive the investment, or the greater the potential return, the more risk involved. Generally, investors should be comfortable with some fluctuation in the value of their investments, especially over the short term. Stock prices fluctuate, sometimes rapidly and dramatically, due to factors affecting individual companies, particular industries or sectors, or general market conditions. Bond prices generally move in the opposite direction of interest rates. Thus, as prices of bonds in a fund adjust to a rise in interest rates, that fund’s share price may decline. Foreign investing carries additional risks such as currency and market volatility and political or social instability, risks which are heightened in developing countries. Investments in derivatives involve costs and create economic leverage, which may result in significant volatility and cause the funds to participate in losses (as well as gains) that significantly exceed the funds’ initial investment. These risks are described in the Fund’s prospectus. Investors should consult their financial advisor for help selecting the appropriate fund of funds, or fund combination, based on an evaluation of their investment objectives and risk tolerance.
1. The Fund has an expense reduction contractually guaranteed through 9/30/20. Fund investment results reflect the expense reduction; without this reduction, the results would have been lower.
2. Cumulative total return represents the change in value of an investment over the periods indicated.
3. Average annual total return represents the average annual change in value of an investment over the period indicated. Return for less than one year, if any, has not been annualized.
4. Prior to 9/10/18, these shares were offered at a higher initial sales charge of 5.75%, thus actual returns (with sales charges) would have differed. Average annual total returns (with sales charges) have been restated to reflect the current maximum initial sales charge of 5.50%.
5. Effective 6/15/16, the Fund began offering Advisor Class shares, which do not have sales charges or a Rule 12b-1 plan. Performance quotations for this class reflect the following methods of calculation: (a) For periods prior to 6/15/16, a restated figure is used based upon the Fund’s 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 6/15/16, actual Advisor Class performance is used reflecting all charges and fees applicable to that class.
6. Figures are as stated in the Fund’s current prospectus, including the effect of acquired fund fees and expenses, and may differ from the expense ratios disclosed in the Your Fund’s Expenses and Financial Highlights sections in this report. In periods of market volatility, assets may decline significantly, causing total annual Fund operating expenses to become higher than the figures shown.
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FRANKLIN NEXTSTEP GROWTH FUND
Your Fund’s Expenses
As a Fund shareholder, you can incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on Fund purchases and redemptions; and (2) ongoing Fund costs, including management fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees, and other Fund expenses. All mutual funds have ongoing costs, sometimes referred to as operating expenses. The table below shows ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and can help you understand these costs and compare them with those of other mutual funds. The table assumes a $1,000 investment held for the six months indicated.
Actual Fund Expenses
The table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses in the columns under the heading “Actual.” In these columns the Fund’s actual return, which includes the effect of Fund expenses, is used to calculate the “Ending Account Value” for each class of shares. You can estimate the expenses you paid during the period by following these steps (of course, your account value and expenses will differ from those in this illustration): Divide your account value by $1,000 (if your account had an $8,600 value, then $8,600 ÷ $1,000 = 8.6). Then multiply the result by the number in the row for your class of shares under the headings “Actual” and “Expenses Paid During Period” (if Actual Expenses Paid During Period were $7.50, then 8.6 x $7.50 = $64.50). In this illustration, the actual expenses paid this period are $64.50.
Hypothetical Example for Comparison with Other Funds
Under the heading “Hypothetical” in the table, information is provided about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. This information may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period, but it can help you compare ongoing costs of investing in the Fund with those of other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example for the class of shares you hold with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.
Please note that expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight ongoing costs and do not reflect any transactional costs. Therefore, information under the heading “Hypothetical” is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you compare total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if transactional costs were included, your total costs would have been higher.
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Actual (actual return after expenses) | | Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses) | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Share Class | | Beginning Account Value 6/1/19 | | Ending Account Value 11/30/19 | | Expenses Paid During Period 6/1/19–11/30/191, 2 | | Ending Account Value 11/30/19 | | Expenses Paid During Period 6/1/19–11/30/191, 2 | | Net Annualized Expense Ratio2 |
| | | | | | |
A | | $1,000 | | $1,097.00 | | $3.15 | | $1,022.00 | | $3.03 | | 0.60% |
C | | $1,000 | | $1,093.10 | | $7.01 | | $1,018.30 | | $6.76 | | 1.34% |
Advisor | | $1,000 | | $1,098.70 | | $1.84 | | $1,023.25 | | $1.77 | | 0.35% |
1. Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio for the six-month period as indicated above—in the far right column—multiplied by the simple average account value over the period indicated, and then multiplied by 183/366 to reflect the one-half year period.
2. Reflects expenses after fee waivers and expense reimbursements. Does not include acquired fund fees and expenses.
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FRANKLIN FUND ALLOCATOR SERIES
Financial Highlights
Franklin NextStep Conservative Fund
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Six Months Ended November 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended May 31, | |
| | 2019 | | | 2018 | | | 2017 | | | 2016a | |
| | | | | |
Class A | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Per share operating performance (for a share outstanding throughout the period) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | $10.77 | | | | $10.80 | | | | $10.80 | | | | $10.42 | | | | $10.00 | |
| | | | | |
Income from investment operationsb: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Net investment incomec,d | | | 0.11 | | | | 0.29 | | | | 0.18 | | | | 0.13 | | | | 0.03 | |
| | | | | |
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) | | | 0.39 | | | | 0.08 | | | | 0.10 | | | | 0.37 | | | | 0.40 | |
| | | | | |
Total from investment operations | | | 0.50 | | | | 0.37 | | | | 0.28 | | | | 0.50 | | | | 0.43 | |
| | | | | |
Less distributions from: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Net investment income | | | (0.12 | ) | | | (0.28 | ) | | | (0.18 | ) | | | (0.09 | ) | | | (0.01 | ) |
| | | | | |
Net realized gains | | | — | | | | (0.12 | ) | | | (0.10 | ) | | | (0.03 | ) | | | — | |
| | | | | |
Total distributions | | | (0.12 | ) | | | (0.40 | ) | | | (0.28 | ) | | | (0.12 | ) | | | (0.01 | ) |
| | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | | $11.15 | | | | $10.77 | | | | $10.80 | | | | $10.80 | | | | $10.42 | |
| | | | | |
Total returne | | | 4.52% | | | | 3.59% | | | | 2.46% | | | | 4.87% | | | | 4.26% | |
| | | | | |
Ratios to average net assetsf | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Expenses before waiver and payments by affiliatesg | | | 3.37% | | | | 4.03% | | | | 3.58% | | | | 6.40% | | | | 23.36% | |
| | | | | |
Expenses net of waiver and payments by affiliatesg | | | 0.60% | | | | 0.60% | | | | 0.60% | | | | 0.60% | | | | 0.60% | |
| | | | | |
Net investment incomed | | | 2.01% | | | | 2.70% | | | | 1.67% | | | | 1.24% | | | | 0.84% | |
| | | | | |
Supplemental data | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s) | | | $1,881 | | | | $1,526 | | | | $837 | | | | $1,010 | | | | $549 | |
| | | | | |
Portfolio turnover rate | | | 33.90% | | | | 47.98% | | | | 40.15% | | | | 103.41% | | | | 23.45% | |
aFor the period February 5, 2016 (commencement of operations) to May 31, 2016.
bThe amount shown for a share outstanding throughout the period may not correlate with the Statement of Operations for the period due to the timing of sales and repurchases of the Fund’s shares in relation to income earned and/or fluctuating fair value of the investments of the Fund.
cBased on average daily shares outstanding.
dRecognition of net investment income by the Fund is affected by the timing of declaration of dividends by the Underlying Funds and exchange traded funds in which the Fund invests.
eTotal return does not reflect sales commissions or contingent deferred sales charges, if applicable, and is not annualized for periods less than one year.
fRatios are annualized for periods less than one year, except for non-recurring expenses, if any.
gDoes not include expenses of the Underlying Funds and exchange traded funds in which the Fund invests. The weighted average indirect expenses of the Underlying Funds and exchange traded funds was 0.30% for the period ended November 30, 2019.
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nextstepfunds.com | | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | Semiannual Report | | 21 |
FRANKLIN FUND ALLOCATOR SERIES
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Franklin NextStep Conservative Fund(continued)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Six Months Ended November 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended May 31, | |
| | 2019 | | | 2018 | | | 2017 | | | 2016a | |
| | | | | |
Class C | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Per share operating performance (for a share outstanding throughout the period) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | $10.71 | | | | $10.73 | | | | $10.73 | | | | $10.39 | | | | $10.00 | |
| | | | | |
Income from investment operationsb: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Net investment incomec,d | | | 0.07 | | | | 0.21 | | | | 0.10 | | | | 0.05 | | | | — | e |
| | | | | |
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) | | | 0.39 | | | | 0.08 | | | | 0.08 | | | | 0.37 | | | | 0.40 | |
| | | | | |
Total from investment operations | | | 0.46 | | | | 0.29 | | | | 0.18 | | | | 0.42 | | | | 0.40 | |
| | | | | |
Less distributions from: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Net investment income | | | (0.08 | ) | | | (0.19 | ) | | | (0.08 | ) | | | (0.05 | ) | | | (0.01 | ) |
| | | | | |
Net realized gains | | | — | | | | (0.12 | ) | | | (0.10 | ) | | | (0.03 | ) | | | — | |
| | | | | |
Total distributions | | | (0.08 | ) | | | (0.31 | ) | | | (0.18 | ) | | | (0.08 | ) | | | (0.01 | ) |
| | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | | $11.09 | | | | $10.71 | | | | $10.73 | | | | $10.73 | | | | $10.39 | |
| | | | | |
Total returnf | | | 4.12% | | | | 2.89% | | | | 1.67% | | | | 4.07% | | | | 3.96% | |
| | | | | |
Ratios to average net assetsg | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Expenses before waiver and payments by affiliatesh | | | 4.10% | | | | 4.78% | | | | 4.33% | | | | 7.15% | | | | 24.11% | |
| | | | | |
Expenses net of waiver and payments by affiliatesh | | | 1.33% | | | | 1.35% | | | | 1.35% | | | | 1.35% | | | | 1.35% | |
| | | | | |
Net investment incomed | | | 1.28% | | | | 1.95% | | | | 0.92% | | | | 0.49% | | | | 0.09% | |
| | | | | |
Supplemental data | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s) | | | $1,938 | | | | $1,930 | | | | $2,131 | | | | $2,452 | | | | $373 | |
| | | | | |
Portfolio turnover rate | | | 33.90% | | | | 47.98% | | | | 40.15% | | | | 103.41% | | | | 23.45% | |
aFor the period February 5, 2016 (commencement of operations) to May 31, 2016.
bThe amount shown for a share outstanding throughout the period may not correlate with the Statement of Operations for the period due to the timing of sales and repurchases of the Fund’s shares in relation to income earned and/or fluctuating fair value of the investments of the Fund.
cBased on average daily shares outstanding.
dRecognition of net investment income by the Fund is affected by the timing of declaration of dividends by the Underlying Funds and exchange traded funds in which the Fund invests.
eAmount rounds to less than $0.01 per share.
fTotal return does not reflect sales commissions or contingent deferred sales charges, if applicable, and is not annualized for periods less than one year.
gRatios are annualized for periods less than one year, except for non-recurring expenses, if any.
hDoes not include expenses of the Underlying Funds and exchange traded funds in which the Fund invests. The weighted average indirect expenses of the Underlying Funds and exchange traded funds was 0.30% for the period ended November 30, 2019.
| | | | |
| | |
22 | | Semiannual Report | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | | nextstepfunds.com |
FRANKLIN FUND ALLOCATOR SERIES
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Franklin NextStep Conservative Fund(continued)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Six Months Ended November 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended May 31, | |
| | 2019 | | | 2018 | | | 2017a | |
| | | | |
Advisor Class | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
Per share operating performance (for a share outstanding throughout the period) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | $10.77 | | | | $10.80 | | | | $10.82 | | | | $10.43 | |
| | | | |
Income from investment operationsb: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
Net investment incomec,d | | | 0.12 | | | | 0.32 | | | | 0.21 | | | | 0.15 | |
| | | | |
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) | | | 0.40 | | | | 0.07 | | | | 0.09 | | | | 0.37 | |
| | | | |
Total from investment operations | | | 0.52 | | | | 0.39 | | | | 0.30 | | | | 0.52 | |
| | | | |
Less distributions from: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
Net investment income | | | (0.14 | ) | | | (0.30 | ) | | | (0.22 | ) | | | (0.10 | ) |
| | | | |
Net realized gains | | | — | | | | (0.12 | ) | | | (0.10 | ) | | | (0.03 | ) |
| | | | |
Total distributions | | | (0.14 | ) | | | (0.42 | ) | | | (0.32 | ) | | | (0.13 | ) |
| | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | | $11.15 | | | | $10.77 | | | | $10.80 | | | | $10.82 | |
| | | | |
Total returne | | | 4.63% | | | | 3.85% | | | | 2.82% | | | | 4.94% | |
| | | | |
Ratios to average net assetsf | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
Expenses before waiver and payments by affiliatesg | | | 3.12% | | | | 3.78% | | | | 3.33% | | | | 6.15% | |
| | | | |
Expenses net of waiver and payments by affiliatesg | | | 0.35% | | | | 0.35% | | | | 0.35% | | | | 0.35% | |
| | | | |
Net investment incomed | | | 2.26% | | | | 2.95% | | | | 1.92% | | | | 1.49% | |
| | | | |
Supplemental data | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s) | | | $227 | | | | $224 | | | | $195 | | | | $5 | |
| | | | |
Portfolio turnover rate | | | 33.90% | | | | 47.98% | | | | 40.15% | | | | 103.41% | |
aFor the period June 15, 2016 (effective date) to May 31, 2017.
bThe amount shown for a share outstanding throughout the period may not correlate with the Statement of Operations for the period due to the timing of sales and repurchases of the Fund’s shares in relation to income earned and/or fluctuating fair value of the investments of the Fund.
cBased on average daily shares outstanding.
dRecognition of net investment income by the Fund is affected by the timing of declaration of dividends by the Underlying Funds and exchange traded funds in which the Fund invests.
eTotal return is not annualized for periods less than one year.
fRatios are annualized for periods less than one year, except for non-recurring expenses, if any.
gDoes not include expenses of the Underlying Funds and exchange traded funds in which the Fund invests. The weighted average indirect expenses of the Underlying Funds and exchange traded funds was 0.30% for the period ended November 30, 2019.
| | | | |
| | |
nextstepfunds.com | | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | Semiannual Report | | 23 |
FRANKLIN FUND ALLOCATOR SERIES
Statement of Investments, November 30, 2019 (unaudited)
Franklin NextStep Conservative Fund
| | | | | | | | |
| | Shares | | | Value | |
| | |
Investments in Underlying Funds and Exchange Traded Funds 97.8% | | | | | | | | |
Domestic Equity 15.8% | | | | | | | | |
aFranklin Growth Fund, Class R6 | | | 1,103 | | | $ | 128,943 | |
aFranklin LibertyQ U.S. Equity ETF | | | 3,705 | | | | 127,297 | |
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF | | | 615 | | | | 195,109 | |
iShares S&P 500 Value ETF | | | 750 | | | | 95,572 | |
Pioneer Fundamental Growth Fund, Class K | | | 3,551 | | | | 93,143 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | | | | 640,064 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
Domestic Fixed Income 60.5% | | | | | | | | |
aFranklin Low Duration Total Return Fund, Class R6 | | | 62,997 | | | | 610,435 | |
iShares 7-10 Year Treasury Bond ETF | | | 4,055 | | | | 452,781 | |
iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF | | | 4,416 | | | | 499,008 | |
Prudential Core Bond Fund, Class Q | | | 72,288 | | | | 739,509 | |
Xtrackers USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF | | | 2,935 | | | | 146,574 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | | | | 2,448,307 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
Foreign Equity 8.0% | | | | | | | | |
Columbia Contrarian Europe Fund, Class Z | | | 7,951 | | | | 56,691 | |
aFranklin FTSE Japan ETF | | | 1,025 | | | | 26,806 | |
aFranklin Mutual European Fund, Class R6 | | | 2,791 | | | | 60,289 | |
Goldman Sachs Emerging Markets Equity Insights Fund | | | 4,372 | | | | 41,142 | |
Hennessy Japan Fund, Class I | | | 461 | | | | 18,145 | |
iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF | | | 427 | | | | 21,850 | |
iShares Core MSCI Europe ETF | | | 1,140 | | | | 55,176 | |
aTempleton Developing Markets Trust, Class R6 | | | 1,980 | | | | 42,482 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | | | | 322,581 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
Foreign Fixed Income 13.5% | | | | | | | | |
aTempleton Global Total Return Fund, Class R6 | | | 24,798 | | | | 272,281 | |
Vanguard Total International Bond ETF | | | 4,720 | | | | 274,515 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | | | | 546,796 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
Total Investments in Underlying Funds and Exchange Traded Funds before Short Term Investments (Cost $3,739,934) | | | | | | | 3,957,748 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Short Term Investments 3.0% | | | | | | | | |
| | |
Money Market Funds (Cost $94,556) 2.4% | | | | | | | | |
a,bInstitutional Fiduciary Trust Money Market Portfolio, 1.35% | | | 94,556 | | | | 94,556 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
| | |
24 | | Semiannual Report | | nextstepfunds.com |
FRANKLIN FUND ALLOCATOR SERIES
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)
Franklin NextStep Conservative Fund(continued)
| | | | | | | | |
| | Principal Amount | | | Value | |
| | |
Short Term Investments(continued) | | | | | | | | |
Repurchase Agreements (Cost $24,681) 0.6% | | | | | | | | |
cJoint Repurchase Agreement, 1.618%, 12/02/19 (Maturity Value $24,685) | | | | | | | | |
BNP Paribas Securities Corp. (Maturity Value $15,956) | | | | | | | | |
Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. (Maturity Value $4,170) | | | | | | | | |
HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. (Maturity Value $4,559) | | | | | | | | |
Collateralized by U.S. Government Agency Securities, 4.50%, 1/20/49;dU.S. Treasury Bills, 5/14/20 - 8/13/20; U.S. Treasury Bonds, 7.875% - 8.75%, 5/15/20 - 2/15/21; and U.S. Treasury Notes, 1.625% - 2.875%, 6/30/20 - 11/15/21 (valued at $25,171) | | $ | 24,681 | | | $ | 24,681 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
Total Investments (Cost $3,859,171) 100.8% | | | | | | | 4,076,985 | |
| | |
Other Assets, less Liabilities (0.8)% | | | | | | | (31,342 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
Net Assets 100.0% | | | | | | $ | 4,045,643 | |
| | | | | | | | |
See Abbreviations on page 49.
aSee Note 3(f) regarding investments in FT Underlying Funds.
bThe rate shown is the annualized seven-day effective yield at period end.
cSee Note 1(b) regarding joint repurchase agreement.
dThe security was issued on a discount basis with no stated coupon rate.
| | | | |
| | |
nextstepfunds.com | | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | Semiannual Report | | 25 |
FRANKLIN FUND ALLOCATOR SERIES
Financial Highlights
Franklin NextStep Moderate Fund
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Six Months Ended November 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended May 31, | |
| | 2019 | | | 2018 | | | 2017 | | | 2016a | |
| | | | | |
Class A | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Per share operating performance (for a share outstanding throughout the period) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | $11.49 | | | | $11.98 | | | | $11.53 | | | | $10.80 | | | | $10.00 | |
| | | | | |
Income from investment operationsb: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Net investment incomec,d | | | 0.08 | | | | 0.23 | | | | 0.15 | | | | 0.11 | | | | 0.01 | |
| | | | | |
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) | | | 0.88 | | | | (0.18 | ) | | | 0.72 | | | | 0.75 | | | | 0.79 | |
| | | | | |
Total from investment operations | | | 0.96 | | | | 0.05 | | | | 0.87 | | | | 0.86 | | | | 0.80 | |
| | | | | |
Less distributions from: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Net investment income | | | (0.09 | ) | | | (0.24 | ) | | | (0.12 | ) | | | (0.10 | ) | | | (— | )e |
| | | | | |
Net realized gains | | | — | | | | (0.30 | ) | | | (0.30 | ) | | | (0.03 | ) | | | — | |
| | | | | |
Total distributions | | | (0.09 | ) | | | (0.54 | ) | | | (0.42 | ) | | | (0.13 | ) | | | (— | )e |
| | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | | $12.36 | | | | $11.49 | | | | $11.98 | | | | $11.53 | | | | $10.80 | |
| | | | | |
Total returnf | | | 8.14% | | | | 0.55% | | | | 7.56% | | | | 7.95% | | | | 8.02% | |
| | | | | |
Ratios to average net assetsg | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Expenses before waiver and payments by affiliatesh | | | 1.49% | | | | 1.43% | | | | 1.30% | | | | 2.39% | | | | 6.08% | |
| | | | | |
Expenses net of waiver and payments by affiliatesh | | | 0.60% | | | | 0.60% | | | | 0.60% | | | | 0.60% | | | | 0.60% | |
| | | | | |
Net investment incomed | | | 1.39% | | | | 1.99% | | | | 1.29% | | | | 0.94% | | | | 0.34% | |
| | | | | |
Supplemental data | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s) | | | $7,053 | | | | $7,026 | | | | $7,132 | | | | $7,259 | | | | $3,280 | |
| | | | | |
Portfolio turnover rate | | | 31.67% | | | | 35.85% | | | | 65.66% | | | | 75.56% | | | | 13.45% | |
aFor the period February 5, 2016 (commencement of operations) to May 31, 2016.
bThe amount shown for a share outstanding throughout the period may not correlate with the Statement of Operations for the period due to the timing of sales and repurchases of the Fund’s shares in relation to income earned and/or fluctuating fair value of the investments of the Fund.
cBased on average daily shares outstanding.
dRecognition of net investment income by the Fund is affected by the timing of declaration of dividends by the Underlying Funds and exchange traded funds in which the Fund invests.
eAmount rounds to less than $0.01 per share.
fTotal return does not reflect sales commissions or contingent deferred sales charges, if applicable, and is not annualized for periods less than one year.
gRatios are annualized for periods less than one year, except for non-recurring expenses, if any.
hDoes not include expenses of the Underlying Funds and exchange traded funds in which the Fund invests. The weighted average indirect expenses of the Underlying Funds and exchange traded funds was 0.40% for the period ended November 30, 2019.
| | | | |
| | |
26 | | Semiannual Report | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | | nextstepfunds.com |
FRANKLIN FUND ALLOCATOR SERIES
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Franklin NextStep Moderate Fund(continued)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Six Months Ended November 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended May 31, | |
| | 2019 | | | 2018 | | | 2017 | | | 2016a | |
| | | | | |
Class C | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Per share operating performance (for a share outstanding throughout the period) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | $11.39 | | | | $11.86 | | | | $11.46 | | | | $10.78 | | | | $10.00 | |
| | | | | |
Income from investment operationsb: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Net investment income (loss)c,d | | | 0.04 | | | | 0.15 | | | | 0.06 | | | | 0.02 | | | | (0.02 | ) |
| | | | | |
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) | | | 0.88 | | | | (0.19 | ) | | | 0.71 | | | | 0.75 | | | | 0.80 | |
| | | | | |
Total from investment operations | | | 0.92 | | | | (0.04 | ) | | | 0.77 | | | | 0.77 | | | | 0.78 | |
| | | | | |
Less distributions from: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Net investment income | | | (0.05 | ) | | | (0.13 | ) | | | (0.07 | ) | | | (0.06 | ) | | | (— | )e |
| | | | | |
Net realized gains | | | — | | | | (0.30 | ) | | | (0.30 | ) | | | (0.03 | ) | | | — | |
| | | | | |
Total distributions | | | (0.05 | ) | | | (0.43 | ) | | | (0.37 | ) | | | (0.09 | ) | | | (— | )e |
| | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | | $12.26 | | | | $11.39 | | | | $11.86 | | | | $11.46 | | | | $10.78 | |
| | | | | |
Total returnf | | | 7.70% | | | | (0.11 | )% | | | 6.70% | | | | 7.14% | | | | 7.82% | |
| | | | | |
Ratios to average net assetsg | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Expenses before waiver and payments by affiliatesh | | | 2.23% | | | | 2.16% | | | | 2.05% | | | | 3.14% | | | | 6.83% | |
| | | | | |
Expenses net of waiver and payments by affiliatesh | | | 1.34% | | | | 1.33% | | | | 1.35% | | | | 1.35% | | | | 1.35% | |
| | | | | |
Net investment income (loss)d | | | 0.65% | | | | 1.26% | | | | 0.54% | | | | 0.19% | | | | (0.41)% | |
| | | | | |
Supplemental data | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s) | | | $5,487 | | | | $5,395 | | | | $6,969 | | | | $7,017 | | | | $1,369 | |
| | | | | |
Portfolio turnover rate | | | 31.67% | | | | 35.85% | | | | 65.66% | | | | 75.56% | | | | 13.45% | |
aFor the period February 5, 2016 (commencement of operations) to May 31, 2016.
bThe amount shown for a share outstanding throughout the period may not correlate with the Statement of Operations for the period due to the timing of sales and repurchases of the Fund’s shares in relation to income earned and/or fluctuating fair value of the investments of the Fund.
cBased on average daily shares outstanding.
dRecognition of net investment income by the Fund is affected by the timing of declaration of dividends by the Underlying Funds and exchange traded funds in which the Fund invests.
eAmount rounds to less than $0.01 per share.
fTotal return does not reflect sales commissions or contingent deferred sales charges, if applicable, and is not annualized for periods less than one year.
gRatios are annualized for periods less than one year, except for non-recurring expenses, if any.
hDoes not include expenses of the Underlying Funds and exchange traded funds in which the Fund invests. The weighted average indirect expenses of the Underlying Funds and exchange traded funds was 0.40% for the period ended November 30, 2019.
| | | | |
| | |
nextstepfunds.com | | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | Semiannual Report | | 27 |
FRANKLIN FUND ALLOCATOR SERIES
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Franklin NextStep Moderate Fund(continued)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Six Months Ended November 30, 2019 | | | Year Ended May 31, | |
| | (unaudited) | | | 2019 | | | 2018 | | | 2017a | |
| | | | |
Advisor Class | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
Per share operating performance (for a share outstanding throughout the period) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | $11.52 | | | | $12.01 | | | | $11.55 | | | | $10.71 | |
| | | | |
Income from investment operationsb: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
Net investment incomec,d | | | 0.10 | | | | 0.27 | | | | 0.19 | | | | 0.12 | |
| | | | |
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) | | | 0.87 | | | | (0.19 | ) | | | 0.71 | | | | 0.86 | |
| | | | |
Total from investment operations | | | 0.97 | | | | 0.08 | | | | 0.90 | | | | 0.98 | |
| | | | |
Less distributions from: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
Net investment income | | | (0.11 | ) | | | (0.27 | ) | | | (0.14 | ) | | | (0.11 | ) |
| | | | |
Net realized gains. | | | — | | | | (0.30 | ) | | | (0.30 | ) | | | (0.03 | ) |
| | | | |
Total distributions | | | (0.11 | ) | | | (0.57 | ) | | | (0.44 | ) | | | (0.14 | ) |
| | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | | $12.38 | | | | $11.52 | | | | $12.01 | | | | $11.55 | |
| | | | |
Total returne | | | 8.17% | | | | 0.86% | | | | 7.79% | | | | 9.21% | |
| | | | |
Ratios to average net assetsf | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
Expenses before waiver and payments by affiliatesg | | | 1.24% | | | | 1.18% | | | | 1.05% | | | | 2.14% | |
| | | | |
Expenses net of waiver and payments by affiliatesg | | | 0.35% | | | | 0.35% | | | | 0.35% | | | | 0.35% | |
| | | | |
Net investment incomed | | | 1.64% | | | | 2.24% | | | | 1.54% | | | | 1.19% | |
| | | | |
Supplemental data | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s) | | | $89 | | | | $93 | | | | $216 | | | | $116 | |
| | | | |
Portfolio turnover rate. | | | 31.67% | | | | 35.85% | | | | 65.66% | | | | 75.56% | |
aFor the period June 15, 2016 (effective date) to May 31, 2017.
bThe amount shown for a share outstanding throughout the period may not correlate with the Statement of Operations for the period due to the timing of sales and repurchases of the Fund’s shares in relation to income earned and/or fluctuating fair value of the investments of the Fund.
cBased on average daily shares outstanding.
dRecognition of net investment income by the Fund is affected by the timing of declaration of dividends by the Underlying Funds and exchange traded funds in which the Fund invests.
eTotal return is not annualized for periods less than one year.
fRatios are annualized for periods less than one year, except for non-recurring expenses, if any.
gDoes not include expenses of the Underlying Funds and exchange traded funds in which the Fund invests. The weighted average indirect expenses of the Underlying Funds and exchange traded funds was 0.40% for the period ended November 30, 2019.
| | | | |
| | |
28 | | Semiannual Report | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | | nextstepfunds.com |
FRANKLIN FUND ALLOCATOR SERIES
Statement of Investments, November 30, 2019 (unaudited)
Franklin NextStep Moderate Fund
| | | | | | | | |
| | Shares | | | Value | |
| | |
Investments in Underlying Funds and Exchange Traded Funds 98.7% | | | | | | | | |
Alternative Strategies 2.0% | | | | | | | | |
a,bFranklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund, Class R6 | | | 21,851 | | | $ | 253,686 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
Domestic Equity 38.4% | | | | | | | | |
bFranklin Growth Fund, Class R6 | | | 8,350 | | | | 976,228 | |
bFranklin LibertyQ U.S. Equity ETF | | | 28,040 | | | | 963,401 | |
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF | | | 4,540 | | | | 1,440,315 | |
iShares S&P 500 Value ETF | | | 5,692 | | | | 725,332 | |
Pioneer Fundamental Growth Fund, Class K | | | 28,473 | | | | 746,838 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | | | | 4,852,114 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
Domestic Fixed Income 30.2% | | | | | | | | |
bFranklin Low Duration Total Return Fund, Class R6 | | | 97,901 | | | | 948,666 | |
iShares 7-10 Year Treasury Bond ETF | | | 6,300 | | | | 703,458 | |
iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF | | | 6,518 | | | | 736,534 | |
Prudential Core Bond Fund, Class Q | | | 116,117 | | | | 1,187,875 | |
Xtrackers USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF | | | 4,570 | | | | 228,226 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | | | | 3,804,759 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
Foreign Equity 20.6% | | | | | | | | |
Columbia Contrarian Europe Fund, Class Z | | | 69,805 | | | | 497,711 | |
bFranklin FTSE Japan ETF | | | 7,700 | | | | 201,374 | |
bFranklin Mutual European Fund, Class R6 | | | 22,719 | | | | 490,735 | |
Goldman Sachs Emerging Markets Equity Insights Fund | | | 37,875 | | | | 356,402 | |
Hennessy Japan Fund, Class I | | | 3,578 | | | | 140,978 | |
iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF | | | 3,076 | | | | 157,399 | |
iShares Core MSCI Europe ETF | | | 8,525 | | | | 412,610 | |
bTempleton Developing Markets Trust, Class R6 | | | 16,102 | | | | 345,388 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | | | | 2,602,597 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
Foreign Fixed Income 7.5% | | | | | | | | |
bTempleton Global Total Return Fund, Class R6 | | | 42,818 | | | | 470,140 | |
Vanguard Total International Bond ETF | | | 8,170 | | | | 475,167 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | | | | 945,307 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
Total Investments in Underlying Funds and Exchange Traded Funds before Short Term Investments (Cost $11,211,069) | | | | | | | 12,458,463 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
Short Term Investments 0.3% | | | | | | | | |
| | |
Money Market Funds (Cost $233) 0.0%† | | | | | | | | |
b,cInstitutional Fiduciary Trust Money Market Portfolio, 1.35% | | | 233 | | | | 233 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
| | |
nextstepfunds.com | | Semiannual Report | | 29 |
FRANKLIN FUND ALLOCATOR SERIES
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)
Franklin NextStep Moderate Fund(continued)
| | | | | | | | |
| | Principal Amount | | | Value | |
| | |
Short Term Investments(continued) | | | | | | | | |
| | |
Repurchase Agreements (Cost $41,912) 0.3% | | | | | | | | |
dJoint Repurchase Agreement, 1.618%, 12/02/19 (Maturity Value $41,918) | | | | | | | | |
BNP Paribas Securities Corp. (Maturity Value $27,096) | | | | | | | | |
Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. (Maturity Value $7,080) | | | | | | | | |
HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. (Maturity Value $7,742) | | | | | | | | |
Collateralized by U.S. Government Agency Securities, 4.50%, 1/20/49;eU.S. Treasury Bills, 5/14/20 - 8/13/20; U.S. Treasury Bonds, 7.875% - 8.75%, 5/15/20 - 2/15/21; and U.S. Treasury Notes, 1.625% - 2.875%, 6/30/20 - 11/15/21 (valued at $42,745) | | | $41,912 | | | $ | 41,912 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
Total Investments (Cost $11,253,214) 99.0% | | | | | | | 12,500,608 | |
| | |
Other Assets, less Liabilities 1.0% | | | | | | | 128,388 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
Net Assets 100.0% | | | | | | $ | 12,628,996 | |
| | | | | | | | |
See Abbreviations on page 49.
†Rounds to less than 0.1% of net assets.
aNon-income producing.
bSee Note 3(f) regarding investments in FT Underlying Funds.
cThe rate shown is the annualized seven-day effective yield at period end.
dSee Note 1(b) regarding joint repurchase agreement.
eThe security was issued on a discount basis with no stated coupon rate.
| | | | |
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30 | | Semiannual Report | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | | nextstepfunds.com |
FRANKLIN FUND ALLOCATOR SERIES
Financial Highlights
Franklin NextStep Growth Fund
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Six Months Ended November 30, 2019 | | | Year Ended May 31, | |
| | (unaudited) | | | 2019 | | | 2018 | | | 2017 | | | 2016a | |
| | | | | |
Class A | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Per share operating performance (for a share outstanding throughout the period) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | $11.93 | | | | $12.39 | | | | $11.72 | | | | $10.88 | | | | $10.00 | |
| | | | | |
Income from investment operationsb: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Net investment incomec,d | | | 0.07 | | | | 0.20 | | | | 0.14 | | | | 0.09 | | | | — | e |
| | | | | |
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) | | | 1.13 | | | | (0.26 | ) | | | 1.00 | | | | 0.85 | | | | 0.88 | |
| | | | | |
Total from investment operations | | | 1.20 | | | | (0.06 | ) | | | 1.14 | | | | 0.94 | | | | 0.88 | |
| | | | | |
Less distributions from: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Net investment income | | | (0.09 | ) | | | (0.16 | ) | | | (0.12 | ) | | | (0.08 | ) | | | (— | )e |
| | | | | |
Net realized gains | | | — | | | | (0.24 | ) | | | (0.35 | ) | | | (0.02 | ) | | | — | |
| | | | | |
Total distributions | | | (0.09 | ) | | | (0.40 | ) | | | (0.47 | ) | | | (0.10 | ) | | | (— | )e |
| | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | | $13.04 | | | | $11.93 | | | | $12.39 | | | | $11.72 | | | | $10.88 | |
| | | | | |
Total returnf | | | 9.70% | | | | (0.26)% | | | | 9.73% | | | | 8.72% | | | | 8.81% | |
| | | | | |
Ratios to average net assetsg | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Expenses before waiver and payments by affiliatesh | | | 2.19% | | | | 2.17% | | | | 1.99% | | | | 4.93% | | | | 17.15% | |
| | | | | |
Expenses net of waiver and payments by affiliatesh | | | 0.60% | | | | 0.60% | | | | 0.60% | | | | 0.60% | | | | 0.60% | |
| | | | | |
Net investment incomed | | | 1.17% | | | | 1.67% | | | | 1.10% | | | | 0.79% | | | | 0.07% | |
| | | | | |
Supplemental data | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s) | | | $3,898 | | | | $3,939 | | | | $4,337 | | | | $4,065 | | | | $1,129 | |
| | | | | |
Portfolio turnover rate | | | 34.55% | | | | 36.43% | | | | 75.06% | | | | 87.45% | | | | 24.56% | |
aFor the period February 5, 2016 (commencement of operations) to May 31, 2016.
bThe amount shown for a share outstanding throughout the period may not correlate with the Statement of Operations for the period due to the timing of sales and repurchases of the Fund’s shares in relation to income earned and/or fluctuating fair value of the investments of the Fund.
cBased on average daily shares outstanding.
dRecognition of net investment income by the Fund is affected by the timing of declaration of dividends by the Underlying Funds and exchange traded funds in which the Fund invests.
eAmount rounds to less than $0.01 per share.
fTotal return does not reflect sales commissions or contingent deferred sales charges, if applicable, and is not annualized for periods less than one year.
gRatios are annualized for periods less than one year, except for non-recurring expenses, if any.
hDoes not include expenses of the Underlying Funds and exchange traded funds in which the Fund invests. The weighted average indirect expenses of the Underlying Funds and exchange traded funds was 0.42% for the period ended November 30, 2019.
| | | | |
| | |
nextstepfunds.com | | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | Semiannual Report | | 31 |
FRANKLIN FUND ALLOCATOR SERIES
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Franklin NextStep Growth Fund(continued)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Six Months Ended November 30, 2019 | | | Year Ended May 31, | |
| | (unaudited) | | | 2019 | | | 2018 | | | 2017 | | | 2016a | |
| | | | | |
Class C | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Per share operating performance (for a share outstanding throughout the period) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | $11.77 | | | | $12.27 | | | | $11.65 | | | | $10.86 | | | | $10.00 | |
| | | | | |
Income from investment operationsb: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Net investment income (loss)c,d | | | 0.03 | | | | 0.11 | | | | 0.04 | | | | 0.01 | | | | (0.02 | ) |
| | | | | |
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) | | | 1.12 | | | | (0.26 | ) | | | 1.00 | | | | 0.85 | | | | 0.88 | |
| | | | | |
Total from investment operations | | | 1.15 | | | | (0.15 | ) | | | 1.04 | | | | 0.86 | | | | 0.86 | |
| | | | | |
Less distributions from: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Net investment income | | | (0.03 | ) | | | (0.11 | ) | | | (0.07 | ) | | | (0.05 | ) | | | (— | )e |
| | | | | |
Net realized gains | | | — | | | | (0.24 | ) | | | (0.35 | ) | | | (0.02 | ) | | | — | |
| | | | | |
Total distributions | | | (0.03 | ) | | | (0.35 | ) | | | (0.42 | ) | | | (0.07 | ) | | | (— | )e |
| | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | | $12.89 | | | | $11.77 | | | | $12.27 | | | | $11.65 | | | | $10.86 | |
| | | | | |
Total returnf | | | 9.31% | | | | (1.05)% | | | | 8.99% | | | | 7.89% | | | | 8.61% | |
| | | | | |
Ratios to average net assetsg | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Expenses before waiver and payments by affiliatesh | | | 2.93% | | | | 2.92% | | | | 2.74% | | | | 5.68% | | | | 17.90% | |
| | | | | |
Expenses net of waiver and payments by affiliatesh | | | 1.34% | | | | 1.35% | | | | 1.35% | | | | 1.35% | | | | 1.35% | |
| | | | | |
Net investment income (loss)d | | | 0.43% | | | | 0.92% | | | | 0.35% | | | | 0.04% | | | | (0.68)% | |
| | | | | |
Supplemental data | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s) | | | $3,035 | | | | $3,220 | | | | $3,504 | | | | $2,665 | | | | $661 | |
| | | | | |
Portfolio turnover rate | | | 34.55% | | | | 36.43% | | | | 75.06% | | | | 87.45% | | | | 24.56% | |
aFor the period February 5, 2016 (commencement of operations) to May 31, 2016.
bThe amount shown for a share outstanding throughout the period may not correlate with the Statement of Operations for the period due to the timing of sales and repurchases of the Fund’s shares in relation to income earned and/or fluctuating fair value of the investments of the Fund.
cBased on average daily shares outstanding.
dRecognition of net investment income by the Fund is affected by the timing of declaration of dividends by the Underlying Funds and exchange traded funds in which the Fund invests.
eAmount rounds to less than $0.01 per share.
fTotal return does not reflect sales commissions or contingent deferred sales charges, if applicable, and is not annualized for periods less than one year.
gRatios are annualized for periods less than one year, except for non-recurring expenses, if any.
hDoes not include expenses of the Underlying Funds and exchange traded funds in which the Fund invests. The weighted average indirect expenses of the Underlying Funds and exchange traded funds was 0.42% for the period ended November 30, 2019.
| | | | |
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32 | | Semiannual Report | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | | nextstepfunds.com |
FRANKLIN FUND ALLOCATOR SERIES
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Franklin NextStep Growth Fund(continued)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Six Months Ended November 30, 2019 | | | Year Ended May 31, | |
| | (unaudited) | | | 2019 | | | 2018 | | | 2017a | |
| | | | |
Advisor Class | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
Per share operating performance (for a share outstanding throughout the period) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | $11.98 | | | | $12.42 | | | | $11.74 | | | | $10.75 | |
| | | | |
Income from investment operationsb: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
Net investment incomec,d | | | 0.05 | | | | 0.22 | | | | 0.17 | | | | 0.12 | |
| | | | |
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) | | | 1.17 | | | | (0.24 | ) | | | 1.00 | | | | 0.99 | |
| | | | |
Total from investment operations | | | 1.22 | | | | (0.02 | ) | | | 1.17 | | | | 1.11 | |
| | | | |
Less distributions from: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
Net investment income | | | (0.12 | ) | | | (0.18 | ) | | | (0.14 | ) | | | (0.10 | ) |
| | | | |
Net realized gains | | | — | | | | (0.24 | ) | | | (0.35 | ) | | | (0.02 | ) |
| | | | |
Total distributions | | | (0.12 | ) | | | (0.42 | ) | | | (0.49 | ) | | | (0.12 | ) |
| | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | | $13.08 | | | | $11.98 | | | | $12.42 | | | | $11.74 | |
| | | | |
Total returne | | | 9.87% | | | | (0.02)% | | | | 10.07% | | | | 10.25% | |
| | | | |
Ratios to average net assetsf | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
Expenses before waiver and payments by affiliatesg | | | 1.94% | | | | 1.92% | | | | 1.74% | | | | 4.68% | |
| | | | |
Expenses net of waiver and payments by affiliatesg | | | 0.35% | | | | 0.35% | | | | 0.35% | | | | 0.35% | |
| | | | |
Net investment incomed | | | 1.42% | | | | 1.92% | | | | 1.35% | | | | 1.04% | |
| | | | |
Supplemental data | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s) | | | $71 | | | | $6 | | | | $6 | | | | $5 | |
| | | | |
Portfolio turnover rate | | | 34.55% | | | | 36.43% | | | | 75.06% | | | | 87.45% | |
aFor the period June 15, 2016 (effective date) to May 31, 2017.
bThe amount shown for a share outstanding throughout the period may not correlate with the Statement of Operations for the period due to the timing of sales and repurchases of the Fund’s shares in relation to income earned and/or fluctuating fair value of the investments of the Fund.
cBased on average daily shares outstanding.
dRecognition of net investment income by the Fund is affected by the timing of declaration of dividends by the Underlying Funds and exchange traded funds in which the Fund invests.
eTotal return is not annualized for periods less than one year.
fRatios are annualized for periods less than one year, except for non-recurring expenses, if any.
gDoes not include expenses of the Underlying Funds and exchange traded funds in which the Fund invests. The weighted average indirect expenses of the Underlying Funds and exchange traded funds was 0.42% for the period ended November 30, 2019.
| | | | |
| | |
nextstepfunds.com | | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | Semiannual Report | | 33 |
FRANKLIN FUND ALLOCATOR SERIES
Statement of Investments, November 30, 2019 (unaudited)
Franklin NextStep Growth Fund
| | | | | | | | |
| | Shares | | | Value | |
| | |
Investments in Underlying Funds and Exchange Traded Funds 98.9% | | | | | | | | |
Alternative Strategies 2.0% | | | | | | | | |
a,bFranklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund, Class R6 | | | 12,143 | | | $ | 140,985 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
Domestic Equity 49.6% | | | | | | | | |
bFranklin Growth Fund, Class R6 | | | 5,983 | | | | 699,523 | |
bFranklin LibertyQ U.S. Equity ETF | | | 20,095 | | | | 690,426 | |
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF | | | 3,310 | | | | 1,050,098 | |
iShares S&P 500 Value ETF | | | 4,081 | | | | 520,042 | |
Pioneer Fundamental Growth Fund, Class K | | | 19,670 | | | | 515,941 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | | | | 3,476,030 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
Domestic Fixed Income 18.1% | | | | | | | | |
bFranklin Low Duration Total Return Fund, Class R6 | | | 32,645 | | | | 316,329 | |
iShares 7-10 Year Treasury Bond ETF | | | 2,090 | | | | 233,369 | |
iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF | | | 1,511 | | | | 170,743 | |
Prudential Core Bond Fund, Class Q | | | 46,009 | | | | 470,677 | |
Xtrackers USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF | | | 1,515 | | | | 75,659 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | | | | 1,266,777 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
Foreign Equity 24.7% | | | | | | | | |
Columbia Contrarian Europe Fund, Class Z | | | 43,867 | | | | 312,770 | |
bFranklin FTSE Japan ETF | | | 5,150 | | | | 134,685 | |
bFranklin Mutual European Fund, Class R6 | | | 15,036 | | | | 324,788 | |
Goldman Sachs Emerging Markets Equity Insights Fund | | | 24,229 | | | | 227,990 | |
Hennessy Japan Fund, Class I | | | 2,295 | | | | 90,407 | |
iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF | | | 2,273 | | | | 116,310 | |
iShares Core MSCI Europe ETF | | | 5,970 | | | | 288,948 | |
bTempleton Developing Markets Trust, Class R6 | | | 10,790 | | | | 231,456 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | | | | 1,727,354 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
Foreign Fixed Income 4.5% | | | | | | | | |
bTempleton Global Total Return Fund, Class R6 | | | 14,277 | | | | 156,757 | |
Vanguard Total International Bond ETF | | | 2,710 | | | | 157,614 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | | | | 314,371 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Investments in Underlying Funds and Exchange Traded Funds before Short Term Investments (Cost $6,116,677) | | | | | | | 6,925,517 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
| | |
34 | | Semiannual Report | | nextstepfunds.com |
FRANKLIN FUND ALLOCATOR SERIES
STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)
Franklin NextStep Growth Fund(continued)
| | | | | | | | |
| | Shares | | | Value | |
| | |
Short Term Investments (Cost $136,295) 1.9% | | | | | | | | |
| | |
Money Market Funds 1.9% | | | | | | | | |
b,cInstitutional Fiduciary Trust Money Market Portfolio, 1.35% | | | 136,295 | | | $ | 136,295 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
Total Investments in Underlying Funds and Exchange Traded Funds (Cost $6,252,972) 100.8% | | | | | | | 7,061,812 | |
| | |
Other Assets, less Liabilities (0.8)% | | | | | | | (57,042 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
Net Assets 100.0% | | | | | | $ | 7,004,770 | |
| | | | | | | | |
See Abbreviations on page 49.
aNon-income producing.
bSee Note 3(f) regarding investments in FT Underlying Funds.
cThe rate shown is the annualized seven-day effective yield at period end.
| | | | |
| | |
nextstepfunds.com | | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | Semiannual Report | | 35 |
FRANKLIN FUND ALLOCATOR SERIES
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Statements of Assets and Liabilities
November 30, 2019 (unaudited)
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Franklin NextStep Conservative Fund | | | Franklin NextStep Moderate Fund | | | Franklin NextStep Growth Fund | |
Assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Investments in securities: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cost - Unaffiliated issuers | | | $2,516,091 | | | | $6,965,229 | | | | $3,694,264 | |
Cost - Non-controlled affiliates (Note 3f) | | | 1,318,399 | | | | 4,246,073 | | | | 2,558,708 | |
Cost - Unaffiliated repurchase agreements | | | 24,681 | | | | 41,912 | | | | — | |
| | | | |
| | | |
Value - Unaffiliated issuers | | | $2,689,215 | | | | $7,808,845 | | | | $4,230,568 | |
Value - Non-controlled affiliates (Note 3f) | | | 1,363,089 | | | | 4,649,851 | | | | 2,831,244 | |
Value - Unaffiliated repurchase agreements | | | 24,681 | | | | 41,912 | | | | — | |
Receivables: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Investment securities sold | | | — | | | | 167,219 | | | | — | |
Dividends | | | 1,793 | | | | 2,880 | | | | 1,141 | |
Affiliates | | | 8,096 | | | | 7,016 | | | | 8,040 | |
Other assets | | | 1 | | | | 3 | | | | 2 | |
| | | | |
| | | |
Total assets | | | 4,086,875 | | | | 12,677,726 | | | | 7,070,995 | |
| | | | |
| | | |
Liabilities: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Payables: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Investment securities purchased | | | 1,793 | | | | 2,880 | | | | 23,555 | |
Distribution fees | | | 1,742 | | | | 5,564 | | | | 3,198 | |
Transfer agent fees | | | 386 | | | | 1,400 | | | | 745 | |
Custodian fees | | | 11,230 | | | | 10,992 | | | | 11,150 | |
Registration and filing fees | | | 9,756 | | | | 10,727 | | | | 10,121 | |
Professional fees | | | 14,976 | | | | 15,802 | | | | 15,978 | |
Accrued expenses and other liabilities. | | | 1,349 | | | | 1,365 | | | | 1,478 | |
| | | | |
| | | |
Total liabilities | | | 41,232 | | | | 48,730 | | | | 66,225 | |
| | | | |
| | | |
Net assets, at value | | | $4,045,643 | | | | $12,628,996 | | | | $7,004,770 | |
| | | | |
Net assets consist of: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Paid-in capital | | | $3,806,541 | | | | $10,926,974 | | | | $5,877,231 | |
Total distributable earnings (loss) | | | 239,102 | | | | 1,702,022 | | | | 1,127,539 | |
| | | | |
| | | |
Net assets, at value | | | $4,045,643 | | | | $12,628,996 | | | | $7,004,770 | |
| | | | |
| | | |
Class A: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, at value | | | $1,880,870 | | | | $ 7,053,069 | | | | $3,898,370 | |
| | | | |
Shares outstanding | | | 168,702 | | | | 570,639 | | | | 298,949 | |
| | | | |
Net asset value per sharea | | | $11.15 | | | | $12.36 | | | | $13.04 | |
| | | | |
Maximum offering price per share (net asset value per share ÷ 94.50%) | | | $11.80 | | | | $13.08 | | | | $13.80 | |
| | | | |
| | | |
Class C: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, at value | | | $1,937,712 | | | | $ 5,486,597 | | | | $3,035,082 | |
| | | | |
Shares outstanding | | | 174,735 | | | | 447,624 | | | | 235,515 | |
| | | | |
Net asset value and maximum offering price per sharea | | | $11.09 | | | | $12.26 | | | | $12.89 | |
| | | | |
| | | |
Advisor Class: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, at value | | | $ 227,061 | | | | $ 89,330 | | | | $ 71,318 | |
| | | | |
Shares outstanding | | | 20,363 | | | | 7,213 | | | | 5,452 | |
| | | | |
Net asset value and maximum offering price per share | | | $11.15 | | | | $12.38 | | | | $13.08 | |
| | | | |
aRedemption price is equal to net asset value less contingent deferred sales charges, if applicable.
| | | | |
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36 | | Semiannual Report | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | | nextstepfunds.com |
FRANKLIN FUND ALLOCATOR SERIES
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Statements of Operations
for the six months ended November 30, 2019 (unaudited)
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Franklin NextStep Conservative Fund | | | Franklin NextStep Moderate Fund | | | Franklin NextStep Growth Fund | |
Investment income: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dividends: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Unaffiliated issuers | | | $ 32,942 | | | $ | 93,885 | | | $ | 50,900 | |
Non-controlled affiliates (Note 3f) | | | 18,540 | | | | 32,143 | | | | 11,543 | |
Interest: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Unaffiliated issuers | | | 81 | | | | 204 | | | | 118 | |
| | | | |
| | | |
Total investment income | | | 51,563 | | | | 126,232 | | | | 62,561 | |
| | | | |
Expenses: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Management fees (Note 3a) | | | 4,960 | | | | 15,886 | | | | 8,864 | |
Distribution fees: (Note 3c) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class A | | | 2,236 | | | | 8,868 | | | | 4,790 | |
Class C | | | 9,484 | | | | 27,147 | | | | 15,807 | |
Transfer agent fees: (Note 3e) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class A | | | 674 | | | | 2,458 | | | | 1,634 | |
Class C | | | 724 | | | | 1,888 | | | | 1,344 | |
Advisor Class | | | 84 | | | | 30 | | | | 10 | |
Custodian fees (Note 4) | | | 6,229 | | | | 5,992 | | | | 6,150 | |
Reports to shareholders | | | 4,044 | | | | 4,138 | | | | 4,093 | |
Registration and filing fees | | | 23,562 | | | | 24,550 | | | | 23,933 | |
Professional fees | | | 17,760 | | | | 19,529 | | | | 19,040 | |
Other | | | 3,907 | | | | 4,096 | | | | 3,933 | |
| | | | |
| | | |
Total expenses | | | 73,664 | | | | 114,582 | | | | 89,598 | |
Expenses waived/paid by affiliates (Note 3g) | | | (55,073 | ) | | | (56,582 | ) | | | (56,729 | ) |
| | | | |
| | | |
Net expenses | | | 18,591 | | | | 58,000 | | | | 32,869 | |
| | | | |
| | | |
Net investment income | | | 32,972 | | | | 68,232 | | | | 29,692 | |
| | | | |
Realized and unrealized gains (losses): | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net realized gain (loss) from: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Sale of investments: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Unaffiliated issuers | | | 29,474 | | | | 257,524 | | | | 184,653 | |
Non-controlled affiliates (Note 3f) | | | 6,362 | | | | 33,575 | | | | 34,815 | |
Capital gain distributions from Underlying Funds: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Unaffiliated issuers | | | 4,867 | | | | 39,023 | | | | 26,958 | |
| | | | |
| | | |
Net realized gain (loss) | | | 40,703 | | | | 330,122 | | | | 246,426 | |
| | | | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Investments: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Unaffiliated issuers | | | 85,412 | | | | 386,598 | | | | 248,993 | |
Non-controlled affiliates (Note 3f) | | | 12,585 | | | | 224,387 | | | | 157,046 | |
| | | | |
| | | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | | | 97,997 | | | | 610,985 | | | | 406,039 | |
| | | | |
| | | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | | | 138,700 | | | | 941,107 | | | | 652,465 | |
| | | | |
| | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | | $171,672 | | | $ | 1,009,339 | | | $ | 682,157 | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
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nextstepfunds.com | | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | Semiannual Report | | 37 |
FRANKLIN FUND ALLOCATOR SERIES
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Franklin NextStep Conservative Fund | | | Franklin NextStep Moderate Fund | |
| | | | |
| | Six Months Ended November 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended May 31, 2019 | | | Six Months Ended November 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended May 31, 2019 | |
| | | | |
Increase (decrease) in net assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operations: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | | $ 32,972 | | | | $ 77,381 | | | | $ 68,232 | | | | $ 224,125 | |
Net realized gain (loss) | | | 40,703 | | | | (2,655 | ) | | | 330,122 | | | | 192,885 | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | | | 97,997 | | | | 35,561 | | | | 610,985 | | | | (410,791 | ) |
| | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | | 171,672 | | | | 110,287 | | | | 1,009,339 | | | | 6,219 | |
| | | | |
Distributions to shareholders: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class A | | | (20,373 | ) | | | (43,548 | ) | | | (54,508 | ) | | | (320,033 | ) |
Class C | | | (14,047 | ) | | | (59,233 | ) | | | (20,867 | ) | | | (220,610 | ) |
Advisor Class | | | (2,804 | ) | | | (8,761 | ) | | | (746 | ) | | | (6,424 | ) |
| | | | |
Total distributions to shareholders | | | (37,224 | ) | | | (111,542 | ) | | | (76,121 | ) | | | (547,067 | ) |
| | | | |
Capital share transactions: (Note 2) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class A | | | 295,910 | | | | 687,630 | | | | (499,479 | ) | | | 182,790 | |
Class C | | | (60,664 | ) | | | (197,873 | ) | | | (309,049 | ) | | | (1,330,125 | ) |
Advisor Class | | | (5,268 | ) | | | 30,156 | | | | (10,220 | ) | | | (114,475 | ) |
| | | | |
Total capital share transactions | | | 229,978 | | | | 519,913 | | | | (818,748 | ) | | | (1,261,810 | ) |
| | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets | | | 364,426 | | | | 518,658 | | | | 114,470 | | | | (1,802,658 | ) |
| | | | |
Net assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Beginning of period | | | 3,681,217 | | | | 3,162,559 | | | | 12,514,526 | | | | 14,317,184 | |
End of period | | | $4,045,643 | | | | $3,681,217 | | | | $12,628,996 | | | | $12,514,526 | |
| | | | |
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38 | | Semiannual Report | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | | nextstepfunds.com |
FRANKLIN FUND ALLOCATOR SERIES
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Statements of Changes in Net Assets(continued)
| | | | | | | | |
| | Franklin NextStep Growth Fund | |
| | Six Months Ended November 30, 2019 (unaudited) | | | Year Ended May 31, 2019 | |
Increase (decrease) in net assets: | | | | | | | | |
Operations: | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | | $ 29,692 | | | | $ 98,667 | |
Net realized gain (loss) | | | 246,426 | | | | 99,868 | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | | | 406,039 | | | | (235,356 | ) |
| | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | | 682,157 | | | | (36,821 | ) |
Distributions to shareholders: | | | | | | | | |
Class A | | | (28,804 | ) | | | (131,106 | ) |
Class C | | | (6,235 | ) | | | (96,241 | ) |
Advisor Class | | | (93 | ) | | | (195 | ) |
| | |
Total distributions to shareholders | | | (35,132 | ) | | | (227,542 | ) |
| | |
Capital share transactions: (Note 2) | | | | | | | | |
Class A | | | (394,262 | ) | | | (264,264 | ) |
Class C | | | (475,335 | ) | | | (154,141 | ) |
Advisor Class | | | 63,037 | | | | (260 | ) |
| | |
Total capital share transactions | | | (806,560 | ) | | | (418,665 | ) |
| | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets | | | (159,535 | ) | | | (683,028 | ) |
Net assets: | | | | | | | | |
Beginning of period | | | 7,164,305 | | | | 7,847,333 | |
| | |
End of period | | | $7,004,770 | | | | $7,164,305 | |
| | | | |
| | |
nextstepfunds.com | | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | Semiannual Report | | 39 |
FRANKLIN FUND ALLOCATOR SERIES
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited)
1. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies
Franklin Fund Allocator Series (Trust) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (1940 Act) as an open-end management investment company, consisting of twenty-five separate funds, three of which are included in this report (Funds) and applies the specialized accounting and reporting guidance in U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (U.S. GAAP). The Funds invest primarily in mutual funds (Underlying Funds) and exchange traded funds (ETFs), including affiliated funds managed by Franklin Templeton (FT Underlying Funds). The Funds offer three classes of shares: Class A, Class C, and Advisor Class. Class C shares automatically convert to Class A shares after they have been held for 10 years. Each class of shares may differ by its initial sales load, contingent deferred sales charges, voting rights on matters affecting a single class, its exchange privilege and fees due to differing arrangements for distribution and transfer agent fees.
The accounting policies of the Underlying Funds are outlined in their respective shareholder reports. A copy of the Underlying Funds’ shareholder reports, in which each Fund invests, is available on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) website at sec.gov. The Underlying Funds’ shareholder reports are not covered by this report.
The following summarizes the Funds’ significant accounting policies.
a. Financial Instrument Valuation
The Funds’ investments in financial instruments are carried at fair value daily. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The Funds calculate the net asset value (NAV) per share each business day as of 4 p.m. Eastern time or the regularly scheduled close of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), whichever is earlier. Under compliance policies and procedures approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the Board), the Funds’ administrator has responsibility for oversight of valuation, including leading the cross-functional Valuation Committee (VC). The Funds may utilize independent pricing services, quotations from securities and financial instrument dealers, and other market sources to determine fair value.
Investments in the Underlying Funds are valued at their closing NAV each trading day. ETFs listed on an exchange or on the NASDAQ National Market System are valued at the last quoted sale price or the official closing price of the day, respectively.
Investments in repurchase agreements are valued at cost, which approximates fair value.
The Funds have procedures to determine the fair value of financial instruments for which market prices are not reliable or readily available. Under these procedures, the Funds primarily employ a market-based approach which may use related or comparable assets or liabilities, recent transactions, market multiples, book values, and other relevant information for the investment to determine the fair value of the investment. An income-based valuation approach may also be used in which the anticipated future cash flows of the investment are discounted to calculate fair value. Discounts may also be applied due to the nature or duration of any restrictions on the disposition of the investments. Due to the inherent uncertainty of valuations of such investments, the fair values may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had an active market existed.
b. Joint Repurchase Agreement
Certain or all Funds enter into a joint repurchase agreement whereby their uninvested cash balance is deposited into a joint cash account with other funds managed by the investment manager or an affiliate of the investment manager and is used to invest in one or more repurchase agreements. The value and face amount of the joint repurchase agreement are allocated to the funds based on their pro-rata interest. A repurchase agreement is accounted for as a loan by the Fund to the seller, collateralized by securities which are delivered to the Funds’ custodian. The fair value, including accrued interest, of the initial collateralization is required to be at least 102% of the dollar amount invested by the funds, with the value of the underlying securities marked to market daily to maintain coverage of at least 100%. Repurchase agreements are subject to the terms of Master Repurchase Agreements (MRAs) with approved counterparties (sellers). The MRAs contain various provisions, including but not limited to events of default and maintenance of collateral for repurchase agreements. In the event of default by either the seller or the Funds, certain MRAs may permit the non-defaulting party to net and close-out all transactions, if any, traded under such agreements. The Funds may sell
| | | | |
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40 | | Semiannual Report | | nextstepfunds.com |
FRANKLIN FUND ALLOCATOR SERIES
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
securities it holds as collateral and apply the proceeds towards the repurchase price and any other amounts owed by the seller to the Funds in the event of default by the seller. This could involve costs or delays in addition to a loss on the securities if their value falls below the repurchase price owed by the seller. The joint repurchase agreement held by the Funds at period end, as indicated in the Statements of Investments, had been entered into on November 29, 2019.
c. Income Taxes
It is each Fund’s policy to qualify as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code. Each Fund intends to distribute to shareholders substantially all of its taxable income and net realized gains to relieve it from federal income and excise taxes. As a result, no provision for U.S. federal income taxes is required.
Each Fund may recognize an income tax liability related to its uncertain tax positions under U.S. GAAP when the uncertain tax position has a less than 50% probability that it will be sustained upon examination by the tax authorities based on its technical merits. As of November 30, 2019, each Fund has determined that no tax liability is required in its financial statements related to uncertain tax positions for any open tax years (or expected to be taken in future tax years). Open tax years are those that remain subject to examination and are based on the statute of limitations in each jurisdiction in which the Fund invests.
d. Security Transactions, Investment Income, Expenses and Distributions
Security transactions are accounted for on trade date. Realized gains and losses on security transactions are determined on a specific identification basis. Interest income and estimated expenses are accrued daily. Dividend income and realized gain distributions by Underlying Funds and ETFs are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributable earnings are determined according to income tax regulations (tax basis) and may differ from earnings recorded in accordance with U.S. GAAP. These differences may be permanent or temporary. Permanent differences are reclassified among capital accounts to reflect their tax character. These reclassifications have no impact on net assets or the results of operations. Temporary differences are not reclassified, as they may reverse in subsequent periods.
Common expenses incurred by the Trust are allocated among the Funds based on the ratio of net assets of each Fund to the combined net assets of the Trust or based on the ratio of number of shareholders of each Fund to the combined number of shareholders of the Trust. Fund specific expenses are charged directly to the Fund that incurred the expense.
The Funds indirectly bear their proportionate share of expenses from the Underlying Funds and ETFs. Since the Underlying Funds and ETFs have varied expense levels and the Funds may own different proportions of the Underlying Funds and ETFs at different times, the amount of expenses incurred indirectly by the Funds will vary.
Realized and unrealized gains and losses and net investment income, excluding class specific expenses, are allocated daily to each class of shares based upon the relative proportion of net assets of each class. Differences in per share distributions by class are generally due to differences in class specific expenses.
e. Accounting Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
f. Guarantees and Indemnifications
Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and trustees are indemnified by the Trust against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Trust. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Trust, on behalf of the Funds, enters into contracts with service providers that contain general indemnification clauses. The Trust’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Trust that have not yet occurred. Currently, the Trust expects the risk of loss to be remote.
| | | | |
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nextstepfunds.com | | Semiannual Report | | 41 |
FRANKLIN FUND ALLOCATOR SERIES
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
2. Shares of Beneficial Interest
At November 30, 2019, there were an unlimited number of shares authorized (without par value). Transactions in the Funds’ shares were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Franklin NextStep | | Franklin NextStep | |
| | Conservative Fund | | Moderate Fund | |
| | | | |
| | Shares | | Amount | | | Shares | | | Amount |
Class A Shares: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Six Months ended November 30, 2019 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares solda | | | 28,702 | | | $ | 315,069 | | | | 18,755 | | | $ | 225,716 | |
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions | | | 1,857 | | | | 20,373 | | | | 4,569 | | | | 54,508 | |
Shares redeemed | | | (3,583 | ) | | | (39,532 | ) | | | (64,350 | ) | | | (779,703 | ) |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Net increase (decrease) | | | 26,976 | | | $ | 295,910 | | | | (41,026 | ) | | $ | (499,479 | ) |
| | | | |
Year ended May 31, 2019 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares solda | | | 84,273 | | | $ | 903,913 | | | | 76,691 | | | $ | 906,080 | |
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions | | | 4,176 | | | | 43,548 | | | | 29,271 | | | | 320,033 | |
Shares redeemed | | | (24,223 | ) | | | (259,831 | ) | | | (89,621 | ) | | | (1,043,323 | ) |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Net increase (decrease) | | | 64,226 | | | $ | 687,630 | | | | 16,341 | | | $ | 182,790 | |
| | | | |
Class C Shares: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Six Months ended November 30, 2019 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | | 3,314 | | | $ | 36,257 | | | | 4,495 | | | $ | 52,904 | |
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions | | | 1,287 | | | | 14,047 | | | | 1,762 | | | | 20,867 | |
Shares redeemeda | | | (10,109 | ) | | | (110,968 | ) | | | (32,336 | ) | | | (382,820 | ) |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Net increase (decrease) | | | (5,508 | ) | | $ | (60,664 | ) | | | (26,079 | ) | | $ | (309,049 | ) |
| | | | |
Year ended May 31, 2019 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | | 9,662 | | | $ | 102,367 | | | | 44,278 | | | $ | 516,264 | |
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions | | | 5,711 | | | | 59,233 | | | | 20,543 | | | | 220,610 | |
Shares redeemeda | | | (33,626 | ) | | | (359,473 | ) | | | (178,605 | ) | | | (2,066,999 | ) |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Net increase (decrease) | | | (18,253 | ) | | $ | (197,873 | ) | | | (113,784 | ) | | $ | (1,330,125 | ) |
| | | | |
Advisor Class Shares: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Six Months ended November 30, 2019 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | | — | | | $ | — | | | | 1,233 | | | $ | 14,600 | |
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions | | | 253 | | | | 2,776 | | | | 63 | | | | 746 | |
Shares redeemed | | | (733 | ) | | | (8,044 | ) | | | (2,159 | ) | | | (25,566 | ) |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Net increase (decrease) | | | (480 | ) | | $ | (5,268 | ) | | | (863 | ) | | $ | (10,220 | ) |
| | | | |
Year ended May 31, 2019 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | | 5,007 | | | $ | 54,000 | | | | 585 | | | $ | 6,900 | |
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions | | | 820 | | | | 8,557 | | | | 581 | | | | 6,424 | |
Shares redeemed | | | (3,021 | ) | | | (32,401 | ) | | | (11,058 | ) | | | (127,799 | ) |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Net increase (decrease) | | | 2,806 | | | $ | 30,156 | | | | (9,892 | ) | | $ | (114,475 | ) |
| | | | |
aMay include a portion of Class C shares that were automatically converted to Class A.
| | | | |
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42 | | Semiannual Report | | nextstepfunds.com |
FRANKLIN FUND ALLOCATOR SERIES
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
| | | | | | | | |
| | Franklin NextStep |
| | Growth Fund |
| | | | |
| | |
| | Shares | | Amount | |
Class A Shares: | | | | | | | | |
Six Months ended November 30, 2019 | | | | | | | | |
Shares solda | | | 20,773 | | | $ | 261,906 | |
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions. | | | 2,310 | | | | 28,804 | |
Shares redeemed | | | (54,387 | ) | | | (684,972 | ) |
| | | | |
| | |
Net increase (decrease) | | | (31,304 | ) | | $ | (394,262 | ) |
| | | | |
Year ended May 31, 2019 | | | | | | | | |
Shares solda | | | 36,778 | | | $ | 439,754 | |
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions | | | 11,713 | | | | 130,838 | |
Shares redeemed | | | (68,264 | ) | | | (834,856 | ) |
| | | | |
| | |
Net increase (decrease) | | | (19,773 | ) | | $ | (264,264 | ) |
| | | | |
Class C Shares: | | | | | | | | |
Six Months ended November 30, 2019 | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | | 4,203 | | | $ | 52,260 | |
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions | | | 504 | | | | 6,235 | |
Shares redeemeda | | | (42,824 | ) | | | (533,830 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
Net increase (decrease) | | | (38,117 | ) | | $ | (475,335 | ) |
| | | | |
Year ended May 31, 2019 | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | | 16,915 | | | $ | 203,462 | |
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions | | | 8,775 | | | | 96,241 | |
Shares redeemeda | | | (37,757 | ) | | | (453,844 | ) |
| | | | |
| | |
Net increase (decrease) | | | (12,067 | ) | | $ | (154,141 | ) |
| | | | |
Advisor Class Shares: | | | | | | | | |
Six Months ended November 30, 2019 | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | | 4,984 | | | $ | 62,998 | |
Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions | | | 3 | | | | 39 | |
| | | | |
| | |
Net increase (decrease) | | | 4,987 | | | $ | 63,037 | |
| | | | |
Year ended May 31, 2019 | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | | 6,377 | | | $ | 75,319 | |
Shares redeemed | | | (6,377 | ) | | | (75,579 | ) |
| | | | |
| | |
Net increase (decrease) | | | — | | | $ | (260 | ) |
| | | | |
aMay include a portion of Class C shares that were automatically converted to Class A.
| | | | |
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nextstepfunds.com | | Semiannual Report | | 43 |
FRANKLIN FUND ALLOCATOR SERIES
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
3. Transactions with Affiliates
Franklin Resources, Inc. is the holding company for various subsidiaries that together are referred to as Franklin Templeton. Certain officers and trustees of the Trust are also officers and/or directors or trustees, of certain of the FT Underlying Funds and of the following subsidiaries:
| | | | |
Subsidiary | | Affiliation | | |
Franklin Advisers, Inc. (Advisers) | | Investment manager | | |
Franklin Templeton Services, LLC (FT Services) | | Administrative manager | | |
Franklin Templeton Distributors, Inc. (Distributors) | | Principal underwriter | | |
Franklin Templeton Investor Services, LLC (Investor Services) | | Transfer agent | | |
a. Management Fees
The Funds pay an investment management fee to Advisers of 0.25% per year of the average daily net assets of each of the Funds for investment advisory services, consisting principally of determining the allocation of assets of the Funds among the Underlying Funds and ETFs.
b. Administrative Fees
Under an agreement with Advisers, FT Services provides administrative services to the Funds. The fee is paid by Advisers based on each of the Funds’ average net assets, and is not an additional expense of the Funds.
c. Distribution Fees
The Board has adopted distribution plans for each share class, with the exception of Advisor Class shares, pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Under the Funds’ Class A reimbursement distribution plans, the Funds reimburse Distributors for costs incurred in connection with the servicing, sale and distribution of each Fund’s shares up to the maximum annual plan rate for each class. Under the Class A reimbursement distribution plans, costs exceeding the maximum for the current plan year cannot be reimbursed in subsequent periods. In addition, under the Funds’ Class C compensation distribution plans, the Funds pay Distributors for costs incurred in connection with the servicing, sale and distribution of each Fund’s shares up to the maximum annual plan rate. The plan year, for purposes of monitoring compliance with the maximum annual plan rates, is February 1 through January 31 for each Fund.
The maximum annual plan rates, based on the average daily net assets, for each class, are as follows:
| | | | |
Class A | | 0.25% | | |
Class C | | 1.00% | | |
| | | | |
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FRANKLIN FUND ALLOCATOR SERIES
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
d. Sales Charges/Underwriting Agreements
Front-end sales charges and contingent deferred sales charges (CDSC) do not represent expenses of the Funds. These charges are deducted from the proceeds of sales of fund shares prior to investment or from redemption proceeds prior to remittance, as applicable. Distributors has advised the Funds of the following commission transactions related to the sales and redemptions of the Funds’ shares for the period:
| | | | | | |
| | Franklin NextStep Conservative Fund | | Franklin NextStep Moderate Fund | | Franklin NextStep Growth Fund |
Sales charges retained net of commissions paid to unaffiliated brokers/dealers | | $1,460 | | $624 | | $ 832 |
CDSC retained | | $ — | | $ — | | $2,555 |
e. Transfer Agent Fees
Each class of shares pays transfer agent fees to Investor Services for its performance of shareholder servicing obligations. The fees are based on an annualized asset based fee of 0.02% plus a transaction based fee. In addition, each class reimburses Investor Services for out of pocket expenses incurred and, reimburses shareholder servicing fees paid to third parties. These fees are allocated daily based upon their relative proportion of such classes’ aggregate net assets.
For the period ended November 30, 2019, the Funds paid transfer agent fees as noted in the Statements of Operations of which the following amounts were retained by Investor Services:
| | | | | | |
| | Franklin NextStep Conservative Fund | | Franklin NextStep Moderate Fund | | Franklin NextStep Growth Fund |
Transfer agent fees | | $616 | | $1,871 | | $1,169 |
f. Investments in FT Underlying Funds
The Funds invest in FT Underlying Funds which are managed by Advisers or by an affiliate of Advisers. The Funds do not invest in FT Underlying Funds for the purpose of exercising a controlling influence over the management or policies. Investment management fees paid by the Funds are waived on assets invested in Institutional Fiduciary Trust Money Market Portfolio (Sweep Money Fund), as noted in the Statements of Operations, in an amount not to exceed the management and administrative fees paid directly or indirectly by the Sweep Money Fund.
Investments in FT Underlying Funds for the period ended November 30, 2019, were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Value at Beginning of Period | | | Purchases | | | Sales | | | Realized Gain (Loss) | | | Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) | | | Value at End of Period | | | Number of Shares Held at End of Period | | | Dividend Income | |
Franklin NextStep Conservative Fund | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Non-Controlled Affiliates | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Franklin FTSE Japan ETF | | $ | — | | | $ | 26,883 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | (77 | ) | | $ | 26,806 | | | | 1,025 | | | $ | — | |
Franklin Growth Fund, Class R6 | | | 139,253 | | | | 14,824 | | | | (43,587 | ) | | | 4,669 | | | | 13,784 | | | | 128,943 | | | | 1,103 | | | | — | |
Franklin LibertyQ U.S. Equity ETF | | | — | | | | 123,068 | | | | (509 | ) | | | (5 | ) | | | 4,743 | | | | 127,297 | | | | 3,705 | | | | — | |
Franklin Low Duration Total Return Fund, Class R6 | | | 462,304 | | | | 177,191 | | | | (25,712 | ) | | | (415 | ) | | | (2,933 | ) | | | 610,435 | | | | 62,997 | | | | 10,344 | |
| | | | |
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FRANKLIN FUND ALLOCATOR SERIES
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
3. Transactions with Affiliates(continued)
f. Investments in FT Underlying Funds(continued)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Value at Beginning of Period | | | Purchases | | | Sales | | | Realized Gain (Loss) | | | Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) | | | Value at End of Period | | | Number of Shares Held at End of Period | | | Dividend Income | |
Franklin NextStep Conservative Fund(continued) | | | | | |
| | | | |
Non-Controlled Affiliates(continued) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Franklin Mutual European Fund, Class R6 | | $ | 47,207 | | | $ | 11,833 | | | $ | (5,330 | ) | | $ | 42 | | | $ | 6,537 | | | $ | 60,289 | | | | 2,791 | | | $ | 31 | |
Franklin Strategic Income Fund, Class R6 | | | 413,471 | | | | — | | | | (415,626 | ) | | | 2,683 | | | | (528 | ) | | | — | a | | | — | | | | — | |
Institutional Fiduciary Trust Money Market Portfolio, 1.35% | | | 109,360 | | | | 500,342 | | | | (515,146 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | 94,556 | | | | 94,556 | | | | 1,027 | |
Templeton Developing Markets Trust, Class R6 | | | — | | | | 41,066 | | | | (2,631 | ) | | | 74 | | | | 3,973 | | | | 42,482 | | | | 1,980 | | | | 7 | |
Templeton Global Total Return Fund, Class R6 | | | 359,001 | | | | 45,116 | | | | (118,236 | ) | | | (686 | ) | | | (12,914 | ) | | | 272,281 | | | | 24,798 | | | | 7,131 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Affiliated Securities | | $ | 1,530,596 | | | $ | 940,323 | | | $ | (1,126,777 | ) | | $ | 6,362 | | | $ | 12,585 | | | $ | 1,363,089 | | | | | | | $ | 18,540 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
Franklin NextStep Moderate Fund | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Non-Controlled Affiliates | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Franklin FTSE Japan ETF | | $ | — | | | $ | 208,509 | | | $ | (6,588 | ) | | $ | 31 | | | $ | (578 | ) | | $ | 201,374 | | | | 7,700 | | | $ | — | |
Franklin Growth Fund, Class R6 | | | 1,175,115 | | | | 16,378 | | | | (367,056 | ) | | | 73,500 | | | | 78,291 | | | | 976,228 | | | | 8,350 | | | | — | |
Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund, Class R6 | | | 126,032 | | | | 140,698 | | | | (18,195 | ) | | | 149 | | | | 5,002 | | | | 253,686 | | | | 21,851 | | | | — | |
Franklin LibertyQ U.S. Equity ETF | | | — | | | | 953,364 | | | | (27,174 | ) | | | 462 | | | | 36,749 | | | | 963,401 | | | | 28,040 | | | | — | |
Franklin Low Duration Total Return Fund, Class R6 | | | 807,950 | | | | 231,392 | | | | (85,480 | ) | | | (1,387 | ) | | | (3,809 | ) | | | 948,666 | | | | 97,901 | | | | 16,843 | |
Franklin Mutual European Fund, Class R6 | | | 427,616 | | | | 53,500 | | | | (47,173 | ) | | | 1,099 | | | | 55,693 | | | | 490,735 | | | | 22,719 | | | | 264 | |
Franklin Pelagos Commodities Strategy Fund, Class R6 | | | 249,383 | | | | — | | | | (248,461 | ) | | | (44,181 | ) | | | 43,259 | | | | — | a | | | — | | | | — | |
Franklin Strategic Income Fund, Class R6 | | | 722,612 | | | | — | | | | (726,379 | ) | | | 3,414 | | | | 353 | | | | — | a | | | — | | | | — | |
Institutional Fiduciary Trust Money Market Portfolio, 1.35% | | | 172,573 | | | | 1,227,066 | | | | (1,399,406 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | 233 | | | | 233 | | | | 1,882 | |
Templeton Developing Markets Trust, Class R6 | | | — | | | | 349,392 | | | | (38,398 | ) | | | 2,023 | | | | 32,371 | | | | 345,388 | | | | 16,102 | | | | 59 | |
Templeton Global Total Return Fund, Class R6 | | | 604,494 | | | | 41,266 | | | | (151,141 | ) | | | (1,535 | ) | | | (22,944 | ) | | | 470,140 | | | | 42,818 | | | | 13,095 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Affiliated Securities | | $ | 4,285,775 | | | $ | 3,221,565 | | | $ | (3,115,451 | ) | | $ | 33,575 | | | $ | 224,387 | | | $ | 4,649,851 | | | | | | | $ | 32,143 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
Franklin NextStep Growth Fund | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Non-Controlled Affiliates | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Franklin FTSE Japan ETF | | $ | — | | | $ | 135,081 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | (396 | ) | | $ | 134,685 | | | | 5,150 | | | $ | — | |
Franklin Growth Fund, Class R6 | | | 873,845 | | | | 29,283 | | | | (314,540 | ) | | | 58,676 | | | | 52,259 | | | | 699,523 | | | | 5,983 | | | | — | |
Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund, Class R6 | | | 72,531 | | | | 85,004 | | | | (19,470 | ) | | | 173 | | | | 2,747 | | | | 140,985 | | | | 12,143 | | | | — | |
Franklin LibertyQ U.S. Equity ETF | | | — | | | | 678,434 | | | | (14,296 | ) | | | 251 | | | | 26,037 | | | | 690,426 | | | | 20,095 | | | | — | |
Franklin Low Duration Total Return Fund, Class R6 | | | 281,501 | | | | 93,288 | | | | (56,689 | ) | | | (908 | ) | | | (863 | ) | | | 316,329 | | | | 32,645 | | | | 5,748 | |
Franklin Mutual European Fund, Class R6 | | | 291,300 | | | | 42,887 | | | | (47,387 | ) | | | 1,286 | | | | 36,702 | | | | 324,788 | | | | 15,036 | | | | 172 | |
Franklin Pelagos Commodities Strategy Fund, Class R6 | | | 143,526 | | | | — | | | | (142,995 | ) | | | (25,785 | ) | | | 25,254 | | | | — | a | | | — | | | | — | |
Franklin Strategic Income Fund, Class R6 | | | 251,765 | | | | — | | | | (253,078 | ) | | | 1,163 | | | | 150 | | | | — | a | | | — | | | | — | |
Institutional Fiduciary Trust Money Market Portfolio, 1.35% | | | 86,317 | | | | 1,050,207 | | | | (1,000,229 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | 136,295 | | | | 136,295 | | | | 1,022 | |
Templeton Developing Markets Trust, Class R6 | | | — | | | | 240,649 | | | | (32,768 | ) | | | 2,140 | | | | 21,435 | | | | 231,456 | | | | 10,790 | | | | 40 | |
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FRANKLIN FUND ALLOCATOR SERIES
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Value at Beginning of Period | | | Purchases | | | Sales | | | Realized Gain (Loss) | | | Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) | | | Value at End of Period | | | Number of Shares Held at End of Period | | | Dividend Income | |
Franklin NextStep Growth Fund(continued) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Non-Controlled Affiliates(continued) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Templeton Global Total Return Fund, Class R6 | | $ | 195,668 | | | $ | 18,645 | | | $ | (49,096 | ) | | $ | (2,181 | ) | | $ | (6,279 | ) | | $ | 156,757 | | | | 14,277 | | | $ | 4,561 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Affiliated Securities | | $ | 2,196,453 | | | $ | 2,373,478 | | | $ | (1,930,548 | ) | | $ | 34,815 | | | $ | 157,046 | | | $ | 2,831,244 | | | | | | | $ | 11,543 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
aAs of November 30, 2019, no longer held by the fund.
g. Waiver and Expense Reimbursements
Advisers has contractually agreed in advance to waive or limit its fees and to assume as its own expense certain expenses otherwise payable by the Funds so that the expenses (excluding distribution fees, and acquired fund fees and expenses and certain non-routine expenses or costs, including those relating to litigation, indemnification, reorganizations, and liquidations) for each class of the Funds do not exceed 0.35%, based on the average net assets of each class until September 30, 2020. Total expenses waived or paid are not subject to recapture subsequent to the Funds’ fiscal year end.
4. Expense Offset Arrangement
The Funds have entered into an arrangement with their custodian whereby credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances are used to reduce a portion of the Funds’ custodian expenses. During the period ended November 30, 2019, there were no credits earned.
5. Income Taxes
At November 30, 2019, the cost of investments and net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) for income tax purposes were as follows:
| | | | | | |
| | Franklin NextStep Conservative Fund | | Franklin NextStep Moderate Fund | | Franklin NextStep Growth Fund |
| | | |
Cost of investments | | $3,891,345 | | $11,325,294 | | $6,291,681 |
| | | |
Unrealized appreciation | | $ 224,589 | | $ 1,259,468 | | $ 811,913 |
| | | |
Unrealized depreciation | | (38,949) | | (84,154) | | (41,782) |
| | | |
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | | $ 185,640 | | $ 1,175,314 | | $ 770,131 |
Differences between income and/or capital gains as determined on a book basis and a tax basis are primarily due to differing treatment of wash sales.
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FRANKLIN FUND ALLOCATOR SERIES
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
6. Investment Transactions
Purchases and sales of Underlying Funds and ETFs (excluding short term securities) for the period ended November 30, 2019, were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Franklin NextStep Conservative Fund | | | | | | Franklin NextStep Moderate Fund | | | | | | Franklin NextStep Growth Fund | |
Purchases | | | $1,536,296 | | | | | | | | $3,948,217 | | | | | | | | $2,406,004 | |
Sales | | | $1,302,845 | | | | | | | | $4,766,258 | | | | | | | | $3,195,770 | |
7. Credit Facility
The Funds, together with other U.S. registered and foreign investment funds (collectively, Borrowers), managed by Franklin Templeton, are borrowers in a joint syndicated senior unsecured credit facility totaling $2 billion (Global Credit Facility) which matures on February 7, 2020. This Global Credit Facility provides a source of funds to the Borrowers for temporary and emergency purposes, including the ability to meet future unanticipated or unusually large redemption requests.
Under the terms of the Global Credit Facility, the Funds shall, in addition to interest charged on any borrowings made by the Funds and other costs incurred by the Funds, pay their share of fees and expenses incurred in connection with the implementation and maintenance of the Global Credit Facility, based upon their relative share of the aggregate net assets of all of the Borrowers, including an annual commitment fee of 0.15% based upon the unused portion of the Global Credit Facility. These fees are reflected in other expenses in the Statements of Operations. During the period ended November 30, 2019, the Funds did not use the Global Credit Facility.
8. Fair Value Measurements
The Funds follow a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between market data obtained from independent sources
(observable inputs) and the Funds’ own market assumptions (unobservable inputs). These inputs are used in determining the value of the Funds’ financial instruments and are summarized in the following fair value hierarchy:
| • | | Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical financial instruments |
| • | | Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar financial instruments, interest rates, prepayment speed, credit risk, etc.) |
| • | | Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including the Funds’ own assumptions in determining the fair value of financial instruments) |
The input levels are not necessarily an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with financial instruments at that level.
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FRANKLIN FUND ALLOCATOR SERIES
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
A summary of inputs used as of November 30, 2019, in valuing the Funds’ assets carried at fair value, is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Level 1 | | | Level 2 | | | Level 3 | | | Total | |
| | | | |
Franklin NextStep Conservative Fund | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Investments in Securities:a | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Underlying Funds and Exchange Traded Funds | | $ | 3,957,748 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 3,957,748 | |
Short Term Investments | | | 94,556 | | | | 24,681 | | | | — | | | | 119,237 | |
| | | | |
Total Investments in Securities | | $ | 4,052,304 | | | $ | 24,681 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 4,076,985 | |
| | | | |
Franklin NextStep Moderate Fund | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Investments in Securities:a | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Underlying Funds and Exchange Traded Funds | | $ | 12,458,463 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 12,458,463 | |
Short Term Investments | | | 233 | | | | 41,912 | | | | — | | | | 42,145 | |
| | | | |
Total Investments in Securities | | $ | 12,458,696 | | | $ | 41,912 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 12,500,608 | |
| | | | |
Franklin NextStep Growth Fund | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Investments in Securities:a | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Underlying Funds and Exchange Traded Funds | | $ | 6,925,517 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 6,925,517 | |
Short Term Investments | | | 136,295 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 136,295 | |
| | | | |
Total Investments in Securities | | $ | 7,061,812 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 7,061,812 | |
aFor detailed categories, see the accompanying Statement of Investments.
9. Subsequent Events
The Funds have evaluated subsequent events through the issuance of the financial statements and determined that no events have occurred that require disclosure.
Abbreviations
| | |
Selected Portfolio | | |
ETF Exchange Traded Fund |
| | | | |
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FRANKLIN FUND ALLOCATOR SERIES
Tax Information (unaudited)
During the fiscal year ended May 31, 2019, the Funds, qualified fund of funds under Section 852(g)(2) of Internal Revenue Code, received an allocation of foreign taxes paid from one or more of its underlying funds. As shown in the table below, the Funds hereby reports to shareholders the foreign source income and foreign taxes paid by underlying funds, pursuant to Section 853 of the Internal Revenue Code. This written statement will allow shareholders of record on June 25, 2019, to treat their proportionate share of foreign taxes paid by the underlying funds as having been paid directly by them. The shareholder shall consider these amounts as foreign taxes paid in the tax year in which they receive the Fund distribution.
The following table provides a detailed analysis of foreign tax paid, foreign source income, and foreign source qualified dividends as reported by the funds, to Class A, Class C, and Advisor Class shareholders of record.
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class | | Foreign Tax Paid Per Share | | | Foreign Source Income Per Share | | | Foreign Source Qualified Dividends Per Share | |
| | | |
Franklin NextStep Conservative Fund | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class A | | | 0.0043 | | | | 0.0761 | | | | 0.0128 | |
Class C | | | 0.0043 | | | | 0.0761 | | | | 0.0128 | |
Advisor Class | | | 0.0043 | | | | 0.0761 | | | | 0.0128 | |
| | | |
Franklin NextStep Moderate Fund | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class A | | | 0.0086 | | | | 0.0923 | | | | 0.0442 | |
Class C | | | 0.0086 | | | | 0.0923 | | | | 0.0442 | |
Advisor Class | | | 0.0086 | | | | 0.0923 | | | | 0.0442 | |
| | | |
Franklin NextStep Growth Fund | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class A | | | 0.0095 | | | | 0.0826 | | | | 0.0547 | |
Class C | | | 0.0095 | | | | 0.0826 | | | | 0.0547 | |
Advisor Class | | | 0.0095 | | | | 0.0826 | | | | 0.0547 | |
Foreign Tax Paid Per Share is the amount per share available to you, as a tax credit (assuming you held your shares in the Fund for a minimum of 16 days during the 31-day period beginning 15 days before the ex-dividend date of the Fund’s distribution to which the foreign taxes relate), or, as a tax deduction.
Foreign Source Income Per Share is the amount per share of income dividends attributable to foreign securities held by the Fund, plus any foreign taxes withheld on these dividends. The amounts reported include foreign source qualified dividends that have not been adjusted for the rate differential applicable to such dividend income.1
Foreign Source Qualified Dividends Per Share is the amount per share of foreign source qualified dividends plus any foreign taxes withheld on these dividends. These amounts represent the portion of the Foreign Source Income Per Share that were derived from qualified foreign securities held by the Fund.1
At the beginning of each calendar year, shareholders will receive Form 1099-DIV which will include their share of taxes paid and foreign source income distributed during the prior calendar year. The Foreign Source Income reported on Form 1099-DIV has not been adjusted for the rate differential on foreign source qualified dividend income. Shareholders are advised to check with their tax advisors for information on the treatment of these amounts on their individual income tax returns.
1Qualified dividends are taxed at reduced long term capital gains tax rates. In determining the amount of foreign tax credit that may be applied against the U.S. tax liability of individuals receiving foreign source qualified dividends, adjustments may be required to the foreign tax credit limitation calculation to reflect the rate differential applicable to such dividend income. The rules however permit certain individuals to elect not to apply the rate differential adjustments for capital gains and/or dividends for any taxable year. Please consult your tax advisor and the instructions to Form 1116 for more information.
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FRANKLIN FUND ALLOCATOR SERIES
Shareholder Information
Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures
The Trust’s investment manager has established Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures (Policies) that the Trust uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities. Shareholders may view the Trust’s complete Policies online at franklintempleton.com. Alternatively, shareholders may request copies of the Policies free of charge by calling the Proxy Group collect at (954) 527-7678 or by sending a written request to: Franklin Templeton Companies, LLC, 300 S.E. 2nd Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301, Attention: Proxy Group. Copies of the Trust’s proxy voting records are also made available online at franklintempleton.com and posted on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at sec.gov and reflect the most recent 12-month period ended June 30.
Quarterly Statement of Investments
The Trust files a complete statement of investments with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for the first and third quarters for each fiscal year as an exhibit to its report on Form N-PORT. Shareholders may view the filed Form N-PORT by visiting the Commission’s website at sec.gov. The filed form may also be viewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Information regarding the operations of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.
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Authorized for distribution only when accompanied or preceded by a summary prospectus and/or prospectus. Investors should carefully consider a fund’s investment goals, risks, charges and expenses before investing. A prospectus contains this and other information; please read it carefully before investing.
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| | Semiannual Report Franklin Fund Allocator Series | | |
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| | Investment Manager Franklin Advisers, Inc. | | Distributor Franklin Templeton Distributors, Inc. (800) DIAL BEN® / 342-5236 nextstepfunds.com | | Shareholder Services (800)632-2301 |
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© 2019-2020 Franklin Templeton Investments. All rights reserved. | | FAS5 S 01/20 |
Item 2. Code of Ethics.
(a) The Registrant has adopted a code of ethics that applies to its principal executive officers and principal financial and accounting officer.
(c) N/A
(d) N/A
(f) Pursuant to Item 13(a)(1), the Registrant is attaching as an exhibit a copy of its code of ethics that applies to its principal executive officers and principal financial and accounting officer.
Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.
(a)(1) The Registrant has an audit committee financial expert serving on its audit committee.
(2) The audit committee financial expert is Mary C. Choksi and she is “independent” as defined under the relevant Securities and Exchange Commission Rules and Releases.
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Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services. N/A |
| | |
Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants. N/A |
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Item 6. Schedule of Investments. N/A |
|
Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures forClosed-End Management Investment Companies. N/A |
|
Item 8. Portfolio Managers ofClosed-End Management Investment Companies. N/A |
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Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities byClosed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers. N/A |
Item 10. | Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders. |
There have been no changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the Registrant’s Board of Trustees that would require disclosure herein.
Item 11. | Controls and Procedures. |
(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. The Registrant maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in the Registrant’s filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such information is accumulated and communicated to the Registrant’s management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. The Registrant’s management, including the principal executive officer and the principal financial officer, recognizes that any set of controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives.
Within 90 days prior to the filing date of this Shareholder Report onForm N-CSR, the Registrant had carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Registrant’s management, including the Registrant’s principal executive officer and the Registrant’s principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures. Based on such evaluation, the Registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective.
(b) Changes in Internal Controls. There have been no changes in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect the internal control over financial reporting.
Item 12. | Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities forClosed-End Management Investment Company. N/A |
(a) (1) Code of Ethics
(a) (2) Certifications pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 of Matthew T. Hinkle, Chief Executive Officer - Finance and Administration, and Gaston Gardey, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer
(b) Certifications pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 of Matthew T. Hinkle, Chief Executive Officer - Finance and Administration, and Gaston Gardey, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
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FRANKLIN FUND ALLOCATOR SERIES |
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By | | /S/ MATTHEW T. HINKLE |
| | Matthew T. Hinkle |
| | Chief Executive Officer - Finance and Administration |
Date January 31, 2020 |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
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By | | /S/ MATTHEW T. HINKLE |
| | Matthew T. Hinkle |
| | Chief Executive Officer – Finance and Administration |
Date January 31, 2020 |
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By | | /S/ GASTON GARDEY |
| | Gaston Gardey |
| | Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer |
Date January 31, 2020 |