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Semiannual Report
Franklin Templeton Hard Currency Fund
Your Fund’s Goal and Main Investments: Franklin Templeton Hard Currency Fund
seeks to protect against depreciation of the U.S. dollar relative to other currencies. The Fund seeks to achieve its goal by investing at least 80% of its net assets in investments denominated in hard currencies (as defined in the prospectus). The Fund normally invests mainly in high-quality short-term money market instruments and currency forward contracts denominated in foreign hard currencies. The Fund focuses on countries and markets that historically have experienced low inflation rates and that, in the investment manager’s view, follow economic policies conducive to continued low inflation rates and currency appreciation versus the U.S. dollar over the long term.
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. Please visit franklintempleton.com or call (800) 342-5236 for most recent month-end performance.
We are pleased to bring you Franklin Templeton Hard Currency Fund’s semi-annual report for the six months ended April 30, 2013.
Performance Overview
Franklin Templeton Hard Currency Fund – Class A posted a +0.43% cumulative total return for the six months under review. In comparison, the Fund’s benchmark, the J.P. Morgan (JPM) 3 Month Global Cash Index, which tracks total returns of short-term euro-currency deposits, had a -0.39% total return for the same period.1 The Fund typically does not attempt to directly match the composition of the index; thus the results are not directly comparable. The U.S. dollar appreciated 4.83% relative to its major trading partners during the period, but with mixed results.2 In particular, the dollar fell 1.71% versus the euro, while it rose 21.87% versus the Japanese yen.3 You can find the Fund’s long-term performance data in the Performance Summary beginning on page 7.
1. Source: J.P. Morgan. The index is unmanaged and includes reinvested distributions. One cannot invest directly in an index, and an index is not representative of the Fund’s portfolio.
2. Source: Federal Reserve H.10 Report. 3. Source: IDC/Exshare.
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 13.
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Economic and Market Overview
The global economic recovery was mixed during the period under review. Emerging markets continued to lead the recovery as several emerging economies returned to or exceeded their pre-crisis activity levels. Although some developed economies, such as those of Australia and some Scandinavian countries, also enjoyed relatively strong recoveries, growth in the G-3 (U.S., eurozone and Japan) was slow by the standards of previous recoveries.
As fears eased surrounding the issues of Europe’s sovereign debt, the possibility of another U.S recession and China’s potential “hard landing,” financial markets generally rallied. Improving sentiment, relatively strong fundamentals and central banks’ continued provision of liquidity across the globe led equity markets to perform well and government bond yields to generally decline. Policymakers in the largest developed economies continued their already unprecedented efforts to supply liquidity. Monetary policy actions elsewhere in the world were mixed, and some policymakers were less willing to reverse previous tightening efforts in response to the external environment.
The ongoing eurozone sovereign debt crisis led to periods of risk aversion, when yields declined, equity markets sold off and perceived safe haven assets rallied, alternating with periods of heightened risk appetite, when yields increased and investors again favored risk assets. Against this backdrop, increased liquidity creation continued. For example, the Bank of Japan raised its inflation target and the U.S. Federal Reserve Board extended quantitative easing and made more explicit use of forward guidance. Economic data among the largest economies remained inconsistent with some observers’ dire predictions of a severe global economic slowdown.
Investment Strategy
In making investments in foreign hard currencies, we focus on countries and markets that historically have experienced low inflation rates and, in our opinion, follow economic policies favorable to continued low inflation rates and currency appreciation against the U.S. dollar over the long term. We may invest substantially in a combination of U.S. dollar-denominated securities and currency forward contracts or currency futures contracts.
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Manager’s Discussion
The U.S. dollar appreciated against most major currencies during the period as continued investor concern over economic uncertainty led to investor appetite for safety. Nonetheless, the Fund remained positioned for a potential reversal of this trend, as we maintained large allocations to currencies such as the Singapore dollar, South Korean won, Canadian dollar and Swedish krona.
Europe
The euro appreciated 1.74% against the U.S. dollar during the period, and the Fund’s lack of exposure to this currency detracted from performance relative to the JPM 3 Month Global Cash Index.3 Exposure to some other European currencies that appreciated against the U.S. dollar contributed to performance, but the effect of these currencies was not enough to offset the effect of the Fund’s lack of euro exposure. For example, the Swedish krona appreciated 0.75% against the euro and 2.51% against the U.S. dollar.3
Asia Pacific
The Fund’s exposure to Asian currencies aided absolute performance. Asia continued to lead the global economic recovery as growth in China remained robust and supported regional economies through demand for imports and, increasingly, foreign investment. Although Chinese demand for Australia’s exports supported the Australian dollar, domestic strength also contributed to that currency’s resiliency in the face of a rate cut by the Reserve Bank of Australia. Australia had previously become one of the first developed economies in the world to raise interest rates. The Australian dollar was largely unchanged against the U.S. dollar, appreciating 0.11%.3 The Japanese yen depreciated 17.94% against the U.S. dollar during the period as Japanese policymakers initiated a massive easing program.3 The Fund’s lack of yen exposure contributed to relative performance.
Americas
Currency positions in the Americas contributed to absolute and relative performance. High commodity prices supported several Latin American currencies, which remained resilient in the face of global risk aversion. The Mexican peso appreciated 7.67% and the Chilean peso gained 2.15% against the U.S. dollar during the period.3 The Bank of Mexico cut rates 0.50% while the Central Bank of Chile left rates unchanged. Mexico continued to benefit from strong manufacturing exports due in part to rebounding U.S. economic activity. The Canadian dollar depreciated 0.63% against the U.S. dollar during the period.3
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Thank you for your continued participation in Franklin Templeton Hard Currency Fund. We look forward to serving your future investment needs.
Please note that although the Fund’s Statement of Investments on page 13 of this report indicates the Fund held 44.8% of its total investments in U.S. dollar-denominated assets as of 4/30/13, its net exposure to the U.S. dollar as of that date was -9.2%. The difference is explained by the Fund’s holdings of currency forward contracts (please see Statement of Investments on pages 13 and 14 of this report) calling for the purchase of various foreign currencies in exchange for U.S. dollars at various future dates. The combination of U.S. dollar-denominated instruments with “long” currency forward contracts creates a position economically equivalent to a money market instrument denominated in the foreign currency itself. Such combined positions are an appropriate strategy when the money market for a particular foreign currency is small or relatively illiquid.
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Performance Summary as of 4/30/13
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. 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.
Performance
Cumulative total return excludes sales charges. Average annual total returns and value of $10,000 investment include maximum sales charges. Class A: 2.25% maximum initial sales charge; Advisor Class: no sales charges.
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 recent month-end performance, go to franklintempleton.com or call (800) 342-5236.
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Performance Summary (continued)
Endnotes
All investments involve risks, including possible loss of principal. Special risks are associated with foreign investing, including economic instability and political developments. The Fund’s assets are largely invested in foreign currencies, and therefore involve potential for significant gain or loss from currency exchange rate fluctuations. The Fund does not seek to maintain a stable net asset value and should not be considered a substitute for a U.S. dollar money market fund. The Fund is also nondiversified, which involves the risk of greater price fluctuation than a more diversified portfolio. Changes in the financial strength of a debt security issuer or in a debt security’s credit rating may affect its value. The Fund is actively managed but there is no guarantee that the manager’s investment decisions will produce the desired results. The Fund’s prospectus also includes a description of the main investment risks.
Advisor Class: Shares are available to certain eligible investors as described in the prospectus.
1. Cumulative total return represents the change in value of an investment over the periods indicated.
2. Average annual total return represents the average annual change in value of an investment over the periods indicated. Six-month return has not been annualized.
3. These figures represent the value of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in the Fund over the periods indicated.
4. In accordance with SEC rules, we provide standardized average annual total return information through the latest calendar quarter.
5. The 30-day standardized yield for the 30 days ended 4/30/13 reflects an estimated yield to maturity (assuming all portfolio securities are held to maturity). It should be regarded as an estimate of the Fund’s rate of investment income, and it may not equal the Fund’s actual income distribution rate (which reflects the Fund’s past dividends paid to shareholders) or the income reported in the Fund’s financial statements.
6. Figures are as stated in the Fund’s current prospectus. 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:
- Transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on Fund purchases; and
- 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 following table 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 first line (Actual) for each share class listed in the table provides actual account values and expenses. The “Ending Account Value” is derived from the Fund’s actual return, which includes the effect of Fund expenses.
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:
1. | Divide your account value by $1,000. |
If an account had an $8,600 value, then $8,600 ÷ $1,000 = 8.6. | |
2. | Multiply the result by the number under the heading “Expenses Paid During Period.” |
If Expenses Paid During Period were $7.50, then 8.6 x $7.50 = $64.50. |
In this illustration, the estimated expenses paid this period are $64.50.
Hypothetical Example for Comparison with Other Funds
Information in the second line (Hypothetical) for each class in the table can help you compare ongoing costs of investing in the Fund with those of other mutual funds. This information may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid during the period. The hypothetical “Ending Account Value” is based on the actual expense ratio for each class and an assumed 5% annual rate of return before expenses, which does not represent the Fund’s actual return. The figure under the heading “Expenses Paid During Period” shows the hypothetical expenses your account would have incurred under this scenario. You can compare this figure with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in shareholder reports of other funds.
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Your Fund’s Expenses (continued)
Please note that expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight ongoing costs and do not reflect any transaction costs, such as sales charges. Therefore, the second line for each class is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you compare total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if transaction costs were included, your total costs would have been higher. Please refer to the Fund prospectus for additional information on operating expenses.
*Expenses are calculated using the most recent six-month expense ratio, annualized for each class (A: 1.06% and Advisor: 0.79%), multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 to reflect the one-half year period.
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Semiannual Report | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | 11
12 | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | Semiannual Report
14 | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | Semiannual Report
16 | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | Semiannual Report
Semiannual Report | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | 17
Franklin Templeton Global Trust
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited)
Franklin Templeton Hard Currency Fund
1. ORGANIZATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Franklin Templeton Global Trust (Trust) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (1940 Act) as an open-end investment company, consisting of one fund, the Franklin Templeton Hard Currency Fund (Fund). The Fund offers two classes of shares: Class A and Advisor Class. Each class of shares differs by its initial sales load, contingent deferred sales charges, voting rights on matters affecting a single class, its exchange privilege and fees primarily due to differing arrangements for distribution and transfer agent fees.
The following summarizes the Fund’s significant accounting policies.
a. Financial Instrument Valuation
The Fund’s 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. Under procedures approved by the Fund’s Board of Trustees (the Board), the Fund’s administrator, investment manager and other affiliates have formed the Valuation and Liquidity Oversight Committee (VLOC). The VLOC provides administration and oversight of the Fund’s valuation policies and procedures, which are approved annually by the Board. Among other things, these procedures allow the Fund to utilize independent pricing services, quotations from securities and financial instrument dealers, and other market sources to determine fair value.
Debt securities generally trade in the over-the-counter (OTC) market rather than on a securities exchange. The Fund’s 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. Securities denominated in a foreign currency are converted into their U.S. dollar equivalent at the foreign exchange rate in effect at the close of the NYSE on the date that the values of the foreign debt securities are determined. Investments in open-end mutual funds are valued at the closing net asset value.
Certain derivative financial instruments (derivatives) trade in the OTC market. The Fund’s pricing services use various techniques including industry standard option pricing models and proprietary discounted cash flow models to determine the fair value of those instruments. The Fund’s net benefit or obligation under the derivative contract, as measured by the fair market value of the contract, is included in net assets.
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Franklin Templeton Global Trust
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
Franklin Templeton Hard Currency Fund
1. | ORGANIZATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued) |
a. | Financial Instrument Valuation (continued) |
The Fund has procedures to determine the fair value of financial instruments for which market prices are not reliable or readily available. Under these procedures, the VLOC convenes on a regular basis to review such financial instruments and considers a number of factors, including significant unobservable valuation inputs, when arriving at fair value. The VLOC primarily employs 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. The VLOC employs various methods for calibrating these valuation approaches including a regular review of key inputs and assumptions, transactional back-testing or disposition analysis, and reviews of any related market activity.
b. Foreign Currency Translation
Portfolio securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars based on the exchange rate of such currencies against U.S. dollars on the date of valuation. The Fund may enter into foreign currency exchange contracts to facilitate transactions denominated in a foreign currency. Purchases and sales of securities, income and expense items denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate in effect on the transaction date. Portfolio securities and assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies contain risks that those currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar. Occasionally, events may impact the availability or reliability of foreign exchange rates used to convert the U.S. dollar equivalent value. If such an event occurs, the foreign exchange rate will be valued at fair value using procedures established and approved by the Board.
The Fund does not separately report the effect of changes in foreign exchange rates from changes in market prices on securities held. Such changes are included in net realized and unrealized gain or loss from investments on the Statement of Operations.
Realized foreign exchange gains or losses arise from sales of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions and the difference between the recorded amounts of dividends, interest, and foreign withholding taxes and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from changes in foreign exchange rates on foreign denominated assets and liabilities other than investments in securities held at the end of the reporting period.
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Franklin Templeton Global Trust
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
Franklin Templeton Hard Currency Fund
1. | ORGANIZATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued) |
c. | Derivative Financial Instruments |
The Fund invested in derivatives in order to manage risk or gain exposure to various other investments or markets. Derivatives are financial contracts based on an underlying or notional amount, require no initial investment or an initial net investment that is smaller than would normally be required to have a similar response to changes in market factors, and require or permit net settlement. Derivatives contain various risks including the potential inability of the counterparty to fulfill their obligations under the terms of the contract, the potential for an illiquid secondary market, and/or the potential for market movements which expose the Fund to gains or losses in excess of the amounts shown on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Realized gain and loss and unrealized appreciation and depreciation on these contracts for the period are included in the Statement of Operations.
The Fund’s investments in OTC derivatives are subject to the terms of International Swaps and Derivatives Association Master Agreements and other related agreements between the Fund and certain derivative counterparties. These agreements contain various provisions, including but not limited to collateral requirements, events of default, requirements for the Fund to maintain certain net asset levels and/or limit the decline in net assets over various periods of time. Should the Fund fail to meet any of these provisions, the derivative counterparty has the right to terminate the derivative contract and require immediate payment by the Fund for those OTC derivatives with that particular counterparty that are in a net liability position. At April 30, 2013, the Fund had no OTC derivatives in a net liability position for such contracts.
The Fund entered into OTC forward exchange contracts primarily to manage and/or gain exposure to certain foreign currencies. A forward exchange contract is an agreement between the Fund and a counterparty to buy or sell a foreign currency at a specific exchange rate on a future date. Pursuant to the terms of the forward exchange contracts, cash or securities may be required to be deposited as collateral. Unrestricted cash may be invested according to the Fund’s investment objectives.
At April 30, 2013, the Fund held $2,206,099 in United Kingdom and U.S. treasury notes as collateral for derivatives.
See Note 9 regarding other derivative information.
d. Restricted Cash
At April 30, 2013, the Fund held restricted cash in connection with investments in certain derivative securities. Restricted cash is held in a segregated account with the Fund’s custodian and is reflected in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
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Franklin Templeton Global Trust
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
Franklin Templeton Hard Currency Fund
1. | ORGANIZATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued) |
e. | Income and Deferred Taxes |
It is the Fund’s policy to qualify as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code. The Fund intends to distribute to shareholders substantially all of its taxable income and net realized gains to relieve it from federal income and if applicable, excise taxes. As a result, no provision for U.S. federal income taxes is required.
The Fund 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 it invests. Foreign taxes, if any, are recorded based on the tax regulations and rates that exist in the foreign markets in which the Fund invests. When a capital gain tax is determined to apply the Fund records an estimated deferred tax liability in an amount that would be payable if the securities were disposed of on the valuation date.
The Fund recognizes the tax benefits of uncertain tax positions only when the position is “more likely than not” to be sustained upon examination by the tax authorities based on the technical merits of the tax position. As of April 30, 2013, and for all open tax years, the Fund has determined that no liability for unrecognized tax benefits is required in the Fund’s financial statements related to uncertain tax positions taken on a tax return (or expected to be taken on future tax returns). Open tax years are those that remain subject to examination and are based on each tax jurisdiction statute of limitation.
f. 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 the ex-dividend date and are determined according to income tax regulations (tax basis). Distributable earnings determined on a tax basis may differ from earnings recorded in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. 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.
Realized and unrealized gains and losses and net investment income, not including 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.
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Franklin Templeton Global Trust
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
Franklin Templeton Hard Currency Fund
1. | ORGANIZATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued) |
g. | Accounting Estimates |
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America 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.
h. 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 Fund, 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 April 30, 2013, there were an unlimited number of shares authorized (without par value).
Transactions in the Fund’s shares were as follows:
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Franklin Templeton Global Trust
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
Franklin Templeton Hard Currency Fund
3. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
Franklin Resources, Inc. is the holding company for various subsidiaries that together are referred to as Franklin Templeton Investments. Certain officers and trustees of the Trust are also officers and/or directors of the following subsidiaries:
Prior to April 1, 2013, the Fund paid fees to Advisers 0.65% per year based on the average daily net assets of the Fund.
b. Administrative Fees
Under an agreement with Advisers, FT Services provides administrative services to the Fund. The fee is paid by Advisers based on average daily net assets, and is not an additional expense of the Fund.
c. Distribution Fees
The Fund’s Board has adopted a reimbursement distribution plan for Class A pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, under which the Fund reimburses Distributors for costs incurred in connection with the servicing, sale and distribution of the Fund’s shares up to 0.45% per year of its average daily net assets. Distribution fees are not charged on shares held by affiliates. The Board has set the current rate at 0.30% per year for Class A shares until further notice and approval by the Board. Costs exceeding the maximum for the current plan year cannot be reimbursed in subsequent periods.
d. Sales Charges/Underwriting Agreements
Front-end sales charges and contingent deferred sales charges (CDSC) do not represent expenses of the Fund. 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
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Franklin Templeton Global Trust
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
Franklin Templeton Hard Currency Fund
3. | TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES (continued) |
d. | Sales Charges/Underwriting Agreements (continued) |
advised the Fund of the following commission transactions related to the sales and redemptions of the Fund’s shares for the period:
e. Transfer Agent Fees
Each class of shares pays transfer agent fees to Investor Services for its performance of shareholder servicing obligations and reimburses Investor Services for out of pocket expenses incurred, including shareholding servicing fees paid to third parties. These fees are allocated daily to such classes based upon the relative proportion of net assets for each class.
For the period ended April 30, 2013, the Fund paid transfer agent fees of $329,988, of which $123,754 was retained by Investor Services.
4. EXPENSE OFFSET ARRANGEMENT
The Fund has entered into an arrangement with its custodian whereby credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances are used to reduce a portion of the Fund’s custodian expenses. During the period ended April 30, 2013, the custodian fees were reduced as noted in the Statement of Operation.
5. INCOME TAXES
For tax purposes, capital losses may be carried over to offset future capital gains. Capital loss carryforwards with no expiration, if any, must be fully utilized before those losses with expiration dates.
At October 31, 2012, capital loss carryforwards were as follows:
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Franklin Templeton Global Trust
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
Franklin Templeton Hard Currency Fund
5. INCOME TAXES (continued)
At April 30, 2013, the cost of investments and net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) for income tax purposes were as follows:
Differences between income and/or capital gains as determined on a book basis and a tax basis are primarily due to differing treatments of foreign currency transactions and bond discounts and premiums.
6. INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS
There were no purchases or sales of investments (other than short term securities) for the period ended April 30, 2013.
7. INVESTMENTS IN INSTITUTIONAL FIDUCIARY TRUST MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO
The Fund invests in the Institutional Fiduciary Trust Money Market Portfolio (Sweep Money Fund), an open-end investment company managed by Advisers. Management fees paid by the Fund are reduced on assets invested in the Sweep Money Fund, in an amount not to exceed the management and administrative fees paid by the Sweep Money Fund.
8. CONCENTRATION OF RISK
Investing in foreign securities may include certain risks and considerations not typically associated with investing in U.S. securities, such as fluctuating currency values and changing local and regional economic, political and social conditions, which may result in greater market volatility. In addition, certain foreign securities may not be as liquid as U.S. securities.
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Franklin Templeton Global Trust
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
Franklin Templeton Hard Currency Fund
9. OTHER DERIVATIVE INFORMATION
At April 30, 2013, the Fund’s investments in derivative contracts are reflected on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as follows:
For the period ended April 30, 2013, the average month end market value of derivatives represented 1.96% of average month end net assets. The average month end number of open derivative contracts for the period was 35.
See Note 1(c) regarding derivative financial instruments.
10. CREDIT FACILITY
The Fund, together with other U.S. registered and foreign investment funds (collectively, Borrowers), managed by Franklin Templeton Investments, are borrowers in a joint syndicated senior unsecured credit facility totaling $1.5 billion (Global Credit Facility) which matures on January 17, 2014. 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.
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Franklin Templeton Global Trust
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
Franklin Templeton Hard Currency Fund
10. CREDIT FACILITY (continued)
Under the terms of the Global Credit Facility, the Fund shall, in addition to interest charged on any borrowings made by the Fund and other costs incurred by the Fund, pay its share of fees and expenses incurred in connection with the implementation and maintenance of the Global Credit Facility, based upon its relative share of the aggregate net assets of all of the Borrowers, including an annual commitment fee of 0.07% based upon the unused portion of the Global Credit Facility. These fees are reflected in other expenses on the Statement of Operations. During the period ended April 30, 2013, the Fund did not use the Global Credit Facility.
11. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
The Fund follows a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between market data obtained from independent sources (observable inputs) and the Fund’s own market assumptions (unobservable inputs). These inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s 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 Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of financial instruments)
The inputs or methodology used for valuing financial instruments are not an indication of the risk associated with investing in those financial instruments.
For movements between the levels within the fair value hierarchy, the Fund has adopted a policy of recognizing the transfers as of the date of the underlying event which caused the movement.
A summary of inputs used as of April 30, 2013, in valuing the Fund’s assets and liabilities carried at fair value, is as follows:
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Franklin Templeton Global Trust
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
Franklin Templeton Hard Currency Fund
12. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In December 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2011-11, Balance Sheet (Topic 210): Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities. The amendments in the ASU enhance disclosures about offsetting of financial assets and liabilities to enable investors to understand the effect of these arrangements on a fund’s financial position. In January 2013, FASB issued ASU No. 2013-01, Balance Sheet (Topic 210): Clarifying the Scope of Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities. The amendments in ASU No. 2013-01 clarify the intended scope of disclosures required by ASU No. 2011-11. These ASUs are effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013. The Fund believes the adoption of these ASUs will not have a material impact on their financial statements.
13. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
The Fund has evaluated subsequent events through the issuance of the financial statements and determined that no events have occurred that require disclosure.
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Franklin Templeton Global Trust
Shareholder Information
Franklin Templeton Hard Currency Fund
Board Review of Investment Management Agreement
At a meeting held February 26, 2013, the Board of Trustees (Board), including a majority of non-interested or independent Trustees, approved renewal of the investment management agreement for Franklin Templeton Hard Currency Fund (Fund). In reaching this decision, the Board took into account information furnished throughout the year at regular Board meetings, as well as information prepared specifically in connection with the annual renewal review process. Information furnished and discussed throughout the year included investment performance reports and related financial information for the Fund, along with periodic reports on expenses, shareholder services, legal and compliance matters, pricing, brokerage commissions and execution and other services provided by the Investment Manager (Manager) and its affiliates, as well as a third-party survey of transfer agent fees charged funds within the Franklin Templeton Investments complex in comparison with those charged other fund complexes deemed comparable. Information furnished specifically in connection with the renewal process included a report for the Fund prepared by Lipper, Inc. (Lipper), an independent organization, as well as additional material, including a Fund profitability analysis prepared by management. The Lipper report compared the Fund’s investment performance and expenses with those of other mutual funds deemed comparable to the Fund as selected by Lipper. The Fund profitability analysis discussed the profitability to Franklin Templeton Investments from its overall U.S. fund operations, as well as on an individual fund-by-fund basis. Additional material accompanying such profitability analysis included information on a fund-by-fund basis listing portfolio managers and other accounts they manage, as well as information on management fees charged by the Manager and its affiliates to U.S. mutual funds and other accounts, including management’s explanation of differences where relevant. Such material also included a memorandum prepared by management describing project initiatives and capital investments relating to the services provided to the Fund by the Franklin Templeton Investments organization, as well as a memorandum relating to economies of scale and an analysis concerning transfer agent fees charged by an affiliate of the Manager.
In considering such materials, the independent Trustees received assistance and advice from and met separately with independent counsel. In approving continuance of the investment management agreement for the Fund, the Board, including a majority of independent Trustees, determined that the existing management fee structure was fair and reasonable and that continuance of the investment management agreement was in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders. While attention was given to all information furnished, the following discusses some primary factors relevant to the Board’s decision.
NATURE, EXTENT AND QUALITY OF SERVICE. The Board was satisfied with the nature and quality of the overall services provided by the Manager and its affiliates to the Fund and its shareholders. In addition to investment performance and expenses discussed later, the Board’s opinion was based, in part, upon periodic reports furnished it showing that the investment policies and restrictions for the Fund were consistently complied with as well as other reports periodically
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Shareholder Information (continued)
Franklin Templeton Hard Currency Fund
Board Review of Investment Management Agreement (continued)
furnished the Board covering matters such as the compliance of portfolio managers and other management personnel with the code of ethics adopted throughout the Franklin Templeton fund complex, the adherence to fair value pricing procedures established by the Board, and the accuracy of net asset value calculations. The Board also noted the extent of benefits provided Fund shareholders from being part of the Franklin Templeton family of funds, including the right to exchange investments between the same class of funds without a sales charge, the ability to reinvest Fund dividends into other funds and the right to combine holdings in other funds to obtain a reduced sales charge. Favorable consideration was given to management’s continuous efforts and expenditures in establishing back-up systems and recovery procedures to function in the event of a natural disaster, it being noted that such systems and procedures had functioned well during the Florida hurricanes and blackouts experienced in previous years, and that those operations in the New York/New Jersey area ran smoothly during the more recent Hurricane Sandy. Among other factors taken into account by the Board were the Manager’s best execution trading policies, including a favorable report by an independent portfolio trading analytical firm, which also covered FOREX transactions. Consideration was also given to the experience of the Fund’s portfolio management team, the number of accounts managed and general method of compensation. In this latter respect, the Board noted that a primary factor in management’s determination of a portfolio manager’s bonus compensation was the relative investment performance of the funds he or she managed and that a portion of such bonus was required to be invested in a predesignated list of funds within such person’s fund management area so as to be aligned with the interests of shareholders. The Board also took into account the quality of transfer agent and shareholder services provided Fund shareholders by an affiliate of the Manager and the continuous enhancements to the Franklin Templeton website. Particular attention was given to management’s conservative approach and diligent risk management procedures, including continuous monitoring of counterparty credit risk and attention given to derivatives and other complex instruments including expanded collateralization requirements. The Board also took into account, among other things, management’s efforts in establishing a global credit facility for the benefit of the Fund and other accounts managed by Franklin Templeton Investments to provide a source of cash for temporary and emergency purposes or to meet unusual redemption requests as well as the strong financial position of the Manager’s parent company and its commitment to the mutual fund business as evidenced by its subsidization of money market funds.
INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE. The Board placed significant emphasis on the investment performance of the Fund in view of its importance to shareholders. In assessing such performance, consideration was given to the Fund’s performance as set forth in the Lipper report furnished for the agreement renewal. The Lipper report prepared for the Fund showed the investment performance of its Class A shares during 2012, as well as for the previous 10 years ended December 31, 2012, in comparison to a performance universe consisting of all retail and institutional currency funds as selected by Lipper. The Lipper report showed the Fund’s income return during 2012 to
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Shareholder Information (continued)
Franklin Templeton Hard Currency Fund
Board Review of Investment Management Agreement (continued)
be in the middle performing quintile of its performance universe, but on an annualized basis to be in either the highest performing quintile or second-highest performing quintile of such universe for the previous three-, five- and 10-year periods. The Lipper report showed the Fund’s total return during 2012 to be in the middle performing quintile of such universe, but on an annualized basis to be in either the highest performing quintile or second-highest performing quintile of such universe for the previous three-, five- and 10-year periods. The Board was satisfied with the Fund’s overall comparative performance as set forth in the Lipper report.
COMPARATIVE EXPENSES. Consideration was given to a comparative analysis of the management fees and total expense ratio of the Fund compared with an expense group consisting of the Fund and three other currency funds as selected by Lipper. Lipper expense data is based upon information taken from each fund’s most recent annual report, which reflects historical asset levels that may be quite different from those currently existing, particularly in a period of market volatility. While recognizing such inherent limitation and the fact that expense ratios generally increase as assets decline and decrease as assets grow, the Board believed the independent analysis conducted by Lipper to be an appropriate measure of comparative expenses. In reviewing comparative costs, Lipper provides information on the Fund’s contractual investment management fee in comparison with the contractual investment management fee that would have been charged by other funds within its Lipper expense group assuming they were similar in size to the Fund, as well as the actual total expense ratio of the Fund in comparison with those of its peer group. The Lipper contractual investment management fee analysis considers administrative charges to be part of management fees, and total expenses, for comparative consistency, are shown by Lipper for Fund Class A shares. The results of such expense comparisons showed the contractual investment management fee rate of the Fund to be the highest in its Lipper expense group, but within one basis point of the median for such group and its actual total expense ratio to also be in the highest in its expense group, but within seven basis points of the median for such group. The Board found the level of the Fund’s contractual management fee rate and total expense ratio in comparison to its Lipper expense group to be acceptable in view of their closeness to the expense group median and the Fund’s overall favorable performance. The Board did, however, negotiate a breakpoint in the Fund’s investment management fee as discussed under “Economies of Scale.”
MANAGEMENT PROFITABILITY. The Board also considered the level of profits realized by the Manager and its affiliates in connection with the operation of the Fund. In this respect, the Board reviewed the Fund profitability analysis that addresses the overall profitability of Franklin Templeton’s U.S. fund business, as well as its profits in providing management and other services to each of the individual funds during the 12-month period ended September 30, 2012, being the most recent fiscal year-end for Franklin Resources, Inc., the Manager’s parent. In reviewing the analysis, attention was given to the methodology followed in allocating costs to the Fund, it being recognized that allocation methodologies are inherently subjective and various allocation
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Shareholder Information (continued)
Franklin Templeton Hard Currency Fund
Board Review of Investment Management Agreement (continued)
methodologies may each be reasonable while producing different results. In this respect, the Board noted that, while being continuously refined and reflecting changes in the Manager’s own cost accounting, the allocation methodology was consistent with that followed in profitability report presentations for the Fund made in prior years and that the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm had been engaged by the Manager to periodically review the reasonableness of the allocation methodologies solely for use by the Fund’s Board in reference to the profitability analysis. In reviewing and discussing such analysis, management discussed with the Board its belief that costs incurred in establishing the infrastructure necessary for the type of mutual fund operations conducted by the Manager and its affiliates may not be fully reflected in the expenses allocated to the Fund in determining its profitability, as well as the fact that the level of profits, to a certain extent, reflected operational cost savings and efficiencies initiated by management. The Board also took into account management’s expenditures in improving shareholder services provided the Fund, as well as the need to implement systems and meet additional regulatory and compliance requirements resulting from statutes such as the Sarbanes-Oxley and Dodd Frank Acts and recent SEC and other regulatory requirements. In addition, the Board considered a third-party study comparing the profitability of the Manager’s parent on an overall basis to other publicly held managers broken down to show profitability from management operations exclusive of distribution expenses, as well as profitability including distribution expenses. The Board also considered the extent to which the Manager and its affiliates might derive ancillary benefits from fund operations, including revenues generated from transfer agent services and potential benefits resulting from allocation of fund brokerage and the use of commission dollars to pay for research. Based upon its consideration of all these factors, the Board determined that the level of profits realized by the Manager and its affiliates from providing services to the Fund was not excessive in view of the nature, quality and extent of services provided.
ECONOMIES OF SCALE. The Board also considered whether economies of scale are realized by the Manager as the Fund grows larger and the extent to which this is reflected in the level of management fees charged. While recognizing that any precise determination is inherently subjective, the Board noted that based upon the Fund profitability analysis, it appears that as some funds get larger, at some point economies of scale do result in the Manager realizing a larger profit margin on management services provided such a fund. The fee structure under the Fund’s investment management agreement provides for a management fee of 0.65% at all asset levels, and the Board negotiated with management for a reduction in such fee to 0.60% on assets in excess of $500 million effective April 1, 2013. At December 31, 2012, the Fund had net assets of approximately $519 million, and to the extent economies of scale may be realized by the Manager and its affiliates, the Board believes this schedule of fees provides a sharing of benefits with the Fund and its shareholders.
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Shareholder Information (continued)
Franklin Templeton Hard Currency Fund
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 on Form N-Q. Shareholders may view the filed Form N-Q 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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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 12(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 John B. Wilson and he is "independent" as defined under the relevant Securities and Exchange Commission Rules and Releases.
Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services. N/A
Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants. N/A
Item 6. Schedule of Investments. N/A
Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies. N/A
Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies. N/A
Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-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
ensure that information required to be disclosed in the Registrant’s filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 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 on Form 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 controls or in other factors that could materially affect the internal controls over financial reporting subsequent to the date of their evaluation in connection with the preparation of this Shareholder Report on Form N-CSR.
Item 12. Exhibits.
(a)(1) Code of Ethics
(a)(2) Certifications pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 of Laura F. Fergerson, 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 Laura F. Fergerson, 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.
FRANKLIN TEMPLETON GLOBAL TRUST
By /s/LAURA F. FERGERSON
Laura F. Fergerson
Chief Executive Officer –
Finance and Administration
Date June 26, 2013
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.
By /s/LAURA F. FERGERSON
Laura F. Fergerson
Chief Executive Officer –
Finance and Administration
Date June 26, 2013
By /s/GASTON GARDEY
Gaston Gardey
Chief Financial Officer and
Chief Accounting Officer
Date June 26, 2013