TEMPLETON
FOREIGN SMALLER COMPANIES FUND
Semiannual Report
Templeton Foreign Smaller Companies Fund
Your Fund’s Goal and Main Investments: Templeton Foreign Smaller Companies Fund seeks to provide long-term capital growth. Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in investments of smaller companies located outside the U.S., including
emerging markets.
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.
This semiannual report for Templeton Foreign Smaller Companies Fund covers the period ended April 30, 2011.
Performance Overview
For the six months under review, Templeton Foreign Smaller Companies Fund – Class A delivered a cumulative total return of +13.07%. The Fund under-performed international small capitalization stocks in developed and emerging
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 18.
Semiannual Report | 3
markets as measured by its new benchmark, the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) All Country (AC) World Ex USA Small Cap Index, which produced a +14.66% total return for the same period.1 In comparison, the Fund performed comparably to the +12.95% total return of its old benchmark, the MSCI Europe, Australasia, Far East (EAFE) Index, which tracks stock performance in global developed markets excluding the U.S. and Canada. The MSCI AC World Ex USA Small Cap Index replaced the MSCI EAFE Index because we believe it better represents the Fund’s portfolio composition. Please note that index performance information is provided for reference and we do not attempt to track an index but rather undertake investments on the basis of fundamental research. You can find the Fund’s long-term performance data in the Performance Summary beginning on page 9.
Economic and Market Overview
Global financial markets generally remained firm during the six months under review as economic and corporate earnings improvements offset European debt worries, escalating geopolitical turmoil in Middle East/North Africa (MENA) and a devastating natural disaster in Japan. Stock markets also benefited from the developed world’s continued policy support. The U.S. led the way as the Federal Reserve Board (Fed) ushered in another round of quantitative easing and the Obama administration extended Bush-era tax cuts at the beginning of the period. In Europe, where fiscal deficits continued to plague some nations, Ireland and Portugal were forced to accept bailouts and the European Central Bank (ECB) approved the creation of a 750 billion euro rescue facility to address future sovereign funding shortfalls. The ECB’s extraordinary interventions indicated its commitment to preserving monetary union stability, but the decision to raise interest rates toward the end of the period also signaled its vigilance on price stability, the bank’s primary mandate. The ECB’s rate hike was notable for its divergence from the U.S. Fed’s loose monetary policy, while in other parts of the world, particularly emerging markets, policymakers’ actions against inflation broadly continued. At least 21 countries raised official interest rates during the period to forestall asset bubbles and growing inflationary pressures.
Rising commodity prices fueled global inflationary pressures — oil surpassed $100 per barrel for the first time since 2008 and agricultural commodities reached record-high prices. Geopolitical instability helped exacerbate price pressures when civil conflict in MENA at the beginning of 2011 threatened
1. Source: © 2011 Morningstar. All Rights Reserved. The information contained herein: (1) is proprietary to Morningstar and/or its content providers; (2) may not be copied or distributed; and (3) is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. Neither Morningstar nor its content providers are responsible for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information. The indexes are unmanaged and include reinvested dividends. One cannot invest directly in an index, and an index is not representative of the Fund’s portfolio.
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global oil supplies. Growing concerns about the creditworthiness of some advanced economies eroded confidence in certain currencies, pressuring the dollar and sending precious metals’ prices to new highs. Finally, genuine global economic growth and demand increases also helped support commodity prices. For the most part, global economic trends remained positive, led by emerging markets, where demand growth continued to surge despite restrictive monetary policy. Growth was less consistent in the developed world, where austerity programs in parts of Europe and persistent weaknesses in U.S. labor and housing markets hampered an ongoing recovery. Nonetheless, a generally favorable economic backdrop combined with a corporate profit cycle that could potentially be one of the strongest in market history helped global stock markets reach new post-crisis highs during the six months under review.
Investment Strategy
We take a bottom-up, value-oriented, long-term approach to investing. We focus our analysis on the market price of a company’s securities relative to our evaluation of the company’s long-term earnings, asset value and cash flow potential. We also consider a company’s price/earnings ratio, profit margins and liquidation value. We are patient investors and may hold a security for several years as we wait for the market to recognize a company’s true worth.
Manager’s Discussion
Most of the Fund’s holdings increased in value during the period under review, led by Canaccord Financial, Barco and Emeco Holdings. Shares of Canaccord Financial, a small independent Canadian brokerage firm, performed well as the company announced quarterly earnings results well above market expectations. Looking at the longer term, we believe Canaccord’s strong relationships with Canadian small capitalization equity issues and institutional clients could help boost its market share business if financial market conditions further improve. In our assessment, Canaccord management has done a good job in streamlining the company for the current business environment.
Based in Belgium, Barco is a leading imaging technology firm. Recent sales figures reflected the impact of rapid growth in digital cinema technology, a trend that encouraged the company to overcome previous capacity constraints and production bottlenecks to service the booming global demand in its industry.
Emeco is the leading supplier of heavy earthmoving equipment rentals to the Australian mining industry. The company’s focus is on coal and gold extraction, with a growing presence in iron ore. Its share price rose strongly during the period as the company’s fiscal second-half earnings results were buoyed by
Semiannual Report | 5
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure, Spain
rising demand and its recent exit from underperforming U.S. and European operations, while Australian mining industry sentiment revived with the demise of a planned mineral tax.
It is important to recognize the effect of currency movements on the Fund’s performance. In general, if the value of the U.S. dollar goes up compared with a foreign currency, an investment traded in that foreign currency will go down in value because it will be worth fewer U.S. dollars. This can have a negative effect on Fund performance. Conversely, when the U.S. dollar weakens in relation to a foreign currency, an investment traded in that foreign currency will increase in value, which can contribute to Fund performance. For the six months ended April 30, 2011, the U.S. dollar declined in value relative to most currencies. As a result, the Fund’s performance was positively affected by the portfolio’s predominant investment in securities with non-U.S. currency exposure. However, one cannot expect the same result in future periods.
In contrast, some holdings disappointed during the six-month reporting period, including Downer EDI; Descente Limited; and Alapis Holding Industrial and Commercial.
Downer EDI provides engineering and infrastructure management services to the public and private rail, road, power, telecommunications and mining sectors in Australia, New Zealand and Asia. The share price declined due to concerns regarding the future level of mining capital expenditure in Australia following recent tax changes. Over the longer term, we believe the company remains poised to benefit from favorable industry trends within its underlying businesses that could enable it to generate attractive earnings growth.
Based in Osaka, Japan, Descente is a leading sports apparel manufacturer and wholesaler. During the period, Descente revised down its sales and profit forecasts, exacerbating existing pressures on the stock stemming from a generally weak overall market for consumer-related sporting goods and concerns about the ramifications of geopolitical tensions between Japan and China. Looking at the longer term, however, we considered that Descente’s business is cash generative and the company has a solid balance sheet, according to our analysis. The company owns well-known brands and, although its domestic market is mature, we believe expansion overseas and continued success in international markets could provide future growth.
Greece-based Alapis, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the manufacturing and distribution of pharmaceuticals and parapharmaceutical products, veterinary pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, detergents and organic products. During the period, Alapis shares fell sharply in value due to worries about the impact of the Greek government’s recent efforts to cut health care costs and potential
6 | Semiannual Report
problems for the company’s debt refinancing. However, Alapis sells low-cost drugs, and in our view the government’s austerity measures could therefore fuel demand for Alapis’ products rather than curtail it. We also believe the market could eventually recognize the company’s fundamental strength and raise its valuation.
Thank you for your continued participation in Templeton Foreign Smaller Companies Fund. We look forward to serving your future investment needs.
Harlan B. Hodes, CPA
Cindy L. Sweeting, CFA
Portfolio Management Team
Templeton Foreign Smaller Companies Fund
CFA® is a trademark owned by CFA Institute.
The foregoing information reflects our analysis, opinions and portfolio holdings as of April 30, 2011, 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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Martin Cobb assumed portfolio manager responsibilities for the Fund in February 2011. He joined Franklin Templeton in 2003 and manages several global equity portfolios. His research responsibilities are U.S. banks and financials, as well as the U. K. and the Republic of Ireland.
Prior to joining Franklin Templeton Investments, Mr. Cobb was an investment manager with SVM Asset Management in Edinburgh, where he specialized in U.K. equities. Prior to this position, he worked for First State Investments where, as senior portfolio manager, U.K. equities, he managed their flagship U.K. equities fund as well as several global portfolios for institutional and retail clients. He began his career in investment management with Baillie Gifford as an equities analyst, after which he assumed responsibility for the management of several institutional client portfolios.
Cindy L. Sweeting assumed portfolio manager responsibilities for the Fund in February 2011. She is also executive vice president of Templeton Investment Counsel, LLC, and director of portfolio management for the Templeton Global Equity Group. She has portfolio management responsibility for other retail funds and institutional separate account relationships with global and international mandates.
Ms. Sweeting has 28 years of experience in the investment industry. She joined Franklin Templeton Investments in Templeton’s Nassau office in 1997, and has served as director of research for the Templeton Global Equity Group, as well as president of Templeton Global Advisers Limited. Prior to joining Templeton, she was the senior vice president of investments with McDermott International Investments Co., Inc., in Nassau. At McDermott, she was responsible for the investment department, which encompassed portfolio management and pension administration.
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Performance Summary as of 4/30/11
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.
Semiannual Report | 9
Performance Summary (continued)
Performance
Cumulative total return excludes sales charges. Average annual total returns and value of $10,000 investment include maximum sales charges. Class A: 5.75% maximum initial sales charge; Class B: contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) declining from 4% to 1% over six years, and eliminated thereafter; Class C: 1% CDSC in first year only; 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
Special risks are associated with foreign investing, including currency fluctuations, economic instability and political developments. Investments in emerging markets involve heightened risks related to the same factors, in addition to those associated with these markets’ smaller size and lesser liquidity. In addition, smaller company stocks have historically exhibited greater price volatility than large-company stocks, particularly over the short term. The manager applies various techniques and analyses in making investment decisions for the Fund, but there can be no guarantee that these decisions will produce the desired results. The Fund’s prospectus also includes a description of the main investment risks.
Class B: Class C: | These shares have higher annual fees and expenses than Class A shares. Prior to 1/1/04, these shares were offered with an initial sales charge; thus actual total returns would have differed. These shares have higher annual fees and expenses than Class A shares. |
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. Figures are as stated in the Fund’s prospectus current as of the date of this report. In periods of market volatility, assets may decline significantly, causing total annual Fund operating expenses to become higher than the figures shown.
Semiannual Report | 11
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.
12 | Semiannual Report
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: 1.49%; B: 2.23%; C: 2.24%; and Advisor: 1.24%), multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 to reflect the one-half year period.
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Franklin Templeton International Trust
Financial Highlights
aThe 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 shares in relation to income earned and/or fluctuating market value of the investments of the Fund.
bBased on average daily shares outstanding.
cEffective September 1, 2008, the redemption fee was eliminated.
dAmount rounds to less than $0.01 per share.
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.
gBenefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%.
hExcludes the value of portfolio securities delivered as a result of a redemption in-kind.
14 | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | Semiannual Report
Franklin Templeton International Trust
Financial Highlights (continued)
aThe 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 shares in relation to income earned and/or fluctuating market value of the investments of the Fund.
bBased on average daily shares outstanding.
cEffective September 1, 2008, the redemption fee was eliminated.
dAmount rounds to less than $0.01 per share.
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.
gBenefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%.
hExcludes the value of portfolio securities delivered as a result of a redemption in-kind.
Semiannual Report | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | 15
Franklin Templeton International Trust
Financial Highlights (continued)
aThe 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 shares in relation to income earned and/or fluctuating market value of the investments of the Fund.
bBased on average daily shares outstanding.
cEffective September 1, 2008, the redemption fee was eliminated.
dAmount rounds to less than $0.01 per share.
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.
gBenefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%.
hExcludes the value of portfolio securities delivered as a result of a redemption in-kind.
16 | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | Semiannual Report
Franklin Templeton International Trust
Financial Highlights (continued)
aThe 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 shares in relation to income earned and/or fluctuating market value of the investments of the Fund.
bBased on average daily shares outstanding.
cEffective September 1, 2008, the redemption fee was eliminated.
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%.
hExcludes the value of portfolio securities delivered as a result of a redemption in-kind.
Semiannual Report | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | 17
Franklin Templeton International Trust
Statement of Investments, April 30, 2011 (unaudited)
18 | Semiannual Report
Franklin Templeton International Trust
Statement of Investments, April 30, 2011 (unaudited) (continued)
Franklin Templeton International Trust
Statement of Investments, April 30, 2011 (unaudited) (continued)
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Franklin Templeton International Trust
Statement of Investments, April 30, 2011 (unaudited) (continued)
See Abbreviations on page 35.
aNon-income producing.
bSecurity 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. This security has been deemed liquid under guidelines approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees. At April 30, 2011, the
value of this security was $2,772,300, representing 1.14% of net assets.
cA portion of the security purchased on a delayed delivery basis. See Note 1(c).
dSecurity has been deemed illiquid because it may not be able to be sold within seven days.
eThe security is traded on a discount basis with no stated coupon rate.
Semiannual Report | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | 21
Franklin Templeton International Trust
Financial Statements
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
April 30, 2011 (unaudited)
22 | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | Semiannual Report
Franklin Templeton International Trust
Financial Statements (continued)
Statement of Assets and Liabilities (continued)
April 30, 2011 (unaudited)
Semiannual Report | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | 23
Franklin Templeton International Trust
Financial Statements (continued)
Statement of Operations
for the six months ended April 30, 2011 (unaudited)
24 | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | Semiannual Report
Franklin Templeton International Trust
Financial Statements (continued)
Semiannual Report | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | 25
Franklin Templeton International Trust
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited)
Templeton Foreign Smaller Companies Fund
1. ORGANIZATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Franklin Templeton International Trust (Trust) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (1940 Act) as an open-end investment company, consisting of three separate funds. The Templeton Foreign Smaller Companies Fund (Fund) is included in this report. The financial statements of the remaining funds in the Trust are presented separately. The Fund offers four classes of shares: Class A, Class B, Class C, and Advisor Class. Each class of shares differs by its initial sales load, contingent deferred sales charges, distribution fees, voting rights on matters affecting a single class and its exchange privilege.
The following summarizes the Fund’s significant accounting policies.
a. Financial Instrument Valuation
The Fund’s investments in securities and other 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 Trust’s Board of Trustees, the Fund may utilize independent pricing services, quotations from securities and financial instrument dealers, and other market sources to determine fair value.
Equity securities 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. Foreign equity securities are valued as of the close of trading on the foreign stock exchange on which the security is primarily traded, or the NYSE, whichever is earlier. The value is then converted into its U.S. dollar equivalent at the foreign exchange rate in effect at the close of the NYSE on the day that the value of the security is determined. Over-the-counter securities are valued within the range of the most recent quoted bid and ask prices. Securities that trade in multiple markets or on multiple exchanges are valued according to the broadest and most representative market. Certain equity securities are valued based upon fundamental characteristics or relationships to similar securities.
Debt securities generally trade in the over-the-counter 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, option-adjusted spreads, credit spreads, estimated default rates, 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
26 | Semiannual Report
Franklin Templeton International Trust
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
Templeton Foreign Smaller Companies Fund
1. | ORGANIZATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued) |
a. | Financial Instrument Valuation (continued) |
exchange rate in effect at the close of the NYSE on the date that the values of the foreign debt securities are determined.
The Fund has procedures to determine the fair value of securities and other financial instruments for which market prices are not readily available or which may not be reliably priced. Under these procedures, the Fund 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. The Fund may also use an income-based valuation approach 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.
Trading in securities on foreign securities stock exchanges and over-the-counter markets may be completed before the daily close of business on the NYSE. Occasionally, events occur between the time at which trading in a foreign security is completed and the close of the NYSE that might call into question the reliability of the value of a portfolio security held by the Fund. As a result, differences may arise between the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities as determined at the foreign market close and the latest indications of value at the close of the NYSE. In order to minimize the potential for these differences, the investment manager monitors price movements following the close of trading in foreign stock markets through a series of country specific market proxies (such as baskets of American Depository Receipts, futures contracts and exchange traded funds). These price movements are measured against established trigger thresholds for each specific market proxy to assist in determining if an event has occurred that may call into question the reliability of the values of the foreign securities held by the Fund. If such an event occurs, the securities may be valued using fair value procedures, which may include the use of independent pricing services.
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
Semiannual Report | 27
Franklin Templeton International Trust
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
Templeton Foreign Smaller Companies Fund
1. | ORGANIZATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued) |
b. | Foreign Currency Translation (continued) |
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 Trust’s Board of Trustees.
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.
c. Securities Purchased on a Delayed Delivery Basis
The Fund purchases securities on a delayed delivery basis, with payment and delivery scheduled for a future date. These transactions are subject to market fluctuations and are subject to the risk that the value at delivery may be more or less than the trade date purchase price. Although the Fund will generally purchase these securities with the intention of holding the securities, it may sell the securities before the settlement date. Sufficient assets have been segregated for these securities.
d. Income 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 excise taxes. As a result, no provision for U.S. federal income taxes is required. The Fund files U.S. income tax returns as well as tax returns in certain other jurisdictions. The Fund records a provision for taxes in its financial statements including penalties and interest, if any, for a tax position taken on a tax return (or expected to be taken) when it fails to meet the more likely than not (a greater than 50% probability) threshold and based on the technical merits, the tax position may not be sustained upon examination by the tax authorities. As of April 30, 2011, and for all open tax years, the Fund has determined that no provision for income tax is required in the Fund’s financial statements. Open tax years are those that remain subject to examination and are based on each tax jurisdiction statute of limitation.
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Franklin Templeton International Trust
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
Templeton Foreign Smaller Companies Fund
1. | ORGANIZATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued) |
d. | Income Taxes (continued) |
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 for unrealized gains on these securities in an amount that would be payable if the securities were disposed of on the valuation date.
e. 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. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date except that certain dividends from foreign securities are recognized as soon as the Fund is notified of the ex-dividend date. 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.
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. Fund specific expenses are charged directly to the fund that incurred the expense.
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.
f. 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.
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Franklin Templeton International Trust
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
Templeton Foreign Smaller Companies Fund
1. | ORGANIZATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued) |
g. | 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, 2011, there were an unlimited number of shares authorized (without par value).
Transactions in the Fund’s shares were as follows:
30 | Semiannual Report
Franklin Templeton International Trust
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
Templeton Foreign Smaller Companies 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:
a. Management Fees
The Fund pays an investment management fee to FTIC based on the average daily net assets of the Fund as follows:
Under a subadvisory agreement, TIC, an affiliate of FTIC, provides subadvisory services to the Fund. The subadvisory fee is paid by FTIC based on the average daily net assets, and is not an additional expense of the Fund.
b. Administrative Fees
Under an agreement with FTIC, FT Services provides administrative services to the Fund. The fee is paid by FTIC based on average daily net assets, and is not an additional expense of the Fund.
c. Distribution Fees
The Trust’s Board of Trustees 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 Fund’s Class A reimbursement distribution plan, the Fund reimburses Distributors for costs incurred in connection with the servicing, sale and distribution of the Fund’s shares up to the maximum annual plan rate. Under the Class A reimbursement distribution plan, costs exceeding the maximum for the current plan year cannot be reimbursed in subsequent periods.
Semiannual Report | 31
Franklin Templeton International Trust
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
Templeton Foreign Smaller Companies Fund
3. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES (continued) c. Distribution Fees (continued)
In addition, under the Fund’s Class B and C compensation distribution plans, the Fund pays Distributors for costs incurred in connection with the servicing, sale and distribution of the Fund’s shares up to the maximum annual plan rate for each class.
The maximum annual plan rates, based on the average daily net assets, for each class, are as follows:
d. Sales Charges/Underwriting Agreements
Distributors has 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
For the period ended April 30, 2011, the Fund paid transfer agent fees of $203,857, of which $116,573 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, 2011, the custodian fees were reduced as noted in the Statement of Operations.
5. INCOME TAXES
For tax purposes, capital losses may be carried over to offset future capital gains, if any. At October 31, 2010, the Fund had tax basis capital losses of $31,789,260 expiring in 2017. During the year ended October 31, 2010, the Fund utilized $1,639,678 of capital loss carryforwards.
32 | Semiannual Report
Franklin Templeton International Trust
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
Templeton Foreign Smaller Companies Fund
5. INCOME TAXES (continued)
At April 30, 2011, the cost of investments, net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) for income tax purposes were as follows:
Net investment income (loss) differs for financial statement and tax purposes primarily due to differing treatments of foreign currency transactions and passive foreign investment company shares, non-deductible expenses and regulatory settlements.
Net realized gains (losses) differ for financial statement and tax purposes primarily due to differing treatments of wash sales and foreign currency transactions.
6. INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS
Purchases and sales of investments (excluding short term securities) for the period ended April 30, 2011, aggregated $21,732,271 and $18,397,140, respectively.
7. 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.
8. 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 $750 million (Global Credit Facility) which matures on January 20, 2012. 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 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
Semiannual Report | 33
Franklin Templeton International Trust
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
Templeton Foreign Smaller Companies Fund
8. CREDIT FACILITY (continued)
Credit Facility, based upon its relative share of the aggregate net assets of all of the Borrowers, including an annual commitment fee of 0.08% based upon the unused portion of the Global Credit Facility, which is reflected in other expenses on the Statement of Operations. During the period ended April 30, 2011, the Fund did not use the Global Credit Facility.
9. 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 investments and are summarized in the following fair value hierarchy:
- Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities
- Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speed, credit risk, etc.)
- Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)
The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
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.
The following is a summary of the inputs used as of April 30, 2011, in valuing the Fund’s assets and liabilities carried at fair value:
34 | Semiannual Report
Franklin Templeton International Trust
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
Templeton Foreign Smaller Companies Fund
10. 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.
ABBREVIATIONS
Selected Portfolio
FHLB - Federal Home Loan Bank
Semiannual Report | 35
Franklin Templeton International Trust
Shareholder Information
Templeton Foreign Smaller Companies Fund
Board Review of Investment Management Agreement
At a meeting held April 19, 2011, the Board of Trustees (Board), including a majority of non-interested or independent Trustees, approved renewal of the investment management agreement for each of the Funds within the Trust, including Templeton Foreign Smaller Companies Fund (Fund(s)). 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 each Fund, as well as periodic reports on expenses, shareholder services, legal, compliance, pricing, brokerage commissions and execution and other services provided by the Investment Manager (Manager) and its affiliates. Information furnished specifically in connection with the renewal process included a report for each Fund prepared by Lipper, Inc. (Lipper), an independent organization, as well as additional material, including a Fund profitability analysis prepared by management. The Lipper reports compared each 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 report 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 Funds by the Franklin Templeton Investments organization, as well as a memorandum relating to economies of scale and a comparative analysis concerning transfer agent fees charged each Fund.
In considering such materials, the independent Trustees received assistance and advice from and met separately with independent counsel. While the investment management agreements for all Funds were considered at the same Board meeting, the Board dealt with each Fund separately. In approving continuance of the investment management agreement for each 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 each 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
36 | Semiannual Report
Franklin Templeton International Trust
Shareholder Information (continued)
Templeton Foreign Smaller Companies Fund
Board Review of Investment Management Agreement (continued)
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 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 smoothly during the Florida hurricanes and blackouts experienced in previous years. 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. 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. 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. While consideration was given to performance reports and discussions with portfolio managers at Board meetings throughout the year, particular attention in assessing performance was given to the Lipper reports furnished for the agreement renewal. The Lipper reports prepared for the Fund showed the investment performance
Semiannual Report | 37
Franklin Templeton International Trust
Shareholder Information (continued)
Templeton Foreign Smaller Companies Fund
Board Review of Investment Management Agreement (continued)
of its Class A shares in comparison to a performance universe selected by Lipper. The performance universe for the Fund consisted of the Fund and all retail and institutional international small/mid-cap value funds as selected by Lipper. Comparative performance within such universe was shown for the one-year period ended January 31, 2011, and the previous 10 years ended that date. The Lipper report showed the Fund’s total return for the one-year period to be in the second-highest quintile of such performance universe, and on an annualized basis to also be in the second-highest quintile of such universe for each of the previous three-and five-year periods, and the middle quin-tile of such universe for the previous 10-year period. The Board was satisfied with the Fund’s comparative investment performance as set forth in the Lipper report.
COMPARATIVE EXPENSES. Consideration was given to a comparative analysis of the management fee and total expense ratio of the Fund compared with those of a group of other funds selected by Lipper as constituting its appropriate Lipper expense group. 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 each Fund’s contractual investment management fee in comparison with the 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 Lipper expense group. The Lipper contractual investment management fee analysis includes administrative charges as being part of the investment management fee, and actual total expenses, for comparative consistency, are shown by Lipper for Fund Class A shares. The results of such Lipper comparisons showed both the contractual investment management fee rate and actual total expense ratio of the Fund to be in the middle quintile of its Lipper expense group. The Board found the comparative investment management fee and total expense ratio of this Fund as shown in the Lipper report to be acceptable.
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, 2010, 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 methodologies may each be reasonable while producing different results. In this respect, the Board noted
38 | Semiannual Report
Franklin Templeton International Trust
Shareholder Information (continued)
Templeton Foreign Smaller Companies Fund
Board Review of Investment Management Agreement (continued)
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 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 meet additional regulatory and compliance requirements resulting from the Sarbanes-Oxley Act 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 Board also noted that economies of scale are shared with the Fund and its shareholders through management fee breakpoints so that as a fund grows in size, its effective management fee rate declines. The fee schedule under the investment management agreement for the Fund provides an initial fee of 1% on the first $100 million of net assets; 0.90% on the next $150 million; 0.80% on the next $250 million; and 0.75% on net assets in excess of $500 million. The Fund’s assets were approximately $226 million at December 31, 2010. The Board believed that to the extent economies of scale may be realized by the Manager and its affiliates, the schedule of fees under the investment management agreement for such Fund provides for a sharing of benefits with the Fund and its shareholders.
Semiannual Report | 39
Franklin Templeton International Trust
Shareholder Information (continued)
Templeton Foreign Smaller Companies Fund
Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures
The Fund’s investment manager has established Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures (Policies) that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities. Shareholders may view the Fund’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 Fund’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 Fund 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.
40 | Semiannual Report
INTERNATIONAL
FRANKLIN INDIA GROWTH FUND
Semiannual Report
Franklin India Growth Fund
Your Fund’s Goal and Main Investments: Franklin India Growth Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation by investing under normal market conditions at least 80% of its net assets in securities of “Indian companies,” which are defined as those organized under the laws of, with a principal office in, or for which the principal trading market for their securities is in India, that derive 50% or more of total revenue or profit from goods or services produced or sales made in India, or that have 50% or
more of their assets in India.1
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.
This semiannual report for Franklin India Growth Fund covers the period ended April 30, 2011.
Performance Overview
For the six months under review, Franklin India Growth Fund – Class A had a -2.32% cumulative total return. The Fund performed better than the -5.56% total return of its benchmark, the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) India Index, which is designed to measure stock market performance in India.2 You can find more of the Fund’s performance data in the Performance Summary beginning on page 7.
Economic and Market Overview
During the six months under review, the Indian economy continued to exhibit strength, with gross domestic product growing 7.8% year-over-year in the first quarter of 2011, according to the country’s Central Statistical Organisation. However, this growth rate was soft compared to the previous four quarters due to a deceleration in industrial activity. For India’s 2011 fiscal year (ended March 31, 2011), the Central Statistical Organisation estimated economic growth of 8.5% over fiscal year 2010.
1. The Fund currently invests indirectly in Indian companies through FT (Mauritius) Offshore Investments Limited, a wholly owned, collective investment vehicle registered in the Republic of Mauritius.
2. Source: MSCI, Inc. The index is unmanaged and includes reinvested dividends. One cannot invest directly in an index, and an index is not representative of the Fund’s portfolio.
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 27.
Semiannual Report | 3
Persistently high inflation levels, however, led the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to maintain a tightening monetary policy bias. From the low rates reached during the global financial crisis, the RBI has raised the repo rate, the interest rate at which banks borrow from the RBI, by 200 basis points (100 basis points equal one percentage point) to 6.75% at period-end. Despite the rising rates and input costs, Indian companies managed the reporting period quite well, helped by continued demand for goods and services.
Along with those of other emerging markets, Indian stocks experienced a sell-off by foreign portfolio investors in the early part of 2011. Additionally, concerns about a series of graft allegations at the government and institutional levels weighed on investor sentiment. Small- and mid-capitalization stocks suffered steeper losses than large-capitalization stocks. Real estate and capital goods stocks were the chief decliners, while technology and consumer staples stocks registered gains. Overall, however, net foreign institutional inflows during the period under review totaled $5.4 billion.3
Despite some short-term economic concerns at period-end, India was still poised for longer term growth. A well-balanced growth model combined with a manageable fiscal deficit, a high savings rate and a large young population bode well for the economy. Structural growth drivers such as a rise in income levels and increased government and corporate spending should support higher growth. The government’s continued focus on agricultural and rural sectors could help diversify India’s economic drivers and add to the economy’s ability to navigate through a global slowdown.
Investment Strategy
We are research-driven, fundamental investors pursuing a growth strategy. As bottom-up investors focusing primarily on individual securities, we seek to invest in companies whose current market price, in our opinion, does not reflect future growth prospects. We choose companies that have identifiable drivers of future earnings growth and that present, in our opinion, the best trade-off between earnings growth potential, business and financial risk, and valuation. We rely on a team of analysts to help provide in-depth industry expertise and use both qualitative and quantitative analyses to evaluate companies for distinct and sustainable competitive advantages through leading-edge products, intellectual property, product positioning, unique market niches, brand identity, solid management teams, strong balance sheets, above-average or rising margins, and strong returns on capital invested in the business. In choosing
3. Source: Securities and Exchange Board of India.
4 | Semiannual Report
equity investments, we also consider such factors as the company’s financial strength, management’s expertise, the company’s growth potential within the industry, and the industry’s growth potential.
Manager’s Discussion
Our overall strategy has been to build a diversified portfolio of companies that cover the full market capitalization spectrum and that we think are well positioned to take advantage of Indian economic growth. In particular, we believe companies that could benefit from structural growth drivers such as rising consumer spending and infrastructure investment may provide favorable growth opportunities.
During the period under review, the Fund’s overall telecommunication services and information technology (IT) sectors benefited absolute performance.4 Some stocks in the telecommunication services sector rebounded from lows touched earlier in 2010 resulting from concerns of increasing competitive intensity and regulatory pressures. Bharti Airtel, one of India’s largest telecommunication companies, was among the chief contributors. The firm has maintained its market share through challenging times and, in our view, is well positioned to take advantage of growth opportunities in the Indian market. We think its recent expansion into Africa’s emerging telecommunications market further added to its growth potential. Another sizable holding, Tata Consultancy Services, one of India’s largest IT services companies, also delivered strong performance over the reporting period, aided by recovery in global IT spending.
Our share purchase in Coal India positively contributed to performance. The company, India’s largest coal producer, completed its initial public offering in October 2010. Various drivers, such as rising consumption of coal, large reserves and a monopolistic position in a tight coal market should, in our view, help the company perform well.
In contrast, the Fund’s returns were hampered mainly by our financials and industrials sector holdings.5 Rising inflation and subsequent interest rate increases raised concerns about financials sector profitability, while a slowdown in capital spending hurt performance of industrials sector companies. On an individual stock basis, Reliance Industries was a major detractor from Fund performance. One of India’s biggest conglomerates, the company explores,
4. The telecommunications services sector comprises wireless telecommunication services in the SOI. The IT sector comprises IT services in the SOI.
5. The financials sector comprises commercial banks and diversified financial services in the SOI. The industrials sector comprises construction and engineering, electrical equipment and machinery in the SOI.
Semiannual Report | 5
develops and produces oil and gas, refines petroleum products, produces and markets petrochemical products, produces textiles, and operates retail stores. Uncertainty about the increase in gas production from its key production block in the Krishna-Godavari basin weighed on stock performance during the period under review. Other key detractors included power equipment manufacturing company Crompton Greaves and construction and engineering company Larsen & Toubro. Notwithstanding their recent stock declines, we remained positive on the medium- to long-term performance of these companies and continued to hold these positions at period-end.
Thank you for your continued participation in Franklin India Growth Fund.
We look forward to serving your future investment needs.
Stephen H. Dover, CFA
Purav A. Jhaveri, CFA, FRM
Portfolio Management Team
Franklin India Growth Fund
CFA® is a trademark owned by CFA Institute.
The foregoing information reflects our analysis, opinions and portfolio holdings as of April 30, 2011, 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.
6 | Semiannual Report
Performance Summary as of 4/30/11
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.
Semiannual Report | 7
Performance Summary (continued)
Performance1
Cumulative total return excludes sales charges. Average annual total returns and value of $10,000 investment include maximum sales charges. Class A: 5.75% maximum initial sales charge; Class C: 1% contingent deferred sales charge in first year only; 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.
The investment manager and administrator have contractually agreed to waive or assume certain expenses so that the common expenses (including the expenses of FT (Mauritius) Offshore Investments Limited but excluding Rule 12b-1 fees) for each class of the Fund do not exceed 1.40% (other than certain nonroutine expenses) until 2/29/12.
8 | Semiannual Report
Performance Summary (continued)
Endnotes
Special risks are associated with foreign investing, including currency fluctuations, economic instability and political developments. Investments in developing markets involve heightened risks related to the same factors, in addition to risks associated with these companies’ smaller size, lesser liquidity and the potential lack of established legal, political, business and social frameworks to support securities markets in the countries in which they operate. The Fund may also experience greater volatility than a fund that is more broadly diversified geographically. The Fund is designed for the aggressive portion of a well-diversified portfolio. The manager applies various techniques and analyses in making investment decisions for the Fund, but there can be no guarantee that these decisions will produce the desired results. The Fund’s prospectus also includes a description of the main investment risks.
Class C: Advisor Class: | These shares have higher annual fees and expenses than Class A shares. Shares are available to certain eligible investors as described in the prospectus. |
1. If the manager and administrator had not waived fees, the Fund’s total returns 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. Six-month return has not been annualized.
4. These figures represent the value of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in the Fund over the periods indicated.
5. In accordance with SEC rules, we provide standardized average annual total return information through the latest calendar quarter.
6. Figures are as stated in the Fund’s prospectus current as of the date of this report. In periods of market volatility, assets may decline significantly, causing total annual Fund operating expenses to become higher than the figures shown.
Semiannual Report | 9
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.
10 | Semiannual Report
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, net of expense waivers, annualized for each class (A: 1.70%; C: 2.40%; and Advisor: 1.40%), multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 to reflect the one-half year period.
Semiannual Report | 11
Franklin Templeton International Trust
Financial Highlights
aFor the period January 31, 2008 (commencement of operations) to October 31, 2008.
bThe per share amounts and ratios reflect income and expenses of the Portfolio.
cThe 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 shares in relation to income earned and/or fluctuating market value of the investments of the Fund.
dBased on average daily shares outstanding.
eEffective September 1, 2008, the redemption fee was eliminated.
fAmount rounds to less than $0.01 per share.
gTotal return does not reflect sales commissions or contingent deferred sales charges, if applicable, and is not annualized for periods less than one year.
hRatios are annualized for periods less than one year.
iBenefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%.
jRepresents the Portfolio’s rate of turnover.
12 | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | Semiannual Report
Franklin Templeton International Trust
Financial Highlights (continued)
aFor the period January 31, 2008 (commencement of operations) to October 31, 2008.
bThe per share amounts and ratios reflect income and expenses of the Portfolio.
cThe 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 shares in relation to income earned and/or fluctuating market value of the investments of the Fund.
dBased on average daily shares outstanding.
eEffective September 1, 2008, the redemption fee was eliminated.
fAmount rounds to less than $0.01 per share.
gTotal return does not reflect sales commissions or contingent deferred sales charges, if applicable, and is not annualized for periods less than one year.
hRatios are annualized for periods less than one year.
iBenefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%.
jRepresents the Portfolio’s rate of turnover.
Semiannual Report | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | 13
Franklin Templeton International Trust
Financial Highlights (continued)
aFor the period January 31, 2008 (commencement of operations) to October 31, 2008.
bThe per share amounts and ratios reflect income and expenses of the Portfolio.
cThe 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 shares in relation to income earned and/or fluctuating market value of the investments of the Fund.
dBased on average daily shares outstanding.
eAmount rounds to less than $0.01 per share.
fEffective September 1, 2008, the redemption fee was eliminated.
gTotal return is not annualized for periods less than one year.
hRatios are annualized for periods less than one year.
iBenefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%.
jRepresents the Portfolio’s rate of turnover.
14 | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | Semiannual Report
Franklin Templeton International Trust
Financial Statements
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
April 30, 2011 (unaudited)
Semiannual Report | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | 15
Franklin Templeton International Trust
Financial Statements (continued)
Statement of Operations
for the six months ended April 30, 2011 (unaudited)
16 | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | Semiannual Report
Franklin Templeton International Trust
Financial Statements (continued)
Semiannual Report | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | 17
Franklin Templeton International Trust
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited)
Franklin India Growth Fund
1. ORGANIZATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Franklin Templeton International Trust (Trust) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (1940 Act) as an open-end investment company, consisting of three separate funds. The Franklin India Growth Fund (Fund) is included in this report. The financial statements of the remaining funds in the Trust are presented separately. The Fund offers three classes of shares: Class A, Class C, and Advisor Class. Each class of shares differs by its initial sales load, contingent deferred sales charges, distribution fees, voting rights on matters affecting a single class and its exchange privilege.
The Fund operates using a “master fund/feeder fund” structure and invests indirectly in the securities of Indian companies through FT (Mauritius) Offshore Investments Limited (Portfolio), an entity registered with and regulated by the Mauritius Financial Services Commission, which shares the same investment objective as the Fund. The accounting policies of the Portfolio, including the Portfolio’s security valuation policies, will directly affect the recorded value of the Fund’s investment in the Portfolio. The financial statements of the Portfolio, including the Statement of Investments, are included elsewhere in this report and should be read in conjunction with the Fund’s financial statements. At April 30, 2011, the Fund owned 100% of the outstanding shares of the Portfolio.
The following summarizes the Fund’s significant accounting policies.
a. Financial Instrument Valuation
The Fund’s investment in the Portfolio shares is valued at the Portfolio’s net asset value per share. Valuation of securities by the Portfolio is discussed in Note 1(a) of the Portfolio’s Notes to Financial Statements, which are included elsewhere in this report.
b. 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 excise taxes. As a result, no provision for U.S. federal income taxes is required. The Fund files U.S. income tax returns as well as tax returns in certain other jurisdictions. The Fund records a provision for taxes in its financial statements including penalties and interest, if any, for a tax position taken on a tax return (or expected to be taken) when it fails to meet the more likely than not (a greater than 50% probability) threshold and based on the technical merits, the tax position may not be sustained upon examination by the tax authorities. As of April 30, 2011, and for all open tax years, the Fund has determined that no provision for income tax is required in the Fund’s financial statements. Open tax years are those that remain subject to examination and are based on each tax jurisdiction statute of limitation.
18 | Semiannual Report
Franklin Templeton International Trust
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
Franklin India Growth Fund
1. | ORGANIZATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued) |
b. | Income and Deferred Taxes (continued) |
The Fund’s investment in the Portfolio may be subject to income and withholding taxes in Mauritius and/or India which are discussed in Note 1(c) of the Portfolio’s Notes to Financial Statements.
c. Security Transactions, Investment Income, Expenses and Distributions
Security transactions, including investments in the Portfolio, 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 is recorded on the ex-dividend date. 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.
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. Fund specific expenses are charged directly to the fund that incurred the expense.
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.
The Fund records its proportionate share of the Portfolio’s income, expenses and realized and unrealized gains and losses daily. In addition, the Fund accrues its own expenses.
d. 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.
Semiannual Report | 19
Franklin Templeton International Trust
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
Franklin India Growth Fund
1. | ORGANIZATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued) |
e. | Guarantees and Indemnifications |
Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and directors 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, 2011, there were an unlimited number of shares authorized (without par value).
Transactions in the Fund’s shares were as follows:
20 | Semiannual Report
Franklin Templeton International Trust
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
Franklin India Growth 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 Portfolio and of the following subsidiaries:
a. Management Fees
The Fund pays an investment management fee to Advisers equal to 20% of the total management fee with the remainder to be paid by the Portfolio. The total management fee is paid based on the average daily net assets of the Fund as follows:
Effective May 1, 2011, the total management fee will be paid based on the average daily net assets of the Fund as follows:
Under a subadvisory agreement, FT India, an affiliate of Advisers, provides subadvisory services to the Fund. The subadvisory fee is paid by Advisers based on the average daily net assets, and is not an additional expense of the Fund.
Semiannual Report | 21
Franklin Templeton International Trust
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
Franklin India Growth Fund
3. | TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES (continued) |
b. | Administrative Fees |
The Fund pays an administrative fee to FT Services of 0.20% per year of the average daily net assets of the Funds.
c. Distribution Fees
The Trust’s Board of Trustees 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 Fund’s Class A reimbursement distribution plan, the Fund reimburses Distributors for costs incurred in connection with the servicing, sale and distribution of the Fund’s shares up to the maximum annual plan rate. Under the Class A reimbursement distribution plan, costs exceeding the maximum for the current plan year cannot be reimbursed in subsequent periods.
In addition, under the Fund’s Class C compensation distribution plan, the Fund pays Distributors for costs incurred in connection with the servicing, sale and distribution of the Fund’s shares up to the maximum annual plan rate.
The maximum annual plan rates, based on the average daily net assets, for each class, are as follows:
The Board of Trustees has set the current rate at 0.30% per year for Class A shares until further notice and approval by the Board.
d. Sales Charges/Underwriting Agreements
Distributors has 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
For the period ended April 30, 2011, the Fund paid transfer agent fees of $53,460, of which $46,174 was retained by Investor Services.
22 | Semiannual Report
Franklin Templeton International Trust
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
Franklin India Growth Fund
3. | TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES (continued) |
f. | Waiver and Expense Reimbursements |
Advisers and FT Services have contractually agreed in advance to waive or limit their respective fees and to assume as their own expense certain expenses otherwise payable by the fund so that the common expenses (i.e. a combination of management fees, administrative fees, and other expenses, including the Fund’s share of the Portfolio’s allocated expenses, but excluding distribution fees, and acquired fund fees and expenses) for each class of the Fund do not exceed 1.40% (other than certain non-routine expenses or costs, including those relating to litigation, indemnification, reorganizations, and liquidations) until February 28, 2012.
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, 2011, there were no credits earned.
5. INCOME TAXES
At April 30, 2011, the cost of investments, net unrealized appreciation (depreciation), for income tax purposes were as follows:
The Portfolio is a disregarded entity for United States Federal income tax purposes.
Net investment income (loss) differs for financial statement and tax purposes primarily due to differing treatments of foreign currency transactions, passive foreign investment company shares and offering costs.
Net realized gains (losses) differ for financial statement and tax purposes primarily due to differing treatments of wash sales, foreign currency transactions and passive foreign investment company shares.
Semiannual Report | 23
Franklin Templeton International Trust
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
Franklin India Growth Fund
6. CONCENTRATION OF RISK
Investing in Indian equity securities through the Portfolio may include certain risks and considerations not typically associated with investing in U.S. securities, such as fluctuating currency values, less liquidity, expropriation, confiscatory taxation, nationalization, exchange control regulations (including currency blockage), differing legal standards and changing local and regional economic, political and social conditions, which may result in greater market volatility.
7. 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 $750 million (Global Credit Facility) which matures on January 20, 2012. 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 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 0.08% based upon the unused portion of the Global Credit Facility, which is reflected in other expenses on the Statement of Operations. During the period ended April 30, 2011, the Fund did not use the Global Credit Facility.
8. 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 investments and are summarized in the following fair value hierarchy:
- Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities
- Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speed, credit risk, etc.)
- Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)
The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
24 | Semiannual Report
Franklin Templeton International Trust
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
Franklin India Growth Fund
8. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (continued)
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.
The following is a summary of the inputs used as of April 30, 2011, in valuing the Portfolio’s assets and liabilities carried at fair value:
9. 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 other than those already disclosed in the financial statements.
Semiannual Report | 25
FT (Mauritius) Offshore Investments Limited
Financial Highlights
(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)
aFor the period January 31, 2008 (commencement of operations) to October 31, 2008.
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 shares in relation to income earned and/or fluctuating market 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.
26 | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | Semiannual Report
FT (Mauritius) Offshore Investments Limited
Statement of Investments, April 30, 2011 (unaudited)
(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)
Semiannual Report | 27
FT (Mauritius) Offshore Investments Limited
Statement of Investments, April 30, 2011 (unaudited) (continued)
(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)
28 | Semiannual Report
FT (Mauritius) Offshore Investments Limited
Statement of Investments, April 30, 2011 (unaudited) (continued)
(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)
See Abbreviations on page 39.
- Rounds to less than 0.1% of net assets.
- The principal amount is stated in U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated.
- Non-income producing.
Semiannual Report | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | 29
FT (Mauritius) Offshore Investments Limited
Financial Statements
(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
April 30, 2011 (unaudited)
30 | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | Semiannual Report
FT (Mauritius) Offshore Investments Limited
Financial Statements (continued)
(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)
Statement of Operations
for the six months ended April 30, 2011 (unaudited)
Semiannual Report | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | 31
FT (Mauritius) Offshore Investments Limited
Financial Statements (continued)
(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)
32 | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | Semiannual Report
FT (Mauritius) Offshore Investments Limited
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited)
(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)
1. ORGANIZATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
FT (Mauritius) Offshore Investments Limited (Portfolio) is registered with and regulated by the Mauritius Financial Services Commission. The Portfolio was formed for the purpose of facilitating the Franklin India Growth Fund’s (Fund) purchase of securities of a wide selection of Indian companies, consistent with the Fund’s investment strategies and has elected to be treated as a disregarded entity for United States federal income tax purposes.
At April 30, 2011, the Fund owned 100% of the Portfolio.
The following summarizes the Portfolio’s significant accounting policies.
a. Financial Instrument Valuation
The Portfolio’s investments in securities and other 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 Portfolio may utilize independent pricing services, quotations from securities and financial instrument dealers, and other market sources to determine fair value.
Equity securities 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. Foreign equity securities are valued as of the close of trading on the foreign stock exchange on which the security is primarily traded, or the NYSE, whichever is earlier. The value is then converted into its U.S. dollar equivalent at the foreign exchange rate in effect at the close of the NYSE on the day that the value of the security is determined. Over-the-counter securities are valued within the range of the most recent quoted bid and ask prices. Securities that trade in multiple markets or on multiple exchanges are valued according to the broadest and most representative market. Certain equity securities are valued based upon fundamental characteristics or relationships to similar securities.
The Portfolio follows the Fund’s procedures to determine the fair value of securities and other financial instruments for which market prices are not readily available or which may not be reliably priced. Under these procedures, the Portfolio 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. The Portfolio may also use an income-based valuation approach 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.
Semiannual Report | 33
FT (Mauritius) Offshore Investments Limited
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)
1. | ORGANIZATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued) |
a. | Financial Instrument Valuation (continued) |
Trading in securities on foreign securities stock exchanges and over-the-counter markets may be completed before the daily close of business on the NYSE. Occasionally, events occur between the time at which trading in a foreign security is completed and the close of the NYSE that might call into question the reliability of the value of a portfolio security held by the Portfolio. As a result, differences may arise between the value of the Portfolio’s portfolio securities as determined at the foreign market close and the latest indications of value at the close of the NYSE. In order to minimize the potential for these differences, the investment manager monitors price movements following the close of trading in foreign stock markets through a series of country specific market proxies (such as baskets of American Depository Receipts, futures contracts and exchange traded funds). These price movements are measured against established trigger thresholds for each specific market proxy to assist in determining if an event has occurred that may call into question the reliability of the values of the foreign securities held by the Portfolio. If such an event occurs, the securities may be valued using fair value procedures, which may include the use of independent pricing services.
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 Portfolio 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 Fund’s Board of Trustees.
The Portfolio 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.
34 | Semiannual Report
FT (Mauritius) Offshore Investments Limited
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)
1. | ORGANIZATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued) |
c. | Income Taxes |
The Portfolio conducts its investment activities in India as a tax resident of Mauritius and expects to obtain benefits under the double taxation treaty between Mauritius and India (Treaty). To obtain benefits under the Treaty, the Portfolio must meet certain tests and conditions, including the establishment of Mauritius tax residence and related requirements. The Portfolio has obtained a certificate from the Mauritius tax authorities and believes that such certification is evidence that it is a resident of Mauritius under the Treaty. A company which is a tax resident in Mauritius under the Treaty and has no branch or permanent establishment in India, will not be subject to capital gains tax in India on the sale of Indian securities but is subject to Indian withholding tax on interest earned on Indian securities at the rate of 21.115% (which includes surcharges). There is no withholding tax in India in respect of dividends paid by Indian companies and such dividends are exempt in the hands of the shareholders.
The Portfolio holds a Category 1 Global Business License for the purpose of the Financial Services Act 2007 and under current laws and regulations, is subject to tax in Mauritius at the rate of 15% on its net income. However, the Portfolio is entitled to a deemed tax credit equivalent to the higher of actual foreign tax suffered or a presumed foreign tax equivalent of 80% of the Mauritian tax on its foreign source income. Thus, the effective tax rate in Mauritius should not exceed 3% (i.e. 15% less 80% of 15%). Indian companies making distributions are, however, liable to a dividend distribution tax equivalent to 16.995% of the dividends distributed. A company holding at least 5% of the share capital of an Indian company and receiving dividends from that Indian company may claim a credit for tax paid by the Indian company on its profits out of which the dividends were distributed including the dividend distribution tax. No Mauritian capital gains tax is payable on profits arising from sale of securities, and any dividends and redemption proceeds paid by the Portfolio to its shareholders will be exempt from withholding or other tax.
The Portfolio continues to: (i) comply with the requirements of the Treaty; (ii) be a tax resident of Mauritius; and (iii) maintain that its central management and control resides in Mauritius, and therefore management believes that the Portfolio will be able to obtain the benefits of the Treaty. Accordingly, no provision for Indian income taxes has been made in the accompanying financial statements of the Portfolio for taxes related to capital gains or dividends.
The foregoing is based upon current interpretation and practice and is subject to future changes in Indian or Mauritian tax laws and in the Treaty.
Semiannual Report | 35
FT (Mauritius) Offshore Investments Limited
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)
1. | ORGANIZATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued) |
d. | Security Transactions, Investment Income and Expenses |
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 is recorded on the ex-dividend date except that certain dividends from foreign securities are recognized as soon as the Portfolio is notified of the ex-dividend date.
e. 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.
f. Guarantees and Indemnifications
Under the Portfolio’s organizational documents, the Portfolio’s officers and directors are indemnified by the Portfolio against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Portfolio. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Portfolio enters into contracts with service providers that contain general indemnification clauses. The Portfolio’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Portfolio that have not yet occurred. Currently, the Portfolio expects the risk of loss to be remote.
2. SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST
At April 30, 2011, there were an unlimited number of shares authorized (without par value).
Transactions in the Portfolio’s shares were as follows:
36 | Semiannual Report
FT (Mauritius) Offshore Investments Limited
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)
3. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
Franklin Resources, Inc. is the holding company of Franklin Advisers, Inc. (Advisers) which is the investment manager of the Portfolio.
a. Management Fees
The Portfolio pays an investment management fee to Advisers equal to 80% of the total management fee with the remainder to be paid by the Fund based on the average daily net assets of the Fund as follows:
Effective May 1, 2011, the Portfolio will pay fees equal to 80% of the total management fee with the remainder to be paid by the Fund based on the average daily net assets of the Fund as follows:
3. | TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES (continued) |
b. | Administrative Fees |
The Portfolio pays an administrative fee to International Financial Services Limited (IFS), a Mauritius company, an annual fee of $30,000 plus reimbursement of certain expenses. Certain directors of the Portfolio are also directors of IFS.
4. INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS
Purchases and sales of investments (excluding short term securities) for the period ended April 30, 2011, aggregated $33,993,775 and $18,857,174, respectively.
Semiannual Report | 37
FT (Mauritius) Offshore Investments Limited
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)
5. CONCENTRATION OF RISK
Investing in Indian equity securities through the Portfolio may include certain risks and considerations not typically associated with investing in U.S. securities, such as fluctuating currency values, less liquidity, expropriation, confiscatory taxation, nationalization, exchange control regulations (including currency blockage), differing legal standards and changing local and regional economic, political and social conditions, which may result in greater market volatility.
6. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
The Portfolio follows a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between market data obtained from independent sources (observable inputs) and the Portfolio’s own market assumptions (unobservable inputs). These inputs are used in determining the value of the Portfolio’s investments and are summarized in the following fair value hierarchy:
- Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities
- Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speed, credit risk, etc.)
- Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including the Portfolio’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)
The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
For movements between the levels within the fair value hierarchy, the Portfolio adopted a policy of recognizing the transfers as of the date of the underlying event which caused the movement.
6. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (continued)
The following is a summary of the inputs used as of April 30, 2011, in valuing the Portfolio’s assets and liabilities carried at fair value:
38 | Semiannual Report
FT (Mauritius) Offshore Investments Limited
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
(Expressed in U.S. Dollars)
7. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
The Portfolio has evaluated subsequent events through the issuance of the financial statements and determined that no events have occurred that require disclosure other than those already disclosed in the financial statements.
ABBREVIATIONS
Currency
INR -Indian Rupee
Semiannual Report | 39
Franklin Templeton International Trust
Shareholder Information
Franklin India Growth Fund
Board Review of Investment Management Agreement
At a meeting held April 19, 2011, the Board of Trustees (Board), including a majority of non-interested or independent Trustees, approved renewal of the investment management agreement for each of the Funds within the Trust, including Franklin India Growth Fund (Fund(s)). 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 each Fund, as well as periodic reports on expenses, shareholder services, legal, compliance, pricing, brokerage commissions and execution and other services provided by the Investment Manager (Manager) and its affiliates. Information furnished specifically in connection with the renewal process included a report for each Fund prepared by Lipper, Inc. (Lipper), an independent organization, as well as additional material, including a Fund profitability analysis prepared by management. The Lipper reports compared each 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 report 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 Funds by the Franklin Templeton Investments organization, as well as a memorandum relating to economies of scale and a comparative analysis concerning transfer agent fees charged each Fund.
In considering such materials, the independent Trustees received assistance and advice from and met separately with independent counsel. While the investment management agreements for all Funds were considered at the same Board meeting, the Board dealt with each Fund separately. In approving continuance of the investment management agreement for each 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 each 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 furnished
40 | Semiannual Report
Franklin Templeton International Trust
Shareholder Information (continued)
Franklin India Growth Fund
Board Review of Investment Management Agreement (continued)
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 smoothly during the Florida hurricanes and blackouts experienced in previous years. 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. 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. 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. While consideration was given to performance reports and discussions with portfolio managers at Board meetings throughout the year, particular attention in assessing performance was given to the Lipper reports furnished for the agreement renewal. The Lipper reports prepared for the Fund showed the investment performance of its Class A shares in comparison to a performance universe selected by Lipper. The performance universe for the Fund consisted of the Fund and all retail and institutional emerging markets funds as selected by Lipper. The Fund has been in operation for only three full annual periods. The Lipper report comparison showed the Fund’s total return to be in the lowest quintile of such performance
Semiannual Report | 41
Franklin Templeton International Trust
Shareholder Information (continued)
Franklin India Growth Fund
Board Review of Investment Management Agreement (continued)
universe for the one-year period and to be in the second-highest quintile of such universe during each of the previous two one-year periods. The Board noted the limitations of the Lipper comparative performance due to the inclusion in the performance universe of funds with no or limited investments in India, and took into account information showing that the Fund’s one-year return had outperformed the MSCI India Index and was competitive with those of other India funds. Based on such factors, the Board was satisfied with the Fund’s performance.
COMPARATIVE EXPENSES. Consideration was given to a comparative analysis of the management fee and total expense ratio of the Fund compared with those of a group of other funds selected by Lipper as constituting its appropriate Lipper expense group. 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 each Fund’s contractual investment management fee in comparison with the 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 Lipper expense group. The Lipper contractual investment management fee analysis includes administrative charges as being part of the investment management fee, and actual total expenses, for comparative consistency, are shown by Lipper for Fund Class A shares. The Lipper report showed the contractual investment management fee rate for the Fund to be in the most expensive quintile of its Lipper expense group, but its actual total expense ratio to be below the median of such group. The Board was satisfied with such expenses, noting they were subsidized by management, but believed it appropriate to reduce the Fund’s investment management fee and negotiated with the Manager downward revisions of such 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, 2010, 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 methodologies may each be reasonable while producing different results. In this respect, the Board noted
42 | Semiannual Report
Franklin Templeton International Trust
Shareholder Information (continued)
Franklin India Growth Fund
Board Review of Investment Management Agreement (continued)
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 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 meet additional regulatory and compliance requirements resulting from the Sarbanes-Oxley Act 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 Board also noted that economies of scale are shared with the Fund and its shareholders through management fee breakpoints so that as a fund grows in size, its effective management fee rate declines. The asset level of the Fund was approximately $108 million on December 31, 2010, and, while believing such size afforded no meaningful economies of scale, the Board negotiated downward revisions in the Fund’s investment management fee schedule effective May 1, 2011, so as to be at the rate of 1.10% on the first $1 billion of Fund net assets; 1.05% on the next $4 billion of Fund net assets; 1.00% on the next $5 billion of Fund net assets; 0.95% on the next $5 billion of Fund net assets; 0.90% on the next $5 billion of Fund net assets; and 0.85% on net assets in excess of $20 billion.
Semiannual Report | 43
Franklin Templeton International Trust
Shareholder Information (continued)
Franklin India Growth Fund
Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures
The Fund’s investment manager has established Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures (Policies) that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities. Shareholders may view the Fund’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 Fund’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 Fund 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.
44 | Semiannual Report
VALUE BLEND
GROWTH SECTOR
GLOBAL INTERNATIONAL HYBRID
ASSET ALLOCATION
FIXED INCOME TAX-FREE INCOME
< GAIN FROM OUR PERSPECTIVE® >
Semiannual Report and Shareholder Letter
FRANKLIN INDIA GROWTH FUND
Investment Manager
Franklin Advisers, Inc.
Subadvisor
Franklin Templeton Asset Management (India)
Private Limited
Distributor
Franklin Templeton Distributors, Inc.
(800) DIAL BEN®/342-5236
franklintempleton.com
Shareholder Services
(800) 632-2301
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 ensure the highest quality of service, telephone calls to or from our service departments may be monitored, recorded and accessed. These calls can be identified by the presence of a regular beeping tone.
Semiannual Report
Franklin World Perspectives Fund
Your Fund’s Goal and Main Investments: Franklin World Perspectives Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation. Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests primarily in equity securities in developed, emerging and frontier markets across the entire market capitalization spectrum.
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.
This inaugural semiannual report for Franklin World Perspectives Fund covers the period since the Fund’s inception on December 16, 2010, through April 30, 2011.
Performance Overview
Franklin World Perspectives Fund – Class A delivered a cumulative total return of +8.67% since its inception on December 16, 2010, through April 30, 2011. For the same period, the Fund underperformed the +12.69% total return of its benchmark, the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) All Country World Plus Frontier Markets Index (ACWI FM), which measures stock performance in developed, emerging and frontier markets.1 You can find more of the Fund’s performance data in the Performance Summary beginning on page 12.
1. Source: © 2011 Morningstar. All Rights Reserved. The information contained herein: (1) is proprietary to Morningstar and/or its content providers; (2) may not be copied or distributed; and (3) is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. Neither Morningstar nor its content providers are responsible for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information. The index is unmanaged and includes reinvested dividends. One cannot invest directly in an index, and an index is not representative of the Fund’s portfolio.
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 21.
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Economic and Market Overview
Global financial markets generally remained firm during the period under review as economic and corporate earnings improvements offset European debt worries, escalating geopolitical turmoil in Middle East/North Africa (MENA), a devastating natural disaster in Japan, restrictive policy moves in many emerging markets, and worries about rapidly accelerating currencies and inflationary pressures. Stock markets also benefited from the developed world’s continued policy support. The U.S. led the way as the Federal Reserve Board (Fed) engaged in another round of quantitative easing and the Obama administration extended Bush-era tax cuts. In Europe, where fiscal deficits continued to plague some nations, Ireland and Portugal were forced to accept bailouts and the European Central Bank (ECB) approved the creation of a 750 billion euro rescue facility to address future sovereign funding shortfalls. The ECB’s extraordinary interventions indicated its commitment to preserving monetary union stability, but the decision to raise interest rates toward the end of the period also signaled its vigilance on price stability, the bank’s primary mandate. The ECB’s rate hike was notable for its divergence from the U.S. Fed’s accommodative monetary policy, while in other parts of the world, particularly emerging markets, poli-cymakers’ actions against inflation broadly continued. Inflationary concerns came increasingly into focus for both developed and emerging economies, with developed economies impacted by rising input costs and emerging economies starting to see signs of rising social unrest as record-high food and staples prices led to tightening measures in many countries. At least 21 countries, including fast-growing countries such as India, China and South Korea, raised official interest rates during the period to forestall asset bubbles and growing inflationary pressures.
Rising commodity prices fueled global inflationary pressures — oil surpassed $100 per barrel for the first time since 2008 and agricultural commodities reached record-high prices. Surging food prices and high unemployment rates led to violent protests and demands for political change in several MENA countries, which resulted in the toppling of governments in Tunisia and Egypt and unrest in several other countries in the region. This turmoil threatened global oil supplies and put further upward pressure on prices. Growing concerns about the creditworthiness of some advanced economies also eroded confidence in certain currencies, pressuring the dollar and sending precious metals’ prices to new highs. Finally, genuine global economic growth and demand increases also helped push up commodity prices.
Developed markets generally outperformed emerging markets due to elevated investor risk aversion and continued inflationary pressures. Despite short-term volatility, however, emerging markets ended the period with strong returns in
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U.S. dollar terms as investor capital flows returned to these markets, the upward pressure on commodity prices subsided, and protests in the MENA region calmed somewhat toward the end of the reporting period. Investors seemed to re-focus on the global economic recovery’s momentum and its ability to withstand international events and triple-digit oil prices as well as the longer term growth opportunities in certain markets.
In this more benign environment, global economic trends for the most part remained positive, led by emerging markets, where demand growth continued to surge despite restrictive monetary policy. Growth was less consistent in the developed world, where austerity programs in parts of Europe and persistent weaknesses in U.S. labor and housing markets hampered an ongoing recovery. Nonetheless, a generally favorable economic backdrop combined with a corporate profit cycle that could potentially be one of the strongest in market history helped global stock markets reach new post-crisis highs during the reporting period.
Investment Strategy
We manage the Fund using a multi-manager approach. While we have overall responsibility for the Fund’s investments, we work and subcontract with Franklin Templeton’s local asset management teams (subadvisors) to determine regional and country allocations, and each subadvisor is responsible for selecting investments for that portion of the Fund’s portfolio allocated to it. We work closely with the subadvisors to develop local portfolios of securities seeking to outperform the relevant market of each region and combine those portfolios into a single global growth equity fund. The Fund’s actual exposure to various regions and markets will vary from time to time according to our and the subadvisors’ opinions as to the prevailing conditions and prospects for these markets.
Using a growth-oriented investment style, we seek to invest in growth-oriented equity securities of companies listed on the stock markets in developed, emerging and frontier regions and countries around the world, with the benefit of local knowledge and market insight. When choosing equity investments for the Fund, we and the subadvisors apply a research-driven, bottom-up, fundamental long-term approach, focusing on the market price of a company’s securities relative to our and the subadvisors’ evaluations of the company’s long-term earnings, asset value and cash flow potential. We seek to invest in financially strong companies with favorable growth potential and sustainable competitive advantages. We also consider a company’s price/earnings ratio, profit margins and liquidation value.
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Manager’s Discussion
During the period under review, the Fund employed its investment strategy of allocating assets to all major world regions, across all major markets (developed, emerging and frontier) across the market capitalization spectrum (small- to large-cap), all while selecting local securities focused on outperforming the relevant market of each region. We believe that successful global investing can benefit from combining a global investment perspective with local insight, presence and focus. During the reporting period, we followed this philosophy by managing the Fund seeking to take advantage of the global investment expertise of Franklin’s local, on-the-ground portfolio managers located in regions around the world focused on their specific areas of geographic expertise.
We typically use an interactive process when choosing regional allocations, with our subadvisors providing input about their local market opportunities and conviction about their region from the security selection level. Then we make a top-down, multi-resource assessment based on macroeconomic views and valuations about which regions and/or countries feature what we consider the best relative growth opportunities. The subadvisors determine country allocations and individual security selections within each region as a function of our fundamental, bottom-up research-based process. Different parts of the world may view events in different ways, and such events often affect regions uniquely. Our local presence helps us understand the different views and may help us capitalize on them. With knowledge of local cultures, companies and market dynamics, we seek to create a diversified portfolio with security selection decisions supported by high conviction recommendations of our subadvisors.
At period-end, the portfolio’s largest weightings were in the U.S., Europe and Asia-Pacific ex-Japan regions. Since the Fund’s launch, its U.S., MENA region and Japanese weightings increased slightly, while its European and Canadian weightings decreased. We increased weighting to the Asia-Pacific ex-Japan region, specifically in Australia, Taiwan and Thailand, based on our security selections within those regions that we felt possessed valuations that did not accurately reflect their growth potential. In the MENA region, risk aversion due to political and social unrest led to a broad market sell-off, which revealed some attractive investment opportunities to us in certain Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. According to our analysis, these countries have so far remained relatively unaffected (or less affected) by public demonstrations compared to other MENA countries, and we believe they appeared to be comparatively better off politically and economically than others in the region. Allocation shifts between regions were driven primarily by strength in developed equity markets, relative weakness in other regions as well as a rotation in the direction of capital flows which led us to shift some Fund assets toward those regions offering, in our view, more attractive relative valuations and better investment opportunities. Relative to the benchmark index, at period-end
6 | Semiannual Report
our largest overweighted allocations were in Asia ex-Japan, the MENA region and Brazil, while our largest underweightings were in Europe and Japan.
From a sector standpoint, the portfolio’s largest weightings at period-end were in financials, information technology (IT), industrials and consumer discretionary.2 Relative to the benchmark index, our largest overweighted allocations were in industrials and IT, particularly in the U.S. and Europe. In contrast, our largest underweighted allocations were in energy, particularly in the U.S. and Europe.3 In addition, we had a large underweighting in utilities, where we had almost no exposure during the period under review.4
From a country perspective, the Fund’s performance relative to the benchmark MSCI ACWI FM during the reporting period was boosted by underweighting and security selection in Japan as well as stock selection in South Korea, Italy and Canada. With the exception of South Korea, which offered one of the Fund’s best results by individual country, our allocations to emerging markets generally underperformed their developed market counterparts. In Japan, a lack of exposure to the poor-performing utilities sector aided relative performance, as did positioning within the IT sector. In South Korea, an overweighting and stock selection in the consumer discretionary sector as well as stock selection in the materials sector contributed positively to performance.5 In Canada, performance was driven by our energy sector stock selection and financials sector overweighting. We should note that the Fund’s exposure to India was attained via our holding in Franklin India Growth Fund, as the Fund was unable to invest directly in Indian securities during the reporting period due to a legal restriction.
In terms of individual holdings, a major contributor to relative performance was Prysmian, an Italian manufacturer of cables for diverse applications in the energy and telecommunication industries, whose shares rose in value as the company’s pending purchase of Dutch competitor Draka Holding advanced smoothly. Among other top contributors to relative performance was Nexans, a French-based worldwide cable supplier, whose stock price climbed after the company announced strong new-order activity in the first quarter of 2011, and it also won a cable supply contract for a large wind farm project. Another key
2. The financials sector comprises capital markets, commercial banks, consumer finance, diversified financial services, insurance, mutual funds and unit trusts, real estate management and development, and thrifts and mortgage finance in the SOI. The IT sector comprises communications equipment; computers and peripherals; electronic equipment, instruments and components; Internet software and services; IT services; office electronics; semiconductors and semiconductor equipment; and software in the SOI. The industrials sector comprises aerospace and defense, air freight and logistics, building products, commercial services and supplies, construction and engineering, electrical equipment, industrial conglomerates, machinery, road and rail, trading companies and distributors, and transportation infrastructure in the SOI. The consumer discretionary sector comprises auto components; automobiles; diversified consumer services; hotels, restaurants and leisure; internet and catalog retail; media; multiline retail; specialty retail; and textiles, apparel and luxury goods in the SOI.
3. The energy sector comprises energy equipment and services; and oil, gas and consumable fuels in the SOI. 4. The utilities sector comprises multi-utilities in the SOI.
5. The materials sector comprises chemicals, containers and packaging, and metals and mining in the SOI.
Semiannual Report | 7
contributor was U.K. specialty insurance products provider Lancashire Holdings. In the U.S., relative performance benefited from our positions in energy companies Concho Resources and Petrohawk Energy, smaller oil and natural gas exploration and production (E&P) companies that benefited from sharply rising oil prices as well as a relative stabilization in natural gas prices. Another notable U.S.-based contributor to relative performance during the period was EMC, an IT company that potentially benefited from strong positioning in the data storage niche and its strategic positioning to benefit from major technological trends such as cloud computing.
It is important to recognize the effect of currency movements on the Fund’s performance. In general, if the value of the U.S. dollar goes up compared with a foreign currency, an investment traded in that foreign currency will go down in value because it will be worth fewer U.S. dollars. This can have a negative effect on Fund performance. Conversely, when the U.S. dollar weakens in relation to a foreign currency, an investment traded in that foreign currency will increase in value, which can contribute to Fund performance. For the period since the Fund’s December 16, 2010, inception through April 30, 2011, the U.S. dollar fell in value relative to most currencies. As a result, the Fund’s performance was positively affected by the portfolio’s substantial investment in securities with non-U.S. currency exposure. However, one cannot expect the same result in future periods.
Despite the Fund’s positive results since inception, it had some detractors from relative performance. Key relative detractors included stock selection in the U.K. and U.S. as well as an overweighted allocation in the MENA region, one of the weaker performing regions within the index. In Europe, positioning within the consumer staples sector detracted from relative performance, as did a lack of exposure to Germany and Spain, which performed well during the period.6 In the U.S., positioning within the consumer discretionary sector and an underweighting in energy detracted from relative performance. Overall, relative Fund performance also suffered from general weakness in emerging markets as capital flows have rotated from emerging markets to developed markets thus far in 2011.
In terms of individual detractors from relative performance, our position in U.K. carpet retailer Carpetright had a large negative impact as investors continued to worry about the U.K. consumer sector outlook. We remained encouraged, however, about Carpetright’s longer term prospects, even in the face of uncertain U.K. economic growth. Other detractors from relative performance include U.S. consumer discretionary sector holdings Marriott International, a hotel operator that reported weaker-than-expected RevPAR (revenue per available room) growth in the first quarter of 2011 related to its North American operations. Our position in Nike also fared poorly after the company reported a slightly greater gross margin decline on top of slightly
6. The consumer staples sector comprises beverages, food and staples retailing, food products and household products in the SOI.
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weaker revenue growth compared to consensus expectations. In Asia, an overweighted position in retailer Parkson Retail Group lost value due to slower same-store sales growth relative to its peers, partly because it has older stores in need of upgrading. Parkson has begun to invest in refurbishment of its stores, raising some investor concerns over lower profitability from higher start-up costs as it accelerates store expansion plans, which impacted the stock price. At period-end we believed these concerns were adequately priced in, and according to our analysis the company remains a high-quality beneficiary of accelerating consumption growth in China.
Consistent with our investment approach, we closely monitor regions and markets across the globe. Supported by expansionary monetary and fiscal policies, the U.S. economic recovery has gradually gained traction, corporate profits have improved rapidly, and a rebound in global manufacturing has helped U.S. industrial output return to pre-recession levels, although job creation has been comparatively slow. While the U.S. housing market displayed renewed weakness, its banking sector appeared to move closer to a recovery.
Meanwhile, we believe select emerging markets could also potentially perform well. Business activity remained strong and interest rates, though rising in several key emerging market nations, have remained lower despite rising inflation in many countries, particularly across Asia. Some developing countries, however, will likely continue to face inflationary pressures and rising asset prices, given the huge injection of investment money and credit in these markets, although we estimate the greater part of these capital inflows is being put to productive use. Governments and central banks in many emerging markets have been proactive in their efforts to curb inflation and prevent overheating in their economies. Unlike the U.S. and Japan, a number of fast-growing developing countries already raised interest rates, and we are mindful this trend could spread and have implications on the Fund’s portfolio. The geopolitical tensions that arose in the MENA region in 2011 pushed up energy prices. Although this situation held the potential to negatively impact global growth, the oil needs of many leading economies have decreased compared to historical levels. Nonetheless, the sustained rise in oil prices since late 2010 was a key concern for most countries, particularly in Asia, given that most economies are net oil importers and their inflation levels remain relatively high.
Within Europe, the ECB took the first step toward reversing the accommodative monetary policy it had previously put in place to lessen the impact of the financial crisis. It raised the eurozone benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points (100 basis points equal one percentage point) to 1.25% in April 2011, the first such rate hike since July 2008, in a move aimed to combat inflation worries across the eurozone. While overall ECB monetary policy was still accommodative at period-end, we are closely monitoring the divergence in growth prospects between countries in the European Monetary Union, along
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with recent price developments that may signal the potential for more broad-based inflationary pressures that could lead to increasing fiscal and social issues in some eurozone countries.
At period-end we continued to overweight emerging and frontier markets relative to the benchmark index based on our assessment the long-term growth potential outweighed any short-term volatility arising from inflationary pressure and tightening monetary/fiscal policies. We remained focused on those companies that, according to our analysis, have sustainable business models and the necessary foresight to navigate through the economic environment over the next few years. We believe companies that can generate strong cash flow and successfully reinvest in their businesses could potentially grow and/or increase market share through most market environments. In our opinion, equity valuations on April 30, 2011, looked reasonable in many areas, and we selectively sought attractive opportunities for the portfolio.
We thank you for your participation in Franklin World Perspectives Fund and look forward to serving your future investment needs.
Purav A. Jhaveri, CFA, FRM
Portfolio Management Team
Franklin World Perspectives Fund
CFA® is a trademark owned by CFA Institute.
The foregoing information reflects our analysis, opinions and portfolio holdings as of April 30, 2011, 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.
10 | Semiannual Report
Stephen H. Dover is managing director and international chief investment officer for Franklin Templeton’s Local Asset Management groups. He is responsible for overseeing the investment functions of the locally managed and distributed products in South Korea, Brazil, China, India, Vietnam, Japan and UAE. He also oversees the Franklin-branded Asian equity growth products. Prior to serving in his current role, Mr. Dover was a founder and chief investment officer of Bradesco Templeton Asset Management (BTAM), a joint venture with Brazil’s largest private bank, in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Under Mr. Dover’s direction, BTAM became the largest joint-venture asset management company in Brazil. Mr. Dover also served on the Board of Directors of several publicly traded Brazilian companies.
Prior to joining Franklin Templeton in 1997, Mr. Dover was a portfolio manager and principal at Newell Associates in Palo Alto, CA, where he co-managed retail and institutional equity assets. Previously, Mr. Dover worked for Towers Perrin Consulting in New York, London and San Francisco.
Purav A. Jhaveri is senior vice president and investment strategist/portfolio manager in Franklin Templeton’s Local Asset Management group. He is responsible for supporting the investment functions of the locally managed and distributed products globally. Mr. Jhaveri has been in the investment industry since 1994. Prior to serving in his current role, Mr. Jhaveri was a portfolio manager with Franklin Templeton’s Local Asset Management group in Mumbai, India, and a research analyst with the Templeton Emerging Markets group in Mumbai, India. Prior to joining Franklin Templeton, he was an investment advisor and research analyst at ANZ Grindlays Bank. He was previously with Unit Trust of India as a research analyst.
Semiannual Report | 11
Performance Summary as of 4/30/11
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.
12 | Semiannual Report
Performance Summary (continued)
Performance1
Cumulative total return excludes sales charges. Aggregate total returns and value of $10,000 investment include maximum sales charges. Class A: 5.75% maximum initial sales charge; Class C: 1% contingent deferred sales charge in first year only; Class R/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.
The investment manager and administrator have contractually agreed to waive or assume certain expenses so that the common expenses (excluding Rule 12b-1fees) for each class do not exceed 1.25% (other than certain nonroutine expenses) until 3/1/12.
Semiannual Report | 13
Performance Summary (continued)
Endnotes
Special risks are associated with foreign investing, including currency fluctuations, economic instability and political developments. Investments in emerging market countries involve heightened risks related to the same factors, in addition to those associated with these markets’ smaller size, lesser liquidity and lack of established legal, political, business and social frameworks to support securities markets. Smaller company stocks have historically had more price volatility than large-company stocks, particularly over the short term. The Fund is designed for the aggressive portion of a well-diversified portfolio. The manager applies various techniques and analyses in making investment decisions for the Fund, but there can be no guarantee that these decisions will produce the desired results. The Fund’s prospectus also includes a description of the main investment risks.
Class C: These shares have higher annual fees and expenses than Class A shares.
Advisor Class: Shares are available to certain eligible investors as described in the prospectus.
1. If the manager and administrator had not waived fees, the Fund’s total returns would have been lower. 2. Cumulative total return represents the change in value of an investment over the periods indicated.
3. Aggregate total return represents the change in value of an investment over the period indicated. Since the Fund has existed for less than one year, average annual total returns are not available.
4. These figures represent the value of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in the Fund over the period indicated.
5. In accordance with SEC rules, we provide standardized total return information through the latest calendar quarter.
6. Figures are as stated in the Fund’s prospectus current as of the date of this report. In periods of market volatility, assets may decline significantly, causing total annual Fund operating expenses to become higher than the figures shown.
14 | Semiannual Report
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.
Semiannual Report | 15
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 expense ratio, net of expense waivers, annualized for each class (A: 1.38%; C: 2.17%; R: 1.75%; and Advisor: 1.25%), multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (Hypothetical) to reflect the one-half year period. For Actual expenses, the multiplier is 135/365 to reflect the number of days since inception.
16 | Semiannual Report
Franklin Templeton International Trust
Financial Highlights
aFor the period December 16, 2010 (commencement of operations) to April 30, 2011.
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 shares in relation to income earned and/or fluctuating market value of the investments of the Fund.
cBased on average daily shares outstanding.
dTotal return does not reflect sales commissions or contingent deferred sales charges, if applicable, and is not annualized for periods less than one year.
eRatios are annualized for periods less than one year.
Semiannual Report | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | 17
Franklin Templeton International Trust
Financial Highlights (continued)
aFor the period December 16, 2010 (commencement of operations) to April 30, 2011.
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 shares in relation to income earned and/or fluctuating market value of the investments of the Fund.
cBased on average daily shares outstanding.
dTotal return does not reflect sales commissions or contingent deferred sales charges, if applicable, and is not annualized for periods less than one year.
eRatios are annualized for periods less than one year.
18 | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | Semiannual Report
Franklin Templeton International Trust
Financial Highlights (continued)
aFor the period December 16, 2010 (commencement of operations) to April 30, 2011.
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 shares in relation to income earned and/or fluctuating market value of the investments of the Fund.
cBased on average daily shares outstanding.
dAmount rounds to less than $0.01 per share.
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.
Semiannual Report | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | 19
Franklin Templeton International Trust
Financial Highlights (continued)
aFor the period December 16, 2010 (commencement of operations) to April 30, 2011.
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 shares in relation to income earned and/or fluctuating market 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.
20 | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | Semiannual Report
Franklin Templeton International Trust
Statement of Investments, April 30, 2011 (unaudited)
Semiannual Report | 21
Franklin Templeton International Trust
Statement of Investments, April 30, 2011 (unaudited) (continued)
22 | Semiannual Report
Franklin Templeton International Trust
Statement of Investments, April 30, 2011 (unaudited) (continued)
Semiannual Report | 23
Franklin Templeton International Trust
Statement of Investments, April 30, 2011 (unaudited) (continued)
24 | Semiannual Report
Franklin Templeton International Trust
Statement of Investments, April 30, 2011 (unaudited) (continued)
Semiannual Report | 25
Franklin Templeton International Trust
Statement of Investments, April 30, 2011 (unaudited) (continued)
26 | Semiannual Report
Franklin Templeton International Trust
Statement of Investments, April 30, 2011 (unaudited) (continued)
Semiannual Report | 27
Franklin Templeton International Trust
Statement of Investments, April 30, 2011 (unaudited) (continued)
28 | Semiannual Report
Franklin Templeton International Trust
Statement of Investments, April 30, 2011 (unaudited) (continued)
See Abbreviations on page 44.
aNon-income producing.
bSee Note 9 regarding restricted securities.
cSee Note 7 regarding investment in Franklin India Growth Fund.
dSee Note 1(c) regarding Participatory Notes.
eThe security is traded on a discount basis with no stated coupon rate.
Semiannual Report | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | 29
Franklin Templeton International Trust
Financial Statements
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
April 30, 2011 (unaudited)
30 | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | Semiannual Report
Franklin Templeton International Trust
Financial Statements (continued)
Statement of Assets and Liabilities (continued)
April 30, 2011 (unaudited)
Semiannual Report | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | 31
Franklin Templeton International Trust
Financial Statements (continued)
Statement of Operations
for the period ended April 30, 2011a (unaudited)
32 | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | Semiannual Report
Franklin Templeton International Trust
Financial Statements (continued)
Semiannual Report | The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. | 33
Franklin Templeton International Trust
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited)
Franklin World Perspectives Fund
1. ORGANIZATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Franklin Templeton International Trust (Trust) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (1940 Act) as an open-end investment company, consisting of three separate funds. The Franklin World Perspectives Fund (Fund) is included in this report. The financial statements of the remaining funds in the Trust are presented separately. Effective December 16, 2010, the Fund commenced operations offering four classes of shares: Class A, Class C, Class R, and Advisor Class. Each class of shares differs by its initial sales load, contingent deferred sales charges, distribution fees, voting rights on matters affecting a single class and its exchange privilege.
The following summarizes the Fund’s significant accounting policies.
a. Financial Instrument Valuation
The Fund’s investments in securities and other 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 Trust’s Board of Trustees, the Fund may utilize independent pricing services, quotations from securities and financial instrument dealers, and other market sources to determine fair value.
Equity securities and exchange traded funds 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. Foreign equity securities are valued as of the close of trading on the foreign stock exchange on which the security is primarily traded, or the NYSE, whichever is earlier. The value is then converted into its U.S. dollar equivalent at the foreign exchange rate in effect at the close of the NYSE on the day that the value of the security is determined. Over-the-counter securities are valued within the range of the most recent quoted bid and ask prices. Securities that trade in multiple markets or on multiple exchanges are valued according to the broadest and most representative market. Certain equity securities are valued based upon fundamental characteristics or relationships to similar securities. Investments in open-end mutual funds are valued at the closing net asset value.
Debt securities generally trade in the over-the-counter 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, option-adjusted spreads, credit spreads, estimated default rates, 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
34 | Semiannual Report
Franklin Templeton International Trust
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
Franklin World Perspectives Fund
1. | ORGANIZATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued) |
a. | Financial Instrument Valuation (continued) |
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.
The Fund has procedures to determine the fair value of securities and other financial instruments for which market prices are not readily available or which may not be reliably priced. Under these procedures, the Fund 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. The Fund may also use an income-based valuation approach 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.
Trading in securities on foreign securities stock exchanges and over-the-counter markets may be completed before the daily close of business on the NYSE. Occasionally, events occur between the time at which trading in a foreign security is completed and the close of the NYSE that might call into question the reliability of the value of a portfolio security held by the Fund. As a result, differences may arise between the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities as determined at the foreign market close and the latest indications of value at the close of the NYSE. In order to minimize the potential for these differences, the investment manager monitors price movements following the close of trading in foreign stock markets through a series of country specific market proxies (such as baskets of American Depository Receipts, futures contracts and exchange traded funds). These price movements are measured against established trigger thresholds for each specific market proxy to assist in determining if an event has occurred that may call into question the reliability of the values of the foreign securities held by the Fund. If such an event occurs, the securities may be valued using fair value procedures, which may include the use of independent pricing services.
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
Semiannual Report | 35
Franklin Templeton International Trust
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
Franklin World Perspectives Fund
1. | ORGANIZATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued) |
b. | Foreign Currency Translation (continued) |
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 Trust’s Board of Trustees.
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.
c. Participatory Notes
The Fund invests in Participatory Notes (P-Notes). P-notes are promissory notes that are designed to offer a return linked to the performance of a particular underlying equity security or market. P-Notes are issued by banks or broker-dealers and allow the fund to gain exposure to common stocks in markets where direct investment is not allowed. Income received from P-Notes is recorded as dividend income in the Statement of Operations. P-Notes may contain various risks including the potential inability of the counterparty to fulfill their obligations under the terms of the contract. These securities may be more volatile and less liquid than other investments held by the Fund.
d. Income 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 excise taxes. As a result, no provision for U.S. federal income taxes is required. The Fund files U.S. income tax returns as well as tax returns in certain other jurisdictions. The Fund records a provision for taxes in its financial statements
36 | Semiannual Report
Franklin Templeton International Trust
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
Franklin World Perspectives Fund
1. | ORGANIZATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued) |
d. | Income Taxes (continued) |
including penalties and interest, if any, for a tax position taken on a tax return (or expected to be taken) when it fails to meet the more likely than not (a greater than 50% probability) threshold and based on the technical merits, the tax position may not be sustained upon examination by the tax authorities. As of April 30, 2011, the Fund has determined that no provision for income tax is required in the Fund’s financial statements.
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 for unrealized gains on these securities in an amount that would be payable if the securities were disposed of on the valuation date.
e. 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. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date except that certain dividends from foreign securities are recognized as soon as the Fund is notified of the ex-dividend date. 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.
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. Fund specific expenses are charged directly to the fund that incurred the expense.
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.
Semiannual Report | 37
Franklin Templeton International Trust
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
Franklin World Perspectives Fund
1. | ORGANIZATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued) |
f. | Offering Costs |
Offering costs are amortized on a straight line basis over twelve months.
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, 2011, there were an unlimited number of shares authorized (without par value).
Transactions in the Fund’s shares were as follows:
38 | Semiannual Report
Franklin Templeton International Trust
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
aFor the period December 16, 2010 (commencement of operations) to April 30, 2011.
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:
a. Management Fees
The Fund pays an investment management fee to Advisers based on the average daily net assets of the Fund as follows:
Under a subadvisory agreement, FT India, FT Brazil, FTIML, FT Korea, FTIC and FT Japan, affiliates of Advisers, provide subadvisory services to the Fund. The subadvisory fee is paid by Advisers based on the average daily net assets, and is not an additional expense of the Fund.
Semiannual Report | 39
Franklin Templeton International Trust
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
Franklin World Perspectives Fund
3. | TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES (continued) |
b. | Administrative Fees |
The Fund pays an administrative fee to FT Services of 0.20% per year of the average daily net assets of the Fund.
c. Distribution Fees
The Trust’s Board of Trustees 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 Fund’s Class A reimbursement distribution plan, the Fund reimburses Distributors for costs incurred in connection with the servicing, sale and distribution of the Fund’s shares up to the maximum annual plan rate. Under the Class A reimbursement distribution plan, costs exceeding the maximum for the current plan year cannot be reimbursed in subsequent periods.
In addition, under the Fund’s Class C and R compensation distribution plans, the Fund pays Distributors for costs incurred in connection with the servicing, sale and distribution of the Fund’s shares up to the maximum annual plan rate for each class.
The maximum annual plan rates, based on the average daily net assets, for each class, are as follows:
d. Sales Charges/Underwriting Agreements
Distributors has 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
For the period ended April 30, 2011, the Fund paid transfer agent fees of $22,727, of which $647 was retained by Investor Services.
40 | Semiannual Report
Franklin Templeton International Trust
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
Franklin World Perspectives Fund
3. | TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES (continued) |
f. | Waiver and Expense Reimbursements |
Advisers and FT Services have contractually agreed in advance to waive or limit their respective fees and to assume as their own expense certain expenses otherwise payable by the fund so that the common expenses (i.e. a combination of management fees, administrative fees, and other expenses, but excluding distribution fees, and acquired fund fees and expenses) for each class of the Fund do not exceed 1.25% (other than certain non-routine expenses or costs, including those relating to litigation, indemnification, reorganizations, and liquidations) until March 1, 2012.
g. Other Affiliated Transactions
At April 30, 2011, Franklin Resources, Inc. owned 93.96% of the Fund’s outstanding shares.
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, 2011, there were no credits earned.
5. INCOME TAXES
At April 30, 2011, the cost of investments and net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) for income tax purposes were as follows:
Net investment income differs for financial statement and tax purposes primarily due to differing treatments of foreign currency transactions, non-deductible expenses and offering costs.
Net realized gains (losses) differ for financial statement and tax purposes primarily due to differing treatments of wash sales and foreign currency transactions.
Semiannual Report | 41
Franklin Templeton International Trust
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
Franklin World Perspectives Fund
6. INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS
Purchases and sales of investments (excluding short term securities) for the period ended April 30, 2011, aggregated $33,693,787 and $8,360,839, respectively.
7. INVESTMENTS IN FRANKLIN INDIA GROWTH FUND
The Fund may invest in the Franklin India Growth Fund an open-end investment company managed by Advisers. Management fees paid by the Fund are reduced on assets invested in Franklin India Growth Fund, in an amount not to exceed the management fees paid by the Franklin India Growth 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.
9. RESTRICTED SECURITIES
The Fund invests in securities that are restricted under the Securities Act of 1933 (1933 Act) or which are subject to legal, contractual, or other agreed upon restrictions on resale. Restricted securities are often purchased in private placement transactions, and cannot be sold without prior registration unless the sale is pursuant to an exemption under the 1933 Act. Disposal of these securities may require greater effort and expense, and prompt sale at an acceptable price may be difficult. The Fund(s) may have registration rights for restricted securities. The issuer generally incurs all registration costs.
At April 30, 2011, the Fund held investments in restricted securities, excluding certain securities exempt from registration under the 1933 Act deemed to be liquid, as follows:
42 | Semiannual Report
Franklin Templeton International Trust
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
Franklin World Perspectives Fund
10. 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 investments and are summarized in the following fair value hierarchy:
- Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities
- Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securi- ties, interest rates, prepayment speed, credit risk, etc.)
- Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in deter- mining the fair value of investments)
The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
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.
The following is a summary of the inputs used as of April 30, 2011, in valuing the Fund’s assets and liabilities carried at fair value:
11. 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.
Semiannual Report | 43
Franklin Templeton International Trust
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
Franklin World Perspectives Fund
ABBREVIATIONS
Selected Portfolio
44 | Semiannual Report
Franklin Templeton International Trust
Shareholder Information
Franklin World Perspectives Fund
Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures
The Fund’s investment manager has established Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures (Policies) that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities. Shareholders may view the Fund’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 Fund’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 Fund 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.
Semiannual Report | 45
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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 significant changes in the Registrant’s internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect the internal controls 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 TEMPLTON INTERNATIONAL TRUST
By /s/LAURA F. FERGERSON
Laura F. Fergerson
Chief Executive Officer –
Finance and Administration
Date June 27, 2011
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 27, 2011
By /s/GASTON GARDEY
Gaston Gardey
Chief Financial Officer and
Chief Accounting Officer
Date June 27, 2011