Franklin Templeton fixed income funds added to Colonial First State FirstChoice

Sydney, 14 December 2021: Franklin Templeton Australia has announced that two leading Franklin Templeton funds have been added to Colonial First State FirstChoice, one of Australia’s largest investment platforms, in response to strong demand from investors for access to more non-traditional sources of fixed income.

The Franklin Australian Absolute Return Bond Fund and the Brandywine Global Income Optimiser Fund will be available on FirstChoice from December.

The Franklin Australian Absolute Return Bond Fund has around half its portfolio holdings in investment-grade corporate debt securities, with the balance in local and overseas government bonds, and securitised assets.

The Brandywine Global Income Optimiser Fund has an even higher allocation to corporate debt securities, at around 65% of the portfolio, and securitised assets, at around 15%.

Both funds aim to provide stable and attractive income by investing actively across diverse sources of income in global fixed income markets.

Matthew Harrison, Managing Director of Franklin Templeton, said: “We are excited to continue our long and valued relationship with Colonial First State.

“Our focus at Franklin Templeton is on delivering better client outcomes and we are proud to offer more investors access to our range of high-quality Australian and global fixed income funds managed by specialist investment teams.”

Key Facts about Franklin Australian Absolute Return Bond Fund

Investment Objective: The Fund’s investment objective is to provide investors with access to an actively managed portfolio of fixed income strategies with an aim to deliver returns in excess of the Bloomberg AusBond Bank Bill Index, after fees and expenses (but before taxes), over the short to medium term.

Fund Highlights:

• Designed to deliver stable, income style returns regardless of traditional fixed income market performance
• Aims to combine multiple lowly correlated alpha sources to deliver optimal risk-adjusted returns
• Seeks to protect against capital volatility through strong risk management and by maintaining a high quality portfolio

Performance (AUD %, W Class, net of fees – as at 30 September 2021):
	1 Yr	3Yrs	5Yrs	Since Inception (22/12/2014)
Franklin Australian Absolute Return Bond Fund	1.66	3.22	3.00	3.05
Bloomberg AusBond Bank Bill Index	0.04	0.78	1.20	1.48

Further information on the Fund is available here.

Key Facts about Brandywine Global Income Optimiser Fund

Investment Objective: The Fund’s investment objective is to seek to generate a high and consistent level of income in all market conditions over a full market cycle with a secondary objective of capital preservation.

Fund Highlights:

Aims to provide an attractive and stable income by investing across diverse sources of income in global fixed income markets

Seeks the best global income opportunities, with a strong focus on protecting capital

Seeks to limit downside risk by rotating risk across different sectors of the fixed income market and through tactical hedging of credit and interest rate risk

Performance (AUD %, A Class, net of fees – as at 30 September 2021):

	1 Yr	3Yrs	Since Inception (04/05/2017)
Brandywine Global Income Optimiser Fund	6.50	8.05	5.95

Further information on the Fund is available here.

For all media queries, please contact Simrita Virk

E: [email protected]

About Franklin Templeton

Franklin Resources, Inc. [NYSE:BEN] is a global investment management organization with subsidiaries operating as Franklin Templeton and serving clients in over 165 countries. Franklin Templeton’s mission is to help clients achieve better outcomes through investment management expertise, wealth management and technology solutions. Through its specialist investment managers, the company brings extensive capabilities in equity, fixed income, multi-asset solutions and alternatives. With offices in more than 30 countries and approximately 1,300 investment professionals, the California-based company has over 70 years of investment experience and over A$2.1 trillion in funds under management as of 30 September 2021.

For more information, please visit www.franklintempleton.com.au.

About Brandywine Global

Acting with conviction and discipline, Brandywine Global looks beyond short-term, conventional thinking to rigorously pursue long-term value. Since 1986, Brandywine Global has provided a range of differentiated fixed income, equity and alternative solutions from its headquarters in Philadelphia, USA and offices around the globe.

Disclaimers

This publication is issued for information purposes only and does not constitute investment or financial product advice. It expresses no views as to the suitability of the services or other matters described in this document as to the individual circumstances, objectives, financial situation, or needs of any recipient. You should assess whether the information is appropriate for you and consider obtaining independent taxation, legal, financial or other professional advice before making an investment decision.

Please read the relevant Product Disclosure Statements (PDSs) and any associated reference documents before making an investment decision. In accordance with the Design and Distribution Obligations and Product Interventions Powers requirements, we maintain Target Market Determinations (TMD) for each of our Funds. All documents can be found via www.franklintempleton.com.au or by calling 1800 673 776.

Issued by Franklin Templeton Australia Limited (ABN 76 004 835 849, AFSL 240827). Franklin Templeton Australia Limited as Responsible Entity has appointed Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC as the fund manager of the Brandywine Global Income Optimiser Fund (ARSN 618 213 488). Franklin Templeton Australia Limited is the investment manager of the Franklin Australian Absolute Return Bond Fund (ARSN 601 662 631).

To make an initial investment in the Brandywine Global Income Optimiser Fund in accordance with the TMD, a retail investor must have received appropriate financial advice. Please call our Client Services team at 1800 673 776 to obtain the Application Form. Issued by Franklin Templeton Australia Limited (ABN 76 004 835 849, AFSL 240827).

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