Schedule 14A Information
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(A) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. )
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Templeton Emerging Markets Income Fund
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TEMPLETON EMERGING MARKETS INCOME FUND
IMPORTANT SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION
These materials are for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Meeting”) scheduled for March 2, 2015, at 12 Noon, Eastern time. The enclosed materials discuss the proposals (the “Proposals” or each, a “Proposal”) to be voted on at the Meeting, and contain the Notice of Meeting, proxy statement and proxy card. A proxy card is, in essence, a ballot. When you vote your proxy, it tells us how you wish to vote on important issues relating to Templeton Emerging Markets Income Fund (the “Fund”). If you specify a vote on a Proposal, your proxy will be voted as you indicate. If you specify a vote on one Proposal but not all Proposals, your proxy will be voted as specified on such Proposal and, on the Proposal for which no vote is specified, your proxy will be voted FOR such Proposal. If you simply sign, date and return the proxy card, but do not specify a vote on any Proposal, your proxy will be voted FOR the Proposals.
We urge you to spend a few minutes reviewing the Proposals in the proxy statement. Then, please fill out and sign the proxy card and return it to us so that we know how you would like to vote. When shareholders return their proxies promptly, the Fund may be able to save money by not having to conduct additional mailings.
We welcome your comments. If you have any questions, call Fund Information at (800) DIAL BEN®/342-5236.
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TEMPLETON EMERGING MARKETS INCOME FUND
NOTICE OF 2015 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
The Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the Meeting) of Templeton Emerging Markets Income
Fund (the Fund) will be held at the Funds offices, 300 S.E. 2nd Street, Fort Lauderdale,
Florida 33301-1923 on March 2, 2015, at 12 Noon, Eastern time.
During the Meeting, shareholders of the Fund will vote on the following Proposals:
1. The election of four Trustees of the Fund to hold office for the terms specified.
2. The ratification of the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the independent
registered public accounting firm for the Fund for the fiscal year ending August 31,
2015.
By Order of the Board of Trustees,
Lori A. Weber
Vice President and Secretary
January 2, 2015
Please sign and promptly return the proxy card or voting instruction form in the enclosed self-addressed envelope regardless of the number of shares you own. If you have any questions, call Fund Information at (800) DIAL BEN®/342-5236.
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TEMPLETON EMERGING MARKETS INCOME FUND
PROXY STATEMENT
n INFORMATION ABOUT VOTING
Who is asking for my vote?
The Board of Trustees of Templeton Emerging Markets Income Fund (the “Fund”), in connection with the Fund’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Meeting”), has requested your vote.
Who is eligible to vote?
Shareholders of record at the close of business on December 12, 2014, are entitled to be present and to vote at the Meeting or any adjourned Meeting. Each share of record is entitled to one vote (and a proportionate fractional vote for each fractional share) on each matter presented at the Meeting. The Notice of Meeting, the proxy statement, and the proxy card were first mailed to shareholders of record on or about January 2, 2015.
On what issues am I being asked to vote?
You are being asked to vote on two Proposals:
1. | The election of four Trustees of the Fund; and |
2. | The ratification of the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”) as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Fund for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2015. |
How do the Fund’s Trustees recommend that I vote?
The Trustees unanimously recommend that you vote FOR the election of the four nominees for Trustee and FOR the ratification of the selection of PwC as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Fund for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2015.
How do I ensure that my vote is accurately recorded?
You may attend the Meeting and vote in person or you may complete and return the enclosed proxy card. If you are eligible to vote by telephone or through the Internet, instructions are enclosed.
Proxy cards that are properly signed, dated and received at or prior to the Meeting will be voted as specified. If you specify a vote on any of the Proposals, your proxy will be voted as you indicate. With respect to any Proposal for which you do not specify a vote, your proxy will
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be voted FOR that Proposal. If you simply sign, date and return the proxy card, but do not specify a vote on either Proposal 1 or 2, your shares will be voted FOR the election of all nominees for Trustee and FOR the ratification of the selection of PwC as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Fund for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2015.
May I revoke my proxy?
You may revoke your proxy at any time before it is voted by forwarding a written revocation or a later-dated proxy to the Fund that is received by the Fund at or prior to the Meeting, or by attending the Meeting and voting in person.
What if my shares are held in a brokerage account?
If your shares are held by your broker, then in order to vote in person at the Meeting, you will need to obtain a “Legal Proxy” from your broker and present it to the Inspector of Election at the Meeting. Also, in order to revoke your proxy, you may need to forward your written revocation or a later-dated proxy card to your broker rather than to the Fund.
May I attend the Meeting in Person?
Shareholders of record at the close of business on December 12, 2014 are entitled to attend the Meeting. Eligible shareholders who intend to attend the Meeting in person will need to bring proof of share ownership as of December 12, 2014 and a valid picture identification, such as a driver’s license or passport, for admission to the Meeting. Seating is very limited. Shareholders without proof of ownership and identification will not be admitted.
n THE PROPOSALS
PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF TRUSTEES
How are nominees selected?
The Board of Trustees of the Fund (the “Board” or the “Trustees”) has a Nominating Committee consisting of Edith E. Holiday (Chairperson), Frank J. Crothers and Frank A. Olson, none of whom is an “interested person” of the Fund as defined by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). Trustees who are not interested persons of the Fund are referred to as the “Independent Trustees,” and Trustees who are interested persons of the Fund are referred to as the “Interested Trustees.”
The Nominating Committee is responsible for selecting candidates to serve as Trustees and recommending such candidates (a) for selection and nomination as Independent Trustees by the incumbent Independent Trustees and the full Board; and (b) for selection and nomination as
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Interested Trustees by the full Board. In considering a candidates qualifications, the Nominating Committee generally considers the potential candidates educational background, business or professional experience, and reputation. In addition, the Nominating Committee has established as minimum qualifications for Board membership as an Independent Trustee: (1) that such candidate be independent from relationships with the Funds investment manager and other principal service providers both within the terms and the spirit of the statutory independence requirements specified under the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder; (2) that such candidate demonstrate an ability and willingness to make the considerable time commitment, including personal attendance at Board meetings, believed necessary to his or her function as an effective Board member; and (3) that such candidate have no continuing relationship as a director, officer or board member of any U.S. registered investment company other than those within the Franklin Templeton Investments fund complex or a closed-end business development company primarily investing in non-public entities. The Nominating Committee has not adopted any specific policy on the issue of diversity, but will take this into account, among other factors, in its consideration of new candidates to the Board.
When the Board has or expects to have a vacancy, the Nominating Committee receives and reviews information on individuals qualified to be recommended to the full Board as nominees for election as Trustees, including any recommendations by Qualifying Fund Shareholders (as defined below). Such individuals are evaluated based upon the criteria described above. To date, the Nominating Committee has been able to identify, and expects to continue to be able to identify, from its own resources an ample number of qualified candidates. The Nominating Committee, however, will review recommendations from Qualifying Fund Shareholders to fill vacancies on the Board if these recommendations are submitted in writing and addressed to the Nominating Committee at the Funds offices and are presented with appropriate background material concerning the candidate that demonstrates his or her ability to serve as a Trustee, including as an Independent Trustee, of the Fund. A Qualifying Fund Shareholder is a shareholder who (i) has continuously owned of record, or beneficially through a financial intermediary, shares of the Fund having a net asset value of not less than two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) during the twenty-four month period prior to submitting the recommendation; and (ii) provides a written notice to the Nominating Committee containing the following information: (a) the name and address of the Qualifying Fund Shareholder making the recommendation; (b) the number of shares of the Fund which are owned of record and beneficially by the Qualifying Fund Shareholder and the length of time that the shares have been owned by the Qualifying Fund Shareholder; (c) a description of all arrangements and understandings between the Qualifying Fund Shareholder and any other person or persons (naming such person or persons) pursuant to which the recommendation is being made; (d) the name, age, date of birth, business address and residence address of the person or persons being recommended; (e) such other information regarding each person recommended by the Qualifying Fund Shareholder as would be required to be included in a proxy statement filed pursuant to the proxy rules of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) had the nominee been nominated by the Board; (f) whether the shareholder making the recommendation
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believes the person recommended would or would not be an interested person of the Fund, as defined in the 1940 Act; and (g) the written consent of each person recommended to serve as a Trustee of the Fund if so nominated and elected/appointed.
The Nominating Committee may amend these procedures from time to time, including the procedures relating to the evaluation of nominees and the process for submitting recommendations to the Nominating Committee.
The Board has adopted and approved a formal written charter for the Nominating Committee. A copy of the charter was included in the Funds proxy statement for its 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
Who are the nominees and Trustees?
The Board is divided into three classes. Each class has a term of three years. Each year, the term of office of one class expires. This year, the terms of four Trustees expire: Ann Torre Bates, David W. Niemiec, Larry D. Thompson and Robert E. Wade. These individuals have been nominated for three-year terms, set to expire at the 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. These terms continue, however, until their successors are duly elected and qualified. All of the nominees are currently members of the Board and deemed to be Independent Trustees. In addition, all of the current nominees and Trustees are also directors or trustees of other investment companies within the Franklin Templeton Investments fund complex.
Interested Trustees of the Fund hold director and/or officer positions with, or are principal stockholders of, Franklin Resources, Inc. (Resources) and its affiliates. Resources is a publicly owned holding company, a principal stockholder of which is Rupert H. Johnson, Jr., who beneficially owned approximately 17.2% of its outstanding shares as of August 31, 2014. The shares deemed to be beneficially owned by Rupert H. Johnson, Jr. include certain shares held by a private charitable foundation or by his spouse, of which he disclaims beneficial ownership. Resources, a global investment management organization operating as Franklin Templeton Investments, is primarily engaged, through various subsidiaries, in providing investment management, share distribution, transfer agent and administrative services to a family of investment companies. Resources is a New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) listed holding company (NYSE: BEN). Rupert H. Johnson, Jr., Chairman of the Board, Trustee and Vice President of the Fund, is the uncle of Gregory E. Johnson, a Trustee of the Fund. There are no other family relationships among the Trustees or nominees for Trustee.
Each nominee currently is available and has consented to serve if elected. If any of the nominees should become unavailable, the designated proxy holders will vote in their discretion for another person or persons who may be nominated to serve as Trustees.
In addition to personal qualities, such as integrity, in considering candidates for the Fund Board, the Nominating Committee seeks to find persons of good reputation whose experience
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and background evidence that such person has the ability to comprehend, discuss and critically analyze materials and issues presented, in exercising judgments and reaching informed conclusions relevant to fulfillment of a Fund Trustee’s duties and fiduciary obligations. Information on the business activities of the nominees and other Trustees during the past five years and beyond appears below and it is believed that the specific background of each Trustee evidences such ability and is appropriate to his or her serving on the Fund’s Board. As indicated, Harris J. Ashton and Frank A. Olson have both served as chief executive officers of NYSE listed public corporations; Larry D. Thompson and Edith E. Holiday each have legal backgrounds, including high level legal positions with departments of the U.S. Government; David W. Niemiec and Ann Torre Bates each have been chief financial officers of major corporations; J. Michael Luttig has fifteen years of judicial experience as a Federal Appeals Court Judge; Robert E. Wade has over thirty years of experience as a practicing attorney; Constantine D. Tseretopoulos has professional and executive experience as founder and Chief of Staff of a hospital; Frank J. Crothers has served as the chief executive officer of several foreign closely held corporations; and Rupert H. Johnson, Jr. and Gregory E. Johnson are both high ranking executive officers of Resources.
Listed below with the business activities of the nominees and Trustees are their names and years of birth, their positions and length of service with the Fund and the number of portfolios in the Franklin Templeton Investments fund complex that they oversee.
Nominees for Independent Trustee to serve until 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders: | |||||
Number of | |||||
Portfolios in | |||||
Franklin | |||||
Templeton | |||||
Investments | |||||
Fund Complex | |||||
Length of | Overseen by | Other Directorships Held | |||
Name, Year of Birth and Address | Position | Time Served | Trustee* | During at Least the Past Five Years | |
Ann Torre Bates (1958) | Trustee | Since 2008 | 36 | Navient Corporation (loan | |
300 S.E. 2nd Street | management, servicing and asset | ||||
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301-1923 | recovery) (May 2014), Ares Capital | ||||
Corporation (specialty finance | |||||
company) (2010–present), United | |||||
Natural Foods, Inc. (distributor of | |||||
natural, organic and specialty foods) | |||||
(2013–present), Allied Capital | |||||
Corporation (financial services) | |||||
(2003–2010) and SLM Corporation | |||||
(Sallie Mae) (1997–2014). | |||||
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years: | |||||
Director of various companies; and formerly, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, NHP Incorporated (manager of | |||||
multifamily housing) (1995–1997); and Vice President and Treasurer, US Airways, Inc. (until 1995). | |||||
5 |
Number of | |||||
Portfolios in | |||||
Franklin | |||||
Templeton | |||||
Investments | |||||
Fund Complex | |||||
Length of | Overseen by | Other Directorships Held | |||
Name, Year of Birth and Address | Position | Time Served | Trustee* | During at Least the Past Five Years | |
David W. Niemiec (1949) | Trustee | Since 2005 | 33 | Emeritus Corporation (assisted | |
300 S.E. 2nd Street | living) (1999–2010) and OSI | ||||
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301-1923 | Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (pharmaceutical | ||||
products) (2006–2010). | |||||
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years: | |||||
Advisor, Saratoga Partners (private equity fund); and formerly, Managing Director, Saratoga Partners (1998–2001) and SBC | |||||
Warburg Dillon Read (investment banking) (1997–1998); Vice Chairman, Dillon, Read & Co. Inc. (investment banking) (1991– | |||||
1997); and Chief Financial Officer, Dillon, Read & Co. Inc. (1982–1997). | |||||
Larry D. Thompson (1945) | Trustee | Since 2005 | 137 | Cbeyond, Inc. (business | |
300 S.E. 2nd Street | communications provider) (2010– | ||||
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301-1923 | 2012), The Southern Company | ||||
(energy company) (December 2014; | |||||
previously 2010–2012) and Graham | |||||
Holdings Company (education and | |||||
media organization) (2011–present). | |||||
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years: | |||||
Executive Vice President – Government Affairs, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, PepsiCo, Inc. (consumer products) (2012–present) | |||||
; and formerly, John A. Sibley Professor of Corporate and Business Law, University of Georgia School of Law | |||||
(2011–2012); Senior Vice President – Government Affairs, General Counsel and Secretary, PepsiCo, Inc. (2004–2011); Senior | |||||
Fellow of The Brookings Institution (2003–2004); Visiting Professor, University of Georgia School of Law (2004); and Deputy | |||||
Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justice (2001–2003). | |||||
Robert E. Wade (1946) | Trustee | Since 2006 | 43 | El Oro Ltd (investments). | |
300 S.E. 2nd Street | |||||
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301-1923 | |||||
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years: | |||||
Attorney at law engaged in private practice (1972–2008) and member of various boards. | |||||
Independent Trustees serving until 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders: | |||||
Number of | |||||
Portfolios in | |||||
Franklin | |||||
Templeton | |||||
Investments | |||||
Fund Complex | |||||
Length of | Overseen by | Other Directorships Held | |||
Name, Year of Birth and Address | Position | Time Served | Trustee* | During at Least the Past Five Years | |
Frank J. Crothers (1944) | Trustee | Since 1999 | 26 | Talon Metals Corp. (mining | |
300 S.E. 2nd Street | exploration), Fortis, Inc. (utility | ||||
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301-1923 | holding company) and AML Foods | ||||
Limited (retail distributors). | |||||
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years: | |||||
Director and Vice Chairman, Caribbean Utilities Company, Ltd.; director of various other private business and nonprofit | |||||
organizations; and formerly, Chairman, Atlantic Equipment and Power Ltd. (1977–2003). | |||||
6 |
Number of | ||||
Portfolios in | ||||
Franklin | ||||
Templeton | ||||
Investments | ||||
Fund Complex | ||||
Length of | Overseen by | Other Directorships Held | ||
Name, Year of Birth and Address | Position | Time Served | Trustee* | During at Least the Past Five Years |
Frank A. Olson (1932) | Trustee | Since 2003 | 137 | Hess Corporation (exploration and |
300 S.E. 2nd Street | refining of oil and gas) (19982013). | |||
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301-1923 | ||||
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years: | ||||
Director of various companies; and formerly, Chairman of the Board, The Hertz Corporation (car rental) (19802000) and Chief | ||||
Executive Officer (19771999); and Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer, UAL Corporation (airlines) | ||||
(June December 1987). | ||||
Interested Trustees serving until 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders: | ||||
Number of | ||||
Portfolios in | ||||
Franklin | ||||
Templeton | ||||
Investments | ||||
Fund Complex | ||||
Length of | Overseen by | Other Directorships Held | ||
Name, Year of Birth and Address | Position | Time Served | Trustee* | During at Least the Past Five Years |
**Rupert H. Johnson, Jr. (1940) | Chairman of | Chairman of the | 137 | None |
One Franklin Parkway | the Board, | Board and | ||
San Mateo, CA 94403-1906 | Trustee and | Trustee since | ||
Vice President | 2013 and Vice | |||
President since | ||||
1996 | ||||
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years: | ||||
Vice Chairman, Member Office of the Chairman and Director, Franklin Resources, Inc.; Director, Franklin Advisers, Inc.; Senior | ||||
Vice President, Franklin Advisory Services, LLC; and officer and/or director or trustee, as the case may be, of some of the other | ||||
subsidiaries of Franklin Resources, Inc. and of 41 of the investment companies in Franklin Templeton Investments. | ||||
**Gregory E. Johnson (1961) | Trustee | Since 2007 | 147 | None |
One Franklin Parkway | ||||
San Mateo, CA 94403-1906 | ||||
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years: | ||||
Chairman of the Board, Member Office of the Chairman, Director, President and Chief Executive Officer, Franklin Resources, | ||||
Inc.; officer and/or director or trustee, as the case may be, of some of the other subsidiaries of Franklin Resources, Inc. and of 44 of | ||||
the investment companies in Franklin Templeton Investments; and Vice Chairman, Investment Company Institute. |
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Independent Trustees serving until 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders: | |||||
Number of | |||||
Portfolios in | |||||
Franklin | |||||
Templeton | |||||
Investments | |||||
Fund Complex | |||||
Length of | Overseen by | Other Directorships Held | |||
Name, Year of Birth and Address | Position | Time Served | Trustee* | During at Least the Past Five Years | |
Harris J. Ashton (1932) | Trustee | Since 1993 | 137 | Bar-S Foods (meat packing company) | |
300 S.E. 2nd Street | (19812010 | ). | |||
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301-1923 | |||||
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years: | |||||
Director of various companies; and formerly, Director, RBC Holdings, Inc. (bank holding company) (until 2002); and President, | |||||
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, General Host Corporation (nursery and craft centers) (until 1998). | |||||
Edith E. Holiday (1952) | Lead | Trustee | 137 | Hess Corporation (exploration and | |
300 S.E. 2nd Street | Independent | since 1996 and | refining of oil and gas), H.J. Heinz | ||
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301-1923 | Trustee | Lead | Company (processed foods and allied | ||
Independent | products) (19942013), RTI | ||||
Trustee since | International Metals, Inc. | ||||
2007 | (manufacture and distribution of | ||||
titanium), Canadian National | |||||
Railway (railroad) and White | |||||
Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. | |||||
(holding company). | |||||
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years: | |||||
Director or Trustee of various companies and trusts; and formerly, Assistant to the President of the United States and Secretary of | |||||
the Cabinet (19901993); General Counsel to the United States Treasury Department (19891990); and Counselor to the Secretary | |||||
and Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs and Public Liaison-United States Treasury Department (19881989). | |||||
J. Michael Luttig (1954) | Trustee | Since 2009 | 137 | Boeing Capital Corporation (aircraft | |
300 S.E. 2nd Street | financing) (20062013). | ||||
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301-1923 | |||||
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years: | |||||
Executive Vice President, General Counsel and member of the Executive Council, The Boeing Company (aerospace company); and | |||||
formerly, Federal Appeals Court Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit (19912006). | |||||
Constantine D. Tseretopoulos (1954) | Trustee | Since 1999 | 26 | None | |
300 S.E. 2nd Street | |||||
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301-1923 | |||||
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years: | |||||
Physician, Chief of Staff, owner and operator of the Lyford Cay Hospital (1987present); director of various nonprofit | |||||
organizations; and formerly, Cardiology Fellow, University of Maryland (19851987); and Internal Medicine Resident, Greater | |||||
Baltimore Medical Center (19821985). | |||||
* We base the number of portfolios on each separate series of the U.S. registered investment companies within the Franklin | |||||
Templeton Investments fund complex. These portfolios have a common investment manager or affiliated investment manager, and | |||||
also may share a common underwriter. | |||||
** Rupert H. Johnson, Jr. and Gregory E. Johnson are interested persons of the Fund as defined by the 1940 Act. The 1940 Act | |||||
limits the percentage of interested persons that can comprise a funds board of trustees. Rupert H. Johnson, Jr. is considered an | |||||
interested person of the Fund due to his position as an officer, director and major shareholder of Resources, which is the parent | |||||
company of the Funds investment manager, and his position with the Fund. Gregory E. Johnson is considered an interested person | |||||
of the Fund due to his position as an officer, director and shareholder of Resources. Rupert H. Johnson, Jr. is the uncle of Gregory | |||||
E. Johnson. The remaining Trustees of the Fund are Independent Trustees. |
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The following tables provide the dollar range of the equity securities of the Fund and of all U.S. registered funds in the Franklin Templeton Investments fund complex beneficially owned by the Trustees as of December 12, 2014:
Independent Trustees: | ||||
Aggregate Dollar Range of | ||||
Dollar Range of Equity | Equity Securities in All Funds | |||
Securities in the | in the Franklin Templeton | |||
Name of Trustee | Fund(1 | ) | Investments Fund Complex | |
Harris J. Ashton | $ | 1 – $10,000 | Over $100,000 | |
Ann Torre Bates | None | Over $100,000 | ||
Frank J. Crothers | None | Over $100,000 | ||
Edith E. Holiday | $ | 1 – $10,000 | Over $100,000 | |
J. Michael Luttig | $ | 10,001 – $50,000 | Over $100,000 | |
David W. Niemiec | None | Over $100,000 | ||
Frank A. Olson | None | Over $100,000 | ||
Larry D. Thompson | None | Over $100,000 | ||
Constantine D. Tseretopoulos | None | Over $100,000 | ||
Robert E. Wade | $ | 10,001 – $50,000 | Over $100,000 | |
Interested Trustees: | ||||
Aggregate Dollar Range of | ||||
Equity Securities in All Funds | ||||
Dollar Range of Equity | in the Franklin Templeton | |||
Name of Trustee | Securities in the Fund(1) | Investments Fund Complex | ||
Rupert H. Johnson, Jr | None | Over $100,000 | ||
Gregory E. Johnson | None | Over $100,000 | ||
(1) Dollar range based on NYSE closing price on December 12, 2014. |
How often do the Trustees meet and what are they paid?
The role of the Trustees is to provide general oversight of the Fund’s business and to ensure that the Fund is operated for the benefit of all of the Fund’s shareholders. The Trustees anticipate meeting at least five times during the current fiscal year to review the operations of the Fund and the Fund’s investment performance, and will meet more frequently as necessary. The Trustees also oversee the services furnished to the Fund by Franklin Advisers, Inc., the Fund’s investment manager (the “Investment Manager”), and various other service providers.
The Fund’s Independent Trustees constitute the sole independent Board members of 14 investment companies in the Franklin Templeton Investments fund complex for which each Independent Trustee currently is paid a $155,000 annual retainer fee, together with a $7,000 per meeting fee for attendance at each regularly scheduled Board meeting, a portion of which fees are allocated to the Fund. To the extent held, compensation also may be paid for
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attendance at specially called Board meetings. The Fund’s Lead Independent Trustee is paid an annual supplemental retainer of $25,000 for service to such investment companies, a portion of which is allocated to the Fund. Board members who serve on the Audit Committee of the Fund and such other investment companies receive a flat fee of $3,000 per Audit Committee meeting attended in person and $2,000 per Audit Committee telephonic meeting attended, a portion of which is allocated to the Fund. David W. Niemiec, who serves as Chairman of the Audit Committee of the Fund and such other investment companies, receives an additional fee of $15,000 per year, a portion of which is allocated to the Fund. Members of a committee are not separately compensated for any committee meeting held on the day of a regularly scheduled Board meeting.
During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2014, there were five meetings of the Board, three meetings of the Audit Committee, and three meetings of the Nominating Committee. Each Trustee then in office attended at least 75% of the aggregate of the total number of meetings of the Board and the total number of meetings held by all committees of the Board on which the Trustee served. The Fund does not currently have a formal policy regarding Trustees’ attendance at the annual shareholders’ meeting. No Trustees attended the Fund’s last annual meeting held on February 28, 2014.
Independent Trustees are also reimbursed for expenses incurred in connection with attending Board meetings. The Interested Trustees and certain officers of the Fund who are shareholders of Resources are not compensated by the Fund for their services, but may receive indirect remuneration due to their participation in management fees and other fees received by the Investment Manager and its affiliates from the funds in Franklin Templeton Investments. The Investment Manager or its affiliates pay the salaries and expenses of the officers and the Interested Trustees. No pension or retirement benefits are accrued as part of Fund expenses.
The table below indicates the total fees paid to the Independent Trustees by the Fund individually and by all of the funds in the Franklin Templeton Investments fund complex. These Trustees also serve as directors or trustees of other funds in Franklin Templeton Investments, many of which hold meetings at different dates and times. The Trustees and the Fund’s management believe that having the same individuals serving on the boards of many of the funds in Franklin Templeton Investments enhances the ability of each fund to obtain, at a relatively modest cost to each separate fund, the services of high caliber, experienced and knowledgeable Independent Trustees who can bring their experience and talents to, and effectively oversee the management of, several funds.
Total Compensation | Number of Boards within | ||||
Aggregate | from Franklin Templeton | Franklin Templeton Investments | |||
Compensation | Investments | Fund Complex | |||
Name of Trustee | from the Fund(1) | Fund Complex(2) | on which Trustee Serves(3) | ||
Harris J. Ashton | $ | 6,199 | $ | 493,000 | 41 |
Ann Torre Bates(4) | 6,273 | 451,516 | 17 | ||
Frank J. Crothers | 6,025 | 188,000 | 14 |
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Total Compensation | Number of Boards within | ||||
Aggregate | from Franklin Templeton | Franklin Templeton Investments | |||
Compensation | Investments | Fund Complex | |||
Name of Trustee | from the Fund(1) | Fund Complex(2) | on which Trustee Serves(3) | ||
Edith E. Holiday | $ | 6,353 | $ | 531,000 | 41 |
J. Michael Luttig | 6,220 | 508,000 | 41 | ||
David W. Niemiec | 6,363 | 342,000 | 16 | ||
Frank A. Olson | 6,220 | 499,000 | 41 | ||
Larry D. Thompson | 6,220 | 502,000 | 41 | ||
Constantine D. Tseretopoulos | 6,283 | 202,000 | 14 | ||
Robert E. Wade(4) | 6,220 | 620,516 | 19 |
(1) Compensation received for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2014.
(2) Compensation received for the 12 months ended September 30, 2014.
(3) We base the number of boards on the number of U.S. registered investment companies in the Franklin Templeton Investments
fund complex. This number does not include the total number of series or funds within each investment company for which the
Board members are responsible. Franklin Templeton Investments currently includes 46 U.S. registered investment companies, with
approximately 154 U.S. based funds or series.
(4) Ms. Bates and Mr. Wade also are independent trustees of Franklin Mutual Series Funds and may, in the future, receive payments
pursuant to a discontinued retirement plan that generally provides payments to independent board members who have served seven
years or longer for such fund.
Board members historically have followed a policy of having substantial investments in one or more of the funds in Franklin Templeton Investments, as is consistent with their individual financial goals. In February 1998, this policy was formalized through adoption of a requirement that each Board member invest one-third of the fees received for serving as a director or trustee of a Templeton fund (excluding committee fees) in shares of one or more Templeton funds (which may include the Fund) until the value of such investments equals or exceeds five times the annual retainer and regular Board meeting fees paid to such Board member. Investments in the name of family members or entities controlled by a Board member constitute fund holdings of such Board member for purposes of this policy, and a three-year phase-in period applies to such investment requirements for newly elected Board members. In implementing such policy, a Board member’s fund holdings existing on February 27, 1998, were valued as of such date with subsequent investments valued at cost.
Who are the Executive Officers of the Fund? | ||
Officers of the Fund are appointed by the Trustees and serve at the pleasure of the Board. | ||
Listed below, for the Executive Officers, are their names, years of birth and addresses, as well | ||
as their positions and length of service with the Fund, and principal occupations during at least | ||
the past five years. | ||
Name, Year of Birth and Address | Position | Length of Time Served |
Rupert H. Johnson, Jr. | Chairman of the Board, | Chairman of the Board and Trustee since |
Trustee and Vice President | 2013 and Vice President since 1996 | |
Please refer to the table “Interested Trustees serving until 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders” for additional information about | ||
Mr. Rupert H. Johnson, Jr. | ||
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Name, Year of Birth and Address | Position | Length of Time Served |
Christopher J. Molumphy (1962) | President and Chief | Since 2002 |
One Franklin Parkway | Executive Officer | |
San Mateo, CA 94403-1906 | Investment Management | |
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years: | ||
Director and Executive Vice President, Franklin Advisers, Inc.; Executive Vice President, Franklin Templeton Institutional, LLC; | ||
and officer of some of the other subsidiaries of Franklin Resources, Inc. and of 22 of the investment companies in Franklin | ||
Templeton Investments. | ||
Laura F. Fergerson (1962) | Chief Executive Officer | Since 2009 |
One Franklin Parkway | Finance and Administration | |
San Mateo, CA 94403-1906 | ||
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years: | ||
Senior Vice President, Franklin Templeton Services, LLC; and officer of 46 of the investment companies in Franklin Templeton | ||
Investments. | ||
Robert C. Rosselot (1960) | Chief Compliance Officer | Since 2013 |
300 S.E. 2nd Street | ||
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301-1923 | ||
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years: | ||
Director, Global Compliance, Franklin Templeton Investments; Vice President, Franklin Templeton Companies, LLC; officer of 46 | ||
of the investment companies in Franklin Templeton Investments; and formerly, Senior Associate General Counsel, Franklin | ||
Templeton Investments (2007-2013); and Secretary and Vice President, Templeton Group of Funds (2004-2013). | ||
Mark H. Otani (1968) | Chief Financial Officer, | Since 2009 |
One Franklin Parkway | Chief Accounting Officer | |
San Mateo, CA 94403-1906 | and Treasurer | |
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years: | ||
Director, Global Fund Accounting Operations, Franklin Templeton Investments; and officer of 14 of the investment companies in | ||
Franklin Templeton Investments. | ||
Selena L. Holmes (1965) | Vice President | Since 2012 |
100 Fountain Parkway | AML Compliance | |
St. Petersburg, FL 33716-1205 | ||
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years: | ||
Director, Global Compliance Monitoring; Chief Compliance Officer, Franklin Alternative Strategies Advisers, LLC; Vice President, | ||
Franklin Templeton Companies, LLC; and officer of 46 of the investment companies in Franklin Templeton Investments. | ||
Lori A. Weber (1964) | Vice President and | Vice President since 2011 and |
300 S.E. 2nd Street | Secretary | Secretary since 2013 |
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301-1923 | ||
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years: | ||
Senior Associate General Counsel, Franklin Templeton Investments; Assistant Secretary, Franklin Resources, Inc.; Vice President | ||
and Secretary, Templeton Investment Counsel, LLC; Vice President, Fiduciary Trust International of the South; and officer of 46 of | ||
the investment companies in Franklin Templeton Investments. | ||
Craig S. Tyle (1960) | Vice President and | Since 2005 |
One Franklin Parkway | Assistant Secretary | |
San Mateo, CA 94403-1906 | ||
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years: | ||
General Counsel and Executive Vice President, Franklin Resources, Inc.; and officer of some of the other subsidiaries of Franklin | ||
Resources, Inc. and of 46 of the investment companies in Franklin Templeton Investments. | ||
12 |
Name, Year of Birth and Address | Position | Length of Time Served |
Alison E. Baur (1964) | Vice President and | Since 2012 |
One Franklin Parkway | Assistant Secretary | |
San Mateo, CA 94403-1906 | ||
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years: | ||
Deputy General Counsel, Franklin Templeton Investments; and officer of some of the other subsidiaries of Franklin Resources, Inc. | ||
and of 46 of the investment companies in Franklin Templeton Investments. | ||
Aliya S. Gordon (1973) | Vice President and | Since 2009 |
One Franklin Parkway | Assistant Secretary | |
San Mateo, CA 94403-1906 | ||
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years: | ||
Senior Associate General Counsel, Franklin Templeton Investments; officer of 46 of the investment companies in Franklin | ||
Templeton Investments; and formerly, Litigation Associate, Steefel, Levitt & Weiss, LLP (2000-2004). | ||
Steven J. Gray (1955) | Vice President and | Since 2009 |
One Franklin Parkway | Assistant Secretary | |
San Mateo, CA 94403-1906 | ||
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years: | ||
Senior Associate General Counsel, Franklin Templeton Investments; Vice President, Franklin Templeton Distributors, Inc. and | ||
Franklin Alternative Strategies Advisers, LLC; and officer of 46 of the investment companies in Franklin Templeton Investments. | ||
Kimberly H. Novotny (1972) | Vice President and | Since 2013 |
300 S.E. 2nd Street | Assistant Secretary | |
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301-1923 | ||
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years: | ||
Associate General Counsel, Franklin Templeton Investments; Vice President and Secretary, Fiduciary Trust International of the | ||
South; Vice President, Templeton Investment Counsel, LLC; Assistant Secretary, Franklin Resources, Inc.; and officer of 46 of the | ||
investment companies in Franklin Templeton Investments. | ||
Karen L. Skidmore (1952) | Vice President and | Since 2009 |
One Franklin Parkway | Assistant Secretary | |
San Mateo, CA 94403-1906 | ||
Principal Occupation During at Least the Past 5 Years: | ||
Senior Associate General Counsel, Franklin Templeton Investments; and officer of 46 of the investment companies in Franklin | ||
Templeton Investments. |
PROPOSAL 2: RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
How are independent auditors selected?
The Board has a standing Audit Committee currently comprised of David W. Niemiec (Chairman), Ann Torre Bates, Frank J. Crothers and Constantine D. Tseretopoulos, all of whom are Independent Trustees and considered to be independent as that term is defined by the NYSEs listing standards. In addition to her service on the Audit Committee of the Fund, Ms. Bates also serves on the audit committees of other public companies. The Board has determined, however, that such simultaneous service does not impair Ms. Bates ability to effectively serve on the Funds Audit Committee. The Audit Committee is responsible for the appointment, compensation and retention of the Funds independent registered public accounting firm (independent auditors),
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including evaluating their independence, recommending the selection of the Fund’s independent auditors to the full Board, and meeting with such independent auditors to consider and review matters relating to the Fund’s financial reports and internal auditing.
Which independent auditors did the Board select?
The Audit Committee and the Board have selected the firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”) as the independent auditors for the Fund for the current fiscal year. PwC has examined and reported on the fiscal year-end financial statements dated August 31, 2014, and certain related SEC filings. You are being asked to ratify the Board’s selection of PwC for the current fiscal year ending August 31, 2015. Services to be performed by the independent auditors include examining and reporting on the fiscal year-end financial statements of the Fund and certain related filings with the SEC.
The selection of PwC as the independent auditors for the Fund for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2015, was recommended by the Audit Committee and approved by the Board on October 21, 2014. PwC’s reports on the financial statements of the Fund for the fiscal years for which it has served as auditors did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion, nor were qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles.
The Audit Committee and the Board have been advised by PwC that neither PwC nor any of its members have any material direct or indirect financial interest in the Fund. Representatives of PwC are not expected to be present at the Meeting, but will have the opportunity to make a statement if they wish, and will be available should any matter arise requiring their presence.
n AUDITOR INFORMATION
Audit Fees. The aggregate fees paid to PwC for professional services rendered by PwC for the audit of the Fund’s annual financial statements or for services that are normally provided by PwC in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements were $47,756 for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2014, and $48,620 for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2013.
Audit-Related Fees. There were no fees paid to PwC for assurance and related services rendered by PwC to the Fund that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Fund’s financial statements and not reported under “Audit Fees” above for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2014, and August 31, 2013.
In addition, the Audit Committee pre-approves PwC’s engagement for audit-related services to be provided to the Investment Manager and certain entities controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Investment Manager that provide ongoing services to the Fund, which engagements relate directly to the operations and financial reporting of the Fund. For the fiscal years ended August 31, 2014, and August 31, 2013, there were no fees paid to PwC for such services.
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Tax Fees. There were no fees paid to PwC for professional services rendered by PwC to the Fund for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2014 and August 31, 2013.
In addition, the Audit Committee pre-approves PwCs engagement for tax services to be provided to the Investment Manager and certain entities controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Investment Manager that provide ongoing services to the Fund, which engagements relate directly to the operations and financial reporting of the Fund. The fees for these services were $3,830 for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2014, and $6,100 for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2013. The services for which these fees were paid included technical tax consultation for capital gain tax and withholding tax reporting for foreign governments and requirements on local countries self-certification forms.
All Other Fees. The aggregate fees paid for products and services provided by PwC to the Fund, other than the services reported above, were $204 for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2014 and $0 for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2013. The services for which these fees were paid included review of materials provided to the Board in connection with the investment management contract renewal process.
In addition, the Audit Committee pre-approves PwCs engagement for other services to be provided to the Investment Manager and certain entities controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Investment Manager that provide ongoing services to the Fund, which engagements relate directly to the operations and financial reporting of the Fund. The fees for these services were $159,532 for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2014, and $0 for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2013. The services for which these fees were paid included review of materials provided to the Board in connection with the investment management contract renewal process.
Aggregate Non-Audit Fees. The aggregate fees paid to PwC for non-audit services provided by PwC to the Fund, to the Investment Manager or to any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Investment Manager that provides ongoing services to the Fund were $163,566 for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2014, and $6,100 for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2013. The aggregate non-audit fees for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2014, include the amounts shown under Tax Fees ($0) (including services provided to the Investment Manager and its control entities ($3,830)) and All Other Fees ($204) (including services provided to the Investment Manager and its control entities ($159,532)).
The Audit Committee has determined that the provision of the non-audit services that were rendered to the Investment Manager and to any entities controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Investment Manager that provide ongoing services to the Fund is compatible with maintaining PwCs independence.
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Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures. As of the date of this proxy statement, the Audit Committee has not adopted written pre-approval policies and procedures within the meaning of Regulation S-X. As a result, all such services described above and provided by PwC must be directly pre-approved by the Audit Committee or by a designated member of the Audit Committee.
Audit Committee Charter. The Board has adopted and approved a formal written charter for the Audit Committee which sets forth the Audit Committees responsibilities. A copy of the charter is attached as Exhibit A to this proxy statement.
As required by the charter, the Audit Committee reviewed the Funds audited financial statements and met with management, as well as with PwC, the Funds independent auditors, to discuss the financial statements.
Audit Committee Report. The Audit Committee received the written disclosures and the letter from PwC required by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) regarding PwCs communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence. The Audit Committee also received the report of PwC regarding the results of their audit. In connection with the Audit Committees review of the financial statements and PwCs report, the members of the Audit Committee discussed with a representative of PwC, PwCs independence, as well as the matters required to be discussed by Auditing Standard No. 16, Communications with Audit Committees, issued by the PCAOB, including the following: PwCs responsibilities in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards; PwCs responsibilities for information prepared by management that accompanies the Funds audited financial statements and any procedures performed and the results; the initial selection of, and whether there were any changes in, significant accounting policies or their application; managements judgments and accounting estimates; whether there were any significant audit adjustments; whether there were any disagreements with management; whether there was any consultation with other accountants; whether there were any major issues discussed with management prior to PwCs retention; whether the auditors encountered any difficulties in dealing with management in performing the audit; and PwCs judgments about the quality of the Funds accounting principles.
Based on its review and discussions with management and PwC, the Audit Committee did not become aware of any material misstatements or omissions in the financial statements. Accordingly, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the audited financial statements be included in the Funds Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2014, for filing with the SEC.
AUDIT COMMITTEE
David W. Niemiec (Chairman)
Ann Torre Bates
Frank J. Crothers
Constantine D. Tseretopoulos
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n ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND’S BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Board Role in Risk Oversight. The Board, as a whole, considers risk management issues as part of its general oversight responsibilities throughout the year at regular Board meetings, through regular reports that have been developed by management in consultation with the Board and its counsel. These reports address certain investment, valuation and compliance matters. The Board also may receive special written reports or presentations on a variety of risk issues, either upon the Board’s request or upon the Investment Manager’s initiative. In addition, the Audit Committee of the Board meets regularly with the Investment Manager’s internal audit group to review reports on their examinations of functions and processes within Franklin Templeton Investments that affect the Fund.
With respect to investment risk, the Board receives regular written reports describing and analyzing the investment performance of the Fund. In addition, the portfolio managers of the Fund meet regularly with the Board to discuss portfolio performance, including investment risk. To the extent that the Fund changes a particular investment strategy that could have a material impact on the Fund’s risk profile, the Board generally is consulted with respect to such change. To the extent that the Fund invests in certain complex securities, including derivatives, the Board receives periodic reports containing information about exposure of the Fund to such instruments. In addition, the Investment Manager’s investment risk personnel meet regularly with the Board to discuss a variety of issues, including the impact on the Fund of the investment in particular securities or instruments, such as derivatives and commodities.
With respect to valuation, the Fund’s administrator provides regular written reports to the Board that enable the Board to monitor the number of fair valued securities in the Fund’s portfolio, the reasons for the fair valuation and the methodology used to arrive at the fair value. Such reports also include information concerning illiquid securities within the Fund’s portfolio. The Board also reviews dispositional analysis information on the sale of securities that require special valuation considerations such as illiquid or fair valued securities. In addition, the Fund’s Audit Committee reviews valuation procedures and results with the Fund’s independent auditors in connection with the Committee’s review of the results of the audit of the Fund’s year-end financial statements.
With respect to compliance risks, the Board receives regular compliance reports prepared by the Investment Manager’s compliance group and meets regularly with the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) to discuss compliance issues, including compliance risks. As required under SEC rules, the Independent Trustees meet regularly in executive session with the CCO and the CCO prepares and presents an annual written compliance report to the Board. The Fund’s Board adopts compliance policies and procedures for the Fund and approves these procedures for the Fund’s service providers. The compliance policies and procedures are specifically designed to detect and prevent violations of the federal securities laws.
17
The Investment Manager periodically provides an enterprise risk management presentation to the Board to describe the way in which risk is managed on a complex-wide level. The presentation covers such areas as investment risk, reputational risk, personnel risk, and business continuity risk.
Board Structure. Seventy-five percent or more of the Funds Board members consist of Independent Trustees who are not deemed to be interested persons by reason of their relationship with the Funds management or otherwise as provided under the 1940 Act. While the Chairman of the Board is an interested person, the Board is also served by a Lead Independent Trustee. The Lead Independent Trustee, together with independent counsel, reviews proposed agendas for Board meetings and generally acts as a liaison with Fund management with respect to questions and issues raised by the Independent Trustees. The Lead Independent Trustee also presides at separate meetings of Independent Trustees held in advance of each scheduled Board meeting where various matters, including those being considered at such Board meeting, are discussed. It is believed such structure and activities assure that proper consideration is given at Board meetings to matters deemed important to the Fund and its shareholders.
/ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND
The Investment Manager. The Investment Manager of the Fund is Franklin Advisers, Inc., a California corporation with offices at One Franklin Parkway, San Mateo, California 94403-1906. Pursuant to an investment management agreement, the Investment Manager manages the investment and reinvestment of Fund assets. The Investment Manager is a wholly owned subsidiary of Resources.
The Administrator. The administrator of the Fund is Franklin Templeton Services, LLC (FT Services), with offices at 300 S.E. 2nd Street, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301-1923. FT Services is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Resources and an affiliate of the Investment Manager. Pursuant to a subcontract for administrative services, FT Services performs certain administrative functions for the Fund.
The Transfer Agent. The transfer agent, registrar and dividend disbursement agent for the Fund is Computershare Shareowner Services, LLC (formerly BNY Mellon Shareowner Services), P.O. Box 43006, Providence, RI 02940-3006.
The Custodian. The custodian for the Fund is JPMorgan Chase Bank, 270 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10017-2070.
Other Matters. The Funds latest audited financial statements and annual report for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2014, are available free of charge. To obtain a copy, please call (800) DIAL BEN®/342-5236 or forward a written request to Franklin Templeton Investor Services, LLC, P.O. Box 33030, St. Petersburg, Florida 33733-8030.
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Principal Shareholders. As of December 12, 2014, the Fund had 47,998,418 shares outstanding and total net assets of $605,315,116.87. The Fund’s shares are listed on the NYSE (NYSE: TEI). From time to time, the number of shares held in “street name” accounts of various securities dealers for the benefit of their clients may exceed 5% of the total shares outstanding. To the knowledge of the Fund’s management, as of December 12, 2014, there were no other entities holding beneficially or of record more than 5% of the Fund’s outstanding shares.
In addition, to the knowledge of the Fund’s management, as of December 12, 2014, no nominee or Trustee of the Fund owned 1% or more of the outstanding shares of the Fund, and the Trustees and officers of the Fund owned, as a group, less than 1% of the outstanding shares of the Fund.
Contacting the Board of Trustees. If a shareholder wishes to send a communication to the Board, such correspondence should be in writing and addressed to the Board of Trustees at the Fund’s offices, 300 S.E. 2nd Street, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301-1923, Attention: Secretary. The correspondence will be given to the Board for review and consideration.
n FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT VOTING AND THE MEETING
Solicitation of Proxies. Your vote is being solicited by the Trustees. The cost of soliciting proxies, including the fees of a proxy soliciting agent, is borne by the Fund. The Fund reimburses brokerage firms and others for their reasonable expenses in forwarding proxy material to the beneficial owners and soliciting them to execute proxies. In addition, the Fund may retain a professional proxy solicitation firm to assist with any necessary solicitation of proxies. The Fund expects that the solicitation would be primarily by mail, but also may include telephone, facsimile, electronic or other means of communication. If the Fund does not receive your proxy by a certain time, you may receive a telephone call from a proxy soliciting agent asking you to vote. If professional proxy solicitors are retained, it is expected that soliciting fees would be approximately $5,000, plus expenses. The Fund does not reimburse Trustees and officers of the Fund, or regular employees and agents of the Investment Manager involved in the solicitation of proxies. The Fund intends to pay all costs associated with the solicitation and the Meeting.
Voting by Broker-Dealers. The Fund expects that, before the Meeting, broker-dealer firms holding shares of the Fund in “street name” for their customers will request voting instructions from their customers and beneficial owners. If these instructions are not received by the date specified in the broker-dealer firms’ proxy solicitation materials, the Fund understands that current NYSE Rules permit the broker-dealers to vote on the Proposals on behalf of their customers and beneficial owners. Certain broker-dealers may exercise discretion over shares held in their name for which no instructions are received by voting these shares in the same proportion as they vote shares for which they received instructions.
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Quorum. A majority of the Funds shares entitled to vote at the Meetingpresent in person or represented by proxyconstitutes a quorum at the Meeting. The shares over which broker-dealers have discretionary voting power, the shares that represent broker non-votes (i.e., shares held by brokers or nominees as to which (i) instructions have not been received from the beneficial owners or persons entitled to vote and (ii) the broker or nominee does not have discretionary voting power on a particular matter), and the shares whose proxies reflect an abstention on any item will all be counted as shares present and entitled to vote at the Meeting for purposes of determining whether the required quorum of shares exists.
Method of Tabulation. Provided a quorum is present or represented at the Meeting, Proposal 1, the election of Trustees, requires the affirmative vote of a plurality of the Funds shares present in person or represented by proxy and voting on the Proposal at the Meeting. Proposal 2, ratification of the selection of the independent auditors, requires the affirmative vote of (i) sixty-seven percent (67%) or more of the voting securities present in person or represented by proxy at the Meeting, if the holders of more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund are present or represented by proxy; or (ii) more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, whichever is less. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be treated as votes present at the Meeting, but will not be treated as votes cast. Abstentions and broker non-votes, therefore, will have no effect on Proposal 1, but may have the effect of an against vote on Proposal 2.
Simultaneous Meetings. The Meeting is to be held at the same time as the annual meetings of shareholders of Templeton Emerging Markets Fund and Templeton Global Income Fund. If any shareholder at the Meeting objects to the holding of simultaneous meetings and moves for an adjournment of the Meeting to a time promptly after the simultaneous meetings, the persons designated as proxies will vote in favor of such adjournment.
Adjournment. The Chairman of the Board or an authorized officer of the Fund for the Meeting, or the holders of a majority of the shares present (in person or by proxy) and entitled to vote at the Meeting, may adjourn the Meeting from time to time. Such authority to adjourn the Meeting may be used in the event that a quorum is not present at the Meeting or, in the event that a quorum is present but sufficient votes have not been received to approve the Proposals, or for any other reason consistent with Delaware law and the Funds By-Laws, including to allow for the further solicitation of proxies. Unless otherwise instructed by a shareholder granting a proxy, the persons designated as proxies may use their discretionary authority to vote as instructed by management of the Fund on questions of adjournment and on any other proposals raised at the Meeting to the extent permitted by the SECs proxy rules, including proposals for which management of the Fund did not have timely notice, as set forth in the SECs proxy rules and the Funds proxy statement for the 2014 annual meeting.
Shareholder Proposals. The Fund anticipates that its 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be held on or about February 29, 2016. A shareholder who wishes to submit a proposal for
20
consideration for inclusion in the Funds proxy statement for the 2016 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders must send such written proposal to the Funds offices at 300 S.E. 2nd Street, Fort
Lauderdale, Florida 33301-1923, Attention: Secretary, so that it is received no later than
September 4, 2015 in order to be included in the Funds proxy statement and proxy card
relating to that meeting and presented at the meeting.
A shareholder of the Fund who has not submitted a written proposal for inclusion in the Funds
proxy statement by September 4, 2015, as described above, may nonetheless present a proposal at
the Funds 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders if such shareholder notifies the Fund in writing
at the Funds offices, of such proposal not earlier than October 2, 2015 and not later than
November 1, 2015. If a shareholder fails to give notice within these dates, then the matter shall
not be eligible for consideration at the shareholders meeting. If, notwithstanding the effect of the
foregoing notice provisions, a shareholder proposal is acted upon at the 2016 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders, the persons designated as proxies for the 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders
may exercise discretionary voting power with respect to any shareholder proposal not received by
the Fund at the Funds offices by November 18, 2015. A shareholder proposal may be presented
at the 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders only if such proposal concerns a matter that may be
properly brought before the meeting under applicable federal proxy rules and state law. In
addition to the requirements set forth above, a shareholder must comply with the following:
1. A shareholder intending to present a proposal must (i) be entitled to vote at the
meeting; (ii) comply with the notice procedures set forth in this proxy statement and in
the Funds By-Laws; and (iii) have been a shareholder of record at the time the
shareholders notice was received by the Secretary of the Fund.
2. A notice regarding a nomination for the election of a Trustee shall set forth in writing
(i) the name, age, business address and, if known, residence address of each nominee
proposed in such notice; (ii) the principal occupation or employment of each such
nominee; (iii) the number of outstanding shares of the Fund which are beneficially
owned by each such nominee; and (iv) all such other information regarding each such
nominee as would have been required to be included in a proxy statement filed
pursuant to the proxy rules of the SEC had each such nominee been nominated by the
Trustees of the Fund. In addition, the shareholder making such nomination shall
promptly provide any other information reasonably requested by the Fund.
3. A notice regarding a business proposal shall set forth in writing as to each matter: (i) a
brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting and the
reasons for conducting such business at the meeting; (ii) the name and address, as they
appear on the Funds books, of the shareholder proposing such business; (iii) the
number of shares of the Fund which are beneficially owned by the shareholder;
(iv) any material interest of the shareholder in such business; and (v) all such other
information regarding each such matter that would have been required to be included
in a proxy statement filed pursuant to the proxy rules of the SEC had each such matter
been proposed by the Trustees of the Fund.
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Submission of a proposal by a shareholder does not guarantee that the proposal will be included in the Funds proxy statement or presented at the meeting.
By Order of the Board of Trustees,
Lori A. Weber
Vice President and Secretary
January 2, 2015
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EXHIBIT A
TEMPLETON FUNDS AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER
I. The Committee.
The Audit Committee (Committee) is a committee of, and established by, the Board of
Directors/Trustees of the Fund (the Board). The Committee shall consist of such number
of members as set by the Board from time to time, but in no event less than three, and its
members shall be selected by the Board. The Committee shall be comprised entirely of
independent members, as defined in Item 3(a)(2) of SEC Form N-CSR (Disinterested
Board members). Members shall be financially literate, meaning that each member is able
to read and understand fundamental financial statements, including the Funds balance
sheet and income statement. At least one member of the Committee shall be designated by
the Board as an audit committee financial expert, as defined in Item 3(b) of SEC
Form N-CSR, unless the Board determines that the Fund does not have an audit committee
financial expert on the Committee.
II. Purposes of the Committee.
The function of the Committee is to be directly responsible for overseeing the Funds
accounting and auditing processes, which shall include the appointment, compensation,
retention and oversight of the work of the Funds independent registered public accounting
firm (auditors) engaged (including resolution of disagreements between management and
the auditors regarding financial reporting) for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit
report or performing other audit, review or attest services for the Fund. It is managements
responsibility to maintain appropriate systems for accounting and internal controls. It is
the auditors responsibility to plan and carry out an audit in accordance with the standards
of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and to report directly to the
Committee. It is not the duty of the Committee to plan or conduct audits or to determine
that the Funds financial statements are complete and in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles; it is the responsibility of the auditors to conduct audits and
the responsibility of management to prepare the Funds financial statements in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles.
In giving its recommendations to the Board with respect to the Funds financial statements,
the Committee will rely on:
1. managements representation that such financial statements have been prepared with
integrity and objectivity and in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles,
2. the report of the Funds auditors with respect to such financial statements.
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Consistent with such allocation of functions, the purposes of the Committee are:
(a) To oversee the Funds accounting and financial reporting policies and practices and its
internal controls, and to obtain, where it deems appropriate, reports on internal
controls of service providers to the Fund;
(b) To oversee the quality, objectivity and integrity of the Funds financial statements and
the independent audit thereof;
(c) To act as a liaison between the Funds auditors and the Board; and
(d) To consider such other matters as it deems appropriate in carrying out its purpose and
any other matters that may be assigned to it by the Board.
In addition, the Committee shall serve as the Funds Qualified Legal Compliance Committee
(QLCC) pursuant to Section 205 of the SECs Standards of Professional Conduct for
Attorneys (the Standards). In this capacity, the Committee is required to adopt and
maintain written procedures for the confidential receipt, retention and consideration of any
report of evidence of a material violation. Evidence of a material violation means credible
evidence, based upon which it would be unreasonable, under the circumstances, for a
prudent and competent attorney not to conclude that it is reasonably likely that a material
violation of an applicable U.S. federal or state securities law, a material breach of fiduciary
(or similar duty) to the Fund arising under U.S. federal or state law, or a similar material
violation of any U.S. federal or state law has occurred, is ongoing, or is about to occur.
III. Powers and Duties.
The Committee shall have the following powers and duties to carry out its purposes:
(a) To select the auditors, subject to approval both by the Board and by a separate vote of
the Disinterested Board members, and, in connection therewith, to evaluate the
independence and qualifications of the auditors in accordance with applicable federal
securities laws and regulations and the rules and standards of the Independence
Standards Board and American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
(b) To be directly responsible for approving the services to be provided by, and the
compensation of, the auditors, including:
(i) pre-approval of all audit and audit related services;
(ii) pre-approval of all non-audit related services to be provided to the Fund by the
auditors;
(iii) pre-approval of all non-audit related services to be provided by the auditors to the
Funds investment adviser or to any entity that controls, is controlled by or is
under common control with the Funds investment adviser and that provides
ongoing services to the Fund where the non-audit services relate directly to the
operations or financial reporting of the Fund; and
A-2
(iv) if deemed necessary or appropriate, as an alternative to Committee pre-approval
of services to be provided by the auditors, as required by paragraphs (ii) and
(iii) above;
(A) establishment by the Committee of policies and procedures to pre-approve
such services, provided the policies and procedures are detailed as to the
particular service and the Committee is informed of each service and such
policies and procedures do not include delegation of audit committee
responsibilities, as contemplated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
to management; or
(B) delegation by the Committee to one or more designated members of the
Committee who are Disinterested Board members authority to pre-approve
such services, provided the Committee is informed of the decisions of any
member pursuant to such delegated authority no later than its next scheduled
meeting;
subject, in the case of (ii) through (iv), to any waivers, exceptions or exemptions
that may be available under applicable law or rules.
(c) To meet with the auditors, including private meetings, as necessary to (i) review the
arrangements for and scope of the annual audit and any special audits; (ii) discuss any
matters or concerns relating to the Funds financial statements, including any recorded
and/or unrecorded adjustments to such statements recommended by the auditors, or
other results of audits; (iii) consider the auditors comments with respect to the Funds
financial, accounting and reporting policies, procedures and internal controls and
managements responses thereto; and (iv) to review the form of opinion the auditors
propose to render.
(d) To receive and consider reports from the auditors:
(i) as required by generally accepted accounting standards; and
(ii) annually and by update as required by SEC Regulation S-X, regarding: (w) all
critical accounting policies and practices of the Fund to be used; (x) alternative
treatments within generally accepted accounting principles for policies and
practices related to material items that have been discussed with management of
the Fund, including ramifications of the use of such alternative disclosures and
treatments, and the treatment preferred by the auditors; (y) other material written
communications between the auditors and management of the Fund, such as any
management letter or schedule of unadjusted differences; and (z) all non-audit
services provided to any entity in an investment company complex, as defined in
SEC Regulation S-X, that were not pre-approved by the Committee pursuant to
SEC Regulation S-X.
(e) To consider the effect upon the Fund of any changes in accounting principles or
practices proposed by management or the auditors.
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(f) In considering the independence of the auditors, to request from, and discuss with, the
auditors a written statement, and other reports as necessary, describing all
relationships between the auditors and the Fund, the Funds investment adviser and
service providers, and other entities advised or serviced by, including any entities
controlling, controlled by or under common control with, the investment adviser or
any other service providers to the Fund that, in the auditors judgment, could be
thought to bear upon the auditors independence; to receive and consider, if
applicable, periodic reports from the auditors regarding whether the provision of non-
audit services is compatible with maintaining the auditors independence; and to
request from the auditors a certificate that they are independent auditors under the
Federal securities laws and are in compliance with all standards adopted by the
Independence Standards Board.
(g) To require that the auditors regularly provide timely information to the Committee
with respect to new rules and pronouncements by applicable regulatory and
accounting standards agencies, along with an explanation of how such developments
may affect the Funds financial statements and accounting principles and practices.
(h) To review, at such times and in the manner deemed appropriate by the Committee, the
results of the annual audit of, and the report of the auditors on the Funds annual
financial statements, including footnotes and any significant audit findings.
(i) To consider any reports of difficulties that may have arisen during the course of the
audit, including any limitations of the scope of the audit, and managements response
thereto.
(j) To review certifications of the Funds Chief Executive OfficerFinance and
Administration, and Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer concerning
(i) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of
internal controls over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely
affect the Funds ability to record, process, summarize and report financial
information; and (ii) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or
other employees who have a significant role in the Funds internal controls over
financial reporting, and for any other purposes the Committee deems appropriate, as
required by §302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
(k) To inform the chief legal officer (CLO) and chief executive officer (CEO) of the
Fund (or the equivalents thereof) of any report of evidence of a material violation by
the Fund, its officers, directors/trustees, employees (if any), or agents (collectively,
affiliates). In connection therewith, the Committee shall:
(i) determine whether an investigation is necessary regarding any report of evidence
of a material violation by the Fund or its affiliates;
(ii) if the Committee determines such an investigation is necessary or appropriate,
(A) notify the Board; (B) initiate an investigation, which may be conducted by
A-4
either the CLO or by outside attorneys; and (C) retain such additional expert
personnel as the Committee deems necessary to assist in the investigation;
(iii) at the conclusion of any such investigation, (A) recommend by a majority vote,
that the Fund implement an appropriate response (as defined in Section 205.2(b)
of the Standards) to evidence of a material violation, and (B) inform the CLO and
the CEO and the Board of the results of such investigation and the appropriate
remedial measures to be adopted;
(iv) acting by majority vote, take all other appropriate action, including the authority
to notify the SEC in the event the Fund fails in any material respect to implement
an appropriate response that the Committee has recommended the Fund to take;
and
(v) otherwise respond to evidence of a material violation.
IV. Other Functions and Procedures of the Committee.
(a) The Committee shall meet at least twice each year or more frequently, in open or
executive sessions, as may be necessary to fulfill its responsibilities. The Committee
shall meet as frequently as circumstances require with (i) the auditors as provided in
III (c), above; and (ii) managements internal audit department to review and discuss
internal audit functions and reports. The Committee may invite members of
management, the auditors, counsel, advisers and others to attend its meetings as it
deems appropriate. The Committee shall have separate sessions with the auditors,
management and others, as and when it deems appropriate.
(b) The Committee shall establish procedures for (i) the receipt, retention and treatment
of complaints received by the Fund or the Funds adviser regarding accounting,
internal accounting controls, or accounting matters relating to the Fund; and (ii) the
confidential, anonymous submission by employees of the Fund or the Funds adviser,
administrator, principal underwriter or any other provider of accounting related
services for the Fund, of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing
matters.
(c) The Committee shall have the authority to engage special counsel, experts and
advisers as and when it determines necessary to carry out its duties and the Fund must
provide for appropriate funding, as determined by the Committee, for payment of
(i) compensation to any auditors engaged for the purpose of preparing or issuing an
audit report or performing other audit, review or attest services for the Fund;
(ii) compensation to any advisers employed by the Committee; and (iii) ordinary
administrative expenses of the Committee that are necessary or appropriate in
carrying out its duties.
A-5
(d) The Committee shall have unrestricted access to the Funds management and
management of the Funds adviser, including, but not limited to, their chief executive
officer(s), chief financial officer(s), internal auditors and any other executives and
financial officers.
(e) The Committee shall report its activities to the Board and make such
recommendations as the Committee may deem necessary or appropriate.
(f) The Committee shall review and assess the adequacy of this Charter annually, or more
frequently if it chooses, and recommend any changes to the Board.
(g) The Chair of the Committee shall meet periodically on an informal basis with the
Chairpersons of the Audit Committees of other Funds within the Franklin/Templeton/
Mutual Series complex to share information and discuss items of mutual interest and
shall report back to the Committee on any issues of substance discussed at such
periodic meetings. In addition, the Committee shall meet jointly with Audit
Committees of other Funds within the Franklin/Templeton/Mutual Series complex as
may be appropriate, to attend presentations and review proposals and other matters of
common concern to all such Audit Committees.
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS FOR CLOSED-END FUNDS ONLY
(The provisions set forth in Appendix A hereto are intended to cover specific requirements and wording mandated by applicable Stock Exchange listing requirements.)
A-6
Appendix A
In addition to the purposes set forth above, the purposes of the Committee include:
(a) preparation of the Audit Committee Disclosure Report required to be included in the
Funds annual proxy statement; and
(b) the assistance of oversight, as either part of the full Board or as a Committee, of the
Funds compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
In addition to the powers and duties set forth above, the Committee shall have the following
powers and duties to carry out its purposes:
(a) To obtain and review a report by the auditors, at least annually, describing:
(i) All relationships between the auditors and the Fund, the Funds adviser, and any
control affiliate of the adviser that provides ongoing services to the Fund;
(ii) Any material issues raised by the most recent internal quality-control review, or
peer review, of the auditors, or by any inquiry or investigation by governmental
or professional authorities, within the preceding five years, respecting one or
more independent audits carried out by the auditors, and any steps taken to deal
with any such issues; and
(iii) The auditors internal quality-control procedures;
(b) To discuss generally, to the extent the Fund issues any earnings press releases or any
financial information and earnings guidance provided to analysts and rating agencies,
any such releases or information and guidance;
(c) To discuss in a general manner, as either part of the full Board or as a Committee, the
Funds processes with respect to risk assessment and risk management;
(d) To review and approve, as either part of the full Board or as a Committee, clear
policies relating to the hiring by entities within Franklin Templeton Investments of
employees or former employees of the auditors;
(e) To evaluate, as either part of the full Board or as a Committee, its performance at
least annually; and
(f) Upon appointment of a member (i) to the Committee or (ii) to the audit committee of
another public company, who simultaneously serves on the audit committees of three
or more public companies, to request the Board to determine that such simultaneous
service would not impair the ability of such member to effectively serve on the
Committee.
The Committee shall comply with such other rules of the New York Stock Exchange, Inc.,
other applicable national securities exchanges and the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission applicable to closed-end funds, as such may be adopted and amended from time to
time.
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TLTEI PROXY 01/15
You can now access your Templeton Emerging Markets Income Fund account online.
Access your Fund account online via the Investor ServiceDirect Website.
The transfer agent for the Fund now makes it easy and convenient to get current information on your shareholder account.
View account status | Make address changes |
View certificate history | Obtain a duplicate 1099 tax form |
View book-entry information | Establish/change your PIN |
View payment history for dividends |
Visit us on the web at http://www.computershare.com/investor
For Technical Assistance call 1-800-416-5585 between 9am-7pm Monday-Friday, Eastern Time
www.computershare.com/investor
The Investor ServiceDirect Website
Available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week
TOLL FREE NUMBER: 1-800-416-5585
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE SHAREHOLDER MEETING TO BE HELD ON MARCH 2, 2015.
The Funds Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders, Proxy Statement and form of Proxy are available on the Internet at http://www.proxyonline.us/docs/tei.pdf. The form of Proxy on the Internet site cannot be used to cast your vote.