TEMPLETON DRAGON FUND, INC. (NYSE: TDF) (the “Fund”), a closed-end investment company managed by Templeton Asset Management Ltd., announced today that its Board has authorized an issuer tender offer in the fourth quarter of 2023 to purchase for cash up to 8,451,035 of its common shares, representing 25% of the Fund’s issued and outstanding common shares. The tender offer will commence on November 21, 2023 and purchases will be made at a price per share equal to 98% of the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) per share as of the close of trading on the first business day after the expiration of the tender offer, with the remaining 2% applied to cover certain costs of the tender offer, including the processing of tender forms, effecting payment, postage and handling. If more shares are tendered than the amount the Board has authorized to purchase, the Fund will purchase a number of shares equal to the offer amount on a pro-rated basis.
The commencement of the tender offer is pursuant to an agreement between the Fund and City of London Investment Management Company Limited (“CoL”). Pursuant to the agreement, CoL has agreed to be bound by certain standstill covenants. The Fund has been advised that CoL will file copies of the relevant standstill agreement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) as an exhibit to its Schedule 13D.
The Fund’s common shares have recently traded at a discount to their net asset value per share. During the pendency of the tender offer, the current net asset value per share will be available on the Fund’s website at:
Shareholders are advised to read the offer to purchase when it is available, as it contains important information.
The offer to purchase and other documents filed by the Fund with the SEC, including the Fund's annual report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, are or will be available without cost at the SEC’s website (sec.gov) or by calling the Fund’s Information Agent.
Other information
You may request a copy of the Fund’s current Report to Shareholders by contacting Franklin Templeton’s Fund Information Department at 1-800/DIAL BEN® (1-800-342-5236) or by visiting franklintempleton.com. All investments involve risks, including possible loss of principal. International investments are subject to special risks, including currency fluctuations and social, economic and political uncertainties, which could increase volatility. These risks are magnified in emerging markets. There are special risks associated with investments in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, including less liquidity, expropriation, confiscatory taxation, international trade tensions, nationalization, and exchange control regulations and rapid inflation, all of which can negatively impact the Fund. Investments in Taiwan could be adversely affected by its political and economic relationship with China. The Fund is actively managed but there is no guarantee that the manager's investment decisions will produce the desired results. For portfolio management discussions, including information regarding the Fund’s investment strategies, please view the most recent Annual or Semi-Annual Report to Shareholders which can be found at franklintempleton.com or sec.gov.
Unlike open-end funds (mutual funds), closed-end funds are not continuously offered. Closed-end funds trade on the secondary market through a national stock exchange at a price which may be above (a premium), but is often below (a discount to) the net asset value (NAV) of the fund's portfolio. Unlike a mutual fund, the market price for a closed-end fund is based on supply and demand, not the fund's NAV.
Franklin Resources, Inc. is a global investment management organization with subsidiaries operating as Franklin Templeton and serving clients in over 150 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 offers specialization on a global scale, bringing extensive capabilities in fixed income, equity, alternatives and multi-asset solutions. With more than 1,300 investment professionals, and offices in major financial markets around the world, the California-based company has over 75 years of investment experience and over $1.3 trillion in assets under management as of October 31, 2023. For more information, please visit franklintempleton.com.
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Contacts
Franklin Templeton, 1-800-342-5236
