TORONTO, Feb. 27, 2026 /CNW/ - Franklin Templeton Canada announced risk rating changes for certain series of Franklin Quotential Diversified Income Portfolio and Franklin Unconstrained Global Equity Fund1 that will take effect today and will be reflected in the funds' updated fund facts documents.The changes in risk ratings are the result of a continuous disclosure review by Staff of the Ontario Securities Commission focused on risk ratings and are not the result of any alterations to the investment objecti ...

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Distribution Information - Unitholders of record as of February 27, 2026, will receive a per-unit cash distribution payable on March 9, 2026 [1] - Unitholders of record as of March 20, 2026, will receive a per-unit cash distribution payable on March 30, 2026 [1] Company Information - Franklin Templeton operates in Canada under the business name Franklin Templeton Canada, which is used by Franklin Templeton Investments Corp [1]

Fee Reduction - Franklin Innovation Fund will reduce management and administration fees effective March 1, 2026, enhancing its competitive cost structure within its peer group [1] Proposed Investment Objective Changes - Investment objectives for Franklin Quotential Balanced Growth Portfolio, Franklin Quotential Balanced Income Portfolio, and Franklin Canadian Balanced Fund are proposed to change, pending approval at a special meeting on or about May 4, 2026 [2][3] - The changes aim to align the investment objectives of the Quotential portfolios with other Quotential strategies, allowing for greater flexibility in asset allocation [3] - The Franklin Canadian Balanced Fund will shift its investment focus primarily to Canadian equities and fixed income, rather than a portfolio of Franklin Templeton Funds, if approved [4] Special Meeting and Communication - Investors in the Funds as of March 23, 2026, will receive special meeting materials in compliance with securities laws, with details available on Franklin Templeton's website around April 2, 2026 [5] Mutual Fund and ETF Series Terminations - Franklin Templeton Canada plans to voluntarily delist the ETF series of Franklin ClearBridge International Growth Fund and Franklin Global Growth Fund from the Toronto Stock Exchange, effective May 8, 2026, with termination on May 15, 2026 [6] - No further direct subscriptions for units of FSCI or FGGE will be accepted as of February 19, 2026, and investors who do not redeem their units by May 8, 2026, will receive cash representing their share of the ETF Series assets around May 18, 2026 [7]

Core Viewpoint - Franklin Templeton and Binance have launched a new institutional off-exchange collateral program that allows institutions to use tokenized money market fund shares as collateral for trading on Binance, enhancing security and capital efficiency in digital markets [2][3]. Group 1: Program Details - The program enables institutional traders to utilize regulated, yield-bearing money market fund assets in digital markets without needing to deposit those assets on an exchange [3][5]. - Tokenized money market fund shares issued through Franklin Templeton's Benji Technology Platform can now be used as off-exchange collateral, with the actual assets held securely in regulated custody [3][4]. - Ceffu, Binance's institutional custody partner, supports the custody and settlement infrastructure for this program [4][11]. Group 2: Institutional Benefits - The initiative addresses a significant challenge for institutional traders by allowing them to earn yield while maintaining control over their assets, thus reducing counterparty risk [3][5]. - The program is designed to meet the increasing demand for stable, yield-bearing collateral that can operate 24/7, enhancing the trading experience for institutional investors [7]. Group 3: Strategic Collaboration - The collaboration between Franklin Templeton and Binance aims to bridge traditional finance and digital assets, showcasing how blockchain technology can improve market efficiency [4][6]. - This program is part of a broader effort to expand both companies' networks of off-exchange program partners, following their strategic collaboration announcement in September 2025 [5].

Core Insights - Franklin Resources, Inc. (BEN) and Binance have launched a new off-exchange institutional collateral program to enhance the safety and capital efficiency of digital asset trading, stemming from their strategic partnership announced in September 2025 [1][9] Group 1: Program Details - The program allows eligible institutional clients to use tokenized money market fund shares from Franklin's Benji Technology Platform as collateral for trading on Binance [2] - The custody and settlement infrastructure for this collaboration is supported by Ceffu, Binance's institutional crypto-native custody partner [2] Group 2: Rationale and Benefits - This initiative addresses a significant challenge for institutional crypto traders, as traditional collateral usage required asset transfers to exchanges, increasing custody and counterparty risks [3] - The value of tokenized money market fund shares is reflected in Binance's trading system while the actual assets are securely held off-exchange, allowing institutions to earn yield on their holdings while backing digital asset trades [4] Group 3: Statements from Executives - Roger Bayston, head of Digital Assets at Franklin Templeton, emphasized that the program allows clients to utilize their assets in a regulated environment while earning yield [5] - Catherine Chen, head of VIP & Institutional at Binance, noted that using traditional financial instruments on-chain creates new opportunities for investors and enhances market efficiency [5] Group 4: Strategic Implications - The collaboration strengthens Franklin and its Benji platform by integrating tokenized money market funds into the digital market, bridging traditional finance and digital assets [6] - For Binance, the initiative supports safer trading and attracts traditional financial institutions, meeting the demand for stable, yield-generating collateral with 24/7 settlement [7] Group 5: Market Performance - Shares of Franklin Resources (BEN) have increased by 23.6% over the past three months, contrasting with a 1.4% decline in the industry [8]

Market and Performance Overview - Emerging markets advanced 4.7% in Q4 2025, finishing as one of the best-performing global equity asset classes, with the MSCI Emerging Markets Index rising 33.6% for the year, outperforming the MSCI EAFE Index (+31.2%) and the U.S. S&P 500 Index (+17.9%) [2] - Performance in Q4 was led by Korea and Taiwan, with Korean equities soaring 27.3% driven by a 50% gain in the IT sector, while Taiwanese stocks climbed 10.4% due to AI-related momentum [3] Sector Performance - The IT sector gained 16.4%, bolstered by AI-related stocks, while the materials sector advanced 11.6% as gold prices rose over 10% and copper prices hit record highs [6] - Energy, financials, and industrials sectors outperformed the index, while consumer discretionary, communication services, health care, and real estate underperformed [6] Company Highlights - SK Hynix saw its shares soar over 80% in Q4 and nearly tripled for the year due to increased demand for DRAM and NAND memory, particularly for AI workloads [7] - Samsung Electronics also experienced strong performance, benefiting from memory shortages that enhanced pricing power [7] - Taiwan Semiconductor, a leading manufacturer of high-end chips for Nvidia, significantly outperformed the benchmark [7] Regional Contributions - Significant contributors included China's Sieyuan Electric and Korea's HD Hyundai Electric, supporting AI data center buildouts [10] - Capitec Bank in South Africa delivered strong financial results, while Titan, an Indian jewelry retailer, showed encouraging performance despite India's overall underperformance [10] Detractors - Alibaba and Tencent surrendered gains due to a broader rotation out of China, while Contemporary Amperex Technology also faced declines [11] - MercadoLibre remained weak amid competition concerns in Brazil, and Apollo Hospitals detracted due to its large portfolio weight in a lagging Indian market [12] Portfolio Positioning - The strategy added four new positions, including Raia Drogasil and Nu Holdings in Brazil, while exiting positions in B3 S.A. and Proya Cosmetics [13][14][17] - Upgraded exposure in Indonesia by replacing PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia with PT Bank Central Asia, which has a strong deposit franchise [15] Outlook - The emerging market recovery is viewed as being in its early stages, with appealing valuations and supportive macroeconomic drivers [18] - Anticipated increased foreign investments into EM equities, driven by lower valuations and stronger economic growth [19] - The Chinese economy shows signs of increased stability, with improved trade relations and a more optimistic outlook [20] - Emerging markets offer opportunities in world-class companies with technological innovation, particularly in sectors like industrial automation, e-commerce, and fintech [21] - India remains a focus due to its large population and status as the fastest-growing major global economy, despite challenges faced in 2025 [22] Portfolio Highlights - The ClearBridge Emerging Market Strategy outperformed its benchmark in Q4, with gains across five of the nine sectors invested [23] - Stock selection in IT and industrials sectors contributed positively, while communication services and an underweight in materials detracted from performance [24] - Leading contributors included SK Hynix, Samsung Electronics, and Capitec Bank, while Tencent, Alibaba, and MercadoLibre were primary detractors [25]

Core Insights - Franklin Templeton and Binance have launched an institutional off-exchange collateral program, allowing institutions to use tokenized money market fund shares as collateral for trading on Binance, enhancing security and capital efficiency in digital markets [1][2] Group 1: Program Details - The program enables eligible clients to utilize Benji-issued tokenized money market fund shares as off-exchange collateral, alleviating a significant pain point for institutional traders [1] - Tokenized assets remain securely held off-exchange in regulated custody, reducing counterparty risk while allowing institutions to earn yield [1] - The custody and settlement infrastructure is supported by Ceffu, Binance's institutional crypto-native custody partner [1] Group 2: Strategic Collaboration - The collaboration between Franklin Templeton and Binance aims to bridge traditional finance and digital assets, making financial markets more efficient [1] - This initiative is part of a broader strategic partnership that began in September 2025, focusing on expanding off-exchange program networks [1] - The program responds to increasing institutional demand for stable, yield-bearing collateral that can settle 24/7, enhancing the trading experience on Binance [1] Group 3: Company Background - Franklin Templeton is a pioneer in digital asset investing and blockchain innovation, managing over $1.7 trillion in assets as of January 31, 2026, and operating in more than 35 countries [2] - Binance is recognized as the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume and users, trusted by over 300 million people globally [2]

Core Insights - Franklin Resources, Inc. (BEN) reported preliminary assets under management (AUM) of $1.71 trillion as of January 31, 2026, reflecting a 1.3% increase from the prior month, driven by market performance and long-term net inflows of $1.5 billion, despite $1.5 billion of long-term net outflows at Western Asset Management [1][10] Group 1: AUM Growth and Composition - The company recorded sequential growth across most asset classes, with equity assets rising 1.7% to $709.2 billion, fixed income AUM increasing slightly to $440.1 billion, alternative AUM rising nearly 1% to $276.2 billion, and multi-asset AUM growing 3.3% to $205.3 billion, while cash management balances declined marginally to $76 billion [2] - Franklin has experienced a steady rise in AUM over the years, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.1% over the last five fiscal years, despite declines in fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2025, continuing into the first month of fiscal 2026 [3] Group 2: Strategic Initiatives - The company is strengthening its asset management franchise through acquisitions and partnerships, including the acquisition of Apera Asset Management in October 2025, which added over $5.4 billion in AUM and expanded its global alternative credit platform [4] - Franklin's partnerships with Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, DigitalBridge, and Actis in September 2025 broadened its private infrastructure offerings, while a partnership with Japan's SBI Holdings in July 2024 enhanced its ETF and digital asset capabilities [5] - The acquisition of Putnam Investments in January 2024 accelerated growth in the retirement space, increasing defined contribution AUM to over $100 billion, broadening BEN's reach in separately managed accounts [5] Group 3: Market Position and Competitors - Franklin's focus on alternatives and multi-asset offerings, along with a regionally focused distribution model, supports favorable non-U.S. net flows, positioning the company for sustained AUM growth [6] - Competitors such as Invesco Ltd. (IVZ) and T. Rowe Price Group (TROW) are also witnessing steady AUM growth, with Invesco achieving a five-year CAGR of 10% and T. Rowe Price registering a CAGR of 3.8% over the past five years [7][9]

Company Overview - Franklin Resources, Inc. is a global investment management company headquartered in San Mateo, CA, primarily generating revenue from investment management services for retail mutual funds, institutional, and high-net-worth investors worldwide [11]. Zacks Rank and Style Scores - Franklin Resources has a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) and a VGM Score of B, indicating a moderate investment outlook [12]. - The company has a Momentum Style Score of A, with shares increasing by 7.5% over the past four weeks [12]. - For fiscal 2026, three analysts have revised their earnings estimates upwards in the last 60 days, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate rising by $0.03 to $2.54 per share [12]. - Franklin Resources has an average earnings surprise of +11.7%, suggesting a positive trend in earnings performance [12]. Investment Considerations - With a solid Zacks Rank and strong Momentum and VGM Style Scores, Franklin Resources is recommended for investors' consideration [13].