(January 9 – 11:40 ET) – Franklin Templeton Investments has introduced a new fund designed to provide investors with a diversified global portfolio of established growth companies.

Managed by Fiduciary International Inc. , the new Franklin World Growth Fund has a global mandate that allows it to invest in any sector, anywhere in the world to take advantage of growth opportunities while minimizing risk.

“Canada only represents 3% of the world’s markets. Our investors have told us that they want a fund that looks for growth on a global basis, accessing the potential of the other 97% of the world’s markets,” said Don Reed, president and CEO of Franklin Templeton Investments. “Franklin World Growth Fund’s goal is to give Canadians access to some of the world’s most successful growth companies and provide diversification for their investment portfolios.”

The portfolio manager, Fiduciary International, is one of the most experienced global growth managers in the United States. According to Reed, “Fiduciary International’s extensive research and management capabilities, previously reserved primarily for institutions and high net worth investors, will now be available to Canadians through Franklin World Growth Fund.”

“Fiduciary combines a top-down and a bottom-up approach to portfolio construction,” said Josh Rosenthal, portfolio manager, Franklin World Growth Fund and senior vice president, Fiduciary International. “From the top-down we emphasize the fastest growing regions and sectors. From the bottom up we identify healthy, rapidly growing companies where the stock market does not yet reflect the growth potential.”

Franklin World Growth Fund is also available in a 100% RSP eligible clone version.

Subject to regulatory and shareholder approval, Franklin Resources, Inc. plans to acquire Fiduciary Trust Company International. The transaction is scheduled to be completed by the second quarter of 2001.
-IE Staff