Franklin Templeton Investments Corp. has launched two new funds for the Canadian market, a value fund, Templeton European Tax Class, and a growth style fund, Franklin Japan Tax Class.

Both funds are offered as tax class funds, Franklin Templeton Investments’ new tax-efficient group of funds that allow investors to switch between funds without triggering a tax event such as a capital gain.

“Our new European and Japan funds give investors more selection and choice to manage their global portfolios,” said Don Reed, President and CEO of Franklin Templeton Investments Corp.

“European equities represent about 33% of the world’s market capitalization, and Japan is the world’s second largest economy. These funds allow investors to specifically target the opportunities offered by these markets. The tax class structure then gives them the flexibility to adjust their portfolios without an immediate tax
concern.”

Templeton European Tax Class is a value fund that looks across Europe for bargain investment opportunities. George Morgan, who also manages Templeton Growth Fund, is the fund manager. According to Reed, several factors are contributing to make Europe an attractive place to invest, including the current US market volatility. “The possibility of a prolonged US slowdown has led to more attention being focused on Europe,” he noted.

Franklin Japan Tax Class, the new growth style fund, is managed out of Tokyo by Toro Ohara of Franklin Templeton Investments Japan. This fund will invest in companies on the road to becoming market leaders and established companies actively working to stay on top of new industry trends.

With the addition of these two new funds, Franklin Templeton Investments Corp. now offers 21 tax class funds and more than 65 mutual funds to the Canadian market.