Founded in 1947, Franklin Templeton Investments prides itself in offering "exceptional asset management" to its clients in more than 170 nations. It has presence in 34 countries and more than 650 investment professionals. With around $649.9-billion assets under management as of Dec 31, 2018, Franklin Templeton Investments is a well-known global investment management firm. The company offers investment management strategies and integrated risk management solutions to individuals, institutions, pension plans, trusts and partnerships.
Below we share with you three best-ranked Franklin Templeton mutual funds. Each has earned a Zacks Mutual Fund Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and is expected to outperform its peers in the future. Investors can click here to see the complete list of all Franklin Templeton mutual funds, their Zacks Rank and past performance.
Franklin Convertible Securities A FISCX invests a bulk of its assets in convertible securities. FISCX may invest almost all its assets in securities rated lower than investment grade. The fund may invest about one-fifth of its assets in preferred and common stocks as well as non-convertible debt securities. Franklin Convertible Securities A has returned 15% in the past three years.
As of December 2018, FISCX held 84 issues, with 2.44% of its assets invested in Workday Inc 0.25%.
Franklin Convertible Securities Fund Adv FCSZX seeks maximum total returns through appreciation of capital and a high level of current income. FCSZX invests a major portion of its assets in convertible securities. Though FCSZX may invest all of its assets in non-investment grade securities, it invests a maximum of 10% of its assets in unrated securities or that are rated below B. Franklin Convertible Securities Fund has three-year annualized returns of 15.3%.
FCSZX has an expense ratio of 0.59% compared with the category average of 1.21%.
Franklin Small-Mid Cap Growth R FSMRX seeks appreciation of capital in the long run. The fund invests the lion’s share of its assets in equity securities of small and mid-cap companies. Franklin Small-Mid Cap Growth R has three-year annualized returns of 13.6%.
Michael McCarthy is the fund manager of FSMRX since 1993.
To view the Zacks Rank and the past performance of all Franklin Templeton mutual funds, investors can click here to see the complete list of funds.
Want key mutual fund info delivered straight to your inbox?
Zacks' free Fund Newsletter will brief you on top news and analysis, as well as top-performing mutual funds, each week. Get it free >>
Original post
Zacks Investment Research