N-CSRS 1 d244040dncsrs.htm FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-CSRS

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Investment Company Act file number          811-22641                

Franklin Alternative Strategies Funds

 

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

One Franklin Parkway

San Mateo, CA 94403-1906

 

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

Craig S. Tyle

One Franklin Parkway

San Mateo, CA 94403-1096    

(Name and address of agent for service)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:  650-312-2000

Date of fiscal year end:  May 31

Date of reporting period:  November 30, 2021


Item 1.

Reports to Stockholders.

The Report to Shareholders is attached herewith.

(b) Not applicable.


SEMIANNUAL REPORT AND SHAREHOLDER LETTER

FRANKLIN K2 ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUND

A Series of Franklin Alternative Strategies Funds

November 30, 2021

 

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SHAREHOLDER LETTER

 

Dear Fellow Shareholder:

During the six months ended November 30, 2021, the global economy benefited from continued monetary and fiscal stimulus measures, improved global trade, easing COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and the progress of vaccination programs. During parts of the period, geopolitical tensions, the Chinese government’s regulatory changes, surges of COVID-19 cases in certain regions and the emergence of the Omicron variant pressured global stock and bond prices. Conversely, investor sentiment was boosted by economic growth in the U.S. and China and accommodative monetary policies by some central banks, including the U.S. Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank.

In this environment, global developed market stocks, as measured by the MSCI World Index (USD), posted a +5.08% total return for the period.1 In contrast, global emerging market stocks, as measured by the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (USD), posted a -10.65% total return, while global government bonds, as measured by the FTSE World Government Bond Index (USD), posted a -2.76% total return.1

We are committed to our long-term perspective and disciplined investment approach as we continue to conduct a rigorous analysis of Fund subadvisors and markets with a strong emphasis on investment risk management.

We believe active, professional investment management serves investors well. We also recognize the important role of

financial professionals in today’s markets and encourage investors to continue to seek their advice. Amid changing markets and economic conditions, we are confident investors with a well-diversified portfolio and a patient, long-term outlook should be well-positioned for the years ahead.

On the following pages, the Fund’s portfolio management team reviews investment decisions that pertain to performance during the past six months in light of the economic environment and other factors. Please remember all securities markets fluctuate, as do mutual fund share prices.

We thank you for investing with Franklin Templeton, welcome your questions and comments, and look forward to continuing to serve your investment needs in the future.

Sincerely,

Brooks Ritchey

President and Chief Executive Officer –

Investment Management

Franklin Alternative Strategies Funds

This letter reflects our analysis and opinions as of November 30, 2021, unless otherwise indicated. The information is not a complete analysis of every aspect of any market, country, industry, security or fund. Statements of fact are from sources considered reliable.

 

 

1. Source: Morningstar.

See www.franklintempletondatasources.com for additional data provider information.

 

Not FDIC Insured   |   May Lose Value   |   No Bank Guarantee

 

           
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Visit franklintempleton.com for fund updates, to access your account, or to find helpful financial planning tools.

 

           
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SEMIANNUAL REPORT

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund

 

This semiannual report for Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund covers the period ended November 30, 2021.

Your Fund’s Goal and Main Investments

The Fund seeks capital appreciation with lower volatility relative to the broad equity markets. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment goal by allocating its assets across multiple non-traditional or alternative strategies, including, but not limited to, some or all of the following strategies: long short equity, relative value, event driven and global macro. The Fund is structured as a multi-manager fund, meaning the Fund’s assets are managed by multiple subadvisors, and the Fund’s investment manager has overall responsibility for the Fund’s investments. The investment manager principally allocates the Fund’s assets among multiple subadvisors who are implementing one or more non-traditional or alternative investment strategies. The Fund may invest in a wide range of securities and other investments including, but not limited to: equity securities, including common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible securities, rights and warrants, private and registered investment vehicles and exchange-traded funds (ETFs); debt securities, including bonds, notes, debentures, banker’s acceptances and commercial paper; loans and loan participations; and mortgage-backed or asset-backed securities, including collateralized debt obligations; as well as derivatives, commodities and currencies.

Performance Overview

The Fund’s Class A shares posted a +0.32% cumulative total return for the six months under review. For comparison, the Fund’s primary benchmark, the HFRX Global Hedge Fund Index, which is designed to be representative of the overall composition of the hedge fund universe, posted a -0.17% cumulative total return for the same period.1 Also for comparison, the Fund’s secondary benchmark, the ICE BofA U.S. 3-Month Treasury Bill Index, which tracks the performance of short-term U.S. government securities with a remaining term to final maturity of less than three months, posted a +0.01%

cumulative total return for the same period.2 You can find more of the Fund’s performance data in the Performance Summary beginning on page 7.

Performance data represent past performance, which does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate, and you may have a gain or loss when you sell your shares. Current performance may differ from figures shown. For most recent month-end performance, go to franklintempleton.com or call (800) 342-5236.

Economic and Market Overview

Global developed and emerging market equities, as measured by the MSCI All Country World Index (USD), posted a +3.03% total return for the six months ended November 30, 2021.2 Global equities benefited from the continued progress of vaccination programs for COVID-19, solid economic growth and a rebound in global trade. However, the Chinese government’s imposition of additional restrictions on some businesses pressured Asian and global emerging market stocks. The combination of increased consumer demand and persistent supply-chain disruptions contributed to higher inflation in many countries. Additionally, the spread of the highly contagious Delta variant pressured global stocks, and the emergence of the Omicron variant late in the six-month period injected further uncertainty into equity markets.

In the U.S., the economy continued to recover amid declining unemployment, solid wage growth and high business confidence. Gross domestic product (GDP) growth continued, as strong consumer spending supported the economy. A rebound in corporate earnings and the passage of a bipartisan infrastructure bill further bolstered investor sentiment. The U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) kept the federal funds target rate at a record-low range of 0.00%–0.25% and continued its program of open-ended U.S. Treasury and mortgage bond purchases to help keep markets functioning. However, in its November 2021 meeting statement, the Fed detailed plans to reduce its purchases of U.S. Treasury and mortgage-backed securities beginning in November. The Fed also noted that it

 

 

1. Source: FactSet. Hedge Fund Research, Inc. – www.hedgefundresearch.com. The HFRX Global Hedge Fund Index is being used under license from Hedge Fund Research, Inc., which does not endorse or approve of any of the contents of this report.

2. Source: Morningstar.

The indexes are unmanaged and include reinvestment of any income or distributions. They do not reflect any fees, expenses or sales charges. One cannot invest directly in an index, and an index is not representative of the Fund’s portfolio. Unlike most asset class indexes, HFR Index returns reflect fees and expenses.

See www.franklintempletondatasources.com for additional data provider information.

The dollar value, number of shares or principal amount, and names of all portfolio holdings are listed in the Fund’s Consolidated Statement of Investments (SOI). The Consolidated SOI begins on page 15.

 

           
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views inflation as partially transitory, and that further employment progress was needed before the Fed would consider raising the range for the federal funds target rate.

The eurozone economy showed signs of recovery, as quarter-over-quarter GDP increased in the second and third quarters of 2021 after contracting for the previous two quarters. Most of the eurozone’s largest economies posted solid growth rates, as increased vaccination rates helped consumer activity return to pre-pandemic levels. Strong corporate earnings growth also helped European developed market equities. However, in November 2021, the annual inflation rate in the eurozone reached the highest level since 1997, two years before the introduction of the euro, and the prospect of energy shortages as winter approached tempered investor optimism. Consequently, European developed market equities, as measured by the MSCI Europe Index (USD), posted a -3.58% total return for the six months under review.2

Asian developed and emerging market equities, as measured by the MSCI All Country Asia Index (USD), posted a -8.18% total return for the six-month period.2 Although China’s economy continued to grow, it was pressured by higher commodity prices, increased fuel costs and production disruption caused by government-mandated suspensions of power use. Asian equity markets experienced heightened volatility due to inflation concerns and rising COVID-19 infection rates in some countries. Unexpected regulatory changes by the Chinese government, which negatively impacted education- and technology-related businesses, and concerns about a Chinese large property developer’s solvency further pressured Asian stocks during the six-month period.

Global emerging market stocks, as measured by the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (USD), posted a -10.65% total return for the six months under review.2 Higher COVID-19 cases in some countries, limited vaccine rollouts and concerns about rising interest rates and elevated inflation dampened investor enthusiasm in global emerging market equities. Interest-rate increases by several central banks, including Brazil, Russia and Mexico, to counter inflation raised investor concerns about a slowdown in economic growth.

Investment Strategy

We manage the Fund using a multi-manager approach. While we have overall responsibility for the Fund’s investments, we principally allocate assets to multiple subadvisors, each of whom independently manages a separate portion of the Fund’s portfolio in accordance with some or all of the following strategies: long short equity, relative value, event driven and global macro. We allocate the Fund’s assets

among these strategies utilizing a top-down approach, generating the Fund’s strategy weightings by taking into account market conditions, risk factors, diversification, liquidity, transparency, and availability of various subadvisors and other investment options, among other things. We allocate the Fund’s assets to specific subadvisors utilizing a bottom-up approach, selecting subadvisors and their weighting within the Fund’s portfolio by taking into account their correlations to various markets and to each other, their risk profiles and their return expectations. Long short equity strategies generally seek to produce returns from investments in the equity markets by taking long and short positions in stocks and stock indexes (through the use of derivatives or through a position in an ETF). Relative value strategies encompass a wide range of investment techniques that are intended to profit from pricing inefficiencies. Event driven strategies generally invest in securities of companies undergoing significant corporate events. Global macro strategies generally focus on macroeconomic opportunities across numerous markets and investments. In addition, the debt securities in which the Fund may invest may have variable or fixed interest rates, may be of any maturity or credit rating, and may include sovereign debt, high yield (“junk”) bonds and distressed debt securities (securities of companies that are, or are about to be, involved in reorganizations, financial restructurings, or bankruptcy) and securities that are in default.

The Fund may take long and/or short positions in a wide range of asset classes, including equities, fixed income, commodities and currencies, among others. Long positions benefit from an increase in the price of the underlying instrument or asset class, while short positions benefit from a decrease in that price. The Fund may use derivatives for hedging and non-hedging (investment) purposes, although no subadvisor is required to hedge any of the Fund’s positions or to use derivatives. Such derivative investments may include futures contracts, swaps, options and currency forward contracts. As a result of the Fund’s use of derivatives, the Fund may have economic leverage, which means the sum of the Fund’s investment exposures through its use of derivatives may significantly exceed the amount of assets invested in the Fund, although these exposures may vary over time. The Fund may engage in active and frequent trading as part of its investment strategies.

 

 

           
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Strategy Allocation*              
Based on Total Net Assets as of 11/30/21  
Strategy    Long
Positions
     Short
Positions
 

Event Driven

     16.1%        -8.0%  

Global Macro

     35.1%        -37.9%  

Long Short Equity

     34.8%        -20.4%  

Relative Value

     27.8%        -9.7%  
Total      113.8%        -76.0%  

*Figures include the effect of gross notional exposure of derivatives.

 

Subadvisors                          
11/30/21       
Long Short Equity         

Chilton Investment Company, LLC

  

Electron Capital Partners, LLC

  

Jennison Associates, LLC

  

Portland Hill Asset Management Limited

  

Wellington Management Company, LLP

  
Relative Value             

Apollo Credit Management LLC

  

Benefit Street Partners, L.L.C.

  

Ellington Global Asset Management, LLC

  

Lazard Asset Management, LLC

  

Loomis Sayles & Company, L.P.

  

One River Asset Management, LLC

  
Event Driven             

Bardin Hill Arbitrage IC Management LP

  

P. Schoenfeld Asset Management L.P.

  
Global Macro             

BlueBay Asset Management LLP

  

Emso Asset Management Limited

  

Graham Capital Management, L.P.

  

RV Capital Management Private Ltd

  

Manager’s Discussion

Three of the Fund’s four underlying strategies in which assets were allocated contributed to the Fund’s positive performance for the six-month period—in order of contribution, long short equity, relative value and event driven. The global macro strategy detracted from the Fund’s performance. Meanwhile, 10 of the Fund’s 17 subadvisors delivered absolute gains. The conditional risk overlay (CRO) was not implemented during the period. The allocation percentages for each strategy are listed in the Strategy Allocation table on this page. The subadvisors with assets allocated at period-end are also listed in the Subadvisors table on this page.

We implemented a position in new relative value subadvisor Benefit Street Partners, or BSP, in September 2021. The subadvisor pursues an active high-yield-bond trading strategy with an opportunistic hedge and fits with our overall favorable outlook for more active strategies in the current environment.

Chilton Investment, Electron Capital Partners, Jennison Associates, Portland Hill Asset Management and Wellington Management were the Fund’s long short equity strategy subadvisors during the period. Chilton, Wellington and Electron were leading overall positive contributors, while Portland Hill was a significant detractor. Positive performance was driven by the strategy’s equity exposure. Currency positioning also contributed positively. In terms of sectors, information technology, industrials and utilities were leading positive contributors to returns, followed by currency hedges. In contrast, equity index hedges hindered returns.

Apollo Credit Management, Benefit Street Partners, Ellington Global Asset Management, Lazard Asset Management, Loomis Sayles & Company and One River Asset Management were the Fund’s relative value strategy subadvisors during the period. Lazard and Ellington were responsible for the bulk of positive contribution, benefiting from a corporate fixed income health care sector allocation and currency positioning (Lazard) as well as asset-backed securities and mortgage securities (Ellington) exposures. Strategy gains were partially offset by detraction from interest-rate weightings. On a sector level, currency, information technology and health care exposures were leading positive contributors. Utilities also contributed meaningfully. In contrast, short exposure to U.S. government bonds negatively affected returns. During the reporting period, no Fund assets were allocated to Brigade Capital Management or Elementum Advisors, two other relative value subadvisors.

Bardin Hill Arbitrage IC Management and P. Schoenfeld Asset Management (PSAM) represented the event driven strategy. Both subadvisors benefited performance, bolstered by long equity positioning and currency hedges, with credit exposures adding to performance modestly. The idiosyncratic nature of performance drivers helped to partially isolate the strategy during periods of broader equity market weakness. Bardin Hill’s long equity position in an American technology company was a key positive contributor, with shares moving higher after the company reported better-than-expected revenue and earnings. PSAM’s long position in a global rental car company also bolstered returns, gaining in the wake of the company’s announcement that it ordered 100,000 electric vehicles for purchase by the end of 2022.

 

 

           
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BlueBay Asset Management, Emso Asset Management, Graham Capital Management and RV Capital Management were the global macro strategy subadvisors. RV Capital positively contributed to performance, while negative performance from BlueBay, Graham and Emso more than offset RV Capital’s positive contribution during the period. Interest-rate exposure was a notable detractor, due to bond futures and emerging market government bonds. Commodities and credit positioning slightly bolstered returns. On a sector level, long exposure to emerging market government bonds and real estate (credit) and equity index hedges hindered returns, partially offset by long exposure to financials.

During the six-month period, in addition to adding BSP as a new subadvisor within the relative value strategy, the team increased allocations to global macro subadvisor BlueBay; long short equity subadvisors Chilton, Portland Hill, and Electron; and relative value subadvisors One River and Lazard. An additional allocation was also made to event driven subadvisor PSAM. Exposure was reduced to global macro subadvisors Graham and Emso.

Thank you for your participation in Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund. We look forward to continuing to serve your investment needs.

Brooks Ritchey

Co-Lead Portfolio Manager

Robert Christian

Co-Lead Portfolio Manager

Anthony Zanolla, CFA

Portfolio Manager

 

 

The foregoing information reflects our analysis, opinions and portfolio holdings as of November 30, 2021, the end of the reporting period. The way we implement our main investment strategies and the resulting portfolio holdings may change depending on factors such as market and economic conditions. These opinions may not be relied upon as investment advice or an offer for a particular security. The information is not a complete analysis of every aspect of any market, country, industry, security or the Fund. Statements of fact are from sources considered reliable, but the investment manager makes no representation or warranty as to their completeness or accuracy. Although historical performance is no guarantee of future results, these insights may help you understand our investment management philosophy.

 

 

CFA® is a trademark owned by CFA Institute.

 

           
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Performance Summary as of November 30, 2021

The performance table does not reflect any taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund dividends, capital gain distributions, if any, or any realized gains on the sale of Fund shares. Total return reflects reinvestment of the Fund’s dividends and capital gain distributions, if any, and any unrealized gains or losses. Your dividend income will vary depending on dividends or interest paid by securities in the Fund’s portfolio, adjusted for operating expenses of each class. Capital gain distributions are net profits realized from the sale of portfolio securities.

Performance as of 11/30/211

Cumulative total return excludes sales charges. Average annual total return includes maximum sales charges. Sales charges will vary depending on the size of the investment and the class of share purchased. The maximum is 5.50% and the minimum is 0%. Class A: 5.50% maximum initial sales charge; Advisor Class: no sales charges. For other share classes, visit franklintempleton.com.

 

Share Class      Cumulative
Total Return2
       Average Annual
Total Return3
 
A4          

6-Month

       +0.32%          -5.23%  

1-Year

       +4.48%          -1.25%  

5-Year

       +22.86%          +3.02%  

Since Inception (10/11/13)

       +35.63%          +3.10%  
Advisor          

6-Month

       +0.40%          +0.40%  

1-Year

       +4.71%          +4.71%  

5-Year

       +24.39%          +4.46%  

Since Inception (10/11/13)

       +38.46%          +4.08%  

Performance data represent past performance, which does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate, and you may have a gain or loss when you sell your shares. Current performance may differ from figures shown. For most recent month-end performance, go to franklintempleton.com or call (800) 342-5236.

 

See page 8 for Performance Summary footnotes.

 

           
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FRANKLIN K2 ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUND

PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

 

Total Annual Operating Expenses5  
Share Class    With Fee
Waiver
     Without Fee
Waiver
 

A

     2.66%        2.87%  

Advisor

     2.41%        2.62%  

Each class of shares is available to certain eligible investors and has different annual fees and expenses, as described in the prospectus.

All investments involve risks, including possible loss of principal. The market values of securities owned by the Fund will go up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably. The Fund’s performance depends on the manager’s skill in selecting, overseeing and allocating Fund assets to the subadvisors. The Fund is actively managed and could experience losses if the investment manager’s and subadvisors’ judgment about particular investments made for the Fund’s portfolio prove to be incorrect. Some subadvisors may have little or no experience managing the assets of a registered investment company. Foreign investments are subject to greater investment risk such as political, economic, credit and information risks as well as risk of currency fluctuations. Investments in derivatives involve costs and create economic leverage, which may result in significant volatility and cause the Fund to participate in losses (as well as gains) that significantly exceed the Fund’s initial investment. Lower-rated or high-yield debt securities involve greater credit risk, including the possibility of default or bankruptcy. Currency management strategies could result in losses to the Fund if currencies do not perform as the investment manager or subadvisor expects. The Fund may make short sales of securities, which involves the risk that losses may exceed the original amount invested. Merger arbitrage investments risk loss if a proposed reorganization in which the Fund invests is renegotiated or terminated. Liquidity risk exists when securities have become more difficult to sell, or are unable to be sold, at the price at which they have been valued. Events such as the spread of deadly diseases, disasters, and financial, political or social disruptions, may heighten risks and adversely affect performance. The Fund’s prospectus also includes a description of the main investment risks.

1. The Fund has an expense reduction contractually guaranteed through 9/30/22 and a fee waiver related to the management fee paid by a subsidiary. Fund investment results reflect the expense reduction and fee waiver; without these reductions, the results would have been lower.

2. Cumulative total return represents the change in value of an investment over the periods indicated.

3. Average annual total return represents the average annual change in value of an investment over the periods indicated. Return for less than one year, if any, has not been annualized.

4. Prior to 9/10/18, these shares were offered at a higher initial sales charge of 5.75%, thus actual returns (with sales charges) would have differed. Average annual total returns (with sales charges) have been restated to reflect the current maximum initial sales charge of 5.50%.

5. Figures are as stated in the Fund’s current prospectus and may differ from the expense ratios disclosed in the Your Fund’s Expenses and Consolidated Financial Highlights sections in this report. In periods of market volatility, assets may decline significantly, causing total annual Fund operating expenses to become higher than the figures shown.

See www.franklintempletondatasources.com for additional data provider information.

 

           
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Your Fund’s Expenses

 

As a Fund shareholder, you can incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on Fund purchases and redemptions; and (2) ongoing Fund costs, including management fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees, and other Fund expenses. All mutual funds have ongoing costs, sometimes referred to as operating expenses. The table below shows ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and can help you understand these costs and compare them with those of other mutual funds. The table assumes a $1,000 investment held for the six months indicated.

Actual Fund Expenses

The table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses in the columns under the heading “Actual.” In these columns the Fund’s actual return, which includes the effect of Fund expenses, is used to calculate the “Ending Account Value” for each class of shares. You can estimate the expenses you paid during the period by following these steps (of course, your account value and expenses will differ from those in this illustration): Divide your account value by $1,000 (if your account had an $8,600 value, then $8,600 ÷ $1,000 = 8.6). Then multiply the result by the number in the row for your class of shares under the headings “Actual” and “Expenses Paid During Period” (if Actual Expenses Paid During Period were $7.50, then 8.6 x $7.50 = $64.50). In this illustration, the actual expenses paid this period are $64.50.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison with Other Funds

Under the heading “Hypothetical” in the table, information is provided about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. This information may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period, but it can help you compare ongoing costs of investing in the Fund with those of other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example for the class of shares you hold with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds. Please note that expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight ongoing costs and do not reflect any transactional costs. Therefore, information under the heading “Hypothetical” is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you compare total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if transactional costs were included, your total costs would have been higher.

 

                Actual
(actual return after expenses)
       Hypothetical
(5% annual return before expenses)
          

Share

Class

     Beginning
Account
Value 6/1/21
       Ending
Account
Value 11/30/21
       Expenses
Paid During
Period

6/1/21–11/30/211,2
       Ending
Account
Value 11/30/21
       Expenses
Paid During
Period

6/1/21–11/30/211,2
       Net
Annualized
Expense
Ratio2
 
A      $ 1,000        $ 1,003.20        $ 12.81        $ 1,012.28        $ 12.86          2.55
C      $ 1,000        $ 999.20        $ 16.54        $ 1,008.52        $ 16.62          3.30
R      $ 1,000        $ 1,002.40        $ 14.06        $ 1,011.03        $ 14.12          2.80
R6      $ 1,000        $ 1,004.80        $ 11.26        $ 1,013.84        $ 11.31          2.24
Advisor      $ 1,000        $ 1,004.00        $ 11.55        $ 1,013.54        $ 11.61          2.30

1. Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio for the six-month period as indicated above—in the far right column—multiplied by the simple average account value over the period indicated, and then multiplied by 183/365 to reflect the one-half year period.

2. Reflects expenses after fee waivers and expense reimbursements. Does not include acquired fund fees and expenses.

 

           
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Consolidated Financial Highlights

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund

 

    Six Months Ended
November 30, 2021
(unaudited)
     Year Ended May 31,  
      2021      2020      2019      2018      2017  
Class A                 
Per share operating performance
(for a share outstanding throughout the period)
                

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $12.46        $11.19        $11.28        $11.38        $11.14        $10.55  
 

 

 

 
Income from investment operationsa:                 

Net investment income (loss)b

    (0.04      (0.08      (0.03      0.04        0.01        0.03  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

    0.08        1.45        0.02        0.11        0.38        0.61  
 

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    0.04        1.37        (0.01      0.15        0.39        0.64  
 

 

 

 
Less distributions from:                 

Net investment income

                  (0.07             (0.15      (0.05

Net realized gains

           (0.10      (0.01      (0.25              
 

 

 

 

Total distributions

           (0.10      (0.08      (0.25      (0.15      (0.05
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 12.50      $ 12.46      $ 11.19      $ 11.28      $ 11.38      $ 11.14  
 

 

 

 

Total returnc

    0.32%        12.25%        (0.15)%        1.35%        3.57%        6.07%  
Ratios to average net assetsd                 

Expenses before waiver, payments by affiliates and expense reductione

    2.71%        2.82%        2.58%        2.73%        2.81%        3.07%  

Expenses net of waiver, payments by affiliates and expense reductione

    2.55% f       2.64%        2.40%        2.56%        2.59%        2.73%  

Expenses incurred in connection with securities sold short

    0.36%        0.44%        0.20%        0.36%        0.39%        0.53%  

Net investment income (loss)

    (0.59)%        (0.67)%        (0.25)%        0.36%        0.06%        0.10%  
Supplemental data                 

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

    $104,373        $102,138        $90,205        $104,452        $119,214        $119,385  

Portfolio turnover rate

    77.08%        236.64%        271.51%        235.47%        234.77%        209.45%  

aThe amount shown for a share outstanding throughout the period may not correlate with the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the period due to the timing of sales and repurchases of the Fund’s shares in relation to income earned and/or fluctuating fair value of the investments of the Fund.

bBased on average daily shares outstanding.

cTotal return does not reflect sales commissions or contingent deferred sales charges, if applicable, and is not annualized for periods less than one year.

dRatios are annualized for periods less than one year.

eIncludes dividend and/or interest expense on securities sold short and security borrowing fees, if any. See below for the ratios of such expenses to average net assets for the periods presented. See Note 1(i).

fBenefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%.

 

           
10             

Semiannual Report    |   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

  franklintempleton.com


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

    Six Months Ended
November 30, 2021
(unaudited)
     Year Ended May 31,  
      2021      2020      2019      2018      2017  
Class C                 
Per share operating performance
(for a share outstanding throughout the period)
                

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 12.11      $ 10.95      $ 11.05      $ 11.25      $ 11.00      $ 10.45  
 

 

 

 
Income from investment operationsa:                 

Net investment income (loss)b

    (0.08      (0.15      (0.11      (0.05      (0.08      (0.04

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

    0.07        1.41        0.02        0.10        0.39        0.59  
 

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    (0.01      1.26        (0.09      0.05        0.31        0.55  
 

 

 

 
Less distributions from:                 

Net investment income

                                (0.06       

Net realized gains

           (0.10      (0.01      (0.25              
 

 

 

 

Total distributions

           (0.10      (0.01      (0.25      (0.06       
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 12.10      $ 12.11      $ 10.95      $ 11.05      $ 11.25      $ 11.00  
 

 

 

 

Total returnc

    (0.08)%        11.51%        (0.85)%        0.56%        2.82%        5.26%  
Ratios to average net assetsd                 

Expenses before waiver, payments by affiliates and expense reductione

    3.46%        3.54%        3.33%        3.48%        3.56%        3.79%  

Expenses net of waiver, payments by affiliates and expense reductione

    3.30% f       3.36%        3.15%        3.31%        3.34%        3.45%  

Expenses incurred in connection with securities sold short

    0.36%        0.44%        0.20%        0.36%        0.39%        0.53%  

Net investment income (loss)

    (1.34)%        (1.39)%        (1.00)%        (0.39)%        (0.69)%        (0.62)%  
Supplemental data                 

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

    $29,196        $31,541        $36,043        $44,897        $53,196        $55,496  

Portfolio turnover rate

    77.08%        236.64%        271.51%        235.47%        234.77%        209.45%  

aThe amount shown for a share outstanding throughout the period may not correlate with the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the period due to the timing of sales and repurchases of the Fund’s shares in relation to income earned and/or fluctuating fair value of the investments of the Fund.

bBased on average daily shares outstanding.

cTotal return does not reflect sales commissions or contingent deferred sales charges, if applicable, and is not annualized for periods less than one year.

dRatios are annualized for periods less than one year.

eIncludes dividend and/or interest expense on securities sold short and security borrowing fees, if any. See below for the ratios of such expenses to average net assets for the periods presented. See Note 1(i).

fBenefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%.

 

           
franklintempleton.com  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.    |   Semiannual Report

             11


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

    Six Months Ended
November 30, 2021
(unaudited)
     Year Ended May 31,  
      2021      2020      2019      2018      2017  
Class R                 
Per share operating performance
(for a share outstanding throughout the period)
                

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 12.44      $ 11.20      $ 11.28      $ 11.42      $ 11.17      $ 10.61  
 

 

 

 
Income from investment operationsa:                 

Net investment income (loss)b

    (0.05      (0.11      (0.06      0.02        (0.02      (0.25

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

    0.08        1.45        0.02        0.09        0.39        0.86  
 

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    0.03        1.34        (0.04      0.11        0.37        0.61  
 

 

 

 
Less distributions from:                 

Net investment income

                  (0.03             (0.12      (0.05

Net realized gains

           (0.10      (0.01      (0.25              
 

 

 

 

Total distributions

           (0.10      (0.04      (0.25      (0.12      (0.05
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 12.47      $ 12.44      $ 11.20      $ 11.28      $ 11.42      $ 11.17  
 

 

 

 

Total returnc

    0.24%        11.97%        (0.39)%        1.08%        3.28%        5.79%  
Ratios to average net assetsd                 

Expenses before waiver, payments by affiliates and expense reductione

    2.96%        3.06%        2.83%        2.98%        3.06%        3.32%  

Expenses net of waiver, payments by affiliates and expense reductione

    2.80% f       2.88%        2.65%        2.81%        2.84%        2.98%  

Expenses incurred in connection with securities sold short

    0.36%        0.44%        0.20%        0.36%        0.39%        0.53%  

Net investment income (loss)

    (0.84)%        (0.91)%        (0.50)%        0.11%        (0.19)%        (0.15)%  
Supplemental data                 

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

    $1,139        $840        $884        $844        $648        $597  

Portfolio turnover rate

    77.08%        236.64%        271.51%        235.47%        234.77%        209.45%  

aThe amount shown for a share outstanding throughout the period may not correlate with the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the period due to the timing of sales and repurchases of the Fund’s shares in relation to income earned and/or fluctuating fair value of the investments of the Fund.

bBased on average daily shares outstanding.

cTotal return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

dRatios are annualized for periods less than one year.

eIncludes dividend and/or interest expense on securities sold short and security borrowing fees, if any. See below for the ratios of such expenses to average net assets for the periods presented. See Note 1(i).

fBenefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%.

 

           
12             

Semiannual Report    |   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

  franklintempleton.com


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

    Six Months Ended
November 30, 2021
(unaudited)
     Year Ended May 31,  
      2021      2020      2019      2018      2017  
Class R6                 
Per share operating performance
(for a share outstanding throughout the period)
                

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 12.58      $ 11.25      $ 11.34      $ 11.41      $ 11.17      $ 10.59  
 

 

 

 
Income from investment operationsa:                 

Net investment income (loss)b

    (0.02      (0.04      0.01        0.08        0.03        0.02  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

    0.08        1.47        0.02        0.10        0.40        0.65  
 

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    0.06        1.43        0.03        0.18        0.43        0.67  
 

 

 

 
Less distributions from:                 

Net investment income

                  (0.11             (0.19      (0.09

Net realized gains

           (0.10      (0.01      (0.25              
 

 

 

 

Total distributions

           (0.10      (0.12      (0.25      (0.19      (0.09
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 12.64      $ 12.58      $ 11.25      $ 11.34      $ 11.41      $ 11.17  
 

 

 

 

Total returnc

    0.48%        12.61%        0.27%        1.70%        3.83%        6.40%  
Ratios to average net assetsd                 

Expenses before waiver, payments by affiliates and expense reductione

    2.40%        2.50%        2.26%        2.41%        2.46%        2.73%  

Expenses net of waiver, payments by affiliates and expense reductione

    2.24% f       2.32%        2.07%        2.23%        2.24%        2.39%  

Expenses incurred in connection with securities sold short

    0.37%        0.44%        0.20%        0.36%        0.39%        0.53%  

Net investment income (loss)

    (0.28)%        (0.35)%        0.08%        0.69%        0.41%        0.44%  
Supplemental data                 

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

    $53,365        $27,471        $15,537        $42,842        $31,805        $265,247  

Portfolio turnover rate

    77.08%        236.64%        271.51%        235.47%        234.77%        209.45%  

aThe amount shown for a share outstanding throughout the period may not correlate with the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the period due to the timing of sales and repurchases of the Fund’s shares in relation to income earned and/or fluctuating fair value of the investments of the Fund.

bBased on average daily shares outstanding.

cTotal return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

dRatios are annualized for periods less than one year.

eIncludes dividend and/or interest expense on securities sold short and security borrowing fees, if any. See below for the ratios of such expenses to average net assets for the periods presented. See Note 1(i).

fBenefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%.

 

           
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.    |   Semiannual Report

             13


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

    Six Months Ended
November 30, 2021
(unaudited)
    Year Ended May 31,  
     2021     2020     2019     2018     2017  
Advisor Class            
Per share operating performance
(for a share outstanding throughout the period)
           

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 12.55     $ 11.23     $ 11.33     $ 11.40     $ 11.16     $ 10.58  
 

 

 

 
Income from investment operationsa:            

Net investment income (loss)b

    (0.02     (0.05     c      0.07       0.04       0.04  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

    0.07       1.47       0.01       0.11       0.38       0.62  
 

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    0.05       1.42       0.01       0.18       0.42       0.66  
 

 

 

 
Less distributions from:            

Net investment income

                (0.10           (0.18     (0.08

Net realized gains

          (0.10     (0.01     (0.25            
 

 

 

 

Total distributions

          (0.10     (0.11     (0.25     (0.18     (0.08
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 12.60     $ 12.55     $ 11.23     $ 11.33     $ 11.40     $ 11.16  
 

 

 

 

Total returnd

    0.40%       12.55%       0.19%       1.61%       3.75%       6.29%  
Ratios to average net assetse            

Expenses before waiver, payments by affiliates and expense reductionf

    2.46%       2.57%       2.33%       2.48%       2.56%       2.82%  

Expenses net of waiver, payments by affiliates and expense reductionf

    2.30% g      2.39%       2.15%       2.31%       2.34%       2.48%  

Expenses incurred in connection with securities sold short

    0.36%       0.44%       0.20%       0.36%       0.39%       0.53%  

Net investment income (loss)

    (0.34)%       (0.42)%       h      0.61%       0.31%       0.35%  
Supplemental data            

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

    $1,245,036       $1,152,105       $977,094       $1,046,252       $896,278       $674,828  

Portfolio turnover rate

    77.08%       236.64%       271.51%       235.47%       234.77%       209.45%  

aThe amount shown for a share outstanding throughout the period may not correlate with the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the period due to the timing of sales and repurchases of the Fund’s shares in relation to income earned and/or fluctuating fair value of the investments of the Fund.

bBased on average daily shares outstanding.

cAmount rounds to less than $0.01.

dTotal return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

eRatios are annualized for periods less than one year.

fIncludes dividend and/or interest expense on securities sold short and security borrowing fees, if any. See below for the ratios of such expenses to average net assets for the periods presented. See Note 1(i).

gBenefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%.

hAmount rounds to less than 0.01%.

 

           
14             

Semiannual Report    |   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

  franklintempleton.com


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

 

Consolidated Statement of Investments, November 30, 2021 (unaudited)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund

 

           Country        Shares/
Warrants/
Rights
                 Value  
    Common Stocks and Other Equity Interests 41.7%       
    Aerospace & Defense 0.1%  
a  

Bombardier Inc., A

     Canada          49,428             $ 68,486  
a  

Bombardier Inc., B

     Canada          1,042,990               1,412,480  
                   

 

 

 
                      1,480,966  
                   

 

 

 
    Air Freight & Logistics 0.3%  
 

Expeditors International of Washington Inc.

     United States          1,117               135,850  
a  

GXO Logistics Inc.

     United States          17,210               1,653,020  
 

United Parcel Service Inc., B

     United States          342               67,843  
a  

XPO Logistics Inc.

     United States          37,296               2,701,722  
                   

 

 

 
                      4,558,435  
                   

 

 

 
    Airlines 0.1%  
a,b  

Controladora Vuela Cia de Aviacion SAB de CV, ADR

     Mexico          30,418               450,795  
a  

Japan Airlines Co. Ltd.

     Japan          27,791               500,963  
                   

 

 

 
                      951,758  
                   

 

 

 
    Automobiles 0.1%  
a,f  

Arrival SA

     Luxembourg          71,867               674,831  
a  

General Motors Co.

     United States          8,800               509,256  
                   

 

 

 
                      1,184,087  
                   

 

 

 
    Banks 0.1%  
 

Banco Santander Mexico SA Institucion de Banca Multiple Grupo
Financiero Santand, ADR

     Mexico          693,005               886,644  
 

Barclays PLC

     United Kingdom          108,406               264,692  
c  

Citigroup Inc.

     United States          894               56,948  
c  

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

     United States          411               65,279  
c  

Wells Fargo & Co.

     United States          1,455               69,520  
                   

 

 

 
                      1,343,083  
                   

 

 

 
    Beverages 0.4%  
 

The Coca-Cola Co.

     United States          4,092               214,625  
 

Davide Campari-Milano NV

     Italy          279,710               4,076,953  
d  

Nongfu Spring Co. Ltd., H, 144A

     China          3,790               21,750  
 

PepsiCo Inc.

     United States          397               63,433  
 

Primo Water Corp.

     United States          110,251               1,832,371  
 

Tsingtao Brewery Co. Ltd., H

     China          2,000               16,167  
                   

 

 

 
                      6,225,299  
                   

 

 

 
    Biotechnology 1.5%  
b  

AbbVie Inc.

     United States          20,807               2,398,631  
a,e,f  

Alder Biopharmaceuticals Inc., Contingent Value, rts., 12/31/24

     United States          50,624               44,549  
a  

Allakos Inc.

     United States          3,561               279,004  
a  

Amicus Therapeutics Inc.

     United States          51,566               552,272  
a,b  

Apellis Pharmaceuticals Inc.

     United States          28,759               1,210,179  
a  

Argenx SE, ADR

     Netherlands          4,046               1,129,684  
a  

BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc.

     United States          10,900               940,561  
a,b  

BioNTech SE, ADR

     Germany          3,719               1,308,121  
a,b  

Blueprint Medicines Corp.

     United States          8,030               772,486  
a  

CRISPR Therapeutics AG

     Switzerland          8,743               698,566  
a  

CytoDyn Inc.

     United States          2,742               3,428  
a  

Denali Therapeutics Inc.

     United States          4,940               228,524  
a  

Dicerna Pharmaceuticals Inc.

     United States          12,087               459,427  
a  

Genetron Holdings Ltd., ADR

     China          17,200               155,488  
a  

I-Mab, ADR

     China          3,466               209,554  
a,b  

Intellia Therapeutics Inc.

     United States          14,214               1,634,752  

 

           
franklintempleton.com  

Semiannual Report

             15


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Shares/
Warrants/
Rights
                 Value  
    Common Stocks and Other Equity Interests (continued)       
    Biotechnology (continued)  
a,f  

Karuna Therapeutics Inc.

     United States          1,897             $ 242,626  
a  

Karyopharm Therapeutics Inc.

     United States          1,000               6,950  
a  

Kymera Therapeutics Inc.

     United States          4,162               231,074  
a  

Mirati Therapeutics Inc.

     United States          5,301               725,018  
a,f  

Monte Rosa Therapeutics Inc.

     United States          6,745               130,786  
a  

Natera Inc.

     United States          13,824               1,264,343  
a  

Nurix Therapeutics Inc.

     United States          7,354               211,942  
a  

ORIC Pharmaceuticals Inc.

     United States          10,440               144,490  
a  

PMV Pharmaceuticals Inc.

     United States          7,999               173,978  
a  

Praxis Precision Medicines Inc.

     United States          4,250               72,717  
a  

ProQR Therapeutics NV

     Netherlands          37,313               263,430  
a  

Sarepta Therapeutics Inc.

     United States          6,244               504,578  
a  

Seagen Inc.

     United States          8,201               1,312,160  
a  

SpringWorks Therapeutics Inc.

     United States          10,600               761,610  
a  

Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB

     Sweden          51,864               1,265,311  
a  

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc.

     United States          9,090               1,699,285  
a,f  

Verve Therapeutics Inc.

     United States          8,505               289,850  
a  

Zai Lab Ltd., ADR

     China          7,846               543,335  
                   

 

 

 
                      21,868,709  
                   

 

 

 
    Building Products 0.1%  
 

Carrier Global Corp.

     United States          30,251               1,637,184  
 

Owens Corning

     United States          392               33,257  
                   

 

 

 
                      1,670,441  
                   

 

 

 
    Capital Markets 0.6%  
d  

Amundi SA, 144A

     France          26,558               2,209,445  
d  

Anima Holding SpA, 144A

     Italy          102,616               483,013  
c  

The Blackstone Group Inc., A

     United States          569               80,485  
a,b  

Capstar Special Purpose Acquisition Corp., A

     United States          10,190               101,391  
a  

Capstar Special Purpose Acquisition Corp., A, 7/9/27, wts.

     United States          6,891               7,580  
a  

Coinbase Global Inc., A

     United States          5,320               1,675,800  
a,b  

E.Merge Technology Acquisition Corp., A

     United States          6,534               64,229  
c  

The Goldman Sachs Group Inc.

     United States          160               60,958  
b  

Moody’s Corp.

     United States          9,381               3,664,594  
c  

Morgan Stanley

     United States          202               19,154  
a,f  

SCVX Corp., A

     United States          6,585               65,718  
                   

 

 

 
                      8,432,367  
                   

 

 

 
    Chemicals 1.1%  
a  

Ferro Corp.

     United States          129,107               2,726,740  
 

Huntsman Corp.

     United States          2,298               72,824  
b  

International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.

     United States          7,575               1,076,938  
a,c  

Kraton Corp.

     United States          8,000               368,480  
 

LyondellBasell Industries NV, A

     United States          664               57,854  
b  

The Sherwin-Williams Co.

     United States          32,164               10,654,003  
 

Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile SA, ADR

     Chile          17,133               1,066,700  
a  

Tronox Holdings PLC

     United States          13,536               297,657  
                   

 

 

 
                      16,321,196  
                   

 

 

 
    Commercial Services & Supplies 1.0%  
a  

468 SPAC I SE, A, 4/30/26, wts.

     Germany          41,605               117,960  
a  

7GC & Co. Holdings Inc., A, 12/31/26, wts.

     United States          3,244               2,531  
a,b  

Atlas Crest Investment Corp. II, A

     United States          20,011               195,708  
a  

Atlas Crest Investment Corp. II, A, 2/28/26, wts.

     United States          8,969               9,328  
a,b  

CIIG Capital Partners II Inc.

     United States          10,448               107,092  

 

           
16             

Semiannual Report

  franklintempleton.com


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Shares/
Warrants/
Rights
                 Value  
    Common Stocks and Other Equity Interests (continued)       
    Commercial Services & Supplies (continued)  
 

Cintas Corp.

     United States          13,912             $ 5,873,507  
a,b  

Class Acceleration Corp., A

     United States          13,473               131,497  
a  

Class Acceleration Corp., A, 3/31/28, wts.

     United States          4,133               2,521  
a  

CM Life Sciences III Inc.

     United States          8,817               91,520  
a,b  

CM Life Sciences III Inc., A

     United States          13,400               133,464  
a  

Digital Transformation Opportunities Corp.

     United States          39,182               388,490  
a,b  

dMY Technology Group Inc. IV, A

     United States          4,695               46,950  
a  

dMY Technology Group Inc. IV, A, 12/31/27, wts.

     United States          13,565               46,121  
a,b  

dMY Technology Group Inc. VI

     United States          26,930               292,460  
a  

Executive Network Partnering Corp., A

     United States          19,832               195,147  
a  

Executive Network Partnering Corp., A, 9/25/28, wts.

     United States          2,901               2,047  
a,b  

Gores Guggenheim Inc., A

     United States          205               2,759  
a  

Gores Metropoulos II Inc.

     United States          110               1,137  
a,f  

Gores Metropoulos II Inc., A

     United States          509               5,054  
a  

Gores Metropoulos II Inc., A, 1/31/28, wts.

     United States          4,212               8,003  
a,b  

Gores Technology Partners II Inc.

     United States          12,807               130,311  
a  

Gores Technology Partners II Inc., A

     United States          3,133               30,923  
a,b  

Gores Technology Partners Inc.

     United States          11,237               113,887  
a  

Hedosophia European Growth

     United Kingdom          35,835               407,598  
a  

Hedosophia European Growth, 5/13/27, wts.

     United Kingdom          11,638               10,229  
 

Iron Spark I Inc., A

     United States          5,353               53,798  
a  

Juniper II Corp.

     United States          11,402               115,502  
a  

Kins Technology Group Inc., A, 12/31/25, wts.

     United States          1,892               1,230  
a  

Landcadia Holdings IV Inc.

     United States          4,686               47,446  
a  

Northern Star Investment Corp. II, A, 1/31/28, wts.

     United States          4,249               4,674  
a,b  

Novus Capital Corp. II, A

     United States          19,008               189,700  
a  

Novus Capital Corp. II, A, 12/31/27, wts.

     United States          6,336               8,237  
a  

One Equity Partners Open Water I Corp., A

     United States          2,269               22,123  
a  

One Equity Partners Open Water I Corp., A, 12/31/27, wts.

     United States          2,933               1,994  
b  

Republic Services Inc., A

     United States          40,305               5,330,739  
a  

Shapeways Holdings Inc., 10/31/26, wts.

     United States          13,286               9,299  
a  

Tech And Energy Transition Corp.

     United States          8,501               84,755  
a,b  

Thunder Bridge Capital Partners IV Inc.

     United States          12,385               122,240  
a  

Tishman Speyer Innovation Corp. II

     United States          1,534               15,286  
a  

Tishman Speyer Innovation Corp. II, A

     United States          509               4,983  
a,b  

Twelve Seas Investment Co. II, A

     United States          15,317               149,187  
a  

Twelve Seas Investment Co. II, A, 3/2/28, wts.

     United States          5,105               3,298  
                   

 

 

 
                      14,510,735  
                   

 

 

 
    Communications Equipment 0.0%  
 

Cisco Systems Inc.

     United States          1,108               60,763  
a  

Commscope Holding Co. Inc.

     United States          6,524               64,979  
                   

 

 

 
                      125,742  
                   

 

 

 
    Construction & Engineering 0.5%  
a  

AECOM

     United States          18,821               1,297,520  
a  

Mastec Inc.

     United States          27,598               2,543,708  
 

Quanta Services Inc.

     United States          31,335               3,565,296  
                   

 

 

 
                      7,406,524  
                   

 

 

 
    Construction Materials 0.3%  
a  

Cemex SAB de CV, ADR

     Mexico          69,523               427,567  
 

LafargeHolcim Ltd., B

     Switzerland          69,827               3,363,836  
                   

 

 

 
                      3,791,403  
                   

 

 

 

 

           
franklintempleton.com  

Semiannual Report

             17


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Shares/
Warrants/
Rights
                 Value  
    Common Stocks and Other Equity Interests (continued)                             
    Consumer Finance 0.0%  
a,f  

Katapult Holdings Inc.

     United States          9,358             $ 36,777  
c  

OneMain Holdings Inc., A

     United States          1,061               52,827  
                   

 

 

 
                      89,604  
                   

 

 

 
    Containers & Packaging 0.8%  
a  

Ardagh Metal Packaging SA

     United States          110,998               1,037,831  
 

Ball Corp.

     United States          118,073               11,033,922  
                   

 

 

 
                      12,071,753  
                   

 

 

 
    Distributors 0.3%  
 

Pool Corp.

     United States          7,544               4,180,281  
                   

 

 

 
    Diversified Consumer Services 0.1%  
a,f  

Mister Car Wash Inc.

     United States          54,593               876,764  
                   

 

 

 
    Diversified Financial Services 1.8%  
a  

2MX Organic SA, 11/16/25, wts.

     France          3,920               1,085  
a  

Acropolis Infrastructure Acquisition Corp., A, 3/31/26, wts.

     United States          12,094               12,034  
a  

Adit EdTech Acquisition Corp., 12/31/27, wts.

     United States          276               312  
a  

AEA-Bridges Impact Corp., 12/31/25, wts.

     Cayman Islands          1,407               1,126  
a  

AEA-Bridges Impact Corp., A

     Cayman Islands          28,592               281,059  
a  

Aequi Acquisition Corp.

     United States          1,470               14,641  
a  

Aequi Acquisition Corp., A

     United States          11,885               116,116  
a  

African Gold Acquisition Corp., A

     United States          6,518               63,485  
a  

African Gold Acquisition Corp., A, 3/13/28, wts.

     United States          4,888               2,758  
a  

Agile Growth Corp.

     United States          3,910               39,374  
a,b  

Altitude Acquisition Corp., A

     United States          10,922               107,909  
a  

Altitude Acquisition Corp., A, 11/30/27, wts.

     United States          24,529               18,524  
a  

Angel Pond Holdings Corp.

     United States          7,260               72,716  
a  

Apollo Strategic Growth Capital, 10/29/27, wts.

     United States          16,271               15,132  
a  

Apollo Strategic Growth Capital, A

     United States          8,654               85,155  
a  

Apollo Strategic Growth Capital, A, 12/31/27, wts.

     United States          3,636               3,818  
a  

Apollo Strategic Growth Capital II

     United States          8,845               88,539  
a  

ArcLight Clean Transition Corp. II, A, 2/4/23, wts.

     Cayman Islands          3,265               5,093  
a,f  

Ares Acquisition Corp., A

     United States          13,000               127,270  
a  

Ares Acquisition Corp., A, 12/30/21, wts.

     United States          11,095               11,650  
a  

Ascendant Digital Acquisition Corp. III

     United States          4,732               47,793  
a  

Athena Consumer Acquisition Corp.

     United States          26,389               267,848  
a  

Athena Technology Acquisition Corp., A, 3/31/28, wts.

     United States          4,454               7,884  
a  

Athlon Acquisition Corp., A, 3/5/26, wts.

     United States          4,234               2,667  
a,b  

Atlantic Avenue Acquisition Corp., A

     United States          8,680               85,672  
a  

Atlantic Avenue Acquisition Corp., A, 10/6/27, wts.

     United States          4,340               2,734  
a,b  

Atlantic Coastal Acquisition Corp., A

     United States          16,329               159,861  
a  

Atlantic Coastal Acquisition Corp., A, 12/31/27, wts.

     United States          5,443               4,570  
a  

Austerlitz Acquisition Corp. I, 2/19/26, wts.

     United States          17,237               21,374  
a  

Austerlitz Acquisition Corp. I, 12/31/27, wts.

     United States          34,516               39,003  
a  

Austerlitz Acquisition Corp. I, A

     United States          21,841               214,479  
a  

Austerlitz Acquisition Corp. II, A

     United States          33,691               329,161  
a  

Authentic Equity Acquisition Corp. I, 12/31/27, wts.

     Cayman Islands          9,239               5,858  
a  

B Riley Principal 250 Merger Corp., A, 12/31/27, wts.

     United States          2,651               3,022  
a  

Biotech Acquisition Co., 11/30/27, wts.

     United States          4,353               3,277  
a  

Blue Whale Acquisition Corp. I

     United Arab Emirates          12,829               127,584  
a  

Bridgetown Holdings Ltd., A

     Hong Kong          3,261               32,088  
a,b  

Broadscale Acquisition Corp., A

     United States          6,216               60,855  
a  

Broadscale Acquisition Corp., A, 2/2/26, wts.

     United States          1,554               1,632  
a  

Broadstone Acquisition Corp., 9/15/28, wts.

     United States          25,789               28,884  

 

           
18             

Semiannual Report

  franklintempleton.com


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Shares/
Warrants/
Rights
                 Value  
    Common Stocks and Other Equity Interests (continued)       
    Diversified Financial Services (continued)  
a  

Burgundy Technology Acquisition Corp.

     United States          8,583             $ 85,744  
a,b  

Carney Technology Acquisition Corp. II, A

     United States          12,636               124,212  
a  

Carney Technology Acquisition Corp. II, A, 11/30/27, wts.

     United States          5,876               5,053  
a  

Cartesian Growth Corp., 12/31/27, wts.

     United States          23,214               27,044  
a,f  

CBRE Acquisition Holdings Inc., A, 12/31/27, wts.

     United States          1               2  
a  

CC Neuberger Principal Holdings II

     United States          12,116               119,827  
a  

CC Neuberger Principal Holdings II, 7/29/25, wts.

     United States          11,692               13,213  
a  

CC Neuberger Principal Holdings III

     United States          558               5,588  
a  

CC Neuberger Principal Holdings III, 12/31/27, wts.

     United States          6,916               8,230  
a  

CF Acquisition Corp. V, A

     United States          6,004               59,800  
a  

CF Acquisition Corp. V, A, 12/31/27, wts.

     United States          24,745               24,745  
a,b  

Churchill Capital Corp. V, A

     United States          6,430               63,335  
a  

Churchill Capital Corp. VI

     United States          1,080               10,886  
a,b  

Churchill Capital Corp. VII

     United States          9,560               95,701  
a  

Clarim Acquisition Corp., A

     United States          50,724               497,095  
a  

Clarim Acquisition Corp., A, 12/31/27, wts.

     United States          16,908               11,329  
a  

Climate Real Impact Solutions II Acquisition Corp., A

     United States          563               5,574  
a  

Climate Real Impact Solutions II Acquisition Corp., A, 12/31/27, wts.

     United States          112               123  
a,b  

Colicity Inc.

     United States          37,960               379,600  
a  

Colicity Inc., A, 12/31/27, wts.

     United States          34               36  
a  

Colonnade Acquisition Corp. II, 12/31/27, wts.

     United States          13,654               10,657  
a,b  

Concord Acquisition Corp. II

     United States          79,080               799,499  
a  

Concord Acquisition Corp. III

     United States          9,774               99,695  
a,b  

Conyers Park III Acquisition Corp., A

     United States          18,746               183,711  
a  

Conyers Park III Acquisition Corp., A, 8/12/28, wts.

     United States          2,812               3,726  
a  

Corner Growth Acquisition Corp.

     United States          17,211               175,036  
a  

Corner Growth Acquisition Corp., 12/31/27, wts.

     United States          7,606               6,845  
a  

Corner Growth Acquisition Corp., A

     United States          22,818               223,616  
a  

Corsair Partnering Corp.

     United States          3,898               38,961  
a  

Crown PropTech Acquisitions, 12/31/27, wts.

     United States          12,844               10,264  
a,b  

Crucible Acquisition Corp.

     United States          4,437               44,521  
a  

Crystal Peak Acquisition

     Netherlands          6,767               66,418  
a  

Crystal Peak Acquisition, 6/22/26, wts.

     Netherlands          2,725                
a,b,f  

Decarbonization Plus Acquisition Corp. II, A

     United States          16,370               165,010  
a  

Decarbonization Plus Acquisition Corp. II, A, 10/2/25, wts.

     United States          7,390               15,149  
a  

Decarbonization Plus Acquisition Corp. III, A, 12/08/26, wts.

     United States          10,297               43,041  
a  

Decarbonization Plus Acquisition Corp. IV, A, 12/31/28, wts.

     United States          5,594               5,986  
a  

DHC Acquisition Corp., A

     United States          6,265               61,209  
a  

DHC Acquisition Corp., A, 12/31/27, wts.

     United States          2,088               1,587  
a  

Disruptive Acquisition Corp. I

     United States          6,844               68,200  
a,f  

Dragoneer Growth Opportunities Corp. II, A

     United States          12,994               129,550  
a  

Dragoneer Growth Opportunities Corp. III, A

     United States          26,406               263,532  
a  

ECP Environmental Growth Opportunities Corp.

     United States          5,532               56,343  
a  

ECP Environmental Growth Opportunities Corp., A

     United States          5,180               51,437  
a  

ECP Environmental Growth Opportunities Corp., A, 2/11/28, wts.

     United States          1,757               1,845  
a  

EJF Acquisition Corp.

     United States          63,265               630,119  
a  

EJF Acquisition Corp., 2/28/27, wts.

     United States          6,521               10,564  
a  

Elliott Opportunity II Corp.

     United States          36,158               374,959  
a  

Elliott Opportunity II Corp., A

     United States          24,718               243,472  
a  

Energy Transition Partners BV

     Netherlands          3,372               37,458  
a  

Energy Transition Partners BV, 7/16/26, wts.

     Netherlands          1,124               612  
a  

Enterprise 4.0 Technology Acquisition Corp.

     United States          16,406               166,111  
a  

ESM Acquisition Corp.

     United States          8,367               83,293  
a  

European Biotech Acquisition Corp.

     Netherlands          1,230               12,214  
a  

Far Peak Acquisition Corp.

     United States          25,821               264,923  

 

           
franklintempleton.com  

Semiannual Report

             19


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Shares/
Warrants/
Rights
                 Value  
    Common Stocks and Other Equity Interests (continued)       
    Diversified Financial Services (continued)  
a  

Far Peak Acquisition Corp., 12/7/25, wts.

     United States          3,156             $ 9,468  
a,b  

Fast Acquisition Corp. II

     United States          14,427               144,775  
a  

Fifth Wall Acquisition Corp. III

     United States          5,283               52,249  
a  

Figure Acquisition Corp. I, A

     United States          1,393               13,763  
a  

Figure Acquisition Corp. I, A, 12/31/27, wts.

     United States          1,176               1,423  
a,b  

Fintech Acquisition Corp. VI

     United States          39,608               409,151  
a  

Fintech Evolution Acquisition Group

     United States          17,597               175,970  
a,f  

First Reserve Sustainable Growth Corp., A

     United States          32,362               321,031  
a  

First Reserve Sustainable Growth Corp., A, 12/31/27, wts.

     United States          8,090               10,274  
a  

Focus Impact Acquisition Corp.

     United States          13,236               133,551  
a  

Foresight Acquisition Corp., A, 11/19/26, wts.

     United States          1,814               2,231  
a  

Fortress Capital Acquisition Corp., 12/31/27, wts.

     United States          12,102               10,892  
a  

Fortress Capital Acquisition Corp., A

     United States          9,805               96,187  
a,b  

Fortress Value Acquisition Corp. III, A

     United States          10,335               101,386  
a  

Fortress Value Acquisition Corp. III, A, 12/31/27, wts.

     United States          3,261               3,327  
a,b  

Fortress Value Acquisition Corp. IV

     United States          8,256               82,147  
a  

Fortress Value Acquisition Corp. IV, A, 3/18/28, wts.

     United States          9,655               9,445  
a  

Forum Merger IV Corp.

     United States          2,892               29,108  
a  

Forum Merger IV Corp., A

     United States          5,283               51,721  
a  

Forum Merger IV Corp., A, 12/31/27, wts.

     United States          2,568               3,210  
a  

Freedom Acquisition I Corp., A

     United States          1,955               19,061  
a  

FTAC Athena Acquisition Corp., A

     United States          28,460               283,177  
a  

FTAC Athena Acquisition Corp., A, 3/1/26, wts.

     United States          15,965               21,553  
a  

FTAC Hera Acquisition Corp., 12/31/27, wts.

     United States          8,945               9,303  
a  

FTAC Hera Acquisition Corp., A

     United States          41,936               411,812  
a,b  

FTAC Parnassus Acquisition Corp., A

     United States          49,016               482,808  
a  

FTAC Parnassus Acquisition Corp., A, 3/10/26, wts.

     United States          12,254               14,153  
a  

FTAC Zeus Acquisition Corp.

     United States          6,342               63,801  
a,b  

Fusion Acquisition Corp. II

     United States          12,633               126,835  
a  

Fusion Acquisition Corp. II, A

     United States          3,259               31,775  
a  

Fusion Acquisition Corp. II, A, 12/31/27, wts.

     United States          1,086               820  
a  

G Squared Ascend I Inc.

     United States          5,572               55,386  
a  

G Squared Ascend I Inc., A, 12/31/27, wts.

     United States          3,753               4,841  
a  

Glenfarne Merger Corp.

     United States          1,231               12,267  
a  

Global Partner Acquisition Corp II, 12/31/27, wts.

     United States          2,950               2,744  
a  

Global Partner Acquisition Corp. II, A

     United States          17,700               172,664  
a  

Gores Holdings VII Inc.

     United States          38,284               386,285  
a  

Gores Holdings VII Inc., A

     United States          3,841               37,834  
a,b  

Gores Holdings VIII Inc.

     United States          8,934               90,234  
a  

Gores Holdings VIII Inc., A

     United States          1,583               15,814  
a  

Group Nine Acquisition Corp., A

     United States          22,173               215,522  
a  

Group Nine Acquisition Corp., A, 1/14/26, wts.

     United States          7,391               5,011  
a,b  

Healthcare Services Acquisition Corp., A

     United States          3,074               30,064  
a  

Healthcare Services Acquisition Corp., A, 12/31/27, wts.

     United States          4,019               2,755  
a  

HealthCor Catalio Acquisition Corp., A

     United States          4,875               48,653  
a  

Innovative International Acquisition Corp.

     United States          13,172               133,037  
a  

Investindustrial Acquisition Corp., 10/30/27, wts.

     United States          2,150               4,085  
a  

ION Acquisition Corp. II Ltd., 12/31/27, wts.

     Israel          956               1,315  
a  

ION Acquisition Corp. II Ltd., A

     Israel          555               4,412  
a  

ION Acquisition Corp. III Ltd., A

     Israel          11,154               109,030  
a  

Isos Acquisition Corp., 3/1/26, wts.

     United States          4,326               7,268  
a  

Ivanhoe Capital Acquisition Corp., A, 12/31/27, wts.

     United States          8,067               23,959  
a  

Jack Creek Investment Corp., 12/31/27, wts.

     United States          5,880               3,763  
a  

Jaws Hurricane Acquisition Corp., A, 2/23/23, wts.

     United States          3,747               3,972  
a  

Jaws Juggernaut Acquisition Corp., A

     United States          6,381               62,853  

 

           
20             

Semiannual Report

  franklintempleton.com


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Shares/
Warrants/
Rights
                 Value  
    Common Stocks and Other Equity Interests (continued)       
    Diversified Financial Services (continued)  
a  

Jaws Juggernaut Acquisition Corp., A, 2/12/26, wts.

     United States          4,284             $ 4,584  
a  

Jaws Mustang Acquisition Corp.

     United States          6,135               62,148  
a  

Jaws Mustang Acquisition Corp., 1/30/27, wts.

     United States          6,663               8,262  
a  

Jaws Mustang Acquisition Corp., A

     United States          7,860               77,342  
a  

Joff Fintech Acquisition Corp., A

     United States          5,277               51,504  
a  

Joff Fintech Acquisition Corp., A, 12/31/27, wts.

     United States          1,759               1,407  
a  

Kairos Acquisition Corp., 12/31/27, wts.

     Cayman Islands          4,433               2,784  
a,b  

Khosla Ventures Acquisition Co., A

     United States          27,304               269,217  
a,b  

Khosla Ventures Acquisition Co. III, A

     United States          19,619               194,816  
a,b  

KKR Acquisition Holdings I Corp.

     United States          10,052               100,621  
a  

L Catterton Asia Acquisition Corp.

     Singapore          2,279               22,950  
a  

L&F Acquisition Corp., A, 5/23/27, wts.

     Cayman Islands          6,615               5,156  
a  

Lakestar SPAC I SE, 12/31/25, wts.

     Luxembourg          716               731  
a  

Lazard Growth Acquisition Corp. I

     United States          6,383               63,105  
a  

Lazard Growth Acquisition Corp. I, 12/31/27, wts.

     United States          2,101               1,744  
a  

LDH Growth Corp. I

     United States          615               6,119  
a  

Lead Edge Growth Opportunities Ltd.

     United States          4,701               46,681  
a  

Learn CW Investment Corp.

     United States          19,726               199,233  
a  

Legato Merger Corp. II

     United States          3,958               39,778  
a  

Lerer Hippeau Acquisition Corp., A

     United States          20,644               201,899  
a  

LF Capital Acquisition Corp. II

     United States          13,246               133,785  
a  

Live Oak Crestview Climate Acquisition Corp., A, 3/12/26, wts.

     United States          452               773  
a  

Live Oak Mobility Acquisition Corp., A

     United States          3,947               38,641  
a  

Live Oak Mobility Acquisition Corp., A, 3/4/28, wts.

     United States          6,090               7,309  
a,b  

Longview Acquisition Corp. II, A

     United States          14,811               146,925  
a  

Longview Acquisition Corp. II, A, 5/10/26, wts.

     United States          12,250               14,088  
a  

M3-Brigade Acquisition II Corp., A, 12/31/27, wts.

     United States          7,608               9,890  
a  

Marlin Technology Corp., 3/5/26, wts.

     United States          3,305               2,644  
a  

Marlin Technology Corp., A

     United States          9,915               96,870  
a  

MDH Acquisition Corp., A

     United States          4,587               45,320  
a  

MDH Acquisition Corp., A, 2/2/28, wts.

     United States          2,293               1,422  
a  

Motive Capital Corp., 12/9/25, wts.

     United States          18,590               25,840  
a  

Motive Capital Corp., A

     United States          17,457               173,173  
a  

The Music Acquisition Corp., A

     United States          5,363               52,397  
a  

The Music Acquisition Corp., A, 2/5/28, wts.

     United States          2,681               1,796  
a  

NextGen Acquisition Corp. II, A, 3/31/27, wts.

     United States          3,287               7,889  
a  

Nightdragon Acquisition Corp.

     United States          21,996               220,400  
a  

Nightdragon Acquisition Corp., A

     United States          1,253               12,298  
a  

North Atlantic Acquisition Corp., 10/20/25, wts.

     United States          2,165               1,797  
a  

North Atlantic Acquisition Corp., A

     United States          6,495               63,521  
a  

Oaktree Acquisition Corp. II, 9/15/27, wts.

     United States          12,899               15,350  
a  

Oaktree Acquisition Corp. II, A

     United States          17,512               173,544  
a  

Obotech Acquisition SE, A

     Luxembourg          4,205               46,497  
a  

Obotech Acquisition SE, A, 4/30/26, wts.

     Luxembourg          1,401               1,112  
a  

Orion Biotech Opportunities Corp.

     United States          16,960               168,498  
a  

Pathfinder Acquisition Corp., 12/31/27, wts.

     United States          7,163               7,665  
a  

Pathfinder Acquisition Corp., A

     United States          39,072               387,985  
a  

Pegasus Acquisition Co. Europe BV

     Netherlands          118,076               1,325,704  
a  

Pegasus Acquisition Co. Europe BV, A

     Netherlands          1,736               19,373  
a  

Pegasus Acquisition Co. Europe BV, A, 4/27/26, wts.

     Netherlands          579               821  
a  

Pegasus Digital Mobility Acquisition Corp.

     Cayman Islands          5,616               56,441  
a  

Peridot Acquisition Corp. II

     United States          2,506               25,073  
a,b  

Periphas Capital Partnering Corp., A

     United States          10,736               264,857  
a  

Pershing Square Tontine Holdings Ltd., A

     United States          5,107               102,957  
a  

Pioneer Merger Corp., A

     United States          2,043               20,307  

 

           
franklintempleton.com  

Semiannual Report

             21


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Shares/
Warrants/
Rights
                 Value  
    Common Stocks and Other Equity Interests (continued)       
    Diversified Financial Services (continued)  
a  

Pioneer Merger Corp., A, 12/31/27, wts.

     United States          16,710             $ 20,219  
a  

PMV Consumer Acquisition Corp., A, 8/31/27, wts.

     United States          2,466               1,874  
a  

Poema Global Holdings Corp., 12/31/27, wts.

     United States          4,433               7,979  
a  

Poema Global Holdings Corp., A

     United States          8,866               88,483  
a  

Pontem Corp., 12/31/27, wts.

     United States          5,482               4,284  
a  

Pontem Corp., A

     United States          16,446               161,171  
a  

Population Health Investment Co. Inc., A

     United States          1,144               11,200  
a,b  

Post Holdings Partnering Corp., A

     United States          12,717               124,037  
a  

Post Holdings Partnering Corp., A, 2/9/23, wts.

     United States          12,973               13,753  
a  

Power & Digital Infrastructure Acquisition Corp., A

     United States          4,426               56,564  
a  

Power & Digital Infrastructure Acquisition Corp., A, 2/12/28, wts.

     United States          1,383               6,085  
a  

Powered Brands, A

     United States          3,648               35,604  
a  

Primavera Capital Acquisition Corp., 1/19/26, wts.

     Hong Kong          1,524               1,509  
a  

Primavera Capital Acquisition Corp., A

     Hong Kong          3,048               29,718  
a  

PWP Forward Acquisition Corp. I

     United States          6,157               60,954  
a  

PWP Forward Acquisition Corp. I, A, 3/9/26, wts.

     United States          2,959               2,471  
a  

RCF Acquisition Corp.

     United States          12,616               127,295  
a  

RedBall Acquisition Corp.

     United States          8,172               81,883  
a  

Rice Acquisition Corp. II

     United States          13,176               142,037  
a  

Rigel Resource Acquisition Corp.

     United States          8,142               82,397  
a  

RMG Acquisition Corp. III

     United States          2,786               27,721  
a  

RMG Acquisition Corp. III, 12/31/27, wts.

     United States          4,311               3,966  
a  

RMG Acquisition Corp. III, A

     United States          21,555               211,023  
a  

Rosecliff Acquisition Corp. I, A

     United States          59,628               589,721  
a  

Rosecliff Acquisition Corp. I, A, 12/31/27, wts.

     United States          29,338               27,871  
a,b  

RXR Acquisition Corp.

     United States          9,640               95,629  
a  

Sarissa Capital Acquisition Corp., A

     United States          13,243               130,179  
a,b  

Science Strategic Acquisition Corp. Alpha

     United States          5,442               54,502  
a  

ScION Tech Growth I, 11/1/25, wts.

     United Kingdom          1,102               826  
a  

ScION Tech Growth I, A

     United Kingdom          3,306               32,333  
a  

ScION Tech Growth II

     United Kingdom          2,073               20,709  
a  

SCP & Co. Healthcare Acquisition Co., A, 1/27/28, wts.

     United States          5,434               3,097  
a  

Silver Crest Acquisition Corp., A

     United States          2,931               28,782  
a  

Silver Crest Acquisition Corp., A, 12/15/25, wts.

     United States          1,465               1,040  
a  

Silverbox Engaged Merger Corp. I, A, 12/31/27, wts.

     United States          8,429               13,992  
a,b  

Simon Property Group Acquisition Holdings Inc.

     United States          31,634               316,340  
a  

Slam Corp.

     United States          5,816               57,869  
a  

Slam Corp., A, 12/31/27, wts.

     United States          6,474               5,124  
a  

Social Capital Hedosophia Holdings Corp., A

     United States          17,956               184,408  
a,f  

Social Capital Hedosophia Holdings Corp. VI, A

     United States          39,558               414,172  
a  

Social Capital Suvretta Holdings Corp. I, A

     United States          6,651               66,111  
a  

Social Capital Suvretta Holdings Corp. II, A

     United States          14,142               140,713  
a  

Social Capital Suvretta Holdings Corp. III, A

     United States          27,104               267,516  
a  

Social Capital Suvretta Holdings Corp. IV, A

     United States          27,104               267,788  
a  

Social Leverage Acquisition Corp. I

     United States          13,866               138,521  
a,b  

Social Leverage Acquisition Corp. I, A

     United States          3,470               33,867  
a,b  

Spartan Acquisition Corp. III, A

     United States          32,665               324,363  
a  

Spartan Acquisition Corp. III, A, 2/4/26, wts.

     United States          13,124               20,080  
a  

Spindletop Health Acquisition Corp.

     United States          11,406               114,972  
a  

StoneBridge Acquisition Corp.

     United States          3,244               33,137  
a  

Supernova Partners Acquisition Co. II Ltd., A

     United States          3,756               40,565  
a  

Supernova Partners Acquisition Co. II Ltd., A, 12/31/27, wts.

     United States          1,482               4,313  
a  

Supernova Partners Acquisition Co. III Ltd., A

     United States          8,623               85,799  
a  

Supernova Partners Acquisition Co. III Ltd., A, 3/31/27, wts.

     United States          6,587               6,458  
a  

Sustainable Development Acquisition I Corp.

     United States          8,363               84,257  

 

           
22             

Semiannual Report

  franklintempleton.com


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Shares/
Warrants/
Rights
                 Value  
    Common Stocks and Other Equity Interests (continued)       
    Diversified Financial Services (continued)  
a,f  

SVF Investment Corp., A

     United States          16,643             $ 167,595  
a  

SVF Investment Corp. 2, A

     United States          10,063               100,429  
a  

SVF Investment Corp. 3, A

     United States          40,808               408,080  
a  

Tailwind Acquisition Corp., A, 9/7/27, wts.

     United States          11,194               7,108  
a  

TB SA Acquisition Corp.

     Cayman Islands          22,005               219,170  
a  

TCV Acquisition Corp., A

     United States          1,698               16,895  
a  

TCW Special Purpose Acquisition Corp., A

     United States          6,265               61,146  
a  

TCW Special Purpose Acquisition Corp., A, 12/31/28, wts.

     United States          2,088               1,587  
a  

Tekkorp Digital Acquisition Corp., 9/29/27, wts.

     United States          1,328               1,135  
a  

Thimble Point Acquisition Corp., A, 11/19/26, wts.

     United States          18,602               22,322  
a  

TLG Acquisition One Corp., A

     United States          9,876               96,587  
a  

TLG Acquisition One Corp., A, 1/25/28, wts.

     United States          3,292               2,140  
a  

TPG Pace Beneficial II Corp., A

     United States          17,023               170,230  
a  

TPG Pace Solutions Corp.

     United States          912               9,029  
a  

Trebia Acquisition Corp., A, 12/31/25, wts.

     Cayman Islands          21,418               31,484  
a  

Twin Ridge Capital Acquisition Corp., A

     United States          7,511               73,157  
a  

Twin Ridge Capital Acquisition Corp., A, 3/7/28, wts.

     United States          2,503               1,877  
a  

two, A

     United States          9,851               96,737  
a  

USHG Acquisition Corp., A

     United States          28,448               295,006  
a  

USHG Acquisition Corp., A, 12/31/28, wts.

     United States          12,571               25,771  
a  

Vahanna Tech Edge Acquisition I Corp.

     United States          7,916               79,714  
a  

Valor Latitude Acquisition Corp.

     United States          16,723               165,892  
a  

Vector Acquisition Corp. II, A

     United States          8,707               85,764  
a  

Velocity Acquisition Corp., A

     United States          6,445               62,903  
a  

Virgin Group Acquisition Corp. II

     United States          10,835               108,350  
a  

Virgin Group Acquisition Corp. II, A, 3/13/26, wts.

     United States          9,762               10,543  
a  

Viveon Health Acquisition Corp., 12/31/27, wts.

     United States          45,618               12,089  
a  

VMG Consumer Acquisition Corp.

     United States          2,210               22,409  
a  

VPC Impact Acquisition Holdings II Inc., A

     United States          6,544               64,655  
a,b  

VPC Impact Acquisition Holdings III Inc., A

     United States          10,252               102,520  
a  

VPC Impact Acquisition Holdings III Inc., A, 12/31/27, wts.

     United States          4,604               7,186  
a  

Vy Global Growth

     Cayman Islands          13,775               135,822  
a  

Waldencast Acquisition Corp.

     United States          279               2,879  
a  

Warburg Pincus Capital Corp. I-A, 12/31/27, wts.

     Cayman Islands          249               237  
a  

Warburg Pincus Capital Corp. I-B, 2/17/22, wts.

     Cayman Islands          3,090               3,059  
a  

Wejo Group Ltd., 11/18/26, wts.

     United States          22,480               26,751  
a  

Zimmer Energy Transition Acquisition Corp.

     United States          7,144               71,833  
                   

 

 

 
                      25,671,332  
                   

 

 

 
    Diversified Telecommunication Services 0.0%  
a  

BT Group PLC, A

     United Kingdom          90,814               191,172  
 

Verizon Communications Inc.

     United States          1,263               63,491  
                   

 

 

 
                      254,663  
                   

 

 

 
    Electric Utilities 2.1%  
 

Ausnet Services Ltd.

     Australia          1,571,963               2,839,172  
 

Duke Energy Corp.

     United States          2,117               205,370  
 

Edison International

     United States          27,210               1,776,269  
a  

Energy Harbor Corp.

     United States          76,664               3,756,536  
 

Exelon Corp.

     United States          260,267               13,723,879  
b  

FirstEnergy Corp.

     United States          32,457               1,222,331  
a  

PG&E Corp.

     United States          404,146               4,801,254  
 

The Southern Co.

     United States          947               57,862  
e  

Spark Infrastructure Group

     Australia          1,242,526               2,451,270  
                   

 

 

 
                      30,833,943  
                   

 

 

 

 

           
franklintempleton.com  

Semiannual Report

             23


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Shares/
Warrants/
Rights
                 Value  
    Common Stocks and Other Equity Interests (continued)       
    Electrical Equipment 0.8%  
a  

Array Technologies Inc.

     United States          47,179             $ 849,930  
a  

Ballard Power Systems Inc.

     Canada          12,264               185,922  
a  

Chargepoint Holdings Inc.

     United States          29,912               763,354  
a  

Enovix Corp.

     United States          92,698               3,244,430  
a  

Fluence Energy Inc., A

     United States          67,662               2,144,209  
a  

Fuelcell Energy Inc.

     United States          99,794               866,212  
a  

Generac Holdings Inc.

     United States          3,138               1,321,851  
a  

Plug Power Inc.

     United States          52,515               2,092,723  
a  

Stem Inc.

     United States          1,209               25,655  
a  

Sunrun Inc.

     United States          2,717               125,090  
                   

 

 

 
                      11,619,376  
                   

 

 

 
    Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components 0.3%  
a  

Coherent Inc.

     United States          3,675               951,568  
a  

Hollysys Automation Technologies Ltd.

     China          63,729               985,250  
a,f  

II-VI Inc.

     United States          12,423               776,810  
a  

Rogers Corp.

     United States          3,428               934,542  
                   

 

 

 
                      3,648,170  
                   

 

 

 
    Entertainment 0.3%  
 

Activision Blizzard Inc.

     United States          855               50,103  
a  

Bilibili Inc., Z

     China          246               16,183  
a  

Roblox Corp., A

     United States          16,178               2,040,046  
a  

SciPlay Corp., A

     United States          117,660               1,889,620  
                   

 

 

 
                      3,995,952  
                   

 

 

 
    Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) 0.2%  
 

American Tower Corp.

     United States          245               64,308  
a  

Braemar Hotels & Resorts Inc.

     United States          47               205  
 

Crown Castle International Corp.

     United States          376               68,301  
 

Cyrusone Inc.

     United States          25,704               2,288,170  
 

Public Storage

     United States          203               66,458  
 

VICI Properties Inc.

     United States          31,567               858,622  
                   

 

 

 
                      3,346,064  
                   

 

 

 
    Food & Staples Retailing 0.5%  
b  

Costco Wholesale Corp.

     United States          13,506               7,284,866  
 

Walmart Inc.

     United States          747               105,051  
                   

 

 

 
                      7,389,917  
                   

 

 

 
    Food Products 0.5%  
a  

Benson Hill Inc., 12/24/25, wts.

     United States          18,066               23,305  
 

Nestle SA

     Switzerland          36,068               4,622,900  
a  

Pilgrim’s Pride Corp.

     United States          74,041               2,079,071  
 

Tyson Foods Inc., A

     United States          795               62,773  
                   

 

 

 
                      6,788,049  
                   

 

 

 
    Gas Utilities 0.1%  
 

Hong Kong & China Gas Co. Ltd.

     Hong Kong          565,396               842,772  
                   

 

 

 
    Health Care Equipment & Supplies 1.2%  
c  

Abbott Laboratories

     United States          558               70,180  
a  

Align Technology Inc.

     United States          2,836               1,734,299  
a  

Alphatec Holdings Inc.

     United States          123               1,365  
a  

Axonics Inc.

     United States          6,496               353,447  
a  

Biolife Solutions Inc.

     United States          6,964               265,746  
 

CONMED Corp.

     United States          2,996               393,854  

 

           
24             

Semiannual Report

  franklintempleton.com


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Shares/
Warrants/
Rights
                 Value  
    Common Stocks and Other Equity Interests (continued)       
    Health Care Equipment & Supplies (continued)  
a,f  

Cryoport Inc.

     United States          4,634             $ 307,883  
a,b  

DexCom Inc.

     United States          3,392               1,908,305  
 

Hill-Rom Holdings Inc.

     United States          26,470               4,116,085  
a  

Hologic Inc.

     United States          12,469               931,808  
a  

Inari Medical Inc.

     United States          3,951               326,116  
a  

Intuitive Surgical Inc.

     United States          3,300               1,070,322  
a  

LivaNova PLC

     United States          7,807               625,809  
a  

Nevro Corp.

     United States          3,527               307,131  
a  

NuVasive Inc.

     United States          8,385               402,983  
a,f  

Outset Medical Inc.

     United States          11,122               527,183  
a  

Shockwave Medical Inc.

     United States          4,760               857,943  
a,f  

Sight Sciences Inc.

     United States          872               18,269  
 

Stryker Corp.

     United States          5,570               1,318,029  
a  

Tandem Diabetes Care Inc.

     United States          5,353               687,968  
 

Zimmer Biomet Holdings Inc.

     United States          6,347               759,101  
                   

 

 

 
                      16,983,826  
                   

 

 

 
    Health Care Providers & Services 1.3%  
a  

Agilon Health Inc.

     United States          14,632               321,904  
 

CVS Health Corp.

     United States          42,359               3,772,493  
a  

Guardant Health Inc.

     United States          3,669               385,685  
 

Humana Inc.

     United States          10,122               4,248,305  
a  

New Frontier Health Corp.

     Hong Kong          129,738               1,416,739  
 

UnitedHealth Group Inc.

     United States          19,651               8,729,367  
                   

 

 

 
                      18,874,493  
                   

 

 

 
    Health Care Technology 0.1%  
a  

Definitive Healthcare Corp., A

     United States          2,062               60,437  
a  

Phreesia Inc.

     United States          12,944               746,610  
                   

 

 

 
                      807,047  
                   

 

 

 
    Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure 0.7%  
a  

Airbnb Inc., A

     United States          10,016               1,728,160  
a  

Carnival Corp.

     United States          1,409               24,827  
a  

Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc., A

     United States          2,107               3,462,665  
a  

Crown Resorts Ltd.

     Australia          150,382               1,175,031  
 

Domino’s Pizza Inc.

     United States          5,812               3,046,302  
a  

Entain PLC

     United Kingdom          15,241               338,763  
f  

International Game Technology PLC

     United States          4,042               109,215  
 

McDonald’s Corp.

     United States          832               203,507  
a  

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.

     United States          1,314               25,636  
a  

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

     United States          896               62,559  
 

Starbucks Corp.

     United States          1,624               178,055  
a  

Trip.Com Group Ltd.

     China          574               15,542  
a  

Wynn Resorts Ltd.

     United States          604               48,930  
 

Yum China Holdings Inc.

     China          306               15,331  
                   

 

 

 
                      10,434,523  
                   

 

 

 
    Household Durables 0.1%  
 

Panasonic Corp.

     Japan          67,700               738,101  
a  

Skyline Champion Corp.

     United States          13,011               1,018,111  
                   

 

 

 
                      1,756,212  
                   

 

 

 
    Household Products 0.0%  
 

The Procter & Gamble Co.

     United States          1,827               264,148  
                   

 

 

 

 

           
franklintempleton.com  

Semiannual Report

             25


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Shares/
Warrants/
Rights
                 Value  
    Common Stocks and Other Equity Interests (continued)       
    Independent Power & Renewable Electricity Producers 1.0%  
 

The AES Corp.

     United States          290,602             $ 6,794,275  
 

Clearway Energy Inc., C

     United States          32,188               1,201,256  
 

NextEra Energy Partners LP

     United States          35,922               3,055,166  
a  

Sunnova Energy International Inc.

     United States          51,145               1,890,830  
 

Vistra Corp.

     United States          36,844               732,459  
                   

 

 

 
                      13,673,986  
                   

 

 

 
    Industrial Conglomerates 0.0%  
 

Smiths Group PLC

     United Kingdom          17,888               341,646  
 

Toshiba Corp.

     Japan          9,747               389,042  
                   

 

 

 
                      730,688  
                   

 

 

 
    Insurance 0.8%  
a  

Athene Holding Ltd., A

     United States          72,778               5,961,974  
 

Fidelity National Financial Inc.

     United States          1,367               66,860  
c  

MetLife Inc.

     United States          1,005               58,953  
 

Old Republic International Corp.

     United States          2,684               64,309  
a  

Societa Cattolica DI Assicurazione SpA

     Italy          84,879               515,477  
a  

Trupanion Inc.

     United States          16,806               2,072,516  
a  

Willis Towers Watson PLC

     United States          14,132               3,191,571  
                   

 

 

 
                      11,931,660  
                   

 

 

 
    Interactive Media & Services 1.4%  
a,b  

Alphabet Inc., A

     United States          2,254               6,396,739  
a  

Alphabet Inc., C

     United States          731               2,082,648  
a  

CarGurus Inc., A

     United States          34,729               1,302,338  
a,d  

Kuaishou Technology, B, 144A

     China          1,600               17,370  
a  

Match Group Inc.

     United States          9,525               1,238,155  
a,b  

Meta Platforms Inc., A

     United States          16,178               5,249,113  
a  

Snap Inc., A

     United States          16,939               806,466  
 

Tencent Holdings Ltd.

     China          56,672               3,305,059  
                   

 

 

 
                      20,397,888  
                   

 

 

 
    Internet & Direct Marketing Retail 0.9%  
a,b  

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., ADR

     China          23,106               2,853,554  
a  

Amazon.com Inc.

     United States          1,547               5,425,438  
a  

Booking Holdings Inc.

     United States          50               105,092  
a,d  

Deliveroo PLC, A, 144A

     United Kingdom          144,586               575,144  
b  

eBay Inc.

     United States          38,325               2,585,404  
a  

JD.Com Inc., A

     China          459               19,383  
a,d  

Meituan, B, 144A

     China          500               15,197  
a  

MercadoLibre Inc.

     Argentina          107               127,160  
a  

Pinduoduo Inc., ADR

     China          191               12,701  
a  

THG PLC, B

     United Kingdom          51,299               120,622  
a  

Zooplus AG

     Germany          867               474,021  
                   

 

 

 
                      12,313,716  
                   

 

 

 
    IT Services 1.8%  
c  

Accenture PLC, A

     United States          194               69,336  
a  

Afterpay Ltd.

     Australia          17,086               1,308,458  
a  

FleetCor Technologies Inc.

     United States          2,464               510,368  
 

Genpact Ltd.

     United States          48,101               2,321,835  
 

Global Payments Inc.

     United States          28,349               3,374,665  
 

MasterCard Inc., A

     United States          19,120               6,021,271  
a,f  

MongoDB Inc., A

     United States          4,583               2,282,792  
a,d  

Nuvei Corp., 144A

     Canada          14,951               1,473,571  

 

           
26             

Semiannual Report

  franklintempleton.com


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Shares/
Warrants/
Rights
                 Value  
    Common Stocks and Other Equity Interests (continued)       
    IT Services (continued)  
a,b  

PayPal Holdings Inc.

     United States          16,147             $ 2,985,418  
a,f  

Repay Holdings Corp., A

     United States          15,666               256,296  
a  

Shopify Inc., A

     Canada          1,298               1,975,283  
a  

Twilio Inc., A

     United States          8,778               2,511,825  
f  

Visa Inc., A

     United States          731               141,646  
                   

 

 

 
                      25,232,764  
                   

 

 

 
    Leisure Products 0.1%  
a,b,c  

Callaway Golf Co.

     United States          55,500               1,496,280  
                   

 

 

 
    Life Sciences Tools & Services 2.3%  
a  

10x Genomics Inc., A

     United States          2,345               358,339  
a  

Avantor Inc.

     United States          18,358               724,774  
a,b  

BIO-RAD Laboratories Inc., A

     United States          451               339,693  
 

Danaher Corp., W

     United States          27,513               8,849,281  
 

Eurofins Scientific SE

     Luxembourg          26,856               3,435,667  
 

Gerresheimer AG

     Germany          9,835               902,186  
a  

IQVIA Holdings Inc.

     United States          5,100               1,321,563  
 

Lonza Group AG

     Switzerland          484               390,272  
a  

Mettler-Toledo International Inc.

     United States          5,046               7,640,300  
a,f  

Olink Holding AB, ADR

     Sweden          3,494               73,234  
a,d  

Polypeptide Group AG, 144A

     United States          2,088               283,122  
a  

QIAGEN NV

     United States          5,448               300,348  
a  

Rapid Micro Biosystems Inc., A

     United States          2,803               34,533  
a  

Repligen Corp.

     United States          2,054               588,471  
 

Sartorius Stedim Biotech

     France          4,133               2,440,010  
 

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.

     United States          8,125               5,141,744  
a,d  

Wuxi Biologics Cayman Inc., 144A

     China          1,000               13,490  
                   

 

 

 
                      32,837,027  
                   

 

 

 
    Machinery 0.4%  
a  

Berkshire Grey Inc., 7/21/26, wts.

     United States          23,782               29,489  
 

Caterpillar Inc.

     United States          296               57,231  
a  

CNH Industrial NV

     United Kingdom          15,619               255,527  
 

Cummins Inc.

     United States          261               54,745  
 

Deere & Co.

     United States          8,105               2,800,602  
 

Fanuc Corp.

     Japan          4,007               785,542  
a  

Kornit Digital Ltd.

     Israel          4,423               685,167  
a  

Markforged Holding Corp., A, 7/14/26, wts.

     United States          7,162               8,809  
a,f  

Nikola Corp.

     United States          6,863               70,140  
 

Otis Worldwide Corp.

     United States          792               63,677  
b,c  

SPX Flow Inc.

     United States          7,898               659,562  
a  

Velo3d Inc., 12/1/25, wts.

     United States          20,455               60,342  
                   

 

 

 
                      5,530,833  
                   

 

 

 
    Media 0.4%  
a,b  

Altice USA Inc., A

     United States          49,796               788,769  
a,f  

Cardlytics Inc.

     United States          11,618               785,144  
 

Comcast Corp., A

     United States          1,147               57,327  
c  

Fox Corp.

     United States          1,639               58,529  
 

The Interpublic Group of Cos. Inc.

     United States          1,727               57,319  
a  

ITV PLC

     United Kingdom          293,248               430,871  
c  

Nexstar Media Group Inc., A

     United States          172               25,714  
 

Shaw Communications Inc., B

     Canada          135,622               3,928,149  
 

Stroeer SE & Co. KGaA

     Germany          1,613               124,484  
 

Tegna Inc.

     United States          2,608               51,508  
                   

 

 

 
                      6,307,814  
                   

 

 

 

 

           
franklintempleton.com  

Semiannual Report

             27


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Shares/
Warrants/
Rights
                 Value  
    Common Stocks and Other Equity Interests (continued)       
    Metals & Mining 0.1%  
a  

Hitachi Metals Ltd.

     Japan          49,017             $ 910,060  
 

Newmont Corp.

     United States          1,110               60,961  
 

Nucor Corp.

     United States          641               68,113  
a  

ThyssenKrupp AG

     Germany          31,533               345,751  
                   

 

 

 
                      1,384,885  
                   

 

 

 
    Multiline Retail 0.3%  
b  

Kohl’s Corp.

     United States          17,744               909,025  
c  

Target Corp.

     United States          15,448               3,766,840  
                   

 

 

 
                      4,675,865  
                   

 

 

 
    Multi-Utilities 0.3%  
 

Consolidated Edison Inc.

     United States          54,242               4,211,349  
                   

 

 

 
    Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels 0.1%  
a,f  

Battalion Oil Corp.

     United States          3,790               43,395  
 

California Resources Corp.

     United States          5,609               219,144  
 

Chevron Corp.

     United States          602               67,948  
c  

ConocoPhillips

     United States          895               62,766  
c  

EOG Resources Inc.

     United States          738               64,206  
 

Gazprom PJSC, ADR

     Russia          51,831               463,887  
c  

Marathon Petroleum Corp.

     United States          154               9,371  
c  

MPLX LP

     United States          1,736               50,882  
a  

Ranger Oil Corp., A

     United States          280               7,538  
a  

Whiting Petroleum Corp.

     United States          419               27,105  
                   

 

 

 
                      1,016,242  
                   

 

 

 
    Personal Products 0.2%  
 

The Estee Lauder Cos. Inc., A

     United States          406               134,820  
a  

Unilever PLC

     United Kingdom          44,866               2,310,821  
                   

 

 

 
                      2,445,641  
                   

 

 

 
    Pharmaceuticals 1.1%  
a  

Arvinas Inc.

     United States          3,611               273,028  
a  

Bausch Health Cos. Inc.

     United States          15,079               359,484  
 

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

     United States          32,174               1,725,492  
a  

Catalent Inc.

     United States          2,601               334,645  
c  

Eli Lilly & Co., W

     United States          18,363               4,554,758  
 

Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC

     Jordan          19,075               560,681  
a  

Horizon Therapeutics PLC

     United States          7,479               776,021  
 

Johnson & Johnson

     United States          1,588               247,617  
c  

Merck & Co. Inc.

     United States          830               62,175  
 

Novo Nordisk AS, ADR

     Denmark          12,001               1,282,067  
 

Pfizer Inc.

     United States          1,565               84,087  
a,f  

Revance Therapeutics Inc.

     United States          19,987               273,422  
 

Roche Holding AG

     Switzerland          13,876               5,417,334  
                   

 

 

 
                      15,950,811  
                   

 

 

 
    Professional Services 1.2%  
a  

51job Inc., ADR

     China          9,765               563,440  
a  

Clarivate PLC

     United States          92               2,147  
a  

IHS Markit Ltd.

     United States          50,569               6,463,730  
a,d  

Intertrust NV, 144A

     Netherlands          385,196               8,911,720  
 

SGS SA

     Switzerland          208               627,489  
                   

 

 

 
                      16,568,526  
                   

 

 

 

 

           
28             

Semiannual Report

  franklintempleton.com


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Shares/
Warrants/
Rights
                 Value  
    Common Stocks and Other Equity Interests (continued)       
    Road & Rail 2.1%  
f  

Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd.

     Canada          45,054             $ 3,155,132  
 

CSX Corp.

     United States          36,628               1,269,526  
a,b  

Hertz Global Holdings Inc.

     United States          136,656               3,160,170  
 

Kansas City Southern

     United States          44,952               13,074,289  
a  

Tusimple Holdings Inc., A

     United States          24,047               961,640  
a  

Uber Technologies Inc.

     United States          41,899               1,592,162  
b  

Union Pacific Corp.

     United States          30,099               7,092,528  
                   

 

 

 
                      30,305,447  
                   

 

 

 
    Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 1.9%  
a  

Advanced Micro Devices Inc.

     United States          18,897               2,992,718  
 

Analog Devices Inc.

     United States          52               9,373  
c  

Applied Materials Inc.

     United States          1,234               181,633  
 

ASML Holding NV, G

     Netherlands          3,026               2,395,109  
 

Azenta Inc.

     United States          3,346               378,433  
 

KLA Corp.

     United States          5,531               2,257,367  
 

LAM Research Corp.

     United States          116               78,863  
 

Marvell Technology Inc.

     United States          64,049               4,558,367  
 

Micron Technology Inc.

     United States          26,593               2,233,812  
c  

NVIDIA Corp.

     United States          6,468               2,113,483  
 

NXP Semiconductors NV

     China          348               77,729  
 

QUALCOMM Inc.

     United States          1,374               248,089  
a  

SolarEdge Technologies Inc.

     United States          1,843               604,062  
a  

Sunpower Corp., A

     United States          921               26,387  
 

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd., ADR

     Taiwan          160               18,744  
c  

Texas Instruments Inc.

     United States          13,046               2,509,659  
 

Xilinx Inc.

     United States          26,948               6,156,271  
                   

 

 

 
                      26,840,099  
                   

 

 

 
    Software 4.7%  
a  

Adobe Inc.

     United States          8,892               5,956,306  
a  

Atlassian Corp. PLC, A

     United States          3,736               1,405,931  
a  

Autodesk Inc.

     United States          272               69,140  
a  

Avalara Inc.

     United States          14,659               2,047,569  
a  

Blackberry Ltd.

     Canada          25,332               241,161  
a,b,c  

Box Inc., A

     United States          33,842               792,241  
a  

Ceridian HCM Holding Inc.

     United States          23,060               2,522,764  
a  

Dynatrace Inc.

     United States          62,296               3,915,304  
a  

Embark Technology Inc., 12/31/27, wts.

     United States          1,040               1,477  
a  

Five9 Inc.

     United States          33,702               4,796,806  
a  

HubSpot Inc.

     United States          3,129               2,524,821  
a  

Informatica Inc., A

     United States          12,909               415,541  
b  

Intuit Inc.

     United States          7,596               4,954,871  
a  

IronSource Ltd.

     Israel          12,605               108,151  
a  

Livevox Holdings Inc., 6/18/26, wts.

     United States          23,891               15,051  
 

McAfee Corp., A

     United States          101,969               2,635,899  
b,c  

Microsoft Corp.

     United States          25,687               8,491,865  
a  

Nextnav Inc., 10/31/27, wts.

     United States          8,747               13,120  
a,b  

Nuance Communications Inc.

     United States          157,272               8,727,023  
c  

Oracle Corp.

     United States          711               64,516  
a  

Palo Alto Networks Inc.

     United States          5,804               3,174,440  
a  

Salesforce.com Inc.

     United States          12,570               3,581,947  
 

SAP SE

     Germany          52,910               6,780,454  
a  

ServiceNow Inc.

     United States          3,185               2,062,924  
a  

Vonage Holdings Corp.

     United States          48,259               995,101  

 

           
franklintempleton.com  

Semiannual Report

             29


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Shares/
Warrants/
Rights
                 Value  
    Common Stocks and Other Equity Interests (continued)       
    Software (continued)  
a  

Zix Corp.

     United States          54,106             $ 458,278  
                   

 

 

 
                      66,752,701  
                   

 

 

 
    Specialty Retail 1.6%  
b,c  

Bath & Body Works Inc.

     United States          20,576               1,545,875  
a  

Cazoo Group Ltd., 8/26/26, wts.

     Cayman Islands          19,178               29,183  
a  

Enjoy Technology Inc., 12/1/25, wts.

     United States          2,085               1,459  
a  

Five Below Inc.

     United States          16,866               3,431,219  
a  

Floor & Decor Holdings Inc., A

     United States          14,115               1,819,565  
a  

Frasers Group PLC

     United Kingdom          180,900               1,640,910  
 

The Home Depot Inc.

     United States          20,256               8,114,756  
 

Lowe’s Cos. Inc.

     United States          116               28,372  
 

Ross Stores Inc.

     United States          605               65,999  
 

The TJX Cos. Inc.

     United States          1,028               71,343  
 

Tractor Supply Co.

     United States          12,509               2,818,653  
a,b  

Victoria’s Secret & Co.

     United States          5,452               295,935  
a,d  

Watches of Switzerland Group PLC, 144A

     United Kingdom          167,853               2,995,425  
                   

 

 

 
                      22,858,694  
                   

 

 

 
    Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals 0.0%  
 

Apple Inc.

     United States          1,686               278,696  
 

HP Inc.

     United States          2,168               76,487  
c  

NetApp Inc.

     United States          800               71,104  
a,d  

Xiaomi Corp., B, 144A

     China          6,400               15,920  
                   

 

 

 
                      442,207  
                   

 

 

 
    Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods 0.6%  
 

Adidas AG

     Germany          15,140               4,378,737  
a  

Capri Holdings Ltd.

     United States          46,992               2,782,866  
 

LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE

     France          174               135,301  
 

Nike Inc., B

     United States          825               139,623  
a,d  

Samsonite International SA, 144A

     United States          35,674               66,712  
b  

Tapestry Inc.

     United States          43,737               1,754,729  
                   

 

 

 
                      9,257,968  
                   

 

 

 
    Trading Companies & Distributors 0.5%  
 

Brenntag SE

     Germany          42,109               3,606,639  
 

Herc Holdings Inc.

     United States          15,007               2,557,943  
 

IMCD Group NV

     Netherlands          2,228               494,882  
                   

 

 

 
                      6,659,464  
                   

 

 

 
    Transportation Infrastructure 0.3%  
a  

Atlantia SpA

     Italy          75,597               1,380,523  
a  

Sydney Airport

     Australia          436,123               2,568,631  
                   

 

 

 
                      3,949,154  
                   

 

 

 
    Water Utilities 0.1%  
 

Guangdong Investment Ltd.

     China          1,272,652               1,694,041  
                   

 

 

 
    Wireless Telecommunication Services 0.1%  
a  

T-Mobile USA Inc.

     United States          5,665               616,408  
b  

Vodafone Group PLC, ADR

     United Kingdom          49,788               730,888  
                   

 

 

 
                      1,347,296  
                   

 

 

 
 

Total Common Stocks and Other Equity Interests
(Cost $442,042,167)

                    597,412,680  
                   

 

 

 

 

           
30             

Semiannual Report

  franklintempleton.com


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Shares/
Warrants/
Rights
                 Value  
    Exchange Traded Funds (Cost $613,561) 0.1%       
 

Vaneck Oil Services ETF

     United States          3,165             $ 564,509  
                   

 

 

 
    Convertible Preferred Stocks 0.1%       
    Banks 0.1%  
 

Bank of America Corp., 7.25%, cvt. pfd., L

     United States          206               292,108  
 

Wells Fargo & Co., 7.50%, cvt. pfd., L

     United States          268               392,893  
                   

 

 

 
                      685,001  
                   

 

 

 
    Diversified Telecommunication Services 0.0%  
d  

2020 Cash Mandatory Exchangeable Trust, 5.25%, cvt. pfd., 144A

     United States          250               249,320  
                   

 

 

 
    Food Products 0.0%  
 

Bunge Ltd., 4.875%, cvt. pfd.

     United States          1,270               154,788  
                   

 

 

 
    Gas Utilities 0.0%  
 

El Paso Energy Capital Trust I, 4.75%, cvt. pfd.

     United States          114               5,748  
                   

 

 

 
    Health Care Equipment & Supplies 0.0%  
 

Boston Scientific Corp., 5.50%, cvt. pfd., A

     United States          368               38,640  
                   

 

 

 
    Media 0.0%  
 

Viacomcbs Inc., 5.75%, cvt. pfd., A

     United States          7,640               394,682  
                   

 

 

 
 

Total Convertible Preferred Stocks (Cost $1,630,588)

                    1,528,179  
                   

 

 

 
    Preferred Stocks 0.0%       
    Diversified Financial Services 0.0%  
a  

2MX Organic SA, pfd.

     France          3,964               44,542  
                   

 

 

 
    Electric Utilities 0.0%  
 

SCE Trust VI, 5.00%, pfd.

     United States          1,425               35,340  
                   

 

 

 
    Professional Services 0.0%  
 

Clarivate PLC, 5.25%, pfd.

     United Kingdom          2,010               180,317  
                   

 

 

 
    Thrifts & Mortgage Finance 0.0%  
 

FHLMC, pfd.,

                 
 

O, 5.81%

     United States          17,150               85,407  
 

Z, 8.375%

     United States          8,177               30,010  
 

FNMA, pfd.,

                 
 

a O

     United States          16,250               86,125  
 

S, 8.25%

     United States          15,150               59,085  
                   

 

 

 
                      260,627  
                   

 

 

 
 

Total Preferred Stocks (Cost $539,053)

                    520,826  
                   

 

 

 
                  Principal Amount*           
    Convertible Bonds 12.3%       
    Aerospace & Defense 0.2%                                  
 

Kaman Corp., senior note, 3.25%, 5/01/24

     United States          1,430,000               1,439,295  
b  

Parsons Corp., senior note, 0.25%, 8/15/25

     United States          1,160,000               1,144,920  
                   

 

 

 
                      2,584,215  
                   

 

 

 
    Air Freight & Logistics 0.2%                                  
 

Air Transport Services Group Inc., senior note, 1.125%, 10/15/24

     United States          797,000               829,499  
 

Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings Inc., senior note,

                 
 

2.25%, 6/01/22

     United States          1,706,000               2,091,983  
 

1.875%, 6/01/24

     United States          246,000               380,685  
                   

 

 

 
                      3,302,167  
                   

 

 

 

 

           
franklintempleton.com  

Semiannual Report

             31


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Principal Amount*        Value  
    Convertible Bonds (continued)       
    Airlines 0.2%                               
d  

Air France-KLM, senior note, Reg S, 0.125%, 3/25/26

     France          37,947       EUR        $ 690,914  
d  

GOL Equity Finance SA, senior note, 144A, 3.75%, 7/15/24

     Brazil          1,190,000            1,016,101  
d,f  

Jetblue Airways Corp., senior note, 144A, 0.50%, 4/01/26

     United States          446,000            421,916  
 

Southwest Airlines Co., senior note, 1.25%, 5/01/25

     United States          320,000            431,000  
f  

Spirit Airlines Inc., senior note, 1.00%, 5/15/26

     United States          697,000            618,936  
                

 

 

 
                   3,178,867  
                

 

 

 
    Auto Components 0.1%                               
 

Patrick Industries Inc., senior note, 1.00%, 2/01/23

     United States          1,049,000            1,167,668  
                

 

 

 
    Automobiles 0.4%                               
d  

Fisker Inc., senior note, 144A, 2.50%, 9/15/26

     United States          1,233,000            1,562,555  
d  

Li Auto Inc., senior note, 144A, 0.25%, 5/01/28

     China          1,045,000            1,484,423  
 

NFI Group Inc., 5.00%, 1/15/27

     Canada          912,000       CAD          713,922  
d  

NIO Inc., senior note, 144A, zero cpn., 2/01/26

     China          1,612,000            1,434,841  
                

 

 

 
                                 5,195,741  
                

 

 

 
    Banks 0.3%                               
 

Hope Bancorp Inc., senior bond, 2.00%, 5/15/38

     United States          2,536,000            2,452,467  
d  

JPMorgan Chase Bank NA, senior note, Reg S, zero cpn., 12/28/23

     United States          1,200,000            1,195,200  
                

 

 

 
                   3,647,667  
                

 

 

 
    Biotechnology 1.0%                               
d  

Avid SPV LLC, senior note, 144A, 1.25%, 3/15/26

     United States          953,000            1,538,160  
 

BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc., senior sub. note, 1.25%, 5/15/27

     United States          1,633,000            1,701,268  
 

Coherus Biosciences Inc., senior sub. note, 1.50%, 4/15/26

     United States          1,158,000            1,401,180  
d  

Dynavax Technologies Corp., 144A, 2.50%, 5/15/26

     United States          795,000            1,426,528  
 

Gossamer Bio Inc., senior note, 5.00%, 6/01/27

     United States          820,000            800,320  
 

Insmed Inc., senior note, 0.75%, 6/01/28

     United States          1,249,000            1,378,584  
d,f  

Intercept Pharmaceuticals Inc., senior secured note, 144A, 3.50%, 2/15/26

     United States          1,213,000            1,361,843  
d  

Ionis Pharmaceuticals Inc., senior note, 144A, zero cpn., 4/01/26

     United States          1,031,000            879,134  
 

Karyopharm Therapeutics Inc., senior note, 3.00%, 10/15/25

     United States          745,000            602,053  
 

Ligand Pharmaceuticals Inc., senior note, 0.75%, 5/15/23

     United States          1,093,000            1,120,325  
d  

Mannkind Corp., senior note, 144A, 2.50%, 3/01/26

     United States          1,207,000            1,397,423  
d  

Pharming Group NV, senior note, Reg S, 3.00%, 1/21/25

     Netherlands          800,000       EUR          756,668  
                

 

 

 
                   14,363,486  
                

 

 

 
    Capital Markets 0.1%                               
d  

SGX Treasury I Pte Ltd., senior note, Reg S, zero cpn., 3/01/24

     Singapore          1,200,000       EUR          1,369,080  
                

 

 

 
    Chemicals 0.1%                               
d  

Amyris Inc., senior note, 144A, 1.50%, 11/15/26

     United States          1,201,000            1,152,960  
                

 

 

 
    Consumer Finance 0.7%                               
 

Encore Capital Group Inc., senior note,

              
 

3.25%, 3/15/22

     United States          2,309,000            2,949,747  
 

3.25%, 10/01/25

     United States          947,000            1,482,647  
 

EZCORP Inc., senior note, 2.875%, 7/01/24

     United States          1,003,000            1,037,478  
 

PRA Group Inc., senior note, 3.50%, 6/01/23

     United States          1,672,000            1,836,065  
d  

SoFi Technologies Inc., senior note, 144A, zero cpn., 10/15/26

     United States          624,000            700,284  
d  

Upstart Holdings Inc., senior note, 144A, 0.25%, 8/15/26

     United States          986,000            1,071,763  
d  

Zip Co. Ltd., senior note, Reg S, zero cpn., 4/23/28

     Australia          800,000       AUD          487,569  
                

 

 

 
                   9,565,553  
                

 

 

 
    Diversified Consumer Services 0.2%                               
 

Chegg Inc., senior note,

              
 

0.125%, 3/15/25

     United States          276,000            265,788  
 

zero cpn., 9/01/26

     United States          2,433,000            2,003,575  

 

           
32             

Semiannual Report

  franklintempleton.com


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Principal Amount*        Value  
    Convertible Bonds (continued)       
    Diversified Consumer Services (continued)                                  
 

Stride Inc., senior note, 1.125%, 9/01/27

     United States          1,048,000             $ 1,034,481  
                   

 

 

 
                      3,303,844  
                   

 

 

 
    Diversified Financial Services 0.1%                                  
 

Lendingtree Inc., senior note, 0.50%, 7/15/25

     United States          1,262,000               1,030,477  
                   

 

 

 
    Diversified Telecommunication Services 0.1%                                  
d  

Radius Global Infrastructure Inc., senior note, 144A, 2.50%, 9/15/26

     United States          1,016,000               1,030,605  
                   

 

 

 
    Electrical Equipment 0.0%                                  
d  

Stem Inc., senior note, 144A, 0.50%, 12/01/28

     United States          364,000               366,730  
                   

 

 

 
    Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components 0.3%                                  
 

OSI Systems Inc., senior note, 1.25%, 9/01/22

     United States          1,614,000               1,648,224  
 

PAR Technology Corp., senior note, 1.50%, 10/15/27

     United States          801,000               801,501  
 

Vishay Intertechnology Inc., senior note, 2.25%, 6/15/25

     United States          1,366,000               1,396,042  
                   

 

 

 
                      3,845,767  
                   

 

 

 
    Energy Equipment & Services 0.1%                                  
f  

Helix Energy Solutions Group Inc., senior note, 6.75%, 2/15/26

     United States          1,563,000               1,506,278  
                   

 

 

 
    Entertainment 0.3%                                  
 

Cinemark Holdings Inc., senior note, 4.50%, 8/15/25

     United States          1,123,000               1,571,498  
 

Live Nation Entertainment Inc., senior note, 2.00%, 2/15/25

     United States          370,000               456,950  
d  

The Marcus Corp., senior note, 144A, 5.00%, 9/15/25

     United States          750,000               1,354,688  
 

Sea Ltd., senior note, 0.25%, 9/15/26

     Taiwan          1,190,000               1,166,795  
d  

Zynga Inc., senior note, 144A, zero cpn., 12/15/26

     United States          230,000               210,737  
                   

 

 

 
                      4,760,668  
                   

 

 

 
    Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) 0.3%                                  
d  

Braemar Hotels & Resorts Inc., senior note, 144A, 4.50%, 6/01/26

     United States          485,000               514,110  
d  

IIP Operating Partnership LP, senior note, 144A, 3.75%, 2/21/24

     United States          470,000               1,838,875  
 

Pebblebrook Hotel Trust, senior note, 1.75%, 12/15/26

     United States          1,440,000               1,531,440  
 

Summit Hotel Properties Inc., senior note, 1.50%, 2/15/26

     United States          1,137,000               1,145,124  
                   

 

 

 
                      5,029,549  
                   

 

 

 
    Food & Staples Retailing 0.2%                                  
 

The Chefs’ Warehouse Inc., senior note, 1.875%, 12/01/24

     United States          2,405,000               2,522,391  
                   

 

 

 
    Food Products 0.0%                                  
d  

Beyond Meat Inc., senior note, 144A, zero cpn., 3/15/27

     United States          986,000               698,827  
                   

 

 

 
    Health Care Equipment & Supplies 0.5%                                  
d  

Alphatec Holdings Inc., senior note, 144A, 0.75%, 8/01/26

     United States          969,000               926,001  
d  

Cutera Inc., senior note, 144A, 2.25%, 3/15/26

     United States          1,007,000               1,303,199  
 

Mesa Laboratories Inc., senior note, 1.375%, 8/15/25

     United States          595,000               733,537  
 

NuVasive Inc., senior note,

                 
 

1.00%, 6/01/23

     United States          2,056,000               2,041,865  
 

0.375%, 3/15/25

     United States          600,000               566,250  
d  

SmileDirectClub Inc., senior note, 144A, zero cpn., 2/01/26

     United States          1,177,000               501,510  
 

Varex Imaging Corp., senior note, 4.00%, 6/01/25

     United States          1,165,000               1,814,487  
                   

 

 

 
                      7,886,849  
                   

 

 

 
    Health Care Providers & Services 0.1%                                  
 

1life Healthcare Inc., senior note, 3.00%, 6/15/25

     United States          985,000               893,514  
d  

Brookdale Senior Living Inc., senior note, 144A, 2.00%, 10/15/26

     United States          253,000               270,356  
 

Guardant Health Inc., senior note, zero cpn., 11/15/27

     United States          70,000               72,931  
 

Petiq Inc., senior note, 4.00%, 6/01/26

     United States          678,000               744,472  
                   

 

 

 
                      1,981,273  
                   

 

 

 

 

           
franklintempleton.com  

Semiannual Report

             33


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Principal Amount*        Value  
    Convertible Bonds (continued)       
    Health Care Technology 0.1%  
d  

Bilibili Inc., senior note, 144A, 0.50%, 12/01/26

     China          95,000          $ 92,910  
 

Livongo Health Inc., senior note, 0.875%, 6/01/25

     United States          105,000            122,522  
 

Tabula Rasa Healthcare Inc., senior sub. note, 1.75%, 2/15/26

     United States          713,000            558,603  
 

Teladoc Health Inc., senior note, 1.25%, 6/01/27

     United States          430,000            393,089  
                

 

 

 
                   1,167,124  
                

 

 

 
    Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure 0.2%  
d  

Airbnb Inc., senior note, 144A, zero cpn., 3/15/26

     United States          768,000            762,240  
d  

Draftkings Inc., senior note, 144A, zero cpn., 3/15/28

     United States          123,000            95,908  
d  

Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corp., senior note, 144A, zero cpn., 1/15/26

     United States          246,000            270,293  
 

Penn National Gaming Inc., senior note, 2.75%, 5/15/26

     United States          40,000            93,952  
 

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., senior note, 2.875%, 11/15/23

     United States          1,576,000            1,773,157  
                

 

 

 
                   2,995,550  
                

 

 

 
    Independent Power & Renewable Electricity Producers 0.1%  
d  

Sunnova Energy International Inc., senior note, 144A, 0.25%, 12/01/26

     United States          1,111,000            1,386,806  
                

 

 

 
    Interactive Media & Services 0.0%  
d  

Twitter Inc., senior note, 144A, zero cpn., 3/15/26

     United States          130,000            116,168  
                

 

 

 
    Internet & Direct Marketing Retail 0.6%  
d  

Cornwall Jersey Ltd., senior note, Reg S, 0.75%, 4/16/26

     United Kingdom          200,000       GBP          236,163  
d  

Delivery Hero AG, senior note, Reg S, 1.50%, 1/15/28

     Saudi Arabia          1,100,000       EUR          1,315,893  
d,f  

Expedia Group Inc., senior note, 144A, zero cpn., 2/15/26

     United States          85,000            91,545  
 

Fiverr International Ltd., senior note, zero cpn., 11/01/25

     United States          713,000            721,912  
d  

Groupon Inc., senior note, 144A, 1.125%, 3/15/26

     United States          1,298,000            1,022,175  
d  

Just Eat Takeaway.Com NV, B, senior note, Reg S, 0.625%, 2/09/28

     United Kingdom          600,000       EUR          589,746  
 

Pinduoduo Inc., senior note, zero cpn., 12/01/25

     China          186,000            166,098  
d  

Porch Group Inc., senior note, 144A, 0.75%, 9/15/26

     United States          919,000            1,012,049  
d  

The Realreal Inc., senior note, 144A, 1.00%, 3/01/28

     United States          339,000            302,524  
d  

Takeaway.com NV, senior note, Reg S, 1.25%, 4/30/26

     United Kingdom          900,000       EUR          969,254  
 

Wayfair Inc., senior note,

              
 

0.625%, 10/01/25

     United States          1,129,000            1,116,016  
 

1.00%, 8/15/26

     United States          325,000            593,612  
 

Zillow Group Inc., senior note, 1.375%, 9/01/26

     United States          25,000            35,906  
                

 

 

 
                   8,172,893  
                

 

 

 
    IT Services 0.3%  
d  

Affirm Holdings Inc., senior note, 144A, zero cpn., 11/15/26

     United States          728,000            717,850  
f  

CSG Systems International Inc., senior bond, 4.25%, 3/15/36

     United States          2,217,000            2,286,281  
d  

Digitalocean Holdings Inc., senior note, 144A, zero cpn., 12/01/26

     United States          297,000            291,617  
d  

Fastly Inc., senior note, 144A, zero cpn., 3/15/26

     United States          1,551,000            1,308,656  
                

 

 

 
                   4,604,404  
                

 

 

 
    Leisure Products 0.2%  
d  

NCL Corp. Ltd., senior note, 144A, 1.125%, 2/15/27

     United States          1,873,000            1,725,033  
d  

Peloton Interactive Inc., senior note, 144A, zero cpn., 2/15/26

     United States          695,000            582,062  
                

 

 

 
                   2,307,095  
                

 

 

 
    Life Sciences Tools & Services 0.1%  
d  

Inotiv Inc., senior note, 144A, 3.25%, 10/15/27

     United States          790,000            1,083,536  
                

 

 

 
    Machinery 0.2%  
f  

Fortive Corp., senior note, 0.875%, 2/15/22

     United States          1,517,000            1,525,343  
d  

The Greenbrier Cos. Inc., senior note, 144A, 2.875%, 4/15/28

     United States          1,294,000            1,339,290  
                

 

 

 
                   2,864,633  
                

 

 

 

 

           
34             

Semiannual Report

  franklintempleton.com


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Principal Amount*        Value  
    Convertible Bonds (continued)       
    Media 1.1%  
 

Dish Network Corp.,

              
 

senior bond, 3.375%, 8/15/26

     United States          3,035,000          $ 2,805,105  
 

d senior note, 144A, zero cpn., 12/15/25

     United States          80,000            77,400  
d  

Liberty Broadband Corp., 144A,

              
 

senior bond, 1.25%, 9/30/50

     United States          1,934,000            1,926,264  
 

senior bond, 2.75%, 9/30/50

     United States          2,256,000            2,309,991  
 

Liberty Interactive LLC,

              
 

senior bond, 4.00%, 11/15/29

     United States          1,326,000            1,014,390  
 

senior note, 3.75%, 2/15/30

     United States          1,784,000            1,371,450  
d  

Liberty Media Corp., senior bond, 144A,

              
 

2.125%, 3/31/48

     United States          1,958,000            2,021,635  
 

2.75%, 12/01/49

     United States          1,720,000            1,782,780  
b,d  

Magnite Inc., senior note, 144A, 0.25%, 3/15/26

     United States          1,813,000            1,420,109  
d  

Techtarget Inc., senior note, 144A, 0.125%, 12/15/25

     United States          867,000            1,286,678  
                

 

 

 
                   16,015,802  
                

 

 

 
    Metals & Mining 0.3%  
d  

Century Aluminum Co., senior note, 144A, 2.75%, 5/01/28

     United States          571,000            582,420  
d  

Ivanhoe Mines Ltd., senior note, 144A, 2.50%, 4/15/26

     Canada          776,000            1,022,747  
d  

MP Materials Corp., senior note, 144A, 0.25%, 4/01/26

     United States          1,362,000            1,632,782  
 

Osisko Gold Royalties Ltd., senior note, 4.00%, 12/31/22

     Canada          383,000       CAD          306,562  
 

Pretium Resources Inc., senior sub. note, 2.25%, 3/15/22

     Canada          476,000            477,047  
                

 

 

 
                   4,021,558  
                

 

 

 
    Mortgage Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) 0.8%  
 

Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance Inc., senior note, 4.75%, 8/23/22

     United States          1,240,000            1,252,227  
 

Arbor Realty Trust Inc., senior note, 4.75%, 11/01/22

     United States          1,861,000            2,041,284  
 

KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc., senior note, 6.125%, 5/15/23

     United States          715,000            755,693  
 

PennyMac Corp., senior note,

              
 

5.50%, 11/01/24

     United States          1,840,000            1,841,150  
 

d144A, 5.50%, 3/15/26

     United States          1,338,000            1,286,858  
 

Redwood Trust Inc., senior note, 4.75%, 8/15/23

     United States          2,286,000            2,356,009  
 

Starwood Property Trust Inc., senior note, 4.375%, 4/01/23

     United States          987,000            1,050,633  
 

Two Harbors Investment Corp., senior note, 6.25%, 1/15/26

     United States          1,070,000            1,091,104  
                

 

 

 
                   11,674,958  
                

 

 

 
    Personal Products 0.2%  
d  

The Beauty Health Co., senior note, 144A, 1.25%, 10/01/26

     United States          1,120,000            1,240,400  
 

Herbalife Nutrition Ltd., senior note, 2.625%, 3/15/24

     United States          2,030,000            1,997,012  
                

 

 

 
                   3,237,412  
                

 

 

 
    Pharmaceuticals 0.8%  
 

Aerie Pharmaceuticals Inc., senior note, 1.50%, 10/01/24

     United States          713,000            636,798  
 

Aurora Cannabis Inc., senior note, 5.50%, 2/28/24

     Canada          1,473,000            1,253,228  
d  

Avadel Finance Cayman Ltd., senior note, 144A, 4.50%, 2/01/23

     United States          1,459,000            1,640,393  
d  

Canopy Growth Corp., senior note, 144A, 4.25%, 7/15/23

     Canada          1,058,000       CAD          795,084  
 

Collegium Pharmaceutical Inc., senior note, 2.625%, 2/15/26

     United States          1,009,000            956,658  
 

Innoviva Inc., sub. note, 2.125%, 1/15/23

     United States          2,356,000            2,547,425  
 

Omeros Corp., senior note, 5.25%, 2/15/26

     United States          972,000            722,487  
b  

Revance Therapeutics Inc., senior note, 1.75%, 2/15/27

     United States          1,451,000            1,169,869  
 

Zogenix Inc., senior note, 2.75%, 10/01/27

     United States          1,314,000            1,120,448  
                

 

 

 
                   10,842,390  
                

 

 

 
    Photography 0.1%  
 

Pacira Biosciences Inc., senior note, 0.75%, 8/01/25

     United States          867,000            908,724  
                

 

 

 
    Professional Services 0.0%  
d  

Upwork Inc., senior note, 144A, 0.25%, 8/15/26

     United States          476,000            460,027  
                

 

 

 

 

           
franklintempleton.com  

Semiannual Report

             35


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Principal Amount*        Value  
    Convertible Bonds (continued)       
    Real Estate Management & Development 0.2%  
d  

Opendoor Technologies Inc., senior note, 144A, 0.25%, 8/15/26

     United States          1,357,000          $ 1,449,563  
d  

Realogy Group LLC / Realogy Co.-Issuer Corp., senior note, 144A, 0.25%, 6/15/26

     United States          862,000            823,210  
d  

Redfin Corp., senior note, 144A, 0.50%, 4/01/27

     United States          1,250,000            1,032,500  
                

 

 

 
                   3,305,273  
                

 

 

 
    Road & Rail 0.0%  
d  

Uber Technologies Inc., senior note, 144A, zero cpn., 12/15/25

     United States          125,000            116,625  
                

 

 

 
    Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 0.2%  
d  

ams AG, senior note, Reg S, 2.125%, 11/03/27

     Austria          1,300,000       EUR          1,449,710  
d  

Camtek Ltd., senior note, 144A, zero cpn., 12/01/26

     Israel          237,000            252,287  
d  

Impinj Inc., senior note, 144A, 1.125%, 5/15/27

     United States          279,000            279,142  
 

Sunpower Corp., senior note, 4.00%, 1/15/23

     United States          859,000            1,160,187  
                

 

 

 
                   3,141,326  
                

 

 

 
    Software 1.0%  
 

Alteryx Inc., senior note, 0.50%, 8/01/24

     United States          1,297,000            1,234,938  
 

Avaya Holdings Corp., senior note, 2.25%, 6/15/23

     United States          1,337,000            1,411,203  
d  

Bentley Systems Inc., senior note, 144A, 0.375%, 7/01/27

     United States          382,000            353,292  
d  

Blackline Inc., senior note, 144A, zero cpn., 3/15/26

     United States          1,250,000            1,206,250  
d  

Dye & Durham Ltd., senior note, 144A, 3.75%, 3/01/26

     Canada          888,000       CAD          677,756  
b,d  

fuboTV Inc., senior note, 144A, 3.25%, 2/15/26

     United States          1,257,000            1,087,561  
b  

i3 Verticals LLC, senior note, 1.00%, 2/15/25

     United States          842,000            750,825  
d  

Kaleyra Inc., senior note, 144A, 6.125%, 6/01/26

     Italy          696,000            712,602  
 

Mandiant Inc., senior note, 0.875%, 6/01/24

     United States          1,182,000            1,227,064  
d  

Microstrategy Inc., senior note, 144A, zero cpn., 2/15/27

     United States          594,000            479,358  
d  

Mitek Systems Inc., senior note, 144A, 0.75%, 2/01/26

     United States          1,019,000            1,110,408  
d  

Nutanix Inc., senior note, 144A, 0.25%, 10/01/27

     United States          1,146,000            1,086,551  
 

Palo Alto Networks Inc., senior note, 0.375%, 6/01/25

     United States          190,000            354,825  
d  

Rapid7 Inc., senior note, 144A, 0.25%, 3/15/27

     United States          1,100,000            1,471,230  
 

Splunk Inc., senior note, 1.125%, 6/15/27

     United States          1,054,000            1,001,959  
d  

Veritone Inc., senior note, 144A, 1.75%, 11/15/26

     United States          546,000            553,849  
                

 

 

 
                   14,719,671  
                

 

 

 
    Specialty Retail 0.3%  
d  

Dufry One BV, senior note, Reg S, 0.75%, 3/30/26

     Switzerland          600,000       CHF          618,385  
b  

Guess? Inc., senior note, 2.00%, 4/15/24

     United States          1,111,000            1,274,178  
d  

Shift Technologies Inc., senior note, 144A, 4.75%, 5/15/26

     United States          981,000            899,813  
d  

Vroom Inc., senior note, 144A, 0.75%, 7/01/26

     United States          1,188,000            818,819  
                

 

 

 
                   3,611,195  
                

 

 

 
    Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals 0.0%  
 

Pure Storage Inc., senior note, 0.125%, 4/15/23

     United States          319,000            411,574  
                

 

 

 
 

Total Convertible Bonds (Cost $172,266,165)

                 176,655,406  
                

 

 

 
    Corporate Bonds and Notes 10.8%       
    Aerospace & Defense 0.2%  
 

The Boeing Co.,

              
 

senior bond, 2.25%, 6/15/26

     United States          115,000            115,425  
 

senior bond, 2.95%, 2/01/30

     United States          50,000            50,486  
 

senior bond, 3.375%, 6/15/46

     United States          90,000            88,821  
 

senior bond, 3.625%, 3/01/48

     United States          25,000            25,209  
 

senior bond, 3.90%, 5/01/49

     United States          100,000            105,081  
 

senior bond, 3.75%, 2/01/50

     United States          130,000            135,093  
 

senior bond, 5.805%, 5/01/50

     United States          125,000            168,849  
 

senior bond, 3.825%, 3/01/59

     United States          25,000            25,414  
 

senior bond, 3.95%, 8/01/59

     United States          30,000            31,374  
 

senior note, 2.196%, 2/04/26

     United States          435,000            434,338  
 

senior note, 5.15%, 5/01/30

     United States          140,000            162,610  

 

           
36             

Semiannual Report

  franklintempleton.com


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Principal Amount*        Value  
    Corporate Bonds and Notes (continued)       
    Aerospace & Defense (continued)  
d  

Bombardier Inc., senior note, 144A, 7.50%, 12/01/24

     Canada          822,000          $ 853,988  
 

Embraer Netherlands Finance BV, senior bond, 5.05%, 6/15/25

     Brazil          55,000            56,505  
d  

Leonardo US Holdings Inc., senior bond, 144A, 6.25%, 1/15/40

     Italy          236,000            277,300  
 

Spirit Aerosystems Inc.,

              
 

senior bond, 4.60%, 6/15/28

     United States          20,000            18,970  
 

d senior secured note, 144A, 5.50%, 1/15/25

     United States          376,000            388,051  
                

 

 

 
                   2,937,514  
                

 

 

 
    Airlines 0.2%  
 

American Airlines 2015-2 Class Aa Pass-Through Trust, 3.60%, 9/22/27

     United States          1,021,220            1,059,644  
 

American Airlines 2016-1 Class Aa Pass-Through Trust, AA, 3.575%, 1/15/28

     United States          411,411            430,651  
d  

American Airlines Group Inc., senior note, 144A, 3.75%, 3/01/25

     United States          700,000            624,603  
 

United Airlines 2020-1 Class B Pass-Through Trust, 4.875%, 1/15/26

     United States          44,900            47,120  
d  

United Airlines Inc., senior secured note, 144A,

              
 

4.375%, 4/15/26

     United States          40,000            40,237  
 

4.625%, 4/15/29

     United States          55,000            54,808  
 

United Airlines Pass-Through Trust, 2019-2, B, 3.50%, 5/01/28

     United States          342,590            340,889  
                

 

 

 
                   2,597,952  
                

 

 

 
    Auto Components 0.0%  
 

Aptiv PLC, senior bond, 3.10%, 12/01/51

     United States          470,000            456,811  
                

 

 

 
    Automobiles 0.2%  
d  

Aston Martin Capital Holdings Ltd., senior secured note, 144A, 10.50%, 11/30/25

     United Kingdom          700,000            759,066  
 

Ford Motor Co., senior bond, 3.25%, 2/12/32

     United States          420,000            420,689  
 

Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC, senior note, 3.625%, 6/17/31

     United States          700,000            715,344  
 

General Motors Co., senior bond,

              
 

5.20%, 4/01/45

     United States          30,000            37,106  
 

5.40%, 4/01/48

     United States          140,000            179,793  
 

f 5.95%, 4/01/49

     United States          190,000            260,690  
 

General Motors Financial Co. Inc.,

              
 

g junior sub. note, A, 5.75% to 9/30/27, FRN thereafter, Perpetual

     United States          100,000            106,975  
 

f,g junior sub. note, B, 6.50% to 3/30/28, FRN thereafter, Perpetual

     United States          75,000            84,037  
 

f,g junior sub. note, C, 5.70% to 9/30/30, FRN thereafter, Perpetual

     United States          35,000            39,681  
 

senior note, 1.20%, 10/15/24

     United States          85,000            84,804  
                

 

 

 
                   2,688,185  
                

 

 

 
    Banks 0.6%  
d  

Axis Bank Ltd., senior note, Reg S, 3.00%, 8/08/22

     India          400,000            404,857  
d,h  

Banco Hipotecario SA, senior note, 144A, FRN, 38.167%, (ARS BADLAR + 4.00%), 11/07/22

     Argentina          3,160,000       ARS          13,554  
d  

Banco Macro SA, senior note, 144A, 17.50%, 5/08/22

     Argentina          1,740,000       ARS          7,472  
d  

Bank of Communications Hong Kong Ltd., sub. bond, Reg S, 2.304% to 7/08/26, FRN thereafter, 7/08/31

     Hong Kong          400,000            391,776  
 

Barclays PLC,

              
 

sub. bond, 3.564% to 9/23/30, FRN thereafter, 9/23/35

     United Kingdom          325,000            334,671  
 

g junior sub. note, 4.375% to 3/15/28, FRN thereafter, Perpetual

     United Kingdom          210,000            201,986  
d  

Canara Bank, E, senior note, Reg S, 3.875%, 3/28/24

     India          466,000            485,711  
 

Citigroup Inc., senior note, 1.281% to 11/3/24, FRN thereafter, 11/03/25

     United States          450,000            449,006  
 

Deutsche Bank AG,

              
 

senior bond, 3.547% to 9/18/30, FRN thereafter, 9/18/31

     Germany          150,000            158,451  
 

sub. bond, 3.729% to 1/14/31, FRN thereafter, 1/14/32

     Germany          400,000            408,048  
g  

HSBC Holdings PLC, junior sub. note, 6.25% to 3/23/23, FRN thereafter, Perpetual

     United Kingdom          1,400,000            1,449,000  

 

           
franklintempleton.com  

Semiannual Report

             37


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Principal Amount*        Value  
    Corporate Bonds and Notes (continued)       
    Banks (continued)  
d  

ICICI Bank Ltd., E, senior note, Reg S, 3.25%, 9/09/22

     India          600,000             $ 609,522  
d  

Indusind Bank Ltd., E, senior note, Reg S, 3.875%, 4/15/22

     India          1,200,000               1,204,788  
 

Keybank NA, senior note, 0.433% to 6/14/23, FRN thereafter, 6/14/24

     United States          465,000               462,210  
d  

Societe Generale SA, sub. bond, 144A, 3.653% to 7/08/30, FRN thereafter, 7/08/35

     France          200,000               206,743  
d  

Standard Chartered PLC, sub. bond, 144A, 3.265% to 11/18/30, FRN thereafter, 2/18/36

     United Kingdom          255,000               251,941  
d  

State Bank of India, E, senior note, Reg S, 4.50%, 9/28/23

     India          600,000               634,953  
d,g  

TMB Bank PCL, E, junior sub. note, Reg S, 4.90% to 12/02/24, FRN thereafter, Perpetual

     Thailand          400,000               401,471  
d,i  

VTB Bank OJSC Via VTB Capital SA, senior note, loan participation, Reg S, 6.95%, 10/17/22

     Russia          959,000               985,772  
                   

 

 

 
                      9,061,932  
                   

 

 

 
    Beverages 0.0%  
d  

Becle SAB de CV, senior bond, 144A, 2.50%, 10/14/31

     Mexico          235,000               230,605  
 

Fomento Economico Mexicano SAB de CV, senior bond, 3.50%, 1/16/50

     Mexico          244,000               261,999  
                   

 

 

 
                      492,604  
                   

 

 

 
    Capital Markets 0.5%  
 

Ares Capital Corp.,

                 
 

senior bond, 3.20%, 11/15/31

     United States          235,000               230,344  
 

senior note, 2.875%, 6/15/28

     United States          245,000               244,323  
d  

Barings BDC Inc., senior note, 144A, 3.30%, 11/23/26

     United States          125,000               123,852  
d  

Coinbase Global Inc., senior bond, 144A, 3.625%, 10/01/31

     United States          800,000               743,332  
 

FS KKR Capital Corp., senior note,

                 
 

3.40%, 1/15/26

     United States          365,000               372,480  
 

3.125%, 10/12/28

     United States          155,000               152,817  
 

The Goldman Sachs Group Inc., senior note, 0.925% to 10/21/23, FRN thereafter, 10/21/24

     United States          465,000               463,396  
d  

Huarong Finance 2017 Co. Ltd., Reg S,

                 
 

senior bond, 4.75%, 4/27/27

     China          200,000               203,500  
 

g senior note, 4.50% to 1/24/22, FRN thereafter, Perpetual

     China          1,200,000               1,198,500  
d  

Huarong Finance 2019 Co. Ltd., Reg S,

                 
 

senior bond, E, 4.50%, 5/29/29

     China          600,000               598,500  
 

senior bond, E, 3.875%, 11/13/29

     China          200,000               191,500  
 

senior bond, E, 3.625%, 9/30/30

     China          200,000               188,000  
 

g senior note, G, 4.25% to 9/30/25, FRN thereafter, Perpetual

     China          200,000               183,000  
 

senior note, E, 3.25%, 11/13/24

     China          200,000               196,500  
d  

Huarong Finance II Co. Ltd., senior bond, Reg S,

                 
 

5.00%, 11/19/25

     China          500,000               512,500  
 

EMTN, 4.875%, 11/22/26

     China          200,000               204,750  
 

Morgan Stanley, senior note, 1.164% to 9/21/25, FRN thereafter, 10/21/25

     United States          465,000               461,477  
 

Oaktree Specialty Lending Corp., senior note, 2.70%, 1/15/27

     United States          75,000               74,336  
 

Owl Rock Capital Corp., senior note,

                 
 

3.40%, 7/15/26

     United States          290,000               295,187  
 

2.875%, 6/11/28

     United States          180,000               175,995  
 

Owl Rock Technology Finance Corp., senior note, 2.50%, 1/15/27

     United States          90,000               88,542  
                   

 

 

 
                      6,902,831  
                   

 

 

 
    Chemicals 0.2%  
d  

Ashland LLC, senior bond, 144A, 3.375%, 9/01/31

     United States          140,000               137,085  
d,g  

Bluestar Finance Holdings Ltd., senior note, Reg s, 3.10% to 7/12/24, FRN thereafter, Perpetual

     China          200,000               200,361  
d  

Braskem Idesa SAPI, senior secured bond, 144A, 6.99%, 2/20/32

     Mexico          1,297,000               1,273,304  
d  

Braskem Netherlands Finance BV, senior bond, 144A, 4.50%, 1/31/30

     Brazil          200,000               200,341  

 

           
38             

Semiannual Report

  franklintempleton.com


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Principal Amount*        Value  
    Corporate Bonds and Notes (continued)       
    Chemicals (continued)  
d,g  

CNAC HK Finbridge Co. Ltd., senior note, Reg S, 3.35% to 9/22/23, FRN thereafter, Perpetual

     China          600,000          $ 608,200  
d  

Orbia Advance Corp. SAB de CV, senior bond, 144A, 2.875%, 5/11/31

     Mexico          200,000            195,336  
                

 

 

 
                   2,614,627  
                

 

 

 
    Communications Equipment 0.1%  
d  

Audacy Capital Corp., secured note, 144A, 6.75%, 3/31/29

     United States          600,000            588,435  
d  

CommScope Inc., 144A,

              
 

senior note, 7.125%, 7/01/28

     United States          430,000            400,697  
 

senior secured note, 4.75%, 9/01/29

     United States          60,000            58,149  
d  

CommScope Technologies LLC, senior bond, 144A, 5.00%, 3/15/27

     United States          180,000            162,037  
d  

HTA Group Ltd., senior note, 144A, 7.00%, 12/18/25

     Democratic Rep of the Congo          435,000            450,225  
j  

Riverbed Technology Inc., senior note, 6.00%, 1/13/22

     United States          54,708            54,161  
                

 

 

 
                   1,713,704  
                

 

 

 
    Construction & Engineering 0.1%  
d  

GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd.,

              
 

senior secured bond, Reg S, 4.25%, 10/27/27

     India          200,000            192,561  
 

senior secured note, Reg S, 5.375%, 4/10/24

     India          200,000            205,211  
 

senior secured note, 144A, 4.75%, 2/02/26

     India          200,000            199,225  
d  

India Airport Infra, senior secured note, Reg S, 6.25%, 10/25/25

     India          200,000            197,260  
                

 

 

 
                   794,257  
                

 

 

 
    Construction Materials 0.0%  
d  

Cemex SAB de CV, senior secured bond, 144A,

              
 

5.45%, 11/19/29

     Mexico          200,000            209,808  
 

5.20%, 9/17/30

     Mexico          245,000            258,963  
 

3.875%, 7/11/31

     Mexico          200,000            194,996  
                

 

 

 
                   663,767  
                

 

 

 
    Consumer Finance 0.1%  
g  

Ally Financial Inc., C, junior sub. note, 4.70% to 5/15/28, FRN thereafter, Perpetual

     United States          305,000            307,288  
d  

Muthoot Finance Ltd., senior secured note, Reg S,

              
 

6.125%, 10/31/22

     India          600,000            615,000  
 

4.40%, 9/02/23

     India          200,000            203,750  
d  

PROG Holdings Inc., senior note, 144A, 6.00%, 11/15/29

     United States          192,000            189,958  
d  

Shriram Transport Finance Co. Ltd., Reg S,

              
 

senior note, 5.95%, 10/24/22

     India          200,000            202,293  
 

senior secured note, E, 5.70%, 2/27/22

     India          600,000            601,500  
                

 

 

 
                   2,119,789  
                

 

 

 
    Containers & Packaging 0.0%  
d  

Mauser Packaging Solutions Holding Co., senior note, 144A, 7.25%, 4/15/25

     United States          700,000            688,170  
                

 

 

 
    Diversified Consumer Services 0.3%  
d,g  

CMHI Finance BVI Co. Ltd., senior note, Reg S, 3.50% to 10/09/23, FRN thereafter, Perpetual

     China          200,000            204,986  
d  

The Hertz Corp., senior note, 144A,

              
 

4.625%, 12/01/26

     United States          598,000            590,154  
 

5.00%, 12/01/29

     United States          1,292,000            1,268,331  
d  

Loxam SAS, senior secured note, Reg S, 3.25%, 1/14/25

     France        100,000       EUR          113,408  

 

           
franklintempleton.com  

Semiannual Report

             39


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Principal Amount*        Value  
    Corporate Bonds and Notes (continued)       
    Diversified Consumer Services (continued)  
d  

MPH Acquisition Holdings LLC, senior note, 144A, 5.75%, 11/01/28

     United States          700,000          $ 626,500  
d  

Paysafe Finance PLC / Paysafe Holdings US Corp., senior secured note, 144A, 4.00%, 6/15/29

     United States          700,000            647,370  
d  

Sotheby’s/Bidfair Holdings Inc., senior secured note, 144A, 5.875%, 6/01/29

     United States          700,000            703,712  
                

 

 

 
                   4,154,461  
                

 

 

 
    Diversified Financial Services 0.7%  
d  

Advisor Group Holdings Inc., senior note, 144A, 10.75%, 8/01/27

     United States          656,000            715,142  
 

AerCap Ireland Capital DAC / AerCap Global Aviation Trust,

              
 

senior bond, 3.30%, 1/30/32

     Ireland          150,000            151,259  
 

senior note, 6.50%, 7/15/25

     Ireland          150,000            171,706  
 

senior note, 3.00%, 10/29/28

     Ireland          150,000            151,160  
d  

Azure Orbit IV International Finance Ltd., E, senior note, Reg S, 3.75%, 1/25/23

     China          700,000            718,378  
d  

Blackstone Secured Lending Fund, senior note, 144A, 2.125%, 2/15/27

     United States          405,000            392,985  
d  

Bocom Leasing Management Hong Kong Co. Ltd., senior note, Reg S,

              
 

E, 1.75%, 7/14/23

     Hong Kong          200,000            201,312  
 

E, 1.125%, 6/18/24

     Hong Kong          800,000            793,666  
d  

CDBL Funding 2, senior note, Reg S,

              
 

E, 3.00%, 8/01/22

     China          200,000            202,173  
 

E, 1.375%, 3/04/24

     China          800,000            796,762  
 

CDW LLC / CDW Finance Corp., senior bond, 3.569%, 12/01/31

     United States          175,000            179,316  
d  

CICC Hong Kong Finance 2016 MTN Ltd., senior note, Reg S,

              
 

E, 1.75%, 8/10/23

     China          400,000            401,541  
 

E, 1.625%, 1/26/24

     China          300,000            299,699  
d  

Constellation Automotive Financing PLC, senior note, 144A, 4.875%, 7/15/27

     United Kingdom          100,000            129,530  
d  

Finance of America Funding LLC, senior note, 144A, 7.875%, 11/15/25

     United States          700,000            680,530  
d  

Financiera de Desarrollo Territorial SA Findeter, senior bond, 144A, 7.875%, 8/12/24

     Colombia          393,000,000       COP          99,415  
d  

Indian Railway Finance Corp. Ltd., senior bond, 144A, 2.80%, 2/10/31

     India          200,000            194,830  
d  

Jane Street Group / JSG Finance Inc., senior secured note, 144A, 4.50%, 11/15/29

     United States          126,000            125,996  
d  

MDC-GMTN BV, senior bond, Reg S, 4.50%, 11/07/28

     United Arab Emirates          261,000            300,464  
d  

Rec Ltd., senior note, Reg S,

              
 

4.75%, 5/19/23

     India          1,000,000            1,044,219  
 

5.25%, 11/13/23

     India          400,000            427,272  
 

G, 3.375%, 7/25/24

     India          300,000            310,952  
d  

Rocket Mortgage LLC / Rocket Mortgage Co.-Issuer Inc., 144A,

              
 

senior bond, 3.875%, 3/01/31

     United States          420,000            415,401  
 

senior bond, 4.00%, 10/15/33

     United States          350,000            343,605  
 

senior note, 2.875%, 10/15/26

     United States          520,000            507,733  
 

senior note, 3.625%, 3/01/29

     United States          385,000            377,098  
                

 

 

 
                   10,132,144  
                

 

 

 
    Diversified Telecommunication Services 0.3%  
d  

Bharti Airtel International Netherlands BV, senior bond, Reg S, 5.125%, 3/11/23

     India          500,000            522,099  
 

Frontier Communications Holdings LLC,

              
 

secured note, 5.875%, 11/01/29

     United States          113,478            111,741  
 

d senior secured note, 144A, 5.875%, 10/15/27

     United States          465,000            480,940  
 

d senior secured note, 144A, 5.00%, 5/01/28

     United States          219,000            220,018  

 

           
40             

Semiannual Report

  franklintempleton.com


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Principal Amount*        Value  
    Corporate Bonds and Notes (continued)       
    Diversified Telecommunication Services (continued)  
d  

IHS Holding Ltd., senior note, 144A,

                 
 

5.625%, 11/29/26

     Nigeria          200,000             $ 199,550  
 

6.25%, 11/29/28

     Nigeria          760,000               757,625  
d  

Kenbourne Invest SA, senior note, 144A, 6.875%, 11/26/24

     Chile          200,000               208,943  
d,k  

Ligado Networks LLC, 144A, PIK,

                 
 

secured note, 17.50%, 5/01/24

     United States          54,603               35,690  
 

senior secured note, 15.50%, 11/01/23

     United States          1,092,309               933,728  
d  

Oi Movel SA, senior secured note, Reg S, 8.75%, 7/30/26

     Brazil          615,000               632,995  
d  

Telesat Canada / Telesat LLC, senior secured note, 144A, 4.875%, 6/01/27

     Canada          183,000               160,318  
d  

Tower Bersama Infrastructure TBK PT, senior note, Reg S, 2.80%, 5/02/27

     Indonesia          200,000               196,995  
              

 

 

      

 

 

 
                      4,460,642  
              

 

 

      

 

 

 
    Electric Utilities 0.4%  
b,e  

Bruce Mansfield Escrow, senior bond, zero cpn., 6/01/34

     United States          6,394,000               23,978  
d,g  

China Huaneng Group Hong Kong Treasury Management Holding Ltd., Reg S, senior note,

                 
 

2.85% to 12/09/23, FRN thereafter, Perpetual

     China          200,000               201,715  
 

3.08% to 12/09/25, FRN thereafter, Perpetual

     China          400,000               405,654  
g  

Edison International, junior sub. note,

                 
 

A, 5.375% to 3/15/26, FRN thereafter, A, Perpetual

     United States          135,000               139,050  
 

B, 5.00% to 12/15/26, FRN thereafter, B, Perpetual

     United States          20,000               20,090  
d  

Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd., senior bond, Reg S, 8.45%, 8/10/28

     South Africa          1,134,000               1,207,132  
d  

Greenko Investment Co., senior secured note, Reg S, 4.875%, 8/16/23

     India          200,000               202,344  
d  

Oryx Funding Ltd., senior bond, 144A, 5.80%, 2/03/31

     Oman          283,000               295,547  
 

Pacific Gas and Electric Co.,

                 
 

secured bond, 4.50%, 7/01/40

     United States          1,106,000               1,159,981  
 

secured bond, 4.95%, 7/01/50

     United States          55,000               61,830  
 

secured bond, 3.50%, 8/01/50

     United States          200,000               190,796  
 

senior bond, 4.30%, 3/15/45

     United States          95,000               97,771  
 

PG&E Corp., senior secured bond, 5.25%, 7/01/30

     United States          700,000               718,669  
d,g  

SMC Global Power Holdings Corp., senior note, Reg S, 5.45% to 5/31/26, FRN thereafter, Perpetual

     Philippines          200,000               196,000  
 

Southern California Edison Co.,

                 
 

secured bond, 3.65%, 2/01/50

     United States          40,000               43,029  
 

senior bond, 4.00%, 4/01/47

     United States          10,000               11,159  
 

senior bond, C, 4.125%, 3/01/48

     United States          15,000               17,100  
 

Talen Energy Supply LLC,

                 
 

b senior note, 6.50%, 6/01/25

     United States          254,000               142,798  
 

d senior secured note, 144A, 7.25%, 5/15/27

     United States          306,000               284,653  
              

 

 

      

 

 

 
                      5,419,296  
              

 

 

      

 

 

 
    Entertainment 0.2%  
d  

AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc., 144A,

                 
 

b,k secured note, PIK, 12.00%, 6/15/26

     United States          1,342,000               1,366,317  
 

f senior secured note, 10.50%, 4/15/25

     United States          761,000               800,952  
 

Netflix Inc., senior bond,

                 
 

4.875%, 4/15/28

     United States          80,000               90,622  
 

5.875%, 11/15/28

     United States          70,000               83,891  
 

6.375%, 5/15/29

     United States          75,000               93,165  
 

d 144A, 5.375%, 11/15/29

     United States          20,000               23,691  
 

d 144A, 4.875%, 6/15/30

     United States          215,000               249,319  
d  

Roblox Corp., senior note, 144A, 3.875%, 5/01/30

     United States          750,000               753,128  
                   

 

 

 
                      3,461,085  
                   

 

 

 

 

           
franklintempleton.com  

Semiannual Report

             41


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Principal Amount*        Value  
    Corporate Bonds and Notes (continued)       
    Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) 0.1%  
d  

Brookfield Property REIT Inc. / BPR Cumulus LLC / BPR Nimbus LLC / GGSI Sellco LL, senior secured note, 144A, 4.50%, 4/01/27

     United States          700,000          $ 666,204  
 

National Health Investors Inc., senior bond, 3.00%, 2/01/31

     United States          30,000            29,060  
d  

SBA Communications Corp., senior note, 144A, 3.125%, 2/01/29

     United States          700,000            665,892  
                

 

 

 
                   1,361,156  
                

 

 

 
    Food & Staples Retailing 0.1%  
d  

Casino Guichard Perrachon SA, Reg S,

              
 

senior bond, E, 4.498%, 3/07/24

     France          200,000       EUR          224,372  
 

g junior sub. note, E, 3.992% to 1/31/24, FRN thereafter, Perpetual

     France          200,000       EUR          148,713  
d  

JBS USA/Food/Finance, senior bond, 144A, 3.75%, 12/01/31

     United States          80,000            80,958  
d  

Marb Bondco PLC, senior bond, 144A, 3.95%, 1/29/31

     Brazil          425,000            401,474  
d  

Rite AID Corp., senior secured note, 144A, 7.50%, 7/01/25

     United States          700,000            699,780  
d  

Smithfield Foods Inc., senior bond, 144A, 3.00%, 10/15/30

     United States          30,000            30,172  
                

 

 

 
                   1,585,469  
                

 

 

 
    Food Products 0.1%  
 

Kraft Heinz Foods Co., senior bond,

              
 

5.00%, 6/04/42

     United States          45,000            55,018  
 

4.375%, 6/01/46

     United States          95,000            110,090  
 

4.875%, 10/01/49

     United States          150,000            187,272  
d  

Pilgrim’s Pride Corp., senior bond, 144A,

              
 

4.25%, 4/15/31

     United States          10,000            10,493  
 

3.50%, 3/01/32

     United States          210,000            211,401  
d  

Post Holdings Inc., senior bond, 144A, 4.50%, 9/15/31

     United States          190,000            183,706  
                

 

 

 
                   757,980  
                

 

 

 
    Health Care Equipment & Supplies 0.0%  
d  

Avantor Funding Inc., senior note, 144A, 3.875%, 11/01/29

     United States          175,000            175,038  
                

 

 

 
    Health Care Providers & Services 0.2%  
 

Centene Corp.,

              
 

senior bond, 3.00%, 10/15/30

     United States          85,000            84,974  
 

senior bond, 2.50%, 3/01/31

     United States          350,000            336,000  
 

senior note, 2.625%, 8/01/31

     United States          120,000            115,906  
d  

Chrome Holdco SASU, senior note, Reg S, 5.00%, 5/31/29

     France          140,000       EUR          158,108  
 

Encompass Health Corp., senior bond, 4.625%, 4/01/31

     United States          1,433,000            1,425,387  
 

HCA Inc., senior bond, 3.50%, 9/01/30

     United States          130,000            135,529  
d  

LifePoint Health Inc., senior note, 144A, 5.375%, 1/15/29

     United States          749,000            722,560  
d  

Molina Healthcare Inc., senior bond, 144A, 3.875%, 5/15/32

     United States          80,000            78,335  
                

 

 

 
                   3,056,799  
                

 

 

 
    Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure 0.4%  
d  

1011778 BC ULC / New Red Finance Inc., secured note, 144A, 4.375%, 1/15/28

     Canada          225,000            224,353  
d  

Carnival Corp., senior note, 144A,

              
 

5.75%, 3/01/27

     United States          295,000            288,960  
 

6.00%, 5/01/29

     United States          853,000            830,609  
d  

GENM Capital Labuan Ltd., senior bond, 144A, 3.882%, 4/19/31

     Malaysia          200,000            197,268  
b,d  

Golden Nugget Inc., senior note, 144A, 6.75%, 10/15/24

     United States          1,098,000            1,104,917  
d  

Haidilao International Holding Ltd., senior note, Reg S, 2.15%, 1/14/26

     China          420,000            397,076  
d  

Hilton Grand Vacations Borrower Escrow LLC, 144A,

              
 

senior bond, 4.875%, 7/01/31

     United States          50,000            49,576  
 

senior note, 5.00%, 6/01/29

     United States          155,000            154,177  
 

Hyatt Hotels Corp., senior note, 5.375%, 4/23/25

     United States          50,000            55,595  
d  

Lions Gate Capital Holdings LLC, senior note, 144A, 5.50%, 4/15/29

     United States          700,000            709,975  
 

Marriott International Inc., FF, senior bond, 4.625%, 6/15/30

     United States          75,000            84,530  
d  

Marriott Ownership Resorts Inc., senior note, 144A, 4.50%, 6/15/29

     United States          70,000            68,824  
d,f  

Penn National Gaming Inc., senior note, 144A, 4.125%, 7/01/29

     United States          55,000            51,975  

 

           
42             

Semiannual Report

  franklintempleton.com


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Principal Amount*        Value  
    Corporate Bonds and Notes (continued)       
    Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (continued)  
d  

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., senior note, 144A,

                 
 

4.25%, 7/01/26

     United States          45,000             $ 42,541  
 

5.50%, 4/01/28

     United States          310,000               302,182  
d  

Scientific Games International Inc., senior note, 144A,

                 
 

7.00%, 5/15/28

     United States          200,000               212,750  
 

f 7.25%, 11/15/29

     United States          70,000               77,310  
 

Travel + Leisure Co.,

                 
 

senior secured bond, 6.00%, 4/01/27

     United States          10,000               10,578  
 

d senior secured bond, 144A, 4.625%, 3/01/30

     United States          95,000               94,044  
 

d senior secured note, 144A, 6.625%, 7/31/26

     United States          125,000               135,500  
 

d senior secured note, 144A, 4.50%, 12/01/29

     United States          215,000               209,969  
                   

 

 

 
                      5,302,709  
                   

 

 

 
    Household Durables 0.2%  
d  

K. Hovnanian Enterprises Inc., 144A,

                 
 

senior secured note, 7.75%, 2/15/26

     United States          1,628,000               1,712,819  
 

senior secured note, 10.50%, 2/15/26

     United States          850,000               907,090  
d  

Topbuild Corp., senior bond, 144A, 4.125%, 2/15/32

     United States          70,000               70,233  
                   

 

 

 
                      2,690,142  
                   

 

 

 
    Independent Power & Renewable Electricity Producers 0.1%  
d  

Calpine Corp., senior secured bond, 144A, 3.75%, 3/01/31

     United States          690,000               658,578  
d  

NTPC Ltd., E, senior bond, Reg S, 4.75%, 10/03/22

     India          200,000               205,614  
                   

 

 

 
                      864,192  
                   

 

 

 
    Industrial Conglomerates 0.1%  
 

General Electric Co., senior bond, 3.625%, 5/01/30

     United States          110,000               124,084  
 

Icahn Enterprises LP / Icahn Enterprises Finance Corp., senior note,

                 
 

6.25%, 5/15/26

     United States          85,000               87,454  
 

5.25%, 5/15/27

     United States          265,000               269,179  
 

4.375%, 2/01/29

     United States          235,000               227,824  
                   

 

 

 
                      708,541  
                   

 

 

 
    Insurance 0.1%  
 

Athene Holding Ltd., senior bond, 3.50%, 1/15/31

     United States          110,000               116,744  
h  

Genworth Holdings Inc., senior bond, FRN, 2.159%, (3-Month USD LIBOR + 2.00%), 11/15/36

     United States          1,643,000               994,204  
d  

Global Atlantic Finance Co., senior bond, 144A, 4.40%, 10/15/29

     United States          165,000               180,447  
d,g  

KDB Life Insurance Co. Ltd., sub. note, Reg S, 7.50% to 5/21/23, FRN thereafter, Perpetual

     South Korea          200,000               203,033  
d,g  

Tongyang Life Insurance Co. Ltd., sub. note, Reg S, 5.25% to 9/22/25, FRN thereafter, Perpetual

     South Korea          200,000               210,197  
                   

 

 

 
                      1,704,625  
                   

 

 

 
    Interactive Media & Services 0.1%  
d  

Tencent Holdings Ltd., senior bond, Reg S,

                 
 

3.84%, 4/22/51

     China          200,000               216,720  
 

3.94%, 4/22/61

     China          500,000               543,008  
                   

 

 

 
                      759,728  
                   

 

 

 
    Internet & Direct Marketing Retail 0.1%  
d  

Arches Buyer Inc., senior note, 144A, 6.125%, 12/01/28

     United States          700,000               708,407  
 

Expedia Group Inc., senior note, 3.25%, 2/15/30

     United States          225,000               232,151  
d  

Match Group Holdings II LLC, senior note, 144A, 3.625%, 10/01/31

     United States          148,000               139,750  
d  

Meituan, senior bond, Reg S, 3.05%, 10/28/30

     China          400,000               373,234  
                   

 

 

 
                      1,453,542  
                   

 

 

 
    IT Services 0.1%  
d  

Austin Bidco Inc., senior note, 144A, 7.125%, 12/15/28

     United States          700,000               719,660  
                   

 

 

 

 

           
franklintempleton.com  

Semiannual Report

             43


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Principal Amount*        Value  
    Corporate Bonds and Notes (continued)       
    Leisure Products 0.0%  
d  

NCL Corp. Ltd., senior note, 144A, 5.875%, 3/15/26

     United States          195,000             $ 190,369  
d  

NCL Finance Ltd., senior note, 144A, 6.125%, 3/15/28

     United States          65,000               63,512  
                   

 

 

 
                      253,881  
                   

 

 

 
    Marine 0.0%  
d  

Stena International SA, senior secured bond, 144A, 5.75%, 3/01/24

     Sweden          299,000               308,405  
                   

 

 

 
    Media 0.8%  
 

AMC Networks Inc., senior note, 4.25%, 2/15/29

     United States          618,000               604,302  
d  

CCO Holdings LLC / CCO Holdings Capital Corp., senior bond, 144A,

                 
 

4.25%, 2/01/31

     United States          1,065,000               1,051,070  
 

4.25%, 1/15/34

     United States          695,000               669,761  
 

Charter Communications Operating LLC / Charter Communications Operating Capital, senior secured bond, 4.40%, 12/01/61

     United States          920,000               961,033  
d  

Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings Inc., senior note, 144A, 7.75%, 4/15/28

     United States          700,000               731,281  
d  

CSC Holdings LLC, senior bond, 144A, 4.625%, 12/01/30

     United States          610,000               568,371  
d  

Diamond Sports Group LLC / Diamond Sports Finance Co., senior note, 144A, 6.625%, 8/15/27

     United States          304,000               64,410  
d  

DIRECTV Holdings LLC / DIRECTV Financing Co. Inc., senior secured note, 144A, 5.875%, 8/15/27

     United States          257,000               261,979  
 

Dish DBS Corp.,

                 
 

senior note, 5.125%, 6/01/29

     United States          554,000               487,575  
 

d,f senior secured note, 144A, 5.25%, 12/01/26

     United States          850,000               843,442  
 

d senior secured note, 144A, 5.75%, 12/01/28

     United States          625,000               617,003  
d  

Gannett Holdings LLC, senior secured note, 144A, 6.00%, 11/01/26

     United States          694,000               696,009  
d  

iHeartCommunications Inc., senior secured note, 144A,

                 
 

5.25%, 8/15/27

     United States          90,000               91,519  
 

4.75%, 1/15/28

     United States          175,000               174,032  
 

Liberty Interactive LLC, senior bond, 8.25%, 2/01/30

     United States          840,000               900,547  
d  

Outfront Media Capital LLC / Outfront Media Capital Corp., senior bond, 144A, 4.625%, 3/15/30

     United States          65,000               64,230  
d  

Spanish Broadcasting System Inc., senior secured note, 144A, 9.75%, 3/01/26

     United States          700,000               724,395  
d  

Urban One Inc., senior secured note, 144A, 7.375%, 2/01/28

     United States          800,000               816,112  
d,f  

Wolverine Escrow LLC, senior secured note, 144A,

                 
 

8.50%, 11/15/24

     United States          332,000               311,169  
 

9.00%, 11/15/26

     United States          302,000               285,337  
                   

 

 

 
                      10,923,577  
                   

 

 

 
    Metals & Mining 0.3%  
d  

Abja Investment Co. Pte. Ltd., senior note, Reg S, 4.45%, 7/24/23

     India          200,000               207,444  
d  

First Quantum Minerals Ltd., senior note, 144A,

                 
 

6.875%, 3/01/26

     Zambia          200,000               207,437  
 

6.875%, 10/15/27

     Zambia          620,000               656,419  
d  

FMG Resources August 2006 Pty Ltd., senior bond, 144A, 4.375%, 4/01/31

     Australia          155,000               157,353  
 

Freeport-McMoRan Inc., senior bond,

                 
 

4.625%, 8/01/30

     United States          95,000               100,479  
 

5.40%, 11/14/34

     United States          145,000               172,861  
 

5.45%, 3/15/43

     United States          20,000               24,688  
d,f  

Glencore Funding LLC, senior bond, 144A, 2.85%, 4/27/31

     Australia          390,000               388,362  
d  

Indonesia Asahan Aluminium Persero PT, senior bond, Reg S, 5.80%, 5/15/50

     Indonesia          400,000               462,060  
d,g  

MCC Holding Hong Kong Corp. Ltd., senior note, Reg S, 3.50% to 1/16/23, FRN thereafter, Perpetual

     China          200,000               203,000  
d  

Novelis Corp., senior bond, 144A, 4.75%, 1/30/30

     United States          90,000               90,998  
d  

Taseko Mines Ltd., senior secured note, 144A, 7.00%, 2/15/26

     Canada          672,000               683,709  
d  

Vedanta Resources Ltd., senior note, Reg S, 6.375%, 7/30/22

     India          300,000               293,952  

 

           
44             

Semiannual Report

  franklintempleton.com


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Principal Amount*        Value  
    Corporate Bonds and Notes (continued)       
    Metals & Mining (continued)  
d  

Volcan Cia Minera SAA, senior note, 144A, 4.375%, 2/11/26

     Peru          30,000             $ 28,725  
                   

 

 

 
                      3,677,487  
                   

 

 

 
    Mortgage Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) 0.1%                                  
d  

Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance Inc., senior secured note, 144A, 4.625%, 6/15/29

     United States          690,000               656,380  
d  

New Residential Investment Corp., senior note, 144A, 6.25%, 10/15/25

     United States          700,000               691,806  
                   

 

 

 
                      1,348,186  
                   

 

 

 
    Multiline Retail 0.0%                                  
 

Kohl’s Corp., senior bond, 5.55%, 7/17/45

     United States          338,000               408,433  
                   

 

 

 
    Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels 1.6%                                  
d  

Aker BP ASA, senior bond, 144A,

                 
 

3.75%, 1/15/30

     Norway          350,000               371,532  
 

4.00%, 1/15/31

     Norway          150,000               163,442  
d  

Continental Resources Inc., senior bond, 144A, 5.75%, 1/15/31

     United States          195,000               227,519  
 

DCP Midstream Operating LP, senior bond,

                 
 

5.125%, 5/15/29

     United States          25,000               27,767  
 

3.25%, 2/15/32

     United States          195,000               195,061  
d  

DT Midstream Inc., senior bond, 144A, 4.375%, 6/15/31

     United States          700,000               696,864  
 

Ecopetrol SA, senior bond,

                 
 

4.625%, 11/02/31

     Colombia          1,220,000               1,168,772  
 

5.875%, 11/02/51

     Colombia          970,000               885,794  
d  

Energean Israel Finance Ltd., 144A, Reg S,

                 
 

senior secured bond, 5.875%, 3/30/31

     Israel          130,000               126,588  
 

senior secured note, 5.375%, 3/30/28

     Israel          105,000               102,966  
g  

Energy Transfer LP, H, junior sub. note, 6.50% to 11/15/26, FRN thereafter, Perpetual

     United States          514,000               526,850  
 

Equities Corp., senior note,

                 
 

3.90%, 10/01/27

     United States          25,000               26,094  
 

5.00%, 1/15/29

     United States          35,000               38,390  
 

d 144A, 3.125%, 5/15/26

     United States          15,000               15,014  
 

d,f 144A, 3.625%, 5/15/31

     United States          130,000               132,691  
d  

Gray Oak Pipeline LLC, senior note, 144A, 3.45%, 10/15/27

     United States          20,000               20,872  
d  

Hurricane Finance PLC, senior note, 144A, 8.00%, 10/15/25

     United Kingdom          158,000               221,379  
d  

Laredo Petroleum Inc., senior note, 144A, 7.75%, 7/31/29

     United States          700,000               663,548  
d  

Leviathan Bond Ltd., senior note, 144A, Reg S, 6.50%, 6/30/27

     Israel          100,000               105,824  
d  

MC Brazil Downstream Trading SARL, senior secured note, Reg S, 7.25%, 6/30/31

     Brazil          1,012,000               973,367  
d  

Moss Creek Resources Holdings Inc., senior note, 144A,

                 
 

7.50%, 1/15/26

     United States          268,000               236,660  
 

10.50%, 5/15/27

     United States          295,000               277,984  
d  

Northern Oil And Gas Inc., senior note, 144A, 8.125%, 3/01/28

     United States          856,000               888,596  
 

Occidental Petroleum Corp., senior bond,

                 
 

4.50%, 7/15/44

     United States          15,000               15,038  
 

4.20%, 3/15/48

     United States          5,000               4,811  
 

4.40%, 8/15/49

     United States          10,000               9,840  
d  

OQ SAOC, senior note, 144A, 5.125%, 5/06/28

     Oman          224,000               225,863  
 

Ovintiv Inc., senior bond,

                 
 

8.125%, 9/15/30

     United States          25,000               32,944  
 

7.20%, 11/01/31

     United States          5,000               6,405  
 

7.375%, 11/01/31

     United States          5,000               6,395  
 

6.50%, 8/15/34

     United States          20,000               25,551  
 

6.625%, 8/15/37

     United States          45,000               57,323  
 

6.50%, 2/01/38

     United States          10,000               12,760  
d  

Petrofac Ltd., senior secured note, 144A, 9.75%, 11/15/26

     United Kingdom          563,000               564,430  

 

           
franklintempleton.com  

Semiannual Report

             45


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Principal Amount*        Value  
    Corporate Bonds and Notes (continued)       
    Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (continued)                               
 

Petroleos Mexicanos,

              
 

f senior bond, 5.95%, 1/28/31

     Mexico          924,000          $ 869,392  
 

senior bond, 6.625%, 6/15/35

     Mexico          380,000            349,165  
 

senior bond, 6.375%, 1/23/45

     Mexico          1,018,000            824,046  
 

senior bond, 5.625%, 1/23/46

     Mexico          775,000            584,090  
 

senior bond, 6.75%, 9/21/47

     Mexico          798,000            657,005  
 

senior bond, 6.35%, 2/12/48

     Mexico          1,738,000            1,376,765  
 

senior bond, 6.95%, 1/28/60

     Mexico          2,172,000            1,790,412  
 

senior note, 3.50%, 1/30/23

     Mexico          959,000            962,591  
 

d senior note, 144A, 6.875%, 10/16/25

     Mexico          297,000            317,420  
 

senior note, 4.50%, 1/23/26

     Mexico          288,000            282,555  
d  

Qatar Petroleum, senior bond, Reg S, 3.30%, 7/12/51

     Qatar          300,000            307,368  
d  

Saudi Arabian Oil Co., senior bond, 144A, 3.25%, 11/24/50

     Saudi Arabia          285,000            273,539  
b  

Talos Production Inc., secured note, 12.00%, 1/15/26

     United States          518,000            542,483  
d  

Thai Oil PCL, senior bond, Reg S, 3.625%, 1/23/23

     Thailand          200,000            204,399  
d  

Tullow Oil PLC, senior secured note, 144A, 10.25%, 5/15/26

     Ghana          2,278,000            2,269,788  
 

Western Midstream Operating LP, senior bond,

              
 

5.30%, 2/01/30

     United States        30,000            32,334  
 

5.30%, 3/01/48

     United States          45,000            52,197  
 

5.50%, 8/15/48

     United States          10,000            11,576  
 

6.50%, 2/01/50

     United States          45,000            51,486  
d  

YPF Sociedad Anonima,

              
 

senior bond, Reg S, 8.50%, 7/28/25

     Argentina          331,000            252,387  
 

senior bond, 144A, 6.95%, 7/21/27

     Argentina          105,000            69,692  
 

senior note, Reg S, 8.75%, 4/04/24

     Argentina          1,267,000            1,081,505  
 

senior note, Reg S, 8.50%, 3/23/25

     Argentina          1,008,000            880,075  
                

 

 

 
                   23,097,204  
                

 

 

 
    Paper & Forest Products 0.0%  
 

Suzano Austria GMBH, senior bond, 3.75%, 1/15/31

     Brazil          160,000            156,403  
                

 

 

 
    Pharmaceuticals 0.3%  
d  

Bausch Health Cos. Inc., 144A,

              
 

senior bond, 5.25%, 1/30/30

     United States          35,000            30,073  
 

senior bond, 5.25%, 2/15/31

     United States          100,000            86,000  
 

senior note, 5.00%, 1/30/28

     United States          150,000            133,769  
d,f  

ENDO Dac / ENDO Finance LLC / ENDO Finco Inc., 144A,

              
 

secured note, 9.50%, 7/31/27

     United States          1,598,000            1,611,327  
 

b senior note, 6.00%, 6/30/28

     United States          475,000            364,560  
d  

Par Pharmaceutical Inc., senior secured note, 144A, 7.50%, 4/01/27

     United States          639,000            645,198  
 

Teva Pharmaceutical Finance Co. LLC, senior bond, 6.15%, 2/01/36

     Israel          10,000            10,459  
 

Teva Pharmaceutical Finance Netherlands II BV, senior note, 6.00%, 1/31/25

     Israel          335,000       EUR          405,179  
 

Teva Pharmaceutical Finance Netherlands III BV, senior bond, 3.15%, 10/01/26

     Israel          220,000            206,252  
 

4.10%, 10/01/46

     Israel          1,170,000            975,037  
                

 

 

 
                   4,467,854  
                

 

 

 
    Pipelines 0.0%                               
d  

Galaxy Pipeline Assets Bidco Ltd., senior secured bond, 144A, 2.94%, 9/30/40

     United Arab Emirates          200,000            197,867  
                

 

 

 
    Real Estate Management & Development 0.8%                               
d  

Agile Group Holdings Ltd., Reg S,

              
 

g senior note, 8.375% to 12/04/23, FRN thereafter, Perpetual

     China          300,000            162,000  
 

g senior note, 7.875% to 7/31/24, FRN thereafter, Perpetual

     China          230,000            124,200  
 

g senior note, 7.75% to 5/25/25, FRN thereafter, Perpetual

     China          230,000            124,200  

 

           
46             

Semiannual Report

  franklintempleton.com


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Principal Amount*        Value  
    Corporate Bonds and Notes (continued)       
    Real Estate Management & Development (continued)                                  
d  

Agile Group Holdings Ltd., Reg S, (continued)

                 
 

senior secured note, 6.70%, 3/07/22

     China          632,000             $ 504,020  
 

senior secured note, 4.85%, 8/31/22

     China          330,000               230,340  
 

senior secured note, 6.05%, 10/13/25

     China          200,000               125,500  
d  

CFLD Cayman Investment Ltd., senior note, Reg S, 8.60%, 4/08/24

     China          200,000               64,176  
d  

China Evergrande Group, Reg S,

                 
 

senior note, 8.75%, 6/28/25

     China          1,668,000               410,745  
 

senior secured note, 11.50%, 1/22/23

     China          200,000               50,000  
d  

CIFI Holdings Group Co. Ltd., senior note, Reg S,

                 
 

5.50%, 1/23/22

     China          200,000               198,500  
 

5.95%, 10/20/25

     China          200,000               191,509  
 

4.45%, 8/17/26

     China          200,000               181,987  
d  

Country Garden Holdings Co. Ltd., senior secured note, Reg S,

                 
 

7.125%, 1/27/22

     China          200,000               199,990  
 

4.75%, 7/25/22

     China          400,000               392,000  
 

4.75%, 1/17/23

     China          2,000,000               1,934,994  
d  

Easy Tactic Ltd., senior secured note, Reg S, 8.125%, 2/27/23

     China          200,000               116,884  
d  

Expand Lead Ltd., senior note, Reg S, 4.95%, 7/22/26

     China          200,000               199,039  
d  

Gemdale Ever Prosperity Investment Ltd., E, senior note, Reg S, 4.95%, 8/12/24

     China          300,000               298,765  
d  

Greenland Global Investment Ltd., senior bond, Reg S, 5.875%, 7/03/24

     China          200,000               172,000  
d  

Hunt Cos. Inc., senior secured note, 144A, 5.25%, 4/15/29

     United States          700,000               682,511  
d  

Kaisa Group Holdings Ltd., senior secured note, Reg S,

                 
 

8.50%, 6/30/22

     China          692,000               231,820  
 

11.95%, 11/12/23

     China          200,000               65,000  
 

11.25%, 4/16/25

     China          994,000               326,777  
 

11.70%, 11/11/25

     China          200,000               65,000  
 

11.65%, 6/01/26

     China          200,000               66,500  
d  

Leading Affluence Ltd., senior bond, Reg S, 4.50%, 1/24/23

     China          500,000               509,153  
d  

Logan Group Co. Ltd., senior note, Reg S,

                 
 

6.50%, 7/16/23

     China          200,000               189,930  
 

4.70%, 7/06/26

     China          300,000               265,500  
d  

New Metro Global Ltd., senior note, Reg S, 4.625%, 10/15/25

     China          200,000               174,937  
d,g  

Overseas Chinese Town Asia Holdings Ltd., senior note, Reg S, 4.50% to 7/15/23, FRN thereafter, Perpetual

     China          200,000               203,500  
d  

Perfect Point Ventures Ltd., senior note, Reg S, 5.20%, 9/20/25

     Hong Kong          400,000               394,394  
d  

Powerlong Real Estate Holdings Ltd., senior note, Reg S,

                 
 

4.00%, 7/25/22

     China          200,000               185,000  
 

4.90%, 5/13/26

     China          200,000               165,900  
d  

Shimao Group Holdings Ltd., senior secured note, Reg S, 4.75%, 7/03/22

     China          200,000               164,509  
d  

Sunac China Holdings Ltd., Reg S,
senior note, 6.80%, 10/20/24

     China          300,000               208,500  
 

senior secured note, 7.25%, 6/14/22

     China          420,000               354,900  
 

senior secured note, 6.65%, 8/03/24

     China          200,000               138,250  
 

senior secured note, 6.50%, 1/26/26

     China          400,000               275,000  
d  

Times China Holdings Ltd., senior secured note, Reg S, 5.55%, 6/04/24

     China          200,000               143,972  
d  

Yuzhou Group Holdings Co. Ltd., senior secured note, Reg S,
8.375%, 10/30/24

     China          200,000               67,000  
 

7.70%, 2/20/25

     China          200,000               63,000  
 

6.35%, 1/13/27

     China          400,000               122,000  
d  

Zhenro Properties Group Ltd., senior note, Reg S, 6.63%, 1/07/26

     China          200,000               128,000  
                   

 

 

 
                      10,871,902  
                   

 

 

 
    Road & Rail 0.2%  
d  

Uber Technologies Inc., senior note, 144A,
8.00%, 11/01/26

     United States          1,085,000               1,156,632  
 

7.50%, 9/15/27

     United States          455,000               494,150  

 

           
franklintempleton.com  

Semiannual Report

             47


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Principal Amount*        Value  
    Corporate Bonds and Notes (continued)       
    Road & Rail (continued)  
 

Uber Technologies Inc., senior note, 144A, (continued)

              
 

6.25%, 1/15/28

     United States          200,000          $ 214,807  
 

4.50%, 8/15/29

     United States          1,145,000            1,135,697  
                

 

 

 
                   3,001,286  
                

 

 

 
    Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 0.1%  
 

Broadcom Inc., senior bond, 4.30%, 11/15/32

     United States          415,000            463,525  
 

Marvell Technology Inc., senior note, 2.95%, 4/15/31

     United States          95,000            97,187  
d  

Microchip Technology Inc., senior secured note, 144A, 0.983%, 9/01/24

     United States          85,000            83,804  
d  

TSMC Global Ltd., senior bond, Reg S, 2.25%, 4/23/31

     Taiwan          1,000,000            998,611  
                

 

 

 
                   1,643,127  
                

 

 

 
    Specialty Retail 0.4%  
d  

Carvana Co., senior note, 144A,
5.625%, 10/01/25

     United States          180,000            180,508  
 

5.50%, 4/15/27

     United States          95,000            95,025  
 

5.875%, 10/01/28

     United States          353,000            354,887  
 

4.875%, 9/01/29

     United States          603,000            573,345  
d  

China Grand Automotive Services Ltd., E, senior note, Reg S, 9.125%, 1/30/24

     China          333,000            249,464  
d  

Douglas GMBH, senior secured note, 144A, 6.00%, 4/08/26

     Germany          1,714,000       EUR          1,894,029  
d  

Guitar Center Inc., senior secured note, 144A, 8.50%, 1/15/26

     United States          754,000            800,955  
d,k  

Kirk Beauty Sun GMBH, senior note, 144A, PIK, 8.25%, 10/01/26

     Germany          399,858       EUR          429,692  
d  

LS Finance 2017 Ltd., senior note, Reg S,
4.80%, 6/18/26

     Hong Kong          200,000            185,940  
 

E, 4.875%, 7/15/24

     Hong Kong          200,000            190,684  
 

Macy’s Retail Holdings LLC, senior bond, 5.125%, 1/15/42

     United States          700,000            673,313  
d  

Punch Finance PLC, senior secured note, Reg S, 6.125%, 6/30/26

     United Kingdom          140,000       GBP          186,762  
d  

Staples Inc., 144A,
senior note, 10.75%, 4/15/27

     United States          300,000            273,726  
 

senior secured note, 7.50%, 4/15/26

     United States          300,000            298,314  
                

 

 

 
                   6,386,644  
                

 

 

 
    Thrifts & Mortgage Finance 0.1%  
d  

IIFL Finance Ltd., E, senior secured note, Reg S, 5.875%, 4/20/23

     India          400,000            387,988  
d  

Indiabulls Housing Finance Ltd., E, senior secured note, Reg S, 6.375%, 5/28/22

     India          600,000            586,812  
d  

Nationstar Mortgage Holdings Inc., senior bond, 144A, 5.75%, 11/15/31

     United States          140,000            136,874  
                

 

 

 
                   1,111,674  
                

 

 

 
    Tobacco 0.1%  
b,d  

Vector Group Ltd., senior note, 144A, 10.50%, 11/01/26

     United States          1,266,000            1,305,233  
                

 

 

 
    Trading Companies & Distributors 0.1%  
 

Air Lease Corp.,
senior bond, 3.125%, 12/01/30

     United States          360,000            367,106  
 

f,g junior sub. note, B, 4.65% to 6/15/26, FRN thereafter, Perpetual

     United States          180,000            184,500  
 

Aircastle Ltd.,

              
 

d,g junior sub. note, 144A, 5.25% to 6/15/26, FRN thereafter, Perpetual

     United States          55,000            56,512  
 

senior note, 4.25%, 6/15/26

     United States          310,000            334,472  
d  

BOC Aviation Ltd., G, senior note, Reg S, 3.00%, 5/23/22

     Singapore          200,000            201,458  
                

 

 

 
                   1,144,048  
                

 

 

 

 

           
48             

Semiannual Report

  franklintempleton.com


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Principal Amount*        Value  
    Corporate Bonds and Notes (continued)       
    Transportation Infrastructure 0.0%  
d  

Adani Ports & Special Economic Zone Ltd.,
senior bond, Reg S, 3.828%, 2/02/32

     India          500,000             $ 498,389  
 

senior note, 144A, 4.20%, 8/04/27

     India          200,000               207,670  
                   

 

 

 
                      706,059  
                   

 

 

 
    Wireless Telecommunication Services 0.1%  
d  

Bharti Airtel Ltd., senior bond,
senior note, Reg S, 4.375%, 6/10/25

     India          700,000               747,911  
 

144A, 3.25%, 6/03/31

     India          200,000               204,784  
d  

Softbank Group Corp., senior bond, Reg S, 5.25%, 7/06/31

     Japan          200,000               195,675  
 

T-Mobile USA Inc.,
senior bond, 3.50%, 4/15/31

     United States          220,000               224,000  
 

senior note, 3.375%, 4/15/29

     United States          455,000               458,519  
                   

 

 

 
                      1,830,889  
                   

 

 

 
 

Total Corporate Bonds and Notes
(Cost $156,465,214)

                    155,339,511  
              

 

 

      

 

 

 
    Corporate Bonds and Notes in Reorganization 0.2%       
    Airlines 0.1%  
d,l  

Aerovias de Mexico SA de CV, senior note, 144A, 7.00%, 2/05/25

     Mexico          200,000               195,358  
d,l  

LATAM Finance Ltd., senior note, 144A,
6.875%, 4/11/24

     Chile          400,000               383,294  
 

7.00%, 3/01/26

     Chile          1,200,000               1,152,864  
                   

 

 

 
                      1,731,516  
                   

 

 

 
    Metals & Mining 0.1%  
d,l  

Samarco Mineracao SA, senior bond, Reg S,
4.125%, 11/01/22

     Brazil          925,000               587,375  
 

5.75%, 10/24/23

     Brazil          184,000               127,267  
                   

 

 

 
                      714,642  
                   

 

 

 
    Road & Rail 0.0%  
b,e,l  

Hertz Corp. Escrow, senior note, zero cpn., 1/15/28

     United States          1,584,000                
                   

 

 

 
 

Total Corporate Bonds and Notes in Reorganization
(Cost $2,521,129)

                    2,446,158  
                   

 

 

 
h,m   Senior Floating Rate Interests 0.5%       
    Airlines 0.0%  
 

United Airlines Inc., Term Loan B, 4.50%, (1-Month USD LIBOR + 3.75%), 4/21/28

     United States          99,500               99,528  
                   

 

 

 
    Communications Equipment 0.0%  
 

Riverbed Technology Inc., Term Loan B, 7.00%, (3-Month USD LIBOR + 6.00%), 12/31/25

     United States          170,651               155,212  
                   

 

 

 
    Consumer Discretionary Services 0.1%  
 

Motel 6, Term Loan B, 5.75%, 1-Month USD LIBOR + 5.00%), 9/09/26

     United States          40,000               40,250  
 

Travel Leaders Group LLC, Term Loan B, 4.087%, (1-Month USD LIBOR + 4.00%), 1/25/24

     United States          482,183               452,047  
                   

 

 

 
                      492,297  
                   

 

 

 
    Diversified Financial Services 0.1%  
 

MPH Acquisition Holdings LLC, Term Loan B, 4.75%, (3-Month USD LIBOR + 4.25%), 9/01/28

     United States          815,060               779,401  
 

Ziggo BV, Term Loan H, 3.00%, (3-Month EURIBOR + 3.00%), 1/31/29

     United States          115,000               129,001  
                   

 

 

 
                      908,402  
                   

 

 

 

 

           
franklintempleton.com  

Semiannual Report

             49


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Principal Amount*        Value  
h,m   Senior Floating Rate Interests (continued)       
    Diversified Telecommunication Services 0.2%  
 

Frontier Communications Corp., Term Loan DIP, 4.50%, (1-Month USD LIBOR + 3.75%), 12/31/21

     United States          259,079          $ 259,144  
 

Intelsat Jackson Holdings SA,
Term Loan B4, 8.75%, (1-Month USD LIBOR + 4.50%), 1/02/24

     United States          2,467,032            2,478,134  
 

n Term Loan DIP, 5.75%, (3-Month USD LIBOR + 4.75%), 7/13/22

     United States          144,653            145,309  
                

 

 

 
                   2,882,587  
                

 

 

 
    Entertainment 0.0%  
 

Playtika Holding Corp., Term Loan B, 2.84%, (1-Month USD LIBOR + 2.75%), 3/13/28

     United States          218,900            217,806  
                

 

 

 
    Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) 0.0%  
 

The GEO Group Inc., Term Loan B, 2.75%, (3-Month USD LIBOR + 2.00%), 3/22/24

     United States          267,917            251,842  
 

McCarthy & Stone PLC, Term Loan B, 7.00%, 12/16/25

     United Kingdom          170,938       GBP          226,344  
                

 

 

 
                   478,186  
                

 

 

 
    Health Care Equipment & Supplies 0.0%  
 

Medline, Term Loan B, 3.75%, (1-Month USD LIBOR + 3.25%), 10/23/28

     United States          85,000            84,806  
                

 

 

 
    Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure 0.0%  
 

Hilton Grand Vacations, Term Loan B, 3.50%, (1-Month USD LIBOR + 3.00%), 8/02/28

     United States          105,000            104,295  
                

 

 

 
    Household Durables 0.0%  
 

Weber-Stephen Products LLC, Term Loan B, 4.00%, (1-Month USD LIBOR + 3.25%), 10/30/27

     United States          69,396            69,352  
                

 

 

 
    Insurance 0.0%  
 

AmWINS Group Inc., Term Loan B, 3.00%, (1-Month USD LIBOR + 2.25%), 2/19/28

     United States          42,705            42,171  
                

 

 

 
    Media 0.1%  
 

Advantage Sales & Marketing Inc., Term Loan B1, 5.25%, (3-Month USD LIBOR + 4.50%), 10/28/27

     United States          670,417            672,515  
                

 

 

 
    Pharmaceuticals 0.0%  
 

Jazz Pharmaceuticals PLC, Term Loan B, 4.00%, (1-Month USD LIBOR + 3.50%), 5/05/28

     United States          84,788            84,735  
                

 

 

 
    Professional Services 0.0%  
 

CoreLogic Inc., Term Loan B, 4.00%, (1-Month USD LIBOR + 3.50%), 6/02/28

     United States          170,000            168,300  
                

 

 

 
 

Total Senior Floating Rate Interests (Cost $6,514,157)

                 6,460,192  
                

 

 

 
h,m   Senior Floating Rate Interests in Reorganization
(Cost $203,530) 0.0%
      
    Communications Equipment 0.0%  
l  

Riverbed Technology Inc., Term Loan B, 7.50%, (3-Month USD LIBOR + 6.50%), 12/31/26

     United States          388,549            109,959  
                

 

 

 
o   Credit-Linked Notes 0.4%       
d  

Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc., (Egypt), E, senior note, 144A, zero cpn., 12/16/21

     Egypt          11,472,817       EGP          725,003  
d  

Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc., (Egypt), EMTN, senior note, 144A, zero cpn., 3/31/22

     Egypt          11,771,928       EGP          720,704  
d  

HSBC Bank PLC, (Egypt), senior note, 144A, zero cpn., 12/23/21

     Egypt          7,925,000       EGP          499,568  
d  

HSBC Bank PLC, (Egypt), senior note, 144A, zero cpn., 2/10/22

     Egypt          12,425,000       EGP          769,743  
e  

ICBC Standard Bank PLC, (Egypt), EMTN, zero cpn., 12/30/21

     Egypt          39,754,711       EGP          2,501,698  

 

           
50             

Semiannual Report

  franklintempleton.com


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Principal Amount*        Value  
o   Credit-Linked Notes (continued)       
d  

JPMorgan Chase Bank NA, (Egypt), senior note, 144A, zero cpn., 3/17/22

     Egypt          12,389,000       EGP        $ 759,663  
                

 

 

 
 

Total Credit-Linked Notes (Cost $5,989,294)

                 5,976,379  
                

 

 

 
    Foreign Government and Agency Securities 4.2%       
d  

Banque Centrale de Tunisie International Bond, senior note, Reg S,
6.75%, 10/31/23

     Tunisia          469,000       EUR          436,150  
 

5.625%, 2/17/24

     Tunisia          796,000       EUR          699,696  
 

Brazil Notas Do Tesouro Nacional Serie F, NTNF, senior bond, 10.00%, 1/01/25

     Brazil          2,332,000       BRL          399,725  
d  

CBB International Sukuk Programme Co. Wll, senior note, 144A, 3.875%, 5/18/29

     Bahrain          1,702,000            1,641,298  
d  

Export-Import Bank of Korea, senior note,
144A, 4.89%, 8/09/23

     South Korea          35,800,000       INR          471,558  
 

Reg S, 6.75%, 8/09/22

     South Korea          7,100,000       INR          95,653  
d  

Government of Angola, senior bond, Reg S,
8.00%, 11/26/29

     Angola          2,588,000            2,395,919  
 

9.375%, 5/08/48

     Angola          376,000            343,505  
 

9.125%, 11/26/49

     Angola          2,083,000            1,863,010  
 

Government of Argentina, senior bond,
2.00%, 1/09/38

     Argentina          7,560,916            2,524,741  
 

2.50%, 7/09/41

     Argentina          2,480,073            769,393  
d  

Government of Bahrain, senior bond, Reg S, 7.00%, 1/26/26

     Bahrain          467,000            513,781  
 

Government of Colombia, senior bond, 5.20%, 5/15/49

     Colombia          1,449,000            1,352,584  
d  

Government of Dominican Republic, senior bond, Reg S,
4.875%, 9/23/32

     Dominican Republic          601,000            599,504  
 

5.875%, 1/30/60

     Dominican Republic          619,000            577,217  
d  

Government of Ecuador, Reg S,
senior bond, 1.00%, 7/31/35

     Ecuador          3,854,113            2,505,173  
 

senior note, 5.00%, 7/31/30

     Ecuador          325,960            270,143  
 

Government of Egypt,
364D, zero cpn., 12/21/21

     Egypt          23,719,000       EGP          1,502,163  
 

d senior bond, Reg S, 7.50%, 1/31/27

     Egypt          1,046,000            1,051,826  
 

d senior bond, Reg S, 7.60%, 3/01/29

     Egypt          789,000            754,192  
 

d senior bond, 144A, 5.875%, 2/16/31

     Egypt          487,000            413,429  
 

d senior note, Reg S, 5.80%, 9/30/27

     Egypt          2,870,000            2,677,997  
d  

Government of El Salvador, senior bond, Reg S, 7.75%, 1/24/23

     El Salvador          1,166,000            921,140  
d  

Government of Ghana,
Reg S, 10.75%, 10/14/30

     Ghana          1,048,000            1,146,302  
 

senior note, 144A, zero cpn., 4/07/25

     Ghana          278,000            187,475  
 

senior note, 144A, 7.75%, 4/07/29

     Ghana          372,000            303,180  
 

senior note, Reg S, 7.75%, 4/07/29

     Ghana          200,000            163,000  
 

Government of Italy, senior note, 2.375%, 10/17/24

     Italy          350,000            360,237  
d  

Government of Jordan, 144A,
senior bond, 5.85%, 7/07/30

     Jordan          386,000            380,924  
 

senior note, 4.95%, 7/07/25

     Jordan          578,000            593,895  
d  

Government of Malaysia, senior bond, Reg S, 3.075%, 4/28/51

     Malaysia          500,000            534,190  
 

Government of Mexico,
senior bond, 4.28%, 8/14/41

     Mexico          350,000            361,155  
 

senior bond, 3.771%, 5/24/61

     Mexico          455,000            415,185  
 

senior bond, M, 7.75%, 5/29/31

     Mexico          13,950,000 p      MXN          659,861  
 

senior bond, M 30, 8.50%, 11/18/38

     Mexico          4,770,400 p      MXN          232,651  
 

senior note, M, 6.75%, 3/09/23

     Mexico          9,060,800 p      MXN          424,773  
d  

Government of Nigeria,
senior bond, 144A, 7.375%, 9/28/33

     Nigeria          368,000            337,419  
 

senior bond, Reg S, 8.25%, 9/28/51

     Nigeria          617,000            558,225  
 

senior note, Reg S, 7.625%, 11/21/25

     Nigeria          1,531,000            1,609,701  
 

senior note, Reg S, 6.125%, 9/28/28

     Nigeria          2,958,000            2,789,276  

 

           
franklintempleton.com  

Semiannual Report

             51


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

           Country      Principal Amount*        Value  
    Foreign Government and Agency Securities (continued)       
d  

Government of Oman,
senior bond, Reg S, 6.25%, 1/25/31

     Oman        418,000          $ 438,892  
 

senior bond, Reg S, 6.75%, 1/17/48

     Oman        412,000            397,423  
 

senior bond, Reg S, 7.00%, 1/25/51

     Oman        1,726,000            1,715,374  
 

senior note, 144A, 4.875%, 6/15/30

     Oman        221,000            232,900  
d  

Government of Paraguay, senior bond, Reg S, 4.625%, 1/25/23

     Paraguay        2,414,000            2,498,514  
 

Government of Peru, senior bond, 6.15%, 8/12/32

     Peru        894,000       PEN          220,535  
 

Government of Russia,
senior bond, 6233, 6.10%, 7/18/35

     Russia        111,039,000       RUB          1,246,449  
 

senior note, 6227, 7.40%, 7/17/24

     Russia        6,132,000       RUB          80,615  
 

senior note, 6229, 7.15%, 11/12/25

     Russia        74,375,000       RUB          959,986  
d  

Government of Saudi Arabia, senior bond,
144A, 2.75%, 2/03/32

     Saudi Arabia        910,000            930,384  
 

144A, 3.75%, 1/21/55

     Saudi Arabia        354,000            372,056  
 

Reg S, 2.75%, 2/03/32

     Saudi Arabia        302,000            308,765  
 

Government of South Africa, senior bond,
2030, 8.00%, 1/31/30

     South Africa        28,482,503       ZAR          1,617,323  
 

2032, 8.25%, 3/31/32

     South Africa        14,921,596       ZAR          822,302  
 

2035, 8.875%, 2/28/35

     South Africa        7,186,144       ZAR          395,998  
 

2037, 8.50%, 1/31/37

     South Africa        24,425,000       ZAR          1,273,864  
d  

Government of Sri Lanka, senior bond, Reg S, 7.55%, 3/28/30

     Sri Lanka        955,000            529,433  
 

Government of Turkey,
senior bond, 6.50%, 9/20/33

     Turkey        479,000            442,053  
 

senior note, 6.375%, 10/14/25

     Turkey        875,000            870,760  
d  

Government of Ukraine,
senior bond, Reg S, 7.375%, 9/25/32

     Ukraine        751,000            709,166  
 

senior bond, Reg S, 1.258%, 5/31/40

     Ukraine        4,955,000            4,509,297  
 

senior note, 144A, 6.876%, 5/21/29

     Ukraine        302,000            281,940  
 

senior note, Reg S, 6.876%, 5/21/29

     Ukraine        966,000            901,835  
d  

Government of Zambia, senior bond, Reg S,
8.50%, 4/14/24

     Zambia        418,000            322,905  
 

8.97%, 7/30/27

     Zambia        512,000            390,800  
 

International Finance Corp., senior note, 5.85%, 11/25/22

     Supranational q       8,120,000       INR          109,206  
 

Provincia de Buenos Aires,
h FRN, 37.996%, (ARS BADLAR + 3.83%), 5/31/22

     Argentina        18,295,000       ARS          81,150  
 

d,h 144A, FRN, Reg S, 37.909%, (ARS BADLAR + 3.75%), 4/12/25

     Argentina        3,670,000       ARS          12,690  
 

d senior bond, 144A,

     Argentina        3,300,000       ARS          1,292,148  
              

 

 

 
 

Total Foreign Government and Agency Securities
(Cost $65,644,565)

               59,802,009  
              

 

 

 
    Foreign Government and Agency Securities in
Reorganization (Cost $193,035) 0.0%
      
l  

Government of Lebanon, G, senior bond, 6.375%, 3/09/20

     Lebanon        1,443,000            167,749  
              

 

 

 
    U.S. Government and Agency Securities 0.1%       
 

U.S. Treasury Bond,

            
 

1.875%, 2/15/41

     United States        2,000            2,007  
 

1.75%, 8/15/41

     United States        2,000            1,964  
 

1.625%, 11/15/50

     United States        556,000            533,304  
 

1.875%, 2/15/51

     United States        367,000            373,250  
 

U.S. Treasury Note,

            
 

1.625%, 5/15/31

     United States        738,000            752,472  
 

1.375%, 11/15/31

     United States        130,700            129,924  
              

 

 

 
 

Total U.S. Government and Agency Securities
(Cost $1,703,302)

               1,792,921  
              

 

 

 

 

           
52             

Semiannual Report

  franklintempleton.com


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Principal Amount*        Value  
    Asset-Backed Securities and Commercial
Mortgage-Backed Securities 6.6%
                                 
    Diversified Financial Services 5.0%  
d  

AASET Trust, 144A,

                 
 

e 2021-1A, A, 2.95%, 11/16/41

     United States          247,747             $ 245,202  
 

2021-1A, B, 3.80%, 11/16/41

     United States          1,287,741               1,230,437  
d  

Accelerated Assets LLC, 2018-1, B, 144A, 4.51%, 12/02/33

     United States          45,570               46,641  
r  

ACE Securities Corp. Home Equity Loan Trust, 2003-FM1, M1, FRN, 1.382%, (1-Month USD LIBOR + 1.29%), 11/25/32

     United States          1,261,281               1,284,708  
d  

Adams Outdoor Advertising LP, 2018-1, A, 144A, 4.81%, 11/15/48

     United States          175,457               182,865  
d,r  

AGL CLO 3 Ltd., 2020-3A, C, 144A, FRN, 2.274%, (3-Month USD LIBOR + 2.15%), 1/15/33

     United States          285,000               285,376  
d  

AIM Aviation Finance Ltd., 2015-1A, B1, 144A, 5.072%, 2/15/40

     United States          170,624               68,686  
d,r  

Allegro CLO VI Ltd., 2018-2A, D, 144A, FRN, 2.872%, (3-Month USD LIBOR + 2.75%), 1/17/31

     United States          250,000               244,095  
d  

American Credit Acceptance Receivables Trust, 144A,
2020-3, D, 2.40%, 6/15/26

     United States          200,000               203,227  
 

2020-4, D, 1.77%, 12/14/26

     United States          185,000               186,055  
d,r  

Apex Credit CLO Ltd., 2018-1A, DR, 144A, FRN, 3.535%, (3-Month USD LIBOR + 3.40%), 10/27/28

     United States          1,000,000               994,492  
d  

Arbys Funding LLC, 2020-1A, A2, 144A, 3.237%, 7/30/50

     United States          98,750               102,285  
r  

Argent Securities Inc., 2004-W3, M4, FRN, 3.479%, (1-Month USD LIBOR + 4.58%), 2/25/34

     United States          188,909               210,942  
d  

Ascentium Equipment Receivables Trust, 2017-2A, C, 144A, 2.87%, 8/10/22

     United States          25,000               25,014  
d  

Avis Budget Rental Car Funding AESOP LLC, 144A,
2020-2A, B, 2.96%, 2/20/27

     United States          100,000               104,110  
 

2020-2A, C, 4.25%, 2/20/27

     United States          100,000               106,962  
d,r  

Barings CLO Ltd., 2019-4A, C, 144A, FRN, 2.924%, (3-Month USD LIBOR + 2.80%), 1/15/33

     United States          400,000               400,577  
d,r  

Barings Euro CLO BV, 2014-1, 144A, FRN, 1.90%, (3-Month EURIBOR + 1.90%), 7/15/31

     Netherlands          500,000               567,999  
s  

Bear Stearns ALT-A Trust, 2006-3, 21A1, FRN, 2.655%, 5/25/36

     United States          1,142,007               965,683  
d  

Blackbird Capital Aircraft Lease Securitization Ltd., 2016-1A, A, 144A, 4.213%, 12/16/41

     United States          179,038               179,558  
d,r  

BNPP IP CLO Ltd., 2017-2A, DR, 144A, FRN, 3.632%, (3-Month USD LIBOR + 3.50%), 10/30/25

     United States          1,250,000               1,242,569  
d,r  

BSPRT Issuer Ltd., 2019-FL5, E, 144A, FRN, 2.94%, (1-Month USD LIBOR + 2.85%), 5/15/29

     United States          1,000,000               999,764  
d,r  

BX Commercial Mortgage Trust, 2019-XL, E, 144A, FRN, 1.89%, (1-Month USD LIBOR + 1.80%), 10/15/36

     United States          1,105,000               1,102,005  
 

California Republic Auto Receivables Trust, 2018-1, D, 4.33%, 4/15/25

     United States          115,000               117,715  
d,r  

Carlyle US CLO Ltd., 2017-4A, C, 144A, FRN, 2.924%, (3-Month USD LIBOR + 2.80%), 1/15/30

     United States          250,000               241,235  
 

Carmax Auto Owner Trust, 2018-4, D, 4.15%, 4/15/25

     United States          60,000               61,842  
d  

Castlelake Aircraft Structured Trust, 2021-1A, A, 144A, 3.474%, 1/15/46

     United States          345,001               352,657  
d,r  

Catamaran CLO Ltd., 144A, FRN,
2014-2, C, 3.622%, (3-Month USD LIBOR + 3.50%), 10/18/26

     United States          2,030,000               2,038,232  
 

2014-2A, D, 4.972%, (3-Month USD LIBOR + 4.85%), 10/18/26

     United States          1,000,000               988,476  
 

2017-1A, CR, 1.935%, (3-Month USD LIBOR + 1.80%), 1/27/28

     United States          250,000               249,569  
d,r  

CHCP Ltd., 2021-FL1, C, 144A, FRN, 2.262%, (1-Month USD LIBOR + 2.21%), 2/15/38

     United States          1,000,000               1,000,500  
 

CHL Mortgage Pass-Through Trust,

                 
 

r 2003-15, 1A1, FRN, 0.592%, (1-Month USD LIBOR + 0.50%), 6/25/42

     United States          97,857               97,613  
 

2004-4, M, 5.50%, 5/25/34

     United States          858,371               579,616  
 

2006-21, A8, 5.75%, 2/25/37

     United States          340,014               234,636  
 

s,t 2006-HYB1, 2A2C, FRN, 2.667%, 3/20/36

     United States          1,288,861               1,254,920  
 

s 2006-HYB4, 3B, FRN, 3.669%, 6/20/36

     United States          1,597,977               1,357,337  

 

           
franklintempleton.com  

Semiannual Report

             53


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Principal Amount*        Value  
    Asset-Backed Securities and Commercial
Mortgage-Backed Securities
(continued)
                                 
    Diversified Financial Services (continued)  
d,r  

CIFC Funding Ltd., 2021-7A, D, 144A, FRN, 3.128%, (3-Month USD LIBOR + 3.00%), 1/23/35

     United States          315,000             $ 314,609  
d  

CLI Funding VIII LLC, 2021-1A, A, 144A, 1.64%, 2/18/46

     United States          370,086               362,788  
d,r  

Connecticut Avenue Securities Trust, 144A, FRN,
2020-R01, 1M2, 2.142%, (1-Month USD LIBOR + 2.05%), 1/25/40

     United States          45,148               45,359  
 

2021-R01, 1B1, 3.15%, (SOFR + 3.10%), 10/25/41

     United States          100,000               100,530  
d  

CoreVest American Finance Trust, 144A,

                 
 

2019-2, B, 3.424%, 6/15/52

     United States          100,000               105,894  
 

2020-4, C, 2.25%, 12/15/52

     United States          100,000               97,582  
d  

CSMC Trust, 144A,

                 
 

s 2019-RP10, A1, FRN, 2.971%, 12/26/59

     United States          139,180               139,721  
 

s 2020-RPL3, A1, FRN, 2.691%, 3/25/60

     United States          108,282               108,993  
 

2021-RPL1, A2, 3.937%, 9/27/60

     United States          155,000               154,200  
d,r  

Cutwater Ltd., 2017-1A, CR, 144A, FRN, 3.724%, (3-Month USD LIBOR + 3.60%), 7/15/26

     United States          1,000,000               1,001,879  
d  

DB Master Finance LLC, 144A, 2019-1A, A23, 4.352%, 5/20/49

     United States          146,625               158,184  
 

2021-1A, A2II, 2.493%, 11/20/51

     United States          55,000               54,808  
d,s  

DBUBS Mortgage Trust, 2017-BRBK, D, 144A, FRN, 3.648%, 10/10/34

     United States          100,000               101,845  
d  

Domino’s Pizza Master Issuer LLC, 144A,

                 
 

2017-1A, A23, 4.118%, 7/25/47

     United States          163,625               173,968  
 

2018-1A, A2II, 4.328%, 7/25/48

     United States          174,600               185,080  
 

2019-1A, A2, 3.668%, 10/25/49

     United States          167,025               177,485  
 

2021-1A, A2I, 2.662%, 4/25/51

     United States          223,875               226,073  
 

Drive Auto Receivables Trust, 2018-3, D, 4.30%, 9/16/24

     United States          12,936               13,128  
d  

DT Auto Owner Trust, 144A,

                 
 

2020-3A, D, 1.84%, 6/15/26

     United States          80,000               80,392  
 

2021-4A, D, 1.99%, 9/15/27

     United States          105,000               104,885  
d  

Education Funding Trust Trust, 2020-A, A, 144A, 2.79%, 7/25/41

     United States          106,406               107,989  
 

Exeter Automobile Receivables Trust,
d 2020-2A, D, 144A, 4.73%, 4/15/26

     United States          90,000               94,789  
 

2020-3A, C, 1.32%, 7/15/25

     United States          145,000               145,845  
s  

Fannie Mae Grantor Trust, 2004-T5, AB7, FRN, 0.586%, 5/28/35

     United States          312,585               303,735  
d  

First Investors Auto Owner Trust, 2019-2A, D, 144A, 2.80%, 12/15/25

     United States          40,000               40,747  
d  

FirstKey Homes Trust, 144A,

                 
 

2020-SFR1, F1, 3.638%, 8/17/37

     United States          225,000               229,614  
 

2020-SFR2, F1, 3.017%, 10/19/37

     United States          320,000               321,004  
d  

Flagship Credit Auto Trust, 2019-4, D, 144A, 3.12%, 1/15/26

     United States          90,000               92,983  
d,r  

FREMF Mortgage Trust, 2021-KF112, D, 144A, FRN, 3.04%, (1-Month USD LIBOR + 2.95%), 5/15/28

     United States          1,600,000               1,601,170  
d,r  

Galaxy XXVI CLO Ltd., 2018-26A, E, 144A, FRN, 6.01%, (3-Month USD LIBOR + 5.85%), 11/22/31

     United States          260,000               254,811  
d,r  

Generate CLO 6 Ltd., 2019-1A, D, 144A, FRN, 4.128%, (3-Month USD LIBOR + 4.00%), 7/22/32

     United States          455,000               456,330  
d  

GLS Auto Receivables Trust, 144A,
2020-1A, C, 2.72%, 11/17/25

     United States          150,000               152,939  
 

2020-3A, C, 1.92%, 5/15/25

     United States          330,000               333,780  
d,r  

GPMT Ltd., 144A, FRN,

                 
 

2018-FL1, C, 2.239%, (1-Month USD LIBOR + 2.15%), 11/19/35

     United States          1,127,063               1,127,404  
 

2019-FL2, D, 3.039%, (1-Month USD LIBOR + 2.95%), 2/22/36

     United States          950,000               945,868  
d,r  

Grand Avenue CRE, 2019-FL1, D, 144A, FRN, 2.889%, (1-Month USD LIBOR + 2.80%), 6/15/37

     United States          1,250,000               1,249,866  
d,r,t  

Greystone CRE Notes Ltd., 2021-HC2, A, 144A, FRN, 1.89%, (1-Month USD LIBOR + 1.80%), 12/15/39

     United States          105,000               105,000  
d,r  

Grosvenor Place CLO BV, 2015-1X, FRN, Reg S, 7.25%, (3-Month EURIBOR + 7.25%), 10/30/29

     Netherlands          398,000               451,190  
d,r  

GSRPM Mortgage Loan Trust, 2002-1A, M1, 144A, FRN, 2.042%, (1-Month USD LIBOR + 1.95%), 11/25/31

     United States          872,553               876,287  
d,r  

Halcyon Loan Advisors Funding Ltd., 2014-1A, D, 144A, FRN, 3.622%, (3-Month USD LIBOR + 3.50%), 4/18/26

     United States          1,490,000               1,488,703  

 

           
54             

Semiannual Report

  franklintempleton.com


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Principal Amount*        Value  
    Asset-Backed Securities and Commercial
Mortgage-Backed Securities
(continued)
                                 
    Diversified Financial Services (continued)  
d  

HPEFS Equipment Trust, 2020-2A, D, 144A, 2.79%, 7/22/30

     United States          325,000             $ 333,684  
d  

Kestrel Aircraft Funding Ltd., 2018-1A, A, 144A, 4.25%, 12/15/38

     United States          210,238               207,836  
 

Legacy Mortgage Asset Trust,

                 
 

d 2019-GS3, A1, 144A, 3.75%, 4/25/59

     United States          87,956               88,397  
 

d 2019-GS4, A1, 144A, 3.438%, 5/25/59

     United States          139,767               140,002  
 

2019-PR1, A2, 4.50%, 9/25/59

     United States          1,600,000               1,600,533  
 

d 2020-GS1, A1, 144A, 2.882%, 10/25/59

     United States          220,346               221,027  
d,r  

Marathon CLO V Ltd., 2017-5A, CR, 144A, FRN, 2.91%, (3-Month USD LIBOR + 2.75%), 11/21/27

     United States          2,200,000               2,142,930  
d,r  

Marathon CLO VI Ltd., 2018-6A, CR2, 144A, FRN, 3.656%, (3-Month USD LIBOR + 3.50%), 5/13/28

     United States          1,000,000               986,420  
d  

Marlette Funding Trust, 2019-4A, B, 144A, 2.95%, 12/17/29

     United States          290,000               292,492  
r  

Merrill Lynch Mortgage Investors Trust Series, 2007-MLN1, A2D, FRN, 0.412%, (1-Month USD LIBOR + 0.32%), 3/25/37

     United States          854,807               808,102  
d,s  

Mill City Mortgage Loan Trust, 2021-NMR1, M3, 144A, FRN, 2.50%, 11/25/60

     United States          100,000               98,412  
r  

MortgageIT Mortgage Loan Trust, FRN,
2006-1, 2A1A, 0.512%, (1-Month USD LIBOR + 0.42%), 4/25/36

     United States          1,847,613               1,702,321  
 

2006-1, 2A1B, 0.652%, (1-Month USD LIBOR + 0.56%), 4/25/36

     United States          605,331               248,289  
d,r  

Mountain View CLO Ltd., 2018-1A, DRR, 144A, FRN, 3.774%, (3-Month USD LIBOR + 3.65%), 10/15/26

     United States          2,000,000               2,010,128  
d  

MVW LLC, 2020-1A, C, 144A, 4.21%, 10/20/37

     United States          190,376               195,967  
d  

MVW Owner Trust, 2019-1A, C, 144A, 3.33%, 11/20/36

     United States          54,366               54,982  
d  

Navient Private Education Refi Loan Trust, 144A,

                 
 

2019-FA, B, 3.12%, 8/15/68

     United States          210,000               216,095  
 

2019-GA, B, 3.08%, 10/15/68

     United States          140,000               143,898  
d,r  

Neuberger Berman CLO XIV Ltd., 2020-14A, CR2, 144A, FRN, 2.036%, (3-Month USD LIBOR + 1.90%), 1/28/30

     United States          410,000               410,802  
d,r  

Neuberger Berman Loan Advisers CLO Ltd., 2018-27A, E, 144A, FRN, 5.324%, (3-Month USD LIBOR + 5.20%), 1/15/30

     United States          350,000               341,588  
r  

Nomura Home Equity Loan Inc. Home Equity Loan Trust Series, 2006-WF1, M4, FRN, 0.647%, (1-Month USD LIBOR + 0.56%), 3/25/36

     United States          1,328,910               1,342,506  
d,r  

Octagon Investment Partners XXII Ltd., 2018-1A, CRR, 144A, FRN, 2.028%, (3-Month USD LIBOR + 1.90%), 1/22/30

     United States          250,000               249,250  
d,r  

OHA Credit Funding 2 Ltd., 2021-2A, DR, 144A, FRN, 3.43%, (3-Month USD LIBOR + 3.30%), 4/21/34

     United States          335,000               332,906  
d,r  

OHA Credit Funding 4 Ltd., 2021-4A, ER, 144A, FRN, 6.528%, (3-Month USD LIBOR + 6.40%), 10/22/36

     United States          310,000               307,210  
d  

OneMain Financial Issuance Trust, 144A,

                 
 

2015-3A, B, 4.16%, 11/20/28

     United States          155,000               155,230  
 

2020-2A, C, 2.76%, 9/14/35

     United States          100,000               102,223  
d,r  

Pikes Peak CLO, 2021-4A, ER, 144A, FRN, 6.734%, (3-Month USD LIBOR + 6.61%), 7/15/34

     United States          250,000               245,378  
d  

Planet Fitness Master Issuer LLC, 2019-1A, A2, 144A, 3.858%, 12/05/49

     United States          147,375               153,174  
d  

Prestige Auto Receivables Trust, 144A,

                 
 

2019-1A, E, 3.90%, 5/15/26

     United States          100,000               101,926  
 

2020-1A, E, 3.67%, 2/15/28

     United States          100,000               102,626  
d  

Progress Residential Trust, 144A,

                 
 

2019-SFR1, E, 4.466%, 8/17/35

     United States          115,000               115,358  
 

2019-SFR2, E, 4.142%, 5/17/36

     United States          175,000               175,944  
 

2020-SFR3, F, 2.796%, 10/17/27

     United States          100,000               99,048  
 

2021-SFR2, E2, 2.647%, 4/19/38

     United States          100,000               99,461  
 

2021-SFR4, F, 3.407%, 5/17/38

     United States          230,000               228,569  
 

2021-SFR7, F, 3.834%, 8/17/40

     United States          260,000               256,236  
r  

Ramp Series Trust, 2003-RS9, MII3, FRN, 3.317%, (1-Month USD LIBOR + 2.15%), 10/25/33

     United States          1,140,907               1,153,145  

 

           
franklintempleton.com  

Semiannual Report

             55


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Principal Amount*        Value  
    Asset-Backed Securities and Commercial
Mortgage-Backed Securities
(continued)
                                 
    Diversified Financial Services (continued)  
d,s  

RBSSP Resecuritization Trust, 2009-12, 17A2, 144A, FRN, 2.128%, 10/25/35

     United States          308,960             $ 306,330  
 

Santander Drive Auto Receivables Trust,

                 
 

2020-1, D, 5.35%, 3/15/28

     United States          240,000               256,510  
 

2020-2, D, 2.22%, 9/15/26

     United States          100,000               101,678  
r  

Saxon Asset Securities Trust, 2002-3, M2, FRN, 2.679%, (1-Month USD LIBOR + 2.59%), 12/25/32

     United States          1,133,472               1,149,060  
d  

SCF Equipment Leasing LLC, 2021-1A, E, 144A, 3.56%, 8/20/32

     United States          100,000               97,612  
d,s  

Security National Mortgage Loan Trust, 2004-1A, AF3, 144A, FRN, 6.42%, 6/25/32

     United States          1,710,689               1,502,118  
d  

Sierra Timeshare Receivables Funding LLC, 2021-1A, C, 144A, 1.79%, 11/20/37

     United States          187,575               186,004  
d,r  

Silvermore CLO Ltd., 2014-1A, C, 144A, FRN, 3.606%, (3-Month USD LIBOR + 3.45%), 5/15/26

     United States          1,250,000               1,251,840  
d  

S-Jets Ltd., 2017-1, A, 144A, 3.967%, 8/15/42

     Bermuda          386,522               385,926  
r  

SLM Private Credit Student Loan Trust, 2003-B, A3, FRN, 2.806%, (28-Day T-Bill + 1.00%), 3/15/33

     United States          200,000               194,916  
d,r  

SMB Private Education Loan Trust, 2017-B, A2B, 144A, FRN, 0.839%, (1-Month USD LIBOR + 0.75%), 10/15/35

     United States          52,911               53,113  
d  

SoFi Consumer Loan Program Trust, 144A,

                 
 

2018-1, B, 3.65%, 2/25/27

     United States          30,473               30,694  
 

2019-4, C, 2.84%, 8/25/28

     United States          130,000               132,165  
d  

SoFi Professional Loan Program LLC, 2016-A, B, 144A, 3.57%, 1/26/38

     United States          27,840               27,999  
r  

Soundview Home Loan Trust, 2006-WF2, M3, FRN, 0.767%, (1-Month USD LIBOR + 0.68%), 12/25/36

     United States          1,747,858               2,399,154  
d  

SpringCastle America Funding LLC, 2020-AA, A, 144A, 1.97%, 9/25/37

     United States          197,457               197,350  
d  

Sprite Ltd., 2017-1, B, 144A, 5.75%, 12/15/37

     United States          164,302               146,826  
d  

Stack Infrastructure Issuer LLC, 2019-1A, A2, 144A, 4.54%, 2/25/44

     United States          121,563               126,410  
d,r  

Staniford Street CLO Ltd., 2014-1A, D, 144A, FRN, 3.616%, (3-Month USD LIBOR + 3.50%), 6/15/25

     United States          1,266,287               1,268,898  
d,r  

Starwood Retail Property Trust, 2014-STAR, E, 144A, FRN, 4.49%, (1-Month USD LIBOR + 4.40%), 11/15/27

     United States          200,000               2,375  
d  

Textainer Marine Containers VII Ltd., 2021-1A, A, 144A, 1.68%, 2/20/46

     Bermuda          178,600               174,591  
d  

Towd Point Mortgage Trust, 144A, FRN,

                 
 

s 2018-5, M1, 3.25%, 7/25/58

     United States          100,000               103,196  
 

s 2019-2, M1, 3.75%, 12/25/58

     United States          200,000               208,685  
 

s 2019-4, A1, 2.90%, 10/25/59

     United States          296,601               305,946  
 

r 2019-HE1, M2, 1.842%, (1-Month USD LIBOR + 1.75%), 4/25/48

     United States          1,481,000               1,493,247  
d,r  

TPG Real Estate Finance Issuer Ltd., 2018-FL2, C, 144A, FRN, 2.389%, (1-Month USD LIBOR + 2.30%), 11/15/37

     United States          1,000,000               1,000,728  
d  

Tricon American Homes Trust, 2020-SFR2, E1, 144A, 2.73%, 11/17/39

     United States          100,000               98,372  
d  

VCAT LLC, 144A,

                 
 

2021-NPL1, A1, 2.289%, 12/26/50

     United States          78,836               78,944  
 

2021-NPL5, A1, 1.868%, 8/25/51

     United States          97,445               96,942  
d,r  

VMC Finance LLC, 144A, FRN,

                 
 

2019-FL3, C, 2.139%, (1-Month USD LIBOR + 2.05%), 9/15/36

     United States          880,961               877,657  
 

2021-FL4, C, 2.339%, (1-Month USD LIBOR + 2.25%), 6/16/36

     United States          1,000,000               999,805  
d,r  

Voya CLO Ltd., 2014-3A, D, 144A, FRN, 5.124%, (3-Month USD LIBOR + 5.00%), 7/25/26

     United States          2,100,000               2,098,137  
d,s  

WaMu Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, 2007-SL2, G, 144A, FRN, 2.355%, 12/27/49

     United States          2,866,082               2,337,166  
d  

Wave Trust, 2017-1A, A, 144A, 3.844%, 11/15/42

     United States          180,569               177,677  
s  

Wells Fargo Mortgage Backed Securities Trust, 2007-AR6, A2, FRN, 2.595%, 10/25/37

     United States          145,360               142,307  
d  

Wendy’s Funding LLC, 2018-1A, A2II, 144A, 3.884%, 3/15/48

     United States          211,750               221,585  

 

           
56             

Semiannual Report

  franklintempleton.com


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Principal Amount*        Value  
    Asset-Backed Securities and Commercial
Mortgage-Backed Securities
(continued)
                                 
    Diversified Financial Services (continued)  
d  

Westlake Automobile Receivables Trust, 2020-3A, D, 144A, 1.65%, 2/17/26

     United States          120,000             $ 120,618  
                   

 

 

 
                      71,457,733  
                   

 

 

 
    Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) 0.0%  
d  

American Homes 4 Rent, 144A,
2014-SFR2, E, 6.231%, 10/17/36

     United States          250,000               270,475  
 

2014-SFR3, E, 6.418%, 12/17/36

     United States          100,000               109,019  
 

2015-SFR1, E, 5.639%, 4/17/52

     United States          210,000               226,838  
d  

Diamond Resorts Owner Trust, 144A,

                 
 

2017-1A, C, 6.07%, 10/22/29

     United States          16,686               16,834  
 

2018-1, C, 4.53%, 1/21/31

     United States          40,747               41,590  
 

2019-1A, B, 3.53%, 2/20/32

     United States          39,067               39,811  
                   

 

 

 
                      704,567  
                   

 

 

 
    Mortgage Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) 1.6%  
d  

510 Asset Backed Trust, 2021-NPL1, A1, 144A, 2.24%, 6/25/61

     United States          145,459               144,905  
 

Alternative Loan Trust, 2007-6, A4, 5.75%, 4/25/47

     United States          1,128,568               931,199  
r  

American Home Mortgage Investment Trust, 2006-1, 11A1, FRN, 0.372%, (1-Month USD LIBOR + 0.28%), 3/25/46

     United States          148,507               143,779  
 

Banc of America Alternative Loan Trust, 2003-8, 1CB1, 5.50%, 10/25/33

     United States          3,656               3,793  
 

Banc of America Funding Trust,

                 
 

e 2003-1, B2, 6.00%, 5/20/33

     United States          170,304               115,484  
 

2005-8, 1A1, 5.50%, 1/25/36

     United States          400,399               390,689  
 

2007-4, 5A1, 5.50%, 11/25/34

     United States          40,895               41,310  
s  

Banc of America Mortgage Trust, 2005-A, 2A1, FRN, 2.502%, 2/25/35

     United States          2,855               2,949  
d,r  

BBCMS Mortgage Trust, 2020-BID, B, 144A, FRN, 2.63%, (1-Month USD LIBOR + 2.54%), 10/15/37

     United States          210,000               210,606  
d,r  

BCAP LLC Trust, 2012-RR4, 9A7, 144A, FRN, 0.249%, (1-Month USD LIBOR + 0.08%), 11/26/36

     United States          388,374               399,877  
s  

Bear Stearns ARM Trust, 2007-4, 12A1, FRN, 3.007%, 5/25/37

     United States          1,229,562               1,214,571  
d,r  

BXMT Ltd., 2021-FL4, C, 144A, FRN, 1.84%, (1-Month USD LIBOR + 1.75%), 5/15/38

     United States          2,500,000               2,495,146  
d  

CIM Trust, 2021-NR2, A1, 144A, 2.568%, 7/25/59

     United States          175,232               175,363  
d,s  

Citigroup Commercial Mortgage Trust, 2014-GC21, D, 144A, FRN, 5.107%, 5/10/47

     United States          330,000               307,869  
 

Citigroup Mortgage Loan Trust,

                 
 

2006-WF1, A2C, 4.831%, 3/25/36

     United States          474,250               287,060  
 

d,s 2009-10, 6A2, 144A, FRN, 2.167%, 9/25/34

     United States          27,260               28,529  
 

d 2019-E, A1, 144A, 3.228%, 11/25/70

     United States          205,652               206,000  
 

Countrywide Alternative Loan Trust,

                 
 

2003-22CB, 1A1, 5.75%, 12/25/33

     United States          28,505               29,686  
 

2004-16CB, 1A1, 5.50%, 7/25/34

     United States          13,685               14,046  
 

2004-16CB, 3A1, 5.50%, 8/25/34

     United States          13,711               14,063  
 

2004-3T1, M, 6.00%, 5/25/34

     United States          250,846               200,284  
 

2004-J10, 2CB1, 6.00%, 9/25/34

     United States          45,880               47,759  
 

2005-J1, 2A1, 5.50%, 2/25/25

     United States          2,140               2,164  
r  

Countrywide Asset-Backed Certificates, 2005-15, M3, FRN, 0.612%, (1-Month USD LIBOR + 0.52%), 4/25/36

     United States          2,340,000               2,262,889  
s  

Countrywide Home Loans Mortgage Pass-Through Trust, 2004-HYB4, 2A1, FRN, 2.603%, 9/20/34

     United States          39,696               40,012  
d,r  

Credit Suisse Commercial Mortgage Securities Corp., 2019-SKLZ, D, 144A, FRN, 3.69%, (1-Month USD LIBOR + 3.60%), 1/15/34

     United States          84,000               83,335  
 

Credit Suisse First Boston Mortgage Securities Corp.,

                 
 

2002-10, 1B, 7.50%, 5/25/32

     United States          149,864               141,436  
 

2003-27, 4A4, 5.75%, 11/25/33

     United States          12,934               13,880  
 

2005-8, 1A3, 5.25%, 9/25/35

     United States          89,766               88,025  

 

           
franklintempleton.com  

Semiannual Report

             57


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Principal Amount*        Value  
    Asset-Backed Securities and Commercial
Mortgage-Backed Securities
(continued)
                                 
    Mortgage Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) (continued)  
d  

CSMC OA LLC, 144A,

                 
 

2014-USA, A2, 3.953%, 9/15/37

     United States          150,000             $ 158,660  
 

2014-USA, E, 4.373%, 9/15/37

     United States          400,000               359,669  
r  

DSLA Mortgage Loan Trust, 2005-AR5, 2A1A, FRN, 0.749%, (1-Month USD LIBOR + 0.66%), 9/19/45

     United States          31,789               24,072  
d,r  

FHLMC, 2021-DNA7, M2, 144A, FRN, 1.848%, (SOFR + 1.80%), 11/25/41

     United States          100,000               100,312  
r  

FHLMC Structured Agency Credit Risk Debt Notes, 2015-DNA1, M3, FRN, 3.392%, (1-Month USD LIBOR + 3.30%), 10/25/27

     United States          88,769               90,154  
s  

GS Mortgage Securities Trust,

                 
 

d 2011-GC5, C, 144A, FRN, 5.302%, 8/10/44

     United States          100,000               85,987  
 

d 2011-GC5, D, 144A, FRN, 5.302%, 8/10/44

     United States          195,000               96,525  
 

2014-GC18, B, FRN, 4.885%, 1/10/47

     United States          100,000               99,365  
 

GSR Mortgage Loan Trust,

                 
 

2005-4F, 6A1, 6.50%, 2/25/35

     United States          7,786               7,917  
 

s 2005-AR6, 4A5, FRN, 2.71%, 9/25/35

     United States          23,642               23,810  
r  

Harborview Mortgage Loan Trust, 2004-11, 2A2A, FRN, 0.729%, (1-Month USD LIBOR + 0.64%), 1/19/35

     United States          71,474               66,474  
 

IndyMac INDX Mortgage Loan Trust, FRN,

                 
 

s 2004-AR15, B1, 2.674%, 2/25/35

     United States          1,606,419               1,394,209  
 

r 2004-AR7, A5, 1.312%, (1-Month USD LIBOR + 1.22%), 9/25/34

     United States          34,477               33,108  
 

s 2005-AR11, A3, 2.956%, 8/25/35

     United States          38,943               35,656  
 

r 2006-AR2, 2A1, 0.512%, (1-Month USD LIBOR + 0.42%), 2/25/46

     United States          173,590               139,542  
 

s 2006-AR3, 3A1A, 3.07%, 4/25/36

     United States          1,860,909               1,895,579  
s  

JPMorgan Alternative Loan Trust, 2006-A2, 2A2, FRN, 2.922%, 5/25/36

     United States          1,323,765               1,010,368  
d,s  

JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, 144A, FRN,

                 
 

2012-C8, C, 4.779%, 10/15/45

     United States          100,000               100,822  
 

2012-LC9, C, 4.508%, 12/15/47

     United States          100,000               101,130  
 

2012-LC9, D, 4.508%, 12/15/47

     United States          120,000               118,248  
 

JPMorgan Mortgage Trust,

                 
 

2004-S1, 2A1, 6.00%, 9/25/34

     United States          62,733               66,217  
 

s 2006-A3, 2B1, FRN, 2.665%, 4/25/35

     United States          1,877,673               1,269,232  
 

s 2007-A1, 4A2, FRN, 2.307%, 7/25/35

     United States          1,251               1,256  
 

d,s 2020-2, B4, 144A, FRN, 3.862%, 7/25/50

     United States          984,501               1,009,931  
r  

Lehman XS Trust Series, 2006-2N, 1A1, FRN, 0.612%, (1-Month USD LIBOR + 0.52%), 2/25/46

     United States          29,781               27,598  
 

MASTR Alternative Loan Trust,

                 
 

2004-2, 8A4, 5.50%, 3/25/34

     United States          122,266               126,413  
 

2004-8, 2A1, 6.00%, 9/25/34

     United States          26,776               27,857  
s  

Merrill Lynch Mortgage Investors MLCC, 2006-2, 2A, FRN, 2.021%, 5/25/36

     United States          1,694               1,728  
s  

Morgan Stanley Bank of America Merrill Lynch Trust, 2013-C11, B, FRN, 4.496%, 8/15/46

     United States          200,000               145,291  
d,s  

Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust, 2011-C2, E, 144A, FRN, 5.385%, 6/15/44

     United States          150,000               127,820  
d,s  

MSBAM Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, 2012-CKSV, C, 144A, FRN, 4.425%, 10/15/30

     United States          340,000               293,120  
d  

PRPM LLC, 144A,

                 
 

s 2021-2, A2, FRN, 3.77%, 3/25/26

     United States          130,000               129,088  
 

2021-3, A1, 1.867%, 4/25/26

     United States          178,598               178,082  
 

s 2021-9, A1, FRN, 2.363%, 10/25/26

     United States          137,645               136,987  
s  

RFMSI Trust, 2005-SA1, 1A1, FRN, 3.623%, 3/25/35

     United States          87,663               52,896  
s  

Structured Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loan Trust Series, 2006-8, 1A2, FRN, 3.101%, 9/25/36

     United States          195,014               170,917  
r  

Structured ARM Loan Trust, 2005-14, A1, FRN, 0.402%, (1-Month USD LIBOR + 0.31%), 7/25/35

     United States          184,323               131,926  
d  

Toorak Mortgage Corp. Ltd., 2021-1, A1, 144A, 2.24%, 6/25/24

     United States          190,000               189,481  

 

           
58             

Semiannual Report

  franklintempleton.com


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Principal Amount*        Value  
    Asset-Backed Securities and Commercial
Mortgage-Backed Securities
(continued)
                                 
    Mortgage Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) (continued)  
d  

VOLT XCII LLC, 2021-NPL1, A1, 144A, 1.893%, 2/27/51

     United States          93,422             $ 93,322  
d  

VOLT XCII LLC, 2021-NPL2, A1, 144A, 1.893%, 2/27/51

     United States          232,595               231,427  
d  

VOLT XCIV LLC, 2021-NPL3, A2, 144A, 4.949%, 2/27/51

     United States          215,000               213,188  
 

Wells Fargo Commercial Mortgage Trust,

                 
 

s 2013-LC12, B, FRN, 4.441%, 7/15/46

     United States          190,000               189,369  
 

2014-LC16, C, 4.458%, 8/15/50

     United States          215,000               134,375  
 

s 2016-C36, B, FRN, 3.671%, 11/15/59

     United States          100,000               98,328  
 

s 2016-C36, C, FRN, 4.311%, 11/15/59

     United States          100,000               88,333  
 

d,s 2019-JWDR, C, 144A, FRN, 3.139%, 9/15/31

     United States          290,000               286,997  
 

WFRBS Commercial Mortgage Trust,

                 
 

d,s 2011-C3, D, 144A, FRN, 5.513%, 3/15/44

     United States          243,673               121,154  
 

d,s 2011-C4, E, 144A, FRN, 5.024%, 6/15/44

     United States          120,000               92,077  
 

s 2012-C10, C, FRN, 4.494%, 12/15/45

     United States          320,000               286,053  
 

d,s 2012-C6, D, 144A, FRN, 5.982%, 4/15/45

     United States          150,000               150,530  
 

s 2012-C7, C, FRN, 4.946%, 6/15/45

     United States          25,000               19,362  
 

d,s 2012-C7, D, 144A, FRN, 4.946%, 6/15/45

     United States          130,000               72,686  
 

d,s 2012-C7, E, 144A, FRN, 4.946%, 6/15/45

     United States          75,000               13,978  
 

2014-C20, B, 4.378%, 5/15/47

     United States          100,000               102,220  
 

s 2014-C24, B, FRN, 4.204%, 11/15/47

     United States          100,000               100,111  
                   

 

 

 
                      22,357,665  
                   

 

 

 
 

Total Asset-Backed Securities and Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities (Cost $93,483,079)

                    94,519,965  
                   

 

 

 
    Municipal Bonds in Reorganization 0.5%                                  
    Puerto Rico 0.5%                                  
l  

Commonwealth of Puerto Rico,

                 
 

8.00%, 7/01/35

     United States          6,335,000               5,558,963  
 

5.50%, 7/01/39

     United States          715,000               673,887  
 

5.00%, 7/01/41

     United States          1,000,000               900,000  
                   

 

 

 
 

Total Municipal Bonds in Reorganization
(Cost $4,164,941)

                    7,132,850  
                   

 

 

 
         Number of
Contracts
       Notional Amount#           
    Options Purchased 0.1%                                  
    Calls – Exchange-Traded 0.0%                                  
 

Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings Inc., February Strike Price $45.00, Expires 2/18/22

     26          2,600               4,810  
 

The AES Corp., January Strike Price $27.00, Expires 1/21/22

     1,199          119,900               15,587  
 

Amyris Inc., March Strike Price $10.00, Expires 3/18/22

     91          9,100               4,004  
 

Avaya Holdings Corp., January Strike Price $22.50, Expires 1/21/22

     18          1,800               1,368  
 

Carnival Corp., January Strike Price $30.00, Expires 1/21/22

     20          2,000               180  
 

Casino Guichard Perrachon SA, December Strike Price 26.00 EUR, Expires 12/17/21

     86          8,600               98  
 

CBOE Volatility Index, December Strike Price $21.00, Expires 12/22/21

     152          15,200               84,512  
 

CBOE Volatility Index, December Strike Price $22.00, Expires 12/22/21

     124          12,400               66,464  
 

CBOE Volatility Index, December Strike Price $23.00, Expires 12/22/21

     121          12,100               56,870  
 

CBOE Volatility Index, January Strike Price $24.00, Expires 1/19/22

     134          13,400               74,102  
 

CBOE Volatility Index, January Strike Price $25.00, Expires 1/19/22

     227          22,700               115,770  
 

CBOE Volatility Index, January Strike Price $30.00, Expires 1/19/22

     74          7,400               27,380  
 

CBOE Volatility Index, February Strike Price $30.00, Expires 2/16/22

     69          6,900               30,360  
 

Cinemark Holdings Inc., January Strike Price $25.00, Expires 1/21/22

     40          4,000               1,000  
 

GOL Linhas Aereas Inteligentes SA, January Strike Price $9.00, Expires 1/21/22

     59          5,900               472  

 

           
franklintempleton.com  

Semiannual Report

             59


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

           Number of
Contracts
       Notional Amount#        Value  
    Options Purchased (continued)                                  
    Calls – Exchange-Traded (continued)                                  
 

Helix Energy Solutions Group Inc., December Strike Price $5.00, Expires 12/17/21

     82          8,200             $ 410  
 

Intel Corp., January Strike Price $70.00, Expires 1/21/22

     100          10,000               400  
 

Nikola Corp., January Strike Price $12.50, Expires 1/21/22

     196          19,600               16,268  
 

Nikola Corp., January Strike Price $14.00, Expires 1/21/22

     95          9,500               5,510  
 

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., January Strike Price $32.50, Expires 1/21/22

     73          7,300               730  
 

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., February Strike Price $27.50, Expires 2/18/22

     73          7,300               3,139  
 

NuVasive Inc., December Strike Price $70.00, Expires 12/17/21

     14          1,400               350  
 

Pebblebrook Hotel Trust, December Strike Price $30.00, Expires 12/17/21

     20          2,000               300  
 

S&P 500 Index, December Strike Price $4,600.00, Expires 12/31/21

     7          700               65,800  
 

SPDR Gold Shares ETF, June Strike Price $200.00, Expires 6/17/22

     147          14,700               18,228  
 

Spirit Airlines Inc., January Strike Price $30.00, Expires 1/21/22

     20          2,000               360  
 

Tronox Holdings PLC, December Strike Price $27.00, Expires 12/17/21

     38          3,800               380  
 

Tronox Holdings PLC, February Strike Price $27.00, Expires 2/18/22

     38          3,800               1,140  
 

Vodafone Group PLC, December Strike Price 1.25 GBP, Expires 12/17/21

     64          64,000                
 

Vodafone Group PLC, March Strike Price 1.20 GBP, Expires 3/18/22

     65          65,000               2,377  
 

Vroom Inc., December Strike Price $35.00, Expires 12/17/21

     10          1,000               50  
 

Willis Towers Watson PLC, December Strike Price $250.00, Expires 12/17/21

     23          2,300               1,092  
 

Zogenix Inc., December Strike Price $19.00, Expires 12/17/21

     12          1,200               120  
                   

 

 

 
                      599,631  
                   

 

 

 
 

Calls – Over-the-Counter 0.0%

                 
    Currency Options 0.0%                                  
 

USD/RUB, Counterparty BZWS, December Strike Price 82.00 RUB, Expires 12/23/21

     1          130,000               200  
                   

 

 

 
    Puts – Exchange-Traded 0.1%                                  
 

Advanced Micro Devices Inc., January Strike Price $135.00, Expires 1/21/22

     306          30,600               119,952  
 

Alcon Inc., May Strike Price $70.00, Expires 5/20/22

     14          1,400               3,080  
 

American Airlines Group Inc., January Strike Price $10.00, Expires 1/20/23

     40          4,000               2,920  
 

Arbor Realty Trust Inc., December Strike Price $17.50, Expires 12/17/21

     37          3,700               1,480  
 

Avis Budget Group Inc., January Strike Price $270.00, Expires 1/21/22

     17          1,700               55,046  
 

Bath & Body Works Inc., January Strike Price $70.00, Expires 1/21/22

     62          6,200               18,104  
 

Box Inc., December Strike Price $22.00, Expires 12/17/21

     300          30,000               24,900  
 

Box Inc., December Strike Price $23.00, Expires 12/17/21

     17          1,700               2,006  
 

Callaway Golf Co., January Strike Price $26.00, Expires 1/21/22

     824          82,400               111,240  
 

Callaway Golf Co., January Strike Price $28.00, Expires 1/21/22

     16          1,600               3,800  
 

CBOE Volatility Index, December Strike Price $21.00, Expires 12/22/21

     280          28,000               36,400  
 

CBOE Volatility Index, December Strike Price $22.00, Expires 12/22/21

     241          24,100               42,175  
 

CBOE Volatility Index, December Strike Price $23.00, Expires 12/22/21

     222          22,200               48,840  
 

CBOE Volatility Index, January Strike Price $30.00, Expires 1/19/22

     142          14,200               110,334  
 

Cinemark Holdings Inc., January Strike Price $10.00, Expires 1/21/22

     90          9,000               1,800  
 

Coinbase Global Inc., March Strike Price $200.00, Expires 3/18/22

     18          1,800               9,918  
 

The Cooper Cos Inc., May Strike Price $360.00, Expires 5/20/22

     3          300               7,080  
 

Crown Holdings Inc., January Strike Price $100.00, Expires 1/21/22

     111          11,100               24,420  
 

Fluor Corp., January Strike Price $15.00, Expires 1/21/22

     30          3,000               675  
 

Fluor Corp., January Strike Price $17.50, Expires 1/21/22

     30          3,000               1,500  
 

Fluor Corp., January Strike Price $20.00, Expires 1/21/22

     30          3,000               2,850  
 

Iron Mountain Inc., January Strike Price $40.00, Expires 1/21/22

     24          2,400               960  
 

Iron Mountain Inc., March Strike Price $42.50, Expires 3/18/22

     34          3,400               5,508  
 

iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF, December Strike Price $47.50, Expires 12/31/21

     431          43,100               51,720  
 

The Marcus Corp., December Strike Price $10.00, Expires 12/17/21

     37          3,700               1,388  

 

           
60             

Semiannual Report

  franklintempleton.com


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

           Number of
Contracts
       Notional Amount#        Value  
    Options Purchased (continued)                                  
    Puts – Exchange-Traded (continued)                                  
 

Owens & Minor Inc., March Strike Price $30.00, Expires 3/18/22

     96          9,600             $ 13,680  
 

S&P 500 Index, February Strike Price $4,500.00, Expires 2/18/22

     29          2,900               430,940  
 

Shift Technologies Inc., December Strike Price $5.00, Expires 12/17/21

     56          5,600               3,080  
 

SPDR S&P Retail ETF, December Strike Price $92.00, Expires 12/17/21

     25          2,500               4,750  
 

SPDR S&P Retail ETF, January Strike Price $75.00, Expires 1/21/22

     64          6,400               4,224  
 

SPDR S&P Retail ETF, January Strike Price $85.00, Expires 1/21/22

     58          5,800               10,556  
                   

 

 

 
                      1,155,326  
                   

 

 

 
    Puts – Over-the-Counter 0.0%       
 

The Western Union Co., Counterparty BOFA, May Strike Price $14.00, Expires 5/20/22

     124          12,400               11,160  
                   

 

 

 
 

Total Options Purchased (Cost $2,507,834)

                    1,766,317  
                   

 

 

 
 

Total Investments before Short Term Investments (Cost $956,481,614)

                    1,112,195,610  
                   

 

 

 
         Country        Shares                    
    Short Term Investments 15.8%                                  
    Money Market Funds 14.0%       
u,v  

Dreyfus Government Cash Management, Institutional, 0.03%

     United States          17,573,076               17,573,076  
u  

Fidelity Investments Money Market Government Portfolio, Institutional, 0.01%

     United States          183,354,689               183,354,689  
                   

 

 

 
 

Total Money Market Funds (Cost $200,927,765)

                    200,927,765  
                   

 

 

 
w   Investments from Cash Collateral Received for Loaned
Securities 0.5%
      
    Money Market Funds 0.4%                                  
u,x  

Institutional Fiduciary Trust Money Market Portfolio, 0.01%

     United States          5,752,000               5,752,000  
                   

 

 

 
                  Principal Amount*           
    Repurchase Agreements 0.1%                                  
y  

Joint Repurchase Agreement, 0.05%, 12/01/21 (Maturity Value $1,439,227)

     United States          1,439,225               1,439,225  
 

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
Collateralized by zU.S. Government Agency Obligations, 12/14/21-2/08/22 (valued at $1,468,011)

                 
                   

 

 

 
 

Total Investments from Cash Collateral Received for Loaned Securities (Cost $7,191,225)

                    7,191,225  
                   

 

 

 
    U.S. Government and Agency Securities 1.3%                                  
z  

Federal Home Loan Bank Discount Notes, 12/01/21

     United States          5,805,000               5,805,000  
 

z U.S. Treasury Bill,

                 
 

4/21/22

     United States          12,000,000               11,996,827  
 

8/11/22

     United States          940,000               939,150  
                   

 

 

 
 

Total U.S. Government and Agency Securities (Cost $18,742,681)

                    18,740,977  
                   

 

 

 
 

Total Investments (Cost $1,183,343,285) 93.4%

                    1,339,055,577  
 

Options Written (0.0)%

                    (434,251
 

Securities Sold Short (17.5)%

                    (250,220,336
 

Other Assets, less Liabilities 24.1%

                    344,709,462  
                   

 

 

 
 

Net Assets 100.0%

                  $ 1,433,110,452  
                   

 

 

 

 

           
franklintempleton.com  

Semiannual Report

             61


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

           Number of
Contracts
       Notional Amount#        Value  
aa   Options Written (0.0)%       
    Calls – Exchange-Traded (0.0)%       
 

Abbott Laboratories, December Strike Price $130.00, Expires 12/17/21

     4          400             $ (484
 

Accenture PLC, A, December Strike Price $360.00, Expires 12/17/21

     1          100               (1,150
 

Applied Materials Inc., December Strike Price $150.00, Expires 12/17/21

     3          300               (1,230
 

Bath & Body Works Inc., January Strike Price $80.00, Expires 1/21/22

     15          1,500               (4,335
 

Bath & Body Works Inc., January Strike Price $85.00, Expires 1/21/22

     46          4,600               (7,268
 

The Blackstone Group Inc., A, December Strike Price $135.00, Expires 12/17/21

     3          300               (3,000
 

Box Inc., A, December Strike Price $27.00, Expires 12/17/21

     118          11,800               (3,540
 

Box Inc., A, December Strike Price $29.00, Expires 12/17/21

     130          13,000               (1,950
 

Callaway Golf Co., January Strike Price $31.00, Expires 1/21/22

     350          35,000               (15,750
 

Casino Guichard Perrachon SA, December Strike Price 30.00 EUR, Expires 12/17/21

     43          4,300               (49
 

Casino Guichard Perrachon SA, December Strike Price 34.00 EUR, Expires 12/17/21

     43          4,300               (49
 

Citigroup Inc., December Strike Price $75.00, Expires 12/17/21

     5          500               (40
 

ConocoPhillips, December Strike Price $80.00, Expires 12/17/21

     7          700               (196
 

Eli Lilly & Co., W, December Strike Price $260.00, Expires 12/17/21

     2          200               (630
 

EOG Resources Inc., December Strike Price $100.00, Expires 12/17/21

     4          400               (200
 

Fox Corp., December Strike Price $46.00, Expires 12/17/21

     11          1,100               (192
 

The Goldman Sachs Group Inc., December Strike Price $440.00, Expires 12/17/21

     1          100               (39
 

Hertz Global Holdings Inc., December Strike Price $30.00, Expires 12/17/21

     14          1,400               (630
 

Hertz Global Holdings Inc., February Strike Price $25.00, Expires 2/18/22

     37          3,700               (13,320
 

JPMorgan Chase & Co., December Strike Price $175.00, Expires 12/17/21

     2          200               (52
 

Kraton Corp., December Strike Price $50.00, Expires 12/17/21

     80          8,000               (400
 

Marathon Petroleum Corp., December Strike Price $72.50, Expires 12/17/21

     1          100               (13
 

Merck & Co. Inc., December Strike Price $82.50, Expires 12/17/21

     4          400               (180
 

MetLife Inc., December Strike Price $70.00, Expires 12/17/21

     7          700               (28
 

Microsoft Corp., December Strike Price $320.00, Expires 12/17/21

     1          100               (1,518
 

Morgan Stanley, December Strike Price $110.00, Expires 12/17/21

     1          100               (10
 

MPLX LP, December Strike Price $31.43, Expires 12/17/21

     12          1,200               (144
 

NetApp Inc., December Strike Price $100.00, Expires 12/17/21

     4          400               (280
 

Nexstar Media Group Inc., December Strike Price $165.00, Expires 12/17/21

     1          100               (65
 

NVIDIA Corp., December Strike Price $247.50, Expires 12/17/21

     1          100               (7,689
 

OneMain Holdings Inc., A, December Strike Price $65.00, Expires 12/17/21

     7          700               (56
 

Oracle Corp., December Strike Price $105.00, Expires 12/17/21

     5          500               (110
 

S&P 500 Index, December Strike Price $4,800.00, Expires 12/31/21

     7          700               (8,610
 

SPX FLOW Inc., December Strike Price $85.00, Expires 12/17/21

     13          1,300               (4,290
 

SPX FLOW Inc., March Strike Price $85.00, Expires 3/18/22

     9          900               (5,355
 

Target Corp., December Strike Price $270.00, Expires 12/17/21

     1          100               (42
 

Texas Instruments Inc., December Strike Price $210.00, Expires 12/17/21

     1          100               (38
 

Wells Fargo & Co., December Strike Price $52.50, Expires 12/17/21

     7          700               (175
 

Willis Towers Watson PLC, December Strike Price $260.00, Expires 12/17/21

     16          1,600               (240
 

Willis Towers Watson PLC, December Strike Price $270.00, Expires 12/17/21

     7          700               (1,662
                   

 

 

 
                      (85,009
                   

 

 

 
    Puts – Exchange-Traded (0.0)%       
 

Amyris Inc., March Strike Price $6.00, Expires 3/18/22

     76          7,600               (6,840
 

Avaya Holdings Corp., January Strike Price $17.50, Expires 1/21/22

     8          800               (608
 

Avis Budget Group Inc., January Strike Price $200.00, Expires 1/21/22

     17          1,700               (14,246
 

Bath & Body Works Inc., January Strike Price $60.00, Expires 1/21/22

     30          3,000               (2,310
 

Carnival Corp., January Strike Price $22.50, Expires 1/21/22

     20          2,000               (10,560

 

           
62             

Semiannual Report

  franklintempleton.com


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

           Number of
Contracts
       Notional Amount#        Value  
aa   Options Written (continued)       
    Puts – Exchange-Traded (continued)       
 

Cinemark Holdings Inc., January Strike Price $15.00, Expires 1/21/22

     40          4,000             $ (5,800
 

Crown Holdings Inc., January Strike Price $87.50, Expires 1/21/22

     111          11,100               (10,545
 

GOL Linhas Aereas Inteligentes SA, January Strike Price $7.00, Expires 1/21/22

     59          5,900               (8,998
 

Nikola Corp., January Strike Price $7.50, Expires 1/21/22

     67          6,700               (3,015
 

Nikola Corp., January Strike Price $10.00, Expires 1/21/22

     129          12,900               (18,963
 

Nikola Corp., January Strike Price $11.00, Expires 1/21/22

     33          3,300               (7,095
 

Nikola Corp., January Strike Price $12.50, Expires 1/21/22

     65          6,500               (21,450
 

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., January Strike Price $25.00, Expires 1/21/22

     40          4,000               (24,560
 

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., February Strike Price $20.00, Expires 2/18/22

     73          7,300               (20,075
 

NuVasive Inc., December Strike Price $60.00, Expires 12/17/21

     14          1,400               (16,660
 

Owens & Minor Inc., March Strike Price $20.00, Expires 3/18/22

     96          9,600               (2,880
 

S&P 500 Index, December Strike Price $3,700.00, Expires 12/31/21

     7          700               (8,190
 

S&P 500 Index, February Strike Price $3,900.00, Expires 2/18/22

     29          2,900               (151,293
 

Spirit Airlines Inc., January Strike Price $22.50, Expires 1/21/22

     20          2,000               (5,720
 

SunPower Corp., January Strike Price $23.00, Expires 1/21/22

     77          7,700               (5,544
 

Vodafone Group PLC, March Strike Price 1.05 GBP, Expires 3/18/22

     65          65,000               (3,890
                   

 

 

 
                      (349,242
                   

 

 

 
 

Total Options Written (Premiums Received $724,467)

                    (434,251
                   

 

 

 
         Country        Shares                    
bb   Securities Sold Short (17.5)%       
    Common Stocks (7.6)%       
    Aerospace & Defense (0.0)%  
 

Parsons Corp.

     United States          12,523               (415,638
                   

 

 

 
    Air Freight & Logistics (0.4)%  
 

Air Transport Services Group Inc.

     United States          11,629               (287,120
 

Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings Inc.

     United States          23,051               (2,019,498
 

C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc.

     United States          8,898               (846,111
 

United Parcel Service Inc., B

     United States          9,277               (1,840,278
                   

 

 

 
                      (4,993,007
                   

 

 

 
    Airlines (0.0)%  
 

GOL Linhas Aereas Inteligentes SA, ADR

     Brazil          12,002               (67,571
 

Jetblue Airways Corp.

     United States          4,303               (57,746
 

Spirit Airlines Inc.

     United States          6,112               (127,802
                   

 

 

 
                      (253,119
                   

 

 

 
    Auto Components (0.1)%  
 

Patrick Industries Inc.

     United States          6,254               (498,882
 

Quantumscape Corp., A

     United States          17,167               (495,096
 

Veoneer Inc.

     Sweden          10,769               (383,376
                   

 

 

 
                      (1,377,354
                   

 

 

 
    Automobiles (0.2)%  
 

Fisker Inc.

     United States          59,995               (1,283,293
 

Li Auto Inc., ADR

     China          30,872               (1,094,104
 

NIO Inc., ADR

     China          6,978               (273,049
                   

 

 

 
                      (2,650,446
                   

 

 

 
    Banks (0.0)%  
 

Hope Bancorp Inc.

     United States          11,470               (164,594
                   

 

 

 

 

           
franklintempleton.com  

Semiannual Report

             63


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Shares                  Value  
bb   Securities Sold Short (continued)       
    Common Stocks (continued)       
    Biotechnology (0.5)%  
 

Avid Bioservices Inc.

     United States          38,749             $ (1,184,169
 

BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc.

     United States          1,852               (159,809
 

Coherus Biosciences Inc.

     United States          46,342               (860,571
 

Dynavax Technologies Corp.

     United States          66,558               (1,074,912
 

Gossamer Bio Inc.

     United States          47,102               (510,586
 

Insmed Inc.

     United States          29,179               (803,006
 

Intercept Pharmaceuticals Inc.

     United States          42,421               (730,065
 

Ionis Pharmaceuticals Inc.

     United States          5,582               (147,923
 

Karyopharm Therapeutics Inc.

     United States          30,543               (212,274
 

Ligand Pharmaceuticals Inc.

     United States          1,161               (187,989
 

Mannkind Corp.

     United States          177,201               (820,441
 

Pharming Group NV

     Netherlands          48,818               (39,009
                   

 

 

 
                      (6,730,754
                   

 

 

 
    Capital Markets (0.9)%  
 

Apollo Global Management Inc., A

     United States          83,620               (5,918,624
 

S&P Global Inc.

     United States          14,351               (6,540,181
                   

 

 

 
                      (12,458,805
                   

 

 

 
    Chemicals (0.0)%  
 

Amyris Inc.

     United States          55,747               (382,424
                   

 

 

 
    Consumer Finance (0.4)%  
 

Encore Capital Group Inc.

     United States          69,822               (4,073,415
 

EZCORP Inc., A

     United States          53,647               (396,988
 

LendingTree Inc.

     United States          680               (77,098
 

PRA Group Inc.

     United States          19,165               (813,746
 

SoFi Technologies Inc.

     United States          19,673               (338,376
 

Upstart Holdings Inc.

     United States          2,510               (514,274
 

Zip Co. Ltd.

     Australia          23,000               (82,760
                   

 

 

 
                      (6,296,657
                   

 

 

 
    Diversified Consumer Services (0.0)%  
 

Chegg Inc.

     United States          1,295               (36,066
 

Stride Inc.

     United States          12,983               (443,110
                   

 

 

 
                      (479,176
                   

 

 

 
    Diversified Telecommunication Services (0.0)%  
 

Radius Global Infrastructure Inc., A

     United States          29,267               (482,906
                   

 

 

 
    Electric Utilities (0.6)%  
 

Duke Energy Corp.

     United States          26,597               (2,580,175
 

Eversource Energy

     United States          21,351               (1,756,547
 

The Southern Co.

     United States          41,665               (2,545,732
 

Terna Rete Elettrica Nazionale SpA

     Italy          218,902               (1,627,829
                   

 

 

 
                      (8,510,283
                   

 

 

 
    Electrical Equipment (0.1)%  
 

Array Technologies Inc.

     United States          12,598               (226,953
 

Blink Charging Co.

     United States          11,845               (455,203
 

Stem Inc.

     United States          8,886               (188,561
                   

 

 

 
                      (870,717
                   

 

 

 
    Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components (0.1)%  
 

II-VI Inc.

     United States          3,346               (209,225
 

Itron Inc.

     United States          10,915               (675,748
 

OSI Systems Inc.

     United States          4,211               (382,906

 

           
64             

Semiannual Report

  franklintempleton.com


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Shares                  Value  
bb   Securities Sold Short (continued)       
    Common Stocks (continued)       
    Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components (continued)  
 

PAR Technology Corp.

     United States          7,349             $ (384,867
 

Vishay Intertechnology Inc.

     United States          7,558               (153,957
                   

 

 

 
                      (1,806,703
                   

 

 

 
    Energy Equipment & Services (0.0)%  
 

Helix Energy Solutions Group Inc.

     United States          148,590               (451,714
                   

 

 

 
    Entertainment (0.2)%  
 

Cinemark Holdings Inc.

     United States          62,092               (963,668
 

Live Nation Entertainment Inc.

     United States          2,460               (262,359
 

The Marcus Corp.

     United States          60,556               (1,057,913
 

Sea Ltd., ADR

     Taiwan          1,245               (358,647
                   

 

 

 
                      (2,642,587
                   

 

 

 
    Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) (0.2)%  
 

Braemar Hotels & Resorts Inc.

     United States          46,226               (201,546
 

Innovative Industrial Properties Inc., A

     United States          7,076               (1,817,329
 

Pebblebrook Hotel Trust

     United States          38,063               (797,420
 

Summit Hotel Properties Inc.

     United States          54,453               (487,354
                   

 

 

 
                      (3,303,649
                   

 

 

 
    Food & Staples Retailing (0.1)%  
 

The Chefs’ Warehouse Inc.

     United States          31,079               (965,625
                   

 

 

 
    Food Products (0.1)%  
 

Beyond Meat Inc.

     United States          2,516               (176,774
 

Kellogg Co.

     United States          12,215               (747,314
                   

 

 

 
                      (924,088
                   

 

 

 
    Gas Utilities (0.4)%  
 

Atmos Energy Corp.

     United States          27,619               (2,494,548
 

Snam SpA

     Italy          85,169               (479,953
 

South Jersey Industries Inc.

     United States          69,636               (1,636,446
 

UGI Corp.

     United States          28,746               (1,185,772
                   

 

 

 
                      (5,796,719
                   

 

 

 
    Health Care Equipment & Supplies (0.2)%  
 

Alphatec Holdings Inc.

     United States          32,211               (357,542
 

Cutera Inc.

     United States          23,916               (833,712
 

Mesa Laboratories Inc.

     United States          1,643               (507,342
 

NuVasive Inc.

     United States          5,592               (268,751
 

SmileDirectClub Inc., A

     United States          65,172               (200,078
 

Varex Imaging Corp.

     United States          47,874               (1,366,803
                   

 

 

 
                      (3,534,228
                   

 

 

 
    Health Care Providers & Services (0.0)%  
 

1Life Healthcare Inc.

     United States          6,029               (96,042
 

Brookdale Senior Living Inc.

     United States          21,664               (126,951
 

PetIQ Inc., A

     United States          14,379               (287,149
                   

 

 

 
                      (510,142
                   

 

 

 
    Health Care Technology (0.0)%  
 

Tabula Rasa HealthCare Inc.

     United States          3,556               (40,432
                   

 

 

 
    Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (0.2)%  
 

Airbnb Inc., A

     United States          808               (139,412
 

Draftkings Inc., A

     United States          728               (25,153
 

Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corp.

     United States          905               (138,148
 

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.

     United States          30,275               (590,665

 

           
franklintempleton.com  

Semiannual Report

             65


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Shares                  Value  
bb   Securities Sold Short (continued)       
    Common Stocks (continued)       
    Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (continued)  
 

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

     United States          10,859             $ (758,176
 

Scientific Games Corp.

     United States          29,413               (1,880,079
                   

 

 

 
                      (3,531,633
                   

 

 

 
    Independent Power & Renewable Electricity Producers (0.1)%  
 

Sunnova Energy International Inc.

     United States          26,697               (986,988
                   

 

 

 
    Industrial Conglomerates (0.1)%  
 

3M Co.

     United States          4,478               (761,439
                   

 

 

 
    Internet & Direct Marketing Retail (0.2)%  
d  

Delivery Hero SE, 144A

     Saudi Arabia          4,668               (619,492
 

Fiverr International Ltd.

     Israel          2,137               (302,642
 

Groupon Inc., A

     United States          8,085               (167,036
 

Porch Group Inc.

     United States          27,336               (575,149
d  

Takeaway.com NV, 144A

     United Kingdom          2,057               (128,809
 

Wayfair Inc., A

     United States          3,609               (894,455
                   

 

 

 
                      (2,687,583
                   

 

 

 
    IT Services (0.1)%  
 

Affirm Holdings Inc., A

     United States          2,098               (265,774
 

CSG Systems International Inc.

     United States          9,734               (513,079
 

Digitalocean Holdings Inc.

     United States          1,075               (108,371
 

Fastly Inc., A

     United States          6,739               (274,682
 

i3 Verticals Inc., A

     United States          8,365               (156,007
                   

 

 

 
                      (1,317,913
                   

 

 

 
    Leisure Products (0.0)%  
 

Peloton Interactive Inc., A

     United States          78               (3,432
                   

 

 

 
    Life Sciences Tools & Services (0.1)%  
 

Inotiv Inc.

     United States          14,481               (753,012
                   

 

 

 
    Machinery (0.1)%  
 

Fortive Corp.

     United States          839               (61,977
 

The Greenbrier Cos. Inc.

     United States          15,091               (603,489
 

NFI Group Inc.

     Canada          12,380               (199,638
                   

 

 

 
                      (865,104
                   

 

 

 
    Marine (0.1)%  
 

A.P. Moeller-Maersk AS, B

     Denmark          162               (487,746
 

ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd.

     Israel          4,808               (265,786
                   

 

 

 
                      (753,532
                   

 

 

 
    Media (0.2)%  
 

Charter Communications Inc., A

     United States          1,115               (720,602
 

Dish Network Corp., A

     United States          11,834               (369,813
 

Magnite Inc.

     United States          10,319               (181,924
 

Sirius XM Holdings Inc.

     United States          141,508               (863,199
 

Techtarget Inc.

     United States          10,553               (1,019,736
                   

 

 

 
                      (3,155,274
                   

 

 

 
    Metals & Mining (0.1)%  
 

Century Aluminum Co.

     United States          23,767               (314,437
 

Ivanhoe Mines Ltd., A

     Canada          79,335               (629,737
 

MP Materials Corp.

     United States          24,807               (1,090,020
 

Osisko Gold Royalties Ltd.

     Canada          1,673               (20,443
 

Pretium Resources Inc.

     Canada          2,905               (39,188
                   

 

 

 
                      (2,093,825
                   

 

 

 

 

           
66             

Semiannual Report

  franklintempleton.com


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Shares                  Value  
bb   Securities Sold Short (continued)       
    Common Stocks (continued)       
    Mortgage Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) (0.2)%  
 

Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance Inc.

     United States          3,522             $ (47,653
 

Arbor Realty Trust Inc.

     United States          64,962               (1,140,083
 

KKR Real Estate Finance Trust Inc.

     United States          10,828               (223,382
 

PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust

     United States          29,326               (509,392
 

Redwood Trust Inc.

     United States          22,574               (289,399
 

Starwood Property Trust Inc.

     United States          15,037               (375,323
 

Two Harbors Investment Corp.

     United States          46,868               (275,584
                   

 

 

 
                      (2,860,816
                   

 

 

 
    Personal Products (0.1)%  
 

The Beauty Health Co.

     United States          25,975               (674,311
 

Herbalife Nutrition Ltd.

     United States          7,097               (265,144
                   

 

 

 
                      (939,455
                   

 

 

 
    Pharmaceuticals (0.2)%  
 

Aerie Pharmaceuticals Inc.

     United States          8,666               (87,527
 

Avadel Pharmaceuticals PLC, ADR

     United States          67,719               (606,762
 

Canopy Growth Corp.

     Canada          2,363               (25,379
 

Collegium Pharmaceutical Inc.

     United States          20,935               (368,037
 

Innoviva Inc.

     United States          48,753               (815,150
 

Omeros Corp.

     United States          38,906               (280,123
 

Revance Therapeutics Inc.

     United States          29,052               (397,432
 

Zogenix Inc.

     United States          31,927               (359,179
                   

 

 

 
                      (2,939,589
                   

 

 

 
    Photography (0.0)%  
 

Pacira Biosciences Inc.

     United States          6,795               (357,553
                   

 

 

 
    Professional Services (0.0)%  
 

Upwork Inc.

     United States          4,530               (168,788
                   

 

 

 
    Real Estate Management & Development (0.1)%  
 

Opendoor Technologies Inc.

     United States          50,685               (802,850
 

Realogy Holdings Corp.

     United States          21,397               (325,021
 

Redfin Corp.

     United States          6,871               (279,581
                   

 

 

 
                      (1,407,452
                   

 

 

 
    Road & Rail (0.4)%  
 

Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd.

     Canada          65,250               (4,569,457
 

Hertz Global Holdings Inc.

     United States          49,487               (1,195,606
                   

 

 

 
                      (5,765,063
                   

 

 

 
    Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment (0.3)%  
 

Advanced Micro Devices Inc.

     United States          15,820               (2,505,413
 

ams AG

     Austria          21,966               (390,578
 

Camtek Ltd.

     Israel          2,772               (127,845
 

Daqo New Energy Corp., ADR

     China          4,443               (254,762
 

Impinj Inc.

     United States          1,786               (133,896
 

Sunpower Corp., A

     United States          24,517               (702,412
                   

 

 

 
                      (4,114,906
                   

 

 

 
    Software (0.3)%  
 

Alteryx Inc., A

     United States          964               (64,077
 

Avaya Holdings Corp.

     United States          18,591               (361,967
 

Bentley Systems Inc., B

     United States          2,239               (107,450
 

Blackline Inc.

     United States          3,577               (393,649
 

Dye & Durham Ltd.

     Canada          4,423               (144,866
 

fuboTV Inc.

     United States          11,555               (226,709

 

           
franklintempleton.com  

Semiannual Report

             67


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Shares               Value  
bb   Securities Sold Short (continued)       
    Common Stocks (continued)       
    Software (continued)  
 

Kaleyra Inc.

     Italy          20,742          $ (217,376
 

Mandiant Inc.

     United States          22,388            (379,924
 

Microstrategy Inc., A

     United States          319            (230,136
 

Mitek Systems Inc.

     United States          34,692            (594,274
 

NortonLifeLock Inc.

     United States          14,314            (355,703
 

Nutanix Inc., A

     United States          10,133            (336,618
 

Rapid7 Inc.

     United States          8,704            (1,079,818
 

Splunk Inc.

     United States          701            (84,821
 

Veritone Inc.

     United States          10,099            (258,938
                

 

 

 
                   (4,836,326
                

 

 

 
    Specialty Retail (0.1)%  
 

Guess? Inc.

     United States          27,243            (614,330
 

Shift Technologies Inc.

     United States          81,561            (375,996
 

Vroom Inc.

     United States          9,345            (129,241
                

 

 

 
                   (1,119,567
                

 

 

 
    Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals (0.0)%  
 

Pure Storage Inc., A

     United States          8,030            (248,689
                

 

 

 
    Trading Companies & Distributors (0.1)%  
 

United Rentals Inc.

     United States          2,486            (842,108
                

 

 

 
 

Total Common Stocks (Proceeds $112,856,813)

                 (108,551,814
                

 

 

 
    Exchange Traded Funds (9.0)%       
 

Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund

     United States          55,708            (7,226,999
 

Invesco QQQ Series 1 ETF

     United States          2,498            (983,762
 

Invesco Solar ETF

     United States          41,666            (3,728,690
 

iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF

     United States          34,711            (5,353,131
 

iShares North American Tech-Software ETF

     United States          38,431            (15,945,022
 

iShares Russell 2000 Growth ETF

     United States          70,526            (20,599,939
 

iShares Russell Mid-Cap Growth ETF

     United States          57,501            (6,607,440
 

SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust

     United States          151,457            (68,997,751
                

 

 

 
 

Total Exchange Traded Funds (Proceeds $125,644,513)

                 (129,442,734
                

 

 

 
                  Principal Amount*           
    Corporate Bonds and Notes (0.7)%                               
    Aerospace & Defense (0.0)%                               
d  

Spirit Aerosystems Inc., secured note, 144A, 7.50%, 4/15/25

     United States          273,000            (285,939
                

 

 

 
    Airlines (0.0)%                               
d  

Air France-KLM, senior note, Reg S, 3.00%, 7/01/24

     France          200,000       EUR          (217,922
                

 

 

 
    Auto Components (0.0)%                               
 

American Axle & Manufacturing Inc., senior note, 6.875%, 7/01/28

     United States          166,000            (177,570
d  

Wheel Pros Inc., senior note, 144A, 6.50%, 5/15/29

     United States          115,000            (112,233
                

 

 

 
                   (289,803
                

 

 

 
    Capital Markets (0.0)%                               
d  

Coinbase Global Inc., senior note, 144A, 3.375%, 10/01/28

     United States          142,000            (133,709
                

 

 

 
    Communications Equipment (0.1)%                               
d  

Audacy Capital Corp., secured note, 144A,
6.50%, 5/01/27

     United States          462,000            (452,418
 

6.75%, 3/31/29

     United States          144,000            (141,225
d  

CommScope Technologies LLC, senior bond, 144A, 5.00%, 3/15/27

     United States          274,000            (246,656
                

 

 

 
                   (840,299
                

 

 

 

 

           
68             

Semiannual Report

  franklintempleton.com


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Principal Amount*        Value  
bb   Securities Sold Short (continued)       
    Corporate Bonds and Notes (continued)                               
    Construction & Engineering (0.1)%                               
 

Fluor Corp., senior bond, 4.25%, 9/15/28

     United States          194,000          $ (198,191
d  

Sydney Airport Finance Co. Pty Ltd., senior secured bond, 144A,
3.375%, 4/30/25

     Australia          146,000            (153,819
 

3.625%, 4/28/26

     Australia          73,000            (77,638
d  

Tutor Perini Corp., senior note, 144A, 6.875%, 5/01/25

     United States          646,000            (647,357
                

 

 

 
                   (1,077,005
                

 

 

 
    Diversified Consumer Services (0.1)%                               
d  

MPH Acquisition Holdings LLC, senior note, 144A, 5.75%, 11/01/28

     United States          540,000            (483,300
                

 

 

 
    Diversified Telecommunication Services (0.0)%                               
d  

British Telecommunications PLC, senior bond, Reg S, 1.874% to 5/18/25, FRN thereafter, 8/18/80

     United Kingdom          280,000       EUR          (309,065
d  

Telesat Canada / Telesat LLC, senior note, 144A, 6.50%, 10/15/27

     Canada          131,000            (102,423
                

 

 

 
                   (411,488
                

 

 

 
    Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) (0.0)%                               
 

The GEO Group Inc., senior note, 6.00%, 4/15/26

     United States          133,000            (114,701
 

Simon Property Group LP, senior bond, 2.65%, 7/15/30

     United States          350,000            (357,604
                

 

 

 
                   (472,305
                

 

 

 
    Food & Staples Retailing (0.1)%                               
 

Koninklijke Ahold Delhaize NV, senior bond, 5.70%, 10/01/40

     Netherlands          603,000            (836,479
 

The Kroger Co., senior bond,
5.40%, 1/15/49

     United States          241,000            (338,187
 

3.95%, 1/15/50

     United States          15,000            (17,383
d  

SEG Holding LLC / SEG Finance Corp., senior secured note, 144A, 5.625%, 10/15/28

     United States          473,000            (497,222
d  

Sigma Holdco BV, senior note, Reg S, 5.75%, 5/15/26

     Netherlands          200,000       EUR          (209,743
                

 

 

 
                   (1,899,014
                

 

 

 
    Food Products (0.1)%                               
 

B&G Foods Inc., senior note, 5.25%, 9/15/27

     United States          617,000            (627,181
                

 

 

 
    Health Care Providers & Services (0.0)%  
d  

Air Methods Corp., senior note, 144A, 8.00%, 5/15/25

     United States          450,000            (350,413
                

 

 

 
    Media (0.1)%  
d  

Dish DBS Corp., senior secured note, 144A, 5.75%, 12/01/28

     United States          213,000            (210,274
d  

Wolverine Escrow LLC, senior secured note, 144A, 9.00%, 11/15/26

     United States          287,000            (271,165
                

 

 

 
                   (481,439
                

 

 

 
    Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (0.0)%  
 

Apache Corp., senior bond, 4.375%, 10/15/28

     United States          75,000            (79,177
d  

SM Energy Co., secured note, 144A, 10.00%, 1/15/25

     United States          172,000            (188,417
                

 

 

 
                   (267,594
                

 

 

 
    Road & Rail (0.0)%  
d  

The Go-Ahead Group PLC, senior note, Reg S, 2.50%, 7/06/24

     United Kingdom          309,000       GBP          (413,506
                

 

 

 
    Specialty Retail (0.1)%  
d  

Ambience Merger Sub Inc., senior note, 144A, 7.125%, 7/15/29

     United States          245,000            (237,445
d  

Dufry One BV, senior note, Reg S, 2.00%, 2/15/27

     Switzerland          528,000       EUR          (548,458
d  

Macy’s Retail Holdings LLC, senior note, 144A, 5.875%, 4/01/29

     United States          291,000            (310,643
d  

Matalan Finance PLC, senior secured note, Reg S, 6.75%, 1/31/23

     United Kingdom          128,000       GBP          (158,189
                

 

 

 
                   (1,254,735
                

 

 

 
 

Total Corporate Bonds and Notes
(Proceeds $9,690,638)

                 (9,505,652
                

 

 

 

 

           
franklintempleton.com  

Semiannual Report

             69


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Principal Amount*        Value  
bb   Securities Sold Short (continued)       
    U.S. Government and Agency Securities (0.2)%       
 

U.S. Treasury Bond,
2.25%, 5/15/41

     United States          78,000          $ (83,070
 

1.375%, 8/15/50

     United States          1,049,000            (947,009
 

U.S. Treasury Note,
1.25%, 9/30/28

     United States          5,600            (5,560
 

0.875%, 11/15/30

     United States          472,000            (451,369
 

1.25%, 8/15/31

     United States          1,253,000            (1,233,128
                

 

 

 
 

Total U.S. Government and Agency Securities
(Proceeds $2,784,826)

                 (2,720,136
                

 

 

 
 

Total Securities Sold Short
(Proceeds $250,976,790)

               $ (250,220,336
                

 

 

 

Rounds to less than 0.1% of net assets.

*The principal amount is stated in U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated.

#Notional amount is the number of units specified in the contract, and can include currency units, bushels, shares, pounds, barrels or other units. Currency units are stated in U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated.

aNon-income producing.

bA portion or all of the security has been segregated as collateral for securities sold short, open swap contracts, open forward exchange contracts, open futures contracts and/or open written option contracts. At November 30, 2021, the aggregate value of these securities and/or cash pledged amounted to $148,769,005, representing 10.4% of net assets.

cA portion or all of the security is held in connection with written option contracts open at period end.

dSecurity was purchased pursuant to Rule 144A or Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933. 144A securities may be sold in transactions exempt from registration only to qualified institutional buyers or in public offering registered under the Securities Act of 1933. Regulation S securities cannot be sold in the United States without either an effective registration statement filed pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, or pursuant to an exemption from registration. At November 30, 2021, the net value of these securities was $317,528,192, representing 22.2% of net assets.

eFair valued using significant unobservable inputs. See Note 14 regarding fair value measurements.

fA portion or all of the security is on loan at November 30, 2021. See Note 1(j).

gPerpetual security with no stated maturity date.

hThe coupon rate shown represents the rate at period end.

iSee Note 1(g) regarding loan participation notes.

jSee Note 10 regarding restricted securities.

kIncome may be received in additional securities and/or cash.

lSee Note 7 regarding defaulted securities.

mSee Note 1(l) regarding senior floating rate interests.

nSee Note 11 regarding unfunded loan commitments.

oSee Note 1(h) regarding credit-linked notes.

pPrincipal amount is stated in 100 Mexican Peso Units.

qA supranational organization is an entity formed by two or more central governments through international treaties.

rThe coupon rate shown represents the rate inclusive of any caps or floors, if applicable, in effect at period end.

sAdjustable rate security with an interest rate that is not based on a published reference index and spread. The rate is based on the structure of the agreement and current market conditions. The coupon rate shown represents the rate at period end.

tA portion or all of the security purchased on a delayed delivery basis. See Note 1(d).

uThe rate shown is the annualized seven-day effective yield at period end.

vA portion or all of the security is owned by K2 Holdings Investment Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Fund. See Note 1(k).

wSee Note 1(j) regarding securities on loan.

xSee Note 3(f) regarding investments in affiliated management investment companies.

ySee Note 1(c) regarding joint repurchase agreement.

zThe security was issued on a discount basis with no stated coupon rate.

aaSee Note 1(e) regarding written options.

bbSee Note 1(i) regarding securities sold short.

 

           
70             

Semiannual Report

  franklintempleton.com


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

At November 30, 2021, the Fund had the following futures contracts outstanding. See Note 1(e).

 

Futures Contracts                                   
Description    Type      Number of
Contracts
     Notional
Amount*
     Expiration
Date
     Value/Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
Commodity Contractsa                                   

Aluminum

     Long        22      $ 1,452,275        12/13/21      $ (22,058

Aluminum

     Short        22        1,452,275        12/13/21        21,507  

Aluminum

     Long        8        525,300        3/14/22        (793

Aluminum

     Short        2        131,325        3/14/22        (2,881

Brent Crude Oil

     Long        18        1,246,140        12/30/21        (212,077

Cocoa

     Long        8        174,063        3/16/22        (5,279

Coffee

     Long        10        871,125        3/21/22        87,347  

Copper

     Long        11        2,618,687        12/13/21        867  

Copper

     Short        11        2,618,688        12/13/21        (36,253

Copper

     Long        3        707,812        3/14/22        (15,322

Copper

     Short        1        235,937        3/14/22        697  

Corn

     Long        47        1,333,625        3/14/22        (11,600

Cotton

     Long        8        425,640        3/09/22        (31,442

Gasoline

     Long        14        1,140,779        12/31/21        (189,611

Gold 100 Oz

     Short        8        1,421,200        2/24/22        15,161  

Hard Red Winter Wheat

     Long        15        616,687        3/14/22        8,973  

Low Sulphur Gas Oil

     Long        15        896,625        1/12/22        (152,798

Natural Gas

     Long        16        730,720        12/29/21        (97,586

NY Harbor

     Long        14        1,211,456        12/31/21        (214,756

Silver

     Short        14        1,597,050        3/29/22        64,118  

Soybean Meal

     Short        9        306,990        3/14/22        3,895  

Soybean Oil

     Short        2        66,384        3/14/22        3,907  

Soybeans

     Short        2        122,650        3/14/22        3,895  

Sugar

     Long        24        499,968        2/28/22        (26,612

Wheat

     Long        21        826,613        3/14/22        (31,019

WTI Crude Oil

     Long        11        727,980        12/20/21        (151,924

Zinc

     Long        14        1,126,563        12/13/21        73,984  

Zinc

     Short        14        1,126,563        12/13/21        (6,778

Zinc

     Long        8        639,600        3/14/22        (15,593

Zinc

     Short        1        79,950        3/14/22        947  
              

 

 

 
                 (939,084
              

 

 

 
Currency Contractsa                                   

U.S. Dollar Index

     Long        7        672,049        12/13/21        20,168  
              

 

 

 
Equity Contracts                                   

CAC 40 10 Euro Indexa

     Long        7        533,161        12/17/21        (33,905

CBOE Volatility Index

     Long        52        1,335,698        12/22/21        97,246  

CBOE Volatility Index

     Long        30        794,331        1/19/22        51,700  

CBOE Volatility Index

     Long        26        699,564        3/15/22        68,890  

CBOE Volatility Index

     Long        23        621,350        4/20/22        56,080  

DAX Indexa

     Long        1        429,340        12/17/21        (22,030

DJ EURO STOXX 50 Indexa

     Long        27        1,248,401        12/17/21        (34,998

DJ EURO STOXX 50 Index

     Short        704        32,550,898        12/17/21        632,169  

DJIA Mini E-CBOT Indexa

     Long        18        3,101,130        12/17/21        (51,826

E-Mini Russell 2000a

     Long        7        769,055        12/17/21        (51,379

E-Mini Russell 2000

     Short        11        1,208,515        12/17/21        88,413  

FTSE 100 Indexa

     Long        19        1,788,918        12/17/21        22,079  

FTSE 100 Index

     Short        88        8,285,513        12/17/21        (92,224

FTSE/MIB Index

     Short        3        438,929        12/17/21        (4,435

Hang Seng Indexa

     Short        13        1,956,752        12/30/21        96,311  

Micro E-Mini Russell 2000

     Short        238        2,614,787        12/17/21        271,397  

NASDAQ 100 E-Mini Indexa

     Long        13        4,199,130        12/17/21        274,194  

NASDAQ 100 E-Mini Index

     Short        4        1,292,040        12/17/21        (30,281

NASDAQ 100 E-Mini Index

     Short        1        323,110        3/18/22        4,615  

 

           
franklintempleton.com  

Semiannual Report

             71


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

Futures Contracts (continued)                                   
Description    Type      Number of
Contracts
     Notional
Amount*
     Expiration
Date
     Value/Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
Equity Contracts (continued)                                   

Nikkei 225 Indexa

     Long        3      $ 729,066        12/09/21      $ (38,329

S&P 500 E-Mini Indexa

     Long        3        684,937        12/17/21        34,507  

S&P 500 E-Mini Index

     Short        63        14,383,687        12/17/21        (197,593

SGX Nifty 50

     Short        1        34,127        12/30/21        114  

STOXX 600 Banks Index

     Short        123        956,230        12/17/21        (27,751

STOXX Europe 600

     Short        6        157,764        12/17/21        2,910  

TOPIX Indexa

     Long        4        670,943        12/09/21        (42,390

TOPIX Index

     Short        2        335,471        12/09/21        27,531  

VSTOXX

     Long        46        137,203        12/22/21        21,807  

VSTOXX

     Long        42        124,796        1/19/22        13,436  
              

 

 

 
                 1,136,258  
              

 

 

 
Interest Rate Contracts                                   

3 Month EURIBORa

     Short        75        21,345,094        12/19/22        (20,857

10 Yr. Mini JGBa

     Long        16        2,151,687        12/10/21        5,600  

90 Day Eurodollara

     Short        194        48,051,375        12/19/22        164,076  

ASX 90 Day Bank Accepted Bill

     Long        150        106,843,171        6/09/22        11,725  

ASX 90 Day Bank Accepted Bill

     Long        58        41,276,082        9/08/22        (47,365

Australian 10 Yr. Bonda

     Long        38        3,777,914        12/15/21        (104,265

Canadian 10 Yr. Bonda

     Short        6        663,008        3/22/22        (9,818

Euro-BOBLa

     Long        48        7,376,157        12/08/21        11,460  

Euro-Bunda

     Long        10        1,954,840        12/08/21        15,623  

Euro-Buxl

     Short        3        742,107        12/08/21        (50,244

Euro-SCHATZa

     Long        71        9,052,146        12/08/21        9,596  

Japan 10 Yr. Bonda

     Long        3        4,032,556        12/13/21        5,569  

Long Gilta

     Long        4        671,783        3/29/22        8,586  

U.S. Treasury 2 Yr. Notea

     Long        52        11,374,188        3/31/22        15,072  

U.S. Treasury 5 Yr. Notea

     Short        216        26,222,063        3/31/22        (139,846

U.S. Treasury 10 Yr. Notea

     Short        31        4,055,187        3/22/22        (43,814

U.S. Treasury 10 Yr. Ultra

     Short        106        15,570,406        3/22/22        (198,198

U.S. Treasury Long Bonda

     Long        7        1,134,875        3/22/22        27,325  

U.S. Treasury Long Bond

     Short        61        9,889,625        3/22/22        (199,146

U.S. Treasury Ultra Bond

     Short        39        7,821,937        3/22/22        (227,007
              

 

 

 
                 (765,928
              

 

 

 

Total Futures Contracts

 

   $ (548,586
  

 

 

 

*As of period end.

aA portion or all of the contracts are owned by K2 Holdings Investment Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Fund. See Note 1(k).

At November 30, 2021, the Fund had the following forward exchange contracts outstanding. See Note 1(e).

 

Forward Exchange Contracts                
Currency    Counterpartya      Type      Quantity      Contract
Amount*
            Settlement
Date
     Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
Depreciation
 
OTC Forward Exchange Contracts                                    

Brazilian Real

     BOFA        Buy        1,192,000        211,535          12/02/21      $ 495      $  

Brazilian Real

     BOFA        Sell        1,192,000        223,401          12/02/21        11,371         

Australian Dollar

     JPHQ        Buy        1,500,000        1,105,838          12/15/21               (36,289

Japanese Yen

     JPHQ        Sell        64,268,188        750,000       AUD        12/15/21               (34,009

Singapore Dollar

     JPHQ        Sell        739,779        750,000       AUD        12/15/21        7,265        (14,597

Australian Dollar

     JPHQ        Sell        1,000,000        746,308          12/15/21        33,276         

British Pound

     BNYM        Buy        237,408        327,502          12/15/21               (11,627

British Pound

     BNYM        Sell        2,590,507        3,540,681          12/15/21        94,049        (71

British Pound

     JPHQ        Buy        1,000,000        1,384,332          12/15/21               (53,819

British Pound

     JPHQ        Sell        500,000        689,569          12/15/21        24,313         

Canadian Dollar

     JPHQ        Buy        1,886,746        1,500,000          12/15/21               (22,678

 

           
72             

Semiannual Report

  franklintempleton.com


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

Forward Exchange Contracts (continued)                
Currency    Counterpartya      Type      Quantity      Contract
Amount*
            Settlement
Date
     Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
Depreciation
 
OTC Forward Exchange Contracts (continued)                                    

Canadian Dollar

     JPHQ        Sell        1,235,937        1,000,000          12/15/21      $ 32,262      $  

Chinese Yuan

     JPHQ        Buy        31,210,664        4,802,357          12/15/21        93,941         

Chinese Yuan

     JPHQ        Sell        31,210,664        4,839,717          12/15/21               (56,580

Chinese Yuan

     MSCO        Buy        7,324,161        1,128,000          12/15/21        19,838         

Chinese Yuan

     MSCO        Sell        31,594,871        4,858,105          12/15/21               (93,421

Colombian Peso

     JPHQ        Buy        4,295,968,381        1,138,880          12/15/21               (65,455

Colombian Peso

     JPHQ        Sell        4,295,968,381        1,108,923          12/15/21        35,498         

Czech Koruna

     JPHQ        Buy        22,956,706        1,063,358          12/15/21               (42,780

Czech Koruna

     JPHQ        Sell        22,956,706        1,016,853          12/15/21               (3,725

Euro

     BNYM        Buy        387,957        457,215          12/15/21               (16,915

Euro

     BNYM        Sell        4,103,891        4,813,981          12/15/21        157,006        (612

Chinese Yuan

     JPHQ        Sell        1,928,465        250,000       EUR        12/15/21               (18,806

Euro

     JPHQ        Buy        1,000,000        1,184,450          12/15/21               (49,530

Euro

     JPHQ        Sell        500,000        584,330          12/15/21        16,870         

Euro

     MSCO        Sell        1,462,764        1,731,430          12/15/21        71,310         

Indian Rupee

     JPHQ        Buy        37,657,850        500,000          12/15/21        790        (469

Indian Rupee

     JPHQ        Sell        37,484,650        500,000          12/15/21        1,980         

Indonesian Rupiah

     JPHQ        Buy        51,441,487,384        3,592,468          12/15/21        8,024        (14,403

Indonesian Rupiah

     JPHQ        Sell        51,424,407,384        3,574,906          12/15/21        6,885        (16,877

Australian Dollar

     JPHQ        Sell        500,000        42,723,050       JPY        12/15/21        21,588         

New Zealand Dollar

     JPHQ        Sell        750,000        61,118,198       JPY        12/15/21        29,104         

South Korean Won

     JPHQ        Sell        1,046,277,500        100,000,000       JPY        12/15/21        9,403        (5,002

Japanese Yen

     JPHQ        Sell        244,890        2,156          12/15/21               (11

Mexican Peso

     JPHQ        Buy        28,929,477        1,427,323          12/15/21               (82,530

Mexican Peso

     JPHQ        Sell        28,929,477        1,390,409          12/15/21        45,616         

Japanese Yen

     JPHQ        Sell        81,074,358        1,000,000       NZD        12/15/21               (35,119

New Zealand Dollar

     JPHQ        Buy        800,000        557,650          12/15/21               (11,730

New Zealand Dollar

     JPHQ        Sell        800,000        560,842          12/15/21        14,922         

Swedish Krona

     JPHQ        Sell        4,015,992        4,000,000       NOK        12/15/21        24,372        (27,958

Peruvian Nuevo Sol

     JPHQ        Buy        5,121,168        1,249,827          12/15/21        8,284         

Peruvian Nuevo Sol

     JPHQ        Sell        5,121,168        1,295,678          12/15/21        37,567         

Russian Ruble

     JPHQ        Buy        395,588,968        5,334,317          12/15/21        16,608        (29,871

Russian Ruble

     JPHQ        Sell        395,588,968        5,309,071          12/15/21               (11,983

Australian Dollar

     JPHQ        Sell        250,000        248,689       SGD        12/15/21        5,368        (1,387

Singapore Dollar

     JPHQ        Buy        2,837,211        2,100,000          12/15/21               (20,909

Singapore Dollar

     JPHQ        Sell        3,717,071        2,752,498          12/15/21        29,623        (973

South African Rand

     JPHQ        Buy        31,739,886        2,023,763          12/15/21               (32,684

South African Rand

     JPHQ        Sell        31,739,886        2,174,101          12/15/21        183,021         

Japanese Yen

     JPHQ        Sell        100,000,000        1,052,112,500       KRW        12/15/21        4,165        (3,655

South Korean Won

     JPHQ        Buy        4,265,825,450        3,650,000          12/15/21               (59,616

South Korean Won

     JPHQ        Sell        1,057,562,850        900,000          12/15/21        10,012        (122

Norwegian Krone

     JPHQ        Sell        4,000,000        4,053,094       SEK        12/15/21        31,858        (24,155

Taiwan Dollar

     JPHQ        Buy        164,643,800        5,952,183          12/15/21        10        (31,032

Taiwan Dollar

     JPHQ        Sell        199,184,875        7,220,810          12/15/21        57,432         

Thai Baht

     JPHQ        Buy        70,896,830        2,150,000          12/15/21               (45,831

Australian Dollar

     BZWS        Buy        1,357,000        998,965          12/17/21               (31,344

Australian Dollar

     BZWS        Sell        14,604,000        10,673,912          12/17/21        260,766        (340

Australian Dollarb

     MSCO        Buy        6,684,000        4,893,150          12/17/21               (127,072

Australian Dollarb

     MSCO        Sell        15,411,000        11,309,257          12/17/21        320,345        (12

British Pound

     BNYM        Sell        2,810,486        3,784,348          12/17/21        44,748         

British Pound

     BZWS        Buy        3,689,000        5,046,965          12/17/21        2        (138,427

British Pound

     BZWS        Sell        1,675,000        2,278,762          12/17/21        50,049        (26

British Poundb

     MSCO        Buy        4,549,000        6,268,155          12/17/21               (215,309

British Poundb

     MSCO        Sell        8,396,000        11,369,668          12/17/21        198,263        (213

Canadian Dollar

     BZWS        Buy        2,860,000        2,262,406          12/17/21               (22,955

Canadian Dollar

     BZWS        Sell        3,496,000        2,763,435          12/17/21        25,980         

Canadian Dollarb

     MSCO        Buy        6,830,000        5,473,135          12/17/21               (125,075

Canadian Dollarb

     MSCO        Sell        6,078,000        4,778,621          12/17/21        23,093        (3,696

Euro

     BNYM        Sell        31,791,080        35,977,171          12/17/21               (106,649

Euro

     BZWS        Buy        3,486,000        4,042,863          12/17/21        4,627        (90,784

 

           
franklintempleton.com  

Semiannual Report

             73


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

Forward Exchange Contracts (continued)                
Currency    Counterpartya      Type      Quantity      Contract
Amount*
            Settlement
Date
     Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
Depreciation
 
OTC Forward Exchange Contracts (continued)                                    

Euro

     BZWS        Sell        9,404,000        11,009,090          12/17/21      $ 341,747      $ (6,470

Eurob

     MSCO        Buy        10,374,000        12,089,122          12/17/21        11,147        (325,473

Eurob

     MSCO        Sell        18,372,000        21,621,215          12/17/21        771,640        (3,192

Hong Kong Dollar

     BNYM        Buy        2,570,563        329,640          12/17/21        7         

Hong Kong Dollar

     BNYM        Sell        28,733,348        3,688,515          12/17/21        3,770         

Japanese Yen

     BZWS        Sell        106,906,000        945,420          12/17/21               (760

Japanese Yenb

     MSCO        Buy        1,887,084,000        16,902,612          12/17/21        50,800        (251,626

Japanese Yenb

     MSCO        Sell        2,629,816,000        23,695,269          12/17/21        447,567        (27,692

Mexican Peso

     BZWS        Sell        19,117,000        925,285          12/17/21        37,013         

Mexican Pesob

     MSCO        Buy        89,898,000        4,417,023          12/17/21               (239,908

Mexican Peso

     MSCO        Sell        59,318,000        2,913,903          12/17/21        158,896        (1,207

New Zealand Dollarb

     MSCO        Buy        6,704,000        4,755,187          12/17/21               (180,463

New Zealand Dollarb

     MSCO        Sell        4,060,000        2,823,900          12/17/21        54,383        (976

Swedish Krona

     BZWS        Buy        1,000        115          12/17/21               (4

Swedish Krona

     BZWS        Sell        12,189,000        1,391,649          12/17/21        38,418         

Swiss Franc

     BNYM        Sell        13,512,627        14,537,991          12/17/21               (193,319

Swiss Francb

     MSCO        Buy        2,492,000        2,708,205          12/17/21        9,161        (617

Swiss Francb

     MSCO        Sell        7,030,000        7,634,604          12/17/21        714        (30,136

Australian Dollar

     BNYM        Sell        989,000        716,671          12/22/21        11,397         

Canadian Dollar

     BNYM        Sell        8,399,000        6,601,941          12/22/21        28,422        (3,640

Euro

     BNYM        Sell        6,067,000        7,124,934          12/22/21        237,041         

Japanese Yen

     BNYM        Sell        44,888,525        402,851          12/22/21        5,512         

Kazakhstan Tenge

     JPHQ        Buy        271,096,800        624,000          12/22/21               (11,286

Kazakhstan Tenge

     JPHQ        Sell        271,096,800        622,521          12/22/21        9,806         

Colombian Peso

     MSCS        Sell        424,857,000        111,548          1/11/22        5,699         

Chilean Peso

     JPHQ        Buy        1,653,560,948        2,011,670          1/25/22        2,984        (28,275

Chilean Peso

     JPHQ        Sell        1,670,840,614        2,005,074          1/25/22        2,608        (4,671

Colombian Peso

     JPHQ        Buy        14,443,841,331        3,669,866          1/25/22        8,943        (85,066

Colombian Peso

     JPHQ        Sell        14,927,212,705        3,763,621          1/25/22        56,188        (6,577

Hungarian Forint

     JPHQ        Sell        380,733,808        1,050,000       EUR        1/25/22        33,471        (22,174

Euro

     JPHQ        Sell        1,081,000        1,249,906          1/25/22        21,465         

Euro

     JPHQ        Sell        1,210,000        442,281,015       HUF        1/25/22        30,262        (32,318

Indian Rupee

     JPHQ        Buy        322,171,500        4,270,000          1/25/22               (7,932

Indian Rupee

     JPHQ        Sell        320,410,911        4,251,460          1/25/22        24,670        (11,987

Indonesian Rupiah

     JPHQ        Buy        41,346,631,631        2,879,925          1/25/22        421        (9,980

Indonesian Rupiah

     JPHQ        Sell        42,927,794,406        3,022,871          1/25/22        42,738         

Mexican Peso

     JPHQ        Buy        87,452,413        4,120,256          1/25/22        31,932        (119,114

Mexican Peso

     JPHQ        Sell        109,829,917        5,051,274          1/25/22        58,266        (72,057

Peruvian Nuevo Sol

     JPHQ        Buy        4,265,771        1,067,891          1/25/22               (22,249

Peruvian Nuevo Sol

     JPHQ        Sell        5,511,289        1,397,917          1/25/22        46,969         

Philippine Peso

     JPHQ        Buy        94,060,200        1,860,000          1/25/22        3,485         

Philippine Peso

     JPHQ        Sell        94,497,182        1,850,000          1/25/22               (22,142

Russian Ruble

     JPHQ        Buy        512,023,443        7,036,790          1/25/22               (206,678

Russian Ruble

     JPHQ        Sell        518,152,584        7,176,870          1/25/22        264,998         

South African Rand

     JPHQ        Buy        29,212,721        1,782,196          1/25/22        41,280        (1,306

South African Rand

     JPHQ        Sell        83,049,758        5,384,066          1/25/22        244,213        (40,450

Thai Baht

     JPHQ        Buy        61,060,400        1,840,000          1/25/22               (27,461

Thai Baht

     JPHQ        Sell        60,978,952        1,870,001          1/25/22        59,880         

Turkish Lira

     JPHQ        Buy        20,662,195        2,030,000          1/25/22               (559,992

Turkish Lira

     JPHQ        Sell        20,557,525        2,136,454          1/25/22        673,891         

Euro

     BOFA        Sell        370,000        431,627          1/26/22        11,152         

Euro

     BZWS        Sell        115,000        134,129          1/26/22        3,441         

British Pound

     MSCO        Sell        580,000        802,590          1/28/22        30,554         

British Pound

     DBAB        Sell        166,000        227,634          1/31/22        6,674         

British Pound

     JPHQ        Sell        1,120,000        1,531,370          1/31/22        40,555         

Euro

     JPHQ        Sell        3,730,000        4,389,464          1/31/22        150,179         

Hong Kong Dollar

     JPHQ        Sell        520,000        66,797          1/31/22        112         

Swiss Franc

     JPHQ        Sell        390,000        424,150          1/31/22               (1,690

Brazilian Real

     JPHQ        Buy        1,687,080        297,061          2/02/22        197        (1,393

South Korean Won

     MSCO        Buy        1,605,851,629        1,360,395          2/08/22               (9,768

 

           
74             

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  franklintempleton.com


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

Forward Exchange Contracts (continued)                
Currency    Counterpartya      Type      Quantity      Contract
Amount*
            Settlement
Date
     Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
Depreciation
 
OTC Forward Exchange Contracts (continued)                                    

South Korean Won

     MSCO        Sell        1,399,093,131        1,184,573          2/08/22      $ 7,843      $  

Euro

     HSBC        Sell        125,000        143,184          2/17/22        1,069         

Ukraine Hryvnia

     JPHQ        Sell        34,404,000        1,220,000          2/28/22               (46,044

Taiwan Dollar

     JPHQ        Buy        218,296,000        8,000,000          3/01/22               (149,016

Taiwan Dollar

     JPHQ        Sell        218,296,000        8,137,261          3/01/22        286,277         

Brazilian Real

     BOFA        Sell        1,192,000        207,121          3/03/22               (471

Chilean Peso

     MSCO        Sell        938,020,650        1,116,150          3/15/22        4,509        (8,534

Chinese Yuan

     JPHQ        Sell        2,575,922        400,000          3/16/22               (1,317

Czech Koruna

     JPHQ        Buy        22,956,706        1,011,967          3/16/22        2,884         

Czech Koruna

     JPHQ        Sell        22,956,706        1,002,783          3/16/22               (12,068

Indian Rupee

     JPHQ        Buy        18,948,150        250,000          3/16/22               (808

Indian Rupee

     JPHQ        Sell        18,871,625        250,000          3/16/22        1,815         

Indonesian Rupiah

     JPHQ        Buy        3,626,750,000        250,000          3/16/22        543         

Indonesian Rupiah

     JPHQ        Sell        45,648,947,384        3,165,750          3/16/22        12,556        (327

Russian Ruble

     JPHQ        Buy        106,717,848        1,397,800          3/16/22        11,082         

Russian Ruble

     JPHQ        Sell        182,902,321        2,395,671          3/16/22               (18,994

South African Rand

     JPHQ        Buy        13,910,024        847,637          3/16/22        14,576         

South African Rand

     JPHQ        Sell        27,749,110        1,735,672          3/16/22        15,642         

South Korean Won

     JPHQ        Buy        335,400,900        300,000          3/16/22               (18,028

South Korean Won

     JPHQ        Sell        335,106,000        300,000          3/16/22        18,276         

Kazakhstan Tenge

     JPHQ        Buy        153,495,679        346,960          3/17/22               (6,869

Kazakhstan Tenge

     JPHQ        Sell        153,495,679        345,382          3/17/22        5,290         

Kazakhstan Tenge

     JPHQ        Buy        129,816,848        293,040          3/21/22               (5,677

Kazakhstan Tenge

     JPHQ        Sell        129,816,848        291,609          3/21/22        4,245         
                   

 

 

 

Total Forward Exchange Contracts

 

   $ 6,573,274      $ (4,677,335
       

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

 

   $ 1,895,939     
       

 

 

    

*In U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated.

aMay be comprised of multiple contracts with the same counterparty, currency and settlement date.

bA portion or all of the contracts are owned by K2 Holdings Investment Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Fund. See Note 1(k).

 

At November 30, 2021, the Fund had the following credit default swap contracts outstanding. See Note 1(e).

 

Credit Default Swap Contracts                                
Description   Annual
Payment
Rate
Received
(Paid)
    Payment
Frequency
           Maturity
Date
    Notional
Amounta
           Value     Unamortized
Upfront
Payments
(Receipts)
    Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Ratingb  
Centrally Cleared Swap Contracts                                            
Contracts to Buy Protectionc                                            
Single Name                                      

Government of Mexico

    (1.00)%       Quarterly         12/20/23       4,039,000       $ (37,273   $ (11,786   $ (25,487  

Government of Mexico

    (1.00)%       Quarterly         12/20/23       61,000         (563     (945     382    

Government of Mexico

    (1.00)%       Quarterly         6/20/25       142,000         (679     (1,790     1,111    

Government of South Africa

    (1.00)%       Quarterly         12/20/24       1,464,000         31,619       42,608       (10,989  

Government of South Africa

    (1.00)%       Quarterly         12/20/24       4,478,000         96,715       132,619       (35,904  

Talen Energy Supply LLC

    (1.00)%       Quarterly         6/20/23       527,000         159,228       198,062       (38,834  
Traded Index                                      

CDX.NA.HY.36

    (5.00)%       Quarterly         6/20/26       1,000,000         (76,522     (91,200     14,678    

CDX.NA.HY.37

    (5.00)%       Quarterly         12/20/26       6,779,000         (515,585     (512,384     (3,201  

CDX.NA.HY.37

    (5.00)%       Quarterly         12/20/26       2,700,000         (205,352     (254,863     49,511    

iTraxx Europe Crossover S36

    (5.00)%       Quarterly         12/20/26       5,122,000       EUR       (576,949     (576,949        

iTraxx Europe Crossover S36

    (5.00)%       Quarterly         12/20/26       5,130,000       EUR       (568,379     (566,296     (2,083  

 

           
franklintempleton.com  

Semiannual Report

             75


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

Credit Default Swap Contracts (continued)                                
Description   Annual
Payment
Rate
Received
(Paid)
    Payment
Frequency
           Maturity
Date
    Notional
Amounta
           Value     Unamortized
Upfront
Payments
(Receipts)
    Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Ratingb  
Contracts to Sell Protectionc,d                                            
Single Name                                      

Government of South Africa

    1.00%       Quarterly         12/20/24       2,847,000       $ (61,489   $ (221,735   $ 160,246       BB-  

Government of South Africa

    1.00%       Quarterly         12/20/24       874,000         (18,876     (25,494     6,618       BB-  

Talen Energy Supply LLC

    1.00%       Quarterly         12/20/21       159,000         (15,801     (33,755     17,954       B-
Traded Index                                      

CDX.NA.HY.37

    5.00%       Quarterly         12/20/26       1,735,000         131,958       146,513       (14,555    

Non-
Investment

Grade

 
 

 

             

 

 

   

Total Centrally Cleared Swap Contracts

 

      $ (1,657,948   $ (1,777,395   $ 119,447    
         

 

 

   
OTC Swap Contracts                                            
Contracts to Buy Protectionc                                            
Single Name         Counterparty                

Air France-KLM

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       JPHQ       12/20/21       32,000       EUR       (392     65       (457  

Air France-KLM

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       JPHQ       12/20/21       48,000       EUR       (588     68       (656  

Air France-KLM

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       JPHQ       12/20/21       64,000       EUR       (784     129       (913  

Air France-KLM

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       JPHQ       6/20/22       73,000       EUR       (1,512     (435     (1,077  

Air France-KLM

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       JPHQ       6/20/22       23,000       EUR       (476     (305     (171  

Air France-KLM

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       JPHQ       6/20/22       44,000       EUR       (912     (278     (634  

Air France-KLM

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       JPHQ       6/20/22       44,000       EUR       (912     (265     (647  

American Airlines Inc.

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       BZWS       12/20/21       34,000         (335     153       (488  

American Airlines Inc.

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       BZWS       12/20/21       73,000         (719     310       (1,029  

American Airlines Inc.

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       BZWS       12/20/23       518,000         22,084       23,279       (1,195  

American Airlines Inc.

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       BZWS       6/20/24       143,000         7,738       7,616       122    

American Airlines Inc.

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       BZWS       6/20/26       600,000         62,965       28,845       34,120    

American Airlines Inc.

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       CITI       12/20/21       44,000         (433     279       (712  

American Airlines Inc.

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       CITI       12/20/21       147,000         (1,447     586       (2,033  

American Airlines Inc.

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       CITI       6/20/26       103,000         10,809       9,055       1,754    

American Airlines Inc.

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       CITI       6/20/26       96,000         10,074       9,111       963    

American Airlines Inc.

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       FBCO       12/20/21       29,000         (285     116       (401  

American Airlines Inc.

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       FBCO       12/20/21       44,000         (433     204       (637  

American Airlines Inc.

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       GSCO       12/20/21       29,000         (285     117       (402  

American Airlines Inc.

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       GSCO       12/20/21       73,000         (719     612       (1,331  

American Airlines Inc.

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       GSCO       6/20/23       60,000         1,423       786       637    

American Airlines Inc.

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       GSCO       6/20/23       60,000         1,423       1,058       365    

 

           
76             

Semiannual Report

  franklintempleton.com


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

Credit Default Swap Contracts (continued)                                
Description   Annual
Payment
Rate
Received
(Paid)
    Payment
Frequency
    Counterparty     Maturity
Date
    Notional
Amounta
           Value     Unamortized
Upfront
Payments
(Receipts)
    Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Ratingb  
OTC Swap Contracts (continued)                                            
Contracts to Buy Protectionc (continued)                                            
Single Name (continued)                                                        

American Airlines Inc.

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       GSCO       6/20/23       60,000       $ 1,423     $ 1,115     $ 308    

American Airlines Inc.

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       GSCO       12/20/23       120,000         5,116       3,677       1,439    

American Airlines Inc.

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       GSCO       12/20/23       846,000         36,068       26,080       9,988    

American Airlines Inc.

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       JPHQ       12/20/21       29,000         (285     191       (476  

American Airlines Inc.

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       JPHQ       12/20/21       73,000         (719     315       (1,034  

American Airlines Inc.

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       JPHQ       12/20/25       241,000         22,397       39,825       (17,428  

American Axle & Manufacturing Inc.

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       BZWS       12/20/26       330,000         (13,480     (12,534     (946  

American Axle & Manufacturing Inc.

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       BZWS       12/20/26       274,000         (11,193     (8,603     (2,590  

American Axle & Manufacturing Inc.

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       BZWS       12/20/26       330,000         (13,480     (8,260     (5,220  

American Axle & Manufacturing Inc.

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       BZWS       12/20/26       274,000         (11,193     (8,011     (3,182  

American Axle & Manufacturing Inc.

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       BZWS       12/20/26       233,000         (9,518     (6,332     (3,186  

American Axle & Manufacturing Inc.

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       BZWS       12/20/26       121,000         (4,943     (3,133     (1,810  

American Axle & Manufacturing Inc.

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       BZWS       12/20/26       82,000         (3,350     (2,400     (950  

American Axle & Manufacturing Inc.

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       GSCO       12/20/26       137,000         (4,012     (4,012        

Dow Inc.

    (1.00)%       Quarterly       GSCO       6/20/25       78,000         (1,473     (405     (1,068  

Dow Inc.

    (1.00)%       Quarterly       GSCO       6/20/25       78,000         (1,473     (377     (1,096  

Dow Inc.

    (1.00)%       Quarterly       GSCO       6/20/25       78,000         (1,473     (269     (1,204  

GE Capital Funding LLC

    (1.00)%       Quarterly       JPHQ       12/20/26       1,037,000         (16,842     (10,072     (6,770  

Government of Brazil

    (1.00)%       Quarterly       BZWS       12/20/24       1,840,000         44,972       39,937       5,035    

Government of Brazil

    (1.00)%       Quarterly       BZWS       12/20/24       9,700,000         237,079       163,907       73,172    

Government of Brazil

    (1.00)%       Quarterly       BZWS       12/20/26       201,000         14,392       9,340       5,052    

Government of Colombia

    (1.00)%       Quarterly       BNPP       12/20/26       461,000         27,277       27,277          

Government of Colombia

    (1.00)%       Quarterly       BNPP       12/20/26       760,000         44,632       44,632          

Government of Colombia

    (1.00)%       Quarterly       BZWS       12/20/26       535,000         30,944       30,944          

Government of Colombia

    (1.00)%       Quarterly       BZWS       12/20/26       1,120,000         64,781       64,781          

Government of Colombia

    (1.00)%       Quarterly       DBAB       12/20/26       669,000         38,754       33,200       5,554    

Government of Italy

    (1.00)%       Quarterly       BOFA       6/20/24       132,000         (1,946     1,586       (3,532  

Government of Italy

    (1.00)%       Quarterly       JPHQ       6/20/24       218,000         (3,215     1,219       (4,434  

Government of Mexico

    (1.00)%       Quarterly       BZWS       6/20/26       1,510,000         2,713       5,284       (2,571  

Government of Mexico

    (1.00)%       Quarterly       CITI       12/20/26       345,000         2,435       (167     2,602    

Government of Turkey

    (1.00)%       Quarterly       BZWS       12/20/23       418,000         30,510       31,319       (809  

Government of Turkey

    (1.00)%       Quarterly       BZWS       12/20/23       975,000         71,166       65,227       5,939    

Government of Ukraine

    (1.00)%       Quarterly       BZWS       12/20/22       610,000         (5,797     25,111       (30,908  

 

           
franklintempleton.com  

Semiannual Report

             77


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

Credit Default Swap Contracts (continued)                                
Description   Annual
Payment
Rate
Received
(Paid)
    Payment
Frequency
    Counterparty     Maturity
Date
    Notional
Amounta
           Value     Unamortized
Upfront
Payments
(Receipts)
    Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Ratingb  
OTC Swap Contracts (continued)                                            
Contracts to Buy Protectionc (continued)                                            
Single Name (continued)                                                        

Government of Ukraine

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       HSBC       12/20/26       923,000       $ 10,137     $     $ 10,137    

Government of Ukraine

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       HSBC       12/20/26       382,000         4,195       7,157       (2,962  

Groupe Casino

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       BZWS       12/20/23       60,000       EUR       (259     67       (326  

Groupe Casino

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       BZWS       12/20/23       60,000       EUR       (259     133       (392  

Groupe Casino

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       JPHQ       12/20/23       200,000       EUR       (865     (5,244     4,379    

Hovnanian

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       BZWS       6/20/26       29,000         2,558       2,818       (260  

Hovnanian

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       BZWS       6/20/26       145,000         12,791       13,441       (650  

Kohl’s Corp.

    (1.00)%       Quarterly       GSCO       12/20/25       899,000         (1,105     66,005       (67,110  

Kohl’s Corp.

    (1.00)%       Quarterly       MSCO       12/20/25       455,000         (560     33,863       (34,423  

Loxam SAS

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       JPHQ       12/20/26       100,000       EUR       (7,060     (5,490     (1,570  

Macy’s Retail Holdings LLC

    (1.00)%       Quarterly       BZWS       12/20/26       71,000         3,993       5,028       (1,035  

MBIA Inc.

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       BZWS       6/20/22       24,000         (759     (156     (603  

MBIA Inc.

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       CITI       6/20/22       40,000         (1,265     (722     (543  

MBIA Inc.

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       CITI       12/20/24       112,000         (9,331     (12,030     2,699    

MBIA Inc.

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       GSCO       6/20/22       25,000         (791     (357     (434  

MBIA Inc.

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       GSCO       12/20/24       244,000         (20,329     (24,658     4,329    

Simon Property Group LP

    (1.00)%       Quarterly       BZWS       12/20/26       625,000         (10,482     (8,837     (1,645  

Simon Property Group LP

    (1.00)%       Quarterly       JPHQ       12/20/25       291,000         (5,812     5,017       (10,829  

Simon Property Group LP

    (1.00)%       Quarterly       MSCO       12/20/25       531,000         (10,605     9,154       (19,759  

Stena AB

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       GSCO       6/20/24       87,000       EUR       (5,790     3,988       (9,778  

Stena AB

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       GSCO       6/20/24       186,000       EUR       (12,378     8,345       (20,723  

Stena AB

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       GSCO       12/20/26       29,000       EUR       (1,124     (837     (287  

TDC A/S

    (1.00)%       Quarterly       BNPP       12/20/26       70,000       EUR       2,737       2,636       101    

TDC A/S

    (1.00)%       Quarterly       BNPP       12/20/26       71,000       EUR       2,776       3,327       (551  

TDC A/S

    (1.00)%       Quarterly       BNPP       12/20/26       71,000       EUR       2,776       3,327       (551  

Telecom Italia

    (1.00)%       Quarterly       JPHQ       12/20/26       70,000       EUR       5,929       3,721       2,208    

Telecom Italia

    (1.00)%       Quarterly       JPHQ       12/20/26       70,000       EUR       5,929       3,970       1,959    

Telecom Italia

    (1.00)%       Quarterly       JPHQ       12/20/26       70,000       EUR       5,929       5,480       449    

Telecom Italia

    (1.00)%       Quarterly       JPHQ       12/20/26       68,000       EUR       5,760       5,489       271    

Telecom Italia

    (1.00)%       Quarterly       JPHQ       12/20/26       139,000       EUR       11,774       11,356       418    
Contracts to Sell Protectionc,d                                            
Single Name                                      

Euro Garages Ltd.

    5.00%       Quarterly       GSCO       12/20/26       50,000       EUR       2,904       2,595       309       B

Government of Turkey

    1.00%       Quarterly       BZWS       12/20/26       697,000         (119,859     (108,522     (11,337     B+  

Government of Turkey

    1.00%       Quarterly       BZWS       12/20/26       279,000         (47,978     (47,471     (507     B+  

Groupe Casino

    5.00%       Quarterly       GSCO       12/20/26       70,000       EUR       (7,929     (5,702     (2,227     BB-  
             

 

 

   

Total OTC Swap Contracts

 

    $ 492,199     $ 608,389     $ (116,190  
         

 

 

   

Total Credit Default Swap Contracts

 

 

    $ (1,165,749   $ (1,169,006   $ 3,257    
             

 

 

   

aIn U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated. For contracts to sell protection, the notional amount is equal to the maximum potential amount of the future payments and no recourse provisions have been entered into in association with the contracts.

bBased on Standard and Poor’s (S&P) Rating for single name swaps and internal ratings for index swaps. Internal ratings based on mapping into equivalent ratings from external vendors.

cPerformance triggers for settlement of contract include default, bankruptcy or restructuring for single name swaps and failure to pay or bankruptcy of the underlying securities for traded index swaps.

dThe Fund enters contracts to sell protection to create a long credit position.

 

           
78             

Semiannual Report

  franklintempleton.com


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

At November 30, 2021, the Fund had the following interest rate swap contracts outstanding. See Note 1(e).

 

Interest Rate Swap Contracts                      
Description    Payment
Frequency
     Maturity
Date
     Notional
Amount*
    Value/Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
Centrally Cleared Swap Contracts                      

Receive Fixed 1.34%
Pay Floating 3-Month-KDR

     Quarterly        12/15/22        46,000,000,000   KRW    $ (78,228

Receive Fixed 11.59%
Pay Floating BRLCDI

     Annually        1/02/23        37,424,742   BRL      5,811  

Receive Fixed 7.68%
Pay Floating BRLCDI

     Annually        1/02/23        27,000,000   BRL      (158,233

Receive Floating rate 3-Month-JIBAR
Pay Fixed rate 5.65%

     Quarterly        1/25/24        22,006,060   ZAR      (1,767

Receive Floating rate 3-Month-JIBAR
Pay Fixed rate 5.66%

     Quarterly        1/25/24        27,762,629   ZAR      (2,638

Receive Floating rate 6 Month-PRIBOR
Pay Fixed rate 3.62%

     Annually        1/25/24        137,702,160   CZK      (9,784

Receive Floating rate 6 Month-PRIBOR
Pay Fixed rate 3.95%

     Annually        1/25/24        58,801,602   CZK      (20,912

Receive Floating rate 6 Month-PRIBOR
Pay Fixed rate 3.95%

     Annually        1/25/24        25,979,911   CZK      (9,240

Receive Floating rate 6 Month-PRIBOR
Pay Fixed rate 3.95%

     Annually        1/25/24        58,915,966   CZK      (20,953

Receive Fixed 8.44%
Pay Floating BRLCDI

     Annually        1/02/25        12,000,000   BRL      (122,207

Receive Fixed 6.30%
Pay Floating rate 3-Month-JIBAR

     Quarterly        7/31/25        53,795,745   ZAR      (43,400

Receive Fixed 7.57%
Pay Floating rate 3-Month-JIBAR

     Quarterly        11/04/25        39,000,000   ZAR      15,018  

Receive Floating rate 3-Month USD LIBOR
Pay Fixed rate 0.50%

     Semi-Annually        6/16/26        1,400,000       12,193  

Receive Floating rate 3-Month USD LIBOR
Pay Fixed rate 0.50%

     Semi-Annually        6/16/26        1,150,000       11,431  

Receive Fixed 1.25%
Pay Floating 3-Month-USD LIBOR

     Quarterly        12/15/26        1,300,000       1,425  

Receive Fixed 6.26%
Pay Floating rate 1-Day-COPIBR

     Quarterly        1/25/27        6,652,804,515   COP      (20,159

Receive Floating rate 6 Month-WIBOR
Pay Fixed rate 2.95%

     Annually        3/16/27        14,502,985   PLN       

Receive Floating rate 6 Month-SORA
Pay Fixed rate 1.23%

     Semi-Annually        12/15/31        1,857,493   SGD      59,904  

Receive Fixed 7.72%
Pay Floating Banxico Mexico 1 Month rate

     Monthly        1/13/32        64,105,000   MXN      40,053  

Receive Fixed 7.94%
Pay Floating rate 3-Month-JIBAR

     Quarterly        1/25/32        25,017,434   ZAR      19,721  
          

 

 

 

Total Interest Rate Swap Contracts

 

  $ (321,965
 

 

 

 

*In U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated.

 

           
franklintempleton.com  

Semiannual Report

             79


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

At November 30, 2021, the Fund had the following total return swap contracts outstanding. See Note 1(e).

 

Total Return Swap Contracts        
Underlying Instrument    Financing Rate   Payment
Frequency
    Counterparty      Maturity
Date
     Notional
Value*
    Value/Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
OTC Swap Contracts                                     
Equity Contracts – Longa                                     

Afterpay Ltd.

   1-Day FEDEF + 0.55%     Monthly       MSCO        11/11/22        295,374     $ (29,015

AKKA Technologies

  

1-Month EIBOR + 0.40%

    Monthly       BZWS        9/09/22        1,679,003   EUR      1,603  

Amundi SA

   1-Day EONIA + 0.40%     Monthly       MSCS        3/14/25        266,038   EUR      161,514  

Anima Holding SpA

   1-Month EURIBOR + 0.40%     Monthly       MSCS        12/21/21        2,129,238   EUR      (265,164

Avast PLC

   1-Day SONIA + 0.40%     Monthly       BZWS        7/27/22        2,852,688   GBP      25,171  

Avast PLC

   1-Day FEDEF + 0.65%     Monthly       MSCO        9/21/22        552,290       22,409  

Barclays PLC

   1-Month LIBOR + 0.40%     Monthly       MSCS        4/20/22        1,058,676   GBP      (62,736

BHP Group PLC

   1-Day FEDEF + 0.40%     Monthly       MSCO        11/22/22        1,333,980       (70,718

Blue Prism Group PLC

  

1-Day SONIA + 0.40%

    Monthly       BZWS        9/07/22        730,086   GBP      736  

BNP Paribas SA

   1-Month LIBOR + 0.40%     Monthly       MSCS        3/14/25        1,368,172   EUR      907,267  

Bureau Veritas SA

   1-Month EURIBOR + 0.40%     Monthly       GSCO        12/21/21        212,386   EUR      (7,813

Bureau Veritas SA

   1-Month EURIBOR + 0.40%     Monthly       MSCS        3/14/25        1,082,490   EUR      535,166  

Callaway Golf Co.

   1-Day FEDEF + 0.40%     Monthly       MSCO        11/22/22        1,217,822       (320,228

CapitaLand Investment Ltd.

   1-Day SORA + 0.55%     Monthly       MSCO        5/22/23        710,355   SGD      169,404  

Christian Dior SE

   1-Month EURIBOR + 0.40%     Monthly       BZWS        5/25/22        1,543,050   EUR      (16,714

Clearway Energy Inc.

   1-Month LIBOR + 0.35%     Monthly       JPHQ        1/20/22        238,994       43,597  

CorePoint Lodging Inc.

  

1-Month LIBOR + 0.35%

    Monthly       BZWS        11/28/22        917,832       (4,834

CoreSite Realty Corp.

  

1-Month LIBOR + 0.35%

    Monthly       BZWS        11/16/22        1,144,611       2,235  

Croda International PLC

   1-Month LIBOR + 0.40%     Monthly       MSCS        4/20/22        1,344,683   GBP      84,169  

Crown Holdings Inc.

   1-Day FEDEF + 0.40%     Monthly       MSCO        11/22/22        1,692,599       104,289  

Crown Resorts Ltd.

   1-Month BBSW + 0.55%     Monthly       MSCO        12/22/21        247,672   AUD      (14,166

CyrusOne Inc.

  

1-Month LIBOR + 0.35%

    Monthly       BZWS        11/16/22        3,670,887       (9,063

Danone SA

   1-Month EURIBOR + 0.40%     Monthly       MSCO        12/21/21        2,010,228   EUR      (233,917

Danone SA

   1-Month LIBOR + 0.40%     Monthly       MSCS        3/14/25        3,905,164   EUR      (185,520

Electricite de France SA

   1-Day EONIA + 0.40%     Monthly       MSCO        9/23/22        2,273,564   EUR      10,294  

Elisa OYJ

   1-Month EURIBOR + 0.40%     Monthly       MSCO        12/21/21        260,810   EUR      (39,399

Elisa OYJ

   1-Month EURIBOR + 0.40%     Monthly       MSCS        3/14/25        444,640   EUR      60,223  

Energy Transfer LP

   1-Month LIBOR + 0.90%     Monthly       GSCO        10/04/22        121,446       (16,036

Energy Transfer LP

   1-Month LIBOR + 0.50%     Monthly       CITI        10/20/22        115,578       (19,263

Engie SA

   1-Day EONIA + 0.40%     Monthly       MSCO        9/23/22        4,085,632   EUR      (195,908

Entain PLC

   1-Month LIBOR + 0.40%     Monthly       BZWS        2/28/22        316,785   GBP      (13,446

Entain PLC

   1-Day SONIA + 0.65%     Monthly       MSCO        10/17/22        419,114   GBP      (113,948

Enterprise Products Partners LP

   1-Month LIBOR + 0.90%     Monthly       BOFA        3/04/22        102,869       (12,211

Enterprise Products Partners LP

   1-Month LIBOR + 0.90%     Monthly       GSCO        4/20/22        100,201       (11,935

ESG Core Investments BV

   1-Day EONIA + 0.65%     Monthly       MSCO        9/06/22        41,835   EUR      (3,064

Ferguson PLC

   1-Day EONIA + 0.65%     Monthly       MSCO        9/23/22        654,490       269,755  

Frasers Group PLC

   1-Month LIBOR + 0.40%     Monthly       MSCS        4/20/22        813,732   GBP      3,719  

GCP Student Living PLC

   1-Day SONIA + 0.40%     Monthly       BZWS        7/26/22        326,435   GBP      2,062  

HeidelbergCement AG

   1-Month EURIBOR + 0.40%     Monthly       MSCS        12/21/21        2,132,035   EUR      (232,566

Hermes International

   1-Month EURIBOR + 0.40%     Monthly       MSCO        12/21/21        689,260   EUR      121,968  

Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC

   1-Month LIBOR + 0.40%     Monthly       MSCS        4/20/22        110,696   GBP      (10,129

ITV PLC

   1-Month LIBOR + 0.40%     Monthly       MSCS        4/20/22        1,737,983   GBP      (292,613

Kansas City Southern

   1-Day FEDEF + 0.40%     Monthly       MSCO        11/22/22        2,547,080       82,674  

Kering SA

   1-Month EURIBOR + 0.40%     Monthly       MSCO        12/21/21        839,642   EUR      23,861  

Kering SA

   1-Month EURIBOR + 0.40%     Monthly       MSCS        3/14/25        1,461,221   EUR      736,882  

Landmark Infrastructure Partners LP

   1-Month LIBOR + 0.35%     Monthly       BZWS        5/20/22        1,600,983       2,936  

LG Chem Ltd.

   1-Day FEDEF + 0.30%     Monthly       MSCO        8/10/23        2,548,323       (255,062

LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE

   1-Day EONIA + 0.40%     Monthly       MSCS        3/14/25        348,838   EUR      370,312  

Meggitt PLC

   1-Day SONIA + 0.65%     Monthly       MSCO        2/08/22        1,223,711   GBP      (190,297

 

           
80             

Semiannual Report

  franklintempleton.com


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

Total Return Swap Contracts (continued)        
Underlying Instrument    Financing Rate   Payment
Frequency
    Counterparty      Maturity
Date
     Notional
Value*
    Value/Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
OTC Swap Contracts (continued)                            
Equity Contracts – Longa (continued)                            

Meggitt PLC

   1-Day SONIA + 0.65%     Monthly       BZWS        8/17/22        1,897,785   GBP    $ (8,544

MGM Growth Properties LLC

   1-Month LIBOR + 0.35%     Monthly       BZWS        8/08/22        2,509,560       (58,000

Nestle SA

   1-Month LIBOR + 0.40%     Monthly       MSCS        1/20/22        1,789,306   CHF      (85,816

Nippo Corp.

   1-Day MUTSCALM + 0.50%     Monthly       MSCO        11/10/22        35,904,751   JPY      (2,521

Phillips 66 Partners LP

   1-Month LIBOR + 0.35%     Monthly       BZWS        10/28/22        1,312,362       (15,022

Playtech PLC

   1-Day SONIA + 0.40%     Monthly       BZWS        10/19/22        621,464   GBP      11,220  

Ryanair Holdings PLC

   1-Month EURIBOR + 0.40%     Monthly       MSCS        12/21/21        817,408   EUR      (168,758

Sanne Group PLC

   1-Day SONIA + 0.40%     Monthly       BZWS        6/24/22        679,945   GBP      2,987  

Siltronic AG

   1-Month LIBOR + 0.40%     Monthly       BZWS        2/28/22        2,434,914   EUR      (20,595

Siltronic AG

   1-Day EONIA + 0.65%     Monthly       MSCO        11/03/22        471,192   EUR      (27,544

Smith & Nephew PLC

   1-Month LIBOR + 0.40%     Monthly       MSCO        4/20/22        3,800,799   GBP      (430,592

Smiths Group PLC

   1-Month LIBOR + 0.40%     Monthly       MSCS        4/20/22        984,659   GBP      (9,351

Societe Generale SA

   1-Month LIBOR + 0.40%     Monthly       MSCS        3/14/25        853,440   EUR      624,972  

bSpark Infrastructure Group

   1-Month BBSW + 0.55%     Monthly       MSCO        12/22/21        792,475   AUD      15,122  

SSE PLC

   1-Day SONIA + 0.40%     Monthly       MSCO        9/29/22        2,753,666   GBP      (231,659

Stroeer SE & Co. KGaA

   1-Month EURIBOR + 0.40%     Monthly       MSCS        12/21/21        1,032,647   EUR      (99,132

Sydney Airport Finance Co. Pty Ltd.

   1-Month BBSW + 0.55%     Monthly       MSCO        12/22/21        648,764   AUD      (423

Teekay LNG Partners LP

   1-Month LIBOR + 0.35%     Monthly       BZWS        10/05/22        3,708,722       10,940  

TGOOD

   1-Day FEDEF + 0.30%     Monthly       MSCO        9/28/22        2,038,297       2,583  

Toshiba Corp.

   1-Day MUTSCALM + 0.55%     Monthly       MSCO        8/25/23        7,280,061   JPY      (397

TotalEnergies

   1-Day EONIA + 0.40%     Monthly       MSCO        9/29/22        474,410   EUR      (37,327

Ultra Electronics Holdings PLC

   1-Day SONIA + 0.65%     Monthly       MSCO        2/08/22        344,769   GBP      (22,112

Vodafone Group PLC

   1-Day SONIA + 0.65%     Monthly       MSCO        2/08/22        951,494   GBP      10,733  

Willis Towers Watson PLC

   1-Day FEDEF + 0.40%     Monthly       MSCO        11/22/22        3,309,078       (69,553
              

 

 

 
                 507,692  
              

 

 

 
Equity Contracts – Shortc                                     

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

   1-Day FEDEF - 0.35%     Monthly       MSCO        2/04/22        1,566,238       (274,221

BHP Group PLC

   1-Day FEDEF - 2.02%     Monthly       MSCO        2/04/22        1,478,285       184,831  

Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd.

   1-Day FEDEF - 0.35%     Monthly       MSCO        2/04/22        1,896,732       69,306  

China Power

   1-Day HONIX - 0.50%     Monthly       MSCO        10/13/22        3,661,252   HKD      (52,551

CLP Holdings

   1-Day HONIX - 0.50%     Monthly       MSCO        7/20/23        11,865,026   HKD      (13,352

Colruyt SA

   1-Day EONIA - 0.40%     Monthly       MSCS        3/14/25        1,343,611   EUR      (13,800

DJ EURO STOXX 50 Index

   1-Day EONIA - 0.45%     Monthly       MSCO        3/22/22        307,887   EUR      (231,677

Elisa OYJ

   1-Day EONIA - 0.40%     Monthly       MSCS        3/14/25        390,256   EUR      (75,937

Hannover Rueck SE

   1-Day EONIA - 0.35%     Monthly       MSCS        3/14/25        558,395   EUR      (173,703

Hennes & Mauritz AB

   1-Week STIBOR - 0.40%     Monthly       MSCS        3/14/25        5,777,721   SEK      (68,181

HMM Co. Ltd.

   1-Day FEDEF - 3.50%     Monthly       MSCO        11/10/22        491,679       72,314  

Huaneng Power

   1-Day HONIX - 4.63%     Monthly       MSCO        10/24/22        3,274,210   HKD      (10,644

Industrial Select Sector Index

   1-Day LIBOR - 0.40%     Monthly       MSCO        8/22/23        5,906,140       200,527  

Korea Electric Power Corp.

   1-Day FEDEF - 2.75%     Monthly       MSCO        8/10/23        357,608       34,979  

KOSPI 200 Index

   1-Day FEDEF - 0.35%     Monthly       MSCO        9/07/23        1,844,700       116,082  

LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE

   1-Day EONIA - 0.30%     Monthly       BZWS        5/25/22        1,370,160   EUR      5,352  

Marks & Spencer Group PLC

   1-Day SONIA - 0.30%     Monthly       MSCS        4/20/22        320,470   GBP      (18,309

Marsh McLennan

   1-Day FEDEF - 0.35%     Monthly       MSCO        2/04/22        1,455,005       (180,099

Morgan Stanley MSHDGCWN Index

   1-Day RBACR - 0.60%     Monthly       MSCO        8/25/23        139,620   AUD      53  

Morgan Stanley MSPSARKK Index

   1-Day FEDEF - 0.46%     Monthly       MSCO        9/21/22        361,165       5,865  

 

           
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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

Total Return Swap Contracts (continued)        
Underlying Instrument    Financing Rate   Payment
Frequency
    Counterparty      Maturity
Date
     Notional
Value*
    Value/Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
OTC Swap Contracts (continued)                      
Equity Contracts – Shortc (continued)                                

Morgan Stanley MSPSENTH Index

   1-Day SONIA - 0.45%     Monthly       MSCO        10/31/22        284,158   GBP    $ 43,613  

Morgan Stanley MSPSFERL Index

   1-Day FEDEF - 0.35%     Monthly       MSCO        9/21/22        277,233       (52,236

Morgan Stanley MSPSHRTZ Index

   1-Day FEDEF - 0.35%     Monthly       MSCO        9/21/22        703,650       63,890  

Morgan Stanley MSPSKSS Index

   1-Day FEDEF - 0.40%     Monthly       MSCO        9/21/22        337,234       (23,292

Morgan Stanley MSPSPRMW Index

   1-Day FEDEF - 0.55%     Monthly       MSCO        9/21/22        574,402       (75,680

Morgan Stanley MSPSPRNT Index

   1-Day FEDEF - 1.48%     Monthly       MSCO        9/21/22        51,663       (292

Morgan Stanley MSPSSPY Index

   1-Day FEDEF - 0.35%     Monthly       MSCO        9/21/22        136,569       (6,186

Morgan Stanley MSPSVLRS Index

   1-Day FEDEF - 0.35%     Monthly       MSCO        10/26/22        230,517       23,587  

Morgan Stanley MSPSVOD Index

   1-Day FEDEF - 0.39%     Monthly       MSCO        9/21/22        655,308       (40,544

Morgan Stanley MSPSXLU Index

   1-Day FEDEF - 0.35%     Monthly       MSCO        9/21/22        5,664,202       110,021  

Morgan Stanley MSPSXPOH Index

   1-Day FEDEF - 0.35%     Monthly       MSCO        9/21/22        946,276       (10,313

Next PLC

   1-Day SONIA - 0.30%     Monthly       MSCS        4/20/22        690,538   GBP      44,341  

Nike Inc.

   1-Day FEDEF - 0.35%     Monthly       MSCO        3/16/22        1,305,529       (7,770

Nippon Yusen

   1-Day MUTSCALM - 0.40%     Monthly       MSCO        11/28/22        68,921,613   JPY      4,674  

NortonLifeLock Inc.

   1-Day FEDEF - 0.35%     Monthly       MSCO        11/09/22        55,332       1,553  

Philadelphia SE Utility Index

   1-Day FEDEF - 0.05%     Monthly       MSCO        8/22/23        3,936,403       100,875  

Phillips 66

   1-Month LIBOR - 0.35%     Monthly       BZWS        10/28/22        1,305,604       (15,869

Siltronic AG

   1-Day EONIA - 4.00%     Monthly       BZWS        3/04/22        1,238,747   EUR      (5,426

Square Inc.

   1-Day FEDEF - 0.35%     Monthly       MSCO        11/10/22        296,731       28,360  

STOXX Europe 600 Utilities Index

   1-Day EONIA - 0.45%     Monthly       MSCO        9/13/23        3,227,351   EUR      67,381  

Straits Times Index

   1-Day SOFR - 0.65%     Monthly       MSCO        5/24/23        673,401   SGD      9,663  

Swisscom AG

   1-Day SARON - 0.35%     Monthly       MSCS        3/14/25        749,259   CHF      (61,191

VICI Properties Inc.

   1-Month LIBOR - 0.35%     Monthly       BZWS        8/08/22        2,541,992       53,909  
              

 

 

 
                 (170,097
              

 

 

 
Interest Rate Contracts – Longa                            

Government of Egypt

   1-Day FEDEF     Monthly       CITI        1/11/22        476,021       22,068  

Government of Indonesia

   3-Month LIBOR + 0.70%     Monthly       BOFA        5/18/22        2,043,470       (32,110

Government of Indonesia

   3-Month LIBOR + 0.60%     Monthly       DBAB        6/15/32        573,840       39,768  
              

 

 

 
                 29,726  
              

 

 

 

Total - Total Return Swap Contracts

 

  $ 367,321  
 

 

 

 

*In U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated.

aThe Fund receives the total return on the underlying instrument and pays a variable financing rate.

bFair valued using significant unobservable inputs. See Note 14 regarding fair value measurements.

cThe Fund receives the variable financing rate and pays the total return on the underlying instrument.

See Note 12 regarding other derivative information.

See Abbreviations on page 104.

 

           
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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities

November 30, 2021 (unaudited)

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund

 

Assets:

  

Investments in securities:

  

Cost – Unaffiliated issuers

   $ 1,176,152,060  

Cost – Non-controlled affiliates (Note 3f)

     5,752,000  

Cost – Unaffiliated repurchase agreements

     1,439,225  
  

 

 

 

Value – Unaffiliated issuers

   $ 1,331,864,352  

Value – Non-controlled affiliates (Note 3f)

     5,752,000  

Value – Unaffiliated repurchase agreements

     1,439,225  

Cash

     61,621,113  

Restricted cash for OTC derivatives (Note 1f)

     3,020,000  

Foreign currency, at value (cost $7,324,672)

     6,895,935  

Receivables:

  

Investment securities sold

     35,092,337  

Capital shares sold

     1,153,286  

Dividends and interest

     4,814,765  

Deposits with brokers for:

  

Exchange traded options written

     133,903  

Securities sold short

     244,574,018  

OTC derivative contracts

     31,012,181  

Futures contracts

     9,017,804  

Centrally cleared swap contracts

     1,656,220  

Due from brokers

     14,459,310  

Variation margin on centrally cleared swap contracts

     3,712  

OTC swap contracts (upfront payments $1,022,060)

     894,273  

Unrealized appreciation on OTC forward exchange contracts

     6,573,274  

Unrealized appreciation on OTC swap contracts

     5,898,124  

Other assets

     8,244  
  

 

 

 

Total assets

     1,765,884,076  
  

 

 

 

Liabilities:

  

Payables:

  

Investment securities purchased

     43,876,850  

Capital shares redeemed

     1,359,883  

Management fees

     2,037,577  

Distribution fees

     46,399  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

     14,056  

Transfer agent fees

     222,027  

Deposits from brokers for:

  

OTC derivative contracts

     3,020,000  

Variation margin on futures contracts

     58,035  

Due to brokers

     13,350,873  

OTC swap contracts (upfront receipts $318,012)

     285,884  

Options written, at value (premiums received $724,467)

     434,251  

Securities sold short, at value (proceeds $250,976,790)

     250,220,336  

Payable upon return of securities loaned (Note 1j)

     7,191,225  

Unrealized depreciation on OTC forward exchange contracts

     4,677,335  

Unrealized depreciation on OTC swap contracts

     5,646,993  

Unrealized depreciation on unfunded loan commitments (Note 11)

     22,745  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

     309,155  
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     332,773,624  
  

 

 

 

Net assets, at value

   $ 1,433,110,452  
  

 

 

 

Net assets consist of:

  

Paid-in capital

   $ 1,247,767,006  

Total distributable earnings (loss)

     185,343,446  
  

 

 

 

Net assets, at value

   $ 1,433,110,452  
  

 

 

 

Includes securities loaned

   $ 15,260,059  

 

           
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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities (continued)

November 30, 2021 (unaudited)

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund

 

Class A:   

Net assets, at value

   $ 104,373,018  
  

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

     8,350,335  
  

 

 

 

Net asset value per sharea

   $ 12.50  
  

 

 

 

Maximum offering price per share (net asset value per share ÷ 94.50%)

   $ 13.23  
  

 

 

 
Class C:   

Net assets, at value

   $ 29,196,259  
  

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

     2,413,778  
  

 

 

 

Net asset value and maximum offering price per sharea

   $ 12.10  
  

 

 

 
Class R:   

Net assets, at value

   $ 1,139,356  
  

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

     91,371  
  

 

 

 

Net asset value and maximum offering price per share

   $ 12.47  
  

 

 

 
Class R6:   

Net assets, at value

   $ 53,365,449  
  

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

     4,222,946  
  

 

 

 

Net asset value and maximum offering price per share

   $ 12.64  
  

 

 

 
Advisor Class:   

Net assets, at value

   $ 1,245,036,370  
  

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

     98,806,099  
  

 

 

 

Net asset value and maximum offering price per share

   $ 12.60  
  

 

 

 

 

aRedemption price is equal to net asset value less contingent deferred sales charges, if applicable.

 

           
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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Consolidated Statement of Operations

for the six months ended November 30, 2021 (unaudited)

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund

 

Investment income:

  

Dividends (net of foreign taxes)*

  

Unaffiliated issuers

   $ 2,064,233  

Interest: (net of foreign taxes)~

  

Unaffiliated issuers

     11,362,014  

Income from securities loaned:

  

Unaffiliated entities (net of fees and rebates)

     52,504  

Non-controlled affiliates (Note 3f)

     189  
  

 

 

 

Total investment income

     13,478,940  
  

 

 

 

Expenses:

  

Management fees (Note 3a)

     12,996,815  

Distribution fees: (Note 3c)

  

Class A

     129,910  

Class C

     152,780  

Class R

     2,283  

Transfer agent fees: (Note 3e)

  

Class A

     48,997  

Class C

     14,402  

Class R

     431  

Class R6

     6,112  

Advisor Class

     567,886  

Custodian fees (Note 4) .

     124,237  

Reports to shareholders fees

     50,734  

Registration and filing fees

     52,155  

Professional fees

     304,303  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

     209,398  

Dividends and interest on securities sold short

     1,299,783  

Security borrowing fees

     1,202,491  

Other

     76,102  
  

 

 

 

Total expenses

     17,238,819  
  

 

 

 

Expense reductions (Note 4)

     (20,001

Expenses waived/paid by affiliates (Note 3f and 3g)

     (1,122,836
  

 

 

 

Net expenses

     16,095,982  
  

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)

     (2,617,042
  

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses):

  

Net realized gain (loss) from:

  

Investments:

  

Unaffiliated issuers

     44,497,888  

Written options

     698,852  

Foreign currency transactions

     (564,144

Forward exchange contracts

     2,940,314  

Futures contracts

     (8,054,427

Securities sold short

     (20,772,240

Swap contracts

     (968,475
  

 

 

 

Net realized gain (loss)

     17,777,768  
  

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

  

Investments:

  

Unaffiliated issuers

     (22,481,528

Translation of other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies

     (266,259

Forward exchange contracts

     3,871,678  

Written options

     120,574  

Futures contracts

     543,531  

Securities sold short

     10,563,198  

Swap contracts

     (3,306,280
  

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

     (10,955,086
  

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     6,822,682  
  

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

   $ 4,205,640  
  

 

 

 

* Foreign taxes withheld on dividends

   $ 73,000  

~ Foreign taxes withheld on interest

   $ 21,764  

 

           
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             85


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund

 

      Six Months Ended
November 30, 2021
(unaudited)
     Year Ended
May 31, 2021
 

Increase (decrease) in net assets:

     

Operations:

     

Net investment income (loss)

   $ (2,617,042    $ (5,706,292

Net realized gain (loss)

     17,777,768        82,760,682  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

     (10,955,086      64,678,301  
  

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

     4,205,640        141,732,691  
  

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders:

     

Class A

            (770,421

Class C

            (270,063

Class R

            (6,563

Class R6

            (218,294

Advisor Class

            (8,558,261
  

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

            (9,823,602
  

 

 

 

Capital share transactions: (Note 2)

     

Class A

     1,964,793        1,751,000  

Class C

     (2,335,970      (7,911,374

Class R

     299,653        (133,193

Class R6

     25,945,345        9,227,168  

Advisor Class

     88,936,324        59,488,692  
  

 

 

 

Total capital share transactions

     114,810,145        62,422,293  
  

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

     119,015,785        194,331,382  

Net assets:

     

Beginning of period

     1,314,094,667        1,119,763,285  
  

 

 

 

End of period

   $ 1,433,110,452      $ 1,314,094,667  
  

 

 

 

 

           
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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund

 

1. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies

Franklin Alternative Strategies Funds (Trust) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (1940 Act) as an open-end management investment company, consisting of two separate funds and applies the specialized accounting and reporting guidance in U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (U.S. GAAP). Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (Fund) is included in this report. The Fund offers five classes of shares: Class A, Class C, Class R, Class R6 and Advisor Class. Effective August 2, 2021, Class C shares automatically convert to Class A shares on a monthly basis, after they have been held for 8 years. Prior to August 2, 2021, Class C shares converted to Class A shares after a 10-year holding period. Each class of shares may differ by its initial sales load, contingent deferred sales charges, voting rights on matters affecting a single class, its exchange privilege and fees due to differing arrangements for distribution and transfer agent fees.

The following summarizes the Fund’s significant accounting policies.

a. Financial Instrument Valuation

The Fund’s investments in financial instruments are carried at fair value daily. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The Fund calculates the net asset value

(NAV) per share each business day as of 4 p.m. Eastern time or the regularly scheduled close of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), whichever is earlier. Under compliance policies and procedures approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the Board), the Fund’s administrator has responsibility for oversight of valuation, including leading the cross-functional Valuation Committee (VC). The Fund may utilize independent pricing services, quotations from securities and financial instrument dealers, and other market sources to determine fair value.

Equity securities, exchange traded funds and derivative financial instruments listed on an exchange or on the NASDAQ National Market System are valued at the last quoted sale price or the official closing price of the day, respectively. Foreign equity securities are valued as of the close of trading on the foreign stock exchange on which the security is primarily traded or as of 4 p.m. Eastern time. The value is then converted into its U.S. dollar equivalent at the foreign exchange rate in effect at 4 p.m. Eastern time on the

day that the value of the security is determined. Over-the-counter (OTC) securities are valued within the range of the most recent quoted bid and ask prices. Securities that trade in multiple markets or on multiple exchanges are valued according to the broadest and most representative market. Certain equity securities are valued based upon fundamental characteristics or relationships to similar securities.

Debt securities generally trade in the OTC market rather than on a securities exchange. The Fund’s pricing services use multiple valuation techniques to determine fair value. In instances where sufficient market activity exists, the pricing services may utilize a market-based approach through which quotes from market makers are used to determine fair value. In instances where sufficient market activity may not exist or is limited, the pricing services also utilize proprietary valuation models which may consider market characteristics such as benchmark yield curves, credit spreads, estimated default rates, anticipated market interest rate volatility, coupon rates, anticipated timing of principal repayments, underlying collateral, and other unique security features in order to estimate the relevant cash flows, which are then discounted to calculate the fair value. Securities denominated in a foreign currency are converted into their U.S. dollar equivalent at the foreign exchange rate in effect at 4 p.m. Eastern time on the date that the values of the foreign debt securities are determined.

Investments in open-end mutual funds are valued at the closing NAV. Investments in repurchase agreements are valued at cost, which approximates fair value.

Certain derivative financial instruments are centrally cleared or trade in the OTC market. The Fund’s pricing services use various techniques including industry standard option pricing models and proprietary discounted cash flow models to determine the fair value of those instruments. The Fund’s net benefit or obligation under the derivative contract, as measured by the fair value of the contract, is included in net assets.

The Fund has procedures to determine the fair value of financial instruments for which market prices are not reliable or readily available. Under these procedures, the Fund primarily employs a market-based approach which may use related or comparable assets or liabilities, recent transactions, market multiples, book values, and other relevant information for the investment to determine the fair value of the investment. An income-based valuation approach may also be used in which

 

 

           
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             87


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

1. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

a. Financial Instrument Valuation (continued)

 

the anticipated future cash flows of the investment are discounted to calculate fair value. Discounts may also be applied due to the nature or duration of any restrictions on the disposition of the investments. Due to the inherent uncertainty of valuations of such investments, the fair values may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had an active market existed.

Trading in securities on foreign securities stock exchanges and OTC markets may be completed before 4 p.m. Eastern time. In addition, trading in certain foreign markets may not take place on every Fund’s business day. Events can occur between the time at which trading in a foreign security is completed and 4 p.m. Eastern time that might call into question the reliability of the value of a portfolio security held by the Fund. As a result, differences may arise between the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities as determined at the foreign market close and the latest indications of value at 4 p.m. Eastern time. In order to minimize the potential for these differences, an independent pricing service may be used to adjust the value of the Funds’ portfolio securities to the latest indications of fair value at 4 p.m. Eastern time. At November 30, 2021, certain securities may have been fair valued using these procedures, in which case the securities were categorized as Level 2 inputs within the fair value hierarchy (referred to as “market level fair value”). See the Fair Value Measurements note for more information.

When the last day of the reporting period is a non-business day, certain foreign markets may be open on those days that the Fund’s NAV is not calculated, which could result in differences between the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities on the last business day and the last calendar day of the reporting period. Any significant security valuation changes due to an open foreign market are adjusted and reflected by the Fund for financial reporting purposes.

b. Foreign Currency Translation

Portfolio securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars based on the exchange rate of such currencies against U.S. dollars on the date of valuation. The Fund may enter into foreign currency exchange contracts to facilitate transactions denominated in a foreign currency. Purchases and sales of

securities, income and expense items denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate in effect on the transaction date. Portfolio securities and assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies contain risks that those currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar. Occasionally, events may impact the availability or reliability of foreign exchange rates used to convert the U.S. dollar equivalent value. If such an event occurs, the foreign exchange rate will be valued at fair value using procedures established and approved by the Board.

The Fund does not separately report the effect of changes in foreign exchange rates from changes in market prices on securities held. Such changes are included in net realized and unrealized gain or loss from investments in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Realized foreign exchange gains or losses arise from sales of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions and the difference between the recorded amounts of dividends, interest, and foreign withholding taxes and the

U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from changes in foreign exchange rates on foreign denominated assets and liabilities other than investments in securities held at the end of the reporting period.

c. Joint Repurchase Agreement

The Fund enters into a joint repurchase agreement whereby its uninvested cash balance is deposited into a joint cash account with other funds managed by the investment manager or an affiliate of the investment manager and is used to invest in one or more repurchase agreements. The value and face amount of the joint repurchase agreement are allocated to the funds based on their pro-rata interest. A repurchase agreement is accounted for as a loan by the Fund to the seller, collateralized by securities which are delivered to the Fund’s custodian. The fair value, including accrued interest, of the initial collateralization is required to be at least 102% of the dollar amount invested by the funds, with the value of the underlying securities marked to market daily to maintain coverage of at least 100%. Repurchase agreements are subject to the terms of Master Repurchase Agreements (MRAs) with approved counterparties (sellers). The MRAs contain various provisions, including but not limited to events of default and maintenance of collateral for repurchase agreements. In the event of default by either the seller or the Fund, certain

 

           
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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

MRAs may permit the non-defaulting party to net and close-out all transactions, if any, traded under such agreements. The Fund may sell securities it holds as collateral and apply the proceeds towards the repurchase price and any other amounts owed by the seller to the Fund in the event of default by the seller. This could involve costs or delays in addition to a loss on the securities if their value falls below the repurchase price owed by the seller. The joint repurchase agreement held by the Fund at period end, as indicated in the Consolidated Statement of Investments, had been entered into on November 30, 2021.

d. Securities Purchased on a Delayed Delivery Basis

The Fund purchases securities on a delayed delivery basis, with payment and delivery scheduled for a future date. These transactions are subject to market fluctuations and are subject to the risk that the value at delivery may be more or less than the trade date purchase price. Although the Fund will generally purchase these securities with the intention of holding the securities, it may sell the securities before the settlement date.

e. Derivative Financial Instruments

The Fund invested in derivative financial instruments in order to manage risk or gain exposure to various other investments or markets. Derivatives are financial contracts based on an underlying or notional amount, require no initial investment or an initial net investment that is smaller than would normally be required to have a similar response to changes in market factors, and require or permit net settlement. Derivatives contain various risks including the potential inability of the counterparty to fulfill their obligations under the terms of the contract, the potential for an illiquid secondary market, and/or the potential for market movements which expose the Fund to gains or losses in excess of the amounts shown in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Realized gain and loss and unrealized appreciation and depreciation on these contracts for the period are included in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Derivative counterparty credit risk is managed through a formal evaluation of the creditworthiness of all potential counterparties. The Fund attempts to reduce its exposure to counterparty credit risk on OTC derivatives, whenever possible, by entering into International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) master agreements with certain counterparties. These agreements contain various provisions, including but not limited to collateral requirements, events of

default, or early termination. Termination events applicable to the counterparty include certain deteriorations in the credit quality of the counterparty. Termination events applicable to the Fund include failure of the Fund to maintain certain net asset levels and/or limit the decline in net assets over various periods of time. In the event of default or early termination, the ISDA master agreement gives the non-defaulting party the right to net and close-out all transactions traded, whether or not arising under the ISDA agreement, to one net amount payable by one counterparty to the other. However, absent an event of default or early termination, OTC derivative assets and liabilities are presented gross and not offset in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Early termination by the counterparty may result in an immediate payment by the Fund of any net liability owed to that counterparty under the ISDA agreement.

Collateral requirements differ by type of derivative. Collateral or initial margin requirements are set by the broker or exchange clearing house for exchange traded and centrally cleared derivatives. Initial margin deposited is held at the exchange and can be in the form of cash and/or securities. For OTC derivatives traded under an ISDA master agreement, posting of collateral is required by either the Fund or the applicable counterparty if the total net exposure of all OTC derivatives with the applicable counterparty exceeds the minimum transfer amount, which typically ranges from

$100,000 to $250,000, and can vary depending on the counterparty and the type of the agreement. Generally, collateral is determined at the close of Fund business each day and any additional collateral required due to changes in derivative values may be delivered by the Fund or the counterparty the next business day, or within a few business days. Collateral pledged and/or received by the Fund for OTC derivatives, if any, is held in segregated accounts with the Fund’s custodian/counterparty broker and can be in the form of cash and/or securities. Unrestricted cash may be invested according to the Fund’s investment objectives. To the extent that the amounts due to the Fund from its counterparties are not subject to collateralization or are not fully collateralized, the Fund bears the risk of loss from counterparty non-performance.

The Fund entered into exchange traded futures contracts primarily to manage and/or gain exposure to commodity price, interest rate, equity price and foreign exchange rate risk. A futures contract is an agreement between the Fund and a counterparty to buy or sell an asset at a specified price on a future date. Required initial margins are pledged by the Fund,

 

 

           
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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

1. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

e. Derivative Financial Instruments (continued)

 

and the daily change in fair value is accounted for as a variation margin payable or receivable in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

The Fund entered into OTC forward exchange contracts primarily to manage and/or gain exposure to certain foreign currencies. A forward exchange contract is an agreement between the Fund and a counterparty to buy or sell a foreign currency at a specific exchange rate on a future date.

The Fund entered into credit default swap contracts primarily to manage and/or gain exposure to credit risk. A credit default swap is an agreement between the Fund and a counterparty whereby the buyer of the contract receives credit protection and the seller of the contract guarantees the credit worthiness of a referenced debt obligation. These agreements may be privately negotiated in the over-the-counter market (OTC credit default swaps) or may be executed in a multilateral trade facility platform, such as a registered exchange (centrally cleared credit default swaps). The underlying referenced debt obligation may be a single issuer of corporate or sovereign debt, a credit index, a basket of issuers or indices, or a tranche of a credit index or basket of issuers or indices. In the event of a default of the underlying referenced debt obligation, the buyer is entitled to receive the notional amount of the credit default swap contract from the seller in exchange for the referenced debt obligation, a net settlement amount equal to the notional amount of the credit default swap less the recovery value of the referenced debt obligation, or other agreed upon amount. For centrally cleared credit default swaps, required initial margins are pledged by the Fund, and the daily change in fair value is accounted for as a variation margin payable or receivable in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Over the term of the contract, the buyer pays the seller a periodic stream of payments, provided that no event of default has occurred. Such periodic payments are accrued daily as an unrealized appreciation or depreciation until the payments are made, at which time they are realized. Upfront payments and receipts are reflected in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities and represent compensating factors between stated terms of the credit default swap agreement and prevailing market conditions (credit spreads and other relevant factors). These upfront payments and receipts are

amortized over the term of the contract as a realized gain or loss in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

The Fund entered into interest rate swap contracts primarily to manage interest rate risk. An interest rate swap is an agreement between the Fund and a counterparty to exchange cash flows based on the difference between two interest rates, applied to a notional amount. These agreements may be privately negotiated in the over-the-counter market (OTC interest rate swaps) or may be executed on a registered exchange (centrally cleared interest rate swaps). For centrally cleared interest rate swaps, required initial margins are pledged by the Fund, and the daily change in fair value is accounted for as a variation margin payable or receivable in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Over the term of the contract, contractually required payments to be paid and to be received are accrued daily and recorded as unrealized depreciation and appreciation until the payments are made, at which time they are realized.

The Fund entered into OTC total return swap contracts primarily to manage and/or gain exposure to interest rate, equity price and credit risk of an underlying instrument such as a stock, bond, index or basket of securities or indices. A total return swap is an agreement between the Fund and a counterparty to exchange a return linked to an underlying instrument for a floating or fixed rate payment, both based upon a notional amount. Over the term of the contract, contractually required payments to be paid or received are accrued daily and recorded as unrealized appreciation or depreciation until the payments are made, at which time they are recognized as realized gain or loss.

The Fund purchased or wrote exchange traded and/or OTC option contracts primarily to manage and/or gain exposure to equity price and foreign exchange rate risk. An option is a contract entitling the holder to purchase or sell a specific amount of shares or units of an asset or notional amount of a swap (swaption), at a specified price. When an option is purchased or written, an amount equal to the premium paid or received is recorded as an asset or liability, respectively. Upon exercise of an option, the acquisition cost or sales proceeds of the underlying investment is adjusted by any premium received or paid. Upon expiration of an option, any premium received or paid is recorded as a realized gain or loss. Upon closing an option other than through expiration or exercise, the difference between the premium received or paid and the cost to close the position is recorded as a realized gain or loss.

 

           
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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

See Notes 6 and 12 regarding investment transactions and other derivative information, respectively.

f. Restricted Cash

At November 30, 2021, the Fund held restricted cash in connection with investments in certain derivative securities. Restricted cash is held in a segregated account with the Fund’s custodian/counterparty broker and is reflected in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

g. Loan Participation Notes

The Fund invests in loan participation notes (Participations). Participations are loans originally issued to a borrower by one or more financial institutions (the Lender) and subsequently sold to other investors, such as the Fund. Participations typically result in the Fund having a contractual relationship only with the Lender and not with the borrower. The Fund has the right to receive from the Lender any payments of principal, interest and fees which the Lender received from the borrower. The Fund generally has no rights to either enforce compliance by the borrower with the terms of the loan agreement or to any collateral relating to the original loan. As a result, the Fund assumes the credit risk of both the borrower and the Lender that is selling the Participation. The Participations may also involve interest rate risk and liquidity risk, including the potential default or insolvency of the borrower and/or the Lender.

h. Credit-Linked Notes

The Fund purchases credit-linked notes. Credit-linked notes are intended to replicate the economic effects that would apply had the Fund directly purchased the underlying reference asset. The risks of credit-linked notes include the potential default of the underlying reference asset, the movement in the value of the currency of the underlying reference asset relative to the credit-linked note, the potential inability of the Fund to dispose of the credit-linked note in the normal course of business, and the possible inability of the counterparties to fulfill their obligations under the contracts.

i. Securities Sold Short

The Fund is engaged in selling securities short, which obligates the Fund to replace a borrowed security with the same security at current fair value. The Fund incurs a loss if the price of the security increases between the date of the short sale and the date on which the Fund replaces the borrowed

security. The Fund realizes a gain if the price of the security declines between those dates. Gains are limited to the price at which the Fund sold the security short, while losses are potentially unlimited in size.

The Fund is required to establish a margin account with the broker lending the security sold short. While the short sale is outstanding, the broker retains the proceeds of the short sale to the extent necessary to meet margin requirements until the short position is closed out. A deposit must also be maintained with the Fund’s custodian/counterparty broker consisting of cash and/or securities having a value equal to a specified percentage of the value of the securities sold short. The Fund is obligated to pay fees for borrowing the securities sold short and is required to pay the counterparty any dividends and/or interest due on securities sold short. Such dividends and/or interest and any security borrowing fees are recorded as an expense to the Fund.

j. Securities Lending

The Fund participates in an agency based securities lending program to earn additional income. The Fund receives collateral in the form of cash and/or U.S. Government and Agency Securities against the loaned securities in an amount equal to at least 102% of the fair value of the loaned securities. Collateral is maintained over the life of the loan in an amount not less than 100% of the fair value of loaned securities, as determined at the close of Fund business each day; any additional collateral required due to changes in security values is delivered to the Fund on the next business day. Any cash collateral received is deposited into a joint cash account with other funds and is used to invest in a money market fund managed by Franklin Advisers, Inc., an affiliate of the Fund, and/or a joint repurchase agreement. Additionally, the Fund received $8,741,681 in U.S. Government and Agency Securities as collateral. These securities received as collateral are held in segregated accounts with the Fund’s custodian. The Fund cannot repledge or resell these securities received as collateral. As such, the non-cash collateral is excluded from the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The Fund may receive income from the investment of cash collateral, in addition to lending fees and rebates paid by the borrower. Income from securities loaned, net of fees paid to the securities lending agent and/or third party vendor, is reported separately in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. The Fund bears the market risk with respect to any cash collateral investment, securities loaned, and the risk that the agent may default on its obligation to the Fund. If the

 

 

           
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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

1. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

j. Securities Lending (continued)

 

borrower defaults on its obligations to return the securities loaned, the Fund has the right to repurchase the securities in the open market using the collateral received. The securities lending agent has agreed to indemnify the Fund in the event of default by a third party borrower.

k. Investments in K2 Holdings Investment Corp. (K2 Subsidiary)

The Fund invests in certain financial instruments and commodity-linked derivative investments through its investment in the K2 Subsidiary. The K2 Subsidiary is a Cayman Islands exempted company with limited liability, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Fund, and is able to invest in certain financial instruments and commodity-linked derivative investments consistent with the investment objective of the Fund. At November 30, 2021, the K2 Subsidiary’s investments, as well as any other assets and liabilities of the K2 Subsidiary, are reflected in the Fund’s Consolidated Statement of Investments and Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. For tax purposes, the Fund is required to increase its taxable income by its share of the K2 Subsidiary’s income. Net losses incurred by the K2 Subsidiary cannot offset income earned by the Fund and cannot be carried back or forward by the K2 Subsidiary to offset income from prior or future years. At November 30, 2021, the net assets of the K2 Subsidiary were $21,065,227 representing 1.5% of the Fund’s consolidated net assets. The Fund’s investment in the K2 Subsidiary is limited to 25% of consolidated assets.

l. Senior Floating Rate Interests

The Fund invests in senior secured corporate loans that pay interest at rates which are periodically reset by reference to a base lending rate plus a spread. These base lending rates are generally the prime rate offered by a designated U.S. bank or the London InterBank Offered Rate (LIBOR). Senior secured corporate loans often require prepayment of principal from excess cash flows or at the discretion of the borrower. As a result, actual maturity may be substantially less than the stated maturity. Senior secured corporate loans in which the Fund invests are generally readily marketable, but may be subject to certain restrictions on resale.

m. Income and Deferred Taxes

It is the Fund’s policy to qualify as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code. The Fund intends to distribute to shareholders substantially all of its taxable income and net realized gains to relieve it from federal income and excise taxes. As a result, no provision for U.S. federal income taxes is required.

The Fund may be subject to foreign taxation related to income received, capital gains on the sale of securities and certain foreign currency transactions in the foreign jurisdictions in which it invests. Foreign taxes, if any, are recorded based on the tax regulations and rates that exist in the foreign markets in which the Fund invests. When a capital gain tax is determined to apply, the Fund records an estimated deferred tax liability in an amount that would be payable if the securities were disposed of on the valuation date.

The Fund may recognize an income tax liability related to its uncertain tax positions under U.S. GAAP when the uncertain tax position has a less than 50% probability that it will be sustained upon examination by the tax authorities based on its technical merits. As of November 30, 2021, the Fund has determined that no tax liability is required in its consolidated financial statements related to uncertain tax positions for any open tax years (or expected to be taken in future tax years). Open tax years are those that remain subject to examination and are based on the statute of limitations in each jurisdiction in which the Fund invests.

n. Security Transactions, Investment Income, Expenses and Distributions

Security transactions are accounted for on trade date. Realized gains and losses on security transactions are determined on a specific identification basis. Interest income and estimated expenses are accrued daily. Amortization of premium and accretion of discount on debt securities are included in interest income. Paydown gains and losses are recorded as an adjustment to interest income. Facility fees are recognized as income over the expected term of the loan. Dividend income and dividends declared on securities sold short are recorded on the ex-dividend date except for certain dividends from securities where the dividend rate is not available. In such cases, the dividend is recorded as soon as the information is received by the Fund. Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributable earnings are determined according to income tax regulations

 

           
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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

(tax basis) and may differ from earnings recorded in accordance with U.S. GAAP. These differences may be permanent or temporary. Permanent differences are reclassified among capital accounts to reflect their tax character. These reclassifications have no impact on net assets or the results of operations. Temporary differences are not reclassified, as they may reverse in subsequent periods.

Common expenses incurred by the Trust are allocated among the Funds based on the ratio of net assets of each Fund to the combined net assets of the Trust or based on the ratio of number of shareholders of each Fund to the combined number of shareholders of the Trust. Fund specific expenses are charged directly to the Fund that incurred the expense.

Realized and unrealized gains and losses and net investment income, excluding class specific expenses, are allocated daily to each class of shares based upon the relative proportion of net assets of each class. Differences in per share distributions by class are generally due to differences in class specific expenses.

 

o. Accounting Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

p. Guarantees and Indemnifications

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and trustees are indemnified by the Trust against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Trust. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, enters into contracts with service providers that contain general indemnification clauses. The Trust’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Trust that have not yet occurred. Currently, the Trust expects the risk of loss to be remote.

 

 

2. Shares of Beneficial Interest

At November 30, 2021, there were an unlimited number of shares authorized (without par value). Transactions in the Fund’s shares were as follows:

 

     Six Months Ended
November 30, 2021
           Year Ended
May 31, 2021
 
      Shares      Amount             Shares      Amount  
Class A Shares:              

Shares solda

     763,648      $ 9,604,446          1,951,153      $ 23,399,007  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

                     57,588        702,572  

Shares redeemed

     (607,919      (7,639,653        (1,878,747      (22,350,579
  

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

     155,729      $ 1,964,793          129,994      $ 1,751,000  
  

 

 

 
Class C Shares:              

Shares sold

     197,230      $ 2,405,282          378,698      $ 4,426,844  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

                     20,310        241,483  

Shares redeemeda

     (388,721      (4,741,252        (1,086,696      (12,579,701
  

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

     (191,491    $ (2,335,970        (687,688    $ (7,911,374
  

 

 

 
Class R Shares:              

Shares sold

     25,795      $ 323,759          7,188      $ 83,786  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

                     538        6,563  

Shares redeemed

     (1,940      (24,106        (19,125      (223,542
  

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

     23,855      $ 299,653          (11,399    $ (133,193
  

 

 

 

 

           
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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

2. Shares of Beneficial Interest (continued)

 

     Six Months Ended
November 30, 2021
           Year Ended
May 31, 2021
 
      Shares      Amount             Shares      Amount  
Class R6 Shares:              

Shares sold

     2,393,692      $ 30,438,624          1,604,568      $ 19,048,050  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

                     15,991        196,690  

Shares redeemed

     (354,326      (4,493,279        (817,737      (10,017,572
  

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

     2,039,366      $ 25,945,345          802,822      $ 9,227,168  
  

 

 

 
Advisor Class Shares:              

Shares sold

     14,688,334      $ 186,253,218          25,684,121      $ 308,883,780  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

                     466,135        5,719,482  

Shares redeemed

     (7,688,175      (97,316,894        (21,325,304      (255,114,570
  

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

     7,000,159      $ 88,936,324          4,824,952      $ 59,488,692  
  

 

 

 

aMay include a portion of Class C shares that were automatically converted to Class A.

3. Transactions with Affiliates

Franklin Resources, Inc. is the holding company for various subsidiaries that together are referred to as Franklin Templeton. Certain officers and trustees of the Trust are also officers and/or directors of the following subsidiaries:

 

Subsidiary    Affiliation

K2/D&S Management Co., L.L.C. (K2 Advisors)

  

Investment manager

Franklin Templeton Services, LLC (FT Services)

  

Administrative manager

Franklin Distributors, LLC (Distributors)
(formerly Franklin Templeton Distributors, Inc.)

  

Principal underwriter

Franklin Templeton Investor Services, LLC (Investor Services)

  

Transfer agent

a. Management Fees

The Fund and K2 Subsidiary pay an investment management fee to K2 Advisors based on the average daily net assets of the Fund and K2 Subsidiary as follows:

 

Annualized Fee Rate    Net Assets

1.90%

  

Up to and including $1 billion

1.85%

  

Over $1 billion, up to and including $1.5 billion

1.80%

  

Over $1.5 billion, up to and including $3 billion

1.75%

  

In excess of $3 billion

For the period ended November 30, 2021, the annualized gross effective management fee rate was 1.89% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

Management fees paid by the Fund are reduced on assets invested in the K2 Subsidiary, in an amount equal to the management fees paid by the K2 Subsidiary.

 

           
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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

Under each subadvisory agreement, the below entities provide subadvisory services to the Fund or K2 Subsidiary. The subadvisory fees are paid by K2 Advisors and are not an additional expense of the Fund or K2 Subsidiary. Each subadvisor is compensated for managing its respective portion of the average daily net assets of the Fund or K2 Subsidiary.

 

Subadvisors

Apollo Credit Management LLC

Bardin Hill Arbitrage IC Management LP

Benefit Street Partners L.L.C.*

BlueBay Asset Management, LLP

Chilton Investment Company, LLC

Electron Capital Partners, LLC

Ellington Global Asset Management, LLC

Emso Asset Management Limited

Graham Capital Management, L.P.

Jennison Associates, LLC

Lazard Asset Management, LLC

Loomis Sayles & Company, L.P.

One River Asset Management, LLC

P. Schoenfeld Asset Management L.P.

Portland Hill Asset Management Limited

RV Capital Management Private, Ltd.

Wellington Management Company, LLP

*An affiliate of K2 Advisors.

b. Administrative Fees

Under an agreement with K2 Advisors, FT Services provides administrative services to the Fund and K2 Subsidiary. The fee is paid by K2 Advisors based on the Fund’s and K2 Subsidiary’s average daily net assets, and is not an additional expense of the Fund or K2 Subsidiary.

c. Distribution Fees

The Board has adopted distribution plans for each share class, with the exception of Class R6 and Advisor Class shares, pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Under the Fund’s Class A reimbursement distribution plan, the Fund reimburses Distributors for costs incurred in connection with the servicing, sale and distribution of the Fund’s shares up to the maximum annual plan rate. Under the Class A reimbursement distribution plan, costs exceeding the maximum for the current plan year cannot be reimbursed in subsequent periods. In addition, under the Fund’s Class C and R compensation distribution plans, the Fund pays Distributors for costs incurred in connection with the servicing, sale and distribution of the Fund’s shares up to the maximum annual plan rate for each class. The plan year, for purposes of monitoring compliance with the maximum annual plan rates, is February 1 through January 31.

The maximum annual plan rates, based on the average daily net assets, for each class, are as follows:

 

Class A

     0.30%  

Class C

     1.00%  

Class R

     0.50%  

The Board has set the current rate at 0.25% per year for Class A shares until further notice and approval by the Board.

 

           
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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

3. Transactions with Affiliates (continued)

 

d. Sales Charges/Underwriting Agreements

Front-end sales charges and contingent deferred sales charges (CDSC) do not represent expenses of the Fund. These charges are deducted from the proceeds of sales of Fund shares prior to investment or from redemption proceeds prior to remittance, as applicable. Distributors has advised the Fund of the following commission transactions related to the sales and redemptions of the Fund’s shares for the period:

 

Sales charges retained net of commissions paid to unaffiliated brokers/dealers

   $ 7,066  

CDSC retained

   $ 692  

e. Transfer Agent Fees

Each class of shares pays transfer agent fees to Investor Services for its performance of shareholder servicing obligations. The fees are based on an annualized asset based fee of 0.02% plus a transaction based fee. In addition, each class reimburses Investor Services for out of pocket expenses incurred and, except for Class R6, reimburses shareholder servicing fees paid to third parties. These fees are allocated daily based upon their relative proportion of such classes’ aggregate net assets. Class R6 pays Investor Services transfer agent fees specific to that class.

For the period ended November 30, 2021, the Fund paid transfer agent fees of $637,828 of which $221,658 was retained by Investor Services.

f. Investments in Affiliated Management Investment Companies

The Fund invests in one or more affiliated management investment companies. As defined in the 1940 Act, an investment is deemed to be a “Controlled Affiliate” of a fund when a fund owns, either directly or indirectly, 25% or more of the affiliated fund’s outstanding shares or has the power to exercise control over management or policies of such fund. The Fund does not invest for purposes of exercising a controlling influence over the management or policies. Management fees paid by the Fund are waived on assets invested in the affiliated management investment companies, as noted in the Consolidated Statement of Operations, in an amount not to exceed the management and administrative fees paid directly or indirectly by each affiliate. During the period ended November 30, 2021, the Fund held investments in affiliated management investment companies as follows:

 

     Value at
Beginning
of Period
    Purchases     Sales     Realized
Gain
(Loss)
    Net Change
in Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Value
at End
of Period
    Number
of Shares
Held
at End
of Period
    Income
from
Securities
Loaned
 
Non-Controlled Affiliates                

Institutional Fiduciary Trust Money Market Portfolio, 0.01%

  $ 3,305,000     $ 32,389,000     $ (29,942,000   $  —     $  —     $ 5,752,000       5,752,000     $ 189  
 

 

 

 

g. Waiver and Expense Reimbursements

K2 Advisors has contractually agreed in advance to waive or limit its fees and to assume as their own expense certain expenses otherwise payable by the Fund so that the operating expenses (excluding interest expense, distribution fees, acquired fund fees and expenses, expenses related to securities sold short and certain non-routine expenses or costs, including those relating to litigation, indemnification, reorganizations and liquidations) for each class of the Fund do not exceed 1.95% based on the average net assets of each class until September 30, 2022. Total expenses waived or paid are not subject to recapture subsequent to the Fund’s fiscal year end.

Investor Services has contractually agreed in advance to waive or limit its fees so that the Class R6 transfer agent fees do not exceed 0.03% based on the average net assets of the class until September 30, 2022.

 

           
96              Semiannual Report   franklintempleton.com


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

4. Expense Offset Arrangement

The Fund has entered into an arrangement with its custodian whereby credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances are used to reduce a portion of the Fund’s custodian expenses. During the period ended November 30, 2021, the custodian fees were reduced as noted in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

5. Income Taxes

At November 30, 2021, the cost of investments and net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) for income tax purposes were as follows:

 

Cost of investments

   $ 965,240,646  
  

 

 

 

Unrealized appreciation

   $ 182,230,469  

Unrealized depreciation

     (58,839,956
  

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

   $ 123,390,513  
  

 

 

 

Differences between income and/or capital gains as determined on a book basis and a tax basis are primarily due to differing treatments of foreign currency transactions, wash sales and investments in the K2 Subsidiary.

6. Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investments and securities sold short (excluding short term securities) for the period ended November 30, 2021, aggregated $1,065,253,084 and $985,313,061, respectively.

At November 30, 2021, in connection with securities lending transactions, the Fund loaned equity investments and corporate bonds and notes and received $7,191,225 of cash collateral. The gross amounts of recognized liability for such transactions is included in payable upon return of securities loaned in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The agreements can be terminated at any time.

The Fund sold certain long positions held in the portfolio and simultaneously entered into total return swaps on the positions, retaining substantially all of the exposure to the economic return and the related risks on the long positions. At November 30, 2021, the transfers of financial assets accounted for as sales were as follows:

 

    At Original Transactions Dates     At Period Ended November 30, 2021  
 
    

Cost Basis

of Positions Sold

   

Gross

Cash Received

for Positions Sold

   

Fair Value of

Transferred

Assetsa

   

Gross

Derivative Assets
Recordedb

   

Gross

Derivative Liabilities
Recordedb

 

Sales and total return swaps

  $ 841,774     $ 1,148,234     $ 829,709     $ 830,152     $ (1,148,677
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

a$(318,525) of fair value of transferred assets are included as unrealized depreciation on OTC swap contracts in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

bBalances are presented on a gross basis, based on each leg of the swap contract, before the application of counterparty and cash collateral offsetting.

See Notes 1(e) and 12 regarding derivative financial instruments and other derivative information, respectively.

7. Credit Risk and Defaulted Securities

At November 30, 2021, the Fund had 5.4% of its portfolio invested in high yield, senior secured floating rate loans, or other securities rated below investment grade as determined by Nationally Recognized Statistical Credit Ratings Organizations and/or internally, by investment management and unrated securities. These securities may be more sensitive to economic conditions causing greater price volatility and are potentially subject to a greater risk of loss due to default than higher rated securities.

 

           
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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

7. Credit Risk and Defaulted Securities (continued)

 

The Fund may purchase the pre-default or defaulted debt of distressed companies. Distressed companies are financially troubled and could be or are already involved in financial restructuring or bankruptcy. Risks associated with purchasing these securities include the possibility that the bankruptcy or other restructuring process takes longer than expected, or that distributions in restructuring are less than anticipated, either or both of which may result in unfavorable consequences to the Fund. If it becomes probable that the income on debt securities, including those of distressed companies, will not be collected, the Fund discontinues accruing income and recognizes an adjustment for uncollectible interest.

At November 30, 2021, the aggregate long value of distressed company securities for which interest recognition has been discontinued was $9,856,716, representing 0.7% of the Fund’s net assets. For information as to specific securities, see the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Investments.

8. Concentration of Risk

Investments in issuers domiciled or with significant operations in developing or emerging market countries may be subject to higher risks than investments in developed countries. These risks include fluctuating currency values, underdeveloped legal or business systems, and changing local and regional economic, political and social conditions, which may result in greater market volatility. In addition, certain foreign securities may not be as liquid as U.S. securities. Currencies of developing or emerging market countries may be subject to significantly greater risks than currencies of developed countries, including the potential inability to repatriate those currencies into U.S. dollars.

At November 30, 2021, the Fund had less than 0.1% of its net assets denominated in Argentine Pesos. Argentina has restricted currency repatriation since September 2019, and had restructured certain issues of its debt. Political and economic conditions in Argentina could continue to affect the value of the Fund’s holdings.

9. Novel Coronavirus Pandemic

The global outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease, known as COVID-19, has caused adverse effects on many companies, sectors, nations, regions and the markets in general, and may continue for an unpredictable duration. The effects of this pandemic may materially impact the value and performance of the Fund, its ability to buy and sell fund investments at appropriate valuations and its ability to achieve its investment objectives.

10. Restricted Securities

The Fund invests in securities that are restricted under the Securities Act of 1933 (1933 Act). Restricted securities are often purchased in private placement transactions, and cannot be sold without prior registration unless the sale is pursuant to an exemption under the 1933 Act. Disposal of these securities may require greater effort and expense, and prompt sale at an acceptable price may be difficult. The Fund may have registration rights for restricted securities. The issuer generally incurs all registration costs.

At November 30, 2021, investments in restricted securities, excluding securities exempt from registration under the 1933 Act, were as follows:

 

Principal
Amount
  Issuer   Acquisition Date     Cost     Value  
54,708   Riverbed Technology Inc., senior note, 6.00%, 1/13/22     10/13/21     $ 54,451     $ 54,161  
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Restricted Securities (Value is less than 0.1% of Net Assets)

    $ 54,451     $ 54,161  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

           
98              Semiannual Report   franklintempleton.com


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

11. Unfunded Loan Commitments

The Fund enters into certain credit agreements, all or a portion of which may be unfunded. The Fund is obligated to fund these loan commitments at the borrowers’ discretion. Unfunded loan commitments and funded portions of credit agreements are marked to market daily and any unrealized appreciation or depreciation is included in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities and the Consolidated Statement of Operations. Funded portions of credit agreements are presented in the Consolidated Statement of Investments.

At November 30, 2021, unfunded commitments were as follows:

 

Borrower    Unfunded
Commitment
 

Intelsat Jackson Holdings SA, Term Loan DIP

   $ 28,931  

Upfield Group BV, Term Loan RC

     726,041  
  

 

 

 
   $ 754,972  
  

 

 

 

12. Other Derivative Information

At November 30, 2021, the investments in derivative contracts are reflected in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities as follows:

 

   

Asset Derivatives

   

Liability Derivatives

 
Derivative Contracts
Not Accounted for as
Hedging Instruments
  Consolidated Statement of
Assets and Liabilities
Location
  Fair Value     Consolidated Statement of
Assets and Liabilities
Location
  Fair Value  

Interest rate contracts

 

Variation margin on futures contracts

  $ 274,632 a   

Variation margin on futures contracts

  $ 1,040,560 a 
 

Variation margin on centrally cleared swap contracts

    165,556 a   

Variation margin on centrally cleared swap contracts

    487,521 a 
 

Unrealized appreciation on OTC swap contracts

    61,836    

Unrealized depreciation on OTC swap contracts

    32,110  

Foreign exchange contracts

 

Investments in securities, at value

    200 b     
 

Variation margin on futures contracts

    20,168 a     
 

Unrealized appreciation on OTC forward exchange contracts

    6,573,274    

Unrealized depreciation on OTC forward exchange contracts

    4,677,335  

Credit contracts

 

Variation margin on centrally cleared swap contracts

    250,500 a   

Variation margin on centrally cleared swap contracts

    131,053 a 
 

OTC swap contracts (upfront payments)

    894,273    

OTC swap contracts (upfront receipts)

    285,884  
 

Unrealized appreciation on OTC swap contracts

    174,309    

Unrealized depreciation on OTC swap contracts

    290,499  

Equity contracts

 

Investments in securities, at value

    1,766,117 b   

Options written, at value

    434,251  
 

Variation margin on futures contracts

    1,763,399 a   

Variation margin on futures contracts

    627,141 a 
 

Unrealized appreciation on OTC swap contracts

    5,661,979    

Unrealized depreciation on OTC swap contracts

    5,324,384  

Commodity contracts

 

Variation margin on futures contracts

    285,298 a   

Variation margin on futures contracts

    1,224,382 a 
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Totals

    $ 17,891,541       $ 14,555,120  
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

aThis amount reflects the cumulative appreciation (depreciation) of futures contracts and centrally cleared swap contracts as reported in the Consolidated Statement of Investments. Only the variation margin receivable/payable at period end is separately reported within the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Prior variation margin movements were recorded to cash upon receipt or payment.

bPurchased option contracts are included in investments in securities, at value in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

 

           
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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

12. Other Derivative Information (continued)

 

For the period ended November 30, 2021, the effect of derivative contracts in the Consolidated Statement of Operations was as follows:

 

Derivative Contracts
Not Accounted for as
Hedging Instruments
  Consolidated Statement of
Operations Location
  Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
for the Period
    Consolidated Statement of
Operations Location
  Net Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
for the Period
 
 

Net realized gain (loss) from:

   

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

 

Interest rate contracts

 

Futures contracts

  $ (4,023,560  

Futures contracts

  $ (629,287
 

Swap contracts

    (309,398  

Swap contracts

    (241,833

Foreign exchange contracts

 

Forward exchange contracts

    2,940,314    

Investments

    (11,825 )a 
 

Futures contracts

    (16,534  

Forward exchange contracts

    3,871,678  
     

Futures contracts

    20,098  

Credit contracts

 

Swap contracts

    (769,881  

Swap contracts

    597,601  

Equity contracts

 

Investments

    (3,694,424 )a   

Investments

    130,112 a 
 

Written options

    698,852    

Written options

    120,574  
 

Futures contracts

    (6,558,736  

Futures contracts

    3,413,753  
 

Swap contracts

    110,804    

Swap contracts

    (3,662,048

Commodity contracts

 

Futures contracts

    2,544,403    

Futures contracts

    (2,261,033
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Totals

    $ (9,078,160     $ 1,347,790  
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

aPurchased option contracts are included in net realized gain (loss) from investments and net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

For the period ended November 30, 2021, the average month end notional amount of options, futures contracts and swap contracts represented 1,314,631 shares/units, $425,949,854 and $282,944,327, respectively. The average month end contract value of forward exchange contracts was $390,275,085.

At November 30, 2021, OTC derivative assets and liabilities are as follows:

 

     Gross Amounts of Assets
and Liabilities Presented in
the Consolidated Statement
of Assets and Liabilities
 
      Assetsa     Liabilitiesa  
Derivatives             

Forward Exchange Contracts

   $ 6,573,274     $ 4,677,335  

Options Purchased

     11,360        

Swap Contracts

     6,792,397       5,932,877  
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 13,377,031     $ 10,610,212  
  

 

 

 

aAbsent an event of default or early termination, OTC derivative assets and liabilities are presented gross and not offset in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

 

           
100              Semiannual Report   franklintempleton.com


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

At November 30, 2021, OTC derivative assets, which may be offset against OTC derivative liabilities and collateral received from the counterparty, are as follows:

 

           Amounts Not Offset in the Consolidated
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
       
      Gross Amounts of Assets
Presented in the
Consolidated Statement
of Assets and Liabilities
    Financial
Instruments
Available for Offset
    Financial
Instruments
Collateral
Receiveda
    Cash
Collateral
Receiveda
    Net Amount (Not
less than zero)
 
Counterparty                               

BNPP

   $ 81,300     $ (1,102   $  —     $     $   80,198  

BNYM

     581,952       (332,833     (249,119            

BOFA

     35,764       (35,764                  

BZWS

     1,522,374       (744,521                 777,853  

CITI

     49,117       (35,470                 13,647  

DBAB

     85,196                         85,196  

FBCO

     320       (320                  

GSCO

     131,753       (131,753                  

HSBC

     18,363       (2,962                 15,401  

JPHQ

     1,989,174       (1,422,573     (496,496           70,105  

JPHQb

     1,153,708                         1,153,708  

MSCO

     946,470      
(946,470

                 

MSCOb

     1,215,128                         1,215,128  

MSCOc

     2,032,148       (1,532,667                 499,481  

MSCS

     3,534,264       (1,822,906                 1,711,358  
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 13,377,031     $ (7,009,341   $ (745,615   $     $ 5,622,075  
  

 

 

 

At November 30, 2021, OTC derivative liabilities, which may be offset against OTC derivative assets and collateral pledged to the counterparty, are as follows:

 

           Amounts Not Offset in the Consolidated
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
       
      Gross Amounts of Liabilities
Presented in the
Consolidated Statement of
Assets and Liabilities
    Financial
Instruments
Available for Offset
    Financial
Instruments
Collateral
Pledged
    Cash
Collateral
Pledgeda
    Net Amount (Not
less than zero)
 
Counterparty                               

BNPP

   $ 1,102     $ (1,102   $  —     $  —     $  

BNYM

     332,833       (332,833                  

BOFA

     48,324       (35,764           (12,560      

BZWS

     744,521       (744,521                  

CITI

     35,470       (35,470                  

DBAB

                              

FBCO

     1,038       (320                 718  

GSCO

     178,061       (131,753           (46,308      

HSBC

     2,962       (2,962                  

JPHQ

     1,422,573       (1,422,573                  

JPHQb

     1,055,143                         1,055,143  

MSCO

     1,674,086       (946,470                 727,616  

MSCOb

     1,758,526                         1,758,526  

MSCOc

     1,532,667       (1,532,667                  

MSCS

     1,822,906       (1,822,906                  
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 10,610,212     $ (7,009,341   $     $ (58,868   $ 3,542,003  
  

 

 

 

 

           
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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

12. Other Derivative Information (continued)

 

aIn some instances, the collateral amounts disclosed in the table above were adjusted due to the requirement to limit the collateral amounts to avoid the effect of over collateralization. Actual collateral received and/or pledged may be more than the amounts disclosed herein.

bRepresents derivatives not subject to an ISDA master agreement.

cRepresents derivatives owned by the K2 Holdings Investment Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Fund. See Note 1(k).

See Notes 1(e) and 6 regarding derivative financial instruments and investment transactions, respectively.

See Abbreviations on page 104.

13. Credit Facility

The Fund, together with other U.S. registered and foreign investment funds (collectively, Borrowers), managed by Franklin Templeton, are borrowers in a joint syndicated senior unsecured credit facility totaling $2.675 billion (Global Credit Facility) which matures on February 4, 2022. This Global Credit Facility provides a source of funds to the Borrowers for temporary and emergency purposes, including the ability to meet future unanticipated or unusually large redemption requests.

Under the terms of the Global Credit Facility, the Fund shall, in addition to interest charged on any borrowings made by the Fund and other costs incurred by the Fund, pay its share of fees and expenses incurred in connection with the implementation and maintenance of the Global Credit Facility, based upon its relative share of the aggregate net assets of all of the Borrowers, including an annual commitment fee of 0.15% based upon the unused portion of the Global Credit Facility. These fees are reflected in other expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. During the period ended November 30, 2021, the Fund did not use the Global Credit Facility.

14. Fair Value Measurements

The Fund follows a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between market data obtained from independent sources (observable inputs) and the Fund’s own market assumptions (unobservable inputs). These inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s financial instruments and are summarized in the following fair value hierarchy:

 

   

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical financial instruments

   

Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar financial instruments, interest rates, prepayment speed, credit risk, etc.)

   

Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of financial instruments)

The input levels are not necessarily an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with financial instruments at that level.

A summary of inputs used as of November 30, 2021, in valuing the Fund’s assets and liabilities carried at fair value, is as follows:

 

      Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
Assets:         

Investments in Securities:a

        

Equity Investmentsb

   $ 527,809,173     $ 69,721,202     $ 2,495,819     $ 600,026,194  

Convertible Bonds

           176,655,406             176,655,406  

Corporate Bonds and Notes

           155,315,533       23,978       155,339,511  

Corporate Bonds and Notes in Reorganization

           2,446,158       c      2,446,158  

Senior Floating Rate Interests

           6,460,192             6,460,192  

Senior Floating Rate Interests in Reorganization

           109,959             109,959  

Credit-Linked Notes

           3,474,681       2,501,698       5,976,379  

Foreign Government and Agency Securities

           59,802,009             59,802,009  

 

           
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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

 

      Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  

Foreign Government and Agency Securities in Reorganization

   $     $ 167,749     $     $ 167,749  

U.S. Government and Agency Securities

           1,792,921             1,792,921  

Asset-Backed Securities and Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities

           94,159,279       360,686       94,519,965  

Municipal Bonds in Reorganization

           7,132,850             7,132,850  

Options Purchased

     1,766,117       200             1,766,317  

Short Term Investments

     219,615,742       7,244,225             226,859,967  
  

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities

   $ 749,191,032     $ 584,482,364 d    $ 5,382,181     $ 1,339,055,577  
  

 

 

 

Other Financial Instruments:

  

Futures Contracts

   $ 2,343,497     $     $     $ 2,343,497  

Forward Exchange Contracts

           6,573,274             6,573,274  

Swap Contracts

           6,299,058       15,122       6,314,180  
  

 

 

 

Total Other Financial Instruments

   $ 2,343,497     $ 12,872,332     $ 15,122     $ 15,230,951  
  

 

 

 
Liabilities:

 

Other Financial Instruments:

 

Options Written

   $ 434,251     $     $     $ 434,251  

Securities Sold Shorta

     234,138,372       16,081,964 e            250,220,336  

Futures Contracts

     2,892,083                   2,892,083  

Forward Exchange Contracts

           4,677,335             4,677,335  

Swap Contracts

           6,265,567             6,265,567  

Unfunded Loan Commitments

           22,745             22,745  
  

 

 

 

Total Other Financial Instruments

   $ 237,464,706     $ 27,047,611     $     $ 264,512,317  
  

 

 

 

aFor detailed categories, see the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Investments.

bIncludes common, preferred and convertible preferred stocks and exchange traded funds as well as other equity interests.

cIncludes securities determined to have no value at November 30, 2021.

dIncludes foreign securities valued at $69,471,883, which were categorized as Level 2 as a result of the application of market level fair value procedures. See the Financial Instrument Valuation note for more information.

eIncludes foreign securities valued at $3,856,176, which were categorized as Level 2 as a result of the application of market level fair value procedures. See the Financial Instrument Valuation note for more information.

A reconciliation in which Level 3 inputs are used in determining fair value is presented when there are significant Level 3 assets and/or liabilities at the beginning and/or end of the period.

15. New Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848)—Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. In January 2021, the FASB issued ASU No. 2021-01, with further amendments to Topic 848. The amendments in the ASUs provide optional temporary accounting recognition and financial reporting relief from the effect of certain types of contract modifications due to the planned discontinuation of the LIBOR and other interbank-offered based reference rates as of the end of 2021 for certain LIBOR settings and 2023 for the remainder. The ASUs are effective for certain reference rate-related contract modifications that occur during the period March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. Management has reviewed the requirements and believes the adoption of these ASUs will not have a material impact on the financial statements.

16. Subsequent Events

The Fund has evaluated subsequent events through the issuance of the consolidated financial statements and determined that no events have occurred that require disclosure.

 

           
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund (continued)

Abbreviations

 

Counterparty   Currency   Selected Portfolio
BNPP   BNP Paribas   ARS   Argentine Peso   ADR   American Depositary Receipt
BNYM   The Bank of New York Mellon Corp.   AUD   Australian Dollar   ARM   Adjustable Rate Mortgage
BOFA   Bank of America Corp.   BRL   Brazilian Real   BADLAR   Argentina Deposit Rates BADLAR Private Banks ARS
BZWS   Barclays Bank PLC   CAD   Canadian Dollar
CITI   Citigroup, Inc.   CHF   Swiss Franc   BBSW   Bank Bill Swap Rate
DBAB   Deutsche Bank, AG   COP   Colombian Peso   BRLCDI   Brazil Cetip Di Interbank Deposit Rate
FBCO   Credit Suisse Group AG   CZK   Czech Koruna   CAC   Cotation Assistee en Continu
GSCO   The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.   EGP   Egyptian Pound   CLO   Collateralized Loan Obligation
HSBC   HSBC Bank USA, N.A.   EUR   Euro   COPIBR   Colombian Peso Interbank Offered Rate
JPHQ   JP Morgan Chase & Co.   GBP   British Pound   DAX   Deutscher Aktienindex
MSCO   Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC   HKD   Hong Kong Dollar   DIP   Debtor-In-Possession
MSCS   Morgan Stanley Capital Services LLC   HUF   Hungarian Forint   DJIA   Dow Jones Industrial Average
    INR   Indian Rupee   EIBOR   Emirates Interbank Offered Rate
    JPY   Japanese Yen   EONIA   Euro OverNight Index Average
    KRW   South Korean Won   ETF   Exchange Traded Fund
    MXN   Mexican Peso   EURIBOR   Euro Interbank Offered Rate
    NOK   Norwegian Krone   FEDEF   Federal Funds Effective Rate
    NZD   New Zealand Dollar   FHLMC   Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.
    PEN   Peruvian Nuevo Sol   FNMA   Federal National Mortgage Association
    PLN   Polish Zloty   FRN   Floating Rate Note
    RUB   Russian Ruble   FTSE   Financial Times Stock Exchange
    SEK   Swedish Krona   HONIX   Hong Kong Overnight Index Rate
    SGD   Singapore Dollar   JIBAR   Johannesburg Interbank Agreed Rate
    USD   United States Dollar   KDR   Korean Depositary Receipt
    ZAR   South African Rand   LIBOR   London InterBank Offered Rate
        MIB   Milano Italia Borsa
Index         MSCI   Morgan Stanley Capital International
        MTN   Medium Term Note
CDX.NA.HY   CDX North America High Yield Index       MUTSCALM   Japan Unsecured Overnight Call Rate
        PIK   Payment In-Kind
        PRIBOR   Prague Interbank Offered Rate
        RBACR   Reserve Bank of Australia Cash Rate
        RC  

Revolving Loan Commitment

        REIT   Real Estate Investment Trust
        SARON   Swiss Average Rate Overnight
        SOFR   Secured Overnight Financing Rate
        SONIA   Sterling Overnight Index Average
        SORA   Singapore Overnight Rate Average
        SPAC   Special Purpose Acquisition Company
        SPDR   Standard & Poor’s Depositary Receipt
        STIBOR   Stockholm Interbank Offered Rate
        TOPIX   Tokyo Price Index
        WIBOR   Warsaw Interbank Offered Rate

 

           
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Shareholder Information

 

Board Approval of Sub-Advisory Agreement

FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund

(Fund)

The Board of Trustees (Board) of Franklin Alternative Strategies Funds (the Trust), including a majority of trustees that are not “interested persons” as such term is defined in section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (hereinafter referred to as “independent trustees”), at a meeting held on July 13, 2021, unanimously approved the sub-advisory agreement (the “New Sub-Advisory Agreement”) with Benefit Street Partners, L.L.C. (“Sub-Advisor”) with respect to the Fund.

In approving the New Sub-Advisory Agreement, the Board, including the independent trustees, determined that fees to be paid under the New Sub-Advisory Agreement were fair and reasonable and that approval of the New Sub-Advisory Agreement was in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders. As part of the approval process, the trustees considered the process undertaken and information provided during their consideration and approval on May 19, 2021 of the investment management agreement between K2/D&S Management Co., L.L.C., the Fund’s investment manager (“K2 Advisors”), and the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, and the sub-advisory agreements between K2 Advisors and the Fund’s existing sub-advisors.

In making the foregoing approvals, the independent trustees received assistance and advice from their independent counsel and, in addition to the materials provided at prior meetings, considered various materials related to the New Sub-Advisory Agreement including: (1) a copy of the proposed form of New Sub-Advisory Agreement for the Sub-Advisor; (2) information describing the nature, quality and extent of services that the Sub-Advisor would provide to the Fund, and the proposed sub-advisory fees payable to the Sub-Adviser; (3) a report from K2 Advisors on the diligence conducted on the Sub-Advisor and the reasons for recommending the Sub-Advisor as a sub-advisor for the Fund, including, but not limited to, the Sub-Advisor’s background, experience, personnel, operations, policies, procedures and compliance functions and plans for the integration of such operations, policies, procedures and compliance functions with those of K2 Advisors; and (4) a report from the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer regarding the Sub-Advisor’s compliance program and capabilities, including the Sub-Advisor’s policies and procedures in place to address potential conflicts

of interest, and the diligence undertaken by the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer with respect thereto. The Board noted that the terms of the New Sub-Advisory Agreement were substantially similar to the terms of the sub-advisory agreements with the Fund’s existing sub-advisors and identical to the terms of the Sub-Advisor’s sub-advisory agreement with the Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund.

The Board’s consideration of whether to approve the New Sub-Advisory Agreement on behalf of the Fund took into account several factors including, but not limited to, the following: (1) the nature and quality of the services to be provided by the Sub-Advisor to the Fund under the New Sub-Advisory Agreement; (2) the Sub-Advisor’s experience as a manager of other accounts, including as a sub-advisor to the Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund; (3) the Sub-Advisor’s strength and reputation within the industry; (4) the fairness of the compensation under the New Sub-Advisory Agreement; (5) the personnel, operations, financial condition, and investment management capabilities, methodologies and resources of the Sub-Advisor; (6) profitability matters; (7) reports from K2 Advisors on the diligence conducted on the Sub-Advisor and the reasons for recommending the Sub-Advisor as a sub-advisor for the Fund, including, but not limited to, the Sub-Advisor’s background, experience, personnel, operations, policies, procedures and compliance functions and plans for the integration of such operations, policies, procedures and compliance functions with those of K2 Advisors; and (8) a report from the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer regarding the Sub-Advisor’s compliance program and capabilities, including the Sub-Advisor’s policies and procedures in place to address potential conflicts of interest, and the diligence undertaken by the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer with respect thereto. Particular attention was given to the due diligence and risk management procedures of K2 Advisors with respect to selecting and overseeing sub-advisors of the Fund, as well as the Sub-Advisor’s risk management program and to derivatives and other complex instruments that are expected to be held by the Fund and how such instruments are expected to be used to pursue the Fund’s investment goal.

The following discussion relates to certain primary factors relevant to the Board’s decision to approve the New Sub-Advisory Agreement. This discussion of the information and factors considered by the Board (including the information and factors discussed above) is not intended to be

 

 

           
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exhaustive, but rather summarizes certain factors considered by the Board. In view of the wide variety of factors considered, the Board did not, unless otherwise noted, find it practicable to quantify or otherwise assign relative weights to the following factors. In addition, individual trustees may have assigned different weights to various factors.

NATURE, EXTENT AND QUALITY OF SERVICES. The trustees reviewed the nature, extent and quality of the services to be provided by the Sub-Advisor. In this regard, they reviewed the Fund’s investment goal and the Sub-Advisor’s proposed investment strategy, and the Sub-Advisor’s ability to implement such investment goal and/or investment strategy, including, but not limited to, the Sub-Advisor’s trading practices and investment decision processes.

With respect to the sub-advisory services to be provided by the Sub-Advisor, the Board noted the responsibilities that the Sub-Advisor would have with respect to the Fund’s assets to be allocated to it by K2-Advisors (the “Sub-Advised Portion”), including, among others, implementing the investment strategies with respect to the Sub-Advised Portion and ensuring compliance with the investment strategies, policies, and limitations of the Sub-Advised Portion. The trustees considered the successful performance of the Sub-Advisor in managing other investment products with investment strategies similar to the investment strategies of its Sub-Advised Portion, including the performance of the Sub-Advisor as a sub-advisor to the Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund.

The trustees reviewed the portfolio management teams at the Sub-Advisor that would be responsible for managing the Sub-Advised Portion, including the team’s performance, staffing, skills and compensation program. The trustees considered various other products, portfolios and entities that are advised by the Sub-Advisor, their relative fees and reasons for differences with respect thereto and any potential conflicts. The Board also considered a report from the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer regarding the Sub-Advisor’s compliance program as such policies relate to the operations of the Fund. The Board considered the selection and due diligence process employed by K2 Advisors in proposing the Sub-Advisor as a sub-advisor to the Fund, including the due diligence undertaken with respect to the Sub-Advisor’s compliance capabilities, and efforts to integrate the Sub-Advisor’s operations, policies, procedures and compliance functions with those of K2 Advisors.

Based on their review, the trustees were satisfied with the nature and quality of the overall services to be provided by the Sub-Advisor to the Fund and its shareholders and were

confident in the abilities of the Sub-Advisor to implement its proposed investment strategies, and to provide quality services to the Fund and its shareholders.

INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE. The Board noted that, as the Sub-Advisor had not provided any services to the Fund, there was no investment performance of the Sub-Advisor with respect to the Fund. The Board considered the investment performance of the Sub-Advisor in managing other investment products with similar investment strategies to the investment strategies of the Sub-Advised Portion, including the performance of the Sub-Advisor as a sub-advisor to the Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund. The Board also considered the performance benchmarks for the Fund and how such benchmarks would be utilized to measure the performance of the Sub-Advisor in managing the Sub-Advised Portion.

COMPARATIVE EXPENSES AND PROFITABILITY. The Board considered the cost of the services to be provided by the Sub-Advisor. The Board also noted that it could not evaluate the Sub-Advisor’s profitability with respect to the Fund since no assets had yet been allocated to the Sub-Advisor.

The Board noted that the sub-advisory fees would be paid by K2 Advisors to the Sub-Advisor and would not be additional fees to be borne by the Fund. The Board also noted that the sub-advisory fees to be paid by K2 Advisors to the Sub-Advisor were the product of negotiations between K2 Advisors and the Sub-Advisor and the Board considered the allocation of the investment management fee charged to the Fund between K2 Advisors and the Sub-Advisor in light of the nature, extent and quality of the investment management services expected to be provided by K2 Advisors and the Sub-Advisor. The trustees considered various other products, portfolios and entities that are advised by the Sub-Advisor and the allocation of assets and expenses among and within them, as well as their relative fees and reasons for differences with respect thereto and any potential conflicts. The Board considered the extent to which the Sub-Advisor may derive ancillary benefits from the Fund’s operations.

With respect to the impact on K2 Advisors’ and its affiliates’ profitability as a result of hiring the Sub-Advisor as a sub-advisor to the Fund, the Board considered the following: (1) the fee waiver and expense limitation arrangements in effect, the amount of Fund expenses that were absorbed since the inception of the Fund by K2 Advisors through such arrangements, and the expected impact of the engagement of the Sub-Advisor on the amount of Fund expenses being

 

 

           
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waived by K2 Advisors (2) the level of sub-advisory fees to be paid to the Sub-Advisor, and (3) whether there is a conflict of interest from which K2 Advisors or the Sub-Advisor derives an inappropriate advantage.

Based upon its consideration of all these factors, the Board determined that the sub-advisory fee structure for the Sub-Advisor was fair and reasonable. In doing so, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, found that the appointment of the Sub-Advisor is in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders, and does not involve a conflict of interest from which K2 Advisors or the Sub-Advisor derives an inappropriate advantage.

ECONOMIES OF SCALE. The Board considered economies of scale that may be realized by the Sub-Advisor as the Fund grows larger and the extent to which such economies of scale may be shared with Fund shareholders, as for example, in the level of the sub-advisory fees charged, in the quality and efficiency of services rendered and in increased capital commitments benefiting the Fund directly or indirectly. The Board concluded that economies of scale were deemed not to be a significant factor at that time in light of, among other matters, the fee waiver and expense limitation arrangement in effect.

CONCLUSION. After consideration of the foregoing factors, and such other matters as were deemed relevant, and with no single factor being determinative to their decision, the trustees—including a majority of the independent trustees—with the assistance of independent counsel approved the New Sub-Advisory Agreement, including the fees payable thereunder, with the Sub-Advisor for the Fund.

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

The Fund’s investment manager has established Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures (Policies) that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities. Shareholders may view the Fund’s complete Policies online at franklintempleton.com. Alternatively, shareholders may request copies of the Policies free of charge by calling the Proxy Group collect at (954) 527-7678 or by sending a written request to: Franklin Templeton Companies, LLC, 300 S.E. 2nd Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301, Attention: Proxy Group. Copies of the Fund’s proxy voting records are also made available online at franklintempleton.com and posted on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at sec.gov and reflect the most recent 12-month period ended June 30.

Quarterly Consolidated Statement of Investments

The Trust, on behalf of the Fund, files a complete statement of investments with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for the first and third quarters for each fiscal year as an exhibit to its report on Form N-PORT. Shareholders may view the filed Form N-PORT by visiting the Commission’s website at sec.gov. The filed form may also be viewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Information regarding the operations of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.

Householding of Reports and Prospectuses

You will receive, or receive notice of the availability of, the Fund’s financial reports every six months. In addition, you will receive an annual updated summary prospectus (detail prospectus available upon request). To reduce Fund expenses, we try to identify related shareholders in a household and send only one copy of the financial reports (to the extent received by mail) and summary prospectus. This process, called “householding,” will continue indefinitely unless you instruct us otherwise. If you prefer not to have these documents householded, please call us at (800) 632-2301. At any time you may view current prospectuses/summary prospectuses and financial reports on our website. If you choose, you may receive these documents through electronic delivery.

 

 

           
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Authorized for distribution only when accompanied or preceded by a summary prospectus and/or prospectus. Investors should carefully consider a fund’s investment goals, risks, charges and expenses before investing. A prospectus contains this and other information; please read it carefully before investing.

To help ensure we provide you with quality service, all calls to and from our service areas are monitored and/or recorded.

 

 

 

LOGO  

Semiannual Report and Shareholder Letter

Franklin K2 Alternative Strategies Fund

 
  Investment Manager   Distributor   Shareholder Services
  K2/D&S Management Co., L.L.C.  

Franklin Distributors, LLC

(800) DIAL BEN®/342-5236

franklintempleton.com

  (800) 632-2301
© 2022 Franklin Templeton Investments. All rights reserved.     068 S 01/22


SEMIANNUAL REPORT AND SHAREHOLDER LETTER

FRANKLIN K2 LONG SHORT CREDIT FUND

A Series of Franklin Alternative Strategies Funds

November 30, 2021

LOGO

 

LOGO

Sign up for electronic delivery at franklintempleton.com/edelivery


SHAREHOLDER LETTER

 

Dear Fellow Shareholder:

During the six months ended November 30, 2021, the global economy benefited from continued monetary and fiscal stimulus measures, improved global trade, easing COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and the progress of vaccination programs. During parts of the period, geopolitical tensions, the Chinese government’s regulatory changes, surges of COVID-19 cases in certain regions and the emergence of the Omicron variant pressured global stock and bond prices. Conversely, investor sentiment was boosted by economic growth in the U.S. and China and accommodative monetary policies by some central banks, including the U.S. Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank.

In this environment, global developed market stocks, as measured by the MSCI World Index (USD), posted a +5.08% total return for the period.1 In contrast, global emerging market stocks, as measured by the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (USD), posted a -10.65% total return, while global government bonds, as measured by the FTSE World Government Bond Index (USD), posted a -2.76% total return.1

We are committed to our long-term perspective and disciplined investment approach as we continue to conduct a rigorous analysis of Fund subadvisors and markets with a strong emphasis on investment risk management.

We believe active, professional investment management serves investors well. We also recognize the important role of financial professionals in today’s markets and encourage investors to continue to seek their advice. Amid changing

markets and economic conditions, we are confident investors with a well-diversified portfolio and a patient, long-term outlook should be well-positioned for the years ahead.

On the following pages, the Fund’s portfolio management team reviews investment decisions that pertain to performance during the past six months in light of the economic environment and other factors. Please remember all securities markets fluctuate, as do mutual fund share prices.

We thank you for investing with Franklin Templeton, welcome your questions and comments, and look forward to continuing to serve your investment needs in the future.

Sincerely,

Brooks Ritchey

President and Chief Executive Officer –

Investment Management

Franklin Alternative Strategies Funds

This letter reflects our analysis and opinions as of November 30, 2021, unless otherwise indicated. The information is not a complete analysis of every aspect of any market, country, industry, security or fund. Statements of fact are from sources considered reliable.

 

 

1. Source: Morningstar.

See www.franklintempletondatasources.com for additional data provider information.

 

Not FDIC Insured   |   May Lose Value   |   No Bank Guarantee

 

           
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Contents        
Semiannual Report       
Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund      3  
Performance Summary      6  
Your Fund’s Expenses      8  
Financial Highlights and Statement of Investments      9  
Financial Statements      33  
Notes to Financial Statements      37  
Shareholder Information      52  

 

 

Visit franklintempleton.com for fund updates, to access your account, or to find helpful financial planning tools.

 

 

           
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SEMIANNUAL REPORT

Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund

 

This semiannual report for Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund covers the period ended November 30, 2021.

Your Fund’s Goal and Main Investments

The Fund seeks total return through a combination of current income, capital preservation and capital appreciation. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment goal by allocating its assets across multiple alternative strategies in the fixed income and credit areas, including, but not limited to, some or all of the following: credit long short, structured credit and emerging market fixed income. The Fund is structured as a multi-manager fund, meaning the Fund’s assets are managed by multiple subadvisors, and the Fund’s investment manager has overall responsibility for the Fund’s investments.

Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in credit-related investments. As defined in the Fund’s prospectus, credit-related investments include, but are not limited to: U.S. or foreign debt obligations of any credit quality, maturity or duration; all varieties of fixed income, variable-rate and floating-rate debt securities and investments; and derivatives, such as swap agreements, futures contracts and options, and other transactions and instruments that provide exposure to credit-related investments.

Performance Overview

The Fund’s Class A shares posted a +0.09% cumulative total return for the six months under review. For comparison, the Fund’s primary benchmark, the HFRX Fixed Income - Credit Index, which measures performance of strategies with exposure to credit across a broad continuum of credit substrategies, posted a -0.19% cumulative total return for the same period.1 Also for comparison, the Fund’s secondary benchmark, the ICE BofA U.S. 3-Month Treasury Bill Index, which is an index of short-term U.S. government securities with a remaining term to final maturity of less than three months, posted a +0.01% cumulative total return.2 You can

find more of the Fund’s performance data in the Performance Summary beginning on page 6.

Performance data represent past performance, which does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate, and you may have a gain or loss when you sell your shares. Current performance may differ from figures shown. For most recent month-end performance, go to franklintempleton.com or call (800) 342-5236.

 

Portfolio Composition       
11/30/21       
      % of Total
Net Assets
 

Long Positions

     75.8%  

Short Positions

     -3.9%  

Short-Term Investments

     20.9%  

Other Assets, less Liabilities

     7.2%  

Economic and Market Overview

Global developed and emerging market equities, as measured by the MSCI All Country World Index (USD), posted a +3.03% total return for the six months ended November 30, 2021.2 Global equities benefited from the continued progress of vaccination programs for COVID-19, solid economic growth and a rebound in global trade. However, the Chinese government’s imposition of additional restrictions on some businesses pressured Asian and global emerging market stocks. The combination of increased consumer demand and persistent supply-chain disruptions contributed to higher inflation in many countries. Additionally, the spread of the highly contagious Delta variant pressured global stocks, and the emergence of the Omicron variant late in the six-month period injected further uncertainty into equity markets.

In the U.S., the economy continued to recover amid declining unemployment, solid wage growth and high business confidence. Gross domestic product (GDP) growth continued, as strong consumer spending supported the economy. A rebound in corporate earnings and the passage of a bipartisan infrastructure bill further bolstered investor

 

 

1. Source: FactSet. Hedge Fund Research, Inc. – www.hedgefundresearch.com. The HFRX Fixed Income - Credit Index is being used under license from Hedge Fund Research, Inc., which does not endorse or approve of any of the contents of this report.

2. Source: Morningstar.

The indexes are unmanaged and include reinvestment of any income or distributions. They do not reflect any fees, expenses or sales charges. One cannot invest directly in an index, and an index is not representative of the Fund’s portfolio. Unlike most asset class indexes, HFR Index returns reflect fees and expenses.

See www.franklintempletondatasources.com for additional data provider information.

The dollar value, number of shares or principal amount, and names of all portfolio holdings are listed in the Fund’s Statement of Investments (SOI). The SOI begins on page 14.

 

           
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sentiment. The U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) kept the federal funds target rate at a record-low range of 0.00%–0.25% and continued its program of open-ended U.S. Treasury and mortgage bond purchases to help keep markets functioning. However, in its November 2021 meeting statement, the Fed detailed plans to reduce its purchases of U.S. Treasury and mortgage-backed securities beginning in November. The Fed also noted that it views inflation as partially transitory, and that further employment progress was needed before the Fed would consider raising the range for the federal funds target rate.

The eurozone economy showed signs of recovery, as quarter-over-quarter GDP increased in the second and third quarters of 2021 after contracting for the previous two quarters. Most of the eurozone’s largest economies posted solid growth rates, as increased vaccination rates helped consumer activity return to pre-pandemic levels. Strong corporate earnings growth also helped European developed market equities. However, in November 2021, the annual inflation rate in the eurozone reached the highest level since 1997, two years before the introduction of the euro, and the prospect of energy shortages as winter approached tempered investor optimism. Consequently, European developed market equities, as measured by the MSCI Europe Index (USD), posted a -3.58% total return for the six months under review.2

Asian developed and emerging market equities, as measured by the MSCI All Country Asia Index (USD), posted a -8.18% total return for the six-month period.2 Although China’s economy continued to grow, it was pressured by higher commodity prices, increased fuel costs and production disruption caused by government-mandated suspensions of power use. Asian equity markets experienced heightened volatility due to inflation concerns and rising COVID-19 infection rates in some countries. Unexpected regulatory changes by the Chinese government, which negatively impacted education- and technology-related businesses, and concerns about a Chinese large property developer’s solvency further pressured Asian stocks during the six-month period.

Global emerging market stocks, as measured by the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (USD), posted a -10.65% total return for the six months under review.2 Higher COVID-19 cases in some countries, limited vaccine rollouts and concerns about rising interest rates and elevated inflation dampened investor enthusiasm in global emerging market equities. Interest-rate increases by several central banks, including Brazil, Russia and Mexico, to counter inflation raised investor concerns about a slowdown in economic growth.

Investment Strategy

We manage the Fund using a multi-manager approach. While we have overall responsibility for the Fund’s investments, we allocate the Fund’s assets to multiple subadvisors, each of whom independently manages a separate portion of the Fund’s portfolio in accordance with some or all of the following strategies: credit long short, structured credit and emerging market fixed income. We allocate the Fund’s assets among these strategies utilizing a top-down approach, generating the Fund’s strategy and subadvisor weightings by taking into account market conditions, risk factors, diversification, liquidity, transparency, and other investment options, among other things. We allocate the Fund’s assets to specific subadvisors utilizing a bottom-up approach, selecting subadvisors and their weighting within the Fund’s portfolio by taking into account their correlation to various markets and to each other, risk profiles and their return expectations.

Credit long short strategies seek to isolate issuer-specific exposure, while limiting general market risks, by taking long and/or short positions in debt securities and other related instruments. Structured credit strategies aim to profit from trading in interest-rate sensitive securities such as residential and commercial MBS, REITs, credit default swaps on various indexes, collateralized loan obligations (CLOs) and ABS. Emerging market fixed income strategies invest in corporate

and/or sovereign securities in emerging markets countries with a focus on fixed income. The Fund may invest in debt securities of any credit quality or rating, including high-yield (“junk”) bonds, distressed debt securities (securities of companies that are, or are about to be, involved in reorganizations, financial restructurings, or bankruptcy) and securities that are in default. The Fund may engage in active and frequent trading as part of its investment strategies.

The Fund takes long and/or short positions in a wide range of asset classes, including credit, fixed income, equities and currencies, among others. The Fund may gain long or short exposure to select instruments by utilizing derivatives, engaging in short sales or entering into a series of purchase and sale contracts or repurchase agreements. Long positions benefit from an increase in the price of the underlying instrument, while short positions benefit from a decrease in that price. The Fund may also use derivatives for hedging and nonhedging (investment) purposes, although no subadvisor is required to hedge any of the Fund’s positions or to use derivatives. Such derivative investments may include currency forward contracts; futures contracts; put and call options on currencies, securities, indexes and exchange-traded funds; and swaps.

 

 

           
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Subadvisors
11/30/21
Credit Long Short

Apollo Credit Management LLC

Benefit Street Partners L.L.C.

Structured Credit

Ellington Global Asset Management, LLC

Medalist Partners, LP

Emerging Market Fixed Income

Emso Asset Management Limited

Manager’s Discussion

The Fund’s subadvisors for the six months under review were Apollo Management, Benefit Street Partners, Ellington Global Asset Management, Emso Asset Management and Medalist Partners. These subadvisors are also listed in the Subadvisors table on this page. Four of the five subadvisors posted gains for the period, led by structured credit subadvisors Ellington and Medalist. The emerging market fixed income subadvisor, Emso, posted a decline for the period.

Two of the Fund’s three underlying strategies—structured credit and credit long short—contributed to the Fund’s positive performance for the period, while the emerging market fixed income strategy detracted from performance. On an asset class level, credit positioning was the top positive contributor to the Fund’s aggregate returns, with additional positive contribution from currencies (net short positioning versus the U.S. dollar) and equity exposures. Conversely, interest-rate positioning detracted from Fund performance.

In terms of aggregate sector exposures, the top positive performance drivers for the Fund were MBS, ABS and utilities. In contrast, long positions in emerging market government bonds and short positions in U.S. government bonds negatively affected returns, as did equity index hedges.

In the structured credit strategy, MBS and ABS led positive contributors. In contrast, credit index hedges detracted from performance. Ellington, the top overall positive-performing subadvisor during the period, benefited from residential MBS, driven by an increase in trading activity, and collateralized loan obligations, as loan performance and trading value broadly remained solid.

The credit long short strategy benefited from exposures to sectors such as utilities (long positioning), currencies (net short positioning versus the U.S. dollar) and energy (long positioning). Conversely, information technology (long positioning) and equity index hedges were net detractors from strategy results.

For the emerging market fixed income strategy, detractors from performance included emerging market sovereign bonds (long positioning), especially in the Ukraine, South Africa, Russia and Egypt, along with short positioning in U.S. government bond futures. U.S. index futures (short positioning) also hindered results. Conversely, positive contributors included municipal bonds in Puerto Rico (long positioning), driven by renewed optimism around restructuring, as well as short positioning in both interest-rate swaps in Poland and currency forward contracts in South Africa.

Thank you for your participation in Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund. We look forward to continuing to serve your future investment needs.

Robert Christian

Co-Lead Portfolio Manager

Brooks Ritchey

Co-Lead Portfolio Manager

Art Vinokur

Portfolio Manager

 

 

The foregoing information reflects our analysis, opinions and portfolio holdings as of November 30, 2021, the end of the reporting period. The way we implement our main investment strategies and the resulting portfolio holdings may change depending on factors such as market and economic conditions. These opinions may not be relied upon as investment advice or an offer for a particular security. The information is not a complete analysis of every aspect of any market, country, industry, security or the Fund. Statements of fact are from sources considered reliable, but the investment manager makes no representation or warranty as to their completeness or accuracy. Although historical performance is no guarantee of future results, these insights may help you understand our investment management philosophy.

 

 

           
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             5


FRANKLIN K2 LONG SHORT CREDIT FUND

 

Performance Summary as of November 30, 2021

The performance table does not reflect any taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund dividends, capital gain distributions, if any, or any realized gains on the sale of Fund shares. Total return reflects reinvestment of the Fund’s dividends and capital gain distributions, if any, and any unrealized gains or losses. Your dividend income will vary depending on dividends or interest paid by securities in the Fund’s portfolio, adjusted for operating expenses of each class. Capital gain distributions are net profits realized from the sale of portfolio securities.

Performance as of 11/30/211

Cumulative total return excludes sales charges. Average annual total return includes maximum sales charges. Sales charges will vary depending on the size of the investment and the class of share purchased. The maximum is 5.50% and the minimum is 0%. Class A: 5.50% maximum initial sales charge; Advisor Class: no sales charges. For other share classes, visit franklintempleton.com.

 

Share Class    Cumulative
Total Return2
     Average Annual
Total Return3
 
A4      

6-Month

     +0.09%        -5.38%  

1-Year

     +4.34%        -1.37%  

5-Year

     +21.59%        +2.81%  

Since Inception (9/8/15)

     +30.77%        +3.46%  
Advisor      

6-Month

     +0.18%        +0.18%  

1-Year

     +4.46%        +4.46%  

5-Year

     +22.59%        +4.16%  

Since Inception (9/8/15)

     +31.97%        +4.56%  

Performance data represent past performance, which does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate, and you may have a gain or loss when you sell your shares. Current performance may differ from figures shown. For most recent month-end performance, go to franklintempleton.com or call (800) 342-5236.

See page 7 for Performance Summary footnotes.

 

           
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FRANKLIN K2 LONG SHORT CREDIT FUND

PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

 

Total Annual Operating Expenses5

 

Share Class    With Fee
Waiver
     Without Fee
Waiver
 
A      2.33%        2.92%  
Advisor      2.08%        2.67%  

Each class of shares is available to certain eligible investors and has different annual fees and expenses, as described in the prospectus.

All investments involve risks, including possible loss of principal. The market values of securities owned by the Fund will go up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably. The Fund’s performance depends on the manager’s skill in selecting, overseeing and allocating Fund assets to the subadvisors. The Fund is actively managed and could experience losses if the manager’s and subadvisors’ judgment about particular Fund portfolio investments prove to be incorrect. Some subadvisors may have little or no experience managing the assets of a registered investment company. Bond prices generally move in the opposite direction of interest rates. Changes in the financial strength of a bond issuer or in a bond’s credit rating may affect its value. Lower-rated or high-yield debt securities (junk bonds) involve greater credit risk, including the possibility of default or bankruptcy. Liquidity risk exists when securities become more difficult to sell, or are unable to be sold, at the price at which they have been valued. Investments in derivatives involve costs and create economic leverage, which may result in significant volatility and cause the Fund to participate in losses (as well as gains) that significantly exceed the Fund’s initial investment. The Fund may make short sales of securities, which involves the risk that losses may exceed the original amount invested. Events such as the spread of deadly diseases, disasters, and financial, political or social disruptions, may heighten risks and adversely affect performance. The Fund’s prospectus also includes a description of the main investment risks, including the risks of foreign investments.

1. The Fund has an expense reduction contractually guaranteed through 9/30/22. Fund investment results reflect the expense reduction; without this reduction, the results would have been lower.

2. Cumulative total return represents the change in value of an investment over the periods indicated.

3. Average annual total return represents the average annual change in value of an investment over the periods indicated. Return for less than one year, if any, has not been annualized.

4. Prior to 9/10/18, these shares were offered at a higher initial sales charge of 5.75%, thus actual returns (with sales charges) would have differed. Average annual total returns (with sales charges) have been restated to reflect the current maximum initial sales charge of 5.50%.

5. Figures are as stated in the Fund’s current prospectus and may differ from the expense ratios disclosed in the Your Fund’s Expenses and Financial Highlights sections in this report. In periods of market volatility, assets may decline significantly, causing total annual Fund operating expenses to become higher than the figures shown.

See www.franklintempletondatasources.com for additional data provider information.

 

           
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             7


FRANKLIN K2 LONG SHORT CREDIT FUND

 

Your Fund’s Expenses

 

As a Fund shareholder, you can incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on Fund purchases and redemptions; and (2) ongoing Fund costs, including management fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees, and other Fund expenses. All mutual funds have ongoing costs, sometimes referred to as operating expenses. The table below shows ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and can help you understand these costs and compare them with those of other mutual funds. The table assumes a $1,000 investment held for the six months indicated.

Actual Fund Expenses

The table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses in the columns under the heading “Actual.” In these columns the Fund’s actual return, which includes the effect of Fund expenses, is used to calculate the “Ending Account Value” for each class of shares. You can estimate the expenses you paid during the period by following these steps (of course, your account value and expenses will differ from those in this illustration): Divide your account value by $1,000 (if your account had an $8,600 value, then $8,600 ÷ $1,000 = 8.6). Then multiply the result by the number in the row for your class of shares under the headings “Actual” and “Expenses Paid During Period” (if Actual Expenses Paid During Period were $7.50, then 8.6 x $7.50 = $64.50). In this illustration, the actual expenses paid this period are $64.50.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison with Other Funds

Under the heading “Hypothetical” in the table, information is provided about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. This information may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period, but it can help you compare ongoing costs of investing in the Fund with those of other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example for the class of shares you hold with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

Please note that expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight ongoing costs and do not reflect any transactional costs. Therefore, information under the heading “Hypothetical” is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you compare total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if transactional costs were included, your total costs would have been higher.

 

                Actual
(actual return after expenses)
       Hypothetical
(5% annual return before expenses)
          

Share

Class

     Beginning
Account
Value 6/1/21
       Ending
Account
Value 11/30/21
       Expenses
Paid During
Period

6/1/21–11/30/211,2
       Ending
Account
Value 11/30/21
       Expenses
Paid During
Period

6/1/21–11/30/211,2
       Net
Annualized
Expense
Ratio2
 
A      $ 1,000        $ 1,000.90        $ 10.83        $ 1,014.24        $ 10.91          2.16
C      $ 1,000        $ 997.20        $ 14.57        $ 1,010.48        $ 14.67          2.91
R      $ 1,000        $ 1,000.00        $ 12.13        $ 1,012.94        $ 12.21          2.42
R6      $ 1,000        $ 1,002.70        $ 9.09        $ 1,015.99        $ 9.15          1.81
Advisor      $ 1,000        $ 1,002.70        $ 9.64        $ 1,015.44        $ 9.70          1.92

1. Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio for the six-month period as indicated above—in the far right column—multiplied by the simple average account value over the period indicated, and then multiplied by 183/365 to reflect the one-half year period.

2. Reflects expenses after fee waivers and expense reimbursements. Does not include acquired fund fees and expenses.

 

           
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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

 

Financial Highlights

 

Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund

 

    Six Months Ended
November 30, 2021
(unaudited)
     Year Ended May 31,  
      2021      2020      2019      2018      2017  
Class A                 
Per share operating performance
(for a share outstanding throughout the period)
                

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 10.90      $ 9.86      $ 10.45      $ 10.50      $ 10.49      $ 10.15  
 

 

 

 
Income from investment operationsa:                 

Net investment incomeb

    0.13        0.28        0.23        0.37        0.29        0.23  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

    (0.12      1.03        (0.53      (0.02      0.08        0.53  
 

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    0.01        1.31        (0.30      0.35        0.37        0.76  
 

 

 

 
Less distributions from:                 

Net investment income

           (0.26      (0.25      (0.31      (0.19      (0.32

Net realized gains

           (0.01      (0.04      (0.09      (0.17      (0.10
 

 

 

 

Total distributions

           (0.27      (0.29      (0.40      (0.36      (0.42
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 10.91      $ 10.90      $ 9.86      $ 10.45      $ 10.50      $ 10.49  
 

 

 

 

Total returnc

    0.09%        13.33%        (2.92)%        3.42%        3.63%        7.58%  
Ratios to average net assetsd                 

Expenses before waiver, payments by affiliates and expense reductione

    2.62%        2.85%        3.24%        3.15%        3.51%        3.50%  

Expenses net of waiver, payments by affiliates and expense reductione

    2.16% f       2.27% f       2.74%        2.69%        2.98% f       2.75%  

Expenses incurred in connection with securities sold short

    0.27%        0.41%        0.58%        0.62%        0.89%        0.76%  

Net investment income

    2.34%        2.61%        2.24%        3.49%        2.71%        2.24%  
Supplemental data                 

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

    $23,487        $26,581        $20,212        $27,870        $45,088        $41,001  

Portfolio turnover rate

    81.03%        194.81%        205.14%        158.66%        251.81%        317.70%  

aThe amount shown for a share outstanding throughout the period may not correlate with the Statement of Operations for the period due to the timing of sales and repurchases of the Fund’s shares in relation to income earned and/or fluctuating fair value of the investments of the Fund.

bBased on average daily shares outstanding.

cTotal return does not reflect sales commissions or contingent deferred sales charges, if applicable, and is not annualized for periods less than one year.

dRatios are annualized for periods less than one year.

eIncludes dividend and/or interest expense on securities sold short and security borrowing fees, if any. See below for the ratios of such expenses to average net assets for the periods presented. See Note 1(i).

fBenefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%.

 

           
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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund (continued)

 

    Six Months Ended
November 30, 2021
(unaudited)
     Year Ended May 31,  
      2021      2020      2019      2018      2017  
Class C                 
Per share operating performance
(for a share outstanding throughout the period)
                

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 10.70      $ 9.69      $ 10.26      $ 10.34      $ 10.35      $ 10.07  
 

 

 

 
Income from investment operationsa:                 

Net investment incomeb

    0.08        0.19        0.15        0.27        0.19        0.14  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

    (0.11      1.01        (0.52      (0.01      0.07        0.52  
 

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    (0.03      1.20        (0.37      0.26        0.26        0.66  
 

 

 

 
Less distributions from:                 

Net investment income

           (0.18      (0.16      (0.25      (0.10      (0.28

Net realized gains

           (0.01      (0.04      (0.09      (0.17      (0.10
 

 

 

 

Total distributions

           (0.19      (0.20      (0.34      (0.27      (0.38
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 10.67      $ 10.70      $ 9.69      $ 10.26      $ 10.34      $ 10.35  
 

 

 

 

Total returnc

    (0.28)%        12.40%        (3.66)%        2.61%        2.70%        6.56%  
Ratios to average net assetsd                 

Expenses before waiver, payments by affiliates and expense reductione

    3.37%        3.64%        3.96%        4.03%        4.37%        4.44%  

Expenses net of waiver, payments by affiliates and expense reductione

    2.91% f       3.05% f       3.46%        3.57%        3.84% f       3.69%  

Expenses incurred in connection with securities sold short

    0.27%        0.41%        0.58%        0.62%        0.89%        0.76%  

Net investment income

    1.59%        1.82%        1.52%        2.61%        1.85%        1.30%  
Supplemental data                 

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

    $2,684        $2,945        $2,882        $2,893        $2,503        $1,507  

Portfolio turnover rate

    81.03%        194.81%        205.14%        158.66%        251.81%        317.70%  

aThe amount shown for a share outstanding throughout the period may not correlate with the Statement of Operations for the period due to the timing of sales and repurchases of the Fund’s shares in relation to income earned and/or fluctuating fair value of the investments of the Fund.

bBased on average daily shares outstanding.

cTotal return does not reflect sales commissions or contingent deferred sales charges, if applicable, and is not annualized for periods less than one year.

dRatios are annualized for periods less than one year.

eIncludes dividend and/or interest expense on securities sold short and security borrowing fees, if any. See below for the ratios of such expenses to average net assets for the periods presented. See Note 1(i).

fBenefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%.

 

           
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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund (continued)

 

    Six Months Ended
November 30, 2021
(unaudited)
     Year Ended May 31,  
      2021      2020      2019      2018      2017  
Class R                 
Per share operating performance
(for a share outstanding throughout the period)
                

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 10.79      $ 9.77      $ 10.36      $ 10.41      $ 10.41      $ 10.10  
 

 

 

 
Income from investment operationsa:                 

Net investment incomeb

    0.11        0.25        0.21        0.33        0.25        0.20  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

    (0.12      1.01        (0.53      (0.01      0.09        0.53  
 

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    (0.01      1.26        (0.32      0.32        0.34        0.73  
 

 

 

 
Less distributions from:                 

Net investment income

           (0.23      (0.23      (0.28      (0.17      (0.32

Net realized gains

           (0.01      (0.04      (0.09      (0.17      (0.10
 

 

 

 

Total distributions

           (0.24      (0.27      (0.37      (0.34      (0.42
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 10.78      $ 10.79      $ 9.77      $ 10.36      $ 10.41      $ 10.41  
 

 

 

 

Total returnc

    (0.09)%        12.95%        (3.13)%        3.12%        3.29%        7.29%  
Ratios to average net assetsd                 

Expenses before waiver, payments by affiliates and expense reductione

    2.87%        3.15%        3.46%        3.50%        3.82%        3.83%  

Expenses net of waiver, payments by affiliates and expense reductione

    2.42% f       2.55% f       2.96%        3.04%        3.29% f       3.08%  

Expenses incurred in connection with securities sold short

    0.27%        0.41%        0.58%        0.62%        0.89%        0.76%  

Net investment income

    2.09%        2.31%        2.02%        3.14%        2.40%        1.91%  
Supplemental data                 

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

    $212        $196        $169        $166        $162        $127  

Portfolio turnover rate

    81.03%        194.81%        205.14%        158.66%        251.81%        317.70%  

aThe amount shown for a share outstanding throughout the period may not correlate with the Statement of Operations for the period due to the timing of sales and repurchases of the Fund’s shares in relation to income earned and/or fluctuating fair value of the investments of the Fund.

bBased on average daily shares outstanding.

cTotal return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

dRatios are annualized for periods less than one year.

eIncludes dividend and/or interest expense on securities sold short and security borrowing fees, if any. See below for the ratios of such expenses to average net assets for the periods presented. See Note 1(i).

fBenefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%.

 

           
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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund (continued)

 

    Six Months Ended
November 30, 2021
(unaudited)
     Year Ended May 31,  
      2021      2020      2019      2018      2017  
Class R6                 
Per share operating performance
(for a share outstanding throughout the period)
                

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $10.94        $9.87        $10.45        $10.51        $10.50        $10.15  
 

 

 

 
Income from investment operationsa:                 

Net investment incomeb

    0.15        0.31        0.26        0.36        0.31        0.24  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

    (0.12      1.02        (0.53      c       0.08        0.53  
 

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    0.03        1.33        (0.27)        0.36        0.39        0.77  
 

 

 

 
Less distributions from:                 

Net investment income

           (0.25      (0.27      (0.33      (0.21      (0.32

Net realized gains

           (0.01      (0.04      (0.09      (0.17      (0.10
 

 

 

 

Total distributions

           (0.26      (0.31      (0.42      (0.38      (0.42
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 10.97      $ 10.94      $ 9.87      $ 10.45      $ 10.51      $ 10.50  
 

 

 

 

Total returnd

    0.18%        13.54%        (2.58)%        3.53%        3.76%        7.71%  
Ratios to average net assetse                 

Expenses before waiver, payments by affiliates and expense reductionf

    3.66%        2.58%        2.95%        3.10%        3.35%        3.43%  

Expenses net of waiver, payments by affiliates and expense reductionf

    1.81% g       1.99% g       2.41%        2.55%        2.83% g       2.68%  

Expenses incurred in connection with securities sold short

    0.24%        0.42%        0.58%        0.62%        0.89%        0.76%  

Net investment income

    2.70%        2.88%        2.57%        3.63%        2.86%        2.31%  
Supplemental data                 

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

    $6        $6        $5        $233        $13        $13,052  

Portfolio turnover rate

    81.03%        194.81%        205.14%        158.66%        251.81%        317.70%  

aThe amount shown for a share outstanding throughout the period may not correlate with the Statement of Operations for the period due to the timing of sales and repurchases of the Fund’s shares in relation to income earned and/or fluctuating fair value of the investments of the Fund.

bBased on average daily shares outstanding.

cAmount rounds to less than $0.01 per share.

dTotal return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

eRatios are annualized for periods less than one year.

fIncludes dividend and/or interest expense on securities sold short and security borrowing fees, if any. See below for the ratios of such expenses to average net assets for the periods presented. See Note 1(i).

gBenefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%.

 

           
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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund (continued)

 

    Six Months Ended
November 30, 2021
(unaudited)
     Year Ended May 31,  
      2021      2020      2019      2018      2017  
Advisor Class                 
Per share operating performance
(for a share outstanding throughout the period)
                

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 10.91      $ 9.88      $ 10.46      $ 10.51      $ 10.50      $ 10.15  
 

 

 

 
Income from investment operationsa:                 

Net investment incomeb

    0.14        0.30        0.26        0.38        0.30        0.24  

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

    (0.12      1.02        (0.53      (0.01      0.09        0.53  
 

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    0.02        1.32        (0.27      0.37        0.39        0.77  
 

 

 

 
Less distributions from:                 

Net investment income

           (0.28      (0.27      (0.33      (0.21      (0.32

Net realized gains

           (0.01      (0.04      (0.09      (0.17      (0.10
 

 

 

 

Total distributions

           (0.29      (0.31      (0.42      (0.38      (0.42
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 10.93      $ 10.91      $ 9.88      $ 10.46      $ 10.51      $ 10.50  
 

 

 

 

Total returnc

    0.18%        13.45%        (2.61)%        3.60%        3.75%        7.70%  
Ratios to average net assetsd                 

Expenses before waiver, payments by affiliates and expense reductione

    2.37%        2.65%        2.96%        3.03%        3.37%        3.44%  

Expenses net of waiver, payments by affiliates and expense reductione

    1.92% f       2.06%f        2.46%        2.57%        2.84%f        2.69%  

Expenses incurred in connection with securities sold short

    0.27%        0.41%        0.58%        0.62%        0.89%        0.76%  

Net investment income

    2.59%        2.81%        2.52%        3.61%        2.85%        2.30%  
Supplemental data                 

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

    $80,058        $76,637        $73,047        $86,868        $45,514        $25,125  

Portfolio turnover rate

    81.03%        194.81%        205.14%        158.66%        251.81%        317.70%  

aThe amount shown for a share outstanding throughout the period may not correlate with the Statement of Operations for the period due to the timing of sales and repurchases of the Fund’s shares in relation to income earned and/or fluctuating fair value of the investments of the Fund.

bBased on average daily shares outstanding.

cTotal return is not annualized for periods less than one year.

dRatios are annualized for periods less than one year.

eIncludes dividend and/or interest expense on securities sold short and security borrowing fees, if any. See below for the ratios of such expenses to average net assets for the periods presented. See Note 1(i).

fBenefit of expense reduction rounds to less than 0.01%.

 

           
franklintempleton.com  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.    |   Semiannual Report

             13


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

 

Statement of Investments, November 30, 2021 (unaudited)

 

Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund

 

           Country        Shares/Warrants        Value  
    Common Stocks and Other Equity Interests 2.2%                             
    Automobiles 0.2%  
a  

General Motors Co.

     United States          2,700             $ 156,249  
                   

 

 

 
    Biotechnology 0.0%  
a  

CytoDyn Inc.

     United States          2,389               2,986  
                   

 

 

 
    Commercial Services & Supplies 0.2%  
a  

CM Life Sciences III Inc.

     United States          2,593               26,915  
a  

Executive Network Partnering Corp., A

     United States          6,280               61,795  
a  

Executive Network Partnering Corp., A, 9/25/28, wts.

     United States          925               653  
a  

Gores Technology Partners II Inc.

     United States          362               3,683  
a  

Gores Technology Partners Inc.

     United States          145               1,470  
a  

Hedosophia European Growth

     United Kingdom          1,142               12,770  
 

Iron Spark I Inc., A

     United States          1,578               15,859  
a  

Landcadia Holdings IV Inc.

     United States          1,374               13,912  
a  

Tech And Energy Transition Corp.

     United States          2,499               24,915  
a  

Tishman Speyer Innovation Corp. II, A

     United States          113               1,106  
a  

Twelve Seas Investment Co. II, A

     United States          3,059               29,795  
a  

Twelve Seas Investment Co. II, A, 3/2/28, wts.

     United States          1,019               658  
                   

 

 

 
                      193,531  
                   

 

 

 
    Communications Equipment 0.0%  
a  

Commscope Holding Co. Inc.

     United States          2,026               20,179  
                   

 

 

 
    Diversified Financial Services 0.8%  
a  

2MX Organic SA, 11/16/25, wts.

     France          1,165               322  
a  

Aequi Acquisition Corp.

     United States          440               4,382  
a  

Aequi Acquisition Corp., A

     United States          3,553               34,713  
a  

African Gold Acquisition Corp., A

     United States          1,912               18,623  
a  

African Gold Acquisition Corp., A, 3/13/28, wts.

     United States          1,434               809  
a  

Agile Growth Corp.

     United States          1,147               11,550  
a  

Ares Acquisition Corp., A

     United States          2,110               20,657  
a  

Ares Acquisition Corp., A, 12/31/27, wts.

     United States          566               594  
a  

Blue Whale Acquisition Corp. I

     United Arab Emirates          3,792               37,711  
a  

CF Acquisition Corp. V, A

     United States          1,761               17,540  
a  

CF Acquisition Corp. V, A, 12/31/27, wts.

     United States          603               603  
a  

Corsair Partnering Corp.

     United States          1,149               11,484  
a  

Crystal Peak Acquisition

     Netherlands          1,993               19,561  
a  

Crystal Peak Acquisition, 6/22/26, wts.

     Netherlands          802                
a  

Decarbonization Plus Acquisition Corp. II, A

     United States          1,373               13,840  
a  

DHC Acquisition Corp., A

     United States          1,838               17,957  
a  

DHC Acquisition Corp., A, 12/31/27, wts.

     United States          612               465  
a  

Disruptive Acquisition Corp. I

     United States          2,007               20,000  
a  

Dragoneer Growth Opportunities Corp. III, A

     United States          3,050               30,439  
a  

ECP Environmental Growth Opportunities Corp., A, 2/11/28, wts.

     United States          135               142  
a  

Elliott Opportunity II Corp.

     United States          1,335               13,844  
a  

European Biotech Acquisition Corp.

     Netherlands          361               3,585  
a  

Far Peak Acquisition Corp.

     United States          7,608               78,058  
a  

Fast Acquisition Corp. II

     United States          213               2,138  
a  

Figure Acquisition Corp. I, A

     United States          409               4,041  
a  

Figure Acquisition Corp. I, A, 12/31/27, wts.

     United States          345               417  
a  

Forum Merger IV Corp.

     United States          849               8,545  
a  

Freedom Acquisition I Corp., A

     United States          573               5,587  
a  

FTAC Hera Acquisition Corp., A

     United States          1,805               17,725  
a  

Fusion Acquisition Corp. II, A

     United States          956               9,321  
a  

Fusion Acquisition Corp. II, A, 12/31/27, wts.

     United States          318               240  
a  

Glenfarne Merger Corp.

     United States          361               3,597  
a  

Investindustrial Acquisition Corp., 10/30/27, wts.

     United States          580               1,102  
a  

ION Acquisition Corp. III Ltd., A

     Israel          796               7,781  
a  

Joff Fintech Acquisition Corp., A

     United States          1,575               15,372  

 

           
14             

Semiannual Report

  franklintempleton.com


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Shares/Warrants        Value  
    Common Stocks and Other Equity Interests (continued)                             
    Diversified Financial Services (continued)  
a  

Joff Fintech Acquisition Corp., A, 12/31/27, wts.

     United States          525             $ 420  
a  

Khosla Ventures Acquisition Co. III, A

     United States          3,158               31,359  
a  

L Catterton Asia Acquisition Corp.

     Singapore          668               6,727  
a  

Lakestar SPAC I SE, 12/31/25, wts.

     Luxembourg          210               214  
a  

LDH Growth Corp. I

     United States          180               1,791  
a  

Lead Edge Growth Opportunities Ltd.

     United States          1,379               13,694  
a  

Lerer Hippeau Acquisition Corp., A

     United States          2,839               27,765  
a  

Live Oak Mobility Acquisition Corp., A

     United States          757               7,411  
a  

MDH Acquisition Corp., A

     United States          1,367               13,506  
a  

MDH Acquisition Corp., A, 2/2/28, wts.

     United States          683               424  
a  

The Music Acquisition Corp., A

     United States          1,590               15,534  
a  

The Music Acquisition Corp., A, 2/5/28, wts.

     United States          795               533  
a  

Nightdragon Acquisition Corp., A

     United States          367               3,602  
a  

Obotech Acquisition SE, A

     Luxembourg          1,240               13,711  
a  

Obotech Acquisition SE, A, 4/30/26, wts.

     Luxembourg          413               328  
a  

Pegasus Acquisition Co. Europe BV

     Netherlands          1,768               19,850  
a  

Pegasus Digital Mobility Acquisition Corp.

     Cayman Islands          1,665               16,733  
a  

Peridot Acquisition Corp. II

     United States          735               7,354  
a  

Pershing Square Tontine Holdings Ltd., A

     United States          1,507               30,381  
a  

Pioneer Merger Corp., A

     United States          597               5,934  
a  

Population Health Investment Co. Inc., A

     United States          342               3,348  
a  

Powered Brands, A

     United States          1,065               10,394  
a  

PWP Forward Acquisition Corp. I

     United States          1,807               17,889  
a  

Silver Crest Acquisition Corp., A

     United States          857               8,416  
a  

Silver Crest Acquisition Corp., A, 3/31/28, wts.

     United States          428               304  
a  

Supernova Partners Acquisition Co. II Ltd., A

     United States          1,102               11,902  
a  

Supernova Partners Acquisition Co. II Ltd., A, 12/31/27, wts.

     United States          435               1,266  
a  

Supernova Partners Acquisition Co. III Ltd.

     United States          2,530               25,174  
a  

SVF Investment Corp. 2, A

     United States          72               719  
a  

SVF Investment Corp. 3, A

     United States          72               720  
a  

TCV Acquisition Corp., A

     United States          500               4,975  
a  

TCW Special Purpose Acquisition Corp., A

     United States          1,838               17,939  
a  

TCW Special Purpose Acquisition Corp., A, 12/31/28, wts.

     United States          612               465  
a  

Tekkorp Digital Acquisition Corp., 10/26/27, wts.

     United States          433               370  
a  

TPG Pace Beneficial II Corp., A

     United States          83               830  
a  

Twin Ridge Capital Acquisition Corp., A

     United States          2,202               21,448  
a  

Twin Ridge Capital Acquisition Corp., A, 12/31/28, wts.

     United States          734               551  
a  

VPC Impact Acquisition Holdings III Inc., A

     United States          1,445               14,450  
a  

Waldencast Acquisition Corp.

     United States          82               846  
a  

Zimmer Energy Transition Acquisition Corp.

     United States          2,110               21,216  
                   

 

 

 
                      813,238  
                   

 

 

 
    Diversified Telecommunication Services 0.2%  
a  

BT Group PLC, A

     United Kingdom          26,436               55,650  
a  

Liberty Global PLC, C

     United Kingdom          5,073               135,145  
                   

 

 

 
                      190,795  
                   

 

 

 
    Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) 0.2%  
 

VICI Properties Inc.

     United States          9,272               252,199  
                   

 

 

 
    Independent Power & Renewable Electricity Producers 0.4%  
b  

Clearway Energy Inc., A

     United States          11,757               405,969  
              

 

 

      

 

 

 
    Internet & Direct Marketing Retail 0.0%  
a  

THG PLC, B

     United Kingdom          14,340               33,718  
                   

 

 

 
    Media 0.1%  
a  

Altice USA Inc., A

     United States          4,509               71,423  
                   

 

 

 

 

           
franklintempleton.com  

Semiannual Report

             15


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Shares/Warrants        Value  
    Common Stocks and Other Equity Interests (continued)                             
    Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels 0.0%  
a,c  

Bighorn Permian Resources LLC, 2/1/24, wts.

     United States          1,346             $ 20,129  
                   

 

 

 
    Pharmaceuticals 0.1%  
a  

Bausch Health Cos. Inc.

     United States          4,071               97,053  
                   

 

 

 
    Professional Services 0.0%  
a,c,d  

Acosta Inc.

     United States          923               7,476  
                   

 

 

 
    Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods 0.0%  
a,e  

Samsonite International SA, 144A

     United States          10,513               19,660  
                   

 

 

 
 

Total Common Stocks and Other Equity Interests (Cost $1,978,597)

                    2,284,605  
                   

 

 

 
    Convertible Preferred Stocks 0.3%       
    Media 0.2%  
 

Viacomcbs Inc., 5.75%, cvt. pfd., A

     United States          4,492               232,057  
                   

 

 

 
    Professional Services 0.1%  
a,c,d  

Acosta Inc., cvt. pfd.

     United States          925               46,250  
                   

 

 

 
 

Total Convertible Preferred Stocks
(Cost $343,770)

                    278,307  
                   

 

 

 
    Preferred Stocks 0.1%       
    Diversified Financial Services 0.0%  
a  

2MX Organic SA, pfd.

     France          1,177               13,225  
                   

 

 

 
    Electric Utilities 0.0%  
 

SCE Trust VI, 5.00%, pfd.

     United States          1,042               25,842  
                   

 

 

 
    Thrifts & Mortgage Finance 0.1%  
 

FHLMC, pfd.,

                 
 

O, 5.81%

     United States          9,100               45,318  
 

Z, 8.375%

     United States          2,420               8,881  
 

FNMA, pfd.,

                 
 

a O

     United States          8,600               45,580  
 

S, 8.25%

     United States          4,475               17,453  
                   

 

 

 
                      117,232  
                   

 

 

 
 

Total Preferred Stocks (Cost $146,898)

                    156,299  
                   

 

 

 
                  Principal Amount*           
    Convertible Bonds 1.8%       
    Airlines 0.2%  
e  

Air France-KLM, senior note, Reg S, 0.125%, 3/25/26

     France          10,925          EUR          198,915  
                   

 

 

 
    Diversified Consumer Services 0.4%  
 

Chegg Inc., senior note,

                 
 

0.125%, 3/15/25

     United States          82,000               78,966  
 

zero cpn., 9/01/26

     United States          424,000               349,164  
                   

 

 

 
                      428,130  
                   

 

 

 
    Internet & Direct Marketing Retail 0.5%  
e  

Just Eat Takeaway.Com NV, B, senior note, Reg S, 0.625%, 2/09/28

     United Kingdom          200,000          EUR          196,582  
 

Pinduoduo Inc., senior note, zero cpn., 12/01/25

     China          56,000               50,008  
e  

The Realreal Inc., senior note, 144A, 1.00%, 3/01/28

     United States          102,000               91,025  
 

Wayfair Inc., senior note, 1.00%, 8/15/26

     United States          96,000               175,344  
                   

 

 

 
                      512,959  
                   

 

 

 
    IT Services 0.0%  
e  

Fastly Inc., senior note, 144A, zero cpn., 3/15/26

     United States          19,000               16,031  
                   

 

 

 

 

           
16             

Semiannual Report

  franklintempleton.com


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Principal Amount*        Value  
    Convertible Bonds (continued)       
    Leisure Products 0.1%  
e  

Peloton Interactive Inc., senior note, 144A, zero cpn., 2/15/26

     United States          136,000             $ 113,900  
                   

 

 

 
    Specialty Retail 0.6%  
e  

Dufry One BV, senior note, Reg S, 0.75%, 3/30/26

     Switzerland          600,000          CHF          618,385  
                   

 

 

 
 

Total Convertible Bonds (Cost $1,919,670)

                    1,888,320  
                   

 

 

 
    Corporate Bonds and Notes 25.5%       
    Aerospace & Defense 0.1%  
e  

Spirit Aerosystems Inc., senior secured note, 144A, 5.50%, 1/15/25

     United States          118,000               121,782  
                   

 

 

 
    Airlines 0.4%  
e  

American Airlines Group Inc., senior note, 144A, 3.75%, 3/01/25

     United States          499,000               445,253  
                   

 

 

 
    Automobiles 0.6%  
e  

Aston Martin Capital Holdings Ltd., senior secured note, 144A, 10.50%, 11/30/25

    
United
Kingdom
 
 
       400,000               433,752  
 

Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC, senior note, 3.625%, 6/17/31

     United States          166,000               169,639  
                   

 

 

 
                      603,391  
                   

 

 

 
    Banks 0.2%  
e,f  

VTB Bank OJSC Via VTB Capital SA, senior note, loan participation, Reg S, 6.95%, 10/17/22

     Russia          200,000               205,583  
                   

 

 

 
    Capital Markets 0.4%  
e  

Coinbase Global Inc., senior bond, 144A, 3.625%, 10/01/31

     United States          500,000               464,583  
                   

 

 

 
    Chemicals 0.6%  
e  

Braskem Idesa SAPI, senior secured bond, 144A, 6.99%, 2/20/32

     Mexico          200,000               196,346  
e  

Polar US Borrower LLC / Schenectady International Group Inc., senior note, 144A, 6.75%, 5/15/26

     United States          500,000               486,620  
                   

 

 

 
                      682,966  
                   

 

 

 
    Communications Equipment 0.4%  
e  

Audacy Capital Corp., secured note, 144A, 6.75%, 3/31/29

     United States          450,000               441,326  
d  

Riverbed Technology Inc., senior note, 6.00%, 1/13/22

     United States          35,221               34,869  
                   

 

 

 
                      476,195  
                   

 

 

 
    Construction & Engineering 0.6%  
e  

Artera Services LLC, senior secured note, 144A, 9.033%, 12/04/25

     United States          273,000               275,013  
e  

Brand Industrial Services Inc., senior note, 144A, 8.50%, 7/15/25

     United States          400,000               394,936  
                   

 

 

 
                      669,949  
                   

 

 

 
    Consumer Finance 0.1%  
e  

PROG Holdings Inc., senior note, 144A, 6.00%, 11/15/29

     United States          58,000               57,383  
                   

 

 

 
    Containers & Packaging 0.4%  
e  

Mauser Packaging Solutions Holding Co., senior note, 144A, 7.25%, 4/15/25

     United States          400,000               393,240  
                   

 

 

 
    Diversified Consumer Services 1.4%  
e  

The Hertz Corp., senior note, 144A,

                 
 

4.625%, 12/01/26

     United States          228,000               225,009  
 

5.00%, 12/01/29

     United States          509,000               499,675  
e  

MPH Acquisition Holdings LLC, senior note, 144A, 5.75%, 11/01/28

     United States          400,000               358,000  
e  

Paysafe Finance PLC / Paysafe Holdings US Corp., senior secured note, 144A, 4.00%, 6/15/29

     United States          250,000               231,204  
e  

Sotheby’s/Bidfair Holdings Inc., senior secured note, 144A, 5.875%, 6/01/29

     United States          200,000               201,060  
                   

 

 

 
                      1,514,948  
                   

 

 

 

 

           
franklintempleton.com  

Semiannual Report

             17


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Principal Amount*        Value  
    Corporate Bonds and Notes (continued)       
    Diversified Financial Services 1.0%  
e  

Advisor Group Holdings Inc., senior note, 144A, 10.75%, 8/01/27

     United States          360,000             $ 392,456  
e  

Constellation Automotive Financing PLC, senior note, 144A, 4.875%, 7/15/27

     United Kingdom          100,000               129,530  
e  

Finance of America Funding LLC, senior note, 144A, 7.875%, 11/15/25

     United States          500,000               486,092  
e  

Jane Street Group / JSG Finance Inc., senior secured note, 144A, 4.50%, 11/15/29

     United States          64,000               63,998  
                   

 

 

 
                      1,072,076  
                   

 

 

 
    Diversified Telecommunication Services 0.2%  
 

Frontier Communications Holdings LLC,

                 
 

secured note, 5.875%, 11/01/29

     United States          34,658               34,127  
 

e senior secured note, 144A, 5.875%, 10/15/27

     United States          125,000               129,285  
 

e senior secured note, 144A, 5.00%, 5/01/28

     United States          55,000               55,256  
e  

Telesat Canada / Telesat LLC, senior secured note, 144A, 4.875%, 6/01/27

     Canada          58,000               50,811  
                   

 

 

 
                      269,479  
                   

 

 

 
    Electric Utilities 1.1%  
g  

Edison International, B, junior sub. note, 5.00% to 12/15/26, FRN thereafter, Perpetual

     United States          6,000               6,027  
e  

Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd., senior bond, Reg S, 8.45%, 8/10/28

     South Africa          200,000               212,898  
 

Pacific Gas and Electric Co., secured bond,

                 
 

4.50%, 7/01/40

     United States          320,653               336,303  
 

4.95%, 7/01/50

     United States          60,000               67,451  
 

PG&E Corp., senior secured bond, 5.25%, 7/01/30

     United States          500,000               513,335  
                   

 

 

 
                      1,136,014  
                   

 

 

 
    Entertainment 0.8%  
e,h  

AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc., secured note, 144A, PIK, 12.00%, 6/15/26

     United States          360,000               366,523  
e  

Roblox Corp., senior note, 144A, 3.875%, 5/01/30

     United States          500,000               502,085  
                   

 

 

 
                      868,608  
                   

 

 

 
    Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) 0.9%  
e  

Brookfield Property REIT Inc. / BPR Cumulus LLC / BPR Nimbus LLC / GGSI Sellco LL, senior secured note, 144A, 4.50%, 4/01/27

     United States          500,000               475,860  
e  

SBA Communications Corp., senior note, 144A, 3.125%, 2/01/29

     United States          500,000               475,638  
                   

 

 

 
                      951,498  
                   

 

 

 
    Food & Staples Retailing 0.6%  
e,g  

Casino Guichard Perrachon SA, E, junior sub. note, 3.992% to 1/31/24, FRN thereafter, Reg S, Perpetual

     France          200,000          EUR          148,713  
e  

Rite AID Corp., senior secured note, 144A, 7.50%, 7/01/25

     United States          500,000               499,843  
                   

 

 

 
                      648,556  
                   

 

 

 
    Health Care Providers & Services 0.5%  
 

Encompass Health Corp., senior bond, 4.625%, 4/01/31

     United States          334,000               332,226  
e  

LifePoint Health Inc., senior note, 144A, 5.375%, 1/15/29

     United States          187,000               180,399  
                   

 

 

 
                      512,625  
                   

 

 

 
    Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure 0.8%  
e  

Carnival Corp., senior note, 144A, 6.00%, 5/01/29

     United States          426,000               414,818  
e  

Lions Gate Capital Holdings LLC, senior note, 144A, 5.50%, 4/15/29

     United States          400,000               405,700  
                   

 

 

 
                      820,518  
                   

 

 

 

 

           
18             

Semiannual Report

  franklintempleton.com


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Principal Amount*        Value  
    Corporate Bonds and Notes (continued)       
    Household Durables 0.9%  
e  

K. Hovnanian Enterprises Inc., 144A,

                 
 

senior secured note, 7.75%, 2/15/26

     United States          626,000             $ 658,615  
 

senior secured note, 10.50%, 2/15/26

     United States          250,000               266,791  
                   

 

 

 
                      925,406  
                   

 

 

 
    Independent Power & Renewable Electricity Producers 0.3%  
e  

Calpine Corp., senior secured bond, 144A, 3.75%, 3/01/31

     United States          355,000               338,833  
                   

 

 

 
    Insurance 0.5%  
e,i  

Sitka Holdings LLC, senior secured note, 144A, FRN, 5.25%, (3-Month USD LIBOR + 4.50%), 7/06/26

     United States          500,000               509,956  
                   

 

 

 
    Internet & Direct Marketing Retail 0.6%  
e  

Arches Buyer Inc., senior note, 144A, 6.125%, 12/01/28

     United States          502,000               508,029  
e  

Match Group Holdings II LLC, senior note, 144A, 3.625%, 10/01/31

     United States          107,000               101,036  
                   

 

 

 
                      609,065  
                   

 

 

 
    IT Services 0.3%  
e  

Austin Bidco Inc., senior note, 144A, 7.125%, 12/15/28

     United States          286,000               294,032  
                   

 

 

 
    Leisure Products 0.4%  
e  

Majordrive Holdings IV LLC, senior note, 144A, 6.375%, 6/01/29

     United States          400,000               383,616  
                   

 

 

 
    Marine 0.1%  
e  

Stena International SA, senior secured bond, 144A, 5.75%, 3/01/24

     Sweden          100,000               103,146  
                   

 

 

 
    Media 3.0%  
 

AMC Networks Inc., senior note, 4.25%, 2/15/29

     United States          441,000               431,225  
e  

Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings Inc., senior note, 144A, 7.75%, 4/15/28

     United States          364,000               380,266  
e  

DIRECTV Holdings LLC / DIRECTV Financing Co. Inc., senior secured note, 144A, 5.875%, 8/15/27

     United States          101,000               102,957  
 

Dish DBS Corp.,

                 
 

senior note, 5.125%, 6/01/29

     United States          92,000               80,969  
 

e senior secured note, 144A, 5.25%, 12/01/26

     United States          220,000               218,303  
 

e senior secured note, 144A, 5.75%, 12/01/28

     United States          310,000               306,034  
e  

Gannett Holdings LLC, senior secured note, 144A, 6.00%, 11/01/26

     United States          455,000               456,317  
 

Liberty Interactive LLC, senior bond, 8.25%, 2/01/30

     United States          360,000               385,949  
e  

Spanish Broadcasting System Inc., senior secured note, 144A, 9.75%, 3/01/26

     United States          259,000               268,026  
e  

Urban One Inc., senior secured note, 144A, 7.375%, 2/01/28

     United States          506,000               516,191  
                   

 

 

 
                      3,146,237  
                   

 

 

 
    Metals & Mining 0.4%  
e  

Taseko Mines Ltd., senior secured note, 144A, 7.00%, 2/15/26

     Canada          387,000               393,743  
                   

 

 

 
    Mortgage Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) 0.8%  
e  

Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance Inc., senior secured note, 144A, 4.625%, 6/15/29

     United States          355,000               337,703  
e  

New Residential Investment Corp., senior note, 144A, 6.25%, 10/15/25

     United States          520,000               513,913  
                   

 

 

 
                      851,616  
                   

 

 

 
    Multiline Retail 0.1%  
 

Kohl’s Corp., senior bond, 5.55%, 7/17/45

     United States          123,000               148,631  
                   

 

 

 
    Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels 4.3%  
e  

DT Midstream Inc., senior bond, 144A, 4.375%, 6/15/31

     United States          336,000               334,495  
g  

Energy Transfer LP, H, junior sub. note, 6.50% to 11/15/26, FRN thereafter, Perpetual

     United States          149,000               152,725  
e  

Hurricane Finance PLC, senior note, 144A, 8.00%, 10/15/25

     United Kingdom          134,000               187,752  
e  

Laredo Petroleum Inc., senior note, 144A, 7.75%, 7/31/29

     United States          500,000               473,962  
e  

MC Brazil Downstream Trading SARL, senior secured note, Reg S, 7.25%, 6/30/31

     Brazil          271,000               260,655  

 

           
franklintempleton.com  

Semiannual Report

             19


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Principal Amount*        Value  
    Corporate Bonds and Notes (continued)       
    Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (continued)  
e  

Moss Creek Resources Holdings Inc., senior note, 144A,

                 
 

7.50%, 1/15/26

     United States          422,000             $ 372,651  
 

10.50%, 5/15/27

     United States          515,000               485,295  
e  

Northern Oil And Gas Inc., senior note, 144A, 8.125%, 3/01/28

     United States          446,000               462,984  
 

Occidental Petroleum Corp., senior note, 5.50%, 12/01/25

     United States          500,000               535,740  
e  

Petrofac Ltd., senior secured note, 144A, 9.75%, 11/15/26

     United Kingdom          200,000               200,508  
 

Petroleos Mexicanos,

                 
 

senior bond, 5.95%, 1/28/31

     Mexico          87,000               81,858  
 

senior bond, 6.375%, 1/23/45

     Mexico          242,000               195,893  
 

senior bond, 6.75%, 9/21/47

     Mexico          165,000               135,847  
 

senior bond, 6.35%, 2/12/48

     Mexico          283,000               224,180  
 

senior bond, 6.95%, 1/28/60

     Mexico          101,000               83,256  
 

senior note, 3.50%, 1/30/23

     Mexico          135,000               135,505  
 

e senior note, 144A, 6.875%, 10/16/25

     Mexico          47,000               50,231  
 

senior note, 4.50%, 1/23/26

     Mexico          53,000               51,998  
e  

Tullow Oil PLC, senior note, Reg S, 10.25%, 5/15/26

     Ghana          200,000               199,279  
                   

 

 

 
                      4,624,814  
                   

 

 

 
    Pharmaceuticals 0.2%  
e  

Par Pharmaceutical Inc., senior secured note, 144A, 7.50%, 4/01/27

     United States          209,000               211,027  
                   

 

 

 
    Real Estate Management & Development 0.4%  
e  

Hunt Cos. Inc., senior secured note, 144A, 5.25%, 4/15/29

     United States          410,000               399,756  
                   

 

 

 
    Specialty Retail 2.1%  
e  

Carvana Co., senior note, 144A,

                 
 

5.50%, 4/15/27

     United States          28,000               28,007  
 

5.875%, 10/01/28

     United States          40,000               40,214  
 

4.875%, 9/01/29

     United States          178,000               169,246  
e  

Douglas GMBH, senior secured note, 144A, 6.00%, 4/08/26

     Germany          531,000          EUR          586,773  
e  

Guitar Center Inc., senior secured note, 144A, 8.50%, 1/15/26

     United States          222,000               235,825  
e,h  

Kirk Beauty Sun GMBH, senior note, 144A, PIK, 8.25%, 10/01/26

     Germany          147,591          EUR          158,603  
 

Macy’s Retail Holdings LLC, senior bond, 5.125%, 1/15/42

     United States          500,000               480,938  
e  

Staples Inc., 144A,

                 
 

senior note, 10.75%, 4/15/27

     United States          400,000               364,968  
 

senior secured note, 7.50%, 4/15/26

     United States          200,000               198,876  
                   

 

 

 
                      2,263,450  
                   

 

 

 
 

Total Corporate Bonds and Notes
(Cost $27,301,793)

                    27,117,975  
                   

 

 

 
i,j   Senior Floating Rate Interests 2.1%       
    Communications Equipment 0.1%  
 

Riverbed Technology Inc., Term Loan B, 7.00%, (3-Month USD LIBOR + 6.00%), 12/31/25

     United States          109,866               99,927  
                   

 

 

 
    Consumer Discretionary Services 0.1%  
 

Travel Leaders Group LLC, Term Loan B, 4.087%, (1-Month USD LIBOR + 4.00%), 1/25/24

     United States          142,255               133,364  
                   

 

 

 
    Diversified Financial Services 0.2%  
 

MPH Acquisition Holdings LLC, Term Loan B, 4.75%, (3-Month USD LIBOR + 4.25%), 9/01/28

     United States          248,765               237,881  
                   

 

 

 
    Diversified Telecommunication Services 1.4%  
 

Frontier Communications Corp., Term Loan DIP, 4.50%, (1-Month USD LIBOR + 3.75%), 12/31/21

     United States          83,702               83,723  
 

Intelsat Jackson Holdings SA,

                 
 

Term Loan B3, 8.00%, (6-Month USD LIBOR + 3.75%), 11/27/23

     United States          281,120               282,460  
 

Term Loan B4, 8.75%, (1-Month USD LIBOR + 4.50%), 1/02/24

     United States          20,944               21,038  
 

Term Loan B5, 8.625%, (6-Month USD LIBOR + 6.63%), 1/02/24

     United States          329,824               331,681  

 

           
20             

Semiannual Report

  franklintempleton.com


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Principal Amount*        Value  
i,j   Senior Floating Rate Interests (continued)       
    Diversified Telecommunication Services (continued)  
    Intelsat Jackson Holdings SA, (continued)                                  
 

k Term Loan DIP, 5.75%, (3-Month USD LIBOR + 4.75%), 7/13/22

     United States          700,000             $ 703,174  
                   

 

 

 
                      1,422,076  
                   

 

 

 
    Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) 0.1%  
 

The GEO Group Inc., Term Loan B, 2.75%, (3-Month USD LIBOR + 2.00%), 3/22/24

     United States          79,482               74,713  
 

McCarthy & Stone PLC, Term Loan B, 7.00%, 12/16/25

     United Kingdom          50,969          GBP          67,490  
                   

 

 

 
                      142,203  
                   

 

 

 
    Media 0.2%  
 

Advantage Sales & Marketing Inc., Term Loan B1, 5.25%, (3-Month USD LIBOR + 4.50%), 10/28/27

     United States          197,802               198,420  
                   

 

 

 
 

Total Senior Floating Rate Interests
(Cost $2,224,916)

                    2,233,871  
                   

 

 

 
i, j   Senior Floating Rate Interests in Reorganization
(Cost $176,070) 0.1%
      
    Communications Equipment 0.1%  
l  

Riverbed Technology Inc., Term Loan B, 7.50%, (3-Month USD LIBOR + 6.50%), 12/31/26

     United States          250,151               70,793  
                   

 

 

 
m   Credit-Linked Notes 0.9%       
e  

Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc., (Egypt), E, senior note, 144A, zero cpn., 12/16/21

     Egypt          2,808,164          EGP          177,457  
e  

Citigroup Global Markets Holdings Inc., (Egypt), EMTN, senior note, 144A, zero cpn., 3/31/22

     Egypt          2,788,269          EGP          170,704  
e  

HSBC Bank PLC, (Egypt), senior note, 144A, zero cpn., 12/23/21

     Egypt          1,450,000          EGP          91,404  
e  

HSBC Bank PLC, (Egypt), senior note, 144A, zero cpn., 2/10/22

     Egypt          8,925,000          EGP          552,914  
                   

 

 

 
 

Total Credit-Linked Notes (Cost $995,063)

                    992,479  
                   

 

 

 
    Foreign Government and Agency Securities 5.6%       
e  

CBB International Sukuk Programme Co. Wll, senior note, 144A, 3.875%, 5/18/29

     Bahrain          467,000               450,344  
e  

Government of Angola, senior bond, Reg S,

                 
 

8.00%, 11/26/29

     Angola          201,000               186,082  
 

9.375%, 5/08/48

     Angola          200,000               182,715  
e  

Government of Bahrain, senior bond, Reg S, 7.00%, 1/26/26

     Bahrain          200,000               220,035  
e  

Government of Egypt, senior bond, Reg S,

                 
 

7.50%, 1/31/27

     Egypt          400,000               402,228  
 

7.60%, 3/01/29

     Egypt          200,000               191,177  
e  

Government of Germany, senior bond, Reg S, 0.50%, 2/15/25

     Germany          94,000          EUR          110,932  
e  

Government of Ghana, senior note, Reg S, 7.75%, 4/07/29

     Ghana          213,000               173,595  
 

Government of Italy, senior note, 2.375%, 10/17/24

     Italy          373,000               383,909  
e  

Government of Jordan, senior note, 144A, 4.95%, 7/07/25

     Jordan          200,000               205,500  
e  

Government of Nigeria, senior note, Reg S, 7.625%, 11/21/25

     Nigeria          400,000               420,562  
e  

Government of Oman, senior bond, Reg S,

                 
 

6.25%, 1/25/31

     Oman          216,000               226,796  
 

6.75%, 1/17/48

     Oman          200,000               192,924  
e  

Government of Paraguay, senior bond, Reg S, 4.625%, 1/25/23

     Paraguay          421,000               435,739  
 

Government of Russia,

                 
 

senior bond, 6233, 6.10%, 7/18/35

     Russia          27,868,000          RUB          312,827  
 

senior note, 6229, 7.15%, 11/12/25

     Russia          28,550,000          RUB          368,505  
e  

Government of Saudi Arabia, senior bond, 144A, 2.75%, 2/03/32

     Saudi Arabia          221,000               225,950  
 

Government of South Africa, senior bond,

                 
 

2030, 8.00%, 1/31/30

     South Africa          2,600,259          ZAR          147,651  
 

2035, 8.875%, 2/28/35

     South Africa          1,564,783          ZAR          86,229  

 

           
franklintempleton.com  

Semiannual Report

             21


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Principal Amount*        Value  
    Foreign Government and Agency Securities (continued)       
 

Government of Turkey,

                 
 

senior bond, 6.50%, 9/20/33

     Turkey          200,000             $ 184,573  
 

senior note, 6.375%, 10/14/25

     Turkey          200,000               199,031  
e  

Government of Ukraine, Reg S,

                 
 

senior bond, 7.375%, 9/25/32

     Ukraine          200,000               188,859  
 

senior bond, 1.258%, 5/31/40

     Ukraine          171,000               155,619  
 

senior note, 6.876%, 5/21/29

     Ukraine          400,000               373,431  
                   

 

 

 
 

Total Foreign Government and Agency Securities
(Cost $6,311,095)

                    6,025,213  
                   

 

 

 
    U.S. Government and Agency Securities 0.5%       
 

U.S. Treasury Bond,

                 
 

1.875%, 2/15/41

     United States          1,000               1,004  
 

1.75%, 8/15/41

     United States          1,100               1,080  
 

1.625%, 11/15/50

     United States          77,000               73,857  
 

1.875%, 2/15/51

     United States          104,000               105,771  
 

U.S. Treasury Note,

                 
 

1.625%, 5/15/31

     United States          309,000               315,059  
 

1.375%, 11/15/31

     United States          39,400               39,166  
                   

 

 

 
 

Total U.S. Government and Agency Securities
(Cost $519,010)

                    535,937  
                   

 

 

 
    Asset-Backed Securities and Commercial
Mortgage-Backed Securities 34.9%
                                 
    Diversified Financial Services 16.3%  
e,n  

AMSR Trust, 2021-SFR1, G, 144A, FRN, 4.612%, 6/17/38

     United States          500,000               510,309  
e,o  

Assurant CLO Ltd., 2019-5A, D, 144A, FRN, 4.324%, (3-Month USD LIBOR + 4.20%), 1/15/33

     United States          1,500,000               1,488,375  
e,o  

Blue Ridge CLO Ltd. II, 2014-2A, C, 144A, FRN, 3.922%, (3-Month USD LIBOR + 3.80%), 7/18/26

     United States          700,000               700,539  
e,o  

Catskill Park CLO Ltd., 2017-1A, C, 144A, FRN, 3.832%, (3-Month USD LIBOR + 3.70%), 4/20/29

     United States          1,000,000               1,003,538  
 

CitiMortgage Alternative Loan Trust, 2007-A1, 2A1, 5.50%, 1/25/22

     United States          15,845               15,070  
e  

FRTKL, 2021-SFR1, G, 144A, 4.105%, 9/17/38

     United States          990,000               975,823  
e,o  

GPMT Ltd., 2019-FL2, D, 144A, FRN, 3.039%, (1-Month USD LIBOR + 2.95%), 2/22/36

     United States          700,000               696,955  
e,o  

GSMSC Pass-Through Trust, 2009-4R, 2A3, 144A, FRN, 0.539%, (1-Month USD LIBOR + 0.45%), 12/26/36

     United States          706,258               500,488  
e,o  

Hull Street CLO Ltd., 2014-1A, D, 144A, FRN, 3.722%, (3-Month USD LIBOR + 3.60%), 10/18/26

     United States          1,130,000               1,109,727  
e,o  

KREF Ltd., 2021-FL2, C, 144A, FRN, 2.089%, (1-Month USD LIBOR + 2.00%), 2/15/39

     United States          500,000               500,625  
e,o  

Mountain View CLO Ltd., 2018-1A, DRR, 144A, FRN, 3.774%, (3-Month USD LIBOR + 3.65%), 10/15/26

     United States          1,290,000               1,296,533  
e,o  

OCP CLO Ltd., 2021-8RA, C, 144A, FRN, 3.872%, (3-Month USD LIBOR + 3.75%), 1/17/32

     United States          1,000,000               992,500  
o  

Ramp Series Trust, 2003-RS9, MII3, FRN, 3.317%, (1-Month USD LIBOR + 2.15%), 10/25/33

     United States          1,156,753               1,169,161  
e  

S-Jets Ltd., 2017-1, A, 144A, 3.967%, 8/15/42

     Bermuda          722,471               721,358  
e,o  

Staniford Street CLO Ltd., 2014-1A, D, 144A, FRN, 3.616%, (3-Month USD LIBOR + 3.50%), 6/15/25

     United States          890,238               892,074  
n  

STARM Mortgage Loan Trust, 2007-2, 4A1, FRN, 2.474%, 4/25/37

     United States          57,249               39,626  
e  

Stellar Jay Ireland DAC, 2021-1, B, 144A, 5.926%, 10/15/41

     Ireland          1,000,000               999,990  
o  

Suntrust Alternative Loan Trust, 2005-1F, 1A1, FRN, 0.742%, (1-Month USD LIBOR + 0.65%), 12/25/35

     United States          122,563               104,936  
o  

Terwin Mortgage Trust, 2003-6HE, M2, FRN, 2.717%, (1-Month USD LIBOR + 2.63%), 11/25/33

     United States          43,660               45,214  

 

           
22             

Semiannual Report

  franklintempleton.com


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Principal Amount*        Value  
    Asset-Backed Securities and Commercial
Mortgage-Backed Securities
(continued)
                                 
    Diversified Financial Services (continued)  
e  

Thunderbolt II Aircraft Lease Ltd., 2018-A, A, 144A, 4.147%, 9/15/38

     United States          2,584,976             $ 2,583,829  
e,o  

VMC Finance LLC, 2019-FL3, C, 144A, FRN, 2.139%, (1-Month USD LIBOR + 2.05%), 9/15/36

     United States          880,961               877,657  
 

Wells Fargo Alternative Loan Trust, 2007-PA3, 2A2, 6.00%, 7/25/37

     United States          110,207               112,273  
                   

 

 

 
                      17,336,600  
                   

 

 

 
    Mortgage Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) 18.6%  
 

Alternative Loan Trust, 2005-J10, 2A4, 6.00%, 10/25/35

     United States          412,039               272,313  
n  

American Home Mortgage Assets Trust, 2005-1, 1A1, FRN, 2.771%, 11/25/35

     United States          103,690               94,448  
n  

Banc of America Mortgage Trust, FRN,

                 
 

2005-K, 2A1, 2.564%, 12/25/35

     United States          152,953               149,096  
 

2005-L, 1A1, 3.073%, 1/25/36

     United States          90,884               89,168  
 

2005-L, 3A1, 3.133%, 1/25/36

     United States          130,690               128,064  
e,o  

BBCMS Mortgage Trust, 2019-BWAY, E, 144A, FRN, 2.94%, (1-Month USD LIBOR + 2.85%), 11/15/34

     United States          2,000,000               1,899,309  
e,n  

BCAP LLC Trust, 2010-RR1, 1A4, 144A, FRN, 3.144%, 3/26/37

     United States          191,814               167,453  
n  

Bear Stearns ARM Trust, FRN,

                 
 

2002-11, 1A2, 2.834%, 2/25/33

     United States          2,827               2,638  
 

2006-2, 4A1, 3.115%, 7/25/36

     United States          35,026               32,908  
e,o  

BXMT Ltd., 2021-FL4, C, 144A, FRN, 1.84%, (1-Month USD LIBOR + 1.75%), 5/15/38

     United States          500,000               499,029  
 

Citigroup Commercial Mortgage Trust,

                 
 

2015-GC33, D, 3.172%, 9/10/58

     United States          2,000,000               1,806,072  
 

e,n 2016-P4, D, 144A, FRN, 4.10%, 7/10/49

     United States          2,000,000               1,777,708  
n  

Citigroup Mortgage Loan Trust, 2007-AR5, 2A1A, FRN, 3.425%, 4/25/37

     United States          83,326               83,035  
 

Countrywide Alternative Loan Trust,

                 
 

2005-73CB, 1A2, 6.25%, 1/25/36

     United States          129,017               134,141  
 

o 2005-IM1, A1, FRN, 0.692%, (1-Month USD LIBOR + 0.60%), 1/25/36

     United States          121,270               117,430  
n  

Credit Suisse First Boston Mortgage Securities Corp., 2004-AR3, CB2, FRN, 2.415%, 4/25/34

     Switzerland          113,844               104,248  
 

CSMC Mortgage-Backed Trust, 2006-4, 9A1, 6.50%, 5/25/36

     United States          735,947               382,230  
e,n  

FARM Mortgage Trust, 2021-1, B, 144A, FRN, 3.249%, 1/25/51

     United States          987,184               852,978  
e,o,p  

FNMA, 2021-R02, 2B1, 144A, FRN, 3.35%, (SOFR + 3.30%), 11/25/41

     United States          650,000               652,437  
o  

FREMF Mortgage Trust, 2018-KF52, B, FRN, 2.038%, (1-Month USD LIBOR + 1.95%), 9/25/28

     United States          783,009               779,575  
 

GSR Mortgage Loan Trust, 2004-6F, 2A4, 5.50%, 5/25/34

     United States          87,602               89,572  
 

Impac CMB Trust,

                 
 

2004-4, 2A2, 5.214%, 9/25/34

     United States          136,237               147,931  
 

o 2004-8, 3B, FRN, 2.717%, (1-Month USD LIBOR + 2.63%), 8/25/34

     United States          97,249               99,809  
 

o 2005-2, 2B, FRN, 2.567%, (1-Month USD LIBOR + 2.48%), 4/25/35

     United States          83,532               82,319  
 

o 2005-4, 2M1, FRN, 0.842%, (1-Month USD LIBOR + 0.50%), 5/25/35

     United States          147,428               137,781  
 

o 2005-8, 2B, FRN, 2.342%, (1-Month USD LIBOR + 2.25%), 2/25/36

     United States          75,124               75,725  
 

IndyMac INDX Mortgage Loan Trust, FRN,

                 
 

n 2005-AR23, 3A1, 2.504%, 11/25/35

     United States          674,204               664,272  
 

o 2006-AR12, A1, 0.282%, (1-Month USD LIBOR + 0.19%), 9/25/46

     United States          162,640               153,149  
 

o 2006-AR29, A2, 0.252%, (1-Month USD LIBOR + 0.16%), 11/25/36

     United States          284,617               288,639  
 

n 2007-AR5, 2A1, 2.969%, 5/25/37

     United States          363,100               341,170  
n  

JPMBB Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, 2015-C31, D, FRN, 4.275%, 8/15/48

     United States          702,000               643,961  
n  

JPMorgan Mortgage Trust, FRN,

                 
 

2006-A5, 6A1, 2.823%, 8/25/36

     United States          187,213               165,480  
 

2006-A7, 2A3, 3.095%, 1/25/37

     United States          81,919               77,499  
 

2007-A2, 2A1, 2.979%, 4/25/37

     United States          122,079               108,873  
 

Lehman Mortgage Trust, 2005-3, 2A3, 5.50%, 1/25/36

     United States          57,754               59,307  

 

           
franklintempleton.com  

Semiannual Report

             23


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Principal Amount*        Value  
    Asset-Backed Securities and Commercial
Mortgage-Backed Securities
(continued)
                                 
    Mortgage Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) (continued)  
 

MASTR Adjustable Rate Mortgages Trust, FRN,

                 
 

n 2004-10, B1, 2.37%, 10/25/34

     United States          445,019             $ 408,036  
 

o 2006-OA1, 1A1, 0.302%, (1-Month USD LIBOR + 0.21%), 4/25/46

     United States          205,627               190,950  
n  

MASTR Alternative Loan Trust, 2007-HF1, 3A1, FRN, 2.283%, 10/25/47

     United States          488,443               362,013  
n  

MASTR Seasoned Securitization Trust, 2004-1, 4A1, FRN, 2.41%, 10/25/32

     United States          66,934               69,773  
n  

RFMSI Trust, 2007-SA2, 3A, FRN, 5.367%, 4/25/37

     United States          738,142               248,344  
o  

Securitized Asset Backed Receivables LLC Trust, 2004-OP2, A2, FRN, 0.792%, (1-Month USD LIBOR + 0.70%), 8/25/34

     United States          199,024               195,390  
e,o  

STACR Trust, 2018-HRP1, B2, 144A, FRN, 11.842%, (1-Month USD LIBOR + 11.75%), 5/25/43

     United States          2,889,096               3,259,751  
n  

Structured ARM Loan Trust, 2004-4, B1, FRN, 2.621%, 4/25/34

     United States          412,669               372,836  
n  

Wachovia Mortgage Loan Trust LLC, 2005-B, 1A1, FRN, 2.178%, 10/20/35

     United States          217,960               212,977  
n  

WAMU Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates Series Trust, 2006-AR12, 1A1, FRN, 2.956%, 10/25/36

     United States          966,153               972,268  
o  

Washington Mutual Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, 2006-4, 3A2B, FRN, 0.252%, (1-Month USD LIBOR + 0.16%), 5/25/36

     United States          214,259               174,061  
n  

Washington Mutual MSC Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates Series Trust, 2003-AR3, B1, FRN, 3.045%, 6/25/33

     United States          224,931               222,022  
                   

 

 

 
                      19,848,188  
                   

 

 

 
 

Total Asset-Backed Securities and Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities (Cost $36,883,194)

                    37,184,788  
                   

 

 

 
    Municipal Bonds in Reorganization 1.8%       
    Puerto Rico 1.8%  
l  

Commonwealth of Puerto Rico,

 

 

8.00%, 7/01/35

     United States          1,745,000               1,531,238  
 

5.50%, 7/01/39

     United States          155,000               146,087  
 

5.00%, 7/01/41

     United States          225,000               202,500  
                   

 

 

 
 

Total Municipal Bonds in Reorganization (Cost $1,212,050)

                    1,879,825  
                   

 

 

 
         Number of
Contracts
       Notional Amount#           
    Options Purchased 0.0%                                  
    Calls – Exchange-Traded 0.0%                                  
 

Casino Guichard Perrachon SA, December Strike Price 26.00 EUR, Expires 12/17/21

     24          2,400               27  
 

SPDR Gold Shares ETF, June Strike Price $200.00, Expires 6/17/22

     43          4,300               5,332  
                   

 

 

 
                      5,359  
                   

 

 

 
    Puts – Exchange-Traded 0.0%                                  
 

Alcon Inc., May Strike Price $70.00, Expires 5/20/22

     4          400               880  
 

Coinbase Global Inc., March Strike Price $200.00, Expires 3/18/22

     5          500               2,755  
 

The Cooper Cos Inc., May Strike Price $360.00, Expires 5/20/22

     1          100               2,360  
 

Fluor Corp., January Strike Price $15.00, Expires 1/21/22

     8          800               180  
 

Fluor Corp., January Strike Price $17.50, Expires 1/21/22

     8          800               400  
 

Fluor Corp., January Strike Price $20.00, Expires 1/21/22

     8          800               760  
 

Iron Mountain Inc., January Strike Price $40.00, Expires 1/21/22

     7          700               280  
 

Iron Mountain Inc., March Strike Price $42.50, Expires 3/18/22

     10          1,000               1,620  
 

Owens & Minor Inc., March Strike Price $30.00, Expires 3/18/22

     28          2,800               3,990  
 

SPDR S&P Retail ETF, December Strike Price $92.00, Expires 12/17/21

     7          700               1,330  
 

SPDR S&P Retail ETF, January Strike Price $75.00, Expires 1/21/22

     19          1,900               1,254  

 

           
24             

Semiannual Report

  franklintempleton.com


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund (continued)

 

           Number of
Contracts
       Notional Amount#        Value  
    Options Purchased (continued)                                  
    Puts – Exchange-Traded (continued)                                  
 

SPDR S&P Retail ETF, January Strike Price $85.00, Expires 1/21/22

     17          1,700             $ 3,094  
                   

 

 

 
                      18,903  
                   

 

 

 
    Puts – Over-the-Counter 0.0%       
 

The Western Union Co., Counterparty BOFA, May Strike Price $14.00, Expires 5/20/22

     36          3,600               3,240  
                   

 

 

 
 

Total Options Purchased (Cost $45,062)

                    27,502  
                   

 

 

 
 

Total Investments before Short Term Investments (Cost $80,057,188)

                    80,675,914  
                   

 

 

 
         Country        Shares           
    Short Term Investments 20.9%                         
    Money Market Funds (Cost $17,850,091) 16.8%                                  
q  

Fidelity Investments Money Market Government Portfolio, Institutional, 0.01%

     United States          17,850,091               17,850,091  
                  Principal Amount*           
    Repurchase Agreements (Cost $4,402,397) 4.1%       
r  

Joint Repurchase Agreement, 0.025%, 12/01/21 (Maturity Value $4,402,400)

     United States          4,402,397               4,402,397  
 

BNP Paribas Securities Corp. (Maturity Value $2,530,148)
Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. (Maturity Value $466,610)
HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. (Maturity Value $1,405,642)

                 
 

Collateralized by U.S. Government Agency Securities, 4.00% - 4.50%, 11/20/48 - 3/20/49; and U.S. Treasury Notes, 0.16% - 0.38%, 4/30/22 - 4/30/25, (Valued at $4,490,432)

                 
 

Total Investments (Cost $102,309,676) 96.7%

                    102,928,402  
 

Options Written (0.0)%

                    (867
 

Securities Sold Short (3.9)%

                    (4,225,944
 

Other Assets, less Liabilities 7.2%

                    7,744,430  
                   

 

 

 
 

Net Assets 100.0%

                  $ 106,446,021  
                   

 

 

 
         Number of
Contracts
       Notional Amount#           
s  

Options Written (0.0)%

  
    Calls – Exchange-Traded (0.0)%       
 

Casino Guichard Perrachon SA, December Strike Price 30.00 EUR, Expires 12/17/21

     12          1,200               (13
 

Casino Guichard Perrachon SA, December Strike Price 34.00 EUR, Expires 12/17/21

     12          1,200               (14
                   

 

 

 
                      (27
                   

 

 

 
    Puts – Exchange-Traded (0.0)%       
 

Owens & Minor Inc., March Strike Price $20.00, Expires 3/18/22

     28          2,800               (840
                   

 

 

 
 

Total Options Written (Premiums Received $1,424)

                    (867
                   

 

 

 
         Country        Shares           
t   Securities Sold Short (3.9)%       
    Common Stocks (0.2)%       
    Internet & Direct Marketing Retail (0.2)%  
 

Wayfair Inc., A

     United States          653               (161,839
                   

 

 

 

 

           
franklintempleton.com  

Semiannual Report

             25


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Shares        Value  
t   Securities Sold Short (continued)       
    Common Stocks (continued)       
    IT Services (0.0)%  
 

Fastly Inc., A

     United States          63             $ (2,568
                   

 

 

 
 

Total Common Stocks (Proceeds $171,352)

                    (164,407
                   

 

 

 
                  Principal Amount*           
    Corporate Bonds and Notes (3.2)%       
    Aerospace & Defense (0.1)%  
e  

Spirit Aerosystems Inc., secured note, 144A, 7.50%, 4/15/25

     United States          87,000               (91,123
                   

 

 

 
    Auto Components (0.1)%  
 

American Axle & Manufacturing Inc., senior note, 6.875%, 7/01/28

     United States          50,000               (53,485
e  

Wheel Pros Inc., senior note, 144A, 6.50%, 5/15/29

     United States          32,000               (31,230
                   

 

 

 
                      (84,715
                   

 

 

 
    Banks (0.1)%  
e,g  

China Zheshang Bank Co. Ltd., junior sub. bond, 5.45% to 3/29/22, FRN thereafter, Reg S, Perpetual

     China          72,000               (72,369
                   

 

 

 
    Capital Markets (0.0)%  
e  

Coinbase Global Inc., senior note, 144A, 3.375%, 10/01/28

     United States          42,000               (39,548
                   

 

 

 
    Communications Equipment (0.2)%  
e  

Audacy Capital Corp., secured note, 144A,

                 
 

6.50%, 5/01/27

     United States          136,000               (133,180
 

6.75%, 3/31/29

     United States          44,000               (43,152
e  

CommScope Technologies LLC, senior bond, 144A, 5.00%, 3/15/27

     United States          84,000               (75,617
                   

 

 

 
                      (251,949
                   

 

 

 
    Construction & Engineering (0.4)%  
 

Fluor Corp., senior bond,

                 
 

3.50%, 12/15/24

     United States          136,000               (139,594
 

4.25%, 9/15/28

     United States          54,000               (55,167
e  

Sydney Airport Finance Co. Pty Ltd., senior secured bond, 144A,

                 
 

3.375%, 4/30/25

     Australia          42,000               (44,249
 

3.625%, 4/28/26

     Australia          22,000               (23,398
e  

Tutor Perini Corp., senior note, 144A, 6.875%, 5/01/25

     United States          199,000               (199,418
                   

 

 

 
                      (461,826
                   

 

 

 
    Diversified Consumer Services (0.1)%  
e  

MPH Acquisition Holdings LLC, senior note, 144A, 5.75%, 11/01/28

     United States          160,000               (143,200
                   

 

 

 
    Diversified Telecommunication Services (0.2)%  
e  

British Telecommunications PLC, senior bond, Reg S, 1.874% to 5/18/25, FRN thereafter, 8/18/80

     United Kingdom          200,000          EUR          (220,761
e  

Telesat Canada / Telesat LLC, senior note, 144A, 6.50%, 10/15/27

     Canada          41,000               (32,056
                   

 

 

 
                      (252,817
                   

 

 

 
    Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) (0.1)%  
 

The GEO Group Inc., senior note, 6.00%, 4/15/26

     United States          40,000               (34,496
 

Simon Property Group LP, senior bond, 2.65%, 7/15/30

     United States          115,000               (117,499
                   

 

 

 
                      (151,995
                   

 

 

 
    Food & Staples Retailing (0.6)%  
 

Koninklijke Ahold Delhaize NV, senior bond, 5.70%, 10/01/40

     Netherlands          196,000               (271,890
 

The Kroger Co., senior bond,

                 
 

5.40%, 1/15/49

     United States          78,000               (109,455
 

3.95%, 1/15/50

     United States          4,000               (4,635
e  

SEG Holding LLC / SEG Finance Corp., senior secured note, 144A, 5.625%, 10/15/28

     United States          149,000               (156,630

 

           
26             

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund (continued)

 

           Country        Principal Amount*        Value  
t   Securities Sold Short (continued)       
    Corporate Bonds and Notes (continued)       
    Food & Staples Retailing (continued)  
e  

Sigma Holdco BV, senior note, Reg S, 5.75%, 5/15/26

     Netherlands          100,000          EUR        $ (104,872
                   

 

 

 
                      (647,482
                   

 

 

 
    Food Products (0.2)%  
 

B&G Foods Inc., senior note, 5.25%, 9/15/27

     United States          196,000               (199,234
                   

 

 

 
    Health Care Providers & Services (0.1)%  
e  

Air Methods Corp., senior note, 144A, 8.00%, 5/15/25

     United States          132,000               (102,788
                   

 

 

 
    Media (0.1)%  
e  

Dish DBS Corp., senior secured note, 144A, 5.75%, 12/01/28

     United States          63,000               (62,194
e  

Wolverine Escrow LLC, senior secured note, 144A, 9.00%, 11/15/26

     United States          85,000               (80,310
                   

 

 

 
                      (142,504
                   

 

 

 
    Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (0.1)%  
e  

SM Energy Co., secured note, 144A, 10.00%, 1/15/25

     United States          54,000               (59,154
                   

 

 

 
    Professional Services (0.1)%  
e  

Teleperformance, senior note, Reg S, 1.875%, 7/02/25

     France          100,000          EUR          (119,733
                   

 

 

 
    Specialty Retail (0.7)%  
e  

Ambience Merger Sub Inc., senior note, 144A, 7.125%, 7/15/29

     United States          71,000               (68,811
e  

Dufry One BV, senior note, Reg S, 2.00%, 2/15/27

     Switzerland          528,000          EUR          (548,458
e  

Macy’s Retail Holdings LLC, senior note, 144A, 5.875%, 4/01/29

     United States          87,000               (92,872
                   

 

 

 
                      (710,141
                   

 

 

 
 

Total Corporate Bonds and Notes (Proceeds $3,602,922)

                    (3,530,578
                   

 

 

 
    U.S. Government and Agency Securities (0.5)%       
 

U.S. Treasury Bond,

                 
 

1.375%, 11/15/40

     United States          2,000               (1,845
 

1.375%, 8/15/50

     United States          266,700               (240,770
 

U.S. Treasury Note,

                 
 

1.25%, 9/30/28

     United States          1,300               (1,291
 

0.875%, 11/15/30

     United States          205,000               (196,039
 

1.125%, 2/15/31

     United States          28,000               (27,340
 

1.25%, 8/15/31

     United States          64,700               (63,674
                   

 

 

 
 

Total U.S. Government and Agency Securities (Proceeds $548,105)

                    (530,959
                   

 

 

 
 

Total Securities Sold Short (Proceeds $4,322,379)

                  $ (4,225,944
                   

 

 

 

Rounds to less than 0.1% of net assets.

*The principal amount is stated in U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated.

#Notional amount is the number of units specified in the contract, and can include currency units, bushels, shares, pounds, barrels or other units. Currency units are stated in U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated.

aNon-income producing.

bA portion or all of the security has been segregated as collateral for securities sold short, open swap contracts, open forward exchange contracts, open futures contracts and/or open written option contracts. At November 30, 2021, the aggregate value of these securities and/or cash pledged amounted to $995,710, representing 0.9% of net assets.

cFair valued using significant unobservable inputs. See Note 13 regarding fair value measurements.

dSee Note 9 regarding restricted securities.

eSecurity was purchased pursuant to Rule 144A or Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933. 144A securities may be sold in transactions exempt from registration only to qualified institutional buyers or in public offering registered under the Securities Act of 1933. Regulation S securities cannot be sold in the United States without either an effective registration statement filed pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, or pursuant to an exemption from registration. At November 30, 2021, the net value of these securities was $51,502,611, representing 48.4% of net assets.

fSee Note 1(g) regarding loan participation notes.

gPerpetual security with no stated maturity date.

 

           
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Semiannual Report

             27


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund (continued)

 

hIncome may be received in additional securities and/or cash.

iThe coupon rate shown represents the rate at period end.

jSee Note 1(j) regarding senior floating rate interests.

kSee Note 10 regarding unfunded loan commitments.

lSee Note 7 regarding defaulted securities.

mSee Note 1(h) regarding credit-linked notes.

nAdjustable rate security with an interest rate that is not based on a published reference index and spread. The rate is based on the structure of the agreement and current market conditions. The coupon rate shown represents the rate at period end.

oThe coupon rate shown represents the rate inclusive of any caps or floors, if applicable, in effect at period end.

pA portion or all of the security purchased on a delayed delivery basis. See Note 1(d).

qThe rate shown is the annualized seven-day effective yield at period end.

rSee Note 1(c) regarding joint repurchase agreement.

sSee Note 1(e) regarding written options.

tSee Note 1(i) regarding securities sold short.

At November 30, 2021, the Fund had the following futures contracts outstanding. See Note 1(e).

 

Futures Contracts                                   
Description    Type      Number of
Contracts
     Notional
Amount*
     Expiration
Date
     Value/Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
Equity Contracts                                   

CBOE Volatility Index

     Long        9      $ 231,178        12/22/21      $ 16,423  

E-Mini Russell 2000

     Short        5        549,325        12/17/21        16,363  

S&P 500 E-Mini Index

     Short        3        684,938        12/17/21        (12,471
              

 

 

 
                 20,315  
              

 

 

 
Interest Rate Contracts                                   

U.S. Treasury 10 Yr. Note

     Short        1        130,813        3/22/22        (1,924

U.S. Treasury Long Bond

     Short        7        1,134,875        3/22/22        (26,044
              

 

 

 
                 (27,968
              

 

 

 

Total Futures Contracts

 

   $ (7,653
              

 

 

 

*As of period end.

At November 30, 2021, the Fund had the following forward exchange contracts outstanding. See Note 1(e).

 

Forward Exchange Contracts                
Currency    Counterpartya      Type      Quantity      Contract
Amount
     Settlement
Date
     Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
Depreciation
 
OTC Forward Exchange Contracts                                            

Colombian Peso

     JPHQ        Buy        1,150,840,566      $ 305,093        12/15/21      $      $ (17,535

Colombian Peso

     JPHQ        Sell        1,150,840,566        297,068        12/15/21        9,510         

Czech Koruna

     JPHQ        Buy        5,601,383        259,457        12/15/21               (10,439

Czech Koruna

     JPHQ        Sell        5,601,383        248,110        12/15/21               (909

Indonesian Rupiah

     JPHQ        Buy        9,389,872,441        658,107        12/15/21               (3,520

Indonesian Rupiah

     JPHQ        Sell        9,389,872,441        650,809        12/15/21               (3,778

Mexican Peso

     JPHQ        Buy        8,315,084        410,250        12/15/21               (23,722

Mexican Peso

     JPHQ        Sell        8,315,084        399,637        12/15/21        13,109         

Peruvian Nuevo Sol

     JPHQ        Buy        1,406,262        343,200        12/15/21        2,275         

Peruvian Nuevo Sol

     JPHQ        Sell        1,406,262        355,791        12/15/21        10,316         

Russian Ruble

     JPHQ        Buy        104,210,391        1,400,906        12/15/21        5,184        (4,361

Russian Ruble

     JPHQ        Sell        104,210,391        1,398,394        12/15/21               (3,337

South African Rand

     JPHQ        Buy        9,370,571        598,645        12/15/21               (10,817

South African Rand

     JPHQ        Sell        9,370,571        641,346        12/15/21        53,519         

British Pound

     JPHQ        Buy        100,000        137,268        1/31/22               (4,159

British Pound

     JPHQ        Sell        590,000        806,704        1/31/22        21,364         

Euro

     JPHQ        Sell        1,820,000        2,141,776        1/31/22        73,278         

Hong Kong Dollar

     JPHQ        Sell        155,000        19,911        1/31/22        34         

 

           
28             

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund (continued)

 

Forward Exchange Contracts (continued)                
Currency    Counterpartya      Type      Quantity      Contract
Amount
     Settlement
Date
     Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
Depreciation
 
OTC Forward Exchange Contracts (continued)                                            

Swiss Franc

     JPHQ        Sell        580,000      $   630,079        1/31/22      $      $ (3,222

Czech Koruna

     JPHQ        Buy        5,601,383        246,918        3/16/22        703         

Czech Koruna

     JPHQ        Sell        5,601,383        244,677        3/16/22               (2,944

Indonesian Rupiah

     JPHQ        Sell        9,389,872,441        651,577        3/16/22        2,906         

Russian Ruble

     JPHQ        Buy        34,193,012        447,905        3/16/22        3,509         

Russian Ruble

     JPHQ        Sell        57,320,597        750,790        3/16/22               (5,953

South African Rand

     JPHQ        Buy        3,755,187        229,134        3/16/22        3,631         

South African Rand

     JPHQ        Sell        7,765,195        485,703        3/16/22        4,377         
                 

 

 

 

Total Forward Exchange Contracts

 

   $ 203,715      $ (94,696
     

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

 

   $ 109,019     
                 

 

 

    

aMay be comprised of multiple contracts with the same counterparty, currency and settlement date.

At November 30, 2021, the Fund had the following credit default swap contracts outstanding. See Note 1(e).

 

Credit Default Swap Contracts                                
Description   Annual
Payment
Rate
Received
(Paid)
    Payment
Frequency
           Maturity
Date
    Notional
Amounta
           Value     Unamortized
Upfront
Payments
(Receipts)
    Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Ratingb  
Centrally Cleared Swap Contracts                                            
Contracts to Buy Protectionc                                            
Single Name                                      

Government of Mexico

    (1.00)%       Quarterly         6/20/23       186,000       $ (1,440   $ (26   $ (1,414  

Government of Mexico

    (1.00)%       Quarterly         12/20/23       787,000         (7,263     (5,984     (1,279  

Government of Mexico

    (1.00)%       Quarterly         12/20/23       15,000         (138     (232     94    

Government of Mexico

    (1.00)%       Quarterly         6/20/25       105,000         (501     (1,323     822    

Government of South Africa

    (1.00)%       Quarterly         12/20/24       322,000         6,955       9,249       (2,294  

Government of South Africa

    (1.00)%       Quarterly         12/20/24       900,000         19,438       26,654       (7,216  
Traded Index                                      

CDX.NA.HY.34

    (5.00)%       Quarterly         6/20/25       1,840,000         (129,762     (27,734     (102,028  

CDX.NA.HY.35

    (5.00)%       Quarterly         12/22/25       1,930,000         (144,407     (183,350     38,943    
Contracts to Sell Protectionc,d                                            
Single Name                                      

Government of South Africa

    1.00%       Quarterly         12/20/24       646,000         (13,952     (50,313     36,361       BB-  

Government of South Africa

    1.00%       Quarterly         12/20/24       184,000         (3,974     (5,367     1,393       BB-  
             

 

 

   

Total Centrally Cleared Swap Contracts

 

          $ (275,044   $ (238,426   $ (36,618  
             

 

 

   
OTC Swap Contracts                                            
Contracts to Buy Protectionc                                            
Single Name               Counterparty                                            

Air France-KLM

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       JPHQ       12/20/21       9,000       EUR       (111     18       (129  

Air France-KLM

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       JPHQ       12/20/21       14,000       EUR       (171     20       (191  

Air France-KLM

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       JPHQ       12/20/21       19,000       EUR       (232     39       (271  

Air France-KLM

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       JPHQ       6/20/22       21,000       EUR       (435     (125     (310  

Air France-KLM

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       JPHQ       6/20/22       7,000       EUR       (145     (93     (52  

Air France-KLM

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       JPHQ       6/20/22       13,000       EUR       (269     (82     (187  

Air France-KLM

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       JPHQ       6/20/22       13,000       EUR       (269     (78     (191  

American Airlines Group Inc.

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       BZWS       12/20/21       9,000         (89     40       (129  

American Airlines Group Inc.

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       BZWS       12/20/21       23,000         (226     98       (324  

American Airlines Group Inc.

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       BZWS       12/20/21       23,000         (227     99       (326  

American Airlines Group Inc.

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       BZWS       12/20/23       39,000         1,663       1,107       556    

American Airlines Group Inc.

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       BZWS       12/20/23       66,000         2,814       2,966       (152  

American Airlines Group Inc.

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       BZWS       6/20/24       42,000         2,273       2,237       36    

 

           
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Semiannual Report

             29


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund (continued)

 

Credit Default Swap Contracts (continued)                                
Description   Annual
Payment
Rate
Received
(Paid)
    Payment
Frequency
    Counterparty     Maturity
Date
    Notional
Amounta
           Value     Unamortized
Upfront
Payments
(Receipts)
    Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Ratingb  
OTC Swap Contracts (continued)                                            
Contracts to Buy Protectionc (continued)                                            
Single Name (continued)                

 

                                           

American Airlines Group Inc.

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       BZWS       6/20/26       200,000       $ 20,988     $ 9,615     $ 11,373    

American Airlines Group Inc.

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       CITI       12/20/21       14,000         (138     89       (227  

American Airlines Group Inc.

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       CITI       12/20/21       43,000         (423     172       (595  

American Airlines Group Inc.

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       CITI       6/20/26       28,000         2,938       2,657       281    

American Airlines Group Inc.

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       CITI       6/20/26       34,000         3,568       2,989       579    

American Airlines Group Inc.

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       FBCO       12/20/21       9,000         (89     36       (125  

American Airlines Group Inc.

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       FBCO       12/20/21       14,000         (138     65       (203  

American Airlines Group Inc.

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       GSCO       12/20/21       9,000         (89     36       (125  

American Airlines Group Inc.

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       GSCO       12/20/21       24,000         (237     201       (438  

American Airlines Group Inc.

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       GSCO       6/20/23       19,000         451       249       202    

American Airlines Group Inc.

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       GSCO       6/20/23       19,000         451       335       116    

American Airlines Group Inc.

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       GSCO       6/20/23       19,000         450       353       97    

American Airlines Group Inc.

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       GSCO       12/20/23       38,000         1,620       1,164       456    

American Airlines Group Inc.

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       GSCO       12/20/23       46,000         1,961       1,418       543    

American Airlines Group Inc.

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       JPHQ       12/20/21       10,000         (98     66       (164  

American Airlines Group Inc.

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       JPHQ       12/20/25       75,000         6,970       12,394       (5,424  

American Axle & Manufacturing Inc.

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       BZWS       12/20/26       119,000         (4,862     (4,520     (342  

American Axle & Manufacturing Inc.

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       BZWS       12/20/26       96,000         (3,922     (3,014     (908  

American Axle & Manufacturing Inc.

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       BZWS       12/20/26       119,000         (4,861     (2,979     (1,882  

American Axle & Manufacturing Inc.

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       BZWS       12/20/26       96,000         (3,922     (2,807     (1,115  

American Axle & Manufacturing Inc.

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       BZWS       12/20/26       82,000         (3,349     (2,228     (1,121  

American Axle & Manufacturing Inc.

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       BZWS       12/20/26       36,000         (1,470     (932     (538  

American Axle & Manufacturing Inc.

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       BZWS       12/20/26       29,000         (1,185     (849     (336  

American Axle & Manufacturing Inc.

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       GSCO       12/20/26       48,000         (1,406     (1,406        

Dow Inc.

    (1.00)%       Quarterly       GSCO       6/20/25       66,000         (1,246     (342     (904  

Dow Inc.

    (1.00)%       Quarterly       GSCO       6/20/25       66,000         (1,247     (228     (1,019  

Dow Inc.

    (1.00)%       Quarterly       GSCO       6/20/25       7,000         (132     (34     (98  

GE Capital Funding LLC

    (1.00)%       Quarterly       JPHQ       12/20/26       338,000         (5,490     (3,283     (2,207  

Government of Brazil

    (1.00)%       Quarterly       BZWS       12/20/26       182,000         13,032       8,457       4,575    

Government of Italy

    (1.00)%       Quarterly       BOFA       6/20/24       233,000         (3,435     1,248       (4,683  

Government of Italy

    (1.00)%       Quarterly       BOFA       6/20/24       140,000         (2,064     1,683       (3,747  

Government of Turkey

    (1.00)%       Quarterly       BZWS       12/20/23       124,000         9,051       9,291       (240  

Government of Turkey

    (1.00)%       Quarterly       BZWS       12/20/23       290,000         21,167       19,401       1,766    

Hovnanian Enterprises Inc.

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       BZWS       6/20/26       8,000         705       777       (72  

Hovnanian Enterprises Inc.

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       BZWS       6/20/26       40,000         3,529       3,708       (179  

Itochu Corp.

    (1.00)%       Quarterly       GSCO       6/20/22       12,107,000       JPY       (791     (390     (401  

JFE Holdings Inc.

    (1.00)%       Quarterly       GSCO       6/20/22       5,348,000       JPY       (339     (178     (161  

Kohl’s Corp.

    (1.00)%       Quarterly       CITI       12/20/25       207,000         (255     15,406       (15,661  

Kohl’s Corp.

    (1.00)%       Quarterly       GSCO       12/20/25       154,000         (189     11,307       (11,496  

Kohl’s Corp.

    (1.00)%       Quarterly       MSCS       12/20/25       221,000         (272     16,448       (16,720  

Macy’s Retail Holdings LLC

    (1.00)%       Quarterly       BZWS       12/20/26       21,000         1,181       1,487       (306  

Marubeni Corp.

    (1.00)%       Quarterly       CITI       6/20/25       3,711,000       JPY       (972     773       (1,745  

Marubeni Corp.

    (1.00)%       Quarterly       GSCO       6/20/22       18,860,000       JPY       (1,211     (502     (709  

 

           
30             

Semiannual Report

  franklintempleton.com


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund (continued)

 

Credit Default Swap Contracts (continued)                                
Description   Annual
Payment
Rate
Received
(Paid)
    Payment
Frequency
    Counterparty     Maturity
Date
    Notional
Amounta
           Value     Unamortized
Upfront
Payments
(Receipts)
    Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Ratingb  
OTC Swap Contracts (continued)                                            
Contracts to Buy Protectionc (continued)                                            
Single Name (continued)                

 

                                           

MBIA Inc.

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       BZWS       6/20/22       23,000       $ (728   $ (150   $ (578  

MBIA Inc.

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       CITI       6/20/22       36,000         (1,138     (650     (488  

MBIA Inc.

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       GSCO       6/20/22       21,000         (664     (300     (364  

MBIA Inc.

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       JPHQ       12/20/24       97,000         (8,082     (8,353     271    

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd.

    (1.00)%       Quarterly       JPHQ       6/20/22       3,878,000       JPY       (231     (33     (198  

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd.

    (1.00)%       Quarterly       JPHQ       6/20/22       3,618,000       JPY       (215     (30     (185  

Simon Property Group LP

    (1.00)%       Quarterly       JPHQ       12/20/25       434,000         (8,668     7,482       (16,150  

Simon Property Group LP

    (1.00)%       Quarterly       MSCS       12/20/25       340,000         (6,790     5,862       (12,652  

Softbank Group Corp.

    (1.00)%       Quarterly       BZWS       12/20/26       33,600,000       JPY       23,013       20,822       2,191    

Stena AB

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       GSCO       6/20/24       92,000       EUR       (6,122     4,128       (10,250  

Stena AB

    (5.00)%       Quarterly       GSCO       12/20/26       9,000       EUR       (349     (260     (89  

TDC A/S

    (1.00)%       Quarterly       BNPP       12/20/26       20,000       EUR       782       753       29    

TDC A/S

    (1.00)%       Quarterly       BNPP       12/20/26       20,000       EUR       782       937       (155  

TDC A/S

    (1.00)%       Quarterly       BNPP       12/20/26       20,000       EUR       782       937       (155  

Telecom Italia

    (1.00)%       Quarterly       JPHQ       12/20/26       20,000       EUR       1,694       1,063       631    

Telecom Italia

    (1.00)%       Quarterly       JPHQ       12/20/26       20,000       EUR       1,694       1,134       560    

Telecom Italia

    (1.00)%       Quarterly       JPHQ       12/20/26       20,000       EUR       1,695       1,566       129    

Telecom Italia

    (1.00)%       Quarterly       JPHQ       12/20/26       22,000       EUR       1,864       1,776       88    

Telecom Italia

    (1.00)%       Quarterly       JPHQ       12/20/26       41,000       EUR       3,473       3,350       123    
Contracts to Sell Protectionc,d                                            
Single Name                

 

                                           

Euro Garage Ltd.

    5.00%       Quarterly       GSCO       12/20/26       16,000       EUR       929       830       99       B  

Government of Turkey

    1.00%       Quarterly       BZWS       12/20/26       207,000         (35,597     (32,230     (3,367     B+  

Government of Turkey

    1.00%       Quarterly       BZWS       12/20/26       83,000         (14,273     (14,122     (151     B+  

Groupe Casino

    5.00%       Quarterly       GSCO       12/20/26       21,000       EUR       (2,379     (1,711     (668     BB-  
             

 

 

   

Total OTC Swap Contracts

 

      $ 278     $ 97,180     $ (96,902  
             

 

 

   

Total Credit Default Swap Contracts

 

      $ (274,766   $ (141,246   $ (133,520  
             

 

 

   

aIn U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated. For contracts to sell protection, the notional amount is equal to the maximum potential amount of the future payments and no recourse provisions have been entered into in association with the contracts.

bBased on Standard and Poor’s (S&P) Rating for single name swaps.

cPerformance triggers for settlement of contract include default, bankruptcy or restructuring for single name swaps and failure to pay or bankruptcy of the underlying securities for traded index swaps.

dThe Fund enters contracts to sell protection to create a long credit position.

At November 30, 2021, the Fund had the following interest rate swap contracts outstanding. See Note 1(e).

 

Interest Rate Swap Contracts                           
Description    Payment
Frequency
     Maturity
Date
     Notional
Amount*
    Value/Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
Centrally Cleared Swap Contracts                           

Receive Floating rate 3 Month USD-LIBOR
Pay Fixed rate 1.75%

     Quarterly        3/18/22        1,100,000     $ (3,507

Receive Floating rate 6 Month-WIBOR
Pay Fixed rate 2.95%

     Annually        3/16/27        3,980,767   PLN       

Receive Floating rate 3 Month USD-LIBOR
Pay Fixed rate 2.25%

     Quarterly        6/20/28        1,100,000       (136,032

 

           
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Semiannual Report

             31


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

STATEMENT OF INVESTMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund (continued)

 

Interest Rate Swap Contracts (continued)                           
Description    Payment
Frequency
     Maturity
Date
     Notional
Amount*
    Value/Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
Centrally Cleared Swap Contracts (continued)                           

Receive Floating rate 6 Month-SORA
Pay Fixed rate 1.23%

     Semi-Annually        12/15/31        455,901   SGD    $ 14,703  
          

 

 

 

Total Interest Rate Swap Contracts

 

  $ (124,836
          

 

 

 

*In U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated.

At November 30, 2021, the Fund had the following total return swap contracts outstanding. See Note 1(e).

 

Total Return Swap Contracts                                         
Underlying Instrument    Financing Rate     Payment
Frequency
     Counterparty      Maturity
Date
     Notional
Value
     Value/Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
OTC Swap Contracts                                         
Equity Contracts – Longa                                         

Clearway Energy Inc.

     1-Month LIBOR + 0.35     Monthly        JPHQ        1/20/22      $ 42,775      $ 7,876  

Clearway Energy Inc.

     1-Month LIBOR + 0.40     Monthly        GSCO        4/20/22        126,174        22,996  

Clearway Energy Inc.

     1-Month LIBOR + 0.40     Monthly        BZWS        5/16/22        8,221        840  

Energy Transfer LP

     1-Month LIBOR + 0.90     Monthly        GSCO        10/04/22        36,005        (4,754

Energy Transfer LP

     1-Month LIBOR + 0.50     Monthly        CITI        10/20/22        34,265        (5,711

Enterprise Products Partners LP

     1-Month LIBOR + 0.90     Monthly        BOFA        3/04/22        30,167        (3,581

Enterprise Products Partners LP

     1-Month LIBOR + 0.90     Monthly        GSCO        4/20/22        32,422        (3,862
                

 

 

 
     13,804  
  

 

 

 
Interest Rate Contracts – Longa                                         

Government of Egypt

     1-Day FEDEF       Monthly        CITI        1/11/22        86,712        4,020  

Government of Indonesia

     3-Month LIBOR + 0.70     Monthly        BOFA        2/17/22        114,441        (3,236

Government of Indonesia

     3-Month LIBOR + 0.70     Monthly        BOFA        5/18/22        431,215        (6,776

Government of Indonesia

     3-Month LIBOR + 0.60     Monthly        DBAB        6/15/32        103,643        7,183  
                

 

 

 
     1,191  
  

 

 

 

Total - Total Return Swap Contracts

 

   $ 14,995  
  

 

 

 

aThe Fund receives the total return on the underlying instrument and pays a variable financing rate.

See Note 11 regarding other derivative information.

See Abbreviations on page 51.

 

           
32             

Semiannual Report    |   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

November 30, 2021 (unaudited)

Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund

 

Assets:

  

Investments in securities:

  

Cost – Unaffiliated issuers

   $ 97,907,279  

Cost – Unaffiliated repurchase agreements

     4,402,397  
  

 

 

 

Value – Unaffiliated issuers

   $ 98,526,005  

Value – Unaffiliated repurchase agreements

     4,402,397  

Cash

     870,927  

Restricted cash for OTC derivatives (Note 1f)

     70,000  

Foreign currency, at value (cost $500,915)

     500,060  

Receivables:

  

Investment securities sold

     814,471  

Capital shares sold

     879,475  

Dividends and interest

     606,268  

Deposits with brokers for:

  

Securities sold short

     4,254,192  

OTC derivative contracts

     360,000  

Futures contracts

     86,500  

Centrally cleared swap contracts

     234,653  

Due from brokers

     238,512  

Variation margin on futures contracts

     47,141  

OTC swap contracts (upfront payments $224,311)

     179,089  

Unrealized appreciation on OTC forward exchange contracts

     203,715  

Unrealized appreciation on OTC swap contracts

     67,616  
  

 

 

 

Total assets

     112,341,021  
  

 

 

 

Liabilities:

  

Payables:

  

Investment securities purchased

     852,294  

Capital shares redeemed

     156,061  

Management fees

     104,579  

Distribution fees

     7,120  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

     1,592  

Transfer agent fees

     16,413  

Deposits from brokers for:

  

OTC derivative contracts

     70,000  

Due to brokers

     37,133  

OTC swap contracts (upfront receipts $101,352)

     81,909  

Options written, at value (premiums received $1,424)

     867  

Securities sold short, at value (proceeds $4,322,379)

     4,225,944  

Unrealized depreciation on OTC forward exchange contracts

     94,696  

Unrealized depreciation on OTC swap contracts

     149,523  

Unrealized depreciation on unfunded loan commitments (Note 10)

     4,403  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

     92,466  
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     5,895,000  
  

 

 

 

Net assets, at value

   $  106,446,021  
  

 

 

 

Net assets consist of:

  

Paid-in capital

   $ 102,486,855  

Total distributable earnings (loss)

     3,959,166  
  

 

 

 

Net assets, at value

   $ 106,446,021  
  

 

 

 

 

           
franklintempleton.com  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.    |   Semiannual Report

             33


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities (continued)

November 30, 2021 (unaudited)

Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund

 

Class A:   

Net assets, at value

     $23,486,656  
  

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

     2,153,641  
  

 

 

 

Net asset value per sharea

     $10.91  
  

 

 

 

Maximum offering price per share (net asset value per share ÷ 94.50%)

     $11.54  
  

 

 

 
Class C:   

Net assets, at value

     $2,684,207  
  

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

     251,604  
  

 

 

 

Net asset value and maximum offering price per sharea

     $10.67  
  

 

 

 
Class R:   

Net assets, at value

     $211,835  
  

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

     19,650  
  

 

 

 

Net asset value and maximum offering price per share

     $10.78  
  

 

 

 
Class R6:   

Net assets, at value

     $5,823  
  

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

     531  
  

 

 

 

Net asset value and maximum offering price per share

     $10.97  
  

 

 

 
Advisor Class:   

Net assets, at value

     $80,057,500  
  

 

 

 

Shares outstanding

     7,323,392  
  

 

 

 

Net asset value and maximum offering price per share

     $10.93  
  

 

 

 

 

aRedemption price is equal to net asset value less contingent deferred sales charges, if applicable.

 

           
34             

Semiannual Report    |   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

  franklintempleton.com


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Statement of Operations

for the six months ended November 30, 2021 (unaudited)

Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund

 

Investment income:

  

Dividends:

  

Unaffiliated issuers

   $ 45,136  

Interest:

  

Unaffiliated issuers:

  

Paydown gain (loss)

     265,135  

Paid in cash

     2,103,770  
  

 

 

 

Total investment income

     2,414,041  
  

 

 

 

Expenses:

  

Management fees (Note 3a)

     857,725  

Distribution fees: (Note 3c)

  

Class A

     31,553  

Class C

     14,055  

Class R

     494  

Transfer agent fees: (Note 3e)

  

Class A

     13,045  

Class C

     1,458  

Class R

     104  

Class R6

     41  

Advisor Class

     41,095  

Custodian fees (Note 4) .

     42,532  

Reports to shareholders fees

     15,341  

Registration and filing fees

     34,120  

Professional fees

     81,373  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

     15,406  

Dividends and interest on securities sold short

     112,015  

Security borrowing fees

     33,236  

Other

     24,246  
  

 

 

 

Total expenses

     1,317,839  

Expense reductions (Note 4)

     (804

Expenses waived/paid by affiliates (Note 3f)

     (244,367
  

 

 

 

Net expenses

     1,072,668  
  

 

 

 

Net investment income

     1,341,373  
  

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses):

  

Net realized gain (loss) from:

  

Investments:

  

Unaffiliated issuers

     1,055,177  

Written options

     16,993  

Foreign currency transactions

     (47,317

Forward exchange contracts

     (48,021

Futures contracts

     (200,112

Securities sold short

     (344,681

Swap contracts

     (289,549
  

 

 

 

Net realized gain (loss)

     142,490  
  

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

  

Investments:

  

Unaffiliated issuers

     (2,525,347

Translation of other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies

     (79,592

Forward exchange contracts

     311,948  

Written options

     1,573  

Futures contracts

     20,020  

Securities sold short

     481,973  

Swap contracts

     443,739  
  

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

     (1,345,686
  

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     (1,203,196
  

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

   $ 138,177  
  

 

 

 

 

           
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.    |   Semiannual Report

             35


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund

 

      Six Months Ended
November 30, 2021
(unaudited)
     Year Ended
May 31, 2021
 

Increase (decrease) in net assets:

     

Operations:

     

Net investment income

   $ 1,341,373      $ 2,724,125  

Net realized gain (loss)

     142,490        1,198,529  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

     (1,345,686      8,574,158  
  

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

     138,177        12,496,812  
  

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders:

     

Class A

            (567,339

Class C

            (51,591

Class R

            (4,161

Class R6

            (138

Advisor Class

            (1,899,712
  

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

            (2,522,941
  

 

 

 

Capital share transactions: (Note 2)

     

Class A

     (3,119,582      4,161,929  

Class C

     (252,540      (226,267

Class R

     16,449        8,527  

Advisor Class

     3,298,910        (3,869,073
  

 

 

 

Total capital share transactions

     (56,763      75,116  
  

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

     81,414        10,048,987  

Net assets:

     

Beginning of period

     106,364,607        96,315,620  
  

 

 

 

End of period

   $ 106,446,021      $ 106,364,607  
  

 

 

 

 

           
36             

Semiannual Report    |   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

  franklintempleton.com


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

FRANKLIN K2 LONG SHORT CREDIT FUND

 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

1. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies

Franklin Alternative Strategies Funds (Trust) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (1940 Act) as an open-end management investment company, consisting of two separate funds and applies the specialized accounting and reporting guidance in U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (U.S. GAAP). Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund (Fund) is included in this report. The Fund offers five classes of shares: Class A, Class C, Class R, Class R6 and Advisor Class. Effective August 2, 2021, Class C shares automatically convert to Class A shares on a monthly basis, after they have been held for 8 years. Prior to August 2, 2021, Class C shares converted to Class A shares after a 10-year holding period. Each class of shares may differ by its initial sales load, contingent deferred sales charges, voting rights on matters affecting a single class, its exchange privilege and fees due to differing arrangements for distribution and transfer agent fees.

The following summarizes the Fund’s significant accounting policies.

a. Financial Instrument Valuation

The Fund’s investments in financial instruments are carried at fair value daily. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The Fund calculates the net asset value (NAV) per share each business day as of 4 p.m. Eastern time or the regularly scheduled close of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), whichever is earlier. Under compliance policies and procedures approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the Board), the Fund’s administrator has responsibility for oversight of valuation, including leading the cross-functional Valuation Committee (VC). The Fund may utilize independent pricing services, quotations from securities and financial instrument dealers, and other market sources to determine fair value.

Equity securities and derivative financial instruments listed on an exchange or on the NASDAQ National Market System are valued at the last quoted sale price or the official closing price of the day, respectively. Foreign equity securities are valued as of the close of trading on the foreign stock exchange on which the security is primarily traded or as of 4 p.m. Eastern time. The value is then converted into its U.S. dollar equivalent at the foreign exchange rate in effect at 4 p.m. Eastern time on the day that the value of the security

is determined. Over-the-counter (OTC) securities are valued within the range of the most recent quoted bid and ask prices. Securities that trade in multiple markets or on multiple exchanges are valued according to the broadest and most representative market. Certain equity securities are valued based upon fundamental characteristics or relationships to similar securities.

Debt securities generally trade in the OTC market rather than on a securities exchange. The Fund’s pricing services use multiple valuation techniques to determine fair value. In instances where sufficient market activity exists, the pricing services may utilize a market-based approach through which quotes from market makers are used to determine fair value. In instances where sufficient market activity may not exist or is limited, the pricing services also utilize proprietary valuation models which may consider market characteristics such as benchmark yield curves, credit spreads, estimated default rates, anticipated market interest rate volatility, coupon rates, anticipated timing of principal repayments, underlying collateral, and other unique security features in order to estimate the relevant cash flows, which are then discounted to calculate the fair value. Securities denominated in a foreign currency are converted into their U.S. dollar equivalent at the foreign exchange rate in effect at 4 p.m. Eastern time on the date that the values of the foreign debt securities are determined.

Investments in open-end mutual funds are valued at the closing NAV. Investments in repurchase agreements are valued at cost, which approximates fair value.

Certain derivative financial instruments are centrally cleared or trade in the OTC market. The Fund’s pricing services use various techniques including industry standard option pricing models and proprietary discounted cash flow models to determine the fair value of those instruments. The Fund’s net benefit or obligation under the derivative contract, as measured by the fair value of the contract, is included in net assets.

The Fund has procedures to determine the fair value of financial instruments for which market prices are not reliable or readily available. Under these procedures, the Fund primarily employs a market-based approach which may use related or comparable assets or liabilities, recent transactions, market multiples, book values, and other relevant information for the investment to determine the fair value of the investment. An income-based valuation approach may also be used in which the anticipated future cash flows of the investment are discounted to calculate fair value. Discounts may also be applied due to the nature or duration of any restrictions on

 

 

           
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             37


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund (continued)

 

1. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

a. Financial Instrument Valuation (continued)

 

the disposition of the investments. Due to the inherent uncertainty of valuations of such investments, the fair values may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had an active market existed.

Trading in securities on foreign securities stock exchanges and OTC markets may be completed before 4 p.m. Eastern time. In addition, trading in certain foreign markets may not take place on every Fund’s business day. Events can occur between the time at which trading in a foreign security is completed and 4 p.m. Eastern time that might call into question the reliability of the value of a portfolio security held by the Fund. As a result, differences may arise between the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities as determined at the foreign market close and the latest indications of value at 4 p.m. Eastern time. In order to minimize the potential for these differences, an independent pricing service may be used to adjust the value of the Funds’ portfolio securities to the latest indications of fair value at 4 p.m. Eastern time. At November 30, 2021, certain securities may have been fair valued using these procedures, in which case the securities were categorized as Level 2 inputs within the fair value hierarchy (referred to as “market level fair value”). See the Fair Value Measurements note for more information.

When the last day of the reporting period is a non-business day, certain foreign markets may be open on those days that the Fund’s NAV is not calculated, which could result in differences between the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities on the last business day and the last calendar day of the reporting period. Any significant security valuation changes due to an open foreign market are adjusted and reflected by the Fund for financial reporting purposes.

b. Foreign Currency Translation

Portfolio securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars based on the exchange rate of such currencies against U.S. dollars on the date of valuation. The Fund may enter into foreign currency exchange contracts to facilitate transactions denominated in a foreign currency. Purchases and sales of securities, income and expense items denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate in effect on the transaction date. Portfolio securities and

assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies contain risks that those currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar. Occasionally, events may impact the availability or reliability of foreign exchange rates used to convert the U.S. dollar equivalent value. If such an event occurs, the foreign exchange rate will be valued at fair value using procedures established and approved by the Board.

The Fund does not separately report the effect of changes in foreign exchange rates from changes in market prices on securities held. Such changes are included in net realized and unrealized gain or loss from investments in the Statement of Operations.

Realized foreign exchange gains or losses arise from sales of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions and the difference between the recorded amounts of dividends, interest, and foreign withholding taxes and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from changes in foreign exchange rates on foreign denominated assets and liabilities other than investments in securities held at the end of the reporting period.

c. Joint Repurchase Agreement

The Fund enters into a joint repurchase agreement whereby its uninvested cash balance is deposited into a joint cash account with other funds managed by the investment manager or an affiliate of the investment manager and is used to invest in one or more repurchase agreements. The value and face amount of the joint repurchase agreement are allocated to the funds based on their pro-rata interest. A repurchase agreement is accounted for as a loan by the Fund to the seller, collateralized by securities which are delivered to the Fund’s custodian. The fair value, including accrued interest, of the initial collateralization is required to be at least 102% of the dollar amount invested by the funds, with the value of the underlying securities marked to market daily to maintain coverage of at least 100%. Repurchase agreements are subject to the terms of Master Repurchase Agreements (MRAs) with approved counterparties (sellers). The MRAs contain various provisions, including but not limited to events of default and maintenance of collateral for repurchase agreements. In the event of default by either the seller or the Fund, certain MRAs may permit the non-defaulting party to net and close-out all transactions, if any, traded under such agreements. The Fund may sell securities it holds as collateral and

 

           
38              Semiannual Report   franklintempleton.com


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund (continued)

 

apply the proceeds towards the repurchase price and any other amounts owed by the seller to the Fund in the event of default by the seller. This could involve costs or delays in addition to a loss on the securities if their value falls below the repurchase price owed by the seller. The joint repurchase agreement held by the Fund at period end, as indicated in the Statement of Investments, had been entered into on November 30, 2021.

d. Securities Purchased on a Delayed Delivery Basis

The Fund purchases securities on a delayed delivery basis, with payment and delivery scheduled for a future date. These transactions are subject to market fluctuations and are subject to the risk that the value at delivery may be more or less than the trade date purchase price. Although the Fund will generally purchase these securities with the intention of holding the securities, it may sell the securities before the settlement date.

e. Derivative Financial Instruments

The Fund invested in derivative financial instruments in order to manage risk or gain exposure to various other investments or markets. Derivatives are financial contracts based on an underlying or notional amount, require no initial investment or an initial net investment that is smaller than would normally be required to have a similar response to changes in market factors, and require or permit net settlement. Derivatives contain various risks including the potential inability of the counterparty to fulfill their obligations under the terms of the contract, the potential for an illiquid secondary market, and/or the potential for market movements which expose the Fund to gains or losses in excess of the amounts shown in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Realized gain and loss and unrealized appreciation and depreciation on these contracts for the period are included in the Statement of Operations.

Derivative counterparty credit risk is managed through a formal evaluation of the creditworthiness of all potential counterparties. The Fund attempts to reduce its exposure to counterparty credit risk on OTC derivatives, whenever possible, by entering into International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) master agreements with certain counterparties. These agreements contain various provisions, including but not limited to collateral requirements, events of default, or early termination. Termination events applicable to the counterparty include certain deteriorations in the credit quality of the counterparty. Termination events applicable to

the Fund include failure of the Fund to maintain certain net asset levels and/or limit the decline in net assets over various periods of time. In the event of default or early termination, the ISDA master agreement gives the non-defaulting party the right to net and close-out all transactions traded, whether or not arising under the ISDA agreement, to one net amount payable by one counterparty to the other. However, absent an event of default or early termination, OTC derivative assets and liabilities are presented gross and not offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Early termination by the counterparty may result in an immediate payment by the Fund of any net liability owed to that counterparty under the ISDA agreement.

Collateral requirements differ by type of derivative. Collateral or initial margin requirements are set by the broker or exchange clearing house for exchange traded and centrally cleared derivatives. Initial margin deposited is held at the exchange and can be in the form of cash and/or securities.

For OTC derivatives traded under an ISDA master agreement, posting of collateral is required by either the Fund or the applicable counterparty if the total net exposure of all OTC derivatives with the applicable counterparty exceeds the minimum transfer amount, which typically ranges from $100,000 to $250,000, and can vary depending on the counterparty and the type of the agreement. Generally, collateral is determined at the close of Fund business each day and any additional collateral required due to changes in derivative values may be delivered by the Fund or the counterparty the next business day, or within a few business days. Collateral pledged and/or received by the Fund for OTC derivatives, if any, is held in segregated accounts with the Fund’s custodian/counterparty broker and can be in the form of cash and/or securities. Unrestricted cash may be invested according to the Fund’s investment objectives. To the extent that the amounts due to the Fund from its counterparties are not subject to collateralization or are not fully collateralized, the Fund bears the risk of loss from counterparty non-performance.

The Fund entered into exchange traded futures contracts primarily to manage and/or gain exposure to interest rate and equity price risk. A futures contract is an agreement between the Fund and a counterparty to buy or sell an asset at a specified price on a future date. Required initial margins are pledged by the Fund, and the daily change in fair value is accounted for as a variation margin payable or receivable in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

 

 

           
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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund (continued)

 

1. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

e. Derivative Financial Instruments(continued)

 

The Fund entered into OTC forward exchange contracts primarily to manage and/or gain exposure to certain foreign currencies. A forward exchange contract is an agreement between the Fund and a counterparty to buy or sell a foreign currency at a specific exchange rate on a future date.

The Fund entered into credit default swap contracts primarily to manage and/or gain exposure to credit risk. A credit default swap is an agreement between the Fund and a counterparty whereby the buyer of the contract receives credit protection and the seller of the contract guarantees the credit worthiness of a referenced debt obligation. These agreements may be privately negotiated in the over-the-counter market (OTC credit default swaps) or may be executed in a multilateral trade facility platform, such as a registered exchange (centrally cleared credit default swaps). The underlying referenced debt obligation may be a single issuer of corporate or sovereign debt, a credit index, a basket of issuers or indices, or a tranche of a credit index or basket of issuers or indices. In the event of a default of the underlying referenced debt obligation, the buyer is entitled to receive the notional amount of the credit default swap contract from the seller in exchange for the referenced debt obligation, a net settlement amount equal to the notional amount of the credit default swap less the recovery value of the referenced debt obligation, or other agreed upon amount. For centrally cleared credit default swaps, required initial margins are pledged by the Fund, and the daily change in fair value is accounted for as a variation margin payable or receivable in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Over the term of the contract, the buyer pays the seller a periodic stream of payments, provided that no event of default has occurred. Such periodic payments are accrued daily as an unrealized appreciation or depreciation until the payments are made, at which time they are realized. Upfront payments and receipts are reflected in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities and represent compensating factors between stated terms of the credit default swap agreement and prevailing market conditions (credit spreads and other relevant factors). These upfront payments and receipts are amortized over the term of the contract as a realized gain or loss in the Statement of Operations.

The Fund entered into interest rate swap contracts primarily to manage interest rate risk. An interest rate swap is an

agreement between the Fund and a counterparty to exchange cash flows based on the difference between two interest rates, applied to a notional amount. These agreements may be privately negotiated in the over-the-counter market (OTC interest rate swaps) or may be executed on a registered exchange (centrally cleared interest rate swaps). For centrally cleared interest rate swaps, required initial margins are pledged by the Fund, and the daily change in fair value is accounted for as a variation margin payable or receivable in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Over the term of the contract, contractually required payments to be paid and to be received are accrued daily and recorded as unrealized depreciation and appreciation until the payments are made, at which time they are realized.

The Fund entered into OTC total return swap contracts primarily to manage and/or gain exposure to interest rate, equity price and credit risk of an underlying instrument such as a stock, bond, index or basket of securities or indices. A total return swap is an agreement between the Fund and a counterparty to exchange a return linked to an underlying instrument for a floating or fixed rate payment, both based upon a notional amount. Over the term of the contract, contractually required payments to be paid or received are accrued daily and recorded as unrealized appreciation or depreciation until the payments are made, at which time they are recognized as realized gain or loss.

The Fund purchased or wrote exchange traded and/or OTC option contracts primarily to manage and/or gain exposure to equity price risk. An option is a contract entitling the holder to purchase or sell a specific amount of shares or units of an asset or notional amount of a swap (swaption), at a specified price. When an option is purchased or written, an amount equal to the premium paid or received is recorded as an asset or liability, respectively. Upon exercise of an option, the acquisition cost or sales proceeds of the underlying investment is adjusted by any premium received or paid. Upon expiration of an option, any premium received or paid is recorded as a realized gain or loss. Upon closing an option other than through expiration or exercise, the difference between the premium received or paid and the cost to close the position is recorded as a realized gain or loss.

See Note 11 regarding other derivative information.

 

           
40              Semiannual Report   franklintempleton.com


FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund (continued)

 

f. Restricted Cash

At November 30, 2021, the Fund held restricted cash in connection with investments in certain derivative securities. Restricted cash is held in a segregated account with the Fund’s custodian/counterparty broker and is reflected in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

g. Loan Participation Notes

The Fund invests in loan participation notes (Participations). Participations are loans originally issued to a borrower by one or more financial institutions (the Lender) and subsequently sold to other investors, such as the Fund. Participations typically result in the Fund having a contractual relationship only with the Lender and not with the borrower. The Fund has the right to receive from the Lender any payments of principal, interest and fees which the Lender received from the borrower. The Fund generally has no rights to either enforce compliance by the borrower with the terms of the loan agreement or to any collateral relating to the original loan. As a result, the Fund assumes the credit risk of both the borrower and the Lender that is selling the Participation. The Participations may also involve interest rate risk and liquidity risk, including the potential default or insolvency of the borrower and/or the Lender.

h. Credit-Linked Notes

The Fund purchases credit-linked notes. Credit-linked notes are intended to replicate the economic effects that would apply had the Fund directly purchased the underlying reference asset. The risks of credit-linked notes include the potential default of the underlying reference asset, the movement in the value of the currency of the underlying reference asset relative to the credit-linked note, the potential inability of the Fund to dispose of the credit-linked note in the normal course of business, and the possible inability of the counterparties to fulfill their obligations under the contracts.

i. Securities Sold Short

The Fund is engaged in selling securities short, which obligates the Fund to replace a borrowed security with the same security at current fair value. The Fund incurs a loss if the price of the security increases between the date of the short sale and the date on which the Fund replaces the borrowed security. The Fund realizes a gain if the price of the security declines between those dates. Gains are limited to the price at which the Fund sold the security short, while losses are potentially unlimited in size.

The Fund is required to establish a margin account with the broker lending the security sold short. While the short sale is outstanding, the broker retains the proceeds of the short sale to the extent necessary to meet margin requirements until the short position is closed out. A deposit must also be maintained with the Fund’s custodian/counterparty broker consisting of cash and/or securities having a value equal to a specified percentage of the value of the securities sold short. The Fund is obligated to pay fees for borrowing the securities sold short and is required to pay the counterparty any dividends and/or interest due on securities sold short. Such dividends and/or interest and any security borrowing fees are recorded as an expense to the Fund.

j. Senior Floating Rate Interests

The Fund invests in senior secured corporate loans that pay interest at rates which are periodically reset by reference to a base lending rate plus a spread. These base lending rates are generally the prime rate offered by a designated U.S. bank or the London InterBank Offered Rate (LIBOR). Senior secured corporate loans often require prepayment of principal from excess cash flows or at the discretion of the borrower. As a result, actual maturity may be substantially less than the stated maturity. Senior secured corporate loans in which the Fund invests are generally readily marketable, but may be subject to certain restrictions on resale.

k. Income and Deferred Taxes

It is the Fund’s policy to qualify as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code. The Fund intends to distribute to shareholders substantially all of its taxable income and net realized gains to relieve it from federal income and excise taxes. As a result, no provision for U.S. federal income taxes is required.

The Fund may be subject to foreign taxation related to income received, capital gains on the sale of securities and certain foreign currency transactions in the foreign jurisdictions in which it invests. Foreign taxes, if any, are recorded based on the tax regulations and rates that exist in the foreign markets in which the Fund invests. When a capital gain tax is determined to apply, the Fund records an estimated deferred tax liability in an amount that would be payable if the securities were disposed of on the valuation date.

The Fund may recognize an income tax liability related to its uncertain tax positions under U.S. GAAP when the uncertain tax position has a less than 50% probability that it will be

 

 

           
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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund (continued)

 

1. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

k. Income and Deferred Taxes (continued)

 

sustained upon examination by the tax authorities based on its technical merits. As of November 30, 2021, the Fund has determined that no tax liability is required in its financial statements related to uncertain tax positions for any open tax years (or expected to be taken in future tax years). Open tax years are those that remain subject to examination and are based on the statute of limitations in each jurisdiction in which the Fund invests.

l. Security Transactions, Investment Income, Expenses and Distributions

Security transactions are accounted for on trade date. Realized gains and losses on security transactions are determined on a specific identification basis. Interest income and estimated expenses are accrued daily. Amortization of premium and accretion of discount on debt securities are included in interest income. Paydown gains and losses are recorded separately in the Statement of Operations. Facility fees are recognized as income over the expected term of the loan. Dividend income and dividends declared on securities sold short are recorded on the ex-dividend date except for certain dividends from securities where the dividend rate is not available. In such cases, the dividend is recorded as soon as the information is received by the Fund. Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributable earnings are determined according to income tax regulations (tax basis) and may differ from earnings recorded in accordance with U.S. GAAP. These differences may be permanent or temporary. Permanent differences are reclassified among capital accounts to reflect their tax character. These reclassifications have no impact on net assets or the results of operations. Temporary differences are not reclassified, as they may reverse in subsequent periods.

Common expenses incurred by the Trust are allocated among the Funds based on the ratio of net assets of each Fund to the combined net assets of the Trust or based on the ratio of number of shareholders of each Fund to the combined number of shareholders of the Trust. Fund specific expenses are charged directly to the Fund that incurred the expense.

Realized and unrealized gains and losses and net investment income, excluding class specific expenses, are allocated

daily to each class of shares based upon the relative proportion of net assets of each class. Differences in per share distributions by class are generally due to differences in class specific expenses.

m. Accounting Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

n. Guarantees and Indemnifications

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and trustees are indemnified by the Trust against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Trust. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, enters into contracts with service providers that contain general indemnification clauses. The Trust’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Trust that have not yet occurred. Currently, the Trust expects the risk of loss to be remote.

 

           
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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund (continued)

 

2. Shares of Beneficial Interest

At November 30, 2021, there were an unlimited number of shares authorized (without par value). Transactions in the Fund’s shares were as follows:

 

     Six Months Ended
November 30, 2021
           Year Ended
May 31, 2021
 
      Shares      Amount             Shares      Amount  
Class A Shares:              

Shares solda

     319,974      $ 3,504,807          822,527      $ 8,771,228  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

                     28,242        300,782  

Shares redeemed

     (604,590      (6,624,389        (461,890      (4,910,081
  

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

     (284,616    $ (3,119,582        388,879      $ 4,161,929  
  

 

 

 
Class C Shares:              

Shares sold

     37,204      $ 399,699          36,427      $ 380,419  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

                     4,906        51,466  

Shares redeemeda

     (60,738      (652,239        (63,557      (658,152
  

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

     (23,534    $ (252,540        (22,224    $ (226,267
  

 

 

 
Class R Shares:              

Shares sold

     1,525      $ 16,449          466      $ 5,000  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

                     337        3,557  

Shares redeemed

                     (3      (30
  

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

     1,525      $ 16,449          800      $ 8,527  
  

 

 

 
Class R6 Shares:              

Shares sold

          $               $  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

                             

Shares redeemed

                             
  

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

          $               $  
  

 

 

 
Advisor Class Shares:              

Shares sold

     2,261,037      $ 24,813,761          3,735,776      $ 39,446,888  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

                     144,113        1,534,808  

Shares redeemed

     (1,959,322      (21,514,851        (4,254,581      (44,850,769
  

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

     301,715      $ 3,298,910          (374,692    $ (3,869,073
  

 

 

 

aMay include a portion of Class C shares that were automatically converted to Class A.

3. Transactions with Affiliates

Franklin Resources, Inc. is the holding company for various subsidiaries that together are referred to as Franklin Templeton. Certain officers and trustees of the Trust are also officers and/or directors of the following subsidiaries:

 

Subsidiary    Affiliation

K2/D&S Management Co., L.L.C. (K2 Advisors)

  

Investment manager

Franklin Templeton Services, LLC (FT Services)

  

Administrative manager

Franklin Distributors, LLC (Distributors)
(formerly Franklin Templeton Distributors, Inc.)

  

Principal underwriter

Franklin Templeton Investor Services, LLC (Investor Services)

  

Transfer agent

a. Management Fees

The Fund pays an investment management fee to K2 Advisors of 1.60% per year of the average daily net assets of the Fund.

 

           
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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund (continued)

3. Transactions with Affiliates (continued)

a. Management Fees (continued)

 

Under each subadvisory agreement, the below entities provide subadvisory services to the Fund. The subadvisory fees are paid by K2 Advisors and are not an additional expense of the Fund. Each subadvisor is compensated for managing its respective portion of the average daily net assets of the Fund.

 

Subadvisors

Apollo Credit Management LLC

Benefit Street Partners L.L.C.*

Ellington Global Asset Management, LLC

Emso Asset Management Limited

Medalist Partners, LP

* An affiliate of K2 Advisors.

b. Administrative Fees

Under an agreement with K2 Advisors, FT Services provides administrative services to the Fund. The fee is paid by K2 Advisors based on the Fund’s average daily net assets, and is not an additional expense of the Fund.

c. Distribution Fees

The Board has adopted distribution plans for each share class, with the exception of Class R6 and Advisor Class shares, pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Under the Fund’s Class A reimbursement distribution plan, the Fund reimburses Distributors for costs incurred in connection with the servicing, sale and distribution of the Fund’s shares up to the maximum annual plan rate. Under the Class A reimbursement distribution plan, costs exceeding the maximum for the current plan year cannot be reimbursed in subsequent periods. In addition, under the Fund’s Class C and R compensation distribution plans, the Fund pays Distributors for costs incurred in connection with the servicing, sale and distribution of the Fund’s shares up to the maximum annual plan rate for each class. The plan year, for purposes of monitoring compliance with the maximum annual plan rates, is February 1 through January 31.

The maximum annual plan rates, based on the average daily net assets, for each class, are as follows:

 

Class A

     0.25%  

Class C

     1.00%  

Class R

     0.50%  

d. Sales Charges/Underwriting Agreements

Front-end sales charges and contingent deferred sales charges (CDSC) do not represent expenses of the Fund. These charges are deducted from the proceeds of sales of Fund shares prior to investment or from redemption proceeds prior to remittance, as applicable. Distributors has advised the Fund of the following commission transactions related to the sales and redemptions of the Fund’s shares for the period:

 

Sales charges retained net of commissions paid to unaffiliated brokers/dealers

   $ 1,003  

CDSC retained

   $ 81  

e. Transfer Agent Fees

Each class of shares pays transfer agent fees to Investor Services for its performance of shareholder servicing obligations. The fees are based on an annualized asset based fee of 0.02% plus a transaction based fee. In addition, each class reimburses Investor Services for out of pocket expenses incurred and, except for Class R6, reimburses shareholder servicing fees paid to third parties. These fees are allocated daily based upon their relative proportion of such classes’ aggregate net assets. Class R6 pays Investor Services transfer agent fees specific to that class.

 

           
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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund (continued)

 

For the period ended November 30, 2021, the Fund paid transfer agent fees of $55,743, of which $22,243 was retained by Investor Services.

f. Waiver and Expense Reimbursements

K2 Advisors has contractually agreed in advance to waive or limit its fees and to assume as their own expense certain expenses otherwise payable by the Fund so that the operating expenses (excluding interest expense, distribution fees, acquired fund fees and expenses, expenses related to securities sold short, and certain non-routine expenses or costs, including those relating to litigation, indemnification, reorganizations and liquidations) for each class of the Fund do not exceed 1.65% based on the average net assets of each class until September 30, 2022. Total expenses waived or paid are not subject to recapture subsequent to the Fund’s fiscal year end.

Investor Services has contractually agreed in advance to waive or limit its fees so that the Class R6 transfer agent fees do not exceed 0.03% based on the average net assets of the class until September 30, 2022.

g. Other Affiliated Transactions

At November 30, 2021, Franklin Resources, Inc. owned 7.10% of the Fund’s outstanding shares.

4. Expense Offset Arrangement

The Fund has entered into an arrangement with its custodian whereby credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances are used to reduce a portion of the Fund’s custodian expenses. During the period ended November 30, 2021, the custodian fees were reduced as noted in the Statement of Operations.

5. Income Taxes

At November 30, 2021, the cost of investments and net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) for income tax purposes were as follows:

 

Cost of investments

   $ 97,917,599  
  

 

 

 

Unrealized appreciation

   $ 2,828,717  

Unrealized depreciation

     (2,327,949
  

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

   $ 500,768  
  

 

 

 

Differences between income and/or capital gains as determined on a book basis and a tax basis are primarily due to differing treatments of foreign currency transactions and wash sales.

6. Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investments and securities sold short (excluding short term securities) for the period ended November 30, 2021, aggregated $69,314,210 and $68,329,641, respectively.

7. Credit Risk and Defaulted Securities

At November 30, 2021, the Fund had 25.4% of its portfolio invested in high yield, senior secured floating rate loans, or other securities rated below investment grade as determined by Nationally Recognized Statistical Credit Ratings Organizations and/or internally, by investment management and unrated securities. These securities may be more sensitive to economic conditions causing greater price volatility and are potentially subject to a greater risk of loss due to default than higher rated securities.

The Fund may purchase the pre-default or defaulted debt of distressed companies. Distressed companies are financially troubled and could be or are already involved in financial restructuring or bankruptcy. Risks associated with purchasing these

 

           
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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund (continued)

7. Credit Risk and Defaulted Securities (continued)

 

securities include the possibility that the bankruptcy or other restructuring process takes longer than expected, or that distributions in restructuring are less than anticipated, either or both of which may result in unfavorable consequences to the Fund. If it becomes probable that the income on debt securities, including those of distressed companies, will not be collected, the Fund discontinues accruing income and recognizes an adjustment for uncollectible interest.

At November 30, 2021, the aggregate long value of distressed company securities for which interest recognition has been discontinued was $1,950,618, representing 1.8% of the Fund’s net assets. For information as to specific securities, see the accompanying Statement of Investments.

8. Novel Coronavirus Pandemic

The global outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease, known as COVID-19, has caused adverse effects on many companies, sectors, nations, regions and the markets in general, and may continue for an unpredictable duration. The effects of this pandemic may materially impact the value and performance of the Fund, its ability to buy and sell fund investments at appropriate valuations and its ability to achieve its investment objectives.

9. Restricted Securities

The Fund invests in securities that are restricted under the Securities Act of 1933 (1933 Act). Restricted securities are often purchased in private placement transactions, and cannot be sold without prior registration unless the sale is pursuant to an exemption under the 1933 Act. Disposal of these securities may require greater effort and expense, and prompt sale at an acceptable price may be difficult. The Fund may have registration rights for restricted securities. The issuer generally incurs all registration costs.

At November 30, 2021, investments in restricted securities, excluding securities exempt from registration under the 1933 Act, were as follows:

 

Shares/
Principal
Amount
    Issuer    Acquisition Date     Cost     Value  
  923    

Acosta Inc.

     12/31/19     $ 8,144     $ 7,476  
  925    

Acosta Inc., cvt. pfd.

     12/31/19-6/30/21       50,262       46,250  
  35,221    

Riverbed Technology Inc., senior note, 6.00%, 1/13/22

     10/13/21       35,055       34,869  
      

 

 

 
 

Total Restricted Securities (Value is 0.1% of Net Assets)

    $ 93,461     $ 88,595  
      

 

 

 

10. Unfunded Loan Commitments

The Fund enters into certain credit agreements, all or a portion of which may be unfunded. The Fund is obligated to fund these loan commitments at the borrowers’ discretion. Unfunded loan commitments and funded portions of credit agreements are marked to market daily and any unrealized appreciation or depreciation is included in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities and the Statement of Operations. Funded portions of credit agreements are presented in the Statement of Investments.

At November 30, 2021, unfunded commitments were as follows:

 

Borrower    Unfunded
Commitment
 

Intelsat Jackson Holdings SA, Term Loan DIP

   $ 140,000  

Upfield Group BV, Term Loan RC

     214,532  
  

 

 

 
   $ 354,532  
  

 

 

 

 

           
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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund (continued)

 

11. Other Derivative Information

At November 30, 2021, the investments in derivative contracts are reflected in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as follows:

 

   

Asset Derivatives

   

Liability Derivatives

 
Derivative Contracts
Not Accounted for as
Hedging Instruments
  Statement of Assets and
Liabilities Location
  Fair Value     Statement of Assets and
Liabilities Location
  Fair Value  

Interest rate contracts

 

Variation margin on centrally cleared swap contracts

  $ 14,703 a   

Variation margin on centrally cleared swap contracts

  $ 139,539 a 
 

Unrealized appreciation on OTC swap contracts

    11,203    

Unrealized depreciation on OTC swap contracts

    10,012  
     

Variation margin on futures contracts

    27,968 a 

Foreign exchange contracts

 

Unrealized appreciation on OTC forward exchange contracts

    203,715    

Unrealized depreciation on OTC forward exchange contracts

    94,696  

Credit contracts

 

Variation margin on centrally cleared swap contracts

    77,613 a   

Variation margin on centrally cleared swap contracts

    114,231 a 
 

OTC swap contracts (upfront payments)

    179,089    

OTC swap contracts (upfront receipts)

    81,909  
 

Unrealized appreciation on OTC swap contracts

    24,701    

Unrealized depreciation on OTC swap contracts

    121,603  

Equity contracts

 

Investments in securities, at value

    27,502 b   

Options written, at value

    867  
 

Unrealized appreciation on OTC swap contracts

    31,712    

Unrealized depreciation on OTC swap contracts

    17,908  
 

Variation margin on futures contracts

    32,786 a   

Variation margin on futures contracts

    12,471 a 
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Totals

    $ 603,024       $ 621,204  
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

aThis amount reflects the cumulative appreciation (depreciation) of futures contracts and centrally cleared swap contracts as reported in the Statement of Investments. Only the variation margin receivable/payable at period end is separately reported within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Prior variation margin movements were recorded to cash upon receipt or payment.

bPurchased option contracts are included in investments in securities, at value in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

For the period ended November 30, 2021, the effect of derivative contracts in the Statement of Operations was as follows:

 

Derivative Contracts

Not Accounted for as

Hedging Instruments

 

Statement of

Operations Location

  Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
for the Period
   

Statement of

Operations Location

  Net Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
for the Period
 
 

Net realized gain (loss) from:

   

Net change in unrealized
appreciation (depreciation) on:

 

Interest rate contracts

 

Swap contracts

  $ 10,087    

Swap contracts

  $ 67,545  
 

Futures contracts

    (56,260  

Futures contracts

    (27,234

Foreign exchange contracts

 

Forward exchange contracts

    (48,021  

Forward exchange contracts

    311,948  

Credit contracts

 

Swap contracts

    (421,977  

Swap contracts

    351,830  

Equity contracts

 

Investments

    (70,023 )a   

Investments

    (23,054 )a 
 

Written options

    16,993    

Written options

    1,573  
 

Futures contracts

    (143,852  

Futures contracts

    47,254  
 

Swap contracts

    122,341    

Swap contracts

    24,364  
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Totals

    $ (590,712     $ 754,226  
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

aPurchased option contracts are included in net realized gain (loss) from investments and net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments in the Statement of Operations.

 

           
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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund (continued)

11. Other Derivative Information (continued)

 

For the period ended November 30, 2021, the average month end notional amount of options, futures contracts and swap contracts represented 36,500 shares, $3,082,563 and $21,184,096, respectively. The average month end contract value of forward exchange contracts was $9,958,035.

At November 30, 2021, OTC derivative assets and liabilities are as follows:

 

     Gross Amounts of
Assets and Liabilities
Presented in the
Statement of
Assets and Liabilities
 
      Assetsa     Liabilitiesa  
Derivatives     

Forward Exchange Contracts

   $ 203,715     $ 94,696  

Options Purchased

     3,240        

Swap Contracts

     246,705       231,432  
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 453,660     $ 326,128  
  

 

 

 

aAbsent an event of default or early termination, OTC derivative assets and liabilities are presented gross and not offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

At November 30, 2021, OTC derivative assets, which may be offset against OTC derivative liabilities and collateral received from the counterparty, are as follows:

 

           Amounts Not Offset in the
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
       
      Gross Amounts
of Assets Presented
in the Statement of
Assets and Liabilities
    Financial
Instruments
Available for Offset
    Financial
Instruments
Collateral
Received
    Cash
Collateral
Received
    Net Amount (Not
less than zero)
 
Counterparty           

BNPP

   $ 2,656     $ (310   $  —     $  —     $ 2,346  

BOFA

     6,171       (6,171                  

BZWS

     101,442       (75,897                 25,545  

CITI

     26,966       (25,077                 1,889  

DBAB

     7,183                         7,183  

FBCO

     101       (101                  

GSCO

     44,530       (40,689                 3,841  

JPHQ

     133,262       (45,117           (70,000     18,145  

JPHQa

     109,039                         109,039  

MSCS

     22,310       (22,310                  
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 453,660     $ (215,672   $     $ (70,000   $ 167,988  
  

 

 

 

 

           
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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund (continued)

 

At November 30, 2021, OTC derivative liabilities, which may be offset against OTC derivative assets and collateral pledged to the counterparty, are as follows:

 

           Amounts Not Offset in the
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
       
      Gross Amounts of
Liabilities Presented
in the Statement of
Assets and Liabilities
    Financial
Instruments
Available for Offset
    Financial
Instruments
Collateral
Pledged
    Cash
Collateral
Pledgedb
    Net Amount (Not
less than zero)
 
Counterparty           

BNPP

   $ 310     $ (310   $  —     $     $  

BOFA

     22,023       (6,171           (15,852      

BZWS

     75,897       (75,897                  

CITI

     25,077       (25,077                  

DBAB

                              

FBCO

     328       (101           (227      

GSCO

     40,689       (40,689                  

JPHQ

     45,117       (45,117                  

JPHQa

     87,315                         87,315  

MSCS

     29,372       (22,310           (7,062      
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 326,128     $ (215,672   $     $ (23,141   $ 87,315  
  

 

 

 

aRepresents derivatives not subject to an ISDA master agreement.

bIn some instances, the collateral amounts disclosed in the table above were adjusted due to the requirement to limit the collateral amounts to avoid the effect of over collateralization. Actual collateral received and/or pledged may be more than the amounts disclosed herein.

See Note 1(e) regarding derivative financial instruments.

See Abbreviations on page 51.

12. Credit Facility

The Fund, together with other U.S. registered and foreign investment funds (collectively, Borrowers), managed by Franklin Templeton, are borrowers in a joint syndicated senior unsecured credit facility totaling $2.675 billion (Global Credit Facility) which matures on February 4, 2022. This Global Credit Facility provides a source of funds to the Borrowers for temporary and emergency purposes, including the ability to meet future unanticipated or unusually large redemption requests.

Under the terms of the Global Credit Facility, the Fund shall, in addition to interest charged on any borrowings made by the Fund and other costs incurred by the Fund, pay its share of fees and expenses incurred in connection with the implementation and maintenance of the Global Credit Facility, based upon its relative share of the aggregate net assets of all of the Borrowers, including an annual commitment fee of 0.15% based upon the unused portion of the Global Credit Facility. These fees are reflected in other expenses in the Statement of Operations. During the period ended November 30, 2021, the Fund did not use the Global Credit Facility.

 

           
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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund (continued)

 

13. Fair Value Measurements

The Fund follows a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between market data obtained from independent sources (observable inputs) and the Fund’s own market assumptions (unobservable inputs). These inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s financial instruments and are summarized in the following fair value hierarchy:

 

   

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical financial instruments

   

Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar financial instruments, interest rates, prepayment speed, credit risk, etc.)

   

Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of financial instruments)

The input levels are not necessarily an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with financial instruments at that level.

A summary of inputs used as of November 30, 2021, in valuing the Fund’s assets and liabilities carried at fair value, is as follows:

 

      Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
Assets:         

Investments in Securities:a

        

Equity Investmentsb

   $ 2,570,046     $ 75,310     $ 73,855     $ 2,719,211  

Convertible Bonds

           1,888,320             1,888,320  

Corporate Bonds and Notes

           27,117,975             27,117,975  

Senior Floating Rate Interests

           2,233,871             2,233,871  

Senior Floating Rate Interests in Reorganization

           70,793             70,793  

Credit-Linked Notes

           992,479             992,479  

Foreign Government and Agency Securities

           6,025,213             6,025,213  

U.S. Government and Agency Securities

           535,937             535,937  

Asset-Backed Securities and Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities

           37,184,788             37,184,788  

Municipal Bonds in Reorganization

           1,879,825             1,879,825  

Options Purchased

     27,502                   27,502  

Short Term Investments

     17,850,091       4,402,397             22,252,488  
  

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities

   $  20,447,639     $ 82,406,908 c    $ 73,855     $  102,928,402  
  

 

 

 

Other Financial Instruments:

        

Futures Contracts

   $ 32,786     $     $     $ 32,786  

Forward Exchange Contracts

           203,715             203,715  

Swap Contracts

           159,932             159,932  
  

 

 

 

Total Other Financial Instruments

   $ 32,786     $ 363,647     $     $ 396,433  
  

 

 

 
Liabilities:         

Other Financial Instruments:

        

Options Written

   $ 867     $     $     $ 867  

Securities Sold Shorta

     164,407       4,061,537             4,225,944  

Futures Contracts

     40,439                   40,439  

Forward Exchange Contracts

           94,696             94,696  

Swap Contracts

           403,293             403,293  

Unfunded Loan Commitments

           4,403             4,403  
  

 

 

 

Total Other Financial Instruments

   $ 205,713     $ 4,563,929     $     $ 4,769,642  
  

 

 

 

aFor detailed categories, see the accompanying Statement of Investments.

bIncludes common, preferred and convertible preferred stocks as well as other equity interests.

cIncludes foreign securities valued at $75,310, which were categorized as Level 2 as a result of the application of market level fair value procedures. See the Financial Instrument Valuation note for more information.

A reconciliation in which Level 3 inputs are used in determining fair value is presented when there are significant Level 3 assets and/or liabilities at the beginning and/or end of the period.

 

           
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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund (continued)

 

14. New Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) – Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. In January 2021, the FASB issued ASU No. 2021-01, with further amendments to Topic 848. The amendments in the ASUs provide optional temporary accounting recognition and financial reporting relief from the effect of certain types of contract modifications due to the planned discontinuation of the LIBOR and other interbank-offered based reference rates as of the end of 2021 for certain LIBOR settings and 2023 for the remainder. The ASUs are effective for certain reference rate-related contract modifications that occur during the period March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. Management has reviewed the requirements and believes the adoption of these ASUs will not have a material impact on the financial statements.

15. Subsequent Events

The Fund has evaluated subsequent events through the issuance of the financial statements and determined that no events have occurred that require disclosure.

Abbreviations

 

Counterparty   Currency   Selected Portfolio
BNPP   BNP Paribas   CHF   Swiss Franc   ARM   Adjustable Rate Mortgage
BOFA   Bank of America Corp.   EGP   Egyptian Pound   CLO   Collateralized Loan Obligation
BZWS   Barclays Bank PLC   EUR   Euro   DIP   Debtor-In-Possession
CITI   Citigroup, Inc.   GBP   British Pound   ETF   Exchange Traded Fund
DBAB   Deutsche Bank AG   JPY   Japanese Yen   FEDEF   Federal Funds Effective Rate
FBCO   Credit Suisse Group AG   PLN   Polish Zloty   FHLMC   Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.
GSCO   The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.   RUB   Russian Ruble   FNMA   Federal National Mortgage Association
JPHQ   JP Morgan Chase & Co.   SGD   Singapore Dollar   FRN   Floating Rate Note
MSCS   Morgan Stanley Capital Services LLC   USD   United States Dollar   LIBOR   London InterBank Offered Rate
    ZAR   South African Rand   PIK   Payment In-Kind
        RC   Revolving Loan Commitment
        REIT   Real Estate Investment Trust
Index       SFR   Single Family Revenue
CDX.NA.HY   CDX North America High Yield Index       SOFR   Secured Overnight Financing Rate
        SORA   Singapore Overnight Rate Average
        SPAC   Special Purpose Acquisition Company
        SPDR   Standard & Poor’s Depositary Receipt
        WIBOR   Warsaw Interbank Offered Rate
                     
         

 

           
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FRANKLIN ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES FUNDS

 

Shareholder Information

 

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

The Fund’s investment manager has established Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures (Policies) that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities. Shareholders may view the Fund’s complete Policies online at franklintempleton.com. Alternatively, shareholders may request copies of the Policies free of charge by calling the Proxy Group collect at (954) 527-7678 or by sending a written request to: Franklin Templeton Companies, LLC, 300 S.E. 2nd Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301, Attention: Proxy Group. Copies of the Fund’s proxy voting records are also made available online at franklintempleton.com and posted on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at sec.gov and reflect the most recent 12-month period ended June 30.

Quarterly Statement of Investments

The Trust, on behalf of the Fund, files a complete statement of investments with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for the first and third quarters for each fiscal year as an exhibit to its report on Form N-PORT. Shareholders may view the filed Form N-PORT by visiting the Commission’s website at sec.gov. The filed form may also be viewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Information regarding the operations of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330.

Householding of Reports and Prospectuses

You will receive, or receive notice of the availability of, the Fund’s financial reports every six months. In addition, you will receive an annual updated summary prospectus (detail prospectus available upon request). To reduce Fund expenses, we try to identify related shareholders in a household and send only one copy of the financial reports (to the extent received by mail) and summary prospectus. This process, called “householding,” will continue indefinitely unless you instruct us otherwise. If you prefer not to have these documents householded, please call us at (800) 632-2301. At any time you may view current prospectuses/summary prospectuses and financial reports on our website. If you choose, you may receive these documents through electronic delivery.

 

 

           
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Authorized for distribution only when accompanied or preceded by a summary prospectus and/or prospectus. Investors should carefully consider a fund’s investment goals, risks, charges and expenses before investing. A prospectus contains this and other information; please read it carefully before investing.

To help ensure we provide you with quality service, all calls to and from our service areas are monitored and/or recorded.

 

 

 

LOGO  

Semiannual Report and Shareholder Letter

Franklin K2 Long Short Credit Fund

 
  Investment Manager   Distributor   Shareholder Services
  K2/D&S Management Co., L.L.C.  

Franklin Distributors, LLC

(800) DIAL BEN®/342-5236

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© 2022 Franklin Templeton Investments. All rights reserved.     948 S 01/22


Item 2.

Code of Ethics.

(a) The Registrant has adopted a code of ethics that applies to its principal executive officers and principal financial and accounting officer.

(c) N/A

(d) N/A

(f) Pursuant to Item 13(a)(1), the Registrant is attaching as an exhibit a copy of its code of ethics that applies to its principal executive officers and principal financial and accounting officer.

 

Item 3.

Audit Committee Financial Expert.

(a)(1) The Registrant has an audit committee financial expert serving on its audit committee.

(2) The audit committee financial experts are Ann Torre Bates and David W. Niemiec, and they are “independent” as defined under the relevant Securities and Exchange Commission Rules and Releases.

 

Item 4.

Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

Not Applicable.

 

Item 5.

Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

Not Applicable.

 

Item 6.

Investments.

Not applicable.

 

Item 7.

Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

Not applicable.


Item 8.

Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

Not applicable.

 

Item 9.

Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.

Not applicable.

 

Item 10. Submission

of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

There have been no changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the Registrant’s Board of Trustees that would require disclosure herein.

 

Item 11. Controls

and Procedures.

 

  (a)

The registrant’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) (17 CFR 270.30a-3(c))) are effective, as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of the report that includes the disclosure required by this paragraph, based on their evaluation of these controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(b)) and Rules 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (17 CFR 240.13a-15(b) or 240.15d-15(b)).

 

  (b)

There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(d))) that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Item 12. Disclosure

of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

Not applicable.

 

Item 13.

Exhibits.

(a)(1)    Code of Ethics

(a) (2)   Certifications pursuant to Section  302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 of Matthew T. Hinkle, Chief Executive Officer - Finance and Administration, and Christopher Kings, Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer

(b)        Certifications pursuant to Section  906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 of Matthew T. Hinkle, Chief Executive Officer - Finance and Administration, and Christopher Kings, Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

(Registrant)       Franklin Alternative Strategies Funds                                             

  

By (Signature and Title)

    

/s/ Matthew T. Hinkle                        

  
     Matthew T. Hinkle, Chief Executive Officer – Finance and Administration   

Date     January 26, 2022                              

  

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

By (Signature and Title)

    

/s/ Matthew T. Hinkle                        

  
     Matthew T. Hinkle, Chief Executive Officer – Finance and Administration   

Date     January 26, 2022                              

  

By (Signature and Title)

    

/s/ Christopher Kings                        

  
     Christopher Kings, Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer   

Date     January 26, 2022